By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

We often associate 4-H projects with the county fair but there is so much more to the 4-H year!

The 4-H year begins in October and youth select several projects to explore and increase their knowledge and skills. 

During winter months, this project work can involve working with a beef or swine animal to begin growing, learning about health, and start handling the animal so that it is familiar with the 4-H member. 

Project work for the foods project may involve learning new skills such as measuring or using a sharp knife, and helping make meals for the family. 

Photography members can have incredible opportunities to experiment with light, shadows, and composition with the variety of weather that Kansas provides! 

Additionally, club members are taking on new leadership roles in their club and improving their communication skills at each meeting.

As we move into spring, livestock projects such as sheep and goats take off as those animals are born or purchased and youth will be learning about nutrition, animal health, and showmanship skills. 

Photography becomes even more fun as 4-H youth can explore subjects such as animals, insects, or landscapes as we can spend more time outside. 

This is the time that horticulture projects really get busy as youth work on preparing garden space and selecting seeds or plants.

This past Friday, 4-H members from seven counties gathered at Great Bend High School for Regional 4-H Day. 

Each participant was the top placing individual or group in a variety of categories from club skits to project talks to public speaking. Preparing for their local event requires good preparation and planning, as well as a lot of practice as they improve their communication skills about a topic important to the individual youth.

Throughout the year, youth learn record keeping by working on Project Records which include setting goals, learning opportunities, project work, and financial records.

Communication, Leadership, and Community Engagement are all 4-H project areas but there is a piece of each of these in every 4-H project!&nbsp;These are lifetime skills that help youth be good family members, good employees, and good community members.

Keep learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran, 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran, 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension DistrictWe often associate 4-H projects with the county fair but there is so much more to the 4-H year!The 4-H year begins in October and youth select several projects to explore and increase their knowledge and skills. During winter months, this project work can involve working with a beef or swine animal to begin growing, learning about health, and start handling the animal so that it is familiar with the 4-H member. Project work for the foods project may involve learning new skills such as measuring or using a sharp knife, and helping make meals for the family. Photography members can have incredible opportunities to experiment with light, shadows, and composition with the variety of weather that Kansas provides! Additionally, club members are taking on new leadership roles in their club and improving their communication skills at each meeting.As we move into spring, livestock projects such as sheep and goats take off as those animals are born or purchased and youth will be learning about nutrition, animal health, and showmanship skills. Photography becomes even more fun as 4-H youth can explore subjects such as animals, insects, or landscapes as we can spend more time outside. This is the time that horticulture projects really get busy as youth work on preparing garden space and selecting seeds or plants.This past Friday, 4-H members from seven counties gathered at Great Bend High School for Regional 4-H Day. Each participant was the top placing individual or group in a variety of categories from club skits to project talks to public speaking. Preparing for their local event requires good preparation and planning, as well as a lot of practice as they improve their communication skills about a topic important to the individual youth.Throughout the year, youth learn record keeping by working on Project Records which include setting goals, learning opportunities, project work, and financial records.Communication, Leadership, and Community Engagement are all 4-H project areas but there is a piece of each of these in every 4-H project!&nbsp;These are lifetime skills that help youth be good family members, good employees, and good community members.Keep learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Life skills all year

NORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation will close a 6-mile portion of K-23 in Sheridan County starting Monday, March 31.

The closure is necessary for the reconstruction of the highway from County Road 70S (CR-406) north to Walnut Avenue in Hoxie. During construction, motorists will be directed to follow the state-route detour on I-70, U.S. 83 and U.S. 24.

KDOT expects the road to reopen in late October, conditions permitting.

Sporer Land Development of Oakley is the primary contractor for the $19 million project, which is part of KDOT’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, known as IKE. 

For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Todd Anderson at 785-953-6011 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:todd.anderson@ks.gov">todd.anderson@ks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741788624852.jpeg" alt="KDOT" />
 <figcaption>KDOT</figcaption>
 </figure>KDOTNORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation will close a 6-mile portion of K-23 in Sheridan County starting Monday, March 31.The closure is necessary for the reconstruction of the highway from County Road 70S (CR-406) north to Walnut Avenue in Hoxie. During construction, motorists will be directed to follow the state-route detour on I-70, U.S. 83 and U.S. 24.KDOT expects the road to reopen in late October, conditions permitting.Sporer Land Development of Oakley is the primary contractor for the $19 million project, which is part of KDOT’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, known as IKE. For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Todd Anderson at 785-953-6011 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:todd.anderson@ks.gov">todd.anderson@ks.gov</a>.

K-23 to close for improvements in Sheridan County

CAIRO (AP) — The United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are both vowing escalation after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yemen-houthis-rebels-attack-airstrike-11b0e080b3982542dd621338a7b18afd">the U.S. launched airstrikes</a>&nbsp;to deter the rebels from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yemen-houthis-airstrikes-iran-explainer-06e5676098543ebab53a0cdeefd83731">attacking military and commercial vessels</a>&nbsp;on one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.

The Houthi-run Health Ministry said the U.S. strikes on Saturday killed at least 53 people, including five women and two children, and wounded almost 100 in the capital of Sanaa and other provinces, including Saada, the rebels’ stronghold on the border with Saudi Arabia.

“We’re not going to have these people controlling which ships can go through and which ones cannot. And so your question is, how long will this go on? It will go on until they no longer have the capability to do that," Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS on Sunday. He said these are not the one-off retaliation strikes the Biden administration carried out after Houthi attacks.

President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to use “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis cease their attacks, and warned that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Tehran</a>&nbsp;would be held “fully accountable” for their actions.

The Houthis have repeatedly targeted international shipping in the Red Sea,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthi-rebels-ship-attack-red-sea-yemen-bfa7d321e55c5bb59b268b82ef3c56ba">sinking two vessels</a>, in what they call acts of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel has been at war with Hamas, another Iranian ally.

The attacks stopped when a Israel-Hamas ceasefire took hold in January — a day before Trump took office — but last week the Houthis said they would renew attacks against Israeli vessels after Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-aid-explainer-ecc0e70d5ff1120a04bf36626dfd96f4">cut off the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza</a>&nbsp;this month.

There have been no Houthi attacks reported since then.

The overnight airstrikes were one of the most extensive attacks against the Houthis since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.

Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, on Sunday told ABC that the strikes “actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out.” He didn't identify them or give evidence. Rubio said some Houthi facilities had been destroyed.

The Houthis’ political bureau has said the rebels will respond to the U.S. strikes and “meet escalation with escalation.”

The rebels on Sunday claimed to have targeted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/truman-aircraft-carrier-collision-merchant-vessel-50e039f339c4658d246a08ca496a21d9">USS Harry S. Truman</a>&nbsp;carrier strike group with missiles and a drone.

According to a U.S. official, the Houthis did fire drones and at least one missile in response to the U.S. attack. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide updated information on operations, said that beginning at about midnight local time in Yemen, the Houthis fired 11 drones and at least one missile over a period of about 12 hours. Ten of the drones were intercepted by U.S. Air Force fighter jets and one was intercepted by a Navy F/A-18 fighter jet. The missile fell into the water far from the ship, and nothing came close to hitting either the carrier or the warships in its strike group.

Initially officials said they had no information on Houthi launches, but the official said they were able to get updated information.

The spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement called for “utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities,” while warning of the “grave risks” to the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest nation.

Rubio said that over the past 18 months the Houthis had attacked the U.S. Navy “directly” 174 times and targeted commercial shipping 145 times using “guided precision anti-ship weaponry.”

The attacks sparked the most serious combat the U.S. Navy had seen since World War II.

On Sunday, the head of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, denied his country was involved in the Houthis' attacks, saying it “plays no role in setting the national or operational policies” of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-hezbollah-houthis-iran-militant-groups-745bfc36e23997ee3f0bc499a9f5c16d">the militant groups it is allied with</a>&nbsp;across the region, according to state-run TV.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, writing on X, urged the U.S. to halt its airstrikes and said Washington cannot dictate Iran's foreign policy.

The U.S. and others have long accused Iran of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yemen-houthis-rebels-attack-airstrike-11b0e080b3982542dd621338a7b18afd">providing military aid</a>&nbsp;to the rebels. The U.S. Navy has seized Iranian-made missile parts and other weaponry it said was bound for the Houthis.

The United States, Israel and Britain previously hit Houthi-held areas in Yemen, but the new operation was conducted solely by the U.S. It was the first strike on the Houthis under the second Trump administration.

The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which includes the carrier, three Navy destroyers and one cruiser, is in the Red Sea and was part of the mission. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has also been operating in the region.

Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, and Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

CAIRO (AP) — The United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are both vowing escalation after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yemen-houthis-rebels-attack-airstrike-11b0e080b3982542dd621338a7b18afd">the U.S. launched airstrikes</a>&nbsp;to deter the rebels from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yemen-houthis-airstrikes-iran-explainer-06e5676098543ebab53a0cdeefd83731">attacking military and commercial vessels</a>&nbsp;on one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">CENTCOM forces continue operations against Iran-backed Houthi terrorists... <a href="https://t.co/zEWykoDKQR">pic.twitter.com/zEWykoDKQR</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1901428374486089974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Houthi-run Health Ministry said the U.S. strikes on Saturday killed at least 53 people, including five women and two children, and wounded almost 100 in the capital of Sanaa and other provinces, including Saada, the rebels’ stronghold on the border with Saudi Arabia.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">CENTCOM operations against Iran-backed Houthis continue... <a href="https://t.co/DYvc3gREN8">pic.twitter.com/DYvc3gREN8</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1901043879496876459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We’re not going to have these people controlling which ships can go through and which ones cannot. And so your question is, how long will this go on? It will go on until they no longer have the capability to do that," Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS on Sunday. He said these are not the one-off retaliation strikes the Biden administration carried out after Houthi attacks.President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to use “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis cease their attacks, and warned that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Tehran</a>&nbsp;would be held “fully accountable” for their actions.The Houthis have repeatedly targeted international shipping in the Red Sea,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthi-rebels-ship-attack-red-sea-yemen-bfa7d321e55c5bb59b268b82ef3c56ba">sinking two vessels</a>, in what they call acts of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel has been at war with Hamas, another Iranian ally.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">USS Gettysburg (CG 64) delivered lethal precision March 15 on Houthi targets in Yemen. America&#39;s Navy is ready and fully committed to defending freedom of navigation around the world. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NavyReady?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NavyReady</a> <a href="https://t.co/GNqPEaZgtj">pic.twitter.com/GNqPEaZgtj</a>&mdash; U.S. Navy (@USNavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/USNavy/status/1901329292333580305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The attacks stopped when a Israel-Hamas ceasefire took hold in January — a day before Trump took office — but last week the Houthis said they would renew attacks against Israeli vessels after Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-aid-explainer-ecc0e70d5ff1120a04bf36626dfd96f4">cut off the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza</a>&nbsp;this month.There have been no Houthi attacks reported since then.The overnight airstrikes were one of the most extensive attacks against the Houthis since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, on Sunday told ABC that the strikes “actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out.” He didn't identify them or give evidence. Rubio said some Houthi facilities had been destroyed.The Houthis’ political bureau has said the rebels will respond to the U.S. strikes and “meet escalation with escalation.”The rebels on Sunday claimed to have targeted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/truman-aircraft-carrier-collision-merchant-vessel-50e039f339c4658d246a08ca496a21d9">USS Harry S. Truman</a>&nbsp;carrier strike group with missiles and a drone.According to a U.S. official, the Houthis did fire drones and at least one missile in response to the U.S. attack. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide updated information on operations, said that beginning at about midnight local time in Yemen, the Houthis fired 11 drones and at least one missile over a period of about 12 hours. Ten of the drones were intercepted by U.S. Air Force fighter jets and one was intercepted by a Navy F/A-18 fighter jet. The missile fell into the water far from the ship, and nothing came close to hitting either the carrier or the warships in its strike group.Initially officials said they had no information on Houthi launches, but the official said they were able to get updated information.The spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement called for “utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities,” while warning of the “grave risks” to the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest nation.Rubio said that over the past 18 months the Houthis had attacked the U.S. Navy “directly” 174 times and targeted commercial shipping 145 times using “guided precision anti-ship weaponry.”The attacks sparked the most serious combat the U.S. Navy had seen since World War II.On Sunday, the head of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, denied his country was involved in the Houthis' attacks, saying it “plays no role in setting the national or operational policies” of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-hezbollah-houthis-iran-militant-groups-745bfc36e23997ee3f0bc499a9f5c16d">the militant groups it is allied with</a>&nbsp;across the region, according to state-run TV.Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, writing on X, urged the U.S. to halt its airstrikes and said Washington cannot dictate Iran's foreign policy.The U.S. and others have long accused Iran of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yemen-houthis-rebels-attack-airstrike-11b0e080b3982542dd621338a7b18afd">providing military aid</a>&nbsp;to the rebels. The U.S. Navy has seized Iranian-made missile parts and other weaponry it said was bound for the Houthis.The United States, Israel and Britain previously hit Houthi-held areas in Yemen, but the new operation was conducted solely by the U.S. It was the first strike on the Houthis under the second Trump administration.The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which includes the carrier, three Navy destroyers and one cruiser, is in the Red Sea and was part of the mission. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has also been operating in the region.___Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, and Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

🎥U.S. continues attack against Iran-backed terrorists in Yemen

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Jayhawks have secured the No. 7 seed in the West Region for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, marking their 52nd all-time appearance. They are set to face the No. 10 seed Arkansas Razorbacks on March 20 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Kansas (21-12, 11-9 Big 12) will take on No. 10 seed Arkansas (20-13, 8-10 SEC) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 20. Tipoff is set for 6:10 p.m. CT at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, with the game airing on CBS.

Kansas enters the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed for just the second time in program history, the first being in 1981 when the Jayhawks went 2-1 and advanced to the Sweet 16.

Kansas returns to the NCAA West Region for the first time since the 2021 season. The Jayhawks have a strong history in the NCAA Tournament, holding a 47-5 record in first-round games and an all-time tournament record of 113-50.

Kansas holds a narrow 8-7 lead in the all-time series against Arkansas, including an exhibition game prior to the 2024-25 season, where Arkansas claimed an 85-69 victory on October 25 in Fayetteville. Their most recent official matchup came in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where Arkansas edged Kansas 72-71 in Des Moines. This will mark the third NCAA Tournament meeting between the two programs, with Kansas winning the 1991 Elite Eight showdown 93-81 in Charlotte en route to a Final Four appearance and a runner-up finish to Duke.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742206069380.png" alt="Kansas Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Jayhawks have secured the No. 7 seed in the West Region for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, marking their 52nd all-time appearance. They are set to face the No. 10 seed Arkansas Razorbacks on March 20 in Providence, Rhode Island.Kansas (21-12, 11-9 Big 12) will take on No. 10 seed Arkansas (20-13, 8-10 SEC) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 20. Tipoff is set for 6:10 p.m. CT at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, with the game airing on CBS.Kansas enters the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed for just the second time in program history, the first being in 1981 when the Jayhawks went 2-1 and advanced to the Sweet 16.Kansas returns to the NCAA West Region for the first time since the 2021 season. The Jayhawks have a strong history in the NCAA Tournament, holding a 47-5 record in first-round games and an all-time tournament record of 113-50.Kansas holds a narrow 8-7 lead in the all-time series against Arkansas, including an exhibition game prior to the 2024-25 season, where Arkansas claimed an 85-69 victory on October 25 in Fayetteville. Their most recent official matchup came in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where Arkansas edged Kansas 72-71 in Des Moines. This will mark the third NCAA Tournament meeting between the two programs, with Kansas winning the 1991 Elite Eight showdown 93-81 in Charlotte en route to a Final Four appearance and a runner-up finish to Duke.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Kansas gains 7-seed for NCAAs, face Arkansas in first round Thursday

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas, returned an indictment charging a Nebraska contractor for allegedly defrauding customers across multiple states by failing to construct buildings after being paid, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Bobby Bates Sr., 42, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with two counts of wire fraud.

Bates, as the owner of Built Rite Construction, is accused of accepting deposits for construction projects and not starting or completing the work. Between February 2023 and October 2023, he allegedly defrauded customers in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas resulting in total losses of more than $700,000.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas, returned an indictment charging a Nebraska contractor for allegedly defrauding customers across multiple states by failing to construct buildings after being paid, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Bobby Bates Sr., 42, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with two counts of wire fraud.Bates, as the owner of Built Rite Construction, is accused of accepting deposits for construction projects and not starting or completing the work. Between February 2023 and October 2023, he allegedly defrauded customers in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas resulting in total losses of more than $700,000.The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case

Contractor accused of defrauding customers in Kansas, 9 other states

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A father in Missouri was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Thursday for shooting and wounding a St. Louis youth football coach over his son’s playing time while 9- and 10-year-olds practiced nearby.

A jury found Daryl Clemmons, 45, guilty last month of assault and armed criminal action in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/youth-football-coach-shot-st-louis-6aa076fc0e6fb659ae0cdc6003984498">October 2023</a>&nbsp;shooting of Shaquille Latimore, a volunteer coach for the City Rec Legends Football League. He was hospitalized in critical condition but survived.

Both men were armed. According to prosecutors, the coach handed his gun to a friend and told Clemmons they should fight with fists. Clemmons rejected that idea and shot Latimore five times. The father fled but turned himself in to police later that evening.

The team was then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-youth-football-coach-shot-629410ce31c5633c3ba06b7459215b35">suspended</a>&nbsp;over what St. Louis officials described as “a series of incidents perpetuated by adults” that culminated in the shooting near a practice field in Sherman Park. Latimore said at the time that he was upset about the decision, calling it “not fair” that the team should suffer.

