Dolores Faye Depperschmidt, 87, was born to Frank and Doretta (Butler) 
Soderlund at Kanona, Kansas, on October 10, 1934. She passed away with 
her family by her side on November 20th, 2021 in Oberlin, Kansas. 
 Dolores graduated from Decatur County High School in 1954 and later 
that year she was married to Al J. Depperschmidt. Throughout their 
marriage they made their home in Dresden, Kansas. 
 Over the course of her career she worked in the food system at the 
schools of Leoville and Clayton and as a co-owner of the Dresden Thrift 
Shop. She was a part of the Daughters of Isabella group and the Altar 
Society. In her free time Dolores made quilt blocks for the Disabled 
American Veterans. She enjoyed embroider, reading, scrapbooking and 
loved watching rodeos. 
 She is survived by her sons Mark and David, daughter-in-law Carla, 
grandchildren Heather, Leia and Jason, great grandchildren Zachary, 
Olivia, Kiera, Clayton and Quinn and other family and friends. She is 
preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons and four brothers.

Click <a href="https://www.paulsfh.com/obituaries/Dolores-Faye-Depperschmidt?obId=23155365#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637676278293.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dolores Faye Depperschmidt, 87, was born to Frank and Doretta (Butler) 
Soderlund at Kanona, Kansas, on October 10, 1934. She passed away with 
her family by her side on November 20th, 2021 in Oberlin, Kansas. 
 Dolores graduated from Decatur County High School in 1954 and later 
that year she was married to Al J. Depperschmidt. Throughout their 
marriage they made their home in Dresden, Kansas. 
 Over the course of her career she worked in the food system at the 
schools of Leoville and Clayton and as a co-owner of the Dresden Thrift 
Shop. She was a part of the Daughters of Isabella group and the Altar 
Society. In her free time Dolores made quilt blocks for the Disabled 
American Veterans. She enjoyed embroider, reading, scrapbooking and 
loved watching rodeos. 
 She is survived by her sons Mark and David, daughter-in-law Carla, 
grandchildren Heather, Leia and Jason, great grandchildren Zachary, 
Olivia, Kiera, Clayton and Quinn and other family and friends. She is 
preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons and four brothers.Click <a href="https://www.paulsfh.com/obituaries/Dolores-Faye-Depperschmidt?obId=23155365#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Dolores Faye Depperschmidt

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered 50 million barrels of oil released from the strategic reserve to help bring down energy costs, in coordination with other major energy consuming nations, including China, India, and the United Kingdom.

The move is aimed at global energy markets, but also at voters who are coping with higher inflation and rising prices ahead of Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel. Gas prices are at about $3.40 a gallon, more than double their price a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.

Biden has scrambled to reshape much of his economic agenda around the issue of inflation, saying that his recently passed $1 trillion infrastructure package will reduce price pressures by making it more efficient and cheaper to transport goods.

Republican lawmakers have criticized the administration for inflation hitting a 31-year high in October.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell tore into the administration over inflation in a floor speech last week, saying the victims of higher prices were middle class Americans.

“The three biggest drivers of the staggering 6.2% inflation rate we logged last month were housing, transportation, and food,” the Kentucky senator said. “Those aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials, and they take up a much bigger share of families’ budgets from the middle class on down.”

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency stockpile to preserve access to oil in case of natural disasters, national security issues and other events. Maintained by the Energy Department, the reserves are stored in caverns created in salt domes along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts. There are roughly 605 million barrels of sweet and sour petroleum in the reserve.

“As we come out of an unprecedented global economic shutdown, oil supply has not kept up with demand, forcing working families and businesses to pay the price,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. “This action underscores the president’s commitment to using the tools available to bring down costs for working families and to continue our economic recovery.”

The Biden administration has argued that the supply of oil has not kept pace with demand as the global economy emerged from the pandemic, and the reserve is the right tool to help ease the problem.

Americans used an average of 20.7 million barrels a day during September, according to the Energy Information Administration. That means that the release nearly equals about two-and-a-half days of additional supply.

The decision comes after weeks of diplomatic negotiations and the release will be taken in parallel with other nations. Japan and South Korea are also participating.

The U.S. Department of Energy will make the oil available from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in two ways; 32 million barrels will be released in the next few months and will return to the reserve in the years ahead, the White House said. Another 18 barrels will be part of a sale of oil that Congress had previously authorized.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday evening that the White House would also keep tabs on the oil companies, too.

“We will continue to press oil companies who have made record profits and are overseeing what we consider to be price gouging out there when there’s a supply of oil or the price of oil is coming down and the price of gas is not coming down,” Psaki said. “It does not take an economic expert to know that’s a problem.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637673559812.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered 50 million barrels of oil released from the strategic reserve to help bring down energy costs, in coordination with other major energy consuming nations, including China, India, and the United Kingdom.The move is aimed at global energy markets, but also at voters who are coping with higher inflation and rising prices ahead of Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel. Gas prices are at about $3.40 a gallon, more than double their price a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.Biden has scrambled to reshape much of his economic agenda around the issue of inflation, saying that his recently passed $1 trillion infrastructure package will reduce price pressures by making it more efficient and cheaper to transport goods.Republican lawmakers have criticized the administration for inflation hitting a 31-year high in October.Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell tore into the administration over inflation in a floor speech last week, saying the victims of higher prices were middle class Americans.“The three biggest drivers of the staggering 6.2% inflation rate we logged last month were housing, transportation, and food,” the Kentucky senator said. “Those aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials, and they take up a much bigger share of families’ budgets from the middle class on down.”The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency stockpile to preserve access to oil in case of natural disasters, national security issues and other events. Maintained by the Energy Department, the reserves are stored in caverns created in salt domes along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts. There are roughly 605 million barrels of sweet and sour petroleum in the reserve.“As we come out of an unprecedented global economic shutdown, oil supply has not kept up with demand, forcing working families and businesses to pay the price,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. “This action underscores the president’s commitment to using the tools available to bring down costs for working families and to continue our economic recovery.”The Biden administration has argued that the supply of oil has not kept pace with demand as the global economy emerged from the pandemic, and the reserve is the right tool to help ease the problem.Americans used an average of 20.7 million barrels a day during September, according to the Energy Information Administration. That means that the release nearly equals about two-and-a-half days of additional supply.The decision comes after weeks of diplomatic negotiations and the release will be taken in parallel with other nations. Japan and South Korea are also participating.The U.S. Department of Energy will make the oil available from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in two ways; 32 million barrels will be released in the next few months and will return to the reserve in the years ahead, the White House said. Another 18 barrels will be part of a sale of oil that Congress had previously authorized.White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday evening that the White House would also keep tabs on the oil companies, too.“We will continue to press oil companies who have made record profits and are overseeing what we consider to be price gouging out there when there’s a supply of oil or the price of oil is coming down and the price of gas is not coming down,” Psaki said. “It does not take an economic expert to know that’s a problem.”

US to release 50M barrels of oil from reserve to ease gas prices

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas approved a measure Monday night to make it easy for workers to claim religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide unemployment benefits to people fired for refusing the shots.

Gov. Laura Kelly said she would sign&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2001_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the bill,</a>&nbsp;angering some fellow Democrats in the GOP-controlled Legislature. Most Democratic lawmakers opposed it, arguing that it was a symbolic measure that won’t provide any real protections for workers who refuse to get vaccinated in the face of federal mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">imposed by President Joe Biden.</a>

The bill would require employers to grant a religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccine mandates for any worker who seeks one in writing, without second-guessing that employee. Republican leaders initially were divided over whether it was necessary to also promise fired workers unemployment, but House leaders who’d resisted came around during negotiations with the Senate.

The votes were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/vote_view/je_20211122225505_281018/" target="_blank">24-11</a>&nbsp;in the Senate and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/vote_view/je_20211122231322_718097/" target="_blank">77-34</a>&nbsp;in the House. Republican legislators had forced Kelly to call the one-day special session to consider ways for Kansas to push back against Biden’s mandates. The full Legislature had been out of session since May and wasn’t set to reconvene until January, but many GOP lawmakers believed that vaccine-refusing workers couldn’t wait for help until then.

“Many of us here tonight wanted a lot more, but this is a victory for liberty and the patriots standing tall across Kansas,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a conservative Republican from the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee.

During negotiations between Monday evening between the House and Senate, GOP senators dropped a proposal from conservatives in their chamber to prohibit private employers from imposing their own vaccine requirements, whether or not Biden’s mandates survive the federal lawsuits challenging them. Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican seeking to oust Kelly in next year’s governor’s race, has brought Kansas into three multi-state lawsuits.

“We have to stay focused on the priority, which is protecting those people right now that could be losing their jobs,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican and one of the negotiators.

Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers, but a few GOP lawmakers joined most Democrats in voting against the measure. Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat who was among the negotiators, called it a “sham” that will mislead vaccine-resistant workers who want some protection from Biden’s policies.

“The courts are going to take care of the mandates, I expect,” Miller said. “If the mandates are found to be legal, I expect that these actions will be found to be illegal.”

Kansas’ special legislative session comes as Republican governors, state attorneys general and lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-states-suing-employer-vaccine-mandates-f4300ed015ed716a1054949cf199a25a">are pursuing ways</a>&nbsp;to push back against the Biden mandates. Iowa enacted a law last month extending unemployment benefits to workers who refuse to get vaccinated, and provisions in the Kansas legislation were inspired by measures&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-state-legislature-florida-ca8e97649fb4f4ff586cc39fb052dc44?utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_source=Twitter">enacted last week in Florida.</a>

One question is whether such state laws can be enforced because federal law is supreme.

Supporters argued that the Kansas measure would stand because it wouldn’t conflict with Biden’s mandates, which allow for religious exemptions. But some business owners and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, often influential with Republicans, were skeptical. They worried that businesses would be caught between conflicting state and federal mandates.

