By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/hedge-fund-pushes-kansas-utility-away-coal-toward-wind-and-solar">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — Curtis Sneden remembers what 
impatient investors did to Topeka-based Payless Shoes. Pressure for 
profits now and the bankruptcy that followed.

Now the president of the <a href="https://government-affairs.topekapartnership.com/" target="_blank">Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce</a>
 looks at regional utility giant Evergy and worries what might come of 
pressure from activist investment firm Elliott Management Corp.’s 
demands for a higher stock price.

“When you’re on the ground and 
it’s your friends and neighbors and your community and economy, that is 
not a very reassuring type of narrative,” Sneden said.

He’s worried that the changes requested by Elliott Management could lead to layoffs at Evergy — or worse.

“When this sort of challenge comes along, for Topekans it gives us quite a concern,” Sneden said.

<a href="https://www.elliottmgmt.com/" target="_blank">Elliott Management</a>
 is a New York-based hedge fund run by billionaire Paul Singer. It 
recently disclosed to the public that it owns 11.3 million shares of 
Evergy. Its stake is worth about $760 million and about 5% of the 
company.

The hedge fund’s play to remake Evergy could lead to the
 shuttering of coal plants sooner and more spending on wind farms and 
solar power. It might also trigger layoffs and threaten careers in 
Evergy’s corporate suites. And it could alter how much customers pay for
 electricity, although analysts differ on whether consumers would 
welcome the changes.

Elliot sent a letter to Evergy’s board of directors claiming it could make more money for shareholders.

“A
 renewed focus on improving core utility operations and investing in 
Evergy’s critical electric infrastructure can rectify its prolonged 
underperformance,” the letter reads.

It built a website, <a href="https://energizeevergy.com/letter/" target="_blank">energizeevergy.com</a>, to lobby publicly for management changes at the utility that came from the merger of Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy.

Elliott
 is pressing the leadership at Evergy to invest more in renewable energy
 generation, close down its coal plants, and increase the overall 
efficiency of its operations.

“It’s just really a question of timing,” said Shar Pourreza, an energy analyst at <a href="https://www.guggenheimpartners.com/" target="_blank">Guggenheim Partners</a>.

He
 said, at face value, there’s nothing that Elliott is asking that Evergy
 isn’t already planning on doing. Elliott just wants it to happen 
quicker, which might be easier said than done.

Conditions set by 
regulators during the Westar-Great Plains merger mean that Evergy can’t 
file a rate case for at least five years.

Closing the coal plants
 early would also leave Evergy with a stranded asset, something 
investors and ratepayers would still be paying for but not using.&nbsp; And 
then there’s the trickle down effects.&nbsp;

“You have to deal with job losses, the unions, loss of tax base,” Pourreza said. “There’s multiple things.”

If Evergy can’t do that on its own, the analysts at Elliott argue, it should merge with yet another company. But few companies stand in a position to combine with, or purchase, Evergy.

Pourrezza suggested <a href="https://www.ameren.com/" target="_blank">Ameren</a>, which is Missouri’s largest electric power provider, as the most likely suitor.

In an emailed statement, Ameren said, “We do not comment on rumors or speculative (merger and acquisition) activities.”

Elliott
 has a long history of pushing companies to bend to the hedge fund’s 
wishes. Sometimes that involves pushing out a company’s executives. In 
other cases, those bosses adopt Elliott’s advice.

Recently, 
Elliott made similar requests to NRG Energy and Sempra Energy. 
Management at those companies worked with Elliott to make changes. The 
CEOs at the two companies ultimately kept their jobs, but changes were 
made to the composition of their boards of directors.

In both cases, the companies saw their stocks increase after Elliott intervened.

Evergy has not been as eager to work with Elliott. Discussions between the two companies have been ongoing since October 2019.

In
 a press release, Evergy said it is confident in its ability to deliver 
long-term growth and shareholder value by continuing down the path it’s 
already established for itself.

Elliott contends
 its suggestions would increase returns for investors and and save 
ratepayers money. The company argues those payoffs would come partly 
from streamlining — which might mean layoffs — and partly by cashing in 
on the ways renewable energy operating costs have become cheaper than 
burning coal.

Evergy’s stock price has risen 3.86% since Elliott announced its plans.

“If
 you look at some of the recent activism in this space,” Pourreza said, 
“the utilities do come out of it in some form or another better than 
they were going into it.”

Brian Grimmett reports on the 
environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and the 
Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a>&nbsp;or
 email him at grimmett@kmuw.org. The Kansas News Service is a
 collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public
 Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581092043897.jpeg" alt=" Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption> Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/hedge-fund-pushes-kansas-utility-away-coal-toward-wind-and-solar">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — Curtis Sneden remembers what 
impatient investors did to Topeka-based Payless Shoes. Pressure for 
profits now and the bankruptcy that followed.Now the president of the <a href="https://government-affairs.topekapartnership.com/" target="_blank">Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce</a>
 looks at regional utility giant Evergy and worries what might come of 
pressure from activist investment firm Elliott Management Corp.’s 
demands for a higher stock price.“When you’re on the ground and 
it’s your friends and neighbors and your community and economy, that is 
not a very reassuring type of narrative,” Sneden said.He’s worried that the changes requested by Elliott Management could lead to layoffs at Evergy — or worse.“When this sort of challenge comes along, for Topekans it gives us quite a concern,” Sneden said.<a href="https://www.elliottmgmt.com/" target="_blank">Elliott Management</a>
 is a New York-based hedge fund run by billionaire Paul Singer. It 
recently disclosed to the public that it owns 11.3 million shares of 
Evergy. Its stake is worth about $760 million and about 5% of the 
company.The hedge fund’s play to remake Evergy could lead to the
 shuttering of coal plants sooner and more spending on wind farms and 
solar power. It might also trigger layoffs and threaten careers in 
Evergy’s corporate suites. And it could alter how much customers pay for
 electricity, although analysts differ on whether consumers would 
welcome the changes.Elliot sent a letter to Evergy’s board of directors claiming it could make more money for shareholders.“A
 renewed focus on improving core utility operations and investing in 
Evergy’s critical electric infrastructure can rectify its prolonged 
underperformance,” the letter reads.It built a website, <a href="https://energizeevergy.com/letter/" target="_blank">energizeevergy.com</a>, to lobby publicly for management changes at the utility that came from the merger of Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy.Elliott
 is pressing the leadership at Evergy to invest more in renewable energy
 generation, close down its coal plants, and increase the overall 
efficiency of its operations.“It’s just really a question of timing,” said Shar Pourreza, an energy analyst at <a href="https://www.guggenheimpartners.com/" target="_blank">Guggenheim Partners</a>.He
 said, at face value, there’s nothing that Elliott is asking that Evergy
 isn’t already planning on doing. Elliott just wants it to happen 
quicker, which might be easier said than done.Conditions set by 
regulators during the Westar-Great Plains merger mean that Evergy can’t 
file a rate case for at least five years.Closing the coal plants
 early would also leave Evergy with a stranded asset, something 
investors and ratepayers would still be paying for but not using.&nbsp; And 
then there’s the trickle down effects.&nbsp;“You have to deal with job losses, the unions, loss of tax base,” Pourreza said. “There’s multiple things.”If Evergy can’t do that on its own, the analysts at Elliott argue, it should merge with yet another company. But few companies stand in a position to combine with, or purchase, Evergy.Pourrezza suggested <a href="https://www.ameren.com/" target="_blank">Ameren</a>, which is Missouri’s largest electric power provider, as the most likely suitor.In an emailed statement, Ameren said, “We do not comment on rumors or speculative (merger and acquisition) activities.”Elliott
 has a long history of pushing companies to bend to the hedge fund’s 
wishes. Sometimes that involves pushing out a company’s executives. In 
other cases, those bosses adopt Elliott’s advice.Recently, 
Elliott made similar requests to NRG Energy and Sempra Energy. 
Management at those companies worked with Elliott to make changes. The 
CEOs at the two companies ultimately kept their jobs, but changes were 
made to the composition of their boards of directors.In both cases, the companies saw their stocks increase after Elliott intervened.Evergy has not been as eager to work with Elliott. Discussions between the two companies have been ongoing since October 2019.In
 a press release, Evergy said it is confident in its ability to deliver 
long-term growth and shareholder value by continuing down the path it’s 
already established for itself.Elliott contends
 its suggestions would increase returns for investors and and save 
ratepayers money. The company argues those payoffs would come partly 
from streamlining — which might mean layoffs — and partly by cashing in 
on the ways renewable energy operating costs have become cheaper than 
burning coal.Evergy’s stock price has risen 3.86% since Elliott announced its plans.“If
 you look at some of the recent activism in this space,” Pourreza said, 
“the utilities do come out of it in some form or another better than 
they were going into it.”Brian Grimmett reports on the 
environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and the 
Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a>&nbsp;or
 email him at grimmett@kmuw.org. The Kansas News Service is a
 collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public
 Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

Hedge fund pushes Kan. utility away from coal, toward wind, solar 

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) —In the wake of revelations that scores of Roman Catholic priests and religious workers credibly accused of child sexual abuse are living unsupervised in communities across the country, state officials face a quandary: Should they screen former clergy members who seek licenses for jobs that put them in contact with children? And, if so, how?

An Associated Press investigation last fall found nearly 200 accused clergy members had been granted teaching, mental health or social work licenses, with roughly six dozen still holding valid licenses to work in those fields in 2019.

Since then, at least 20 states have started using church-released lists of priests and employees who faced credible allegations to screen applicants or check for current state teaching, foster care and therapy licenses -- and, in some cases, have revoked credentials.

As part of the church’s attempt to be more transparent about its ongoing sexual abuse crisis, more than 170 dioceses and religious orders have publicly released lists of clergy members they found to be credibly accused of abuses ranging from rape to child pornography.

Over 5,300 priests, clergy members and a handful of lay employees -- more than 2,000 of them still living -- are on the lists. But because most were never convicted of a crime, the allegations of child abuse never appeared in licensing background checks, the AP’s investigation revealed.

