<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575516500930.jpeg">Fall farm image courtesy KSRE MANHATTAN – On farms large and small across the United States, the number of women making the decisions is growing. Against that backdrop and especially in view of the current struggling farm economy, Kansas State University will host a four-part series of workshops focused on helping women sharpen their farm financial management skills. More than 25,500 women are decision makers on Kansas farms. They farm more than 14 million acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture. Overall, in 2017, 36% of all agricultural producers across the country were women, up from 31.5% in 2012. Fifty-six percent of farms had at least one female decision maker. “Women in agriculture will be specifically targeted for these workshops,” said Robin Reid, a farm economist with K-State Research and Extension. “They tend to be an underserved demographic, but many times are doing the books or recordkeeping for the operation. By teaching them skills necessary to turn farm records into financial statements, and then using those statements to make assessments and management decisions, farm women can increase the profitability and sustainability of their operations.” The K-State Research and Extension program will run as a series, so each evening session builds on material from the previous sessions. Participants register at a cost of $40 for the entire four-session series. The fee covers all meals and program materials. The sessions, all on Wednesdays, are Jan. 15, Jan. 22, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, 5:30 to 8:30 pm and offered in 31 locations around the state through a combination of broadcasted keynote and local speakers. Local K-State Research and Extension agents will serve as hosts for the program and also facilitate the hands-on activities and discussions. Dinner will be served at each location to start each of the four sessions. American Ag Credit will be the host site in Salina. For a list of other participating sites, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.agmanager.info/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: windowtext;">www.AgManager.info</a>&nbsp;under the Events page. Registration is available&nbsp;<a href="http://www.agmanager.info/events/farm-financial-skills-kansas-women-agriculture" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: windowtext;">online</a>&nbsp;or by contacting Cade Rensink at 785-392-2147 to register to participate in Salina. Registration deadline is Dec. 31. “The downturn in the farm economy in recent&nbsp;years has highlighted a need for more education in farm financial management, specifically focusing on debt/asset relationships, cash flow management, financial analysis and benchmarking,” said Winsor, a farm analyst for K-State Research and Extension and farm wife. There are many Women in Agriculture programs across the state, she said, but none that combine a state-level program with the convenience of 31 locations where networking and small group learning can occur. As many as 500 are expected to participate.&nbsp; The workshop series was inspired by a similar program at Washington State University’s Women in Agriculture Conference where Reid and Winsor delivered the keynote address in 2018 to nearly 500 women across five states. “The model of having webinar components mixed with local activities to reach a wider range of farm women was a wonderful idea for farm financial risk management education here in Kansas,” Reid said. The program is supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture through North-Central Extension Risk Management Education.

Honing skills: K-State to host Women in Ag workshop series

<h1><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575508325991.jpeg"></h1> Gerhard Paul HarderAugust 18, 1921&nbsp;~&nbsp;December 2, 2019&nbsp;(age 98) Gerhard’s life began on August 18, 1921, the son of Gustav and Anna (Wiebe) Harder in their farmhouse in Whitewater, Kansas. He attended Whitewater Schools and graduated from Hesston High School, Class of 1939. He married Anna Louise Regier on October 5, 1945, in Newton, Kansas.&nbsp;He was a farmer stockman and loved every aspect of farming. He was a member of Emmaus Church, enjoyed singing (and sang bass) reading and traveling.&nbsp;His loving family includes his wife of 74 years, Anna Harder of the home; his children, JoAnn Harder of Wichita, Ron (Janice) Harder of Newton, Richard (Glenda) Harder of Whitewater, Jeanette (Walter) Braun of Paraguay, Eileen (Dave) Barkman of Japan, Anbeth (Mark) Anderson of Newton; brother Arthur (Norma) Harder of Olathe; sister, Ella Harnly of Manheim, Pennsylvania; 22 grandchildren and 34 Great-grandchildren.&nbsp;He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gus, Herb, Walter, and Harold Harder; sisters, Martha Dyck, Ann Claassen, twins - Esther Wiebe, Elsie Regier and Agnes Wuthrich; a grandson, Christopher Harder. Gerhard passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2019, at Wheatstate Manor in Whitewater, having reached the age of 98 years old.&nbsp;His family will receive friends on Friday, December 6, from 6-8 p.m. His Funeral Service will be held Sunday, December 8, at 3:00 p.m. both at Emmaus Church, 9070 NW Meadowlark Road, Whitewater, Kansas 67154. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, in the Emmaus Cemetery.&nbsp;In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Gerhard’s name may be directed to Che Roga Camp in Paraguay or Okutama Bible Chalet in Japan in care of Lamb Funeral Home, PO Box 358, Whitewater, Kansas 67154.Please sign his online guest book and leave a memory of Gerhard at ymzfh.com

Gerhard Paul Harder

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575438195265.jpeg">Riders In The Sky. Photos courtesy Stiefel Theatre Don't forget: Riders In The Sky and The Quebe Sisters are coming to Salina! The concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday in the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts, 151 S. Santa Fe. Tickets start at $29. Ticket link: <a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/060056F6A5256E7C" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119);">https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/060056F6A5256E7C</a> Following is performer information provided by the Stiefel Theatre. Riders In The SkyRiders In The Sky are truly exceptional. By definition, empirical data, and critical acclaim, they stand “hats &amp; shoulders” above the rest of the purveyors of C &amp; W – “Comedy &amp; Western!” For more than 30 years Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing the genre. And while remaining true to the integrity of Western music, they have themselves become modern-day icons by branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit, and all along encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes to live life “The Cowboy Way!” Riders In The Sky are exceptional not just in the sense that their music is of superlative standards (they are the ONLY exclusively Western artist to have won a Grammy, and Riders have won two, but by the fact that their accomplishments are an exception to the rule as well. Guitarist Ranger Doug, “Governor of the Great State of Rhythm,” sings lead and baritone vocals with an ever-present big grin and warm twinkle in his eyes. A yodeler of breathtaking technique, he is also an award-winning Western music songwriter in his own right–and a distinguished music historian whose 2002 Vanderbilt University Press book “Singing in the Saddle” was the first comprehensive look at the singing cowboy phenomenon that swept the country in the 1930s. Upright “bunkhouse” bassist Too Slim, easily the sharpest wit in the West, was, prior to the Riders, a janitor, industrial galvanizer, puppeteer, rumor-monger, hay stacker, burlesque show emcee, sportswriter, wildlife manager, and electric bassman. Besides his superb bass play and comic genius, he has inspired thousands to whack out tunes on their faces. Woody Paul, “King of the Cowboy Fiddlers,” singsa lead and tenor vocals, and gained early experience in country-western music by hanging out with the likes of Roy Acuff. When not dazzling Riders fans with his fiddle, he’s thrilling them with intricate rope tricks which he swears he’ll get right before his career is over. Accordionist Joey, the CowPolka King, “plays both ends against the middle,” as they say, on his “stomach Steinway.” The master musician, who apprenticed with the late polka king Frank Yankovic and has recorded with everyone from Roy Rogers to U2, is also the Riders’ album producer and a licensed driver. Equally as exceptional, but of greater significance, is that in 1982, Riders In The Sky became the first, and to date only, exclusively Western music artist to join the Grand Ole Opry, the longest running radio show in history, and thus began a love affair with radio as well. In 1988, they recorded comedy skits for the album “Riders Radio Theatre” and launched the long-running international weekly radio show of the same name on public radio. And keeping pace with the ever-changing technological landscape, in 2006 “Ranger Doug’s Classic Cowboy Corral” debuted on XM Satellite Radio, still heard weekly on SiriusXM Channel 56. Yes, it would be “The Easy Way” to call it a career after 30-plus years, but it wouldn’t be…”The Cowboy Way!” And so, the never-ending trail drive continues. The ponies are rested and watered, and America’s Favorite Cowboys are ready to saddle up and ride, bringing good beef to hungry people wherever they may be. Yes, Riders In The Sky are truly an exception to the rule. <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575438319666.jpeg"> The Quebe SistersWith over fifteen years of touring to date, The Quebe Sisters have delivered their authentic triple fiddle and three-part harmony sound to the concert halls and festivals of North America, Europe, and Russia. Grace, Sophia, and Hulda Quebe front an innovative Progressive Western Swing band of archtop guitar, upright bass, fiddles and sibling harmony. The Dallas-based five-piece presents a unique Americana blend of Western Swing, Jazz-influenced Swing, Country, Texas-Style Fiddling, and Western music. “We differentiate our music as ‘Progressive Western Swing’ from simply ‘Western Swing’ because we aren’t trying to sound just like Bob Wills,” Grace Quebe explains. “Instead, we continue his vision, playing the style he pioneered in an authentic way by incorporating new genres and songs, interpreting them using our own unique voice through Country instrumentation.” The band’s stripped-down acoustic instrumentation breathes new life into seasoned sounds once found in Texas dance halls and honky-tonks. Grace continues, “To us, preserving the tradition of Western Swing isn’t about keeping something alive like a relic. Western Swing has always been about innovation.” Innovation has led the sisters to channel the musical connection between danceability and emotiveness, combining old sounds with new feelings and old feelings with new sounds. It’s not nostalgia that drives the band as purveyors of Western Swing, but the aspiration to take the music back to its roots and sustain the spirit of Swing. Combine the musical stylings of The Mills Brothers, Ray Price, Count Basie, Willie Nelson, and you have none other than The Quebe Sisters.

