AAsshhlleeyy SStteebbeennss,, lleefftt,, wwiillll rreecceeiivvee tthhee CCiittaattiioonn AAwwaarrdd nneexxtt mmoonntthh iinn tthhee CChhiiccaaggoo aarreeaa.. SShheehhaass ccoommpplleetteedd 1100 yyeeaarrss wwoorrtthh ooff ssttuuddiieess iinn tthhrreeee--aanndd--aa--hhaallff yyeeaarrss.. HHeerr mmootthheerr,, BBeettttyySStteebbeennss,, cceenntteerr,, iiss ccuurrrreennttllyy tteeaacchhiinngg AAWWAANNAA’’ss TTrreekk pprrooggrraamm aatt tthhee FFiirrsstt BBaappttiissttCChhuurrcchh.. AAsshhlleeyy bbeeccaammee iinntteerreesstteedd iinn tthhee AAWWAANNAA pprrooggrraamm wwhheenn ssaaww hhooww bblleesssseedd hheerrlliittttllee ssiisstteerr,, rriigghhtt,, wwaass ffeeeelliinngg aass aa rreessuulltt ooff hheerr ssttuuddiieess.. TThhee ““TTrreekk”” bbooookkss aabboovvee aarree ttwwooooff tthhee mmaannyy sshhee ccoommpplleetteedd iinn tthhee sshhoorrtt aammoouunntt ooff ttiimmee.. L&T photos/Jessica Crawford

SERVING THE HOME OF REID PETTYTHURSDAY February 23, 2012 75¢Vol. 125 • Iss . 264

10 Pages

© 2012 SEWARD COUNTY PUBLISHING LLC

LEADER TIMES&Dance Images Dance Troupe performs a routine to thesong “Ballroom Blitz” Monday at the Pancake DayTalent Show. L&T photo/Earl Watt

OK Kids Day Committeeselling Blue & Gold SausageCo. meats to raise fundsOrganizers of Outdoor Kansas (OK Kids) areraising funds to help provide the numerousactivities at the OK Kids Day, which isscheduled for May 12 this spring at MeadeLake State Park. Committee members areselling Blue & Gold Sausage Co. bacon in 3.5-pound packages, 2.5-pound orders of sausageand 5-pound chicken packs to raise funds.Those wishing to purchase some can call ZachWester at 629-0498 or 624-9500.About 800 kids and 600 adults attended OKKids Day last year. The focus of the event is toget kids in the great outdoors. Any businesseswishing to host a booth can also call Zach orthe park office at 620-873-2572.

SUPPORT OK KIDS DAY

Turpin Baptist Church toshow ‘Courageous,’ publicwelcome to attendHave you seen the movie ‘Couragous?’ If nothere is your chance. Sunday is Family MovieNight at Turpin Baptist Church, W. Hill St.,Turpin, Okla., and ‘Courageous’ will be shown.The movie starts at 6 p.m. If you have anyquestion please call 580-778-3314.

SUNDAY

Dorothys offering candy,babysitting service thisweekend to raise fundsA touch of Oz will be gracing the halls ofKansas’ State Capitol building in a few weeks asa dozen Dorothys willserve as pages forKansas State SenatorGarrett Love.The Dorothys ofLiberal’s Land of Oz willbe at work in the StateCapitol building March12. The opportunity willrequire fundraising as12 Dorothys and sixsponsors will betraveling to Topeka.Dorothys are currentlyoffering See’s Candies, including their assortedchocolates, and van Bourgondien bulbs andperennials for donations to the travel fund.They will also babysit Saturday from 5:30 to 10p.m. at The Land of Oz for children betweenthe ages of 3 and 11. For further informationregarding donations, contact the CoronadoMuseum at 624-7624 or drop by to pick upsome candy or flower bulbs.

