By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays ARC Park project has raised enough money to proceed with phase one, which is the installation of an accessible playground.

The project has raised about $700,000 of the $774,000 needed to build the ARC playground at&nbsp;33rd and Hillcrest in Hays and the city has given the group authorization to move forward with the construction of the park.&nbsp;

Playground equipment has been ordered and dirt work is scheduled to begin in October. The delivery time on the equipment will likely be weeks longer than normal because of COVID-19 complications, sad Sarah Meitner,&nbsp;Arc of the Central Plains board president.

A ceremonial groundbreaking will be scheduled for late September or early October.

Unfortunately, the playground will unlikely be open for play until spring. The rubber surface that protects playground users from falls can only be laid in weather that remains 40 degrees or warmer for a week.

This is the last piece of the playground that will go in, and contractors think it will be too cold once the other elements of the playground are finished to lay the surface.

Some of the equipment the park will include are accessible swings. One of the swings allows people to face each other. Another swing is a pad on which you can lie. The park also includes bucket swings that the user can be strapped into.

The park will include a we-go-round, which is like a merry-go-round, but its surface is flat with the ground so a wheelchair can roll onto it.

There is an accessible zip line and global motion ball, a large ball that spins like a merry-go-round, but has a governor for a soft stop. The Sway Fun is also a wheelchair-accessible piece of equipment. It rocks back and forth.

"The Sway Fun and the we-go-round besides being accessible, they are also multi-generational," Meitner said. "That means Kathy can get on with her granddaughter, and she can play right along side her and also our adults who cognitively still want to play, the [equipment] can handle an adult-size frame or an adult-size wheel chair.

The city required the park group remove plans for multiple cloth shade coverings. They said the covers easily tear and are expensive to replace. There will be two hard-cover awnings installed instead, Kathy McAdoo,&nbsp;Arc of the Central Plains executive director, said.

The Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation pledged $100,000 to the project as it launched in 2018. Last week Gary Shorman, president of the foundation, presented a check to the ARC Park group in time for the playground equipment to be ordered.

"The Schmidt Foundation is excited to help with the ARC Park project and will be working with the group to help finish up the next step as well," Shorman said. "There are so many in our community who would be able to use the park and enjoy the splash feature as well.”

Meitner said the Schmidt Foundation donation, which served as a matching grant, validated the project and served as a spring board for the ARC Park fundraising effort.

The Schmidt Foundation has been the single largest donor to the project thus far.

Now the majority of the money has been raised for the playground, the project is organizing to launch fundraising for the next phase of the project — an accessible splash pad.&nbsp;

Meitner said the group will have revised numbers for fundraising purposes soon.

Because the lead time on ordering the equipment for the splash pad and construction time is longer, Meitner said she doubted the splash pad would be installed in time for next summer.

Meitner said in addition to local donations, the project will continue to apply for grants for phase II, and phase III, which is an accessible baseball field.

Meitner said the community has been very generous in donating to the playground project. More than 700 individual donors have given to the project thus far.&nbsp;

Brent Kaiser,&nbsp;Arc of the Central Plains activities director, also wanted to thank intern Mia Haines, who helped jump start fundraising again after efforts were slowed by COVID-19.

If you wish to donate to the project, you can do so online at&nbsp;<a href="https://haysarcpark.org/">https://haysarcpark.org/</a>.

You can also follow the project's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HAYSARCPARK/">Facebook page</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597159873073.jpeg" alt="Conceptual drawing of the ARC Park in Hays. Ground is scheduled to be broken in October on the park at Hillcrest and 33rd streets in Hays." />
 <figcaption>Conceptual drawing of the ARC Park in Hays. Ground is scheduled to be broken in October on the park at Hillcrest and 33rd streets in Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays ARC Park project has raised enough money to proceed with phase one, which is the installation of an accessible playground.The project has raised about $700,000 of the $774,000 needed to build the ARC playground at&nbsp;33rd and Hillcrest in Hays and the city has given the group authorization to move forward with the construction of the park.&nbsp;Playground equipment has been ordered and dirt work is scheduled to begin in October. The delivery time on the equipment will likely be weeks longer than normal because of COVID-19 complications, sad Sarah Meitner,&nbsp;Arc of the Central Plains board president.A ceremonial groundbreaking will be scheduled for late September or early October.Unfortunately, the playground will unlikely be open for play until spring. The rubber surface that protects playground users from falls can only be laid in weather that remains 40 degrees or warmer for a week.This is the last piece of the playground that will go in, and contractors think it will be too cold once the other elements of the playground are finished to lay the surface.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597159997013.jpeg" alt="Conceptual drawing of the upcoming ARC Park." />
 <figcaption>Conceptual drawing of the upcoming ARC Park.</figcaption>
 </figure>Some of the equipment the park will include are accessible swings. One of the swings allows people to face each other. Another swing is a pad on which you can lie. The park also includes bucket swings that the user can be strapped into.The park will include a we-go-round, which is like a merry-go-round, but its surface is flat with the ground so a wheelchair can roll onto it.There is an accessible zip line and global motion ball, a large ball that spins like a merry-go-round, but has a governor for a soft stop. The Sway Fun is also a wheelchair-accessible piece of equipment. It rocks back and forth."The Sway Fun and the we-go-round besides being accessible, they are also multi-generational," Meitner said. "That means Kathy can get on with her granddaughter, and she can play right along side her and also our adults who cognitively still want to play, the [equipment] can handle an adult-size frame or an adult-size wheel chair.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597092996164.png" alt="Map showing the proposed three phases of the ARC Park" />
 <figcaption>Map showing the proposed three phases of the ARC Park</figcaption>
 </figure>The city required the park group remove plans for multiple cloth shade coverings. They said the covers easily tear and are expensive to replace. There will be two hard-cover awnings installed instead, Kathy McAdoo,&nbsp;Arc of the Central Plains executive director, said.The Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation pledged $100,000 to the project as it launched in 2018. Last week Gary Shorman, president of the foundation, presented a check to the ARC Park group in time for the playground equipment to be ordered."The Schmidt Foundation is excited to help with the ARC Park project and will be working with the group to help finish up the next step as well," Shorman said. "There are so many in our community who would be able to use the park and enjoy the splash feature as well.”Meitner said the Schmidt Foundation donation, which served as a matching grant, validated the project and served as a spring board for the ARC Park fundraising effort.The Schmidt Foundation has been the single largest donor to the project thus far.Now the majority of the money has been raised for the playground, the project is organizing to launch fundraising for the next phase of the project — an accessible splash pad.&nbsp;Meitner said the group will have revised numbers for fundraising purposes soon.Because the lead time on ordering the equipment for the splash pad and construction time is longer, Meitner said she doubted the splash pad would be installed in time for next summer.Meitner said in addition to local donations, the project will continue to apply for grants for phase II, and phase III, which is an accessible baseball field.Meitner said the community has been very generous in donating to the playground project. More than 700 individual donors have given to the project thus far.&nbsp;Brent Kaiser,&nbsp;Arc of the Central Plains activities director, also wanted to thank intern Mia Haines, who helped jump start fundraising again after efforts were slowed by COVID-19.If you wish to donate to the project, you can do so online at&nbsp;<a href="https://haysarcpark.org/">https://haysarcpark.org/</a>.You can also follow the project's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HAYSARCPARK/">Facebook page</a>.

ARC Park to break ground in October

Ray Louis Eilts, 96, Hays, died Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at Via Christi Village in Hays.

He was born August 13, 1923, in rural 
Rush County south of Rush Center, Kansas, the son of Ed and Anna 
(Richter) Eilts.&nbsp; He was a baptized member of Hope Lutheran Church in 
Rush Center and a graduate of La Crosse High School in the class of 1942.
 He attended Emporia State University then served in the United States 
Army Air Corps.&nbsp; He was in the 1503rd Air Force Base Unit and crew chief
 of C54.&nbsp; 

On October 1, 1966, he was united in marriage to Dolores Anne 
Lazuire in Plainville, and they celebrated nearly 50 years of marriage 
before she preceded him in death on June 1, 2016.&nbsp; He was a farmer, 
custom harvester, professional driver transporting livestock, bulk fuel,
 and manufactured housing, and a school bus driver for USD 489.&nbsp; He was a
 member of the LaCrosse American Legion Post #33, Hays American Legion 
Post #173, charter member of the American Legion Post #173 Patriot 
Guard, the Barbershop Harmony Society, blood bank donor, Rush Center Boy
 Scout Troop #447 leader, Gold Wing Touring Association, Plainville 
Lions Club, and the Walnut City Free Mason Lodge #215.&nbsp; His hobbies 
included motorcycle riding, airplane flying, dancing, and singing in the
 High Plains Barbershop Chorus.&nbsp; He was a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and 
enjoyed his pet dog, listening to band music, and meeting new people.&nbsp;

