Terrance "Terry" Kohl passed away on 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital.&nbsp; He
 was born October 29, 1940, to Paul and Mary (Luea) Hays, Kansas.

Terry became a CPA in 1968 and was a 
member of the American Institute, DC, Maryland and Kansas Society of 
CPA'S.&nbsp; He maintained an office in DC then in Bethesda Maryland before 
relocating to Ellis where he opened an office and worked until he 
retired to Hilton Head South Carolina.&nbsp; He returned to Ellis and 
continued to farm! He was a farmer at heart. &nbsp;He had worked in a camera 
store and enjoyed singing.&nbsp; He was in the Air Force Reserves for ten 
years, member of Rock Creek K of C, Bethesda Rotary and Yakima Park 
Singers.

He is survived by his brother Lavern (Margo), Springfield, MO and multiple nieces and nephews.&nbsp;

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a sister, Arlene.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM, 
Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, 
interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ellis with military 
honors courtesy of joint VFW Honor Guard of both Hays and Ellis.

In lieu of flowers donations are 
suggested to St. Mary’s Church. Donations made payable to the 
organization may be sent to Brock’s~Keithley Funeral Chapel and 
Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS, 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610725867174.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Terrance "Terry" Kohl passed away on 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital.&nbsp; He
 was born October 29, 1940, to Paul and Mary (Luea) Hays, Kansas.Terry became a CPA in 1968 and was a 
member of the American Institute, DC, Maryland and Kansas Society of 
CPA'S.&nbsp; He maintained an office in DC then in Bethesda Maryland before 
relocating to Ellis where he opened an office and worked until he 
retired to Hilton Head South Carolina.&nbsp; He returned to Ellis and 
continued to farm! He was a farmer at heart. &nbsp;He had worked in a camera 
store and enjoyed singing.&nbsp; He was in the Air Force Reserves for ten 
years, member of Rock Creek K of C, Bethesda Rotary and Yakima Park 
Singers.He is survived by his brother Lavern (Margo), Springfield, MO and multiple nieces and nephews.&nbsp;He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a sister, Arlene.Services will be held at 10:00 AM, 
Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, 
interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ellis with military 
honors courtesy of joint VFW Honor Guard of both Hays and Ellis.In lieu of flowers donations are 
suggested to St. Mary’s Church. Donations made payable to the 
organization may be sent to Brock’s~Keithley Funeral Chapel and 
Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS, 67601.Condolences may be left by guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Terrance L. Kohl

Victor Fisher, of Hays, Kansas, age 95, passed away on Saturday, January 9th, 2021, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born December 17, 1925, in Hyacinth, Kansas.&nbsp; He graduated from Grosser School.&nbsp; He married Lillian Schmeidler on October 12, 1949, they recently celebrated 71 years of marriage.

Victor was a lifelong resident of Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a veteran of the US Army serving in WWII in the Asiatic Pacific Theater Operations from 1944 to 1946.&nbsp; When he returned home he went to work for Eddie Benoit Construction, and then as a carpenter for Bieker and Associates.&nbsp; He was a self-employed finish carpenter in the Hays area, building many homes, doing finish work and cabinetry.&nbsp; He worked at High Quality Low Cost gas station at 17th and Main.&nbsp; After retirement he worked at Dillons for 20 years.&nbsp; He loved gardening, playing cards, bowling, good conversation, listening to polka music, old television programs, watching the CHIEFS win their games.&nbsp; He also loved telling stories of the mischief he and his siblings got into while growing up.&nbsp; He loved German food and a good pickle pimento sandwich.&nbsp; He will be missed.

Survivors include his wife, Lillian Fisher of the home, seven sons, Jerome of Ellis, Ernest (Mary Beth), Norman, Stephen (Vickie) all of Hays, Aloysius (Karen) of Oak Harbor, WA; William (Angela) of Holcomb, KS; and Craig of Castle Pines, Colorado; four daughters, Cecilia Heikkila of Great Bend, Joan (Kent) Ficken, Christine (Kevin) Holzmeister and Theresa Fisher all of Hays; one sister, Dolores (Virgil) Pfannenstiel of Antonino; sisters in law Josephine Fisher and Diane Fisher, both of Hays; as well as 16 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Zacheus Fisher, mother, Monica Rupp Fisher; brothers, Edwin, Alvin (Anna Mary), Ralph, Francis, Cyril (Alice), sisters, Agnes (Rudolph) Waldschmidt, Georgine (Louis) Jacobs, Rita Mae (John) Giebler, and son in law Lee Heikkila.

Due to COVID-19 concerns if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on-line guestbook to share your condolences.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing masks are suggested by family at the visitation and funeral services.

Services will be at 10:00 AM, Friday January 22, 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hays, KS.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Josephs’ Catholic cemetery with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Honor Guard.

Visitation will be Friday, January 22, 2021, from 8-9:30 at Brocks~Keithley Funeral Home and Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Victor Fisher Memorial Fund made payable to Lillian Fisher and/or Hospice at HaysMed.

Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610555066915.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Victor Fisher, of Hays, Kansas, age 95, passed away on Saturday, January 9th, 2021, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born December 17, 1925, in Hyacinth, Kansas.&nbsp; He graduated from Grosser School.&nbsp; He married Lillian Schmeidler on October 12, 1949, they recently celebrated 71 years of marriage.Victor was a lifelong resident of Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a veteran of the US Army serving in WWII in the Asiatic Pacific Theater Operations from 1944 to 1946.&nbsp; When he returned home he went to work for Eddie Benoit Construction, and then as a carpenter for Bieker and Associates.&nbsp; He was a self-employed finish carpenter in the Hays area, building many homes, doing finish work and cabinetry.&nbsp; He worked at High Quality Low Cost gas station at 17th and Main.&nbsp; After retirement he worked at Dillons for 20 years.&nbsp; He loved gardening, playing cards, bowling, good conversation, listening to polka music, old television programs, watching the CHIEFS win their games.&nbsp; He also loved telling stories of the mischief he and his siblings got into while growing up.&nbsp; He loved German food and a good pickle pimento sandwich.&nbsp; He will be missed.Survivors include his wife, Lillian Fisher of the home, seven sons, Jerome of Ellis, Ernest (Mary Beth), Norman, Stephen (Vickie) all of Hays, Aloysius (Karen) of Oak Harbor, WA; William (Angela) of Holcomb, KS; and Craig of Castle Pines, Colorado; four daughters, Cecilia Heikkila of Great Bend, Joan (Kent) Ficken, Christine (Kevin) Holzmeister and Theresa Fisher all of Hays; one sister, Dolores (Virgil) Pfannenstiel of Antonino; sisters in law Josephine Fisher and Diane Fisher, both of Hays; as well as 16 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his father Zacheus Fisher, mother, Monica Rupp Fisher; brothers, Edwin, Alvin (Anna Mary), Ralph, Francis, Cyril (Alice), sisters, Agnes (Rudolph) Waldschmidt, Georgine (Louis) Jacobs, Rita Mae (John) Giebler, and son in law Lee Heikkila.Due to COVID-19 concerns if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on-line guestbook to share your condolences.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing masks are suggested by family at the visitation and funeral services.Services will be at 10:00 AM, Friday January 22, 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hays, KS.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Josephs’ Catholic cemetery with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Honor Guard.Visitation will be Friday, January 22, 2021, from 8-9:30 at Brocks~Keithley Funeral Home and Chapel.Memorials are suggested to Victor Fisher Memorial Fund made payable to Lillian Fisher and/or Hospice at HaysMed.Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>.

Victor Fisher

Russell “Rusty” Jay McDowell passed away on January 15, 2021 at Wesley 
Medical Center in Wichita, KS, at the age of 66. He was born on October 
27, 1954 to Garold and Colista (Price) McDowell in Smith Center, KS. He 
married Linda (Walters) McDowell in Hays, KS on September 18, 1982. They
 were blessed with three sons: Stuart, Bryce, and Brock.
 Rusty grew up in Kirwin, KS. He graduated from Eastern Heights High 
School with the Class of 1972 and attended North Central Kansas 
Technical College in Beloit, KS. He then worked as a contract pumper in 
the oilfield for 20 years and also farmed and had cattle. Rusty enjoyed 
farming and cattle, fishing, camping, and going to the lake, and he 
loved to spend time with his family and grandkids. 
 Rusty is survived by his wife Linda of the home in Plainville; sons,
 Stuart McDowell of Mulvane, KS, Bryce McDowell of Plainville, and Brock
 (Jill) McDowell of Plainville; brother, Kevin (Linda) McDowell of Agra;
 sisters, Pat (Larry) Brunow of St. Francis, KS, Sherry (Terry) 
Griffiths of Lincoln, NE, and Anita Hiler of Henderson, KY; 
sister-in-law, Connie McDowell of Highland Ranch, CO; 7 grandchildren 
(plus one on the way), Brooke and Mercedes McDowell, Bradyn, Brynlee, 
Mason, and Caden McDowell, and Jaxon McDowell and Chase (on the way); 
and 2 great-grandchildren, Cooper and Thea Pater. 
 He is preceded in death by his parents, Garold and Colista McDowell;
 brothers, Neal McDowell and Gene McDowell; and brother-in-law, Mel 
Hiler. 
 Always willing to help someone out, Rusty was a kind-hearted man who
 worked hard, enjoyed life and cherished his family and friends. 
Although he was taken from us far too soon, we know that those we 
enjoyed and loved, we can never lose, for all that we love deeply 
becomes a part of us. We can smile because he lived and left us with 
cherished memories that will live forever in our hearts. He will be 
greatly missed and remembered in love.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 21, 
2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, 
KS. Burial will follow at the St. Severin Cemetery. Visitation will be 
held on Wednesday 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a family Rosary at 7:00 
p.m. at the funeral home in Plainville. The service will be 
livestreamed. 
 Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and may be 
sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, 
KS 67663.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610986578549.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Russell “Rusty” Jay McDowell passed away on January 15, 2021 at Wesley 
Medical Center in Wichita, KS, at the age of 66. He was born on October 
27, 1954 to Garold and Colista (Price) McDowell in Smith Center, KS. He 
married Linda (Walters) McDowell in Hays, KS on September 18, 1982. They
 were blessed with three sons: Stuart, Bryce, and Brock.
 Rusty grew up in Kirwin, KS. He graduated from Eastern Heights High 
School with the Class of 1972 and attended North Central Kansas 
Technical College in Beloit, KS. He then worked as a contract pumper in 
the oilfield for 20 years and also farmed and had cattle. Rusty enjoyed 
farming and cattle, fishing, camping, and going to the lake, and he 
loved to spend time with his family and grandkids. 
 Rusty is survived by his wife Linda of the home in Plainville; sons,
 Stuart McDowell of Mulvane, KS, Bryce McDowell of Plainville, and Brock
 (Jill) McDowell of Plainville; brother, Kevin (Linda) McDowell of Agra;
 sisters, Pat (Larry) Brunow of St. Francis, KS, Sherry (Terry) 
Griffiths of Lincoln, NE, and Anita Hiler of Henderson, KY; 
sister-in-law, Connie McDowell of Highland Ranch, CO; 7 grandchildren 
(plus one on the way), Brooke and Mercedes McDowell, Bradyn, Brynlee, 
Mason, and Caden McDowell, and Jaxon McDowell and Chase (on the way); 
and 2 great-grandchildren, Cooper and Thea Pater. 
 He is preceded in death by his parents, Garold and Colista McDowell;
 brothers, Neal McDowell and Gene McDowell; and brother-in-law, Mel 
Hiler. 
 Always willing to help someone out, Rusty was a kind-hearted man who
 worked hard, enjoyed life and cherished his family and friends. 
Although he was taken from us far too soon, we know that those we 
enjoyed and loved, we can never lose, for all that we love deeply 
becomes a part of us. We can smile because he lived and left us with 
cherished memories that will live forever in our hearts. He will be 
greatly missed and remembered in love.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 21, 
2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, 
KS. Burial will follow at the St. Severin Cemetery. Visitation will be 
held on Wednesday 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a family Rosary at 7:00 
p.m. at the funeral home in Plainville. The service will be 
livestreamed. 
 Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and may be 
sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, 
KS 67663.

