TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Legislature’s top Democrats are urging their colleagues to force Republican Gov. Sam Brownback to call a special session on education funding.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka and House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs of Kansas City said Monday that lawmakers need to boost aid to poor school districts to keep all public schools from being shut down.
They were joined by Democratic Rep. Jim Ward of Wichita.
The state Supreme Court late last month rejected school funding changes made by lawmakers earlier this year and said schools won’t be able to reopen after June 30 unless legislators approve additional fixes before then.
The letter sent to Governor Sam Brownback-click to enlarge
Legislators adjourned their annual session last week.
Legislators can force Brownback to call a special session if two-thirds of them sign individual petitions demanding one.
GOVE COUNTY – A teen from Hays was injured in an accident just before 6a.m. on Monday in Gove County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Intrepid driven by Anthony Wayne Gilliland, 18, was westbound on Interstate 70 three miles west of Quinter.
The vehicle entered the median, crossed median into the eastbound lanes, turned, began going sideways and rolled one time.
Gilliland was transported to Gove County Medical Center.
The KHP was unsure if he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
The Hays Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wed., June 8, at 8:15 a.m. in City Hall, 1507 Main.
A public hearing will be conducted for a request by Michael McIntyre for a variance to reduce the south side yard building setback to construct a detached garage at 2003 Lincoln Drive.
Board members will also hear an update on the rewrite of the city’s Unified Development Code.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hostess Brands says it is voluntarily recalling various snack cakes and doughnuts over concerns they may have come in contact with peanut residue not included in the ingredient list.
The Kansas City, Missouri-based company’s recall announced Friday covers more than 700,000 cases of Ding Dongs, Zingers, Chocodiles and various doughnuts sold in grocery, dollar, drug and convenience stores in the U.S. and Mexico.
Funeral services for former longtime Sherman County, Kansas, resident Patricia Marie Lohr, 82, will be held Thursday, June 9, at 10:30 AM MT at First United Methodist Church in Goodland.
Interment will be at Goodland Cemetery.
Friends may share respects Wednesday, June 8, from 4:00 until 6:00 PM MT at Koons Chapel in Goodland.
Memorials to Alzheimer’s Association may be left at the services or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 North Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.
Dale Robert Dohe passed away Sunday, June 5, 2016 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 79. He was born on February 11, 1937 in Ellsworth, Kansas, along with his twin brother Dean Arthur, to the late Benjamin Walter and Amanda Marie (Walker) Dohe. Amanda passed away in October 1942 when the boys were only 5 years old. Benjamin later married Dorothea Wacker in January 1949.
Dale grew up working on the family farm with his brother, near Bullfoot Creek, in Lincoln County, Kansas. He graduated from Vesper High School in Vesper, Kansas with the Class of 1955 and often had school friends helping with the farm work. He was married to Kay Bolte and together they had a daughter, Norma. On August 6, 1966 he was united in marriage to Marlene Louise Meyers in Stockton, Kansas. They were blessed with four children, Darin, Tonya, Kimberly, and Colleen.
Along with farming, Dale did dirt construction, before going to work for Prickett Trucking hauling cattle. He also drove truck for Schult Homes, delivering manufactured and modular homes, with Marlene driving the pilot car. Later the family worked doing custom harvesting, for a little over 5 years, until Dale’s retirement in 2006. He enjoyed coyote hunting and fishing whenever possible. He was an avid baseball fan and very talented player, having turned down the opportunity to play professional ball as a young man, because dad needed him to stay on the farm. He cheered for the Kansas City Royals, and always loved cheering even more for his grandkids at their sports and school activities.
Dale is survived by his wife Marlene Dohe of the home in Plainville; son Darin Dohe and wife Valerie of Plainville; daughters Norma Kobbeman and husband Jeff of Lincoln, Tonya Bethel of Plainville, Kimberly Houser of Plainville, and Colleen Wilkerson of Plainville; brothers Wayne Dohe and wife Dorene of Lincoln, and Larry Dohe and wife Sharon of Lincoln; sister Karen Dohe of Lincoln; grandchildren Mitchell Kobbeman, Ashton Kobbeman, Katelin Dohe, Dylan Dohe, Sterling Dohe, Tiffany Bethel, Tate Bethel, Tristan Houser, Trever Houser, Brianna Houser, Willie Wilkerson, and Reagan Wilkerson; and great-grandchildren Emily Huehl, and Lexi Plante.
He was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Amanda Dohe, step-mother Dorothea Burmeister, and brother Dean Dohe.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at the First Christian Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Plainville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Family will receive friends from 6:00-7:30 pm.