The defense argued that the shooting was in self defense and filed a motion for a new trial.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office said the two men were at odds over the amount of playing time Clemmons’s son had been getting.

“Violence, especially in youth sports, is completely unacceptable and undermines the purpose of these programs — teaching teamwork, discipline, and respect,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore in a news release after the jury returned the guilty verdict.

After the shooting, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis partnered with the city to offer counseling to the players and others who witnessed the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697123209562.png" alt="Clemmons-photo St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Clemmons-photo St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS (AP) — A father in Missouri was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Thursday for shooting and wounding a St. Louis youth football coach over his son’s playing time while 9- and 10-year-olds practiced nearby.A jury found Daryl Clemmons, 45, guilty last month of assault and armed criminal action in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/youth-football-coach-shot-st-louis-6aa076fc0e6fb659ae0cdc6003984498">October 2023</a>&nbsp;shooting of Shaquille Latimore, a volunteer coach for the City Rec Legends Football League. He was hospitalized in critical condition but survived.Both men were armed. According to prosecutors, the coach handed his gun to a friend and told Clemmons they should fight with fists. Clemmons rejected that idea and shot Latimore five times. The father fled but turned himself in to police later that evening.The team was then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-youth-football-coach-shot-629410ce31c5633c3ba06b7459215b35">suspended</a>&nbsp;over what St. Louis officials described as “a series of incidents perpetuated by adults” that culminated in the shooting near a practice field in Sherman Park. Latimore said at the time that he was upset about the decision, calling it “not fair” that the team should suffer.The defense argued that the shooting was in self defense and filed a motion for a new trial.St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office said the two men were at odds over the amount of playing time Clemmons’s son had been getting.“Violence, especially in youth sports, is completely unacceptable and undermines the purpose of these programs — teaching teamwork, discipline, and respect,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore in a news release after the jury returned the guilty verdict.After the shooting, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis partnered with the city to offer counseling to the players and others who witnessed the shooting.

Prison for shooting youth football coach over son’s playing time

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline McConnell’s 2026 Frontiers in Flight Open House and Air Show, now scheduled for Oct. 17-18, 2026, according to a statement from the base.

The Thunderbirds are the Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration team, performing precision aerial maneuvers displaying Air Force high-performance aircraft to people worldwide. The show involves a mix of precision formation flying and intense solo routines demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force pilots and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The Thunderbirds last performed above the Wichita skies in September 2022.

Over 65,000 visitors arrived on day one of McConnell’s last air show on Aug. 24, 2024. The show never continued its second day after an unexpected wet microburst brought 54 mph wind gusts and torrential rain, leaving debris strewn around the flightline and air acts unable to operate safely.

The base looks forward to milder October weather and a historically lower chance of precipitation during next year’s show.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741967975433.png" alt="U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcons flies under a KC-135A, over the United States Aug. 16, 2024. The F-16 has a wingspan of 32 feet 8 inches. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paula Arce)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcons flies under a KC-135A, over the United States Aug. 16, 2024. The F-16 has a wingspan of 32 feet 8 inches. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paula Arce)</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline McConnell’s 2026 Frontiers in Flight Open House and Air Show, now scheduled for Oct. 17-18, 2026, according to a statement from the base.The Thunderbirds are the Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration team, performing precision aerial maneuvers displaying Air Force high-performance aircraft to people worldwide. The show involves a mix of precision formation flying and intense solo routines demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force pilots and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741968104926.png" alt="The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" perform air shows across the United States from March-November, 2023. During the 2023 season, the Thunderbirds performed 63 demonstrations across 32 locations as they celebrated their 70th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Dakota Carter)" />
 <figcaption>The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" perform air shows across the United States from March-November, 2023. During the 2023 season, the Thunderbirds performed 63 demonstrations across 32 locations as they celebrated their 70th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Dakota Carter)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Thunderbirds last performed above the Wichita skies in September 2022.Over 65,000 visitors arrived on day one of McConnell’s last air show on Aug. 24, 2024. The show never continued its second day after an unexpected wet microburst brought 54 mph wind gusts and torrential rain, leaving debris strewn around the flightline and air acts unable to operate safely.The base looks forward to milder October weather and a historically lower chance of precipitation during next year’s show.

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds set to return to Kansas air show

BY&nbsp;MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-faa-4f8a7b71070de5e93097535f610124c1">Southwest Airlines</a>&nbsp;will begin charging customers a fee to check bags, abandoning a decades-long practice that executives had described last fall as key to differentiating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-cabin-service-a2766c4de881e1467900b392789457de">the budget carrier</a>&nbsp;from its rivals.

Southwest, which built years of advertising campaigns around its policy of letting passengers check up to two bags for free, said Tuesday that people who haven’t either reached the upper tiers of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, bought a business class ticket or hold the airline’s credit card will have to pay for checked bags.

The airline did not outline the fee schedule but said the new policy would start with flights booked on May 28.

“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect,” CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.

Less than a year ago, the Dallas-based airline announced it was doing away with another tradition, the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years. Southwest expects to begin operating flights with passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-changes-seating-boarding-hedge-fund-ba6a97380df6201e9a35335d3202fc8a">in assigned seats</a>&nbsp;next year.

Southwest has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-lowers-outlook-hedge-fund-a8cfdb619410757b96f108b45565ca1b">struggled recently</a>&nbsp;and is under pressure from activist investors to boost profits and revenue. The airline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-american-airlines-earnings-elliott-management-947a14e29e80503a459331393954df2b">reached a truce</a>&nbsp;in October with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management to avoid a proxy fight, but Elliott won several seats on the company board.

The airline announced last month that it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-layoffs-29a0daf8f8091ae2b0a9c11282138464">eliminating</a>&nbsp;1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate workforce, in the first major layoffs in the company’s 53-year history.

The job cuts, which were scheduled to be mostly completed by the end of June, are part of a plan to slash costs and transform the company into a “leaner, faster, and more agile organization,” Jordan said at the time.

Southwest’s stock rose more than 9% Tuesday.

As recently as Southwest’s investor day in late September, airline executives described the bags-fly-free as the most important feature in setting Southwest apart from rivals. All other leading U.S. airlines charge for checked luggage, and Wall Street has long argued that Southwest was leaving money behind.

The airline estimated in September that charging bag fees would bring in about $1.5 billion a year but cost the airline $1.8 billion in lost business from customers who chose to fly Southwest because of its generous baggage allowance.

Southwest said Tuesday that it would continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select fares, and one free checked bag to A-List members and other select customers. Passengers with Rapid Rewards credit cards will receive a credit for one checked bag.

People who don’t qualify for those categories will get charged to check bags. The airline said that it also would roll out a new, basic fare on its lowest priced tickets when the change takes effect.

“I would rather have the free checked bags, that’s for sure,” said customer Dorothy Severson, who was awaiting a flight Tuesday at Chicago Midway International Airport. “It’s one of the main reasons I still fly Southwest.”

Southwest is betting that the added bag fees will outweigh the loss of business from travelers who look closely at the costs on top of ticket prices. Rivals on Tuesday saw an opening.

“I think clearly there are some customers who chose them because of that, and now those customers are up for grabs,” said Delta Airlines President Glen Hauenstein, speaking at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference.

Yet in the current economic environment, keeping travel affordable may play an outsized roll in staying competitive. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-tariffs-stock-musk-business-8a5f28d9bb16e0b8a924d99ead0907fa">trade war initiated by President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is roiling U.S. markets and dampening the high-flying optimism prevalent last year among businesses and households.

To start the week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/delta-air-lines-guidance-stock-price-695f8f59b78e894841755199b0a30b4e">Delta slashed its quarterly earnings and revenue expectations</a>, saying that a recent decline in consumer and corporate confidence over the economy is weakening domestic demand. Shares of Delta have tumbled 24% this year.

Shares of United have slumped 22%, JetBlue 27% and American Airlines a whopping 32%.

On Tuesday, Southwest cut its own expectations for the quarter. The airline now anticipates revenue per available seat mile will rise between 2% and 4%. That is down sharply from its previous projections of a 5% to 7% increase. The airline said it expects capacity to be down about 2%.

The airline announced last year that along with giving passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-assigned-seats-earnings-6869dbe31934c87e049c9e428eae7761">assigned seats</a>, it would charge them extra for with more legroom and offer red-eye flights.