Russell 'Rusty' Jay McDowell

Glenda Marie Albright was the 6th child born to Tom and Ruth Albright, 
on October 8, 1947, in Holton, KS. At that time the family lived and 
farmed near Whiting, KS. In 1952, her parents purchased a far NW of 
Colby, KS and moved the family “out west.” 
Glenda’s schooling began in the 1st grade and she clearly remembered 
riding the school bus, which occasionally got stuck in the mud. She 
graduated high school in 1965, having been active in choir and 4-H. 
Following high school, she attended Colby Community College part time 
for 2 years, then moved into her first apartment in town. 
Her first job was at Murphy”s Café, in Colby, and she eventually moved 
into her career at Citizens Medical Center, as a dietary aid, where she 
loved her work and the people. Glenda was hard-working and loyal, 
retiring after 30 years. 
She enjoyed visiting family, bus trips, reading mysteries, needlework, 
crafts, some TV and outings for dinner. Her favorite companion was her 
cat “Prissy”. 
Glenda was a member of the Colby United Methodist Church, participating 
in worship and bible study. She also belonged to “After Five”, a 
Christian women’s group and the local Business Professional Women’s 
organization. Her greatest bible study work was completing the Menninger
 Bible Study Course and the Disciple Bible Study Course. 
Prairie Senior Living Complex became her home in 2007, where she was 
blessed with many friends and activities until her passing, on January 
13, 2021, at the age of 73. Glenda was a treasure to all who knew her. 
Her family was very important to her and in return, they loved her very 
much. She had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and was a gentle and sweet 
soul, that never uttered a word of complaint or criticism since the day 
she was born. 
Glenda was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Ruth Albright; 
brothers, Tom and Merle Albright and sisters, Carol Stuart-Baily and 
infant Kay Eileen. 
She is survived by her sisters, Janice Kinsley and Melanie Wetzel; brother Ben Albright and many nieces, nephews and friends. 
Visitation is 4:30-6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 17, 2021, at Baalmann 
Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2021,
 at the Colby United Methodist Church with burial in Beulah Cemetery. 
Memorials are suggested to the church and may be sent in care of 
Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or 
condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610907445336.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Glenda Marie Albright was the 6th child born to Tom and Ruth Albright, 
on October 8, 1947, in Holton, KS. At that time the family lived and 
farmed near Whiting, KS. In 1952, her parents purchased a far NW of 
Colby, KS and moved the family “out west.” 
Glenda’s schooling began in the 1st grade and she clearly remembered 
riding the school bus, which occasionally got stuck in the mud. She 
graduated high school in 1965, having been active in choir and 4-H. 
Following high school, she attended Colby Community College part time 
for 2 years, then moved into her first apartment in town. 
Her first job was at Murphy”s Café, in Colby, and she eventually moved 
into her career at Citizens Medical Center, as a dietary aid, where she 
loved her work and the people. Glenda was hard-working and loyal, 
retiring after 30 years. 
She enjoyed visiting family, bus trips, reading mysteries, needlework, 
crafts, some TV and outings for dinner. Her favorite companion was her 
cat “Prissy”. 
Glenda was a member of the Colby United Methodist Church, participating 
in worship and bible study. She also belonged to “After Five”, a 
Christian women’s group and the local Business Professional Women’s 
organization. Her greatest bible study work was completing the Menninger
 Bible Study Course and the Disciple Bible Study Course. 
Prairie Senior Living Complex became her home in 2007, where she was 
blessed with many friends and activities until her passing, on January 
13, 2021, at the age of 73. Glenda was a treasure to all who knew her. 
Her family was very important to her and in return, they loved her very 
much. She had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and was a gentle and sweet 
soul, that never uttered a word of complaint or criticism since the day 
she was born. 
Glenda was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Ruth Albright; 
brothers, Tom and Merle Albright and sisters, Carol Stuart-Baily and 
infant Kay Eileen. 
She is survived by her sisters, Janice Kinsley and Melanie Wetzel; brother Ben Albright and many nieces, nephews and friends. 
Visitation is 4:30-6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 17, 2021, at Baalmann 
Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2021,
 at the Colby United Methodist Church with burial in Beulah Cemetery. 
Memorials are suggested to the church and may be sent in care of 
Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or 
condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Glenda M .Albright

By JULIE APPLEBY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>

Dr. Andrew Carroll — a family doctor in Chandler, Arizona — wants to 
help his patients get immunized against covid, so he paid more than 
$4,000 to buy an ultra-low-temperature freezer from eBay needed to store
 the Pfizer vaccine.

But he’s not sure he’ll get a chance to use 
it, given health officials have so far not said when private doctor’s 
offices will get vaccine.

Not
 only are doctors having trouble getting vaccine for patients, but many 
of the community-based physicians and medical staff that aren’t employed
 by hospitals or health systems also report mixed results in getting 
inoculated. Some have had their shots, yet others are still waiting, 
even though health workers providing direct care to patients are in the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top-priority group.

Many
 of these doctors say they don’t know when — or if — they will get doses
 for their patients, which will soon become a bigger issue as states 
attempt to vaccinate more people.

“The reason that’s important is 
patients trust their doctors when it comes to the vaccine,” said 
Carroll, who has complained on social media that his county hasn’t yet 
released plans on how primary care doctors will be brought into the 
loop.

Collectively, physicians in the county could vaccinate 
thousands of patients a day, he said, and might draw some who would 
otherwise be hesitant if they had to go to a large hospital, a 
fairground or another central site.

His concern comes as, 
nationally, the rollout of the vaccine is off to a slower start than 
expected, lagging far behind the initial goal of giving 20 million doses
 before the new year.

But Dr. Jen Brull, a family practice doctor 
in Plainville, Kansas, said her rural area has made good progress on the
 first phase of vaccinations, crediting close working relationships 
formed well before the pandemic.

This fall, before any doses 
became available, the local hospital, the health department and 
physician offices coordinated a sign-up list for medical workers who 
wanted the vaccine. So, when their county, with a population of 5,000, 
got its first 70 doses, they were ready to go. Another 80 doses came a 
week later.

“We’ll be able to vaccinate almost all the health care-associated folks who wanted it in the county” Brull said recently

Dr.
 Jason Goldman, an internist in Coral Springs, Florida, said he was able
 to get vaccinated at a local hospital that received the bulk of 
vaccines in his county and oversaw distribution.

In the weeks since, however, he said several of his front-line staff members still “don’t have access to the vaccine.”

Additionally,
 “a tremendous number” of patients are calling his office because 
Florida has relaxed distribution guidelines to include anyone over age 
65, Goldman said, asking when they can get the vaccine. He’s applied to 
officials about distributing the vaccines through his practice but has 
heard nothing back.

Patients “are frustrated that they do not have
 clear answers and that I am not being given clear answers to provide 
them,” he said. “We have no choice but to direct them to the health 
department and some of the hospital systems.”

Another troubling 
point for Goldman, who served as a liaison between the American College 
of Physicians and the expert panel drawing up the CDC distribution 
guidelines, is the tremendous variation in how those recommendations are
 being implemented in the states.

The CDC <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations-process.html" target="_blank">recommends</a>
 several phases, with front-line health care workers and nursing home 
residents and staff in the initial group. Then, in the second part of 
that phase, come people over 75 and non-health care front-line workers, 
which could include first responders, teachers and other designated 
essential workers.

States have the flexibility to design their own
 rollout schedule and priority groups. Florida, for example, is offering
 doses to anyone 65 and up. In some counties, older folks were told 
vaccines were available on a first-come, first-served basis, a move that
 has resulted in long lines.

“To say right now, 65-plus, when you 
haven’t even appropriately vaccinated all the health care workers, is 
negating the phasing,” said Goldman. “There needs to be a national 
standard. We have those guidelines. We need to come up with some 
oversight.”

On Thursday, the American Hospital Association echoed 
that concern in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex 
Azar. Hospitals — along with health departments and large pharmacy 
chains — are doing the bulk of the vaccinations.

Calling for additional coordination by federal officials, the <a href="https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2021/01/aha-hhs-leadership-actions-needed-expedite-administration-covid-19-vaccines-lettetr-1-7-20.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>
 outlined what it would take to reach the goal of vaccinating 75% of 
Americans by the end of May: 1.8 million vaccinations every day. Noting 
there are 64 different rollout plans from states, cities and other 
jurisdictions, the letter asked whether HHS has “assessed whether these 
plans, taken as a whole, are capable of achieving this level of 
vaccination?”

Lack of direct national 
support or strategy means each county is essentially on its own, with 
success or failure affected by available resources and the experience of
 local officials. Most state and local health departments are 
underfunded and are under intense pressure because of the surging 
pandemic.

Still, the success of vaccination efforts depends on planning, preparation and clear communication.

In
 Lorain County, Ohio, population 310,000, local officials started 
practicing in October, said Mark Adams, deputy health commissioner. They
 set up mass vaccination clinics for influenza to study what would be 
needed for a covid vaccination effort. How many staff? What would the 
traffic flow be like? Could patients be kept 6 feet apart?

“That 
gave us an idea of what is good, what is bad and what needs to change,” 
said Adams, who has had previous experience coordinating mass 
vaccination efforts at a county level.

So, when the county got its
 first shipment of 500 doses Dec. 21, Adams had his plan ready. He 
called the fire chiefs to invite all emergency medical technicians and 
affiliated personnel to an ad hoc vaccination center set up at a large 
entertainment venue staffed by his health department. Upon arrival, 
people were greeted at the door and directed to spaced-apart “lanes” 
where they would get their shots, then to a monitoring area where they 
could wait for 15 minutes to make sure they didn’t have a reaction.

Right
 after Christmas, another 400 doses arrived — and the makeshift clinic 
opened again. This time, doses went to community-based physicians, 
dentists and other hands-on medical practitioners, 600 of whom had 
previously signed up. (Hospital workers and nursing home staff and 
residents are getting their vaccinations through their own 
institutions.)

As they move into the next phase — recipients 
include residents over 80, people with developmental disorders and 
school staff — the challenges will grow, he said. The county plans a 
multipronged approach to notify people when it’s their turn, including 
use of a website, the local media, churches, other organizations and 
word-of-mouth.

Adams shares the concerns of medical providers 
nationwide: He gets only two days’ notice of how many doses he’s going 
to receive and, at the current pace of 400 or 500 doses a week, it’s 
going to take a while before most residents in the county have a chance 
to get a shot, including the estimated 33,000 people 65 and older.

With
 10 nurses, his clinic can inject about 1,200 people a day. But many 
other health professionals have volunteered to administer the shots if 
he gets more doses.

“If I were to run three clinics, five days a 
week, I could do 15,000 vaccinations a week,” Adams said. “With all the 
volunteers, I could do almost six clinics, or 30,000 a week.”

Still,
 for those in the last public group, those age 18 and up without 
underlying medical conditions, “it could be summer,” Adams said.

<a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/" target="_blank">Kaiser Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the <a href="http://www.kff.org/" target="_blank">Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation</a> which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

