Patricia A. Brown, 83, Hays, died Friday, November 6, 2020 at Ellis Good Samaritan Society.

She was born February 14, 1937 in 
Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Howard and Dorothy (Lee) Sprague.&nbsp; 
She graduated from high school in Manahawkin, New Jersey.&nbsp; In 1954 she 
was united in marriage to Paul A. Brown in Barnegat, New Jersey.&nbsp; He 
preceded her in death on October 2, 2008.&nbsp; Patricia was kindhearted, 
putting other people’s needs before her own, and she loved spending time
 with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include a son: Shane Brown of
 Marysville, a daughter: Patti Brown of Hays, eight grandchildren: 
Jackalyn Brown and Cheyenne Brown, both of Hays, Caleb Snow of Norton, 
Joseph Brown and Heather Brown, both of Marysville, Kimberly Cazella of 
Manhattan, Paul Brown of Wichita, and Rebekah Schukman of Springfield, 
MO, and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her 
parents, her husband Paul, a son: Howard Brown, a daughter: Kathryn 
Brown, four brothers: Bill, Dave, Butch, and Hank Sprague, and a sister:
 Marion Franzius.

Inurnment will take place at a later 
date.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to the family, payable to Patti Brown.&nbsp; 
Condolences and memories of Patricia may be shared with the family at 
www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605016975327.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Patricia A. Brown, 83, Hays, died Friday, November 6, 2020 at Ellis Good Samaritan Society.She was born February 14, 1937 in 
Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Howard and Dorothy (Lee) Sprague.&nbsp; 
She graduated from high school in Manahawkin, New Jersey.&nbsp; In 1954 she 
was united in marriage to Paul A. Brown in Barnegat, New Jersey.&nbsp; He 
preceded her in death on October 2, 2008.&nbsp; Patricia was kindhearted, 
putting other people’s needs before her own, and she loved spending time
 with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.Survivors include a son: Shane Brown of
 Marysville, a daughter: Patti Brown of Hays, eight grandchildren: 
Jackalyn Brown and Cheyenne Brown, both of Hays, Caleb Snow of Norton, 
Joseph Brown and Heather Brown, both of Marysville, Kimberly Cazella of 
Manhattan, Paul Brown of Wichita, and Rebekah Schukman of Springfield, 
MO, and eight great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her 
parents, her husband Paul, a son: Howard Brown, a daughter: Kathryn 
Brown, four brothers: Bill, Dave, Butch, and Hank Sprague, and a sister:
 Marion Franzius.Inurnment will take place at a later 
date.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to the family, payable to Patti Brown.&nbsp; 
Condolences and memories of Patricia may be shared with the family at 
www.haysmemorial.com

Patricia A. Brown

Crude prices rebounded from last week's huge selloff, in what appears to be a reaction to news about a possible COVID vaccine. After posting ten dollar per barrel losses last week, midday prices Monday were up nearly nine percent. The near-month Nymex contract for light sweet crude was up $3.29 to $40.43 per barrel. London Brent jumped $3.13 to $42.58 per barrel. Prices at CHS in McPherson on Monday reflected the selloff last week with Kansas Common crude fetching $27.50 per barrel. Analysts expect that to increase alongside the national and international benchmarks. The government released its formal monthly tally of crude oil production through August, noting a slight increase in Kansas production, the third monthly increase in a row. Kansas output reached 2.32 million barrels in August, or nearly 75,000 barrels per day. Total U.S. production was down about 12 million barrels from July to just over 10.5 million barrels per day. That's down nearly 4 percent. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a pair of operators are about to spud new wells in Barton and Stafford counties. There are seven active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, unchanged from last week, and eleven west of Wichita, up two. Baker Hughes reported a net increase of five active oil drilling rigs last week. Many states saw declines but the count in Texas was up six and New Mexico was up three. Regulators approved six new drilling permits across Kansas last week, including four in Barton County. There are five new permits in Western Kansas and one east of Wichita, for a year-to-date total of 392. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 15 new well completions for the week, ten of them east of Wichita and five in Western Kansas, including a pair of dry holes in Barton and Ellis counties and a producing development well in Russell County. Operators statewide have completed 719 wells so far this year. U.S. crude-oil inventories last week dropped eight million barrels from a week earlier. The Energy Information Administration reports total U.S. stockpiles dropped to just over 484 million barrels for the week ending October 30. EIA said Inventories currently stand about seven percent above the five-year seasonal average. The government reported a slight decrease in U.S. crude production last week. The Energy Information Administration reports average output of nearly 10.5 million barrels per day. That's down more than 600,000 barrels per day from the week before, and is down more than two million barrels per day from a year ago. Crude storage usage is at its highest level since spring. The EIA on Wednesday reported net stockpiles reached 76% of the storage capacity at Cushing, Oklahoma. That's the highest percentage since May 8. EIA reports U.S. crude imports were down 600,000 barrels to five million barrels per day. Over the last four weeks, average imports were down more than 15% from the same period a year ago. Weekly oil-by-rail numbers increased slightly last week, but continue to lag well behind last year at this time. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,202 tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products for the week ending October 31. That's up 35 rail cars from the week before, but is nearly 20% behind the same weekly total last year. Total freight-train usage was up last month, posting a two percent increase over October of last year. The State of New Mexico is considering some tough new emissions rules for the oil-patch. Regulators will hold a public meeting with about a week's worth of testimony beginning January 4. The new regulations would require the capture of 98-percent of natural gas emissions by the year 2026. Shell announced last week that it is closing one of its refineries in Louisiana, after failed attempts to sell the facility. The refinery between Baton Rouge and New Orleans can process 240,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It employs nearly 700 employees and 400 contract workers, with layoffs starting later this month. President Donald Trump surprised many last week with the removal of the chairman of the agency that regulates oil and gas pipelines and other energy infrastructure. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Chatterjee's term was set to expire next June. Axios reported his departure might have been hastened by a policy statement involving climate change issued in October. The world's largest oil exporter is cutting prices. Saudi Arabia reduced most of its oil pricing amid a cloudy energy demand outlook. State-run Saudi Aramco cut prices for all U.S. grades by 20 cents per barrel, and cut Asian pricing by ten cents. Aramco raised prices by up to a dollar a barrel for customers in the northwest Europe and Mediterranean regions. Libya's National Oil Corp, NOC, has now ended restrictions on the last crude-oil production facilities closed by an eight-month blockade. The country's output has skyrocketed since the settlement in its civil war. Reuters reported total production reached 800,000 barrels per day last week, up from just 100,000 barrels per day as recently as September. In a sign of the times, oil major BP is in talks to sell its London headquarters. The Wall Street Journal reports the company needs cash to help cover debts. Cascading oil prices may be about to get some relief from China. Bloomberg reports the world's biggest oil buyer has raised by 20% its quota for use of crude from overseas. That signals increased imports of about 823,000 barrels per day. Net profit at the world's largest crude exporter fell more than 44% in the third quarter compared to a year earlier. Saudi Aramco saw quarterly earnings drop from over $21 billion to $11.8 billion dollars, due to the continued collapse of demand and prices.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARCrude prices rebounded from last week's huge selloff, in what appears to be a reaction to news about a possible COVID vaccine. After posting ten dollar per barrel losses last week, midday prices Monday were up nearly nine percent. The near-month Nymex contract for light sweet crude was up $3.29 to $40.43 per barrel. London Brent jumped $3.13 to $42.58 per barrel. Prices at CHS in McPherson on Monday reflected the selloff last week with Kansas Common crude fetching $27.50 per barrel. Analysts expect that to increase alongside the national and international benchmarks. The government released its formal monthly tally of crude oil production through August, noting a slight increase in Kansas production, the third monthly increase in a row. Kansas output reached 2.32 million barrels in August, or nearly 75,000 barrels per day. Total U.S. production was down about 12 million barrels from July to just over 10.5 million barrels per day. That's down nearly 4 percent. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a pair of operators are about to spud new wells in Barton and Stafford counties. There are seven active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, unchanged from last week, and eleven west of Wichita, up two. Baker Hughes reported a net increase of five active oil drilling rigs last week. Many states saw declines but the count in Texas was up six and New Mexico was up three. Regulators approved six new drilling permits across Kansas last week, including four in Barton County. There are five new permits in Western Kansas and one east of Wichita, for a year-to-date total of 392. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 15 new well completions for the week, ten of them east of Wichita and five in Western Kansas, including a pair of dry holes in Barton and Ellis counties and a producing development well in Russell County. Operators statewide have completed 719 wells so far this year. U.S. crude-oil inventories last week dropped eight million barrels from a week earlier. The Energy Information Administration reports total U.S. stockpiles dropped to just over 484 million barrels for the week ending October 30. EIA said Inventories currently stand about seven percent above the five-year seasonal average. The government reported a slight decrease in U.S. crude production last week. The Energy Information Administration reports average output of nearly 10.5 million barrels per day. That's down more than 600,000 barrels per day from the week before, and is down more than two million barrels per day from a year ago. Crude storage usage is at its highest level since spring. The EIA on Wednesday reported net stockpiles reached 76% of the storage capacity at Cushing, Oklahoma. That's the highest percentage since May 8. EIA reports U.S. crude imports were down 600,000 barrels to five million barrels per day. Over the last four weeks, average imports were down more than 15% from the same period a year ago. Weekly oil-by-rail numbers increased slightly last week, but continue to lag well behind last year at this time. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,202 tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products for the week ending October 31. That's up 35 rail cars from the week before, but is nearly 20% behind the same weekly total last year. Total freight-train usage was up last month, posting a two percent increase over October of last year. The State of New Mexico is considering some tough new emissions rules for the oil-patch. Regulators will hold a public meeting with about a week's worth of testimony beginning January 4. The new regulations would require the capture of 98-percent of natural gas emissions by the year 2026. Shell announced last week that it is closing one of its refineries in Louisiana, after failed attempts to sell the facility. The refinery between Baton Rouge and New Orleans can process 240,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It employs nearly 700 employees and 400 contract workers, with layoffs starting later this month. President Donald Trump surprised many last week with the removal of the chairman of the agency that regulates oil and gas pipelines and other energy infrastructure. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Chatterjee's term was set to expire next June. Axios reported his departure might have been hastened by a policy statement involving climate change issued in October. The world's largest oil exporter is cutting prices. Saudi Arabia reduced most of its oil pricing amid a cloudy energy demand outlook. State-run Saudi Aramco cut prices for all U.S. grades by 20 cents per barrel, and cut Asian pricing by ten cents. Aramco raised prices by up to a dollar a barrel for customers in the northwest Europe and Mediterranean regions. Libya's National Oil Corp, NOC, has now ended restrictions on the last crude-oil production facilities closed by an eight-month blockade. The country's output has skyrocketed since the settlement in its civil war. Reuters reported total production reached 800,000 barrels per day last week, up from just 100,000 barrels per day as recently as September. In a sign of the times, oil major BP is in talks to sell its London headquarters. The Wall Street Journal reports the company needs cash to help cover debts. Cascading oil prices may be about to get some relief from China. Bloomberg reports the world's biggest oil buyer has raised by 20% its quota for use of crude from overseas. That signals increased imports of about 823,000 barrels per day. Net profit at the world's largest crude exporter fell more than 44% in the third quarter compared to a year earlier. Saudi Aramco saw quarterly earnings drop from over $21 billion to $11.8 billion dollars, due to the continued collapse of demand and prices.

