BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/bramsablesmith/">BRAM SABLE-SMITH</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/peggylowe/">PEGGY LOWE</a>

Jason Barton didn’t want to attend the Super Bowl parade this year. He told a co-worker the night before that he worried about a mass shooting. But it was Valentine’s Day, his wife is a Kansas City Chiefs superfan, and he couldn’t afford to take her to games since ticket prices soared after the team won the championship in 2020.

So Barton drove 50 miles from Osawatomie, Kansas, to downtown Kansas City with his wife, Bridget, her 13-year-old daughter, Gabriella, and Gabriella’s school friend. When they finally arrived home that night, they cleaned blood from Gabriella’s sneakers and found a bullet in Bridget’s backpack.

Gabriella’s legs were burned by sparks from a ricocheted bullet, Bridget was trampled while shielding Gabriella in the chaos and Jason gave chest compressions to a man injured by gunfire. He believes it was Lyndell Mays,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-02-20/chiefs-shooting-charges-suspects-kansas-city-jackson-county-prosecutor-lyndell-mays-dominic-miller-second-degree-murder">one of two men charged</a>&nbsp;with second-degree felony murder.

“There’s never going to be a Valentine’s Day where I look back and I don’t think about it,” Gabriella said, “because that’s a day where we’re supposed to have fun and appreciate the people that we have.”

One month after the parade in which the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/gun-violence-data-public-health-experts-research-funds/">U.S. public health crisis</a>&nbsp;that is gun violence played out on live television, the Bartons are reeling from their role at its epicenter. They were just feet from 43-year-old Lisa Lopez-Galvan, who was killed. Twenty-four other people were injured.

Although the Bartons aren’t included in that official victim number, they were traumatized, physically and emotionally, and pain permeates their lives: Bridget and Jason keep canceling plans to go out, opting instead to stay home together; Gabriella plans to join a boxing club instead of the dance team.

During this first month, Kansas City community leaders have weighed how to care for people caught in the bloody crossfire and how to divide more than $2 million donated to public funds for victims in the initial outpouring of grief.

The questions are far-reaching: How does a city compensate people for medical bills, recovery treatments, counseling, and lost wages? And what about those who have PTSD-like symptoms that could last years? How does a community identify and care for victims often overlooked in the first flush of reporting on a mass shooting: the injured?

The injured list could grow. Prosecutors and Kansas City police are mounting a legal case against four of the shooting suspects, and are encouraging additional victims to come forward.

“Specifically, we’re looking for individuals who suffered wounds from their trying to escape. A stampede occurred while people were trying to flee,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Anyone who “in the fleeing of this event that maybe fell down, you were trampled, you sprained an ankle, you broke a bone.”

Meanwhile, people who took charge of raising money and providing services to care for the injured are wrestling with who gets the money — and who doesn’t. Due to large donations from celebrities like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, some victims or their families will have access to hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical expenses. Other victims may simply have their counseling covered.

The overall economic cost of U.S. firearm injuries is estimated by a recent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2796678?guestAccessKey=55a622d7-8d12-4a34-886c-1f25eb5ced0a&amp;utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_content=tfl&amp;utm_term=092722">Harvard Medical School study</a>&nbsp;at $557 billion annually. Most of that — 88% — represented quality-of-life losses among those injured by firearms and their families. The JAMA-published study found that each nonfatal firearm injury leads to roughly $30,000 in direct health care spending per survivor in the first year alone.

In the immediate aftermath of the shootings, as well-intentioned GoFundMe pages popped up to help victims, executives at United Way of Greater Kansas City gathered to devise a collective donation response. They came up with “three concentric circles of victims,” said Jessica Blubaugh, the United Way’s chief philanthropy officer, and launched the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://give.unitedwaygkc.org/p/kcstrong">#KCStrong campaign</a>.

“There were folks that were obviously directly impacted by gunfire. Then the next circle out is folks that were impacted, not necessarily by gunshots, but by physical impact. So maybe they were trampled and maybe they tore a ligament or something because they were running away,” Blubaugh said. “Then third is folks that were just adjacent and/or bystanders that have a lot of trauma from all of this.”

Bridget Barton returned to Kansas City the day after the shooting to turn in the bullet she found in her backpack and to give a statement at police headquarters. Unbeknownst to her, Mayor Quinton Lucas and the police and fire chiefs had just finished a press conference outside the building. She was mobbed by the media assembled there — interviews that are now a blur.

“I don’t know how you guys do this every day,” she remembered telling a detective once she finally got inside.

The Bartons have been overwhelmed by well wishes from close friends and family as they navigate the trauma, almost to the point of exhaustion. Bridget took to social media to explain she wasn’t ignoring the messages, she’s just responding as she feels able — some days she can hardly look at her phone, she said.

A family friend bought new Barbie blankets for Gabriella and her friend after the ones they brought to the parade were lost or ruined. Bridget tried replacing the blankets herself at her local Walmart, but when she was bumped accidentally, it triggered a panic attack. She abandoned her cart and drove home.

“I’m trying to get my anxiety under control,” Bridget said.

That means therapy. Before the parade, she was already seeing a therapist and planning to begin eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, a form of therapy associated with treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Now the shooting is the first thing she wants to talk about in therapy.

Since Gabriella, an eighth grader, has returned to middle school, she has dealt with the compounding immaturity of adolescence: peers telling her to get over it, pointing finger guns at her, or even saying it should have been her who was shot. But her friends are checking on her and asking how she’s doing. She wishes more people would do the same for her friend, who took off running when the shooting started and avoided injury. Gabriella feels guilty about bringing her to what turned into a horrifying experience.

“We can tell her all day long, ‘It wasn’t your fault. She’s not your responsibility.’ Just like I can tell myself, ‘It wasn’t my fault or my responsibility,’” Bridget said. “But I still bawled on her mom’s shoulder telling her how sorry I was that I grabbed my kid first.”

The two girls have spent a lot of time talking since the shooting, which Gabriella said helps with her own stress. So does spending time with her dog and her lizard, putting on makeup, and listening to music — Tech N9ne’s performance was a highlight of the Super Bowl celebration for her.

In addition to the spark burns on Gabriella’s legs, when she fell to the concrete in the pandemonium she split open a burn wound on her stomach previously caused by a styling iron.

“When I see that, I just picture my mom trying to protect me and seeing everyone run,” Gabriella said of the wound.

It’s hard not to feel forgotten by the public, Bridget said. The shooting, especially its survivors, have largely faded from the headlines aside from court dates.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article286094976.html">Two additional</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article286245420.html">high-profile</a>&nbsp;shootings have occurred in the area since the parade. Doesn’t the community care, she wonders, that her family is still living with the fallout every day?

“I’m going to put this as plainly as possible. I’m f—ing pissed because my family went through something traumatic,” Bridget vented in a recent social media post. “I don’t really want anything other [than], ‘Your story matters, too, and we want to know how you’re doing.’ Have we gotten that? Abso-f—lutely not.”

Helped in part by celebrities like Swift and Kelce, donations for the family of Lopez-Galvan, the lone fatality, and other victims poured in immediately after the shootings. Swift and Kelce donated $100,000 each. With the help of an initial $200,000 donation from the Kansas City Chiefs, the United Way’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://give.unitedwaygkc.org/p/kcstrong">#KCStrong campaign</a>&nbsp;took off, reaching $1 million in the first two weeks and sitting at $1.2 million now.

Six&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/kansas-city-parade-help">verified GoFundMe funds</a>&nbsp;were established. One solely for the Lopez-Galvan family has collected over $406,000. Smaller ones were started by a local college student and Swift fans. Churches have also stepped up, and one local coalition had raised $183,000, money set aside for Lopez-Galvan’s funeral, counseling services for five victims, and other medical bills from Children’s Mercy Kansas City hospital, said Ray Jarrett, executive director of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://unitekc.org/">Unite KC</a>.

Meanwhile, those leading the efforts found models in other cities. The United Way’s Blubaugh called counterparts who’d responded to their own mass shootings in Orlando, Florida; Buffalo, New York; and Newtown, Connecticut.

“The unfortunate reality is we have a cadre of communities across the country who have already faced tragedies like this,” Blubaugh said. “So there is an unfortunate protocol that is, sort of, already in place.”

#KCStrong monies could start being paid out by the end of March, Blubaugh said. Hundreds of people called the nonprofit’s 211 line, and the United Way is consulting with hospitals and law enforcement to verify victims and then offer services they may need, she said.

The range of needs is staggering — several people are still recovering at home, some are seeking counseling, and many weren’t even counted in the beginning. For instance, a plainclothes police officer was injured in the melee but is doing fine now, said Police Chief Stacey Graves.

Determining who is eligible for assistance was one of the first conversations United Way officials had when creating the fund. They prioritized three areas of focus: first were the wounded victims and their families, second was collaborating with organizations already helping victims in violence intervention and prevention and mental health services, and third were the first responders.

Specifically, the funds will be steered to cover medical bills, or lost wages for those who haven’t been able to work since the shootings, Blubaugh said. The goal is to work quickly to help people, she said, but also to spend the money in a judicious, strategic way.

“We don’t have a clear sightline of the entire landscape that we’re dealing with,” Blubaugh said. “Not only of how much money do we have to work with, but also, what is the landscape of need? And we need both of those things to be able to make those decisions.”

Firsthand experience of daily Kansas City violence

Jason used his lone remaining sick day to stay home with Bridget and Gabriella. An overnight automation technician, he is the family’s primary breadwinner.

“I can’t take off work, you know?” he said. “It happened. It sucked. But it’s time to move on.”

