GARDEN CITY – The TMP-Marian
baseball team closed out their regular season with a split in Garden City
Tuesday at Clint Lightner Field. The Monarchs scored 10 runs in the final three
inning and won the opener 14-6 before falling 20-5 in five innings in game two.

The Monarchs closed out
the regular season 17-9. They host Bennington in their 2-1A regional opener
Friday at 5 p.m. at TMP-Marian HS.

Game 1:
TMP-Marian 14, Garden City 6
The Monarchs scored 10 of their 14 runs in the final three innings. Leading by one
run in top of the fifth, Caden Dinkel’s RBI double pushed the lead to 5-3.
Kendall Walker followed with a two-run double to push the lead to 7-3.

Back to back singles
from Braxton Basgall and Ian Nehls then a walk to Carson Liles loaded the bases
in the sixth. Logan Baalmann doubled to drive in two to push the lead to 9-4.
Caden Dinkel pushed across another run when he was hit by a pitch with the
bases loaded. Adler Brown drew a bases loaded walk to push the lead to 11-4.

Liles hit a two-run
inside the park home run and Baalmann scored on a wild pitch to close out TMP’s
scoring in the seventh.

Carson Liles allowed one
run on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks in four innings of relief and
picked up the win. Starter Logan Baalmann allowed three runs (one earned) on
three hits with one strikeout and three walks. Isaac Purington gave up two runs
on two hits with two walks in the seventh.

Baalmann had three of
TMP’s 11 hits and drove in three runs.

Game 2:
Garden City 20, TMP-Marian 5 (5 innings)
The Monarchs scored three runs in the top of the first only to see the Buffaloes
answer with 14 runs on the bottom of the inning.

TMP scored their first
run on an error then then took a 2-0 lead when Logan Baalmann hit into fielder’s
choice. Ty Schmeidler’s sacrifice fly pushed their lead to 3-0.

Garden City took
advantage of seven walks, three hit batters, three singles, a double and a
triple in the bottom of the inning.

The Monarchs were held
to five hits. Schmeidler drove in two of their five runs. 

Schmeidler suffered the
loss on the mound allowing eight runs on two hits with five walks and one
strikeout. Ian Nehls allowed five runs on one hit with two walks before Adler
Brown came in to finish the game and gave up seven runs on nine hits with one
strikeout and three walks.

Hays PostGARDEN CITY – The TMP-Marian
baseball team closed out their regular season with a split in Garden City
Tuesday at Clint Lightner Field. The Monarchs scored 10 runs in the final three
inning and won the opener 14-6 before falling 20-5 in five innings in game two.The Monarchs closed out
the regular season 17-9. They host Bennington in their 2-1A regional opener
Friday at 5 p.m. at TMP-Marian HS.Game 1:
TMP-Marian 14, Garden City 6
The Monarchs scored 10 of their 14 runs in the final three innings. Leading by one
run in top of the fifth, Caden Dinkel’s RBI double pushed the lead to 5-3.
Kendall Walker followed with a two-run double to push the lead to 7-3.Back to back singles
from Braxton Basgall and Ian Nehls then a walk to Carson Liles loaded the bases
in the sixth. Logan Baalmann doubled to drive in two to push the lead to 9-4.
Caden Dinkel pushed across another run when he was hit by a pitch with the
bases loaded. Adler Brown drew a bases loaded walk to push the lead to 11-4.Liles hit a two-run
inside the park home run and Baalmann scored on a wild pitch to close out TMP’s
scoring in the seventh.Carson Liles allowed one
run on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks in four innings of relief and
picked up the win. Starter Logan Baalmann allowed three runs (one earned) on
three hits with one strikeout and three walks. Isaac Purington gave up two runs
on two hits with two walks in the seventh.Baalmann had three of
TMP’s 11 hits and drove in three runs.Game 2:
Garden City 20, TMP-Marian 5 (5 innings)
The Monarchs scored three runs in the top of the first only to see the Buffaloes
answer with 14 runs on the bottom of the inning.TMP scored their first
run on an error then then took a 2-0 lead when Logan Baalmann hit into fielder’s
choice. Ty Schmeidler’s sacrifice fly pushed their lead to 3-0.Garden City took
advantage of seven walks, three hit batters, three singles, a double and a
triple in the bottom of the inning.The Monarchs were held
to five hits. Schmeidler drove in two of their five runs. Schmeidler suffered the
loss on the mound allowing eight runs on two hits with five walks and one
strikeout. Ian Nehls allowed five runs on one hit with two walks before Adler
Brown came in to finish the game and gave up seven runs on nine hits with one
strikeout and three walks.

⚾ TMP-Marian splits with Buffs in regular season finale

GREAT BEND – TMP-Marian
softball closed out their season with couple of losses in Great Bend Tuesday at
the Great Bend Sports Complex. The Monarchs fell by scores of 12-2 and 10-0. 

The Monarchs closed out the
regular season 18-6. Their 2-1A regional pairings are expected to be released
Wednesday.

Game 1:
Great Bend 12, TMP-Marian 2 (6 innings)
 Brynn Rebel opened the game with a double and scored on a Brooke Koeningsman
one-out single to give the Monarchs the early lead.

The Panthers answered
with two in the bottom of the inning then added four in the second along with
single runs in the third and fourth to go up 8-1.

Rebel hit a two-out
double in the fifth and scored on a Hannah Rose single to close out the
Monarchs scoring.

Rebel (8-4) allowed all 12
runs (10 earned) on 12 hits with six strikeouts and no walks and took the loss.



Game 2:
Great Bend 10, TMP-Marian 0 (6 innings)
 The Monarchs were held to a pair of singles from Hannah Rose and Bria Windholz
and committed seven errors.

Great Bend scored a run
in the first then added four in the third and four in the fifth. Then added
another run in the sixth to end the game by run-rule.

Windholz (10-4) allowed
only on earned run on seven hits with four walks and one strikeout over 5 2/3
innings and suffered the loss.

Hays PostGREAT BEND – TMP-Marian
softball closed out their season with couple of losses in Great Bend Tuesday at
the Great Bend Sports Complex. The Monarchs fell by scores of 12-2 and 10-0. The Monarchs closed out the
regular season 18-6. Their 2-1A regional pairings are expected to be released
Wednesday.Game 1:
Great Bend 12, TMP-Marian 2 (6 innings)
 Brynn Rebel opened the game with a double and scored on a Brooke Koeningsman
one-out single to give the Monarchs the early lead.The Panthers answered
with two in the bottom of the inning then added four in the second along with
single runs in the third and fourth to go up 8-1.Rebel hit a two-out
double in the fifth and scored on a Hannah Rose single to close out the
Monarchs scoring.Rebel (8-4) allowed all 12
runs (10 earned) on 12 hits with six strikeouts and no walks and took the loss.

Game 2:
Great Bend 10, TMP-Marian 0 (6 innings)
 The Monarchs were held to a pair of singles from Hannah Rose and Bria Windholz
and committed seven errors.Great Bend scored a run
in the first then added four in the third and four in the fifth. Then added
another run in the sixth to end the game by run-rule.Windholz (10-4) allowed
only on earned run on seven hits with four walks and one strikeout over 5 2/3
innings and suffered the loss.

🥎 Monarchs swept by Panthers in regular season finale

PHILLIPSBURG – Norton shot
a 331 and won the Mel Schremmer Invitational hosted by Philipsburg High School
Tuesday at the Phillipsburg Golf Club. The host Panthers were eight shots back
and finished second with Plainville claiming third with a 341. Ellis placed
fourth (347) and TMP-Marian fifth (351).

Norton junior Eli Jones
won the individual title with a 4-over-par 72. Austin Carroll of Ellis finished
second with a 75 and TMP-Marian Heuer Brungardt tied for third with Plainville’s
Jayden Morris with rounds of 77.

Hays PostPHILLIPSBURG – Norton shot
a 331 and won the Mel Schremmer Invitational hosted by Philipsburg High School
Tuesday at the Phillipsburg Golf Club. The host Panthers were eight shots back
and finished second with Plainville claiming third with a 341. Ellis placed
fourth (347) and TMP-Marian fifth (351).Norton junior Eli Jones
won the individual title with a 4-over-par 72. Austin Carroll of Ellis finished
second with a 75 and TMP-Marian Heuer Brungardt tied for third with Plainville’s
Jayden Morris with rounds of 77.

