SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting are asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.

Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.

On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082021069.png" alt="Serrano-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Serrano-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting are asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082583370.png" alt="Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

Police: Search continues for suspect in month-old killing

Tyler Warren Winn, Hill City, Kansas, was tragically taken from his loving family November 9, 2023, in rural Sheridan County, Kansas. He was born May 6, 1993, to Allen and Debra (Smith) Winn in San Angelo, Texas. He was one of five siblings and the only son. 

Although Tyler moved to Kansas in 2016, he was a true Texan. “You can take the Texan out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the Texan.”

Tyler graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 2011 where he was active in the Mariachi band playing the Guitarron. 

He loved working with his hands and even competed in the Texas Skills USA building trades competition. 

Tyler had many hobbies including: playing the guitar, putting puzzles together, video gaming, holding a black belt in Karate, and upcycling junk parts into artwork. He was very intrigued by wiring systems and was attending Arizona State University working toward his electrical engineering degree. His true passion, though, was cars and trucks. This love began with the purchase of his 1979 Z28 Camaro when he was 16.

Right out of high school Tyler followed in his father’s footsteps and began working in the Texas oilfields. His true calling became clear to him after landing a job as a lube tech in the Chevy House. It wasn’t long before he was a GM-certified technician. 

After moving to Kansas, Tyler met the love of his life, Stephanie Wands. Following a few twists and turns, which included their firstborn, Ryder in 2019, Tyler began working as a diesel technician and opened his own automotive shop, LoneStar Auto. When they found out they were expecting a second son, Raysson, in 2021, the decision was made to move closer to their family in Hill City, Kansas. Tyler began working as a John Deere technician for BTI in Hoxie, Kansas. Life had one more blessing for them in 2022 when Daddy’s Princess, RhyAnne, was born. On October 15, 2022, Tyler and Stephanie finally tied the knot.

Tyler was only a member of the Hill City Community for 2 ½ years, but his impact will be felt for years to come. He was vice president of the Graham County Auto and Art Museum where he organized and pulled off the biggest car show the community had ever hosted. He showed northwest Kansas how a burnout contest was meant to be done and was already planning the second annual car show. 

A toy drive in Hill City has been established to honor his legacy as this was something Tyler and Stephanie were organizing. 

Tyler was a member of the Hoxie Hotrodders Lions Club and was very active in the Salina, Kansas car scene. He was the guy other car guys called when they couldn’t figure out something. He was always quick with advice and willing to teach others. Tyler was never idle. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and to reach the goals he constantly set for himself.

Tyler is survived by his loving wife Stephanie Winn and his children, Ryder, Raysson, and RhyAnne of Hill City, Kansas; his father Allen Winn and his sisters Jaime Maldanado, Haley Winn, Allison (Joe) Martin, and Holly Winn of Texas; and his grandmother, Sue Smith of Michigan. He is also survived by his grandmother-in-law Sandra Veh; his mother and father-in-law Jami (Lonnie) Sprinkle and Todd (Leslie) Wands; his brothers-in-law River (Craig) Ledet, Riley (Zoey) Wands, Tate (Skylar) Wands, and Jaran (Jordyn) Clark, along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who were like family. 

Tyler was preceded in death by his mother, Debra Winn, his paternal grandparents, his maternal grandfather, and his grandfather-in-law John Veh.

Tyler was a devoted, loving, and affectionate husband and father. His absence will be felt for many years to come. 

A celebration for Tyler’s Last Ride will be on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in Hill City, Kansas at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Everyone is invited to the dinner following the service, allowing all to socialize and share stories and memories. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Winn Family Memorial for the Betterment of Graham County in c/o First State Bank or Stinemetz Funeral Home. There will be bins available at Tyler’s service for donations to the toy drive.

To&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29857949&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1700086866.133.0.1700086871.55.0.0&amp;mtph=1">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family or&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/memorial-tree?oId=29857949&amp;tag=&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1700086866.133.0.1700086871.55.0.0&amp;mtph=1">plant a tree</a>&nbsp;in memory of Tyler, please&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29857949&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1700086866.133.0.1700086871.55.0.0&amp;mtph=1">visit our floral store.</a>

<h2>Tyler Warren Winn, Hill City</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700086924178.png" alt="Tyler Warren Winn" />
 <figcaption>Tyler Warren Winn</figcaption>
 </figure>May 6, 1993 - November 9, 2023Tyler Warren Winn, Hill City, Kansas, was tragically taken from his loving family November 9, 2023, in rural Sheridan County, Kansas. He was born May 6, 1993, to Allen and Debra (Smith) Winn in San Angelo, Texas. He was one of five siblings and the only son. Although Tyler moved to Kansas in 2016, he was a true Texan. “You can take the Texan out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the Texan.”Tyler graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 2011 where he was active in the Mariachi band playing the Guitarron. He loved working with his hands and even competed in the Texas Skills USA building trades competition. Tyler had many hobbies including: playing the guitar, putting puzzles together, video gaming, holding a black belt in Karate, and upcycling junk parts into artwork. He was very intrigued by wiring systems and was attending Arizona State University working toward his electrical engineering degree. His true passion, though, was cars and trucks. This love began with the purchase of his 1979 Z28 Camaro when he was 16.Right out of high school Tyler followed in his father’s footsteps and began working in the Texas oilfields. His true calling became clear to him after landing a job as a lube tech in the Chevy House. It wasn’t long before he was a GM-certified technician. After moving to Kansas, Tyler met the love of his life, Stephanie Wands. Following a few twists and turns, which included their firstborn, Ryder in 2019, Tyler began working as a diesel technician and opened his own automotive shop, LoneStar Auto. When they found out they were expecting a second son, Raysson, in 2021, the decision was made to move closer to their family in Hill City, Kansas. Tyler began working as a John Deere technician for BTI in Hoxie, Kansas. Life had one more blessing for them in 2022 when Daddy’s Princess, RhyAnne, was born. On October 15, 2022, Tyler and Stephanie finally tied the knot.Tyler was only a member of the Hill City Community for 2 ½ years, but his impact will be felt for years to come. He was vice president of the Graham County Auto and Art Museum where he organized and pulled off the biggest car show the community had ever hosted. He showed northwest Kansas how a burnout contest was meant to be done and was already planning the second annual car show. A toy drive in Hill City has been established to honor his legacy as this was something Tyler and Stephanie were organizing. Tyler was a member of the Hoxie Hotrodders Lions Club and was very active in the Salina, Kansas car scene. He was the guy other car guys called when they couldn’t figure out something. He was always quick with advice and willing to teach others. Tyler was never idle. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and to reach the goals he constantly set for himself.Tyler is survived by his loving wife Stephanie Winn and his children, Ryder, Raysson, and RhyAnne of Hill City, Kansas; his father Allen Winn and his sisters Jaime Maldanado, Haley Winn, Allison (Joe) Martin, and Holly Winn of Texas; and his grandmother, Sue Smith of Michigan. He is also survived by his grandmother-in-law Sandra Veh; his mother and father-in-law Jami (Lonnie) Sprinkle and Todd (Leslie) Wands; his brothers-in-law River (Craig) Ledet, Riley (Zoey) Wands, Tate (Skylar) Wands, and Jaran (Jordyn) Clark, along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who were like family. Tyler was preceded in death by his mother, Debra Winn, his paternal grandparents, his maternal grandfather, and his grandfather-in-law John Veh.Tyler was a devoted, loving, and affectionate husband and father. His absence will be felt for many years to come. A celebration for Tyler’s Last Ride will be on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in Hill City, Kansas at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Everyone is invited to the dinner following the service, allowing all to socialize and share stories and memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Winn Family Memorial for the Betterment of Graham County in c/o First State Bank or Stinemetz Funeral Home. There will be bins available at Tyler’s service for donations to the toy drive.To&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29857949&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1700086866.133.0.1700086871.55.0.0&amp;mtph=1">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family or&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/memorial-tree?oId=29857949&amp;tag=&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1700086866.133.0.1700086871.55.0.0&amp;mtph=1">plant a tree</a>&nbsp;in memory of Tyler, please&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29857949&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1700086866.133.0.1700086871.55.0.0&amp;mtph=1">visit our floral store.</a>

Tyler Warren Winn

Maudene L. Fakes, 92, passed away November 14, 2023 at Hodgeman County Health Center, Jetmore.

She was born October 4, 1931 in Jetmore, the daughter of Roy and Estella Elizabeth Bickel Corey. &nbsp;

A lifetime area resident, she was a food service supervisor for twenty-five years at the Fort Dodge Kansas Soldiers’ Home.

She was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Jetmore and the V.F.W. Auxiliary, Dodge City.

She married Howard Schlereth and then later married Mervin Fakes.

Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Guthrie, Sandy Hendrickson and Deanna Unruh, all of Jetmore; two stepchildren, Connie Yeager, MO and Dennis Fakes, AL; brother, Verle (Donna) Corey, Pueblo, CO; sister, Katy Johnson, Hugoton; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by Howard Schlereth and Mervin Fakes; son, Gregory Schlereth; brother, Roy Corey and two sisters, Laura Law and Opal Gibbs.

Cremation has taken place and a service will be at a later date.