“He’s a guy’s guy,” Bridget interjected.

On Jason’s first night back at work, the sudden sound of falling dishes startled Bridget and Gabriella, sending them into each other’s arms crying.

“It’s just those moments of flashbacks that are kicking our butts,” Bridget said.

In a way, the shooting has brought the family closer. They’ve been through a lot recently. Jason survived a heart attack and cancer last year. Raising a teenager is never easy.

Bridget can appreciate that the bullet lodged in her backpack, narrowly missing her, and that Gabriella’s legs were burned by sparks but she wasn’t shot.

Jason is grateful for another reason: It wasn’t a terrorist attack, as he initially feared. Instead, it fits into the type of gun violence he’d become accustomed to growing up in Kansas City, which recorded&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-12-28/kansas-city-matches-its-deadliest-year-they-dont-know-the-damage-it-does-to-the-families">its deadliest year</a>&nbsp;last year, although he’d never been this close to it before.

“This crap happens every single day,” he said. “The only difference is we were here for it.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710635619692.png" alt=" The Barton family is not included in the official tally of 24 injured survivors of a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade in February. But Jason Barton; his wife, Bridget; and her 13-year-old daughter, Gabriella, are still reeling from their roles at its epicenter (Christopher Smith/KFF Health News)." />
 <figcaption> The Barton family is not included in the official tally of 24 injured survivors of a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade in February. But Jason Barton; his wife, Bridget; and her 13-year-old daughter, Gabriella, are still reeling from their roles at its epicenter (Christopher Smith/KFF Health News).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/bramsablesmith/">BRAM SABLE-SMITH</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/peggylowe/">PEGGY LOWE</a>Jason Barton didn’t want to attend the Super Bowl parade this year. He told a co-worker the night before that he worried about a mass shooting. But it was Valentine’s Day, his wife is a Kansas City Chiefs superfan, and he couldn’t afford to take her to games since ticket prices soared after the team won the championship in 2020.So Barton drove 50 miles from Osawatomie, Kansas, to downtown Kansas City with his wife, Bridget, her 13-year-old daughter, Gabriella, and Gabriella’s school friend. When they finally arrived home that night, they cleaned blood from Gabriella’s sneakers and found a bullet in Bridget’s backpack.Gabriella’s legs were burned by sparks from a ricocheted bullet, Bridget was trampled while shielding Gabriella in the chaos and Jason gave chest compressions to a man injured by gunfire. He believes it was Lyndell Mays,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-02-20/chiefs-shooting-charges-suspects-kansas-city-jackson-county-prosecutor-lyndell-mays-dominic-miller-second-degree-murder">one of two men charged</a>&nbsp;with second-degree felony murder.“There’s never going to be a Valentine’s Day where I look back and I don’t think about it,” Gabriella said, “because that’s a day where we’re supposed to have fun and appreciate the people that we have.”One month after the parade in which the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/gun-violence-data-public-health-experts-research-funds/">U.S. public health crisis</a>&nbsp;that is gun violence played out on live television, the Bartons are reeling from their role at its epicenter. They were just feet from 43-year-old Lisa Lopez-Galvan, who was killed. Twenty-four other people were injured.Although the Bartons aren’t included in that official victim number, they were traumatized, physically and emotionally, and pain permeates their lives: Bridget and Jason keep canceling plans to go out, opting instead to stay home together; Gabriella plans to join a boxing club instead of the dance team.During this first month, Kansas City community leaders have weighed how to care for people caught in the bloody crossfire and how to divide more than $2 million donated to public funds for victims in the initial outpouring of grief.The questions are far-reaching: How does a city compensate people for medical bills, recovery treatments, counseling, and lost wages? And what about those who have PTSD-like symptoms that could last years? How does a community identify and care for victims often overlooked in the first flush of reporting on a mass shooting: the injured?The injured list could grow. Prosecutors and Kansas City police are mounting a legal case against four of the shooting suspects, and are encouraging additional victims to come forward.“Specifically, we’re looking for individuals who suffered wounds from their trying to escape. A stampede occurred while people were trying to flee,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Anyone who “in the fleeing of this event that maybe fell down, you were trampled, you sprained an ankle, you broke a bone.”Meanwhile, people who took charge of raising money and providing services to care for the injured are wrestling with who gets the money — and who doesn’t. Due to large donations from celebrities like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, some victims or their families will have access to hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical expenses. Other victims may simply have their counseling covered.The overall economic cost of U.S. firearm injuries is estimated by a recent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2796678?guestAccessKey=55a622d7-8d12-4a34-886c-1f25eb5ced0a&amp;utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_content=tfl&amp;utm_term=092722">Harvard Medical School study</a>&nbsp;at $557 billion annually. Most of that — 88% — represented quality-of-life losses among those injured by firearms and their families. The JAMA-published study found that each nonfatal firearm injury leads to roughly $30,000 in direct health care spending per survivor in the first year alone.In the immediate aftermath of the shootings, as well-intentioned GoFundMe pages popped up to help victims, executives at United Way of Greater Kansas City gathered to devise a collective donation response. They came up with “three concentric circles of victims,” said Jessica Blubaugh, the United Way’s chief philanthropy officer, and launched the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://give.unitedwaygkc.org/p/kcstrong">#KCStrong campaign</a>.“There were folks that were obviously directly impacted by gunfire. Then the next circle out is folks that were impacted, not necessarily by gunshots, but by physical impact. So maybe they were trampled and maybe they tore a ligament or something because they were running away,” Blubaugh said. “Then third is folks that were just adjacent and/or bystanders that have a lot of trauma from all of this.”<h2>PTSD, panic, and the echo of gunfire</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710635577719.png" alt=" A memorial for Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a local DJ and Johnson County mother, sits outside Union Station days after a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory parade killed Lopez-Galvan and wounded 22 others (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> A memorial for Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a local DJ and Johnson County mother, sits outside Union Station days after a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory parade killed Lopez-Galvan and wounded 22 others (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>Bridget Barton returned to Kansas City the day after the shooting to turn in the bullet she found in her backpack and to give a statement at police headquarters. Unbeknownst to her, Mayor Quinton Lucas and the police and fire chiefs had just finished a press conference outside the building. She was mobbed by the media assembled there — interviews that are now a blur.“I don’t know how you guys do this every day,” she remembered telling a detective once she finally got inside.The Bartons have been overwhelmed by well wishes from close friends and family as they navigate the trauma, almost to the point of exhaustion. Bridget took to social media to explain she wasn’t ignoring the messages, she’s just responding as she feels able — some days she can hardly look at her phone, she said.A family friend bought new Barbie blankets for Gabriella and her friend after the ones they brought to the parade were lost or ruined. Bridget tried replacing the blankets herself at her local Walmart, but when she was bumped accidentally, it triggered a panic attack. She abandoned her cart and drove home.“I’m trying to get my anxiety under control,” Bridget said.That means therapy. Before the parade, she was already seeing a therapist and planning to begin eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, a form of therapy associated with treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Now the shooting is the first thing she wants to talk about in therapy.Since Gabriella, an eighth grader, has returned to middle school, she has dealt with the compounding immaturity of adolescence: peers telling her to get over it, pointing finger guns at her, or even saying it should have been her who was shot. But her friends are checking on her and asking how she’s doing. She wishes more people would do the same for her friend, who took off running when the shooting started and avoided injury. Gabriella feels guilty about bringing her to what turned into a horrifying experience.“We can tell her all day long, ‘It wasn’t your fault. She’s not your responsibility.’ Just like I can tell myself, ‘It wasn’t my fault or my responsibility,’” Bridget said. “But I still bawled on her mom’s shoulder telling her how sorry I was that I grabbed my kid first.”The two girls have spent a lot of time talking since the shooting, which Gabriella said helps with her own stress. So does spending time with her dog and her lizard, putting on makeup, and listening to music — Tech N9ne’s performance was a highlight of the Super Bowl celebration for her.In addition to the spark burns on Gabriella’s legs, when she fell to the concrete in the pandemonium she split open a burn wound on her stomach previously caused by a styling iron.“When I see that, I just picture my mom trying to protect me and seeing everyone run,” Gabriella said of the wound.It’s hard not to feel forgotten by the public, Bridget said. The shooting, especially its survivors, have largely faded from the headlines aside from court dates.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article286094976.html">Two additional</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article286245420.html">high-profile</a>&nbsp;shootings have occurred in the area since the parade. Doesn’t the community care, she wonders, that her family is still living with the fallout every day?“I’m going to put this as plainly as possible. I’m f—ing pissed because my family went through something traumatic,” Bridget vented in a recent social media post. “I don’t really want anything other [than], ‘Your story matters, too, and we want to know how you’re doing.’ Have we gotten that? Abso-f—lutely not.”<h2>‘What is the landscape of need?’</h2>Helped in part by celebrities like Swift and Kelce, donations for the family of Lopez-Galvan, the lone fatality, and other victims poured in immediately after the shootings. Swift and Kelce donated $100,000 each. With the help of an initial $200,000 donation from the Kansas City Chiefs, the United Way’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://give.unitedwaygkc.org/p/kcstrong">#KCStrong campaign</a>&nbsp;took off, reaching $1 million in the first two weeks and sitting at $1.2 million now.Six&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/kansas-city-parade-help">verified GoFundMe funds</a>&nbsp;were established. One solely for the Lopez-Galvan family has collected over $406,000. Smaller ones were started by a local college student and Swift fans. Churches have also stepped up, and one local coalition had raised $183,000, money set aside for Lopez-Galvan’s funeral, counseling services for five victims, and other medical bills from Children’s Mercy Kansas City hospital, said Ray Jarrett, executive director of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://unitekc.org/">Unite KC</a>.Meanwhile, those leading the efforts found models in other cities. The United Way’s Blubaugh called counterparts who’d responded to their own mass shootings in Orlando, Florida; Buffalo, New York; and Newtown, Connecticut.“The unfortunate reality is we have a cadre of communities across the country who have already faced tragedies like this,” Blubaugh said. “So there is an unfortunate protocol that is, sort of, already in place.”#KCStrong monies could start being paid out by the end of March, Blubaugh said. Hundreds of people called the nonprofit’s 211 line, and the United Way is consulting with hospitals and law enforcement to verify victims and then offer services they may need, she said.The range of needs is staggering — several people are still recovering at home, some are seeking counseling, and many weren’t even counted in the beginning. For instance, a plainclothes police officer was injured in the melee but is doing fine now, said Police Chief Stacey Graves.Determining who is eligible for assistance was one of the first conversations United Way officials had when creating the fund. They prioritized three areas of focus: first were the wounded victims and their families, second was collaborating with organizations already helping victims in violence intervention and prevention and mental health services, and third were the first responders.Specifically, the funds will be steered to cover medical bills, or lost wages for those who haven’t been able to work since the shootings, Blubaugh said. The goal is to work quickly to help people, she said, but also to spend the money in a judicious, strategic way.“We don’t have a clear sightline of the entire landscape that we’re dealing with,” Blubaugh said. “Not only of how much money do we have to work with, but also, what is the landscape of need? And we need both of those things to be able to make those decisions.”<h2>Firsthand experience of daily Kansas City violence</h2>Jason used his lone remaining sick day to stay home with Bridget and Gabriella. An overnight automation technician, he is the family’s primary breadwinner.“I can’t take off work, you know?” he said. “It happened. It sucked. But it’s time to move on.”“He’s a guy’s guy,” Bridget interjected.On Jason’s first night back at work, the sudden sound of falling dishes startled Bridget and Gabriella, sending them into each other’s arms crying.“It’s just those moments of flashbacks that are kicking our butts,” Bridget said.In a way, the shooting has brought the family closer. They’ve been through a lot recently. Jason survived a heart attack and cancer last year. Raising a teenager is never easy.Bridget can appreciate that the bullet lodged in her backpack, narrowly missing her, and that Gabriella’s legs were burned by sparks but she wasn’t shot.Jason is grateful for another reason: It wasn’t a terrorist attack, as he initially feared. Instead, it fits into the type of gun violence he’d become accustomed to growing up in Kansas City, which recorded&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-12-28/kansas-city-matches-its-deadliest-year-they-dont-know-the-damage-it-does-to-the-families">its deadliest year</a>&nbsp;last year, although he’d never been this close to it before.“This crap happens every single day,” he said. “The only difference is we were here for it.”<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.

