December 2021

Kansas deer hunters have options to test for Chronic Wasting Disease

December 7, 2021

PRATT – Deer hunters across Kansas can have deer they harvest during the 2021-2022 seasons tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) free of charge through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). KDWP, in collaboration with the University of Missouri, is continuing a three-year research project to better understand where CWD is present in Kansas and how the disease spreads. As part of the research project, the cost of CWD testing will again be covered for up to 450 samples per Deer Management Unit (DMU). All hunters need to provide to receive free testing is harvest location of the deer in the form of GPS coordinates, section Range- Township-Section number, or nearest intersection.

Mental health awareness important in agriculture

December 7, 2021

As the secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, I regularly talk with farmers, ranchers, agribusiness owners, and other stakeholders across the state. Sadly, the issues of ag stress, mental health and even suicide have been at the forefront of many discussions over the past three years.

Biden policy reason for rising gas prices

December 7, 2021

As the Biden administration calls for an investigation into rising gas prices and begins tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help slow rising gas prices, it is important to pull back the curtain on the ideologically driven processes the administration is using to justify these bad policy decisions.

December 7, 2021

A running gag on “The Simpsons” has the character Helen Lovejoy asking, “Won’t somebody please think of the children?!” She asks it often and with varying levels of concern and sometimes sass.

Remembering the best gift of all in the midst of Christmas season 2021

December 7, 2021

It’s time to get ready for Christmas, it will be here before we know it! The baking, pleasant aromas, the sound of singing of Christmas carols, the sights and sounds of happy cherry, laughing from excited children bring pleasant thoughts to us. And above it all, then the remembrance of the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus, the best gift of all.

December 7, 2021

I have noticed that people are driving for me. Not me or even you, but for themselves.

So many beautiful, lighted Christmas decorations to enjoy this year

December 7, 2021

A walk or drive around town these days, after dark, reveals numerous beautiful, lighted Christmas decorations. Some homes have so many lights that the entire yard is lit up. Even for those do not have outside lights, most homes will have a Christmas tree inside, gleaming with lights.

Two types of crime increase each December, robbery and larceny

December 7, 2021

The Christmas season is running at full throttle this month. Travel across our state is on an uptick, internet sales are at an all-time high, and the brick-nmortar stores are jam-packed with holiday shoppers looking for a unique gift at a bargain-rate price. What about crime? Do crimes increase during the Christmas season? It seems as if the news reports focus heavily on crime leading up to and during the Yuletide season, which often leads to increased anxiety and worry. Yule is a time for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and not an occasion for worrying about the possibility of crime. So, is the holiday season really more dangerous, or are the news agencies simply over-exaggerating the situation? Here are the facts of the matter.

Kiowa County seniors win prizes in last week’s Bingo Bonanza

December 7, 2021

Kiowa County seniors had a fun time playing Bingo Bonanza last Friday at the senior center in Greensburg. A wide variety of donated prizes kept the players coming back fro more fun.

December 7, 2021

Pratt Community College is pleased to announce auditions for “The Wizard of Oz”. Auditions will be December 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. in Carpenter Auditorium at PCC. The production of the show will be April 1-3, 2022 and rehearsals will start in January.