By BECKY KISER Hays Post

It's been a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4paxtEFxJU">successful inaugural year of the Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board</a> and new members are being sought as some of the current members age out.

The board was created by then mayor Mason Ruder.&nbsp;

Appointed by the mayor and city commission, members of the board have a vital role in representing the youth perspective in decision-making processes that affect the city.

"They are really, really bright kids," said Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor.

"They've settled into their roles. When they first came in they had no idea (what to do). Now, they're very confident at what things they want to take forward.&nbsp;

"These young people are looking at changing voting ages," she said. "It's not just about a movie and a dance. It's great leadership experience."

Group projects have ranged from teen entertainment events to a mock election for junior high students.

Commissioners are hoping for a large number of applications from students in eighth grade through juniors in high school.

"This first group has set a pretty high bar," Jacobs said.&nbsp;

Four members are from Hays High School and three are from Thomas More Prep-Marian High School:

Evyn Cox-Chairperson (Hays High School) Cy Drobeck-Secretary (Hays High School) Henry Fitzthum-(Hays High School) Isabelle Jones-Vice-chairperson (Hay High School) &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Mia Lang-Social media coordinator (Thomas More Prep-Marian) Preston Mermis-Working with the Explorers program (Thomas More Prep-Marian) Nathan Stecklein-(Thomas More Prep-Marian) &nbsp;

"It's a collaborative process between the two high schools," Jacobs said, "and I think we can all learn a valuable lesson from that."

The selected&nbsp;high school students&nbsp; actively participate in local governance and community development. They collaborate with city officials, provide input on policies and initiatives, and advocate for the needs and interests of their peers.

To be considered for a position on the board, applicants must meet the following criteria: &nbsp;

• Be enrolled in a high school within the city of Hays • Demonstrate a commitment to community service and leadership • Be willing to attend monthly board meetings and actively participate in board activities.&nbsp;

Applications are available at: <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/342/BoardCommittee-Application">https://www.haysusa.com/342/BoardCommittee- Application</a>&nbsp;

Applications should be emailed by Friday to&nbsp;awindholz@haysusa.com or dropped off at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712075984783.jpeg" alt="Preston Mermis, Thomas More Prep-Marian; Henry Fitzthum, Hays High School, Mia Lang; TMP; Evyn Cox, HHS; and Isabelle Jones, HHS; members of the Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board, present their first quarter report to the Hays City Commission on Nov. 9. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Preston Mermis, Thomas More Prep-Marian; Henry Fitzthum, Hays High School, Mia Lang; TMP; Evyn Cox, HHS; and Isabelle Jones, HHS; members of the Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board, present their first quarter report to the Hays City Commission on Nov. 9. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostIt's been a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4paxtEFxJU">successful inaugural year of the Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board</a> and new members are being sought as some of the current members age out.The board was created by then mayor Mason Ruder.&nbsp;Appointed by the mayor and city commission, members of the board have a vital role in representing the youth perspective in decision-making processes that affect the city."They are really, really bright kids," said Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor. "They've settled into their roles. When they first came in they had no idea (what to do). Now, they're very confident at what things they want to take forward.&nbsp;"These young people are looking at changing voting ages," she said. "It's not just about a movie and a dance. It's great leadership experience."Group projects have ranged from teen entertainment events to a mock election for junior high students.Commissioners are hoping for a large number of applications from students in eighth grade through juniors in high school."This first group has set a pretty high bar," Jacobs said.&nbsp;Four members are from Hays High School and three are from Thomas More Prep-Marian High School:Evyn Cox-Chairperson (Hays High School) Cy Drobeck-Secretary (Hays High School) Henry Fitzthum-(Hays High School) Isabelle Jones-Vice-chairperson (Hay High School) &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Mia Lang-Social media coordinator (Thomas More Prep-Marian) Preston Mermis-Working with the Explorers program (Thomas More Prep-Marian) Nathan Stecklein-(Thomas More Prep-Marian) &nbsp;"It's a collaborative process between the two high schools," Jacobs said, "and I think we can all learn a valuable lesson from that."The selected&nbsp;high school students&nbsp; actively participate in local governance and community development. They collaborate with city officials, provide input on policies and initiatives, and advocate for the needs and interests of their peers.To be considered for a position on the board, applicants must meet the following criteria: &nbsp;• Be enrolled in a high school within the city of Hays • Demonstrate a commitment to community service and leadership • Be willing to attend monthly board meetings and actively participate in board activities.&nbsp;Applications are available at: <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/342/BoardCommittee-Application">https://www.haysusa.com/342/BoardCommittee- Application</a>&nbsp;Reference letters are encouraged.&nbsp;Applications should be emailed by Friday to&nbsp;awindholz@haysusa.com or dropped off at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main. &nbsp;

Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board nears end of 1st year; applications open

THOMAS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Tuesday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford F250 driven by Taylor S.&nbsp;Stabel, 37, Lakin, was&nbsp;westbound on County Road K at Kansas 25

The driver&nbsp; failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the trailer of a northbound 2009 Peterbilt semi driven by Efren&nbsp;Ortega, 25, Imperial, Nebraska.

EMS transported Stabel to&nbsp;Citizen's Medical Center. Ortega was not injured. Stabel was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

THOMAS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Tuesday in Thomas County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford F250 driven by Taylor S.&nbsp;Stabel, 37, Lakin, was&nbsp;westbound on County Road K at Kansas 25The driver&nbsp; failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the trailer of a northbound 2009 Peterbilt semi driven by Efren&nbsp;Ortega, 25, Imperial, Nebraska.EMS transported Stabel to&nbsp;Citizen's Medical Center. Ortega was not injured. Stabel was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after pickup strikes semi's trailer

The Center for Health Improvement at HaysMed invites you to "Walk with a Doc," a health initiative aimed at promoting community wellness and fostering connections between healthcare providers and residents.

Scheduled for Saturday, April 20 from 8 to 9 a.m., this event invites Hays and local area residents to join Dr. Erin Hemphill, hospitalist and The Transplant Network &amp; Saving Sight for an invigorating walk at Big Creek Crossing, across from Gliks. 

Participants will have the chance to learn about organ, eye, and tissue donations, as well as connect with Dr. Hemphill from HaysMed.

"Walk with a Doc" offers a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in physical activity while interacting with healthcare professionals in a relaxed and informal setting. You’ll take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk at your own pace and distance.

The "Walk with a Doc" event in Hays is open to all community members, and participation is free of charge. Pre-registration is not required, and individuals of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to attend.

Stephanie Howie, fitness director of The Center for Health Improvement, emphasized the importance of consistent physical activity for sustaining optimal health and wellness. According to Howie, dedicating just 30 minutes a day to walking can notably enhance one's well-being and quality of life.

The benefits of walking, as highlighted by the American Heart Association, include improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar levels, maintenance of a healthy body weight, enhancement of mental well-being, and reduction of the risk of osteoporosis.

"Walk with a Doc" is an international non-profit organization founded by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist based in Columbus, OH. Since its inception in 2005, the program has expanded to numerous communities worldwide, inspiring individuals to prioritize their health through movement and conversation.

Don't miss this opportunity to take a step toward better health and connect with healthcare professionals in your community. Join the "Walk with a Doc" program the third Saturday of every month at&nbsp;8 a.m. at Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine Street, Hays.

