Donna F.&nbsp;Dietz, 100,&nbsp;passed away&nbsp;at&nbsp;Northcare&nbsp;Hospice House in&nbsp;North Kansas&nbsp;City, MO, on February 26, 2022. She
 was&nbsp;born&nbsp;August 30, 1921, in rural Ida County, Iowa, to Henry W. and 
Olga M.&nbsp;(Grefe)&nbsp;Kuhlken.&nbsp;Donna&nbsp;grew up on a&nbsp;farm&nbsp;and graduated 
from&nbsp;Cushing&nbsp;High School.&nbsp;Afterward, she&nbsp;attended&nbsp;Nettleton&nbsp;Business 
Training College in Sioux City, IA.&nbsp;After&nbsp;graduation, Donna&nbsp;worked&nbsp;in 
the accounting&nbsp;department&nbsp;of Mid-Continent Airlines in Sioux Falls, SD, 
and then Kansas City, MO.&nbsp;There&nbsp;she&nbsp;met&nbsp;Norbert&nbsp;W.&nbsp;Dietz and&nbsp;they 
were&nbsp;united&nbsp;in&nbsp;marriage&nbsp;on October 19, 1946, at&nbsp;St. John&nbsp;Lutheran Church
 in&nbsp;Cushing, IA.&nbsp;They&nbsp;were&nbsp;married&nbsp;for 55&nbsp;years&nbsp;until his&nbsp;death&nbsp;in 2002. For
 many&nbsp;years Donna&nbsp;was&nbsp;an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 
Kansas City, MO, where she faithfully served as&nbsp;church&nbsp;financial 
secretary.&nbsp;She&nbsp;also&nbsp;was&nbsp;an active member of 
the&nbsp;PTA.&nbsp;Donna&nbsp;enjoyed&nbsp;gardening, crocheting, listening to 
all&nbsp;kinds&nbsp;of&nbsp;music, feeding backyard birds, and was&nbsp;devoted&nbsp;to her 
Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.&nbsp;In&nbsp;her&nbsp;later&nbsp;years, she&nbsp;became&nbsp;a 
news&nbsp;nerd&nbsp;spending hours keeping abreast of local, national, and 
international affairs. Survivors&nbsp;include&nbsp;a&nbsp;son, 
Ken&nbsp;(Teresa)&nbsp;Dietz&nbsp;of&nbsp;Bartlesville,&nbsp;OK;&nbsp;daughters&nbsp;Glenda&nbsp;Dietz&nbsp;of 
Overland Park, KS, and Sharon&nbsp;(John)&nbsp;Iverson&nbsp;of Saline, 
MI;&nbsp;grandchildren&nbsp;William&nbsp;(Melanie)&nbsp;Dietz, Amanda&nbsp;(Kyle)&nbsp;McDonald, and 
Kendra&nbsp;(Jared)&nbsp;Seat;&nbsp;and great-grandchildren Riley and Max McDonald, 
and&nbsp;Avery and Hayden Seat;&nbsp;sister Joan&nbsp;Croxell&nbsp;of Holstein, IA, and 
sister-in-law Catherine&nbsp;Kuhlken&nbsp;of Jackson, CA, along&nbsp;with 
many&nbsp;wonderful&nbsp;nieces and&nbsp;nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Norbert, parents, and brothers Kenneth Kuhlken and Henry Kuhlken. A
 funeral service will be held in WaKeeney, KS, on Saturday, March 5, at 
10:30 a.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home following a family visitation, burial
 will follow at the WaKeeney City Cemetery. &nbsp;

Memorial contributions&nbsp;in&nbsp;memory&nbsp;of Donna may be&nbsp;made&nbsp;to Gloria Dei 
Lutheran Church,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City, MO,&nbsp;Northcare&nbsp;Hospice&nbsp;House,&nbsp;part&nbsp;of&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City&nbsp;Hospice&nbsp;and Palliative 
Care, Salvation&nbsp;Army, or&nbsp;a favorite charity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646143613647.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Donna F.&nbsp;Dietz, 100,&nbsp;passed away&nbsp;at&nbsp;Northcare&nbsp;Hospice House in&nbsp;North Kansas&nbsp;City, MO, on February 26, 2022. She
 was&nbsp;born&nbsp;August 30, 1921, in rural Ida County, Iowa, to Henry W. and 
Olga M.&nbsp;(Grefe)&nbsp;Kuhlken.&nbsp;Donna&nbsp;grew up on a&nbsp;farm&nbsp;and graduated 
from&nbsp;Cushing&nbsp;High School.&nbsp;Afterward, she&nbsp;attended&nbsp;Nettleton&nbsp;Business 
Training College in Sioux City, IA.&nbsp;After&nbsp;graduation, Donna&nbsp;worked&nbsp;in 
the accounting&nbsp;department&nbsp;of Mid-Continent Airlines in Sioux Falls, SD, 
and then Kansas City, MO.&nbsp;There&nbsp;she&nbsp;met&nbsp;Norbert&nbsp;W.&nbsp;Dietz and&nbsp;they 
were&nbsp;united&nbsp;in&nbsp;marriage&nbsp;on October 19, 1946, at&nbsp;St. John&nbsp;Lutheran Church
 in&nbsp;Cushing, IA.&nbsp;They&nbsp;were&nbsp;married&nbsp;for 55&nbsp;years&nbsp;until his&nbsp;death&nbsp;in 2002. For
 many&nbsp;years Donna&nbsp;was&nbsp;an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 
Kansas City, MO, where she faithfully served as&nbsp;church&nbsp;financial 
secretary.&nbsp;She&nbsp;also&nbsp;was&nbsp;an active member of 
the&nbsp;PTA.&nbsp;Donna&nbsp;enjoyed&nbsp;gardening, crocheting, listening to 
all&nbsp;kinds&nbsp;of&nbsp;music, feeding backyard birds, and was&nbsp;devoted&nbsp;to her 
Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.&nbsp;In&nbsp;her&nbsp;later&nbsp;years, she&nbsp;became&nbsp;a 
news&nbsp;nerd&nbsp;spending hours keeping abreast of local, national, and 
international affairs. Survivors&nbsp;include&nbsp;a&nbsp;son, 
Ken&nbsp;(Teresa)&nbsp;Dietz&nbsp;of&nbsp;Bartlesville,&nbsp;OK;&nbsp;daughters&nbsp;Glenda&nbsp;Dietz&nbsp;of 
Overland Park, KS, and Sharon&nbsp;(John)&nbsp;Iverson&nbsp;of Saline, 
MI;&nbsp;grandchildren&nbsp;William&nbsp;(Melanie)&nbsp;Dietz, Amanda&nbsp;(Kyle)&nbsp;McDonald, and 
Kendra&nbsp;(Jared)&nbsp;Seat;&nbsp;and great-grandchildren Riley and Max McDonald, 
and&nbsp;Avery and Hayden Seat;&nbsp;sister Joan&nbsp;Croxell&nbsp;of Holstein, IA, and 
sister-in-law Catherine&nbsp;Kuhlken&nbsp;of Jackson, CA, along&nbsp;with 
many&nbsp;wonderful&nbsp;nieces and&nbsp;nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Norbert, parents, and brothers Kenneth Kuhlken and Henry Kuhlken. A
 funeral service will be held in WaKeeney, KS, on Saturday, March 5, at 
10:30 a.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home following a family visitation, burial
 will follow at the WaKeeney City Cemetery. &nbsp;Memorial contributions&nbsp;in&nbsp;memory&nbsp;of Donna may be&nbsp;made&nbsp;to Gloria Dei 
Lutheran Church,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City, MO,&nbsp;Northcare&nbsp;Hospice&nbsp;House,&nbsp;part&nbsp;of&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City&nbsp;Hospice&nbsp;and Palliative 
Care, Salvation&nbsp;Army, or&nbsp;a favorite charity.

Donna F. Dietz

Ibendahl suggests farmers buy diesel in summer to save on costs&nbsp;

By SHELBY VARNER K-State Research and Extension News&nbsp;

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University farm management economist Gregg Ibendahl said the average price of gasoline and diesel the past five years gives a good indication of when to expect higher and lower prices.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“You can really see the seasonality the most if you look at (past) gasoline prices,” Ibendahl said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He said gas prices are almost guaranteed to be higher during summer when people are going on vacations. On the other hand, the lowest gasoline prices will be during the winter.&nbsp;

According to Ibendahl, that trend still holds and will likely continue.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“On the diesel side, we also see some seasonality,” Ibendahl said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The seasonality of diesel has changed over the last decade or two because diesel used to be a close substitute for heating oil, which caused diesel prices to be highest in the winter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/production-economics/energy/fuel-price-outlook-2022">recent analysis</a>, Ibendahl said the best time to buy diesel would probably be during the summer.&nbsp;

“(Now) we see more of a seasonal demand for diesel fuel in the spring and fall,” Ibendahl said. “Prices are probably 15- 20 cents higher in October and November, but the rest of the year it is probably just a little bit below average.” Higher diesel prices during those times can be a bad thing for farmers as they are trying to get the crop in or out.&nbsp; “Diesel fuel doesn’t show strong seasonality like gasoline does, but it’s still there,” Ibendahl said.&nbsp;

Ibendahl said current events – such as the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine -- could push diesel and oil prices higher and result in even more price variability.&nbsp;

<h2>Ibendahl suggests farmers buy diesel in summer to save on costs&nbsp;</h2>By SHELBY VARNER K-State Research and Extension News&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University farm management economist Gregg Ibendahl said the average price of gasoline and diesel the past five years gives a good indication of when to expect higher and lower prices.&nbsp;&nbsp;“You can really see the seasonality the most if you look at (past) gasoline prices,” Ibendahl said.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said gas prices are almost guaranteed to be higher during summer when people are going on vacations. On the other hand, the lowest gasoline prices will be during the winter.&nbsp;According to Ibendahl, that trend still holds and will likely continue.&nbsp;&nbsp;“On the diesel side, we also see some seasonality,” Ibendahl said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The seasonality of diesel has changed over the last decade or two because diesel used to be a close substitute for heating oil, which caused diesel prices to be highest in the winter.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/production-economics/energy/fuel-price-outlook-2022">recent analysis</a>, Ibendahl said the best time to buy diesel would probably be during the summer.&nbsp;“(Now) we see more of a seasonal demand for diesel fuel in the spring and fall,” Ibendahl said. “Prices are probably 15- 20 cents higher in October and November, but the rest of the year it is probably just a little bit below average.” Higher diesel prices during those times can be a bad thing for farmers as they are trying to get the crop in or out.&nbsp; “Diesel fuel doesn’t show strong seasonality like gasoline does, but it’s still there,” Ibendahl said.&nbsp;Ibendahl said current events – such as the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine -- could push diesel and oil prices higher and result in even more price variability.&nbsp;

K-State farm management economist tracks fuel price trends

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers of their 
reporting and potential tax obligations from working in the gig economy,
 making virtual currency transactions, earning foreign-source income or 
holding certain foreign assets. Information available on IRS.gov and 
instructions on Form 1040 can help taxpayers in understanding and 
meeting these reporting and tax requirements.

Generally, income earned from the gig economy is taxable and must be 
reported to the IRS. The gig economy is activity where people earn 
income providing on-demand work, services or goods. Often, it's through a
 digital platform like an app or website. Taxpayers must report income 
earned from the gig economy on a tax return, even if the income is:

For more information on the gig economy, visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gig-economy-tax-center">gig economy tax center</a>.