They were injured at the KC Super Bowl rally shooting. Now they feel forgotten

Vernon A. Chavey January 26, 1938 ~ March 12, 2024

Vernon A. Chavey, age 86, entered into rest on March 12, 2024, at the Park Villa Nursing Home in Clyde, Kansas.He was born on January 26, 1938, in rural St. Joseph, Kansas to Bernard and Helen (Tesmer) Chavey.

Vernon attended grade school in the Como School District.

Vernon grew up on the family farm helping with all the family farm daily chores.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also worked at the Cactus Club in the Kitchen.

He was a member of the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Clyde, and a past member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;Vernon was a devout Catholic all his life.&nbsp;

Vernon enjoyed singing at the St. Joseph Christmas in the country celebration each year.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also loved planting and taking care of his garden and offering his fruits of labor to the community.&nbsp;&nbsp;Vernon also loved going to the local Rodeo’s and especially listening to country music.&nbsp;&nbsp;One of his cherished past times was visiting with family and friends.

Vernon is survived by his brother, Gerald Chavey, three nieces, April Chavey Walker (Jeff Eakins), Coleen Jackson, Lana Cozad (Bob), nephews, Jim (Jackie), John (Cindy) and Rick Chavey, several great nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Helen, a brother, Louis Chavey (Joy), a sister-in-law, Ima Jean Chavey.

A parish vigil/rosary service will be prayed on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Chaput Mortuary in Clyde starting at 5:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m., on Monday, March 18, 2024, at the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Clyde, Kansas with Fr. Steven Heina officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, St. Joseph, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;A funeral luncheon will be served after the graveside back at the Church Fellowship Hall.

On behalf of Vernon’s family they would like to especially thank the Park Villa Nursing Home and Meadowlark Hospice for all their support, comfort and help with Vernon while under their care.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. John The Baptist Catholic Church or Park Villa Nursing Home, both of Clyde in care of Chaput Mortuary, PO Box 291, Clyde, Kansas 66938.&nbsp;&nbsp;For online condolences please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chaputbuoy.com">www.chaputbuoy.com</a>

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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710515899658.jpeg" alt="Vernon A. Chavey" />
 <figcaption>Vernon A. Chavey</figcaption>
 </figure>Vernon A. Chavey January 26, 1938 ~ March 12, 2024Vernon A. Chavey, age 86, entered into rest on March 12, 2024, at the Park Villa Nursing Home in Clyde, Kansas.He was born on January 26, 1938, in rural St. Joseph, Kansas to Bernard and Helen (Tesmer) Chavey.Vernon attended grade school in the Como School District.Vernon grew up on the family farm helping with all the family farm daily chores.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also worked at the Cactus Club in the Kitchen.He was a member of the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Clyde, and a past member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;Vernon was a devout Catholic all his life.&nbsp;Vernon enjoyed singing at the St. Joseph Christmas in the country celebration each year.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also loved planting and taking care of his garden and offering his fruits of labor to the community.&nbsp;&nbsp;Vernon also loved going to the local Rodeo’s and especially listening to country music.&nbsp;&nbsp;One of his cherished past times was visiting with family and friends.Vernon is survived by his brother, Gerald Chavey, three nieces, April Chavey Walker (Jeff Eakins), Coleen Jackson, Lana Cozad (Bob), nephews, Jim (Jackie), John (Cindy) and Rick Chavey, several great nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Helen, a brother, Louis Chavey (Joy), a sister-in-law, Ima Jean Chavey.A parish vigil/rosary service will be prayed on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Chaput Mortuary in Clyde starting at 5:00 p.m.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m., on Monday, March 18, 2024, at the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Clyde, Kansas with Fr. Steven Heina officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, St. Joseph, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;A funeral luncheon will be served after the graveside back at the Church Fellowship Hall.On behalf of Vernon’s family they would like to especially thank the Park Villa Nursing Home and Meadowlark Hospice for all their support, comfort and help with Vernon while under their care.Memorial contributions may be given to St. John The Baptist Catholic Church or Park Villa Nursing Home, both of Clyde in care of Chaput Mortuary, PO Box 291, Clyde, Kansas 66938.&nbsp;&nbsp;For online condolences please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chaputbuoy.com">www.chaputbuoy.com</a>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/e75818b1-80eb-49fc-a472-5e13faca548b">Propane Central celebrates retirement for 26-year employee</a>

Vernon A. Chavey

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — The father of a Michigan school shooter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Thursday, a second conviction against the teen’s parents who were accused of failing to secure a gun at home and doing nothing to address acute signs of his mental turmoil.

The jury verdict means James Crumbley has joined Jennifer Crumbley as a cause of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/oxford-high-school-shooting">killing of four students</a>&nbsp;at Oxford High School in 2021, even without pulling the trigger.

They had separate trials as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oxford-high-school-shooting-shootings-education-violence-crime-31b054a2e403275f119b5e919f7fbc43">first U.S. parents to be charged</a>&nbsp;in a mass school shooting committed by their child. Jennifer Crumbley was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oxford-high-school-mother-charged-01f336607a496c5f9ff0cb3a7434d073">convicted of involuntary manslaughter in February</a>.

The verdicts — one each for the four victims — were read around 7:15 p.m. at the end of a full day of deliberations in Oakland County court.

James Crumbley, 47, who heard the outcome through headphones because of a hearing problem, shook his head from side to side as the jury foreman said “guilty.”

Family of some of the fallen students wept quietly and gripped each other's hands in the second row of the courtroom.

Later at a news conference, county prosecutor Karen McDonald stood next to them and praised their “unwavering courage” through extraordinary tragedy and grief.

“This verdict does not bring back their children, but it does mark a moment of accountability and will hopefully be another step to address and end gun violence,” McDonald said.

Defense attorney Mariell Lehman said James Crumbley “obviously feels terrible” about what happened at the school. He and his wife each face a possible minimum sentence of as much as 10 years in prison when they return to court April 9.

“While we are disappointed with the verdict, we know that the jury had a very difficult task in front of them,” Lehman told The Associated Press.

Prosecutors focused on two key themes at the trial: the parents’ response to a morbid drawing on Ethan Crumbley’s math assignment a few hours before the shooting, and the teen’s access to a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun purchased by James Crumbley only four days earlier.

Ethan, 15, made a ghastly drawing of a gun and a wounded man on a math assignment and added disturbing phrases, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me. My life is useless.”

But James and Jennifer Crumbley declined to take Ethan home following a brief meeting at the school, and staff didn’t demand it. A counselor, concerned about suicidal ideations,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oxford-school-shooting-james-crumbley-4156bb0b1fc0596e03f872a4f9972af0">told them to seek help for the boy within 48 hours.</a>

Ethan had told counselor Shawn Hopkins that he was sad over the death of his dog and grandmother and the loss of a friend who had abruptly moved away. He said the drawing was simply his jottings for a video game and that he wasn’t planning to commit violence.