For local Walk with a Doc information visit <a href="https://www.haysmed.com/services/center-for-health-improvement/">https://www.haysmed.com/services/center-for-health-improvement/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711749908194.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedThe Center for Health Improvement at HaysMed invites you to "Walk with a Doc," a health initiative aimed at promoting community wellness and fostering connections between healthcare providers and residents.Scheduled for Saturday, April 20 from 8 to 9 a.m., this event invites Hays and local area residents to join Dr. Erin Hemphill, hospitalist and The Transplant Network &amp; Saving Sight for an invigorating walk at Big Creek Crossing, across from Gliks. Participants will have the chance to learn about organ, eye, and tissue donations, as well as connect with Dr. Hemphill from HaysMed."Walk with a Doc" offers a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in physical activity while interacting with healthcare professionals in a relaxed and informal setting. You’ll take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk at your own pace and distance.The "Walk with a Doc" event in Hays is open to all community members, and participation is free of charge. Pre-registration is not required, and individuals of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to attend.Stephanie Howie, fitness director of The Center for Health Improvement, emphasized the importance of consistent physical activity for sustaining optimal health and wellness. According to Howie, dedicating just 30 minutes a day to walking can notably enhance one's well-being and quality of life.The benefits of walking, as highlighted by the American Heart Association, include improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar levels, maintenance of a healthy body weight, enhancement of mental well-being, and reduction of the risk of osteoporosis."Walk with a Doc" is an international non-profit organization founded by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist based in Columbus, OH. Since its inception in 2005, the program has expanded to numerous communities worldwide, inspiring individuals to prioritize their health through movement and conversation.Don't miss this opportunity to take a step toward better health and connect with healthcare professionals in your community. Join the "Walk with a Doc" program the third Saturday of every month at&nbsp;8 a.m. at Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine Street, Hays.For local Walk with a Doc information visit <a href="https://www.haysmed.com/services/center-for-health-improvement/">https://www.haysmed.com/services/center-for-health-improvement/</a>.

HaysMed 'Walk with a Doc' offers new date, location

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly announced seven appointments and nine reappointments to the following state boards and commissions.&nbsp;

Kansas Board of Cosmetology&nbsp; Purpose: This Board is charged with regulation of the cosmetology profession and its educational institutions to protect the health and safety of the public.&nbsp;

KS Animal Health Board Purpose: To act as an advisory board to the KS Department of Agriculture and the KS Livestock Commission.&nbsp;

Council on Travel and Tourism Purpose: To advise Kansas Tourism in the development and implementation of the state’s tourism marketing and business development programs.&nbsp;

• Susie Santo, Wichita • Kimberlee Anspach,&nbsp;Lawrence • Rob Bergquist, Topeka • Donna Price, Goodland (reappointment) • Karen Hibbard, Manhattan (reappointment) • Janet McRae, Paola (reappointment) • Rosa Cavazos, Topeka (reappointment) • Chuck Magerl, Lawrence (reappointment) • Suzan Barnes, Cottonwood Falls (reappointment)&nbsp;

KS State Fair Board Purpose: To serve as an advisory board for the planning and promotion of the Kansas State Fair.&nbsp;

• Paula Landoll-Smith, Marysville (reappointment) • Holly Lofton, Lindsborg (reappointment) • John Leslie, Lawrence (reappointment)&nbsp;

State Civil Service Board Purpose: To hear appeals from classified state employees with permanent status under the Kansas civil service act as well as applicants for classified positions who are entitled by law and regulation to appeal to the Board.&nbsp;

KS Wildlife and Parks Commission Purpose: To conserve and enhance Kansas’ wildlife and to provide the public with opportunities for use and appreciation of Kansas’ natural resources.&nbsp;

Office of the Governor TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly announced seven appointments and nine reappointments to the following state boards and commissions.&nbsp;Kansas Board of Cosmetology&nbsp; Purpose: This Board is charged with regulation of the cosmetology profession and its educational institutions to protect the health and safety of the public.&nbsp;• Bryan Parsons, Wichita&nbsp;KS Animal Health Board Purpose: To act as an advisory board to the KS Department of Agriculture and the KS Livestock Commission.&nbsp;• Neil Bouray, Webber&nbsp;Council on Travel and Tourism Purpose: To advise Kansas Tourism in the development and implementation of the state’s tourism marketing and business development programs.&nbsp;• Susie Santo, Wichita • Kimberlee Anspach,&nbsp;Lawrence • Rob Bergquist, Topeka • Donna Price, Goodland (reappointment) • Karen Hibbard, Manhattan (reappointment) • Janet McRae, Paola (reappointment) • Rosa Cavazos, Topeka (reappointment) • Chuck Magerl, Lawrence (reappointment) • Suzan Barnes, Cottonwood Falls (reappointment)&nbsp; KS State Fair Board Purpose: To serve as an advisory board for the planning and promotion of the Kansas State Fair.&nbsp;• Paula Landoll-Smith, Marysville (reappointment) • Holly Lofton, Lindsborg (reappointment) • John Leslie, Lawrence (reappointment)&nbsp;State Civil Service Board Purpose: To hear appeals from classified state employees with permanent status under the Kansas civil service act as well as applicants for classified positions who are entitled by law and regulation to appeal to the Board.&nbsp;• Jordan Massey, Wichita&nbsp;KS Wildlife and Parks Commission Purpose: To conserve and enhance Kansas’ wildlife and to provide the public with opportunities for use and appreciation of Kansas’ natural resources.&nbsp;• Whitney Damron, Topeka&nbsp;

Goodland resident reappointed to state Council on Travel and Tourism

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712079890489.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

GOVE COUNTY—A teen was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Tuesday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol a 2018 Polaris Ranger XP driven by&nbsp; Tracy&nbsp;Beckner, 16, Wirtz, Vermont,&nbsp;&nbsp;was northbound on County Road 78 approximately one half mile south of Old Highway 4o.

The driver made a several point turn to go southbound and accelerated at a high rate of speed with a very strong wind pushing from behind.&nbsp; The driver lost control of the vehicle and rolled into the east ditch.

EMS transported Wirz to Gove County Medical Center Four juvenile passengers present in the vehicle; juvenile record protected data, according to the KHP.

GOVE COUNTY—A teen was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Tuesday in Gove County.The Kansas Highway Patrol a 2018 Polaris Ranger XP driven by&nbsp; Tracy&nbsp;Beckner, 16, Wirtz, Vermont,&nbsp;&nbsp;was northbound on County Road 78 approximately one half mile south of Old Highway 4o.The driver made a several point turn to go southbound and accelerated at a high rate of speed with a very strong wind pushing from behind.&nbsp; The driver lost control of the vehicle and rolled into the east ditch.EMS transported Wirz to Gove County Medical Center Four juvenile passengers present in the vehicle; juvenile record protected data, according to the KHP.

Teen hospitalized after UTV rolls into NW Kansas ditch

Hays High vs Dodge City Tuesday, April 2 Hays, Kan. - Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex

Radio: KFIX (96.9) <a href="https://kfix.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network <a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/1041433">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The Hays High Indians softball team returns to the diamond Tuesday afternoon for a Western Athletic Conference matchup with the Dodge City Red Demons.

