On October 4th, 1943, God sent a special soul to the small town of 
Miltonvale, Kansas, to Glenn William and Verla Elsie Lockard Weber, whom 
they named Vivian Joyce. Her big sister Merna Eilene welcomed her with 
open arms, thus beginning a childhood of mischievous adventures. The two
 sisters shared a special bond that lasted an entire lifetime. 
She was raised in a Christian home, and her and her sister, along with 
lots of cousins, built many special memories. Making mud pies, climbing 
trees, windmills, and rooftops, and chasing lightening bugs were just 
some of the shenanigans they found themselves up to. 
She received her schooling from attending public schools in Smith Center
 and Colby, Kansas, graduating with the class of 1961, Colby High School. 
On June 9th, 1962, she married Larry Lee Dewees at the Colby First 
Presbyterian Church, and in the following years became mother to Tamara 
Lynn, Stacy Jo, Mark Wayne, and Rick Lee. Grandmother of 13 
grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. 
On March 27th, 2023, The Lord decided it was time to take that special soul back home. 
She is preceded in death by her brother-in-law Charles Schroeder, her parents, and her ex husband. 
She is survived by her sister Merna, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 
The funeral will take place at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2023, at 
Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the National 
Kidney Foundation 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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680095606668.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On October 4th, 1943, God sent a special soul to the small town of 
Miltonvale, Kansas, to Glenn William and Verla Elsie Lockard Weber, whom 
they named Vivian Joyce. Her big sister Merna Eilene welcomed her with 
open arms, thus beginning a childhood of mischievous adventures. The two
 sisters shared a special bond that lasted an entire lifetime. 
She was raised in a Christian home, and her and her sister, along with 
lots of cousins, built many special memories. Making mud pies, climbing 
trees, windmills, and rooftops, and chasing lightening bugs were just 
some of the shenanigans they found themselves up to. 
She received her schooling from attending public schools in Smith Center
 and Colby, Kansas, graduating with the class of 1961, Colby High School. 
On June 9th, 1962, she married Larry Lee Dewees at the Colby First 
Presbyterian Church, and in the following years became mother to Tamara 
Lynn, Stacy Jo, Mark Wayne, and Rick Lee. Grandmother of 13 
grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. 
On March 27th, 2023, The Lord decided it was time to take that special soul back home. 
She is preceded in death by her brother-in-law Charles Schroeder, her parents, and her ex husband. 
She is survived by her sister Merna, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 
The funeral will take place at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2023, at 
Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the National 
Kidney Foundation 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;

Vivian Joyce Dewees (Weber)

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a fatal crash that killed a Kansas Sheriff's Deputy made a court appearance in the case Tuesday.

Kelvin Burgett, 28, Prescott Valley, Arizona is charged with involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and&nbsp; driving while suspended, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.

In October, a&nbsp;2016 Dodge Charger driven by Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy Sidnee Carter, 22, Bel Aire, was southbound on 135th Street at 29th Street north one mile west of Northwest Wichita and Maize responding to a disturbance, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.

A westbound 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Burgett failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the drivers side of the Dodge Charger, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Deputy Carter was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported Burgett to a local hospital.

Deputy Carter had only worked in the field alone for a week, according to Sheriff Easter. She began field training in the summer of 2022 and completed that training Oct. 1.&nbsp;

Deputy Carter had served the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office for one and a half years in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility before transferring to the Law Enforcement Bureau in February 2022. She graduated the Law Enforcement Academy on July 21, 2022.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665249753989.png" alt="Deputy Sidnee Carter-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Deputy Sidnee Carter-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a fatal crash that killed a Kansas Sheriff's Deputy made a court appearance in the case Tuesday.Kelvin Burgett, 28, Prescott Valley, Arizona is charged with involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and&nbsp; driving while suspended, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680091672733.png" alt="Burgett is being held in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility" />
 <figcaption>Burgett is being held in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>In October, a&nbsp;2016 Dodge Charger driven by Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy Sidnee Carter, 22, Bel Aire, was southbound on 135th Street at 29th Street north one mile west of Northwest Wichita and Maize responding to a disturbance, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.A westbound 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Burgett failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the drivers side of the Dodge Charger, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.Deputy Carter was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported Burgett to a local hospital.Deputy Carter had only worked in the field alone for a week, according to Sheriff Easter. She began field training in the summer of 2022 and completed that training Oct. 1.&nbsp;Deputy Carter had served the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office for one and a half years in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility before transferring to the Law Enforcement Bureau in February 2022. She graduated the Law Enforcement Academy on July 21, 2022.&nbsp;

Man charged in crash that killed Kan. deputy appears in court

Ethel M. Peterson, 89, died Monday, March 27, 2023, at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains, Dodge City.

She was born on October 31, 1933, the daughter of Henry and Myrtle 
(Smith) Peterson on Happy Hallow Stock Farm just south of the Hodgeman 
County line. She was a lifetime resident of Ford County.

Ethel attended Dodge City High School and graduated in 1952. After 
graduation, she attended Fort Hays State University and received a 
Masters degree in Counseling. She also did graduate work at Colorado 
State University in Fort Collins.

She was a teacher in the Dodge City and Kismet school districts 
before becoming the director of counseling for USD 443 in Dodge City. 
She also taught for Kansas Newman University from 1994 to 1996 when she 
retired.

Ethel was also a Kansas Legislator in 1996. She was a board member 
with various organizations including; the NEA, the KNEA, Dodge City 
Credit Union, CASA, New Chance, Dodge City Community College, Kansas 
Teachers Hall of Fame, and the Dodge City School District. She was also 
the first President of the Red Hat Society.

She was a member of the Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship.

Her survivors include: her nieces and nephews, Nancy Browne, Judy 
Byer and husband Jack, Dennis Peterson, Darrel Peterson and wife Vicki, 
Susan Bristor and husband Randy, Terry Skinner, Vicki Austin and husband
 Jim, Becky Steinkuehler, Lindy Duree and husband Warren, Kathy Konrade 
and husband Tom, Sandy Ontiberos, Tammy Schweitzer and husband Randy, 
Billie Diane Kroeker and husband Richard, Rita Clark and husband Joe, 
Rhonda Zywicki, , Sheena Wyatt, and John Smith and a nephew-in-law, 
Eddie Day; numerous great nieces and nephews and numerous great great 
nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 4 brothers, Harry, Victor, 
Robert and Norman Peterson; 2 sisters, Arlene Dumler and Viola 
Steinkuehler; 2 brothers-in-law, Herman Dumler and Jiggs Steinkuehler; 2
 sisters-in-law, Audrey Peterson and Frances Burkey; a nephew, Mickey 
Peterson; and 2 nieces, Glenda Crawford and Tonya Day.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be announced and held at a 
later date. There will be no public viewing as cremation as already 
taken place.

The family suggests memorials to CASA or the Shade Tree Commission 
both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, 
Kansas, 67801.

Ethel M. Peterson, 89, died Monday, March 27, 2023, at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains, Dodge City.She was born on October 31, 1933, the daughter of Henry and Myrtle 
(Smith) Peterson on Happy Hallow Stock Farm just south of the Hodgeman 
County line. She was a lifetime resident of Ford County.Ethel attended Dodge City High School and graduated in 1952. After 
graduation, she attended Fort Hays State University and received a 
Masters degree in Counseling. She also did graduate work at Colorado 
State University in Fort Collins.She was a teacher in the Dodge City and Kismet school districts 
before becoming the director of counseling for USD 443 in Dodge City. 
She also taught for Kansas Newman University from 1994 to 1996 when she 
retired.Ethel was also a Kansas Legislator in 1996. She was a board member 
with various organizations including; the NEA, the KNEA, Dodge City 
Credit Union, CASA, New Chance, Dodge City Community College, Kansas 
Teachers Hall of Fame, and the Dodge City School District. She was also 
the first President of the Red Hat Society.She was a member of the Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship.Her survivors include: her nieces and nephews, Nancy Browne, Judy 
Byer and husband Jack, Dennis Peterson, Darrel Peterson and wife Vicki, 
Susan Bristor and husband Randy, Terry Skinner, Vicki Austin and husband
 Jim, Becky Steinkuehler, Lindy Duree and husband Warren, Kathy Konrade 
and husband Tom, Sandy Ontiberos, Tammy Schweitzer and husband Randy, 
Billie Diane Kroeker and husband Richard, Rita Clark and husband Joe, 
Rhonda Zywicki, , Sheena Wyatt, and John Smith and a nephew-in-law, 
Eddie Day; numerous great nieces and nephews and numerous great great 
nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; 4 brothers, Harry, Victor, 
Robert and Norman Peterson; 2 sisters, Arlene Dumler and Viola 
Steinkuehler; 2 brothers-in-law, Herman Dumler and Jiggs Steinkuehler; 2
 sisters-in-law, Audrey Peterson and Frances Burkey; a nephew, Mickey 
Peterson; and 2 nieces, Glenda Crawford and Tonya Day.A Gathering of Family and Friends will be announced and held at a 
later date. There will be no public viewing as cremation as already 
taken place.The family suggests memorials to CASA or the Shade Tree Commission 
both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, 
Kansas, 67801.

Ethel M. Peterson

Carson Charles Cobb, born October 19, 1975, in Colorado Springs, CO, passed away March 19, 2023, in Colby, KS. 
Carson was a gentle soul with a tender heart and a formidable presence. 
He loved the solitude of driving a truck, the danger of dirt biking 
through the mountains, and the thrill of picking up unique items at 
antique stores. 
Carson was surrounded with love from his five sisters, Yavonne, Linette,
 Melissa, Justina and Marcella; four nephews, KC, Dakota, Montana and 
Parker; two nieces, Hannah and Olivia, and his devoted companion Lesa. 
He will be sorely missed at dinners, game nights and reunions by all his friends and family. 
Carson joins his parents, Charles and Linda Cobb; Grandma Sally, 
Granddad Willard, and Grandma and Grandpa Bartholomew in a place without
 pain, sorrow and heartache.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680015781369.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Carson Charles Cobb, born October 19, 1975, in Colorado Springs, CO, passed away March 19, 2023, in Colby, KS. 
Carson was a gentle soul with a tender heart and a formidable presence. 
He loved the solitude of driving a truck, the danger of dirt biking 
through the mountains, and the thrill of picking up unique items at 
antique stores. 
Carson was surrounded with love from his five sisters, Yavonne, Linette,
 Melissa, Justina and Marcella; four nephews, KC, Dakota, Montana and 
Parker; two nieces, Hannah and Olivia, and his devoted companion Lesa. 
He will be sorely missed at dinners, game nights and reunions by all his friends and family. 
Carson joins his parents, Charles and Linda Cobb; Grandma Sally, 
Granddad Willard, and Grandma and Grandpa Bartholomew in a place without
 pain, sorrow and heartache.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Carson Charles Cobb

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MATT%20O%27BRIEN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MATT O'BRIEN AP Technology Writer</a>

William Shatner, Monica Lewinsky and other prolific Twitter commentators — some household names, others little-known journalists — could soon be losing the blue check marks that helped verify their identity on the social media platform.