Memorials may be given to Hodgeman County Health Center in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663, Jetmore, KS 67854.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Maudene L. Fakes, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.beckwithmortuary.com/obituary/maudene-fakes/gifts?campaign=obituaryInline-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>Maudene L. Fakes, Jetmore</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700085539655.jpeg" alt="Maudene L. Fakes" />
 <figcaption>Maudene L. Fakes</figcaption>
 </figure>October 4, 1931 - November 14, 2023Maudene L. Fakes, 92, passed away November 14, 2023 at Hodgeman County Health Center, Jetmore.She was born October 4, 1931 in Jetmore, the daughter of Roy and Estella Elizabeth Bickel Corey. &nbsp;A lifetime area resident, she was a food service supervisor for twenty-five years at the Fort Dodge Kansas Soldiers’ Home.She was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Jetmore and the V.F.W. Auxiliary, Dodge City.She married Howard Schlereth and then later married Mervin Fakes.Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Guthrie, Sandy Hendrickson and Deanna Unruh, all of Jetmore; two stepchildren, Connie Yeager, MO and Dennis Fakes, AL; brother, Verle (Donna) Corey, Pueblo, CO; sister, Katy Johnson, Hugoton; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by Howard Schlereth and Mervin Fakes; son, Gregory Schlereth; brother, Roy Corey and two sisters, Laura Law and Opal Gibbs.Cremation has taken place and a service will be at a later date.Memorials may be given to Hodgeman County Health Center in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663, Jetmore, KS 67854.&nbsp;&nbsp;To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Maudene L. Fakes, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.beckwithmortuary.com/obituary/maudene-fakes/gifts?campaign=obituaryInline-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

Maudene L. Fakes

Police ask for help to find suspect in month-old Kan. killing

Ferdinand “Fred” Werth, Jr., 85, died November 13, 2023, at The Arbors, Hutchinson. He was born October 3, 1938, in La Crosse, to Ferdinand and Lidwina Lydia (Hepp) Werth, Sr.

Fred graduated from Great Bend High School in 1958 and served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1965. During his service in the Navy, Fred designed and built bombing range targets. &nbsp;He retired as a welder with Krause Plow in South Hutchinson. 

Fred enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking, his Harley Davidson, and working on his Chevy truck. 

He was a devout Catholic, attending Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson. Fred also participated yearly in the Hutchinson Christmas Parade Toys for Tots Motorcycle Drive.&nbsp;

Fred married Virginia “Ginger” Stutzman in November 2003. &nbsp;She passed away April 28, 2020.

Fred is survived by his brother, Vernon (Diana) Werth of Colorado; his children, Katherine (Eugene) Wilbourn of Oklahoma and Michael J (Misty) Werth of Kansas; stepsons John (Amanda) and Chris (Gayle) Stutzman of Kansas; grandchildren Tiffani (Robert) Glen, Kayla (Aaron) Butler, Megan (Lloyd) Welch, all of Oklahoma, Jesseca (John) Brady of Virginia, Ashley (John) Rios of Texas, Sydney Werth of Arizona, and Jordan Werth of Kansas; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand and Lydia Werth; his brother, Robert; and his wife, Ginger.

Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2023, followed by the funeral liturgy at 10:30 a.m., all at Elliott Mortuary, with both led by Father Eric M. Weldon. The family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time Friday at Elliott Mortuary. &nbsp;Graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Liebenthal, KS, with military honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard.&nbsp;

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS &nbsp;67501.

<h2>Ferdinand 'Fred' Werth</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700069842476.jpeg" alt="Ferdinand 'Fred' Werth" />
 <figcaption>Ferdinand 'Fred' Werth</figcaption>
 </figure>October 3, 1938 - November 13, 2023Ferdinand “Fred” Werth, Jr., 85, died November 13, 2023, at The Arbors, Hutchinson. He was born October 3, 1938, in La Crosse, to Ferdinand and Lidwina Lydia (Hepp) Werth, Sr.Fred graduated from Great Bend High School in 1958 and served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1965. During his service in the Navy, Fred designed and built bombing range targets. &nbsp;He retired as a welder with Krause Plow in South Hutchinson. Fred enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking, his Harley Davidson, and working on his Chevy truck. He was a devout Catholic, attending Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson. Fred also participated yearly in the Hutchinson Christmas Parade Toys for Tots Motorcycle Drive.&nbsp;Fred married Virginia “Ginger” Stutzman in November 2003. &nbsp;She passed away April 28, 2020.Fred is survived by his brother, Vernon (Diana) Werth of Colorado; his children, Katherine (Eugene) Wilbourn of Oklahoma and Michael J (Misty) Werth of Kansas; stepsons John (Amanda) and Chris (Gayle) Stutzman of Kansas; grandchildren Tiffani (Robert) Glen, Kayla (Aaron) Butler, Megan (Lloyd) Welch, all of Oklahoma, Jesseca (John) Brady of Virginia, Ashley (John) Rios of Texas, Sydney Werth of Arizona, and Jordan Werth of Kansas; and 10 great-grandchildren.Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand and Lydia Werth; his brother, Robert; and his wife, Ginger.Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2023, followed by the funeral liturgy at 10:30 a.m., all at Elliott Mortuary, with both led by Father Eric M. Weldon. The family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time Friday at Elliott Mortuary. &nbsp;Graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Liebenthal, KS, with military honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard.&nbsp;In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS &nbsp;67501.

Ferdinand 'Fred' Werth

WILMINGTON, Del. – After a chaotic opening to the 2023-24 season among teams in the NABC Preseason Top 25 Poll, the Fort Hays State men's basketball team has emerged with the No. 16 national ranking in the first edition of the D2CSC Top 25 Poll. The ranking is the highest for the program in the D2CSC (formerly D2SIDA) Poll, which began in 2014-15, even though the Tigers have been ranked No. 1 in the NABC Poll several times throughout program history.

Fort Hays State was among the receiving votes section in the NABC Preseason Top 25 Poll released back on October 31. The first regular season edition of that poll will release on November 21. But, gauging where the Tigers were in relation to other Central Region teams in that poll, a bunch of losses among ranked teams in the region and nationwide were a key factor in the Tigers elevating quickly in the first edition of the D2CSC Top 25 Poll. The D2CSC poll is voted on by a panel of Athletic Communications professionals nationwide.

Looking at the NABC Preseason Top 25 among Central Region teams, No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri State took a loss and sits at 1-1. No. 12 ranked Minnesota Duluth is 0-2 on the season. No. 20 ranked Emporia State is 3-1 overall, taking a loss to a team in the Top 10. No. 21 Northern State is off to an 0-2 start. The shakeup was not just among Central Region teams. Several ranked teams from other regions took early season blemishes on their records as well, precipitating a poll that looks vastly different than the NABC Preseason Poll.

Central Oklahoma, ranked No. 9 in the NABC Poll, opened its season 2-0 and sits at No. 3 now in the first D2CSC Poll. Minnesota State and Fort Hays State were both among the receiving votes section of the NABC Poll, but vaulted quickly in the D2CSC Poll after 2-0 starts. Minnesota State is now No. 11 and FHSU is No. 16. Northwest Missouri State (No. 22) and Emporia State (No. 24) give the Central Region five teams in the first edition of the D2CSC Poll.

With the season still being young, volatility in the D2CSC Poll is common, but the Tigers are back in the D2CSC Top 25 for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

Fort Hays State will have a strong road test at MSU Denver this Sunday (Nov. 19) in Colorado before returning to Hays for its first home game on Tuesday, November 21 against Central Christian College.

D2CSC Top 25 Poll for November 14, 2023 Rank&nbsp; School&nbsp; PTS&nbsp; RECORD 1. West Liberty (5) 341 (2-0)&nbsp; 2. Nova Southeastern (9) 339 (2-0) 3. Central Oklahoma 327 (4-0) 4. West Texas A&amp;M (1) 312 )3-0) 5. Lincoln Memorial 261 (2-1) 6. Augusta 258 (2-0) 7. West Georgia 228 (2-0) 8. Indianapolis 220 (1-1) 9. Saint Martin's 213 (2-0) 10. Cal State San Bernardino 210 (2-0) 11. Minnesota State 206 (2-0) 12. Bentley 203 (2-1) 13. Dallas Baptist 196 (2-0) 14. Chico State 181 (2-0) 15. East Stroudsburg 163( 2-0) T16. Fort Hays State 135 (2-0) T16. North Georgia 135 (2-0) 18. Ferris State 116 (2-0) 19. Ashland 101 (1-0) T20. Auburn-Montgomery 91 (2-0) T20. St. Thomas Aquinas 91 (2-0) 22. Northwest Missouri State 89 (1-1) 23. Fairmont State 73 (2-0) T24. UNC Pembroke 56 (2-2) T24. Emporia State 56 (3-1)

