WASHINGTON — In fiscal year 2022, IRS Criminal Investigation 
initiated more than 2,550 criminal investigations, identified over $31 
billion from tax and financial crimes, and obtained a 90.6% conviction 
rate on cases accepted for prosecution. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3583.pdf">IRS-CI FY22 Annual Report</a>PDF,
 released Thursday, details these statistics, as well as important 
partnerships and significant criminal enforcement actions from the past 
fiscal year, which began October 1, 2021, and ended September 30, 2022.

"The cases the IRS-CI team investigated over the past fiscal year 
touch multiple continents and require cooperation with partners around 
the globe. This is why IRS-CI continues to cement itself as the 
preeminent law enforcement agency investigating financial crimes on a 
global scale," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.

In FY22, IRS-CI expanded partnerships with foreign counterparts to 
help combat tax and financial crimes on a global level. IRS-CI special 
agents delivered trainings in countries like Argentina, Germany, 
Colombia, and Palau on topics ranging from cybercrime to human 
trafficking. IRS-CI Mexico City, after changes to Mexico law that 
enabled the extradition of tax fugitives, launched an initiative to 
identify fugitives who had absconded to Mexico and nearby countries. 
This initiative resulted in the location of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/irs-ci-mexico-city-initiative-locates-79-criminal-fugitives-in-first-year">79 criminal fugitives and the apprehension of eight during the first year</a>.

IRS-CI joined <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-announces-launch-task-force-kleptocapture">Taskforce Kleptocapture</a> in March 2022 to target Russian oligarchs and other sanctions-evaders. It also worked with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/joint-chiefs-of-global-tax-enforcement">Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5)</a>
 to identify potential sanction evaders or sanctioned assets as part of a
 global strategy to deter Russia's aggression. As of September 2022, the
 agency had identified nearly 50 individuals and entities for potential 
sanctions-related enforcement.

IRS-CI's 2,077 special agents spent about 70% of their time 
investigating tax-related crimes like tax evasion and tax fraud during 
FY22, while nearly 30% of their time was spent on money laundering and 
drug trafficking cases. Special agents identified over $31 billion from 
tax and financial crimes, and the agency seized assets valued at 
approximately $7 billion in FY22. IRS-CI is the only U.S. federal law 
enforcement agency that focuses 100% on financial investigations.

"Our team follows the money," said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. "We've been 
doing it for more than 100 years, and we've followed criminals into the 
dark web and now into the metaverse. Tax and other financial crimes know
 no borders. If you violate the law and end up in the crosshairs of an 
IRS-CI special agent, you are likely going to jail."

The IRS-CI Cyber Crime Unit, with assistance from U.S. authorities, 
traced billions of dollars of Bitcoin stolen from Bitfinex, a 
cryptocurrency exchange, after a 2016 hack. This led to the February 
2022 arrest of Ilya Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, for 
alleged conspiracy to launder stolen cryptocurrency. IRS-CI special 
agents lawfully seized and recovered more than 94,000 stolen Bitcoin, 
which was valued at over $3.6 billion at the time, marking the largest 
seizure in U.S. history.

The Tampa Field Office investigated Michael Dexter Little for 
tax-related crimes. He was sentenced to 19 years and six months in 
federal prison in January 2022 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 
conspiracy to commit money laundering and aggravated identity theft. 
Little also had to forfeit at least $12.3 million, traceable to his 
offenses. He filed a series of false tax returns, claiming massive, 
bogus fuel tax credits. He filed the false returns in his own name and 
the names of co-conspirators, as well as identity theft victims. He 
obtained at least $12.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds and attempted 
to obtain at least $27 million more. Little and his co-conspirators used
 scheme proceeds to purchase real estate and other assets for 
themselves.

The Oakland Field Office investigated Jeff and Paulette Carpoff for 
running a billion-dollar fraud scheme centered around DC Solar. 
Investors were duped into investing in DC Solar based on fake financial 
and engineering reports, and the money was used to fund the Carpoffs' 
lavish lifestyle, which included a NASCAR sponsorship, ownership of a 
minor league baseball team, luxury real estate and more. The federal 
government seized and auctioned off 148 of the Carpoffs' vehicles to 
recoup more than $8 million for scheme victims. In November 2021, Jeff 
Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison, and in June, Paulette 
Carpoff was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The report also includes additional case examples for each U.S. field
 office, an overview of IRS-CI's international footprint, details about 
the specialized services provided by IRS-CI and investigative 
statistics, broken down by discipline, for FY22.

IRS-CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for 
conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, 
narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, public corruption, healthcare 
fraud, identity theft and more. IRS-CI special agents are the only 
federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over 
violations of the Internal Revenue Code, boasting a near 90% federal 
conviction rate. The agency has 20 field offices located across the U.S.
 and 12 attaché posts abroad.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — In fiscal year 2022, IRS Criminal Investigation 
initiated more than 2,550 criminal investigations, identified over $31 
billion from tax and financial crimes, and obtained a 90.6% conviction 
rate on cases accepted for prosecution. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3583.pdf">IRS-CI FY22 Annual Report</a>PDF,
 released Thursday, details these statistics, as well as important 
partnerships and significant criminal enforcement actions from the past 
fiscal year, which began October 1, 2021, and ended September 30, 2022."The cases the IRS-CI team investigated over the past fiscal year 
touch multiple continents and require cooperation with partners around 
the globe. This is why IRS-CI continues to cement itself as the 
preeminent law enforcement agency investigating financial crimes on a 
global scale," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/q44uedBm-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Irs Ci Annual Report Video 2022 (540p)" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>In FY22, IRS-CI expanded partnerships with foreign counterparts to 
help combat tax and financial crimes on a global level. IRS-CI special 
agents delivered trainings in countries like Argentina, Germany, 
Colombia, and Palau on topics ranging from cybercrime to human 
trafficking. IRS-CI Mexico City, after changes to Mexico law that 
enabled the extradition of tax fugitives, launched an initiative to 
identify fugitives who had absconded to Mexico and nearby countries. 
This initiative resulted in the location of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/irs-ci-mexico-city-initiative-locates-79-criminal-fugitives-in-first-year">79 criminal fugitives and the apprehension of eight during the first year</a>.IRS-CI joined <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-announces-launch-task-force-kleptocapture">Taskforce Kleptocapture</a> in March 2022 to target Russian oligarchs and other sanctions-evaders. It also worked with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/joint-chiefs-of-global-tax-enforcement">Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5)</a>
 to identify potential sanction evaders or sanctioned assets as part of a
 global strategy to deter Russia's aggression. As of September 2022, the
 agency had identified nearly 50 individuals and entities for potential 
sanctions-related enforcement.IRS-CI's 2,077 special agents spent about 70% of their time 
investigating tax-related crimes like tax evasion and tax fraud during 
FY22, while nearly 30% of their time was spent on money laundering and 
drug trafficking cases. Special agents identified over $31 billion from 
tax and financial crimes, and the agency seized assets valued at 
approximately $7 billion in FY22. IRS-CI is the only U.S. federal law 
enforcement agency that focuses 100% on financial investigations."Our team follows the money," said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. "We've been 
doing it for more than 100 years, and we've followed criminals into the 
dark web and now into the metaverse. Tax and other financial crimes know
 no borders. If you violate the law and end up in the crosshairs of an 
IRS-CI special agent, you are likely going to jail."<h2>Case examples include:</h2>The IRS-CI Cyber Crime Unit, with assistance from U.S. authorities, 
traced billions of dollars of Bitcoin stolen from Bitfinex, a 
cryptocurrency exchange, after a 2016 hack. This led to the February 
2022 arrest of Ilya Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, for 
alleged conspiracy to launder stolen cryptocurrency. IRS-CI special 
agents lawfully seized and recovered more than 94,000 stolen Bitcoin, 
which was valued at over $3.6 billion at the time, marking the largest 
seizure in U.S. history.The Tampa Field Office investigated Michael Dexter Little for 
tax-related crimes. He was sentenced to 19 years and six months in 
federal prison in January 2022 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 
conspiracy to commit money laundering and aggravated identity theft. 
Little also had to forfeit at least $12.3 million, traceable to his 
offenses. He filed a series of false tax returns, claiming massive, 
bogus fuel tax credits. He filed the false returns in his own name and 
the names of co-conspirators, as well as identity theft victims. He 
obtained at least $12.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds and attempted 
to obtain at least $27 million more. Little and his co-conspirators used
 scheme proceeds to purchase real estate and other assets for 
themselves.The Oakland Field Office investigated Jeff and Paulette Carpoff for 
running a billion-dollar fraud scheme centered around DC Solar. 
Investors were duped into investing in DC Solar based on fake financial 
and engineering reports, and the money was used to fund the Carpoffs' 
lavish lifestyle, which included a NASCAR sponsorship, ownership of a 
minor league baseball team, luxury real estate and more. The federal 
government seized and auctioned off 148 of the Carpoffs' vehicles to 
recoup more than $8 million for scheme victims. In November 2021, Jeff 
Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison, and in June, Paulette 
Carpoff was sentenced to 11 years in prison.The report also includes additional case examples for each U.S. field
 office, an overview of IRS-CI's international footprint, details about 
the specialized services provided by IRS-CI and investigative 
statistics, broken down by discipline, for FY22.IRS-CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for 
conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, 
narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, public corruption, healthcare 
fraud, identity theft and more. IRS-CI special agents are the only 
federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over 
violations of the Internal Revenue Code, boasting a near 90% federal 
conviction rate. The agency has 20 field offices located across the U.S.
 and 12 attaché posts abroad.

🎥 IRS: More than 2,500 investigations, 90% conviction rate for 2022 tax crimes

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team traveled to Manhattan to take on Kansas State in an exhibition game Monday, October 31, 2022.

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team traveled to Manhattan to take on Kansas State in an exhibition game Monday, October 31, 2022.<div><iframe title="FHSU Rewind: WBB at Kansas State (Oct 31, 2022)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3b2kd-1303f70-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: FHSU Rewind - WBB at Kansas State (Oct 31, 2022)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Warning that democracy itself is in peril, President Joe Biden called on Americans Wednesday night to use their ballots in next week’s midterm elections to stand up against lies, violence and dangerous “ultra MAGA Republicans” who are trying to “succeed where they failed” in subverting the 2020 elections.

This is no time to stand aside, he declared. “The silence is complicity.”

(click below to watch the President's statement)

After weeks of reassuring talk about America’s economy and inflation, Biden turned to a darker, more urgent message, declaring in the final days of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm election voting</a>&nbsp;that the nation’s system of governance is under threat from former President Donald Trump’s election-denying lies and the violence Biden said they inspire.

The president, who has been focused on drawing an economic contrast between Democrats and the GOP, shined a spotlight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-michigan-local-misinformation-829943ed5dd5fe2e470fd754edf6902c">on “ultra MAGA” Republicans</a>&nbsp;— a reference to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-41b12f18f536017920d2f74803980899">Trump’s</a>&nbsp;“Make America Great Again” slogan — calling them a minority but “driving force” of the Republican Party.

Pointing in particular to the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, he said that Trump’s false claims about a stolen election have “fueled the dangerous rise of political violence and voter intimidation over the past two years.”

“There’s an alarming rise in the number of people in this country condoning political violence or simply remaining silent,” Biden added. “In our bones we know Democracy is at risk, but we also know this: It’s in our power to preserve our democracy.”

The president’s speech — focused squarely on the rite of voting and the counting of that vote — amounted to a plea for Americans to step back from the inflamed rhetoric that has heightened fears of political violence and challenges to the integrity of the elections. Biden was straddling two roles in the moment, speaking as both a president defending the pillars of democracy and a Democrat trying to boost his own party’s prospects against Republicans.

He called out the hundreds of candidates who have denied the 2020 election result and refused to commit to accepting the results of the upcoming midterms.“This driving force is trying to succeed where they failed in 2020 to suppress the rights of voters and subvert the electoral system itself,′ Biden said.

“That is the path to chaos in America. It’s unprecedented. It’s unlawful. And it is un-American.”

