&nbsp;The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720880925417.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report July 13

&nbsp;Flint Hills Discovery Center

Wrangle up the family and join the Flint Hills Discovery Center for National Day of the Cowboy, an annual celebration of the national icon and the history and culture of the American West.&nbsp;

This year's event is on Saturday, July 27&nbsp;from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Outside, catch&nbsp;a horse-drawn carriage ride (until 1 p.m.), show off your arm strength at the dunk tank, and brand a wood block.Inside the Discovery Center, take a western style photo "in jail", at the saloon doors, or with our wooden bison calves. Meet rodeo queens and participate in fun activities."This is one of our most popular events every year", says Jonathan Mertz, Event Supervisor. "We encourage everyone to dress up as a cowboy or cowgirl,&nbsp;mosey on down to the Discovery Center, and celebrate with us."Mayor Pro Tem Karen McCulloh will read a National Day of the Cowboy proclamation at 10:05 a.m.&nbsp;Enjoy American folk music from Fiddler's Dream from 10:15-11:15 a.m. and again from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.Children's activities:

The first 250 children get a free "Day of the Cowboy" baseball cap courtesy of Wrangler and Vanderbilt's.All these activities are included with regular priced admission. The Sunflower Summer app can be used.There will also be food vendors selling their tasty vittles. Enjoy cuisine from Taco's Food Truck and Rainbow Ice.&nbsp;Purchase Frostop sarsaparilla and root beer, and Wild Bill's vanilla and orange soda in our gift store.Test your skills on a mechanical bull (additional cost, admission not required).More information about National Day of the Cowboy can be found on the Flint Hills Discovery Center website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=827b82c477&amp;e=ae94a9aa01">www.flinthillsdiscovery.org/cowboy</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720811191364.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Flint Hills Discovery CenterWrangle up the family and join the Flint Hills Discovery Center for National Day of the Cowboy, an annual celebration of the national icon and the history and culture of the American West.&nbsp;This year's event is on Saturday, July 27&nbsp;from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Outside, catch&nbsp;a horse-drawn carriage ride (until 1 p.m.), show off your arm strength at the dunk tank, and brand a wood block.Inside the Discovery Center, take a western style photo "in jail", at the saloon doors, or with our wooden bison calves. Meet rodeo queens and participate in fun activities."This is one of our most popular events every year", says Jonathan Mertz, Event Supervisor. "We encourage everyone to dress up as a cowboy or cowgirl,&nbsp;mosey on down to the Discovery Center, and celebrate with us."Mayor Pro Tem Karen McCulloh will read a National Day of the Cowboy proclamation at 10:05 a.m.&nbsp;Enjoy American folk music from Fiddler's Dream from 10:15-11:15 a.m. and again from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.Children's activities:<ul>
 <li>"Bull" roping with the K-State Rodeo Club</li><li>Make a marionette horse</li><li>Toss a (rubber) snake into a cowboy boot</li><li>Play Cowboy Tic-Tac-Toe</li><li>Learn about the life of a cowboy with our Cowboy Box, dress up, and take a digital photo</li><li>Construct a Wagon Wheel puzzle</li>
 </ul>The first 250 children get a free "Day of the Cowboy" baseball cap courtesy of Wrangler and Vanderbilt's.All these activities are included with regular priced admission. The Sunflower Summer app can be used.There will also be food vendors selling their tasty vittles. Enjoy cuisine from Taco's Food Truck and Rainbow Ice.&nbsp;Purchase Frostop sarsaparilla and root beer, and Wild Bill's vanilla and orange soda in our gift store.Test your skills on a mechanical bull (additional cost, admission not required).More information about National Day of the Cowboy can be found on the Flint Hills Discovery Center website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=827b82c477&amp;e=ae94a9aa01">www.flinthillsdiscovery.org/cowboy</a>.

National Day of the cowboy at the Flint Hills Discovery Center

The City of Manhattan has announced that Furniture Amnesty Day is Friday, July 26 in Manhattan City Park from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.! Details and signup: <a href="https://cityofmhk.com/2715/Furniture-Amnesty-Day?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0C6crEuSRBtTXa2q1mOS4LnHAKGhLEYEwCZX23tECkBEPkmHcZnzcM9GE_aem_GzV6tdvwQHVG6GR2qs7uKw" target="_blank">https://cityofmhk.com/2715/Furniture-Amnesty-Day</a>

&nbsp; This is an&nbsp; annual event hosted by the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cityofmanhattan?__cft__[0]=AZX9Gu8gZt1a9Artl6erAW8A1ZhvOTETmmGoMzJyzhzs1do1e2wZ_6M70OyOQH0ROO1MKDfaXpJgIilkRw2xdyLo2nO_OIIYFrBcO4ASOHMtYop39uBDF5jlKUWJdNlCJmeDD2bz1jF4zWSMfaWrJ6hYu6DPE8oZDOwqJHfrfxHX-sZz3P6wH3pzwlQ5FZvk-LAv6ZzgoNl3ITAy2oRxlKw0r_AVENtRKiO8Cy83mGMYAlBkc7eGcyk4zyMUt9xlAtE&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R"> City of Manhattan </a>Municipal Government&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HandsOnKansasState?__cft__[0]=AZX9Gu8gZt1a9Artl6erAW8A1ZhvOTETmmGoMzJyzhzs1do1e2wZ_6M70OyOQH0ROO1MKDfaXpJgIilkRw2xdyLo2nO_OIIYFrBcO4ASOHMtYop39uBDF5jlKUWJdNlCJmeDD2bz1jF4zWSMfaWrJ6hYu6DPE8oZDOwqJHfrfxHX-sZz3P6wH3pzwlQ5FZvk-LAv6ZzgoNl3ITAy2oRxlKw0r_AVENtRKiO8Cy83mGMYAlBkc7eGcyk4zyMUt9xlAtE&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R"> HandsOn Kansas Stat</a>e , that allows local residents to donate furniture so others can select from the donated goods for free. This event helps find new homes for hundreds of pieces of furniture. Last year we kept 355 pieces of furniture out of the landfill.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The City of Manhattan has announced that Furniture Amnesty Day is Friday, July 26 in Manhattan City Park from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.! Details and signup: <a href="https://cityofmhk.com/2715/Furniture-Amnesty-Day?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0C6crEuSRBtTXa2q1mOS4LnHAKGhLEYEwCZX23tECkBEPkmHcZnzcM9GE_aem_GzV6tdvwQHVG6GR2qs7uKw" target="_blank">https://cityofmhk.com/2715/Furniture-Amnesty-Day</a>&nbsp; This is an&nbsp; annual event hosted by the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cityofmanhattan?__cft__[0]=AZX9Gu8gZt1a9Artl6erAW8A1ZhvOTETmmGoMzJyzhzs1do1e2wZ_6M70OyOQH0ROO1MKDfaXpJgIilkRw2xdyLo2nO_OIIYFrBcO4ASOHMtYop39uBDF5jlKUWJdNlCJmeDD2bz1jF4zWSMfaWrJ6hYu6DPE8oZDOwqJHfrfxHX-sZz3P6wH3pzwlQ5FZvk-LAv6ZzgoNl3ITAy2oRxlKw0r_AVENtRKiO8Cy83mGMYAlBkc7eGcyk4zyMUt9xlAtE&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R"> City of Manhattan </a>Municipal Government&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HandsOnKansasState?__cft__[0]=AZX9Gu8gZt1a9Artl6erAW8A1ZhvOTETmmGoMzJyzhzs1do1e2wZ_6M70OyOQH0ROO1MKDfaXpJgIilkRw2xdyLo2nO_OIIYFrBcO4ASOHMtYop39uBDF5jlKUWJdNlCJmeDD2bz1jF4zWSMfaWrJ6hYu6DPE8oZDOwqJHfrfxHX-sZz3P6wH3pzwlQ5FZvk-LAv6ZzgoNl3ITAy2oRxlKw0r_AVENtRKiO8Cy83mGMYAlBkc7eGcyk4zyMUt9xlAtE&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R"> HandsOn Kansas Stat</a>e , that allows local residents to donate furniture so others can select from the donated goods for free. This event helps find new homes for hundreds of pieces of furniture. Last year we kept 355 pieces of furniture out of the landfill.&nbsp;&nbsp;( Cover photo - Pixabay )

Annual Furniture Amnesty Day is approaching 

Online Registration for the 2024-2025 school year opens on Monday, July 15 at noon. Registration for each student must be completed each year. 

