Betty M. Swartz, age 67 years, longtime Great Bend, Kansas, resident, passed away at her home in Great Bend on Tuesday afternoon, October 18, 2022.&nbsp; Betty was born on October 18, 1955, at Danville, Illinois, to Leon and Ileta (Morgeson) Burton, and raised by Willard and Ileta Schuckman.&nbsp; She worked as a Machinist for FMC Corporation at their plant in Hoopeston, Illinois, for 11 years, after moving to Great Bend in 2003 was employed by Oversize Warning Products Inc. in Great Bend for many years.&nbsp; Betty was an accomplished quilter and seamstress, and also sewed and sold handmade quilts.&nbsp; She loved quilting and sewing, puzzles, and outdoor activities including Sand Rails.&nbsp;

Survivors include her longtime companion Leland “Lee” Zerr of Great Bend, Kansas; one son Jason Grove of Great Bend, and one daughter-in-law Amy Grove of Great Bend; one grandson Tyler Grove; two sisters:&nbsp; Donna Brazda of Hoisington, Kansas and Kim (&amp; Keith) Frank of La Crosse, Kansas; nieces and nephews.&nbsp; Betty was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Mont Burton.

According to her wishes, cremation has been chosen and inurnment will take place in the La Crosse Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas, at a later date.&nbsp; 

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society with Janousek Funeral Home of La Crosse, Kansas, in charge. Online condolences may be left for the family and a full obituary notice may be viewed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.janousekfuneralhome.com/">http://www.janousekfuneralhome.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666274329511.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Betty M. Swartz, age 67 years, longtime Great Bend, Kansas, resident, passed away at her home in Great Bend on Tuesday afternoon, October 18, 2022.&nbsp; Betty was born on October 18, 1955, at Danville, Illinois, to Leon and Ileta (Morgeson) Burton, and raised by Willard and Ileta Schuckman.&nbsp; She worked as a Machinist for FMC Corporation at their plant in Hoopeston, Illinois, for 11 years, after moving to Great Bend in 2003 was employed by Oversize Warning Products Inc. in Great Bend for many years.&nbsp; Betty was an accomplished quilter and seamstress, and also sewed and sold handmade quilts.&nbsp; She loved quilting and sewing, puzzles, and outdoor activities including Sand Rails.&nbsp;Survivors include her longtime companion Leland “Lee” Zerr of Great Bend, Kansas; one son Jason Grove of Great Bend, and one daughter-in-law Amy Grove of Great Bend; one grandson Tyler Grove; two sisters:&nbsp; Donna Brazda of Hoisington, Kansas and Kim (&amp; Keith) Frank of La Crosse, Kansas; nieces and nephews.&nbsp; Betty was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Mont Burton.According to her wishes, cremation has been chosen and inurnment will take place in the La Crosse Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas, at a later date.&nbsp; Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society with Janousek Funeral Home of La Crosse, Kansas, in charge. Online condolences may be left for the family and a full obituary notice may be viewed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.janousekfuneralhome.com/">http://www.janousekfuneralhome.com</a>

Betty M. Swartz

A Memorial 
Mass for Clarence “Butch” Dreiling will be held on Friday, November 4, 
2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, 
Nebraska, with Father Jay Buhman as Celebrant.&nbsp; Inurnment will follow at
 the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with Military Honors provided by 
the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the United 
States Army Funeral Honors Team.

Rosary will be prayed prior to mass at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Clarence “Butch” Dreiling, of Holdrege, passed away peacefully 
surrounded by his family on Friday, October 14, 2022 at the Regional 
West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. During his 83 years, Butch
 lived a full life. He was born on August 9, 1939, in Ellis, Kansas, the
 fourth of five children to Celestine and Bernadetta “Nettie” (Reidel) 
Dreiling. Butch grew up in Ellis, Kansas, where he graduated from Ellis 
High School in 1957.

After 
high school, Butch worked for Coca-Cola bottling company as a truck 
driver, followed by delivering meat for the B&amp;B meat packing company
 in Hays, Kansas. In 1960, Butch started his long-time career at 
Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Company. After starting off digging ditches,
 his loyalty and work ethic led his career up to Fleet Administrator. 
After 39 hard working years, Butch retired in 1999. Butch enlisted in 
the Army in 1961 and was honorably discharged in 1963. He loved his time
 in the service and continued to serve in many capacities after retiring
 from the gas company.

Butch 
met Marietta Lee Munk and they were married on August 21, 1965 in 
Oakley, Kansas. They lived in Kansas until 1976, when they relocated to 
Holdrege, Nebraska for Butch’s job. Through that union, Butch and 
Marietta were blessed with 56 years of marriage, three children (Kelly, 
Leslee and Matt) and their seven grandchildren. They shared their last 
44 years of marriage in Holdrege, Nebraska.

Butch 
was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church, Disabled Veterans, Fleet
 Association of America, Kansas-Nebraska Trap Shooting Association and 
the American Legion.

Butch 
enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life.&nbsp; Butch enjoyed wood-working, 
making countless pieces for his family, as well as people in the 
community. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trap shooting, golfing, and 
playing cards, but his greatest joy was watching his grandkids play 
their sports. Butch always led by example, volunteering in the 
community. He drove veterans to appointments, worked at the food pantry 
and was instrumental in the creation of the Veterans Memorial in 
Holdrege. Some may be surprised to know that after retirement, Butch and
 Marietta enjoyed a few trips to Sturgis on their Harley.

Family 
who survived to cherish his memory are daughter, Kelly (Clinton) Ratliff
 of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; daughter, Leslee (Brian) Valenta of Grimes, 
Iowa; and son, Matt (Tiffany) Dreiling of Destrehan, Louisiana; 
Grandchildren: Jarrett Ratliff, Jakob Ratliff, Zoey Valenta, Wyatt 
Valenta, Tate Valenta, Brayden Dreiling and Emma Dreiling.&nbsp; Also 
survived are brother, Robert (Mary) Dreiling of Hays, Kansas; and 
sister, Elfreda Eberle of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Butch was preceded in death by his wife, Marietta; sister, Alice Weber; brother, Jerry Dreiling and his parents.

There 
will be no visitation, viewing, or memorial book signing the evening 
prior to the mass.&nbsp; The family has honored Butch’s wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Butch’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at <a href="http://www.nelsonbauerfh.com/">www.nelsonbauerfh.com</a>

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666272114735.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A Memorial 
Mass for Clarence “Butch” Dreiling will be held on Friday, November 4, 
2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, 
Nebraska, with Father Jay Buhman as Celebrant.&nbsp; Inurnment will follow at
 the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with Military Honors provided by 
the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the United 
States Army Funeral Honors Team.Rosary will be prayed prior to mass at 9:30 a.m. at the church.Clarence “Butch” Dreiling, of Holdrege, passed away peacefully 
surrounded by his family on Friday, October 14, 2022 at the Regional 
West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. During his 83 years, Butch
 lived a full life. He was born on August 9, 1939, in Ellis, Kansas, the
 fourth of five children to Celestine and Bernadetta “Nettie” (Reidel) 
Dreiling. Butch grew up in Ellis, Kansas, where he graduated from Ellis 
High School in 1957.After 
high school, Butch worked for Coca-Cola bottling company as a truck 
driver, followed by delivering meat for the B&amp;B meat packing company
 in Hays, Kansas. In 1960, Butch started his long-time career at 
Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Company. After starting off digging ditches,
 his loyalty and work ethic led his career up to Fleet Administrator. 
After 39 hard working years, Butch retired in 1999. Butch enlisted in 
the Army in 1961 and was honorably discharged in 1963. He loved his time
 in the service and continued to serve in many capacities after retiring
 from the gas company.Butch 
met Marietta Lee Munk and they were married on August 21, 1965 in 
Oakley, Kansas. They lived in Kansas until 1976, when they relocated to 
Holdrege, Nebraska for Butch’s job. Through that union, Butch and 
Marietta were blessed with 56 years of marriage, three children (Kelly, 
Leslee and Matt) and their seven grandchildren. They shared their last 
44 years of marriage in Holdrege, Nebraska.Butch 
was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church, Disabled Veterans, Fleet
 Association of America, Kansas-Nebraska Trap Shooting Association and 
the American Legion.Butch 
enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life.&nbsp; Butch enjoyed wood-working, 
making countless pieces for his family, as well as people in the 
community. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trap shooting, golfing, and 
playing cards, but his greatest joy was watching his grandkids play 
their sports. Butch always led by example, volunteering in the 
community. He drove veterans to appointments, worked at the food pantry 
and was instrumental in the creation of the Veterans Memorial in 
Holdrege. Some may be surprised to know that after retirement, Butch and
 Marietta enjoyed a few trips to Sturgis on their Harley.Family 
who survived to cherish his memory are daughter, Kelly (Clinton) Ratliff
 of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; daughter, Leslee (Brian) Valenta of Grimes, 
Iowa; and son, Matt (Tiffany) Dreiling of Destrehan, Louisiana; 
Grandchildren: Jarrett Ratliff, Jakob Ratliff, Zoey Valenta, Wyatt 
Valenta, Tate Valenta, Brayden Dreiling and Emma Dreiling.&nbsp; Also 
survived are brother, Robert (Mary) Dreiling of Hays, Kansas; and 
sister, Elfreda Eberle of Fort Collins, Colorado.Butch was preceded in death by his wife, Marietta; sister, Alice Weber; brother, Jerry Dreiling and his parents.There 
will be no visitation, viewing, or memorial book signing the evening 
prior to the mass.&nbsp; The family has honored Butch’s wish for cremation.A memorial has been established in Butch’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at <a href="http://www.nelsonbauerfh.com/">www.nelsonbauerfh.com</a>The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.

Clarence 'Butch' Dreiling

R. Janice Jacobs Klein, age &nbsp;95, passed 
away at her home in Tribune, Kansas on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. She 
was born on October 24, 1926, to Vernon Huntley and Ruby Nancy Willett 
Jacobs in Liberal, Kansas.

Her life will be celebrated Saturday, October 22, 2022, 11:00 MST at 
the Tribune United Methodist Church &nbsp;pastored by Jeri Farmer Smith. This
 will be a joint service with her husband, Bill. 

Click <a href="https://www.priceandsons.com/obituaries/r-klein">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666271875728.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>R. Janice Jacobs Klein, age &nbsp;95, passed 
away at her home in Tribune, Kansas on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. She 
was born on October 24, 1926, to Vernon Huntley and Ruby Nancy Willett 
Jacobs in Liberal, Kansas.Her life will be celebrated Saturday, October 22, 2022, 11:00 MST at 
the Tribune United Methodist Church &nbsp;pastored by Jeri Farmer Smith. This
 will be a joint service with her husband, Bill. Click <a href="https://www.priceandsons.com/obituaries/r-klein">HERE</a> for service details.

R. Janice Klein

WASHINGTON —President Joe Biden announced the release of 15 million barrels of oil from the U.S. strategic reserve Wednesday as part of a response to recent production cuts announced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/opec">OPEC+ nations</a>, and he said more drawdowns are possible this winter, as his administration rushes to be seen as pulling out all the stops ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">next month’s midterm elections</a>.

Below is a transcript of his comments provided by the White House. "Earlier this year, because of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the price of oil and gas increased dramatically, and I acted decisively at the time.&nbsp; And thanks in part to those actions, the price of our gas has fallen 30 percent from the summer highs.&nbsp; Now it’s down about $1.15 a gallon from their peak during the summer, and gas prices have fallen every day in the last week.&nbsp; Let me repeat: Gas prices have come down, and they continue to come down again.&nbsp; They’re now down more than 27 cents a gallon in Wisconsin this past week, 27 cents in Oregon, 16 cents in Ohio, 25 cents in Nevada, 17 cents in — in Indiana in just the last 10 days.&nbsp; And that’s progress.&nbsp; But they’re not falling fast enough.&nbsp; Families are hurting.&nbsp; You’ve heard me say before, but I get it.&nbsp; I come from a family — if the price of gasoline went up at the gas station, we felt it.&nbsp; Gas prices hit almost every family in this country, and they squeeze their family budgets.&nbsp;

And when the price of gas goes up, other expenses get cut. That’s why I have been doing everything in my power to reduce gas prices since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine caused these price hikes — these prices to spike and rattled international oil markets.&nbsp; (Clears throat.)&nbsp; Excuse me.&nbsp; I focused on how we can protect American families from that spike and give folks just a little bit of breathing room, as my dad would say.&nbsp; Today I’m announcing three critical steps that my administration will take to reduce gas prices at the pump.&nbsp; First, the Department of Energy will release another 15 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, extending our previously announced release through the month of December."

