Rick Hanson is committed to bringing Festival Jam to Salina in 2020.

"SM Hanson Music started the Festival Jam 34 years ago as a pre-event to the official Smoky Hill River Festival and have continued to organize, manage and support the Festival Jam as a community event every year since," said Hanson, CEO and president of SM Hanson Music, Inc. "We are committed to bringing a late summer or fall 2020 Festival Jam to the Eric Stein Stage."

On Monday, the Salina City Commission, at the recommendation of Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, voted to cancel this year's festival in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Hanson told Salina Post that he would like to see this particular Festival Jam to have longer sets for the performers.

"I have suggested that the event be lengthened to allow each of the sixteen bands to perform a 25-minute set, instead of the normal 12-minute set. A longer Festival Jam would allow the entertainers to stretch out a bit and food vendors to benefit from the 6-8 hour event," Hanson said.

Additionally, he would like for the 2020 event, should it happen, to not have an admission charge.

"We would like the event to be free to the public, a celebration of the music community, and rejoice that the community pulled through the COVID-19 disaster," Hanson said.

According to Hanson, the entertainers and bands who were to play at the regular Festival Jam have committed to playing at an event later in the year.

"They would love to participate. The performers at Festival Jam have never been paid and this event would be no different, even though they would play a longer set," he said.

Hanson told Salina Post that he was looking forward to working with Salina Arts &amp; Humanities and the city to bring a special Festival Jam to the community later in 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585439163521.jpeg" alt="The crowd listens to a performance at the first Festival Jam in Salina's Oakdale Park. Photo courtesy SM Hanson Music, Inc." />
 <figcaption>The crowd listens to a performance at the first Festival Jam in Salina's Oakdale Park. Photo courtesy SM Hanson Music, Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure>Rick Hanson is committed to bringing Festival Jam to Salina in 2020."SM Hanson Music started the Festival Jam 34 years ago as a pre-event to the official Smoky Hill River Festival and have continued to organize, manage and support the Festival Jam as a community event every year since," said Hanson, CEO and president of SM Hanson Music, Inc. "We are committed to bringing a late summer or fall 2020 Festival Jam to the Eric Stein Stage."On Monday, the Salina City Commission, at the recommendation of Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, voted to cancel this year's festival in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;Hanson told Salina Post that he would like to see this particular Festival Jam to have longer sets for the performers."I have suggested that the event be lengthened to allow each of the sixteen bands to perform a 25-minute set, instead of the normal 12-minute set. A longer Festival Jam would allow the entertainers to stretch out a bit and food vendors to benefit from the 6-8 hour event," Hanson said.Additionally, he would like for the 2020 event, should it happen, to not have an admission charge."We would like the event to be free to the public, a celebration of the music community, and rejoice that the community pulled through the COVID-19 disaster," Hanson said.According to Hanson, the entertainers and bands who were to play at the regular Festival Jam have committed to playing at an event later in the year."They would love to participate. The performers at Festival Jam have never been paid and this event would be no different, even though they would play a longer set," he said.Hanson told Salina Post that he was looking forward to working with Salina Arts &amp; Humanities and the city to bring a special Festival Jam to the community later in 2020.

Hanson: Festival Jam possible later in 2020

Eagle Communications announced this week that longtime radio veteran Terry Drouhard, has been named regional manager, overseeing both the Salina and Hutchinson markets.

Drouhard has been with Eagle since 1989, and his career has included on-air broadcasting, sales and sales management. For the past year, he has served as general manager of Eagle Radio of Hutchinson.

“I’m thankful to work alongside our great staff in Hutchinson. Having this new opportunity to work with the great staff in Salina is a privilege for me. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together in each Eagle market,” Drouhard said.

Drouhard replaces interim general manager Mark Trotman, who will retire March 31 after 32 years with Eagle.

“Terry’s attention to detail and long term look at business will now be implemented in Salina, continuing the work we started in Hutchinson,” Trotman said. “Thank you to all of the employee-owners of Eagle Communications who have worked with me, mentored me, and grown with me through my 32 years with the company.”

“I am excited for Eagle and our central Kansas region,” said President and CEO of Eagle Communications, Kurt David. “The Salina and Hutchinson markets allow Eagle to cover the state of Kansas from near border to border. Under Terry’s leadership, our employee-owned company will continue to create even better experiences for our clients, listeners, viewers and communities. And to Mark Trotman, congratulations on a successful and rewarding career. Thank you, Mark, for your service and dedication to Eagle.”

Eagle Radio of Salina operates KSKG 99.9FM, KG Prime 94.5FM, KINA 910AM/107.5FM, and <a href="http://SalinaPost.com">SalinaPost.com</a>. Eagle Radio of Hutchinson operates KWBW 1450AM/98.5FM, KHUT 102.9FM, KHMY 93.1FM, and <a href="http://HutchPost.com">HutchPost.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585346738726.jpeg" alt="Eagle Radio's Terry Drouhard." />
 <figcaption>Eagle Radio's Terry Drouhard.</figcaption>
 </figure>Eagle Communications announced this week that longtime radio veteran Terry Drouhard, has been named regional manager, overseeing both the Salina and Hutchinson markets.Drouhard has been with Eagle since 1989, and his career has included on-air broadcasting, sales and sales management. For the past year, he has served as general manager of Eagle Radio of Hutchinson.“I’m thankful to work alongside our great staff in Hutchinson. Having this new opportunity to work with the great staff in Salina is a privilege for me. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together in each Eagle market,” Drouhard said.Drouhard replaces interim general manager Mark Trotman, who will retire March 31 after 32 years with Eagle.“Terry’s attention to detail and long term look at business will now be implemented in Salina, continuing the work we started in Hutchinson,” Trotman said. “Thank you to all of the employee-owners of Eagle Communications who have worked with me, mentored me, and grown with me through my 32 years with the company.”“I am excited for Eagle and our central Kansas region,” said President and CEO of Eagle Communications, Kurt David. “The Salina and Hutchinson markets allow Eagle to cover the state of Kansas from near border to border. Under Terry’s leadership, our employee-owned company will continue to create even better experiences for our clients, listeners, viewers and communities. And to Mark Trotman, congratulations on a successful and rewarding career. Thank you, Mark, for your service and dedication to Eagle.”Eagle Radio of Salina operates KSKG 99.9FM, KG Prime 94.5FM, KINA 910AM/107.5FM, and <a href="http://SalinaPost.com">SalinaPost.com</a>. Eagle Radio of Hutchinson operates KWBW 1450AM/98.5FM, KHUT 102.9FM, KHMY 93.1FM, and <a href="http://HutchPost.com">HutchPost.com</a>.

Eagle Communications: Drouhard named regional mgr.

Lloyd Lester Lesley Jr. joined Jesus in Heaven on Thursday March 19th, 2020 at Jewell County Hospital. He was born on April 3rd, 1925 in Beloit, KS to Lloyd Lesley and Ressa (Davis) Lesley. 

Lloyd Grew up on a farm in Scottsville, KS. and graduated from Scottsville High School in 1943. 

After high school, Lloyd received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree from Emporia State University and obtained 80 graduate college hours beyond his Masters. 

Lloyd served 35 years in public education as both a teacher and principal. He was very proud of this and thought very highly of his students. 

Lloyd was married to his wife Margaret (Tipton) Lesley from Beloit for 58 years. Lloyd was very attentive to Margaret and the two of them cared for each other deeply. 

He was an only child with very few family members and loved Margaret’s family as his own. 

Lloyd and Margaret spent the last years of their retirement in Mankato where they met and grew to love Trevor and Abby Elkins and Ronda Ost as family. 

Lloyd enjoyed spending time with Margaret and his special friends. Lloyd and Margaret loved listening to the Big Bands, especially Tommy Dorsey. He often shared about the days when he and Margaret attended big band concerts together. He was always up to date on current events and could go into detail regarding politics. 

Lloyd could finish a crossword puzzle book in a few days, loved to read, and even wrote his own book regarding school bus safety. 

To lighten the mood, Lloyd always had a joke to share! 

Lloyd was a stout Christian and his prayer was that more people would turn to Christ and that God would have mercy on America.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Ressa. He was also preceded in death by his wife Margaret whom he loved very much. Lloyd is survived by family and special friends.

Private family graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 25th at Highland (Summit) Cemetery, K9 Hwy., Cloud County KS. Memorials will be given to the National Rifle Association or the Beloit Area Concert Association in care of Schoen Funeral Home and Monuments 302 N. Hersey Ave. Beloit KS 67420.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585090603763.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lloyd Lester Lesley Jr. joined Jesus in Heaven on Thursday March 19th, 2020 at Jewell County Hospital. He was born on April 3rd, 1925 in Beloit, KS to Lloyd Lesley and Ressa (Davis) Lesley. Lloyd Grew up on a farm in Scottsville, KS. and graduated from Scottsville High School in 1943. After high school, Lloyd received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree from Emporia State University and obtained 80 graduate college hours beyond his Masters. Lloyd served 35 years in public education as both a teacher and principal. He was very proud of this and thought very highly of his students. Lloyd was married to his wife Margaret (Tipton) Lesley from Beloit for 58 years. Lloyd was very attentive to Margaret and the two of them cared for each other deeply. He was an only child with very few family members and loved Margaret’s family as his own. Lloyd and Margaret spent the last years of their retirement in Mankato where they met and grew to love Trevor and Abby Elkins and Ronda Ost as family. Lloyd enjoyed spending time with Margaret and his special friends. Lloyd and Margaret loved listening to the Big Bands, especially Tommy Dorsey. He often shared about the days when he and Margaret attended big band concerts together. He was always up to date on current events and could go into detail regarding politics. Lloyd could finish a crossword puzzle book in a few days, loved to read, and even wrote his own book regarding school bus safety. To lighten the mood, Lloyd always had a joke to share! Lloyd was a stout Christian and his prayer was that more people would turn to Christ and that God would have mercy on America.Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Ressa. He was also preceded in death by his wife Margaret whom he loved very much. Lloyd is survived by family and special friends.Private family graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 25th at Highland (Summit) Cemetery, K9 Hwy., Cloud County KS. Memorials will be given to the National Rifle Association or the Beloit Area Concert Association in care of Schoen Funeral Home and Monuments 302 N. Hersey Ave. Beloit KS 67420.

