By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/17/kansas-house-passes-juvenile-justice-reform-bill-creating-more-youth-oversight/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — Kansas officials have high hopes for a proposed program that would 
patch up flaws within the state’s juvenile justice system, creating more
 resources and oversight for at-risk youths.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2021/">House Bill 2021</a> would
 require the Department of Corrections and the Department for Children 
and Families to coordinate risk and needs assessments for at-risk 
children. The House on Thursday <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230216111302_561947/">passed the bill 85-35</a>, mostly along party lines.

“For right now, this is a far better 
solution than where they are,” said Rep. Stephen Owens, a Hesston 
Republican, during debate Wednesday in the House. “The funds will 
continue to flow. The savings will continue to exist.”

HB 2021 would implement procedures 
for allowing children to participate in community programs, with the 
DOC, DCF and judicial branch providing services and oversight.

By July 1, 2025, the DOC would create
 a system to provide data such as health care requirements, mental 
health needs, and substance abuse treatment, among other to help provide
 the right care for youths in the system.

While the bill creates more 
oversight, several lawmakers objected to a section of the bill that 
would implement greater detention times. The maximum cumulative 
detention limit would be increased from 45 days to 90 days.

Rep. Boog Highberger, a Lawrence 
Democrat, and Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, spoke against 
this provision, saying putting youths in detention for longer periods of
 time wasn’t a good idea.

“The longer the period of time you 
place a child in custody, sadly, the more bad behaviors the child learns
 because they’re placed in an environment with people who are already 
accomplished young criminals,” Carmichael said.

Many groups have urged the Legislature to take action on <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/19/kansas-juvenile-justice-reform-effort-left-major-flaws-in-system-officials-say/">juvenile justice system issues for years</a>, following the passage of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2016/b2015_16/measures/documents/summary_sb_367_2016.pdf">Senate Bill 367</a>,
 which was implemented in 2016. The bill shifted practices away from 
holding youths in group homes or state custody, and made it less common 
for youths to be detained or sent to correctional facilities. Instead, 
young offenders were meant to be given community programs and treatment.

“Many positives have come from SB367,
 but it also created issues in which more youth with criminogenic 
behaviors entered the foster care system,” said the Children’s Alliance 
of Kansas, a proponent of HB2021, in a newsletter Friday. “In the past 
years, we’ve seen those behaviors endanger other foster children, foster
 parents, and child welfare professionals.”

While youth incarceration rates have 
decreased since the bill’s implementation, officials have said young 
offenders weren’t receiving the proper treatment and had high recidivism
 rates. Foster care providers have shouldered juvenile delinquency 
cases, even without proper resources to handle them.

The state has millions set aside for 
juvenile crisis center funding, which is thought to be a potential 
solution to the lack of resources for juvenile offenders, but hasn’t 
used any of the funding. In 2018, Johnson County applied to create a 
center, but the state government dropped the project.

Owens said the reforms implemented in
 SB 367 were a crucial first step in fixing the system, and the new 
legislation would continue the work.&nbsp;

“No comprehensive piece of 
legislation ever gets it 100% right,” Owens said. “It simply doesn’t. 
And then it becomes our responsibility as legislators to recognize, to 
listen to people on the ground that are interacting with these youth 
every single day, and make the needed changes. And that is what this 
bill is a product of.” 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676668557307.png" alt="Rep. Stephen Owens says new juvenile justice legislation would help ongoing reform efforts. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Stephen Owens says new juvenile justice legislation would help ongoing reform efforts. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/17/kansas-house-passes-juvenile-justice-reform-bill-creating-more-youth-oversight/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — Kansas officials have high hopes for a proposed program that would 
patch up flaws within the state’s juvenile justice system, creating more
 resources and oversight for at-risk youths.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2021/">House Bill 2021</a> would
 require the Department of Corrections and the Department for Children 
and Families to coordinate risk and needs assessments for at-risk 
children. The House on Thursday <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230216111302_561947/">passed the bill 85-35</a>, mostly along party lines.“For right now, this is a far better 
solution than where they are,” said Rep. Stephen Owens, a Hesston 
Republican, during debate Wednesday in the House. “The funds will 
continue to flow. The savings will continue to exist.”HB 2021 would implement procedures 
for allowing children to participate in community programs, with the 
DOC, DCF and judicial branch providing services and oversight.By July 1, 2025, the DOC would create
 a system to provide data such as health care requirements, mental 
health needs, and substance abuse treatment, among other to help provide
 the right care for youths in the system.While the bill creates more 
oversight, several lawmakers objected to a section of the bill that 
would implement greater detention times. The maximum cumulative 
detention limit would be increased from 45 days to 90 days.Rep. Boog Highberger, a Lawrence 
Democrat, and Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, spoke against 
this provision, saying putting youths in detention for longer periods of
 time wasn’t a good idea.“The longer the period of time you 
place a child in custody, sadly, the more bad behaviors the child learns
 because they’re placed in an environment with people who are already 
accomplished young criminals,” Carmichael said.Many groups have urged the Legislature to take action on <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/19/kansas-juvenile-justice-reform-effort-left-major-flaws-in-system-officials-say/">juvenile justice system issues for years</a>, following the passage of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2016/b2015_16/measures/documents/summary_sb_367_2016.pdf">Senate Bill 367</a>,
 which was implemented in 2016. The bill shifted practices away from 
holding youths in group homes or state custody, and made it less common 
for youths to be detained or sent to correctional facilities. Instead, 
young offenders were meant to be given community programs and treatment.“Many positives have come from SB367,
 but it also created issues in which more youth with criminogenic 
behaviors entered the foster care system,” said the Children’s Alliance 
of Kansas, a proponent of HB2021, in a newsletter Friday. “In the past 
years, we’ve seen those behaviors endanger other foster children, foster
 parents, and child welfare professionals.”While youth incarceration rates have 
decreased since the bill’s implementation, officials have said young 
offenders weren’t receiving the proper treatment and had high recidivism
 rates. Foster care providers have shouldered juvenile delinquency 
cases, even without proper resources to handle them.The state has millions set aside for 
juvenile crisis center funding, which is thought to be a potential 
solution to the lack of resources for juvenile offenders, but hasn’t 
used any of the funding. In 2018, Johnson County applied to create a 
center, but the state government dropped the project.Owens said the reforms implemented in
 SB 367 were a crucial first step in fixing the system, and the new 
legislation would continue the work.&nbsp;“No comprehensive piece of 
legislation ever gets it 100% right,” Owens said. “It simply doesn’t. 
And then it becomes our responsibility as legislators to recognize, to 
listen to people on the ground that are interacting with these youth 
every single day, and make the needed changes. And that is what this 
bill is a product of.”

Kan. House OKs juvenile justice reform bill creating more oversight

KANSAS CITY(AP) — Among sermon writers, there is fascination – and unease – over the fast-expanding abilities of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-artificial-intelligence-1a652de47c2d0e502c2896748d9d1d5f">artificial-intelligence chatbots</a>. For now, the evolving consensus among clergy is this: Yes, they can write a passably competent sermon. But no, they can’t replicate the passion of actual preaching.

“It lacks a soul – I don’t know how else to say it,” said Hershael York, a pastor in Kentucky who also is dean of the school of theology and a professor of Christian preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Sermons are meant to be the core of a worship service -- and often are faith leaders' best weekly shot at grabbing their congregation’s attention to impart theological and moral guidance.

Lazy pastors might be tempted to use AI for this purpose, York said, “but not the great shepherds, the ones who love preaching, who love their people.”

A rabbi in New York, Joshua Franklin, recently told his congregation at the Jewish Center of the Hamptons that he was going to deliver a plagiarized sermon – dealing with such issues as trust, vulnerability and forgiveness.

Upon finishing, he asked the worshippers to guess who wrote it. When they appeared stumped, he revealed that the writer was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-chat-gpt-ac4967a4fb41fda31c4d27f015e32660">ChatGPT</a>, responding to his request to write a 1,000-word sermon related to that week’s lesson from the Torah.

“Now, you’re clapping -- I’m deathly afraid,” Franklin said when several congregants applauded. “I thought truck drivers were going to go long before the rabbi, in terms of losing our positions to artificial intelligence.”

“ChatGPT might be really great at sounding intelligent, but the question is, can it be empathetic? And that, not yet at least, it can’t," added Franklin. He said AI has yet to develop compassion and love, and is unable to build community and relationships.

“Those are the things that bring us together,” the rabbi concluded.

Rachael Keefe, pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ in Minneapolis, undertook an experiment similar to Franklin’s. She posted a brief essay in her online Pastoral Notes in January, addressing how to attend to one’s mental health amid the stresses of the holiday season.

It was pleasant, but somewhat bland, and at the end, Keefe revealed that it was written by ChatGPT, not by herself.

“While the facts are correct, there’s something deeper missing,” she wrote. “AI cannot understand community and inclusivity and how important these things are in creating church.”

“It’s not terrible, but yes, I agree. Rather generic and a little bit eerie,” wrote Douglas Federhart. “I like what you write a lot more. It comes from an actually living being, with a great brain and a compassionate, beating heart.”

Todd Brewer, a New Testament scholar and managing editor of the Christian website Mockingbird, wrote in December about an experiment of his own -- asking ChatGPT to write a Christmas sermon for him.

He was specific, requesting a sermon “based upon Luke’s birth narrative, with quotations from Karl Barth, Martin Luther, Irenaeus of Lyon, and Barack Obama.”

Brewer wrote that he was “not prepared” when ChatGPT responded with a creation that met his criteria and “is better than several Christmas sermons I’ve heard over the years.”

“The A.I. even seems to understand what makes the birth of Jesus genuinely good news,” Brewer added.

Yet the ChatGPT sermon “lacks any human warmth,” he wrote. “The preaching of Artificial Intelligence can’t convincingly sympathize with the human plight.”

