Amber Dawn Wilson, 42, passed away November 8, 2021, at her home in 
Great Bend. She was born October 24, 1979, at Enid, Okla. to Gene &amp; 
Jana Sue (Chance) Wilson.

A Great Bend resident for the last several years, Amber worked for 
Wendy's. She enjoyed coloring and drawing but was also known to write 
poetry and bible verses. Amber was known for her love of perfumes and 
fragrances and you could always tell when she walked into the room. She 
loved spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews 
whom she adored dearly.

Survivors include, her father, Gene Wilson of Newkirk, Okla.; three 
sisters, Kristy Blazek (Eric) of Hoisington, Tonya Wilson (Gregg 
Adamson) of Enid, Okla., and Tori Smock (Garrett) of Springfield, Mo.; 
her nieces and nephews, Kelsea Wagner, Karissa Wagner, Kaleb Blazek, 
Jynna Adamson, Kyler Adamson, Mando Smock, Raiden Smock and Olive Smock;
 five great nieces and nephews; and longtime companion, Pete Brown. She 
was preceded in death by her mother, Jana Sue Chance.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial 
service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, November 19, 2021, at 
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials have been 
designated to the Amber Wilson Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant 
Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636826568570.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Amber Dawn Wilson, 42, passed away November 8, 2021, at her home in 
Great Bend. She was born October 24, 1979, at Enid, Okla. to Gene &amp; 
Jana Sue (Chance) Wilson.A Great Bend resident for the last several years, Amber worked for 
Wendy's. She enjoyed coloring and drawing but was also known to write 
poetry and bible verses. Amber was known for her love of perfumes and 
fragrances and you could always tell when she walked into the room. She 
loved spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews 
whom she adored dearly.Survivors include, her father, Gene Wilson of Newkirk, Okla.; three 
sisters, Kristy Blazek (Eric) of Hoisington, Tonya Wilson (Gregg 
Adamson) of Enid, Okla., and Tori Smock (Garrett) of Springfield, Mo.; 
her nieces and nephews, Kelsea Wagner, Karissa Wagner, Kaleb Blazek, 
Jynna Adamson, Kyler Adamson, Mando Smock, Raiden Smock and Olive Smock;
 five great nieces and nephews; and longtime companion, Pete Brown. She 
was preceded in death by her mother, Jana Sue Chance.There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial 
service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, November 19, 2021, at 
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials have been 
designated to the Amber Wilson Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant 
Funeral Home.

Amber Dawn Wilson

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Fort Hays State had nine players named to the 2021 All-GAC/MIAA Men's Soccer Team, released on Thursday evening.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6239">Taisei Arima</a>&nbsp;is the GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6241">Alec Bevis</a>&nbsp;is the GAC/MIAA Defender of the Year. They join&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6240">Blake Arndt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6244">Kieran Brown</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6261">Viktor Robertsson</a>&nbsp;as First Team selections, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6247">Antonio De La Torre</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6252">Haruya Iwasaki</a>&nbsp;earned Second Team and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6249">Ethan Doud</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6251">Jonathan Gammelvind</a>&nbsp;were Honorable Mentions. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/documents/2021/11/11//2021_MSoc_ALL_GAC.pdf?id=6364">2021 All-GAC/MIAA Men's Soccer Team&nbsp;(PDF)</a> Aside from the being the conference's top defender,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6241">Alec Bevis</a>&nbsp;also collected Distinguished Scholar Athlete Honors which goes to an individual with a GPA of at least 3.7, has at least 70 hours of college credit, and is competing at the GAC/MIAA Tournament Championship site. Only five players at the championship site meet the criteria this year. Arima, a sophomore forward from Machida, Japan, is the conference's Offensive Player of the Year, finishing the regular season tied with teammate&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6240">Blake Arndt</a>&nbsp;for the conference lead in points generated. Arima had eight goals and a team-leading five assists during the regular season, generating 21 points. After a slow start in non-conference play, Arima broke out in a big way by generating all 21 of his points during GAC/MIAA play, which covered the last 12 matches of the regular season. Sixteen of his 21 points came during the month of October, all during a stretch of six matches. Arima is now a two-time All-GAC/MIAA selection after earning a Second Team selection as a freshman during the shortened 2020-21 spring season. Bevis, a senior defender from Wichita, Kansas, is the conference's Defender of the Year, helping the Tigers to a 0.89 goals against average as a team. Bevis has been a force anchoring the Tigers at center back, shutting down numerous offensive chances for opponents. He has played 1,557 minutes this year and even provided a goal in a home win over Newman University earlier this season. He helped the Tigers post six shutouts as a team during the regular season. Bevis is now a three-time All-GAC/MIAA selection, twice as first team and once as honorable mention. He was the GAC/MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2019, while garnering all-region honors as well. Arndt, a junior forward from Wichita, Kansas, earns the second All-GAC/MIAA First Team selection of his career. He earned the same distinction back in the shortened spring season of 2020-21, while garnering Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. Arndt tied Arima for the team lead in points during the regular season with 21, producing nine goals and three assists. He led the GAC/MIAA in goals during the regular season. He has three game-winning goals to his credit this season. Brown, a junior goalkeeper from Kettering, Australia, earns a First Team selection at goalkeeper for the second straight season. Brown has a 0.79 goals against average, which leads the MIAA and ranks 16th&nbsp;nationally. His .823 save percentage and 65 saves also lead the conference, ranking 18th&nbsp;nationally in save percentage. Brown has an 11-5-2 record between the pipes this season with six shutouts. Robertsson, a sophomore midfielder from Kopavogur, Iceland, earns the first all-conference nod of his career at FHSU, receiving a first team selection in the midfield. He has 10 points this season with four goals and two assists, logging 1,379 minutes on the pitch. He also has one game-winning goal to his credit. De La Torre, a senior from Dodge City, Kansas, picks up a second-straight second-team selection at defender after earning the same honor in the shortened spring 2020-21 season. A key part of the Tigers' back line, De La Torre is a versatile player that often goes forward on the attack for FHSU. He finished the regular season with 14 points to rank third on the team, generating five goals and four assists. He tallied 12 of his 14 points for the season in conference matches. Iwasaki, a sophomore from Tokyo, Japan, received second-team honors at defender. He has been integral to the Tiger success this season by playing 1,668 minutes on the back line of defense. He has been the team's iron man, playing in every possible minute of action this season through 18 matches. He has helped the Tigers to a 0.89 goals against average as a team and six shutouts. Doud, a sophomore from Wichita, Kansas, received an honorable mention nod in the midfield. He started all 18 contests during the regular season and generated four points with a goal and two assists. This is the first all-conference honor of his career. Gammelvind, a sophomore from Silkeborg, Denmark, receives and honorable mention selection at defender for a second-straight season. He had one assist during the regular season and helps anchor the Tigers' defensive unit that allows less than one goal per match. Fort Hays State has now had the GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Year all three seasons since the GAC and MIAA combined to make a conference in men's soccer. Santiago Agudelo was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, and Arndt received the honor in 2020-21. The Tigers have had the Defender of the Year twice as Bevis joins Sergio Villalba, who received the honor back in 2019. In fact, the Tigers have produced a conference player of the year five straight seasons now as Derick Gonzalez was the MIAA Player of the Year in 2017 and Agudelo collected his first of two player of the year awards at FHSU in 2018 as the MIAA Player of the Year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636715890393.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Fort Hays State had nine players named to the 2021 All-GAC/MIAA Men's Soccer Team, released on Thursday evening.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6239">Taisei Arima</a>&nbsp;is the GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6241">Alec Bevis</a>&nbsp;is the GAC/MIAA Defender of the Year. They join&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6240">Blake Arndt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6244">Kieran Brown</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6261">Viktor Robertsson</a>&nbsp;as First Team selections, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6247">Antonio De La Torre</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6252">Haruya Iwasaki</a>&nbsp;earned Second Team and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6249">Ethan Doud</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6251">Jonathan Gammelvind</a>&nbsp;were Honorable Mentions. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/documents/2021/11/11//2021_MSoc_ALL_GAC.pdf?id=6364">2021 All-GAC/MIAA Men's Soccer Team&nbsp;(PDF)</a> Aside from the being the conference's top defender,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6241">Alec Bevis</a>&nbsp;also collected Distinguished Scholar Athlete Honors which goes to an individual with a GPA of at least 3.7, has at least 70 hours of college credit, and is competing at the GAC/MIAA Tournament Championship site. Only five players at the championship site meet the criteria this year. Arima, a sophomore forward from Machida, Japan, is the conference's Offensive Player of the Year, finishing the regular season tied with teammate&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6240">Blake Arndt</a>&nbsp;for the conference lead in points generated. Arima had eight goals and a team-leading five assists during the regular season, generating 21 points. After a slow start in non-conference play, Arima broke out in a big way by generating all 21 of his points during GAC/MIAA play, which covered the last 12 matches of the regular season. Sixteen of his 21 points came during the month of October, all during a stretch of six matches. Arima is now a two-time All-GAC/MIAA selection after earning a Second Team selection as a freshman during the shortened 2020-21 spring season. Bevis, a senior defender from Wichita, Kansas, is the conference's Defender of the Year, helping the Tigers to a 0.89 goals against average as a team. Bevis has been a force anchoring the Tigers at center back, shutting down numerous offensive chances for opponents. He has played 1,557 minutes this year and even provided a goal in a home win over Newman University earlier this season. He helped the Tigers post six shutouts as a team during the regular season. Bevis is now a three-time All-GAC/MIAA selection, twice as first team and once as honorable mention. He was the GAC/MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2019, while garnering all-region honors as well. Arndt, a junior forward from Wichita, Kansas, earns the second All-GAC/MIAA First Team selection of his career. He earned the same distinction back in the shortened spring season of 2020-21, while garnering Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. Arndt tied Arima for the team lead in points during the regular season with 21, producing nine goals and three assists. He led the GAC/MIAA in goals during the regular season. He has three game-winning goals to his credit this season. Brown, a junior goalkeeper from Kettering, Australia, earns a First Team selection at goalkeeper for the second straight season. Brown has a 0.79 goals against average, which leads the MIAA and ranks 16th&nbsp;nationally. His .823 save percentage and 65 saves also lead the conference, ranking 18th&nbsp;nationally in save percentage. Brown has an 11-5-2 record between the pipes this season with six shutouts. Robertsson, a sophomore midfielder from Kopavogur, Iceland, earns the first all-conference nod of his career at FHSU, receiving a first team selection in the midfield. He has 10 points this season with four goals and two assists, logging 1,379 minutes on the pitch. He also has one game-winning goal to his credit. De La Torre, a senior from Dodge City, Kansas, picks up a second-straight second-team selection at defender after earning the same honor in the shortened spring 2020-21 season. A key part of the Tigers' back line, De La Torre is a versatile player that often goes forward on the attack for FHSU. He finished the regular season with 14 points to rank third on the team, generating five goals and four assists. He tallied 12 of his 14 points for the season in conference matches. Iwasaki, a sophomore from Tokyo, Japan, received second-team honors at defender. He has been integral to the Tiger success this season by playing 1,668 minutes on the back line of defense. He has been the team's iron man, playing in every possible minute of action this season through 18 matches. He has helped the Tigers to a 0.89 goals against average as a team and six shutouts. Doud, a sophomore from Wichita, Kansas, received an honorable mention nod in the midfield. He started all 18 contests during the regular season and generated four points with a goal and two assists. This is the first all-conference honor of his career. Gammelvind, a sophomore from Silkeborg, Denmark, receives and honorable mention selection at defender for a second-straight season. He had one assist during the regular season and helps anchor the Tigers' defensive unit that allows less than one goal per match. Fort Hays State has now had the GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Year all three seasons since the GAC and MIAA combined to make a conference in men's soccer. Santiago Agudelo was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, and Arndt received the honor in 2020-21. The Tigers have had the Defender of the Year twice as Bevis joins Sergio Villalba, who received the honor back in 2019. In fact, the Tigers have produced a conference player of the year five straight seasons now as Derick Gonzalez was the MIAA Player of the Year in 2017 and Agudelo collected his first of two player of the year awards at FHSU in 2018 as the MIAA Player of the Year.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

⚽ Tiger men land nine on all-conference team, Arima and Bevis earn top honors

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A jury recommended early Friday up to 28 years in prison for a Missouri man found guilty of second-degree murder in his wife's death.

The jury returned the recommendation only hours after Joseph Elledge was convicted late Thursday in the killing of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji, news outlets reported. Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs will make the final decision on the sentence at a December hearing but cannot sentence Elledge to more than 28 years.

Elledge had admitted during the trial to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-missouri-missouri-columbia-216284c1ec05a2c6f2f9df771075c428">burying his wife’s body</a>&nbsp;and misleading authorities for more than a year about Ji's whereabouts.

After deliberating for almost seven hours, a jury found Elledge guilty in the killing of Ji, whom he married after she moved to the U.S. from China to study at the University of Missouri.

Elledge reported Ji missing in October 2019, prompting months of extensive searches. Her remains were found in a park near Columbia, Missouri, in March.