News From the Oil Patch: Crude prices skyrocket on vaccine news

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite Trump administration efforts to erect a protective shield around nursing homes, coronavirus cases are surging within facilities in states hard hit by the latest onslaught of COVID-19.

An analysis of federal data from 20 states for The Associated Press finds that new weekly cases among residents rose nearly four-fold from the end of May to late October, from 1,083 to 4,274. Resident deaths more than doubled, from 318 a week to 699, according to the study by University of Chicago health researchers Rebecca Gorges and Tamara Konetzka.

Equally concerning, weekly cases among nursing home staff in surge states more than quadrupled, from 855 the week ending May 31, to 4,050 the week ending Oct. 25. That rings alarms because infected staffers not yet showing symptoms are seen as the most likely way the virus gets into facilities. When those unwitting staffers test positive, they are sidelined from caring for residents, raising pressures on remaining staff.

The administration has allocated $5 billion to nursing homes, shipped nearly 14,000 fast-test machines with a goal of supplying every facility and tried to shore up stocks of protective equipment. But the data call into question the broader White House game plan, one that pushes states to reopen while maintaining that vulnerable people can be cocooned, even if the virus rebounds around them.

“Trying to protect nursing home residents without controlling community spread is a losing battle,” said Konetzka, a nationally recognized expert on long-term care. “Someone has to care for vulnerable nursing home residents, and those caregivers move in and out of the nursing home daily, providing an easy pathway for the virus to enter.”

The nation is setting records for coronavirus cases heading into cold weather season when many experts expect the virus will be harder to contain. The seven-day rolling average for daily new cases stood at nearly 104,000 on Saturday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities account for about 1% of the U.S. population, but represent 40% of COVID-19 deaths, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

In Fort Dodge, a manufacturing and transportation center in north-central Iowa, Julie Thorson said she knew she was in for a bad week when several employees at the Friendship Haven nursing home tested positive last Monday. As president of the senior living community, Thorson contacted the county health department. “They were basically not surprised because they’re seeing it all over the county,” she said.

Residents also started testing positive. The facility had 11 new cases among residents, as of Friday.

“I was thinking all night what’s worse, to have it hit and not know what you are getting into, or to prepare, prepare, and prepare, and then have it hit,” she said.

Responding to the study findings, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a statement saying that “the bottom line is that the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on nursing homes is complex and multifactorial.”

The agency noted different ways the administration has worked to help nursing homes and said its focus now was on ensuring that residents and staff would “immediately” have access to a vaccine once approved. But it also added that facilities “bear the primary responsibility for keeping their residents safe.”

“Many times, the likely causes of nursing home outbreaks are simply nursing homes failing to comply with basic infection control rules,” the statement said.

But Konetzka said her research has shown that nursing home quality has no significant effect on cases and deaths once community spread is factored in. “It’s not like the high-quality facilities have figured out how to do things better,” she said. Other academic experts have reached similar conclusions.

Highly rated by Medicare, St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, has had 72 COVID-19 cases among residents and 74 among staff, according to its Facebook page. The first case among residents was Aug. 19, and 15 have died, said the facility’s president, Sondra Norder.

“The outcomes are really not much different here than they were in New York back earlier in the pandemic,” Norder said. “It’s been called the perfect killing machine of the elderly, especially those who live in congregate settings.” Kaukauna is a small city about 100 miles north of Milwaukee.

The study, based on data reported by nursing homes to the government, also raised other concerns:

— For the week ending Oct. 25, about 1 in 6 nursing homes in surge states did not report having tested staff the prior week. Government requirements call for staff testing at least weekly in areas where the virus is spreading.

— During the same period, nearly 1 in 5 nursing homes reported shortages of basic protective supplies such as masks and gowns.

— Nearly 1 in 4 facilities reported a nurse staffing shortage.

Most of the states in the study are in the middle and northern tiers of the country.

The Commons, a senior living community in Enid, Oklahoma, that includes a nursing home, is in a coronavirus hotspot. The oil and gas hub has a positive rate approaching 18%. A local mask mandate has twice been shot down, said Steven Walkingstick, CEO of The Commons.

“From my standpoint, a mandate unfortunately is needed,” said Walkingstick. “I don’t want the government involved, but evidence has shown we are not going to do this voluntarily.”

Walkingstick said he believes the U.S. has gotten better at saving the lives of COVID-19 patients, but not at keeping the virus out of nursing homes.

Thorson, head of the Fort Dodge facility, said it takes a lot of effort to try to keep the virus out, and it’s demoralizing to see it break through.

“Don’t forget about us, because we are still here, doing the best we can in rural areas,” she said.

The 20 states analyzed in the study were Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. They were selected because they’re now seeing their highest hospitalization rates for COVID-19.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite Trump administration efforts to erect a protective shield around nursing homes, coronavirus cases are surging within facilities in states hard hit by the latest onslaught of COVID-19.An analysis of federal data from 20 states for The Associated Press finds that new weekly cases among residents rose nearly four-fold from the end of May to late October, from 1,083 to 4,274. Resident deaths more than doubled, from 318 a week to 699, according to the study by University of Chicago health researchers Rebecca Gorges and Tamara Konetzka.Equally concerning, weekly cases among nursing home staff in surge states more than quadrupled, from 855 the week ending May 31, to 4,050 the week ending Oct. 25. That rings alarms because infected staffers not yet showing symptoms are seen as the most likely way the virus gets into facilities. When those unwitting staffers test positive, they are sidelined from caring for residents, raising pressures on remaining staff.The administration has allocated $5 billion to nursing homes, shipped nearly 14,000 fast-test machines with a goal of supplying every facility and tried to shore up stocks of protective equipment. But the data call into question the broader White House game plan, one that pushes states to reopen while maintaining that vulnerable people can be cocooned, even if the virus rebounds around them.“Trying to protect nursing home residents without controlling community spread is a losing battle,” said Konetzka, a nationally recognized expert on long-term care. “Someone has to care for vulnerable nursing home residents, and those caregivers move in and out of the nursing home daily, providing an easy pathway for the virus to enter.”The nation is setting records for coronavirus cases heading into cold weather season when many experts expect the virus will be harder to contain. The seven-day rolling average for daily new cases stood at nearly 104,000 on Saturday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities account for about 1% of the U.S. population, but represent 40% of COVID-19 deaths, according to the COVID Tracking Project.In Fort Dodge, a manufacturing and transportation center in north-central Iowa, Julie Thorson said she knew she was in for a bad week when several employees at the Friendship Haven nursing home tested positive last Monday. As president of the senior living community, Thorson contacted the county health department. “They were basically not surprised because they’re seeing it all over the county,” she said.Residents also started testing positive. The facility had 11 new cases among residents, as of Friday.“I was thinking all night what’s worse, to have it hit and not know what you are getting into, or to prepare, prepare, and prepare, and then have it hit,” she said.Responding to the study findings, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a statement saying that “the bottom line is that the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on nursing homes is complex and multifactorial.”The agency noted different ways the administration has worked to help nursing homes and said its focus now was on ensuring that residents and staff would “immediately” have access to a vaccine once approved. But it also added that facilities “bear the primary responsibility for keeping their residents safe.”“Many times, the likely causes of nursing home outbreaks are simply nursing homes failing to comply with basic infection control rules,” the statement said.But Konetzka said her research has shown that nursing home quality has no significant effect on cases and deaths once community spread is factored in. “It’s not like the high-quality facilities have figured out how to do things better,” she said. Other academic experts have reached similar conclusions.Highly rated by Medicare, St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, has had 72 COVID-19 cases among residents and 74 among staff, according to its Facebook page. The first case among residents was Aug. 19, and 15 have died, said the facility’s president, Sondra Norder.“The outcomes are really not much different here than they were in New York back earlier in the pandemic,” Norder said. “It’s been called the perfect killing machine of the elderly, especially those who live in congregate settings.” Kaukauna is a small city about 100 miles north of Milwaukee.The study, based on data reported by nursing homes to the government, also raised other concerns:— For the week ending Oct. 25, about 1 in 6 nursing homes in surge states did not report having tested staff the prior week. Government requirements call for staff testing at least weekly in areas where the virus is spreading.— During the same period, nearly 1 in 5 nursing homes reported shortages of basic protective supplies such as masks and gowns.— Nearly 1 in 4 facilities reported a nurse staffing shortage.Most of the states in the study are in the middle and northern tiers of the country.The Commons, a senior living community in Enid, Oklahoma, that includes a nursing home, is in a coronavirus hotspot. The oil and gas hub has a positive rate approaching 18%. A local mask mandate has twice been shot down, said Steven Walkingstick, CEO of The Commons.“From my standpoint, a mandate unfortunately is needed,” said Walkingstick. “I don’t want the government involved, but evidence has shown we are not going to do this voluntarily.”Walkingstick said he believes the U.S. has gotten better at saving the lives of COVID-19 patients, but not at keeping the virus out of nursing homes.Thorson, head of the Fort Dodge facility, said it takes a lot of effort to try to keep the virus out, and it’s demoralizing to see it break through.“Don’t forget about us, because we are still here, doing the best we can in rural areas,” she said.The 20 states analyzed in the study were Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. They were selected because they’re now seeing their highest hospitalization rates for COVID-19.

