WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families—the largest single increase in the program’s history.

Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps (officially known as the SNAP program) will rise more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. The increased assistance will be available indefinitely to all 42 million SNAP beneficiaries.

The aid boost was first reported by The New York Times and the details were confirmed by a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture. They will be formally announced Monday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The aid boost is being packaged as a major revision of the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan. In concrete terms, the average monthly per-person benefits will rise from $121 to $157.

The increase is part of a multi-pronged Biden administration effort to strengthen the country’s social safety net. Poverty and food security activists maintain that longstanding inadequacies in that safety net were laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting an opportunity to make generational improvements that reach beyond the current public health crisis.

Activists say the previous levels of pre-pandemic SNAP assistance simply weren’t enough, forcing many households to choose cheaper, less nutritious options or simply go hungry as the funds ran low toward the end of the month.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families—the largest single increase in the program’s history.Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps (officially known as the SNAP program) will rise more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. The increased assistance will be available indefinitely to all 42 million SNAP beneficiaries.The aid boost was first reported by The New York Times and the details were confirmed by a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture. They will be formally announced Monday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.The aid boost is being packaged as a major revision of the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan. In concrete terms, the average monthly per-person benefits will rise from $121 to $157.The increase is part of a multi-pronged Biden administration effort to strengthen the country’s social safety net. Poverty and food security activists maintain that longstanding inadequacies in that safety net were laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting an opportunity to make generational improvements that reach beyond the current public health crisis.Activists say the previous levels of pre-pandemic SNAP assistance simply weren’t enough, forcing many households to choose cheaper, less nutritious options or simply go hungry as the funds ran low toward the end of the month.

Biden boosts food stamp benefits; largest increase in history

Reeta Marie Avery, 80, passed away August 11, 2021 at her residence in Larned, KS.

She was born June 6, 1941 in Lenora, OK the daughter of Marvin and 
Pearl Hart Blaine. She was a 1959 graduate of Taloga High school, 
Taloga, OK. An area resident since October of 2019 moving from Enid, OK 
where she was a secretary and worked at a Beauty College.

She was of the Methodist faith and enjoyed sewing, quilting, 
crocheting and cooking. She also enjoyed listening to Mel Tillis and 
Elvis, who was said to have asked her to be his seamstress. Dogs held a 
special place in her heart.

On April 1, 1990 she married Albert Avery in Medford, OK. He passed away May 20, 2011.

Survivors include: one daughter, Annette (Robin) Hill, Larned, KS.; 
one Brother, Cecil Blaine, Pasadena, TX. and many nieces and nephews 
along with a good friend David Kloss, Larned, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, Rickey W.
 Hill; two sisters, Arlis (Russ) Smith and Arlene (Victor) Terbush; one 
sister-in-law, Peggy Blaine.

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.

Memorials may be given to Pawnee County Humane Society in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box, 477, Larned, KS. 67550

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629121488241.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Reeta Marie Avery, 80, passed away August 11, 2021 at her residence in Larned, KS.She was born June 6, 1941 in Lenora, OK the daughter of Marvin and 
Pearl Hart Blaine. She was a 1959 graduate of Taloga High school, 
Taloga, OK. An area resident since October of 2019 moving from Enid, OK 
where she was a secretary and worked at a Beauty College.She was of the Methodist faith and enjoyed sewing, quilting, 
crocheting and cooking. She also enjoyed listening to Mel Tillis and 
Elvis, who was said to have asked her to be his seamstress. Dogs held a 
special place in her heart.On April 1, 1990 she married Albert Avery in Medford, OK. He passed away May 20, 2011.Survivors include: one daughter, Annette (Robin) Hill, Larned, KS.; 
one Brother, Cecil Blaine, Pasadena, TX. and many nieces and nephews 
along with a good friend David Kloss, Larned, KS.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, Rickey W.
 Hill; two sisters, Arlis (Russ) Smith and Arlene (Victor) Terbush; one 
sister-in-law, Peggy Blaine.Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.Memorials may be given to Pawnee County Humane Society in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box, 477, Larned, KS. 67550

Reeta Marie Avery

Still time for low-income families to sign up

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced Friday that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit payment for the month of August as 
direct deposits begin posting in bank accounts and checks arrive in 
mailboxes.

This second batch of advance monthly payments, worth about $15 
billion, are reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority will be issued by direct deposit.

Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received the 
first payment on July 15, and payments will continue each month for the 
rest of 2021. For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month 
for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6
 through 17.

Besides the July 15 and Aug. 13 payments, payment dates are September&nbsp;15, October&nbsp;15, November&nbsp;15 and December&nbsp;15.

Here are further details on these payments:

It's not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance CTC 
payments. The IRS urged anyone who normally isn't required to file a tax
 return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. These tools can help 
determine eligibility for the advance CTC or help people file a 
simplified tax return to sign up for these payments as well as Economic 
Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit. People can get these 
benefits, even if they don't work and even if they receive no income.

The IRS continues to raise awareness of the expanded Child Tax 
Credit. The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share 
information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">online tools and toolkits</a>
 to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups 
sign up to receive the advance Child Tax Credits as well as Economic 
Impact Payments. People can check their eligibility for the advance 
payments by using the new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">advance Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>.

Families can stop payments anytime, even after payments begin. They 
do that by using the unenroll feature in the Child Tax Credit Update 
Portal. Eligible families who make this choice will still receive the 
rest of their Child Tax Credit as a lump sum when they file their 2021 
federal income tax return next year. To stop all payments starting in 
September and the rest of 2021, they must unenroll by 11:59 p.m. ET on 
August&nbsp;30, 2021.

For married couples, each spouse must unenroll separately. If they 
each choose to unenroll, they will receive no monthly payments. If only 
one spouse unenrolls, they will still receive monthly payments, but they
 will be half the normal amount.

The unenroll feature can also be helpful to any family that no longer
 qualifies for the CTC or believes they will not qualify when they file 
their 2021 return. This could happen if, for example, someone else, such
 as an ex-spouse or another family member, qualifies to claim their 
child or children as dependents in 2021.

Links to these tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the tax agency's special advance CTC 2021 
page. It's at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Still time for low-income families to sign up</h2>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced Friday that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit payment for the month of August as 
direct deposits begin posting in bank accounts and checks arrive in 
mailboxes.This second batch of advance monthly payments, worth about $15 
billion, are reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority will be issued by direct deposit.Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received the 
first payment on July 15, and payments will continue each month for the 
rest of 2021. For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month 
for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6
 through 17.Besides the July 15 and Aug. 13 payments, payment dates are September&nbsp;15, October&nbsp;15, November&nbsp;15 and December&nbsp;15.Here are further details on these payments:<ul>
 <li>Families will see the direct deposit payments in their accounts 
starting today, August&nbsp;13. Like the first payments, the vast majority of
 families will receive these payments by direct deposit.</li><li>The IRS wants to alert some recipients who received direct deposits
 in July that they will receive the August payments by mail. Due to an 
issue expected to be resolved by the September payments, a percentage of
 these recipients – less than 15% – who received payments by direct 
deposit in July will be mailed paper checks for the August payment. For 
those affected, no additional action is needed for the September payment
 to be issued by direct deposit. Families can visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a> to see if they're receiving a direct deposit or paper check this month.</li><li>For those receiving their payments by paper check, be sure to allow
 extra time for delivery by mail through the end of August. Those 
wishing to receive future payments by direct deposit can make this 
change using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>,&nbsp;available only on IRS.gov. To access the portal or to get a new step-by-step guide for using it, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>. A change made by 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 will apply starting with the September payment.</li><li>Payments went to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income 
tax return. Returns processed by August&nbsp;2 are reflected in these 
payments. This includes people who don't typically file a return but 
during 2020 successfully registered for Economic Impact Payments using 
the IRS Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov or in 2021 successfully used the 
Non-filer Sign-up Tool for advance CTC, also available only on IRS.gov.</li><li>Payments are automatic. Aside from filing a tax return, including a
 simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, families don't have 
to do anything if they are eligible to receive monthly payments. The 
Non-Filer Sign-Up tool is available until October 15, 2021.&nbsp;</li><li>Families who did not get a July payment and are getting their first
 monthly payment in August will still receive their total advance 
payment for the year. This means that the total payment will be spread 
over five months, rather than six, making each monthly payment larger. 
For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $360 per month for each child 
under age 6 and up to $300 per month for each child ages 6 through 17</li><li>Additionally, the IRS is correcting an issue regarding the advance 
CTC payments for families where the parent(s) have an Individual 
Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and the qualifying children have a
 Social Security number. Such families who did not receive a July 
payment are receiving a monthly payment in August, which also includes a
 portion of the July payment. They will receive the remainder of the 
July payment in late August.</li>
 </ul><h2>Low-income families can still sign up</h2>It's not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance CTC 
payments. The IRS urged anyone who normally isn't required to file a tax
 return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. These tools can help 
determine eligibility for the advance CTC or help people file a 
simplified tax return to sign up for these payments as well as Economic 
Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit. People can get these 
benefits, even if they don't work and even if they receive no income.The IRS continues to raise awareness of the expanded Child Tax 
Credit. The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share 
information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">online tools and toolkits</a>
 to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups 
sign up to receive the advance Child Tax Credits as well as Economic 
Impact Payments. People can check their eligibility for the advance 
payments by using the new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">advance Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>.<h2>Families can stop payments anytime</h2>Families can stop payments anytime, even after payments begin. They 
do that by using the unenroll feature in the Child Tax Credit Update 
Portal. Eligible families who make this choice will still receive the 
rest of their Child Tax Credit as a lump sum when they file their 2021 
federal income tax return next year. To stop all payments starting in 
September and the rest of 2021, they must unenroll by 11:59 p.m. ET on 
August&nbsp;30, 2021.For married couples, each spouse must unenroll separately. If they 
each choose to unenroll, they will receive no monthly payments. If only 
one spouse unenrolls, they will still receive monthly payments, but they
 will be half the normal amount.The unenroll feature can also be helpful to any family that no longer
 qualifies for the CTC or believes they will not qualify when they file 
their 2021 return. This could happen if, for example, someone else, such
 as an ex-spouse or another family member, qualifies to claim their 
child or children as dependents in 2021.Links to these tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the tax agency's special advance CTC 2021 
page. It's at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

IRS: August Child Tax Credit payments hitting bank accounts

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A forensic audit of Salina Fire Department leave time has found that some "Chiefs of Staff" (CoSs) took time off without applying it to vacation.

The audit report is scheduled to be presented to the Salina City Commission at Monday's meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday in room 107 of the City-County Building. As of now, the audit report is scheduled near the end of the meeting.

City officials were made aware of the potential leave time fraud in October 2019, when former Salina firefighter Tim LePage brought it to their attention, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2021/08/05/ff12-investigation-accusations-time-card-fraud-within-salina-fire-department/">Factfinder 12 report</a>&nbsp;by Alex Flippin that aired on KWCH last week. LePage made Flippin aware of his concerns and provided documentation that appeared to back up those concerns.

LePage retired from the Salina Fire Department in July after 22 years of service. He was placed on leave until his retirement because of his reporting to city officials about the alleged time fraud, he said in the KWCH report.

According to the forensics audit report conducted on behalf of the city by Kansas City, Mo., firm BKD CPAs &amp; Advisors, city management "performed a limited initial investigation and based on that investigation, the City and counsel were concerned that deliberate inaccuracies relating to the reporting of payroll may have affected compensation in various specific payroll cycles, and potentially caused overtime and inflated vacation available to be bought back, resulting in misuse of City and taxpayer money to the benefit of the individual employees."

BKD was hired to conduct a forensics accounting audit of fire department leave time from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2020. According to BKD, the "scope of positions analyzed began with the entire Fire Department and was narrowed as the analysis progressed."

"An initial kickoff call was held on Oct. 27, 2020 where City Management walked through the data and how to utilize and interpret the data. Management also identified individuals of focus and discrepancies to be aware of," BKD noted.

BKD reported finding a pattern of some "Chiefs of Staff" (CoSs) collecting time worked beyond the normal work day or shift and taking the time off later. According to the report, this is "what is commonly referred to as 'compensation time.' Generally, this time is referred to in the Fire Department's historic data as 'admin time' or 'admin days,' and more recently referred to as 'executive leave.'"

According to the report, city policies and procedures do not permit compensation time, such as admin time or admin days.