Visit the Student Registration page to find more information, resources, and school supply lists.<a href="https://usd383.org/45328_2?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2bfFsaLaNaVJvWTypsiu_TcyvPbHPyItKQK9Aeyxnav1b98Z6x_5VNAjM_aem_tFV5apLr0KZnnkGa3tlcCQ" target="_blank">https://usd383.org/45328_2</a>

Online Registration for the 2024-2025 school year opens on Monday, July 15 at noon. Registration for each student must be completed each year. Visit the Student Registration page to find more information, resources, and school supply lists.<a href="https://usd383.org/45328_2?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2bfFsaLaNaVJvWTypsiu_TcyvPbHPyItKQK9Aeyxnav1b98Z6x_5VNAjM_aem_tFV5apLr0KZnnkGa3tlcCQ" target="_blank">https://usd383.org/45328_2</a>( Cover photo - Pixabay )

USD 383 Manhattan - Ogden online registration starts Monday

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Thursday in Riley County.

According to the Riley County Police Department reported, a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Sarah Ingalls was involved in a rollover crash&nbsp;in the 17600 block of Barton Road in Leonardville 

EMS transported Ingalls to Via Christi for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. The RCPD did not report where Ingalls is from or if she was wearing a seat belt.

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Thursday in Riley County.According to the Riley County Police Department reported, a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Sarah Ingalls was involved in a rollover crash&nbsp;in the 17600 block of Barton Road in Leonardville EMS transported Ingalls to Via Christi for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. The RCPD did not report where Ingalls is from or if she was wearing a seat belt.

Teen injured in Riley County rollover accident

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720793179786.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report July 12

RILEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Thursday in Manhattan.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a motorcycle driven by 21-year-old Luiz Hill was involved in an accident&nbsp;in the 6400 block of Skyway Drive 

EMS transported Hill to Via Christi for treatment of his injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details including where Hill is from and whether he was wearing a helmet.

RILEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Thursday in Manhattan.According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a motorcycle driven by 21-year-old Luiz Hill was involved in an accident&nbsp;in the 6400 block of Skyway Drive EMS transported Hill to Via Christi for treatment of his injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details including where Hill is from and whether he was wearing a helmet.

Man injured in motorcycle accident in Manhattan

It’s county 4-H fair season in Kansas! Whether your 4-Her (or anyone entering open class) is cleaning wheat samples from the combine, mounting the perfect harvest photo or still testing out recipes for foods entries, mark your calendar for the Kansas 4-H Wheat Expo for an additional showcase and learning opportunity for youth and adult alike.&nbsp;

The wheat expo is a one-day 4-H event showcasing all things wheat, designed as an educational and hands-on program for all Kansas 4-H members, siblings, parents, grandparents and K-State Research and Extension staff. 4-Hers do not have to be enrolled in the crops or plant science projects to participate. There are great opportunities for adding those learning experiences to the record books, particularly for 4-Hers in the foods and nutrition, photography and field crops projects.&nbsp;

Sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Commission and other partners across the state, this year’s event is scheduled for August 12, 2024, at Pottorf Hall in Manhattan, Kansas. Starting at 9:00 a.m. and running through 3:00 p.m., the event includes tours of the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center and the Hal Ross Flour Mill.&nbsp;

The Kansas Wheat Innovation Center is the facility at Kansas State University where scientists create new varieties of wheat that will have greater yields and/or quality. It has research laboratories where different traits and selected to create new wheat varieties and greenhouses where new varieties are grown and tested for yield and quality.

The Hal Ross Flour Mill is a facility at Kansas State University where wheat is brought in and made into flour. The mill is used to teach students and wheat industry workers about the process of making flour from wheat and is used to perform research on ways to improve the flour milling process.

Lunch and refreshments are sponsored, but there is a $10 registration fee for all participants to offset costs.&nbsp;

In addition to a wheat judging contest, 4-H and FFA youth ages 7 to 19 and Cloverbuds ages 5 to 6 can participate in a Market Wheat Show. Enrollment in the project is not required (except for Division 1) and there will be cash awards for the top three placings in each division in addition to ribbons for all entries.&nbsp;

Division 1- Bin Run Wheat – Crop Production Project Send a 1 lb. bin run sample of wheat along with a completed entry card to KSU. Exhibitors must be enrolled in Crop Production and Management. Limit 2 per exhibitor. Entries must be of different varieties. Open only to youth ages 7–19 (no Cloverbuds). Samples must be postmarked by July 20, 2024.&nbsp;

Division 2 – Bin Run Wheat – Adopt a Producer Send a 1 lb. bin run sample of wheat along with a completed entry card to KSU. For youth not enrolled in Crop Production and Management who adopt a wheat producer. Limit 2 per exhibitor. Entries must be of different varieties. Open only to youth ages 7-19 (no Cloverbuds). Samples must be postmarked by July 20, 2024.

Division 3 - Clean Wheat – 1 Quart One quart jar of cleaned wheat. May be mechanically cleaned, but handpicked is advantageous. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district, club and variety.&nbsp;

Division 4 – Yeast Rolls Three standard yeast rolls, any kind with wheat flour as a major ingredient and no additions (i.e. nuts, fruit, cheese). Place on a plate enclosed in a plastic bag and include the recipe. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, club and county/district.&nbsp;

Division 5 - Cookies Three standard-sized cookies of any kind with wheat flour as a major ingredient. Place on a plate enclosed in a plastic bag and include the recipe. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district and club.&nbsp;

Division 6 – Muffins Three standard-sized muffins of any kind with wheat flour as a major ingredient. Place on a plate enclosed in a plastic bag and include the recipe. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district and club.&nbsp;

Division 7 – Wheat Photo 8 x 10 photograph related to wheat. Black/white, color, landscape, etc. are accepted. All photos compete against each other. Use Kansas State Fair 4-H mounting rules. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district and club.&nbsp;

Division 8 – Wheat Educational Poster Use standard poster board (22” X 28”) or 3’ X 4’ (maximum) display board. The central theme must be related to wheat. Photos and artwork are allowed, but no copyrighted materials. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district and club.&nbsp;

Division 9 - Cloverbuds (ages 5 – 6) Cloverbuds may compete in Divisions 3 – 8. Participation ribbons will be given. Entries will not be judged and are not eligible for cash prizes.&nbsp;

Registration is open now and ends July 25. Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/wheatexpo">https://bit.ly/wheatexpo</a>. Contact Kelsey Nordyke (<a href="mailto:klnordyke@ksu.edu">klnordyke@ksu.edu</a>, 620-222-1311) with questions.

Still looking for inspiration for those fair or Wheat Expo entries or for summer activities with the family? Check out EatWheat, a consumer-facing website that provides awareness of farm and production practices while also sharing beautiful wheat photography, full meal ideas and activities for the entire family like salt dough ornaments (a great 4-H craft project!). Explore the fun at EatWheat.org.&nbsp;