The first pitch is set for approximately 5:45p.m.&nbsp;

Live coverage includes The Hays High Sports Network and
Eagle Radio.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699014932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays High vs Dodge City Tuesday, April 2 Hays, Kan. - Bickle-Schmidt Sports ComplexRadio: KFIX (96.9) <a href="https://kfix.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network <a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/1041433">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>The Hays High Indians softball team returns to the diamond Tuesday afternoon for a Western Athletic Conference matchup with the Dodge City Red Demons.The first pitch is set for approximately 5:45p.m.&nbsp;Live coverage includes The Hays High Sports Network and
Eagle Radio.

🥎🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High hosts Dodge City

&nbsp;By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/dale-hogg/">DALE HOGG</a> Kansas Reflector

BARTON COUNTY — There was a collective sigh of relief from members of the Barton County Planning Commission following a lengthy morning meeting March 14.

They had just approved the final draft of new zoning regulations and a revised zoning map governing the development of large-scale and commercial&nbsp;solar energy conversion systems, rules that were OK’d Friday by the Barton County Commission during a special meeting. These actions capped an arduous 10 months of meetings, hearings and heartfelt testimony as county residents came to grips with the idea of having a solar installation in their backyards.

In the works for years, Chicago-based Acciona Energy USA hopes to soon finalize and build what has become a hot-button multimillion-dollar commercial solar farm in northcentral Barton County. The project has pitted concerned opponents fearful of its proximity to Cheyenne Bottoms — the internationally recognized and largest wetland in the interior U.S. — against landowners who feel their land-use rights are threatened.

“This has been a heated, controversial and emotional issue,” said county environmental manager Judy Goreham, who oversees the planning commission.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The planning commission, a volunteer body, is charged with reviewing and recommending the zoning regulations that will ultimately impact Acciona’s endeavor. Members have spent a year drafting zoning guidelines for commercial solar, something not already on the county’s books.

“I’m glad to have that behind us,” said Russell Carson, a planning commission member.

While the draft received unanimous approval, it was the product of intense discussion and compromise as commissioners weighed the pros and cons of the project.

Goreham walked the commission through the revised guidelines page by page. The draft integrated the comments gleaned from the myriad public hearings and more than 600 edits submitted by Acciona.

The planning commission also considered several zoning map alternatives, factoring in the Cheyenne Bottoms and the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway that cuts through the region. The approved rules allow for a two-mile no-build zone around the wetland and the existing one-mile no-build zone along the byway.

This meant the draft was then subject to a 14-day public protest period. If no opposition were filed, the draft could go before the Barton County Commission.

Last May, the county commission approved a moratorium on all commercial-scale solar projects in the county to give the zoning group time to come up with the rules. That was set to expire Sunday, before the county commission was scheduled to meet again.

But commissioners set a special meeting for Friday, adopted the zoning changes and allowed the moratorium to expire.

Friday’s meeting was packed and included more emotional comments from those on both sides of the issue. But in the end, county commissioners gave the nod to large-scale solar installations while noting the toll the debate took on their constituents.

“This is pitting neighbors against neighbors. We have to end this divide,” said Commissioner Tricia Schlessiger. “Let us remember that we are all neighbors and friends.”

There were compromises made by both sides, she said, and now is the time to come back together.

“It’s frustrating,” Goreham said. “This is for all solar projects. This is not just for Acciona. All we are doing now is writing the rules,” something a lot of those close to the matter don’t understand.

“Everyone is so engaged in this,” she said. It has become a highly emotional issue, and that has clouded much of the public discourse.

Acciona, she said, still has to file its application. At that point, the rules will come into play and the county commission will have the final say after public notices, a public hearing and protest period.

The planning commission, which operates independently of the county commission, began work in early 2023 to stitch together existing rules developed for wind turbines in 2008 with solar regulations from other counties and cities.

“I mashed them all together and we went through line by line,” Goreham said.

Meanwhile, the county commission placed a moratorium on solar development.

Planning commissioners gathered input from the public, businesses, state agencies and conversation groups, including considerations for Cheyenne Bottoms.

A draft emerged by summer 2023 after meetings were held with Acciona, utility companies, state agencies and conservation groups. By December 2023, the first version of the guidelines was ready.

Two of the public hearings attracted large crowds, the first of which devolved into a raucous gathering filled with opponents voicing emotional opposition and conspiracy theories.

But “there was some constructive feedback,” Gorehan said.

With the advances in technology and the growth of renewable energy, counties across the state are scrambling to develop guidelines.

The plan in Barton County is for a 300-megawatt facility made up of two 150-MW installations, said Josh Svaty, a former state agriculture secretary and attorney working for Acciona who attended the March 14 meeting. There will also be two storage battery sites.

“We appreciate the work that planning and zoning and the county commission has done,” Svaty said. “We look forward to the end of the moratorium and potentially the opportunity to put in an application.”

Acciona, a subsidiary of Madrid, Spain-based Acciona Group, has leased several thousand acres with option to build. But the final installation will cover about 2,100 acres, Svaty said.

The final footprint of the solar arrays will be based on the zoning map requirements, he said.

They will have to “stitch together” locations to accommodate the needed acreage, but hope to keep them as contiguous as possible for efficiency.

The company plans on tapping into an existing substation at the northeast corner of Great Bend and a new one to be constructed further north and east. There is also a transmission line that crosses this area.

Beyond that, “it’s difficult to have a specific conversation on the project,” Svaty said.

There are still several steps to take, such as an environment impact study, before Acciona can file its application, he said. This will outline more details as to the scope and financial/economic impact of the effort.

Company officials have mentioned a workforce of around 300 in the area during the construction and around 30 long-term for project operation and maintenance. A $1.6 million figure in tax revenue for the county also has been discussed.

Once ground is broken, Svaty said, construction will take between 18 months and two years.

Acciona will receive a federally mandated 10-year property tax abatement starting when the project goes online. But, Svaty said, the company will have a donation agreement with the county in lieu of paying the taxes, the amount of which will be negotiated during the application process.

Svaty said the user of the generated electricity will depend on who purchases it. Some of the power may wind up being used by Barton County consumers.

It will be entirely outside Great Bend city limits, but portions of the proposed development area fall within the city’s three-mile extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction. City officials have started discussions on zoning requirements but were waiting on the county so that both sets of regulations would align.

There isn’t much data available on how solar farms impact migrating wildlife, said Jerry Nye of Ducks Unlimited, a conservation group.

“My major objection is the location,” Nye said. “If they just moved this thing five miles in one direction or another, we wouldn’t be having all this discussion.”

He said birds fly low to the ground, particularly when headed into the wind, creating the chance for collisions with the panels. And there is a “lake affect,” where birds mistake the gleaming solar panels as a body of water, he said.

Cheyenne Bottoms is recognized as a wetland of international importance through the Ramsar Convention. It is an important stop along the Central Flyway, an aerial highway used by birds — some endangered, such as the whooping crane — migrating back and forth between Canada and South America.

Opponents fear this will negatively impact this migratory process.

There are also worries of possible toxic contamination from the materials in the panels if they are damaged

Other concerns include the chance of fires from the storage battery sites, negative effects of solar installations on property taxes, and the involvement of an international corporation.

“They will never understand nor respect the significance of Cheyenne Bottoms to Barton County and the world,” said outdoor enthusiast Dan Witt. “It could never be replaced and to put it at any risk for any amount of money to anyone is not logical or even imaginable.”

