Robert “Bob” James Holt, 59, passed away peacefully in his home on 
March 16, 2020, surrounded by those he loved most dearly. He was born to
 John (Jack) &amp; Charlette Holt on October 6th, 1960, in Kansas City, 
MO and grew up in Great Bend, KS. In 1973 he met the love of his life, 
Tammy (Spray) Holt, who moved in across the street. On January 8th, 
1983, in Great Bend, Bob and Tammy got married after a decade of 
friendship.

Bob was a 1979 graduate of Great Bend High School and earned his B.S.
 in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1983, where
 he was a proud member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. After college, Bob 
&amp; Tammy moved to Omaha, NE where he took a job as an estimator for 
AC&amp;S Construction.

In 1985 he was offered a job at Venture Corporation, and the young 
couple were excited to move back to their hometown of Great Bend. During
 his 30 years at Venture he was active on several committees with the 
Kansas Contractors Association. Bob served as Venture Corporation’s 
Secretary &amp; Estimator until his retirement in May of 2015. His 
involvement included; Action Auction (Chairman, 1998-2006, Public 
Relations (1998, Kansas Good Roads (Director, Convention Committee 
(1999-2015, Legislative Committee (2001-2015, Education Foundation 
(2008-2015, Summer Fest (Chairman, 2010-2013) and Flexible Paving 
Division (Chairman, 2012). Outside of his work involvement, he was a 
member of; CKMC Board of Directors, Past President and member of St. 
Patrick’s School Board, Prince of Peace Parish, having served on the 
Property Commission, and Board of Directors of Lakota HOA (Winter Park, 
CO).

His passions in life were his faith, family, friends, golf, KU 
basketball, and Polaris off-roading throughout the Rocky Mountains and 
Moab. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, he refused to lose his 
passion for life. Through his fight, he acted as a living example of how
 important our brief time is on this earth. He continued to establish 
and build relationships, leaving lasting impressions on those whose 
paths’ he crossed.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Tammy, and their three sons: 
Brett (Leslie) Holt &amp; his granddaughter Landreigh, Brad (Jordan) 
Holt, and Allan Holt. Also, his mother, Charlette Holt and 4 siblings: 
John (Suzy) Holt, Beth (Paul) Jantsch, Tom (Mindy) Holt, and Mary (Vic) 
Adamle. As well has his mother-in-law, Doris Spray, and two 
brothers-in-law, Kip (Kelly) Spray and Chris (Julie) Spray. Bob was also
 an amazing uncle to his 16 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death 
by his father, John (Jack) Holt, his father-in-law, Orville (Butch) 
Spray.

Memorial services are pending, due to the Mass restrictions and 
limitations set forth by the Catholic Diocese, and will be announced at a
 later date. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Fund at Golden Belt 
Community Foundation, Prince of Peace Parish, and Golden Belt Home 
Health &amp; Hospice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584538172303.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robert “Bob” James Holt, 59, passed away peacefully in his home on 
March 16, 2020, surrounded by those he loved most dearly. He was born to
 John (Jack) &amp; Charlette Holt on October 6th, 1960, in Kansas City, 
MO and grew up in Great Bend, KS. In 1973 he met the love of his life, 
Tammy (Spray) Holt, who moved in across the street. On January 8th, 
1983, in Great Bend, Bob and Tammy got married after a decade of 
friendship.Bob was a 1979 graduate of Great Bend High School and earned his B.S.
 in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1983, where
 he was a proud member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. After college, Bob 
&amp; Tammy moved to Omaha, NE where he took a job as an estimator for 
AC&amp;S Construction.In 1985 he was offered a job at Venture Corporation, and the young 
couple were excited to move back to their hometown of Great Bend. During
 his 30 years at Venture he was active on several committees with the 
Kansas Contractors Association. Bob served as Venture Corporation’s 
Secretary &amp; Estimator until his retirement in May of 2015. His 
involvement included; Action Auction (Chairman, 1998-2006, Public 
Relations (1998, Kansas Good Roads (Director, Convention Committee 
(1999-2015, Legislative Committee (2001-2015, Education Foundation 
(2008-2015, Summer Fest (Chairman, 2010-2013) and Flexible Paving 
Division (Chairman, 2012). Outside of his work involvement, he was a 
member of; CKMC Board of Directors, Past President and member of St. 
Patrick’s School Board, Prince of Peace Parish, having served on the 
Property Commission, and Board of Directors of Lakota HOA (Winter Park, 
CO).His passions in life were his faith, family, friends, golf, KU 
basketball, and Polaris off-roading throughout the Rocky Mountains and 
Moab. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, he refused to lose his 
passion for life. Through his fight, he acted as a living example of how
 important our brief time is on this earth. He continued to establish 
and build relationships, leaving lasting impressions on those whose 
paths’ he crossed.Bob is survived by his loving wife, Tammy, and their three sons: 
Brett (Leslie) Holt &amp; his granddaughter Landreigh, Brad (Jordan) 
Holt, and Allan Holt. Also, his mother, Charlette Holt and 4 siblings: 
John (Suzy) Holt, Beth (Paul) Jantsch, Tom (Mindy) Holt, and Mary (Vic) 
Adamle. As well has his mother-in-law, Doris Spray, and two 
brothers-in-law, Kip (Kelly) Spray and Chris (Julie) Spray. Bob was also
 an amazing uncle to his 16 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death 
by his father, John (Jack) Holt, his father-in-law, Orville (Butch) 
Spray.Memorial services are pending, due to the Mass restrictions and 
limitations set forth by the Catholic Diocese, and will be announced at a
 later date. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Fund at Golden Belt 
Community Foundation, Prince of Peace Parish, and Golden Belt Home 
Health &amp; Hospice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Robert 'Bob' James Holt

Last week the Senate spent most of our time working in our individual committees on bills that have come over from the House along with Senate bills that were in exempt committees. 

On Wednesday I testified before the Senate Health Committee on SB 407 that will require KDADS to open and operate acute mental health services for youth ages 6 to 18. 

Over 10 years ago when the acute care beds were closed in Larned it was agreed that acute care beds would be placed in Hays to replace the loss of beds in Larned.

 This October 2019 secretary of KDADS closed the acute care beds in Hays. 

This facility was operated by KVC who had operated the facility for over 10 years.  Currently, when parents show up in Hays with a child needing psychiatric help, they are being told the Hays facility is closed, and you will either have to go to Wichita or Kansas City for help.

 Since October 2019 we have had 45 families who have driven to Hays; 18 have been referred to Wichita; and 11 to Kansas City. No one knows the number of families that arrived in Hays for help, and after being told the options of Wichita or Kansas City have just decided to return home.

 This puts a real burden on families. Some of these parents have jobs and other children at home. My concern is that without psychiatric help any one of these children could harm themselves or someone else.

 Since the closure in Hays, parents and families in southwest Kansas are also faced with the same options of Wichita or Kansas City. 

The bill proposes psychiatric beds in Hays as well as Garden City or the surrounding area. 

Laura Howard, secretary of KADDS, spoke in favor of the bill. She said the lack of psychiatric beds west of Wichita could create problems for families. Chairman Senator Suellentrop agreed to work the bill this coming week. 

Some good news, since the acute care beds were closed in October 2019, (PRTF) Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities beds in Hays, run by KVC, has added an additional 38 long-term care beds.  

The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard two bills to discuss paying off nearly $300 million of the state’s debt toward KPERS. Both SB368 and HB2503 authorize the state to transfer $268,412,000 from the state general fund to the KPERS fund before the end of fiscal year 2020. Both the Senate and House Bills do not re-amortize KPERS. 

The Senate Ways and Means passed the budget and it will be worked on the Senate floor Tuesday. There is one major difference between the Senate and House budget that was highly discussed. The Senate wants to stop the continued transfer of funds from KDOT to the state general fund, the House budget did not. Our Senate Ways and Means Committee agreed that we would not transfer $50 million from KDOT to the state general fund, which the Governor had recommended in her budget, 

It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or you may call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my call number is 785 899-4700.  

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581353884625.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger (R-Goodland, 40th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger (R-Goodland, 40th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>Last week the Senate spent most of our time working in our individual committees on bills that have come over from the House along with Senate bills that were in exempt committees. On Wednesday I testified before the Senate Health Committee on SB 407 that will require KDADS to open and operate acute mental health services for youth ages 6 to 18. Over 10 years ago when the acute care beds were closed in Larned it was agreed that acute care beds would be placed in Hays to replace the loss of beds in Larned. This October 2019 secretary of KDADS closed the acute care beds in Hays. This facility was operated by KVC who had operated the facility for over 10 years. Currently, when parents show up in Hays with a child needing psychiatric help, they are being told the Hays facility is closed, and you will either have to go to Wichita or Kansas City for help. Since October 2019 we have had 45 families who have driven to Hays; 18 have been referred to Wichita; and 11 to Kansas City. No one knows the number of families that arrived in Hays for help, and after being told the options of Wichita or Kansas City have just decided to return home. This puts a real burden on families. Some of these parents have jobs and other children at home. My concern is that without psychiatric help any one of these children could harm themselves or someone else. Since the closure in Hays, parents and families in southwest Kansas are also faced with the same options of Wichita or Kansas City. The bill proposes psychiatric beds in Hays as well as Garden City or the surrounding area. Laura Howard, secretary of KADDS, spoke in favor of the bill. She said the lack of psychiatric beds west of Wichita could create problems for families. Chairman Senator Suellentrop agreed to work the bill this coming week. Some good news, since the acute care beds were closed in October 2019, (PRTF) Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities beds in Hays, run by KVC, has added an additional 38 long-term care beds. The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard two bills to discuss paying off nearly $300 million of the state’s debt toward KPERS. Both SB368 and HB2503 authorize the state to transfer $268,412,000 from the state general fund to the KPERS fund before the end of fiscal year 2020. Both the Senate and House Bills do not re-amortize KPERS. The Senate Ways and Means passed the budget and it will be worked on the Senate floor Tuesday. There is one major difference between the Senate and House budget that was highly discussed. The Senate wants to stop the continued transfer of funds from KDOT to the state general fund, the House budget did not. Our Senate Ways and Means Committee agreed that we would not transfer $50 million from KDOT to the state general fund, which the Governor had recommended in her budget, It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or you may call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my call number is 785 899-4700.

