<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575296053069.jpeg">Anna Alvena (Hagerman) Harms, age 95, WaKeeney (former long time Larned resident, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2019, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.&nbsp;She was born March 28, 1924, in Pawnee County, Kansas, to Walter and Anna (Folkerts) Hagerman. Anna grew up on the family farm; she was proud to be a farmgirl.&nbsp;She graduated from Rozel High School.&nbsp;On September 12, 1948, she was united in marriage to Harry Harms in Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp;They enjoyed 55 years of marriage, until Harry’s death in October of 2003.&nbsp;Some time after Harry’s passing, Anna enjoyed the companionship of Jack Hardesty, who was by her side for nearly 9 years, until his death in 2013.&nbsp; A proud homemaker, farmgirl at heart, and fun loving dancer, Anna could be found doing anything from making and fixing clothing, to canning food for family and friends, to tending her garden (especially her roses, or just having a great time on the dance floor at local events.&nbsp;She enjoyed her cards, especially pitch and pinochle, and was very active in church and Sunday school. Those left to mourn her passing are her children, Kenneth W. (Mary) Harms, of Shawnee, Kansas, and Elaine Conness, of WaKeeney; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Ramage of Atchison, Kansas, Christopher (Greta) Harms of Kansas City, Missouri, Ian Conness and Sean Conness, both of WaKeeney; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.&nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry; her special companion, Jack; son-in-law, Robert R. Conness, Jr.; siblings, Velma Smith, Emma Marlett, and Louis “Bud” Hagerman; and several nieces and nephews. Family Hosted memorial services will take place at 10 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church, Larned, Kansas,&nbsp;with Reverend Nicholas Martinez as officiant.&nbsp;Private graveside inurnment will take place at Larned Cemetery. There will be no visitation, as cremation was chosen.&nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, LTC or Alzheimer’s Association of the Great Plains (<a href="http://www.alz.org/cwkansas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.alz.org/cwkansas</a>).&nbsp;Donations to the memorial may be made online or sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336, North 12th, WaKeeney, KS&nbsp;67672. Condolences may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Anna Alvena (Hagerman) Harms

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1575150924738.jpeg">Patricia “Pat” Patton, 87, passed away November 27, 2019, at Country Place Senior Living, Hoisington, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 4, 1932, at Wilson, Okla. to Duane “D.M.” and Elizabeth (McKinnon) McCown.&nbsp;Pat graduated from Healdton High School in Healdton, Okla., in 1949. On June 16, 1952, she married the love of her life, Billy Joe “Bill” Patton in Oklahoma City. During their 68 year marriage, Bill’s work in the oil business took them to live in Odessa, Texas, Haysville, Wichita and Hoisington. During their time in Hoisington, she was employed for a short time with the Post Office, but her main profession was homemaker.&nbsp;Pat’s faith and her Church were very important to her. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hoisington. Along with several other women, she was one of the founders of the Food Bank in Hoisington and was enthusiastically active in this endeavor.&nbsp;Survivors include, three sons, Michael Patton of Hoisington, Jon Patton and wife Rosa of Tribune, and Jim Patton and wife Diane of Maize; one daughter, Susan Waller and husband Tom of Garden City; one brother, Jon Roy McCown and wife Delma of Shawnee, Okla.; and 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Billy Joe "Bill" Patton; and two brothers, Robert Duane McCown and Richard Norman McCown.&nbsp;Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 6, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Reverend Seong Lee and Ron Bailey presiding. Inurnment will follow for Pat, along with Bill with military honors, in the Hoisington Cemetery. Cremation has taken place.&nbsp;The register book will be available to sign Wednesday Dec. 4, and Thursday Dec. 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.&nbsp;Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids, First United Methodist Church, and the Hoisington Food Bank, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Patricia 'Pat' Patton

KANSAS CITY (AP) — After a year that has seen some of the worst flooding ever in parts of the Midwest, concern is already rising that the spring of 2020 may bring more high water to places that still haven’t fully recovered. <a href="https://apnews.com/84d773fba03f48dd8c18ec0eaa5198bc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">Flooding ravaged</a>&nbsp;much of the Missouri and Mississippi River basins and their tributaries earlier this year, reaching record levels and overwhelming levees in many places. Eight months later, parts of the Missouri River are slightly above flood stage at a time of the year when river levels traditionally run low. Conditions are only slightly better on the Mississippi River, which is just a couple of feet below flood stage at several towns from Burlington, Iowa, south to near St. Louis. High river levels aren’t the only worry. National Weather Service hydrologist Mark Fuchs cited two other factors that have him concerned: Soil is extremely saturated in northern states like Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas, and the long-range forecast offers a strong possibility of a wetter-than-normal winter. “We’re worried about rivers in general, primarily the Missouri and Mississippi for the spring,” Fuchs, of the weather service’s suburban St. Louis office, said. “We’ll see how the winter plays out.”Areas along the Missouri River in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri were particularly ravaged in the early spring, damaging hundreds of homes and businesses. In Buchanan County, Missouri, some county roads were damaged on three separate occasions as floodwaters would rise, fall, and rise again. Emergency Management Director Bill Brinton said those roads have been fixed to the point of being passable but with the strong prospect of more potentially severe flooding next spring, full repairs will have to wait. Levees that were overtopped and breached in spring and summer flooding also remain unrepaired, meaning that the next big flood could get back into the same homes damaged months ago.“It’s kind of scary for the spring,” Brinton, whose county had about 150 homes damaged, said. “These people have had their lives impacted three separate times this year.” The Mississippi River reached near-record levels at several points, including the second-highest ever at St. Louis. Both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers dipped below flood stage by early fall, “then they turned around and went right back up in October with more rain in both basins,” Fuchs said. “For both rivers, there really hasn’t been much chance to recover.” Fuchs said soil moisture levels in many places to the north are at the 99th percentile for late fall.“If you have rain, it’s supposed to go into the ground,” Fuchs said. “Well, there’s just not room in the soil to accept rainfall or snowmelt.” Adding to the worry is the weather service’s December-February forecast which shows a significant chance of above-normal precipitation in the upper Midwestern states that feed water into the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. For now, all river communities can do is wait. Brinton said the holes in Buchanan County’s levees are too big and plentiful to sandbag.“I just don’t see how it’s not going to be a problem in the spring,” Brinton said.