They could get the marks back by paying up to $11 a month. But some longtime users, including 92-year-old Star Trek legend Shatner, have balked at buying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-api-eca5709035a08d2ebed8fac673809ea8">premium service</a>&nbsp;championed by Twitter's billionaire owner and chief executive Elon Musk.

After months of delay, Musk is gleefully promising that Saturday is the deadline for celebrities, journalists and others who'd been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-software-mobile-phones-b9110ad02f8d5e17d130b259fa19d852">verified for free</a>&nbsp;to pony up or lose their legacy status.

"It will be glorious," he tweeted Monday, in response to a Twitter user who noted that Saturday is also April Fools' Day.

After buying Twitter for $44 billion in October, Musk has been trying to boost the struggling platform's revenue by pushing more people to pay for a premium subscription. But his move also reflects his assertion that the blue verification marks have become an undeserved or "corrupt" status symbol for elite personalities and news reporters.

Along with verifying celebrities, one of Twitter's main reasons to mark profiles with a free blue check mark starting about 14 years ago was to verify politicians,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-science-social-media-a7e2e3214abb4470dcb6e2837aa39c2e">activists</a>&nbsp;and people who suddenly find themselves in the news, as well as little-known journalists at small publications around the globe, as an extra tool to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-politics-european-union-0f912b92a70742ba8ad280cde2f935d9">curb misinformation coming from accounts</a>&nbsp;that are impersonating people.

Lewinsky tweeted a screenshot Sunday of all the people impersonating her, including at least one who appears to have paid for a blue check mark. She asked, “what universe is this fair to people who can suffer consequences for being impersonated? a lie travels half way around the world before truth even gets out the door.”

Shatner, known for his irreverent humor, also tagged Musk with a complaint about the promised changes.

“I’ve been here for 15 years giving my (clock emoji) &amp; witty thoughts all for bupkis,” he wrote. “Now you’re telling me that I have to pay for something you gave me for free?”

Musk responded that there shouldn't be a different standard for celebrities. “It’s more about treating everyone equally,” Musk tweeted.

For now, those who still have the blue check but apparently haven’t paid the premium fee — a group that includes Beyoncé, Stephen King, Barack and Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Tucker Carlson, Drake and Musk himself — have messages appended to their profile saying it is a “legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable.”

But while “the attention is reasonably on celebrities because of our culture,” the bigger concern for open government advocate Alex Howard, director of the Digital Democracy Project, is that impersonators could more easily spread rumors and conspiracies that could move markets or harm democracies around the world.

“The reason verification exists on this platform was not simply to designate people as notable or authorities, but to prevent impersonation,” Howard said.

One of Musk's first product moves after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-san-francisco-business-204237cbfdc7a2bb11d3457f6de6c19e">taking over Twitter</a>&nbsp;was to launch a service granting blue checks to anyone willing to pay $8 a month. But it was quickly inundated by imposter accounts, including those impersonating Nintendo, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Musk’s businesses Tesla and SpaceX, so Twitter had to temporarily suspend the service days after its launch.

The relaunched service costs $8 a month for web users and $11 a month for iPhone and iPad users. Subscribers are supposed to see fewer ads, be able to post longer videos and have their tweets featured more prominently.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MATT%20O%27BRIEN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MATT O'BRIEN AP Technology Writer</a>William Shatner, Monica Lewinsky and other prolific Twitter commentators — some household names, others little-known journalists — could soon be losing the blue check marks that helped verify their identity on the social media platform.They could get the marks back by paying up to $11 a month. But some longtime users, including 92-year-old Star Trek legend Shatner, have balked at buying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-api-eca5709035a08d2ebed8fac673809ea8">premium service</a>&nbsp;championed by Twitter's billionaire owner and chief executive Elon Musk.After months of delay, Musk is gleefully promising that Saturday is the deadline for celebrities, journalists and others who'd been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-software-mobile-phones-b9110ad02f8d5e17d130b259fa19d852">verified for free</a>&nbsp;to pony up or lose their legacy status."It will be glorious," he tweeted Monday, in response to a Twitter user who noted that Saturday is also April Fools' Day.After buying Twitter for $44 billion in October, Musk has been trying to boost the struggling platform's revenue by pushing more people to pay for a premium subscription. But his move also reflects his assertion that the blue verification marks have become an undeserved or "corrupt" status symbol for elite personalities and news reporters.Along with verifying celebrities, one of Twitter's main reasons to mark profiles with a free blue check mark starting about 14 years ago was to verify politicians,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-science-social-media-a7e2e3214abb4470dcb6e2837aa39c2e">activists</a>&nbsp;and people who suddenly find themselves in the news, as well as little-known journalists at small publications around the globe, as an extra tool to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-politics-european-union-0f912b92a70742ba8ad280cde2f935d9">curb misinformation coming from accounts</a>&nbsp;that are impersonating people.Lewinsky tweeted a screenshot Sunday of all the people impersonating her, including at least one who appears to have paid for a blue check mark. She asked, “what universe is this fair to people who can suffer consequences for being impersonated? a lie travels half way around the world before truth even gets out the door.”Shatner, known for his irreverent humor, also tagged Musk with a complaint about the promised changes.“I’ve been here for 15 years giving my (clock emoji) &amp; witty thoughts all for bupkis,” he wrote. “Now you’re telling me that I have to pay for something you gave me for free?”Musk responded that there shouldn't be a different standard for celebrities. “It’s more about treating everyone equally,” Musk tweeted.For now, those who still have the blue check but apparently haven’t paid the premium fee — a group that includes Beyoncé, Stephen King, Barack and Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Tucker Carlson, Drake and Musk himself — have messages appended to their profile saying it is a “legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable.”But while “the attention is reasonably on celebrities because of our culture,” the bigger concern for open government advocate Alex Howard, director of the Digital Democracy Project, is that impersonators could more easily spread rumors and conspiracies that could move markets or harm democracies around the world.“The reason verification exists on this platform was not simply to designate people as notable or authorities, but to prevent impersonation,” Howard said.One of Musk's first product moves after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-san-francisco-business-204237cbfdc7a2bb11d3457f6de6c19e">taking over Twitter</a>&nbsp;was to launch a service granting blue checks to anyone willing to pay $8 a month. But it was quickly inundated by imposter accounts, including those impersonating Nintendo, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Musk’s businesses Tesla and SpaceX, so Twitter had to temporarily suspend the service days after its launch.The relaunched service costs $8 a month for web users and $11 a month for iPhone and iPad users. Subscribers are supposed to see fewer ads, be able to post longer videos and have their tweets featured more prominently.

Twitter celebs balk at paying Elon Musk for blue check mark

Harold Gene Mosher, 90, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at his home in Russell.

Gene was born on May 7, 1932, in Lawrenceburg, Kansas, near Concordia, Kansas, the son of William and Lula (Wineger) Mosher. &nbsp;He grew up in the Concordia area and graduated from the local high school. &nbsp;He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Joan Mary Starkey on July 28, 1950, in Concordia. &nbsp;From this union, Gene and Joan were blessed with a daughter Margaret. &nbsp;They moved to the Russell area in 1966, when Gene went to work for United Telephone. &nbsp;Gene worked for United Telephone, later purchased by Sprint, for 36 years. &nbsp;He enjoyed woodworking, tinkering in his shop&nbsp;and working around the house&nbsp;and in his yard.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most of all he enjoyed spending quiet time with his wife at home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He is survived by many nieces and nephews. &nbsp;He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joan on October 1, 2020, his daughter Margaret&nbsp;on December 22, 2021,&nbsp;and 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Cremation was selected by Gene and Joan and their wishes were to have no funeral service ceremony. &nbsp;Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the cremation service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679968430036.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harold Gene Mosher, 90, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at his home in Russell.Gene was born on May 7, 1932, in Lawrenceburg, Kansas, near Concordia, Kansas, the son of William and Lula (Wineger) Mosher. &nbsp;He grew up in the Concordia area and graduated from the local high school. &nbsp;He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Joan Mary Starkey on July 28, 1950, in Concordia. &nbsp;From this union, Gene and Joan were blessed with a daughter Margaret. &nbsp;They moved to the Russell area in 1966, when Gene went to work for United Telephone. &nbsp;Gene worked for United Telephone, later purchased by Sprint, for 36 years. &nbsp;He enjoyed woodworking, tinkering in his shop&nbsp;and working around the house&nbsp;and in his yard.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most of all he enjoyed spending quiet time with his wife at home.&nbsp;&nbsp;He is survived by many nieces and nephews. &nbsp;He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joan on October 1, 2020, his daughter Margaret&nbsp;on December 22, 2021,&nbsp;and 2 brothers and 3 sisters.Cremation was selected by Gene and Joan and their wishes were to have no funeral service ceremony. &nbsp;Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the cremation service arrangements.

Harold Gene Mosher

Jeffrey Lynn Hopkins, age 55, passed away
 on Friday, March 24, 2023, at The Heritage of Overland Park in Overland 
Park, Kansas. He was born on July 28, 1967, in Scott City, Kansas, the 
son of Leonard Hopkins and Florence Barrows. After graduating From Scott
 Community High School in Scott City, Kansas he attended Kansas State 
University where he received his BS in Industrial Engineering with a 
Master’s in Finance. In 1993, he moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where he 
worked as a consultant in the technology &amp; health industry.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas,
 a Boy Scouts Assistant leader, Mic O Say, Wood Badge, and a Kansas 
State University lifetime member of the Alumni Association.&nbsp; Jeff 
volunteered for the Industrial Engineering Advisor Council for KSU, De 
Soto School District, boundary committee member, ran for school board, 
and was on the high school chain gang for football games.

On October 29, 1994 he married Janet Murrell in Hutchinson, KS. She Survives.&nbsp;

Survivors Include his wife - Janet Hopkins of De Soto, Kansas, Two 
sons - Wyatt Hopkins of De Soto, Kansas, Garrett Hopkins of Hays, 
Kansas, One Sister - Suzanne &amp; Jay Beaver of Scott City, Kansas, 
Mother - Suzy &amp; Terry Berning of Scott City, Father - Leonard &amp; 
Cloris Hopkins of Montrose, Colorado, Father &amp; Mother In Law - Bob 
&amp; Carolyn Murrell of Hutchinson, Kansas, Brother In Law - Curtis 
Murrell, and Two Nephews - Michael &amp; Kassandra Beaver and Austin 
Beaver &amp; Shayna Vincent.