⛳ Norton wins Mel Schremmer Invite; TMP's Brungardt third

LIBERAL – The Hays High
boys golf team closed out their regular season with a third-place finish Tuesday
at the Liberal Invitational at the Willow Tree Golf Course. The Indians shot a
328 and finished one stroke behind second place Garden City and 18 back of
first place Dodge City.

Two Indians placed in
the top-10. Braxton Banker fired an 8-over-par 80 and finished sixth. Caleb
Thompson shot an 81 and placed 10th. Trey Oakley and Cooper Johnson both had
rounds of 83 and finished just outside the top-10.

Garden City’s Maddix Shook
won the individual title with a 2-over-par 74. He was named the WAC Golfer of
the Year.

HHS finishes third in
the season standings behind Dodge City and Garden City. Thompson was named All-WAC
with Banker named honorable mention. Dodge City’s Jim Mapel was named WAC Coach
of the Year.

HHS will be at the Salina Municipal Golf Course for their 5A regional on Monday.

Hays PostLIBERAL – The Hays High
boys golf team closed out their regular season with a third-place finish Tuesday
at the Liberal Invitational at the Willow Tree Golf Course. The Indians shot a
328 and finished one stroke behind second place Garden City and 18 back of
first place Dodge City.Two Indians placed in
the top-10. Braxton Banker fired an 8-over-par 80 and finished sixth. Caleb
Thompson shot an 81 and placed 10th. Trey Oakley and Cooper Johnson both had
rounds of 83 and finished just outside the top-10.Garden City’s Maddix Shook
won the individual title with a 2-over-par 74. He was named the WAC Golfer of
the Year.HHS finishes third in
the season standings behind Dodge City and Garden City. Thompson was named All-WAC
with Banker named honorable mention. Dodge City’s Jim Mapel was named WAC Coach
of the Year.UP NEXTHHS will be at the Salina Municipal Golf Course for their 5A regional on Monday.

⛳ HHS finishes third in Liberal

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Fort
Hays State senior Morgan Brasser followed her opening round 78 with a 7-over-par
79 and is part of a seven-way tie for 21st place at the NCAA Division II
Central Region Championships at the Hillcrest Country Club.

Brasser started her
round on hole 11 and was 4-over through the first 15 holes before taking a
triple-bogey on the par four seventh.

Rogers State’s Lydia
Sitorus shot a 1-under 71 on day two and leads by three shots at 1-under-par.

Southwestern Oklahoma
State has a four-shot lead over Henderson State (Ark.) in the team standings
heading into Wednesday’s final round.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715170328335.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostBARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Fort
Hays State senior Morgan Brasser followed her opening round 78 with a 7-over-par
79 and is part of a seven-way tie for 21st place at the NCAA Division II
Central Region Championships at the Hillcrest Country Club.Brasser started her
round on hole 11 and was 4-over through the first 15 holes before taking a
triple-bogey on the par four seventh.Rogers State’s Lydia
Sitorus shot a 1-under 71 on day two and leads by three shots at 1-under-par.Southwestern Oklahoma
State has a four-shot lead over Henderson State (Ark.) in the team standings
heading into Wednesday’s final round.

⛳ FHSU's Brasser T-21st after two rounds at NCAA regional

Carolyn Arnold, 75, passed away May 6, 2024, at her home in Great Bend, Kansas. She was born on June 12, 1948, in Larned, Kansas, to Elwood and Druscilla (Post) Cole. On November 20, 1974, she married Leon Arnold in Great Bend.

Being born and raised in Larned, Carolyn was a resident of Great Bend. She was a hard worker, and owned Carolyn’s Corner Café, The Loft, and Classic Inn. She was a competitive person – from being a corn hole champion to a semi-professional bowler to playing cards. Carloyn was an excellent baker, enjoyed fishing, and taking care of and spending time with family, especially the grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Harry Thorne, IV, and wife Helen of Nekoma, Bryan L. Thorne and wife Genoveva of Beloit, and Troy Thorne and wife Danielle of Larned; step daughter, Tracy Lea; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Darrell Cole and wife Vicky of Gordonville, Texas; beloved nieces Vesta, Sonja, Elva and Tina; best friend, Donna Selle; numerous other loved ones; and cherished dogs, Toby and Sparky.

She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Harley, William, and Frank Cole; and four sisters, Gwendolyn Sharp, Diane Armbruster, Sharon Larsen and Phyllis Kelly.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Memorials have been designated to the Carolyn Arnold Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715115581061.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Carolyn Arnold, 75, passed away May 6, 2024, at her home in Great Bend, Kansas. She was born on June 12, 1948, in Larned, Kansas, to Elwood and Druscilla (Post) Cole. On November 20, 1974, she married Leon Arnold in Great Bend.Being born and raised in Larned, Carolyn was a resident of Great Bend. She was a hard worker, and owned Carolyn’s Corner Café, The Loft, and Classic Inn. She was a competitive person – from being a corn hole champion to a semi-professional bowler to playing cards. Carloyn was an excellent baker, enjoyed fishing, and taking care of and spending time with family, especially the grandchildren.Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Harry Thorne, IV, and wife Helen of Nekoma, Bryan L. Thorne and wife Genoveva of Beloit, and Troy Thorne and wife Danielle of Larned; step daughter, Tracy Lea; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Darrell Cole and wife Vicky of Gordonville, Texas; beloved nieces Vesta, Sonja, Elva and Tina; best friend, Donna Selle; numerous other loved ones; and cherished dogs, Toby and Sparky.She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Harley, William, and Frank Cole; and four sisters, Gwendolyn Sharp, Diane Armbruster, Sharon Larsen and Phyllis Kelly.Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Memorials have been designated to the Carolyn Arnold Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.

Carolyn Arnold, age 75

Roger Kampfe II, 67 years of age, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at Wesley Medical Center with his daughter and granddaughter by his side.&nbsp;

Roger was born August 3, 1956 in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Roger and Doris Kampfe. He was the second born out of four sons. Roger attended Phillipsburg High School and later completed an Electrician Apprenticeship in Dillon, Colorado.&nbsp;

Roger married his true love Janet Ann Post December 25, 1978, and they had two children, Justin Paul Kampfe, and Elyse Almina Ann Kampfe. They resided in Colorado before returning to Kansas and enjoyed time in the mountains and with friends. Shortly after his daughter was born, Janet was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, and she lost her battle to cancer.&nbsp;

Roger was a hardworking, witty, loving, compassionate, stubborn, and fun spirit. There was no smile or laugh quite like his. He had many friends over the years and was known to enjoy Glenlivet Scotch on the rocks accompanied by the infamous Marlboro Reds. He wore many hats during his lifetime including marketing and sales, restaurant ownership, antique dealing, and truck driving. He was someone who could put his mind to just about anything and make it happen. Roger loved spending time with his daughter and family, and playing with his grandchildren. He loved cooking for his family and was amazing at it!&nbsp;

In 2017, Roger suffered a massive stroke and has been residing at High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin, Kansas. The staff at the nursing facility became like family, and cared for him for the past seven years. While there, he enjoyed feeding the birds, watering his plants, wheeling himself to the patio, and of course giving the nurses a run for their money.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Janet, and son Justin, as well as two brothers Jonathan and Mark, and his father Roger Sr. He is survived by his daughter Elyse and Michael Selzer, two grandchildren Emma and Mason, and his mother Doris Kampfe as well as his brother Philip and Ellen Kampfe and their children Brendan, Baylee, Bryce and families.&nbsp;

A memorial service will be held in Phillipsburg, Kansas on Saturday, May 18th, 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Kathy Whitney officiating.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Olliff-Boeve-Memorial-Chapel-100055272974764/">Services will streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page.</a>&nbsp; A visitation will be Friday, May 17th from 5-6:30 PM at Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, KS. A private burial in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Stuttgart, KS, will take place Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;

