Today is Wednesday, April 21, the 111th day of 2021. There are 254 days left in the year.

On April 21, 1836, an army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexicans at San Jacinto, assuring Texas independence.

In 1649, the Maryland Toleration Act, providing for freedom of worship for all Christians, was passed by the Maryland assembly.

In 1789, John Adams was sworn in as the first vice president of the United States.

In 1816, Charlotte Bronte, author of "Jane Eyre," was born in Thornton, England.

In 1910, author Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, died in Redding, Connecticut, at age 74.

In 1918, Manfred von Richthofen, 25, the German ace known as the "Red Baron" who was believed to have downed 80 enemy aircraft during World War I, was himself shot down and killed while in action over France.

In 1926, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was born in Mayfair, London; she was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and the Queen Mother.

In 1930, fire broke out inside the overcrowded Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, killing 332 inmates.

In 1975, with Communist forces closing in, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned after nearly 10 years in office and fled the country.

In 1976, clinical trials of the swine flu vaccine began in Washington, D.C.

In 1977, the musical play "Annie," based on the "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip, opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 2,377 performances.

In 1980, Rosie Ruiz was the first woman to cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon; however, she was later exposed as a fraud. (Canadian Jacqueline Gareau was named the actual winner of the women's race.)

In 2015, an Egyptian criminal court sentenced ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to 20 years in prison over the killing of protesters in 2012. 

Ten years ago: President Barack Obama announced the Justice Department was assembling a team to "root out any cases of fraud or manipulation" in oil markets that might be contributing to $4 a gallon-plus gasoline prices. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., announced he would step down amid a developing ethics probe over how he'd handled an admitted extramarital affair with a former staffer and whether he tried to illegally cover it up. (The Senate Ethics Committee referred the case to the Justice Department, which decided not to prosecute Ensign.)

Five years ago: Prince, one of the most inventive and influential musicians of modern times, was found dead at his home in suburban Minneapolis; he was 57. Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's oldest and longest-reigning monarch, drew crowds of well-wishers and floods of tributes on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs pitched his second no-hitter in a span of 11 regular-season starts, shutting down the Cincinnati Reds in a 16-0 rout.

One year ago: The coroner's office in California's Santa Clara County received autopsy results showing that a woman who died there on Feb. 6 and a man who died on Feb. 17 had the coronavirus. (It wasn't until Feb. 29 that the first known U.S. death from the virus was reported in Kirkland, Washington; officials later attributed two Feb. 26 deaths to the virus.) Researchers reported that a malaria drug that had been widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the coronavirus showed no benefit in large study of its use in U.S. veterans hospitals. In its first-quarter earnings report, Netflix revealed that it had added nearly 16 million global subscribers during the first three months of the year, as stay-at-home orders went into effect.

Today's Birthdays: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is 95. Actor-comedian-writer Elaine May is 89. Actor Charles Grodin is 86. Anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean is 82. Singer-musician Iggy Pop is 74. Actor Patti LuPone is 72. Actor Tony Danza is 70. Actor James Morrison is 67. Actor Andie MacDowell is 63. Rock singer Robert Smith (The Cure) is 62. Rock musician Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) is 62. Actor-director John Cameron Mitchell is 58. Rapper Michael Franti (Spearhead) is 55. Actor Leslie Silva is 53. Actor Toby Stephens is 52. Rock singer-musician Glen Hansard (The Frames) is 51. Actor Rob Riggle is 51. Comedian Nicole Sullivan is 51. Football player-turned-actor Brian White is 48. Olympic gold medal pairs figure skater Jamie Sale is 44. Rock musician David Brenner (Theory of a Deadman) is 43. Actor James McAvoy is 42. Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo is 41. Actor Terrence J is 39. Actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw is 38. Actor Christoph Sanders is 33. Actor Frank Dillane is 30. Rock singer Sydney Sierota (Echosmith) is 24.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Wednesday, April 21, the 111th day of 2021. There are 254 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On April 21, 1836, an army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexicans at San Jacinto, assuring Texas independence.On this date:In 1649, the Maryland Toleration Act, providing for freedom of worship for all Christians, was passed by the Maryland assembly.In 1789, John Adams was sworn in as the first vice president of the United States.In 1816, Charlotte Bronte, author of "Jane Eyre," was born in Thornton, England.In 1910, author Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, died in Redding, Connecticut, at age 74.In 1918, Manfred von Richthofen, 25, the German ace known as the "Red Baron" who was believed to have downed 80 enemy aircraft during World War I, was himself shot down and killed while in action over France.In 1926, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was born in Mayfair, London; she was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and the Queen Mother.In 1930, fire broke out inside the overcrowded Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, killing 332 inmates.In 1975, with Communist forces closing in, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned after nearly 10 years in office and fled the country.In 1976, clinical trials of the swine flu vaccine began in Washington, D.C.In 1977, the musical play "Annie," based on the "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip, opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 2,377 performances.In 1980, Rosie Ruiz was the first woman to cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon; however, she was later exposed as a fraud. (Canadian Jacqueline Gareau was named the actual winner of the women's race.)In 2015, an Egyptian criminal court sentenced ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to 20 years in prison over the killing of protesters in 2012. Ten years ago: President Barack Obama announced the Justice Department was assembling a team to "root out any cases of fraud or manipulation" in oil markets that might be contributing to $4 a gallon-plus gasoline prices. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., announced he would step down amid a developing ethics probe over how he'd handled an admitted extramarital affair with a former staffer and whether he tried to illegally cover it up. (The Senate Ethics Committee referred the case to the Justice Department, which decided not to prosecute Ensign.) Five years ago: Prince, one of the most inventive and influential musicians of modern times, was found dead at his home in suburban Minneapolis; he was 57. Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's oldest and longest-reigning monarch, drew crowds of well-wishers and floods of tributes on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs pitched his second no-hitter in a span of 11 regular-season starts, shutting down the Cincinnati Reds in a 16-0 rout. One year ago: The coroner's office in California's Santa Clara County received autopsy results showing that a woman who died there on Feb. 6 and a man who died on Feb. 17 had the coronavirus. (It wasn't until Feb. 29 that the first known U.S. death from the virus was reported in Kirkland, Washington; officials later attributed two Feb. 26 deaths to the virus.) Researchers reported that a malaria drug that had been widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the coronavirus showed no benefit in large study of its use in U.S. veterans hospitals. In its first-quarter earnings report, Netflix revealed that it had added nearly 16 million global subscribers during the first three months of the year, as stay-at-home orders went into effect.Today's Birthdays: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is 95. Actor-comedian-writer Elaine May is 89. Actor Charles Grodin is 86. Anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean is 82. Singer-musician Iggy Pop is 74. Actor Patti LuPone is 72. Actor Tony Danza is 70. Actor James Morrison is 67. Actor Andie MacDowell is 63. Rock singer Robert Smith (The Cure) is 62. Rock musician Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) is 62. Actor-director John Cameron Mitchell is 58. Rapper Michael Franti (Spearhead) is 55. Actor Leslie Silva is 53. Actor Toby Stephens is 52. Rock singer-musician Glen Hansard (The Frames) is 51. Actor Rob Riggle is 51. Comedian Nicole Sullivan is 51. Football player-turned-actor Brian White is 48. Olympic gold medal pairs figure skater Jamie Sale is 44. Rock musician David Brenner (Theory of a Deadman) is 43. Actor James McAvoy is 42. Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo is 41. Actor Terrence J is 39. Actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw is 38. Actor Christoph Sanders is 33. Actor Frank Dillane is 30. Rock singer Sydney Sierota (Echosmith) is 24.

Today in History -- April 21

KANSAS CITY (AP) –Marie Watson wanted to be among the first in line when she and other essential workers became eligible for the coronavirus vaccine — and with good reason.

The maintenance parts buyer for a Mission Foods tortilla plant in Pueblo, Colorado, had lost her father to COVID-19 in the fall and was told by a doctor last year that she&nbsp; herself almost certainly had the virus.

So when her union, the United Food Workers and Commercial Workers, secured appointments for the plant's 200 workers, she jumped in her car and drove to a nearby drive-thru clinic for the first of two doses.

“There was this sense of relief," Watson said. "This was more confirmation that I’m on my way to being normal.”

A growing number of labor unions and companies are securing shots for their employees as eligibility widens. Some large companies such as Amazon are offering workplace vaccinations through licensed health care providers, while smaller outfits are booking appointments for workers at outside locations.

For employers, the vaccines are a critical step toward restoring normalcy at a time when they expect a spike in demand for their services as more people get inoculated. They are also betting that employees who did not initially trust the vaccine will have a change of heart when they see co-workers receiving it.

For workers, employer assistance with the vaccine eliminates hurdles, including transportation issues or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccine-delays-grocery-workers-1103aa7b46cf6ee22ad7a5120fe2eac0">maneuvering through a patchwork of websites</a>&nbsp;to find appointments. That access could help to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-health-coronavirus-pandemic-hispanics-d0746b028cf56231dbcdeda0fba24314">narrow the racial and socioeconomic gaps</a>&nbsp;that have opened in the country’s vaccination drive.

While many essential workers have spent weeks trying to get time slots, Watson got her shot days after Colorado extended eligibility to food workers.

Iliana de la Vega, owner of the Mexican restaurant El Naranjo in Austin, Texas, said she secured appointments for all 12 of her employees out of gratitude that they stuck with her through shutdown orders and capacity restrictions that ate into their pay.