By JULIE APPLEBY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>Dr. Andrew Carroll — a family doctor in Chandler, Arizona — wants to 
help his patients get immunized against covid, so he paid more than 
$4,000 to buy an ultra-low-temperature freezer from eBay needed to store
 the Pfizer vaccine.But he’s not sure he’ll get a chance to use 
it, given health officials have so far not said when private doctor’s 
offices will get vaccine.“I’m really angry,” said Carroll.Not
 only are doctors having trouble getting vaccine for patients, but many 
of the community-based physicians and medical staff that aren’t employed
 by hospitals or health systems also report mixed results in getting 
inoculated. Some have had their shots, yet others are still waiting, 
even though health workers providing direct care to patients are in the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top-priority group.Many
 of these doctors say they don’t know when — or if — they will get doses
 for their patients, which will soon become a bigger issue as states 
attempt to vaccinate more people.“The reason that’s important is 
patients trust their doctors when it comes to the vaccine,” said 
Carroll, who has complained on social media that his county hasn’t yet 
released plans on how primary care doctors will be brought into the 
loop.Collectively, physicians in the county could vaccinate 
thousands of patients a day, he said, and might draw some who would 
otherwise be hesitant if they had to go to a large hospital, a 
fairground or another central site.His concern comes as, 
nationally, the rollout of the vaccine is off to a slower start than 
expected, lagging far behind the initial goal of giving 20 million doses
 before the new year.But Dr. Jen Brull, a family practice doctor 
in Plainville, Kansas, said her rural area has made good progress on the
 first phase of vaccinations, crediting close working relationships 
formed well before the pandemic.This fall, before any doses 
became available, the local hospital, the health department and 
physician offices coordinated a sign-up list for medical workers who 
wanted the vaccine. So, when their county, with a population of 5,000, 
got its first 70 doses, they were ready to go. Another 80 doses came a 
week later.“We’ll be able to vaccinate almost all the health care-associated folks who wanted it in the county” Brull said recently<h2>Gaps in the Rollout</h2>But that’s not the case everywhere.Dr.
 Jason Goldman, an internist in Coral Springs, Florida, said he was able
 to get vaccinated at a local hospital that received the bulk of 
vaccines in his county and oversaw distribution.In the weeks since, however, he said several of his front-line staff members still “don’t have access to the vaccine.”Additionally,
 “a tremendous number” of patients are calling his office because 
Florida has relaxed distribution guidelines to include anyone over age 
65, Goldman said, asking when they can get the vaccine. He’s applied to 
officials about distributing the vaccines through his practice but has 
heard nothing back.Patients “are frustrated that they do not have
 clear answers and that I am not being given clear answers to provide 
them,” he said. “We have no choice but to direct them to the health 
department and some of the hospital systems.”Another troubling 
point for Goldman, who served as a liaison between the American College 
of Physicians and the expert panel drawing up the CDC distribution 
guidelines, is the tremendous variation in how those recommendations are
 being implemented in the states.The CDC <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations-process.html" target="_blank">recommends</a>
 several phases, with front-line health care workers and nursing home 
residents and staff in the initial group. Then, in the second part of 
that phase, come people over 75 and non-health care front-line workers, 
which could include first responders, teachers and other designated 
essential workers.States have the flexibility to design their own
 rollout schedule and priority groups. Florida, for example, is offering
 doses to anyone 65 and up. In some counties, older folks were told 
vaccines were available on a first-come, first-served basis, a move that
 has resulted in long lines.“To say right now, 65-plus, when you 
haven’t even appropriately vaccinated all the health care workers, is 
negating the phasing,” said Goldman. “There needs to be a national 
standard. We have those guidelines. We need to come up with some 
oversight.”On Thursday, the American Hospital Association echoed 
that concern in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex 
Azar. Hospitals — along with health departments and large pharmacy 
chains — are doing the bulk of the vaccinations.Calling for additional coordination by federal officials, the <a href="https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2021/01/aha-hhs-leadership-actions-needed-expedite-administration-covid-19-vaccines-lettetr-1-7-20.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>
 outlined what it would take to reach the goal of vaccinating 75% of 
Americans by the end of May: 1.8 million vaccinations every day. Noting 
there are 64 different rollout plans from states, cities and other 
jurisdictions, the letter asked whether HHS has “assessed whether these 
plans, taken as a whole, are capable of achieving this level of 
vaccination?”<h2>Making It Work</h2>Lack of direct national 
support or strategy means each county is essentially on its own, with 
success or failure affected by available resources and the experience of
 local officials. Most state and local health departments are 
underfunded and are under intense pressure because of the surging 
pandemic.Still, the success of vaccination efforts depends on planning, preparation and clear communication.In
 Lorain County, Ohio, population 310,000, local officials started 
practicing in October, said Mark Adams, deputy health commissioner. They
 set up mass vaccination clinics for influenza to study what would be 
needed for a covid vaccination effort. How many staff? What would the 
traffic flow be like? Could patients be kept 6 feet apart?“That 
gave us an idea of what is good, what is bad and what needs to change,” 
said Adams, who has had previous experience coordinating mass 
vaccination efforts at a county level.So, when the county got its
 first shipment of 500 doses Dec. 21, Adams had his plan ready. He 
called the fire chiefs to invite all emergency medical technicians and 
affiliated personnel to an ad hoc vaccination center set up at a large 
entertainment venue staffed by his health department. Upon arrival, 
people were greeted at the door and directed to spaced-apart “lanes” 
where they would get their shots, then to a monitoring area where they 
could wait for 15 minutes to make sure they didn’t have a reaction.Right
 after Christmas, another 400 doses arrived — and the makeshift clinic 
opened again. This time, doses went to community-based physicians, 
dentists and other hands-on medical practitioners, 600 of whom had 
previously signed up. (Hospital workers and nursing home staff and 
residents are getting their vaccinations through their own 
institutions.)As they move into the next phase — recipients 
include residents over 80, people with developmental disorders and 
school staff — the challenges will grow, he said. The county plans a 
multipronged approach to notify people when it’s their turn, including 
use of a website, the local media, churches, other organizations and 
word-of-mouth.Adams shares the concerns of medical providers 
nationwide: He gets only two days’ notice of how many doses he’s going 
to receive and, at the current pace of 400 or 500 doses a week, it’s 
going to take a while before most residents in the county have a chance 
to get a shot, including the estimated 33,000 people 65 and older.With
 10 nurses, his clinic can inject about 1,200 people a day. But many 
other health professionals have volunteered to administer the shots if 
he gets more doses.“If I were to run three clinics, five days a 
week, I could do 15,000 vaccinations a week,” Adams said. “With all the 
volunteers, I could do almost six clinics, or 30,000 a week.”Still,
 for those in the last public group, those age 18 and up without 
underlying medical conditions, “it could be summer,” Adams said.<a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/" target="_blank">Kaiser Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the <a href="http://www.kff.org/" target="_blank">Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation</a> which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

Private practice docs, patients wonder when it’s their turn for vaccine 

Emery R. Schmidt, 93, Catharine, Kansas, died Friday, January 15, 2021, at his home.

He was born February 28, 1927, in 
Catharine, the son of Adolph J. and Anna (Staab) Schmidt. &nbsp;He attended 
St. Catherine Grade School where he graduated as an 8th grader. &nbsp;After 
he completed schooling, he farmed full-time with his father, eventually 
taking over the family farm in 1974. &nbsp;In 2002, he was a recipient of the
 Kansas Farm Bureau Century Farm Family Award. &nbsp;On October 10, 1959, he 
was united in marriage to Shirley Pfeifer at St. Joseph Catholic Church 
in Hays. &nbsp;They celebrated 61 years of marriage. 

He was a farmer whose 
crops included wheat and milo, and he raised cattle. &nbsp;In his earlier 
years, he raised poultry and milked cows, taking the eggs and cream to a
 grocery store in Hays and trading them for groceries. &nbsp;In addition to 
farming, Emery enjoyed butchering hogs and making German sausages, 
watching games shows, and spending time on the computer looking at the 
markets, the weather, playing games and browsing his wife’s Facebook to 
stay up on happenings in his families’ lives.&nbsp; He spent time studying 
the genealogy of families of Catharine, storytelling of growing up in 
the early days on the farm, completing word searches, and was a Kansas 
City Royals and Chiefs fan. &nbsp;Most of all, he loved his family and 
spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. &nbsp;He was a 
member of the St. Catherine Catholic Church and was a Third-Degree 
Knight of the St. Catherine Council.

Survivors include his wife Shirley of 
Catharine, two sons: Greg (Pam) Schmidt and Mike (Ann) Schmidt, all of 
Catharine, two daughters: Jackie (Tim) Jones of Hays and Lisa (Allen) 
Stouffer of Leavenworth, two brothers: Adolph (DeAnn) Schmidt and Gerald
 (Elaine) Schmidt, all of Hays, a sister: Cora Dortland of Gorham, two 
brothers-in-law: Maynard Evans of Hays and Verlin Pfeifer of Hill City, 
five sisters-in-law: Rosie Schmidt of Hays, Mary (Rick) Vogt of Chicago,
 IL, Sheila (Tim) Thompson of Westwood, Rebecca (David) Tolemy of 
Bloomingdale, IL, and Sandy Pfeifer of Covington, PA, 12 grandchildren: 
Eric (Kelli) Schmidt, Ryan (Jennifer) Schmidt, John (Aubrey) Jones, 
Rachel (Scott) VonFeldt, Niki (Tony) Smith, Casey (Nathan) Wendel, Erin 
(Ryan) Sims, Kyle Schmidt, Carly Schmidt, Shelby Stouffer, Lucas (Megan)
 Stouffer, and Michael Schmidt, 18 great grandchildren: Catherine, 
Evelyn, Sophia, Jace, Elon, Mason, and Colby Schmidt, Cooper and Georgia
 Jones, Camri, Kaden, and Konnor VonFeldt, Emma and Julie Smith, Clayton
 and Tyler Wendel, Emerie Stouffer, and Olivia Sims, and numerous nieces
 and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his 
parents, four brothers: Celly, Herbert, Alfred, Elmer J. Schmidt, and an
 infant brother: Elmer Schmidt, three sisters: Cyrilla Evans, Fidelia 
Rome, and Irene Dinkel, four brothers-in-law: Wilfred Rome, Ray Dinkel, 
Everett Dortland, and Pat Pfeifer, and four sisters-in-law: Esther and 
Frances Schmidt and Lillian and Ginger Pfeifer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at St. Catherine Catholic Church 
in Catharine. &nbsp;Burial will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery. Visitation 
will be from 5:00 until 8:00 pm on Monday and from 8:30 until 9:30 am on
 Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. &nbsp;A vigil service 
will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, both on 
Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Catherine 
Church or to the St. Catherine Cemetery Fund. &nbsp;Condolences and memories 
of Emery may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610829305784.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Emery R. Schmidt, 93, Catharine, Kansas, died Friday, January 15, 2021, at his home.He was born February 28, 1927, in 
Catharine, the son of Adolph J. and Anna (Staab) Schmidt. &nbsp;He attended 
St. Catherine Grade School where he graduated as an 8th grader. &nbsp;After 
he completed schooling, he farmed full-time with his father, eventually 
taking over the family farm in 1974. &nbsp;In 2002, he was a recipient of the
 Kansas Farm Bureau Century Farm Family Award. &nbsp;On October 10, 1959, he 
was united in marriage to Shirley Pfeifer at St. Joseph Catholic Church 
in Hays. &nbsp;They celebrated 61 years of marriage. He was a farmer whose 
crops included wheat and milo, and he raised cattle. &nbsp;In his earlier 
years, he raised poultry and milked cows, taking the eggs and cream to a
 grocery store in Hays and trading them for groceries. &nbsp;In addition to 
farming, Emery enjoyed butchering hogs and making German sausages, 
watching games shows, and spending time on the computer looking at the 
markets, the weather, playing games and browsing his wife’s Facebook to 
stay up on happenings in his families’ lives.&nbsp; He spent time studying 
the genealogy of families of Catharine, storytelling of growing up in 
the early days on the farm, completing word searches, and was a Kansas 
City Royals and Chiefs fan. &nbsp;Most of all, he loved his family and 
spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. &nbsp;He was a 
member of the St. Catherine Catholic Church and was a Third-Degree 
Knight of the St. Catherine Council.Survivors include his wife Shirley of 
Catharine, two sons: Greg (Pam) Schmidt and Mike (Ann) Schmidt, all of 
Catharine, two daughters: Jackie (Tim) Jones of Hays and Lisa (Allen) 
Stouffer of Leavenworth, two brothers: Adolph (DeAnn) Schmidt and Gerald
 (Elaine) Schmidt, all of Hays, a sister: Cora Dortland of Gorham, two 
brothers-in-law: Maynard Evans of Hays and Verlin Pfeifer of Hill City, 
five sisters-in-law: Rosie Schmidt of Hays, Mary (Rick) Vogt of Chicago,
 IL, Sheila (Tim) Thompson of Westwood, Rebecca (David) Tolemy of 
Bloomingdale, IL, and Sandy Pfeifer of Covington, PA, 12 grandchildren: 
Eric (Kelli) Schmidt, Ryan (Jennifer) Schmidt, John (Aubrey) Jones, 
Rachel (Scott) VonFeldt, Niki (Tony) Smith, Casey (Nathan) Wendel, Erin 
(Ryan) Sims, Kyle Schmidt, Carly Schmidt, Shelby Stouffer, Lucas (Megan)
 Stouffer, and Michael Schmidt, 18 great grandchildren: Catherine, 
Evelyn, Sophia, Jace, Elon, Mason, and Colby Schmidt, Cooper and Georgia
 Jones, Camri, Kaden, and Konnor VonFeldt, Emma and Julie Smith, Clayton
 and Tyler Wendel, Emerie Stouffer, and Olivia Sims, and numerous nieces
 and nephews.He was preceded in death by his 
parents, four brothers: Celly, Herbert, Alfred, Elmer J. Schmidt, and an
 infant brother: Elmer Schmidt, three sisters: Cyrilla Evans, Fidelia 
Rome, and Irene Dinkel, four brothers-in-law: Wilfred Rome, Ray Dinkel, 
Everett Dortland, and Pat Pfeifer, and four sisters-in-law: Esther and 
Frances Schmidt and Lillian and Ginger Pfeifer.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at St. Catherine Catholic Church 
in Catharine. &nbsp;Burial will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery. Visitation 
will be from 5:00 until 8:00 pm on Monday and from 8:30 until 9:30 am on
 Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. &nbsp;A vigil service 
will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, both on 
Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Catherine 
Church or to the St. Catherine Cemetery Fund. &nbsp;Condolences and memories 
of Emery may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Emery R. Schmidt

Loretta K. Small passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the Wilson
 Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wilson, KS, at the age of 51. She was
 born on October 2, 1969, to Jesse and Melba (Kindlesparger) Whitmer in 
Ellsworth, Kansas. 
 Loretta was a lifetime resident of Wilson. She attended Wilson High 
School and graduated with the Class of 1987. She went on to receive her 
Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from Barton Community 
College in 1990. She then returned home to Wilson and married Jerry 
Small at the United Methodist Church in Wilson in 1990. She loved 
spending time with Jerry, and anything outdoors such as hunting, 
fishing, or being at the lake.