Roger had a heart for animals and so in lieu of flowers; donations can be made to the Finney County Humane Society and may be sent in c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, PO Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS &nbsp;67661.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715095469990.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Roger Kampfe II, 67 years of age, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at Wesley Medical Center with his daughter and granddaughter by his side.&nbsp;Roger was born August 3, 1956 in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Roger and Doris Kampfe. He was the second born out of four sons. Roger attended Phillipsburg High School and later completed an Electrician Apprenticeship in Dillon, Colorado.&nbsp;Roger married his true love Janet Ann Post December 25, 1978, and they had two children, Justin Paul Kampfe, and Elyse Almina Ann Kampfe. They resided in Colorado before returning to Kansas and enjoyed time in the mountains and with friends. Shortly after his daughter was born, Janet was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, and she lost her battle to cancer.&nbsp;Roger was a hardworking, witty, loving, compassionate, stubborn, and fun spirit. There was no smile or laugh quite like his. He had many friends over the years and was known to enjoy Glenlivet Scotch on the rocks accompanied by the infamous Marlboro Reds. He wore many hats during his lifetime including marketing and sales, restaurant ownership, antique dealing, and truck driving. He was someone who could put his mind to just about anything and make it happen. Roger loved spending time with his daughter and family, and playing with his grandchildren. He loved cooking for his family and was amazing at it!&nbsp;In 2017, Roger suffered a massive stroke and has been residing at High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin, Kansas. The staff at the nursing facility became like family, and cared for him for the past seven years. While there, he enjoyed feeding the birds, watering his plants, wheeling himself to the patio, and of course giving the nurses a run for their money.He is preceded in death by his wife, Janet, and son Justin, as well as two brothers Jonathan and Mark, and his father Roger Sr. He is survived by his daughter Elyse and Michael Selzer, two grandchildren Emma and Mason, and his mother Doris Kampfe as well as his brother Philip and Ellen Kampfe and their children Brendan, Baylee, Bryce and families.&nbsp;A memorial service will be held in Phillipsburg, Kansas on Saturday, May 18th, 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Kathy Whitney officiating.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Olliff-Boeve-Memorial-Chapel-100055272974764/">Services will streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page.</a>&nbsp; A visitation will be Friday, May 17th from 5-6:30 PM at Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, KS. A private burial in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Stuttgart, KS, will take place Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;Roger had a heart for animals and so in lieu of flowers; donations can be made to the Finney County Humane Society and may be sent in c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, PO Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS &nbsp;67661.&nbsp;

Roger Kampfe II

Hays- Derek James Shaffer, 42, died on April 28, 2024 at his home in Hays. He was born on November 4, 1981 at Garden City the son of Darrel C. &amp; Stephanie (Reifschneider) Shaffer.

Derek graduated with the Class of 2000 from Dighton High School where he was on the football and golf teams. He attended the University of Kansas. He had been a resident of Hays for the past 13 years. Derek enjoyed storm chasing and had worked with a crew from the Discovery channel to photograph and track major storms. He loved KU sports and was a Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals fan and also enjoyed music, hunting and fishing. He liked being with family and especially being an Uncle. He cared deeply about people, helping others before himself.

He is survived by his Parents- Darrel &amp; Stephanie Shaffer of Dighton, 2 Brothers- Kevin Shaffer of Leiden, Netherlands and Clinton J. &amp; Shelby Shaffer of Dighton and Nephew Lane.

Memorial Service will be at 10:30 AM Thursday at United Methodist Church in Dighton with Rev A. G. Turner officiating. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhoomes.com

Hays- Derek James Shaffer, 42, died on April 28, 2024 at his home in Hays. He was born on November 4, 1981 at Garden City the son of Darrel C. &amp; Stephanie (Reifschneider) Shaffer.Derek graduated with the Class of 2000 from Dighton High School where he was on the football and golf teams. He attended the University of Kansas. He had been a resident of Hays for the past 13 years. Derek enjoyed storm chasing and had worked with a crew from the Discovery channel to photograph and track major storms. He loved KU sports and was a Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals fan and also enjoyed music, hunting and fishing. He liked being with family and especially being an Uncle. He cared deeply about people, helping others before himself.He is survived by his Parents- Darrel &amp; Stephanie Shaffer of Dighton, 2 Brothers- Kevin Shaffer of Leiden, Netherlands and Clinton J. &amp; Shelby Shaffer of Dighton and Nephew Lane.Memorial Service will be at 10:30 AM Thursday at United Methodist Church in Dighton with Rev A. G. Turner officiating. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhoomes.com

Derek James Shaffer

Rodger Funk, longtime farmer and resident of rural Garden City, died in his home on May 4, 2024.

Rodger was born September 18, 1927 in Salina, Kansas to his parents, Wanna Ford Funk and Rodger Funk, Sr. He graduated in 1946 from Dickinson County Community High School in Chapman, Kansas.

Rodger attended Kansas State College, but seeing the need for the GI Bill, Rodger postponed his education for service in the U.S. Army. Rodger served 18 months in post-war Europe, after which he returned to K-State, graduating in 1950.

Rodger was united in marriage to Vivian Bebermeyer, August 5, 1950, in Abilene, Kansas. They made their home in Great Bend, Kansas with Rodger’s intention of pursuing a career as a county agricultural extension agent. His plans were interrupted in October, 1950 as Rodger was unexpectedly called back into the Army Reserves because of the Korean conflict. Fortunately, the Army assigned Rodger to be a meat inspector in Chicago, where Vivian was able to join him.

Yearning to own land, Rodger entered his name in a drawing for veterans who could purchase and homestead land through the Bureau of Reclamation. His name was drawn for a unit near Hot Springs, South Dakota, where Rodger and Vivian relocated and farmed for nine years. Rodger also taught 5th-8th grade in a two room school in Smithwick, South Dakota.

Rodger and Vivian became parents of three children; Beth in 1952, Boyd in 1953, and Brenda in 1954.

When his father-in-law, Elmer Bebermeyer, was ready to retire, he offered to sell his Finney County land to Rodger and Vivian, so the Funk family returned to Kansas in the fall of 1962.

Rodger was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on church committees and as a Sunday School teacher.

Rodger served on various community boards; school, coop, soil conservation, crop improvement, extension, library, and museum.

Rodger was named a Kansas Master Farmer in 1985, a meritorious graduate of Chapman High School in 1994, and more recently, the Garden City Coop honored Rodger in their local hall of fame.

Rodger was a reader, traveler, and life long learner who enjoyed a wide range of interests. He appreciated the cultural and ethnic diversity of Garden City. He was a longtime supporter of public radio and television, the Kansas Humanities Council, historical museums, and public libraries.

Rodger will be dearly missed by his survivors; his wife of 73 years, Vivian, along with his children; Beth Love (Dan) of Dodge City, Boyd Funk (Conny) of Garden City, and Brenda Funk of Kansas City. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Elliot Funk (Sami) of Des Moines, Hannah Love of Fort Collins, Sam Funk (Chelsea) of Colby, and Ben Love of Fort Collins, along with two great-grandchildren; Seth Funk and Shea Funk of Colby, Kansas.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday May 7, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City, Kansas. Services will be available for viewing through the Garnand Funeral Homes Facebook Page at the time of service. Burial will follow immediately in Valley View Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be given to the Garden City First United Methodist Church, in care of Garnand Funeral Home.