Riders In The Sky, The Quebe Sisters at Stiefel Friday

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573590596307.png"> By MARTIN HAWVER This looks like the week when the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform takes a break from all that three-legged stool business that it has been assigned to fix or at least chat about and get into the business of taxes that support state and local governments. This three-legged stool which former governors have touted—making sure that about a third of revenues each come from sales, income and property taxes—sounds nice we guess, but practically, who cares? Ever spend the afternoon doing long division to parse your sales, income and property taxes? Nope, we didn’t think so. It’s the total that is the key for most of us who are trying to decide whether we can move up to a Buick, or maybe hire someone to replace the aging deck.So, while the tax council continues to wonder whether this three-legged stool is level enough to set your coffee on, it’s likely this week to get to something that is more important: Whether Kansas will have enough revenue to pay its bills and provide the services that its residents want. And…that’s where it looks like this session of that tax panel is likely headed. To sales taxes that aren’t paid on purchases made by Kansans over the Internet, whether it’s just a bunch of information or maybe a bicycle or a stereo (do they still make those?) or something to wear to work. It’s “digital products” and the people who sell them to us Kansans. Now, as Revenue Secretary Mark Burghart keeps reminding us, you can walk into a neighborhood bookstore and buy a book to read and pay sales tax on that book. Pretty simple. The state makes revenue off that book. But for a whole new generation of Kansas consumers, they’ll buy that same book, or at least its words, over the Internet. And they apparently like to read that book on their phone or computer screen rather than holding a real book. The difference is that while the online books brings the same information as the old-style paper book, most Kansans aren’t paying the sales tax on that computer book. Same product, same information, one just costs 6.5 percent more – sales tax – and the other doesn’t. Doesn’t sound like a hard decision, does it, to recommend to the governor and the Legislature that the state start collecting sales tax on those electronic books, or on those bicycles and other stuff that we could buy from a local store and appropriately pay sales tax on, rather than just get on the Internet and have them send to us without paying sales tax. Oh, and those “marketplace facilitators”? They are the folks who make it possible for you to order that out-of-state merchandise. Seems like those folks ought to make sure that Kansas sales tax is paid on those products, and there are ways for the state to make sure that happens. This three-legged stool business?&nbsp;Maybe it makes some sort of sense, depending on how much money you make, or spend or buy property with. But the bottom line is making sure that the state can operate and take care of Kansans, whether they have a lot of property, or a lot of income, or buy a lot of taxable stuff. We’ll probably know this week whether that task force is going to look at keeping the state afloat, and fairly at least with a relatively easy suggestion that we start collecting sales tax people are avoiding.And then, we start making that stool a little shorter… Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.hawvernews.com</a>

At the Rail: Enough revenue?

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575230274476.png">Dinger photo Jackson County JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes. On October 22, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies served a search warrant on the home a home in rural Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the search warrant, law enforcement interviewed 63-year-old Ronnie Jack Dinger, and collected evidence from the scene. Deputies arrested Dinger November 27 on a Jackson County District Court warrant for rape, aggravated indecent liberties to a child under sixteen years of age and aggravated indecent liberties to a child under 14 years of age, according to Morse. Dinger was booked into the Jackson County Jail where and was later released after posting bond. He is expected to make a court appearance this week.

Kansas man under investigation for alleged child rape

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575226250656.jpeg">Melani Grubbs. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office The Salina Police Department has released information concerning an alleged murder in north Salina on Saturday. At approximately 4:26 p.m. on Saturday Salina Fire Department EMS and Salina Police officers were dispatched to a residence at 1100 North 10th Street for a medical emergency.&nbsp;Upon arrival, responders found 52-year-old Phillip R. Grubbs, Jr., deceased, according to information from the Salina Police Department.&nbsp;Phillip Grubbs was a resident at that location.&nbsp; Through the police investigation, Melani Grubbs, age 60, was identified as a suspect in Phillip Grubbs’ murder, the police release noted.&nbsp;Melani was Phillip Grubbs’ wife and also resides at 1100 North 10th Street, according to the release.&nbsp; Melani Gubbs has been booked into the Salina County Jail with requested charges including one count of second degree murder and one count of felon in possession of a firearm, the police release stated. This police investigation is on-going. If you have any information concerning this event, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637, or visit <a href="www.pd.salina.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(79, 130, 190);">www.pd.salina.org</a> and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.

SPD: Murder suspect arrested in north Salina case

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1575157777700.jpeg"> By RON WILSONKansas State University “The belle of the ball.” That phrase may call to mind a pretty girl dancing in a fancy ballroom, but in this case, it refers to a different kind of ball. This belle is the woman who serves as the volunteer caretaker of the world’s largest ball of twine. She’s helping people from around the world enjoy this unique rural attraction.&nbsp;Linda Clover explained that Frank Stoeber was farming near Cawker City in Mitchell County in 1953. As he fed small bales of hay to his cows, he began to accumulate the loose balestrings made of sisal twine.&nbsp;“He was a child of the Depression, so he didn’t throw anything away,” Linda said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rather than burning or discarding the twine, he started winding it into a ball. By the time he was done cleaning up his barn, he had a ball as big as his barn door.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Over time, he continued to add to the ball. Friends and neighbors started donating their twine to the project and the ball became massive. In 1956, when the Salina Journal wrote an article about it, the ball measured seven feet five inches and weighed 4,035 pounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People wanted to stop and see this remarkable and offbeat sight. The Cawker City commercial club approached Frank about donating it to the city, so he did. In 1961, it was brought into town to display. In 1962, a shelter was built to protect and display the quirky attraction. Frank Stoeber continued to add twine until his death in 1974, and the community continued to do so after his passing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1973, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded Frank Stoeber’s ball of twine the title of World’s Largest. But controversy erupted. In 1978, a man in Minnesota contended that his ball of twine was even bigger.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The good citizens of Cawker City responded to this challenge. In 1982, the town held its first annual Twine-A-Thon in conjunction with the annual city picnic. Along with a parade, poker run, golf tournament and horseshoe tournament, people wrap more twine around the ball during that weekend each year. Other guests add twine year-round.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By 1988, the ball was so big that it was moved to the city park in Cawker City and the present shelter was constructed. At that time the ball of twine measured 40 feet three inches in circumference, thus surpassing its rival in Minnesota. So there! Currently, the ball weighs 26,690 pounds, includes more than 8 million feet of sisal twine, and is still growing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Linda Clover, the Cawker City school librarian, became the volunteer caretaker of the ball of twine in the late 1990s. She fields calls from all over the world. She even carries pre-cut pieces of twine with her, so that guests can add a piece and take their picture next to this remarkable landmark. Only authentic sisal twine is to be added to the ball.&nbsp;“I love people,” Linda said. “This brings people from all over, which is good for our community and north central Kansas,” she said. Since Cawker City is located on Highway 24, Linda is actively involved with the Highway 24 Alliance. She enjoys this interaction so much that the Wall Street Journal once referred to her as “the belle of the ball.”&nbsp;Cawker City’s ball of twine has been featured in everything from Rachael Ray to National Lampoon’s Vacation. It has drawn visitors from around the globe, as far away as Antarctica and Mongolia. “There was a young couple from England who were going to tour the U.S. for their vacation, and each one chose one attraction which they did not want to miss,” Linda said. “One chose Yankee Stadium, and the other chose Cawker City’s ball of twine.”&nbsp;That’s impressive for a rural community like Cawker City, population 469 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cawkercitykansas.com/ball-of-twine" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.cawkercitykansas.com/ball-of-twine</a>.&nbsp;The belle of the ball. In this case, it refers to the woman who promotes the world’s largest ball of twine. We salute Linda Clover and all those who are making a difference by promoting this unique attraction. I hope their visitors have a ball. Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasprofile.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119);">http://www.kansasprofile.com</a>. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119);">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>. Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

