Month: March 2018
Ellis St. Mary CYO dinner March 25
ELLIS – The Ellis St. Mary CYO will hold a Community Fried Chicken Dinner Sunday, March 25, 2018.
The pan-fried chicken dinner include mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert.
The dinner is available form 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until it’s sold out. Come early!
The fundraiser will be held at the Ellis Knights of Columbus Hall, 1013 Washington St., Ellis.
Dinner prices are:
Ages 5 through 9 – $5.00
Ages 10 and over – $10.00
Sheriff: Another arrest in NW Kan. drug investigation
PHILLIPS COUNTY —A third arrest has been made in the ongoing narcotics investigation in Phillips County.
Anthony J. Brock, 28, Russell was in custody on unrelated charges in Russell County when he was transferred to the Phillips County Jail and served with an arrest warrant Saturday evening on charges of unlawful distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school and unlawful use of communication facilities in facilitation of a felony, according to according to Sheriff Charles Radabaugh
Brock is being held on a sond.
For several months, the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting an investigation with no outside assistance or resources, according to Radabaugh.
“The deputies assigned to this investigation have greatly disrupted the distribution channels of meth in Phillips County and they aren’t done yet,” said Radabaugh.
Brock has previous convictions for drugs, flee, and attempt to flee and elude in Ellis County and for drugs and interference with law enforcement in Russell County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
BOWERS: 2018 Senate Scene Week 9
SENATE HIGHLIGHTS
The Kansas Senate finished the ninth week of session with committee meetings and bills coming forward. The Senate held floor debate on Wednesday and passed out two pieces of legislation dealing with alcohol.
FLOOR ACTION
MICROBREWERY CONTRACTING – House Bill 2470 allows Kansas microbreweries to contract with other microbreweries to sell and package beer and hard cider. The legislation regulates the amount of beer and hard cider that can be transported between facilities.
CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE SALE REGULATIONS – House Bill 2502 allows cereal malt beverage (no more than 6.0 percent alcohol volume) licenses to be subject to state and local taxes instead of the state liquor tax.
CONVENTION OF STATES- Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611 makes the application to the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose limits on the federal government. This bill failed 22-16 (The resolution needed 27 votes or two-thirds in favor to pass).
QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN STATEWIDE OFFICE
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government held a hearing on HB 2539 which deals with qualifications for candidates seeking certain statewide office. The bill would list a minimum age requirement to run for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, and insurance commissioner. Currently, there is not a minimum age requirement therefore any current resident of Kansas is eligible to run. There were two proponents of the bill at Wednesday’s hearing with both noting a “qualified elector” should be at least 18 years of age. This bill will be worked and sent out of committee next week.
From the State Library
The Kansas Constitution, including the Ordinance, Preamble, and Bill of Rights, is available to print in a pocket sized version from the State Library’s website https://kslib.info/constitution. Just click on the link and follow the instructions. A helpful diagram shows how to fold and where to cut to assemble your booklet. Helpful tip: print double sided and flip on the long edge.
Visitors from Senate District #36
We had another busy week with visitors from home. Kansas Insurance Day was held Wednesday with members across the state attending. The Kansas Optometric Association held their annual meeting and reception on Monday. The Concordia 7th graders toured the Historical Museum before visiting the Capitol on Thursday. David Wood from the BP Butamax Plant in Scandia was the guest speaker at the Senate Rural Ag Caucus on Monday and presented the group with a slide show of the operation at the ethanol plant.
As always, I’ll keep you updated on the activities of the Senate while we continue through the second half of the session. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at www.kslegislature.org. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website. The House meets at 11:00AM and the Senate at 2:30PM. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.
Thank for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building
Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
[email protected]
785-296-7389
www.kslegislature.org
MARSHALL: Doctor’s Note March 12
Friend,
Last week wildfires burned more than 25,000 acres across Kansas. Soldiers from the Kansas National Guard, in cooperation with local firefighters and emergency personnel, worked hard to combat them and preserving life, property, and animals.
I am grateful for all the men and women for their heroic efforts. In difficult times, I am proud to see members of our state work together to overcome disasters.
When discussing the recent fires, we cannot ignore the damage that the drought has caused for many of our farmers across Kansas. It goes without saying, if there is no moisture our producers will continue to lose their crops. I am thankful that the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue understands the damage this drought has caused. Last week he designated 24 Kansas counties as primary natural disasters due to the intensity of the drought. This designation grants assistance those eligible farmers.