In Brentwood, Tennessee, Mike Glenn, senior pastor for 32 years at Brentwood Baptist Church, wrote a blog post in January after a computer-savvy assistant joked that Glenn could be replaced by an AI machine.

“I’m not buying it,” Glenn wrote. “AI will never be able to preach a decent sermon. Why? Because the gospel is more than words. It’s the evidence of a changed life.”

“When listening to a sermon, what a congregation is looking for is evidence that the pastor has been with Jesus,” Glenn added. “AI will always have to – literally – take someone else’s words for it... it won’t ever be a sermon that will convince anyone to come and follow Jesus.”

Also weighing in with an online essay was the Rev. Russell Moore, formerly head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy division and now editor-in-chief of the evangelical magazine Christianity Today. He confided to his readers that his first sermon, delivered at age 12, was a well-intentioned mess.

“Preaching needs someone who knows the text and can convey that to the people — but it’s not just about transmitting information,” Moore wrote. “When we listen to the Word preached, we are hearing not just a word about God but a word from God.”

“Such life-altering news needs to be delivered by a human, in person,” he added. “A chatbot can research. A chatbot can write. Perhaps a chatbot can even orate. But a chatbot can’t preach.”

The Southern Baptist department formerly led by Moore – the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission --- has been monitoring artificial-intelligence developments for several years under the direction of Jason Thacker, its chair of research in technology ethics.

He shares the view that “wise, virtuous pastors” won’t let new technology deter them from personal immersion in sermon-writing.

“But I also can see it being used in unhelpful or unethical ways," he added.

“Some young pastors may become overly reliant on these machines … and not see the imperfections of these tools,” Thacker told The Associated Press. “Many pastors are overworked, exhausted, filled with anxiety... One can see why a pastor might say, ‘I can’t do everything I’m supposed to do,’ and start passing ideas off as their own.”

Hershael York, the Kentucky pastor and professor, said some of the greatest sermons contain elements of anguish.

“Artificial intelligence can imitate that to some level. But I don’t think it can ever give any kind of a sense of suffering, grief, sorrow, the same way that a human being can,” he said. “It comes from deep within the heart and the soul -- that’s what the great preachers have, and I don’t think you can get that by proxy.”

KANSAS CITY(AP) — Among sermon writers, there is fascination – and unease – over the fast-expanding abilities of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-artificial-intelligence-1a652de47c2d0e502c2896748d9d1d5f">artificial-intelligence chatbots</a>. For now, the evolving consensus among clergy is this: Yes, they can write a passably competent sermon. But no, they can’t replicate the passion of actual preaching.“It lacks a soul – I don’t know how else to say it,” said Hershael York, a pastor in Kentucky who also is dean of the school of theology and a professor of Christian preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.Sermons are meant to be the core of a worship service -- and often are faith leaders' best weekly shot at grabbing their congregation’s attention to impart theological and moral guidance.Lazy pastors might be tempted to use AI for this purpose, York said, “but not the great shepherds, the ones who love preaching, who love their people.”A rabbi in New York, Joshua Franklin, recently told his congregation at the Jewish Center of the Hamptons that he was going to deliver a plagiarized sermon – dealing with such issues as trust, vulnerability and forgiveness.Upon finishing, he asked the worshippers to guess who wrote it. When they appeared stumped, he revealed that the writer was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-chat-gpt-ac4967a4fb41fda31c4d27f015e32660">ChatGPT</a>, responding to his request to write a 1,000-word sermon related to that week’s lesson from the Torah.“Now, you’re clapping -- I’m deathly afraid,” Franklin said when several congregants applauded. “I thought truck drivers were going to go long before the rabbi, in terms of losing our positions to artificial intelligence.”“ChatGPT might be really great at sounding intelligent, but the question is, can it be empathetic? And that, not yet at least, it can’t," added Franklin. He said AI has yet to develop compassion and love, and is unable to build community and relationships.“Those are the things that bring us together,” the rabbi concluded.Rachael Keefe, pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ in Minneapolis, undertook an experiment similar to Franklin’s. She posted a brief essay in her online Pastoral Notes in January, addressing how to attend to one’s mental health amid the stresses of the holiday season.It was pleasant, but somewhat bland, and at the end, Keefe revealed that it was written by ChatGPT, not by herself.“While the facts are correct, there’s something deeper missing,” she wrote. “AI cannot understand community and inclusivity and how important these things are in creating church.”Several congregation members responded.“It’s not terrible, but yes, I agree. Rather generic and a little bit eerie,” wrote Douglas Federhart. “I like what you write a lot more. It comes from an actually living being, with a great brain and a compassionate, beating heart.”Todd Brewer, a New Testament scholar and managing editor of the Christian website Mockingbird, wrote in December about an experiment of his own -- asking ChatGPT to write a Christmas sermon for him.He was specific, requesting a sermon “based upon Luke’s birth narrative, with quotations from Karl Barth, Martin Luther, Irenaeus of Lyon, and Barack Obama.”Brewer wrote that he was “not prepared” when ChatGPT responded with a creation that met his criteria and “is better than several Christmas sermons I’ve heard over the years.”“The A.I. even seems to understand what makes the birth of Jesus genuinely good news,” Brewer added.Yet the ChatGPT sermon “lacks any human warmth,” he wrote. “The preaching of Artificial Intelligence can’t convincingly sympathize with the human plight.”In Brentwood, Tennessee, Mike Glenn, senior pastor for 32 years at Brentwood Baptist Church, wrote a blog post in January after a computer-savvy assistant joked that Glenn could be replaced by an AI machine.“I’m not buying it,” Glenn wrote. “AI will never be able to preach a decent sermon. Why? Because the gospel is more than words. It’s the evidence of a changed life.”“When listening to a sermon, what a congregation is looking for is evidence that the pastor has been with Jesus,” Glenn added. “AI will always have to – literally – take someone else’s words for it... it won’t ever be a sermon that will convince anyone to come and follow Jesus.”Also weighing in with an online essay was the Rev. Russell Moore, formerly head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy division and now editor-in-chief of the evangelical magazine Christianity Today. He confided to his readers that his first sermon, delivered at age 12, was a well-intentioned mess.“Preaching needs someone who knows the text and can convey that to the people — but it’s not just about transmitting information,” Moore wrote. “When we listen to the Word preached, we are hearing not just a word about God but a word from God.”“Such life-altering news needs to be delivered by a human, in person,” he added. “A chatbot can research. A chatbot can write. Perhaps a chatbot can even orate. But a chatbot can’t preach.”The Southern Baptist department formerly led by Moore – the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission --- has been monitoring artificial-intelligence developments for several years under the direction of Jason Thacker, its chair of research in technology ethics.He shares the view that “wise, virtuous pastors” won’t let new technology deter them from personal immersion in sermon-writing.“But I also can see it being used in unhelpful or unethical ways," he added.“Some young pastors may become overly reliant on these machines … and not see the imperfections of these tools,” Thacker told The Associated Press. “Many pastors are overworked, exhausted, filled with anxiety... One can see why a pastor might say, ‘I can’t do everything I’m supposed to do,’ and start passing ideas off as their own.”Hershael York, the Kentucky pastor and professor, said some of the greatest sermons contain elements of anguish.“Artificial intelligence can imitate that to some level. But I don’t think it can ever give any kind of a sense of suffering, grief, sorrow, the same way that a human being can,” he said. “It comes from deep within the heart and the soul -- that’s what the great preachers have, and I don’t think you can get that by proxy.”___

Pastors' view: Sermons written by ChatGPT will have no soul

By LUIS ANDRES HENAO Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — At age 103, Sister Jean awakes daily at 5 a.m. She 
sits up quickly to avoid going to sleep again — "I’ve got too much to 
do,” she says. After prayers for the day ahead, she reads the Gospel on 
her tablet.

“I guess there aren’t too many 103-year-old nuns using
 iPads these days – there aren’t too many 103-year-olds, period,” she 
writes in her memoir that will be published Feb. 28. “But I’m pretty 
comfortable with modern technology. I’ve always said, ‘If you’re not 
moving forward, you’re going to get left behind real quick.’ 
Adaptability is my superpower.”

In “Wake Up with Purpose: What 
I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years,” Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt 
tells her life story, offers spiritual guidance and shares some of the 
lessons she's learned.

The beloved Catholic nun captured the sports world’s imagination and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jean-north-america-ap-top-news-basketball-college-sports-d9353b1405bc46e2be0b9506d2fb23a9">became something of a folk hero</a> as the chaplain for the Loyola Chicago men’s basketball team that reached the NCAA Final Four in 2018.

She has been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/5039ad4aaf5d4fb5b7dfda18a13e0f5f">featured by newspapers and TV stations</a> across America. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jean-north-america-ap-top-news-mi-state-wire-college-sports-c3e72770c49645af8da02971e170b16b">Her NCAA news conference</a>,
 she was told, had more journalists than Tom Brady drew at the Super 
Bowl. Her likeness appears on socks, bobbleheads, even a Lego statue at <a href="https://www.luc.edu/luma/collections/srjeandoloresschmidtbvmgallery/">her gallery in Loyola’s art museum</a>.
 She sees the attention as a holy opportunity to tell her story and 
share what she’s learned; to help others wake up with purpose. Among her
 priorities, there’s little that she enjoys more than talking with young
 people.

“I love life so much and enjoy being with young people,” 
she told The Associated Press. “They’re the ones who keep me going 
because they bring such joy into my life -- and they keep you updated on
 what’s happening in their world.”

She arrived in a wheelchair for
 the interview at her office in the university's student center. She 
wore purple Nike Air Max sneakers with the words “Sister” and “Jean” 
written on the back, and her maroon and gold Loyola scarf that often 
gets compared to Harry Potter’s. She smiled warmly and waved to 
prospective students and shook hands with current students, asking them 
about their classes.