Loretta started work for Eschbaugh 
Advertising as a Screen Press Operator and later went to work for her 
husband’s Smoky Hill Body Shop. Loretta beat Hodgkin’s Disease but was 
in a debilitating boat wreck in 2002 that left her disabled and took 
Jerry’s life. Although the wreck left her paralyzed, it didn’t dull her 
shine. She could tell you exactly how she felt with her expressions. She
 never ceased to smile when younger children were around or let her 
family know that she loved their company. 
 Loretta leaves behind her siblings, Patty Miller of Wilson, Jeanetta
 (Albert) Schendel of Baldwin City, KS, Terry (Debbie) Whitmer of 
Wilson, Leroy (Sue) Whitmer of Halstead, KS, and Nelson Whitmer of 
Wilson.
 She joins in paradise her parents, Jesse and Melba Whitmer; husband,
 Jerry Small; brother, Robert Whitmer; a niece, Michelle Whitmer; 
nephews, Michael and Danny Whitmer; brother-in-law, Fred Miller; and 
sisters-in-law, Carol Whitmer and Kathy Whitmer.
 There will be private family services. Visitation will be open to 
the public on Saturday, January 16, 2021, from 5 PM until 7 PM at 
Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson. Masks are encouraged upon entry
 to the funeral home.
 Memorials are suggested to the Wilson Care and Rehab and may be sent
 in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO BOX 533, Wilson, KS 67490.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610742382673.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Loretta K. Small passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the Wilson
 Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wilson, KS, at the age of 51. She was
 born on October 2, 1969, to Jesse and Melba (Kindlesparger) Whitmer in 
Ellsworth, Kansas. 
 Loretta was a lifetime resident of Wilson. She attended Wilson High 
School and graduated with the Class of 1987. She went on to receive her 
Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from Barton Community 
College in 1990. She then returned home to Wilson and married Jerry 
Small at the United Methodist Church in Wilson in 1990. She loved 
spending time with Jerry, and anything outdoors such as hunting, 
fishing, or being at the lake. Loretta started work for Eschbaugh 
Advertising as a Screen Press Operator and later went to work for her 
husband’s Smoky Hill Body Shop. Loretta beat Hodgkin’s Disease but was 
in a debilitating boat wreck in 2002 that left her disabled and took 
Jerry’s life. Although the wreck left her paralyzed, it didn’t dull her 
shine. She could tell you exactly how she felt with her expressions. She
 never ceased to smile when younger children were around or let her 
family know that she loved their company. 
 Loretta leaves behind her siblings, Patty Miller of Wilson, Jeanetta
 (Albert) Schendel of Baldwin City, KS, Terry (Debbie) Whitmer of 
Wilson, Leroy (Sue) Whitmer of Halstead, KS, and Nelson Whitmer of 
Wilson.
 She joins in paradise her parents, Jesse and Melba Whitmer; husband,
 Jerry Small; brother, Robert Whitmer; a niece, Michelle Whitmer; 
nephews, Michael and Danny Whitmer; brother-in-law, Fred Miller; and 
sisters-in-law, Carol Whitmer and Kathy Whitmer.
 There will be private family services. Visitation will be open to 
the public on Saturday, January 16, 2021, from 5 PM until 7 PM at 
Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson. Masks are encouraged upon entry
 to the funeral home.
 Memorials are suggested to the Wilson Care and Rehab and may be sent
 in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO BOX 533, Wilson, KS 67490.

Loretta K. Small 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ordered this week that women must visit a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic in person to obtain an abortion pill during the COVID-19 pandemic, though similar rules for other drugs have been suspended during the public health emergency.

Days before President Donald Trump leaves office, the justices granted a Trump administration appeal to be able to enforce a longstanding rule on getting the abortion pill, mifepristone. The pill need not be taken in the presence of medical professionals.

The court split 6-3, with the liberal justices in dissent. The new administration could put the in-person requirement on hold after Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20.

A federal judge had suspended the rule since July because of the coronavirus, in response to a lawsuit from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other groups.

U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang affirmed the suspension of the rule in December, saying public health risks for patients had increased as COVID-19 cases soared.

The Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone to be used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol, to end an early pregnancy or manage a miscarriage.

The administration has suspended similar in-person visits for other drugs, including opioids in some cases, but refused to relax the rules for getting the abortion pill.

In October, the Supreme Court allowed women to continue getting the abortion pill by mail but deferred any substantive ruling. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said they would have granted the administration’s request then.

At the time, there were only eight justices on the court, as Justice Amy Coney Barrett had been nominated, but not yet confirmed. Barrett took the seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ordered this week that women must visit a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic in person to obtain an abortion pill during the COVID-19 pandemic, though similar rules for other drugs have been suspended during the public health emergency.Days before President Donald Trump leaves office, the justices granted a Trump administration appeal to be able to enforce a longstanding rule on getting the abortion pill, mifepristone. The pill need not be taken in the presence of medical professionals.The court split 6-3, with the liberal justices in dissent. The new administration could put the in-person requirement on hold after Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20.A federal judge had suspended the rule since July because of the coronavirus, in response to a lawsuit from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other groups.U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang affirmed the suspension of the rule in December, saying public health risks for patients had increased as COVID-19 cases soared.The Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone to be used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol, to end an early pregnancy or manage a miscarriage.The administration has suspended similar in-person visits for other drugs, including opioids in some cases, but refused to relax the rules for getting the abortion pill.In October, the Supreme Court allowed women to continue getting the abortion pill by mail but deferred any substantive ruling. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said they would have granted the administration’s request then.At the time, there were only eight justices on the court, as Justice Amy Coney Barrett had been nominated, but not yet confirmed. Barrett took the seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September.

Justices: Women must obtain abortion pill in person

Nellie LaPlant, age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 
12, 2021, at the Parklane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. She was 
born on April 18, 1930, in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of Hugh and Monta
 Embree Simmons. She had been a resident of Scott City since 2005 having
 moved from Garden City, Kansas and worked in retail sales.

Nellie was a member of the First Christian Church of Scott City, Kansas.

On May 26, 1946, Nellie married Olin LaPlant in Enid, Oklahoma. Olin 
and Nellie moved to a farm near Hereford, Texas shortly after they were 
married and their five children were born in Texas.&nbsp; In 1957, the family
 moved to Liberal Kansas and opened LaPlant Carpet and Tile in 1970 
until a fire destroyed the business in 1987. Olin passed away on October
 17, 1989 in Wichita, Kansas.

Survivors include her children: Linda and Paul Smith of Ogden, UT, 
Mary and Jerry Watson of Topeka, Kansas, Larry LaPlant of Aransas Pass, 
Texas, and Dennis LaPlant of Corpus Christi, Texas, ten grandchildren, 
19 great grandchildren, and five, great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, 
Harry Simmons and Hugh B. Simmons, Jr., and one infant son, David 
LaPlant.

Private graveside services will be held at the Ames Cemetery in Ames,
 Oklahoma.&nbsp; A Celebration Of Life will be held at a later date in Enid, 
Oklahoma.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610721518929.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nellie LaPlant, age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 
12, 2021, at the Parklane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. She was 
born on April 18, 1930, in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of Hugh and Monta
 Embree Simmons. She had been a resident of Scott City since 2005 having
 moved from Garden City, Kansas and worked in retail sales.Nellie was a member of the First Christian Church of Scott City, Kansas.On May 26, 1946, Nellie married Olin LaPlant in Enid, Oklahoma. Olin 
and Nellie moved to a farm near Hereford, Texas shortly after they were 
married and their five children were born in Texas.&nbsp; In 1957, the family
 moved to Liberal Kansas and opened LaPlant Carpet and Tile in 1970 
until a fire destroyed the business in 1987. Olin passed away on October
 17, 1989 in Wichita, Kansas.Survivors include her children: Linda and Paul Smith of Ogden, UT, 
Mary and Jerry Watson of Topeka, Kansas, Larry LaPlant of Aransas Pass, 
Texas, and Dennis LaPlant of Corpus Christi, Texas, ten grandchildren, 
19 great grandchildren, and five, great great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, 
Harry Simmons and Hugh B. Simmons, Jr., and one infant son, David 
LaPlant.Private graveside services will be held at the Ames Cemetery in Ames,
 Oklahoma.&nbsp; A Celebration Of Life will be held at a later date in Enid, 
Oklahoma.

Nellie LaPlant

October 2, 1969
 -
 January 14, 2021

An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.

Click <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Loretta-K-Small?obId=19640722#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

October 2, 1969
 -
 January 14, 2021 An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.Click <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Loretta-K-Small?obId=19640722#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Loretta K. Small

Larry Gene Huff, 80, of Iuka, Kansas passed away January 4, 2021, at 
the Grand Plains Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Pratt, Kansas.

Larry was born November 16, 1940, at the family home in Decatur 
County, Kansas as the oldest of three children to Bert B &amp; Dorothy 
Mae (Whalin) Huff. Larry grew up on the family farm in Decatur until 
1944 when they moved to Loop City, Nebraska. In 1952, has family bought a
 ranch in Ainsworth, Nebraska, where they raised pure bred Hereford 
cattle.&nbsp; Larry graduated from high school in 1959 from The University of
 Nebraska, School of Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska.

On October 30, 1960, Larry married Verna Lea McDaniel at the Methodist
 Church in Johnstown, Nebraska they recently celebrated their 60th 
wedding anniversary this past October.

Their three sons, Craig, Bryan, and Mike were born at the Brown 
County Hospital in Ainsworth, Nebraska. &nbsp;He raised his family on the 
ranch while he worked for Dannet Construction until Larry moved his 
family to Iuka, Kansas in 1972. He worked for Westoff Brothers (Great 
Bend) leveling land and digging irrigation pits during the irrigation 
boom in the 1970’s. Later he worked for R&amp;R Manufacturing as a 
welder, as well as operating the feed mill for the Great Plains Alfalfa 
Company and Pratt Feeders. He also had a part time job for the City of 
Iuka running the water treatment facility and additional city 
maintenance.&nbsp; He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Pratt.

Working was his hobby and loved spending time outdoors tending to the
 garden and mowing the grass.&nbsp; Creating and fixing things was his real 
passion.

Larry is survived by his wife Verna, two sons, Bryan (Dawn Stahl) of 
Overland Park, Kansas, Mike of Hays, Kansas, two sisters, Linda Rosse of
 Maxell, Nebraska, Mary (Larry Sapp) of Parker, Colorado, two 
grandchildren; Kiley (Drew Tenbrink) of Lenexa, Kansas, Brandon of 
Overland Park, Kansas, two great grandchildren (and one more on the way 
in April).

He was preceded in death by his son (Craig), parents (Bert &amp; 
Dorothy). Larry will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.

Inurnment will be held at the Iuka Cemetery and a celebration of life service to be held at a later date.

In lieu of Flowers, Please send memorial gifts to The Hope Center of Pratt, P.O. Box 127, Pratt, Kansas 67124.

Larry Gene Huff, 80, of Iuka, Kansas passed away January 4, 2021, at 
the Grand Plains Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Pratt, Kansas.Larry was born November 16, 1940, at the family home in Decatur 
County, Kansas as the oldest of three children to Bert B &amp; Dorothy 
Mae (Whalin) Huff. Larry grew up on the family farm in Decatur until 
1944 when they moved to Loop City, Nebraska. In 1952, has family bought a
 ranch in Ainsworth, Nebraska, where they raised pure bred Hereford 
cattle.&nbsp; Larry graduated from high school in 1959 from The University of
 Nebraska, School of Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska.On October 30, 1960, Larry married Verna Lea McDaniel at the Methodist
 Church in Johnstown, Nebraska they recently celebrated their 60th 
wedding anniversary this past October.Their three sons, Craig, Bryan, and Mike were born at the Brown 
County Hospital in Ainsworth, Nebraska. &nbsp;He raised his family on the 
ranch while he worked for Dannet Construction until Larry moved his 
family to Iuka, Kansas in 1972. He worked for Westoff Brothers (Great 
Bend) leveling land and digging irrigation pits during the irrigation 
boom in the 1970’s. Later he worked for R&amp;R Manufacturing as a 
welder, as well as operating the feed mill for the Great Plains Alfalfa 
Company and Pratt Feeders. He also had a part time job for the City of 
Iuka running the water treatment facility and additional city 
maintenance.&nbsp; He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Pratt.Working was his hobby and loved spending time outdoors tending to the
 garden and mowing the grass.&nbsp; Creating and fixing things was his real 
passion.Larry is survived by his wife Verna, two sons, Bryan (Dawn Stahl) of 
Overland Park, Kansas, Mike of Hays, Kansas, two sisters, Linda Rosse of
 Maxell, Nebraska, Mary (Larry Sapp) of Parker, Colorado, two 
grandchildren; Kiley (Drew Tenbrink) of Lenexa, Kansas, Brandon of 
Overland Park, Kansas, two great grandchildren (and one more on the way 
in April).He was preceded in death by his son (Craig), parents (Bert &amp; 
Dorothy). Larry will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.Inurnment will be held at the Iuka Cemetery and a celebration of life service to be held at a later date.In lieu of Flowers, Please send memorial gifts to The Hope Center of Pratt, P.O. Box 127, Pratt, Kansas 67124.

Larry Gene Huff

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been found guilty of federal securities fraud and sentenced to four years' supervised probation. 

The office of U.S. Attorney General for Kansas Derek Schmidt says in a news release that 64-year-old Michael Davin, of Olathe, also was ordered Monday to pay more than $81,000 in restitution to a former client. 

