Historic meeting at YMCA
 in 1920 may never have happened if not for 1918 pandemic

By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2020-05-30/how-a-global-pandemic-100-years-ago-led-to-the-founding-of-the-negro-leagues-in-kansas-city">Kansas News Service</a>

Getting past a disruption caused by a global pandemic is nothing new 
for professional baseball. Even as Major League Baseball considers a 
shortened season this year amid the ongoing coroanavirus outbreak, the 
sport faced an even more dire threat a century ago with the flu 
pandemic.

That event, combined with World War I and a major gambling scandal, jeopardized the very future of the game.

Part
 of what came next was history, made in Kansas City: the Negro Leagues 
were formed 100 years ago at the Paseo YMCA, just as professional 
baseball was trying to figure out how to move on from a series of 
world-altering events.

‘The biggest entertainment business in America.’

Before
 1917, Eliot Asinoff wrote in his bestseller “Eight Men Out” that 
baseball was “the biggest entertainment business in America.”

But 
in 1920, at the same time that Kansas City jazz was taking off in the 
18th and Vine district, Rube Foster of Chicago and J.L. Wilkinson, who 
had recently moved to Kansas City from Iowa, met at the nearby YMCA on 
The Paseo to formalize the Negro National League in the Negro Leagues.

It was an unusual partnership for its time. Foster was black, and Wilkinson was white.

“Foster,
 I understand, would’ve preferred to have had all-black leadership for 
the leagues, but could not deny the connection that Wilkinson had,” said
 Raymond Doswell, vice president and curator for Kansas City’s Negro 
Leagues Baseball Museum, which has been closed since mid-March as a 
precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.

Foster knew 
Wilkinson from the integrated barnstorming team Wilkinson owned called 
the All Nations team. It was made up of players from a variety of 
backgrounds, including African Americans, Latino Americans and Asian 
immigrants.

Barnstorming teams —semi-professional outfits that 
traveled around the country playing other local teams— got in on the 
success that professional baseball had produced at that time.

“I 
do know the All Nations played the Chicago American Giants,” said Tom 
Fredrick, a Kansas City attorney who has published research on 
Wilkinson. “In other words, Rube Foster’s team, pre-Negro National 
League formation, in October of 1916. In Kansas City, Missouri.”

Despite the difference in the color of their skin, Doswell said Foster and Wilkinson had a lot in common.

“These were two baseball men who were visionaries in many respects, who understood the broader picture,” said Doswell.

Their partnership, though, came out of global tragedy and turmoil.

When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Wilkinson’s All Nations players were among those who enlisted according to Fredrick.

“He (Wilkinson) lost All-Nations roster to the Great War. We know that,” he said.

Things
 worsened in 1918 when baseball—and especially barnstorming teams that 
had to travel to make money—were hit hard by the global flu pandemic.

Then, as now with the coronavirus, the flu impacted black communities more, according to Doswell.

“There’s
 a lot of urbanization, so it’s easy for these kinds of things like the 
flu or even tuberculosis to sweep through black communities very 
easily,” he said. “That was a problem in some large communities for many
 years.”

By 1919, the war had ended and the flu had subsided. But baseball had
 another lingering problem: gambling. Though an issue before the war and
 pandemic, the problem reached its apex when several members of the 
Chicago White Sox took money to intentionally lose the 1919 World Series
 against the Cincinnati Reds.

After those chain of events, Doswell said Foster and Wilkinson converged in Kansas City in 1920.

“They
 were being pushed by the black press mostly,” he said. “Black sports 
news editors were sometimes also the editors of different papers. They 
were commenting on the fact that black baseball was loose, and it was 
not organized.”

Kansas City’s signature franchise

From
 Fredrick’s research on Wilkinson, it was discovered that Wilkinson, 
being the shrewd businessman that he was, planned to start up the Kansas
 City Monarchs, with or without an organized league.

But as it 
turned out, the Monarchs became one of the league’s signature teams 
under Wilkinson’s ownership. Wilkinson, who entered the National 
Baseball of Fame in 2006, had earned the respect of his players.

One of them was former Monarchs first baseman and manager Buck O’Neil, who before his death in 2006, praised Wilkinson.

“J.L.
 (Wilkinson was) an outstanding individual. Great baseball mind,” he 
said. “He’s a promoter. He knew how to make money,” O’Neil said at that 
time.

One hundred years ago, the formation of the Negro Leagues 
was a historic step for baseball, one that may never have happened if 
not for world-shaking events. That’ something for Major League Baseball 
to keep in mind now, as it tries to move on after another global 
pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591289256619.png" alt="J.W. Wilkinson's traveling All-Nations team in 1916. The squad was made up of players from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, but its roster was decimated by both World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc." />
 <figcaption>J.W. Wilkinson's traveling All-Nations team in 1916. The squad was made up of players from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, but its roster was decimated by both World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Historic meeting at YMCA
 in 1920 may never have happened if not for 1918 pandemic</h2>By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2020-05-30/how-a-global-pandemic-100-years-ago-led-to-the-founding-of-the-negro-leagues-in-kansas-city">Kansas News Service</a>Getting past a disruption caused by a global pandemic is nothing new 
for professional baseball. Even as Major League Baseball considers a 
shortened season this year amid the ongoing coroanavirus outbreak, the 
sport faced an even more dire threat a century ago with the flu 
pandemic.That event, combined with World War I and a major gambling scandal, jeopardized the very future of the game.Part
 of what came next was history, made in Kansas City: the Negro Leagues 
were formed 100 years ago at the Paseo YMCA, just as professional 
baseball was trying to figure out how to move on from a series of 
world-altering events.‘The biggest entertainment business in America.’Before
 1917, Eliot Asinoff wrote in his bestseller “Eight Men Out” that 
baseball was “the biggest entertainment business in America.”But 
in 1920, at the same time that Kansas City jazz was taking off in the 
18th and Vine district, Rube Foster of Chicago and J.L. Wilkinson, who 
had recently moved to Kansas City from Iowa, met at the nearby YMCA on 
The Paseo to formalize the Negro National League in the Negro Leagues.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591289387032.png" alt="Kansas City Monarchs owner J.L. Wilkinson (left) and Rube Foster, owner of the Chicago American Giants, were the two driving forces behind the founding of the Negro Leagues in 1920. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc. " />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Monarchs owner J.L. Wilkinson (left) and Rube Foster, owner of the Chicago American Giants, were the two driving forces behind the founding of the Negro Leagues in 1920. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc. </figcaption>
 </figure>It was an unusual partnership for its time. Foster was black, and Wilkinson was white.“Foster,
 I understand, would’ve preferred to have had all-black leadership for 
the leagues, but could not deny the connection that Wilkinson had,” said
 Raymond Doswell, vice president and curator for Kansas City’s Negro 
Leagues Baseball Museum, which has been closed since mid-March as a 
precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.Foster knew 
Wilkinson from the integrated barnstorming team Wilkinson owned called 
the All Nations team. It was made up of players from a variety of 
backgrounds, including African Americans, Latino Americans and Asian 
immigrants.Barnstorming teams —semi-professional outfits that 
traveled around the country playing other local teams— got in on the 
success that professional baseball had produced at that time.“I 
do know the All Nations played the Chicago American Giants,” said Tom 
Fredrick, a Kansas City attorney who has published research on 
Wilkinson. “In other words, Rube Foster’s team, pre-Negro National 
League formation, in October of 1916. In Kansas City, Missouri.”Despite the difference in the color of their skin, Doswell said Foster and Wilkinson had a lot in common.“These were two baseball men who were visionaries in many respects, who understood the broader picture,” said Doswell.A war, a pandemic and a scandalTheir partnership, though, came out of global tragedy and turmoil.When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Wilkinson’s All Nations players were among those who enlisted according to Fredrick.“He (Wilkinson) lost All-Nations roster to the Great War. We know that,” he said.Things
 worsened in 1918 when baseball—and especially barnstorming teams that 
had to travel to make money—were hit hard by the global flu pandemic.Then, as now with the coronavirus, the flu impacted black communities more, according to Doswell.“There’s
 a lot of urbanization, so it’s easy for these kinds of things like the 
flu or even tuberculosis to sweep through black communities very 
easily,” he said. “That was a problem in some large communities for many
 years.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591289439235.png" alt="The Chicago American Giants, owned by Rube Foster (back row, middle, wearing suit) were a pre-Negro Leagues barnstorming team made up of all black players. This was the 1918 squad. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc." />
 <figcaption>The Chicago American Giants, owned by Rube Foster (back row, middle, wearing suit) were a pre-Negro Leagues barnstorming team made up of all black players. This was the 1918 squad. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure>By 1919, the war had ended and the flu had subsided. But baseball had
 another lingering problem: gambling. Though an issue before the war and
 pandemic, the problem reached its apex when several members of the 
Chicago White Sox took money to intentionally lose the 1919 World Series
 against the Cincinnati Reds.After those chain of events, Doswell said Foster and Wilkinson converged in Kansas City in 1920.“They
 were being pushed by the black press mostly,” he said. “Black sports 
news editors were sometimes also the editors of different papers. They 
were commenting on the fact that black baseball was loose, and it was 
not organized.”Kansas City’s signature franchiseFrom
 Fredrick’s research on Wilkinson, it was discovered that Wilkinson, 
being the shrewd businessman that he was, planned to start up the Kansas
 City Monarchs, with or without an organized league.But as it 
turned out, the Monarchs became one of the league’s signature teams 
under Wilkinson’s ownership. Wilkinson, who entered the National 
Baseball of Fame in 2006, had earned the respect of his players.One of them was former Monarchs first baseman and manager Buck O’Neil, who before his death in 2006, praised Wilkinson.“J.L.
 (Wilkinson was) an outstanding individual. Great baseball mind,” he 
said. “He’s a promoter. He knew how to make money,” O’Neil said at that 
time.One hundred years ago, the formation of the Negro Leagues 
was a historic step for baseball, one that may never have happened if 
not for world-shaking events. That’ something for Major League Baseball 
to keep in mind now, as it tries to move on after another global 
pandemic.

How 1918 pandemic sparked founding of Negro Leagues in Kansas City

WICHITA, Kan. - The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (KSHOF) has announced the members of the Class of 2020, who will be inducted on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Kansas Star Casino.

KYM CARTER BEGEL&nbsp;- Wichita East H.S., 1982 / Louisiana State University, 1987

Three-time state high jump champion in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Set national high school high jump record at 6’2.25” in 1982; still a Kansas high school state record. All-state basketball selection in 1982. Five-time All-American selection at the University of Houston and Louisiana State University. Two-time All-American selection at Houston: 1985 and 1986 indoor high jump. Won four Southwest Conference titles at Houston: 1984 and 1986 indoor high jump, 1984 and 1985 outdoor high jump. Three-time All-American selection at LSU: 1987 indoor high jump, outdoor high jump, and heptathlon. Won two Southeast Conference titles at Louisiana State University: 1987 indoor high jump, 1987 shot put. Finished third in 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials in the heptathlon. Finished eleventh in the 1992 Olympics in the heptathlon. Three-time USATF Heptathlete of the Year. Inducted to the Wichita East Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

CASEY BLAKE - Indianola (IA) H.S., 1992 / Wichita State University, 1996

Three-time baseball All-American selection at Wichita State in 1993, 1995, and 1996. Played for KSHOF inductee Gene Stephenson. Named Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) MVP in 1996. Three-Time All-MVC selection. Three-time Academic All-American selection in 1994, 1995, and 1996. Named MVC All-Centennial Team. Holds school, single-season record for put-out assists with 194 in 1995. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1996. Played thirteen years in the major leagues with the Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Career totals: .264 batting average, 1,186 hits, 167 home runs, and 616 RBI. Inducted to the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

HEATHER LEVERINGTON DOTTERER - Flint Hills H.S., 1997 / Emporia State University, 2002

Five-time national champion at Emporia State in the shot put. Two outdoor championships in 1999 and 2001; three consecutive indoor championships from 1999-2001. Set NCAA Division II outdoor record twice. Seven-time NCAA Division II All-American: indoor shot put in 1999, 2000, and 2001; outdoor shot put in 1999, 2001, and 2002; outdoor hammer throw in 2001. Holds Emporia State indoor and outdoor records in shot. Named the 2002 NCAA Kansas Woman of the Year. Finished ninth in the 2000 U.S. Olympic trials. Won two gold medals in the shot put and discus in the 2018 U.S. Transplant Games. Won silver medal in the shot put and bronze medal in the discus at the 2019 World Transplant Games. Inducted to U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007, the Emporia State Hall of Honor in 2012, and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2014.