River watchers already wary about 2020 spring flooding

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by two women who alleged that Kansas State University refused to investigate complaints that they were raped in off-campus fraternity houses. Sara Weckhorst and Tessa Farmer permanently dismissed their federal Title IX lawsuits against the university earlier this week after meeting for mediation. Jonathon Fazzola — a lawyer with Fierberg National Law Group, which represented the women — declined to comment on the mediation, and K-State only said that no compensation was provided to either plaintiff. “Ms. Farmer and Ms. Weckhorst are proud of the legal precedent they’ve established through their lawsuits, including in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit,” Fazzola said, reading a statement. “It has been a long journey, and both young women are excited to focus on their careers and families.” During the litigation, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Education weighed in, saying in a brief that the university's policy to not investigate complaints of student-on-student rape when the attacks occur off-campus is wrong.The Associated Press doesn't generally name sexual assault victims, but another attorney for the women said previously that they have come forward because they want to hold the university accountable and to help prevent other women from being raped. In their 2016 federal lawsuit, Weckhorst and Farmer argued that K-State refused to investigate Weckhorst’s 2014 report that she was raped by Jared Gihring at Gihring’s fraternity house, Sigma Nu, and that the university’s “deliberate indifference” lack of action led to further rapes committed by Gihring. Crystal Stroup, another former K-State student, claimed that Gihring also raped her in an apartment in October 2015. In 2017, Gihring was convicted and sentenced to almost 13 years in prison in the rape of Weckhorst but was found not guilty of raping Stroup. He was expelled from the university before the fall 2016 semester. Farmer, meanwhile, alleged that she was raped in March 2015, after a party at a fraternity house where she had become "very intoxicated."Kansas State claimed Tuesday’s dismissal as a victory and affirmation of the university’s “long-stated position that it responded appropriately and in compliance with Title IX when Weckhorst and Farmer each reported they were sexually assaulted off campus.”___

Lawsuit over Kansas State’s handling of rapes dismissed

By John Hanna <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574774017605.png">Photo courtesy Rep. Steve Watkins TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans are going after one of their own in Kansas. Some party members who helped a political novice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/34882545094f4e83b9117dba13b6b7e3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">squeak to victory</a>&nbsp;in a 2018 race for an eastern Kansas seat in Congress have turned on him in favor of the state treasurer, roiling a district where President Donald Trump enjoys solid support and the incumbent has attacked the impeachment inquiry. Defectors from freshman Rep. Steve Watkins’ camp include an ex-congressional aide who managed his 2018 general election campaign but is now a consultant for his opponent, State Treasurer Jake LaTurner. Other GOP activists jumped to LaTurner after former Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5ac9376d57bc48258ef959f0aae7062b" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">publicly urged</a>&nbsp;LaTurner to challenge Watkins in the Republican primary for the 2nd District in August 2020. It's rare for members of a party establishment to rally support against an incumbent. Typically, those cases involve an incumbent in some legal or ethical mess or, in the case of Steve King in Iowa, a lawmaker whose comments on race have drawn rebuke from the party mainstream. Watkins, who has an orthodox Republican voting record, doesn't quite fit either category, but faces questions about his electability, even though the Democrats don’t have a candidate. Watkins, a 43-year-old former Army officer and military contractor, still battles doubts about his fundraising acumen, questions about his lack of involvement with the GOP until his congressional run and allegations from the 2018 campaign that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/be1b8901aba5454ca346ea48e5d870f8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">exaggerated</a>&nbsp;business and personal accomplishments. Earlier this fall, online rumors suggested he would resign. “You always have to have your head on a pivot, basically waiting for the next shoe to drop,” said Pat Leopold, the LaTurner consultant who previously managed Watkins’ general-election campaign and worked for Kansas GOP Rep. Lynn Jenkins. “And they’re virtually all self-inflicted wounds.” Democrats made an aggressive play for the seat in 2018 with a well-funded candidate, ex-legislative leader Paul Davis. But the only announced Democratic candidate for 2020&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/38e73e9ca1224989908030eeec9dd048" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">dropped out</a>&nbsp;in October and the party is now encouraging Topeka’s mayor to run.Watkins this fall dismissed the rumors that he would resign and has since thrown himself into defending Trump during the impeachment inquiry. “He is not wasting any time worrying about Jake LaTurner,” campaign spokesman Bryan Piligra said in an email.LaTurner, 31, was a staffer for Jenkins, who held the 2nd Congressional District seat for 10 years before forgoing a re-election campaign in 2018. He won a Kansas Senate seat in 2012 and has been state treasurer since April 2017. He launched a campaign for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat in January before dropping out in September to run for the House. As LaTurner has campaigned in recent weeks, Watkins has&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Rep_Watkins" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">tweeted videos</a>&nbsp;criticizing the impeachment inquiry. Watkins joined other GOP lawmakers in&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Rep_Watkins/status/1187016512395194368" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">storming</a>&nbsp;a closed committee session in October and, like other Kansas Republicans in Congress, he recently was named an&nbsp;<a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/c7e1149a701/e0543d0b-c1f7-40a7-8e5f-0d91fc936e2c.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">honorary co-chairman</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s re-election campaign.Some Republicans are scratching their heads over the primary challenge. Becky Johnson, first vice president of the National Federation of Republican Women, said Watkins is a “good conservative,” adding that she hates to see a primary “when you’ve got a good incumbent.” “I just don’t understand the need for anybody to run against him,” said Johnson, a retired independent oil company operator from Parker, a small town about 50 miles southwest of Kansas City. But LaTurner’s challenge highlights how Watkins never completely won over skeptical GOP activists. He won a crowded 2018 primary with less than 27% of the vote, then the general election against Davis by less than 1 percentage point.For some Republicans, that was far too close for a district the GOP has held for 22 of the past 24 years and that Trump won by nearly 27 percentage points in 2016. Watkins also prevailed in the primary after his father, a Topeka physician, put nearly $762,000 into a political action committee whose only beneficiary was his son. “The story of how all this happened is informative as to why people have an issue today — when the vote gets split like that,” LaTurner said during an interview. “People really have a sense that he bought the seat.” Watkins made a point during his first 10 months in office of having town halls in each of the district’s 25 counties. Yet some Republicans said he still hasn’t built a deep following. Lorie Johnson, a demolition contractor who is GOP chairwoman in Cherokee County in the state’s southeast corner, said that Watkins’ voting record is “OK so far.”But she added, “I still have great reservations just because I don’t know anything about him.”