Rodger Funk, longtime farmer and resident of rural Garden City, died in his home on May 4, 2024.Rodger was born September 18, 1927 in Salina, Kansas to his parents, Wanna Ford Funk and Rodger Funk, Sr. He graduated in 1946 from Dickinson County Community High School in Chapman, Kansas.Rodger attended Kansas State College, but seeing the need for the GI Bill, Rodger postponed his education for service in the U.S. Army. Rodger served 18 months in post-war Europe, after which he returned to K-State, graduating in 1950.Rodger was united in marriage to Vivian Bebermeyer, August 5, 1950, in Abilene, Kansas. They made their home in Great Bend, Kansas with Rodger’s intention of pursuing a career as a county agricultural extension agent. His plans were interrupted in October, 1950 as Rodger was unexpectedly called back into the Army Reserves because of the Korean conflict. Fortunately, the Army assigned Rodger to be a meat inspector in Chicago, where Vivian was able to join him.Yearning to own land, Rodger entered his name in a drawing for veterans who could purchase and homestead land through the Bureau of Reclamation. His name was drawn for a unit near Hot Springs, South Dakota, where Rodger and Vivian relocated and farmed for nine years. Rodger also taught 5th-8th grade in a two room school in Smithwick, South Dakota.Rodger and Vivian became parents of three children; Beth in 1952, Boyd in 1953, and Brenda in 1954.When his father-in-law, Elmer Bebermeyer, was ready to retire, he offered to sell his Finney County land to Rodger and Vivian, so the Funk family returned to Kansas in the fall of 1962.Rodger was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on church committees and as a Sunday School teacher.Rodger served on various community boards; school, coop, soil conservation, crop improvement, extension, library, and museum.Rodger was named a Kansas Master Farmer in 1985, a meritorious graduate of Chapman High School in 1994, and more recently, the Garden City Coop honored Rodger in their local hall of fame.Rodger was a reader, traveler, and life long learner who enjoyed a wide range of interests. He appreciated the cultural and ethnic diversity of Garden City. He was a longtime supporter of public radio and television, the Kansas Humanities Council, historical museums, and public libraries.Rodger will be dearly missed by his survivors; his wife of 73 years, Vivian, along with his children; Beth Love (Dan) of Dodge City, Boyd Funk (Conny) of Garden City, and Brenda Funk of Kansas City. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Elliot Funk (Sami) of Des Moines, Hannah Love of Fort Collins, Sam Funk (Chelsea) of Colby, and Ben Love of Fort Collins, along with two great-grandchildren; Seth Funk and Shea Funk of Colby, Kansas.Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday May 7, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City, Kansas. Services will be available for viewing through the Garnand Funeral Homes Facebook Page at the time of service. Burial will follow immediately in Valley View Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be given to the Garden City First United Methodist Church, in care of Garnand Funeral Home.

Rodger Funk

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A storm that blew through northwest Kansas Monday afternoon dropped .10 inches of rain on the Eagle Radio Media Center, 2300 Hall.

The K-State Ag Research Center south of Hays reported no rain. However, the research center's report shows Hays receiving .60 inches of rain to date this month, with an anticipated average of 3.34 inches by the end of May.

Residents in Larned and Smith Center reported quarter-sized hail from the storm.

Hill City, Bogue and Stockton reported pea-size hail.&nbsp;

The National Weather Service reported 50 to 60 mph winds with the system.

Today's forecast for Hays is breezy, with a high of 77. Highs are forecast to be in the 70s through Saturday with no chance of rain.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA storm that blew through northwest Kansas Monday afternoon dropped .10 inches of rain on the Eagle Radio Media Center, 2300 Hall.The K-State Ag Research Center south of Hays reported no rain. However, the research center's report shows Hays receiving .60 inches of rain to date this month, with an anticipated average of 3.34 inches by the end of May.Residents in Larned and Smith Center reported quarter-sized hail from the storm.Hill City, Bogue and Stockton reported pea-size hail.&nbsp;The National Weather Service reported 50 to 60 mph winds with the system.Today's forecast for Hays is breezy, with a high of 77. Highs are forecast to be in the 70s through Saturday with no chance of rain.

Hays receives rain; other areas see hail in Monday afternoon storm

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — House Speaker Dan Hawkins on Monday urged Gov. Laura Kelly to sign bipartisan tax relief rather than summon lawmakers back to Topeka for a special session that would cost $84,000 per day.

The Democratic governor threatened to call a special session if lawmakers failed to adopt a package of tax cuts that met her approval. She vetoed a package of income, property and sales tax cuts that would have left the state with a budget deficit by 2029, and proposed a less-costly alternative.

But lawmakers never considered her proposal before adjourning for the year. Instead, lawmakers passed a nearly identical plan to the one she vetoed.

“The Legislature has bent over backward to address her stated concerns, the state’s fiscal outlook is positive, and we have a hefty budget surplus,” Hawkins said in a statement Monday. “The governor is out of excuses. We don’t need an $84,000-a-day special session for tax relief — the work has already been done through great bipartisan efforts of the legislative tax committees. We simply need the governor to make good on her campaign promise to govern from the middle and sign the bill.”

During her reelection campaign in 2022, Kelly promised to govern from the middle of the road.

“Still looking on the map for the road you are in the ‘middle’ of, Governor,” Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, R-Ottawa,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/rebecca_schmoe/status/1787517072114663677">wrote on X</a>. “Sign the tax bill over half of your own party in the legislature supports. Do something that helps every Kansan.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb37/">Senate Bill 37</a>&nbsp;cleared the House by a 108-11 margin and the Senate 25-9.

The legislation would exempt Social Security income from income tax and increase standard deductions. It would exempt $100,000 of residential property value from the state mill levy — and reduce the rate from 20 mills to 19.5 mills. It would eliminate the state sales tax on food by July 1.

It would also move the state from three income tax brackets to two.

Kansas currently uses a graduated system: 3.1% for income under $15,000, 5.25% for income between $15,000 and $30,000 and 5.7% for income above $30,000. The income amounts are doubled for couples filing jointly.

Under SB 37, the first $23,000 would be taxed at 5.2%, and anything over $23,000 would be taxed at 5.57%. The threshold would be $46,000 for couples.

The bill also would abolish the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund. From 1937 to 2003, the state distributed a portion of sales tax collections into the fund, which then offset local property taxes. Lawmakers haven’t funded the program in two decades,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/25/kansas-counties-eager-for-lawmakers-to-resurrect-property-tax-relief-fund/">frustrating local officials</a>.

Kelly’s proposal would have retained the exemption on Social Security income and the July 1 expiration of the sales tax on food. She would have raised the residential property exemption to $125,000 while keeping the rate at 20 mills. And she would have added a child care tax credit valued at $18 million per year.

She would have kept the three-tier income tax system but lowered the rates to 3%, 5.2% and 5.65%.

As lawmakers worked late on April 30 to pass SB 37, Kelly’s chief of staff Will Lawrence issued a warning: “She will call the Legislature back into a special session if this is the tax plan sent to her desk.”

Lawmakers made a final tweak, lessening the amount of income tax cuts, before passing the law. It isn’t clear if the governor intends to sign it.

Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RepTomSawyer/status/1786211195021619558">posted a chart on X</a>&nbsp;that shows the amount of income tax relief a family would receive depending on their earnings. Couples who earn less than $40,000 would see some of the largest benefits, according to his chart, and the percentage of savings would disproportionately benefit low-wage earners.