STEVE FRITZ - Gypsum-Southeast of Saline H.S., 1986 / Kansas State University, 1991

Three-time state track champion at Southeast of Saline: 1985 high jump, 1986 110-meter hurdles and 1986 300-meter hurdles. Two-sport athlete at Hutchinson Community college in basketball and track. Led Blue Dragons to NJCAA basketball title in 1988. Won NJCAA National title in decathlon in 1988; set HCC school record in points in decathlon. Two-sport athlete in basketball and track at K-State. Played basketball at K-State for KSHOF inductee Lon Kruger. Two-time All-American decathlete in 1989 and 1990; set K-State school record in points in decathlon. Won two conference titles in decathlon. Competed on ten U.S. national teams in decathlon. Finished fourth in decathlon at the 1996 Olympics. Assistant track coach at K-State for over twenty years. High school basketball and track coach at Riley and Wamego. Inducted to the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Hutchinson Community College Quarterback Club in 2012.

DREW GOODEN - El Cerrito (CA) H.S., 1999 / University of Kansas, 2002

Two-time All-Conference basketball selection at the University of Kansas in 2001 and 2002. First-team All-American selection in 2002. 2002 CoNational Player of the Year. 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year. Led Jayhawks to Big 12 title and Final Four appearance in 2002. Led team in scoring in 2002; rebounds in 2000 and 2002; steals in 2002. Second player in KU history to total at least 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 100 steals, in career. Teammate of KSHOF inductee Nick Collison. Drafted fourth overall in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Played fourteen professional seasons with the Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Washington Wizards. Professional career totals: 8,653 points, 896 assists, 544 steals, 474 blocks, 5,618 rebounds, in 790 games played. Jersey retired by KU in 2003. Inducted to the KU Booth Family Hall of Athletics.

ADRIAN GRIFFIN - Wichita East H.S., 1992 / Seton Hall University, 1996

Two-time All-State basketball selection at Wichita East in 1991 and 1992. Led Blue Aces to 1992 state championship; 1991 runner-up. Four-year letterman at Seton Hall. Two-time All-Big East selection. Led Pirates to two NCAA Tournament appearances and one Big East Conference title. 1996 Big East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Played nine seasons in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and the Seattle SuperSonics. Averaged 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, in 477 career games. Began as assistant NBA coach in 2008; served as assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Toronto Raptors. Won 2019 NBA Championship with the Raptors. Inducted to the Wichita East Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

BILL MORRIS - Russell H.S., 1957 / University of Oklahoma, 1962

Won 1956 U.S. Junior Trapshooting All-Around Championship. ATA Southwest Regional Singles Champion in 1959. Won 1963 U.S. internationalstyle championship in skeet shooting. Won bronze medal in 1964 Tokyo Olympics in Men’s Trapshooting. Won Olympic bronze medal while serving as a lieutenant in the Army stationed at Fort Benning, GA. Two-time U.S. Interservice international champion, Southwest Regional Champion and a seven-time Kansas champion in singles, doubles, all-around, and handicap divisions. Tied world record of international skeet with 297 out of 300 in 1963. Inductee of the Kansas Trapshooters Association Hall of Fame in 1988 and the US Army Marksmanship Shotgun Hall of Fame.

JORDY NELSON - Riley County H.S., 2003 / Kansas State University, 2008

Three-sport athlete at Riley County in football, basketball, and track. All-state basketball selection in 2003; led Falcons to state tournament appearances in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Won five state track championships: 400-meter in 2002; 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, and long jump, in 2003. Played football collegiately at K-State for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. Consensus All-American selection in 2007. Set school record for single game receptions with 15 and receiving yards with 214; season receiving yards with 1,606 and season yards per game with 133.8. Biletnikoff Award Finalist in 2007. Drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Played eleven seasons in the NFL with the Packers and Oakland Raiders. Won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers in 2010. 2014 Pro Bowl selection. Professional career totals: 613 receptions, 8,587 yards, 72 touchdown receptions. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2015. Selected to be inducted in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.

TERENCE NEWMAN - Salina Central H.S., 1998 / Kansas State University, 2003

Four-sport athlete in football, basketball, track, and baseball, at Salina Central. All-state football player in 1997. Three-time state champion in track in 1998 in 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter. Played football collegiately at K-State and lettered all four years. Played for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. Two-time All-Conference selection in 2001 and 2002. Consensus All-American selection in 2002. 2002 Thorpe Award winner as nation’s top collegiate defensive back. 2002 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Drafted fifth overall in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Played fifteen seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings. Two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2007 and 2009. Professional career totals: 42 interceptions, 183 passes defended, 11 fumble recoveries, and 879 combined tackles. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2008. Inducted to the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Salina Central Hall of Fame in 2019.

DARREN SPROLES - Olathe North H.S., 2000 / Kansas State University, 2004

Two-sport athlete at Olathe North in football and track. Two-time all-state selection in football in 1999 and 2000. Played football collegiately at KState for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. All-American selection at running back in 2003. Three-time All-Conference selection in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Set school record for single game rushing attempts with 43, single game rushing yardage with 292, single season rushing yardage with 1,986, career rushing attempts with 815, and career rushing yardage with 4,979. Led NCAA in all-purpose yards per game in 2004 with 187.91. Finished fifth in Heisman Trophy in 2003. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Played fourteen NFL seasons with the Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles. Three-time Pro Bowl selection in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Career professional totals: 3,552 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, 4,840 receiving yards, 32 receiving touchdowns, 7 punt return touchdowns, and two kickoff return touchdowns. Ranked fifth in career all-purpose yards at time of retirement with 19,696 yards. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2015.

The induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Kansas Star Casino, located at 777 Casino Drive, Mulvane, KS, 67110. The ten member class raises the total number of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inductees to 307. The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is in its 59th year of operation and is located at the Wichita Boathouse.

WICHITA, Kan. - The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (KSHOF) has announced the members of the Class of 2020, who will be inducted on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Kansas Star Casino.KSHOF CLASS OF 2020:KYM CARTER BEGEL&nbsp;- Wichita East H.S., 1982 / Louisiana State University, 1987Three-time state high jump champion in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Set national high school high jump record at 6’2.25” in 1982; still a Kansas high school state record. All-state basketball selection in 1982. Five-time All-American selection at the University of Houston and Louisiana State University. Two-time All-American selection at Houston: 1985 and 1986 indoor high jump. Won four Southwest Conference titles at Houston: 1984 and 1986 indoor high jump, 1984 and 1985 outdoor high jump. Three-time All-American selection at LSU: 1987 indoor high jump, outdoor high jump, and heptathlon. Won two Southeast Conference titles at Louisiana State University: 1987 indoor high jump, 1987 shot put. Finished third in 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials in the heptathlon. Finished eleventh in the 1992 Olympics in the heptathlon. Three-time USATF Heptathlete of the Year. Inducted to the Wichita East Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.CASEY BLAKE - Indianola (IA) H.S., 1992 / Wichita State University, 1996Three-time baseball All-American selection at Wichita State in 1993, 1995, and 1996. Played for KSHOF inductee Gene Stephenson. Named Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) MVP in 1996. Three-Time All-MVC selection. Three-time Academic All-American selection in 1994, 1995, and 1996. Named MVC All-Centennial Team. Holds school, single-season record for put-out assists with 194 in 1995. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1996. Played thirteen years in the major leagues with the Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Career totals: .264 batting average, 1,186 hits, 167 home runs, and 616 RBI. Inducted to the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.HEATHER LEVERINGTON DOTTERER - Flint Hills H.S., 1997 / Emporia State University, 2002Five-time national champion at Emporia State in the shot put. Two outdoor championships in 1999 and 2001; three consecutive indoor championships from 1999-2001. Set NCAA Division II outdoor record twice. Seven-time NCAA Division II All-American: indoor shot put in 1999, 2000, and 2001; outdoor shot put in 1999, 2001, and 2002; outdoor hammer throw in 2001. Holds Emporia State indoor and outdoor records in shot. Named the 2002 NCAA Kansas Woman of the Year. Finished ninth in the 2000 U.S. Olympic trials. Won two gold medals in the shot put and discus in the 2018 U.S. Transplant Games. Won silver medal in the shot put and bronze medal in the discus at the 2019 World Transplant Games. Inducted to U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007, the Emporia State Hall of Honor in 2012, and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2014.STEVE FRITZ - Gypsum-Southeast of Saline H.S., 1986 / Kansas State University, 1991Three-time state track champion at Southeast of Saline: 1985 high jump, 1986 110-meter hurdles and 1986 300-meter hurdles. Two-sport athlete at Hutchinson Community college in basketball and track. Led Blue Dragons to NJCAA basketball title in 1988. Won NJCAA National title in decathlon in 1988; set HCC school record in points in decathlon. Two-sport athlete in basketball and track at K-State. Played basketball at K-State for KSHOF inductee Lon Kruger. Two-time All-American decathlete in 1989 and 1990; set K-State school record in points in decathlon. Won two conference titles in decathlon. Competed on ten U.S. national teams in decathlon. Finished fourth in decathlon at the 1996 Olympics. Assistant track coach at K-State for over twenty years. High school basketball and track coach at Riley and Wamego. Inducted to the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Hutchinson Community College Quarterback Club in 2012.DREW GOODEN - El Cerrito (CA) H.S., 1999 / University of Kansas, 2002Two-time All-Conference basketball selection at the University of Kansas in 2001 and 2002. First-team All-American selection in 2002. 2002 CoNational Player of the Year. 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year. Led Jayhawks to Big 12 title and Final Four appearance in 2002. Led team in scoring in 2002; rebounds in 2000 and 2002; steals in 2002. Second player in KU history to total at least 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 100 steals, in career. Teammate of KSHOF inductee Nick Collison. Drafted fourth overall in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Played fourteen professional seasons with the Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Washington Wizards. Professional career totals: 8,653 points, 896 assists, 544 steals, 474 blocks, 5,618 rebounds, in 790 games played. Jersey retired by KU in 2003. Inducted to the KU Booth Family Hall of Athletics.ADRIAN GRIFFIN - Wichita East H.S., 1992 / Seton Hall University, 1996Two-time All-State basketball selection at Wichita East in 1991 and 1992. Led Blue Aces to 1992 state championship; 1991 runner-up. Four-year letterman at Seton Hall. Two-time All-Big East selection. Led Pirates to two NCAA Tournament appearances and one Big East Conference title. 1996 Big East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Played nine seasons in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and the Seattle SuperSonics. Averaged 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, in 477 career games. Began as assistant NBA coach in 2008; served as assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Toronto Raptors. Won 2019 NBA Championship with the Raptors. Inducted to the Wichita East Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.BILL MORRIS - Russell H.S., 1957 / University of Oklahoma, 1962Won 1956 U.S. Junior Trapshooting All-Around Championship. ATA Southwest Regional Singles Champion in 1959. Won 1963 U.S. internationalstyle championship in skeet shooting. Won bronze medal in 1964 Tokyo Olympics in Men’s Trapshooting. Won Olympic bronze medal while serving as a lieutenant in the Army stationed at Fort Benning, GA. Two-time U.S. Interservice international champion, Southwest Regional Champion and a seven-time Kansas champion in singles, doubles, all-around, and handicap divisions. Tied world record of international skeet with 297 out of 300 in 1963. Inductee of the Kansas Trapshooters Association Hall of Fame in 1988 and the US Army Marksmanship Shotgun Hall of Fame.JORDY NELSON - Riley County H.S., 2003 / Kansas State University, 2008Three-sport athlete at Riley County in football, basketball, and track. All-state basketball selection in 2003; led Falcons to state tournament appearances in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Won five state track championships: 400-meter in 2002; 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, and long jump, in 2003. Played football collegiately at K-State for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. Consensus All-American selection in 2007. Set school record for single game receptions with 15 and receiving yards with 214; season receiving yards with 1,606 and season yards per game with 133.8. Biletnikoff Award Finalist in 2007. Drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Played eleven seasons in the NFL with the Packers and Oakland Raiders. Won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers in 2010. 2014 Pro Bowl selection. Professional career totals: 613 receptions, 8,587 yards, 72 touchdown receptions. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2015. Selected to be inducted in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.TERENCE NEWMAN - Salina Central H.S., 1998 / Kansas State University, 2003Four-sport athlete in football, basketball, track, and baseball, at Salina Central. All-state football player in 1997. Three-time state champion in track in 1998 in 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter. Played football collegiately at K-State and lettered all four years. Played for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. Two-time All-Conference selection in 2001 and 2002. Consensus All-American selection in 2002. 2002 Thorpe Award winner as nation’s top collegiate defensive back. 2002 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Drafted fifth overall in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Played fifteen seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings. Two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2007 and 2009. Professional career totals: 42 interceptions, 183 passes defended, 11 fumble recoveries, and 879 combined tackles. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2008. Inducted to the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Salina Central Hall of Fame in 2019.DARREN SPROLES - Olathe North H.S., 2000 / Kansas State University, 2004Two-sport athlete at Olathe North in football and track. Two-time all-state selection in football in 1999 and 2000. Played football collegiately at KState for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. All-American selection at running back in 2003. Three-time All-Conference selection in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Set school record for single game rushing attempts with 43, single game rushing yardage with 292, single season rushing yardage with 1,986, career rushing attempts with 815, and career rushing yardage with 4,979. Led NCAA in all-purpose yards per game in 2004 with 187.91. Finished fifth in Heisman Trophy in 2003. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Played fourteen NFL seasons with the Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles. Three-time Pro Bowl selection in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Career professional totals: 3,552 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, 4,840 receiving yards, 32 receiving touchdowns, 7 punt return touchdowns, and two kickoff return touchdowns. Ranked fifth in career all-purpose yards at time of retirement with 19,696 yards. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2015.The induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Kansas Star Casino, located at 777 Casino Drive, Mulvane, KS, 67110. The ten member class raises the total number of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inductees to 307. The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is in its 59th year of operation and is located at the Wichita Boathouse.