Survivors include four sons; Leo Eilts 
and wife Rose of Kansas City, KS, Roger Eilts and wife Deidre of Prairie
 Village, KS, and Mark Eilts and wife Chris and Keith Eilts and wife 
Renee, all of Hays, two daughters; Rayleen Hufford and husband Dennis of
 San Antonio, TX, and Kathy Mitchell and husband Gary Chubb of Lee’s 
Summit, MO, thirteen grandchildren; David Mitchell and wife Shabnam of 
Orlando, FL, Kyle Eilts and wife Angela of New Haven, MO, Phillip L. 
Mitchell and wife Lauren of Lawrence, Natalie Moore and husband Jerry of
 Wichita, Elise Eilts-Blas and husband Drew of Topeka, Stephanie 
Brewster and husband Brandon of Olathe, Rachel Eilts-Bogert and husband 
Nate of Kansas City, MO, Mariah Messer and husband Pete of Minneapolis, 
MN, Aden Eilts&nbsp; of Kansas City, KS, Jesse Hufford and wife Karyl of Ft. 
Lewis, WA, Justin Hufford and wife Catherine of San Antonio, TX, Jay 
David Hufford and wife Tricia of Austin, TX, Juleen Sanftner and husband
 Roger of San Antonio, TX, 18 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces 
and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his 
parents, his wife Dolores, an infant son; Rodney Eilts, a son-in-law; 
Gerald Mitchell, and two brothers; Walter and Harry Eilts.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be at 
10:00 am on Friday, August 14, 2020, at the First United Methodist 
Church, with Rev. Mike Rose officiating.&nbsp; The family will receive 
friends from 9:00 am until 10:00 on Friday at the church. &nbsp;Inurnment 
with military honors by the Hays American Legion Post #173 Patriot Guard
 and the VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in the Kansas Veterans’ 
Cemetery in WaKeeney. &nbsp;Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of 
the High Plains or to Boy Scout Troop #101 of Hays, in care of Hays 
Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays.&nbsp; Condolences and 
memories of Ray may be shared with the family at 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586541218946.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ray Louis Eilts, 96, Hays, died Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at Via Christi Village in Hays.He was born August 13, 1923, in rural 
Rush County south of Rush Center, Kansas, the son of Ed and Anna 
(Richter) Eilts.&nbsp; He was a baptized member of Hope Lutheran Church in 
Rush Center and a graduate of La Crosse High School in the class of 1942.
 He attended Emporia State University then served in the United States 
Army Air Corps.&nbsp; He was in the 1503rd Air Force Base Unit and crew chief
 of C54.&nbsp; On October 1, 1966, he was united in marriage to Dolores Anne 
Lazuire in Plainville, and they celebrated nearly 50 years of marriage 
before she preceded him in death on June 1, 2016.&nbsp; He was a farmer, 
custom harvester, professional driver transporting livestock, bulk fuel,
 and manufactured housing, and a school bus driver for USD 489.&nbsp; He was a
 member of the LaCrosse American Legion Post #33, Hays American Legion 
Post #173, charter member of the American Legion Post #173 Patriot 
Guard, the Barbershop Harmony Society, blood bank donor, Rush Center Boy
 Scout Troop #447 leader, Gold Wing Touring Association, Plainville 
Lions Club, and the Walnut City Free Mason Lodge #215.&nbsp; His hobbies 
included motorcycle riding, airplane flying, dancing, and singing in the
 High Plains Barbershop Chorus.&nbsp; He was a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and 
enjoyed his pet dog, listening to band music, and meeting new people.&nbsp;Survivors include four sons; Leo Eilts 
and wife Rose of Kansas City, KS, Roger Eilts and wife Deidre of Prairie
 Village, KS, and Mark Eilts and wife Chris and Keith Eilts and wife 
Renee, all of Hays, two daughters; Rayleen Hufford and husband Dennis of
 San Antonio, TX, and Kathy Mitchell and husband Gary Chubb of Lee’s 
Summit, MO, thirteen grandchildren; David Mitchell and wife Shabnam of 
Orlando, FL, Kyle Eilts and wife Angela of New Haven, MO, Phillip L. 
Mitchell and wife Lauren of Lawrence, Natalie Moore and husband Jerry of
 Wichita, Elise Eilts-Blas and husband Drew of Topeka, Stephanie 
Brewster and husband Brandon of Olathe, Rachel Eilts-Bogert and husband 
Nate of Kansas City, MO, Mariah Messer and husband Pete of Minneapolis, 
MN, Aden Eilts&nbsp; of Kansas City, KS, Jesse Hufford and wife Karyl of Ft. 
Lewis, WA, Justin Hufford and wife Catherine of San Antonio, TX, Jay 
David Hufford and wife Tricia of Austin, TX, Juleen Sanftner and husband
 Roger of San Antonio, TX, 18 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces 
and nephews.He was preceded in death by his 
parents, his wife Dolores, an infant son; Rodney Eilts, a son-in-law; 
Gerald Mitchell, and two brothers; Walter and Harry Eilts.A celebration of Ray’s life will be at 
10:00 am on Friday, August 14, 2020, at the First United Methodist 
Church, with Rev. Mike Rose officiating.&nbsp; The family will receive 
friends from 9:00 am until 10:00 on Friday at the church. &nbsp;Inurnment 
with military honors by the Hays American Legion Post #173 Patriot Guard
 and the VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in the Kansas Veterans’ 
Cemetery in WaKeeney. &nbsp;Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of 
the High Plains or to Boy Scout Troop #101 of Hays, in care of Hays 
Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays.&nbsp; Condolences and 
memories of Ray may be shared with the family at

Ray Louis Eilts

Carolyn L. Janzen, age 89 passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.  She was born on November 3, 1930, in Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Taylor Ardis and Helen M. Helfrick Shriver.  A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1949 moving from Berkeley, California, she was a homemaker.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and El Quartelejo Study Club all of Scott City, Kansas. Carolyn enjoyed her grandchildren, gardening, and sewing.

On December 29, 1949, she married Keith A. Janzen in Hobbs, New Mexico.  He passed away on October 22, 2007, in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors Include Two Daughters - Elissa C. Bahm of Scott City, Kansas, Ann K. Price of Branson West, Missouri, One Son - Terry A. Janzen of Minnesota, Seven Grandchildren and Ten Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband, One Brother - Keith Shriver, One Sister - Janet Lewis, and One Great Grandson - Ethan Price.

Graveside services were held on Friday, August 7, 2020, at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas with Don Williams presiding.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be given to the Park Lane Nursing Home in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596826042559.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Carolyn L. Janzen, age 89 passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on November 3, 1930, in Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Taylor Ardis and Helen M. Helfrick Shriver. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1949 moving from Berkeley, California, she was a homemaker.She was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and El Quartelejo Study Club all of Scott City, Kansas. Carolyn enjoyed her grandchildren, gardening, and sewing.On December 29, 1949, she married Keith A. Janzen in Hobbs, New Mexico. He passed away on October 22, 2007, in Scott City, Kansas.Survivors Include Two Daughters - Elissa C. Bahm of Scott City, Kansas, Ann K. Price of Branson West, Missouri, One Son - Terry A. Janzen of Minnesota, Seven Grandchildren and Ten Great Grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband, One Brother - Keith Shriver, One Sister - Janet Lewis, and One Great Grandson - Ethan Price.Graveside services were held on Friday, August 7, 2020, at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas with Don Williams presiding.A celebration of life will be held at a later date.Memorials may be given to the Park Lane Nursing Home in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.

Carolyn L. Janzen

Gerald J. Schneweis, 82, affectionately know as Jack, of rural Claflin, Kansas passed away on Sunday evening, August 2, 2020,&nbsp; at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp; 

Jack
 was born on October 15, 1937, at Great Bend, Kansas, to John and Margaret
 (Boor) Schneweis.&nbsp; He graduated from Odin High School in 1955 and was 
united in marriage to Sandra E. Titsworth on May 4, 1963, at Great Bend.&nbsp;
 Jack served in the Kansas National Guard between 1959-1965.&nbsp; He was a 
member of Holy Family Parish at Odin, Kansas.

A lifelong resident of Barton County, Kansas, Jack was a 
carpenter, farmer and stockman, only recently retiring.&nbsp; Using his 
extraordinary carpentry skills, he helped many local families, churches 
and businesses improve and beautify their surroundings.

Jack was an Odin Chairholder.&nbsp; He enjoyed spending time 
with neighbors and friends watching Chiefs football.&nbsp; He often felt the 
need to call the Governor and dispute the drawn Keno numbers.