The audit noted that "Chiefs of Staff" includes the fire chief, interim fire chief, battalion chiefs, fire marshal, EMS chief, and training chiefs. It is important to note, however that, per the audit, only some of this group took admin time/executive leave.

While use of admin days ranged from one to 13 per person per year, one CoS had 20 such days in 2019, the audit noted.

"A total of 265 shifts were identified during our scope period as time off not applied to vacation, which is valued at over $198,000. In addition, we identified 24 shifts where it appears to be additional personal time or sick time not reported, valued at over $18,000," the audit report noted.

According to the report, the use of admin time did not impact the amount of vacation time the CoSs accrued.

"Therefore, the CoSs had their full allowable vacation time and/or were able to sell up to 50% of unused vacation in addition to the admin days," the audit report stated.

The report continued, "Our analysis calculated that the impermissible use of admin time facilitated over $75,000 of vacation buybacks during our scope period that would not have been possible had vacation days been used to provide the admin time off."

Additionally, the report noted the "cascading effect" the use of admin time by CoSs had on lower-ranking member of the Salina Fire Department. For instance, if a CoS took admin time, a lower-ranking member of the department had to take on the CoS's duties. Other employees would then have to assume the duties of the person filling in for the CoS.

The BKD report specifically mentioned a "Use of Executive Leave" memo from May 1, 2007, that "appeared to authorize the use of executive leave by the CoS under the Executive Staff Manual section on 'Exempt Employees.'"

Following are observations made by BKD in the report.

●The fire department did not seek permission or receive authorization from the city for authorizing executive leave for the CoSs, nor was there an attempt to confirm authorization later with the city.

●The Executive Leave Memo did not comply with the Executive Staff Manual's section for exempt employees on key points, namely the requirement for city manager approval for consecutive executive leave beyond one day.

●Leave was not being used by CoSs as authorized by the Executive Leave Memo.

●While the Executive Leave Memo allegedly solidified the practice of executive leave, admin time had been taken by CoSs prior to the 2007 Executive Leave Memo.

●The Executive Leave Memo was not well circulated among CoSs until knowledge of the city's investigation into admin time came to light.

To read the report of the forensics audit of Salina Fire Department leave time plus accompanying documents, including a timeline (37 pages),&nbsp;<a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=475631&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina">click here</a>.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA forensic audit of Salina Fire Department leave time has found that some "Chiefs of Staff" (CoSs) took time off without applying it to vacation.The audit report is scheduled to be presented to the Salina City Commission at Monday's meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday in room 107 of the City-County Building. As of now, the audit report is scheduled near the end of the meeting.City officials were made aware of the potential leave time fraud in October 2019, when former Salina firefighter Tim LePage brought it to their attention, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2021/08/05/ff12-investigation-accusations-time-card-fraud-within-salina-fire-department/">Factfinder 12 report</a>&nbsp;by Alex Flippin that aired on KWCH last week. LePage made Flippin aware of his concerns and provided documentation that appeared to back up those concerns.LePage retired from the Salina Fire Department in July after 22 years of service. He was placed on leave until his retirement because of his reporting to city officials about the alleged time fraud, he said in the KWCH report.According to the forensics audit report conducted on behalf of the city by Kansas City, Mo., firm BKD CPAs &amp; Advisors, city management "performed a limited initial investigation and based on that investigation, the City and counsel were concerned that deliberate inaccuracies relating to the reporting of payroll may have affected compensation in various specific payroll cycles, and potentially caused overtime and inflated vacation available to be bought back, resulting in misuse of City and taxpayer money to the benefit of the individual employees."BKD was hired to conduct a forensics accounting audit of fire department leave time from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2020. According to BKD, the "scope of positions analyzed began with the entire Fire Department and was narrowed as the analysis progressed.""An initial kickoff call was held on Oct. 27, 2020 where City Management walked through the data and how to utilize and interpret the data. Management also identified individuals of focus and discrepancies to be aware of," BKD noted.BKD reported finding a pattern of some "Chiefs of Staff" (CoSs) collecting time worked beyond the normal work day or shift and taking the time off later. According to the report, this is "what is commonly referred to as 'compensation time.' Generally, this time is referred to in the Fire Department's historic data as 'admin time' or 'admin days,' and more recently referred to as 'executive leave.'"According to the report, city policies and procedures do not permit compensation time, such as admin time or admin days.The audit noted that "Chiefs of Staff" includes the fire chief, interim fire chief, battalion chiefs, fire marshal, EMS chief, and training chiefs. It is important to note, however that, per the audit, only some of this group took admin time/executive leave.While use of admin days ranged from one to 13 per person per year, one CoS had 20 such days in 2019, the audit noted."A total of 265 shifts were identified during our scope period as time off not applied to vacation, which is valued at over $198,000. In addition, we identified 24 shifts where it appears to be additional personal time or sick time not reported, valued at over $18,000," the audit report noted.According to the report, the use of admin time did not impact the amount of vacation time the CoSs accrued."Therefore, the CoSs had their full allowable vacation time and/or were able to sell up to 50% of unused vacation in addition to the admin days," the audit report stated.The report continued, "Our analysis calculated that the impermissible use of admin time facilitated over $75,000 of vacation buybacks during our scope period that would not have been possible had vacation days been used to provide the admin time off."Additionally, the report noted the "cascading effect" the use of admin time by CoSs had on lower-ranking member of the Salina Fire Department. For instance, if a CoS took admin time, a lower-ranking member of the department had to take on the CoS's duties. Other employees would then have to assume the duties of the person filling in for the CoS.The BKD report specifically mentioned a "Use of Executive Leave" memo from May 1, 2007, that "appeared to authorize the use of executive leave by the CoS under the Executive Staff Manual section on 'Exempt Employees.'"Following are observations made by BKD in the report.●The fire department did not seek permission or receive authorization from the city for authorizing executive leave for the CoSs, nor was there an attempt to confirm authorization later with the city.●The Executive Leave Memo did not comply with the Executive Staff Manual's section for exempt employees on key points, namely the requirement for city manager approval for consecutive executive leave beyond one day.●Leave was not being used by CoSs as authorized by the Executive Leave Memo.●While the Executive Leave Memo allegedly solidified the practice of executive leave, admin time had been taken by CoSs prior to the 2007 Executive Leave Memo.●The Executive Leave Memo was not well circulated among CoSs until knowledge of the city's investigation into admin time came to light.To read the report of the forensics audit of Salina Fire Department leave time plus accompanying documents, including a timeline (37 pages),&nbsp;<a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=475631&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina">click here</a>.

Audit of Salina Fire department leave time shows misuse

Donald Lee Penka, 85, died Aug. 10, 2021, at Medicalodges of Great Bend.&nbsp; He was born October 11, 1935, in Larned, to John and Mary Hazel (Simmons) Penka. Don married Lilly Dreiling Nov. 25, 1963, in Garden City.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Don, a resident of Great Bend since 1963 coming from Garden City, was employed as a clerk supervisor for Dillons and later worked for Werth’s Plumbing and as a custodian for USD 428, retiring in 1998. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus Council #862, and a current member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church where he faithfully served as a homebound Eucharistic Minister.&nbsp; In his younger years, Don served the youth of the community as a bowling coach, and in his retirement he enjoyed woodworking and enthusiastically followed his grandchildren’s activities. Don proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956.

Survivors include his wife Lilly Penka, of the home; one son, Matt Penka and his wife Christi of Great Bend; two daughters, Michele Smith and husband Delbert of Topeka, and Melissa Sides of Hutchinson; and seven grandchildren, Lauren Penka, Blake Penka, Dru Penka, Sarah Smith, Samantha Smith, Ashley Sides and Braden Sides.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Marcene Penka; two brothers, Norman Penka and Elvin Penka; three sisters, Valetta Stroble, Cleta Jackson and Ellen Jo Penka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Prakash Kola presiding.&nbsp; Interment will be in Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at Bryant Funeral Home, with a Vigil at 7:30 p.m. 

Memorials may be given to Sully’s Foundation for Epilepsy Research and Education (SFERE) or Kans for Kids, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628803931307.jpeg" alt="Donald Penka" />
 <figcaption>Donald Penka</figcaption>
 </figure>Donald Lee Penka, 85, died Aug. 10, 2021, at Medicalodges of Great Bend.&nbsp; He was born October 11, 1935, in Larned, to John and Mary Hazel (Simmons) Penka. Don married Lilly Dreiling Nov. 25, 1963, in Garden City.&nbsp; &nbsp;Don, a resident of Great Bend since 1963 coming from Garden City, was employed as a clerk supervisor for Dillons and later worked for Werth’s Plumbing and as a custodian for USD 428, retiring in 1998. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus Council #862, and a current member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church where he faithfully served as a homebound Eucharistic Minister.&nbsp; In his younger years, Don served the youth of the community as a bowling coach, and in his retirement he enjoyed woodworking and enthusiastically followed his grandchildren’s activities. Don proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956.Survivors include his wife Lilly Penka, of the home; one son, Matt Penka and his wife Christi of Great Bend; two daughters, Michele Smith and husband Delbert of Topeka, and Melissa Sides of Hutchinson; and seven grandchildren, Lauren Penka, Blake Penka, Dru Penka, Sarah Smith, Samantha Smith, Ashley Sides and Braden Sides.He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Marcene Penka; two brothers, Norman Penka and Elvin Penka; three sisters, Valetta Stroble, Cleta Jackson and Ellen Jo Penka.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Prakash Kola presiding.&nbsp; Interment will be in Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at Bryant Funeral Home, with a Vigil at 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be given to Sully’s Foundation for Epilepsy Research and Education (SFERE) or Kans for Kids, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Donald Lee Penka

Larry Dechant, 71, died Monday, August 9, 2021, at his home in Garden 
City, Kansas. He was born November 9, 1949, in Garden City, Kansas the 
son of Manuel &amp; Elizabeth “Betty” (Pfeiffer) Dechant. 
 Larry has been a lifetime resident of Garden City. He attended 
Garden City schools and graduated form Garden City High School. He 
served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from March of 
1970 to October of 1971. Larry was the owner and operator of Dechant 
Retail Liquor in Garden City for 14 years. He then worked for many 
years as a groundskeeper for USD #457 until his retirement. 
 Survivors include four sisters Betty Heath of Leoti, Kansas, 
Rosemary Wasinger of Scott City, Kansas, Joyce York of Ft. Worth, Texas,
 &amp; Debra Robinson of Holcomb, Kansas; two brothers Ronald Dechant of
 Garden City, Kansas and James “Jake” Dechant of Garden City, Kansas; 
and many nieces and nephews. 
 Larry is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Alex 
Dechant and Ken Dechant; and two sisters Linda Sinclair and Evelyn 
Berning. 
 A private family interment will take place at a later date at 
Valley View Cemetery in Garden City with military graveside rites 
conducted by the Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard. There will be 
no calling hours.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Larry Dechant, 71, died Monday, August 9, 2021, at his home in Garden 
City, Kansas. He was born November 9, 1949, in Garden City, Kansas the 
son of Manuel &amp; Elizabeth “Betty” (Pfeiffer) Dechant. 
 Larry has been a lifetime resident of Garden City. He attended 
Garden City schools and graduated form Garden City High School. He 
served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from March of 
1970 to October of 1971. Larry was the owner and operator of Dechant 
Retail Liquor in Garden City for 14 years. He then worked for many 
years as a groundskeeper for USD #457 until his retirement. 
 Survivors include four sisters Betty Heath of Leoti, Kansas, 
Rosemary Wasinger of Scott City, Kansas, Joyce York of Ft. Worth, Texas,
 &amp; Debra Robinson of Holcomb, Kansas; two brothers Ronald Dechant of
 Garden City, Kansas and James “Jake” Dechant of Garden City, Kansas; 
and many nieces and nephews. 
 Larry is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Alex 
Dechant and Ken Dechant; and two sisters Linda Sinclair and Evelyn 
Berning. 
 A private family interment will take place at a later date at 
Valley View Cemetery in Garden City with military graveside rites 
conducted by the Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard. There will be 
no calling hours.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Larry Dechant

TOPEKA - The Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC), an affiliate of the Kansas Chamber, is looking for the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70eYsysZDXiWHTE9nnbAmWFNjm1g9FcdJl_ukwMnF5-L8iAURLa6v_R_vRfZNEE8PrRnKOC868ufqngm-iKk1kQP58wiK_igFSqQ==&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">Coolest Thing Made In Kansas</a>.

