The first of these programs is “Next Level Photography.” Youth will learn about the rule of thirds, different viewpoints, and candid photos. This is a free program for 5th through 8th graders that will be…

When Josie Plumlee of Iola taught a sewing class at the SAFE BASE Summer Program, she encountered a fourth grade girl who wasn’t happy to be there. “I can’t believe my mom signed me up…

Hunter Nickell always planned to come home. He just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. Nickell graduated from Humboldt High School in 2018 and from Kansas State University in 2021.  About three weeks ago,…

I did a little scouting two nights ago looking for newly hatched bagworms on cedar trees. Sure enough, they are out! You have to really look in order to see them because they are still…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To celebrate, consider practicing mindfulness. This is a term that seems to be everywhere, but what exactly does it mean? Mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn defines the term as “awareness,…

No matter how modest, everything you own is considered your estate.  Everyone has something they want to pass on.   An estate plan will help ensure your wishes for your possessions are followed, even when…

Bradford pear trees are blooming across the city and countryside. Not only do some find the blooms malodorous, the trees are actually invasive, Southwind Extension District’s Horticulture Agent Krista Harding said. The Bradford pear, which…

High commodity prices and especially the high cost of fertilizer prompted local farmers to shift their focus to wheat this year. That’s a trend likely to continue, with the war in Ukraine expected to deplete…

Social Security retirement benefits provide a secure income during retirement years. Eligibility for this benefit is between 62 and 70 years old. The most important financial decision of your life will be to determine when…

Whether you are new to gardening or have been gardening for years, all gardeners should think about their soil fertility levels. Just looking at your plants won’t provide the proper information. Soil fertility is something…