Lloyd Lester Lesley Jr.

At Eagle Radio of Salina, we are committed not only to serving our listening and online audiences, but also helping our business partners and advertisers during this difficult time.&nbsp;

Already, in this time of social distancing, we see businesses across the area working hard to take care of their employees and customers by creating a safe shopping, dining or service environment. Getting the message of those efforts out to the public not only helps to protect businesses but assists in instilling a sense of confidence and calm to the community in the face of the serious situation we face.

“Across each of our markets in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri we at Eagle Communications pledge to help our communities to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Local businesses want you to know they are taking the necessary measures to provide a safe place where you can shop, dine out, and support your local community during this difficult time,” said Kurt David, president and CEO of Eagle Communications. “Go to&nbsp;<a href="http://helpstopthespread.org/">helpstopthespread.org</a>&nbsp;for a list of local businesses who have taken the pledge to help stop the spread.”

To help “get the word out” about local businesses, Eagle Radio of Salina is offering a free directory of businesses that&nbsp;“Take the Pledge to Stop the Spread”&nbsp;by following the simple guidelines put forth by the World Health Organization.

Businesses in each of our markets pledge to keep the following standards of safety:

1.&nbsp; Make sure your workplaces are clean and hygienic.

2.&nbsp; Promote regular and thorough hand-washing by employees, contractors and customers.

3. Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace.

4. Advise employees and contractors to consult national travel advice before going on business trips.

5. Brief employees, contractors and customers that if COVID-19 starts spreading in your community anyone with even a mild cough or low-grade fever (100.4 degrees or higher) needs to stay at home. They should also stay home (or work from home) if they have had to take simple medications, such as paracetamol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin, which may mask symptoms of infection.

Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.helpstopthespread.org/">www.helpstopthespread.org</a>&nbsp;to access a list of businesses who have taken the pledge. To have your business added to the free listing, contact your Eagle Radio of Salina representative or call (785) 825-4631.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584979315316.jpeg" alt="<a href="https://helpstopthespread.org/">Click here to visit the site</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://helpstopthespread.org/">Click here to visit the site</a></figcaption>
 </figure>At Eagle Radio of Salina, we are committed not only to serving our listening and online audiences, but also helping our business partners and advertisers during this difficult time.&nbsp;Already, in this time of social distancing, we see businesses across the area working hard to take care of their employees and customers by creating a safe shopping, dining or service environment. Getting the message of those efforts out to the public not only helps to protect businesses but assists in instilling a sense of confidence and calm to the community in the face of the serious situation we face.“Across each of our markets in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri we at Eagle Communications pledge to help our communities to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Local businesses want you to know they are taking the necessary measures to provide a safe place where you can shop, dine out, and support your local community during this difficult time,” said Kurt David, president and CEO of Eagle Communications. “Go to&nbsp;<a href="http://helpstopthespread.org/">helpstopthespread.org</a>&nbsp;for a list of local businesses who have taken the pledge to help stop the spread.”To help “get the word out” about local businesses, Eagle Radio of Salina is offering a free directory of businesses that&nbsp;“Take the Pledge to Stop the Spread”&nbsp;by following the simple guidelines put forth by the World Health Organization.Businesses in each of our markets pledge to keep the following standards of safety:1.&nbsp; Make sure your workplaces are clean and hygienic.2.&nbsp; Promote regular and thorough hand-washing by employees, contractors and customers.3. Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace.4. Advise employees and contractors to consult national travel advice before going on business trips.5. Brief employees, contractors and customers that if COVID-19 starts spreading in your community anyone with even a mild cough or low-grade fever (100.4 degrees or higher) needs to stay at home. They should also stay home (or work from home) if they have had to take simple medications, such as paracetamol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin, which may mask symptoms of infection.Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.helpstopthespread.org/">www.helpstopthespread.org</a>&nbsp;to access a list of businesses who have taken the pledge. To have your business added to the free listing, contact your Eagle Radio of Salina representative or call (785) 825-4631.&nbsp;

Eagle launches new website to help local businesses during crisis

There are unique situations when a teacher can capture every student’s attention. March 15, 2011 was one such day. An earthquake had generated a 42-foot high tsunami off the coast of Japan the Friday before and it had struck the Fukishima power plant. Within several days, it had knocked out the emergency generators that kept the pumps cooling the nuclear reactors, and three nuclear cores melted.

I entered my general biology class announcing that we were not covering the lesson in the syllabus but would learn about the types of radiation and how they affected the human body. Every eye followed my illustrations and every question was answered. When my students left class, they found they could answer their classmates’ and family’s questions. They became teachers, and to teach is to learn twice. When I gave the next test, everyone in class got 100 percent of the questions on nuclear biology correct.

That is a teaching moment, where emotional concerns of the moment result in long term learning. Today, biology teachers have a rare opportunity to teach lessons in human anatomy, physiology and disease virology. And while basic knowledge is important, it is just as important that students be able to ask questions based on that knowledge. As I speak at overseas conferences, I emphasize that we don’t get Nobel Prizes for having memorized the book, but for understanding the concepts and formulating new questions that need to be answered. But we also need to ask questions just to understand and survive.

So what are the questions that today’s students should be asking about the COVID-19 epidemic?

Since it is a virus, how do viruses replicate? Is it a DNA or RNA virus? Where did it come from? How can we use its genetic code to trace its origin?&nbsp; &nbsp;

How is it transmitted to a human—as a virus particle, in a mucous droplet? How does it enter a patient—via breathing, oral route, through skin? What prevents transmission—hand washing, masks (and what type, social distancing?&nbsp; Can this virus survive as an infectious agent on surfaces and be picked up by hand contact? For how long? Will infections decline in warmer seasons?

What are the symptoms of becoming ill with this virus? Do infected people shed the virus before they get sick and express symptoms? How long is this incubation period? For how much time should they be isolated? Do they shed the virus after they have recovered and feel well, and for how long?&nbsp; Are there individuals who are infected who never show any symptoms of being ill, and if so, how big a proportion of the population are they?

How can we test to distinguish it from other infectious diseases that present the same symptoms?

&nbsp;Exactly how does the virus cause the illness? What tissues are affected? How much damage occurs? Is there a difference in virulence among different ages, between sexes, or among different populations? What are the chances of dying from the virus infection? Can it cause permanent disability in some people who survive?

Are there medications that would help prevent the infection? Or make the symptoms milder? What equipment is needed for the very ill who cannot breathe? How rapidly is it spread from person-to-person, that is, how contagious is it? How would a vaccine be made?&nbsp; How would we know it is effective? Safe?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When the COVID-19 epidemic is over, a student will not likely need to remember the information specific to this disease. But they will need to retain the ability to logically and scientifically inquire into the next challenge that comes along.

Science teachers with solid training in human anatomy and physiology as well as microbiology can answer most of the above questions for a classroom of students today. But good teachers will also lead students into asking the subsequent questions. And a highly involved class will generate much of this logical questioning. And where our current experts have not yet found the answers, that is where the good teacher leads the students into just what further experiments and data are needed. A classroom of students reinforces each other.&nbsp; Understanding grows and “aha!” occurs as students listen to the instructor and to each other. This does not occur when an isolated student is watching a presentation on a screen.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Nor can these lessons occur when a high school science teacher lacks any coursework in human anatomy and physiology and disease microbiology. And today, a large percentage of American secondary science teachers lack that training. And that disease of science illiteracy will plague us long after this COVID-19 epidemic is over.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;