Pointing to mounting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-wisconsin-madison-86a4ad0ef6f4d0f74f43d7d825ed501e">concerns over political violence</a>&nbsp;as well as threats of America’s long tradition of hard-fought but peaceful and accurate elections, he said these Republicans are “trying to succeed where they failed in 2020 to suppress the rights of voters and subvert the electoral system itself,.”

The speech came days after a man seeking to kidnap House Speaker Pelosi severely injured her husband, Paul Pelosi, in their San Francisco home in the worst recent example of political violence that burst forth with the Jan. 6 insurrection and has continued with alarming, though less-spectacular incidents.

Election workers nationwide have questioned whether to go back to work following increased intimidation and harassment ahead of the Election Day. At least five people have been charged with federal crimes for harassing workers as early voting has gotten underway.

Reports of people watching ballot boxes in Arizona, sometimes armed or wearing ballistic vests, have raised serious concerns about voter intimidation. Election officials nationwide are bracing for confrontations at polling sites led by a flood of conspiracy theorists who have signed up to work as partisan poll watchers.

Emphasizing that it is the first federal election since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and Trump’s attempts to overturn the will of voters in the 2020 presidential election, Biden called on voters to reject candidates who have denied the results of the vote — which even Trump’s administration declared to be free of any widespread fraud or interference.

Biden asked voters to “think long and hard about the moment we are in.”

“In a typical year, we are not often faced with the question of whether the vote we cast will preserve democracy or put it at risk,” he said. “But we are this year.”

Biden also aimed to get ahead of conspiracy theories about the ongoing vote, saying Americans were voting early, by mail and by absentee ballot and it would take time to tally them “in a legal and orderly manner.” Major changes in voting in 2020 because of the pandemic prompted more early voting and mail-in voting and saw record turnout. It took five days before the results of the 2020 presidential election were final.

“It is important for citizens to be patient,” Biden said.

Biden delivered his remarks from Washington’s Union Station, blocks from the U.S. Capitol, the White House said, just six days before polls close on Nov. 8 and as more than 27 million Americans have already cast their ballots.

“It’s from Capitol Hill, because that is where there was an attempt to subvert our democracy,” said White House senior adviser Anita Dunn told Axios, referencing to the Jan. 6 attack.

Before Biden’s speech U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said he’s reviewed the attack on Pelosi’s husband and believes today’s political climate calls for more resources and better security for members of Congress after a massive increase in threats to lawmakers following Jan. 6. He also made a rare call to stop the rancorous conspiracy talk that has swirled around the attack.

“Our brave men and women are working around the clock to meet this urgent mission during this divisive time,” he said in a statement. “In the meantime, a significant change that will have an immediate impact will be for people across our country to lower the temperature on political rhetoric before it’s too late.”

Biden last delivered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-donald-trump-presidential-philadelphia-5d0f7c02df093f0d3a3340474a53be4b">a prime-time speech</a>&nbsp;on what he called the “continued battle for the soul of the nation” on Sept. 1 outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in which he condemned the “MAGA forces” of Donald Trump and his adherents as a threat to America’s system of government.

The new remarks come as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-politics-donald-trump-arizona-9b675ed2223da37a90e5b53cfb6cf9b8">hundreds of candidates</a>&nbsp;who have falsely denied the legitimacy of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">the 2020 presidential election</a>&nbsp;are on ballots across the country, with many poised to be elected to critical roles overseeing elections.

In contrast to the September remarks, which drew criticism from some corners for being paid for by taxpayers, Biden’s Wednesday night speech was hosted by the Democratic National Committee.

Many Americans remain pessimistic about the state of U.S. democracy.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-presidential-election-2020-democracy-33823de7f22a601a192fc82eeb88e630">An October poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>&nbsp;found that just 9% of adults think democracy is working “extremely” or “very well,” while 52% say it’s not working well.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Warning that democracy itself is in peril, President Joe Biden called on Americans Wednesday night to use their ballots in next week’s midterm elections to stand up against lies, violence and dangerous “ultra MAGA Republicans” who are trying to “succeed where they failed” in subverting the 2020 elections.This is no time to stand aside, he declared. “The silence is complicity.”(click below to watch the President's statement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdemocrats%2Fvideos%2F957212271902451%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=397" width="560" height="314" 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>After weeks of reassuring talk about America’s economy and inflation, Biden turned to a darker, more urgent message, declaring in the final days of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm election voting</a>&nbsp;that the nation’s system of governance is under threat from former President Donald Trump’s election-denying lies and the violence Biden said they inspire.The president, who has been focused on drawing an economic contrast between Democrats and the GOP, shined a spotlight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-michigan-local-misinformation-829943ed5dd5fe2e470fd754edf6902c">on “ultra MAGA” Republicans</a>&nbsp;— a reference to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-41b12f18f536017920d2f74803980899">Trump’s</a>&nbsp;“Make America Great Again” slogan — calling them a minority but “driving force” of the Republican Party.Pointing in particular to the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, he said that Trump’s false claims about a stolen election have “fueled the dangerous rise of political violence and voter intimidation over the past two years.”“There’s an alarming rise in the number of people in this country condoning political violence or simply remaining silent,” Biden added. “In our bones we know Democracy is at risk, but we also know this: It’s in our power to preserve our democracy.”The president’s speech — focused squarely on the rite of voting and the counting of that vote — amounted to a plea for Americans to step back from the inflamed rhetoric that has heightened fears of political violence and challenges to the integrity of the elections. Biden was straddling two roles in the moment, speaking as both a president defending the pillars of democracy and a Democrat trying to boost his own party’s prospects against Republicans.He called out the hundreds of candidates who have denied the 2020 election result and refused to commit to accepting the results of the upcoming midterms.“This driving force is trying to succeed where they failed in 2020 to suppress the rights of voters and subvert the electoral system itself,′ Biden said.“That is the path to chaos in America. It’s unprecedented. It’s unlawful. And it is un-American.”Pointing to mounting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-wisconsin-madison-86a4ad0ef6f4d0f74f43d7d825ed501e">concerns over political violence</a>&nbsp;as well as threats of America’s long tradition of hard-fought but peaceful and accurate elections, he said these Republicans are “trying to succeed where they failed in 2020 to suppress the rights of voters and subvert the electoral system itself,.”The speech came days after a man seeking to kidnap House Speaker Pelosi severely injured her husband, Paul Pelosi, in their San Francisco home in the worst recent example of political violence that burst forth with the Jan. 6 insurrection and has continued with alarming, though less-spectacular incidents.Election workers nationwide have questioned whether to go back to work following increased intimidation and harassment ahead of the Election Day. At least five people have been charged with federal crimes for harassing workers as early voting has gotten underway.Reports of people watching ballot boxes in Arizona, sometimes armed or wearing ballistic vests, have raised serious concerns about voter intimidation. Election officials nationwide are bracing for confrontations at polling sites led by a flood of conspiracy theorists who have signed up to work as partisan poll watchers.Emphasizing that it is the first federal election since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and Trump’s attempts to overturn the will of voters in the 2020 presidential election, Biden called on voters to reject candidates who have denied the results of the vote — which even Trump’s administration declared to be free of any widespread fraud or interference.Biden asked voters to “think long and hard about the moment we are in.”“In a typical year, we are not often faced with the question of whether the vote we cast will preserve democracy or put it at risk,” he said. “But we are this year.”Biden also aimed to get ahead of conspiracy theories about the ongoing vote, saying Americans were voting early, by mail and by absentee ballot and it would take time to tally them “in a legal and orderly manner.” Major changes in voting in 2020 because of the pandemic prompted more early voting and mail-in voting and saw record turnout. It took five days before the results of the 2020 presidential election were final.“It is important for citizens to be patient,” Biden said.Biden delivered his remarks from Washington’s Union Station, blocks from the U.S. Capitol, the White House said, just six days before polls close on Nov. 8 and as more than 27 million Americans have already cast their ballots.“It’s from Capitol Hill, because that is where there was an attempt to subvert our democracy,” said White House senior adviser Anita Dunn told Axios, referencing to the Jan. 6 attack.Before Biden’s speech U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said he’s reviewed the attack on Pelosi’s husband and believes today’s political climate calls for more resources and better security for members of Congress after a massive increase in threats to lawmakers following Jan. 6. He also made a rare call to stop the rancorous conspiracy talk that has swirled around the attack.“Our brave men and women are working around the clock to meet this urgent mission during this divisive time,” he said in a statement. “In the meantime, a significant change that will have an immediate impact will be for people across our country to lower the temperature on political rhetoric before it’s too late.”Biden last delivered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-donald-trump-presidential-philadelphia-5d0f7c02df093f0d3a3340474a53be4b">a prime-time speech</a>&nbsp;on what he called the “continued battle for the soul of the nation” on Sept. 1 outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in which he condemned the “MAGA forces” of Donald Trump and his adherents as a threat to America’s system of government.The new remarks come as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-politics-donald-trump-arizona-9b675ed2223da37a90e5b53cfb6cf9b8">hundreds of candidates</a>&nbsp;who have falsely denied the legitimacy of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">the 2020 presidential election</a>&nbsp;are on ballots across the country, with many poised to be elected to critical roles overseeing elections.In contrast to the September remarks, which drew criticism from some corners for being paid for by taxpayers, Biden’s Wednesday night speech was hosted by the Democratic National Committee.Many Americans remain pessimistic about the state of U.S. democracy.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-presidential-election-2020-democracy-33823de7f22a601a192fc82eeb88e630">An October poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>&nbsp;found that just 9% of adults think democracy is working “extremely” or “very well,” while 52% say it’s not working well.___

🎥Biden implores voters to save democracy from lies, violence

William Paul O’Brien was born April 14, 1951, in Goodland, Kansas, to 
Patrick J. and Dorothy J. (Harder) O’Brien. As a youngster he grew up 
North of Palisade, Nebraska, and moving with family to California, 
graduated from Artesia High School, Lakewood, California, in 1970. 
 Bill, as he was known, was employed as a warehouse manager for the 
GemCo Company in Southern California. He then began his career in 
trucking, working for UPS, and Agland. Later, Bill was employed with the
 Ted Behlke Farms retiring in 2003. Bill married Sharon 
Pursley on July 15, 1995, in Benkelman, Nebraska, where the couple made 
their home. Bill was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, of 
Benkelman, and the Benkelman Country Club. Bill loved to golf, and 
enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He especially loved spending time
 with his friends and family. Bill passed away, Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2022, at his home in Benkelman. He was 71 years of age. Survivors Include: Children: Tracy Gruwell and husband, Donald, of Huntington Beach, CA; Kelly Contreras and husband, Torrey, Cerritos, CA. 
 Meredith Butteling and husband, Ben, of Anaheim, CA; Dr. Jason Mathews 
and wife, Adrienne, of Benkelman, NE; Kristopher Mathews and wife, 
Melissa, of Oberlin, KS. Grandchildren: Joshua, Zachary, Caden, Presley, Jacob, Elijah, Addison, RJ, Harper, Owen, Reid, and Mason. 
 Siblings: Connie Rucker and husband, Ron, of Omaha, NE, Pat O’Brien and
 wife, Arneth, of Prescott Valley, AZ, Ann Perez and husband Jerry, of 
Brea, CA, Liz Cuellar and husband, Jeff, of Prescott Valley, AZ. Tim 
O’Brien of Prescott Valley, AZ; Carla Demofonte, Prescott Valley, AZ; 
Karyl White of Shelley, ID; Tom O’Brien and wife, Marlene, of Kingman, 
Az, John O’Brien of Apache Junction, AZ. Sister-In-Law: Arlene Stute, of Benkelman, NE Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lynn Baldwin, Brother-In-Law; Larry Stute; Nephew; Brian Stute; Mother-in-law; Addie Pursley, and many aunts and uncles. 
 Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 5, 2002, 
10:30 A.M., (MT) at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benkelman, NE, with 
Father Matthew Eickhoff celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the 
Benkelman Cemetery, Benkelman, NE A Rosary will be recited 
Saturday, November 5, 2022, before services starting at 10:00 A.M. (MT) 
at St Joseph Catholic Church Benkelman, NE A memorial, in Bill’s Memory, has been suggested to the Benkelman Community Foundation for use at the Benkelman Country Club. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667416258425.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>William Paul O’Brien was born April 14, 1951, in Goodland, Kansas, to 
Patrick J. and Dorothy J. (Harder) O’Brien. As a youngster he grew up 
North of Palisade, Nebraska, and moving with family to California, 
graduated from Artesia High School, Lakewood, California, in 1970. 
 Bill, as he was known, was employed as a warehouse manager for the 
GemCo Company in Southern California. He then began his career in 
trucking, working for UPS, and Agland. Later, Bill was employed with the
 Ted Behlke Farms retiring in 2003. Bill married Sharon 
Pursley on July 15, 1995, in Benkelman, Nebraska, where the couple made 
their home. Bill was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, of 
Benkelman, and the Benkelman Country Club. Bill loved to golf, and 
enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He especially loved spending time
 with his friends and family. Bill passed away, Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2022, at his home in Benkelman. He was 71 years of age. Survivors Include: Children: Tracy Gruwell and husband, Donald, of Huntington Beach, CA; Kelly Contreras and husband, Torrey, Cerritos, CA. 
 Meredith Butteling and husband, Ben, of Anaheim, CA; Dr. Jason Mathews 
and wife, Adrienne, of Benkelman, NE; Kristopher Mathews and wife, 
Melissa, of Oberlin, KS. Grandchildren: Joshua, Zachary, Caden, Presley, Jacob, Elijah, Addison, RJ, Harper, Owen, Reid, and Mason. 
 Siblings: Connie Rucker and husband, Ron, of Omaha, NE, Pat O’Brien and
 wife, Arneth, of Prescott Valley, AZ, Ann Perez and husband Jerry, of 
Brea, CA, Liz Cuellar and husband, Jeff, of Prescott Valley, AZ. Tim 
O’Brien of Prescott Valley, AZ; Carla Demofonte, Prescott Valley, AZ; 
Karyl White of Shelley, ID; Tom O’Brien and wife, Marlene, of Kingman, 
Az, John O’Brien of Apache Junction, AZ. Sister-In-Law: Arlene Stute, of Benkelman, NE Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lynn Baldwin, Brother-In-Law; Larry Stute; Nephew; Brian Stute; Mother-in-law; Addie Pursley, and many aunts and uncles. 
 Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 5, 2002, 
10:30 A.M., (MT) at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benkelman, NE, with 
Father Matthew Eickhoff celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the 
Benkelman Cemetery, Benkelman, NE A Rosary will be recited 
Saturday, November 5, 2022, before services starting at 10:00 A.M. (MT) 
at St Joseph Catholic Church Benkelman, NE A memorial, in Bill’s Memory, has been suggested to the Benkelman Community Foundation for use at the Benkelman Country Club. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com&nbsp;