He was preceded in death by his Grandparents.

Funeral Services will be held at Friday, March 31, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
 at the Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Jeff Goetzinger
 and Pastor Don Williams presiding.&nbsp;

Memorials can be written to Ascend Hospice of Kansas in the care of 
Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 
10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, 
410 S. Washington St., Scott City, Kansas.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679955032637.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jeffrey Lynn Hopkins, age 55, passed away
 on Friday, March 24, 2023, at The Heritage of Overland Park in Overland 
Park, Kansas. He was born on July 28, 1967, in Scott City, Kansas, the 
son of Leonard Hopkins and Florence Barrows. After graduating From Scott
 Community High School in Scott City, Kansas he attended Kansas State 
University where he received his BS in Industrial Engineering with a 
Master’s in Finance. In 1993, he moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where he 
worked as a consultant in the technology &amp; health industry.He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas,
 a Boy Scouts Assistant leader, Mic O Say, Wood Badge, and a Kansas 
State University lifetime member of the Alumni Association.&nbsp; Jeff 
volunteered for the Industrial Engineering Advisor Council for KSU, De 
Soto School District, boundary committee member, ran for school board, 
and was on the high school chain gang for football games.On October 29, 1994 he married Janet Murrell in Hutchinson, KS. She Survives.&nbsp;Survivors Include his wife - Janet Hopkins of De Soto, Kansas, Two 
sons - Wyatt Hopkins of De Soto, Kansas, Garrett Hopkins of Hays, 
Kansas, One Sister - Suzanne &amp; Jay Beaver of Scott City, Kansas, 
Mother - Suzy &amp; Terry Berning of Scott City, Father - Leonard &amp; 
Cloris Hopkins of Montrose, Colorado, Father &amp; Mother In Law - Bob 
&amp; Carolyn Murrell of Hutchinson, Kansas, Brother In Law - Curtis 
Murrell, and Two Nephews - Michael &amp; Kassandra Beaver and Austin 
Beaver &amp; Shayna Vincent.He was preceded in death by his Grandparents.Funeral Services will be held at Friday, March 31, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
 at the Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Jeff Goetzinger
 and Pastor Don Williams presiding.&nbsp;Memorials can be written to Ascend Hospice of Kansas in the care of 
Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, Kansas.Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 
10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, 
410 S. Washington St., Scott City, Kansas.Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Jeffrey Lynn Hopkins

Floyd Dinkel, WaKeeney, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital at the age of 70. He left this earth surrounded by his family, who loved him dearly.

Floyd was born on October 18, 1952, to Andrew and Felicitas (Hertal) Dinkel in Hays, Kansas.

After graduating from Ellis High School in 1970 and Goodland Vo-Tech in 1972, Floyd started his career in auto body in Oakley, Kansas, which is where he met the love of his life, Patricia (Glassman).

Floyd’s career took them to WaKeeney, where he spent many years in the oilfield as a driller for Abercrombie Oil. Following the oilfield, Floyd spent the next 30 years as the maintenance superintendent for USD 208 schools. His most recent and possibly most treasured career was transporting "his" kids to and from school as a bus driver for USD 208.

Floyd and Patricia were married on March 3, 1973, in Oakley, Kansas. They were inseparable for the next 50 years and 3 weeks. They were blessed with four children: a son, Jason, and his wife, Shelly, of WaKeeney; their children Sadie (Austin) Gasper, and Sage. Daughter, Sandi Brooks, and her husband Justin of Eudora, Kansas, and their children, Drew, Max, and Violet. Son, Doug, and his significant other,&nbsp;Nickole&nbsp;of Ellis, and his children, Landon and Lucas; son, Dustin, and his wife,&nbsp;Ashlei, of WaKeeney. Floyd was over the moon that he was going to become a great-grandpa in September. In addition to his wife, amazing children, and grandchildren, Floyd is also survived by one sister, Darlene Braun, of Victoria.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, infant twin brothers, Anthony and John. His sister Marlene and her husband Leland Dinkel, brother-in-law LaVern Braun, and great-nephew Jacy Braun

Floyd never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He could fix, build, or repair anything. His love of helping others led him to serve his community in various ways, including serving on the Golden Prairie District Council and WaKeeney City Counsel, woodworking leader for the WaKeeney Willing Workers 4-H Club and was a little league baseball and softball coach for many years. Floyd was a firefighter for the WaKeeney City Fire Department for 20 years, serving as Fire Chief for many of those. He served on the board for the FHSU foster grandparent/senior companion program. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, on the parish council, and a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

Floyd’s true passion in life was his family, and there wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do to support and love them. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was the best husband, biggest cheerleader, best grandpa, the most fun ice cream getter, best supporter, the bus driver with the biggest smile, the most genuine and loyal friend, most amazing dad, so-so fisherman, and hands down the best person we have watching over us from above.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney, Kansas, with Father Charlie&nbsp;Steier&nbsp;as celebrant. Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, March 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home. A vigil service will start at 7:00 p.m. immediately following a Rosary to be held at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made to USD 208 Trap Shooting Team. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS, 67672.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679922494309.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Floyd Dinkel, WaKeeney, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital at the age of 70. He left this earth surrounded by his family, who loved him dearly.Floyd was born on October 18, 1952, to Andrew and Felicitas (Hertal) Dinkel in Hays, Kansas.After graduating from Ellis High School in 1970 and Goodland Vo-Tech in 1972, Floyd started his career in auto body in Oakley, Kansas, which is where he met the love of his life, Patricia (Glassman).Floyd’s career took them to WaKeeney, where he spent many years in the oilfield as a driller for Abercrombie Oil. Following the oilfield, Floyd spent the next 30 years as the maintenance superintendent for USD 208 schools. His most recent and possibly most treasured career was transporting "his" kids to and from school as a bus driver for USD 208.Floyd and Patricia were married on March 3, 1973, in Oakley, Kansas. They were inseparable for the next 50 years and 3 weeks. They were blessed with four children: a son, Jason, and his wife, Shelly, of WaKeeney; their children Sadie (Austin) Gasper, and Sage. Daughter, Sandi Brooks, and her husband Justin of Eudora, Kansas, and their children, Drew, Max, and Violet. Son, Doug, and his significant other,&nbsp;Nickole&nbsp;of Ellis, and his children, Landon and Lucas; son, Dustin, and his wife,&nbsp;Ashlei, of WaKeeney. Floyd was over the moon that he was going to become a great-grandpa in September. In addition to his wife, amazing children, and grandchildren, Floyd is also survived by one sister, Darlene Braun, of Victoria.Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, infant twin brothers, Anthony and John. His sister Marlene and her husband Leland Dinkel, brother-in-law LaVern Braun, and great-nephew Jacy BraunFloyd never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He could fix, build, or repair anything. His love of helping others led him to serve his community in various ways, including serving on the Golden Prairie District Council and WaKeeney City Counsel, woodworking leader for the WaKeeney Willing Workers 4-H Club and was a little league baseball and softball coach for many years. Floyd was a firefighter for the WaKeeney City Fire Department for 20 years, serving as Fire Chief for many of those. He served on the board for the FHSU foster grandparent/senior companion program. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, on the parish council, and a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.Floyd’s true passion in life was his family, and there wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do to support and love them. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was the best husband, biggest cheerleader, best grandpa, the most fun ice cream getter, best supporter, the bus driver with the biggest smile, the most genuine and loyal friend, most amazing dad, so-so fisherman, and hands down the best person we have watching over us from above.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney, Kansas, with Father Charlie&nbsp;Steier&nbsp;as celebrant. Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, March 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home. A vigil service will start at 7:00 p.m. immediately following a Rosary to be held at 6:30 p.m.Memorial donations can be made to USD 208 Trap Shooting Team. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS, 67672.Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

Floyd Dinkel

KANSAS CIY, KAN. – A Kansas man who led police on a high-speed chase was sentenced to 195 months in prison for drug trafficking, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, in October 2022, Russell Loomis, 50, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

In September 2019, Loomis went to a home in Kansas City, Kansas, to deliver approximately 86 grams of methamphetamine in what was a controlled buy set up by the Drug Enforcement

Administration (DEA). Loomis drove away from the residence, and a short time later the Kansas City, Missouri police attempted to pull him over. Loomis refused to stop and initiated a chase in which multiple law enforcement agencies and an aerial unit joined in the pursuit. Loomis struck two DEA vehicles, a Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle, and a Kansas Department of Transportation dump truck before eventually losing control and crashing. 

He was then taken into custody. Law enforcement officers found 150.6 grams of methamphetamine and guns in his vehicle.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Olathe Police Department investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679610227557.png" alt="Loomis has previous convictions for obstruction, ID theft, flee or attempt to elude and for drugs." />
 <figcaption>Loomis has previous convictions for obstruction, ID theft, flee or attempt to elude and for drugs.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CIY, KAN. – A Kansas man who led police on a high-speed chase was sentenced to 195 months in prison for drug trafficking, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, in October 2022, Russell Loomis, 50, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.In September 2019, Loomis went to a home in Kansas City, Kansas, to deliver approximately 86 grams of methamphetamine in what was a controlled buy set up by the Drug EnforcementAdministration (DEA). Loomis drove away from the residence, and a short time later the Kansas City, Missouri police attempted to pull him over. Loomis refused to stop and initiated a chase in which multiple law enforcement agencies and an aerial unit joined in the pursuit. Loomis struck two DEA vehicles, a Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle, and a Kansas Department of Transportation dump truck before eventually losing control and crashing. He was then taken into custody. Law enforcement officers found 150.6 grams of methamphetamine and guns in his vehicle.The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Olathe Police Department investigated the case.

Kan. suspect struck DEA vehicle, KDOT dump truck during chase

Margaret
 Ann Allen. Age 66, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023, at Manna House of
 Prayer, Concordia, Kansas, where she had requested to spend her last 
days on hospice with the Sisters of St. Joseph there. Margaret was born 
September 2, 1956, at Hays, Kansas, daughter of Gladys M. Phillips and 
Thomas C. Allen of Plainville, Kansas. She graduated from Plainville 
Rural High School in 1974 and Fort Hays State University in 1978.

She
 married her best friend, John McKillip Edmonds, at Sacred Heart Church 
in Plainville, Kansas on February 1, 1980. He preceded her in death on 
October 24, 2013. They had two children, John Thomas and Wallis Sofie.