Elledge was charged with first-degree murder, but Jacobs told jurors they could consider charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and first-degree or second-degree involuntary manslaughter. Elledge was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge.

First-degree murder requires the state to prove that Elledge killed Ji intentionally after deliberating about it, and Elledge’s intent was central to arguments throughout the trial.

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight had asked for life in prison, while Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, asked for 10 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://abc17news.com/news/2021/11/11/jury-recommends-28-year-prison-sentence-for-joseph-elledge/">KMIZ-TV</a>&nbsp;reported.

The jury heard evidence from both sides before returning the recommended sentence, television stations KMIZ and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/joseph-elledge-sentenced-to-up-to-28-years-in-prison-following-second-degree-murder-conviction/article_33aada6e-3e52-11ec-8a78-d71ae1955859.html?utm_source=SocialNewsDesk&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SND_twitter">KOMU</a>&nbsp;reported.

An attorney for Ji's family told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/courts/2021/11/11/ury-agrees-second-degree-murder-conviction-joseph-elledge/6367072001/">the Columbia Daily Tribune</a>&nbsp;before the trial started that they didn't plan to provide a statement, but said on Wednesday they're pleased with Knight's efforts.

During closing arguments on Thursday, Knight told the jury that Elledge was a “stone cold killer” who was guilty of first-degree murder because he intentionally killed his wife.

Rosenblum argued that his client was awkward and made “unbelievably dumb” decisions after she died. But he said Elledge never intended to kill his wife and should never have been charged with murder.

During his trial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-columbia-52ef87b9ad760f2385213c702a47fc67">Elledge said Ji’s death was accidental</a>. He said she fell and hit her head on Oct. 8, 2019, after he pushed her during an argument and he found her dead in bed the next morning. He said he panicked, put her body in the trunk of her car and did not report what happened while he tried to decide what to do.

He did not tell anyone, including Ji’s mother, about her disappearance.

On Oct. 10, with the couple’s young daughter in the car, Elledge drove to Rock Bridge State Park about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Columbia, where they lived. There, he dug a grave and buried Ji at a site a half-mile from where he proposed to her. He then returned home and reported her missing.

Prosecutors used social media posts, audio tapes and a journal Elledge kept to document the couple’s volatile relationship. The evidence showed them frequently yelling at each other and arguing, with Elledge often criticizing his wife for her appearance and for how she treated him.

Elledge said that in the days before her death, he discovered Ji had been exchanging sexually suggestive messages with a man from China via social media. He also testified that the couple’s relationship suffered because of tension caused by her parents who moved from China to live with them after their daughter was born on Oct. 3, 2018.

The couple met in 2015 at Nanova, a company that makes dental products, where Ji was Elledge’s supervisor. They began dating the following year and eventually traveled to China, where he asked Ji’s parents for permission to marry her. The couple married in 2017.

Ji earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. Elledge was a student at the university when his wife died.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has been found guilty of killing his wife, whose remains were not found for more than a year. A jury on Thursday convicted Joseph Elledge of second-degree murder in the October 2019 death of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji. 

Prosecutors presented tapes, a journal and social media posts that detailed the couple’s volatile relationship. Ji met Elledge after moving to the U.S. from China to study at the University of Missouri.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man accused of killing his wife and burying her body two years ago is a “stone cold killer," a prosecuting attorney said Thursday.

Boone County Prosecutor Dan Knight urged a jury during closing arguments in the trial of Joseph Elledge to find him guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his 28-year-old wife, Mengqi Ji.

Scott Rosenblum, Elledge's attorney, countered in his closing argument that Elledge was “awkward” and made “dumb decisions” but never intended to kill his wife.

"This case was never a murder case. Never," Rosenblum said, KOMU-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/the-murder-trial-of-joseph-elledge-jury-to-hear-closing-arguments/article_d09c7912-42fe-11ec-9783-b73c8f9378d3.html">reported</a>.

The couple married in 2017 after Ji had moved to the U.S. from China and earned a master's degree from the University of Missouri. The couple had a daughter who was 1 year old when Ji died.

Elledge is charged with first-degree murder, but Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs told jurors they could consider charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and first-degree or second-degree involuntary manslaughter.

First-degree murder requires the state to prove that Elledge killed Ji intentionally after deliberating about it, and Elledge's intent was central to arguments throughout the trial.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-missouri-missouri-columbia-216284c1ec05a2c6f2f9df771075c428">During his testimony</a>&nbsp;earlier this week, Elledge acknowledged that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-columbia-0f341cef77aa806e3973186497383c9c">buried his wife's body&nbsp;</a>and lied about her whereabouts. But he insisted that she died accidentally after she fell and hit her head during an argument at their home in Columbia on Oct. 8, 2019.

He said the argument began after he confronted his wife about sexual messages he said she was exchanging with another man.

Elledge said he found her dead in bed the next morning and put her body in the trunk of a car because he panicked and couldn't decide what to do. He drove to several spots the next day but could not find a place to bury her, he said, and returned home. He did not tell anyone she was missing on Oct. 9.

On Oct 10, with the couple's daughter in the car, Elledge said he drove to a park near Columbia, dug a grave and buried Ji. He then returned home and reported her missing.

After extensive searches, Ji's remains were found in a park south of Columbia in March.

During his closing, Knight discussed about nine hours of audio recordings he played during the trial that included the couple arguing and Elledge frequently insulting or threatening his wife, and criticizing her for her appearance and how she treated him.

“The defendant in his very own voice told you what his intent was; he told you what he felt about Mengqi,” Knight said.

Knight also told the jury Elledge “is a huge liar.”

“He lied to the police. He lied to the media. He lied to (the jury),” Knight said. “Make no mistake, he’s a stone cold killer. Period.”

Rosenblum argued during the trial that the audio recordings were presented without context and did not show the full range of the couple's relationship.

In his closing argument, Rosenblum said if Elledge did not respond to his wife's death as jurors might have expected, it's because he is “as awkward as can be," not because he wasn't telling the truth.

“Was he making unbelievably dumb decisions? He was. But it was hard to turn back,” Rosenblum said.

In testimony on Wednesday, Keith Norton, a forensic pathologist at the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office who performed Ji’s autopsy, said he could not determine an exact cause of death but it “was caused by another person.” He said he did not rule the death an accident.

Rosenblum argued during the trial that Ji died from a subdural hematoma, or bleeding in the brain, after she was pushed by Elledge in the couple’s kitchen and hit her head.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572177968305.png" alt="Joseph Elledge photo Boone Co." />
 <figcaption>Joseph Elledge photo Boone Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A jury recommended early Friday up to 28 years in prison for a Missouri man found guilty of second-degree murder in his wife's death.The jury returned the recommendation only hours after Joseph Elledge was convicted late Thursday in the killing of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji, news outlets reported. Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs will make the final decision on the sentence at a December hearing but cannot sentence Elledge to more than 28 years.Elledge had admitted during the trial to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-missouri-missouri-columbia-216284c1ec05a2c6f2f9df771075c428">burying his wife’s body</a>&nbsp;and misleading authorities for more than a year about Ji's whereabouts.After deliberating for almost seven hours, a jury found Elledge guilty in the killing of Ji, whom he married after she moved to the U.S. from China to study at the University of Missouri.Elledge reported Ji missing in October 2019, prompting months of extensive searches. Her remains were found in a park near Columbia, Missouri, in March.Elledge was charged with first-degree murder, but Jacobs told jurors they could consider charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and first-degree or second-degree involuntary manslaughter. Elledge was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge.First-degree murder requires the state to prove that Elledge killed Ji intentionally after deliberating about it, and Elledge’s intent was central to arguments throughout the trial.Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight had asked for life in prison, while Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, asked for 10 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://abc17news.com/news/2021/11/11/jury-recommends-28-year-prison-sentence-for-joseph-elledge/">KMIZ-TV</a>&nbsp;reported.The jury heard evidence from both sides before returning the recommended sentence, television stations KMIZ and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/joseph-elledge-sentenced-to-up-to-28-years-in-prison-following-second-degree-murder-conviction/article_33aada6e-3e52-11ec-8a78-d71ae1955859.html?utm_source=SocialNewsDesk&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SND_twitter">KOMU</a>&nbsp;reported.An attorney for Ji's family told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/courts/2021/11/11/ury-agrees-second-degree-murder-conviction-joseph-elledge/6367072001/">the Columbia Daily Tribune</a>&nbsp;before the trial started that they didn't plan to provide a statement, but said on Wednesday they're pleased with Knight's efforts.During closing arguments on Thursday, Knight told the jury that Elledge was a “stone cold killer” who was guilty of first-degree murder because he intentionally killed his wife.Rosenblum argued that his client was awkward and made “unbelievably dumb” decisions after she died. But he said Elledge never intended to kill his wife and should never have been charged with murder.During his trial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-columbia-52ef87b9ad760f2385213c702a47fc67">Elledge said Ji’s death was accidental</a>. He said she fell and hit her head on Oct. 8, 2019, after he pushed her during an argument and he found her dead in bed the next morning. He said he panicked, put her body in the trunk of her car and did not report what happened while he tried to decide what to do.He did not tell anyone, including Ji’s mother, about her disappearance.On Oct. 10, with the couple’s young daughter in the car, Elledge drove to Rock Bridge State Park about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Columbia, where they lived. There, he dug a grave and buried Ji at a site a half-mile from where he proposed to her. He then returned home and reported her missing.Prosecutors used social media posts, audio tapes and a journal Elledge kept to document the couple’s volatile relationship. The evidence showed them frequently yelling at each other and arguing, with Elledge often criticizing his wife for her appearance and for how she treated him.Elledge said that in the days before her death, he discovered Ji had been exchanging sexually suggestive messages with a man from China via social media. He also testified that the couple’s relationship suffered because of tension caused by her parents who moved from China to live with them after their daughter was born on Oct. 3, 2018.The couple met in 2015 at Nanova, a company that makes dental products, where Ji was Elledge’s supervisor. They began dating the following year and eventually traveled to China, where he asked Ji’s parents for permission to marry her. The couple married in 2017.Ji earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. Elledge was a student at the university when his wife died.-------COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has been found guilty of killing his wife, whose remains were not found for more than a year. A jury on Thursday convicted Joseph Elledge of second-degree murder in the October 2019 death of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji. Prosecutors presented tapes, a journal and social media posts that detailed the couple’s volatile relationship. Ji met Elledge after moving to the U.S. from China to study at the University of Missouri.---------COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man accused of killing his wife and burying her body two years ago is a “stone cold killer," a prosecuting attorney said Thursday.Boone County Prosecutor Dan Knight urged a jury during closing arguments in the trial of Joseph Elledge to find him guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his 28-year-old wife, Mengqi Ji.Scott Rosenblum, Elledge's attorney, countered in his closing argument that Elledge was “awkward” and made “dumb decisions” but never intended to kill his wife."This case was never a murder case. Never," Rosenblum said, KOMU-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/the-murder-trial-of-joseph-elledge-jury-to-hear-closing-arguments/article_d09c7912-42fe-11ec-9783-b73c8f9378d3.html">reported</a>.The couple married in 2017 after Ji had moved to the U.S. from China and earned a master's degree from the University of Missouri. The couple had a daughter who was 1 year old when Ji died.Elledge is charged with first-degree murder, but Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs told jurors they could consider charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and first-degree or second-degree involuntary manslaughter.First-degree murder requires the state to prove that Elledge killed Ji intentionally after deliberating about it, and Elledge's intent was central to arguments throughout the trial.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-missouri-missouri-columbia-216284c1ec05a2c6f2f9df771075c428">During his testimony</a>&nbsp;earlier this week, Elledge acknowledged that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-columbia-0f341cef77aa806e3973186497383c9c">buried his wife's body&nbsp;</a>and lied about her whereabouts. But he insisted that she died accidentally after she fell and hit her head during an argument at their home in Columbia on Oct. 8, 2019.He said the argument began after he confronted his wife about sexual messages he said she was exchanging with another man.Elledge said he found her dead in bed the next morning and put her body in the trunk of a car because he panicked and couldn't decide what to do. He drove to several spots the next day but could not find a place to bury her, he said, and returned home. He did not tell anyone she was missing on Oct. 9.On Oct 10, with the couple's daughter in the car, Elledge said he drove to a park near Columbia, dug a grave and buried Ji. He then returned home and reported her missing.After extensive searches, Ji's remains were found in a park south of Columbia in March.During his closing, Knight discussed about nine hours of audio recordings he played during the trial that included the couple arguing and Elledge frequently insulting or threatening his wife, and criticizing her for her appearance and how she treated him.“The defendant in his very own voice told you what his intent was; he told you what he felt about Mengqi,” Knight said.Knight also told the jury Elledge “is a huge liar.”“He lied to the police. He lied to the media. He lied to (the jury),” Knight said. “Make no mistake, he’s a stone cold killer. Period.”Rosenblum argued during the trial that the audio recordings were presented without context and did not show the full range of the couple's relationship.In his closing argument, Rosenblum said if Elledge did not respond to his wife's death as jurors might have expected, it's because he is “as awkward as can be," not because he wasn't telling the truth.“Was he making unbelievably dumb decisions? He was. But it was hard to turn back,” Rosenblum said.In testimony on Wednesday, Keith Norton, a forensic pathologist at the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office who performed Ji’s autopsy, said he could not determine an exact cause of death but it “was caused by another person.” He said he did not rule the death an accident.Rosenblum argued during the trial that Ji died from a subdural hematoma, or bleeding in the brain, after she was pushed by Elledge in the couple’s kitchen and hit her head.