You can also find festival-tested recipes for that Grand Champion ribbon, including detailed instructions, tips and nutrition information, from the National Festival of Breads, at&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalfestivalofbreads.com/recipes.&amp;nbsp">https://nationalfestivalofbreads.com/recipes.&amp;nbsp</a>;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720746147257.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JULIA DEBES&nbsp;Kansas WheatIt’s county 4-H fair season in Kansas! Whether your 4-Her (or anyone entering open class) is cleaning wheat samples from the combine, mounting the perfect harvest photo or still testing out recipes for foods entries, mark your calendar for the Kansas 4-H Wheat Expo for an additional showcase and learning opportunity for youth and adult alike.&nbsp;The wheat expo is a one-day 4-H event showcasing all things wheat, designed as an educational and hands-on program for all Kansas 4-H members, siblings, parents, grandparents and K-State Research and Extension staff. 4-Hers do not have to be enrolled in the crops or plant science projects to participate. There are great opportunities for adding those learning experiences to the record books, particularly for 4-Hers in the foods and nutrition, photography and field crops projects.&nbsp;Sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Commission and other partners across the state, this year’s event is scheduled for August 12, 2024, at Pottorf Hall in Manhattan, Kansas. Starting at 9:00 a.m. and running through 3:00 p.m., the event includes tours of the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center and the Hal Ross Flour Mill.&nbsp;The Kansas Wheat Innovation Center is the facility at Kansas State University where scientists create new varieties of wheat that will have greater yields and/or quality. It has research laboratories where different traits and selected to create new wheat varieties and greenhouses where new varieties are grown and tested for yield and quality.The Hal Ross Flour Mill is a facility at Kansas State University where wheat is brought in and made into flour. The mill is used to teach students and wheat industry workers about the process of making flour from wheat and is used to perform research on ways to improve the flour milling process.Lunch and refreshments are sponsored, but there is a $10 registration fee for all participants to offset costs.&nbsp;In addition to a wheat judging contest, 4-H and FFA youth ages 7 to 19 and Cloverbuds ages 5 to 6 can participate in a Market Wheat Show. Enrollment in the project is not required (except for Division 1) and there will be cash awards for the top three placings in each division in addition to ribbons for all entries.&nbsp;The Market Wheat Show includes:Division 1- Bin Run Wheat – Crop Production Project Send a 1 lb. bin run sample of wheat along with a completed entry card to KSU. Exhibitors must be enrolled in Crop Production and Management. Limit 2 per exhibitor. Entries must be of different varieties. Open only to youth ages 7–19 (no Cloverbuds). Samples must be postmarked by July 20, 2024.&nbsp;Division 2 – Bin Run Wheat – Adopt a Producer Send a 1 lb. bin run sample of wheat along with a completed entry card to KSU. For youth not enrolled in Crop Production and Management who adopt a wheat producer. Limit 2 per exhibitor. Entries must be of different varieties. Open only to youth ages 7-19 (no Cloverbuds). Samples must be postmarked by July 20, 2024.Division 3 - Clean Wheat – 1 Quart One quart jar of cleaned wheat. May be mechanically cleaned, but handpicked is advantageous. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district, club and variety.&nbsp;Division 4 – Yeast Rolls Three standard yeast rolls, any kind with wheat flour as a major ingredient and no additions (i.e. nuts, fruit, cheese). Place on a plate enclosed in a plastic bag and include the recipe. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, club and county/district.&nbsp;Division 5 - Cookies Three standard-sized cookies of any kind with wheat flour as a major ingredient. Place on a plate enclosed in a plastic bag and include the recipe. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district and club.&nbsp;Division 6 – Muffins Three standard-sized muffins of any kind with wheat flour as a major ingredient. Place on a plate enclosed in a plastic bag and include the recipe. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district and club.&nbsp;Division 7 – Wheat Photo 8 x 10 photograph related to wheat. Black/white, color, landscape, etc. are accepted. All photos compete against each other. Use Kansas State Fair 4-H mounting rules. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district and club.&nbsp;Division 8 – Wheat Educational Poster Use standard poster board (22” X 28”) or 3’ X 4’ (maximum) display board. The central theme must be related to wheat. Photos and artwork are allowed, but no copyrighted materials. Bring entry day of show, labeled with name, county/district and club.&nbsp;Division 9 - Cloverbuds (ages 5 – 6) Cloverbuds may compete in Divisions 3 – 8. Participation ribbons will be given. Entries will not be judged and are not eligible for cash prizes.&nbsp;Registration is open now and ends July 25. Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/wheatexpo">https://bit.ly/wheatexpo</a>. Contact Kelsey Nordyke (<a href="mailto:klnordyke@ksu.edu">klnordyke@ksu.edu</a>, 620-222-1311) with questions.Still looking for inspiration for those fair or Wheat Expo entries or for summer activities with the family? Check out EatWheat, a consumer-facing website that provides awareness of farm and production practices while also sharing beautiful wheat photography, full meal ideas and activities for the entire family like salt dough ornaments (a great 4-H craft project!). Explore the fun at EatWheat.org.&nbsp;You can also find festival-tested recipes for that Grand Champion ribbon, including detailed instructions, tips and nutrition information, from the National Festival of Breads, at&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalfestivalofbreads.com/recipes.&amp;nbsp">https://nationalfestivalofbreads.com/recipes.&amp;nbsp</a>;

Wheat Scoop: Share your kernels of creativity during the Kansas 4-H Wheat Expo

K-State Research and Extension news service

A common problem many homeowners face is wasps taking up residence outside their homes. Kansas State University entomologist Raymond Cloyd says, however, that not all wasps are harmful.

“Wasps are beneficial and they are part of the ecosystem,” Cloyd said. “They are predators of many caterpillar pests and are docile overall. They will usually only sting if disturbed or agitated.”

Mud daubers and paper wasps are commonly seen around homes and will generally not attack people. However, yellow jackets will actually attack people.

Despite the beneficial role of wasps, many people may want to remove wasp nests to avoid the possibility of getting stung when outdoors. When considering removing wasp nests, Cloyd advises determining whether the nest is new or mature.

“If the home has a history of wasps building nests, such as in late spring or early summer, physically remove the nest when you see the nest being initially built,” Cloyd said.

New nests can be removed with minimal risk of being stung because there are usually fewer wasps present inside the new nest. Wasps generally do not rebuild nests in the same location, so physically removing the nest will avoid having to deal with nests in the future.

Spraying nests with an insecticide should be done at night when the wasps are inside the nest, Cloyd said.

If the nest is large, mature, and has been around for some time, Cloyd recommends contacting a pest management professional.

“In order to avoid getting stung, it is best to contact a pest management professional,” he said.

Cloyd said that it is important to correctly identify the wasp that is creating the nest. He recommends contacting your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>&nbsp;and either describing the insect over the phone or sending pictures via email.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720709369359.jpeg" alt="Homeowners often dread finding wasp nests around their houses due to their infamous stinging abilities. Raymond Cloyd, K-State entomologist, explains how to remove wasp nests and encourages people to contact pest control professionals before acting.&nbsp;Image Courtesy K-State Research and Extension news service" />
 <figcaption>Homeowners often dread finding wasp nests around their houses due to their infamous stinging abilities. Raymond Cloyd, K-State entomologist, explains how to remove wasp nests and encourages people to contact pest control professionals before acting.&nbsp;Image Courtesy K-State Research and Extension news service</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Research and Extension news serviceA common problem many homeowners face is wasps taking up residence outside their homes. Kansas State University entomologist Raymond Cloyd says, however, that not all wasps are harmful.“Wasps are beneficial and they are part of the ecosystem,” Cloyd said. “They are predators of many caterpillar pests and are docile overall. They will usually only sting if disturbed or agitated.”Mud daubers and paper wasps are commonly seen around homes and will generally not attack people. However, yellow jackets will actually attack people.Despite the beneficial role of wasps, many people may want to remove wasp nests to avoid the possibility of getting stung when outdoors. When considering removing wasp nests, Cloyd advises determining whether the nest is new or mature.“If the home has a history of wasps building nests, such as in late spring or early summer, physically remove the nest when you see the nest being initially built,” Cloyd said.New nests can be removed with minimal risk of being stung because there are usually fewer wasps present inside the new nest. Wasps generally do not rebuild nests in the same location, so physically removing the nest will avoid having to deal with nests in the future.Spraying nests with an insecticide should be done at night when the wasps are inside the nest, Cloyd said.If the nest is large, mature, and has been around for some time, Cloyd recommends contacting a pest management professional.“In order to avoid getting stung, it is best to contact a pest management professional,” he said.Cloyd said that it is important to correctly identify the wasp that is creating the nest. He recommends contacting your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>&nbsp;and either describing the insect over the phone or sending pictures via email.

K-State expert explains how to protect your home from wasps

Members of the public can meet the four finalists for the position of Manhattan City Manager from&nbsp;4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 22&nbsp;at Flint Hills Discovery Center, 315 South 3rd Street. During this reception, the public will have an opportunity to meet each finalist in an informal setting, ask questions, and share their feedback in writing or electronically.

The finalists were selected following a nationwide search that produced a field of 50 candidates from 23 different states. Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers&nbsp;has been serving as Interim City Manager since April 2024 following the retirement of Ron Fehr.

