Paul D. Madden, age 73, passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 in Topeka, Kansas. He was born October 5, 1947 to Carl and Mary Ann Madden at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend, Kansas. 

Paul graduated from Great Bend High School in 1965. After high school, he attended Wichita Technical Institute in Wichita, Kansas, graduating from the electronics technology program in 1967. After proudly serving his country in the United States Army, he went on to graduate from Barton County Community College with an associate degree in 1974 and later graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1978. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be dearly missed.

Paul is survived by his son, Mike (Christi) Madden; daughter, Amy (Mike) Garza; brothers, Kent Madden and John Madden; sister, Jane Madden Fuhr; grandchildren, Devin, Carter, Brexton, Brenna, Garrett, Israel, Jude, Elynn, and Gracyn; niece, Gina; and nephews, Jason, Eric, Blake, Jared, Justin and Jeff.

Funeral service will be held 10:00am, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at Resthaven Mortuary. Burial to follow at Resthaven's cemetery in the Rose Garden with Military Honors.

In lieu if flowers, memorial contributions in Paul's memory can be made to VFW - Department of Kansas, 115 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, Kansas 66601, https://heroes.vfw.org/

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630099419412.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Paul D. Madden, age 73, passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 in Topeka, Kansas. He was born October 5, 1947 to Carl and Mary Ann Madden at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend, Kansas. Paul graduated from Great Bend High School in 1965. After high school, he attended Wichita Technical Institute in Wichita, Kansas, graduating from the electronics technology program in 1967. After proudly serving his country in the United States Army, he went on to graduate from Barton County Community College with an associate degree in 1974 and later graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1978. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be dearly missed.Paul is survived by his son, Mike (Christi) Madden; daughter, Amy (Mike) Garza; brothers, Kent Madden and John Madden; sister, Jane Madden Fuhr; grandchildren, Devin, Carter, Brexton, Brenna, Garrett, Israel, Jude, Elynn, and Gracyn; niece, Gina; and nephews, Jason, Eric, Blake, Jared, Justin and Jeff.Funeral service will be held 10:00am, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at Resthaven Mortuary. Burial to follow at Resthaven's cemetery in the Rose Garden with Military Honors.In lieu if flowers, memorial contributions in Paul's memory can be made to VFW - Department of Kansas, 115 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, Kansas 66601, https://heroes.vfw.org/

Paul D. Madden

Bradley 
E. Schur, 58, Minneapolis, died Thursday, August 26, 2021, at his home.&nbsp; 
He was born October 20, 1962, in Salina to William and Zoe Ann (Myers) 
Schur.

Brad was a
 1980 graduate of Minneapolis High School and he received his bachelors 
degree from Fort Hays State University.&nbsp; He worked at the Hutchinson 
Correctional Facility for 27 years before retiring and moving to 
Minneapolis. He was currently working for the City of Minneapolis at the
 Light Plant at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Bill in 2017; and his brother, Rusty in 2007.

Survivors
 are his mother, Zoe Ann Schur; niece, Mackenzie (Ryan) Jones and their 
two children, Jaxon and Della Raye; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, 
and nephews.

Graveside
 services will be at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Highland 
Cemetery, Minneapolis. Visitation without family present will be Monday 
from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis.&nbsp; 


Memorials may be made to the Ottawa County Fire District #2 
(Minneapolis) and be left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. 
Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.

<h2>Bradley E. Schur, Minneapolis</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630094682111.jpeg" alt="Bradley E. Schur" />
 <figcaption>Bradley E. Schur</figcaption>
 </figure>Bradley 
E. Schur, 58, Minneapolis, died Thursday, August 26, 2021, at his home.&nbsp; 
He was born October 20, 1962, in Salina to William and Zoe Ann (Myers) 
Schur.Brad was a
 1980 graduate of Minneapolis High School and he received his bachelors 
degree from Fort Hays State University.&nbsp; He worked at the Hutchinson 
Correctional Facility for 27 years before retiring and moving to 
Minneapolis. He was currently working for the City of Minneapolis at the
 Light Plant at the time of his death.He was preceded in death by his dad, Bill in 2017; and his brother, Rusty in 2007.Survivors
 are his mother, Zoe Ann Schur; niece, Mackenzie (Ryan) Jones and their 
two children, Jaxon and Della Raye; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, 
and nephews.Graveside
 services will be at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Highland 
Cemetery, Minneapolis. Visitation without family present will be Monday 
from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis.&nbsp; 
Memorials may be made to the Ottawa County Fire District #2 
(Minneapolis) and be left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. 
Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.

Bradley E. Schur

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State men's cross country team was picked sixth in the 2021 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday by the league office. The Tigers accumulated 59 points in the balloting process, just one shy of fifth-place Central Missouri and 10 points behind fourth-place Pittsburg State. Missouri Southern received all 10 possible first-place votes and led the way with 100 points. Northwest Missouri State is second with 87 points, with Nebraska-Kearney sitting in third with 79 points. This year's Tiger squad includes just five runners that were on the team two years ago when FHSU qualified for the NCAA Championships.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6428">Robbie Schmidt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6416">Caleb Carrasco</a>&nbsp;both ran for the Tigers in 2019 and are the lone seniors on this year's team, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6421">Sebastian Garcia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6423">Aaron Mangan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6424">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;all redshirted in 2019 and are still in their first year of eligibility. Schmidt was the top finisher for the Tigers at the 2019 National Championships, placing 125th at the national meet. The Tigers placed fourth at the league meet two years ago and fourth at the Central Region Championships. Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1039">Dr. Jason McCullough</a>&nbsp;is entering his 17th year as the head cross country coach. He's led 57 runners to All-MIAA status and 20 runners to All-Region honors since his start in 2005. McCullough will get a sneak peek at his team in action this evening when the Tigers run in the FHSU Sand Plum Alumni Open. The exhibition five-kilometer race is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, Kan. The regular season will kick off on Friday, September 3 when FHSU travels to Kearney, Neb. for the UNK Invitational. The Tigers will run at home once in the regular season when they host the FHSU Tiger Open on Saturday, October 9 beginning at 9 a.m. 2021 MIAA Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Missouri Southern - 100 points (10 first-place votes) 2. Northwest Missouri State - 87 points 3. Nebraska-Kearney - 79 points 4. Pittsburg State - 69 points (1) 5. Central Missouri - 60 points 6. Fort Hays State - 59 points 7. Washburn - 40 points 8. Emporia State - 38 points 9. Missouri Western - 33 points 10. Rogers State - 30 points 11. Newman - 10 points

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630090284953.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State men's cross country team was picked sixth in the 2021 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday by the league office. The Tigers accumulated 59 points in the balloting process, just one shy of fifth-place Central Missouri and 10 points behind fourth-place Pittsburg State. Missouri Southern received all 10 possible first-place votes and led the way with 100 points. Northwest Missouri State is second with 87 points, with Nebraska-Kearney sitting in third with 79 points. This year's Tiger squad includes just five runners that were on the team two years ago when FHSU qualified for the NCAA Championships.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6428">Robbie Schmidt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6416">Caleb Carrasco</a>&nbsp;both ran for the Tigers in 2019 and are the lone seniors on this year's team, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6421">Sebastian Garcia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6423">Aaron Mangan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6424">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;all redshirted in 2019 and are still in their first year of eligibility. Schmidt was the top finisher for the Tigers at the 2019 National Championships, placing 125th at the national meet. The Tigers placed fourth at the league meet two years ago and fourth at the Central Region Championships. Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1039">Dr. Jason McCullough</a>&nbsp;is entering his 17th year as the head cross country coach. He's led 57 runners to All-MIAA status and 20 runners to All-Region honors since his start in 2005. McCullough will get a sneak peek at his team in action this evening when the Tigers run in the FHSU Sand Plum Alumni Open. The exhibition five-kilometer race is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, Kan. The regular season will kick off on Friday, September 3 when FHSU travels to Kearney, Neb. for the UNK Invitational. The Tigers will run at home once in the regular season when they host the FHSU Tiger Open on Saturday, October 9 beginning at 9 a.m. 2021 MIAA Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Missouri Southern - 100 points (10 first-place votes) 2. Northwest Missouri State - 87 points 3. Nebraska-Kearney - 79 points 4. Pittsburg State - 69 points (1) 5. Central Missouri - 60 points 6. Fort Hays State - 59 points 7. Washburn - 40 points 8. Emporia State - 38 points 9. Missouri Western - 33 points 10. Rogers State - 30 points 11. Newman - 10 pointsFHSU Athletics