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame announces 2020 inductees

I recently had an opportunity to talk with some of our graduating seniors to learn more about their experiences and reflections as they complete their education. No surprise, their stories were inspiring, fun, and authentic. It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to some of our amazing students and share a small part of their journey.

Evelyn Irigoyen-Aguirre, Garden City, is an organizational leadership major, currently employed through the Student Engagement Office as a transition specialist working on FHSU’s Care Team, Diversity Events, and the Hispanic College Institute’s amazing Tiger Team. Evelyn is planning to attend graduate school at FHSU to begin her career in student affairs – and that makes me very happy!

According to Evelyn, the transition to remote learning has inspired a different perspective on the importance of offering different ways to learn. “I admire and respect those who enjoy online learning. I am thankful FHSU has been able to provide the best support and resources with the help of the Kelly Center.” She continues, “There have been numerous professors who have cared about me as a person. Everyone at FHSU is very caring and helpful. I have had the opportunity to work with professors in teacher ed, geosciences, HESA and especially the Leadership Department. Whether I was working with them, traveling in study abroad, taking their courses or working in community events, they are all able to value who I am and teach me to become a better leader.”

Kaytee Wisley, Wichita, is a political science major heading this fall to the University of Virginia for a master’s degree in public policy. Kaytee has been very involved in student life, including serving as the legislative affairs director for the Student Government Association and the Honors College. She is really thankful to be able to participate in both organizations virtually when classes transitioned to remote teaching and learning. I am excited for Kaytee’s journey into public service. I know she will put her talents, heart, and knowledge into making our world better.&nbsp;

Kaytee described her transition to remote learning this way: “I am currently in my political science capstone course and bioethics, and both have made the switch very well! I think the courses are a bit different because we do have Zoom discussions, which isn’t something I’ve had in my past online courses. We still meet during the regular class time, which has helped me maintain a regular schedule! I think the transition is allowing us to be more innovative, especially student organizations.”&nbsp;

Kaytee also talked about the FSHU community: “I’ve been really shocked at how well the community of Fort Hays is still coming together while we aren’t able to physically come together. I still feel connected to campus and connected to my peers even though I am not seeing them in person. It has been really beneficial to know that the support systems we had before are still there, just in a slightly different form.”

Holly Dethlefs, Ravenna, Neb., is currently student teaching and has accepted a position for the 2020-2021 school year teaching sixth grade in Nebraska. She and her fiancé, who are getting married in October, have been together for more than six years and have four “fur babies” along with their livestock. Holly is very excited and optimistic about her fall.

Her transition to remote learning was a bit different since she was in the middle of her student teaching. According to Holly, “Until March, I was in the fourth-grade classroom learning from two great mentor teachers. I miss my students so much. The COVID-19 crisis required us to transition to instruction through packets and through online learning on their iPads. I have taken online classes before, but it was definitely different for fourth-graders to try to continue education online. While my student teaching experience is not turning out how I expected, this experience has definitely taught me how to be flexible, adapt, and to continue to keep my students’ education as the top priority.”

Kate Westerhaus, Junction City, is majoring in biology and secondary education. She is currently completing her “incredible student teaching experience” at Hays High School and is excited to begin her first year of teaching at Hays Middle School. It is always extra special when our alumni make a home in Ellis County!

Through taking online classes, Kate said, she has observed multiple ways of setting up online classes and found the methods most effective for delivering content online. Her technology classes at Fort Hays, specifically Instructional Technology with Dr. Rigler, have introduced her to a wide array of learning platforms that she can utilize in her classroom.&nbsp;

Kate says, “These experiences at Fort Hays have tremendously helped me in my remote student teaching. I miss seeing all of my students in person every day, but I am so thankful that we have so many ways to communicate digitally. This transition to remote learning has stimulated my creativity and made me realize all of the things we commonly take for granted. I think that in challenging times like these, we must remain positive and find the good in each day.”

Well said, Kate. Indeed, we must all remain positive and find the good in each day. I am so pleased that our students, through the support of caring faculty, have learned lessons of resilience and how to thrive in the midst of challenges. Those talents will indeed make our world a better place.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>I recently had an opportunity to talk with some of our graduating seniors to learn more about their experiences and reflections as they complete their education. No surprise, their stories were inspiring, fun, and authentic. It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to some of our amazing students and share a small part of their journey.Evelyn Irigoyen-Aguirre, Garden City, is an organizational leadership major, currently employed through the Student Engagement Office as a transition specialist working on FHSU’s Care Team, Diversity Events, and the Hispanic College Institute’s amazing Tiger Team. Evelyn is planning to attend graduate school at FHSU to begin her career in student affairs – and that makes me very happy!According to Evelyn, the transition to remote learning has inspired a different perspective on the importance of offering different ways to learn. “I admire and respect those who enjoy online learning. I am thankful FHSU has been able to provide the best support and resources with the help of the Kelly Center.” She continues, “There have been numerous professors who have cared about me as a person. Everyone at FHSU is very caring and helpful. I have had the opportunity to work with professors in teacher ed, geosciences, HESA and especially the Leadership Department. Whether I was working with them, traveling in study abroad, taking their courses or working in community events, they are all able to value who I am and teach me to become a better leader.”Kaytee Wisley, Wichita, is a political science major heading this fall to the University of Virginia for a master’s degree in public policy. Kaytee has been very involved in student life, including serving as the legislative affairs director for the Student Government Association and the Honors College. She is really thankful to be able to participate in both organizations virtually when classes transitioned to remote teaching and learning. I am excited for Kaytee’s journey into public service. I know she will put her talents, heart, and knowledge into making our world better.&nbsp;Kaytee described her transition to remote learning this way: “I am currently in my political science capstone course and bioethics, and both have made the switch very well! I think the courses are a bit different because we do have Zoom discussions, which isn’t something I’ve had in my past online courses. We still meet during the regular class time, which has helped me maintain a regular schedule! I think the transition is allowing us to be more innovative, especially student organizations.”&nbsp;Kaytee also talked about the FSHU community: “I’ve been really shocked at how well the community of Fort Hays is still coming together while we aren’t able to physically come together. I still feel connected to campus and connected to my peers even though I am not seeing them in person. It has been really beneficial to know that the support systems we had before are still there, just in a slightly different form.”Holly Dethlefs, Ravenna, Neb., is currently student teaching and has accepted a position for the 2020-2021 school year teaching sixth grade in Nebraska. She and her fiancé, who are getting married in October, have been together for more than six years and have four “fur babies” along with their livestock. Holly is very excited and optimistic about her fall.Her transition to remote learning was a bit different since she was in the middle of her student teaching. According to Holly, “Until March, I was in the fourth-grade classroom learning from two great mentor teachers. I miss my students so much. The COVID-19 crisis required us to transition to instruction through packets and through online learning on their iPads. I have taken online classes before, but it was definitely different for fourth-graders to try to continue education online. While my student teaching experience is not turning out how I expected, this experience has definitely taught me how to be flexible, adapt, and to continue to keep my students’ education as the top priority.”Kate Westerhaus, Junction City, is majoring in biology and secondary education. She is currently completing her “incredible student teaching experience” at Hays High School and is excited to begin her first year of teaching at Hays Middle School. It is always extra special when our alumni make a home in Ellis County!Through taking online classes, Kate said, she has observed multiple ways of setting up online classes and found the methods most effective for delivering content online. Her technology classes at Fort Hays, specifically Instructional Technology with Dr. Rigler, have introduced her to a wide array of learning platforms that she can utilize in her classroom.&nbsp;Kate says, “These experiences at Fort Hays have tremendously helped me in my remote student teaching. I miss seeing all of my students in person every day, but I am so thankful that we have so many ways to communicate digitally. This transition to remote learning has stimulated my creativity and made me realize all of the things we commonly take for granted. I think that in challenging times like these, we must remain positive and find the good in each day.”Well said, Kate. Indeed, we must all remain positive and find the good in each day. I am so pleased that our students, through the support of caring faculty, have learned lessons of resilience and how to thrive in the midst of challenges. Those talents will indeed make our world a better place.

MASON: Grads embrace the opportunity in meeting unexpected challenges

UNDATED (AP) — NBA fans could receive very good news within the next 24 hours or so.

A person with knowledge of the situation says the league has told the players association that it will present a 22-team plan for restarting the season to the league’s board of governors on Thursday.

The person says the 22 teams would play eight games near Orlando to determine playoff seeding before the postseason begins there. The Western Conference would have 13 teams heading to Florida, while the East would be represented by nine teams. The 22 teams are those within six games of a playoff spot at this point. Playoffs would start in August, and the NBA Finals will likely stretch into October, according to the person.