Understand virtual currency reporting and tax requirements

The IRS reminds taxpayers that once again there is a question at the 
top of Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR asking about virtual currency 
transactions. All taxpayers filing these forms must check the box 
indicating either "yes" or "no." A transaction involving virtual 
currency includes, but is not limited to:

If an individual disposed of any virtual currency that was held 
as a capital asset through a sale, exchange or transfer, they should 
check "Yes" and use Form 8949 to figure their capital gain or loss and 
report it on Schedule D (Form 1040).

If they received any virtual currency as compensation for services or
 disposed of any virtual currency they held for sale to customers in a 
trade or business, they must report the income as they would report 
other income of the same type (for example, W-2 wages on Form 1040 or 
1040-SR, line 1, or inventory or services from Schedule C on Schedule 
1). More information on virtual currency can be found in Instruction for
 Form 1040 and on IRS.gov.

A U.S. citizen or resident alien's worldwide income is generally 
subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where they live. They're also 
subject to the same income tax filing requirements that apply to U.S. 
citizens or resident aliens living in the United States.

U.S. citizens and resident aliens must report unearned income, such 
as interest, dividends, and pensions, from sources outside the United 
States unless exempt by law or a tax treaty. They must also report 
earned income, such as wages and tips, from sources outside the United 
States. An income tax filing requirement generally applies even if a 
taxpayer qualifies for tax benefits, such as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-earned-income-exclusion">Foreign Earned Income Exclusion</a> or the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-tax-credit">Foreign Tax Credit</a>,
 which substantially reduce or eliminate U.S. tax liability. These tax 
benefits are only available if an eligible taxpayer files a U.S. income 
tax return.

A taxpayer is allowed an automatic 2-month extension to June 15 if 
both their tax home and abode are outside the United States and Puerto 
Rico. Even if allowed an extension, a taxpayer will have to pay interest
 on any tax not paid by the regular due date of April 18, 2022.

Those serving in the military outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico on the
 regular due date of their tax return also qualify for the extension to 
June 15. IRS recommends attaching a statement if one of these two 
situations apply. More information can be found in the<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf"> Instructions for Form 1040 and 1040-SR</a>&nbsp;PDF, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-54">Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p519">Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens</a>.

Reporting required for foreign accounts and assets

Federal law requires U.S. citizens and resident aliens to report 
their worldwide income, including income from foreign trusts and foreign
 bank and other financial accounts. In most cases, affected taxpayers 
need to complete and attach <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-b-form-1040">Schedule B</a>
 to their tax return. Part III of Schedule B asks about the existence of
 foreign accounts, such as bank and securities accounts, and usually 
requires U.S. citizens to report the country in which each account is 
located.

In addition, certain taxpayers may also have to complete and attach to their return <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8938">Form 8938, Statement of Foreign Financial Assets</a>.
 Generally, U.S. citizens, resident aliens and certain nonresident 
aliens must report specified foreign financial assets on this form if 
the aggregate value of those assets exceeds certain thresholds. See the 
instructions for this form for details.

Further, separate from reporting specified foreign financial assets 
on their tax return, taxpayers with an interest in, or signature or 
other authority over foreign financial accounts whose aggregate value 
exceeded $10,000 at any time during 2020, must file electronically with 
the Treasury Department a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) <a href="https://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/NoRegFBARFiler.html">Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)</a>.
 Because of this threshold, the IRS encourages taxpayers with foreign 
assets, even relatively small ones, to check if this filing requirement 
applies to them. The form is only available through the <a href="https://www.fincen.gov/bsa-e-filing-system">BSA E-filing System website</a>.

The deadline for filing the annual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar">Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)</a>
 is the same as that of Form 1040. FinCEN grants filers who missed the 
original deadline an automatic extension until October 15, 2022, to file
 the FBAR. There is no need to request this extension.

This news release is part of a series called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers of their 
reporting and potential tax obligations from working in the gig economy,
 making virtual currency transactions, earning foreign-source income or 
holding certain foreign assets. Information available on IRS.gov and 
instructions on Form 1040 can help taxpayers in understanding and 
meeting these reporting and tax requirements.<h2>Gig economy earnings are taxable</h2>Generally, income earned from the gig economy is taxable and must be 
reported to the IRS. The gig economy is activity where people earn 
income providing on-demand work, services or goods. Often, it's through a
 digital platform like an app or website. Taxpayers must report income 
earned from the gig economy on a tax return, even if the income is:<ul>
 <li>From part-time, temporary or side work,</li><li>Not reported on an information return form - like a Form 1099-K, 1099-MISC, W-2 or other income statement or</li><li>Paid in any form, including cash, property, goods or virtual currency.</li>
 </ul>For more information on the gig economy, visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gig-economy-tax-center">gig economy tax center</a>.<h2>Understand virtual currency reporting and tax requirements</h2>The IRS reminds taxpayers that once again there is a question at the 
top of Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR asking about virtual currency 
transactions. All taxpayers filing these forms must check the box 
indicating either "yes" or "no." A transaction involving virtual 
currency includes, but is not limited to:<ul>
 <li>The receipt of virtual currency as payment for goods or services provided;</li><li>The receipt or transfer of virtual currency for free (without 
providing any consideration) that does not qualify as a bona fide gift;</li><li>The receipt of new virtual currency as a result of mining and staking activities;</li><li>The receipt of virtual currency as a result of a hard fork;</li><li>An exchange of virtual currency for property, goods or services;</li><li>An exchange/trade of virtual currency for another virtual currency;</li><li>A sale of virtual currency; and</li><li>Any other disposition of a financial interest in virtual currency.</li>
 </ul>If an individual disposed of any virtual currency that was held 
as a capital asset through a sale, exchange or transfer, they should 
check "Yes" and use Form 8949 to figure their capital gain or loss and 
report it on Schedule D (Form 1040).If they received any virtual currency as compensation for services or
 disposed of any virtual currency they held for sale to customers in a 
trade or business, they must report the income as they would report 
other income of the same type (for example, W-2 wages on Form 1040 or 
1040-SR, line 1, or inventory or services from Schedule C on Schedule 
1). More information on virtual currency can be found in Instruction for
 Form 1040 and on IRS.gov.<h2>Report Foreign Source Income</h2>A U.S. citizen or resident alien's worldwide income is generally 
subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where they live. They're also 
subject to the same income tax filing requirements that apply to U.S. 
citizens or resident aliens living in the United States.U.S. citizens and resident aliens must report unearned income, such 
as interest, dividends, and pensions, from sources outside the United 
States unless exempt by law or a tax treaty. They must also report 
earned income, such as wages and tips, from sources outside the United 
States. An income tax filing requirement generally applies even if a 
taxpayer qualifies for tax benefits, such as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-earned-income-exclusion">Foreign Earned Income Exclusion</a> or the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-tax-credit">Foreign Tax Credit</a>,
 which substantially reduce or eliminate U.S. tax liability. These tax 
benefits are only available if an eligible taxpayer files a U.S. income 
tax return.A taxpayer is allowed an automatic 2-month extension to June 15 if 
both their tax home and abode are outside the United States and Puerto 
Rico. Even if allowed an extension, a taxpayer will have to pay interest
 on any tax not paid by the regular due date of April 18, 2022.Those serving in the military outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico on the
 regular due date of their tax return also qualify for the extension to 
June 15. IRS recommends attaching a statement if one of these two 
situations apply. More information can be found in the<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf"> Instructions for Form 1040 and 1040-SR</a>&nbsp;PDF, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-54">Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p519">Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens</a>.<h2>Reporting required for foreign accounts and assets</h2>Federal law requires U.S. citizens and resident aliens to report 
their worldwide income, including income from foreign trusts and foreign
 bank and other financial accounts. In most cases, affected taxpayers 
need to complete and attach <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-b-form-1040">Schedule B</a>
 to their tax return. Part III of Schedule B asks about the existence of
 foreign accounts, such as bank and securities accounts, and usually 
requires U.S. citizens to report the country in which each account is 
located.In addition, certain taxpayers may also have to complete and attach to their return <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8938">Form 8938, Statement of Foreign Financial Assets</a>.
 Generally, U.S. citizens, resident aliens and certain nonresident 
aliens must report specified foreign financial assets on this form if 
the aggregate value of those assets exceeds certain thresholds. See the 
instructions for this form for details.Further, separate from reporting specified foreign financial assets 
on their tax return, taxpayers with an interest in, or signature or 
other authority over foreign financial accounts whose aggregate value 
exceeded $10,000 at any time during 2020, must file electronically with 
the Treasury Department a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) <a href="https://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/NoRegFBARFiler.html">Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)</a>.
 Because of this threshold, the IRS encourages taxpayers with foreign 
assets, even relatively small ones, to check if this filing requirement 
applies to them. The form is only available through the <a href="https://www.fincen.gov/bsa-e-filing-system">BSA E-filing System website</a>.The deadline for filing the annual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar">Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)</a>
 is the same as that of Form 1040. FinCEN grants filers who missed the 
original deadline an automatic extension until October 15, 2022, to file
 the FBAR. There is no need to request this extension.This news release is part of a series called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax</a>.

IRS: Report gig economy income, virtual currency transactions

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/commerce-agency-seeks-public-scrutiny-of-36-broadband-infrastructure-projects/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of
 Commerce received 36 applications for a share of $5 million in matching
 funds for improvement of broadband access.

Commerce secretary David Toland, who also serves as the lieutenant 
governor, said a public comment period would be open until March 8 for 
consideration of specific grant proposals for upgrading communication 
services in more than 30 counties. Grant applicants will have an 
opportunity in mid-March to respond to public input.

The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program provides 50% of total cost 
of infrastructure projects planned for completion by October 2023. The 
program aims to support projects that wouldn’t likely be completed 
without state or federal financial assistance.

“The intense demand for this program across Kansas reflects the 
widespread need for more robust broadband access in unserved areas of 
Kansas,” Toland said. “We are committed to being transparent and making 
the best possible investment decisions for Kansas broadband 
infrastructure.”

To review applications and provide commentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAyMjguNTQxMjI2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXNjb21tZXJjZS5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbS9jb21tdW5pdHktcHJvZ3JhbXMvYnJvYWRiYW5kLWFjY2VsZXJhdGlvbi1ncmFudC9rb2JkLWJhZy1wdWJsaWMtY29tbWVudC15ZWFyLTIvIn0.F1kkjgdSZ75B8_GHgp7L6pb9w3nBJuXJzWGVQKwue_0/s/1303160910/br/127270036104-l">click here</a>.

Money for the grant program will be drawn from the Eisenhower Legacy 
Transportation Program adopted with bipartisan legislative support in 
2020 and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Stanley Adams, director of the commerce department’s office of 
broadband development, said the comment period was a tool for evaluating
 complex proposals to guarantee the state made solid investment 
decisions.