John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573490075841.jpeg" alt="John Richard Schrock" />
 <figcaption>John Richard Schrock</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN RICHARD SCHROCK There are unique situations when a teacher can capture every student’s attention. March 15, 2011 was one such day. An earthquake had generated a 42-foot high tsunami off the coast of Japan the Friday before and it had struck the Fukishima power plant. Within several days, it had knocked out the emergency generators that kept the pumps cooling the nuclear reactors, and three nuclear cores melted.I entered my general biology class announcing that we were not covering the lesson in the syllabus but would learn about the types of radiation and how they affected the human body. Every eye followed my illustrations and every question was answered. When my students left class, they found they could answer their classmates’ and family’s questions. They became teachers, and to teach is to learn twice. When I gave the next test, everyone in class got 100 percent of the questions on nuclear biology correct.That is a teaching moment, where emotional concerns of the moment result in long term learning. Today, biology teachers have a rare opportunity to teach lessons in human anatomy, physiology and disease virology. And while basic knowledge is important, it is just as important that students be able to ask questions based on that knowledge. As I speak at overseas conferences, I emphasize that we don’t get Nobel Prizes for having memorized the book, but for understanding the concepts and formulating new questions that need to be answered. But we also need to ask questions just to understand and survive.So what are the questions that today’s students should be asking about the COVID-19 epidemic?Since it is a virus, how do viruses replicate? Is it a DNA or RNA virus? Where did it come from? How can we use its genetic code to trace its origin?&nbsp; &nbsp;How is it transmitted to a human—as a virus particle, in a mucous droplet? How does it enter a patient—via breathing, oral route, through skin? What prevents transmission—hand washing, masks (and what type, social distancing?&nbsp; Can this virus survive as an infectious agent on surfaces and be picked up by hand contact? For how long? Will infections decline in warmer seasons?What are the symptoms of becoming ill with this virus? Do infected people shed the virus before they get sick and express symptoms? How long is this incubation period? For how much time should they be isolated? Do they shed the virus after they have recovered and feel well, and for how long?&nbsp; Are there individuals who are infected who never show any symptoms of being ill, and if so, how big a proportion of the population are they?How can we test to distinguish it from other infectious diseases that present the same symptoms?&nbsp;Exactly how does the virus cause the illness? What tissues are affected? How much damage occurs? Is there a difference in virulence among different ages, between sexes, or among different populations? What are the chances of dying from the virus infection? Can it cause permanent disability in some people who survive?Are there medications that would help prevent the infection? Or make the symptoms milder? What equipment is needed for the very ill who cannot breathe? How rapidly is it spread from person-to-person, that is, how contagious is it? How would a vaccine be made?&nbsp; How would we know it is effective? Safe?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When the COVID-19 epidemic is over, a student will not likely need to remember the information specific to this disease. But they will need to retain the ability to logically and scientifically inquire into the next challenge that comes along.Science teachers with solid training in human anatomy and physiology as well as microbiology can answer most of the above questions for a classroom of students today. But good teachers will also lead students into asking the subsequent questions. And a highly involved class will generate much of this logical questioning. And where our current experts have not yet found the answers, that is where the good teacher leads the students into just what further experiments and data are needed. A classroom of students reinforces each other.&nbsp; Understanding grows and “aha!” occurs as students listen to the instructor and to each other. This does not occur when an isolated student is watching a presentation on a screen.&nbsp; &nbsp;Nor can these lessons occur when a high school science teacher lacks any coursework in human anatomy and physiology and disease microbiology. And today, a large percentage of American secondary science teachers lack that training. And that disease of science illiteracy will plague us long after this COVID-19 epidemic is over.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

Education Frontlines: Teaching moment

Today is Sunday, March 22, the 82nd day of 2020. There are 284 days left in the year.

On March 22, 1894, hockey's first Stanley Cup championship game was played; home team Montreal defeated Ottawa, 3-1.

In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to raise money from the American colonies, which fiercely resisted the tax. (The Stamp Act was repealed a year later.)

In 1820, U.S. naval hero Stephen Decatur was killed in a duel with Commodore James Barron near Washington, D.C.

In 1934, the first Masters Tournament opened under the title "Augusta National Invitation Tournament," which was won three days later by Horton Smith.

In 1941, the Grand Coulee hydroelectric dam in Washington state officially went into operation.

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that Gen. William C. Westmoreland, the commander of American forces in Vietnam, would leave that post to become the U.S. Army's new chief of staff. Students at the University of Nanterre in suburban Paris occupied the school's administration building in a prelude to massive protests in France that began the following May. The first Red Lobster restaurant opened in Lakeland, Florida.

In 1978, Karl Wallenda, the 73-year-old patriarch of "The Flying Wallendas" high-wire act, fell to his death while attempting to walk a cable strung between two hotel towers in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In 1987, a garbage barge, carrying 3,200 tons of refuse, left Islip, New York, on a six-month journey in search of a place to unload. (The barge was turned away by several states and three other countries until space was found back in Islip.)

In 1988, both houses of Congress overrode President Ronald Reagan's veto of the Civil Rights Restoration Act.

In 1990, a jury in Anchorage, Alaska, found former tanker captain Joseph Hazelwood not guilty of three major charges in connection with the Exxon Valdez oil spill, but convicted him of a minor charge of negligent discharge of oil.

In 1991, high school instructor Pamela Smart, accused of recruiting her teenage lover and his friends to kill her husband, Gregory, was convicted in Exeter, New Hampshire, of murder-conspiracy and being an accomplice to murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

In 1997, Tara Lipinski, at age 14 years and 10 months, became the youngest ladies' world figure skating champion in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In 2004, Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, enraging Palestinians. Terry Nichols went on trial for his life in the Oklahoma City bombing. (Nichols, already serving a life sentence for his conviction on federal charges, was found guilty of 161 state murder charges, but was again spared the death penalty when the jury couldn't agree on his sentence.)

Ten years ago: Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton toured the quake-devastated capital of Haiti, a visit intended to remind donors of the immense needs facing the recovery effort. Google Inc. stopped censoring the internet for China by shifting its search engine off the mainland to Hong Kong.

Five years ago: CIA Director John Brennan, in an interview on Fox News Sunday, said the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force was contributing to instability in Iraq and complicating the U.S. mission against terrorism. The U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Jamal Benomar, warned an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council in a video briefing from Qatar that events were pushing the Arab country "to the edge of civil war."

One year ago: Special counsel Robert Mueller closed his Russia investigation with no new charges, delivering his final report to Justice Department officials. Former President Jimmy Carter became the longest-living chief executive in American history; at 94 years and 172 days, he exceeded the lifespan of the late former President George H.W. Bush. People across New Zealand listened to the Muslim call to prayer on live broadcasts, one week after 51 worshippers were shot and killed at two mosques in Christchurch.

Today's Birthdays: Composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim is 90. Evangelist broadcaster Pat Robertson is 90. Actor William Shatner is 89. Former Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is 86. Actor M. Emmet Walsh is 85. Actor-singer Jeremy Clyde is 79. Singer-guitarist George Benson is 77. Writer James Patterson is 73. CNN newscaster Wolf Blitzer is 72. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is 72. Actress Fanny Ardant is 71. Sportscaster Bob Costas is 68. Country singer James House is 65. Actress Lena Olin is 65. Singer-actress Stephanie Mills is 63. Actor Matthew Modine is 61. Country musician Tim Beeler is 52. Actor-comedian Keegan-Michael Key is 49. Actor Will Yun Lee is 49. Olympic silver medal figure skater Elvis Stojko is 48. Actor Guillermo Diaz is 45. Actress Anne Dudek is 45. Actor Cole Hauser is 45. Actress Kellie Williams is 44. Actress Reese Witherspoon is 44. Rock musician John Otto (Limp Bizkit) is 43. Actress Tiffany Dupont is 39. Rapper Mims is 39. Actress Constance Wu is 38. Actor James Wolk is 35. Rock musician Lincoln Parish (Cage the Elephant) is 30.

Thought for Today: "Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it." — Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Russian author (1821-1881).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Sunday, March 22, the 82nd day of 2020. There are 284 days left in the year.Today's Highlights in History:On March 22, 1894, hockey's first Stanley Cup championship game was played; home team Montreal defeated Ottawa, 3-1.On this date:In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to raise money from the American colonies, which fiercely resisted the tax. (The Stamp Act was repealed a year later.)In 1820, U.S. naval hero Stephen Decatur was killed in a duel with Commodore James Barron near Washington, D.C.In 1934, the first Masters Tournament opened under the title "Augusta National Invitation Tournament," which was won three days later by Horton Smith.In 1941, the Grand Coulee hydroelectric dam in Washington state officially went into operation.In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that Gen. William C. Westmoreland, the commander of American forces in Vietnam, would leave that post to become the U.S. Army's new chief of staff. Students at the University of Nanterre in suburban Paris occupied the school's administration building in a prelude to massive protests in France that began the following May. The first Red Lobster restaurant opened in Lakeland, Florida.In 1978, Karl Wallenda, the 73-year-old patriarch of "The Flying Wallendas" high-wire act, fell to his death while attempting to walk a cable strung between two hotel towers in San Juan, Puerto Rico.In 1987, a garbage barge, carrying 3,200 tons of refuse, left Islip, New York, on a six-month journey in search of a place to unload. (The barge was turned away by several states and three other countries until space was found back in Islip.)In 1988, both houses of Congress overrode President Ronald Reagan's veto of the Civil Rights Restoration Act.In 1990, a jury in Anchorage, Alaska, found former tanker captain Joseph Hazelwood not guilty of three major charges in connection with the Exxon Valdez oil spill, but convicted him of a minor charge of negligent discharge of oil.In 1991, high school instructor Pamela Smart, accused of recruiting her teenage lover and his friends to kill her husband, Gregory, was convicted in Exeter, New Hampshire, of murder-conspiracy and being an accomplice to murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.In 1997, Tara Lipinski, at age 14 years and 10 months, became the youngest ladies' world figure skating champion in Lausanne, Switzerland.In 2004, Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, enraging Palestinians. Terry Nichols went on trial for his life in the Oklahoma City bombing. (Nichols, already serving a life sentence for his conviction on federal charges, was found guilty of 161 state murder charges, but was again spared the death penalty when the jury couldn't agree on his sentence.)Ten years ago: Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton toured the quake-devastated capital of Haiti, a visit intended to remind donors of the immense needs facing the recovery effort. Google Inc. stopped censoring the internet for China by shifting its search engine off the mainland to Hong Kong.Five years ago: CIA Director John Brennan, in an interview on Fox News Sunday, said the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force was contributing to instability in Iraq and complicating the U.S. mission against terrorism. The U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Jamal Benomar, warned an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council in a video briefing from Qatar that events were pushing the Arab country "to the edge of civil war."One year ago: Special counsel Robert Mueller closed his Russia investigation with no new charges, delivering his final report to Justice Department officials. Former President Jimmy Carter became the longest-living chief executive in American history; at 94 years and 172 days, he exceeded the lifespan of the late former President George H.W. Bush. People across New Zealand listened to the Muslim call to prayer on live broadcasts, one week after 51 worshippers were shot and killed at two mosques in Christchurch.Today's Birthdays: Composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim is 90. Evangelist broadcaster Pat Robertson is 90. Actor William Shatner is 89. Former Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is 86. Actor M. Emmet Walsh is 85. Actor-singer Jeremy Clyde is 79. Singer-guitarist George Benson is 77. Writer James Patterson is 73. CNN newscaster Wolf Blitzer is 72. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is 72. Actress Fanny Ardant is 71. Sportscaster Bob Costas is 68. Country singer James House is 65. Actress Lena Olin is 65. Singer-actress Stephanie Mills is 63. Actor Matthew Modine is 61. Country musician Tim Beeler is 52. Actor-comedian Keegan-Michael Key is 49. Actor Will Yun Lee is 49. Olympic silver medal figure skater Elvis Stojko is 48. Actor Guillermo Diaz is 45. Actress Anne Dudek is 45. Actor Cole Hauser is 45. Actress Kellie Williams is 44. Actress Reese Witherspoon is 44. Rock musician John Otto (Limp Bizkit) is 43. Actress Tiffany Dupont is 39. Rapper Mims is 39. Actress Constance Wu is 38. Actor James Wolk is 35. Rock musician Lincoln Parish (Cage the Elephant) is 30.Thought for Today: "Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it." — Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Russian author (1821-1881).