UNDATED (AP) — NBA fans could receive very good news within the next 24 hours or so.A person with knowledge of the situation says the league has told the players association that it will present a 22-team plan for restarting the season to the league’s board of governors on Thursday.The person says the 22 teams would play eight games near Orlando to determine playoff seeding before the postseason begins there. The Western Conference would have 13 teams heading to Florida, while the East would be represented by nine teams. The 22 teams are those within six games of a playoff spot at this point. Playoffs would start in August, and the NBA Finals will likely stretch into October, according to the person.

NBA presents players with plan for season restart

Robert Allen “Bob” Smith was born in rural Lenora, Kansas, to his 
parents Lawrence &amp; Alice (Ford) Smith on October 19, 1940. As his 
mother had been told she would be unable to bear a child, when Bob was 
born, the doctor called him a miracle. Many years later, a longtime 
family friend would remark to him, “It was just a shame you grew out of 
it.” Bob spent his early years roaming the creek that flowed by his 
family home, always ready for a surprise attack by a bear (which usually
 turned out to be a tree stump, albeit a very threatening one). He was 
raised by his parents &amp; his paternal uncle, John Smith, on the farm 
his family originally homesteaded in 1879. Bob was a much-beloved &amp; 
frequently spoiled only child, though even in his elder years, he held a
 grudge against his Uncle John for allowing Bob’s mother to keep his 
hair worn in the golden yellow ringlet curls she doted on. His love of 
hunting emerged early, &amp; he claimed to have shot &amp; killed a 
rooster pheasant with a .22 rifle at the age of four. Although most 
certainly coincidental, no one remembered hearing this tall tale until 
well after anyone who could’ve confirmed this story had long since 
passed from this earthly plane.
 Bob was always a curious &amp; intellectually gifted child (or so he
 insisted to those who knew him, &amp; he somehow convinced his 
teachers to allow him to skip the third grade. He graduated from Lenora 
High School at the age of 16. Bob then went on to attend Fort Hays State
 University, eventually earning degrees in English, history, &amp; 
teaching. He was first certified as a high school teacher, but was 
shortly thereafter also certified as an elementary school teacher. 
Throughout his career, he taught at many schools in the area including 
Edmond, Lenora, &amp; Clayton, as well as the Norton Correctional 
Facility.

Bob met his wife Debra Ann “Debbie” Rogers on the side of a mountain
 outside of Fairplay, Colorado, &amp; in mere weeks cajoled her into 
pledging her troth to him. He claimed to have batted his baby blues 
&amp; gifted her a new deer rifle, after which, he insisted she was 
putty in his hands. They married in February, 1976, &amp; made their 
home on his family’s farm. In 1977, they welcomed the birth of their 
first daughter Tawny (Smith) Voyles, followed in 1980 with their second 
daughter, Lacey Smith. Their third daughter, Jeannie Smith, was born to 
them in 1982.


Bob was very community-minded &amp; was involved in many activities 
in Norton County including acting as a founding member of the Solomon 
Valley Rural Fire Department, the long-term secretary of Lenora Rural 
Fire Department, a community leader of the Good Hope Boosters 4-H club, 
was on the program development committee with the Kansas Extension 
Service, &amp; was a member of the Norton County Fair board. He was a 
lifelong member of the National Rifle Association &amp; taught hunter’s 
safety classes to local children &amp; adults for many years. Bob also 
devoted time to helping those in need in the community by assisting 
businesses &amp; organizations in northwest Kansas to understand &amp; 
comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.


Although his physical mobility was limited in recent years, Bob 
loved to keep in touch with friends &amp; relatives from all over the 
country. He prided himself on his excellent memory, &amp; constantly 
delighted in remembering the most obscure (and altogether meaningless) 
details from decades ago. He could readily tell you who sat 3 seats left
 and 1 seat back from him in his Freshman English class at FHSU (not 
that anyone ever asked for that information). One could not easily think
 of Bob &amp; not remember his (warped, twisted, corny, &amp; 
ridiculous) sense of humor. He was always ready with a quick retort, an 
obscure reference, or a horrible pun, &amp; he was never shy about 
sharing it. His friends &amp; family made a habit of saving their most 
groan-worthy jokes, stories, &amp; plays-on-words for him.
 The family urges you to think of Bob as no longer in pain, free from
 the restrictions of his mortal body, &amp; causing trouble back behind 
the pearly gates where he joins his parents, his uncle John Smith, Uncle
 Harold &amp; Aunt Ethel Ford, his best friend, Frank Conklin, his 
youngest daughter, Jeannie, &amp; countless Airedale terriers (almost 
all of them named Whiskers).
 Bob specially requested to have no grand memorial service, rather 
just a graveside moment with a few very close family &amp; friends. The 
family respectfully requests no visits from loved ones, flowers, or food
 at this time, as it was important to Bob that everyone remain as safe 
as possible during the current pandemic. He is survived by his true 
love, Debbie, of the home, daughter Tawny (Jim) Voyles, Wichita, &amp; 
daughter Lacey, Lenora.
 Private family service and burial. Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill 
City, Kansas is handling the arrangements. Our email address is 
hillcity@stinemetzfh.com, phone number is 7854212177.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591192311139.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robert Allen “Bob” Smith was born in rural Lenora, Kansas, to his 
parents Lawrence &amp; Alice (Ford) Smith on October 19, 1940. As his 
mother had been told she would be unable to bear a child, when Bob was 
born, the doctor called him a miracle. Many years later, a longtime 
family friend would remark to him, “It was just a shame you grew out of 
it.” Bob spent his early years roaming the creek that flowed by his 
family home, always ready for a surprise attack by a bear (which usually
 turned out to be a tree stump, albeit a very threatening one). He was 
raised by his parents &amp; his paternal uncle, John Smith, on the farm 
his family originally homesteaded in 1879. Bob was a much-beloved &amp; 
frequently spoiled only child, though even in his elder years, he held a
 grudge against his Uncle John for allowing Bob’s mother to keep his 
hair worn in the golden yellow ringlet curls she doted on. His love of 
hunting emerged early, &amp; he claimed to have shot &amp; killed a 
rooster pheasant with a .22 rifle at the age of four. Although most 
certainly coincidental, no one remembered hearing this tall tale until 
well after anyone who could’ve confirmed this story had long since 
passed from this earthly plane.
 Bob was always a curious &amp; intellectually gifted child (or so he
 insisted to those who knew him, &amp; he somehow convinced his 
teachers to allow him to skip the third grade. He graduated from Lenora 
High School at the age of 16. Bob then went on to attend Fort Hays State
 University, eventually earning degrees in English, history, &amp; 
teaching. He was first certified as a high school teacher, but was 
shortly thereafter also certified as an elementary school teacher. 
Throughout his career, he taught at many schools in the area including 
Edmond, Lenora, &amp; Clayton, as well as the Norton Correctional 
Facility.
Bob met his wife Debra Ann “Debbie” Rogers on the side of a mountain
 outside of Fairplay, Colorado, &amp; in mere weeks cajoled her into 
pledging her troth to him. He claimed to have batted his baby blues 
&amp; gifted her a new deer rifle, after which, he insisted she was 
putty in his hands. They married in February, 1976, &amp; made their 
home on his family’s farm. In 1977, they welcomed the birth of their 
first daughter Tawny (Smith) Voyles, followed in 1980 with their second 
daughter, Lacey Smith. Their third daughter, Jeannie Smith, was born to 
them in 1982.
Bob was very community-minded &amp; was involved in many activities 
in Norton County including acting as a founding member of the Solomon 
Valley Rural Fire Department, the long-term secretary of Lenora Rural 
Fire Department, a community leader of the Good Hope Boosters 4-H club, 
was on the program development committee with the Kansas Extension 
Service, &amp; was a member of the Norton County Fair board. He was a 
lifelong member of the National Rifle Association &amp; taught hunter’s 
safety classes to local children &amp; adults for many years. Bob also 
devoted time to helping those in need in the community by assisting 
businesses &amp; organizations in northwest Kansas to understand &amp; 
comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Although his physical mobility was limited in recent years, Bob 
loved to keep in touch with friends &amp; relatives from all over the 
country. He prided himself on his excellent memory, &amp; constantly 
delighted in remembering the most obscure (and altogether meaningless) 
details from decades ago. He could readily tell you who sat 3 seats left
 and 1 seat back from him in his Freshman English class at FHSU (not 
that anyone ever asked for that information). One could not easily think
 of Bob &amp; not remember his (warped, twisted, corny, &amp; 
ridiculous) sense of humor. He was always ready with a quick retort, an 
obscure reference, or a horrible pun, &amp; he was never shy about 
sharing it. His friends &amp; family made a habit of saving their most 
groan-worthy jokes, stories, &amp; plays-on-words for him.
 The family urges you to think of Bob as no longer in pain, free from
 the restrictions of his mortal body, &amp; causing trouble back behind 
the pearly gates where he joins his parents, his uncle John Smith, Uncle
 Harold &amp; Aunt Ethel Ford, his best friend, Frank Conklin, his 
youngest daughter, Jeannie, &amp; countless Airedale terriers (almost 
all of them named Whiskers).
 Bob specially requested to have no grand memorial service, rather 
just a graveside moment with a few very close family &amp; friends. The 
family respectfully requests no visits from loved ones, flowers, or food
 at this time, as it was important to Bob that everyone remain as safe 
as possible during the current pandemic. He is survived by his true 
love, Debbie, of the home, daughter Tawny (Jim) Voyles, Wichita, &amp; 
daughter Lacey, Lenora.
 Private family service and burial. Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill 
City, Kansas is handling the arrangements. Our email address is 
hillcity@stinemetzfh.com, phone number is 7854212177.

Robert Allen 'Bob' Smith

Thelma Joan Karlin, 84, of Hays, KS 
passed away on June 1, 2020 at Via Christi Village, Hays.&nbsp; She was born 
April 8, 1936 in Catharine, KS to William R. and Pauline (Doerfler) 
Staab.&nbsp; On October 6, 1953, she was married to Joseph C. Karlin at St. 
Catherine Church in Catharine, KS.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on May 1, 
2011.

Thelma was a homemaker and seamstress.&nbsp;
 She was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed following the Kansas 
City Royals and the Wichita State Shockers. She was also a member of the
 VFW Auxilliary.&nbsp; Family and friends will always remember her sweet 
smile.

Survivors include three daughters, 
Jeaninne Kaberlein (Bill, Coleen Shields, and Sue Taylor (Rob, all of 
Hays; three sons, Thomas Karlin (Margaret) of Colby, KS, Lawrence Karlin
 (Sheila) of Garden City, KS and Paul Karlin (Darla, Hays; a sister, 
Henrietta Karlin, Hays and a brother, Gerald Staab (June, of&nbsp; Longmont,
 CO; fourteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren, along 
with many members of her extended family, who were also her very dear 
friends.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She was preceded in death by her 
husband, Joseph C. Karlin; a son Joseph William Karlin; her sister, 
Laurinda Rome and two brothers, Edward Staab and William R. Staab, Jr. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Friday, June 5, 2020 at St. 
Joseph's Catholic Church, Hays, with interment following the services in
 the church cemetery.&nbsp;

Visitation will be Thursday, June 4, 
2020 from 6-8 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7 PM
 at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 
and on Friday from 9-9:45 AM prior to services also at the chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice at HaysMed.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591122286831.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Thelma Joan Karlin, 84, of Hays, KS 
passed away on June 1, 2020 at Via Christi Village, Hays.&nbsp; She was born 
April 8, 1936 in Catharine, KS to William R. and Pauline (Doerfler) 
Staab.&nbsp; On October 6, 1953, she was married to Joseph C. Karlin at St. 
Catherine Church in Catharine, KS.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on May 1, 
2011.Thelma was a homemaker and seamstress.&nbsp;
 She was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed following the Kansas 
City Royals and the Wichita State Shockers. She was also a member of the
 VFW Auxilliary.&nbsp; Family and friends will always remember her sweet 
smile.Survivors include three daughters, 
Jeaninne Kaberlein (Bill, Coleen Shields, and Sue Taylor (Rob, all of 
Hays; three sons, Thomas Karlin (Margaret) of Colby, KS, Lawrence Karlin
 (Sheila) of Garden City, KS and Paul Karlin (Darla, Hays; a sister, 
Henrietta Karlin, Hays and a brother, Gerald Staab (June, of&nbsp; Longmont,
 CO; fourteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren, along 
with many members of her extended family, who were also her very dear 
friends.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was preceded in death by her 
husband, Joseph C. Karlin; a son Joseph William Karlin; her sister, 
Laurinda Rome and two brothers, Edward Staab and William R. Staab, Jr. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Friday, June 5, 2020 at St. 
Joseph's Catholic Church, Hays, with interment following the services in
 the church cemetery.&nbsp;Visitation will be Thursday, June 4, 
2020 from 6-8 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7 PM
 at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 
and on Friday from 9-9:45 AM prior to services also at the chapel.Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice at HaysMed.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thelma Joan Karlin

Arlen Francis Ruhnke, 67, went home to Jesus on Friday, May 29, 2020, at his home in Long Island, KS. 