Others Receiving Votes:&nbsp;St. Mary's – 49; Indiana (Pa.) – 46; Florida Southern – 35; Colorado Mesa – 34; Point Loma – 33; Saint Anselm – 17; California (Pa.) – 12; Azusa Pacific – 10; Missouri Western – 6; Parkside – 6; Cal State East Bay – 4; Tusculum – 4; Florida Tech – 4; Columbus State – 3; Pace – 3; Alabama Huntsville – 2; Walsh – 2; Daemen – 2; Minnesota Duluth – 1; Southwest Minnesota State - 1&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700060127914.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsWILMINGTON, Del. – After a chaotic opening to the 2023-24 season among teams in the NABC Preseason Top 25 Poll, the Fort Hays State men's basketball team has emerged with the No. 16 national ranking in the first edition of the D2CSC Top 25 Poll. The ranking is the highest for the program in the D2CSC (formerly D2SIDA) Poll, which began in 2014-15, even though the Tigers have been ranked No. 1 in the NABC Poll several times throughout program history.Fort Hays State was among the receiving votes section in the NABC Preseason Top 25 Poll released back on October 31. The first regular season edition of that poll will release on November 21. But, gauging where the Tigers were in relation to other Central Region teams in that poll, a bunch of losses among ranked teams in the region and nationwide were a key factor in the Tigers elevating quickly in the first edition of the D2CSC Top 25 Poll. The D2CSC poll is voted on by a panel of Athletic Communications professionals nationwide.Looking at the NABC Preseason Top 25 among Central Region teams, No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri State took a loss and sits at 1-1. No. 12 ranked Minnesota Duluth is 0-2 on the season. No. 20 ranked Emporia State is 3-1 overall, taking a loss to a team in the Top 10. No. 21 Northern State is off to an 0-2 start. The shakeup was not just among Central Region teams. Several ranked teams from other regions took early season blemishes on their records as well, precipitating a poll that looks vastly different than the NABC Preseason Poll.Central Oklahoma, ranked No. 9 in the NABC Poll, opened its season 2-0 and sits at No. 3 now in the first D2CSC Poll. Minnesota State and Fort Hays State were both among the receiving votes section of the NABC Poll, but vaulted quickly in the D2CSC Poll after 2-0 starts. Minnesota State is now No. 11 and FHSU is No. 16. Northwest Missouri State (No. 22) and Emporia State (No. 24) give the Central Region five teams in the first edition of the D2CSC Poll.With the season still being young, volatility in the D2CSC Poll is common, but the Tigers are back in the D2CSC Top 25 for the first time since the 2021-22 season.Fort Hays State will have a strong road test at MSU Denver this Sunday (Nov. 19) in Colorado before returning to Hays for its first home game on Tuesday, November 21 against Central Christian College.D2CSC Top 25 Poll for November 14, 2023 Rank&nbsp; School&nbsp; PTS&nbsp; RECORD 1. West Liberty (5) 341 (2-0)&nbsp; 2. Nova Southeastern (9) 339 (2-0) 3. Central Oklahoma 327 (4-0) 4. West Texas A&amp;M (1) 312 )3-0) 5. Lincoln Memorial 261 (2-1) 6. Augusta 258 (2-0) 7. West Georgia 228 (2-0) 8. Indianapolis 220 (1-1) 9. Saint Martin's 213 (2-0) 10. Cal State San Bernardino 210 (2-0) 11. Minnesota State 206 (2-0) 12. Bentley 203 (2-1) 13. Dallas Baptist 196 (2-0) 14. Chico State 181 (2-0) 15. East Stroudsburg 163( 2-0) T16. Fort Hays State 135 (2-0) T16. North Georgia 135 (2-0) 18. Ferris State 116 (2-0) 19. Ashland 101 (1-0) T20. Auburn-Montgomery 91 (2-0) T20. St. Thomas Aquinas 91 (2-0) 22. Northwest Missouri State 89 (1-1) 23. Fairmont State 73 (2-0) T24. UNC Pembroke 56 (2-2) T24. Emporia State 56 (3-1)Others Receiving Votes:&nbsp;St. Mary's – 49; Indiana (Pa.) – 46; Florida Southern – 35; Colorado Mesa – 34; Point Loma – 33; Saint Anselm – 17; California (Pa.) – 12; Azusa Pacific – 10; Missouri Western – 6; Parkside – 6; Cal State East Bay – 4; Tusculum – 4; Florida Tech – 4; Columbus State – 3; Pace – 3; Alabama Huntsville – 2; Walsh – 2; Daemen – 2; Minnesota Duluth – 1; Southwest Minnesota State - 1&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tiger men No. 16 in D2CSC Top 25 poll

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Visible progress is underway for the wellfield design of the long-term water supply for the cities of Hays and Russell at their jointly owned R9 Ranch in Edwards County.

John Braun, project manager, recently presented an update to the Hays City Commission.

The project is split into two areas, the 67-mile pipeline from the ranch to Hays' Smoky Hill wellfields south of Schoenchen, and the R9 wellfield itself.

The cities' design engineer Burns &amp; McDonnell, Wichita, has subcontracted with Hays engineers Driggs Design Group to survey the wellfield. That work began Oct. 9.

Burns &amp; McDonnell has completed a desktop environmental review of the property and will conduct environmental field surveys as the project moves forward in conjunction with the pipeline project.&nbsp;

Bids have been received for drilling test wells for the 14 municipal water wells that will eventually be drilled.&nbsp;

The short-range schedule has test hole borings to be completed by the end of the year so that water sampling and selection of the well locations can begin in early 2024.

In August, the city hired 4-D Acquisition and Consulting, Onsted, Mich., to assist in the final selection of the pipeline route. By the end of the year, the firm will provide estimates for what the land acquisition costs will be.&nbsp;

The final route recommendation was expected to be completed by the end of October with selection at the end of November.

Next will be the hiring of a right-of-way consultant in December to perform the easement acquisitions and to acquire survey permissions from property owners along the route.

Once that's done, surveying of the pipeline route will begin in 2024.&nbsp;

"Environmental assessments will begin once we have the permissions to get on the properties to see if they find anything culturally or historically significant," Braun said.&nbsp;

"Both projects take us to the summer of 2025, when we would actually be going out for bids for construction of both the pipeline and the wellfield," Braun said.

The project is big, the biggest ever completed for the city of Hays.

The survey itself will take six months, Braun estimated, "so we're going to get it in chunks.

"They're going to survey six miles, and we're going to get that and design that while they're designing the next [miles], and then we're gonna get that.

"So, it's going to be lots of things happening at the same time."

There are still a lot of unknowns, including how it will be put out to bid.

"I think we can have some things done sooner than the summer of '25," Braun told commissioners.

Alaina Cunningham, commissioner, asked how many property owners will need to be worked with along the 67-mile pipeline.

"I don't know that exactly because we don't have the exact route, but we're probably talking between 150 and 200 property owners. We have about eight or nine months just for making offers for purchasing easements."&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Do we have any idea how long construction will take?" asked Mason Ruder, commissioner.

"We're not going to build it in less than two years," Braun said. "We're going to have to have more than one contractor with multiple work zones at the same time in order to get it done."

Braun said the city is looking at different strategies for the project, including pre-purchasing materials and bidding out construction separately.

"That way we'll have the same materials and supplies for the whole thing," he said.&nbsp;

"I appreciate you guys looking that far into the future for these kinds of solutions, because that's exactly what this project is going to need," Ruder said.&nbsp;

Braun and several other city staff visited the city of McPherson on Oct. 31 to meet with the town's board of public utilities. McPherson has a similar, but shorter, 20-mile waterline project underway.&nbsp;

The R9 Ranch's 6,800 acres is the seventh-largest contiguous w<a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Private-Landowner-Assistance/Wildlife-Biologists/Walk-in-Hunting-Access-Program">alk-in-hunting-area</a> in Kansas, said Chris Smith, property manager.&nbsp;

Established by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in 1995, the walk-in program provides landowners an additional revenue source while providing hunters access to private lands.

It also provides an important role in supporting local communities and businesses.

Most recent numbers show hunters annually contribute roughly $600 million to the state's economy and much of that activity occurs in the western half of the state.

Two hunting area entrances and parking areas have been established at the R9. 

The north entrance to the property is approximately five miles south of Kinsley along the Arkansas River. The south entrance is eight and a half miles south of Kinsley along U.S. Highway 183 and a mile and a half west on County Road T.

There is 25 miles of perimeter fencing marked with signage. A safety zone is delineated around the work site trailer.

"The property is ready to go and should be a good addition to&nbsp; Edwards County and the surrounding area," Smith said.

The R9 property is one of the top five quail survey locations in the state, Smith said, adding he's been surprised by the number of pheasants he's seen, along with deer.&nbsp;