William Paul O’Brien

De Soto&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly Wednesday joined&nbsp;Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.&nbsp;and&nbsp;De Soto&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;to break ground on&nbsp;one of the largest electric&nbsp;vehicle&nbsp;(EV) battery manufacturing facilities of its kind in the United States, according to a statement from her office.

The&nbsp;Panasonic Holdings Corporation Board of Directors&nbsp;approved the&nbsp;De Soto&nbsp;site&nbsp;during&nbsp;its October 31&nbsp;board meeting.&nbsp;

The project is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs and result in an investment of up to $4 billion, which represents the largest economic development project in Kansas history. The development will&nbsp;significantly&nbsp;boost&nbsp;the regional and state economy, supporting an estimated 4,000 additional jobs created by suppliers and community businesses and 16,500 construction jobs,&nbsp;as cited in an independent Wichita State University economic impact study.&nbsp;

“I am thrilled to be with Panasonic today to break ground on a project that will transform our state’s economy,”&nbsp;Governor&nbsp;Laura&nbsp;Kelly&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“This facility doesn’t just represent 8,000 high-paying jobs for Kansans – it also represents&nbsp;my administration’s&nbsp;success in&nbsp;creating&nbsp;a pro-business climate that attracts young talent, supports innovation,&nbsp;and drives&nbsp;a&nbsp;more prosperous future.&nbsp;I’m glad we were able to successfully work with leaders of both parties to&nbsp;bring Panasonic home to Kansas.”&nbsp;

The&nbsp;state-of-the-art facility will create and supply lithium-ion batteries&nbsp;and&nbsp;accelerate the future of electric vehicle innovation on a global scale.&nbsp;

“At Panasonic, we are driving forward EV battery manufacturing capacity and innovation in America,”&nbsp;said Allan Swan, President of Panasonic Energy of North America.&nbsp;“Kansas, with its inviting community, exceptional talent and vision for the future, is the perfect home for our next chapter and we’re glad to be here.”&nbsp;

&nbsp;Panasonic Energy selected Kansas&nbsp;because of&nbsp;its business-friendly climate, robust talent pool and workforce skillset, support of technology innovation, strong transportation infrastructure, and central location. This builds on Kansas City’s legacy manufacturing and automotive industry strengths.&nbsp;A key component of&nbsp;Kansas’ recruitment efforts&nbsp;was the enactment of the bipartisan Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion (APEX) Act earlier this year.&nbsp;

“The passing of&nbsp;APEX into law&nbsp;was a game-changer for our state that resulted in the largest economic development project in Kansas history,”&nbsp;Lieutenant&nbsp;Governor&nbsp;and Secretary of Commerce&nbsp;David&nbsp;Toland&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“We look forward to sharing our talented workforce,&nbsp;innovative&nbsp;spirit&nbsp;and excellent quality-of-life&nbsp;benefits with the Panasonic teams.&nbsp;The&nbsp;ecosystem&nbsp;that will be&nbsp;built&nbsp;around this&nbsp;plant&nbsp;promises&nbsp;a variety of&nbsp;opportunities&nbsp;and prosperity&nbsp;for&nbsp;local businesses&nbsp;and&nbsp;communities&nbsp;throughout the region.”&nbsp;

The Panasonic project is&nbsp;one of&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;economic development wins&nbsp;recently announced by the state.&nbsp;Earlier this month,&nbsp;Governor Kelly&nbsp;reported&nbsp;the state surpassed $14&nbsp;billion new, private-sector investments since January 2019&nbsp;–&nbsp;resulting in more than&nbsp;53,000&nbsp;jobs being created or retained.&nbsp;

The Kansas City region is the third fastest-growing tech market in the United States&nbsp;and is a nucleus of engineering,&nbsp;technology&nbsp;and automotive manufacturing expertise. With a strong talent pipeline and cutting-edge training programs, the Kansas City market employs nearly 21,000 workers who contribute to the&nbsp;area’s&nbsp;$19 billion transportation&nbsp;and&nbsp;manufacturing industry.&nbsp;

“Today’s groundbreaking of Panasonic Energy’s new manufacturing facility in De Soto is a major step forward in creating new opportunity for Kansans,”&nbsp;said Representative Sharice&nbsp;Davids&nbsp;(KS-03).&nbsp;“I was happy to work closely with Governor Kelly, Senator Jerry Moran, and other leaders in both parties to help attract this new $4 billion investment to Kansas’ Third District. Creating domestic manufacturing jobs and lowering costs for Kansas business and families continues to be a main priority of mine, and I’m excited to see the future economic development that will follow today’s ceremony.”&nbsp;

Detailed information on the Panasonic project can be found on&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Commerce website (<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMDIuNjYwNjU1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXNjb21tZXJjZS5nb3YvcGFuYXNvbmljLyJ9.dliOA1vPfVNQNmMj6Pnz2-vjjMHbciihkriUMHvuClU/s/1303160919/br/147257704227-l" target="_blank">kansascommerce.gov/Panasonic</a>),&nbsp;including&nbsp;the “Supplier Interest Form” for businesses and “Employment Interest Form” for individuals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667413001389.png" alt="Governor Kelly and&nbsp;Representative Sharice Davids during the ground breaking-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Governor Kelly and&nbsp;Representative Sharice Davids during the ground breaking-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>De Soto&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly Wednesday joined&nbsp;Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.&nbsp;and&nbsp;De Soto&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;to break ground on&nbsp;one of the largest electric&nbsp;vehicle&nbsp;(EV) battery manufacturing facilities of its kind in the United States, according to a statement from her office.The&nbsp;Panasonic Holdings Corporation Board of Directors&nbsp;approved the&nbsp;De Soto&nbsp;site&nbsp;during&nbsp;its October 31&nbsp;board meeting.&nbsp;The project is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs and result in an investment of up to $4 billion, which represents the largest economic development project in Kansas history. The development will&nbsp;significantly&nbsp;boost&nbsp;the regional and state economy, supporting an estimated 4,000 additional jobs created by suppliers and community businesses and 16,500 construction jobs,&nbsp;as cited in an independent Wichita State University economic impact study.&nbsp;“I am thrilled to be with Panasonic today to break ground on a project that will transform our state’s economy,”&nbsp;Governor&nbsp;Laura&nbsp;Kelly&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“This facility doesn’t just represent 8,000 high-paying jobs for Kansans – it also represents&nbsp;my administration’s&nbsp;success in&nbsp;creating&nbsp;a pro-business climate that attracts young talent, supports innovation,&nbsp;and drives&nbsp;a&nbsp;more prosperous future.&nbsp;I’m glad we were able to successfully work with leaders of both parties to&nbsp;bring Panasonic home to Kansas.”&nbsp;The&nbsp;state-of-the-art facility will create and supply lithium-ion batteries&nbsp;and&nbsp;accelerate the future of electric vehicle innovation on a global scale.&nbsp;“At Panasonic, we are driving forward EV battery manufacturing capacity and innovation in America,”&nbsp;said Allan Swan, President of Panasonic Energy of North America.&nbsp;“Kansas, with its inviting community, exceptional talent and vision for the future, is the perfect home for our next chapter and we’re glad to be here.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Panasonic Energy selected Kansas&nbsp;because of&nbsp;its business-friendly climate, robust talent pool and workforce skillset, support of technology innovation, strong transportation infrastructure, and central location. This builds on Kansas City’s legacy manufacturing and automotive industry strengths.&nbsp;A key component of&nbsp;Kansas’ recruitment efforts&nbsp;was the enactment of the bipartisan Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion (APEX) Act earlier this year.&nbsp;“The passing of&nbsp;APEX into law&nbsp;was a game-changer for our state that resulted in the largest economic development project in Kansas history,”&nbsp;Lieutenant&nbsp;Governor&nbsp;and Secretary of Commerce&nbsp;David&nbsp;Toland&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“We look forward to sharing our talented workforce,&nbsp;innovative&nbsp;spirit&nbsp;and excellent quality-of-life&nbsp;benefits with the Panasonic teams.&nbsp;The&nbsp;ecosystem&nbsp;that will be&nbsp;built&nbsp;around this&nbsp;plant&nbsp;promises&nbsp;a variety of&nbsp;opportunities&nbsp;and prosperity&nbsp;for&nbsp;local businesses&nbsp;and&nbsp;communities&nbsp;throughout the region.”&nbsp;The Panasonic project is&nbsp;one of&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;economic development wins&nbsp;recently announced by the state.&nbsp;Earlier this month,&nbsp;Governor Kelly&nbsp;reported&nbsp;the state surpassed $14&nbsp;billion new, private-sector investments since January 2019&nbsp;–&nbsp;resulting in more than&nbsp;53,000&nbsp;jobs being created or retained.&nbsp;The Kansas City region is the third fastest-growing tech market in the United States&nbsp;and is a nucleus of engineering,&nbsp;technology&nbsp;and automotive manufacturing expertise. With a strong talent pipeline and cutting-edge training programs, the Kansas City market employs nearly 21,000 workers who contribute to the&nbsp;area’s&nbsp;$19 billion transportation&nbsp;and&nbsp;manufacturing industry.&nbsp;“Today’s groundbreaking of Panasonic Energy’s new manufacturing facility in De Soto is a major step forward in creating new opportunity for Kansans,”&nbsp;said Representative Sharice&nbsp;Davids&nbsp;(KS-03).&nbsp;“I was happy to work closely with Governor Kelly, Senator Jerry Moran, and other leaders in both parties to help attract this new $4 billion investment to Kansas’ Third District. Creating domestic manufacturing jobs and lowering costs for Kansas business and families continues to be a main priority of mine, and I’m excited to see the future economic development that will follow today’s ceremony.”&nbsp;Detailed information on the Panasonic project can be found on&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Commerce website (<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMDIuNjYwNjU1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXNjb21tZXJjZS5nb3YvcGFuYXNvbmljLyJ9.dliOA1vPfVNQNmMj6Pnz2-vjjMHbciihkriUMHvuClU/s/1303160919/br/147257704227-l" target="_blank">kansascommerce.gov/Panasonic</a>),&nbsp;including&nbsp;the “Supplier Interest Form” for businesses and “Employment Interest Form” for individuals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Panasonic breaks ground on $4B EV battery plant in Kansas

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,382&nbsp; new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday October 26, to Wednesday November 1, for a total of 889,485 cases.&nbsp; The state reported less than 2,107 new cases last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;14 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on October 19 for a total of 9,620.