Church and law enforcement officials have said there is little they can do to monitor or restrict the nearly 1,700 mostly former clergy members the AP found living without supervision because many voluntarily left the church or were laicized, which means they are permanently restricted from the priesthood and return to private citizenship.

For close to two decades, the group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has been advocating for church officials to report allegations to law enforcement, child protection and other state agencies, but it says state agencies haven’t figured out their role in responding to the clergy abuse scandal.

“These agencies need to refocus their priorities,” said David Clohessy, the former executive director of SNAP, who now leads the group’s St. Louis chapter. “They’re here to protect the public from predators, not to make getting a license to be a shrink or doctor easier.”

AP reporters called agencies in all 50 states, determining that dozens have started discussions, checked their lists of licenses for named clergy or begun using the diocesan lists released in their areas to flag applications.

The license reviews and background check changes have come across all areas of state licensing -- from foster care to education boards – in states ranging from New Hampshire to Oklahoma.

In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the state Department of Job and Family Services to review how county-level child service agencies and private placement agencies could incorporate the diocesan lists into background checks used to determine where children are placed. A spokesman for DeWine said the directive came after the AP published its investigation, calling the action “warranted to protect Ohio’s children.”

Conducting a comprehensive review is complicated because no official national master database of accused clergy exists, meaning states have to choose how many of the more than 170 lists to consult.

Pennsylvania’s education licensing department has conducted perhaps the most comprehensive search of its licensing database, checking for nearly 500 clergy members’ names that were released in three state or local grand jury reports over the last decade— including the landmark 2018 Pennsylvania attorney general’s grand jury report that looked at how abuse allegations were handled in six dioceses.

The department revoked or accepted the surrender of three licenses from former clergy members and is investigating a dozen other licensees.. But the first effort did not encompass lay church employees named on diocesan lists and former priests who might have moved to Pennsylvania from other states and sought licenses.

Dylan Klapmeier, spokesman for the Montana Department of Public Instruction, said his agency checked its list of credentialed teachers against the names issued by two Montana dioceses and found no matches. He lamented the lack of a national list to further consult, noting that “there are lots of places to hide here.”

For many education or licensing departments, using the diocesan lists can be difficult because of state statutes governing what can be considered when deciding to issue or revoke a license. Some agencies allow only for criminal background checks, while others also permit a check of the state’s child abuse and neglect database.

Most of those databases include allegations child abuse investigators found to be most likely true, even if they were not prosecuted. It’s one of the few ways allegations against a priest could appear in background checks without criminal charges, though it was unclear from the diocesan lists if all church-related allegations were reported to state child abuse officials.

Joseph Smack, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, said his department is looking at the allegations against the priests listed by the Wilmington Diocese to determine if any of them should be placed on the Child Protection Registry. Once on that registry, a background check would indicate the accused priest was unsuitable to become a foster parent.

The AP investigation found a handful of accused priests who adopted or fostered children, even after accusations drove them from active ministry – a group that is likely larger since, to protect the privacy of children in the system, there is no searchable database for foster care licenses.

A half-dozen child and family services departments responsible for licensing and screening foster parents -- including those in New Hampshire, Oklahoma and New Mexico – told the AP that they have checked the local diocesan lists to see if any former priests were approved foster care providers.

Debra Johnson, director of communications for the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Family, said her department is in the process of overhauling how it performs background checks on potential foster parents and may now include the issue of former priests in the equation.

“It’s concerning that there is no system — that these individuals do not have some level of monitoring that would protect other children from being harmed or potentially being harmed,” she said.

Among license-providers, it’s easiest for state education departments to use the lists to remove licenses or background new applicants.

At least 20 state educational licensing agencies the AP contacted had checked the credibly accused clergy lists released in their states against the rosters of licensed school workers, with at least eight finding former priests with active or expired licenses. Many of those states have acted to remove those licenses or put holds on them to prevent their renewal.

Most states declined to name the individuals they had asked to surrender licenses or to say whether any would be revoked, citing privacy statutes for disciplinary processes.

The advocacy group Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct and Exploitation, also known as SESAME, has been advocating for stricter state laws that would require reporting of sexual abuse, grooming behaviors and other misconduct by school employees and contractors to prevent them from jumping to new positions in different districts or states without unprosecuted allegations against them being known.

SESAME President Terri Miller said she sees similarities between how abusive priests were transferred between parishes and the movements of accused educators her group is trying to prevent.

“It makes complete sense that priests who abused children would migrate to other areas where they can access youth and, unless we pass laws that mandate reporting of any sexual misconduct and stop the passing of trash to other districts, we aren’t going to be able to guarantee that children are safe,” she said.

Massachusetts is among more than 30 states that don’t require a conviction to launch disciplinary investigations into the past actions of teachers, guidance counselors or others licensed to work in public schools.

Jacqueline Reis, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said people named on diocesan lists are investigated when those lists are provided to the department.

“For instance, when we learned that one of our employees was among those listed by the St. Louis Archdiocese, we checked the other names on that list, too,” Reis said.

Keith Westrich, the state’s former associate commissioner for college, career and technical education, was named by the St. Louis Archdiocese last year as having a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor made against him when he was a priest there in the early 1980s. Shortly after, Massachusetts’ education department placed Westrich on leave and launched an investigation. He has since retired, and a message left at a phone number listed for him was not returned.

It is much harder for mental health, social worker or psychology licensing boards to consider unprosecuted allegations during background checks or for removing a license. Only a handful of the boards that responded to the AP’s questions said they could consider the diocesan lists as part of a background check.

“With no conviction, I don’t believe our administrative rules would allow us,” said Tony Alden, executive for the boards of behavioral science and social work in Iowa.

But staff at several mental health professional licensing boards said they could investigate a complaint alleging previous child sexual abuse to decide whether to remove or sanction a licensed professional. Many said lying on an application that asked candidates to self-report previous allegations would be cause for removal.

While most states have not yet considered law changes, at least 20 state attorneys general are conducting investigations of how church officials handled abuse allegations, including reporting them to civil law enforcement, largely in the wake of Pennsylvania’s 2018 grand jury report.

In its 50-state review, the AP asked the attorneys general if they had considered how states could use the lists of credibly accused clergy members to better protect children.

Some said they wanted to focus on investigating any possible criminal charges, but others said they have started to consider the role they could play in eliminating the gray area for people who have been credibly accused but not prosecuted. The AP investigation published in October explored the case of former priest Roger Sinclair, who had been accused of abuse in at least two other states but who had never been criminally charged when he moved to Oregon, where he was arrested and convicted for abusing a vulnerable adult.

Oregon’s attorney general, Ellen Rosenblum, said her office was looking at appropriate next steps.

“This AP story … sheds light on an important aspect of clergy sexual abuse horrors—how easy it has been to continue the abuse in other states from where the initial offending conduct occurred,” Rosenblum said. “That is absolutely unacceptable, and the fact that the Sinclair case occurred right here in Oregon drives home the importance of addressing this issue.”