Hays purchased the Edwards County R9 Ranch in 1995. Russell bought an 18 percent interest in the ranch a year later. The regulatory process of working through the Kansas Water Transfer Act kicked off in 2014.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699994842566.png" alt="The R9 Ranch, Edwards County, is jointly owned by the cities of Hays and Russell. It is the site of a long-term water supply for the towns. Photo courtesy City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>The R9 Ranch, Edwards County, is jointly owned by the cities of Hays and Russell. It is the site of a long-term water supply for the towns. Photo courtesy City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostVisible progress is underway for the wellfield design of the long-term water supply for the cities of Hays and Russell at their jointly owned R9 Ranch in Edwards County.John Braun, project manager, recently presented an update to the Hays City Commission.The project is split into two areas, the 67-mile pipeline from the ranch to Hays' Smoky Hill wellfields south of Schoenchen, and the R9 wellfield itself.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699996090760.png" alt="The R9 wellfield will have&nbsp;up to 18 borings for test drilling of 14 test municipal wells serving Hays and Russell. Burns and McDonnell" />
 <figcaption>The R9 wellfield will have&nbsp;up to 18 borings for test drilling of 14 test municipal wells serving Hays and Russell. Burns and McDonnell</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The wellfield</h2>The cities' design engineer Burns &amp; McDonnell, Wichita, has subcontracted with Hays engineers Driggs Design Group to survey the wellfield. That work began Oct. 9.Burns &amp; McDonnell has completed a desktop environmental review of the property and will conduct environmental field surveys as the project moves forward in conjunction with the pipeline project.&nbsp;Bids have been received for drilling test wells for the 14 municipal water wells that will eventually be drilled.&nbsp;The short-range schedule has test hole borings to be completed by the end of the year so that water sampling and selection of the well locations can begin in early 2024.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699995858057.png" alt="Three potential pipeline routes are under review. Each is about 67 miles long. Burns &amp; McDonnell" />
 <figcaption>Three potential pipeline routes are under review. Each is about 67 miles long. Burns &amp; McDonnell</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The pipeline</h2>In August, the city hired 4-D Acquisition and Consulting, Onsted, Mich., to assist in the final selection of the pipeline route. By the end of the year, the firm will provide estimates for what the land acquisition costs will be.&nbsp;The final route recommendation was expected to be completed by the end of October with selection at the end of November.Next will be the hiring of a right-of-way consultant in December to perform the easement acquisitions and to acquire survey permissions from property owners along the route.Once that's done, surveying of the pipeline route will begin in 2024.&nbsp;"Environmental assessments will begin once we have the permissions to get on the properties to see if they find anything culturally or historically significant," Braun said.&nbsp;"Both projects take us to the summer of 2025, when we would actually be going out for bids for construction of both the pipeline and the wellfield," Braun said.The project is big, the biggest ever completed for the city of Hays.The survey itself will take six months, Braun estimated, "so we're going to get it in chunks."They're going to survey six miles, and we're going to get that and design that while they're designing the next [miles], and then we're gonna get that."So, it's going to be lots of things happening at the same time."There are still a lot of unknowns, including how it will be put out to bid."I think we can have some things done sooner than the summer of '25," Braun told commissioners.Alaina Cunningham, commissioner, asked how many property owners will need to be worked with along the 67-mile pipeline."I don't know that exactly because we don't have the exact route, but we're probably talking between 150 and 200 property owners. We have about eight or nine months just for making offers for purchasing easements."&nbsp;&nbsp;"Do we have any idea how long construction will take?" asked Mason Ruder, commissioner."We're not going to build it in less than two years," Braun said. "We're going to have to have more than one contractor with multiple work zones at the same time in order to get it done."Braun said the city is looking at different strategies for the project, including pre-purchasing materials and bidding out construction separately. "That way we'll have the same materials and supplies for the whole thing," he said.&nbsp;"I appreciate you guys looking that far into the future for these kinds of solutions, because that's exactly what this project is going to need," Ruder said.&nbsp;Braun and several other city staff visited the city of McPherson on Oct. 31 to meet with the town's board of public utilities. McPherson has a similar, but shorter, 20-mile waterline project underway.&nbsp;<h2>Walk-in hunting area</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699994663354.png" alt="The entire 6,800-acre R9 Ranch is now a Kansas walk-in-hunting-area. Photo courtesy city of Hays" />
 <figcaption>The entire 6,800-acre R9 Ranch is now a Kansas walk-in-hunting-area. Photo courtesy city of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>The R9 Ranch's 6,800 acres is the seventh-largest contiguous w<a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Private-Landowner-Assistance/Wildlife-Biologists/Walk-in-Hunting-Access-Program">alk-in-hunting-area</a> in Kansas, said Chris Smith, property manager.&nbsp;Established by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in 1995, the walk-in program provides landowners an additional revenue source while providing hunters access to private lands.It also provides an important role in supporting local communities and businesses.Most recent numbers show hunters annually contribute roughly $600 million to the state's economy and much of that activity occurs in the western half of the state.Two hunting area entrances and parking areas have been established at the R9. The north entrance to the property is approximately five miles south of Kinsley along the Arkansas River. The south entrance is eight and a half miles south of Kinsley along U.S. Highway 183 and a mile and a half west on County Road T.There is 25 miles of perimeter fencing marked with signage. A safety zone is delineated around the work site trailer."The property is ready to go and should be a good addition to&nbsp; Edwards County and the surrounding area," Smith said.The R9 property is one of the top five quail survey locations in the state, Smith said, adding he's been surprised by the number of pheasants he's seen, along with deer.&nbsp;Hays purchased the Edwards County R9 Ranch in 1995. Russell bought an 18 percent interest in the ranch a year later. The regulatory process of working through the Kansas Water Transfer Act kicked off in 2014.

Water sampling, wellfield design for Hays' R9 Ranch to begin in new year   

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to prevent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;after new Republican Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan.

The bipartisan tally — 336-95 with 93 Republicans voting no including Kansas 4th District Representative Ron Este.

The vote total showed Johnson’s willingness to leave his right-flank Republicans behind and work with Democrats to temporarily keep government running — the same political move that cost the last House speaker,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">Kevin McCarthy,</a>&nbsp;his job just weeks ago.

This time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Johnson</a>&nbsp;of Louisiana appeared on track for a temporarily better outcome. His approach, which the Senate is expected to approve by week’s end, effectively pushes a final showdown over government funding to the new year.

“Making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us. We owe that to the American people," Johnson said earlier Tuesday at a news conference at the Capitol.

The new Republican leader faced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-budget-e7d934001b1e00817deb8f33a2b6852f">same political problem</a>&nbsp;that led to McCarthy's ouster — angry, frustrated, hard-right GOP lawmakers rejected his approach, demanded budget cuts and voted against the plan. Rather than the applause and handshakes that usually follow passage of a bill, several hardline conservatives animatedly confronted the speaker as they exited the chamber.

Without enough support from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mike-johnson-conservatives-republicans-92b118abced14e4b221f3ab0daf4e757#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20New%20House,that%20toppled%20previous%20House%20speakers.">Republican majority</a>, Johnson had little choice but to rely on Democrats to ensure passage to keep the federal government running. Shortly before the Tuesday evening vote, House Democratic leaders issued a joint statement saying that the package met all their requirements and they would support it.

Johnson's proposal puts forward a unique — critics say bizarre —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-budget-mike-johnson-d942acf1a8b163f0b52f209da42953c6">two-part process</a>&nbsp;that temporarily funds some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2. It’s a continuing resolution, or CR, that comes without any of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-house-republicans-spending-cuts-deff84c0e2ff7d3bd076b8c38e14cca4">deep cuts</a>&nbsp;conservatives have demanded all year. It also fails to include President Joe Biden’s request for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">nearly $106 billion</a>&nbsp;for Ukraine, Israel, border security and other supplemental funds.

“We're not surrendering,” Johnson assured after a closed-door meeting of House Republicans Tuesday morning, vowing he would not support another stopgap. “But you have to choose fights you can win.”

Johnson, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-johnson-donald-trump-2024-c0d8304f44bd7158415ac80673eb8c7f">announced his endorsement Tuesday of Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;as the Republican nominee for president, hit the airwaves to sell his approach and met privately Monday night with the conservative Freedom Caucus.

Johnson says the innovative approach would position House Republicans to “go into the fight” for deeper spending cuts in the new year, but many Republicans are skeptical there will be any better outcome in January.

The House Freedom Caucus announced its opposition, ensuring dozens of votes against the plan.

“I think it’s a very big mistake," said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the hard-right group of lawmakers.

“It's wrong,” said Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn.

It left Johnson with few other options than to skip what's typically a party-only procedural vote, and rely on another process that requires a two-thirds tally with Democrats for passage.

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in a letter to colleagues noted that the GOP package met the Democratic demands to keep funding at current levels without steep reductions or divisive Republican policy priorities.

“Extreme MAGA Republicans have repeatedly demonstrated that they cannot govern without House Democrats,” Jeffries said on NPR. “That will be the case this week in the context of avoiding a government shutdown."

Winning bipartisan approval of a continuing resolution is the same move that led McCarthy’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-republican-lawmakers-house-opponents-33c7d984964916f29d548b5b1dfe508b">hard-right flank</a>&nbsp;to oust him in October, days after the Sept. 30 vote to avert a federal shutdown. For now, Johnson appears to be benefiting from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-israel-ukraine-9148bd12c1bfda97c3eff03cb1c6a4be">political honeymoon</a>&nbsp;in one of his first big tests on the job.

“Look, we’re going to trust the speaker’s move here," said Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga.

But Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a McCarthy ally who opposed his ouster, said Johnson should be held to the same standard. “What’s the point in throwing out one speaker if nothing changes? The only way to make sure that real changes happen is make the red line stay the same for every speaker.”

The Senate, where Democrats have a slim majority, has signaled its willingness to accept Johnson's package ahead of Friday's deadline to fund the government.

Senate Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a>&nbsp;called the House package “a solution” and said he expected it to pass Congress with bipartisan support.

“It’s nice to see us working together to avoid a government shutdown," he said.

But McConnell, R-Ky., has noted that Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-ukraine-russia-senate-israel-bf8dc4899d1e99fd186028a387023b57">still has work to do</a>&nbsp;toward Biden's request to provide U.S. military aid for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-11-13-2023-b5c94b23717f5f2d8d19414baf8d7caa">Israel</a>&nbsp;and for other needs. Senators are trying to devise a separate package to fund U.S. supplies for the overseas wars and to bolster border security, but it remains a work in progress.

If approved, passage of the continuing resolution would be a less-than-triumphant capstone to the House GOP's first year in the majority. The Republicans have worked tirelessly to cut federal government spending only to find their own GOP colleagues unwilling to go along with the most conservative priorities. Two of the Republican bills collapsed last week as moderates revolted.

Instead, the Republicans are left funding the government essentially on autopilot at the levels that were set in bipartisan fashion at the end of 2022, when Democrats had control of Congress but the two parties came together to agree on budget terms.

All that could change in the new year when 1% cuts across the board to all departments would be triggered if Congress failed to agree to new budget terms and pass the traditional appropriation bills to fund the government by springtime.

The 1% automatic cuts, which would take hold in April, are despised by all sides — Republicans say they are not enough, Democrats say they are too steep and many lawmakers prefer to boost defense funds. But they are part of the debt deal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053#:~:text=The%20final%20agreement%2C%20passed%20by,election%20%E2%80%94%20and%20restricts%20government%20spending.">McCarthy and Biden struck</a>&nbsp;earlier this year. The idea was to push Congress to do better.

The legislation also extends farm bill programs through September, the end of the current fiscal year. That addition was an important win for some farm-state lawmakers. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., for example, warned that without the extension, milk prices would have soared and hurt producers back in his home state.

