By TREY DANIEL Georgia Rights, Responsibility, Respect Project

The practice of Religious Freedom, like most other spheres of human 
activity, has been radically affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Recently more than <a href="https://abc11.com/united-house-of-prayer-for-all-people-charlotte-covid-19-church/8128891/" target="_blank">200 COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths were linked to a church</a>
 in Charlotte, N.C., which held large gatherings over a week in early 
October reportedly without enforcing proper coronavirus safety 
precautions.

This is not the first time such an outbreak has been identified. 
Other significant COVID-19 outbreaks have been traced to religious 
services, including <a href="https://people.com/health/49-cases-of-coronavirus-so-far-linked-to-small-church-event-in-maine/" target="_blank">one at a Maine church</a> and <a href="https://people.com/health/40-members-alabama-church-get-coronavirus-after-revival/" target="_blank">another in Alabama</a>.
 This is the first time, however, that linkage was disclosed after a 
Supreme Court decision last week that turned back new COVID-19 
restrictions on places of worship in New York state.

In last week’s decision, just moments before midnight on Thanksgiving Eve, the Supreme Court — including newly confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett
 — considered a challenge by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn to 
pandemic restrictions on religious gatherings. The 5-4 decision blocked 
orders imposed by New York state that sharply limited the number of 
attendees at religious services because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The unsigned opinion asserted that the orders violated the Free 
Exercise Clause of the First Amendment because they “single out houses 
of worship for especially harsh treatment.” Hardware stores, 
acupuncturists and liquor stores were among establishments immune from 
similar restrictions.

As coronavirus cases continue to surge throughout the country, many 
of us are being asked to follow stricter guidelines, including travel 
restrictions, banning of contact sports and wearing a mask.

Should these same guidelines be placed on religious organizations? Will the decision in the <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/20a87_4g15.pdf" target="_blank">Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. v. Cuomo</a> change the course on religion cases, now that conservative Barrett has replaced the late liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg? Does the decision give free rein to religious organizations to ignore government regulations of all kinds?

Tracking the issue in a series of orders and legal rulings in Kentucky gives us much to examine. On Nov. 18, Gov. Andy Beshear
 issued a temporary school-related restraining order and unveiled new 
restrictions that, if approved, could apply until mid-December for 
restaurants, bars, gyms, offices, indoor gatherings, weddings and 
funerals.

An executive order was then signed by Beshear requiring all schools 
to halt in-person classes starting Nov. 23, allowing elementary schools 
to reopen after Dec. 7 if their county is not in the state’s “red zone,”
 with middle and high schools unable to reopen until after Jan. 4.

Two days later, Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s 
office joined a lawsuit filed by Danville Christian Academy, which took 
issue with the orders applying to private, religious schools in 
Kentucky. The lawsuit sought a temporary restraining order.

<a href="https://www.wkyt.com/2020/11/26/judge-rules-kentuckys-religious-schools-can-have-in-person-classes/" target="_blank">U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove</a>
 ruled that religious and private schools were exempt because the order 
“infringes on their constitutional rights.” However, the U.S Court of 
Appeals for the Sixth Circuit <a href="https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2020/11/29/kentucky-coronavirus-appeals-court-ruling-religious-schools/6436082002/" target="_blank">struck down that temporary restraining order</a>,
 saying the Beshear order is broadly applicable and does not 
discriminate against a certain group. They also say they are “not in a 
position to second-guess the governor’s determination regarding the 
health and safety of the commonwealth at this point in time.”

Cameron, tweeting after the Court of Appeals’ decision, called it 
“frightening that the governor believes he can suspend religious 
liberty.”

Cameron continued, “We’re disappointed with the Sixth Circuit’s 
ruling allowing the governor to close religious schools, but we’re 
already hard at work to take this matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. The 
governor is not above the law and we urge him to drop this ill-conceived
 appeal and to halt his attacks on religious freedom.”

One thing seems to be certain, whether it is New York, Kentucky or 
North Carolina — the U.S. Supreme Court will be busy sorting out all of 
these matters as COVID-19 cases continue to rise during the holiday 
season.

When the Supreme Court faced similar pandemic cases before Ginsburg 
died, the court ruled in favor of restrictions. Given Barrett’s 
background and testimony at her confirmation hearings, it’s clear she 
will be a protector of religious causes — perhaps tilting the scales 
long-term in such cases. But at what cost?

Trey Daniel is the education manager of the Georgia Rights, 
Responsibility, Respect Project, an education initiative of the 
Religious Freedom Center. His email address is: <a href="mailto:tdaniel@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">tdaniel@freedomforum.org.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596246031094.jpeg" alt="Freedom Forum Georgia 3Rs.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Freedom Forum Georgia 3Rs.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By TREY DANIEL Georgia Rights, Responsibility, Respect Project The practice of Religious Freedom, like most other spheres of human 
activity, has been radically affected by the coronavirus pandemic.Recently more than <a href="https://abc11.com/united-house-of-prayer-for-all-people-charlotte-covid-19-church/8128891/" target="_blank">200 COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths were linked to a church</a>
 in Charlotte, N.C., which held large gatherings over a week in early 
October reportedly without enforcing proper coronavirus safety 
precautions.This is not the first time such an outbreak has been identified. 
Other significant COVID-19 outbreaks have been traced to religious 
services, including <a href="https://people.com/health/49-cases-of-coronavirus-so-far-linked-to-small-church-event-in-maine/" target="_blank">one at a Maine church</a> and <a href="https://people.com/health/40-members-alabama-church-get-coronavirus-after-revival/" target="_blank">another in Alabama</a>.
 This is the first time, however, that linkage was disclosed after a 
Supreme Court decision last week that turned back new COVID-19 
restrictions on places of worship in New York state.In last week’s decision, just moments before midnight on Thanksgiving Eve, the Supreme Court — including newly confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett
 — considered a challenge by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn to 
pandemic restrictions on religious gatherings. The 5-4 decision blocked 
orders imposed by New York state that sharply limited the number of 
attendees at religious services because of the COVID-19 pandemic.The unsigned opinion asserted that the orders violated the Free 
Exercise Clause of the First Amendment because they “single out houses 
of worship for especially harsh treatment.” Hardware stores, 
acupuncturists and liquor stores were among establishments immune from 
similar restrictions.As coronavirus cases continue to surge throughout the country, many 
of us are being asked to follow stricter guidelines, including travel 
restrictions, banning of contact sports and wearing a mask.Should these same guidelines be placed on religious organizations? Will the decision in the <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/20a87_4g15.pdf" target="_blank">Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. v. Cuomo</a> change the course on religion cases, now that conservative Barrett has replaced the late liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg? Does the decision give free rein to religious organizations to ignore government regulations of all kinds?Tracking the issue in a series of orders and legal rulings in Kentucky gives us much to examine. On Nov. 18, Gov. Andy Beshear
 issued a temporary school-related restraining order and unveiled new 
restrictions that, if approved, could apply until mid-December for 
restaurants, bars, gyms, offices, indoor gatherings, weddings and 
funerals.An executive order was then signed by Beshear requiring all schools 
to halt in-person classes starting Nov. 23, allowing elementary schools 
to reopen after Dec. 7 if their county is not in the state’s “red zone,”
 with middle and high schools unable to reopen until after Jan. 4.Two days later, Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s 
office joined a lawsuit filed by Danville Christian Academy, which took 
issue with the orders applying to private, religious schools in 
Kentucky. The lawsuit sought a temporary restraining order.<a href="https://www.wkyt.com/2020/11/26/judge-rules-kentuckys-religious-schools-can-have-in-person-classes/" target="_blank">U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove</a>
 ruled that religious and private schools were exempt because the order 
“infringes on their constitutional rights.” However, the U.S Court of 
Appeals for the Sixth Circuit <a href="https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2020/11/29/kentucky-coronavirus-appeals-court-ruling-religious-schools/6436082002/" target="_blank">struck down that temporary restraining order</a>,
 saying the Beshear order is broadly applicable and does not 
discriminate against a certain group. They also say they are “not in a 
position to second-guess the governor’s determination regarding the 
health and safety of the commonwealth at this point in time.”Cameron, tweeting after the Court of Appeals’ decision, called it 
“frightening that the governor believes he can suspend religious 
liberty.”Cameron continued, “We’re disappointed with the Sixth Circuit’s 
ruling allowing the governor to close religious schools, but we’re 
already hard at work to take this matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. The 
governor is not above the law and we urge him to drop this ill-conceived
 appeal and to halt his attacks on religious freedom.”One thing seems to be certain, whether it is New York, Kentucky or 
North Carolina — the U.S. Supreme Court will be busy sorting out all of 
these matters as COVID-19 cases continue to rise during the holiday 
season.When the Supreme Court faced similar pandemic cases before Ginsburg 
died, the court ruled in favor of restrictions. Given Barrett’s 
background and testimony at her confirmation hearings, it’s clear she 
will be a protector of religious causes — perhaps tilting the scales 
long-term in such cases. But at what cost?Trey Daniel is the education manager of the Georgia Rights, 
Responsibility, Respect Project, an education initiative of the 
Religious Freedom Center. His email address is: <a href="mailto:tdaniel@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">tdaniel@freedomforum.org.</a>

FIRST FIVE: Religious freedom in the age of a global pandemic

SHARON SPRINGS — Eric Starns has accepted the position of general manager overseeing the western Kansas ag retail locations that are part of CHS United Plains Ag and the CHS locations based out of Quinter, Kan. Before starting this new role on Nov. 16, Starns had been the grain division manager at CHS United Plains Ag.

Starns has been with CHS since March 2010, when he joined the company as location manager in Sharon Springs, managing the shuttle loader facility there. He then moved into the role of grain merchandiser for CHS United Plains Ag in April 2013, becoming grain division manager in October 2014.

“Eric knows this area well and understands the unique challenges facing the agriculture industry in western Kansas,” said Alan Peter, board chair for the CHS United Plains Ag Producer Board.

He grew up on a family farm near Brewster and graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2001.