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

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

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

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

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,382&nbsp; new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday October 26, to Wednesday November 1, for a total of 889,485 cases.&nbsp; The state reported less than 2,107 new cases last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;14 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on October 19 for a total of 9,620.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667411002101.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE reports increase in COVID cases; 14 more deaths

Derril Lee Castor, 88, of Russell, Kansas, passed away peacefully 
Monday, October 24, 2022, at Russell Regional Hospital with his family by
 his side.

Derril was born August 8, 1934, in Torrington, Wyoming, the son of 
Glen and Ethel (Durham) Castor.&nbsp; He lived his early years in Arapahoe, 
Colorado with his parents and older brother, Delbert. During his 
elementary school years, the family had moved to Kansas in the Russell 
and Osborne areas. Derril moved schools often, but found his grounding 
in Osborne, Kansas through the connection of his coach, James Lewis 
“Lew” Comer. Lew helped find Osborne families with whom Derril could 
live with during high school. Derril was a hard worker and held several 
part-time jobs to support himself when he wasn’t atschool or practice 
for football, basketball, track, or baseball. He was class president his
 freshman and senior years and graduated from Osborne High School in 
1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and served from 1957 to 
1962.&nbsp;

While in Osborne, Derril met his life partner, Marvel J. Mitchell, 
when he was in 7th grade. Their friendship continued throughout high 
school. He and Marvel were married on November 21, 1959, at the First 
Christian Church in Osborne, Kansas. This union was blessed with two 
children; L’Mitchell and Lezlee.&nbsp; They have made Russell their home 
since 1963.

Derril attended Ft. Hays State University where he obtained a B.S. in
 Art Education in 1964 and an M.S. in Art in 1966. Derril began teaching
 at Natoma High School and then Ruppenthal Middle School in Russell. For
 the majority of his 33 year teaching career, Derril taught Arts and 
Crafts at Russell High School. When he wasn’t teaching, Derril farmed 
and ranched in Osborne, County. He was a founding member of the 
Russell’s Original Art Review (ROAR) in Russell.&nbsp; He was a member of the
 St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church of Russell and later attended the St. 
John Lutheran Church. He loved making jewelry, pottery, ice cream, and 
beef jerky.&nbsp; He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and gardening. He especially 
loved watching and attending his grandsons’ activities, and traveling 
with Marvel and friends. His little jokes and sweet nature will be truly
 missed. Derril will always been remembered as a true gentle-man.&nbsp;

Derril’s surviving family include his wife of 62 years Marvel of the 
home; son, L’Mitchell Castor of Prairie Village, Kansas; daughter, 
Lezlee Ivy (Eric) of Parkville, Missouri; and four grandsons, Connor 
Castor, Nick Castor, Brock Ivy and Tate Ivy; brother, Larry Castor 
(Gayle) of Littleton, Colorado, their children Blaine and Rolna; niece 
Terri Crandall and nephews Jeff and Jay Castor. He also left several 
cousins and a host of friends.

Derril was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Delbert Castor.

Celebration of Derril’s life will be held at St. John Lutheran Church
 on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 11:00 A.M.&nbsp; Private burial of ashes 
will take place at a later time. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests 
memorials be given to the Russell Original Art Review (ROAR) or the 
Derril Castor Memorial Fund and sent in care of the mortuary. 
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the 
funeral service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667401434087.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Derril Lee Castor, 88, of Russell, Kansas, passed away peacefully 
Monday, October 24, 2022, at Russell Regional Hospital with his family by
 his side.Derril was born August 8, 1934, in Torrington, Wyoming, the son of 
Glen and Ethel (Durham) Castor.&nbsp; He lived his early years in Arapahoe, 
Colorado with his parents and older brother, Delbert. During his 
elementary school years, the family had moved to Kansas in the Russell 
and Osborne areas. Derril moved schools often, but found his grounding 
in Osborne, Kansas through the connection of his coach, James Lewis 
“Lew” Comer. Lew helped find Osborne families with whom Derril could 
live with during high school. Derril was a hard worker and held several 
part-time jobs to support himself when he wasn’t atschool or practice 
for football, basketball, track, or baseball. He was class president his
 freshman and senior years and graduated from Osborne High School in 
1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and served from 1957 to 
1962.&nbsp;While in Osborne, Derril met his life partner, Marvel J. Mitchell, 
when he was in 7th grade. Their friendship continued throughout high 
school. He and Marvel were married on November 21, 1959, at the First 
Christian Church in Osborne, Kansas. This union was blessed with two 
children; L’Mitchell and Lezlee.&nbsp; They have made Russell their home 
since 1963.Derril attended Ft. Hays State University where he obtained a B.S. in
 Art Education in 1964 and an M.S. in Art in 1966. Derril began teaching
 at Natoma High School and then Ruppenthal Middle School in Russell. For
 the majority of his 33 year teaching career, Derril taught Arts and 
Crafts at Russell High School. When he wasn’t teaching, Derril farmed 
and ranched in Osborne, County. He was a founding member of the 
Russell’s Original Art Review (ROAR) in Russell.&nbsp; He was a member of the
 St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church of Russell and later attended the St. 
John Lutheran Church. He loved making jewelry, pottery, ice cream, and 
beef jerky.&nbsp; He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and gardening. He especially 
loved watching and attending his grandsons’ activities, and traveling 
with Marvel and friends. His little jokes and sweet nature will be truly
 missed. Derril will always been remembered as a true gentle-man.&nbsp;Derril’s surviving family include his wife of 62 years Marvel of the 
home; son, L’Mitchell Castor of Prairie Village, Kansas; daughter, 
Lezlee Ivy (Eric) of Parkville, Missouri; and four grandsons, Connor 
Castor, Nick Castor, Brock Ivy and Tate Ivy; brother, Larry Castor 
(Gayle) of Littleton, Colorado, their children Blaine and Rolna; niece 
Terri Crandall and nephews Jeff and Jay Castor. He also left several 
cousins and a host of friends.Derril was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Delbert Castor.Celebration of Derril’s life will be held at St. John Lutheran Church
 on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 11:00 A.M.&nbsp; Private burial of ashes 
will take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers the family requests 
memorials be given to the Russell Original Art Review (ROAR) or the 
Derril Castor Memorial Fund and sent in care of the mortuary. 
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the 
funeral service.&nbsp;

Derril Lee Castor

Mann doubles Kobach in contributions for AG race

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/01/kansas-gov-laura-kelly-doubles-fundraising-by-derek-schmidt-in-latest-finance-reports/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — Gov. Laura Kelly’s campaign touted more than $3.1 million in 
fundraising in the final months before the November election, saying 
most of these contributions came from individuals.

The Democratic incumbent nearly 
doubled the money raised by her Republican rival, Derek Schmidt, who 
reported $1.7 million in contributions. Independent candidate Dennis 
Pyle, a state senator from Hiawatha, had $54,605 in contributions.

Monday was the deadline for 
candidates for public office in Kansas to file campaign finance reports 
for a period covering July 22 to Oct. 27.

Kelly’s campaign said the total 
amount of money it raised for this election cycle exceeds $7.7 million, 
calling it a new record for gubernatorial candidates in Kansas.

“Governor Kelly’s message is 
resonating with Kansans across the state who know that she is the 
proven, steady leader who is getting things done for Kansans,” campaign 
manager Shelbi Dantic said in a news release.

Kelly’s campaign spent $3,775,027.26 in the most recent reporting period. Schmidt’s campaign spent $2,549,218.07.

The Kansas Democratic Party said the governor’s fundraising success was a result of widespread support for Kelly.&nbsp;

“It turns out that bringing a bunch 
of national politicians to campaign did nothing to help Derek Schmidt’s 
weak fundraising and failing campaign for governor,” said Emma O’Brien, 
KDP spokeswoman. “Meanwhile, Governor Kelly has built a coalition of 
Democrats, Republicans and Independents supporting her for reelection, 
and it shows in the latest report.”

Schmidt’s campaign manager, C.J. 
Grover, said Democrats’ fundraising was a product of out-of-state 
influences that didn’t reflect Kansas’ political landscape. Celebrity Barbra Streisand contributed $1,000 to Kelly’s campaign, and Melinda Gates donated $4,000.&nbsp;

Grover said Schmidt was focused on 
in-state issues, unlike Kelly, though Schmidt has campaigned with 
politicians from other states, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris 
Christie and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“In every election in Kansas, liberal
 coastal elites pour money into Democrat campaigns, but no amount of 
money can overcome the fact that the Kelly-Biden agenda has made daily 
life in Kansas less affordable, hurt so many of our kids, and made our 
communities less safe,” Grover said in a statement. “We are feeling very
 strong going into Election Day, and Derek Schmidt will win because he 
has focused on what Kansans care about, not on the priorities of coastal
 liberal donors.”

The final round of campaign finance 
reports were released a week before Election Day, with advanced voting 
already underway. The Kansas Secretary of State’s Office said Tuesday 
that 151,111 advanced ballots had been mailed and 104,960 people had 
voted in person.

In the attorney general race, 
Democratic candidate Chris Mann outstripped GOP opponent Kris Kobach in 
funding. Kobach raised $465,000 in contributions and receipts, and Mann 
raised nearly twice that amount, listing $952,000 in contributions and 
receipts.

“This massive fundraising gap 
demonstrates just how eager Kansans are to elect public servant Chris 
Mann, and how tired they are of extremist politicians like Kris Kobach,”
 said KDP chairwoman Vicki Hiatt.&nbsp;

Despite this discrepancy in funding, the race is considered a tossup.

The state treasurer race was closer 
in terms of fundraising. Republican state Rep. Steven Johnson raised 
$250,352.95 and Democratic incumbent Lynn Rogers raised $227,809.67.

In the insurance commissioner race, 
Democrat Kiel Corkran didn’t submit a finance report. Republican Vicki 
Schmidt raised around $104,260.

In the secretary of state race, 
Republican Scott Schwab raised $105,330 for his campaign. Democrat 
Jeanna Repass didn’t file her report.

Funding for state House races 
included pushes by the Kansas Republican House Campaign Committee. The 
committee reported that it raised $435,160 between July 22 to Oct. 27.

The committee’s efforts to raise 
money included classifying current House Republicans in a tiered system,
 with top donors achieving “Leadership Circle” status by donating 
$5,000.