Republicans turn on novice whom they helped win Kansas seat

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574877529572.jpeg">Anna Alvena (Hagerman) Harms, age 95, of WaKeeney, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2019, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.&nbsp; She was born March 28, 1924, in Pawnee County, Kansas, to Walter and Anna (Folkerts) Hagerman.Anna grew up on the family farm; she was proud to be a farmgirl.&nbsp;She graduated from Rozel High School.&nbsp;On September 12, 1948, she was united in marriage to Harry Harms in Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp;They enjoyed 55 years of marriage, until Harry’s death in October of 2003.&nbsp;Anna enjoyed the companionship of Jack Hardesty, who was by her side for nearly 9 years, until his passing.&nbsp; A proud homemaker, farmgirl at heart, and fun loving dancer, Anna could be found doing anything from making and fixing clothing, to canning food for family and friends, to tending her garden (especially her roses, or just having a great time on the dance floor at local events.&nbsp;She enjoyed her cards, especially pitch and pinochle, and was very active in church and Sunday school. Those left to mourn her passing are her children, Kenneth W. (Mary) Harms, of Shawnee, Kansas, and Elaine Conness, of WaKeeney; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Ramage of Atchison, Kansas, Christopher (Greta) Harms of Kansas City, Missouri, Ian Conness and Sean Conness, both of WaKeeney; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.&nbsp; She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry; her special companion, Jack; son-in-law, Robert R. Conness, Jr.; siblings, Velma Smith, Emma Marlett, and Louis “Bud” Hagerman; and several nieces and nephews. Family Hosted memorial services will take place at 10 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church with Reverend Nicholas Martinez as officiant.&nbsp;Private graveside inurnment will take place at Larned Cemetery. There will be no visitation, as cremation was chosen.&nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, LTC or Alzheimer’s Association of the Great Plains (<a href="http://www.alz.org/cwkansas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.alz.org/cwkansas</a>).&nbsp;Donations to the memorial may be made online or sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336, North 12th, WaKeeney, KS&nbsp;67672. Condolences may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By JAMES BELLHays Post A suspect who allegedly stole a pickup in Hays was arrested after a chase into Trego County early Tuesday morning. At 5:50 a.m., the Hays Police Department received a report of a red Ford F250 pickup that was taken from the 1200 block of Haney, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. A member of the Ellis County Sheriff's Office located the vehicle soon after and attempted to pull over the vehicle on the westbound lane of Interstate 70. After failing to stop, the suspect was pursued by members of the sheriff's office, HPD and the Kansas Highway Patrol. The chase reached speeds of over 90 mph. Stops sticks were successfully deployed and the driver — Ryan Alexander Hardey, 20, Hays — was arrested after stopping just inside Trego County on I-70, according to Scheibler. Hardey was taken into custody on suspicion of fleeing and eluding law enforcement, theft of a motor vehicle, and criminal damage to property. He has previous convictions of theft, burglary, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia from an incident in January in Marion County. In March 2018, Hardey was also convicted of contributing to the misconduct of minor, theft, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement from a Barton County incident in October 2017. The Kansas Department of Community Corrections lists Hardey as an absconder as of Nov. 20. Scheibler said Hardey should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Morning chase: Arrest made after truck stolen early Tuesday

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574785757519.jpeg">Martha F. Sessin, 93, Hays, died Sunday, November 24, 2019, at HaysMed. She was born November 29, 1925, on the family farm west of Hays, the daughter of Frank and Martha (Ploutz) Fogle.&nbsp;In October of 1964, she married Fred Sessin, Jr., and they celebrated 39 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on November 17, 2003.&nbsp;She was a hardworking farmer and farmwife and longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church.&nbsp;She enjoyed flower gardening, doing puzzles, and was very determined and faithful. Survivors include a son; Curt Sessin and wife Mary of Casper, WY, a daughter; Martha “Marty” Kennedy and husband David of Larned, a daughter-in-law; Karen Sessin of Los Angeles, CA, two granddaughters; Amber Hilton and fiance Andy McLain and Kaitlin Loberg, two grandsons; Cody Loberg and Billy Wahl, five great grandchildren; Hailie, Kailie, Danton, Mary, and Hunter, and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; Fred, a son; Kirk Sessin, and a sister; Bertha Fogle. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp;Burial will follow in Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery.&nbsp;Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until service time at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains.&nbsp;Condolences and memories of Martha may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Martha F. Sessin

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574720026967.png">White House photo WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. military dog that played a starring role in the raid that killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi seemed oblivious to the praise that President Donald Trump heaped on it Monday at the White House. Conan, a Belgian Malinois, seemed much more interested in the head scratches it was getting from Mike Pence, repeatedly looking up at the vice president in search of more attention.Trump used a slew of adjectives to describe Conan, which was injured when it was exposed to electric wires in the late October raid while chasing al-Baghdadi at the terrorist’s compound in northwest Syria. “Incredible.” “Brilliant.” “Smart.” “Ultimate fighter.” “Very special.” “Tough cookie.”“So this is Conan,” Trump said. “Right now, probably the world’s most famous dog.” Trump said he bestowed a medal on Conan and presented the dog with a plaque. First lady Melania Trump stood a few feet away.The president said initially Conan was going to be muzzled for the appearance, but Trump said he thought that would put the dog in attack mode. “He's not in a bad mood today,” Trump told dozens of reporters, cameramen and members of TV crews gathered in the Rose Garden. “So you’re safe.”Trump said he asked members of the U.S. special forces who met with him Monday if an unarmed man would stand a chance against Conan. He said the special forces, who could not appear in public, told him ‘No.”“Conan is really a hero,” Pence said, patting the dog on the head.___

Conan the dog gets hero’s welcome at White House after raid

Eugene Leonard Kleidosty died Saturday, November 23, 2019, at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Atwood, Kansas. He was born November 6, 1926, at the George Jr. Sattler farmstead, five miles northwest of Herndon, Kansas, the son of Mike and Carrie (Sattler) Kleidosty. He attended the Stoney School, first through fourth grades and then went to St. Mary’s School in Herndon, fifth through eighth grades. After eighth grade, Eugene, or Gener as he was fondly called by all his nieces and nephews, moved with his parents to the original John Kleidosty farm, which his parents had bought. Gene was a lifelong farmer and handyman. He raised wheat, alfalfa, hay and Hereford cattle. He retired from farming in 1982. He loved to garden and was known for raising large watermelons and cantaloupes. On October 4, 2008, Gene made the decision to move to town. He could no longer take care of the farm. Gene began making coffee in the mornings at a gathering place for the citizens of Herndon. He also enjoyed making bird houses and bird feeding stations for anyone who wanted them. He loved playing cards with his family, especially sheeps head and pitch. He even learned to play train dominoes. Gene is survived by his sister Eileen Portschy, of Herndon and nieces and nephews, Rita (Greg) Marintzer, Cheri Kastens and Dean (Deb) Portschy, all of Herndon, Joyce (Jim) Rich, of Arden, NC, Patsy Marintzer (Phil Timm) of Idalia, CO, Dianne Halam and Mike Halam, of California. Preceding him in death were his parents, Mike and Carrie Kleidosty; sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilma and Doug Bobinmyer and Helen and Joe Halam; brother-in-law Virgil Pete Portschy; niece Carol Kompus and nephew Doug Bobinmyer. Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 2, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Herndon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Herndon. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Atwood Good Samaritan, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Eugene Leonard Kleidosty