“Eric will bring a detailed focus to customer service as he works with the local producer board and leadership team to lead day-to-day operations,” Peter said. “He will also work closely with CHS employees and the producer board to create strategic plans and bring forth solutions that will benefit farmers and ranchers in western Kansas and southeastern Colorado.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606762152718.jpeg" alt="Eric Starns is the general manager for CHS United Plains Ag and the CHS ag retail locations based out of Quinter, Kansas, as of Nov. 16." />
 <figcaption>Eric Starns is the general manager for CHS United Plains Ag and the CHS ag retail locations based out of Quinter, Kansas, as of Nov. 16.</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedSHARON SPRINGS — Eric Starns has accepted the position of general manager overseeing the western Kansas ag retail locations that are part of CHS United Plains Ag and the CHS locations based out of Quinter, Kan. Before starting this new role on Nov. 16, Starns had been the grain division manager at CHS United Plains Ag.Starns has been with CHS since March 2010, when he joined the company as location manager in Sharon Springs, managing the shuttle loader facility there. He then moved into the role of grain merchandiser for CHS United Plains Ag in April 2013, becoming grain division manager in October 2014.“Eric knows this area well and understands the unique challenges facing the agriculture industry in western Kansas,” said Alan Peter, board chair for the CHS United Plains Ag Producer Board.He grew up on a family farm near Brewster and graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2001.“Eric will bring a detailed focus to customer service as he works with the local producer board and leadership team to lead day-to-day operations,” Peter said. “He will also work closely with CHS employees and the producer board to create strategic plans and bring forth solutions that will benefit farmers and ranchers in western Kansas and southeastern Colorado.”

FHSU grad named GM for western Kansas CHS ag retail locations

Longtime Kanorado, KS resident Manuela Aguirre, 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Kanorado on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

Manuela was born on October 31, 1945, in Mathis, Texas, to Manuel and Victoria (Rodriguez) Garcia.&nbsp; She was one of five children. &nbsp;

Manuela grew up in Texas and on July 15, 1966, she married Jose Aguirre, and to this union, 9 children were born; Efrain, Raquel, Maria, Joe, Rosie, Christina, Emily, John and Yolanda.

Manuela enjoyed raising her children and spending time with her family.&nbsp; She also enjoyed playing bingo, cooking and working in her yard.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Jose, three sisters; Rosa, Lucia, and Juanita, one brother Ramon, one son John Judas Aguirre and three grandchildren; Danny Aguirre, Annadella Pacheco and Jose Aguirre, III.

She is survived by her children Efrain Aguirre of Goodland, KS, Raquel Gonzalez of Burlington, CO, Maria Aguirre of Goodland, KS, Joe (Olevia) Aguirre of Kanorado, KS, Rosie (Octavio) Gonzalez of Kanorado, KS, Christina Ledesma of Ft. Worth, TX, Emily (Rogelio) Bustillos of Scott City, KS and Yolanda Ledesma of Denver, CO.&nbsp; She is also survived by 34 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Manuela will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at 10:30 AM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Father David Micheal officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the Kanorado Cemetery, Kanorado, KS.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Manuela Aguirre Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at <a href="http://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com">www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com</a>.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607010787951.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Longtime Kanorado, KS resident Manuela Aguirre, 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Kanorado on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.Manuela was born on October 31, 1945, in Mathis, Texas, to Manuel and Victoria (Rodriguez) Garcia.&nbsp; She was one of five children. &nbsp;Manuela grew up in Texas and on July 15, 1966, she married Jose Aguirre, and to this union, 9 children were born; Efrain, Raquel, Maria, Joe, Rosie, Christina, Emily, John and Yolanda.Manuela enjoyed raising her children and spending time with her family.&nbsp; She also enjoyed playing bingo, cooking and working in her yard.Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Jose, three sisters; Rosa, Lucia, and Juanita, one brother Ramon, one son John Judas Aguirre and three grandchildren; Danny Aguirre, Annadella Pacheco and Jose Aguirre, III.She is survived by her children Efrain Aguirre of Goodland, KS, Raquel Gonzalez of Burlington, CO, Maria Aguirre of Goodland, KS, Joe (Olevia) Aguirre of Kanorado, KS, Rosie (Octavio) Gonzalez of Kanorado, KS, Christina Ledesma of Ft. Worth, TX, Emily (Rogelio) Bustillos of Scott City, KS and Yolanda Ledesma of Denver, CO.&nbsp; She is also survived by 34 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.Funeral services for Manuela will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at 10:30 AM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Father David Micheal officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the Kanorado Cemetery, Kanorado, KS.Visitation will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.Memorial contributions may be designated to the Manuela Aguirre Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.Online condolences for the family may be left at <a href="http://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com">www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com</a>.Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Manuela (Garcia) Aguirre

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-02/its-becoming-increasingly-hard-to-find-a-nursing-home-in-kansas-where-coronavirus-hasnt-shown-up">Kansas News Service</a>

Dozens of Kansas nursing homes still wait three days to a week for <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-16/testing-bottlenecks-again-gripping-u-s-with-coronavirus-surging" target="_blank">overwhelmed labs</a> to tell them if their residents have COVID-19.

As of mid-November, 30 facilities had less than a week’s worth of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/local/news/n-95-shortage-covid/?no_nav=true&amp;p9w22b2p=b2p22p9w00098&amp;tid=a_classic-iphone" target="_blank">N95 masks</a> on hand. Another 100-plus didn’t have enough nurses.

Nine months into a pandemic that has proven most deadly to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-age.html" target="_blank">older people</a>, Kansas nursing homes tell federal regulators they’re still struggling to get the basic tools of defense.

Perhaps
 most disturbing of all — as the virus rages in cities, suburbs and 
rural towns — nursing homes simply can’t keep coronavirus out. Two-thirds of them have had confirmed cases among their residents.

Things
 were bad enough in August and September, when Kansas long-term care 
facilities were fighting around 40 to 60 active coronavirus outbreaks 
(meaning two or more cases) at any given time.

October and November brought <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-11-16/kansas-hospitals-seek-help-from-nearby-states-but-the-whole-midwest-is-struggling-with-a-covid-surge" target="_blank">a vicious surge</a> of the disease. Now, in early December, facilities are dealing with more than 200 ongoing outbreaks.

That
 escalation brought the virus to the Centennial Homestead in rural 
Washington County along the border with Nebraska. Centennial had managed
 to keep the disease out. Until late October.

“Once it’s in your 
building, you beat yourself up,” said Haely Ordoyne, who co-owns and 
runs the 30-bed home. “How could this happen? How did it get in? Where 
did we go wrong?”

And that followed months of isolation and constant fear of a potential outbreak.

“You
 have PTSD in residents and in their families,” she said. “And I 
guarantee that my staff has some form of PTSD after this is all said and
 done.”

Centennial gets five out of five stars on the federal 
government’s nursing home rating, with two low-level citations on its 
last annual inspection, compared to a national average of eight.

In July, a federal inspection found Centennial was following best practices to control infections amid the ongoing pandemic.

During
 the summer months, about one in five Kansas nursing homes didn’t have 
enough nurses. Now, a third of them are in that boat.

Even outbreaks that don’t infect residents sideline employees who need to go into quarantine.

Meanwhile, nursing homes experiencing outbreaks need more staff — not less — to maintain strict separation of their “COVID” and “non-COVID” wings.

“Every
 day is tooth-and-nail” trying to bring in enough workers, Ordoyne said.
 That means finding temporary workers willing to drive in, usually from 
other counties.

Like many nursing homes, Centennial turned to 
temporary staffing agencies for help. But they can charge four times the
 normal going rate.

“We’re not just bleeding,” Ordoyne said. “We are hemorrhaging.”

Nursing homes received federal stimulus funds to help, but part of the problem is they don’t know when that money will run out.

The holidays risk spurring even wider community spread. That could fuel yet more outbreaks and sideline more workers.

Meanwhile, problems that nursing homes hoped would be resolved months ago haven’t gone away.

High-quality coronavirus testing can run upward of $100 a pop. <a href="https://khn.org/news/n95-mask-stockpile-orders-hurt-nursing-homes-small-providers/" target="_blank">Gloves and other protective gear</a> continue to sell for several times what they cost before the pandemic.

“The
 last couple of months, the shortage has been on gloves,” said Debra 
Harmon Zehr, who heads the nonprofit nursing home association, 
LeadingAge Kansas. “Three months ago it was hospital gowns.”

“It’s
 sporadic,” she said. Just when it seems the pipeline is fixed, a 
different item becomes scarce. “And you think, ‘Well, that wasn't a 
problem a week ago.’”

<a href="https://khn.org/news/n95-mask-stockpile-orders-hurt-nursing-homes-small-providers/" target="_blank">Kaiser Health News</a>
 reports the problem remains especially acute for small health care 
providers, who struggle to compete with major health systems stockpiling
 supplies.

To Zehr, it drives home the nation’s poor preparation for a pandemic, for which older people are paying the dearest price.

“When
 it actually happened, any (government) plans that had been made and any
 systems that were supposedly put in place failed miserably,” she said.

Coronavirus
 is now so widespread in Kansas that almost every nursing home in the 
state has to test its workers twice weekly for the virus. Federal 
regulations require it.

Workers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03141-3" target="_blank">without any symptoms</a> can unwittingly carry the coronavirus into nursing homes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent out <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-18/kansas-nursing-homes-still-waiting-on-coronavirus-testing-gear-from-the-feds-and-cant-afford-labs" target="_blank">small machines</a>
 for on-site testing. But as of mid-November, two dozen Kansas nursing 
homes told regulators they still don’t have any such device or enough 
supplies to use it.

Regardless, those machines — and, more recently, federal shipments of <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/scientists-are-racing-to-develop-paper-based-tests-for-covid-19-180975640/" target="_blank">paperstrip COVID tests</a> that don’t require electronic hardware — are only used until a coronavirus case has been confirmed in a building.

At that point, nursing homes turn to outside labs for <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics" target="_blank">PCR tests</a>, a far more sensitive tool that long-term care facilities can’t afford on a daily basis.

But
 from the start of the pandemic, high demand backlogged the labs that 
conduct PCR tests. That led to long waits for results. Forty-one nursing
 homes in Kansas say they still wait three to seven days for results 
when they test residents.

Centennial is one of them. It’s had to wait between three and five days for results.

It
 sent samples hours away to a major lab in the Kansas City area after 
its on-site rapid tests uncovered a single asymptomatic case. The PCR 
tests revealed several more cases among people who had tested negative 
with rapid tests.

