Eldon D. “Pee Wee” Witthuhn, age 70, of Hays, Kansas died Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at his home.
He was born September 21, 1948, in Great Bend, Kansas to Harold and Harriett D. (VanDegrift) Witthuhn. He married Teresa L. (Showalter)-Baldwin on December 19, 1970, at Lawrence, Kansas.
He worked in the Speech-Language Pathology field for 30 years , most recently with Aegis Therapies at area nursing homes and home health services. He retired in 2016 due to his health. He grew up in Bazine, Kansas and was a 1966 graduate of Bazine High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degrees in Speech and received his Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology both at Fort Hays State University. While in College he was a member of the RATs at Fort Hays State. He lived in Lawrence for a few years, then lived in Bazine for 16 years and moved to Hays in 1989. Eldon enjoyed golfing, blues music and the family trips they had every year.
Survivors include his wife, Teresa Witthuhn, of the home; three sons, Ryan Shrader and wife, Kandra, Houston, TX; Kelly Witthuhn, Denver, CO; Jonathan Witthuhn, Hays, KS; two daughters, Amy Cook and husband, Miles, WaKeeney, KS; Sarah McCarty and husband, Chad, Hays, KS; six grandchildren, Chloe and Abbott Shrader; Hayden and Carson Cook; Katelynn and Ethan McCarty; two brothers, Hal Witthuhn and wife, Sherry, Ellis, KS; Kevin Witthuhn and wife, Debbie, Bazine, KS; one nephew, Trent Witthuhn and wife, Kendra; and one niece, Wende Witthuhn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Verta Witthuhn.
A Celebration of Life reception will be held at the Hays V.F.W., 22nd and Vine Street, Hays, KS on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
A memorial is suggested to Eldon’s family in care of Teresa Witthuhn.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be
sent via e-mail to [email protected]
KANSAS CITY (AP) – A Kansas City man has been charged with fatally shooting a suspected car thief at a gas station.
Simms -photo Jackson Co.
Twenty-four-year-old DeAndre Simms was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Keith Michael. He’s jailed on $100,000 bond. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.
Court records say Simms told police he parked his 2018 Volkswagen Jetta at the gas station and left it running while he went inside. He said he was defending his property when he shot at a person who was getting into his car. Simms said he called 911 afterward and waited for offices to arrive.
The shooting was captured on surveillance video. Simms told police he didn’t know the victim and didn’t see him with any weapons.
Hotel says as many as 500 million guests could have been compromised
BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — The information of as many as 500 million guests at Starwood hotels has been compromised and Marriott said that it’s discovered that unauthorized access to data within its Starwood network has been taking place since 2014.It could be among the largest data breaches on record.
The company said Friday that credit card numbers and expiration dates of some guests may have been taken. For as many as two-thirds of those affected, data exposed could include mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest account information, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure information, reservation date and communication preferences.
For some guests, the information was limited to name and sometimes other data such as mailing address, email address or other information.
“We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves,” CEO Arne Sorenson said in a prepared statement. “We are doing everything we can to support our guests, and using lessons learned to be better moving forward.”
Email notifications to those who may have been affected will begin rolling out Friday.
While the breach affected “approximately 500 million guests” who made a reservation at a Starwood hotel, some of those records could include a single person who booked multiple stays.
The company manages more than 6,700 properties across the globe.
While the first impulse for those potentially affected by the breach could be to check credit cards, security experts say other information in the database could be more damaging.
“The names, addresses, passport numbers and other sensitive personal information that was exposed is of greater concern than the payment info, which was encrypted,” said analyst Ted Rossman of CreditCards.com. “People should be concerned that criminals could use this info to open fraudulent accounts in their names.”
When the merger was announced in 2015, Marriott had 54 million members of its loyalty program and Starwood had 21 million. Many people were members in both programs.
Asked for more details on the 500 million number, Marriott spokesman Jeff Flaherty said Friday that the company has not finished identifying duplicate information in the database.
An internal security tool signaled a potential breach in early September, but the company was unable to decrypt the information that would define what data had potentially been exposed until last week.
Marriott said in a regulatory filing that it’s premature to estimate what financial impact the data breach will have on the company. It noted that it does have cyber insurance, and is working with its insurance carriers to assess coverage.