Dale was a man who coupled faith with hard work, but also knew how to enjoy the fruits of his labors. Whether sharing a cold beer with friends, taking time to help neighbors, or just being with family at the end of a long day, he never grew tired of doing good; having fought the good fight, he has finished his race, kept the faith, and now rests from his labors.
Pauline M. (Debes) Oberle, 74, died June 5, 2016, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. She was born May 29, 1942, in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of John and Helen (Huslig) Debes. Pauline graduated from Odin High School in 1960. On June 4, 1966 she married James J. Oberle at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Odin.
A longtime resident of both the Claflin and Bushton area, she was a homemaker. She worked alongside Jim as his secretary at Jim’s Welding and then also for Schremmer Realty & Auction.
Pauline was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Claflin. She was active in her church and Altar Society, serving as an officer in the Altar Society, as a religion teacher, and on the parish council. She had also helped with the local Boy Scouts Club.
Pauline was the type of person that had never met a stranger. She loved her family and never missed an opportunity to cheer loudly at the grandkids sporting events.
She recently celebrated 50 years of marriage to her husband, James Oberle; they had six children together, Theresa Wilcox and husband Earl of DeSoto, KS, Peter Oberle and wife Michelle of Claflin, Douglas Oberle and wife Gina of Victoria, Jennifer Lamatsch and husband Robert of Pratt, Ellie Dozier and husband David of Hutchinson, and Jeffrey James Oberle.
She is survived by; nine brothers, Gene Debes of Great Bend, Father Don Debes of Papua, New Guinea, Tom Debes of Odin, Bernard Debes of Clyde, Leon Debes of Boonsboro, MD, Frank Debes of Odin, John Debes of Hoisington, Mike Debes of Dodge City, and Kenny Debes of Hays; three sisters, Doris Feist, Louetta Feist, both of Claflin, and Patricia Feist of Austin, MN; and thirteen grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son Jeffrey James Oberle, her parents, and two sisters, Florence Debes and Helen Detmer.
Vigil with Altar Society Rosary will be 7 p.m., June 7, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Claflin. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at the church, celebrated by Father Terrance Klein. Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge of Kansas City, the Father Don Debes OFM Cap. Mission Fund or Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Stephen “Steve” A. Roberts, age 66, of Hacienda Heights, CA, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at his sons home in Anaheim, CA.
He was born on July 31, 1949, in Hays to Harold Fredric and Eleanor (Lang) Roberts. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1967. He then joined the United States Navy.
He served his country for four years, from 1967 to 1971, as a Machinist Mate on board the aircraft carriers USS Ticonderoga (CV-17) and the USS Bennington (CV-20). He made two WESTPAC cruises to Viet Nam where his ship provided aircraft for bombing missions and close air cover for ground support of the Marines. While in the Navy, he married Relenda Coward and they had two children, Rebecca Dawn and Corey Wayne.
He worked as a machinist in the Los Angeles area following his discharge and eventually owned his own shop in Walnut, CA. specializing in jig-grinding operations. In addition to running his own shop. he also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and going fishing in the Pacific Ocean.
Steve is survived by his daughter Rebecca “Becky” of Brea, CA., his son Corey Wayne and wife Lisbeth (Briones) Roberts, grandchildren Samantha, Mark and Karina of Anaheim, CA., two sisters Joyce Rumsey of Castle Rock, CO., Diana Dewees of LasVegas, NV, two brothers Darrell and wife Tanell (Monell) Roberts of Castle Rock, CO., Timothy and wife Amy (Leiker) Roberts of Aurora, CO.; nieces and nephews: Christopher Roberts, Natalie Roberts, Kevin Roberts, Michael Dewees, Logan and wife Corbin Roberts, Brianna and husband Aaron Lessin, Taylor Roberts, and Larissa Roberts.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold Fredric and Eleanor (Lang) Roberts.
A memorial service with a VFW Color Guard service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 10:30 AM on July 2, 2016. A luncheon at noon will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Ellis, Kansas.
Please feel free to bring stories and memories of Steve to either the memorial service or the luncheon.
Dr. Brent Mai talks about the history of Volga Germans in Russia during a seminar in Hays Saturday. (Hays photos courtesy Kevin Rupp)
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In 1766, there were nine Roman Catholic colonies founded along the Volga River in Russia: Degott (July 18), Graf (June 10), Herzog (July 14), Katharinenstadt (June 27), Louis (June 14), Mariental (June 16), Rohleder (June 14), Schuck (July 18), and Volmer (July 18).