Jack is survived by his wife, Sandra E. Schneweis of the 
home; one daughter Melanie (and her husband Curtis) Arbuckle of Hays, 
Kansas; two sons: Brian (and his wife Lorevil) Schneweis of Great Bend, 
Kansas and Jason (and his wife, Debbie) Schneweis of Omaha, Nebraska; 
two grandchildren:&nbsp; Jackson and Victoria Schneweis; three sisters:&nbsp; 
Dorothy Maneth, Mary Stewart, and Bernice Huslig all of Great Bend, 
Kansas and two brothers:&nbsp; Francis Scheweis of Guymon, Oklahoma and 
Herman “Butch” Schneweis of Hoisington, Kansas; numerous nieces and 
nephews.&nbsp; He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother Leo 
Schneweis and three sisters:&nbsp; Margaret Hitschmann, Rita Klug, and Judy 
Nimmo.

With the current pandemic, the family has chosen a 
private viewing.&nbsp; Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday,
 August 7, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery north of Beaver, Kansas 
where appropriate social distancing is encouraged,&nbsp; Fr. Terrance Klein 
officiating.&nbsp; A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be scheduled 
at a later date.&nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the 
Beaver Volunteer Fire Department or the Claflin Ambulance Service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596644555716.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gerald J. Schneweis, 82, affectionately know as Jack, of rural Claflin, Kansas passed away on Sunday evening, August 2, 2020,&nbsp; at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp; Jack
 was born on October 15, 1937, at Great Bend, Kansas, to John and Margaret
 (Boor) Schneweis.&nbsp; He graduated from Odin High School in 1955 and was 
united in marriage to Sandra E. Titsworth on May 4, 1963, at Great Bend.&nbsp;
 Jack served in the Kansas National Guard between 1959-1965.&nbsp; He was a 
member of Holy Family Parish at Odin, Kansas.A lifelong resident of Barton County, Kansas, Jack was a 
carpenter, farmer and stockman, only recently retiring.&nbsp; Using his 
extraordinary carpentry skills, he helped many local families, churches 
and businesses improve and beautify their surroundings.Jack was an Odin Chairholder.&nbsp; He enjoyed spending time 
with neighbors and friends watching Chiefs football.&nbsp; He often felt the 
need to call the Governor and dispute the drawn Keno numbers.Jack is survived by his wife, Sandra E. Schneweis of the 
home; one daughter Melanie (and her husband Curtis) Arbuckle of Hays, 
Kansas; two sons: Brian (and his wife Lorevil) Schneweis of Great Bend, 
Kansas and Jason (and his wife, Debbie) Schneweis of Omaha, Nebraska; 
two grandchildren:&nbsp; Jackson and Victoria Schneweis; three sisters:&nbsp; 
Dorothy Maneth, Mary Stewart, and Bernice Huslig all of Great Bend, 
Kansas and two brothers:&nbsp; Francis Scheweis of Guymon, Oklahoma and 
Herman “Butch” Schneweis of Hoisington, Kansas; numerous nieces and 
nephews.&nbsp; He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother Leo 
Schneweis and three sisters:&nbsp; Margaret Hitschmann, Rita Klug, and Judy 
Nimmo.With the current pandemic, the family has chosen a 
private viewing.&nbsp; Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday,
 August 7, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery north of Beaver, Kansas 
where appropriate social distancing is encouraged,&nbsp; Fr. Terrance Klein 
officiating.&nbsp; A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be scheduled 
at a later date.&nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the 
Beaver Volunteer Fire Department or the Claflin Ambulance Service.

Gerald 'Jack' Joseph Schneweis

Kathleen Anne (Kowalke) Foster, 52, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at her home in Russell.

Kathleen was born October 6, 1967, in Colby, Kansas.  She was the daughter of Herman, Sr. and Margaret Anne (McGee) Kowalke.  She grew up in Densmore and Logan, Kansas, and graduated from Hill City High School.  She then attended Colby Community College and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Nursing.

Kathleen was united in marriage to Kent Alan Foster on April 21, 2006, in Laughlin, Nevada.  They made their home in Russell.

Kathleen was a Sales Clerk of Liquor Station in Russell.  She was an Assistant Manager for Dollar General for many years.  Before that, she worked on the assembly line at King Of The Road.  She enjoyed drawing, coloring, spoiling her cats, feeding the neighborhood squirrels, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Kathleen’s surviving family include her husband of fourteen years Kent of the home; son, Anthony Corbin (Terri) of Hill City, Kansas; daughters, Jessica Harenberg (Josh) of Goodland, Kansas and Allison Corbin (Robert Schnug) of Goodland, Kansas; step-sons, Brent “B.S.” Foster (Keri) of Mesa Arizona and Tyler Drake of Clinton, Missouri; brothers, Herman Kowalke, Jr. of Hill City, Kansas, Virgil Wilcox, Jr. of Hays, Kansas and Darold Kowalke of Laughlin, Oklahoma; sisters, Kandy Worcester of Hill City, Kansas and Peggy Myers of Norton, Kansas; and eight grandchildren.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and brother Harold Kowalke.

The family will be holding a memorial service at a later date. Cremation has taken place.  Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596564103659.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kathleen Anne (Kowalke) Foster, 52, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at her home in Russell.Kathleen was born October 6, 1967, in Colby, Kansas. She was the daughter of Herman, Sr. and Margaret Anne (McGee) Kowalke. She grew up in Densmore and Logan, Kansas, and graduated from Hill City High School. She then attended Colby Community College and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Nursing.Kathleen was united in marriage to Kent Alan Foster on April 21, 2006, in Laughlin, Nevada. They made their home in Russell.Kathleen was a Sales Clerk of Liquor Station in Russell. She was an Assistant Manager for Dollar General for many years. Before that, she worked on the assembly line at King Of The Road. She enjoyed drawing, coloring, spoiling her cats, feeding the neighborhood squirrels, and spending time with her grandchildren.Kathleen’s surviving family include her husband of fourteen years Kent of the home; son, Anthony Corbin (Terri) of Hill City, Kansas; daughters, Jessica Harenberg (Josh) of Goodland, Kansas and Allison Corbin (Robert Schnug) of Goodland, Kansas; step-sons, Brent “B.S.” Foster (Keri) of Mesa Arizona and Tyler Drake of Clinton, Missouri; brothers, Herman Kowalke, Jr. of Hill City, Kansas, Virgil Wilcox, Jr. of Hays, Kansas and Darold Kowalke of Laughlin, Oklahoma; sisters, Kandy Worcester of Hill City, Kansas and Peggy Myers of Norton, Kansas; and eight grandchildren.Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and brother Harold Kowalke.The family will be holding a memorial service at a later date. Cremation has taken place. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Kathleen Anne (Kowalke) Foster

