March 2022

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, growing rent debt and the possibility of widespread evictions have been a major worry for many households and for the economy as a whole. Renters are more likely to work in the sorts of lower-wage occupations that have been most disrupted by the pandemic, like retail and hospitality, and less likely to have savings or other assets to help them weather hard times. These factors have made it harder for renters to keep up with their payments, and in turn, many landlords—especially smaller-scale property owners— are struggling to make up income and cover payments to lenders.

(Pratt, KS.) Credit Union of America (CUA) has hired Ken Furgason as Branch Manager of the Pratt office. (120 W. 2nd St., Pratt, KS. 67124) Furgason brings over 25 years of financial services, human resources, finance, and leadership experience to the position. In his new role he will manage CUA’s Pratt branch, including oversight and direction of member service, staff, and growth initiatives for the office. Furgason earned his MBA from Colorado State University, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, his Associate of Science in Business from Pratt Community College, and he is a Kansas Certified Public Accountant.

February is Children’s Dental Health Month. USD 350 school dog Tank and counselor, Kim Volker, visited the kindergarten classrooms and demonstrated brushing teeth as part of a special focus on dental health in St. John. Nurse Lisa helped the students brush their teeth and then used pink disclosing tablets to see which areas they were missing.

Lori Jones of Lazy J Ranch between Coldwater and Medicine Lodge loves to draw. It has been her calling in life since she was a child, one she eagerly shared with others last weekend in Pratt at the Vernon Filley Art Museum.

Governor Laura Kelly today announced 29 bridge projects across Kansas will receive more than $5 million as part of the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program (KLBIP). One of these bridges to be repaired in 2022 is located in Kiowa County, 7 miles north of Greensburg over Rattlesnake Creek.

Author Roxie Yonkey will be autographing her best-selling book “100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die” at the Big Well Museum from 4-6 p.m. on March 14 in Greensburg. Buy a book at the museum or ahead of time at RoxieontheRoad.com/Shop.

Barclay College students and community members from the area are working hard to put the finishing touches on a special play production set to premiere the first week of April. One teacher, local farm wife and former Barclay student, Kadie Clark, is in the midst of all the preparations, dedicated to bringing her best to ever part of the show.