William “Bill” J. Mans, 84 of Osborne, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 at Parkview Care Center. He was born in Osborne County, KS on October 16, 1933 to the late Jacob B. & Sophia (Swartz) Mans. Bill was one of 8 children.
Bill graduated from Osborne High School in 1951. He was a Soil Conservation contractor. He also farmed and was a rancher.
Bill married Estella “Stella” Marie Schroeder and to this union 4 children were born.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Stella Mans in 2015; sisters: Lucille Junk, Monica Eilert, Edith Reinert, Maxine Brummer; brothers: Leo, Leonard & Ben. He is survived by his daughter, Renee (Kendall) Miner of Russell, KS; sons: Rick (Jeanne) Mans of Osborne; Russell (Carri) Mans of Osborne; Randy (Janet) Mans of Garden Plain, KS; brother-in-law Don Brummer; 13 grandchildren & 10 great-grandchildren.
Mary Lou Knoll, 90, of Osborne passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS. Mary was born to Charles Andrew & Margaret Jennie (Dock) McKinney in Lincoln Co., KS on September 25, 1927.
Mary graduated from high school and went for further education for 1 year at business college. Mary met and married Harvey J. Knoll, Sr. and to this marriage they had seven children. She was a homemaker and worked as a cook at USD 392 in Osborne, Parkview Care Center in Osborne and at Woodston Camp of the Assembly of God Church in Woodston,Ks. She was a strong Christian woman and faithfully attended the Asssembly of God Church in Osborne.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harvey, Sr. in 2006 and a daughter, Sheryl Knoll in 1966. She is survived by sons: Harvey (Glenda) Knoll, Jr. of Osborne; Doug (Carleen) of Osborne; Dan (Dawn) of Stockton, KS; Mark (Jenneane) of Stockton, MO; daughters: Vicki (Larry) Pruitt of Osborne & Deb (Les) Miller of Stockton, MO: 24 grandchildren & 46 great-grandchildren: sister Bernice Cury of Howe, TX.
Olathe businessman Greg Orman on Wednesday joined the race to be Kansas governor as an independent candidate. In 2014 he challenged U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, losing by a 10-point margin.
Olathe businessman Greg Orman launched an independent campaign for governor Wednesday, ending months of speculation about his political plans.
Orman’s entry sets up a three-way contest that some say neither he nor the Democratic nominee can win.
“I think he will guarantee the Republican — likely Kris Kobach — wins,” said University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller, referring to Kansas’ high-profile but controversial secretary of state who is one of 13 candidates seeking the GOP nomination for governor.
Several of the six Democrats running could get enough support from independents and moderate Republicans to defeat Kobach in a head-to-head race, Miller said. But the advantage would go to Kobach, or whoever wins the GOP nomination, if the vote is split three ways, he said.
Former state Sen. Tim Owens disagrees with that assessment. He signed on as Orman’s campaign treasurer because he believes deepening partisan divisions in the country have made candidates who reject party labels more viable.
“It’s something that historically has been a tough thing, but if there was ever a right time it’s now,” Owens said.
Owens, a moderate Republican from Overland Park who lost his Kansas Senate seat in the conservative wave of 2012, said if Kobach wins the primary, GOP voters opposed to him would welcome an opportunity to support someone other than the Democrat.
“This gives them an opportunity to vote for somebody else without switching parties,” he said.
Running as an independent and without Democratic opposition in 2014, Orman threw a scare into Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts. But a late surge powered by millions of dollars that flowed to his campaign from out-of-state donors propelled Roberts to a 10-point win.
After the loss, Orman wrote a book, “A Declaration of Independents,” in which he argues that the corruption of both major parties by powerful special interests has disenfranchised average Americans.
As an independent, Orman won’t have to worry about getting through a primary but will have to collect 5,000 signatures on a petition to be assured of a spot on the Kansas general election ballot alongside the Republican and Democratic nominees.
