Nancy Marie Poche Stoppel, 70, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, March 02, 2019, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, March 08, 2019, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Ezekiel Koech officiating. Services will conclude at the church and due to the snow there will be no graveside service. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, March 07, 2019, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening.
Memorials may be given to the Russell County Food Pantry and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Wayne Holloway, 66, passed away on March 1, 2019. He was born July 21, 1952 in Merkel, Texas, the first born son of Marvin and Daphna Holloway. He graduated from Merkel High School in 1970 and served in the U.S. Army for 3 years.
He is survived by his daughter, Lindsay and Tyson Hoff; his grandson, Karsten; a new grandbaby due on his birthday in July, 2019; his siblings, Becky and Tim and close friends, Mark and Linda.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m. at Baalmann Mortuary, 109 N. 2nd St., Atwood, KS 67730 For condolence or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly:
In the seven weeks since the inauguration, my administration has been hard at work.
I presented a plan that balanced the budget, prioritized schools, paved the way for Medicaid expansion, invested in children and families, enhanced public safety, and left the largest ending balance in two decades.
My budget was structured to stabilize our fragile state finances and pay down the record amount of debt racked up during the last eight years. Not only that, my bipartisan Cabinet hit the ground running with the long, hard task of rebuilding our state agencies.
Together, we’ve increased transparency by sharing, honestly, the severity of the problems we uncovered at the Department of Corrections, Department for Children and Families, and Department of Revenue. We’ve shed light on the number of no-bid contracts hidden throughout state government.
Contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, that didn’t go through the proper channels, and may not be in the best interests of Kansans.
My team at the Department of Administration is currently in the process of developing new, stricter standards of ethics and accountability in the procurement process. We look forward to announcing that plan once it is finalized in the coming weeks. And we are just getting started. We understand the urgency of our work. Our work touches the lives of Kansans every day and we take that very seriously.
Unfortunately, I’m disappointed that the Legislature has yet to act with the same level of urgency, especially given the breadth of our challenges and the deadlines we face.
As a former legislator, I have deep respect for the legislative process. It is not unusual for many of the biggest issues of the session to be resolved later in the session. This is not a race. But the deadlines are real. And they are right around the corner. It’s frustrating that little progress has been made on the most critical issue of the session: school funding.
After seven weeks, I worry that some legislative leaders have allowed serious deliberations and the development of policy alternatives give way to partisan games and unnecessary name calling.
In 2011, the first year of the previous administration, the Legislature debated and acted on 99 more pieces of legislation by this point in the session than they have this year. At this moment, halfway into the session, just one piece of legislation has reached my desk.
I’ve met with leadership. I’ve met with lawmakers of both parties. And my door continues to be open. I’m eager to find bipartisan consensus when lawmakers return for the second half of the session. I’m looking forward to seeing their plans so we can begin negotiations.
On election night in November, I was hopeful that lawmakers could put our differences aside and work together on behalf of Kansas families. Today, I choose to remain hopeful. I am ready to find middle ground.
I was elected to rebuild our state following years of mismanagement and failed policy. I offered a plan to do just that. I hope lawmakers will join me in earnest when they return.
In the meantime, my team will continue to do our work – cleaning up messes and charting a more responsible path forward. We will continue to put the best interest of families first. We will prioritize schools, health care, roads, and job growth.
At Monday’s meeting, the Hays USD 489 school board will hear an update on the renovation project at the former Oak Park Medical Complex.
The complex is being renovated for use by the Early Child Connections program. The school district purchased the property for $2 million.
The district received a $1.47 million federal grant for renovation of the complex, as well as a $500,000 donation from HaysMed, which was a primary complex property owner before it was sold. A developer has signed a $500,000 contract on Washington school building, where ECC is currently housed. The developer intends to renovate the school into low-income apartments.
In addition, the ECC program has applied for grants to pay for moving playground equipment and renovating space at the Oak Park Complex into a storm shelter. If the district receives that money, it could mean another couple hundred thousand dollars for the project. This money would be used for contingency for the project if it is received.
The renovation project is behind its initial timetable. The district is under a tight schedule to complete the project and has until June 30 to spend the federal grant money.
The district had hoped to have at least three buildings in the complex open when school starts in August.
In other business, the board is set to:
• Vote on the school calendar for 2019-20.