The Starwood breach stands out among even the largest security hacks on record. Hilton had two separate data breaches that exposed more than 350,000 credit card numbers. One breach began in November 2014 and another in April 2015. Yahoo had a data breaches in 2013 and 2014 that impacted about 3 billion of its accounts. Target also had an incident in 2013 that affected more than 41 million customer payment card accounts and exposed contact information for more than 60 million customers. Last year, Equifax disclosed a data breach that affected more than 145 million people.
The former Starwood brands now under the Marriott umbrella include W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Element Hotels, Aloft Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton and Design Hotels. Starwood branded timeshare properties are also included.
Marriott has had a rocky process of merging its computer system with Starwood computers. Members of both loyalty programs have complained about missing points, glitches with stays crediting to their accounts and problems with free nights earned from credit cards not appearing.
Sorenson said that Marriott is still trying to phase out Starwood systems.
Marriott has set up a website and call center for anyone who thinks that they are at risk.
Shares of Marriott tumbled 5 percent at the opening bell.
In a news conference Wednesday, Patty Baconrind, a Fort Hays State University graduate, was recognized for her generous gift to FHSU Athletics. She has made an initial $100,000 gift in support of transportation needs for Tiger Athletics with the intent to continue this same level of support over the next eight years.
Baconrind has a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an M.S. in communication from FHSU, an M.S. in business from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, a B.S. in business education from Midland College, and a Real Estate Certificate from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
The owner of Baconrind Appraising Services Inc., Baconrind, a Certified General Appraiser, has a storied history with Fort Hays State. She served as assistant professor of business administration and was later promoted to associate professor. She taught real estate and marketing courses. She also taught as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting.
Baconrind is also the president and owner of the Center for Professional Betterment Inc., a Kansas proprietary school approved by the Kansas Board of Regents for real estate and appraisal education. All courses are approved by the Kansas Real Estate Commission and the Kansas Appraisal Board.
“Geographically, we face unique challenges related to team travel,” said Curtis Hammeke, FHSU director of athletics. “Obviously, the safety of our coaches and student-athletes is at the forefront of these improvements. Upgrading and replacing our fleet vehicles will allow us to address these travel concerns well into the future! It is through Patty’s generosity that we are able to do so in a timely fashion.”
“What’s really special to me about this gift is that it’s the perfect example of donor-centered philanthropy, when we can take the passion and interests and love of our donors and match them up with Fort Hays State’s needs to create a legacy,” said Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president.
“Gifts like this are humbling, as I know that there are a lot of places that people can support,” Hammeke said. “To choose us, to choose FHSU, to choose Tiger Athletics – it’s appreciated beyond what we can ever express.”
Hammeke
Baconrind was a recipient of the FHSU Pilot Award, awarded annually to recognize the outstanding faculty member of the year. Her recognitions include six different Who’s Who categories: Women, Advertising, Finance, in the Midwest, Educators, and in American Education.
She is a recipient of the FHSU Alumni Association’s Nita M. Landrum Award. She also served two terms on the Alumni Association board of directors.
Baconrind became aware of the need for transportation upgrades when she served on the FHSU Athletic Board. This was a unique way for her to combine her passion for vehicles and her passion for Fort Hays State.
“When I was here at FHSU teaching, I worked with a great deal of student-athletes,” Baconrind said. “At that time, I also served on the athletic board and became familiar with concerns over budgets, travel needs and safety of our students.
“When I heard that transportation was going to be Item No. 40 at the 2018 Tiger Auction, I told Curtis that I was interested in the project. Tiger Auction started the project, and it has brought us to where we are today.”
Proceeds from the annual Tiger Auction and Dinner benefit the FHSU Athletic Department, and Item No. 40 each year is targeted for some specific need for the department.
“We greatly appreciate Patty’s generosity and willingness to support this endeavor,” said
Hammeke, who added that Baconrind’s support will help provide the funding for two new charter-style buses.
“Patty has been a long-time supporter of Tiger Athletics,” Hammeke said. “Her passion for vehicles, combined with her interest in Tiger Athletics, created a unique opportunity to make these enhancements to our department a reality. This generous commitment will make a significant impact for our student-athletes and coaches for many years to come.”
“Support like this has a direct impact on the student-athlete experience and speaking first-hand from the long bus rides we take, I can promise you this generosity and thoughtfulness does not go unnoticed by all of us athletes,” said Darby Hirsch, Topeka junior and a member of FHSU’s women’s soccer team.