Soon people started showing symptoms. Ultimately, 18 residents and 18 workers tested positive. Four residents have died.

The
 state recently began helping more nursing homes with PCR testing, but 
it’s unclear how far that program funded with federal stimulus dollars 
will stretch.

Statewide, the more than 200 ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Kansas long-term care facilities have taken 360 lives so far.

Combined
 with other outbreaks that have already ended, the virus’ toll in 
nursing homes and similar facilities makes up more than 750 of the 
nearly <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">1,700 pandemic deaths</a> in Kansas.

Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606943297876.png" alt="Samples undergo coronavirus testing at a lab that usually turns results within 24 hours. Nine months into the pandemic, dozens of Kansas nursing homes are still struggling with access to fast testing. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Samples undergo coronavirus testing at a lab that usually turns results within 24 hours. Nine months into the pandemic, dozens of Kansas nursing homes are still struggling with access to fast testing. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-02/its-becoming-increasingly-hard-to-find-a-nursing-home-in-kansas-where-coronavirus-hasnt-shown-up">Kansas News Service</a>Dozens of Kansas nursing homes still wait three days to a week for <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-16/testing-bottlenecks-again-gripping-u-s-with-coronavirus-surging" target="_blank">overwhelmed labs</a> to tell them if their residents have COVID-19.As of mid-November, 30 facilities had less than a week’s worth of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/local/news/n-95-shortage-covid/?no_nav=true&amp;p9w22b2p=b2p22p9w00098&amp;tid=a_classic-iphone" target="_blank">N95 masks</a> on hand. Another 100-plus didn’t have enough nurses.Nine months into a pandemic that has proven most deadly to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-age.html" target="_blank">older people</a>, Kansas nursing homes tell federal regulators they’re still struggling to get the basic tools of defense.Perhaps
 most disturbing of all — as the virus rages in cities, suburbs and 
rural towns — nursing homes simply can’t keep coronavirus out. Two-thirds of them have had confirmed cases among their residents.Things
 were bad enough in August and September, when Kansas long-term care 
facilities were fighting around 40 to 60 active coronavirus outbreaks 
(meaning two or more cases) at any given time.October and November brought <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-11-16/kansas-hospitals-seek-help-from-nearby-states-but-the-whole-midwest-is-struggling-with-a-covid-surge" target="_blank">a vicious surge</a> of the disease. Now, in early December, facilities are dealing with more than 200 ongoing outbreaks.That
 escalation brought the virus to the Centennial Homestead in rural 
Washington County along the border with Nebraska. Centennial had managed
 to keep the disease out. Until late October.“Once it’s in your 
building, you beat yourself up,” said Haely Ordoyne, who co-owns and 
runs the 30-bed home. “How could this happen? How did it get in? Where 
did we go wrong?”And that followed months of isolation and constant fear of a potential outbreak.“You
 have PTSD in residents and in their families,” she said. “And I 
guarantee that my staff has some form of PTSD after this is all said and
 done.”Centennial gets five out of five stars on the federal 
government’s nursing home rating, with two low-level citations on its 
last annual inspection, compared to a national average of eight.In July, a federal inspection found Centennial was following best practices to control infections amid the ongoing pandemic.<h2>Sidelined by the virus</h2>During
 the summer months, about one in five Kansas nursing homes didn’t have 
enough nurses. Now, a third of them are in that boat.Even outbreaks that don’t infect residents sideline employees who need to go into quarantine.Meanwhile, nursing homes experiencing outbreaks need more staff — not less — to maintain strict separation of their “COVID” and “non-COVID” wings.“Every
 day is tooth-and-nail” trying to bring in enough workers, Ordoyne said.
 That means finding temporary workers willing to drive in, usually from 
other counties.Like many nursing homes, Centennial turned to 
temporary staffing agencies for help. But they can charge four times the
 normal going rate.“We’re not just bleeding,” Ordoyne said. “We are hemorrhaging.”Nursing homes received federal stimulus funds to help, but part of the problem is they don’t know when that money will run out.The holidays risk spurring even wider community spread. That could fuel yet more outbreaks and sideline more workers.Meanwhile, problems that nursing homes hoped would be resolved months ago haven’t gone away.High-quality coronavirus testing can run upward of $100 a pop. <a href="https://khn.org/news/n95-mask-stockpile-orders-hurt-nursing-homes-small-providers/" target="_blank">Gloves and other protective gear</a> continue to sell for several times what they cost before the pandemic.“The
 last couple of months, the shortage has been on gloves,” said Debra 
Harmon Zehr, who heads the nonprofit nursing home association, 
LeadingAge Kansas. “Three months ago it was hospital gowns.”“It’s
 sporadic,” she said. Just when it seems the pipeline is fixed, a 
different item becomes scarce. “And you think, ‘Well, that wasn't a 
problem a week ago.’”<a href="https://khn.org/news/n95-mask-stockpile-orders-hurt-nursing-homes-small-providers/" target="_blank">Kaiser Health News</a>
 reports the problem remains especially acute for small health care 
providers, who struggle to compete with major health systems stockpiling
 supplies.To Zehr, it drives home the nation’s poor preparation for a pandemic, for which older people are paying the dearest price.“When
 it actually happened, any (government) plans that had been made and any
 systems that were supposedly put in place failed miserably,” she said.<h2>Testing conundrum</h2>Coronavirus
 is now so widespread in Kansas that almost every nursing home in the 
state has to test its workers twice weekly for the virus. Federal 
regulations require it.Workers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03141-3" target="_blank">without any symptoms</a> can unwittingly carry the coronavirus into nursing homes.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent out <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-18/kansas-nursing-homes-still-waiting-on-coronavirus-testing-gear-from-the-feds-and-cant-afford-labs" target="_blank">small machines</a>
 for on-site testing. But as of mid-November, two dozen Kansas nursing 
homes told regulators they still don’t have any such device or enough 
supplies to use it.Regardless, those machines — and, more recently, federal shipments of <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/scientists-are-racing-to-develop-paper-based-tests-for-covid-19-180975640/" target="_blank">paperstrip COVID tests</a> that don’t require electronic hardware — are only used until a coronavirus case has been confirmed in a building.At that point, nursing homes turn to outside labs for <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics" target="_blank">PCR tests</a>, a far more sensitive tool that long-term care facilities can’t afford on a daily basis.But
 from the start of the pandemic, high demand backlogged the labs that 
conduct PCR tests. That led to long waits for results. Forty-one nursing
 homes in Kansas say they still wait three to seven days for results 
when they test residents.Centennial is one of them. It’s had to wait between three and five days for results.It
 sent samples hours away to a major lab in the Kansas City area after 
its on-site rapid tests uncovered a single asymptomatic case. The PCR 
tests revealed several more cases among people who had tested negative 
with rapid tests.Soon people started showing symptoms. Ultimately, 18 residents and 18 workers tested positive. Four residents have died.The
 state recently began helping more nursing homes with PCR testing, but 
it’s unclear how far that program funded with federal stimulus dollars 
will stretch.Statewide, the more than 200 ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Kansas long-term care facilities have taken 360 lives so far.Combined
 with other outbreaks that have already ended, the virus’ toll in 
nursing homes and similar facilities makes up more than 750 of the 
nearly <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">1,700 pandemic deaths</a> in Kansas.Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

Kan. nursing homes struggle to keep coronavirus out

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/03/facing-financial-strain-saint-francis-ministries-shuts-down-services-for-refugees/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Saint Francis 
Ministries is eliminating its support network for refugees in Kansas, 
citing financial strains within the organization and a desire to focus 
resources on foster care services.

Employees learned of the decision on Nov. 20, a day after the organization <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/19/foster-care-provider-removes-top-leaders-after-investigation-into-mismanagement/">fired top leadership</a> at the conclusion of an investigation into undisclosed mismanagement problems.

Morgan Rothenberger, a 
spokeswoman for Saint Francis, said the organization was eliminating 
seven positions within its International Ministries division, and 
another 19 related positions in administrative areas. The division 
served refugees in the Wichita area.

“Recent changes placed a 
financial strain on our efforts with this work,” Rothenberger said. 
“Even though we were able to shift employees to other work supporting 
the refugee and immigrant community, the program’s sustainability became
 challenging.”

Saint Francis was one of <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/25/kansas-refugee-programs-struggle-as-funding-resettlements-dwindle/">a handful of organizations in Kansas providing integration services</a>
 for legal immigrants fleeing violence and other hardships. Those 
services include helping refugees find a place to live, employment, 
training, and language assistance.

Forrest Ehmke, a volunteer
 for Saint Francis’s migration program in Wichita, says he worries that 
schools and other organizations will be left to serve refugees, 
including their children, without any additional funding. He said the 
community also stands to lose about $410,000 in federal grants because 
of the decision by Saint Francis.

Ehmke said he has provided
 furniture for families, and helped with transportation, job 
applications, school enrollment and general problem solving.

“This is an unspeakable 
tragedy to families who are fleeing violence, have been vetted many 
times over prior to authorization to come as a refugee and are learning 
how to be Americans,” Ehmke said. “This means that there will be limited
 or no support from an agency to support them with all the 
school-related issues of the year. There will be limited support 
regarding employment should they lose employment secondary to COVID-19. 
There will be limited support to assist in becoming good citizens, which
 they all wish to be.”

Federal funding for the 
refugee program has been undercut in recent years by President Donald 
Trump’s orders to reduce the number of refugees who are allowed into the
 country each year.

The cap was set at 85,000 
during President Barack Obama’s final year in office, and dropped to 
18,000 this year. In October, Trump <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-determination-refugee-admissions-fiscal-year-2021/">lowered the number</a>
 of refugees who could resettle in the United States in 2021 to just 
15,000. The actual number of refugees falls below the cap each year 
because of bureaucratic restrictions.

Saint Francis informed 
staff last month that the Rev. Robert Smith and CEO Tom Blythe wouldn’t 
return to the organization following an investigation into a 
whistleblower’s report on mismanagement. William Clark, who had been 
chief of staff, is serving as interim president and CEO.

As the organization faced 
“a variety of challenges” in recent weeks, Rothenberger said, the 
leadership team began realigning work to meet its core mission of 
providing foster care and prevention services for children and families.
 Saint Francis is the largest private contractor for the state foster 
care system.