“What’s your dream?” she asked some of them.

Samuel
 Grebener, a 19-year-old freshman, told her he was thinking about 
medical school. They then talked about their shared love for the Loyola 
Ramblers. “She knows more about basketball than me,” Grebener said.

It
 was 9 a.m. and by then, she had already written her usual scouting 
report and emailed the players on the team to congratulate them on a 
victory.

“I believe this was a turning point and that we’re now in
 a winning streak” she wrote. “Our next game will be challenging, but 
just keep working hard. I will be there in prayer and in spirit and 
bless your hands virtually.”

In her office — surrounded by 
bobbleheads, posters and pins with her image — she studied game stats 
carefully in preparation to meet with the team at practice. Before a 
pizza lunch at the nearby cafeteria, she met other students.

Catharina
 Baeten, a 20-year-old-junior, told Sister Jean she had decided to 
attend Loyola because of its excellent programs in psychology and 
women-and-gender studies. “And also because of you,” she told the nun.

“Everyone
 loves Sister Jean,” Baeten said later, recalling that she first met the
 nun during a tour of Loyola when she was in high school. “There’s not a
 single unkind bone in her body and she represents our values… she’s the
 embodiment of compassion.”

Born in San Francisco in 1919, Sister 
Jean grew up in a devoutly Catholic family. She witnessed the impact of 
the Great Depression, World War II and the building of the Golden Gate 
Bridge, which she recalls crossing on foot when it opened in 1937.

Her
 religious calling, she said, came at the age of 8. She was in third 
grade when she met a kind, joyful teacher who belonged to the Sisters of
 Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Brimming with admiration, she would
 pray every day: “Dear God, help me understand what I should do, but 
please tell me I should become a BVM sister,” she recounts in her 
memoir, co-written with sportswriter/broadcaster Seth Davis.

“I guess God listened to me on that one,” she writes.

She
 followed her calling to the order’s motherhouse in Dubuque, Iowa, where
 she made her vows. She went on to teach at Catholic schools in Chicago 
and southern California, where she also coached girls’ basketball, 
before she ended at Mundelein College — on the Chicago lakefront —in the
 1960s. The school became affiliated with Loyola in 1991, and Sister 
Jean was hired to help students with the transition.

In 1994, she 
was asked to help student basketball players boost their grades – “the 
booster shooter” she called herself, and later that year she was named 
chaplain of the men’s basketball team. The role, she writes in her 
memoir, became "the most transformational and transcendent position” of 
her life.

“Sports are very important because they help develop 
life skills,” she said. “And during those life skills, you’re also 
talking about faith and purpose.” Her motto: “Worship, Work, Win.”

“I know that God will call me when he wants me. So, I just feel I have a lot more work to do,” she said.

During
 a recent practice, she watched from the sideline in her wheelchair. On a
 break, the players on the men's and women’s teams took turns shaking 
her hand.

“Her consistency is incredible,” said senior forward Tom
 Welch, 22. “She does it every day, every game. She brings the same 
energy to our pregame prayers.”

She also breaks down the strengths
 and weaknesses of the rivals in her scouting report. She’s “letting us 
know who’s good at shooting, who to send to the free throw line… pretty 
in-depth details,” Welch said. “And then sometimes, you know, she’ll 
make us laugh, feel good for a game.”

The laughter has been needed this season. The team is 9-16 overall and last in the Atlantic 10 conference with a 3-10 record.

Allison Guth, the women’s basketball coach, called Sister Jean a legend.

“Every
 day I walk in the office and she’s in her office. You talk about being 
there at 103. It’s because it’s a passion for her. It’s about love,” 
Guth said. “I think they should be telling stories about her forever.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676641480416.jpeg" alt="Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the Loyola University men's basketball chaplain and school celebrity, sits for a portrait in The Joseph J. Gentile Arena, on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Chicago. The beloved Catholic nun captured the world's imagination and became something of a folk hero while supporting the Ramblers at the NCAA Final Four in 2018. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)" />
 <figcaption>Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the Loyola University men's basketball chaplain and school celebrity, sits for a portrait in The Joseph J. Gentile Arena, on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Chicago. The beloved Catholic nun captured the world's imagination and became something of a folk hero while supporting the Ramblers at the NCAA Final Four in 2018. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)</figcaption>
 </figure>By LUIS ANDRES HENAO Associated PressCHICAGO (AP) — At age 103, Sister Jean awakes daily at 5 a.m. She 
sits up quickly to avoid going to sleep again — "I’ve got too much to 
do,” she says. After prayers for the day ahead, she reads the Gospel on 
her tablet.“I guess there aren’t too many 103-year-old nuns using
 iPads these days – there aren’t too many 103-year-olds, period,” she 
writes in her memoir that will be published Feb. 28. “But I’m pretty 
comfortable with modern technology. I’ve always said, ‘If you’re not 
moving forward, you’re going to get left behind real quick.’ 
Adaptability is my superpower.”In “Wake Up with Purpose: What 
I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years,” Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt 
tells her life story, offers spiritual guidance and shares some of the 
lessons she's learned.The beloved Catholic nun captured the sports world’s imagination and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jean-north-america-ap-top-news-basketball-college-sports-d9353b1405bc46e2be0b9506d2fb23a9">became something of a folk hero</a> as the chaplain for the Loyola Chicago men’s basketball team that reached the NCAA Final Four in 2018.She has been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/5039ad4aaf5d4fb5b7dfda18a13e0f5f">featured by newspapers and TV stations</a> across America. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jean-north-america-ap-top-news-mi-state-wire-college-sports-c3e72770c49645af8da02971e170b16b">Her NCAA news conference</a>,
 she was told, had more journalists than Tom Brady drew at the Super 
Bowl. Her likeness appears on socks, bobbleheads, even a Lego statue at <a href="https://www.luc.edu/luma/collections/srjeandoloresschmidtbvmgallery/">her gallery in Loyola’s art museum</a>.
 She sees the attention as a holy opportunity to tell her story and 
share what she’s learned; to help others wake up with purpose. Among her
 priorities, there’s little that she enjoys more than talking with young
 people.“I love life so much and enjoy being with young people,” 
she told The Associated Press. “They’re the ones who keep me going 
because they bring such joy into my life -- and they keep you updated on
 what’s happening in their world.”She arrived in a wheelchair for
 the interview at her office in the university's student center. She 
wore purple Nike Air Max sneakers with the words “Sister” and “Jean” 
written on the back, and her maroon and gold Loyola scarf that often 
gets compared to Harry Potter’s. She smiled warmly and waved to 
prospective students and shook hands with current students, asking them 
about their classes.“What’s your dream?” she asked some of them.Samuel
 Grebener, a 19-year-old freshman, told her he was thinking about 
medical school. They then talked about their shared love for the Loyola 
Ramblers. “She knows more about basketball than me,” Grebener said.It
 was 9 a.m. and by then, she had already written her usual scouting 
report and emailed the players on the team to congratulate them on a 
victory.“I believe this was a turning point and that we’re now in
 a winning streak” she wrote. “Our next game will be challenging, but 
just keep working hard. I will be there in prayer and in spirit and 
bless your hands virtually.”In her office — surrounded by 
bobbleheads, posters and pins with her image — she studied game stats 
carefully in preparation to meet with the team at practice. Before a 
pizza lunch at the nearby cafeteria, she met other students.Catharina
 Baeten, a 20-year-old-junior, told Sister Jean she had decided to 
attend Loyola because of its excellent programs in psychology and 
women-and-gender studies. “And also because of you,” she told the nun.“Everyone
 loves Sister Jean,” Baeten said later, recalling that she first met the
 nun during a tour of Loyola when she was in high school. “There’s not a
 single unkind bone in her body and she represents our values… she’s the
 embodiment of compassion.”Born in San Francisco in 1919, Sister 
Jean grew up in a devoutly Catholic family. She witnessed the impact of 
the Great Depression, World War II and the building of the Golden Gate 
Bridge, which she recalls crossing on foot when it opened in 1937.Her
 religious calling, she said, came at the age of 8. She was in third 
grade when she met a kind, joyful teacher who belonged to the Sisters of
 Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Brimming with admiration, she would
 pray every day: “Dear God, help me understand what I should do, but 
please tell me I should become a BVM sister,” she recounts in her 
memoir, co-written with sportswriter/broadcaster Seth Davis.“I guess God listened to me on that one,” she writes.She
 followed her calling to the order’s motherhouse in Dubuque, Iowa, where
 she made her vows. She went on to teach at Catholic schools in Chicago 
and southern California, where she also coached girls’ basketball, 
before she ended at Mundelein College — on the Chicago lakefront —in the
 1960s. The school became affiliated with Loyola in 1991, and Sister 
Jean was hired to help students with the transition.In 1994, she 
was asked to help student basketball players boost their grades – “the 
booster shooter” she called herself, and later that year she was named 
chaplain of the men’s basketball team. The role, she writes in her 
memoir, became "the most transformational and transcendent position” of 
her life.“Sports are very important because they help develop 
life skills,” she said. “And during those life skills, you’re also 
talking about faith and purpose.” Her motto: “Worship, Work, Win.”“I know that God will call me when he wants me. So, I just feel I have a lot more work to do,” she said.During
 a recent practice, she watched from the sideline in her wheelchair. On a
 break, the players on the men's and women’s teams took turns shaking 
her hand.“Her consistency is incredible,” said senior forward Tom
 Welch, 22. “She does it every day, every game. She brings the same 
energy to our pregame prayers.”She also breaks down the strengths
 and weaknesses of the rivals in her scouting report. She’s “letting us 
know who’s good at shooting, who to send to the free throw line… pretty 
in-depth details,” Welch said. “And then sometimes, you know, she’ll 
make us laugh, feel good for a game.”The laughter has been needed this season. The team is 9-16 overall and last in the Atlantic 10 conference with a 3-10 record.Allison Guth, the women’s basketball coach, called Sister Jean a legend.“Every
 day I walk in the office and she’s in her office. You talk about being 
there at 103. It’s because it’s a passion for her. It’s about love,” 
Guth said. “I think they should be telling stories about her forever.”