BILLINGER: Senate Update March 16

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court announced Monday that it is postponing arguments for late March and early April because of the coronavirus, including fights over subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s financial records.

Other business will go on as planned, including the justices' private conference on Friday and the release of orders in a week's time. Some justices may participate by telephone, the court said in a statement.

Six of the nine justices are 65 and older, at higher risk of getting very sick from the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, and Stephen Breyer, 81, are the oldest members of the court.

There is no new date set for the postponed arguments. the building has been closed to the public since last week.

The only other time the 85-year-old court building was closed for arguments was in October 2001, when anthrax was detected in the court mailroom. That led the justices to hold arguments in the federal courthouse about a half mile from the Supreme Court,

Within a week and after a thorough cleaning, the court reopened.

In 1918, when the court still met inside the Capitol, arguments were postponed for a month because of the flu pandemic. In the nation's early years, in August 1793 and August 1798, adjustments were made because of yellow fever outbreaks, the court said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court announced Monday that it is postponing arguments for late March and early April because of the coronavirus, including fights over subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s financial records.Other business will go on as planned, including the justices' private conference on Friday and the release of orders in a week's time. Some justices may participate by telephone, the court said in a statement.Six of the nine justices are 65 and older, at higher risk of getting very sick from the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, and Stephen Breyer, 81, are the oldest members of the court.There is no new date set for the postponed arguments. the building has been closed to the public since last week.The only other time the 85-year-old court building was closed for arguments was in October 2001, when anthrax was detected in the court mailroom. That led the justices to hold arguments in the federal courthouse about a half mile from the Supreme Court,Within a week and after a thorough cleaning, the court reopened.In 1918, when the court still met inside the Capitol, arguments were postponed for a month because of the flu pandemic. In the nation's early years, in August 1793 and August 1798, adjustments were made because of yellow fever outbreaks, the court said.

Supreme Court postpones arguments because of virus outbreak

Margarett E. McIntyre died on Thursday March 12, 2020 at St. Catherine 
Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. She was born April 4 1941, in Belfont, 
Kansas, the daughter of Richard and Margaret (Norton) Knouse.


Margarett and her family moved to Scott City when she was a young girl, 
it was there that she attended school and grew up just a block away from
 her husband of 62 years, Bruce McIntyre. They were wed October 12, 
1957, in Scott City. The couple later relocated to Garden City. 
Margarett worked alongside Bruce at M &amp; W Drilling for many years, 
co-owned and operated the Continental Inn Restaurant, and worked in the 
Nutrition Department at Edith Sheuerman until her retirement. She 
enjoyed reading, dancing, cooking, and visiting with just about anyone. 
Playing slots in Vegas also became some what of a tradition she shared 
with her daughters. She loved her family and enjoyed, most of all, time 
spent at any one of her grandchildren’s events.


Margarett is survived by her husband Bruce, of the home; children- 
Kimberly (Jose) Garcia of Garden City, Kevin (Tami) McIntyre of 
Amarillo, Texas, and Kerri (Richard A.) Sperry of Garden City, 12 
grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, sisters- Kit (Kenny) Green of 
Garden City, and Annie Mather of Meade, Kansas, brothers and sisters 
in-law- Luella Smith of Colby, Kansas, Clayton McIntyre of Salt Lake 
City, Utah, Rayburn Drake of Fallbrook, California, Sandra Donlon of 
Pueblo, Colorado, Marilyn Wheeler of Branson, Missouri, Roxie Berning of
 Augusta, Kansas and Relda Everett of Evergreen, Colorado.


She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and two granddaughters.


Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday March 17, 2020 at 
Turning Point Church of the Nazarene with Rev. James Mather officiating.
 Visitation will be Monday March 16, 2020 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at 
Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family suggests memorial 
contributions be made to Garden Valley Retirement Village or Heartland 
Cancer Center both in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be 
posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584208448375.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Margarett E. McIntyre died on Thursday March 12, 2020 at St. Catherine 
Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. She was born April 4 1941, in Belfont, 
Kansas, the daughter of Richard and Margaret (Norton) Knouse.
Margarett and her family moved to Scott City when she was a young girl, 
it was there that she attended school and grew up just a block away from
 her husband of 62 years, Bruce McIntyre. They were wed October 12, 
1957, in Scott City. The couple later relocated to Garden City. 
Margarett worked alongside Bruce at M &amp; W Drilling for many years, 
co-owned and operated the Continental Inn Restaurant, and worked in the 
Nutrition Department at Edith Sheuerman until her retirement. She 
enjoyed reading, dancing, cooking, and visiting with just about anyone. 
Playing slots in Vegas also became some what of a tradition she shared 
with her daughters. She loved her family and enjoyed, most of all, time 
spent at any one of her grandchildren’s events.
Margarett is survived by her husband Bruce, of the home; children- 
Kimberly (Jose) Garcia of Garden City, Kevin (Tami) McIntyre of 
Amarillo, Texas, and Kerri (Richard A.) Sperry of Garden City, 12 
grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, sisters- Kit (Kenny) Green of 
Garden City, and Annie Mather of Meade, Kansas, brothers and sisters 
in-law- Luella Smith of Colby, Kansas, Clayton McIntyre of Salt Lake 
City, Utah, Rayburn Drake of Fallbrook, California, Sandra Donlon of 
Pueblo, Colorado, Marilyn Wheeler of Branson, Missouri, Roxie Berning of
 Augusta, Kansas and Relda Everett of Evergreen, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and two granddaughters.
Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday March 17, 2020 at 
Turning Point Church of the Nazarene with Rev. James Mather officiating.
 Visitation will be Monday March 16, 2020 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at 
Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family suggests memorial 
contributions be made to Garden Valley Retirement Village or Heartland 
Cancer Center both in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be 
posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.

Margarett E. McIntyre

October 12, 1931
 -
 March 12, 2020

An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.

Click <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Ida-Mae-Casper?obId=12414207#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584133190745.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>October 12, 1931
 -
 March 12, 2020An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.Click <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Ida-Mae-Casper?obId=12414207#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Ida Mae Casper

Elmer Leroy Steinle, 97, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Main Street Manor in Russell.

Elmer was born February 19, 1923 in Russell.  He was first of four children born to David Samuel and Amelia Molly (Ehrlich) Steinle.  Elmer grew up in Russell and attended Russell High School, but had to quite before graduating, when the family farm was lost during the great depression, and went to work as a cook at the Puritan Café, in Russell, to help the family.  Elmer was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, sent to Cook and Baker school at Camp San Luis Obispo, California by the Army.  Elmer was promoted to Tec 4th Class and served as company Mess Sergeant in the Asiatic Theater, primarily Burma, April 1944 until December 1945.  Elmer was discharged from the Army in January 1946, returning to Russell.

Elmer had married prior to his military service, October 1942 to Dorothy Ruth Bussin of Great Bend, and was blessed with their only son, Roy.  They divorced January 1946 and Elmer was joined in marriage with the love of his life, Sophie Mathilda Scheck, of Collyer, April 1946.  Elmer and Sophie, with Roy, made their home in Russell.

Elmer worked in his father’s business, Steinle Produce, primarily purchasing cream, eggs, and chickens from the area farmers and in turn selling them various farm supplies such as livestock feeds, seed, bailing wire, salt lick blocks, twine, etc.  Shortly after his father retired from the business in the late fifties Elmer also left the Produce business and became a full time Carpenter.  He was diversified in that he remodeled homes, built furniture, built homes in Russell, worked construction on a number of larger building projects in Russell, the Russell State Bank one of the local projects.  Elmer was also carpenter Forman for the Kansas Refined Helium plant construction in Otis.  For many years Elmer served on the Russell-Great township fire department as well as serving as the Dep0artments Fire Chief for a number of years until his retirement from the fire department.  Elmer was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, past member of the Russell Elks Lodge, a member of the Russell VFW Post #6240 and a member of the Russell American Legion, William Roe Post 99.  A past Commander of Post 99 and held various officer positions at the Post.

Elmer enjoyed playing cards, for many years he dealt Black Jack, and later loved playing Texas Holdem with friends any time he could find a game.  He and Sophie took to antique collecting and spent most of their time together traveling, buying and selling antiques, attending and participating in antique shows.  For many years antiques were their passion.  Elmer also became known in Russell as a Studebaker collector, and at one time had a number of Studebaker cars and trucks, plus spare parts, and restored them to operating condition.  In retirement Elmer took up square dancing, joining the “Shooting Stars” club in Hays and continued carpenter work in his shop building children’s furniture, chairs, rockers, tables, and wagons.

Elmer’s surviving family include his son, Roy Steinle (Rosemary) of Russell, Kansas; brother, Gorden Dave Steinle of Kansas City, Missouri; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his sister Fern Harman Deutscher and brother Wilber Dean Steinle.