"Independent analysis they — excuse me, independent analysts have confirmed that drawdowns from the reserves so far have played a big role in bringing down oil prices — bringing them down.&nbsp; So, we’re going to continue to responsibly use that national asset.&nbsp; Right now, the Strategic Pol- — the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is more than half full, with about 400 million barrels of oil.&nbsp; That’s more than enough for any emergency drawdown. With my announcement today, we’re going to continue to stabilize markets and decrease the prices at a time when the actions of other countries have caused such volatility.&nbsp; And I’ve told my team behind me here to be prepared to look further — look for further releases in the months ahead if needed.&nbsp; We’re calling it a “Ready and Release” plan.&nbsp; This allows us to move quickly to prevent oil price spikes and respond to international events.&nbsp; Secondly, we need to responsibly increase American oil production without delaying or deferring our transition to clean energy.&nbsp; Let me — let’s debunk some myths here.&nbsp; My administration has not stopped or slowed U.S. oil production; quite the opposite.&nbsp; We’re producing 12 million barrels of oil per day.&nbsp; And by the end of this year, we will be producing 1 million barrels a day, more than the day in which I took office.&nbsp; In fact, we’re on track for record oil production in 2023. And today, the United States is the largest producer of oil and petroleum products in the world.&nbsp; We export more than we import.&nbsp; And I still heard from oil comp- — and I’ve heard from oil companies that they’re worried that investing in additional oil production today will — will — in case of the — in case demand goes down in the future, and they’re not going to be able to sell their oil products at a competitive price later. Well, we have a solution for that.&nbsp; Today, I’m announcing a plan to refill the Strato- — the Strategic Petroleum Res- — Oil Reserve in the years ahead at a profit for taxpayers.&nbsp; The United States government is going to purchase oil to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve when prices fall to $70 a barrel.&nbsp; And that means oil companies can invest to ramp up production now, with confidence they’ll be able to sell their oil to us at that price in the future: $70. Refining and refilling the reserve at $70 a barrel is a good price for companies and it’s a good price for the taxpayers, and it’s critical to our national security. To put it in context, since March, the average price of oil has been more than $90 a barrel, the highest since 2014.&nbsp; By selling from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at the higher price of $90 earlier this year and then refilling it in the future at a lower price, around $70, it will actually make money for the taxpayers, lower the price of gas, and help bolster production, all while totally consistent with my commitment to accelerate to transition to clean energy.&nbsp; So my message to oil companies is: You’re sitting on record profits, and you’re — and we’re giving you more certainty.&nbsp; So you can act now to increase oil production now. The third thing I’m doing is I’m calling on oil companies to pass the savings on to consumers. Consider this: In the second quarter of this year, profits at six of the largest produce- — publicly traded oil companies were more than $70 billion.&nbsp; That’s $70 billion in just one quarter — 90 days.&nbsp; Seventy billion.&nbsp; So far, American oil companies are using that windfall — the windfall of profits to buy back their own stock, passing that money on to their shareholders, not to consumers. In fact, in the first half of the year, those same companies spent over $20 billion buying back their own stock and, most importantly, buying back — a buyback that — the most significant buyback in the last — almost a decade. That’s great if you own a lot of stock in oil companies or if you’re an executive in an oil company.&nbsp; It puts a lot of money in your pocket.&nbsp; That — it’s how you get paid.&nbsp; But it’s not the case for the vast majority of Americans paying at the pump. Here’s another thing: When the cost of oil comes down, we should see the price at the gas station — at the pump come down as well.&nbsp; That’s how it’s supposed to work.&nbsp; But that’s not what’s happening. In the past two weeks, the price of oil has fallen $4 a barrel.&nbsp; And you think — and thanks in large part to steps we’ve taken this year, the price of oil has fallen nearly $40 a barrel since mid-June.&nbsp; That’s a 30 percent drop in the price of a barrel of oil.&nbsp; But guess what?&nbsp; Gas prices haven’t fallen that much.&nbsp; And it’s not right.&nbsp; Gas prices at the pump should be lower. In fact, if retailers and refiners were earning the average profit they’ve made over the last 17 years, Americans would be paying at least 60 cents less per gallon for every gallon they buy.&nbsp; Say it again: 60 cents less for every gallon they buy.&nbsp; That makes a big difference in a family. My message to the American energy companies is this: You should not be using your profits to buy back stock or for dividends.&nbsp; Not now.&nbsp; Not while a war is raging. You should use those record-breaking profits to increase production and refining.&nbsp; Invest in America for the American people.&nbsp; Bring down the price you charge at the pump to reflect what you pay for the product. You still make a significant profit.&nbsp; Your shareholders will still do very well.&nbsp; And the American people will catch the break they deserve and get a fair price at the pump as well. One more thing I want to mention today.&nbsp; Our country needs to pass permitting reform to accelerate the development of clean energy. Right now, the process of getting clean energy projects approved is too cumbersome and too time consuming.&nbsp; So, I’m asking the Congress: Pass a permitting bill to speed up the approval of all kinds of energy production from wind, to solar, to clean hydrogen.&nbsp; Because we need to get this moving now, quickly — now. It would take — you know, this — if we do this, it would take the historic clean energy investments that I signed into law and put them into action. In fact, one independent analyst has already estimated that the $369 billion we’re making in federal investments that will generate — if we just — just that will generate $1.7 trillion in total public and private investments in the years ahead. You can increase oil and gas production now while still moving full speed ahead to accelerate our transition to clean energy.&nbsp; That way — that way, we can lower energy costs for American families, enhance our national security at a very difficult moment.&nbsp; Let me close with this.&nbsp; I know it’s been a rough four or five years for the country.&nbsp; For a lot of families, things are still tough. The choices made by other countries are affecting the price of gas here at home.&nbsp; That’s why I’ve been acting so aggressively. Without the steps we have taken over the past several months to ramp up production and lower prices and get relief to consumers, gas prices would be higher than they are today. And we’ll keep doing everything we can to keep it going to ensure our energy independence and security is available and to lower gas prices here at home and to give folks a little bit of breathing room. We just have to remember who we are.&nbsp; We’re the United States of America, for God’s sake.&nbsp; There’s not a single thing we can’t do when we put our minds to it.&nbsp; And we can strengthen our energy security now, and we can build a clean energy economy for the future at the same time.&nbsp; This is totally within our capacity.&nbsp; Totally within our capacity. Gas prices are coming down.&nbsp; We’re going to do everything we can to make sure they continue to come down and companies act responsibly so it’s reflected at the pump. Thank you all.&nbsp; And may God bless you.&nbsp; And may God protect our troops."&nbsp;

WASHINGTON —President Joe Biden announced the release of 15 million barrels of oil from the U.S. strategic reserve Wednesday as part of a response to recent production cuts announced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/opec">OPEC+ nations</a>, and he said more drawdowns are possible this winter, as his administration rushes to be seen as pulling out all the stops ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">next month’s midterm elections</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Happening Now: President Biden delivers remarks on additional actions to lower costs and strengthen energy security. <a href="https://t.co/pRJ5ioOiKY">https://t.co/pRJ5ioOiKY</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1582785782976159744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Below is a transcript of his comments provided by the White House. "Earlier this year, because of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the price of oil and gas increased dramatically, and I acted decisively at the time.&nbsp; And thanks in part to those actions, the price of our gas has fallen 30 percent from the summer highs.&nbsp; Now it’s down about $1.15 a gallon from their peak during the summer, and gas prices have fallen every day in the last week.&nbsp; Let me repeat: Gas prices have come down, and they continue to come down again.&nbsp; They’re now down more than 27 cents a gallon in Wisconsin this past week, 27 cents in Oregon, 16 cents in Ohio, 25 cents in Nevada, 17 cents in — in Indiana in just the last 10 days.&nbsp; And that’s progress.&nbsp; But they’re not falling fast enough.&nbsp; Families are hurting.&nbsp; You’ve heard me say before, but I get it.&nbsp; I come from a family — if the price of gasoline went up at the gas station, we felt it.&nbsp; Gas prices hit almost every family in this country, and they squeeze their family budgets.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Biden-Harris Administration is taking additional steps to reduce gas prices. <a href="https://t.co/u0tZrai13q">pic.twitter.com/u0tZrai13q</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1582811474233155584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> And when the price of gas goes up, other expenses get cut. That’s why I have been doing everything in my power to reduce gas prices since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine caused these price hikes — these prices to spike and rattled international oil markets.&nbsp; (Clears throat.)&nbsp; Excuse me.&nbsp; I focused on how we can protect American families from that spike and give folks just a little bit of breathing room, as my dad would say.&nbsp; Today I’m announcing three critical steps that my administration will take to reduce gas prices at the pump.&nbsp; First, the Department of Energy will release another 15 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, extending our previously announced release through the month of December."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We all know the decreased supply of gasoline is on the back of Joe Biden’s policies. It is shameful that because of these policies, the President is having to dip into our emergency reserve yet again. <a href="https://t.co/dpEAxtZxXR">pic.twitter.com/dpEAxtZxXR</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1582754280213475329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> "Independent analysis they — excuse me, independent analysts have confirmed that drawdowns from the reserves so far have played a big role in bringing down oil prices — bringing them down.&nbsp; So, we’re going to continue to responsibly use that national asset.&nbsp; Right now, the Strategic Pol- — the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is more than half full, with about 400 million barrels of oil.&nbsp; That’s more than enough for any emergency drawdown. With my announcement today, we’re going to continue to stabilize markets and decrease the prices at a time when the actions of other countries have caused such volatility.&nbsp; And I’ve told my team behind me here to be prepared to look further — look for further releases in the months ahead if needed.&nbsp; We’re calling it a “Ready and Release” plan.&nbsp; This allows us to move quickly to prevent oil price spikes and respond to international events.&nbsp; Secondly, we need to responsibly increase American oil production without delaying or deferring our transition to clean energy.&nbsp; Let me — let’s debunk some myths here.&nbsp; My administration has not stopped or slowed U.S. oil production; quite the opposite.&nbsp; We’re producing 12 million barrels of oil per day.&nbsp; And by the end of this year, we will be producing 1 million barrels a day, more than the day in which I took office.&nbsp; In fact, we’re on track for record oil production in 2023. And today, the United States is the largest producer of oil and petroleum products in the world.&nbsp; We export more than we import.&nbsp; And I still heard from oil comp- — and I’ve heard from oil companies that they’re worried that investing in additional oil production today will — will — in case of the — in case demand goes down in the future, and they’re not going to be able to sell their oil products at a competitive price later. Well, we have a solution for that.&nbsp; Today, I’m announcing a plan to refill the Strato- — the Strategic Petroleum Res- — Oil Reserve in the years ahead at a profit for taxpayers.&nbsp; The United States government is going to purchase oil to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve when prices fall to $70 a barrel.&nbsp; And that means oil companies can invest to ramp up production now, with confidence they’ll be able to sell their oil to us at that price in the future: $70. Refining and refilling the reserve at $70 a barrel is a good price for companies and it’s a good price for the taxpayers, and it’s critical to our national security. To put it in context, since March, the average price of oil has been more than $90 a barrel, the highest since 2014.&nbsp; By selling from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at the higher price of $90 earlier this year and then refilling it in the future at a lower price, around $70, it will actually make money for the taxpayers, lower the price of gas, and help bolster production, all while totally consistent with my commitment to accelerate to transition to clean energy.&nbsp; So my message to oil companies is: You’re sitting on record profits, and you’re — and we’re giving you more certainty.&nbsp; So you can act now to increase oil production now. The third thing I’m doing is I’m calling on oil companies to pass the savings on to consumers. Consider this: In the second quarter of this year, profits at six of the largest produce- — publicly traded oil companies were more than $70 billion.&nbsp; That’s $70 billion in just one quarter — 90 days.&nbsp; Seventy billion.&nbsp; So far, American oil companies are using that windfall — the windfall of profits to buy back their own stock, passing that money on to their shareholders, not to consumers. In fact, in the first half of the year, those same companies spent over $20 billion buying back their own stock and, most importantly, buying back — a buyback that — the most significant buyback in the last — almost a decade. That’s great if you own a lot of stock in oil companies or if you’re an executive in an oil company.&nbsp; It puts a lot of money in your pocket.&nbsp; That — it’s how you get paid.&nbsp; But it’s not the case for the vast majority of Americans paying at the pump. Here’s another thing: When the cost of oil comes down, we should see the price at the gas station — at the pump come down as well.&nbsp; That’s how it’s supposed to work.&nbsp; But that’s not what’s happening. In the past two weeks, the price of oil has fallen $4 a barrel.&nbsp; And you think — and thanks in large part to steps we’ve taken this year, the price of oil has fallen nearly $40 a barrel since mid-June.&nbsp; That’s a 30 percent drop in the price of a barrel of oil.&nbsp; But guess what?&nbsp; Gas prices haven’t fallen that much.&nbsp; And it’s not right.&nbsp; Gas prices at the pump should be lower. In fact, if retailers and refiners were earning the average profit they’ve made over the last 17 years, Americans would be paying at least 60 cents less per gallon for every gallon they buy.&nbsp; Say it again: 60 cents less for every gallon they buy.&nbsp; That makes a big difference in a family. My message to the American energy companies is this: You should not be using your profits to buy back stock or for dividends.&nbsp; Not now.&nbsp; Not while a war is raging. You should use those record-breaking profits to increase production and refining.&nbsp; Invest in America for the American people.&nbsp; Bring down the price you charge at the pump to reflect what you pay for the product. You still make a significant profit.&nbsp; Your shareholders will still do very well.&nbsp; And the American people will catch the break they deserve and get a fair price at the pump as well. One more thing I want to mention today.&nbsp; Our country needs to pass permitting reform to accelerate the development of clean energy. Right now, the process of getting clean energy projects approved is too cumbersome and too time consuming.&nbsp; So, I’m asking the Congress: Pass a permitting bill to speed up the approval of all kinds of energy production from wind, to solar, to clean hydrogen.&nbsp; Because we need to get this moving now, quickly — now. It would take — you know, this — if we do this, it would take the historic clean energy investments that I signed into law and put them into action. In fact, one independent analyst has already estimated that the $369 billion we’re making in federal investments that will generate — if we just — just that will generate $1.7 trillion in total public and private investments in the years ahead. You can increase oil and gas production now while still moving full speed ahead to accelerate our transition to clean energy.&nbsp; That way — that way, we can lower energy costs for American families, enhance our national security at a very difficult moment.&nbsp; Let me close with this.&nbsp; I know it’s been a rough four or five years for the country.&nbsp; For a lot of families, things are still tough. The choices made by other countries are affecting the price of gas here at home.&nbsp; That’s why I’ve been acting so aggressively. Without the steps we have taken over the past several months to ramp up production and lower prices and get relief to consumers, gas prices would be higher than they are today. And we’ll keep doing everything we can to keep it going to ensure our energy independence and security is available and to lower gas prices here at home and to give folks a little bit of breathing room. We just have to remember who we are.&nbsp; We’re the United States of America, for God’s sake.&nbsp; There’s not a single thing we can’t do when we put our minds to it.&nbsp; And we can strengthen our energy security now, and we can build a clean energy economy for the future at the same time.&nbsp; This is totally within our capacity.&nbsp; Totally within our capacity. Gas prices are coming down.&nbsp; We’re going to do everything we can to make sure they continue to come down and companies act responsibly so it’s reflected at the pump. Thank you all.&nbsp; And may God bless you.&nbsp; And may God protect our troops."&nbsp;