“The farm bill extension was the biggest sweetener for me,” said Pocan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700005234771.png" alt="Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal puts forward a unique — critics say bizarre —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-budget-mike-johnson-d942acf1a8b163f0b52f209da42953c6">two-part process</a>&nbsp;that temporarily funds some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2" />
 <figcaption>Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal puts forward a unique — critics say bizarre —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-budget-mike-johnson-d942acf1a8b163f0b52f209da42953c6">two-part process</a>&nbsp;that temporarily funds some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to prevent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;after new Republican Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan.The bipartisan tally — 336-95 with 93 Republicans voting no including Kansas 4th District Representative Ron Este.The vote total showed Johnson’s willingness to leave his right-flank Republicans behind and work with Democrats to temporarily keep government running — the same political move that cost the last House speaker,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">Kevin McCarthy,</a>&nbsp;his job just weeks ago.This time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Johnson</a>&nbsp;of Louisiana appeared on track for a temporarily better outcome. His approach, which the Senate is expected to approve by week’s end, effectively pushes a final showdown over government funding to the new year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700006113080.png" alt="Just after the vote count ended on the House floor Tuesday photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Just after the vote count ended on the House floor Tuesday photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>“Making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us. We owe that to the American people," Johnson said earlier Tuesday at a news conference at the Capitol.The new Republican leader faced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-budget-e7d934001b1e00817deb8f33a2b6852f">same political problem</a>&nbsp;that led to McCarthy's ouster — angry, frustrated, hard-right GOP lawmakers rejected his approach, demanded budget cuts and voted against the plan. Rather than the applause and handshakes that usually follow passage of a bill, several hardline conservatives animatedly confronted the speaker as they exited the chamber.Without enough support from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mike-johnson-conservatives-republicans-92b118abced14e4b221f3ab0daf4e757#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20New%20House,that%20toppled%20previous%20House%20speakers.">Republican majority</a>, Johnson had little choice but to rely on Democrats to ensure passage to keep the federal government running. Shortly before the Tuesday evening vote, House Democratic leaders issued a joint statement saying that the package met all their requirements and they would support it.Johnson's proposal puts forward a unique — critics say bizarre —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-budget-mike-johnson-d942acf1a8b163f0b52f209da42953c6">two-part process</a>&nbsp;that temporarily funds some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2. It’s a continuing resolution, or CR, that comes without any of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-house-republicans-spending-cuts-deff84c0e2ff7d3bd076b8c38e14cca4">deep cuts</a>&nbsp;conservatives have demanded all year. It also fails to include President Joe Biden’s request for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">nearly $106 billion</a>&nbsp;for Ukraine, Israel, border security and other supplemental funds.“We're not surrendering,” Johnson assured after a closed-door meeting of House Republicans Tuesday morning, vowing he would not support another stopgap. “But you have to choose fights you can win.”Johnson, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-johnson-donald-trump-2024-c0d8304f44bd7158415ac80673eb8c7f">announced his endorsement Tuesday of Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;as the Republican nominee for president, hit the airwaves to sell his approach and met privately Monday night with the conservative Freedom Caucus.Johnson says the innovative approach would position House Republicans to “go into the fight” for deeper spending cuts in the new year, but many Republicans are skeptical there will be any better outcome in January.The House Freedom Caucus announced its opposition, ensuring dozens of votes against the plan.“I think it’s a very big mistake," said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the hard-right group of lawmakers.“It's wrong,” said Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn.It left Johnson with few other options than to skip what's typically a party-only procedural vote, and rely on another process that requires a two-thirds tally with Democrats for passage.Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in a letter to colleagues noted that the GOP package met the Democratic demands to keep funding at current levels without steep reductions or divisive Republican policy priorities.“Extreme MAGA Republicans have repeatedly demonstrated that they cannot govern without House Democrats,” Jeffries said on NPR. “That will be the case this week in the context of avoiding a government shutdown."Winning bipartisan approval of a continuing resolution is the same move that led McCarthy’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-republican-lawmakers-house-opponents-33c7d984964916f29d548b5b1dfe508b">hard-right flank</a>&nbsp;to oust him in October, days after the Sept. 30 vote to avert a federal shutdown. For now, Johnson appears to be benefiting from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-israel-ukraine-9148bd12c1bfda97c3eff03cb1c6a4be">political honeymoon</a>&nbsp;in one of his first big tests on the job.“Look, we’re going to trust the speaker’s move here," said Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga.But Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a McCarthy ally who opposed his ouster, said Johnson should be held to the same standard. “What’s the point in throwing out one speaker if nothing changes? The only way to make sure that real changes happen is make the red line stay the same for every speaker.”The Senate, where Democrats have a slim majority, has signaled its willingness to accept Johnson's package ahead of Friday's deadline to fund the government.Senate Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a>&nbsp;called the House package “a solution” and said he expected it to pass Congress with bipartisan support.“It’s nice to see us working together to avoid a government shutdown," he said.But McConnell, R-Ky., has noted that Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-ukraine-russia-senate-israel-bf8dc4899d1e99fd186028a387023b57">still has work to do</a>&nbsp;toward Biden's request to provide U.S. military aid for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-11-13-2023-b5c94b23717f5f2d8d19414baf8d7caa">Israel</a>&nbsp;and for other needs. Senators are trying to devise a separate package to fund U.S. supplies for the overseas wars and to bolster border security, but it remains a work in progress.If approved, passage of the continuing resolution would be a less-than-triumphant capstone to the House GOP's first year in the majority. The Republicans have worked tirelessly to cut federal government spending only to find their own GOP colleagues unwilling to go along with the most conservative priorities. Two of the Republican bills collapsed last week as moderates revolted.Instead, the Republicans are left funding the government essentially on autopilot at the levels that were set in bipartisan fashion at the end of 2022, when Democrats had control of Congress but the two parties came together to agree on budget terms.All that could change in the new year when 1% cuts across the board to all departments would be triggered if Congress failed to agree to new budget terms and pass the traditional appropriation bills to fund the government by springtime.The 1% automatic cuts, which would take hold in April, are despised by all sides — Republicans say they are not enough, Democrats say they are too steep and many lawmakers prefer to boost defense funds. But they are part of the debt deal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053#:~:text=The%20final%20agreement%2C%20passed%20by,election%20%E2%80%94%20and%20restricts%20government%20spending.">McCarthy and Biden struck</a>&nbsp;earlier this year. The idea was to push Congress to do better.The legislation also extends farm bill programs through September, the end of the current fiscal year. That addition was an important win for some farm-state lawmakers. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., for example, warned that without the extension, milk prices would have soared and hurt producers back in his home state.“The farm bill extension was the biggest sweetener for me,” said Pocan.

Dems help Johnson pass GOP bill to avoid government shutdown

Ora Mae's Life Story (written by Ora Mae)

I was born into the family of Carroll Earl Kennedy and Olive Blanche (Lee) Kennedy on December 17, 1931, who already had four children. Carroll Earl Jr. (Ken) was the oldest, then Ilene Ardelia, Roma Lee and Olive Ruth, then me! I’m not sure they were real pleased when I popped out – another girl!)

We were living in Hunter, Kansas at the time and Daddy ran a grocery store – Momma helped there some – I don’t know how much – but we had a “hired girl” who stayed with us when Momma wasn’t home, and she would sing songs to us. They were sad songs. “The East Bound Train Was Crowded”, “A Vine Covered Shack”, “Letter Edged in Black” and so on – and I would lay on the shelf under the table and cry and cry. We were still living in Hunter when one morning we were all told that we had another sister – she was supposed to be Daniel Josephus LDS after Grandpa Kennedy – but she was Doris Jean instead (another girl).

It was during the dust storm days – and that was bad enough! But all of us kids managed to get the measles at the same time during a real bad dust storm. Momma had to hang wet towels up to the window to keep the dust from coming in around the windows.

I remember there was a “Billy Goat” in town and every time I went to town – that “Billy Goat” would chase me up the stairs beside the grocery store! We kids were playing “Hide &amp; Seek” and I hid on the floor in the back seat of our car – but they didn’t have to look for me because there was broken glass on the floor from the accident that had happened when Daddy and Mommy had gone to the World’s Fair in Topeka. Anyway, as you can imagine. I yelled real loud when I knelt on the floor.

I don’t know when Daddy opened a store in Abilene so of course we moved to Abilene – I can’t remember too much about living there but it was a bad time for our family because Daddy lost the store, so Momma made handmade men’s neckties and the older kids had to sell them. It was while Momma was making the ties, Ruth was giving me a bath in the washtub in the kitchen and Ruth said If I didn’t sit still, she would pour hot water on my head and I must have not sat still because she took the tea kettle from the stove and poured that water on my head!

I did attend kindergarten in Abilene; however, I only attended one day because some little boy teased me because I didn’t get my picture all done!! So, I wouldn’t go back – I guess that was not a good deal because that was during the time Momma was making ties and that was the least of their worries.

Shortly after that we moved to Colby where Daddy and Momma ran a feed and grain store or something like that. I remember very little about school in Colby except I guess the 1st grade teacher thought I should take the first grade over, but the 2nd grade teacher said she would help me! But I should have stayed in the 1st grade!! We lived in three different homes while in Colby – the last two houses were closer to the railroad tracks (which was where the folks worked) and we always walked to school. When I started 5th grade we moved to Ogden, Kansas because Daddy had a job at Fort Riley. It was a small town close to the base. I enjoyed school there because the 5th and 6th grade were in the same room, so I really learned 6th grade twice!!

That was when we first started going to church more – at least I remember. That was when I realized I needed Jesus. The speaker was from the Christian Bible College in Manhattan, Kansas. I wanted to go forward, but I thought everyone would think it was awful – because my daddy was the Sunday School superintendent, and I should have already been a Christian! Anyway, I was baptized in the Christian Church in Junction City, Kansas.

We moved to Manhattan, Kansas the summer before my 7th grade, which made it easy for me because everyone came from different grade schools to the Jr. High building. This was when I became interested in singing and I was accepted into “The Robed Choir” with my two good friends in high school. We thought we were so good because 9th graders were not usually in “The Robed Choir.” My folks let me take voice lessons and I was told I was ready for solo work. Ha! Ha!

Between my junior and senior year in high school, Daddy was transferred from Fort Riley to Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka. My folks let me continue voice lessons in Topeka – well that was a BLOW. I wasn’t standing properly nor breathing correctly, so basically, I started from the beginning again!! Since I had planned on going to K-State had we stayed in Manhattan, I had only two classes to take to finish high school. So, at Topeka High, I took “Retail Selling” and worked downtown in the afternoons.

We attended the Topeka Bible Church. That is when I met two girls who also just moved to Topeka. Ruth and I and Faye and Virginia Moore started singing double duets. Sometimes it was more giggling than singing.