• Hear a report on Roosevelt Elementary School and Hays Middle School roof bids
• Hear an update on board goals
• Hear a review of board policies
• Hear an update on assessments and Kansas Education Systems Accreditation
David Thomas Booth of Roxboro, North Carolina, passed away February 23, 2019, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Tom Booth was born December 18, 1948 in Emporia, Kansas to Lloyd and Helen (Moore) Booth. Tom grew up on the family farm and graduated from Lebo High School in 1966. After graduation, Tom attended Fort Hays State University and completed a tour with the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserves. Tom was an avid outdoorsman that loved hunting and fishing. It was his love of the outdoors and warm weather that took him away from Kansas, first to Texas and then to North Carolina. He always remained a loyal KU Basketball fan.
Tom is survived by two daughters, Jennifer (Steve) Bidwell of Mansfield, Texas and Jamie (Garrett) Shaddix of Wichita, Kansas and grandsons Jack and Henry Bidwell and Oliver Shaddix. He is also survived by his siblings, Cindy (jerry) Martin, Barb (Tom) Gurss, Mike Booth and Scott Booth. He was proceeded in death by his son Jeremy Booth and his parents Lloyd and Helen Booth.
Graveside services will be held March 16, 2019 at 2pm at Arvonia Cemetery, Arvonia, Kansas, followed by a lunch and fellowship at the Heidi Inn in Lebo, Kansas.
Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is assisting the Booth family. Please express your online condolences by using the tab below.
All Day In The House
Starting last Tuesday, the members of the Kansas House of Representatives spent all day in the House chambers debating and voting on a wide array of bills.
On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, the House debated twenty five bills and Wednesday, we debated eight additional bills.
Some of the bills that we discussed were:
House Bill 2084, which revises the Kansas 911 Act. The bill also repeals three outdated statutes in the existing act.
House Bill 2006 requires that the Kansas Department of Commerce create a database for information regarding economic development incentive programs.
A couple of bills that were debated affected the Board of Regents in the state of Kansas. House Bill 2209 authorizes the Board of Regents to purchase cybersecurity software. House Bill 2168 allows the University of Kansas to sell property located in Douglas County and Kansas State University to sell two properties, one located in Saline County while the other property is in Cherokee County. Wednesday morning I voted in support of all these bills.
The House completed final action on all of the bills debated last week.
Turnaround
The culmination of last week marks what is referred to as “Turnaround,” or simply the halfway point of the legislative session. The Senate and the House spent the majority of last week in our respective chambers debating bills from the bills’ chamber of origin. Most of the House bills introduced so far this session needed to be debated and voted on by Thursday, February 28, 2019, or they would run the risk of not advancing in this session. The same can be said for bills in the Senate.
When we return on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, our focus will be on bills that were debated and passed out of the Senate. The Senate will then evaluate the bills that we in the House have passed. That will be the major work for the committees until we adjourn for our April recess.
More Bills
House Bill 2225 requires that a driver stop the vehicle at least fifteen feet before crossing a railroad track if other track equipment, in addition to a train which is current law, is nearby. I did not support this bill because it is common sense to stop at a railroad crossing.
House Bill 2223 makes revisions to vineyard permits by now calling them producer permits. The bill also allows for wine producers to use a wider variety of agricultural products for wine production. I support this bill.
House Bill 2360 is a bill that came from the Children and Seniors committee, and it concerns background checks for employees and volunteers that have unsupervised access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. I voted “yes.”
We had planned to debate House Bill 2173, the commercial hemp bill, however it was pulled from discussion this week. Due to the passage of the federal farm bill of 2018, which allows for the production of commercial hemp, we need to have this bill debated to clear up existing statute language that we passed last year.
Anytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at www.kslegislature.org.
Contact Information
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, visit www.troywaymaster.com or email me at [email protected]. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
Troy Waymaster (R-Bunker Hill) is the 109th Dist. state representative and chairman of the House Appropriations committee. The 109th District includes Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties and portions of Barton, Jewell, Lincoln and Rush counties.
JERUSALEM (AP) — The United States has officially shuttered its consulate in Jerusalem, downgrading the status of its main diplomatic mission to the Palestinians by folding it into the U.S. Embassy to Israel.
For decades, the consulate functioned as a de facto embassy to the Palestinians. Now, that outreach will be handled by a Palestinian affairs unit, under the command of the embassy.