“Receiving public comment before projects are awarded furthers the 
value and impact these grant projects make and we look forward to 
leveraging public input again for this year’s program,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646067073620.png" alt="The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on 36 broadband infrastructure proposals for upgrading services om more than 30 counties with $5 million in matching funds from the state’s highway program. (Submitted/Courtesy Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on 36 broadband infrastructure proposals for upgrading services om more than 30 counties with $5 million in matching funds from the state’s highway program. (Submitted/Courtesy Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/commerce-agency-seeks-public-scrutiny-of-36-broadband-infrastructure-projects/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of
 Commerce received 36 applications for a share of $5 million in matching
 funds for improvement of broadband access.Commerce secretary David Toland, who also serves as the lieutenant 
governor, said a public comment period would be open until March 8 for 
consideration of specific grant proposals for upgrading communication 
services in more than 30 counties. Grant applicants will have an 
opportunity in mid-March to respond to public input.The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program provides 50% of total cost 
of infrastructure projects planned for completion by October 2023. The 
program aims to support projects that wouldn’t likely be completed 
without state or federal financial assistance.“The intense demand for this program across Kansas reflects the 
widespread need for more robust broadband access in unserved areas of 
Kansas,” Toland said. “We are committed to being transparent and making 
the best possible investment decisions for Kansas broadband 
infrastructure.”To review applications and provide commentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAyMjguNTQxMjI2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXNjb21tZXJjZS5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbS9jb21tdW5pdHktcHJvZ3JhbXMvYnJvYWRiYW5kLWFjY2VsZXJhdGlvbi1ncmFudC9rb2JkLWJhZy1wdWJsaWMtY29tbWVudC15ZWFyLTIvIn0.F1kkjgdSZ75B8_GHgp7L6pb9w3nBJuXJzWGVQKwue_0/s/1303160910/br/127270036104-l">click here</a>.Money for the grant program will be drawn from the Eisenhower Legacy 
Transportation Program adopted with bipartisan legislative support in 
2020 and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly.Stanley Adams, director of the commerce department’s office of 
broadband development, said the comment period was a tool for evaluating
 complex proposals to guarantee the state made solid investment 
decisions.“Receiving public comment before projects are awarded furthers the 
value and impact these grant projects make and we look forward to 
leveraging public input again for this year’s program,” he said.

Kan. seeks public scrutiny of 36 broadband infrastructure projects

Friday, October 14th, 1932-Saturday, February 26th, 2022

An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Friday, October 14th, 1932-Saturday, February 26th, 2022An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Otto R. Rohla Jr.

Albert Clifford Beougher, age 71, of Gove, passed away on February 19, 
2022, at his home.&nbsp; Cliff was born on October 27, 1950, in Colby to Harold
 Jesse and Eva Mae (Putman) Beougher. When he was young the 
family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado.&nbsp; Cliff attended school at 
Clifton Elementary, Clifton, CO, and graduated from Palisade High School
 where he was very active in 4-H and FAA (Future Farmers of America). 
&nbsp;After graduation he returned to Kansas to farm and raise cattle in the 
Gove, Grinnell, and Campus area.&nbsp; He loved living in Kansas with his 
son, Jessie.&nbsp; Cliff never knew a stranger and was always willing to help
 anyone who needed it. Cliff is survived by his son, Jesse, of 
the home; four sisters:&nbsp; Sonya Bishop and Coleen Schreiner (Bill) and 
their families of Grand Junction, CO, Vicki (Merv) Anway of Clifton, CO,
 and Debbie Pense of Myrtle Point, OR, and Dennis Beougher.&nbsp; Also 
surviving is his nephew, Rick and Renee Beougher and family of Gove, 
other nieces and nephews, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eva Beougher, his brother, Ronnie Beougher, and a nephew, Matthew Anway. Cremation
 was chosen. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 
March 5, 2022, at the Gaeland Cemetery, Orion with inurnment. Sympathy
 cards, condolences to the family, and memorials to the Cliff Beougher 
Memorial Fund may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. 
Box 221, Oakley, KS&nbsp; 67748. Sign the online guestbook at <a href="http://www.kennedykosterfh">www.kennedykosterfh</a>.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646057912897.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Albert Clifford Beougher, age 71, of Gove, passed away on February 19, 
2022, at his home.&nbsp; Cliff was born on October 27, 1950, in Colby to Harold
 Jesse and Eva Mae (Putman) Beougher. When he was young the 
family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado.&nbsp; Cliff attended school at 
Clifton Elementary, Clifton, CO, and graduated from Palisade High School
 where he was very active in 4-H and FAA (Future Farmers of America). 
&nbsp;After graduation he returned to Kansas to farm and raise cattle in the 
Gove, Grinnell, and Campus area.&nbsp; He loved living in Kansas with his 
son, Jessie.&nbsp; Cliff never knew a stranger and was always willing to help
 anyone who needed it. Cliff is survived by his son, Jesse, of 
the home; four sisters:&nbsp; Sonya Bishop and Coleen Schreiner (Bill) and 
their families of Grand Junction, CO, Vicki (Merv) Anway of Clifton, CO,
 and Debbie Pense of Myrtle Point, OR, and Dennis Beougher.&nbsp; Also 
surviving is his nephew, Rick and Renee Beougher and family of Gove, 
other nieces and nephews, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eva Beougher, his brother, Ronnie Beougher, and a nephew, Matthew Anway. Cremation
 was chosen. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 
March 5, 2022, at the Gaeland Cemetery, Orion with inurnment. Sympathy
 cards, condolences to the family, and memorials to the Cliff Beougher 
Memorial Fund may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. 
Box 221, Oakley, KS&nbsp; 67748. Sign the online guestbook at <a href="http://www.kennedykosterfh">www.kennedykosterfh</a>.com

Albert Clifford Beougher

John Damian Linenberger, 86, of Manhattan, passed away Tuesday, February 22nd. He was a house painter in the Manhattan area.
 John was born in Victoria, KS on October 29, 1935, the son of the 
late Bonaventure Linenberger and Gertrude (Beck) Linenberger. John was 
married to Marlene Ann Brungardt in Victoria on Dec 28, 1964, and she 
also survives of the home. John attended the St. Francis Catholic High 
School and Seminary in Victoria, he also served in the U.S. Army. John 
and Marlene attended the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Manhattan.
 Survivors are his wife, Marlene, of their home; his son, Shaun and 
Melissa Linenberger, of Manhattan, three grandchildren, Shane, Logan, 
and AJ. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edwin, Gilbert, 
Dennis, Verlin, Thomas, Leo, and Patrick Linenberger; four sisters, 
Henrietta Giebler, Doris Younger-Pfeifer, Virginia Linenberger, and 
Bonita M. (Linenberger) Schulte; and one infant brother, Clarence 
Linenberger.
 Visitation will be prior to the vigil service and rosary from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm; at the funeral home.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February
 26th, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan. The burial will 
follow at the St. Patrick's Cemetery, Manhattan.
 The family requests any donations be directed to the St. Isador 
Student Center or the donor's choice. Condolences can be sent via the 
funeral home website, www.irvinparkview.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645998368635.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>John Damian Linenberger, 86, of Manhattan, passed away Tuesday, February 22nd. He was a house painter in the Manhattan area.
 John was born in Victoria, KS on October 29, 1935, the son of the 
late Bonaventure Linenberger and Gertrude (Beck) Linenberger. John was 
married to Marlene Ann Brungardt in Victoria on Dec 28, 1964, and she 
also survives of the home. John attended the St. Francis Catholic High 
School and Seminary in Victoria, he also served in the U.S. Army. John 
and Marlene attended the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Manhattan.
 Survivors are his wife, Marlene, of their home; his son, Shaun and 
Melissa Linenberger, of Manhattan, three grandchildren, Shane, Logan, 
and AJ. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edwin, Gilbert, 
Dennis, Verlin, Thomas, Leo, and Patrick Linenberger; four sisters, 
Henrietta Giebler, Doris Younger-Pfeifer, Virginia Linenberger, and 
Bonita M. (Linenberger) Schulte; and one infant brother, Clarence 
Linenberger.
 Visitation will be prior to the vigil service and rosary from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm; at the funeral home.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February
 26th, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan. The burial will 
follow at the St. Patrick's Cemetery, Manhattan.
 The family requests any donations be directed to the St. Isador 
Student Center or the donor's choice. Condolences can be sent via the 
funeral home website, www.irvinparkview.com.

John Damian Linenberger

Maurice Alvin “Morris” Yarmer, 67, of Russell, Kansas and formerly of
 Galatia, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the Hays 
Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Maurice was born October 28, 1954, in Great Bend, Kansas. He was the 
son of Milton A. and Mary Agnes (Gleissner) Yarmer.&nbsp; He grew up on the 
family farm north of Galatia.&nbsp; He graduated from Hoisington High School 
in the Class of ‘72.

Maurice was united in marriage to Julia “Julie” Lee on April 23, 
1988, in Milberger, Kansas.&nbsp; This union was blessed with three children;
 Justin, Neil and Sara.&nbsp; They made their home on the family farm north 
of Galatia.

Maurice was a Farmer and Rancher his whole life.&nbsp; When he was 
younger, he enjoyed combine demolition derby and drag racing.&nbsp; Maurice 
also did contract labor for John Deere painting their equipment.&nbsp; &nbsp;As 
the years went on Maurice worked hard to grow the family farm while 
marketing hay in his free time.&nbsp; Building relationships with people 
along the way was one thing he did best.&nbsp; Maurice was also very strong 
in his faith and was a member of the Fellowship of Faith Church in Great
 Bend.&nbsp; He found peace in spending quiet time with God at the farm when 
he could not make it to church.&nbsp; The thing that Maurice enjoyed the most
 was driving around the farm looking at the crops and cattle.&nbsp; He would 
soak in every bit of progress they had accomplished.

Surviving family includes his wife of 33 years, Julie of the home; 
daughter, Sara Simoneau (Shay) of Damar, Kansas; sons, Justin Yarmer 
(Natalie) of Russell, Kansas and Neil Yarmer (Teryn) of Russell, Kansas;
 nine grandchildren, Savanna Ryan (Levy), Mackenzie Hartman (Alan), 
Chase Yarmer, Aiden Yarmer, Brynley Yarmer, Koda Yarmer, Benelli 
Simoneau, Baylor Simoneau and Baby Simoneau; three great grandchildren, 
Nixon Ryan, Daxton Ryan and Oaklynn Hartman; brothers, Melvin Yarmer 
(Donave) of Albert, Kansas and Michael Yarmer (Sonja) of Albert, Kansas.

Maurice was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marlene 
Hassenplug. Celebration of Maurice’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, 
Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic 
Church in Russell.&nbsp; A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 PM, 
Wednesday at the Fairview Cemetery in Galatia.&nbsp; Visitation will be held 
from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler
 Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00
 PM.&nbsp; 

Memorials have been established with the FFA Scholarship Fund or 
the Kans for Kids.&nbsp; Contributions and condolences may be sent to 
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645829798865.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Maurice Alvin “Morris” Yarmer, 67, of Russell, Kansas and formerly of
 Galatia, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the Hays 
Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.Maurice was born October 28, 1954, in Great Bend, Kansas. He was the 
son of Milton A. and Mary Agnes (Gleissner) Yarmer.&nbsp; He grew up on the 
family farm north of Galatia.&nbsp; He graduated from Hoisington High School 
in the Class of ‘72.Maurice was united in marriage to Julia “Julie” Lee on April 23, 
1988, in Milberger, Kansas.&nbsp; This union was blessed with three children;
 Justin, Neil and Sara.&nbsp; They made their home on the family farm north 
of Galatia.Maurice was a Farmer and Rancher his whole life.&nbsp; When he was 
younger, he enjoyed combine demolition derby and drag racing.&nbsp; Maurice 
also did contract labor for John Deere painting their equipment.&nbsp; &nbsp;As 
the years went on Maurice worked hard to grow the family farm while 
marketing hay in his free time.&nbsp; Building relationships with people 
along the way was one thing he did best.&nbsp; Maurice was also very strong 
in his faith and was a member of the Fellowship of Faith Church in Great
 Bend.&nbsp; He found peace in spending quiet time with God at the farm when 
he could not make it to church.&nbsp; The thing that Maurice enjoyed the most
 was driving around the farm looking at the crops and cattle.&nbsp; He would 
soak in every bit of progress they had accomplished.Surviving family includes his wife of 33 years, Julie of the home; 
daughter, Sara Simoneau (Shay) of Damar, Kansas; sons, Justin Yarmer 
(Natalie) of Russell, Kansas and Neil Yarmer (Teryn) of Russell, Kansas;
 nine grandchildren, Savanna Ryan (Levy), Mackenzie Hartman (Alan), 
Chase Yarmer, Aiden Yarmer, Brynley Yarmer, Koda Yarmer, Benelli 
Simoneau, Baylor Simoneau and Baby Simoneau; three great grandchildren, 
Nixon Ryan, Daxton Ryan and Oaklynn Hartman; brothers, Melvin Yarmer 
(Donave) of Albert, Kansas and Michael Yarmer (Sonja) of Albert, Kansas.Maurice was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marlene 
Hassenplug. Celebration of Maurice’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, 
Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic 
Church in Russell.&nbsp; A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 PM, 
Wednesday at the Fairview Cemetery in Galatia.&nbsp; Visitation will be held 
from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler
 Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00
 PM.&nbsp; Memorials have been established with the FFA Scholarship Fund or 
the Kans for Kids.&nbsp; Contributions and condolences may be sent to 
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Maurice Alvin 'Morris' Yarmer

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 37-year-old Leavenworth man has been sentenced to 3.5 years in jail for a fatal hit-and-run. 