Some workers hesitated at first but were quickly persuaded with the promise of a day off, De la Vega said.

“A couple of them said, ‘We are not sure.' I said, 'That's not an option. Take it or leave it. Who knows when you will be able to get it again?'" de la Vega said.

Despite the growing number of companies offering on-site vaccinations, there are signs that some may have lost interest. In March, when vaccine eligibility was widening and distribution efforts improving in the U.S., a survey by the consulting firm Gartner found 30% of companies planned to bring vaccines to their employees. That was down from 42% in January, when distribution was still spotty and obtaining appointments was still extremely difficult for most people.

“The speed of the rollout has exceeded their expectations so companies are realizing they can take a back seat,” said Brian Kropp, chief of research at Gartner's human resources practice.

Vaccinating employees is also less urgent for a growing number of companies that are adopting permanent remote-work policies, Kropp said. While nearly two-thirds of companies plan to reopen their workplaces by the end of this year, the majority say they will allow many employees to keep working from home at least some days, according to Gartner, which surveyed 300 companies.

Nonetheless, prominent companies continue to join the list of those offering on-site vaccinations.

Ford Motor Co. and the United Auto Workers opened up on-site vaccinations Monday in Michigan, Kansas and Ohio. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine had initially put a stop to workplace clinics out of concern they would tie up supply, but he allowed them to resume last week as demand dropped at the state's mass vaccination sites.

Amazon launched its long-anticipated on-site vaccinations last month in Kansas, Missouri and Nevada. Warehouse and other front-line workers can sign up for shots at kiosks or through Amazon’s employee app.

Yogurt maker Chobani, which employs 2,200 people in the U.S., partnered with a local pharmacy to vaccinate hundreds of its employees at its Twin Falls, Idaho, plant, according to the company’s chief People and Culture Officer Grace Zuncic.

American Airlines, Subaru, chicken producer Mountaire Farms, and agricultural equipment maker Vermeer are among 40 companies that brought vaccines to their employees through partnerships with Premise Health, a direct health care provider. American Airlines is administering vaccines at airports in Chicago, Charlotte, Tulsa and Dallas-Fort Worth, according to the company.

At least 25,000 people have been vaccinated through the partnerships, said Premise President Jami Doucette. He expects that number to climb into the millions.

Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest food companies, said it has vaccinated nearly 40,000 employees — nearly one-third of its workforce — at vaccination events in 16 states. Tyson also expanded its on-site event last week to include eligible family members of employees.

Bob Reinhard, who is leading Tyson’s vaccination effort, said a minority of employees have refused to get vaccinated while some others are interested but want more information and don’t want to go first.

“That secondary group is now coming around,” Reinhard said.

Employer-organized vaccination events, along with incentives such as bonuses or paid time off, allow companies to keep track of how many employees get vaccinated. Employer are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/can-employers-covid-19-vaccine-mandatory-ba22c99f01f24ea3be7631ff751f0d82">legally allowed</a>&nbsp;to require the vaccine, but the vast majority have shied away from doing so; some say it doesn't make sense to do so until everyone is eligible and there is sufficient supply.

Still, the idea is gaining some traction. While Gartner's March survey showed just 8% of companies planned to require employees to show proof of vaccinations, that number was up from 2% in January.

Chobani, which says it has avoided outbreaks at its plants and has seen few positive cases among employees, has not ruled out requiring the vaccines, Zuncic said. The company plans to assess how many of its workers have been vaccinated by midyear.

“It's a discussion that continues,” Zuncic said. “We want to get a pulse and sense of how far along we are.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618924071042.png" alt="Tyson Foods team members who want it receive vaccinations at work -photo courtesy Tyson Foods" />
 <figcaption>Tyson Foods team members who want it receive vaccinations at work -photo courtesy Tyson Foods</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) –Marie Watson wanted to be among the first in line when she and other essential workers became eligible for the coronavirus vaccine — and with good reason.The maintenance parts buyer for a Mission Foods tortilla plant in Pueblo, Colorado, had lost her father to COVID-19 in the fall and was told by a doctor last year that she&nbsp; herself almost certainly had the virus.So when her union, the United Food Workers and Commercial Workers, secured appointments for the plant's 200 workers, she jumped in her car and drove to a nearby drive-thru clinic for the first of two doses.“There was this sense of relief," Watson said. "This was more confirmation that I’m on my way to being normal.”A growing number of labor unions and companies are securing shots for their employees as eligibility widens. Some large companies such as Amazon are offering workplace vaccinations through licensed health care providers, while smaller outfits are booking appointments for workers at outside locations.For employers, the vaccines are a critical step toward restoring normalcy at a time when they expect a spike in demand for their services as more people get inoculated. They are also betting that employees who did not initially trust the vaccine will have a change of heart when they see co-workers receiving it.For workers, employer assistance with the vaccine eliminates hurdles, including transportation issues or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccine-delays-grocery-workers-1103aa7b46cf6ee22ad7a5120fe2eac0">maneuvering through a patchwork of websites</a>&nbsp;to find appointments. That access could help to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-health-coronavirus-pandemic-hispanics-d0746b028cf56231dbcdeda0fba24314">narrow the racial and socioeconomic gaps</a>&nbsp;that have opened in the country’s vaccination drive.While many essential workers have spent weeks trying to get time slots, Watson got her shot days after Colorado extended eligibility to food workers.Iliana de la Vega, owner of the Mexican restaurant El Naranjo in Austin, Texas, said she secured appointments for all 12 of her employees out of gratitude that they stuck with her through shutdown orders and capacity restrictions that ate into their pay.Some workers hesitated at first but were quickly persuaded with the promise of a day off, De la Vega said.“A couple of them said, ‘We are not sure.' I said, 'That's not an option. Take it or leave it. Who knows when you will be able to get it again?'" de la Vega said.Despite the growing number of companies offering on-site vaccinations, there are signs that some may have lost interest. In March, when vaccine eligibility was widening and distribution efforts improving in the U.S., a survey by the consulting firm Gartner found 30% of companies planned to bring vaccines to their employees. That was down from 42% in January, when distribution was still spotty and obtaining appointments was still extremely difficult for most people.“The speed of the rollout has exceeded their expectations so companies are realizing they can take a back seat,” said Brian Kropp, chief of research at Gartner's human resources practice.Vaccinating employees is also less urgent for a growing number of companies that are adopting permanent remote-work policies, Kropp said. While nearly two-thirds of companies plan to reopen their workplaces by the end of this year, the majority say they will allow many employees to keep working from home at least some days, according to Gartner, which surveyed 300 companies.Nonetheless, prominent companies continue to join the list of those offering on-site vaccinations.Ford Motor Co. and the United Auto Workers opened up on-site vaccinations Monday in Michigan, Kansas and Ohio. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine had initially put a stop to workplace clinics out of concern they would tie up supply, but he allowed them to resume last week as demand dropped at the state's mass vaccination sites.Amazon launched its long-anticipated on-site vaccinations last month in Kansas, Missouri and Nevada. Warehouse and other front-line workers can sign up for shots at kiosks or through Amazon’s employee app.Yogurt maker Chobani, which employs 2,200 people in the U.S., partnered with a local pharmacy to vaccinate hundreds of its employees at its Twin Falls, Idaho, plant, according to the company’s chief People and Culture Officer Grace Zuncic.American Airlines, Subaru, chicken producer Mountaire Farms, and agricultural equipment maker Vermeer are among 40 companies that brought vaccines to their employees through partnerships with Premise Health, a direct health care provider. American Airlines is administering vaccines at airports in Chicago, Charlotte, Tulsa and Dallas-Fort Worth, according to the company.At least 25,000 people have been vaccinated through the partnerships, said Premise President Jami Doucette. He expects that number to climb into the millions.Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest food companies, said it has vaccinated nearly 40,000 employees — nearly one-third of its workforce — at vaccination events in 16 states. Tyson also expanded its on-site event last week to include eligible family members of employees.Bob Reinhard, who is leading Tyson’s vaccination effort, said a minority of employees have refused to get vaccinated while some others are interested but want more information and don’t want to go first.“That secondary group is now coming around,” Reinhard said.Employer-organized vaccination events, along with incentives such as bonuses or paid time off, allow companies to keep track of how many employees get vaccinated. Employer are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/can-employers-covid-19-vaccine-mandatory-ba22c99f01f24ea3be7631ff751f0d82">legally allowed</a>&nbsp;to require the vaccine, but the vast majority have shied away from doing so; some say it doesn't make sense to do so until everyone is eligible and there is sufficient supply.Still, the idea is gaining some traction. While Gartner's March survey showed just 8% of companies planned to require employees to show proof of vaccinations, that number was up from 2% in January.Chobani, which says it has avoided outbreaks at its plants and has seen few positive cases among employees, has not ruled out requiring the vaccines, Zuncic said. The company plans to assess how many of its workers have been vaccinated by midyear.“It's a discussion that continues,” Zuncic said. “We want to get a pulse and sense of how far along we are.”

A jab on the job: Companies, unions offer COVID vaccine

Today is Tuesday, April 20, the 110th day of 2021. There are 255 days left in the year. 

On April 20, 1999, the Columbine High School massacre took place in Colorado as two students shot and killed 12 classmates and one teacher before taking their own lives. 