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of their founding, the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, hosted a seminar series and authentic Volga German lunch in Hays Saturday, June 4, at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall.
According to Hays resident Kevin Rupp of the Sunflower Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans From Russia, 91 people attended the event. Seven sessions were conducted by Dr. Brent Mai, director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University.
Mai’s discussions were basic introduction of the Volga Germans, Geography, 250th Anniversary of the villages of Graf, Herzog, Louis, Rohleder, Degott and Volmer, Volga Germans in South America, a day-in-the-life of the Volga German, the deportations in 1941 to Siberia and Volga Germans today. Each session ran about 45 minutes. At noon a traditional Volga German meal was served.
Wedding procession in Bauer (Photo courtesy Center for Volga German Studies)
Great Bend will be host to another 250th anniversary celebration Saturday, Sept. 17. The event will highlight the founding of the Volga German colonies of Moor, Bauer and Merkel. According to Mai, many descendants of families from these three colonies settled on the Kansas prairie in Barton and surrounding counties.
The public is invited to attend.
The Concordia University Connection
Concordia University was founded in 1905 in Northeast Portland by German pioneers to the Pacific Northwest. About that same time, Volga German immigrants to Portland began settling the nearby neighborhood called Albina and a thriving community developed. These Volga Germans and their descendants are now scattered throughout the Portland metropolitan area.
Concordia University – Portland has a special affinity with the Volga German community. Its campus in Northeast Portland is in the neighborhood where Portland’s Volga German settlement began in 1882 which eventually grew to over 500 families.
ELLIS–The 2015 audit report for the city of Ellis will be presented to city council members during their meeting tonight, Monday, June 6.
Other agenda items include consideration of a new fire department policy for automated alarm systems and an ordinance regulating such systems. The council will also consider renewing the city employee health insurance plan and discuss the city comprehensive plan goals and objectices.
The complete June 6 agenda follows.
AGENDA June 6, 2016 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS City Hall – Council Meeting Room
BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
1) CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on May 16, 2016
b) Bills Ordinance #1998
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
2) PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
a) Hearing on Environmental Violation – Kellie Crnkovich
3) SPECIAL ORDER
a) 2017 Budget Request – Options: Domestic & Sexual Violence Services, Inc.
b) 2017 Budget Request – Ellis Public Library
c) Presentation of 2015 Audit Report – Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chtd.
d) Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Denis Vine
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Fire Department Policy on Automated Alarm Systems
b) Consider Approval of Ordinance Regulating Alarm Systems
c) Consider Approval of Health Insurance Plan Renewal
d) Consider Approval of Refunding Bond Ordinance and Resolution
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives
b) Consider Approval of Committee Appointments
c) Consider Approval of Certificate of Destruction of Records
d) Consider Approval of Contract for WIFI at City Hall
e) Consider Approval of City Attorney Contract
f) Consider Approval of Establishing Separate Project Funds for Accounting Purposes
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Comparative Water Report
(2) Report on Concrete Pile on Old 40
(3) Report on Spruce Villa Mowing
(4) Report on Water Valves
(5) Department Update
2) Police
(1) May Activity Report
(2) June Staff Calendar
(3) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Committee Meeting Minutes
(2) Department Update
4) Attorney
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas is working to prevent another internet fiber cable cut that crippled the campus earlier this spring, with some officials arguing for funding to build a backup system.
On March 29, construction crews accidentally cut a section of fiber, shutting down internet access across the Lawrence campus and wireless internet at the Overland Park campus. Phone service also was cut in some buildings. It also shut down state testing for K-12 student in dozens of states.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience and are working to fix the network outage caused by cable cut on @KUNews campus. Stay tuned for updates…
The Lawrence Journal-World reports a University Senate committee report estimates the cost to the university will reach seven figures but an exact amount has not been announced. School officials aren’t naming the company that cut the fiber but they insist the school will not be paying for repairs.
Gene Policinski is senior vice president of the First Amendment Center.
Donald Trump is mad at the press. Many in the press are mad at Donald Trump. And much of the public apparently is mad at both.
Whew. Welcome to the “marketplace of ideas,” 2016-style. Lots of heat. Occasionally, a little bit of light. And this year, all taking place at the hyper-space speed of social media.
It’s not like we haven’t seen this before — long before — in the heady air around the presidency, just slower. Revolutionary War writer and activist Thomas Paine and second term President George Washington traded insults of “hypocrisy and treachery” and “careless, ungrateful, virulent” in a Philadelphia newspaper in 1796, near the end of Washington’s second term.