BY&nbsp;MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-faa-4f8a7b71070de5e93097535f610124c1">Southwest Airlines</a>&nbsp;will begin charging customers a fee to check bags, abandoning a decades-long practice that executives had described last fall as key to differentiating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-cabin-service-a2766c4de881e1467900b392789457de">the budget carrier</a>&nbsp;from its rivals.Southwest, which built years of advertising campaigns around its policy of letting passengers check up to two bags for free, said Tuesday that people who haven’t either reached the upper tiers of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, bought a business class ticket or hold the airline’s credit card will have to pay for checked bags.The airline did not outline the fee schedule but said the new policy would start with flights booked on May 28.“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect,” CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.Less than a year ago, the Dallas-based airline announced it was doing away with another tradition, the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years. Southwest expects to begin operating flights with passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-changes-seating-boarding-hedge-fund-ba6a97380df6201e9a35335d3202fc8a">in assigned seats</a>&nbsp;next year.Southwest has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-lowers-outlook-hedge-fund-a8cfdb619410757b96f108b45565ca1b">struggled recently</a>&nbsp;and is under pressure from activist investors to boost profits and revenue. The airline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-american-airlines-earnings-elliott-management-947a14e29e80503a459331393954df2b">reached a truce</a>&nbsp;in October with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management to avoid a proxy fight, but Elliott won several seats on the company board.The airline announced last month that it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-layoffs-29a0daf8f8091ae2b0a9c11282138464">eliminating</a>&nbsp;1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate workforce, in the first major layoffs in the company’s 53-year history.The job cuts, which were scheduled to be mostly completed by the end of June, are part of a plan to slash costs and transform the company into a “leaner, faster, and more agile organization,” Jordan said at the time.Southwest’s stock rose more than 9% Tuesday.As recently as Southwest’s investor day in late September, airline executives described the bags-fly-free as the most important feature in setting Southwest apart from rivals. All other leading U.S. airlines charge for checked luggage, and Wall Street has long argued that Southwest was leaving money behind.The airline estimated in September that charging bag fees would bring in about $1.5 billion a year but cost the airline $1.8 billion in lost business from customers who chose to fly Southwest because of its generous baggage allowance.Southwest said Tuesday that it would continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select fares, and one free checked bag to A-List members and other select customers. Passengers with Rapid Rewards credit cards will receive a credit for one checked bag.People who don’t qualify for those categories will get charged to check bags. The airline said that it also would roll out a new, basic fare on its lowest priced tickets when the change takes effect.“I would rather have the free checked bags, that’s for sure,” said customer Dorothy Severson, who was awaiting a flight Tuesday at Chicago Midway International Airport. “It’s one of the main reasons I still fly Southwest.”Southwest is betting that the added bag fees will outweigh the loss of business from travelers who look closely at the costs on top of ticket prices. Rivals on Tuesday saw an opening.“I think clearly there are some customers who chose them because of that, and now those customers are up for grabs,” said Delta Airlines President Glen Hauenstein, speaking at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference.Yet in the current economic environment, keeping travel affordable may play an outsized roll in staying competitive. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-tariffs-stock-musk-business-8a5f28d9bb16e0b8a924d99ead0907fa">trade war initiated by President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is roiling U.S. markets and dampening the high-flying optimism prevalent last year among businesses and households.To start the week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/delta-air-lines-guidance-stock-price-695f8f59b78e894841755199b0a30b4e">Delta slashed its quarterly earnings and revenue expectations</a>, saying that a recent decline in consumer and corporate confidence over the economy is weakening domestic demand. Shares of Delta have tumbled 24% this year.Shares of United have slumped 22%, JetBlue 27% and American Airlines a whopping 32%.On Tuesday, Southwest cut its own expectations for the quarter. The airline now anticipates revenue per available seat mile will rise between 2% and 4%. That is down sharply from its previous projections of a 5% to 7% increase. The airline said it expects capacity to be down about 2%.The airline announced last year that along with giving passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-assigned-seats-earnings-6869dbe31934c87e049c9e428eae7761">assigned seats</a>, it would charge them extra for with more legroom and offer red-eye flights.<h2>____</h2>

At Southwest Airlines, checked bags will no longer fly for free

HaysMed is pleased to announce the appointment of Joben Rieth as the permanent Chief Nursing Officer, effective March 10, 2025, following a national search and comprehensive interview process.

 Since joining HaysMed in an interim capacity in October 2024, Rieth has exemplified a leadership style rooted in transparency, direct engagement, and a profound commitment to patient care.

Throughout his tenure at HaysMed, Rieth has actively worked to understand the hospital’s systems and processes deeply, forging meaningful connections with both associates and patients. His approach has positioned him to effectively lead and implement strategic initiatives, leveraging a solid grasp of operational strengths and areas for growth.

During recent discussions about his journey in healthcare and his vision for the future, Rieth shared insights into the challenges he has faced and his strategic responses.

"One of the main challenges has been navigating the complexities of healthcare regulations while striving to improve patient care efficiency," Rieth said. "We've addressed these challenges by fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. I've initiated regular feedback sessions and have been working closely with the Associates to implement innovative solutions that enhance our service delivery without compromising care quality."

Rieth also unveiled an exciting initiative for the upcoming year.

"I'm thrilled to announce that we are implementing the 'BEE Award.' Similar to the Daisy Award, this recognition program will honor the invaluable contributions of our non-nursing staff members, such as our environmental services, administrative personnel, and support staff," he explained. 

"These team members are crucial to our operations and significantly contribute to a positive environment for both patients and healthcare providers. The BEE Award aims to spotlight their dedication and the compassionate care they provide daily, which are vital to our success and patient satisfaction."

Furthermore, Rieth discussed his ongoing efforts to enhance the work environment for HaysMed’s nursing staff. "My goal is to maintain an environment where our nurses feel valued, respected, and motivated," he remarked.

"We are enhancing our professional development programs to provide more growth opportunities for our nursing staff. Additionally, we're improving our work-life balance initiatives&nbsp;to ensure that our nurses can manage their professional responsibilities while enjoying personal fulfillment and well-being," Rieth said.

Eddie Herrman, president and CEO of HaysMed, warmly welcomed Rieth's permanent role, stating, "We are thrilled to have Joben step into the role of Chief Nursing Officer at HaysMed. Joben's unique blend of compassion, leadership, and expertise in nursing aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional care. His proactive approach and commitment to excellence are exactly what we need to continue advancing our services and supporting our community. Welcome aboard, Joben!"

HaysMed is enthusiastic about the positive changes Rieth’s leadership will bring and is proud to welcome him to his new role.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741705657044.jpeg" alt="Joben Rieth. Photo by Hays Medical Center" />
 <figcaption>Joben Rieth. Photo by Hays Medical Center</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedHaysMed is pleased to announce the appointment of Joben Rieth as the permanent Chief Nursing Officer, effective March 10, 2025, following a national search and comprehensive interview process. Since joining HaysMed in an interim capacity in October 2024, Rieth has exemplified a leadership style rooted in transparency, direct engagement, and a profound commitment to patient care.Throughout his tenure at HaysMed, Rieth has actively worked to understand the hospital’s systems and processes deeply, forging meaningful connections with both associates and patients. His approach has positioned him to effectively lead and implement strategic initiatives, leveraging a solid grasp of operational strengths and areas for growth.During recent discussions about his journey in healthcare and his vision for the future, Rieth shared insights into the challenges he has faced and his strategic responses."One of the main challenges has been navigating the complexities of healthcare regulations while striving to improve patient care efficiency," Rieth said. "We've addressed these challenges by fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. I've initiated regular feedback sessions and have been working closely with the Associates to implement innovative solutions that enhance our service delivery without compromising care quality."Rieth also unveiled an exciting initiative for the upcoming year. "I'm thrilled to announce that we are implementing the 'BEE Award.' Similar to the Daisy Award, this recognition program will honor the invaluable contributions of our non-nursing staff members, such as our environmental services, administrative personnel, and support staff," he explained. "These team members are crucial to our operations and significantly contribute to a positive environment for both patients and healthcare providers. The BEE Award aims to spotlight their dedication and the compassionate care they provide daily, which are vital to our success and patient satisfaction."Furthermore, Rieth discussed his ongoing efforts to enhance the work environment for HaysMed’s nursing staff. "My goal is to maintain an environment where our nurses feel valued, respected, and motivated," he remarked."We are enhancing our professional development programs to provide more growth opportunities for our nursing staff. Additionally, we're improving our work-life balance initiatives&nbsp;to ensure that our nurses can manage their professional responsibilities while enjoying personal fulfillment and well-being," Rieth said.Eddie Herrman, president and CEO of HaysMed, warmly welcomed Rieth's permanent role, stating, "We are thrilled to have Joben step into the role of Chief Nursing Officer at HaysMed. Joben's unique blend of compassion, leadership, and expertise in nursing aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional care. His proactive approach and commitment to excellence are exactly what we need to continue advancing our services and supporting our community. Welcome aboard, Joben!"HaysMed is enthusiastic about the positive changes Rieth’s leadership will bring and is proud to welcome him to his new role.

HaysMed appoints permanent chief nursing officer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal investigators looking for the cause of the January collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people recommended a ban on some helicopter flights Tuesday to improve safety, saying the current setup “poses an intolerable risk.”