Cordella Mae "Dell" Thrasher, age 99, of Oakley, passed away on August 
1, 2020 at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley.&nbsp; Dell was born May 9, 
1921 on a farm near Glasco, KS to Cora and Oren Rogers.&nbsp; She was the 7th child. She
 attended country school and high school at Glasco.&nbsp; Dell loved her 
horses and dogs. &nbsp;When she was little, she rode her horse Trixie to 
school every day to a country school, from 1st grade to 6th
 grade.&nbsp; On December 24, 1939, she married Roy P. Thrasher at Hill City,
 KS.&nbsp; To this union three children were born:&nbsp; Brenda Jean, Thomas 
Edward, and Terry Lee.&nbsp; Their first home was in Glasco where Roy was 
employed by the natural gas pipeline.&nbsp; In March, 1946, they moved to a 
farm near Page City where they lived until October, 1982; when Roy and 
Dell moved to Oakley. Dell loved to go to the Sun Shine Club 
there in Page City.&nbsp; She loved her music.&nbsp; She played the radio all day 
long as she worked around the house.&nbsp; She loved to bake and paint, and 
was a great artist and making quilts. &nbsp;Dell she made a quilt for 
everyone in the family, plus her grandchildren.&nbsp; She was member of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Post 2811, and worked on 
quilts that were sold by the Auxiliary for Christmas.&nbsp; She also baked 
many pies for funeral dinners for the last 20 years. She was 
preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers: &nbsp;George H. Rogers and 
“Onie” Rogers, 4 sisters:&nbsp; Alma Williams, Mary Jones, Nellie Tubeck and 
Clara Brown, and son-in-law, Darryl Cooper. Survivors include her
 daughter, Brenda Schertz Cooper of Oakley, her sons: &nbsp;Tom Thrasher and 
Terry Thrasher of Oakley, and 9 grandchildren:&nbsp; Greg Cooper and wife 
Linda and Darin Cooper and wife Beverly,&nbsp; all of California, Kim Schertz
 and wife, Cindy of Phoenix, AZ, Tina Matthews and husband Robert of 
North Carolina, Traci (Thrasher) Heiman and husband Chris (Ryan and 
Claire, and Taryn and Allison) of Garden City, Travis Thrasher and son 
Corey Thrasher of Oakley, Melissa Thrasher of Santa Monica, CA, Mandy 
(Thrasher) Wilcox and husband David of Millenburg, Oregon, Monica 
(Thrasher) of Colorado.&nbsp; 7 Great grandchildren:&nbsp; Austin Cooper, Quinn 
Cooper, and Brock Cooper, all of Walnut, CA, Davis Cooper and Elliot 
Cooper of Pasadena, CA, Kimberly Schertz and wife Cindy of Phoenix, AZ; 
stepdaughter, Courtney Cohen and Tyler Burrows and &nbsp;of Oklahoma, Brandi 
Bentley and husband Robert of North Carolina, 2 great-great 
grandchildren: &nbsp;Robert James Bentley, III and Kynlee Burrows, and many 
nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, 
August 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley, 
with Pastor Bob Kelly officiating.&nbsp; Interment will follow in the 
Monument Township Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation: &nbsp;5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, August
 6, 2020 at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home.&nbsp; Memorials may be made to 
V.F.W. Post 2811 Ladies Auxiliary and the Logan County Health Department
 and sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, 
KS&nbsp; 67748.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596483486877.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cordella Mae "Dell" Thrasher, age 99, of Oakley, passed away on August 
1, 2020 at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley.&nbsp; Dell was born May 9, 
1921 on a farm near Glasco, KS to Cora and Oren Rogers.&nbsp; She was the 7th child. She
 attended country school and high school at Glasco.&nbsp; Dell loved her 
horses and dogs. &nbsp;When she was little, she rode her horse Trixie to 
school every day to a country school, from 1st grade to 6th
 grade.&nbsp; On December 24, 1939, she married Roy P. Thrasher at Hill City,
 KS.&nbsp; To this union three children were born:&nbsp; Brenda Jean, Thomas 
Edward, and Terry Lee.&nbsp; Their first home was in Glasco where Roy was 
employed by the natural gas pipeline.&nbsp; In March, 1946, they moved to a 
farm near Page City where they lived until October, 1982; when Roy and 
Dell moved to Oakley. Dell loved to go to the Sun Shine Club 
there in Page City.&nbsp; She loved her music.&nbsp; She played the radio all day 
long as she worked around the house.&nbsp; She loved to bake and paint, and 
was a great artist and making quilts. &nbsp;Dell she made a quilt for 
everyone in the family, plus her grandchildren.&nbsp; She was member of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Post 2811, and worked on 
quilts that were sold by the Auxiliary for Christmas.&nbsp; She also baked 
many pies for funeral dinners for the last 20 years. She was 
preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers: &nbsp;George H. Rogers and 
“Onie” Rogers, 4 sisters:&nbsp; Alma Williams, Mary Jones, Nellie Tubeck and 
Clara Brown, and son-in-law, Darryl Cooper. Survivors include her
 daughter, Brenda Schertz Cooper of Oakley, her sons: &nbsp;Tom Thrasher and 
Terry Thrasher of Oakley, and 9 grandchildren:&nbsp; Greg Cooper and wife 
Linda and Darin Cooper and wife Beverly,&nbsp; all of California, Kim Schertz
 and wife, Cindy of Phoenix, AZ, Tina Matthews and husband Robert of 
North Carolina, Traci (Thrasher) Heiman and husband Chris (Ryan and 
Claire, and Taryn and Allison) of Garden City, Travis Thrasher and son 
Corey Thrasher of Oakley, Melissa Thrasher of Santa Monica, CA, Mandy 
(Thrasher) Wilcox and husband David of Millenburg, Oregon, Monica 
(Thrasher) of Colorado.&nbsp; 7 Great grandchildren:&nbsp; Austin Cooper, Quinn 
Cooper, and Brock Cooper, all of Walnut, CA, Davis Cooper and Elliot 
Cooper of Pasadena, CA, Kimberly Schertz and wife Cindy of Phoenix, AZ; 
stepdaughter, Courtney Cohen and Tyler Burrows and &nbsp;of Oklahoma, Brandi 
Bentley and husband Robert of North Carolina, 2 great-great 
grandchildren: &nbsp;Robert James Bentley, III and Kynlee Burrows, and many 
nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, 
August 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley, 
with Pastor Bob Kelly officiating.&nbsp; Interment will follow in the 
Monument Township Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation: &nbsp;5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, August
 6, 2020 at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home.&nbsp; Memorials may be made to 
V.F.W. Post 2811 Ladies Auxiliary and the Logan County Health Department
 and sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, 
KS&nbsp; 67748.

Cordella Mae 'Dell' Thrasher

Norton resident Greta Beth Fletchall passed away Saturday, August 1, 2020, in the Andbe Home in Norton at the age of 93.

Beth was born May 18, 1927, in Norton County, KS the daughter of Earl A. and Nola (Stevens) Tibbetts.

Beth was united in marriage to Larry Dean Fletchall on February 14, 1973.&nbsp; Larry preceded her in death on October 2, 2019.

Survivors include a sister Dawn Bevill and brother Merril Tibbetts, both of Norton.

Graveside services honoring both, Beth and Larry, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 5, 2020, in the Norton Cemetery, Norton.&nbsp;

Memorial contributions may be made to the Living Hope Fellowship.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS&nbsp; 67661, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences: &nbsp; www.olliffboeve.com

Norton resident Greta Beth Fletchall passed away Saturday, August 1, 2020, in the Andbe Home in Norton at the age of 93.Beth was born May 18, 1927, in Norton County, KS the daughter of Earl A. and Nola (Stevens) Tibbetts.Beth was united in marriage to Larry Dean Fletchall on February 14, 1973.&nbsp; Larry preceded her in death on October 2, 2019.Survivors include a sister Dawn Bevill and brother Merril Tibbetts, both of Norton.Graveside services honoring both, Beth and Larry, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 5, 2020, in the Norton Cemetery, Norton.&nbsp;Memorial contributions may be made to the Living Hope Fellowship.Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS&nbsp; 67661, is in charge of arrangements.Online condolences: &nbsp; www.olliffboeve.com

Greta Beth Fletchall

Eva J. Rapier, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the Greeley County Long Term Care Center in Tribune, Kansas.  She was born on June 6, 1932, in Ellis County, Kansas, the daughter of Jacob &amp; Loretta Herrman Kessler.  A lifetime resident of Wichita County, Kansas, she was a retired Farmer, Janitor, and was the manager for Wichita County Senior Center in Leoti, Kansas.

She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Leoti, Kansas.

On October 27, 1951, she married Eugene L. Rapier in Scott City, Kansas.  He passed away on July 15, 1993.

Survivors include her Two Sons - Tommy Rapier of Marienthal, Kansas, Michael Rapier of Marienthal, Kansas, Three Daughters - Judy Van Nice of Marienthal, Kansas, Jeanette Vanmeter of Longmont, Colorado, Diana Marvin of LaCrosse, Kansas, Seven Grandchildren, and Eleven Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, and Two Great Grandchildren.

Private Family Graveside Services will be held at the Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas with Fr. Tim Hickey presiding.

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

Memorials may be given to the Leoti EMS in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596461851478.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Eva J. Rapier, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the Greeley County Long Term Care Center in Tribune, Kansas. She was born on June 6, 1932, in Ellis County, Kansas, the daughter of Jacob &amp; Loretta Herrman Kessler. A lifetime resident of Wichita County, Kansas, she was a retired Farmer, Janitor, and was the manager for Wichita County Senior Center in Leoti, Kansas.She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Leoti, Kansas.On October 27, 1951, she married Eugene L. Rapier in Scott City, Kansas. He passed away on July 15, 1993.Survivors include her Two Sons - Tommy Rapier of Marienthal, Kansas, Michael Rapier of Marienthal, Kansas, Three Daughters - Judy Van Nice of Marienthal, Kansas, Jeanette Vanmeter of Longmont, Colorado, Diana Marvin of LaCrosse, Kansas, Seven Grandchildren, and Eleven Great Grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, and Two Great Grandchildren.Private Family Graveside Services will be held at the Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas with Fr. Tim Hickey presiding.Burial will be in the Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas.Memorials may be given to the Leoti EMS in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

Eva J. Rapier

Many left jobless by the crisis are already behind on payments. And the arrival of August brings new anxieties. A supplemental $600 in weekly federal unemployment benefits that helped many pay their bills is set to expire as July ends, with Congress bogged down in disagreement over a new round of aid.

Also set to end, unless lawmakers intervene, is a federal moratorium on evictions that has shielded millions of renters — though some Americans remain protected by similar state and local actions.