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574707309712.jpeg">Randy Lee Schmidt, 67, of Wilson, Kansas passed away on Friday, November 22, 2019 at Ellsworth County Medical Center, as the result of his long fight and battle with cancer for 19 years. Randy was born in Ellsworth, Kansas to Alvin and Ilene Schmidt on August 3, 1952. On March 18, 1983 he was united in marriage to Delores Heard. To this union two children were born: a son, Lee and a daughter, Ashley. Randy attended school in Dorrance and Wilson, graduating from Wilson High School with the class of 1970. After graduation, he went to work for two years for Dreiling Construction. In 1972 he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Riley. He was in the Army for 3 years as part of the Big Red 1, attaining the rank of Sargent. Randy was a machinist at Caschco for 43 years and seldom missed a day until he retired on October 11, 2019. Randy was an active member of American Legion Post 262, Sons of the American Legion, and Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wilson. Randy dearly loved his family. He stated that Delores and Lee were his rocks and Ashley was his angel. Randy is survived by his wife of 36 years, Delores; daughter, Ashley of Wilson; son, Lee (Kiley Demel) of Wilson; his beloved dog, Sophie Jo; brother, Robert Schmidt (Julie) of Beloit, Kansas; sister, Cindy Heinze (Steve) of Wilson; aunts, Patricia Dinkel and Joann Betts; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, several aunts and uncles, a great-niece, and a grand-dog, Sally Jane. A Memorial service will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2819 Avenue F, Wilson, Kansas. Inurnment will follow in the Wilson City Cemetery, weather permitting. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00PM until 8:00PM with a prayer service at 7:00PM at the funeral home in Wilson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to American Legion Post 262 or the Sons of the American Legion and may be sent in care Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, KS 67640. Condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com

Randy Lee Schmidt

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140802303.jpeg">BY JOHN P. TRETBAR Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $48 per barrel after dropping 75 cents on Friday. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a 13% increase in its weekly statewide Kansas Rig Count.&nbsp;There are nine active rigs in eastern Kansas, which is up one for the week, and 25 west of Wichita, which is up three from last week.&nbsp;Drilling is underway on one well in Ellis County and one in Russell County.&nbsp;Operators are about to spud a new well in Ellis County and another in Stafford County. Baker Hughes reported a drop of three oil rigs in the company's weekly rig count summary Friday. There are 803 active rigs in the U.S.&nbsp;Texas was down two rigs. The count in Canada was 137, up three.&nbsp; Regulators approved 25 permits for drilling at new locations across Kansas last week.&nbsp;That's 976 so far this year.&nbsp;There are six new drilling permits east of Wichita, and 19 in Western Kansas, including three in Barton County, one in Ellis County and one in Russell County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported 23 newly-completed wells statewide last week, four in eastern Kansas and 19 west of Wichita.&nbsp;There were two completed wells in Barton County, but both turned out to be dry holes.&nbsp;There was one producing well completed in Russell County. So far this year, operators have completed 1,268 new wells. The annual membership meeting of the Kansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association is December 11 at the Petroleum Club in Wichita.&nbsp;For more information, contact Kelly Rains at (316) 263-7297 , or go to their Web site at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kioga.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.kioga.org</a>. KIOGA is joining state regulators in support of three measures to facilitate the plugging of abandoned oil and gas wells. The Topeka Capital Journal reports KIOGA and the KCC support three bills expected during the upcoming legislative session.&nbsp;One measure would combine two existing funds, for plugging old and new wells, into one account.&nbsp;Another bill would define who is responsible for plugging wells.&nbsp;A third bill would allow the KCC to reimburse farmers and others for capping wells for which they have not been deemed responsible.&nbsp; The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a 1.4 million barrel increase in U.S. crude inventories, which rose to 450.4 million barrels. That's about three percent above the five-year average for this time of year. That's a smaller build than what was reported by the America Petroleum Institute on Tuesday, which sent prices down more than two percent. Traders reversed that course on Wednesday with a two percent increase in prices. U.S. oil producers continued record-pace output last week. The latest weekly total from the EIA showed domestic production of 12.782 million [["twelve point seven eight two million"]] barrels per day for the week ending November 15.&nbsp;That's just nine thousand barrels per day less than the all-time record set the week before. The government said U.S. crude-oil imports were up 222,000 barrels per day last week to six million barrels per day. The four-week average for U.S. imports was 6.1 million barrels per day, which is down 18% from the same period a year ago. The Bureau of Land Management is taking public comment on its next lease sale in the heart of the hottest oil-production regions in the world. BLM is accepting public input through December 9 on the sale next May of fossil-fuel leases in and around the Permian Basin. A total of 112 tracts of federally-owned land are nominated for lease in New Mexico and Texas.&nbsp; Officials say ConocoPhillips hopes to sell parts of its Alaska projects to offset risks and share the expenses of investments planned in the state. Alaska’s Energy Desk reported Thursday that the sale package includes old, new and unbuilt projects representing most of Conoco’s Alaska holdings. The government expects record output in December from the nation's major shale regions, but predicts continuing declines in the Eagle Ford shale of South Texas. The Energy Information Administration's latest Drilling Productivity Report predicts total U.S. crude oil output from seven shale formations will rise to a record high of 9.13 million barrels per day in December. But EIA said production in the Eagle Ford will drop by 14-thousand barrels per day in December to an average of 1.36 million barrels per day. That would be the fourth such decline in a row, and the lowest production since May in the Eagle Ford.&nbsp; Crude-oil production in North Dakota, the number-two producer in the nation, dropped by more than 40-thousand barrels per day in September.&nbsp;Regulators say wet weather was largely to blame. The Department of Mineral Resources reported preliminary production total of nearly 43.3 million barrels for the month, or more than 1.4 million barrels per day. That's down nearly 40-thousand barrels per day from the revised August total. DMR Director Lynn Helms said the best way to describe the month of September is "soggy." The National Weather Service reported eight inches of rain in Williston, marking that city's wettest September ever. The Bismarck Tribune reports that some heavy rainfall prompts some counties to place restrictions on gravel roads, which closes them to the heavy trucks used to service the oil patch. The United States is taking advantage, and market share, as Saudi Arabia raises its prices to India. OPEC's share of India's oil imports fell to 73% in October. Reuters reports that's down from the average of about 80%. Among those cutting into OPEC's share are the U.S., Iraq, and Nigeria. OPEC marked its steepest month-on-month production drop in more than fifteen years.&nbsp;Saudi exports decreased by 211,000 barrels per day in September, a month in which the kingdom's oil infrastructure was hit by military attacks. Total OPEC production dropped more than a million barrels per day from August to September to just shy of 29 million barrels per day. <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140802303.jpeg">