Today in History -- March 22

Salina USD 305 Superintendent Linn Exline was in the 99KG studio to visit with Shane McClintock about the district's efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you missed it, you can listen here:

Salina USD 305 Superintendent Linn Exline was in the 99KG studio to visit with Shane McClintock about the district's efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you missed it, you can listen here:<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/779653867&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe></div>

USD 305's Exline stops by the 99KG studio to discuss district efforts

Everything got different last week under the Dome.

After legislators spent weeks reading and listening to news about the coronavirus, or&nbsp; COVID-19 as it’s called by heath experts, they quietly and with whispers learned that a member of the Legislature who had been sneezing was tested for the sometimes-fatal disease. The lawmaker tested negative over the weekend–doesn’t have it.

The news doesn’t get much better than that in the culture that lives under the Dome and chats elbow-to-elbow at the third-floor Rail, and crowds into elevators and, well, generally lives in a building only slightly less crowded than a prison yard.

No COVID-19 here, that they know of…for now...

Look for legislators to want to quickly pass at least a preliminary budget bill for the rest of this fiscal year and next year that starts July 1 for state finance purposes. Then, if the Legislature should have to adjourn or take weeks off while the coronavirus hopefully wanes, there’s enough money to run the state and care for and test Kansans due to this health issue. That budget could, of course, be beefed up at the veto session which starts in late April for a final product.

But…that first budget which is very important becomes a vehicle for spending that lawmakers want for other reasons. If they get their amendments, they’ll vote for the bill, if enough don’t, well, their bargaining power increases dramatically. Everyone knows how that works, don’t we…?

The budget is, of course, No. 1. But what about, say, sports gambling, or a new highway plan, or job protection and equal rights for LGBTQ Kansans? Everything becomes a bargaining lever.

Fear that COVID-19 could shut down the Legislature, starving state government and the services the budget&nbsp;provides to Kansans, probably became more real last week.

The House last week passed a resolution recognizing the governor’s declaration of an emergency in the state. The Senate hasn’t considered it yet, but it would grant the governor unprecedented authority to act against the disease—and authority to move money within the budget as necessary for that protection of Kansans. That’s a lot of power for a Republican-heavy Legislature to hand to a Democrat governor.

The effect of COVID-19 on the economy of the state is also largely unknown. Will more people lose their jobs, will they need state-financed health care? Would expanding Medicaid, which is 90 percent federal/10 percent state-financed, provide more health care to ill Kansans and therefore make Kansas safer for all of us?

Lawmakers get their best look at the fiscal effect of the disease on April 20, when the state’s Consensus Revenue Estimate of just how much tax money the state is going to receive this year and next is released.

Until lawmakers get the best estimate available of the state’s tax receipts should lawmakers cut taxes? An election year is the politically best time to cut taxes because, well, who doesn’t want their taxes cut? But if the pandemic disease cuts state revenues, can the state afford politically attractive tax cuts? And for whom?

Just what lawmakers do in the next week or so may tell us a lot. They need to be confident that the state will operate and keep us safe from disease before they adjourn the session.

But remember, this is an election year and they’ll have to guess (or maybe poll) to find what concerns voters most.

Oh, and legislators also can’t accept most campaign contributions until sine die adjournment of the Legislature, which closes the session for the year.&nbsp; And yes, some are thinking about that, too…

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141234707.png" alt="Martin Hawver" />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARTIN HAWVEREverything got different last week under the Dome.After legislators spent weeks reading and listening to news about the coronavirus, or&nbsp; COVID-19 as it’s called by heath experts, they quietly and with whispers learned that a member of the Legislature who had been sneezing was tested for the sometimes-fatal disease. The lawmaker tested negative over the weekend–doesn’t have it.The news doesn’t get much better than that in the culture that lives under the Dome and chats elbow-to-elbow at the third-floor Rail, and crowds into elevators and, well, generally lives in a building only slightly less crowded than a prison yard.No COVID-19 here, that they know of…for now...So, what changes?Look for legislators to want to quickly pass at least a preliminary budget bill for the rest of this fiscal year and next year that starts July 1 for state finance purposes. Then, if the Legislature should have to adjourn or take weeks off while the coronavirus hopefully wanes, there’s enough money to run the state and care for and test Kansans due to this health issue. That budget could, of course, be beefed up at the veto session which starts in late April for a final product.But…that first budget which is very important becomes a vehicle for spending that lawmakers want for other reasons. If they get their amendments, they’ll vote for the bill, if enough don’t, well, their bargaining power increases dramatically. Everyone knows how that works, don’t we…?The budget is, of course, No. 1. But what about, say, sports gambling, or a new highway plan, or job protection and equal rights for LGBTQ Kansans? Everything becomes a bargaining lever.Fear that COVID-19 could shut down the Legislature, starving state government and the services the budget&nbsp;provides to Kansans, probably became more real last week.The House last week passed a resolution recognizing the governor’s declaration of an emergency in the state. The Senate hasn’t considered it yet, but it would grant the governor unprecedented authority to act against the disease—and authority to move money within the budget as necessary for that protection of Kansans. That’s a lot of power for a Republican-heavy Legislature to hand to a Democrat governor.The effect of COVID-19 on the economy of the state is also largely unknown. Will more people lose their jobs, will they need state-financed health care? Would expanding Medicaid, which is 90 percent federal/10 percent state-financed, provide more health care to ill Kansans and therefore make Kansas safer for all of us?Lawmakers get their best look at the fiscal effect of the disease on April 20, when the state’s Consensus Revenue Estimate of just how much tax money the state is going to receive this year and next is released.Until lawmakers get the best estimate available of the state’s tax receipts should lawmakers cut taxes? An election year is the politically best time to cut taxes because, well, who doesn’t want their taxes cut? But if the pandemic disease cuts state revenues, can the state afford politically attractive tax cuts? And for whom?***Just what lawmakers do in the next week or so may tell us a lot. They need to be confident that the state will operate and keep us safe from disease before they adjourn the session.But remember, this is an election year and they’ll have to guess (or maybe poll) to find what concerns voters most.Oh, and legislators also can’t accept most campaign contributions until sine die adjournment of the Legislature, which closes the session for the year.&nbsp; And yes, some are thinking about that, too…Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>

At the Rail: COVID-19 concerns have impact on legislature

BY MATTHEW LONG-MIDDLETON and CELISA CALACAL, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/meet-punch-throwing-attorney-general-who-inspired-kansas-open-its-saloons-1987#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/how-save-dying-language">Listen to this episode of A People's History Of Kansas City</a>, a new podcast from KCUR 89.3. For more stories like this one, subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-peoples-history-of-kansas-city/id1497165479">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0KfG7qlvetwL9ptu0goIsV?si=SUzUcs1uR2qIfaP8Pqa2Uw">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I4pgrm5hkl4wcavqbjfgx7a6esy">Google Play</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kcur-2/a-peoples-history-of-kansas-city">Stitcher</a>.

Kansas’s
 36th attorney general was infamous for popping out of trunks, inciting 
gunfights on buses, and going toe-to-toe with other lawmen and 
politicians. It was this unabashed, brash approach to law enforcement 
that earned Vern Miller the nickname "Lawman of the State."

“He 
was just kind of a cowboy who did things his way,” says Jim McLean, 
senior correspondent with KCUR’s Kansas News Service. “The narrative of 
the state of Kansas where you had these marshalls, sheriffs, of these 
Wild West communities, that would take matters in hand and clean up the 
town, right? Well, there's a certain amount of that to Vern Miller.”

But
 Vern Miller was not a Wild West sheriff. Miller wielded much of his 
power between the 1960s and the 70s, a socially and politically 
tumultuous time in Kansas and across the country.

Growing up in a hardscrabble community outside of Wichita, Miller worked at a dairy farm and got into a lot of fights as a kid.

“There was a lot of scrappin’ going on,” says Miller, now 91 and living in Phoenix. “Everybody scrapped at that age.”

After serving in Korea in the 1950s, Miller returned to become a road
 patrolman in the sheriff’s office. And he quickly became known for 
physical altercations.

One legend says that, as a traffic officer
 following a high-speed chase, Miller whipped a man in the face and 
dragged him through the car window.