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) —In the wake of revelations that scores of Roman Catholic priests and religious workers credibly accused of child sexual abuse are living unsupervised in communities across the country, state officials face a quandary: Should they screen former clergy members who seek licenses for jobs that put them in contact with children? And, if so, how?An Associated Press investigation last fall found nearly 200 accused clergy members had been granted teaching, mental health or social work licenses, with roughly six dozen still holding valid licenses to work in those fields in 2019.Since then, at least 20 states have started using church-released lists of priests and employees who faced credible allegations to screen applicants or check for current state teaching, foster care and therapy licenses -- and, in some cases, have revoked credentials.As part of the church’s attempt to be more transparent about its ongoing sexual abuse crisis, more than 170 dioceses and religious orders have publicly released lists of clergy members they found to be credibly accused of abuses ranging from rape to child pornography.Over 5,300 priests, clergy members and a handful of lay employees -- more than 2,000 of them still living -- are on the lists. But because most were never convicted of a crime, the allegations of child abuse never appeared in licensing background checks, the AP’s investigation revealed.Church and law enforcement officials have said there is little they can do to monitor or restrict the nearly 1,700 mostly former clergy members the AP found living without supervision because many voluntarily left the church or were laicized, which means they are permanently restricted from the priesthood and return to private citizenship.For close to two decades, the group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has been advocating for church officials to report allegations to law enforcement, child protection and other state agencies, but it says state agencies haven’t figured out their role in responding to the clergy abuse scandal.“These agencies need to refocus their priorities,” said David Clohessy, the former executive director of SNAP, who now leads the group’s St. Louis chapter. “They’re here to protect the public from predators, not to make getting a license to be a shrink or doctor easier.”AP reporters called agencies in all 50 states, determining that dozens have started discussions, checked their lists of licenses for named clergy or begun using the diocesan lists released in their areas to flag applications.The license reviews and background check changes have come across all areas of state licensing -- from foster care to education boards – in states ranging from New Hampshire to Oklahoma.In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the state Department of Job and Family Services to review how county-level child service agencies and private placement agencies could incorporate the diocesan lists into background checks used to determine where children are placed. A spokesman for DeWine said the directive came after the AP published its investigation, calling the action “warranted to protect Ohio’s children.”Conducting a comprehensive review is complicated because no official national master database of accused clergy exists, meaning states have to choose how many of the more than 170 lists to consult.Pennsylvania’s education licensing department has conducted perhaps the most comprehensive search of its licensing database, checking for nearly 500 clergy members’ names that were released in three state or local grand jury reports over the last decade— including the landmark 2018 Pennsylvania attorney general’s grand jury report that looked at how abuse allegations were handled in six dioceses.The department revoked or accepted the surrender of three licenses from former clergy members and is investigating a dozen other licensees.. But the first effort did not encompass lay church employees named on diocesan lists and former priests who might have moved to Pennsylvania from other states and sought licenses.Dylan Klapmeier, spokesman for the Montana Department of Public Instruction, said his agency checked its list of credentialed teachers against the names issued by two Montana dioceses and found no matches. He lamented the lack of a national list to further consult, noting that “there are lots of places to hide here.”For many education or licensing departments, using the diocesan lists can be difficult because of state statutes governing what can be considered when deciding to issue or revoke a license. Some agencies allow only for criminal background checks, while others also permit a check of the state’s child abuse and neglect database.Most of those databases include allegations child abuse investigators found to be most likely true, even if they were not prosecuted. It’s one of the few ways allegations against a priest could appear in background checks without criminal charges, though it was unclear from the diocesan lists if all church-related allegations were reported to state child abuse officials.Joseph Smack, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, said his department is looking at the allegations against the priests listed by the Wilmington Diocese to determine if any of them should be placed on the Child Protection Registry. Once on that registry, a background check would indicate the accused priest was unsuitable to become a foster parent.The AP investigation found a handful of accused priests who adopted or fostered children, even after accusations drove them from active ministry – a group that is likely larger since, to protect the privacy of children in the system, there is no searchable database for foster care licenses.A half-dozen child and family services departments responsible for licensing and screening foster parents -- including those in New Hampshire, Oklahoma and New Mexico – told the AP that they have checked the local diocesan lists to see if any former priests were approved foster care providers.Debra Johnson, director of communications for the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Family, said her department is in the process of overhauling how it performs background checks on potential foster parents and may now include the issue of former priests in the equation.“It’s concerning that there is no system — that these individuals do not have some level of monitoring that would protect other children from being harmed or potentially being harmed,” she said.Among license-providers, it’s easiest for state education departments to use the lists to remove licenses or background new applicants.At least 20 state educational licensing agencies the AP contacted had checked the credibly accused clergy lists released in their states against the rosters of licensed school workers, with at least eight finding former priests with active or expired licenses. Many of those states have acted to remove those licenses or put holds on them to prevent their renewal.Most states declined to name the individuals they had asked to surrender licenses or to say whether any would be revoked, citing privacy statutes for disciplinary processes.The advocacy group Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct and Exploitation, also known as SESAME, has been advocating for stricter state laws that would require reporting of sexual abuse, grooming behaviors and other misconduct by school employees and contractors to prevent them from jumping to new positions in different districts or states without unprosecuted allegations against them being known.SESAME President Terri Miller said she sees similarities between how abusive priests were transferred between parishes and the movements of accused educators her group is trying to prevent.“It makes complete sense that priests who abused children would migrate to other areas where they can access youth and, unless we pass laws that mandate reporting of any sexual misconduct and stop the passing of trash to other districts, we aren’t going to be able to guarantee that children are safe,” she said.Massachusetts is among more than 30 states that don’t require a conviction to launch disciplinary investigations into the past actions of teachers, guidance counselors or others licensed to work in public schools.Jacqueline Reis, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said people named on diocesan lists are investigated when those lists are provided to the department.“For instance, when we learned that one of our employees was among those listed by the St. Louis Archdiocese, we checked the other names on that list, too,” Reis said.Keith Westrich, the state’s former associate commissioner for college, career and technical education, was named by the St. Louis Archdiocese last year as having a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor made against him when he was a priest there in the early 1980s. Shortly after, Massachusetts’ education department placed Westrich on leave and launched an investigation. He has since retired, and a message left at a phone number listed for him was not returned.It is much harder for mental health, social worker or psychology licensing boards to consider unprosecuted allegations during background checks or for removing a license. Only a handful of the boards that responded to the AP’s questions said they could consider the diocesan lists as part of a background check.“With no conviction, I don’t believe our administrative rules would allow us,” said Tony Alden, executive for the boards of behavioral science and social work in Iowa.But staff at several mental health professional licensing boards said they could investigate a complaint alleging previous child sexual abuse to decide whether to remove or sanction a licensed professional. Many said lying on an application that asked candidates to self-report previous allegations would be cause for removal.While most states have not yet considered law changes, at least 20 state attorneys general are conducting investigations of how church officials handled abuse allegations, including reporting them to civil law enforcement, largely in the wake of Pennsylvania’s 2018 grand jury report.In its 50-state review, the AP asked the attorneys general if they had considered how states could use the lists of credibly accused clergy members to better protect children.Some said they wanted to focus on investigating any possible criminal charges, but others said they have started to consider the role they could play in eliminating the gray area for people who have been credibly accused but not prosecuted. The AP investigation published in October explored the case of former priest Roger Sinclair, who had been accused of abuse in at least two other states but who had never been criminally charged when he moved to Oregon, where he was arrested and convicted for abusing a vulnerable adult.Oregon’s attorney general, Ellen Rosenblum, said her office was looking at appropriate next steps.“This AP story … sheds light on an important aspect of clergy sexual abuse horrors—how easy it has been to continue the abuse in other states from where the initial offending conduct occurred,” Rosenblum said. “That is absolutely unacceptable, and the fact that the Sinclair case occurred right here in Oregon drives home the importance of addressing this issue.”___

States use Catholic clergy abuse lists to screen applicants

LAWRENCE, KAN. (AP) —&nbsp;Douglas County law enforcement officials are undergoing training and planning to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of sexual assault cases after facing criticism last year for charging women with making false sexual assault complaints.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said this week other changes planned in the county include a task force and continuing education on handling trauma and sexual assault cases.

In October, Branson dismissed a case against a woman who was charged with filing a false rape report, after a Lawrence police detective said in an affidavit that he thought the woman reported the rape because she was angry the man involved was seeing another woman. Advocates for sexual violence victims criticized Branson and investigators, saying filing such charges would make victims reluctant to report sexual assaults. Two similar cases were dismissed in December.

A group of social work students at the University of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;said prosecutors and investigators showed a “concerning lack of crucial knowledge” about trauma and sexual assault, as well as behaviors survivors might display after an assault. Anne Divine, president of the&nbsp;KU Edwards BSW Student Group, said the group saw a “regrettable pattern” in the investigations.

In the past three months, all attorneys and victim/witness coordinators in the Douglas County district attorney's office have completed a five-hour training course on sexual assault investigations. Lawrence police detectives will also take the training.

Tom Tremblay, a retired police chief from Burlington,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/vermont">Vermont</a>, who specializes in trauma-informed response, investigation and prosecution training, will lead a two-day training session for more than 40 senior prosecutors, victim/witness coordinators, community service providers, detectives, investigators and their supervisors in April, Branson said. He also will help Branson’s office draft procedures to coordinate responses of area law enforcement and attorneys in investigations and prosecutions in sexual assault cases.

The county also will develop a continuing training program for the investigators and first responders who have first contact with survivors, “so they have at least the basic tools to understand what’s going on, how to respond and how to make the handoff to the trained investigators,” Branson said. “It is anticipated” that all area law enforcement will take the annual in-service training, he said.

Divine said Wednesday that she thought it was “really wonderful” that Branson’s plans include many points she and other students promoted in letters to Lawrence city leaders, the district attorney’s office and local law enforcement.

Branson said a major concern was that agencies handled their investigations differently.

“We didn’t want people to have a different experience based upon who investigated the case,” Branson said. “It also made a difference in how the case was investigated with what our office would do with it and how we would necessarily view it.”

He’s working with area law enforcement and service providers to create the Douglas County Sexual Assault and Trauma Task Force, which aims to develop protocols to ensure that investigations are consistent from agency to agency. Most of those currently appointed to the task force are males, but Branson said he is trying to add more community partners.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581182177849.png" alt="Douglas County court house -google image" />
 <figcaption>Douglas County court house -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, KAN. (AP) —&nbsp;Douglas County law enforcement officials are undergoing training and planning to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of sexual assault cases after facing criticism last year for charging women with making false sexual assault complaints.Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said this week other changes planned in the county include a task force and continuing education on handling trauma and sexual assault cases.In October, Branson dismissed a case against a woman who was charged with filing a false rape report, after a Lawrence police detective said in an affidavit that he thought the woman reported the rape because she was angry the man involved was seeing another woman. Advocates for sexual violence victims criticized Branson and investigators, saying filing such charges would make victims reluctant to report sexual assaults. Two similar cases were dismissed in December.A group of social work students at the University of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;said prosecutors and investigators showed a “concerning lack of crucial knowledge” about trauma and sexual assault, as well as behaviors survivors might display after an assault. Anne Divine, president of the&nbsp;KU Edwards BSW Student Group, said the group saw a “regrettable pattern” in the investigations.In the past three months, all attorneys and victim/witness coordinators in the Douglas County district attorney's office have completed a five-hour training course on sexual assault investigations. Lawrence police detectives will also take the training.Tom Tremblay, a retired police chief from Burlington,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/vermont">Vermont</a>, who specializes in trauma-informed response, investigation and prosecution training, will lead a two-day training session for more than 40 senior prosecutors, victim/witness coordinators, community service providers, detectives, investigators and their supervisors in April, Branson said. He also will help Branson’s office draft procedures to coordinate responses of area law enforcement and attorneys in investigations and prosecutions in sexual assault cases.The county also will develop a continuing training program for the investigators and first responders who have first contact with survivors, “so they have at least the basic tools to understand what’s going on, how to respond and how to make the handoff to the trained investigators,” Branson said. “It is anticipated” that all area law enforcement will take the annual in-service training, he said.Divine said Wednesday that she thought it was “really wonderful” that Branson’s plans include many points she and other students promoted in letters to Lawrence city leaders, the district attorney’s office and local law enforcement.Branson said a major concern was that agencies handled their investigations differently.“We didn’t want people to have a different experience based upon who investigated the case,” Branson said. “It also made a difference in how the case was investigated with what our office would do with it and how we would necessarily view it.”He’s working with area law enforcement and service providers to create the Douglas County Sexual Assault and Trauma Task Force, which aims to develop protocols to ensure that investigations are consistent from agency to agency. Most of those currently appointed to the task force are males, but Branson said he is trying to add more community partners.

Kansas county making changes after false rape report cases

Marion “Faye” Bauer, 89, Hays, died Friday, February 7, 2020 at Via Christi Village.