News From the Oil Patch, Nov. 25

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574350781439.png">Sportsman photo Shawnee County TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 41-year-old man who killed his estranged wife and her cousin has been sentenced to nearly 46 years in prison. Bradley Sportsman, of Hollenberg, was sentenced for the 2018 deaths of 28-year-old Lisa Sportsman and 17-year-old Jesse Polinskey, according to District Attorney Mike Kagay. Police say the victims were stabbed and beaten to death. Sportsman pleaded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f5474b72ed344b3db1a64c37f11a1250" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">guilty</a>&nbsp;in October to two counts of second-degree murder. One of his co-defendants, Matthew Hutto, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences with no chance of parole for 50 years, but he is seeking to withdraw his pleas. A third man, Richard Showalter, is scheduled for trial Dec. 9 on two counts of first-degree murder and several other charges.

Kan. man sentenced for violent murder of wife, her cousin

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574083378866.png"> Watters photo Jasper Co. KANSAS CITY (AP) — A woman whose husband’s body was found in a freezer denied him medical care as he battled terminal illness and blocked police and social workers from entering the home, fearing a doctor would take his brain for research, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. Barbara Watters, 67, of Joplin, told police her husband had Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive nervous system disease also known as ALS, police Capt. Nick Jimenez said. Watters had unspecified “mental disorders,” police said in an affidavit supporting the abandonment of a corpse charge they filed against her last week.Jimenez said there is no evidence to support Watters’ concerns that the department was helping a doctor who she suspected wanted the brain of her husband, Paul Barton, after he died. The abandonment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ca01eb1124834865ac6f70457b423b07" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 125, 165);">charge</a>, which is punishable by up to four years in prison, was filed after a witness told police that Barton had died on Dec. 30, 2018, and that his body had been in her freezer in his wife’s bedroom ever since, the affidavit said. Police, who contacted the witness while investigating an unrelated arson in the neighborhood, say an autopsy found no signs of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd76c23c68ce4cc0ac4d65f1967814fd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 125, 165);">foul play</a>&nbsp;in his death. Neither the witness nor the witness’ relationship to the couple has been released. Watters was freed Thursday on house arrest. Her attorney, Cobb Young, said that although she didn’t immediately report Barton’s death, the statute requires that the body be abandoned, and in this case, the body remained in the home. Young declined to comment on the reports that police and state officials had responded repeatedly to the home. “I have no knowledge of any of that,” he said. Police documents show that two Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services employees went to the couple’s home in June 2018 after receiving a report that Watters was prohibiting Barton from receiving care. The visit appears to be related to a voice message she left with a Joplin police officer in which she alleged that she had fired a Joplin doctor for what she described as medical malpractice and violating federal criminal law. The doctor cited in the report didn’t immediately return a phone message.Although she didn’t allow the state workers or police to enter the home, she wheeled Barton to the door so they could see him. The officer said that Barton looked “frail and sickly” but appeared to be breathing on his own and had no major bruising to suggest an assault. “Watters stated Barton was barely able to walk, could not speak, and could only answer yes and no questions with head nods,” the police report said. State workers expressed concerns that Watters wouldn’t let them talk to Barton about his care outside her presence. The officer asked her to allow Barton to come outside to the front porch, but she declined, “stating that she did not want to get beat up,” and asked them to leave. The officer said there weren’t grounds to enter the home because Barton didn’t appear to be in danger. An officer described the incident in a report as elder abuse and obstruction/resisting, although Jasper County prosecuting attorney Theresa Kenney said the charge that police submitted was interference with medical assistance. Several well-being checks followed at the couple’s home, including one in which police left after no one answered the door and were unable to see inside because there was aluminum foil on most of the windows. But when police returned in July, they were able to speak alone with Barton, who said he wasn’t interested in seeking treatment at a Kansas hospital but wanted to see a doctor. Police described him as appearing clean and well cared for. Watters confirmed that she would like to get Barton to see a doctor but was concerned. “She kept making mention of Paul’s body being used for research,” the report said. “She said they did not want his body to be taken apart. Barbara said due to them refusing to consent to research, they were having a hard time finding a doctor to help them.” After that prosecutors declined to file charges, the report shows.On Aug. 9, 2018, a woman who worked at a law firm told police that Watters had called the attorney’s office advising that someone had taken Barton for brain and spine harvesting and that Senior Services were involved. Two days later, Watters told police that she feared the department was helping a doctor who was taking care of her husband and wanted his brain for research, according to a report. In October 2018, Watters called to report that a homeless woman had assaulted her. Arriving officers spoke to the woman, who said that no assault had occurred, but that Watters had forced her to leave the home, where she was being paid to care for Barton. The woman said that Watters had been abusing Barton verbally and physically, leaving him on the toilet for 12 hours at a time, taking away his only means of communications as a punishment and calling him a child molester. The officer said an elder abuse hotline was contacted. It wasn’t immediately clear what was done. No charges were submitted to prosecutors as a result, Kenney said. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is barred from confirming or discussing investigations, said Jessica Bax, the agency’s director of the division of senior and disability services. She added that adult protective services workers don’t have the same authority to intervene as child welfare workers.Brandon West, a neighbor, said the couple mainly kept to themselves, and that Barton was rarely outside, so he didn’t notice that he was missing. “They weren’t crazy people,” he said. “She seemed normal when I talked to her. She seemed like an elderly lady living her life.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Records: Wife of man found in freezer feared doctors

🎥 UP 4014: A little bit of history in a big package

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574437394978.png">Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ivanka Trump on a visit to Wichita in October-photo courtesy Ivanka Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump appears to be opening the door for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to run for an open Senate seat in his home state of Kansas. Trump told “Fox &amp; Friends” on Friday that Pompeo “loves what he's doing” but if he thought “there was a chance of losing that seat, I think he would do that, and he would win in a landslide.” Many Republicans see Pompeo as their best candidate for preventing the race from becoming competitive in Kansas, where a Democrat hasn’t won a Senate seat since 1932.Pompeo has said he’ll remain secretary of state as long as Trump will have him. Ambassador Gordon Sondland testified in the House impeachment inquiry that Pompeo was kept informed of Trump’s effort to pressure Ukraine for investigations while military aid was withheld.