“The number of hours we spend on the bus traveling for competition is probably more than I would like to total up, but this opportunity Patty has given us will be appreciated each and every weekend.”
Johnson
“Transportation is a vital and ongoing need for Tiger Athletics,” said Mark Johnson, men’s basketball coach. “Not only will Patty’s gift make a huge difference for the comfort of our student-athletes as they travel, but more importantly, it will improve their safety.”
Gifts to Fort Hays State University are 100-percent tax deductible. To learn more about the Fort Hays State University Foundation and how you can support FHSU, visit https://foundation.fhsu.edu/ or contact the office at 785-628-5620 or by email [email protected].
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — President Donald Trump joined the leaders of Canada and Mexico at a global meeting in Argentina on Friday to sign a revised North American trade pact that he called “groundbreaking” and a benefit for “working people.”
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is meant to replace the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump has long denigrated as a “disaster.”
He appeared with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at the Group of 20 nations summit in Buenos Aires for the formal signing ceremony. Each country’s legislature must also approve the agreement.
“It’s been long and hard. We’ve taken a lot of barbs and a little abuse, but we got there,” Trump said of the pact.
Legislative approval is the next step in the process, but could prove to be a difficult task in the United States, especially now that Democrats — instead of Trump’s Republicans — will control the House of Representatives come January. Already Democrats and their allies in the labor movement are demanding changes to the agreement.
While Trump hailed the revised trade pact, Trudeau was more measured, saying there was still work to be done and calling on Trump — using his first name — to remove steel and aluminum tariffs the U.S. imposed on Canada and Mexico. Trudeau also referenced recent downsizing by General Motors in North America as a “heavy blow.” Trump did not mention the job losses.
The signing came at the front end of two days of tough diplomacy for Trump. On the top of his agenda is a Saturday dinner meeting with Chinese President Xi Jingping. which will determine if the two can ease escalating trade tensions. Before Trump arrived in Argentina he injected additional drama into the proceedings by canceling another high-stakes meeting, with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Friday, Trump opened the day with a cordial meeting at the Casa Rosada with Argentine President Mauricio Macri, a longtime business acquaintance. Posing for photos in the gilded Salón Blanco, Trump spoke about their longtime personal relationship and said they would discuss trade, military purchases and other issues.
“We’ve known each other a long while,” Trump said, noting he worked with Macri’s father on real estate developments. The businessman-turned-politician joked that when he and Macri first met they’d never have imagined their future roles on the world stage.
Macri is hosting the summit as he struggles with problems at home. He is trying to halt economic turmoil that has caused the steep depreciation of the Argentine peso.
Trump, who arrived in Buenos Aires late Thursday, barreled into the two-day meeting by announcing via Twitter that he was canceling a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Russia’s seizure of Ukrainian vessels. His agenda for the weekend includes meetings with world leaders, as well as a number of heavily choreographed group activities for the gathering of leaders of rich and developing nations.
Trump faces a series of diplomatic challenges over the weekend, most notably whether he can strike an agreement with Xi.
The president canceled on Putin not long after his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, revealed he had lied to Congress to cover up that he was negotiating a real estate deal in Moscow on Trump’s behalf during the Republican presidential primary in 2016. The news ensured any meeting with Putin would have put a spotlight on the special counsel’s investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow during the campaign. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
Trump showed that the Russia investigation was testing his ability to stay focused on summit business after he blasted the investigation in a fresh tweet on Friday, again calling it a “Witch Hunt!”
One looming question is whether Trump will have a run-in with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid global dismay over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that the Saudi crown prince must have at least known of the plot to kill Khashoggi, who was critical of the Saudi royal family. Lawmakers in both parties have called on Trump to at least avoid the young heir apparent as punishment.
But Trump publicly announced his decision to effectively give the prince a pass in the name of “America First,” making vastly exaggerated claims of Saudi military contracts and investments in the United States. The president also views Saudi Arabia as a vital counterbalance to Iranian influence in the Middle East.
Asked Thursday why the two had no meeting scheduled, Trump said: “I would have met with him but we didn’t set that one up.”
With his “America First” approach, general distaste for multinational deals and habit of insulting allies, Trump typically gets a mixed reception at global gatherings.