CALL NOW

High Plains

DOWNLOADS

hpleader.comHer body may be weary from cystic fibrosis,

but Ashley has a

Strong spirit

By JESSICA CRAWFORD• Leader & Times

Ashley Stebens is 20 years old. Her body is often weary from theeffects of cystic fibrosis. Her spirit, however, is stronger than ever.Through the AWANA program, the First Baptist Church of Liberalmember has grounded herself in the Word of God. Her accomplishments in the AWANA program will be

recognized next month in the Chicago area. She will receiveAWANA’s highest honor – the Citation Award. The award is usuallybestowed upon teenagers or young adults after 10 years of workthrough the AWANA curriculum. However, Stebens has completedher studies in only three-and-a-half years.“The Citation Award is a reward for completing 10 years of

biblically grounded curriculum and learning more than 700 verses

Stebens earns nationalaward for AWANA studies

� See STEBENS/Page 3

Groundwater level decline continues across Western, Central KansasMuch of the district’sgreatest decline occurredin a triangular area fromGarden City to Liberal tonortheast of Dodge City.GMD 3 includes all orpart of Grant, Haskell,Gray, Finney, Stanton,Ford, Morton, Stevens,Seward, Hamilton, Kearnyand Meade counties

• www.infozine.com

Average groundwater levelsthroughout western and central Kansasdropped more in the past year thanthey had annually since 1996,according to preliminary data compiledby the Kansas Geological Survey, basedat the University of Kansas.In January 2012, the KGS and the

Kansas Department of Agriculture’sDivision of Water Resources measuredlevels in approximately 1,400 waterwells in 47 western and central Kansascounties as part of an annualassessment program.This is the fifth consecutive year that

the greatest declines in the state werein the southwest corner, the areahardest hit by persistent drought condi-tions. Areas in central and south-central Kansas that had shown signif-icant gains or only modest declines thelast four years, due in part to flooding in

2007, also showed significant declinesthis year.“Southwest Kansas has had signifi-

cantly below-average precipitation ratesduring the growing season — mainlyMarch to August — for several years,but this year rainfall was consistently

down during that season throughoutmuch of the state,” said BrownieWilson, KGS water-data manager.“Levels in the Equus Beds aquifer, amain water supply in south-centralKansas, dropped over 3 feet, the mostwe’ve ever recorded.”

Northwest Kansas was the onlyregion in the assessment-program areawhere average declines did not exceed2 feet. Increased levels were evenrecorded in some localized areas wherewells were drilled into thinly saturatedportions of the Ogallala Aquifer andalluvial valleys and near normal precip-itation patterns likely prevailed.Ninety percent of the nearly 1,400

measured wells draw water from theHigh Plains aquifer, which includes theextensive Ogallala Aquifer, the GreatBend Prairie aquifer in west-centralKansas, and the Equus Beds aquifernorth and west of Wichita. The rest aredrilled into deeper aquifer systems,such as the Dakota, or shalloweraquifers along creeks and rivers.For the entire 1,400-well network,

average levels fell 2.25 feet during2011. The year before, the overallaverage was down 1.18 feet, and since1996 it has dropped nearly 12 feet.Precipitation rates determine how

much recharge enters the High Plainsaquifer, especially in the Great BendPrairie and Equus Beds where aquiferlevels will likely recover. However, giventhe extremely low recharge rates in theOgallala Aquifer, the removal of waterfor irrigation and other purposes there,not the rate of recharge, has the biggestimpact on water levels.“When precipitation is low over an

extended period, especially in theOgallala, a much greater quantity ofwater is pumped out of the ground thanduring wetter years,” Wilson said. “Theamount of water taken out rather theamount going in has the greatestinfluence on water-level changes from

WATER SUPPLY DRYING UP

� See WATER/Page 3

Andy and KevinDinh perform a

duet to thesong,

“Hallelujah”during the

Pancake DayTalent ShowMonday in

James MaskusAuditorium.The team

earned thirdplace in the

Adult Division.L&T photo/Earl

Watt

These arethebookletsfor theAWANAprogramthat AshleyStebenscompletedin three-and-a-halfyears forwhatusuallytakes 10years tocomplete.L&Tphoto/JessicaCrawford

one year to the next.”Most of the measured wells are

within the boundaries of the state’sfive groundwater managementdistricts, organized by arealandowners and large-scale waterusers and governed by local boardsto help define and address water-resource issues.In GMD 3 in southwestern