Neither he, nor his parents, told school officials about the gun they had just bought, according to trial testimony.

Hopkins had hoped Ethan would spend the day with his parents. But when that was ruled out, the counselor felt the teen would probably be safer around others at school.

Ethan later pulled the Sig Sauer from his backpack and began shooting that same day, killing Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16. No one had checked the bag, though a school administrator had joked about its heaviness.

“James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did,” McDonald told the jury Wednesday. “James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and for what he didn’t do.”

He “doesn’t get a pass because somebody else” actually pulled the trigger, she said.

Hopkins told the jury that James Crumbley showed empathy toward his son during the meeting about the drawing, but took no additional action.

When James Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his DoorDash job and looked for the gun.

“I think my son took the gun,” he said in a frantic 911 call.

Investigators found an empty gun case and empty ammunition box on the parents’ bed. A cable that could have locked the gun was still in a package, unopened.

Ethan told a judge when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pontiac-michigan-oxford-high-school-shooting-crime-shootings-ff69e26f96bb07af5dcb76bddc650bb4">he pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to murder and terrorism that the gun was not locked when he stuffed it in his backpack before school.

Lehman, the defense lawyer, tried to emphasize to jurors that James Crumbley did not consent to any gun access by his son.

“He did not know he had to protect others from his son,” she said. “He did not know that it was reasonably foreseeable that his son would commit these offenses. He had no idea what his son was planning to do.”

There was no testimony from experts about Ethan’s mental health, and no records were introduced. The boy’s lawyers said before trial that he would invoke his right to remain silent if called to testify.

But the judge allowed the jury to see excerpts from the teen’s handwritten journal.

“I have zero help for my mental problems and it’s causing me to shoot up the ... school,” Ethan wrote. “I want help but my parents don’t listen to me so I can’t get any help.”

Now 17, he is serving a life sentence with no chance for parole.

After Judge Cheryl Matthews lifted a gag order that had prevented lawyers from speaking to reporters, Jennifer Crumbley's attorney Shannon Smith declined to comment Thursday night.

“We believe the victims, their families, and the community need and deserve the space and time to begin healing from this tragedy,” Smith said on Facebook.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638621716369.png" alt="James Crumbley as shown in his 2021 booking&nbsp; photo from Oakland County, Michigan" />
 <figcaption>James Crumbley as shown in his 2021 booking&nbsp; photo from Oakland County, Michigan</figcaption>
 </figure>PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — The father of a Michigan school shooter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Thursday, a second conviction against the teen’s parents who were accused of failing to secure a gun at home and doing nothing to address acute signs of his mental turmoil.The jury verdict means James Crumbley has joined Jennifer Crumbley as a cause of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/oxford-high-school-shooting">killing of four students</a>&nbsp;at Oxford High School in 2021, even without pulling the trigger.They had separate trials as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oxford-high-school-shooting-shootings-education-violence-crime-31b054a2e403275f119b5e919f7fbc43">first U.S. parents to be charged</a>&nbsp;in a mass school shooting committed by their child. Jennifer Crumbley was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oxford-high-school-mother-charged-01f336607a496c5f9ff0cb3a7434d073">convicted of involuntary manslaughter in February</a>.The verdicts — one each for the four victims — were read around 7:15 p.m. at the end of a full day of deliberations in Oakland County court.James Crumbley, 47, who heard the outcome through headphones because of a hearing problem, shook his head from side to side as the jury foreman said “guilty.”Family of some of the fallen students wept quietly and gripped each other's hands in the second row of the courtroom.Later at a news conference, county prosecutor Karen McDonald stood next to them and praised their “unwavering courage” through extraordinary tragedy and grief.“This verdict does not bring back their children, but it does mark a moment of accountability and will hopefully be another step to address and end gun violence,” McDonald said.Defense attorney Mariell Lehman said James Crumbley “obviously feels terrible” about what happened at the school. He and his wife each face a possible minimum sentence of as much as 10 years in prison when they return to court April 9.“While we are disappointed with the verdict, we know that the jury had a very difficult task in front of them,” Lehman told The Associated Press.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638621694054.png" alt="Jennifer Crumbley as shown in his 2021 booking&nbsp; photo from Oakland County, Michigan" />
 <figcaption>Jennifer Crumbley as shown in his 2021 booking&nbsp; photo from Oakland County, Michigan</figcaption>
 </figure>Prosecutors focused on two key themes at the trial: the parents’ response to a morbid drawing on Ethan Crumbley’s math assignment a few hours before the shooting, and the teen’s access to a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun purchased by James Crumbley only four days earlier.Ethan, 15, made a ghastly drawing of a gun and a wounded man on a math assignment and added disturbing phrases, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me. My life is useless.”But James and Jennifer Crumbley declined to take Ethan home following a brief meeting at the school, and staff didn’t demand it. A counselor, concerned about suicidal ideations,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oxford-school-shooting-james-crumbley-4156bb0b1fc0596e03f872a4f9972af0">told them to seek help for the boy within 48 hours.</a>Ethan had told counselor Shawn Hopkins that he was sad over the death of his dog and grandmother and the loss of a friend who had abruptly moved away. He said the drawing was simply his jottings for a video game and that he wasn’t planning to commit violence.Neither he, nor his parents, told school officials about the gun they had just bought, according to trial testimony.Hopkins had hoped Ethan would spend the day with his parents. But when that was ruled out, the counselor felt the teen would probably be safer around others at school.Ethan later pulled the Sig Sauer from his backpack and began shooting that same day, killing Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16. No one had checked the bag, though a school administrator had joked about its heaviness.“James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did,” McDonald told the jury Wednesday. “James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and for what he didn’t do.”He “doesn’t get a pass because somebody else” actually pulled the trigger, she said.Hopkins told the jury that James Crumbley showed empathy toward his son during the meeting about the drawing, but took no additional action.When James Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his DoorDash job and looked for the gun.“I think my son took the gun,” he said in a frantic 911 call.Investigators found an empty gun case and empty ammunition box on the parents’ bed. A cable that could have locked the gun was still in a package, unopened.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638551635768.png" alt="Ethan Crumbley as shown in his 2021 booking&nbsp; photo from Oakland County, Michigan" />
 <figcaption>Ethan Crumbley as shown in his 2021 booking&nbsp; photo from Oakland County, Michigan</figcaption>
 </figure>Ethan told a judge when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pontiac-michigan-oxford-high-school-shooting-crime-shootings-ff69e26f96bb07af5dcb76bddc650bb4">he pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to murder and terrorism that the gun was not locked when he stuffed it in his backpack before school.Lehman, the defense lawyer, tried to emphasize to jurors that James Crumbley did not consent to any gun access by his son.“He did not know he had to protect others from his son,” she said. “He did not know that it was reasonably foreseeable that his son would commit these offenses. He had no idea what his son was planning to do.”There was no testimony from experts about Ethan’s mental health, and no records were introduced. The boy’s lawyers said before trial that he would invoke his right to remain silent if called to testify.But the judge allowed the jury to see excerpts from the teen’s handwritten journal.“I have zero help for my mental problems and it’s causing me to shoot up the ... school,” Ethan wrote. “I want help but my parents don’t listen to me so I can’t get any help.”Now 17, he is serving a life sentence with no chance for parole.After Judge Cheryl Matthews lifted a gag order that had prevented lawyers from speaking to reporters, Jennifer Crumbley's attorney Shannon Smith declined to comment Thursday night.“We believe the victims, their families, and the community need and deserve the space and time to begin healing from this tragedy,” Smith said on Facebook.___

Father, who bought gun used in school shooting, guilty of manslaughter 

Lanny Eugene Morse January 20, 1943 ~ March 11, 2024

Lanny Eugene Morse (81) passed away March 11, 2024 at Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln, Kansas. He was born January 20, 1943 in Minneapolis, Kansas to Garfield Raymond and Elva Rachel (Moore) Morse.

After his father passed away, Lanny’s family moved to Oregon. While in Oregon, Lanny quit school at the age of 15 to work on a chicken farm. After a short time, he moved back to Minneapolis, Kansas to work on a farm near Glasco. He then worked on the R.W. Robbins ranch in Belvidere, Kansas, as a cowboy, where he earned the nickname of “Hoss”. Lanny moved to Barnard, Kansas and was a truck driver for Barnard Manufacturing Company, delivering farm equipment and unloading the equipment by hand. It’s here where he met Arletta Sperry, who also worked for Barnard Manufacturing Company. They were united in marriage on December 16, 1967 at the Barnard Baptist Church, Barnard, Kansas. The couple welcomed their son, Raymond, while living in Barnard. The family moved to Tipton where Lanny worked for Hake Manufacturing. Their daughter, Patricia, was born while they lived in Tipton. Lanny obtained his GED in 1972. Throughout the years, Lanny worked as a meat cutter at Lincoln Grocery store in Lincoln, ran the Sylvan Café in Sylvan Grove, and then began his 26-year career with Farmway Co-op, first at the elevator, then transferring to the gas station. Lanny retired from Farmway Coop in March of 2007. Later in the year, he began driving for Cameron Compressions in Salina, delivering natural gas turbines. He traveled the United States, making friends and memories along the way. In 2021, he quit driving for Camerons, and was able to spend time tinkering in his garage. Lanny enjoyed listening to his multitude of 8-track tapes, driving his one-owner restored Corvair, delivering Meals on Wheels, playing cards at the Senior Center, fishing, volunteering, and helping others. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and especially spoiling the grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever he had the chance.