A Graveside Service will be held at  time and date   at St. John Lutheran Cemetery of Russell, Kansas.  The family selected cremation and no visitation will be held.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584046255517.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Elmer Leroy Steinle, 97, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Main Street Manor in Russell.Elmer was born February 19, 1923 in Russell. He was first of four children born to David Samuel and Amelia Molly (Ehrlich) Steinle. Elmer grew up in Russell and attended Russell High School, but had to quite before graduating, when the family farm was lost during the great depression, and went to work as a cook at the Puritan Café, in Russell, to help the family. Elmer was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, sent to Cook and Baker school at Camp San Luis Obispo, California by the Army. Elmer was promoted to Tec 4th Class and served as company Mess Sergeant in the Asiatic Theater, primarily Burma, April 1944 until December 1945. Elmer was discharged from the Army in January 1946, returning to Russell.Elmer had married prior to his military service, October 1942 to Dorothy Ruth Bussin of Great Bend, and was blessed with their only son, Roy. They divorced January 1946 and Elmer was joined in marriage with the love of his life, Sophie Mathilda Scheck, of Collyer, April 1946. Elmer and Sophie, with Roy, made their home in Russell.Elmer worked in his father’s business, Steinle Produce, primarily purchasing cream, eggs, and chickens from the area farmers and in turn selling them various farm supplies such as livestock feeds, seed, bailing wire, salt lick blocks, twine, etc. Shortly after his father retired from the business in the late fifties Elmer also left the Produce business and became a full time Carpenter. He was diversified in that he remodeled homes, built furniture, built homes in Russell, worked construction on a number of larger building projects in Russell, the Russell State Bank one of the local projects. Elmer was also carpenter Forman for the Kansas Refined Helium plant construction in Otis. For many years Elmer served on the Russell-Great township fire department as well as serving as the Dep0artments Fire Chief for a number of years until his retirement from the fire department. Elmer was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, past member of the Russell Elks Lodge, a member of the Russell VFW Post #6240 and a member of the Russell American Legion, William Roe Post 99. A past Commander of Post 99 and held various officer positions at the Post.Elmer enjoyed playing cards, for many years he dealt Black Jack, and later loved playing Texas Holdem with friends any time he could find a game. He and Sophie took to antique collecting and spent most of their time together traveling, buying and selling antiques, attending and participating in antique shows. For many years antiques were their passion. Elmer also became known in Russell as a Studebaker collector, and at one time had a number of Studebaker cars and trucks, plus spare parts, and restored them to operating condition. In retirement Elmer took up square dancing, joining the “Shooting Stars” club in Hays and continued carpenter work in his shop building children’s furniture, chairs, rockers, tables, and wagons.Elmer’s surviving family include his son, Roy Steinle (Rosemary) of Russell, Kansas; brother, Gorden Dave Steinle of Kansas City, Missouri; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his sister Fern Harman Deutscher and brother Wilber Dean Steinle.A Graveside Service will be held at time and date at St. John Lutheran Cemetery of Russell, Kansas. The family selected cremation and no visitation will be held.

Elmer Leroy Steinle

SALINA – A Kansas man has been convicted of two counts of insurance fraud and a related charge, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

On Monday, Daniel Carl D’Albini, 59, Marion, pleaded no contest in Saline County District Court to two felony counts of insurance fraud and one felony count of interference with law enforcement.

Chief Judge Rene Young accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for June 1, at 11 a.m.

An investigation by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office found that sometime between October 2017 and December 2017, in order to ensure the continuation of his homeowner’s insurance policy, D’Albini submitted false documentation to his insurance provider alleging the roof on his home had been inspected and required no repairs when in fact no such inspection had occurred.

In addition, in December 2017, D’Albini falsely reported his truck as stolen and made a claim against his automobile insurance for theft.

As part of a plea agreement with the attorney general’s office, D’Albini has agreed to pay $460,083.51 in restitution and serve 30 days in the Saline County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583867855267.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Daniel DAlbini&nbsp; photo Saline CountySALINA – A Kansas man has been convicted of two counts of insurance fraud and a related charge, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.On Monday, Daniel Carl D’Albini, 59, Marion, pleaded no contest in Saline County District Court to two felony counts of insurance fraud and one felony count of interference with law enforcement.Chief Judge Rene Young accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for June 1, at 11 a.m.An investigation by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office found that sometime between October 2017 and December 2017, in order to ensure the continuation of his homeowner’s insurance policy, D’Albini submitted false documentation to his insurance provider alleging the roof on his home had been inspected and required no repairs when in fact no such inspection had occurred.In addition, in December 2017, D’Albini falsely reported his truck as stolen and made a claim against his automobile insurance for theft.As part of a plea agreement with the attorney general’s office, D’Albini has agreed to pay $460,083.51 in restitution and serve 30 days in the Saline County Jail.

Kan. man who reported truck stolen convicted of insurance fraud

BY STEPHEN KORANDA, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-might-let-college-athletes-make-money-their-fame-through-endorsement-deals#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — If Kansas lawmakers pass a bill 
allowing student-athletes to make money off endorsements, you might see 
the next five-star KU or K-State basketball recruits selling cars, shoes
 or soda.

<a href="http://www.sfltimes.com/sports/ncaa-presses-senate-for-guardrails-on-athlete-pay" target="_blank">Dozens of states</a>, including <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/sb474/" target="_blank">Kansas</a>, <a href="https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/local-news-local-news/both-parties-support-paying-college-athletes-in-missouri/" target="_blank">Missouri </a>and <a href="https://oklahoman.com/article/5651462/oklahoma-legislator-files-bill-to-pay-college-athletes" target="_blank">Oklahoma</a>, are thinking about changing the rules since the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/10/29/774439078/ncaa-starts-process-to-allow-compensation-for-college-athletes" target="_blank">NCAA said</a>
 in October that it will eventually allow student-athletes to be paid 
for their name, image and likeness. These bills are stopgaps, aimed at 
putting rules in place should there be a period of time before national 
rules are approved by the NCAA or Congress.

It’s a question that’s been problematic for the NCAA for years; in 2016, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/us/politics/supreme-court-declconsider-ncaa-rules-on-paying-athletes.html" target="_blank">U.S. Supreme Court declined</a> to take up an antitrust suit filed by a former UCLA basketball player. California took matters into its own hands last year <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB206" target="_blank">with a law</a> to let students profit off their likeness, though it doesn't take effect until 2023.

Currently,
 student-athletes are ruled ineligible if they make money on 
endorsements. Missouri U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver has proposed <a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/rep-cleaver-to-propose-law-requiring-colleges-to-pay-student-athletes" target="_blank">a national rule</a>
 that would have colleges directly pay athletes. The Kansas plan doesn’t
 go as far, instead allowing money from outside endorsement contracts.

Emporia
 State University President Allison Garrett urged Kansas lawmakers to 
approve the bill, but ultimately hopes it never has to take effect.

“This
 legislation in Kansas makes sense at this time,” Garrett said, “but the
 hope would be that there is that federal legislation.”

It’s a 
sort of begrudging endorsement from the schools. Kansas State University
 Athletic Director Gene Taylor wants to keep up the current system, in 
which student-athletes aren’t allowed outside endorsements deals.

“We
 would prefer no rules, honestly,” Taylor said. “Just let us continue 
that this scholarship is valuable enough. But that’s not the direction 
this is going, so we have to move forward.”

The colleges don’t 
want to be on the cutting edge, where they might run afoul of NCAA rules
 and trigger punishments from the league. But they also don’t want to be
 left behind if other states allow endorsement deals.

To walk that tightrope, <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/sb474/" target="_blank">Kansas’ bill</a>
 includes a trigger: It would only legalize outside endorsement deals 
for student-athletes after 15 other states have similar laws.

For schools in Kansas, the concern is that recruiting won’t be easy 
if other states allow athletes to make money but Kansas doesn’t.

“I
 think it gets very tough,” University of Kansas Director of Athletics 
Jeff Long said. “Without this bill passing, we would be placed at a 
disadvantage.”

The discussion comes at a time when KU <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/ku-denies-wrongdoing-response-ncaas-charges-recruiting-violations" target="_blank">is being investigated</a>
 for potential NCAA recruiting violations. It’s based on federal court 
testimony in which Adidas representatives said they made payments to 
recruits. The school didn’t address the allegations during a legislative
 hearing in Topeka, but <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2020/03/05/kansas-objects-to-ncaa-charges-in-response-to-allegations/111397794/" target="_blank">told the NCAA</a> that the agents weren’t working on behalf of KU.

Garrett wants to see enough controls in a Kansas law so the endorsement deals aren’t used as part of recruiting.

Lawmakers
 could take action on the bill later this session or continue work next 
year, according to Republican Sen. Julia Lynn, who chairs the Senate 
Commerce Committee.

Lynn said there are still a variety of details to work out, including how the endorsement deals would be taxed.

“Collegiate athletics is very complex. There are multiple layers there,” she said. “The money is really big in this issue.”

Republican
 Sen. Molly Baumgarnder wants to make sure there are enough protections 
in the bill, so athletes and their families know what they’re getting 
into with endorsement deals, especially when it comes to high school 
recruits.

“Agents are going to be flocking to high schools to try
 and enter into that contract,” Baumgarnder said. “How do the high 
school counselors, how do the high school coaches help that student that
 might be embarking on that next step?”

Smaller private schools, 
who aren’t major players in the recruiting game like KU, K-State and 
Wichita State are, are concerned about the types of endorsements that 
might be made available.

Some of the 20 schools in the Kansas 
Independent College Association have faith traditions that disapprove of
 alcohol and don’t allow it on campus.

But under the bill, the schools wouldn’t have any say in outside endorsement deals.

“A
 student-athlete could share his or her likeness with a beer company and
 the institution would have no power to limit such a contract,” KICA 
President Matt Lindsey told lawmakers.

Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda">@kprkoranda</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583773947682.png" alt=" The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation. The school's athletics director says that if other schools have laws about endorsement deals and Kansas does not, KU would be "at a disadvantage." Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation. The school's athletics director says that if other schools have laws about endorsement deals and Kansas does not, KU would be "at a disadvantage." Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>BY STEPHEN KORANDA, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-might-let-college-athletes-make-money-their-fame-through-endorsement-deals#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — If Kansas lawmakers pass a bill 
allowing student-athletes to make money off endorsements, you might see 
the next five-star KU or K-State basketball recruits selling cars, shoes
 or soda.<a href="http://www.sfltimes.com/sports/ncaa-presses-senate-for-guardrails-on-athlete-pay" target="_blank">Dozens of states</a>, including <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/sb474/" target="_blank">Kansas</a>, <a href="https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/local-news-local-news/both-parties-support-paying-college-athletes-in-missouri/" target="_blank">Missouri </a>and <a href="https://oklahoman.com/article/5651462/oklahoma-legislator-files-bill-to-pay-college-athletes" target="_blank">Oklahoma</a>, are thinking about changing the rules since the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/10/29/774439078/ncaa-starts-process-to-allow-compensation-for-college-athletes" target="_blank">NCAA said</a>
 in October that it will eventually allow student-athletes to be paid 
for their name, image and likeness. These bills are stopgaps, aimed at 
putting rules in place should there be a period of time before national 
rules are approved by the NCAA or Congress.It’s a question that’s been problematic for the NCAA for years; in 2016, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/us/politics/supreme-court-declconsider-ncaa-rules-on-paying-athletes.html" target="_blank">U.S. Supreme Court declined</a> to take up an antitrust suit filed by a former UCLA basketball player. California took matters into its own hands last year <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB206" target="_blank">with a law</a> to let students profit off their likeness, though it doesn't take effect until 2023.Currently,
 student-athletes are ruled ineligible if they make money on 
endorsements. Missouri U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver has proposed <a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/rep-cleaver-to-propose-law-requiring-colleges-to-pay-student-athletes" target="_blank">a national rule</a>
 that would have colleges directly pay athletes. The Kansas plan doesn’t
 go as far, instead allowing money from outside endorsement contracts.Emporia
 State University President Allison Garrett urged Kansas lawmakers to 
approve the bill, but ultimately hopes it never has to take effect.“This
 legislation in Kansas makes sense at this time,” Garrett said, “but the
 hope would be that there is that federal legislation.”It’s a 
sort of begrudging endorsement from the schools. Kansas State University
 Athletic Director Gene Taylor wants to keep up the current system, in 
which student-athletes aren’t allowed outside endorsements deals.“We
 would prefer no rules, honestly,” Taylor said. “Just let us continue 
that this scholarship is valuable enough. But that’s not the direction 
this is going, so we have to move forward.”The colleges don’t 
want to be on the cutting edge, where they might run afoul of NCAA rules
 and trigger punishments from the league. But they also don’t want to be
 left behind if other states allow endorsement deals.To walk that tightrope, <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/sb474/" target="_blank">Kansas’ bill</a>
 includes a trigger: It would only legalize outside endorsement deals 
for student-athletes after 15 other states have similar laws.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583774008806.png" alt=" Emporia State University President Allison Garrett (left, KU Director of Athletics Jeff Long (center) and Kansas State Athletics Director Gene Taylor testified in support of a bill that would allow student-athletes to be paid for endorsements. Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Emporia State University President Allison Garrett (left, KU Director of Athletics Jeff Long (center) and Kansas State Athletics Director Gene Taylor testified in support of a bill that would allow student-athletes to be paid for endorsements. Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>For schools in Kansas, the concern is that recruiting won’t be easy 
if other states allow athletes to make money but Kansas doesn’t.“I
 think it gets very tough,” University of Kansas Director of Athletics 
Jeff Long said. “Without this bill passing, we would be placed at a 
disadvantage.”The discussion comes at a time when KU <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/ku-denies-wrongdoing-response-ncaas-charges-recruiting-violations" target="_blank">is being investigated</a>
 for potential NCAA recruiting violations. It’s based on federal court 
testimony in which Adidas representatives said they made payments to 
recruits. The school didn’t address the allegations during a legislative
 hearing in Topeka, but <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2020/03/05/kansas-objects-to-ncaa-charges-in-response-to-allegations/111397794/" target="_blank">told the NCAA</a> that the agents weren’t working on behalf of KU.Garrett wants to see enough controls in a Kansas law so the endorsement deals aren’t used as part of recruiting.Lawmakers
 could take action on the bill later this session or continue work next 
year, according to Republican Sen. Julia Lynn, who chairs the Senate 
Commerce Committee.Lynn said there are still a variety of details to work out, including how the endorsement deals would be taxed.“Collegiate athletics is very complex. There are multiple layers there,” she said. “The money is really big in this issue.”Republican
 Sen. Molly Baumgarnder wants to make sure there are enough protections 
in the bill, so athletes and their families know what they’re getting 
into with endorsement deals, especially when it comes to high school 
recruits.“Agents are going to be flocking to high schools to try
 and enter into that contract,” Baumgarnder said. “How do the high 
school counselors, how do the high school coaches help that student that
 might be embarking on that next step?”Smaller private schools, 
who aren’t major players in the recruiting game like KU, K-State and 
Wichita State are, are concerned about the types of endorsements that 
might be made available.Some of the 20 schools in the Kansas 
Independent College Association have faith traditions that disapprove of
 alcohol and don’t allow it on campus.But under the bill, the schools wouldn’t have any say in outside endorsement deals.“A
 student-athlete could share his or her likeness with a beer company and
 the institution would have no power to limit such a contract,” KICA 
President Matt Lindsey told lawmakers.Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda">@kprkoranda</a>.

Kan. might let college athletes make money off their fame 

Irene Emily Morgan, 87, of Great Bend, died March 6, 2020, at 
Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood, Kan. She was born July 5, 1932, in 
Renfro, Oklahoma, to Lee Roy Elliott and Lottie E. (Kralicek) Elliott. 
She married Raymond K. Morgan on May 23, 1949, in Arkansas City, Kansas.
 He died on October 13, 2010.

Irene and Ray resided in Great Bend since 1950, where they proudly 
raised 10 children. Irene was a stay at home wife and mother, always 
toting around a child, grandchild or great grandchild. She enjoyed 
family the most but found time to enjoy gardening and local town music 
festivities.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray; two brothers, Jimmy L. 
Elliott, and Lee F. Elliott; and one son, Russell W. Morgan. Survivors 
include, four daughters, Orlena K. Allen of Littleton, Colo., Winona F. 
Smith of Hutchinson, Kan., Rosena G. Barton and husband Bob of Highlands
 Ranch, Colo., and Lisa J. Morgan and husband Stan Allison of Great 
Bend, Kan.; five sons, Kenneth L. Morgan and wife Jolene of Bison, Kan.,
 Daniel L. Morgan and wife Joan of Durham, N.C., Kim D. Morgan and wife 
Patty of Owasso, Okla., David J. Morgan and wife Angel of Ellinwood, 
Kan., and John C. Morgan and wife Kayleen of Buhler, Kan.; 21 
grandchildren; and 22 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, March 13, 
2020, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Service 
will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Bryant Funeral 
Home of Great Bend, Kan., with Pastor Travis Heneha officiating. 
Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. A family and friend 
gathering will be held to memorialize Irene at the Black Angus Best 
Western Motel Courtyard at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested to
 the Irene Morgan Memorial Fund, in care of the Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583848901616.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Irene Emily Morgan, 87, of Great Bend, died March 6, 2020, at 
Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood, Kan. She was born July 5, 1932, in 
Renfro, Oklahoma, to Lee Roy Elliott and Lottie E. (Kralicek) Elliott. 
She married Raymond K. Morgan on May 23, 1949, in Arkansas City, Kansas.
 He died on October 13, 2010.Irene and Ray resided in Great Bend since 1950, where they proudly 
raised 10 children. Irene was a stay at home wife and mother, always 
toting around a child, grandchild or great grandchild. She enjoyed 
family the most but found time to enjoy gardening and local town music 
festivities.She was preceded in death by her husband Ray; two brothers, Jimmy L. 
Elliott, and Lee F. Elliott; and one son, Russell W. Morgan. Survivors 
include, four daughters, Orlena K. Allen of Littleton, Colo., Winona F. 
Smith of Hutchinson, Kan., Rosena G. Barton and husband Bob of Highlands
 Ranch, Colo., and Lisa J. Morgan and husband Stan Allison of Great 
Bend, Kan.; five sons, Kenneth L. Morgan and wife Jolene of Bison, Kan.,
 Daniel L. Morgan and wife Joan of Durham, N.C., Kim D. Morgan and wife 
Patty of Owasso, Okla., David J. Morgan and wife Angel of Ellinwood, 
Kan., and John C. Morgan and wife Kayleen of Buhler, Kan.; 21 
grandchildren; and 22 great grandchildren.Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, March 13, 
2020, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Service 
will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Bryant Funeral 
Home of Great Bend, Kan., with Pastor Travis Heneha officiating. 
Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. A family and friend 
gathering will be held to memorialize Irene at the Black Angus Best 
Western Motel Courtyard at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested to
 the Irene Morgan Memorial Fund, in care of the Bryant Funeral Home.

Irene Emily Morgan

NEW YORK —(AP) The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 7.8% Monday, its steepest drop since the financial crisis of 2008, as mounting fears over the coronavirus combined with a crash in oil prices to send a shudder through world markets.

The drop on Wall Street was so sharp that it triggered the first automatic halt in trading in more than two decades. European markets likewise registered their heaviest losses since the darkest days of the 2008 meltdown and are now in a bear market.

Together, the damage reflecting mounting alarm over the coronavirus epidemic that has closed factories, schools and stores and led to travel bans and unprecedented quarantines.

"The market has had a crisis of confidence," said Willie Delwiche, investment strategist at Baird.

U.S. stocks are now down 19% from the peak they reached last month. Bond yields fell to all-time lows as investors sought safer places to put their money, even if the returns on their investment slid ever close to zero.

The market slide came as Italy, the hardest-hit place in Europe, began enforcing a lockdown against 16 million people in the north, or one-quarter of the country's population, with masked police officers and soldiers checking travelers' documents amid restrictions that affected such daily activities as enjoying a espresso at a cafe or running to the grocery store. The turmoil is expected to push Italy into recession and weigh on the European economy.