The Associated Press reconnected with renters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6665117bf47b47667635b9e6a65b1dd5">first interviewed</a>&nbsp;ahead of their April payments. Four months later, some have returned to work. One saw her church step in to cover her rent. Some found landlords willing to negotiate, while others are still looking for relief.

Sakai Harrison moved to New York to try to make it as a personal trainer and designer - but his gym shuttered early in the pandemic, and after weeks of struggling to both pay the rent and put food in his fridge, he knew what he had to do.

He moved back to Georgia for greater stability.

In May, he left his Brooklyn apartment and its $1,595 monthly rent for Atlanta. When the first of the month rolls around, his new place costs about $400 less - and it’s larger.

“This is the biggest silver lining I’ve ever seen,” he said.

He’s training with a few one-on-one clients, and he’s launched a boot camp with a dozen more.

This week, he met four of them at a park, where they did lunging squats, pull-ups, and a military-like crawl. Harrison then led them into a gym for dumbbell exercises. They didn’t wear masks for virus protection - Harrison says they take precautions, but pointed out that the state doesn’t mandate face coverings.

Harrison modeled the proper form and pace, corrected the men when needed, and gently teased when they tired or slowed down. Some shot barbs back, and Harrison smiled.

He’s charging clients slightly less than he got at Blink Fitness in New York, but that amount’s helping him develop an apparel brand. He’s taking orders for a line of shoes, T-shirts and hats.

Barring another shutdown, Harrison said, “I’ll be fine.”

--- Aaron Morrison, New York, and Ron Harris, Atlanta

Eli Oderberg of Denver remains out of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/736cb9bad85ca35b0589466d331d7a51">He lost his job</a>&nbsp;at a Colorado energy company in a wave of mid-April layoffs sparked by the pandemic’s economic fallout.

Oderberg, 36, once worked on apps to track spills and leaks. Now he receives unemployment benefits as he sends out resumes and interviews for new jobs. He said he’s been a runner-up for several positions but hasn’t been hired.

Oderberg and his wife, Katie, have been making their mortgage payments. She’s on unemployment after losing her retail job. She’s also pregnant, and the couple fears running out of money after the baby arrives. They also have a 5-year-old daughter.

“I’m trying to get a good balance so I can enjoy my family,” he said. “And I keep reminding myself there are a lot of people in a much worse situation.”

Financial challenges keep piling up for Roushaunda Williams months after she lost her job of nearly 20 years tending bar at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago.

Potential reopening dates for the hotel have been pushed back, Williams said, and hospitality jobs remain scarce. She anticipates being unable to pay her $1,900 rent by September — especially if Congress doesn’t reauthorize the weekly $600 in additional unemployment aid as part of a new relief package.

Williams, 52, said she asked the management company that owns her apartment for a rent reduction or other help. So far, she’s been told her rent will just accrue if she can’t pay.

The Illinois governor recently extended a moratorium on evictions into August. Still, Williams worries about debt piling up while she’s unemployed.

“I’ve exhausted my savings,” she said. “So I don’t have a safety net at all now.”

Jas Wheeler once hoped to ride out the pandemic and return to work at a Vermont bakery. Not anymore.

Wheeler, 30, is immunocompromised and fears going back to the bakery would increase risk of infection. The former social worker started working at a small grocery store that pays less but allows more room for social distancing.

Wheeler took the gig in anticipation of losing the $600 weekly unemployment aid. That money ensured Wheeler and their wife, Lucy, could afford their $850 monthly mortgage payment.

The couple closed on their house in Vergennes the same day Wheeler was laid off in March. Wheeler’s wife kept her jobs, but money remains tight. They’ve sold a car and are growing some food.

“The unemployment without the enhanced benefit is not enough to live on at all,” Wheeler said. “We’re broke.”

Though the pandemic took away Itza Sanchez’s two incomes, it has strengthened her faith. The mother of two says the generosity of her Richmond, Virginia, church has saved them from hunger and eviction.

Sanchez fell behind on rent when she stopped selling homemade tamales and collecting scrap metal over fears of contracting the virus. By mid-July, she owed about $950 in unpaid rent. That’s when Sanchez got a notice to vacate the mobile home where her family lives.

She was spared when her church sent $800 directly to the landlord.

Now she’s trying to scrape together $460 for August’s rent. She gets food donations from church. The school system delivers lunches for her children, 11 and 7.

An immigrant from Honduras, Sanchez isn’t eligible for unemployment benefits.

“In this crisis we have moments of anguish, and one feels desperate, Sanchez said.

For Andrea Larson, life took an unexpectedly good turn.

She lost her sommelier job in mid-March, when restaurants closed in Nashville, Tennessee. She was just getting by on unemployment, but worried about choosing between losing benefits or going back to an unsafe restaurant job.

Then a former boss offered her a spot at a new restaurant - the White Limozeen, named in tribute to a Dolly Parton song and decorated in over-the-top kitsch.

While Larson still fears the virus, she appreciates that her employer “spent a lot of money to make sure people are extremely safe.”

At her duplex, a plumbing disaster forced her to live in a construction zone for a couple of months. But she counts that as luck: She didn’t have to pay rent.

Jade Brooks and her family have counted on an eviction moratorium in Massachusetts to get them through the pandemic. Still, 22-year-old Brooks worries: How long will it last?

Brooks’ mother hasn’t found find full-time work since losing her insurance-company job. And Brooks doesn’t get paid enough as a hospital switchboard operator to cover rent — recently raised to $2,075 monthly — for their two-bedroom Boston apartment.

Her family had an August eviction hearing scheduled in court after they refused to pay the $265 increase. Then the governor extended the eviction ban until mid-October, giving temporary relief.

“It kind of gave me extra hope to figure things out, instead of jumping into the fire,” said Brooks, who lives with her mother and an 8-year-old cousin.

Brooks hopes the extra time gives her mom a chance to find work, and perhaps they’ll negotiate a new lease rather than go to court.

After two months of missing payments as part of a “rent strike,” Neal Miller and his housemates heard from their landlord.

To their surprise, he agreed to reduce the monthly $1,500 rent for their home on Chicago’s West Side. Miller’s share is now $150, down from $400.

Miller, 38, said his landlord gave the impression that he’d prefer some income from the house over nothing at all.

Miller’s last stable job was as an adjunct professor at Loyola University. During the pandemic, he’s patched together odd jobs — dissertation editing, bookkeeping for a psychiatrist’s office.

He said lower rent cuts the pressure: “We are definitely in a unique situation by the response we got.”

Tnia Morgan’s family has grown by one since the pandemic upended their lives. The birth of a grandson, her youngest daughter’s first child, June 25 was a rare blessing during a spring and summer otherwise filled with stress.

“I love his smell. I love his smile. I love everything about him,” said Morgan, who shares a townhouse in Baltimore County, Maryland, with her newborn grandson, her daughter and a nephew.

She needed something to celebrate. Her income plummeted after she lost her hotel banquet-hall job in March. Bills pile up monthly.

Four rent checks have come due since then. Morgan’s landlord lets her pay what she can. She estimates that’s been nearly half what she’s owed since April.

Food stamps help feed her family. She says she’s tried in vain to sign up for unemployment benefits. Her only income comes from working for a food delivery service.

“It’s not much,” she said, “but it’s better than not having anything.”

- Michael Kunzelman, Silver Spring, Maryland

Ruqayyah Bailey has lost much of her independence and wants to get her life back on track.

Bailey, 31, has autism. Until March, she lived in her own apartment, worked part time as a cashier at a St. Louis cafe, and attended college.

The coronavirus tossed all that structure out the window. Bailey could no longer get the one-on-one tutoring that helped her thrive in college. The cafe closed. With no money coming in, she moved back in with her mother.

The cafe reopened in June, but Bailey now works just four hours a week. She’s signed up for seven hours of college classes but isn’t sure she’ll get tutoring. She uses savings to pay bills and worries about losing her weekly $600 in extra aid.

“I am completely stressed,” Bailey said. “I don’t know how to pay my bills. I’m not sure how I’m going to able to get back into my apartment.”

Jason W. Still spent nearly three months without work before he went back to cooking at a high-end restaurant in Spokane, Washington.

Still, 30, returned to the kitchen at Clover when it reopened in early June. Before then, his wife’s job in Washington’s legal marijuana industry and Still’s unemployment checks helped assure they never missed a rent payment.

Still is back to working 40 hours a week. But he wonders whether that’ll last, as COVID-19 infections surge in the U.S.

“It’s terrifying to me to be in a service industry that can just shut down again at any time,” he said.

Tinisha Dixon scraped money together to cover her $1,115 monthly rent for April and May. Since then, she’s been unable to pay.

Dixon, 26, shares a downtown Atlanta apartment with her partner and their five children. Before that, Dixon was homeless. Now she worries daily about her family ending up on the street.

