KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was thrown into question Tuesday night when residents of Jackson County, Missouri, resoundingly voted down a sales tax measure that would have helped to fund a new downtown ballpark along with major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium.

Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan acknowledged long before the final tally that the initiative would fail.

 More than 58% of voters ultimately rejected the plan, which would have replaced an existing three-eighths of a cent sales tax that has been paying for the upkeep of Truman Sports Complex — the home for more than 50 years to Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums — with a similar tax that would have been in place for the next 40 years.

The Royals, who had pledged at least $1 billion from ownership for their project, wanted to use their share of the tax revenue to help fund a $2 billion-plus ballpark district. The Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who had committed $300 million in private money, would have used their share as part of an $800 million overhaul of Arrowhead Stadium.

“We’re deeply disappointed as we are steadfast in our belief that Jackson County is better with the Chiefs and the Royals,” said Sherman, who left without taking questions. “As someone whose roots run deep in this town, who has been a dedicated fan and season-ticket holder for both of these teams, and now leading a remarkable ownership group.”

Donovan said the Chiefs would do “what is in the best interest of our fans and our organization as we move forward.”

That could mean many things: The Chiefs could try again with a reworked plan more agreeable to voters, change their entire funding approach to include more private investment, or they could even listen to offers from competing cities and states — such as Kansas, just across the state line to the west — that would provide the public funding they desire.

“We’ve been talking a lot about the democratic process. We respect the process,” Donovan said. “We feel we put forth the best offer for Jackson County. We’re ready to extend the longstanding partnership the teams have enjoyed with this county.”

The current lease lease at Truman Sports Complex lasts through Jan. 31, 2031. And while Sherman has said the Royals would not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, the Chiefs are hopeful of remaining at Arrowhead Stadium.

The tax — or, more accurately, the stadium plans — received significant public pushback almost from the start, when the teams struggled to put concrete plans before voters and were accused of lacking transparency throughout the process.

Last fall, the Royals unveiled two potential locations for their ballpark district, one on the eastern edge of downtown and the other across the Missouri River in Clay County, Missouri.

But, a self-imposed deadline to finalize their location lapsed without a plan, and in February, they finally announced they had scrapped both concepts and chosen a different downtown spot.

The new area, known as the Crossroads, has a vibrant arts and restaurant scene, and it is just blocks away from the T-Mobile Center and the bustling Power &amp; Light entertainment district. It also is close to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the 18th &amp; Vine district, which is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

But even then, plans remained vague. The latest ballpark renderings were made obsolete just last week when the Royals acquiesced to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ request that a major street that would have been part of the stadium footprint remain open; Lucas did not endorse the tax initiative until the Royals agreed to the change.

“I think everyone has the same mixed feelings,” said Deidre Chasteen, a voter from Independence, Missouri, who remembers attending games downtown at old Municipal Stadium when the Royals played there from 1969-72.

“It’s not that we mind paying the three-eighths-cent sales tax. I think the problem is putting the stadium where it is,” Chasteen said. “We’re saying don’t ruin businesses that have been established down there for years.”

The club also had not reached sales agreements with many landowners in the Crossroads, and other businesses had expressed concerns about traffic, congestion and parking in an already thriving residential neighborhood.

Sarah Tourville, the Royals’ executive vice president, said the goal was to move into the stadium for opening day in 2028.

The Royals moved from Municipal Stadium to Kauffman Stadium in 1973 and extensively renovated the ballpark from 2009-12. Arrowhead Stadium was built alongside Kauffman Stadium and also was renovated around the same time.

While the Royals insist on playing in a new ballpark, the Chiefs wanted to stay put with a renovation that would have touched every aspect of their 52-year-old building, from the seating bowl to luxury amenities to the tailgating scene.

“We would not be willing to sign a lease for another 25 years without the financing to properly renovate and reimagine the stadium,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, whose father, Lamar Hunt, helped get the existing stadiums built, said before Tuesday’s vote. “The financing puzzle is very important to us to make sure we have enough funds to do everything we’ve outlined.”

The Chiefs had hoped their success, including three Super Bowl titles in the last five years, would sway voters in their favor.

“What my dad loved best about the stadium was the connection the team had with our fanbase,” Hunt said. “He loved this building for what it means to the fans, and we still believe it is one of the best stadiums in the National Football League and a bucket-list destination for fans across the NFL.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712112749211.jpeg" alt="An Air Force B2 bomber flies over Kauffman Stadium before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)." />
 <figcaption>An Air Force B2 bomber flies over Kauffman Stadium before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel).</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was thrown into question Tuesday night when residents of Jackson County, Missouri, resoundingly voted down a sales tax measure that would have helped to fund a new downtown ballpark along with major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium.Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan acknowledged long before the final tally that the initiative would fail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712104528404.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure> More than 58% of voters ultimately rejected the plan, which would have replaced an existing three-eighths of a cent sales tax that has been paying for the upkeep of Truman Sports Complex — the home for more than 50 years to Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums — with a similar tax that would have been in place for the next 40 years.The Royals, who had pledged at least $1 billion from ownership for their project, wanted to use their share of the tax revenue to help fund a $2 billion-plus ballpark district. The Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who had committed $300 million in private money, would have used their share as part of an $800 million overhaul of Arrowhead Stadium.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A statement from John Sherman regarding today&#39;s Jackson County election: <a href="https://t.co/t85qx0Cwfh">pic.twitter.com/t85qx0Cwfh</a>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1775347697345610113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We’re deeply disappointed as we are steadfast in our belief that Jackson County is better with the Chiefs and the Royals,” said Sherman, who left without taking questions. “As someone whose roots run deep in this town, who has been a dedicated fan and season-ticket holder for both of these teams, and now leading a remarkable ownership group.”Donovan said the Chiefs would do “what is in the best interest of our fans and our organization as we move forward.”That could mean many things: The Chiefs could try again with a reworked plan more agreeable to voters, change their entire funding approach to include more private investment, or they could even listen to offers from competing cities and states — such as Kansas, just across the state line to the west — that would provide the public funding they desire.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonCountyMO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JacksonCountyMO</a>⁩ voters have spoken. I’ll say more on the election results and what happens next soon. Stay tuned! <a href="https://t.co/emqsBfJqYq">pic.twitter.com/emqsBfJqYq</a>&mdash; Frank White (@JCEFrankWhite) <a href="https://twitter.com/JCEFrankWhite/status/1775364416424280068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We’ve been talking a lot about the democratic process. We respect the process,” Donovan said. “We feel we put forth the best offer for Jackson County. We’re ready to extend the longstanding partnership the teams have enjoyed with this county.”The current lease lease at Truman Sports Complex lasts through Jan. 31, 2031. And while Sherman has said the Royals would not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, the Chiefs are hopeful of remaining at Arrowhead Stadium.The tax — or, more accurately, the stadium plans — received significant public pushback almost from the start, when the teams struggled to put concrete plans before voters and were accused of lacking transparency throughout the process.Last fall, the Royals unveiled two potential locations for their ballpark district, one on the eastern edge of downtown and the other across the Missouri River in Clay County, Missouri.But, a self-imposed deadline to finalize their location lapsed without a plan, and in February, they finally announced they had scrapped both concepts and chosen a different downtown spot.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/ijleg960iH">pic.twitter.com/ijleg960iH</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1775340879663825097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The new area, known as the Crossroads, has a vibrant arts and restaurant scene, and it is just blocks away from the T-Mobile Center and the bustling Power &amp; Light entertainment district. It also is close to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the 18th &amp; Vine district, which is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.But even then, plans remained vague. The latest ballpark renderings were made obsolete just last week when the Royals acquiesced to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ request that a major street that would have been part of the stadium footprint remain open; Lucas did not endorse the tax initiative until the Royals agreed to the change.“I think everyone has the same mixed feelings,” said Deidre Chasteen, a voter from Independence, Missouri, who remembers attending games downtown at old Municipal Stadium when the Royals played there from 1969-72.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712112786193.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman, left, address the media while Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan looks on during a news conference about a plan to extend a sales tax to provide funding to build a new stadium for the Royals and stadium improvement for the Chiefs Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Jackson County, Mo. residents will vote on the question Tuesday, April 2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman, left, address the media while Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan looks on during a news conference about a plan to extend a sales tax to provide funding to build a new stadium for the Royals and stadium improvement for the Chiefs Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Jackson County, Mo. residents will vote on the question Tuesday, April 2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel).</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s not that we mind paying the three-eighths-cent sales tax. I think the problem is putting the stadium where it is,” Chasteen said. “We’re saying don’t ruin businesses that have been established down there for years.”The club also had not reached sales agreements with many landowners in the Crossroads, and other businesses had expressed concerns about traffic, congestion and parking in an already thriving residential neighborhood.Sarah Tourville, the Royals’ executive vice president, said the goal was to move into the stadium for opening day in 2028.The Royals moved from Municipal Stadium to Kauffman Stadium in 1973 and extensively renovated the ballpark from 2009-12. Arrowhead Stadium was built alongside Kauffman Stadium and also was renovated around the same time.While the Royals insist on playing in a new ballpark, the Chiefs wanted to stay put with a renovation that would have touched every aspect of their 52-year-old building, from the seating bowl to luxury amenities to the tailgating scene.“We would not be willing to sign a lease for another 25 years without the financing to properly renovate and reimagine the stadium,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, whose father, Lamar Hunt, helped get the existing stadiums built, said before Tuesday’s vote. “The financing puzzle is very important to us to make sure we have enough funds to do everything we’ve outlined.”The Chiefs had hoped their success, including three Super Bowl titles in the last five years, would sway voters in their favor.“What my dad loved best about the stadium was the connection the team had with our fanbase,” Hunt said. “He loved this building for what it means to the fans, and we still believe it is one of the best stadiums in the National Football League and a bucket-list destination for fans across the NFL.”

Voters reject stadium tax for Royals and Chiefs, leaving future in KC in question

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina Post

At the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7068f395-a20b-49d1-9500-ce7d7041a7b2">Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology</a> College Center, eight local business representatives and owners stood before three judges to vie for a $6,000 cash prize at the annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge.

Created three years ago by a conglomerate of Salina economic development organizations, the challenge aims to support new local commerce in town alongside honoring the well-known businessman Charlie Walker, who began multiple Salina businesses and the Rolling Hills Zoo.