Elsewhere around the world, Ireland went so far as to cancel St. Patrick's Day parades, and Israel ordered all visitors quarantined just weeks before Passover and Easter, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

In the U.S., a cruise ship with a cluster of coronavirus cases that forced it to idle off the California coast for days arrived at the port of Oakland as officials prepared to start bringing passengers to military bases for quarantine or get them back to their home countries. The Grand Princess had more than 3,500 people aboard - 21 of them infected with the virus.

The escalating health crisis combined with another, intertwined development - plummeting oil prices - to drag down the market: The price of oil sank nearly 25% after Russia refused to roll back production in response to virus-depressed demand and Saudi Arabia signaled it will ramp up its own output.

While low oil prices can translate into cheaper gasoline, they wreak havoc on energy companies and countries that count on petroleum revenue, including the No. 1 producer, the U.S.

On Wall Street, the S&amp;P 500 plunged 7.4% in the first few minutes after the opening bell before trading was halted by the market's circuit breakers, first adopted after the crash of October 1987 and modified over the years to give investors a chance to catch their breath. The market-wide circuit breakers have been triggered only once before, in 1997.

After the 15-minute pause, the S&amp;P trimmed its losses, but still closed 7.6% lower on the day. The Dow fell 2,013 points, or 7.8%, to 23,851.02. The Nasdaq gave up 7.3%.

The slide pushed U.S. stocks ever closer to a bear market, defined as a drop of 20% from its peak, while a gauge of fear on Wall Street reached its highest level since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Italy's stock index plunged 11.2%. Britain, France and Germany were down between 7.7% and 8.4%

The interest rate, or yield, on U.S. Treasury bonds sank to all-time lows as investors looking for a safe place kept on sinking money into them, even as the return on their investment sank closer and closer to zero. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note plunged to 0.59%. Up until last week, it had never been below 1%.

The carnage in the energy sector was particularly bad. With benchmark U.S. crude dropping to under $32 a barrel, Marathon Oil, Apache Corp. and Diamondback Energy each sank more than 40%. Exxon Mobil and Chevron were on track for their worst days since 2008.

"We knew it was going to be a hot day," said John Spensieri, head of U.S. equity trading at Stifel. He said that the mood was "organized chaos" in the morning but that the trading halt achieved what it was supposed to by stopping the slide.

The coronavirus has infected more than 110,000 people worldwide and killed around 3,900, leading to factory shutdowns, travel bans, closings of schools and stores, and cancellations of conventions and other gatherings. In the U.S., the number of people infected climbed to around 600, with at least 26 deaths - at least 19 of them associated with a single Seattle-area nursing home.

While the crisis is easing in China, where the virus was first detected, fast-growing clusters have turned up in South Korea, Iran and Italy, and fears are mounting in the United States.

After initially taking an optimistic view on the virus, hoping that it would remain mostly in China and cause just a short-term disruption, investors are realizing they probably underestimated the crisis badly.

Including Monday's drop, the S&amp;P 500 has now lost 18.9% since setting a record last month. If it hits 20%, it would mean the death of what's become the longest-running bull market for U.S. stocks in history, an 11-year run. Monday marks the 11th anniversary of the market hitting bottom after the 2008 financial crisis.

Traders are increasing betting that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates back to zero to do what it can to help the virus-weakened economy, perhaps as soon as next week.

But doubts are rising about how effective lower rates can be this time. They can encourage people and companies to borrow, but they can't restart factories, restaurants or theme parks shut down because people are quarantined.

The Fed has already cut its benchmark short-term rate to a range of 1% to 1.25%, leaving little room to cut more.

"Central banks are a bit player in the current crisis,'' Ethan Harris, global economist at Bank of America, wrote in a research report.

The clamor is growing louder for help from authorities besides central banks.

"Today's market action may bang some heads together and actually start thinking about the constructive measures the government can take,'' said Jacob Kirkegaard, senior fellow at the Peterson Institution for International Economics.

Among other things, Kirkegaard said, the government should make sure all Americans get paid sick leave and health care coverage for virus-related ills.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks plunged 7% on Wall Street Monday, triggering a trading halt for 15 minutes. The steep drop followed similar falls in Europe after a fight among major crude-producing countries jolted investors already on edge about the widening fallout from the outbreak of the new coronavirus. 

 Indexes in London and Frankfurt dropped by more than 7%. The benchmark for Italy, where the industrial and financial heartland was put in lockdown, fell 11%. Oil prices are down about 20%, deepening a rout that began when Saudi Arabia, Russia and other producers failed to agree on cutting&nbsp;

BEIJING (AP) — Global stocks and oil prices have plunged after a fight among major crude-producing countries jolted investors who are already on edge about the costs of the virus outbreak. Trading in Wall Street futures has been halted after they fell by more than the daily limit of 5%. 

The stock indexes in London and Frankfurt dropped by almost 7%. The benchmark for Italy, where the industrial and financial heartland was put in lockdown, was down almost 10%. Tokyo closed down 5.1%. Oil prices are down about 20%, deepening a rout that began when Saudi Arabia, Russia and other major producers failed to agree on cutting output.

NEW YORK —(AP) The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 7.8% Monday, its steepest drop since the financial crisis of 2008, as mounting fears over the coronavirus combined with a crash in oil prices to send a shudder through world markets.The drop on Wall Street was so sharp that it triggered the first automatic halt in trading in more than two decades. European markets likewise registered their heaviest losses since the darkest days of the 2008 meltdown and are now in a bear market.Together, the damage reflecting mounting alarm over the coronavirus epidemic that has closed factories, schools and stores and led to travel bans and unprecedented quarantines."The market has had a crisis of confidence," said Willie Delwiche, investment strategist at Baird.U.S. stocks are now down 19% from the peak they reached last month. Bond yields fell to all-time lows as investors sought safer places to put their money, even if the returns on their investment slid ever close to zero.The market slide came as Italy, the hardest-hit place in Europe, began enforcing a lockdown against 16 million people in the north, or one-quarter of the country's population, with masked police officers and soldiers checking travelers' documents amid restrictions that affected such daily activities as enjoying a espresso at a cafe or running to the grocery store. The turmoil is expected to push Italy into recession and weigh on the European economy.Elsewhere around the world, Ireland went so far as to cancel St. Patrick's Day parades, and Israel ordered all visitors quarantined just weeks before Passover and Easter, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.In the U.S., a cruise ship with a cluster of coronavirus cases that forced it to idle off the California coast for days arrived at the port of Oakland as officials prepared to start bringing passengers to military bases for quarantine or get them back to their home countries. The Grand Princess had more than 3,500 people aboard - 21 of them infected with the virus.The escalating health crisis combined with another, intertwined development - plummeting oil prices - to drag down the market: The price of oil sank nearly 25% after Russia refused to roll back production in response to virus-depressed demand and Saudi Arabia signaled it will ramp up its own output.While low oil prices can translate into cheaper gasoline, they wreak havoc on energy companies and countries that count on petroleum revenue, including the No. 1 producer, the U.S.On Wall Street, the S&amp;P 500 plunged 7.4% in the first few minutes after the opening bell before trading was halted by the market's circuit breakers, first adopted after the crash of October 1987 and modified over the years to give investors a chance to catch their breath. The market-wide circuit breakers have been triggered only once before, in 1997.After the 15-minute pause, the S&amp;P trimmed its losses, but still closed 7.6% lower on the day. The Dow fell 2,013 points, or 7.8%, to 23,851.02. The Nasdaq gave up 7.3%.The slide pushed U.S. stocks ever closer to a bear market, defined as a drop of 20% from its peak, while a gauge of fear on Wall Street reached its highest level since the 2008 global financial crisis.Italy's stock index plunged 11.2%. Britain, France and Germany were down between 7.7% and 8.4%The interest rate, or yield, on U.S. Treasury bonds sank to all-time lows as investors looking for a safe place kept on sinking money into them, even as the return on their investment sank closer and closer to zero. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note plunged to 0.59%. Up until last week, it had never been below 1%.The carnage in the energy sector was particularly bad. With benchmark U.S. crude dropping to under $32 a barrel, Marathon Oil, Apache Corp. and Diamondback Energy each sank more than 40%. Exxon Mobil and Chevron were on track for their worst days since 2008."We knew it was going to be a hot day," said John Spensieri, head of U.S. equity trading at Stifel. He said that the mood was "organized chaos" in the morning but that the trading halt achieved what it was supposed to by stopping the slide.The coronavirus has infected more than 110,000 people worldwide and killed around 3,900, leading to factory shutdowns, travel bans, closings of schools and stores, and cancellations of conventions and other gatherings. In the U.S., the number of people infected climbed to around 600, with at least 26 deaths - at least 19 of them associated with a single Seattle-area nursing home.While the crisis is easing in China, where the virus was first detected, fast-growing clusters have turned up in South Korea, Iran and Italy, and fears are mounting in the United States.After initially taking an optimistic view on the virus, hoping that it would remain mostly in China and cause just a short-term disruption, investors are realizing they probably underestimated the crisis badly.Including Monday's drop, the S&amp;P 500 has now lost 18.9% since setting a record last month. If it hits 20%, it would mean the death of what's become the longest-running bull market for U.S. stocks in history, an 11-year run. Monday marks the 11th anniversary of the market hitting bottom after the 2008 financial crisis.Traders are increasing betting that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates back to zero to do what it can to help the virus-weakened economy, perhaps as soon as next week.But doubts are rising about how effective lower rates can be this time. They can encourage people and companies to borrow, but they can't restart factories, restaurants or theme parks shut down because people are quarantined.The Fed has already cut its benchmark short-term rate to a range of 1% to 1.25%, leaving little room to cut more."Central banks are a bit player in the current crisis,'' Ethan Harris, global economist at Bank of America, wrote in a research report.The clamor is growing louder for help from authorities besides central banks."Today's market action may bang some heads together and actually start thinking about the constructive measures the government can take,'' said Jacob Kirkegaard, senior fellow at the Peterson Institution for International Economics.Among other things, Kirkegaard said, the government should make sure all Americans get paid sick leave and health care coverage for virus-related ills.--------<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">US equity markets have resumed trading following the Market Wide Circuit Breaker trading halt&mdash; NYSE 🏛 (@NYSE) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYSE/status/1237012584311783424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks plunged 7% on Wall Street Monday, triggering a trading halt for 15 minutes. The steep drop followed similar falls in Europe after a fight among major crude-producing countries jolted investors already on edge about the widening fallout from the outbreak of the new coronavirus. Indexes in London and Frankfurt dropped by more than 7%. The benchmark for Italy, where the industrial and financial heartland was put in lockdown, fell 11%. Oil prices are down about 20%, deepening a rout that began when Saudi Arabia, Russia and other producers failed to agree on cutting&nbsp;-----------BEIJING (AP) — Global stocks and oil prices have plunged after a fight among major crude-producing countries jolted investors who are already on edge about the costs of the virus outbreak. Trading in Wall Street futures has been halted after they fell by more than the daily limit of 5%. The stock indexes in London and Frankfurt dropped by almost 7%. The benchmark for Italy, where the industrial and financial heartland was put in lockdown, was down almost 10%. Tokyo closed down 5.1%. Oil prices are down about 20%, deepening a rout that began when Saudi Arabia, Russia and other major producers failed to agree on cutting output.