A military helicopter collided with the American Airlines jet as it was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport over the Potomac River on Jan. 29. Among the victims were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">28 members of the figure skating community.</a>

National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said the board determined that the existing separation distance between planes and helicopters at Reagan National Airport is “insufficient and poses an intolerable risk to aviation safety.”

Homendy said she was angry and also devastated for families that are grieving because they lost loved ones.

“It shouldn’t take tragedy to require immediate action,” she said.

Under the current practice helicopters and planes can be as close as 75 feet apart from each other during landing, Homendy said. Investigators have identified 15,214 instances of planes getting alerts about helicopters being in close proximity between October 2021 and December 2024, she said.

Following the crash, the FAA took steps to restrict&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-crash-night-faa-helicopter-286319ac01bee91e4992c95e7946063e">helicopter flights</a>&nbsp;around Reagan National Airport to ensure that planes and helicopters are no longer sharing the same airspace. Now flights are put on hold temporarily when helicopters need to pass by the airport.

Homendy said the NTSB is recommending that the FAA find a “permanent solution” for alternate routes for helicopter traffic when two of the airport’s runways are in use.

Investigators have said the helicopter may have had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-national-airport-aircraft-crash-ntsb-3dec2686beb43ada10ce392c857751cc">inaccurate altitude readings</a>&nbsp;in the moments before the crash, and the crew may not have heard key instructions from air traffic controllers. The collision likely occurred at an altitude just under 300 feet (91 meters), as the plane descended toward the helicopter, which was well above its 200-foot (61-meter) limit for that location.

The helicopter pilots may have also missed part of another communication, when the tower said the jet was turning toward a different runway, Homendy said last month.

The helicopter was on a “check” flight that night where the pilot was undergoing an annual test and a test on using night vision goggles, Homendy said. Investigators believe the crew was wearing night vision goggles throughout the flight.

The Army has said the Black Hawk crew was highly experienced, and accustomed to the crowded skies around the nation’s capital.

Within just a month’s time earlier this year, there were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recent-plane-crashes-us-canada-delta-toronto-1d6e07a4bed5e229cdd1d8c415e955e5">four major aviation disasters</a>&nbsp;in North America, including the midair collision over the Potomac and most recently in mid-February when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-survivors-air-disasters-toronto-c2390902afbd1dc044e05c060339c0b6">a Delta flight flipped</a>&nbsp;and landed on its roof at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, injuring 21 people.

Those accidents and close calls&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-safety-ntsb-faa-69bf8b4b3562670c7226d9d6f07925a0">left some worried</a>&nbsp;about the safety of flying even though fatal crashes are rare and the track record of U.S. airlines is remarkably sound.

President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-plane-crash-air-traffic-control-ab195790634af66534a45cdec2d80aa8">blamed the midair collision</a>&nbsp;over Washington, D.C., on what he called an “obsolete” air traffic control system and promised to replace it. He also faulted the helicopter for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">flying too high</a>.

Federal officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-faa-close-calls-senate-hearing-7309801ccbf64bcecfb0cf58e3e58498">have been raising concerns</a>&nbsp;about an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system for years, especially after a series of close calls between planes at U.S. airports. Among the reasons they have cited for staffing shortages are uncompetitive pay, long shifts, intensive training and mandatory retirements.

On Jan. 29, an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter collided as the plane prepared to land at Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport. Both plunged into the Potomac River, killing all 67 people aboard.

The National Transportation Safety Board plans to give another update on the crash Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators previously said the helicopter may have had inaccurate altitude readings in the moments before the crash, and the crew may not have heard key instructions from air traffic controllers.

The collision was the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. since 2001, when a jet slammed into a New York City neighborhood just after takeoff, killing all 260 people on board and five more on the ground.

A string of crashes this year along with a near miss have brought attention to air travel, which remains overwhelmingly safe in the U.S. On Jan. 31, a medical transport jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood, killing seven people. On Feb. 6, a small commuter aircraft crashed off western Alaska, killing 10. On Feb. 17, a Delta plane crashed and flipped over upon landing in Toronto. Two small planes collided in midair in Arizona on Feb. 19, killing two people. And there was a scary moment on Feb. 25 in Chicago when a Southwest Airlines plane aborted its landing to avoid crashing into another plane crossing the runway.

American Airlines Flight 5342 was coming in from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, as it approached to land on a clear night. Nearby, a U.S. Army Black Hawk with three soldiers on board was practicing emergency evacuation routes that would be used to ferry out key government officials in an attack or catastrophe.

Investigators believe the helicopter crew was wearing night-vision goggles that would have limited their peripheral vision.

A few minutes before the twin-engine jet was to land, air traffic controllers asked if it could use a shorter runway. The pilots agreed, and flight-tracking sites show the plane turned to adjust its approach.

Shortly before the collision, a controller got an alert that the plane and Black Hawk were converging and asked the helicopter if it had the plane in sight. The military pilot said yes and asked for "visual separation" with the jet for a second time — allowing it to fly closer than if the pilots couldn't see the plane. Controllers approved the request.

Roughly 20 seconds later, the aircraft collided.

The NTSB has recovered all flight data recorders and pulled the wreckage of both aircraft from the Potomac.

It will take more than a year to get the final NTSB report, but officials have provided regular updates as investigators learn more. They plan to release their preliminary report on Tuesday.

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters last month that the Black Hawk's cockpit recorder suggested an incomplete radio transmission may have left the crew unable to hear air traffic control tell them, just before the crash, to move behind the jet.

"That transmission was interrupted — it was stepped on," she said at a Feb. 14 briefing, leaving the helicopter's crew unable to hear the words "pass behind the" because their microphone key was pressed.

The radio altitude of the helicopter was 278 feet (85 meters) at the time of the collision, which would put the Black Hawk above its 200-foot (61-meter) limit for that location.

Cockpit conversations a few minutes before the crash indicated the crew may not have had accurate altitude readings, with the helicopter's pilot calling out that they were then at 300 feet (91 meters), but the instructor pilot saying 400 feet (122 meters), Homendy said.

"We are looking at the possibility there may be bad data," she said.

That generation of Black Hawks typically has two types of altimeters: one relying on barometric pressure and the other on radio frequency signals bounced off the ground. Helicopter pilots typically rely on barometric readings while flying, but the helicopter's black box captures its radio altitude.

Almost immediately after the crash, President Donald Trump faulted the helicopter for flying too high. He also blamed federal diversity and inclusion efforts, particularly regarding air traffic controllers. When pressed by reporters, the president could not back up those claims. A few days later, Trump blamed an "obsolete" air traffic control system that he said should have been replaced years ago.

Army officials have said the Black Hawk crew was highly experienced and familiar with the crowded skies around Washington.

The Army identified the Black Hawk crew as 28-year-old Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach of Durham, North Carolina; Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland. O'Hara was the crew chief and Eaves and Lobach were pilots.

Among the jet's passengers were several members of the Skating Club of Boston returning from a development camp for elite junior skaters that followed the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. A figure skating tribute event in Washington raised $1.2 million for crash victims' families.