Rural Broadband Access
We’ve been spending a lot of time discussing rural broadband access on the hill. There’s no denying the need for our schools, businesses, and families to be able to communicate quickly and efficiently. Last week the House Small Business Committee examined the financial challenges that small carriers face with rural broadband deployment. Our rural carriers struggle with the high cost building out infrastructure in rural areas. Small carriers play a huge role in connecting the Big First and closing the digital divide, and it’s great to see the Committee highlighting such an important issue to my district. There is no doubt that rural broadband expansion is helpful in our agriculture sector as well. Our products are sought after worldwide and we must have the connectivity to run global businesses.
#NAFTA
I joined the House Ways and Means Committee in Mexico City, Mexico for the seventh round of NAFTA negotiations. On this trip, I met with Ambassadors from Canada and Mexico, as well as US negotiators and economic leaders. The negotiating teams we met with are first class folks and I saw serious engagement from all countries. It was clear from these meetings that all three countries have a sense of loyalty to each other because we have all seen how well this agreement can work for us. While there may be specific issues where we disagree, all three countries share the same goal of a modernized NAFTA in a way where no one is slighted.
And as you probably have seen in the media, it was a tough week for trade. I want to assure you that while I agree with the president on almost all of his policy, I split with him on his approach to trade. In regards to his steel tariffs, I support targeting abusers of our free trade system, but I have grave concerns about overly broad efforts that leave us open to retaliation. As we’ve seen in my district with sorghum, agriculture often bears the brunt of retaliatory actions. Although the president provided a limited exception to Mexico and Canada I still believe there are other countries included in this tariff that should not be and I encourage the president to re-evaluate this target.
I signed a letter to the president with 107 of my Republican colleagues. This note urges the president to tailor his steel and aluminum tariffs to those who abuse the system.
Kansas WIC Team
WIC helps more than 60,000 of our eligible families in Kansas, and I am so grateful for the services they provide. This week I gave a speech at the National WIC leadership conference, and I was thankful that our own Kansas leaders stopped by for a meeting.
I also got the opportunity to meet Kelsi Depew, a Kansas mom who received support from WIC. Kelsi shared her story and how helpful the services that WIC provided were while her and her family were going through a tough time, such an inspiring story, and powerful family.
New International Trade Friendships
This week I had a great meeting with the UK Secretary of State for the Department of Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Grove. Having relationships with Ag leaders across the globe is so important. As we work to expand into new markets, these types of relationships will be important for our farmers and ranchers in both of our countries. I am thankful that I was able to spend some time discussing our nations trade priorities.
Myers honored with Russell chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award
RUSSELL — Martin Myers, longtime Russell resident and pPresident of Myers Furniture Inc., was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in a recent banquet by the Russell Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his many years of service to his neighbors and community.
In addition, letters of congratulations have been received by Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer and Kansas Rep. Troy Waymaster. A statement by Myers expressed gratitude for this honor, and encouraged others to get and stay involved in their communities, as that is where we as individuals can make a real and lasting impact.
— Submitted
Matthew V. ‘Matt’ Guffey
Matthew V. “Matt” Guffey, age 44, of Hays, Kansas passed away Friday March 9, 2018 in rural Ellis County, Kansas. He was born February 24, 1974 in Scott City, Kansas to Richard and Deborah (Hartman) Guffey. Matt graduated from Hays High School in 1992.
Matt was a rig hand working for Murphin Oil Company and currently with Discovery Drilling Company. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and collecting knives. Matt was a proud and active father of Hunter, Maddy and Lona enjoying all the activities the children participated in.
He is survived by his parents, Richard and Deborah Guffey of Hays; his children, Hunter, Maddy and Lona Guffey all of Ellis; a brother, Nathan Guffey of San Diego; a sister, Amy Jensen and husband Mike of Hays; a niece, Elissa Jensen of Hays; a nephew, Ethan Jensen of Hays and his grandmother, Helen Hartman of Hays.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Van Hartman and his maternal grandparents, Vernon and Ruby Guffey.
Memorial services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the Trinity Lutheran Church 2703 Fort Hays, KS.