“You’re going to make a wrong decision, no matter what,” said Alan Rupe, a Wichita attorney who represents companies in employment law cases.

The Kansas chamber also opposed provisions that said if employers don’t grant a religious exemption to workers who ask for them, they could be fined up to $50,000 per violation.

“What business owner wants to raise their hand in the air and say, ‘Fine me’?” said Eric Stafford, a chamber lobbyist.

Meanwhile, Republicans faced pressure from anti-mandate activists to prohibit mandates from private employers. However, the House did not consider the idea, and Masterson said it could get a full vetting starting in January.

Evon Smith, a registered nurse who left her job in Topeka in October because she didn’t think she would get a religious exemption, said it’s important to hold employers accountable. She was at the Statehouse on Monday.

“I should be able to state that I don’t want this shot because of God,” she said. “That should be the end of it.”

The measure says religious exemptions would cover beliefs that aren’t tied to a belief in God but simply a strong moral objection.

Critics predicted abuses. Rabbi Moti Rieber, the executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said the policy would allow people with political objections to falsely claim religious ones.

“Opposition to the public health is the religion,” he said. “Trumpism is the religion.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637665078992.png" alt="During negotiations between Monday evening between the House and Senate, GOP senators dropped a proposal from conservatives in their chamber to prohibit private employers from imposing their own vaccine requirements, whether or not Biden’s mandates survive the federal lawsuits challenging them." />
 <figcaption>During negotiations between Monday evening between the House and Senate, GOP senators dropped a proposal from conservatives in their chamber to prohibit private employers from imposing their own vaccine requirements, whether or not Biden’s mandates survive the federal lawsuits challenging them.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA and ANDY TSUBASA FIELDTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas approved a measure Monday night to make it easy for workers to claim religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide unemployment benefits to people fired for refusing the shots.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KUbMd1qHHG4?start=4145" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Gov. Laura Kelly said she would sign&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2001_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the bill,</a>&nbsp;angering some fellow Democrats in the GOP-controlled Legislature. Most Democratic lawmakers opposed it, arguing that it was a symbolic measure that won’t provide any real protections for workers who refuse to get vaccinated in the face of federal mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">imposed by President Joe Biden.</a>The bill would require employers to grant a religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccine mandates for any worker who seeks one in writing, without second-guessing that employee. Republican leaders initially were divided over whether it was necessary to also promise fired workers unemployment, but House leaders who’d resisted came around during negotiations with the Senate.The votes were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/vote_view/je_20211122225505_281018/" target="_blank">24-11</a>&nbsp;in the Senate and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/vote_view/je_20211122231322_718097/" target="_blank">77-34</a>&nbsp;in the House. Republican legislators had forced Kelly to call the one-day special session to consider ways for Kansas to push back against Biden’s mandates. The full Legislature had been out of session since May and wasn’t set to reconvene until January, but many GOP lawmakers believed that vaccine-refusing workers couldn’t wait for help until then.“Many of us here tonight wanted a lot more, but this is a victory for liberty and the patriots standing tall across Kansas,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a conservative Republican from the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee.During negotiations between Monday evening between the House and Senate, GOP senators dropped a proposal from conservatives in their chamber to prohibit private employers from imposing their own vaccine requirements, whether or not Biden’s mandates survive the federal lawsuits challenging them. Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican seeking to oust Kelly in next year’s governor’s race, has brought Kansas into three multi-state lawsuits.“We have to stay focused on the priority, which is protecting those people right now that could be losing their jobs,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican and one of the negotiators.Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers, but a few GOP lawmakers joined most Democrats in voting against the measure. Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat who was among the negotiators, called it a “sham” that will mislead vaccine-resistant workers who want some protection from Biden’s policies.ADVERTISEMENT“The courts are going to take care of the mandates, I expect,” Miller said. “If the mandates are found to be legal, I expect that these actions will be found to be illegal.”Kansas’ special legislative session comes as Republican governors, state attorneys general and lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-states-suing-employer-vaccine-mandates-f4300ed015ed716a1054949cf199a25a">are pursuing ways</a>&nbsp;to push back against the Biden mandates. Iowa enacted a law last month extending unemployment benefits to workers who refuse to get vaccinated, and provisions in the Kansas legislation were inspired by measures&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-state-legislature-florida-ca8e97649fb4f4ff586cc39fb052dc44?utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_source=Twitter">enacted last week in Florida.</a>One question is whether such state laws can be enforced because federal law is supreme.Supporters argued that the Kansas measure would stand because it wouldn’t conflict with Biden’s mandates, which allow for religious exemptions. But some business owners and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, often influential with Republicans, were skeptical. They worried that businesses would be caught between conflicting state and federal mandates.“You’re going to make a wrong decision, no matter what,” said Alan Rupe, a Wichita attorney who represents companies in employment law cases.The Kansas chamber also opposed provisions that said if employers don’t grant a religious exemption to workers who ask for them, they could be fined up to $50,000 per violation.“What business owner wants to raise their hand in the air and say, ‘Fine me’?” said Eric Stafford, a chamber lobbyist.Meanwhile, Republicans faced pressure from anti-mandate activists to prohibit mandates from private employers. However, the House did not consider the idea, and Masterson said it could get a full vetting starting in January.Evon Smith, a registered nurse who left her job in Topeka in October because she didn’t think she would get a religious exemption, said it’s important to hold employers accountable. She was at the Statehouse on Monday.“I should be able to state that I don’t want this shot because of God,” she said. “That should be the end of it.”The measure says religious exemptions would cover beliefs that aren’t tied to a belief in God but simply a strong moral objection.Critics predicted abuses. Rabbi Moti Rieber, the executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said the policy would allow people with political objections to falsely claim religious ones.“Opposition to the public health is the religion,” he said. “Trumpism is the religion.”

🎥 Kansas GOP lawmakers OK helping workers defy COVID mandates

WASHINGTON
 —&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will
 remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2022. The
 rates will be:

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

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

The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal 
short-term rate determined during October 2021 to take effect November 
1, 2021, based on daily compounding.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-21-24.pdf">Revenue Ruling 2021-24</a>&nbsp;PDF, announcing the rates of interest, is attached and will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-50, dated December 13, 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 —&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will
 remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2022. The
 rates will be:<ul>
 <li>3% for overpayments (two (2) percent in the case of a corporation),</li><li>0.5% for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000,</li><li>3% for underpayments, and</li><li>5% for large corporate underpayments.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is 
determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than corporations, 
the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate 
plus 3 percentage points.Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the
 federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment 
rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate 
for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 
percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of
 tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term 
rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal 
short-term rate determined during October 2021 to take effect November 
1, 2021, based on daily compounding.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-21-24.pdf">Revenue Ruling 2021-24</a>&nbsp;PDF, announcing the rates of interest, is attached and will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-50, dated December 13, 2021.

Interest rates remain the same for the first quarter of 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 90% of federal workers received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday’s deadline set by President Joe Biden.

Biden announced in September that more than 3.5 million federal workers were required to undergo vaccination, with no with option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured an approved medical or religious exemption. A U.S. official said the vast majority of federal workers are fully vaccinated, and that a smaller number have pending or approved exceptions to the mandate.

In all, more than 95% of federal workers are in compliance with the Biden mandate, the official said, either by being vaccinated or having requested an exemption. Workers who are not in compliance are set to begin a “counseling” process that could ultimately result in their termination if they don’t get a shot or secure an approved exception to vaccination.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the statistics because the official wasn’t authorized to speak on the record before their official release later Monday.

The deadline is a major test of Biden’s push to compel people across the country to get vaccinated, as his administration has emphasized that vaccination is the nation’s surest way out from the pandemic. Beyond the federal worker rule, his administration is looking to compel large businesses to institute vaccinate-or-testing requirements that would cover more than 84 million workers, though plans for January enforcement have been on hold pending litigation.

There was considerable concern over whether federal employees would follow the mandate, particularly in law enforcement and intelligence agencies where there was vocal resistance, and among federal workers involved in the travel sector heading into the busy holiday travel season

The White House says they don’t anticipate any federal disruptions from the mandate. At the Federal Aviation Administration, 99% of employees are in compliance with Biden’s order, at the Transportation Security Administration, 93% are in compliance, and 98% of Customs and Border Protection workers are in compliance.

The official said that on Wednesday the Office of Management and Budget would release a breakdown of agency compliance rates.

According to the official, nearly 25% of the Internal Revenue Service’s employees started getting vaccinated after Biden’s announcement, and 98% of its employees are now in compliance with the requirement.

Just about two weeks ago, several intelligence agencies had at least 20% of their workforce unvaccinated as of late October, said U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, a Utah Republican who is a member of the House Intelligence Committee. Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association President Larry Cosme said around the same time that there are about 31,000 members from 65 federal law enforcement agencies in the association and he estimated 60% of them have been vaccinated.

The White House is now aiming to use the federal vaccination mandate as a model for private businesses to implement their own mandates even before litigation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s is resolved.