The <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/28ee9989-31bb-4fbd-9f38-bac12ff3fb6b">Salina Community Economic Development Organization</a>, <a href="https://www.networkkansas.com/">NetWork Kansas</a> and the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/fd756f88-a1fd-4dc9-a4b5-8e1772d73f85">Salina Area Chamber of Commerce</a> all help plan and produce the event through an organization named <a href="https://projectopensalina.com/startup-salina/">Startup Salina</a>.

Todd Welsh, the owner of <a href="https://salinahomes.com/">Salina Homes</a> and the Charlie Walker Pitch master of ceremonies, once worked with Walker early in his career and, throughout the evening, shared stories of Walker and his business practices.

Before the businesses presented, Welsh showed an image of Walker in his office, wearing a large horseshoe ring.

"Charlie Walker, when he wore that horseshoe ring, meant business," Welsh said. "He had it on every day... That was a big signature piece he had."

Each business had about five minutes to present its area of trade, which this year ranged from lactation consulting to a line of sustainable cleaning products.

READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/42dbd29f-e625-4828-b08f-570a490b9c4b">Salina Salvation Army benefit concert short of ticket sales amid financial struggles</a>

The businesses included AOT Acquisition and Consulting, LLC, <a href="https://beyoutifulcreationsbyas.square.site/">BeYOUtiful Creations by AS</a>,<a href="https://clubhousegolfsalina.com/"> Clubhouse Golf Salina, LLC</a>, Heartland Lactation, LLC, <a href="https://www.letitsew.net/">Let it Sew</a>, The Refillery, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/unlimitedsips">Unlimited Sips</a> and Weaves-n-Such.

This year's judges included John Gunn, a Salina area entrepreneur and a founder of the event, Darren Gregg, president and CEO of <a href="https://www.bsbks.com/">Bennington State Bank</a> and Megan Browne, support coordinator for <a href="https://jriusa.com/">JRI Hospitality</a>.

"I would bet half of them over the three years are in business trying to make their business work," Gunn said. "You just never know what's going to take off."

After years of service on the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce board and the Salina Community Economic Development Organization, the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge began as an idea from Gunn.&nbsp;

Gunn said he approached the Chamber and the Economic Development Organization with his idea, which then transformed into the modern-day Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge.

"This is not easy," said Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Renee Duxler. "It takes a lot of guts to get in front of a group of complete strangers and share your dream and have to do it in less than five minutes."

Gunn, Gregg and Browne witnessed eight business owners and representatives pitch their ideas to the crowd and judges, but ultimately, The Refillery was the evening's winner.

The Refillery, owned and operated by Morgan Baughman, is a sustainability-focused business where she provides refills of cleaning supplies to customers to move away from single-use plastics.

Baughman said she worked hard leading up to the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge, and her reward will help her continue The Refillery dream.

"You work your ass for this for a long time, and you start to wonder, 'Am I delusional, or do I have a good idea?'" Baughman said. "I haven't worked harder on anything else in my whole life except maybe being a mom."

Sustainability has always been a part of Baughman's life, which she said helped spark an early interest in moving away from single-use plastics and adopting eco-friendly practices.

"I have always had a curiosity about the natural way things are made," Baughman said. "I think it's a bigger purpose of enjoying and understanding why all of this works day in and day out. It's like a common curiosity that turned into a bigger thing and wanting to enjoy the things of the Earth."

To the judges, The Refillery best matched their grading rubric by covering essential topics in a pitch, such as units sold, price per unit, and total profitability outlook of the business.

After The Refillery won the $6,000 cash prize for first place, Heartland Lactation by Jacee Rietbrock won second place with $4,000. 

AOT Acquisition and Consulting by Latoriea Edwards won the third place $3,000 prize, BeYOUtiful Creations by Adria Smith won a $2,000 fourth place prize and Unlimited Sips by Elizabeth Denholm won the $1,000 fifth-place prize.

Baughman said she intends to use the $6,000 cash prize to grow her business's online presence and appear in more local farm and art markets throughout the year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712002606734.jpeg" alt="Morgan Baughman, founder and owner of The Refillery, pitches her business to the judges during the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge on Friday, March 22, at K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Morgan Baughman, founder and owner of The Refillery, pitches her business to the judges during the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge on Friday, March 22, at K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostAt the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7068f395-a20b-49d1-9500-ce7d7041a7b2">Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology</a> College Center, eight local business representatives and owners stood before three judges to vie for a $6,000 cash prize at the annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge.Created three years ago by a conglomerate of Salina economic development organizations, the challenge aims to support new local commerce in town alongside honoring the well-known businessman Charlie Walker, who began multiple Salina businesses and the Rolling Hills Zoo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712003102799.jpeg" alt="Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Renee Duxler introduces the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge to attendees on Friday, March 22, at the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Renee Duxler introduces the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge to attendees on Friday, March 22, at the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>The <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/28ee9989-31bb-4fbd-9f38-bac12ff3fb6b">Salina Community Economic Development Organization</a>, <a href="https://www.networkkansas.com/">NetWork Kansas</a> and the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/fd756f88-a1fd-4dc9-a4b5-8e1772d73f85">Salina Area Chamber of Commerce</a> all help plan and produce the event through an organization named <a href="https://projectopensalina.com/startup-salina/">Startup Salina</a>.Todd Welsh, the owner of <a href="https://salinahomes.com/">Salina Homes</a> and the Charlie Walker Pitch master of ceremonies, once worked with Walker early in his career and, throughout the evening, shared stories of Walker and his business practices.Before the businesses presented, Welsh showed an image of Walker in his office, wearing a large horseshoe ring.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712003215432.jpeg" alt="Todd Welsh, owner of Salina Homes and Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge master of ceremonies, shares stories about Charlie Walker and his work in town on Friday, March 22, at the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Todd Welsh, owner of Salina Homes and Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge master of ceremonies, shares stories about Charlie Walker and his work in town on Friday, March 22, at the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>"Charlie Walker, when he wore that horseshoe ring, meant business," Welsh said. "He had it on every day... That was a big signature piece he had."Each business had about five minutes to present its area of trade, which this year ranged from lactation consulting to a line of sustainable cleaning products.READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/42dbd29f-e625-4828-b08f-570a490b9c4b">Salina Salvation Army benefit concert short of ticket sales amid financial struggles</a>The businesses included AOT Acquisition and Consulting, LLC, <a href="https://beyoutifulcreationsbyas.square.site/">BeYOUtiful Creations by AS</a>,<a href="https://clubhousegolfsalina.com/"> Clubhouse Golf Salina, LLC</a>, Heartland Lactation, LLC, <a href="https://www.letitsew.net/">Let it Sew</a>, The Refillery, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/unlimitedsips">Unlimited Sips</a> and Weaves-n-Such.This year's judges included John Gunn, a Salina area entrepreneur and a founder of the event, Darren Gregg, president and CEO of <a href="https://www.bsbks.com/">Bennington State Bank</a> and Megan Browne, support coordinator for <a href="https://jriusa.com/">JRI Hospitality</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712003269433.jpeg" alt="John Gunn listens as a local business pitches their idea during the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge on Friday, March 22, at the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>John Gunn listens as a local business pitches their idea during the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge on Friday, March 22, at the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>"I would bet half of them over the three years are in business trying to make their business work," Gunn said. "You just never know what's going to take off."After years of service on the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce board and the Salina Community Economic Development Organization, the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge began as an idea from Gunn.&nbsp;Gunn said he approached the Chamber and the Economic Development Organization with his idea, which then transformed into the modern-day Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge."This is not easy," said Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Renee Duxler. "It takes a lot of guts to get in front of a group of complete strangers and share your dream and have to do it in less than five minutes."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712004511101.jpeg" alt="Morgan Baughman, owner of The Refillery, listens to a judge question during the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge on Friday, March 22, at K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Morgan Baughman, owner of The Refillery, listens to a judge question during the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge on Friday, March 22, at K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>Gunn, Gregg and Browne witnessed eight business owners and representatives pitch their ideas to the crowd and judges, but ultimately, The Refillery was the evening's winner.The Refillery, owned and operated by Morgan Baughman, is a sustainability-focused business where she provides refills of cleaning supplies to customers to move away from single-use plastics.Baughman said she worked hard leading up to the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge, and her reward will help her continue The Refillery dream.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712004594636.jpeg" alt="Morgan Baughman, owner of The Refillery, wipes a tear as she stands with the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge judges, Megan Browne, left, John Gunn, behind, and Darren Gregg, right, with her first-place prize of $6,000 on Friday, March 22, at K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Morgan Baughman, owner of The Refillery, wipes a tear as she stands with the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge judges, Megan Browne, left, John Gunn, behind, and Darren Gregg, right, with her first-place prize of $6,000 on Friday, March 22, at K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>"You work your ass for this for a long time, and you start to wonder, 'Am I delusional, or do I have a good idea?'" Baughman said. "I haven't worked harder on anything else in my whole life except maybe being a mom."Sustainability has always been a part of Baughman's life, which she said helped spark an early interest in moving away from single-use plastics and adopting eco-friendly practices."I have always had a curiosity about the natural way things are made," Baughman said. "I think it's a bigger purpose of enjoying and understanding why all of this works day in and day out. It's like a common curiosity that turned into a bigger thing and wanting to enjoy the things of the Earth."To the judges, The Refillery best matched their grading rubric by covering essential topics in a pitch, such as units sold, price per unit, and total profitability outlook of the business.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712004661319.jpeg" alt="Jacee Rietbrook pitches Heartland Lactation, LLC, to the crowd and judges during the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge on Friday, March 22, at K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Jacee Rietbrook pitches Heartland Lactation, LLC, to the crowd and judges during the Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge on Friday, March 22, at K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>After The Refillery won the $6,000 cash prize for first place, Heartland Lactation by Jacee Rietbrock won second place with $4,000. AOT Acquisition and Consulting by Latoriea Edwards won the third place $3,000 prize, BeYOUtiful Creations by Adria Smith won a $2,000 fourth place prize and Unlimited Sips by Elizabeth Denholm won the $1,000 fifth-place prize.Baughman said she intends to use the $6,000 cash prize to grow her business's online presence and appear in more local farm and art markets throughout the year.

Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge awards The Refillery with $6,000 cash prize

On April 1, 1972, the first Major League Baseball players’ strike began; it lasted 12 days. Twenty years later, on April 1, 1992, the National Hockey League Players’ Association went on its first-ever strike, which lasted 10 days.

In 1865, during the Civil War, Union forces routed Confederate soldiers in the Battle of Five Forks in Virginia.

In 1891, the Wrigley Co. was founded in Chicago by William Wrigley, Jr.

In 1924, Adolf Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the Beer Hall Putsch in Munich. (Hitler was released in December 1924; during his time behind bars, he wrote his autobiographical screed, “Mein Kampf.”)

In 1945, American forces launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II. (U.S. forces succeeded in capturing the Japanese island on June 22.)

In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and television, to take effect after Jan. 1, 1971.

In 1975, with Khmer Rouge guerrillas closing in, Cambodian President Lon Nol resigned and fled into exile, spending the rest of his life in the United States.

In 1976, Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.

In 1977, the U.S. Senate followed the example of the House of Representatives by adopting, 86-9, a stringent code of ethics requiring full financial disclosure and limits on outside income.

In 2003, American troops entered a hospital in Nasiriyah (nah-sih-REE’-uh), Iraq, and rescued Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who had been held prisoner since her unit was ambushed on March 23.

In 2011, Afghans angry over the burning of a Quran at a small Florida church stormed a U.N. compound in northern Afghanistan, killing seven foreigners, including four Nepalese guards.

In 2013, Taylor Swift was named entertainer of the year for the second year in a row at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

In 2016,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-03223ea3edb74e5d96c3c7dfaa3f289d">world leaders ended a nuclear security summit</a>&nbsp;in Washington by declaring progress in safeguarding nuclear materials sought by terrorists and wayward nations, even as President Barack Obama acknowledged the task was far from finished.

In 2017,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-celebrity-arts-and-entertainment-efa9fc03fa734aa2a27dcc633eaacec0">Bob Dylan received his Nobel Literature diploma</a>&nbsp;and medal during a small gathering in Stockholm, where he was performing a concert.

In 2018,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-north-america-steven-bochco-los-angeles-ap-top-news-3cb0b5c02b0543c8a9faea1be3f5b4be">writer and producer Steven Bochco</a>, known for creating the groundbreaking TV police drama “Hill Street Blues,” died after a battle with cancer; he was 74.

In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-united-states-c90b24e60a4853cebe96ec995b626f9b">resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home&nbsp;</a>order, President Donald Trump said he wanted to give governors “flexibility” to respond to the coronavirus. Under growing pressure, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined his counterparts in more than 30 states in issuing a stay-at-home order.

In 2022, talks to stop the fighting in Ukraine resumed, as another attempt to rescue civilians from the shattered and encircled city of Mariupol was thrown into jeopardy and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-europe-8482e237420a33a17bfb4e613e75bb66">Russia accused the Ukrainians</a>&nbsp;of a cross-border helicopter attack on a fuel depot.

In 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-arkansas-storm-concert-79fe2da8a6b8bd92970032530b760d20">storms that dropped dozens of tornadoes</a>&nbsp;killed more than 30 people in small towns and big cities across the South and Midwest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711977297784.png" alt="Marvin Miller, right, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association tells newsmen, April 3, 1972 that the association has made a proposal to Major League owners in an effort to end the first general players strike in baseball. Listening at left is Dick Moss, players association lawyer. Miller spoke at a news conference following a meeting with owners representative, John Gaherin. (AP Photo)" />
 <figcaption>Marvin Miller, right, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association tells newsmen, April 3, 1972 that the association has made a proposal to Major League owners in an effort to end the first general players strike in baseball. Listening at left is Dick Moss, players association lawyer. Miller spoke at a news conference following a meeting with owners representative, John Gaherin. (AP Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Today in History:</h2>On April 1, 1972, the first Major League Baseball players’ strike began; it lasted 12 days. Twenty years later, on April 1, 1992, the National Hockey League Players’ Association went on its first-ever strike, which lasted 10 days.<h2>On this date:</h2>In 1865, during the Civil War, Union forces routed Confederate soldiers in the Battle of Five Forks in Virginia.In 1891, the Wrigley Co. was founded in Chicago by William Wrigley, Jr.In 1924, Adolf Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the Beer Hall Putsch in Munich. (Hitler was released in December 1924; during his time behind bars, he wrote his autobiographical screed, “Mein Kampf.”)In 1945, American forces launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II. (U.S. forces succeeded in capturing the Japanese island on June 22.)In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and television, to take effect after Jan. 1, 1971.ADVERTISEMENTIn 1975, with Khmer Rouge guerrillas closing in, Cambodian President Lon Nol resigned and fled into exile, spending the rest of his life in the United States.In 1976, Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.In 1977, the U.S. Senate followed the example of the House of Representatives by adopting, 86-9, a stringent code of ethics requiring full financial disclosure and limits on outside income.In 2003, American troops entered a hospital in Nasiriyah (nah-sih-REE’-uh), Iraq, and rescued Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who had been held prisoner since her unit was ambushed on March 23.In 2011, Afghans angry over the burning of a Quran at a small Florida church stormed a U.N. compound in northern Afghanistan, killing seven foreigners, including four Nepalese guards.In 2013, Taylor Swift was named entertainer of the year for the second year in a row at the Academy of Country Music Awards.ADVERTISEMENTIn 2016,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-03223ea3edb74e5d96c3c7dfaa3f289d">world leaders ended a nuclear security summit</a>&nbsp;in Washington by declaring progress in safeguarding nuclear materials sought by terrorists and wayward nations, even as President Barack Obama acknowledged the task was far from finished.In 2017,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-celebrity-arts-and-entertainment-efa9fc03fa734aa2a27dcc633eaacec0">Bob Dylan received his Nobel Literature diploma</a>&nbsp;and medal during a small gathering in Stockholm, where he was performing a concert.In 2018,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-north-america-steven-bochco-los-angeles-ap-top-news-3cb0b5c02b0543c8a9faea1be3f5b4be">writer and producer Steven Bochco</a>, known for creating the groundbreaking TV police drama “Hill Street Blues,” died after a battle with cancer; he was 74.In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-united-states-c90b24e60a4853cebe96ec995b626f9b">resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home&nbsp;</a>order, President Donald Trump said he wanted to give governors “flexibility” to respond to the coronavirus. Under growing pressure, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined his counterparts in more than 30 states in issuing a stay-at-home order.In 2022, talks to stop the fighting in Ukraine resumed, as another attempt to rescue civilians from the shattered and encircled city of Mariupol was thrown into jeopardy and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-europe-8482e237420a33a17bfb4e613e75bb66">Russia accused the Ukrainians</a>&nbsp;of a cross-border helicopter attack on a fuel depot.In 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-arkansas-storm-concert-79fe2da8a6b8bd92970032530b760d20">storms that dropped dozens of tornadoes</a>&nbsp;killed more than 30 people in small towns and big cities across the South and Midwest.

Today in History, April 1

The 40th Salina Spring Poetry Series, sponsored and organized by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, begins on Tuesday, April 2, with a reading by Cash Hollistah.

The reading will begin at 7 p.m. at Red Fern Booksellers, 106 S. Santa Fe Ave. Admission will be $5 cash at the door and free for students with ID.

Traci Brimhall, Kansas Poet Laureate, curated this year’s series. Brimhall selected poets with a broad range of perspectives who will share their work in Salina this April.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5761a8f7-b8a2-442d-892f-1182ecf5653d">2024 Salina Spring Poetry Series announced for 40th anniversary</a>

“It's wonderful to be kicking off the 40th anniversary with an incredible Salina poet and performer. Cash is masterful with language, whether that's through poetry or music. He brings a sense of rhythm and lyrical dexterity to everything he does. Hearing him perform is elating--my heart and ears are on fire as a listener. He's a wonderful poet and an amazing advocate for the literary and musical arts in Kansas,” says Brimhall.

Cash Hollistah is a national hip-hop recording artist, musician, spoken word poet, arts educator, and community activist based in Salina, Kansas. Hollistah's musical projects, "#cashmob." (2016) &amp; "#cashmob. 2" (2017), and live performances have earned him spots on high-profile stages, notably South by Southwest (SXSW), and billing with acts such as Common, Shaggy, T.I., and Kirk Franklin.

Hollistah founded and hosted the former poetry series, ONE MIC, and occasionally teaches "Poetry &amp; Hip-Hop" specialty classes to students in central Kansas. 

Currently, Hollistah sits on the board of directors of the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.

For needed accommodations, please call Amanda Morris at Salina Arts &amp; Humanities at 785-309-5770 between 8:00 a.m. - Noon and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Every effort will be made to accommodate known disabilities. For material or speech access, please call at least five working days prior to the event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711632401335.jpeg" alt="Join the City of Salina and Salina Arts and Humanities for The 40th Salina Spring Poetry Series. The event takes place on Tuesday, April 2, with a reading by Cash Hollistah. Image Courtesy Salina Arts and Humanities" />
 <figcaption>Join the City of Salina and Salina Arts and Humanities for The 40th Salina Spring Poetry Series. The event takes place on Tuesday, April 2, with a reading by Cash Hollistah. Image Courtesy Salina Arts and Humanities</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Arts and HumanitiesThe 40th Salina Spring Poetry Series, sponsored and organized by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, begins on Tuesday, April 2, with a reading by Cash Hollistah.The reading will begin at 7 p.m. at Red Fern Booksellers, 106 S. Santa Fe Ave. Admission will be $5 cash at the door and free for students with ID.Traci Brimhall, Kansas Poet Laureate, curated this year’s series. Brimhall selected poets with a broad range of perspectives who will share their work in Salina this April.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5761a8f7-b8a2-442d-892f-1182ecf5653d">2024 Salina Spring Poetry Series announced for 40th anniversary</a>“It's wonderful to be kicking off the 40th anniversary with an incredible Salina poet and performer. Cash is masterful with language, whether that's through poetry or music. He brings a sense of rhythm and lyrical dexterity to everything he does. Hearing him perform is elating--my heart and ears are on fire as a listener. He's a wonderful poet and an amazing advocate for the literary and musical arts in Kansas,” says Brimhall.Cash Hollistah is a national hip-hop recording artist, musician, spoken word poet, arts educator, and community activist based in Salina, Kansas. Hollistah's musical projects, "#cashmob." (2016) &amp; "#cashmob. 2" (2017), and live performances have earned him spots on high-profile stages, notably South by Southwest (SXSW), and billing with acts such as Common, Shaggy, T.I., and Kirk Franklin. Hollistah founded and hosted the former poetry series, ONE MIC, and occasionally teaches "Poetry &amp; Hip-Hop" specialty classes to students in central Kansas. Currently, Hollistah sits on the board of directors of the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.For needed accommodations, please call Amanda Morris at Salina Arts &amp; Humanities at 785-309-5770 between 8:00 a.m. - Noon and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Every effort will be made to accommodate known disabilities. For material or speech access, please call at least five working days prior to the event.

