Wildcat Ranch grows reputation with Red Angus

Written by Frank J. Buchman Tuesday, 16 April 2013 12:52

Wildcat Creek Ranch exhibited the grand champion Red Angus bull at the 2012 Tulsa State Fair in Oklahoma. Judge Craig Sand is with Kale Robert Watchous, Lane Reyburn Watchous and Victoria Lyn Watchous, who along with their sister, Tessa Kathleen Watchous, purchased Red Angus cattle as youth projects, and the family herd developed from that. “Our children are actually the ones responsible for starting our Red Angus herd.”

While that’s not real uncommon, few if any operations have grown as rapidly in size and quality as Wildcat Creek Ranch east of Peabody.

Clarifying that initial remark, owner Klee Robert Watchous (whose first name is pronounced “Clay”), at his Newton headquarters office, said, “We got into the Red Angus business, along with horses, hogs, even rabbits, really, because our children wanted to show animals in 4-H.”

It was just a bit more than three years ago when Watchous’ oldest son, Kale, then 11, was at a Red Angus sale with his grandpa, Dale Phares, and called Dad to see if he could buy a pair of heifers.

Verifying that Phares, his...

Read more: Wildcat Ranch grows reputation with Red Angus

Stay alert: Tornado season is here

Written by John Schlageck Friday, 29 March 2013 14:19

If you’ve ever heard the stampeding sound of a tornado or been close enough to see fence posts, the side of a building or the steel of a grain bin twisting furiously as the dreaded black monster gobbles up the countryside, you’ll remember it always.

Kansas ranks third in the nation in the number of tornadoes with an average of 61 per year since 1950, according to figures by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Topeka. The most tornadoes occurred in 2008 when more than 180 tornadoes ravaged the Sunflower State. The fewest recorded were 14 in 1976.

Severe weather generally begins sometime after the first week of March in Kansas. Last year the tornado season began Feb. 28. Unfortunately, one of the eight tornadoes occurring that day...

Read more: Stay alert: Tornado season is here

Stay alert: Tornado season is here

Written by John Schlageck Friday, 29 March 2013 14:19

If you’ve ever heard the stampeding sound of a tornado or been close enough to see fence posts, the side of a building or the steel of a grain bin twisting furiously as the dreaded black monster gobbles up the countryside, you’ll remember it always.

Kansas ranks third in the nation in the number of tornadoes with an average of 61 per year since 1950, according to figures by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Topeka. The most tornadoes occurred in 2008 when more than 180 tornadoes ravaged the Sunflower State. The fewest recorded were 14 in 1976.

Severe weather generally begins sometime after the first week of March in Kansas. Last year the tornado season began Feb. 28. Unfortunately, one of the eight tornadoes occurring that day...

Read more: Stay alert: Tornado season is here

Tax help available for senior citizens

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 05 March 2013 14:25

The Marion County Depart­ment on Aging is offering assistance to individuals in the county to file taxes and Low Income Energy Assistance Program applications.

Gayla Ratzlaff, department coordinator, will be available Monday through Friday in Marion to help individuals file for Homestead and Food Sales tax refunds, plus LIEAP assistance applications. To make an appointment, call 620-382-3580.

Barb Smith will be helping individuals file Kansas and federal returns in Marion. For an appointment call 620-382-3580