Margaret
 was a journalist. She worked for the Ellis County Star, the Manhattan 
Mercury, Scotts Bluff Star-Harold, Wichita Eagle, Daily Journal in 
Caracas, Venezuela and the Hays Daily News. She also worked for the 
Dallas Business Journal and was Science Writer for Southern Methodist 
University in the News and Communications Center in Dallas, Texas. Her 
expert communications resulted in a trip to CERN (European Organization 
for Nuclear Research Research) near Geneva, Switzerland where she toured
 the Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful particle accelerator ever 
built. The accelerator sits in a tunnel 100 meters underground on the 
Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland.

Margaret
 is survived by her children and one grandchild, Sarai Jackson, Hays; 
brothers Michael (Paula) of Douglas, Georgia and John (June Knittel) of 
Hays; sister, Marcia Allen, CSJ of Concordia; nieces Josie (Jesse) 
Thompson and children,&nbsp; Hoxie, KS, Jessalyn (Zach) Brungardt, Hays; Anna
 Balthazor (Jason Rushford) and children, Wichita, Marlo (Daniel) Ross 
of Douglas, GA and children, Loy (Clay) Henderson and children, 
Andalusia, AL; Marnie Smith and son, Douglas, GA; nephew, Joseph 
Balthazor, Toronto, CA and many other relatives and dear friends.

She
 was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Mary E. Balthazor
 and niece Catherine Smith. It was Margaret's wishes to be cremated and 
services and inurnment are pending.

The family suggests memorials to Meadowlark Hospice, <a href="http://WWW.MEADOWLARKHOSPICE.ORG">WWW.MEADOWLARKHOSPICE.ORG</a>. Online condolences please visit <a href="http://www.chaputbuoy.com">www.chaputbuoy.com</a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679850006536.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Margaret
 Ann Allen. Age 66, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023, at Manna House of
 Prayer, Concordia, Kansas, where she had requested to spend her last 
days on hospice with the Sisters of St. Joseph there. Margaret was born 
September 2, 1956, at Hays, Kansas, daughter of Gladys M. Phillips and 
Thomas C. Allen of Plainville, Kansas. She graduated from Plainville 
Rural High School in 1974 and Fort Hays State University in 1978.She
 married her best friend, John McKillip Edmonds, at Sacred Heart Church 
in Plainville, Kansas on February 1, 1980. He preceded her in death on 
October 24, 2013. They had two children, John Thomas and Wallis Sofie.Margaret
 was a journalist. She worked for the Ellis County Star, the Manhattan 
Mercury, Scotts Bluff Star-Harold, Wichita Eagle, Daily Journal in 
Caracas, Venezuela and the Hays Daily News. She also worked for the 
Dallas Business Journal and was Science Writer for Southern Methodist 
University in the News and Communications Center in Dallas, Texas. Her 
expert communications resulted in a trip to CERN (European Organization 
for Nuclear Research Research) near Geneva, Switzerland where she toured
 the Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful particle accelerator ever 
built. The accelerator sits in a tunnel 100 meters underground on the 
Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland.Margaret
 is survived by her children and one grandchild, Sarai Jackson, Hays; 
brothers Michael (Paula) of Douglas, Georgia and John (June Knittel) of 
Hays; sister, Marcia Allen, CSJ of Concordia; nieces Josie (Jesse) 
Thompson and children,&nbsp; Hoxie, KS, Jessalyn (Zach) Brungardt, Hays; Anna
 Balthazor (Jason Rushford) and children, Wichita, Marlo (Daniel) Ross 
of Douglas, GA and children, Loy (Clay) Henderson and children, 
Andalusia, AL; Marnie Smith and son, Douglas, GA; nephew, Joseph 
Balthazor, Toronto, CA and many other relatives and dear friends.She
 was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Mary E. Balthazor
 and niece Catherine Smith. It was Margaret's wishes to be cremated and 
services and inurnment are pending.The family suggests memorials to Meadowlark Hospice, <a href="http://WWW.MEADOWLARKHOSPICE.ORG">WWW.MEADOWLARKHOSPICE.ORG</a>. Online condolences please visit <a href="http://www.chaputbuoy.com">www.chaputbuoy.com</a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Margaret Ann Allen

Floyd Dinkel, WaKeeney, passed away 
peacefully on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Trego County Lemke Memorial 
Hospital at the age of 70. He left this earth surrounded by his family, 
who loved him dearly.

After graduating from Ellis High School in 
1970 and Goodland Vo-Tech in 1972, Floyd started his career in auto body
 in Oakley, Kansas, which is where he met the love of his life, Patricia
 (Glassman).

Floyd’s career took them to WaKeeney, where 
he spent many years in the oilfield as a driller for Abercrombie Oil. 
Following the oilfield, Floyd spent the next 30 years as the maintenance
 superintendent for USD 208 schools. His most recent and possibly most 
treasured career was transporting "his" kids to and from school as a bus
 driver for USD 208.

Floyd and Patricia were married on March 3, 
1973, in Oakley, Kansas. They were inseparable for the next 50 years and
 3 weeks. They were blessed with four children: a son, Jason, and his 
wife, Shelly, of WaKeeney; their children Sadie (Austin) Gasper, and 
Sage. Daughter, Sandi Brooks, and her husband Justin of Eudora, Kansas, 
and their children, Drew, Max, and Violet. Son, Doug, and his 
significant other, Nickole of Ellis, and his children, Landon and Lucas;
 son, Dustin, and his wife, Ashlei, of WaKeeney. Floyd was over the moon
 that he was going to become a great-grandpa in September. In addition 
to his wife, amazing children, and grandchildren, Floyd is also survived
 by one sister, Darlene Braun, of Victoria.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, 
infant twin brothers, Anthony and John. His sister Marlene and her 
husband Leland Dinkel, brother-in-law LaVern Braun, and great-nephew 
Jacy Braun

Floyd never met a stranger and was always 
willing to lend a helping hand. He could fix, build, or repair anything.
 His love of helping others led him to serve his community in various 
ways, including serving on the Golden Prairie District Council and 
WaKeeney City Counsel, woodworking leader for the WaKeeney Willing 
Workers 4-H Club and was a little league baseball and softball coach for
 many years. Floyd was a firefighter for the WaKeeney City Fire 
Department for 20 years, serving as Fire Chief for many of those. He 
served on the board for the FHSU foster grandparent/senior companion 
program. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, on the parish 
council, and a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

Floyd’s true passion in life was his family, 
and there wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do to support and love them. 
His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was the best husband, 
biggest cheerleader, best grandpa, the most fun ice cream getter, best 
supporter, the bus driver with the biggest smile, the most genuine and 
loyal friend, most amazing dad, so-so fisherman, and hands down the best
 person we have watching over us from above.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 
March 29, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney, Kansas, 
with Father Charlie Steier as celebrant. Visitation with the family will
 be on Tuesday, March 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral
 Home. A vigil service will start at 7:00 p.m. immediately following a 
Rosary to be held at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made to USD 208 Trap Shooting Team. 
Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, 
WaKeeney, KS, 67672.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679848991519.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Floyd Dinkel, WaKeeney, passed away 
peacefully on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Trego County Lemke Memorial 
Hospital at the age of 70. He left this earth surrounded by his family, 
who loved him dearly.Floyd was born on October 18, 1952, to Andrew and Felicitas (Hertal) Dinkel in Hays, Kansas.After graduating from Ellis High School in 
1970 and Goodland Vo-Tech in 1972, Floyd started his career in auto body
 in Oakley, Kansas, which is where he met the love of his life, Patricia
 (Glassman).Floyd’s career took them to WaKeeney, where 
he spent many years in the oilfield as a driller for Abercrombie Oil. 
Following the oilfield, Floyd spent the next 30 years as the maintenance
 superintendent for USD 208 schools. His most recent and possibly most 
treasured career was transporting "his" kids to and from school as a bus
 driver for USD 208.Floyd and Patricia were married on March 3, 
1973, in Oakley, Kansas. They were inseparable for the next 50 years and
 3 weeks. They were blessed with four children: a son, Jason, and his 
wife, Shelly, of WaKeeney; their children Sadie (Austin) Gasper, and 
Sage. Daughter, Sandi Brooks, and her husband Justin of Eudora, Kansas, 
and their children, Drew, Max, and Violet. Son, Doug, and his 
significant other, Nickole of Ellis, and his children, Landon and Lucas;
 son, Dustin, and his wife, Ashlei, of WaKeeney. Floyd was over the moon
 that he was going to become a great-grandpa in September. In addition 
to his wife, amazing children, and grandchildren, Floyd is also survived
 by one sister, Darlene Braun, of Victoria.Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, 
infant twin brothers, Anthony and John. His sister Marlene and her 
husband Leland Dinkel, brother-in-law LaVern Braun, and great-nephew 
Jacy BraunFloyd never met a stranger and was always 
willing to lend a helping hand. He could fix, build, or repair anything.
 His love of helping others led him to serve his community in various 
ways, including serving on the Golden Prairie District Council and 
WaKeeney City Counsel, woodworking leader for the WaKeeney Willing 
Workers 4-H Club and was a little league baseball and softball coach for
 many years. Floyd was a firefighter for the WaKeeney City Fire 
Department for 20 years, serving as Fire Chief for many of those. He 
served on the board for the FHSU foster grandparent/senior companion 
program. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, on the parish 
council, and a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.Floyd’s true passion in life was his family, 
and there wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do to support and love them. 
His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was the best husband, 
biggest cheerleader, best grandpa, the most fun ice cream getter, best 
supporter, the bus driver with the biggest smile, the most genuine and 
loyal friend, most amazing dad, so-so fisherman, and hands down the best
 person we have watching over us from above.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 
March 29, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney, Kansas, 
with Father Charlie Steier as celebrant. Visitation with the family will
 be on Tuesday, March 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral
 Home. A vigil service will start at 7:00 p.m. immediately following a 
Rosary to be held at 6:30 p.m.Memorial donations can be made to USD 208 Trap Shooting Team. 
Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, 
WaKeeney, KS, 67672.Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for the rest of his life.

On Thursday, a judge sentenced 38-year-old Landon Lemons to six life sentences for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy of a child under the age of 14, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

Lemons was originally booked on the charges in 2017, according to online jail records and charged in October of 2018.

The crimes occurred between August 1, 2009 and December 1, 2013.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679598340443.png" alt="Lemons-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Lemons-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for the rest of his life.On Thursday, a judge sentenced 38-year-old Landon Lemons to six life sentences for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy of a child under the age of 14, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.Lemons was originally booked on the charges in 2017, according to online jail records and charged in October of 2018.The crimes occurred between August 1, 2009 and December 1, 2013.