Nursing home COVID-19 cases rise four-fold in surge states

KANSAS CITY (AP) —U.S. voters went to the polls starkly divided on how they see President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. But in places where the virus is most rampant now, Trump enjoyed enormous support.

An Associated Press analysis reveals that in 376 counties with the highest number of new cases per capita, the overwhelming majority — 93% of those counties — went for Trump, a rate above other less severely hit areas.

Most were rural counties in Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin — the kinds of areas that often have lower rates of adherence to social distancing, mask-wearing and other public health measures, and have been a focal point for much of the latest surge in cases.

Taking note of the contrast, state health officials are pausing for a moment of introspection. Even as they worry about rising numbers of hospitalizations and deaths, they hope to reframe their messages and aim for a reset on public sentiment now that the election is over.

“Public health officials need to step back, listen to and understand the people who aren’t taking the same stance” on mask-wearing and other control measures, said Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

“I think there’s the potential for things to get less charged and divisive,” he said, adding that there’s a chance a retooled public health message might unify Americans around lowering case counts so hospitals won’t get swamped during the winter months.

The electoral divide comes amid an explosion in cases and hospitalizations in the U.S. and globally.

The U.S. broke another record in the 7-day rolling average for daily new cases, hitting nearly 90,000. The tally for new cases Thursday was on track for another day above 100,000, with massive numbers reported all around the country, including a combined nearly 25,000 in Texas, Illinois and Florida. Iowa and Indiana each reported more than 4,000 cases as well.

The AP’s analysis was limited to counties in which at least 95% of precincts had reported results, and grouped counties into six categories based on the rates of COVID-19 cases they’d experienced per 100,000 residents.

Polling, too, shows voters who split on Republican Trump vs. Democrat Joe Biden differed on whether the pandemic is under control.

Thirty-six percent of Trump voters described the pandemic as completely or mostly under control, and another 47% said it was somewhat under control, according to AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 110,000 voters conducted for the AP by NORC at the University of Chicago. Meanwhile, 82% of Biden voters said the pandemic is not at all under control.

The pandemic was considered at least somewhat under control by slim majorities of voters in many red states, including Alabama (60%), Missouri (54%), Mississippi (58%), Kentucky (55%), Texas (55%), Tennessee (56%) and South Carolina (56%).

In Wisconsin, where the virus surged just before the election, 57% said the pandemic was not under control. In Washington state, where the virus is more in control now compared to earlier in the year, 55% said the same. Voters in New York and New Hampshire, where the virus is more controlled now after early surges, were roughly divided in their assessments, similar to voters nationwide.

Trump voters interviewed by AP reporters said they value individual freedom and believed the president was doing as well as anyone could in response to the coronavirus.

Michaela Lane, a 25-year-old Republican, dropped her ballot off last week at a polling site at an outdoor mall in Phoenix. She cast her vote for Trump.

“I feel like the most important issue facing the country as a whole is liberty at large,” Lane said. “Infringing on people’s freedom, government overrule, government overreach, chaos in a lot of issues currently going on and just giving people back their rights.”

About half of Trump voters called the economy and jobs the top issue facing the nation, roughly twice the percentage who named the pandemic, according to VoteCast. By contrast, a majority of Biden voters — about 6 in 10 — said the pandemic was the most important issue.

In Madison, Wisconsin, Eric Engstrom, a 31-year-old investment analyst and his wife, Gwen, voted absentee by mail in early October.

Trump’s failure to control the pandemic sealed his vote for Biden, Engstrom said, calling the coronavirus the most immediate threat the nation faces. He and his wife are expecting their first child, a girl, in January and fear “the potential of one of us or both of us being sick when the baby is born,” he said.

Engstrom called Trump’s response to the virus abysmal. “If there was any chance that I was going to vote for Trump, it was eliminated because of the pandemic,” he said.

The political temperature has added to the stress of public health officials, Plescia said. “Our biggest concern is how long can they sustain this pace?” he said.

Since the start of the pandemic, 74 state and local public health officials in 31 states have resigned, retired or been fired, according to an ongoing analysis by AP and Kaiser Health News.

As the election mood dissipates, rising hospitalizations amid colder weather create “a really pivotal moment” in the pandemic, said Sema Sgaier, executive director of the Surgo Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that worked with Harvard University-affiliated Ariadne Labs to develop a tool for estimating vaccine needs in states.

“We really need to get our act together. When I say ‘we’ I mean collectively,” Sgaier said. Finding common ground may become easier if one of more of the vaccine candidates proves safe and effective and gains government approval, she said.

“The vaccine provides the reset button,” Sgaier said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci may be another unifying force. According to VoteCast, 73% of voters nationwide approve of the way Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been handling the pandemic.