Trump: Pompeo might run for open Senate seat in Kansas

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574373322002.jpeg">Gary Paul Werth, 72, Hays, died Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at HaysMed. He was born October 15, 1947, in Hays, the son of Paul and Emmerentia (Haselhorst) Werth.&nbsp;In 1965 he graduated from Schoenchen High School.&nbsp; He was a United States Navy veteran serving on the USS Providence during the Vietnam War.&nbsp;He was a retired carpenter for Haselhorst Construction.&nbsp;&nbsp; On February 19, 1989, he was united in marriage to Lisa Harvey in Wichita.&nbsp;They celebrated 30 years of marriage.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the VFW.&nbsp;He loved fishing, watching Western movies, family gatherings, walking by the Smoky River, sitting on his porch enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with his grandson, Brody, who was his pride and joy.&nbsp;Gary’s kind heart, sense of humor, and positive outlook on life will be missed by many, always and forever. Survivors include his wife, Lisa of the home in Hays, beloved daughter;&nbsp;Kye Werth of Hays, daughter; Kim Sallens of Nebraska, a son; Travis Werth and wife Christy of Colorado Springs, CO, four brothers; Arlen Werth and wife Gay of Great Bend, Ivan Werth and wife Shirley of Hays, Wayne Werth and companion Mary of Hutchinson, Alton Werth and wife Terri of Pittsburg, TX, five sisters; Marilyn Leiker and husband Alex of Hays, Donna Jacobs and husband Rob of McCook, NE, Carolyn Windholz and husband Wayne of Victoria, Joan Rogers of Tyler, TX, and Ellen Montgomery and husband Tom of Hays, a sister-in-law; Irene Werth of Kanopolis, a grandson; Brody Paul Hines of Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law; Dr. Elaine and Bernard Harvey, a daughter; Misty Werth, a brother; Firman Werth, and two brothers-in-law; Norman Klaus and Jerry Rogers. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, November 25, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen.&nbsp;&nbsp;Burial will follow with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard in the St. Anthony Cemetery.&nbsp;Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 8:30 am until 9:30 on Monday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp;A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.&nbsp;&nbsp;Memorials are suggested to the family wishes.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Gary may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Gary Paul Werth

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574284527507.png">July 20, 2019 at Kwik Shop 1107 SW 6th Street in Topeka.&nbsp; Kansas City – The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the individuals involved in multiple commercial robberies that are believed to be related. The robberies occurred between July 2019 and November 2019 at convenience stores, gas stations and “dollar stores” in the greater Topeka area, according to a media release. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible. <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574284573932.png">October 15, 2019 at Dollar General 1001 SW Fairlawn Road&nbsp;in Topeka In all of the robberies, the suspects enter the business, display a weapon and make a verbal demand for cash. The suspects are described as three black males, approximately 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-10 inches tall, skinny build, wearing dark colored clothing and gloves. A Halloween mask or bandana is used to cover their faces. Members of the public are cautioned not to confront these individuals but to contact law enforcement immediately as they should be considered armed and dangerous.Anyone with information regarding the identity or location of these individuals should contact the FBI Topeka Office at (785) 231-1700 or the FBI Kansas City Division at 816-512-8200.&nbsp;

FBI offers reward for information on Kan. robbery suspects

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574286777144.jpeg">SGM Retired Robert K. “Bob” Glynn, 92, died November 19, 2019, at his home in Hoisington. He was born October 2, 1927, in Hoisington, Kansas, the son of Thomas Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Fitts) Glynn. He worked for the US Postal Service and then the Department of Defense where he retired as a Sergeant Major. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, was a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, and was also a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. On April 12, 1949, he married Marlene Nettleingham, they later divorced. On March 14, 1964, he married Mickie Thomas, in Hoisington. She preceded him in death on March 12, 2008. Survivors include; a son, Hilton Glynn and wife Marie of Hoisington; son-in-law, Dan Esfeld of Hoisington; four grandchildren; Erin Hemphill and husband Brandon, Hayley Oswald, Jason Esfeld and wife Cindy, and Vania Earp; and nine great grandchildren, Addy and Avery Hemphill, Valerie Oswald, Dalton, Logan, and Megan Esfeld, and Peyton, Reagan, and Leah Earp. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mickie Glynn, a daughter, Sherie Esfeld; siblings, Tommy Glynn, Mildred Ehrlich, Virginia Morris, John Glynn, Dorothy Degner, and Mary June Little. Friends may call Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. and Monday, 1 to 8 p.m., with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Vigil and Rosary will begin at 7 p.m., all at the funeral home. Casket will be closed per Bob’s wishes. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP. Burial with military rites will follow in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington. Memorials may be made to the Hoisington Library, the Hoisington Food Bank, or the Hoisington Ministerial Alliance in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

SGM Retired Robert K. 'Bob' Glynn

Brian Friesen, 36, of Colby, died Saturday, November 16, 2019. He was born October 11, 1983, in Colby, Kansas, to Jon and Ann Friesen. He graduated from Colby High School in May 2002 and from Kansas State University in May 2007, with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. Brian was a devoted father and loving son, farming with his mother and father on their grain farm in Colby. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sam and Juanita Friesen and Will and Elaine Sander. He is survived by his children, Riley, Colin and Dylan, of Colby; parents, Jon and Ann Friesen, of Colby; sisters, Ashley Bridgeman (Jeremy, of Newton, Kansas and Katie Friesen, of Ames, Iowa and niece and nephews, Izzie, Aiden and Thomas Bridgeman, of Newton, Kansas. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM, Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with a Vigil Rosary at 7 PM. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, November 22, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Brian Friesen Memorial Fund, sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby KS 67701. Condolences may be expressed online at www.baalmanmortuary.com.