The four finalists have been invited to participate in the on-site interview process scheduled for&nbsp;July 22-23. This two-day process&nbsp;includes a community tour, interview/engagement sessions with the Mayor and City Commissioners, City leadership, and City staff, as well as the community reception.

Jacob J. Wood&nbsp;has more than 15 years of local government experience, including more than 10 years in senior leadership positions. He currently serves as Deputy City Manager for the City of Salina, where he is responsible for overseeing 12 city departments and a $160 million annual budget. Prior to his current position, Mr. Wood was the Assistant City Manager for the City of Hays from 2015 through 2019 and City Administrator for Oakley from 2012 through 2015.

Jamie Miller&nbsp;has more than 10 years of local government experience, which includes her last two years serving as the City Manager of Paris, Kentucky. In her current role, Ms. Miller is responsible for a $39 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 138 full-time employees. Prior to her current position, Miller held progressively responsible roles in the City of Port Orange, Florida, the third-largest city in Volusia County with a population of 65,000. She began her career with Port Orange in the Human Resources Department, and later was promoted to Financial Budget Analyst, Administrative Services Director, and Deputy City Manager.

Jason A. Gage&nbsp;has more than 25 years of local government experience, including 20 years as a City Manager. Mr. Gage has served since 2018 as the City Manager for the City of Springfield, Missouri, where he manages a $507 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 2,112 full-time employees. Previous senior leadership positions in local government include City Manager of Salina (2005-2018); City Manager of Stillwater, Oklahoma (2003-2005); Assistant City Manager of Salina (1999-2003); and City Manager of De Soto, Missouri (1994-1999).&nbsp;

Danielle Dulin&nbsp;has more than 10 years of local government experience, which includes her last three years serving as the City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri. In her current role, Ms. Dulin is responsible for a $45.7 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 134 full-time employees. Prior to her tenure with Warrensburg, Ms. Dulin served as Assistant to the City Manager for the cities of Lenexa, Prairie Village, and Mission Hills, after getting her start in local government as a Graduate Management Intern for Johnson County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

City of Manhattan releaseMembers of the public can meet the four finalists for the position of Manhattan City Manager from&nbsp;4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 22&nbsp;at Flint Hills Discovery Center, 315 South 3rd Street. During this reception, the public will have an opportunity to meet each finalist in an informal setting, ask questions, and share their feedback in writing or electronically.The finalists were selected following a nationwide search that produced a field of 50 candidates from 23 different states. Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers&nbsp;has been serving as Interim City Manager since April 2024 following the retirement of Ron Fehr.The four finalists have been invited to participate in the on-site interview process scheduled for&nbsp;July 22-23. This two-day process&nbsp;includes a community tour, interview/engagement sessions with the Mayor and City Commissioners, City leadership, and City staff, as well as the community reception.<h2>Finalists:</h2>Jacob J. Wood&nbsp;has more than 15 years of local government experience, including more than 10 years in senior leadership positions. He currently serves as Deputy City Manager for the City of Salina, where he is responsible for overseeing 12 city departments and a $160 million annual budget. Prior to his current position, Mr. Wood was the Assistant City Manager for the City of Hays from 2015 through 2019 and City Administrator for Oakley from 2012 through 2015.Jamie Miller&nbsp;has more than 10 years of local government experience, which includes her last two years serving as the City Manager of Paris, Kentucky. In her current role, Ms. Miller is responsible for a $39 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 138 full-time employees. Prior to her current position, Miller held progressively responsible roles in the City of Port Orange, Florida, the third-largest city in Volusia County with a population of 65,000. She began her career with Port Orange in the Human Resources Department, and later was promoted to Financial Budget Analyst, Administrative Services Director, and Deputy City Manager.Jason A. Gage&nbsp;has more than 25 years of local government experience, including 20 years as a City Manager. Mr. Gage has served since 2018 as the City Manager for the City of Springfield, Missouri, where he manages a $507 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 2,112 full-time employees. Previous senior leadership positions in local government include City Manager of Salina (2005-2018); City Manager of Stillwater, Oklahoma (2003-2005); Assistant City Manager of Salina (1999-2003); and City Manager of De Soto, Missouri (1994-1999).&nbsp;Danielle Dulin&nbsp;has more than 10 years of local government experience, which includes her last three years serving as the City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri. In her current role, Ms. Dulin is responsible for a $45.7 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 134 full-time employees. Prior to her tenure with Warrensburg, Ms. Dulin served as Assistant to the City Manager for the cities of Lenexa, Prairie Village, and Mission Hills, after getting her start in local government as a Graduate Management Intern for Johnson County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Manhattan to host City Manager finalist candidates July 22

MARSHALL COUNTY —&nbsp;KBI agents and deputies from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office have located remains during the search for a missing Blue Rapids man. 

Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, deputies found human remains in rural Marshall County, according to a media release from the KBI.

The KBI Crime Scene Response Team responded to the area, which was northwest of Waterville, Kansas, near Sunflower Road and 2nd Road. 

 The remains are believed to be those of 36-year-old Camoran M. Shoptese. 

Agents found evidence indicating that Shoptese was murdered. Investigators do not believed a threat to the community exists related to this case.&nbsp;On Saturday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance in the disappearance of Shoptese who was last seen around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday at 709 Chestnut Street in Blue Rapids.

A person of interest connected to the homicide is in police custody on unrelated charges.Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1ISTH5POP4KQvf8B0_2-G6vTn16MFkPKEmc--z24xDvk1v8el_aT5npPw_aem_qpcr2Cmq8CwneNSrnR0Siw">Click here to report</a> anonymous tips.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720385898695.png" alt="Shoptese-photo Marshall Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Shoptese-photo Marshall Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MARSHALL COUNTY —&nbsp;KBI agents and deputies from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office have located remains during the search for a missing Blue Rapids man. Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, deputies found human remains in rural Marshall County, according to a media release from the KBI.The KBI Crime Scene Response Team responded to the area, which was northwest of Waterville, Kansas, near Sunflower Road and 2nd Road. The remains are believed to be those of 36-year-old Camoran M. Shoptese. Agents found evidence indicating that Shoptese was murdered. Investigators do not believed a threat to the community exists related to this case.&nbsp;On Saturday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance in the disappearance of Shoptese who was last seen around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday at 709 Chestnut Street in Blue Rapids.A person of interest connected to the homicide is in police custody on unrelated charges.Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1ISTH5POP4KQvf8B0_2-G6vTn16MFkPKEmc--z24xDvk1v8el_aT5npPw_aem_qpcr2Cmq8CwneNSrnR0Siw">Click here to report</a> anonymous tips.

KBI: Remains found in search for missing Kansas man

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720706683541.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report July 11

Junction City Main Street reminds the public of a Longhorn Cattle Drive planned downtown Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. Cattle will be herded from the JC Livestock Sale Barn across the East Sixth Street bridge to 6th Street and then north on Washington to 10th Street.

The event is being hosted by Junction City Main Street. Prior to the cattle drive there will be the unveiling of the tenth JC Statue.

There will be participation by the Fort Riley Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard and the Central Plains Rodeo Association rodeo queen.&nbsp;

The Longhorn Cattle are being brought from Oklahoma for the event.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostJunction City Main Street reminds the public of a Longhorn Cattle Drive planned downtown Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. Cattle will be herded from the JC Livestock Sale Barn across the East Sixth Street bridge to 6th Street and then north on Washington to 10th Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720824544120.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The event is being hosted by Junction City Main Street. Prior to the cattle drive there will be the unveiling of the tenth JC Statue.There will be participation by the Fort Riley Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard and the Central Plains Rodeo Association rodeo queen.&nbsp;The Longhorn Cattle are being brought from Oklahoma for the event.&nbsp;

Junction City Cattle Drive is set for Saturday

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansas4-h.org/">Kansas 4-H Youth Development program</a>&nbsp;has recognized more than two dozen youth as state project award winners.

Sarah Maass, state leader for the Kansas 4-H program, said “being a state project winner indicates prior excellence and points to (youth’s) future potential.”

“Youth must display leadership skills and hearts for service by organizing events like community service projects, project meetings to share their expertise with younger 4-H members, and other unique efforts,” Maass said.