Trump has slapped tariffs on the European Union, pulled the U.S. out of the landmark Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal and suggested he might be willing to pull the U.S. out of NATO if member countries don’t significantly boost their defense spending.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democrats have picked a Kansas House member to fill Gov.-elect Laura Kelly’s former state Senate seat.
Vic Miller during a special meeting of democrats in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV
Their selection Thursday evening of Democratic state Rep. Vic Miller of Topeka came 34 years after Miller ran unsuccessfully for the same seat.
Miller would not say whether he would run for the seat in 2020.
Democrats in Wichita plan to meet Saturday to fill the former Senate seat belonging to Lt. Gov.-elect Lynn Rogers. Miller said the departure of both Kelly and Rogers from the Senate left Democrats needing someone with legislative experience to replace Kelly.
The 67-year-old Miller served in the House from 1979 through 1984 and lost a Senate race that year. He became a power in local politics and returned to the Kansas House in 2016.
Thomas More Prep-Marian senior Emily Schulte recently attended “Women in Health Care: The Next Generation” at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Emily was one of 10 female high school students chosen from applicants across the state to attend this enlightening experience at KU Med. She participated in three days of activities at KU Med.
The program chooses women who have shown a strong interest or commitment to health care careers and provides them with the opportunity to interact with health profession students and faculty at the KU Med Center. With this program, students are given uninhibited insider access to explore the world of health and medicine.
The expenses for this experience including transportation, hotel and meals are provided by the KU Medical Center Area Health Education Center.
Macy Moyers, a junior majoring in biology, received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in March 2018 when she was notified of her acceptance into the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
“I am beyond lucky to have this opportunity,” said Moyers. “I am glad that I have the opportunity to go beyond the usual type of learning experience and learn and work in a place that I would never be able to experience otherwise.”
Moyers, originating from Great Bend, began her internship in May 2018. It will end in January.
The program provides participants the opportunity to live, earn and learn while at Disney. They also have the option of taking courses and seminars through Disney while there.
Moyers took a summer seminar series, “Disney’s Animal Science Seminar,” in which she learned that Disney’s main focuses are to educate the public about animals, the environment and the preservation of wildlife and the environment worldwide.
During the seminars, participants learned about the diverse departments within Disney’s animal, science and environment team and were given the opportunity to meet some cast members in those areas.
“As a participant in this series, I gained field experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Living Seas in Epcot,” she said.
“My experience has been great.” “I have always wanted to work for Disney and be part of the magic that guests experience.”
Moyers was previously a lifeguard at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, where she was stationed for five months. She now works at the food and beverage service in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
On her days off, she enjoys exploring Walt Disney World and Orlando with the friends she has made through this unique opportunity.
“It is an amazing opportunity to experience this diversity while also making friends and learning from others,” she said.
“This internship has allowed me to acquire useful on-the-job experiences while working with one of the most reputable companies in the world,” said Moyers.
Moyers, on track to graduate in May 2020, is currently a full-time FHSU virtual student while at her internship. She is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a concentration in health professions and plans to attend dental school after she graduates.
“Participating in the Disney College Program has allowed me to have on the job experiences and gain transferable skills that will benefit me in my future endeavors,” she said.
“Disney, as a company, has a main focus on their guest service.” “It would be advantageous for me to incorporate these guest service skills with my future in patient care.”
Jill Rozean of HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, was recently recognized as a finalist at the seventh annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards Gala in Kansas City.
Nurses who demonstrated excellence and leadership were recognized at the March of Dimes 2018 Nurse of the Year Awards. This event honors nurses from across Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area whose strength, courage and perseverance advance their profession. March of Dimes received nearly 800 nominations across 22 categories.
Patients, families and colleagues honor the selflessness, dedication and passion of Kansas and Greater Kansas City Nurses with nominations for the awards. From neonatal and pediatric care to mental health and advance practice, these awards recognize the contribution that registered nurses are making in our community and help fund the mission of the March of Dimes.
Rozean works in the Women/Infant Department of HaysMed and has been an associate since 2001.
COLBY — Celebrate this Christmas season cowboy style with Western Plains Arts Association. The Bar D Wranglers are bringing their cowboy music and comedy stage show to Colby Community College’s Cultural Arts Center at 3 p.m. CST, Sunday, Dec. 9.