In 1812, the fourth vice president of the United States, George Clinton, died in Washington at age 72, becoming the first vice president to die while in office.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation admitting West Virginia to the Union, effective in 60 days (on June 20, 1863).

In 1914, the Ludlow Massacre took place when the Colorado National Guard opened fire on a tent colony of striking miners; about 20 (accounts vary) strikers, women and children died. 

In 1916, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at Wrigley Field (then known as Weeghman Park); the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-6.

In 1938, "Olympia," Leni Riefenstahl's documentary about the 1936 Berlin Olympic games, was first shown in Nazi Germany. 

In 1945, during World War II, allied forces took control of the German cities of Nuremberg and Stuttgart.

In 1971, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the use of busing to achieve racial desegregation in schools. 

In 1972, Apollo 16's lunar module, carrying astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr., landed on the moon. 

In 1986, following an absence of six decades, Russian-born pianist Vladimir Horowitz performed in the Soviet Union to a packed audience at the Grand Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. 

In 1988, gunmen who had hijacked a Kuwait Airways jumbo jet were allowed safe passage out of Algeria under an agreement that freed the remaining 31 hostages and ended a 15-day siege in which two passengers were slain. 

In 2003, U.S. Army forces took control of Baghdad from the Marines in a changing of the guard that thinned the military presence in the capital. 

In 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, leased by BP, killed 11 workers and caused a blow-out that began spewing an estimated 200 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. (The well was finally capped nearly three months later.) 

Ten years ago: Two Western photojournalists, including Oscar-nominated film director Tim Hetherington, were killed in the besieged Libyan city of Misrata while covering battles between rebels and government forces. The U.S. government announced new protections for air travelers when airlines lose their bags, bump them off flights or hold them on the runway for hours.

Five years ago: Five former New Orleans police officers pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the deadly shootings on a bridge in the days following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced that Harriet Tubman, an African-American abolitionist born into slavery, would be the new face on the $20 bill, replacing President Andrew Jackson. (The redesign of the bill was delayed during the administration of President Donald Trump, who had called the move "pure political correctness"; the effort was resumed by the Biden administration.) Pro wrestler Chyna (Joan Marie Laurer) was found dead in her Redondo Beach, California, apartment; she was 46.

One year ago: Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced plans to restart the state's economy by lifting some coronavirus restrictions before the end of the week; the plan would allow gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors to reopen as long as owners follow strict requirements. Dr Anthony Fauci, the government's top authority on infectious diseases, warned again that resuming business too soon risked a fresh spike in virus infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said reports of accidental poisonings from cleaners and disinfectants were up about 20 percent in the first three months of the year; researchers believed it was related to the coronavirus epidemic.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Leslie Phillips is 97. Former Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., is 85. Actor George Takei is 84. Singer Johnny Tillotson is 83. Actor Ryan O'Neal is 80. Bluegrass singer-musician Doyle Lawson (Quicksilver) is 77. Actor Judith O'Dea is 76. Rock musician Craig Frost (Grand Funk; Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band) is 73. Actor Gregory Itzin is 73. Actor Jessica Lange is 72. Actor Veronica Cartwright is 72. Actor Clint Howard is 62. Actor Crispin Glover is 57. Actor Andy Serkis is 57. Olympic silver medal figure skater Rosalynn Sumners is 57. Actor William deVry is 53. Country singer Wade Hayes is 52. Actor Shemar Moore is 51. Actor Carmen Electra is 49. Reggae singer Stephen Marley is 49. Rock musician Marty Crandall is 46. Actor Joey Lawrence is 45. Country musician Clay Cook (Zac Brown Band) is 43. Actor Clayne Crawford is 43. Actor Tim Jo is 37. Actor Carlos Valdes (TV: "The Flash") is 32.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Tuesday, April 20, the 110th day of 2021. There are 255 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 20, 1999, the Columbine High School massacre took place in Colorado as two students shot and killed 12 classmates and one teacher before taking their own lives. On this date: In 1812, the fourth vice president of the United States, George Clinton, died in Washington at age 72, becoming the first vice president to die while in office.In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation admitting West Virginia to the Union, effective in 60 days (on June 20, 1863).In 1914, the Ludlow Massacre took place when the Colorado National Guard opened fire on a tent colony of striking miners; about 20 (accounts vary) strikers, women and children died. In 1916, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at Wrigley Field (then known as Weeghman Park); the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-6.In 1938, "Olympia," Leni Riefenstahl's documentary about the 1936 Berlin Olympic games, was first shown in Nazi Germany. In 1945, during World War II, allied forces took control of the German cities of Nuremberg and Stuttgart.In 1971, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the use of busing to achieve racial desegregation in schools. In 1972, Apollo 16's lunar module, carrying astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr., landed on the moon. In 1986, following an absence of six decades, Russian-born pianist Vladimir Horowitz performed in the Soviet Union to a packed audience at the Grand Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. In 1988, gunmen who had hijacked a Kuwait Airways jumbo jet were allowed safe passage out of Algeria under an agreement that freed the remaining 31 hostages and ended a 15-day siege in which two passengers were slain. In 2003, U.S. Army forces took control of Baghdad from the Marines in a changing of the guard that thinned the military presence in the capital. In 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, leased by BP, killed 11 workers and caused a blow-out that began spewing an estimated 200 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. (The well was finally capped nearly three months later.) Ten years ago: Two Western photojournalists, including Oscar-nominated film director Tim Hetherington, were killed in the besieged Libyan city of Misrata while covering battles between rebels and government forces. The U.S. government announced new protections for air travelers when airlines lose their bags, bump them off flights or hold them on the runway for hours. Five years ago: Five former New Orleans police officers pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the deadly shootings on a bridge in the days following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced that Harriet Tubman, an African-American abolitionist born into slavery, would be the new face on the $20 bill, replacing President Andrew Jackson. (The redesign of the bill was delayed during the administration of President Donald Trump, who had called the move "pure political correctness"; the effort was resumed by the Biden administration.) Pro wrestler Chyna (Joan Marie Laurer) was found dead in her Redondo Beach, California, apartment; she was 46.One year ago: Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced plans to restart the state's economy by lifting some coronavirus restrictions before the end of the week; the plan would allow gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors to reopen as long as owners follow strict requirements. Dr Anthony Fauci, the government's top authority on infectious diseases, warned again that resuming business too soon risked a fresh spike in virus infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said reports of accidental poisonings from cleaners and disinfectants were up about 20 percent in the first three months of the year; researchers believed it was related to the coronavirus epidemic.Today's Birthdays: Actor Leslie Phillips is 97. Former Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., is 85. Actor George Takei is 84. Singer Johnny Tillotson is 83. Actor Ryan O'Neal is 80. Bluegrass singer-musician Doyle Lawson (Quicksilver) is 77. Actor Judith O'Dea is 76. Rock musician Craig Frost (Grand Funk; Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band) is 73. Actor Gregory Itzin is 73. Actor Jessica Lange is 72. Actor Veronica Cartwright is 72. Actor Clint Howard is 62. Actor Crispin Glover is 57. Actor Andy Serkis is 57. Olympic silver medal figure skater Rosalynn Sumners is 57. Actor William deVry is 53. Country singer Wade Hayes is 52. Actor Shemar Moore is 51. Actor Carmen Electra is 49. Reggae singer Stephen Marley is 49. Rock musician Marty Crandall is 46. Actor Joey Lawrence is 45. Country musician Clay Cook (Zac Brown Band) is 43. Actor Clayne Crawford is 43. Actor Tim Jo is 37. Actor Carlos Valdes (TV: "The Flash") is 32.

Today in History -- April 20

<a href="https://www.mcdonaldrobertsfuneralservice.com/obituary/wilda-waldmann">Obituary | Wilda Waldmann of Beloit, Kansas | Roberts Family Funeral Service (mcdonaldrobertsfuneralservice.com)</a>

Wilda J. Waldmann was born on May 31, 1945 in Stromsberg, Nebraska, the daughter of Gust and Ceva Dolphe Carlson. She died Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 75.

She grew up and attended country school, as well as Osceola High School. Following her graduation, she attended college where she earned her education in nursing.

On December 28, 1968, she was married to Ronald Waldmann in Shelby, Nebraska. She worked in a bank, and as soon as their family grew, she stayed home to take care of her children, Michelle and Jason. They moved to Beloit in 1986, and later to Lincoln and Simpson, before returning to Beloit. She also served many years as a CNA in a nursing home.

In her spare time, she enjoyed doing cross-stitch and needlepoint, and loved her many adult coloring books.

Wilda was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Gary Korte.

She is survived by her husband Ronald of the home; her daughter Michelle and significant other Joe Sebastian of Sacramento, CA; her son, Jason and wife Mary Spiro and her children Sam and Acacia of Pikesville, MD; two sisters, Marlene Carlson of Aurora, CO and Marsha Korte of Oxford, NE; nieces, Tammy Korte and Lesha (Ron) Murphy and their children Kortlan and Merric; and sisters-in-law, Barb (Alvin) Leska of Sargeant, NE, Kathy (Rick) Sibbel of Ankeny, IA, and Jackie (Mark) Schmidt of Hastings, NE.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20 at the St. John's Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. Monday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. A rosary service will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Church. 