As another story goes, Miller
 fought his boss — the sheriff — in the sheriff’s own home, ultimately 
costing him his job. In 1964, in a twist of irony, Miller won the race 
for sheriff of Sedgwick County, the state’s most populous county at the 
time.&nbsp;

Not shy about his new role, Miller traversed the county, 
busting folks for any and every possible infraction. He even went so far
 as to tell churches to suspend their cash bingo games.

“A lot of old ladies in town didn’t like that,” Miller remembers. “They like to play bingo.”

With
 a long history as a prohibition state, Kansas still had restrictive 
drinking laws at the time, which prevented the sale of liquor by the 
drink.

“Kansas for so long hadn’t had any laws enforced, along 
those areas,” Miller says. “I wanted them to know what the law was, and 
tell them they need to obey the law. And if they didn’t… then there’d be
 trouble about it.”

Besides bingo and drinking laws, Miller made 
headlines in the summer of 1968 for inciting a deadly gunfight on a bus 
in Wichita in order to nab two men suspected of murder in Missouri. And 
in 1967, he veered dangerously close to starting a mini-civil war in 
Kansas after making disparaging comments about officials in Leavenworth 
County. Miller was subpoenaed by the Leavenworth County prosecutor, who 
threatened to arrest him. In turn, Miller threatened to kill the men who
 came to arrest him. What resulted from that incident was the passing of
 Miller’s Law, which makes it illegal to resist an unlawful arrest.

Despite these controversies, or maybe because of them, Miller became a
 popular force during the social and political upheaval that dominated 
the 1960s, so much so that Democratic Gov. Bob Docking asked him to run 
as attorney general. It was Docking’s hope that Miller would turn out 
Democratic voters in populous Sedgwick County. Miller felt reluctant; a 
Democrat had not held the attorney general position in 80 years, and 
Miller had planned on going into private practice (he earned his law 
degree in Oklahoma by flying back-and-forth in a private plane).

“And I told ‘em, ‘I don’t know nothing about being attorney general,’” Miller recalls.

In 1970, he was elected attorney general of Kansas.

Traditionally,
 the attorney general is primarily concerned with managerial duties: 
ensuring that state laws are enforced through memos and deciding where 
to deploy investigative and prosecutorial resources. John Frieden, who 
was on his staff at the time, says Miller saw the job differently.

“The
 attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer in Kansas,” 
Frieden remembers Miller communicating. “And he was hands on.”

One of Miller’s campaign promises was to “land in the middle of the drug-ridden hippie commune at Lawrence with both feet."

Within
 his first few weeks in office, the newly-minted attorney general 
directed and personally executed raids at the University of Kansas in 
Lawrence.

Susan Hudgens, who now lives outside of Topeka, says 
she witnessed one of those raids when she cruised into Lawrence with her
 friends. They found themselves hanging out near one of the KU dorms 
when cars pulled up and Miller appeared.

“Sure enough, the trunk popped open and out comes this guy in a suit and a hat,” Hudgens says.

That was Miller with his signature move, and Hudgens remembered watching as he and his men converged on the dorm buildings.

“He
 acted more like the FBI guys chasing Bonnie and Clyde than a bureaucrat
 passing papers and writing reports, and that impression stuck,” Hudgens
 says.

Miller was especially keen on enforcing alcohol laws in Kansas. In 
the early 1970s, he made sure Greyhound and Trailways buses traveling 
through Kansas followed the state’s restrictions on selling liquor by 
the drink. And when Miller found out that Amtrak still sold liquor on 
trains passing through the state, Miller had a plan to enforce the law.

Here’s
 how he did it: An Amtrak train made a late-night stop in Newton, 
Kansas, Miller showed up, unannounced, and proceeded to storm the train 
with officers by his side. Together, they confiscated all of the alcohol
 on the train, threw the conductor in jail, and left the passengers 
stranded in Newton all night.

“So the train sat all night there in Newton, Kansas,” Miller says. “A little podunk town.”

The
 incident resulted in a lawsuit that Amtrak took all the way to the 
Supreme Court, which ruled that the Constitution gives states the power 
to regulate alcohol consumption.

Miller says lawyers for airline companies began asking how he would enforce the state’s alcohol laws on airplanes.

“And
 I said, ‘Well, fellas, I believe we’re under the same law and I believe
 you’re subject to it, so if you stop I won’t be raiding the plane,’” 
Miller recalls. “So they said, ‘Oh, it'll stop.’ So they stopped serving
 liquor over Kansas for a couple years.”

Although these actions 
drew ridicule from late-night talk show hosts, Miller’s popularity 
skyrocketed. In 1972, he won every county in Kansas during his 
reelection campaign. Two years later, as Kansas Gov. Bob Docking decided
 to run for U.S. Senate, Democrats looked to Miller to run for Governor.

“There
 was a poll run right before he ran for governor. In that particular 
poll, he had the support of 85% of people of Kansas.” says Democratic 
campaigner John Frieden. “I have never seen a poll that favorable to a 
candidate.”

Regardless of the polls, Miller lost the governor’s 
seat to Republican Robert Bennett by only 3,677 votes. And one place 
that came out against him was Douglas County, home of the “drug-ridden 
hippie commune” of Lawrence.

After leaving public office, Miller 
continued to practice law in Wichita, and eventually retired to Phoenix.
 Miller also received an honor from the Kansas Bar Association.

Meanwhile,
 Kansans voted in a referendum in 1986 to change the state constitution 
to allow liquor sales by the drink, paving the way for bars and 
restaurants to openly serve alcohol in the state.

Looking back at
 Miller’s legacy as a law enforcement officer, his aggression on the job
 would be scrutinized through a new lens: one that, in recent years, has
 become critical of police brutality and violence against civilians. 
That Miller largely sailed through his political career without much 
public criticism is perhaps more a reflection of the times than the man 
himself.

Still, John Frieden says it was Vern Miller’s pugnacious ways that led to his most lasting contribution to the state.

“And
 I think anybody who looks back at those times, the laws that he 
enforced that people were kind of uncomfortable with, they changed the 
laws,” Frieden says. “The laws were changed because of that and we came 
back into the 20th century.”