Justen Michael McCarter was sentenced Thursday in the death of 44-year-old Adam Wheeler in March 2020. Police say McCarter was speeding on a stolen motorcycle when he hit Wheeler, who was crossing a Leavenworth street. 

KSHB-TV reports witnesses told police McCarter was drag racing when he hit Wheeler. 

McCarter pleaded guilty in October to  involuntary manslaughter and possession of a stolen motorcycle.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 37-year-old Leavenworth man has been sentenced to 3.5 years in jail for a fatal hit-and-run. Justen Michael McCarter was sentenced Thursday in the death of 44-year-old Adam Wheeler in March 2020. Police say McCarter was speeding on a stolen motorcycle when he hit Wheeler, who was crossing a Leavenworth street. KSHB-TV reports witnesses told police McCarter was drag racing when he hit Wheeler. McCarter pleaded guilty in October to involuntary manslaughter and possession of a stolen motorcycle.

Man sentenced in fatal Kansas hit-and-run

Trevor Thomas Coulson, 22, passed away February 21, 2022, at Hays Medical Center.

He was born October 1, 1999, in Hays, the son of Shawn Coulson and Traci L. Morelock Coulson.

A lifetime area resident, he was a roofer with Roofmasters, Hays. He was of the Christian faith and did missionary work.

Survivors include: father, Shawn Coulson, Ransom; mother, Traci 
Coulson, Larned; brother, Logan Coulson, Larned; sister, Kala (Steven) 
Schroer, Hays; twin sister, Brook Coulson and fiancé Stanly, Topeka; 
son, Noah Escarcega; and grandfather, Tom (Elaine) Coulson, Haysville.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sonya Coulson, Jim and Ruth Morelock, Grandma Jo and Grandpa Rollin Lohmeyer.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 
Beckwith Mortuary, Larned with Pastor Dave Buller presiding. Visitation 
will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 25, 2022, at Beckwith 
Mortuary. Burial will be in Larned Cemetery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645742555297.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trevor Thomas Coulson, 22, passed away February 21, 2022, at Hays Medical Center.He was born October 1, 1999, in Hays, the son of Shawn Coulson and Traci L. Morelock Coulson.A lifetime area resident, he was a roofer with Roofmasters, Hays. He was of the Christian faith and did missionary work.Survivors include: father, Shawn Coulson, Ransom; mother, Traci 
Coulson, Larned; brother, Logan Coulson, Larned; sister, Kala (Steven) 
Schroer, Hays; twin sister, Brook Coulson and fiancé Stanly, Topeka; 
son, Noah Escarcega; and grandfather, Tom (Elaine) Coulson, Haysville.He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sonya Coulson, Jim and Ruth Morelock, Grandma Jo and Grandpa Rollin Lohmeyer.Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 
Beckwith Mortuary, Larned with Pastor Dave Buller presiding. Visitation 
will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 25, 2022, at Beckwith 
Mortuary. Burial will be in Larned Cemetery.

Trevor Thomas Coulson

Albert Clifford Beougher, age 71, of Gove, passed away on February 
19, 2022, at his home.&nbsp; Cliff was born on October 27, 1950, in Colby to 
Harold Jesse and Eva Mae (Putman) Beougher.

Cliff was a farmer and rancher in the Gove, Grinnell, and Campus area and more information will follow.

Cliff is survived by his son, Jesse, of the home; four sisters:&nbsp; 
Sonya Bishop and Coleen Schreiner of Grand Junction, CO, Vicki Anway of 
Clifton, CO, and Debbie Pense of Myrtle Point, OR, and Dennis Beougher, 
many nieces and nephews, and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eva, and his brother, Ronnie Beougher.

Cremation was chosen. No services are planned at this time. Inurnment will be in Gaeland Cemetery, Orion.

Sympathy cards, condolences to the family, and memorials to the Cliff
 Beougher Memorial Fund may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral 
Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS&nbsp; 67748.

Sign the online guestbook at <a href="http://www.kennedykosterfh">www.kennedykosterfh</a>.com

Albert Clifford Beougher, age 71, of Gove, passed away on February 
19, 2022, at his home.&nbsp; Cliff was born on October 27, 1950, in Colby to 
Harold Jesse and Eva Mae (Putman) Beougher.Cliff was a farmer and rancher in the Gove, Grinnell, and Campus area and more information will follow.Cliff is survived by his son, Jesse, of the home; four sisters:&nbsp; 
Sonya Bishop and Coleen Schreiner of Grand Junction, CO, Vicki Anway of 
Clifton, CO, and Debbie Pense of Myrtle Point, OR, and Dennis Beougher, 
many nieces and nephews, and many cousins.He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eva, and his brother, Ronnie Beougher.Cremation was chosen. No services are planned at this time. Inurnment will be in Gaeland Cemetery, Orion.Sympathy cards, condolences to the family, and memorials to the Cliff
 Beougher Memorial Fund may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral 
Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS&nbsp; 67748.Sign the online guestbook at <a href="http://www.kennedykosterfh">www.kennedykosterfh</a>.com

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A black man who was arrested when he was 15 and held for three weeks for a crime he did not commit reached a $900,000 settlement with the Kansas City Police Department.

The settlement announced by attorneys for both sides Tuesday comes in a civil rights lawsuit filed by the family of Tyree Bell over his June 8, 2016, arrest. As part of the agreement, the Police Department said it would apologize to Bell. A federal judge must still approve the settlement, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-23/kansas-city-police-agree-to-pay-900-000-and-apologize-to-black-teen-wrongfully-jailed-for-weeks">reported</a>.

Officers Peter Neukrich and Jonathan Munyan said they arrested Bell because he looked like another teen who ran from them earlier in the day and threw away a gun as he fled.

Police video showed Bell was taller, had a different hairstyle and was wearing different clothing than the original suspect. He also cooperated with police and was breathing normally, unlike someone who had just run from police.

An appeals court said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-lawsuits-kansas-city-courts-e748a624036ac6caac19dae3026a0265">in an October 2020 ruling</a>&nbsp;that allowed the lawsuit to go forward that Bell’s only resemblance to the suspect was that he was black, juvenile and male.

Kansas City lawyer Arthur Benson, who represented Bell, said the case was not just one of mistaken identity or “walking while black.” He said it was part of a longtime “national disgrace” of white officers wrongly identifying black suspects.

“And they are often wrong because too many police departments do not train their officers that all blacks do not look alike and how to make an eyewitness identification that is not tainted by racial stereotypes,” Benson said.

Kansas City police officers Peter Neukrich and Jonathan Munyan were looking for a suspect who fled from an earlier confrontation when another policeman saw Bell walking and talking on his cellphone and detained him.

The officers said they identified Bell as the suspect and arrested him after watching dashcam video of the original event several times.

Bell was placed on a 24-hour “investigative hold” but was not released until June 29, 2016, after a detective watched the video and determined Bell was not the suspect.

Bell originally sued Neukrich and Munyan as well as the officer who detained him, along with several police officials. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit after finding the officers were entitled to qualified immunity.

An appeals court reinstated the lawsuit in October 2020 after finding the officers did not have probable cause to arrest Bell. The first trial&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-lawsuits-kansas-city-2abd9ce5f638043d2a09a633a5c0ea19">ended in a mistrial&nbsp;</a>after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

The case had been set to go to trial again on Feb. 28, but that was canceled when the pending settlement was announced.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A black man who was arrested when he was 15 and held for three weeks for a crime he did not commit reached a $900,000 settlement with the Kansas City Police Department.The settlement announced by attorneys for both sides Tuesday comes in a civil rights lawsuit filed by the family of Tyree Bell over his June 8, 2016, arrest. As part of the agreement, the Police Department said it would apologize to Bell. A federal judge must still approve the settlement, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-23/kansas-city-police-agree-to-pay-900-000-and-apologize-to-black-teen-wrongfully-jailed-for-weeks">reported</a>.Officers Peter Neukrich and Jonathan Munyan said they arrested Bell because he looked like another teen who ran from them earlier in the day and threw away a gun as he fled.Police video showed Bell was taller, had a different hairstyle and was wearing different clothing than the original suspect. He also cooperated with police and was breathing normally, unlike someone who had just run from police.An appeals court said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-lawsuits-kansas-city-courts-e748a624036ac6caac19dae3026a0265">in an October 2020 ruling</a>&nbsp;that allowed the lawsuit to go forward that Bell’s only resemblance to the suspect was that he was black, juvenile and male.Kansas City lawyer Arthur Benson, who represented Bell, said the case was not just one of mistaken identity or “walking while black.” He said it was part of a longtime “national disgrace” of white officers wrongly identifying black suspects.“And they are often wrong because too many police departments do not train their officers that all blacks do not look alike and how to make an eyewitness identification that is not tainted by racial stereotypes,” Benson said.Kansas City police officers Peter Neukrich and Jonathan Munyan were looking for a suspect who fled from an earlier confrontation when another policeman saw Bell walking and talking on his cellphone and detained him.The officers said they identified Bell as the suspect and arrested him after watching dashcam video of the original event several times.Bell was placed on a 24-hour “investigative hold” but was not released until June 29, 2016, after a detective watched the video and determined Bell was not the suspect.Bell originally sued Neukrich and Munyan as well as the officer who detained him, along with several police officials. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit after finding the officers were entitled to qualified immunity.An appeals court reinstated the lawsuit in October 2020 after finding the officers did not have probable cause to arrest Bell. The first trial&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-lawsuits-kansas-city-2abd9ce5f638043d2a09a633a5c0ea19">ended in a mistrial&nbsp;</a>after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.The case had been set to go to trial again on Feb. 28, but that was canceled when the pending settlement was announced.

Kansas City settles with black man wrongly jailed at 15

By WILLIAM HAUK <a href="https://theconversation.com/americas-cost-of-defending-freedom-in-ukraine-higher-food-and-gas-prices-and-an-increased-risk-of-recession-177703">Courtesy of The Conversation</a>

Americans may be tempted to view the war in Ukraine as an unfortunate, but far away, crisis. As <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=B744wv0AAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=ao0">an economist</a>, I know the world is too connected for the U.S. to go unaffected.