“I hope the governor signs it,” Sawyer said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715083371667.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — House Speaker Dan Hawkins on Monday urged Gov. Laura Kelly to sign bipartisan tax relief rather than summon lawmakers back to Topeka for a special session that would cost $84,000 per day.The Democratic governor threatened to call a special session if lawmakers failed to adopt a package of tax cuts that met her approval. She vetoed a package of income, property and sales tax cuts that would have left the state with a budget deficit by 2029, and proposed a less-costly alternative.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">No special session for tax relief. Sign. The. Bill. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZMACMTYFEe">pic.twitter.com/ZMACMTYFEe</a>&mdash; Dan Hawkins (@DanHawkinsKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1787276123669213492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But lawmakers never considered her proposal before adjourning for the year. Instead, lawmakers passed a nearly identical plan to the one she vetoed.“The Legislature has bent over backward to address her stated concerns, the state’s fiscal outlook is positive, and we have a hefty budget surplus,” Hawkins said in a statement Monday. “The governor is out of excuses. We don’t need an $84,000-a-day special session for tax relief — the work has already been done through great bipartisan efforts of the legislative tax committees. We simply need the governor to make good on her campaign promise to govern from the middle and sign the bill.”During her reelection campaign in 2022, Kelly promised to govern from the middle of the road.“Still looking on the map for the road you are in the ‘middle’ of, Governor,” Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, R-Ottawa,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/rebecca_schmoe/status/1787517072114663677">wrote on X</a>. “Sign the tax bill over half of your own party in the legislature supports. Do something that helps every Kansan.”<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb37/">Senate Bill 37</a>&nbsp;cleared the House by a 108-11 margin and the Senate 25-9.The legislation would exempt Social Security income from income tax and increase standard deductions. It would exempt $100,000 of residential property value from the state mill levy — and reduce the rate from 20 mills to 19.5 mills. It would eliminate the state sales tax on food by July 1.It would also move the state from three income tax brackets to two.Kansas currently uses a graduated system: 3.1% for income under $15,000, 5.25% for income between $15,000 and $30,000 and 5.7% for income above $30,000. The income amounts are doubled for couples filing jointly.Under SB 37, the first $23,000 would be taxed at 5.2%, and anything over $23,000 would be taxed at 5.57%. The threshold would be $46,000 for couples.The bill also would abolish the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund. From 1937 to 2003, the state distributed a portion of sales tax collections into the fund, which then offset local property taxes. Lawmakers haven’t funded the program in two decades,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/25/kansas-counties-eager-for-lawmakers-to-resurrect-property-tax-relief-fund/">frustrating local officials</a>.Kelly’s proposal would have retained the exemption on Social Security income and the July 1 expiration of the sales tax on food. She would have raised the residential property exemption to $125,000 while keeping the rate at 20 mills. And she would have added a child care tax credit valued at $18 million per year.She would have kept the three-tier income tax system but lowered the rates to 3%, 5.2% and 5.65%.As lawmakers worked late on April 30 to pass SB 37, Kelly’s chief of staff Will Lawrence issued a warning: “She will call the Legislature back into a special session if this is the tax plan sent to her desk.”Lawmakers made a final tweak, lessening the amount of income tax cuts, before passing the law. It isn’t clear if the governor intends to sign it.Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RepTomSawyer/status/1786211195021619558">posted a chart on X</a>&nbsp;that shows the amount of income tax relief a family would receive depending on their earnings. Couples who earn less than $40,000 would see some of the largest benefits, according to his chart, and the percentage of savings would disproportionately benefit low-wage earners.“I hope the governor signs it,” Sawyer said.

Kansas House speaker urges governor to sign tax cuts and avoid special session

HAYS - Hays High School held their annual Academic and Athletics Awards Night Monday at Hays High School.

Arely Maldanado and Aubree Thomas were named the Jack Roberts Female Outstanding Athletes. 

Malik Bah and Harley Zimmerman are the Swim, Carpenter, Smith Outstanding Male Athletes.

Lily Garrison was named the Debbie Brungardt Student Fan of the Year. Preston Browning was the Adult Community winner and Nathan Wendel the USD 489 winner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689954940605.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostHAYS - Hays High School held their annual Academic and Athletics Awards Night Monday at Hays High School.Arely Maldanado and Aubree Thomas were named the Jack Roberts Female Outstanding Athletes. Malik Bah and Harley Zimmerman are the Swim, Carpenter, Smith Outstanding Male Athletes.Lily Garrison was named the Debbie Brungardt Student Fan of the Year. Preston Browning was the Adult Community winner and Nathan Wendel the USD 489 winner.

HHS holds Academic and Athletic Award Night

Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services has seen a marked increase in its services.

In 2021, Options provided 859 services to sexual assault survivors in northwest Kansas. In 2022, the latest date for reporting, Options provided 1,324 services to sexual assault survivors.

The number of services provided to survivors of domestic violence also jumped in the same period.

In 2021, Options provided 5,629 domestic violence services compared to 8,340 in 2022.

Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director, said she did not think sexual and domestic violence are becoming more prevalent in the 18 counties that the agency serves in northwest Kansas.

She said she thinks more survivors are reaching out for help.

"I think people are more aware that there is help for them out there," Hecker said. "I thnk when they come to a place where first and foremost they are believed, they are more likely to stay engaged in those services, come back and work through those healing processes."

Options has made a concerted effort to increase awareness of both issues and expand access to services.

Options provides multiple services to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. It has 24/7 crisis intervention.&nbsp;

"Anyone can call our helpline day or night as well as our texting line and our web chat," Hecker said. "They can reach out for help and get counseling. 

"We also offer peer counseling, support groups, medical advocacy, court and legal advocacy, so if you decide to report we can help you understand what your rights are, how to get help and how to go through those processes."

In each year of 2021 and 2022, Options advocates accompanied sexual assault survivors to 33 sexual assault forensics exams at HaysMed.

"It's a big scary thing on top of a big scary thing, so we are here to hold their hand through the process one step at a time," Hecker said.

All services are free and confidential. Survivors, both female and male, do not have to report the crime to the police or submit to a sexual assault exam to receive services through Options.

"Confidentiality is our most sacredly held guiding principal because confidentiality means safety," Hecker said.

Options brought light to victims' needs during Crime Victims Awareness Week in April.

"We can help people understand and validate their experiences, understand the dynamics and understand how that can impact their life now, in the future and if they have children and how children are affected by that type of violence."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/99621faa-b187-4fff-9b17-16eef8488c0c">In April, the Ellis County Attorney's office announced a plea agreement with&nbsp;Jay Naldo Schumacher, who was charged in the death of his wife, Karen Schumacher, in 2022.</a>

According to the plea agreement, Schumacher agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and mistreatment of a dependent adult.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3606211c-9893-40e3-b0bf-e1036909f17d">Jeremiah Schumacher, Karen's son, said his father beat his mother for 40 years before her death.</a>

Hecker said Options seeks to ensure that the voices of victims of domestic violence homicide are still heard and injustice doesn't continue.&nbsp;

"I think in this case, many systems failed this victim, including our own," she said, "and there are many things we can do."

Hecker urged family members who may be seeing violence to reach out to Options for assistance.

Law enforcement in Ellis County, in cooperation with Options and other partners, has developed a lethality assessment to better inform domestic violence victims about the danger they are in.

The number of services Options provided to children also increased dramatically between 2021 and 2022, the latest year for which reporting was available.&nbsp;

In 2021, Options provided 519 services to 29 children. In 2022, 1,221 services were provided to 63 children.

Options provided 5,049 nights of safe shelter to residents of northwest Kansas who were survivors of domestic violence in 2022. Forty-four percent were provided to children.

One in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence annually&nbsp; — 90 percent of these children are eyewitnesses to the violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Options continues to try to bust myths about sexual assault and domestic violence. On Saturday, Options sponsored Rock Against Rape, featuring local and regional bands.

"It is to show you can get as drunk as you want to and not expect to get sexually assaulted," Anniston Weber, Options campus advocate, said. "Alcohol does not cause rape. Rapists cause rape."

Options staff members offered facts to bust myths about sexual assault during the event.

"We hear these myths like once a guy gets started, he can't stop," Hecker said. "We hear that a lot to justify date rape. Anyone who has had a private moment with their spouse and their kids come bursting through the door. No one keeps going. ...

Hecker said awareness is very important to the Options' mission.

"Part of our job is to educate the jury pool," Hecker said, "so when people report, and those reports result in charges, and those charges result in a trial that the community members, their peers, understand the dynamics whether that is domestic violence or sexual assault.

"They really understand what has happened so that they can enter a more justice-centered verdict for victims."

Only two percent of sexual assault cases end in felony convictions, Hecker said.&nbsp;

"Sit with that for a minute," she said. "Out of 100 women who report a sexual assault, a rape, two get justice. We are still asking the question why don't people report. I think we've answered that question.

"Why would a person go through that much trouble, humiliation, opening those wounds up over and over again to have nothing happen —to not get justice?"

Hecker said she's seen a shift in the advocacy and sexual assault prevention. Ten years ago, the focus was on women, teaching them to dress more modestly, how to walk in a dark parking lot and not leave a bar alone.&nbsp;

"None of the rape prevention talked to the people who were perpetrating the rapes or did anything to stop them," Hecker said.&nbsp;

"When you attempt to keep yourself safe and you can't because you're overwhelmed by force or fear, you feel like you failed to protect yourself. That causes deep, deep shame. When people feel shame, they stop acting in their own self-defense," she said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Weber said destigmatizing sexual assault also helps male victims of sexual assault to come forward. Men deal with a different level of shame concerning sexual assault.