Cash Hollistah to read in Salina Spring Poetry Series, Tuesday April 2

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

ERIE — The mother of a child rape victim trembled in the courtroom as she read her daughter’s description of shattered trust and night terrors that have consumed her life.

She was in Neosho County District Court to hear the judge determine a prison sentence she feared would be insufficient under a plea deal made by prosecutor Linus Thuston. She made her own plea: Send the rapist to prison for the maximum time possible.

“I do not believe that the current plea agreement accurately represents the crimes that were done to my daughter,” she told the judge Wednesday. “My daughter deserves justice.”

Judge Daryl Ahlquist stuck with Thuston’s deal, sentencing the man who confessed to repeatedly raping an 11-year-old to seven years in state prison. With good behavior, he could be free in less than six years, before the victim turns 18.

The mother, who cried during sentencing, was prepared to be disappointed. She revealed in court that she had secretly recorded a conversation with Thuston in case he later betrayed her trust.

In the recording — which Kansas Reflector obtained and verified by the file’s date stamp — Thuston outlines a deal that would require a longer prison sentence than the one the rapist received, and includes a conversation about Thuston representing the rapist’s family members in unrelated cases.

That potential conflict of interest and plea deal in the child rape case raises more questions about Thuston, a Republican&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/18/neosho-county-attorney-faces-criminal-investigation-by-state-authorities-scrutiny-by-local-leaders/">who has been under scrutiny for two years</a>&nbsp;amid a state criminal investigation into allegations that he accepted fees for reduced jail time and misused the funds. The status of that investigation is unclear.

In court Wednesday, Thuston denied that he had misled the mother about the terms of the plea agreement when they met in January.

The mother, seated among supporters in the courtroom, stood up and told the judge she had an hour-long recording of&nbsp; that conversation. If the judge were to listen to just the first 10 minutes, she said, he would know she was telling the truth.

Ahlquist appeared troubled by the exchange between Thuston and the mother.

“I appreciate that you have that, but I’m not going to listen to it at this time,” Ahlquist said.

Kansas Reflector doesn’t identify survivors of sexual violence without their consent and is not naming the mother or abuser in order to protect the child’s identity.

Thuston has been scrutinized before for granting diversions or probation in cases involving child sex crimes.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/18/neosho-county-attorney-faces-criminal-investigation-by-state-authorities-scrutiny-by-local-leaders/">A 2022 investigation by Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;examined concerns about those cases, as well as his handling of finances and alleged conflicts of interest.

In this case, Thuston charged the man last May under a statute known as Jessica’s Law, which applies to an adult sexually assaulting a child younger than 14. If convicted at trial, the sentence would be a minimum of 25 years to life in prison.

Thuston met with the child’s mother on Jan. 5 to discuss the status of the case. She said she recorded the conversation because she was aware of past plea deals made by Thuston involving child sex crimes. She shared a copy of the recording with Kansas Reflector, and allowed a reporter to look at the audio file’s date stamp on her phone.

She said she didn’t tell Thuston she was recording their conversation “because I wanted him to be authentic.”

In the recording, Thuston told her he was working on a plea deal involving a felony that would require 10 years in prison. He said he would rather reach an agreement on a lesser charge than go to trial and “force this kid to get up and describe their first sexual experience in front of a jury.”

Thuston said he was in a strong position to bargain with the defense attorney because the man had confessed to his crimes. Thuston said the offer to enter a plea for aggravated sodomy “has essentially been accepted. We just haven’t done it on the record yet.”

The mother said she was confused because the charge wouldn’t align with the facts of the case.

“Sometimes we will create things, essentially, to go with what we already have, to get to the point where we need to be,” Thuston said in the recording. “So we may say it’s agg sodomy when we know it’s really rape, but just to get us to where we need to get, whether it’s sodomy or rape, it’s getting to the number that we’re looking for.”

In this case, the number would be “essentially right at 10 years,” he said.

The mother also wanted to know about Thuston’s professional relationship with the defendant’s mother and grandmother. She said they have “made it known that they have you hired in private practice.” And she had seen Thuston talking to the defendant’s mother in the hallway of the courthouse.

Thuston said they were talking about an unrelated civil case.

“But from the outside peering in, you could see that that might be misinterpreted,” she said.

“There’s been no conversation with any member of his family,” Thuston said.

The mother was horrified in February when Thuston presented a different deal in court that involved three lower-level felonies — aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and aggravated endangering a child.

During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Thuston told the judge that he had gone over the revised plea deal with the mother when they met in January. He said the deal for a more serious felony was proposed and rejected last August.

He repeated that timeline during a brief interview after the hearing. But after learning that Kansas Reflector had listened to the recording of the Jan. 5 meeting, and that the mother contends there was no other communication about the plea deal, Thuston said he told her about the revised terms in the courtroom on the day the plea was entered.

During the interview for this story, Thuston defended the revised agreement, which lowered the prison sentence from 10 years to 7.

“Without forcing the child to testify, this was the best deal I was going to be able to get,” Thuston said. “He was going to go to prison, and we’re talking about a two-and-a-half-year difference.”

Steve Leben, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City who spent 27 years as a judge in Kansas, said a prosecutor has discretion to offer plea deals that victims don’t like. Victims often want more prison time, Leben said, especially in rape cases. The victim is still entitled to be heard by the court, he added.

The child rapist appeared relaxed Wednesday as he sat in the jury box in black-and-white striped jail garb with flipflops, handcuffs and ankle shackles. He eyed the mother until it was time for him to appear before the judge. He declined to make a statement to the court.

The mother asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence allowed for the crimes included in the plea deal, but the judge declined because the maximum of 87 months wasn’t much different from the 84 months the parties had agreed upon.

The man will get credit for the time he has spent in county jail while the case was being litigated. Upon release, he will have to register as a sex offender for life.

The mother sat in the witness stand to read a statement she had prepared, as well as a letter written by her daughter.

“I have nightmares about it every night,” the girl wrote. “I can’t stop thinking about you, and that is not a good thing. But most of all you made me feel bad for telling on you.”

The mother paused at times to wipe away tears or clear her throat.