He has presented the county commission with a petition with more than 1,400 signatures opposing the plan.

The bottoms complex occupies&nbsp;approximately 41,000 acres in Barton County and is the largest wetland in the interior U.S. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks manages about 20,000 of those acres, and the Nature Conservancy owns and manages nearly 8,000 acres in the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve.

Chris Clasen, who has leased land to Acciona, said she has “kind of been the squeaky wheel for our lands rights.”

“I feel we do have the right to lease our land for this,” Clasen said.

She said she understands the concerns, but “there are no indications that birds will land on these.”

The panels don’t lie flat and are designed to absorb light, not reflect it.

Besides, she argued, the existing highways and power transmission lines likely kill more birds than any solar installation would.

Furthermore, thousands of hunters visit the bottoms each year and kill thousands of birds, she said.

“That is kind of hypocritical. I could have leased my land for hunting and no one would have a problem with it,” Clasen said.

“We have built towns out there,” she added. “We have built housing developments out there. And we’ve even built a dump (the Barton County Landfill) out there. The birds still migrate.”

She said there are already oil wells and private solar panels in the area. It was even used as a practice bombing range for B-29 bomber crews during World War II.

She said she is a sixth-generation farmer, and the homestead dates to 1871, when settlers were considered pioneers.

“Renewable energy is coming,” she said. “We are on the cusp of being pioneers for this now.”

Steve Neeland, of Great Bend, owns land within the two-mile no-build zone with his siblings.

He said he understands the concerns over wildlife. But, he said, they have always practiced responsible stewardship of the land and feel they should be allowed to utilize their property as they see fit.

“I think we need to use some good common sense,” Neeland said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712009047224.png" alt="The Barton County Commission at a packed special meeting Friday approved new zoning regulations allowing large-scale solar energy installations in the county. The action followed nearly a year of often emotional debate over the matter and how such projects would impact Cheyenne Bottoms. Photo by Dale Hogg Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>The Barton County Commission at a packed special meeting Friday approved new zoning regulations allowing large-scale solar energy installations in the county. The action followed nearly a year of often emotional debate over the matter and how such projects would impact Cheyenne Bottoms. Photo by Dale Hogg Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/dale-hogg/">DALE HOGG</a> Kansas ReflectorBARTON COUNTY — There was a collective sigh of relief from members of the Barton County Planning Commission following a lengthy morning meeting March 14.They had just approved the final draft of new zoning regulations and a revised zoning map governing the development of large-scale and commercial&nbsp;solar energy conversion systems, rules that were OK’d Friday by the Barton County Commission during a special meeting. These actions capped an arduous 10 months of meetings, hearings and heartfelt testimony as county residents came to grips with the idea of having a solar installation in their backyards.In the works for years, Chicago-based Acciona Energy USA hopes to soon finalize and build what has become a hot-button multimillion-dollar commercial solar farm in northcentral Barton County. The project has pitted concerned opponents fearful of its proximity to Cheyenne Bottoms — the internationally recognized and largest wetland in the interior U.S. — against landowners who feel their land-use rights are threatened.“This has been a heated, controversial and emotional issue,” said county environmental manager Judy Goreham, who oversees the planning commission.&nbsp;&nbsp;The planning commission, a volunteer body, is charged with reviewing and recommending the zoning regulations that will ultimately impact Acciona’s endeavor. Members have spent a year drafting zoning guidelines for commercial solar, something not already on the county’s books.“I’m glad to have that behind us,” said Russell Carson, a planning commission member.While the draft received unanimous approval, it was the product of intense discussion and compromise as commissioners weighed the pros and cons of the project.Goreham walked the commission through the revised guidelines page by page. The draft integrated the comments gleaned from the myriad public hearings and more than 600 edits submitted by Acciona.The planning commission also considered several zoning map alternatives, factoring in the Cheyenne Bottoms and the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway that cuts through the region. The approved rules allow for a two-mile no-build zone around the wetland and the existing one-mile no-build zone along the byway.This meant the draft was then subject to a 14-day public protest period. If no opposition were filed, the draft could go before the Barton County Commission.And this created a problem.Last May, the county commission approved a moratorium on all commercial-scale solar projects in the county to give the zoning group time to come up with the rules. That was set to expire Sunday, before the county commission was scheduled to meet again.But commissioners set a special meeting for Friday, adopted the zoning changes and allowed the moratorium to expire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712008956911.png" alt="Barton County Planning Commission member Mary Anne Stoskopf, center, discusses new zoning maps incorporating changes for solar farms during a commission meeting March 14. Also pictured are commissioners James Welch and Billie Bonomo. Photo by Dale Hogg Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Barton County Planning Commission member Mary Anne Stoskopf, center, discusses new zoning maps incorporating changes for solar farms during a commission meeting March 14. Also pictured are commissioners James Welch and Billie Bonomo. Photo by Dale Hogg Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Neighbors and friends</h2>Friday’s meeting was packed and included more emotional comments from those on both sides of the issue. But in the end, county commissioners gave the nod to large-scale solar installations while noting the toll the debate took on their constituents.“This is pitting neighbors against neighbors. We have to end this divide,” said Commissioner Tricia Schlessiger. “Let us remember that we are all neighbors and friends.”There were compromises made by both sides, she said, and now is the time to come back together.There are more decisions to make.“It’s frustrating,” Goreham said. “This is for all solar projects. This is not just for Acciona. All we are doing now is writing the rules,” something a lot of those close to the matter don’t understand.“Everyone is so engaged in this,” she said. It has become a highly emotional issue, and that has clouded much of the public discourse.Acciona, she said, still has to file its application. At that point, the rules will come into play and the county commission will have the final say after public notices, a public hearing and protest period.<h2>Getting here</h2>The planning commission, which operates independently of the county commission, began work in early 2023 to stitch together existing rules developed for wind turbines in 2008 with solar regulations from other counties and cities.“I mashed them all together and we went through line by line,” Goreham said.Meanwhile, the county commission placed a moratorium on solar development.Planning commissioners gathered input from the public, businesses, state agencies and conversation groups, including considerations for Cheyenne Bottoms.A draft emerged by summer 2023 after meetings were held with Acciona, utility companies, state agencies and conservation groups. By December 2023, the first version of the guidelines was ready.Two of the public hearings attracted large crowds, the first of which devolved into a raucous gathering filled with opponents voicing emotional opposition and conspiracy theories.But “there was some constructive feedback,” Gorehan said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712008806015.png" alt="The electrical substation on the eastern edge of Great Bend will be used by a proposed commercial solar farm in Barton County.&nbsp; (Photo by Dale Hogg/ Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>The electrical substation on the eastern edge of Great Bend will be used by a proposed commercial solar farm in Barton County.&nbsp; (Photo by Dale Hogg/ Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>About the project</h2>With the advances in technology and the growth of renewable energy, counties across the state are scrambling to develop guidelines.The plan in Barton County is for a 300-megawatt facility made up of two 150-MW installations, said Josh Svaty, a former state agriculture secretary and attorney working for Acciona who attended the March 14 meeting. There will also be two storage battery sites.“We appreciate the work that planning and zoning and the county commission has done,” Svaty said. “We look forward to the end of the moratorium and potentially the opportunity to put in an application.”Acciona, a subsidiary of Madrid, Spain-based Acciona Group, has leased several thousand acres with option to build. But the final installation will cover about 2,100 acres, Svaty said.The final footprint of the solar arrays will be based on the zoning map requirements, he said.They will have to “stitch together” locations to accommodate the needed acreage, but hope to keep them as contiguous as possible for efficiency.The company plans on tapping into an existing substation at the northeast corner of Great Bend and a new one to be constructed further north and east. There is also a transmission line that crosses this area.Beyond that, “it’s difficult to have a specific conversation on the project,” Svaty said.There are still several steps to take, such as an environment impact study, before Acciona can file its application, he said. This will outline more details as to the scope and financial/economic impact of the effort.Company officials have mentioned a workforce of around 300 in the area during the construction and around 30 long-term for project operation and maintenance. A $1.6 million figure in tax revenue for the county also has been discussed.Once ground is broken, Svaty said, construction will take between 18 months and two years.Acciona will receive a federally mandated 10-year property tax abatement starting when the project goes online. But, Svaty said, the company will have a donation agreement with the county in lieu of paying the taxes, the amount of which will be negotiated during the application process.Svaty said the user of the generated electricity will depend on who purchases it. Some of the power may wind up being used by Barton County consumers.It will be entirely outside Great Bend city limits, but portions of the proposed development area fall within the city’s three-mile extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction. City officials have started discussions on zoning requirements but were waiting on the county so that both sets of regulations would align.<h2>Cheyenne Bottoms</h2>There isn’t much data available on how solar farms impact migrating wildlife, said Jerry Nye of Ducks Unlimited, a conservation group.“My major objection is the location,” Nye said. “If they just moved this thing five miles in one direction or another, we wouldn’t be having all this discussion.”He said birds fly low to the ground, particularly when headed into the wind, creating the chance for collisions with the panels. And there is a “lake affect,” where birds mistake the gleaming solar panels as a body of water, he said.Cheyenne Bottoms is recognized as a wetland of international importance through the Ramsar Convention. It is an important stop along the Central Flyway, an aerial highway used by birds — some endangered, such as the whooping crane — migrating back and forth between Canada and South America.Opponents fear this will negatively impact this migratory process.There are also worries of possible toxic contamination from the materials in the panels if they are damagedOther concerns include the chance of fires from the storage battery sites, negative effects of solar installations on property taxes, and the involvement of an international corporation.“They will never understand nor respect the significance of Cheyenne Bottoms to Barton County and the world,” said outdoor enthusiast Dan Witt. “It could never be replaced and to put it at any risk for any amount of money to anyone is not logical or even imaginable.”He has presented the county commission with a petition with more than 1,400 signatures opposing the plan.The bottoms complex occupies&nbsp;approximately 41,000 acres in Barton County and is the largest wetland in the interior U.S. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks manages about 20,000 of those acres, and the Nature Conservancy owns and manages nearly 8,000 acres in the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve.<h2>Landowner rights</h2>Chris Clasen, who has leased land to Acciona, said she has “kind of been the squeaky wheel for our lands rights.”“I feel we do have the right to lease our land for this,” Clasen said.She said she understands the concerns, but “there are no indications that birds will land on these.”The panels don’t lie flat and are designed to absorb light, not reflect it.Besides, she argued, the existing highways and power transmission lines likely kill more birds than any solar installation would.Furthermore, thousands of hunters visit the bottoms each year and kill thousands of birds, she said.“That is kind of hypocritical. I could have leased my land for hunting and no one would have a problem with it,” Clasen said.“We have built towns out there,” she added. “We have built housing developments out there. And we’ve even built a dump (the Barton County Landfill) out there. The birds still migrate.”She said there are already oil wells and private solar panels in the area. It was even used as a practice bombing range for B-29 bomber crews during World War II.She said she is a sixth-generation farmer, and the homestead dates to 1871, when settlers were considered pioneers.“Renewable energy is coming,” she said. “We are on the cusp of being pioneers for this now.”Steve Neeland, of Great Bend, owns land within the two-mile no-build zone with his siblings.He said he understands the concerns over wildlife. But, he said, they have always practiced responsible stewardship of the land and feel they should be allowed to utilize their property as they see fit.“I think we need to use some good common sense,” Neeland said.