Even among Trump voters, 53% approve of Fauci’s performance. About 9 in 10 Biden voters approve.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —U.S. voters went to the polls starkly divided on how they see President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. But in places where the virus is most rampant now, Trump enjoyed enormous support.An Associated Press analysis reveals that in 376 counties with the highest number of new cases per capita, the overwhelming majority — 93% of those counties — went for Trump, a rate above other less severely hit areas.Most were rural counties in Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin — the kinds of areas that often have lower rates of adherence to social distancing, mask-wearing and other public health measures, and have been a focal point for much of the latest surge in cases.Taking note of the contrast, state health officials are pausing for a moment of introspection. Even as they worry about rising numbers of hospitalizations and deaths, they hope to reframe their messages and aim for a reset on public sentiment now that the election is over.“Public health officials need to step back, listen to and understand the people who aren’t taking the same stance” on mask-wearing and other control measures, said Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.“I think there’s the potential for things to get less charged and divisive,” he said, adding that there’s a chance a retooled public health message might unify Americans around lowering case counts so hospitals won’t get swamped during the winter months.The electoral divide comes amid an explosion in cases and hospitalizations in the U.S. and globally.The U.S. broke another record in the 7-day rolling average for daily new cases, hitting nearly 90,000. The tally for new cases Thursday was on track for another day above 100,000, with massive numbers reported all around the country, including a combined nearly 25,000 in Texas, Illinois and Florida. Iowa and Indiana each reported more than 4,000 cases as well.The AP’s analysis was limited to counties in which at least 95% of precincts had reported results, and grouped counties into six categories based on the rates of COVID-19 cases they’d experienced per 100,000 residents.Polling, too, shows voters who split on Republican Trump vs. Democrat Joe Biden differed on whether the pandemic is under control.Thirty-six percent of Trump voters described the pandemic as completely or mostly under control, and another 47% said it was somewhat under control, according to AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 110,000 voters conducted for the AP by NORC at the University of Chicago. Meanwhile, 82% of Biden voters said the pandemic is not at all under control.The pandemic was considered at least somewhat under control by slim majorities of voters in many red states, including Alabama (60%), Missouri (54%), Mississippi (58%), Kentucky (55%), Texas (55%), Tennessee (56%) and South Carolina (56%).In Wisconsin, where the virus surged just before the election, 57% said the pandemic was not under control. In Washington state, where the virus is more in control now compared to earlier in the year, 55% said the same. Voters in New York and New Hampshire, where the virus is more controlled now after early surges, were roughly divided in their assessments, similar to voters nationwide.Trump voters interviewed by AP reporters said they value individual freedom and believed the president was doing as well as anyone could in response to the coronavirus.Michaela Lane, a 25-year-old Republican, dropped her ballot off last week at a polling site at an outdoor mall in Phoenix. She cast her vote for Trump.“I feel like the most important issue facing the country as a whole is liberty at large,” Lane said. “Infringing on people’s freedom, government overrule, government overreach, chaos in a lot of issues currently going on and just giving people back their rights.”About half of Trump voters called the economy and jobs the top issue facing the nation, roughly twice the percentage who named the pandemic, according to VoteCast. By contrast, a majority of Biden voters — about 6 in 10 — said the pandemic was the most important issue.In Madison, Wisconsin, Eric Engstrom, a 31-year-old investment analyst and his wife, Gwen, voted absentee by mail in early October.Trump’s failure to control the pandemic sealed his vote for Biden, Engstrom said, calling the coronavirus the most immediate threat the nation faces. He and his wife are expecting their first child, a girl, in January and fear “the potential of one of us or both of us being sick when the baby is born,” he said.Engstrom called Trump’s response to the virus abysmal. “If there was any chance that I was going to vote for Trump, it was eliminated because of the pandemic,” he said.The political temperature has added to the stress of public health officials, Plescia said. “Our biggest concern is how long can they sustain this pace?” he said.Since the start of the pandemic, 74 state and local public health officials in 31 states have resigned, retired or been fired, according to an ongoing analysis by AP and Kaiser Health News.As the election mood dissipates, rising hospitalizations amid colder weather create “a really pivotal moment” in the pandemic, said Sema Sgaier, executive director of the Surgo Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that worked with Harvard University-affiliated Ariadne Labs to develop a tool for estimating vaccine needs in states.“We really need to get our act together. When I say ‘we’ I mean collectively,” Sgaier said. Finding common ground may become easier if one of more of the vaccine candidates proves safe and effective and gains government approval, she said.“The vaccine provides the reset button,” Sgaier said.Dr. Anthony Fauci may be another unifying force. According to VoteCast, 73% of voters nationwide approve of the way Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been handling the pandemic.Even among Trump voters, 53% approve of Fauci’s performance. About 9 in 10 Biden voters approve.___

Counties with worst virus surges overwhelmingly voted Trump

Carrol D. Ribbing, age 73, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020, at the Wichita County Hospital in Leoti, Kansas.  He was born on October 27, 1947, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Eugene &amp; Geraldine Ribbing.  A resident of Leoti, Kansas since 1986 moving from Scott City, Kansas, he was a retired Truck Driver and was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War.

He was a member of the American Legion and was past commander and was a US Selective Service Representative. 

On July 31, 1966, he married Kay Sloan.  She survives.  On April 12, 1986 he married Marlene Ford Armstrong in Leoti, Kansas.  She survives.

Survivors include his wife - Marlene Ribbing of Leoti, Kansas, One Son - Timothy &amp; Diane Nichols of Wichita, Kansas; One Daughter - Tamara &amp; Shad Hipp of Garden City, Kansas; One Step-Son - Chad &amp; Linda Armstrong of Scott City, Kansas; One Brother - Darrel &amp; Marg Ribbing of Ashland, Kansas; 3 Sisters - Ellen &amp; Ellis Hahn of Lakin, Kansas, Kaye Cronin of Garden City, Kansas, Patricia &amp; Billie Swilley of Scott City, Kansas; 6 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Parents and One Brother - Larry Ribbing.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at the Presbyterian Church in Leoti, Kansas with Terry Laws presiding.

Burial will be in the Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas.

Memorials In Lieu Of Flowers may be made to the Leoti EMS or the Wichita County Health Center in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604847854716.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Carrol D. Ribbing, age 73, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020, at the Wichita County Hospital in Leoti, Kansas. He was born on October 27, 1947, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Eugene &amp; Geraldine Ribbing. A resident of Leoti, Kansas since 1986 moving from Scott City, Kansas, he was a retired Truck Driver and was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War.He was a member of the American Legion and was past commander and was a US Selective Service Representative. On July 31, 1966, he married Kay Sloan. She survives. On April 12, 1986 he married Marlene Ford Armstrong in Leoti, Kansas. She survives.Survivors include his wife - Marlene Ribbing of Leoti, Kansas, One Son - Timothy &amp; Diane Nichols of Wichita, Kansas; One Daughter - Tamara &amp; Shad Hipp of Garden City, Kansas; One Step-Son - Chad &amp; Linda Armstrong of Scott City, Kansas; One Brother - Darrel &amp; Marg Ribbing of Ashland, Kansas; 3 Sisters - Ellen &amp; Ellis Hahn of Lakin, Kansas, Kaye Cronin of Garden City, Kansas, Patricia &amp; Billie Swilley of Scott City, Kansas; 6 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his Parents and One Brother - Larry Ribbing.Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at the Presbyterian Church in Leoti, Kansas with Terry Laws presiding.Burial will be in the Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas.Memorials In Lieu Of Flowers may be made to the Leoti EMS or the Wichita County Health Center in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

Carrol D. Ribbing

The Travel Association of Kansas announced the winners of this year’s Marketing Awards during the virtual 2020 Kansas Tourism Conference on October 28.

The TIAK Marketing Awards are chosen annually to recognize excellence in destination marketing initiatives across the state. They are divided into six categories and broken out by the organization’s marketing budget: Large (over $100,000), Medium (20,000 – $100,000), and Small ($19,999 and under).

Congratulations to the following winners:

Community Awareness Small Budget:&nbsp;Northwest Kansas Travel Council - Community Guide Medium Budget:&nbsp;Abilene CVB - #AbileneStrong Campaign Large Budget:&nbsp;Visit Kansas City, KS - #SupportLocalKCK Campaign

Event Small Budget:&nbsp;Downtown Hays Development Corp - Virtual March 2 Main Welcome for Students Large Budget:&nbsp;Olathe CVB - Virtual Olathe Fourth Fridays

Print Small Budget:&nbsp;Seneca Area Chamber - Big Kansas Road Trip Program Guide Ad Medium Budget:&nbsp;City of Great Bend CVB: Zoo Rack Card Large Budget:&nbsp;Visit Kansas City, KS - KCK Coloring Pages

Online Media Small Budget:&nbsp;Seneca Area Chamber: Big Kansas Road Trip Video Medium Budget:&nbsp;City of Great Bend CVB, Explore Great Bend Website Large Budget:&nbsp;Visit Kansas City, KS - KCK Mini-Escape Campaign

Visitors Guide (in-house) Small Budget:&nbsp;South Central Kansas Tourism Region Medium Budget:&nbsp;Merriam Visitors Bureau Large Budget:&nbsp;Hays CVB

Visitors Guide (outsourced) Small Budget:&nbsp;Visit Shawnee Medium Budget:&nbsp;Visit Manhattan Large Budget:&nbsp;Explore Lawrence

Best In Show Seneca Area Chamber &amp; Downtown Impact - Big Kansas Road Trip Video

30 for 30 Best Marketing Idea:&nbsp;Downtown Hays Development Corporation - Dining with Downtown event

About TIAK:&nbsp;TIAK is a statewide membership organization whose mission is to speak with one voice for the travel and tourism industry in Kansas by supporting all components of the travel development field. Its goals are to influence government decisions, provide a forum for interaction among all industry sectors, and develop programs that positively reflect the impact of tourism on the state and local economies.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575300742886.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Travel Association of Kansas announced the winners of this year’s Marketing Awards during the virtual 2020 Kansas Tourism Conference on October 28.The TIAK Marketing Awards are chosen annually to recognize excellence in destination marketing initiatives across the state. They are divided into six categories and broken out by the organization’s marketing budget: Large (over $100,000), Medium (20,000 – $100,000), and Small ($19,999 and under).Congratulations to the following winners:Community Awareness Small Budget:&nbsp;Northwest Kansas Travel Council - Community Guide Medium Budget:&nbsp;Abilene CVB - #AbileneStrong Campaign Large Budget:&nbsp;Visit Kansas City, KS - #SupportLocalKCK CampaignEvent Small Budget:&nbsp;Downtown Hays Development Corp - Virtual March 2 Main Welcome for Students Large Budget:&nbsp;Olathe CVB - Virtual Olathe Fourth FridaysPrint Small Budget:&nbsp;Seneca Area Chamber - Big Kansas Road Trip Program Guide Ad Medium Budget:&nbsp;City of Great Bend CVB: Zoo Rack Card Large Budget:&nbsp;Visit Kansas City, KS - KCK Coloring PagesOnline Media Small Budget:&nbsp;Seneca Area Chamber: Big Kansas Road Trip Video Medium Budget:&nbsp;City of Great Bend CVB, Explore Great Bend Website Large Budget:&nbsp;Visit Kansas City, KS - KCK Mini-Escape CampaignVisitors Guide (in-house) Small Budget:&nbsp;South Central Kansas Tourism Region Medium Budget:&nbsp;Merriam Visitors Bureau Large Budget:&nbsp;Hays CVBVisitors Guide (outsourced) Small Budget:&nbsp;Visit Shawnee Medium Budget:&nbsp;Visit Manhattan Large Budget:&nbsp;Explore LawrenceBest In Show Seneca Area Chamber &amp; Downtown Impact - Big Kansas Road Trip Video30 for 30 Best Marketing Idea:&nbsp;Downtown Hays Development Corporation - Dining with Downtown eventAbout TIAK:&nbsp;TIAK is a statewide membership organization whose mission is to speak with one voice for the travel and tourism industry in Kansas by supporting all components of the travel development field. Its goals are to influence government decisions, provide a forum for interaction among all industry sectors, and develop programs that positively reflect the impact of tourism on the state and local economies.