She was born October 6, 1930 in Utica, 
Kansas the daughter of Thomas “Tom” and Juanita (Lehman) Norton.&nbsp; On 
January 4, 1949 she was united in marriage to David Walter “Dave” Bauer 
and they celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage before he preceded her 
in death on January 3, 2009.&nbsp; &nbsp;Along with her husband Dave, Faye was a 
farmwife and a custodian at Roosevelt School for 27 years and a number 
of students saw them as an extra pair of grandparents.&nbsp; A member of 
Messiah Lutheran Church, Faye was very active in her church and enjoyed 
volunteering for church projects and baking cookies at Christmas time.&nbsp; 
She was also a volunteer at the Hays Public Library, the Community 
Assistance Center, and was very much a servant to the community.&nbsp; She 
enjoyed gardening and quilting, was a fantastic cook and baker, and her 
family always anticipated the holidays and her delicious butterballs.

Faye is survived by two daughters:&nbsp; 
Susan F. Wolf and husband Bob of Hays, and Nancy E. Meitl and husband 
Duane of Rush Center, a daughter-in-law:&nbsp; Cindy Bauer of Hays, two 
sisters:&nbsp; Wilma Ochs and husband Norman of Granbury, TX, and Judith 
Carter and husband Herb of Colorado Springs, CO, ten grandchildren:&nbsp; 
Jeff Wolf (Jenny, Chrissy Bandel (Corey, Curtis Wolf, Shelly New 
(Greg, Tara Comerci (Ben, Tessa Mayfield (Derek, Jennifer Conrad 
(Keith, Rhonda Hughes (Evan, Cory Bauer (Cassie, and Joey Bauer, 
twenty great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her 
parents, her step-mother:&nbsp; Elizabeth Norton, her husband:&nbsp; David W. 
Bauer, two sons:&nbsp; Dr. Richard D. Bauer and Thomas D. Bauer, a 
daughter-in-law:&nbsp; Belinda Bauer, three brothers:&nbsp; Leonard, Clell, and 
Lee Norton, and by a sister:&nbsp; Jeanne Borthwick.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on
 Friday, February 14, 2020, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hays with 
Pastor Rocco Mallardi officiating.&nbsp; Burial will be at 2:00 pm at the 
Arnold Cemetery in Arnold, Kansas.&nbsp; Visitation will be on Thursday from 
4:00 pm until 7:00 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and on 
Friday from 9:30 am until service time at the church.&nbsp; Memorials are 
suggested to the Community Assistance Center, Hospice of HaysMed, or to 
Messiah Lutheran Church.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Faye may be left 
for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581177909573.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Marion “Faye” Bauer, 89, Hays, died Friday, February 7, 2020 at Via Christi Village.She was born October 6, 1930 in Utica, 
Kansas the daughter of Thomas “Tom” and Juanita (Lehman) Norton.&nbsp; On 
January 4, 1949 she was united in marriage to David Walter “Dave” Bauer 
and they celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage before he preceded her 
in death on January 3, 2009.&nbsp; &nbsp;Along with her husband Dave, Faye was a 
farmwife and a custodian at Roosevelt School for 27 years and a number 
of students saw them as an extra pair of grandparents.&nbsp; A member of 
Messiah Lutheran Church, Faye was very active in her church and enjoyed 
volunteering for church projects and baking cookies at Christmas time.&nbsp; 
She was also a volunteer at the Hays Public Library, the Community 
Assistance Center, and was very much a servant to the community.&nbsp; She 
enjoyed gardening and quilting, was a fantastic cook and baker, and her 
family always anticipated the holidays and her delicious butterballs.Faye is survived by two daughters:&nbsp; 
Susan F. Wolf and husband Bob of Hays, and Nancy E. Meitl and husband 
Duane of Rush Center, a daughter-in-law:&nbsp; Cindy Bauer of Hays, two 
sisters:&nbsp; Wilma Ochs and husband Norman of Granbury, TX, and Judith 
Carter and husband Herb of Colorado Springs, CO, ten grandchildren:&nbsp; 
Jeff Wolf (Jenny, Chrissy Bandel (Corey, Curtis Wolf, Shelly New 
(Greg, Tara Comerci (Ben, Tessa Mayfield (Derek, Jennifer Conrad 
(Keith, Rhonda Hughes (Evan, Cory Bauer (Cassie, and Joey Bauer, 
twenty great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her 
parents, her step-mother:&nbsp; Elizabeth Norton, her husband:&nbsp; David W. 
Bauer, two sons:&nbsp; Dr. Richard D. Bauer and Thomas D. Bauer, a 
daughter-in-law:&nbsp; Belinda Bauer, three brothers:&nbsp; Leonard, Clell, and 
Lee Norton, and by a sister:&nbsp; Jeanne Borthwick.Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on
 Friday, February 14, 2020, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hays with 
Pastor Rocco Mallardi officiating.&nbsp; Burial will be at 2:00 pm at the 
Arnold Cemetery in Arnold, Kansas.&nbsp; Visitation will be on Thursday from 
4:00 pm until 7:00 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and on 
Friday from 9:30 am until service time at the church.&nbsp; Memorials are 
suggested to the Community Assistance Center, Hospice of HaysMed, or to 
Messiah Lutheran Church.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Faye may be left 
for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Marion 'Faye' Bauer

JoAnn Cecilia (Stramel) Billinger, age 77, of Victoria, Kansas died 
Thursday, February 6, 2020, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kanas.

She was born January 27, 1943, in Hays, Kansas to Leo and Hubertine 
(Urban) Stramel.&nbsp; She married Earl Billinger on October 9, 1961 in 
Victoria, Kansas.

She was a homemaker and a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis.&nbsp; She
 grew up in Pfeifer, and was a 1961 graduate of Victoria High School.&nbsp; 
She lived in Victoria, Hays, and then moved a number of years ago to the
 Wheatland Nursing Care Center at Russell.

Survivors include one son, Galen Billinger, Derby, KS; three 
daughters, Cindy Boor, and husband, Stan, Hays, KS; Lisa Scott-Sauber, 
Wichita, KS; Laura Rome and husband, Mark; Hays, KS; one brother, Gary 
Stramel and wife, Arlene, Hays, KS; four sisters, Bernadette Strong and 
husband, Merv, Littleton, CO; Carol Billinger and husband, Gilbert, 
Victoria, KS; Kathleen Pryor and husband, Wayne, Colorado Springs, CO; 
Janice Seib and husband, Don, Munjor, KS; ten grandchildren: Jordan 
Koehn, Tessa Koehn (Aaron Van Der Wege, Shawn Scott (Emily, Tyler 
Scott (Nikki, Austin Scott (Madelyn Dower, Scott Rome (Diana Yensi, 
Eric Rome, Allie Rome (Josue Lopez, Luke Billinger, Garret Billinger; 
eight great grandchildren: Maggie Van Der Wege, Solomon Scott, Dominic 
Scott, Wilson Scott, Ellie Scott, Anderson Scott, Rayden Scott, Taygen 
Scott; and the children’s father, Earl Billinger, Ellis, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Leslie Stramel
 and his wife, Catherine; two sons-in-law, Mike Scott and Ron Sauber; 
and a grandson, Aaron Koehn.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 10, 
2020, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Pfeifer, Kansas.&nbsp; Burial will be in
 Holy Cross Cemetery, Pfeifer, Kansas.&nbsp;

A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Sunday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 
67601.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s-Keithley
 Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Monday, at Holy Cross 
Catholic Church, Pfeifer, Kansas.

The family suggests memorials to Holy Cross Charitable, Inc.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 
E.22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.&nbsp; Condolences can be sent via e-mail 
to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or can be left at guest book at 
www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com&nbsp;

JoAnn Cecilia (Stramel) Billinger, age 77, of Victoria, Kansas died 
Thursday, February 6, 2020, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kanas.She was born January 27, 1943, in Hays, Kansas to Leo and Hubertine 
(Urban) Stramel.&nbsp; She married Earl Billinger on October 9, 1961 in 
Victoria, Kansas.She was a homemaker and a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis.&nbsp; She
 grew up in Pfeifer, and was a 1961 graduate of Victoria High School.&nbsp; 
She lived in Victoria, Hays, and then moved a number of years ago to the
 Wheatland Nursing Care Center at Russell.Survivors include one son, Galen Billinger, Derby, KS; three 
daughters, Cindy Boor, and husband, Stan, Hays, KS; Lisa Scott-Sauber, 
Wichita, KS; Laura Rome and husband, Mark; Hays, KS; one brother, Gary 
Stramel and wife, Arlene, Hays, KS; four sisters, Bernadette Strong and 
husband, Merv, Littleton, CO; Carol Billinger and husband, Gilbert, 
Victoria, KS; Kathleen Pryor and husband, Wayne, Colorado Springs, CO; 
Janice Seib and husband, Don, Munjor, KS; ten grandchildren: Jordan 
Koehn, Tessa Koehn (Aaron Van Der Wege, Shawn Scott (Emily, Tyler 
Scott (Nikki, Austin Scott (Madelyn Dower, Scott Rome (Diana Yensi, 
Eric Rome, Allie Rome (Josue Lopez, Luke Billinger, Garret Billinger; 
eight great grandchildren: Maggie Van Der Wege, Solomon Scott, Dominic 
Scott, Wilson Scott, Ellie Scott, Anderson Scott, Rayden Scott, Taygen 
Scott; and the children’s father, Earl Billinger, Ellis, KS.She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Leslie Stramel
 and his wife, Catherine; two sons-in-law, Mike Scott and Ron Sauber; 
and a grandson, Aaron Koehn.Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 10, 
2020, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Pfeifer, Kansas.&nbsp; Burial will be in
 Holy Cross Cemetery, Pfeifer, Kansas.&nbsp;A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Sunday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 
67601.Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s-Keithley
 Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Monday, at Holy Cross 
Catholic Church, Pfeifer, Kansas.The family suggests memorials to Holy Cross Charitable, Inc.Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 
E.22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.&nbsp; Condolences can be sent via e-mail 
to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or can be left at guest book at 
www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com&nbsp;

JoAnn Cecilia (Stramel) Billinger

South Haven, Kan. —The remains of a Kansas man who was killed 78 years ago when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor have been identified.

U.S. Navy Fireman First Class Rex Wise will be buried in April near his home in South Haven, near the state's southern border with Oklahoma.