The symbolic shift hands authority over U.S. diplomatic channels with the West Bank and Gaza to ambassador David Friedman, a longtime supporter and fundraiser for the West Bank settler movement and fierce critic of the Palestinian leadership.
The announcement from the State Department came early Monday in Jerusalem, the merger effective that day.
“This decision was driven by our global efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our diplomatic engagements and operations,” State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said in a statement. “It does not signal a change of U.S. policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip.”
In a farewell video addressed to the consulate’s Palestinian partners, Consul General Karen Sasahara, who is leaving her post as the unofficial U.S. ambassador to the Palestinians and will not be replaced, maintains that new Palestinian unit at the embassy will carry forward the mission of the consulate, “in support of the strengthening of American-Palestinian ties, to boost economic opportunities for the Palestinians and facilitate cultural and educational exchanges.”
When first announced by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in October, the move infuriated Palestinians, fueling their suspicions that the U.S. was recognizing Israeli control over east Jerusalem and the West Bank, territories that Palestinians seek for a future state.
Palestinian official Saeb Erekat called the move “the final nail in the coffin” for the U.S. role in peacemaking.
President Trump signed the historic statement on Jerusalem in June of 2017-photo courtesy White House
The downgrade is just the latest in a string of divisive decisions by the Trump administration that have backed Israel and alienated the Palestinians, who say they have lost faith in the U.S. administration’s role as a neutral arbiter in peace process.
Last year the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocated its embassy there, upending U.S. policy toward one of the most explosive issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinians in turn cut off most ties with the administration.
The administration also has slashed hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, including assistance to hospitals and peace-building programs. It has cut funding to the U.N. agency that provides aid to Palestinians classified as refugees. Last fall, it shut down the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington.
The Trump administration has cited the reluctance of Palestinian leaders to enter peace negotiations with Israel as the reason for such punitive measures, although the U.S. has yet to present its much-anticipated but still mysterious “Deal of the Century” to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, announced last month that the U.S. would unveil the deal after Israeli elections in April. The Palestinian Authority has preemptively rejected the plan, accusing the U.S. of bias toward Israel.
Luke Perry speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Photo by Gage Skidmore
By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES — Luke Perry, who gained instant heartthrob status as wealthy rebel Dylan McKay on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” died Monday after suffering a massive stroke, his publicist said. He was 52.
Perry was surrounded by family and friends when he died, publicist Arnold Robinson said. The actor had been hospitalized since last Wednesday, after a 911 call summoned medical help to his home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles.
“The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning,” Robinson said in a statement. At Perry’s bedside were his children, Jake and Sophie; fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer and his former wife, Minnie Sharp.
Perry had played construction construction-company owner Fred Andrews, father of main character Archie Andrews, for three seasons on “Riverdale,” the CW series that gives a dark take on “Archie” comics. A fourth season has been slated.
Born and raised in rural Fredericktown, Ohio, Perry gained fame on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” which ran from 1990 to 2000.
Perry has had roles in a handful of films, including “The Fifth Element,” ”8 Seconds” and “American Strays.” He appeared in HBO’s prison drama “Oz” and voiced cartoons like “The Incredible Hulk” and “Mortal Kombat.” In recent years he starred in the series “Ties That Bind” and “Body of Proof.”
The same day he was hospitalized, Fox TV announced that it would be running a six-episode return of “90210” that features most of the original cast, but Perry was not among those announced.
A team, front row: Brett Schumacher, Charlie Roe, Jack Weimer, Brantlee Staab, Cooper Sanders; back row: Coach Cade Scott, Colin Clark, Ethan Marshall, Braxton Banker, Malik Bah, Ben Zimmerman and Jaiden Desaire.
The Hays Middle School seventh-grade basketball A and B teams won their first WAC championships this season, with a combined record of 26-4.
Cade Scott coached the A team, and Ben Oberle coached the B team.
B team, front row: Tanner Boxberger, Derek Quach, Kyler Riggs, Jaxon Zimmerman, Dylan Stahl and Lex Lummus; back row, Kelby Hammerschmidt, Rhett Shelton, Nate Henderson, Bryan Camera, Henry Fitzthum, Corbin Werth and Coach Ben Oberle.