Dow drops 7.8% as free-fall in oil, virus fears slam markets

Area legislators Sen. Elaine Bowers and Rep. Troy Waymaster joined Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz at the Kansas Department of Transportation building in Russell on Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony for a T-WORKS project — work originally announced in 2011.

The $9.8 million project will rehabilitate and reconstruct approximately 4 miles of pavement north of Russell, according to KDOT.

"Work will begin later this spring and include the construction of a 30-foot paved surface with three-foot turf shoulders starting at 15th Street in Russell and ending near Land Road," KDOT said in a news release. "Approximately 1.6 miles of the project will be built on an offset alignment around a geological slide area that has previously caused issues on the current highway."

"A right turn lane will also be constructed in the northbound lane at Land Road," KDOT said. "Sporer Land Development of Oakley is the primary contractor for the project, which is expected to be completed in October 2021.

<a href="http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/Headquarters/PDF_Files/pressrelease2020/US_54_Groundbreaking.pdf">The event was the second on Friday to kick off T-WORKS projects that had faced delays. U.S. Hwy. 54 in Seward County is set for an expansion project as well.</a>

“It’s a great day for northwest Kansas and southwest Kansas,
and for the entire state,” Lorenz said.

She also said she was the happy projects were moving forward finally fulfilling the promises made to the communities.

Lorenz used the groundbreaking to share details of project FORWARD that will change the way Kansas chooses and completes road projects.

This project, she said, is a good example of cost savings that project FORWARD can create by expanding the road while at the same time fixing the pavement damaged by a geologic shift that closed a section of the highway last summer.

“Under FORWARD, this type of project will be called preservation plus,”&nbsp;Lorenz said.&nbsp;

A key component of the new program, she said, will be looking for ways to improve roads and infrastructure while completing repairs whenever it is cost-effective.

Road projects will now also be evaluated every two years — and ready to go in two to four years.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e4aa38865b5d31438496a76">But&nbsp;completing delayed T-WORKS projects will take priority over any new ones as part of Gov. Laura Kelly's plan to repair Kansas roadways and restore funding to KDOT that had been diminished over the last decade.</a>

When originally announced, the Russell County project would have updated a 15-mile stretch of U.S. 281, but the damage to the roadway created a sense of urgency, Lorenz said. So the project will be split into two parts, with the rest of the project to be completed at a later time.

“This project is a great example of combining an immediate need for reconstructing the roadway — while also modernizing the highway with shoulder slopes with a flatter profile to support larger agriculture equipment,” Lorenz said. “Under FORWARD, we will make sure the remaining delayed T-WORKS projects, like phase two of this project, are at the front of the line for being completed.”

“What this project means for Kansas is a safer trip to
school, a safer commute to work and being able to better deliver goods to
market,”&nbsp;Lorenz said, noting the 240 motor vehicle accidents, including one fatality in Russel County last year.

Clayton Wilson, superintendent at Sporer Land Development, said the diminished funding for road projects had hurt his company and is happy to once again be working in Kansas.

Since joining the company in 1993, he said every year they had KDOT projects until the state cut funding.

“It has been the backbone of our company, our employees,
their families and we were dealt a significant blow in 2015 because we knew in
2016 our company wasn’t going to have a KDOT for the first time in the history
of the company,” Wilson said.

Working in Russell County means that their equipment and
employees will get to work in the heart of Kansas and not in other states — like
they have for the last four years, he said.

He also said he is happy to see lawmakers again pushing to repair infrastructure in Kansas and returning funding to complete road improvement projects.

“This isn't the only one," Wilson said. "There are more roads that need fixing in the state of Kansas — and without them fighting for the dollars, it's not going
to happen.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583609130262.jpeg" alt="Sen. Elaine Bowers, Rep. Troy Waymaster, Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz, Clayton Wilson of Sporer Land Development and KDOT District Engineer Jeff Stewart celebrated the upcoming U.S. Hwy. 281 road improvement project in a groundbreaking ceremony at the Russell KDOT building Friday." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers, Rep. Troy Waymaster, Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz, Clayton Wilson of Sporer Land Development and KDOT District Engineer Jeff Stewart celebrated the upcoming U.S. Hwy. 281 road improvement project in a groundbreaking ceremony at the Russell KDOT building Friday.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostArea legislators Sen. Elaine Bowers and Rep. Troy Waymaster joined Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz at the Kansas Department of Transportation building in Russell on Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony for a T-WORKS project — work originally announced in 2011.The $9.8 million project will rehabilitate and reconstruct approximately 4 miles of pavement north of Russell, according to KDOT."Work will begin later this spring and include the construction of a 30-foot paved surface with three-foot turf shoulders starting at 15th Street in Russell and ending near Land Road," KDOT said in a news release. "Approximately 1.6 miles of the project will be built on an offset alignment around a geological slide area that has previously caused issues on the current highway.""A right turn lane will also be constructed in the northbound lane at Land Road," KDOT said. "Sporer Land Development of Oakley is the primary contractor for the project, which is expected to be completed in October 2021.<a href="http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/Headquarters/PDF_Files/pressrelease2020/US_54_Groundbreaking.pdf">The event was the second on Friday to kick off T-WORKS projects that had faced delays. U.S. Hwy. 54 in Seward County is set for an expansion project as well.</a>“It’s a great day for northwest Kansas and southwest Kansas,
and for the entire state,” Lorenz said.She also said she was the happy projects were moving forward finally fulfilling the promises made to the communities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583604679461.jpeg" alt="Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz tells the crowd about project FORWARD and how it will impact road projects in Kansas." />
 <figcaption>Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz tells the crowd about project FORWARD and how it will impact road projects in Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>Lorenz used the groundbreaking to share details of project FORWARD that will change the way Kansas chooses and completes road projects.This project, she said, is a good example of cost savings that project FORWARD can create by expanding the road while at the same time fixing the pavement damaged by a geologic shift that closed a section of the highway last summer.“Under FORWARD, this type of project will be called preservation plus,”&nbsp;Lorenz said.&nbsp;A key component of the new program, she said, will be looking for ways to improve roads and infrastructure while completing repairs whenever it is cost-effective.Road projects will now also be evaluated every two years — and ready to go in two to four years.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e4aa38865b5d31438496a76">But&nbsp;completing delayed T-WORKS projects will take priority over any new ones as part of Gov. Laura Kelly's plan to repair Kansas roadways and restore funding to KDOT that had been diminished over the last decade.</a>When originally announced, the Russell County project would have updated a 15-mile stretch of U.S. 281, but the damage to the roadway created a sense of urgency, Lorenz said. So the project will be split into two parts, with the rest of the project to be completed at a later time.“This project is a great example of combining an immediate need for reconstructing the roadway — while also modernizing the highway with shoulder slopes with a flatter profile to support larger agriculture equipment,” Lorenz said. “Under FORWARD, we will make sure the remaining delayed T-WORKS projects, like phase two of this project, are at the front of the line for being completed.”“What this project means for Kansas is a safer trip to
school, a safer commute to work and being able to better deliver goods to
market,”&nbsp;Lorenz said, noting the 240 motor vehicle accidents, including one fatality in Russel County last year.“That’s too many,” she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583607639200.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster said the delay in the U.S. Hwy. 281 project hurt the economy and safety of the region." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster said the delay in the U.S. Hwy. 281 project hurt the economy and safety of the region.</figcaption>
 </figure>Clayton Wilson, superintendent at Sporer Land Development, said the diminished funding for road projects had hurt his company and is happy to once again be working in Kansas.Since joining the company in 1993, he said every year they had KDOT projects until the state cut funding.“It has been the backbone of our company, our employees,
their families and we were dealt a significant blow in 2015 because we knew in
2016 our company wasn’t going to have a KDOT for the first time in the history
of the company,” Wilson said.Working in Russell County means that their equipment and
employees will get to work in the heart of Kansas and not in other states — like
they have for the last four years, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583604724437.jpeg" alt="Clayton Wilson of Sporer Land Development shares what this project means to his company." />
 <figcaption>Clayton Wilson of Sporer Land Development shares what this project means to his company.</figcaption>
 </figure>He also said he is happy to see lawmakers again pushing to repair infrastructure in Kansas and returning funding to complete road improvement projects.“This isn't the only one," Wilson said. "There are more roads that need fixing in the state of Kansas — and without them fighting for the dollars, it's not going
to happen.”