Hays CVB, DHDC recognized with tourism awards

WICHITA, KAN. – A convicted sex offender who lives in Wichita was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of sexually exploiting a minor, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Bryan Anthony Hale, 35, Wichita, is charged with one count of producing child pornography, one count of committing a crime involving a minor while registered as a sex offender, one count of providing child pornography to a minor and one count of possessing child pornography. The crimes are alleged to have occurred during September and October 2020 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

In 2016, Hale was convicted in Sedgwick County District Court of a sex act involving a 6-year-old victim.&nbsp;

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following potential penalties:

Producing child pornography: Not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Crime involving a minor: Up to 10 years (consecutive).

Providing child pornography to a minor: Not less than five years and not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Possession: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604521164987.png" alt="Hale photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Hale photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A convicted sex offender who lives in Wichita was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of sexually exploiting a minor, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.Bryan Anthony Hale, 35, Wichita, is charged with one count of producing child pornography, one count of committing a crime involving a minor while registered as a sex offender, one count of providing child pornography to a minor and one count of possessing child pornography. The crimes are alleged to have occurred during September and October 2020 in Sedgwick County, Kan.In 2016, Hale was convicted in Sedgwick County District Court of a sex act involving a 6-year-old victim.&nbsp;Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following potential penalties:Producing child pornography: Not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.Crime involving a minor: Up to 10 years (consecutive).Providing child pornography to a minor: Not less than five years and not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.Possession: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.The FBI investigated.&nbsp;

Kan. sex offender charged with providing minor with child porn

By CELAI LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-11-06/while-the-coronavirus-pandemic-rages-on-kansas-families-flock-to-get-their-flu-shots">Kansas News Service</a>

This year, nurses in southeast Kansas are taking a NASCAR-style approach in the race against the flu.

Imagine
 a pit crew, said Lori Rexwinkle, head of nursing at a community health 
center that serves 10 counties. Except instead of speed-swapping tires, 
this team vaccinates passengers. Got a van full of kids? Just pull it on
 up.

“We had several different nurses going out to the vehicle at the same time,” Rexwinkle said. “Parents appreciated that.”

Offering
 drive-thrus this season helped Community Health Center of Southeast 
Kansas vaccinate about 9,000 people, more than twice as many people by 
late October as it did a year earlier.

Across the state, clinics 
and drug stores say they’re giving far more flu shots than in years 
past. Families are eager for the shots in a year when they’ve been 
trying to hide out from a deadly pandemic.

It’s a bright spot at an otherwise dark time for Kansas health care. Over
 the past month, the state saw a steep jump in COVID-19 
hospitalizations. Some hospitals shut down elective surgeries again or 
ran out of intensive care beds.

If fewer Kansans get the flu than 
usual, that would save doctors, nurses, supplies and hospital beds for 
patients with the more aggressive and deadlier COVID-19.

“There’s 
going to be a lot of confusion” this winter, said Bethanie McDowell. She
 directs infection prevention at the Salina Regional Health Center. “‘Do
 I have the flu? Do I have COVID?’ So it’s really important this year 
that we do get those flu shots.”

Normally four or five out of 10 Kansans get the flu shot, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/reportshtml/trends/index.html" target="_blank">the CDC</a> estimates. (The same is true of Americans overall.)

But health officials see signs that this year looks different. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ordered <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/cdc-director-push-vaccinate-65-americans-against-flu" target="_blank">nearly 9 million extra doses</a> this year.

<a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/25/flu-shots-covid-19-pandemic-demand/" target="_blank">Big pharmacy chains</a>
 also stocked up. CVS Health surveyed consumers months ago and found 
most expected to get the shot, and to do it earlier in the flu season 
than years past.

“We are prepared to administer 18 million flu shots this flu season, which is twice last season,” a spokesman said in an email.

Some
 nurses and pharmacists fielded a barrage of calls starting late in the 
summer. People wondered when the shot would become available — and where
 to get it. Local employers and agencies asked about holding mini flu 
clinics.

The demand ate through Konza Prairie Community Health 
Center’s stock by mid-October. It typically buys 400 to 600 doses of 
vaccine each season for its communities in Manhattan and Junction City 
and uses those up over the course of several months.

“We have already gone through that amount,” CEO Lee Wolf said, “and have ordered more.”

In Wyandotte County, Vibrant Health community clinics gave 500 flu shots last month, compared to 200 in October 2019.

In
 Wichita, Guadalupe Clinic gave 300 of the shots at a recent community 
event compared to 190 a year earlier. It turned away another 40 to 50 
people.

And in Salina, at an early-October flu shot clinic, 300 more children got shots than the previous year.

It’s
 possible Kansans who normally get the shot simply want it earlier this 
time. Or, the vaccine rate could go up this year. Either way, more 
people getting the shot earlier has benefits. Medical experts recommend 
it before prime flu season hits because it can take <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/in-depth/flu-shots/art-20048000" target="_blank">a couple of weeks</a> for the body to mount its defenses.

Annie
 Shelton is a pharmacist in charge of flu vaccine stock and distribution
 for the University of Kansas Health System. If demand increases 
significantly this year, the health system should be able to handle it. 
It has enough doses on hand to vaccinate nearly 60,000 people — about 
30% more than last year.

“We’re also, like everyone else in the nation, on waitlists with our manufacturers,” she said, in case more is needed.

Far from waning, the coronavirus has fed off of people’s impatience with social distancing. The situation is precarious.

In southeast Kansas, The <a href="https://www.morningsun.net/news/20201013/county-health-officials-consider-policy-changes-as-area-hospitals-reach-capacity" target="_blank">Pittsburg Morning Sun</a>
 reported in mid-October that the local hospital stopped elective care 
to handle a coronavirus surge and that facilities across the Missouri 
border in Joplin had run out of beds.

A few weeks later, hospitals in <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/coronavirus/article246924192.html" target="_blank">Wichita</a> and <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-30/western-kansas-is-full-of-coronavirus-hot-spots-tying-up-icu-beds" target="_blank">Garden City</a> said their ICU beds were full.

Last week, the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, opened up an <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2020-10-30/hospitals-have-less-capacity-than-missouris-covid-19-website-shows-federal-data-indicate" target="_blank">overflow ICU</a>.
 And Johnson County health officials reported the most new cases they’d 
seen in a single day. They attribute the ongoing spike to people 
crowding restaurants and bars and mingling at “football watch parties, 
birthday parties, camps, weddings and church events.”

This week, Stormont Vail Health in Topeka and the <a href="https://www.medicalnewsnetwork.org/NewsNetwork/DocTalk/C/Coronavirus%20Media%20Briefing%20Wednesday%2011-4-20" target="_blank">KU Health System</a> said they’re seeing their highest numbers so far of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">COVID-19 hospitalizations</a> climbed sharply in October, as reported by hospitals to the state.

On
 an average day back in April, when the state was locked down, 104 
people were in the hospital with coronavirus. By May, that climbed to 
196 people on an average day. Here’s what has happened since:

In recent days, the number of hospitalized coronavirus patients has topped 550.

The southern hemisphere saw a very <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/08/26/906323250/from-the-global-south-hints-that-u-s-may-be-spared-flu-on-top-of-covid-19" target="_blank">mild flu season</a>
 this year. That could reflect some combination of the social distancing
 — including the closing of schools and workplaces — and expanded flu 
vaccination efforts spurred by COVID-19.

The virus that causes COVID-19 hits more people harder than the flu does, but the flu still kills <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html#:~:text=CDC%20estimates%20that%20influenza%20has,61%2C000%20deaths%20annually%20since%202010." target="_blank">tens of thousands</a> of Americans each year — upwards of 50,000 during bad flu seasons — and hospitalizes hundreds of thousands.

Symptoms of the two diseases may appear similar, but coronavirus tends to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm" target="_blank">incubate longer</a> and people who contract it appear to be more contagious (at least among adults) and for longer than those who pick up the flu.

The <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/in-depth/flu-shots/art-20048000" target="_blank">vaccine</a>
 doesn’t guarantee you won’t get sick. Rather, it cuts your risk of 
coming down with the flu or getting a bad case of it. And because 
they’re not made with live viruses, you <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm" target="_blank">can’t get the flu from a flu shot</a>.

Dana Hawkinson heads infection prevention for the KU Health System and cares for COVID-19 patients.

A bad bout of the flu can not only cause lung damage, he said. It can saddle patients with other problems.

“We know that you’re at very high risk of getting a secondary bacterial pneumonia,” he said. “Typically that is staph or strep.”