Kansas Profile: Linda Clover, world’s largest ball of twine

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1575058207335.png">Eric Dean McCracken-photo Jackson Co. JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating 2 suspects on theft chargesAt approximately 1:30a.m. Friday, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer on 150th&nbsp;Road west of Mayetta for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The driver Eric Dean McCracken, 36, of Topeka was arrested at the scene for driving while suspended and was transported to the Jackson County Jail. Shortly before 5 am, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office of a stolen 2015 Chevy Silverado that they were tracking by GPS. The stolen vehicle was headed north on U.S. 75 Highway. An off duty Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy in his personal vehicle began following the vehicle into Holton where a Holton Police Officer attempted to stop the vehicle on Banner Road. The vehicle fled driving through yards and stopped behind the former Country Mart Store where the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Deputies and Holton Police Officers set up a perimeter north of Banner to 3rd&nbsp;Street. A Jackson County Sheriff’s K-9 began to track the suspect when, Undersheriff Darrel Chapman observed the suspect inside the Casey’s General Store on Arizona Street. <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1575058163319.png">Keith Ray McCracken, Depties and Police Officers arrived and took the man identified as Keith Ray McCracken, 32, of Topeka and is the brother of the earlier suspect, Eric Dean McCracken. It is believed that the younger McCracken was traveling to the Jackson County Jail to post bail on his older brother in the stolen vehicle. The Sheriff’s Office checked with Jefferson County authorities in regard to the Trailblazer that Eric McCracken was arrested in since it was not registered to McCracken, but was registered to a Meriden address. The owner of the Trailblazer was not aware his vehicle was missing at the time of the stop and later reported it stolen. Both brothers are in the Jackson County Jail awaiting bond. Eric Dean McCracken was booked into the jail for driving while suspended and possession of stolen property. Keith Ray McCracken is being held for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, driving while suspended and possession of stolen property.

Sheriff: Kan. man drove stolen vehicle to post bail for brother

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1575129632807.jpeg">While saxophone was his instrument of choice in his younger years, Milt Allen finds himself playing the piano more these days. Salina Post photo By LESLIE EIKLEBERRYSalina Post Dr. Milt Allen has come home and he's still making the music that he's loved since he was a child growing up in Salina. Allen is in his first semester as chair of the music department at Kansas Wesleyan University. And what a whirlwind semester it has been. "We had students on campus a week after I got here. The day I moved in, on Aug. 8, I remember I stopped off at the place where I'm living right now and I said, I'm just going to drop some things off, come down to school and drop some stuff off and I'll be back. Came down to school and eight hours later...and that's what it's been like," Allen said. "It's been seven days a week, every day and I haven't been able to get into the community like I've wanted to just because there's been so much to do." It all started with a phone call "I always kind of kept tabs on town because Mom and Dad were still around until they passed. Michelle Dolan had given me a call and said would you ever consider coming back to Salina at a smaller college?" Allen explained. And while home is important to Allen, being able to come home wasn't the main attraction, he said. "I decided to do some due diligence and really looked at what was going on downtown; really looked at where the arts were," he said. "Our downtown is back! There's heavy involvement in the arts. When I was a kid, it wasn't the same Wesleyan. It's a completely different leadership. A completely different campus. The resources have been there to help the administration do what they're doing. And I've traveled a lot of places and I've never seen that combination of the community, and also our partnerships in the community, and the emphasis on the arts, and where the university is now. So that really appealed to me, and the fact that it was home was kind of bold type, underscore, exclamation point!" A lot of living in 40 years Allen brings back to Salina a wealth of experience that he has acquired since he graduated from Salina Central High School in 1979. That experience includes performing at the Olympics and for a presidential inauguration, studying with world-class conductors, and working with a myriad of musicians. After graduating with his undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas, Allen said he began teaching in West St. Louis County, Mo. While there, he completed a master's degree at the University of Missouri. He then went to the University of Calgary, where he earned a master's degree in an audition-only program. "It was a pretty neat program. I got to work with, at that time, the finest wind conductors in the world," he said. Allen then became what he described as a roving teacher in a district in St. Louis County, Mo., but decide he wanted something different, so he went to a smaller, rural school nearby, a position he held for three years.&nbsp;&nbsp; "The last year I was there, I had a student that was killed by another student. A 12-year-old clarinet player. And I knew the kid who had killed her as well. He was a 16-year-old kid that had some issues," Allen said. "That one really threw me for a loop and I said 'you know, I didn't sign on for this in education. Done.' "So I moved to an Indian reservation and lived on there for a bit and then decided you know, am I really kind of running from stuff or what, so I came back, actually to Salina and was doing a little bit of radio work for KSAL and those folks. I was the creative part of a team. And then the job opened up at Sacred Heart," he said. Allen started at Sacred Heart with seven students enrolled in the high school band and 28 in the middle school.&nbsp; "We got real creative. In five years, we went from seven kids to 72 in the high school band and up to 70 in the middle school," Allen said. "Man, what a run we had. Lots of great things happened. Great student. Incredible support." During that time, Allen also began picking up more guest conducting a clinic opportunities.&nbsp; "And then one day, out of the blue, I got a call from Ohio State University and they said 'would you want to come audition for a doctorate?' They had one doctoral conducting associate for the university bands program. I said 'I'd love to audition, sure,' and I was up there in two weeks and before I got on the plane, they offered the position to me," Allen said. After four years at Ohio State, Allen became director of bands and instrumental division director at Eastern Illinois University. Part of Allen's work was rebuilding the program. He also accepted a position as a clinician for Hal Leonard Music and Meridith Music Publications. "They asked me to do a book and I wrote a book for them. In fact, I still represent them when I go out and do clinics. And I also became a clinician for Jupiter Instruments, which is the second largest instrument manufacturer in the world," Allen said. Then Ohio State called again, this time with an offer of a visiting position. Allen was there for two years as associate director of bands. During that time, he started a variety of musical opportunities, including a huge middle school honor band, he said. And while he accomplished much, something just wasn't quite right. "I really did some soul searching and thought 'is this the way music education should be?' The reason I got the doctorate in the first place was I felt that since I had the opportunity I needed to take it if I wanted to change what I perceived to be some issues with how we're training teachers and how music is perceived in our country. And I just kind of had this moment where I thought 'you know, this isn't going the way I thought it would' and so I just kind of, after some interesting goings ons at Ohio State I just turned my back on academia," Allen explained. Allen worked as a freelance musician for a while. Then, in 2015 he started a nonprofit organization called <a href="https://themusicguerrilla.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Music Guerrilla </a> that focuses on underserved and underfunded music programs. "That got me involved in doing a lot more things overseas," Allen said. "I've been to Europe several times. Rwanda. Zambia. Haiti. Still have some partnerships that I have maintained that I hope to get Wesleyan involved in for opportunities for our students." For Allen, it's about the students Allen said the KWU administration has been supportive of his vision for what music education should be. "There's a really solid foundation here. What I told the students was that I believe in that foundation, but what I want to build now is a launching pad. I think Kansas Wesleyan needs to create its niche and as someone who has worked in a large school and knowing what goes on up there, one of the mentalities that I do not aspire to is 'we're a small, regional school that serves a regional population,'" Allen said. "I want to posture us nationally and I think we do that by taking an aggressive, different approach, first of all, to music education, which will be our backbone, without question." Allen's vision also includes a strong performance component. "So I think just in terms of how we structure our program moving forward, its how do we not just train students. How do we truly prepare our students for what they're going to see because music education and arts education is going to change drastically in the next five to 15 years. The orchestral paradigm. The band paradigm. Not as much, but the choral paradigm as well," Allen said. "We're one of the few countries in the world where when you're trained in education, your trained to be either band, orchestra, general music, or choral, rather than training our students as musicians first and then being able to do any of those things, certainly with an emphasis on one." Allen said it has become apparent that in some populations, the large ensemble concept can't sustain itself, either financially or in terms of numbers of participants. "How are we going to reach those kids? What are we going to do?" Allen asked. "But my bigger question is what are we doing at Wesleyan? Are we going to just be gate keepers? Let kids take these courses and then turn them out and hope for the best? Well, we gotta change the thinking. So I think that's where our niche is and that's something I'll put against any size school. Ultimately what should separate us from anyone else is the size. We don't teach teachers here. We mentor music educators. There's a big difference between teaching and mentoring. And music, still to me, with the great people that I've worked with, it's about mentorship, its not about teaching." Allen also is concerned about student learning. "I'm selfish with my students and one of the things that we all became very aware of was our students' use of time. There's been enormous performance demands put on our students that I don't think have been in their best interests," he said. "I think it's been wonderful because of the way they've been serving the community and that's great, but our students have been missing a lot of class and faculty have noticed that. A lot of demands which have been placed on students on their time and I think we need to change some of those to be a bit more selfish about the time that our students have and what their reason to be here is for.&nbsp; "I really want to make sure our students are learning." Another change includes phasing out the general music degree, Allen said. "I think it is important that we make sure that when students graduate from here that they don't have to say 'do you want fries with that shake.' So in fairness to them and in preservation of their time, we're going to let that degree go, and that's also a university feeling. And so music ed and music performance is what we'll do," he said. The department also will begin conducting auditions for students to enter the music education program. "We don't audition to be a music ed major at Wesleyan, and that's changing. That's changing for two reasons. One, if you're going to make music your life, you need to have a certain level of proficiency at the time you enter college. We owe that to the students. But the other thing that we owe to the students is making sure that we don't get you in here just so we get a body. It's not fair to you if you really don't have the talent or what it takes to put you through four years, so putting that audition in place gives us a gate where we can be honest with these students so we don't get situations like that," Allen said. For Allen, the journey toward musical proficiency began at an early age. "I had Barbara Werth in fifth-grade saxophone and I thought, this music stuff's pretty cool. And then I had Mel Herington at junior high and my junior high experience, I knew music, I didn't know what, but I knew that's where my life was going to go. And then when I got into high school, my brainstorm was to double major in music and performance...music and jazz," Allen said. "I'm fortunate because I knew and my whole life's been geared toward that. My vocation could never not be music."