At 103, Sister Jean publishes memoir of faith and basketball

<a href="https://www.schoenfhm.com/obituary/Kathryn-Sage">https://www.schoenfhm.com/obituary/Kathryn-Sage</a>

February 11, 1949 ~ February 9, 2023 (age 73)

Kathryn Ann Sage, age, 73, passed away on February 9, 2023, at the Resident Care Center&nbsp;(RCC) in Beloit, Kansas. She was born on February 11, 1949, to Sever and&nbsp;Ruth Brevick in Eua&nbsp;Claire, Wisconsin. 

Kathryn spent the beginning of childhood between Wisconsin and the Hi-Linein Montana. &nbsp;Her parents divorced and her mother remarried Robert Chinander who adopted her&nbsp;after the family relocated to White Sulphur Springs (WSS), Montana. Kathryn spent the next&nbsp;forty plus years of her life near WSS. Kathryn has many memories of playing with her brother and&nbsp;sister near the Smith River. Kathryn was close friends with Sandie and Sharyn Sage and&nbsp;spent time&nbsp;on the Wisdom Ranch. 

In 1969, Kathryn married Kenneth Sage and this union resulted in four&nbsp;children: Dwight, Christine, Kevin, and&nbsp;Wellington. Kathryn was an excellent homemaker and&nbsp;excelled in helping her in-laws, Shum (Claude) and&nbsp;Florence Wisdom, who lived down the&nbsp;road. &nbsp;Kathryn was a talented seamstress and&nbsp;enjoyed making quilts on snowy days. 

During the&nbsp;holidays, she enjoyed making trays of baked goods for her family and friends. She held various&nbsp;jobs in WSS depending on her family’s needs and&nbsp;the fluctuating economy. 

After her three oldest&nbsp;children graduated from WSS, the Sages moved to afford Kathryn the opportunity to attend&nbsp;college. Kathryn graduated from the College of Great Falls. The Sages relocated again to follow&nbsp;their oldest children to Kansas. The Sages later divorced but remained friends as they finished&nbsp;raising their youngest son. 

Kathryn worked for the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) in Leavenworth then&nbsp;was transferred to the Salina VA Outreach Clinic. She retired and relocated to Beloit to be closer&nbsp;to family. Kathryn enjoyed attending her granddaughters’ school events and&nbsp;stayed active until her&nbsp;health declined. 

Kathryn was always strong in her faith and enjoyed listening to scripture.

Kathryn left behind many loved ones including her sister Lucille (Bill) Zuidema, Kathryn’s&nbsp;children and their families: Dwight (Dawn) Sage and&nbsp;family, Christine (Joe) Witt along with&nbsp;Elizabeth Witt and Victoria Witt, Kevin (Sheena) Sage and Gian Ramon Bacaron, Wellington&nbsp;(Megan) Sage along with Elliot Sage and&nbsp;Isiah Sage.

Kathryn’s nieces and nephews include Dan (Amy) Tousley and&nbsp;family, Shummonda Tousley&nbsp;Senters, Jeannie Zuidema, John (Lori) Zuidema and&nbsp;family, Marianne (Donald) Loose and family,&nbsp;Linda&nbsp;(Chad) Cline and family.&nbsp;

She was preceded in death by her parents Ruth and&nbsp;Robert Chinander, Sever Brevick (biological&nbsp;father), Dwaine Chinander (brother) and&nbsp;great-grandson Knox Dwaine. &nbsp;

Kathryn cherished the many friendships that she has made over the years. 

Private family services will take place at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to Schoen&nbsp;Funeral Home, 302 N. Hersey Ave. Beloit, KS 67420&nbsp;or the Senior Citizen Center in WSS.&nbsp;

To&nbsp;<a href="https://www.schoenfhm.com/obituary/Kathryn-Sage/sympathy-landing">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family, please&nbsp;<a href="https://www.schoenfhm.com/obituary/Kathryn-Sage/sympathy-landing">visit our floral store.</a>

We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall.

<h2>Kathryn A. Sage</h2><a href="https://www.schoenfhm.com/obituary/Kathryn-Sage">https://www.schoenfhm.com/obituary/Kathryn-Sage</a>February 11, 1949 ~ February 9, 2023 (age 73)Kathryn Ann Sage, age, 73, passed away on February 9, 2023, at the Resident Care Center&nbsp;(RCC) in Beloit, Kansas. She was born on February 11, 1949, to Sever and&nbsp;Ruth Brevick in Eua&nbsp;Claire, Wisconsin. Kathryn spent the beginning of childhood between Wisconsin and the Hi-Linein Montana. &nbsp;Her parents divorced and her mother remarried Robert Chinander who adopted her&nbsp;after the family relocated to White Sulphur Springs (WSS), Montana. Kathryn spent the next&nbsp;forty plus years of her life near WSS. Kathryn has many memories of playing with her brother and&nbsp;sister near the Smith River. Kathryn was close friends with Sandie and Sharyn Sage and&nbsp;spent time&nbsp;on the Wisdom Ranch. In 1969, Kathryn married Kenneth Sage and this union resulted in four&nbsp;children: Dwight, Christine, Kevin, and&nbsp;Wellington. Kathryn was an excellent homemaker and&nbsp;excelled in helping her in-laws, Shum (Claude) and&nbsp;Florence Wisdom, who lived down the&nbsp;road. &nbsp;Kathryn was a talented seamstress and&nbsp;enjoyed making quilts on snowy days. During the&nbsp;holidays, she enjoyed making trays of baked goods for her family and friends. She held various&nbsp;jobs in WSS depending on her family’s needs and&nbsp;the fluctuating economy. After her three oldest&nbsp;children graduated from WSS, the Sages moved to afford Kathryn the opportunity to attend&nbsp;college. Kathryn graduated from the College of Great Falls. The Sages relocated again to follow&nbsp;their oldest children to Kansas. The Sages later divorced but remained friends as they finished&nbsp;raising their youngest son. Kathryn worked for the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) in Leavenworth then&nbsp;was transferred to the Salina VA Outreach Clinic. She retired and relocated to Beloit to be closer&nbsp;to family. Kathryn enjoyed attending her granddaughters’ school events and&nbsp;stayed active until her&nbsp;health declined. Kathryn was always strong in her faith and enjoyed listening to scripture.Kathryn left behind many loved ones including her sister Lucille (Bill) Zuidema, Kathryn’s&nbsp;children and their families: Dwight (Dawn) Sage and&nbsp;family, Christine (Joe) Witt along with&nbsp;Elizabeth Witt and Victoria Witt, Kevin (Sheena) Sage and Gian Ramon Bacaron, Wellington&nbsp;(Megan) Sage along with Elliot Sage and&nbsp;Isiah Sage.Kathryn’s nieces and nephews include Dan (Amy) Tousley and&nbsp;family, Shummonda Tousley&nbsp;Senters, Jeannie Zuidema, John (Lori) Zuidema and&nbsp;family, Marianne (Donald) Loose and family,&nbsp;Linda&nbsp;(Chad) Cline and family.&nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents Ruth and&nbsp;Robert Chinander, Sever Brevick (biological&nbsp;father), Dwaine Chinander (brother) and&nbsp;great-grandson Knox Dwaine. &nbsp; Kathryn cherished the many friendships that she has made over the years. Private family services will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to Schoen&nbsp;Funeral Home, 302 N. Hersey Ave. Beloit, KS 67420&nbsp;or the Senior Citizen Center in WSS.&nbsp;To&nbsp;<a href="https://www.schoenfhm.com/obituary/Kathryn-Sage/sympathy-landing">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family, please&nbsp;<a href="https://www.schoenfhm.com/obituary/Kathryn-Sage/sympathy-landing">visit our floral store.</a>We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall.

Kathryn A. Sage

A musical triple treat is coming to Salina's Stiefel Theatre in August.

Jane Gates, Stiefel executive director, announced Thursday that Trombone Shorty &amp; Orleans Avenue and Ziggy Marley with Mavis Staples are scheduled to perform beginning at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $99 and go on sale at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Buy online at <a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a> or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About the artists courtesy the Stiefel Theatre

It’s been a remarkable year for Trombone Shorty, who released his most recent album, Lifted, last April. He performed “Shotgun” at the MusiCares Person of the Year event honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson during Grammy week this month and also performed at the Grammy Salute to Paul Simon Concert which aired this past December on CBS. Additional television appearances in 2022 included the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, ESPN’s Sportscenter, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Good Morning America.

Shorty spent much of 2022 with his band headlining prestigious venues including Red Rocks, the Hollywood Bowl and Central Park Summerstage. Just last week, he helped to kick off the Mardi Gras season in New Orleans with his 3rd-annual Shorty Gras concert following the Krewe of Freret Parade, which featured his very own parade float.  In January he led a cultural exchange trip to Cuba in partnership with his own Trombone Shorty Foundation. The five-day “Havana Funk Expedition” trip celebrated the longstanding musical and cultural connections between New Orleans and Cuba. Other 2022 highlights include his first-ever GRAMMY win for his work on Jon Batiste’s album and an in-depth interview with Marc Maron's WTF podcast where Marc attested “I can’t remember the last time I heard a power horn band like that.”

Ziggy Marley is an eight-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, musician, producer, activist and humanitarian who has cultivated a legendary career for close to 40 years. The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, Ziggy has hewed his own path as a musical pioneer, infusing the reggae genre with funk, blues, rock and other elements through mindful songcraft. Equal parts master storyteller and motivational guide, he deftly explores issues from environmental awareness to self-empowerment, social injustice to political inequity, while returning again and again to the transformative power of love. And over the past 15 years with his own companies, Tuff Gong Worldwide and Ishti Music, Marley has complete control of his masters and publishing; alongside his charity URGE – benefiting the well-being of children in Jamaica, Africa and North America.