Since Biden announced the first federal mandates earlier this summer, the number of unvaccinated Americans aged 12 and over has dropped from about 100 million to under 60 million. Health officials emphasize that the overwhelming majority of instances of serious illness and death from COVID-19 now occur among those who haven’t received a vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632773278988.png" alt="President Biden received his COVID booster earlier this month-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden received his COVID booster earlier this month-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 90% of federal workers received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday’s deadline set by President Joe Biden.Biden announced in September that more than 3.5 million federal workers were required to undergo vaccination, with no with option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured an approved medical or religious exemption. A U.S. official said the vast majority of federal workers are fully vaccinated, and that a smaller number have pending or approved exceptions to the mandate.In all, more than 95% of federal workers are in compliance with the Biden mandate, the official said, either by being vaccinated or having requested an exemption. Workers who are not in compliance are set to begin a “counseling” process that could ultimately result in their termination if they don’t get a shot or secure an approved exception to vaccination.The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the statistics because the official wasn’t authorized to speak on the record before their official release later Monday.The deadline is a major test of Biden’s push to compel people across the country to get vaccinated, as his administration has emphasized that vaccination is the nation’s surest way out from the pandemic. Beyond the federal worker rule, his administration is looking to compel large businesses to institute vaccinate-or-testing requirements that would cover more than 84 million workers, though plans for January enforcement have been on hold pending litigation.There was considerable concern over whether federal employees would follow the mandate, particularly in law enforcement and intelligence agencies where there was vocal resistance, and among federal workers involved in the travel sector heading into the busy holiday travel seasonThe White House says they don’t anticipate any federal disruptions from the mandate. At the Federal Aviation Administration, 99% of employees are in compliance with Biden’s order, at the Transportation Security Administration, 93% are in compliance, and 98% of Customs and Border Protection workers are in compliance.The official said that on Wednesday the Office of Management and Budget would release a breakdown of agency compliance rates.According to the official, nearly 25% of the Internal Revenue Service’s employees started getting vaccinated after Biden’s announcement, and 98% of its employees are now in compliance with the requirement.Just about two weeks ago, several intelligence agencies had at least 20% of their workforce unvaccinated as of late October, said U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, a Utah Republican who is a member of the House Intelligence Committee. Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association President Larry Cosme said around the same time that there are about 31,000 members from 65 federal law enforcement agencies in the association and he estimated 60% of them have been vaccinated.The White House is now aiming to use the federal vaccination mandate as a model for private businesses to implement their own mandates even before litigation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s is resolved.Since Biden announced the first federal mandates earlier this summer, the number of unvaccinated Americans aged 12 and over has dropped from about 100 million to under 60 million. Health officials emphasize that the overwhelming majority of instances of serious illness and death from COVID-19 now occur among those who haven’t received a vaccine.—

Official: More than 90% of fed workers got shots by deadline

Alfred Henry “Fritz” Sauer, 97, died Wednesday October 27, 2021, at St. 
Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born January 7, 1924,&nbsp; in Antonino, Kansas, the son of Anton George and Pauline (Rupp) Sauer. 
Fritz grew up on the family farm near Antonino, Kansas until his 
enlistment into the US Navy at the age of 17. He proudly served in WWII 
and upon his honorable discharge he worked in the shipyards of Alabama 
for a short time. He moved to Garden City and worked with his brother in
 construction before starting his own company (Fritz Sauer 
Construction). It was here that he met his future wife of 70 years. 
Fritz and Carolyn were married August 2, 1949, in Carlsbad, New Mexico. 
Fritz built many custom homes, schools, storefronts, and prominent 
structures in Garden CIty and Southwest Kansas. Later in his career he 
had the privilege of working for Winger Cattle Company in Johnson, 
Kansas until his retirement. He was well known for his perfection, work 
ethic, values, and integrity. Fritz enjoyed hunting, fishing, and 
spending time with his family and friends. 
Survivors include two daughters Patty Carr of Waco, Texas and Deb Foltz 
of Garden City, Kansas; four grandchildren, and thirteen 
great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife- 
Carolyn (Goodin) Sauer, brothers- IA Sauer, and Joe Sauer, and 
sisters-Irene Leiker, Katie Dodson, and Albertine Stewart. 
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00am Monday November 29, 2021, at 
Steven’s Park in Garden City, Kansas with Rev. Randy Caddell 
officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the United States 
Navy Honor Guard and the District #8 American Legion Honor Guard. 
Condolences can be posted by visiting www.garnandfuneralhomes.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637616129468.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Alfred Henry “Fritz” Sauer, 97, died Wednesday October 27, 2021, at St. 
Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born January 7, 1924,&nbsp; in Antonino, Kansas, the son of Anton George and Pauline (Rupp) Sauer. 
Fritz grew up on the family farm near Antonino, Kansas until his 
enlistment into the US Navy at the age of 17. He proudly served in WWII 
and upon his honorable discharge he worked in the shipyards of Alabama 
for a short time. He moved to Garden City and worked with his brother in
 construction before starting his own company (Fritz Sauer 
Construction). It was here that he met his future wife of 70 years. 
Fritz and Carolyn were married August 2, 1949, in Carlsbad, New Mexico. 
Fritz built many custom homes, schools, storefronts, and prominent 
structures in Garden CIty and Southwest Kansas. Later in his career he 
had the privilege of working for Winger Cattle Company in Johnson, 
Kansas until his retirement. He was well known for his perfection, work 
ethic, values, and integrity. Fritz enjoyed hunting, fishing, and 
spending time with his family and friends. 
Survivors include two daughters Patty Carr of Waco, Texas and Deb Foltz 
of Garden City, Kansas; four grandchildren, and thirteen 
great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife- 
Carolyn (Goodin) Sauer, brothers- IA Sauer, and Joe Sauer, and 
sisters-Irene Leiker, Katie Dodson, and Albertine Stewart. 
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00am Monday November 29, 2021, at 
Steven’s Park in Garden City, Kansas with Rev. Randy Caddell 
officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the United States 
Navy Honor Guard and the District #8 American Legion Honor Guard. 
Condolences can be posted by visiting www.garnandfuneralhomes.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Alfred Henry 'Fritz' Sauer

By Scott Edger Little Apple Post

RILEY COUNTY —Just before 8p.m. Sunday, Riley County Police arrested 38-year-old Kenneth Durell Dotson&nbsp;for multiple counts of stalking, protection order violations, and interference with a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;

Police say Dotson’s current arrest and charges&nbsp;stem from&nbsp;his&nbsp;October 12&nbsp;arrest&nbsp;in connection with a violent attack at&nbsp;a&nbsp;Dairy Queen&nbsp;in Manhattan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On October 12, the police arrested Dotson and Cornelius Lee Sisson,&nbsp;37,&nbsp;both of Manhattan,&nbsp;after they&nbsp;reportedly&nbsp;forced their way&nbsp;into the Dairy Queen&nbsp;at 1015 N. Third Street&nbsp;and chased a man and woman outside before assaulting them with a weapon.&nbsp;

Police arrested Dotson at his home at 12:14&nbsp;Saturday morning, October 12. He&nbsp;was charged&nbsp;with&nbsp;domestic battery, battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, violation of a protection order and aggravated burglary.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At the time of the Sunday night incident, Dotson was free on a $50,000 bond posted October 20.&nbsp;Following his release, Dotson was issued a protection order banning&nbsp;contant&nbsp;with witnesses.&nbsp;

Authorities&nbsp;had recently&nbsp;taken&nbsp;multiple&nbsp;reports of Dotson stalking&nbsp;and contacting&nbsp;witnesses from the October 12&nbsp;attack. Dotson is scheduled for a December 7 hearing in&nbsp;Riley County District Court&nbsp;for the October 12 case.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632060646160.png" alt="Kenneth Dotson- from an earlier arrest in Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Kenneth Dotson- from an earlier arrest in Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Scott Edger Little Apple PostRILEY COUNTY —Just before 8p.m. Sunday, Riley County Police arrested 38-year-old Kenneth Durell Dotson&nbsp;for multiple counts of stalking, protection order violations, and interference with a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;Police say Dotson’s current arrest and charges&nbsp;stem from&nbsp;his&nbsp;October 12&nbsp;arrest&nbsp;in connection with a violent attack at&nbsp;a&nbsp;Dairy Queen&nbsp;in Manhattan.&nbsp;&nbsp;On October 12, the police arrested Dotson and Cornelius Lee Sisson,&nbsp;37,&nbsp;both of Manhattan,&nbsp;after they&nbsp;reportedly&nbsp;forced their way&nbsp;into the Dairy Queen&nbsp;at 1015 N. Third Street&nbsp;and chased a man and woman outside before assaulting them with a weapon.&nbsp;Police arrested Dotson at his home at 12:14&nbsp;Saturday morning, October 12. He&nbsp;was charged&nbsp;with&nbsp;domestic battery, battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, violation of a protection order and aggravated burglary.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the time of the Sunday night incident, Dotson was free on a $50,000 bond posted October 20.&nbsp;Following his release, Dotson was issued a protection order banning&nbsp;contant&nbsp;with witnesses.&nbsp;Authorities&nbsp;had recently&nbsp;taken&nbsp;multiple&nbsp;reports of Dotson stalking&nbsp;and contacting&nbsp;witnesses from the October 12&nbsp;attack. Dotson is scheduled for a December 7 hearing in&nbsp;Riley County District Court&nbsp;for the October 12 case.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. man accused in attack jailed for stalking victims

Lynette Dea Gallentine, 55, passed away November 19, 2021, at OU 
Health - University Of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.&nbsp; 
She was born October 25, 1966, in Great Bend, to Carl and Dolores 
(Bauer) Maddy.&nbsp; Lynette married Jerry Gallentine June 30, 2018, in 
Oberlin.

Lynette, a resident of Clayton since 2018 coming from Barton County, 
was a long time devoted nurse. She had recently worked at Logan Manor, 
Logan, previously working at Diversicare, Larned, Clara Barton Hospital,
 Hoisington, and The Children's Clinic, CKMC, and Great Bend Health and 
Rehabilitation, all of Great Bend. She enjoyed Mickey Mouse collectibles
 and decorating, but especially cherished her time with family and her 
wiener dog Gretta.