Kansas man given 6 life sentences for child sex crimes

Emma Beth (Crawford) Rutz was born March 20, 1936, in Girard, Kansas. She passed away two days after her 87th
 birthday, on March 22, 2023. Beth was the second daughter of Russell 
and Thelma (Windbigler) Crawford, and had an older sister, Ann, and 
younger sister, Mary Jane.&nbsp;

Beth
 attended Parsons High, where she played the bass violin in high school.
 She shared about having her guy friends carry the big violin for her, 
because it was too heavy. She worked at an ice cream shop as a teenager,
 and it is there that she met the love of her life, Jim, who was 
attending the local community college to play football. A little known 
fact about Beth, is that she was engaged to another young man, when she 
met Jim. Her fiancée

was
 in the military, and she wrote him a “Dear John” letter to break off 
their engagement. I guess that Beth just knew when she met Jim, that he 
was the one for her. They dated nine months and were married August 17th, 1956.

Just
 shy of their first anniversary, Jim and Beth welcomed their first child
 into the world. Elizabeth Jane was born fifteen days before their 
anniversary. It was only sixteen short months later that their second 
daughter, Julie Ann, arrived. Although Libby was quite satisfied at 
being an only child, she would get used to being a big sister to Julie 
soon enough.&nbsp; They remained a family of four for over seven years.

Early
 on in their marriage, Beth was a telephone operator in Herington, KS 
and worked nights at her job. Jim would take care of his two small 
daughters, and his specialty dinner was fried bologna and Campbell’s 
chicken noodle soup.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Though
 Beth had her hands full with two small girls so close in age, after the
 sisters had grown some, she and Jim decided to expand their family.&nbsp; On
 June 18th, 1966, they welcomed their first and only son, 
Stephen James, into the world. Just like before, Steve was not the baby 
for very long. Just over two years later, on October 2nd, 
1968, Teresa Lyn came along and made the family a family of six.&nbsp; Steve 
was quite satisfied with being the baby, but Teresa took over that 
position, and has remained the youngest of four.

In
 Beth’s early forties she went back to school and attended Brown Mackie 
College to receive a secretarial degree. She would drive every day about
 an hour one way to go to class, having Steve and Teresa still at home 
to get on the bus before she left for her drive. She went for nine 
months, and practiced her shorthand at night and studied hard to achieve
 good grades in her classes. She did all this to help supplement the 
family’s income. Shortly after receiving her diploma, the family moved 
to Springfield, Colorado. There, she used her skill from college, to 
work for a dental office for several years. She enjoyed her job in the 
dental office with Dr. Branes, and the patients liked seeing Beth’s warm
 smile when going to their appointments.&nbsp; In 1987, after their youngest 
graduated from high school, Jim and Beth moved to Goodland, Kansas. 
Again, Beth used her skills from college and became a ward clerk for the
 Goodland Hospital.&nbsp; The couple lived in Goodland until three years ago 
in May.

In
 May of 2020, Jim and Beth moved to Minneapolis to be closer to their 
two older daughters. It was hard for Beth to leave their home in 
Goodland, but was what was best for Jim, since he had been diagnosed 
with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and had other health issues that required
 medical assistance.

Beth
 was a devoted mother, and always put her children before herself. She 
loved spending time with her kids and grandkids, and was happiest when 
she was around all her family. There was not anything she wouldn’t do 
for her children. She was patient, kind, and loving. She was a great 
example to her family and others that knew her. She loved to laugh, and 
her laughter was contagious.

Beth
 was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, just two and a half months 
ago. She was heartbroken without him and it is a true testament of their
 love that she wanted to be with him after he passed. She was also 
preceded in death by her parents, and both sisters.

Beth
 is survived by her four children: Libby Brown of Minneapolis, KS; Julie
 and Barry Nelson, of Delphos, KS; Steve Rutz, of Goodland, KS; and 
Teresa and Eric Jaquez, of Albuquerque, NM. Her legacy continues through
 her eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Funeral
 services will be at 1:30 PM, Monday, April 3, at Wilson Family Funeral 
Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467. Burial will be in New 
Basel Cemetery, Abilene. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 
Living Cornerstone Fellowship Church&nbsp;of Delphos, KS, and will be in the 
care of the funeral home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679756492635.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Emma Beth (Crawford) Rutz was born March 20, 1936, in Girard, Kansas. She passed away two days after her 87th
 birthday, on March 22, 2023. Beth was the second daughter of Russell 
and Thelma (Windbigler) Crawford, and had an older sister, Ann, and 
younger sister, Mary Jane.&nbsp;Beth
 attended Parsons High, where she played the bass violin in high school.
 She shared about having her guy friends carry the big violin for her, 
because it was too heavy. She worked at an ice cream shop as a teenager,
 and it is there that she met the love of her life, Jim, who was 
attending the local community college to play football. A little known 
fact about Beth, is that she was engaged to another young man, when she 
met Jim. Her fiancéewas
 in the military, and she wrote him a “Dear John” letter to break off 
their engagement. I guess that Beth just knew when she met Jim, that he 
was the one for her. They dated nine months and were married August 17th, 1956.Just
 shy of their first anniversary, Jim and Beth welcomed their first child
 into the world. Elizabeth Jane was born fifteen days before their 
anniversary. It was only sixteen short months later that their second 
daughter, Julie Ann, arrived. Although Libby was quite satisfied at 
being an only child, she would get used to being a big sister to Julie 
soon enough.&nbsp; They remained a family of four for over seven years.Early
 on in their marriage, Beth was a telephone operator in Herington, KS 
and worked nights at her job. Jim would take care of his two small 
daughters, and his specialty dinner was fried bologna and Campbell’s 
chicken noodle soup.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though
 Beth had her hands full with two small girls so close in age, after the
 sisters had grown some, she and Jim decided to expand their family.&nbsp; On
 June 18th, 1966, they welcomed their first and only son, 
Stephen James, into the world. Just like before, Steve was not the baby 
for very long. Just over two years later, on October 2nd, 
1968, Teresa Lyn came along and made the family a family of six.&nbsp; Steve 
was quite satisfied with being the baby, but Teresa took over that 
position, and has remained the youngest of four.In
 Beth’s early forties she went back to school and attended Brown Mackie 
College to receive a secretarial degree. She would drive every day about
 an hour one way to go to class, having Steve and Teresa still at home 
to get on the bus before she left for her drive. She went for nine 
months, and practiced her shorthand at night and studied hard to achieve
 good grades in her classes. She did all this to help supplement the 
family’s income. Shortly after receiving her diploma, the family moved 
to Springfield, Colorado. There, she used her skill from college, to 
work for a dental office for several years. She enjoyed her job in the 
dental office with Dr. Branes, and the patients liked seeing Beth’s warm
 smile when going to their appointments.&nbsp; In 1987, after their youngest 
graduated from high school, Jim and Beth moved to Goodland, Kansas. 
Again, Beth used her skills from college and became a ward clerk for the
 Goodland Hospital.&nbsp; The couple lived in Goodland until three years ago 
in May.In
 May of 2020, Jim and Beth moved to Minneapolis to be closer to their 
two older daughters. It was hard for Beth to leave their home in 
Goodland, but was what was best for Jim, since he had been diagnosed 
with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and had other health issues that required
 medical assistance.Beth
 was a devoted mother, and always put her children before herself. She 
loved spending time with her kids and grandkids, and was happiest when 
she was around all her family. There was not anything she wouldn’t do 
for her children. She was patient, kind, and loving. She was a great 
example to her family and others that knew her. She loved to laugh, and 
her laughter was contagious.Beth
 was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, just two and a half months 
ago. She was heartbroken without him and it is a true testament of their
 love that she wanted to be with him after he passed. She was also 
preceded in death by her parents, and both sisters.Beth
 is survived by her four children: Libby Brown of Minneapolis, KS; Julie
 and Barry Nelson, of Delphos, KS; Steve Rutz, of Goodland, KS; and 
Teresa and Eric Jaquez, of Albuquerque, NM. Her legacy continues through
 her eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.Funeral
 services will be at 1:30 PM, Monday, April 3, at Wilson Family Funeral 
Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467. Burial will be in New 
Basel Cemetery, Abilene. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 
Living Cornerstone Fellowship Church&nbsp;of Delphos, KS, and will be in the 
care of the funeral home.

 Emma Beth Rutz

​While&nbsp;Ellis and area communities experienced&nbsp;swift&nbsp;changes&nbsp;during previous years, 1885 and 86 offered&nbsp;some&nbsp;stability for&nbsp;this and other&nbsp;developing prairie communities.&nbsp;Take a moment to&nbsp;examine what changed and&nbsp;what remained the same in the Ellis education system&nbsp;during that time.

​1885 faculty numbers held steady at four with Professor Halleck, Mrs. Deutsch, Miss Dennis, and Miss Meade&nbsp;staffing the new building. Student enrollment remained steady&nbsp;with&nbsp;approximately 200 students filling the classroom&nbsp;seats&nbsp;in the new stone building on the south hill.&nbsp;

​While curriculum and practice proceeded as it had in past years, someone added fund raising to the&nbsp;school activities. Apparently,&nbsp;the mill levy&nbsp;didn’t&nbsp;budget&nbsp;enough&nbsp;cash&nbsp;for&nbsp;desired equipment so teachers and students&nbsp;sponsored&nbsp;money-making events.

One of&nbsp;the&nbsp;first&nbsp;mentioned&nbsp;involved&nbsp;a community sociable&nbsp;that&nbsp;showcased&nbsp;student recitations.&nbsp;Imagine residents putting on their best duds to attend&nbsp;and encourage their children.&nbsp;Funds earned&nbsp;at this program&nbsp;purchased books or apparatus for the school, according to the Ellis Headlight.

​Apparently,&nbsp;that first&nbsp;successful&nbsp;fundraiser spurred students and teachers to hold a second that&nbsp;same&nbsp;year&nbsp;to fund&nbsp;an organ for the school. They planned&nbsp;a school&nbsp;entertainment&nbsp;followed by&nbsp;supper for a crowd of 500.&nbsp;Each attendee paid&nbsp;admission of 35 cents (EWH 12-15-1885).&nbsp;Reading between the lines, it appears community members had&nbsp;enough&nbsp;liquid cash&nbsp;they could&nbsp;support these events.

​In 1886, the Headlight notes a Friday in-service. Students enjoyed a day out of school while teachers traveled to Hays to attend a&nbsp;day&nbsp;long&nbsp;county teacher association meeting. Topics included&nbsp;How to Teach English;&nbsp;Make the Children Talk;&nbsp;The Sciences—How Much, How Little; Need of Visible Illustration and the Proper Use of Apparatus;&nbsp;The Relation between Speling [sic], Reading, Writing, and Definition; What Are the Corect [sic] Habits of Study and How Can We Aid Pupils in Forming Them; and&nbsp;Adoption of a County Course of Study. There was no reference to how teachers traveled to and from this meeting.&nbsp;

​In addition to professional development during the school year, teachers also attended the county normal school held each summer in Hays. They&nbsp;studied&nbsp;such&nbsp;subjects as music, philosophy, geography, arithmetic, didactics (art or science of teaching), calisthenics, physiology, constitution, penmanship, history, orthography, grammar, and reading. All Ellis teachers attended the 1886 normal school (EWH 8-6-86).