Orman has varied business interests. In 1996, he profited from the sale of a company he founded — Environmental Lighting Concepts — to Kansas City Power & Light. He now holds interests in a private equity firm and a partnership that owns a Lenexa-based boxing equipment manufacturer.
Johnnattan Troche Ramirez, formerly of Puerto Rico, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017 at HaysMed at the age of 34. Johnnattan was born on April 26, 1983 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
Cremation has taken place and a service will be held in Puerto Rico at a later date.
Arrangements are by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.
Next month, the 2018 Kansas Legislature begins its annual session. It will face a host of major issues, starting with school finance and including constructing a new prison, funding KPERS, and addressing the endemic secrecy within state government, comprehensively documented by the Kansas City Star.
Last year our lawmakers demonstrated that they could address numerous issues, even as they passed major tax legislation over a gubernatorial veto. Give this record, the Legislature has an obligation to act decisively on one small –but not minor – issue: Kansas’s deeply flawed Crosscheck voter verification program, which 30 states continue to use.
Burdett Loomis, Professor, Political Science, College of Liberal Arts and Science
The Legislature should stop all funding for Crosscheck, which ostensibly addresses the alleged problem of multiple voter registrations in two or more states.
Begun in 2005 at the urging of then-state GOP chair and later Secretary of State Kris Kobach, Crosscheck claims to root out potential voter fraud by comparing registration records across thirty states. There is a separate program, established in 2012, called ERIC (Electronic Registration Information Center), funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, which includes twenty states and the District of Columbia.
Although it may seem simple to validate duplications in registrations and possible double voting, in practice myriad problems have arisen as these systems deal with huge data bases from many states, each with their own rules. ERIC’s great advantage lies in its data security and careful culling of false positive registrations.
Crosscheck raises numerous questions; most fundamental are its core assumption that multiple registrations and double voting are commonplace in American electoral politics. Kobach and others continue to complain that this is the case – or may well be – even as study after study debunks the existence of such a problem. Indeed, in his role as co-chair of a national voting commission, Kobach anticipates expanding Crosscheck to all fifty states.
Crosscheck advocates argue that it has discovered as many as three million voters who have the same name and birthdate and are registered in two or more states. Such a finding must mean that there is a tremendous potential for fraud, right?
Not really. Solid, sophisticated studies have demonstrated the statistical basis for having three million registration duplications. Without going into excruciating detail, consider the fact that in any group of 23 individuals, there is an even chance that two will have the same birthday. Now think of 150 million voters, and all the combinations of apparently identical names with the same birthdates. Probability dictates that many, many of these individuals will have the same names and birthdates.
Add in sloppy record-keeping and administrative errors, and almost all the three million duplications can be accounted for. Moreover, large numbers of actual double registrations should lead to numerous prosecutions, especially with an aggressive prosecutor like Kobach. But there have been only a handful. This means is that 30 states keep propping up a system that has accomplished little save to further Kobach’s relentless voter suppression agenda, with the states bearing the costs of all the errors. And now, with a national commission, Kobach wants to compound these mistakes.
Kansas, Crosscheck’s originator and prime funder, can proceed in one of two ways. First, it can simply stop paying for Crosscheck and withdraw its participation, which might topple the system completely. Or legislators can choose ERIC, with its superior security, to address double registrations.
Again, this is not the state’s most pressing problem, but Crosscheck wastes our resources and those of 30 other states with no offsetting benefits. In short, a coalition of sensible lawmakers should defund Crosscheck and, if desired, join ERIC, post haste.
Burdett Loomis is an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Kansas.
Joy Arthur Oralee Glenn, 89, of Norton, Kansas, passed away November 21, 2017 at his home.
He was born May 22, 1928 in Gothenberg, Nebraska, to John Irvin and Emma (Gill) Glenn. He was raised on a farm southeast of Norton and later moved into town where he attended Norton schools.
Joy enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April 1945 and was stationed in Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant. It was during a bus trip back home that he met the love of his life, Gladys Albin. They visited the entire trip back and knew that they were meant for each other. Gladys and Joy were married in Norton on July 5, 1947. They first resided in Denver and moved back to Norton after his discharge from the military.
