Vice News tested Facebook’s new rules for eliminating false advertising — and was approved to receive a “paid for by” notation on behalf of each of the current 100 U.S. senators.
The “paid for by” notation on political advertising was unveiled by Facebook this spring in an effort to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Click HERE to read the article from Vice News or watch the video above.
Leanna Kay (Yates) Wolfe, 73, died Monday, October 29, 2018 at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.
She was born August 20, 1945 in Norton, Kansas the daughter of Lee & Darlene (McFarland) Yates.
Leanna grew up in Norton, Kansas. She graduated from Norton Community High School and Fort Hays State University. On June 5, 1965, she married Randall Dean Wolfe in Norton, Kansas.
Leanna worked as an elementary school teacher for 46 years in the Hays and Lakin school districts. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Lakin Teacher’s Association, KNEA, NEA, and the Lakin 50 Club. She loved kids, music, shopping, traveling, gift giver, roses, beaches, and attending her grandkids events.
Survivors include her husband Randy Wolfe of the home; two daughters Jodi & husband Mike Ashbaugh of Denton, Texas and Kayla & husband Tray Snyder of Coldwater, Kansas; and five Grandchildren Erin & Bryce Ashbaugh, Ashton, Chayde, & Breckyn Snyder.
Leanna is preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Lakin United Methodist Church in Lakin with Rev. Aaron Duell officiating. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 5, 2018 at the Norton Cemetery in Norton, Kansas. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Friday all at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin, Kansas.
The family suggests memorials given to the Lakin United Methodist Church or to the Kearny County Senior Center both in care of the funeral home.
Margaret Ellen Fikan, 84, of Atwood, died Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood, KS.
She was born August 22, 1934, in Catlettsburg, KY, to Jess and Flora (Hurt) Robinson. She graduated from high school in Ashland, KY, in 1952 and went to work for Cappel’s Furniture Store as a bookkeeper in Dayton, OH. She met Lyonald John Fikan, who was stationed at Wright Patterson AFB, and they married in March 1955 and moved to his family farm in Atwood.
Margaret grew up as a “city girl” but she adapted well to life on the farm and actively participated in helping her husband with the day-to-day operation of running the farm/ranch. She loved gardening, sewing, cooking, singing, line dancing and spending time with her family and friends. She was an active member of the First Methodist Church, where she taught children’s classes, sang in the choir, played hand bells and cooked and served for funeral dinners. She also volunteered many years at the Good Samaritan Center. She was a hard-working, positive, happy person and will be missed greatly by her friends and family.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lyonald and her brothers, Eugene and Jess Jr. Robinson.
She is survived by her two children, Ron Fikan and wife Colleen, of Atwood and Pam Jesch and husband Don of Bartlesville, OK; four grandchildren, Scott Fikan, of Atwood, Andy Fikan, of Eureka, CA, Blake Jesch and wife Kristin, of Edmond, OK and Heather Conley and husband Nick, of Nashville, TN and two great grandchildren, Kate and Claire Jesch.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, November 2, 2018 at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 3, 2018, at the Atwood United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Good Samaritan Center, in Atwood, for the media center and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Gale “Buck” A. Shelton, age 92 of Wellsville, KS passed away Sunday, October 28, 2018 at the Wellsville Retirement Community. Funeral services will be 10AM, Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Wellsville Baptist Church. Visitation will be 5-8PM, Friday evening at Wilson’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow services in the Wellsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 194 or the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Wilson’s, PO Box 486, Wellsville, KS 66092.
Gale Arthur Shelton was born March 22, 1926 in Centerville, Kansas, the son of Arthur Emmett and Blanch Gertrude (Howard) Shelton. He attended school in Parker, Kansas and received his high school diploma from Parker High School in May of 1945, although he was drafted into the US Army on March 22, 1945 to serve his country during WWII. While on active duty, he served as a Storekeeper/Supply Specialist stationed in the Asiatic Pacific/Hawaii. Upon on his honorable discharge on November 26, 1946, he was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He continued serving his country by enlisting in the Army Reserves as a Food Service Specialist preparing huge meals for hungry soldiers until November 19, 1961, leaving the service with the rank of Master Sergeant.
On July 5, 1947, he married the love of his life, Doris Joan Gordon in Osawatomie, Kansas. They were married 64 years before her passing in 2012. This union was blessed with 6 children. Gale worked in the Texaco oilfields in South Central and Northwest Kansas until they settled in Franklin County to farm in the late 1950’s. Gale was a farmer at heart and loved harvesting crops as well as caring for livestock. After retiring from farming, Gale worked for Water District 1, the Wellsville Manor, (Wellsville Retirement Community) in maintenance and had a handyman business.