After I graduated from Topeka High in 1949, I had decided I wanted to go to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. But I had to wait until January 1950 because I had to be 18 before I could be accepted. Roma Lee met me at the train station and went with me to Moody. But since I didn’t speak to anyone and of course they were all new – the new students had to be there early for orientation. Anyway after supper I called Roma Lee, who was attending Wheaton College, I told her I wanted to go home because “no one spoke to me.” So she called a friend that she had known at Moody and he called his girlfriend and she and some of her girls came to my room. They helped me with my trunk to my room, so I was fine then. I didn’t do real well because my roommate Geraldine Ruhl and I played “ping-pong” most of the time. I really only attended Moody about three terms when my thyroid started me shaking real bad. I’d get up in conducting class and they couldn’t tell too well if I was conducting or just shaking, so the school nurse put me on the phenobarbital four times a day, then something else to keep me awake in class! So, when I went home for Christmas, Roma Lee insisted I go see the doctor! I did and had my thyroid removed with radioactive iodine. Because Moody was changing from term basis to semester, and I would have had to start all over most of my classes, I never continued.

I worked at “Pelletier’s Department Store” which is where I worked during high school for Retail Selling until I started as a draftsman at Southwest Bell Telephone company. My supervisor had a nervous breakdown (no, I don’t think it was my fault). I learned after I married, he was a distant relative of Grandma Inez – he was Ralph Wing and his wife came to our home when we had the Wing reunion.

I met Darrol Irby at Roma Lee’s wedding in Bogue (She had helped open the hospital in WaKeeney and met Don Irby). Shortly after their wedding, Darrol started going to K.U. Medical Center to have surgery on his lip and mouth. He always stopped in Topeka. To make a long story short we were married in the First Baptist Church in Topeka on October 17, 1964, and moved to the farm south of Bogue.

Needless to say – I had never even tried to learn to cook nor had I ever lived on a farm before!! Poor Darrol!! But he never complained – even when he would come home for dinner and find the “slow cooker” sitting in the snow with the dinner burnt!!

Our first daughter, Sara, was born October 1, 1955; on July 28, 1957, our second daughter Janet was born; on October 15, 1960, our third daughter Christina was born; on November 15, 1961, our first son, Siegle was born. Darrol was so excited when he called my folks, to let them know – the nurse said he really didn’t need a phone. And again, on July 13, 1963, Murlin was born. Darrol remodeled our four-room home into a nine-room home with a half-basement recreation room. Darrol passed away on November 12, 1997. 

A lot of changes happened. Siegle moved home to help me keep things going, but in 2008 we had a chance to sell the farm and pay off the bank and still have enough to buy a home in Bogue. Murlin bought 20 acres(?) where the house and outbuildings are. I bought a nice three-bedroom home at 405 9th Street in Bogue which has been a good home for me.

Ora Mae Kennedy Irby died November 11, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born December 17, 1931, to Carrol Earl Kennedy and Olive Blanche Lee Kennedy in Hunter, Kansas. 

After graduating from Topeka High in 1949, she attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Because of illness, she was only in Moody for about five terms. 

She worked in the Pelletier Department Store until she worked as a draftsman at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Topeka. 

She married Darrol Wayne Irby on October 17, 1954, in Topeka. 

After their five children were grown, she started working part-time as a substitute at Bogue Grade School and worked as an outreach instructor for Colby Community College, teaching basic education to mentally handicapped adults at the Kobler Center in Hill City. She retired after working for 25 years.

She was a member of the Bogue Community United Methodist Church. Music was very important to her, and she helped with the choir for many years, serving many different committees helping youth choir, teaching Bible studies, and a member of U.M.W. in which she held a district office. Ora Mae was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, T.P.M. Church, Bridge Club and Pinochle Club. Ora Mae loved her Lord, her family, and her music.

She is survived by her five children: Sara (Bill) Seller of Oberlin, Janet (Darel) Reynolds of Agra, Christina (Craig, deceased) Green of Livingston, Tennessee, Siegle (Clint) Irby-Duncan of Bogue, and Murlin (Joy) Irby of Bogue; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Norsworthy of Raleigh, North Carolina; and sister-in-law Lois Kennedy of Manhattan.

Ora Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Darrol Irby; parents, Carroll Earl and Olive Branch Kennedy; mother-in-law, Inez Irby; brother, Ken Kennedy; sisters, Doris Woods, Roma Lee Irby, Ilene Wallace; and grandson, Andrew Green.

To&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29866295&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1699744232.127.1.1699744806.60.0.0&amp;mtph=1">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family or&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/memorial-tree?oId=29866295&amp;tag=&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1699744232.127.1.1699744806.60.0.0&amp;mtph=1">plant a tree</a>&nbsp;in memory of Ora, please&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29866295&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1699744232.127.1.1699744806.60.0.0&amp;mtph=1">visit our floral store.</a>

<h2>Ora Mae Irby</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699912210507.png" alt="Ora Mae Irby" />
 <figcaption>Ora Mae Irby</figcaption>
 </figure>December 17, 1931 - November 11, 2023Ora Mae's Life Story (written by Ora Mae)I was born into the family of Carroll Earl Kennedy and Olive Blanche (Lee) Kennedy on December 17, 1931, who already had four children. Carroll Earl Jr. (Ken) was the oldest, then Ilene Ardelia, Roma Lee and Olive Ruth, then me! I’m not sure they were real pleased when I popped out – another girl!)We were living in Hunter, Kansas at the time and Daddy ran a grocery store – Momma helped there some – I don’t know how much – but we had a “hired girl” who stayed with us when Momma wasn’t home, and she would sing songs to us. They were sad songs. “The East Bound Train Was Crowded”, “A Vine Covered Shack”, “Letter Edged in Black” and so on – and I would lay on the shelf under the table and cry and cry. We were still living in Hunter when one morning we were all told that we had another sister – she was supposed to be Daniel Josephus LDS after Grandpa Kennedy – but she was Doris Jean instead (another girl).It was during the dust storm days – and that was bad enough! But all of us kids managed to get the measles at the same time during a real bad dust storm. Momma had to hang wet towels up to the window to keep the dust from coming in around the windows.I remember there was a “Billy Goat” in town and every time I went to town – that “Billy Goat” would chase me up the stairs beside the grocery store! We kids were playing “Hide &amp; Seek” and I hid on the floor in the back seat of our car – but they didn’t have to look for me because there was broken glass on the floor from the accident that had happened when Daddy and Mommy had gone to the World’s Fair in Topeka. Anyway, as you can imagine. I yelled real loud when I knelt on the floor.I don’t know when Daddy opened a store in Abilene so of course we moved to Abilene – I can’t remember too much about living there but it was a bad time for our family because Daddy lost the store, so Momma made handmade men’s neckties and the older kids had to sell them. It was while Momma was making the ties, Ruth was giving me a bath in the washtub in the kitchen and Ruth said If I didn’t sit still, she would pour hot water on my head and I must have not sat still because she took the tea kettle from the stove and poured that water on my head!I did attend kindergarten in Abilene; however, I only attended one day because some little boy teased me because I didn’t get my picture all done!! So, I wouldn’t go back – I guess that was not a good deal because that was during the time Momma was making ties and that was the least of their worries.Shortly after that we moved to Colby where Daddy and Momma ran a feed and grain store or something like that. I remember very little about school in Colby except I guess the 1st grade teacher thought I should take the first grade over, but the 2nd grade teacher said she would help me! But I should have stayed in the 1st grade!! We lived in three different homes while in Colby – the last two houses were closer to the railroad tracks (which was where the folks worked) and we always walked to school. When I started 5th grade we moved to Ogden, Kansas because Daddy had a job at Fort Riley. It was a small town close to the base. I enjoyed school there because the 5th and 6th grade were in the same room, so I really learned 6th grade twice!!That was when we first started going to church more – at least I remember. That was when I realized I needed Jesus. The speaker was from the Christian Bible College in Manhattan, Kansas. I wanted to go forward, but I thought everyone would think it was awful – because my daddy was the Sunday School superintendent, and I should have already been a Christian! Anyway, I was baptized in the Christian Church in Junction City, Kansas.We moved to Manhattan, Kansas the summer before my 7th grade, which made it easy for me because everyone came from different grade schools to the Jr. High building. This was when I became interested in singing and I was accepted into “The Robed Choir” with my two good friends in high school. We thought we were so good because 9th graders were not usually in “The Robed Choir.” My folks let me take voice lessons and I was told I was ready for solo work. Ha! Ha!Between my junior and senior year in high school, Daddy was transferred from Fort Riley to Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka. My folks let me continue voice lessons in Topeka – well that was a BLOW. I wasn’t standing properly nor breathing correctly, so basically, I started from the beginning again!! Since I had planned on going to K-State had we stayed in Manhattan, I had only two classes to take to finish high school. So, at Topeka High, I took “Retail Selling” and worked downtown in the afternoons.We attended the Topeka Bible Church. That is when I met two girls who also just moved to Topeka. Ruth and I and Faye and Virginia Moore started singing double duets. Sometimes it was more giggling than singing.After I graduated from Topeka High in 1949, I had decided I wanted to go to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. But I had to wait until January 1950 because I had to be 18 before I could be accepted. Roma Lee met me at the train station and went with me to Moody. But since I didn’t speak to anyone and of course they were all new – the new students had to be there early for orientation. Anyway after supper I called Roma Lee, who was attending Wheaton College, I told her I wanted to go home because “no one spoke to me.” So she called a friend that she had known at Moody and he called his girlfriend and she and some of her girls came to my room. They helped me with my trunk to my room, so I was fine then. I didn’t do real well because my roommate Geraldine Ruhl and I played “ping-pong” most of the time. I really only attended Moody about three terms when my thyroid started me shaking real bad. I’d get up in conducting class and they couldn’t tell too well if I was conducting or just shaking, so the school nurse put me on the phenobarbital four times a day, then something else to keep me awake in class! So, when I went home for Christmas, Roma Lee insisted I go see the doctor! I did and had my thyroid removed with radioactive iodine. Because Moody was changing from term basis to semester, and I would have had to start all over most of my classes, I never continued.I worked at “Pelletier’s Department Store” which is where I worked during high school for Retail Selling until I started as a draftsman at Southwest Bell Telephone company. My supervisor had a nervous breakdown (no, I don’t think it was my fault). I learned after I married, he was a distant relative of Grandma Inez – he was Ralph Wing and his wife came to our home when we had the Wing reunion.I met Darrol Irby at Roma Lee’s wedding in Bogue (She had helped open the hospital in WaKeeney and met Don Irby). Shortly after their wedding, Darrol started going to K.U. Medical Center to have surgery on his lip and mouth. He always stopped in Topeka. To make a long story short we were married in the First Baptist Church in Topeka on October 17, 1964, and moved to the farm south of Bogue.Needless to say – I had never even tried to learn to cook nor had I ever lived on a farm before!! Poor Darrol!! But he never complained – even when he would come home for dinner and find the “slow cooker” sitting in the snow with the dinner burnt!!Our first daughter, Sara, was born October 1, 1955; on July 28, 1957, our second daughter Janet was born; on October 15, 1960, our third daughter Christina was born; on November 15, 1961, our first son, Siegle was born. Darrol was so excited when he called my folks, to let them know – the nurse said he really didn’t need a phone. And again, on July 13, 1963, Murlin was born. Darrol remodeled our four-room home into a nine-room home with a half-basement recreation room. Darrol passed away on November 12, 1997. A lot of changes happened. Siegle moved home to help me keep things going, but in 2008 we had a chance to sell the farm and pay off the bank and still have enough to buy a home in Bogue. Murlin bought 20 acres(?) where the house and outbuildings are. I bought a nice three-bedroom home at 405 9th Street in Bogue which has been a good home for me.ObituaryOra Mae Kennedy Irby died November 11, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born December 17, 1931, to Carrol Earl Kennedy and Olive Blanche Lee Kennedy in Hunter, Kansas. After graduating from Topeka High in 1949, she attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Because of illness, she was only in Moody for about five terms. She worked in the Pelletier Department Store until she worked as a draftsman at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Topeka. She married Darrol Wayne Irby on October 17, 1954, in Topeka. After their five children were grown, she started working part-time as a substitute at Bogue Grade School and worked as an outreach instructor for Colby Community College, teaching basic education to mentally handicapped adults at the Kobler Center in Hill City. She retired after working for 25 years.She was a member of the Bogue Community United Methodist Church. Music was very important to her, and she helped with the choir for many years, serving many different committees helping youth choir, teaching Bible studies, and a member of U.M.W. in which she held a district office. Ora Mae was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, T.P.M. Church, Bridge Club and Pinochle Club. Ora Mae loved her Lord, her family, and her music.She is survived by her five children: Sara (Bill) Seller of Oberlin, Janet (Darel) Reynolds of Agra, Christina (Craig, deceased) Green of Livingston, Tennessee, Siegle (Clint) Irby-Duncan of Bogue, and Murlin (Joy) Irby of Bogue; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Norsworthy of Raleigh, North Carolina; and sister-in-law Lois Kennedy of Manhattan.Ora Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Darrol Irby; parents, Carroll Earl and Olive Branch Kennedy; mother-in-law, Inez Irby; brother, Ken Kennedy; sisters, Doris Woods, Roma Lee Irby, Ilene Wallace; and grandson, Andrew Green.To&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29866295&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1699744232.127.1.1699744806.60.0.0&amp;mtph=1">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family or&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/memorial-tree?oId=29866295&amp;tag=&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1699744232.127.1.1699744806.60.0.0&amp;mtph=1">plant a tree</a>&nbsp;in memory of Ora, please&nbsp;<a href="http://stinemetz-funeral-home-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29866295&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.653740999.1682956485:GS1.1.1699744232.127.1.1699744806.60.0.0&amp;mtph=1">visit our floral store.</a>