The last thing you’d want at that point is to deal with COVID-19, too.

“It could be,” he said, “very difficult to recover.”

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604672592841.png" alt="A person gets their flu shot at a vaccine drive-through in the Kansas City area last month. Drive-throughs like this are a popular way to get a flu shot amid the coronavirus pandemic. Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>A person gets their flu shot at a vaccine drive-through in the Kansas City area last month. Drive-throughs like this are a popular way to get a flu shot amid the coronavirus pandemic. Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELAI LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-11-06/while-the-coronavirus-pandemic-rages-on-kansas-families-flock-to-get-their-flu-shots">Kansas News Service</a>This year, nurses in southeast Kansas are taking a NASCAR-style approach in the race against the flu.Imagine
 a pit crew, said Lori Rexwinkle, head of nursing at a community health 
center that serves 10 counties. Except instead of speed-swapping tires, 
this team vaccinates passengers. Got a van full of kids? Just pull it on
 up.“We had several different nurses going out to the vehicle at the same time,” Rexwinkle said. “Parents appreciated that.”Offering
 drive-thrus this season helped Community Health Center of Southeast 
Kansas vaccinate about 9,000 people, more than twice as many people by 
late October as it did a year earlier.Across the state, clinics 
and drug stores say they’re giving far more flu shots than in years 
past. Families are eager for the shots in a year when they’ve been 
trying to hide out from a deadly pandemic.It’s a bright spot at an otherwise dark time for Kansas health care. Over
 the past month, the state saw a steep jump in COVID-19 
hospitalizations. Some hospitals shut down elective surgeries again or 
ran out of intensive care beds.If fewer Kansans get the flu than 
usual, that would save doctors, nurses, supplies and hospital beds for 
patients with the more aggressive and deadlier COVID-19.“There’s 
going to be a lot of confusion” this winter, said Bethanie McDowell. She
 directs infection prevention at the Salina Regional Health Center. “‘Do
 I have the flu? Do I have COVID?’ So it’s really important this year 
that we do get those flu shots.”<h2>Bucking the trend?</h2>Normally four or five out of 10 Kansans get the flu shot, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/reportshtml/trends/index.html" target="_blank">the CDC</a> estimates. (The same is true of Americans overall.)But health officials see signs that this year looks different. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ordered <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/cdc-director-push-vaccinate-65-americans-against-flu" target="_blank">nearly 9 million extra doses</a> this year.<a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/25/flu-shots-covid-19-pandemic-demand/" target="_blank">Big pharmacy chains</a>
 also stocked up. CVS Health surveyed consumers months ago and found 
most expected to get the shot, and to do it earlier in the flu season 
than years past.“We are prepared to administer 18 million flu shots this flu season, which is twice last season,” a spokesman said in an email.Some
 nurses and pharmacists fielded a barrage of calls starting late in the 
summer. People wondered when the shot would become available — and where
 to get it. Local employers and agencies asked about holding mini flu 
clinics.The demand ate through Konza Prairie Community Health 
Center’s stock by mid-October. It typically buys 400 to 600 doses of 
vaccine each season for its communities in Manhattan and Junction City 
and uses those up over the course of several months.“We have already gone through that amount,” CEO Lee Wolf said, “and have ordered more.”In Wyandotte County, Vibrant Health community clinics gave 500 flu shots last month, compared to 200 in October 2019.In
 Wichita, Guadalupe Clinic gave 300 of the shots at a recent community 
event compared to 190 a year earlier. It turned away another 40 to 50 
people.And in Salina, at an early-October flu shot clinic, 300 more children got shots than the previous year.It’s
 possible Kansans who normally get the shot simply want it earlier this 
time. Or, the vaccine rate could go up this year. Either way, more 
people getting the shot earlier has benefits. Medical experts recommend 
it before prime flu season hits because it can take <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/in-depth/flu-shots/art-20048000" target="_blank">a couple of weeks</a> for the body to mount its defenses.Annie
 Shelton is a pharmacist in charge of flu vaccine stock and distribution
 for the University of Kansas Health System. If demand increases 
significantly this year, the health system should be able to handle it. 
It has enough doses on hand to vaccinate nearly 60,000 people — about 
30% more than last year.“We’re also, like everyone else in the nation, on waitlists with our manufacturers,” she said, in case more is needed.<h2>The COVID-19 surge</h2>Far from waning, the coronavirus has fed off of people’s impatience with social distancing. The situation is precarious.In southeast Kansas, The <a href="https://www.morningsun.net/news/20201013/county-health-officials-consider-policy-changes-as-area-hospitals-reach-capacity" target="_blank">Pittsburg Morning Sun</a>
 reported in mid-October that the local hospital stopped elective care 
to handle a coronavirus surge and that facilities across the Missouri 
border in Joplin had run out of beds.A few weeks later, hospitals in <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/coronavirus/article246924192.html" target="_blank">Wichita</a> and <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-30/western-kansas-is-full-of-coronavirus-hot-spots-tying-up-icu-beds" target="_blank">Garden City</a> said their ICU beds were full.Last week, the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, opened up an <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2020-10-30/hospitals-have-less-capacity-than-missouris-covid-19-website-shows-federal-data-indicate" target="_blank">overflow ICU</a>.
 And Johnson County health officials reported the most new cases they’d 
seen in a single day. They attribute the ongoing spike to people 
crowding restaurants and bars and mingling at “football watch parties, 
birthday parties, camps, weddings and church events.”This week, Stormont Vail Health in Topeka and the <a href="https://www.medicalnewsnetwork.org/NewsNetwork/DocTalk/C/Coronavirus%20Media%20Briefing%20Wednesday%2011-4-20" target="_blank">KU Health System</a> said they’re seeing their highest numbers so far of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">COVID-19 hospitalizations</a> climbed sharply in October, as reported by hospitals to the state.On
 an average day back in April, when the state was locked down, 104 
people were in the hospital with coronavirus. By May, that climbed to 
196 people on an average day. Here’s what has happened since:<ul>
 <li>On an average day in June, 170 people</li><li>On an average day in July, 275 people</li><li>On an average day in August, 287 people</li><li>On an average day in September, 304 people</li><li>On an average day in October, 445</li>
 </ul>In recent days, the number of hospitalized coronavirus patients has topped 550.<h2>Flu is still dangerous</h2>The southern hemisphere saw a very <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/08/26/906323250/from-the-global-south-hints-that-u-s-may-be-spared-flu-on-top-of-covid-19" target="_blank">mild flu season</a>
 this year. That could reflect some combination of the social distancing
 — including the closing of schools and workplaces — and expanded flu 
vaccination efforts spurred by COVID-19.The virus that causes COVID-19 hits more people harder than the flu does, but the flu still kills <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html#:~:text=CDC%20estimates%20that%20influenza%20has,61%2C000%20deaths%20annually%20since%202010." target="_blank">tens of thousands</a> of Americans each year — upwards of 50,000 during bad flu seasons — and hospitalizes hundreds of thousands.Symptoms of the two diseases may appear similar, but coronavirus tends to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm" target="_blank">incubate longer</a> and people who contract it appear to be more contagious (at least among adults) and for longer than those who pick up the flu.The <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/in-depth/flu-shots/art-20048000" target="_blank">vaccine</a>
 doesn’t guarantee you won’t get sick. Rather, it cuts your risk of 
coming down with the flu or getting a bad case of it. And because 
they’re not made with live viruses, you <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm" target="_blank">can’t get the flu from a flu shot</a>.Dana Hawkinson heads infection prevention for the KU Health System and cares for COVID-19 patients.A bad bout of the flu can not only cause lung damage, he said. It can saddle patients with other problems.“We know that you’re at very high risk of getting a secondary bacterial pneumonia,” he said. “Typically that is staph or strep.”The last thing you’d want at that point is to deal with COVID-19, too.“It could be,” he said, “very difficult to recover.”Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Amid pandemic, Kansas families flock to get their flu shots

Norton resident Kenneth Kent passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at the Andbe Home in Norton at the age of 94.

He was born September 24, 1926, in Lenora, KS the son of Guy Edwin and
 Goldie Florence (Heines) Kent.&nbsp; He served in the U.S. Army during WWII.

Kenneth was united in marriage to Virginia Wickham in Kansas City, KS
 in 1950.&nbsp; To this union two children were born, Ron and Roxane. 
Virginia preceded him in death in 1975.&nbsp; He then met a married Sandra 
Kuiken.&nbsp; Sandra had a son from a previous marriage, Greg Kuiken.&nbsp; 
Following 25 years of marriage the couple divorced.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Virginia; and two brothers, Charles and Edwin.

He owned and operated Kent’s Refrigeration before he purchased the Norton Ice Company in Norton.