Hecker said people's bodies hold on to trauma, and that stays with them their whole lives.

"It impacts us in small and big ways, and it impacts us in ways sometimes we are aware of, and sometimes we are not," she said. "Getting connected to a support group or an advocate who can talk you through these things and validate what your experiences are, really can help open those floodgates so the healing can start. It's a journey."

You can walk into an Options office at 2716 Plaza, Hays, or&nbsp;1480 W. Fourth, Colby.&nbsp; You can call Options' 24-hour helpline at 1-800-794-4624 or text HOPE to 847411.

The Options website, <a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>, offers a live chat option or video conference with an advocate.

The website has a safe escape button that allows you to quickly close out of the website and erase your cookies, so anyone who is on the computer after you will not be able to see that you have been on the website.

Options has a free app for Android and Apple devices called "My Mobile Options."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715015098915.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostOptions Domestic and Sexual Violence Services has seen a marked increase in its services.In 2021, Options provided 859 services to sexual assault survivors in northwest Kansas. In 2022, the latest date for reporting, Options provided 1,324 services to sexual assault survivors.The number of services provided to survivors of domestic violence also jumped in the same period.In 2021, Options provided 5,629 domestic violence services compared to 8,340 in 2022.Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director, said she did not think sexual and domestic violence are becoming more prevalent in the 18 counties that the agency serves in northwest Kansas.She said she thinks more survivors are reaching out for help."I think people are more aware that there is help for them out there," Hecker said. "I thnk when they come to a place where first and foremost they are believed, they are more likely to stay engaged in those services, come back and work through those healing processes."Options has made a concerted effort to increase awareness of both issues and expand access to services.Options provides multiple services to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. It has 24/7 crisis intervention.&nbsp;"Anyone can call our helpline day or night as well as our texting line and our web chat," Hecker said. "They can reach out for help and get counseling. "We also offer peer counseling, support groups, medical advocacy, court and legal advocacy, so if you decide to report we can help you understand what your rights are, how to get help and how to go through those processes."In each year of 2021 and 2022, Options advocates accompanied sexual assault survivors to 33 sexual assault forensics exams at HaysMed."It's a big scary thing on top of a big scary thing, so we are here to hold their hand through the process one step at a time," Hecker said.All services are free and confidential. Survivors, both female and male, do not have to report the crime to the police or submit to a sexual assault exam to receive services through Options."Confidentiality is our most sacredly held guiding principal because confidentiality means safety," Hecker said.<h2>Paying the ultimate price</h2>Options brought light to victims' needs during Crime Victims Awareness Week in April."We can help people understand and validate their experiences, understand the dynamics and understand how that can impact their life now, in the future and if they have children and how children are affected by that type of violence."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/99621faa-b187-4fff-9b17-16eef8488c0c">In April, the Ellis County Attorney's office announced a plea agreement with&nbsp;Jay Naldo Schumacher, who was charged in the death of his wife, Karen Schumacher, in 2022.</a>According to the plea agreement, Schumacher agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and mistreatment of a dependent adult.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3606211c-9893-40e3-b0bf-e1036909f17d">Jeremiah Schumacher, Karen's son, said his father beat his mother for 40 years before her death.</a>Hecker said Options seeks to ensure that the voices of victims of domestic violence homicide are still heard and injustice doesn't continue.&nbsp;"I think in this case, many systems failed this victim, including our own," she said, "and there are many things we can do."Hecker urged family members who may be seeing violence to reach out to Options for assistance.Law enforcement in Ellis County, in cooperation with Options and other partners, has developed a lethality assessment to better inform domestic violence victims about the danger they are in.<h2>Children</h2>The number of services Options provided to children also increased dramatically between 2021 and 2022, the latest year for which reporting was available.&nbsp;In 2021, Options provided 519 services to 29 children. In 2022, 1,221 services were provided to 63 children.Options provided 5,049 nights of safe shelter to residents of northwest Kansas who were survivors of domestic violence in 2022. Forty-four percent were provided to children.One in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence annually&nbsp; — 90 percent of these children are eyewitnesses to the violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.<h2>Busting myths</h2>Options continues to try to bust myths about sexual assault and domestic violence. On Saturday, Options sponsored Rock Against Rape, featuring local and regional bands."It is to show you can get as drunk as you want to and not expect to get sexually assaulted," Anniston Weber, Options campus advocate, said. "Alcohol does not cause rape. Rapists cause rape."Options staff members offered facts to bust myths about sexual assault during the event."We hear these myths like once a guy gets started, he can't stop," Hecker said. "We hear that a lot to justify date rape. Anyone who has had a private moment with their spouse and their kids come bursting through the door. No one keeps going. ...Hecker said awareness is very important to the Options' mission."Part of our job is to educate the jury pool," Hecker said, "so when people report, and those reports result in charges, and those charges result in a trial that the community members, their peers, understand the dynamics whether that is domestic violence or sexual assault."They really understand what has happened so that they can enter a more justice-centered verdict for victims."Only two percent of sexual assault cases end in felony convictions, Hecker said.&nbsp;"Sit with that for a minute," she said. "Out of 100 women who report a sexual assault, a rape, two get justice. We are still asking the question why don't people report. I think we've answered that question."Why would a person go through that much trouble, humiliation, opening those wounds up over and over again to have nothing happen —to not get justice?"Hecker said she's seen a shift in the advocacy and sexual assault prevention. Ten years ago, the focus was on women, teaching them to dress more modestly, how to walk in a dark parking lot and not leave a bar alone.&nbsp;"None of the rape prevention talked to the people who were perpetrating the rapes or did anything to stop them," Hecker said.&nbsp;"When you attempt to keep yourself safe and you can't because you're overwhelmed by force or fear, you feel like you failed to protect yourself. That causes deep, deep shame. When people feel shame, they stop acting in their own self-defense," she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Weber said destigmatizing sexual assault also helps male victims of sexual assault to come forward. Men deal with a different level of shame concerning sexual assault.Hecker said people's bodies hold on to trauma, and that stays with them their whole lives."It impacts us in small and big ways, and it impacts us in ways sometimes we are aware of, and sometimes we are not," she said. "Getting connected to a support group or an advocate who can talk you through these things and validate what your experiences are, really can help open those floodgates so the healing can start. It's a journey."<h2>How to get help</h2>You can walk into an Options office at 2716 Plaza, Hays, or&nbsp;1480 W. Fourth, Colby.&nbsp; You can call Options' 24-hour helpline at 1-800-794-4624 or text HOPE to 847411.The Options website, <a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>, offers a live chat option or video conference with an advocate.The website has a safe escape button that allows you to quickly close out of the website and erase your cookies, so anyone who is on the computer after you will not be able to see that you have been on the website.Options has a free app for Android and Apple devices called "My Mobile Options."

Option sees jump in need for domestic violence, sexual assault services

Several years after the COVID-driven involuntary homeschooling transition of 2019, the number of homeschooled K12 students is still approximately 51% higher than pre-pandemic. According to a study published by the Washington Post, 1.7 to 2.9 million children comprise the fastest-growing form of education in the United States.

Siblings Ariana, Brylie, and Brennan Jarnes of Grays Harbor, Washington, are three homeschoolers who transitioned from a homeschool education to get an early start on their academic careers at Fort Hays State University. Twins Brylie, Brennan, and then little sister Ariana each earned their high school diplomas and associate degrees by the ages of 19 and 18, respectively, by participating in their state's Running Start program. Running Start is a tuition-free program allowing 11th and 12th-grade students to take college courses at a Washington community or technical colleges where they earn high school and college.

With their high school diploma and associate degrees now in hand, it was time for the Jarnes siblings to explore their college options. Brylie and Brennan contacted two public universities in the Pacific Northwest. They found an unwillingness from these institutions to allow credit for their educational experiences and mandatory degree program courses they thought were inappropriate for the criminal justice major they wanted to pursue.