🏃‍♂️ FHSU men tabbed sixth in MIAA preseason coaches poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's cross country team was picked seventh in the 2021 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday by the league office. Fort Hays State received 84 points in the voting process, 11 behind sixth-place Northwest Missouri State and 15 clear of eighth-place Missouri Western. Pittsburg State tops the poll with 128 points thanks to six first-place votes, with Central Missouri close behind with two first-place selections and 121 points. Missouri Southern came in third, while Washburn picked up three first-place votes and settled in fourth. Nebraska-Kearney received the final first-place selection and is fifth. Despite not having a single senior on the roster according to their athletic eligibility, the Tigers return a veteran squad that includes eight student-athletes that competed for the 2019 team that finished sixth at the MIAA Championships. All-MIAA performers&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6399">Brooke Navarro</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6403">Abigail Stewart</a>&nbsp;highlight the group and are joined by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6402">Emily Salmans</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6401">Carson Pierce</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6400">Mya Navarro</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6407">Tabitha Stowers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6404">Hannah Wiebe</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Faith Little</a>. The Tigers have finished sixth or better at the league meet every year since 2013, including three finishes in the top three and a runner-up finish in 2017. Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=839">Dr. Jason McCullough</a>&nbsp;is entering his 17th year as the head cross country coach. He's led 57 runners to All-MIAA status and 20 runners to All-Region honors since his start in 2005. McCullough will get a sneak peek at his team in action this evening when the Tigers run in the FHSU Sand Plum Alumni Open. The exhibition five-kilometer race is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, Kan. The regular season will kick off on Friday, September 3 when FHSU travels to Kearney, Neb. for the UNK Invitational. The Tigers will run at home once in the regular season when they host the FHSU Tiger Open on Saturday, October 9 beginning at 9 a.m. 2021 MIAA Women's Cross Country Coaches Poll 1. Pittsburg State - 128 points (6 first-place votes) 2. Central Missouri - 121 points (2) 3. Missouri Southern - 116 points 4. Washburn - 112 points (3) 5. Nebraska-Kearney - 108 points (1) 6. Northwest Missouri State - 95 points 7. Fort Hays State - 84 points 8. Missouri Western - 69 points 9. Emporia State - 55 points 10. Central Oklahoma - 36 points 11. Lincoln - 35 points 12. Rogers State - 32 points 13. Newman - 23 points&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630077607945.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's cross country team was picked seventh in the 2021 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday by the league office. Fort Hays State received 84 points in the voting process, 11 behind sixth-place Northwest Missouri State and 15 clear of eighth-place Missouri Western. Pittsburg State tops the poll with 128 points thanks to six first-place votes, with Central Missouri close behind with two first-place selections and 121 points. Missouri Southern came in third, while Washburn picked up three first-place votes and settled in fourth. Nebraska-Kearney received the final first-place selection and is fifth. Despite not having a single senior on the roster according to their athletic eligibility, the Tigers return a veteran squad that includes eight student-athletes that competed for the 2019 team that finished sixth at the MIAA Championships. All-MIAA performers&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6399">Brooke Navarro</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6403">Abigail Stewart</a>&nbsp;highlight the group and are joined by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6402">Emily Salmans</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6401">Carson Pierce</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6400">Mya Navarro</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6407">Tabitha Stowers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6404">Hannah Wiebe</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Faith Little</a>. The Tigers have finished sixth or better at the league meet every year since 2013, including three finishes in the top three and a runner-up finish in 2017. Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=839">Dr. Jason McCullough</a>&nbsp;is entering his 17th year as the head cross country coach. He's led 57 runners to All-MIAA status and 20 runners to All-Region honors since his start in 2005. McCullough will get a sneak peek at his team in action this evening when the Tigers run in the FHSU Sand Plum Alumni Open. The exhibition five-kilometer race is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, Kan. The regular season will kick off on Friday, September 3 when FHSU travels to Kearney, Neb. for the UNK Invitational. The Tigers will run at home once in the regular season when they host the FHSU Tiger Open on Saturday, October 9 beginning at 9 a.m. 2021 MIAA Women's Cross Country Coaches Poll 1. Pittsburg State - 128 points (6 first-place votes) 2. Central Missouri - 121 points (2) 3. Missouri Southern - 116 points 4. Washburn - 112 points (3) 5. Nebraska-Kearney - 108 points (1) 6. Northwest Missouri State - 95 points 7. Fort Hays State - 84 points 8. Missouri Western - 69 points 9. Emporia State - 55 points 10. Central Oklahoma - 36 points 11. Lincoln - 35 points 12. Rogers State - 32 points 13. Newman - 23 points&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏃‍♀️ FHSU women's cross country seventh in preseason coaches poll

October 22, 1940
 -
 August 23, 2021

An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.

Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Gary--Lee-Cameron?obId=22133503#/obituaryInfo">HERE</a> for service details.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630014497404.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>October 22, 1940
 -
 August 23, 2021An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Gary--Lee-Cameron?obId=22133503#/obituaryInfo">HERE</a> for service details.&nbsp;

Gary Lee Cameron

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday directed Kansas state employees to resume working remotely if possible because of the more contagious COVID-19 delta variant.

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.sK8ZHQGd0I50gQwG4Q8sYoQ1f_wXpW2j0vznzFQYxO8/s/1303160919/br/111427740344-l" target="_blank">Click here to view the new guidance.&nbsp;</a>

Kelly’s announcement came after two months of steadily rising numbers of new COVID-19 cases that have stressed hospitals and led some public schools to require masks indoors. Kelly’s directive applies to state agencies under her control; employees must resume remote work by Sept. 3 and continue at least through Oct. 4.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many of the 17,500 workers under Kelly’s direct control would be covered. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Updated-State-Agency-Guidance-Delta-8-25-21.pdf" target="_blank">a memo</a>&nbsp;to state agencies, DeAngela Burns-Wallace, head of the state Department of Administration, said any employee who was able to work remotely earlier should do it again.

Many state employees spent more than a year working remotely because of the pandemic, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ks-state-wire-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-business-87fc8958c2b7f6063bb189ecb20383ba">normal operations resuming</a>&nbsp;in June — just 10 days before new COVID-19 cases began to rise again.

“The decision to return to remote work was not made lightly — but we know that this is a necessary step to prevent COVID-19 infections,” Kelly said in a statement.

Kelly also tightened a requirement that employees and visitors wear masks inside state government buildings, imposing the rule in all 105 counties rather than exempting a handful with a low COVID-19 spread.

Kansas averaged 37 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, 11 additional deaths and 1,276 new cases overall a day for the seven days ending Wednesday, according to state health department data. Delta variant cases have been confirmed in all but eight counties.

The largest hospital in northeast Kansas, Stormont Vail in Topeka, recently brought a mobile morgue on-site.

“We wanted to be prepared for where the numbers are trending,” spokesperson Cody Tenbrink said in an email.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– In response to the continued spread of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, Governor Laura Kelly today released new guidance directing state agencies under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch to resume remote work operations where possible.&nbsp;

"Since the start of the pandemic, my administration has followed the best public health guidance to keep our communities safe, mitigate the spread of the virus, and reduce strain on hospitals,"&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;"The decision to return to remote work was not made lightly - but we know that this is a necessary step to prevent COVID-19 infections. I am confident that our state employees will continue to provide quality services to all Kansans who need them."&nbsp;

The remote work model will remain in place through October 4th. At that time, a re-assessment of current COVID-19 infection rates will determine when state employees can return to fully on-site work.

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, state agency operations shifted to remote work for employees whose job functions could be performed remotely. In June, after a significant reduction in daily COVID-19 infections, state employees began returning to state office buildings.

As infection numbers began to rise again throughout the summer, a transition to remote work will help control the spread of the virus among state employees. Onsite staffing will be limited to only those necessary to safely conduct agency operations.&nbsp;

Mask requirements, social distancing and other mitigation measures will remain in place for employees whose jobs must be performed on-site. Public offices serving customers will be encouraged to re-institute mitigation measures that were previously utilized during the pandemic, such as scheduling “by appointment only” or making allowances for virtual as opposed to in-person interactions. All such measures will be carried out in a way as to have as minimal an impact or inconvenience on customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619210947266.png" alt="Mask requirements, social distancing and other mitigation measures will remain in place for employees whose jobs must be performed on-site.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Mask requirements, social distancing and other mitigation measures will remain in place for employees whose jobs must be performed on-site.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday directed Kansas state employees to resume working remotely if possible because of the more contagious COVID-19 delta variant.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.sK8ZHQGd0I50gQwG4Q8sYoQ1f_wXpW2j0vznzFQYxO8/s/1303160919/br/111427740344-l" target="_blank">Click here to view the new guidance.&nbsp;</a>Kelly’s announcement came after two months of steadily rising numbers of new COVID-19 cases that have stressed hospitals and led some public schools to require masks indoors. Kelly’s directive applies to state agencies under her control; employees must resume remote work by Sept. 3 and continue at least through Oct. 4.It wasn’t immediately clear how many of the 17,500 workers under Kelly’s direct control would be covered. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Updated-State-Agency-Guidance-Delta-8-25-21.pdf" target="_blank">a memo</a>&nbsp;to state agencies, DeAngela Burns-Wallace, head of the state Department of Administration, said any employee who was able to work remotely earlier should do it again.Many state employees spent more than a year working remotely because of the pandemic, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ks-state-wire-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-business-87fc8958c2b7f6063bb189ecb20383ba">normal operations resuming</a>&nbsp;in June — just 10 days before new COVID-19 cases began to rise again.“The decision to return to remote work was not made lightly — but we know that this is a necessary step to prevent COVID-19 infections,” Kelly said in a statement.Kelly also tightened a requirement that employees and visitors wear masks inside state government buildings, imposing the rule in all 105 counties rather than exempting a handful with a low COVID-19 spread.Kansas averaged 37 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, 11 additional deaths and 1,276 new cases overall a day for the seven days ending Wednesday, according to state health department data. Delta variant cases have been confirmed in all but eight counties.The largest hospital in northeast Kansas, Stormont Vail in Topeka, recently brought a mobile morgue on-site.“We wanted to be prepared for where the numbers are trending,” spokesperson Cody Tenbrink said in an email.___TOPEKA&nbsp;– In response to the continued spread of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, Governor Laura Kelly today released new guidance directing state agencies under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch to resume remote work operations where possible.&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.sK8ZHQGd0I50gQwG4Q8sYoQ1f_wXpW2j0vznzFQYxO8/s/1303160919/br/111427740344-l" target="_blank">Click here to view the new guidance.&nbsp;</a>"Since the start of the pandemic, my administration has followed the best public health guidance to keep our communities safe, mitigate the spread of the virus, and reduce strain on hospitals,"&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;"The decision to return to remote work was not made lightly - but we know that this is a necessary step to prevent COVID-19 infections. I am confident that our state employees will continue to provide quality services to all Kansans who need them."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629911178413.png" alt="Wednesday August 25, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday August 25, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The remote work model will remain in place through October 4th. At that time, a re-assessment of current COVID-19 infection rates will determine when state employees can return to fully on-site work.At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, state agency operations shifted to remote work for employees whose job functions could be performed remotely. In June, after a significant reduction in daily COVID-19 infections, state employees began returning to state office buildings.As infection numbers began to rise again throughout the summer, a transition to remote work will help control the spread of the virus among state employees. Onsite staffing will be limited to only those necessary to safely conduct agency operations.&nbsp;Mask requirements, social distancing and other mitigation measures will remain in place for employees whose jobs must be performed on-site. Public offices serving customers will be encouraged to re-institute mitigation measures that were previously utilized during the pandemic, such as scheduling “by appointment only” or making allowances for virtual as opposed to in-person interactions. All such measures will be carried out in a way as to have as minimal an impact or inconvenience on customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

COVID: Governor directs state agencies to resume remote work

Window for school, library purchases opens in September

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission today announced that it has received requests for $5.137 billion to fund 9.1 million connected devices and 5.4 million broadband connections as part of the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.  The first filing window, which closed August 13, attracted applications from all 50 states, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia – including schools and libraries in both rural and urban communities seeking funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.  In view of outstanding demand and the recent spike in coronavirus cases, the FCC will open a second application filing window for schools and libraries to request funding for connected devices and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons for the current 2021-22 school year.