It’s impossible to listen to a voice like Mavis Staples’ without contemplating all she’s been through in her life—the album cover features a heartrending Gordon Parks photo that speaks to the casual cruelty of racial segregation in 1950’s Alabama—but it only serves to make her optimism and resilience that much more inspiring and contagious. There is darkness and doubt on the album to be sure (the spirit of Pops Staples informs the mournful “Heavy On My Mind,” which recognizes that some wounds never heal, while the poignant “Never Needed Anyone” stings with the pain of lingering regret) but it’s consistently overpowered by hope and conviction. “Been holding on too long to let go / Running too hard to slow down / Believing too deep to not have faith,” Staples confesses on the soulful “One More Change To Make.” In that sense, the album’s title is more than just an observation. When Staples and Harper join forces to sing “We Get By,” it’s a prayer, a promise, an invitation.

“I sing because I want to leave people feeling better than I found them,” Staples concludes. “I want them to walk away with a positive message in their hearts, feeling stronger than they felt before. I’m singing to myself for those same reasons, too.”

Even the messenger needs a reminder every now and then.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676588528012.jpeg" alt="Trombone Shorty and Ziggy Marley. Photos courtesy Stiefel Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Trombone Shorty and Ziggy Marley. Photos courtesy Stiefel Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA musical triple treat is coming to Salina's Stiefel Theatre in August.Jane Gates, Stiefel executive director, announced Thursday that Trombone Shorty &amp; Orleans Avenue and Ziggy Marley with Mavis Staples are scheduled to perform beginning at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676588612738.jpeg" alt="Mavis Staples" />
 <figcaption>Mavis Staples</figcaption>
 </figure>Tickets start at $99 and go on sale at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Buy online at <a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a> or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About the artists courtesy the Stiefel TheatreIt’s been a remarkable year for Trombone Shorty, who released his most recent album, Lifted, last April. He performed “Shotgun” at the MusiCares Person of the Year event honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson during Grammy week this month and also performed at the Grammy Salute to Paul Simon Concert which aired this past December on CBS. Additional television appearances in 2022 included the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, ESPN’s Sportscenter, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Good Morning America. Shorty spent much of 2022 with his band headlining prestigious venues including Red Rocks, the Hollywood Bowl and Central Park Summerstage. Just last week, he helped to kick off the Mardi Gras season in New Orleans with his 3rd-annual Shorty Gras concert following the Krewe of Freret Parade, which featured his very own parade float. In January he led a cultural exchange trip to Cuba in partnership with his own Trombone Shorty Foundation. The five-day “Havana Funk Expedition” trip celebrated the longstanding musical and cultural connections between New Orleans and Cuba. Other 2022 highlights include his first-ever GRAMMY win for his work on Jon Batiste’s album and an in-depth interview with Marc Maron's WTF podcast where Marc attested “I can’t remember the last time I heard a power horn band like that.”Ziggy Marley is an eight-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, musician, producer, activist and humanitarian who has cultivated a legendary career for close to 40 years. The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, Ziggy has hewed his own path as a musical pioneer, infusing the reggae genre with funk, blues, rock and other elements through mindful songcraft. Equal parts master storyteller and motivational guide, he deftly explores issues from environmental awareness to self-empowerment, social injustice to political inequity, while returning again and again to the transformative power of love. And over the past 15 years with his own companies, Tuff Gong Worldwide and Ishti Music, Marley has complete control of his masters and publishing; alongside his charity URGE – benefiting the well-being of children in Jamaica, Africa and North America.It’s impossible to listen to a voice like Mavis Staples’ without contemplating all she’s been through in her life—the album cover features a heartrending Gordon Parks photo that speaks to the casual cruelty of racial segregation in 1950’s Alabama—but it only serves to make her optimism and resilience that much more inspiring and contagious. There is darkness and doubt on the album to be sure (the spirit of Pops Staples informs the mournful “Heavy On My Mind,” which recognizes that some wounds never heal, while the poignant “Never Needed Anyone” stings with the pain of lingering regret) but it’s consistently overpowered by hope and conviction. “Been holding on too long to let go / Running too hard to slow down / Believing too deep to not have faith,” Staples confesses on the soulful “One More Change To Make.” In that sense, the album’s title is more than just an observation. When Staples and Harper join forces to sing “We Get By,” it’s a prayer, a promise, an invitation.“I sing because I want to leave people feeling better than I found them,” Staples concludes. “I want them to walk away with a positive message in their hearts, feeling stronger than they felt before. I’m singing to myself for those same reasons, too.”Even the messenger needs a reminder every now and then.

Trombone Shorty, Ziggy Marley, Mavis Staples coming to Salina

Brent Wayne Nelson, 68, of Falun, KS, died peacefully February 9, 
2023, of throat cancer at Hospice House, Hutchinson, with his older 
brother by his side. He returned to the earth shrouded in his favorite 
Pendleton wool blanket February 13, 2023, in a green burial at Heart 
Land Prairie Cemetery, New Cambria, Kansas.

Brent was the son of Darald (Mannie) Nelson and Ruth (Dolly) Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his father, Darald (Mannie) Nelson.&nbsp; 
Brent is survived by: his mother, Ruth (Dolly) Nelson of Bethany Home, 
Lindsborg; brothers, Edwin (Elizabeth) of Walpole, MA and Ward of 
Smolan, KS; adopted daughter, Alyssa Gaede of Colby; grandchildren, 
Daniel, Mali and Maja Crawford; nephews, Erick Nelson of Portland, OR, 
Mark Nelson of Honolulu, HI, Jon Nelson of Providence, RI; niece, Anna 
Nelson of Denver, CO; and former wives, Donna Sheer and Debra Fisher.

Brent was born March 9, 1954, and raised on the family farm a 
half-mile west of Smolan, KS.&nbsp; He attended Smolan Grade School and 
graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1972, followed by studies at 
Salina Area Vocational Technical School.

Brent is The Brent Nelson of the “Brent Nelson Special” Sandwich at 
the Öl Stuga, Lindsborg, that was featured on Good Morning America in 
November 2010! &nbsp;Brent was a product developer at Great Plains 
Manufacturing, Salina, where he worked from 1987-2017.&nbsp; While there, he 
developed several patents for seed planting delivery systems. In 
addition, Brent’s marksmanship with handguns gained him national 
rankings and recognition. Native American culture was a passion 
throughout his life that culminated in constructing a Lakota Sweat Lodge
 and conducting ceremonies on the family farm.

Spiritual, creative, insightful, brilliant and kind, Brent listened 
to a different drummer and was a source of wisdom for those who had the 
pleasure of knowing him.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Brent Nelson Memorial Fund (which 
will be donated to Native American charities), in care of Elliott 
Mortuary, 1219 N Main St., Hutchinson, KS 67501. You can offer 
condolences and remembrances of Brent on his obituary located at 
www.elliottmortuary.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676571786881.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Brent Wayne Nelson, 68, of Falun, KS, died peacefully February 9, 
2023, of throat cancer at Hospice House, Hutchinson, with his older 
brother by his side. He returned to the earth shrouded in his favorite 
Pendleton wool blanket February 13, 2023, in a green burial at Heart 
Land Prairie Cemetery, New Cambria, Kansas.Brent was the son of Darald (Mannie) Nelson and Ruth (Dolly) Nelson.He was preceded in death by his father, Darald (Mannie) Nelson.&nbsp; 
Brent is survived by: his mother, Ruth (Dolly) Nelson of Bethany Home, 
Lindsborg; brothers, Edwin (Elizabeth) of Walpole, MA and Ward of 
Smolan, KS; adopted daughter, Alyssa Gaede of Colby; grandchildren, 
Daniel, Mali and Maja Crawford; nephews, Erick Nelson of Portland, OR, 
Mark Nelson of Honolulu, HI, Jon Nelson of Providence, RI; niece, Anna 
Nelson of Denver, CO; and former wives, Donna Sheer and Debra Fisher.Brent was born March 9, 1954, and raised on the family farm a 
half-mile west of Smolan, KS.&nbsp; He attended Smolan Grade School and 
graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1972, followed by studies at 
Salina Area Vocational Technical School.Brent is The Brent Nelson of the “Brent Nelson Special” Sandwich at 
the Öl Stuga, Lindsborg, that was featured on Good Morning America in 
November 2010! &nbsp;Brent was a product developer at Great Plains 
Manufacturing, Salina, where he worked from 1987-2017.&nbsp; While there, he 
developed several patents for seed planting delivery systems. In 
addition, Brent’s marksmanship with handguns gained him national 
rankings and recognition. Native American culture was a passion 
throughout his life that culminated in constructing a Lakota Sweat Lodge
 and conducting ceremonies on the family farm.Spiritual, creative, insightful, brilliant and kind, Brent listened 
to a different drummer and was a source of wisdom for those who had the 
pleasure of knowing him.Memorial gifts can be made to the Brent Nelson Memorial Fund (which 
will be donated to Native American charities), in care of Elliott 
Mortuary, 1219 N Main St., Hutchinson, KS 67501. You can offer 
condolences and remembrances of Brent on his obituary located at 
www.elliottmortuary.com.

Brent Wayne Nelson

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/13/kansas-democrats-describe-attempt-to-ban-transgender-student-athletes-as-crushing-weight/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Heather Meyer teared up 
Monday as she spoke about her transgender child, who is in middle school
 and identifies as genderfluid.

She testified before a House panel 
that is considering another attempt to ban transgender athletes from 
participating in school sports — a ban that would apply to just two 
public school students in Kansas.