A campaign email sent by House 
Majority Leader Dan Hawkins identified “Leadership Circle” donors as 
Hawkins, Rep. Brenda Landwehr and Rep. Susan Humphries, all of Wichita; 
Rep. Les Mason, of McPherson; and Rep. Barb Wasinger, of Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667396556650.png" alt="Kansas campaign finance reports showing campaign contributions between July to October depict funding differences between Republican and Democratic candidates across the state. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas campaign finance reports showing campaign contributions between July to October depict funding differences between Republican and Democratic candidates across the state. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Mann doubles Kobach in contributions for AG race</h2>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/01/kansas-gov-laura-kelly-doubles-fundraising-by-derek-schmidt-in-latest-finance-reports/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — Gov. Laura Kelly’s campaign touted more than $3.1 million in 
fundraising in the final months before the November election, saying 
most of these contributions came from individuals.The Democratic incumbent nearly 
doubled the money raised by her Republican rival, Derek Schmidt, who 
reported $1.7 million in contributions. Independent candidate Dennis 
Pyle, a state senator from Hiawatha, had $54,605 in contributions.Monday was the deadline for 
candidates for public office in Kansas to file campaign finance reports 
for a period covering July 22 to Oct. 27.Kelly’s campaign said the total 
amount of money it raised for this election cycle exceeds $7.7 million, 
calling it a new record for gubernatorial candidates in Kansas.“Governor Kelly’s message is 
resonating with Kansans across the state who know that she is the 
proven, steady leader who is getting things done for Kansans,” campaign 
manager Shelbi Dantic said in a news release.Kelly’s campaign spent $3,775,027.26 in the most recent reporting period. Schmidt’s campaign spent $2,549,218.07.The Kansas Democratic Party said the governor’s fundraising success was a result of widespread support for Kelly.&nbsp;“It turns out that bringing a bunch 
of national politicians to campaign did nothing to help Derek Schmidt’s 
weak fundraising and failing campaign for governor,” said Emma O’Brien, 
KDP spokeswoman. “Meanwhile, Governor Kelly has built a coalition of 
Democrats, Republicans and Independents supporting her for reelection, 
and it shows in the latest report.”Schmidt’s campaign manager, C.J. 
Grover, said Democrats’ fundraising was a product of out-of-state 
influences that didn’t reflect Kansas’ political landscape. Celebrity Barbra Streisand contributed $1,000 to Kelly’s campaign, and Melinda Gates donated $4,000.&nbsp;Grover said Schmidt was focused on 
in-state issues, unlike Kelly, though Schmidt has campaigned with 
politicians from other states, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris 
Christie and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.“In every election in Kansas, liberal
 coastal elites pour money into Democrat campaigns, but no amount of 
money can overcome the fact that the Kelly-Biden agenda has made daily 
life in Kansas less affordable, hurt so many of our kids, and made our 
communities less safe,” Grover said in a statement. “We are feeling very
 strong going into Election Day, and Derek Schmidt will win because he 
has focused on what Kansans care about, not on the priorities of coastal
 liberal donors.”The final round of campaign finance 
reports were released a week before Election Day, with advanced voting 
already underway. The Kansas Secretary of State’s Office said Tuesday 
that 151,111 advanced ballots had been mailed and 104,960 people had 
voted in person.In the attorney general race, 
Democratic candidate Chris Mann outstripped GOP opponent Kris Kobach in 
funding. Kobach raised $465,000 in contributions and receipts, and Mann 
raised nearly twice that amount, listing $952,000 in contributions and 
receipts.“This massive fundraising gap 
demonstrates just how eager Kansans are to elect public servant Chris 
Mann, and how tired they are of extremist politicians like Kris Kobach,”
 said KDP chairwoman Vicki Hiatt.&nbsp;Despite this discrepancy in funding, the race is considered a tossup.The state treasurer race was closer 
in terms of fundraising. Republican state Rep. Steven Johnson raised 
$250,352.95 and Democratic incumbent Lynn Rogers raised $227,809.67.In the insurance commissioner race, 
Democrat Kiel Corkran didn’t submit a finance report. Republican Vicki 
Schmidt raised around $104,260.In the secretary of state race, 
Republican Scott Schwab raised $105,330 for his campaign. Democrat 
Jeanna Repass didn’t file her report.Funding for state House races 
included pushes by the Kansas Republican House Campaign Committee. The 
committee reported that it raised $435,160 between July 22 to Oct. 27.The committee’s efforts to raise 
money included classifying current House Republicans in a tiered system,
 with top donors achieving “Leadership Circle” status by donating 
$5,000.A campaign email sent by House 
Majority Leader Dan Hawkins identified “Leadership Circle” donors as 
Hawkins, Rep. Brenda Landwehr and Rep. Susan Humphries, all of Wichita; 
Rep. Les Mason, of McPherson; and Rep. Barb Wasinger, of Hays.

Kelly doubles fundraising by Schmidt in latest finance reports

Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson ended the month at $76.75 per barrel, down $3 for the week, but a monthly gain of $7 a barrel. The average price for the month of October is a fraction of a cent under $77 per barrel, or nearly $6 more than the average in October of 2021. The benchmark futures contract in New York settled Monday at $86.53 per barrel. That's down more than a dollar on the day, but a gain of nearly 9% for the month. In trading Tuesday prices were up $2, with WTI just under $89 and London Brent fetching about $95 a barrel. Kansas crude production has declined in each of the last eight years, but the latest numbers from the Kansas Geological Survey show output on the rise through June of this year, topping 14 million barrels. That's more than 1,000 barrels per day better than average output for all of last year. Production in Barton County reached 728,000 total barrels. Ellis County was over 1.1 million. Russell County operators pumped 662,000 barrels. Stafford County chipped in 467,000. With rising prices come rising oilfield activity in Kansas. Operators in Kansas have spudded 1,292 wells so far this year, up more than 400 wells over last year at this time. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service is scouting 492 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up about 32% year over year. The Kansas Rig Count reached 28 in the eastern half of the state, up one, and 33 active rigs west of Wichita, also up one.&nbsp; Baker Hughes reported 768 active drilling rigs across the US last week. The count in Texas was down three, North Dakota and Louisiana were each down two. Kansas regulators last week approved ten new drilling locations statewide, all of them in Western Kansas, including one new drilling permit in Ellis County. That's 1,343 new permits so far this year, compared to 927 a year ago at this time. Operators completed 38 new wells across Kansas. Of the six wells completed in our area, four were dry holes. The weekly tally from Independent Oil&amp; Gas Service shows 1,331 completed wells so far this year, compared to 720 through the end of October last year. The government reported U.S. crude-oil inventories of 439.89 million barrels as of October 21st, a spike of more than two and a half million barrels.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration says domestic stockpiles are about two percent below the five-year seasonal average.&nbsp; EIA said U.S. crude production is up 23,000 barrels per day to top 12 million barrels per day for the second week in a row. Imports were up 300,000 barrels to 6.2 million barrels per day. The government said U.S. diesel inventories rose slightly last week but remain about 20% below the five-year average for this time of year. Diesel deliveries remain slightly lower than at this time last year. Total gasoline inventories dropped 1.5 million barrels and are about six percent below the five-year seasonal average. The auto club AAA says weak gasoline demand, the completion of seasonal west-coast refinery maintenance, and waffling global oil prices combined to drive down pump prices. Prices for regular gasoline are three cents lower than a month ago, but diesel prices remain 50 cents a gallon higher. The government said diesel inventories rose last week but remain about 20% below the five-year seasonal average. Diesel deliveries remain slightly lower than at this time last year. In Kansas, regular gasoline prices averaged $3.37 a gallon, down six cents from a week ago. But diesel prices are up eight cents week over week to $5.06 a gallon. A young U.S. natural gas mogul may be taking home nearly $1 billion after a deal with oil giant BP. The oil supermajor continues its aggressive expansion into lower-carbon fuels and has agreed to buy gas producer Archea Energy for about $4.1 BILLION including debt. The Houston-based firm captures waste-gas emissions from landfills and farms. The company's CEO Daniel Rice stands to receive about $975 million in cash from the sale his stock. According to a statement, Archea will become a key part of BP’s bioenergy business and accelerate its growth. BP has promised to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050, and has made big bets on offshore wind and electric cars.&nbsp; Billionaire wildcat producer Harold Hamm raised his offer for the company stock his family doesn’t already own. He's offering $4.3 billion for the outstanding shares in Continental Resources, hoping to buck the disciplined-spending mantra adopted by rival shale drillers. The largest minority investor, Smead Capital Management, disapproves of the deal, saying Hamm should be paying a lot more. Hamm tells Bloomberg going private will free the shale giant from the wishes of public investors. Oklahoma-City-based Chesapeake Energy is cutting about three percent of its workforce, as it prepares to sell oil production in South Texas and once again re-focus on its core natural-gas operations. Reuters reports the company let go about 40 workers out of a total workforce of 1,200 people earlier this month. Chesapeake is selling off assets acquired three years ago, when the company sought to increase oil production with the $4 billion purchase of Wildhorse Resource Development. Top oil exporter Saudi Aramco may cut prices to Asia in December as weaker-than-expected fuel consumption in China put a lid on regional demand. Reuters reports that could amount to discounts of 30 to 40 cents a barrel. OPEC has increased its global oil demand forecast in both the long and medium term, crediting a more robust recovery than previously expected and a global shift toward prioritizing energy security over a transition to green energy. Europe will increase its reliance on oil imports from the United States after the European Union's embargo on Russian seaborne crude imports enters into force in early December. That's the word from the CEO of the Italian energy group Eni in an interview with Bloomberg Monday.

By JOHN P. TRETBARKansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson ended the month at $76.75 per barrel, down $3 for the week, but a monthly gain of $7 a barrel. The average price for the month of October is a fraction of a cent under $77 per barrel, or nearly $6 more than the average in October of 2021. The benchmark futures contract in New York settled Monday at $86.53 per barrel. That's down more than a dollar on the day, but a gain of nearly 9% for the month. In trading Tuesday prices were up $2, with WTI just under $89 and London Brent fetching about $95 a barrel. Kansas crude production has declined in each of the last eight years, but the latest numbers from the Kansas Geological Survey show output on the rise through June of this year, topping 14 million barrels. That's more than 1,000 barrels per day better than average output for all of last year. Production in Barton County reached 728,000 total barrels. Ellis County was over 1.1 million. Russell County operators pumped 662,000 barrels. Stafford County chipped in 467,000. With rising prices come rising oilfield activity in Kansas. Operators in Kansas have spudded 1,292 wells so far this year, up more than 400 wells over last year at this time. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service is scouting 492 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up about 32% year over year. The Kansas Rig Count reached 28 in the eastern half of the state, up one, and 33 active rigs west of Wichita, also up one.&nbsp; Baker Hughes reported 768 active drilling rigs across the US last week. The count in Texas was down three, North Dakota and Louisiana were each down two. Kansas regulators last week approved ten new drilling locations statewide, all of them in Western Kansas, including one new drilling permit in Ellis County. That's 1,343 new permits so far this year, compared to 927 a year ago at this time. Operators completed 38 new wells across Kansas. Of the six wells completed in our area, four were dry holes. The weekly tally from Independent Oil&amp; Gas Service shows 1,331 completed wells so far this year, compared to 720 through the end of October last year. The government reported U.S. crude-oil inventories of 439.89 million barrels as of October 21st, a spike of more than two and a half million barrels.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration says domestic stockpiles are about two percent below the five-year seasonal average.&nbsp; EIA said U.S. crude production is up 23,000 barrels per day to top 12 million barrels per day for the second week in a row. Imports were up 300,000 barrels to 6.2 million barrels per day. The government said U.S. diesel inventories rose slightly last week but remain about 20% below the five-year average for this time of year. Diesel deliveries remain slightly lower than at this time last year. Total gasoline inventories dropped 1.5 million barrels and are about six percent below the five-year seasonal average. The auto club AAA says weak gasoline demand, the completion of seasonal west-coast refinery maintenance, and waffling global oil prices combined to drive down pump prices. Prices for regular gasoline are three cents lower than a month ago, but diesel prices remain 50 cents a gallon higher. The government said diesel inventories rose last week but remain about 20% below the five-year seasonal average. Diesel deliveries remain slightly lower than at this time last year. In Kansas, regular gasoline prices averaged $3.37 a gallon, down six cents from a week ago. But diesel prices are up eight cents week over week to $5.06 a gallon. A young U.S. natural gas mogul may be taking home nearly $1 billion after a deal with oil giant BP. The oil supermajor continues its aggressive expansion into lower-carbon fuels and has agreed to buy gas producer Archea Energy for about $4.1 BILLION including debt. The Houston-based firm captures waste-gas emissions from landfills and farms. The company's CEO Daniel Rice stands to receive about $975 million in cash from the sale his stock. According to a statement, Archea will become a key part of BP’s bioenergy business and accelerate its growth. BP has promised to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050, and has made big bets on offshore wind and electric cars.&nbsp; Billionaire wildcat producer Harold Hamm raised his offer for the company stock his family doesn’t already own. He's offering $4.3 billion for the outstanding shares in Continental Resources, hoping to buck the disciplined-spending mantra adopted by rival shale drillers. The largest minority investor, Smead Capital Management, disapproves of the deal, saying Hamm should be paying a lot more. Hamm tells Bloomberg going private will free the shale giant from the wishes of public investors. Oklahoma-City-based Chesapeake Energy is cutting about three percent of its workforce, as it prepares to sell oil production in South Texas and once again re-focus on its core natural-gas operations. Reuters reports the company let go about 40 workers out of a total workforce of 1,200 people earlier this month. Chesapeake is selling off assets acquired three years ago, when the company sought to increase oil production with the $4 billion purchase of Wildhorse Resource Development. Top oil exporter Saudi Aramco may cut prices to Asia in December as weaker-than-expected fuel consumption in China put a lid on regional demand. Reuters reports that could amount to discounts of 30 to 40 cents a barrel. OPEC has increased its global oil demand forecast in both the long and medium term, crediting a more robust recovery than previously expected and a global shift toward prioritizing energy security over a transition to green energy. Europe will increase its reliance on oil imports from the United States after the European Union's embargo on Russian seaborne crude imports enters into force in early December. That's the word from the CEO of the Italian energy group Eni in an interview with Bloomberg Monday.