Davin pleaded no contest to a single count back in December. Prosecutors say Davin failed to disclose to the investor that he had prior felony convictions, including two for theft. The securities case was initially filed in October 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610658041549.png" alt="Davin photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Davin photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been found guilty of federal securities fraud and sentenced to four years' supervised probation. The office of U.S. Attorney General for Kansas Derek Schmidt says in a news release that 64-year-old Michael Davin, of Olathe, also was ordered Monday to pay more than $81,000 in restitution to a former client. Davin pleaded no contest to a single count back in December. Prosecutors say Davin failed to disclose to the investor that he had prior felony convictions, including two for theft. The securities case was initially filed in October 2018.

Kan. man ordered to repay investor in securities fraud case

Longtime Goodland, KS resident, Wilma Jean Davis, 93, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021, at the Country Place Senior Living Center in Hoisington, KS.

Wilma was born on October 11, 1927, in Kanorado, KS to John Walter and Edna (Harding) Daise.&nbsp; She was one of six children. She attended school in Kanorado and Goodland, and graduated from Goodland High School in 1945.

In March of 1947, she married Jack Davis, and to this union one daughter Cheryl was born.&nbsp; She was a housewife, and was a member of the Goodland United Methodist Church. &nbsp; Farm life was always very important to her.&nbsp; She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, shopping with her daughter and granddaughters, and family get togethers.&nbsp; She especially loved art and music.&nbsp; Her friendships throughout the years were timeless ones.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Jack, two infant children, three brothers, Paul Maurice and Bill Daise, and one sister Donna Murray.

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl (Gene) Schremmer of Hoisington, KS, three granddaughters; Kristi (Derek) Roberts, and their children Daxton and Beckett of Nashville, TN, Danah Schremmer of Gardner, KS and Jackie Schremmer of Overland Park, KS, one brother John Daise of Seattle, WA, a brother-in-law Dick Murray of Colorado Springs, CO and a sister-in-law Mary Daise of Goodland, KS.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 10:30 AM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Goodland Arts Council 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, KS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610546920429.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Longtime Goodland, KS resident, Wilma Jean Davis, 93, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021, at the Country Place Senior Living Center in Hoisington, KS.Wilma was born on October 11, 1927, in Kanorado, KS to John Walter and Edna (Harding) Daise.&nbsp; She was one of six children. She attended school in Kanorado and Goodland, and graduated from Goodland High School in 1945.In March of 1947, she married Jack Davis, and to this union one daughter Cheryl was born.&nbsp; She was a housewife, and was a member of the Goodland United Methodist Church. &nbsp; Farm life was always very important to her.&nbsp; She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, shopping with her daughter and granddaughters, and family get togethers.&nbsp; She especially loved art and music.&nbsp; Her friendships throughout the years were timeless ones.Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Jack, two infant children, three brothers, Paul Maurice and Bill Daise, and one sister Donna Murray.She is survived by her daughter Cheryl (Gene) Schremmer of Hoisington, KS, three granddaughters; Kristi (Derek) Roberts, and their children Daxton and Beckett of Nashville, TN, Danah Schremmer of Gardner, KS and Jackie Schremmer of Overland Park, KS, one brother John Daise of Seattle, WA, a brother-in-law Dick Murray of Colorado Springs, CO and a sister-in-law Mary Daise of Goodland, KS.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 10:30 AM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.Visitation will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home.Memorial contributions may be designated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Goodland Arts Council 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, KS.

Wilma Jean (Daise) Davis

Sarah Christine Ryser-Brown, 42, passed away January 10, 2021, at her
 home in Great Bend. She was born October 25, 1978, at Concordia to Gary
 &amp; Helen (Schueneman) Hayes. She was later adopted by Robert &amp; 
Barbara Jane (Rhodes) Ryser. She married Jeff Lee Brown July 31, 2010, 
at Larned.

Coming from Larned in 2010, Sarah was a Great Bend resident. She was a
 nurse's aide at Woodhaven Care Center. She enjoyed shopping, baking and
 softball. Her favorite teams were the St. Louis Cardinals and the 
Kansas City Chiefs. Sarah enjoyed taking care of everybody but 
especially loved caring for her children.

Survivors include, her husband, Jeff Lee Brown of Great Bend; a son, 
Austin Lee Brown of Great Bend; three daughters, Siriah Sexton and 
fiancé Mike Graves, Alexis Sexton, and Jasmine Sexton all of Great Bend;
 her mother, Barbara Jane Ryser; two sisters, Heather Burton of Ruidoso,
 New Mexico and Mary Eleta McDermet of Topeka; her uncle and aunt, 
Vernie and Ann Houtchens of Clifton; and two grandchildren, Karter 
Bentley Jewell and Dean Sexton. She was preceded in death by her father,
 Robert Ryser; and grandmother, Betty Rhodes.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral 
Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 15, 2021, at Bryant 
Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Schumacher presiding. A public livestream
 of the service will be available under Sarah’s obituary at <a href="http://www.bryantfh.net">www.bryantfh.net</a>. Memorials are designated to the Sarah Ryser-Brown Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610485352054.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sarah Christine Ryser-Brown, 42, passed away January 10, 2021, at her
 home in Great Bend. She was born October 25, 1978, at Concordia to Gary
 &amp; Helen (Schueneman) Hayes. She was later adopted by Robert &amp; 
Barbara Jane (Rhodes) Ryser. She married Jeff Lee Brown July 31, 2010, 
at Larned.Coming from Larned in 2010, Sarah was a Great Bend resident. She was a
 nurse's aide at Woodhaven Care Center. She enjoyed shopping, baking and
 softball. Her favorite teams were the St. Louis Cardinals and the 
Kansas City Chiefs. Sarah enjoyed taking care of everybody but 
especially loved caring for her children.Survivors include, her husband, Jeff Lee Brown of Great Bend; a son, 
Austin Lee Brown of Great Bend; three daughters, Siriah Sexton and 
fiancé Mike Graves, Alexis Sexton, and Jasmine Sexton all of Great Bend;
 her mother, Barbara Jane Ryser; two sisters, Heather Burton of Ruidoso,
 New Mexico and Mary Eleta McDermet of Topeka; her uncle and aunt, 
Vernie and Ann Houtchens of Clifton; and two grandchildren, Karter 
Bentley Jewell and Dean Sexton. She was preceded in death by her father,
 Robert Ryser; and grandmother, Betty Rhodes.There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral 
Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 15, 2021, at Bryant 
Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Schumacher presiding. A public livestream
 of the service will be available under Sarah’s obituary at <a href="http://www.bryantfh.net">www.bryantfh.net</a>. Memorials are designated to the Sarah Ryser-Brown Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Sarah Christine Ryser-Brown

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas House Democrats started the process Tuesday to oust a newly elected lawmaker over multiple issues that include the 20-year-old’s rhetoric on Twitter and allegations of harassing and threatening girls and young women.

A formal compliant filed in the House about State Rep. Aaron Coleman will kick off a bipartisan investigation that will culminate in a recommendation and vote about his future in the Legislature. A two-thirds majority would be necessary to oust Coleman, of Kansas City, Kansas, who was sworn in on Monday.

“He is a danger to women,” said Minority Leader Tom Sawyer in a statement. “His removal is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of legislators and Capitol staff.”

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has said Coleman is unfit to serve in the House.

Coleman, who was elected as a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron4KS37/status/1349019093354086402/photo/1" target="_blank">tweeted&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that he was unaffiliating with the party. He wrote that Democratic leaders in the House have “done everything possible” to deny the people of his district the right to representation in the Legislature.

“I am ready to get to work for the people of Kansas,” he said, adding that he is being stymied. While the censure inquiry is underway, he won’t be assigned to any committees or given an office.

He didn’t immediately respond to a text message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Coleman ran on a progressive platform that included providing universal health coverage, ending college tuition and legalizing marijuana. He won his primary race even after admitting on social media that he had circulated revenge porn as a “sick and troubled” middle school-aged boy.

He faced only write-in candidates in the general election, even as at least two other cases in which he was accused of threatening or abusing girls or young women came to light.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-state-courts-legislature-kansas-city-lawsuits-fa6cd16ccb10518f157e4796522d214b">Last week, he reached a legal agreement&nbsp;</a>with Brandie Armstrong, the campaign manager for the veteran lawmaker Coleman narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary in August. The order ended an anti-stalking court order against him.

Armstrong said in her request for the court order that Coleman repeatedly sent harassing texts and personal messages to her during the campaign, came to her home in June and October and attempted to file “false and bogus” complaints against her landlord to try to get her evicted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610477940395.png" alt="Photo courtesy Rep. Aaron Coleman&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Rep. Aaron Coleman&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas House Democrats started the process Tuesday to oust a newly elected lawmaker over multiple issues that include the 20-year-old’s rhetoric on Twitter and allegations of harassing and threatening girls and young women.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Complaint Filed Against Rep. Aaron Coleman <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/7dAl3xHgpR">pic.twitter.com/7dAl3xHgpR</a>&mdash; Kansas House Dems (@KSHouseDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSHouseDems/status/1349050518979665923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A formal compliant filed in the House about State Rep. Aaron Coleman will kick off a bipartisan investigation that will culminate in a recommendation and vote about his future in the Legislature. A two-thirds majority would be necessary to oust Coleman, of Kansas City, Kansas, who was sworn in on Monday.“He is a danger to women,” said Minority Leader Tom Sawyer in a statement. “His removal is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of legislators and Capitol staff.”Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has said Coleman is unfit to serve in the House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 01-12-2021 Statement from House District 37 Representative Aaron Coleman on Unaffiliating with Democratic Leadership and Registering as an Independent. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UsNotMe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UsNotMe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YangGang?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YangGang</a> <a href="https://t.co/OXFbNxrMVA">pic.twitter.com/OXFbNxrMVA</a>&mdash; Rep. Aaron Coleman 🌹✡️ (@Aaron4KS37) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron4KS37/status/1349019093354086402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Coleman, who was elected as a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron4KS37/status/1349019093354086402/photo/1" target="_blank">tweeted&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that he was unaffiliating with the party. He wrote that Democratic leaders in the House have “done everything possible” to deny the people of his district the right to representation in the Legislature.“I am ready to get to work for the people of Kansas,” he said, adding that he is being stymied. While the censure inquiry is underway, he won’t be assigned to any committees or given an office.He didn’t immediately respond to a text message from The Associated Press seeking comment.Coleman ran on a progressive platform that included providing universal health coverage, ending college tuition and legalizing marijuana. He won his primary race even after admitting on social media that he had circulated revenge porn as a “sick and troubled” middle school-aged boy.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My seat and view when we are in session! :) <a href="https://t.co/OJ2ucd39Y2">pic.twitter.com/OJ2ucd39Y2</a>&mdash; Rep. Aaron Coleman 🌹✡️ (@Aaron4KS37) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron4KS37/status/1348749586534424582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He faced only write-in candidates in the general election, even as at least two other cases in which he was accused of threatening or abusing girls or young women came to light.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-state-courts-legislature-kansas-city-lawsuits-fa6cd16ccb10518f157e4796522d214b">Last week, he reached a legal agreement&nbsp;</a>with Brandie Armstrong, the campaign manager for the veteran lawmaker Coleman narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary in August. The order ended an anti-stalking court order against him.Armstrong said in her request for the court order that Coleman repeatedly sent harassing texts and personal messages to her during the campaign, came to her home in June and October and attempted to file “false and bogus” complaints against her landlord to try to get her evicted.

Kan. House Dems move to oust member over issues with women

Welton “Pete” Leroy Ideker, 76, passed away January 11, 2021, at the 
University of Kansas Health Systems Pawnee Valley Campus, Larned.

He was born September 30, 1944, in Great Bend, the son of Ervin Henry and Stella Carmen Reid Ideker.

A lifetime area resident, he was a farmer. He was a strong believer in
 the Heavenly Father and was an honest person. He served as a medic in 
the United States Army.

On October 19, 1991, he married Linda Shottenkirk at Grace Lutheran Church in Larned; she survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Trevis (Kim) Galliart, Rozel, 
Timothy Galliart, Great Bend; foster brother, Larry (Marie) Fox, Tuscon,
 AZ; sister-in-law Nyla Ideker, FL; four grandchildren, Taylor, Tristen,
 McKenzie, and Tanner; four great grandchildren, Tripp, Evyn, Madison, 
and Charleigh; a niece, Michelle (Brian) Murdock Martin, FL; a nephew, 
Aaron (Sarah) Ideker, Auburn, KS; and two great nephews, Hunter and 
Dylan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Armen Ervin Ideker.

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

Welton “Pete” Leroy Ideker, 76, passed away January 11, 2021, at the 
University of Kansas Health Systems Pawnee Valley Campus, Larned.He was born September 30, 1944, in Great Bend, the son of Ervin Henry and Stella Carmen Reid Ideker.A lifetime area resident, he was a farmer. He was a strong believer in
 the Heavenly Father and was an honest person. He served as a medic in 
the United States Army.On October 19, 1991, he married Linda Shottenkirk at Grace Lutheran Church in Larned; she survives.Other survivors include: two sons, Trevis (Kim) Galliart, Rozel, 
Timothy Galliart, Great Bend; foster brother, Larry (Marie) Fox, Tuscon,
 AZ; sister-in-law Nyla Ideker, FL; four grandchildren, Taylor, Tristen,
 McKenzie, and Tanner; four great grandchildren, Tripp, Evyn, Madison, 
and Charleigh; a niece, Michelle (Brian) Murdock Martin, FL; a nephew, 
Aaron (Sarah) Ideker, Auburn, KS; and two great nephews, Hunter and 
Dylan.He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Armen Ervin Ideker.Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.