Jury: Man who buried wife's body convicted of her murder

Richard “Dick” Renfro passed away on November 10, 
2021, at the age of 87.&nbsp; Dick was born on October 6, 1934, in Spearville, 
Kansas, the son of Eugene and Bernice (Sams) Renfro.

He lived in Offerle, KS until 1943, then moved with his parents to 
Hutchinson, KS.&nbsp; Dick graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1952.

After high school, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1956 
with a BA degree in business.&nbsp; He was a pitcher and letterman on the 
K-State baseball team, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.&nbsp; 
He was also a 1974 graduate of The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at
 Rutgers University.

Upon graduation from Kansas State, Dick worked in the Finance 
Department at The Boeing Company in Wichita.&nbsp; It was during his tenure 
at Boeing that he met his bride, Toni, who became his wonderful wife of 
62 years, on a blind date set up by mutual friends on Halloween 1958.

In 1963, Dick joined the IBM Corporation as a marketing 
representative.&nbsp; During his tenure with IBM he achieved five 100% Sales 
Clubs.&nbsp; He and his family moved to Salina in 1967 to open a new IBM 
sales office to cover North Central and Northwest Kansas.

In 1971 Dick joined the National Bank of America as a 
vice-president.&nbsp; In 1978 he was elected to the NBA Board of Directors, 
and in 1979 was promoted to Executive Vice President.&nbsp; In 1986 he was 
elected to the position of President and CEO. &nbsp;

In 1993 UMB Financial Corporation purchased NBA and five other 
central Kansas banks and in 1994 those banks were merged into the 
National Bank of America (UMB-NBA) with Salina as its headquarters.&nbsp; 
Renfro was named President and CEO of the merged bank UMB-NBA.&nbsp; He 
retired from his active duties in 2001, but remained as a member of the 
UMB-NBA Board of Directors.

Dick led a balanced life, and he was very active in community affairs
 and organizations. He knew the value of community and humbly accepted 
volunteer leadership roles that have helped shape Salina and the region 
in many different levels and areas.&nbsp; Among his activities were: First 
Presbyterian Church— where he served as Elder, Deacon and Trustee, as 
well as devoted member of the choir. K-State Alumni Association where he
 proudly served as the National President, and on the Board of 
Directors. K-State Athletics, Intercollegiate Athletic Council serving 
as Alumni Representative for 6 years. Salina Area Chamber of Commerce 
serving as Chairman, and two terms on the Board of Directors. Salina 
Airport Authority where he served as Chairman and on the Board of 
Directors. Salina Country Club, where he served as President, and three 
terms on the Board of Directors. Farmers State Bank (McPherson) Board of
 Directors. Rolling Hills Zoo Board of Directors. Downtown Lions Club, 
served as President, and on the Board of Directors. Salina Baseball 
Enterprises serving on the Board of Directors for 17 years. Member of 
the Kansas Bankers Association, served on the Governing Council. And 
finally, Member of the Salina Gridiron Club. 
Dick was Co-chair of a 1990 task force to promote the funding of the 
merger of Kansas College of Technology and Kansas State University (now 
K-State Salina).&nbsp; Project passed by a 2-1 margin and at the time 
generated $5.3 million to assist in the merger.

In 1983, at the request of Jack Hartman, K-State basketball coach, 
Dick successfully organized an exhibition game between the USA 
Pan-American team (Hartman was coach) that included Michael Jordan and a
 group of NBA players. Nearly 7,000 fans attended on a hot July evening 
at the Bi-Centennial Center (aka Tony’s Pizza Event Center).

But most of all Dick was known for his welcoming nature and kind 
heart. He never met a stranger, and genuinely had an interest in others 
and graciously lent support whenever he had the opportunity.

Dick was a dedicated family man, filled with love who always was 
there to guide, mentor and nurture. He was very proud of his family and 
all their accomplishments.&nbsp; He was proud of Toni in her role in together
 raising their 3 sons, and her success as a financial advisor and 
community leader.&nbsp; He enjoyed coaching and watching his sons Craig, Cary
 and Clark in their early years and watching them succeed professionally
 in their adult lives and respective careers.&nbsp; He adored his bond with 
his favorite daughter in law Amber and her devotion to the family.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Dick and Toni waited patiently into their marriage to become 
grandparents, and they were blessed with the birth of their triplet 
granddaughters, Addison, Mallory and Claire in 2006. He was 
affectionately known as “Papa” to his granddaughters and their friends. 
He radiated with love and affection when doting about them to anyone 
that he met.&nbsp; Papa could be found in the front row of all their events, 
recognitions, and recitals with a beaming smile. Addison, Mallory and 
Claire have brought so much joy to him and Toni. He took great pride in 
seeing them grow into beautiful, talented and active young ladies.&nbsp; And 
lastly, grand-dogs Rafa and Seve’ have been such an integral and 
enjoyable part of the family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Bernice (Sams) Renfro, and his sisters Virginia Woodside and Delores Frost. 
Survivors include wife, Toni, sons Craig of Salina, KS, Cary of Topeka, 
KS and Clark (Amber) of Salina, KS, granddaughters Addison, Mallory and 
Claire, grand-dogs Rafa and Seve’, nephew Larry Frost, nieces Lannie 
Kern, Sharon Hill and Jackie Tullous.

The Renfro family wishes to give special thanks to Kindred Hospice and staff for their compassionate care and service.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina.

A Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. 
Wednesday, November 17th, at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. 
Eighth. Private family burial will be at Gypsum Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested for the Salina Net 
Generation, via Greater Salina Community Foundation, P.O Box 2876, 
Salina KS&nbsp; 67401-2876; First Presbyterian Church of Salina; K-State 
Ahearn Fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636662554474.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Richard “Dick” Renfro passed away on November 10, 
2021, at the age of 87.&nbsp; Dick was born on October 6, 1934, in Spearville, 
Kansas, the son of Eugene and Bernice (Sams) Renfro.He lived in Offerle, KS until 1943, then moved with his parents to 
Hutchinson, KS.&nbsp; Dick graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1952.After high school, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1956 
with a BA degree in business.&nbsp; He was a pitcher and letterman on the 
K-State baseball team, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.&nbsp; 
He was also a 1974 graduate of The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at
 Rutgers University.Upon graduation from Kansas State, Dick worked in the Finance 
Department at The Boeing Company in Wichita.&nbsp; It was during his tenure 
at Boeing that he met his bride, Toni, who became his wonderful wife of 
62 years, on a blind date set up by mutual friends on Halloween 1958.In 1963, Dick joined the IBM Corporation as a marketing 
representative.&nbsp; During his tenure with IBM he achieved five 100% Sales 
Clubs.&nbsp; He and his family moved to Salina in 1967 to open a new IBM 
sales office to cover North Central and Northwest Kansas.In 1971 Dick joined the National Bank of America as a 
vice-president.&nbsp; In 1978 he was elected to the NBA Board of Directors, 
and in 1979 was promoted to Executive Vice President.&nbsp; In 1986 he was 
elected to the position of President and CEO. &nbsp;In 1993 UMB Financial Corporation purchased NBA and five other 
central Kansas banks and in 1994 those banks were merged into the 
National Bank of America (UMB-NBA) with Salina as its headquarters.&nbsp; 
Renfro was named President and CEO of the merged bank UMB-NBA.&nbsp; He 
retired from his active duties in 2001, but remained as a member of the 
UMB-NBA Board of Directors.Dick led a balanced life, and he was very active in community affairs
 and organizations. He knew the value of community and humbly accepted 
volunteer leadership roles that have helped shape Salina and the region 
in many different levels and areas.&nbsp; Among his activities were: First 
Presbyterian Church— where he served as Elder, Deacon and Trustee, as 
well as devoted member of the choir. K-State Alumni Association where he
 proudly served as the National President, and on the Board of 
Directors. K-State Athletics, Intercollegiate Athletic Council serving 
as Alumni Representative for 6 years. Salina Area Chamber of Commerce 
serving as Chairman, and two terms on the Board of Directors. Salina 
Airport Authority where he served as Chairman and on the Board of 
Directors. Salina Country Club, where he served as President, and three 
terms on the Board of Directors. Farmers State Bank (McPherson) Board of
 Directors. Rolling Hills Zoo Board of Directors. Downtown Lions Club, 
served as President, and on the Board of Directors. Salina Baseball 
Enterprises serving on the Board of Directors for 17 years. Member of 
the Kansas Bankers Association, served on the Governing Council. And 
finally, Member of the Salina Gridiron Club. 
Dick was Co-chair of a 1990 task force to promote the funding of the 
merger of Kansas College of Technology and Kansas State University (now 
K-State Salina).&nbsp; Project passed by a 2-1 margin and at the time 
generated $5.3 million to assist in the merger.In 1983, at the request of Jack Hartman, K-State basketball coach, 
Dick successfully organized an exhibition game between the USA 
Pan-American team (Hartman was coach) that included Michael Jordan and a
 group of NBA players. Nearly 7,000 fans attended on a hot July evening 
at the Bi-Centennial Center (aka Tony’s Pizza Event Center).But most of all Dick was known for his welcoming nature and kind 
heart. He never met a stranger, and genuinely had an interest in others 
and graciously lent support whenever he had the opportunity.Dick was a dedicated family man, filled with love who always was 
there to guide, mentor and nurture. He was very proud of his family and 
all their accomplishments.&nbsp; He was proud of Toni in her role in together
 raising their 3 sons, and her success as a financial advisor and 
community leader.&nbsp; He enjoyed coaching and watching his sons Craig, Cary
 and Clark in their early years and watching them succeed professionally
 in their adult lives and respective careers.&nbsp; He adored his bond with 
his favorite daughter in law Amber and her devotion to the family.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Dick and Toni waited patiently into their marriage to become 
grandparents, and they were blessed with the birth of their triplet 
granddaughters, Addison, Mallory and Claire in 2006. He was 
affectionately known as “Papa” to his granddaughters and their friends. 
He radiated with love and affection when doting about them to anyone 
that he met.&nbsp; Papa could be found in the front row of all their events, 
recognitions, and recitals with a beaming smile. Addison, Mallory and 
Claire have brought so much joy to him and Toni. He took great pride in 
seeing them grow into beautiful, talented and active young ladies.&nbsp; And 
lastly, grand-dogs Rafa and Seve’ have been such an integral and 
enjoyable part of the family.He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Bernice (Sams) Renfro, and his sisters Virginia Woodside and Delores Frost. 
Survivors include wife, Toni, sons Craig of Salina, KS, Cary of Topeka, 
KS and Clark (Amber) of Salina, KS, granddaughters Addison, Mallory and 
Claire, grand-dogs Rafa and Seve’, nephew Larry Frost, nieces Lannie 
Kern, Sharon Hill and Jackie Tullous.The Renfro family wishes to give special thanks to Kindred Hospice and staff for their compassionate care and service.Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina.A Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. 
Wednesday, November 17th, at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. 
Eighth. Private family burial will be at Gypsum Hill Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested for the Salina Net 
Generation, via Greater Salina Community Foundation, P.O Box 2876, 
Salina KS&nbsp; 67401-2876; First Presbyterian Church of Salina; K-State 
Ahearn Fund.

Richard 'Dick' Renfro

Doris “Ricki” Margreiter Garey, 94, passed away October 26, 2021.

Doris was born to Jacob and Hulda (Remus) Margreiter on August 30, 1927, at Cawker City, Kansas.  After graduating in 1945 from Cawker City High School, Doris enrolled in Colorado Women’s College in Denver, CO and then transferred to the University of Kansas her junior year.  She attended a summer semester at Mexico City University and then graduated from KU.

Surviving family include: daughter, Ann Garey of Downs, and daughter, Susan Grayson and husband, Cabell of Washington DC; grandsons, Paul and wife, Maddy Grayson and Bill and wife, Emily Grayson, all of Washington DC; great grandchildren, Cabell, Violet, and Bob, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Doris is preceded in death by her husband, Paul, daughter, Janis, her parents, brother, Mark and sisters, Christine and Ruth

Doris and Paul enjoyed traveling (including a trip to Egypt) and golfing.  Doris was an avid reader and enjoyed many clubs and organizations that she participated during her adult life.

Funeral services will be held at the Downs United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 11:00 a.m.  No visitation. 