News From the Oil Patch: Gas prices lower; diesel prices ... not

RILEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating more counterfeit cash in Kansas.&nbsp;

According to the Riley County Police Department, a fake $100 bill was used in an attempt to make a purchase at a business in Manhattan on Monday.&nbsp;

Police identified 52-year-old David Voter of Manhattan as the individual who used this bill. Police issued him a Notice to Appear for attempted theft.

Even though police identified the responsible party, police advised the public to be aware this fake money may appear at other businesses in the area.

Earlier in October, police in Cowley County arrested a suspect for allegedly spending counterfeit $100 bills.&nbsp; The Norton County sheriff&nbsp; reported counterfeit bills were circulating in portions of northwest Kansas.

In September the sheriff's office in Haskell County reported counterfeit cash. During the month of June, authorities in Finney County took 16 reports of counterfeit money.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667349526837.png" alt="Movie prop money photo RCPD" />
 <figcaption>Movie prop money photo RCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating more counterfeit cash in Kansas.&nbsp;According to the Riley County Police Department, a fake $100 bill was used in an attempt to make a purchase at a business in Manhattan on Monday.&nbsp;Police identified 52-year-old David Voter of Manhattan as the individual who used this bill. Police issued him a Notice to Appear for attempted theft.Even though police identified the responsible party, police advised the public to be aware this fake money may appear at other businesses in the area.Earlier in October, police in Cowley County arrested a suspect for allegedly spending counterfeit $100 bills.&nbsp; The Norton County sheriff&nbsp; reported counterfeit bills were circulating in portions of northwest Kansas.In September the sheriff's office in Haskell County reported counterfeit cash. During the month of June, authorities in Finney County took 16 reports of counterfeit money.

Police report more counterfeit cash used in Kansas

Rolland E. Werner, age 89, passed away on October 29, 2022, at Manor 
of the Plains, Dodge City, Kansas. Rolland was born in Scott City, 
Kansas on May 3, 1933, to Norbert and Peggy (Andra) Werner. He graduated 
from Dodge City Senior High School in 1951.&nbsp; Rolland proudly served 11 
years in the United States Army and Army Reserve, achieving the rank of 
Sergeant Major.&nbsp; He earned an accounting degree from Fort Hays State 
University in 1964.&nbsp; His work centered in the agri-business field, with 
most of his career spent as general manager of the Ford County Feed 
Yard.&nbsp;

Rolland married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lizer on July 21, 
1956.&nbsp; Betty died on August 29, 2002.&nbsp; They had two daughters, Ann and 
Kathy. Kathy died on January 6, 2005.&nbsp; Rolland married Delores Stucker 
on October 25, 2003.&nbsp; She died on June 7, 2015.&nbsp;

Rolland was proud to be from western Kansas.&nbsp; He served as city 
councilman and mayor of Dodge City from 2002 to 2004.&nbsp; He was an active 
member of Sacred Heart Cathedral and Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
 serving as an usher, Eucharistic Minister and on the finance council.&nbsp; 
He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.&nbsp; Rolland served on the 
Board of Directors for the Farmers State Bank of Bucklin, KS for 31 
years.&nbsp; Rolland served as a Hospice volunteer for 11 years.&nbsp; It was 
organization dear to Rolland’s heart.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rolland was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Betty and 
Delores, brother Russell, sisters, Adell and Mary, and daughter, Kathy.&nbsp;
 Survivors include his daughter, Ann (Quinby) Henderson, grandsons, Nate
 (Nila) Henderson and Andrew (Emily Clinton) Henderson, and 5 great 
grandchildren; stepdaughter, Marsha Hedlund, stepson Dan (Kim) Stucker, 
step granddaughters Brooke (Heath) Unruh and Dani (Jose) Leon and step 
grandson Reid Hedlund and 5 step great grandchildren; brothers - Richard
 (Kathy) Werner and Kenneth Werner and sister Becky Werner.&nbsp;

Rolland lived a full and thankful life.&nbsp; He loved his family, 
considering his brothers not only his siblings, but his best friends.&nbsp; 
He cherished being Uncle Rolland to numerous nieces and nephews.&nbsp; His 
greatest joy was being grandpa and great grandpa to all his 
grandchildren.

A Celebration of Rolland’s Life will be held at 6:00 pm Friday, 
November 11, 2022, at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.&nbsp; A rosary will 
be held at 9:30 am Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Cathedral of Our 
Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City.&nbsp; Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am 
Saturday at the church with Fr. Ted Skalsky presiding.&nbsp; Inurnment will 
follow in Scroggins Mausoleum at Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City. There
 will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.&nbsp; Friends may sign
 the register from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday, November 11, 2022 at 
Ziegler Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Prairie in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667339200241.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rolland E. Werner, age 89, passed away on October 29, 2022, at Manor 
of the Plains, Dodge City, Kansas. Rolland was born in Scott City, 
Kansas on May 3, 1933, to Norbert and Peggy (Andra) Werner. He graduated 
from Dodge City Senior High School in 1951.&nbsp; Rolland proudly served 11 
years in the United States Army and Army Reserve, achieving the rank of 
Sergeant Major.&nbsp; He earned an accounting degree from Fort Hays State 
University in 1964.&nbsp; His work centered in the agri-business field, with 
most of his career spent as general manager of the Ford County Feed 
Yard.&nbsp;Rolland married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lizer on July 21, 
1956.&nbsp; Betty died on August 29, 2002.&nbsp; They had two daughters, Ann and 
Kathy. Kathy died on January 6, 2005.&nbsp; Rolland married Delores Stucker 
on October 25, 2003.&nbsp; She died on June 7, 2015.&nbsp;Rolland was proud to be from western Kansas.&nbsp; He served as city 
councilman and mayor of Dodge City from 2002 to 2004.&nbsp; He was an active 
member of Sacred Heart Cathedral and Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
 serving as an usher, Eucharistic Minister and on the finance council.&nbsp; 
He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.&nbsp; Rolland served on the 
Board of Directors for the Farmers State Bank of Bucklin, KS for 31 
years.&nbsp; Rolland served as a Hospice volunteer for 11 years.&nbsp; It was 
organization dear to Rolland’s heart.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rolland was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Betty and 
Delores, brother Russell, sisters, Adell and Mary, and daughter, Kathy.&nbsp;
 Survivors include his daughter, Ann (Quinby) Henderson, grandsons, Nate
 (Nila) Henderson and Andrew (Emily Clinton) Henderson, and 5 great 
grandchildren; stepdaughter, Marsha Hedlund, stepson Dan (Kim) Stucker, 
step granddaughters Brooke (Heath) Unruh and Dani (Jose) Leon and step 
grandson Reid Hedlund and 5 step great grandchildren; brothers - Richard
 (Kathy) Werner and Kenneth Werner and sister Becky Werner.&nbsp;Rolland lived a full and thankful life.&nbsp; He loved his family, 
considering his brothers not only his siblings, but his best friends.&nbsp; 
He cherished being Uncle Rolland to numerous nieces and nephews.&nbsp; His 
greatest joy was being grandpa and great grandpa to all his 
grandchildren.A Celebration of Rolland’s Life will be held at 6:00 pm Friday, 
November 11, 2022, at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.&nbsp; A rosary will 
be held at 9:30 am Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Cathedral of Our 
Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City.&nbsp; Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am 
Saturday at the church with Fr. Ted Skalsky presiding.&nbsp; Inurnment will 
follow in Scroggins Mausoleum at Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City. There
 will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.&nbsp; Friends may sign
 the register from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday, November 11, 2022 at 
Ziegler Funeral Chapel.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Prairie in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.

Rolland E. Werner

Jodi Lynn Brummer, 64, passed away at Salina Regional Medical Center surrounded by family on&nbsp;October 28 th 2022.

Born September 17th , 1958, in Osborne, Kansas, she was the daughter of Charles and June&nbsp;(Sellers) Johnson.

Jodi
 will always be remembered for her cooking, cow trucking, various 
travels, boisterous laugh,&nbsp;kind soul, DIY projects, and her love for 
taking care of others.

Jodi is survived by her 2 kids, Terry Brummer of Osborne, Kansas, Courtney (Steven)Porter of Beatrice, Nebraska, and her Fiancé’, Dale Quillen of Osborne, Kansas. She is also survived by 4 grandkids, Abbey Luedders, Manhattan, Kansas, Denton Luedders, Sutton, Nebraska, Maverick Luedders, Herkimer, Kansas, and Gunner Brummer, Osborne, Kansas, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Leon Brummer, parents, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters.

Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Jodi-Lynn-Brummer?obId=26259577#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667339103059.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jodi Lynn Brummer, 64, passed away at Salina Regional Medical Center surrounded by family on&nbsp;October 28 th 2022.Born September 17th , 1958, in Osborne, Kansas, she was the daughter of Charles and June&nbsp;(Sellers) Johnson.Jodi
 will always be remembered for her cooking, cow trucking, various 
travels, boisterous laugh,&nbsp;kind soul, DIY projects, and her love for 
taking care of others.Jodi is survived by her 2 kids, Terry Brummer of Osborne, Kansas, Courtney (Steven)Porter of Beatrice, Nebraska, and her Fiancé’, Dale Quillen of Osborne, Kansas. She is also survived by 4 grandkids, Abbey Luedders, Manhattan, Kansas, Denton Luedders, Sutton, Nebraska, Maverick Luedders, Herkimer, Kansas, and Gunner Brummer, Osborne, Kansas, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her husband Leon Brummer, parents, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters.Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Jodi-Lynn-Brummer?obId=26259577#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Jodi Lynn Brummer

It is with great sorrow that the family of Brett Allen Sims announces his death on October 21, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. 
He is survived by his wife Stacy, and daughters Ava, Elle, and Lillian. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wight and Lillian Sims, sister,
 Linda Sims, and spouse Linda Jane Giordano. 
Brett was born in Oakley, Kansas, on October 29, 1965, to Wight and 
Lillian Sims. He grew up on the family farm north of Oakley and attended
 Oakley Schools, graduating from Oakley High School in 1984. He loved 
playing sports at OHS, but basketball was his favorite. Brett attended 
Kansas State University, earning an engineering degree. 
Brett has lived and worked in Texas since 2000. He married Stacy Guthrie
 on August 10, 2014. They had made their home in Blanco, Texas, since 
2020. Brett was a proud “Girl Dad” and was an active presence in the 
lives of his three daughters coaching them in softball, basketball, and 
the art of living.