Kansas solar development sparks emotional debate over location near Cheyenne Bottoms

ATWOOD — Most of us have experienced the challenge of starting over at a new job, changing schools when we were younger, or possibly even moving to an entirely different town. But imagine leaving everything you’ve known - including your family, culture, and even native language - to begin a new life, a new career, and embrace the unknown in a new country. This is Narmina’s story.

Narmina&nbsp;Bergling, a bookkeeper for Vap&nbsp;Construction, Atwood, since June of 2023, was born and raised in Azerbaijan, a small nation located in the Caucasus region, straddling Europe and Asia. She graduated from the language department at her university, equipped with three new languages, and then began working at the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan.

Narmina&nbsp;met her&nbsp;husband, Jason, online and he soon joined her in Azerbaijan. They were married&nbsp;and resided there until April 2023, when they moved back to northwest Kansas. 

Narmina&nbsp;began working for Vap&nbsp;Construction shortly after that move. “I was working in government and a completely different industry. And, my language was different. I’ve never done bookkeeping before," she says. "The language barrier was challenging, but I like to prove to myself that I can face challenges and I can win.”

Narmina’s commitment to being a life-long learner has drawn the attention and respect of her co-workers.

 "She speaks four languages and is currently working to learn Spanish," says Barbara Steiner, payroll specialist and human resources manager for Vap Construction. "I am teaching her as much as possible about my department before she moves on."

As a highly motivated individual, Narmina&nbsp;draws inspiration from her grandfather. “I saw how he was successful all his life, and he’s an example for me. I just want to be like him," she says. "He worked for the government as a presidential advisor. I always looked to him and he always inspired me and told me I would be successful like him too.” 

Narmina will be leaving Vap Construction in June of this year, but her story and influence have had a lasting, profound impact on her co-workers and others as well. 

Owner Linda Young-Vap was quick to compliment Narmina's tenacity.

 “Narmina is such an incredible woman. Having moved from California to Kansas myself and working through that adjustment, I can only imagine how much courage it took for her to move from her close-knit family in Azerbaijan to rural, northwest Kansas," Young-Vap says. "She comes to work every day with a smile on her face and is ready to tackle even the most complicated projects. We can all benefit from the influence and inspiration of stories like Narmina's, and she's a great reminder that we can all 'face challenges... and WIN.'" 

About Vap Construction, Inc.