She continued reading the letter: “My mom is a good mom because she cares for us with love and she treats us like a good mom should, and I don’t like seeing her upset, sad or even crying because of how much pressure people make her have. It’s not fair. I think things are not fair.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711725777392.png" alt=" Neosho County prosecutor Linus Thuston exits the courtroom March 27, 2024, in Erie after a sentencing hearing for a child rape case. Under a plea deal offered by Thuston, the man will serve up to seven years in prison. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Neosho County prosecutor Linus Thuston exits the courtroom March 27, 2024, in Erie after a sentencing hearing for a child rape case. Under a plea deal offered by Thuston, the man will serve up to seven years in prison. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>ERIE — The mother of a child rape victim trembled in the courtroom as she read her daughter’s description of shattered trust and night terrors that have consumed her life.She was in Neosho County District Court to hear the judge determine a prison sentence she feared would be insufficient under a plea deal made by prosecutor Linus Thuston. She made her own plea: Send the rapist to prison for the maximum time possible.“I do not believe that the current plea agreement accurately represents the crimes that were done to my daughter,” she told the judge Wednesday. “My daughter deserves justice.”Judge Daryl Ahlquist stuck with Thuston’s deal, sentencing the man who confessed to repeatedly raping an 11-year-old to seven years in state prison. With good behavior, he could be free in less than six years, before the victim turns 18.The mother, who cried during sentencing, was prepared to be disappointed. She revealed in court that she had secretly recorded a conversation with Thuston in case he later betrayed her trust.In the recording — which Kansas Reflector obtained and verified by the file’s date stamp — Thuston outlines a deal that would require a longer prison sentence than the one the rapist received, and includes a conversation about Thuston representing the rapist’s family members in unrelated cases.That potential conflict of interest and plea deal in the child rape case raises more questions about Thuston, a Republican&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/18/neosho-county-attorney-faces-criminal-investigation-by-state-authorities-scrutiny-by-local-leaders/">who has been under scrutiny for two years</a>&nbsp;amid a state criminal investigation into allegations that he accepted fees for reduced jail time and misused the funds. The status of that investigation is unclear.In court Wednesday, Thuston denied that he had misled the mother about the terms of the plea agreement when they met in January.The mother, seated among supporters in the courtroom, stood up and told the judge she had an hour-long recording of&nbsp; that conversation. If the judge were to listen to just the first 10 minutes, she said, he would know she was telling the truth.Ahlquist appeared troubled by the exchange between Thuston and the mother.“I appreciate that you have that, but I’m not going to listen to it at this time,” Ahlquist said.Kansas Reflector doesn’t identify survivors of sexual violence without their consent and is not naming the mother or abuser in order to protect the child’s identity.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711725832560.png" alt=" The sentencing hearing was held March 27, 2024, at the Neosho County Courthouse in Erie. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The sentencing hearing was held March 27, 2024, at the Neosho County Courthouse in Erie. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘The best deal’</h2>Thuston has been scrutinized before for granting diversions or probation in cases involving child sex crimes.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/18/neosho-county-attorney-faces-criminal-investigation-by-state-authorities-scrutiny-by-local-leaders/">A 2022 investigation by Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;examined concerns about those cases, as well as his handling of finances and alleged conflicts of interest.In this case, Thuston charged the man last May under a statute known as Jessica’s Law, which applies to an adult sexually assaulting a child younger than 14. If convicted at trial, the sentence would be a minimum of 25 years to life in prison.Thuston met with the child’s mother on Jan. 5 to discuss the status of the case. She said she recorded the conversation because she was aware of past plea deals made by Thuston involving child sex crimes. She shared a copy of the recording with Kansas Reflector, and allowed a reporter to look at the audio file’s date stamp on her phone.She said she didn’t tell Thuston she was recording their conversation “because I wanted him to be authentic.”In the recording, Thuston told her he was working on a plea deal involving a felony that would require 10 years in prison. He said he would rather reach an agreement on a lesser charge than go to trial and “force this kid to get up and describe their first sexual experience in front of a jury.”Thuston said he was in a strong position to bargain with the defense attorney because the man had confessed to his crimes. Thuston said the offer to enter a plea for aggravated sodomy “has essentially been accepted. We just haven’t done it on the record yet.”The mother said she was confused because the charge wouldn’t align with the facts of the case.“Sometimes we will create things, essentially, to go with what we already have, to get to the point where we need to be,” Thuston said in the recording. “So we may say it’s agg sodomy when we know it’s really rape, but just to get us to where we need to get, whether it’s sodomy or rape, it’s getting to the number that we’re looking for.”In this case, the number would be “essentially right at 10 years,” he said.The mother also wanted to know about Thuston’s professional relationship with the defendant’s mother and grandmother. She said they have “made it known that they have you hired in private practice.” And she had seen Thuston talking to the defendant’s mother in the hallway of the courthouse.Thuston said they were talking about an unrelated civil case.“But from the outside peering in, you could see that that might be misinterpreted,” she said.“There’s been no conversation with any member of his family,” Thuston said.The mother was horrified in February when Thuston presented a different deal in court that involved three lower-level felonies — aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and aggravated endangering a child.During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Thuston told the judge that he had gone over the revised plea deal with the mother when they met in January. He said the deal for a more serious felony was proposed and rejected last August.He repeated that timeline during a brief interview after the hearing. But after learning that Kansas Reflector had listened to the recording of the Jan. 5 meeting, and that the mother contends there was no other communication about the plea deal, Thuston said he told her about the revised terms in the courtroom on the day the plea was entered.During the interview for this story, Thuston defended the revised agreement, which lowered the prison sentence from 10 years to 7.“Without forcing the child to testify, this was the best deal I was going to be able to get,” Thuston said. “He was going to go to prison, and we’re talking about a two-and-a-half-year difference.”Steve Leben, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City who spent 27 years as a judge in Kansas, said a prosecutor has discretion to offer plea deals that victims don’t like. Victims often want more prison time, Leben said, especially in rape cases. The victim is still entitled to be heard by the court, he added.<h2>‘Things are not fair’</h2>The child rapist appeared relaxed Wednesday as he sat in the jury box in black-and-white striped jail garb with flipflops, handcuffs and ankle shackles. He eyed the mother until it was time for him to appear before the judge. He declined to make a statement to the court.The mother asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence allowed for the crimes included in the plea deal, but the judge declined because the maximum of 87 months wasn’t much different from the 84 months the parties had agreed upon.The man will get credit for the time he has spent in county jail while the case was being litigated. Upon release, he will have to register as a sex offender for life.The mother sat in the witness stand to read a statement she had prepared, as well as a letter written by her daughter.“I have nightmares about it every night,” the girl wrote. “I can’t stop thinking about you, and that is not a good thing. But most of all you made me feel bad for telling on you.”The mother paused at times to wipe away tears or clear her throat.She continued reading the letter: “My mom is a good mom because she cares for us with love and she treats us like a good mom should, and I don’t like seeing her upset, sad or even crying because of how much pressure people make her have. It’s not fair. I think things are not fair.”

Kansas mother hurt by lighter plea deal for man who repeatedly raped her child

Wayne Wallace Wilson, 79, of Salina Ks, passed away on March 23, 2024. Wayne was born on August 1, 1944 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita Ks. to Elmer Edward &amp; Roberta Emily (Courton) Wilson.

Wayne attended school &amp; graduated from Rosalia High School in 1962. Wayne was very active with the Flint Hills 4-H club of Rosalia. Wayne won many Awards with livestock, including 2 trips to the 4-H Nationals in Chicago. Wayne was also asked if he would like to join the peace core due to all his achievements in 4-H, Wayne always felt that was one of his highest honors.

Wayne then married Judy Ann Ellis of El Dorado on March 16, 1967.  The loving couple enjoyed 34yrs together before Judy passed away on September 15, 2001. Wayne remarried November 29, 2003 to Mary Eshbaugh. They divorced in 2021.

Wayne served in Law enforcement for 35+ years, then 5 years in retail. Wayne started in the El Dorado, Butler Co. Sheriff’s Office then served as Marshall of Victoria, Ks. Wayne was Undersheriff of Ellis County in Hays Ks, then Fraud Investigator in Kansas City. Wayne worked at Ardan’s &amp; Wilson’s Service Merchandise in Wichita Ks. Next was Beloit, Mitchell Co. Police &amp; Sheriff &amp; then on too Hill City, Graham Co. Retiring as Chief of Police due to an on the job injury on October 31, 1994 resulting in partial leg amputation in 1995. 

Then after retiring from Law enforcement Wayne worked with Mac Air office under John Britting &amp; then with RCIL as a counselor for disabled people.

Wayne also joined a group called (ADAPT) who are activists putting their bodies on the line for the civil rights of people with disabilities. With this group Wayne traveled to several cities ranging from Washington DC to California. Wayne also worked for the Hyatt in Wichita Ks. for 10yrs as a shuttle driver where he won the (Ambassador for Wichita Award) given by the (Go Wichita Convention Bureau). Wayne was also awarded Employee of The Year in 2012 with a trip to Hawaii. Shortly after Wayne retired for good and focused on his woodworking projects, crafts, &amp; traveling.

Wayne was definitely an animal lover his whole life with pets and livestock, Wayne &amp; Judy raised Yorkshire Terriers in the 70’s &amp; early 80’s &amp; also Pomeranians in the later 80”s. Wayne enjoyed traveling, fishing , golf, crafts , photography , and all sorts of auto racing. He especially enjoyed good conversation with all of his friend’s family &amp; coworkers. Wayne didn’t know a stranger and was always willing to listen and talk to anyone. Wayne W. Wilson was a very dedicated family man and loved his family very much. Most of his favorite memories &amp; stories was those of his family but a big portion of his memories and stories came from working as Undersheriff in Ellis Co. That was some of Wayne’s favorite times.  KLETC instructors at that time would point out to New Recruits that the Ellis Co. Sheriff’s Office was the real deal on how they handle things up there, true professionals! 

Wayne’s reply to hearing this was, "We are the best &amp; I’m glad the KLETC notices and hearing how good we are."

Wayne’s siblings are Joanne Marie (Wilson) Mendenhall &amp; Brother In Law Duane Mendenhall ( deceased. ) His Son Michael Shane Wilson &amp; Daughter-in Law  Stacy Lowe. His foster Daughter was Wanda Gibson, stepson Stacey Alan &amp; step daughter Theresa Wilson.

Grandchildren are Natalie Wilson, Dalton Sawyers, Justin Noel, Saxon Noel, Arielle Alan, Mercedes Light, Sheila Dragoo, Braeden Alan, Danielle Alan.

Great Grandchildren are Nathan Noel &amp; Savanna Noel.

Niece’s &amp; Nephew’s include Alan &amp; Vickie Mendenhall &amp; Son Jeremy Mendenhall, and daughter Lillianna &amp; Rosalina Mendenhall / Kathy &amp; Denise Blackman, Tasha Beck, Andrew Beck &amp; Tyson Blackman

Wayne had been diagnosed with cancer in 2021 &amp; moved to Salina in 2022 to live with his son Michael Shane Wilson and his fiancée Stacy Lowe. Even with treatments the cancer had still spread rather quickly from 2021 to 2024.

Wayne will be honored by a graveside service on Saturday April 6, 2024 and services at 11:00 a.m. at Resthaven Cemetery in Wichita Kansas.