Kansas, where the levels dropped3.78 feet during 2011, the wells arescreened mainly in the OgallalaAquifer and—in selected areas—the Dakota Aquifer. Average waterlevels in the district dropped about3 feet in the previous year and havefallen 29 feet since 1996.Much of the district’s greatest

decline occurred in a triangulararea from Garden City to Liberalto northeast of Dodge City. GMD3 includes all or part of Grant,Haskell, Gray, Finney, Stanton,Ford, Morton, Stevens, Seward,Hamilton, Kearny and Meadecounties.Western Kansas GMD 1, which

had an average decline this year of2.05 feet, includes portions ofWallace, Greeley, Wichita, Scottand Lane counties. Declinesaveraged 0.43 and 0.72 the twoprevious years and about 9.2 feetsince 1996. Most wells in thedistrict are drilled into the OgallalaAquifer.Northwest Kansas GMD 4,

covering Sherman, Thomas,Sheridan and parts of Cheyenne,Rawlins, Decatur, Graham,Wallace, Logan and Gove counties,showed an overall decline of 0.61feet. Average levels there were up0.10 feet two years ago, down 0.50feet a year ago, and down 8.73 feetsince 1996. Most groundwater hereis also from the Ogallala Aquifer.

The majority of wells measuredin the area north of GMD 4,mainly in Rawlins, Decatur andNorton counties, had water-levelincreases up to 2.5 feet with evenhigher levels in a couple oflocations. In this area, the OgallalaAquifer is generally less productive,and most of the higher-capacitywells are only found in alluvial rivervalleys.Big Bend GMD 5, centered on

the Great Bend Prairie Aquiferunderlying Stafford and Prattcounties and parts of Barton,Pawnee, Edwards, Kiowa, Renoand Rice counties, had a decline of2.95 feet. Levels there were up 0.63feet two years ago, down 0.44 feetlast year, and prior to the 2012measurements, the district had aslight overall water-level increase of0.82 feet between 1996 and 2011.Water levels in the Equus Bed

GMD 2, which includes parts ofSedgwick, McPherson, Harvey andReno counties, fell 3.17 feet

following modest declines — 0.26feet and 0.70 feet — the two prioryears. Between 1996 and 2011, thedistrict had experienced an overallincrease of 0.4 feet.Much of the water supply for

Wichita, Hutchinson and thesurrounding area comes from theEquus Bed Aquifer.The High Plains Aquifer is the

primary source of municipal, indus-trial and irrigation water for muchof western and central Kansas.Approximately 80 percent of the33,000 non-domestic water wells inKansas are in the High PlainsAquifer region of the state.The same wells are measured

each year to get an understandingof how the aquifer is behaving overthe long term and how water levelsare affected by climatic conditionsand pumping. Measurements aretaken primarily in January becausewater levels are least likely tofluctuate when irrigation wellsaren’t in use.

3NEWS Thursday, February 23, 2012LEADER&TIMESnews@hpleader.com

� Continued from Page 1

Water ...

(in the Bible),” Stebens said. “I have donethis in only three-and-a-half years, by thegrace of God.“I have done four Truth & Training

books and two in-depth Trek books,” sheexplained. “After graduating in 2010, Iwent on to pursue the Journey books.The Journey books are just that – a truejourney into God’s word. The Journeybooks took me on a journey of even morespiritual growth, development and myfaith. This last group of studies (in theJourney books) were more than juststudies, they included not onlymemorization (of Bible verses), but alsoBible studying, college essay-likesummaries of the Bible, dedicated toservice and leadership. I have done fourmain studies in the Journey program, plusfour extra elective studies on top of that.In all, I have done 14 books/studies.”Stebens learned of the AWANA

program when her little sister firstbecame involved. Stebens wanted the joyher sister was feeling as she studied scrip-tures with her AWANA group.“I got involved after watching my little

sister start her journey doing theAWANA books,” she said. “I saw how herfaith was growing and I wanted that,too.”Stebens said what she has learned

through her studies of the AWANAprogram has truly changed her attitudetoward her illness – cystic fibrosis.