Celisa Calacal is a freelance contributor at KCUR 89.3. Matthew Long-Middleton is part of the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/term/america-amplified#stream/0">America Amplified</a> team based at KCUR 89.3. Connect with him at <a href="http://twitter.com/mlmindustries">@mlmindustries</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583774132434.png" alt=" kansasmemory.org / Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply " />
 <figcaption> kansasmemory.org / Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply </figcaption>
 </figure>BY MATTHEW LONG-MIDDLETON and CELISA CALACAL, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/meet-punch-throwing-attorney-general-who-inspired-kansas-open-its-saloons-1987#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a><a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/how-save-dying-language">Listen to this episode of A People's History Of Kansas City</a>, a new podcast from KCUR 89.3. For more stories like this one, subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-peoples-history-of-kansas-city/id1497165479">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0KfG7qlvetwL9ptu0goIsV?si=SUzUcs1uR2qIfaP8Pqa2Uw">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I4pgrm5hkl4wcavqbjfgx7a6esy">Google Play</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kcur-2/a-peoples-history-of-kansas-city">Stitcher</a>.Kansas’s
 36th attorney general was infamous for popping out of trunks, inciting 
gunfights on buses, and going toe-to-toe with other lawmen and 
politicians. It was this unabashed, brash approach to law enforcement 
that earned Vern Miller the nickname "Lawman of the State."“He 
was just kind of a cowboy who did things his way,” says Jim McLean, 
senior correspondent with KCUR’s Kansas News Service. “The narrative of 
the state of Kansas where you had these marshalls, sheriffs, of these 
Wild West communities, that would take matters in hand and clean up the 
town, right? Well, there's a certain amount of that to Vern Miller.”But
 Vern Miller was not a Wild West sheriff. Miller wielded much of his 
power between the 1960s and the 70s, a socially and politically 
tumultuous time in Kansas and across the country.Growing up in a hardscrabble community outside of Wichita, Miller worked at a dairy farm and got into a lot of fights as a kid.“There was a lot of scrappin’ going on,” says Miller, now 91 and living in Phoenix. “Everybody scrapped at that age.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583774171292.png" alt=" Vern Miller served as attorney general of the state of Kansas between 1971 and 1975. Credit kansasmemory.org / Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply" />
 <figcaption> Vern Miller served as attorney general of the state of Kansas between 1971 and 1975. Credit kansasmemory.org / Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply</figcaption>
 </figure>After serving in Korea in the 1950s, Miller returned to become a road
 patrolman in the sheriff’s office. And he quickly became known for 
physical altercations.One legend says that, as a traffic officer
 following a high-speed chase, Miller whipped a man in the face and 
dragged him through the car window.As another story goes, Miller
 fought his boss — the sheriff — in the sheriff’s own home, ultimately 
costing him his job. In 1964, in a twist of irony, Miller won the race 
for sheriff of Sedgwick County, the state’s most populous county at the 
time.&nbsp;Not shy about his new role, Miller traversed the county, 
busting folks for any and every possible infraction. He even went so far
 as to tell churches to suspend their cash bingo games.“A lot of old ladies in town didn’t like that,” Miller remembers. “They like to play bingo.”With
 a long history as a prohibition state, Kansas still had restrictive 
drinking laws at the time, which prevented the sale of liquor by the 
drink.“Kansas for so long hadn’t had any laws enforced, along 
those areas,” Miller says. “I wanted them to know what the law was, and 
tell them they need to obey the law. And if they didn’t… then there’d be
 trouble about it.”Besides bingo and drinking laws, Miller made 
headlines in the summer of 1968 for inciting a deadly gunfight on a bus 
in Wichita in order to nab two men suspected of murder in Missouri. And 
in 1967, he veered dangerously close to starting a mini-civil war in 
Kansas after making disparaging comments about officials in Leavenworth 
County. Miller was subpoenaed by the Leavenworth County prosecutor, who 
threatened to arrest him. In turn, Miller threatened to kill the men who
 came to arrest him. What resulted from that incident was the passing of
 Miller’s Law, which makes it illegal to resist an unlawful arrest.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583774198201.png" alt=" Kansas delegates attended a prohibition meeting in Michigan. Prohibition in Kansas took effect in 1881, which made it illegal to make or sell liquor. Credit Kenneth Spencer Research Library / University of Kansas" />
 <figcaption> Kansas delegates attended a prohibition meeting in Michigan. Prohibition in Kansas took effect in 1881, which made it illegal to make or sell liquor. Credit Kenneth Spencer Research Library / University of Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>Despite these controversies, or maybe because of them, Miller became a
 popular force during the social and political upheaval that dominated 
the 1960s, so much so that Democratic Gov. Bob Docking asked him to run 
as attorney general. It was Docking’s hope that Miller would turn out 
Democratic voters in populous Sedgwick County. Miller felt reluctant; a 
Democrat had not held the attorney general position in 80 years, and 
Miller had planned on going into private practice (he earned his law 
degree in Oklahoma by flying back-and-forth in a private plane).“And I told ‘em, ‘I don’t know nothing about being attorney general,’” Miller recalls.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583774226800.png" alt=" Vern Miller was convinced to run for Kansas attorney general in 1970. Credit kansasmemory.org / Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply" />
 <figcaption> Vern Miller was convinced to run for Kansas attorney general in 1970. Credit kansasmemory.org / Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply</figcaption>
 </figure>In 1970, he was elected attorney general of Kansas.Traditionally,
 the attorney general is primarily concerned with managerial duties: 
ensuring that state laws are enforced through memos and deciding where 
to deploy investigative and prosecutorial resources. John Frieden, who 
was on his staff at the time, says Miller saw the job differently.“The
 attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer in Kansas,” 
Frieden remembers Miller communicating. “And he was hands on.”One of Miller’s campaign promises was to “land in the middle of the drug-ridden hippie commune at Lawrence with both feet."Within
 his first few weeks in office, the newly-minted attorney general 
directed and personally executed raids at the University of Kansas in 
Lawrence.Susan Hudgens, who now lives outside of Topeka, says 
she witnessed one of those raids when she cruised into Lawrence with her
 friends. They found themselves hanging out near one of the KU dorms 
when cars pulled up and Miller appeared.“Sure enough, the trunk popped open and out comes this guy in a suit and a hat,” Hudgens says.That was Miller with his signature move, and Hudgens remembered watching as he and his men converged on the dorm buildings.“He
 acted more like the FBI guys chasing Bonnie and Clyde than a bureaucrat
 passing papers and writing reports, and that impression stuck,” Hudgens
 says.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583774259484.png" alt=" Miller takes inventory of confiscated alcohol during his time as Sedgwick County sheriff in 1970. Credit kansasmemory.org / Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply" />
 <figcaption> Miller takes inventory of confiscated alcohol during his time as Sedgwick County sheriff in 1970. Credit kansasmemory.org / Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply</figcaption>
 </figure>Miller was especially keen on enforcing alcohol laws in Kansas. In 
the early 1970s, he made sure Greyhound and Trailways buses traveling 
through Kansas followed the state’s restrictions on selling liquor by 
the drink. And when Miller found out that Amtrak still sold liquor on 
trains passing through the state, Miller had a plan to enforce the law.Here’s
 how he did it: An Amtrak train made a late-night stop in Newton, 
Kansas, Miller showed up, unannounced, and proceeded to storm the train 
with officers by his side. Together, they confiscated all of the alcohol
 on the train, threw the conductor in jail, and left the passengers 
stranded in Newton all night.“So the train sat all night there in Newton, Kansas,” Miller says. “A little podunk town.”The
 incident resulted in a lawsuit that Amtrak took all the way to the 
Supreme Court, which ruled that the Constitution gives states the power 
to regulate alcohol consumption.Miller says lawyers for airline companies began asking how he would enforce the state’s alcohol laws on airplanes.“And
 I said, ‘Well, fellas, I believe we’re under the same law and I believe
 you’re subject to it, so if you stop I won’t be raiding the plane,’” 
Miller recalls. “So they said, ‘Oh, it'll stop.’ So they stopped serving
 liquor over Kansas for a couple years.”Although these actions 
drew ridicule from late-night talk show hosts, Miller’s popularity 
skyrocketed. In 1972, he won every county in Kansas during his 
reelection campaign. Two years later, as Kansas Gov. Bob Docking decided
 to run for U.S. Senate, Democrats looked to Miller to run for Governor.“There
 was a poll run right before he ran for governor. In that particular 
poll, he had the support of 85% of people of Kansas.” says Democratic 
campaigner John Frieden. “I have never seen a poll that favorable to a 
candidate.”Regardless of the polls, Miller lost the governor’s 
seat to Republican Robert Bennett by only 3,677 votes. And one place 
that came out against him was Douglas County, home of the “drug-ridden 
hippie commune” of Lawrence.After leaving public office, Miller 
continued to practice law in Wichita, and eventually retired to Phoenix.
 Miller also received an honor from the Kansas Bar Association.Meanwhile,
 Kansans voted in a referendum in 1986 to change the state constitution 
to allow liquor sales by the drink, paving the way for bars and 
restaurants to openly serve alcohol in the state.Looking back at
 Miller’s legacy as a law enforcement officer, his aggression on the job
 would be scrutinized through a new lens: one that, in recent years, has
 become critical of police brutality and violence against civilians. 
That Miller largely sailed through his political career without much 
public criticism is perhaps more a reflection of the times than the man 
himself.Still, John Frieden says it was Vern Miller’s pugnacious ways that led to his most lasting contribution to the state.“And
 I think anybody who looks back at those times, the laws that he 
enforced that people were kind of uncomfortable with, they changed the 
laws,” Frieden says. “The laws were changed because of that and we came 
back into the 20th century.”Celisa Calacal is a freelance contributor at KCUR 89.3. Matthew Long-Middleton is part of the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/term/america-amplified#stream/0">America Amplified</a> team based at KCUR 89.3. Connect with him at <a href="http://twitter.com/mlmindustries">@mlmindustries</a>.

Meet the punch-throwing AG who inspired Kansas to open its saloons

Let’s add one more list to the various check-offs from the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, employers and others on how to
 deal with COVID-19: Tools and tips for getting good information about 
dealing with the virus from sources you trust.

In times of crisis, from natural disasters to 9/11 and more, a free 
press has consistently delivered the goods, saving lives and asking the 
necessary and often inevitable challenging questions of the public 
officials on whom we depend for safety and security.

Put aside for now the blather about “fake news” — so politicized as 
to have no real meaning any longer. Discount President Trump’s claim 
that it’s the news media that’s leading the world’s stock markets into 
“yo-yo Dow” days. And pay less attention to the cable TV punditry and 
focus on the news reports from reporters with sources who appear by name
 in print, online or on TV.

The virus and its threat to our health is real. The market is down — 
and up and down — regardless of what’s causing it. Look for facts. Don’t
 be too accepting of information from any source, particularly on social
 media. Blog posts, tweets and public forums provide valued means of 
sharing individual information and experiences, as well as provide 
real-time data of how well government services are performing.

In the first such major crisis in which social media tools were more 
widely available, during 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, the then-fledgling 
online efforts by the web alternative to New Orleans’ Times-Picayune
 newspaper provided essential information on what was happening “now.” 
Even police and Coast Guard rescuers said they had monitored <a href="https://www.nola.com/" target="_blank">NOLA.com</a>, at times sending in teams to help those posting that they were in danger. NOLA.com later won a Pulitzer Prize for its efforts.

While some are upset that what they are hearing from the 
administration and what they are reading or viewing seem to differ, a 
free press response to that situation is: “So what’s new?” Nearly 100 
years ago, President Herbert Hoover’s administration first responded to 
the 1929 stock market crash by calling it a market reset or passing 
adjustment — or at worst, part of a passing recession that would soon be
 over. Understandable perhaps as an effort to stave off worse news. But 
it’s Variety’s headline a day after “Black Tuesday” — the huge,
 one-day drop in the Dow — that let Americans know what really happened:
 “Wall Street Lays an Egg!”

From the Vietnam War — with its infamous “credibility gap” between 
what journalists saw in combat and what military leaders were saying, to
 what we now know about out-of-proportion government surveillance 
programs across decades of our nation’s history, it’s a free press that 
over time gives us the facts we need.

My colleague Barbara McCormack, who oversees the 
Freedom Forum’s Newseum Education initiative, has this advice on turning
 to a free press for information and avoiding disinformation: “Break out
 of your content bubble and make sure you’re engaging with diverse 
ideas. That includes ideas you disagree with. With a nearly infinite 
supply of information at our fingertips, it can be all too easy to start
 gravitating to sources that reinforce our beliefs and make us feel 
validated, but the less likely we are to spot propaganda that is trying 
to exploit our beliefs and biases.”

Her advice: Break out of your media rut. Try this: Create a list of 
five news sources to consult on a regular basis — not necessarily every 
day, but every week or so.

The CDC has its basic instructions on handwashing. Here’s something 
similar for getting good information you can use about COVID-19:

McCormack’s advice: “It’s OK for your sources to display a bias in 
their coverage, but make sure that all five are real, fact-based news 
and opinion organizations. If you’re not sure, you can use a resource 
like the Freedom Forum’s <a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/newstrition/" target="_blank">Newstrition</a>® or the website <a href="https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news" target="_blank">AllSides</a>
 to evaluate your sources. Check them on a regular basis to help you see
 the world in all its complexity, not just from a single vantage point.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Seattle Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Tampa Bay Times and others have removed paywalls for information about the virus crisis, or placed critical information outside their pay sites. USA TODAY, The Washington Post, The New York Times,
 CNN and the broadcast networks and many other major news outlets are 
offering COVID-19&nbsp; newsletters and medical tips on a daily basis.