“I have this crushing weight on me 
because this is not only my kid, but thousands of kids,” Meyer said. “We
 are just legislating away their rights and freedoms, and their ability 
to live a happy life. All they want to do is exist, and for some reason 
folks in the legislature don’t want to let that happen.”

Democrats in the House said the 
hearing marked the start of “hate week,” a reference to planned 
discussions on multiple bills attacking the LGBTQ community in Kansas.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2238/">House Bill 2238</a>, which had a hearing Monday, would prevent transgender girls from playing girls sports at the K-12 and college level. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb12/">Senate Bill 12</a> would ban gender-affirming health care for transgender people ages 21 and younger.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb233_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 233</a>,
 which is set to be heard Tuesday, would revoke the licenses of 
physicians who perform gender-reassignment surgery for people younger 
than 18. The bill also would allow people who had gender-reassignment 
surgery before the age of 18 to file a civil lawsuit against the 
physician who performed the surgery.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2376_00_0000.pdf">House Bill 2376</a>,
 which is scheduled for a Wednesday hearing, would prohibit city or 
county nondiscrimination ordinances that are more restrictive than state
 law, which doesn’t include LGBTQ protections.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb149_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 149</a>, which would ban drag performances for minors, isn’t yet scheduled for discussion.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb180_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 180</a>,
 which is scheduled to be heard Wednesday, would create a “women’s bill 
of rights” that would segregate spaces based on biological reproductive 
abilities, meaning transgender women wouldn’t be allowed in 
female-designated areas at domestic violence shelters, rape crisis 
centers, locker rooms or restrooms.&nbsp;

During a news conference Monday, 
House Democrats said they would prioritize LGBTQ rights. Rep. Susan 
Ruiz, a Shawnee Democrat, said she had lost respect for her colleagues 
in the Senate. Ruiz said Senate President Ty Masterson is intolerant.&nbsp;

“The president of the Senate is very,
 very, very anti-LGBT, very anti-trans,” Ruiz said. “He doesn’t care if 
children kill themselves due to any of these laws that we are proposing.
 And if he thinks that kids aren’t listening, he is very wrong. Kids are
 listening.”

During a Monday House Education Committee hearing on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2238_00_0000.pdf">House Bill 2238</a>,
 which would create the “fairness in women’s sports act” if enacted, 
lawmakers, parents, college students and others stood to testify about 
the harmful impact the legislation would have.&nbsp;

The bill stipulates that female 
student athletic teams from kindergarten to college only include 
cisgender girls or women. Under the bill, no governmental agency, 
athletic association or organization could take action against public 
education entities for keeping athletic teams or sports divided by 
gender.

Another part of the bill states that 
students who have been harmed or deprived of athletic opportunities 
because their team or sport isn’t limited to cisgender females would 
have a legal claim to seek redress.

According to the Kansas State High 
School Activities Association, only two transgender youths in the state 
that would be affected by the legislation.

Rep. Jerry Stogsdill, a Prairie Village Democrat, said the bill had an extremely limited scope. 

“It’s terrible and evil,” Stogsdill 
said. “It’s hateful, it’s unnecessary, it’s a political attempt to play 
to the lowest common denominator in the Republican Party.”

Committee chairman Rep. Adam Thomas, a
 Olathe Republican, said the legislation is meant to safeguard future 
transgender athletes. The legislation, he said, will be needed with the 
“way the nation is moving with all of this.”

Thomas said the bill would protect Kansas daughters and women’s sports in the state.

“I know plenty of females who 
probably struggle with suicide because they’re missing out on 
scholarships, they’re missing out on opportunities,” Thomas said.&nbsp;

Meyer said the week of legislation, including the sports ban bill, is meant to wear Democrats in the Legislature down.&nbsp;

“They are trying to burn us out,” Meyer said. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676404535560.png" alt="Rep. Heather Meyer and Rep. Brandon Woodard appear before a House panel to testify against a proposed transgender student athlete ban. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Heather Meyer and Rep. Brandon Woodard appear before a House panel to testify against a proposed transgender student athlete ban. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/13/kansas-democrats-describe-attempt-to-ban-transgender-student-athletes-as-crushing-weight/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Heather Meyer teared up 
Monday as she spoke about her transgender child, who is in middle school
 and identifies as genderfluid.She testified before a House panel 
that is considering another attempt to ban transgender athletes from 
participating in school sports — a ban that would apply to just two 
public school students in Kansas.“I have this crushing weight on me 
because this is not only my kid, but thousands of kids,” Meyer said. “We
 are just legislating away their rights and freedoms, and their ability 
to live a happy life. All they want to do is exist, and for some reason 
folks in the legislature don’t want to let that happen.”Democrats in the House said the 
hearing marked the start of “hate week,” a reference to planned 
discussions on multiple bills attacking the LGBTQ community in Kansas.<h2>‘Hate week’ lineup</h2><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2238/">House Bill 2238</a>, which had a hearing Monday, would prevent transgender girls from playing girls sports at the K-12 and college level. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb12/">Senate Bill 12</a> would ban gender-affirming health care for transgender people ages 21 and younger.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb233_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 233</a>,
 which is set to be heard Tuesday, would revoke the licenses of 
physicians who perform gender-reassignment surgery for people younger 
than 18. The bill also would allow people who had gender-reassignment 
surgery before the age of 18 to file a civil lawsuit against the 
physician who performed the surgery.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2376_00_0000.pdf">House Bill 2376</a>,
 which is scheduled for a Wednesday hearing, would prohibit city or 
county nondiscrimination ordinances that are more restrictive than state
 law, which doesn’t include LGBTQ protections.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb149_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 149</a>, which would ban drag performances for minors, isn’t yet scheduled for discussion.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb180_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 180</a>,
 which is scheduled to be heard Wednesday, would create a “women’s bill 
of rights” that would segregate spaces based on biological reproductive 
abilities, meaning transgender women wouldn’t be allowed in 
female-designated areas at domestic violence shelters, rape crisis 
centers, locker rooms or restrooms.&nbsp;During a news conference Monday, 
House Democrats said they would prioritize LGBTQ rights. Rep. Susan 
Ruiz, a Shawnee Democrat, said she had lost respect for her colleagues 
in the Senate. Ruiz said Senate President Ty Masterson is intolerant.&nbsp;“The president of the Senate is very,
 very, very anti-LGBT, very anti-trans,” Ruiz said. “He doesn’t care if 
children kill themselves due to any of these laws that we are proposing.
 And if he thinks that kids aren’t listening, he is very wrong. Kids are
 listening.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676404598243.png" alt="Rep. Adam Thomas said a new transgender sports ban was about protecting Kansas women. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Adam Thomas said a new transgender sports ban was about protecting Kansas women. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Fairness in sports</h2>During a Monday House Education Committee hearing on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2238_00_0000.pdf">House Bill 2238</a>,
 which would create the “fairness in women’s sports act” if enacted, 
lawmakers, parents, college students and others stood to testify about 
the harmful impact the legislation would have.&nbsp;The bill stipulates that female 
student athletic teams from kindergarten to college only include 
cisgender girls or women. Under the bill, no governmental agency, 
athletic association or organization could take action against public 
education entities for keeping athletic teams or sports divided by 
gender.Another part of the bill states that 
students who have been harmed or deprived of athletic opportunities 
because their team or sport isn’t limited to cisgender females would 
have a legal claim to seek redress.According to the Kansas State High 
School Activities Association, only two transgender youths in the state 
that would be affected by the legislation.Rep. Jerry Stogsdill, a Prairie Village Democrat, said the bill had an extremely limited scope. “It’s terrible and evil,” Stogsdill 
said. “It’s hateful, it’s unnecessary, it’s a political attempt to play 
to the lowest common denominator in the Republican Party.”Committee chairman Rep. Adam Thomas, a
 Olathe Republican, said the legislation is meant to safeguard future 
transgender athletes. The legislation, he said, will be needed with the 
“way the nation is moving with all of this.”Thomas said the bill would protect Kansas daughters and women’s sports in the state.“I know plenty of females who 
probably struggle with suicide because they’re missing out on 
scholarships, they’re missing out on opportunities,” Thomas said.&nbsp;Meyer said the week of legislation, including the sports ban bill, is meant to wear Democrats in the Legislature down.&nbsp;“They are trying to burn us out,” Meyer said.

Kan. Dems: Attempt to ban transgender student athletes 'hateful'

Southeast of Saline travels to Ellsworth tonight to take on the Bearcats. If you can't make it to the games, we have you covered!

The girls play at 6 p.m. Tuesday and the boys at approximately 7:30 p.m.

You can listen to the basketball games on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM). Devin Hanney has the call. You also can watch a live stream of the games right here on Salina Post, thanks to Commercial Tire Centers, Inc.!

Use the QR code or click the link below to watch the games Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676409647320.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Southeast of Saline travels to Ellsworth tonight to take on the Bearcats. If you can't make it to the games, we have you covered!The girls play at 6 p.m. Tuesday and the boys at approximately 7:30 p.m.You can listen to the basketball games on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM). Devin Hanney has the call. You also can watch a live stream of the games right here on Salina Post, thanks to Commercial Tire Centers, Inc.!Use the QR code or click the link below to watch the games Tuesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676409862178.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZB5s9rtTzg8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Video by Bryan Dennett

🎥Watch live as SES takes on Bearcats in Ellsworth tonight!

<a href="https://www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ilene-kelly">https://www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ilene-kelly</a>

Ilene Theresa Boyer was born May 19,&nbsp;1933 in Aurora, Kansas. &nbsp;She passed away at her home with all of her four children at her bedside in Belleville on February 8, 2023 at the age of 89.

Ilene was the 4th&nbsp;of 10 children born to Edward and Delia (Breault) Boyer. They moved to the rural Belleville area in 1943, where she attended Bowling Green country school. &nbsp;

When she left the farm, she worked as a clerk at Duckwalls. She quit working to raise her family, and later returned to work at Duckwalls, until the store closed in 2004. 