Memorials can be made in honor of Wayne W. Wilson to Interim Hospice of Salina, 1005 W South Salina, Ks 67401.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711740156850.png" alt="Wayne Wallace Wilson" />
 <figcaption>Wayne Wallace Wilson</figcaption>
 </figure>Wayne Wallace Wilson, 79, of Salina Ks, passed away on March 23, 2024. Wayne was born on August 1, 1944 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita Ks. to Elmer Edward &amp; Roberta Emily (Courton) Wilson.Wayne attended school &amp; graduated from Rosalia High School in 1962. Wayne was very active with the Flint Hills 4-H club of Rosalia. Wayne won many Awards with livestock, including 2 trips to the 4-H Nationals in Chicago. Wayne was also asked if he would like to join the peace core due to all his achievements in 4-H, Wayne always felt that was one of his highest honors.Wayne then married Judy Ann Ellis of El Dorado on March 16, 1967. The loving couple enjoyed 34yrs together before Judy passed away on September 15, 2001. Wayne remarried November 29, 2003 to Mary Eshbaugh. They divorced in 2021.Wayne served in Law enforcement for 35+ years, then 5 years in retail. Wayne started in the El Dorado, Butler Co. Sheriff’s Office then served as Marshall of Victoria, Ks. Wayne was Undersheriff of Ellis County in Hays Ks, then Fraud Investigator in Kansas City. Wayne worked at Ardan’s &amp; Wilson’s Service Merchandise in Wichita Ks. Next was Beloit, Mitchell Co. Police &amp; Sheriff &amp; then on too Hill City, Graham Co. Retiring as Chief of Police due to an on the job injury on October 31, 1994 resulting in partial leg amputation in 1995. Then after retiring from Law enforcement Wayne worked with Mac Air office under John Britting &amp; then with RCIL as a counselor for disabled people.Wayne also joined a group called (ADAPT) who are activists putting their bodies on the line for the civil rights of people with disabilities. With this group Wayne traveled to several cities ranging from Washington DC to California. Wayne also worked for the Hyatt in Wichita Ks. for 10yrs as a shuttle driver where he won the (Ambassador for Wichita Award) given by the (Go Wichita Convention Bureau). Wayne was also awarded Employee of The Year in 2012 with a trip to Hawaii. Shortly after Wayne retired for good and focused on his woodworking projects, crafts, &amp; traveling.Wayne was definitely an animal lover his whole life with pets and livestock, Wayne &amp; Judy raised Yorkshire Terriers in the 70’s &amp; early 80’s &amp; also Pomeranians in the later 80”s. Wayne enjoyed traveling, fishing , golf, crafts , photography , and all sorts of auto racing. He especially enjoyed good conversation with all of his friend’s family &amp; coworkers. Wayne didn’t know a stranger and was always willing to listen and talk to anyone. Wayne W. Wilson was a very dedicated family man and loved his family very much. Most of his favorite memories &amp; stories was those of his family but a big portion of his memories and stories came from working as Undersheriff in Ellis Co. That was some of Wayne’s favorite times. KLETC instructors at that time would point out to New Recruits that the Ellis Co. Sheriff’s Office was the real deal on how they handle things up there, true professionals! Wayne’s reply to hearing this was, "We are the best &amp; I’m glad the KLETC notices and hearing how good we are."Wayne’s siblings are Joanne Marie (Wilson) Mendenhall &amp; Brother In Law Duane Mendenhall ( deceased. ) His Son Michael Shane Wilson &amp; Daughter-in Law Stacy Lowe. His foster Daughter was Wanda Gibson, stepson Stacey Alan &amp; step daughter Theresa Wilson.Grandchildren are Natalie Wilson, Dalton Sawyers, Justin Noel, Saxon Noel, Arielle Alan, Mercedes Light, Sheila Dragoo, Braeden Alan, Danielle Alan.Great Grandchildren are Nathan Noel &amp; Savanna Noel.Niece’s &amp; Nephew’s include Alan &amp; Vickie Mendenhall &amp; Son Jeremy Mendenhall, and daughter Lillianna &amp; Rosalina Mendenhall / Kathy &amp; Denise Blackman, Tasha Beck, Andrew Beck &amp; Tyson BlackmanWayne had been diagnosed with cancer in 2021 &amp; moved to Salina in 2022 to live with his son Michael Shane Wilson and his fiancée Stacy Lowe. Even with treatments the cancer had still spread rather quickly from 2021 to 2024.Wayne will be honored by a graveside service on Saturday April 6, 2024 and services at 11:00 a.m. at Resthaven Cemetery in Wichita Kansas.Memorials can be made in honor of Wayne W. Wilson to Interim Hospice of Salina, 1005 W South Salina, Ks 67401.

Wayne Wallace Wilson

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Members of the Kansas House declared in a loud, clear voice Wednesday support for a resolution calling on Congress to force federal transportation safety officials to require installation in all new motor vehicles a device capable of capturing AM broadcast stations.

The House voted 109-14 for House Concurrent Resolution 5026, which called upon the Kansas congressional delegation and leaders of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate to use their political leverage to intervene in the manufacturing of cars and trucks for the domestic market.

The nonbinding resolution emphasized the importance of AM radio and support of a congressional effort to pass a law requiring the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule declaring AM radios standard in new vehicles.

Rep. Bill Rhiley, R-Wellington, said the resolution was unlikely to sway Congress, but it was important to register a rural opinion on the subject.

“Over 80 million people in the U.S. listen to AM radio each month. There are more than 6,000 AM radio stations,” he said. “The radio frequency of AM radio travels hundreds of miles, making it a strong media for stations to get information out to less-populated areas. FM radio frequencies are clearer, but their range is only in line-of-sight miles.”

St. John Republican Rep. Brett Fairchild said he voted against the resolution despite an appreciation for politically conservative talk shows common on the AM dial. He said it would be wrong for federal lawmakers to dictate to manufacturers what sort of audio system was installed new vehicles.

“I believe this violates free market principles and limited-government principles. I don’t like that,” he said.

Democratic Rep. Linda Featherston of Overland Park said she relied on AM radio to follow the Kansas City Royals and sports programs at Kansas State University. She greatly dislikes owning a vehicle without an AM dial, but she said that didn’t justify using the legislative process for “personal axes I wish to grind.”

In mid-March, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee conducted a hearing on the resolution. The measure was endorsed by Rep. Ken Rahjes, the Agra Republican and chairman of the committee, as well as the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.

KASB president Allison Mazzei said AM reception in vehicles was important for emergency preparedness, support of the agriculture industry and to meet general information needs of rural communities.

“Radio serves as a cornerstone of communication,” Mazzei said. “The Kansas Association of Broadcasters has diligently advocated for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, meeting with every member of our state’s federal delegation to garner support for this crucial legislation. We are pleased to report that each member has acknowledged the significance of AM radio and has committed to co‐sponsoring the bill.”

Several automakers removed or planned to remove AM radio receivers from electric vehicles due to electromagnetic interference generated from batteries, said Claudia Hissong of Kansas Farm Bureau. Ford said a year ago it would exclude AM radios from 2024 models, but reversed course in face of criticism and agreed to keep AM units in both Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

She said the proposed federal legislation would require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in vehicles without a separate payment, fee or surcharge beyond the base price of the device. Vehicle manufacturers would have to disclose to consumers when vehicles lacked the ability to access AM broadcast radio, she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711648319301.png" alt=" The Kansas House voted overwhelmingly for a resolution urging Congress to compel vehicle manufacturers to install AM radios in all cars and trucks — radios that would have been installed in the dash of this 1953 Studebaker Champion. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The Kansas House voted overwhelmingly for a resolution urging Congress to compel vehicle manufacturers to install AM radios in all cars and trucks — radios that would have been installed in the dash of this 1953 Studebaker Champion. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Members of the Kansas House declared in a loud, clear voice Wednesday support for a resolution calling on Congress to force federal transportation safety officials to require installation in all new motor vehicles a device capable of capturing AM broadcast stations.The House voted 109-14 for House Concurrent Resolution 5026, which called upon the Kansas congressional delegation and leaders of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate to use their political leverage to intervene in the manufacturing of cars and trucks for the domestic market.The nonbinding resolution emphasized the importance of AM radio and support of a congressional effort to pass a law requiring the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule declaring AM radios standard in new vehicles.Rep. Bill Rhiley, R-Wellington, said the resolution was unlikely to sway Congress, but it was important to register a rural opinion on the subject.“Over 80 million people in the U.S. listen to AM radio each month. There are more than 6,000 AM radio stations,” he said. “The radio frequency of AM radio travels hundreds of miles, making it a strong media for stations to get information out to less-populated areas. FM radio frequencies are clearer, but their range is only in line-of-sight miles.”St. John Republican Rep. Brett Fairchild said he voted against the resolution despite an appreciation for politically conservative talk shows common on the AM dial. He said it would be wrong for federal lawmakers to dictate to manufacturers what sort of audio system was installed new vehicles.“I believe this violates free market principles and limited-government principles. I don’t like that,” he said.Democratic Rep. Linda Featherston of Overland Park said she relied on AM radio to follow the Kansas City Royals and sports programs at Kansas State University. She greatly dislikes owning a vehicle without an AM dial, but she said that didn’t justify using the legislative process for “personal axes I wish to grind.”In mid-March, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee conducted a hearing on the resolution. The measure was endorsed by Rep. Ken Rahjes, the Agra Republican and chairman of the committee, as well as the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.KASB president Allison Mazzei said AM reception in vehicles was important for emergency preparedness, support of the agriculture industry and to meet general information needs of rural communities.“Radio serves as a cornerstone of communication,” Mazzei said. “The Kansas Association of Broadcasters has diligently advocated for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, meeting with every member of our state’s federal delegation to garner support for this crucial legislation. We are pleased to report that each member has acknowledged the significance of AM radio and has committed to co‐sponsoring the bill.”Several automakers removed or planned to remove AM radio receivers from electric vehicles due to electromagnetic interference generated from batteries, said Claudia Hissong of Kansas Farm Bureau. Ford said a year ago it would exclude AM radios from 2024 models, but reversed course in face of criticism and agreed to keep AM units in both Ford and Lincoln vehicles.She said the proposed federal legislation would require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in vehicles without a separate payment, fee or surcharge beyond the base price of the device. Vehicle manufacturers would have to disclose to consumers when vehicles lacked the ability to access AM broadcast radio, she said.

Kansas lawmakers turn up volume on resolution mandating AM radios in new vehicles

Maridene Esther Lundstrom December 22, 1929 ~ March 25, 2024

Maridene Esther Lundstrom, 94, of Lindsborg, passed away March 25, 2024. She was a long-time resident of Lindsborg. She was married to Robert Lee Lundstrom, a farmer, carpenter, WWII veteran, and active church member in Lindsborg where they raised 3 children. Bob passed away in 2012.

She was born on a farm SE of Stafford, KS. Daughter of Samuel Brent and Alma Alice (Langdon) Newell and sister to Carroll (Doris) Newell, Margaret (Bob) Humphrey, and Clinton Newell. Maridene attended Eureka Rural Grade School, Stafford HS, and Bethany College where she graduated in 1951, majoring in Music Education. She taught music at Lincoln Grade School in Goodland, KS one year after graduation.

In 1952 she married Arthur Hanson, also a graduate of Bethany College as well as the Theological Seminary at Rock Island, IL. During that time, Maridene taught in San Francisco for a year when Arthur was positioned there. They then lived in Wolverton and later Comstock, Minnesota from 1954 to 1957.Arthur served these communities as a Lutheran Pastor. During this time, Stephen (1955), David (1956), and Paul (1959) were born. Arthur was serving a rural church congregation in East Grand Forks, MN at the time of his death in April 1960.

Following his death, Maridene with her 3 children moved back to Lindsborg. Directly across the street was where her future husband, Bob Lundstrom lived. They married on June 16, 1962. Bob and his brother Lawrence farmed land near Fremont Lutheran Church west of Lindsborg. They remained in Lindsborg where their 3 sons attended high school and college.

For decades, Maridene taught piano lessons to multiple generations of students, many of whom competed at regional and state levels. Maridene and Bob were both very active in the congregation of Bethany Lutheran Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, children’s choir leader, sang in the church choir, and held many other roles as a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. She was a Soprano Secretary Chair for Lindsborg’s annual Messiah Festival and sang for over 50 years in Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion.

