The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, May 31, indicated an improvement of conditions. The part of our area that was in extreme drought improved to severe and the severe drought improved to moderate drought. There wasn’t much improvement for the western third of the state. The rains from this past week aren’t reflected in this report.

Phyne Pettis wants to become a therapist and improve mental health in the United States one meaningful connection at a time. Thursday afternoon she celebrated a major milestone in that journey by receiving an associate in science degree from Barton Community College at the Fort Leavenworth Education Consortium commencement ceremony.

Ellsworth Correctional Facility (ECF) resident Tyler Armstrong has been incarcerated for nearly five years. Like most at the facility, he will eventually be released back into society. Armstrong’s release date is in June of 2024.

Barton Community College will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day.

Dawayne Krepel, 42, and his daughter Kathryn, 18, both accepted their associate degrees from Barton Community College at the Fort Riley Education Services commencement ceremony Thursday afternoon in Manhattan.

The Shafer Art Gallery has unveiled its new exhibit “Palimpsest,” which will run through June 23 and feature works by 13 members of The Society of Layerists in Multi–Media. The society is a network for artists who express a holistic perspective in any style or medium and the show is celebrating its 40th year.

The Shafer Gallery brought back its popular “Virtual Vortex Day” exhibit and juried art show this year, which is sponsored by the Barton County Arts Council (BCAC) and is underwritten by the Bill J. McKown Endowment/Golden Belt Foundation and features artwork from high school students around the area.

The Barton Community College Foundation honored Bill McKown as the 2022 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) at the college’s 52nd annual commencement Friday night. Bill’s Brother, David McKown, accepted the award on his behalf.

Tom Gehring of Weisenhorn, Germany and Jaycee Patton of Medicine Lodge were named Barton Community College’s 2022 Outstanding Graduates.

Five Barton instructors earned the Distinguished Instructor Award for the 2021-2022 academic year for their efforts in the classroom.