​A year later in fall of 1887, Mr. Holcomb&nbsp;assumed&nbsp;principal&nbsp;duties, and the district hired&nbsp;another teacher. The school board directed the finishing of one room in the basement for an additional classroom. They&nbsp;also ordered additional desks and chairs out of Chicago (EWH 12-13-87). The growing enrollment reflected the expanding community.&nbsp;

The community&nbsp;must have puffed their chests with pride looking at&nbsp;its stone school house filled with new desks, books, equipment and apparatus, and a brand-new organ. The October 4 Headlight shares that Ellis hosted that year’s county teacher association organization meeting. The school board offered public thanks to Ellis citizens for their “hearty contribution” to the successful gathering.&nbsp;

​Modern readers&nbsp;can only&nbsp;envision&nbsp;that period’s&nbsp;growing business district and neighborhoods that drew more students to the Ellis school.&nbsp;Obviously,&nbsp;this&nbsp;thriving&nbsp;railroad town and&nbsp;its&nbsp;community members wanted&nbsp;the best education&nbsp;they could offer&nbsp;their offspring.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679495427473.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORIN​While&nbsp;Ellis and area communities experienced&nbsp;swift&nbsp;changes&nbsp;during previous years, 1885 and 86 offered&nbsp;some&nbsp;stability for&nbsp;this and other&nbsp;developing prairie communities.&nbsp;Take a moment to&nbsp;examine what changed and&nbsp;what remained the same in the Ellis education system&nbsp;during that time.​1885 faculty numbers held steady at four with Professor Halleck, Mrs. Deutsch, Miss Dennis, and Miss Meade&nbsp;staffing the new building. Student enrollment remained steady&nbsp;with&nbsp;approximately 200 students filling the classroom&nbsp;seats&nbsp;in the new stone building on the south hill.&nbsp;​While curriculum and practice proceeded as it had in past years, someone added fund raising to the&nbsp;school activities. Apparently,&nbsp;the mill levy&nbsp;didn’t&nbsp;budget&nbsp;enough&nbsp;cash&nbsp;for&nbsp;desired equipment so teachers and students&nbsp;sponsored&nbsp;money-making events.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>One of&nbsp;the&nbsp;first&nbsp;mentioned&nbsp;involved&nbsp;a community sociable&nbsp;that&nbsp;showcased&nbsp;student recitations.&nbsp;Imagine residents putting on their best duds to attend&nbsp;and encourage their children.&nbsp;Funds earned&nbsp;at this program&nbsp;purchased books or apparatus for the school, according to the Ellis Headlight.​Apparently,&nbsp;that first&nbsp;successful&nbsp;fundraiser spurred students and teachers to hold a second that&nbsp;same&nbsp;year&nbsp;to fund&nbsp;an organ for the school. They planned&nbsp;a school&nbsp;entertainment&nbsp;followed by&nbsp;supper for a crowd of 500.&nbsp;Each attendee paid&nbsp;admission of 35 cents (EWH 12-15-1885).&nbsp;Reading between the lines, it appears community members had&nbsp;enough&nbsp;liquid cash&nbsp;they could&nbsp;support these events.​In 1886, the Headlight notes a Friday in-service. Students enjoyed a day out of school while teachers traveled to Hays to attend a&nbsp;day&nbsp;long&nbsp;county teacher association meeting. Topics included&nbsp;How to Teach English;&nbsp;Make the Children Talk;&nbsp;The Sciences—How Much, How Little; Need of Visible Illustration and the Proper Use of Apparatus;&nbsp;The Relation between Speling [sic], Reading, Writing, and Definition; What Are the Corect [sic] Habits of Study and How Can We Aid Pupils in Forming Them; and&nbsp;Adoption of a County Course of Study. There was no reference to how teachers traveled to and from this meeting.&nbsp;​In addition to professional development during the school year, teachers also attended the county normal school held each summer in Hays. They&nbsp;studied&nbsp;such&nbsp;subjects as music, philosophy, geography, arithmetic, didactics (art or science of teaching), calisthenics, physiology, constitution, penmanship, history, orthography, grammar, and reading. All Ellis teachers attended the 1886 normal school (EWH 8-6-86).​A year later in fall of 1887, Mr. Holcomb&nbsp;assumed&nbsp;principal&nbsp;duties, and the district hired&nbsp;another teacher. The school board directed the finishing of one room in the basement for an additional classroom. They&nbsp;also ordered additional desks and chairs out of Chicago (EWH 12-13-87). The growing enrollment reflected the expanding community.&nbsp;The community&nbsp;must have puffed their chests with pride looking at&nbsp;its stone school house filled with new desks, books, equipment and apparatus, and a brand-new organ. The October 4 Headlight shares that Ellis hosted that year’s county teacher association organization meeting. The school board offered public thanks to Ellis citizens for their “hearty contribution” to the successful gathering.&nbsp;​Modern readers&nbsp;can only&nbsp;envision&nbsp;that period’s&nbsp;growing business district and neighborhoods that drew more students to the Ellis school.&nbsp;Obviously,&nbsp;this&nbsp;thriving&nbsp;railroad town and&nbsp;its&nbsp;community members wanted&nbsp;the best education&nbsp;they could offer&nbsp;their offspring.

MADORIN: Ellis schools — Fundraising, professional development

RICE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating another report of a credit card skimmers in Kansas.

On Friday, police in Lyons reported they were investigating&nbsp; several cases of fraudulent debit/credit card purchases at fuel pumps in the community, according to a media release.

Police believe a device know as a skimmer was placed on a fuel pump card reader.&nbsp;The skimming device is used to capture the magnetic strip containing a customer's personal information, name and credit card number.

In October, police investigated a similar device on gas pumps at travel centers in Salina.&nbsp; In January, police found a skimmer on a pump in Atwood and in the Sumner County community of Oxford.

Police advised, when using credit or debt cards at fuel pumps, check to make sure the card reader is secure to the pump. If you find that the card reader is not secure please contact Lyons Police Department immediately. 620-257-2355

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673955619636.png" alt="Skimmer from a gas pump in NW Kansas&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Skimmer from a gas pump in NW Kansas&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>RICE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating another report of a credit card skimmers in Kansas.On Friday, police in Lyons reported they were investigating&nbsp; several cases of fraudulent debit/credit card purchases at fuel pumps in the community, according to a media release.Police believe a device know as a skimmer was placed on a fuel pump card reader.&nbsp;The skimming device is used to capture the magnetic strip containing a customer's personal information, name and credit card number.In October, police investigated a similar device on gas pumps at travel centers in Salina.&nbsp; In January, police found a skimmer on a pump in Atwood and in the Sumner County community of Oxford.Police advised, when using credit or debt cards at fuel pumps, check to make sure the card reader is secure to the pump. If you find that the card reader is not secure please contact Lyons Police Department immediately. 620-257-2355

Police: Another card skimmer found on gas pumps in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. lawmakers grilled the CEO of TikTok over data security and harmful content Thursday, responding skeptically during a tense committee hearing to his assurances that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned.

Shou Zi Chew's rare public appearance came at a crucial time for the company, which has 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.

In a bipartisan effort to reign in the power of a major social media platform, Republican and Democratic lawmakers pressed Chew on a host of topics, ranging from TikTok’s content moderation practices, how the company plans to secure American data from Beijing, and its spying on journalists.

“Mr. Chew, you are here because the American people need the truth about the threat TikTok poses to our national and personal security,” Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, said in her opening statement.

Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and denied&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-security-risk-cc36f36801d84fc0652112fa461ef140">it's a national security risk</a>. He reiterated the company’s plan to protect U.S. user data by storing it on servers maintained and owned by the software giant Oracle.

“Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said.

TikTok has been dogged by claims that its Chinese ownership means user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government or that it could be used to promote narratives favorable to the country's Communist leaders.

In 2019, the Guardian reported that TikTok was instructing its moderators to censor videos that mention Tiananmen Square and images unfavorable to the Chinese government. The platform says it has since changed its moderation practices.

ByteDance admitted in December that it fired four employees last summer who accessed data on two journalists and people connected to them while attempting to uncover the source of a leaked report about the company.

For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying 60% percent of ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group.

"Ownership is not at the core of addressing these concerns,” Chew said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tiktok-security-technology-social-media-2245e433b5854010ebd99b7987fc78ca">China has also said it would oppose any U.S. attempts</a>&nbsp;to force ByteDance to sell the app.

In one of the most dramatic moments, Republican Rep. Kat Cammack played a TikTok video that showed a shooting gun with a caption that included the House committee holding the hearing, with the exact date before it was formally announced.

“You expect us to believe that you are capable of maintaining the data security, privacy and security of 150 million Americans where you can’t even protect the people in this room,” Cammack said.

TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe said the company on Thursday removed the violent video aimed at the committee and banned the account that posted it.

Chew also noted the failure of U.S. social media companies to address the very concerns for which TikTok was being criticized.

“American social companies don’t have a good track record with data privacy and user security,” he said. "Look at Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, just one example.”

As the Energy and Commerce committee questioned Chew, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was questioned about the threat TikTok poses at a separate committee hearing Thursday. Asked by Rep. Ken Buck, a Republican of Colorado, if the platform is a security threat to the United States, Blinken said: “I believe it is.”

“Shouldn’t a threat to United States security be banned?” Buck responded.

“It should be ended one way or another. But there are different ways of doing that,” Blinken responded.

Committee members also showed a host of TikTok videos that encouraged users to harm themselves and commit suicide. Many questioned why the platform’s Chinese counterpart, Douyin, does not carry the same controversial and potentially dangerous content as the American product.

Chew responded that it depends on the laws of the country where the app is operating. He said the company has about 40,000 moderators that track harmful content and an algorithm that flags material.

Wealth management firm Wedbush described the hearing as a “disaster” for TikTok that made a ban more likely if the social media platform doesn't separate from its Chinese parent. Emile El Nems, an analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, said a ban would benefit TikTok rivals YouTube, Instagram and Snap, “likely resulting in higher revenue share of the total advertising wallet.”

To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-us-news-business-ap-top-news-hong-kong-4eab38c608901de16e92facc1ed5debd">$1.5 billion plan, Project Texas</a>, which routes all U.S. user data to Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which is run independently of ByteDance and monitored by outside observers.