 Memorials may be given to the Downs United Methodist Church, Downs Golf Club and Downs Senior Center in care of Domoney Funeral Home, PO Box 127, Downs, KS 67437

Doris “Ricki” Margreiter Garey, 94, passed away October 26, 2021.Doris was born to Jacob and Hulda (Remus) Margreiter on August 30, 1927, at Cawker City, Kansas. After graduating in 1945 from Cawker City High School, Doris enrolled in Colorado Women’s College in Denver, CO and then transferred to the University of Kansas her junior year. She attended a summer semester at Mexico City University and then graduated from KU.Surviving family include: daughter, Ann Garey of Downs, and daughter, Susan Grayson and husband, Cabell of Washington DC; grandsons, Paul and wife, Maddy Grayson and Bill and wife, Emily Grayson, all of Washington DC; great grandchildren, Cabell, Violet, and Bob, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.Doris is preceded in death by her husband, Paul, daughter, Janis, her parents, brother, Mark and sisters, Christine and RuthDoris and Paul enjoyed traveling (including a trip to Egypt) and golfing. Doris was an avid reader and enjoyed many clubs and organizations that she participated during her adult life.Funeral services will be held at the Downs United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. No visitation. Memorials may be given to the Downs United Methodist Church, Downs Golf Club and Downs Senior Center in care of Domoney Funeral Home, PO Box 127, Downs, KS 67437

Doris 'Ricki' Margreiter Garey

BALTIMORE (AP) — President Joe Biden touted his $1 trillion infrastructure plan Wednesday as an eventual fix for the nation’s inflation and supply chain woes -- if Americans just have the patience to wait for the construction to begin.

The president toured the Port of Baltimore at the start of what is likely to be a national tour to showcase his signature legislation that cleared Congress last week and that he intends to sign on Monday. He declared that the spending would improve transportation of products and supplies from overseas and within the U.S. to help lower prices, reduce shortages and add union jobs.

That message is becoming more critical as the government reported Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-consumer-prices-inflation-economy-prices-10e00ba16f8fb94f45ced724f2ea2e45">consumer prices in October climbed 6.2% from a year ago.</a>&nbsp;Inflation has intensified instead of fading as the economy reopened after the coronavirus pandemic, creating a major challenge for Biden whose administration repeatedly said that the price increases were temporary. During remarks at the port, he acknowledged that consumer prices remained “too high.”

“Everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread costs more,” he said. “We still face challenges and we have to tackle them ... we have to tackle them head on.”

Higher prices have eaten into wages and turned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-joe-biden-business-health-d14c1764e3967c36d29d93ff7ff4bb72">public sentiment</a>&nbsp;on the economy against Biden in polls. One of the obstacles for reducing inflation has been backlogged ports with ships waiting to dock at major transit hubs, causing shortages and leaving some store shelves depleted ahead of the holiday shopping season.

“Many people remain unsettled about the economy and we all know why,” Biden said.

He offered his infrastructure plan as the solution, albeit one that will take time to manifest. Better infrastructure — whether roads, bridges, ports or whatever — would give more capacity and resiliency for the supply chain. There would be more capacity to unload ships and move goods, which in turn would reduce price pressures and shortages.

Biden said the infrastructure spending would create jobs paying $45 an hour, nearly 50% above the current national average. It would create a wealth of jobs to fix aging pipes, bridges and roads, and boost clean energy and cybersecurity. And most wouldn’t require college degrees.

“This is a once in a generation investment,” he said.

The president pointed to Baltimore’s port as a blueprint on how to reduce shipping bottlenecks that have held back the economic recovery. The facility is adding container cranes as well as a 50-foot berth where ships can be unloaded. Baltimore’s port is also benefiting from grants to upgrade the Howard Street Tunnel, a brick-lined underpass for trains that opened in 1895. The tunnel would be expanded so that shipping containers could be double-stacked on railcars, making it easier to move goods out of the port.

The president, who consulted with the CEOs of Walmart, Target, FedEx and UPS on Tuesday, emphasized that these investments are part of a national effort to relieve supply chain bottlenecks in ways that can aid broader growth.

His administration also announced new investments to reduce congestion at the Port of Savannah in Georgia, nearly a month after the administration helped broker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">a deal for the Port of Los Angeles to operate nonstop</a>.

The president has been trying to explain that the port congestion shows just how strong the economic rebound from the pandemic has been. A forecast by the National Retail Federation suggests a record level of imports this year.

The inflation phenomenon is also global in nature, with Germany and China recently reporting high levels.

The president made his case Wednesday in a city of nearly 600,000 people that supports him. Nearly 90% of voters in Baltimore backed Biden in last year’s election. The president also stopped in the city for a CNN town hall on Oct. 21.

Baltimore embodies the complexities of an increasingly diverse America at a time of heated national politics.

Many Americans have seen a TV version of the city’s poverty, crime, political corruption and vacant row houses on shows such as HBO’s “The Wire.” Unrest following the 2015 death of Freddie Gray from injuries in a police van helped to propel a national movement for respecting the rights and lives of Black Americans.

But Baltimore also contains deep pockets of wealth and prosperity in what is a microcosm of the broader inequality confronting the nation. There are the mansions of the Guilford neighborhood, elite private schools, celebrated restaurants and the prestige of Johns Hopkins University.

As president, Donald Trump slammed the majority Black city on Twitter frequently, calling it “the WORST IN NATION.” But while Trump scorned Baltimore, Biden sees a test case for his agenda that goes beyond the ports. His child tax credits are sending thousands of dollars to families in a city with a child poverty rate north of 30%. Work has begun to renovate and modernize the historic Penn Station, possibly improving rail transit across the Northeast.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636579435172.png" alt="“Everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread costs more,” President Biden said during a tour of the&nbsp; Port of Baltimore on Wednesday. “We still face challenges and we have to tackle them ... we have to tackle them head on.”-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>“Everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread costs more,” President Biden said during a tour of the&nbsp; Port of Baltimore on Wednesday. “We still face challenges and we have to tackle them ... we have to tackle them head on.”-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — President Joe Biden touted his $1 trillion infrastructure plan Wednesday as an eventual fix for the nation’s inflation and supply chain woes -- if Americans just have the patience to wait for the construction to begin.The president toured the Port of Baltimore at the start of what is likely to be a national tour to showcase his signature legislation that cleared Congress last week and that he intends to sign on Monday. He declared that the spending would improve transportation of products and supplies from overseas and within the U.S. to help lower prices, reduce shortages and add union jobs.That message is becoming more critical as the government reported Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-consumer-prices-inflation-economy-prices-10e00ba16f8fb94f45ced724f2ea2e45">consumer prices in October climbed 6.2% from a year ago.</a>&nbsp;Inflation has intensified instead of fading as the economy reopened after the coronavirus pandemic, creating a major challenge for Biden whose administration repeatedly said that the price increases were temporary. During remarks at the port, he acknowledged that consumer prices remained “too high.”“Everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread costs more,” he said. “We still face challenges and we have to tackle them ... we have to tackle them head on.”Higher prices have eaten into wages and turned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-joe-biden-business-health-d14c1764e3967c36d29d93ff7ff4bb72">public sentiment</a>&nbsp;on the economy against Biden in polls. One of the obstacles for reducing inflation has been backlogged ports with ships waiting to dock at major transit hubs, causing shortages and leaving some store shelves depleted ahead of the holiday shopping season.“Many people remain unsettled about the economy and we all know why,” Biden said.He offered his infrastructure plan as the solution, albeit one that will take time to manifest. Better infrastructure — whether roads, bridges, ports or whatever — would give more capacity and resiliency for the supply chain. There would be more capacity to unload ships and move goods, which in turn would reduce price pressures and shortages.Biden said the infrastructure spending would create jobs paying $45 an hour, nearly 50% above the current national average. It would create a wealth of jobs to fix aging pipes, bridges and roads, and boost clean energy and cybersecurity. And most wouldn’t require college degrees.“This is a once in a generation investment,” he said.The president pointed to Baltimore’s port as a blueprint on how to reduce shipping bottlenecks that have held back the economic recovery. The facility is adding container cranes as well as a 50-foot berth where ships can be unloaded. Baltimore’s port is also benefiting from grants to upgrade the Howard Street Tunnel, a brick-lined underpass for trains that opened in 1895. The tunnel would be expanded so that shipping containers could be double-stacked on railcars, making it easier to move goods out of the port.The president, who consulted with the CEOs of Walmart, Target, FedEx and UPS on Tuesday, emphasized that these investments are part of a national effort to relieve supply chain bottlenecks in ways that can aid broader growth.His administration also announced new investments to reduce congestion at the Port of Savannah in Georgia, nearly a month after the administration helped broker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">a deal for the Port of Los Angeles to operate nonstop</a>.The president has been trying to explain that the port congestion shows just how strong the economic rebound from the pandemic has been. A forecast by the National Retail Federation suggests a record level of imports this year.The inflation phenomenon is also global in nature, with Germany and China recently reporting high levels.The president made his case Wednesday in a city of nearly 600,000 people that supports him. Nearly 90% of voters in Baltimore backed Biden in last year’s election. The president also stopped in the city for a CNN town hall on Oct. 21.Baltimore embodies the complexities of an increasingly diverse America at a time of heated national politics.Many Americans have seen a TV version of the city’s poverty, crime, political corruption and vacant row houses on shows such as HBO’s “The Wire.” Unrest following the 2015 death of Freddie Gray from injuries in a police van helped to propel a national movement for respecting the rights and lives of Black Americans.But Baltimore also contains deep pockets of wealth and prosperity in what is a microcosm of the broader inequality confronting the nation. There are the mansions of the Guilford neighborhood, elite private schools, celebrated restaurants and the prestige of Johns Hopkins University.As president, Donald Trump slammed the majority Black city on Twitter frequently, calling it “the WORST IN NATION.” But while Trump scorned Baltimore, Biden sees a test case for his agenda that goes beyond the ports. His child tax credits are sending thousands of dollars to families in a city with a child poverty rate north of 30%. Work has begun to renovate and modernize the historic Penn Station, possibly improving rail transit across the Northeast.

Biden: My $1.7T infrastructure plan will ease economic woes

Sharon
 Kay Sohl, 81, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 4:45 a.m., Tuesday, 
November 9, 2021, with her husband and daughters by her side, at 
Hillsboro Community Hospital, Hillsboro, Kansas. She was born in Haven, Kansas on October 17, 1940, a daughter of Helen (Nicklaus) and Joseph Riedl. Sharon attended St. Johns Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Hoisington High School, Hoisington, Kansas in 1958. 
 Through the years Sharon worked as a Account Clerk for the Larned 
Correctional Facility, Larned State Hospital and Larned Courthouse. She 
also worked as a Owner and Operator of Economy Hearing Aide Center, 
McPherson, Kansas for the last 13 years. Sharon was a member of Foursquare Church and the American Cancer Society. 
 She enjoyed camping, fishing, going south for the winter, cooking for 
her family and loved spending time with her friends and family. 
 Sharon was a loving wife, mother, grandma and GGMa, who loved the Lord.
 Her greatest joy was knowing her family also loved the Lord! 
Sharon Kay Riedl was united in marriage to Brett Sohl on March 4, 1983 
in Larned, Kansas. The couple established their first home together in 
Larned. She is survived by her husband Brett Sohl, of 
McPherson, Kansas; her children, David Huddleston and his wife Sue, of 
Elk City, Oklahoma, Kerri Barnard and her husband John, of Hays, Kansas,&nbsp; and Kristi Campbell and her husband Rick, of Americus, Kansas; her 
brothers Martin Riedl and his wife Vicki and Bert Riedl and his wife 
Loretta. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Tiffany 
VandeKopple(Jon), Jason Fenwick(Amanda), Tyson Couchman(Kathy), Nathan 
Campbell, Cody Campbell and Caitlin Njogu and 8 great grandchildren. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents. 
 A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 20, at 10:30 a.m.
 at McPherson Cemetery, McPherson, Kansas, with Rob Schmutz officiating.
 Memorials may be made to McPherson County Community 
Foundation and they can be sent to Glidden- Ediger Funeral Home; 222 W. 
Euclid St., McPherson, Kansas 67460.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636584746021.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sharon
 Kay Sohl, 81, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 4:45 a.m., Tuesday, 
November 9, 2021, with her husband and daughters by her side, at 
Hillsboro Community Hospital, Hillsboro, Kansas. She was born in Haven, Kansas on October 17, 1940, a daughter of Helen (Nicklaus) and Joseph Riedl. Sharon attended St. Johns Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Hoisington High School, Hoisington, Kansas in 1958. 
 Through the years Sharon worked as a Account Clerk for the Larned 
Correctional Facility, Larned State Hospital and Larned Courthouse. She 
also worked as a Owner and Operator of Economy Hearing Aide Center, 
McPherson, Kansas for the last 13 years. Sharon was a member of Foursquare Church and the American Cancer Society. 
 She enjoyed camping, fishing, going south for the winter, cooking for 
her family and loved spending time with her friends and family. 
 Sharon was a loving wife, mother, grandma and GGMa, who loved the Lord.
 Her greatest joy was knowing her family also loved the Lord! 
Sharon Kay Riedl was united in marriage to Brett Sohl on March 4, 1983 
in Larned, Kansas. The couple established their first home together in 
Larned. She is survived by her husband Brett Sohl, of 
McPherson, Kansas; her children, David Huddleston and his wife Sue, of 
Elk City, Oklahoma, Kerri Barnard and her husband John, of Hays, Kansas,&nbsp; and Kristi Campbell and her husband Rick, of Americus, Kansas; her 
brothers Martin Riedl and his wife Vicki and Bert Riedl and his wife 
Loretta. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Tiffany 
VandeKopple(Jon), Jason Fenwick(Amanda), Tyson Couchman(Kathy), Nathan 
Campbell, Cody Campbell and Caitlin Njogu and 8 great grandchildren. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents. 
 A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 20, at 10:30 a.m.
 at McPherson Cemetery, McPherson, Kansas, with Rob Schmutz officiating.
 Memorials may be made to McPherson County Community 
Foundation and they can be sent to Glidden- Ediger Funeral Home; 222 W. 
Euclid St., McPherson, Kansas 67460.&nbsp;

Sharon Kay Sohl

WASHINGTON (AP) —Prices for U.S. consumers jumped 6.2 percent in October compared with a year earlier as surging costs for food, gas and housing left Americans grappling with the highest inflation rate since 1990.