Ora Mae Irby

Catherine A. Derowitsch, 82, of Belleville, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.&nbsp; She was born on October 11, 1941 to Clarence Albert and Fannie Marie (Bates) Williams. She grew up in Belleville, Kansas with her six siblings, Wayne, Robert, Dennis, Donna, Norman, and Nancy.

Catherine attended Belleville schools and graduated from Belleville High School in 1960. 

She then worked her entire career as Belleville City Clerk. She retired in 2004.

She married Kenneth “Cobb” Ketterman in 1972 and gained three children, Steven “Hank”, “Nub”, and Toni.&nbsp; Kenneth and Catherine had a daughter, Linda. After Kenneth’s death in 1978, Catherine went on to marry Billy Derowitsch in 1981, gaining two more children, Cindy and Kevin. They were married for almost 30 years until his death in 2010.

After her retirement Catherine watched her grandchildren, and volunteered at the Stepping Stones Preschool and Awana Youth Group. She delivered Meals on Wheels, helped with the Rocky Pond Christmas Lights, and served for a time on the Belleville City Council. Her favorite and most time consuming activity was watching her grandchildren’s school and sporting events.

She had a strong faith and was a member of the Living Waters Family Church in Courtland, Kansas.

She was generous, spunky, funny, feisty, and witty, cracking jokes even when she was in the hospital.

Catherine loved and will be missed by her children, Linda Thumann (Brett) of Belleville, KS, Cindy Dempster (Richard) of Manhattan, KS, Kevin Derowitsch (Deanna) of Belleville, KS, and Toni (Ketterman) Morrisey of Web City, MO; grandchildren Jason Sorell (Holly), Melissa Shinkle (Jerry), Matthew Sorell (Fiord), John Dempster (Amanda), Rachel Bembry (Derek), Rebecca Poteet (Matt), Richard Dempster, Sarah Edinger (Killian), Samuel Dempster (Anna), Megan Love, Alyssa Millington (Brian), Brenna Finnazzo (Nick), Brady Thumann (Shannon), Shay Thumann, Samson Thumann, Ava Thumann, Randy Ketterman, Brandan Ketterman, Amanda Ketterman, Kelsay Crowder, Jackson Ketterman, and Kristen Ketterman; and 40 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Kenneth Ketterman, and Billy Derowitsch; children, Steven “Hank” Ketterman and “Nub” Ketterman; grandson, James Sorell; grandson-in-law, Mike Love; and her six siblings.

Catherine chose cremation and a memorial service will take place at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dwight Garman officiating. Burial will follow at the Belleville City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. before the service.

Memorials are requested to the Catherine Derowitsch Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral home is assisting the Derowitsch family with arrangements.

To order&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/o/v2/trees/2cb5be34-ab4f-4725-b472-affee45716b4" target="_blank">memorial trees</a>&nbsp;or send flowers to the family in memory of Catherine A. Derowitsch, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/orders/v2/flowers/2cb5be34-ab4f-4725-b472-affee45716b4" target="_blank">flower store</a>.

<h2>Catherine A. Derowitsch, Belleville</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699993754287.jpeg" alt="Catherine A. Derowitsch" />
 <figcaption>Catherine A. Derowitsch</figcaption>
 </figure>October 11, 1941 - November 14 2023Catherine A. Derowitsch, 82, of Belleville, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.&nbsp; She was born on October 11, 1941 to Clarence Albert and Fannie Marie (Bates) Williams. She grew up in Belleville, Kansas with her six siblings, Wayne, Robert, Dennis, Donna, Norman, and Nancy.Catherine attended Belleville schools and graduated from Belleville High School in 1960. She then worked her entire career as Belleville City Clerk. She retired in 2004.She married Kenneth “Cobb” Ketterman in 1972 and gained three children, Steven “Hank”, “Nub”, and Toni.&nbsp; Kenneth and Catherine had a daughter, Linda. After Kenneth’s death in 1978, Catherine went on to marry Billy Derowitsch in 1981, gaining two more children, Cindy and Kevin. They were married for almost 30 years until his death in 2010.After her retirement Catherine watched her grandchildren, and volunteered at the Stepping Stones Preschool and Awana Youth Group. She delivered Meals on Wheels, helped with the Rocky Pond Christmas Lights, and served for a time on the Belleville City Council. Her favorite and most time consuming activity was watching her grandchildren’s school and sporting events.She had a strong faith and was a member of the Living Waters Family Church in Courtland, Kansas.She was generous, spunky, funny, feisty, and witty, cracking jokes even when she was in the hospital.Catherine loved and will be missed by her children, Linda Thumann (Brett) of Belleville, KS, Cindy Dempster (Richard) of Manhattan, KS, Kevin Derowitsch (Deanna) of Belleville, KS, and Toni (Ketterman) Morrisey of Web City, MO; grandchildren Jason Sorell (Holly), Melissa Shinkle (Jerry), Matthew Sorell (Fiord), John Dempster (Amanda), Rachel Bembry (Derek), Rebecca Poteet (Matt), Richard Dempster, Sarah Edinger (Killian), Samuel Dempster (Anna), Megan Love, Alyssa Millington (Brian), Brenna Finnazzo (Nick), Brady Thumann (Shannon), Shay Thumann, Samson Thumann, Ava Thumann, Randy Ketterman, Brandan Ketterman, Amanda Ketterman, Kelsay Crowder, Jackson Ketterman, and Kristen Ketterman; and 40 great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Kenneth Ketterman, and Billy Derowitsch; children, Steven “Hank” Ketterman and “Nub” Ketterman; grandson, James Sorell; grandson-in-law, Mike Love; and her six siblings.Catherine chose cremation and a memorial service will take place at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dwight Garman officiating. Burial will follow at the Belleville City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. before the service.Memorials are requested to the Catherine Derowitsch Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of the funeral home.Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral home is assisting the Derowitsch family with arrangements.To order&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/o/v2/trees/2cb5be34-ab4f-4725-b472-affee45716b4" target="_blank">memorial trees</a>&nbsp;or send flowers to the family in memory of Catherine A. Derowitsch, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/orders/v2/flowers/2cb5be34-ab4f-4725-b472-affee45716b4" target="_blank">flower store</a>.