Brett was a beloved father, husband, and brother. His
 cheerful, openhearted presence was felt by everyone where he worked and
 played. Brett will be greatly missed. 
A Celebration of Life is planned for November 12, 2022, in Blanco, Texas.
 Memorial contributions to honor Brett may be made to the Oakley Public 
Library, by mail at 700 West 3rd, Oakley, KS 67748 or online at 
https://ksoakleylibrary.org (click on KanPay Counter and select donation
 from the Transaction Item dropdown menu).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667338945618.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>It is with great sorrow that the family of Brett Allen Sims announces his death on October 21, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. 
He is survived by his wife Stacy, and daughters Ava, Elle, and Lillian. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wight and Lillian Sims, sister,
 Linda Sims, and spouse Linda Jane Giordano. 
Brett was born in Oakley, Kansas, on October 29, 1965, to Wight and 
Lillian Sims. He grew up on the family farm north of Oakley and attended
 Oakley Schools, graduating from Oakley High School in 1984. He loved 
playing sports at OHS, but basketball was his favorite. Brett attended 
Kansas State University, earning an engineering degree. 
Brett has lived and worked in Texas since 2000. He married Stacy Guthrie
 on August 10, 2014. They had made their home in Blanco, Texas, since 
2020. Brett was a proud “Girl Dad” and was an active presence in the 
lives of his three daughters coaching them in softball, basketball, and 
the art of living. Brett was a beloved father, husband, and brother. His
 cheerful, openhearted presence was felt by everyone where he worked and
 played. Brett will be greatly missed. 
A Celebration of Life is planned for November 12, 2022, in Blanco, Texas.
 Memorial contributions to honor Brett may be made to the Oakley Public 
Library, by mail at 700 West 3rd, Oakley, KS 67748 or online at 
https://ksoakleylibrary.org (click on KanPay Counter and select donation
 from the Transaction Item dropdown menu).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Brett Allen Sims

Ronald Roy Higerd was born March 31, 1939, on his grandparents’ farm 
east of Gem, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Arthur
 and Ruth Leone (Goin) Higerd. He entered his eternal home with Jesus, 
on October 31, 2022, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby KS. 
Ron married his childhood sweetheart, Norma Lee Rikoff, of Colby, on 
August 31, 1958, in Gem, KS. They have 5 children; Myron (Brenda) of 
Park City, KS, Wm Lynn (Tammy) of Colby, KS; Kent (Janet) of Colby, KS; 
Roxan (Scott) Temaat of Haysville, KS and Kaylene (David) Deware, 
Atchison, KS. Ron and Norma are very proud to have 13 grandchildren: 
Adam, William, Benjamin, Karen, Angela, Valerie, Bryan, Priscilla, 
Megan, Aaron, Michael, Hannah, and Cristi. They also have 23 
great-grandchildren. 
Ron was in the National Guard in both Kansas and Colorado from May 1956 
until July 1964. He received his associates degree in Diesel Mechanics 
from Pueblo Junior College and worked for a few years in that field. Ron
 loved working the land and turning over the dirt that God entrusted to 
him and spent the rest of his years farming. 
Ron was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gem and later 
the First Baptist Church of Colby. Ron loved to sing! He sang in the 
school choir, the college men’s group, the church choir and was the 
church song leader for many years. Even when Alzheimer’s ravaged his 
mind, he could still sing the hymns he loved so much. 
Visitation will be on Friday, November 4, 2022, from 5- 7:00 PM at The 
Gathering Place, 745 Country Club Drive, Colby, KS. His celebration of 
life service will be Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Baalmann 
Mortuary, 190 S Franklin, Colby, KS. Burial will follow at the Gem 
Cemetery, Gem, KS. There will be a time of fellowship with family and 
friends after the burial at the Community Building in Gem.

In lieu of 
flowers, memorials in Ron’s name may be made to the First Baptist Church
 of Colby or the Alzheimer’s Association, and sent in care of Baalmann 
Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby KS 67701. For information or condolences 
visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667338831694.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ronald Roy Higerd was born March 31, 1939, on his grandparents’ farm 
east of Gem, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Arthur
 and Ruth Leone (Goin) Higerd. He entered his eternal home with Jesus, 
on October 31, 2022, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby KS. 
Ron married his childhood sweetheart, Norma Lee Rikoff, of Colby, on 
August 31, 1958, in Gem, KS. They have 5 children; Myron (Brenda) of 
Park City, KS, Wm Lynn (Tammy) of Colby, KS; Kent (Janet) of Colby, KS; 
Roxan (Scott) Temaat of Haysville, KS and Kaylene (David) Deware, 
Atchison, KS. Ron and Norma are very proud to have 13 grandchildren: 
Adam, William, Benjamin, Karen, Angela, Valerie, Bryan, Priscilla, 
Megan, Aaron, Michael, Hannah, and Cristi. They also have 23 
great-grandchildren. 
Ron was in the National Guard in both Kansas and Colorado from May 1956 
until July 1964. He received his associates degree in Diesel Mechanics 
from Pueblo Junior College and worked for a few years in that field. Ron
 loved working the land and turning over the dirt that God entrusted to 
him and spent the rest of his years farming. 
Ron was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gem and later 
the First Baptist Church of Colby. Ron loved to sing! He sang in the 
school choir, the college men’s group, the church choir and was the 
church song leader for many years. Even when Alzheimer’s ravaged his 
mind, he could still sing the hymns he loved so much. 
Visitation will be on Friday, November 4, 2022, from 5- 7:00 PM at The 
Gathering Place, 745 Country Club Drive, Colby, KS. His celebration of 
life service will be Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Baalmann 
Mortuary, 190 S Franklin, Colby, KS. Burial will follow at the Gem 
Cemetery, Gem, KS. There will be a time of fellowship with family and 
friends after the burial at the Community Building in Gem. In lieu of 
flowers, memorials in Ron’s name may be made to the First Baptist Church
 of Colby or the Alzheimer’s Association, and sent in care of Baalmann 
Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby KS 67701. For information or condolences 
visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Ronald Roy Higerd

Ruth G. (Goodwin) Marcotte, age 96 of Victoria, Kansas, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Kingman Healthcare Center, Kingman, Kansas. &nbsp;

She was born April 8, 1926, in Concordia, Kansas, to Glen H. and Gladys (Housholder) Goodwin. &nbsp;She married Lawrence Marcotte on August 9, 1948, in Concordia.&nbsp;&nbsp;He preceded her in death on October 21, 1972.

Ruth was a math teacher at Ellis High School for a few years, and then&nbsp;taught math&nbsp;at Victoria High School from 1971 to 1974. &nbsp;She grew up in Concordia, was a graduate of Concordia High School, and then&nbsp;received her teacher’s certificates from Kansas Wesleyan College. &nbsp;She was a receptionist at Dr. Joe Brungardt O.D. in Victoria, then was the treasurer for the City of Victoria until she retired. &nbsp;She enjoyed crocheting, baking, working on family genealogy, and keeping up&nbsp;with&nbsp;the kids and grandkids on&nbsp;hercomputer.

Survivors include her children, Michael Marcotte and wife, Holly, Madras, OR; Marilyn Traffas, Sharon, KS; Steve Marcotte and wife, Shirley, Gridley, KS;&nbsp;Stan Marcotte and wife, Maggie, Wichita, KS; Michelle Marcotte, Wichita, KS; Walter Marcotte and wife, Barb, Wichita, KS; her 19 grandchildren; and her 29 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents;&nbsp;her&nbsp;husband, Lawrence; her brother,&nbsp;Carol C. Goodwin; and her son-in-law, Brian Traffas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 4, 2022, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with Father James Moster officiating. &nbsp;A&nbsp;family&nbsp;inurnment will be held later that day&nbsp;at Saint Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp;

A vigil service and a Christian Mothers rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. Thursday, and from 9:00 to 10:00A.M. Friday, all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.&nbsp;

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials made payable to: St. Fidelis Food Pantry or St. Fidelis Cemetery in care of the mortuary.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Services are&nbsp;entrusted to&nbsp;Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a>&nbsp;or can be left at guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667333496346.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ruth G. (Goodwin) Marcotte, age 96 of Victoria, Kansas, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Kingman Healthcare Center, Kingman, Kansas. &nbsp;She was born April 8, 1926, in Concordia, Kansas, to Glen H. and Gladys (Housholder) Goodwin. &nbsp;She married Lawrence Marcotte on August 9, 1948, in Concordia.&nbsp;&nbsp;He preceded her in death on October 21, 1972.Ruth was a math teacher at Ellis High School for a few years, and then&nbsp;taught math&nbsp;at Victoria High School from 1971 to 1974. &nbsp;She grew up in Concordia, was a graduate of Concordia High School, and then&nbsp;received her teacher’s certificates from Kansas Wesleyan College. &nbsp;She was a receptionist at Dr. Joe Brungardt O.D. in Victoria, then was the treasurer for the City of Victoria until she retired. &nbsp;She enjoyed crocheting, baking, working on family genealogy, and keeping up&nbsp;with&nbsp;the kids and grandkids on&nbsp;hercomputer.Survivors include her children, Michael Marcotte and wife, Holly, Madras, OR; Marilyn Traffas, Sharon, KS; Steve Marcotte and wife, Shirley, Gridley, KS;&nbsp;Stan Marcotte and wife, Maggie, Wichita, KS; Michelle Marcotte, Wichita, KS; Walter Marcotte and wife, Barb, Wichita, KS; her 19 grandchildren; and her 29 great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents;&nbsp;her&nbsp;husband, Lawrence; her brother,&nbsp;Carol C. Goodwin; and her son-in-law, Brian Traffas.A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 4, 2022, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with Father James Moster officiating. &nbsp;A&nbsp;family&nbsp;inurnment will be held later that day&nbsp;at Saint Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp;A vigil service and a Christian Mothers rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. Thursday, and from 9:00 to 10:00A.M. Friday, all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.&nbsp;In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials made payable to: St. Fidelis Food Pantry or St. Fidelis Cemetery in care of the mortuary.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Services are&nbsp;entrusted to&nbsp;Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.Condolences can be sent via e-mail to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a>&nbsp;or can be left at guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

Ruth G. (Goodwin) Marcotte

Brandon Lee Leiker, 32, Hays, died Monday, October 31, 2022, in rural Rush County.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic
 Church, Munjor with Fr. Damian Richards officiating.&nbsp; Burial will 
follow in St. Francis Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 
8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:40 on Saturday, all at Hays 
Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; A vigil service and rosary will be at 
6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home.&nbsp; 

Condolences and memories of 
Brandon may be shared with his family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a>

A complete obituary is pending with Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667333380442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Brandon Lee Leiker, 32, Hays, died Monday, October 31, 2022, in rural Rush County.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic
 Church, Munjor with Fr. Damian Richards officiating.&nbsp; Burial will 
follow in St. Francis Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 
8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:40 on Saturday, all at Hays 
Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; A vigil service and rosary will be at 
6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of 
Brandon may be shared with his family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a>A complete obituary is pending with Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Brandon Lee Leiker

Friday, August 29th, 1941-Monday, October 31st, 2022

An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Friday, August 29th, 1941-Monday, October 31st, 2022An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Charles Edward Thomas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' top elections official warned voters Monday that text messages from outside the state were giving them incorrect information about where to vote, but groups involved in the texting said they weren't trying to confuse or mislead people.

Several Democrats said they began hearing about the texts Sunday or had received them. Each message said it was from a representative of Voting Futures, Voto Latino or Black Voters Matter and provided the address of a voting site, with a picture of a building. In some cases, the person already had voted; in others, people couldn't vote in advance at the listed site, and in some, people could vote in advance there, but not on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">Election Day, Nov. 8</a>.

Movement Labs, a vendor headquartered in Oakland, California, working for both Voto Latino and Black Voters Matter, tweeted that texts also went to voters in Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia.

Kansas Democrats who learned of the texts worried that a disinformation campaign had targeted their voters in hopes of preventing their ballots from counting or discouraging them from voting. And Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, said voters should be on “high alert" about potential election misinformation from such texts.

Voting Futures later said in follow-up texts that its information may not have been correct. Voto Latino said the problem was a vendor's “database issue," without naming Movement Labs, and said voters would receive corrected information.

Both Black Voters Matters and Movement Labs said that group had not endorsed the texts.

“We are deeply sorry for the confusion that these text messages created and have taken steps to correct this situation,” Black Voters Matter said. “The last thing we ever want is for our outreach to be confused with intentional disinformation which is sometimes targeted to our communities.”

Movement Labs said in separate tweets for&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/movement_labs/status/1587173026847547392?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">Voto Latino</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/movement_labs/status/1587172936951078912?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">Black Voters Matter:</a>&nbsp;“We take full responsibility for these mistakes and have issued correction texts.”