One state winner is selected yearly from the senior division (ages 14-18) in 27 project categories. Kansas 4-H youth submit a project report form, a summary of their work in a certain project.

Maass notes that in addition to learning new project skills, these youth must also demonstrate growth and strength in leadership, organization, civic engagement, and communication within the project.

Civic Engagement – Ariana Baltazor, Central Kansas District – Saline County.

Clothing and Textiles – Vanessa Jones, Pottawatomie County.

Communications – Grace Oard, Sedgwick County.

Dairy – Alexander Young, Chisholm Trail District – Marion County.

Dog Care and Training – Lydia Walker, Phillips-Rooks District – Phillips County.

Entomology – Renatta Heintz, Chisholm Trail District - Dickinson County.

Fiber Arts – Allison Rose, Chisholm Trail District - Dickinson County.

Foods and Nutrition – Kierra Eck, Midway District – Russell County.

Geology – Knox Crouch, Sedgwick County.

Horse – Faith Beesley, Wild West District – Stevens County.

Leadership – Elizabeth ‘Ellie’ Seeger, McPherson County.&nbsp;

Meat Goats – Kayla George, West Plains District – Finney County.

Performing Arts – Tobias Grubbs, Wild West District – Stevens County.

Photography – Norman Jurgensen, Marshall County.

Plant Science – Isaiah Manus, Leavenworth County.

Poultry – Dalton Peters, Meadowlark District – Jackson County.

Reading – Lexi Wright, Wild West District – Haskell County.

Self-Determined – Jarrett Abel, Meadowlark District – Jackson County.

Sheep – Brady Hoffman, Sedgwick County.

Shooting Sports – Elisha Staggers, Wild West District – Stevens County.

STEM: Energy Management – Jarrett Birk, Southwind District – Woodson County.

Swine – Jacob DeRouchey, Pottawatomie County.

Visual Arts – Brynna Anderson, Central Kansas District – Saline County.

Wildlife – Jonas Kern, Cottonwood District – Barton County.

Wood Science – Karson Kahler, Meadowlark District – Jefferson County.

Award winners were recognized during the Emerald Circle celebration, hosted each year by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Officials say project report forms progress through county, regional and statewide evaluations before the state winner in each project area is named.

State 4-H project award winners are also eligible to attend the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, in November. Numerous donors provide support for project winner’s trip to the National 4-H Congress, through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas4hfoundation.org/">Kansas 4-H Foundation</a>.

More information about opportunities available through the Kansas 4-H Youth Development program is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansas4-h.org/">available online</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720548025344.jpeg" alt="Jonas Kern of Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Jonas Kern of Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. – The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansas4-h.org/">Kansas 4-H Youth Development program</a>&nbsp;has recognized more than two dozen youth as state project award winners.Sarah Maass, state leader for the Kansas 4-H program, said “being a state project winner indicates prior excellence and points to (youth’s) future potential.”“Youth must display leadership skills and hearts for service by organizing events like community service projects, project meetings to share their expertise with younger 4-H members, and other unique efforts,” Maass said.One state winner is selected yearly from the senior division (ages 14-18) in 27 project categories. Kansas 4-H youth submit a project report form, a summary of their work in a certain project.Maass notes that in addition to learning new project skills, these youth must also demonstrate growth and strength in leadership, organization, civic engagement, and communication within the project.This year’s project winners are:Beef – Lyle Perrier, Greenwood County.Civic Engagement – Ariana Baltazor, Central Kansas District – Saline County.Clothing and Textiles – Vanessa Jones, Pottawatomie County.Communications – Grace Oard, Sedgwick County.Dairy – Alexander Young, Chisholm Trail District – Marion County.Dog Care and Training – Lydia Walker, Phillips-Rooks District – Phillips County.Entomology – Renatta Heintz, Chisholm Trail District - Dickinson County.Fiber Arts – Allison Rose, Chisholm Trail District - Dickinson County.Foods and Nutrition – Kierra Eck, Midway District – Russell County.Geology – Knox Crouch, Sedgwick County.Horse – Faith Beesley, Wild West District – Stevens County.Leadership – Elizabeth ‘Ellie’ Seeger, McPherson County.&nbsp;Meat Goats – Kayla George, West Plains District – Finney County.Performing Arts – Tobias Grubbs, Wild West District – Stevens County.Photography – Norman Jurgensen, Marshall County.Plant Science – Isaiah Manus, Leavenworth County.Poultry – Dalton Peters, Meadowlark District – Jackson County.Rabbits – Alena Wiebers, Riley County.Reading – Lexi Wright, Wild West District – Haskell County.Self-Determined – Jarrett Abel, Meadowlark District – Jackson County.Sheep – Brady Hoffman, Sedgwick County.Shooting Sports – Elisha Staggers, Wild West District – Stevens County.STEM – Maggie Brummett, Riley County.STEM: Energy Management – Jarrett Birk, Southwind District – Woodson County.Swine – Jacob DeRouchey, Pottawatomie County.Visual Arts – Brynna Anderson, Central Kansas District – Saline County.Wildlife – Jonas Kern, Cottonwood District – Barton County.Wood Science – Karson Kahler, Meadowlark District – Jefferson County.Award winners were recognized during the Emerald Circle celebration, hosted each year by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Officials say project report forms progress through county, regional and statewide evaluations before the state winner in each project area is named.State 4-H project award winners are also eligible to attend the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, in November. Numerous donors provide support for project winner’s trip to the National 4-H Congress, through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas4hfoundation.org/">Kansas 4-H Foundation</a>.More information about opportunities available through the Kansas 4-H Youth Development program is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansas4-h.org/">available online</a>.

Kansas 4-H names state project award winners

Beginning today, July 10, northbound/westbound and southbound/eastbound K-18/K-177 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and will travel on the outside lanes while the medians are reconstructed.

Turning restrictions will still be in place at the McDowell Creek Road intersection. All other side streets will now allow left turns.

This configuration is expected to be in place until early August.

Permanent pavement marking will then be done in the project’s final phase. Individual lane closures will occur as needed. Traffic control will be in place to alert and direct motorists. Project completion is expected by the end of August, conditions permitting.

By Kate CraftKDOT releaseBeginning today, July 10, northbound/westbound and southbound/eastbound K-18/K-177 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and will travel on the outside lanes while the medians are reconstructed.Turning restrictions will still be in place at the McDowell Creek Road intersection. All other side streets will now allow left turns.This configuration is expected to be in place until early August.Permanent pavement marking will then be done in the project’s final phase. Individual lane closures will occur as needed. Traffic control will be in place to alert and direct motorists. Project completion is expected by the end of August, conditions permitting.

Phase 4 of the KDOT’s pavement improvement project on K-18/K-177 in Riley County is underway.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann spoke Wednesday on the House floor about the southern border crisis.

"Since President Biden was sworn in, his open border policies have created a national security and humanitarian crisis," Mann said. "House Republicans continue to urge the White House and our Democrat colleagues in Congress to work with us to identify a solution. Again and again, we are met with silence. I understand border security may not be politically convenient for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, but at some point, they must stop pretending that this crisis doesn’t exist."

Mann pushed back against spin coming out of the White House on the situation.

"I found it telling that over the July 4th&nbsp;holiday, the White House touted that illegal crossings along the U.S. southern border decreased following President Biden’s executive order," Mann said. "What they conveniently left out is that even with this executive order, May was still the 39th&nbsp;straight month where illegal immigrant encounters have been higher than even the highest month under President Trump. I understand that the White House is in desperate need of good press, but with all due respect, Mr. Speaker, the facts are the facts. Our borders are far from secure, and no feel-good story or graphic from the White House Communications team is going to change that."

Mann is asking for a change in approach, in Congress and in the White House.

"We must change our tone and send a clear message: do NOT come to the U.S. illegally," Mann said. "At the start of his presidency, President Biden promised outright citizenship to more than 11 million illegal immigrants. America is a nation of legal immigrants, and the President’s false promise was a slap in the face to the 2 million people who legally migrate to the U.S. each year the right way."