Lanny was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Garfield “Gary” Dale Morse. Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Arletta, of the home; Children: Raymond Morse of Concordia and Patricia (Matthew) Winters of Lincoln; Grandchildren: Dakotah (Katelyn) Eidet of Minneapolis, Jacob (Madison) Winters of Liberal, Rebecca Morse of Haysville, Nicole Morse of Haysville, Alexander (Jessica) Winters of Ellsworth, Macy Winters of Hays, Marissa Winters of Lincoln and Ethan Morse of Concordia. Great-grandchildren; Daniel Haggerty, Raelynn Rector, Colter Rector, K’den Lunnin, Kotah Eidet, Gypsy Eidet, Adelynn Winters &amp; Matthew Winters; as well as numerous family members and friends.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024 at Hall Chapel in Lincoln. Family will be present 5-7 p.m.

Memorial service: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Salina Church of Christ, 1646 N. 9th St. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Salina Church of Christ or Lincoln Senior Center, c/o, Hall Chapel, PO Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/bfae00cf-9d5c-4084-a675-5f85ba625793">Friends of the Salina Public Library will host first 50-Cent Book Sale this weekend</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710425938071.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lanny Eugene Morse January 20, 1943 ~ March 11, 2024 Lanny Eugene Morse (81) passed away March 11, 2024 at Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln, Kansas. He was born January 20, 1943 in Minneapolis, Kansas to Garfield Raymond and Elva Rachel (Moore) Morse.After his father passed away, Lanny’s family moved to Oregon. While in Oregon, Lanny quit school at the age of 15 to work on a chicken farm. After a short time, he moved back to Minneapolis, Kansas to work on a farm near Glasco. He then worked on the R.W. Robbins ranch in Belvidere, Kansas, as a cowboy, where he earned the nickname of “Hoss”. Lanny moved to Barnard, Kansas and was a truck driver for Barnard Manufacturing Company, delivering farm equipment and unloading the equipment by hand. It’s here where he met Arletta Sperry, who also worked for Barnard Manufacturing Company. They were united in marriage on December 16, 1967 at the Barnard Baptist Church, Barnard, Kansas. The couple welcomed their son, Raymond, while living in Barnard. The family moved to Tipton where Lanny worked for Hake Manufacturing. Their daughter, Patricia, was born while they lived in Tipton. Lanny obtained his GED in 1972. Throughout the years, Lanny worked as a meat cutter at Lincoln Grocery store in Lincoln, ran the Sylvan Café in Sylvan Grove, and then began his 26-year career with Farmway Co-op, first at the elevator, then transferring to the gas station. Lanny retired from Farmway Coop in March of 2007. Later in the year, he began driving for Cameron Compressions in Salina, delivering natural gas turbines. He traveled the United States, making friends and memories along the way. In 2021, he quit driving for Camerons, and was able to spend time tinkering in his garage. Lanny enjoyed listening to his multitude of 8-track tapes, driving his one-owner restored Corvair, delivering Meals on Wheels, playing cards at the Senior Center, fishing, volunteering, and helping others. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and especially spoiling the grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever he had the chance.Lanny was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Garfield “Gary” Dale Morse. Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Arletta, of the home; Children: Raymond Morse of Concordia and Patricia (Matthew) Winters of Lincoln; Grandchildren: Dakotah (Katelyn) Eidet of Minneapolis, Jacob (Madison) Winters of Liberal, Rebecca Morse of Haysville, Nicole Morse of Haysville, Alexander (Jessica) Winters of Ellsworth, Macy Winters of Hays, Marissa Winters of Lincoln and Ethan Morse of Concordia. Great-grandchildren; Daniel Haggerty, Raelynn Rector, Colter Rector, K’den Lunnin, Kotah Eidet, Gypsy Eidet, Adelynn Winters &amp; Matthew Winters; as well as numerous family members and friends.Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024 at Hall Chapel in Lincoln. Family will be present 5-7 p.m.Memorial service: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Salina Church of Christ, 1646 N. 9th St. Inurnment will take place at a later date.Memorial contributions can be made to the Salina Church of Christ or Lincoln Senior Center, c/o, Hall Chapel, PO Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/bfae00cf-9d5c-4084-a675-5f85ba625793">Friends of the Salina Public Library will host first 50-Cent Book Sale this weekend</a>

Lanny E. Morse

Join 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Chris Cadle this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.910kina.com/">910AM 107.5 FM.</a>

Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KINA&amp;embedOpened=true&amp;embedOpenedApp=song&amp;embedOpenedSong=910683and6831076845683KINA&amp;embedOpenedArtist=&amp;embedOpenedAlbum=">here.</a>&nbsp;

9:30 a.m.&nbsp; Claire Ludes, Salina Area United Way Executive Director on VITA taxes.

10:00 a.m. Terry Ferguson, Bagpipes for St. Patrick’s Day.

10:30 a.m.&nbsp; Amy Paden, founder of Packages for Warriors on Packages for Warriors.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/841d07ab-499c-4d86-a8d3-678b41ef13e4">EquiFest returns to Salina this week — a quick look at events and vendors</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591971280271.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTJoin 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Chris Cadle this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.910kina.com/">910AM 107.5 FM.</a>Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KINA&amp;embedOpened=true&amp;embedOpenedApp=song&amp;embedOpenedSong=910683and6831076845683KINA&amp;embedOpenedArtist=&amp;embedOpenedAlbum=">here.</a>&nbsp;9:05 a.m. Match madness9:30 a.m.&nbsp; Claire Ludes, Salina Area United Way Executive Director on VITA taxes.10:00 a.m. Terry Ferguson, Bagpipes for St. Patrick’s Day.10:30 a.m.&nbsp; Amy Paden, founder of Packages for Warriors on Packages for Warriors.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/841d07ab-499c-4d86-a8d3-678b41ef13e4">EquiFest returns to Salina this week — a quick look at events and vendors</a>&nbsp;

910KINA Saturday Morning Show lineup

<a href="mailto:lmoser@ksu.edu">By LISA MOSER</a> K-State Research and Extension News Service

Anyone who has ever had a respiratory infection knows how hard it can be to clear the body and how miserable it can make a person feel.

In much the same way, beef cattle can also experience respiratory disease that may start as a virus and turn into bacterial pneumonia, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/CattleChatMycoplasmaPneumonia" target="_blank">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast. The focus of this discussion was on mycoplasma pneumonia, which may require a different treatment protocol than other forms of respiratory disease, said the K-State veterinarians.

“Mycoplasma pneumonia is atypical because it is a smaller bacterium that doesn’t have a cell wall and it is more contagious than some of the other respiratory illnesses,” said K-State veterinarian Brad White.

K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers added: “Because it is an atypical bacterium, some of the antibiotics that we would use to treat bovine respiratory disease just simply won’t work against mycoplasma.”

The veterinarians said that this type of pneumonia has a longer disease onset than other types of respiratory illnesses.

“Mycoplasma pneumonia often develops in chronically ill animals that have had a severe disease challenge and it may take 30-40 days to appear in the herd,” White said.

Lubbers said mycoplasma pneumonia can lead to other syndromes in the animal’s body, such as a joint infection or an ear infection.

“In a lot of cases the calf starts with a respiratory infection and then weeks or months later they have swollen knee joints or even a head tilt, which are signs that they may be experiencing mycoplasma infections,” Lubbers says.

If producers suspect mycoplasma infections in the herd, White and Lubbers said that they should reach out to the local veterinarian for guidance.

“The diagnostic test for this bacterium is different and it doesn’t always show on a routine bacterial culture so it is important to work with the veterinarian to get the right diagnosis and treatment protocol,” Lubbers said.

To hear the full discussion, listen to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/CattleChatMycoplasmaPneumonia" target="_blank">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast on your preferred streaming platform.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5c035236-8057-4520-af42-1a6c07aee2a3">Multiple weather systems moving into Kansas bring chances of severe storms</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710276916560.jpeg" alt="Mycoplasma pneumonia can develop in cattle of all ages. Image courtesy K-State Research and Extension News Service" />
 <figcaption>Mycoplasma pneumonia can develop in cattle of all ages. Image courtesy K-State Research and Extension News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:lmoser@ksu.edu">By LISA MOSER</a> K-State Research and Extension News ServiceAnyone who has ever had a respiratory infection knows how hard it can be to clear the body and how miserable it can make a person feel.In much the same way, beef cattle can also experience respiratory disease that may start as a virus and turn into bacterial pneumonia, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/CattleChatMycoplasmaPneumonia" target="_blank">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast. The focus of this discussion was on mycoplasma pneumonia, which may require a different treatment protocol than other forms of respiratory disease, said the K-State veterinarians.“Mycoplasma pneumonia is atypical because it is a smaller bacterium that doesn’t have a cell wall and it is more contagious than some of the other respiratory illnesses,” said K-State veterinarian Brad White.K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers added: “Because it is an atypical bacterium, some of the antibiotics that we would use to treat bovine respiratory disease just simply won’t work against mycoplasma.”The veterinarians said that this type of pneumonia has a longer disease onset than other types of respiratory illnesses.“Mycoplasma pneumonia often develops in chronically ill animals that have had a severe disease challenge and it may take 30-40 days to appear in the herd,” White said.Lubbers said mycoplasma pneumonia can lead to other syndromes in the animal’s body, such as a joint infection or an ear infection.“In a lot of cases the calf starts with a respiratory infection and then weeks or months later they have swollen knee joints or even a head tilt, which are signs that they may be experiencing mycoplasma infections,” Lubbers says.If producers suspect mycoplasma infections in the herd, White and Lubbers said that they should reach out to the local veterinarian for guidance.“The diagnostic test for this bacterium is different and it doesn’t always show on a routine bacterial culture so it is important to work with the veterinarian to get the right diagnosis and treatment protocol,” Lubbers said.To hear the full discussion, listen to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/CattleChatMycoplasmaPneumonia" target="_blank">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast on your preferred streaming platform.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5c035236-8057-4520-af42-1a6c07aee2a3">Multiple weather systems moving into Kansas bring chances of severe storms</a>

Cattle Chat: Understanding mycoplasma pneumonia

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina Post

Most Kansans understand that March usually brings spring closer to the end of the month, but with record-setting warm temperatures in February, spring has arrived for most residents.