Allen comes home to lead KWU music department

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg"> Today is Saturday, Nov. 30, the 334th day of 2019. There are 31 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History:On Nov. 30, 1782, the United States and Britain signed preliminary peace articles in Paris for ending the Revolutionary War; the Treaty of Paris was signed in Sept. 1783. On this date:In 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens — better known as Mark Twain — was born in Florida, Missouri. In 1874, British statesman Sir Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace. In 1900, Irish writer Oscar Wilde died in Paris at age 46. In 1936, London's famed Crystal Palace, constructed for the Great Exhibition of 1851, was destroyed in a fire. In 1960, the last DeSoto was built by Chrysler, which had decided to retire the brand after 32 years. In 1965, "Unsafe at Any Speed" by Ralph Nader, a book highly critical of the U.S. auto industry, was first released in hardcover by Grossman Publishers. In 1981, the United States and the Soviet Union opened negotiations in Geneva aimed at reducing nuclear weapons in Europe. In 1982, the Michael Jackson album "Thriller" was released by Epic Records. The motion picture "Gandhi," starring Ben Kingsley as the Indian nationalist leader, had its world premiere in New Delhi. In 1988, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. was declared the winner of the corporate free-for-all to take over RJR Nabisco Inc. with a bid of $24.53 billion. In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Brady Bill, which required a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases and background checks of prospective buyers. In 2000, Al Gore's lawyers battled for his political survival in the Florida and U.S. Supreme Courts; meanwhile, GOP lawmakers in Tallahassee moved to award the presidency to George W. Bush in case the courts did not by appointing their own slate of electors. In 2013, Paul Walker, 40, the star of the "Fast &amp; Furious" movie series, died with his friend, Roger W. Rodas, who was at the wheel of a Porsche sports car that crashed and burned north of Los Angeles. Ten years ago: Retired Ohio auto worker John Demjanjuk went on trial in Munich, Germany, accused of helping to kill 27,900 Jews as a Nazi death camp guard. (Demjanjuk was convicted in May 2011 of being an accessory to murder; he was sentenced to five years in prison, but was released while his conviction was under appeal; he died in March 2012 at age 91.) In Geneva, the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest atom smasher, broke a world record for proton acceleration. Serena Williams was fined a record $82,500 for her tirade at a U.S. Open line judge. Tiger Woods withdrew from his own golf tournament, citing injuries from a car crash near his Florida home. Five years ago: Pope Francis and the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, issued a joint declaration at the end of Francis' visit to Turkey demanding an end to violent persecution of Christians in the Middle East and calling for dialogue with Muslims. Anthony Marshall, 90, a decorated World War II veteran, diplomat and Broadway producer who saw his aristocratic life unravel as he was convicted in 1990 of raiding the fortune of his socialite mother, Brooke Astor, died in New York. One year ago: Former President George H.W. Bush, a World War II hero who rose through the political ranks to the nation's highest office, died at his Houston home at the age of 94; his wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush, had died in April. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, President Donald Trump and the leaders of Canada and Mexico signed a revised North American trade pact. (The agreement hasn't yet been approved by U.S. lawmakers.) The Marriott hotel chain announced that hackers had stolen credit card and other information on as many as 500 million guests over a period of four years. A white former Dallas police officer was indicted on a murder charge, nearly three months after she fatally shot an unarmed black neighbor whose apartment she said she entered by mistake. (Amber Guyger was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison.) Today's Birthdays: G. Gordon Liddy is 89. Country singer-recording executive Jimmy Bowen is 82. Movie director Ridley Scott is 82. Screenwriter Geoffrey C. Ward is 79. Movie writer-director Terrence Malick is 76. Rock musician Roger Glover (Deep Purple) is 74. Playwright David Mamet is 72. Actor Mandy Patinkin is 67. Musician Shuggie Otis is 66. Country singer Jeannie Kendall is 65. Singer Billy Idol is 64. Historian Michael Beschloss is 64. Rock musician John Ashton (The Psychedelic Furs) is 62. Comedian Colin Mochrie is 62. Former football and baseball player Bo Jackson is 57. Rapper Jalil (Whodini) is 56. Actor-director Ben Stiller is 54. Rock musician Mike Stone is 50. Music producer Steve Aoki is 42. Singer Clay Aiken is 41. Actor Billy Lush is 38. Actress Elisha Cuthbert is 37. Actress Kaley Cuoco is 34. Model Chrissy Teigen is 34. Actress Christel Khalil is 32. Actress Rebecca Rittenhouse is 31. Actress Adelaide Clemens is 30. Thought for Today: "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." — Mark Twain (1835-1910). Copyright 2019, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Nov. 30