Office of Congressman Tracey MannWASHINGTON D.C. — Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann spoke Wednesday on the House floor about the southern border crisis.<div><iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vDNDhhgVq24" title="Rep. Mann Urges Democrats, President Biden to Secure America’s Borders" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>"Since President Biden was sworn in, his open border policies have created a national security and humanitarian crisis," Mann said. "House Republicans continue to urge the White House and our Democrat colleagues in Congress to work with us to identify a solution. Again and again, we are met with silence. I understand border security may not be politically convenient for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, but at some point, they must stop pretending that this crisis doesn’t exist."Mann pushed back against spin coming out of the White House on the situation."I found it telling that over the July 4th&nbsp;holiday, the White House touted that illegal crossings along the U.S. southern border decreased following President Biden’s executive order," Mann said. "What they conveniently left out is that even with this executive order, May was still the 39th&nbsp;straight month where illegal immigrant encounters have been higher than even the highest month under President Trump. I understand that the White House is in desperate need of good press, but with all due respect, Mr. Speaker, the facts are the facts. Our borders are far from secure, and no feel-good story or graphic from the White House Communications team is going to change that."Mann is asking for a change in approach, in Congress and in the White House."We must change our tone and send a clear message: do NOT come to the U.S. illegally," Mann said. "At the start of his presidency, President Biden promised outright citizenship to more than 11 million illegal immigrants. America is a nation of legal immigrants, and the President’s false promise was a slap in the face to the 2 million people who legally migrate to the U.S. each year the right way."

🎥Kan. First District congressman discusses open borders

The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad is experiencing its best summer in the organization's 31 year history. After the long Independence Day weekend, the A&amp;SV has hauled 6,233 passengers so far this year, compared to just over 3,000 a year ago, and 1,500 for the same period in 2022. The A&amp;SV has drawn passengers from five countries, 37 states, and 246 Kansas communities.

The passenger totals reflect ridership on A&amp;SV excursions, dinners and charter trains.

"We've been overwhelmed," said A&amp;SV President Ross Boelling, citing increased marketing efforts and an ambitious 2024 schedule that featured running more trains than in previous seasons as reasons for the uptick in passenger totals. Another factor has been the 2024 Kansas Legislature's designation of the A&amp;SV as the state's official heritage railroad and the railroad's prized steam engine, Santa Fe 3415, as an official state symbol.

The biggest factor explaining the A&amp;SV's popularity this season is Kansas Tourism's "Sunflower Summer," a program that offers free summer rides on the Flint Hills Express excursion trains to Kansas families with pre-K through 12th grade home, public or private school students.

"We have been overwhelmed by the folk's response to this program. We are just halfway through the season and our ridership is well over 100% higher than for the same period in 2023," said Bolling, who noted that the A&amp;SV has already hosted 2,372 Summer Sunflower passengers from 115 communities across the state.

With six weeks remaining in the program, Boelling sees no sign of the demand for train rides waning.

"We have been operating near our 140-rider capacity and have sold out a few trains," Boelling said.

Anyone with the Sunflower app can only get their tickets within one hour before train departure times, and Sunflower Summer tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

"It's advisable to arrive at the depot early," he added, noting that tickets for passengers not eligible for the Sunflower Summer program can be purchased in advance at the railroad's website,<a target="_blank" href="http://%20asvrr.org/">&nbsp;asvrr.org</a>.

The Dickinson County Heritage Center and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum also participate in the program, which concludes on August 11. Tickets can be used once per attraction per season. More information about the program is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://sunflowersummer.org/">SunflowerSummer.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706541791911.jpeg" alt="Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad's restored 1945 diesel engine. " />
 <figcaption>Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad's restored 1945 diesel engine. </figcaption>
 </figure>Abilene Smoky Valley RailroadThe Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad is experiencing its best summer in the organization's 31 year history. After the long Independence Day weekend, the A&amp;SV has hauled 6,233 passengers so far this year, compared to just over 3,000 a year ago, and 1,500 for the same period in 2022. The A&amp;SV has drawn passengers from five countries, 37 states, and 246 Kansas communities.The passenger totals reflect ridership on A&amp;SV excursions, dinners and charter trains."We've been overwhelmed," said A&amp;SV President Ross Boelling, citing increased marketing efforts and an ambitious 2024 schedule that featured running more trains than in previous seasons as reasons for the uptick in passenger totals. Another factor has been the 2024 Kansas Legislature's designation of the A&amp;SV as the state's official heritage railroad and the railroad's prized steam engine, Santa Fe 3415, as an official state symbol.The biggest factor explaining the A&amp;SV's popularity this season is Kansas Tourism's "Sunflower Summer," a program that offers free summer rides on the Flint Hills Express excursion trains to Kansas families with pre-K through 12th grade home, public or private school students."We have been overwhelmed by the folk's response to this program. We are just halfway through the season and our ridership is well over 100% higher than for the same period in 2023," said Bolling, who noted that the A&amp;SV has already hosted 2,372 Summer Sunflower passengers from 115 communities across the state.With six weeks remaining in the program, Boelling sees no sign of the demand for train rides waning."We have been operating near our 140-rider capacity and have sold out a few trains," Boelling said.Anyone with the Sunflower app can only get their tickets within one hour before train departure times, and Sunflower Summer tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis."It's advisable to arrive at the depot early," he added, noting that tickets for passengers not eligible for the Sunflower Summer program can be purchased in advance at the railroad's website,<a target="_blank" href="http://%20asvrr.org/">&nbsp;asvrr.org</a>.The Dickinson County Heritage Center and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum also participate in the program, which concludes on August 11. Tickets can be used once per attraction per season. More information about the program is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://sunflowersummer.org/">SunflowerSummer.org</a>.

Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad experiencing best summer on record

The abortion law took effect July 1 and has joined other efforts to limit abortion in Kansas in ongoing court battles about how far state lawmakers can regulate the procedure.

What’s the harm in asking? Abortion rights supporters say quite a bit. Republicans in the state Legislature are trying to gather more data about the practice.&nbsp;

Starting July 1, any medical professional performing an abortion is required by Kansas statute to ask patients their reasons for getting it.

<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2749_enrolled.pdf">The law</a>&nbsp;passed the Kansas Legislature this spring, and lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto. It’s already entangled in court fights, and the state agency that regulates medical care doesn’t plan immediate enforcement.

The Republicans who engineered the bill argued that a questionnaire — asking whether the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, if it threatens a patient’s health, if the parents don’t feel supported by family or if the baby would interfere with someone’s life goals — could give a better understanding of what leads to abortions.&nbsp;

Opponents see the questions as intrusive and intimidating to women at particularly vulnerable times.

“There is no valid medical reason to force a woman to disclose to the Legislature if they have been a victim of abuse, rape, or incest,” Kelly said in her veto statement. “There is also no valid reason to force a woman to disclose to the Legislature why she is seeking an abortion.”&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2024-07-05/kansas-supreme-court-reaffirms-that-abortion-rights-are-protected-by-constitution-striking-down-2-laws">Kansas News Service reported</a>&nbsp;that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment told providers it will not enforce the law. The agency didn’t confirm those statements when asked by reporters.&nbsp;

Here is what else you need to know about the law.&nbsp;

Do patients have to tell doctors why they are seeking an abortion in Kansas?

Women seeking an abortion don’t need to respond to the questions.&nbsp;

Republicans say that should address Democrats’ concerns, but Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Shawnee Democrat, said it’s “outrageous” that patients are asked.&nbsp;

Republicans say more information on abortion is helpful&nbsp;

The law passed through the Statehouse on party lines. Republicans said it would provide valuable information the state Legislature could use.&nbsp;

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, quoted an excerpt from a September 2005 report from the research group the Guttmacher Institute, which backs abortion rights, to support the bill.&nbsp;

“Understanding women’s reasons for having abortions can inform public debate and policy,” Landwher said during an April debate. “This does not restrict women from having their abortion.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Legislature overrode Kelly’s veto without any votes to spare in the House or Senate. Republicans have a veto-proof majority in the Statehouse.&nbsp;

Democrats say asking patients why they seek abortions is invasive

Democrats blasted the bill as government overreach and an attack on abortion access.&nbsp;

Ruiz said during an April debate that the Legislature wouldn’t use the results of the questionnaires in good faith.&nbsp;

“We are not known to pass legislation that actually really does benefit women,” she said. “We are not known for that.”&nbsp;

The Kansas abortion law can be included in a lawsuit. Will it get struck down?&nbsp;

Doctors are challenging the new law, saying it’s intrusive and unconstitutional.&nbsp;

In August 2022, voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have opened the way for the Legislature to ban abortion. But lawmakers can still regulate it. Attempts by the Legislature to impose strict regulations that threatened the ability to perform abortions in Kansas have been regularly rejected by the courts for going too far.&nbsp;

The new law doesn’t add new health or safety standards during the procedure. Rather, it adds things providers must do. Courts will ultimately decide if lawmakers imposed something that’s overly burdensome.&nbsp;

The Kansas Supreme Court recently struck down two abortion laws that were over a decade old. One ruling threw out a&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li_2016/b2015_16/measures/documents/summary_sb_95_2015.pdf">law banning a type of abortion procedure</a>. The second ruling said a&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li_2012/b2011_12/measures/documents/summary_sb_36_2011.pdf">set of requirements for abortion providers</a>&nbsp;was unconstitutional because other providers weren’t subject to those same regulations.&nbsp;

Those decade-old laws were never enforced because courts set them aside while the legal issues played out.