Climatologists in and around Kansas also agree that this year is different for most of the country, with the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/fwd/basics">El Niño-Southern Oscillation</a>, or ENSO, cycle transitioning throughout spring and into summer.

The ENSO cycle has two phases that impact sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean — El Niño, the ENSO warm phase, and La Niña, the ENSO cold phase.&nbsp;

The cycle transitioned from a three-year intense La Niña phase into a robust El Niño late last year, but climatologists see a transition to a neutral phase into a La Niña for the summer.

"This winter played out like a classic El Niño. We were much above normal [temperatures] and had above-normal precipitation—that's the hallmark of El Niño," said K-State Research and Extension Assistant State Climatologist Matthew Sittel. The problem this time of year is that the signal is less obvious."

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/35349d6a-eaa2-422b-976d-f0587f19c3bc">Salina broke an 1896 record on Feb. 26</a>, with the Salina Regional Airport reporting 78 degrees in the afternoon. The drought also improved, with many areas of western Kansas seeing soaking rainfall and inches of snow throughout the 2023-2024 winter.

ENSO cycles impact Kansas the most in winter, so as spring rolls into summer and El Niño switches to neutral and later to La Niña, its effects will not be as noticeable.

LISTEN: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2635c9ac-0165-4c8c-8ad1-29a61b4acb62">🎙King in the Community: BSL and sign code, Salina City Manager Mike Schrage</a>

As the cycle transitions through the front half of 2024, Kansas weather will still see some impacts, particularly during the severe weather season.

"Coming out of El Niño, going into neutral, especially heading into severe weather season, it can create some uncertainty," said High Plains Regional Climate Center Climatologist Gannon Rush. "I looked up some literature about scenarios like this where it's transitioning from one to the neutral back to the other, and it did hint toward a not stronger, but more active severe season, particularly for hail and tornadoes."&nbsp;

Though past years with similar conditions saw more intense storm seasons, more tornadoes and hail are never guaranteed.

Wichita <a href="https://www.weather.gov/">National Weather Service</a>, or NWS, Meteorologist Robb Lawson said Kansas will see severe weather regardless of the ENSO cycle. Still, while the La Niña cycle held in the Pacific, Kansas saw a below-normal rate of tornadoes in the last several years.

"Some areas of the country get more active in a given year, and it just moves around," Lawson said. "Eventually, it will return to where we're going to be above normal for tornadoes. It's been relatively quiet for the last several years, but eventually, it will change, and we don't know when."

Meteorologists focus primarily on short weather outlooks, air moisture levels, wind speeds, and atmospheric instability. These factors impact weather forecasts and change regularly in the days leading up to a significant weather event.

READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/09dc28b7-e3f5-48b7-a7ce-b6180532097a">Storm Fury on the Plains presents critical storm safety information</a>

Rush said many climate predictions see chances for above-normal precipitation in Kansas for the beginning of spring from March to early or mid-April.

However, late spring and early summer are less promising for precipitation in the state. Many climate models show a toss-up in the early summertime for rainfall, and when La Niña takes over, it will likely turn dry again for the later half of the year.

"There's not a strong signal on how they affect temperature and precipitation during the summer," Rush said. "As we've seen in the past, the triple dip in La Niña was very dry. The drought was very prevalent in Kansas, specifically in central and western Kansas, and this year it's sort of signaling that kind of return of a pattern which is probably not what people want to hear."

The recent conditions also have led to an early spring for many states, with the <a href="https://www.usanpn.org/data/maps/spring">National Phenology Network</a> reporting the earliest spring on record for parts of northern Kansas.

Climatologists from around the globe work to gather data for varying models, but none are entirely accurate in predictions.&nbsp;

Lawson said weather on all scales is unpredictable, but historical data and taking a critical look at weather conditions allow residents to better prepare for dangerous weather situations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709761322589.jpeg" alt="The seasonal precipitation outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, for March, April and May. Graphic courtesy NOAA Climate Prediction Center" />
 <figcaption>The seasonal precipitation outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, for March, April and May. Graphic courtesy NOAA Climate Prediction Center</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostMost Kansans understand that March usually brings spring closer to the end of the month, but with record-setting warm temperatures in February, spring has arrived for most residents.Climatologists in and around Kansas also agree that this year is different for most of the country, with the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/fwd/basics">El Niño-Southern Oscillation</a>, or ENSO, cycle transitioning throughout spring and into summer.The ENSO cycle has two phases that impact sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean — El Niño, the ENSO warm phase, and La Niña, the ENSO cold phase.&nbsp;The cycle transitioned from a three-year intense La Niña phase into a robust El Niño late last year, but climatologists see a transition to a neutral phase into a La Niña for the summer."This winter played out like a classic El Niño. We were much above normal [temperatures] and had above-normal precipitation—that's the hallmark of El Niño," said K-State Research and Extension Assistant State Climatologist Matthew Sittel. The problem this time of year is that the signal is less obvious."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709761419055.png" alt="The Kansas Drought monitor from February 27, 2024. Graphic courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Drought monitor from February 27, 2024. Graphic courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/35349d6a-eaa2-422b-976d-f0587f19c3bc">Salina broke an 1896 record on Feb. 26</a>, with the Salina Regional Airport reporting 78 degrees in the afternoon. The drought also improved, with many areas of western Kansas seeing soaking rainfall and inches of snow throughout the 2023-2024 winter.ENSO cycles impact Kansas the most in winter, so as spring rolls into summer and El Niño switches to neutral and later to La Niña, its effects will not be as noticeable.LISTEN: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2635c9ac-0165-4c8c-8ad1-29a61b4acb62">🎙King in the Community: BSL and sign code, Salina City Manager Mike Schrage</a>As the cycle transitions through the front half of 2024, Kansas weather will still see some impacts, particularly during the severe weather season."Coming out of El Niño, going into neutral, especially heading into severe weather season, it can create some uncertainty," said High Plains Regional Climate Center Climatologist Gannon Rush. "I looked up some literature about scenarios like this where it's transitioning from one to the neutral back to the other, and it did hint toward a not stronger, but more active severe season, particularly for hail and tornadoes."&nbsp;Though past years with similar conditions saw more intense storm seasons, more tornadoes and hail are never guaranteed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709761594721.jpeg" alt="The seasonal temperature outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, for March, April and May.&nbsp;Graphic courtesy NOAA Climate Prediction Center" />
 <figcaption>The seasonal temperature outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, for March, April and May.&nbsp;Graphic courtesy NOAA Climate Prediction Center</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita <a href="https://www.weather.gov/">National Weather Service</a>, or NWS, Meteorologist Robb Lawson said Kansas will see severe weather regardless of the ENSO cycle. Still, while the La Niña cycle held in the Pacific, Kansas saw a below-normal rate of tornadoes in the last several years."Some areas of the country get more active in a given year, and it just moves around," Lawson said. "Eventually, it will return to where we're going to be above normal for tornadoes. It's been relatively quiet for the last several years, but eventually, it will change, and we don't know when."Meteorologists focus primarily on short weather outlooks, air moisture levels, wind speeds, and atmospheric instability. These factors impact weather forecasts and change regularly in the days leading up to a significant weather event.READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/09dc28b7-e3f5-48b7-a7ce-b6180532097a">Storm Fury on the Plains presents critical storm safety information</a><h2>Beyond severe weather</h2>Rush said many climate predictions see chances for above-normal precipitation in Kansas for the beginning of spring from March to early or mid-April.However, late spring and early summer are less promising for precipitation in the state. Many climate models show a toss-up in the early summertime for rainfall, and when La Niña takes over, it will likely turn dry again for the later half of the year."There's not a strong signal on how they affect temperature and precipitation during the summer," Rush said. "As we've seen in the past, the triple dip in La Niña was very dry. The drought was very prevalent in Kansas, specifically in central and western Kansas, and this year it's sort of signaling that kind of return of a pattern which is probably not what people want to hear."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709761706136.png" alt="The Spring Leaf Index is based on heat accumulation and may have less relevance in water-limited systems like California and the Southwest. Precipitation may play a larger role in the phenology of plants in these areas. Graphic courtesy National Phenology Network " />
 <figcaption>The Spring Leaf Index is based on heat accumulation and may have less relevance in water-limited systems like California and the Southwest. Precipitation may play a larger role in the phenology of plants in these areas. Graphic courtesy National Phenology Network </figcaption>
 </figure>The recent conditions also have led to an early spring for many states, with the <a href="https://www.usanpn.org/data/maps/spring">National Phenology Network</a> reporting the earliest spring on record for parts of northern Kansas.Climatologists from around the globe work to gather data for varying models, but none are entirely accurate in predictions.&nbsp;Lawson said weather on all scales is unpredictable, but historical data and taking a critical look at weather conditions allow residents to better prepare for dangerous weather situations.