Welton 'Pete' Leroy Ideker

Deanna Rhea Augustine, 61, Hays, died Monday, January 11, 2021 at HaysMed.

She was born June 4, 1959 in WaKeeney, the daughter of John and Greta (Gorsky) Dice.&nbsp; She graduated from Trego Community High School in 1977.&nbsp; On October 1, 1977 she was united in marriage to Rich Augustine at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, and they celebrated 43 years of marriage.&nbsp; She worked at Helen’s Cafe, the WaKeeney movie theater, Travenol, was a bus driver for USD 489, and was a front end manager at Dillons.&nbsp; She was hardworking, loved decorating for holidays, baking, cooking and entertaining.&nbsp; She enjoyed dancing, was a Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs fan, made all kinds of crafts, and sewed outfits for infants using material from wedding dresses.&nbsp; She had a huge heart for everyone, loved time with her family, especially her grandchildren, always attending their sporting events and activities.

Survivors include her husband Rich of Hays, son: Craig Augustine and wife Bonnie of Hays, daughter: Tera Linenberger and Daniel Head of Olathe, brother: John Dice II and wife Marci of Hastings, NE, three sisters: Dawn Cookus of Chanute, Robin Armbrister and husband Rodney of Ellis, and Joan Townley and husband Brian of WaKeeney, four grandchildren: Emilee Augustine, Madison Augustine, Noah Linenberger, and Lane Linenberger, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: John and Greta Dice, father and mother-in-law: Leonard and Tillie Augustine, brother-in-law: Gary Cookus, and her nephew: Eric Joseph Augustine.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, January 15, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Lager officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday at the church and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the church.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to the HaysMed Foundation or to the Hays ARC Park.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Deanna may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610465098331.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Deanna Rhea Augustine, 61, Hays, died Monday, January 11, 2021 at HaysMed.She was born June 4, 1959 in WaKeeney, the daughter of John and Greta (Gorsky) Dice.&nbsp; She graduated from Trego Community High School in 1977.&nbsp; On October 1, 1977 she was united in marriage to Rich Augustine at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, and they celebrated 43 years of marriage.&nbsp; She worked at Helen’s Cafe, the WaKeeney movie theater, Travenol, was a bus driver for USD 489, and was a front end manager at Dillons.&nbsp; She was hardworking, loved decorating for holidays, baking, cooking and entertaining.&nbsp; She enjoyed dancing, was a Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs fan, made all kinds of crafts, and sewed outfits for infants using material from wedding dresses.&nbsp; She had a huge heart for everyone, loved time with her family, especially her grandchildren, always attending their sporting events and activities.Survivors include her husband Rich of Hays, son: Craig Augustine and wife Bonnie of Hays, daughter: Tera Linenberger and Daniel Head of Olathe, brother: John Dice II and wife Marci of Hastings, NE, three sisters: Dawn Cookus of Chanute, Robin Armbrister and husband Rodney of Ellis, and Joan Townley and husband Brian of WaKeeney, four grandchildren: Emilee Augustine, Madison Augustine, Noah Linenberger, and Lane Linenberger, and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents: John and Greta Dice, father and mother-in-law: Leonard and Tillie Augustine, brother-in-law: Gary Cookus, and her nephew: Eric Joseph Augustine.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, January 15, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Lager officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday at the church and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the church.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to the HaysMed Foundation or to the Hays ARC Park.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Deanna may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com&nbsp;

Deanna Rhea Augustine

Marvella A. Becker, 87, passed away January 11, 2021, at Clara Barton
 Hospital, Hoisington.&nbsp; She was born October 25, 1933, in Great Bend, to
 Alfred and Lena Mary (Trauer) Krueger.&nbsp; Marvella married Elmer Becker 
April 5, 1966, in Las Vegas.&nbsp; He died March 9, 2016.&nbsp; Marvella, along 
with her husband Elmer, owned and operated Al’s Drive In for many years.

Surviving is one daughter; Rhonda Shelton of Great Bend; five sons, 
Kevin Beakey and wife Debby of McPherson, Kenny Beakey of Great Bend, 
Ron Becker and wife Gina of Branson, Mo., Todd Becker of Great Bend and 
Shane Becker and wife Julie of Great Bend; two step sons, Steve Becker 
and Greg Becker; grandchildren, Cheri Wagner, Regan Parr, Michael Caine 
Shelton, Kendra Beakey, Jason Brabander, Jill Jackson, Kelsey Beakey, 
Cheyenne Beakey, Kennedy Beakey, Camryn Beakey, Cody Allen, Gage Becker,
 Tessa Van Conett, Lydia Murphy, Rieley Fuentes, Austin Becker, Hailey 
Tammen, Riley Tammen, Kenzlie Becker, Khloe Becker, Landon Becker and 
Hunter Becker; and many great grandchildren, including, Tylar Wagner, 
Paige Wagner, Maycee Parr, Kanyen Parr, Erika Parr, Gaige Gunderson, 
Zoey King and Kason King. She was preceded in death by son, Jim "Bimbo" 
Beakey; brother, Jerry Krueger; sister, Joyce Krueger; and a son-in-law,
 Mike Shelton.

Services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at Bryant 
Funeral Home with Rev. Dick Ogle. Interment will follow at Hillcrest 
Memorial Park, Great Bend.&nbsp; Visitation will be 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., 
Tuesday, January 12, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving 
friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to the Marvella 
Becker Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610457453510.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Marvella A. Becker, 87, passed away January 11, 2021, at Clara Barton
 Hospital, Hoisington.&nbsp; She was born October 25, 1933, in Great Bend, to
 Alfred and Lena Mary (Trauer) Krueger.&nbsp; Marvella married Elmer Becker 
April 5, 1966, in Las Vegas.&nbsp; He died March 9, 2016.&nbsp; Marvella, along 
with her husband Elmer, owned and operated Al’s Drive In for many years.Surviving is one daughter; Rhonda Shelton of Great Bend; five sons, 
Kevin Beakey and wife Debby of McPherson, Kenny Beakey of Great Bend, 
Ron Becker and wife Gina of Branson, Mo., Todd Becker of Great Bend and 
Shane Becker and wife Julie of Great Bend; two step sons, Steve Becker 
and Greg Becker; grandchildren, Cheri Wagner, Regan Parr, Michael Caine 
Shelton, Kendra Beakey, Jason Brabander, Jill Jackson, Kelsey Beakey, 
Cheyenne Beakey, Kennedy Beakey, Camryn Beakey, Cody Allen, Gage Becker,
 Tessa Van Conett, Lydia Murphy, Rieley Fuentes, Austin Becker, Hailey 
Tammen, Riley Tammen, Kenzlie Becker, Khloe Becker, Landon Becker and 
Hunter Becker; and many great grandchildren, including, Tylar Wagner, 
Paige Wagner, Maycee Parr, Kanyen Parr, Erika Parr, Gaige Gunderson, 
Zoey King and Kason King. She was preceded in death by son, Jim "Bimbo" 
Beakey; brother, Jerry Krueger; sister, Joyce Krueger; and a son-in-law,
 Mike Shelton.Services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at Bryant 
Funeral Home with Rev. Dick Ogle. Interment will follow at Hillcrest 
Memorial Park, Great Bend.&nbsp; Visitation will be 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., 
Tuesday, January 12, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving 
friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to the Marvella 
Becker Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Marvella A. Becker

Keely Connolly thought she would be safe once the ambulance arrived at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in Kansas.

She
 was having difficulty breathing because she’d had to miss a kidney 
dialysis treatment a few days earlier for lack of child care. Her 
potassium was dangerously high, putting her at risk of a heart attack. 
But she trusted she would be fine once she was admitted and dialysis was
 begun.

She panicked when a nurse told her that no beds were 
available and that she would have to be transferred — possibly more than
 450 miles away to Denver. She had heard a rumor about a dialysis 
patient who died waiting for a bed at a hospital in Wichita, about an 
hour down the road.

“‘I don’t want to die in the ER,’” Connolly, 
32, recalled thinking. “I just wanted them to fix me, but then the woman
 came in and said, ‘There are no beds.’ I got really scared and I didn’t
 know if they had time to get me anywhere else.”

When a bed was 
finally located 65 miles away in Salina, Connolly, who has kidney 
failure, was relieved but worried: How long would she be gone? Who would
 care for her young daughter? How would she get home? What would it all 
cost?

Connolly was caught in a situation experts have warned about
 since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic: Covid-19 patients are 
overwhelming hospitals, squeezing space and staff needed to treat 
emergencies like Connolly’s.

While it has happened in pockets 
throughout the country since the spring, the pressure on hospitals is 
widespread now — reaching into both urban and rural communities at an 
alarming pace, even as local officials and citizens continue to <a href="https://khn.org/news/article/pandemic-backlash-jeopardizes-public-health-powers-leaders/" target="_blank">slam public health departments and pandemic guidelines</a>. Traveling nurses are hard to come by as their services are in high demand nationwide and <a href="https://khn.org/news/highly-paid-traveling-nurses-fill-staffing-shortages-during-covid-pandemic/" target="_blank">their pay has escalated beyond the reach of some smaller hospitals</a>.

“This
 is the first time since I have been here that we’ve had a scenario 
where multiple hospitals, for longer periods of time, are experiencing 
some kind of shortages,” said <a href="https://www.kha-net.org/AboutKHA/KHAStaffListing/KHAStaff/" target="_blank">Cindy Samuelson</a>, a senior vice president of the Kansas Hospital Association.

And
 it got worse after Connolly’s emergency in mid-November. The 14-day 
rolling average positive test rate in Reno County, where Hutchinson is 
the county seat, reached 46% on Dec. 22, though it has since come down 
to 24% as of Jan. 4, said D.J. Gering, data analyst for the <a href="https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19" target="_blank">Reno County Health Department</a>. The results did not include inmates from the Hutchinson Correctional Center, the local state prison.

By
 Oct. 1, four covid deaths had been recorded in the county of about 
62,000. By Jan. 4, the death toll since the pandemic began had jumped to
 105. For comparison, Gering said, Reno County had 19 deaths attributed 
to pneumonia and influenza combined in all of 2019.

Hospitalizations
 at the 190-licensed-bed Hutchinson Regional Medical Center increased 
800% from mid-October to mid-December then started to temper at the end 
of the month, said <a href="http://www.hutchregional.com/about-us/hrhs-administration" target="_blank">Chuck Welch</a>, vice president of Hutchinson Regional Medical System.

“I
 hate to be overly optimistic until we are well past the possible 
holiday surge from Christmas and New Year’s,” he said in an email.

Operating
 between 90% and 95% capacity, the hospital is providing care to 
patients with a multitude of needs and still has room to expand. The 
problem, Welch said, has been staffing.

<a href="https://khn.org/news/highly-paid-traveling-nurses-fill-staffing-shortages-during-covid-pandemic/" target="_blank">Competing for traveling nurses and specialists</a>
 against larger hospitals to backfill positions open from sick or 
quarantining staffers has been challenging. When the hospital has been 
faced with increasing numbers of covid patients seeking emergency care, 
handling “normal” emergencies like Connolly’s has been much more 
difficult, Welch said.

While staffers work to transfer patients as
 close to home as possible, with so many hospitals in Kansas beyond 
capacity, it has become more common than before to transfer as far away 
as Colorado and Nebraska. Such transfers require medical flights, which 
are typically not covered by insurance and can cost patients upward of 
$50,000, Welch said.

“It is collateral damage,” he said. “It is 
something that has sort of been lost out of the narrative of these folks
 where everybody is relieved when we find them a bed. Everybody forgets 
about the downstream impact of the cost of those transports.”

Connolly
 recovered after three days in the Salina hospital. But the question 
still looms about the costs for her emergency care. Connolly had left 
her job as a corrections officer at the prison in September because 
coronavirus cases began to spike inside. Without her employer-sponsored 
health insurance, Connolly now relies on Medicaid and Medicare Part A, 
which means she is responsible for more out-of-pocket costs for things 
like pharmaceuticals and ambulance services.

Connolly worries so 
much about her finances that she’s been too scared to look at her recent
 ambulance bills. Being a single parent, living with kidney failure and 
undergoing dialysis during a pandemic are her primary concerns.

As with many underlying conditions, covid-19 appears to pose an extra
 risk for people with kidney failure and patients undergoing dialysis, 
said Dr. <a href="https://www.asn-online.org/about/bio.aspx?ID=42512" target="_blank">Alan Kliger</a>, a nephrologist at Yale University and co-chair of the American Society of Nephrology’s COVID-19 Response Team.