🎥Biden defends US oil reserve release to fight rising gas prices 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.

On October 17, a 23-year-old woman reported she was sexually&nbsp; assaulted by a suspect identified as 23-year-old Hunter Peach, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;

Officers located Peach and arrested him in the 400 block of West Central and booked him on requested charges of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Aggravated Domestic Battery, and Rape.

&nbsp;Peach and the woman know each other, according to police. He is being held on a $300,000 bond, according to online jail records. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666123400223.png" alt="Peach-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Peach-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.On October 17, a 23-year-old woman reported she was sexually&nbsp; assaulted by a suspect identified as 23-year-old Hunter Peach, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;Officers located Peach and arrested him in the 400 block of West Central and booked him on requested charges of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Aggravated Domestic Battery, and Rape.&nbsp;Peach and the woman know each other, according to police. He is being held on a $300,000 bond, according to online jail records. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Police: Kansas man held on $300K bond for alleged sex crimes

KANSAS CITY —The fentanyl crisis is getting worse.&nbsp;The Kansas City Police Department responded to&nbsp;four confirmed fentanyl overdose deaths, including a toddler, in a 13-day timespan during the month of October, according to a release from the agency.

In addition, the department has investigated several other suspected fentanyl deaths and 17 nonfatal overdoses in recent days.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. It is cheap and highly addictive, leading drug dealers to mix it into counterfeit pills of oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall.

In September, KCPD’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) seized four large amounts of fentanyl: a 3,300 pill seizure, an 11,000 pill seizure, a 3,100 pill seizure, and a two-kilogram seizure. The department’s largest seizure this year, to-date, is 41,000 pills. On multiple occasions, the Department's Drug Enforcement Unit has seized fentanyl in brick/kilogram form.

Drug dealers also mix fentanyl with other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin, with many users unaware they are taking fentanyl.

The Department urged the public, "Please talk with your family and friends; they should never take a medication that was not prescribed to them."

"If you know anyone who abuses illicit drugs and opioids, please encourage them to get help with their addiction. Additionally, many groups we work with suggest having Narcan on hand and utilizing fentanyl test kits to determine the presence of fentanyl."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666203451131.png" alt="Seized pills that contain fentanyl -photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Seized pills that contain fentanyl -photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The fentanyl crisis is getting worse.&nbsp;The Kansas City Police Department responded to&nbsp;four confirmed fentanyl overdose deaths, including a toddler, in a 13-day timespan during the month of October, according to a release from the agency.In addition, the department has investigated several other suspected fentanyl deaths and 17 nonfatal overdoses in recent days.Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. It is cheap and highly addictive, leading drug dealers to mix it into counterfeit pills of oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall.In September, KCPD’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) seized four large amounts of fentanyl: a 3,300 pill seizure, an 11,000 pill seizure, a 3,100 pill seizure, and a two-kilogram seizure. The department’s largest seizure this year, to-date, is 41,000 pills. On multiple occasions, the Department's Drug Enforcement Unit has seized fentanyl in brick/kilogram form.Drug dealers also mix fentanyl with other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin, with many users unaware they are taking fentanyl.The Department urged the public, "Please talk with your family and friends; they should never take a medication that was not prescribed to them.""If you know anyone who abuses illicit drugs and opioids, please encourage them to get help with their addiction. Additionally, many groups we work with suggest having Narcan on hand and utilizing fentanyl test kits to determine the presence of fentanyl."------

KCPD: 4 fentanyl deaths including a toddler this month

Albert Junior Mitchell, 84, died Saturday, October 15, 2022, in Hill 
City, Kansas. He was also known as Junior, A.J. or by most of the family
 as “Mitch."

Mitch was born March 1, 1938, in Summer 
Hill, Illinois to Albert Henry Mitchell and Ada Stout. They had two 
children Albert Junior “Mitch” and Beverly. Ada was later married to 
Linney Brown. Together they raised the two children. They later 
divorced. Mitch attended East St. Louis High until the eleventh grade 
and enlisted in the Marines in 1955. His tour of duty found him in 
Okinawa, Japan, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Sicily, Italy, and Spain.

Following
 his honorable discharge in 1958, he  began working for Monsanto as a 
chemical mechanic operator. This was the job he would continue for 37 
years.  In the early 60’s he and Sheila Wohlrab Lankas were married. To 
this union two children were born: Brian Albert and Barry Joseph. He 
later married, Joyce Scharringhausen. These two marriages ended in 
divorce. His last wife, Dee Shephard, proceeded him in death March 17, 
2013 after 12 years of marriage. Not only did Mitch live for many years 
just south of St. Louis,  but his sister Beverly Brown Butler and her 
husband Homer Butler were only a few miles away. He so enjoyed spending 
quality time with them. They both proceeded him death.

Mitch
 was a collector. Be it hats,  coffee cups, or coins for his great 
grandchildren. But his love of cars was astounding. Mitch LOVED cars. 
His favorites however were the 1956 and 1957 Chevys. His first car was a
 1929 Chevy he purchased along with two buddies when he was 15 years 
old. Too young to have a driver’s license, he drove it up and down the 
alley with those wooden spoke wheels. His obsession with cars was not 
his passing hobby but a lifetime of wonderful memories. In 1959, he 
became a member of the Piston Pushers Car Club and was the first 
lifetime member. He also joined many other car clubs in the Illinois and
 Missouri area. Mitch lived near  the Belleville, Illinois, and 
Imperial/Pevely, Missouri areas for 84 years. Of course, enjoying 
collecting cars and attending car shows and he treasured the times just 
being with friends and family. This past March, he moved to Hill City, 
Kansas to be closer to his son Brian and his family.

Mitch
 will be sadly missed by his son Brian Mitchell and his wife Kay of Hill
 City,  and his grandchildren: Taylor Vap and wife Audrey; Dylan Vap and
 wife Amanda, all of Atwood; great grandchildren: Kaceton, Oakleigh, 
Chesney, Landrik and Daya Pearl, all of Atwood; his son Barry of 
Missouri; niece Traci Wingerter and husband David; their children: 
Aimee, Allison (Eddie) and children: Bentley and Mavis Clark, and Adam; 
niece Kim Schweizer and children Andrew and Austin Whaley of the 
Hillsboro, Missouri area.

A come and go reception to 
celebrate Mitch's life will be held Sunday, October 23, 2022, from 1:00 
to 4:00 p.m. at the home of Brian and Kay Mitchell, 716 N. 6th Ave., 
Hill City, Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666183838979.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Albert Junior Mitchell, 84, died Saturday, October 15, 2022, in Hill 
City, Kansas. He was also known as Junior, A.J. or by most of the family
 as “Mitch."Mitch was born March 1, 1938, in Summer 
Hill, Illinois to Albert Henry Mitchell and Ada Stout. They had two 
children Albert Junior “Mitch” and Beverly. Ada was later married to 
Linney Brown. Together they raised the two children. They later 
divorced. Mitch attended East St. Louis High until the eleventh grade 
and enlisted in the Marines in 1955. His tour of duty found him in 
Okinawa, Japan, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Sicily, Italy, and Spain.Following
 his honorable discharge in 1958, he began working for Monsanto as a 
chemical mechanic operator. This was the job he would continue for 37 
years. In the early 60’s he and Sheila Wohlrab Lankas were married. To 
this union two children were born: Brian Albert and Barry Joseph. He 
later married, Joyce Scharringhausen. These two marriages ended in 
divorce. His last wife, Dee Shephard, proceeded him in death March 17, 
2013 after 12 years of marriage. Not only did Mitch live for many years 
just south of St. Louis, but his sister Beverly Brown Butler and her 
husband Homer Butler were only a few miles away. He so enjoyed spending 
quality time with them. They both proceeded him death.Mitch
 was a collector. Be it hats, coffee cups, or coins for his great 
grandchildren. But his love of cars was astounding. Mitch LOVED cars. 
His favorites however were the 1956 and 1957 Chevys. His first car was a
 1929 Chevy he purchased along with two buddies when he was 15 years 
old. Too young to have a driver’s license, he drove it up and down the 
alley with those wooden spoke wheels. His obsession with cars was not 
his passing hobby but a lifetime of wonderful memories. In 1959, he 
became a member of the Piston Pushers Car Club and was the first 
lifetime member. He also joined many other car clubs in the Illinois and
 Missouri area. Mitch lived near the Belleville, Illinois, and 
Imperial/Pevely, Missouri areas for 84 years. Of course, enjoying 
collecting cars and attending car shows and he treasured the times just 
being with friends and family. This past March, he moved to Hill City, 
Kansas to be closer to his son Brian and his family.Mitch
 will be sadly missed by his son Brian Mitchell and his wife Kay of Hill
 City, and his grandchildren: Taylor Vap and wife Audrey; Dylan Vap and
 wife Amanda, all of Atwood; great grandchildren: Kaceton, Oakleigh, 
Chesney, Landrik and Daya Pearl, all of Atwood; his son Barry of 
Missouri; niece Traci Wingerter and husband David; their children: 
Aimee, Allison (Eddie) and children: Bentley and Mavis Clark, and Adam; 
niece Kim Schweizer and children Andrew and Austin Whaley of the 
Hillsboro, Missouri area.A come and go reception to 
celebrate Mitch's life will be held Sunday, October 23, 2022, from 1:00 
to 4:00 p.m. at the home of Brian and Kay Mitchell, 716 N. 6th Ave., 
Hill City, Kansas.&nbsp;

Albert Junior Mitchell

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden promised Tuesday that the first bill he sends to Capitol Hill next year will be one that codifies Roe v. Wade — if Democrats control enough seats in Congress for Biden to sign abortion protections into law — in a speech designed to energize his party's voters just three weeks ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">the November midterms.</a>

“If you care about the right to choose, then you gotta vote,” Biden said during remarks at the Howard Theatre in Washington. He urged those in attendance to recall how they felt when the Supreme Court in late June overturned the landmark 1973 ruling legalizing abortion, and repeatedly lambasted Republicans nationwide who have pushed for restrictions on the procedure, often without exceptions.