Ilene enjoyed many hobbies, but she was an avid bowler. She enjoyed weekly bowling with close friends and sisters-in-law. She always looked forward to state bowling tournament, and also made national bowling tournaments in Reno, Nevada a couple of times. She loved spending time with her family, gathering at “the farm” for family picnics with her sister, brothers, and many nieces and nephews.&nbsp; She loved to travel and made several trips with her family. She especially enjoyed Deadwood, Colorado, Branson, and Prairie Band. She loved attending her children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sporting events football, baseball, basketball and rodeos. If she couldn’t attend, she would enjoy watching videos that her family would send her. 

She loved to do puzzles and enjoyed feeding the squirrels and birds in her backyard. She also loved her plants and flowers. Saturday evening she loved listening to Daniel O’Donnell, Lary’s Country Diner, and Molly B’s Polka.

Ilene is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Delia Boyer; husbands Marvin Blackburn, Richard Zukowske, and Billy Kelly; infant son Richard J. Blackburn; son-in-law Lyle Elliott; sister and spouse Hazel Prather and Jim Prather; brothers and spouses Leland and Marilyn and Iris Boyer, Paul and Cecelia Boyer, Eddie and Peggy and Emily Boyer, Duane and Carol Boyer, Junior and Beverly Boyer; sister-in-law June Boyer; in-laws Freta and Charles Cornett, Erma and Glen Cornett, Donna Holmes, Lavon Boman, Edward and Betty Blackburn, Dale Blackburn, Ralph and Louise Zukowske, Leona and Micky Ferguson, Francis and Glen Sterba, Fern Sterba.

She is survived by children Marcia and husband George T. Hendricks, Marlene Skipton, Mary Elliott, Mark and wife Dianna Zukowske; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Michael and wife Megan – McCoy and Macy Hendricks; Ashley and her husband David – Xavier, Crichton, Shepard Hughes; Tia and her husband Trey Collins –Faith, Sammie, Caryn, Kayla, and Jay; Larz and his wife Jessica – Hayzen, Hadlee, and Harper Elliott; Tamika and son Garren Nutsch and her fiancé Cody James, Kaden Elliott, Kashaya Zukowske and significant other Tee Robinson.

Ilene is also survived by brothers&nbsp; Eldon Boyer, Raymond and his wife Susan Boyer, John and his wife Linda Boyer,Rosalyn Blackburn, Warren Holmes, Delores Boman, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Memorial Services will be held Friday, February 17th, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 16th&nbsp;from 1 p.m.- 8 p.m., with rosary / vigil services at 6:30 p.m., at the funeral home. The family will greet friends following the rosary.

Memorials are requested to support the High Banks Hall of Fame Museum, Church People Concerned to benefit Meals on Wheels, or the Rocky Pond Christmas Lights. Donations to be sent in care of the funeral home.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting Ilene’s family with these arrangements.

To order&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/o/v2/trees/589048b9-75a7-4e00-978b-7585f7a7508d" target="_blank">memorial trees</a>&nbsp;or send flowers to the family in memory of Ilene T. Kelly, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/orders/v2/flowers/589048b9-75a7-4e00-978b-7585f7a7508d" target="_blank">flower store</a>.

<h2>Ilene T. Kelly</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676386763135.png" alt="Ilene T. Kelly" />
 <figcaption>Ilene T. Kelly</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ilene-kelly">https://www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ilene-kelly</a>May 19, 1933 - February 8, 2023<h2>Belleville</h2>Ilene Theresa Boyer was born May 19,&nbsp;1933 in Aurora, Kansas. &nbsp;She passed away at her home with all of her four children at her bedside in Belleville on February 8, 2023 at the age of 89.Ilene was the 4th&nbsp;of 10 children born to Edward and Delia (Breault) Boyer. They moved to the rural Belleville area in 1943, where she attended Bowling Green country school. &nbsp;When she left the farm, she worked as a clerk at Duckwalls. She quit working to raise her family, and later returned to work at Duckwalls, until the store closed in 2004. Ilene enjoyed many hobbies, but she was an avid bowler. She enjoyed weekly bowling with close friends and sisters-in-law. She always looked forward to state bowling tournament, and also made national bowling tournaments in Reno, Nevada a couple of times. She loved spending time with her family, gathering at “the farm” for family picnics with her sister, brothers, and many nieces and nephews.&nbsp; She loved to travel and made several trips with her family. She especially enjoyed Deadwood, Colorado, Branson, and Prairie Band. She loved attending her children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sporting events football, baseball, basketball and rodeos. If she couldn’t attend, she would enjoy watching videos that her family would send her. She loved to do puzzles and enjoyed feeding the squirrels and birds in her backyard. She also loved her plants and flowers. Saturday evening she loved listening to Daniel O’Donnell, Lary’s Country Diner, and Molly B’s Polka.Ilene is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Delia Boyer; husbands Marvin Blackburn, Richard Zukowske, and Billy Kelly; infant son Richard J. Blackburn; son-in-law Lyle Elliott; sister and spouse Hazel Prather and Jim Prather; brothers and spouses Leland and Marilyn and Iris Boyer, Paul and Cecelia Boyer, Eddie and Peggy and Emily Boyer, Duane and Carol Boyer, Junior and Beverly Boyer; sister-in-law June Boyer; in-laws Freta and Charles Cornett, Erma and Glen Cornett, Donna Holmes, Lavon Boman, Edward and Betty Blackburn, Dale Blackburn, Ralph and Louise Zukowske, Leona and Micky Ferguson, Francis and Glen Sterba, Fern Sterba.She is survived by children Marcia and husband George T. Hendricks, Marlene Skipton, Mary Elliott, Mark and wife Dianna Zukowske; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Michael and wife Megan – McCoy and Macy Hendricks; Ashley and her husband David – Xavier, Crichton, Shepard Hughes; Tia and her husband Trey Collins –Faith, Sammie, Caryn, Kayla, and Jay; Larz and his wife Jessica – Hayzen, Hadlee, and Harper Elliott; Tamika and son Garren Nutsch and her fiancé Cody James, Kaden Elliott, Kashaya Zukowske and significant other Tee Robinson.Ilene is also survived by brothers&nbsp; Eldon Boyer, Raymond and his wife Susan Boyer, John and his wife Linda Boyer,Rosalyn Blackburn, Warren Holmes, Delores Boman, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.Memorial Services will be held Friday, February 17th, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville.Visitation will be Thursday, February 16th&nbsp;from 1 p.m.- 8 p.m., with rosary / vigil services at 6:30 p.m., at the funeral home. The family will greet friends following the rosary.Memorials are requested to support the High Banks Hall of Fame Museum, Church People Concerned to benefit Meals on Wheels, or the Rocky Pond Christmas Lights. Donations to be sent in care of the funeral home.Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting Ilene’s family with these arrangements.To order&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/o/v2/trees/589048b9-75a7-4e00-978b-7585f7a7508d" target="_blank">memorial trees</a>&nbsp;or send flowers to the family in memory of Ilene T. Kelly, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/orders/v2/flowers/589048b9-75a7-4e00-978b-7585f7a7508d" target="_blank">flower store</a>.

Ilene T. Kelly

WASHINGTON —Efforts continue to recover remnants of an object shot down over Lake Huron by a U.S. fighter jet on Sunday — the third object downed over North America since a U.S. missile took down a Chinese surveillance balloon on Feb. 4, according to&nbsp;David Vergun in a statement from with U.S. Department of Defense.

(click below to listen to the White House statement on aliens and UFOs)

The weeks-long succession of objects, starting with a giant white orb first detected over U.S. skies in late January, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-balloon-espionage-1cca3467f32a2751b35ec1686aadc310">puzzled American officials and stirred curiosity around the world.</a>&nbsp;Though the three most recent objects differed in size, maneuverability and other characteristics from the surveillance balloon shot down Feb. 4 off the Carolina coast, officials moved to eliminate each one from the sky — actions that Pentagon officials believe have no peacetime precedent.

“Because we have not been able to definitively assess what these most recent objects are, we acted out of an abundance of caution to protect our security, our interests and flight safety,” Kirby said.

One possibility that the U.S. has been able to rule out is any connection to extraterrestrial activity, the White House said Monday, tamping down lighthearted public speculation about aliens and outer space.

“I know there have been questions and concerns about this, but there is no — again, no — indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at the outset of a press briefing.

Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, confirmed the latest incident at a weekend briefing.

Radar at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD, first detected the airborne object at 4:45 p.m. Saturday when it was in Canadian airspace about 70 miles north of the U.S. border. &nbsp;

NORAD is a United States-Canada organization with the missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America.&nbsp;

Aerospace warning includes the detection, validation and warning of an attack against North America — whether by aircraft, missiles or space vehicles — through mutual support arrangements with other commands.&nbsp;

The object entered the airspace over Montana and drifted eastward before being taken down at 2:42 p.m. yesterday by a U.S. AIM-9X Sidewinder missile. Additionally, objects were shot down over Alaska and northwest Canada on Friday and Saturday.

"In light of the People's Republic of China balloon that we took Feb. 4, we have been more closely scrutinizing our airspace at these altitudes, including enhancing our radar, which may at least partly explain the increase in objects that we've detected over the past week,"&nbsp;Melissa Dalton, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs, said.&nbsp;

The object shot down Sunday had soared over sensitive Defense Department sites, and its altitude of about 20,000 feet posed a potential hazard to civilian aviation, DOD officials&nbsp;said.