Others killed included a group of hunters returning from a guided trip in Kansas, four members of a steamfitters' local union in suburban Maryland, nine students and parents from Fairfax County, Virginia, schools and two Chinese nationals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739539122711.png" alt="The NTSB recovers the debris of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in a mid-air collision near DCA in Arlington, VA. NTSB photo" />
 <figcaption>The NTSB recovers the debris of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in a mid-air collision near DCA in Arlington, VA. NTSB photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal investigators looking for the cause of the January collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people recommended a ban on some helicopter flights Tuesday to improve safety, saying the current setup “poses an intolerable risk.”A military helicopter collided with the American Airlines jet as it was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport over the Potomac River on Jan. 29. Among the victims were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">28 members of the figure skating community.</a><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WUIj5-RKUKA?si=gSd0CvAMhE8dbD5R&amp;start=63" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said the board determined that the existing separation distance between planes and helicopters at Reagan National Airport is “insufficient and poses an intolerable risk to aviation safety.”Homendy said she was angry and also devastated for families that are grieving because they lost loved ones.“It shouldn’t take tragedy to require immediate action,” she said.Under the current practice helicopters and planes can be as close as 75 feet apart from each other during landing, Homendy said. Investigators have identified 15,214 instances of planes getting alerts about helicopters being in close proximity between October 2021 and December 2024, she said.Following the crash, the FAA took steps to restrict&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-crash-night-faa-helicopter-286319ac01bee91e4992c95e7946063e">helicopter flights</a>&nbsp;around Reagan National Airport to ensure that planes and helicopters are no longer sharing the same airspace. Now flights are put on hold temporarily when helicopters need to pass by the airport.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739560505556.png" alt="Helicopter routes map - NTSB" />
 <figcaption>Helicopter routes map - NTSB</figcaption>
 </figure>Homendy said the NTSB is recommending that the FAA find a “permanent solution” for alternate routes for helicopter traffic when two of the airport’s runways are in use.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738703092495.png" alt="The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, working with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USCGMidAtlantic?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USNavy?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Navy</a>&nbsp;Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), began wreckage removal operations at the site of the Potomac River Aviation Incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Phoso U.S. Army Corps of Engineers" />
 <figcaption>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, working with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USCGMidAtlantic?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USNavy?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Navy</a>&nbsp;Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), began wreckage removal operations at the site of the Potomac River Aviation Incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Phoso U.S. Army Corps of Engineers</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators have said the helicopter may have had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-national-airport-aircraft-crash-ntsb-3dec2686beb43ada10ce392c857751cc">inaccurate altitude readings</a>&nbsp;in the moments before the crash, and the crew may not have heard key instructions from air traffic controllers. The collision likely occurred at an altitude just under 300 feet (91 meters), as the plane descended toward the helicopter, which was well above its 200-foot (61-meter) limit for that location.The helicopter pilots may have also missed part of another communication, when the tower said the jet was turning toward a different runway, Homendy said last month.The helicopter was on a “check” flight that night where the pilot was undergoing an annual test and a test on using night vision goggles, Homendy said. Investigators believe the crew was wearing night vision goggles throughout the flight.The Army has said the Black Hawk crew was highly experienced, and accustomed to the crowded skies around the nation’s capital.Within just a month’s time earlier this year, there were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recent-plane-crashes-us-canada-delta-toronto-1d6e07a4bed5e229cdd1d8c415e955e5">four major aviation disasters</a>&nbsp;in North America, including the midair collision over the Potomac and most recently in mid-February when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-survivors-air-disasters-toronto-c2390902afbd1dc044e05c060339c0b6">a Delta flight flipped</a>&nbsp;and landed on its roof at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, injuring 21 people.Those accidents and close calls&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-safety-ntsb-faa-69bf8b4b3562670c7226d9d6f07925a0">left some worried</a>&nbsp;about the safety of flying even though fatal crashes are rare and the track record of U.S. airlines is remarkably sound.President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-plane-crash-air-traffic-control-ab195790634af66534a45cdec2d80aa8">blamed the midair collision</a>&nbsp;over Washington, D.C., on what he called an “obsolete” air traffic control system and promised to replace it. He also faulted the helicopter for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">flying too high</a>.Federal officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-faa-close-calls-senate-hearing-7309801ccbf64bcecfb0cf58e3e58498">have been raising concerns</a>&nbsp;about an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system for years, especially after a series of close calls between planes at U.S. airports. Among the reasons they have cited for staffing shortages are uncompetitive pay, long shifts, intensive training and mandatory retirements.___------------On Jan. 29, an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter collided as the plane prepared to land at Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport. Both plunged into the Potomac River, killing all 67 people aboard.The National Transportation Safety Board plans to give another update on the crash Tuesday afternoon.Investigators previously said the helicopter may have had inaccurate altitude readings in the moments before the crash, and the crew may not have heard key instructions from air traffic controllers.The collision was the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. since 2001, when a jet slammed into a New York City neighborhood just after takeoff, killing all 260 people on board and five more on the ground.A string of crashes this year along with a near miss have brought attention to air travel, which remains overwhelmingly safe in the U.S. On Jan. 31, a medical transport jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood, killing seven people. On Feb. 6, a small commuter aircraft crashed off western Alaska, killing 10. On Feb. 17, a Delta plane crashed and flipped over upon landing in Toronto. Two small planes collided in midair in Arizona on Feb. 19, killing two people. And there was a scary moment on Feb. 25 in Chicago when a Southwest Airlines plane aborted its landing to avoid crashing into another plane crossing the runway.Here's a look at the Jan. 29 crash:What happened?American Airlines Flight 5342 was coming in from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, as it approached to land on a clear night. Nearby, a U.S. Army Black Hawk with three soldiers on board was practicing emergency evacuation routes that would be used to ferry out key government officials in an attack or catastrophe.Investigators believe the helicopter crew was wearing night-vision goggles that would have limited their peripheral vision.A few minutes before the twin-engine jet was to land, air traffic controllers asked if it could use a shorter runway. The pilots agreed, and flight-tracking sites show the plane turned to adjust its approach.Shortly before the collision, a controller got an alert that the plane and Black Hawk were converging and asked the helicopter if it had the plane in sight. The military pilot said yes and asked for "visual separation" with the jet for a second time — allowing it to fly closer than if the pilots couldn't see the plane. Controllers approved the request.Roughly 20 seconds later, the aircraft collided.The investigationThe NTSB has recovered all flight data recorders and pulled the wreckage of both aircraft from the Potomac.It will take more than a year to get the final NTSB report, but officials have provided regular updates as investigators learn more. They plan to release their preliminary report on Tuesday.NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters last month that the Black Hawk's cockpit recorder suggested an incomplete radio transmission may have left the crew unable to hear air traffic control tell them, just before the crash, to move behind the jet."That transmission was interrupted — it was stepped on," she said at a Feb. 14 briefing, leaving the helicopter's crew unable to hear the words "pass behind the" because their microphone key was pressed.The radio altitude of the helicopter was 278 feet (85 meters) at the time of the collision, which would put the Black Hawk above its 200-foot (61-meter) limit for that location.Cockpit conversations a few minutes before the crash indicated the crew may not have had accurate altitude readings, with the helicopter's pilot calling out that they were then at 300 feet (91 meters), but the instructor pilot saying 400 feet (122 meters), Homendy said."We are looking at the possibility there may be bad data," she said.That generation of Black Hawks typically has two types of altimeters: one relying on barometric pressure and the other on radio frequency signals bounced off the ground. Helicopter pilots typically rely on barometric readings while flying, but the helicopter's black box captures its radio altitude.Almost immediately after the crash, President Donald Trump faulted the helicopter for flying too high. He also blamed federal diversity and inclusion efforts, particularly regarding air traffic controllers. When pressed by reporters, the president could not back up those claims. A few days later, Trump blamed an "obsolete" air traffic control system that he said should have been replaced years ago.Army officials have said the Black Hawk crew was highly experienced and familiar with the crowded skies around Washington.The victimsThe Army identified the Black Hawk crew as 28-year-old Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach of Durham, North Carolina; Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland. O'Hara was the crew chief and Eaves and Lobach were pilots.Among the jet's passengers were several members of the Skating Club of Boston returning from a development camp for elite junior skaters that followed the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. A figure skating tribute event in Washington raised $1.2 million for crash victims' families.Others killed included a group of hunters returning from a guided trip in Kansas, four members of a steamfitters' local union in suburban Maryland, nine students and parents from Fairfax County, Virginia, schools and two Chinese nationals.

🎥NTSB releases new findings in DC plane, helicopter crash

Chelsie
Nelson, 46, of Hays, Kansas, passed away on March 5, 2025, at Wesley Medical
Center in Wichita.

Chelsie
was born on October 20, 1978, at Nuernberg Army Hospital in Germany to Robert
and Roxann (Sheesley) Nelson. She was a proud graduate of Grinnell High School
and later earned her cosmetology certification from Goodland Vo-Tech. Chelsie
began her career at CheckHers &amp; His in Grinnell before moving to Hays,
where she worked at Hairware &amp; Co.

In
addition to her professional career, Chelsie was an active and beloved member
of the Hays Community Theater, where she formed lasting friendships. She was
passionate about the arts, taking on the roles of hairstylist, makeup artist,
and costume designer for countless performances. Her creative spirit and warm
personality made her an integral part of the theater family.

Chelsie
was a dedicated member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church and the Grinnell
VFW Post 2864 Auxiliary.

She
was preceded in death by her grandmother Fern Sheesley, grandfather Fred
Sheesley, and father Robert Nelson.

She
is survived by her mother, Roxann “Roxie” Nelson of Grinnell; her brother,
Allen of Raytown, MO; her nephew Connor Nelson of Lawrence, KS; her uncle, Fred
Sheesley of Hays and her cousins, Scott Sheesley (U.S. Army) of Joplin, MO,
Elodie Jones of Hays, Sam, Tony and George Hayak, all of Denver, CO, J.C. and
Cynthia Snare, both of Colorado Springs, CO.