Spring ahead of schedule in Kansas — climatologists uncertain for severe weather season

Consternation about possible ban on feeding deer on private land triggers backlash

By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/04/sparks-fly-when-kansas-house-budget-panel-explores-detail-of-university-budget-requests/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The administrative rebellion waged in the Capitol against the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission is being led by men and women with expertise in firearms, arrows, hooks and other tools of hunting, fishing and trapping.

But implements on this conflict are paper and ink used to advance House and Senate legislation to dissolve the current commission appointed unilaterally by the governor and to create a new seven-person commission selected by the Republican Senate president, House speaker and attorney general and by the Democratic governor.

Gov. Laura Kelly would get four selections and the three other politicians would make one each. Democratic Party leaders in the Legislature would have no appointment authority in terms of the new commission.

In addition, legislation endorsed by the Senate and a House committee would mandate all commission appointees be subjected for the first time to the Senate confirmation process. That would include background investigations, fingerprinting, submission of tax information, filing of statements of substantial interest and appearances before a legislative committee before a vote of the Senate. The commissioners would remain unpaid volunteers.

For good measure, legislators frustrated by the commission have sought to strip the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks secretary of eminent domain power to create public parks or expand access to these recreational magnets.

El Dorado Rep. Will Carpenter, a Republican, said the current commission wasn’t sufficiently invested in hunting or fishing for consumptive purposes.

“I know from past experience, lots of times it’s a political appointment,” Carpenter said. “You get a lot of ‘parks’ people on there … who are not consumptive fishermen or hunters. They’re making policy decisions, quite frankly, that they don’t even know about because they don’t hunt or fish.”

Rep. Pam Curtis, D-Kansas City, said the existing appointment system worked well and the proposed overhaul of the commission would intensify the politics of wildlife and parks administration.

“I don’t think we want to make this a political body,” Curtis said. “That would push us much more into the political realm versus science and experts in managing our wildlife and parks. Do we want to pass something we think will have some muster? Or, do we want to pass something we know is going to be DOA?”

Hunting and fishing enthusiasts have let it be known they were irritated the commission and department entertained the idea of prohibiting bait feeding of deer on private property. The practice, banned on public land in Kansas, enticed deer to take advantage of a regular food source on property accessible to landowners who hunted or to individuals from other communities or states who paid for the opportunity to hunt a trophy. Skeptics of baiting believe it granted hunters an unethical advantage. In Nebraska, for example, it was illegal to hunt any big game animals or turkeys within 200 yards of a baited area.

“I see a huge problem with fair chase in Kansas,” said Troy Sporer, a current wildlife and parks commissioner from Oakley. “It’s not real hunting anymore. Let’s just go bait ’em up, figure out what time they’re there and lets go shoot ’em.”

The commission’s interest in the ethics of baiting deer and creating for wildlife a fair-chase environment was interpreted as a financial threat to the hunting industry in Kansas and inspired lobbying at the Capitol to tilt commission appointments toward people vested in maintaining a business-like approach. Commission critics also raised issues about timing of hunting seasons or availability of hunting licenses.

“I believe the current department leadership and the current commission has lost their way over the past three years,” said Don Budd, a former wildlife and parks commissioner appointed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

Jeff Cooper, an attorney and representative of Hunter Nation headquartered in Mission, said lack of practical knowledge among commissioners allowed for reckless debates about the possibility of a bait ban. That could be avoided in the future with passage of a law diversifying the commission, he said.

Cooper recommended a nine-member commission that would leave the governor with three appointments and guarantee two each for the House speaker, Senate president and attorney general. The idea of giving GOP politicians the opportunity to shape a majority on the commission was included in a House bill sponsored by Rep. Ken Corbet, a Topeka Republican who operates a hunting lodge.

“The current commission has recently demonstrated an inability to bring any meaningful experience to the table as well as think critically about information,” Cooper said. “No issue better demonstrates this failure of decision making than the commission’s recent crusade to end deer feeding.”

Brad Loveless, the state Department of Wildlife and Parks secretary, has faced a wave of questions at the Statehouse about the commission’s regulatory deliberations.

In multiple legislative committee hearings, Loveless said the seven current members were quality appointees who would sail through confirmation if subjected to that process. He said Senate confirmation would slow the filling of vacancies on the commission. He also said it would place commission nominees under a level of scrutiny unequal to people serving on other commissions without budget or personnel duties.

Loveless said the wildlife and parks commission’s main purpose was to solicit public input during development of regulations. He said administrative functions of the KDWP weren’t within the commission’s purview. Nor did the department’s secretary, as a Cabinet-level appointee, report to the commission.

“The commission is therefore different than other boards or commissions that currently require Kansas Senate confirmation,” Loveless said. “These Senate-confirmed boards oversee agency budgets or personnel. Whereas KDWP is overseen by a secretary, which is already confirmed by the Senate and answers to the governor.”

Deer hunting disputes represented different perspectives on how best to prevent the state’s trophy deer resource from being wiped out by overhunting, Loveless said.

Loveless, who announced plans last October to retire in 2024, said the mission of the commission and department was to sustain high-quality wildlife populations and to welcome people who want to be outdoors in the state’s park system. He said some people want to open the gate to as many hunters and fishermen as would come to Kansas, but that would be unsustainable. The state turned away about 10,000 nonresident applicants for deer licenses, Loveless said.

“We’re victims of our own success because we have this trophy deer population. It’s worth a lot of money, millions of dollars every year. Of course, when there’s money involved, then people develop their own agendas. They say we’re just throwing money away. But we’re trying to help people understand that unless we manage the population it will crash,” Loveless said.

Republican Sen. Virgil Peck of Havana and other legislators have asserted there was cause to believe the commission might not be willing to protect the constitutional right of Kansans to hunt, fish and trap. Senate confirmation of nominees to the commission was essential, Peck said.

“This will allow elected representatives of the people — the Kansas Senate — to ask the commission questions about their beliefs,” Peck said. “We don’t want a commission that’s going to diminish those rights.”

Jackie Augustine, a representative of the Audubon Society, said the state wildlife and parks commission included people who were good listeners and represented the people of Kansas well. She said amendment of the appointment process — stripping governors of authority to appoint the seven members — could have unintended consequences.

“This process&nbsp;will encourage political ideology to become more important than protecting the natural resources of Kansas,” she said.

She said it would be a logistical challenge for four elected officials to share the task of appointing seven people to the commission. The current version of the bill specified a commissioner be appointed to represent each of seven wildlife administration regions, that a cap be placed on partisan representation and that preference be given to licensed hunters, fishermen, fur harvesters, park users and those who don’t consume wildlife.

“How can different appointing authorities ensure that all of these factors are considered when nominating a commissioner?” Augustine said. “It seems like it will develop into a situation where one appointing authority will always have to appoint someone that meets a limited set of criteria, like a Republican non-consumptive user from southeastern Kansas.”

Moriah Day, executive director of the Kansas State Rifle Association, said he had a different take on proposed reform of the commission. He bristled at the notion lawmakers should be cautious about altering the system.