And as Theodore Roosevelt’s time in office was ending, he directed government attorneys in 1909 to sue newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer for libel because of stories and editorials questioning the purchase of the company building the Panama Canal and Roosevelt’s claims about the decision.
Of course, both of those involved presidents after election. Trump, and other candidates for offices high and low, now may feel more empowered to lash out at reporters and news operations during campaigns because they no longer need the “press” to reach voters.
To be sure, television, political talk shows and newspaper articles still count, but can be countered as never before with instant viral tweets, and more. And the web’s direct reach doesn’t need — or permit — the press-as-gatekeeper of information.
The spark for the latest brushfire on the campaign trail was — as we know from a rush of online and televised chatter —Trump’s anger at being asked to provide evidence on the occasion of Memorial Day that he had indeed raised and distributed $6.5 million to various veterans’ groups, as he claimed earlier. Questions in, insults out, and so it began — again.
The nation’s Founders regularly faced political and personal criticism and harsh questions —much more vulgar and regular than what we see today. But they still placed strong protection for a free press among our core freedoms.
Our governing system of checks and balances relies on give-and-take, with an unfettered — and often unruly and imperfect press — to inform us so that we may make the hard decisions required for self-governance.
We ought to be concerned when “checks” — most recently, a large one written by Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel — have the potential to distort a long-standing legal balance protecting those who report or opine about elected officials and other public figures — whether full time or in the occasional tweet or post.
Granted, the case at hand involving Theil, who apparently financed a libel action brought by former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan against the sensational web news provider Gawker, is tawdry and not one on which a free press would like to hang constitutional hopes.
A jury awarded the wrestler $140 million in damages over Gawker’s post of a sex tape involving Hogan. Jurors apparently found persuasive the argument that writing about the tape probably was a First Amendment protected act of publishing — but that showing the actual video was unwarranted and invaded Hogan’s privacy.
The specter of billionaire-funded lawsuits against internet startups or financially pressured traditional media would seem enough of a threat in itself. Throw in Trump’s campaign-fueled, vitriolic promise to work to weaken libel law protections for the media he disdains, and that combination is a lot scarier than a few outbursts and insults.
A landmark United States Supreme Court decision in 1964, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, set out that public officials (later extended to public figures) had to prove a writer or publication had knowingly or recklessly disregarded the truth before being able to win a defamation lawsuit. In the unanimous decision, the Court said it ruled that way because of a “profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open.”
A long-held view among working journalists is that they are not the story — but increasingly it’s clear that in the 2016 presidential race, they are, after years in which polls show the public’s view of the news media as an unbiased, accurate source of news has declined dramatically. And that lack of public trust, not sparring matches with politicos over personal characteristics, is where a real threat to freedom of the press resides.
While the Gawker trial’s salacious sex tape details and Trump’s tantrums deserve to be reported, journalists ought to keep in mind that challenge from the Founders was to be both a smart surrogate for citizens and a thick-skinned watchdog on government.
Issues, not insults, should be the stuff of campaign reporting — regardless of what candidates say. Reporters should ask tough questions and ignore the personal attacks. Focus more on what the candidates will do if elected and less on what they’re saying as tactics of diversion or distraction.
Over time, “accurate” and “fair” will prove more lasting labels than some momentary verbal slap from a politician. It would be a shame to see the mighty protections of Times v. Sullivan — indeed of the First Amendment itself — rolled back because the nation simply saw no need to protect “click-bait” journalism.
Gene Policinski is chief operating officer of the Newseum Institute and senior vice president of the Institute’s First Amendment Center. [email protected]
Stuttgart resident Audrey M. Tompkins died Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society-Colonial Villa in Alma, NE at the age of 90.
She was born January 17, 1926 in Rooks County, KS the daughter of Loren & Anna (Jerby) Case.
She was united in marriage to Arthur Merlkein on March 28, 1948 in Phillipsburg, KS. He preceded her in death in 1979. She then married Paul E. Tompkins on Nov. 14, 1981 in Stuttgart. He too preceded her in death in 2009. Her parents and a grandson, Jared Krafft, preceded her in death as well.
She is survived by her son, Dennis Merklein and a daughter, Sharon Krafft, both of Phillipsburg; a step daughter, Yvette Korb of Lenexa, KS; brother, Donald Case of Oak Grove, MO; 5 grandchildren; & 7 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. Burial will follow in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery.
Mrs. Tompkins will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.olliffboeve.com.
The Hays Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wed., June 8, at 8:15 a.m. in City Hall, 1507 Main.
ELLIS–The 2015 audit report for the city of Ellis will be presented to city council members during their meeting tonight, Monday, June 6. 