They lived in Norton the entire 69 years of their marriage until Gladys’ passing on August 30, 2016. Joy worked several jobs after returning home and eventually joined Quenzers as a propane delivery man in the Norton area. He worked there for several years where he learned the plumbing and electrical trades. Owner Doyle Quenzer contacted Joy and wondered if he would be interested in purchasing the Norton store from them as Doyle was nearing retirement. They came to an agreement and for many years Glenn’s Plumbing and Appliance served the Norton community.
During this time, Joy and Gladys helped his mother run Glenn’s Motel which his parents had built in the 1950s. Emma retired and they eventually sold the motel. Joy retired from Glenn’s Plumbing and turned it over to sons John and Eric. He took on other interests such as doing maintenance at the Norton Manor (now the Norton Housing Authority) before buying the Wayside Trailer Court.
Gladys and Joy lived there for several years while he worked on making many improvements. They eventually sold the court and moved to a home on Waverly Street to enjoy life. Joy was a member of American Legion Post 63 in Norton since he left the military. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and would help anyone when needed. He had belonged to the Norton Jaycees helping put on local events.
Survivors include sons Eric D. and wife Brenda, Norton, children Heather and Chris, Curtis J. and friend Lydia, Norton, Randall L. and wife Denise, Manhattan, children Brock, Justin, Derek, Whitney, daughter-in-law Karen Glenn, Norton, children Mike and Megan, sister Betty Anderson, Norton and 3 great grandchildren, Parker, Sophie and Kylee. Joy was preceded in death by his parents John and Emma Glenn, wife Gladys, son John, grandson Matthew, all of Norton, brothers Alfred, Boise, ID, and Roland, Norton. Cremation was chosen.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Norton Christian Church, Norton, KS with Darrel Boston officiating. Friends may sign the book at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, KS. Memorials may be given to the Norton Senior Center.
In June, dozens of officers were used in an FBI raid at the Jackson Co. detention Center-photo courtesy KCTV
KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to his role in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband cell phones and other items to inmates at the Jackson County Detention Center, according to Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Marion Lorenzo Byers, also known as “Cuddy,” 36, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to the charge contained in a July 18, 2017, federal indictment.
Byers admitted that he conspired with others – including a corrections officer and an inmate at the Jackson County Detention Center – to smuggle contraband to inmates between May 2 and June 26, 2017. Byers also admitted that he delivered contraband to a co-conspirator, who in turn delivered the contraband to a corrections officer at the detention center, who was to deliver the contraband to an inmate.
By pleading guilty, Byers acknowledged that this federal conviction provides a sufficient basis to revoke his current probation in an unrelated state case. The government will seek to have whatever sentence is imposed in this case run consecutive to whatever revocation sentence may be imposed in state court.
Under federal statutes, Byers is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
The Travel Act
The Travel Act makes it a crime to use a facility of interstate commerce (such as telephone calls) with the intent to further unlawful activity. The Travel Act’s definition of “unlawful activity” includes bribery in violation of the laws of a state. Missouri state law makes it a crime for a public servant to solicit or accept a bribe in return for violating a known legal duty. This crime is known under Missouri state law as acceding to corruption, and it is a companion or sister statute to the Missouri state statute that makes it a crime for someone to bribe a public servant. These two Missouri state statutes criminalize bribery conduct involving a public servant, both for the person paying the bribe and for the public servant taking the bribe.
Byers admitted today that he conspired to violate the Travel Act by using a facility of interstate commerce (a telephone) to facilitate the promotion of an unlawful activity, that is, acceding to corruption.
Peter J. Werth speaks at an event to announce his $22.5 million commitment to the University on Dec. 4, 2017. The pledge from Werth, an innovator in generic prescription medication, is the second-largest in University history. Seated is President Susan Herbst. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)UConn Today
The UConn Foundation has received a $22.5 million commitment from Peter J. Werth, ensuring a legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship for generations of students to come.