The year-over-year increase in the consumer price index exceeded the 5.4 percent rise in September, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. From September to October, prices jumped 0.9 percent, the highest month-over-month increase since June.

Inflation is eroding the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-wages-salaries-increase-8ce98ea3bcc14c4810eb5a1111e1df49" target="_blank">strong gains in wages and salaries&nbsp;</a>that have flowed to America’s workers in recent months, creating political headaches for the Biden administration and congressional Democrats and intensifying pressure on the Federal Reserve as it considers how fast to withdraw its efforts to boost the economy.

Job gains and pay raises have been much healthier during the pandemic recovery than they were after the Great Recession roughly a decade ago. But in contrast to the years that followed that downturn, inflation is now accelerating and diminishing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-prices-inflation-d98e33f5f024e5109486b70662196ed7" target="_blank">Americans’ confidence in the economy, surveys have found</a>.

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called core prices rose 0.6% in from September to October. Core prices are now up 4.6 percent compared with a year ago.

Energy costs soared 4.8 percent just from September to October, with gasoline, natural gas and heating oil surging for the same reason that many other commodities have grown more expensive: Demand has risen sharply as Americans are driving and flying more, but supplies haven’t kept up.

Economists still expect inflation to slow once supply bottlenecks are cleared and Americans shift more of their consumption back to pre-pandemic norms. As COVID-19 fades, consumers should spend more on travel, entertainment and other services and less on goods such as cars, furniture, and appliances, which would reduce pressure on supply chains.

But no one knows how long that might take. Higher inflation has persisted much longer than most economists had expected. And inflation is spreading well beyond items like appliances and new and used vehicles that are directly affected by the pandemic.

“The inflation overshoot will likely get worse before it gets better,” said Goldman Sachs economists in a research note Sunday.

For months, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had described inflation as “transitory,” a short-term phenomenon linked to labor and supply shortages resulting from the speed with which the economy rebounded from the pandemic recession. But last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-economy-inflation-e4993a475b31c2e82efe788ff8b47c68" target="_blank">Powell acknowledged</a>&nbsp;that higher prices could last well into next summer.

The Fed chair announced that the central bank will start reducing the monthly bond purchases it began last year as an emergency measure to boost the economy. Investors now expect the Fed to raise its benchmark interest rate twice next year from its record-low level near zero — much earlier than they had predicted a few months ago.

Many large companies are passing on the cost of higher pay to their customers, and in some cases, consumers are paying up rather than cutting back.

To attract workers, for example, McDonald’s boosted hourly pay 10 percent to 15 percent over the past year. To help cover those higher labor costs as well as more expensive food and paper, the company said last month that it raised prices 6 percent in the July-September quarter from a year earlier. Yet even so, company sales leapt 14 percent as virus restrictions eased.

Other companies have been more cautious. One of them, Wayfair, an online furniture retailer, said last week that its costs are rising as factories in Asia have shut down amid COVID outbreaks, ports are jammed, and labor costs have surged. But the company isn’t necessarily passing along all those higher costs.

“We are in a mass-oriented business where the average customer does not have an unlimited discretionary budget,” said Michael Fleisher, Wayfair’s chief financial officer. “Inflation is rampant across the economy, and there are competing demands for their time and wallet share.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625744811390.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Prices for U.S. consumers jumped 6.2 percent in October compared with a year earlier as surging costs for food, gas and housing left Americans grappling with the highest inflation rate since 1990.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🚨🚨 BIDENFLATION SURGES TO 31 YEAR HIGH! It’s here to stay so long as the left continues to throw gasoline on the fire with their reckless taxing, reckless borrowing, and reckless spending agenda. <a href="https://t.co/k2wDdlSKkV">https://t.co/k2wDdlSKkV</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1458456925943762949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The year-over-year increase in the consumer price index exceeded the 5.4 percent rise in September, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. From September to October, prices jumped 0.9 percent, the highest month-over-month increase since June.Inflation is eroding the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-wages-salaries-increase-8ce98ea3bcc14c4810eb5a1111e1df49" target="_blank">strong gains in wages and salaries&nbsp;</a>that have flowed to America’s workers in recent months, creating political headaches for the Biden administration and congressional Democrats and intensifying pressure on the Federal Reserve as it considers how fast to withdraw its efforts to boost the economy.Job gains and pay raises have been much healthier during the pandemic recovery than they were after the Great Recession roughly a decade ago. But in contrast to the years that followed that downturn, inflation is now accelerating and diminishing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-prices-inflation-d98e33f5f024e5109486b70662196ed7" target="_blank">Americans’ confidence in the economy, surveys have found</a>.Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called core prices rose 0.6% in from September to October. Core prices are now up 4.6 percent compared with a year ago.Energy costs soared 4.8 percent just from September to October, with gasoline, natural gas and heating oil surging for the same reason that many other commodities have grown more expensive: Demand has risen sharply as Americans are driving and flying more, but supplies haven’t kept up.Economists still expect inflation to slow once supply bottlenecks are cleared and Americans shift more of their consumption back to pre-pandemic norms. As COVID-19 fades, consumers should spend more on travel, entertainment and other services and less on goods such as cars, furniture, and appliances, which would reduce pressure on supply chains.But no one knows how long that might take. Higher inflation has persisted much longer than most economists had expected. And inflation is spreading well beyond items like appliances and new and used vehicles that are directly affected by the pandemic.“The inflation overshoot will likely get worse before it gets better,” said Goldman Sachs economists in a research note Sunday.For months, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had described inflation as “transitory,” a short-term phenomenon linked to labor and supply shortages resulting from the speed with which the economy rebounded from the pandemic recession. But last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-economy-inflation-e4993a475b31c2e82efe788ff8b47c68" target="_blank">Powell acknowledged</a>&nbsp;that higher prices could last well into next summer.The Fed chair announced that the central bank will start reducing the monthly bond purchases it began last year as an emergency measure to boost the economy. Investors now expect the Fed to raise its benchmark interest rate twice next year from its record-low level near zero — much earlier than they had predicted a few months ago.Many large companies are passing on the cost of higher pay to their customers, and in some cases, consumers are paying up rather than cutting back.To attract workers, for example, McDonald’s boosted hourly pay 10 percent to 15 percent over the past year. To help cover those higher labor costs as well as more expensive food and paper, the company said last month that it raised prices 6 percent in the July-September quarter from a year earlier. Yet even so, company sales leapt 14 percent as virus restrictions eased.Other companies have been more cautious. One of them, Wayfair, an online furniture retailer, said last week that its costs are rising as factories in Asia have shut down amid COVID outbreaks, ports are jammed, and labor costs have surged. But the company isn’t necessarily passing along all those higher costs.“We are in a mass-oriented business where the average customer does not have an unlimited discretionary budget,” said Michael Fleisher, Wayfair’s chief financial officer. “Inflation is rampant across the economy, and there are competing demands for their time and wallet share.”

Kan. senator responds as U.S. inflation hits 30-year high, prices keep rising

&nbsp;By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/10/seaman-schools-keep-name-but-will-stop-associating-with-vile-klan-leader/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Seaman schools north of Topeka will keep their name but disavow their racist namesake.

Following months of contentious debate — and an election where two 
school board candidates defeated incumbents with campaigns built around 
preserving the name of a former Ku Klux Klan leader — the school board 
voted Monday to denounce all associations with Fred A. Seaman. Students who have advocated for a new name weren’t satisfied with the decision and promised to keep fighting.

Last year, student journalists at 
Seaman High School reported Seaman, who founded the district’s high 
school and was its principal from 1920 to 1931, was also the “exalted 
cyclops” of the local Klan chapter. The revelation sparked an outcry 
from many in the student body and community to change the school name.

After workshops, protests and 
community discussions, the board proposed and passed an alternative to 
what became a divisive issue in local school board elections. The 
measure condemns Seaman’s “revolting” and “vile” history and mandates 
removal of all references to the Klan leader from the district 
permanently.

“The action taken by this board 
tonight is an incremental step toward removing racism in our district,” 
said board president Keith Griffin. “By separating from Fred A. Seaman, 
this board is supporting that our community is larger than one person 
and does not support or uphold the actions of Fred A. Seaman.”

The seven-person board moved 
unanimously to approve the measure. The decision comes just days after 
Griffin and Cherie Sage lost their seats in the general election to 
Chris Travis and Donna McGinty, who supported keeping the Seaman name.

The measure also encouraged the high 
school’s museum class to create an exhibit focusing on Seaman’s 
“repulsive involvement” with the Ku Klux Klan. The suggestion was 
included to ensure knowledge of Seaman’s actions does not fade into 
history.

Before the vote, more than 40 
students, parents and concerned community members gathered in front of 
the Seaman Education Center, where the vote took place. The rallygoers 
carried signs calling for the name change.

Those on hand said the board should be responsive to the students and reject a name symbolic of hate.

“If we don’t change the name, it 
sends the message to our community and communities around us that we 
condone that hate and that we don’t stand for better,” said Olivia 
Oliva, a senior at Seaman High School.

The Unified School District 345 board
 formed a nine-person namesake committee in March. An October report 
from the committee provided information on Seaman and his history but 
did not make a recommendation.

Kayla McClenny, a senior at the high 
school, came out in solidarity with her classmates of color. She said 
students should not be forced to represent someone who caused so much 
pain for people of color in the community.

“People of color are still affected, 
even today,” McClenny said. “It’s kind of just showing they don’t really
 care about all the Klan did.”

A statement on the Rename Seaman 
Schools Facebook page after the vote expressed disappointment in the 
board’s actions. The statement noted the fight to change the name would 
not end.

“In no way is this resolution 
indicative of a caring and responsive culture,” the statement reads. 
“Those of us impacted by the racism and hatred of Seaman and the KKK 
will not be deterred.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636577318408.png" alt="More than 40 people, many of them students, gathered Monday in front of the Seaman Education Center, where board members moved to keep the name of Ku Klux Klan leader Fred A. Seaman, but strip all associations and references to him. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>More than 40 people, many of them students, gathered Monday in front of the Seaman Education Center, where board members moved to keep the name of Ku Klux Klan leader Fred A. Seaman, but strip all associations and references to him. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/10/seaman-schools-keep-name-but-will-stop-associating-with-vile-klan-leader/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Seaman schools north of Topeka will keep their name but disavow their racist namesake.Following months of contentious debate — and an election where two 
school board candidates defeated incumbents with campaigns built around 
preserving the name of a former Ku Klux Klan leader — the school board 
voted Monday to denounce all associations with Fred A. Seaman. Students who have advocated for a new name weren’t satisfied with the decision and promised to keep fighting.Last year, student journalists at 
Seaman High School reported Seaman, who founded the district’s high 
school and was its principal from 1920 to 1931, was also the “exalted 
cyclops” of the local Klan chapter. The revelation sparked an outcry 
from many in the student body and community to change the school name.After workshops, protests and 
community discussions, the board proposed and passed an alternative to 
what became a divisive issue in local school board elections. The 
measure condemns Seaman’s “revolting” and “vile” history and mandates 
removal of all references to the Klan leader from the district 
permanently.The name, however, will remain.“The action taken by this board 
tonight is an incremental step toward removing racism in our district,” 
said board president Keith Griffin. “By separating from Fred A. Seaman, 
this board is supporting that our community is larger than one person 
and does not support or uphold the actions of Fred A. Seaman.”The seven-person board moved 
unanimously to approve the measure. The decision comes just days after 
Griffin and Cherie Sage lost their seats in the general election to 
Chris Travis and Donna McGinty, who supported keeping the Seaman name.The measure also encouraged the high 
school’s museum class to create an exhibit focusing on Seaman’s 
“repulsive involvement” with the Ku Klux Klan. The suggestion was 
included to ensure knowledge of Seaman’s actions does not fade into 
history.Before the vote, more than 40 
students, parents and concerned community members gathered in front of 
the Seaman Education Center, where the vote took place. The rallygoers 
carried signs calling for the name change.Those on hand said the board should be responsive to the students and reject a name symbolic of hate.“If we don’t change the name, it 
sends the message to our community and communities around us that we 
condone that hate and that we don’t stand for better,” said Olivia 
Oliva, a senior at Seaman High School.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636577467030.png" alt="The Rename Seaman Schools Facebook page said actions take by the board were insufficient and demonstrated a lack of inclusivity. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Rename Seaman Schools Facebook page said actions take by the board were insufficient and demonstrated a lack of inclusivity. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Unified School District 345 board
 formed a nine-person namesake committee in March. An October report 
from the committee provided information on Seaman and his history but 
did not make a recommendation.Kayla McClenny, a senior at the high 
school, came out in solidarity with her classmates of color. She said 
students should not be forced to represent someone who caused so much 
pain for people of color in the community.“People of color are still affected, 
even today,” McClenny said. “It’s kind of just showing they don’t really
 care about all the Klan did.”A statement on the Rename Seaman 
Schools Facebook page after the vote expressed disappointment in the 
board’s actions. The statement noted the fight to change the name would 
not end.“In no way is this resolution 
indicative of a caring and responsive culture,” the statement reads. 
“Those of us impacted by the racism and hatred of Seaman and the KKK 
will not be deterred.”