Data
 from New York and Europe early in the pandemic showed that about 1 in 5
 dialysis patients who acquired covid died, he said. However, the 
complication and mortality rates have fallen in recent months, according
 to unpublished survey data from members of the nephrology society, 
Kliger said.

For 
Connolly, the pandemic has also complicated her three-times-a-week 
3½-hour dialysis schedule. For example, when her daughter’s kindergarten
 class was told to quarantine for 14 days after an in-class exposure to 
the virus, she had to scramble to find babysitters so she could attend 
dialysis.

“I don’t want too many people to watch her because of 
covid,” Connolly said of her daughter, adding that she is lucky the 
girl’s father is supportive. But he can’t always step in, which means if
 Connolly can’t find a sitter, she may have to skip or reschedule 
dialysis.

Connolly wants to get another job. But living in a 
county where so many refuse to wear masks and some elected leaders 
accuse the health department of providing false information about covid 
testing rates and statistics makes her afraid to be in public more than 
necessary.

“I want to work,” she said. “I had a good job. I served
 my community. The reality of knowing how bad it is at the hospital — I 
have seen it firsthand. And now I am out and seeing people without masks
 and I am thinking, ‘If I get this and I have to go back, I may not 
leave the hospital next time.’”

The reality, said Kliger, Welch 
and others, is that while the virus runs rampant, hospitals will 
struggle to keep up, which potentially endangers medical staffers and 
anyone needing hospital care — and the virus will continue to spread as 
long as people refuse to wear masks and disregard scientifically sound 
guidelines.

Connolly said she would love to see more empathy for 
people who have underlying health concerns like her from those resisting
 safety measures such as masks.

“Even if they think that it 
doesn’t work, what if it does? What if it could? I don’t really 
understand how wearing a mask is going to take so much out of your day, 
compared to someone who is immunocompromised and gets sick,” said 
Connolly. “Or you lose your grandma, or your parent. That’s going to 
affect your life a lot longer than wearing a mask for a little while.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610389428307.png" alt="After missing a dialysis appointment, Keely Connolly needed emergency care at a Hutchinson, Kansas, hospital. But all beds were filled, so she was transferred to Salina — 65 miles away from her home and young daughter. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>After missing a dialysis appointment, Keely Connolly needed emergency care at a Hutchinson, Kansas, hospital. But all beds were filled, so she was transferred to Salina — 65 miles away from her home and young daughter. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kaiser Health NewsKeely Connolly thought she would be safe once the ambulance arrived at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in Kansas.She
 was having difficulty breathing because she’d had to miss a kidney 
dialysis treatment a few days earlier for lack of child care. Her 
potassium was dangerously high, putting her at risk of a heart attack. 
But she trusted she would be fine once she was admitted and dialysis was
 begun.She panicked when a nurse told her that no beds were 
available and that she would have to be transferred — possibly more than
 450 miles away to Denver. She had heard a rumor about a dialysis 
patient who died waiting for a bed at a hospital in Wichita, about an 
hour down the road.“‘I don’t want to die in the ER,’” Connolly, 
32, recalled thinking. “I just wanted them to fix me, but then the woman
 came in and said, ‘There are no beds.’ I got really scared and I didn’t
 know if they had time to get me anywhere else.”When a bed was 
finally located 65 miles away in Salina, Connolly, who has kidney 
failure, was relieved but worried: How long would she be gone? Who would
 care for her young daughter? How would she get home? What would it all 
cost?Connolly was caught in a situation experts have warned about
 since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic: Covid-19 patients are 
overwhelming hospitals, squeezing space and staff needed to treat 
emergencies like Connolly’s.While it has happened in pockets 
throughout the country since the spring, the pressure on hospitals is 
widespread now — reaching into both urban and rural communities at an 
alarming pace, even as local officials and citizens continue to <a href="https://khn.org/news/article/pandemic-backlash-jeopardizes-public-health-powers-leaders/" target="_blank">slam public health departments and pandemic guidelines</a>. Traveling nurses are hard to come by as their services are in high demand nationwide and <a href="https://khn.org/news/highly-paid-traveling-nurses-fill-staffing-shortages-during-covid-pandemic/" target="_blank">their pay has escalated beyond the reach of some smaller hospitals</a>.“This
 is the first time since I have been here that we’ve had a scenario 
where multiple hospitals, for longer periods of time, are experiencing 
some kind of shortages,” said <a href="https://www.kha-net.org/AboutKHA/KHAStaffListing/KHAStaff/" target="_blank">Cindy Samuelson</a>, a senior vice president of the Kansas Hospital Association.And
 it got worse after Connolly’s emergency in mid-November. The 14-day 
rolling average positive test rate in Reno County, where Hutchinson is 
the county seat, reached 46% on Dec. 22, though it has since come down 
to 24% as of Jan. 4, said D.J. Gering, data analyst for the <a href="https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19" target="_blank">Reno County Health Department</a>. The results did not include inmates from the Hutchinson Correctional Center, the local state prison.By
 Oct. 1, four covid deaths had been recorded in the county of about 
62,000. By Jan. 4, the death toll since the pandemic began had jumped to
 105. For comparison, Gering said, Reno County had 19 deaths attributed 
to pneumonia and influenza combined in all of 2019.Hospitalizations
 at the 190-licensed-bed Hutchinson Regional Medical Center increased 
800% from mid-October to mid-December then started to temper at the end 
of the month, said <a href="http://www.hutchregional.com/about-us/hrhs-administration" target="_blank">Chuck Welch</a>, vice president of Hutchinson Regional Medical System.“I
 hate to be overly optimistic until we are well past the possible 
holiday surge from Christmas and New Year’s,” he said in an email.Operating
 between 90% and 95% capacity, the hospital is providing care to 
patients with a multitude of needs and still has room to expand. The 
problem, Welch said, has been staffing.<a href="https://khn.org/news/highly-paid-traveling-nurses-fill-staffing-shortages-during-covid-pandemic/" target="_blank">Competing for traveling nurses and specialists</a>
 against larger hospitals to backfill positions open from sick or 
quarantining staffers has been challenging. When the hospital has been 
faced with increasing numbers of covid patients seeking emergency care, 
handling “normal” emergencies like Connolly’s has been much more 
difficult, Welch said.While staffers work to transfer patients as
 close to home as possible, with so many hospitals in Kansas beyond 
capacity, it has become more common than before to transfer as far away 
as Colorado and Nebraska. Such transfers require medical flights, which 
are typically not covered by insurance and can cost patients upward of 
$50,000, Welch said.“It is collateral damage,” he said. “It is 
something that has sort of been lost out of the narrative of these folks
 where everybody is relieved when we find them a bed. Everybody forgets 
about the downstream impact of the cost of those transports.”Connolly
 recovered after three days in the Salina hospital. But the question 
still looms about the costs for her emergency care. Connolly had left 
her job as a corrections officer at the prison in September because 
coronavirus cases began to spike inside. Without her employer-sponsored 
health insurance, Connolly now relies on Medicaid and Medicare Part A, 
which means she is responsible for more out-of-pocket costs for things 
like pharmaceuticals and ambulance services.Connolly worries so 
much about her finances that she’s been too scared to look at her recent
 ambulance bills. Being a single parent, living with kidney failure and 
undergoing dialysis during a pandemic are her primary concerns.As with many underlying conditions, covid-19 appears to pose an extra
 risk for people with kidney failure and patients undergoing dialysis, 
said Dr. <a href="https://www.asn-online.org/about/bio.aspx?ID=42512" target="_blank">Alan Kliger</a>, a nephrologist at Yale University and co-chair of the American Society of Nephrology’s COVID-19 Response Team.Data
 from New York and Europe early in the pandemic showed that about 1 in 5
 dialysis patients who acquired covid died, he said. However, the 
complication and mortality rates have fallen in recent months, according
 to unpublished survey data from members of the nephrology society, 
Kliger said.“It’s still a high risk,” he said.For 
Connolly, the pandemic has also complicated her three-times-a-week 
3½-hour dialysis schedule. For example, when her daughter’s kindergarten
 class was told to quarantine for 14 days after an in-class exposure to 
the virus, she had to scramble to find babysitters so she could attend 
dialysis.“I don’t want too many people to watch her because of 
covid,” Connolly said of her daughter, adding that she is lucky the 
girl’s father is supportive. But he can’t always step in, which means if
 Connolly can’t find a sitter, she may have to skip or reschedule 
dialysis.Connolly wants to get another job. But living in a 
county where so many refuse to wear masks and some elected leaders 
accuse the health department of providing false information about covid 
testing rates and statistics makes her afraid to be in public more than 
necessary.“I want to work,” she said. “I had a good job. I served
 my community. The reality of knowing how bad it is at the hospital — I 
have seen it firsthand. And now I am out and seeing people without masks
 and I am thinking, ‘If I get this and I have to go back, I may not 
leave the hospital next time.’”The reality, said Kliger, Welch 
and others, is that while the virus runs rampant, hospitals will 
struggle to keep up, which potentially endangers medical staffers and 
anyone needing hospital care — and the virus will continue to spread as 
long as people refuse to wear masks and disregard scientifically sound 
guidelines.Connolly said she would love to see more empathy for 
people who have underlying health concerns like her from those resisting
 safety measures such as masks.“Even if they think that it 
doesn’t work, what if it does? What if it could? I don’t really 
understand how wearing a mask is going to take so much out of your day, 
compared to someone who is immunocompromised and gets sick,” said 
Connolly. “Or you lose your grandma, or your parent. That’s going to 
affect your life a lot longer than wearing a mask for a little while.”

When hospitals can't handle non-COVID patients

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — The U.S. government’s plans to carry out its first execution of a female inmate in nearly seven decades are on hold, and two other executions set for later this week have been halted because the inmates tested positive for COVID-19. 

The executions were to be the last before President-elect Joe Biden, an opponent of the federal death penalty, is sworn-in next week. Lisa Montgomery faced execution Tuesday for killing a pregnant woman and cutting the baby from her womb in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in 2004. 

But an appeals court granted a stay of execution Tuesday. That came shortly after another appeals court lifted an Indiana judge’s ruling that found she likely couldn’t comprehend she'd be put to death.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — A judge has temporarily stopped the U.S. government’s plans Tuesday to carry out the first federal execution of a female inmate in nearly seven decades, finding that the Kansas woman who killed an expectant mother, cut the baby from her womb and tried to pass off the newborn as her own was likely mentally ill and couldn’t comprehend she would be put to death.

When other executions by the Trump administration were similarly stayed in days or even hours before the scheduled execution times last year, the Department of Justice succeeded in getting a higher court to reverse them. Government lawyers also quickly appealed the stay issued Monday for Lisa Montgomery.

Montgomery was convicted of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-michael-brown-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-terre-haute-ef212a64d7f6d8da9ff9f0a2ac3e3390">killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett&nbsp;</a>in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in 2004. She used a rope to strangle Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant, and then cut the baby girl from the womb with a kitchen knife. Montgomery took the child with her and attempted to pass the girl off as her own.