“Peter’s transformative and historic commitment cements his legacy as a most generous friend to UConn,” said Josh Newton, President and CEO, UConn Foundation. “As a steadfast UConn supporter for many years, Peter has previously given very generously to our athletic programs. We’re grateful that his generosity has expanded to include academics, especially into an area that supports the economy of our state: entrepreneurship and innovation. We hope he will inspire others to follow his lead.”
Announced this week at a press conference at NextGen Residence Hall on the main campus in Storrs, Werth’s commitment is the second-largest in University history, behind Ray and Carole Neag’s $23 million pledge in 1999.
$2.5 million will be paid over the next five years to establish the Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The Institute, under University leadership, will bring together student and faculty programs fostering entrepreneurship and innovation that potentially have commercial application and can be used to create new companies. In addition to nurturing innovation, the Institute will facilitate entrepreneurship speaker forums and host an entrepreneur-in-residence to instruct students.
The remaining $20 million is an estate gift, providing ongoing support for the Werth Institute in perpetuity and ensuring Werth’s legacy at UConn for generations to come. In recognition of this historic commitment, the NextGen Residence Hall will now be known as the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower.
“An investment in UConn is an investment in the University’s spirit of innovation,” said Werth, CEO, President, and Chairman of ChemWerth, Inc. “While I didn’t attend UConn, I have come to believe in its mission, and see the importance of creating opportunities for innovation at our state’s flagship university. I’m delighted and honored that I could make this gift in support of young entrepreneurs, as they create innovative solutions for today’s unique challenges.”
Werth earned his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University and his master’s degree from Stanford University, beginning his professional career as an R&D scientist in the early 1960s. Working from a room above the garage in his Woodbridge, Connecticut home, he established ChemWerth Inc., a full-service generic drug development and supply company, in 1982.
Werth also has proven to be a generous benefactor at his alma mater. In November, a $5 million pledge was announced for the Peter and Pamela Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics. In 2013, the Werths committed a $1.6 million gift to support FHSU.
His vision was to produce U.S. FDA-quality active pharmaceutical ingredients in China, which would make generic drugs more accessible and affordable. He immersed himself in the local Chinese market and worked alongside manufacturers to achieve the necessary quality of ingredients. Today, sourcing active pharmaceutical ingredients from China is an industry norm, providing a significant cost savings on medication for millions.
His dedication to improving the lives of people through affordable generic medicine is matched by his most generous philanthropic spirit. Werth’s previous commitment provided the lead gift for the Werth Family UConn Basketball Champions Center, a world-class facility for the UConn women’s and men’s basketball teams. In addition to his numerous charitable donations to UConn, he is the president of The Werth Family Foundation Inc., which was established in 2001 to support Connecticut communities, with a focus on higher education, children’s services, human services, the arts, and the environment. Werth is also a 2015 honorary Doctor of Science degree recipient from UConn.
“Words cannot express how thankful we are to Peter for his extraordinary gift,” said UConn President Susan Herbst. “This incredible gesture will transform student lives, supporting their entrepreneurial spirit as they create the businesses of the future. Peter is a remarkable individual and wonderful friend to UConn. We are deeply grateful for his generosity.”
Judy S. Hull, age 54, of Hays, Kansas passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Hays Medical Center. She was born February 7, 1963 in Phoenix, Arizona to Gene and Helen (Spaith) Georges. She married Samuel Hull on February 1, 1986 in Fullerton, California.
She had worked as a bookkeeper. She was an avid Hays Kiwanis club member and was the George F. Hixon Award Recipient. She was a passionate reader and book collector, enjoyed bird feeding and above all was a proud, involved mother who always put her family first.