Presented by BKD CPAs &amp; Advisors, this competition is a great way to learn about the many products made in Kansas. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for Kansas manufacturers to show their best stuff and prove they have what it takes to be the&nbsp;Coolest Thing Made in Kansas.

“The Kansas Manufacturing Council’s annual contest showcases Kansas’s wide variety of manufacturers that keep our state’s economy strong and our communities growing. It’s with great pride that KMC supports manufacturing technology and integration to embrace the future. ”said Mark Chalfant, KMC’s board of advisors chairman and president and CEO of Fuller Industries, Great Bend.

Any product that is made in Kansas qualifies for the competition.

The top 32 nominated products will set the tournament-style bracket. They will compete in weekly head-to-head match-ups. The products that receive the highest votes in each match-up will advance to the next round, moving one step closer to winning the ultimate prize – being named the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70eXILSxrLU2Y_BZvQFrFmw4LqNLeUAs_vP96K8D5CgGAk4Qg5ArDiwLkjgDXJ2lRUT94y24WQvEyb3Irzo07mEdA=&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">Coolest Thing Made in Kansas</a>.

The winner will be announced during the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70ee7o1wr9RRn9wvH4jaTXBE1BtIq7YxHmkHM77S9pOyKrUw_uVccdZRCH-ehvutmzG9lzOmCloCqcSFZbxxJombBMgNReP43J2KFCTf4XQlX9&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">Kansas Manufacturing Summit</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at the Kansas Star Casino. All 32 nominees will be invited to display their products at the summit.

"BKD is fortunate to have the opportunity to work and engage with manufacturers across Kansas and is able to see first-hand the research, development and ultimate success of innovative products.&nbsp;We are excited to sponsor this competition and provide manufacturers a platform to showcase their products and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of Kansas manufacturers and the solutions they are bringing to the market," said Jennifer Wold, BKD Commercial Services partner.

The reigning Coolest Thing Made in Kansas is the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70eawKluIcin5R1in3h_P6Zdj-Jg-rwzB7QV1RmK0dZsMBQFT4Ts6yeXe65bBQ9f6EjIIwQ9Zkzph0cBukruXw71gs1nPsdUZk5w==&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">EMP Shield</a>&nbsp;made in Burlington. EMP Shield is the world’s first electromagnetic pulse (EMP) surge protection technology for an entire home and vehicle tested to military and UL 1449 standards from ETL. How cool is that? <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70ee7o1wr9RRn9akslXn6Ti4QlaLbti0nyFw_6hukI1aEp8kARM3z7KeUMjy7PO_2ZOVAfDXJkJf8c2gnL5VPEAdg8SOe4y7ofl9M2D8zxLRg56jzKB4FTiM1jJ7gSW6hX3e24BamgCm0x&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank"></a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70ee7o1wr9RRn9akslXn6Ti4QlaLbti0nyFw_6hukI1aEp8kARM3z7KeUMjy7PO_2ZOVAfDXJkJf8c2gnL5VPEAdg8SOe4y7ofl9M2D8zxLRg56jzKB4FTiM1jJ7gSW6hX3e24BamgCm0x&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to nominate your favorite Kansas-made product. Nominations for the 2021 contest close on August 27 at 5:00 p.m. CT.

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70eT0YDRAdj0_6DuzFuSLiIXpjKjLK6zLbiKydHY8PLQJ5HoaBmrxUpcCi7M941CbkKGe2Dsc9lQM2CrYuB6WobhEDkHb92n2gKSTR6hJeZEpMG5LdjZt8vvA_MqI538VMyPfseVpyV54d&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank"></a>Nomination Rules

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628696610927.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KMCTOPEKA - The Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC), an affiliate of the Kansas Chamber, is looking for the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70eYsysZDXiWHTE9nnbAmWFNjm1g9FcdJl_ukwMnF5-L8iAURLa6v_R_vRfZNEE8PrRnKOC868ufqngm-iKk1kQP58wiK_igFSqQ==&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">Coolest Thing Made In Kansas</a>.Presented by BKD CPAs &amp; Advisors, this competition is a great way to learn about the many products made in Kansas. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for Kansas manufacturers to show their best stuff and prove they have what it takes to be the&nbsp;Coolest Thing Made in Kansas. “The Kansas Manufacturing Council’s annual contest showcases Kansas’s wide variety of manufacturers that keep our state’s economy strong and our communities growing. It’s with great pride that KMC supports manufacturing technology and integration to embrace the future. ”said Mark Chalfant, KMC’s board of advisors chairman and president and CEO of Fuller Industries, Great Bend.Any product that is made in Kansas qualifies for the competition.The top 32 nominated products will set the tournament-style bracket. They will compete in weekly head-to-head match-ups. The products that receive the highest votes in each match-up will advance to the next round, moving one step closer to winning the ultimate prize – being named the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70eXILSxrLU2Y_BZvQFrFmw4LqNLeUAs_vP96K8D5CgGAk4Qg5ArDiwLkjgDXJ2lRUT94y24WQvEyb3Irzo07mEdA=&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">Coolest Thing Made in Kansas</a>.The winner will be announced during the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70ee7o1wr9RRn9wvH4jaTXBE1BtIq7YxHmkHM77S9pOyKrUw_uVccdZRCH-ehvutmzG9lzOmCloCqcSFZbxxJombBMgNReP43J2KFCTf4XQlX9&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">Kansas Manufacturing Summit</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at the Kansas Star Casino. All 32 nominees will be invited to display their products at the summit. "BKD is fortunate to have the opportunity to work and engage with manufacturers across Kansas and is able to see first-hand the research, development and ultimate success of innovative products.&nbsp;We are excited to sponsor this competition and provide manufacturers a platform to showcase their products and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of Kansas manufacturers and the solutions they are bringing to the market," said Jennifer Wold, BKD Commercial Services partner.The reigning Coolest Thing Made in Kansas is the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70eawKluIcin5R1in3h_P6Zdj-Jg-rwzB7QV1RmK0dZsMBQFT4Ts6yeXe65bBQ9f6EjIIwQ9Zkzph0cBukruXw71gs1nPsdUZk5w==&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">EMP Shield</a>&nbsp;made in Burlington. EMP Shield is the world’s first electromagnetic pulse (EMP) surge protection technology for an entire home and vehicle tested to military and UL 1449 standards from ETL. How cool is that? <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70ee7o1wr9RRn9akslXn6Ti4QlaLbti0nyFw_6hukI1aEp8kARM3z7KeUMjy7PO_2ZOVAfDXJkJf8c2gnL5VPEAdg8SOe4y7ofl9M2D8zxLRg56jzKB4FTiM1jJ7gSW6hX3e24BamgCm0x&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70ee7o1wr9RRn9akslXn6Ti4QlaLbti0nyFw_6hukI1aEp8kARM3z7KeUMjy7PO_2ZOVAfDXJkJf8c2gnL5VPEAdg8SOe4y7ofl9M2D8zxLRg56jzKB4FTiM1jJ7gSW6hX3e24BamgCm0x&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to nominate your favorite Kansas-made product. Nominations for the 2021 contest close on August 27 at 5:00 p.m. CT. <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010OTzp5LfGcKZo_dGM1hGDBmj0zoaYIEUfNHb2tSAm42oEernlr70eT0YDRAdj0_6DuzFuSLiIXpjKjLK6zLbiKydHY8PLQJ5HoaBmrxUpcCi7M941CbkKGe2Dsc9lQM2CrYuB6WobhEDkHb92n2gKSTR6hJeZEpMG5LdjZt8vvA_MqI538VMyPfseVpyV54d&amp;c=T-lWz1ZElUOlj-l0FJAycjQB2hZfanSAMw8PMs7dLC5la45zVpB3qQ==&amp;ch=YD3ZOqfRYjA_nWYhrCMLIKmoOcFg96lKH8Ia5Jo8W2tp7JT395ee8w==" target="_blank"></a>Nomination Rules <ul>
 <li>Everyone is encouraged to nominate their favorite products. There is no limit to the number of product nominations per person.</li><li>Products nominated can be from any sector of the state’s manufacturing industry.</li><li>The company does not have to be headquartered in Kansas but the product must be manufactured in a Kansas-based facility.</li><li>The product must be made using a manufacturing process.</li><li>The Kansas Manufacturing Council will review each nomination to ensure these requirements are met. If for any reason, the nomination does not meet these requirements, the nominator will be notified.</li><li>Companies may only have one product featured in the top eight, so only one product nomination per company is encouraged.</li><li>Winning companies are prohibited from participating in the contest for one year, while each winning product is indefinitely prohibited from being nominated again.</li><li>Companies with products nominated will be notified by the Kansas Manufacturing Council.</li>
 </ul>Voting Rules <ul>
 <li>Voting during the tournament is open to the public. A voter may vote once per day.</li><li>Nominated products will advance through a series of voting rounds.</li><li>The products receiving the highest number of votes in their head-to-head match-ups during each voting period will advance rounds to top 16, eight, final four, and finally the winner.</li><li>The number of votes received will be reset at the beginning of each round.</li><li>&nbsp;New this year, the final round of final four (4) will be decided by popular vote.</li>
 </ul>2021 Contest Calendar <ul>
 <li>Aug. 10th - 27th: Submit Nominations</li><li>Aug. 30th - Sept 10th: Announce Bracket of 32, open voting</li><li>Sept. 13th - 24th: Announce Bracket of 16, open voting</li><li>Sept. 27th - Oct. 1st: Announce Bracket of Top 8, open voting</li><li>Oct. 4th - Oct 11th: Announce Final Round, open voting</li><li>Oct 11th: Coolest Celebration Reception</li><li>Oct 12th: 2021 CTMK Winner Announced</li>
 </ul>

Submit your nomination for the Coolest Thing Made in Kansas

Rita Janet Romine, 83, died August 9, 2021, at Morton County Nursing 
Home, Elkhart.&nbsp; She was born September 15, 1937, in Great Bend, to 
Herman and Lillie Josephine (Mull) Strobel.&nbsp; Rita married James Keith 
Romine October 15, 1955, in Great Bend.&nbsp; James died June30,2020.

Rita, a lifetime resident of Great Bend, was a member of Prince of 
Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and 
the Altar Society.&nbsp; She was an active farm wife, and in her younger 
years, was employed by a Colonel as a secretary at Salina Air Force 
Base.&nbsp; Rita enjoyed reading, gardening, square dancing and playing 
pitch.

Survivors include two sons, Kent Romine and wife Valerie of Great 
Bend, and Kevin Romine and wife Tammy of Great Bend; one daughter, 
Marita Walls and husband Dan of Elkhart; son-in-law Paul Schneweis of 
Great Bend; and eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Melissa
 Tudor (Damian) and son Trace, Ashley Romine-Guerra (Izzy Guerra) and 
children Teegan, Raquel and Owen, Jessica Ferguson (Dustin) and children
 Grace and Hayden, Kirk Walls, Dr. James Walls (Lindsay), Lindsey White 
(Kendrick), Chad Romine (Taylor), and Ryan Romine.