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Wilda Waldmann, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcdonaldrobertsfuneralservice.com/obituary/wilda-waldmann/gifts?campaign=obituaryInline-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>Wilda Waldmann, Beloit</h2><a href="https://www.mcdonaldrobertsfuneralservice.com/obituary/wilda-waldmann">Obituary | Wilda Waldmann of Beloit, Kansas | Roberts Family Funeral Service (mcdonaldrobertsfuneralservice.com)</a>May 31, 1945 - April 14, 2021Wilda J. Waldmann was born on May 31, 1945 in Stromsberg, Nebraska, the daughter of Gust and Ceva Dolphe Carlson. She died Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 75.She grew up and attended country school, as well as Osceola High School. Following her graduation, she attended college where she earned her education in nursing.On December 28, 1968, she was married to Ronald Waldmann in Shelby, Nebraska. She worked in a bank, and as soon as their family grew, she stayed home to take care of her children, Michelle and Jason. They moved to Beloit in 1986, and later to Lincoln and Simpson, before returning to Beloit. She also served many years as a CNA in a nursing home.In her spare time, she enjoyed doing cross-stitch and needlepoint, and loved her many adult coloring books.Wilda was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Gary Korte.She is survived by her husband Ronald of the home; her daughter Michelle and significant other Joe Sebastian of Sacramento, CA; her son, Jason and wife Mary Spiro and her children Sam and Acacia of Pikesville, MD; two sisters, Marlene Carlson of Aurora, CO and Marsha Korte of Oxford, NE; nieces, Tammy Korte and Lesha (Ron) Murphy and their children Kortlan and Merric; and sisters-in-law, Barb (Alvin) Leska of Sargeant, NE, Kathy (Rick) Sibbel of Ankeny, IA, and Jackie (Mark) Schmidt of Hastings, NE.Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20 at the St. John's Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. Monday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. A rosary service will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Church. Memorials are yet to be determined.To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Wilda Waldmann, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcdonaldrobertsfuneralservice.com/obituary/wilda-waldmann/gifts?campaign=obituaryInline-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

Wilda Waldmann

Today is Monday, April 19, the 109th day of 2021. There are 256 days left in the year. 

On April 19, 1995, a truck bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. (Bomber Timothy McVeigh, who prosecutors said had planned the attack as revenge for the Waco siege of two years earlier, was convicted of federal murder charges and executed in 2001.) 

In 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with the battles of Lexington and Concord. 

In 1865, a funeral was held at the White House for President Abraham Lincoln, assassinated five days earlier; his coffin was then taken to the U.S. Capitol for a private memorial service in the Rotunda.

In 1897, the first Boston Marathon was held; winner John J. McDermott ran the course in two hours, 55 minutes and 10 seconds.

In 1943, during World War II, tens of thousands of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto began a valiant but ultimately futile battle against Nazi forces. 

In 1977, the Supreme Court, in Ingraham v. Wright, ruled 5-4 that even severe spanking of schoolchildren by faculty members did not violate the Eighth Amendment ban against cruel and unusual punishment. 

In 1989, 47 sailors were killed when a gun turret exploded aboard the USS Iowa in the Caribbean. (The Navy initially suspected that a dead crew member had deliberately sparked the blast, but later said there was no proof of that.) 

In 1993, the 51-day siege at the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, ended as fire destroyed the structure after federal agents began smashing their way in; about 80 people, including two dozen children and sect leader David Koresh, were killed. 

In 1994, a Los Angeles jury awarded $3.8 million to beaten motorist Rodney King. 

In 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected pope in the first conclave of the new millennium; he took the name Benedict XVI. 

In 2013, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a 19-year-old college student wanted in the Boston Marathon bombings, was taken into custody after a manhunt that had left the city virtually paralyzed; his older brother and alleged accomplice, 26-year-old Tamerlan, was killed earlier in a furious attempt to escape police. 

In 2015, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Black man, died a week after suffering a spinal cord injury in the back of a Baltimore police van while he was handcuffed and shackled. (Six police officers were charged; three were acquitted and the city's top prosecutor eventually dropped the three remaining cases.)

In 2018, Raul Castro turned over Cuba's presidency to Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the first non-Castro to hold Cuba's top government office since the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro and his younger brother Raul.

Ten years ago: Cuba's Communist Party picked 79-year-old Raul Castro to replace his ailing brother Fidel as first secretary during a key Party Congress. Syria did away with 50 years of emergency rule, but emboldened and defiant crowds accused President Bashar Assad of simply trying to buy time while clinging to power. Norwegian runner Grete Waitz, 57, who'd won nine New York marathons and the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, died in Oslo.

Five years ago: Front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton swept to resounding victories in New York's primary. Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro delivered a valedictory speech to the Communist Party that he put in power a half-century earlier, telling party members he was nearing the end of his life and exhorting them to help his ideas survive.

One year ago: Canadian authorities brought an end to a deadly weekend rampage, fatally shooting a man who had killed 22 people in shootings and fires across central and northern Nova Scotia; Gabriel Wortman had been driving a replica police car during the rampage. A handful of Eastern Orthodox priests held mass for the Christian holiday of Easter in an empty Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem due to coronavirus restrictions. (Eastern Christian rites mark Easter a week after the Catholic calendar.)

Today's Birthdays: Actor Elinor Donahue is 84. Rock musician Alan Price (The Animals) is 79. Actor Tim Curry is 75. Pop singer Mark "Flo" Volman (The Turtles; Flo and Eddie) is 74. Actor Tony Plana is 69. Former tennis player Sue Barker is 65. Motorsports Hall of Famer Al Unser Jr. is 59. Actor Tom Wood is 58. Former recording executive Suge Knight is 56. Singer-songwriter Dar Williams is 54. Actor Kim Hawthorne (TV: "Greenleaf") is 53. Actor Ashley Judd is 53. Singer Bekka Bramlett is 53. Latin pop singer Luis Miguel is 51. Actor Jennifer Esposito is 49. Actor Jennifer Taylor is 49. Jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux is 47. Actor James Franco is 43. Actor Kate Hudson is 42. Actor Hayden Christensen is 40. Actor Catalina Sandino Moreno is 40. Actor-comedian Ali Wong is 39. Actor Victoria Yeates is 38. Actor Kelen Coleman is 37. Actor Zack Conroy is 36. Roots rock musician Steve Johnson (Alabama Shakes) is 36. Actor Courtland Mead is 34. Retired tennis player Maria Sharapova is 34. NHL forward Patrik Laine is 33.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Monday, April 19, the 109th day of 2021. There are 256 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 19, 1995, a truck bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. (Bomber Timothy McVeigh, who prosecutors said had planned the attack as revenge for the Waco siege of two years earlier, was convicted of federal murder charges and executed in 2001.) On this date: In 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with the battles of Lexington and Concord. In 1865, a funeral was held at the White House for President Abraham Lincoln, assassinated five days earlier; his coffin was then taken to the U.S. Capitol for a private memorial service in the Rotunda.In 1897, the first Boston Marathon was held; winner John J. McDermott ran the course in two hours, 55 minutes and 10 seconds.In 1943, during World War II, tens of thousands of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto began a valiant but ultimately futile battle against Nazi forces. In 1977, the Supreme Court, in Ingraham v. Wright, ruled 5-4 that even severe spanking of schoolchildren by faculty members did not violate the Eighth Amendment ban against cruel and unusual punishment. In 1989, 47 sailors were killed when a gun turret exploded aboard the USS Iowa in the Caribbean. (The Navy initially suspected that a dead crew member had deliberately sparked the blast, but later said there was no proof of that.) In 1993, the 51-day siege at the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, ended as fire destroyed the structure after federal agents began smashing their way in; about 80 people, including two dozen children and sect leader David Koresh, were killed. In 1994, a Los Angeles jury awarded $3.8 million to beaten motorist Rodney King. In 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected pope in the first conclave of the new millennium; he took the name Benedict XVI. In 2013, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a 19-year-old college student wanted in the Boston Marathon bombings, was taken into custody after a manhunt that had left the city virtually paralyzed; his older brother and alleged accomplice, 26-year-old Tamerlan, was killed earlier in a furious attempt to escape police. In 2015, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Black man, died a week after suffering a spinal cord injury in the back of a Baltimore police van while he was handcuffed and shackled. (Six police officers were charged; three were acquitted and the city's top prosecutor eventually dropped the three remaining cases.)In 2018, Raul Castro turned over Cuba's presidency to Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the first non-Castro to hold Cuba's top government office since the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro and his younger brother Raul.Ten years ago: Cuba's Communist Party picked 79-year-old Raul Castro to replace his ailing brother Fidel as first secretary during a key Party Congress. Syria did away with 50 years of emergency rule, but emboldened and defiant crowds accused President Bashar Assad of simply trying to buy time while clinging to power. Norwegian runner Grete Waitz, 57, who'd won nine New York marathons and the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, died in Oslo.Five years ago: Front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton swept to resounding victories in New York's primary. Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro delivered a valedictory speech to the Communist Party that he put in power a half-century earlier, telling party members he was nearing the end of his life and exhorting them to help his ideas survive. One year ago: Canadian authorities brought an end to a deadly weekend rampage, fatally shooting a man who had killed 22 people in shootings and fires across central and northern Nova Scotia; Gabriel Wortman had been driving a replica police car during the rampage. A handful of Eastern Orthodox priests held mass for the Christian holiday of Easter in an empty Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem due to coronavirus restrictions. (Eastern Christian rites mark Easter a week after the Catholic calendar.)Today's Birthdays: Actor Elinor Donahue is 84. Rock musician Alan Price (The Animals) is 79. Actor Tim Curry is 75. Pop singer Mark "Flo" Volman (The Turtles; Flo and Eddie) is 74. Actor Tony Plana is 69. Former tennis player Sue Barker is 65. Motorsports Hall of Famer Al Unser Jr. is 59. Actor Tom Wood is 58. Former recording executive Suge Knight is 56. Singer-songwriter Dar Williams is 54. Actor Kim Hawthorne (TV: "Greenleaf") is 53. Actor Ashley Judd is 53. Singer Bekka Bramlett is 53. Latin pop singer Luis Miguel is 51. Actor Jennifer Esposito is 49. Actor Jennifer Taylor is 49. Jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux is 47. Actor James Franco is 43. Actor Kate Hudson is 42. Actor Hayden Christensen is 40. Actor Catalina Sandino Moreno is 40. Actor-comedian Ali Wong is 39. Actor Victoria Yeates is 38. Actor Kelen Coleman is 37. Actor Zack Conroy is 36. Roots rock musician Steve Johnson (Alabama Shakes) is 36. Actor Courtland Mead is 34. Retired tennis player Maria Sharapova is 34. NHL forward Patrik Laine is 33.