Survivors include his son Ron Kent and wife Nancy and a daughter 
Roxane Kent, all of Norton; step-son Greg Kuiken and wife Andrea; three 
grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Cremation was planned.&nbsp; No services are scheduled at this time.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Norton resident Kenneth Kent passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at the Andbe Home in Norton at the age of 94.He was born September 24, 1926, in Lenora, KS the son of Guy Edwin and
 Goldie Florence (Heines) Kent.&nbsp; He served in the U.S. Army during WWII.Kenneth was united in marriage to Virginia Wickham in Kansas City, KS
 in 1950.&nbsp; To this union two children were born, Ron and Roxane. 
Virginia preceded him in death in 1975.&nbsp; He then met a married Sandra 
Kuiken.&nbsp; Sandra had a son from a previous marriage, Greg Kuiken.&nbsp; 
Following 25 years of marriage the couple divorced.He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Virginia; and two brothers, Charles and Edwin.He owned and operated Kent’s Refrigeration before he purchased the Norton Ice Company in Norton.Survivors include his son Ron Kent and wife Nancy and a daughter 
Roxane Kent, all of Norton; step-son Greg Kuiken and wife Andrea; three 
grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one great grandchild.Cremation was planned.&nbsp; No services are scheduled at this time.Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Kent

Michael Louis Rodriguez, 49, of Denver, Colorado, passed away Friday, 
October 30th, 2020, peacefully at home in Hill City, Kansas, after a life 
long battle with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. 
 	He was born July 25, 1971, in Denver, Colorado to Thomas Joseph 
Rodriguez of Hill City, Kansas and Michaela Marie (Hall) Wirick of 
Thornton, Colorado. Later to receive wonderful step-parents that treated
 him as their own, Gene O.&nbsp;Wirick and Karen M. Rodriguez. He was the 
brother of Thomas J. Rodriguez Jr. and Nic J. Rodriguez and step-brother
 of Danielle Williams; He was loved very much by his wife Tammy L. 
Schroeder, three children: Breeal M. Rodriguez, Dustin T. Rodriguez, and
 Kayleigh R. Rodriguez; his three grandchildren: Joseph, Emersyn, and 
Brycen and also MANY that considered him as a father figure.
 	 As a child Michael was energetic to say the least. He could always
 make people smile and had a charismatic personality. Growing up, he 
loved his friends and had a lot of them. Talking on the phone was one of
 his favorite past time as well as listening to music. 	Michael always 
remained strong in his beliefs and stood up for what he believed. He had
 a mind of his own and he used it. Mike made an impact on everybody he 
met near and far and never left a room without a smile on everyone’s 
face. 
 	Mike joined the Masons shortly after moving to Kansas. He was very 
proud to become a Mason and be a part of the lodge. Sundays were often 
spent watching the Denver Broncos with a family supper always involved. 
Mike loved spending his free time playing his playstation and being 
treated as a jungle gym by his grandchildren. He was preceded in death 
by his maternal and paternal grandparents. Survived in life by his 
parents; lovely wife; brothers; step-sister Danielle Williams; two 
sisters-in-law, kids and grandkids; Mike will continue his legacy among
 us all as we know how much he loved and cared about every single one of
 his friends and family members. Thank you all for loving and caring for
 Mike. May he rest in Paradise free of any pain and dismay. 
 *Family Over Everything*

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604671955999.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Michael Louis Rodriguez, 49, of Denver, Colorado, passed away Friday, 
October 30th, 2020, peacefully at home in Hill City, Kansas, after a life 
long battle with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. 
 	He was born July 25, 1971, in Denver, Colorado to Thomas Joseph 
Rodriguez of Hill City, Kansas and Michaela Marie (Hall) Wirick of 
Thornton, Colorado. Later to receive wonderful step-parents that treated
 him as their own, Gene O.&nbsp;Wirick and Karen M. Rodriguez. He was the 
brother of Thomas J. Rodriguez Jr. and Nic J. Rodriguez and step-brother
 of Danielle Williams; He was loved very much by his wife Tammy L. 
Schroeder, three children: Breeal M. Rodriguez, Dustin T. Rodriguez, and
 Kayleigh R. Rodriguez; his three grandchildren: Joseph, Emersyn, and 
Brycen and also MANY that considered him as a father figure.
 	 As a child Michael was energetic to say the least. He could always
 make people smile and had a charismatic personality. Growing up, he 
loved his friends and had a lot of them. Talking on the phone was one of
 his favorite past time as well as listening to music. 	Michael always 
remained strong in his beliefs and stood up for what he believed. He had
 a mind of his own and he used it. Mike made an impact on everybody he 
met near and far and never left a room without a smile on everyone’s 
face. 
 	Mike joined the Masons shortly after moving to Kansas. He was very 
proud to become a Mason and be a part of the lodge. Sundays were often 
spent watching the Denver Broncos with a family supper always involved. 
Mike loved spending his free time playing his playstation and being 
treated as a jungle gym by his grandchildren. He was preceded in death 
by his maternal and paternal grandparents. Survived in life by his 
parents; lovely wife; brothers; step-sister Danielle Williams; two 
sisters-in-law, kids and grandkids; Mike will continue his legacy among
 us all as we know how much he loved and cared about every single one of
 his friends and family members. Thank you all for loving and caring for
 Mike. May he rest in Paradise free of any pain and dismay. 
 *Family Over Everything*

Michael Louis Rodriquez

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reported another spike in COVID-19 cases in Norton County.

The county, which has a population of just less than 5,500, has identified a total of 870 cases of COVID-19 — almost all since the beginning of October. The spike was driven by clusters at the Norton Correctional Facility, which has more than 500 of the cases, according to the Norton Health Department, and the Andbe Home long-term care facility.

Friday's total is an increase of 59 new cases compared to the health department's report on Wednesday. A total of 19 deaths have been attributed to coronavirus in Norton County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604686638643.png" alt="KDHE / Norton County numbers" />
 <figcaption>KDHE / Norton County numbers</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reported another spike in COVID-19 cases in Norton County.The county, which has a population of just less than 5,500, has identified a total of 870 cases of COVID-19 — almost all since the beginning of October. The spike was driven by clusters at the Norton Correctional Facility, which has more than 500 of the cases, according to the Norton Health Department, and the Andbe Home long-term care facility.Friday's total is an increase of 59 new cases compared to the health department's report on Wednesday. A total of 19 deaths have been attributed to coronavirus in Norton County.

Norton County virus numbers continue to rise

Lawrence Dean “Larry” Steckline, age 63, of Hays, Kansas died Thursday, November 5, 2020, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born October 12, 1957, in Hays, Kansas to Clarence A. and Norma Jean (Dreiling) Steckline.&nbsp; He married Donna (Pfannenstiel) on October 12, 1996, at Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; She preceded him in death on February 16, 2008.

He was a farm laborer and worked at the LaCrosse Livestock Commission for 30&nbsp; years.&nbsp; He grew up north of Yocemento, Kansas, he attended school in Ellis, Kansas, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. &nbsp; He enjoyed Polka music, the Hays Farmers Market, going to the yearly Oktoberfest’s, and attending auctions.&nbsp;

Survivors include one brother, JR Steckline and Debbie Ledoux, Bazine, KS; two sisters, Veronica Leiker, Hays, KS; Dorothy Urban and husband, Patrick, Saratoga WY; eight nephews; three nieces; three great nephews and three great nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, Kansas.&nbsp; Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ellis, Kansas.

A vigil service and rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. Monday, evening at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellis.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, all at the church.

The family suggests memorials to the Steckline family in care of Veronica Steckline.

Due to the coronavirus, if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing masks will be required at the visitation and funeral services.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604684796503.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lawrence Dean “Larry” Steckline, age 63, of Hays, Kansas died Thursday, November 5, 2020, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born October 12, 1957, in Hays, Kansas to Clarence A. and Norma Jean (Dreiling) Steckline.&nbsp; He married Donna (Pfannenstiel) on October 12, 1996, at Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; She preceded him in death on February 16, 2008.He was a farm laborer and worked at the LaCrosse Livestock Commission for 30&nbsp; years.&nbsp; He grew up north of Yocemento, Kansas, he attended school in Ellis, Kansas, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. &nbsp; He enjoyed Polka music, the Hays Farmers Market, going to the yearly Oktoberfest’s, and attending auctions.&nbsp;Survivors include one brother, JR Steckline and Debbie Ledoux, Bazine, KS; two sisters, Veronica Leiker, Hays, KS; Dorothy Urban and husband, Patrick, Saratoga WY; eight nephews; three nieces; three great nephews and three great nieces.He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, Kansas.&nbsp; Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ellis, Kansas.A vigil service and rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. Monday, evening at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellis.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, all at the church.The family suggests memorials to the Steckline family in care of Veronica Steckline.Due to the coronavirus, if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing masks will be required at the visitation and funeral services.&nbsp; &nbsp;Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;

Lawrence Dean 'Larry' Steckline

Max George Crum, 99, of Quinter, KS, formerly of Arvada, CO, died 
Monday, November 2, 2020, at the Gove County Long Term Care. He was born
 October 27, 1921, in Sunol, NE, to George and Mabel (Hobson) Crum. Max 
attended High School in Littleton, CO, graduating in 1940. He enlisted 
in the United States Army, serving from 1942-1946. 