"One of the colleges had Trigonometry as a mandatory course," Brennan said. "My brother and I just couldn't see how this course and the extra cost and time to degree involved were worth it."

The brothers found FHSU Online while searching for affordable online programs.

"We quickly found out that FHSU had the program we wanted at a price we could afford," Brylie said. FHSU Online also offered them the most credit for their previous academic experiences and one other feature that they found invaluable:

"FHSU always responded to our questions and helped us from our first contact through our academic program," Brennan said. They both greatly appreciated the flexibility of their FHSU Online program since both needed to work while earning their degree.

Just a year younger, the twins' sister Ariana decided to follow in the footsteps of her brothers at FHSU. Like Brennan and Brylie, Ariana found FHSU Online the best fit for her academic goals and the demands of her full-time job as an in-home nanny.

"If you are a self-starter and manage your time well, you can learn a lot and be very successful at Fort Hays State," Ariana said. "I think Brylie, Brennan, and I all would say that our homeschooling experience prepared us well for college."

Ariana's major of choice was organizational leadership. One requirement of this program of study is an interdisciplinary course that provides the student with an awareness and understanding of current issues relating to the nature and tasks of collaborative leadership. The course is titled Leadership 493: Capstone in Leadership III, and the student is tasked with identifying an issue or problem and then leading an effort to address the project by developing and implementing a community project.

Ariana chose as her capstone community project an extension of her church’s outreach ministry with the Deaf community. The choice was easy for Ariana since she's been involved with the ministry work led by her mother for years. Through her work supporting her mother, Ariana recognized an opportunity for the church to better serve this community throughout Washington and the neighboring state of Oregon. Ariana had long noticed the lack of effort among various church communities to engage this population, and he wanted to change that.

Ariana secured an internship with the Washington Conference Deaf Ministry and worked to promote and expand participation in the Conference's annual Summer Deaf Camp. Her community project involved supporting the 15 camp staff members, managing marketing and social media promotions, and delivering administrative and logistical support.

Ariana's transition to a leadership role was smooth.

“Most of the church and Deaf Camp staff have seen me grow up and take on more and more responsibilities over the past several years,” Ariana said. “They’ve known me all my life and know how important this ministry is to me.”

Ariana, Brylie, and Brennan will graduate from FHSU in May. Ariana plans to become an American Sign Language interpreter.

"It will take around two years to earn this credential," Ariana said. With their criminal justice degrees in hand, Brylie and Brennan plan to start their careers in the legal field or the fish and game sector.

"We're both fascinated by the American legal system and how it changes over time to strike a balance between individual rights and safety," Brennan said. "We also grew up spending a lot of time in the outdoors hiking and fishing," Brylie said. "So, we are kind of drawn to working in this field as well."

With more than 200 online degree and certificate programs and innovative faculty and student resources to support you on your way, you will find that FHSU is the best value in online education—anywhere. Check out FHSU Online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/online/">fhsu.edu/online</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715012043286.png" alt="Ariana, Brylie, and Brennan Jarnes, FHSU Online students from Grays Harbor, Wash., will graduate in this week. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Ariana, Brylie, and Brennan Jarnes, FHSU Online students from Grays Harbor, Wash., will graduate in this week. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsSeveral years after the COVID-driven involuntary homeschooling transition of 2019, the number of homeschooled K12 students is still approximately 51% higher than pre-pandemic. According to a study published by the Washington Post, 1.7 to 2.9 million children comprise the fastest-growing form of education in the United States.Siblings Ariana, Brylie, and Brennan Jarnes of Grays Harbor, Washington, are three homeschoolers who transitioned from a homeschool education to get an early start on their academic careers at Fort Hays State University. Twins Brylie, Brennan, and then little sister Ariana each earned their high school diplomas and associate degrees by the ages of 19 and 18, respectively, by participating in their state's Running Start program. Running Start is a tuition-free program allowing 11th and 12th-grade students to take college courses at a Washington community or technical colleges where they earn high school and college.With their high school diploma and associate degrees now in hand, it was time for the Jarnes siblings to explore their college options. Brylie and Brennan contacted two public universities in the Pacific Northwest. They found an unwillingness from these institutions to allow credit for their educational experiences and mandatory degree program courses they thought were inappropriate for the criminal justice major they wanted to pursue."One of the colleges had Trigonometry as a mandatory course," Brennan said. "My brother and I just couldn't see how this course and the extra cost and time to degree involved were worth it."The brothers found FHSU Online while searching for affordable online programs."We quickly found out that FHSU had the program we wanted at a price we could afford," Brylie said. FHSU Online also offered them the most credit for their previous academic experiences and one other feature that they found invaluable:"FHSU always responded to our questions and helped us from our first contact through our academic program," Brennan said. They both greatly appreciated the flexibility of their FHSU Online program since both needed to work while earning their degree.Just a year younger, the twins' sister Ariana decided to follow in the footsteps of her brothers at FHSU. Like Brennan and Brylie, Ariana found FHSU Online the best fit for her academic goals and the demands of her full-time job as an in-home nanny."If you are a self-starter and manage your time well, you can learn a lot and be very successful at Fort Hays State," Ariana said. "I think Brylie, Brennan, and I all would say that our homeschooling experience prepared us well for college."Ariana's major of choice was organizational leadership. One requirement of this program of study is an interdisciplinary course that provides the student with an awareness and understanding of current issues relating to the nature and tasks of collaborative leadership. The course is titled Leadership 493: Capstone in Leadership III, and the student is tasked with identifying an issue or problem and then leading an effort to address the project by developing and implementing a community project.Ariana chose as her capstone community project an extension of her church’s outreach ministry with the Deaf community. The choice was easy for Ariana since she's been involved with the ministry work led by her mother for years. Through her work supporting her mother, Ariana recognized an opportunity for the church to better serve this community throughout Washington and the neighboring state of Oregon. Ariana had long noticed the lack of effort among various church communities to engage this population, and he wanted to change that.Ariana secured an internship with the Washington Conference Deaf Ministry and worked to promote and expand participation in the Conference's annual Summer Deaf Camp. Her community project involved supporting the 15 camp staff members, managing marketing and social media promotions, and delivering administrative and logistical support.Ariana's transition to a leadership role was smooth.“Most of the church and Deaf Camp staff have seen me grow up and take on more and more responsibilities over the past several years,” Ariana said. “They’ve known me all my life and know how important this ministry is to me.”Ariana, Brylie, and Brennan will graduate from FHSU in May. Ariana plans to become an American Sign Language interpreter."It will take around two years to earn this credential," Ariana said. With their criminal justice degrees in hand, Brylie and Brennan plan to start their careers in the legal field or the fish and game sector."We're both fascinated by the American legal system and how it changes over time to strike a balance between individual rights and safety," Brennan said. "We also grew up spending a lot of time in the outdoors hiking and fishing," Brylie said. "So, we are kind of drawn to working in this field as well."Learn more about FHSU OnlineWith more than 200 online degree and certificate programs and innovative faculty and student resources to support you on your way, you will find that FHSU is the best value in online education—anywhere. Check out FHSU Online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/online/">fhsu.edu/online</a>.

FHSU Online Tiger siblings ready for their next challenge

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times and The Washington Post were awarded three&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pulitzer-prize-awards">Pulitzer Prizes</a>&nbsp;apiece on Monday for work in 2023 that dealt with everything from the war in Gaza to gun violence, and The Associated Press won in the feature photography category for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-pulitzer-award-journalism-23aeee7cc4a770e8a2e4be5ae1a82277">coverage of global migration</a>&nbsp;to the U.S.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2024">Click here to see the list</a> or watch the announcement video below

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and its aftermath produced work that resulted in two Pulitzers and a special citation. The Times won for text coverage that the Pulitzer board described as “wide-ranging and revelatory,” while the Reuters news service won for its photography. The citation went to journalists and other writers covering the war in Gaza.

The prestigious public service award went to ProPublica for reporting that “pierced the thick wall of secrecy” around the U.S. Supreme Court to show how billionaires gave expensive gifts to justices and paid for luxury travel. Reporters Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Alex Mierjeski and Kirsten Berg were honored for their work.