Seaman schools keep name but will stop associating with ‘vile’ Klan leader

It is with heavy 
hearts that we assemble with our memories of Betty Jean Price. After a 
grueling eight-week battle with her critical illness, it became evident 
she would not recover. Her legacy, however, shall live on in her family 
and friends forevermore. Her passing has stirred the hearts of so many; 
an outpouring of caring and love toward those she leaves behind.

Her time on earth was short. On Friday, 29 October 2021, her strength
 diminished as her illness progressed. What had been deemed stable 
critical reduced to the time is nigh. Her weary body could no longer 
fight the effects of her illness. She peacefully released her soul to 
the greater life that awaited her in the Light. She passed around 4:15pm
 with her husband Lew Price, and daughter, Polly {Paulette} Price, 
nearby.

It is the family’s desire to hold a Celebration of Life for Betty J 
Price on Saturday, 8 January 2022. Time and location are being 
finalized. Notifications will be distributed as soon as this information
 is solidified. Her wishes for inurnment shall be held at a private 
family only event.

Betty Jean Price was the firstborn daughter of Dale and Annette 
Walraven. She arrived 18 March 1952, in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas. Her 
school life was well rounded and well-traveled. Her parents relocated to
 Kimball, then Potter, Nebraska. In 1966, the family relocated one more 
time. This journey brought them to Baker, Fallon County Montana where 
she completed her high school education. Destiny intertwined two hearts 
to move forward from friends to soul mates.

Her marriage to Lew Price was held in Baker Community Church, Baker, 
Montana on 12 March 1983. They resided in Baker MT prior to moving to 
Billings, Montana where Lew attended then known as Eastern Montana 
College. Their journey continued to Washington state, and Mulvane, 
Sedgwick County Kansas. They traveled and settled in Burnsville, Dakota 
County Minnesota in 1996, where they raised their two children.

One son, Devin, married Sabrina, blessing Betty with Nova Jean Price,
 her namesake. They reside in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. A son, Cassius 
{pronounced Cass-ē-us} Llwellyn Price is expected to arrive in early 
2022. Betty will be looking in on his progress as days grow closer to 
his arrival and forevermore. One daughter, Paulette Jessie Kay Price, 
resides in West St Paul, Minnesota.

Betty Price had an outstanding musical ability which she volunteered 
and prominently displayed her expertise as Director of Music for Bethel 
85, the Job’s Daughters group attended by her daughter. She also played 
piano in her church, New Spirit UCC, Savage, Minnesota.

Her creativity extended beyond music. She received her Associate 
Degree in Graphic Design where her talents were shared as a free lance 
artist. Her artistic prowess and passion for photography was 
unmistakable. She produced remarkable photos of areas visited during 
their vacations. She also documented weddings and Bethel 85 events, to 
name a few, when asked to assist.

Most recently she touched the hearts and lives of employees and 
customers in the Custom Blinds and Drapes of JC Penney, Burnsville, 
Minnesota. Customers would ask for her, and, if unavailable, would 
return only when she was working.

An angel now resides in heaven with the loved ones who were awaiting 
her arrival, including her dogs who crossed the rainbow bridge before 
her. She is survived outside her immediate family by her sister, Deborah
 (Walraven) Wenger of Oconomowoc, Waukesha County Wisconsin. There are 
ten nieces and nephews and fourteen grandnieces and grandnephews that 
feel the impact for her passing.

Love and well-wishes reverberate through the scores of messages to Lew and Betty’s family.

… and, of course, the lives of friends she touched during her lifetime
 shall fondly speak her name, remembering her kind and loving heart.

Arrangements are in the care of <a href="https://cremationsocietyofmn.com/tribute/details/45872/Betty-Price/obituary.html">Cremation Society of Minnesota.</a>

It is with heavy 
hearts that we assemble with our memories of Betty Jean Price. After a 
grueling eight-week battle with her critical illness, it became evident 
she would not recover. Her legacy, however, shall live on in her family 
and friends forevermore. Her passing has stirred the hearts of so many; 
an outpouring of caring and love toward those she leaves behind.Her time on earth was short. On Friday, 29 October 2021, her strength
 diminished as her illness progressed. What had been deemed stable 
critical reduced to the time is nigh. Her weary body could no longer 
fight the effects of her illness. She peacefully released her soul to 
the greater life that awaited her in the Light. She passed around 4:15pm
 with her husband Lew Price, and daughter, Polly {Paulette} Price, 
nearby.It is the family’s desire to hold a Celebration of Life for Betty J 
Price on Saturday, 8 January 2022. Time and location are being 
finalized. Notifications will be distributed as soon as this information
 is solidified. Her wishes for inurnment shall be held at a private 
family only event.Betty Jean Price was the firstborn daughter of Dale and Annette 
Walraven. She arrived 18 March 1952, in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas. Her 
school life was well rounded and well-traveled. Her parents relocated to
 Kimball, then Potter, Nebraska. In 1966, the family relocated one more 
time. This journey brought them to Baker, Fallon County Montana where 
she completed her high school education. Destiny intertwined two hearts 
to move forward from friends to soul mates.Her marriage to Lew Price was held in Baker Community Church, Baker, 
Montana on 12 March 1983. They resided in Baker MT prior to moving to 
Billings, Montana where Lew attended then known as Eastern Montana 
College. Their journey continued to Washington state, and Mulvane, 
Sedgwick County Kansas. They traveled and settled in Burnsville, Dakota 
County Minnesota in 1996, where they raised their two children.One son, Devin, married Sabrina, blessing Betty with Nova Jean Price,
 her namesake. They reside in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. A son, Cassius 
{pronounced Cass-ē-us} Llwellyn Price is expected to arrive in early 
2022. Betty will be looking in on his progress as days grow closer to 
his arrival and forevermore. One daughter, Paulette Jessie Kay Price, 
resides in West St Paul, Minnesota.Betty Price had an outstanding musical ability which she volunteered 
and prominently displayed her expertise as Director of Music for Bethel 
85, the Job’s Daughters group attended by her daughter. She also played 
piano in her church, New Spirit UCC, Savage, Minnesota.Her creativity extended beyond music. She received her Associate 
Degree in Graphic Design where her talents were shared as a free lance 
artist. Her artistic prowess and passion for photography was 
unmistakable. She produced remarkable photos of areas visited during 
their vacations. She also documented weddings and Bethel 85 events, to 
name a few, when asked to assist.Most recently she touched the hearts and lives of employees and 
customers in the Custom Blinds and Drapes of JC Penney, Burnsville, 
Minnesota. Customers would ask for her, and, if unavailable, would 
return only when she was working.An angel now resides in heaven with the loved ones who were awaiting 
her arrival, including her dogs who crossed the rainbow bridge before 
her. She is survived outside her immediate family by her sister, Deborah
 (Walraven) Wenger of Oconomowoc, Waukesha County Wisconsin. There are 
ten nieces and nephews and fourteen grandnieces and grandnephews that 
feel the impact for her passing.Love and well-wishes reverberate through the scores of messages to Lew and Betty’s family.… and, of course, the lives of friends she touched during her lifetime
 shall fondly speak her name, remembering her kind and loving heart.By ~ Deborah Walraven WengerArrangements are in the care of <a href="https://cremationsocietyofmn.com/tribute/details/45872/Betty-Price/obituary.html">Cremation Society of Minnesota.</a>

Betty Jean Price

Donald Dean Schoonover, 79, passed away at the University of Kansas 
Medical Center in Kansas City, KS on the morning of Saturday, November 
6, 2021.

Don was born in Dodge City, KS on October 22, 1942, the first of four
 children to Homer and Lavergne (Ingals) Schoonover, of Kingsdown, KS. 
He graduated from Ford High School, Ford, KS in 1960. While in school, 
Don was a varsity letterman in football, basketball, and track. After 
graduating high school, he went on to study architecture at Kansas State
 University, graduating with a degree in Business in 1965.

After graduation, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve (Electronics Maintenance Company Maintenance Battalion 4th
 Marine Division) and attended basic training at Camp Pendleton, CA. Don
 began his career in the aerospace industry with the Boeing Company in 
Wichita and later in Seattle, WA where he met Mary Catharine (Cathy) 
Park. They were married at Eastminister Presbyterian Church in Wichita, 
KS.

Don and Cathy lived in Arlington, TX and Woodbridge, VA before 
returning home to Kansas to be closer to family. In 1978, Don moved to 
Larned, KS where he formed the irrigation company, Ag Systems, Inc. with
 his brother Kent, serving farmers throughout western Kansas for nearly 
40 years.

Growing up on a farm, Don valued honesty, integrity, hard work, and 
most of all he loved people. When not at “the shop," Don loved spending 
time with his four children and six grandchildren, whether on yearly 
snowmobiling trips to Colorado, cheering on his K-State Wildcats, or 
going to see his grandkids’ sporting events. Don and Cathy loved 
spending time with their three dogs and working on the house, stopping 
only to enjoy the occasional margarita together.

Don and Cathy had four children, David of Larned, Michelle (Mike) 
Daniel of Great Bend, Ashley (Scott) Taylor of Dodge City, and Jason of 
Nashville, TN along with six grandchildren, Dylan Kent, Michael Warren, 
Brady and Laura Daniel, and Dawson and Addisyn Taylor. Don is survived 
by his brother Kent (Robyn) of Littleton, CO, sister-in-law, Leslie 
Schoonover of Dodge City, and brother-in-law, Alan Steele of Ford. Don 
is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Lavergne Schoonover, his 
brother Rod Schoonover, and his sister Linda Steele.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 12, 
2021, at the Presbyterian Church in Kingsdown, KS with Pastor Suzie Woods
 presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on 
Thursday, November 11, 2021, at Beckwith Mortuary in Larned, KS with 
family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Ford 
Cemetery, Ford, KS with military graveside rites.

Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to the Ford Cemetery Fund or
 the Presbyterian Church of Kingsdown, KS in care of Beckwith Mortuary, 
PO Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636467506810.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Donald Dean Schoonover, 79, passed away at the University of Kansas 
Medical Center in Kansas City, KS on the morning of Saturday, November 
6, 2021.Don was born in Dodge City, KS on October 22, 1942, the first of four
 children to Homer and Lavergne (Ingals) Schoonover, of Kingsdown, KS. 
He graduated from Ford High School, Ford, KS in 1960. While in school, 
Don was a varsity letterman in football, basketball, and track. After 
graduating high school, he went on to study architecture at Kansas State
 University, graduating with a degree in Business in 1965.After graduation, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve (Electronics Maintenance Company Maintenance Battalion 4th
 Marine Division) and attended basic training at Camp Pendleton, CA. Don
 began his career in the aerospace industry with the Boeing Company in 
Wichita and later in Seattle, WA where he met Mary Catharine (Cathy) 
Park. They were married at Eastminister Presbyterian Church in Wichita, 
KS.Don and Cathy lived in Arlington, TX and Woodbridge, VA before 
returning home to Kansas to be closer to family. In 1978, Don moved to 
Larned, KS where he formed the irrigation company, Ag Systems, Inc. with
 his brother Kent, serving farmers throughout western Kansas for nearly 
40 years.Growing up on a farm, Don valued honesty, integrity, hard work, and 
most of all he loved people. When not at “the shop," Don loved spending 
time with his four children and six grandchildren, whether on yearly 
snowmobiling trips to Colorado, cheering on his K-State Wildcats, or 
going to see his grandkids’ sporting events. Don and Cathy loved 
spending time with their three dogs and working on the house, stopping 
only to enjoy the occasional margarita together.Don and Cathy had four children, David of Larned, Michelle (Mike) 
Daniel of Great Bend, Ashley (Scott) Taylor of Dodge City, and Jason of 
Nashville, TN along with six grandchildren, Dylan Kent, Michael Warren, 
Brady and Laura Daniel, and Dawson and Addisyn Taylor. Don is survived 
by his brother Kent (Robyn) of Littleton, CO, sister-in-law, Leslie 
Schoonover of Dodge City, and brother-in-law, Alan Steele of Ford. Don 
is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Lavergne Schoonover, his 
brother Rod Schoonover, and his sister Linda Steele.Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 12, 
2021, at the Presbyterian Church in Kingsdown, KS with Pastor Suzie Woods
 presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on 
Thursday, November 11, 2021, at Beckwith Mortuary in Larned, KS with 
family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Ford 
Cemetery, Ford, KS with military graveside rites.Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to the Ford Cemetery Fund or
 the Presbyterian Church of Kingsdown, KS in care of Beckwith Mortuary, 
PO Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.