Vap Construction, Inc. was founded by Jeff and Linda Vap over 20 years ago as a general contractor offering new construction for homes and commercial properties, as well as remodeling services. The company expanded into post-frame and steel-frame buildings in 2004, and is now well-known across their 4-state territory for putting up the highest quality buildings available on the market. Learn more about Vap Construction, Inc. by visiting <a target="_blank" href="http://www.vapconstruction.com/">www.vapconstruction.com</a>, or by looking them up on social media.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711728491558.png" alt="Narmina Bergling (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Narmina Bergling (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedATWOOD — Most of us have experienced the challenge of starting over at a new job, changing schools when we were younger, or possibly even moving to an entirely different town. But imagine leaving everything you’ve known - including your family, culture, and even native language - to begin a new life, a new career, and embrace the unknown in a new country. This is Narmina’s story.Narmina&nbsp;Bergling, a bookkeeper for Vap&nbsp;Construction, Atwood, since June of 2023, was born and raised in Azerbaijan, a small nation located in the Caucasus region, straddling Europe and Asia. She graduated from the language department at her university, equipped with three new languages, and then began working at the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan.Narmina&nbsp;met her&nbsp;husband, Jason, online and he soon joined her in Azerbaijan. They were married&nbsp;and resided there until April 2023, when they moved back to northwest Kansas. Narmina&nbsp;began working for Vap&nbsp;Construction shortly after that move. “I was working in government and a completely different industry. And, my language was different. I’ve never done bookkeeping before," she says. "The language barrier was challenging, but I like to prove to myself that I can face challenges and I can win.”Narmina’s commitment to being a life-long learner has drawn the attention and respect of her co-workers. "She speaks four languages and is currently working to learn Spanish," says Barbara Steiner, payroll specialist and human resources manager for Vap Construction. "I am teaching her as much as possible about my department before she moves on."As a highly motivated individual, Narmina&nbsp;draws inspiration from her grandfather. “I saw how he was successful all his life, and he’s an example for me. I just want to be like him," she says. "He worked for the government as a presidential advisor. I always looked to him and he always inspired me and told me I would be successful like him too.” Narmina will be leaving Vap Construction in June of this year, but her story and influence have had a lasting, profound impact on her co-workers and others as well. Owner Linda Young-Vap was quick to compliment Narmina's tenacity. “Narmina is such an incredible woman. Having moved from California to Kansas myself and working through that adjustment, I can only imagine how much courage it took for her to move from her close-knit family in Azerbaijan to rural, northwest Kansas," Young-Vap says. "She comes to work every day with a smile on her face and is ready to tackle even the most complicated projects. We can all benefit from the influence and inspiration of stories like Narmina's, and she's a great reminder that we can all 'face challenges... and WIN.'" About Vap Construction, Inc.Vap Construction, Inc. was founded by Jeff and Linda Vap over 20 years ago as a general contractor offering new construction for homes and commercial properties, as well as remodeling services. The company expanded into post-frame and steel-frame buildings in 2004, and is now well-known across their 4-state territory for putting up the highest quality buildings available on the market. Learn more about Vap Construction, Inc. by visiting <a target="_blank" href="http://www.vapconstruction.com/">www.vapconstruction.com</a>, or by looking them up on social media.

From Azerbaijan to Atwood: A woman's journey of triumph and inspiration 

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Smiles, energy, and enthusiasm. As it turns out, those are the ingredients for "Wheel of Fortune" fans to become contestants. Doing just that has been a longtime dream for Great Bend native Kiley Klug, now an English teacher at Hoisington Middle School. Those dreams came true after one of Klug's many attempts to get on the show finally panned out. Her show will air on Friday, April 5 on NBC.

"I have been a 'Wheel of Fortune' nerd as far back as I can remember," she said. "I applied online in my 20s and never heard anything. Probably between a year and a half to two years ago, they started with post-COVID and they weren't traveling anymore, and they had video applications." 

Then the waiting game began. One day, Klug was teaching her class when an email from the show popped up. Unable to wait, Klug had her paraprofessional, Cassie Morales, check it out.

"I told her, 'I just got an email from "Wheel of Fortune,"' Klug said. "'There's no way. It has to be spam. It has to be a prank or a hoax.'"

Morales reported that everything seemed legitimate. Klug confirmed that she was moving on to the next stage of the audition process, which would be a meeting via Zoom.

"I was devastated the first time around," said Klug. "I was stalking my email and they never sent me the Zoom look. I thought that was it. My name would get lost and nothing would ever come of it. I tried to forget about it."

But a month later, another email popped up. "I tried not to get my hopes up," Klug said. "I had told everybody. I told my boss. I told everybody in the school, then nothing came of it. I looked kind of foolish."

This time, everything worked out. Klug was provided a link for a Zoom meeting the next day. She got permission from her principal to leave the classroom for a few minutes. In the five-minute meeting, a producer reminded Klug to bring her smile, energy, and enthusiasm. She immediately qualified for a second audition, but only if she promised to bring more of that personality.

"I'm telling you, 'Wheel of Fortune,' yes there's a bit of puzzle solving and strategy, but No. 1, they are looking for smile, energy, enthusiasm, and they tell you that at every turn. They want somebody fun to watch."

The second audition included another potential contestant from Illinois. They solved three toss-up puzzles, with Klug winning two of the games. In a breakout session that followed, Klug was less confident after solving about half of the 16 puzzles presented.

"At the end, the producer comes on and says, 'Okay, we're done. Bye!'" Klug said. "That was it. I didn't get a good vibe from that at all."

The waiting game began anew. Klug Google searched information from others who have auditioned. She was checking her email two dozen times a day for good news or bad. Finally, five weeks later, a last-minute check of the email before going to bed revealed the best of news.

"I briefly saw my taping date was two weeks from that day," she said. "I started screaming. The second I started screaming, my husband knew exactly what happened."

The email informed Klug her taping date would be Feb. 22 at the Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. She had to pay for her own accommodations to get there but if she was selected for a taping, the show would provide a $1,000 stipend.

There was a caveat: 21 potential contestants were invited to record six shows that day. With just three contestants on each show, that meant three would remain as alternates. Out-of-state alternates were given just a $750 travel stipend.

Klug traveled with her husband, Gavin, her sister, Rachel, and two of her three sons. She arrived at the studio at 6:15 a.m., 30 minutes early to demonstrate some enthusiasm. The contestants were ushered into the "Jeopardy" studio where Vanna White stopped in to introduce herself.

"She came in and told us all good morning and tried to hype us up a little bit," said Klug. "She's everything she is on TV. She's super-sweet and so kind."

While in the "Jeopardy" studio, the potential contestants watched a video on possible strategies and categories that may be included in a taping. All morning long, producers reminded the group to keep up their smiles, energy, and enthusiasm.

In a strange bit of fate, Klug had posted about her upcoming trip to Los Angeles on social media. One of her husband's friends sent her a message: one of his friends from Holton would also be making the trip. Klug was able to meet that contestant who also made the show.

From the "Jeopardy" set, the contestants moved to the "Wheel of Fortune" set where they practiced spinning the wheel. They were grouped and played a single round of the game. Contestants were then named three at a time and a ping pong ball was drawn to determine which taping those contestants would attend. Klug was one of the final contestants named and her group drew the fourth taping.

Klug had to give up her phone when she arrived at the studio. Her family was allowed into the "Wheel of Fortune" studio at 11 a.m., but contestants were sat on the opposite side of the studio and the two sides were to have no contact. 

"My husband, my sister, my kids, they're all trying to get my attention," Klug said. "I had to straight-up ignore them."

Just days before the group departed Kansas, Klug's husband had overheard a conversation with producers that three alternates would be selected. They anxiously awaited Klug to make her appearance on the stage with no knowledge she would be in the fourth taping. They sat through three tapings with no sign of Kiley, then had to break for lunch.

"They leave and they are beside themselves," Klug said. "They are down. They are depressed. They are thinking this isn't going to happen. She's going to be an alternate and we're going to stay here all day until 7 p.m. for nothing. They were so upset."