Arlen was born on June 12, 1952, to Douglas and Florence (Albers) Ruhnke in Troy, KS where he lived most of his life. He graduated from Troy High School in 1970 and Missouri Western State College in 1974. 

After college, he worked several jobs including working for the REA as a lineman, worked for his dad at the NAPA store, built houses and was a rural mail carrier for 26 years, and ran his own farm north of Troy. 

After his retirement, he moved to Long Island, KS in 2013. He married Barbara Prawl on October 22, 1977. They have been married for 42 years. Together they raised 4 children. His family was his life and teaching his children and grandchildren to know Jesus was most important to him. 

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Troy and the Norton Christian Church in Norton, KS where he was involved with the youth programs. He leaves behind a legacy of the Gospel of Christ. 

Arlen is preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Florence Ruhnke, his brother Wayne Ruhnke, an unborn child, and an unborn grandchild. 

Survivors include his wife, Barb of the home, son Daniel and wife Selena, St. Joseph, MO, daughter Corinne and husband Clint, of Long Island, son Aaron and wife Jessica, of Topeka, KS, son Jay and wife Jennifer, of Las Vegas, NV, a sister Rosa Madison of Troy, KS, 13 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and relatives. 

A memorial service will be held at the Norton Christian Church, Norton, KS on Monday, June 1 at 10:30am. A graveside service will be held in Bendena, KS at Moray Cemetery on Wednesday June 3 at 1pm. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Norton Christian Church youth ministry, mailable to Norton Christian Church 208 N. Kansas, Norton, KS 67654.

Arlen Francis Ruhnke, 67, went home to Jesus on Friday, May 29, 2020, at his home in Long Island, KS. Arlen was born on June 12, 1952, to Douglas and Florence (Albers) Ruhnke in Troy, KS where he lived most of his life. He graduated from Troy High School in 1970 and Missouri Western State College in 1974. After college, he worked several jobs including working for the REA as a lineman, worked for his dad at the NAPA store, built houses and was a rural mail carrier for 26 years, and ran his own farm north of Troy. After his retirement, he moved to Long Island, KS in 2013. He married Barbara Prawl on October 22, 1977. They have been married for 42 years. Together they raised 4 children. His family was his life and teaching his children and grandchildren to know Jesus was most important to him. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Troy and the Norton Christian Church in Norton, KS where he was involved with the youth programs. He leaves behind a legacy of the Gospel of Christ. Arlen is preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Florence Ruhnke, his brother Wayne Ruhnke, an unborn child, and an unborn grandchild. Survivors include his wife, Barb of the home, son Daniel and wife Selena, St. Joseph, MO, daughter Corinne and husband Clint, of Long Island, son Aaron and wife Jessica, of Topeka, KS, son Jay and wife Jennifer, of Las Vegas, NV, a sister Rosa Madison of Troy, KS, 13 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and relatives. A memorial service will be held at the Norton Christian Church, Norton, KS on Monday, June 1 at 10:30am. A graveside service will be held in Bendena, KS at Moray Cemetery on Wednesday June 3 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Norton Christian Church youth ministry, mailable to Norton Christian Church 208 N. Kansas, Norton, KS 67654.

Arlen Francis Ruhnke

Illa Jean Balthazor passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at the Trego 
County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas, at the age of 88. 
Illa was born on October 10, 1931 in Gridley, Kansas to Clarence and 
Hazel (Povenmire) Cokeley. She was raised in Palco, Kansas where she 
attended high school and graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 
1949. Shortly after graduating, she was united in marriage to Jerome 
Balthazor at the St. Joseph Church in Damar, Kansas. They were blessed 
with 4 children: Gloria, Ronald, Donald, and Marty.
 Illa worked all her life; her early years at the Cafés in Palco, and
 later as manager for the Norris Grain Elevator for 12 to 15 years. Her 
last 15 years, she worked for Northwestern Pump and Supply. During her 
children’s younger years she was a part of the Producer’s Club. When 
Illa wasn’t working or raising her family, she loved to square dance 
with Jerome, play cards and marbles, cook delicious meals, and bake 
tasty treats. Illa was a member of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church in 
Zurich, Kansas and a part of their altar society prior to moving to the 
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville.
 She is survived by her children, Gloria (Steve) Linville of Ponca 
City, OK, Ronald (Ann) Balthazor of Lexington, NE, and Marty Balthazor 
of Plainville; sister, JoAnn (Raymond) Phillips of WaKeeney; seven 
grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
 Illa is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Hazel 
Cokeley; husband, Jerome Balthazor; son, Donald Balthazor; brothers, 
Clarence “Nut”, Glenn “Moon”, Ron, and Russell Cokeley; sisters, 
Charlene Cokeley and Louise Hrabe; great-grandsons, T.J. Harry and 
William Harry; and daughter-in-law, Jody Balthazor.
 Illa was a woman of great character, strong values, and deep love 
for family and friends. Although she will be greatly missed, her love 
and influence will remain in the hearts and lives of her family and 
friends. May her legacy inspire each of us to encourage one another, 
cherish the ties that bind, take pride in our work ethic, and live to 
serve the Lord in all ways
 .
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 
at 10:00 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. 
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., at the 
funeral home with a Vigil Service and Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Memorials are
 suggested to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Sacred Heart 
Catholic School and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral 
Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591103993385.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Illa Jean Balthazor passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at the Trego 
County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas, at the age of 88. 
Illa was born on October 10, 1931 in Gridley, Kansas to Clarence and 
Hazel (Povenmire) Cokeley. She was raised in Palco, Kansas where she 
attended high school and graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 
1949. Shortly after graduating, she was united in marriage to Jerome 
Balthazor at the St. Joseph Church in Damar, Kansas. They were blessed 
with 4 children: Gloria, Ronald, Donald, and Marty.
 Illa worked all her life; her early years at the Cafés in Palco, and
 later as manager for the Norris Grain Elevator for 12 to 15 years. Her 
last 15 years, she worked for Northwestern Pump and Supply. During her 
children’s younger years she was a part of the Producer’s Club. When 
Illa wasn’t working or raising her family, she loved to square dance 
with Jerome, play cards and marbles, cook delicious meals, and bake 
tasty treats. Illa was a member of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church in 
Zurich, Kansas and a part of their altar society prior to moving to the 
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville.
 She is survived by her children, Gloria (Steve) Linville of Ponca 
City, OK, Ronald (Ann) Balthazor of Lexington, NE, and Marty Balthazor 
of Plainville; sister, JoAnn (Raymond) Phillips of WaKeeney; seven 
grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
 Illa is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Hazel 
Cokeley; husband, Jerome Balthazor; son, Donald Balthazor; brothers, 
Clarence “Nut”, Glenn “Moon”, Ron, and Russell Cokeley; sisters, 
Charlene Cokeley and Louise Hrabe; great-grandsons, T.J. Harry and 
William Harry; and daughter-in-law, Jody Balthazor.
 Illa was a woman of great character, strong values, and deep love 
for family and friends. Although she will be greatly missed, her love 
and influence will remain in the hearts and lives of her family and 
friends. May her legacy inspire each of us to encourage one another, 
cherish the ties that bind, take pride in our work ethic, and live to 
serve the Lord in all ways
 .
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 
at 10:00 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. 
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., at the 
funeral home with a Vigil Service and Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Memorials are
 suggested to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Sacred Heart 
Catholic School and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral 
Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.

Illa Jean Balthazor

Gloria Ann Wilson, 76, La Crosse, Kansas, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at her home.

Gloria was born April 8, 1944, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of 
George and Alberta (Huber) Helget.&nbsp; She was a resident of La Crosse, 
Kansas, for 50+ years, moving from Ellis County, Kansas.&nbsp; A 1962 
graduate of Ellis High School, Ellis, Kansas, she worked as a secretary 
at both Producers Gas Equities, Inc., Hays, Kansas, and Flame 
Engineering, La Crosse, Kansas.&nbsp; She also worked alongside her husband, 
B.J. as a farm wife and homemaker.

Gloria was a volunteer at A Second Chance, La Crosse, Kansas, having 
been there over 20 years.&nbsp; She worked the Saturday morning shift for at 
least the last 17 years.&nbsp; She also served as an Executive Board member 
for A Second Chance.&nbsp; She was an avid reader, and volunteered at Barnard
 Library, La Crosse, Kansas. At fair time, she could be found 
volunteering at the Rush County Fair.&nbsp; Gloria was a talented seamstress,
 and loved to sew.

On October 29, 1968, she married Robert J. “B.J.” Wilson at La Crosse, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death July 15, 2006.

Survivors include:&nbsp; her brother, Robert “Bob” Helget (Bernie, Hays, 
Kansas; her nephews and nieces; great nephews and nieces; and great 
great nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one brother, Gary Helget.

There will be a private graveside memorial service and inurnment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the 
Barnard Library, La Crosse, Kansas, or the Rush County Fair, or the 
donor’s choice.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591043793783.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gloria Ann Wilson, 76, La Crosse, Kansas, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at her home.Gloria was born April 8, 1944, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of 
George and Alberta (Huber) Helget.&nbsp; She was a resident of La Crosse, 
Kansas, for 50+ years, moving from Ellis County, Kansas.&nbsp; A 1962 
graduate of Ellis High School, Ellis, Kansas, she worked as a secretary 
at both Producers Gas Equities, Inc., Hays, Kansas, and Flame 
Engineering, La Crosse, Kansas.&nbsp; She also worked alongside her husband, 
B.J. as a farm wife and homemaker.Gloria was a volunteer at A Second Chance, La Crosse, Kansas, having 
been there over 20 years.&nbsp; She worked the Saturday morning shift for at 
least the last 17 years.&nbsp; She also served as an Executive Board member 
for A Second Chance.&nbsp; She was an avid reader, and volunteered at Barnard
 Library, La Crosse, Kansas. At fair time, she could be found 
volunteering at the Rush County Fair.&nbsp; Gloria was a talented seamstress,
 and loved to sew.On October 29, 1968, she married Robert J. “B.J.” Wilson at La Crosse, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death July 15, 2006.Survivors include:&nbsp; her brother, Robert “Bob” Helget (Bernie, Hays, 
Kansas; her nephews and nieces; great nephews and nieces; and great 
great nephews and nieces.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one brother, Gary Helget.There will be a private graveside memorial service and inurnment at a later date.In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the 
Barnard Library, La Crosse, Kansas, or the Rush County Fair, or the 
donor’s choice.Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Gloria Ann Wilson

Viola C. Rowe, 102, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, June 1, 2020 at Main Street Manor in Russell.

The daughter of Jesse L. “Tobe” and Eula (McDonald) Robinson. Viola was born on October 23,

1917, in Drumright, Oklahoma. On August 24, 1940, she married Ivan E. Rowe in McAlester, Oklahoma.