“This has been a very 
difficult decision because of the impact on the immigrant and refugee 
community and our employees,” Clark said. “All of these employees have 
been committed to serving children and families and have done excellent 
work for Saint Francis. We are working closely with stakeholders so they
 understand our commitment to keeping Saint Francis strong.”

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607009943891.png" alt="Yeni Telles, director of International Ministries for Saint Francis Ministries, speaks about her immigration story at World Refugee Day in June. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Yeni Telles, director of International Ministries for Saint Francis Ministries, speaks about her immigration story at World Refugee Day in June. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/03/facing-financial-strain-saint-francis-ministries-shuts-down-services-for-refugees/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Saint Francis 
Ministries is eliminating its support network for refugees in Kansas, 
citing financial strains within the organization and a desire to focus 
resources on foster care services.Employees learned of the decision on Nov. 20, a day after the organization <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/19/foster-care-provider-removes-top-leaders-after-investigation-into-mismanagement/">fired top leadership</a> at the conclusion of an investigation into undisclosed mismanagement problems.Morgan Rothenberger, a 
spokeswoman for Saint Francis, said the organization was eliminating 
seven positions within its International Ministries division, and 
another 19 related positions in administrative areas. The division 
served refugees in the Wichita area.“Recent changes placed a 
financial strain on our efforts with this work,” Rothenberger said. 
“Even though we were able to shift employees to other work supporting 
the refugee and immigrant community, the program’s sustainability became
 challenging.”Saint Francis was one of <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/25/kansas-refugee-programs-struggle-as-funding-resettlements-dwindle/">a handful of organizations in Kansas providing integration services</a>
 for legal immigrants fleeing violence and other hardships. Those 
services include helping refugees find a place to live, employment, 
training, and language assistance.Forrest Ehmke, a volunteer
 for Saint Francis’s migration program in Wichita, says he worries that 
schools and other organizations will be left to serve refugees, 
including their children, without any additional funding. He said the 
community also stands to lose about $410,000 in federal grants because 
of the decision by Saint Francis.Ehmke said he has provided
 furniture for families, and helped with transportation, job 
applications, school enrollment and general problem solving.“This is an unspeakable 
tragedy to families who are fleeing violence, have been vetted many 
times over prior to authorization to come as a refugee and are learning 
how to be Americans,” Ehmke said. “This means that there will be limited
 or no support from an agency to support them with all the 
school-related issues of the year. There will be limited support 
regarding employment should they lose employment secondary to COVID-19. 
There will be limited support to assist in becoming good citizens, which
 they all wish to be.”Federal funding for the 
refugee program has been undercut in recent years by President Donald 
Trump’s orders to reduce the number of refugees who are allowed into the
 country each year.The cap was set at 85,000 
during President Barack Obama’s final year in office, and dropped to 
18,000 this year. In October, Trump <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-determination-refugee-admissions-fiscal-year-2021/">lowered the number</a>
 of refugees who could resettle in the United States in 2021 to just 
15,000. The actual number of refugees falls below the cap each year 
because of bureaucratic restrictions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607009996678.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Saint Francis informed 
staff last month that the Rev. Robert Smith and CEO Tom Blythe wouldn’t 
return to the organization following an investigation into a 
whistleblower’s report on mismanagement. William Clark, who had been 
chief of staff, is serving as interim president and CEO.As the organization faced 
“a variety of challenges” in recent weeks, Rothenberger said, the 
leadership team began realigning work to meet its core mission of 
providing foster care and prevention services for children and families.
 Saint Francis is the largest private contractor for the state foster 
care system.“This has been a very 
difficult decision because of the impact on the immigrant and refugee 
community and our employees,” Clark said. “All of these employees have 
been committed to serving children and families and have done excellent 
work for Saint Francis. We are working closely with stakeholders so they
 understand our commitment to keeping Saint Francis strong.”Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.

Saint Francis Ministries shuts down services for refugees

Raymond L. “Butch” Minium, 63, passed away Monday, November 30, 2020, at 
the Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie, Kansas. 

On May 3, 1957, 
Butch was born in Hays, Kansas to William D. and Margie (Shipley) 
Minium. He attended Hoxie Grade and High School graduating with the 
class of 1975. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) 
and a 4-H member. After graduating from High School, he attended one 
semester at Kansas State University. Butch had the opportunity to rent 
some farm ground and purchase some farm equipment; so, he moved back 
home to begin his farming career. In 1979, he met Lisa Wilson, and on 
October 3, 1981, in Gove, Kansas, Butch and Lisa were married.
 Butch and Lisa lived on the family farm southeast of Hoxie. They 
were the proud parents of two children, Cody and Ashley. Butch spent 
his life as a farmer and rancher. He prided himself on always having a 
strong work ethic, a healthy cattle herd and well-maintained equipment. 
He was passionate about coyote hunting and made many friends throughout 
all his years of hunting. He was the type of person who never knew a 
stranger and could always visit with anyone. Butch always had a smile 
on his face, and with a strong sense of humor, a joke to tell. Butch 
and Lisa loved to travel with their camper and Harley, joining friends 
every summer to visit new places. Absolutely, the most important things
 to Butch were his family, and he adored his grandchildren. 
 Butch is survived by his wife, Lisa of Hoxie, Kansas; son, Cody and 
wife Sunnie of Selden, Kansas; daughter, Ashley Williams and husband 
Chris of Overland Park, Kansas; sisters, Vicki Wagoner and husband 
Melvin of Lenexa, Kansas, Kay Shafer and husband Steve of Beaver City, 
Nebraska and Janet Johnston and companion Bill Seeney of Wichita, 
Kansas; grandchildren, Archer James and Krayton Lee Minium and Bella Joy
 Williams.
 He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Margie Minium.
 A Funeral Service is planned for Friday, December 4, 2020, at the 
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in rural Sheridan County, 1:00 P.M. 
Interment will immediately follow the service in the Hoxie City 
Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 11:00
 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. with family greeting friends from 4:30 P.M. until 
6:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk 
or Sheridan County Health Complex and may be sent in care of 
Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. The 
visitation and funeral are open to all family and friends. The funeral 
will be livestreamed on the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Hoxie Facebook
 page. 
 Butch was a man with a smile and happy heart. His time on this 
earth was far too short. He will be missed by his loving family and 
friends. All will grieve yet know that he is at peace. So, when you 
see something that reminds you of Butch remember him and smile.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607004734958.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Raymond L. “Butch” Minium, 63, passed away Monday, November 30, 2020, at 
the Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie, Kansas. On May 3, 1957, 
Butch was born in Hays, Kansas to William D. and Margie (Shipley) 
Minium. He attended Hoxie Grade and High School graduating with the 
class of 1975. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) 
and a 4-H member. After graduating from High School, he attended one 
semester at Kansas State University. Butch had the opportunity to rent 
some farm ground and purchase some farm equipment; so, he moved back 
home to begin his farming career. In 1979, he met Lisa Wilson, and on 
October 3, 1981, in Gove, Kansas, Butch and Lisa were married.
 Butch and Lisa lived on the family farm southeast of Hoxie. They 
were the proud parents of two children, Cody and Ashley. Butch spent 
his life as a farmer and rancher. He prided himself on always having a 
strong work ethic, a healthy cattle herd and well-maintained equipment. 
He was passionate about coyote hunting and made many friends throughout 
all his years of hunting. He was the type of person who never knew a 
stranger and could always visit with anyone. Butch always had a smile 
on his face, and with a strong sense of humor, a joke to tell. Butch 
and Lisa loved to travel with their camper and Harley, joining friends 
every summer to visit new places. Absolutely, the most important things
 to Butch were his family, and he adored his grandchildren. 
 Butch is survived by his wife, Lisa of Hoxie, Kansas; son, Cody and 
wife Sunnie of Selden, Kansas; daughter, Ashley Williams and husband 
Chris of Overland Park, Kansas; sisters, Vicki Wagoner and husband 
Melvin of Lenexa, Kansas, Kay Shafer and husband Steve of Beaver City, 
Nebraska and Janet Johnston and companion Bill Seeney of Wichita, 
Kansas; grandchildren, Archer James and Krayton Lee Minium and Bella Joy
 Williams.
 He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Margie Minium.
 A Funeral Service is planned for Friday, December 4, 2020, at the 
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in rural Sheridan County, 1:00 P.M. 
Interment will immediately follow the service in the Hoxie City 
Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 11:00
 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. with family greeting friends from 4:30 P.M. until 
6:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk 
or Sheridan County Health Complex and may be sent in care of 
Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. The 
visitation and funeral are open to all family and friends. The funeral 
will be livestreamed on the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Hoxie Facebook
 page. 
 Butch was a man with a smile and happy heart. His time on this 
earth was far too short. He will be missed by his loving family and 
friends. All will grieve yet know that he is at peace. So, when you 
see something that reminds you of Butch remember him and smile.

Raymond 'Butch' L. Minium

Anna Rita Weber, 88, Ellis, died Monday, November 30, 2020, at Via Christi Village in Hays.

She was born October 2, 1932, in St. 
Peter the daughter of Bonaventure and Helen (Weber) Brungardt.&nbsp; On 
October 14, 1952, she married Richard D. Kinderknecht in Ellis.&nbsp; They 
later divorced, and he preceded her in death on December 30, 2001.&nbsp; On 
May 29, 1982, she was united in marriage to Francis “Bud” Weber, and he 
preceded her in death on November 28, 2001. &nbsp;She was a nurse’s aide at 
St. Anthony Hospital, worked at Fort Hays State University in the 
Custodial Department for 20 years, and was a member of St. Mary’s 
Catholic Church, Ellis VFW Post #9139 Auxiliary, and the Ellis Daughters
 of Isabella.&nbsp; Her hobbies included sewing, embroidery, walking many 
miles a day, and collecting cookbooks and vases.&nbsp; She enjoyed traveling 
and collecting souvenirs from the states she visited, music, and baking 
and cooking for family get-togethers.&nbsp; Most of all, she loved spending 
time with her family.