Donald Dean Schoonover

Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson gained $2.50 on Friday and starts the week at $71.50 per barrel. That's down nearly three dollars from the beginning of the month, but it's more than $32 higher than at the beginning of the year. Observers last week reported several signs of a resurgent Kansas oil patch. The Kansas Corporation Commission Web site shows 159 new intent-to-drill notices in October, the best monthly total so far this year. That brings the year-to-date total statewide to 1,027 intents, compared to just 469 by the end of October last year. There are eight new intents on file in Barton County, one in Ellis County, two in Russell County and five in Stafford County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported the tally of newly-spudded wells is up more than 146% over a year ago. The number of operators working in the state is up 35%. This week's Rig Count in Kansas shows 15 active rigs east of Wichita, down one, and 26 in Western Kansas, which is up two. Operators are about to spud a new well in Barton County and drilling is underway on a lease in Stafford County. Kansas regulators approved 39 new drilling permits last week. That brings the total number of new Kansas drilling locations so far this year to 966 compared to just 392 a year ago. There are 28 new permits in eastern Kansas, and 11 west of Wichita, including two permits in Barton County, one in Russell County and three in Stafford County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 33 newly-completed wells across Kansas, with 18 east of Wichita and one each in Ellis and Stafford counties among the 15 in Western Kansas. Operators have completed 753 wells so far this year compared to 719 through October of last year. The operator of Kansas' largest refinery reported a year-over-year increase of 35% in net income for the fiscal year. CHS reported a big increase in earnings in its agriculture segment, but a decline among its refineries. In a statement, the company said improved refinery margins were more than offset by price increases for Canadian heavy crude, and by what the company called the exceptionally high cost of renewable energy tax credits. The Kansas Geological Society recognized and named three new oil fields and one infield-wildcat discovery in Kansas last week. They are located in Gove, Haskell, Lane and Greeley counties. That makes 19 new fields identified so far this year, compared to 17 at this point last year. The OPEC-Plus export group will stay the course, adding another 400,000 barrels per day to their output for December. Delegates on Thursday disregarded demands from President Biden for faster increases. According to Bloomberg, there is growing speculation the U.S. could soon tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an effort to drive down prices.&nbsp; U.S. Oil-by-rail traffic was down last month, according to a report from the Association of American Railroads. The trade group says overall rail traffic was down 2.8% last month, but petroleum shipments were down 2,495 carloads, a 6.1% decline. Weekly oil-by-rail tallies across the U.S. were down from a year ago but slightly higher than last week's report. AAR reports 9,558 tanker carloads hauling petroleum for the week through October 30th, up 14 carloads from the week before but down 6.5% from a year ago. Canadian oil-by-rail traffic is down for the week but still nearly 14% higher than a year ago. Baker Hughes reports 550 active rigs nationwide, an increase of six oil rigs. The count in Texas was up four rigs. Of the 550 active rigs being tracked this week, 492 are horizontal rigs, an increase of nine rigs. The number of active vertical drilling rigs was down four. U.S. crude inventories increased by more than three million barrels last week to just over 434 million barrels. EIA says stockpiles are about six percent below the five year average for this time of year. U.S. crude-oil production topped 11 million barrels per day for the sixth week in a row. The Energy Information Administration reports domestic output reached over 11.5 million barrels per day for the week through October 29th. That's an increase of 192,000 barrels per day from the week before, and up more than 1.1 million barrels per day over a year ago. The government reported a drop in crude imports of over 83,000 barrels per day last week, at 6.2 million barrels per day. The four week average is nearly 15% higher than during the same four-week period last year. Oil major BP now asserts that worldwide crude-oil demand has once again exceeded 100-million barrels a day, a consumption figure not seen since before the pandemic. Bloomberg reports the resurgent demand has stymied some efforts to curb emissions, pushed prices to multiyear highs, and threatens the world's economic recovery. North Dakota's biggest operator will drop more than three billion dollars to acquire a huge tract in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. Continental Resources said in a statement the new drilling rights will help generate a half-billion dollars in free cash flow next year. Continental will pay Pioneer Natural Resources $3.25 billion for 92,000 net acres in the Delaware sub-region of the Permian. Bloomberg reports the record amount of free cash flow in the U.S. shale patch is driving a return to asset sales and corporate consolidation. The government says you will spend more on heating bills this winter than you have in the last several years. The Energy Information Administration says the higher prices follow changes to energy supply and demand patterns during the pandemic. The increases will depend on the weather, and not all households will see increases. EIA's Winter Fuels Outlook predicts nearly half of US homes heated by natural gas will see their bills go up 30% or more. The report says 41% of homes with electrical heating will see increases of about six percent to their bills. Only about five percent of homes with propane heat, and about four percent of those using heating oil will see increases, but those will both be double-digit increases.

By JOHN P. TRETBARKansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson gained $2.50 on Friday and starts the week at $71.50 per barrel. That's down nearly three dollars from the beginning of the month, but it's more than $32 higher than at the beginning of the year. Observers last week reported several signs of a resurgent Kansas oil patch. The Kansas Corporation Commission Web site shows 159 new intent-to-drill notices in October, the best monthly total so far this year. That brings the year-to-date total statewide to 1,027 intents, compared to just 469 by the end of October last year. There are eight new intents on file in Barton County, one in Ellis County, two in Russell County and five in Stafford County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported the tally of newly-spudded wells is up more than 146% over a year ago. The number of operators working in the state is up 35%. This week's Rig Count in Kansas shows 15 active rigs east of Wichita, down one, and 26 in Western Kansas, which is up two. Operators are about to spud a new well in Barton County and drilling is underway on a lease in Stafford County. Kansas regulators approved 39 new drilling permits last week. That brings the total number of new Kansas drilling locations so far this year to 966 compared to just 392 a year ago. There are 28 new permits in eastern Kansas, and 11 west of Wichita, including two permits in Barton County, one in Russell County and three in Stafford County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 33 newly-completed wells across Kansas, with 18 east of Wichita and one each in Ellis and Stafford counties among the 15 in Western Kansas. Operators have completed 753 wells so far this year compared to 719 through October of last year. The operator of Kansas' largest refinery reported a year-over-year increase of 35% in net income for the fiscal year. CHS reported a big increase in earnings in its agriculture segment, but a decline among its refineries. In a statement, the company said improved refinery margins were more than offset by price increases for Canadian heavy crude, and by what the company called the exceptionally high cost of renewable energy tax credits. The Kansas Geological Society recognized and named three new oil fields and one infield-wildcat discovery in Kansas last week. They are located in Gove, Haskell, Lane and Greeley counties. That makes 19 new fields identified so far this year, compared to 17 at this point last year. The OPEC-Plus export group will stay the course, adding another 400,000 barrels per day to their output for December. Delegates on Thursday disregarded demands from President Biden for faster increases. According to Bloomberg, there is growing speculation the U.S. could soon tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an effort to drive down prices.&nbsp; U.S. Oil-by-rail traffic was down last month, according to a report from the Association of American Railroads. The trade group says overall rail traffic was down 2.8% last month, but petroleum shipments were down 2,495 carloads, a 6.1% decline. Weekly oil-by-rail tallies across the U.S. were down from a year ago but slightly higher than last week's report. AAR reports 9,558 tanker carloads hauling petroleum for the week through October 30th, up 14 carloads from the week before but down 6.5% from a year ago. Canadian oil-by-rail traffic is down for the week but still nearly 14% higher than a year ago. Baker Hughes reports 550 active rigs nationwide, an increase of six oil rigs. The count in Texas was up four rigs. Of the 550 active rigs being tracked this week, 492 are horizontal rigs, an increase of nine rigs. The number of active vertical drilling rigs was down four. U.S. crude inventories increased by more than three million barrels last week to just over 434 million barrels. EIA says stockpiles are about six percent below the five year average for this time of year. U.S. crude-oil production topped 11 million barrels per day for the sixth week in a row. The Energy Information Administration reports domestic output reached over 11.5 million barrels per day for the week through October 29th. That's an increase of 192,000 barrels per day from the week before, and up more than 1.1 million barrels per day over a year ago. The government reported a drop in crude imports of over 83,000 barrels per day last week, at 6.2 million barrels per day. The four week average is nearly 15% higher than during the same four-week period last year. Oil major BP now asserts that worldwide crude-oil demand has once again exceeded 100-million barrels a day, a consumption figure not seen since before the pandemic. Bloomberg reports the resurgent demand has stymied some efforts to curb emissions, pushed prices to multiyear highs, and threatens the world's economic recovery. North Dakota's biggest operator will drop more than three billion dollars to acquire a huge tract in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. Continental Resources said in a statement the new drilling rights will help generate a half-billion dollars in free cash flow next year. Continental will pay Pioneer Natural Resources $3.25 billion for 92,000 net acres in the Delaware sub-region of the Permian. Bloomberg reports the record amount of free cash flow in the U.S. shale patch is driving a return to asset sales and corporate consolidation. The government says you will spend more on heating bills this winter than you have in the last several years. The Energy Information Administration says the higher prices follow changes to energy supply and demand patterns during the pandemic. The increases will depend on the weather, and not all households will see increases. EIA's Winter Fuels Outlook predicts nearly half of US homes heated by natural gas will see their bills go up 30% or more. The report says 41% of homes with electrical heating will see increases of about six percent to their bills. Only about five percent of homes with propane heat, and about four percent of those using heating oil will see increases, but those will both be double-digit increases.

News From the Oil Patch: Higher winter heating bills on the way

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing last month have a suspect in custody.

Shortly after midnight on October 9 police responded to a stabbing that at a residence in the 500 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;

Aa 31-year-old man had suffered a stab wound during an argument with a suspect who fled the area. EMS transported the victim to the hospital in St. Joseph, according to Wilson.

On Saturday afternoon, police located the suspect identified as 52-year-old David W. Barber in the 300 block Santa Fe in Atchison and took him into custody on a District Court warrant for aggravated battery. During that arrest, officers found he was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636384979230.png" alt="Barber-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Barber-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing last month have a suspect in custody.Shortly after midnight on October 9 police responded to a stabbing that at a residence in the 500 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;Aa 31-year-old man had suffered a stab wound during an argument with a suspect who fled the area. EMS transported the victim to the hospital in St. Joseph, according to Wilson.On Saturday afternoon, police located the suspect identified as 52-year-old David W. Barber in the 300 block Santa Fe in Atchison and took him into custody on a District Court warrant for aggravated battery. During that arrest, officers found he was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Wilson.

Police catch suspect wanted for stabbing at Kansas home

Sheri Anne (Sextro) Heilman was born May 31, 1964, in Harlan, Iowa to
 Dave and Anne (Allstot) Sextro, and passed on to be with her Lord on 
November 7, 2021, after battling a rare form of cancer.

Following graduation from high school, Sheri attended the University 
of Northern Iowa and Drake University where she achieved her Bachelors 
and Masters degrees in English and Educational Administration. &nbsp;While 
teaching and coaching in the Titonka School District, Sheri met the love
 of her life, Carl Heilman. &nbsp;On July 27, 1990, Carl and Sheri were 
joined in holy matrimony. &nbsp; Of the many things Sheri did in her life, 
she took most pride in being a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, 
aunt, friend and teacher. &nbsp;

While living in Iowa, Carl and Sheri welcomed the first of their four
 children,&nbsp;Brooke Anne Heilman, who was born June 15, 1991. &nbsp;A job 
opportunity led the Heilman family to Arizona, where they would reside 
for the next 10 years and would welcome their second daughter, Alissa 
Roi Heilman, born February 17, 1994. &nbsp;It was while in Arizona that Sheri
 made the move from classroom teacher to school principal. &nbsp;God’s next 
plan led the Heilmans from Arizona to Robinson, Illinois, where they 
welcomed their third child, Scott Benjamin Heilman, on October 8, 2003. 
&nbsp;It was their time in Illinois that found the Heilmans extremely busy as
 both Sheri and Carl filled their roles as school administrators and 
parents to a growing family. &nbsp;As was their habit, a final move to Great 
Bend, Kansas, brought the arrival of another baby, when Maximus Otis 
Heilman was born on January 8, 2008. &nbsp;Sheri and Carl often joked that 
they would need to stop moving to different states.