“Our entire form of government is based on the principle that complicating processes can be a good thing when done properly,” Day said. “Efficient tyranny is the enemy of freedom and a well-structured series of checks and balances removes power from any one political figure or office, more effectively protecting our citizens from both blatant consolidation of power and the far more common tendency of human nature to gradually accumulate influence or control.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709988060058.png" alt=" Brad Loveless, secretary of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks, said a bill limiting the governor’s appointments to the Wildlife and Parks Commission and subjecting nominees to Senate confirmation was unnecessary. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Brad Loveless, secretary of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks, said a bill limiting the governor’s appointments to the Wildlife and Parks Commission and subjecting nominees to Senate confirmation was unnecessary. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Consternation about possible ban on feeding deer on private land triggers backlash</h2>By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/04/sparks-fly-when-kansas-house-budget-panel-explores-detail-of-university-budget-requests/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The administrative rebellion waged in the Capitol against the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission is being led by men and women with expertise in firearms, arrows, hooks and other tools of hunting, fishing and trapping.But implements on this conflict are paper and ink used to advance House and Senate legislation to dissolve the current commission appointed unilaterally by the governor and to create a new seven-person commission selected by the Republican Senate president, House speaker and attorney general and by the Democratic governor.Gov. Laura Kelly would get four selections and the three other politicians would make one each. Democratic Party leaders in the Legislature would have no appointment authority in terms of the new commission.In addition, legislation endorsed by the Senate and a House committee would mandate all commission appointees be subjected for the first time to the Senate confirmation process. That would include background investigations, fingerprinting, submission of tax information, filing of statements of substantial interest and appearances before a legislative committee before a vote of the Senate. The commissioners would remain unpaid volunteers.For good measure, legislators frustrated by the commission have sought to strip the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks secretary of eminent domain power to create public parks or expand access to these recreational magnets.El Dorado Rep. Will Carpenter, a Republican, said the current commission wasn’t sufficiently invested in hunting or fishing for consumptive purposes.“I know from past experience, lots of times it’s a political appointment,” Carpenter said. “You get a lot of ‘parks’ people on there … who are not consumptive fishermen or hunters. They’re making policy decisions, quite frankly, that they don’t even know about because they don’t hunt or fish.”Rep. Pam Curtis, D-Kansas City, said the existing appointment system worked well and the proposed overhaul of the commission would intensify the politics of wildlife and parks administration.“I don’t think we want to make this a political body,” Curtis said. “That would push us much more into the political realm versus science and experts in managing our wildlife and parks. Do we want to pass something we think will have some muster? Or, do we want to pass something we know is going to be DOA?”<h2>‘Not real hunting’</h2>Hunting and fishing enthusiasts have let it be known they were irritated the commission and department entertained the idea of prohibiting bait feeding of deer on private property. The practice, banned on public land in Kansas, enticed deer to take advantage of a regular food source on property accessible to landowners who hunted or to individuals from other communities or states who paid for the opportunity to hunt a trophy. Skeptics of baiting believe it granted hunters an unethical advantage. In Nebraska, for example, it was illegal to hunt any big game animals or turkeys within 200 yards of a baited area.“I see a huge problem with fair chase in Kansas,” said Troy Sporer, a current wildlife and parks commissioner from Oakley. “It’s not real hunting anymore. Let’s just go bait ’em up, figure out what time they’re there and lets go shoot ’em.”The commission’s interest in the ethics of baiting deer and creating for wildlife a fair-chase environment was interpreted as a financial threat to the hunting industry in Kansas and inspired lobbying at the Capitol to tilt commission appointments toward people vested in maintaining a business-like approach. Commission critics also raised issues about timing of hunting seasons or availability of hunting licenses.“I believe the current department leadership and the current commission has lost their way over the past three years,” said Don Budd, a former wildlife and parks commissioner appointed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.Jeff Cooper, an attorney and representative of Hunter Nation headquartered in Mission, said lack of practical knowledge among commissioners allowed for reckless debates about the possibility of a bait ban. That could be avoided in the future with passage of a law diversifying the commission, he said.Cooper recommended a nine-member commission that would leave the governor with three appointments and guarantee two each for the House speaker, Senate president and attorney general. The idea of giving GOP politicians the opportunity to shape a majority on the commission was included in a House bill sponsored by Rep. Ken Corbet, a Topeka Republican who operates a hunting lodge.“The current commission has recently demonstrated an inability to bring any meaningful experience to the table as well as think critically about information,” Cooper said. “No issue better demonstrates this failure of decision making than the commission’s recent crusade to end deer feeding.”<h2>Confirmation unneeded</h2>Brad Loveless, the state Department of Wildlife and Parks secretary, has faced a wave of questions at the Statehouse about the commission’s regulatory deliberations.In multiple legislative committee hearings, Loveless said the seven current members were quality appointees who would sail through confirmation if subjected to that process. He said Senate confirmation would slow the filling of vacancies on the commission. He also said it would place commission nominees under a level of scrutiny unequal to people serving on other commissions without budget or personnel duties.Loveless said the wildlife and parks commission’s main purpose was to solicit public input during development of regulations. He said administrative functions of the KDWP weren’t within the commission’s purview. Nor did the department’s secretary, as a Cabinet-level appointee, report to the commission.“The commission is therefore different than other boards or commissions that currently require Kansas Senate confirmation,” Loveless said. “These Senate-confirmed boards oversee agency budgets or personnel. Whereas KDWP is overseen by a secretary, which is already confirmed by the Senate and answers to the governor.”Deer hunting disputes represented different perspectives on how best to prevent the state’s trophy deer resource from being wiped out by overhunting, Loveless said.Loveless, who announced plans last October to retire in 2024, said the mission of the commission and department was to sustain high-quality wildlife populations and to welcome people who want to be outdoors in the state’s park system. He said some people want to open the gate to as many hunters and fishermen as would come to Kansas, but that would be unsustainable. The state turned away about 10,000 nonresident applicants for deer licenses, Loveless said.“We’re victims of our own success because we have this trophy deer population. It’s worth a lot of money, millions of dollars every year. Of course, when there’s money involved, then people develop their own agendas. They say we’re just throwing money away. But we’re trying to help people understand that unless we manage the population it will crash,” Loveless said.<h2>More politics?</h2>Republican Sen. Virgil Peck of Havana and other legislators have asserted there was cause to believe the commission might not be willing to protect the constitutional right of Kansans to hunt, fish and trap. Senate confirmation of nominees to the commission was essential, Peck said.“This will allow elected representatives of the people — the Kansas Senate — to ask the commission questions about their beliefs,” Peck said. “We don’t want a commission that’s going to diminish those rights.”Jackie Augustine, a representative of the Audubon Society, said the state wildlife and parks commission included people who were good listeners and represented the people of Kansas well. She said amendment of the appointment process — stripping governors of authority to appoint the seven members — could have unintended consequences.“This process&nbsp;will encourage political ideology to become more important than protecting the natural resources of Kansas,” she said.She said it would be a logistical challenge for four elected officials to share the task of appointing seven people to the commission. The current version of the bill specified a commissioner be appointed to represent each of seven wildlife administration regions, that a cap be placed on partisan representation and that preference be given to licensed hunters, fishermen, fur harvesters, park users and those who don’t consume wildlife.“How can different appointing authorities ensure that all of these factors are considered when nominating a commissioner?” Augustine said. “It seems like it will develop into a situation where one appointing authority will always have to appoint someone that meets a limited set of criteria, like a Republican non-consumptive user from southeastern Kansas.”Moriah Day, executive director of the Kansas State Rifle Association, said he had a different take on proposed reform of the commission. He bristled at the notion lawmakers should be cautious about altering the system.“Our entire form of government is based on the principle that complicating processes can be a good thing when done properly,” Day said. “Efficient tyranny is the enemy of freedom and a well-structured series of checks and balances removes power from any one political figure or office, more effectively protecting our citizens from both blatant consolidation of power and the far more common tendency of human nature to gradually accumulate influence or control.”

Kansas lawmakers angle to undercut governor by overhauling state wildlife and parks commission

9:05 a.m. Rosie Walter, director of the Salina Senior Center

9:30 a.m. Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management executive director,&nbsp;Severe Weather Preparedness Week - March 4-8

10:05 a.m. Newly elected City Commissioner Jerry Ivey II on recent City strategic planning meeting and Orientation tour of city facilities

10:30 a.m. Ed Harlowe, local movie producer and screenwriter talking about his upcoming movie set to be filmed in Salina

10:05 a.m. Newly elected City Commissioner Jerry Ivey on recent City Strategic Planning Work session and Orientation Tour of City Facilities10:30 a.m. Ed Harlowe, local movie producer and screenplay writer



<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591971280271.jpeg" alt="KINA New logo Blue Black" />
 <figcaption>KINA New logo Blue Black</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTJoin 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Chris Cadle this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.910kina.com/">910AM 107.5 FM.</a>Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KINA&amp;embedOpened=true&amp;embedOpenedApp=song&amp;embedOpenedSong=910683and6831076845683KINA&amp;embedOpenedArtist=&amp;embedOpenedAlbum=">here.</a>&nbsp;9:05 a.m. Rosie Walter, director of the Salina Senior Center9:30 a.m. Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management executive director,&nbsp;Severe Weather Preparedness Week - March 4-810:05 a.m. Newly elected City Commissioner Jerry Ivey II on recent City strategic planning meeting and Orientation tour of city facilities10:30 a.m. Ed Harlowe, local movie producer and screenwriter talking about his upcoming movie set to be filmed in Salina10:05 a.m. Newly elected City Commissioner Jerry Ivey on recent City Strategic Planning Work session and Orientation Tour of City Facilities10:30 a.m. Ed Harlowe, local movie producer and screenplay writer

K-State veterinarians offer insight into why some calves have an aversion to silage

<a href="mailto:lmoser@ksu.edu">By LISA MOSER</a> K-State Research and Extension news service

When working with animals, often their caretakers have to use clues to understand what might be leading that individual to react differently than expected. And with feed resources, the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute recommend slowly changing feeds, especially when introducing silage.

In answering a listener's question about why calves were not willing to eat silage, the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/CattleChatFeedingSilagetoCalves">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast experts suggested following the cues of the cattle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709739155080.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>K-State veterinarians offer insight into why some calves have an aversion to silage</h2><a href="mailto:lmoser@ksu.edu">By LISA MOSER</a> K-State Research and Extension news serviceWhen working with animals, often their caretakers have to use clues to understand what might be leading that individual to react differently than expected. And with feed resources, the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute recommend slowly changing feeds, especially when introducing silage.In answering a listener's question about why calves were not willing to eat silage, the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/CattleChatFeedingSilagetoCalves">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast experts suggested following the cues of the cattle.“When introducing silage, you are going to have to watch the calves closely to know when you can start increasing the amount in the diet. And with some groups, you may need to move more slowly,” said K-State veterinarian Bob Larson.<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3OLqGp0sltaNsnfo9sseNW?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>One reason that calves might have an aversion to eating silage is its smell, beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster said.“Silage is a fermented feed resource, so it has a different taste and smell than calves are used to,” Lancaster said. “To make the silage more palatable, producers can add silage to the top of a feed source that the calves like. That way the calves have to work through the silage to get to what they prefer to eat.”Because it is a fermented product, there can be variability in the batches, Lancaster said.“If it is too wet, then it has a butyric fermentation that gives it a nasty odor that really turns cattle off on eating it,” Lancaster said. “If it is too dry, it can be moldy.”Lancaster recommends that producers take a sample of the silage and have a fermentation analysis done to make sure there is the right balance of acetic acid, lactic acid and butyric acid. He also said silage inoculates added at the time the silage is made can provide bacteria at a high enough concentration to get an optimum fermentation.If cattle are inconsistent in their willingness to eat the silage, K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers said it is important for producers to take and store samples as they work through the feed so when they go off feed they can pull the appropriate sample to test.“There are microclimates within a silage pit, and so take the samples as you are feeding so that you have a representative sample to help you figure out what is actually causing them to stop eating the silage,” Lubbers said.