Dixon’s partner works as a security guard, but reduced hours have shrunk his earnings to about $800 a month. Dixon said she worked briefly at a coronavirus testing site outside the city, but relying on her partner for rides interfered with his job.

Before the pandemic, Dixon says, her landlord had begun taking legal steps to evict them.

“I’m pretty overwhelmed trying to get everything situated, not knowing how long I can hold out here,” she said.

By RUSS BYNUM, Associated PressMany left jobless by the crisis are already behind on payments. And the arrival of August brings new anxieties. A supplemental $600 in weekly federal unemployment benefits that helped many pay their bills is set to expire as July ends, with Congress bogged down in disagreement over a new round of aid.Also set to end, unless lawmakers intervene, is a federal moratorium on evictions that has shielded millions of renters — though some Americans remain protected by similar state and local actions.The Associated Press reconnected with renters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6665117bf47b47667635b9e6a65b1dd5">first interviewed</a>&nbsp;ahead of their April payments. Four months later, some have returned to work. One saw her church step in to cover her rent. Some found landlords willing to negotiate, while others are still looking for relief.Sakai Harrison moved to New York to try to make it as a personal trainer and designer - but his gym shuttered early in the pandemic, and after weeks of struggling to both pay the rent and put food in his fridge, he knew what he had to do.He moved back to Georgia for greater stability.In May, he left his Brooklyn apartment and its $1,595 monthly rent for Atlanta. When the first of the month rolls around, his new place costs about $400 less - and it’s larger.“This is the biggest silver lining I’ve ever seen,” he said.He’s training with a few one-on-one clients, and he’s launched a boot camp with a dozen more.This week, he met four of them at a park, where they did lunging squats, pull-ups, and a military-like crawl. Harrison then led them into a gym for dumbbell exercises. They didn’t wear masks for virus protection - Harrison says they take precautions, but pointed out that the state doesn’t mandate face coverings.Harrison modeled the proper form and pace, corrected the men when needed, and gently teased when they tired or slowed down. Some shot barbs back, and Harrison smiled.He’s charging clients slightly less than he got at Blink Fitness in New York, but that amount’s helping him develop an apparel brand. He’s taking orders for a line of shoes, T-shirts and hats.Barring another shutdown, Harrison said, “I’ll be fine.”--- Aaron Morrison, New York, and Ron Harris, AtlantaEli Oderberg of Denver remains out of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/736cb9bad85ca35b0589466d331d7a51">He lost his job</a>&nbsp;at a Colorado energy company in a wave of mid-April layoffs sparked by the pandemic’s economic fallout.Oderberg, 36, once worked on apps to track spills and leaks. Now he receives unemployment benefits as he sends out resumes and interviews for new jobs. He said he’s been a runner-up for several positions but hasn’t been hired.Oderberg and his wife, Katie, have been making their mortgage payments. She’s on unemployment after losing her retail job. She’s also pregnant, and the couple fears running out of money after the baby arrives. They also have a 5-year-old daughter.“I’m trying to get a good balance so I can enjoy my family,” he said. “And I keep reminding myself there are a lot of people in a much worse situation.”- Anita Snow, Phoenix___Financial challenges keep piling up for Roushaunda Williams months after she lost her job of nearly 20 years tending bar at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago.Potential reopening dates for the hotel have been pushed back, Williams said, and hospitality jobs remain scarce. She anticipates being unable to pay her $1,900 rent by September — especially if Congress doesn’t reauthorize the weekly $600 in additional unemployment aid as part of a new relief package.Williams, 52, said she asked the management company that owns her apartment for a rent reduction or other help. So far, she’s been told her rent will just accrue if she can’t pay.The Illinois governor recently extended a moratorium on evictions into August. Still, Williams worries about debt piling up while she’s unemployed.“I’ve exhausted my savings,” she said. “So I don’t have a safety net at all now.”- Kathleen Foody, Chicago___Jas Wheeler once hoped to ride out the pandemic and return to work at a Vermont bakery. Not anymore.Wheeler, 30, is immunocompromised and fears going back to the bakery would increase risk of infection. The former social worker started working at a small grocery store that pays less but allows more room for social distancing.Wheeler took the gig in anticipation of losing the $600 weekly unemployment aid. That money ensured Wheeler and their wife, Lucy, could afford their $850 monthly mortgage payment.The couple closed on their house in Vergennes the same day Wheeler was laid off in March. Wheeler’s wife kept her jobs, but money remains tight. They’ve sold a car and are growing some food.“The unemployment without the enhanced benefit is not enough to live on at all,” Wheeler said. “We’re broke.”- Michael Casey, Boston___Though the pandemic took away Itza Sanchez’s two incomes, it has strengthened her faith. The mother of two says the generosity of her Richmond, Virginia, church has saved them from hunger and eviction.Sanchez fell behind on rent when she stopped selling homemade tamales and collecting scrap metal over fears of contracting the virus. By mid-July, she owed about $950 in unpaid rent. That’s when Sanchez got a notice to vacate the mobile home where her family lives.She was spared when her church sent $800 directly to the landlord.Now she’s trying to scrape together $460 for August’s rent. She gets food donations from church. The school system delivers lunches for her children, 11 and 7.An immigrant from Honduras, Sanchez isn’t eligible for unemployment benefits.“In this crisis we have moments of anguish, and one feels desperate, Sanchez said.“But I have been blessed so far.”- Regina Garcia Cano, Washington___For Andrea Larson, life took an unexpectedly good turn.She lost her sommelier job in mid-March, when restaurants closed in Nashville, Tennessee. She was just getting by on unemployment, but worried about choosing between losing benefits or going back to an unsafe restaurant job.Then a former boss offered her a spot at a new restaurant - the White Limozeen, named in tribute to a Dolly Parton song and decorated in over-the-top kitsch.While Larson still fears the virus, she appreciates that her employer “spent a lot of money to make sure people are extremely safe.”At her duplex, a plumbing disaster forced her to live in a construction zone for a couple of months. But she counts that as luck: She didn’t have to pay rent.- Travis Loller, Nashville, Tennessee___Jade Brooks and her family have counted on an eviction moratorium in Massachusetts to get them through the pandemic. Still, 22-year-old Brooks worries: How long will it last?Brooks’ mother hasn’t found find full-time work since losing her insurance-company job. And Brooks doesn’t get paid enough as a hospital switchboard operator to cover rent — recently raised to $2,075 monthly — for their two-bedroom Boston apartment.Her family had an August eviction hearing scheduled in court after they refused to pay the $265 increase. Then the governor extended the eviction ban until mid-October, giving temporary relief.“It kind of gave me extra hope to figure things out, instead of jumping into the fire,” said Brooks, who lives with her mother and an 8-year-old cousin.Brooks hopes the extra time gives her mom a chance to find work, and perhaps they’ll negotiate a new lease rather than go to court.- Michael Casey, Boston___After two months of missing payments as part of a “rent strike,” Neal Miller and his housemates heard from their landlord.To their surprise, he agreed to reduce the monthly $1,500 rent for their home on Chicago’s West Side. Miller’s share is now $150, down from $400.Miller, 38, said his landlord gave the impression that he’d prefer some income from the house over nothing at all.Miller’s last stable job was as an adjunct professor at Loyola University. During the pandemic, he’s patched together odd jobs — dissertation editing, bookkeeping for a psychiatrist’s office.He said lower rent cuts the pressure: “We are definitely in a unique situation by the response we got.”- Kathleen Foody, Chicago___Tnia Morgan’s family has grown by one since the pandemic upended their lives. The birth of a grandson, her youngest daughter’s first child, June 25 was a rare blessing during a spring and summer otherwise filled with stress.“I love his smell. I love his smile. I love everything about him,” said Morgan, who shares a townhouse in Baltimore County, Maryland, with her newborn grandson, her daughter and a nephew.She needed something to celebrate. Her income plummeted after she lost her hotel banquet-hall job in March. Bills pile up monthly.Four rent checks have come due since then. Morgan’s landlord lets her pay what she can. She estimates that’s been nearly half what she’s owed since April.Food stamps help feed her family. She says she’s tried in vain to sign up for unemployment benefits. Her only income comes from working for a food delivery service.“It’s not much,” she said, “but it’s better than not having anything.”- Michael Kunzelman, Silver Spring, Maryland___Ruqayyah Bailey has lost much of her independence and wants to get her life back on track.Bailey, 31, has autism. Until March, she lived in her own apartment, worked part time as a cashier at a St. Louis cafe, and attended college.The coronavirus tossed all that structure out the window. Bailey could no longer get the one-on-one tutoring that helped her thrive in college. The cafe closed. With no money coming in, she moved back in with her mother.The cafe reopened in June, but Bailey now works just four hours a week. She’s signed up for seven hours of college classes but isn’t sure she’ll get tutoring. She uses savings to pay bills and worries about losing her weekly $600 in extra aid.“I am completely stressed,” Bailey said. “I don’t know how to pay my bills. I’m not sure how I’m going to able to get back into my apartment.”- Jim Salter, St. Louis___Jason W. Still spent nearly three months without work before he went back to cooking at a high-end restaurant in Spokane, Washington.Still, 30, returned to the kitchen at Clover when it reopened in early June. Before then, his wife’s job in Washington’s legal marijuana industry and Still’s unemployment checks helped assure they never missed a rent payment.Still is back to working 40 hours a week. But he wonders whether that’ll last, as COVID-19 infections surge in the U.S.“It’s terrifying to me to be in a service industry that can just shut down again at any time,” he said.- Anita Snow, Phoenix___Tinisha Dixon scraped money together to cover her $1,115 monthly rent for April and May. Since then, she’s been unable to pay.Dixon, 26, shares a downtown Atlanta apartment with her partner and their five children. Before that, Dixon was homeless. Now she worries daily about her family ending up on the street.Dixon’s partner works as a security guard, but reduced hours have shrunk his earnings to about $800 a month. Dixon said she worked briefly at a coronavirus testing site outside the city, but relying on her partner for rides interfered with his job.Before the pandemic, Dixon says, her landlord had begun taking legal steps to evict them.“I’m pretty overwhelmed trying to get everything situated, not knowing how long I can hold out here,” she said.- Sudhin Thanawala, Atlanta___