“I think it’s great,” said Wise’s niece, Helen Weller. “I wish his brothers and sister could have been alive to see him properly buried.”

On Dec. 7, 1941, Wise was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Wise.

From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries.

In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Wise.

Between June and November 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis.

To identify Wise’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

Wise’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580994316778.png" alt="Rex Wise photo courtesy <a href="https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2024444/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-wise-r/">Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency</a>" />
 <figcaption>Rex Wise photo courtesy <a href="https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2024444/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-wise-r/">Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency</a></figcaption>
 </figure>South Haven, Kan. —The remains of a Kansas man who was killed 78 years ago when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor have been identified.U.S. Navy Fireman First Class Rex Wise will be buried in April near his home in South Haven, near the state's southern border with Oklahoma.“I think it’s great,” said Wise’s niece, Helen Weller. “I wish his brothers and sister could have been alive to see him properly buried.”On Dec. 7, 1941, Wise was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Wise.From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries.In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Wise.Between June and November 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis.To identify Wise’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.Wise’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.___

Remains of Kansas man killed in Pearl Harbor identified

A sigh, a breath, a single heartbeat was too great a distance for the
 love that Iris and Vernon Irvin shared for over 70 years. So Iris 
stepped back into Vernon’s loving embrace on February 4th, 2020, a mere 
nine days after his own heavenly home-coming, free at last from the 
disease that restricted her for so long. Those listening closely could 
hear the sweet music of joyous reunion when Iris, Vernon and their 
cherished daughter Becky gathered in their Father’s glorious mansion.

The daughter of John Henry Harding and Hazel Florence Sexson Harding,
 Iris was born on June 6, 1927 in Goodland, KS. After graduating from 
Goodland High School, Iris attended Brown Mackie College in Salina, KS. 
Upon completion, Iris returned to Goodland where she was employed as a 
legal secretary to her cousin, attorney Max L. Jones. It was there that 
she met the dashing Vernon Irvin. He fell immediately for her sparkling 
green eyes, sweet smile and keen intelligence. They were married October
 30, 1949 in Goodland, where they made their home.

Iris was a devoted wife and tremendous support to Vernon in the 
building of their successful farming enterprise. A loving and dedicated 
mother, she volunteered - or was volunteered by her children - for 
innumerable school and church activities. A most gifted and creative 
person, Iris excelled at just about any project she undertook. Her 
family cherishes the quilts, afghans, cross stitch, decoupage and other 
hand-made treasures she created. She was equally skilled in the kitchen,
 and her grandchildren still crave her Shipwreck Casserole, her 
incredible cinnamon rolls, her delicious fresh corn dishes and special 
home-made ice cream. Music and laughter filled the rooms and coming to 
Grandma’s house was always a high adventure and yearned-for opportunity.
 Iris had a passion for genealogy long before the Internet made it a 
popular and effortless undertaking. Her quests for information took her 
to Salt Lake City, Dodge City and beyond. She wrote innumerable letters,
 searched archival sources and followed every possible lead to reap the 
limbs and leaves of her family tree and the rich stories of their 
ancestry, a precious heritage for her family.

Very active in her community, Iris was a devout member of the 
Goodland United Methodist Church, the church Women’s Circle, EHU and 
DAR, serving in official roles in each organization for many years. She 
looked forward to the monthly Class and Cousin coffees, visiting with 
friends and extended family.

In addition to her beloved husband Vernon, Iris was preceded in death
 by her parents, her brothers Lowell, Dale, and Warren Harding, and her 
cherished eldest child Rebecca Jane Irvin Smith. She is survived by her 
adoring children Patricia Irvin O’Brien (Terry) of Basehor, KS, Douglas 
Irvin (Jeanne) of Goodland, KS, and Michael Irvin (Robin) of Mesa, AZ, 
and her son-in-law Michael Smith (Elizabeth) of Tallahassee, FL. She is 
also survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She leaves
 behind a rich legacy of love, generosity, strength and faith.

Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Iris-Irvin">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580911602148.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A sigh, a breath, a single heartbeat was too great a distance for the
 love that Iris and Vernon Irvin shared for over 70 years. So Iris 
stepped back into Vernon’s loving embrace on February 4th, 2020, a mere 
nine days after his own heavenly home-coming, free at last from the 
disease that restricted her for so long. Those listening closely could 
hear the sweet music of joyous reunion when Iris, Vernon and their 
cherished daughter Becky gathered in their Father’s glorious mansion.The daughter of John Henry Harding and Hazel Florence Sexson Harding,
 Iris was born on June 6, 1927 in Goodland, KS. After graduating from 
Goodland High School, Iris attended Brown Mackie College in Salina, KS. 
Upon completion, Iris returned to Goodland where she was employed as a 
legal secretary to her cousin, attorney Max L. Jones. It was there that 
she met the dashing Vernon Irvin. He fell immediately for her sparkling 
green eyes, sweet smile and keen intelligence. They were married October
 30, 1949 in Goodland, where they made their home.Iris was a devoted wife and tremendous support to Vernon in the 
building of their successful farming enterprise. A loving and dedicated 
mother, she volunteered - or was volunteered by her children - for 
innumerable school and church activities. A most gifted and creative 
person, Iris excelled at just about any project she undertook. Her 
family cherishes the quilts, afghans, cross stitch, decoupage and other 
hand-made treasures she created. She was equally skilled in the kitchen,
 and her grandchildren still crave her Shipwreck Casserole, her 
incredible cinnamon rolls, her delicious fresh corn dishes and special 
home-made ice cream. Music and laughter filled the rooms and coming to 
Grandma’s house was always a high adventure and yearned-for opportunity.
 Iris had a passion for genealogy long before the Internet made it a 
popular and effortless undertaking. Her quests for information took her 
to Salt Lake City, Dodge City and beyond. She wrote innumerable letters,
 searched archival sources and followed every possible lead to reap the 
limbs and leaves of her family tree and the rich stories of their 
ancestry, a precious heritage for her family.Very active in her community, Iris was a devout member of the 
Goodland United Methodist Church, the church Women’s Circle, EHU and 
DAR, serving in official roles in each organization for many years. She 
looked forward to the monthly Class and Cousin coffees, visiting with 
friends and extended family.In addition to her beloved husband Vernon, Iris was preceded in death
 by her parents, her brothers Lowell, Dale, and Warren Harding, and her 
cherished eldest child Rebecca Jane Irvin Smith. She is survived by her 
adoring children Patricia Irvin O’Brien (Terry) of Basehor, KS, Douglas 
Irvin (Jeanne) of Goodland, KS, and Michael Irvin (Robin) of Mesa, AZ, 
and her son-in-law Michael Smith (Elizabeth) of Tallahassee, FL. She is 
also survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She leaves
 behind a rich legacy of love, generosity, strength and faith.Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Iris-Irvin">HERE</a> for service details.

Iris E. Irvin

Florence Kuhn was born October 22, 1921, in Hays, Kansas to Peter and Catherine (Unrein) Pfeifer.&nbsp; She passed away February 2, 2020, in her home at the age of 98 surrounded by her three children and her son-in-law.&nbsp; She was a Housewife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother and Homemaker.&nbsp;

As a young girl, she attended school and graduated from Hays High School in Hays.

On July 19, 1945, Florence was united in marriage to Elmer Kuhn, Victoria Kansas.&nbsp; He passed away October 10, 2003.

Florence loved doing volunteer work for the church and Hays Medical Center.&nbsp; She enjoyed making many quilts and afghans for her children, grandchildren and other family members.&nbsp; She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Church, Altar Society/Christian Mother’s and Hays Medical Center volunteers.

Survivors include daughter, Bonnie Kuhn, Victoria, Ks; daughter Cathy (Wayne) Schwartz, Griffin Ga; son Ken Kuhn, Hays; sister Venita (John) Collier, Lakeland Co; Grandchildren; Tammy Leighton, Norman Ok; Tonya (Craig) Moddelmog, Fort Collins, Co; Tim (Courtney) Leighton, Charlotte, Nc; Lisa Denney, Manhattan, Ks; Shelby (Brent) Koerner, Woodstock Ga; Greg (Christy) Schwartz, Hays, Ks; twelve great grand-children and two&nbsp;great great grand-children.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Elmer; Parents: Peter and Catherine (Unrein) Pfeifer; a grandson Kevin Leighton; four sisters, Agnes Kreutzer, Regina Arnhold, Martina Kreutzer, Alfreda Schmeidler, three brothers, Wilfred (Jim) Pfeifer, Peter V. Pfeifer, RJ (Bob) Pfeifer, and son-in-law James S. Fulton, Sr.