On Feb. 22, 2022, President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/22/world/europe/biden-ukraine-speech-transcript.html">warned Americans</a> that a Russian invasion of Ukraine – and U.S. efforts to thwart or punish it – would come with a price tag.

“Defending freedom will have costs, for us as well and here at home,”
 Biden said. “We need to be honest about that.” His statement came one <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/23/world/russia-ukraine">day before Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack</a> on targets throughout Ukraine, including western parts of the country.

Now that war has broken out, the biggest costs for the U.S. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/23/business/economy/russia-ukraine-global-us-economy.html">will likely be in higher prices</a> – on top of what is already the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/02/10/cpi-inflation-january/">fastest pace of inflation</a> in 40 years.

How much worse inflation could get will depend on how far Putin goes, the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/22/politics/biden-invasion-sanctions/index.html">severity of the sanctions</a>
 placed on Russia and how long the crisis lasts. Will Putin cut off oil 
or gas to Europe? Will the invasion thoroughly disrupt Ukraine’s ability
 to export food and other products to the rest of the world?

We do know that Russia is <a href="https://www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/RUS">one of the world’s biggest energy exporters</a> and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/23/impact-of-russia-ukraine-on-supply-chains-food-metals-commodities.html">Ukraine’s nickname</a> is the “breadbasket of Europe.” And beyond that, the crisis has been rattling markets for months, <a href="https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/article/2022/01/21/awkward-standoff-ukraine">sending the price of oil and other commodities soaring</a>.

These higher prices will ripple through Europe, of course, but many 
other countries as well, including the U.S. – which will make the 
Federal Reserve’s job of fighting inflation a lot harder and pose a 
bigger threat to the economy.

The most obvious costs to Americans will be at the gas pump.

Russia produces <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1081092765/oil-gas-prices-100-barrel-ukraine-russia">approximately 12% of the world’s oil</a> and 17% of its natural gas. That makes it the world’s <a href="https://www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/RUS">third-biggest producer of oil</a> and second-largest for gas. It’s also the biggest supplier of natural gas to Europe, which <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-the-us-find-enough-natural-gas-sources-to-neutralize-russias-energy-leverage-over-europe-175824">gets nearly half of its supply</a> from Russia.

The risk is that <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/02/energy-crisis-russia-gas/622884/">Russia might cut off gas or oil supplies</a> to Europe or other countries that issue sanctions or otherwise condemn its actions in Ukraine.

Europe may face the most immediate effects if some of Russia’s energy supplies are removed from the world market – which is <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-the-us-find-enough-natural-gas-sources-to-neutralize-russias-energy-leverage-over-europe-175824">why the U.S. has been trying to assure</a> its allies it can supply them with liquid natural gas to make up for any shortfall. But world petroleum markets <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2014.12.003">tend to be highly integrated</a>, so the U.S. won’t be immune.

The crisis has already driven up the price of oil to the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DCOILWTICO">highest level since 2014</a>, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, pushing up <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GASREGW">average gasoline prices in the U.S.</a> to over US$3.50 a gallon.

The most serious sanction implemented against Russia so far is Germany’s <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/germanys-scholz-halts-nord-stream-2-certification-2022-02-22/">freeze on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline</a>, which would have carried liquid natural gas from Russia to Western Europe while by-passing Ukraine.

A disruption in one regional market will eventually affect the world 
market. Since the invasion, crude prices have spiked above $100 and are 
likely to go even higher.

While Russia is a major producer of fuels, Ukraine is <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/23/impact-of-russia-ukraine-on-supply-chains-food-metals-commodities.html">a big exporter of food</a>.

Ukraine <a href="https://journalrecord.com/2022/02/22/usda-head-us-farmers-to-help-if-ukraine-exports-threatened/">produces 16% of the world’s corn</a> and 12% of its wheat, as well as being a significant exporter of barley and rye.

While many of Ukraine’s exports go to countries in Europe and Asia, agricultural products, much like oil, tend to trade on <a href="https://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/resources/download/10576.pdf">increasingly integrated global markets</a>.
 Again, the implication for U.S. consumers is that while Europe might 
be affected more immediately in terms of shortages, prices will likely 
rise everywhere.

U.S. grocery prices <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">were up 7.4% in January</a>
 from a year earlier. Because demand for food is typically not very 
sensitive to changes in price – people need to eat no matter the expense
 – an increase in the cost of food production typically gets passed 
along to consumers.

The U.S. central bank <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/24/business/economy/fed-fomc-meeting-minutes-november-2021.html">is very worried about the pace of inflation</a>
 in the U.S. and plans to raise interest rates to fight it. What’s 
happening in Ukraine could complicate its plans. If the crisis in 
Ukraine adds to the upward pressure on prices, that can feed inflation 
and it could force the Fed to take more drastic measures.

Some economists believe the U.S. <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/russia-ukraine-puts-10-u-s-inflation-on-radar-as-blackrock-repeats-central-banks-may-have-to-live-with-inflation-11645565763">could soon see 10% inflation</a>
 – up from 7.5% now – in the case of a full-scale invasion, as we’re 
witnessing now. The U.S. hasn’t seen inflation that high since October 
1981.

If the Fed decides it has to act more forcefully to tame inflation, 
that would not only raise borrowing costs for companies and consumers – 
affecting everything from business loans to mortgages and student debt –
 but <a href="https://theconversation.com/feds-dilemma-inflation-is-healthy-for-the-economy-but-too-much-can-trigger-a-recession-118556">could put the economy at risk</a> of a recession.

At the same time, the crisis could have a moderating effect on 
interest rates. During times of crisis and uncertainty, investors often 
move their money into the safest assets they can find – in a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhm088">so-called flight to quality</a>.
 U.S. government bonds and other dollar-denominated assets are often 
considered the safest around, and increased demand for these assets 
could result in lower interest rates.

Ukrainians themselves will of course pay the steepest costs of the 
Russian invasion, in terms of loss of life, economic costs and 
potentially the loss of their government. But the conflict, though it 
may seem far away, will have an impact on people everywhere. And the hit
 to Americans’ pocketbooks may be nearer than you think. 

William Hauk is an associate economics professor at the University of South Carolina.

By WILLIAM HAUK <a href="https://theconversation.com/americas-cost-of-defending-freedom-in-ukraine-higher-food-and-gas-prices-and-an-increased-risk-of-recession-177703">Courtesy of The Conversation</a>Americans may be tempted to view the war in Ukraine as an unfortunate, but far away, crisis. As <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=B744wv0AAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=ao0">an economist</a>, I know the world is too connected for the U.S. to go unaffected. On Feb. 22, 2022, President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/22/world/europe/biden-ukraine-speech-transcript.html">warned Americans</a> that a Russian invasion of Ukraine – and U.S. efforts to thwart or punish it – would come with a price tag.“Defending freedom will have costs, for us as well and here at home,”
 Biden said. “We need to be honest about that.” His statement came one <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/23/world/russia-ukraine">day before Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack</a> on targets throughout Ukraine, including western parts of the country.Now that war has broken out, the biggest costs for the U.S. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/23/business/economy/russia-ukraine-global-us-economy.html">will likely be in higher prices</a> – on top of what is already the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/02/10/cpi-inflation-january/">fastest pace of inflation</a> in 40 years. How much worse inflation could get will depend on how far Putin goes, the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/22/politics/biden-invasion-sanctions/index.html">severity of the sanctions</a>
 placed on Russia and how long the crisis lasts. Will Putin cut off oil 
or gas to Europe? Will the invasion thoroughly disrupt Ukraine’s ability
 to export food and other products to the rest of the world? We do know that Russia is <a href="https://www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/RUS">one of the world’s biggest energy exporters</a> and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/23/impact-of-russia-ukraine-on-supply-chains-food-metals-commodities.html">Ukraine’s nickname</a> is the “breadbasket of Europe.” And beyond that, the crisis has been rattling markets for months, <a href="https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/article/2022/01/21/awkward-standoff-ukraine">sending the price of oil and other commodities soaring</a>. These higher prices will ripple through Europe, of course, but many 
other countries as well, including the U.S. – which will make the 
Federal Reserve’s job of fighting inflation a lot harder and pose a 
bigger threat to the economy.<h2>Pain at the pump</h2>The most obvious costs to Americans will be at the gas pump.Russia produces <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1081092765/oil-gas-prices-100-barrel-ukraine-russia">approximately 12% of the world’s oil</a> and 17% of its natural gas. That makes it the world’s <a href="https://www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/RUS">third-biggest producer of oil</a> and second-largest for gas. It’s also the biggest supplier of natural gas to Europe, which <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-the-us-find-enough-natural-gas-sources-to-neutralize-russias-energy-leverage-over-europe-175824">gets nearly half of its supply</a> from Russia. The risk is that <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/02/energy-crisis-russia-gas/622884/">Russia might cut off gas or oil supplies</a> to Europe or other countries that issue sanctions or otherwise condemn its actions in Ukraine. Europe may face the most immediate effects if some of Russia’s energy supplies are removed from the world market – which is <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-the-us-find-enough-natural-gas-sources-to-neutralize-russias-energy-leverage-over-europe-175824">why the U.S. has been trying to assure</a> its allies it can supply them with liquid natural gas to make up for any shortfall. But world petroleum markets <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2014.12.003">tend to be highly integrated</a>, so the U.S. won’t be immune.The crisis has already driven up the price of oil to the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DCOILWTICO">highest level since 2014</a>, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, pushing up <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GASREGW">average gasoline prices in the U.S.</a> to over US$3.50 a gallon.The most serious sanction implemented against Russia so far is Germany’s <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/germanys-scholz-halts-nord-stream-2-certification-2022-02-22/">freeze on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline</a>, which would have carried liquid natural gas from Russia to Western Europe while by-passing Ukraine. A disruption in one regional market will eventually affect the world 
market. Since the invasion, crude prices have spiked above $100 and are 
likely to go even higher.<h2>Higher prices at the supermarket</h2>While Russia is a major producer of fuels, Ukraine is <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/23/impact-of-russia-ukraine-on-supply-chains-food-metals-commodities.html">a big exporter of food</a>.Ukraine <a href="https://journalrecord.com/2022/02/22/usda-head-us-farmers-to-help-if-ukraine-exports-threatened/">produces 16% of the world’s corn</a> and 12% of its wheat, as well as being a significant exporter of barley and rye. While many of Ukraine’s exports go to countries in Europe and Asia, agricultural products, much like oil, tend to trade on <a href="https://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/resources/download/10576.pdf">increasingly integrated global markets</a>.
 Again, the implication for U.S. consumers is that while Europe might 
be affected more immediately in terms of shortages, prices will likely 
rise everywhere. U.S. grocery prices <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">were up 7.4% in January</a>
 from a year earlier. Because demand for food is typically not very 
sensitive to changes in price – people need to eat no matter the expense
 – an increase in the cost of food production typically gets passed 
along to consumers.<h2>The bigger risk to the US economy</h2>That brings us to the Federal Reserve. The U.S. central bank <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/24/business/economy/fed-fomc-meeting-minutes-november-2021.html">is very worried about the pace of inflation</a>
 in the U.S. and plans to raise interest rates to fight it. What’s 
happening in Ukraine could complicate its plans. If the crisis in 
Ukraine adds to the upward pressure on prices, that can feed inflation 
and it could force the Fed to take more drastic measures.Some economists believe the U.S. <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/russia-ukraine-puts-10-u-s-inflation-on-radar-as-blackrock-repeats-central-banks-may-have-to-live-with-inflation-11645565763">could soon see 10% inflation</a>
 – up from 7.5% now – in the case of a full-scale invasion, as we’re 
witnessing now. The U.S. hasn’t seen inflation that high since October 
1981. If the Fed decides it has to act more forcefully to tame inflation, 
that would not only raise borrowing costs for companies and consumers – 
affecting everything from business loans to mortgages and student debt –
 but <a href="https://theconversation.com/feds-dilemma-inflation-is-healthy-for-the-economy-but-too-much-can-trigger-a-recession-118556">could put the economy at risk</a> of a recession. At the same time, the crisis could have a moderating effect on 
interest rates. During times of crisis and uncertainty, investors often 
move their money into the safest assets they can find – in a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhm088">so-called flight to quality</a>.
 U.S. government bonds and other dollar-denominated assets are often 
considered the safest around, and increased demand for these assets 
could result in lower interest rates. Ukrainians themselves will of course pay the steepest costs of the 
Russian invasion, in terms of loss of life, economic costs and 
potentially the loss of their government. But the conflict, though it 
may seem far away, will have an impact on people everywhere. And the hit
 to Americans’ pocketbooks may be nearer than you think. William Hauk is an associate economics professor at the University of South Carolina.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