Survivors include her husband Jerry of the home; parents, Carl and 
Dolores Maddy of Logan; one son, Gannon Radenberg and his companion 
Brooke Oleson of Lenexa; one daughter, Taryn Mitchell and husband Jack 
of Great Bend; one granddaughter, Emersyn Mitchell; two brothers, Steven
 Maddy and wife Clairissa of Wichita, and Mike Maddy of Larned; one 
sister, Terri Kennard of Wichita; step son, Stephen Gallentine of 
Ashland, Neb.; and step daughter, Brooke Gallentine of Perry, Ga.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, with Pastor Tim Singleton 
presiding.&nbsp; Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be 
no visitation.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to American Legion Auxiliary Post
 286, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, 
KS&nbsp; 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637596975579.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lynette Dea Gallentine, 55, passed away November 19, 2021, at OU 
Health - University Of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.&nbsp; 
She was born October 25, 1966, in Great Bend, to Carl and Dolores 
(Bauer) Maddy.&nbsp; Lynette married Jerry Gallentine June 30, 2018, in 
Oberlin.Lynette, a resident of Clayton since 2018 coming from Barton County, 
was a long time devoted nurse. She had recently worked at Logan Manor, 
Logan, previously working at Diversicare, Larned, Clara Barton Hospital,
 Hoisington, and The Children's Clinic, CKMC, and Great Bend Health and 
Rehabilitation, all of Great Bend. She enjoyed Mickey Mouse collectibles
 and decorating, but especially cherished her time with family and her 
wiener dog Gretta.Survivors include her husband Jerry of the home; parents, Carl and 
Dolores Maddy of Logan; one son, Gannon Radenberg and his companion 
Brooke Oleson of Lenexa; one daughter, Taryn Mitchell and husband Jack 
of Great Bend; one granddaughter, Emersyn Mitchell; two brothers, Steven
 Maddy and wife Clairissa of Wichita, and Mike Maddy of Larned; one 
sister, Terri Kennard of Wichita; step son, Stephen Gallentine of 
Ashland, Neb.; and step daughter, Brooke Gallentine of Perry, Ga.Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, with Pastor Tim Singleton 
presiding.&nbsp; Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be 
no visitation.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to American Legion Auxiliary Post
 286, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, 
KS&nbsp; 67544.

Lynette Dea Gallentine

Gwen Irene Walter, 85, passed away November 20, 2021, at Pratt Regional Medical Center, Pratt.

She was born October 5, 1936, in Arnold, Nebraska, the daughter of Ralph Earl and Irene Violet Norall Alexander.

Moving from Lyons, she was an area resident since 1971. She was a 
group manager of Alco and a member of the First Christian Church, both 
of Larned.

On April 5, 1954, she married Vurn “Shorty” Walter at Kearney Nebraska; he preceded her in death on March 18, 2005.

Survivors include: five children, Robert L. (Mary) Walter, McPherson,
 Connie Lou (Raul) Servin, San Antonio, Texas, Bruce E. (Julia) Walter, 
Turon, Thomas E. Walter, Larned, Rocky (Linda) Fox, Pratt; one sister, 
Judy (George) Lookhart, Manhattan; twenty-one grandchildren, forty-six 
great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, 
Ralph D. Alexander, and two sisters, Joan Bagley and Virginia Moore.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at 
Beckwith Mortuary, with Pastor Damon Bradley presiding. Visitation will 
be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Beckwith 
Mortuary with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in 
Larned Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Salvation Army in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637590470860.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gwen Irene Walter, 85, passed away November 20, 2021, at Pratt Regional Medical Center, Pratt.She was born October 5, 1936, in Arnold, Nebraska, the daughter of Ralph Earl and Irene Violet Norall Alexander.Moving from Lyons, she was an area resident since 1971. She was a 
group manager of Alco and a member of the First Christian Church, both 
of Larned.On April 5, 1954, she married Vurn “Shorty” Walter at Kearney Nebraska; he preceded her in death on March 18, 2005.Survivors include: five children, Robert L. (Mary) Walter, McPherson,
 Connie Lou (Raul) Servin, San Antonio, Texas, Bruce E. (Julia) Walter, 
Turon, Thomas E. Walter, Larned, Rocky (Linda) Fox, Pratt; one sister, 
Judy (George) Lookhart, Manhattan; twenty-one grandchildren, forty-six 
great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, 
Ralph D. Alexander, and two sisters, Joan Bagley and Virginia Moore.Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at 
Beckwith Mortuary, with Pastor Damon Bradley presiding. Visitation will 
be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Beckwith 
Mortuary with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in 
Larned Cemetery.Memorials may be given to the Salvation Army in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.

Gwen Irene Walter

NEW YORK (AP) — Target will no longer open its stores on Thanksgiving Day, making permanent a shift to the unofficial start of the holiday season that was suspended during the pandemic. 

To limit crowds in stores, retailers last year were forced to turn what had become a weekend shopping blitz into an extended event with holiday sales beginning as early as October. That forced shift turned out to be a good move. 

U.S. holiday sales in November and December rose 8.2% from the previous year, and the National Retail Federation predicts that this year could shatter that record, growing between 8.5% and 10.5%.

NEW YORK (AP) — Target will no longer open its stores on Thanksgiving Day, making permanent a shift to the unofficial start of the holiday season that was suspended during the pandemic. To limit crowds in stores, retailers last year were forced to turn what had become a weekend shopping blitz into an extended event with holiday sales beginning as early as October. That forced shift turned out to be a good move. U.S. holiday sales in November and December rose 8.2% from the previous year, and the National Retail Federation predicts that this year could shatter that record, growing between 8.5% and 10.5%.

Target to keep stores closed on Thanksgiving for good

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for 63 yards and a touchdown in his return from injured reserve, Chris Jones and the Kansas City defense made life miserable for Dak Prescott, and the Chiefs beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-9 on Sunday.

Patrick Mahomes was 23 of 37 for 260 yards with an interception and a fumble for Kansas City, but he was bailed out by a defense that played its best game of the year. Charvarius Ward picked off Prescott in the end zone near the end of the first half, and Chris Jones had 3 1/2 sacks while forcing and recovering a fumble.

The result: The Chiefs (7-4) improved to 4-0 against the NFC East with their fourth straight win overall.

Prescott was held to 216 yards passing and two interceptions for the Cowboys, though he was missing a whole lot of help. Left tackle Tyron Smith missed his third straight game with an ankle injury, Amari Cooper tested positive for COVID-19 and fellow wide receiver CeeDee Lamb sustained a concussion just before halftime.

Ezekiel Elliott, who appeared to tweak his ankle early in the game, finished with nine carries for 32 yards. Linebacker Micah Parsons was the biggest highlight for the Cowboys (7-3), forcing a fumble and getting two more sacks.

The Chiefs have hit their stride after a rough first seven weeks that left them 3-4 and last in the AFC West. They've eliminated many of the turnovers and penalties that hamstrung their offense, and a defense that was historically inept in September and October has turned into a ferocious, ball-hawking bunch in November.

Just ask Prescott, who spent a good part of Sunday running away from it.

Mahomes followed up a 406-yard, five-touchdown performance against the Raiders by dicing up the Cowboys in the first half. He led Kansas City on an 86-yard march that ended with Travis Kelce taking a direct snap for a touchdown, then he led a 65-yard drive a few minutes later that ended with Edwards-Helaire's short TD run.

All the Cowboys managed was Greg Zuerlein's field goal and they trailed 16-3 at the break.

Zuerlein hit two more in the second half, and Harrison Butker added another field goal for Kansas City as the teams traded silly mistakes that kept them from reaching the end zone. Mahomes had a pass bounce off Kelce's hands for another interception, and the Cowboys had a promising drive go haywire after a false-start penalty.

The Chiefs' resurgent defense made sure the Cowboys never got within one possession the rest of the way.

The teams nearly came to blows late in the first half when the Cowboys' Kelvin Joseph ripped the helmet off Rashad Fenton, who in turn began taunting the Dallas sideline. Both players were flagged for offsetting penalties.

Cowboys: Lamb was hurt going up for a jump ball in the end zone near the end of the first half. Ward picked it off and Lamb landed hard. He was helped by trainers to the locker room and did not return. ... FS Donovan Wilson left with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter.

Chiefs: Chiefs FS Tyrann Mathieu was added to the injury list as questionable about three hours before kickoff. But after working with trainer Rick Burkholder before the game, the three-time All-Pro pronounced himself ready to go. ... RB Jerick McKinnon hurt his hamstring in the first quarter. ... Fenton hurt his right knee in the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys return home to play against the Raiders on Thanksgiving Day.

The Chiefs finally get their week off before playing the Broncos on Dec. 5 in the first of three straight divisional games.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for 63 yards and a touchdown in his return from injured reserve, Chris Jones and the Kansas City defense made life miserable for Dak Prescott, and the Chiefs beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-9 on Sunday.Patrick Mahomes was 23 of 37 for 260 yards with an interception and a fumble for Kansas City, but he was bailed out by a defense that played its best game of the year. Charvarius Ward picked off Prescott in the end zone near the end of the first half, and Chris Jones had 3 1/2 sacks while forcing and recovering a fumble.The result: The Chiefs (7-4) improved to 4-0 against the NFC East with their fourth straight win overall.Prescott was held to 216 yards passing and two interceptions for the Cowboys, though he was missing a whole lot of help. Left tackle Tyron Smith missed his third straight game with an ankle injury, Amari Cooper tested positive for COVID-19 and fellow wide receiver CeeDee Lamb sustained a concussion just before halftime.Ezekiel Elliott, who appeared to tweak his ankle early in the game, finished with nine carries for 32 yards. Linebacker Micah Parsons was the biggest highlight for the Cowboys (7-3), forcing a fumble and getting two more sacks.The Chiefs have hit their stride after a rough first seven weeks that left them 3-4 and last in the AFC West. They've eliminated many of the turnovers and penalties that hamstrung their offense, and a defense that was historically inept in September and October has turned into a ferocious, ball-hawking bunch in November.Just ask Prescott, who spent a good part of Sunday running away from it.Mahomes followed up a 406-yard, five-touchdown performance against the Raiders by dicing up the Cowboys in the first half. He led Kansas City on an 86-yard march that ended with Travis Kelce taking a direct snap for a touchdown, then he led a 65-yard drive a few minutes later that ended with Edwards-Helaire's short TD run.All the Cowboys managed was Greg Zuerlein's field goal and they trailed 16-3 at the break.Zuerlein hit two more in the second half, and Harrison Butker added another field goal for Kansas City as the teams traded silly mistakes that kept them from reaching the end zone. Mahomes had a pass bounce off Kelce's hands for another interception, and the Cowboys had a promising drive go haywire after a false-start penalty.The Chiefs' resurgent defense made sure the Cowboys never got within one possession the rest of the way.TEMPTER TANTRUMSThe teams nearly came to blows late in the first half when the Cowboys' Kelvin Joseph ripped the helmet off Rashad Fenton, who in turn began taunting the Dallas sideline. Both players were flagged for offsetting penalties.INJURIESCowboys: Lamb was hurt going up for a jump ball in the end zone near the end of the first half. Ward picked it off and Lamb landed hard. He was helped by trainers to the locker room and did not return. ... FS Donovan Wilson left with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter.Chiefs: Chiefs FS Tyrann Mathieu was added to the injury list as questionable about three hours before kickoff. But after working with trainer Rick Burkholder before the game, the three-time All-Pro pronounced himself ready to go. ... RB Jerick McKinnon hurt his hamstring in the first quarter. ... Fenton hurt his right knee in the fourth quarter.UP NEXTThe Cowboys return home to play against the Raiders on Thanksgiving Day.The Chiefs finally get their week off before playing the Broncos on Dec. 5 in the first of three straight divisional games.