Rita was preceded in passing by her husband James; one daughter, 
Renee Schneweis; and two brothers, Joseph Strobel and Richard Strobel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 
2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Aneesh 
Parappanattu and Father Terrance Klein presiding.&nbsp; Interment will follow
 at Great Bend Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 pm, 
Friday, August 13, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home, with an Altar Society 
Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Vigil with Rosary at 5:00 p.m.&nbsp; Memorials may 
be given to Morton County EMS, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628688489661.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rita Janet Romine, 83, died August 9, 2021, at Morton County Nursing 
Home, Elkhart.&nbsp; She was born September 15, 1937, in Great Bend, to 
Herman and Lillie Josephine (Mull) Strobel.&nbsp; Rita married James Keith 
Romine October 15, 1955, in Great Bend.&nbsp; James died June30,2020.Rita, a lifetime resident of Great Bend, was a member of Prince of 
Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and 
the Altar Society.&nbsp; She was an active farm wife, and in her younger 
years, was employed by a Colonel as a secretary at Salina Air Force 
Base.&nbsp; Rita enjoyed reading, gardening, square dancing and playing 
pitch.Survivors include two sons, Kent Romine and wife Valerie of Great 
Bend, and Kevin Romine and wife Tammy of Great Bend; one daughter, 
Marita Walls and husband Dan of Elkhart; son-in-law Paul Schneweis of 
Great Bend; and eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Melissa
 Tudor (Damian) and son Trace, Ashley Romine-Guerra (Izzy Guerra) and 
children Teegan, Raquel and Owen, Jessica Ferguson (Dustin) and children
 Grace and Hayden, Kirk Walls, Dr. James Walls (Lindsay), Lindsey White 
(Kendrick), Chad Romine (Taylor), and Ryan Romine.Rita was preceded in passing by her husband James; one daughter, 
Renee Schneweis; and two brothers, Joseph Strobel and Richard Strobel.Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 
2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Aneesh 
Parappanattu and Father Terrance Klein presiding.&nbsp; Interment will follow
 at Great Bend Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 pm, 
Friday, August 13, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home, with an Altar Society 
Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Vigil with Rosary at 5:00 p.m.&nbsp; Memorials may 
be given to Morton County EMS, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Rita Janet Romine

By JOHN P. TRETBAR The Kansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association holds its 84th annual Convention &amp; Expo beginning this weekend, Aug. 15 to 17, at Wichita's Century II Convention Center. Members of the Kansas Congressional delegation take part in a panel discussion on "The Changing Face of Energy Policy" on Aug 16 from 10-11 am. Sen. Roger Marshall, Rep. Ron Estes, Rep. Jake LaTurner, and Rep. Tracey Mann will weigh in with KIOGA President Edward Cross moderating. The keynote speaker is former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who addresses the membership luncheon on Monday, Aug. 16, from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. You can find more information, including registration and booth information, at KIOGA's website at (<a href="https://kioga.org/">https://kioga.org/</a>).&nbsp; Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $58.50 per barrel, after dropping 75 cents on Friday. Kansas prices are down nearly $6 per barrel from the first of the Month, but are nearly $20 per barrel higher than at the first of the year.&nbsp; Friday's settlement price for Nymex benchmark crude was $68.28 per barrel, down $3 from a week ago. Prices for both WTI and Brent Crude dropped 7 percent last week, marking the worst weekly price-performance since October. In midday trading Monday, the near-month contract for light sweet crude had dropped another $2 to $66.29 per barrel, a three percent dip for the day. The contract traded as low as $65 earlier in the session. Bank of America said COVID uncertainty remains the biggest challenge for the oil markets. Not only are the Saudis raising production, they're raising prices. Bloomberg reports the world's largest crude-oil exporter is raising U.S. September prices by 10 to 20 cents a barrel. Prices in Asia are going up by anywhere from 20 to 60 cents per barrel. Gas prices continue to rise. The auto club AAA says the monthly national average pump price went from $3.00 per gallon in May to $3.15 in July. The average on Monday was $3.19 per gallon, up more than a dollar from a year ago. The average across Kansas $2.92 per gallon, also up more than a dollar from August of 2020.&nbsp; Intent-to-drill filings in the state are approaching pre-pandemic levels. The Kansas Corporation Commission reports 90 new intent-to-drill notices filed across the Sunflower State last month, which brings the year-to-date total to 630 new intents. That's just shy of the 641 intents filed by the end of July 2019, and well ahead of the 111 notices filed by this time last year. There were four new intents filed in Barton County last month, one in Ellis County, one in Russell County and six in Stafford County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a slight increase in Kansas drilling activity for the week. The Rig Count in Kansas shows nine active rigs east of Wichita, which is unchanged, and 25 in Western Kansas, which is up two rigs. Drilling continued on one lease in Russell County, and operators are about to spud a new well in Barton County, one in Ellis County, and two in Stafford County. Baker Hughes reported 491 active drilling rigs across the US, an increase of two oil rigs. The count in Wyoming was up three rigs. Texas was down one, while Oklahoma and News Mexico were each up one. Kansas regulators approved 18 new drilling permits for the week, 577 so far this year. There were seven new permits issued in eastern Kansas, and 11 west of Wichita, including one in Russell County and two in Stafford County. Operators last week completed two wells in Ellis County and two in Russell County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 34 newly completed wells statewide, for a year-to-date total of 461. U.S. crude inventories increased last week by nearly four million barrels. The Energy Information Administration reports domestic stockpiles of just over 439 million barrels, or about six percent below the five-year average for this time of year. EIA said gasoline inventories were down more than five million barrels, and are now about three percent below the five-year seasonal average. The government said crude-oil production last week dropped by about 71,000 barrels per day compared to the week before. Domestic output averaged just over 11.17 million barrels per day for the week through July 20th. That's up slightly from the same week a year ago.&nbsp; EIA reported a slight decline in U.S. crude-oil imports last week to 6.4 million barrels per day. Average imports for the last four weeks are nearly 16% higher than the same four weeks a year ago. The Association of American Railroads says total U.S. rail traffic in July was up slightly over a year ago, but the percentage increase was significantly lower than in other recent months. Total rail traffic was up 3.8 percent year-over-year. Oil-by-rail traffic in the U.S. last week was down for the week, but remains more than two percent higher than in the same period last year. AAR reports 10,289 petroleum tankers rolling the rails last week, down 241 tankers from the week before. Canadian oil-by-rail was also down for the week, but was 31% higher than the same week a year ago. One energy consultant says a significant U.S. supply response to soaring prices is practically impossible before the first half of next year without a dramatic increase in drilling rigs. That's because tight oil operators in the major shale basins are running out of wells that are drilled but uncompleted. Rystad Energy's head of shale research says without DUCs, any increases in fracking will now require increases in drilling and thus increases in drilling rigs. In the Permian Basin, only about 1,550 horizontal DUCs remained by the end of June, a 37% decline from a year earlier. The Web site World Oil says the industry could see complete normalization of CUD inventories by this fall. Energy consumption in the United States dropped to a 25-year low last year, driven mainly by the pandemic response. The Energy Information Administration reports average nationwide consumption of 18.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, the lowest level since 1995. EIA's Monthly Energy Review reports petroleum consumption decreased in every energy-consuming sector. Consumption dropped by a record 15% in the transportation sector.

By JOHN P. TRETBAR The Kansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association holds its 84th annual Convention &amp; Expo beginning this weekend, Aug. 15 to 17, at Wichita's Century II Convention Center. Members of the Kansas Congressional delegation take part in a panel discussion on "The Changing Face of Energy Policy" on Aug 16 from 10-11 am. Sen. Roger Marshall, Rep. Ron Estes, Rep. Jake LaTurner, and Rep. Tracey Mann will weigh in with KIOGA President Edward Cross moderating. The keynote speaker is former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who addresses the membership luncheon on Monday, Aug. 16, from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. You can find more information, including registration and booth information, at KIOGA's website at (<a href="https://kioga.org/">https://kioga.org/</a>).&nbsp; Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $58.50 per barrel, after dropping 75 cents on Friday. Kansas prices are down nearly $6 per barrel from the first of the Month, but are nearly $20 per barrel higher than at the first of the year.&nbsp; Friday's settlement price for Nymex benchmark crude was $68.28 per barrel, down $3 from a week ago. Prices for both WTI and Brent Crude dropped 7 percent last week, marking the worst weekly price-performance since October. In midday trading Monday, the near-month contract for light sweet crude had dropped another $2 to $66.29 per barrel, a three percent dip for the day. The contract traded as low as $65 earlier in the session. Bank of America said COVID uncertainty remains the biggest challenge for the oil markets. Not only are the Saudis raising production, they're raising prices. Bloomberg reports the world's largest crude-oil exporter is raising U.S. September prices by 10 to 20 cents a barrel. Prices in Asia are going up by anywhere from 20 to 60 cents per barrel. Gas prices continue to rise. The auto club AAA says the monthly national average pump price went from $3.00 per gallon in May to $3.15 in July. The average on Monday was $3.19 per gallon, up more than a dollar from a year ago. The average across Kansas $2.92 per gallon, also up more than a dollar from August of 2020.&nbsp; Intent-to-drill filings in the state are approaching pre-pandemic levels. The Kansas Corporation Commission reports 90 new intent-to-drill notices filed across the Sunflower State last month, which brings the year-to-date total to 630 new intents. That's just shy of the 641 intents filed by the end of July 2019, and well ahead of the 111 notices filed by this time last year. There were four new intents filed in Barton County last month, one in Ellis County, one in Russell County and six in Stafford County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a slight increase in Kansas drilling activity for the week. The Rig Count in Kansas shows nine active rigs east of Wichita, which is unchanged, and 25 in Western Kansas, which is up two rigs. Drilling continued on one lease in Russell County, and operators are about to spud a new well in Barton County, one in Ellis County, and two in Stafford County. Baker Hughes reported 491 active drilling rigs across the US, an increase of two oil rigs. The count in Wyoming was up three rigs. Texas was down one, while Oklahoma and News Mexico were each up one. Kansas regulators approved 18 new drilling permits for the week, 577 so far this year. There were seven new permits issued in eastern Kansas, and 11 west of Wichita, including one in Russell County and two in Stafford County. Operators last week completed two wells in Ellis County and two in Russell County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 34 newly completed wells statewide, for a year-to-date total of 461. U.S. crude inventories increased last week by nearly four million barrels. The Energy Information Administration reports domestic stockpiles of just over 439 million barrels, or about six percent below the five-year average for this time of year. EIA said gasoline inventories were down more than five million barrels, and are now about three percent below the five-year seasonal average. The government said crude-oil production last week dropped by about 71,000 barrels per day compared to the week before. Domestic output averaged just over 11.17 million barrels per day for the week through July 20th. That's up slightly from the same week a year ago.&nbsp; EIA reported a slight decline in U.S. crude-oil imports last week to 6.4 million barrels per day. Average imports for the last four weeks are nearly 16% higher than the same four weeks a year ago. The Association of American Railroads says total U.S. rail traffic in July was up slightly over a year ago, but the percentage increase was significantly lower than in other recent months. Total rail traffic was up 3.8 percent year-over-year. Oil-by-rail traffic in the U.S. last week was down for the week, but remains more than two percent higher than in the same period last year. AAR reports 10,289 petroleum tankers rolling the rails last week, down 241 tankers from the week before. Canadian oil-by-rail was also down for the week, but was 31% higher than the same week a year ago. One energy consultant says a significant U.S. supply response to soaring prices is practically impossible before the first half of next year without a dramatic increase in drilling rigs. That's because tight oil operators in the major shale basins are running out of wells that are drilled but uncompleted. Rystad Energy's head of shale research says without DUCs, any increases in fracking will now require increases in drilling and thus increases in drilling rigs. In the Permian Basin, only about 1,550 horizontal DUCs remained by the end of June, a 37% decline from a year earlier. The Web site World Oil says the industry could see complete normalization of CUD inventories by this fall. Energy consumption in the United States dropped to a 25-year low last year, driven mainly by the pandemic response. The Energy Information Administration reports average nationwide consumption of 18.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, the lowest level since 1995. EIA's Monthly Energy Review reports petroleum consumption decreased in every energy-consuming sector. Consumption dropped by a record 15% in the transportation sector.

News from the Oil Patch: Crude prices tumble

Theresa Marie (Leiker) Haselhorst, age 91, died Saturday, August 7, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays Care Center.&nbsp; She was born October 5, 1929, at Victoria, Kansas, to Pius and Anna (Sander) Leiker.&nbsp; She married Merlin F. Haselhorst on November 9, 1949, in Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on September 29, 1998.

She was a bookkeeper at Flowers By Frances, Feme’ Bridal Wear and Jay Stewart Electric, and retired in 1990.&nbsp; She grew up in Victoria and was a graduate of Victoria High School. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and camping at Cedar Buff Lake.&nbsp; She enjoyed bingo, reading, watching the Royals and the Chiefs.