Biden said “the only sure way to stop these extremist laws that are putting in jeopardy women’s health and rights is for Congress to pass a law.” He acknowledged that right now, “we're short a handful of votes” to reinstate abortion protections at the federal level, urging voters to send more Democrats to Congress.

“If we do that, here’s the promise I make to you and the American people: The first bill that I will send to the Congress will be to codify Roe v. Wade," Biden said. “And when Congress passes it, I’ll sign it in January, 50 years after Roe was first decided the law of the land.”

Democrats tried repeatedly in this Congress to enshrine abortion rights into law, only to be thwarted by GOP filibusters and the unwillingness of their own members to change the Senate’s rules. That dynamic is likely to persist no matter what happens in the November elections.

Abortion rights have been a key&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-elections-campaigns-8a6e3db27082cc212e9e5183b25e7c32">motivating factor for Democrats this year</a>, although the economy and inflation still rank as chief concern for most voters.

For the White House, it won’t be enough just to keep control of both chambers of Congress, already an uphill battle, to be able to enshrine the protections of Roe into law. The Senate would need to abolish the filibuster, the legislative rule that requires 60 votes for most bills to advance in the chamber, in order to pass an abortion measure with a simple majority of senators.

Long resistant to any revisions to Senate institutional rules, Biden said in the days after the decision by the Supreme Court to overrule Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson that he would support eliminating that supermajority threshold for abortion bills, just as he did on voting rights legislation.

But two moderate Democrats — Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., and Joe Manchin, W.Va. — support keeping the filibuster. Sinema has said she wants to retain the filibuster precisely so any abortion restrictions backed by Republicans would face a much higher hurdle to pass in the Senate.

Democratic Senate candidates in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — the party's two best chances to flip seats currently held by Republicans — have both said they support eliminating the filibuster in order to pass abortion legislation. Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman has actively campaigned on being the 51st vote for priorities such as legalizing abortion, codifying same-sex marriage protections, and making it easier for workers to unionize — all measures that would otherwise be blocked by a filibuster in the Senate.

Abortion — and proposals from some Republicans to impose nationwide restrictions on the procedure — have been a regular fixture of Biden's political rhetoric this election cycle, as Democrats seek to energize voters in a difficult midterm season for the party in power in Washington.

In fundraisers and in political speeches, Biden has vowed to reject any abortion restrictions that may come to his desk in a GOP-controlled Congress. He has also urged voters to boost the Democratic ranks in the Senate so enough senators would not only support reinstating abortion nationwide, but would be willing to change Senate rules to do it.

"If you give me two more Democratic senators in the United States Senate, I promise you, I promise you we’re going to codify Roe," Biden said at a Democratic National Committee rally in Washington last month. “We’ll once again make Roe the law of the land. And we’ll once again protect a woman’s right to choose.”

On Tuesday, Biden made a pointed appeal to young voters, who traditionally participate in lower rates than other age demographics in midterm elections. Though his remarks were primarily focused on abortion, Biden also mentioned his decisions to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt and to issue pardons for marijuana possession — moves popular with younger voters.

“What I am saying is, you represent the best of us. Your generation will not be ignored, will not be shunned and will not be silent,” Biden said, adding: “In 2020, you voted to deliver the change you wanted to see in the world. In 2022, you need to exercise your power to vote again for the future of our nation and the future of your generation.”

Court decisions and state legislation have shifted — and sometimes, re-shifted — the status of abortion laws across the country. Currently, bans are in place at all states of pregnancy in 12 states. In another, Wisconsin, clinics have stopped providing abortions though there’s dispute over whether a ban is in effect. In Georgia, abortion is banned at the detection of cardiac activity -- generally around six weeks and before women often know they’re pregnant.

Meanwhile, codifying Roe remains a broadly popular position. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-nancy-pelosi-womens-rights-government-and-politics-c410dbe9a8321b35a4e779b2fb226de5">July AP-NORC poll</a>, 60% of U.S. adults said they believe Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide.

Even with the economy dominating so much of the midterm discourse, abortion has been a touchstone in high-profile contests from Ohio to Arizona, especially as Democrats try to trap Republicans between their most ardent anti-abortion base voters who want absolute or near-total bans and a majority of U.S. adults that wants at least some legal access to elective abortions.

For instance, in Georgia, Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker went so far in his only debate against Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, as to deny his previous support for a national abortion ban with no exceptions. Despite Walker’s previous statements captured on video, he insisted Warnock misrepresented his position. Walker said in the debate that he backs a Georgia statute outlawing abortion after six weeks of pregnancy – an effective ban for some women because it’s so early they don’t yet know they’re pregnant. The law includes exceptions for later abortions in cases of rape, incest and involving health risks to a woman.

Warnock, meanwhile, avoided direct questions about whether he’d support any abortion limits, instead turning the question to Walker’s position.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666127025170.png" alt="“If you care about the right to choose, then you gotta vote,” Biden said during remarks at the Howard Theatre in Washington-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>“If you care about the right to choose, then you gotta vote,” Biden said during remarks at the Howard Theatre in Washington-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden promised Tuesday that the first bill he sends to Capitol Hill next year will be one that codifies Roe v. Wade — if Democrats control enough seats in Congress for Biden to sign abortion protections into law — in a speech designed to energize his party's voters just three weeks ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">the November midterms.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on if Democrats keep their majority in Congress: &quot;If we do that, here&#39;s the promise I make to you and the American people: the first bill that I will send to the Congress will be to codify Roe v. Wade.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/D7CGg2Cl25">pic.twitter.com/D7CGg2Cl25</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1582416394473603072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“If you care about the right to choose, then you gotta vote,” Biden said during remarks at the Howard Theatre in Washington. He urged those in attendance to recall how they felt when the Supreme Court in late June overturned the landmark 1973 ruling legalizing abortion, and repeatedly lambasted Republicans nationwide who have pushed for restrictions on the procedure, often without exceptions.Biden said “the only sure way to stop these extremist laws that are putting in jeopardy women’s health and rights is for Congress to pass a law.” He acknowledged that right now, “we're short a handful of votes” to reinstate abortion protections at the federal level, urging voters to send more Democrats to Congress.“If we do that, here’s the promise I make to you and the American people: The first bill that I will send to the Congress will be to codify Roe v. Wade," Biden said. “And when Congress passes it, I’ll sign it in January, 50 years after Roe was first decided the law of the land.”That's a big if.Democrats tried repeatedly in this Congress to enshrine abortion rights into law, only to be thwarted by GOP filibusters and the unwillingness of their own members to change the Senate’s rules. That dynamic is likely to persist no matter what happens in the November elections.Abortion rights have been a key&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-elections-campaigns-8a6e3db27082cc212e9e5183b25e7c32">motivating factor for Democrats this year</a>, although the economy and inflation still rank as chief concern for most voters.For the White House, it won’t be enough just to keep control of both chambers of Congress, already an uphill battle, to be able to enshrine the protections of Roe into law. The Senate would need to abolish the filibuster, the legislative rule that requires 60 votes for most bills to advance in the chamber, in order to pass an abortion measure with a simple majority of senators.Long resistant to any revisions to Senate institutional rules, Biden said in the days after the decision by the Supreme Court to overrule Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson that he would support eliminating that supermajority threshold for abortion bills, just as he did on voting rights legislation.But two moderate Democrats — Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., and Joe Manchin, W.Va. — support keeping the filibuster. Sinema has said she wants to retain the filibuster precisely so any abortion restrictions backed by Republicans would face a much higher hurdle to pass in the Senate.Democratic Senate candidates in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — the party's two best chances to flip seats currently held by Republicans — have both said they support eliminating the filibuster in order to pass abortion legislation. Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman has actively campaigned on being the 51st vote for priorities such as legalizing abortion, codifying same-sex marriage protections, and making it easier for workers to unionize — all measures that would otherwise be blocked by a filibuster in the Senate.Abortion — and proposals from some Republicans to impose nationwide restrictions on the procedure — have been a regular fixture of Biden's political rhetoric this election cycle, as Democrats seek to energize voters in a difficult midterm season for the party in power in Washington.In fundraisers and in political speeches, Biden has vowed to reject any abortion restrictions that may come to his desk in a GOP-controlled Congress. He has also urged voters to boost the Democratic ranks in the Senate so enough senators would not only support reinstating abortion nationwide, but would be willing to change Senate rules to do it."If you give me two more Democratic senators in the United States Senate, I promise you, I promise you we’re going to codify Roe," Biden said at a Democratic National Committee rally in Washington last month. “We’ll once again make Roe the law of the land. And we’ll once again protect a woman’s right to choose.”On Tuesday, Biden made a pointed appeal to young voters, who traditionally participate in lower rates than other age demographics in midterm elections. Though his remarks were primarily focused on abortion, Biden also mentioned his decisions to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt and to issue pardons for marijuana possession — moves popular with younger voters.“What I am saying is, you represent the best of us. Your generation will not be ignored, will not be shunned and will not be silent,” Biden said, adding: “In 2020, you voted to deliver the change you wanted to see in the world. In 2022, you need to exercise your power to vote again for the future of our nation and the future of your generation.”Court decisions and state legislation have shifted — and sometimes, re-shifted — the status of abortion laws across the country. Currently, bans are in place at all states of pregnancy in 12 states. In another, Wisconsin, clinics have stopped providing abortions though there’s dispute over whether a ban is in effect. In Georgia, abortion is banned at the detection of cardiac activity -- generally around six weeks and before women often know they’re pregnant.Meanwhile, codifying Roe remains a broadly popular position. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-nancy-pelosi-womens-rights-government-and-politics-c410dbe9a8321b35a4e779b2fb226de5">July AP-NORC poll</a>, 60% of U.S. adults said they believe Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide.Even with the economy dominating so much of the midterm discourse, abortion has been a touchstone in high-profile contests from Ohio to Arizona, especially as Democrats try to trap Republicans between their most ardent anti-abortion base voters who want absolute or near-total bans and a majority of U.S. adults that wants at least some legal access to elective abortions.For instance, in Georgia, Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker went so far in his only debate against Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, as to deny his previous support for a national abortion ban with no exceptions. Despite Walker’s previous statements captured on video, he insisted Warnock misrepresented his position. Walker said in the debate that he backs a Georgia statute outlawing abortion after six weeks of pregnancy – an effective ban for some women because it’s so early they don’t yet know they’re pregnant. The law includes exceptions for later abortions in cases of rape, incest and involving health risks to a woman.Warnock, meanwhile, avoided direct questions about whether he’d support any abortion limits, instead turning the question to Walker’s position.

🎥Biden uses promise of abortion legislation to energize Dem voters

Linda Mae Fisher, age 71, of Hays, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 17, 2022, in Hays.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM 
Saturday, October 22, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Burial 
will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hays.

Visitation will be Friday 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.

A combined rosary and parish vigil service will be 7:00 PM Friday at the funeral chapel.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

A complete obituary will be provided when completed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666205356777.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Linda Mae Fisher, age 71, of Hays, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 17, 2022, in Hays.Funeral services will be 10:00 AM 
Saturday, October 22, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Burial 
will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hays.Visitation will be Friday 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.A combined rosary and parish vigil service will be 7:00 PM Friday at the funeral chapel.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.comA complete obituary will be provided when completed.

Linda Mae Fisher

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;1,906&nbsp; new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday October 12, to Wednesday October 19, for a total of 884,969 cases.&nbsp; &nbsp;The state reported 2,866 new cases during the first week of October.