Preceding
 her in death were her parents, husband Ivan on December 01, 2000; two 
sisters Frankie Davis Ruble and Joyce Lee Yandell. Surviving family include several nieces and nephews.

At
 her request there will be no viewing of the body or no funeral service.
 Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. 
Burial will be at the Holdenville City Cemetery in Holdenville, 
Oklahoma. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in 
charge of the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591032862905.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Viola C. Rowe, 102, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, June 1, 2020 at Main Street Manor in Russell. The daughter of Jesse L. “Tobe” and Eula (McDonald) Robinson. Viola was born on October 23, 1917, in Drumright, Oklahoma. On August 24, 1940, she married Ivan E. Rowe in McAlester, Oklahoma. Preceding
 her in death were her parents, husband Ivan on December 01, 2000; two 
sisters Frankie Davis Ruble and Joyce Lee Yandell. Surviving family include several nieces and nephews. At
 her request there will be no viewing of the body or no funeral service.
 Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. 
Burial will be at the Holdenville City Cemetery in Holdenville, 
Oklahoma. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in 
charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Viola C. Rowe

Marcia Hoft Matzek, 60, of Colby, Kansas died Friday, May 29, 2020, at 
Logan County Hospital, in Oakley surrounded by her loving family. She 
was born October 1, 1959, in Phillipsburg, KS, to Harold and Mary (Bell)
 Hoft. Marcia enjoyed yard sales, crafting, collecting gemstones and 
reading. One of her greatest loves was chasing her grandkids and 
watching their sports events. Marcia was a proud Navy mom of a son 
assigned to submarines. She loved the outdoors and listening to music. 
Marcia was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mary Hoft and her grandparents, Ben and Martha Hoft. 
She is survived by her children, Rachel Matzek, Tanner Matzek, Sam 
(Heather) Matzek and Jay Matzek; her brothers, Mike (Noreen) Hoft, Terry
 Hoft and Jay (Deb) Hoft; grandchildren, Hayden Bahe, Tucker Matzek, 
Alex Matzek and Isaac Matzek; father of her children, Steve Matzek and 
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 
No services are scheduled at this time. Memorials are suggested to the 
Huntington’s Disease Society of America and can be sent in care of 
Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or 
condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Marcia Hoft Matzek, 60, of Colby, Kansas died Friday, May 29, 2020, at 
Logan County Hospital, in Oakley surrounded by her loving family. She 
was born October 1, 1959, in Phillipsburg, KS, to Harold and Mary (Bell)
 Hoft. Marcia enjoyed yard sales, crafting, collecting gemstones and 
reading. One of her greatest loves was chasing her grandkids and 
watching their sports events. Marcia was a proud Navy mom of a son 
assigned to submarines. She loved the outdoors and listening to music. 
Marcia was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mary Hoft and her grandparents, Ben and Martha Hoft. 
She is survived by her children, Rachel Matzek, Tanner Matzek, Sam 
(Heather) Matzek and Jay Matzek; her brothers, Mike (Noreen) Hoft, Terry
 Hoft and Jay (Deb) Hoft; grandchildren, Hayden Bahe, Tucker Matzek, 
Alex Matzek and Isaac Matzek; father of her children, Steve Matzek and 
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 
No services are scheduled at this time. Memorials are suggested to the 
Huntington’s Disease Society of America and can be sent in care of 
Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or 
condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Marcia Hoft Matzek

More than 5,000 inmates, 975 prison staff have tested positive for the coronavirus

BY NOMIN IJIYEDIIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-21/kansas-prisons-have-some-of-the-highest-covid-19-infection-rates-in-the-country">Kansas News Service</a>

Leoti Masterson hasn’t seen her son, Jeff, since March. She used to 
visit him at the Winfield Correctional Facility once a week to play 
cards, reminisce and pray together, sometimes for hours at a time.

But
 when the pandemic started, Kansas prisons stopped allowing visitors as a
 coronavirus precaution. Now, Masterson makes do with daily phone calls 
no longer than 20 minutes.

“He’s my closest family member,” Masterson said. “So, yeah, this is hard.”

Yet
 suspending visits hasn’t kept the coronavirus from Kansas prisons. It 
was first detected at the Lansing Correctional Facility in early April. 
Cases have been found in staff and inmates at nearly every facility 
since.

More than 5,000 <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates/kdoc-covid-19-status" target="_blank">inmates have tested positive</a>.
 The nonprofit news website The Marshall Project, which takes a critical
 look at the country’s criminal justice system, says that puts Kansas 
among the states with <a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/05/01/a-state-by-state-look-at-coronavirus-in-prisons" target="_blank">the highest infection rates</a> in its prisons.

Out of roughly 2,800 prison workers in Kansas, 975 have tested positive for the virus. Twelve inmates and three <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-12/family-says-lansing-correctional-facility-worker-died-this-week-from-covid-19" target="_blank">staff members have died</a>. Meanwhile, Kansas has yet to respond to requests to release inmates to reduce their chance of getting sick.

The Kansas Department of Corrections has instituted some <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates" target="_blank">policy changes</a>
 to prevent the spread of the virus, including quarantining all positive
 inmates at Lansing, which has newer buildings with better ventilation.

The agency has also given cloth masks to all inmates and staff and tried various social distancing measures at prisons.

Still,
 some staff and inmates have said such measures are either ineffective 
or hard to enforce. And like other prison systems, the corrections 
department has not stopped transferring inmates between facilities.

Meanwhile,
 advocates for incarcerated people continue to say that releasing 
prisoners would alleviate some of the close quarters where it spreads 
most quickly — protecting both those inmates and the surrounding 
communities where staff live.

Corrections officials declined 
multiple requests for interviews and did not answer emailed questions. 
But in a statement, spokesperson Randy Bowman said the department was 
working closely with public health officials.

“We continue to 
coordinate our response to COVID-19 with officials at the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to ensure all mitigation 
efforts are consistent with current public health practices,” Bowman 
said in an email.

Jeff Masterson, 
Leoti Masterson’s son, said he tested positive for the virus in August 
and was moved from Winfield to Lansing. In emails and letters, he said 
that inmates don’t always wear masks properly and some quarantined at 
Lansing claimed they no longer had symptoms even if they were still 
feeling sick.

“Everyone wants out of there and back to their relative normal,” Masterson said. “So inmates work the system.”

Masterson
 was moved back to Winfield after about two weeks. In early December, he
 was transferred to the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility.

At
 Winfield, where he usually serves his sentence, Masterson said the 
dining hall was closed, but inmates sit near each other to eat in 
residential areas. They have access to soap in bathrooms, but hand 
sanitizer, paper towels, bleach and vinegar are banned. Recreation is 
separated by floor, although he says people typically don’t wear masks 
and there are no social distancing rules.

People in other prisons 
have reported a similar lack of distancing. Mari Flowers, the mother of a
 woman in the Topeka Correctional Facility, said her daughter has been 
quarantined in a tent in the prison’s laundry room since she began her 
sentence at the end of October.

“They put these women in an impossible situation,” Flowers said. “They can’t even make it inside the prison.”

Flowers
 said her daughter, Jordan Fuller, had been tested for COVID nine times.
 Fuller’s quarantine has started over four times. Flowers said the 
prison was waiting for every new arrival to the prison — dozens of women
 — to all test negative at the same time before letting them into the 
main prison buildings.

“They don’t deserve to be treated that way.
 They’re already in a bad place. They put themselves there and they know
 that,” Flowers said. “But I just feel they need to take better care of 
these people.”

The corrections department did not respond to 
questions about the facility. The Topeka prison did not return a request
 for comment.

Jon-Wesley O’Hara is a corrections officer at 
Topeka, the state’s only women’s prison. Enforcing pandemic precautions 
is difficult, he said, now that the prison has been relaxing 
disciplinary measures that can sometimes delay early releases for good 
behavior. He said officers are left with little recourse when inmates 
refuse to wear masks.

“It is up to us to try to mitigate their 
decisions as much as possible,” O’Hara said. “We need to take this a lot
 more seriously.”

Kansas prisons have struggled with 
understaffing, which the pandemic has exacerbated. Officers have to miss
 work because they’re quarantining, taking care of children or working 
at other prisons that need the help. The ones who are left sometimes 
have to pull double shifts that can last as long as 16 hours. O’Hara 
said.

The corrections department offers extra pay for officers in 
COVID-positive units, but O’Hara said that for some employees, that 
extra money is approaching the state’s <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/statute/075_000_0000_chapter/075_037_0000_article/075_037_0105_section/075_037_0105_k/" target="_blank">statutory limit</a> for employee merit pay.

“This is a hard job,” he said. “It gets harder every day, and this is just another level of stress.”

When
 O’Hara’s roommate, who also works at the prison, tested positive for 
COVID, they had to stay home from work. O’Hara said he had to call his 
ex-wife to tell her he couldn’t see his children for Thanksgiving.

“That
 is the hardest thing in the world to not be able to see your kids,” he 
said. “You will never be able to replace that in-person contact.”

Throughout
 the pandemic, criminal justice activists have advocated for the 
widespread release of people from prisons, jails and detention centers 
as the only effective way to socially distance. Jails and prisons in 
California, Michigan, New Jersey and other states <a href="https://www.prisonpolicy.org/virus/virusresponse.html" target="_blank">released thousands of people</a> over the course of the year.

In April, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-04-30/kansas-prisons-are-fighting-a-lawsuit-to-release-prisoners-to-reduce-covid-19-spread" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit</a> to compel Kansas prisons to do the same. Leavenworth County Judge David King <a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/coronavirus/leavenworth-county-judge-tosses-lawsuit-on-inmate-safety-at-kansas-prisons" target="_blank">dismissed the suit</a>. Gov. Laura Kelly’s office approved the <a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/six-inmates-released-from-kansas-prisons-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/" target="_blank">release of only six people</a> in May.

Since
 then, the ACLU says it has filed more than 90 clemency applications for
 Kansas prisoners with the state’s prisoner review board. About 30 of 
them are waiting for a decision from Kelly, but the applications haven’t
 been denied or approved. The organization still maintains that release 
is the best solution for COVID spread in prisons.

“The only way to
 make sure that the transmission rates go down,” said ACLU legal 
director Lauren Bonds, “is to make sure that people in prisons can 
observe the same protocols that we’re being told to observe out here in 
the community.”

Bonds said many of the clemency applications are 
for people who have a short time remaining on their sentences or have 
jobs, housing and family waiting for them on the outside. Their release,
 she said, could also mean reducing community spread in towns where many
 of the residents work at prisons.

“The consequences ... are not limited to what will happen to inmates,” Bonds said. “This is a community health issue.”

In an email, a Kelly spokesman said the governor is still considering the requests.

“The
 Governor will consider every clemency request after she receives a full
 process of developing facts and with input from those affected,” he 
said in an email.