Theresa was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, Christian Mothers, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, and a life member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary all of Hays, and she spend many hours volunteering at the Community Assistance Center in Hays.&nbsp;

Survivors include three sons, Ronald Haselhorst and wife, Jojo, Palatine, IL; Mark Haselhorst and wife, Lucia, Alma, KS; Jon Haselhorst, Austin, TX; three daughters, Karen Shotwell and husband, Michael, Sedgwick, KS; Janet Schmidt and husband, David L., Catharine, KS; Lori Conway and Ron Carmack, Spring Hill, KS; one sister, Aquina Rajewski, Vincent, KS, two brothers-in-law, Daniel Schmidtberger and wife, Donna, Hill City, KS; George Gatschet, Hays, KS; three sisters-in-law, Ann Leiker, Hays, KS; Ada Leiker, Great Bend, KS, Janice Leiker, Ellis, KS; 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; five brothers, Gilbert Leiker,&nbsp;Robert Leiker, Elmer Leiker, Neon Leiker, and Laurian Leiker; five sisters, Luella Dreiling, Armella Wasinger-Thompson, Rosaline Wiesner, Mary Ellen Schmidtberger and Ethel Gatschet.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 18th and Vine Street, Hays, Kansas with Father Nick Parker Officiation.&nbsp; Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas

A vigil service / VFW Auxiliary service and Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd, Hays, Kanas 67601. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Thursday, at the church.

The family suggest memorials to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or&nbsp; Community Assistance Center of Hays made payable to: the organization in care of the mortuary.&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628519006752.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Theresa Marie (Leiker) Haselhorst, age 91, died Saturday, August 7, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays Care Center.&nbsp; She was born October 5, 1929, at Victoria, Kansas, to Pius and Anna (Sander) Leiker.&nbsp; She married Merlin F. Haselhorst on November 9, 1949, in Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on September 29, 1998.She was a bookkeeper at Flowers By Frances, Feme’ Bridal Wear and Jay Stewart Electric, and retired in 1990.&nbsp; She grew up in Victoria and was a graduate of Victoria High School. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and camping at Cedar Buff Lake.&nbsp; She enjoyed bingo, reading, watching the Royals and the Chiefs.Theresa was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, Christian Mothers, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, and a life member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary all of Hays, and she spend many hours volunteering at the Community Assistance Center in Hays.&nbsp;Survivors include three sons, Ronald Haselhorst and wife, Jojo, Palatine, IL; Mark Haselhorst and wife, Lucia, Alma, KS; Jon Haselhorst, Austin, TX; three daughters, Karen Shotwell and husband, Michael, Sedgwick, KS; Janet Schmidt and husband, David L., Catharine, KS; Lori Conway and Ron Carmack, Spring Hill, KS; one sister, Aquina Rajewski, Vincent, KS, two brothers-in-law, Daniel Schmidtberger and wife, Donna, Hill City, KS; George Gatschet, Hays, KS; three sisters-in-law, Ann Leiker, Hays, KS; Ada Leiker, Great Bend, KS, Janice Leiker, Ellis, KS; 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; five brothers, Gilbert Leiker,&nbsp;Robert Leiker, Elmer Leiker, Neon Leiker, and Laurian Leiker; five sisters, Luella Dreiling, Armella Wasinger-Thompson, Rosaline Wiesner, Mary Ellen Schmidtberger and Ethel Gatschet.&nbsp; &nbsp;Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 18th and Vine Street, Hays, Kansas with Father Nick Parker Officiation.&nbsp; Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, KansasA vigil service / VFW Auxiliary service and Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd, Hays, Kanas 67601. &nbsp; &nbsp;Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Thursday, at the church.The family suggest memorials to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or&nbsp; Community Assistance Center of Hays made payable to: the organization in care of the mortuary.&nbsp;Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;

Theresa Marie (Leiker) Haselhorst

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Prices for medical marijuana have been dropping as more manufacturers, cultivators and dispensaries open.

Residents voted in 2018 to legalize medical cannabis. Since then, the state has licensed 193 dispensaries, 59 cultivators and 86 manufacturers, although not all of them are operating yet.

When the first dispensary in the Kansas City area opened in October, one eighth of an ounce of flower cost $60. Nearly 10 months later, the same product can be gotten for $40. Local dispensaries at first sold only flower. Now, they stock a variety of items, including edibles and cartridges.

“Certainly, we knew when stores opened here at the very beginning the prices were going to be higher, the selection was going to be more limited,” said Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association. “But with each coming week, we see those trends reversing.”

More efficient processes, more cultivators and more competition have all contributed to lower prices since the first manufacturer opened in Missouri.

Prices on some products are estimated to be 25% lower than when dispensaries first opened, said Bethanie White, director of marketing for Clovr, the first manufacturer to open in Missouri.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Prices for medical marijuana have been dropping as more manufacturers, cultivators and dispensaries open.Residents voted in 2018 to legalize medical cannabis. Since then, the state has licensed 193 dispensaries, 59 cultivators and 86 manufacturers, although not all of them are operating yet.When the first dispensary in the Kansas City area opened in October, one eighth of an ounce of flower cost $60. Nearly 10 months later, the same product can be gotten for $40. Local dispensaries at first sold only flower. Now, they stock a variety of items, including edibles and cartridges.“Certainly, we knew when stores opened here at the very beginning the prices were going to be higher, the selection was going to be more limited,” said Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association. “But with each coming week, we see those trends reversing.”More efficient processes, more cultivators and more competition have all contributed to lower prices since the first manufacturer opened in Missouri.Prices on some products are estimated to be 25% lower than when dispensaries first opened, said Bethanie White, director of marketing for Clovr, the first manufacturer to open in Missouri.

Medical marijuana prices drop as more dispensaries open

Martha Jane Bollinger, age 85, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021,
 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; She was born on 
June 11, 1936, in LaPlata, Missouri, the daughter of Bernard and Blanche
 Willey Campbell.&nbsp; A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she worked
 for Scott County Law Enforcement for 4 years and then retired from KN 
Energy after 18 years of service.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas 
for over 60 years, served as deaconess, ABW Treasurer, Bible Study 
Circle Treasurer, Bible School teacher, Sunday School Teacher, calling 
coordinator for Baptist Senior Fellowship for several years, and was 
also a member of the XiDelta Kappa Sorority division of Alpha Omega 
sorority.

On October 27, 1956, she married Alan Dale Bollinger in Grigston, 
Kansas.&nbsp; He passed away on October 1, 2014, in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her One Son - Dan &amp; Joni Bollinger of Dighton, 
Kansas, Two Daughters - Melinda &amp; André Girod of Colorado Springs, 
Colorado, Tami &amp; Coleby Thomas of Hays, Kansas, Four Granddaughters -
 Julie Fields of Fort Drum, New York, Mishelle Williams of Sevierville, 
Tennessee, Cora Thomas of Hays, Kansas, Stella Thomas of Hays, Kansas, 
Three Grandsons - Scott Williams of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tony 
Girod of Germany, Trevor Bollinger of Lawrence, Kansas, Eight Great 
Grandchildren, and One Great Great Grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, and Husband.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 13, 
2021, at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle 
Evans presiding. Services will be streamed live at 
www.priceandsons.com.&nbsp; Click the live stream tab on the left side of the
 obituary&nbsp;or click on "<a href="https://evt.live/jbollinger">LIVESTREAM</a>"&nbsp;starting at 10:25 a.m.

Memorials may be written to the First Baptist Church or Silent Angels
 in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, 
Kansas, 67871.

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628360828256.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Martha Jane Bollinger, age 85, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021,
 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; She was born on 
June 11, 1936, in LaPlata, Missouri, the daughter of Bernard and Blanche
 Willey Campbell.&nbsp; A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she worked
 for Scott County Law Enforcement for 4 years and then retired from KN 
Energy after 18 years of service.She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas 
for over 60 years, served as deaconess, ABW Treasurer, Bible Study 
Circle Treasurer, Bible School teacher, Sunday School Teacher, calling 
coordinator for Baptist Senior Fellowship for several years, and was 
also a member of the XiDelta Kappa Sorority division of Alpha Omega 
sorority.On October 27, 1956, she married Alan Dale Bollinger in Grigston, 
Kansas.&nbsp; He passed away on October 1, 2014, in Scott City, Kansas.Survivors include her One Son - Dan &amp; Joni Bollinger of Dighton, 
Kansas, Two Daughters - Melinda &amp; André Girod of Colorado Springs, 
Colorado, Tami &amp; Coleby Thomas of Hays, Kansas, Four Granddaughters -
 Julie Fields of Fort Drum, New York, Mishelle Williams of Sevierville, 
Tennessee, Cora Thomas of Hays, Kansas, Stella Thomas of Hays, Kansas, 
Three Grandsons - Scott Williams of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tony 
Girod of Germany, Trevor Bollinger of Lawrence, Kansas, Eight Great 
Grandchildren, and One Great Great Grandchild.She was preceded in death by her Parents, and Husband.Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 13, 
2021, at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle 
Evans presiding. Services will be streamed live at 
www.priceandsons.com.&nbsp; Click the live stream tab on the left side of the
 obituary&nbsp;or click on "<a href="https://evt.live/jbollinger">LIVESTREAM</a>"&nbsp;starting at 10:25 a.m.Memorials may be written to the First Baptist Church or Silent Angels
 in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, 
Kansas, 67871.Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 10:00
 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott
 City, Kansas.

Jane Bollinger

Terri Brown, 66, received her angel wings on July 24, 2021, at her 
daughter’s home in Oberlin, Kansas. Terri was born to Melvin and Betty 
(Norton) West on March 9, 1955, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Terri lived 
in the Loveland-Fort Collins area most of her childhood. She was 
surrounded by her dad, mom, and sister Cindi (West) Grafel.
 Her parents divorced and married again bringing new people into 
Terri’s life. Melvin married Nancy Reider and her two children. A 
daughter Debbie (Reider) Gray and a son Mark Reider. Betty married 
Archie Aman and his daughter Lorri (Aman) Grafel.
 Terri married Jack Brown on October 19, 1975, in Loveland, Colorado.
 To this union they had a daughter Jackie Lynn (Brown) Winder. Terri 
moved to California where Jack was stationed in the Marines. They 
returned to Colorado in December 1977. Terri was a stay-at-home mom. She
 did part time jobs here and there. She helped out wherever she could. 
She loved to crochet and color pictures. Her favorite past time was 
collecting figurines. She loved animals, angels, and crystals. 
 Terri had the spirit of adventure, she loved road trips anywhere at 
any time. Most of all she loved spending time with family and friends. 
In 1984, she moved to Kansas to be closer to her sister Cindi and her 
family. She divorced Jack and remained in Kansas to be close to her 
daughter until her passing.
 Terri was preceded in death by her dad and stepmom, Melvin and Nancy
 West, of Loveland, Colorado and mom and stepdad, Betty and Archie Aman,
 of Loveland, Colorado.
 She leaves behind her daughter, Jackie Lynn (Brown) Winder and 
husband James of Oberlin, Kansas; sisters: Cindi (West) Grafel and 
husband Kyle of Herndon, Kansas, Lorri (Aman) Grafel and husband Kent of
 Culbertson, Nebraska, Debbie (Reider) Gray and husband Mike of Montana;
 brother, Mark Reider of Cut Bend, Montana; Granddaughters: Carmen 
(Winder) Ridpath and husband Joseph of Goodland, Kansas, Cheyenne Winder
 of Oberlin, Kansas and a lot of nieces, nephews and great friends.
 She will be missed deeply by all.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628107007618.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Terri Brown, 66, received her angel wings on July 24, 2021, at her 
daughter’s home in Oberlin, Kansas. Terri was born to Melvin and Betty 
(Norton) West on March 9, 1955, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Terri lived 
in the Loveland-Fort Collins area most of her childhood. She was 
surrounded by her dad, mom, and sister Cindi (West) Grafel.
 Her parents divorced and married again bringing new people into 
Terri’s life. Melvin married Nancy Reider and her two children. A 
daughter Debbie (Reider) Gray and a son Mark Reider. Betty married 
Archie Aman and his daughter Lorri (Aman) Grafel.
 Terri married Jack Brown on October 19, 1975, in Loveland, Colorado.
 To this union they had a daughter Jackie Lynn (Brown) Winder. Terri 
moved to California where Jack was stationed in the Marines. They 
returned to Colorado in December 1977. Terri was a stay-at-home mom. She
 did part time jobs here and there. She helped out wherever she could. 
She loved to crochet and color pictures. Her favorite past time was 
collecting figurines. She loved animals, angels, and crystals. 
 Terri had the spirit of adventure, she loved road trips anywhere at 
any time. Most of all she loved spending time with family and friends. 
In 1984, she moved to Kansas to be closer to her sister Cindi and her 
family. She divorced Jack and remained in Kansas to be close to her 
daughter until her passing.
 Terri was preceded in death by her dad and stepmom, Melvin and Nancy
 West, of Loveland, Colorado and mom and stepdad, Betty and Archie Aman,
 of Loveland, Colorado.
 She leaves behind her daughter, Jackie Lynn (Brown) Winder and 
husband James of Oberlin, Kansas; sisters: Cindi (West) Grafel and 
husband Kyle of Herndon, Kansas, Lorri (Aman) Grafel and husband Kent of
 Culbertson, Nebraska, Debbie (Reider) Gray and husband Mike of Montana;
 brother, Mark Reider of Cut Bend, Montana; Granddaughters: Carmen 
(Winder) Ridpath and husband Joseph of Goodland, Kansas, Cheyenne Winder
 of Oberlin, Kansas and a lot of nieces, nephews and great friends.
 She will be missed deeply by all.