Memorial visitation will be Monday 6 PM – 8 PM at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Matt Guffey Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date with checks payable and in care of Deb Guffey.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
Gerald Cecil (Jerry) Baldwin
Gerald Cecil (Jerry) Baldwin, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday February 28, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona.
Jerry was born October 8, 1928 in Palmer, Kansas to Olda and Alma (Lyon) Baldwin. He was the youngest of their five children. The family relocated to Goodland, Kansas during the Great Depression. It was there that Jerry met Anna Marie Colburn. He married her in Goodland, Kansas on September 14, 1950.
Anna preceded Jerry in death in 2003. Two sons survive him, Andy Baldwin (Vonnie); and Matthew Baldwin (Peggy). He also has a granddaughter, Matina (Baldwin) Schoonover (Casey) and two great-grandchildren Danica and Cayden.
Jerry entered the US Air Force in 1954. During his twenty year career, he was a crew chief on an H-19 rescue helicopter, guidance technician on TM-76B Mace missiles and Ballistic Missile Analyst Technician and First Sargent on Titan II missiles. It was the Titan assignment that brought him to Tucson Arizona where he retired in 1974.
Jerry loved sports. While at Sherman Community High School he lettered in wrestling, basketball, baseball, and football. He also enjoyed hunting, but his greatest hobby passion was fishing. He had favorite fishing spots wherever he lived. He brought home bass from Roosevelt Lake in Arizona, red snapper from the Jetty at Cape Canaveral and trout from Don Lake in Germany.
Funeral services for Jerry will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 10:30 AM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Pastor Doug Amend officiating. Burial with full Military Honors will be held in the Goodland Cemetery following the service.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 12, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home.
Memorials are designated to the Gerald Baldwin Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Funeral service arrangements are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.
Florence Pauline Batt
Florence Pauline Batt, 91, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, March 07, 2018, at the Via Christi Village in Wichita, Kansas.
Florence was born on October 24, 1926, in Bunker Hill, Kansas, the daughter of David and Pauline (Ehrlich) Keil. She was Baptized in the Trinity Lutheran Church on November 1, 1926. She excelled in school, but her father would only allow her to attend to the 8th grade. She did not let that stop her, and earned her GED and then took many college courses. She had a great love for reading and learning. She was united in marriage to Walter Popp on December 6, 1951. He preceded her in death on May 2, 1964. She was united in marriage to Walter Batt on June 14, 1969. He preceded her in death on May 11, 1986. She was a fulltime wife, mother and homemaker and enjoyed taking care of her family. She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. She enjoyed gardening and canning; china painting and teaching her granddaughter to china paint, collecting information on local schools in Russell County, dancing, was an avid Bridge player, golf and traveling. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Surviving family include her daughters, Linda Tittel and husband Doug from Sharon Springs, Kansas and Connie Ney of Russell, Kansas; son, Michael Popp and wife Ann of Wichita, Kansas; brother, Clarence Keil and wife Dee of Wichita, Kansas; 6 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded by her parents, both husbands, sister Palmena “Paule” Brock and brother Delmar Keil and Leroy Keil.
A celebration of Florence’s life will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas. A Graveside Service will be at 2:00 PM, Wednesday at the Hoisington City Cemetery in Hoisington, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with St. John Lutheran Church or the High Plaines Humane Society. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, who is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Velma Louise Underwood
Velma Louise Underwood, 83, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, Marych 07, 2018, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.
Velma was born on December 07, 1934, in Sumner County, Kansas, the daughter of Paul D. and Viola Velma (Hutchins) Myers. She grew up in the Winfield and Tribune areas and graduated from Southwester High School in Waxahachie, Texas. After high school she attended college at Ft. Hays State University in Hays Kansas. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Lowell Patrick Underwood on September 03, 1951, in Tribune, Kansas. From this union Velma and Pat were blessed with 3 sons Ron, Randal and Rick. The family located to Russell, Kansas, and has made Russell their home for 57 years. Velma worked as a controller and office manager of Bella Vista Motor Homes then worked as the Executive Director of Lincoln Manor and Parkside Manor both in Russell. She was a longtime member and very active with Otterbein United Methodist Church. She enjoyed traveling and writing poetry with some of her poems having been published. Most of all she enjoyed being a wife, mother and homemaker and loved raising her children and grandchildren.