Gale stayed active in the community by volunteering his time and talents. He was well known for his homemade pies, pancakes for New Hope fundraisers and helping prepare meals for charitable fundraising events. Gale was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church, the Wellsville American Legion Post 194, the Gardner Masonic Lodge #65, (where he was recently awarded his 65 year service pin), 40 & 8 and the VFW Post 5901.
He is survived by his children: Judy (John) Mickelson of San Pedro, CA; Gale (Edie) Shelton, Jr. of Oklahoma City, OK; Janet Akins of Hutchinson, KS; Jane Shelton of Topeka, KS; Steve (Jennifer Crosby) Shelton of Raytown, MO; his adopted son, Michael Shelton of Little Rock, AR; a sister, Louise Ratliff of Ottawa, KS; 14 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 10 step great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; an infant daughter, Shirley Ann; sisters, Leah and Helen and 2 infant granddaughters, Tina and Ashley Daniels.
Click HERE for service details.
WICHITA— A federal judge has again delayed the sentencing of three men who plotted to bomb a mosque and apartment complex housing Somali refugees in Kansas.
According to a media release from U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister, U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren on Tuesday moved the sentencing scheduled this week to November 19, for Patrick Stein, Gavin Wright and Curtis Allen.
The men were convicted in April of one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and one count of conspiracy against civil rights. Wright was also convicted of lying to the FBI.
They were indicted in October 2016 for an attack planned for the day after the presidential election in the western Kansas meatpacking town of Garden City.
Hays has been named one of the top 50 cities to live in, according to a story published earlier this month by 24/7 Wall St.
McPherson also made the list, which is made up of mostly smaller communities across the United States.
Hays ranked 45th on the list, while McPherson was ranked 24th.
The ranking considered factors such as population change, median home value and median household income.
Click HERE to read the story.
JACKSON COUNTY — A woman facing charges for a triple-fatal Kansas crash made a court appearance via video Monday, according to Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller.
Maria De Jesus Perez-Marquez, 49, Omaha, arrested last week by U.S. Marshals in Nebraska was extradited to Kansas and held without bond, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. On Monday, a judge during the status hearing refused to set a bond and she remains in custody.
On October 11, she didn’t show for a hearing but was charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and reckless driving for the November 2017 crash near Holton that killed the mother, sister and uncle of two Kansas high school football players shortly after the family watched the boys’ Sabetha team win a state football championship. Two other people were injured.
Perez-Marquez will have an opportunity to request a bond modification during her next court appearance set for 10a.m. on November 7, according to Miller.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump wants to order the end of the constitutional right to citizenship for babies of non-citizens and unauthorized immigrants born in the United States.
Trump made the comments to “Axios on HBO” ahead of midterm elections that he has sought to focus on his hardline immigration policies. Trump, seeking to energize his supporters and help Republicans keep control of Congress, has stoked anxiety about a caravan of Central American migrants making its way to the U.S.-Mexico border. He is dispatching additional troops and saying he’ll set up tent cities for asylum seekers.
Revoking birthright citizenship would spark a court fight over whether the president has the unilateral ability to change an amendment to the Constitution. The 14th Amendment guarantees that right for all children born in the U.S.
Asked about the legality of such an executive order, Trump said, “they’re saying I can do it just with an executive order.”
Trump added: “We’re the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States.”
An excerpt of the interview was posted on Axios’ website on Tuesday.
The president said White House lawyers are reviewing his proposal. It’s unclear how quickly he would act on an executive order.
In the final days before the Nov. 6 midterms, Trump has emphasized immigration, as he seeks to counter Democratic enthusiasm. Trump believes that his campaign pledges, including his much vaunted and still-unfulfilled promise to quickly build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, are still rallying cries for his base and that this latest focus will further erode the enthusiasm gap.
The first line of the 14th Amendment states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”
The Axios HBO series debuts on Sunday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said it’s sending 5,200 troops to the Southwest border in an extraordinary military operation ordered up just a week before midterm elections in which President Donald Trump has put a sharp focus on Central American migrants moving north in slow-moving caravans that are still hundreds of miles from the U.S.
Kansas Guardsmen will also be sent to Arizona to work with the Arizona National Guard currently supporting Customs Border Patrol Southwest Border Operations.