With everyone back in the studio after lunch, the family no longer saw Klug in her bright pink blazer sitting on the other side of the room. Sure enough, they exploded with excitement as she made her way onto the stage.

Then it was introduction time. Klug graduated from Great Bend High School but lives in Odin. "They were very, very interested in the fact that I was from a town with 100 people," she said.

Klug had promised her students she would give them a shoutout during the introduction. A producer told her she would have to leave that bit behind.

"It ended up being too confusing to include that I was both from a town of 100 people and that I had around 100 students at Hoisington Middle School," Klug said. "We had to nix the part of my introduction where I gave my school and kids a shoutout. I was really bummed about that."

Then it was showtime. "Wheel of Fortune" is 22 minutes of actual airtime on NBC. Klug estimated the average taping took approximately 40 minutes.

"On my show, for some reason or another, a puzzle was compromised and we were in the middle of a round," she said. "We all had to turn around and it took a while for them to get it all figured out."

Klug said the taping of the show otherwise resembled exactly what viewers see on TV. She never had the stage fright many gameshow players often describe.

"I was 100 percent shocked at how calm and collected I felt up there," she said. "It was so bizarre. I've always been so nervous; nervous about public speaking. Obviously, after so long, I've gotten better about it. I was not nervous at all. It was so surreal and bizarre. I really felt like I was solving puzzles at home. I know not a lot of people wouldn't agree with me on that. I know some other contestants were very nervous and froze."

Klug has proven she can keep a secret. Strict rules prohibit her from releasing any details about the outcome of the game prior to its air date. She thinks that actually adds to the fun. 

"My mother is not very excited that I can't tell her anything," she said. "But I don't want to cheat them out of seeing all this for the first time. I feel like it's just so entertaining. Whether I win or lose, I want them to experience this the first time when they watch it for the first time. I feel like it would ruin the whole experience if they learned anything about it."

Klug will make her big television debut at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711984402375.jpeg" alt="Watch for the pink blazer on the April 5 airing of 'Wheel of Fortune.' Great Bend native Kiley Krug (right) will fulfill a longtime dream as a contestant on the show after taping in February. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Watch for the pink blazer on the April 5 airing of 'Wheel of Fortune.' Great Bend native Kiley Krug (right) will fulfill a longtime dream as a contestant on the show after taping in February. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostSmiles, energy, and enthusiasm. As it turns out, those are the ingredients for "Wheel of Fortune" fans to become contestants. Doing just that has been a longtime dream for Great Bend native Kiley Klug, now an English teacher at Hoisington Middle School. Those dreams came true after one of Klug's many attempts to get on the show finally panned out. Her show will air on Friday, April 5 on NBC."I have been a 'Wheel of Fortune' nerd as far back as I can remember," she said. "I applied online in my 20s and never heard anything. Probably between a year and a half to two years ago, they started with post-COVID and they weren't traveling anymore, and they had video applications." Then the waiting game began. One day, Klug was teaching her class when an email from the show popped up. Unable to wait, Klug had her paraprofessional, Cassie Morales, check it out."I told her, 'I just got an email from "Wheel of Fortune,"' Klug said. "'There's no way. It has to be spam. It has to be a prank or a hoax.'"Morales reported that everything seemed legitimate. Klug confirmed that she was moving on to the next stage of the audition process, which would be a meeting via Zoom."I was devastated the first time around," said Klug. "I was stalking my email and they never sent me the Zoom look. I thought that was it. My name would get lost and nothing would ever come of it. I tried to forget about it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710422249917.jpeg" alt="Klug made the trip to California with her husband, Gavin, and two sons. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Klug made the trip to California with her husband, Gavin, and two sons. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>But a month later, another email popped up. "I tried not to get my hopes up," Klug said. "I had told everybody. I told my boss. I told everybody in the school, then nothing came of it. I looked kind of foolish."This time, everything worked out. Klug was provided a link for a Zoom meeting the next day. She got permission from her principal to leave the classroom for a few minutes. In the five-minute meeting, a producer reminded Klug to bring her smile, energy, and enthusiasm. She immediately qualified for a second audition, but only if she promised to bring more of that personality."I'm telling you, 'Wheel of Fortune,' yes there's a bit of puzzle solving and strategy, but No. 1, they are looking for smile, energy, enthusiasm, and they tell you that at every turn. They want somebody fun to watch."The second audition included another potential contestant from Illinois. They solved three toss-up puzzles, with Klug winning two of the games. In a breakout session that followed, Klug was less confident after solving about half of the 16 puzzles presented."At the end, the producer comes on and says, 'Okay, we're done. Bye!'" Klug said. "That was it. I didn't get a good vibe from that at all."The waiting game began anew. Klug Google searched information from others who have auditioned. She was checking her email two dozen times a day for good news or bad. Finally, five weeks later, a last-minute check of the email before going to bed revealed the best of news."I briefly saw my taping date was two weeks from that day," she said. "I started screaming. The second I started screaming, my husband knew exactly what happened."The email informed Klug her taping date would be Feb. 22 at the Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. She had to pay for her own accommodations to get there but if she was selected for a taping, the show would provide a $1,000 stipend.There was a caveat: 21 potential contestants were invited to record six shows that day. With just three contestants on each show, that meant three would remain as alternates. Out-of-state alternates were given just a $750 travel stipend.Klug traveled with her husband, Gavin, her sister, Rachel, and two of her three sons. She arrived at the studio at 6:15 a.m., 30 minutes early to demonstrate some enthusiasm. The contestants were ushered into the "Jeopardy" studio where Vanna White stopped in to introduce herself."She came in and told us all good morning and tried to hype us up a little bit," said Klug. "She's everything she is on TV. She's super-sweet and so kind."While in the "Jeopardy" studio, the potential contestants watched a video on possible strategies and categories that may be included in a taping. All morning long, producers reminded the group to keep up their smiles, energy, and enthusiasm.In a strange bit of fate, Klug had posted about her upcoming trip to Los Angeles on social media. One of her husband's friends sent her a message: one of his friends from Holton would also be making the trip. Klug was able to meet that contestant who also made the show.From the "Jeopardy" set, the contestants moved to the "Wheel of Fortune" set where they practiced spinning the wheel. They were grouped and played a single round of the game. Contestants were then named three at a time and a ping pong ball was drawn to determine which taping those contestants would attend. Klug was one of the final contestants named and her group drew the fourth taping.Klug had to give up her phone when she arrived at the studio. Her family was allowed into the "Wheel of Fortune" studio at 11 a.m., but contestants were sat on the opposite side of the studio and the two sides were to have no contact. "My husband, my sister, my kids, they're all trying to get my attention," Klug said. "I had to straight-up ignore them."Just days before the group departed Kansas, Klug's husband had overheard a conversation with producers that three alternates would be selected. They anxiously awaited Klug to make her appearance on the stage with no knowledge she would be in the fourth taping. They sat through three tapings with no sign of Kiley, then had to break for lunch."They leave and they are beside themselves," Klug said. "They are down. They are depressed. They are thinking this isn't going to happen. She's going to be an alternate and we're going to stay here all day until 7 p.m. for nothing. They were so upset."With everyone back in the studio after lunch, the family no longer saw Klug in her bright pink blazer sitting on the other side of the room. Sure enough, they exploded with excitement as she made her way onto the stage.Then it was introduction time. Klug graduated from Great Bend High School but lives in Odin. "They were very, very interested in the fact that I was from a town with 100 people," she said.Klug had promised her students she would give them a shoutout during the introduction. A producer told her she would have to leave that bit behind."It ended up being too confusing to include that I was both from a town of 100 people and that I had around 100 students at Hoisington Middle School," Klug said. "We had to nix the part of my introduction where I gave my school and kids a shoutout. I was really bummed about that."Then it was showtime. "Wheel of Fortune" is 22 minutes of actual airtime on NBC. Klug estimated the average taping took approximately 40 minutes."On my show, for some reason or another, a puzzle was compromised and we were in the middle of a round," she said. "We all had to turn around and it took a while for them to get it all figured out."Klug said the taping of the show otherwise resembled exactly what viewers see on TV. She never had the stage fright many gameshow players often describe."I was 100 percent shocked at how calm and collected I felt up there," she said. "It was so bizarre. I've always been so nervous; nervous about public speaking. Obviously, after so long, I've gotten better about it. I was not nervous at all. It was so surreal and bizarre. I really felt like I was solving puzzles at home. I know not a lot of people wouldn't agree with me on that. I know some other contestants were very nervous and froze."Klug has proven she can keep a secret. Strict rules prohibit her from releasing any details about the outcome of the game prior to its air date. She thinks that actually adds to the fun. "My mother is not very excited that I can't tell her anything," she said. "But I don't want to cheat them out of seeing all this for the first time. I feel like it's just so entertaining. Whether I win or lose, I want them to experience this the first time when they watch it for the first time. I feel like it would ruin the whole experience if they learned anything about it."Klug will make her big television debut at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