She is survived by her husband, Sam of Hays; a son Matthew Hull of Hays; a daughter, Sarah Hull of Hays; her father, Gene of Scottsdale, Arizona; five brothers, Chris (Theresa) Georges of Glendale, Arizona, Joe (Tami) Georges of Chandler, Arizona, Tim (Toni) Georges of Maui, Hawaii, John Georges of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Patrick (Tammy) Georges of Porter, Texas and two sisters, Cathy (Peter) Adams of Kuai and Paula (Tom) Casey of Scottsdale.
She was preceded in death by her mother; a brother, Peter Georges and a sister, Emily Georges.
A Celebration of Life service will be 2:30 PM on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
A Memorial visitation will be Saturday, December 9th 2 PM – 2:30 PM at the funeral chapel.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hays Kiwanis Club.
Condolences can be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
Douglas Alan Sandoval, age 48, of Hays, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2017 in Hays.
Memorial services will be 11 AM Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will follow in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hays.
A Memorial visitation will be 10 AM until service time on Saturday at the Funeral Chapel.
NEW YORK (AP) — The trendspotting Pantone Color Institute picked a deep purple hue called “Ultra Violet” as the color of the year for 2018.
Pantone Vice President Laurie Pressman told The Associated Press ahead of Thursday’s announcement that the shade evokes a counterculture flair, originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking. Pressman said the choice speaks to rebellion rather than royalty and has played out in everything from home and commercial interiors to fashion and the art world.
Pressman considers the shade “very much an optimistic color” intended to bring on “peace and calm.”
Ultra Violet follows the 2017 color of the year, “Greenery,” a grassy fresh, revitalizing shade that reflected new beginnings.
WAKEENEY – This year marks the 26th anniversary of Worcester Wreath Company, Harrington, Maine, donating wreaths to adorn the headstones of our nation’s veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to wreaths destined for Virginia, Worcester Wreath will again donate seven ceremonial wreaths to more than 1,200 local, state, national and foreign cemeteries.
The 12th annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney will be held Sat., Dec. 16 at 11 a.m.
We are not here to “decorate graves.” We’re here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.
—Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America
The specially-made wreaths for Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA veterans will be placed during the ceremony.
Family members have the opportunity following the ceremony to place a wreath on their loved one’s grave. If family members are unable to attend, the American Legion Riders and other volunteers will place the wreaths on those graves.
For more information, call Cemetery Manager Heidi Goff at (785) 743-5685.
Every year from the second week of November through the last day of January, bird hunters from all over make their way to rural Kansas to take part in hunting pheasant and quail. According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, more than 80,000 hunters (about 40,000 of them non-residents) will hunt pheasants this year in Kansas with some of them being part of the 62,000 who will hunt quail.
According to the KDWPT, pre-season reports predicted good hunting in many areas of the state due to rain patterns creating ideal nesting conditions and cover from predators like chicken hawks, coyotes and bobcats. Local hunters in the area have noticed the dramatic increase.
“There are a lot more pheasants and the quail have multiplied by what seems like 100 percent. They are everywhere,” said Dean Gottschalk, an avid bird hunter from Ellis. “I think the rainfall we had helped a bunch. They can hide anywhere.”
The heavy precipitation in the spring and regular rainfall throughout the summer created a lush landscape for the quail to take cover during nesting. The predicted abundance of birds created a “gold rush” scenario for bird hunting in Kansas. Gottschalk said he has noticed a lot more people out there than in previous years.
“I usually have a big group that comes in from Kansas City and actually, the last two or three years, we have not done much hunting because there was not an abundance and we were trying to let them repopulate,” Gottschalk said. “It is nice driving out in the country and seeing wildlife in abundance instead of hardly seeing any at all.”
As you continue to enjoy pheasant and quail season, keep in mind that the bag and possessions limits are generous in Kansas, the KDPWT reminded — four rooster pheasants per day and 16 in possession and eight quail per day and 32 in possession.
William “Bill” J. Mans, 84 of Osborne, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 at Parkview Care Center. He was born in Osborne County, KS on October 16, 1933 to the late Jacob B. & Sophia (Swartz) Mans. Bill was one of 8 children.