Survivors include three sons: Daniel 
Kinderknecht and wife Vicky of Chandler, AZ, Floyd Kinderknecht and wife
 Loretta of Ellis, and Brian Kinderknecht and wife Silvia of 
Brackettville, TX, two daughters: Carol Schryer and husband Mark of 
Ellis and Anita Dreiling and husband Larry of Hays, two step daughters: 
Ellen Ambler and husband Mike of Pentwater, MI and Cynthia Amrein of 
Omaha, NE, a brother: Gilbert Brungardt and wife Lorraine of Hays, a 
sister: Helen “Jeanie” Windholz and husband Francis of Victoria, 22 
grandchildren: Lana McClenahan (Bentley), John Kinderknecht, Richard 
“Sonny” Kinderknecht (Shaylynn), Geneva Hurley (Mike), Angela Dorzweiler
 (Steve), Adam Fisher (Erica), Laura Waldschmidt (Chris), Paula Mattison
 (Brady), Matt Dreiling (Renee), Joannie Kollman (Andy), Shannon 
Dreiling, Karina Hurd (Mike), Ethan Kinderknecht (Sarah), Jose Gonzalez 
(Amanda), Nancy Guerrero (Roman), Sergio Gonzalez, Yesenia Gonzalez, 
Alisha Begler, April McAdoo, Aaron Begler, Randy Amrein, and Wendy 
Amrein, and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her 
parents, her husbands, four brothers: Edwin, Elmer, Anthony, and 
Bonaventure “Sonny” Brungardt, and three sisters: Angela Kinderknecht, 
Clara Walters, and Esther Laws, a son-in-law: Kenneth Fisher, and two 
daughters-in-law: Babette and Elizabeth Kinderknecht.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Friday, December 4, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in 
Ellis with Fr. Dana Clark officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Mary’s
 Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday at 
Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until mass time on 
Friday at the church.&nbsp; A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm
 followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Thursday at the funeral 
home.&nbsp; 

Instead of plants and flowers, the family suggests memorials to 
St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi Village or to the Ellis VFW Post #9139 
Auxiliary.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Anna Rita may be shared with the
 family at www.haysmemorial.com &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606841160458.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Anna Rita Weber, 88, Ellis, died Monday, November 30, 2020, at Via Christi Village in Hays.She was born October 2, 1932, in St. 
Peter the daughter of Bonaventure and Helen (Weber) Brungardt.&nbsp; On 
October 14, 1952, she married Richard D. Kinderknecht in Ellis.&nbsp; They 
later divorced, and he preceded her in death on December 30, 2001.&nbsp; On 
May 29, 1982, she was united in marriage to Francis “Bud” Weber, and he 
preceded her in death on November 28, 2001. &nbsp;She was a nurse’s aide at 
St. Anthony Hospital, worked at Fort Hays State University in the 
Custodial Department for 20 years, and was a member of St. Mary’s 
Catholic Church, Ellis VFW Post #9139 Auxiliary, and the Ellis Daughters
 of Isabella.&nbsp; Her hobbies included sewing, embroidery, walking many 
miles a day, and collecting cookbooks and vases.&nbsp; She enjoyed traveling 
and collecting souvenirs from the states she visited, music, and baking 
and cooking for family get-togethers.&nbsp; Most of all, she loved spending 
time with her family.Survivors include three sons: Daniel 
Kinderknecht and wife Vicky of Chandler, AZ, Floyd Kinderknecht and wife
 Loretta of Ellis, and Brian Kinderknecht and wife Silvia of 
Brackettville, TX, two daughters: Carol Schryer and husband Mark of 
Ellis and Anita Dreiling and husband Larry of Hays, two step daughters: 
Ellen Ambler and husband Mike of Pentwater, MI and Cynthia Amrein of 
Omaha, NE, a brother: Gilbert Brungardt and wife Lorraine of Hays, a 
sister: Helen “Jeanie” Windholz and husband Francis of Victoria, 22 
grandchildren: Lana McClenahan (Bentley), John Kinderknecht, Richard 
“Sonny” Kinderknecht (Shaylynn), Geneva Hurley (Mike), Angela Dorzweiler
 (Steve), Adam Fisher (Erica), Laura Waldschmidt (Chris), Paula Mattison
 (Brady), Matt Dreiling (Renee), Joannie Kollman (Andy), Shannon 
Dreiling, Karina Hurd (Mike), Ethan Kinderknecht (Sarah), Jose Gonzalez 
(Amanda), Nancy Guerrero (Roman), Sergio Gonzalez, Yesenia Gonzalez, 
Alisha Begler, April McAdoo, Aaron Begler, Randy Amrein, and Wendy 
Amrein, and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her 
parents, her husbands, four brothers: Edwin, Elmer, Anthony, and 
Bonaventure “Sonny” Brungardt, and three sisters: Angela Kinderknecht, 
Clara Walters, and Esther Laws, a son-in-law: Kenneth Fisher, and two 
daughters-in-law: Babette and Elizabeth Kinderknecht.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Friday, December 4, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in 
Ellis with Fr. Dana Clark officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Mary’s
 Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday at 
Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until mass time on 
Friday at the church.&nbsp; A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm
 followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Thursday at the funeral 
home.&nbsp; Instead of plants and flowers, the family suggests memorials to 
St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi Village or to the Ellis VFW Post #9139 
Auxiliary.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Anna Rita may be shared with the
 family at www.haysmemorial.com &nbsp;

Anna Rita Weber

Kansas crude prices at CHS in McPherson ended the month at their highest level since March 5th, $35.50 per barrel. That's nearly ten dollars higher than a month ago, but ten dollars behind a year ago. The average price for Kansas Common crude during the month of November was $31.55 per barrel, compared to October's average of just over $29.69. The average was over $47 in November of last year. U.S. crude futures prices are retreating from nine-month highs dropping below $45 per barrel in morning trading Tuesday. Production cuts by the OPEC+ exporters are set to expire at the end of the year, but talks are underway to extend them. Reuters reports no consensus yet, after preliminary meetings Sunday. The cartel, along with Russia and other allies in the pact, may continue their existing output limits, but disagree on how long the deal should last. The Rig Count in Kansas was down about nine percent last week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports eleven active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up two, and nine west of Wichita, which is down four for the week. Operators reached total depth last week on three Barton County wells and two in Ellis County. Drilling was underway on one lease in Barton County. Baker Hughes reported 320 active drilling rigs across the country last week, up ten oil rigs, with the counts in Texas and New Mexico up three. Kansas regulators approved 12 permits for drilling at new locations across the state last week, five of them east of Wichita, seven in Western Kansas. That makes 424 new permits so far this year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported 18 newly-completed wells for the week, 750 so far this year. There were five in eastern Kansas and 13 west of Wichita, including one completion in Ellis County. Oil-by-rail shipments were up for the week but still behind the totals a year ago. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,908 rail tanker-cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products across the U.S.&nbsp; That's up 164 cars from a week earlier, but down nearly 15% from the same week last year.&nbsp; U.S. crude-oil production for the week ending November 20 averaged slightly below 11 million barrels per day, marking an increase over the week before of 81,000 barrels per day. But domestic production remains nearly two million barrels per day behind the output from the same period last year. U.S. crude oil inventories dropped by 800,000 barrels last week. The government says current stockpiles of more than 488 million barrels are about six percent above the five-year seasonal average. The Energy Information Administration reports U.S. crude-oil imports declined slightly to just over five million barrels per day. The four-week average is down more than 12 percent from the same period last year. Colorado regulators gave final approval to some of the strictest oil-and-gas regulations in the country. The new rules include one requiring new wells be at least 2,000 feet from schools and homes. That rule has been labeled "unprecedented" by the state's largest oil-patch industry group, but environmental activists complain it has exceptions and loopholes, and in fact should be larger. Colorado joins Alaska in banning the routine venting and flaring of natural gas. The new regulations take effect January 15. A recent study by the Colorado School of Mines warns of the loss of from 2.5 to 4.5 billion dollars based on oil and gas that cannot be accessed. A Texas industry group reports a second consecutive month of oil-patch job growth in the Lone Star State. Exploration and production showed an increase of 600 jobs in October according to the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Texas oil-and-gas payroll reached a low point in August, but has increased by 21-hundred jobs since then. The state supports nearly 172,000 jobs in exploration and production.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARKansas crude prices at CHS in McPherson ended the month at their highest level since March 5th, $35.50 per barrel. That's nearly ten dollars higher than a month ago, but ten dollars behind a year ago. The average price for Kansas Common crude during the month of November was $31.55 per barrel, compared to October's average of just over $29.69. The average was over $47 in November of last year. U.S. crude futures prices are retreating from nine-month highs dropping below $45 per barrel in morning trading Tuesday. Production cuts by the OPEC+ exporters are set to expire at the end of the year, but talks are underway to extend them. Reuters reports no consensus yet, after preliminary meetings Sunday. The cartel, along with Russia and other allies in the pact, may continue their existing output limits, but disagree on how long the deal should last. The Rig Count in Kansas was down about nine percent last week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports eleven active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up two, and nine west of Wichita, which is down four for the week. Operators reached total depth last week on three Barton County wells and two in Ellis County. Drilling was underway on one lease in Barton County. Baker Hughes reported 320 active drilling rigs across the country last week, up ten oil rigs, with the counts in Texas and New Mexico up three. Kansas regulators approved 12 permits for drilling at new locations across the state last week, five of them east of Wichita, seven in Western Kansas. That makes 424 new permits so far this year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported 18 newly-completed wells for the week, 750 so far this year. There were five in eastern Kansas and 13 west of Wichita, including one completion in Ellis County. Oil-by-rail shipments were up for the week but still behind the totals a year ago. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,908 rail tanker-cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products across the U.S.&nbsp; That's up 164 cars from a week earlier, but down nearly 15% from the same week last year.&nbsp; U.S. crude-oil production for the week ending November 20 averaged slightly below 11 million barrels per day, marking an increase over the week before of 81,000 barrels per day. But domestic production remains nearly two million barrels per day behind the output from the same period last year. U.S. crude oil inventories dropped by 800,000 barrels last week. The government says current stockpiles of more than 488 million barrels are about six percent above the five-year seasonal average. The Energy Information Administration reports U.S. crude-oil imports declined slightly to just over five million barrels per day. The four-week average is down more than 12 percent from the same period last year. Colorado regulators gave final approval to some of the strictest oil-and-gas regulations in the country. The new rules include one requiring new wells be at least 2,000 feet from schools and homes. That rule has been labeled "unprecedented" by the state's largest oil-patch industry group, but environmental activists complain it has exceptions and loopholes, and in fact should be larger. Colorado joins Alaska in banning the routine venting and flaring of natural gas. The new regulations take effect January 15. A recent study by the Colorado School of Mines warns of the loss of from 2.5 to 4.5 billion dollars based on oil and gas that cannot be accessed. A Texas industry group reports a second consecutive month of oil-patch job growth in the Lone Star State. Exploration and production showed an increase of 600 jobs in October according to the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Texas oil-and-gas payroll reached a low point in August, but has increased by 21-hundred jobs since then. The state supports nearly 172,000 jobs in exploration and production.