On December 29, 1945,
 Max married Helen Hooper, in Arvada, CO. He attended Colorado School of
 Mines for a year before beginning a career as an aerospace engineer. He
 worked as an aerospace engineer for 25 years and then did real-estate 
and land development for another 25 years, before retiring. Max and 
Helen spent numerous years traveling the US in their motorhome. He 
enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially for trout. Max was a member of 
the Colorado Association of Realtors, the Arvada Elks Club and the 
Arvada Masonic Lodge. He was a handyman and builder. He built three 
houses for his family in the Denver area, doing all of the work himself.
 The last house was his home for 42 years prior to moving to Quinter in
 2018. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Helen; a still born son; 
son J. Michael Crum; son-in-law Steve Ostmeyer; granddaughter Christina 
Ostmeyer and 6 siblings. 
He is survived by his daughter, Sandii Ostmeyer, of Quinter; 
grandchildren, Kendra (Austin) Barnes, Kara (Chet) Lang, Carver 
(Cherina) Ostmeyer and Kasen Ostmeyer; great-grandchildren, Gavin 
Barnes, Shea Salyers, Dylan Lang, Tyla Lang and Kyla Lang and numerous 
nieces and nephews. 
Inurnment will take place at the Ft. Logan National Cemetery, in Denver,
 CO. Memorials are suggested to the Gove County Long Term Care and can 
be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For 
information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604931339351.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Max George Crum, 99, of Quinter, KS, formerly of Arvada, CO, died 
Monday, November 2, 2020, at the Gove County Long Term Care. He was born
 October 27, 1921, in Sunol, NE, to George and Mabel (Hobson) Crum. Max 
attended High School in Littleton, CO, graduating in 1940. He enlisted 
in the United States Army, serving from 1942-1946. On December 29, 1945,
 Max married Helen Hooper, in Arvada, CO. He attended Colorado School of
 Mines for a year before beginning a career as an aerospace engineer. He
 worked as an aerospace engineer for 25 years and then did real-estate 
and land development for another 25 years, before retiring. Max and 
Helen spent numerous years traveling the US in their motorhome. He 
enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially for trout. Max was a member of 
the Colorado Association of Realtors, the Arvada Elks Club and the 
Arvada Masonic Lodge. He was a handyman and builder. He built three 
houses for his family in the Denver area, doing all of the work himself.
 The last house was his home for 42 years prior to moving to Quinter in
 2018. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Helen; a still born son; 
son J. Michael Crum; son-in-law Steve Ostmeyer; granddaughter Christina 
Ostmeyer and 6 siblings. 
He is survived by his daughter, Sandii Ostmeyer, of Quinter; 
grandchildren, Kendra (Austin) Barnes, Kara (Chet) Lang, Carver 
(Cherina) Ostmeyer and Kasen Ostmeyer; great-grandchildren, Gavin 
Barnes, Shea Salyers, Dylan Lang, Tyla Lang and Kyla Lang and numerous 
nieces and nephews. 
Inurnment will take place at the Ft. Logan National Cemetery, in Denver,
 CO. Memorials are suggested to the Gove County Long Term Care and can 
be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For 
information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Max George Crum

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Langer Industrial Service opened a metal recycling transfer station in Hays in October.&nbsp;

The transfer station, 1007 E. 37th, is a part of a network of three businesses with salvage yards in Colby and in Scottsbluff, Neb.

The station is accepting aluminum, copper, brass, batteries, starters, alternators — any non-ferrous metals, said manager Austin Brier.

Within three weeks, the business, which is located off of Vine Street across the street from the Sinclair gas station, will have a full-length scale and trailers. It will be able to handle anything up to about the size of a car.

Brier wanted to emphasize the business in Hays is a transfer station. All of the metals that are received at the business go into bins or will go on trailers. Nothing will be stored on the ground.

All the metal received at Hays will eventually be shipped to the Scottsbluff location for processing,&nbsp;Brier said.

"This is not a full on scrap yard facility like in our Colby and Scottsbluff locations," he said. "This is mainly serving as a place we can build an inventory and then ship it back to one of our other yards to be processed from there."

As a transfer station and not a salvage yard, the business is allowed under the zoning at its location within the city limits, Brier said.

Brier said Langer saw Hays a good location. There is competition in the area, but Brier said he thought Langer can be competitive in the market.

Prices vary on metals based on the market. If information on rates, contact Langer at 785-656-1926 or via email at austin.brier@langerindustrial.com.

Brier came to Hays after working at Langer's Colby location for four years. He said Langer had been considering Hays for a location for a couple of years.

COVID-19 has affected the metal salvage business. Some metal prices&nbsp; dropped sharply during the pandemic, Brier said. However, he said those prices are rebounding.

He said he still thinks the investment in the Hays location was a good one at this time.

The transfer station is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, but closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

As with any metal sales in Kansas, first-time sellers at the transfer station will need to provide their driver's license and fill out a short form verifying ownership and environmental compliance.

In addition, people who are selling copper must provide a fingerprint.

"We're a family-owned business. We are here to do what's best for the customer," Brier said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604357168597.jpeg" alt="Austin Brier, manager of Langer Industrial Service, stands next to the sign of the business's new metal recycling transfer station location at 1007 E. 37th, Hays." />
 <figcaption>Austin Brier, manager of Langer Industrial Service, stands next to the sign of the business's new metal recycling transfer station location at 1007 E. 37th, Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostLanger Industrial Service opened a metal recycling transfer station in Hays in October.&nbsp;The transfer station, 1007 E. 37th, is a part of a network of three businesses with salvage yards in Colby and in Scottsbluff, Neb.The station is accepting aluminum, copper, brass, batteries, starters, alternators — any non-ferrous metals, said manager Austin Brier.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604421323225.jpeg" alt="The transfer station is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, but closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m." />
 <figcaption>The transfer station is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, but closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.</figcaption>
 </figure>Within three weeks, the business, which is located off of Vine Street across the street from the Sinclair gas station, will have a full-length scale and trailers. It will be able to handle anything up to about the size of a car.Brier wanted to emphasize the business in Hays is a transfer station. All of the metals that are received at the business go into bins or will go on trailers. Nothing will be stored on the ground.All the metal received at Hays will eventually be shipped to the Scottsbluff location for processing,&nbsp;Brier said."This is not a full on scrap yard facility like in our Colby and Scottsbluff locations," he said. "This is mainly serving as a place we can build an inventory and then ship it back to one of our other yards to be processed from there."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604421407139.jpeg" alt="All of the metals that are received at the business go into bins or will go on trailers. Nothing will be stored on the ground." />
 <figcaption>All of the metals that are received at the business go into bins or will go on trailers. Nothing will be stored on the ground.</figcaption>
 </figure>As a transfer station and not a salvage yard, the business is allowed under the zoning at its location within the city limits, Brier said.Brier said Langer saw Hays a good location. There is competition in the area, but Brier said he thought Langer can be competitive in the market.Prices vary on metals based on the market. If information on rates, contact Langer at 785-656-1926 or via email at austin.brier@langerindustrial.com.Brier came to Hays after working at Langer's Colby location for four years. He said Langer had been considering Hays for a location for a couple of years.COVID-19 has affected the metal salvage business. Some metal prices&nbsp; dropped sharply during the pandemic, Brier said. However, he said those prices are rebounding.He said he still thinks the investment in the Hays location was a good one at this time.The transfer station is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, but closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.As with any metal sales in Kansas, first-time sellers at the transfer station will need to provide their driver's license and fill out a short form verifying ownership and environmental compliance.In addition, people who are selling copper must provide a fingerprint."We're a family-owned business. We are here to do what's best for the customer," Brier said.

Langer opens metal recycling station in Hays

James David “J.D.” Hickert, age 37, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, as the result of an automobile accident in Scott County, Kansas.  He was born on October 2, 1983, in Colby, Kansas, the son of Dave &amp; Marcia Ayers Hickert.  J.D. He grew up in Bird City, Kansas, and was a 2002 graduate of Cheylin High School in Bird City, Kansas.  A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 2012 moving from Colby, Kansas, he was an electrician and worked for S-K Electric of Scott City.

He was a graduate of NWKTC Electrical in Goodland, Kansas.

On October 15, 2005, he married Laura Gossman in Scott City, Kansas.  She survives.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604603367896.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>James David “J.D.” Hickert, age 37, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, as the result of an automobile accident in Scott County, Kansas. He was born on October 2, 1983, in Colby, Kansas, the son of Dave &amp; Marcia Ayers Hickert. J.D. He grew up in Bird City, Kansas, and was a 2002 graduate of Cheylin High School in Bird City, Kansas. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 2012 moving from Colby, Kansas, he was an electrician and worked for S-K Electric of Scott City.He was a graduate of NWKTC Electrical in Goodland, Kansas.On October 15, 2005, he married Laura Gossman in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.Survivors include his Wife - Laura Hickert of Scott City, Kansas, Two Daughters - Ashleigh Hickert of Scott City, Kansas, Haileigh Hickert of Scott City, Kansas, One Son - Ethan Hickert of Scott City, Kansas, Parents - Dave &amp; Marcia Hickert of Bird City, Kansas, One Sister - Anne &amp; Clint Gossman of Scott City, Kansas, Father &amp; Mother in Law - Steve &amp; Veta Gossman of Scott City, Kansas, Numerous Brothers and Sisters in Laws, Nieces &amp; Nephews.He was preceded in death by One Brother in Law - Jeremy Gossman.Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Pastor Don Williams officiating. Memorials In Lieu Of Flowers can be made to the James D. Hickert Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.There will be no calling times.