<h2>The abortion law took effect July 1 and has joined other efforts to limit abortion in Kansas in ongoing court battles about how far state lawmakers can regulate the procedure.</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720628368995.png" alt="The Legislature passed a law requiring clinics to ask patients why they're seeking abortions. Credit: Niko Schmidt / The Beacon" />
 <figcaption>The Legislature passed a law requiring clinics to ask patients why they're seeking abortions. Credit: Niko Schmidt / The Beacon</figcaption>
 </figure>TAKEAWAYS<ul>
 <li>Republicans say asking patients why they want an abortion provides useful information that can inform future state laws.</li><li>Democrats say the law is intrusive and unnecessary.&nbsp;</li><li>Medical providers have to ask the question, but patients don’t have to answer it.</li>
 </ul>What’s the harm in asking? Abortion rights supporters say quite a bit. Republicans in the state Legislature are trying to gather more data about the practice.&nbsp;Starting July 1, any medical professional performing an abortion is required by Kansas statute to ask patients their reasons for getting it.<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2749_enrolled.pdf">The law</a>&nbsp;passed the Kansas Legislature this spring, and lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto. It’s already entangled in court fights, and the state agency that regulates medical care doesn’t plan immediate enforcement.The Republicans who engineered the bill argued that a questionnaire — asking whether the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, if it threatens a patient’s health, if the parents don’t feel supported by family or if the baby would interfere with someone’s life goals — could give a better understanding of what leads to abortions.&nbsp;Opponents see the questions as intrusive and intimidating to women at particularly vulnerable times.“There is no valid medical reason to force a woman to disclose to the Legislature if they have been a victim of abuse, rape, or incest,” Kelly said in her veto statement. “There is also no valid reason to force a woman to disclose to the Legislature why she is seeking an abortion.”&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2024-07-05/kansas-supreme-court-reaffirms-that-abortion-rights-are-protected-by-constitution-striking-down-2-laws">Kansas News Service reported</a>&nbsp;that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment told providers it will not enforce the law. The agency didn’t confirm those statements when asked by reporters.&nbsp;Here is what else you need to know about the law.&nbsp;<h2>Do patients have to tell doctors why they are seeking an abortion in Kansas?</h2>Women seeking an abortion don’t need to respond to the questions.&nbsp;Republicans say that should address Democrats’ concerns, but Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Shawnee Democrat, said it’s “outrageous” that patients are asked.&nbsp;<h2>Republicans say more information on abortion is helpful&nbsp;</h2>The law passed through the Statehouse on party lines. Republicans said it would provide valuable information the state Legislature could use.&nbsp;Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, quoted an excerpt from a September 2005 report from the research group the Guttmacher Institute, which backs abortion rights, to support the bill.&nbsp;“Understanding women’s reasons for having abortions can inform public debate and policy,” Landwher said during an April debate. “This does not restrict women from having their abortion.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The Legislature overrode Kelly’s veto without any votes to spare in the House or Senate. Republicans have a veto-proof majority in the Statehouse.&nbsp;<h2>Democrats say asking patients why they seek abortions is invasive</h2>Democrats blasted the bill as government overreach and an attack on abortion access.&nbsp;Ruiz said during an April debate that the Legislature wouldn’t use the results of the questionnaires in good faith.&nbsp;“We are not known to pass legislation that actually really does benefit women,” she said. “We are not known for that.”&nbsp;<h2>The Kansas abortion law can be included in a lawsuit. Will it get struck down?&nbsp;</h2>Doctors are challenging the new law, saying it’s intrusive and unconstitutional.&nbsp;In August 2022, voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have opened the way for the Legislature to ban abortion. But lawmakers can still regulate it. Attempts by the Legislature to impose strict regulations that threatened the ability to perform abortions in Kansas have been regularly rejected by the courts for going too far.&nbsp;The new law doesn’t add new health or safety standards during the procedure. Rather, it adds things providers must do. Courts will ultimately decide if lawmakers imposed something that’s overly burdensome.&nbsp;The Kansas Supreme Court recently struck down two abortion laws that were over a decade old. One ruling threw out a&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li_2016/b2015_16/measures/documents/summary_sb_95_2015.pdf">law banning a type of abortion procedure</a>. The second ruling said a&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li_2012/b2011_12/measures/documents/summary_sb_36_2011.pdf">set of requirements for abortion providers</a>&nbsp;was unconstitutional because other providers weren’t subject to those same regulations.&nbsp;Those decade-old laws were never enforced because courts set them aside while the legal issues played out.

Newest abortion law in Kansas requires putting questions to patients. Here’s what that means

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged identity theft in Manhattan.

Just after 4p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of forgery/making false information/theft by deception in the 5100 block of Bramblewood Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 44-year-old man reported an unknown suspect obtained the victim's information and produced an unauthorized check from his account. 

Total loss associated with this report is $4,750. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged identity theft in Manhattan.Just after 4p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of forgery/making false information/theft by deception in the 5100 block of Bramblewood Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 44-year-old man reported an unknown suspect obtained the victim's information and produced an unauthorized check from his account. Total loss associated with this report is $4,750. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Man lost $4,700 with forged check

MICHAEL GARRETT ADAMS, 33, Manhattan, Probation Violation; Bond $5,000

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;MICHAEL GARRETT ADAMS, 33, Manhattan, Probation Violation; Bond $5,000

Riley County Arrest Report July 10

This is day 13 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

With harvest down to the final few days, this will be the last report for the 2024 Kansas wheat harvest. Rain delays continue to stretch out the season, but producers welcome the moisture as they turn their attention to planting fall crops and managing the weeds coming up rapidly in wheat stubble.

Moisture over the weekend continues to prevent harvest from wrapping up in northwest Kansas, but no one is complaining about the beneficial moisture for fall crops, according to Jeanne Falk Jones, Multi-County agronomist with the Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby.&nbsp;

Area producers started test cutting after Father’s Day and harvest kicked into full gear the following weekend. The end of harvest is now in sight - maybe three days more if the skies stay clear. This last push feels more like last year’s harvest - foggy mornings and tough wheat that can’t be cut until late in the day.&nbsp;

Yields are all over the board - from 20 to 100 bushels per acre - across the northwest region, not surprising given the challenges to get stands established last fall. Weather during the grain fill period was much more favorable with moisture, fewer triple-digit days and especially cooler night temperatures.&nbsp;

As a result, Falk-Jones reported average test weights between 58 to 62 pounds per bushel and proteins between 9 and 11.5 percent, depending on field fertility and conditions during grain fill.&nbsp;

“Everybody is pleasantly surprised on how good our wheat has been,” she said, adding that the wheat looked pretty tough for the majority of the growing season. “Now, not every field has been that way.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Falk-Jones did investigate a fair amount of wheat disease this year, including Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, Triticum mosaic and High Plains disease, all of which are transmitted by the wheat curl mite. She sent several samples off to the diagnostic labs in Manhattan to determine which virus was on the rise after seeing the characteristic yellow leaves in fields planted to varieties with decent resistance to WSMV. The result was a bit of uptake in Triticum mosaic. The earlier the infection of viral disease, the more impacts on yields, but a good number of fields already had yield potential set when symptoms showed at heading.&nbsp;

She attributes the uptick in disease pressure to severe hail last year after kernels were formed. As a result, there were more shattered kernels in the field and continual flushes of volunteer wheat after catching little rain showers. While folks tried hard to control volunteer wheat, even kernels left in wheels tracks were enough to harbor the disease vector - wheat curl mites - over the fall.