The lives of family and friends may be uncertain without Florence and her passing leaves a void in our hearts, but our lives are the richer for her memory.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice of the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Services will be Saturday, February 8th at 10 AM at St. Joseph’s Church in Hays, with burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.&nbsp; Viewing will be Friday February 7th from 5 pm-8 pm at Brock’s Keithley Funeral Home with a parish vigil and rosary at 7 PM.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580836497390.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Florence Kuhn was born October 22, 1921, in Hays, Kansas to Peter and Catherine (Unrein) Pfeifer.&nbsp; She passed away February 2, 2020, in her home at the age of 98 surrounded by her three children and her son-in-law.&nbsp; She was a Housewife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother and Homemaker.&nbsp;As a young girl, she attended school and graduated from Hays High School in Hays.On July 19, 1945, Florence was united in marriage to Elmer Kuhn, Victoria Kansas.&nbsp; He passed away October 10, 2003.Florence loved doing volunteer work for the church and Hays Medical Center.&nbsp; She enjoyed making many quilts and afghans for her children, grandchildren and other family members.&nbsp; She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Church, Altar Society/Christian Mother’s and Hays Medical Center volunteers.Survivors include daughter, Bonnie Kuhn, Victoria, Ks; daughter Cathy (Wayne) Schwartz, Griffin Ga; son Ken Kuhn, Hays; sister Venita (John) Collier, Lakeland Co; Grandchildren; Tammy Leighton, Norman Ok; Tonya (Craig) Moddelmog, Fort Collins, Co; Tim (Courtney) Leighton, Charlotte, Nc; Lisa Denney, Manhattan, Ks; Shelby (Brent) Koerner, Woodstock Ga; Greg (Christy) Schwartz, Hays, Ks; twelve great grand-children and two&nbsp;great great grand-children.Preceding her in death was her husband, Elmer; Parents: Peter and Catherine (Unrein) Pfeifer; a grandson Kevin Leighton; four sisters, Agnes Kreutzer, Regina Arnhold, Martina Kreutzer, Alfreda Schmeidler, three brothers, Wilfred (Jim) Pfeifer, Peter V. Pfeifer, RJ (Bob) Pfeifer, and son-in-law James S. Fulton, Sr.The lives of family and friends may be uncertain without Florence and her passing leaves a void in our hearts, but our lives are the richer for her memory.The family suggests memorials to Hospice of the University of Kansas Medical Center.Services will be Saturday, February 8th at 10 AM at St. Joseph’s Church in Hays, with burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.&nbsp; Viewing will be Friday February 7th from 5 pm-8 pm at Brock’s Keithley Funeral Home with a parish vigil and rosary at 7 PM.Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

Florence Kuhn

Lucretia J. “Creech” Cunningham, 80, passed away Monday, February 3, 
2020 at her home in Wilson, KS. She was born October 8, 1939 in 
Cottonwood Falls, Kansas to William Riley and Wanetta (Huelett) 
Storment. Creech was a graduate of Hays High School in Hays, KS.  She 
was united in marriage to Gary B. Cunningham on June 17, 1965 in Hays, 
Kansas.  


Creech owned and operated a house cleaning business called Happy 
Housekeepers in Hutchinson, KS for 19 years. After moving to Wilson she 
worked for Wilson Nursing Home for 17 years and as an EMT for Ellsworth 
County for 10 Years.


Creech enjoyed quilting, sewing, and gardening; she also enjoyed the
 outdoors, hunting and fishing. Her greatest enjoyment was her family; 
she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren immensely and took 
great pride in their activities and taking them on trips.


Left to cherish her memory is her son Brian (Susan) Sanders of 
Giltner, NE; daughters, Debra Sanders of South Hutchinson, Dorothy 
Sanders of Hutchinson, and Brenda (Dean) Unruh of Hutchinson; brothers, 
William Earl Storment, Donnie Lee Storment, Danny Dale Storment, and 
Audie Barry Storment; sisters, Lillian Kay Wadley and Lawanna Sue 
Storment; 12 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren.


She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Wanetta; first 
husband, Donald Sanders; second husband, Gary Cunningham; sons, Gary 
Sanders and Scott Cunningham; two infant children; brothers, Wendelin 
Jay Storment and Raymond Eugene Storment; and sisters, Eunice LaDean 
Airehart and Lois Irene Axelson.


Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at 
10:00 A.M. at the funeral home in Wilson. Burial will follow in Wilson 
City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday 1:00PM until 8:00PM with 
the family receiving friends 6:00PM until 8:00PM at the funeral home. 


Memorials are suggested to Lucretia Cunningham Memorial Fund and may
 be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, 
KS 67490.  Condolences may be left for the family at 
www.plumeroverlease.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580942380675.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lucretia J. “Creech” Cunningham, 80, passed away Monday, February 3, 
2020 at her home in Wilson, KS. She was born October 8, 1939 in 
Cottonwood Falls, Kansas to William Riley and Wanetta (Huelett) 
Storment. Creech was a graduate of Hays High School in Hays, KS. She 
was united in marriage to Gary B. Cunningham on June 17, 1965 in Hays, 
Kansas. 
Creech owned and operated a house cleaning business called Happy 
Housekeepers in Hutchinson, KS for 19 years. After moving to Wilson she 
worked for Wilson Nursing Home for 17 years and as an EMT for Ellsworth 
County for 10 Years.
Creech enjoyed quilting, sewing, and gardening; she also enjoyed the
 outdoors, hunting and fishing. Her greatest enjoyment was her family; 
she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren immensely and took 
great pride in their activities and taking them on trips.
Left to cherish her memory is her son Brian (Susan) Sanders of 
Giltner, NE; daughters, Debra Sanders of South Hutchinson, Dorothy 
Sanders of Hutchinson, and Brenda (Dean) Unruh of Hutchinson; brothers, 
William Earl Storment, Donnie Lee Storment, Danny Dale Storment, and 
Audie Barry Storment; sisters, Lillian Kay Wadley and Lawanna Sue 
Storment; 12 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Wanetta; first 
husband, Donald Sanders; second husband, Gary Cunningham; sons, Gary 
Sanders and Scott Cunningham; two infant children; brothers, Wendelin 
Jay Storment and Raymond Eugene Storment; and sisters, Eunice LaDean 
Airehart and Lois Irene Axelson.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at 
10:00 A.M. at the funeral home in Wilson. Burial will follow in Wilson 
City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday 1:00PM until 8:00PM with 
the family receiving friends 6:00PM until 8:00PM at the funeral home. 
Memorials are suggested to Lucretia Cunningham Memorial Fund and may
 be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, 
KS 67490. Condolences may be left for the family at 
www.plumeroverlease.com

Lucretia J. 'Creatch' Cunningham

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-gop-senate-candidates-vie-title-trump-s-top-ally-first-debate#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

OLATHE, Kansas — Candidates determined to keep 
Kansas’ U.S. Senate seats in Republican hands quarreled Saturday over 
immigration, health care and federal spending, but no topic was more 
debated than who is the most friendly and in step with President Donald 
Trump.

In front of a standing-room only crowd at the 2020 Kansas 
Republican Party convention, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, former Secretary 
of State Kris Kobach and state Senate President Susan Wagle argued over 
which of them was the most conservative and would be Trump’s most loyal 
foot soldier in the U.S. Senate.

Claiming that he’s voted with 
the president 98% of the time during his two terms in the U.S. House, 
Marshall pledged to “keep standing beside this president to stop the 
left’s socialist agenda.”

But Kobach argued that since most of the legislation considered by 
Congress isn’t controversial, virtually all Republicans — even many 
Democrats — vote “with the president” most of the time.&nbsp;

“So, that’s not an answer to the question,” he said.&nbsp;

Kobach
 won the 2018 Republican primary for Kansas governor with Trump’s 
backing, but lost the general election to Democrat Laura Kelly. For many
 Republicans, that’s a cause for concern heading into what is likely to 
be the state’s most competitive race for a U.S. Senate seat in decades. 
Longtime U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is retiring.

Republicans would be risking a seat they’ve controlled since the Great Depression by nominating Kobach, Wagle said.&nbsp;

“Oh, there’s no question we’d lose,” she said in an interview after the debate.&nbsp;

Kobach
 pointed to his two winning campaigns for Kansas secretary of state: “I 
can say that in this presidential election year I certainly will win 
again.”&nbsp;

The frontrunner for the Democratic U.S. Senate 
nomination is Kansas Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who 
switched parties last year. She’s raised nearly $1.2 million since 
launching her campaign in October.

Marshall, whose 1st Congressional District covers roughly two-thirds 
of the state, is the runaway leader in fundraising on the Republican 
side: $1.9 million on hand as of Sept. 30, the end of the last reporting
 period. He hasn’t made his year-end fundraising report public. Kobach 
finished the year with $190,387 in his campaign account, and after 
loaning her campaign $275,000, Wagle ended the year with $522,683.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Marshall
 and Kobach have personal relationships with Trump, and both claimed to 
have met with him recently. Wagle can’t say that, so she touted her 
record as a leader in both the Kansas House and Senate.

“I’m the proven conservative in the race,” she said. “I get things done. People follow me.”

Immigration
 came up more than once during the debate. Kobach, who’s helped toughen 
immigration laws across the country, said he’d be Trump’s “point man” in
 an effort to do the same in Congress. Marshall said he has consistently
 opposed compromise proposals that would grant “amnesty” to people who 
entered the country illegally or overstayed their work visas.&nbsp;

The national debt, which the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-national-debt-will-rise-to-98-of-gdp-by-2030-cbo-projects-11580238089" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office says</a>
 will reach $1 trillion in 2020, also made its way into the 
conversation. Kobach said he would hold the line on spending, and 
criticized Marshall for voting against a measure to reduce spending, 
adding Republicans talk the talk but “we don’t always walk the walk.”

Marshall dismissed Kobach’s charge as “fake news” from a “professional politician.”

Kobach also criticized Marshall for his <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article230268584.html" target="_blank">May 2019 op-ed</a> in the Kansas City Star that called for a stop to Trump’s tariff war due to the effects on Kansas farmers.

“It’s
 critical that the president have people who have his back,” Kobach 
said. “He cannot have Midwestern congressmen shooting arrows at his back
 when he’s trying to hold firm with China.”

That drew another 
heated response from Marshall: “That’s exactly what the national press 
does … they grab one little excerpt and spin it into a great big lie.”

Marshall,
 a physician, said that one of his top priorities is replacing the 
Affordable Care Act. He said he has worked with Trump for months to 
“outline” a policy that would reduce health care costs by increasing 
competition, but didn’t give any specifics during the debate or 
afterward to reporters.&nbsp;

Taking a shot at Kobach’s perceived 
weakness as a general election candidate, Marshall said that Kansas 
Republicans can’t risk losing to a Democrat who would “vote for Medicare
 For All,” a policy that U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren 
are advocating for during their campaigns for the White House.&nbsp;

While vowing to stand with the president, Marshall said he would 
attempt to bridge the partisan divide by continuing to build personal 
relationships with Democrats at a weekly prayer meetings attended by 
members of both parties.&nbsp;

Wagle said she has never compromised 
her conservative principles but is the kind of leader who “brings other 
people under the tent.”

While it would be nice to return to the 
bipartisan way that Washington, D.C., used to work, Kobach said, he 
doesn't believe that's possible.&nbsp;

“We’re in a different era in politics right now,” he said. “We need a fighter.”

GOP
 candidate Dave Lindstrom was not able to attend the debate due to 
emergency surgery on Friday, but had a member of his campaign provide an
 opening statement.