Today in History -- April 19

WICHITA – AAA is encouraging those forced to delay travel plans because of COVID-19 to pay close attention to the expiration dates of their travel vouchers and begin making plans sooner rather than later – or they may find themselves with fewer options and additional expenses.

“It is critical that those who have vouchers for previously canceled or delayed travel plans understand their options and begin exploring possibilities, because availability of transportation and accommodations may be limited,” said Micki Dudas, spokesperson for AAA Travel. “The most important thing to understand is the expiration date of any travel voucher so that you can begin planning well in advance.”

Travel vouchers will vary in accordance with the provisions and limitations set forth by the issuing cruise line, airline or travel vendor.

Since the beginning of March, AAA has seen a sharp increase in travel bookings, reflective of increasing consumer confidence with the vaccine rollout and easing of CDC travel restrictions. Those who are planning to travel, whether cashing in a voucher or booking new travel, will need to adjust expectations for a “new normal.”

“In the coming months, AAA Travel is anticipating strong demand but some ‘supplies’ – such as airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars – will be limited,” Dudas added. “Planning ahead will be key.”

AAA offers the following tips for post-pandemic travel:

●Know before you go&nbsp;– understand COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines that you must abide by before, during and after your trip.

●Make timely use of travel vouchers&nbsp;– understand the limitations of any travel vouchers, especially the expiration date.

●Book accommodations in advance&nbsp;– don’t assume availability. COVID-related guidelines may limit availability of some accommodations.

●Don’t expect deep discounts&nbsp;– the cost of travel will be a factor of supply and demand. There will be strong demand but ‘supply’ of transportation (flights, car rentals) and accommodations may be limited so deep discounts may be limited as well.

●Prepare to pay more for car rentals&nbsp;– many rental companies sold off vehicles during the pandemic so availability is limited. Rental cars may be as costly as flights.

●Consider travel insurance&nbsp;– Every policy is different. Read the fine print to understand coverage.

●Work with a trusted travel advisor&nbsp;– A trusted advisor can help to navigate options, customize travel and provide the latest COVID-related restrictions or requirements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618833851962.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy AAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy AAA</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – AAA is encouraging those forced to delay travel plans because of COVID-19 to pay close attention to the expiration dates of their travel vouchers and begin making plans sooner rather than later – or they may find themselves with fewer options and additional expenses.“It is critical that those who have vouchers for previously canceled or delayed travel plans understand their options and begin exploring possibilities, because availability of transportation and accommodations may be limited,” said Micki Dudas, spokesperson for AAA Travel. “The most important thing to understand is the expiration date of any travel voucher so that you can begin planning well in advance.”Travel vouchers will vary in accordance with the provisions and limitations set forth by the issuing cruise line, airline or travel vendor.Since the beginning of March, AAA has seen a sharp increase in travel bookings, reflective of increasing consumer confidence with the vaccine rollout and easing of CDC travel restrictions. Those who are planning to travel, whether cashing in a voucher or booking new travel, will need to adjust expectations for a “new normal.”“In the coming months, AAA Travel is anticipating strong demand but some ‘supplies’ – such as airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars – will be limited,” Dudas added. “Planning ahead will be key.”AAA offers the following tips for post-pandemic travel:●Know before you go&nbsp;– understand COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines that you must abide by before, during and after your trip. ●Make timely use of travel vouchers&nbsp;– understand the limitations of any travel vouchers, especially the expiration date. ●Book accommodations in advance&nbsp;– don’t assume availability. COVID-related guidelines may limit availability of some accommodations.●Don’t expect deep discounts&nbsp;– the cost of travel will be a factor of supply and demand. There will be strong demand but ‘supply’ of transportation (flights, car rentals) and accommodations may be limited so deep discounts may be limited as well.●Prepare to pay more for car rentals&nbsp;– many rental companies sold off vehicles during the pandemic so availability is limited. Rental cars may be as costly as flights.●Consider travel insurance&nbsp;– Every policy is different. Read the fine print to understand coverage.●Work with a trusted travel advisor&nbsp;– A trusted advisor can help to navigate options, customize travel and provide the latest COVID-related restrictions or requirements.--<a href="http://www.aaa.com">AAA</a>--

AAA: COVID-related travel vouchers set to expire?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing swift blowback from allies and aid groups, the White House said President Joe Biden plans to lift his predecessor’s historically low cap on refugees by next month, after initially moving only to expand the eligibility criteria for resettlements.

In an emergency determination signed by Biden earlier Friday, he stated the admission of up to 15,000 refugees set by former President Donald Trump this year “remains justified by humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest.” But if the cap is reached before the end of the current budget year and the emergency refugee situation persists, then a presidential determination may be issued to raise the ceiling.

That set off a deluge of criticism from top allies on Capitol Hill such as the second-ranking Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, who called that initial limit “unacceptable.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said later that Biden is expected to increase the refugee cap by May 15, though she didn’t say by how much.

Biden has been consulting with his advisers to determine what number of refugees could realistically be admitted to the United States between now and Oct. 1, the end of the fiscal year, Psaki said. “Given the decimated refugee admissions program we inherited,” she said it’s now “unlikely” Biden will be able to boost that number to 62,500, as he had proposed in his plan to Congress two months ago.

But Biden, she said, was urged by advisers to “take immediate action to reverse the Trump policy that banned refugees from many key regions, to enable flights from those regions to begin within days; today’s order did that.”

The new allocations provide more slots for refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Central America and lift Trump’s restrictions on resettlements from Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

Critics from both sides of the political spectrum had accused the president of bowing to political pressure that has been mounting over the record pace of unaccompanied migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s immigration policies, tweeted that keeping Trump’s cap “reflects Team Biden’s awareness that the border flood will cause record midterm losses.”

The White House indicated the border situation was partly why Biden had not acted before now, even though migrants at the border do not go through the same vetting process as refugees.

“It is a factor,” said Psaki, noting that the Office of Refugee Resettlement “has personnel working on both issues and so we have to ensure that there is capacity and ability to manage both.”

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he didn’t buy that.

“This cruel policy is no more acceptable now than it was during the Trump Administration,” Blumenthal said. “To be clear: the asylum process at the southern border and the refugee process are completely separate immigration systems. Conflating the two constitutes caving to the politics of fear.”

Since the fiscal year began last Oct. 1, just over 2,000 refugees have been resettled in the U.S.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress on Feb. 12 of a plan to raise the ceiling on admissions to 62,500, but no presidential determination followed. The law does not require congressional approval and past presidents have issued such presidential determinations that set the cap on refugee admissions shortly after the notification to Congress.

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Biden in a letter Friday that his inaction “undermines your declared purpose to reverse your predecessor’s refugee policies.”

Menendez said it also makes it unlikely that the program can hit its target next budget year of 125,000, which Biden has pledged to do.

Refugee resettlement agencies said it was important that admissions go higher even if it’s not possible to meet the target to send a message that America will be a leader again in offering safe haven to the world’s oppressed.

Some 35,000 refugees have been cleared to go to the United States, and 100,000 remain in the pipeline and their lives remain in limbo, said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee.

“This leadership is sorely needed,” he said.

Under Biden’s new allocation, 7,000 slots are reserved for refugees from Africa, 1,000 from East Asia, 1,500 from Europe and Central Asia, 3,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 1,500 from the Near East and South Asia. A reserve of about 1,000 slots can be used as needed.

The State Department, which coordinates flights with resettlement agencies, booked 715 refugees to come to the United States with the anticipation that Biden would have acted by March, but those flights were canceled since the refugees were not eligible under Trump’s rules, according to resettlement agencies.