Nine years after announced, Russell Co. highway project set to begin

Richard C. Flax, age 79, of Ellis, 
Kansas passed away Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Trego Lemke Long Term 
Care Center in WaKeeney, Kansas. He was born December 20, 1940 in Hays, 
Kansas to Carl and Bertha (Honas) Flax. On October 9, 1965 he married 
Charlene (Klaus) at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, Kansas.

Richard was a farmer and stockman as 
well as a water hauler in the oil fields and a dump truck driver hauling
 millings for highway construction. He was a US Army Veteran and a 
member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. He enjoyed playing cards 
and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene of
 Ellis; three sons, Mark Flax and wife Jackie of Ellis, Gary Flax and 
wife Tricia of Russell and Arlen Flax and wife Rose of Ellis and three 
grandchildren, Jarod Flax of Goodland, Braden Flax of Russell and Emma 
Flax of Ellis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Norma Jean Flax.

Funeral services will be 10 AM on 
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Burial 
will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be Monday 6 PM – 8 PM and Tuesday 9 AM until service time all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

A combined parish vigil and rosary will be 7 PM Monday at the church.

Services in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s School or St. Mary’s Church.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583604088451.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Richard C. Flax, age 79, of Ellis, 
Kansas passed away Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Trego Lemke Long Term 
Care Center in WaKeeney, Kansas. He was born December 20, 1940 in Hays, 
Kansas to Carl and Bertha (Honas) Flax. On October 9, 1965 he married 
Charlene (Klaus) at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, Kansas.Richard was a farmer and stockman as 
well as a water hauler in the oil fields and a dump truck driver hauling
 millings for highway construction. He was a US Army Veteran and a 
member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. He enjoyed playing cards 
and spending time with his grandchildren.He is survived by his wife, Charlene of
 Ellis; three sons, Mark Flax and wife Jackie of Ellis, Gary Flax and 
wife Tricia of Russell and Arlen Flax and wife Rose of Ellis and three 
grandchildren, Jarod Flax of Goodland, Braden Flax of Russell and Emma 
Flax of Ellis.He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Norma Jean Flax.Funeral services will be 10 AM on 
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Burial 
will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery with military honors.Visitation will be Monday 6 PM – 8 PM and Tuesday 9 AM until service time all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.A combined parish vigil and rosary will be 7 PM Monday at the church.Services in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s School or St. Mary’s Church.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Richard C. Flax

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) —The University of Kansas forcefully objected to charges that its storied men's basketball program, currently No. 1 in the nation, and its football programs had committed significant violations tied primarily to recruiting when it issued its formal response to the NCAA's notice of allegations Thursday night.

In a series of documents totaling nearly 300 pages of arguments and supporting materials, the school claims several facts involving Bill Self's basketball program are in dispute, including charges that Kansas lacked institutional control and its Hall of Fame coach and his assistant, Kurtis Townsend, had committed a series of high-level violations.

“There is no reasonable conclusion that members of the university, including the men's basketball staff, knew or should have known about any violations of NCAA rules,” the response said. “Self had no knowledge of any NCAA rules violations or illicit conduct exhibited by Adidas, its employees or its consultants. ... Voluminous evidence demonstrates uncontestably that Coach Self did, in fact, promote an atmosphere of compliance.”

The NCAA issued its original notice of allegations on Sept. 23, which included five violations for men's basketball — all Level 1, the most severe — and two lesser violations for football. The school then received an amended notice Jan. 30 that added an eighth, low-level violation involving the current football staff led by Les Miles.

While the NCAA's notice does not detail what Kansas is accused of doing, the program was among the most prominent in an NCAA probe into a pay-for-play scheme that began with an FBI investigation into apparel company Adidas. One of its former employees testified at trial that he made payments to the family of one Kansas recruit and the guardian of a current player, and text messages presented in court revealed a close relationship between Self and the Adidas employee.

The school had Thursday deadline to issue its response. Ultimately, a hearing will be scheduled and Kansas will present its case. The NCAA will then issue its ruling, often within several months, and the school retains the right to appeal.

“To be candid with you, I haven't had much to do with it,” Self said Wednesday night, shortly after the Jayhawks beat TCU in their home finale to clinch a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. “I haven't let that bog me down as a distraction. It certainly won't moving forward. That was something that had to happen from a mandatory standpoint, but it is no more than what it was three or four moths ago. It's the next play.”

Kansas is hardly the only big-name program involved in the case. North Carolina State received notice of two violations, among them a failure-to-monitor charge against former coach Mark Gottfied. Arizona, Auburn, Southern California and Creighton are among the other programs that have been caught in the crosshairs.

The former Adidas employee, T.J. Gassnola, testified in October that he made a a $90,000 payment to the family of then-Kansas recruit Billy Preston and $2,500 to the guardian of forward Silvio De Sousa, who just this week finished a 12-game suspension for an unrelated issue — he was involved in a brawl during a game against Kansas State. Gassnola also said he paid $20,000 to Fenny Falmagne, De Sousa's guardian, to pry him loose from an agreement with Maryland.

Gassnola, who avoided prison time by cooperating with the FBI, insisted Self and his coaching staff were unaware of the payments, even though text messages detailed their close relationship. But an attorney for former Adidas executive James Gatto told a jury that his client approved the payment to Falmagne only after Self and Townsend requested it.

The school's response Thursday night goes painstakingly, point-by-point in disputing the vast majority of the NCAA's accusations. Perhaps the biggest claim is that Adidas, which last April signed a 14-year, $196 million contract extension with Kansas, and its employees were representatives of the school's athletic interests during the period of the alleged violations — thus, they were acting on the school's behalf.

“While there is no denying that the conduct of those associated with Adidas may have broken criminal law,” the school's response said, “the University of Kansas and its employees should not be held responsible for that conduct.”

Gatto, former Adidas consultant Merl Code and handler Chris Dawkins already have been found guilty of felony charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the FBI probe. Gassnola was given probation as part of his cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors.

Meanwhile, the Jayhawks (27-3, 16-1) have weathered the off-the-court turmoil to put together one of their best regular seasons in years. They have a chance to win the Big 12 title outright Saturday with a win at Texas Tech or if Baylor loses at West Virginia, and they have the inside track on the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Two of their players, Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike, are front-runners for Big 12 player of the year, and each is present on just about every watch list for national awards. They also are likely to be chosen in the upcoming NBA draft.

“We've dealt with some stuff that's been pretty well-known publicly with basically very little fault to the guys,” Self acknowledged. “I mean, Silvio made a bad, bad error in judgment the one time, but other than that, the guys have handled the distractions as if they're not distractions, and you know, that can be taxing on a team mentally. I think they've been great and I think they've acted maturely.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574643193042.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy University of Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy University of Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) —The University of Kansas forcefully objected to charges that its storied men's basketball program, currently No. 1 in the nation, and its football programs had committed significant violations tied primarily to recruiting when it issued its formal response to the NCAA's notice of allegations Thursday night.In a series of documents totaling nearly 300 pages of arguments and supporting materials, the school claims several facts involving Bill Self's basketball program are in dispute, including charges that Kansas lacked institutional control and its Hall of Fame coach and his assistant, Kurtis Townsend, had committed a series of high-level violations.“There is no reasonable conclusion that members of the university, including the men's basketball staff, knew or should have known about any violations of NCAA rules,” the response said. “Self had no knowledge of any NCAA rules violations or illicit conduct exhibited by Adidas, its employees or its consultants. ... Voluminous evidence demonstrates uncontestably that Coach Self did, in fact, promote an atmosphere of compliance.”The NCAA issued its original notice of allegations on Sept. 23, which included five violations for men's basketball — all Level 1, the most severe — and two lesser violations for football. The school then received an amended notice Jan. 30 that added an eighth, low-level violation involving the current football staff led by Les Miles.While the NCAA's notice does not detail what Kansas is accused of doing, the program was among the most prominent in an NCAA probe into a pay-for-play scheme that began with an FBI investigation into apparel company Adidas. One of its former employees testified at trial that he made payments to the family of one Kansas recruit and the guardian of a current player, and text messages presented in court revealed a close relationship between Self and the Adidas employee.The school had Thursday deadline to issue its response. Ultimately, a hearing will be scheduled and Kansas will present its case. The NCAA will then issue its ruling, often within several months, and the school retains the right to appeal.“To be candid with you, I haven't had much to do with it,” Self said Wednesday night, shortly after the Jayhawks beat TCU in their home finale to clinch a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. “I haven't let that bog me down as a distraction. It certainly won't moving forward. That was something that had to happen from a mandatory standpoint, but it is no more than what it was three or four moths ago. It's the next play.”Kansas is hardly the only big-name program involved in the case. North Carolina State received notice of two violations, among them a failure-to-monitor charge against former coach Mark Gottfied. Arizona, Auburn, Southern California and Creighton are among the other programs that have been caught in the crosshairs.The former Adidas employee, T.J. Gassnola, testified in October that he made a a $90,000 payment to the family of then-Kansas recruit Billy Preston and $2,500 to the guardian of forward Silvio De Sousa, who just this week finished a 12-game suspension for an unrelated issue — he was involved in a brawl during a game against Kansas State. Gassnola also said he paid $20,000 to Fenny Falmagne, De Sousa's guardian, to pry him loose from an agreement with Maryland.Gassnola, who avoided prison time by cooperating with the FBI, insisted Self and his coaching staff were unaware of the payments, even though text messages detailed their close relationship. But an attorney for former Adidas executive James Gatto told a jury that his client approved the payment to Falmagne only after Self and Townsend requested it.The school's response Thursday night goes painstakingly, point-by-point in disputing the vast majority of the NCAA's accusations. Perhaps the biggest claim is that Adidas, which last April signed a 14-year, $196 million contract extension with Kansas, and its employees were representatives of the school's athletic interests during the period of the alleged violations — thus, they were acting on the school's behalf.“While there is no denying that the conduct of those associated with Adidas may have broken criminal law,” the school's response said, “the University of Kansas and its employees should not be held responsible for that conduct.”Gatto, former Adidas consultant Merl Code and handler Chris Dawkins already have been found guilty of felony charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the FBI probe. Gassnola was given probation as part of his cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors.Meanwhile, the Jayhawks (27-3, 16-1) have weathered the off-the-court turmoil to put together one of their best regular seasons in years. They have a chance to win the Big 12 title outright Saturday with a win at Texas Tech or if Baylor loses at West Virginia, and they have the inside track on the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.Two of their players, Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike, are front-runners for Big 12 player of the year, and each is present on just about every watch list for national awards. They also are likely to be chosen in the upcoming NBA draft.“We've dealt with some stuff that's been pretty well-known publicly with basically very little fault to the guys,” Self acknowledged. “I mean, Silvio made a bad, bad error in judgment the one time, but other than that, the guys have handled the distractions as if they're not distractions, and you know, that can be taxing on a team mentally. I think they've been great and I think they've acted maturely.”