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574880482951.jpeg">The cattle business gave birth to Dodge City, and sustains it at an industrial level today. Chris Neal / For the Kansas News Service By JIM MCLEAN<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-cattle-town-dodge-city-bucks-rural-trend-growth-driven-immigrants#stream/0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kansas News Service</a> DODGE CITY — The history of this small city built on the cattle trade sets it apart from most towns in rural Kansas. The mere name of the place evokes recollections of the Wild West and the subsequent romancing of that age. Yet Dodge City also stands apart from the region that surrounds it. This place is growing.So how does Dodge City buck a trend that’s hollowed out great swaths of rural Kansas and Great Plains for generations? In a word: immigration. The place is filling up with people willing to take on the bloody, grueling and sometimes dangerous jobs of cutting up cows into steaks and hamburger. “The cattle industry in southwest Kansas,” said <a href="https://matthewsanderson.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matt Sanderson</a>, a rural sociologist at Kansas State University, is “where we see growth.” Large areas of rural Kansas have emptied out so much that demographers consider them frontiers, “wilderness on the edge of a settled area.” The loss of younger people, in particular, Sanderson said, constitutes a crisis in the making. Between 2010 and 2017, he said, rural areas lost 5% of their working-age population. “It’s a very large number,” Sanderson said. So large, he didn’t believe it until he checked his math. He said immigrants change the dynamic “because they come in their prime working ages” and help widen the population base.<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574880510930.jpeg">Massive feedlots and beefpacking plants drive the Dodge City economy and draw immigrants eager for the jobs they offer. Credit Chris Neal / For the Kansas News Service The <a href="https://www.nationalbeef.com/careers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">meatpacking jobs</a> that <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ym_ULxzq_qYC&amp;pg=PA224&amp;lpg=PA224&amp;dq=meatpacking+triangle+kansas&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=zRmWhaUVjD&amp;sig=ACfU3U3jIviVUVSstbA73QyYvqbnWvPoiQ&amp;hl=en&amp;ppis=_e&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQxOS77YDmAhUBSK0KHab4CAgQ6AEwB3oECAkQAQ#v=onepage&amp;q=meatpacking%20triangle%20kansas&amp;f=false" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">attract immigrants</a> to Dodge, Garden City and Liberal, demand hard work amid the stench of cattle and raw meat. They also offer a path to a middle-class life in America. Ernestor De La Rosa immigrated to Dodge City with his parents when he was 13. He watched as workers streamed in from Mexico, Central America, Asia and Africa and transformed the town’s economy and culture. “It came little by little,” De La Rosa said. “For the most part, people embraced it.” Today, Latinos account for about<a href="https://datausa.io/profile/geo/dodge-city-ks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> two-thirds of Dodge’s population</a>.De La Rosa left Dodge for college, returned and is now the assistant city manager. That job places him as a liaison to the immigrant community. “They trust me,” he said. “They know I can do things to help.” Still, problems persist that he can’t solve. Like many undocumented immigrants in Dodge, De La Rosa remains in the United States under an executive order issued in 2012 by President Obama that established the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals program, better known as <a href="https://www.nilc.org/issues/daca/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DACA</a>. It gives temporary protection to migrants who immigrated illegally before their 16th birthday. The Trump administration ended the program, but the order remains in force pending the outcome of a court challenge. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide the case next year.<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574880538651.jpeg">Ernestor De La Rosa is an administrator for Dodge City, and in danger of deportation. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service “There’s a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot of uncertainty. And there’s definitely fear,” De La Rosa said. “Fear of the program being taken away.” Immigrants are the main reason Dodge’s population stays steady at just under 30,000. A mass deportation would pose an existential threat to the meatpacking industry in the region, and to the prospects of Dodge City, Liberal and Garden City. But tourism that trades heavily on Dodge’s Wild West past also drives the town’s economy. City officials hope to double the tourist trade by gussying up the downtown historic district. When finished next year, it will include a renovated a replica of 1870s Front Street and an expanded Boot Hill Museum. The city issued bonds to pay for the multi-million project, which it plans to pay off with increased sales tax revenue generated by a hoped-for bump in tourism. The <a href="https://www.boothilldistillery.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAzuPuBRAIEiwAkkmOSDAFbmxGjuflIR1fyF3etLhQYa0M-7RDxXcH7b6wfcJnoKUtMbUncBoCCkYQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Boot Hill Distillery</a> is a recent addition to the downtown area. Located in a renovated building that once housed city offices, it markets a line of unique spirits made from grain grown by farmers in the region. Like the other attractions, its marketing trades on the Dodge’s rowdy cowtown reputation.&nbsp;It owes that reputation to Hollywood and the long-running television show “Gunsmoke” as much as it does to real history, said Lee Griffith, the distillery’s marketing director. “It’s the attraction of the Old West, the mystique of what Dodge City was,” Griffith said. “The pop culture aspect of it.”<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574880568870.jpeg">Lee Griffith at the Boot Hill Distillery, among the places trading off Dodge City's past. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service A “W<a href="https://www.dodgecity.org/487/Why-Not-Dodge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hy Not Dodge</a>” initiative backed by voters in 1997 used a sales tax hike to pay for a number of projects, including tourist-friendly upgrades around town. That tax increase paid for the renovation of the Civic Center, the construction of a casino-and-convention center, sports complex and water park. “I don’t know what we would be like if we wouldn’t have passed that ‘entertainment’ tax,” said Joann Knight, the economic development director for Dodge and Ford County.Knight also heads efforts to address a problem that Dodge shares with other rural communities — a lack of affordable housing. Several years ago, she said, dozens of people hired by one of the meatpacking companies had to book rooms at a local hotel for six months. “They all left because they couldn’t find a place to live,” Knight said. Dodge is attacking its housing problem in several ways, ranging from programs that help developers cover their up-front costs to commissioning students at Dodge City Community College to <a href="https://www.dodgeglobe.com/news/20180504/dccc-chad-house-is-up-for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">build one or two new houses a year</a>. The city has even taken to searching the countryside for abandoned farmhouses that it can haul into town and renovate. “There are still issues,” Knight said. “But they’re not as critical.”<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574880602034.jpeg">Dodge City likes its cowboy image. Credit Bethany Wood / For the Kansas News Service This is the sixth in a series of stories investigating the decline in rural Kansas and efforts to reverse it. Support for this season of “My Fellow Kansans” was provided by&nbsp;the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, working to improve the health and wholeness of Kansans since 1986 through funding innovative ideas and sparking conversations in the health community. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://healthfund.org/a/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">healthfund.org</a>. Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.&nbsp;

Dodge City bucks rural trend with growth driven by immigrants 

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574902204878.png">Rule photo Shawnee CountySHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on theft charges after a crash. Just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a hit and run accident with minor injuries call in the 6100 block of NW Valencia Road in rural Shawnee County, according to Cpl. Jason Mills. The suspect vehicle was located abandoned near NW 62nd and Hoch Road. The driver was identified by an eye witness as a white male. The Sheriff’s Office attempted to deploy a drone for assistance, however the windy weather prohibited the drone to take flight. Law enforcement officers from the Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Silver Lake Police Department continued to search the area. At approximately 1130p.m., a citizen reported their Jeep stolen in the 5800 block of NW Hoch Road. Just before noon, a citizen reported an abandoned Jeep in the 3700 block of SW Worwick Town Road and a white male seen going behind nearby residences. A Sheriff’s Office K9 tracked the suspect to a residence nearby on SW Nottingham Road. The suspect was safely located inside and taken into custody. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Steven M. Rule was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a felony theft charge, according to Mills.