Most of the refugees are from Africa and fleeing armed conflict or political persecution. Trump limited most spots to people fleeing religious persecution, Iraqis who have assisted U.S. forces there, and people from Central America’s Northern Triangle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618396418186.png" alt="Children housed at the U.S. Mexican border this month-photo courtesy&nbsp; Congressman Tracey Mann" />
 <figcaption>Children housed at the U.S. Mexican border this month-photo courtesy&nbsp; Congressman Tracey Mann</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing swift blowback from allies and aid groups, the White House said President Joe Biden plans to lift his predecessor’s historically low cap on refugees by next month, after initially moving only to expand the eligibility criteria for resettlements.In an emergency determination signed by Biden earlier Friday, he stated the admission of up to 15,000 refugees set by former President Donald Trump this year “remains justified by humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest.” But if the cap is reached before the end of the current budget year and the emergency refugee situation persists, then a presidential determination may be issued to raise the ceiling.That set off a deluge of criticism from top allies on Capitol Hill such as the second-ranking Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, who called that initial limit “unacceptable.”White House press secretary Jen Psaki said later that Biden is expected to increase the refugee cap by May 15, though she didn’t say by how much.Biden has been consulting with his advisers to determine what number of refugees could realistically be admitted to the United States between now and Oct. 1, the end of the fiscal year, Psaki said. “Given the decimated refugee admissions program we inherited,” she said it’s now “unlikely” Biden will be able to boost that number to 62,500, as he had proposed in his plan to Congress two months ago.But Biden, she said, was urged by advisers to “take immediate action to reverse the Trump policy that banned refugees from many key regions, to enable flights from those regions to begin within days; today’s order did that.”The new allocations provide more slots for refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Central America and lift Trump’s restrictions on resettlements from Somalia, Syria and Yemen.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618396445966.png" alt="Immigrant children housed at the U.S. Border-photo Congressman Tracey Mann" />
 <figcaption>Immigrant children housed at the U.S. Border-photo Congressman Tracey Mann</figcaption>
 </figure>Critics from both sides of the political spectrum had accused the president of bowing to political pressure that has been mounting over the record pace of unaccompanied migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s immigration policies, tweeted that keeping Trump’s cap “reflects Team Biden’s awareness that the border flood will cause record midterm losses.”The White House indicated the border situation was partly why Biden had not acted before now, even though migrants at the border do not go through the same vetting process as refugees.“It is a factor,” said Psaki, noting that the Office of Refugee Resettlement “has personnel working on both issues and so we have to ensure that there is capacity and ability to manage both.”Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he didn’t buy that.“This cruel policy is no more acceptable now than it was during the Trump Administration,” Blumenthal said. “To be clear: the asylum process at the southern border and the refugee process are completely separate immigration systems. Conflating the two constitutes caving to the politics of fear.”Since the fiscal year began last Oct. 1, just over 2,000 refugees have been resettled in the U.S.Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress on Feb. 12 of a plan to raise the ceiling on admissions to 62,500, but no presidential determination followed. The law does not require congressional approval and past presidents have issued such presidential determinations that set the cap on refugee admissions shortly after the notification to Congress.New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Biden in a letter Friday that his inaction “undermines your declared purpose to reverse your predecessor’s refugee policies.”Menendez said it also makes it unlikely that the program can hit its target next budget year of 125,000, which Biden has pledged to do.Refugee resettlement agencies said it was important that admissions go higher even if it’s not possible to meet the target to send a message that America will be a leader again in offering safe haven to the world’s oppressed.Some 35,000 refugees have been cleared to go to the United States, and 100,000 remain in the pipeline and their lives remain in limbo, said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee.“This leadership is sorely needed,” he said.Under Biden’s new allocation, 7,000 slots are reserved for refugees from Africa, 1,000 from East Asia, 1,500 from Europe and Central Asia, 3,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 1,500 from the Near East and South Asia. A reserve of about 1,000 slots can be used as needed.The State Department, which coordinates flights with resettlement agencies, booked 715 refugees to come to the United States with the anticipation that Biden would have acted by March, but those flights were canceled since the refugees were not eligible under Trump’s rules, according to resettlement agencies.Most of the refugees are from Africa and fleeing armed conflict or political persecution. Trump limited most spots to people fleeing religious persecution, Iraqis who have assisted U.S. forces there, and people from Central America’s Northern Triangle._____

President Biden will lift cap on number of refugees

The 37th Spring Poetry Series continues on Tuesday with an online
reading by poet and author Harley Elliott. 

The reading, sponsored by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday via Zoom web-based video conferencing. To sign up for the reading, visit Salina
Arts &amp; Humanities on Facebook, call the office at 785-309-5770, or visit the
web page <a href="http://www.salinaarts.com/poetry_series.cfm">http://www.salinaarts.com/poetry_series.cfm</a>.
Viewers will be invited to ask the poet questions after the reading.

Elliott, a well-known Salina artist
and writer, will read from two books published in 2020, The Mercy of Distance: New and Selected Poems and Creature Way, as well as from an earlier
book, The Monkey of Mulberry Pass.

“Motivation
is simply a matter of if something comes to you, you need to get it down, or it
will nag at you,” Elliott says, about his writing process. “I don’t like to
write poetry with a predetermined idea in my mind.”

A reading by poet and series founder Patricia Traxler will
complete the series on April 27 via Zoom. 

A lifelong student of the arts, Elliott received a B.A. from Kansas Wesleyan University in art and English, and an M.A. in painting from Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M.

Early in his career, Elliott was as a book designer at Syracuse University Press and later went on to teach art as an assistant professor at Marymount College in Salina for 13 years. After his Marymount years, Elliott served as the education coordinator at the Salina Art Center for more than a decade.

Today, he is an established
Kansas visual artist and the author of 11 poetry titles, a children’s book, The
Tiger’s Spots, and a memoir, Loading the Stone.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607642567645.jpeg" alt="Harley Elliott. Photo by&nbsp;Glory Dawn Benacka courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities" />
 <figcaption>Harley Elliott. Photo by&nbsp;Glory Dawn Benacka courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities</figcaption>
 </figure>The 37th Spring Poetry Series continues on Tuesday with an online
reading by poet and author Harley Elliott. The reading, sponsored by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday via Zoom web-based video conferencing. To sign up for the reading, visit Salina
Arts &amp; Humanities on Facebook, call the office at 785-309-5770, or visit the
web page <a href="http://www.salinaarts.com/poetry_series.cfm">http://www.salinaarts.com/poetry_series.cfm</a>.
Viewers will be invited to ask the poet questions after the reading.Elliott, a well-known Salina artist
and writer, will read from two books published in 2020, The Mercy of Distance: New and Selected Poems and Creature Way, as well as from an earlier
book, The Monkey of Mulberry Pass. “Motivation
is simply a matter of if something comes to you, you need to get it down, or it
will nag at you,” Elliott says, about his writing process. “I don’t like to
write poetry with a predetermined idea in my mind.”A reading by poet and series founder Patricia Traxler will
complete the series on April 27 via Zoom. A lifelong student of the arts, Elliott received a B.A. from Kansas Wesleyan University in art and English, and an M.A. in painting from Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M.Early in his career, Elliott was as a book designer at Syracuse University Press and later went on to teach art as an assistant professor at Marymount College in Salina for 13 years. After his Marymount years, Elliott served as the education coordinator at the Salina Art Center for more than a decade.Today, he is an established
Kansas visual artist and the author of 11 poetry titles, a children’s book, The
Tiger’s Spots, and a memoir, Loading the Stone.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Local poet and author Elliott next in Spring Poetry Series

Today is Sunday, April 18, the 108th day of 2021. There are 257 days left in the year. 

On April 18, 1906, a devastating earthquake struck San Francisco, followed by raging fires; estimates of the final death toll range between 3,000 and 6,000. 

In 1775, Paul Revere began his famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington, Massachusetts, warning colonists that British Regular troops were approaching. 

In 1831, the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa was officially opened. 

In 1865, Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman near Durham Station in North Carolina.

In 1910, suffragists showed up at the U.S. Capitol with half a million signatures demanding that women be given the right to vote. 

In 1954, Gamal Abdel Nasser seized power as he became prime minister of Egypt. 

In 1955, physicist Albert Einstein died in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 76.

In 1966, Bill Russell was named player-coach of the Boston Celtics, becoming the NBA's first Black coach.

In 1978, the Senate approved the Panama Canal Treaty, providing for the complete turnover of control of the waterway to Panama on the last day of 1999. 

In 1983, 63 people, including 17 Americans, were killed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, by a suicide bomber. 

In 1995, quarterback Joe Montana retired from professional football. The Houston Post closed after more than a century. 

In 2015, a ship believed to be carrying more than 800 migrants from Africa sank in the Mediterranean off Libya; only about 30 people were rescued. 

In 2019, the final report from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation was made public; it outlined Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election but did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government. (Mueller offered no conclusion on the question of whether the president obstructed justice.)

Ten years ago: Standard &amp; Poor's lowered its long-term outlook for the U.S. government's fiscal health from "stable" to "negative," and warned of serious consequences if lawmakers failed to reach a deal to control the massive federal deficit. Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai won the Boston Marathon in 2:03:02, the fastest anyone had ever run the 26.2 mile distance; fellow Kenyan Caroline Kilel won the women's race in 2:22:36.