“The Emergency Connectivity Fund is the single largest effort to bring connectivity and devices to students who lack them – and this robust response from applicants shows the tremendous need in our communities.  This funding is an important down payment in closing the Homework Gap so that all children, regardless of their circumstances or where they live, have access to the tools they need to succeed,” said acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “The pandemic highlighted like never before the difference a reliable internet connection can make in a student’s education, and we want to make sure that as many schools and libraries can apply for support this school year.  The need is there, and the opening of a second application window reflects that.  Together with the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, we are investing more than $10 billion in American students and households, so more Americans can connect, communicate, and more fully participate in modern life.” 

The FCC will open the second application filing window to provide support for the current school year in light of outstanding demand, including applications that were filed after the close of the initial application filing window, and resource challenges some schools faced with a summertime application filing window.  Moreover, the rise of the Delta variant means off-campus connectivity remains vital to ensuring students, school staff, and library patrons can engage in remote learning as they face challenges and uncertainty amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  

During the second application filing window, which will run from September 28 to October 13, eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase eligible equipment and services for students, school staff and library patrons with unmet needs.  The acting Chairwoman has long made closing the Homework Gap a priority during her tenure at the Commission.  Recent estimates suggest there may be as many as 17 million children struggling without the broadband access they need to fully engage in remote learning.  

For the first application filing window, the FCC set a target to review and issue decisions for 50% of workable applications within 60 days of the close of the application filing window and 70% of workable applications within 100 days of the close of the application filing window.  The funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need, and is available to support off-campus leaning, such as homework, even if schools have returned to full time in-person instruction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Window for school, library purchases opens in September</h2>FCCWASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission today announced that it has received requests for $5.137 billion to fund 9.1 million connected devices and 5.4 million broadband connections as part of the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. The first filing window, which closed August 13, attracted applications from all 50 states, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia – including schools and libraries in both rural and urban communities seeking funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. In view of outstanding demand and the recent spike in coronavirus cases, the FCC will open a second application filing window for schools and libraries to request funding for connected devices and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons for the current 2021-22 school year.“The Emergency Connectivity Fund is the single largest effort to bring connectivity and devices to students who lack them – and this robust response from applicants shows the tremendous need in our communities. This funding is an important down payment in closing the Homework Gap so that all children, regardless of their circumstances or where they live, have access to the tools they need to succeed,” said acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The pandemic highlighted like never before the difference a reliable internet connection can make in a student’s education, and we want to make sure that as many schools and libraries can apply for support this school year. The need is there, and the opening of a second application window reflects that. Together with the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, we are investing more than $10 billion in American students and households, so more Americans can connect, communicate, and more fully participate in modern life.” The FCC will open the second application filing window to provide support for the current school year in light of outstanding demand, including applications that were filed after the close of the initial application filing window, and resource challenges some schools faced with a summertime application filing window. Moreover, the rise of the Delta variant means off-campus connectivity remains vital to ensuring students, school staff, and library patrons can engage in remote learning as they face challenges and uncertainty amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During the second application filing window, which will run from September 28 to October 13, eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase eligible equipment and services for students, school staff and library patrons with unmet needs. The acting Chairwoman has long made closing the Homework Gap a priority during her tenure at the Commission. Recent estimates suggest there may be as many as 17 million children struggling without the broadband access they need to fully engage in remote learning. For the first application filing window, the FCC set a target to review and issue decisions for 50% of workable applications within 60 days of the close of the application filing window and 70% of workable applications within 100 days of the close of the application filing window. The funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need, and is available to support off-campus leaning, such as homework, even if schools have returned to full time in-person instruction.

Emergency broadband fund receives more than $5B in requests

Keith Burgess, age 90, passed away at the Park Lane Nursing Home in 
Scott City, Kansas, on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He was born on October 
5, 1930, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Wade Hampton and Letha 
Adalene Phillips Burgess. He was a lifetime resident of Scott City. He 
was a certified flight instructor and worked as a farmer and aerial 
applicator.

On December 3, 1950, Keith married Betty Jean Graham in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.

Keith was a member of the United Methodist Church of Scott City, 
served on the Coop Board, the city council, and the airport board.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, his daughter, Susan &amp; Terry 
Rose of Scott City, Kansas, one grandson, Neil &amp; Jenny Rose of Scott
 City, Kansas, two granddaughters, Darci &amp; Brent Cain of Ellis, 
Kansas, and Breva &amp; Josh Spencer of Manhattan, Kansas, three 
great-granddaughters, Jacy Rose of Scott City, Kansas, and Tara Rose of 
Scott City, Kansas, and Khloe Spencer of Manhattan, Kansas, and two 
great-grandsons, Tegan Cain of Ellis, Kansas, and Ryker Spencer, of 
Manhattan, Kansas.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Max Burgess
 &amp; John Burgess, and two sisters, Mona Jeffries and Sharon Fuller.

Funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Scott 
City, Kansas at 10:30 on Saturday, August 28, 2021, with Pastors Larry 
Danforth and Dennis Carter. Services will be streamed live at 
www.priceandsons.com.&nbsp; Click the live stream tab on the left side of the
 obituary&nbsp;or click on LIVESTREAM"&nbsp;starting at 10:25 a.m

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be written to the Scott Community 
Foundation for the Keith Burgess Aviation Scholarship in care of Price 
&amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, Kansas, 67871.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629928923418.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Keith Burgess, age 90, passed away at the Park Lane Nursing Home in 
Scott City, Kansas, on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He was born on October 
5, 1930, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Wade Hampton and Letha 
Adalene Phillips Burgess. He was a lifetime resident of Scott City. He 
was a certified flight instructor and worked as a farmer and aerial 
applicator.On December 3, 1950, Keith married Betty Jean Graham in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.Keith was a member of the United Methodist Church of Scott City, 
served on the Coop Board, the city council, and the airport board.Survivors include his wife, Betty, his daughter, Susan &amp; Terry 
Rose of Scott City, Kansas, one grandson, Neil &amp; Jenny Rose of Scott
 City, Kansas, two granddaughters, Darci &amp; Brent Cain of Ellis, 
Kansas, and Breva &amp; Josh Spencer of Manhattan, Kansas, three 
great-granddaughters, Jacy Rose of Scott City, Kansas, and Tara Rose of 
Scott City, Kansas, and Khloe Spencer of Manhattan, Kansas, and two 
great-grandsons, Tegan Cain of Ellis, Kansas, and Ryker Spencer, of 
Manhattan, Kansas.Keith was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Max Burgess
 &amp; John Burgess, and two sisters, Mona Jeffries and Sharon Fuller.Funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Scott 
City, Kansas at 10:30 on Saturday, August 28, 2021, with Pastors Larry 
Danforth and Dennis Carter. Services will be streamed live at 
www.priceandsons.com.&nbsp; Click the live stream tab on the left side of the
 obituary&nbsp;or click on LIVESTREAM"&nbsp;starting at 10:25 a.mVisitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.Memorials in lieu of flowers may be written to the Scott Community 
Foundation for the Keith Burgess Aviation Scholarship in care of Price 
&amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, Kansas, 67871.

Keith Burgess

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that 
interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning 
October 1, 2021. The rates will be:

Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is 
determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than corporations, 
the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate 
plus 3 percentage points.

Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the
 federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment 
rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate 
for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 
percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of
 tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term 
rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.

The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal 
short-term rate determined during July 2021 to take effect August&nbsp;1, 
2021, based on daily compounding.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-21-17.pdf">Revenue Ruling 2021-17</a>, announcing the rates of interest,&nbsp;will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-37, dated September&nbsp;13, 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that 
interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning 
October 1, 2021. The rates will be:<ul>
 <li>3% for overpayments (2% in the case of a corporation); 
	&nbsp;</li><li>0.5 % for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000; 
	&nbsp;</li><li>3% percent for underpayments; and 
	&nbsp;</li><li>5% percent for large corporate underpayments.</li>
 </ul>Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is 
determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than corporations, 
the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate 
plus 3 percentage points.Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the
 federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment 
rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate 
for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 
percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of
 tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term 
rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal 
short-term rate determined during July 2021 to take effect August&nbsp;1, 
2021, based on daily compounding.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-21-17.pdf">Revenue Ruling 2021-17</a>, announcing the rates of interest,&nbsp;will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-37, dated September&nbsp;13, 2021.

IRS: Interest rates remain the same for the fourth quarter 2021

Cindy Louise Stillwagoner, 71, passed away August 25, 2021, at 
Diversicare of Larned. She was born October 9, 1949, at Hays to Victor 
Lang Sr. &amp; Minnie (Staab) Lang. She married Richard Stillwagoner on
 January 18, 1971, at Great Bend.

Cindy graduated Marion High School in Hays and the Dominican School 
of Nursing in Great Bend. She was a RN at CKMC in the operating room, 
and the office nurse for Dr. William McAllister and Great Bend 
Internists. She was the owner of the Ceramic Corner. She was a member of
 Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Altar Society 
and St. Rose and Dominican Alumni Association. She especially loved 
spending time with her family.

Survivors include, her husband, Richard Stillwagoner of the home; a 
son, Marc Stillwagoner and wife Melinda of Mansfield, Tex.; a daughter, 
Rebecca Smith and husband Matt of Meridian, ID; and four grandchildren, 
Lillie Stillwagoner, Luke Stillwagoner, Danielle Smith and Natalie 
Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Victor Lang,
 Jr.; and a sister, Norma Buckler.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday, August 27, 
2021 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society rosary at 4:00 p.m. and 
Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 
10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 28, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 
with Father Prakash Kola presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend 
Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to National Kidney Association 
or Midwest Transplant Network, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629923660198.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Louise Stillwagoner, 71, passed away August 25, 2021, at 
Diversicare of Larned. She was born October 9, 1949, at Hays to Victor 
Lang Sr. &amp; Minnie (Staab) Lang. She married Richard Stillwagoner on
 January 18, 1971, at Great Bend.Cindy graduated Marion High School in Hays and the Dominican School 
of Nursing in Great Bend. She was a RN at CKMC in the operating room, 
and the office nurse for Dr. William McAllister and Great Bend 
Internists. She was the owner of the Ceramic Corner. She was a member of
 Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Altar Society 
and St. Rose and Dominican Alumni Association. She especially loved 
spending time with her family.Survivors include, her husband, Richard Stillwagoner of the home; a 
son, Marc Stillwagoner and wife Melinda of Mansfield, Tex.; a daughter, 
Rebecca Smith and husband Matt of Meridian, ID; and four grandchildren, 
Lillie Stillwagoner, Luke Stillwagoner, Danielle Smith and Natalie 
Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Victor Lang,
 Jr.; and a sister, Norma Buckler.Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday, August 27, 
2021 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society rosary at 4:00 p.m. and 
Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 
10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 28, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 
with Father Prakash Kola presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend 
Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to National Kidney Association 
or Midwest Transplant Network, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Cindy Louise Stillwagoner

By DAN MARGOLIES <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-08-24/overland-park-doctor-accused-in-26-million-telemedicine-abuse-scheme">Kansas News Service</a>

A federal grand jury in St. Louis has indicted an Overland Park 
anesthesiologist on charges he conspired to defraud Medicare out of $26 
million.