The number of troops being deployed is more than double the 2,000 who are in Syria fighting the Islamic State group.
Trump, eager to keep voters focused on illegal immigration in the lead-up to the elections, stepped up his dire warnings about the caravans, tweeting, “This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!”
But any migrants who complete the long trek to the southern U.S. border already face major hurdles — both physical and bureaucratic — to being allowed into the United States.
In an interview Monday, Trump said the U.S. would build “tent cities” for asylum seekers.
“We’re going to put tents up all over the place,” told Fox News Channel’s Laura Ingraham. “They’re going to be very nice and they’re going to wait and if they don’t get asylum, they get out.”
Under current protocol, migrants who clear an initial screening are often released until their cases are decided in immigration court, which can take several years.
Trump denied his focus on the caravan is intended to help Republicans in next week’s midterms, saying, “This has nothing to do with elections.”
The Pentagon’s “Operation Faithful Patriot” was described by the commander of U.S. Northern Command as an effort to help Customs and Border Protection “harden the southern border” by stiffening defenses at and near legal entry points. Advanced helicopters will allow border protection agents to swoop down on migrants trying to cross illegally, said Air Force Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy.
Troops planned to bring heavy concertina wiring to unspool across open spaces between ports.
“We will not allow a large group to enter the U.S. in an unlawful and unsafe manner,” said Kevin McAleenan, commissioner of Customs and Border Protection.
Eight hundred troops already are on their way to southern Texas, O’Shaughnessy said, and their numbers will top 5,200 by week’s end. Some of the troops will be armed. He said troops would focus first on Texas, followed by Arizona and then California.
The troops will join the more than 2,000 National Guardsmen that Trump has already deployed to the border. It remained unclear Monday why the administration was choosing to send active-duty troops given that they will be limited to performing the same support functions the Guard already is doing.
The number of people in the first migrant caravan headed toward the U.S. has dwindled to about 4,000 from about 7,000 last week, though a second one was gaining steam and marked by violence. About 600 migrants in the second group tried to cross a bridge from Guatemala to Mexico en masse Monday. The riverbank standoff with Mexico police followed a more violent confrontation Sunday when the migrants used sticks and rocks against officers. One migrant was killed Sunday night by a head wound, but the cause was unclear.
The first group passed through the spot via the river — wading or on rafts — and was advancing through southern Mexico. That group appeared to begin as a collection of about 160 who decided to band together in Honduras for protection against the gangs who prey on migrants traveling alone and snowballed as the group moved north. They are mostly from Honduras, where it started, as well as El Salvador and Guatemala.
Another, smaller caravan earlier this year dwindled greatly as it passed through Mexico, with only about 200 making it to the California border.
Migrants are entitled under both U.S. and international law to apply for asylum. But there already is a bottleneck of would-be asylum seekers waiting at some U.S. border crossings to make their claims, some waiting as long as five weeks.
McAleenan said the aim of the operation was to deter migrants from crossing illegally, but he conceded his officers were overwhelmed by a surge of asylum seekers at border crossings. He also said Mexico was prepared to offer asylum to members of the caravan.
“If you’re already seeking asylum, you’ve been given a generous offer,” he said of Mexico. “We want to work with Mexico to manage that flow.”
The White House is also weighing additional border security measures, including blocking those traveling in the caravan from seeking legal asylum and preventing them from entering the U.S.
The military operation drew quick criticism.
“Sending active military forces to our southern border is not only a huge waste of taxpayer money, but an unnecessary course of action that will further terrorize and militarize our border communities,” said Shaw Drake of the American Civil Liberties Union’s border rights center at El Paso, Texas.
Military personnel are legally prohibited from engaging in immigration enforcement. The troops will include military police, combat engineers and others helping on the border.
The escalating rhetoric over the migrants and expected deployments come as the president has been trying to turn the caravans into a key election issue just days before elections that will determine whether Republicans maintain control of Congress.
“This will be the election of the caravans, the Kavanaughs, law and order, tax cuts, and you know what else? It’s going to be the election of common sense,” Trump said at a rally in Illinois on Saturday night.
On Monday, he tweeted without providing evidence, “Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border.”
“Please go back,” he urged them, “you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!”
It’s possible there are criminals mixed in, but Trump has not substantiated his claim that members of the MS-13 gang, in particular, are among them.