Five years ago: The U.S. agreed to deploy more than 200 additional troops to Iraq and to send eight Apache helicopters for the first time into the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq, the first major increase in U.S. forces in nearly a year. "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-hop stage biography of America's first treasury secretary, won the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

One year ago: In an effort to show that the country was on course to gradually reopening from coronavirus shutdowns, Vice President Mike Pence delivered a commencement address to the U.S. Air Force Academy's graduating class, telling cadets that they "inspire confidence that we will prevail against the invisible enemy in our time." The daily toll of coronavirus deaths in New York state hit its lowest point in more than two weeks. Police in Hong Kong arrested at least 14 veteran pro-democracy lawmakers, activists and a media tycoon on charges of joining unlawful protests in 2019.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Clive Revill is 91. Actor Robert Hooks is 84. Actor Hayley Mills is 75. Actor James Woods is 74. Actor-director Dorothy Lyman is 74. Actor Cindy Pickett is 74. Country musician Jim Scholten (Sawyer Brown) is 69. Actor Rick Moranis is 68. Actor Melody Thomas Scott is 65. Actor Eric Roberts is 65. Actor John James is 65. Rock musician Les Pattinson (Echo and the Bunnymen) is 63. Author-journalist Susan Faludi is 62. Actor Jane Leeves is 60. Ventriloquist-comedian Jeff Dunham is 59. Talk show host Conan O'Brien is 58. Actor Eric McCormack is 58. Actor Maria Bello is 54. Actor Mary Birdsong is 53. Actor David Hewlett is 53. Rock musician Greg Eklund (The Oolahs) is 51. Actor Lisa Locicero is 51. Actor Tamara Braun is 50. TV chef Ludovic Lefebvre is 50. Actor Fredro Starr is 50. Actor David Tennant is 50. Rock musician Mark Tremonti is 47. R&amp;B singer Trina (Trina and Tamara) is 47. Actor Melissa Joan Hart is 45. Actor Sean Maguire is 45. Actor Kevin Rankin is 45. Actor Bryce Johnson is 44. Reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian is 42. Detroit Tigers first baseman and DH Miguel Cabrera is 38. Actor America Ferrera is 37. Actor Tom Hughes is 36. Actor Ellen Woglom (TV: "Marvel's Inhumans") is 34. Actor Vanessa Kirby is 33. Actor Alia Shawkat is 32. Actor Britt Robertson is 31. Actor Chloe Bennet is 29. Rock singer Nathan Sykes (The Wanted) is 28. Actor Moises Arias is 27.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Sunday, April 18, the 108th day of 2021. There are 257 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 18, 1906, a devastating earthquake struck San Francisco, followed by raging fires; estimates of the final death toll range between 3,000 and 6,000. On this date: In 1775, Paul Revere began his famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington, Massachusetts, warning colonists that British Regular troops were approaching. In 1831, the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa was officially opened. In 1865, Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman near Durham Station in North Carolina.In 1910, suffragists showed up at the U.S. Capitol with half a million signatures demanding that women be given the right to vote. In 1954, Gamal Abdel Nasser seized power as he became prime minister of Egypt. In 1955, physicist Albert Einstein died in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 76.In 1966, Bill Russell was named player-coach of the Boston Celtics, becoming the NBA's first Black coach.In 1978, the Senate approved the Panama Canal Treaty, providing for the complete turnover of control of the waterway to Panama on the last day of 1999. In 1983, 63 people, including 17 Americans, were killed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, by a suicide bomber. In 1995, quarterback Joe Montana retired from professional football. The Houston Post closed after more than a century. In 2015, a ship believed to be carrying more than 800 migrants from Africa sank in the Mediterranean off Libya; only about 30 people were rescued. In 2019, the final report from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation was made public; it outlined Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election but did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government. (Mueller offered no conclusion on the question of whether the president obstructed justice.)Ten years ago: Standard &amp; Poor's lowered its long-term outlook for the U.S. government's fiscal health from "stable" to "negative," and warned of serious consequences if lawmakers failed to reach a deal to control the massive federal deficit. Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai won the Boston Marathon in 2:03:02, the fastest anyone had ever run the 26.2 mile distance; fellow Kenyan Caroline Kilel won the women's race in 2:22:36.Five years ago: The U.S. agreed to deploy more than 200 additional troops to Iraq and to send eight Apache helicopters for the first time into the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq, the first major increase in U.S. forces in nearly a year. "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-hop stage biography of America's first treasury secretary, won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. One year ago: In an effort to show that the country was on course to gradually reopening from coronavirus shutdowns, Vice President Mike Pence delivered a commencement address to the U.S. Air Force Academy's graduating class, telling cadets that they "inspire confidence that we will prevail against the invisible enemy in our time." The daily toll of coronavirus deaths in New York state hit its lowest point in more than two weeks. Police in Hong Kong arrested at least 14 veteran pro-democracy lawmakers, activists and a media tycoon on charges of joining unlawful protests in 2019.Today's Birthdays: Actor Clive Revill is 91. Actor Robert Hooks is 84. Actor Hayley Mills is 75. Actor James Woods is 74. Actor-director Dorothy Lyman is 74. Actor Cindy Pickett is 74. Country musician Jim Scholten (Sawyer Brown) is 69. Actor Rick Moranis is 68. Actor Melody Thomas Scott is 65. Actor Eric Roberts is 65. Actor John James is 65. Rock musician Les Pattinson (Echo and the Bunnymen) is 63. Author-journalist Susan Faludi is 62. Actor Jane Leeves is 60. Ventriloquist-comedian Jeff Dunham is 59. Talk show host Conan O'Brien is 58. Actor Eric McCormack is 58. Actor Maria Bello is 54. Actor Mary Birdsong is 53. Actor David Hewlett is 53. Rock musician Greg Eklund (The Oolahs) is 51. Actor Lisa Locicero is 51. Actor Tamara Braun is 50. TV chef Ludovic Lefebvre is 50. Actor Fredro Starr is 50. Actor David Tennant is 50. Rock musician Mark Tremonti is 47. R&amp;B singer Trina (Trina and Tamara) is 47. Actor Melissa Joan Hart is 45. Actor Sean Maguire is 45. Actor Kevin Rankin is 45. Actor Bryce Johnson is 44. Reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian is 42. Detroit Tigers first baseman and DH Miguel Cabrera is 38. Actor America Ferrera is 37. Actor Tom Hughes is 36. Actor Ellen Woglom (TV: "Marvel's Inhumans") is 34. Actor Vanessa Kirby is 33. Actor Alia Shawkat is 32. Actor Britt Robertson is 31. Actor Chloe Bennet is 29. Rock singer Nathan Sykes (The Wanted) is 28. Actor Moises Arias is 27.

Today in History -- April 18

<a href="https://memorials.martinbeckercarlson.com/nathan-montgomery/4585307/obituary.php?_ga=2.162656632.537507867.1618693320-1202697284.1612194326">Nathan Montgomery Obituary - Abilene, KS | Danner Funeral Home (martinbeckercarlson.com)</a>

Nathan J. Montgomery was born April 30, 1965 in Wamego, Kansas, the son of David G. and Nancy (Blanka) Montgomery. He had been in Abilene most of his life, marrying his high school sweetheart Mary Steinhauser on February 11, 2006 in Abilene. Nathan had his own small engine repair shop in Abilene for many years. Nathan had a collection of vintage Chevy vehicles and had the ability to fix anything or create anything. If someone had an idea, Nathan could make it. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. He is survived by his loving wife Mary of the home, daughters Ashley Montgomery of Salina, Isabella Montgomery of the home, son Alex Montgomery of Salina, brother David A. Montgomery of Abilene, four grandchildren and two on the way, along with many relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents. A parish rosary will be 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Abilene. Mass of Christian burial for Nathan will follow the rosary at 10:00 a.m. with Father Don Zimmerman as celebrant. His final resting place will be in the Mt. St. Joseph Cemetery near Abilene. Friends may sign the register book at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Andrew Catholic School or to Hospice of Dickinson County and may be sent in care of the Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye, Abilene, Kansas 67410.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Nathan J. Montgomery, Abilene</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618693786456.jpeg" alt="Nathan J. Montgomery" />
 <figcaption>Nathan J. Montgomery</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://memorials.martinbeckercarlson.com/nathan-montgomery/4585307/obituary.php?_ga=2.162656632.537507867.1618693320-1202697284.1612194326">Nathan Montgomery Obituary - Abilene, KS | Danner Funeral Home (martinbeckercarlson.com)</a>April 30, 1965- April 16, 2021Nathan J. Montgomery was born April 30, 1965 in Wamego, Kansas, the son of David G. and Nancy (Blanka) Montgomery. He had been in Abilene most of his life, marrying his high school sweetheart Mary Steinhauser on February 11, 2006 in Abilene. Nathan had his own small engine repair shop in Abilene for many years. Nathan had a collection of vintage Chevy vehicles and had the ability to fix anything or create anything. If someone had an idea, Nathan could make it. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. He is survived by his loving wife Mary of the home, daughters Ashley Montgomery of Salina, Isabella Montgomery of the home, son Alex Montgomery of Salina, brother David A. Montgomery of Abilene, four grandchildren and two on the way, along with many relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents. A parish rosary will be 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Abilene. Mass of Christian burial for Nathan will follow the rosary at 10:00 a.m. with Father Don Zimmerman as celebrant. His final resting place will be in the Mt. St. Joseph Cemetery near Abilene. Friends may sign the register book at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Andrew Catholic School or to Hospice of Dickinson County and may be sent in care of the Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye, Abilene, Kansas 67410.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nathan J. Montgomery

Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver,&nbsp;La Cygne

<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Barbara-Culver">Obituary for Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver | Ryan Mortuary</a>

September 30, 1950 ~ April 14, 2021 (age 70)

Barbara Marie Culver, 70, of La Cygne, KS passed away peacefully on April 14, 2021.&nbsp; She was born on September 30, 1950 in Salina, Ks. to Walter H. and Rhoda (McMickle) Neumann. Barbara graduated from Salina High School in 1968.&nbsp; She worked for Schwan’s Pizza for many years as well as USPS.&nbsp; In her spare time, she loved to watch the KC Chiefs, read books and put puzzles together.&nbsp; Most of all she was the best mother and grandmother.