The 25-count indictment of Dr. Scott Taggart Roethle 
alleges that telemedicine and marketing companies paid him more than 
$674,000 in kickbacks between 2017 and 2020 to sign prescriptions and 
orders for patients he had never met.

Between October 2017 and 
April 2019, the indictment says he ordered knee braces for 3,584 
patients for which Medicare was billed $6.5 million.

He also 
allegedly signed orders for genetic tests after receiving an email from a
 company called Encore Telemedicine/Locum Tenens USA asking if he was 
interested in signing about 180 genetic test orders. The labs that 
received those tests billed $53 million to Medicare, which ended up 
paying more than $18 million for 2,853 patients for whom Roethle signed 
orders.

The indictment also charges that Roethle ordered medically
 unnecessary topical creams for 206 patients, causing Medicare to pay 
out more than $365,000.

Roethle did not respond to a message KCUR left on his cellphone. It is not known if he is represented by an attorney.

The
 indictment says two durable medical equipment companies in Cape 
Girardeau, Missouri — MC Medical Supply and Integrity Medical Supply — 
paid kickbacks to Roethle in exchange for orders he sent to them.

Court
 records show the owner of MC Medical Supply, Brandy McKay, pleaded 
guilty in St. Louis last October to defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. 
She is awaiting sentencing.

The owners of Integrity Medical 
Supply, Jackson Siples III and Jamie McCoy, were indicted in connection 
with the same scheme. McCoy pleaded guilty last November to defrauding 
Medicare and Medicaid and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 14. 
Siples has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Roethle’s 
indictment says he worked as a telemedicine doctor for at least 10 
medical supply companies, including MC Medical Supply and Integrity 
Medical Supply. That work was in addition to his work as an 
anesthesiologist in Kansas and Missouri, according to the indictment.

“It
 was part of the conspiracy that marketing companies ran television and 
online ads offering orthotic braces and other services, at no cost, to 
patients,” the indictment alleges. “When a patient responded to the ad, 
an employee of a call center collected pertinent information from the 
patient, including the patient's name and address, the name of the 
patient's primary care physician, insurance information, Medicare 
number, and areas of pain. In some instances, the marketers made ‘cold 
calls’ to patients.”

The companies then allegedly sent the patient
 information to Roethle and other telemedicine doctors, who certified 
that the patients needed the products in question, even though they had 
no doctor-patient relationship with them and didn’t determine the items 
or services were medically necessary.

In many instances, patients 
complained to Roethle that they didn’t need or want the items he had 
ordered for them, according to the indictment.

Michael Bradley, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in St. 
Louis, which is prosecuting the case, told KCUR that Roethle was 
indicted in St. Louis because many of the affected patients live there.

Roethle
 obtained licenses to practice in 22 states and, according to the 
indictment, signed orders for thousands of patients living in those 
states.

Records show he has been sanctioned in at least 10 states 
for prescribing medications via telemedicine to patients with whom he 
did not have a physician-patient relationship.

In December 2018, <a href="https://bmp.hlb.state.mn.us/ostate/ROETHLE,%20Scott%20T%20(PY64266)/ROETHLE,%20Scott%20T%20ID%206-26-20.pdf" target="_blank">the Idaho State Board of Medicine cited him</a> for prescribing testosterone to three patients via telemedicine and publicly reprimanded him.

In December 2019, <a href="https://bmp.hlb.state.mn.us/ostate/ROETHLE,%20Scott%20T%20(PY64266)/ROETHLE,%20Scott%20T%20IA%2012-20-19.pdf" target="_blank">the Iowa Board of Medicine cited him</a> for prescribing medications to a patient via telemedicine. Roethle agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty.

Reciprocal
 disciplinary actions over the Idaho and Iowa cases have been issued 
against Roethle by medical boards in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, 
Alabama, Minnesota, Mississippi, Maine and Texas, records show.

Various
 health care-related websites state that Roethle received his medical 
degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2005. 
(Doximity, an online networking service for health care providers, <a href="https://www.doximity.com/pub/scott-roethle-md" target="_blank">says he received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School</a> and did his internship and residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center.)

An Overland Park company called <a href="https://www.in2greatkc.com/about-us/" target="_blank">In2Great Functional Medicine</a>
 lists Roethle as its medical director. A bio on its website describes 
Roethle as a board-certified anesthesiologist “with a passion for 
helping people get and stay healthy.”

A person who answered the phone at In2Great Functional Medicine said he was not in the office. 

Several
 health care websites list Roethle as being affiliated with Overland 
Park Regional Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center and Children’s 
Mercy Hospital. But spokespersons for those hospitals said he was not 
affiliated with them.

The indictment says Roethle was licensed in 
Missouri and Kansas but doesn’t say where he worked. His Kansas Board of
 Healing Arts profile lists his address as 13725 Metcalf Ave. in 
Overland Park, which turns out to be a UPS store where he maintains a 
mailbox.

He lists the same phone number for Bothwell Regional 
Health Center in Sedalia, Missouri, where he was employed until June of 
this year.

Dana Kelchner, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said 
Roethle left after saying he had found another job. She said the 
hospital had not experienced any problems with Roethle and the hospital 
was not mentioned in the criminal charges against Roethle.

The 
indictment underscores how readily telemedicine, the practice of using 
telecommunication technology to provide long-distance health care, can 
be abused. The technology has proven particularly popular during the 
COVID-19 pandemic because it reduces disease exposure for providers and 
patients, preserves scare supplies of personal protective equipment and 
reduces patient demand on facilities.

Two weeks ago, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/telemedicine-company-owner-charged-superseding-indictment-784-million-health-care-fraud" target="_blank">a federal grand jury charged</a>
 the Florida owner of multiple telemedicine companies with an illegal 
kickback scheme involving the submission of $784 million in allegedly 
fraudulent claims to Medicare.

About a year ago, 345 defendants 
were charged in a major telehealth takedown that prosecutors said 
resulted in $6 billion in losses to federal health care programs, 
including $4.5 billion related to telemedicine.

And in April 2019, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2019-04-10/feds-charge-24-in-alleged-1-2-billion-medicare-fraud-scheme" target="_blank">federal prosecutors charged 24 individuals and telehealth companies</a>
 for allegedly accepting kickbacks from medical equipment companies and 
defrauding Medicare of $1.2 billion by persuading patients in 
telemedicine visits to accept items that were not medically necessary.