Terri Lynn Brown

SPRINGDALE, ARK.— Tyson Foods is requiring its team members at U.S. office locations to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021. All other team members are required to be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions, according to a media release from the company.&nbsp;

Exceptions to the vaccination mandate will involve workers who seek medical or religious accommodation.

"Once fully vaccinated, and verified in the Vaccination Verification Program, employees will receive $200 as thank you for doing your part to keep us all safe, subject to ongoing discussions with our unions," <a href="https://thefeed.blog/2021/08/03/our-next-step-in-the-fight-against-the-pandemic/">according to a memo to team members</a> from President and CEO Donnie King.

This action makes Tyson Foods the largest U.S. food company to require COVID-19 vaccinations for its entire workforce. Almost half of Tyson Foods’ U.S. workforce has been vaccinated and coronavirus infection rates among team members remain low.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the single most effective thing we can do to protect our team members, their families and their communities,” said Dr. Claudia Coplein, Chief Medical Officer, Tyson Foods. “With rapidly rising COVID-19 case counts of contagious, dangerous variants leading to increasing rates of severe illness and hospitalization among the U.S. unvaccinated population, this is the right time to take the next step to ensure a fully vaccinated workforce.”

Since February, Tyson Foods has hosted more than 100 vaccination events for team members across the country and more than 56,000 U.S. team members have been vaccinated so far. Additional onsite vaccination events will be scheduled, and the company will continue to collaborate with local health departments and healthcare providers to make the vaccine more accessible. &nbsp;

In addition to the $200, the company will compensate workers for up to four hours of regular pay if they are vaccinated outside of their normal shift or through an external source. &nbsp;

To date, Tyson Foods has spent more than $700 million related to COVID-19, including on efforts to combat its spread, such as buying masks, face shields and temperature scanners, installing protective barriers and providing on-site testing and vaccinations. It also partnered with an independent medical provider to bring medical services on site, hired an additional 200 nurses and its first Chief Medical Officer. In addition, Tyson Foods has invested countless hours educating our team members, in dozens of languages, about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618924071042.png" alt="Since February, Tyson Foods has hosted more than 100 vaccination events for team members across the country, according to a media release from the company -Photo courtesy Tyson Foods" />
 <figcaption>Since February, Tyson Foods has hosted more than 100 vaccination events for team members across the country, according to a media release from the company -Photo courtesy Tyson Foods</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGDALE, ARK.— Tyson Foods is requiring its team members at U.S. office locations to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021. All other team members are required to be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions, according to a media release from the company.&nbsp;Exceptions to the vaccination mandate will involve workers who seek medical or religious accommodation."Once fully vaccinated, and verified in the Vaccination Verification Program, employees will receive $200 as thank you for doing your part to keep us all safe, subject to ongoing discussions with our unions," <a href="https://thefeed.blog/2021/08/03/our-next-step-in-the-fight-against-the-pandemic/">according to a memo to team members</a> from President and CEO Donnie King.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593167451853.png" alt="Photo courtesy Tyson Foods" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Tyson Foods</figcaption>
 </figure>This action makes Tyson Foods the largest U.S. food company to require COVID-19 vaccinations for its entire workforce. Almost half of Tyson Foods’ U.S. workforce has been vaccinated and coronavirus infection rates among team members remain low.“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the single most effective thing we can do to protect our team members, their families and their communities,” said Dr. Claudia Coplein, Chief Medical Officer, Tyson Foods. “With rapidly rising COVID-19 case counts of contagious, dangerous variants leading to increasing rates of severe illness and hospitalization among the U.S. unvaccinated population, this is the right time to take the next step to ensure a fully vaccinated workforce.”Since February, Tyson Foods has hosted more than 100 vaccination events for team members across the country and more than 56,000 U.S. team members have been vaccinated so far. Additional onsite vaccination events will be scheduled, and the company will continue to collaborate with local health departments and healthcare providers to make the vaccine more accessible. &nbsp;In addition to the $200, the company will compensate workers for up to four hours of regular pay if they are vaccinated outside of their normal shift or through an external source. &nbsp;To date, Tyson Foods has spent more than $700 million related to COVID-19, including on efforts to combat its spread, such as buying masks, face shields and temperature scanners, installing protective barriers and providing on-site testing and vaccinations. It also partnered with an independent medical provider to bring medical services on site, hired an additional 200 nurses and its first Chief Medical Officer. In addition, Tyson Foods has invested countless hours educating our team members, in dozens of languages, about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccine Mandate: Tyson workers get $200 to take COVID shot

If there are areas of the garden that are done producing, chop and shred residue in preparation for tilling. If soils are wet, wait a few days so the soil is no longer muddy. Tilling in residue allows plant material to decompose and helps reduce insect and disease problems for the next year. Also, consider using a cover crop to hold the soil and increase the organic matter content of the soil. Small grains such as wheat should be seeded at 3/4 to 1 pound of seed per 1,000 square feet from mid-September to late October. &nbsp;Spring oats can also be seeded until mid-September but the rate should be 2 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. &nbsp;Spring oats will winter kill and can be tilled under in the spring. &nbsp;Legume cover crops such as hairy vetch, alfalfa, and sweet clover provide an additional benefit by "fixing" nitrogen, thereby increasing the fertility of the soil. Each of these should be seeded at about 1/4 to ½ pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet of garden. Sweetclover should be seeded from August to early September and hairy vetch and alfalfa from mid-August to late September. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>If there are areas of the garden that are done producing, chop and shred residue in preparation for tilling. If soils are wet, wait a few days so the soil is no longer muddy. Tilling in residue allows plant material to decompose and helps reduce insect and disease problems for the next year. Also, consider using a cover crop to hold the soil and increase the organic matter content of the soil. Small grains such as wheat should be seeded at 3/4 to 1 pound of seed per 1,000 square feet from mid-September to late October. &nbsp;Spring oats can also be seeded until mid-September but the rate should be 2 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. &nbsp;Spring oats will winter kill and can be tilled under in the spring. &nbsp;Legume cover crops such as hairy vetch, alfalfa, and sweet clover provide an additional benefit by "fixing" nitrogen, thereby increasing the fertility of the soil. Each of these should be seeded at about 1/4 to ½ pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet of garden. Sweetclover should be seeded from August to early September and hairy vetch and alfalfa from mid-August to late September. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Preparing the vegetable garden for next year

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A grand jury indicted a man and woman on a first-degree murder charge alleging they strangled a woman and dismembered her body, the Jackson County prosecutor announced Monday.

Kansas City-area residents Michael Hendricks, 40, and Maggie Ybarra, 30, are charged with killing 32-year-old Kensie Renee Aubry. The grand jury also indicted them on harassment, first-degree sexual misconduct and child molestation charges, among others.

Aubry went missing in October. A teenage girl who said Hendricks sexually assaulted her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-michael-brown-8bbb5388d4a5f00b1ea2bc5acf269cda">helped police find Aubry's body</a>.

Police in July found Aubry's body in garbage bags buried in Hendricks' Grain Valley, Missouri, property.

“Our community owes greatly a child victim in this case who came forward and alerted police of the gruesome criminal activity detailed in these charges,” Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a statement. “Without her bravery, we might not know today Kensie Aubry’s fate.”

Hendricks' lawyer in an email said he remains “steadfast in our determination to represent Mr. Hendricks with a robust defense.”

Ybarra's public defender didn't immediately return an Associated Press request for comment Monday.

The teenage girl, who was in foster care, told police that Hendricks confessed to choking the woman and putting her body in a freezer. The girl said Hendricks showed her photos of a naked and bound woman and the chainsaw he allegedly used to chop up her body.

Ybarra was arrested in late April and jailed on sexual abuse charges related to the teenage girl, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article252836573.html">reported</a>. Police alleged that Ybarra called Hendricks from jail and asked him to throw away evidence at her house.

Ybarra is also charged with multiple crimes related to tampering with a victim. According to charging documents, Ybarra attempted to get other people to buy gifts for the teenage girl and pressure her to take back what she told police.

Police said Ybarra met Hendricks after he paid her for sex sometime last year. Ybarra has described Hendricks as both her boss and her boyfriend to police. Hendricks' wife filed for divorce within days of his June arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1627949313111.png" alt="Hendricks photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hendricks photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A grand jury indicted a man and woman on a first-degree murder charge alleging they strangled a woman and dismembered her body, the Jackson County prosecutor announced Monday.Kansas City-area residents Michael Hendricks, 40, and Maggie Ybarra, 30, are charged with killing 32-year-old Kensie Renee Aubry. The grand jury also indicted them on harassment, first-degree sexual misconduct and child molestation charges, among others.Aubry went missing in October. A teenage girl who said Hendricks sexually assaulted her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-michael-brown-8bbb5388d4a5f00b1ea2bc5acf269cda">helped police find Aubry's body</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626354604788.png" alt="Police found Aubry's body buried on Hendricks' Grain Valley&nbsp; property-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police found Aubry's body buried on Hendricks' Grain Valley&nbsp; property-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police in July found Aubry's body in garbage bags buried in Hendricks' Grain Valley, Missouri, property.“Our community owes greatly a child victim in this case who came forward and alerted police of the gruesome criminal activity detailed in these charges,” Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a statement. “Without her bravery, we might not know today Kensie Aubry’s fate.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1627949238765.png" alt="Ybarra photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Ybarra photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hendricks' lawyer in an email said he remains “steadfast in our determination to represent Mr. Hendricks with a robust defense.”Ybarra's public defender didn't immediately return an Associated Press request for comment Monday.The teenage girl, who was in foster care, told police that Hendricks confessed to choking the woman and putting her body in a freezer. The girl said Hendricks showed her photos of a naked and bound woman and the chainsaw he allegedly used to chop up her body.Ybarra was arrested in late April and jailed on sexual abuse charges related to the teenage girl, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article252836573.html">reported</a>. Police alleged that Ybarra called Hendricks from jail and asked him to throw away evidence at her house.Ybarra is also charged with multiple crimes related to tampering with a victim. According to charging documents, Ybarra attempted to get other people to buy gifts for the teenage girl and pressure her to take back what she told police.Police said Ybarra met Hendricks after he paid her for sex sometime last year. Ybarra has described Hendricks as both her boss and her boyfriend to police. Hendricks' wife filed for divorce within days of his June arrest.

KC-area couple charged with killing, dismembering woman

Gloria Ann Dockstader, 82, of Bunker Hill, Kansas, died on Thursday, 
July 22, 2021, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Russell, 
Kansas.