Great Bend native appearing on April 5 'Wheel of Fortune'

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Bacteria usually gets a bad rap for causing infection, contaminating food, and weakening the immune system. However, some strains of these microorganisms are extremely beneficial to human health.

You might know these bugs as “good bacteria” that reside in the microbiome of the gut. These microbes break down foods and play an important role in nutrient absorption. They even generate vitamins B, B12, and K. 

Good gut bacteria play a part in defending against illness by developing immune cells and controlling the inflammatory response. Not only do they contribute to digestive and immune function, microbiota produce neurotransmitters and hormones which can impact mental and neurological health.

The human microbiome contains about 100 trillion microorganisms which is 10 times the number of cells in the body! At such a large number, these bacteria greatly influence the well-being of the entire body.

In fact, emerging research indicates that gut health is directly related to chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, neurological disorders, and more. When the gut is unhealthy, overgrowth of harmful bacteria limits the capacity of good bacteria. 

Diversity of microbes may also be limited which causes imbalance. This is called dysbiosis, and symptoms may include nutrient malabsorption, permeability of the intestinal wall, reduced immune response, and increased inflammation throughout the body.

Gut health is influenced at birth and factors such as breastfeeding contribute to colonization of microbiota at an early age. Throughout life, gut health can be impacted by a variety of lifestyle choices like diet, stress management, and antibiotic use.

Diet can be one of the most effective ways to impact gut health. Studies show that eating a plant-based diet supports microbiota because fiber present in produce, beans, and grains feeds good bacteria. “Eating the rainbow” by including a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables also

supports the diversity of bacteria in the gut. Another way to support the microbiome is through fermented foods. A few examples include sauerkraut, yogurt, kombucha, kefir, and sourdough bread containing probiotics. These are beneficial live bacteria that replenish the microbiome.

Stress is a multidimensional factor that can harm the gut. Research indicates that hormones and neurotransmitters have direct communication between the gut and the brain. When chronic stress is present, hormones such as cortisol can recompose the microbiome by supporting the growth of harmful bacteria. 

Therefore, managing stress is essential to promote a healthy microbiome. Regular exercise, meditation and prayer, and adequate sleep have been shown to reduce stress.

Throughout history, antibiotics have saved millions of lives and prevented the spread of mass disease. However, regular use of antibiotics can be harmful. This is because antibiotics destroy both bad and good bacteria, including microbiota. When overuse of antibiotics results in dysbiosis, the immune system can be compromised. This can lead to a vicious cycle of illness, antibiotic use, and impaired gut health among other health concerns.

Caring for the microbiome can make a tremendous impact on overall health. After all, it is an environment that contains over 100 trillion microorganisms. No wonder why it affects the whole body! Maintaining balance and increasing diversity of good bacteria through a plant-based diet, stress management, and proper use of antibiotics are just a few ways to build a healthy microbiome.

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="Karissa Winkel (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictBacteria usually gets a bad rap for causing infection, contaminating food, and weakening the immune system. However, some strains of these microorganisms are extremely beneficial to human health.You might know these bugs as “good bacteria” that reside in the microbiome of the gut. These microbes break down foods and play an important role in nutrient absorption. They even generate vitamins B, B12, and K. Good gut bacteria play a part in defending against illness by developing immune cells and controlling the inflammatory response. Not only do they contribute to digestive and immune function, microbiota produce neurotransmitters and hormones which can impact mental and neurological health.The human microbiome contains about 100 trillion microorganisms which is 10 times the number of cells in the body! At such a large number, these bacteria greatly influence the well-being of the entire body.In fact, emerging research indicates that gut health is directly related to chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, neurological disorders, and more. When the gut is unhealthy, overgrowth of harmful bacteria limits the capacity of good bacteria. Diversity of microbes may also be limited which causes imbalance. This is called dysbiosis, and symptoms may include nutrient malabsorption, permeability of the intestinal wall, reduced immune response, and increased inflammation throughout the body.Gut health is influenced at birth and factors such as breastfeeding contribute to colonization of microbiota at an early age. Throughout life, gut health can be impacted by a variety of lifestyle choices like diet, stress management, and antibiotic use.Diet can be one of the most effective ways to impact gut health. Studies show that eating a plant-based diet supports microbiota because fiber present in produce, beans, and grains feeds good bacteria. “Eating the rainbow” by including a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables alsosupports the diversity of bacteria in the gut. Another way to support the microbiome is through fermented foods. A few examples include sauerkraut, yogurt, kombucha, kefir, and sourdough bread containing probiotics. These are beneficial live bacteria that replenish the microbiome.Stress is a multidimensional factor that can harm the gut. Research indicates that hormones and neurotransmitters have direct communication between the gut and the brain. When chronic stress is present, hormones such as cortisol can recompose the microbiome by supporting the growth of harmful bacteria. Therefore, managing stress is essential to promote a healthy microbiome. Regular exercise, meditation and prayer, and adequate sleep have been shown to reduce stress.Throughout history, antibiotics have saved millions of lives and prevented the spread of mass disease. However, regular use of antibiotics can be harmful. This is because antibiotics destroy both bad and good bacteria, including microbiota. When overuse of antibiotics results in dysbiosis, the immune system can be compromised. This can lead to a vicious cycle of illness, antibiotic use, and impaired gut health among other health concerns.Caring for the microbiome can make a tremendous impact on overall health. After all, it is an environment that contains over 100 trillion microorganisms. No wonder why it affects the whole body! Maintaining balance and increasing diversity of good bacteria through a plant-based diet, stress management, and proper use of antibiotics are just a few ways to build a healthy microbiome.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

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