Dan Margolies is senior reporter and editor at KCUR. He can be reached by email at dan@kcur.org or on Twitter @DanMargolies.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629906041715.png" alt="Dr. Scott Taggart Roethle listed his address as this UPS Store at 137th Street and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. Photo Illustration-Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Scott Taggart Roethle listed his address as this UPS Store at 137th Street and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. Photo Illustration-Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAN MARGOLIES <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-08-24/overland-park-doctor-accused-in-26-million-telemedicine-abuse-scheme">Kansas News Service</a>A federal grand jury in St. Louis has indicted an Overland Park 
anesthesiologist on charges he conspired to defraud Medicare out of $26 
million.The 25-count indictment of Dr. Scott Taggart Roethle 
alleges that telemedicine and marketing companies paid him more than 
$674,000 in kickbacks between 2017 and 2020 to sign prescriptions and 
orders for patients he had never met.Between October 2017 and 
April 2019, the indictment says he ordered knee braces for 3,584 
patients for which Medicare was billed $6.5 million.He also 
allegedly signed orders for genetic tests after receiving an email from a
 company called Encore Telemedicine/Locum Tenens USA asking if he was 
interested in signing about 180 genetic test orders. The labs that 
received those tests billed $53 million to Medicare, which ended up 
paying more than $18 million for 2,853 patients for whom Roethle signed 
orders.The indictment also charges that Roethle ordered medically
 unnecessary topical creams for 206 patients, causing Medicare to pay 
out more than $365,000.Roethle did not respond to a message KCUR left on his cellphone. It is not known if he is represented by an attorney.The
 indictment says two durable medical equipment companies in Cape 
Girardeau, Missouri — MC Medical Supply and Integrity Medical Supply — 
paid kickbacks to Roethle in exchange for orders he sent to them.Court
 records show the owner of MC Medical Supply, Brandy McKay, pleaded 
guilty in St. Louis last October to defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. 
She is awaiting sentencing.The owners of Integrity Medical 
Supply, Jackson Siples III and Jamie McCoy, were indicted in connection 
with the same scheme. McCoy pleaded guilty last November to defrauding 
Medicare and Medicaid and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 14. 
Siples has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.Roethle’s 
indictment says he worked as a telemedicine doctor for at least 10 
medical supply companies, including MC Medical Supply and Integrity 
Medical Supply. That work was in addition to his work as an 
anesthesiologist in Kansas and Missouri, according to the indictment.“It
 was part of the conspiracy that marketing companies ran television and 
online ads offering orthotic braces and other services, at no cost, to 
patients,” the indictment alleges. “When a patient responded to the ad, 
an employee of a call center collected pertinent information from the 
patient, including the patient's name and address, the name of the 
patient's primary care physician, insurance information, Medicare 
number, and areas of pain. In some instances, the marketers made ‘cold 
calls’ to patients.”The companies then allegedly sent the patient
 information to Roethle and other telemedicine doctors, who certified 
that the patients needed the products in question, even though they had 
no doctor-patient relationship with them and didn’t determine the items 
or services were medically necessary.In many instances, patients 
complained to Roethle that they didn’t need or want the items he had 
ordered for them, according to the indictment.Michael Bradley, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in St. 
Louis, which is prosecuting the case, told KCUR that Roethle was 
indicted in St. Louis because many of the affected patients live there.<h2>Medical licenses</h2>Roethle
 obtained licenses to practice in 22 states and, according to the 
indictment, signed orders for thousands of patients living in those 
states.Records show he has been sanctioned in at least 10 states 
for prescribing medications via telemedicine to patients with whom he 
did not have a physician-patient relationship.In December 2018, <a href="https://bmp.hlb.state.mn.us/ostate/ROETHLE,%20Scott%20T%20(PY64266)/ROETHLE,%20Scott%20T%20ID%206-26-20.pdf" target="_blank">the Idaho State Board of Medicine cited him</a> for prescribing testosterone to three patients via telemedicine and publicly reprimanded him.In December 2019, <a href="https://bmp.hlb.state.mn.us/ostate/ROETHLE,%20Scott%20T%20(PY64266)/ROETHLE,%20Scott%20T%20IA%2012-20-19.pdf" target="_blank">the Iowa Board of Medicine cited him</a> for prescribing medications to a patient via telemedicine. Roethle agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty.Reciprocal
 disciplinary actions over the Idaho and Iowa cases have been issued 
against Roethle by medical boards in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, 
Alabama, Minnesota, Mississippi, Maine and Texas, records show.Various
 health care-related websites state that Roethle received his medical 
degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2005. 
(Doximity, an online networking service for health care providers, <a href="https://www.doximity.com/pub/scott-roethle-md" target="_blank">says he received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School</a> and did his internship and residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center.)An Overland Park company called <a href="https://www.in2greatkc.com/about-us/" target="_blank">In2Great Functional Medicine</a>
 lists Roethle as its medical director. A bio on its website describes 
Roethle as a board-certified anesthesiologist “with a passion for 
helping people get and stay healthy.” A person who answered the phone at In2Great Functional Medicine said he was not in the office. Several
 health care websites list Roethle as being affiliated with Overland 
Park Regional Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center and Children’s 
Mercy Hospital. But spokespersons for those hospitals said he was not 
affiliated with them.The indictment says Roethle was licensed in 
Missouri and Kansas but doesn’t say where he worked. His Kansas Board of
 Healing Arts profile lists his address as 13725 Metcalf Ave. in 
Overland Park, which turns out to be a UPS store where he maintains a 
mailbox.He lists the same phone number for Bothwell Regional 
Health Center in Sedalia, Missouri, where he was employed until June of 
this year.Dana Kelchner, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said 
Roethle left after saying he had found another job. She said the 
hospital had not experienced any problems with Roethle and the hospital 
was not mentioned in the criminal charges against Roethle.The 
indictment underscores how readily telemedicine, the practice of using 
telecommunication technology to provide long-distance health care, can 
be abused. The technology has proven particularly popular during the 
COVID-19 pandemic because it reduces disease exposure for providers and 
patients, preserves scare supplies of personal protective equipment and 
reduces patient demand on facilities.Two weeks ago, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/telemedicine-company-owner-charged-superseding-indictment-784-million-health-care-fraud" target="_blank">a federal grand jury charged</a>
 the Florida owner of multiple telemedicine companies with an illegal 
kickback scheme involving the submission of $784 million in allegedly 
fraudulent claims to Medicare. About a year ago, 345 defendants 
were charged in a major telehealth takedown that prosecutors said 
resulted in $6 billion in losses to federal health care programs, 
including $4.5 billion related to telemedicine.And in April 2019, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2019-04-10/feds-charge-24-in-alleged-1-2-billion-medicare-fraud-scheme" target="_blank">federal prosecutors charged 24 individuals and telehealth companies</a>
 for allegedly accepting kickbacks from medical equipment companies and 
defrauding Medicare of $1.2 billion by persuading patients in 
telemedicine visits to accept items that were not medically necessary.Dan Margolies is senior reporter and editor at KCUR. He can be reached by email at dan@kcur.org or on Twitter @DanMargolies.&nbsp;

Kan. doctor accused in $26M telemedicine abuse scheme 

GREAT BEND - The Shafer Gallery’s popular quilt exhibit has been extended through October 16 at Barton Community College (BCC), Great Bend. 

Titled “Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints,” the exhibition is focused on the art of quilt-making and includes 17 works by seven fiber artists representing the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. 

The exhibit is a program of Exhibits USA, a division of Mid-America Arts Alliance with the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and The National Endowment for the Arts.

The Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

For more information visit <a href="https://www.bartonccc.edu/community/shafergallery">shafergallery.bartonccc.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629907651468.jpeg" alt=""Veiled Connection " (Side B) by Jayne Willoughby. 83.5” high&nbsp; x 73” wide.&nbsp;Commercial-dyed cotton fabrics,&nbsp;artist’s hand-dyed cotton fabrics,&nbsp;polyester batting, polyester thread.&nbsp;Courtesy of the artist. (Photo: Seann Childs)" />
 <figcaption>"Veiled Connection " (Side B) by Jayne Willoughby. 83.5” high&nbsp; x 73” wide.&nbsp;Commercial-dyed cotton fabrics,&nbsp;artist’s hand-dyed cotton fabrics,&nbsp;polyester batting, polyester thread.&nbsp;Courtesy of the artist. (Photo: Seann Childs)</figcaption>
 </figure>BCCGREAT BEND - The Shafer Gallery’s popular quilt exhibit has been extended through October 16 at Barton Community College (BCC), Great Bend. Titled “Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints,” the exhibition is focused on the art of quilt-making and includes 17 works by seven fiber artists representing the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The exhibit is a program of Exhibits USA, a division of Mid-America Arts Alliance with the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and The National Endowment for the Arts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629907201095.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free. For more information visit <a href="https://www.bartonccc.edu/community/shafergallery">shafergallery.bartonccc.edu</a>.

Shafer Art Gallery extends international quilt exhibit at BCC

Marsha Lynn McConnaughy, 79, passed away August 24, 2021, at her home
 in Bennington, Neb. She was born March 9, 1942, at Great Bend to John 
&amp; Helen (Damon) Hoge. She married Clarence McConnaughy at Great Bend
 on October 14, 1961. He died July 9, 2012.

A longtime Dodge City resident before moving to Bennington in 2012, 
Marsha was a bookkeeper for WW Manufacturing, and upon her retirement, 
served as a paraprofessional for Comanche Middle School in Dodge City. 
She was a &nbsp;longtime girl scout leader and especially loved spending time
 with her family.

Survivors include, a son, Kyle McConnaughy and wife Kerry of 
Bennington, Neb.; and three grandchildren, Connor, Corey and Kelsey. She
 was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence 
McConnaughy; and a brother, Michael A. Hoge.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, August 29, 
2021 at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m.,
 Monday, August 30, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Larry 
Schumacher presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, 
Great Bend. 

Memorials have been designated to Alzheimer’s Association, 
in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629902817167.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Marsha Lynn McConnaughy, 79, passed away August 24, 2021, at her home
 in Bennington, Neb. She was born March 9, 1942, at Great Bend to John 
&amp; Helen (Damon) Hoge. She married Clarence McConnaughy at Great Bend
 on October 14, 1961. He died July 9, 2012.A longtime Dodge City resident before moving to Bennington in 2012, 
Marsha was a bookkeeper for WW Manufacturing, and upon her retirement, 
served as a paraprofessional for Comanche Middle School in Dodge City. 
She was a &nbsp;longtime girl scout leader and especially loved spending time
 with her family.Survivors include, a son, Kyle McConnaughy and wife Kerry of 
Bennington, Neb.; and three grandchildren, Connor, Corey and Kelsey. She
 was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence 
McConnaughy; and a brother, Michael A. Hoge.Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, August 29, 
2021 at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m.,
 Monday, August 30, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Larry 
Schumacher presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, 
Great Bend. Memorials have been designated to Alzheimer’s Association, 
in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Marsha Lynn McConnaughy

Dennis 
Charles Sidener was born to Leo and Ruth Sidener in Ada, Kansas on 
October 18, 1936, the middle of five children. &nbsp;Dennis passed away 
Monday, August 23, 2021 in Manhattan.

He attended K-12 grades in Ada and was baptized in the Ada Antioch Baptist Church.

After 
graduating from Ada High School, he attended Fort Hays State University 
graduating in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

He was united in marriage to Laurel Charlene Mauk at the United Methodist Church in Delphos, Kansas on June 9th, 1957.&nbsp;

Following
 his college graduation from Fort Hays State, he moved to Agenda, Kansas,&nbsp; to begin his career of teaching woodworking and coaching high school 
football, basketball and track. He moved to Enterprise Kansas in 1961 
teaching one year at Enterprise High School before unifying with the 
Chapman, Kansas, school district in 1962. At Chapman, he taught Junior High
 Industrial Arts, and coached High School Football, 8th Grade basketball and track.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Continuing
 his education, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1965 with a
 Master of Science degree and Counseling certificate. &nbsp;In 1981 he 
transitioned from the classroom to the Guidance Counselor and Athletic 
Director position at Chapman Junior High until his retirement in 1998.

He 
resided in Enterprise, Kansas, for 55 years attending the Enterprise 
United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee, member of the 
administrative council and a ready volunteer for many church functions.&nbsp;
 He also served on the Enterprise City Council and was a summer league 
baseball coach for many years.

In 2017, Dennis and wife Laurel relocated to Manhattan, Kansas for their retirement home.

Dennis is
 survived by his wife Laurel, son Brad Sidener and wife Marilyn, 5 
grandchildren: Rachelle Swearingen and husband Ray, Sara Meng and 
husband Justin, Matthew Sidener and wife Brooke, Theodore Budden and 
wife Emily and Mark Sidener; and six great grandchildren; 2 brothers: 
Richard Sidener and wife Lucille and Rodney Sidener; 1 sister: Charlene 
Nichols, and other nieces and nephews.