Maridene always found great joy in serving and supporting others in Lindsborg and area communities. She was known for her unwavering spiritual faith and optimism, as well as listening to and comforting others in times of need through her roles in Stephen Ministries and Women of the ELCA. At Bethany Home she was part of the unofficial welcome committee for new residents and staff recently described her as very gifted in helping others feel cared for.

Maridene loved to cook for her community and family. Family members recall the festive Sunday and holiday dinners at home, her full course meals (often a hearty chicken dinner brought out to feed workers at harvest time or baling hay), her legendary cinnamon rolls, Swedish tea rings, pies, cookies, and more. She regularly asked to include a short time of scripture reading and prayer after main meals gathered with others.

Maridene is survived by her sons Stephen (Carol) Hanson, David (Lori) Hanson, and Paul (Robin) Hanson. She has 5 grandchildren: Sarah (John) Werner, Brent (Pam) Hanson, Destiny Hanson, Clara Hanson, and Addie Hanson. She has 8 great grandchildren: Isaiah, Malakai, Delani, Ben, Sam, Kate, James, and Luke, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be Friday, April 5th from 5-7 pm at Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N Washington St. Lindsborg, KS 67456.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, April 6th, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 320 N Main St. Lindsborg, KS with Rev. Dr. Mandy Todd officiating. A burial will follow at Fremont Cemetery, west of Lindsborg. A reception at Bethany Lutheran Church will follow the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethany College, and Bethany Home. Memorials may be sent in care of the funeral home.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7068f395-a20b-49d1-9500-ce7d7041a7b2">U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announces more than $33 million investment for K-State Salina</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711640225293.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Maridene Esther Lundstrom December 22, 1929 ~ March 25, 2024Maridene Esther Lundstrom, 94, of Lindsborg, passed away March 25, 2024. She was a long-time resident of Lindsborg. She was married to Robert Lee Lundstrom, a farmer, carpenter, WWII veteran, and active church member in Lindsborg where they raised 3 children. Bob passed away in 2012.She was born on a farm SE of Stafford, KS. Daughter of Samuel Brent and Alma Alice (Langdon) Newell and sister to Carroll (Doris) Newell, Margaret (Bob) Humphrey, and Clinton Newell. Maridene attended Eureka Rural Grade School, Stafford HS, and Bethany College where she graduated in 1951, majoring in Music Education. She taught music at Lincoln Grade School in Goodland, KS one year after graduation.In 1952 she married Arthur Hanson, also a graduate of Bethany College as well as the Theological Seminary at Rock Island, IL. During that time, Maridene taught in San Francisco for a year when Arthur was positioned there. They then lived in Wolverton and later Comstock, Minnesota from 1954 to 1957.Arthur served these communities as a Lutheran Pastor. During this time, Stephen (1955), David (1956), and Paul (1959) were born. Arthur was serving a rural church congregation in East Grand Forks, MN at the time of his death in April 1960.Following his death, Maridene with her 3 children moved back to Lindsborg. Directly across the street was where her future husband, Bob Lundstrom lived. They married on June 16, 1962. Bob and his brother Lawrence farmed land near Fremont Lutheran Church west of Lindsborg. They remained in Lindsborg where their 3 sons attended high school and college.For decades, Maridene taught piano lessons to multiple generations of students, many of whom competed at regional and state levels. Maridene and Bob were both very active in the congregation of Bethany Lutheran Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, children’s choir leader, sang in the church choir, and held many other roles as a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. She was a Soprano Secretary Chair for Lindsborg’s annual Messiah Festival and sang for over 50 years in Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion.Maridene always found great joy in serving and supporting others in Lindsborg and area communities. She was known for her unwavering spiritual faith and optimism, as well as listening to and comforting others in times of need through her roles in Stephen Ministries and Women of the ELCA. At Bethany Home she was part of the unofficial welcome committee for new residents and staff recently described her as very gifted in helping others feel cared for.Maridene loved to cook for her community and family. Family members recall the festive Sunday and holiday dinners at home, her full course meals (often a hearty chicken dinner brought out to feed workers at harvest time or baling hay), her legendary cinnamon rolls, Swedish tea rings, pies, cookies, and more. She regularly asked to include a short time of scripture reading and prayer after main meals gathered with others.Maridene is survived by her sons Stephen (Carol) Hanson, David (Lori) Hanson, and Paul (Robin) Hanson. She has 5 grandchildren: Sarah (John) Werner, Brent (Pam) Hanson, Destiny Hanson, Clara Hanson, and Addie Hanson. She has 8 great grandchildren: Isaiah, Malakai, Delani, Ben, Sam, Kate, James, and Luke, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.The visitation will be Friday, April 5th from 5-7 pm at Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N Washington St. Lindsborg, KS 67456.The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, April 6th, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 320 N Main St. Lindsborg, KS with Rev. Dr. Mandy Todd officiating. A burial will follow at Fremont Cemetery, west of Lindsborg. A reception at Bethany Lutheran Church will follow the burial.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethany College, and Bethany Home. Memorials may be sent in care of the funeral home.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7068f395-a20b-49d1-9500-ce7d7041a7b2">U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announces more than $33 million investment for K-State Salina</a>

Maridene E. Lundstrom

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday seemed likely to preserve access to a medication that was used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-supreme-court-27d18f91242eb08c4d805880ddb5bb60">nearly two-thirds of all abortions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. last year, in the court’s first abortion case since conservative justices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;two years ago.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2023/23-235">Click here to listen to</a> a replay of the oral arguments

In nearly 90 minutes of arguments, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-pill-arguments-highlights-7fe897ec4f5b3121dc73d5b74b5a0d6d">consensus appeared to emerge</a>&nbsp;that the abortion opponents who challenged the FDA's approval of the medication, mifepristone, and subsequent actions to ease access to it, lack the legal right or standing to sue.

Such a decision would leave in place the current rules that allow patients to receive the drug through the mail, without any need for an in-person visit with a doctor, and to take the medication to induce an abortion through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Should the court take the no-standing route, it would avoid the more politically sensitive aspects of the case.

The high court’s return to the abortion thicket is taking place in a political and regulatory landscape that was reshaped by its abortion decision in 2022 that led many Republican-led states to ban or severely restrict abortion.

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer, said the court should dismiss the case and make clear that anti-abortion doctors and organizations don’t “come within 100 miles” of having standing.

Even three justices who were in the majority to overturn Roe posed skeptical questions about standing to the lawyer for the abortion opponents. Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh are former President Donald Trump’s three Supreme Court appointees.

Barrett, for example, seemed to doubt that two doctors identified by lawyer Erin Hawley could show that they were actually harmed by the FDA's actions, one of the requirements for showing standing.

“I think the difficulty here is that, at least to me, these affidavits do read more like the conscience objection is strictly to actually participating in the abortion to end the life of the embryo or fetus. And I don’t read either ... to say that they ever participated in that,” Barrett said.

Kavanaugh had only one question during the entire session and it too seemed to be focused on the technical issue of standing. He asked Prelogar to confirm that “under federal law, no doctors can be forced against their consciences to perform or assist in an abortion.”

Abortion opponents are asking the justices to ratify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-restrictions-appeals-court-402be732d162af449c40ed1315cfb851">a ruling</a>&nbsp;from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to mifepristone, one of two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-supreme-court-abortion-d451e14148ffbe6ce4811b1a37651480">drugs used in medication abortions</a>.

That ruling had immediate political consequences, and the outcome in the current case, expected by early summer, could affect races for Congress and the White House.

Another abortion case already is on the docket. Next month, the justices will hear arguments over whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-medical-emergencies-idaho-8ca89d7de0c1fa9256dcd27d1847e144">a federal law on emergency treatment</a>&nbsp;at hospitals must include abortions, even in states that have otherwise banned them.

The scene outside the Supreme Court was lively Tuesday morning, with demonstrators occupying the streets surrounding the court and groups on both sides of the issue marching and chanting. The police blocked traffic surrounding the court as well.

The practical consequences of a ruling for abortion opponents would be dramatic, including possibly halting the delivery of mifepristone through the mail and at large pharmacy chains, and ending increasingly popular telehealth visits at which the drug can be prescribed.

President Joe Biden's administration and drug manufacturers warn that such an outcome also could undermine the FDA's drug approval process more widely by inviting judges to second-guess the agency's scientific judgments. The Democratic administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, which makes mifepristone, say that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-abortion-pill-supreme-court-1d2221251197a391c9bca833918e4554">drug is among the safest</a>&nbsp;the FDA has ever approved.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a Biden appointee who joined the court just after the last abortion case, signaled her agreement with some of those arguments when she asked Jessica Ellsworth, Danco's lawyer, whether she has concerns “about judges parsing medical and scientific studies.”

The abortion opponents argue that the FDA's decisions in 2016 and 2021 to relax restrictions on getting the drug were unreasonable and, as Hawley wrote in her clients' main legal brief, “jeopardize women's health across the nation.” She argued Tuesday that she was asking the court to affirm a ruling that “merely restored longstanding and crucial protections under which millions of women used abortion drugs.” Her husband, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and one of their children were in the courtroom to watch her first arguments.

The mifepristone case began five months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Abortion opponents initially won a sweeping ruling nearly a year ago from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>, a Trump nominee in Texas, which would have revoked the drug’s approval entirely. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals left intact the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone. But it would reverse changes regulators made in 2016 and 2021 that eased some conditions for administering the drug.

The Supreme Court put the appeals court’s modified ruling on hold, then agreed to hear the case, though Justices Samuel Alito, the author of the decision overturning Roe, and Clarence Thomas would have allowed some restrictions to take effect while the case proceeded.

In arguments highly focused on technical legal issues, Alito and Thomas asked some of the few questions Tuesday on the substance of the case, including about sending mifepristone through the mail.

They referred to the Comstock Act, a rarely used, 151-year-old criminal law that has been revived by anti-abortion advocates seeking to block the delivery of mifepristone through the U.S. mail. Addressing Ellsworth, Thomas said the law is “fairly broad, and it specifically covers drugs such as yours.”

Even if the court doesn't address the Comstock Act in its ruling, some abortion rights advocates fear that a future administration that favors abortion restrictions could invoke the law to roll back access to mifepristone.