Kan. sheriff's K9 tracks felony theft suspect after crash

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574993846045.jpeg">©<a href="https://www.canstockphoto.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Can Stock Photo / DGLimages</a> By LYNN ELBERAP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — There are enough holiday TV movies to overturn Santa's sleigh this season, with Oprah Winfrey's OWN channel and a new streaming service adding to the cargo. A more expansive view of the world also is part of the ride, with a lesbian couple included in a Freeform film and Hanukkah shout-outs on the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. Other small-screen options are available to distract you from gift-wrapping and family squabbles, including the Grinch, the Brady Bunch and John Legend. Here's a sampling from broadcast networks, cable and streaming services, all times EST: POPCORN TIME— "Noelle," now streaming on Disney Plus. Kris Kringle's daughter (Anna Kendrick) envies her brother's (Bill Hader) high-profile Christmas job but discovers she's got an important role to play, as does Mrs. Claus (Julie Hagerty). Shirley MacLaine co-stars as an elf. — "Every Day But Christmas," 9 p.m. Sunday, Bounce. A writer (Timon Durrett) who's cynical about Christmas finds his faith and the holiday's meaning on a book tour. Antonique Smith co-stars. — "Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas," 9 p.m. Wednesday, Freeform. When Jess (Aisha Dee) dies in an accident after a first date with Ben (Kendrick Sampson, her soul remains earthbound. It's up to Jess' pal Kara (Kimiko Glenn) and her partner, Mae (Jazz Raycole, to help. — "Mistletoe &amp; Menorahs," 6 p.m. Dec. 7, Lifetime. An executive (Kelley Jakle) who needs a quick education about Hanukkah to land an account and finds just the man (Jake Epstein) to help her in work and maybe love. — "Christmas at Dollywood," 8 p.m. Dec. 8, Hallmark Channel. An event planner (Danica McKellar) returns home to Tennessee for a challenging job, Dollywood's 30th Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration, and gets matchmaking help from Parton herself. — "Carole's Christmas," 8 p.m. Dec. 11, OWN. A workaholic businesswoman's (Kimberly Elise) wishful thinking turns her life upside down. Jackée Harry and Cayden K. Williams co-star in this repeat airing with added moviemaking tidbits. — "Holiday Date," 8 p.m. Dec. 14, Hallmark Channel. Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations combine when Brooke (Brittany Bristow) is dumped by her boyfriend before a visit home and an actor (Matt Cohen) playing stand-in shares his Jewish traditions. — "You Light Up My Christmas," 8 p.m. Dec. 14, Lifetime. Emma (Kim Fields) returns home to find the town built around her family's Christmas light factory has lost its glow. Can an old flame (Adrian Holmes) help? — "A Christmas Carol," 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, FX. The dark new take on Charles Dickens' tale stars Guy Pearce as Scrooge and Andy Serkis as the ghost of Christmas past, with the screenplay by "Peaky Blinders" creator Steven Knight. — "It's a Wonderful Life," 8 p.m. Dec. 24, NBC. A man's midlife crisis fuels the 1946 sentimental favorite from filmmaker Frank Capra, starring Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and, as Clarence the angel, Henry Travers. ANIMATED CLASSICS— "The Little Drummer Boy," 7 a.m. Monday, Freeform. Aaron, an orphan who finds solace only with animals, has a life-changing encounter with three wise men traveling to Bethlehem in the 1968 special narrated by Greer Garson. — "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," 8 p.m. Monday, CBS. In modern parlance, a reindeer who's bullied for looking different finds joy and worth in being himself. Burl Ives narrates the 1964 special based on the Johnny Marks song. — "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 8 p.m. Tuesday, NBC. Boris Karloff, who played the monster in the 1931 film "Frankenstein," provided the voice for another legendary character, Dr. Seuss' infamous Grinch, in 1966. — "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 8 p.m. Thursday, ABC. Holiday materialism has Charlie in a major funk and Lucy tries to help, but it takes Linus to save the holiday. Vince Guaraldi composed the music for the 1965 special about the "Peanuts" gang. FA LA LA LA LA — "The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show," now streaming on Amazon. The singer-songwriter salutes holiday specials of the past her way and with help from guests including Camila Cabello, James Corden, Lana Del Rey and the Radio City Rockettes. — "Christmas Under the Stars," 7 p.m. Sunday, BYUtv. John Legend performs classics including "Silver Bells" and "My Favorite Things" along with "All of Me" and other original songs in a concert taped in Utah. — "CMA Country Christmas," 9 p.m. Tuesday, ABC. Trisha Yearwood hosts and performs on the 10th annual holiday celebration, joined by guests including Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and CeCe Winans. — "Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir," 9 p.m. Dec. 16, PBS, and 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 on BYUtv. Kristin Chenoweth joins the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra for a night of classic carols and pop tunes, airing as an hour-long special on PBS and a 90-minute version on BYUtv. — "Holidays with the Houghs," 10 p.m. Dec. 16, NBC. A variety special showcasing sibling dancer-choreographers Derek and Julianne together and separately in musical performances and comedy sketches, with celebrity friends dropping by. — "Great Performances — From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2020," Jan. 1, 2020, PBS (check local listings for times). The Vienna Philharmonic and guest conductor Andris Nelsons usher in 2020 with the Vienna City Ballet and host Hugh Bonneville. STOCKING STUFFERS— The Royal Variety Performance, Dec. 10, BritBox. Robbie Williams, Harry Connick Jr., comedians and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who played at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, take part in a century-old charity fundraiser with royalty in attendance. — "Ellen's Greatest Night of Giveaways," 8 p.m., Dec. 10-12, NBC. DeGeneres and guests including Michelle Obama, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Timberlake and Sterling K. Brown surprise "everyday deserving people" with gifts. — "A Very Brady Renovation: Holiday Edition," 10 p.m. Dec. 16, HGTV. The actors who played "The Brady Bunch" siblings decorate the house used for the sitcom's exterior shots. Food Network's Ree Drummond and HGTV's Jasmine Roth lend a hand. — "Top Elf," 8 p.m. Fridays, Nickelodeon. Seven children from across the nation compete in a building and design contest to earn the title of best elf and benefit worthy causes in their hometown. The weekly series' finale airs 8 p.m. Dec. 21. — "I Love Lucy Christmas Special," 8 p.m. Dec. 20, CBS. Two colorized half-hour episodes of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz sitcom, "The Christmas Episode" and "Paris at Last," air back-to-back, both from 1956. — "A Home for the Holidays with Idina Menzel," 9 p.m. Dec. 22, CBS. The "Frozen" star introduces heartening stories about adoption from foster care and sings tunes from her new album, "Christmas: Season of Love." Adam Lambert, Ne-Yo and Kelly Rowland also perform. Lynn Elber is at <a href="mailto:lelber@ap.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lelber@ap.org</a> and on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/lynnelber" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/lynnelber</a>.

TV forecast: A sleighful of movies, music, a Grinch

Beth Curchy, 88, of Salina, passed away peacefully November 24, 2019. Beth was born in Emporia, Kansas, September 21, 1931 to Roe and Edith Collins. She married Joe Curchy from New Jersey on April 19, 1952. Survivors are a daughter, Debra (Matt) Mattingly of Florida, and children Miranda (Jeremy, Kurt (Nichole, David (Cindy) Curchy of Missouri, and their children Tara, Shestin (Tyler) and Abby (Cory) ; Stefani (Randy) Dreiling of Kansas, children Blake Ashley (Clint, Grant, Nate (Alexa).&nbsp;Also brother Larry (June) Collins of Emporia, children Leigh Ann, Gus and Mitch Preceding her in death were Beth’s parents, spouse, and a nephew. Beth loved smiles, hugs, telling jokes, and laughter. She shared these qualities with family, friends, and strangers. Beth enjoyed playing Bridge, having a good cup of coffee, and reading a great book.&nbsp;She attended Bethany Lutheran Church and loved participating in the church choir, and playing the bells. She also taught Sunday School. Beth was active in the Lindsborg community during her life there, and never met a stranger.&nbsp;We will miss our mom, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 29, 2019 at Crick-Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, with Pastor Jim Strasen, officiating. Private family burial at Elmwood Cemetery will precede services. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, Kindred Hospice, or the animal charity of the donor’s choice.&nbsp;Memorials may be sent in care of Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Christians, Lindsborg, KS 67456.

Beth Curchy

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574811767473.jpeg"> <h1>Adelheid "Heidi" Anna Louise (Friesen) Ensz</h1>June 14, 1930&nbsp;~&nbsp;November 22, 2019&nbsp;(age 89) Heidi’s life began on June 14, 1930, in Elbing, West Prussia, the daughter of Benno and Amalie (Fast) Friesen. She came to the United States as a refugee in 1947, and finished high school in Whitewater in 1950. She graduated from Bethel Deaconess Nursing School in Newton as a registered nurse and married Roland Ensz on September 5, 1954, in Newton, Kansas.&nbsp;She was a member of the Bethel College Mennonite Church, loved reading, visiting the elderly and taking food to neighbors. Her heart was for people in need and volunteered at the homeless shelter. She had a love for music, gardening and especially her flower garden.&nbsp;Her loving family includes her sons and their wives, Quentin and Debbie Ensz of Potwin, Kansas and Daniel and Kathy Ensz of Mt. Hope, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Brian (Rebecca) Ensz, Alison (Andrew) Sagmoe, Audrey Ensz, Todd Ensz, Kevin Ensz, Collin Ensz and Sara Ensz; three great-grandchildren, Ellie Ensz, James Ensz and Natalie Sagmoe.&nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roland in 2014; a brother, Manfred Friesen and a sister, Irma Igney. Heidi passed away Friday, November 22, 2019, having reached the age of 89 years old.&nbsp;Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 7, at 10:30 am, at Emmaus Mennonite Church with Pastor Tim Mace officiating. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the Mennonite Central Committee, 121 30th Avenue, Newton, Kansas 67114, or in care of Lamb Funeral Home, PO Box 358, Whitewater, Kansas 67154. Please sign her online guest book and leave a memory of Heidi at ymzfh.com