Surviving family include her husband Lowell “Pat” of 66 years of the home, son Rick Underwood and wife Sherri of Gorham, Kansas; daughter in-law Nancy Underwood Schmitt; brother Paul E. Myers of Tribune, Kansas; sister Paula Davis and husband Scott of Los Lunas, New Mexico; grandchildren Alex, Seth and Kelcie Underwood and Tisha Rein Coffelt and 2 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sons Ron and Randal Underwood; 2 sisters Virginia Martin and Clorene Stone.
A memorial service to celebrate Velma’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Cremation has been selected by the family and inurnment will follow the services at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the mortuary with family to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening. Memorials may be given to the KU Med Center Alzheimer’s Unit and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Mildred Gertrude Reif
Mildred Gertrude Reif, 86, passed away March 10, 2018, at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis in Wichita, KS.
She was born on November 7, 1931, at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend, to John J. and Judith (Mater) Schneider.
On August 30, 1950, she married Steve Reif at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Olmitz. After the wedding, they settled on a farm near Odin, where they lived their entire married life of over 67 years.
A lifetime resident of Barton County, she was a homemaker. She loved music and going to dances with Steve. She enjoyed crocheting and gardening and was an active partner on the farm. She was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society of Odin.
Mildred was a 1949 graduate of Great Bend High School.
She is survived by her husband, of the home; four children, Melvin and wife Sammie Reif of Ellinwood, Raymond and wife Anne Reif and Janet and husband Gary Rapp of Great Bend, Theresa and husband Patrick Trapp of Hays; six grandchildren, Marci and husband Jason Elliott, Sarah and husband Tony Schmieg, Katie and husband Jason Beach, Emily Reif, Cole and wife Regan Reif, and Travis and wife Katrina Rapp; eight great-grandchildren, Brendan Elliott, Avery Elliott, Kylie Schmieg, Alexis Schmieg, Tanner Beach, Anna Beach, Sophie Arunski, and Fitz Reif; and one sister, Delores and husband Leo Frenzl of Great Bend.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Martin Schneider; and one sister, Marie Demel.
Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. and Vigil and Rosary at 7p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, Kansas, celebrated by Father Terrence Klein. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Holy Family Cemetery Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.
🎥 Community Connection: Stephen Hopson
Marcella D. Albers
Marcella D. Albers, 86, of Oakley, died Saturday, March 10, 2018, at her home.
She was born November 24, 1931, in Sheridan County, KS, to Levi and Margaret (Trembley) Ribordy. She attended Harmony Grade School, in Sheridan County and later received her G.E.D. from Colby Community College. Growing up Marcella enjoyed roller skating, which is how she met her husband, Ralph Albers. They were united in marriage on November 24, 1948, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, in Grainfield. The snowstorm of 1948 made it a memorable and event for friends and family. They were married 69 years. Marcella was a member of the Wheatland VFW Post #2864 Ladies Auxiliary, St. Joseph Altar Society and multiple card clubs. She was a talented seamstress, making clothes for her family. Her four daughters often returned home from school finding a dress for each of them only needing the hem to be finished.
She was an avid quilter and quilted for many friends and family. Gardening was another talent of hers and she enjoyed canning what she produced. Marcella also loved to cook, especially for big groups. Pheasant hunting was a yearly event with meals all weekend for the hunters which included a mountain oyster fry, loved by most all. Christmas and Easter were important holidays, with Santa distributing presents to all and the Easter egg hunt for the grand and great grandkids. The adults seemed to enjoy finding and re-hiding the other adults bag of candy as much as the younger kids. Marcella loved going to auctions and collecting antiques. Her trips to town always ended buying fabric she loved to make into something beautiful. Marcella was a very caring and involved Wife, Mother and Grandmother and Great grandmother. She was a very involved in everyone’s activities.
Marcella was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Kenneth, Lenard and Leon; sisters, Madeline Rumback and Marceline Rowland; and granddaughter, Stacy Taylor.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph, of Oakley; children, Eulalia (Gary) Muschik , of Union Bridge, MD, Marvin (Bette) Albers, of Oakley, Vickie (Rich) Farney, Wilson, KS, Elaine (Ken) Ptacek, Colby, KS, Stan Albers, Hoxie, KS, Sandy (Monty) Moore, Monument, KS, Chris (Terri) Albers, Oakley and Lynn (Vivian) Albers, Pagosa Springs, CO; sisters, Maryann Racette and Rita Huffman; 22 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be Thursday, 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic School in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com