May 2022

A quick course about student loan scams

May 25, 2022

Confusion surrounding current events about student loan forgiveness (or anything else financial) always creates a fertile environment for scammers hoping to rip off those that are uninformed. The President has continued the pause on student loan payments until August 31 of this year. Some are advocating for more student loan forgiveness as well. The talk about changes in government policy on this subject has prompted new scams to come to light. Better Business Bureaus (BBB) across the country are reporting an uptick in the number of people encountering student loan scams, especially since the graduation season is upon us. Here is your BBB’s look at what you should watch out for.

Boil water advisory issued for the City of Preston, Pratt County

May 25, 2022

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued a boil water advisory for the City of Preston public water supply system, located in Pratt County on Friday, May 20. That advisory had not yet been lifted on Monday morning, May 23.

Maes Tree Service specializes in tree and limb removals

May 25, 2022

Braden Stevens knows trees. He also knows how to take them down. His self-started company, Maes Tree Service, based in Pratt, has been busy so far this year, and he welcomes any and every challenge that comes his way.

Forensics team finishes successful season

May 25, 2022

The Kiowa County High School forensics team ended the 2022 season with an excellent day of competition at both the KSHSAA 1A State Championship Tournament at Salina Central High School and the KSH-SAA State Forensics Festival at Kansas Wesleyan University on Saturday, May 7. The Mavericks placed 4th overall as a team (out of 35 schools) at State Champs, and junior Lucy Libby earned a 1 Rating and a gold medal at the Festival site.

Board of Education approves several pay increases for next year

May 25, 2022

The Board of Education of Unified School District No. 422, State of Kansas, Kiowa County, met for a regular meeting at the school district office, 710 S. Main Street in Greensburg. The meeting was called to order by President Ki Gamble at 8:04 p.m. Present were Gamble, Paul Kendall, David Allison, Mike Greenleaf, Tony Rhodes, Cory Zenger. J. Wynn Fleener was absent.

Airport development plans are still fuzzy

May 25, 2022

On Monday, May 16, the Greensburg City Council members met to discuss various items of business. They opened with an approval of the minutes for the meeting, and went on without any citizen comments.

Celebrating 75 Years on “The Hill”

May 18, 2022

“Back to the Future” is the theme of the 2022 Pratt County Fair. This year is the 75th year the fair has been at the present location, and there are many plans for the community to celebrate. The movie “Back to the Future” will run at the Barron Theatre July 15-17 to kick off “fair week.” Many special contests are in the works for Open Class entries to invite more participation at the fair. These range from recreating a favorite photograph, to helping make a quilt block for a “Back to the Future” themed quilt. The Recipe Contest is back with Jello Salad molds. Find one of these classic molds (or borrow from the Pratt Public Library) and get creative for the chance at some great prizes. The Arts and Crafts department plans on another fun “Make and Take” day for kids. Look for more information from the Extension Office and the Pratt Public Library. New this year is a special Antiques contest. Bring your favorite antique cookie jar to display in the exhibit hall. For more details and rules on the above contests, please contact the Pratt County Extension Office: 620.672.6121.

How the pandemic drove up the cost of wood products

May 18, 2022

May 13, 2022 – During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, prices of processed wood products, such as softwood lumber and plywood, nearly quadrupled. Wholesale prices for plywood increased from $400 to $1500 per thousand square feet (roughly equivalent to retail prices of plywood increasing from about $12.80 to $48.00 per sheet).

Southwest Kansas wheat devastated by drought

May 18, 2022

Last week saw much needed rainfall across the state, but areas in southwest Kansas missed out on it once again. Much of southwest Kansas has gone nearly 300 days without an inch of precipitation. Annual average rainfall is about 12” in southwest Kansas, and much of the area has seen about 1/3 of that over the past year and less than an inch since wheat was planted in the fall.

May 18, 2022

The Pratt High School tennis team faced adversity throughout their spring season, dealing with weather issues that went beyond just wind and rain. The resurfacing project at their home courts, the Walter Blake Tennis Complex, was put behind schedule because of weather issues, causing limited court access for not only the PHS Greenbacks but also the PCC men’s tennis team which shares the facility.