News From the Oil Patch: Kan. crude prices highest since March

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Law enforcement officers have finished searching a section of a river for the remains of a missing Chinese woman whose husband is charged in her death.

The search of the Lamine River near Boonville, Missouri did not recover any evidence related to Mengqi Ji, 28, who was reported missing on Oct. 10, 2019, Columbia police said.

Her husband, Joseph Elledge, is charged with first-degree murder in her death and with abusing the couple's young daughter. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3464aeebdecdfb6819997198bbb315e1">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;in both cases. No date has been set for Elledge's murder trial.

Elledge and Ji married in 2017 and attended the University of Missouri.

Authorities conducted aerial and foot searches along the Lamine River outside of Boonville for months after cellphone records showed Elledge was in the area for about 45 minutes around the time his wife disappeared. Cadaver dogs also hit on a scent in the area, police have said.

At one point, the department&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/bc6f1f2ad82ad48ebb6073cbbf257776/7cad26816fa8b730d9aa0793c5e766fb">built a temporary levee&nbsp;</a>in the river to allow larger equipment farther out into the water. That effort ended in June.

The remaining parts of the levee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boonville-columbia-archive-michael-brown-571b87b76c2bf1a86c0b9a90774c004e">were removed</a>&nbsp;in October and detectives and K9s searched the debris for any evidence Ji had been there

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572177968305.png" alt="Joseph Elledge-photo Boone County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Joseph Elledge-photo Boone County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Law enforcement officers have finished searching a section of a river for the remains of a missing Chinese woman whose husband is charged in her death.The search of the Lamine River near Boonville, Missouri did not recover any evidence related to Mengqi Ji, 28, who was reported missing on Oct. 10, 2019, Columbia police said.Her husband, Joseph Elledge, is charged with first-degree murder in her death and with abusing the couple's young daughter. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3464aeebdecdfb6819997198bbb315e1">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;in both cases. No date has been set for Elledge's murder trial.Elledge and Ji married in 2017 and attended the University of Missouri.Authorities conducted aerial and foot searches along the Lamine River outside of Boonville for months after cellphone records showed Elledge was in the area for about 45 minutes around the time his wife disappeared. Cadaver dogs also hit on a scent in the area, police have said.At one point, the department&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/bc6f1f2ad82ad48ebb6073cbbf257776/7cad26816fa8b730d9aa0793c5e766fb">built a temporary levee&nbsp;</a>in the river to allow larger equipment farther out into the water. That effort ended in June.The remaining parts of the levee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boonville-columbia-archive-michael-brown-571b87b76c2bf1a86c0b9a90774c004e">were removed</a>&nbsp;in October and detectives and K9s searched the debris for any evidence Ji had been there

Authorities end search in river for missing woman

HUTCHINSON— A man who entered a guilty plea in October in connection with the 2017 shooting and robbery of his uncle was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday in Reno County.

Maique Rodriguez, 28,&nbsp; was originally charged with attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of 46-year-old Jesus Faudoa Reyes.

&nbsp;Rodriguez pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and robbery. He was given five years on the battery charge and another 32 months for robbery with the sentences running concurrently.

The victim was agreeable to the sentence, according to&nbsp;District Attorney Tom Stanton and didn’t attend Tuesday’s hearing.

In May of 2017, Police found Faudoa Reyes in the 700 block of East 7th Avenue in Hutchinson. He had been shot multiple time. Rodriguez then took the victim's cell phone and pickup. Faudoa was hospitalized in critical condition but recovered.

Authorities arrested him in El Paso, Texas, earlier this year and as he was being booked in Sedgwick County learned he was wanted in Reno County.&nbsp;

HUTCHINSON— A Kansas man arrested in January for a 2017 shooting and robbery waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered guilty pleas to lesser charges.

Maique Rodriguez-Faudoa was charged with attempted first degree murder in the May 2017 shooting of his uncle, Jesus Faudoa.&nbsp; Police found Faudoa shot multiple times at a home in the 700 block of E. 7th Avenue in Hutchinson.&nbsp;

Rodriguez Faudoa then took the victim's cell phone and pickup

Despite his injuries Faudoa was able to recover.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Rodriguez-Faudoa pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and robbery.&nbsp; &nbsp;Sentencing is set for November 4.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602102069124.jpeg" alt="Rodriguez-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Rodriguez-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON— A man who entered a guilty plea in October in connection with the 2017 shooting and robbery of his uncle was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday in Reno County.Maique Rodriguez, 28,&nbsp; was originally charged with attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of 46-year-old Jesus Faudoa Reyes.&nbsp;Rodriguez pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and robbery. He was given five years on the battery charge and another 32 months for robbery with the sentences running concurrently.The victim was agreeable to the sentence, according to&nbsp;District Attorney Tom Stanton and didn’t attend Tuesday’s hearing.In May of 2017, Police found Faudoa Reyes in the 700 block of East 7th Avenue in Hutchinson. He had been shot multiple time. Rodriguez then took the victim's cell phone and pickup. Faudoa was hospitalized in critical condition but recovered.Authorities arrested him in El Paso, Texas, earlier this year and as he was being booked in Sedgwick County learned he was wanted in Reno County.&nbsp;--------HUTCHINSON— A Kansas man arrested in January for a 2017 shooting and robbery waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered guilty pleas to lesser charges.Maique Rodriguez-Faudoa was charged with attempted first degree murder in the May 2017 shooting of his uncle, Jesus Faudoa.&nbsp; Police found Faudoa shot multiple times at a home in the 700 block of E. 7th Avenue in Hutchinson.&nbsp;Rodriguez Faudoa then took the victim's cell phone and pickupDespite his injuries Faudoa was able to recover.&nbsp;On Wednesday, Rodriguez-Faudoa pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and robbery.&nbsp; &nbsp;Sentencing is set for November 4.

Man sentenced for shooting, robbery of his uncle in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A disgraced politician in Kansas will be replaced on a county commission by the man he and two other Republican officials allegedly tried to frame in order to hide their roles in a smear campaign against a Democratic mayoral candidate.

Republican Party stalwarts on Monday selected Dalton Glasscock to fill the remaining term of former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell, the Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article247510145.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. Glasscock, until recently the chairman of the local Republican Party, will hold the seat until Jan. 10.

“Thanks for your trust over the next 40 days,” Glasscock told the Republican precinct committee members. “Let’s get to work.”

O’Donnell resigned last month after the local district attorney concluded there was sufficient evidence to begin proceedings to oust him.

The scandal stems from the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campaigns-wichita-0fe70e4768b8d9923f366d07aa0a1b4f">a recording&nbsp;</a>made in November 2019, just two days before then-Democratic state Rep. Brandon Whipple won the Wichita mayor’s race.

On the recording, O’Donnell, Republican state Rep. Michael Capps and Wichita City Council member James Clendenin could be heard plotting to frame Glasscock for a YouTube ad that falsely suggested that Whipple was accused of sexual harassment while serving in the Legislature.

David Thorne, who took over the chairmanship of the county GOP about three weeks ago, called the actions of the three “a stain on the integrity of the Republican Party.”

Democrat Sarah Lopez defeated O’Donnell in the general election amid the backlash.

The local district attorney’s office has filed a civil court petition seeking the ouster of a Clendenin. The investigation against Capps has been referred to the Kansas attorney general’s office.

O’Donnell won the county commission seat in 2016 after serving four years in the Kansas Senate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606842199735.png" alt="Dalton Glasscock speaks during the Sedgwick County Republic Party meeting on Monday -" />
 <figcaption>Dalton Glasscock speaks during the Sedgwick County Republic Party meeting on Monday -</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A disgraced politician in Kansas will be replaced on a county commission by the man he and two other Republican officials allegedly tried to frame in order to hide their roles in a smear campaign against a Democratic mayoral candidate.Republican Party stalwarts on Monday selected Dalton Glasscock to fill the remaining term of former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell, the Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article247510145.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. Glasscock, until recently the chairman of the local Republican Party, will hold the seat until Jan. 10.“Thanks for your trust over the next 40 days,” Glasscock told the Republican precinct committee members. “Let’s get to work.”O’Donnell resigned last month after the local district attorney concluded there was sufficient evidence to begin proceedings to oust him.The scandal stems from the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campaigns-wichita-0fe70e4768b8d9923f366d07aa0a1b4f">a recording&nbsp;</a>made in November 2019, just two days before then-Democratic state Rep. Brandon Whipple won the Wichita mayor’s race.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603901453104.png" alt="O'Donnell wiping away tears following a censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission in October. At that time, he refused to apologize." />
 <figcaption>O'Donnell wiping away tears following a censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission in October. At that time, he refused to apologize.</figcaption>
 </figure>On the recording, O’Donnell, Republican state Rep. Michael Capps and Wichita City Council member James Clendenin could be heard plotting to frame Glasscock for a YouTube ad that falsely suggested that Whipple was accused of sexual harassment while serving in the Legislature.David Thorne, who took over the chairmanship of the county GOP about three weeks ago, called the actions of the three “a stain on the integrity of the Republican Party.”Democrat Sarah Lopez defeated O’Donnell in the general election amid the backlash.The local district attorney’s office has filed a civil court petition seeking the ouster of a Clendenin. The investigation against Capps has been referred to the Kansas attorney general’s office.O’Donnell won the county commission seat in 2016 after serving four years in the Kansas Senate.

Kan. official replaced by man he allegedly tried to frame

Norman R. Roberson Sr., 88, passed away December 1, 2020, at his home in Larned.

He was born October 2, 1932, in Larned, the son of Edwin K. and Kathryn Christiansen Roberson.

A lifetime area resident, he was a Masonry Contractor.

He was of the Christian faith and belonged to the Wendy’s Coffee Group.