Nomin Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice 
and social welfare for the Kansas News Service. You can email her at 
nomin@kcur.org and follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/nominuj" target="_blank">@NominUJ</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608569950323.png" alt="The Topeka Correctional Facility has seen 58 staff members and 48 inmates come down with the virus. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>The Topeka Correctional Facility has seen 58 staff members and 48 inmates come down with the virus. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More than 5,000 inmates, 975 prison staff have tested positive for the coronavirus</h2>BY NOMIN IJIYEDIIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-21/kansas-prisons-have-some-of-the-highest-covid-19-infection-rates-in-the-country">Kansas News Service</a>Leoti Masterson hasn’t seen her son, Jeff, since March. She used to 
visit him at the Winfield Correctional Facility once a week to play 
cards, reminisce and pray together, sometimes for hours at a time.But
 when the pandemic started, Kansas prisons stopped allowing visitors as a
 coronavirus precaution. Now, Masterson makes do with daily phone calls 
no longer than 20 minutes.“He’s my closest family member,” Masterson said. “So, yeah, this is hard.”Yet
 suspending visits hasn’t kept the coronavirus from Kansas prisons. It 
was first detected at the Lansing Correctional Facility in early April. 
Cases have been found in staff and inmates at nearly every facility 
since.More than 5,000 <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates/kdoc-covid-19-status" target="_blank">inmates have tested positive</a>.
 The nonprofit news website The Marshall Project, which takes a critical
 look at the country’s criminal justice system, says that puts Kansas 
among the states with <a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/05/01/a-state-by-state-look-at-coronavirus-in-prisons" target="_blank">the highest infection rates</a> in its prisons.Out of roughly 2,800 prison workers in Kansas, 975 have tested positive for the virus. Twelve inmates and three <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-12/family-says-lansing-correctional-facility-worker-died-this-week-from-covid-19" target="_blank">staff members have died</a>. Meanwhile, Kansas has yet to respond to requests to release inmates to reduce their chance of getting sick.The Kansas Department of Corrections has instituted some <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates" target="_blank">policy changes</a>
 to prevent the spread of the virus, including quarantining all positive
 inmates at Lansing, which has newer buildings with better ventilation.The agency has also given cloth masks to all inmates and staff and tried various social distancing measures at prisons.Still,
 some staff and inmates have said such measures are either ineffective 
or hard to enforce. And like other prison systems, the corrections 
department has not stopped transferring inmates between facilities.Meanwhile,
 advocates for incarcerated people continue to say that releasing 
prisoners would alleviate some of the close quarters where it spreads 
most quickly — protecting both those inmates and the surrounding 
communities where staff live.Corrections officials declined 
multiple requests for interviews and did not answer emailed questions. 
But in a statement, spokesperson Randy Bowman said the department was 
working closely with public health officials.“We continue to 
coordinate our response to COVID-19 with officials at the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to ensure all mitigation 
efforts are consistent with current public health practices,” Bowman 
said in an email.<h2>Social distancing</h2>Jeff Masterson, 
Leoti Masterson’s son, said he tested positive for the virus in August 
and was moved from Winfield to Lansing. In emails and letters, he said 
that inmates don’t always wear masks properly and some quarantined at 
Lansing claimed they no longer had symptoms even if they were still 
feeling sick.“Everyone wants out of there and back to their relative normal,” Masterson said. “So inmates work the system.”Masterson
 was moved back to Winfield after about two weeks. In early December, he
 was transferred to the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility.At
 Winfield, where he usually serves his sentence, Masterson said the 
dining hall was closed, but inmates sit near each other to eat in 
residential areas. They have access to soap in bathrooms, but hand 
sanitizer, paper towels, bleach and vinegar are banned. Recreation is 
separated by floor, although he says people typically don’t wear masks 
and there are no social distancing rules.People in other prisons 
have reported a similar lack of distancing. Mari Flowers, the mother of a
 woman in the Topeka Correctional Facility, said her daughter has been 
quarantined in a tent in the prison’s laundry room since she began her 
sentence at the end of October.“They put these women in an impossible situation,” Flowers said. “They can’t even make it inside the prison.”Flowers
 said her daughter, Jordan Fuller, had been tested for COVID nine times.
 Fuller’s quarantine has started over four times. Flowers said the 
prison was waiting for every new arrival to the prison — dozens of women
 — to all test negative at the same time before letting them into the 
main prison buildings.“They don’t deserve to be treated that way.
 They’re already in a bad place. They put themselves there and they know
 that,” Flowers said. “But I just feel they need to take better care of 
these people.”The corrections department did not respond to 
questions about the facility. The Topeka prison did not return a request
 for comment.Jon-Wesley O’Hara is a corrections officer at 
Topeka, the state’s only women’s prison. Enforcing pandemic precautions 
is difficult, he said, now that the prison has been relaxing 
disciplinary measures that can sometimes delay early releases for good 
behavior. He said officers are left with little recourse when inmates 
refuse to wear masks.“It is up to us to try to mitigate their 
decisions as much as possible,” O’Hara said. “We need to take this a lot
 more seriously.”Kansas prisons have struggled with 
understaffing, which the pandemic has exacerbated. Officers have to miss
 work because they’re quarantining, taking care of children or working 
at other prisons that need the help. The ones who are left sometimes 
have to pull double shifts that can last as long as 16 hours. O’Hara 
said.The corrections department offers extra pay for officers in 
COVID-positive units, but O’Hara said that for some employees, that 
extra money is approaching the state’s <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/statute/075_000_0000_chapter/075_037_0000_article/075_037_0105_section/075_037_0105_k/" target="_blank">statutory limit</a> for employee merit pay.“This is a hard job,” he said. “It gets harder every day, and this is just another level of stress.”When
 O’Hara’s roommate, who also works at the prison, tested positive for 
COVID, they had to stay home from work. O’Hara said he had to call his 
ex-wife to tell her he couldn’t see his children for Thanksgiving.“That
 is the hardest thing in the world to not be able to see your kids,” he 
said. “You will never be able to replace that in-person contact.”<h2>Clemency</h2>Throughout
 the pandemic, criminal justice activists have advocated for the 
widespread release of people from prisons, jails and detention centers 
as the only effective way to socially distance. Jails and prisons in 
California, Michigan, New Jersey and other states <a href="https://www.prisonpolicy.org/virus/virusresponse.html" target="_blank">released thousands of people</a> over the course of the year.In April, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-04-30/kansas-prisons-are-fighting-a-lawsuit-to-release-prisoners-to-reduce-covid-19-spread" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit</a> to compel Kansas prisons to do the same. Leavenworth County Judge David King <a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/coronavirus/leavenworth-county-judge-tosses-lawsuit-on-inmate-safety-at-kansas-prisons" target="_blank">dismissed the suit</a>. Gov. Laura Kelly’s office approved the <a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/six-inmates-released-from-kansas-prisons-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/" target="_blank">release of only six people</a> in May.Since
 then, the ACLU says it has filed more than 90 clemency applications for
 Kansas prisoners with the state’s prisoner review board. About 30 of 
them are waiting for a decision from Kelly, but the applications haven’t
 been denied or approved. The organization still maintains that release 
is the best solution for COVID spread in prisons.“The only way to
 make sure that the transmission rates go down,” said ACLU legal 
director Lauren Bonds, “is to make sure that people in prisons can 
observe the same protocols that we’re being told to observe out here in 
the community.”Bonds said many of the clemency applications are 
for people who have a short time remaining on their sentences or have 
jobs, housing and family waiting for them on the outside. Their release,
 she said, could also mean reducing community spread in towns where many
 of the residents work at prisons.“The consequences ... are not limited to what will happen to inmates,” Bonds said. “This is a community health issue.”In an email, a Kelly spokesman said the governor is still considering the requests.“The
 Governor will consider every clemency request after she receives a full
 process of developing facts and with input from those affected,” he 
said in an email.Nomin Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice 
and social welfare for the Kansas News Service. You can email her at 
nomin@kcur.org and follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/nominuj" target="_blank">@NominUJ</a>.

Kan. prisons have some of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in US

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's only abortion clinic will be able to keep operating after a state government administrator decided Friday that the health department was wrong not to renew the license of the Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis.

Missouri Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi’s decision means Missouri will not become the first state without a functioning abortion clinic since 1974, the year after the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.

“In over 4,000 abortions provided since 2018, the Department has only identified two causes to deny its license,” Dandamudi wrote, adding that Planned Parenthood has “substantially complied” with state law.

“Therefore, Planned Parenthood is entitled to renewal of its abortion facility license,” Dandamudi wrote.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the state would ask a court to overturn the decision. A spokesman for the attorney general's office, which is defending the health department's decision in court, said the office was “reviewing the ruling and deciding on next steps.”

An email message seeking comment from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services was not immediately returned. A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood said the organization will comment later Friday.

The state health department has been at odds with Planned Parenthood’s St. Louis clinic since March 2019, after an inspection turned up four instances of what the state called “failed abortions.” Planned Parenthood countered that the allegations were a ploy to end abortions in Missouri, a conservative state with a decidedly anti-abortion governor in Republican Mike Parson.

The state refused to renew the clinic's license in June 2019 and Planned Parenthood challenged the effort, leading to an administrative hearing in October.

During the hearing the state’s health director, Dr. Randall Williams, called the problems “imminently fixable,” but it wasn’t clear if the state and Planned Parenthood have since negotiated.

The hearing drew considerable attention after Williams revealed that his agency tracked the menstrual cycles of Planned Parenthood patients as part of its oversight of the clinic. Williams testified that an investigator made a spreadsheet at his request that included the dates of patients' last periods. He said the goal was to find women who needed multiple procedures to complete an abortion.

Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, called the move "deeply disturbing."

Wrangling over the license began when an investigator involved in a March 2019 inspection found that a woman had undergone an abortion that took five attempts to complete. William Koebel, director of the section of the health department responsible for abortion clinic licensing, testified that the clinic failed to provide a "complication report."

That led the health department to launch an investigation of other instances where women underwent multiple procedures to complete an abortion, Koebel said.

As part of that investigation, the state obtained the medical records of women who had abortions at the clinic. They found four who required multiple procedures, including one in which the physician apparently missed that a woman was pregnant with twins. The woman underwent two procedures five weeks apart.

Planned Parenthood officials contend the state "cherry-picked" a handful of difficult cases out of thousands of otherwise successful abortions. They have accused the state of using the licensing process as a tool to eliminate abortions.

Missouri is among several states to pass new restrictions on abortions in the hope that the increasingly conservative U.S. Supreme Court will eventually overturn Roe v. Wade. Parson signed legislation in May banning abortions at or beyond eight weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical emergencies but not for rape or incest. The law is on hold while a legal challenge plays out in court.

While closing the clinic would have huge symbolic meaning, the practical impact on Missouri women seeking abortions would be minimized by the fact that Planned Parenthood last year built a new abortion clinic just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Another clinic is in Granite City, Illinois, another St. Louis suburb.

Yet another clinic operates in Overland Park, Kansas, a Kansas City suburb just 2 miles from the state line.