Left to honor Sheri’s memory are her husband, Carl; daughters, Brooke
 Heilman, and Alissa Buenger (Chris); and sons Scott Heilman and Maximus
 Heilman. &nbsp;Additionally are her parents Dave and Anne&nbsp;Sextro; two 
sisters, Susan Oberg (Steve), and Beth Namanny (Mike); and brother Ryan 
Sextro (Melanie). &nbsp;As well, Sheri leaves behind her mother in-law, 
Marianne Vigen Stanard; a brother in-law, Darren Vigen, and sister 
in-law Darice (Vigen) Fink; five nieces, Jaime Hanson (Matthew), Taylor 
Namanny, Logan Namanny, Taegan Fink, and Terra Fink; three nephews, 
Ethan, Lincoln, and Beckett Sextro; and great nephew, Kaden Hanson.

Those who have gone on before to make a place for Sheri include, 
maternal grandparents, Cecil and Marcella Allstot; paternal 
grandparents, Frank and Lorine Sextro; Sheri’s father in-law and partner
 in crime, Otis Vigen; a nephew, Chris Oberg; two uncles; and four 
cousins.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, 
November 11, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life 
ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., at Encounter Church, First Assembly
 of God, on November 12, 2021. &nbsp;Cremation has already taken place and 
Sheri’s remains will be inurned in a burial plot at a private family 
service at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests 
memorials to be made to Scott and Max Heilman educational fund or the 
Central Kansas Dream Center, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636395769254.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sheri Anne (Sextro) Heilman was born May 31, 1964, in Harlan, Iowa to
 Dave and Anne (Allstot) Sextro, and passed on to be with her Lord on 
November 7, 2021, after battling a rare form of cancer.Following graduation from high school, Sheri attended the University 
of Northern Iowa and Drake University where she achieved her Bachelors 
and Masters degrees in English and Educational Administration. &nbsp;While 
teaching and coaching in the Titonka School District, Sheri met the love
 of her life, Carl Heilman. &nbsp;On July 27, 1990, Carl and Sheri were 
joined in holy matrimony. &nbsp; Of the many things Sheri did in her life, 
she took most pride in being a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, 
aunt, friend and teacher. &nbsp;While living in Iowa, Carl and Sheri welcomed the first of their four
 children,&nbsp;Brooke Anne Heilman, who was born June 15, 1991. &nbsp;A job 
opportunity led the Heilman family to Arizona, where they would reside 
for the next 10 years and would welcome their second daughter, Alissa 
Roi Heilman, born February 17, 1994. &nbsp;It was while in Arizona that Sheri
 made the move from classroom teacher to school principal. &nbsp;God’s next 
plan led the Heilmans from Arizona to Robinson, Illinois, where they 
welcomed their third child, Scott Benjamin Heilman, on October 8, 2003. 
&nbsp;It was their time in Illinois that found the Heilmans extremely busy as
 both Sheri and Carl filled their roles as school administrators and 
parents to a growing family. &nbsp;As was their habit, a final move to Great 
Bend, Kansas, brought the arrival of another baby, when Maximus Otis 
Heilman was born on January 8, 2008. &nbsp;Sheri and Carl often joked that 
they would need to stop moving to different states.Left to honor Sheri’s memory are her husband, Carl; daughters, Brooke
 Heilman, and Alissa Buenger (Chris); and sons Scott Heilman and Maximus
 Heilman. &nbsp;Additionally are her parents Dave and Anne&nbsp;Sextro; two 
sisters, Susan Oberg (Steve), and Beth Namanny (Mike); and brother Ryan 
Sextro (Melanie). &nbsp;As well, Sheri leaves behind her mother in-law, 
Marianne Vigen Stanard; a brother in-law, Darren Vigen, and sister 
in-law Darice (Vigen) Fink; five nieces, Jaime Hanson (Matthew), Taylor 
Namanny, Logan Namanny, Taegan Fink, and Terra Fink; three nephews, 
Ethan, Lincoln, and Beckett Sextro; and great nephew, Kaden Hanson.Those who have gone on before to make a place for Sheri include, 
maternal grandparents, Cecil and Marcella Allstot; paternal 
grandparents, Frank and Lorine Sextro; Sheri’s father in-law and partner
 in crime, Otis Vigen; a nephew, Chris Oberg; two uncles; and four 
cousins.The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, 
November 11, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life 
ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., at Encounter Church, First Assembly
 of God, on November 12, 2021. &nbsp;Cremation has already taken place and 
Sheri’s remains will be inurned in a burial plot at a private family 
service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests 
memorials to be made to Scott and Max Heilman educational fund or the 
Central Kansas Dream Center, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Sheri Anne (Sextro) Heilman

Kathleen Joy Cassell, 93, passed away Saturday, 
November 6, 2021. She was born October 12, 1928, to Elmer Hagstrand and 
Mildred Pihl Hagstrand in Lindsborg, Kansas. Kathleen graduated from 
Marymount College in 1950.

In 1951, she married John Humbargar; they had six children: daughters 
Linda Draper, Connie Lyon, Teri Humbargar, and Jackie Sharp (all of 
Salina) and sons Michael John Humbargar (Hays) and Patrick James 
Humbargar (deceased.)

Kathleen married Joe Cassell in 1975 and worked until retirement at 
Waddles Heating and Cooling. Kathleen and Joe shared stepdaughters Joann
 and Vickie and their extended families. She was preceded in death by 
her parents, her son Patrick James, husband Joe Cassell, and two 
sisters. 
&nbsp; 
Kathleen is survived by the children listed as well as five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and three siblings. 
&nbsp; 
Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will take place at a later date. 
Memorials in honor of Mike Humbargar may be made to DSNWK (Developmental
 Services Northwest Kansas, Hays, KS) and sent in care of Ryan Mortuary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636395474714.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kathleen Joy Cassell, 93, passed away Saturday, 
November 6, 2021. She was born October 12, 1928, to Elmer Hagstrand and 
Mildred Pihl Hagstrand in Lindsborg, Kansas. Kathleen graduated from 
Marymount College in 1950.In 1951, she married John Humbargar; they had six children: daughters 
Linda Draper, Connie Lyon, Teri Humbargar, and Jackie Sharp (all of 
Salina) and sons Michael John Humbargar (Hays) and Patrick James 
Humbargar (deceased.)Kathleen married Joe Cassell in 1975 and worked until retirement at 
Waddles Heating and Cooling. Kathleen and Joe shared stepdaughters Joann
 and Vickie and their extended families. She was preceded in death by 
her parents, her son Patrick James, husband Joe Cassell, and two 
sisters. 
&nbsp; 
Kathleen is survived by the children listed as well as five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and three siblings. 
&nbsp; 
Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will take place at a later date. 
Memorials in honor of Mike Humbargar may be made to DSNWK (Developmental
 Services Northwest Kansas, Hays, KS) and sent in care of Ryan Mortuary.

Kathleen Joy Cassell

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

When Sydney Niernberger was a little girl, she set up a classroom in the family's basement where she was the bossy teacher to her younger sister.

"It's always been in me. It never wavered in me. I always wanted to be a teacher," she said.

She attended O'Loughlin Elementary School, Felten Middle School, Hays High School and then earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Fort Hays State University.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5f1002b0-5a78-4bc4-8a1e-ec6ce00e4387">MAKE YOUR NOMINATION FOR NEXT MONTH'S TEACHER OF THE MONTH</a>

Landing a job at Hays Middle School after college was her dream. Six years later, she's still teaching sixth-grade reading and language arts in the same school she attended as a child and loving it every day.

"My roots in Hays are very important to me, and I'm very proud to be here," she said.

Niernberger was nominated for the Hays Post Teacher of the Month by Jodi Brazda.

"Ms. Niernberger made my son's transition from elementary school to middle school incredibly easy. She was always free to answer any questions we had as well as listened intently to the concerns we had throughout the transition to a new school," Brazda said.

Brazda said Niernberger has a strong work ethic, is incredibly organized and is extremely transparent with her expectations. 

"I truly believe my son's success in sixth grade was in large part to Ms. Niernberger. Not only was he on honor roll all semesters, but he matured greatly throughout his first year in middle school," Brazda said. "Without her help, I don't think he would have been as successful as he was. It's very easy for young boys to get distracted and off task, and she always managed to help him overcome both"

&nbsp;Niernberger continues to be inspired by the teachers she had when she was a student in Hays schools. She still keeps in touch with some of them and has photos hanging in her classroom of those special teachers.

Bill Maddy was Niernberger's middle school homeroom teacher.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635887021540.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635887822241.jpeg" alt="Sydney Niernberger is the October Hays Post Teacher of the Month. She's a sixth-grade teacher at Hays Middle School. " />
 <figcaption>Sydney Niernberger is the October Hays Post Teacher of the Month. She's a sixth-grade teacher at Hays Middle School. </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostWhen Sydney Niernberger was a little girl, she set up a classroom in the family's basement where she was the bossy teacher to her younger sister. "It's always been in me. It never wavered in me. I always wanted to be a teacher," she said. She attended O'Loughlin Elementary School, Felten Middle School, Hays High School and then earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Fort Hays State University.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5f1002b0-5a78-4bc4-8a1e-ec6ce00e4387">MAKE YOUR NOMINATION FOR NEXT MONTH'S TEACHER OF THE MONTH</a>Landing a job at Hays Middle School after college was her dream. Six years later, she's still teaching sixth-grade reading and language arts in the same school she attended as a child and loving it every day."My roots in Hays are very important to me, and I'm very proud to be here," she said.Niernberger was nominated for the Hays Post Teacher of the Month by Jodi Brazda."Ms. Niernberger made my son's transition from elementary school to middle school incredibly easy. She was always free to answer any questions we had as well as listened intently to the concerns we had throughout the transition to a new school," Brazda said.Brazda said Niernberger has a strong work ethic, is incredibly organized and is extremely transparent with her expectations. "I truly believe my son's success in sixth grade was in large part to Ms. Niernberger. Not only was he on honor roll all semesters, but he matured greatly throughout his first year in middle school," Brazda said. "Without her help, I don't think he would have been as successful as he was. It's very easy for young boys to get distracted and off task, and she always managed to help him overcome both"<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635888198596.jpeg" alt="Sponsors Mark and Lynette Ottley of Nations Auction and Elite Realty present Sydney Niernberger, sixth-grader teacher at Hays Middle School, with the October Hays Post Teacher of the Month award. " />
 <figcaption>Sponsors Mark and Lynette Ottley of Nations Auction and Elite Realty present Sydney Niernberger, sixth-grader teacher at Hays Middle School, with the October Hays Post Teacher of the Month award. </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Niernberger continues to be inspired by the teachers she had when she was a student in Hays schools. She still keeps in touch with some of them and has photos hanging in her classroom of those special teachers.Bill Maddy was Niernberger's middle school homeroom teacher. "His care for the kids ... He made us feel so special and at home and loved," she said. "I will never forget that. Everyone loved Mr. Maddy. He was one of those very special teachers. I always wanted to be one of those teachers."Her sixth-grade English teacher, Marilyn Engel, became her mentor when she was hired to work at Hays Middle School after graduating FHSU. "She had this little classroom, but she made it feel so cozy. She was just the best," Niernberger said. ... "It was very full circle," she said. "She taught me so many lessons. I could never repay her. She was definitely there for me and a very special person in my life. She means a lot to me."Sixth grade can be tough as the students transition to a new school, but Niernberger said she thinks she's found her niche at the middle school. "I love when people ask me what I do. I say I'm a middle school teacher and they look at me with the craziest face like 'Oh, my gosh. What's wrong with you?' I love that. They need someone there at this age," she said. ... "I love this age, because they can be squirrelly little sixth graders, but they're so funny," she said. "Their personalities are coming out. I spend all day laughing. They thrive on that connection still with their teachers. Niernberger said connection with her students has to come first because kids won't learn from teachers they don't like."You have to take the time and intention to get to know them," she said, "to see what makes them tick and who they are." Her heart is broken by some of the challenges her students face. "I can't imagine being an 11- or 12-year-old and having to go through what some of them go through," she said. "If I can be that one person who can take the time to understand them and just listen to them and get to know them, I have to do that first before I can teach them something. ..."They need that one trusted adult and that person who can be there for them, and then we can get to the reading and language arts and get them excelling in that aspect."Some days she goes home crying. "Just because you work 8 to 3, that doesn't shut off," she said. "You're still thinking about your kids and what they're going through. Sometimes you're lying in bed at night worrying about one of your kids. "Did they eat dinner tonight? Did they get fed? I hope they got picked up from school on time. That doesn't shut off. Your kids are your kids."Despite the sleepless nights and challenges, Niernberger says she feels blessed."Day to day it can be hard to remember, but this is the dream that I had. It is cool that I'm living that every day. I feel very blessed because I'm young and people sometimes don't find their niche when their young off the bat," Niernberger said. "I thank my lucky stars that I'm here every day. I love my job. I genuinely wake up every day, and I am excited to come see the kids and co-workers, and that's what keeps me going."<figure>
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