A part of responding to any crisis is having enough good information 
on which to make decisions — whether you are making those for yourself 
or others. And in such times, throughout our nation’s history, a free 
press — if we care to use it — has been there on our behalf to obtain 
and report the facts we need.

For more information:&nbsp;<a href="https://newseumed.org/fact-finder-guide" target="_blank">https://newseumed.org/fact-finder-guide</a>.

Gene Policinski is president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. He can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573872297806.png" alt="Gene Policinski is president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute." />
 <figcaption>Gene Policinski is president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute.</figcaption>
 </figure>Let’s add one more list to the various check-offs from the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, employers and others on how to
 deal with COVID-19: Tools and tips for getting good information about 
dealing with the virus from sources you trust.In times of crisis, from natural disasters to 9/11 and more, a free 
press has consistently delivered the goods, saving lives and asking the 
necessary and often inevitable challenging questions of the public 
officials on whom we depend for safety and security.Put aside for now the blather about “fake news” — so politicized as 
to have no real meaning any longer. Discount President Trump’s claim 
that it’s the news media that’s leading the world’s stock markets into 
“yo-yo Dow” days. And pay less attention to the cable TV punditry and 
focus on the news reports from reporters with sources who appear by name
 in print, online or on TV.The virus and its threat to our health is real. The market is down — 
and up and down — regardless of what’s causing it. Look for facts. Don’t
 be too accepting of information from any source, particularly on social
 media. Blog posts, tweets and public forums provide valued means of 
sharing individual information and experiences, as well as provide 
real-time data of how well government services are performing.In the first such major crisis in which social media tools were more 
widely available, during 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, the then-fledgling 
online efforts by the web alternative to New Orleans’ Times-Picayune
 newspaper provided essential information on what was happening “now.” 
Even police and Coast Guard rescuers said they had monitored <a href="https://www.nola.com/" target="_blank">NOLA.com</a>, at times sending in teams to help those posting that they were in danger. NOLA.com later won a Pulitzer Prize for its efforts.While some are upset that what they are hearing from the 
administration and what they are reading or viewing seem to differ, a 
free press response to that situation is: “So what’s new?” Nearly 100 
years ago, President Herbert Hoover’s administration first responded to 
the 1929 stock market crash by calling it a market reset or passing 
adjustment — or at worst, part of a passing recession that would soon be
 over. Understandable perhaps as an effort to stave off worse news. But 
it’s Variety’s headline a day after “Black Tuesday” — the huge,
 one-day drop in the Dow — that let Americans know what really happened:
 “Wall Street Lays an Egg!”From the Vietnam War — with its infamous “credibility gap” between 
what journalists saw in combat and what military leaders were saying, to
 what we now know about out-of-proportion government surveillance 
programs across decades of our nation’s history, it’s a free press that 
over time gives us the facts we need.My colleague Barbara McCormack, who oversees the 
Freedom Forum’s Newseum Education initiative, has this advice on turning
 to a free press for information and avoiding disinformation: “Break out
 of your content bubble and make sure you’re engaging with diverse 
ideas. That includes ideas you disagree with. With a nearly infinite 
supply of information at our fingertips, it can be all too easy to start
 gravitating to sources that reinforce our beliefs and make us feel 
validated, but the less likely we are to spot propaganda that is trying 
to exploit our beliefs and biases.”Her advice: Break out of your media rut. Try this: Create a list of 
five news sources to consult on a regular basis — not necessarily every 
day, but every week or so.The CDC has its basic instructions on handwashing. Here’s something 
similar for getting good information you can use about COVID-19:<ol>
 <li>Identify two general news sources you already look at on a regular basis and usually agree with;</li><li>Find two general news sources you don’t usually agree with;</li><li>Find one source that covers news from a specific perspective, such 
as the views of a particular demographic, religious group or profession;</li><li>Read and listen to each of them.</li>
 </ol>McCormack’s advice: “It’s OK for your sources to display a bias in 
their coverage, but make sure that all five are real, fact-based news 
and opinion organizations. If you’re not sure, you can use a resource 
like the Freedom Forum’s <a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/newstrition/" target="_blank">Newstrition</a>® or the website <a href="https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news" target="_blank">AllSides</a>
 to evaluate your sources. Check them on a regular basis to help you see
 the world in all its complexity, not just from a single vantage point.”The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Seattle Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Tampa Bay Times and others have removed paywalls for information about the virus crisis, or placed critical information outside their pay sites. USA TODAY, The Washington Post, The New York Times,
 CNN and the broadcast networks and many other major news outlets are 
offering COVID-19&nbsp; newsletters and medical tips on a daily basis.A part of responding to any crisis is having enough good information 
on which to make decisions — whether you are making those for yourself 
or others. And in such times, throughout our nation’s history, a free 
press — if we care to use it — has been there on our behalf to obtain 
and report the facts we need.For more information:&nbsp;<a href="https://newseumed.org/fact-finder-guide" target="_blank">https://newseumed.org/fact-finder-guide</a>.Gene Policinski is president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. He can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Getting good information as virus crisis unfolds

The Saline County Citizens Group for Jail Reform, for the past many months, has been encouraging community involvement in efforts to reduce incarceration rates in the county and to expand jail programming to address inmate mental health and addiction issues in any new jail project. A new jail development proposal will soon face the voters, and this Citizens’ Group has decided to host three separate Community Forums designed to encourage and deepen the conversations on the new jail proposals that have been presented at recent County Town Halls.

The first of those Forums will be held in the Prescott Room of the Salina Library on Monday, March 16th at 6 p.m. Michael Hill, Program Director of the new Reno County Jail Facility, will speak at this meeting about their new Hutchinson facility and the success of the programs they have incorporated into that project. A former Reno County inmate who has benefited from that programming is planning to speak that night as well.

The second Forum will be April 2 at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Cross, 1600 Rush St., and the third Forum will be April 9 at 7 p.m. at St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church, 215 S. Chicago in Salina.

Everyone is invited to these forums as part of public interest in generating an informed vote on the new jail proposal that will come before the county in the very near future. Come to one, or all, of these forums to listen and to share your views.

Gerald Gillespie, Citizens Group member, Salina

The Saline County Citizens Group for Jail Reform, for the past many months, has been encouraging community involvement in efforts to reduce incarceration rates in the county and to expand jail programming to address inmate mental health and addiction issues in any new jail project. A new jail development proposal will soon face the voters, and this Citizens’ Group has decided to host three separate Community Forums designed to encourage and deepen the conversations on the new jail proposals that have been presented at recent County Town Halls.The first of those Forums will be held in the Prescott Room of the Salina Library on Monday, March 16th at 6 p.m. Michael Hill, Program Director of the new Reno County Jail Facility, will speak at this meeting about their new Hutchinson facility and the success of the programs they have incorporated into that project. A former Reno County inmate who has benefited from that programming is planning to speak that night as well.The second Forum will be April 2 at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Cross, 1600 Rush St., and the third Forum will be April 9 at 7 p.m. at St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church, 215 S. Chicago in Salina.Everyone is invited to these forums as part of public interest in generating an informed vote on the new jail proposal that will come before the county in the very near future. Come to one, or all, of these forums to listen and to share your views.Gerald Gillespie, Citizens Group member, Salina

LETTER: Jail reform group sponsors forums

By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing



HAYS – Lilly Duncan and Ethan Couture are two of several current college students who have benefitted from participating in field camps through Fort Hays State University’s&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;Museum of Natural History since 2014.

The renowned museum in Western Kansas this year is adding another step to keep students connected to the earth and life sciences during high school and beyond.

The list of nine&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;camps for high school students now includes two sessions on comparative vertebrate anatomy, which is a two-week intensive short course for students interested in biology. The first of two sessions will be held at&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;Museum and FHSU beginning June 21, and the other at the University of Oregon, set to begin on July 26.

Sternberg&nbsp;administrators hope this camp draws some students to Fort Hays State as one did for Duncan. She grew up near Wilson State Park and spent a lot of time outdoors as a youngster. She said she was interested in FHSU during high school, but “it sealed the deal” after she attended a&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;field camp. A freshman biology major, Duncan works for&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;and will be a teaching assistant for the Prairie Natural middle school camps this summer.

Couture also is a freshman biology major, at the University of Maine, near where his family now lives. He attended a variety of&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;camps since he was in middle school in Junction City when his father was in the military and stationed at Fort Riley. He will be back in Kansas this summer as a counselor for the comparative vertebrate anatomy camp at the FHSU site and is looking forward to learning right along with the students.

“Sternberg&nbsp;camps make you think and go beyond what’s given to you, so what I learned at camp really helped me in high school,” Couture said. “It’s definitely given me an edge in college, and I’m excited to be a part of this particular camp in its first year.”

Couture stressed that students also take away other valuable lessons from&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;camps. He was the only person he knew while growing up who was interested in paleontology or science in general. Attending Sternerg camps helped boost his confidence to continue following his interests.

“I no longer felt alone in my passion,” he said. “To this day, the friendships I made at the camps are some of my best.”

David Levering, camp director, listened to past participants who asked for an anatomy camp. He selected third-year camp instructor Catherine Sartin, a faculty member in biological sciences at FHSU, as the instructor for the comparative vertebrate anatomy camps, which have 10 slots available for each session.