🏈 Chiefs lean on D to stuff Prescott, Cowboys in win

J.S. Wagner passed away on November 19, 2021, at Meadowlark Retirement Community in Manhattan, KS.
 Junior Simeon "J.S." Wagner was born on October 25, 1922, in Smith 
Center, KS. His parents were Lillie (Routh) and A. F. “Jud” Wagner.
 J.S. attended primary grades at Smith Center Grade and then a one 
room country school north of Smith Center. He was an honor student and 
football and track athlete at SCHS, graduating in 1940. J.S. went on to 
Fort Hays but his time there was interrupted by WWII. J.S. followed his 
father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942.
 J.S. was assigned to officer training school at Bowling Green State 
University in Ohio. He returned later to Bowling Green to receive his 
bachelor’s degree.
 J.S. met his wife Betty (Barcus) Wagner at SCHS. They were married 
in 1945. J.S. and Betty were blessed with 3 children, Nancy, Jim and 
Joe.
 J.S. was enlisted with the Marine Corps, both active and reserve 
duty for several years spanning WWII and the Korean War. He was 
discharged with the rank of Captain. While J.S. was in the Marine 
Reserves he was hired as a social studies teacher at Lebanon High 
School. He then was called back to active duty to serve in Korea. Upon 
completing his Marine assignment in Korea, he resumed teaching in 
Lebanon.
 In the mid 1950s, J.S. decided to pursue administration certification using the GI Bill to study at the University of Colorado.
 In 1955 J.S. started his long tenure as school superintendent in 
Kensington. He remained as superintendent until retirement in the spring
 of 1987. He developed and maintained hundreds of positive relations 
with the students, staff and community members at Kensington. In 
addition, he supervised the development of many building projects for 
USD 238 and held many league administration duties. J.S. was a member of
 many organizations including the United Church of Kensington, Lions 
Club (charter member), VFW, American Legion, The Marine Corps League and
 the KS Retired Teachers Association (serving as state president at one 
time. He was league president of the K-18 (cookie) baseball association 
at one time. In addition, J.S. wrote a grant that in large part provided
 financial support for the building of the Kensington Senior Center. 
 J.S. and Betty continued to make Kensington their home after his 
retirement until October 2017. During retirement J.S. and Betty remained
 quite active in community affairs. J.S. was a big sports fan. His 
favorite teams were the Kensington Gold Bugs, Thunder Ridge Longhorns, 
K-State Wildcats, Bowling Green Falcons, the Royals and the Chiefs.
 J.S. was proceeded in death by his parents, his sisters Maxine and Donna (Attwood) and grandson Joey Weber.
 He is survived by his daughter Nancy Weber (John), son Jim Wagner 
(Susan), son Joel Wagner (Diane), grandson Greg Wagner and a brother Bob
 (Vicki) Wagner.

Click <a href="https://www.simmons-rentschler.com/obituaries/Junior-Simeon--JS-Wagner?obId=23148269#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637511028243.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>J.S. Wagner passed away on November 19, 2021, at Meadowlark Retirement Community in Manhattan, KS.
 Junior Simeon "J.S." Wagner was born on October 25, 1922, in Smith 
Center, KS. His parents were Lillie (Routh) and A. F. “Jud” Wagner.
 J.S. attended primary grades at Smith Center Grade and then a one 
room country school north of Smith Center. He was an honor student and 
football and track athlete at SCHS, graduating in 1940. J.S. went on to 
Fort Hays but his time there was interrupted by WWII. J.S. followed his 
father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942.
 J.S. was assigned to officer training school at Bowling Green State 
University in Ohio. He returned later to Bowling Green to receive his 
bachelor’s degree.
 J.S. met his wife Betty (Barcus) Wagner at SCHS. They were married 
in 1945. J.S. and Betty were blessed with 3 children, Nancy, Jim and 
Joe.
 J.S. was enlisted with the Marine Corps, both active and reserve 
duty for several years spanning WWII and the Korean War. He was 
discharged with the rank of Captain. While J.S. was in the Marine 
Reserves he was hired as a social studies teacher at Lebanon High 
School. He then was called back to active duty to serve in Korea. Upon 
completing his Marine assignment in Korea, he resumed teaching in 
Lebanon.
 In the mid 1950s, J.S. decided to pursue administration certification using the GI Bill to study at the University of Colorado.
 In 1955 J.S. started his long tenure as school superintendent in 
Kensington. He remained as superintendent until retirement in the spring
 of 1987. He developed and maintained hundreds of positive relations 
with the students, staff and community members at Kensington. In 
addition, he supervised the development of many building projects for 
USD 238 and held many league administration duties. J.S. was a member of
 many organizations including the United Church of Kensington, Lions 
Club (charter member), VFW, American Legion, The Marine Corps League and
 the KS Retired Teachers Association (serving as state president at one 
time. He was league president of the K-18 (cookie) baseball association 
at one time. In addition, J.S. wrote a grant that in large part provided
 financial support for the building of the Kensington Senior Center. 
 J.S. and Betty continued to make Kensington their home after his 
retirement until October 2017. During retirement J.S. and Betty remained
 quite active in community affairs. J.S. was a big sports fan. His 
favorite teams were the Kensington Gold Bugs, Thunder Ridge Longhorns, 
K-State Wildcats, Bowling Green Falcons, the Royals and the Chiefs.
 J.S. was proceeded in death by his parents, his sisters Maxine and Donna (Attwood) and grandson Joey Weber.
 He is survived by his daughter Nancy Weber (John), son Jim Wagner 
(Susan), son Joel Wagner (Diane), grandson Greg Wagner and a brother Bob
 (Vicki) Wagner.Click <a href="https://www.simmons-rentschler.com/obituaries/Junior-Simeon--JS-Wagner?obId=23148269#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Junior Simeon 'J.S.' Wagner

Jack Milton Selbe passed away at the Red Bud Village in Plainville, 
Kansas on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at the age of 91. He was born on 
October 19, 1930 to William and Adalaid (Barns) Selbe in Ellis, Kansas. 
He was united in marriage to Mary L. (Miller) Selbe in 1952 and the 
couple raised two daughers: Denise and Joni.
 Jack was a lifetime resident of Rooks County and attended Plainville
 schools until the 10th grade. He then enlisted into the United States 
Marine Corps in 1950 and fought in the Korean War. He was honorably 
discharged in 1952 and married Mary Miller. When Jack returned to 
Plainville he owned the Plainville Dry Cleaners for 14 years, he then 
sold the dry cleaners and went to work in the oil field as a roustabout 
until his retirement in 1980.
 Jack loved being in the outdoors, coon hunting, fishing, and treeing
 cougars with his hounds. He was a strong, conservative, patriot who 
loved to laugh and make others laugh or sometimes jokingly boast about 
his dashing good looks. He was a member of the Plainville VFW Post 8871 
and the Methodist Church.
 A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 10 
AM at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Visitation will be on 
Monday from 2 PM until 8 PM at the Funeral Home in Plainville.
 In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Plainville Food 
Pantry or Donor’s Choice and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease 
Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637510903875.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jack Milton Selbe passed away at the Red Bud Village in Plainville, 
Kansas on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at the age of 91. He was born on 
October 19, 1930 to William and Adalaid (Barns) Selbe in Ellis, Kansas. 
He was united in marriage to Mary L. (Miller) Selbe in 1952 and the 
couple raised two daughers: Denise and Joni.
 Jack was a lifetime resident of Rooks County and attended Plainville
 schools until the 10th grade. He then enlisted into the United States 
Marine Corps in 1950 and fought in the Korean War. He was honorably 
discharged in 1952 and married Mary Miller. When Jack returned to 
Plainville he owned the Plainville Dry Cleaners for 14 years, he then 
sold the dry cleaners and went to work in the oil field as a roustabout 
until his retirement in 1980.
 Jack loved being in the outdoors, coon hunting, fishing, and treeing
 cougars with his hounds. He was a strong, conservative, patriot who 
loved to laugh and make others laugh or sometimes jokingly boast about 
his dashing good looks. He was a member of the Plainville VFW Post 8871 
and the Methodist Church.
 A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 10 
AM at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Visitation will be on 
Monday from 2 PM until 8 PM at the Funeral Home in Plainville.
 In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Plainville Food 
Pantry or Donor’s Choice and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease 
Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.