Adelheid "Heidi" Anna Louise (Friesen) Ensz

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574715556981.png">Gallardo photo Sedgwick CountySEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas teen accused in a fatal drive-by gang shooting made his first court appearance Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. Eduardo Gallardo, 18, and Jesus Alvarez-Medina, 20, were charged Friday with first-degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm and aggravated assault for the August shooting death of 17-year-old Ramiro Valdez. Just after 2:30 a.m. August 4, police responded to a shooting call in the 900 block of East Central in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. At the scene, police located a a 2003 blue Chevy Silverado driven by Valdez. He had sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to an area hospital where he died, according to Davidson.&nbsp;There were two other teenagers in the truck who were not injured. The investigation has revealed the Silverado was eastbound on Central and was followed by a black pickup truck driven by 18-year-old Eduardo Gallardo. A suspect from the black truck fired multiple times at the Silverado, striking Valdez. Gallardo is one of three charged in the murder. Gallardo was arrested the day of the shooting but had been out of jail. Police arrested him again Saturday, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. He is<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20062652" style="color: rgb(44, 44, 44);"> jailed on $500,000 bond.</a> Police have not arrested Alvarez-Medina. This incident was not random and is in reference to an ongoing gang feud, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Teen suspect in Kansas gang killing arrested twice

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574717312540.jpeg"> LINDSBORG -- Bethany College has announced its Jultide at Bethany. The college's annual celebration of Christ's birth is scheduled for 4 p.m Dec. 8 in Presser Hall Auditorium. The concert is open to the public at no charge. A freewill offering will be taken. The Jultide performance will feature the Bethany College Chamber Choir, directed by Mark Lucas, Bethany College/Lindsborg Community Orchestra, directed by Lori McKinney and Bethany College Handbell Ensemble, directed by Hentus van Rooyen.&nbsp; Voices of faithful people, from the Bible and more modern leaders, in relation to Jesus' birth as written in the book of Luke, will also be shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bethany Jultide '19: Voices of the faithful

<img src="https://www.chaputbuoy.com/images/icons/vet_color_ffffff.gif" alt="U.S. Veteran">&nbsp;&nbsp;Mitchell “Butch” Hagen, age 66, died Friday November 22, 2019 at his home in Clifton, KS.&nbsp;He was born on October 12, 1953 to Robert L. &amp; Ruby I. (Wulf) Hagen.He graduated from Concordia High School in 1971.&nbsp;He joined the US Army in 1972 and served in Germany until 1975.&nbsp;During his active duty service, Butch spent a lot of time in Switzerland learning to ski.&nbsp;He was a longtime Clifton resident.&nbsp;He had several jobs throughout the years but always enjoyed working on cars.&nbsp;He also DJ’d at The Rendezvous in Concordia.He is survived by his sisters, Vicki Conn (Dan, Concordia &amp; Bobbie Jo Brown (John, Clifton; brother, Rick Hagen (Vickie, Belleville &amp; several nieces, nephews, great nieces &amp; great nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents.The family selected cremation and will celebrate Butch’s life at 11:00 am on Monday, December 9, 2019 at Chaput Mortuary, Clyde with Dwight Whitead officiating.&nbsp;Friends may sign the register book from 8-11 am pm with family greeting friends from 10-11 am on Monday, December 9, 2019 at the funeral home.&nbsp;Military honors will be conducted at the services by VFW Post #7515.&nbsp;The family suggests memorials to the American Legion Post #227. Clifton or VFW Post #7515, Clyde in care of the funeral home.&nbsp;For online condolences, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chaputbuoy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">www.chaputbuoy.com</a>.

Mitchell “Butch” Hagen

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating four girls after an attack at a retail store in Wichita. At approximately 10 a.m. Nov. 9, police responded to an assault call at the T.J. Maxx in the 8100 block of East Kellogg in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. &nbsp;Upon arrival, officers contacted a 40-year-old female loss prevention employee and witnesses who reported three unknown suspects shoplifting items from the store and as they left the store they were approached by the loss prevention employee.&nbsp; The three suspects battered the employee by punching and kicking her.&nbsp;A fourth suspect exited a nearby black Cadillac and also battered the victim and took her cell phone.&nbsp;The employee momentarily lost consciousness and had minor injuries.&nbsp;The suspects then fled the scene in the Cadillac.&nbsp;Through the investigation, investigators were able to identify the suspects involved and arrested a 12-year-old girl on charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, and theft, a 15-year-old girl on charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, and theft, a second 15-year-old girl on charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and theft and a third 15-year-old girl on charges of aggravated battery, aggravated robbery, and an outstanding warrant. They were booked in the juvenile detention center, according to Davidson.&nbsp;The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Police: 12-year-old, 3 Kan. teens attack store employee

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574179896969.png">Seymour -photo Sedgwick County Jail SEDGWICK COUNTY— A registered sex offender is facing five charges after he allegedly kidnapped a 15-year-old girl who was walking home from a Wichita grocery store and raped her. Anthony Craig Seymour, 58, of Wichita, made his first court appearance in the case Thursday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County Attorney's office. The charges against him include aggravated kidnapping and rape. Just before 6:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a 911 call of an abduction in the 300 Block of North Volutsia in Wichita, according to Captain Brett Allred. Upon arrival, police searched the area and located a 2005 Lexus driven by a suspect later identified as 58-year-old Anthony Seymour leaving the area. They also observed a 15-year-old girl exit the vehicle while it was moving slowly and run toward the officers.&nbsp;Seymour fled in the car. Police initially were not able to locate it. Investigators learned that while the girl was walking home, Seymour approached, held a knife to her, forced her into the Lexus and sexually assaulted her, according to Allred. Through continued investigation, police located the victim’s phone in a parking lot and were able to obtain video in the area and a tag number on the car. Police located the vehicle and Seymour in the 1900 Block of North Lorraine. He was arrested without incident and booked on requested charges of kidnapping, rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated battery and a Kansas Department of Corrections arrest and detain order, according to Allred. “The victim is very brave,” said Allred. “She saw police and took action to get out of the car, run to the officers and explain what had happened.”&nbsp;She had been on her way to Dillons and had seen the suspect and thought he was acting suspiciously. On the way home, the suspect approached her a second time and forced her in the vehicle, according to Allred. EMS transported the girl to a local hospital for treatment.Seymour had been on parole since May of 2018 after a 2004 conviction for rape, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