The Pulitzers honored the best in journalism from 2023 in 15 categories, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pulitzer-prizes-night-watch-jayne-anne-phillips-c1639c1c9574616a03ebc4074b494e18">eight arts categories</a>&nbsp;focused on books, music and theater. The public service winner receives a gold medal. All other winners receive $15,000.

The 15 photos in AP’s winning entry were taken across Latin America and along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and California in a year when immigration was one of the world’s biggest stories. They were shot by AP staffers Greg Bull, Eric Gay, Fernando Llano, Marco Ugarte and Eduardo Verdugo, and longtime AP freelancers Christian Chavez, Felix Marquez and Ivan Valencia.

“These raw and emotional images came about through day-to-day coverage of a historic moment in multiple countries documenting migrants at every step of their treacherous journeys,” said Julie Pace, the AP’s senior vice president and executive editor.

The United States has seen more than 10 million border arrivals in the last five years, with migrants arriving from a wide range of new locations like Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti and Africa, in contrast with earlier eras.

The AP has won 59 Pulitzer Prizes, including 36 for photography. The news cooperative was named a finalist for the national reporting Pulitzer on Monday for its coverage of hundreds of thousands of children who&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/missing-children/index.html">disappeared from public schools during the pandemic</a>.

In citing the Times for its work in Israel and Gaza, the Pulitzer board mentioned its coverage of the country’s intelligence failures, along with the attack and Israel’s military response.

The award comes even as The Times has faced some controversy about its coverage; last month a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2024/04/29/new-york-times-oct-7-journalism-professors-letter/">group of journalism professors</a>&nbsp;called on the publication to address questions about an investigation into gender-based violence during the Hamas attack on Israel.

The Times’ Hannah Dreier won a Pulitzer in investigative reporting for her stories on migrant child labor across the United States. Contributing writer Katie Engelhart won the newspaper’s third Pulitzer, in feature writing, for her portrait of a family struggling with a matriarch’s dementia.

“Every one of the winners and finalists showcases a drive for original, revelatory reporting that underpins so much of what we produce, from the biggest storylines in the news to feature writing as well as classic investigations,” said Joe Kahn, the Times' executive editor.

The Washington Post staff won in national reporting for its “sobering examination” of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, which came with some gut-wrenching photos. “We were eager to find a way to cover it differently and change the conversation about mass shootings,” Peter Walstein, the Post’s senior national enterprise editor, said in the newspaper.

The Post’s David E. Hoffman won in editorial writing for a “compelling and well-researched” series on how authoritarian regimes repress dissent in the digital age. Its third award went to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-prisoner-vladimir-kara-murza-vladimir-putin-72fa647534d743c22fceef9fe4a78dc4">contributor Vladimir Kara-Murza</a>, for commentaries written from a Russian prison cell.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times and The Washington Post were awarded three&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pulitzer-prize-awards">Pulitzer Prizes</a>&nbsp;apiece on Monday for work in 2023 that dealt with everything from the war in Gaza to gun violence, and The Associated Press won in the feature photography category for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-pulitzer-award-journalism-23aeee7cc4a770e8a2e4be5ae1a82277">coverage of global migration</a>&nbsp;to the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2024">Click here to see the list</a> or watch the announcement video below<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1k3v4rB1BhY?si=Y0rKa0mAS4L5CQqK" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and its aftermath produced work that resulted in two Pulitzers and a special citation. The Times won for text coverage that the Pulitzer board described as “wide-ranging and revelatory,” while the Reuters news service won for its photography. The citation went to journalists and other writers covering the war in Gaza.The prestigious public service award went to ProPublica for reporting that “pierced the thick wall of secrecy” around the U.S. Supreme Court to show how billionaires gave expensive gifts to justices and paid for luxury travel. Reporters Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Alex Mierjeski and Kirsten Berg were honored for their work.The Pulitzers honored the best in journalism from 2023 in 15 categories, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pulitzer-prizes-night-watch-jayne-anne-phillips-c1639c1c9574616a03ebc4074b494e18">eight arts categories</a>&nbsp;focused on books, music and theater. The public service winner receives a gold medal. All other winners receive $15,000.The 15 photos in AP’s winning entry were taken across Latin America and along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and California in a year when immigration was one of the world’s biggest stories. They were shot by AP staffers Greg Bull, Eric Gay, Fernando Llano, Marco Ugarte and Eduardo Verdugo, and longtime AP freelancers Christian Chavez, Felix Marquez and Ivan Valencia.“These raw and emotional images came about through day-to-day coverage of a historic moment in multiple countries documenting migrants at every step of their treacherous journeys,” said Julie Pace, the AP’s senior vice president and executive editor.The United States has seen more than 10 million border arrivals in the last five years, with migrants arriving from a wide range of new locations like Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti and Africa, in contrast with earlier eras.The AP has won 59 Pulitzer Prizes, including 36 for photography. The news cooperative was named a finalist for the national reporting Pulitzer on Monday for its coverage of hundreds of thousands of children who&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/missing-children/index.html">disappeared from public schools during the pandemic</a>.In citing the Times for its work in Israel and Gaza, the Pulitzer board mentioned its coverage of the country’s intelligence failures, along with the attack and Israel’s military response.The award comes even as The Times has faced some controversy about its coverage; last month a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2024/04/29/new-york-times-oct-7-journalism-professors-letter/">group of journalism professors</a>&nbsp;called on the publication to address questions about an investigation into gender-based violence during the Hamas attack on Israel.The Times’ Hannah Dreier won a Pulitzer in investigative reporting for her stories on migrant child labor across the United States. Contributing writer Katie Engelhart won the newspaper’s third Pulitzer, in feature writing, for her portrait of a family struggling with a matriarch’s dementia.“Every one of the winners and finalists showcases a drive for original, revelatory reporting that underpins so much of what we produce, from the biggest storylines in the news to feature writing as well as classic investigations,” said Joe Kahn, the Times' executive editor.The Washington Post staff won in national reporting for its “sobering examination” of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, which came with some gut-wrenching photos. “We were eager to find a way to cover it differently and change the conversation about mass shootings,” Peter Walstein, the Post’s senior national enterprise editor, said in the newspaper.The Post’s David E. Hoffman won in editorial writing for a “compelling and well-researched” series on how authoritarian regimes repress dissent in the digital age. Its third award went to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-prisoner-vladimir-kara-murza-vladimir-putin-72fa647534d743c22fceef9fe4a78dc4">contributor Vladimir Kara-Murza</a>, for commentaries written from a Russian prison cell.The New Yorker magazine won two Pulitzers. Sarah Stillman won in explanatory reporting for her report on the legal system’s reliance on felony murder charges. Contributor Medar de la Cruz won in illustrated reporting and commentary for his story humanizing inmates in the Rikers Island jail in New York City.The staff of Lookout Santa Cruz in California won in the breaking news category for what the prize board called “nimble community-minded coverage” of flooding and mudslides. On its website Monday, Lookout Santa Cruz said that it made its coverage free at a time of crisis in the community, and also used text messages to reach people without power.“In short, we did our jobs,” the staff said in an unsigned article, “and we heard so many thanks for it. The Pulitzer is icing on that cake.”The Pulitzers gave a second award in national reporting to the Reuters staff for an “eye-opening” series that probed Elon Musk’s automobile and aerospace businesses.In local reporting, Sarah Conway of City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler of the Invisible Institute won for an investigative series on missing Black girls and women in Chicago, which showed how racism and the police contributed to the problem.The Pulitzer in criticism went to Justin Chang of The Los Angeles Times for evocative and genre-spanning coverage of movies. The Pulitzer board's second special citation went to the late hip-hop critic Greg Tate.The awards are administered by Columbia University in New York, which itself has been in the news for student demonstrations against the war in Gaza. The Pulitzer board met away from Columbia this past weekend to deliberate on its winners.The Pulitzers announced that five of the 45 finalists this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/five-of-this-years-pulitzer-finalists-are-ai-powered,248629">used artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;in research and reporting of their submissions. It was the first time the board required applicants for the award to disclose use of AI.The prizes were established in the will of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer and first awarded in 1917.