He is 
preceded in death by his parents, sister Norma Prochaska and husband 
Albert (Pro), sister-in-law Betty Sidener and brother-in-law Harold 
Nichols. &nbsp;

Visitation
 with the family will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, August 27,&nbsp; at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis.&nbsp; Funeral services will be at
 11:00, Saturday, August 28, at the Enterprise United Methodist Church, 
Enterprise.&nbsp; Graveside services will at 3:00 P.M. at Highland Cemetery, 
Minneapolis.&nbsp; 

Memorials may be made to the Enterprise United Methodist 
Church, Enterprise, Chapman Irish Foundation, Chapman, or Good Shepard 
Homecare and Hospice, Manhattan and may be left in care of Wilson Family
 Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629834296266.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dennis 
Charles Sidener was born to Leo and Ruth Sidener in Ada, Kansas on 
October 18, 1936, the middle of five children. &nbsp;Dennis passed away 
Monday, August 23, 2021 in Manhattan.He attended K-12 grades in Ada and was baptized in the Ada Antioch Baptist Church.After 
graduating from Ada High School, he attended Fort Hays State University 
graduating in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in education.He was united in marriage to Laurel Charlene Mauk at the United Methodist Church in Delphos, Kansas on June 9th, 1957.&nbsp;Following
 his college graduation from Fort Hays State, he moved to Agenda, Kansas,&nbsp; to begin his career of teaching woodworking and coaching high school 
football, basketball and track. He moved to Enterprise Kansas in 1961 
teaching one year at Enterprise High School before unifying with the 
Chapman, Kansas, school district in 1962. At Chapman, he taught Junior High
 Industrial Arts, and coached High School Football, 8th Grade basketball and track.&nbsp;&nbsp;Continuing
 his education, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1965 with a
 Master of Science degree and Counseling certificate. &nbsp;In 1981 he 
transitioned from the classroom to the Guidance Counselor and Athletic 
Director position at Chapman Junior High until his retirement in 1998.He 
resided in Enterprise, Kansas, for 55 years attending the Enterprise 
United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee, member of the 
administrative council and a ready volunteer for many church functions.&nbsp;
 He also served on the Enterprise City Council and was a summer league 
baseball coach for many years.In 2017, Dennis and wife Laurel relocated to Manhattan, Kansas for their retirement home.Dennis is
 survived by his wife Laurel, son Brad Sidener and wife Marilyn, 5 
grandchildren: Rachelle Swearingen and husband Ray, Sara Meng and 
husband Justin, Matthew Sidener and wife Brooke, Theodore Budden and 
wife Emily and Mark Sidener; and six great grandchildren; 2 brothers: 
Richard Sidener and wife Lucille and Rodney Sidener; 1 sister: Charlene 
Nichols, and other nieces and nephews.He is 
preceded in death by his parents, sister Norma Prochaska and husband 
Albert (Pro), sister-in-law Betty Sidener and brother-in-law Harold 
Nichols. &nbsp;Visitation
 with the family will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, August 27,&nbsp; at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis.&nbsp; Funeral services will be at
 11:00, Saturday, August 28, at the Enterprise United Methodist Church, 
Enterprise.&nbsp; Graveside services will at 3:00 P.M. at Highland Cemetery, 
Minneapolis.&nbsp; Memorials may be made to the Enterprise United Methodist 
Church, Enterprise, Chapman Irish Foundation, Chapman, or Good Shepard 
Homecare and Hospice, Manhattan and may be left in care of Wilson Family
 Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.

Dennis Charles Sidener

A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald "Don" Gene Boucher, 74, 
Lawrence, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 
Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS.&nbsp; Burial will follow at 
Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.&nbsp; Don passed away on Wednesday, August 18,
 2021, at his home in the care of his family and VNA hospice nurses.

Don was born on October 6, 1946, in Hays, KS, the son of Louis and 
Anna (Eberle) Boucher.&nbsp; He attended St. Rose Catholic Grade school in 
Great Bend and went on to graduate from St. Francis Seminary in 
Victoria, Kansas in 1964.&nbsp; He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Denver for
 a semester before deciding God was calling him to marry and have a 
family.

He began a 41-year career with AT&amp;T on April 26, 1965.&nbsp; During 
those years he held many positions, starting as an unlocated lineman 
based in Hays and ending as a switching supervisor in Lawrence from 
which he retired in 2005.&nbsp; He was active at St. John Parish and later at
 Corpus Christi Parish.&nbsp; He was a lifelong member of the Knights of 
Columbus.&nbsp; He and Mary were always involved in the music ministry 
including being part of the guitar Mass group at St. John.&nbsp; They were 
active in Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Don coached little league 
baseball and was a 4-H woodworking leader. &nbsp;He had a wonderful singing 
voice and along with Mary enjoyed vocalizing with the Corpus Christi 
Choir until the time of his death.&nbsp; He worked at Sears in the tool 
department for several years and enjoyed playing Santa Claus for 
customers.&nbsp; He also drove a bus for KU and was a class checker on 
campus.&nbsp; He was a past president of the Jayhawk Model Masters, a club 
for model airplane enthusiasts. His greatest pleasure during retirement 
was playing golf with friends until the later stages of Parkinson’s 
slowed him down. He enjoyed weekday coffee with the guys where they 
solved the world’s problems.

Don’s faith and his family were his greatest loves.&nbsp; He married Mary 
Linda Mumm on July 29, 1967, at St. Rose Church in Great Bend, KS.&nbsp; She 
survives at the home. He met Mary at a church youth group meeting in the
 spring of 1965 and always thought their marriage was made in heaven.

Don was a good “quilt husband” and supported Mary in her pursuit of 
the craft.&nbsp; He was proud to be known as Mr. Mary Boucher!&nbsp; He and Mary 
enjoyed country dancing for many years and Don played the bass guitar 
briefly with Cliff Downing’s band.

Other survivors include his children and grandchildren Tom (Angi) 
Boucher, Wake Forest, NC, Rebecca “Scout”, Calvin, Erin and Quinn; Monica
 (Robert) Berryman, of Lawrence, and their two sons Andrew and Zachary; 
daughter Mandy (Alex) del Valle, Lawrence, and their children Gabe and 
Sofia; and son Matthew (Amy) Boucher, of Eudora, KS, Nate, Jacob Donald 
and Joshua.&nbsp; He is survived by his sister, Treva (Gary) McCain of 
Neodesha and her two children Lisa Priesner Parr and Mike Priesner and 
numerous cousins. Don enjoyed attending the grandchildren’s activities 
including marching band, football, basketball, choir concerts, dance 
recitals, karate exhibitions and choral programs. He was a big man with a
 big heart and he will be sadly missed.

Don was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation is set for 9:00 ~ 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 21, 2021, 
at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, with a Rosary recitation starting at 
9:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00.

Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to Corpus Christ 
Catholic Church Choir, or Douglas County Visiting Nurses and may be sent
 in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629755262061.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald "Don" Gene Boucher, 74, 
Lawrence, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 
Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS.&nbsp; Burial will follow at 
Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.&nbsp; Don passed away on Wednesday, August 18,
 2021, at his home in the care of his family and VNA hospice nurses.Don was born on October 6, 1946, in Hays, KS, the son of Louis and 
Anna (Eberle) Boucher.&nbsp; He attended St. Rose Catholic Grade school in 
Great Bend and went on to graduate from St. Francis Seminary in 
Victoria, Kansas in 1964.&nbsp; He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Denver for
 a semester before deciding God was calling him to marry and have a 
family.He began a 41-year career with AT&amp;T on April 26, 1965.&nbsp; During 
those years he held many positions, starting as an unlocated lineman 
based in Hays and ending as a switching supervisor in Lawrence from 
which he retired in 2005.&nbsp; He was active at St. John Parish and later at
 Corpus Christi Parish.&nbsp; He was a lifelong member of the Knights of 
Columbus.&nbsp; He and Mary were always involved in the music ministry 
including being part of the guitar Mass group at St. John.&nbsp; They were 
active in Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Don coached little league 
baseball and was a 4-H woodworking leader. &nbsp;He had a wonderful singing 
voice and along with Mary enjoyed vocalizing with the Corpus Christi 
Choir until the time of his death.&nbsp; He worked at Sears in the tool 
department for several years and enjoyed playing Santa Claus for 
customers.&nbsp; He also drove a bus for KU and was a class checker on 
campus.&nbsp; He was a past president of the Jayhawk Model Masters, a club 
for model airplane enthusiasts. His greatest pleasure during retirement 
was playing golf with friends until the later stages of Parkinson’s 
slowed him down. He enjoyed weekday coffee with the guys where they 
solved the world’s problems.Don’s faith and his family were his greatest loves.&nbsp; He married Mary 
Linda Mumm on July 29, 1967, at St. Rose Church in Great Bend, KS.&nbsp; She 
survives at the home. He met Mary at a church youth group meeting in the
 spring of 1965 and always thought their marriage was made in heaven.Don was a good “quilt husband” and supported Mary in her pursuit of 
the craft.&nbsp; He was proud to be known as Mr. Mary Boucher!&nbsp; He and Mary 
enjoyed country dancing for many years and Don played the bass guitar 
briefly with Cliff Downing’s band.Other survivors include his children and grandchildren Tom (Angi) 
Boucher, Wake Forest, NC, Rebecca “Scout”, Calvin, Erin and Quinn; Monica
 (Robert) Berryman, of Lawrence, and their two sons Andrew and Zachary; 
daughter Mandy (Alex) del Valle, Lawrence, and their children Gabe and 
Sofia; and son Matthew (Amy) Boucher, of Eudora, KS, Nate, Jacob Donald 
and Joshua.&nbsp; He is survived by his sister, Treva (Gary) McCain of 
Neodesha and her two children Lisa Priesner Parr and Mike Priesner and 
numerous cousins. Don enjoyed attending the grandchildren’s activities 
including marching band, football, basketball, choir concerts, dance 
recitals, karate exhibitions and choral programs. He was a big man with a
 big heart and he will be sadly missed.Don was preceded in death by his parents.Visitation is set for 9:00 ~ 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 21, 2021, 
at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, with a Rosary recitation starting at 
9:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00.Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to Corpus Christ 
Catholic Church Choir, or Douglas County Visiting Nurses and may be sent
 in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Donald 'Don' Gene Boucher