VanHerck said an abundance of caution was used in the take-down to prevent potential collateral damage. DOD also worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to clear the airspace and the area was also checked for vessels.&nbsp;

Other Western nations are also trying to assess the spate of incidents.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=rishi+sunak+apnews+balloon&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1038US1038&amp;oq=rishi+sunak+apnews+balloon&amp;aqs=chrome..69i57j69i59l3.5745j0j4&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Monday</a>&nbsp;that the government would do “whatever it takes” to protect the country, as the U.K. announced a security review. And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “there is some sort of pattern” to the balloon and three other objects, though the U.S. has not echoed that claim.

None of the three most recent objects has been recovered, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters in Brussels, where he was scheduled to attend a NATO defense ministers meeting this week.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report

WASHINGTON —Efforts continue to recover remnants of an object shot down over Lake Huron by a U.S. fighter jet on Sunday — the third object downed over North America since a U.S. missile took down a Chinese surveillance balloon on Feb. 4, according to&nbsp;David Vergun in a statement from with U.S. Department of Defense.(click below to listen to the White House statement on aliens and UFOs)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F723262652590113%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=255" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The weeks-long succession of objects, starting with a giant white orb first detected over U.S. skies in late January, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-balloon-espionage-1cca3467f32a2751b35ec1686aadc310">puzzled American officials and stirred curiosity around the world.</a>&nbsp;Though the three most recent objects differed in size, maneuverability and other characteristics from the surveillance balloon shot down Feb. 4 off the Carolina coast, officials moved to eliminate each one from the sky — actions that Pentagon officials believe have no peacetime precedent.“Because we have not been able to definitively assess what these most recent objects are, we acted out of an abundance of caution to protect our security, our interests and flight safety,” Kirby said.One possibility that the U.S. has been able to rule out is any connection to extraterrestrial activity, the White House said Monday, tamping down lighthearted public speculation about aliens and outer space.“I know there have been questions and concerns about this, but there is no — again, no — indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at the outset of a press briefing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676045566817.png" alt="Agents assigned to the evidence response team process material recovered from the China spy balloon recovered off the coast of South Carolina-photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Agents assigned to the evidence response team process material recovered from the China spy balloon recovered off the coast of South Carolina-photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, confirmed the latest incident at a weekend briefing.Radar at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD, first detected the airborne object at 4:45 p.m. Saturday when it was in Canadian airspace about 70 miles north of the U.S. border. &nbsp;NORAD is a United States-Canada organization with the missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America.&nbsp;Aerospace warning includes the detection, validation and warning of an attack against North America — whether by aircraft, missiles or space vehicles — through mutual support arrangements with other commands.&nbsp;The object entered the airspace over Montana and drifted eastward before being taken down at 2:42 p.m. yesterday by a U.S. AIM-9X Sidewinder missile. Additionally, objects were shot down over Alaska and northwest Canada on Friday and Saturday."In light of the People's Republic of China balloon that we took Feb. 4, we have been more closely scrutinizing our airspace at these altitudes, including enhancing our radar, which may at least partly explain the increase in objects that we've detected over the past week,"&nbsp;Melissa Dalton, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs, said.&nbsp;The object shot down Sunday had soared over sensitive Defense Department sites, and its altitude of about 20,000 feet posed a potential hazard to civilian aviation, DOD officials&nbsp;said.VanHerck said an abundance of caution was used in the take-down to prevent potential collateral damage. DOD also worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to clear the airspace and the area was also checked for vessels.&nbsp;Other Western nations are also trying to assess the spate of incidents.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=rishi+sunak+apnews+balloon&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1038US1038&amp;oq=rishi+sunak+apnews+balloon&amp;aqs=chrome..69i57j69i59l3.5745j0j4&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Monday</a>&nbsp;that the government would do “whatever it takes” to protect the country, as the U.K. announced a security review. And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “there is some sort of pattern” to the balloon and three other objects, though the U.S. has not echoed that claim.None of the three most recent objects has been recovered, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters in Brussels, where he was scheduled to attend a NATO defense ministers meeting this week.-The Associated Press contributed to this report

🎥No aliens but none of recent shot down UFOs have been recovered

The Ellinwood Eagles are coming to Southeast of Saline tonight to take on the Trojans. If you can't make it to the games, we have you covered!

The girls play at 6 p.m. Monday and the boys at approximately 7:30 p.m.

You can listen to the basketball games on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM). Devin Hanney has the call. You also can watch a live stream of the games right here on Salina Post, thanks to Phillips Seed Farms!

Click the QR code or the link below to watch the games Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676312330974.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellinwood Eagles are coming to Southeast of Saline tonight to take on the Trojans. If you can't make it to the games, we have you covered!The girls play at 6 p.m. Monday and the boys at approximately 7:30 p.m.You can listen to the basketball games on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM). Devin Hanney has the call. You also can watch a live stream of the games right here on Salina Post, thanks to Phillips Seed Farms!Click the QR code or the link below to watch the games Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676312594372.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vdeTYoiEZOc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Video by Bryan Dennett

🎥Watch live as Ellinwood comes to SES tonight!

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Kansas City Chiefs have two assistants on their coaching staff that have been head coaches in the NFL, and another one that has been interviewed — and passed over — for top jobs too many times to count.

That's some pretty good brainpower helping out Chiefs coach Andy Reid when they play the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Nick Sirianni and their talented but undeniably young coaching staff, in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

"I will tell you, I've been fortunate to have great coaches," said Reid, whose staffs over the years have included Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Commanders coach Ron Rivera, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson and Bills coach Sean McDermott.

And plenty of other coaches — Todd Bowles, Pat Shurmur, Leslie Frazier — that also have been NFL head coaches.

"Assistants work their tails off," Reid said, "and normally if you have good coaches and good players, that's a combination for success. Mentors, I've had a bunch of them. I was lucky to have great coaches and then all the way through college."

Perhaps that is why Reid invests himself so much in helping his own assistants climb the coaching ladder.

And why, when they fall as all coaches eventually do, they often return to his side.

That was the case with Matt Nagy and Steve Spagnuolo.

Nagy got his start in the NFL as Reid's coaching intern during his days in Philadelphia, then followed Big Red to Kansas City in 2013. He began there as the quarterbacks coach, rose to offensive coordinator when Pederson departed for his own head coaching job, then took the top job with the Bears a couple of years later.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676166510541.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, right, talks with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during practice in Tempe, Ariz., Thursday. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, right, talks with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during practice in Tempe, Ariz., Thursday. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Kansas City Chiefs have two assistants on their coaching staff that have been head coaches in the NFL, and another one that has been interviewed — and passed over — for top jobs too many times to count.That's some pretty good brainpower helping out Chiefs coach Andy Reid when they play the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Nick Sirianni and their talented but undeniably young coaching staff, in the Super Bowl on Sunday."I will tell you, I've been fortunate to have great coaches," said Reid, whose staffs over the years have included Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Commanders coach Ron Rivera, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson and Bills coach Sean McDermott.And plenty of other coaches — Todd Bowles, Pat Shurmur, Leslie Frazier — that also have been NFL head coaches."Assistants work their tails off," Reid said, "and normally if you have good coaches and good players, that's a combination for success. Mentors, I've had a bunch of them. I was lucky to have great coaches and then all the way through college."Perhaps that is why Reid invests himself so much in helping his own assistants climb the coaching ladder.And why, when they fall as all coaches eventually do, they often return to his side.That was the case with Matt Nagy and Steve Spagnuolo.Nagy got his start in the NFL as Reid's coaching intern during his days in Philadelphia, then followed Big Red to Kansas City in 2013. He began there as the quarterbacks coach, rose to offensive coordinator when Pederson departed for his own head coaching job, then took the top job with the Bears a couple of years later.Nagy went to the playoffs twice in four years before he was fired. Now, he's back in KC as the quarterbacks coach."Listen, I think he's a great coach," Reid said. "I think he knows people, handles people well. He's a good teacher. The players respond to his approach. And he had a relationship with Pat Mahomes, and so it was just a natural fit for him to come back here."It was just a matter of, (if) he wanted to sit out a year or get back into it as an assistant coach, and so he did. He wanted to jump back in and go. And we're sure glad to get him."Spagnuolo likewise got his NFL start with Reid in Philadelphia before a coaching odyssey that took him to the head job with the Rams and an interim stint coaching the Giants. But the defensive guru was passed over for the full-time job in New York, he landed back with Reid, who in 2019 needed someone to revamp his defense.With his unconventional, blitzing and aggressive approach, Spagnuolo has done precisely that in Kansas City."Steve's very creative. Very smart. A tribute to Springfield College, right?" said Reid, referring to the small Division III school where Spagnuolo played wide receiver. "He's been in the league and had a great tutor in Jim Johnson when he was young, and he's been able to build off that scheme and been very innovative with it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676166710207.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Beniemy talks to the media before an NFL football workout Jan. 26 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Beniemy talks to the media before an NFL football workout Jan. 26 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>Then there's Eric Bieniemy, the would-be head coach, who helps Reid orchestrate the Chiefs' high-flying offense.During his five seasons as offensive coordinator, the Chiefs have never finished worse than fifth in total offense. They've been to every AFC title game played during that stretch, won three conference championships and have a chance to bring home a second Lombardi Trophy, all while Mahomes celebrates winning his second MVP award.Bieniemy is still in the running for the job in Indianapolis, a search that has been put on hold until after the Super Bowl."I knew what a great coach Eric was and thought he would get an opportunity. I've continued to think that," said Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, who next to Reid is perhaps Bieniemy's biggest champion. "At this point, he's maybe been through too many hiring cycles and it's almost become a little bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy that he's not getting the opportunity."Some critics say the Chiefs offense has been so successful because of Reid, one of the league's brilliant minds, and that Bieniemy needs to go elsewhere and escape his shadow.To that extent, his name has been linked to offensive coordinator openings with the Commanders and Ravens."I know he's still interested and he would do a fantastic job (as a head coach)," Hunt said. "And I'm glad he's going to have the stage that he'll have on Sunday to once again show what a tremendous offensive coordinator he is."