The troops are expected to perform a wide variety of functions such as transporting supplies for the Border Patrol, but not engage directly with migrants seeking to cross the border, officials said. One U.S. official said the troops will be sent initially to staging bases in California, Texas and Arizona while the CBP works out precisely where it wants the troops positioned. U.S. Transportation Command posted a video on its Facebook page Monday of a C-17 transport plane that it said was delivering Army equipment to the Southwest border in support of the operation.
The U.S. military has already begun delivering jersey barriers to the southern border in conjunction with the deployment plans.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and immigration (all times local):
The Defense Department says it’s sending 5,200 active duty troops to “harden” the southern border against a migrant caravan making its way through Mexico.
The Kansas National Guard is currently working with National Guard Bureau to identify soldiers and airmen to support the on-going mission requirements to the Southwest Border states.
“We appreciate the men and women of our Kansas National Guard for the service they give to our state and nation when called upon,” said Gov. Jeff Colyer. “This assignment will be an important one for those who are selected, and we send them on this mission with the full support of our state.”
Kansas Guardsmen will be sent to Arizona to work with the Arizona National Guard currently supporting Customs Border Patrol Southwest Border Operations. The exact duties that Kansas Guardsmen will be assigned to perform are not known at this time.
Guardsmen who deploy in support of the SWB could potentially be gone from 60 days up to one year. Currently, Kansas has one soldier supporting the New Mexico National Guard with its SWB operations.
WATCH LIVE: @DeptofDefense and @DHSGov brief reporters on #DOD Deployment to Southwest border. https://t.co/oy8ecdi6yU
— U.S. Dept of Defense (@DeptofDefense) October 29, 2018
Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy tells reporters that 800 soldiers were en route on Monday and that the remainder of the troops would be at the southwest border by the end of the week.
That’s in addition to the more than 2,000 members of the National Guard already providing assistance at the border now. Officials say the troops will provide “mission enhancing capabilities” and will be armed.
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump has been trying to focus on the caravan just a week before the midterm elections.
The migrant caravan has been moving slowly north from Central America and its numbers have been dwindling.
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12:23 p.m.
Three U.S. officials say the number of military troops deployed to the southern border in support of the Customs and Border Patrol could be in the thousands.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a troop plan that was not yet completed and had not yet been approved by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
The Wall Street Journal reported the planned deployment was likely to be much higher than officials had disclosed late last week when preliminary figures of 800 to 1,000 were cited. The Journal reported that the Pentagon plans to deploy 5,000 troops, mainly military police and engineers.
The troops are expected to perform a wide variety of functions such as transporting supplies for the Border Patrol, but not engage directly with migrants seeking to cross the border from Mexico, officials said.
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11:29 a.m.
President Donald Trump is escalating his threats against a migrant caravan traveling to the U.S. border, labelling the effort an “invasion” and declaring the “Military is waiting for you.”
Trump tweeted Monday about the caravan of several thousand Central American migrants moving through Mexico, saying no one will be admitted “unless you go through the legal process.”
Trump also said the group includes “Gang Members and some very bad people.” He has made similar claims before without offering evidence.
The president has stepped up his focus on immigration in the days leading up to the midterm elections.
The Pentagon last week approved a request for additional troops at the southern border. The White House is also weighing additional border security measures.
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12:44 a.m.
The U.S. military has already begun delivering jersey barriers to the southern border in conjunction with plans to deploy active duty troops there. That word comes from U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis as a caravan of Central Americans slowly heads across Mexico toward the United States.
Mattis told reporters traveling with him Sunday that details of the deployment are still being worked out but he should have them Sunday night. They will include exactly how many forces are needed. It was unclear when the details will be made public.
The additional troops will provide logistical and other support to the Border Patrol, and will bolster the efforts of the approximately 2,000 National Guard forces already there.
By ISABELLE BRAUN
HHS Guidon
National Honor Society (NHS) accepted 40 members on Oct. 26 after a panel of teachers reviewed anonymous applications.
“We stripped the names out of all of the documents, so that the review committee, looking through all of their applications and their references, didn’t know who the student was ” NHS sponsor Cheryl Shepherd Adams said. “We just looked at their qualifications.”