Jack Milton Selbe

In October, Fort Hays State University’s Admissions Office and the Department of Teacher Education hosted the third annual Future Educators Day. This event brings together area high school students interested in the teaching profession and the best teachers in Kansas. The goal of this event is to inspire the next generation of teachers through personal interactions, discussions, and examples of dynamic teaching. &nbsp;

This year’s event brought over 70 students and guests from 17 area high schools to the FHSU campus. These potential future educators, high school juniors and seniors, had the opportunity to observe and interact with the Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) &nbsp;team, learn about teacher preparation at FHSU, meet with department representatives and explore their programs, as well as participate in scholarship drawings.

Dr. Chris Jochum, chair of FHSU’s Department of Teacher Education, was excited to host so many area students in person this year. “It is great to have so many students and from such a variety of schools visit this year,” he said. “We hope to introduce students early to the idea of teaching and demonstrate all the possibilities that FHSU has to offer.”

“While the teacher shortage within Kansas and across the country is a real concern, I think it’s also important to highlight events like these which demonstrate the importance of the teaching profession and that there are high school students interesting in teaching as a career,” Jochum said.&nbsp;

FHSU Provost, Dr. Jill Arensdorf, began the day welcoming everyone. In her opening remarks, Arensdorf encouraged students to make a difference, noting that Kansas currently has over 500 teaching vacancies that districts are struggling to fill.&nbsp;

Dr. Paul Adams, Dean of the College of Education at FHSU, encouraged students to embrace “a life of adventure” and challenged them to be willing to explore, saying, “You don’t know where teaching will take you.” Adams recounted some of his own adventures since becoming an educator, ones that have taken him across the United States and around the world.

The 2022 Kansas Teacher-of-the-Year team, which includes the top eight teachers, provided an interactive presentation centered around the theme of making connections. Entitled “Taking Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students from Surviving to Thriving,” the team focused on the importance of teachers connecting personally with all students.&nbsp;

One of the responsibilities of the KTOY team is to provide expert knowledge and experiences to current and future teachers. This year, the 2022 team, including the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year, Suzanne Stevenson, made its very first stop at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;

The KTOY team led many activities where participants connected with others at the event, demonstrating the relative ease of making connections to others. Stevenson stressed to participants, “you will need to step outside of your comfort zone and make these connections.”&nbsp;

Other activities at the event included opportunities for visitors to interact with current education majors. This question and answer session allowed potential future educators a real behind-the-scenes look at the education program at FHSU. Additionally, students were able to learn about FHSU programs, majors, and other campus opportunities.

The final activity of the day included a drawing for scholarships. The FHSU School of Education awarded four $250 and two $500 scholarships. The FHSU Admissions Office provided three $1,000 awards. A fourth $1000 scholarship was awarded thanks to the generous donation by Barbary and Craig Ramsey.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637255860016.jpeg" alt="FHSU Alum and KTOY team member Amanda Ketterling" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Alum and KTOY team member Amanda Ketterling</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsIn October, Fort Hays State University’s Admissions Office and the Department of Teacher Education hosted the third annual Future Educators Day. This event brings together area high school students interested in the teaching profession and the best teachers in Kansas. The goal of this event is to inspire the next generation of teachers through personal interactions, discussions, and examples of dynamic teaching. &nbsp;This year’s event brought over 70 students and guests from 17 area high schools to the FHSU campus. These potential future educators, high school juniors and seniors, had the opportunity to observe and interact with the Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) &nbsp;team, learn about teacher preparation at FHSU, meet with department representatives and explore their programs, as well as participate in scholarship drawings.Dr. Chris Jochum, chair of FHSU’s Department of Teacher Education, was excited to host so many area students in person this year. “It is great to have so many students and from such a variety of schools visit this year,” he said. “We hope to introduce students early to the idea of teaching and demonstrate all the possibilities that FHSU has to offer.”“While the teacher shortage within Kansas and across the country is a real concern, I think it’s also important to highlight events like these which demonstrate the importance of the teaching profession and that there are high school students interesting in teaching as a career,” Jochum said.&nbsp;FHSU Provost, Dr. Jill Arensdorf, began the day welcoming everyone. In her opening remarks, Arensdorf encouraged students to make a difference, noting that Kansas currently has over 500 teaching vacancies that districts are struggling to fill.&nbsp;Dr. Paul Adams, Dean of the College of Education at FHSU, encouraged students to embrace “a life of adventure” and challenged them to be willing to explore, saying, “You don’t know where teaching will take you.” Adams recounted some of his own adventures since becoming an educator, ones that have taken him across the United States and around the world.The 2022 Kansas Teacher-of-the-Year team, which includes the top eight teachers, provided an interactive presentation centered around the theme of making connections. Entitled “Taking Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students from Surviving to Thriving,” the team focused on the importance of teachers connecting personally with all students.&nbsp;One of the responsibilities of the KTOY team is to provide expert knowledge and experiences to current and future teachers. This year, the 2022 team, including the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year, Suzanne Stevenson, made its very first stop at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;The KTOY team led many activities where participants connected with others at the event, demonstrating the relative ease of making connections to others. Stevenson stressed to participants, “you will need to step outside of your comfort zone and make these connections.”&nbsp;Other activities at the event included opportunities for visitors to interact with current education majors. This question and answer session allowed potential future educators a real behind-the-scenes look at the education program at FHSU. Additionally, students were able to learn about FHSU programs, majors, and other campus opportunities.The final activity of the day included a drawing for scholarships. The FHSU School of Education awarded four $250 and two $500 scholarships. The FHSU Admissions Office provided three $1,000 awards. A fourth $1000 scholarship was awarded thanks to the generous donation by Barbary and Craig Ramsey.

Fort Hays State’s third annual Future Educators Day

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Griffin Kell kicked a 25-yard field goal with 11 seconds to play as TCU fought off a Kansas fourth-quarter rally to beat the Jayhawks 31-28 on Saturday.

Kansas trailed 28-14 early in the fourth quarter before Jalon Daniels threw touchdown passes of 28 yards to Luke Grimm and 10 yards to Jared Casey, the unlikely overtime hero in the Jayhawks’ win last week at Texas that snapped a 56-game Big 12 losing streak.

Max Duggan ran for a touchdown and passed for 166 yards in his first game since October for the Horned Frogs (5-6, 3-5 Big 12). Duggan, who missed TCU’s two previous games with a foot injury, set up the score with a 42-yard sprint down the left sideline to the 2.

Kansas (2-9, 1-7 Big 12) sought to win consecutive conference games for the first time since 2008.

Casey caught a 10-yard touchdown pass lofted over the middle with 4:46 to play and the PAT tied the score at 28. Casey, the walk-on who scored last week’s winning 2-point conversion, caught three passes for 26 yards.

TCU also scored on a 43-yard reverse by receiver Derius Davis in the first period, a 56-yard run by Kendre Miller in the second quarter and a 1-yard run by Amari Demercado early in the fourth.

Miller, who missed last week’s game with injured ribs, ran for 112 yards, 100 in the second half.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels ran for a 14-yard touchdown in the first quarter and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Luke Grimm in the fourth quarter.

The Jayhawks led 14-7 early in the second quarter following Daniels’ scoring run and a 2-yard burst by running back Devin Neal 2½ minutes into the second period.

Neal, the freshman who leads Kansas’ in rushing, didn’t return after being shaken up late in the first half. He gained 59 yards after rushing for 145 last week at Texas.

Daniels, a sophomore, made his second start after junior Jason Bean suffered a hand injury. Bean played a few snaps Saturday as a running back.

Kansas: After falling behind by two touchdowns early in the fourth period, the Jayhawks put themselves in position to tie – or go ahead if they went for two (like in overtime at Texas) – in the final four minutes.

TCU: The Frogs are trying to reach their first bowl since 2018 with Duggan as their only healthy quarterback and No. 1 running back Zach Evans sidelined with turf toe.

Kansas: Host West Virginia next Saturday.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Griffin Kell kicked a 25-yard field goal with 11 seconds to play as TCU fought off a Kansas fourth-quarter rally to beat the Jayhawks 31-28 on Saturday.Kansas trailed 28-14 early in the fourth quarter before Jalon Daniels threw touchdown passes of 28 yards to Luke Grimm and 10 yards to Jared Casey, the unlikely overtime hero in the Jayhawks’ win last week at Texas that snapped a 56-game Big 12 losing streak.Max Duggan ran for a touchdown and passed for 166 yards in his first game since October for the Horned Frogs (5-6, 3-5 Big 12). Duggan, who missed TCU’s two previous games with a foot injury, set up the score with a 42-yard sprint down the left sideline to the 2.Kansas (2-9, 1-7 Big 12) sought to win consecutive conference games for the first time since 2008.Casey caught a 10-yard touchdown pass lofted over the middle with 4:46 to play and the PAT tied the score at 28. Casey, the walk-on who scored last week’s winning 2-point conversion, caught three passes for 26 yards.TCU also scored on a 43-yard reverse by receiver Derius Davis in the first period, a 56-yard run by Kendre Miller in the second quarter and a 1-yard run by Amari Demercado early in the fourth.Miller, who missed last week’s game with injured ribs, ran for 112 yards, 100 in the second half.Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels ran for a 14-yard touchdown in the first quarter and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Luke Grimm in the fourth quarter.The Jayhawks led 14-7 early in the second quarter following Daniels’ scoring run and a 2-yard burst by running back Devin Neal 2½ minutes into the second period.Neal, the freshman who leads Kansas’ in rushing, didn’t return after being shaken up late in the first half. He gained 59 yards after rushing for 145 last week at Texas.Daniels, a sophomore, made his second start after junior Jason Bean suffered a hand injury. Bean played a few snaps Saturday as a running back.THE TAKEAWAYKansas: After falling behind by two touchdowns early in the fourth period, the Jayhawks put themselves in position to tie – or go ahead if they went for two (like in overtime at Texas) – in the final four minutes.TCU: The Frogs are trying to reach their first bowl since 2018 with Duggan as their only healthy quarterback and No. 1 running back Zach Evans sidelined with turf toe.UP NEXTKansas: Host West Virginia next Saturday.TCU: Next Saturday at Iowa State.