A federal judge in southwestern Indiana handed down the order Monday less than 24 hours before the 52-year-old Montgomery, the only female on federal death row, was set to be executed at a federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602895377835.png" alt="Montgomery is being held at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, according to online jail records." />
 <figcaption>Montgomery is being held at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, according to online jail records.</figcaption>
 </figure>TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — The U.S. government’s plans to carry out its first execution of a female inmate in nearly seven decades are on hold, and two other executions set for later this week have been halted because the inmates tested positive for COVID-19. The executions were to be the last before President-elect Joe Biden, an opponent of the federal death penalty, is sworn-in next week. Lisa Montgomery faced execution Tuesday for killing a pregnant woman and cutting the baby from her womb in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in 2004. But an appeals court granted a stay of execution Tuesday. That came shortly after another appeals court lifted an Indiana judge’s ruling that found she likely couldn’t comprehend she'd be put to death.------TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — A judge has temporarily stopped the U.S. government’s plans Tuesday to carry out the first federal execution of a female inmate in nearly seven decades, finding that the Kansas woman who killed an expectant mother, cut the baby from her womb and tried to pass off the newborn as her own was likely mentally ill and couldn’t comprehend she would be put to death.When other executions by the Trump administration were similarly stayed in days or even hours before the scheduled execution times last year, the Department of Justice succeeded in getting a higher court to reverse them. Government lawyers also quickly appealed the stay issued Monday for Lisa Montgomery.Montgomery was convicted of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-michael-brown-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-terre-haute-ef212a64d7f6d8da9ff9f0a2ac3e3390">killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett&nbsp;</a>in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in 2004. She used a rope to strangle Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant, and then cut the baby girl from the womb with a kitchen knife. Montgomery took the child with her and attempted to pass the girl off as her own.A federal judge in southwestern Indiana handed down the order Monday less than 24 hours before the 52-year-old Montgomery, the only female on federal death row, was set to be executed at a federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.Any delay of Montgomery’s execution beyond Joe Biden’s inauguration next Tuesday would likely mean she will not be executed since a Biden administration is expected to oppose carrying out of federal death sentences.One of Montgomery’s lawyers, Kelley Henry, told The Associated Press Tuesday morning that her client arrived at the Terre Haute facility late Monday night from a Texas prison and that, because there are no facilities for female inmates, she was being kept in a cell in the execution-chamber building itself.“I don’t believe she has any rational comprehension of what’s going on at all,” Henry said.Montgomery has done needle-point in prison, making gloves, hats and other knitted items as gifts for her lawyers and others, Henry said. She hasn’t been able to continue that hobby or read since her glasses were taken away from her out of concern she could commit suicide.“All of her coping mechanisms were taken away from her when they locked her down” in October when she was informed she had an execution date, Henry said.Montgomery’s legal team says she suffered “sexual torture,” including gang rapes, as a child, permanently scarring her emotionally and exacerbating mental-health issues that ran in her family.At trial, prosecutors accused Montgomery of faking mental illness, noting that her killing of Stinnett was premeditated and included meticulous planning, including online research on how to perform a C-section.Henry balked at that idea, citing extensive testing and brain scans that supported the diagnosis of mental illness.“You can’t fake brain scans that show the brain damage,” she said.Henry said the issue at the core of the legal arguments are not whether she knew the killing was wrong in 2004 but whether she fully grasps why she is slated to be executed now.In his ruling on a stay, U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon in Terre Haute cited defense experts who alleged Montgomery suffered from depression, borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.Montgomery, the judge wrote, also suffered around the time of the killing from an extremely rare condition called pseudocyesis in which a woman’s false belief she is pregnant triggers hormonal and physical changes as if she was actually pregnant.Montgomery also experiences delusions and hallucinations, believing God spoke with her through connect-the-dot puzzles, the judge said, citing defense experts.“The record before the Court contains ample evidence that Ms. Montgomery’s current mental state is so divorced from reality that she cannot rationally understand the government’s rationale for her execution,” the judge’ said.The government has acknowledged Montgomery’s mental issues but disputes that she can’t comprehend that she is scheduled for execution for killing another person because of them.Details of the crime at times left jurors in tears during her trial.Prosecutors told the jury Montgomery drove about 170 miles (274 kilometers) from her Melvern, Kansas, farmhouse to the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore under the guise of adopting a rat terrier puppy from Stinnett. She strangled Stinnett performing a crude cesarean and fleeing with the baby.Prosecutors said Stinnett regained consciousness and tried to defend herself as Montgomery used a kitchen knife to cut the baby girl from her womb. Later that day, Montgomery called her husband to pick her up in the parking lot of a Long John Silver’s in Topeka, Kansas, telling him she had delivered the baby earlier in the day at a nearby birthing center.Montgomery was arrested the next day after showing off the premature infant, Victoria Jo, who is now 16 years old and hasn’t spoken publicly about the tragedy.Prosecutors said the motive was that Montgomery’s ex-husband knew she had undergone a tubal ligation that made her sterile and planned to reveal she was lying about being pregnant in an effort to get custody of two of their four children. Needing a baby before a fast-approaching court date, Montgomery turned her focus on Stinnett, whom she had met at dog shows.The U.S. has executed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-736b68c22e821be7c5faa85f1bf0b245">10 people at Terre Haute</a>&nbsp;since the resumption of federal executions after a 17-year pause started on July 14. Anti-death penalty groups said President Donald Trump was pushing for executions prior to the November election in a cynical bid to burnish a reputation as a law-and-order leader.The last woman executed by the federal government was Bonnie Brown Heady on Dec. 18, 1953, for the kidnapping and murder of a 6-year-old boy in Missouri.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/47889ad17a0547398f6818c47a33b9a9">last woman executed by a state</a>&nbsp;was Kelly Gissendaner, 47, on Sept. 30, 2015, in Georgia. She was convicted of murder in the 1997 slaying of her husband after she conspired with her lover, who stabbed Douglas Gissendaner to death.-------------MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A judge has granted a stay in what was slated to be the U.S. government’s first execution of a female inmate in nearly seven decades — a Kansas woman who killed an expectant mother in Missouri, cut the baby from her womb and passed off the newborn as her own.Judge Patrick Hanlon granted the stay late Monday, citing the need to determine Montgomery’s mental competence. Lisa Montgomery faced execution Tuesday at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, just eight days before President-elect Joe Biden, an opponent of the federal death penalty, takes office.Montgomery drove about 170 miles from her Melvern, Kansas, farmhouse to the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore under the guise of adopting a rat terrier puppy from Bobbie Jo Stinnett, a 23-year-old dog breeder. She strangled Stinnett with a rope before performing a crude cesarean and fleeing with the baby.She was arrested the next day after showing off the premature infant, Victoria Jo, who is now 16 years old and hasn’t spoken publicly about the tragedy.“As we walked across the threshold our Amber Alert was scrolling across the TV at that very moment,” recalled Randy Strong, who was part of the northwest Missouri major case squad at the time.He looked to his right and saw Montgomery holding the newborn and was awash in relief when she handed her over to law enforcement. The preceding hours had been a blur in which he photographed Stinnett’s body and spent a sleepless night looking for clues — unsure of whether the baby was dead or alive and no idea what she looked like.But then tips began arriving about Montgomery, who had a history of faking pregnancies and suddenly had a baby. Strong, now the sheriff of Nodaway County, where the killing happened, hopped in an unmarked car with another officer. He learned while en route that the email address fischer4kids@hotmail.com that was used to set up the deadly meeting with Stinnett had been sent from a dial-up connection at Montgomery’s home.“I absolutely knew I was walking into the killer’s home,” recalled Strong, saying rat terriers ran around his feet as he approached her house. Like Stinnett, Montgomery also raised rat terriers.Bobbie Jo Stinnett’s mother, Becky Harper, sobbed as she told a Missouri dispatcher about stumbling across her daughter in a pool of blood, her womb slashed open and the child she had been carrying missing.“It’s like she exploded or something,” Harper told the dispatcher on Dec. 16, 2004, during the desperate yet futile attempt to get help for her daughter.Prosecutors said her motive was that Stinnett’s ex-husband knew she had undergone a tubal ligation that made her sterile and planned to reveal she was lying about being pregnant in an effort to get custody of two of their four children. Needing a baby before a fast-approaching court date, Montgomery turned her focus on Stinnett, whom she had met at dog shows.Montgomery’s lawyers, though, have argued that sexual abuse during Montgomery’s childhood led to mental illness. Attorney Kelley Henry spoke in favor of Monday’s decision, saying in a statement to the Capital-Journal that “Mrs. Montgomery has brain damage and severe mental illness that was exacerbated by the lifetime of sexual torture she suffered at the hands of caretakers.”Her stepfather denied the sexual abuse in videotaped testimony and said he didn’t have a good memory when confronted with a transcript of a divorce proceeding in which he admitted some physical abuse. Her mother testified that she never filed a police complaint because he had threatened her and her children.But the jurors who heard the case, some crying through the gruesome testimony, disregarded the defense in convicting her of kidnapping resulting in death.Prosecutors argued that Stinnett regained consciousness and tried to defend herself as Montgomery used a kitchen knife to cut the baby girl from her womb. Later that day, Montgomery called her husband to pick her up in the parking lot of a Long John Silver’s in Topeka, Kansas, telling him she had delivered the baby earlier in the day at a nearby birthing center.She eventually confessed, and the rope and bloody knife used to kill Stinnett were found in her car. A search of her computer showed she used it to research caesareans and order a birthing kit.Stinnett’s husband, Zeb, told jurors his world “crashed to an end” when he learned his wife was dead. He said he didn’t return for months to the couple’s home in Skidmore, a small farming community that earlier gained notoriety after the 1981 slaying of town bully Ken Rex McElroy in front of a crowd of people who refused to implicate the killer or killers. That crime was chronicled in a book, “In Broad Daylight,” as well as a TV movie, the film “Without Mercy” and the miniseries “No One Saw a Thing.”Recently, on Victoria Jo’s birthday, he sent Strong, the sheriff, a message through Facebook Messenger thanking him.“I just wept,” Strong recalled. “He is going to constantly be reminded of this whether in his nightmares or somebody is going to call and want to interview him. The family doesn’t want to be interviewed. They want to be left alone. The community of Skidmore has had a troubling past and history. They didn’t want this. They didn’t deserve this.”Montgomery originally was scheduled to be put to death on Dec. 8. But the execution was temporarily blocked after her attorneys contracted the coronavirus visiting her in prison.The resumption of federal executions after a 17-year pause started on July 14. Anti-death penalty groups said President Donald Trump was pushing for executions prior to the November election in a cynical bid to burnish a reputation as a law-and-order leader.U.S. officials have portrayed the executions as bringing long-delayed justice for victims and their families.-----MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Becky Harper sobbed as she spoke to a Missouri dispatcher after stumbling across her expectant daughter in a pool of blood, her womb slashed open and the child she had been carrying missing.“It’s like she exploded or something,” Harper told the dispatcher on Dec. 16, 2004, during the desperate yet futile attempt to get help for her daughter, Bobbie Jo Stinnett, who had been eight months pregnant.Lisa Montgomery, who strangled Stinnett with a rope before performing a crude cesarean and fleeing with the baby, awaits execution Tuesday, just eight days before the presidential inauguration of death penalty opponent Joe Biden. If the lethal injection is carried out as scheduled at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, Montgomery would be the first woman executed by the federal government in about six decades.Montgomery drove about 170 miles from her Melvern, Kansas, farmhouse to the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore under the guise of adopting a rat terrier puppy from Stinnett, a 23-year-old dog breeder.She was arrested the next day after showing off the premature infant, Victoria Jo, as her own. She is now 16 years old and hasn’t spoken publicly about about the tragedy.“As we walked across the threshold our Amber Alert was scrolling across the TV at that very moment,” recalled Randy Strong, who was part of the northwest Missouri major case squad at the time.He looked to his right and saw Montgomery holding the newborn and was awash in relief when she handed her over to law enforcement. The preceding hours had been a blur in which he photographed Stinnett’s body and spent a sleepless night looking for clues — unsure of whether the baby was dead or alive and no idea what she looked like.But then tips began arriving about Montgomery, who had a history of faking pregnancies and suddenly had a baby. Strong, now the sheriff of Nodaway County, where the killing happened, hopped in an unmarked car with another officer. He learned while en route that the email address fischer4kids@hotmail.com that was used to set up the deadly meeting with Stinnett had been sent from a dial-up connection at Montgomery’s home.“I absolutely knew I was walking into the killer’s home,” recalled Strong, saying rat terriers ran around his feet as he approached her house. Like Stinnett, Montgomery also raised rat terriers.Prosecutors said her motive was that her ex-husband knew she had undergone a tubal ligation that made her sterile and planned to reveal she was lying about being pregnant in an effort to get custody of two of their four children. Needing a baby before a fast-approaching court date, Montgomery turned her focus on Stinnett, whom she had met at dog shows.Montgomery’s lawyers, though, have argued that sexual abuse during Montgomery’s childhood led to mental illness. Her stepfather denied the sexual abuse in videotaped testimony and said he didn’t have a good memory when confronted with a transcript of a divorce proceeding in which he admitted some physical abuse. Her mother testified that she never filed a police complaint because he had threatened her and her children.But the jurors who heard the case, some crying through the gruesome testimony, disregarded the defense in convicting her of kidnapping resulting in death.Prosecutors argued that Stinnett regained consciousness and tried to defend herself as Montgomery used a kitchen knife to cut the baby girl from her womb. Later that day, Montgomery called her husband to pick her up in the parking lot of a Long John Silver’s in Topeka, Kansas, telling him she had delivered the baby earlier in the day at a nearby birthing center.She eventually confessed, and the rope and bloody knife used to kill Stinnett were found in her car. A search of her computer showed she used it to research caesareans and order a birthing kit.Stinnett’s husband, Zeb, told jurors his world “crashed to an end” when he learned his wife was dead. He said he didn’t return for months to the couple’s home in Skidmore, a small farming community that earlier gained notoriety after the 1981 slaying of town bully Ken Rex McElroy in front of a crowd of people who refused to implicate the killer or killers. That crime was chronicled in a book, “In Broad Daylight,” as well as a TV movie, the film “Without Mercy” and the miniseries “No One Saw a Thing.”Recently, on Victoria Jo’s birthday, he sent Strong, the sheriff, a message through Facebook Messenger thanking him.“I just wept,” Strong recalled. “He is going to constantly be reminded of this whether in his nightmares or somebody is going to call and want to interview him. The family doesn’t want to be interviewed. They want to be left alone. The community of Skidmore has had a troubling past and history. They didn’t want this. They didn’t deserve this.”Montgomery originally was scheduled to be put to death on Dec. 8. But the execution was temporarily blocked after her attorneys contracted the coronavirus visiting her in prison.The resumption of federal executions after a 17-year pause started on July 14. Anti-death penalty groups said President Donald Trump was pushing for executions prior to the November election in a cynical bid to burnish a reputation as a law-and-order leader.U.S. officials have portrayed the executions as bringing long-delayed justice for victims and their families.