Those admitted include juniors Carson Ackerman, Mulu Bannister, Joanna Carillo, Hanna Dannar, Moriah DeBey, Landon Dinkel, Nathan Erbert, Megan Flavin, Emily Goetz, Lynsie Hansen, Dellilah Herrera, Levi Hickert, Allison Hillebrand, Arecely Hutchinson, Brandon Kennemer, Nathan Leiker, Madeline Lohmeyer, Yesenia Maldonado, Peyton Niernberger, Tasiah Nunnery, Abbey Oborny, Ashton Ottley, Savannah Pfeifer, Cassidy Prough, Olivia Reed, Isabel Robben, Sierra Adkins, Colton Vajnar, Madelyn Waddell and Taylor Weidenhaft. Seniors include Brett Bowles, Loganne Ditter, Johnny Fuller Jr., Hannah McGuire, Macy Nowlin, Lindsey Pfannenstiel, Rebekah Porter, Savannah Schneider, Cole Schroeder and Cade Swayne.
Those who applied had to fill out an application about themselves, answer questions about their own community service and provide two reference forms. There were 60 people who applied this year.
“We only had 50 last year,” NHS sponsor Kayla Brown said. “I would say it’s probably one of the bigger groups, I would guess.”
The NHS induction ceremony will take place on Nov. 6 in the Lecture Hall at Hays High.
“There were a lot of tough decisions we had to make,” Shepherd Adams said. “I think we have a really good group.”
GLEN ROCK, N.J. (AP) — Dashcam video shows a highway worker narrowly dodging injury when a vehicle slammed into a Transportation Department pickup.
The video shows an SUV slamming into the New Jersey DOT truck parked on the side of a highway with its lights flashing on Saturday. The worker rolled across the road and was nearly hit by another vehicle, which had slowed down.
No one was seriously injured.
Glen Rock police released the footage to remind motorists that state law requires them to move over one lane or to slow down when approaching emergency or maintenance vehicles on the side of the road.
PHILLIPS COUNTY — In August, the Phillips County Sheriff’s Department reported the Kansas Bureau of Investigation was investigating a former sheriff’s department employee. A deputy assigned to investigate the allegations against the former employee was also allegedly implicated.
On Monday, Phillips County Attorney, Melissa Schoen and Phillips County Sheriff Charles Radabaugh reported the KBI report on allegations of wrong doing against members of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office had been reviewed and officials determined that no charges will be filed. The allegation is unsubstantiated.
The KBI in the course of their investigation interviewed multiple witnesses including Phillipsburg Mayor Lance Munyon, Timothy Driggs, Phillipsburg Public Works Supervisor, Travis Wagoner, Daniel Denio, Amy Hanchett, Nicole Wagner, and James Hageman, according to the social media report from the sheriff’s department.
The state has determined after a thorough review of reports submitted by the KBI that there is no verifiable crime committed involving any employee past or present of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.
The allegations of burglary and theft by department employees are unfounded.
Through the course of their investigation the KBI could not determine if a video ever existed as only one witness who claimed to see the alleged video later recanted his statement.
Due to privacy concerns and possible pending civil litigation, officials were not going to release the report in its entirety, according to the sheriff’s department.
Update: The special board meeting to deal with the pay issue has been scheduled for noon Thursday in the Toepfer Board Room at the Rockwell Administration Center.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Certain USD 489 staff members received a pay increase that was not approved by the USD 489 school board and could have to pay some of that money back.
Classified staff and administrators received a pay increase in July of 4.6 percent.
“That never should have happened,” Superintendent John Thissen said Monday. “That 4.6 percent should have never happened.”
This did not include custodians or paraprofessionals.
Custodians were in their final year of negotiations with its union, SEIU, and the board has already approved a contract that included a 4.6 percent raise for 28 people under that contract. The board also approved a $2 per hour increase for paraprofessionals beginning this school year in attempts to recruit and retain more staff in these special education positions.
The board has offered teachers a 3.6 percent pay increase, but those contract negotiations have reached impasse. The teachers say they want the 4.6 percent raise the rest of the staff has received.
Thissen said administration and classified staff raises are usually approved by the board after contract negotiations are concluded with the teachers. Administration and classified staff are usually given the same raise as teachers.
The school board now must decide if it wishes to officially give the administrators and classified staff the 4.6 percent raise, the 3.6 percent raise it is offering teachers or some other pay increase that has not yet been identified.
If the board approves a raise less than the 4.6 percent the classified staff and administrators are currently receiving, those staff members would essentially have to pay back the difference. This would take the form of wage reductions until the excess pay was accounted for.
The director of finance position for the district is currently open, but Thissen said the pay mistake occurred before Tracy Kaiser, former finance director, left her post. Thissen took responsibility for the pay error, saying the mistake originated in his office.