A
memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the
Grinnell VFW, with burial to follow at the Grinnell Township Cemetery. In lieu
of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hays Community Theater in
Chelsie’s name, a cause she was deeply passionate about, and sent in care of
Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences
visit <a href="http://baalmannmortuary.com">baalmannmortuary.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741614337449.jpeg" alt="Chelsie Nelson" />
 <figcaption>Chelsie Nelson</figcaption>
 </figure>Chelsie
Nelson, 46, of Hays, Kansas, passed away on March 5, 2025, at Wesley Medical
Center in Wichita.Chelsie
was born on October 20, 1978, at Nuernberg Army Hospital in Germany to Robert
and Roxann (Sheesley) Nelson. She was a proud graduate of Grinnell High School
and later earned her cosmetology certification from Goodland Vo-Tech. Chelsie
began her career at CheckHers &amp; His in Grinnell before moving to Hays,
where she worked at Hairware &amp; Co.In
addition to her professional career, Chelsie was an active and beloved member
of the Hays Community Theater, where she formed lasting friendships. She was
passionate about the arts, taking on the roles of hairstylist, makeup artist,
and costume designer for countless performances. Her creative spirit and warm
personality made her an integral part of the theater family.Chelsie
was a dedicated member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church and the Grinnell
VFW Post 2864 Auxiliary.She
was preceded in death by her grandmother Fern Sheesley, grandfather Fred
Sheesley, and father Robert Nelson.She
is survived by her mother, Roxann “Roxie” Nelson of Grinnell; her brother,
Allen of Raytown, MO; her nephew Connor Nelson of Lawrence, KS; her uncle, Fred
Sheesley of Hays and her cousins, Scott Sheesley (U.S. Army) of Joplin, MO,
Elodie Jones of Hays, Sam, Tony and George Hayak, all of Denver, CO, J.C. and
Cynthia Snare, both of Colorado Springs, CO.A
memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the
Grinnell VFW, with burial to follow at the Grinnell Township Cemetery. In lieu
of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hays Community Theater in
Chelsie’s name, a cause she was deeply passionate about, and sent in care of
Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences
visit <a href="http://baalmannmortuary.com">baalmannmortuary.com</a>

Chelsie Nelson

Janet
"Jan" Weber, age 80, of Ellis, Kansas passed away Thursday, March 6,
2025 at Legends of Hutchinson. She was born October 3, 1944 in Eureka, Kansas
to Ross and Marie (Blake) Dory. She graduated from Hoisington High School and
Emporia State University with a Master’s degree in Library Science.



On December 28, 1965 she married Richard Weber at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
in Hays. For nearly 60 years Jan and Richard have shared their lives traveling
spanning 43 states and countless miles of just seeing the countryside.



Jan &nbsp;had worked at Travenol in hays before starting her career as a
librarian. She started at the State Library in Topeka before moving on to
Ellsworth Correctional Facility. She enjoyed Cross Stitching, Jigsaw Puzzles,
Word Search, family card and Domino games and was an avid reader.



She is survived by her husband, Richard of Ellis; a son, Michael Weber and wife
Christie of Bucyrus, Kansas; a daughter, Kristel Weber of Kansas City, Missouri
and three grandchildren, Justin, Ryan and Jenna Weber.



She was preceded in death by her parents; half-brother, Ray Neal and
half-sister, Peg Harrison.



Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, March 10, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic
Church in Ellis with Fr. Dana Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the
parish cemetery.



Visitation will be 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Sunday at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E.
17th Ellis, KS 67637 and Monday 9:00 AM until service time at the church.



A combined Daughters of Isabella rosary and parish vigil will be at 7:00 PM
Sunday at Keithley Funeral Chapel.


Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association (<a href="https://donorservices.alz.org">https://donorservices.alz.org</a>)

Please share memories and words of comfort on Jan's tribute page at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741397718356.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Janet 'Jan' Weber" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Janet 'Jan' Weber</figcaption>
 </figure>Janet
"Jan" Weber, age 80, of Ellis, Kansas passed away Thursday, March 6,
2025 at Legends of Hutchinson. She was born October 3, 1944 in Eureka, Kansas
to Ross and Marie (Blake) Dory. She graduated from Hoisington High School and
Emporia State University with a Master’s degree in Library Science.

On December 28, 1965 she married Richard Weber at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
in Hays. For nearly 60 years Jan and Richard have shared their lives traveling
spanning 43 states and countless miles of just seeing the countryside.

Jan &nbsp;had worked at Travenol in hays before starting her career as a
librarian. She started at the State Library in Topeka before moving on to
Ellsworth Correctional Facility. She enjoyed Cross Stitching, Jigsaw Puzzles,
Word Search, family card and Domino games and was an avid reader.

She is survived by her husband, Richard of Ellis; a son, Michael Weber and wife
Christie of Bucyrus, Kansas; a daughter, Kristel Weber of Kansas City, Missouri
and three grandchildren, Justin, Ryan and Jenna Weber.

She was preceded in death by her parents; half-brother, Ray Neal and
half-sister, Peg Harrison.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, March 10, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic
Church in Ellis with Fr. Dana Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the
parish cemetery.

Visitation will be 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Sunday at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E.
17th Ellis, KS 67637 and Monday 9:00 AM until service time at the church.

A combined Daughters of Isabella rosary and parish vigil will be at 7:00 PM
Sunday at Keithley Funeral Chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association (<a href="https://donorservices.alz.org">https://donorservices.alz.org</a>)

Please share memories and words of comfort on Jan's tribute page at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

 Janet 'Jan' Weber

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Producers have until April 15, 2025 to make their farm program selections for crops to be harvested in 2025.&nbsp;

 Both Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) are offering higher price benchmarks this year, as historical prices setting these guarantees have been higher.&nbsp;

PLC will make payments if the national Marketing Year Price (MYA) falls below these reference prices. Producers will receive a payment calculated as the difference between the reference price and the MYA, times their individual farm’s established program yield with FSA, then paid on 85% of their base acres in that commodity.&nbsp; This program will pay on losses in price unless the MYA gets below loans rates established in the 2018 Farm Bill, which means large payments will occur if commodity prices are low.

ARC is a revenue program, which takes the benchmark price and multiplies it by the county’s benchmark yield to establish a benchmark revenue for each crop.&nbsp; If the current year’s revenue (national MYA price multiplied by the 2025 county yield) is less than 86% of this amount, there will be an ARC payment. The advantage of this program is that it has both a yield and price component, which has produced ARC payments in recent years due to drought, even at high prices.&nbsp; The disadvantage is that the payment is capped at 10% of benchmark revenue, which tends to happen quite quickly if a payment is triggered.&nbsp; Like PLC, it also pays on 85% of the farm’s base acres in each crop.

Remember the payments for the 2025 crop year will NOT be paid until October of 2026 once the 2025 county yields are determined and Marketing Year Average price is known, so a lot could happen to market prices between now and then. 

While ARC may be more likely to pay unless there is a bumper crop yield in the county, overall protection against low prices is less than PLC because of the 10% cap on payments.

A great tool for assessing potential ARC-CO versus PLC payments at various MYA price levels and county yields is the ARC/PLC Tradeoff spreadsheet found here:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill/tradeoff-between-20252026-arc-and-plc">https://agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill/tradeoff-between-20252026-arc-and-plc</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill/tradeoff-between-20252026-arc-and-plc"></a>Another factor in the decision to choose ARC or PLC for each crop is if a producer wants to elect the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) on their individual crop insurance. If so, base acres in that commodity cannot be enrolled in ARC. For many counties, their benchmark yield for ARC is much higher or lower than their expected yield (provided by RMA). A much higher benchmark means ARC will trigger easily, a lower benchmark yield means that this is less likely.