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;11 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on October 12 for a total of 9,601.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;1,906&nbsp; new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday October 12, to Wednesday October 19, for a total of 884,969 cases.&nbsp; &nbsp;The state reported 2,866 new cases during the first week of October.On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;11 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on October 12 for a total of 9,601.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666200505822.png" alt="Wednesday October 19, 2022 -KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday October 19, 2022 -KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE: COVID case numbers down over the past week

Leland Clarence Pallister, 93, passed away October 17, 2022, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS. &nbsp;He&nbsp;was born September 22, 1929, in Hutchinson, to Glenn C. Pallister and Minnie (Hauschild) Pallister.

Leland was a 1947 graduate of Nickerson High School, Nickerson, KS. &nbsp;He graduated from Hutchinson Community College (HCC), formerly Hutchinson Community Junior College, in 1949, and was a member of the HCC Blue Dragons basketball team that was the runner-up in the 1949 National Junior College Athletic Association National Basketball Tournament. &nbsp;

Leland was a farmer and rancher for over 50 years and drove a school bus for Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD309 for over 30 years. &nbsp;He attended Midland Community United Church of Christ, Sterling, KS, and Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.

Leland married Betty Lou Collins. &nbsp;She died November 24, 1992. &nbsp;He then married Dorothy (Bray) Perez.

Leland is survived by: &nbsp;his wife, Dorothy Pallister of Hutchinson; children, Craig (Sue) Pallister of Hays, KS, and Pamela (Dwayne) Upton of Merriam, KS; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; sister-in-law, Barbara Pallister; stepsons, John (Jennifer) Perez of Pittsburg, KS, Jeff (LeeAnn) Perez of Parsons, KS, and Rod Perez of&nbsp;Arma, KS;&nbsp;seven&nbsp;step-grandchildren;&nbsp;eight&nbsp;step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by: &nbsp;his parents; wife, Betty Lou Pallister; siblings, Lyle Pallister and&nbsp;Aurel&nbsp;Lea Pallister; grandson, Paul Upton; and one step-granddaughter.

Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Lyons Municipal Cemetery, Lyons, KS. &nbsp;Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2022, and Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church,&nbsp;Midland Community United Church of Christ, or Hospice House,&nbsp;in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666197026665.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Leland Clarence Pallister, 93, passed away October 17, 2022, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS. &nbsp;He&nbsp;was born September 22, 1929, in Hutchinson, to Glenn C. Pallister and Minnie (Hauschild) Pallister.Leland was a 1947 graduate of Nickerson High School, Nickerson, KS. &nbsp;He graduated from Hutchinson Community College (HCC), formerly Hutchinson Community Junior College, in 1949, and was a member of the HCC Blue Dragons basketball team that was the runner-up in the 1949 National Junior College Athletic Association National Basketball Tournament. &nbsp;Leland was a farmer and rancher for over 50 years and drove a school bus for Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD309 for over 30 years. &nbsp;He attended Midland Community United Church of Christ, Sterling, KS, and Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.Leland married Betty Lou Collins. &nbsp;She died November 24, 1992. &nbsp;He then married Dorothy (Bray) Perez.Leland is survived by: &nbsp;his wife, Dorothy Pallister of Hutchinson; children, Craig (Sue) Pallister of Hays, KS, and Pamela (Dwayne) Upton of Merriam, KS; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; sister-in-law, Barbara Pallister; stepsons, John (Jennifer) Perez of Pittsburg, KS, Jeff (LeeAnn) Perez of Parsons, KS, and Rod Perez of&nbsp;Arma, KS;&nbsp;seven&nbsp;step-grandchildren;&nbsp;eight&nbsp;step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by: &nbsp;his parents; wife, Betty Lou Pallister; siblings, Lyle Pallister and&nbsp;Aurel&nbsp;Lea Pallister; grandson, Paul Upton; and one step-granddaughter.Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Lyons Municipal Cemetery, Lyons, KS. &nbsp;Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2022, and Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church,&nbsp;Midland Community United Church of Christ, or Hospice House,&nbsp;in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Leland Clarence Pallister

By SCOTT SCHWAB Kansas Secretary of State

As we approach the November 8 election, I want to thank our county election officials and poll workers
for their tireless work to ensure the security and integrity of our elections.


Second, I want to remind voters they have multiple options for how to cast their ballot: in-person on
Election Day, advance in-person, or advance by mail ballot. Voters can preview their ballot and verify
their polling location at VoteKansas.gov.


Beginning on October 19, advance in-person voting may begin and advance by mail ballots are
transmitted to voters who requested a ballot. Advance in-person voting schedules vary by county. Voters
may locate their county’s advance in-person voting schedule by contacting their county election office.


Voters who requested an advance by mail ballot must return their ballot to the county election office by
7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots that are returned by postal mail must be postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on
Election Day and received by the county election office by the last postal delivery on the third day
following the election to be counted.


Please remember that state law requires voter identification when voting in person or by mail. A list of
acceptable forms of ID can be found at VoteKansas.gov.


Please note the 2022 General Election dates and deadlines:


By SCOTT SCHWAB Kansas Secretary of StateAs we approach the November 8 election, I want to thank our county election officials and poll workers
for their tireless work to ensure the security and integrity of our elections.
Second, I want to remind voters they have multiple options for how to cast their ballot: in-person on
Election Day, advance in-person, or advance by mail ballot. Voters can preview their ballot and verify
their polling location at VoteKansas.gov.
Beginning on October 19, advance in-person voting may begin and advance by mail ballots are
transmitted to voters who requested a ballot. Advance in-person voting schedules vary by county. Voters
may locate their county’s advance in-person voting schedule by contacting their county election office.
Voters who requested an advance by mail ballot must return their ballot to the county election office by
7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots that are returned by postal mail must be postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on
Election Day and received by the county election office by the last postal delivery on the third day
following the election to be counted.
Please remember that state law requires voter identification when voting in person or by mail. A list of
acceptable forms of ID can be found at VoteKansas.gov.
Please note the 2022 General Election dates and deadlines:
<ul>
 <li>October 18: Last day to register to vote for the general election

						</li><li>October 19: Advance voting in person and by mail may begin

						</li><li>November 7 (NOON): Last day to advance vote in-person

						</li><li>November 8: GENERAL ELECTION (advance by mail ballots must be postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on
November 8) 
I encourage all registered voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote on, or before, November 8.

						</li>
 </ul>

SCHWAB: Important general election reminders

Willis C. "Bill" Bieker, 77, Hays, died Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at HaysMed.

​Funeral&nbsp;arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Willis C. "Bill" Bieker, 77, Hays, died Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at HaysMed.​Funeral&nbsp;arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Willis C. 'Bill' Bieker

The latest government reports show demand for regular gasoline is dropping and supplies are rising. Thus the national average price for a gallon of regular dropped three cents last week, to $3.88 per gallon. Diesel prices continue to rise. The Energy Information Administration reports diesel inventories were down nearly five million barrels last week, and are about 23% below the five-year seasonal average. Diesel fuel deliveries are down nearly four percent. The average price for diesel at the pump nationwide was just over $5.27 per gallon last week, up 30 cents from a month ago, and a $1.74 higher than a year ago. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson dropped more than three dollars on Friday to start the week at $75.75 per barrel. That's up six dollars a barrel from the first of the month, but down more than seven dollars from a week ago. The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was up eight oil rigs. The count in Texas was up five; New Mexico was down four. The Rig Count in Kansas was up one west of Wichita at 32 active rigs. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported operators were preparing to spud new wells in Barton and Stafford counties on Friday. State regulators report slight increases in Kansas crude output, both statewide and in our area. Operators across Kansas pumped more than 11.5 million barrels through May, the latest numbers available from the Kansas Geological Survey. That's over 76,000 barrels per day. Barton County output is just under 4,000 barrels per day with production of 596,000 barrels through May. Ellis County pumped 905,000 barrels, or nearly 6,000 barrels per day. Russell County output through May stands at 545,000 barrels, or 3,600 barrels per day.&nbsp; The tally in Stafford County is 383,000 barrels or 2,500 barrels per day. Kansas regulators okay 21 new drilling permits. There are five new permits east of Wichita and 16 in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County and three in Ellis County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 19 new well-completions last week, with ten in eastern Kansas and nine west of Wichita including three in Barton County and one in Ellis County. Operators have completed 1,256 wells so far this year, compared to 680 at this time last year. The government says U.S. crude stockpiles last week rose by nearly ten million barrels to just over 439 million, or about one percent below the five-year seasonal average. Gasoline stockpiles were also higher. But diesel inventories, and production, were lower. EIA reports average crude imports of 6.1 million barrels per day last week, up 100,000 barrels from the week before.&nbsp; U.S. crude production dropped below 12 million barrels per day last week for the first time in 12 weeks. The Energy Information Administration reports output during the week through October 7 averaged 11.932 million barrels per day. That's down 106,000 barrels per day from the week before, but is nearly 600,000 barrels per day ahead of the same week last year. In its weekly Short Term Energy Outlook, the government predicts rising U.S. crude output for the rest of this year and record output next year. EIA forecasts U.S. production of 12.4 million barrels per day next year, which would surpass the record set in 2019. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reports mixed results, but solid growth in the energy industry hereabouts. A quarterly report in the Fed's District 10 notes the pace of growth slowed slightly in both profits and revenues. But the oil patch posted the highest level of employment gains in the history of the quarterly survey. The 10th District includes all of Kansas, Oklahoma Nebraska Colorado, and Wyoming along with parts of Missouri and New Mexico.

By JOHN P. TRETBARThe latest government reports show demand for regular gasoline is dropping and supplies are rising. Thus the national average price for a gallon of regular dropped three cents last week, to $3.88 per gallon. Diesel prices continue to rise. The Energy Information Administration reports diesel inventories were down nearly five million barrels last week, and are about 23% below the five-year seasonal average. Diesel fuel deliveries are down nearly four percent. The average price for diesel at the pump nationwide was just over $5.27 per gallon last week, up 30 cents from a month ago, and a $1.74 higher than a year ago. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson dropped more than three dollars on Friday to start the week at $75.75 per barrel. That's up six dollars a barrel from the first of the month, but down more than seven dollars from a week ago. The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was up eight oil rigs. The count in Texas was up five; New Mexico was down four. The Rig Count in Kansas was up one west of Wichita at 32 active rigs. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported operators were preparing to spud new wells in Barton and Stafford counties on Friday. State regulators report slight increases in Kansas crude output, both statewide and in our area. Operators across Kansas pumped more than 11.5 million barrels through May, the latest numbers available from the Kansas Geological Survey. That's over 76,000 barrels per day. Barton County output is just under 4,000 barrels per day with production of 596,000 barrels through May. Ellis County pumped 905,000 barrels, or nearly 6,000 barrels per day. Russell County output through May stands at 545,000 barrels, or 3,600 barrels per day.&nbsp; The tally in Stafford County is 383,000 barrels or 2,500 barrels per day. Kansas regulators okay 21 new drilling permits. There are five new permits east of Wichita and 16 in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County and three in Ellis County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 19 new well-completions last week, with ten in eastern Kansas and nine west of Wichita including three in Barton County and one in Ellis County. Operators have completed 1,256 wells so far this year, compared to 680 at this time last year. The government says U.S. crude stockpiles last week rose by nearly ten million barrels to just over 439 million, or about one percent below the five-year seasonal average. Gasoline stockpiles were also higher. But diesel inventories, and production, were lower. EIA reports average crude imports of 6.1 million barrels per day last week, up 100,000 barrels from the week before.&nbsp; U.S. crude production dropped below 12 million barrels per day last week for the first time in 12 weeks. The Energy Information Administration reports output during the week through October 7 averaged 11.932 million barrels per day. That's down 106,000 barrels per day from the week before, but is nearly 600,000 barrels per day ahead of the same week last year. In its weekly Short Term Energy Outlook, the government predicts rising U.S. crude output for the rest of this year and record output next year. EIA forecasts U.S. production of 12.4 million barrels per day next year, which would surpass the record set in 2019. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reports mixed results, but solid growth in the energy industry hereabouts. A quarterly report in the Fed's District 10 notes the pace of growth slowed slightly in both profits and revenues. But the oil patch posted the highest level of employment gains in the history of the quarterly survey. The 10th District includes all of Kansas, Oklahoma Nebraska Colorado, and Wyoming along with parts of Missouri and New Mexico.