On October 19, 1952, he married Marie Smith in Great Bend.&nbsp; She died March 10, 2016.

Survivors include: son, Rex (Sherry) Roberson, Ellinwood; three 
daughters, Linda (Roger) Anderson, Inman, Kathy Morgan, Larned, Mary 
(John) Roberson, Blythe, CA; two sisters, Lois Coleman, Yakima, WA, 
Connie Roberson-Gross, Garden City; numerous grandchildren, great 
grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four sisters, Jane Bird, Betty Sohl, 
Sherry Roberson, Donna Roberson; two brothers, Eldon and Robert 
Roberson.

Memorial graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 
2020, at the Larned Cemetery, Larned with Roger Anderson presiding.&nbsp; 
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, at Beckwith Mortuary, 
Larned.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606850195867.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Norman R. Roberson Sr., 88, passed away December 1, 2020, at his home in Larned.He was born October 2, 1932, in Larned, the son of Edwin K. and Kathryn Christiansen Roberson.A lifetime area resident, he was a Masonry Contractor.He was of the Christian faith and belonged to the Wendy’s Coffee Group.On October 19, 1952, he married Marie Smith in Great Bend.&nbsp; She died March 10, 2016.Survivors include: son, Rex (Sherry) Roberson, Ellinwood; three 
daughters, Linda (Roger) Anderson, Inman, Kathy Morgan, Larned, Mary 
(John) Roberson, Blythe, CA; two sisters, Lois Coleman, Yakima, WA, 
Connie Roberson-Gross, Garden City; numerous grandchildren, great 
grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by four sisters, Jane Bird, Betty Sohl, 
Sherry Roberson, Donna Roberson; two brothers, Eldon and Robert 
Roberson.Memorial graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 
2020, at the Larned Cemetery, Larned with Roger Anderson presiding.&nbsp; 
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, at Beckwith Mortuary, 
Larned.Memorials may be given to the Pawnee County Humane Society in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS 67550.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Norman R. Roberson Sr.

Ula Faye Olsen, 77, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Faye was born on October 3, 1943, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Howard Sears and Talma Ula (Landis) Keyes.&nbsp; She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1961.&nbsp; She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Robert John Olsen on June 01, 1961, in Russell.&nbsp; From this union Faye and Robert were blessed with 3 daughters Michelle, Mary and Molly.&nbsp; 

Faye worked full-time as a wife, mother and homemaker and took pride in raising her family.&nbsp; She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.&nbsp; She enjoyed reading, playing mahjong, embroidery and baking.&nbsp; Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters Michelle Harrison of Russell, Kansas, significant other Jeff Wegele and Molly Friebus and husband Drew of Russell, Kansas; son in-law Jay Keeler of Russell, Kansas; 3 grandchildren Olivia, Jordan and Kalena (Donnie) and 5 great grandchildren Roman, Dominick, Reed, Aniya and Collin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert on May 17, 2019; and her daughter Mary Keeler on June 27, 2018.

A private graveside service will be held at the Fairport Cemetery in Fairport, Kansas.&nbsp; A public viewing will be held from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, who is in charge of the funeral service arrangements. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606771622116.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ula Faye Olsen, 77, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.Faye was born on October 3, 1943, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Howard Sears and Talma Ula (Landis) Keyes.&nbsp; She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1961.&nbsp; She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Robert John Olsen on June 01, 1961, in Russell.&nbsp; From this union Faye and Robert were blessed with 3 daughters Michelle, Mary and Molly.&nbsp; Faye worked full-time as a wife, mother and homemaker and took pride in raising her family.&nbsp; She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.&nbsp; She enjoyed reading, playing mahjong, embroidery and baking.&nbsp; Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.She is survived by her daughters Michelle Harrison of Russell, Kansas, significant other Jeff Wegele and Molly Friebus and husband Drew of Russell, Kansas; son in-law Jay Keeler of Russell, Kansas; 3 grandchildren Olivia, Jordan and Kalena (Donnie) and 5 great grandchildren Roman, Dominick, Reed, Aniya and Collin.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert on May 17, 2019; and her daughter Mary Keeler on June 27, 2018.A private graveside service will be held at the Fairport Cemetery in Fairport, Kansas.&nbsp; A public viewing will be held from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, who is in charge of the funeral service arrangements. &nbsp;

Ula Faye Olsen

Jo Ann (Kitts) Unrein, 66, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2020, at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.

Jo Ann was born November 17, 1954 in Concordia, Kansas.  She was one of three children born to Billie O. and Doris (Johnson) Kitts.  She grew up on a farm near Mankato, Kansas and graduated from Mankato High School.  She then attended and graduated from Ft. Hays State University with a degree in Elementary Education.

Jo Ann was united in marriage to Arlyn Unrein on October 9, 1976 in Hays, Kansas.  This union was blessed with twins, Andrew and Angela.  They made their home in Hays for a couple of years before moving to Russell. 

Jo Ann was a Trainer for Department of Children and Families for over 34 years before her retirement last year.  In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, sewing, doing crafts, and most importantly, spending time with her grandchildren.

Jo Ann’s surviving family include her husband of 44 years, Arlyn of the home; daughter, Angela Bowers (Jason) of Lenexa, Kansas; son, Andrew Unrein (Jen) of Grain Valley, Missouri; brother, Mel Kitts (Synda) of Goddard, Kansas; sister-in-law, Beth Kitts of Crown Point, Indiana; and eight grandchildren.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert Kitts.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.  Cremation has taken place.  A Memorial has been established as an Education Fund for the Grandchildren.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606761005715.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jo Ann (Kitts) Unrein, 66, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2020, at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.Jo Ann was born November 17, 1954 in Concordia, Kansas. She was one of three children born to Billie O. and Doris (Johnson) Kitts. She grew up on a farm near Mankato, Kansas and graduated from Mankato High School. She then attended and graduated from Ft. Hays State University with a degree in Elementary Education.Jo Ann was united in marriage to Arlyn Unrein on October 9, 1976 in Hays, Kansas. This union was blessed with twins, Andrew and Angela. They made their home in Hays for a couple of years before moving to Russell. Jo Ann was a Trainer for Department of Children and Families for over 34 years before her retirement last year. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, sewing, doing crafts, and most importantly, spending time with her grandchildren.Jo Ann’s surviving family include her husband of 44 years, Arlyn of the home; daughter, Angela Bowers (Jason) of Lenexa, Kansas; son, Andrew Unrein (Jen) of Grain Valley, Missouri; brother, Mel Kitts (Synda) of Goddard, Kansas; sister-in-law, Beth Kitts of Crown Point, Indiana; and eight grandchildren.Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert Kitts.A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial has been established as an Education Fund for the Grandchildren. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Jo Ann (Kitts) Unrein

Letha L. Lowdon, 98, a long time resident of Downs, KS passed away on
 November 26, 2020 in Akron, OH. &nbsp;She was born on October 22, 1922 on 
the family farm in Jewell, KS to Joseph &amp; Gladys (Blacker) McDill. 
&nbsp;Letha was one of several children.

Letha attended the North Star School, a one room grammar school in 
Jewell. After she&nbsp;graduated from Jewell High School, she&nbsp;attended&nbsp;Kansas
 State University. &nbsp;She graduated in 1944 from KSU with a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Home Economics and received a lifetime teaching 
certificate. &nbsp;Letha taught in the Russell and Downs schools, as well as 
at the Girls Industiral School in Beloit, KS.

On September 4, 1947, Letha married Burnell Lowdon. &nbsp;To this union 
three children were born. &nbsp;Letha and Burnell celebrated 62 years 
together before Burnell passed away.

Letha loved gardening. &nbsp;She was active with the local 4-H unit while 
her children were growing up. &nbsp;Letha enjoyed going salmon fishing with 
Burnell in Washington &amp; Alaska. &nbsp;She was also very involved in their
 farm work&nbsp;and loved it very much.

Letha was preceded in death by her husband, Burnell, daughter-in-law Mary (Culver) Lowdon, and a sister Twila (McDill) Schafer.

Letha &nbsp;is survived by three children: Corey (Judith) Lowdon of 
Independence, KS; Jane (Mark) Cironi of Fairlawn, OH; Kelly (Pamela) 
Lowdon of Lakewood, CO; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; 
sister: Alma McDill.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606751626501.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Letha L. Lowdon, 98, a long time resident of Downs, KS passed away on
 November 26, 2020 in Akron, OH. &nbsp;She was born on October 22, 1922 on 
the family farm in Jewell, KS to Joseph &amp; Gladys (Blacker) McDill. 
&nbsp;Letha was one of several children.Letha attended the North Star School, a one room grammar school in 
Jewell. After she&nbsp;graduated from Jewell High School, she&nbsp;attended&nbsp;Kansas
 State University. &nbsp;She graduated in 1944 from KSU with a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Home Economics and received a lifetime teaching 
certificate. &nbsp;Letha taught in the Russell and Downs schools, as well as 
at the Girls Industiral School in Beloit, KS.On September 4, 1947, Letha married Burnell Lowdon. &nbsp;To this union 
three children were born. &nbsp;Letha and Burnell celebrated 62 years 
together before Burnell passed away.Letha loved gardening. &nbsp;She was active with the local 4-H unit while 
her children were growing up. &nbsp;Letha enjoyed going salmon fishing with 
Burnell in Washington &amp; Alaska. &nbsp;She was also very involved in their
 farm work&nbsp;and loved it very much.Letha was preceded in death by her husband, Burnell, daughter-in-law Mary (Culver) Lowdon, and a sister Twila (McDill) Schafer.Letha &nbsp;is survived by three children: Corey (Judith) Lowdon of 
Independence, KS; Jane (Mark) Cironi of Fairlawn, OH; Kelly (Pamela) 
Lowdon of Lakewood, CO; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; 
sister: Alma McDill.Click <a href="https://www.clarkgashawfh.com/obituary/Letha-Lowdon">HERE</a> for service details.

Letha L. Lowdon

Tamela G. Turley, age 63, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.  She was born on November 5, 1957, in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Gale &amp; Sharon Sue Thomas Heinrich.  A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a nanny and homemaker.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church and Celebrate Recovery both of Scott City, Kansas.  In 1975 she graduated from Scott Community High School in Scott City, Kansas.