The Bar D Wranglers are a western music singing group from the Bar D Chuckwagon Suppers in Durango, Colo. The group has performed for over 2.5 million guests at their Durango location as well as countless other stages and venues around the United States. The group began performing at the Bar D Chuckwagon in June of 1969 and continues the tradition nightly throughout the summer months. When the Bar D Wranglers take their show on the road, they perform the classic cowboy- western music for which they are so well-known, as well as award-winning instrumental and comedy songs and crowd-pleasing stories that will delight the entire family. The Bar D Wranglers presently include Gary Cook, Matt Palmer, Joel Racheff, and Richard Espinoza. We hope you enjoy the show as much as the Wranglers enjoy performing for you!
Gary Cook is a two-time national flat pick champion guitar player and sings tenor. Originally from Fort Collins, Colo., Gary began his musical career at 4 years old. Coming from a very musical family, he grew up singing and playing different instruments. Gary and his siblings began playing at KLAK radio in Denver on a program called the Rocky Mountain Jamboree. Over the years he has competed in guitar and mandolin contests at festivals throughout the central and western United States winning the National Flatpick Guitar Championship twice.
Matt Palmer is originally from Sandpoint, Idaho. Matt learned to play as his family toured around the United States performing for western music fans everywhere. Matt can be heard singing the baritone harmony parts in the Wranglers cowboy music quartet as well as playing great fiddle songs.
Joel Racheff was born in Wyoming, raised in New Mexico, and has spent most of his adult life in Durango. While trying to sing lead and harmony parts with the group, Joel lays down…the foundation on his upright bass.
Richard Espinoza is best known for his big western singing voice, often being compared to one of the greatest in western music history – Marty Robbins. He plays the rhythm guitar with the group, and adds a distinct, rich sound to the Bar D Wranglers. Recognized as one of the finest male performers in Western Music, he has been the recipient of awards from organizations such as the Western Music Association.
The Bar D Wranglers were founded by Cy Scarborough in the late 1960’s. Cy still performs with the other members at the Chuckwagon and on the road at several dates throughout the year. He hails from Arkansas and has provided comedy for the group since the beginning. He began his western music career at the Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs in the early 1950’s. His funny songs and tales are always entertaining, and people from around the world have enjoyed the different “musical instruments” he has created over the years. Cy’s wife, Jeanne continues to work along side him at the Bar D Chuckwagon.
WPAA season programs are made possible through gifts and grants from numerous western Kansas sponsors including a special grant from the Dane Hansen Memorial Foundation, Logan, Kansas. Admission is by WPAA season ticket or $20 adults, $10 students at the door.
Alicia BoorMany people look forward to Christmas time and the smell of a fresh cut evergreen tree can bring back the happy memories of Christmas past.
If you have not picked out your perfect tree for this season, here are a few tips about picking one out.
Bringing home a tree is not the end of the work though. Proper care for the tree once it is in your house may help it stay looking good throughout the holiday season.
If selecting a cut tree, watch for these signs that the tree is too far gone.
• Needles are a dull, grayish-green color
• Needles fail to ooze pitch when broken apart and squeezed
• Needles feel stiff and brittle
• Needles pull easily off tree
Once you have your tree home, recut the trunk about one inch above the original cut. This will open up clogged, water-conducting tissues. Immediately place the trunk in warm water.
Locate the tree in as cool a spot as possible. Avoid areas near fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and heat ducts as the heat will result in excess water loss. Make sure the reservoir stays filled.
If the reservoir loses enough water that the bottom of the trunk is exposed, the trunk will need to be recut. Adding aspirins, copper pennies, soda pop, sugar and bleach to the water reservoir have not been shown to prolong the life of a tree.
Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at [email protected] or calling 620-793-1910
COWLEY COUNTY – One person died in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Thursday in Cowley County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Lincoln MKS driven by Virgina L. Hostetter, 67, Winfield was northbound on 85th Road at 194th Drive.
The car struck the front end of a grain drill on a southbound John Deere tractor driven by Arthur Dewain Davis, 72, Winfieild.
Hostetter was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Miles Funeral Home.
A passenger in the Lincoln Marvin D. Hostetter, 72, Winfield, was transported to the hospital in Winfield. Davis was not injured. The accident remains under investigation.
Eldon D. “Pee Wee” Witthuhn, age 70, of Hays, Kansas died Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at his home. 