News From the Oil Patch: Gas taps the brakes, diesel accelerates

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher This week in the grocery store, I was delighted to see the first fresh cranberries of the season. I bought a bag and will make cranberry bread with it soon. It might seem odd in Kansas but, for me, those cranberries are one of the surest signs of fall and a reminder of home. Where I grew up, cranberries are a big deal. My parents live in the Wisconsin county with the highest number of acres in cranberry production in the U.S., most of their neighbors grow them, and I even took cranberry science in high school. I love sharing fun facts about cranberries like they do not grow in water. The image you may be thinking of where people are in hip waders with water past their knees is actually during cranberry harvest. Since cranberries are buoyant, the beds where they grow are flooded to make removing berries from the vines with a beater and then collection at one end of the bed easier. Cranberry growers also use water to protect their crop. Harvest is typically from the end of September through October, when the nights are getting cold enough that the berries are at risk of frost damage. &nbsp;Growers have alarm systems to alert them of dangerous temperatures. When the alarms sound, they start their irrigation systems to coat the berries in water. As the water freezes a process called heat of fusion occurs and enough heat is given off to protect the crop. The cold is a necessary part of the fruit’s development as lower temperatures contribute to deepening the berry’s red color, which can bring a premium on the crop. There is something inspirational about the fact that the closer cranberries come to being destroyed, the more they increase in value. There are actually lots of plant equivalents to the saying “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” Drought stressed wheat will have higher protein content. Giant Sequoia seeds can only germinate after a fire. Adversity is sometimes the most effective way for us to gain the character that we need to succeed in life. One particular memory from my childhood comes to my mind when I think about failure pushing us to be our best. When I was 11, I took tractor safety to get my permit so I could drive on public roads. Since I was a relatively inexperienced driver, my dad spent time with me practicing all the components of the test. My dad tried to be patient but to the delight of my older brothers, I was a natural at all the wrong moves, and I am sure my dad was embarrassed. Within the first 30 seconds of the test, I ran over a pole on the course, which gave me enough points that one more mistake would cause me to fail the test. However, I was determined to pass the test and prove to my brothers I could do it. I took a few breaths and proceeded through the course with as much skill and focus as an 11-year-old could muster. I didn’t make another mistake for the remainder of the test and received my certificate. That same lesson has repeated itself through my life dozens of times when I was on the verge of failure. In those moments, I learned important lessons in life and how capable I really am. We all could benefit from acting more like cranberries by realizing that the closer you get to failure, the bigger the reward will be.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher This week in the grocery store, I was delighted to see the first fresh cranberries of the season. I bought a bag and will make cranberry bread with it soon. It might seem odd in Kansas but, for me, those cranberries are one of the surest signs of fall and a reminder of home. Where I grew up, cranberries are a big deal. My parents live in the Wisconsin county with the highest number of acres in cranberry production in the U.S., most of their neighbors grow them, and I even took cranberry science in high school. I love sharing fun facts about cranberries like they do not grow in water. The image you may be thinking of where people are in hip waders with water past their knees is actually during cranberry harvest. Since cranberries are buoyant, the beds where they grow are flooded to make removing berries from the vines with a beater and then collection at one end of the bed easier. Cranberry growers also use water to protect their crop. Harvest is typically from the end of September through October, when the nights are getting cold enough that the berries are at risk of frost damage. &nbsp;Growers have alarm systems to alert them of dangerous temperatures. When the alarms sound, they start their irrigation systems to coat the berries in water. As the water freezes a process called heat of fusion occurs and enough heat is given off to protect the crop. The cold is a necessary part of the fruit’s development as lower temperatures contribute to deepening the berry’s red color, which can bring a premium on the crop. There is something inspirational about the fact that the closer cranberries come to being destroyed, the more they increase in value. There are actually lots of plant equivalents to the saying “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” Drought stressed wheat will have higher protein content. Giant Sequoia seeds can only germinate after a fire. Adversity is sometimes the most effective way for us to gain the character that we need to succeed in life. One particular memory from my childhood comes to my mind when I think about failure pushing us to be our best. When I was 11, I took tractor safety to get my permit so I could drive on public roads. Since I was a relatively inexperienced driver, my dad spent time with me practicing all the components of the test. My dad tried to be patient but to the delight of my older brothers, I was a natural at all the wrong moves, and I am sure my dad was embarrassed. Within the first 30 seconds of the test, I ran over a pole on the course, which gave me enough points that one more mistake would cause me to fail the test. However, I was determined to pass the test and prove to my brothers I could do it. I took a few breaths and proceeded through the course with as much skill and focus as an 11-year-old could muster. I didn’t make another mistake for the remainder of the test and received my certificate. That same lesson has repeated itself through my life dozens of times when I was on the verge of failure. In those moments, I learned important lessons in life and how capable I really am. We all could benefit from acting more like cranberries by realizing that the closer you get to failure, the bigger the reward will be."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Acting like cranberries

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers to
 file the next quarterly payroll tax return by the approaching October 
31, 2022, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employment-tax-due-dates">due date</a>, and urged them to do so electronically.

While paper filing is available, the IRS strongly encourages 
e-filing. E-filing is the most secure, accurate method to file returns 
and saves taxpayers' time.

E-filing is easy with auto-populating forms and schedules with a 
step-by-step process that performs calculations for the employer.

The IRS acknowledges receipt of e-filed returns within 24 hours, 
giving taxpayers reassurance that their return was not misplaced or lost
 in the mail. E-file users also receive missing information alerts.

Two options to electronically file payroll tax returns

Employers can choose to self-file by purchasing IRS-approved <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/94x-mef-providers">software</a>
 that meets their specific needs. There may be a fee to electronically 
file returns through the software, and the software will require a 
signature to e-file the returns.

Depending on the software they choose, taxpayers will have one or both of the following options:

The second option for employers is to hire a tax professional to
 prepare and file their employment tax returns. Taxpayers can use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/authorized-irs-e-file-provider-locator-service-for-tax-professionals">Authorized IRS e-file Provider Locator Service</a>&nbsp;to find a tax professional who can file on behalf of the business.

For more information on electronic filing of payroll tax returns, see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/e-file-employment-tax-forms">E-file Employment Tax Forms</a>&nbsp;page.

Employers can find information on the most recent tax relief provisions for taxpayers affected by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations">disaster</a> situations on IRS.gov. See&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/faqs-for-disaster-victims">FAQs for Disaster Victims&nbsp;</a>for information about the definition of an affected taxpayer.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/around-the-nation">IRS News from Around the Nation</a>&nbsp;provides IRS news specific to local areas, primarily disaster relief or tax provisions that affect certain states.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers to
 file the next quarterly payroll tax return by the approaching October 
31, 2022, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employment-tax-due-dates">due date</a>, and urged them to do so electronically.While paper filing is available, the IRS strongly encourages 
e-filing. E-filing is the most secure, accurate method to file returns 
and saves taxpayers' time.E-filing is easy with auto-populating forms and schedules with a 
step-by-step process that performs calculations for the employer.The IRS acknowledges receipt of e-filed returns within 24 hours, 
giving taxpayers reassurance that their return was not misplaced or lost
 in the mail. E-file users also receive missing information alerts.<h2>Two options to electronically file payroll tax returns</h2>Employers can choose to self-file by purchasing IRS-approved <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/94x-mef-providers">software</a>
 that meets their specific needs. There may be a fee to electronically 
file returns through the software, and the software will require a 
signature to e-file the returns.Depending on the software they choose, taxpayers will have one or both of the following options:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/use-an-on-line-signature-pin-to-e-file-employment-tax-forms">Apply for an online signature PIN</a></li><li>Scan and attach <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8453-emp">Form 8453-EMP, Employment Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return</a>, for the required signature.</li>
 </ul>The second option for employers is to hire a tax professional to
 prepare and file their employment tax returns. Taxpayers can use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/authorized-irs-e-file-provider-locator-service-for-tax-professionals">Authorized IRS e-file Provider Locator Service</a>&nbsp;to find a tax professional who can file on behalf of the business.For more information on electronic filing of payroll tax returns, see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/e-file-employment-tax-forms">E-file Employment Tax Forms</a>&nbsp;page.<h2>Tax relief in disaster situations</h2>Employers can find information on the most recent tax relief provisions for taxpayers affected by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations">disaster</a> situations on IRS.gov. See&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/faqs-for-disaster-victims">FAQs for Disaster Victims&nbsp;</a>for information about the definition of an affected taxpayer.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/around-the-nation">IRS News from Around the Nation</a>&nbsp;provides IRS news specific to local areas, primarily disaster relief or tax provisions that affect certain states.

Employers urged to electronically file payroll tax returns by Oct. 31

James Henry Sabatka, 58, of Naponee, NE, died October 16, 2022, at 
Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, NE. He was born November 16,
 1963, in Colby, KS to Louis and Irene (Curtin) Sabatka. Jim married 
the love of his life, Linda, on April 17, 2021. 
He was preceded in death by his mother Irene, his brother Kenny, and his grandparents, Harry &amp; Lucille Curtin. 
He is survived by his father and step-mother Louis and Elizabeth Sabaka 
of Atwood, KS; his wife, Linda Robb-Sabatka of Naponee, NE and her 
children, Brett Melchert and spouse Melissa, of Culbertson, NE, Kara 
Duncan and spouse Reilly, of Hudson, KS; sister-in-law Rhonda Sabatka 
of Hays, KS; siblings Janiece Vohland and spouse Larry of Overland 
Park, KS, Cathy Block and spouse George of Highland Village, TX, Lisa 
(Collins) Moos and spouse Brad of Eaton, CO, John Sabatka and spouse 
Shelly of Madison Lake, MN, Claire Erwin (Christi Collins) and spouse 
Bob of Atascadero, CA; seven grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and 
numerous treasured friends. 
Jim attended McDonald Grade School, Cheylin Middle School, and graduated
 from Atwood High School in 1983. He attended Kansas State University, 
graduating in 1987 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. Jim remained
 a lifelong K-State Wildcat fan. 
Jim farmed his entire life on the family farm northwest of Atwood and 
had a snow removal business in Montezuma, CO for over 20 years during 
the winter months. He enjoyed adventure traveling with friends, going to
 China, Tibet, Ireland and Iceland. He also enjoyed traveling in his RV 
to Florida, Arizona and South Dakota. He was an avid motorcyclist, 
having traveled throughout the United States, and attended Sturgis on 
His Harley over the course of 40 years. He flew ultra-light aircraft as a
 hobby. 
Jim was a talented mechanic and engineer. In High School he restored a 
1929 John Deere JP tractor, rebuilt multiple vehicles, built &amp; flew 
remote controlled airplanes. He was a talented woodworker. Many of his 
high school workshop class projects he treasured for a lifetime – 
including his roll top desk and gun cabinet. He was a skilled marksman
 and enjoyed golfing. He recently designed and built a heat exchanger 
heating and cooling system for Linda’s new greenhouse and was restoring 
his favorite car, a 1929 Model A Ford. 
Most of all, Jim loved being a Grandpa. He cherished time with the grandkids, especially during “swim week” each summer. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m., with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 
19, 2022, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Beardsley, KS. The 
Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 20, 2022, 
at the church with interment in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Rawlins 
County, KS.

Memorials may be made to the Atwood-Rawlins County Airport 
and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For 
information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666129495845.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>James Henry Sabatka, 58, of Naponee, NE, died October 16, 2022, at 
Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, NE. He was born November 16,
 1963, in Colby, KS to Louis and Irene (Curtin) Sabatka. Jim married 
the love of his life, Linda, on April 17, 2021. 
He was preceded in death by his mother Irene, his brother Kenny, and his grandparents, Harry &amp; Lucille Curtin. 
He is survived by his father and step-mother Louis and Elizabeth Sabaka 
of Atwood, KS; his wife, Linda Robb-Sabatka of Naponee, NE and her 
children, Brett Melchert and spouse Melissa, of Culbertson, NE, Kara 
Duncan and spouse Reilly, of Hudson, KS; sister-in-law Rhonda Sabatka 
of Hays, KS; siblings Janiece Vohland and spouse Larry of Overland 
Park, KS, Cathy Block and spouse George of Highland Village, TX, Lisa 
(Collins) Moos and spouse Brad of Eaton, CO, John Sabatka and spouse 
Shelly of Madison Lake, MN, Claire Erwin (Christi Collins) and spouse 
Bob of Atascadero, CA; seven grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and 
numerous treasured friends. 
Jim attended McDonald Grade School, Cheylin Middle School, and graduated
 from Atwood High School in 1983. He attended Kansas State University, 
graduating in 1987 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. Jim remained
 a lifelong K-State Wildcat fan. 
Jim farmed his entire life on the family farm northwest of Atwood and 
had a snow removal business in Montezuma, CO for over 20 years during 
the winter months. He enjoyed adventure traveling with friends, going to
 China, Tibet, Ireland and Iceland. He also enjoyed traveling in his RV 
to Florida, Arizona and South Dakota. He was an avid motorcyclist, 
having traveled throughout the United States, and attended Sturgis on 
His Harley over the course of 40 years. He flew ultra-light aircraft as a
 hobby. 
Jim was a talented mechanic and engineer. In High School he restored a 
1929 John Deere JP tractor, rebuilt multiple vehicles, built &amp; flew 
remote controlled airplanes. He was a talented woodworker. Many of his 
high school workshop class projects he treasured for a lifetime – 
including his roll top desk and gun cabinet. He was a skilled marksman
 and enjoyed golfing. He recently designed and built a heat exchanger 
heating and cooling system for Linda’s new greenhouse and was restoring 
his favorite car, a 1929 Model A Ford. 
Most of all, Jim loved being a Grandpa. He cherished time with the grandkids, especially during “swim week” each summer. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m., with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 
19, 2022, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Beardsley, KS. The 
Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 20, 2022, 
at the church with interment in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Rawlins 
County, KS. Memorials may be made to the Atwood-Rawlins County Airport 
and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For 
information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

James Henry Sabatka

Gary Carter, age 79, of Quinter, Kansas, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022, at Prairie Sunrise Home in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. 

Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666129433172.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gary Carter, age 79, of Quinter, Kansas, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022, at Prairie Sunrise Home in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.

Gary Carter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's soccer team is among the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll for the second week in a row, jumping up one spot to No. 22 in the latest edition of the poll released on Tuesday.

Fort Hays State decimated Missouri Southern 5-0 on Friday before playing to a 1-1 draw with No. 5 ranked Central Missouri in Hays. The Tigers remain unbeaten on the season at 9-0-7 overall and are currently hold a conference record of 4-0-5.

FHSU and UCM remain as the only teams representing the MIAA in the poll at No. 22 and No. 5 respectively. Central Oklahoma continues to receive votes in the poll.

Below is the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll from October 18, 2022

1. Dallas Baptist 1 11-1-1 2. West Chester 2 13-0-0 3. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical (Fla.) 3 9-0-4 4. Columbus State 4 12-1-1 5. Central Missouri 5 13-1-2 6. Grand Valley State 6 10-1-4 7. Western Washington 7 10-1-3 8. Saint Rose 11 11-0-3 9. Hawaii- Hilo 9 9-0-2 10. Colorado School of Mines 10 11-1-3 11. Catawba College 8 13-0-2 12. West Florida 13 12-2-1 13. McKendree 12 12-0-3 14. Minnesota State-Mankato 14 10-1-4 15. West Texas A&amp;M 17 11-1-2 16. Point Loma Nazarene 16 9-1-2 17. Franklin Pierce RV 11-2-1 18. West Virginia State 20 13-0-1 19. Mercy College 15 11-2-0 20. Mississippi College 25 12-2-1 21. Ashland 21 11-3-1 22. Fort Hays State 23 9-0-7 23. Bloomsburg 22 12-3-0 24. Flagler College RV 9-2-2 25. Northwest Nazarene RV 10-1-3

Records shown are through games of Oct. 16, 2022

Also receiving votes:&nbsp;Angelo State, Sonoma State, California State-Los Angeles, Chico State, Seattle Pacific, Nova Southeastern, Central Oklahoma, Adelphi, Frostburg State, Cedarville, Montevallo

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666126217550.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's soccer team is among the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll for the second week in a row, jumping up one spot to No. 22 in the latest edition of the poll released on Tuesday.Fort Hays State decimated Missouri Southern 5-0 on Friday before playing to a 1-1 draw with No. 5 ranked Central Missouri in Hays. The Tigers remain unbeaten on the season at 9-0-7 overall and are currently hold a conference record of 4-0-5.FHSU and UCM remain as the only teams representing the MIAA in the poll at No. 22 and No. 5 respectively. Central Oklahoma continues to receive votes in the poll.Below is the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll from October 18, 20221. Dallas Baptist 1 11-1-1 2. West Chester 2 13-0-0 3. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical (Fla.) 3 9-0-4 4. Columbus State 4 12-1-1 5. Central Missouri 5 13-1-2 6. Grand Valley State 6 10-1-4 7. Western Washington 7 10-1-3 8. Saint Rose 11 11-0-3 9. Hawaii- Hilo 9 9-0-2 10. Colorado School of Mines 10 11-1-3 11. Catawba College 8 13-0-2 12. West Florida 13 12-2-1 13. McKendree 12 12-0-3 14. Minnesota State-Mankato 14 10-1-4 15. West Texas A&amp;M 17 11-1-2 16. Point Loma Nazarene 16 9-1-2 17. Franklin Pierce RV 11-2-1 18. West Virginia State 20 13-0-1 19. Mercy College 15 11-2-0 20. Mississippi College 25 12-2-1 21. Ashland 21 11-3-1 22. Fort Hays State 23 9-0-7 23. Bloomsburg 22 12-3-0 24. Flagler College RV 9-2-2 25. Northwest Nazarene RV 10-1-3Records shown are through games of Oct. 16, 2022Also receiving votes:&nbsp;Angelo State, Sonoma State, California State-Los Angeles, Chico State, Seattle Pacific, Nova Southeastern, Central Oklahoma, Adelphi, Frostburg State, Cedarville, Montevallo

⚽ FHSU women move up a spot in national poll

John O. Glenn, 83, died October 18, 2022, at his daughter’s home in 
Macksville, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born August 9, 1939, in Mounds, Oklahoma, 
the son of John Otis Glenn, Sr. and Opal Louise (O’Dell) Glenn.&nbsp;

On August 11, 1958, he married Carol “LaVon” Smith.&nbsp; She preceded him in death on July 11, 2019.

John moved from Oklahoma to Kansas in 1951 and has been a longtime 
resident of Ellinwood. &nbsp;He worked in the oil field his whole life 
starting in 1951 for Buckin Smith Drilling, then Sante Fe Pipe Supply, 
and then 10 years with Pipe Pullers Inc. The last 28 years he worked for
 Kaiser Francis Oil Company retiring in 1995. He then worked 
independently as a pumper until December of 2021.

He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church of Ellinwood.

He is survived by; four children, Kirk Glenn and wife Debbie of 
Sterling, Rena Mooney and husband Mike of Bushton, Ruth Kaiser and 
husband Jon of Ellinwood, and Crystal Glenn and husband Kris Weathers of
 Macksville; a sister, Marceline Johnson of Oklahoma City; and 11 
grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, LaVon Glenn, daughter,
 Michelle Bigger, a son, John O. Glenn, III, brothers, Ralph and George 
Glenn and sister, Betty Bird.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666124837946.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>John O. Glenn, 83, died October 18, 2022, at his daughter’s home in 
Macksville, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born August 9, 1939, in Mounds, Oklahoma, 
the son of John Otis Glenn, Sr. and Opal Louise (O’Dell) Glenn.&nbsp;On August 11, 1958, he married Carol “LaVon” Smith.&nbsp; She preceded him in death on July 11, 2019.John moved from Oklahoma to Kansas in 1951 and has been a longtime 
resident of Ellinwood. &nbsp;He worked in the oil field his whole life 
starting in 1951 for Buckin Smith Drilling, then Sante Fe Pipe Supply, 
and then 10 years with Pipe Pullers Inc. The last 28 years he worked for
 Kaiser Francis Oil Company retiring in 1995. He then worked 
independently as a pumper until December of 2021.He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church of Ellinwood.He is survived by; four children, Kirk Glenn and wife Debbie of 
Sterling, Rena Mooney and husband Mike of Bushton, Ruth Kaiser and 
husband Jon of Ellinwood, and Crystal Glenn and husband Kris Weathers of
 Macksville; a sister, Marceline Johnson of Oklahoma City; and 11 
grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, LaVon Glenn, daughter,
 Michelle Bigger, a son, John O. Glenn, III, brothers, Ralph and George 
Glenn and sister, Betty Bird.Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

John O. Glenn

Grady Palmer Bolding Jr., 92, passed away on October 17, 2022, at 
Ellinwood District Hospital, in Ellinwood, Kan. He was born on August 
13, 1930, in De Queen, Ark. to Grady and Eunice (Pittman) Bolding. On 
May 25, 1950, Grady married Charlotte “Chic” Matson in Smackover, Ark. 
They were married for over 60 years prior to her passing.

He spent his working career in the oil and gas industry. This career 
began in 1950 at the National Supply Company Store in Shreveport, La., 
moving up to store manager in 1953 in El Dorado, Ark. In 1955, Grady was
 employed with Tretolite Chemical Company in Magnolia, Ark., and 
starting in 1957, worked as a district manager for them in Great Bend, 
Kan. In 1967, he helped form Gordon Lab, Inc. and after they sold in 
1980, Grady formed his own oil and gas producing company in 1981: Grady 
Bolding Corporation, which is still in operation today.

Grady was a member of the American Petroleum Institute and KIOGA, 
both for over 50 years, a member of the National Association for 
Corrosion Engineers – serving as chairman in the 1960s, and served on 
the board of directors for the Great Bend Petroleum Club. He was 
religious affiliated with the First Southern Baptist Church and the 
First Congregational Church, served as Chairman of the Barton County 
Council of Churches and was a volunteer teacher for both youth and adult
 Sunday school for over 40 years. In addition to these professional and 
religious groups, he served as a board member of the NAACP, on the board
 of directors for Farmer’s Bank and Trust, was a member of Kiwanis Club 
of Great Bend, served on scholarship committees, coached Great Bend 
Recreation baseball and football teams, served on the board for the 
Great Bend Country Club, and taught microeconomics classes at Barton 
Community College.

Survivors include three sons, Mike (Susie Lee) Bolding, of San. 
Francisco, Cali., Chris (Ursula) Bolding, of Jones, Okla., and Mark (Yan
 Zhu) Bolding of Houston, Tex.; a daughter, Cheryl (Lyle) Gunn of Great 
Bend, Kan.; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-one great-grandchildren. 
He is preceded in death by his parents; ; wife, and two sisters, Maurine
 Swearingen and LaVerne Burton.

Visitation will take place from noon to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 
20, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving guests from 
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A private family graveside service will take place at 
Great Bend Cemetery on Friday, October 21, 2022. 

Memorials have been 
designated to the First Southern Baptist Church, in care of Bryant 
Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666119774207.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Grady Palmer Bolding Jr., 92, passed away on October 17, 2022, at 
Ellinwood District Hospital, in Ellinwood, Kan. He was born on August 
13, 1930, in De Queen, Ark. to Grady and Eunice (Pittman) Bolding. On 
May 25, 1950, Grady married Charlotte “Chic” Matson in Smackover, Ark. 
They were married for over 60 years prior to her passing.He spent his working career in the oil and gas industry. This career 
began in 1950 at the National Supply Company Store in Shreveport, La., 
moving up to store manager in 1953 in El Dorado, Ark. In 1955, Grady was
 employed with Tretolite Chemical Company in Magnolia, Ark., and 
starting in 1957, worked as a district manager for them in Great Bend, 
Kan. In 1967, he helped form Gordon Lab, Inc. and after they sold in 
1980, Grady formed his own oil and gas producing company in 1981: Grady 
Bolding Corporation, which is still in operation today.Grady was a member of the American Petroleum Institute and KIOGA, 
both for over 50 years, a member of the National Association for 
Corrosion Engineers – serving as chairman in the 1960s, and served on 
the board of directors for the Great Bend Petroleum Club. He was 
religious affiliated with the First Southern Baptist Church and the 
First Congregational Church, served as Chairman of the Barton County 
Council of Churches and was a volunteer teacher for both youth and adult
 Sunday school for over 40 years. In addition to these professional and 
religious groups, he served as a board member of the NAACP, on the board
 of directors for Farmer’s Bank and Trust, was a member of Kiwanis Club 
of Great Bend, served on scholarship committees, coached Great Bend 
Recreation baseball and football teams, served on the board for the 
Great Bend Country Club, and taught microeconomics classes at Barton 
Community College.Survivors include three sons, Mike (Susie Lee) Bolding, of San. 
Francisco, Cali., Chris (Ursula) Bolding, of Jones, Okla., and Mark (Yan
 Zhu) Bolding of Houston, Tex.; a daughter, Cheryl (Lyle) Gunn of Great 
Bend, Kan.; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-one great-grandchildren. 
He is preceded in death by his parents; ; wife, and two sisters, Maurine
 Swearingen and LaVerne Burton.Visitation will take place from noon to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 
20, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving guests from 
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A private family graveside service will take place at 
Great Bend Cemetery on Friday, October 21, 2022. Memorials have been 
designated to the First Southern Baptist Church, in care of Bryant 
Funeral Home.