Timothy
 T. Slansky entered into rest in the comfort of his home with family by 
his side on August 18, 2021, following an illness. Tim was born in 
Plainville, KS on March 4, 1966, to Roy D. and E. Eloise (Hammond) 
Slansky. Tim was a 1984 graduate of Stockton High School. He furthered 
his education at Fort Hays State University where he earned a Bachelor 
of Science degree in Biology and continued on to Wichita State 
University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical 
Technology. He worked as a Medical Technologist for over 25 years. In his leisure time Tim loved cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with his children. 
 On October 5, 1991, Timothy married Patti L. Waldschmidt in Salina, KS;
 they later divorced. He is survived by his two children Emily A. 
Slansky of Carl Junction, MO and Joshua A. Slansky of Omaha, NE; a 
brother Terle (Kristi) Slansky of Kearney, NE; Nieces Molly (Skylar) 
Hayes of Garden City, KS and Addison Slansky of Portland, OR; and a 
Nephew Zach Slansky of Kearney, NE. Tim was preceded in death by his parents and brother T.J. Slansky. 
 Family will receive friends at visitation from 10-11am on Saturday, 
August 28th, 2021, at Main Street Christian Church, 602 Main Street, 
Stockton, KS. Church service will be held at 11am with graveside service
 immediately following. Memorials are suggested to the Main Street 
Christian Church and may be left with or mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral 
home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS, 66762. Condolences may be left at <a href="http://www.bathnaylor.com" target="_blank">www.bathnaylor.com</a>. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629749477605.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Timothy
 T. Slansky entered into rest in the comfort of his home with family by 
his side on August 18, 2021, following an illness. Tim was born in 
Plainville, KS on March 4, 1966, to Roy D. and E. Eloise (Hammond) 
Slansky. Tim was a 1984 graduate of Stockton High School. He furthered 
his education at Fort Hays State University where he earned a Bachelor 
of Science degree in Biology and continued on to Wichita State 
University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical 
Technology. He worked as a Medical Technologist for over 25 years. In his leisure time Tim loved cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with his children. 
 On October 5, 1991, Timothy married Patti L. Waldschmidt in Salina, KS;
 they later divorced. He is survived by his two children Emily A. 
Slansky of Carl Junction, MO and Joshua A. Slansky of Omaha, NE; a 
brother Terle (Kristi) Slansky of Kearney, NE; Nieces Molly (Skylar) 
Hayes of Garden City, KS and Addison Slansky of Portland, OR; and a 
Nephew Zach Slansky of Kearney, NE. Tim was preceded in death by his parents and brother T.J. Slansky. 
 Family will receive friends at visitation from 10-11am on Saturday, 
August 28th, 2021, at Main Street Christian Church, 602 Main Street, 
Stockton, KS. Church service will be held at 11am with graveside service
 immediately following. Memorials are suggested to the Main Street 
Christian Church and may be left with or mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral 
home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS, 66762. Condolences may be left at <a href="http://www.bathnaylor.com" target="_blank">www.bathnaylor.com</a>. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.&nbsp;

Timothy T. Slansky

By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — Following three executive sessions and a recess in the
regularly scheduled meeting Monday, the Barton County Commission voted 3-2 to adjust
Phil Hathcock’s contract and remove his responsibility as County Administrator.
Hathcock will remain as the county’s Director of Solid Waste and now the
Director of Facilities. 

After the resignation of Administrator Richard Boeckman
in October 2016, Hathcock was elevated as the Director of Operations in June
2017, eventually becoming the administrator. 

Commission Chair Jim Daily said
overseeing the landfill and serving as the administrator was a heavy workload
for one person. 
 
"The landfill takes up a tremendous amount of time," said Daily. "He's 
also the director of facilities, although never with the title, he's 
always taken care of facilities. Due to the increased amount of work at 
the landfill, it has been felt that he would better serve the county if 
he put all of his efforts to those two areas." 
 
After the vote passed, Hathcock walked away from his seat as the administrator
and joined the crowd for the remainder of the meeting. Daily referred to the change
of employment as an amicable agreement between the commission and Hathcock.

The
commission was then under the impression that Assistant Administrator Donna
Zimmerman would act as the interim administrator until another person was
hired, but Zimmerman told the council she felt it was best if she was left out
of the rearrangement, and resigned as assistant administrator, still retaining her
position as county clerk. 

For the time being, the county commission will perform
needed administrator duties and are prepared to conduct special meetings to do
so. 
 
"This is going to be a priority, so we will get on this as rapidly as we
 possibly can," said Daily. "We're going to try to get this taken care 
so we're not leaving ourselves out in the open. We do need to have 
someone steering the boat." 
 
The employment agreement states Hathcock will be paid a yearly salary of $85,000
for employment as the Solid Waste Director and $15,000 as the Facilities Director.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir asked the commission if this was the best move, knowing the
county would likely have to shell out an additional administrator-level salary
to a new employee. When Hathcock took over as director of operations in 2017,
it saved the county money by not having a full-time administrator. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629744066631.jpeg" alt="Phil Hathcock will no longer serve as Barton County Administrator. Under a new agreement approved at the Aug. 23, 2021 Barton County Commission meeting, Hathcock will remain as the Director of Solid Waste and now the Director of Facilities." />
 <figcaption>Phil Hathcock will no longer serve as Barton County Administrator. Under a new agreement approved at the Aug. 23, 2021 Barton County Commission meeting, Hathcock will remain as the Director of Solid Waste and now the Director of Facilities.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — Following three executive sessions and a recess in the
regularly scheduled meeting Monday, the Barton County Commission voted 3-2 to adjust
Phil Hathcock’s contract and remove his responsibility as County Administrator.
Hathcock will remain as the county’s Director of Solid Waste and now the
Director of Facilities. After the resignation of Administrator Richard Boeckman
in October 2016, Hathcock was elevated as the Director of Operations in June
2017, eventually becoming the administrator. Commission Chair Jim Daily said
overseeing the landfill and serving as the administrator was a heavy workload
for one person. 
 
"The landfill takes up a tremendous amount of time," said Daily. "He's 
also the director of facilities, although never with the title, he's 
always taken care of facilities. Due to the increased amount of work at 
the landfill, it has been felt that he would better serve the county if 
he put all of his efforts to those two areas." 
 
After the vote passed, Hathcock walked away from his seat as the administrator
and joined the crowd for the remainder of the meeting. Daily referred to the change
of employment as an amicable agreement between the commission and Hathcock. The
commission was then under the impression that Assistant Administrator Donna
Zimmerman would act as the interim administrator until another person was
hired, but Zimmerman told the council she felt it was best if she was left out
of the rearrangement, and resigned as assistant administrator, still retaining her
position as county clerk. For the time being, the county commission will perform
needed administrator duties and are prepared to conduct special meetings to do
so. 
 
"This is going to be a priority, so we will get on this as rapidly as we
 possibly can," said Daily. "We're going to try to get this taken care 
so we're not leaving ourselves out in the open. We do need to have 
someone steering the boat." 
 
The employment agreement states Hathcock will be paid a yearly salary of $85,000
for employment as the Solid Waste Director and $15,000 as the Facilities Director.
Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir asked the commission if this was the best move, knowing the
county would likely have to shell out an additional administrator-level salary
to a new employee. When Hathcock took over as director of operations in 2017,
it saved the county money by not having a full-time administrator.

Barton County administrator steps down

You have heard a lot about “self-care” during the past year. It is easy to get overloaded with news accounts that we really have no control over. Now, more than ever, people are hoping to find a way to cope with the feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty. It is a good time to explore how meditation and simple exercises can help clear your mind and energize your body.&nbsp;

We have a “Mindful Meditation and Do-In” class that is set to begin September 28th at the Great Bend Activity Center, located at 2715 18th Street. The three week-long class will be held on Tuesday’s and Thursdays from 10 – 11 AM through October 14th. The class that I enjoy leading with my husband, John, opens with a short meditation, followed by exercises. Do-In (pronounced doe-een) exercises are exercises for health. These exercises are suitable for older adults and anyone who is dealing with a chronic condition. The exercises stimulate the energy flow along the acupuncture meridians. The focus is on imagery, breathing and relaxation when performing the Do-In exercises.&nbsp;

During our first session I will introduce participants to a fact sheet I wrote a couple of years ago. The “Everyday Mindfulness” fact sheet offers the following benefits that come from a regular meditation practice:

If the Mindful Meditation and Do-In classes sound like something you would like to participate in, please give me a call to register. There is a $10 fee that may be paid at the Cottonwood Extension Office in Great Bend before the first session September 28th. Class size is limited so call our office at (620)793-1910 to sign up. I hope to see you soon!

Donna Krug is the District Director and the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>You have heard a lot about “self-care” during the past year. It is easy to get overloaded with news accounts that we really have no control over. Now, more than ever, people are hoping to find a way to cope with the feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty. It is a good time to explore how meditation and simple exercises can help clear your mind and energize your body.&nbsp;We have a “Mindful Meditation and Do-In” class that is set to begin September 28th at the Great Bend Activity Center, located at 2715 18th Street. The three week-long class will be held on Tuesday’s and Thursdays from 10 – 11 AM through October 14th. The class that I enjoy leading with my husband, John, opens with a short meditation, followed by exercises. Do-In (pronounced doe-een) exercises are exercises for health. These exercises are suitable for older adults and anyone who is dealing with a chronic condition. The exercises stimulate the energy flow along the acupuncture meridians. The focus is on imagery, breathing and relaxation when performing the Do-In exercises.&nbsp;During our first session I will introduce participants to a fact sheet I wrote a couple of years ago. The “Everyday Mindfulness” fact sheet offers the following benefits that come from a regular meditation practice:<ul>
 <li>Increased ability to relax</li><li>Improved concentration</li><li>Increased energy and enthusiasm for life</li><li>Increased creativity</li><li>Increased self-awareness</li><li>Improved self-esteem</li><li>Improved work/school performance</li>
 </ul>If the Mindful Meditation and Do-In classes sound like something you would like to participate in, please give me a call to register. There is a $10 fee that may be paid at the Cottonwood Extension Office in Great Bend before the first session September 28th. Class size is limited so call our office at (620)793-1910 to sign up. I hope to see you soon!Donna Krug is the District Director and the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

KRUG: Self-care is more important than ever 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men are facing prison sentences after taking part in a pair of bank robberies, according to the United State's Attorney.

A federal jury convicted Michael Shiferaw, 22, of Olathe of two counts of Armed Bank Robbery and two counts of Discharging a Firearm in Connection with a Bank Robbery. Kenya Breakfield, 23, of Olathe pleaded guilty to one count of Armed Bank Robbery and one count of Discharging a Firearm in Connection with a Bank Robbery.

According to court documents, in October 2018, Shiferaw and Breakfield went into a Wells Fargo bank in Leawood, Kansas wearing face masks and carrying handguns. Shiferaw fired a shot into the ceiling upon entering. 

He then pointed a gun at the tellers and forced them to fill a duffel bag with money. The men fired another round into the ceiling, yelling “happy holidays” before fleeing the bank with the money.