Catherine A. Derowitsch

HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Commission approved regulation updates at its meeting Tuesday that will ban commercial wind and utility-scale solar renewable energy projects in the county. The vote was unanimous, according to a media release.

The regulations will take effect once legal notification has been published in the County’s newspaper of record.

The Commission approved updating Harvey County Unified Development Code Section 16.14, which addresses commercial renewable energy. The revisions prohibit commercial wind and utility-scale solar projects, while allowing limited-scale solar construction. Personal wind and solar energy installations, such as those used at residences, are permitted.

The changes to the code were recommended by the Harvey County Planning and Zoning Advisory Board. The advisory board voted at its Oct. 17 meeting to approve updating Section 16.14, which sent the revisions to the Harvey County Commission for review.

In October 2022, the county commission revised its commercial renewable energy regulations to update language regarding setback distance, permissible locations, restrictions and financial protections. Later, the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board requested the county commission institute a six-month moratorium on commercial renewable energy construction.

The county commission put a six-month moratorium in place on Feb. 21. The moratorium was later extended on Aug. 1 to continue through Dec. 5, 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614369153575.png" alt="Photo by Lacey Newlin" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Lacey Newlin</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Commission approved regulation updates at its meeting Tuesday that will ban commercial wind and utility-scale solar renewable energy projects in the county. The vote was unanimous, according to a media release.The regulations will take effect once legal notification has been published in the County’s newspaper of record.The Commission approved updating Harvey County Unified Development Code Section 16.14, which addresses commercial renewable energy. The revisions prohibit commercial wind and utility-scale solar projects, while allowing limited-scale solar construction. Personal wind and solar energy installations, such as those used at residences, are permitted.The changes to the code were recommended by the Harvey County Planning and Zoning Advisory Board. The advisory board voted at its Oct. 17 meeting to approve updating Section 16.14, which sent the revisions to the Harvey County Commission for review.In October 2022, the county commission revised its commercial renewable energy regulations to update language regarding setback distance, permissible locations, restrictions and financial protections. Later, the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board requested the county commission institute a six-month moratorium on commercial renewable energy construction.The county commission put a six-month moratorium in place on Feb. 21. The moratorium was later extended on Aug. 1 to continue through Dec. 5, 2023.

Kansas county bans commercial wind, some solar projects 

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas hosted its annual awards luncheon in Hays on October 17.&nbsp;Awards were given throughout the afternoon to staff, persons served, and community members.

The first awards of the afternoon were given to employees of DSNWK for their years of service. Those staff recognized and listed by location, were:

Hays - Eric Barrett, Matthew Basgall, Roseanne Benabdallah, LaVonne Giess, Kyle Kreutzer, Ruth Lang, Jacqueline Lattin, Dawn Marlett, Jan Nosekabel, Dustin Olsen, Norma Tripler, David Whalen, Rod Windholz

Hill City - Marla Baker, Gertrude Deges, Gina Nichol

Norton - Teresa Garcia, Troy Haney, Rene Readle, Kimberly Richard, Laquita Smith, William Underwood

Russell - Joseph Cole, Mellissa Holloway, Breanna White, Angelina Younger

Recognition was made to seven people who retired from DSNWK over the past year. They were Marsha Eastep of Atwood, Jeannie Komarek, Patty Littrel, Ron Staab and Valarie Strobel of Hays, and Sherri Jackson and Kelly Miller of Hill City.

Special recognition was also paid to three staff members for their outstanding work with persons with disabilities. Jessica House and Kirsten Pfleiger of Hays and Keith Huntington of Atwood were each presented with the Employee of the Year Award.

Two $100 scholarship awards were presented to Destiny Bergstesser and Lisa Raudis who are attending Fort Hays State University. This award was given from the Jerelyn Becker Memorial Scholarship Fund for employees studying in higher education in a field related to serving people with developmental disabilities.

Several awards were given to individuals served by DSNWK for achievement through employment. Those receiving awards and listed by location were:

Hays - Treyshawn Blackmon, Tim Brier, Preston Browning, Guy French, Olivia Hueneke, Brian Johnson, James Lynn, Melisa Mong, Nelda Owens, Bonnie Reeves, Dallas Rupp, Jeff Saindon, Robert Skeers, Brett Skinner, Trenton Uhl, Garrett Williams

DSNWK presented two Individual Achievement Awards to individuals served by DSNWK. Caitlyn Merritt of Russell and Ian Collins of Norton were presented these awards which go each year to one youth and one adult who have shown tremendous individual progress throughout the year. 

Recognition was also made to Patrick Hagen, individual served by DSNWK in Norton with one of DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Awards. Hagen was recognized for his volunteer efforts in the community.

Awards were presented to members of area communities during the afternoon. 

Bright Minds Academy in Hays received DSNWK's Employer of the Year Award for their outstanding support of people with disabilities in the workforce. The Community Support Award was presented to Grace Kastens of Atwood for her support to individuals served by DSNWK through her Next Chapter Book Club. Recognition was made to volunteer Margaret Thompson of Norton with DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Award. Thompson volunteers her time taking an individual served by DSNWK to church each week.

Finally, DSNWK recognized two long-time advocates of DSNWK for their support with its Vision of Hope Awards. Bart Betzen of Chicago, Illinois and the late Bill and Harriet Richardon, formerly of Hoxie, were honored. DSNWK paid tribute to them for their outstanding support over the years for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

DSNWK is a 501c3 nonprofit serving 18 counties in northwest Kansas with a mission to advocate for persons with disabilities and those who care about them by planning and supporting a life of dignity, interdependence, and personal satisfaction in the community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699651078796.jpeg" alt="Nick and Andree Felder with Bright Minds Academy in Hays received the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas Employer of the&nbsp;Year award during its annual award luncheon on Oct. 17. Photo by DSNWK&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nick and Andree Felder with Bright Minds Academy in Hays received the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas Employer of the&nbsp;Year award during its annual award luncheon on Oct. 17. Photo by DSNWK&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DSNWKDevelopmental Services of Northwest Kansas hosted its annual awards luncheon in Hays on October 17.&nbsp;Awards were given throughout the afternoon to staff, persons served, and community members.The first awards of the afternoon were given to employees of DSNWK for their years of service. Those staff recognized and listed by location, were:Atwood - Jamie Diggs, Zelda MerzHays - Eric Barrett, Matthew Basgall, Roseanne Benabdallah, LaVonne Giess, Kyle Kreutzer, Ruth Lang, Jacqueline Lattin, Dawn Marlett, Jan Nosekabel, Dustin Olsen, Norma Tripler, David Whalen, Rod WindholzHill City - Marla Baker, Gertrude Deges, Gina NicholHoxie - Nicole BrocklehurstNorton - Teresa Garcia, Troy Haney, Rene Readle, Kimberly Richard, Laquita Smith, William UnderwoodRussell - Joseph Cole, Mellissa Holloway, Breanna White, Angelina YoungerStockton - Gimmie Jo JansoniusRecognition was made to seven people who retired from DSNWK over the past year. They were Marsha Eastep of Atwood, Jeannie Komarek, Patty Littrel, Ron Staab and Valarie Strobel of Hays, and Sherri Jackson and Kelly Miller of Hill City.Special recognition was also paid to three staff members for their outstanding work with persons with disabilities. Jessica House and Kirsten Pfleiger of Hays and Keith Huntington of Atwood were each presented with the Employee of the Year Award.Two $100 scholarship awards were presented to Destiny Bergstesser and Lisa Raudis who are attending Fort Hays State University. This award was given from the Jerelyn Becker Memorial Scholarship Fund for employees studying in higher education in a field related to serving people with developmental disabilities.Several awards were given to individuals served by DSNWK for achievement through employment. Those receiving awards and listed by location were:Atwood - Betty Bieker, Kelly FisherHays - Treyshawn Blackmon, Tim Brier, Preston Browning, Guy French, Olivia Hueneke, Brian Johnson, James Lynn, Melisa Mong, Nelda Owens, Bonnie Reeves, Dallas Rupp, Jeff Saindon, Robert Skeers, Brett Skinner, Trenton Uhl, Garrett WilliamsHill City - Alyssa LoguePhillipsburg - Edward RybeckDSNWK presented two Individual Achievement Awards to individuals served by DSNWK. Caitlyn Merritt of Russell and Ian Collins of Norton were presented these awards which go each year to one youth and one adult who have shown tremendous individual progress throughout the year. Recognition was also made to Patrick Hagen, individual served by DSNWK in Norton with one of DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Awards. Hagen was recognized for his volunteer efforts in the community.Awards were presented to members of area communities during the afternoon. Bright Minds Academy in Hays received DSNWK's Employer of the Year Award for their outstanding support of people with disabilities in the workforce. The Community Support Award was presented to Grace Kastens of Atwood for her support to individuals served by DSNWK through her Next Chapter Book Club. Recognition was made to volunteer Margaret Thompson of Norton with DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Award. Thompson volunteers her time taking an individual served by DSNWK to church each week.Finally, DSNWK recognized two long-time advocates of DSNWK for their support with its Vision of Hope Awards. Bart Betzen of Chicago, Illinois and the late Bill and Harriet Richardon, formerly of Hoxie, were honored. DSNWK paid tribute to them for their outstanding support over the years for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.DSNWK is a 501c3 nonprofit serving 18 counties in northwest Kansas with a mission to advocate for persons with disabilities and those who care about them by planning and supporting a life of dignity, interdependence, and personal satisfaction in the community.