A new tool that also analyzes SCO in relation to ARC and PLC can be found here:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/crop-insurance/crop-insurance-papers-and-information/advanced-arc-plc-sco-tradeoff-tool">https://agmanager.info/crop-insurance/crop-insurance-papers-and-information/advanced-arc-plc-sco-tradeoff-tool</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/crop-insurance/crop-insurance-papers-and-information/advanced-arc-plc-sco-tradeoff-tool"></a>The K-State Department of Agricultural Economics recently had a webinar on these topics, with more in-depth information and analysis.&nbsp; The recording available here:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/events/2025-winter-wednesday-webinars">https://agmanager.info/events/2025-winter-wednesday-webinars</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/events/2025-winter-wednesday-webinars"></a>If you have any questions over ARC or PLC, you can contact our Extension offices and we can help. The phone numbers are for Great Bend 620-793-1910 and for Hays 785-628-9430.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You may contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698682262753.jpeg" alt="Alicia Boor, Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor, Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictProducers have until April 15, 2025 to make their farm program selections for crops to be harvested in 2025.&nbsp; Both Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) are offering higher price benchmarks this year, as historical prices setting these guarantees have been higher.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740500449489.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>PLC will make payments if the national Marketing Year Price (MYA) falls below these reference prices. Producers will receive a payment calculated as the difference between the reference price and the MYA, times their individual farm’s established program yield with FSA, then paid on 85% of their base acres in that commodity.&nbsp; This program will pay on losses in price unless the MYA gets below loans rates established in the 2018 Farm Bill, which means large payments will occur if commodity prices are low.ARC is a revenue program, which takes the benchmark price and multiplies it by the county’s benchmark yield to establish a benchmark revenue for each crop.&nbsp; If the current year’s revenue (national MYA price multiplied by the 2025 county yield) is less than 86% of this amount, there will be an ARC payment. The advantage of this program is that it has both a yield and price component, which has produced ARC payments in recent years due to drought, even at high prices.&nbsp; The disadvantage is that the payment is capped at 10% of benchmark revenue, which tends to happen quite quickly if a payment is triggered.&nbsp; Like PLC, it also pays on 85% of the farm’s base acres in each crop.Remember the payments for the 2025 crop year will NOT be paid until October of 2026 once the 2025 county yields are determined and Marketing Year Average price is known, so a lot could happen to market prices between now and then. While ARC may be more likely to pay unless there is a bumper crop yield in the county, overall protection against low prices is less than PLC because of the 10% cap on payments.A great tool for assessing potential ARC-CO versus PLC payments at various MYA price levels and county yields is the ARC/PLC Tradeoff spreadsheet found here:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill/tradeoff-between-20252026-arc-and-plc">https://agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill/tradeoff-between-20252026-arc-and-plc</a><a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill/tradeoff-between-20252026-arc-and-plc"></a>Another factor in the decision to choose ARC or PLC for each crop is if a producer wants to elect the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) on their individual crop insurance. If so, base acres in that commodity cannot be enrolled in ARC. For many counties, their benchmark yield for ARC is much higher or lower than their expected yield (provided by RMA). A much higher benchmark means ARC will trigger easily, a lower benchmark yield means that this is less likely.A new tool that also analyzes SCO in relation to ARC and PLC can be found here:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/crop-insurance/crop-insurance-papers-and-information/advanced-arc-plc-sco-tradeoff-tool">https://agmanager.info/crop-insurance/crop-insurance-papers-and-information/advanced-arc-plc-sco-tradeoff-tool</a><a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/crop-insurance/crop-insurance-papers-and-information/advanced-arc-plc-sco-tradeoff-tool"></a>The K-State Department of Agricultural Economics recently had a webinar on these topics, with more in-depth information and analysis.&nbsp; The recording available here:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/events/2025-winter-wednesday-webinars">https://agmanager.info/events/2025-winter-wednesday-webinars</a><a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/events/2025-winter-wednesday-webinars"></a>If you have any questions over ARC or PLC, you can contact our Extension offices and we can help. The phone numbers are for Great Bend 620-793-1910 and for Hays 785-628-9430.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You may contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Time to make farm program selections for crops to be harvested in 2025

The City of Salina has spent $538,791 in legal fees related to the ongoing case involving the Cozy Inn, according to Interim City Manager Jacob Wood. The case, which revolves around a dispute regarding artwork on the iconic 103-year-old establishment, has yet to go to trial but has involved multiple legal proceedings.

Wood stated that the city’s legal team, Fairfield and Woods, a Colorado-based law firm specializing in sign and mural-related cases, has been handling the matter.

"There's certainly been lots of court actions," Wood said. "So most recently, we have filed a motion for summary judgment, and then they've [Cozy Inn Inc.]&nbsp; also filed a motion as well, and we're waiting for the court to hear that, and once the court makes a decision, they really have the option to grant all or part of that summary judgment, and depending on the result of that, then it could go to trial."

In 2024, Howard commissioned artwork on the restaurant’s exterior without city approval, sparking a legal dispute over whether it qualified as art or a sign under Salina’s zoning codes. City officials flagged the mural as a sign code violation, stating it far exceeded the allowable size for commercial signage.

Under&nbsp;<a href="https://library.municode.com/ks/salina/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH42ZORE_ARTXSI">Salina’s commercial sign regulations</a>, businesses are allotted a specific amount of signage space based on their building frontage. In the C-4 commercial district, where the Cozy Inn is located, businesses are allowed three square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage.

The Cozy Inn, with a 20.8-foot frontage, is allowed approximately 63 square feet of signage. The restaurant already uses 52.88 square feet for existing signs, leaving only about 10 square feet available. The new mural, estimated at 528 square feet, exceeds the allotted amount by nearly nine times the legal limit.

Depending on the outcome, the case could either be resolved or proceed to trial in the fall of 2025, tentatively between October and November. Steve Howard, the owner of the iconic burger joint, The Cozy Inn,&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUTWVmLiTQcdKeCuRdHGrhObFtpAmqNqXzpRRwxU4Zb2-2BoEyY03VwQVkWBe6RECH38iYVm0KzdGhLXN0bDZZvwls-3D-MCN_7wBycvMPybCLu9GEHh-2FcwqfbnXzgwmf7GRZSag-2BFX4lUpRt6aeWBQhflJsGWNYaQ8qxX7ipByHIK4v-2FxkDTNjzJ3funygAXOW8VTBoXX1SdPiWInznp49Uq13sycpaAMzqgtbobwD7gTiYtCJZVqF-2Fk9Z0PqkuOgn0ah2l9ofTcwMK5gqFzm7PFE9e2rUiqz1888kcw-2BIMziWPu503DZBedxTC-2FWPU5lVTIlKkx4fKz2zpNjbEVyWS7diBaj6MIiuQz-2FNAambyU5ffDHq3lusQjc6OxiFNHhKTLgeC5avT4SwWXn6nYsH6NKMY2uH-2FPkKSHd6rLKjEounYBz8DSVEk9QJ59001oKM3dc7Gy2E04-3D" target="_blank">filed a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;with the support of the Kansas Justice Institute back in Feb. of 2024 against the City of Salina, Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699905373563.jpeg" alt="Cozy Inn Hamburgers' new mural was put on pause by the City of Salina because restaurant owner, Steve Howard, did not follow procedures set in place by the Salina City Design and Review Board. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Cozy Inn Hamburgers' new mural was put on pause by the City of Salina because restaurant owner, Steve Howard, did not follow procedures set in place by the Salina City Design and Review Board. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostThe City of Salina has spent $538,791 in legal fees related to the ongoing case involving the Cozy Inn, according to Interim City Manager Jacob Wood. The case, which revolves around a dispute regarding artwork on the iconic 103-year-old establishment, has yet to go to trial but has involved multiple legal proceedings.Wood stated that the city’s legal team, Fairfield and Woods, a Colorado-based law firm specializing in sign and mural-related cases, has been handling the matter."There's certainly been lots of court actions," Wood said. "So most recently, we have filed a motion for summary judgment, and then they've [Cozy Inn Inc.]&nbsp; also filed a motion as well, and we're waiting for the court to hear that, and once the court makes a decision, they really have the option to grant all or part of that summary judgment, and depending on the result of that, then it could go to trial."In 2024, Howard commissioned artwork on the restaurant’s exterior without city approval, sparking a legal dispute over whether it qualified as art or a sign under Salina’s zoning codes. City officials flagged the mural as a sign code violation, stating it far exceeded the allowable size for commercial signage.Under&nbsp;<a href="https://library.municode.com/ks/salina/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH42ZORE_ARTXSI">Salina’s commercial sign regulations</a>, businesses are allotted a specific amount of signage space based on their building frontage. In the C-4 commercial district, where the Cozy Inn is located, businesses are allowed three square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage.The Cozy Inn, with a 20.8-foot frontage, is allowed approximately 63 square feet of signage. The restaurant already uses 52.88 square feet for existing signs, leaving only about 10 square feet available. The new mural, estimated at 528 square feet, exceeds the allotted amount by nearly nine times the legal limit.Depending on the outcome, the case could either be resolved or proceed to trial in the fall of 2025, tentatively between October and November. Steve Howard, the owner of the iconic burger joint, The Cozy Inn,&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUTWVmLiTQcdKeCuRdHGrhObFtpAmqNqXzpRRwxU4Zb2-2BoEyY03VwQVkWBe6RECH38iYVm0KzdGhLXN0bDZZvwls-3D-MCN_7wBycvMPybCLu9GEHh-2FcwqfbnXzgwmf7GRZSag-2BFX4lUpRt6aeWBQhflJsGWNYaQ8qxX7ipByHIK4v-2FxkDTNjzJ3funygAXOW8VTBoXX1SdPiWInznp49Uq13sycpaAMzqgtbobwD7gTiYtCJZVqF-2Fk9Z0PqkuOgn0ah2l9ofTcwMK5gqFzm7PFE9e2rUiqz1888kcw-2BIMziWPu503DZBedxTC-2FWPU5lVTIlKkx4fKz2zpNjbEVyWS7diBaj6MIiuQz-2FNAambyU5ffDHq3lusQjc6OxiFNHhKTLgeC5avT4SwWXn6nYsH6NKMY2uH-2FPkKSHd6rLKjEounYBz8DSVEk9QJ59001oKM3dc7Gy2E04-3D" target="_blank">filed a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;with the support of the Kansas Justice Institute back in Feb. of 2024 against the City of Salina, Kansas.&nbsp;While Wood did not have an exact number of hours billed by the legal firm, he noted that retrieving such details would require a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.Salina Post is in the process of submitting a FOIA request and will update this story as new information becomes available.&nbsp;