Rent's due, again: Monthly anxieties deepen as aid falls off

Mary Elizabeth Clark (Boulware), 85, died on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at
 Scott County Hospital in Scott City. She was born on February 17, 1935
 in Healy the daughter of Robert Paul &amp; Cordelia (Farr) Allen. She 
married Darlow Boulware on May 17, 1952 at St John. He died on October 
27, 1981. She later married Donald E. Clark on November 21, 1987 at 
Reno, Nevada. He died on January 17, 1998. 
Mary graduated from Scott Community High School in 1952. She and her 
husband farmed in the Modoc area. After her second marriage she moved 
to Lane County and later returned to Scott City. She was a member of 
the First Christian Church of Scott City and the VFW Auxiliary. She 
loved to follow her grandchildren with their activities and her bridge 
groups. 
She is survived by Son- Bradley Allen &amp; Susan Boulware of Scott 
City, 4 Daughters- Jerri &amp; Randy Thornton of Kremmling, Colorado, 
Vicki &amp; Dale Dirks of Scott City, Cheri &amp; David Sharp of 
Greeley, Colorado and Denise &amp; Kelly Strecker of Silver Lake, 
Step-Son- Kendall &amp; Maraline Clark of Dighton, Step-Daughter- Janice
 &amp; Ken Rosebush of Castle Rock, Colorado, Brother- Russell Allen of 
Kansas City, Kansas, Sister- Judy Erskin of Dighton, 12 Grandchildren- 
Paula Vulgamore, Devin Holloway, David Dirks, Trey Strecker, Brooke 
Boulware, Kadra Boulware, Lisa Knurek, Scott Rosebush, Kyle Rosebush, 
Steven Clark, Cassie Rupp and Jason Thornton and 12 Great-Grandchildren.
 
She was preceded in death by her Parents, both Husbands and 2 Brothers- Merlin Allen and Keith Ray Allen. 
Funeral Service will be at 1:30 PM Monday at First Christian Church in 
Scott City with Rev Warren Stecklein officiating. Burial will be in 
Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Scott Hospital 
Foundation- Caring Hearts or Lane County Healthcare Foundation in care 
of Boomhower Funeral Home. Friends may call from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM 
Saturday and Noon to 8:00 PM Sunday at Boomhower Funeral Home in 
Dighton. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596233601952.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mary Elizabeth Clark (Boulware), 85, died on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at
 Scott County Hospital in Scott City. She was born on February 17, 1935
 in Healy the daughter of Robert Paul &amp; Cordelia (Farr) Allen. She 
married Darlow Boulware on May 17, 1952 at St John. He died on October 
27, 1981. She later married Donald E. Clark on November 21, 1987 at 
Reno, Nevada. He died on January 17, 1998. 
Mary graduated from Scott Community High School in 1952. She and her 
husband farmed in the Modoc area. After her second marriage she moved 
to Lane County and later returned to Scott City. She was a member of 
the First Christian Church of Scott City and the VFW Auxiliary. She 
loved to follow her grandchildren with their activities and her bridge 
groups. 
She is survived by Son- Bradley Allen &amp; Susan Boulware of Scott 
City, 4 Daughters- Jerri &amp; Randy Thornton of Kremmling, Colorado, 
Vicki &amp; Dale Dirks of Scott City, Cheri &amp; David Sharp of 
Greeley, Colorado and Denise &amp; Kelly Strecker of Silver Lake, 
Step-Son- Kendall &amp; Maraline Clark of Dighton, Step-Daughter- Janice
 &amp; Ken Rosebush of Castle Rock, Colorado, Brother- Russell Allen of 
Kansas City, Kansas, Sister- Judy Erskin of Dighton, 12 Grandchildren- 
Paula Vulgamore, Devin Holloway, David Dirks, Trey Strecker, Brooke 
Boulware, Kadra Boulware, Lisa Knurek, Scott Rosebush, Kyle Rosebush, 
Steven Clark, Cassie Rupp and Jason Thornton and 12 Great-Grandchildren.
 
She was preceded in death by her Parents, both Husbands and 2 Brothers- Merlin Allen and Keith Ray Allen. 
Funeral Service will be at 1:30 PM Monday at First Christian Church in 
Scott City with Rev Warren Stecklein officiating. Burial will be in 
Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Scott Hospital 
Foundation- Caring Hearts or Lane County Healthcare Foundation in care 
of Boomhower Funeral Home. Friends may call from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM 
Saturday and Noon to 8:00 PM Sunday at Boomhower Funeral Home in 
Dighton. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Mary Elizabeth Clark (Boulware)

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

Ellis County Treasurer Lisa Schlegel said the continued
successes she has brought to the office are proof she’s the right candidate in
her bid for re-election.

Schlegel, who was elected in 2016, began serving his first
term in October 2017. 

Prior to that, Schlegel worked in banking at Fort Hays
State University and at the University of Kansas.

Schlegel said since she took office the treasurer’s
department has delivered “unprecedent success.”

“I have performed all the statutory duties of treasurer with
unprecedented excellence,” Schlegel said. “We have unprecedented tax collection
percentages, new tax collection methods, such as stop codes on motor vehicle (and)
oil garnishments.”

Schlegel also touted her ability to negotiate better
interest rates with the banks.

“I have unprecedented interest income, contractual
negotiations with banking industries that are the best they’ve ever been, and
I’m always updating my interest income agreements and looking for the best deal
we can get,” Schlegel said.

She also added that she has renegotiated the interest
on the county’s idle funds account for a higher return on investment.

If re-elected, Schlegel said she will continue to implement many of the policies she
said has made the department run more efficiently.

“I am the first office in the county to voluntarily cut
operating hours and the first county office eliminate a full-time deputy,”
Schlegel said, noting the move saved the county more than $60,000.

“My expenditures in operating the treasury are still lower
than the expenditures were in 2016,” Schlegel said, “so we’re doing more while
spending less.”

Schlegel said that she is “excited to just kind of maintain”
the changes she has implemented in the department if re-elected.

“Everyone is finally cross trained. It’s the first
department that’s cross trained in the county,” Schlegel said. “There’s no
duties that the county’s required statutorily to do that only one person knows
how to do.”

Schlegel also has implemented an extension outreach effort
through the department’s newsletter.

“I am the first county treasurer to make myself transparent
and available to the taxpayers by informing them of what’s going on in
financially,” Schlegel said. 

She said continuing to produce the newsletter and make it
and more information about the county government available through the
treasurer’s website will be a priority if she is re-elected.

“I want to see if we can do a little more with citizen
engagement and communication,” Schlegel said. “I really want to keep people
more engaged and informed of what’s going on at the county as a hole but then
also the treasury.”

Schlegel also plans to be more hands-on if re-elected. 

“Now that I’ve spent my first term learning about all the
things that we could do better and implementing programs that have always existed
but the treasury hasn’t always implemented, I’d like to play maybe a more
hands-on part in doing some of the actual work,” Schlegel said.

“Maybe sitting up front and doing renewals occasionally,”
she said. “I miss public contact in that way.”

Schlegel has had several very public run-ins with members of
the county commission during her time in office. Most recently, she was removed
from a budget hearing after getting into an argument with commission chair
Butch Schlyer.

She acknowledged the incidents have made it more difficult to do the job of treasurer but said, “these clashes have
everything to do with the commissioners and nothing to do with me.”