On October 5, 1974, she married Steve Turley in Scott City, Kansas.  He survives.

Survivors include her Husband - Steve Turley of Scott City, Kansas, One Son - Stevie Turley II of Scott City, Kansas, Two Brothers - Mike Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, David Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sisters - Julie &amp; DeWayne Ferrell of Scott City, Kansas, Lisa &amp; Jeff Buffington of Scott City, Kansas, and Mother In Law - Vada Turley of Scott City, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, One Son - Tony Turley, and One Brother - Alan Heinrich.

Services will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.  The funeral services will be live-streamed on Price &amp; Sons Facebook page starting at 1:50 p.m.

Burial will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas

Memorials in Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Tamela G. Turley Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606618843964.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Tamela G. Turley, age 63, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on November 5, 1957, in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Gale &amp; Sharon Sue Thomas Heinrich. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a nanny and homemaker.She was a member of the First Baptist Church and Celebrate Recovery both of Scott City, Kansas. In 1975 she graduated from Scott Community High School in Scott City, Kansas.On October 5, 1974, she married Steve Turley in Scott City, Kansas. He survives.Survivors include her Husband - Steve Turley of Scott City, Kansas, One Son - Stevie Turley II of Scott City, Kansas, Two Brothers - Mike Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, David Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sisters - Julie &amp; DeWayne Ferrell of Scott City, Kansas, Lisa &amp; Jeff Buffington of Scott City, Kansas, and Mother In Law - Vada Turley of Scott City, Kansas.She was preceded in death by her parents, One Son - Tony Turley, and One Brother - Alan Heinrich.Services will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding. The funeral services will be live-streamed on Price &amp; Sons Facebook page starting at 1:50 p.m.Burial will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, KansasMemorials in Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Tamela G. Turley Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Tamela G. Turley

Thursday, October 9th, 1930-Thursday, November 26th, 2020

An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606618463187.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Thursday, October 9th, 1930-Thursday, November 26th, 2020An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.Click HERE fer service details.&nbsp;

Mary A. Juenemann

Democrat counters COVID-19 economy forces families to measure job rewards against health risks

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606238403818.png" alt="Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater and other Republican legislators are frustrated with reports people made jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic are declining offers for work because they make more money collecting unemployment that if hired. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater and other Republican legislators are frustrated with reports people made jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic are declining offers for work because they make more money collecting unemployment that if hired. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Democrat counters COVID-19 economy forces families to measure job rewards against health risks</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/23/gop-legislators-kansans-choosing-jobless-benefits-cheat-system-guilty-of-complacency/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The pandemic’s 
building strength in Kansas exacerbates the threat to public health and 
further diminishes the survivability of businesses and the availability 
of good jobs.It also generates 
political frustration at the Capitol as hundreds of millions of dollars 
flow to the unemployed and the state trust fund built by employers to 
cover these costs rapidly dwindles. It stings more when lawmakers hear 
anecdotal reports of unemployed Kansans rejecting job offers because it 
may be possible to earn more in the short term by cashing benefit checks
 than returning to work.Rep. Sean Tarwater, a 
Stilwell Republican, said the Kansas Department of Labor should take 
action against Kansans who refuse opportunity to get back to work. He 
encouraged an executive at a Kansas human resource company to turn such 
people into the state.“They should stop paying 
those people when you let them know that because you’ve offered them a 
job,” Tarwater said. “Instead, we’re just paying out funds that aren’t 
ours to these people. And it’s going to be on our businesses to 
replenish this, because our governor isn’t going to stand up for him.”<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/934224730&color=%232b7fb4&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast" title="Reflector Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Reflector Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast/sparks-fly-as-kansas-legislators-debate-pandemic-recovery" title="Sparks fly as Kansas legislators debate pandemic recovery" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Sparks fly as Kansas legislators debate pandemic recovery</a></div></div>Sen. Julia Lynn, a Johnson
 County Republican who chairs an interim House and Senate committee 
studying how to position the state for economic recovery from COVID-19, 
said she was disturbed by signs of sloth.“It’s almost like there’s a — on the part of the job seekers, you know — just a lot of complacency,” she said.The state’s unemployment 
rate spiked to 11.9% in April, but has constricted in the past six 
months to 5.3% in October. That means 80,000 Kansans were unemployed 
last month, an increase of 33,000 over October 2019 when the state 
wasn’t being ravaged by a pandemic.<h2>‘Not being lazy’</h2>Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an
 Overland Park Democrat on the Legislature’s coronavirus recovery 
committee, said decisions by Kansans thrown out of jobs and considering a
 return to work were nuanced. She said some businesses posed more 
significant health risks than others and spreading the virus from 
workplace to home wasn’t an option in some households.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606238532913.jpeg" alt="Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Democrat from Johnson County, says her legislative colleagues should understand nuanced reasons a person might not accept a job offered during the pandemic, including the potential of catching COVID-19 and spreading it to family members. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Democrat from Johnson County, says her legislative colleagues should understand nuanced reasons a person might not accept a job offered during the pandemic, including the potential of catching COVID-19 and spreading it to family members. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s people having to 
really do a lot of emotional labor and figure out what is the best job 
in order to provide for our families, which isn’t just going out and 
getting some random job where you can get sick, especially when we see a
 lot of mask mandates that aren’t being followed. Disease is spreading,”
 Clayton said.Of the 12 committee 
members in the room with Clayton, only four were wearing a mask. It was 
Clayton, two other Democrats and a House Republican battling a serious 
medical condition. The eight other senators and representatives were 
Republicans and maskless.“It’s important for 
mothers and fathers to stay healthy and not end up putting their kids in
 quarantine,” said Clayton, who is a participant in the part-time worker
 economy. “So, these people are not being lazy. They’re being smart and 
they’re playing the long games for their families. I really do think 
that we can all work together and find solutions, but I’ve got to be a 
voice for these folks.”Wichita Sen. Gene 
Suellentrop, a Republican skeptic of the Democratic governor’s 
leadership in the pandemic, said Clayton’s analysis was cause for 
concern. Kansans who decline jobs to keep unemployment checks flowing 
are turning their backs on essential workers who stock grocery shelves, 
deliver fuel to gas stations and perform other important services, he 
said.“They expect all this from
 everyone else. And they themselves won’t do their part. So, I’m not 
feeling much sympathy for those folks right now,” he said.<h2>A quick summary</h2>Much has happened since 
March to bring the state to this juncture. The pandemic threw tens of 
thousands out of work and they quickly overwhelmed the Department of 
Labor in a quest to obtain unemployment benefits. Exasperating computer 
woes at the agency delayed payment of claims as Kansas’ jobless rate 
surged to double digits. There was the temporary school and business 
shutdown designed to slow spread of COVID-19. Families have suffered 
both medically and financially. Businesses are struggling. The state 
began the unexpectedly difficult task of spending $1.2 billion in 
federal aid. The state’s labor secretary was sacked in June.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606238567283.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly says the Kansas Department of Labor’s antiquated computer system for processing unemployment benefits was overwhelmed by claims as COVID-19 began to grip the state, but the agency deserves credit for its response during the the public health emergency. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly says the Kansas Department of Labor’s antiquated computer system for processing unemployment benefits was overwhelmed by claims as COVID-19 began to grip the state, but the agency deserves credit for its response during the the public health emergency. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>New unemployment benefit 
programs authorized by Congress and President Donald Trump haven’t been 
easy for states to manage. There’s been an upswing in partisan 
finger-pointing as a wave of fraudulent jobless claims landed at the 
Department of Labor. The state’s unemployment rate has fallen for six 
consecutive months.At this point, more than 
1,400 Kansans with the virus have died. The state is on pace for nearly 
500 people to perish in November alone. Kelly revised her statewide mask
 order in an attempt to gain broader acceptance. Cities and counties are
 taking steps to limit mass gatherings capable of spreading the virus.Absent a miracle 
contraction of COVID-19, the state’s unemployment fund built up by 
employers to more than $900 million in early 2020 could drop into the 
red by spring.Kansas has an opportunity 
to borrow from the federal government to fill a shortfall, but Kansas 
employeers will eventually face higher taxes to recharge the fund. That 
obligation led Republican legislators to convince Kelly of the need to 
earmark for the trust fund any of the $1.2 billion in federal 
coronavirus relief funding left at the end-of-year spending deadline.In an interview, Kelly 
said the outdated labor department computer system was not set up to 
handle the crush of applicants nor the sudden addition of new 
unemployment benefit programs. She said the labor department deserved 
credit for responding as it has to unprecedented challenges during a 
global pandemic.<h2>Delays, fraud</h2>Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a
 Galena Republican, said he was frustrated Pandemic Unemployment 
Assistance benefits made available to people not typically covered by 
unemployment programs had yet to be paid to Kansas who legitimately 
qualified. At the same time, he said, the state was allowing an 
undetermined number of people to claim jobless funds through fraudulent 
means.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606238598636.jpeg" alt="Galena Republican Rep. Richard Hilderbrand, right, says the Kansas Department of Labor has made strides since March, but continues to struggle with payment legitimate unemployment claims at the same time perpetrators of fraud have made their way into the state’s computer system. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Galena Republican Rep. Richard Hilderbrand, right, says the Kansas Department of Labor has made strides since March, but continues to struggle with payment legitimate unemployment claims at the same time perpetrators of fraud have made their way into the state’s computer system. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s just irritating 
knowing that we have people still today, and I’m gonna harp on this 
until they get paid, PUA applicants since March and April that still 
have not received a paycheck. Fraudulent claims are being paid above 
these people,” Hilderbrand said.Peter Brady, deputy 
secretary of the state Department of Labor, said the agency had thwarted
 more than 100,000 attempts to defraud the unemployment system in 
Kansas.He said he would be 
willing to reveal more about the agency’s obstacles and tactics in a 
closed-door session with legislators, which is expected to occur in 
December before the joint House and Senate committee working on COVID-19
 recovery strategy.Rep. Tom Burroughs, a 
Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said he had been around the Capitol 
long enough to know Republican and Democrat legislators and governors 
shared culpability for information technology problems that persist at 
the labor department and were the target of GOP critiques.“There’s enough blame in 
this room to go around everywhere in reference to the continuity and 
past administrations,” he said. “We’re attacking everything and not 
looking at what needs to be done.”Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.