Barbara married Hideaki (George) Dalme on December 27, 1973. To this union two children were born.&nbsp; She married Curtis Culver and they later divorced.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Walter H. and Rhoda Neumann and sister, Catherine Eshelman.

She is survived by her children, Stacey (Ryan) Fromdahl of La Cygne, Ks. and Craig (Rosalie) Dalme of Salina; sister Leslie (Stan) Lauer of Salina, and brother-in-law; John Rex Eshelman of Las Vegas, Nevada; her beloved grandchildren, Brianne (Zach) Whitley, Charlotte, NC; Ashley Feldmann, Emporia; Veronika Fromdahl, an ABH on the USS Carl Vinson; Riley Fromdahl an AC at Pax River, MD; Roman and Ambrose Dalme, Salina and her special cat, Toni.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 19 at Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth St., Salina. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Salina. Burial will be in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials may be made to the church or Salina Animal Services.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Barbara-Culver/sympathy">floral store.</a>

<h2>Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver,&nbsp;La Cygne</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618693206780.jpeg" alt="Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver" />
 <figcaption>Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Barbara-Culver">Obituary for Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver | Ryan Mortuary</a>September 30, 1950 ~ April 14, 2021 (age 70)Barbara Marie Culver, 70, of La Cygne, KS passed away peacefully on April 14, 2021.&nbsp; She was born on September 30, 1950 in Salina, Ks. to Walter H. and Rhoda (McMickle) Neumann. Barbara graduated from Salina High School in 1968.&nbsp; She worked for Schwan’s Pizza for many years as well as USPS.&nbsp; In her spare time, she loved to watch the KC Chiefs, read books and put puzzles together.&nbsp; Most of all she was the best mother and grandmother.Barbara married Hideaki (George) Dalme on December 27, 1973. To this union two children were born.&nbsp; She married Curtis Culver and they later divorced.Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Walter H. and Rhoda Neumann and sister, Catherine Eshelman.She is survived by her children, Stacey (Ryan) Fromdahl of La Cygne, Ks. and Craig (Rosalie) Dalme of Salina; sister Leslie (Stan) Lauer of Salina, and brother-in-law; John Rex Eshelman of Las Vegas, Nevada; her beloved grandchildren, Brianne (Zach) Whitley, Charlotte, NC; Ashley Feldmann, Emporia; Veronika Fromdahl, an ABH on the USS Carl Vinson; Riley Fromdahl an AC at Pax River, MD; Roman and Ambrose Dalme, Salina and her special cat, Toni.Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 19 at Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth St., Salina. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Salina. Burial will be in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.Memorials may be made to the church or Salina Animal Services.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Barbara-Culver/sympathy">floral store.</a>

Barbara Marie (Neumann) Culver

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after an arrest.

On April 14, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2001 Ford Taurus in the 13000 block of 142nd Road for an alleged vehicle registration violation, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Further investigation into the traffic stop led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. 

Deputies arrested the passenger, Joshua Alan Shughart, 33, of Holton, and booked him into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618588662720.png" alt="Shughart photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Shughart photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after an arrest.On April 14, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2001 Ford Taurus in the 13000 block of 142nd Road for an alleged vehicle registration violation, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Further investigation into the traffic stop led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Deputies arrested the passenger, Joshua Alan Shughart, 33, of Holton, and booked him into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

Sheriff: Kan. man man had drugs during traffic stop

Today is Saturday, April 17, the 107th day of 2021. There are 258 days left in the year. 

On April 17, 1970, Apollo 13 astronauts James A. Lovell, Fred W. Haise and Jack Swigert splashed down safely in the Pacific, four days after a ruptured oxygen tank crippled their spacecraft while en route to the moon. 

In 1492, a contract was signed by Christopher Columbus and a representative of Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, giving Columbus a commission to seek a westward ocean passage to Asia. 

In 1895, the Treaty of Shimonoseki ended the first Sino-Japanese War.

In 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Lochner v. New York, struck down, 5-4, a New York State law limiting the number of hours that bakers could be made to work. (This ruling was effectively overturned in 1937 by the high court's West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish decision.)

In 1961, some 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro, whose forces crushed the incursion by the third day. 

In 1969, a jury in Los Angeles convicted Sirhan Sirhan of assassinating Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. 

In 1972, the Boston Marathon allowed women to compete for the first time; Nina Kuscsik was the first officially recognized women's champion, with a time of 3:10:26. 

In 1973, Federal Express (later FedEx) began operations as 14 planes carrying 186 packages took off from Memphis International Airport, bound for 25 U.S. cities. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, April 17, the 107th day of 2021. There are 258 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 17, 1970, Apollo 13 astronauts James A. Lovell, Fred W. Haise and Jack Swigert splashed down safely in the Pacific, four days after a ruptured oxygen tank crippled their spacecraft while en route to the moon. On this date: In 1492, a contract was signed by Christopher Columbus and a representative of Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, giving Columbus a commission to seek a westward ocean passage to Asia. In 1895, the Treaty of Shimonoseki ended the first Sino-Japanese War.In 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Lochner v. New York, struck down, 5-4, a New York State law limiting the number of hours that bakers could be made to work. (This ruling was effectively overturned in 1937 by the high court's West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish decision.)In 1961, some 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro, whose forces crushed the incursion by the third day. In 1969, a jury in Los Angeles convicted Sirhan Sirhan of assassinating Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. In 1972, the Boston Marathon allowed women to compete for the first time; Nina Kuscsik was the first officially recognized women's champion, with a time of 3:10:26. In 1973, Federal Express (later FedEx) began operations as 14 planes carrying 186 packages took off from Memphis International Airport, bound for 25 U.S. cities. In 1975, Cambodia's five-year war ended as the capital Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge, which instituted brutal, radical policies that claimed an estimated 1.7 million lives until the regime was overthrown in 1979. In 1986, at London's Heathrow Airport, a bomb was discovered in the bag of Anne-Marie Murphy, a pregnant Irishwoman about to board an El Al jetliner to Israel; she'd been tricked into carrying the bomb by her Jordanian fiance, Nezar Hindawi. The bodies of kidnapped American Peter Kilburn and Britons Philip Padfield and Leigh Douglas were found near Beirut; they had been slain in apparent retaliation for the U.S. raid on Libya. In 1991, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 3,000 for the first time, ending the day at 3,004.46, up 17.58.In 1993, a federal jury in Los Angeles convicted two former police officers of violating the civil rights of beaten motorist Rodney King; two other officers were acquitted. Turkish President Turgut Ozal died at age 66. In 2013, 15 people were killed when a fertilizer plant exploded in West, Texas. Sports returned to Boston two days after the deadly Marathon bombing as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Bruins in a 3-2 shootout (players on both teams wore "Boston Strong" decals on their helmets).Ten years ago: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Japan, where she expressed confidence the country would fully recover from its tsunami and nuclear disasters. Actor Michael Sarrazin, 70, died in Montreal.Five years ago: Brazil's lower house of Congress voted to impeach President Dilma Rousseff, who repeatedly argued that the push against her was a "coup." (Rousseff was removed the following August.) Pennsylvania became the 24th state to legalize a comprehensive medical marijuana program as Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill into law. Actor Doris Roberts, who played the tart-tongued, endlessly meddling mother on CBS' "Everybody Loves Raymond," died at age 90.One year ago: President Donald Trump urged supporters to "LIBERATE" three states led by Democratic governors, apparently encouraging protests against stay-at-home mandates aimed at stopping the coronavirus. Washington Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee accused Trump of "fomenting domestic rebellion and spreading lies." Governors of both parties indicated that they would be cautious in returning to normal; some warned that they couldn't do it without help from Washington to expand testing. Singer Taylor Swift canceled all of her performances and appearances for the rest of the year.Today's Birthdays: Actor David Bradley is 79. Composer-musician Jan Hammer is 73. Actor Olivia Hussey is 70. Actor Clarke Peters is 69. Rapper Afrika Bambaataa is 64. Actor Sean Bean is 62. Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason is 60. Actor Joel Murray is 59. Rock singer Maynard James Keenan is 57. Actor Lela Rochon is 57. Actor William Mapother is 56. Actor Leslie Bega is 54. Actor Henry Ian Cusick is 54. Actor Kimberly Elise is 54. Singer Liz Phair is 54. Director/producer Adam McKay is 53. Rapper-actor Redman is 51. Actor Jennifer Garner is 49. Country musician Craig Anderson is 48. Singer Victoria Beckham is 47. Actor-singer Lindsay Korman is 43. Actor Tate Ellington is 42. Actor Nicholas D'Agosto is 41. Actor Charlie Hofheimer is 40. Actor Rooney Mara is 36. Actor Jacqueline MacInnes Wood is 34. Actor Paulie Litt is 26. Actor Dee Dee Davis is 25.