Kansas News Service news editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report.

Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740287114.jpeg" alt=" Kansas Republicans packed into a room in Olathe hear three of the four U.S. Senate candidates debate for the first time on Saturday. Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Republicans packed into a room in Olathe hear three of the four U.S. Senate candidates debate for the first time on Saturday. Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-gop-senate-candidates-vie-title-trump-s-top-ally-first-debate#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>OLATHE, Kansas — Candidates determined to keep 
Kansas’ U.S. Senate seats in Republican hands quarreled Saturday over 
immigration, health care and federal spending, but no topic was more 
debated than who is the most friendly and in step with President Donald 
Trump.In front of a standing-room only crowd at the 2020 Kansas 
Republican Party convention, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, former Secretary 
of State Kris Kobach and state Senate President Susan Wagle argued over 
which of them was the most conservative and would be Trump’s most loyal 
foot soldier in the U.S. Senate.Claiming that he’s voted with 
the president 98% of the time during his two terms in the U.S. House, 
Marshall pledged to “keep standing beside this president to stop the 
left’s socialist agenda.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740336524.jpeg" alt=" Kris Kobach's booth at the Kansas Republican Party convention included a cutout of President Donald Trump. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kris Kobach's booth at the Kansas Republican Party convention included a cutout of President Donald Trump. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>But Kobach argued that since most of the legislation considered by 
Congress isn’t controversial, virtually all Republicans — even many 
Democrats — vote “with the president” most of the time.&nbsp;“So, that’s not an answer to the question,” he said.&nbsp;Kobach
 won the 2018 Republican primary for Kansas governor with Trump’s 
backing, but lost the general election to Democrat Laura Kelly. For many
 Republicans, that’s a cause for concern heading into what is likely to 
be the state’s most competitive race for a U.S. Senate seat in decades. 
Longtime U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is retiring.Republicans would be risking a seat they’ve controlled since the Great Depression by nominating Kobach, Wagle said.&nbsp;“Oh, there’s no question we’d lose,” she said in an interview after the debate.&nbsp;Kobach
 pointed to his two winning campaigns for Kansas secretary of state: “I 
can say that in this presidential election year I certainly will win 
again.”&nbsp;The frontrunner for the Democratic U.S. Senate 
nomination is Kansas Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who 
switched parties last year. She’s raised nearly $1.2 million since 
launching her campaign in October.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740365629.jpeg" alt=" After Saturday's debate, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall talks with Charles Burton Starks, who used to live in Larned but now resides in Olathe. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> After Saturday's debate, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall talks with Charles Burton Starks, who used to live in Larned but now resides in Olathe. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Marshall, whose 1st Congressional District covers roughly two-thirds 
of the state, is the runaway leader in fundraising on the Republican 
side: $1.9 million on hand as of Sept. 30, the end of the last reporting
 period. He hasn’t made his year-end fundraising report public. Kobach 
finished the year with $190,387 in his campaign account, and after 
loaning her campaign $275,000, Wagle ended the year with $522,683.&nbsp;&nbsp;Marshall
 and Kobach have personal relationships with Trump, and both claimed to 
have met with him recently. Wagle can’t say that, so she touted her 
record as a leader in both the Kansas House and Senate.“I’m the proven conservative in the race,” she said. “I get things done. People follow me.”<h2>Debate details</h2>Immigration
 came up more than once during the debate. Kobach, who’s helped toughen 
immigration laws across the country, said he’d be Trump’s “point man” in
 an effort to do the same in Congress. Marshall said he has consistently
 opposed compromise proposals that would grant “amnesty” to people who 
entered the country illegally or overstayed their work visas.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740401021.jpeg" alt=" Kansas state Senate President Susan Wagle touted her work in the Statehouse. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kansas state Senate President Susan Wagle touted her work in the Statehouse. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>The national debt, which the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-national-debt-will-rise-to-98-of-gdp-by-2030-cbo-projects-11580238089" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office says</a>
 will reach $1 trillion in 2020, also made its way into the 
conversation. Kobach said he would hold the line on spending, and 
criticized Marshall for voting against a measure to reduce spending, 
adding Republicans talk the talk but “we don’t always walk the walk.”Marshall dismissed Kobach’s charge as “fake news” from a “professional politician.”Kobach also criticized Marshall for his <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article230268584.html" target="_blank">May 2019 op-ed</a> in the Kansas City Star that called for a stop to Trump’s tariff war due to the effects on Kansas farmers.“It’s
 critical that the president have people who have his back,” Kobach 
said. “He cannot have Midwestern congressmen shooting arrows at his back
 when he’s trying to hold firm with China.”That drew another 
heated response from Marshall: “That’s exactly what the national press 
does … they grab one little excerpt and spin it into a great big lie.”Marshall,
 a physician, said that one of his top priorities is replacing the 
Affordable Care Act. He said he has worked with Trump for months to 
“outline” a policy that would reduce health care costs by increasing 
competition, but didn’t give any specifics during the debate or 
afterward to reporters.&nbsp;Taking a shot at Kobach’s perceived 
weakness as a general election candidate, Marshall said that Kansas 
Republicans can’t risk losing to a Democrat who would “vote for Medicare
 For All,” a policy that U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren 
are advocating for during their campaigns for the White House.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740432903.jpeg" alt=" The crowd listens during the first GOP debate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pat Roberts. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The crowd listens during the first GOP debate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pat Roberts. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>While vowing to stand with the president, Marshall said he would 
attempt to bridge the partisan divide by continuing to build personal 
relationships with Democrats at a weekly prayer meetings attended by 
members of both parties.&nbsp;Wagle said she has never compromised 
her conservative principles but is the kind of leader who “brings other 
people under the tent.”While it would be nice to return to the 
bipartisan way that Washington, D.C., used to work, Kobach said, he 
doesn't believe that's possible.&nbsp;“We’re in a different era in politics right now,” he said. “We need a fighter.”GOP
 candidate Dave Lindstrom was not able to attend the debate due to 
emergency surgery on Friday, but had a member of his campaign provide an
 opening statement.Kansas News Service news editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report.Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

Kan. GOP Senate candidates vie for title of Trump’s top ally

WICHITA, KAN. (AP) — A&nbsp;state oversight board has revoked the law enforcement certification of a former Kansas police officer who is serving time in a sex crime case.

The Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training took the action last month against 36-year-old Casey Lee Wills, of Valley Center. He was sentenced in December to just over five years in prison for two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of aggravated domestic battery.

Prosecutors alleged that in October 2017 __ three years after he stopped working for the Wichita Police Department __ he raped one victim who was too impaired to give consent and tried to rape another victim. The rape and attempted rape charges were later amended to the less severe felony charges of aggravated sexual battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580738341544.png" alt="Casey Lee Wills photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Casey Lee Wills photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. (AP) — A&nbsp;state oversight board has revoked the law enforcement certification of a former Kansas police officer who is serving time in a sex crime case.The Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training took the action last month against 36-year-old Casey Lee Wills, of Valley Center. He was sentenced in December to just over five years in prison for two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of aggravated domestic battery.Prosecutors alleged that in October 2017 __ three years after he stopped working for the Wichita Police Department __ he raped one victim who was too impaired to give consent and tried to rape another victim. The rape and attempted rape charges were later amended to the less severe felony charges of aggravated sexual battery.

Kan. sex offender: Board revokes certification of former police officer

Alexius “Alex” Leiker, 83, Hays, died surrounded by family on Sunday, February 2, 2020, at HaysMed.

He was born August 17, 1936 in 
Liebenthal, the son of Alexander and Christina (Enslinger) Leiker.&nbsp; He 
was a United States Army Veteran and owned and operated Leiker Plumbing,
 Heating, and Air.&nbsp; 

On December 28, 1959, he was united in marriage to 
Betty L. Mermis in Hays, and they celebrated nearly 39 years of marriage
 before she preceded him in death on October 1, 1998.&nbsp; 

On June 30, 2001,&nbsp; he was united in marriage to Marilyn (Werth) Klaus in Hays, and they 
celebrated over 18 years of marriage.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Nicholas 
of Myra Catholic Church, Hays American Legion Post #173, Schoenchen 
Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166, and the Bishop 
Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.&nbsp; He liked to work, enjoyed
 tinkering and fixing things, helping his boys when they were in Boy 
Scouts, and camping and being outdoors.

Survivors include his wife; Marilyn of 
the home in Hays, four sons; Curtis Leiker and wife Davina of Olathe, 
Wesley Leiker and wife Jennifer of Hays, Todd Leiker of Olathe, and 
Michael Leiker and wife Kelly of Hays, two stepsons; Neil Klaus and wife
 Sondra of Hays, and Nolan Klaus of Olathe, 14 grandchildren; Matthew 
Leiker, Bethany Boschert and husband Ian, Anjel Leiker, Alexis Leiker 
and husband Jason Banning, Emily Leiker, Hannah Leiker, Adam Klaus, 
Amber Klaus, Brett Leiker, Lizzie Leiker, Mackenzie Klaus, Truan Leiker,
 Nathan Leiker, and Jessica Leiker, three great grandchildren, four 
brothers; Pete Leiker and wife Roberta of Wichita, Chris Leiker and wife
 Rose of Great Bend, Tony Leiker of Lubbock, TX, and Linus Leiker of 
Baldwin City, a sister; Jane Dreiling and husband Hubert of Kansas City,
 MO, a brother-in-law; Oscar McIntosh of Great Bend, and a 
sister-in-law; Jan Leiker of Wichita.