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's only abortion clinic will be able to keep operating after a state government administrator decided Friday that the health department was wrong not to renew the license of the Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis.Missouri Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi’s decision means Missouri will not become the first state without a functioning abortion clinic since 1974, the year after the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.“In over 4,000 abortions provided since 2018, the Department has only identified two causes to deny its license,” Dandamudi wrote, adding that Planned Parenthood has “substantially complied” with state law.“Therefore, Planned Parenthood is entitled to renewal of its abortion facility license,” Dandamudi wrote.It wasn’t immediately clear whether the state would ask a court to overturn the decision. A spokesman for the attorney general's office, which is defending the health department's decision in court, said the office was “reviewing the ruling and deciding on next steps.”An email message seeking comment from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services was not immediately returned. A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood said the organization will comment later Friday.The state health department has been at odds with Planned Parenthood’s St. Louis clinic since March 2019, after an inspection turned up four instances of what the state called “failed abortions.” Planned Parenthood countered that the allegations were a ploy to end abortions in Missouri, a conservative state with a decidedly anti-abortion governor in Republican Mike Parson.The state refused to renew the clinic's license in June 2019 and Planned Parenthood challenged the effort, leading to an administrative hearing in October.During the hearing the state’s health director, Dr. Randall Williams, called the problems “imminently fixable,” but it wasn’t clear if the state and Planned Parenthood have since negotiated.The hearing drew considerable attention after Williams revealed that his agency tracked the menstrual cycles of Planned Parenthood patients as part of its oversight of the clinic. Williams testified that an investigator made a spreadsheet at his request that included the dates of patients' last periods. He said the goal was to find women who needed multiple procedures to complete an abortion.Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, called the move "deeply disturbing."Wrangling over the license began when an investigator involved in a March 2019 inspection found that a woman had undergone an abortion that took five attempts to complete. William Koebel, director of the section of the health department responsible for abortion clinic licensing, testified that the clinic failed to provide a "complication report."That led the health department to launch an investigation of other instances where women underwent multiple procedures to complete an abortion, Koebel said.As part of that investigation, the state obtained the medical records of women who had abortions at the clinic. They found four who required multiple procedures, including one in which the physician apparently missed that a woman was pregnant with twins. The woman underwent two procedures five weeks apart.Planned Parenthood officials contend the state "cherry-picked" a handful of difficult cases out of thousands of otherwise successful abortions. They have accused the state of using the licensing process as a tool to eliminate abortions.Missouri is among several states to pass new restrictions on abortions in the hope that the increasingly conservative U.S. Supreme Court will eventually overturn Roe v. Wade. Parson signed legislation in May banning abortions at or beyond eight weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical emergencies but not for rape or incest. The law is on hold while a legal challenge plays out in court.While closing the clinic would have huge symbolic meaning, the practical impact on Missouri women seeking abortions would be minimized by the fact that Planned Parenthood last year built a new abortion clinic just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Another clinic is in Granite City, Illinois, another St. Louis suburb.Yet another clinic operates in Overland Park, Kansas, a Kansas City suburb just 2 miles from the state line.___

Ruling: Missouri's last abortion clinic stays open

Betty Marie Stoecker, age 98, of Oakley, passed away on May 20, 2020 at 
the Logan County Senior Living, Oakley.&nbsp; She was born on April 30, 1922 
in El Dorado, Kansas to Emil Lehmann and Gladys (Hale) Lehmann.&nbsp; She was
 a bank teller at Farmers State Bank and a homemaker.&nbsp; Betty married 
Lawrence C. Stoecker on October 14, 1951 in Oakley.

Betty was a member of the Oakley United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women.

She
 is survived by children:&nbsp; David Tripp and wife, Rita, of Leawood, 
Marianne Schmitt and husband, Mike, of Hiawatha, and Gary Stoecker and 
wife, Mary, of Oakley, seven grandchildren, and four great 
grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lawrence in 2007, and a brother, Emil Lehman, Jr.

Visitation:&nbsp;
 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2020 at the Oakley United 
Methodist Church.&nbsp; Distancing protocol will be followed.&nbsp; A private 
service is planned for the immediate family with Pastor Dan Hutton, 
officiating.&nbsp; Interment will be in the Oakley Cemetery.&nbsp; Memorials:&nbsp; 
Oakley United Methodist Church and Logan County Senior Living can be 
sent to Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS&nbsp; 67748.

Online Guestbook:&nbsp; www.kennedykosterfh.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590522919197.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Betty Marie Stoecker, age 98, of Oakley, passed away on May 20, 2020 at 
the Logan County Senior Living, Oakley.&nbsp; She was born on April 30, 1922 
in El Dorado, Kansas to Emil Lehmann and Gladys (Hale) Lehmann.&nbsp; She was
 a bank teller at Farmers State Bank and a homemaker.&nbsp; Betty married 
Lawrence C. Stoecker on October 14, 1951 in Oakley.Betty was a member of the Oakley United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women.She
 is survived by children:&nbsp; David Tripp and wife, Rita, of Leawood, 
Marianne Schmitt and husband, Mike, of Hiawatha, and Gary Stoecker and 
wife, Mary, of Oakley, seven grandchildren, and four great 
grandchildren.Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lawrence in 2007, and a brother, Emil Lehman, Jr.Visitation:&nbsp;
 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2020 at the Oakley United 
Methodist Church.&nbsp; Distancing protocol will be followed.&nbsp; A private 
service is planned for the immediate family with Pastor Dan Hutton, 
officiating.&nbsp; Interment will be in the Oakley Cemetery.&nbsp; Memorials:&nbsp; 
Oakley United Methodist Church and Logan County Senior Living can be 
sent to Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS&nbsp; 67748.Online Guestbook:&nbsp; www.kennedykosterfh.com

Betty Marie Stoecker

Deanna Sue Vincent, 79, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at Via Christi St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. 

Deanna was born on October 30, 1940, to Vivian Theron and Adeline Faye (Brandon) Bryant. Deanna and Robert “Bob”Eugene Vincent were married in Hoisington, Kan., on December 23, 1956, celebrating 63 years of marriage together.

Click <a href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/deanna-vincent">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590500005764.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Deanna Sue Vincent, 79, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at Via Christi St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. Deanna was born on October 30, 1940, to Vivian Theron and Adeline Faye (Brandon) Bryant. Deanna and Robert “Bob”Eugene Vincent were married in Hoisington, Kan., on December 23, 1956, celebrating 63 years of marriage together.Click <a href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/deanna-vincent">HERE</a> for service details.

Deanna Sue Vincent

The Downtown Hays Market operated by Downtown Hays Development Corporation, is an essential service and will be opening as scheduled for the season on May 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588881103313.jpeg" alt="The Downtown Hays Market will be open 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at the 10th Street Pavilion starting Saturday." />
 <figcaption>The Downtown Hays Market will be open 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at the 10th Street Pavilion starting Saturday.</figcaption>
 </figure>DHDCThe Downtown Hays Market operated by Downtown Hays Development Corporation, is an essential service and will be opening as scheduled for the season on May 30.The market is open 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays May through October inside the 10th Street Pavilion between Main and Oak Streets.“DHDC has put significant thought into the safety of the DHM customers and vendors during a time when everyone is prioritizing the health of their loved ones above all,” Allie Glidewell director of events and operations said. “We have been on the phone with other market directors, the police department, and health department to make sure we open safely and successfully.”In response to public health direction, DHDC has incorporated a few safety recommendations for guests to follow.Hand washing stations will be available under the pavilion so vendors and customers can wash their hands frequently without walking to the nearby restroom facilities.Vendors will be required to wear masks during these first weeks of operation. Customers are encouraged to wear a mask and observe social distancing by remaining 6 feet apart from other guests and vendors.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588881298182.jpeg" alt="Downtown Hays Market vendor" />
 <figcaption>Downtown Hays Market vendor</figcaption>
 </figure>Consider using credit and debit over cash. Finally, customers should allow vendors to handle merchandise, even if you intend to purchase the product.Out of state vendors will not be allowed to sell at the 2020 market. The market staff is also keeping an eye on high-risk counties and limiting vendors from those areas as well.“An unfortunate safety precaution is that we will not be serving free coffee from Breathe Coffee House at this time,” Glidewell said. “We encourage you to make Breathe your first stop to grab a cup of joe before coming to see us.”To help accommodate customers who might not be ready to interact with the public, DHM will be offering a drive-through system for its customers. Three stalls in the parking lot just to the west of the pavilion will be reserved for this service.Customers can call the market and vendors prior to arriving to place their order. Orders will then be brought to their cars. Customers can also just pull up and let the market manager know their order, provide payment, and remain in their vehicle while the order is filled.Glidewell said expect many of your favorite vendors at the market again this year. Fresh produce as well as meat, cheese and bread will be available.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588825247313.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SNAPWhile there are necessary implementations, DHM is excited to open and provide an essential service. This year, the market will further benefit the Hays community by accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).“We are so excited to offer SNAP as a service of the Downtown Hays Market,” Sara Bloom, DHDC executive director, said. “It’s actually something we’ve been trying to offer for some time and thanks to Allie it’s a reality. She was able to find the correct path and even secure a grant that allowed us to receive the necessary equipment for free.”The grant was received from MarketLink. MarketLink is the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Program’s (NAFMNP) complete solution for electronic payments at farmers markets nationwide.The mission is to cultivate opportunities for consumers to buy fresh produce from local growers. MarketLink is a long-term vision of sustainability for farmers and markets through a broader customer base, increased sales, and profitability. The grant provided upwards of $5,000 in equipment and waived fees to the DHM.SNAP is a government program provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps to end food insecurity in communities across America.“DHDC understands how tight income has become for many families in Hays. We are proud to introduce such a great program into our downtown community as more families are unsure of how to put fresh and wholesome food on their tables” said Glidewell.If you are already a part of the SNAP program, it will be simple to use your SNAP EBT Card at the Market. Bring your SNAP EBT Card to the DHM Information Booth before you shop to redeem Market tokens. These tokens can be spent at vendor booths who sell products including: meats, cheese, eggs, honey, fruits, veggies and more. If you would like to apply for the SNAP program, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap">www.fns.usda.gov/snap</a> to determine the eligibility of you or your family.“With everything that has happened in the last few months there is an excitement about the opening of the market that there hasn’t been before,” Bloom said. “There’s always some excitement, but it’s kind of just off the charts right now. We are expecting new vendors, familiar and loved vendors, amazing products and just a wonderful time gathering — from a safe distance — once again.”The market is still accepting applications for vendors. Information on how to become a vendor can be found on the <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/downtown-hays-market">DHDC website</a>. You can also follow the market on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHaysMarket/">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;Glidewell said she hopes to plan special markets days such as children's crafts. Those events are still in the planning stages and will be announced at a later date.<h2>K-State offers advice on farmer's market shopping</h2>Experts at K-State offered the following advice for shopping at farmer's market this season.“Shopping at farmers’markets is a great way to get healthy fruits, vegetables and other foods while supporting localfarmers,” said Londa Nwadike, who has a joint extension appointment with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.Yet, shopping at the farmers’ market during the COVID-19 pandemic requires some extra precautions, Nwadike saidBe prepared.&nbsp;Call the market or check its website or social media pages to see which vendors and items will be available.“Give yourself extra time,” Nwadike said. “Shopping might take longer with extra safety measures in place, as many Kansas farmers’ markets have updated their procedures to provide extra safety to customers and vendors. Make a list so you can efficiently find the items you need.”Before entering the&nbsp;market,&nbsp;remind yourself to avoid touching your face and cellphone. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a mask or other cloth face covering when in places where social distancing can be difficult.“Make sure to use a designated entry point when going in,” Nwadike said. “The farmers’ market may have established separate entrances and exits to avoid bottlenecks of people coming and going.”Choose items with your eyes, not your hands.&nbsp;Let vendors handle the products you select. Stay at least 6 feet away from other people as much as possible.“You want to avoid standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other customers while examining items,” Nwadike said. “Be patient and courteous while people ahead of you complete their purchases.”Avoid using cash when possible.Many vendors and markets accept debit, credit and EBT/SNAP cards.Make use of hand washing stations or hand sanitizer.&nbsp;The CDC recommends hand washing with soap and water, but if hand washing is not available, hand sanitizer can also be used.For now, resist the temptation to socialize while shopping.“Farmers’markets are normally a place to enjoy the atmosphere and visit with the vendors and other friends, but right now, farmers’ markets are importantly a source of food and a way to support local farmers,” Nwadike said. Consider sending just one household member to the market at this time.Wash all produce before eating.“Even though there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 has been transmitted through food or food packaging, it is always important to use good food safety practices, which will help control foodborne illness as well as COVID-19,” Nwadike said. “That means washing the whole produce, even if you don’t eat the peel. Wash items such as cantaloupe and potatoes with a produce brush.” Nwadike said commercial produce washes have not been shown to be more effective than water from the kitchen faucet.“All the research shows that clean, running water is the best way for consumers to wash produce,” she said.If you’re running multiple errands, Nwadike also recommends making the farmers’ market your last stop to minimize the amount of time perishable foods sit in the car.Safety recommendations change regularly. For the most current information on the spread of COVID-19 and the government’s response, consumers should contact their local or state health department or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.K-State Research and Extension also has a large number of resources on the website,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety/topics/covid19.html" target="_blank">Food Safety and COVID-19</a>.Cristina Janney&nbsp;of the Hays Post and K-State Research and Extension&nbsp; contributed to this story.&nbsp;