🏈 TCU's last-minute field goal turns back Kansas rally

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Friday formally declared “squaw” a derogatory term and said she is taking steps to remove it from federal government use and to replace other derogatory place names.

Haaland is ordering a federal panel tasked with naming geographic places to implement procedures to eliminate what she called racist terms from federal use. The decision provides momentum to a movement that has included the dismantling of other historical markers and monuments considered offensive across the country.

“Our nation’s lands and waters should be places to celebrate the outdoors and our shared cultural heritage — not to perpetuate the legacies of oppression,” Haaland said in a statement. “Today’s actions will accelerate an important process to reconcile derogatory place names and mark a significant step in honoring the ancestors who have stewarded our lands since time immemorial.”

The first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency, Haaland is from Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-travel-environment-and-nature-native-americans-parks-d438edd19ca0c7f5d980ad2b7f5aba28">as head of the National Park Service</a>, making him the first Native American to hold that position. Haaland previously said Sams, who is Cayuse and Walla Walla, of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, would be an asset as the administration works to make national parks more accessible to everyone.

The Native American Rights Fund applauded Haaland’s move to address derogatory place names, saying action by the federal government is long overdue.

“Names that still use derogatory terms are an embarrassing legacy of this country’s colonialist and racist past,” said John Echohawk, the group’s executive director. “It is well past time for us, as a nation, to move forward, beyond these derogatory terms, and show Native people — and all people — equal respect.”

Environmentalists also praised the action, saying it marked a step toward reconciliation.

Under Haaland’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/so-3404-508.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>, a federal task force will find replacement names for geographic features on federal lands bearing the term “squaw,” which has been used as a slur, particularly for Indigenous women. A database maintained by the Board on Geographic Names shows there are more than 650 federal sites with names that contain the term.

The task force will be made up of representatives from federal land management agencies and experts with the Interior Department. Tribal consultation and public feedback will be part of the process.

The process for changing U.S. place names can take years, and federal officials said there are currently hundreds of proposed name changes pending before the board.

Haaland&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/so-3405-508.pdf" target="_blank">also called for the creation of an advisory committee</a>&nbsp;to solicit, review and recommend changes to other derogatory geographic and federal place names. That panel will be made up of tribal representatives and civil rights, anthropology and history experts.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Board on Geographic Names took action to eliminate the use of derogatory terms for Black and Japanese people.

The board also voted in 2008 to change the name of a prominent Phoenix mountain from Squaw Peak to Piestewa Peak to honor Army Spc. Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military.

In California, the Squaw Valley Ski Resort changed its name to Palisades Tahoe earlier this year. The resort is in Olympic Valley, which was known as Squaw Valley until it hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. Tribes in the region had been asking the resort for a name change for decades.

Colorado’s advisory naming panel also has recommended renaming Squaw Mountain near Denver in honor of a Native American woman who acted as a translator for tribes and white settlers in the 19th century. Northern Cheyenne tribal members also filed an application with the federal naming board in October to change the mountain’s name.

There is also legislation pending in Congress to address derogatory names on geographic features on public lands. States from Oregon to Maine have passed laws prohibiting the use of the word “squaw” in place names.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614103644196.png" alt="Secretary Deb Haaland (Left) and Kansas 3rd District congresswoman Sharice Davids(Right)-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Secretary Deb Haaland (Left) and Kansas 3rd District congresswoman Sharice Davids(Right)-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Friday formally declared “squaw” a derogatory term and said she is taking steps to remove it from federal government use and to replace other derogatory place names.Haaland is ordering a federal panel tasked with naming geographic places to implement procedures to eliminate what she called racist terms from federal use. The decision provides momentum to a movement that has included the dismantling of other historical markers and monuments considered offensive across the country.“Our nation’s lands and waters should be places to celebrate the outdoors and our shared cultural heritage — not to perpetuate the legacies of oppression,” Haaland said in a statement. “Today’s actions will accelerate an important process to reconcile derogatory place names and mark a significant step in honoring the ancestors who have stewarded our lands since time immemorial.”The first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency, Haaland is from Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico.The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-travel-environment-and-nature-native-americans-parks-d438edd19ca0c7f5d980ad2b7f5aba28">as head of the National Park Service</a>, making him the first Native American to hold that position. Haaland previously said Sams, who is Cayuse and Walla Walla, of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, would be an asset as the administration works to make national parks more accessible to everyone.The Native American Rights Fund applauded Haaland’s move to address derogatory place names, saying action by the federal government is long overdue.“Names that still use derogatory terms are an embarrassing legacy of this country’s colonialist and racist past,” said John Echohawk, the group’s executive director. “It is well past time for us, as a nation, to move forward, beyond these derogatory terms, and show Native people — and all people — equal respect.”Environmentalists also praised the action, saying it marked a step toward reconciliation.Under Haaland’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/so-3404-508.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>, a federal task force will find replacement names for geographic features on federal lands bearing the term “squaw,” which has been used as a slur, particularly for Indigenous women. A database maintained by the Board on Geographic Names shows there are more than 650 federal sites with names that contain the term.The task force will be made up of representatives from federal land management agencies and experts with the Interior Department. Tribal consultation and public feedback will be part of the process.The process for changing U.S. place names can take years, and federal officials said there are currently hundreds of proposed name changes pending before the board.Haaland&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/so-3405-508.pdf" target="_blank">also called for the creation of an advisory committee</a>&nbsp;to solicit, review and recommend changes to other derogatory geographic and federal place names. That panel will be made up of tribal representatives and civil rights, anthropology and history experts.In the 1960s and 1970s, the Board on Geographic Names took action to eliminate the use of derogatory terms for Black and Japanese people.The board also voted in 2008 to change the name of a prominent Phoenix mountain from Squaw Peak to Piestewa Peak to honor Army Spc. Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military.In California, the Squaw Valley Ski Resort changed its name to Palisades Tahoe earlier this year. The resort is in Olympic Valley, which was known as Squaw Valley until it hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. Tribes in the region had been asking the resort for a name change for decades.Colorado’s advisory naming panel also has recommended renaming Squaw Mountain near Denver in honor of a Native American woman who acted as a translator for tribes and white settlers in the 19th century. Northern Cheyenne tribal members also filed an application with the federal naming board in October to change the mountain’s name.There is also legislation pending in Congress to address derogatory names on geographic features on public lands. States from Oregon to Maine have passed laws prohibiting the use of the word “squaw” in place names.

Interior secretary seeks to rid US of derogatory place names

John William Bergman, 95 years old, of Osborne, Kansas, passed away 
at&nbsp;his home on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. &nbsp;He was born on July 2, 1926 
in Beaver, KS to Peter &amp; Mae (Stoskopf) Bergman.

John graduated from high school. &nbsp;He enlisted in the US Army in 1944 
and served during WWII.&nbsp; John was Honorably Discharged in 1946 with a 
Purple Heart &amp; a Bronze Star.

After he returned home from the service, he met and married Alberta 
C. Bathurst. &nbsp;To this union, they had 2 daughters. &nbsp;John was employed 
with the Santa Fe Railroad as a Depot Agent in Osborne. &nbsp;He also did 
some farming. &nbsp;John was an active member of the Free Methodist Church 
and the Osborne Lions Club.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alberta in 
October, 2015; both daughters: Judy Wagner (2017) &amp; Janette Doyle 
(2016).

John is survived by brothers: Dean of Lincoln, NE; Paul of Hastings, 
NE; 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of friends.

Click <a href="https://www.clarkgashawfh.com/obituary/John-Bergman">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637423354180.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>John William Bergman, 95 years old, of Osborne, Kansas, passed away 
at&nbsp;his home on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. &nbsp;He was born on July 2, 1926 
in Beaver, KS to Peter &amp; Mae (Stoskopf) Bergman.John graduated from high school. &nbsp;He enlisted in the US Army in 1944 
and served during WWII.&nbsp; John was Honorably Discharged in 1946 with a 
Purple Heart &amp; a Bronze Star.After he returned home from the service, he met and married Alberta 
C. Bathurst. &nbsp;To this union, they had 2 daughters. &nbsp;John was employed 
with the Santa Fe Railroad as a Depot Agent in Osborne. &nbsp;He also did 
some farming. &nbsp;John was an active member of the Free Methodist Church 
and the Osborne Lions Club.John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alberta in 
October, 2015; both daughters: Judy Wagner (2017) &amp; Janette Doyle 
(2016).John is survived by brothers: Dean of Lincoln, NE; Paul of Hastings, 
NE; 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of friends.Click <a href="https://www.clarkgashawfh.com/obituary/John-Bergman">HERE</a> for service details.

John William Bergman

Charles Wayne Bayles, 55 of Johnstown, CO passed away on Monday, 
October 18, 2021, due to complications from a two-month battle with 
COVID.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Charles was born in Kansas City, MO on February 22, 1966, to Ralph 
and Judith Bayles. Charles grew up in Gillette, WY and graduated from 
Campbell County High School in 1984.&nbsp; He attended Casper College and 
graduated from the University of Wyoming.&nbsp; He married Melanie Darnell in
 1992 and they were blessed with their son Tabor Bayles.

Charles was active in 4-H and FFA throughout high school and 
college, serving as a State FFA officer and was a member of the 
livestock judging team at Casper College.&nbsp; Charles worked for 26 years 
in the pork division of Excel/Cargill Meat Solutions in Wichita, KS and 
served as the Director of Bacon Processing for JBS/Swift Prepared Foods 
in Greeley, CO for 6 years until his passing.