KU objects to NCAA charges in response to allegations

Phillipsburg resident John A. Beim passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Phillips County Hospital, Phillipsburg, at the age of 88.

He was born October 22, 1931 in Phillips County, KS the son of Joseph John and Addie Florence (Anderson) Beim.

John was united in marriage to Shirley Klotz on July 22, 1956 in Phillipsburg.&nbsp; She preceded him in death in 2012.&nbsp; He was also preceded in death by a sister, Geneva Burton.

Survivors include his daughter, Paula Lyon of Phillipsburg; 3 sons, Timothy of Phillipsburg, Michael of Keokuk, IA and Perry of Wichita, KS; 8 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stuttgart, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Phillips County, KS.

Mr. Beim will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS&nbsp; 67661.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Online condolences:&nbsp; www.olliffboeve.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583350256415.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Phillipsburg resident John A. Beim passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Phillips County Hospital, Phillipsburg, at the age of 88.He was born October 22, 1931 in Phillips County, KS the son of Joseph John and Addie Florence (Anderson) Beim.John was united in marriage to Shirley Klotz on July 22, 1956 in Phillipsburg.&nbsp; She preceded him in death in 2012.&nbsp; He was also preceded in death by a sister, Geneva Burton.Survivors include his daughter, Paula Lyon of Phillipsburg; 3 sons, Timothy of Phillipsburg, Michael of Keokuk, IA and Perry of Wichita, KS; 8 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stuttgart, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Phillips County, KS.Mr. Beim will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS&nbsp; 67661.Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church.Online condolences:&nbsp; www.olliffboeve.com

John A. Beim

By DAN MARGOLIES &amp; PEGGY LOWE, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/judge-allows-wrongfully-convicted-lamonte-mcintyres-civil-case-against-wyandotte-county-proceed#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

A federal judge has declined to dismiss most of the counts in a civil
 lawsuit brought by Lamonte McIntyre and his mother over his conviction 
for a double murder he did not commit and his subsequent 23-year 
imprisonment.

The blistering 70-page ruling Tuesday by U.S. 
District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil came in response to motions to throw 
out the lawsuit by the defendants — the Unified Government of Wyandotte 
County; Roger Golubski, a now-retired Kansas City, Kansas, detective who
 was instrumental in framing McIntyre; and other policemen involved in 
the trumped-up investigation.

Although Vratil agreed to dismiss 
some of the lawsuit’s counts on technical legal grounds, she left 
standing most of the counts in the lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed
 to a possible trial.

Cheryl Pilate, one of the McIntyres’ attorneys, said she was gratified by the ruling.

“Lamonte
 and Rosie suffered enormously through the 23 years of Lamonte’s 
wrongful incarceration, and they look forward to presenting their case 
to a jury,” Pilate said in an email.&nbsp;

McIntyre was 17 when he was
 arrested in 1994 for the shotgun killings of Doniel Quinn, 21, and 
Donald Ewing, 34. He was convicted and given two life sentences. He was 
freed from prison in October 2017 after the two alleged eyewitnesses in 
the case recanted their testimony and the Wyandotte County district 
attorney concluded the case involved a “manifest injustice.”

Last
 month, the state of Kansas awarded McIntyre $1.55 million and a 
certificate of innocence under a new Kansas law enacted to compensate 
wrongfully imprisoned defendants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583330843112.png" alt=" The state of Kansas awarded Lamont McIntyre $1.55 million and a certificate of innocence after passing a new law to compensate wrongfully imprisoned defendants. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The state of Kansas awarded Lamont McIntyre $1.55 million and a certificate of innocence after passing a new law to compensate wrongfully imprisoned defendants. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAN MARGOLIES &amp; PEGGY LOWE, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/judge-allows-wrongfully-convicted-lamonte-mcintyres-civil-case-against-wyandotte-county-proceed#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>A federal judge has declined to dismiss most of the counts in a civil
 lawsuit brought by Lamonte McIntyre and his mother over his conviction 
for a double murder he did not commit and his subsequent 23-year 
imprisonment.The blistering 70-page ruling Tuesday by U.S. 
District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil came in response to motions to throw 
out the lawsuit by the defendants — the Unified Government of Wyandotte 
County; Roger Golubski, a now-retired Kansas City, Kansas, detective who
 was instrumental in framing McIntyre; and other policemen involved in 
the trumped-up investigation.Although Vratil agreed to dismiss 
some of the lawsuit’s counts on technical legal grounds, she left 
standing most of the counts in the lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed
 to a possible trial.Cheryl Pilate, one of the McIntyres’ attorneys, said she was gratified by the ruling.“Lamonte
 and Rosie suffered enormously through the 23 years of Lamonte’s 
wrongful incarceration, and they look forward to presenting their case 
to a jury,” Pilate said in an email.&nbsp;McIntyre was 17 when he was
 arrested in 1994 for the shotgun killings of Doniel Quinn, 21, and 
Donald Ewing, 34. He was convicted and given two life sentences. He was 
freed from prison in October 2017 after the two alleged eyewitnesses in 
the case recanted their testimony and the Wyandotte County district 
attorney concluded the case involved a “manifest injustice.”Last
 month, the state of Kansas awarded McIntyre $1.55 million and a 
certificate of innocence under a new Kansas law enacted to compensate 
wrongfully imprisoned defendants.In laying out the factual 
background of the case, Vratil was unsparing in her description of how 
Golubski acted to coerce witnesses into giving fabricated testimony and 
to railroad McIntyre.“Since the early 1980s, Roger Golubski used
 his power as a police officer to exploit sex from vulnerable black 
women in the north end of Kansas City, Kansas,” Vratil wrote at the 
outset of her ruling. “To do so, he threatened arrest and prosecution, 
fixed tickets, made warrants disappear and paid money and drugs. He 
would often fixate on particular women, harassing them continually for 
months or even years. These predilections and abuses were well known 
among other officers and supervisors within the Kansas City, Kansas 
Police Department ('KCKPD'). They knew – and even joked about – 
Golubski’s practice of arresting black prostitutes, forcing them to have
 sex (often at the precinct house itself) and then releasing them 
without pressing charges.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583330912187.png" alt=" Now retired Kansas City, Kansas, Detective Roger Golubski, who coerced witnesses into giving false testimony against McIntyre. Credit Associated Press" />
 <figcaption> Now retired Kansas City, Kansas, Detective Roger Golubski, who coerced witnesses into giving false testimony against McIntyre. Credit Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>Golubski’s attorney, Morgan Roach, said he did not have a chance to 
thoroughly review Vratil’s ruling and declined to comment. Golubski, who
 retired about a decade ago as a police captain after more than 30 years
 on the Kansas City, Kansas, police force, could not be reached for 
comment.&nbsp;One of the women Golubski exploited was McIntyre’s 
mother, Rose McIntyre, whom Golubski sexually assaulted at his police 
station office, according to Vratil’s recounting of the facts. Another 
officer who opened Golubski’s door and saw what was happening left 
without saying anything.Golubski’s harassment continued over 
time even after Rose McIntyre rejected his advances, ultimately leading 
her to move to a new home and change her phone number in the hope he 
would stop terrorizing her.In April 1994, Golubski ginned up 
evidence against McIntyre for the slaying of Quinn and Ewing as they sat
 in a parked car. Golubski coerced two women, one of whom he had a 
sexual relationship with, into identifying McIntyre as the killer. Both 
were pressured into picking out McIntyre’s photo from an array of five 
photos – three of which were of Lamonte and two of his close relatives.Golubski
 and other police officer spent no more than six hours investigating the
 murders, Vratil said, before pinning them on McIntyre and arresting 
him.Evidence later developed by McIntyre’s lawyers showed that 
the murder was committed by Neil Edgar Jr., better known as “Monster,” 
who worked for a local drug kingpin.McIntyre and his mother 
filed their civil lawsuit shortly after McIntyre was exonerated in 2017.
 They amended the lawsuit in September.The defendants “regularly
 engaged in improper and illegal acts to obtain unreliable and often 
falsified evidence for the purpose of closing cases and intentionally 
protected certain notorious drug dealers from arrest by wrongfully 
arresting other residents of the community for the dealers' crimes,” the
 lawsuit states.The nine-count suit seeks unspecified 
compensatory and punitive damages for violations of the McIntyres’ 
constitutional rights and various state laws. While declining to dismiss
 most of the counts against the defendants, Vratil did agree with the 
Unified Government that, under Kansas law, it cannot be held liable for 
punitive damages.Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor at KCUR. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/DanMargolies">@DanMargolies</a>. Peggy Lowe is a KCUR reporter and is on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/peggyllowe">@peggyllowe</a>.