As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed this year, Chew said.

Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw noted that regardless of what the company does to assure lawmakers it will protect U.S. user data, the Chinese government can still have significant influence over its parent company and ask it to turn over data through its national security laws.

Congress, the White House, U.S. armed forces and more than half of U.S. states have already banned the use of the app from official devices.

But wiping away all the data tracking associated with the platform might prove difficult. In a report released this month, the Cybersecurity company Feroot said so-called tracking pixels from ByteDance, which collect user information, were found on 30 U.S state websites, including some where the app has been banned.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-privacy-cybersecurity-bytedance-china-2dce297f0aed056efe53309bbcd44a04">Other countries</a>&nbsp;including Denmark, Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand, along with the European Union, have already banned TikTok from government-issued devices.

A complete TikTok ban in the U.S. would risk political and popular backlash.

The company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to lobby lawmakers to preserve the platform. And a dozen civil right and free speech organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and PEN America, have signed a letter opposing a wholesale TikTok ban, arguing it would set a “dangerous precedent for the restriction of speech."

David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer who runs the cybersecurity company TrustedSec, said he agrees with restricting TikTok access on government-issued phones but that a nationwide ban might be too extreme.

“We have Tesla in China, we have Microsoft in China, we have Apple in China. Are they going to start banning us now?" Kennedy said. “It could escalate very quickly.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679584159357.png" alt="In one of the most dramatic moments of the hearing, Republican Rep. Kat Cammack played a TikTok video that showed a shooting gun with a caption that included the House committee holding the hearing, with the exact date before it was formally announced.&nbsp;Courtesy House Energy and Commerce Committee" />
 <figcaption>In one of the most dramatic moments of the hearing, Republican Rep. Kat Cammack played a TikTok video that showed a shooting gun with a caption that included the House committee holding the hearing, with the exact date before it was formally announced.&nbsp;Courtesy House Energy and Commerce Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. lawmakers grilled the CEO of TikTok over data security and harmful content Thursday, responding skeptically during a tense committee hearing to his assurances that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepKatCammack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepKatCammack</a> plays TikTok video: &quot;This video has been up for 41 days. It is a direct threat to the chairwoman of this committee, the people in this room and yet it still remains on this platform...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/9yyvBVGwT8">pic.twitter.com/9yyvBVGwT8</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1638923933142458368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Shou Zi Chew's rare public appearance came at a crucial time for the company, which has 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679580589228.png" alt="Shou Zi Chew -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Shou Zi Chew -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>In a bipartisan effort to reign in the power of a major social media platform, Republican and Democratic lawmakers pressed Chew on a host of topics, ranging from TikTok’s content moderation practices, how the company plans to secure American data from Beijing, and its spying on journalists.“Mr. Chew, you are here because the American people need the truth about the threat TikTok poses to our national and personal security,” Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, said in her opening statement.Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and denied&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-security-risk-cc36f36801d84fc0652112fa461ef140">it's a national security risk</a>. He reiterated the company’s plan to protect U.S. user data by storing it on servers maintained and owned by the software giant Oracle.“Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said.TikTok has been dogged by claims that its Chinese ownership means user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government or that it could be used to promote narratives favorable to the country's Communist leaders.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679603507710.png" alt="Image shown during Thursday's hearing -courtesy House Energy and Commerce Committee" />
 <figcaption>Image shown during Thursday's hearing -courtesy House Energy and Commerce Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>In 2019, the Guardian reported that TikTok was instructing its moderators to censor videos that mention Tiananmen Square and images unfavorable to the Chinese government. The platform says it has since changed its moderation practices.ByteDance admitted in December that it fired four employees last summer who accessed data on two journalists and people connected to them while attempting to uncover the source of a leaked report about the company.For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying 60% percent of ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group."Ownership is not at the core of addressing these concerns,” Chew said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tiktok-security-technology-social-media-2245e433b5854010ebd99b7987fc78ca">China has also said it would oppose any U.S. attempts</a>&nbsp;to force ByteDance to sell the app.In one of the most dramatic moments, Republican Rep. Kat Cammack played a TikTok video that showed a shooting gun with a caption that included the House committee holding the hearing, with the exact date before it was formally announced.“You expect us to believe that you are capable of maintaining the data security, privacy and security of 150 million Americans where you can’t even protect the people in this room,” Cammack said.TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe said the company on Thursday removed the violent video aimed at the committee and banned the account that posted it.Chew also noted the failure of U.S. social media companies to address the very concerns for which TikTok was being criticized.“American social companies don’t have a good track record with data privacy and user security,” he said. "Look at Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, just one example.”As the Energy and Commerce committee questioned Chew, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was questioned about the threat TikTok poses at a separate committee hearing Thursday. Asked by Rep. Ken Buck, a Republican of Colorado, if the platform is a security threat to the United States, Blinken said: “I believe it is.”“Shouldn’t a threat to United States security be banned?” Buck responded.“It should be ended one way or another. But there are different ways of doing that,” Blinken responded.Committee members also showed a host of TikTok videos that encouraged users to harm themselves and commit suicide. Many questioned why the platform’s Chinese counterpart, Douyin, does not carry the same controversial and potentially dangerous content as the American product.Chew responded that it depends on the laws of the country where the app is operating. He said the company has about 40,000 moderators that track harmful content and an algorithm that flags material.Wealth management firm Wedbush described the hearing as a “disaster” for TikTok that made a ban more likely if the social media platform doesn't separate from its Chinese parent. Emile El Nems, an analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, said a ban would benefit TikTok rivals YouTube, Instagram and Snap, “likely resulting in higher revenue share of the total advertising wallet.”To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-us-news-business-ap-top-news-hong-kong-4eab38c608901de16e92facc1ed5debd">$1.5 billion plan, Project Texas</a>, which routes all U.S. user data to Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which is run independently of ByteDance and monitored by outside observers.As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed this year, Chew said.Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw noted that regardless of what the company does to assure lawmakers it will protect U.S. user data, the Chinese government can still have significant influence over its parent company and ask it to turn over data through its national security laws.Congress, the White House, U.S. armed forces and more than half of U.S. states have already banned the use of the app from official devices.But wiping away all the data tracking associated with the platform might prove difficult. In a report released this month, the Cybersecurity company Feroot said so-called tracking pixels from ByteDance, which collect user information, were found on 30 U.S state websites, including some where the app has been banned.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-privacy-cybersecurity-bytedance-china-2dce297f0aed056efe53309bbcd44a04">Other countries</a>&nbsp;including Denmark, Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand, along with the European Union, have already banned TikTok from government-issued devices.A complete TikTok ban in the U.S. would risk political and popular backlash.The company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to lobby lawmakers to preserve the platform. And a dozen civil right and free speech organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and PEN America, have signed a letter opposing a wholesale TikTok ban, arguing it would set a “dangerous precedent for the restriction of speech."David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer who runs the cybersecurity company TrustedSec, said he agrees with restricting TikTok access on government-issued phones but that a nationwide ban might be too extreme.“We have Tesla in China, we have Microsoft in China, we have Apple in China. Are they going to start banning us now?" Kennedy said. “It could escalate very quickly.”

🎥 Gun video shocks tense House hearing with TikTok CEO

Gene was born on May 7, 1932, in Lawrenceburg, Kansas, near 
Concordia, Kansas, the son of William and Lula (Wineger) Mosher.&nbsp; He 
grew up in the Concordia area and graduated from the local high school.&nbsp;
 He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Joan Mary Starkey on
 July 28, 1950, in Concordia.&nbsp; From this union, Gene and Joan were 
blessed with a daughter Margaret.&nbsp; 

They moved to the Russell area in 
1966, when Gene went to work for United Telephone. Gene worked for 
United Telephone, later purchased by Sprint, for 36 years. He enjoyed 
woodworking, tinkering in his shop and working around the house and in 
his yard.&nbsp; Most of all he enjoyed spending quiet time with his wife at 
home.&nbsp;

He is survived by many nieces and nephews.&nbsp; He was preceded in death 
by his parents, wife Joan on October 1, 2020, his daughter Margaret on 
December 22, 2021, and 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Cremation was selected by Gene and Joan and their wishes were to have
 no funeral service ceremony.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of 
Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the cremation service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679606125813.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harold Gene Mosher, 90, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at his home in Russell.Gene was born on May 7, 1932, in Lawrenceburg, Kansas, near 
Concordia, Kansas, the son of William and Lula (Wineger) Mosher.&nbsp; He 
grew up in the Concordia area and graduated from the local high school.&nbsp;
 He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Joan Mary Starkey on
 July 28, 1950, in Concordia.&nbsp; From this union, Gene and Joan were 
blessed with a daughter Margaret.&nbsp; They moved to the Russell area in 
1966, when Gene went to work for United Telephone. Gene worked for 
United Telephone, later purchased by Sprint, for 36 years. He enjoyed 
woodworking, tinkering in his shop and working around the house and in 
his yard.&nbsp; Most of all he enjoyed spending quiet time with his wife at 
home.&nbsp;He is survived by many nieces and nephews.&nbsp; He was preceded in death 
by his parents, wife Joan on October 1, 2020, his daughter Margaret on 
December 22, 2021, and 2 brothers and 3 sisters.Cremation was selected by Gene and Joan and their wishes were to have
 no funeral service ceremony.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of 
Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the cremation service arrangements.

Roy E. Dague, 90, died on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Garden Valley 
Retirement Village in Garden City. He was born on October 2, 1932, in 
Franklin County the son of John George Jacob &amp; Etta (Morgan) Dague. 
 He married Louetta F. Goss on June 16, 1957, at Prairie View Church Of 
The Brethren. 
Roy attended Friend Grade School and Scott City High School. After his 
schooling he returned to the family farm to be a lifelong 
farmer-stockman. Roy was a jack of all trades - working in the 
oilfield, driving a truck, hauling manure, and harvesting hay and silage
 for nearby farmers. He enjoyed tatting, crocheting, woodworking, 
welding and just being a mechanic and handyman. Roy was great at 
figuring out ‘how to’ when there weren’t instructions. 
Roy was active in the church for many years where he taught Sunday 
School, was a deacon and sang with his beautiful wife. Roy loved 
serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Roy was a jokester - teasing 
his grandchildren, playing Old Maid, and teaching them all his skills. 
He is survived by his Wife- Louetta Dague, 2 Sons- Tracy Dague of Garden
 City and Edward Dague of Ingleside, Illinois; Daughter- Julie Jones of 
Garden City; 2 Sisters- Dorothy Stiles of Scott City and Betty Dague of 
Garden City; 5 Grandchildren (Summer Garcia, Alexander Dague, Megan 
Saller, Katerina Dague, Shannon Argot); and 4 Great-Grandchildren 
(Jeremy Garcia, Mya Garcia, Sierra Garcia, Jacob Garcia). 
Roy will be missed by his family, but we have comfort knowing he is in Heaven right now with his Savior. 
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 25th, 2023, at 
Prairie View Church Of The Brethren in Friend with Rev Jon Tuttle 
officiating. Burial will be in Prairie View Church Of The Brethren 
Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at Garnand 
Funeral Home.