Gloria was born on March 18, 1939, on the family farm in Bunker Hill,
 Kansas, the daughter of Guy and Elenore (Sharp) Duvall.&nbsp; The youngest 
of 10 kids she grew up on the farm known today as Duvall Cove and 
graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1957, and later graduated from
 Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; She met fell in love and was 
united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Louis Dockstader on September 14, 
1962 in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; From this union Gloria and Robert were blessed
 with two daughters, Patty and Elizabeth.&nbsp; They made their home in rural
 Russell, Kansas, north of Bunker Hill.&nbsp; She worked as a homemaker and 
farm wife, working together with her husband on the family farm. &nbsp;Bob 
preceded her in death on October 05, 2005.&nbsp; After Bob’s passing, for 
many years, she continued to enjoy raising cattle and horses.&nbsp; She also 
enjoyed driving around the country roads, seeing family and spending 
time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include her daughters Elizabeth Krape and husband 
Tad of St. Lucie, Florida and Patty Krape of Russell, Kansas;&nbsp; 2 
grandchildren Ashley Hopper and husband Jeremy of Russell, Kansas and 
Mary Carabajal and husband Calen of Lawrence, Kansas and 2 great 
grandchildren Abigal and Janae Hopper of Russell, Kansas.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, brothers Guy, Duane 
and Dean Duvall and sisters Mary Chard, Isabel Letsch, Vivian Steinle, 
Betty Neill, Wilma Mills and Elnora Cook. There will be a private family
 service at a later date and cremation has been selected.&nbsp; An open 
visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, August 5, 2021, 
at the mortuary, with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. 
Thursday evening.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is 
in charge of the arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627409837458.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gloria Ann Dockstader, 82, of Bunker Hill, Kansas, died on Thursday, 
July 22, 2021, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Russell, 
Kansas.Gloria was born on March 18, 1939, on the family farm in Bunker Hill,
 Kansas, the daughter of Guy and Elenore (Sharp) Duvall.&nbsp; The youngest 
of 10 kids she grew up on the farm known today as Duvall Cove and 
graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1957, and later graduated from
 Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; She met fell in love and was 
united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Louis Dockstader on September 14, 
1962 in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; From this union Gloria and Robert were blessed
 with two daughters, Patty and Elizabeth.&nbsp; They made their home in rural
 Russell, Kansas, north of Bunker Hill.&nbsp; She worked as a homemaker and 
farm wife, working together with her husband on the family farm. &nbsp;Bob 
preceded her in death on October 05, 2005.&nbsp; After Bob’s passing, for 
many years, she continued to enjoy raising cattle and horses.&nbsp; She also 
enjoyed driving around the country roads, seeing family and spending 
time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.Surviving family include her daughters Elizabeth Krape and husband 
Tad of St. Lucie, Florida and Patty Krape of Russell, Kansas;&nbsp; 2 
grandchildren Ashley Hopper and husband Jeremy of Russell, Kansas and 
Mary Carabajal and husband Calen of Lawrence, Kansas and 2 great 
grandchildren Abigal and Janae Hopper of Russell, Kansas.She was also preceded in death by her parents, brothers Guy, Duane 
and Dean Duvall and sisters Mary Chard, Isabel Letsch, Vivian Steinle, 
Betty Neill, Wilma Mills and Elnora Cook. There will be a private family
 service at a later date and cremation has been selected.&nbsp; An open 
visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, August 5, 2021, 
at the mortuary, with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. 
Thursday evening.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is 
in charge of the arrangements.

Gloria Ann Dockstader

Birney Joseph Feldt passed away at Parker Adventist Hospital, Parker, 
Colorado, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at the age of 59. He was born to 
Robert and Leona (Cousins) Feldt on October 2, 1961, in Hoxie, Kansas. 
Birney was the youngest of three boys. He grew up on a farm outside of 
Menlo, Kansas and attended Hoxie Grade School and Hoxie High School, 
graduating with the class of 1979. 
 On April 19, 1980, in Leoville, Kansas, Birney married the love of 
his life and best friend, Virginia (Zodrow) Feldt. They were blest with
 two daughters, Angela and Erin. 
 After 36 years of living and raising their family in Hoxie, Birney 
and Virginia made the difficult decision to leave the only place they 
had ever called home to embark on a new journey in Kearney, NE. 
 Birney had many hobbies that kept him busy. He always had a passion 
for farming and raising animals. He loved raising cattle and pigs. He 
was co-owner of Elevated Pastures, a custom poultry and pork farm in 
Colorado. He enjoyed playing golf and visiting new golf courses. In 
the spring, Birney would enjoy fishing and going to the lake. He enjoyed
 opening weekend of pheasant hunting with friends and family. His 
biggest joy, however, came from spending time with his wife, Virginia. 
He loved his wife, girls, and grandchildren, and they were the most 
important thing in the world to him.
 Birney was a member St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, 
Kansas; Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Kearney, Nebraska; Our Lady of 
the Visitation Catholic Church, Elizabeth, CO, Knights of Columbus, and 
Hoxie Golf Club. 
 Birney is survived by his daughters Angela Paulsen and her husband 
Jeff of Lincoln, Nebraska; Erin Bieker and her husband Brent of 
Elizabeth, Colorado; grandchildren, Hayden Bieker, Jacob Paulsen, Tessa 
Bieker, Jace Paulsen; his mother, Leona Feldt, brothers, Terry Feldt and
 wife Kathleen, and Tom Feldt and wife Paulette, Hoxie, Kansas.
 He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Feldt; father, Robert Feldt, and in-laws Seraphine and Florence Zodrow.
 A funeral service is planned for Thursday, July 29, 2021, at the St.
 Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas at 10:00 A.M. with 
interment to follow in the St. Frances Catholic Cemetery, Hoxie, Kansas.
 A visitation is planned for Wednesday, July 28, 2018, from 1:00 P.M. 
until 8:00 P.M. Family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 
P.M. A vigil service will be held at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, July 28, 
2021. Visitation and Vigil will be held at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral 
Home. Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk. 
On-line condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
 Birney had a kind and fun-loving soul. He was the first to offer 
help to anyone in need. He had a deep love for his soulmate and best 
friend, Virginia. Although he is gone from this earth, he is resting 
peacefully at home with the Lord and his wife.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627393394090.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Birney Joseph Feldt passed away at Parker Adventist Hospital, Parker, 
Colorado, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at the age of 59. He was born to 
Robert and Leona (Cousins) Feldt on October 2, 1961, in Hoxie, Kansas. 
Birney was the youngest of three boys. He grew up on a farm outside of 
Menlo, Kansas and attended Hoxie Grade School and Hoxie High School, 
graduating with the class of 1979. 
 On April 19, 1980, in Leoville, Kansas, Birney married the love of 
his life and best friend, Virginia (Zodrow) Feldt. They were blest with
 two daughters, Angela and Erin. 
 After 36 years of living and raising their family in Hoxie, Birney 
and Virginia made the difficult decision to leave the only place they 
had ever called home to embark on a new journey in Kearney, NE. 
 Birney had many hobbies that kept him busy. He always had a passion 
for farming and raising animals. He loved raising cattle and pigs. He 
was co-owner of Elevated Pastures, a custom poultry and pork farm in 
Colorado. He enjoyed playing golf and visiting new golf courses. In 
the spring, Birney would enjoy fishing and going to the lake. He enjoyed
 opening weekend of pheasant hunting with friends and family. His 
biggest joy, however, came from spending time with his wife, Virginia. 
He loved his wife, girls, and grandchildren, and they were the most 
important thing in the world to him.
 Birney was a member St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, 
Kansas; Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Kearney, Nebraska; Our Lady of 
the Visitation Catholic Church, Elizabeth, CO, Knights of Columbus, and 
Hoxie Golf Club. 
 Birney is survived by his daughters Angela Paulsen and her husband 
Jeff of Lincoln, Nebraska; Erin Bieker and her husband Brent of 
Elizabeth, Colorado; grandchildren, Hayden Bieker, Jacob Paulsen, Tessa 
Bieker, Jace Paulsen; his mother, Leona Feldt, brothers, Terry Feldt and
 wife Kathleen, and Tom Feldt and wife Paulette, Hoxie, Kansas.
 He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Feldt; father, Robert Feldt, and in-laws Seraphine and Florence Zodrow.
 A funeral service is planned for Thursday, July 29, 2021, at the St.
 Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas at 10:00 A.M. with 
interment to follow in the St. Frances Catholic Cemetery, Hoxie, Kansas.
 A visitation is planned for Wednesday, July 28, 2018, from 1:00 P.M. 
until 8:00 P.M. Family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 
P.M. A vigil service will be held at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, July 28, 
2021. Visitation and Vigil will be held at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral 
Home. Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk. 
On-line condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
 Birney had a kind and fun-loving soul. He was the first to offer 
help to anyone in need. He had a deep love for his soulmate and best 
friend, Virginia. Although he is gone from this earth, he is resting 
peacefully at home with the Lord and his wife.

Birney Joseph Feldt

Robert Louis Berens, age 90, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital. Robert was born December 9, 1930, to Louis and Rose (Hazelhorst) Berens in Collyer, Kansas.&nbsp;

After graduating high school, Robert enlisted in the United States Navy in January of 1951, proudly serving his country in Korea before his discharge in December of 1954. On October 16, 1962, Robert was united in marriage to Joan Ziegler, and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage. To their union, two children were born. Robert loved his farm and took great pride in his work and his cattle.

Robert was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and church council. He was on the board of directors for the Federal Land Bank, served as a volunteer firefighter, and loved sports, especially those involving K-State. He also loved to dance with his wife, adored his grandchildren, and loved to spend time with them, and enjoyed having hunters out to the farm every year to visit and chat with them. Robert was a very kind and loving father, and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community.

Robert is survived by his wife Joan; son Glenn (Lori) Buchholz of El Dorado, Kansas; daughter Melissa (Max) Atwood of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren Morgan Buchholz of Nashville, Tennessee, Brandon (Julianne) Atwood of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Gregory Atwood (and fiancé Cali) of Gardner, Kansas; and sisters Darlene Stenzel of Overland Park, Kansas, Joan Deges of Aurora, Colorado, and Karen Coons of Sebastian, Florida.

Those preceding Robert in death are both parents; and sisters Mary Lou Goetz, and Gloriann Goodman.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney with Father Charles Steier as celebrant.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, with a vigil service beginning at 7:00 PM, and rosary to follow.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Trego County Endowment Center or Heritage of our Forefathers Inc. Restoration of the St. Michael’s church and cemetery in Collyer, Kansas. Donations to the organizations can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th St, WaKeeney, Kansas, 67672.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627242117683.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robert Louis Berens, age 90, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital. Robert was born December 9, 1930, to Louis and Rose (Hazelhorst) Berens in Collyer, Kansas.&nbsp;After graduating high school, Robert enlisted in the United States Navy in January of 1951, proudly serving his country in Korea before his discharge in December of 1954. On October 16, 1962, Robert was united in marriage to Joan Ziegler, and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage. To their union, two children were born. Robert loved his farm and took great pride in his work and his cattle.Robert was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and church council. He was on the board of directors for the Federal Land Bank, served as a volunteer firefighter, and loved sports, especially those involving K-State. He also loved to dance with his wife, adored his grandchildren, and loved to spend time with them, and enjoyed having hunters out to the farm every year to visit and chat with them. Robert was a very kind and loving father, and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community.Robert is survived by his wife Joan; son Glenn (Lori) Buchholz of El Dorado, Kansas; daughter Melissa (Max) Atwood of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren Morgan Buchholz of Nashville, Tennessee, Brandon (Julianne) Atwood of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Gregory Atwood (and fiancé Cali) of Gardner, Kansas; and sisters Darlene Stenzel of Overland Park, Kansas, Joan Deges of Aurora, Colorado, and Karen Coons of Sebastian, Florida.Those preceding Robert in death are both parents; and sisters Mary Lou Goetz, and Gloriann Goodman.A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney with Father Charles Steier as celebrant.Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, with a vigil service beginning at 7:00 PM, and rosary to follow.Memorial contributions are suggested to Trego County Endowment Center or Heritage of our Forefathers Inc. Restoration of the St. Michael’s church and cemetery in Collyer, Kansas. Donations to the organizations can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th St, WaKeeney, Kansas, 67672.Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

Robert L. Berens

James R. Lofland, 95, passed away July 24, 2021, at Hospice House, 
Hutchinson. He was born April 7, 1926, in Stafford, KS, the son of James
 P. &amp; Leah (Keesling) Lofland. On June 18, 1949, he married Joyce L.
 Mohr in Wichita. She died October 5, 2019.

James lived most of his life in Great Bend. He worked for American 
Electric until he retired in 1986. He was also self employed with Jim’s 
Lawn Service and continued working his business into his 80’s. James was
 an active member and trustee of Central Baptist Church and a member of 
the American Legion Post #180. He always had a story to tell and anyone 
who met him most likely heard one or two of them. James was a veteran of
 the United States Navy, having served during WWII.

James is survived by his children, Janna Huschka and husband Kurt of 
Hutchinson, Jill Hopper and husband Derrel of Arvada,&nbsp;Colo., Jerry 
Lofland and wife Paige of Great Bend, and Jackie Goosen and husband 
LoWayne of Freeman, SD; his sisters, Darlene Unruh of Houston, Tex., and
 Mayme DuBois of Oberlin; 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. 
James was preceeded in death by his parents; his children, James Lofland
 and Julia Barnes; his brother, Arthur Lofland; and his sisters, Pauline
 Crowley, Alice Biskeborn, Letha Luther and Elise Hiss.