ANALYSIS: Ukraine invasion could lead to higher food, gas prices, risk of recession

Richard Alfred Younger, 93, of Hays, Kansas passed away Tuesday, February 22, 2022, in Hays. He was born August 13, 1928, in Antonino, Kansas, to Peter and Catherine (Pfannenstiel) Younger. Richard graduated from Hays High in 1946 and from Fort Hays State University. He married Betty Jean Augustine October 17, 1953, at St. Mary’s Church in Ellis, Kansas. Richard worked as a paint chemist in Detroit after his graduation from Fort Hays and served in the United States Air Force. He eventually ended up in Ellis with his family where he owned the Ellis Door Shop and also sold paint out of the same store. Richard was a gifted carpenter homebuilder having built homes in Ellis and Hays. He enjoyed making cabinets and furniture as well as wood crafts. He enjoyed gardening and was an avid sports fan especially the Royals, Chiefs and KU Jayhawks. Richard and Betty were members of the Sunflower Polka Club for 30 years and genuinely enjoyed attending dances with family and friends. Richard was a past member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis and a current member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays and a 4th degree Ellis Knights of Columbus member. Richard is survived by his wife, Betty Jean, Hays; two sons, Gregory Younger, Houston, TX, Terrance (Janice) Younger, Frisco, TX; five daughters Sylvia (Charles) Kinderknecht, Ellis, Joyce (Ken) Creek, Pottsboro, TX, Rosemary (Randall) Johnson, Ellis, Mary (Russell) Thom, Hays, Christine (Allen) Lang, Victoria; one brother, Francis Younger, Hays; and one sister, Mary Dreiling, Hays; 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. &nbsp; He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Allen Younger; a grandson, Jarret Johnson; six brothers, Severin, Victor, Alvin, Joe, Eddie, and Norman; and a sister Cora Sawazhki.&nbsp; Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, February 28, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hays.&nbsp; Visitation will be Monday 10:00 AM until service time at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice at HaysMed. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601. Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/" target="_blank">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com" target="_blank">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645716208523.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Richard Alfred Younger, 93, of Hays, Kansas passed away Tuesday, February 22, 2022, in Hays. He was born August 13, 1928, in Antonino, Kansas, to Peter and Catherine (Pfannenstiel) Younger. Richard graduated from Hays High in 1946 and from Fort Hays State University. He married Betty Jean Augustine October 17, 1953, at St. Mary’s Church in Ellis, Kansas. Richard worked as a paint chemist in Detroit after his graduation from Fort Hays and served in the United States Air Force. He eventually ended up in Ellis with his family where he owned the Ellis Door Shop and also sold paint out of the same store. Richard was a gifted carpenter homebuilder having built homes in Ellis and Hays. He enjoyed making cabinets and furniture as well as wood crafts. He enjoyed gardening and was an avid sports fan especially the Royals, Chiefs and KU Jayhawks. Richard and Betty were members of the Sunflower Polka Club for 30 years and genuinely enjoyed attending dances with family and friends. Richard was a past member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis and a current member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays and a 4th degree Ellis Knights of Columbus member. Richard is survived by his wife, Betty Jean, Hays; two sons, Gregory Younger, Houston, TX, Terrance (Janice) Younger, Frisco, TX; five daughters Sylvia (Charles) Kinderknecht, Ellis, Joyce (Ken) Creek, Pottsboro, TX, Rosemary (Randall) Johnson, Ellis, Mary (Russell) Thom, Hays, Christine (Allen) Lang, Victoria; one brother, Francis Younger, Hays; and one sister, Mary Dreiling, Hays; 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. &nbsp; He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Allen Younger; a grandson, Jarret Johnson; six brothers, Severin, Victor, Alvin, Joe, Eddie, and Norman; and a sister Cora Sawazhki.&nbsp; Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, February 28, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hays.&nbsp; Visitation will be Monday 10:00 AM until service time at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice at HaysMed. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601. Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/" target="_blank">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com" target="_blank">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

Richard Alfred Younger

Shirley A. (Clapper) Baker, 90, of Hoxie, Kansas, passed away Saturday, 
February 19, 2022, at the Sheridan County Health Complex LTC. She was 
born November 10, 1931, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Joseph L. and Wava L. 
(Record) Clapper. Shirley grew up in Dodge City and graduated from Dodge
 City High School in 1950. After graduating, she helped her mother take 
care of her four brothers. On October 1, 1956, she married Byron Dwayne 
Baker in Dodge City, Kansas. Shirley and Byron raised their children in 
Goodland, Kansas. In 1977, they moved to Longview, Texas. In the early 
'90s, Shirley and Byron moved to Hoxie, Kansas.
 Shirley’s father trained horses, and as a young girl, Shirley helped
 her father train the horses by being a jockey. While living in 
Longview, Texas, Shirley owned and operated her own café and managed 
apartments. For many years, she did Home Interior Decorating. During her
 lifetime, she cooked for several restaurants and was a waitress. In 
Hoxie, she owned and operated SHIRLEY’S STUFF and sold her baked goods, 
especially her cinnamon rolls.
 Shirley was a good athlete and enjoyed water skiing and swimming. 
While living in Goodland, Shirley helped coach the swim team and helped 
in any way she could. When Shirley was not working, she loved being 
outdoors and enjoyed camping and fishing whenever she could. She was a 
wonderful musician and sang with the Sweet Adelines in Colby, Kansas. 
She was also an artist and did many oil paintings. Shirley had her own 
art show at the Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby. Shirley 
enjoyed watching her grandkids participate in in all their activities 
Shirley was a member of the Hoxie Christian Church where she served as a
 deaconess and taught bible study and a lifelong member of the American 
Auxiliary. She was a great supporter of her family, and they were the 
most important people in her life.
 Shirley is survived by her sons, Roger Baker and wife Tami of Port 
Bolivar, Texas and Kirk Baker and wife Kelley of Hoxie, Kansas; daughter
 Nicolet Davis and husband William of Stratton, Colorado; brothers, 
Dennis Clapper of Hemphill, Texas and David Clapper of Hoxie, Kansas; 
fifteen grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and two 
great-great-grandchild.
 She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron Baker; parents, 
Joseph and Wava Clapper; brothers, Earl Clapper and Nicholas Clapper; 
and half-sisters, Nadine Crookshank and Phyllis Peck.
 A funeral service is planned for Friday, February 25, 2022, 10:30 
A.M., at the Hoxie Christian Church with Pastor Carl Dumler presiding. 
Visitation will be Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Mickey-Leopold 
Funeral Home, from 1:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with family greeting 
friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the 
Hoxie Christian Church or The Sheridan County Benefit Walk and sent in 
care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. 
The service will be livestreamed on the Hoxie Christian Church Facebook 
page. You may leave words of comfort at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
 Shirley was a hard worker and had a fire in her that will never die!
 Her spirit and love for her family will forever remain in the hearts of
 those who loved her.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645624828694.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Shirley A. (Clapper) Baker, 90, of Hoxie, Kansas, passed away Saturday, 
February 19, 2022, at the Sheridan County Health Complex LTC. She was 
born November 10, 1931, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Joseph L. and Wava L. 
(Record) Clapper. Shirley grew up in Dodge City and graduated from Dodge
 City High School in 1950. After graduating, she helped her mother take 
care of her four brothers. On October 1, 1956, she married Byron Dwayne 
Baker in Dodge City, Kansas. Shirley and Byron raised their children in 
Goodland, Kansas. In 1977, they moved to Longview, Texas. In the early 
'90s, Shirley and Byron moved to Hoxie, Kansas.
 Shirley’s father trained horses, and as a young girl, Shirley helped
 her father train the horses by being a jockey. While living in 
Longview, Texas, Shirley owned and operated her own café and managed 
apartments. For many years, she did Home Interior Decorating. During her
 lifetime, she cooked for several restaurants and was a waitress. In 
Hoxie, she owned and operated SHIRLEY’S STUFF and sold her baked goods, 
especially her cinnamon rolls.
 Shirley was a good athlete and enjoyed water skiing and swimming. 
While living in Goodland, Shirley helped coach the swim team and helped 
in any way she could. When Shirley was not working, she loved being 
outdoors and enjoyed camping and fishing whenever she could. She was a 
wonderful musician and sang with the Sweet Adelines in Colby, Kansas. 
She was also an artist and did many oil paintings. Shirley had her own 
art show at the Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby. Shirley 
enjoyed watching her grandkids participate in in all their activities 
Shirley was a member of the Hoxie Christian Church where she served as a
 deaconess and taught bible study and a lifelong member of the American 
Auxiliary. She was a great supporter of her family, and they were the 
most important people in her life.
 Shirley is survived by her sons, Roger Baker and wife Tami of Port 
Bolivar, Texas and Kirk Baker and wife Kelley of Hoxie, Kansas; daughter
 Nicolet Davis and husband William of Stratton, Colorado; brothers, 
Dennis Clapper of Hemphill, Texas and David Clapper of Hoxie, Kansas; 
fifteen grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and two 
great-great-grandchild.
 She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron Baker; parents, 
Joseph and Wava Clapper; brothers, Earl Clapper and Nicholas Clapper; 
and half-sisters, Nadine Crookshank and Phyllis Peck.
 A funeral service is planned for Friday, February 25, 2022, 10:30 
A.M., at the Hoxie Christian Church with Pastor Carl Dumler presiding. 
Visitation will be Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Mickey-Leopold 
Funeral Home, from 1:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with family greeting 
friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the 
Hoxie Christian Church or The Sheridan County Benefit Walk and sent in 
care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. 
The service will be livestreamed on the Hoxie Christian Church Facebook 
page. You may leave words of comfort at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
 Shirley was a hard worker and had a fire in her that will never die!
 Her spirit and love for her family will forever remain in the hearts of
 those who loved her.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shirley A. (Clapper) Baker

Peggy Lou (Erwin) Boxberger, 84, of Russell, Kansas, passed away 
Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.

Peggy was born March 21, 1927, in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; She was the 
daughter of Kenneth and Glady (Barton) Erwin.&nbsp; She grew up in Russell 
and graduated from Russell High School.

Peggy was united in marriage to Ardean Boxberger on October 14, 1956,&nbsp; in Russell.&nbsp; This union was blessed with two sons; Kent and Kurt.&nbsp; They 
made their home in Russell.