In March 2019, the men robbed the Commerce Bank in Roeland Park, Kansas. This time Breakfield remained in the vehicle as the getaway driver, and Shiferaw entered the bank alone. Shiferaw fired four rounds during the robbery, including one aimed at a customer trying to enter the bank.

The defendants were arrested shortly after the second robbery, and law enforcement recovered the firearm used in both crimes. Prosecutors agreed to drop the charges against Breakfield in connection with the Commerce Bank robbery in exchange for his guilty plea in the Wells Fargo case. 

A Bank Robbery conviction carries a maximum of 25 years in prison for each count. A conviction of Discharging a Firearm During a Bank Robbery carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, consecutive with any other sentence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Olathe Police Department, Leawood Police Department, Roeland Park Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629232104778.png" alt="Shiferaw-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Shiferaw-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men are facing prison sentences after taking part in a pair of bank robberies, according to the United State's Attorney.A federal jury convicted Michael Shiferaw, 22, of Olathe of two counts of Armed Bank Robbery and two counts of Discharging a Firearm in Connection with a Bank Robbery. Kenya Breakfield, 23, of Olathe pleaded guilty to one count of Armed Bank Robbery and one count of Discharging a Firearm in Connection with a Bank Robbery.According to court documents, in October 2018, Shiferaw and Breakfield went into a Wells Fargo bank in Leawood, Kansas wearing face masks and carrying handguns. Shiferaw fired a shot into the ceiling upon entering. He then pointed a gun at the tellers and forced them to fill a duffel bag with money. The men fired another round into the ceiling, yelling “happy holidays” before fleeing the bank with the money.In March 2019, the men robbed the Commerce Bank in Roeland Park, Kansas. This time Breakfield remained in the vehicle as the getaway driver, and Shiferaw entered the bank alone. Shiferaw fired four rounds during the robbery, including one aimed at a customer trying to enter the bank.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629232187579.png" alt="Breakfield-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Breakfield-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The defendants were arrested shortly after the second robbery, and law enforcement recovered the firearm used in both crimes. Prosecutors agreed to drop the charges against Breakfield in connection with the Commerce Bank robbery in exchange for his guilty plea in the Wells Fargo case. Shiferaw elected to go to trial.A Bank Robbery conviction carries a maximum of 25 years in prison for each count. A conviction of Discharging a Firearm During a Bank Robbery carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, consecutive with any other sentence.The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Olathe Police Department, Leawood Police Department, Roeland Park Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case.

Kansas man fired gun at customers during bank robbery

WASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new feature allowing any 
family receiving monthly Child Tax Credit payments to quickly and easily
 update their mailing address using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>,
 found exclusively on IRS.gov. This feature will help any family that 
chooses to receive their payment by paper check avoid mailing delays or 
even having a check returned as undeliverable.

Any family can easily have their September check and all future 
checks sent to their new address by using the portal to make an address 
change request. To have the change take effect in September, people need
 to complete the request before midnight Eastern Time on Monday, August 
30. Families can still make changes after that date, but their request 
will not be effective until the next scheduled monthly payment.

If you change your mailing address using the Child Tax Credit Update 
Portal, the IRS will use this updated address for all future IRS 
correspondence so the address change feature can also be helpful to 
taxpayers that are receiving payments by direct deposit. For example, 
the IRS will mail a year-end summary statement (Letter 6419) to all 
taxpayers who have received advance Child Tax Credit payments during 
2021 and having a current address on file with the IRS will ensure 
prompt delivery of this statement.

Families will need Letter 6419 to quickly and accurately fill out 
their 2021 federal income tax return next year. This is important 
because, for most families, the advance payments they are receiving 
during 2021 cover only half of the total credit. They will claim the 
remaining portion on their 2021 tax return.

The address change feature joins a growing set of services available 
through the Child Tax Credit Update Portal. Available only on IRS.gov, 
the portal already allows families to verify their eligibility for the 
payments and then, if they choose to:

Any of these changes made before midnight ET on August 30, will 
apply to the September 15 payment and all subsequent monthly payments, 
scheduled for October 15, November 15, and December 15.

Future enhancements are planned for the Child Tax Credit Portal

Later this year, families will also be able to use the Update Portal tool to:

Latest information for the Child Tax Credit payments on IRS.gov

The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page 
designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and
 the advance payments. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

The web page now features an updated set of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">frequently asked questions</a> and the new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5549.pdf">Publication 5549, IRS User Guide: Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>.
 It also provides direct links to the portal, as well as two other 
online tools — the Non-Filer Sign Up Tool and the Child Tax Credit 
Eligibility Assistant — and other useful resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new feature allowing any 
family receiving monthly Child Tax Credit payments to quickly and easily
 update their mailing address using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>,
 found exclusively on IRS.gov. This feature will help any family that 
chooses to receive their payment by paper check avoid mailing delays or 
even having a check returned as undeliverable.Any family can easily have their September check and all future 
checks sent to their new address by using the portal to make an address 
change request. To have the change take effect in September, people need
 to complete the request before midnight Eastern Time on Monday, August 
30. Families can still make changes after that date, but their request 
will not be effective until the next scheduled monthly payment.If you change your mailing address using the Child Tax Credit Update 
Portal, the IRS will use this updated address for all future IRS 
correspondence so the address change feature can also be helpful to 
taxpayers that are receiving payments by direct deposit. For example, 
the IRS will mail a year-end summary statement (Letter 6419) to all 
taxpayers who have received advance Child Tax Credit payments during 
2021 and having a current address on file with the IRS will ensure 
prompt delivery of this statement.Families will need Letter 6419 to quickly and accurately fill out 
their 2021 federal income tax return next year. This is important 
because, for most families, the advance payments they are receiving 
during 2021 cover only half of the total credit. They will claim the 
remaining portion on their 2021 tax return.The address change feature joins a growing set of services available 
through the Child Tax Credit Update Portal. Available only on IRS.gov, 
the portal already allows families to verify their eligibility for the 
payments and then, if they choose to:<ul>
 <li>Switch from receiving a paper check to direct deposit;</li><li>Change the account where their payment is direct deposited; or</li><li>Stop monthly payments for the rest of 2021.</li>
 </ul>Any of these changes made before midnight ET on August 30, will 
apply to the September 15 payment and all subsequent monthly payments, 
scheduled for October 15, November 15, and December 15.<h2>Future enhancements are planned for the Child Tax Credit Portal</h2>Later this year, families will also be able to use the Update Portal tool to:<ul>
 <li>Add or remove children in most situations;</li><li>Report a change in marital status; or</li><li>Report a significant change in income.</li>
 </ul><h2>Latest information for the Child Tax Credit payments on IRS.gov</h2>The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page 
designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and
 the advance payments. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.The web page now features an updated set of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">frequently asked questions</a> and the new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5549.pdf">Publication 5549, IRS User Guide: Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>.
 It also provides direct links to the portal, as well as two other 
online tools — the Non-Filer Sign Up Tool and the Child Tax Credit 
Eligibility Assistant — and other useful resources.

Updates for Child Tax Credit payment must be completed by Aug. 30

Elizabeth L. “Betty” (Weigel) Denning, age 73, former Victoria, Kansas, resident died Thursday, August 19, 2021, at Diversicare of Council Grove, Kansas.

She was born November 11, 1947, in Hays, Kansas to Alfred G. and Mary Anna (Hammerschmidt) Weigel.&nbsp; She married Dennis L. Denning on October 15, 1977 at Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on August 9, 2014.

Betty was a bookkeeper for over 40 years.&nbsp; She worked at Home Lumber Company, Kansas Producers Gas Company, and Wasinger Brothers Plumbing-Heating &amp; Air all of Hays.&nbsp; She grew up in Victoria, and was a 1965 graduate of Victoria High School.&nbsp; She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis and&nbsp; Christian Mothers both of Victoria.&nbsp; She volunteered a lot in the church, the community, Girl Scouts and served on the Ellis County Council Cancer.

Survivors include her daughter, Alicia Kelley and husband, Michael, Council Grove; three grandchildren, Ava, Owen and Everly Kelley; four sisters, Theresa Klaus and Agnes Weigel, both of Hays, KS; Twila Weigel, Victoria, KS; Stella Weigel, Salina, KS; one brother-in-law, Morris Denning and wife, Janet, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Dianne Ream, Hays, KS;&nbsp;

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; her son, Justin Denning; one brother, Thomas Weigel; two sisters, Kathleen Weigel and Norma Weigel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at The&nbsp; Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp;

A vigil service will be at 6:15 P.M. Monday, followed by a St. Fidelis Christian Mothers rosary at 6:30 P.M. Monday, both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, and from 9:00 to 9:45 A.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria, Kansas.

The family suggests memorials payable to: The Justin Denning FCCLA Memorial Scholarship in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria, Kansas.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629487125447.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Elizabeth L. “Betty” (Weigel) Denning, age 73, former Victoria, Kansas, resident died Thursday, August 19, 2021, at Diversicare of Council Grove, Kansas.She was born November 11, 1947, in Hays, Kansas to Alfred G. and Mary Anna (Hammerschmidt) Weigel.&nbsp; She married Dennis L. Denning on October 15, 1977 at Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on August 9, 2014.Betty was a bookkeeper for over 40 years.&nbsp; She worked at Home Lumber Company, Kansas Producers Gas Company, and Wasinger Brothers Plumbing-Heating &amp; Air all of Hays.&nbsp; She grew up in Victoria, and was a 1965 graduate of Victoria High School.&nbsp; She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis and&nbsp; Christian Mothers both of Victoria.&nbsp; She volunteered a lot in the church, the community, Girl Scouts and served on the Ellis County Council Cancer.Survivors include her daughter, Alicia Kelley and husband, Michael, Council Grove; three grandchildren, Ava, Owen and Everly Kelley; four sisters, Theresa Klaus and Agnes Weigel, both of Hays, KS; Twila Weigel, Victoria, KS; Stella Weigel, Salina, KS; one brother-in-law, Morris Denning and wife, Janet, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Dianne Ream, Hays, KS;&nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; her son, Justin Denning; one brother, Thomas Weigel; two sisters, Kathleen Weigel and Norma Weigel.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at The&nbsp; Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp;A vigil service will be at 6:15 P.M. Monday, followed by a St. Fidelis Christian Mothers rosary at 6:30 P.M. Monday, both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, and from 9:00 to 9:45 A.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria, Kansas.The family suggests memorials payable to: The Justin Denning FCCLA Memorial Scholarship in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria, Kansas.Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at the guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>.