The camp is open to students interested in a variety of life science fields, ranging from paleontology to&nbsp;human and veterinary medicine. Students will learn&nbsp;how to apply natural history concepts to other medical fields, how structures work together in humans as well as animals and how they are similar but different at the same time, and how natural history concepts can inform medical science.

“I’m not limited in scope by sticking to a strict biology box,” Sartin said. “Being a paleontologist, I find that the basis for understanding an animal and anything that it does can be found in its skeleton. The sooner we start learning those basic building blocks, the easier it is to build the rest of the knowledge around that.”

With a background in medical biology from Johns Hopkins University, Sarti is excited to introduce students to the full extent of vertebrate organs and structures.

Students&nbsp;will learn about the body tissues of the animals, how bone structures evolved and even a little about geology in the fossil record of modern vertebrates.

“Part of our mission is to teach that these areas of science aren’t islands,” Levering said. “They interface with others. This is a great way to&nbsp;apply natural history concepts to other biomedical fields.”

Because of the rigor of anatomy and physiology courses, Levering thinks any prior exposure to that content before college is beneficial. At camp, this prior exposure is also made actively engaging and fun.

“We are creating opportunities for students to explore the field and lab sciences when students still have time to choose what they want to study in college,” said Dr. Reese Barrick, director of the museum.

“These camps create opportunities students wouldn’t get until well into their college careers,” he said. “It’s a huge thing to hold their interest in science during that transitional period, and we are able to ground their interest in science through&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;programs.”

To enroll or learn more about all&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;camps visit&nbsp;<a href="http://sternberg.fhsu.edu">sternberg.fhsu.edu</a> online and scroll down to Museum Science Camps. Scholarships are available to help defray the cost of the camp.

--<a href="http://fhsu.edu">FHSU</a>--

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583169835265.jpeg" alt="Past Sternberg Museum field camp participants Katie Gatlin from Oklahoma and Zac Turner from California study bones that make up the skull of an ancient ray-finned fish. Photo courtesy FHSU" />
 <figcaption>Past Sternberg Museum field camp participants Katie Gatlin from Oklahoma and Zac Turner from California study bones that make up the skull of an ancient ray-finned fish. Photo courtesy FHSU</figcaption>
 </figure>By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing

HAYS – Lilly Duncan and Ethan Couture are two of several current college students who have benefitted from participating in field camps through Fort Hays State University’s&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;Museum of Natural History since 2014.The renowned museum in Western Kansas this year is adding another step to keep students connected to the earth and life sciences during high school and beyond.The list of nine&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;camps for high school students now includes two sessions on comparative vertebrate anatomy, which is a two-week intensive short course for students interested in biology. The first of two sessions will be held at&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;Museum and FHSU beginning June 21, and the other at the University of Oregon, set to begin on July 26.Sternberg&nbsp;administrators hope this camp draws some students to Fort Hays State as one did for Duncan. She grew up near Wilson State Park and spent a lot of time outdoors as a youngster. She said she was interested in FHSU during high school, but “it sealed the deal” after she attended a&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;field camp. A freshman biology major, Duncan works for&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;and will be a teaching assistant for the Prairie Natural middle school camps this summer.Couture also is a freshman biology major, at the University of Maine, near where his family now lives. He attended a variety of&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;camps since he was in middle school in Junction City when his father was in the military and stationed at Fort Riley. He will be back in Kansas this summer as a counselor for the comparative vertebrate anatomy camp at the FHSU site and is looking forward to learning right along with the students.“Sternberg&nbsp;camps make you think and go beyond what’s given to you, so what I learned at camp really helped me in high school,” Couture said. “It’s definitely given me an edge in college, and I’m excited to be a part of this particular camp in its first year.”Couture stressed that students also take away other valuable lessons from&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;camps. He was the only person he knew while growing up who was interested in paleontology or science in general. Attending Sternerg camps helped boost his confidence to continue following his interests.“I no longer felt alone in my passion,” he said. “To this day, the friendships I made at the camps are some of my best.”David Levering, camp director, listened to past participants who asked for an anatomy camp. He selected third-year camp instructor Catherine Sartin, a faculty member in biological sciences at FHSU, as the instructor for the comparative vertebrate anatomy camps, which have 10 slots available for each session.The camp is open to students interested in a variety of life science fields, ranging from paleontology to&nbsp;human and veterinary medicine. Students will learn&nbsp;how to apply natural history concepts to other medical fields, how structures work together in humans as well as animals and how they are similar but different at the same time, and how natural history concepts can inform medical science.“I’m not limited in scope by sticking to a strict biology box,” Sartin said. “Being a paleontologist, I find that the basis for understanding an animal and anything that it does can be found in its skeleton. The sooner we start learning those basic building blocks, the easier it is to build the rest of the knowledge around that.”With a background in medical biology from Johns Hopkins University, Sarti is excited to introduce students to the full extent of vertebrate organs and structures.Students&nbsp;will learn about the body tissues of the animals, how bone structures evolved and even a little about geology in the fossil record of modern vertebrates.“Part of our mission is to teach that these areas of science aren’t islands,” Levering said. “They interface with others. This is a great way to&nbsp;apply natural history concepts to other biomedical fields.”Because of the rigor of anatomy and physiology courses, Levering thinks any prior exposure to that content before college is beneficial. At camp, this prior exposure is also made actively engaging and fun.“We are creating opportunities for students to explore the field and lab sciences when students still have time to choose what they want to study in college,” said Dr. Reese Barrick, director of the museum.“These camps create opportunities students wouldn’t get until well into their college careers,” he said. “It’s a huge thing to hold their interest in science during that transitional period, and we are able to ground their interest in science through&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;programs.”To enroll or learn more about all&nbsp;Sternberg&nbsp;camps visit&nbsp;<a href="http://sternberg.fhsu.edu">sternberg.fhsu.edu</a> online and scroll down to Museum Science Camps. Scholarships are available to help defray the cost of the camp.

--<a href="http://fhsu.edu">FHSU</a>--

Sternberg adds comparative vertebrate anatomy camp

Armando David Mascote, age 20, of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away on March 1, 2020.&nbsp; He was born December 1, 1999, to Armando and Maricela Mascote at KU Med in Kansas City, Kansas.

He graduated from Council Grove High School and was a sophomore at the University of Kansas. His plans were to graduate from KU with a major in Biology, attending KU Med and becoming a doctor.

Armando was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, FBLA, and was the Student Body President for two consecutive years. His activities were Cross Country, Football, Wrestling and Track &amp; Field. He also attended KU Student Senate meetings.

Armando was a very respectable, kindhearted individual, whom was loved by his family and friends. He enjoyed so many things…..finding new things to cook, teaching his friends to cook,&nbsp; listening to Kid Cudi, playing with his siblings, he loved his truck, pan dulce (sweet bread, his Sperry’s, dressing up and having a good time with friends. He was extremely proud of having the opportunity to attend the University of Kansas and being a Jayhawk. &nbsp;Armando’s family was very dear to him and he loved spending time with them.&nbsp; He also enjoyed spending time with his grandparents in Mexico.

Armando is survived by his parents Armando and Maricela Mascote; siblings Elizabeth, George and David Mascote; grandparents Agustin Mascote, Isabel Reyes, Juvenal Arroyo and Benita Alvarado; uncles Vicente Mascote, Manuel Mascote, Agustin Mascote, Concepcion Mascote, Nicolas Mascote, and Nemorio Arroyo; aunts Carmen Mascote, Guadalupe Mascote, Rosario Mascote, Daisy Mascote, Isabel Mascote, Catalina Mascote, Carmen Arroyo, and Alejandra Arroyo; and a host of friends. Armando will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

Memorial contributions may be made to Armando Mascote Memorial Fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583552576085.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Armando David Mascote, age 20, of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away on March 1, 2020.&nbsp; He was born December 1, 1999, to Armando and Maricela Mascote at KU Med in Kansas City, Kansas.He graduated from Council Grove High School and was a sophomore at the University of Kansas. His plans were to graduate from KU with a major in Biology, attending KU Med and becoming a doctor.Armando was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, FBLA, and was the Student Body President for two consecutive years. His activities were Cross Country, Football, Wrestling and Track &amp; Field. He also attended KU Student Senate meetings.Armando was a very respectable, kindhearted individual, whom was loved by his family and friends. He enjoyed so many things…..finding new things to cook, teaching his friends to cook,&nbsp; listening to Kid Cudi, playing with his siblings, he loved his truck, pan dulce (sweet bread, his Sperry’s, dressing up and having a good time with friends. He was extremely proud of having the opportunity to attend the University of Kansas and being a Jayhawk. &nbsp;Armando’s family was very dear to him and he loved spending time with them.&nbsp; He also enjoyed spending time with his grandparents in Mexico.Armando is survived by his parents Armando and Maricela Mascote; siblings Elizabeth, George and David Mascote; grandparents Agustin Mascote, Isabel Reyes, Juvenal Arroyo and Benita Alvarado; uncles Vicente Mascote, Manuel Mascote, Agustin Mascote, Concepcion Mascote, Nicolas Mascote, and Nemorio Arroyo; aunts Carmen Mascote, Guadalupe Mascote, Rosario Mascote, Daisy Mascote, Isabel Mascote, Catalina Mascote, Carmen Arroyo, and Alejandra Arroyo; and a host of friends. Armando will be sadly missed by all that knew him.Memorial contributions may be made to Armando Mascote Memorial Fund.A Vigil will begin at 6:00pm, Wednesday, March 11th, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with visitation at 7:00, at the Parish Hall. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00am, Thursday, March 12th, also at St. Rose. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.