“The challenges that have come about have arisen because the
county officials around here don’t understand or don’t adhere to the hierarchy
of power,” Schlegel said. “A county treasurer and a county commissioner are
equal on the hierarchy.”

Schlegel said she believes the current group of county
commissioners are working to get her out of office.

“Because I’m not a good ol’ boy. Because I’m don’t keep
quiet,” Schlegel said. “Because if I have questions about why the public was
lied to about when the landfill burnt down, about the time that it occurred and
my questions aren’t answered. I don’t quit asking them.

“I’m sure what they’ll fight for, if I don’t win, is to try
to get me to resign a year early, and that’s never going to happen,” Schlegel
said. “They’ll have to drag my dead body out this door.”

On social media, Schlegel has attacked one of her opponents in the treasurer
race, Solid Waste Supervisor Vernon Ruder Jr., claiming he and Public Works
Director Bill Ring covered up a September fire that destroyed a landfill
building and a backhoe.

In her posting on her campaign's re-election Facebook page, Schlegel claimed someone was allowed to enter the landfill
after hours and place rags in a bin, which later caught fire.

An investigation of the fire proved no wrongdoing after
officials found that rags covered in wood stain were improperly disposed of
late in the afternoon on Sept. 26. The rags spontaneously combusted several
hours later, causing the building on fire, according to the investigation.

Schlegel’s claim that someone accessed the landfill after
hours also runs contrary to evidence.

In security footage obtained by Hays Post, a man is seen
dropping off the rags at 4:02 p.m. Sept.
26. Footage shows the fire erupting several hours later, at approximately 4 a.m.

With the loss of a backhoe in the fire, Ring said the county rented a backhoe while waiting on a new one. The rental and two separate inspections
of the backhoe by the equipment dealer resulted in a bill of just less than $5,000.

Ring said that the insurance company covered all of the
expenses associated with the backhoe and paid to replace the one lost in the
fire.

On social media, Schlegel incorrectly alleged that taxpayer funds paid to
replace the building and backhoe.

Ring said the landfills insurance paid to replace both the
building and the backhoe. He also pointed out that the landfill is an
enterprise fund and no taxpayer funds go to the landfill. 

Schlegel said the reason she wanted to be the treasurer was
because the position has the power to “see everything.”

“We’re in a budget crunch, so I am looking at things extra
closely? Yeah,” Schlegel said. “Not only in my own budget, in the county’s
expenditures as a whole when they all come across my desk.”

Ellis County Administrator J.D. Cox said, after consulting with counselor
Bill Jeter, said it is not the treasurer’s duty, as Schlegel claims, to weigh in on
expenditures that have been approved by the commission and the administrator.

Schlegel has also raised concerns about the connection her
opponents have to local government in Ellis County.

Ruder’s son, Mason, is the county’s environment planning supervisor.
Sherry Dryden’s husband had worked for the sheriff’s department until retiring
in June.

“When they (the county commission) give you pushback and
your son works for a department, where they are literally his boss, you will
comply,” Schlegel said. “That makes a county official beholden to special
interests other than those of the citizens.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584719419709.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostEllis County Treasurer Lisa Schlegel said the continued
successes she has brought to the office are proof she’s the right candidate in
her bid for re-election.Schlegel, who was elected in 2016, began serving his first
term in October 2017. Prior to that, Schlegel worked in banking at Fort Hays
State University and at the University of Kansas.Schlegel said since she took office the treasurer’s
department has delivered “unprecedent success.”“I have performed all the statutory duties of treasurer with
unprecedented excellence,” Schlegel said. “We have unprecedented tax collection
percentages, new tax collection methods, such as stop codes on motor vehicle (and)
oil garnishments.”Schlegel also touted her ability to negotiate better
interest rates with the banks.“I have unprecedented interest income, contractual
negotiations with banking industries that are the best they’ve ever been, and
I’m always updating my interest income agreements and looking for the best deal
we can get,” Schlegel said.She also added that she has renegotiated the interest
on the county’s idle funds account for a higher return on investment.If re-elected, Schlegel said she will continue to implement many of the policies she
said has made the department run more efficiently.“I am the first office in the county to voluntarily cut
operating hours and the first county office eliminate a full-time deputy,”
Schlegel said, noting the move saved the county more than $60,000.“My expenditures in operating the treasury are still lower
than the expenditures were in 2016,” Schlegel said, “so we’re doing more while
spending less.”Schlegel said that she is “excited to just kind of maintain”
the changes she has implemented in the department if re-elected.“Everyone is finally cross trained. It’s the first
department that’s cross trained in the county,” Schlegel said. “There’s no
duties that the county’s required statutorily to do that only one person knows
how to do.”Schlegel also has implemented an extension outreach effort
through the department’s newsletter.“I am the first county treasurer to make myself transparent
and available to the taxpayers by informing them of what’s going on in
financially,” Schlegel said. She said continuing to produce the newsletter and make it
and more information about the county government available through the
treasurer’s website will be a priority if she is re-elected.“I want to see if we can do a little more with citizen
engagement and communication,” Schlegel said. “I really want to keep people
more engaged and informed of what’s going on at the county as a hole but then
also the treasury.”Schlegel also plans to be more hands-on if re-elected. “Now that I’ve spent my first term learning about all the
things that we could do better and implementing programs that have always existed
but the treasury hasn’t always implemented, I’d like to play maybe a more
hands-on part in doing some of the actual work,” Schlegel said.“Maybe sitting up front and doing renewals occasionally,”
she said. “I miss public contact in that way.”Schlegel has had several very public run-ins with members of
the county commission during her time in office. Most recently, she was removed
from a budget hearing after getting into an argument with commission chair
Butch Schlyer.She acknowledged the incidents have made it more difficult to do the job of treasurer but said, “these clashes have
everything to do with the commissioners and nothing to do with me.”“The challenges that have come about have arisen because the
county officials around here don’t understand or don’t adhere to the hierarchy
of power,” Schlegel said. “A county treasurer and a county commissioner are
equal on the hierarchy.”Schlegel said she believes the current group of county
commissioners are working to get her out of office.“Because I’m not a good ol’ boy. Because I’m don’t keep
quiet,” Schlegel said. “Because if I have questions about why the public was
lied to about when the landfill burnt down, about the time that it occurred and
my questions aren’t answered. I don’t quit asking them.“I’m sure what they’ll fight for, if I don’t win, is to try
to get me to resign a year early, and that’s never going to happen,” Schlegel
said. “They’ll have to drag my dead body out this door.”On social media, Schlegel has attacked one of her opponents in the treasurer
race, Solid Waste Supervisor Vernon Ruder Jr., claiming he and Public Works
Director Bill Ring covered up a September fire that destroyed a landfill
building and a backhoe.In her posting on her campaign's re-election Facebook page, Schlegel claimed someone was allowed to enter the landfill
after hours and place rags in a bin, which later caught fire.An investigation of the fire proved no wrongdoing after
officials found that rags covered in wood stain were improperly disposed of
late in the afternoon on Sept. 26. The rags spontaneously combusted several
hours later, causing the building on fire, according to the investigation.Schlegel’s claim that someone accessed the landfill after
hours also runs contrary to evidence.In security footage obtained by Hays Post, a man is seen
dropping off the rags at 4:02 p.m. Sept.
26. Footage shows the fire erupting several hours later, at approximately 4 a.m.With the loss of a backhoe in the fire, Ring said the county rented a backhoe while waiting on a new one. The rental and two separate inspections
of the backhoe by the equipment dealer resulted in a bill of just less than $5,000.Ring said that the insurance company covered all of the
expenses associated with the backhoe and paid to replace the one lost in the
fire.On social media, Schlegel incorrectly alleged that taxpayer funds paid to
replace the building and backhoe.Ring said the landfills insurance paid to replace both the
building and the backhoe. He also pointed out that the landfill is an
enterprise fund and no taxpayer funds go to the landfill. Schlegel said the reason she wanted to be the treasurer was
because the position has the power to “see everything.”“We’re in a budget crunch, so I am looking at things extra
closely? Yeah,” Schlegel said. “Not only in my own budget, in the county’s
expenditures as a whole when they all come across my desk.”Ellis County Administrator J.D. Cox said, after consulting with counselor
Bill Jeter, said it is not the treasurer’s duty, as Schlegel claims, to weigh in on
expenditures that have been approved by the commission and the administrator.Schlegel has also raised concerns about the connection her
opponents have to local government in Ellis County.Ruder’s son, Mason, is the county’s environment planning supervisor.
Sherry Dryden’s husband had worked for the sheriff’s department until retiring
in June.“When they (the county commission) give you pushback and
your son works for a department, where they are literally his boss, you will
comply,” Schlegel said. “That makes a county official beholden to special
interests other than those of the citizens.”