Grady Palmer Bolding Jr.

Leona Lauren Werner, 96, passed away October 17, 2022, at 
Medicalodges of Great Bend. She was born on August 15, 1926, on the farm
 near Hamberg, ND, to Oscar &amp; Inga (Simensen) Ambers. She married 
John Frank Werner on October 5, 1952, at Viking Lutheran Country Church 
in ND.&nbsp; He died December 11, 2013.

A longtime Great Bend resident, Leona was a department head of 
TG&amp;Y for several years and also had worked at St. Rose Hospital. She
 was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she took pride in 
teaching Sunday school for many years. Leona also loved spending time 
with her family.

Survivors include, two daughters, Karen Steffan and husband Jerry of 
Great Bend and Meri Werner of Manhattan; a sister, Norma Nicholson of 
Mandon, ND; and seven grandchildren, Kelly Martin (Ron) and their 
children Trevor and Rylee, Tara Dimick (Braden) and their children Hope,
 Cordell and Harmony, Ryan Steffan (Daytona) and their children Callie, 
Maxx, Connor, Payton and Logan, Tyler Currie, Tucker Currie and his 
daughter Violet, Brent Hayen, and Josh Werner and his children, Hallie 
Werner and Karis Davis. She was preceded in death by her parents; her 
husband, John F. Werner; her children, Craig Werner and Cheri Werner; 
two brothers, Sander Ambers and Oscar Ambers; and a sister, Betty 
Nielson.

Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 20,
 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 
p.m., Friday, October 21, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great 
Bend, with Reverend Randy Maki presiding. Interment will be in the Great
 Bend Cemetery. 

Memorials have been designated to Trinity Lutheran 
Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666117443966.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Leona Lauren Werner, 96, passed away October 17, 2022, at 
Medicalodges of Great Bend. She was born on August 15, 1926, on the farm
 near Hamberg, ND, to Oscar &amp; Inga (Simensen) Ambers. She married 
John Frank Werner on October 5, 1952, at Viking Lutheran Country Church 
in ND.&nbsp; He died December 11, 2013.A longtime Great Bend resident, Leona was a department head of 
TG&amp;Y for several years and also had worked at St. Rose Hospital. She
 was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she took pride in 
teaching Sunday school for many years. Leona also loved spending time 
with her family.Survivors include, two daughters, Karen Steffan and husband Jerry of 
Great Bend and Meri Werner of Manhattan; a sister, Norma Nicholson of 
Mandon, ND; and seven grandchildren, Kelly Martin (Ron) and their 
children Trevor and Rylee, Tara Dimick (Braden) and their children Hope,
 Cordell and Harmony, Ryan Steffan (Daytona) and their children Callie, 
Maxx, Connor, Payton and Logan, Tyler Currie, Tucker Currie and his 
daughter Violet, Brent Hayen, and Josh Werner and his children, Hallie 
Werner and Karis Davis. She was preceded in death by her parents; her 
husband, John F. Werner; her children, Craig Werner and Cheri Werner; 
two brothers, Sander Ambers and Oscar Ambers; and a sister, Betty 
Nielson.Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 20,
 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 
p.m., Friday, October 21, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great 
Bend, with Reverend Randy Maki presiding. Interment will be in the Great
 Bend Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to Trinity Lutheran 
Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Leona Lauren Werner

Our mother, Lillian Rhea Sims, passed away on October 15, 2022, after a 
long and full life. She was born in Russell, Kansas, on July 12, 1926. In 
1931, Lillian moved with her parents, twin sister Ruth and brother Harold
 to a farm six miles northwest of Oakley. She was a wonderful mother who
 was always there when we needed her. She had many friends and was a 
well-loved member of the Oakley community. 
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Susan Rhea, her 
husband of 74 years, Wight Sims, and her daughter Linda Sims. She is 
survived by her children Lana Etling, Bill Sims, Joyce Young and Brett 
Sims. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 8 great 
grandchildren. 
Lillian was an avid quilter, a great gardener, and a faithful member of 
the Oakley United Methodist Church. She enjoyed many years as a 
volunteer at the Second Time Around Shop. One of her greatest joys was 
hosting large family groups for holiday meals and the Neighborhood party
 for the community 10 miles north of Oakley. She will be sadly missed 
and will always hold a place in our hearts. 
There will be a Celebration of Life for Lillian and Wight in the Spring 
of 2023. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666117334238.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Our mother, Lillian Rhea Sims, passed away on October 15, 2022, after a 
long and full life. She was born in Russell, Kansas, on July 12, 1926. In 
1931, Lillian moved with her parents, twin sister Ruth and brother Harold
 to a farm six miles northwest of Oakley. She was a wonderful mother who
 was always there when we needed her. She had many friends and was a 
well-loved member of the Oakley community. 
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Susan Rhea, her 
husband of 74 years, Wight Sims, and her daughter Linda Sims. She is 
survived by her children Lana Etling, Bill Sims, Joyce Young and Brett 
Sims. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 8 great 
grandchildren. 
Lillian was an avid quilter, a great gardener, and a faithful member of 
the Oakley United Methodist Church. She enjoyed many years as a 
volunteer at the Second Time Around Shop. One of her greatest joys was 
hosting large family groups for holiday meals and the Neighborhood party
 for the community 10 miles north of Oakley. She will be sadly missed 
and will always hold a place in our hearts. 
There will be a Celebration of Life for Lillian and Wight in the Spring 
of 2023. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Lillian Rhea Sims

Terry Joe Kern, 83, passed away on October 17, 2022, at Clara Barton 
Hospital, Hoisington, Kan. He was born on July 27, 1939, in Great Bend, 
Kan., to Leonard and Opal (Shea) Kern. On October 10, 1959, he married 
Marie Heckens in Great Bend. She survives.

A lifetime resident of Great Bend, Terry owned Kern Floor Service for
 51 years, as well as ran a taxi and delivery service with his brother, 
Denny. He was a former member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and 
frequently gave to the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Terry had other 
passions as well: he was a tech. inspector for the SRCA Dragstrip, 
operated Great Bend Raceway, remodeled his own properties, worked on 
racing engines to clear his mind, hosted large card parties with his 
wife, liked watching NASCAR races, and especially enjoyed watching his 
grandkids participate in sports and activities.

Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Pat Kern of Great 
Bend; two daughters, Loretta (Jim) Murphy and Lisa Mohr of Great Bend; 
seven grandchildren, Rex (Lacey) Kern, Jared (Shelby) Kern, Taylor 
Vasquez, Madison Murphy, Dalton Murphy, Kylee Mohr, Slade Mohr; and four
 great-grandchildren, Trenton, Kale, Jett, and Nova. He was preceded in 
death by his parents; brother, Denny Kern; son, Michael Kern; 
son-in-law, Wes Mohr; and grandson-in-law, Adrian Vasquez.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A memorial 
service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 21, 2022, at Bryant 
Funeral Home with Pastor Daniel Vandenburg presiding. 

Memorials have 
been designated to the Dominican Sisters of Peace or the SRCA Dragstrip,
 in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666111826979.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Terry Joe Kern, 83, passed away on October 17, 2022, at Clara Barton 
Hospital, Hoisington, Kan. He was born on July 27, 1939, in Great Bend, 
Kan., to Leonard and Opal (Shea) Kern. On October 10, 1959, he married 
Marie Heckens in Great Bend. She survives.A lifetime resident of Great Bend, Terry owned Kern Floor Service for
 51 years, as well as ran a taxi and delivery service with his brother, 
Denny. He was a former member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and 
frequently gave to the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Terry had other 
passions as well: he was a tech. inspector for the SRCA Dragstrip, 
operated Great Bend Raceway, remodeled his own properties, worked on 
racing engines to clear his mind, hosted large card parties with his 
wife, liked watching NASCAR races, and especially enjoyed watching his 
grandkids participate in sports and activities.Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Pat Kern of Great 
Bend; two daughters, Loretta (Jim) Murphy and Lisa Mohr of Great Bend; 
seven grandchildren, Rex (Lacey) Kern, Jared (Shelby) Kern, Taylor 
Vasquez, Madison Murphy, Dalton Murphy, Kylee Mohr, Slade Mohr; and four
 great-grandchildren, Trenton, Kale, Jett, and Nova. He was preceded in 
death by his parents; brother, Denny Kern; son, Michael Kern; 
son-in-law, Wes Mohr; and grandson-in-law, Adrian Vasquez.There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A memorial 
service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 21, 2022, at Bryant 
Funeral Home with Pastor Daniel Vandenburg presiding. Memorials have 
been designated to the Dominican Sisters of Peace or the SRCA Dragstrip,
 in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Terry Joe Kern

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday officially kicked off the application process for his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-application-ea79c56a5072976067a94436b4fc9a45">student debt cancellation program,</a>&nbsp;opening the door for millions of Americans to apply for up to $20,000 in forgiveness. The Biden administration touts it as a simple, straightforward application that should only take about five minutes. Here's how to apply.

(Click below to watch the President's comments)

Go to&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/">studentaid.gov</a>&nbsp;and in the section on student loan debt relief, click “Apply Now.”

Be ready to type in some basic personal information. The form asks for: name, Social Security Number, date of birth, phone number and email address. It does not require documentation about your income or your student loans.

Next, review the eligibility rules and confirm that you're a match. For most people, that means attesting that they make less than $125,000 a year or that their household makes less than $250,000 a year. If you meet the eligibility rules, click the box confirming that everything you provided is true.

After the form is submitted, the Biden administration says it should take four to six weeks to process. The Education Department will use its existing records to make sure your loans are eligible and to look for applicants who might exceed the income limits. Some will be asked to provide additional documentation to prove their incomes. The Education Department estimates that the verification application will take about half an hour, including time to review and upload tax documents.

Most borrowers who apply before mid-November should expect to get their debt canceled before Jan. 1, when payments on federal student loans are scheduled to restart after a pause during the pandemic.

Things could get more complicated, depending on the outcomes of several legal challenges. The Biden administration faces a growing number of lawsuits attempting to block the program, including one filed by six Republican-led states. A federal judge in St. Louis is currently weighing the states’ request for an injunction to halt the plan. Biden on Monday said he's confident that the suit will not upend the plan. “Our legal judgment is that it won’t," he said, “but they’re trying to stop it.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday officially kicked off the application process for his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-application-ea79c56a5072976067a94436b4fc9a45">student debt cancellation program,</a>&nbsp;opening the door for millions of Americans to apply for up to $20,000 in forgiveness. The Biden administration touts it as a simple, straightforward application that should only take about five minutes. Here's how to apply.(Click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SNthcKKd-Cg?start=3" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Go to&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/">studentaid.gov</a>&nbsp;and in the section on student loan debt relief, click “Apply Now.”Be ready to type in some basic personal information. The form asks for: name, Social Security Number, date of birth, phone number and email address. It does not require documentation about your income or your student loans.Next, review the eligibility rules and confirm that you're a match. For most people, that means attesting that they make less than $125,000 a year or that their household makes less than $250,000 a year. If you meet the eligibility rules, click the box confirming that everything you provided is true.Click “Submit.”After the form is submitted, the Biden administration says it should take four to six weeks to process. The Education Department will use its existing records to make sure your loans are eligible and to look for applicants who might exceed the income limits. Some will be asked to provide additional documentation to prove their incomes. The Education Department estimates that the verification application will take about half an hour, including time to review and upload tax documents.Most borrowers who apply before mid-November should expect to get their debt canceled before Jan. 1, when payments on federal student loans are scheduled to restart after a pause during the pandemic.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Student Loan Debt Relief application is open! Apply now and encourage others to take advantage of this relief. <a href="https://t.co/xxWb0YFvkM">https://t.co/xxWb0YFvkM</a> <a href="https://t.co/fwU31z4aDD">pic.twitter.com/fwU31z4aDD</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1582096302929719296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Things could get more complicated, depending on the outcomes of several legal challenges. The Biden administration faces a growing number of lawsuits attempting to block the program, including one filed by six Republican-led states. A federal judge in St. Louis is currently weighing the states’ request for an injunction to halt the plan. Biden on Monday said he's confident that the suit will not upend the plan. “Our legal judgment is that it won’t," he said, “but they’re trying to stop it.”___