Kansas counties began allowing people to vote in advance in-person Oct. 19, and people don't need a reason to request a mail ballot. While mail ballots must be postmarked Nov. 8 or before, they can still be counted if they arrive in election offices by Nov. 14.

Democrats and abortion rights advocates have been watching for misinformation after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-technology-health-voting-87dc504b3048e6034896733fc1aa49c6">deceptive texts went to voters</a>&nbsp;on the eve of a statewide vote Aug. 2&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively rejecting a proposed anti-abortion amendment</a>&nbsp;to the Kansas Constitution. The texts falsely told voters that a yes vote would protect abortion rights, when the opposite was true.

Schwab said in a statement that his office doesn’t use third parties to send information to voters and urged them to contact state and local officials if they have questions, or go to&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.ks.gov/elections/elections.html">the VoteKansas.gov website.</a>

Voters across the state reported that they started receiving texts Sunday from the three groups about where they could vote, including in the Kansas City area, Wichita and Topeka.

“Voting should be accessible to people and straight-forward, and this complicates that,” said Alexis Simmons, the Kansas House Democrats' communications director, who received two of the texts Sunday. “Voting should be empowering.”

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' top elections official warned voters Monday that text messages from outside the state were giving them incorrect information about where to vote, but groups involved in the texting said they weren't trying to confuse or mislead people.Several Democrats said they began hearing about the texts Sunday or had received them. Each message said it was from a representative of Voting Futures, Voto Latino or Black Voters Matter and provided the address of a voting site, with a picture of a building. In some cases, the person already had voted; in others, people couldn't vote in advance at the listed site, and in some, people could vote in advance there, but not on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">Election Day, Nov. 8</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In texts sent on behalf of Voto Latino to voters in KS, NJ, IL, NC, and VA, we sent text messages designed to encourage voting that may have caused confusion amongst voters. We take full responsibility for these mistakes and have issued correction texts.<a href="https://t.co/9CXPKmJphE">https://t.co/9CXPKmJphE</a>&mdash; Movement Labs (@movement_labs) <a href="https://twitter.com/movement_labs/status/1587173026847547392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Movement Labs, a vendor headquartered in Oakland, California, working for both Voto Latino and Black Voters Matter, tweeted that texts also went to voters in Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia.Kansas Democrats who learned of the texts worried that a disinformation campaign had targeted their voters in hopes of preventing their ballots from counting or discouraging them from voting. And Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, said voters should be on “high alert" about potential election misinformation from such texts.Voting Futures later said in follow-up texts that its information may not have been correct. Voto Latino said the problem was a vendor's “database issue," without naming Movement Labs, and said voters would receive corrected information.Both Black Voters Matters and Movement Labs said that group had not endorsed the texts.“We are deeply sorry for the confusion that these text messages created and have taken steps to correct this situation,” Black Voters Matter said. “The last thing we ever want is for our outreach to be confused with intentional disinformation which is sometimes targeted to our communities.”Movement Labs said in separate tweets for&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/movement_labs/status/1587173026847547392?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">Voto Latino</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/movement_labs/status/1587172936951078912?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">Black Voters Matter:</a>&nbsp;“We take full responsibility for these mistakes and have issued correction texts.”Kansas counties began allowing people to vote in advance in-person Oct. 19, and people don't need a reason to request a mail ballot. While mail ballots must be postmarked Nov. 8 or before, they can still be counted if they arrive in election offices by Nov. 14.Democrats and abortion rights advocates have been watching for misinformation after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-technology-health-voting-87dc504b3048e6034896733fc1aa49c6">deceptive texts went to voters</a>&nbsp;on the eve of a statewide vote Aug. 2&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively rejecting a proposed anti-abortion amendment</a>&nbsp;to the Kansas Constitution. The texts falsely told voters that a yes vote would protect abortion rights, when the opposite was true.Schwab said in a statement that his office doesn’t use third parties to send information to voters and urged them to contact state and local officials if they have questions, or go to&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.ks.gov/elections/elections.html">the VoteKansas.gov website.</a>Voters across the state reported that they started receiving texts Sunday from the three groups about where they could vote, including in the Kansas City area, Wichita and Topeka.“Voting should be accessible to people and straight-forward, and this complicates that,” said Alexis Simmons, the Kansas House Democrats' communications director, who received two of the texts Sunday. “Voting should be empowering.”

Disinformation campaign: Texts to Kan. voters rile Democrats

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday announced that October’s total tax receipts were $740.1 million -- 11%, or $73.2 million, above the estimate, and $77.4 million, or 11.7%, more than October of last year, according to a media release from her office.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMDEuNjYwMTA2NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjIvMTEvMDRfT2N0b2Jlcl9SZXZlbnVlX0ZZMjAyM18xMS0wMS0yMDIyX0ZpbmFsLnBkZiJ9.nYh9U-33WOhVzrLBL603JTGvRmOpA_v4pAwpVEz2UnY/s/1303160919/br/147149500485-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the October 2022 tax receipts spreadsheet.&nbsp;

 October marks the 27th&nbsp;month in a row in which the state has exceeded its estimated collections.&nbsp;

“For four years, my administration has worked relentlessly to help businesses grow and succeed, create quality jobs, and get our state back on track,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“We laid the groundwork for what we’re seeing now: Nearly 30 months of strong revenues that have allowed us to responsibly cut taxes, pay off debts, fully fund schools, invest in our law enforcement, and improve our roads and bridges.”&nbsp;

Individual income tax collections were $357.5 million, which is $52.5 million, or 17.2%, more than the estimate. That is $55.9 million, or 18.6%, more than October 2021. Corporate income tax collections were $32.5 million for the month. That is $0.5 million, or 1.6%, less than the estimate and 18.9% less than October 2021. Corporate receipts for the first four months of FY 2023 are 7.6% greater than the same period in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Retail sales tax collections were $251.7 million, which is 9.4%, or $21.7 million, more than the estimate. Those collections are $24.0 million, or 10.5%, more than last October. Compensating use tax collections were $70.0 million, which is $2.0 million, or 2.7%, less than the estimate, but 3.6% more than October 2021.&nbsp;

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CRE), comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on November 9th&nbsp;to review and possibly revise the FY 2023 estimate and make its initial forecast for FY 2024.&nbsp;

“Each time CRE has met over the past two years, we’ve raised our revenue forecasts, yet Kansas continues to beat the newer, higher forecasts every single month,”&nbsp;said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart.&nbsp;“We keep setting the bar higher and higher and clearing it every time – a real indication that the Kansas economy is strong.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday announced that October’s total tax receipts were $740.1 million -- 11%, or $73.2 million, above the estimate, and $77.4 million, or 11.7%, more than October of last year, according to a media release from her office.Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMDEuNjYwMTA2NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjIvMTEvMDRfT2N0b2Jlcl9SZXZlbnVlX0ZZMjAyM18xMS0wMS0yMDIyX0ZpbmFsLnBkZiJ9.nYh9U-33WOhVzrLBL603JTGvRmOpA_v4pAwpVEz2UnY/s/1303160919/br/147149500485-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the October 2022 tax receipts spreadsheet.&nbsp; October marks the 27th&nbsp;month in a row in which the state has exceeded its estimated collections.&nbsp;“For four years, my administration has worked relentlessly to help businesses grow and succeed, create quality jobs, and get our state back on track,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“We laid the groundwork for what we’re seeing now: Nearly 30 months of strong revenues that have allowed us to responsibly cut taxes, pay off debts, fully fund schools, invest in our law enforcement, and improve our roads and bridges.”&nbsp;Individual income tax collections were $357.5 million, which is $52.5 million, or 17.2%, more than the estimate. That is $55.9 million, or 18.6%, more than October 2021. Corporate income tax collections were $32.5 million for the month. That is $0.5 million, or 1.6%, less than the estimate and 18.9% less than October 2021. Corporate receipts for the first four months of FY 2023 are 7.6% greater than the same period in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Retail sales tax collections were $251.7 million, which is 9.4%, or $21.7 million, more than the estimate. Those collections are $24.0 million, or 10.5%, more than last October. Compensating use tax collections were $70.0 million, which is $2.0 million, or 2.7%, less than the estimate, but 3.6% more than October 2021.&nbsp;The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CRE), comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on November 9th&nbsp;to review and possibly revise the FY 2023 estimate and make its initial forecast for FY 2024.&nbsp;“Each time CRE has met over the past two years, we’ve raised our revenue forecasts, yet Kansas continues to beat the newer, higher forecasts every single month,”&nbsp;said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart.&nbsp;“We keep setting the bar higher and higher and clearing it every time – a real indication that the Kansas economy is strong.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. exceeds estimated tax collections 27 straight months

George V. Dinkel, age 73, formerly of Brownell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2022, at his home in Victoria, Kansas.

He was born September 7, 1949, in Hays, Kansas to Victor J. and Juliana
 M. (Rajewski).&nbsp; He married Velma (Unrein) on January 8, 1972, in Hays, 
Kansas.

He was a truck driver for National Carriers for over 20 years, and also
 was a farmer.&nbsp; He was a 1967 graduate of Ellis High School and was a 
member of Christ The King Catholic Church of WaKeeney, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a
 veteran of the US Army and moved to Victoria in the spring of this year
 from Brownell, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife Velma Dinkel, of the home; his children, 
John Dinkel and Chris Dixon, St. John’s, FL; Erin Rupp and husband 
Eugene, Victoria, KS; James Dinkel and wife, Annetta, Brownell, KS; his 
sisters, Judy Augustine and husband, Jeff, Hays, KS; Denice Fuller and 
husband, Mike, Concordia, KS; his grandchildren, Jacob Dinkel; Tyler 
Dinkel; Ethan Rupp; Emma Rae Rupp; his step grandchildren, Morgan Dixon;
 Bailee Dixon; Jacob Dixon; Andrew Rupp; Hillary Rupp; Amanda (Rex) 
Rhorer; Rondi Dysinger; Richie (Ashley) Dysinger; his step great 
grandchildren, Adalynn Rhorer; Jase Rhorer; and Mia Dysinger.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 2, 
2022, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with Father James
 Moster O.F.M. Cap. officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will be in St. Boniface 
Cemetery, Vincent, Kansas with Military Honors by the Victoria V.F.W. 
Post No. 1751.

A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main &nbsp;Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. 
Wednesday, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria.

The family suggests memorials payable to the organization: Boys Town or
 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the mortuary.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or 
can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667173671773.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>George V. Dinkel, age 73, formerly of Brownell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2022, at his home in Victoria, Kansas.He was born September 7, 1949, in Hays, Kansas to Victor J. and Juliana
 M. (Rajewski).&nbsp; He married Velma (Unrein) on January 8, 1972, in Hays, 
Kansas.He was a truck driver for National Carriers for over 20 years, and also
 was a farmer.&nbsp; He was a 1967 graduate of Ellis High School and was a 
member of Christ The King Catholic Church of WaKeeney, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a
 veteran of the US Army and moved to Victoria in the spring of this year
 from Brownell, Kansas.Survivors include his wife Velma Dinkel, of the home; his children, 
John Dinkel and Chris Dixon, St. John’s, FL; Erin Rupp and husband 
Eugene, Victoria, KS; James Dinkel and wife, Annetta, Brownell, KS; his 
sisters, Judy Augustine and husband, Jeff, Hays, KS; Denice Fuller and 
husband, Mike, Concordia, KS; his grandchildren, Jacob Dinkel; Tyler 
Dinkel; Ethan Rupp; Emma Rae Rupp; his step grandchildren, Morgan Dixon;
 Bailee Dixon; Jacob Dixon; Andrew Rupp; Hillary Rupp; Amanda (Rex) 
Rhorer; Rondi Dysinger; Richie (Ashley) Dysinger; his step great 
grandchildren, Adalynn Rhorer; Jase Rhorer; and Mia Dysinger.He was preceded in death by his parents.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 2, 
2022, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with Father James
 Moster O.F.M. Cap. officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will be in St. Boniface 
Cemetery, Vincent, Kansas with Military Honors by the Victoria V.F.W. 
Post No. 1751.A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main &nbsp;Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. 
Wednesday, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria.The family suggests memorials payable to the organization: Boys Town or
 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the mortuary.Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or 
can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com