More than 6 million people have used mifepristone since 2000. It is one of two drugs used in medication abortions.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-supreme-court-abortion-d451e14148ffbe6ce4811b1a37651480">Mifepristone</a>&nbsp;blocks the hormone progesterone, and also primes the uterus to respond to the contraction-causing effect of another drug, misoprostol.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation">The two-drug regimen</a>&nbsp;is used to end a pregnancy through 10 weeks gestation.

Health care providers have said that if mifepristone is no longer available or is too hard to obtain, they would switch to using only misoprostol, which is somewhat less effective in ending pregnancies.

Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is hearing arguments Tuesday in its first abortion case since conservative justices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned the constitutional right to an abortion</a>&nbsp;two years ago. At stake is ease of access to a medication that was used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-supreme-court-27d18f91242eb08c4d805880ddb5bb60">nearly two-thirds of all abortions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. last year.

Click here to listen&nbsp;to a replay of the oral arguments

The high court's return to the abortion thicket is taking place in a political and regulatory landscape that was reshaped by the abortion decision in 2022 that led many Republican-led states to ban or severely restrict abortion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="Photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday seemed likely to preserve access to a medication that was used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-supreme-court-27d18f91242eb08c4d805880ddb5bb60">nearly two-thirds of all abortions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. last year, in the court’s first abortion case since conservative justices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;two years ago.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2023/23-235">Click here to listen to</a> a replay of the oral argumentsIn nearly 90 minutes of arguments, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-pill-arguments-highlights-7fe897ec4f5b3121dc73d5b74b5a0d6d">consensus appeared to emerge</a>&nbsp;that the abortion opponents who challenged the FDA's approval of the medication, mifepristone, and subsequent actions to ease access to it, lack the legal right or standing to sue.Such a decision would leave in place the current rules that allow patients to receive the drug through the mail, without any need for an in-person visit with a doctor, and to take the medication to induce an abortion through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Should the court take the no-standing route, it would avoid the more politically sensitive aspects of the case.The high court’s return to the abortion thicket is taking place in a political and regulatory landscape that was reshaped by its abortion decision in 2022 that led many Republican-led states to ban or severely restrict abortion.Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer, said the court should dismiss the case and make clear that anti-abortion doctors and organizations don’t “come within 100 miles” of having standing.Even three justices who were in the majority to overturn Roe posed skeptical questions about standing to the lawyer for the abortion opponents. Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh are former President Donald Trump’s three Supreme Court appointees.Barrett, for example, seemed to doubt that two doctors identified by lawyer Erin Hawley could show that they were actually harmed by the FDA's actions, one of the requirements for showing standing.“I think the difficulty here is that, at least to me, these affidavits do read more like the conscience objection is strictly to actually participating in the abortion to end the life of the embryo or fetus. And I don’t read either ... to say that they ever participated in that,” Barrett said.Kavanaugh had only one question during the entire session and it too seemed to be focused on the technical issue of standing. He asked Prelogar to confirm that “under federal law, no doctors can be forced against their consciences to perform or assist in an abortion.”Abortion opponents are asking the justices to ratify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-restrictions-appeals-court-402be732d162af449c40ed1315cfb851">a ruling</a>&nbsp;from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to mifepristone, one of two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-supreme-court-abortion-d451e14148ffbe6ce4811b1a37651480">drugs used in medication abortions</a>.That ruling had immediate political consequences, and the outcome in the current case, expected by early summer, could affect races for Congress and the White House.Another abortion case already is on the docket. Next month, the justices will hear arguments over whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-medical-emergencies-idaho-8ca89d7de0c1fa9256dcd27d1847e144">a federal law on emergency treatment</a>&nbsp;at hospitals must include abortions, even in states that have otherwise banned them.The scene outside the Supreme Court was lively Tuesday morning, with demonstrators occupying the streets surrounding the court and groups on both sides of the issue marching and chanting. The police blocked traffic surrounding the court as well.The practical consequences of a ruling for abortion opponents would be dramatic, including possibly halting the delivery of mifepristone through the mail and at large pharmacy chains, and ending increasingly popular telehealth visits at which the drug can be prescribed.President Joe Biden's administration and drug manufacturers warn that such an outcome also could undermine the FDA's drug approval process more widely by inviting judges to second-guess the agency's scientific judgments. The Democratic administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, which makes mifepristone, say that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-abortion-pill-supreme-court-1d2221251197a391c9bca833918e4554">drug is among the safest</a>&nbsp;the FDA has ever approved.Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a Biden appointee who joined the court just after the last abortion case, signaled her agreement with some of those arguments when she asked Jessica Ellsworth, Danco's lawyer, whether she has concerns “about judges parsing medical and scientific studies.”The abortion opponents argue that the FDA's decisions in 2016 and 2021 to relax restrictions on getting the drug were unreasonable and, as Hawley wrote in her clients' main legal brief, “jeopardize women's health across the nation.” She argued Tuesday that she was asking the court to affirm a ruling that “merely restored longstanding and crucial protections under which millions of women used abortion drugs.” Her husband, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and one of their children were in the courtroom to watch her first arguments.The mifepristone case began five months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Abortion opponents initially won a sweeping ruling nearly a year ago from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>, a Trump nominee in Texas, which would have revoked the drug’s approval entirely. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals left intact the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone. But it would reverse changes regulators made in 2016 and 2021 that eased some conditions for administering the drug.The Supreme Court put the appeals court’s modified ruling on hold, then agreed to hear the case, though Justices Samuel Alito, the author of the decision overturning Roe, and Clarence Thomas would have allowed some restrictions to take effect while the case proceeded.In arguments highly focused on technical legal issues, Alito and Thomas asked some of the few questions Tuesday on the substance of the case, including about sending mifepristone through the mail.They referred to the Comstock Act, a rarely used, 151-year-old criminal law that has been revived by anti-abortion advocates seeking to block the delivery of mifepristone through the U.S. mail. Addressing Ellsworth, Thomas said the law is “fairly broad, and it specifically covers drugs such as yours.”Even if the court doesn't address the Comstock Act in its ruling, some abortion rights advocates fear that a future administration that favors abortion restrictions could invoke the law to roll back access to mifepristone.More than 6 million people have used mifepristone since 2000. It is one of two drugs used in medication abortions.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-supreme-court-abortion-d451e14148ffbe6ce4811b1a37651480">Mifepristone</a>&nbsp;blocks the hormone progesterone, and also primes the uterus to respond to the contraction-causing effect of another drug, misoprostol.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation">The two-drug regimen</a>&nbsp;is used to end a pregnancy through 10 weeks gestation.Health care providers have said that if mifepristone is no longer available or is too hard to obtain, they would switch to using only misoprostol, which is somewhat less effective in ending pregnancies.___Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report.___----------WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is hearing arguments Tuesday in its first abortion case since conservative justices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned the constitutional right to an abortion</a>&nbsp;two years ago. At stake is ease of access to a medication that was used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-supreme-court-27d18f91242eb08c4d805880ddb5bb60">nearly two-thirds of all abortions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. last year.Click here to listen&nbsp;to a replay of the oral argumentsAbortion opponents are asking the justices to ratify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-restrictions-appeals-court-402be732d162af449c40ed1315cfb851">a ruling</a>&nbsp;from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to mifepristone, one of two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-supreme-court-abortion-d451e14148ffbe6ce4811b1a37651480">drugs used in medication abortions</a>.The high court's return to the abortion thicket is taking place in a political and regulatory landscape that was reshaped by the abortion decision in 2022 that led many Republican-led states to ban or severely restrict abortion.That ruling had immediate political consequences, and the outcome in the new case, expected by early summer, could affect races for Congress and the White House.The scene outside the Supreme Court was lively Tuesday morning, with demonstrators occupying the streets surrounding the court and groups on both sides of the issue marching and chanting. The police blocked traffic surrounding the court as well.The practical consequences of a ruling for abortion opponents would be dramatic, possibly halting the delivery of mifepristone through the mail and at large pharmacy chains, reducing the period in pregnancy when it can be used from 10 to seven weeks and ending increasingly popular telehealth visits at which the drug can be prescribed.President Joe Biden's administration and drug manufacturers warn that such an outcome also could undermine the FDA's drug approval process more widely by inviting judges to second-guess the agency's scientific judgments.Anti-abortion doctors and medical organizations argue that the FDA's decisions in 2016 and 2021 to relax restrictions on getting the drug were unreasonable and “jeopardize women's health across the nation.” The Democratic administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, which makes mifepristone, respond that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-abortion-pill-supreme-court-1d2221251197a391c9bca833918e4554">drug is among the safest</a>&nbsp;the FDA has ever approved.In one possible resolution, the justices could avoid touching on the more politically sensitive aspects of the case while preserving access to mifepristone. The administration and Danco argue that the challengers lack the legal right, or standing, to sue. If the high court agrees, it would essentially dismiss the case and erase the appellate ruling.Another abortion case already is on the docket. Next month, the justices will hear arguments over whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-medical-emergencies-idaho-8ca89d7de0c1fa9256dcd27d1847e144">a federal law on emergency treatment</a>&nbsp;at hospitals must include abortions, even in states that have otherwise banned them.The mifepristone case began five months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Abortion opponents initially won a sweeping ruling nearly a year ago from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>, a Trump nominee in Texas, which would have revoked the drug’s approval entirely. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals left intact the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone. But it would reverse changes regulators made in 2016 and 2021 that eased some conditions for administering the drug.The Supreme Court put the appeals court’s modified ruling on hold, then agreed to hear the case, though Justices Samuel Alito, the author of the decision overturning Roe, and Clarence Thomas would have allowed some restrictions to take effect while the case proceeded.Mifepristone is one of two drugs, along with misoprostol, used in medication abortions. Their numbers have been rising for years. More than 6 million people have used mifepristone since 2000.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mifepristone-supreme-court-abortion-d451e14148ffbe6ce4811b1a37651480">Mifepristone</a>&nbsp;is taken first to dilate the cervix and block the hormone progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy. Misoprostol is taken 24 to 48 hours later, causing the uterus to contract and expel pregnancy tissue.Health care providers have said that if mifepristone is no longer available or is too hard to obtain, they would switch to using only misoprostol, which is somewhat less effective in ending pregnancies.___