In Sherman County, Brian Linin has about five or six days left to cut near Goodland, after starting harvest on June 26 - three to five days earlier than normal and three weeks earlier than last year.&nbsp;

Expectations were low after the wheat did not have good stand last fall, thinking this year would be a repeat of the last. Blowing fields this spring added to the anticipated disappointment. Linin noted he went ahead and applied fungicide and did not see a lot of rust or Wheat Streak Mosaic virus, but controlling volunteer wheat will be essential to prevent the spread into next year’s crop.&nbsp;

While the cooler days and nights during grainfill helped the wheat do better than expected, this year will still be about 20 percent below an average yield. Linin reported yields on dryland wheat ranging from 30 to 70 bushels per acre, with most in the 40s. Test weights were averaging 58.5 to 59 pounds per bushel, but this weekend’s rain may cause them to lose a bit. Protein ranges from 12 to 14 percent.&nbsp;

“Growing wheat has a lot of value for our farm,” Linin said. “Wheat stubble once again has proven its value. Not only is wheat a good cash crop, if you are able to get a good price with forward contracting, but the importance of the stubble to plant into makes such a huge difference on fall crops. There are a lot of factors that going into profitability.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720602435064.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JULIA DEBES&nbsp;Kansas WheatThis is day 13 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.With harvest down to the final few days, this will be the last report for the 2024 Kansas wheat harvest. Rain delays continue to stretch out the season, but producers welcome the moisture as they turn their attention to planting fall crops and managing the weeds coming up rapidly in wheat stubble.Moisture over the weekend continues to prevent harvest from wrapping up in northwest Kansas, but no one is complaining about the beneficial moisture for fall crops, according to Jeanne Falk Jones, Multi-County agronomist with the Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby.&nbsp;Area producers started test cutting after Father’s Day and harvest kicked into full gear the following weekend. The end of harvest is now in sight - maybe three days more if the skies stay clear. This last push feels more like last year’s harvest - foggy mornings and tough wheat that can’t be cut until late in the day.&nbsp;Yields are all over the board - from 20 to 100 bushels per acre - across the northwest region, not surprising given the challenges to get stands established last fall. Weather during the grain fill period was much more favorable with moisture, fewer triple-digit days and especially cooler night temperatures.&nbsp;As a result, Falk-Jones reported average test weights between 58 to 62 pounds per bushel and proteins between 9 and 11.5 percent, depending on field fertility and conditions during grain fill.&nbsp;“Everybody is pleasantly surprised on how good our wheat has been,” she said, adding that the wheat looked pretty tough for the majority of the growing season. “Now, not every field has been that way.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Falk-Jones did investigate a fair amount of wheat disease this year, including Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, Triticum mosaic and High Plains disease, all of which are transmitted by the wheat curl mite. She sent several samples off to the diagnostic labs in Manhattan to determine which virus was on the rise after seeing the characteristic yellow leaves in fields planted to varieties with decent resistance to WSMV. The result was a bit of uptake in Triticum mosaic. The earlier the infection of viral disease, the more impacts on yields, but a good number of fields already had yield potential set when symptoms showed at heading.&nbsp;She attributes the uptick in disease pressure to severe hail last year after kernels were formed. As a result, there were more shattered kernels in the field and continual flushes of volunteer wheat after catching little rain showers. While folks tried hard to control volunteer wheat, even kernels left in wheels tracks were enough to harbor the disease vector - wheat curl mites - over the fall.In Sherman County, Brian Linin has about five or six days left to cut near Goodland, after starting harvest on June 26 - three to five days earlier than normal and three weeks earlier than last year.&nbsp;Expectations were low after the wheat did not have good stand last fall, thinking this year would be a repeat of the last. Blowing fields this spring added to the anticipated disappointment. Linin noted he went ahead and applied fungicide and did not see a lot of rust or Wheat Streak Mosaic virus, but controlling volunteer wheat will be essential to prevent the spread into next year’s crop.&nbsp;While the cooler days and nights during grainfill helped the wheat do better than expected, this year will still be about 20 percent below an average yield. Linin reported yields on dryland wheat ranging from 30 to 70 bushels per acre, with most in the 40s. Test weights were averaging 58.5 to 59 pounds per bushel, but this weekend’s rain may cause them to lose a bit. Protein ranges from 12 to 14 percent.&nbsp;“Growing wheat has a lot of value for our farm,” Linin said. “Wheat stubble once again has proven its value. Not only is wheat a good cash crop, if you are able to get a good price with forward contracting, but the importance of the stubble to plant into makes such a huge difference on fall crops. There are a lot of factors that going into profitability.”In Smith County in north-central Kansas, Bryce Wiehl finished wheat harvest near Smith Center on Monday, July 8, after a week-long weather delay on his last 100 acres. He’s not complaining about the rain, which will benefit double-cropped soybeans on all his now-harvested wheat fields.The wet conditions are in stark contrast to how the growing season started last fall, when Wiehl harvested bone-dry soybeans last September and October then drilled wheat in an absolute desert. The good fields were barely 50 percent up when the area had a rare rain in December that brought 1.5 to 1.75 inches of moisture. The wheat had snow on it through most of the winter, emerging from dormancy in February. Wiehl noted he had more moisture this past winter than the last seven years.After starting on Monday, June 24, harvest is above average with a final farm yield of 65 bushels per acre and average test weights of 58 to 59 pounds per bushel. He noted other producers reported test weights clear up to 63 to 64 pounds per bushel.Last year, his wheat averaged seven bushels per acre, well behind the 38 to 39 bushel-per-acre average he aims for with wheat behind soybeans. While the moisture and the bushels are welcome, the commodity prices are half what they were, driven more by investment funds than fundamentals.“It was a wheat year; we caught early spring rains, and the wheat will do what it will do,” he said. “But it looked like a total train wreck in the fall.”In southwest Kansas, wheat harvest is 98 percent complete in Finney County, down to the last few mud holes, according to Jeff Boyd, CEO/general manager of Garden City Co-op.&nbsp;Wheat harvest started earlier than the normal on June 20 this year, meaning many folks were finished up and able to enjoy the July 4th holiday weekend.&nbsp;The wheat came in dry this year with moisture at 9 to 13 percent, solid test weights between 60 and 62 pounds per bushel and average protein for the area. Yields were all over the place depending on cropping rotation. Wheat after fallow did really well, thanks to the additional moisture, while wheat planted after corn or milo was not as good. Irrigated and dryland yields were comparable.&nbsp;“No year is the same and that keeps getting reiterated,” he said. “The volatility we see goes from one extreme to the other.”&nbsp;Taking out the last couple drought years, Boyd reported the cooperative’s overall take is back up to the five and 10-year average. In general, folks are surprised and happy with their harvest, although he noted some area producers were hit by hailstorms.&nbsp;“It wasn’t until that wheat was really drying down that it really started to look good,” Boyd said. “That wheat in the field just looked thicker the more mature it got.”&nbsp;The draw area for Garden City Co-op extends down to Hooker, Oklahoma, where substantial five to 10 inches of rain will continue to affect test weights and delay harvest, but Boyd said no one is going to scare the rain away.&nbsp;As harvest finishes, he noted the next priority for producers is going to be managing the weeds coming in fast into the wheat stubble. For the elevator, Boyd explained that with a thin international market, domestic mills in Kansas and California are driving the final destination for those bushels - along with increasing demand from the wheat gluten plants in Phillipsburg and Russell.Look for a final round-up and quality reports as the data is crunched from the 2024 wheat harvest. Producers are also encouraged to start controlling weeds and volunteer wheat now as the much-appreciated moisture will bring plenty of green to harbor wheat curl mites – the vector that will foster WSMV infections next harvest.The 2024 Harvest Reports are brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates, use #<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wheatharvest24&amp;src=typed_query&amp;f=live">wheatharvest24</a>&nbsp;on social media. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansaswheat">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kswheat">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KansasWheat">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

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