 Memorials are suggested to Prairie View Church Of The 
Brethren in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at 
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679598432541.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Roy E. Dague, 90, died on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Garden Valley 
Retirement Village in Garden City. He was born on October 2, 1932, in 
Franklin County the son of John George Jacob &amp; Etta (Morgan) Dague. 
 He married Louetta F. Goss on June 16, 1957, at Prairie View Church Of 
The Brethren. 
Roy attended Friend Grade School and Scott City High School. After his 
schooling he returned to the family farm to be a lifelong 
farmer-stockman. Roy was a jack of all trades - working in the 
oilfield, driving a truck, hauling manure, and harvesting hay and silage
 for nearby farmers. He enjoyed tatting, crocheting, woodworking, 
welding and just being a mechanic and handyman. Roy was great at 
figuring out ‘how to’ when there weren’t instructions. 
Roy was active in the church for many years where he taught Sunday 
School, was a deacon and sang with his beautiful wife. Roy loved 
serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Roy was a jokester - teasing 
his grandchildren, playing Old Maid, and teaching them all his skills. 
He is survived by his Wife- Louetta Dague, 2 Sons- Tracy Dague of Garden
 City and Edward Dague of Ingleside, Illinois; Daughter- Julie Jones of 
Garden City; 2 Sisters- Dorothy Stiles of Scott City and Betty Dague of 
Garden City; 5 Grandchildren (Summer Garcia, Alexander Dague, Megan 
Saller, Katerina Dague, Shannon Argot); and 4 Great-Grandchildren 
(Jeremy Garcia, Mya Garcia, Sierra Garcia, Jacob Garcia). 
Roy will be missed by his family, but we have comfort knowing he is in Heaven right now with his Savior. 
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 25th, 2023, at 
Prairie View Church Of The Brethren in Friend with Rev Jon Tuttle 
officiating. Burial will be in Prairie View Church Of The Brethren 
Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at Garnand 
Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Prairie View Church Of The 
Brethren in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at 
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com&nbsp;

Roy E. Dague

WASHINGTON (AP) — The CEO of TikTok made a rare public appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee, where he faced a grilling on data security and user safety while he makes his own case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn't be banned.

<a href="https://fb.watch/js6hfEAuaY/">Click here to&nbsp;</a>watch a replay of the hearing

Shou Zi Chew's testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.

In her opening statement, Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, assailed the social platform's trustworthiness because of its close ties to Beijing.

“Mr. Chew, you are here because the American people need the truth about the threat TikTok poses to our national and personal security,” McMorris Rodgers said. "TikTok has repeatedly chosen a path for more control, more surveillance and more manipulation.”

Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, will tell the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and deny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">allegations that the app is a national security risk</a>, according to his prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing.

“There are many misconceptions about our company and I’m very proud to come here and represent them and all our users in this country,” Chew told reporters before entering the hearing.

On Wednesday, the company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers to preserve the platform. It has also been putting up ads all over Washington that tout promises of securing users data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.

“We understand the popularity of Tiktok, we get that,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “But the President’s job is to make sure again that the Americans, national security is protected as well. ”

For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying that 60% percent of its parent company ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group. ByteDance was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing in 2012.

A U.S. ban on an app would be unprecedented and it’s unclear how the government would go about enforcing it.

Experts says officials could try to force Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new users from downloading it as well as preventing existing users from updating it, ultimately rendering it useless.

The U.S. could also block access to TikTok’s infrastructure and data, seize its domain names or force internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon to filter TikTok data traffic, said Ahmed Ghappour, a criminal law and computer security expert who teachers at Boston University School of Law.

But a tech savvy user could still get around restrictions by using a virtual private network to make it appear the user is in another country where it's not blocked, he said.

To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-us-news-business-ap-top-news-hong-kong-4eab38c608901de16e92facc1ed5debd">$1.5 billion plan called Project Texas</a>, which routes all U.S. user data to domestic servers owned and maintained by software giant Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which employs 1,500 people, is run independently of ByteDance and would be monitored by outside observers.

As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed later this year, Chew said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679580195331.png" alt="Shou Zi Chew during Thursday's hearing -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Shou Zi Chew during Thursday's hearing -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The CEO of TikTok made a rare public appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee, where he faced a grilling on data security and user safety while he makes his own case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn't be banned.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCSPAN%2Fvideos%2F212799924761754%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><a href="https://fb.watch/js6hfEAuaY/">Click here to&nbsp;</a>watch a replay of the hearingShou Zi Chew's testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.In her opening statement, Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, assailed the social platform's trustworthiness because of its close ties to Beijing.“Mr. Chew, you are here because the American people need the truth about the threat TikTok poses to our national and personal security,” McMorris Rodgers said. "TikTok has repeatedly chosen a path for more control, more surveillance and more manipulation.”Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, will tell the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and deny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">allegations that the app is a national security risk</a>, according to his prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing.“There are many misconceptions about our company and I’m very proud to come here and represent them and all our users in this country,” Chew told reporters before entering the hearing.On Wednesday, the company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers to preserve the platform. It has also been putting up ads all over Washington that tout promises of securing users data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.TikTok has been dogged by claims that its Chinese ownership means user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government or that it could be used to promote narratives favorable to the country's Communist leaders.“We understand the popularity of Tiktok, we get that,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “But the President’s job is to make sure again that the Americans, national security is protected as well. ”For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying that 60% percent of its parent company ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group. ByteDance was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing in 2012.“Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said.A U.S. ban on an app would be unprecedented and it’s unclear how the government would go about enforcing it.Experts says officials could try to force Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new users from downloading it as well as preventing existing users from updating it, ultimately rendering it useless.The U.S. could also block access to TikTok’s infrastructure and data, seize its domain names or force internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon to filter TikTok data traffic, said Ahmed Ghappour, a criminal law and computer security expert who teachers at Boston University School of Law.But a tech savvy user could still get around restrictions by using a virtual private network to make it appear the user is in another country where it's not blocked, he said.To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-us-news-business-ap-top-news-hong-kong-4eab38c608901de16e92facc1ed5debd">$1.5 billion plan called Project Texas</a>, which routes all U.S. user data to domestic servers owned and maintained by software giant Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which employs 1,500 people, is run independently of ByteDance and would be monitored by outside observers.As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed later this year, Chew said.Generally, researchers have said TikTok behaves like other social media companies when it comes to data collection. In an analysis released in 2021, the University of Toronto’s nonprofit Citizen Lab found TikTok and Facebook collect similar amounts of user data, including device identifiers that can be used to track a user and other information that can piece together a user’s behavior, all valuable information for advertisers.To block such tracking, Congress, the White House, U.S. armed forces and more than half of U.S. states have banned the use of the app from official devices.But wiping away all the data tracking associated with the platform might prove to be difficult. In a report released this month, the Cybersecurity company Feroot said so-called tracking pixels from ByteDance, which collect user information, were found on 30 U.S state websites, including some where the app has been banned for official use.Other countries including Denmark, Canada, and New Zealand, along with the European Union, have already banned TikTok from devices issued to government employees, citing cybersecurity concerns.David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer who runs the cybersecurity company TrustedSec, agrees with restricting TikTok access on government-issued phones because they might contain sensitive military information or other confidential material. A nationwide ban, however, might be too extreme, he said. He also wondered where it might lead.“We have Tesla in China, we have Microsoft in China, we have Apple in China. Are they going to start banning us now?" Kennedy said. “It could escalate very quickly.”-------WASHINGTON (AP) — The CEO of TikTok will make a high-profile appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee, where he'll face a grilling on data security and user safety while he makes his own case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn't be banned.<a href="https://fb.watch/js6hfEAuaY/">Click here to </a>watch the hearing<a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Shou_Chew_Bio_fd1abc17e1.pdf?updated_at=2023-03-21T23:58:13.616Z">Shou Zi Chew</a>'s testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, is making a rare public appearance to counter the volley of accusations that TikTok has been facing. On Wednesday, the company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-62ebef6be3c10e66d7f69f7f6d254700">to lobby lawmakers</a>&nbsp;to preserve the platform. It has also been putting up ads all over Washington that tout promises of securing users data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.<a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Written_Testimony_of_Shou_Chew_c07504eccf_084e8683f3.pdf?updated_at=2023-03-22T03:10:22.760Z">Chew plans to tell </a>the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and deny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">allegations that the app is a national security risk</a>, according to his prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing.TikTok has been dogged by claims that its Chinese ownership means user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government or that it could be used to promote narratives favorable to the country's Communist leaders.“We understand the popularity of Tiktok, we get that,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “But the President’s job is to make sure again that the Americans, national security is protected as well. ”For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying that 60% percent of its parent company ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group. ByteDance was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing in 2012.“Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said.A U.S. ban on an app would be unprecedented and it’s unclear how the government would go about enforcing it.Experts says officials could try to force Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new users from downloading it as well as preventing existing users from updating it, ultimately rendering it useless.The U.S. could also block access to TikTok’s infrastructure and data, seize its domain names or force internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon to filter TikTok data traffic, said Ahmed Ghappour, a criminal law and computer security expert who teachers at Boston University School of Law.But a tech savvy user could still get around restrictions by using a virtual private network to make it appear the user is in another country where it's not blocked, he said.To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-us-news-business-ap-top-news-hong-kong-4eab38c608901de16e92facc1ed5debd">$1.5 billion plan called Project Texas</a>, which routes all U.S. user data to domestic servers owned and maintained by software giant Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which employs 1,500 people, is run independently of ByteDance and would be monitored by outside observers.As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed later this year, Chew said.A number of Western countries including Denmark, Canada, and New Zealand, along with the European Union,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-is-tiktok-being-banned-7d2de01d3ac5ab2b8ec2239dc7f2b20d">have already banned TikTok from devices</a>&nbsp;issued to government employees, citing cybersecurity concerns.In the U.S., the federal government, Congress, the armed forces and more than half of states have banned the app from official devices.David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer who runs the cybersecurity company TrustedSec, agrees with restricting TikTok access on government-issued phones because they might contain sensitive military information or other confidential material. A nationwide ban, however, might be too extreme, he said. He also wondered where it might lead.“We have Tesla in China, we have Microsoft in China, we have Apple in China. Are they going to start banning us now?" Kennedy said. “It could escalate very quickly.”