Brian Friesen

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574263805030.jpeg">Melinda Jean Sporing, age 60 of Colby, Kansas, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family Monday, November 18, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. She was born September 3, 1959, in Denver, Colorado to Luke Steinman Jr. and Wilda Jean (Chinn) Steinman.&nbsp; Melinda married Ronald D. Sporing on October 15, 1982 in Yuma, Colorado. Melinda and Ron lived between Goodland, KS, Denver, and parts of Eastern Colorado before settling in Haxtun, CO for 25 years.&nbsp;They then lived on farms near Holyoke, CO and Imperial, NE before moving to Colby, KS in March of 2019.&nbsp;In addition to caring for the many family members and friends that came into her life, Melinda was a paraeducator assisting those with special needs. Melinda is survived by her husband, Ronald D. Sporing; three sons, Kenneth Holiman and wife, Sheryle, Windsor, CO: Robert Steinman and wife, Faustina, Lincoln, NE; Ronald Sporing, Colby, KS; two daughters, Mindy Machlan, Denver, CO; Jensina Sporing, Colby, KS; her mother, Wilda Jean Benson, Haxtun, CO; two brothers, Dan Steinman, Camarillo, CA; Mark Steinman, Omaha, NE; one sister, Kim Steinman, Emerson, IA; 19 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.&nbsp; Melinda was preceded in death by her father, Luke Steinman Jr.; one son, Curtis Sporing; one brother, Robert Dean Steinman; and one sister-in-law, Cheryl Steinman. A private family memorial service and inurnment will be held at a later date.&nbsp; Memorials can be made to the Ronald D. Sporing Family. Services are entrusted to Clines-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.&nbsp; Condolences can be sent via email to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left by guestbook at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;

Melinda Jean Sporing

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574258820240.jpeg">William "Bill" Auman was born October 24, 1945, and worked, lived and loved with all his might until passing away on November 16, 2019. He was a fighter his whole life, overcoming countless obstacles and always believing that he could prevail. “If man made it, I can fix it” was his moniker. Bill adored his wife Vicky, his two children and four grandchildren. He enjoyed the outdoors: scouting, camping, boating, hunting, and spending time with family. He was born in St. Francis, Kansa,s to Lucile (Hirscheler) Auman. Bill graduated Wichita Heights in 1963. He married his high school sweetheart and gorgeous wife, Vicky (Sweasy) Auman, on May 8, 1965, in Wichita, KS. They moved to Hays, Kansas, in 1975, and started The Auman Company Plumbing, Heating and Air. Bill worked long hours, alongside Vicky, to build a thriving business. They sold the business upon retirement and moved to Newton, Kansas, to be closer to friends and siblings. In Newton, Bill became a Master Gardener and worked diligently at the Harvey County Master Gardeners Community Garden. He prided himself on the tens of thousands of pounds of produce raised to feed those in need in Harvey County. In late spring 2019, Bill and Vicky moved to Manhattan to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Bill loved visits with grandchildren at Meadowlark Hills’ Wroten House where he lived for the last six months of his life. Throughout his life, Bill put others before himself. He had a passion for sharing his expertise and growing and developing others. He leaves behind wife, Vicky; children, son Troy (and Erin) Auman, and daughter D.C. (and Jeremiah) Hackerott; and grandchildren Riley and Caleb Auman, and Uriah and Jaina Hackerott. He joins his mother Lucile Auman, his sister Luella Petrillo, and his brother-in-law and best friend Larry Sweasy. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 6:30 pm at Yorgensen Meloan Londeen (YML) Funeral home in Manhattan, KS. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, Nov 21 at 10 am at YML with burial to follow at Valley View Memorial Park on Highway 24, east of Manhattan. Memorial contributions can be made to the Meadowlark Good Samaritan Fund in Bill’s name. The fund is used to assist those in need of long term care who cannot afford to pay for it. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.&nbsp;