Peggy was a devoted wife and homemaker for her boys.&nbsp; She also helped
 keep the books for Ardean’s welding business.&nbsp; She enjoyed bowling, 
boating and camping, playing bingo and gambling in Las Vegas.

Surviving family include her husband of 65 years, Ardean of the home;
 son, Kurt Boxberger (Melody) of Ft. Worth, Texas; four grandchildren, 
Brooke McMahan (Josh), Brent Boxberger, Shelby Boxberger and Sydney 
Boxberger; and great granddaughter Audrey McMahan.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and son Kent Boxberger. A 
private family gathering will be held at a later date.&nbsp; Cremation has 
taken place.&nbsp; Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary,
 who is in charge of these arrangements.

Peggy Lou (Erwin) Boxberger, 84, of Russell, Kansas, passed away 
Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.Peggy was born March 21, 1927, in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; She was the 
daughter of Kenneth and Glady (Barton) Erwin.&nbsp; She grew up in Russell 
and graduated from Russell High School.Peggy was united in marriage to Ardean Boxberger on October 14, 1956,&nbsp; in Russell.&nbsp; This union was blessed with two sons; Kent and Kurt.&nbsp; They 
made their home in Russell.Peggy was a devoted wife and homemaker for her boys.&nbsp; She also helped
 keep the books for Ardean’s welding business.&nbsp; She enjoyed bowling, 
boating and camping, playing bingo and gambling in Las Vegas.Surviving family include her husband of 65 years, Ardean of the home;
 son, Kurt Boxberger (Melody) of Ft. Worth, Texas; four grandchildren, 
Brooke McMahan (Josh), Brent Boxberger, Shelby Boxberger and Sydney 
Boxberger; and great granddaughter Audrey McMahan.Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and son Kent Boxberger. A 
private family gathering will be held at a later date.&nbsp; Cremation has 
taken place.&nbsp; Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary,
 who is in charge of these arrangements.

Peggy L. Boxberger

Phillipsburg resident Melba N. Ehm passed away Thursday, February 
10, 2022, at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the
 age of 90.

She was born March 19, 1931, in Russellville, MO the daughter of Julius and Sedonia (Hofmockel) Buchta.

Melba was united in marriage to Virgil D. Ehm on October 11, 1953, in Russellville, MO.&nbsp;

Cremation was planned.&nbsp; A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645465687888.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Phillipsburg resident Melba N. Ehm passed away Thursday, February 
10, 2022, at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the
 age of 90.She was born March 19, 1931, in Russellville, MO the daughter of Julius and Sedonia (Hofmockel) Buchta.Melba was united in marriage to Virgil D. Ehm on October 11, 1953, in Russellville, MO.&nbsp;Cremation was planned.&nbsp; A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

Melba N. Ehm

Technology and time has negated the need for a large home
for the city’s official newspaper.

But as a testament to the ongoing ability of area residents
to adapt to the future, the former home of the Hays Daily News at 507 Main soon will be home to a science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning
center.

The building’s new owner, Dallas Haselhorst, has named the
upcoming center STEM Harvest, reflecting his desire to encourage STEM education
in the region, while also finding in the building a new home for office spaces
downtown, including his own TreeTop Security.

And while creating a new learning center in downtown Hays is
an exciting opportunity for Haselhorst, he also said saving and rehabilitating
the building, while preserving its history is also a rewarding experience.

“As I was growing up, obviously had a lot of ties to the
building,” Haselhorst said. “I had friends that had newspaper routes, and I'd
often fill in for them. So obviously even I have my own bit of history with it,
but it really is a community centerpiece that a lot of people have looked at
over the years.

While most today will remember the building as the home to
the newspaper, it was first built as a home for Scheufler Supply Co., an automotive
parts and repair business in 1954, according to a 1979 Hays Daily News article.

It would also temporarily serve as the Hays Post Office from
Feb. 1, 1964, until Jan. 31, 1965, while the current facility was being constructed
from the shell of the previous building standing in the same location as it is
today.

A few years after the post office moved into its new
facility, Scheufler would also move out his business to a smaller location and
sell the building to Pete Felten, who then would sell the building to Hays Daily
News in January 1967.

After the first of several remodels, the paper would move
into the location in October of the same year.

The paper’s local operations would run from there until
Haselhorst bought the building from Gannett in 2021.&nbsp;

As soon as the purchase was completed, he would begin work
to secure the building, which had been suffering water damage from a roof that
was in desperate need of repair.

"(The) very first thing that we did, before we even purchased
the building, was actually go out and get some roofing bids,” Haselhorst said, “because the roof was about 10 to 15 years past where we needed it to be.”

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5df916f657544d3fe90e7c9c">Related
story: Historical society faces artifact damage, considers church demo</a>

After getting a new roof on the building, the next step was
cleaning out the countless office supplies and artifacts left behind.

“We actually picked up a handful of old newspapers, some
from the 1800s,” Haselhorst said. “So those are kind of interesting to kind
of leaf through and see,” noting some included President McKinley on the campaign trail.

“To go through some of that stuff, we found some old
negatives of, say, the Kennedy assassination, some things like that from the
actual front page of the Hays Daily, so yeah, lots of cool history, lots of
cool artifacts.”

While he saved some of the most unique items, stacks of everyday newspapers from decades gone by — many damaged beyond saving — were discarded.

“We recycled a lot of paper — to say the least. We actually
ended up taking, I think, 27 truckloads of recycled materials of papers that
have just been from the past 20 years that didn't really have any value,”
Haselhorst said.

For the materials that were saved, he said finding ways to
showcase that history for the community is in the works.

Now moving the building away from the past, with an eye
toward the future, a large portion of the building will be dedicated to STEM Harvest, designed as a center for STEM education.

“STEM Harvest is something that honestly is about 10 years
in the making,” Haselhorst said. “And so it's going to have a heavy tech
slant, obviously, with me being involved with it. So coding, programming, 3D
printing, prototyping, fast-track prototyping is something that we've talked
about — to where you kind of get all of those skills together, you now start
producing products and start creating ideas.”

He said the center could provide after-school learning opportunities,
as well as camps, where youth can learn about the skills needed
for jobs in the future.

“And really, it kind of goes back to you teach the
fundamentals, and then see what a kid can create,” Haselhorst said.

“We can also bring in some mentors,” he said. “I have kind
of friends all over the place in the tech field. … We've also talked with
bringing in some different experts, at least on a monthly basis.”

Those experts span a wide range of fields and positions who Haselhorst said would be happy to share their experiences with the next generation.

“I think it has the chance, the possibility, to be really,
really special for the area,” he said.

As the space continues to develop, Haselhorst said the search
for funding is underway, to help him achieve his goal of a free-to-use facility.

“One of probably the most exciting things for me is
we are currently working for trying to get grants, sponsorships and things like
that,” he said. “I, ultimately, I want it to be free. … What I really, really
want to do is to keep that free so every kid that really has access to it.”

And ultimately, Haselhorst said, bringing high-tech
educational opportunities could strengthen and grow the local workforce.

“The the idea is to get kids to really learn those skills,
and then stay right here,” he said. “Whether that means that they're working
remotely for some other company, or whether they're generating new businesses,
new ideas for this area, there's absolutely zero reason that we can't be a tech
(center). Maybe we're not going to be a Denver, we're not going to be a Kansas
City, but Hays is a very attractive place to live and there's no reason why we
can't keep people here.”

While he hopes for a summer opening for STEM Harvest, as work
continues inside the building, other businesses, including his own TreeTop Security,
could soon be located there as well. A new façade is planned for March, which will break the front of the building up into separate offices.

“So it's revisioning, dividing that up a little bit, for
some other businesses to come in and add to the vibrancy of downtown,”
Haselhorst said.

Haselhorst will also turn the building into a home for his cybersecurity
company, TreeTop Security, along with office space for other area enterprises.

“For the last few years, we've been looking for space for
the kids’ area, as well as TreeTop,” Haselhorst said. “And so I knew going in
that we were needing about 6,000 square feet.”

That large a space in Hays has been hard to come by, he
said, but when the former Hays Daily News building came up for sale, he knew it
would be a fit, but also there would be ample space left over.

“It was kind of the idea that, well, what else can we do
with this?” Haselhorst said. “What other ideas? Could we make it kind of a — not gonna say a centerpiece, beautiful downtown Hays is already there and very
well established — but how can we make it kind of its own unique blend?”

He hopes that along with what is already located in downtown
Hays, the facility can be another draw with the right combination of businesses.

“There's already a lot of fantastic businesses, fantastic
things to do,” Haselhorst said. “You have the pool right there. You have a
lot of festivities and activities in downtown. So (it will) just to try and
promote that area, even just a little bit more.”

And while he works toward those long-term plans, he knows
the process will be a long one.

“Phase one, really, is to have the front 60 percent of the
building … hopefully have it 100 percent used,” Haselhorst said. 

For the remainder of the space, currently in the form of a warehouse
space that housed the paper’s printing press and circulation operations, finding
the right operation to move in remains up in the air.

“So it's really, get the front half going because, well,
honestly, that's easiest,” Haselhorst said. “But then also, kind of that back
half, that's where the artifacts, hopefully, eventually play into that.”

But he is also open to other ideas for the space.

“I've had a number of other ideas, business owners pitch
ideas I should say, for different things that that could be transformed into,”
Haselhorst said. “So yeah, we'll see. It's a space there and available that we
can try some different things with.”

For more about STEM Harvest, visit <a href="https://stemharvest.org/">stemharvest.org.</a>

For more about TreeTop Security, visit <a href="https://www.treetopsecurity.com/">treetopsecurity.com.</a>