He was preceded in death by his 
parents, his first wife; Betty, a brother; Merwyn Leiker, a sister; 
Leona McIntosh, a sister and brother-in-law; Anita and Darrell Engel, 
and two sisters-in-law; Gwen Leiker and Jeannette Leiker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic 
Church, with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiating.&nbsp; Burial with military 
honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph 
Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and 
from 9:00 until 9:45 on Thursday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral 
Home.&nbsp; The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will 
stand honor guard from 5:30pm until 6:30, a parish vigil service will be
 at 6:30 pm followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of 
Columbus rosary, all on Wednesday at the funeral home.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Memorials are 
suggested to the St. Nicholas of Myra building fund or to TMP-Marian 
High School.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Alex may be shared with the 
family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580768707963.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Alexius “Alex” Leiker, 83, Hays, died surrounded by family on Sunday, February 2, 2020, at HaysMed.He was born August 17, 1936 in 
Liebenthal, the son of Alexander and Christina (Enslinger) Leiker.&nbsp; He 
was a United States Army Veteran and owned and operated Leiker Plumbing,
 Heating, and Air.&nbsp; On December 28, 1959, he was united in marriage to 
Betty L. Mermis in Hays, and they celebrated nearly 39 years of marriage
 before she preceded him in death on October 1, 1998.&nbsp; On June 30, 2001,&nbsp; he was united in marriage to Marilyn (Werth) Klaus in Hays, and they 
celebrated over 18 years of marriage.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Nicholas 
of Myra Catholic Church, Hays American Legion Post #173, Schoenchen 
Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166, and the Bishop 
Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.&nbsp; He liked to work, enjoyed
 tinkering and fixing things, helping his boys when they were in Boy 
Scouts, and camping and being outdoors.Survivors include his wife; Marilyn of 
the home in Hays, four sons; Curtis Leiker and wife Davina of Olathe, 
Wesley Leiker and wife Jennifer of Hays, Todd Leiker of Olathe, and 
Michael Leiker and wife Kelly of Hays, two stepsons; Neil Klaus and wife
 Sondra of Hays, and Nolan Klaus of Olathe, 14 grandchildren; Matthew 
Leiker, Bethany Boschert and husband Ian, Anjel Leiker, Alexis Leiker 
and husband Jason Banning, Emily Leiker, Hannah Leiker, Adam Klaus, 
Amber Klaus, Brett Leiker, Lizzie Leiker, Mackenzie Klaus, Truan Leiker,
 Nathan Leiker, and Jessica Leiker, three great grandchildren, four 
brothers; Pete Leiker and wife Roberta of Wichita, Chris Leiker and wife
 Rose of Great Bend, Tony Leiker of Lubbock, TX, and Linus Leiker of 
Baldwin City, a sister; Jane Dreiling and husband Hubert of Kansas City,
 MO, a brother-in-law; Oscar McIntosh of Great Bend, and a 
sister-in-law; Jan Leiker of Wichita.He was preceded in death by his 
parents, his first wife; Betty, a brother; Merwyn Leiker, a sister; 
Leona McIntosh, a sister and brother-in-law; Anita and Darrell Engel, 
and two sisters-in-law; Gwen Leiker and Jeannette Leiker.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic 
Church, with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiating.&nbsp; Burial with military 
honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph 
Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and 
from 9:00 until 9:45 on Thursday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral 
Home.&nbsp; The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will 
stand honor guard from 5:30pm until 6:30, a parish vigil service will be
 at 6:30 pm followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of 
Columbus rosary, all on Wednesday at the funeral home.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Memorials are 
suggested to the St. Nicholas of Myra building fund or to TMP-Marian 
High School.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Alex may be shared with the 
family at www.haysmemorial.com

Alexius 'Alex' Leiker

Lester Dean Betts, age 82, of McCook NE, a beloved husband, father, 
brother, grandfather and friend, passed away on January 29, 2020 at 
Kearney Regional Health in Kearney, NE.

Lester was born to Martin and Elsie (Miller) Betts on May 13, 1937 in
 Dorrance, KS.&nbsp; He was one of seven children who attended school at 
Dorrance.&nbsp; Following high school, he played football at Dodge City 
Junior College.

Lester married Marilyn (Herbel) Betts on October 21, 1956.&nbsp; The 
couple was blessed with two children; son, Leslie and daughter, 
Lorenda.&nbsp; Lester enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving his
 country for two years, which included service on the aircraft carrier 
USS Ticonderoga.&nbsp; Lester spent all his life in the oilfields, working 
with Gore Oil Company until his retirement in 2000.&nbsp; After retirement, 
he spent many years farming and raising cattle.&nbsp;

Lester was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in McCook.&nbsp; He was 
also a lifetime member of the Russell V.F.W Post 6240 and the Heritage 
Antique Tractor Club.&nbsp; One of his most memorable moments was when he was
 a player on the Dorrance High School State Championship Basketball Team
 of 1956.&nbsp; Throughout his life, Lester enjoyed hunting and fishing.&nbsp;

Lester was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Marvin, 
Athol, Leroy and Edward Betts; and his two sisters; Imogene Galliart and
 Verba Gilmore.&nbsp;

Those left to celebrate his life include his wife of 63 years, 
Marilyn Betts of McCook; son, Leslie (Lorie) Betts of Dorrance, KS; 
daughter, Lorenda (Steve) Forbes of Beaver City, NE; five grandchildren,
 Jake, Krystle, Autumn, Nicole and Sarah; and five great grandchildren, 
Aiden, Noah, Amea, Kenya and Amelia.&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://www.carpenterbreland.com/obituary/Lester-Betts">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580752275462.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lester Dean Betts, age 82, of McCook NE, a beloved husband, father, 
brother, grandfather and friend, passed away on January 29, 2020 at 
Kearney Regional Health in Kearney, NE.Lester was born to Martin and Elsie (Miller) Betts on May 13, 1937 in
 Dorrance, KS.&nbsp; He was one of seven children who attended school at 
Dorrance.&nbsp; Following high school, he played football at Dodge City 
Junior College.Lester married Marilyn (Herbel) Betts on October 21, 1956.&nbsp; The 
couple was blessed with two children; son, Leslie and daughter, 
Lorenda.&nbsp; Lester enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving his
 country for two years, which included service on the aircraft carrier 
USS Ticonderoga.&nbsp; Lester spent all his life in the oilfields, working 
with Gore Oil Company until his retirement in 2000.&nbsp; After retirement, 
he spent many years farming and raising cattle.&nbsp;Lester was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in McCook.&nbsp; He was 
also a lifetime member of the Russell V.F.W Post 6240 and the Heritage 
Antique Tractor Club.&nbsp; One of his most memorable moments was when he was
 a player on the Dorrance High School State Championship Basketball Team
 of 1956.&nbsp; Throughout his life, Lester enjoyed hunting and fishing.&nbsp;Lester was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Marvin, 
Athol, Leroy and Edward Betts; and his two sisters; Imogene Galliart and
 Verba Gilmore.&nbsp;Those left to celebrate his life include his wife of 63 years, 
Marilyn Betts of McCook; son, Leslie (Lorie) Betts of Dorrance, KS; 
daughter, Lorenda (Steve) Forbes of Beaver City, NE; five grandchildren,
 Jake, Krystle, Autumn, Nicole and Sarah; and five great grandchildren, 
Aiden, Noah, Amea, Kenya and Amelia.&nbsp;Click <a href="https://www.carpenterbreland.com/obituary/Lester-Betts">HERE</a> for service details.

Lester Dean Betts

Our
 foundation, our strength, our wisdom, our mother; Lita Jeannine (Scoby)
 Pfeifer, 87, passed away November 20, 2019 from influenza at Capital 
Medical Center in Olympia, Washington, after a brave and courageous 
battle with lung cancer and COPD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580752156817.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Our
 foundation, our strength, our wisdom, our mother; Lita Jeannine (Scoby)
 Pfeifer, 87, passed away November 20, 2019 from influenza at Capital 
Medical Center in Olympia, Washington, after a brave and courageous 
battle with lung cancer and COPD.Mom
 was born October 19, 1932, in St. Francis, Kansas to Lyle and Twila 
Scoby. She lost her parents at a young age and was raised by her 
grandparents, Henry and Lucinda Schaefer. In her early years, the family
 moved to Utica, Kansas and then later to Hays, Kansas, where she went 
to high school, attended Fort Hays State University, met and married her
 first love and our father, Callistus M. Pfeifer. Together they raised 
eight children. Mom owned and operated the House of Color and sold real 
estate in Hays, until she moved to Olympia in 1989, where she lived 
until her passing.Along
 with her parents and grandparents, Mom was preceded in death by our 
father, Callistus M. Pfeifer; her sister, Connie Balzerick; and 
brother-in-law, Bob Balzerick.Mom
 will be greatly missed by her children, Linda (Bill) Hall, Rhonda 
(Bill) Stowe, Diana (Rich) Sanders, Sharon (Steve) Brackney, Lance 
(Thea) Pfeifer, Lori (Michael) Chiechi, Lisa (Paul) McLain, and DeAun 
Pfeifer; grandchildren, Courtney (Wendy) Hall, Brian (Julee) Hall, Cole 
(Julie) Sanders, Lane Sanders, Jessica (Nate) Turner, Stacey (Lindsey) 
Binder, Lindsay Binder,&nbsp;Jordona
 (Thomas) Pfeifer, Tessa (Greg) Pfeifer, Mackenzie Pfeifer, Elijah 
Pfeifer, Emily Chiechi, Anna Payne, Graden Payne, Madison Stanley, 
Kaiden Skinner and Myles Pfeifer; and great-grandchildren, Apollonia 
Hall, Sutton Hall and Calder Hall. Mom is also survived by her brother, 
Richard (Ronda) Scoby; and niece, Robbie (Randy) Rotschafer.Mom's
 passion for life was all consuming. She loved family gatherings, warm 
sunshine, the smell of fresh cut grass, and BBQ's. She loved a good 
glass of wine, martinis on special occasions,’50s music, crossword 
puzzles, and was always, always up for a good game of poker!Mom's
 contagious laugh while telling a joke or story, her sound advice to 
anyone in need, her sharp as a tack mind and memory, and her unwavering,
 unconditional love will forever be missed, but will forever be carried 
in the hearts and memories of all who knew and loved her.A mass at St. Joseph's Church in Hays will be held June 20, at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow
 at the Victoria Cemetery. Afterwards, the family will host a 
celebration of life gathering at Gella's restaurant in Hays from 1:00 
p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Showdown Mom... you have the last deal!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580752179554.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>