Charles was a previous season ticket holder and avid fan of the 
Kansas City Chiefs and Wichita State Shockers.&nbsp; He was a master of the 
grill and enjoyed barbequing and smoking meats, as well as playing cards
 with friends.&nbsp; Travel in general was a big part of Charles’ life, and 
he was fortunate to attend many sporting events and visit many beaches 
and countries around the world. He attended Foundations Church in 
Loveland, CO.

Charles is survived by his wife Melanie, son Tabor, mother Judy; 
brothers John (Michele) and Anthony (Heather); sister-in-law Marsha 
(Gary) Armbrister; aunt Colleen (Fred) Baumert; nieces Nicole Goodenow 
(Luke), Amaya Bayles, and Aberdeen Bayles; nephews Seth Armbrister 
(Hunter), Asher Bayles and Sullivan Bayles, cousins Juliana Rubek, 
Amanda Baumert, Jessica Dwyer, Taylor Baumert and his golden retriever 
Patrick.

He is preceded in death by his father Ralph Bayles, in-laws Gary 
and Shirley Darnell, grandparents, Eileen and Willis Price and Velma and
 Ralph W. Bayles Sr.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on November 13, 2021, at
 Foundations Church, 1159 Main Street, Windsor, CO and at 1:00 pm on 
December 4, 2021, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2525 N Rock Road, 
Wichita, KS.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wyoming Future Farmers 
of America (FFA) Foundation, Larimer County Humane Society or Wichita 
State Foundation in care of Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home, Loveland, CO, 
or they may be sent directly to the organizations listed above, through 
the following websites:

Wyoming FFA Foundation: <a href="https://www.wyoffafoundation.com/">https://www.wyoffafoundation.com/</a>

Larimer County Humane Society: <a href="https://www.larimerhumane.org/make-a-memorial-or-tribute-gift">https://www.larimerhumane.org/make-a-memorial-or-tribute-gift</a>

Wichita State University Foundation: <a href="https://foundation.wichita.edu/memorials-honors/">https://foundation.wichita.edu/memorials-honors/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637362694216.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Charles Wayne Bayles, 55 of Johnstown, CO passed away on Monday, 
October 18, 2021, due to complications from a two-month battle with 
COVID.&nbsp;&nbsp;Charles was born in Kansas City, MO on February 22, 1966, to Ralph 
and Judith Bayles. Charles grew up in Gillette, WY and graduated from 
Campbell County High School in 1984.&nbsp; He attended Casper College and 
graduated from the University of Wyoming.&nbsp; He married Melanie Darnell in
 1992 and they were blessed with their son Tabor Bayles.Charles was active in 4-H and FFA throughout high school and 
college, serving as a State FFA officer and was a member of the 
livestock judging team at Casper College.&nbsp; Charles worked for 26 years 
in the pork division of Excel/Cargill Meat Solutions in Wichita, KS and 
served as the Director of Bacon Processing for JBS/Swift Prepared Foods 
in Greeley, CO for 6 years until his passing.Charles was a previous season ticket holder and avid fan of the 
Kansas City Chiefs and Wichita State Shockers.&nbsp; He was a master of the 
grill and enjoyed barbequing and smoking meats, as well as playing cards
 with friends.&nbsp; Travel in general was a big part of Charles’ life, and 
he was fortunate to attend many sporting events and visit many beaches 
and countries around the world. He attended Foundations Church in 
Loveland, CO.Charles is survived by his wife Melanie, son Tabor, mother Judy; 
brothers John (Michele) and Anthony (Heather); sister-in-law Marsha 
(Gary) Armbrister; aunt Colleen (Fred) Baumert; nieces Nicole Goodenow 
(Luke), Amaya Bayles, and Aberdeen Bayles; nephews Seth Armbrister 
(Hunter), Asher Bayles and Sullivan Bayles, cousins Juliana Rubek, 
Amanda Baumert, Jessica Dwyer, Taylor Baumert and his golden retriever 
Patrick.He is preceded in death by his father Ralph Bayles, in-laws Gary 
and Shirley Darnell, grandparents, Eileen and Willis Price and Velma and
 Ralph W. Bayles Sr.Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on November 13, 2021, at
 Foundations Church, 1159 Main Street, Windsor, CO and at 1:00 pm on 
December 4, 2021, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2525 N Rock Road, 
Wichita, KS.Memorial contributions may be made to the Wyoming Future Farmers 
of America (FFA) Foundation, Larimer County Humane Society or Wichita 
State Foundation in care of Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home, Loveland, CO, 
or they may be sent directly to the organizations listed above, through 
the following websites:Wyoming FFA Foundation: <a href="https://www.wyoffafoundation.com/">https://www.wyoffafoundation.com/</a>Larimer County Humane Society: <a href="https://www.larimerhumane.org/make-a-memorial-or-tribute-gift">https://www.larimerhumane.org/make-a-memorial-or-tribute-gift</a>Wichita State University Foundation: <a href="https://foundation.wichita.edu/memorials-honors/">https://foundation.wichita.edu/memorials-honors/</a>

Charles Wayne Bayles

Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.9 percent in October. This was unchanged from 3.9 percent in September and a decrease from 4.7 percent in October 2020.

“The Kansas unemployment rate remains steady at 3.9 percent. Additionally, for the fifth consecutive month Kansas nonfarm jobs estimates have increased,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “October estimates indicate that the hardest hit industry during the pandemic, leisure and hospitality, has recovered nearly 82 percent of jobs since April 2020." 

The jobless rate in Ellis County fell slightly, from 2.1 percent in September to 2 percent in October. Barton County was the only area county with a jobless rate of 3 percent or higher. The state's lowest unemployment rate was in far western Kansas' Greeley County, at 1.3 percent.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 1,100 from September. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 2,500 from the previous month, while government decreased by 1,400.

“October job estimates for the private sector indicate a continuing upward trend for Kansas, with 2,500 jobs added over-the-month,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “Current estimates are only 2.5 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Private sector job estimates for the U.S. are also 2.5 percent below February 2020 levels."

Since October 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 30,900. This change is due to an increase of 28,800 private sector jobs and 2,100 government jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637354195982.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.9 percent in October. This was unchanged from 3.9 percent in September and a decrease from 4.7 percent in October 2020.“The Kansas unemployment rate remains steady at 3.9 percent. Additionally, for the fifth consecutive month Kansas nonfarm jobs estimates have increased,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “October estimates indicate that the hardest hit industry during the pandemic, leisure and hospitality, has recovered nearly 82 percent of jobs since April 2020." The jobless rate in Ellis County fell slightly, from 2.1 percent in September to 2 percent in October. Barton County was the only area county with a jobless rate of 3 percent or higher. The state's lowest unemployment rate was in far western Kansas' Greeley County, at 1.3 percent.Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 1,100 from September. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 2,500 from the previous month, while government decreased by 1,400.“October job estimates for the private sector indicate a continuing upward trend for Kansas, with 2,500 jobs added over-the-month,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “Current estimates are only 2.5 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Private sector job estimates for the U.S. are also 2.5 percent below February 2020 levels."Since October 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 30,900. This change is due to an increase of 28,800 private sector jobs and 2,100 government jobs.

NW Kansas unemployment rates remain extremely low

Raymond Emanuel Mai, 97, passed away on November 16, 2021, at the 
Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. He was born on January 
22, 1924, the son of Fred and Marie (Blehm) Mai in the farmhouse in 
Trego County.

Raymond was raised on the farm in Trego County and went to the Wilcox
 country school and attended the Zion Lutheran Church, Trego Center. As a
 young man he worked with the neighborhood farms to help support the 
family.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637331346477.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Raymond Emanuel Mai, 97, passed away on November 16, 2021, at the 
Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. He was born on January 
22, 1924, the son of Fred and Marie (Blehm) Mai in the farmhouse in 
Trego County.Raymond was raised on the farm in Trego County and went to the Wilcox
 country school and attended the Zion Lutheran Church, Trego Center. As a
 young man he worked with the neighborhood farms to help support the 
family.On September 21, 1946, he married Velma Giess in Arnold, Kansas.&nbsp; 
Raymond and Velma had three girls, Delma, Dana, and Debbie. In July 1975
 a tragic car accident took his wife, Velma, and his mother, Marie, in 
death.Raymond was active in 4-H, worked for the ASCS office, was a 
recipient of the master farmer award, he was on the Board of Directors 
at the Citizens State Bank, Utica, raised registered Hereford cattle, 
showed and sold registered Hereford bulls and was an active member of 
the Arnold United Methodist Church. He was an avid bowler, Polka dancer,
 card player, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.In 1989 he married Peggy (Hunt) Giess in Arnold. They enjoyed their 
blended families. Raymond and Peggy traveled, danced, and enjoyed family
 until her passing on October 16, 2019.Preceding Peggy in death were her first husband Bob; her sons, Roger 
and Randy; and granddaughter, Tara. She is survived by Mike and Julie 
Giess and family, Dave and LaVonne and granddaughter, Kenzie and Rob and
 sons.Preceding Raymond in death is his wife, Velma, and wife, Peggy; his 
parents, Fred and Marie; brothers, Paul, Hubert, Reuben, Art; and a 
sister Helen; son-in law, Ken; grandson, Christopher; and granddaughter,
 Paige.Survivors include daughters, Delma and Larry Collins-McAllister, 
daughters Michele and family, Misty and boys; Dana and Roger Fagan, son,
 Darcy, daughter, Danelle and grandson, Kaleb; Debbie and Maurice 
Friess, son Matthew and family, daughter Desiree and family; his 
sisters, Thelma, Geri, Rose&nbsp; and his brothers, Vernon , Fred, George, 
and Tom.Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist 
Church, Arnold on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.&nbsp; Burial in the Arnold 
Cemetery. Viewing will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City on 
Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and at the church until service 
time on Tuesday.Memorial contributions may be given to the Arnold United Methodist Church or the Trego County-Lemke assisted Living Care Center.