There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place.&nbsp; Memorial 
services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Central 
Baptist Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627325768240.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>James R. Lofland, 95, passed away July 24, 2021, at Hospice House, 
Hutchinson. He was born April 7, 1926, in Stafford, KS, the son of James
 P. &amp; Leah (Keesling) Lofland. On June 18, 1949, he married Joyce L.
 Mohr in Wichita. She died October 5, 2019.James lived most of his life in Great Bend. He worked for American 
Electric until he retired in 1986. He was also self employed with Jim’s 
Lawn Service and continued working his business into his 80’s. James was
 an active member and trustee of Central Baptist Church and a member of 
the American Legion Post #180. He always had a story to tell and anyone 
who met him most likely heard one or two of them. James was a veteran of
 the United States Navy, having served during WWII.James is survived by his children, Janna Huschka and husband Kurt of 
Hutchinson, Jill Hopper and husband Derrel of Arvada,&nbsp;Colo., Jerry 
Lofland and wife Paige of Great Bend, and Jackie Goosen and husband 
LoWayne of Freeman, SD; his sisters, Darlene Unruh of Houston, Tex., and
 Mayme DuBois of Oberlin; 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. 
James was preceeded in death by his parents; his children, James Lofland
 and Julia Barnes; his brother, Arthur Lofland; and his sisters, Pauline
 Crowley, Alice Biskeborn, Letha Luther and Elise Hiss.There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place.&nbsp; Memorial 
services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Central 
Baptist Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

James R. Lofland

Loris Dean “Bud” Hestermann passed away at the Good Samaritan Society, 
Atwood, Kansas, on July 21, 2021, at the age of 91. Bud was born on July
 22, 1929, on the farm north of Ludell, to Henry and Emma (Niermeier) 
Hestermann. Bud was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 
Ludell. He graduated from Atwood High School in 1947 and enlisted in the
 United States Air Force in December 1950. He served at Moses Lake, 
Washington and England, before being honorably discharged. 
On November 12, 1955, he married the love of his life, Betty Wicke. Four
 sons were born to their union, Thomas, Richard, John, and James. 
Bud was a rural mail carrier for over 40 years, from June 28, 1958, 
until October 29, 1999. Bud was also engaged in farming the family farm 
with his brother Fran, until 1984. 
Bud was a good-hearted soul who had a deep faith and love for God and 
family with his wife, Betty. He was a church elder for many years, sang 
in church choirs for decades and was active in the Lutheran Laymen’s 
League (now Lutheran Hour Ministries) holding several district and state
 offices. 
Preceding him in death were his wife; his parents; son John (1996); 
brothers, Harold and Edwin Holste, and Francis Hestermann; sisters, 
Irene Hart, Elfrieda Tobias, Laura McGuire, and Ruth Penzes; and baby 
brothers Gerhard and Herman Holste and Henry Hestermann. 
He is survived by a sister Norma Wegener of Norton, KS; sons, Thomas and
 wife Francine, of Hays KS, Richard, of Valley Center, KS and James and 
wife Roxane, of Valley Center, KS; daughter-in-law Deb Hestermann, 
Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren Jeremy Coulter, Hays, KS, Joshua 
Coulter(Rose), Cypress, TX, Metka Kolm (Allen), Norfolk NE, Kasandra 
Hoover(Cody), Burlington, CO, Tysa Ostrander (Kelby), Henderson, NE, 
Zane Hestermann, Hays, KS, Jayme Hestermann (Alisha), Bakersfield, CA, 
Zachary Hestermann(Nichole), Maize, KS and great-grandchildren Sophia 
Mickelson-Coulter, Riley and Tobias Coulter, Kyler and Mariah Kolm, Evan
 and Grace Hoover, Kaleb and Damon Ostrander, Hayden and Jax Hestermann 
and Avery and Ryder Hestermann. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Baalmann Mortuary, 
Atwood. Funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Atwood, and will be live 
streamed on the church’s facebook page. Interment will take place at 
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ludell. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran 
Hour Ministries or the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch and sent in care of 
Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or 
condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627242289408.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Loris Dean “Bud” Hestermann passed away at the Good Samaritan Society, 
Atwood, Kansas, on July 21, 2021, at the age of 91. Bud was born on July
 22, 1929, on the farm north of Ludell, to Henry and Emma (Niermeier) 
Hestermann. Bud was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 
Ludell. He graduated from Atwood High School in 1947 and enlisted in the
 United States Air Force in December 1950. He served at Moses Lake, 
Washington and England, before being honorably discharged. 
On November 12, 1955, he married the love of his life, Betty Wicke. Four
 sons were born to their union, Thomas, Richard, John, and James. 
Bud was a rural mail carrier for over 40 years, from June 28, 1958, 
until October 29, 1999. Bud was also engaged in farming the family farm 
with his brother Fran, until 1984. 
Bud was a good-hearted soul who had a deep faith and love for God and 
family with his wife, Betty. He was a church elder for many years, sang 
in church choirs for decades and was active in the Lutheran Laymen’s 
League (now Lutheran Hour Ministries) holding several district and state
 offices. 
Preceding him in death were his wife; his parents; son John (1996); 
brothers, Harold and Edwin Holste, and Francis Hestermann; sisters, 
Irene Hart, Elfrieda Tobias, Laura McGuire, and Ruth Penzes; and baby 
brothers Gerhard and Herman Holste and Henry Hestermann. 
He is survived by a sister Norma Wegener of Norton, KS; sons, Thomas and
 wife Francine, of Hays KS, Richard, of Valley Center, KS and James and 
wife Roxane, of Valley Center, KS; daughter-in-law Deb Hestermann, 
Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren Jeremy Coulter, Hays, KS, Joshua 
Coulter(Rose), Cypress, TX, Metka Kolm (Allen), Norfolk NE, Kasandra 
Hoover(Cody), Burlington, CO, Tysa Ostrander (Kelby), Henderson, NE, 
Zane Hestermann, Hays, KS, Jayme Hestermann (Alisha), Bakersfield, CA, 
Zachary Hestermann(Nichole), Maize, KS and great-grandchildren Sophia 
Mickelson-Coulter, Riley and Tobias Coulter, Kyler and Mariah Kolm, Evan
 and Grace Hoover, Kaleb and Damon Ostrander, Hayden and Jax Hestermann 
and Avery and Ryder Hestermann. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Baalmann Mortuary, 
Atwood. Funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Atwood, and will be live 
streamed on the church’s facebook page. Interment will take place at 
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ludell. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran 
Hour Ministries or the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch and sent in care of 
Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or 
condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Loris Dean 'Bud' Hestermann

Frances L. Stocking, age 99, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 22, 2020. She passed away at home with family and friends in Choctaw Beach, FL. Frances was born in Severance, Kansas, to the late Charles Frank and Emma Albers. 

She married Clark Stocking in May, 1942, who preceded her in death on June 8, 2010. She was also preceded in death by her son, Dennis, and siblings Louis, Charles, Catherine, Carolyn and Frieda. Frances was a member of the Main Street Christian Church of Stockton, Kansas. 

Frances leaves her cherished memories to her two loving daughters, Mary Locke of Choctaw Beach, FL and Sharon McDonald of Raytown, MO., five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Frances’ life will be held on August 7 at 10:00 at the Stockton cemetery in Stockton, KS. Expressions of love and sympathy may be viewed or placed at Plumer Overlease Funeral Home.

Click <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Frances-Stocking?obId=21776882#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627241971272.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Frances L. Stocking, age 99, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 22, 2020. She passed away at home with family and friends in Choctaw Beach, FL. Frances was born in Severance, Kansas, to the late Charles Frank and Emma Albers. She married Clark Stocking in May, 1942, who preceded her in death on June 8, 2010. She was also preceded in death by her son, Dennis, and siblings Louis, Charles, Catherine, Carolyn and Frieda. Frances was a member of the Main Street Christian Church of Stockton, Kansas. Frances leaves her cherished memories to her two loving daughters, Mary Locke of Choctaw Beach, FL and Sharon McDonald of Raytown, MO., five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Frances’ life will be held on August 7 at 10:00 at the Stockton cemetery in Stockton, KS. Expressions of love and sympathy may be viewed or placed at Plumer Overlease Funeral Home.Click <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Frances-Stocking?obId=21776882#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Frances L. Stocking

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri couple&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-fe24ade3e378bfb53796a0af7cd71deb">facing multiple charges of abuse against girls&nbsp;</a>at a Christian reform school have been released from jail and placed on home confinement after they reported health issues.

In a bond hearing on Friday, Circuit Judge David Munton released Boyd and Stephanie Householder from the Cedar County jail after setting a $10,000 bond for the couple. They will be on house arrest with GPS monitoring pending their trial.

The couple's attorney said in a court filings that Boyd Householder, 72, has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and Beth Householder, 56, has a serious blood clot disorder that might cause her to lose her foot.

Attorney Adam Woody said the couple needs medical care that county jails cannot provide.

The Householders have been accused of statutory rape, sodomy, physical abuse and neglect against girls at the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch they operated near Humansville. They pleaded not guilty in March.

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued in its response to the request for Friday's bond hearing that no medical documentation or doctor's diagnosis had been provided to confirm the couple's health issues or their need for extra medical care.

Prosecutors have argued in the past against releasing the Householders, saying they are a flight risk and a danger to the community and their alleged victims.

A woman who attended Circle of Hope from October 2007 to January 2013 said she was “shocked and horrified” that the couple was released.

“I thought they would be in custody until the trial. … I’m worried that they are going to run or start targeting girls,” said Maggie Drew.

Circle of Hope was closed after about two dozen girls&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-kansas-social-media-archive-michael-brown-87ba63e06f2cc6e7661dc806a6c77da4">were removed&nbsp;</a>during an investigation into the allegations last summer.

Four lawsuits filed by former students against the school have been settled. The girls alleged in the lawsuits that they were raped, thrown against walls, forced to eat until they vomited and starved by the Householders.

Residential religious care facilities were exempted from state licensure requirements. Prompted by the Circle of Hope allegations, Republican Gov. Mike Parson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-michael-brown-0377a84c0cdf657eb2173f90cedb0c30">signed a bill</a>&nbsp;this month to regulate the unlicensed schools.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615414551416.png" alt="Householder-photo Cedar Co." />
 <figcaption>Householder-photo Cedar Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri couple&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-fe24ade3e378bfb53796a0af7cd71deb">facing multiple charges of abuse against girls&nbsp;</a>at a Christian reform school have been released from jail and placed on home confinement after they reported health issues.In a bond hearing on Friday, Circuit Judge David Munton released Boyd and Stephanie Householder from the Cedar County jail after setting a $10,000 bond for the couple. They will be on house arrest with GPS monitoring pending their trial.The couple's attorney said in a court filings that Boyd Householder, 72, has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and Beth Householder, 56, has a serious blood clot disorder that might cause her to lose her foot.Attorney Adam Woody said the couple needs medical care that county jails cannot provide.The Householders have been accused of statutory rape, sodomy, physical abuse and neglect against girls at the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch they operated near Humansville. They pleaded not guilty in March.The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued in its response to the request for Friday's bond hearing that no medical documentation or doctor's diagnosis had been provided to confirm the couple's health issues or their need for extra medical care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615414571281.png" alt="Householder-photo Cedar Co." />
 <figcaption>Householder-photo Cedar Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Prosecutors have argued in the past against releasing the Householders, saying they are a flight risk and a danger to the community and their alleged victims.A woman who attended Circle of Hope from October 2007 to January 2013 said she was “shocked and horrified” that the couple was released.“I thought they would be in custody until the trial. … I’m worried that they are going to run or start targeting girls,” said Maggie Drew.Circle of Hope was closed after about two dozen girls&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-kansas-social-media-archive-michael-brown-87ba63e06f2cc6e7661dc806a6c77da4">were removed&nbsp;</a>during an investigation into the allegations last summer.Four lawsuits filed by former students against the school have been settled. The girls alleged in the lawsuits that they were raped, thrown against walls, forced to eat until they vomited and starved by the Householders.Residential religious care facilities were exempted from state licensure requirements. Prompted by the Circle of Hope allegations, Republican Gov. Mike Parson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-michael-brown-0377a84c0cdf657eb2173f90cedb0c30">signed a bill</a>&nbsp;this month to regulate the unlicensed schools.