Kansas Klips

K-State researchers seeking best ways to grow cotton in Kansas

MANHATTAN — Is there room for cotton in Kansas…the Wheat State? There certainly is, according to Kansas State University water resources engineer Jonathan Aguilar, who is currently studying the best ways to grow a crop that is traditionally grown in warmer climates. “One of the reasons we are looking at cotton is because it is drought resistant, or at least doesn't need a lot of water compared to other crops grown in (southwest Kansas),” said Aguilar, who is located in K-State’s Southwest Research-Extension Center in Garden City. “The other reason we are doing research on growing cotton is because we are at the northern edge of cotton production in this region. We’ve been growing cotton for three years; our first question was whether it will grow here, and if it will, can it produce a decent yield?” So far, he says, the answers are “yes” and “yes.” “We are still getting samples for this year’s crop,” Aguilar said, “but it looks like we will have a nice yield.” (HaysPost.com)

Kansas students fell further behind during pandemic

WICHITA — It turns out a year of shutdowns and quarantines generated lousy test scores for schoolchildren across Kansas. More than 30% of students fell behind their grade level in math and language arts in the 2020-21 school year. That marked a sharp decline that lines up with the COVID-19 shutdown of in-person school in the spring of 2020 and launched the following school year into an ad hoc combination of online teaching and stop-and-start opening of school buildings. Before the pandemic, 28% of students were below grade level in math. After the pandemic, that number shot to about 34%. In language arts, the falling-behind number went from 27% to just over 30%. The picture for high-schoolers is more grim: Forty-seven percent scored below grade level in math, up from 41% two years ago. About 35% scored below grade level in English language arts. The scores offer one metric in understanding the potential learning loss caused by the pandemic. Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson said comparisons with previous years are complicated. Tests weren’t administered in 2020 because of school closures, and not all students took them this past spring. But Kansas isn’t alone, according to Watson. “Every data point we have is down,” Watson said, “and so is everyone else’s across the country.” (Topeka Capital-Journal)

$1M gift enhances Rock Springs Ranch health center

MANHATTAN — The newly renovated health center at Rock Springs Ranch recently received a $1 million boost, thanks to a gift from the Sunderland Foundation. The foundation’s vision to provide support for the community through higher education and health facilities aligns with Kansas 4-H’s mission to meet the social, emotional, and physical needs of youth. 4-H also provides immersive experiences, fosters innovation, and enhances accessibility with a commitment to access, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Sunderland Foundation’s areas of interest include higher education, youth-serving agencies, health facilities, community buildings, museums, civic projects, and energy-efficient affordable housing projects. “Camper care and safety is the top priority at Rock Springs Ranch, and the new health center was instrumental in welcoming youth back in the midst of a pandemic,” Jake Worcester, president/CEO the Kansas 4-H Foundation, said. (JCPost.com)

Three injured in two-vehicle wreck in Ellsworth

ELLSWORTH — Three people were taken to the hospital after a two vehicle accident in northern Ellsworth Saturday afternoon. William Wachs, 83, of Ellsworth, was northbound on Kansas Highway 156 in a 1991 Ford F250 when he attempted to turn left onto O’Donnell Drive and turned in front of a 2012 Toyota RAV4 driven by Lon P. Cale, 75, of Great Bend, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. The RAV4 struck the pickup. Both drivers and a passenger in the RAV4, Nancy E. Cale, 74, of Great Bend, suffered suspected serious injuries and were transported to Ellsworth County Medical Center, the Highway Patrol noted. All three were properly restrained. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. (HaysPost.com)

Pedestrian killed while running on highway

SUMNER COUNTY — A 65-year-old Kansas pedestrian was killed in an accident last Friday morning, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. The KHP reported Chuck E. Flynn, 65, was running southbound at 6:30 a.m. when he was struck by a 2015 Dodge Challenger driven by Nicholas James Hyde, 23, Wellington, which was eastbound on U.S. Highway 160. Flynn was transported to Cornejos Funeral Home in Wellington. Hyde and two occupants of the vehicle sustained no apparent injuries, the KHP said. (HaysPost.com)

Hays athlete inducted into Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame

HAYS — A pizza party with bingo is always fun. Ryan Hoag knew there was about to be more fun when a large group of his family members recently walked quietly into the Rose Garden Banquet Hall just as the party for Hays Special Olympians got started. Hoag’s family was there for a surprise announcement from two surprise guests. Jason Jordan, the new programs and activities director for the Arc of Central Plains, introduced former director, Brent Kaiser. Kaiser brought Hoag up to the microphone at the front of the room and told him he had been inducted into the Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame. Hoag has been been a distance runner for several years in Special Olympics. Just he and one other athlete competed in the 1500M and 3000M in his first competition. The next year, both races were filled with athletes who had been inspired by Hoag’s enthusiasm and dedication to the sport. (HaysPost.com)