<div><iframe title="Icon of Hays’ past to become beacon for the future" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=dp7h3-11ae8cc-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=f6f6f6&size=315"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645216228969.jpeg" alt="Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst." />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostTechnology and time has negated the need for a large home
for the city’s official newspaper.But as a testament to the ongoing ability of area residents
to adapt to the future, the former home of the Hays Daily News at 507 Main soon will be home to a science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning
center.The building’s new owner, Dallas Haselhorst, has named the
upcoming center STEM Harvest, reflecting his desire to encourage STEM education
in the region, while also finding in the building a new home for office spaces
downtown, including his own TreeTop Security.And while creating a new learning center in downtown Hays is
an exciting opportunity for Haselhorst, he also said saving and rehabilitating
the building, while preserving its history is also a rewarding experience.“As I was growing up, obviously had a lot of ties to the
building,” Haselhorst said. “I had friends that had newspaper routes, and I'd
often fill in for them. So obviously even I have my own bit of history with it,
but it really is a community centerpiece that a lot of people have looked at
over the years.“It's a part of the community.”While most today will remember the building as the home to
the newspaper, it was first built as a home for Scheufler Supply Co., an automotive
parts and repair business in 1954, according to a 1979 Hays Daily News article.It would also temporarily serve as the Hays Post Office from
Feb. 1, 1964, until Jan. 31, 1965, while the current facility was being constructed
from the shell of the previous building standing in the same location as it is
today.A few years after the post office moved into its new
facility, Scheufler would also move out his business to a smaller location and
sell the building to Pete Felten, who then would sell the building to Hays Daily
News in January 1967.After the first of several remodels, the paper would move
into the location in October of the same year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645219214071.jpeg" alt="An undated photo of the Hays Daily building, before it was remodeled into its current configuration. -&nbsp;Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst." />
 <figcaption>An undated photo of the Hays Daily building, before it was remodeled into its current configuration. -&nbsp;Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst.</figcaption>
 </figure>The paper’s local operations would run from there until
Haselhorst bought the building from Gannett in 2021.&nbsp;As soon as the purchase was completed, he would begin work
to secure the building, which had been suffering water damage from a roof that
was in desperate need of repair."(The) very first thing that we did, before we even purchased
the building, was actually go out and get some roofing bids,” Haselhorst said, “because the roof was about 10 to 15 years past where we needed it to be.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645218041805.jpeg" alt="Buckets located around the building collected water from a leaking roof. - Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst." />
 <figcaption>Buckets located around the building collected water from a leaking roof. - Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645218070736.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5df916f657544d3fe90e7c9c">Related
story: Historical society faces artifact damage, considers church demo</a>After getting a new roof on the building, the next step was
cleaning out the countless office supplies and artifacts left behind.“We actually picked up a handful of old newspapers, some
from the 1800s,” Haselhorst said. “So those are kind of interesting to kind
of leaf through and see,” noting some included President McKinley on the campaign trail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645218163903.jpeg" alt="Items and artifacts left behind after Haselhorst bought the building at 507 Main. -&nbsp;Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst." />
 <figcaption>Items and artifacts left behind after Haselhorst bought the building at 507 Main. -&nbsp;Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645217939504.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“To go through some of that stuff, we found some old
negatives of, say, the Kennedy assassination, some things like that from the
actual front page of the Hays Daily, so yeah, lots of cool history, lots of
cool artifacts.”While he saved some of the most unique items, stacks of everyday newspapers from decades gone by — many damaged beyond saving — were discarded.“We recycled a lot of paper — to say the least. We actually
ended up taking, I think, 27 truckloads of recycled materials of papers that
have just been from the past 20 years that didn't really have any value,”
Haselhorst said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645218108460.jpeg" alt="Among the items left behind were stacks of editions of the Hays Daily News. -&nbsp;Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst." />
 <figcaption>Among the items left behind were stacks of editions of the Hays Daily News. -&nbsp;Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645219151939.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For the materials that were saved, he said finding ways to
showcase that history for the community is in the works.<h2>STEM Harvest</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645219093437.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Now moving the building away from the past, with an eye
toward the future, a large portion of the building will be dedicated to STEM Harvest, designed as a center for STEM education.“STEM Harvest is something that honestly is about 10 years
in the making,” Haselhorst said. “And so it's going to have a heavy tech
slant, obviously, with me being involved with it. So coding, programming, 3D
printing, prototyping, fast-track prototyping is something that we've talked
about — to where you kind of get all of those skills together, you now start
producing products and start creating ideas.”He said the center could provide after-school learning opportunities,
as well as camps, where youth can learn about the skills needed
for jobs in the future.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645219242630.png" alt="An architectural drawing shows the vision for the STEM Harvest space. -Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst." />
 <figcaption>An architectural drawing shows the vision for the STEM Harvest space. -Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst.</figcaption>
 </figure>“And really, it kind of goes back to you teach the
fundamentals, and then see what a kid can create,” Haselhorst said.“We can also bring in some mentors,” he said. “I have kind
of friends all over the place in the tech field. … We've also talked with
bringing in some different experts, at least on a monthly basis.”Those experts span a wide range of fields and positions who Haselhorst said would be happy to share their experiences with the next generation.“I think it has the chance, the possibility, to be really,
really special for the area,” he said.As the space continues to develop, Haselhorst said the search
for funding is underway, to help him achieve his goal of a free-to-use facility.“One of probably the most exciting things for me is
we are currently working for trying to get grants, sponsorships and things like
that,” he said. “I, ultimately, I want it to be free. … What I really, really
want to do is to keep that free so every kid that really has access to it.”And ultimately, Haselhorst said, bringing high-tech
educational opportunities could strengthen and grow the local workforce.“The the idea is to get kids to really learn those skills,
and then stay right here,” he said. “Whether that means that they're working
remotely for some other company, or whether they're generating new businesses,
new ideas for this area, there's absolutely zero reason that we can't be a tech
(center). Maybe we're not going to be a Denver, we're not going to be a Kansas
City, but Hays is a very attractive place to live and there's no reason why we
can't keep people here.”While he hopes for a summer opening for STEM Harvest, as work
continues inside the building, other businesses, including his own TreeTop Security,
could soon be located there as well. A new façade is planned for March, which will break the front of the building up into separate offices.“So it's revisioning, dividing that up a little bit, for
some other businesses to come in and add to the vibrancy of downtown,”
Haselhorst said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645218017967.jpeg" alt="Several pieces of leftover furniture are being rehabbed for use in the new space. -&nbsp;Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst." />
 <figcaption>Several pieces of leftover furniture are being rehabbed for use in the new space. -&nbsp;Photos courtesy Dallas Haselhorst.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>TreeTop Security and more</h2>Haselhorst will also turn the building into a home for his cybersecurity
company, TreeTop Security, along with office space for other area enterprises.“For the last few years, we've been looking for space for
the kids’ area, as well as TreeTop,” Haselhorst said. “And so I knew going in
that we were needing about 6,000 square feet.”That large a space in Hays has been hard to come by, he
said, but when the former Hays Daily News building came up for sale, he knew it
would be a fit, but also there would be ample space left over.“It was kind of the idea that, well, what else can we do
with this?” Haselhorst said. “What other ideas? Could we make it kind of a — not gonna say a centerpiece, beautiful downtown Hays is already there and very
well established — but how can we make it kind of its own unique blend?”He hopes that along with what is already located in downtown
Hays, the facility can be another draw with the right combination of businesses.“There's already a lot of fantastic businesses, fantastic
things to do,” Haselhorst said. “You have the pool right there. You have a
lot of festivities and activities in downtown. So (it will) just to try and
promote that area, even just a little bit more.”And while he works toward those long-term plans, he knows
the process will be a long one.“Phase one, really, is to have the front 60 percent of the
building … hopefully have it 100 percent used,” Haselhorst said. For the remainder of the space, currently in the form of a warehouse
space that housed the paper’s printing press and circulation operations, finding
the right operation to move in remains up in the air.“So it's really, get the front half going because, well,
honestly, that's easiest,” Haselhorst said. “But then also, kind of that back
half, that's where the artifacts, hopefully, eventually play into that.”But he is also open to other ideas for the space.“I've had a number of other ideas, business owners pitch
ideas I should say, for different things that that could be transformed into,”
Haselhorst said. “So yeah, we'll see. It's a space there and available that we
can try some different things with.”For more about STEM Harvest, visit <a href="https://stemharvest.org/">stemharvest.org.</a>For more about TreeTop Security, visit <a href="https://www.treetopsecurity.com/">treetopsecurity.com.</a>

🎙 TURN THE PAGE: Icon of Hays' past to become beacon to future

LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday and is experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, Buckingham Palace said, adding that the famously stoic 95-year-old monarch still plans to carry on working. The diagnosis prompted concern and get-well wishes from across Britain’s political spectrum.

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and a fixture in the life of the nation, the queen reached the milestone of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-europe-arts-and-entertainment-prince-charles-85988dc8f2b109ded943169dfc18fa27">70 years on the throne on Feb. 6,</a>&nbsp;the anniversary of the 1952 death of her father, King George VI. She will turn 96 on April 21.

The palace said the queen, who has been fully vaccinated and had a booster shot, would continue with “light” duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634738473421.png" alt="Queen Elizabeth at the G7 conference in June -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Queen Elizabeth at the G7 conference in June -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday and is experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, Buckingham Palace said, adding that the famously stoic 95-year-old monarch still plans to carry on working. The diagnosis prompted concern and get-well wishes from across Britain’s political spectrum.Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and a fixture in the life of the nation, the queen reached the milestone of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-europe-arts-and-entertainment-prince-charles-85988dc8f2b109ded943169dfc18fa27">70 years on the throne on Feb. 6,</a>&nbsp;the anniversary of the 1952 death of her father, King George VI. She will turn 96 on April 21.The palace said the queen, who has been fully vaccinated and had a booster shot, would continue with “light” duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week.“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines,” the palace said in a statement.People in the U.K. who test positive for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;are required to self-isolate for at least five days, although the British government says it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boris-johnson-coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-pandemics-2a717a276b483431f30622f7fa7602cb">plans to lift that requirement for England</a>&nbsp;this week.Both the queen’s eldest son&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-queen-elizabeth-ii-health-king-felipe-vi-british-museum-9cf9c919c194398968bdbee381c07a28">Prince Charles</a>, 73, and her 74-year-old daughter-in-law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-coronavirus-pandemic-health-arts-and-entertainment-europe-e8ffffb2dd3a0b2ca4631938dc89325d">Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall</a>&nbsp;contracted COVID-19 earlier this month. Charles has since returned to work. There are also thought to be several recent virus cases among staff at Windsor Castle, where the queen is staying.A host of senior British politicians sent get-well messages. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from COVID and a rapid return to vibrant good health.”Health Secretary Sajid Javid wrote that he was “Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a quick recovery,” while opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer wished the queen “good health and a speedy recovery. Get well soon, Ma’am.”Elizabeth has been in robust health for most of her reign and has been photographed riding a horse as recently as 2020. In the past year she has been seen using a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-entertainment-princess-anne-royalty-arts-and-entertainment-64794d87da24ab3f61675b523000ab97">walking stick</a>, and in October she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-entertainment-europe-london-royalty-c9e4d83169f38fcff329adc02f969704">spent a night in a London hospital</a>&nbsp;for unspecified tests.The queen’s doctors ordered her to rest after that and she was forced to cancel appearances at several key events, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-back-spring-remembrance-day-3b90d882719307bcb0c815091ceb53f8">Remembrance Sunday</a>&nbsp;services and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-entertainment-europe-environment-and-nature-london-b00e0b26dd216974aa59fe957fc438c5">COP26 climate conference</a>&nbsp;in Glasgow, Scotland in November.This month she returned to public duties and has held audiences both virtually and in person with diplomats, politicians and senior military officers. During one exchange caught on camera last week, she walked slowly with a stick and said “as you can see I can’t move” in apparent reference to her leg.Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said members of the royal family would be very concerned by the COVID-19 diagnosis.“I would guess that she will be matter-of-fact about the diagnosis in a way perhaps that the people around her are less matter-of-fact,” he said.The queen has a busy schedule over the next few months of her Platinum Jubilee year, and is scheduled to attend in-person public engagements in the coming weeks, including a diplomatic reception at Windsor on March 2 and the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14.On March 29, she has a remembrance service at Westminster Abbey for her husband Prince Philip, who died in April 2021 at 99.Public celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee are scheduled over a long weekend June 2-5, with festivities including a military parade, a day of horse racing and neighborhood parties.The queen is the latest monarch from around the world to catch COVID-19. Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 82, and Spain’s King Felipe VI, 54,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-spain-europe-arts-and-entertainment-62f6dc8c38afc40b20d7059a910ddf0e">both tested positive</a>&nbsp;for the illness earlier in February and had mild symptoms.Her diagnosis comes after a difficult week for Britain’s royal family.On Tuesday the queen’s second son,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prince-andrew-virginia-giuffre-lawsuit-settlement-8b04c775aa46f761d81c05ef12e3a94f">Prince Andrew, settled a U.S. lawsuit</a>&nbsp;brought by a woman who claimed he had sexually abused with her when she was 17 and traveling with the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew strenuously denied the claim by Virginia Giuffre. He agreed in a settlement to make a substantial donation to his accuser’s charity.On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-police-london-philanthropy-6573c05f26a12cebe15de1940536587c">London’s Metropolitan Police launched an investigation</a>&nbsp;into allegations that people associated with one of Prince Charles’ charities offered to help a Saudi billionaire secure honors and citizenship in return for donations.___