William 'Bill' Auman

By JOHN HANNA and ROXANA HEGEMAN WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kris Kobach isn’t fazed that fellow Republicans worry he’s unpopular or too brash in pushing his hard-right views to keep Kansas’ open Senate seat in GOP hands next year. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others are so concerned that they’ve spent months urging Mike Pompeo, a former Kansas congressman,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8ad38411f0644c88a6cabf5d80f8d349" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">to step down as U.S. secretary of state</a>&nbsp;and run for the seat Republican Sen. Pat Roberts is leaving. Pompeo in the race would make it far more difficult for Kobach to win the GOP primary in August. But <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&amp;v=K8OWFiUGCp8&amp;feature=emb_logo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kobach, the former Kansas secretary</a> of state, isn’t softening his rhetoric or putting less focus on the tough immigration policies that built his national profile. He’s tripling down — and deriding critics as “weak Republicans” seeking a “malleable” senator. “One main reason Republican voters have supported me in the past is that I haven’t waffled,” Kobach said during an interview. Republican leaders worry about red-state losses that include the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/357f0e6196414923acee9ee7aebdf8b8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">Kentucky</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ecad2990a83b4d84af821ba6cbdb7d91" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">Louisiana</a>&nbsp;governors’ races this year. Setbacks in 2018 included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/32816d964acc49e188c9de18b9acb3b9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">Kobach’s loss</a>&nbsp;to Democrat Laura Kelly in the Kansas governor’s race. Still, Kobach appeals to many conservative GOP voters, and the speculation about Pompeo is a sign that Kobach has a good chance of winning the Senate primary if Pompeo doesn’t jump in. If Kobach had no political base, top Republicans in Washington would not be wooing Pompeo, said Kelly Arnold, a former Kansas GOP chairman. “This seat would no longer be a priority on their list because they’d know it’s in good hands here in Kansas,” Arnold said. All the major GOP candidates for Roberts’ seat support Trump’s wall along the U.S.-Mexican border, defend the president, and oppose abortion and gun control. What makes Kobach different is how aggressive he is about poking his critics. “It’s likability and then, touching-third-rail, caustic comments that drive controversy and nothing else,” said Doug Heye, a GOP consultant in Washington. “Yeah, Donald Trump can do it, but not everybody’s Donald Trump.” Yet for all the GOP concerns, Kobach’s brand still sells on the right — where the party’s primary races are waged.“I like a fighter, someone like Donald Trump,” said Sandy Connary, a 66-year-old retired county clerk who attended a Kobach fundraiser in Wichita last week. “He is a known quantity. I know him. I trust him.”Critics of Kobach’s aggressiveness often reference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/618684029df54c9f8705a6b8ea08cbc5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">an iconic jeep</a>&nbsp;he used in the governor’s race for summer and fall parades with a replica machine gun on back. Kobach called criticism of it a “snowflake meltdown.”“He knew that, that bothered people,” said Tim Shallenburger, another former Kansas GOP chairman and an ex-state treasurer. “He kind of flaunted it.” The Wichita fundraiser last week featured David Clarke, the cowboy-hat-wearing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/92a8f5a5527b4c16b976f1d36156b319" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">ex-Milwaukee sheriff</a>&nbsp;who has likened the Black Lives Matter movement to terrorism. Clarke urged the audience of 60 or so people to recapture their anger from 2016. Kobach has also had fundraisers with ex-White House aide Steve Bannon and conservative commentator Ann Coulter. A 2018 event’s headliner was gun-rights rocker Ted Nugent. Kobach is a board member and lawyer for a group collecting funds for the border wall and attempting to build parts of it on its own. He upped the ante on border security with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/11/07/kobach-the-case-for-u-s-military-action-against-the-cartels/?fbclid=IwAR2ai7E48szMZdw7kI1yNagqWS2Wgl75TR4dWN7OKKTW7ic41dn43G9GQA0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">a recent column</a>&nbsp;arguing for American military strikes on drug cartels inside Mexico. He rouses Democrats and liberal activists like no other Republican in Kansas. An&nbsp;<a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/1910-bb-d2d?refcode=1910-search&amp;recurring=auto&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrpa4pbXq5QIVCZ2zCh0_1Qn4EAAYASAAEgLOhPD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">online fundraising site</a>&nbsp;for Democrats’ top Senate candidate, state Sen. Barbara Bollier, features Kobach’s picture and says, “we can beat him again in 2020.” Kobach’s GOP rivals include U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall of western Kansas, Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, and Dave Lindstrom, a Kansas City-area businessman and former Kansas City Chiefs player. Wagle took her own fact-finding trip to the border this summer and argues that private wall-building isn’t the proper way to handle border security. Complaints filed by watchdog group Common Cause accuse Kobach of illegally mixing fundraising for the group and his campaign, something he denies. Kobach has lagged Marshall, Wagle and Lindstrom in campaign cash. He didn’t fill the room at his Wichita event because some of the 100 people who RSVP’d stayed away in the chilly weather. And Scott Reed, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s chief political strategist, called Kobach “a stone-cold loser.” “It’s not his positions,” said Reed, who managed Kansas Republican icon Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign. “It’s his history as a candidate and the fact that he came up way short.” Some Republicans worry Kobach can’t win over moderate GOP voters in a general election after spending two decades&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/84a552fa0a464c6d9dae4bc36bb7c1fb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">focusing on illegal immigration</a>&nbsp;as his core issue. In the governor’s race, Kobach made a migrant caravan moving through Mexico an issue during a late October debate and ran&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/an%20ad" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">an ad</a>&nbsp;featuring footage from Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show. Bob Beatty, a Washburn University of Topeka political scientist, doubted other Republicans would go as far in playing to fears about illegal immigration. Yet support for a tough stance on illegal immigration is widespread within the GOP. A September AP-NORC poll showed about 8 in 10 Republicans nationally expressed approval of Trump’s job handling immigration. “Kobach almost owns the immigration issue in a way that nobody else can,” said Patrick Miller, a University of Kansas political scientist. Strong criticism of Kobach helps him with some voters. Glen Burdue, a 73-year-old machine shop worker in a small town south of Wichita, said he likes Kobach partly because Kobach “has taken the most flack” for conservative views. Vaughn Fox, a 72-year-old retired Wichita automobile dealer, doesn’t see Kobach as too strident.“Not for true conservative Republicans,” he said.

Kobach’s brand still sells with GOP in Senate race in Kansas

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574203877972.jpeg">Cory French, 43, passed away October 5, 2019 in WaKeeney, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp; He was born April 3, 1976, to Sandra and David French, in Wichita, Kansas. Cory moved every few years for 16 years of his life, before his father retired from the Air Force in 1992 and moved the family to Wakeeney.&nbsp;After graduating High School in 1994, Cory had quite a few different jobs ranging from Machining, Welding, Construction, and Farming. In his spare time he really enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending all of his time with his dog Buddy.&nbsp; Survivors include, two brothers, Lance and wife Mu of Pasadena, Maryland, Gary and wife Kristin of Steamboat Springs Colorado; sister, Melanie and husband Aj Shehata, of Junction City Kansas; two nephews, Kennan French, Caidan French; and three nieces Michaella French, Layla Shehata, &amp; Alina Shehata. Cory was preceded in death by his parents, Sandra French and David French, a Niece Caitlynn Morrison, and his grandparents Duane and Elaine Newcomer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Christ the King Catholic Church, or the American Diabetes Association (<a href="http://wwww.diabetes.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wwww.diabetes.org</a>). Contributions can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St, Wakeeney, KS 67672 or left on the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.diabetes.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.diabetes.org</a> Services will be held at a later date.&nbsp;

Cory French

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574194551935.jpeg">Anita M. (Kuhn) Karlin, age 83, of Hays, Kansas died Monday, November 18, 2019.She was born July 10, 1936, in Quinter, Kansas to Paul A. and Josephine (Engel) Kuhn.&nbsp;Anita married Edward J. Karlin on October 26, 1957, in Catharine, Kansas.&nbsp;He preceded her in death on June 6, 2016. She was a Registered Nurse at St. Anthony Hospital and Hays Medical Center for 33 years.&nbsp;She grew up in Grainfield, Kansas, was a 1954 graduate of Jumbo High School in rural Gove County, and was a 1957 graduate of St. Anthony School of Nursing.&nbsp;She and her husband lived on a farm north of Catharine, Kansas until moving to Hays in 1995. She was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church. Survivors include three daughters, Marie Wade and husband, Don, Dodge City, KS;Lisa Karlin, Hays, KS; Patti Havel and husband, Corey, Leavenworth, KS; four grandchildren, Taylor Wade and wife, Emma; Samuel Culbreath and wife, Heather; Alex Karlin; and Grant Karlin. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one daughter, Martha Culbreath and her husband, Leroy; and one brother, Richard Kuhn. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 23, 2019, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 East 13th Street, Hays, Kansas.&nbsp;Inurnment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with a family rosary being said at 9:30 A.M. The family suggests memorials to Hospice of Hays Medical Center or Masses. Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.&nbsp; Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left by guestbook at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;