“I have cystic fibrosis and when I hatedit and just wanted to throw in the towel, Ifound Christ, and I believe that is whatsaved me,” she said. “I learned throughmy illness that being a blessing to othersmade me feel better, and I realized it isn’twhat you are handed, but what you dowith it.“Cystic fibrosis is not an outer disease,

but an inner disease, it’s not always visibleunless I am quite ill,” she explained. “Godtaught me to know who I am in Him andthat is the most important thing – nomatter where life takes me or hands me.Loving Christ has finally taught me that Ineed to learn to love myself before I canlove others.“Cystic fibrosis may worsen with age,

but I have my armor – the armor of Hisword firmly planted in my memorythrough what the AWANA programsbrought to me, my family, my studentsand future generations,” she added withconfidence.This Sunday, at the First Baptist

Church, a benefit dinner will take placeat noon, directly after church services, toraise funds for Stebens to go to theChicago area to receive her award. Thetrip, she said, is something that hasbecome very important to her.The benefit chicken dinner will be for

anyone in the community to enjoy. Thecost is simply a freewill donation. Anyonewith questions regarding the dinner ordonating to the fund that will sendStebens to the Chicago area to receiveher award can contact the Rev. LaurenRobinson at 624-1641 or Stebens’mother, Betty, at 620-417-0452.When praised for her accomplishment,

Stebens has only one simple response, “Igive all the glory to God.”

� Continued from Page 1

Stebens ...Special to The Daily Leader

Responders is a weekly log of activitywith the Liberal and Seward County firedepartments.

LLiibbeerraall FFiirree DDeeppaarrttmmeennttAs reported by Chief Kelly Kirk

Monday, Feb. 13:5:52 a.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 900 block of N. HollyDr.2:35 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 1500 block of TerraceAve.2:52 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the unit block of W. WalnutSt.7:04 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 1500 block of S. HollyDr.Tuesday, Feb. 14:9:12 a.m. – Responded to the 1400

block of Larrabee Road to check on acontrolled burn.9:39 a.m. – Responded to the 150 Plaza

Dr. to investigate an odor of smoke in thebuilding.6:44 p.m. – Responded to the 1315

Fairview to investigate an odor of gas inthe area.Wednesday, Feb. 15:3:16 a.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 400 block of S.Calhoun Ave.4:22 a.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 500 block of Hotel Dr.9:57 a.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 2300 block of N.Kansas Ave.

1:44 p.m. – Assisted with an emergencymedical call in the 2300 block of N.Kansas Ave.2:14 p.m. – Responded to 212 N.

Kansas Ave. to investigate an odor ofsmoke.3:07 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 2300 block of Sierra Dr.4:31 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 100 block of W. HooverSt.8:19 p.m. – Responded to 615 W. 7th St.

to investigate smoke in the area.10:41 p.m. – Assisted with an

emergency medical call in the 100 block ofS. Clay Ave.Thursday, Feb. 16:1:17 a.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 500 block of E. Pine St.1:30 a.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 2300 block of Sierra Dr.10:16 a.m. – Assisted with an

emergency medical call in the 1500 blockof S. Holly Dr.7:24 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 1500 block of BluebellRd.7:34 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 2000 block of S. HollyDr.

10:03 p.m. – Assisted with anemergency medical call in the 1400 blockof N. New York Ave.Friday, Feb. 17:9:42 a.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 1500 block of S. HollyDr.5:38 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 500 block of N.Western Ave.8:35 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 1100 block of N. CainAve.10:57 p.m. – Assisted with an

emergency medical call in the 700 block ofN. Kansas Ave.Saturday, Feb. 18:1:43 a.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 700 block of N.Washington Ave.12:30 p.m. – Assisted with an

emergency medical call in the 1400 blockof N. New York Ave.9:06 p.m. – Responded to the 6-Points

intersection for an injury accident.9:27 p.m. – Responded to 1327 Sunset

for residential fire alarm activation.11:12 p.m. – Assisted with an

emergency medical call in the 2300 blockof Sierra Dr.Sunday, Feb. 19:4 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 800 block of S. LincolnAve.6:35 p.m. – Responded to the 800 block

of Sycamore Ave. to investigate childrenplaying with fire.9:26 p.m. – Assisted with an emergency

medical call in the 600 block of N.Missouri Ave.

RREESSPPOONNDDEERRSS

Emergency crews respond to fires, medical calls