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<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574307525246.png"> TOPEKA – More than 55 million travelers are making plans to kick off the holiday season with a trip of 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving. This will be the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000, trailing only the record set in 2005. Overall, an additional 1.6 million more people will travel compared with last year, a 2.9% increase. The vast majority of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations and, INRIX, a global transportation analytics company, expects Wednesday afternoon to be the worst travel period nationally, with trips taking as much at four times longer than normal in major metros.&nbsp;The West North Central Region (in which Kansas is included, along with Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota) will see more than 4.5 million people taking Thanksgiving weekend trips of 50 miles or longer, a 2.7% increase over 2018 and the largest number of travelers since 2005, according to AAA Kansas. Nearly 4.1 million of those travelers, or 91%, will be traveling by car. Travel by air and other forms of transport (cruises, bus and trains) also is projected to increase in our region for the 2019 Thanksgiving travel period.&nbsp;“Millions of thankful Americans are starting the holiday season off right with a Thanksgiving getaway,” said Paula Twidale, vice president, AAA Travel. “Strong economic fundamentals are motivating Americans to venture out this holiday in near-record numbers. Consumer spending remains strong, thanks to increasing wages, disposable income and household wealth, and travel remains one of their top priorities for the holiday season.”&nbsp;By the numbers: 2019 Thanksgiving travel forecast<ul><li>Automobiles: 49.3 million travelers will hit the road this Thanksgiving, the most since 2005 and 2.8% more than last year.</li><li>Planes: With 4.6% growth, air travel will see the biggest increase in travel volume during the Thanksgiving holiday, with 4.45 million Americans expected to fly.</li><li>Trains, Buses and Cruise Ships: Travel by other modes will reach 1.49 million, a slight increase of 1.4% from 2018.</li></ul>Nothing worse than Wednesday: Times NOT to be on the roadFor the 49.3 million Americans traveling by automobile, INRIX, in collaboration with AAA, predicts major delays throughout the week, peaking Wednesday with trips taking as much four times longer as commuters mix with travelers.&nbsp;“With record levels of travelers, and persistent population growth in the country’s major metropolitan areas, drivers must prepare for major delays,” said Trevor Reed, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Although travel times will peak on Wednesday afternoon nationally, travelers should expect much heavier than normal congestion throughout the week.” Lower gas prices fuel road tripsGas prices have been fluctuating as of late, but are currently cheaper than the national average at this time last year, giving Americans a little extra money to spend on travel and motivating millions to take road trips. The Kansas average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.34 (as of Nov. 18, three cents cheaper than one year ago. For the majority of Americans, AAA expects gas prices to be fairly similar to last year's Thanksgiving holiday, which averaged $2.57 at the national level.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2019&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2018&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Average Kansas gas price (regular)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$2.34&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$2.37&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Average National gas price (regular)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$2.60&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$2.63&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(as of Nov. 18)&nbsp;Travel tip for the friendly skies: Fly Monday before ThanksgivingA&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2019/09/best-time-to-book-holiday-flights/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">recent analysis</a>&nbsp;of AAA’s flight booking data from the last three years revealed that flying the Monday before the Thanksgiving<img src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/XCLs5kEQpmMtNsefWxwnUjp-NoPgRvU_ZSbu7qVTgWFPdw2fyQGi1Zb5Mnum4HLBfs9qp-F_DvFqS6OqXh8uU5cFBwXsomOTDEZJdB4B_-EqIeiE7k274zVPf9mph2e4PLvXcFTZkOocKhgne3DouD4NoIlgMptLgnDy=s0-d-e1-ft#https://us.vocuspr.com/Publish/523962/vcsPRAsset_523962_97813_977ca4df-1d40-4735-918b-1bb2edd72138_0.png" height="300" width="300">&nbsp;travel rush is the best option for travelers. It has the lowest average ticket price ($486) prior to the holiday and is a lighter travel day than later in the week. Travelers can also save by traveling on Thanksgiving Day, which has the week’s lowest average price per ticket ($454).&nbsp;Car rental costs peak, hotel prices mixedHoliday road trippers should budget more for a rental car this year, which have reached their highest prices on record for the Thanksgiving holiday (since 1999, at $75 per day. Travelers will also pay a bit more at AAA Two Diamond hotels, where prices are 1% more than last year, or $125 per night. Conversely, the average rate for AAA Three Diamond hotels has fallen 5% to an average nightly cost of $158.&nbsp;Warm weather beckons this ThanksgivingThe theme parks of Orlando and southern California, and other warm-weather destinations will see an influx of travelers looking to escape the start of winter. Florida is home to four of the top 10 destinations, and Hawaii twice graces the list of top destinations in the U.S. this Thanksgiving, based on advance AAA Travel bookings:<ol><li>Orlando, Florida</li><li>Anaheim, California</li><li>New York, New York</li><li>Las Vegas, Nevada</li><li>Honolulu, Hawaii</li><li>Ft. Lauderdale, Florida</li><li>Tampa, Florida</li><li>Kahului, Maui, Hawaii</li><li>Phoenix, Arizona</li><li>Miami, Florida</li></ol>For those travelers planning an international vacation for Thanksgiving, sandy beaches are their destinations of choice. Nassau, Bahamas; Cancun, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Montego Bay, Jamaica are AAA’s top international destinations this Thanksgiving, with Munich, Germany rounding out the top five.&nbsp;AAA’s travel experts remind travelers that it’s not too late to begin planning a Thanksgiving getaway. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.aaa.com/Travel" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">AAA.com/Travel</a>&nbsp;for travel planning resources to book your trip today.&nbsp;MethodologyAAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Markit, a London-based business information provider. For the purposes of this forecast, the Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as the five-day period from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1.&nbsp;In cooperation with AAA, IHS Markit developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes, using macroeconomic drivers such as employment; output; household net worth; asset prices including stock indices; interest rates; housing market indicators and variables related to travel and tourism, including prices of gasoline, airline travel and hotel stays.&nbsp;

AAA: More than 55M travelers this Thanksgiving

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574204846021.jpeg">By BECKY KISERHays Post HAYS — The city of Hays has asked the IRS to check into the nonprofit status of WaterPACK, the "only active opponent" in the long-term water supply project for Hays. The Water Protection Association of Central Kansas is opposed to triggering the state's Water Transfer Act in connection with the R9 Ranch in Edwards County, owned since 1995 by Hays and Russell as a 75-plus year water supply. "I would like to be able to explain what WaterPACK is, but I can't," City Manager Toby Dougherty told city commissioners last week. "They are a claimed non-profit but they're somewhat secretive and there's not a lot of information out there about them. I do know it's a membership organization comprised I believe mainly of irrigators that I think sort of reflects the <a href="https://gmd5.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">Groundwater Management District #5</a> footprint. But again there's nothing public known about WaterPACK." <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574197854018.jpeg"> A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hayspost.com/2019/03/28/chief-engineer-approves-hays-russell-r9-ranch-water-change-applications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">final master order was issued March 27</a>&nbsp;by David Barfield, chief engineer at the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s<a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/dwr/water-appropriation/change-applications/hays-change-and-water-transfer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"> Division of Water Resources</a> (DWR, approving change applications to convert the irrigation rights of the R9 Ranch to municipal use for the cities. In June, WaterPACK filed a petition for judicial review with the court in Edwards County. It's a final check in the process before triggering the Water Transfer Act. The process has been delayed. "They have contracted an attorney to file the request for administrative review, and as attorneys do, they are doing their best to try to delay the procedure with every legal trick they can take right now." The judge had planned on having the scheduling hearing back in September, according to Dougherty. That would have set the schedule of events moving forward. "That hearing hasn't happened because of some antics by the Water PACK lawyer." The cities believe WaterPACK has staked out an illogical position. "They are asking the state essentially to treat Hays and Russell differently than all other water rights holders are treated."<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Jbp9kP0rzc" height="315" width="560"></iframe> When a water use right is changed, state law requires a certain process be followed. "It's regulatory, it's extremely straight forward and it's very formulaic." The R9 has approximately 8,000 acre feet of water rights. The consumptive use rights, or yield figured by the state, is 6,756 acre feet annually. The cities voluntarily committed to an average sustainable yield of 4,800 acre feet per year, 30 percent less than they're legally allowed to pump. WaterPACK claims its research shows the sustainable yield should be less than that. "They're looking at every trick in the book to stop Hays and Russell's development of the R9 Ranch even though we have the legal right to do this. They're ignoring the fact that the consequences could be enormous if they're successful." Dougherty says a review of publicly available water use reports shows neighboring landowners near the R9 are not cutting their own usage. "They are pumping every drop they can to grow crops but when it comes to us, [they say] we can't utilize even what's sustainable." There are only so many procedural delays that can be tried and the judicial review process will only last so long. "At some point we're going to get to a hearing," Dougherty assured commissioners. "At some point I'm certain that Russell's attorney, Hays's attorney and the state attorney will demonstrate to the judge that all the rules and regulations were followed, as they were. The judge is going to sign off on it. We'll start the transfer process, make it through that, and be successful after that." WaterPACK is federally registered as a 501 C (6) nonprofit organization. "However, when we ask for their filing documents to determine why they're a 501 C (6, they 'don't have them,' so we've requested them from the IRS because we'd like to know why they exist, what their reason for non-profit status is." "We think that it's questionable," said John Bird, city attorney, "and we're questioning it."

📹 CITY: 'Only active opponent' in R9 water transfer delaying the process

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574249651893.png">Soto photo Shawnee CountySHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man after he caused a disturbance at a local church and became combative with officers. Just before 8a.m. Tuesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began receiving reports of an individual who was being disruptive during mass at Holy Name Catholic Church, 1114 SW 10th Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokeswoman Gretchen Koenen. While officers were responding to the scene, church officials evacuated the roughly 100 individuals and children who were partaking in the mass. Officers located the suspect Edwin N. Soto Jr., 32, of Topeka. While officers were speaking with Soto, he became combative, threatening them with a large candlestick. Soto was taken into custody and was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Criminal Threat, according to Koenen.