By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

How does the state build a stronger economy, stem the tide of younger people leaving the state, and generally improve the quality of life for Kansans?

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly believes it is through a strong economic development program, transportation improvements, and Medicaid expansion.

"We need very much to ensure that there are good jobs here, all across the State of Kansas, so that our youth can make their lives here and not feel that they need to move someplace else," Kelly said during an interview with Salina Post earlier this week.

"Even before the pandemic, when I first came into office, it was clear that we had to rebuild our Department of Commerce. It had been absolutely descimated the previous eight years," she said.

According to Kelly, the department had been gutted so that some of its funding could be used other places to fill holes in the budget created by former Governor Sam Brownback's tax experiment.

"We reversed that and we have reinvested heavily in our Department of Commerce," Kelly said. "We've re-established our international division and our domestic division. We've brought back the Main Street program, which is incredibly important to our rural communities, and we actually created an Office of Rural Prosperity to allow us to focus and partner with our smaller communities in ways to help them grow."

As of Tuesday, the Kelly Administration has secured more than $5.7 billion in new capital investment and created more than 25,000 jobs statewide, according to information from the governor's office.

"All during the pandemic, while we were dealing with the health issue, we were also busy recruiting companies large and small or helping companies here in the state, like Schwan's, to expand," Kelly said.

In August, Schwan's Company announced a 400,000-square-foot expansion of its pizza manufacturing facility at the Salina Airport Industrial Center, bringing with it 225 new full-time jobs by 2023. Kelly was among the dignitaries who spoke during the announcement event.

Additionally, Kelly noted the importance of digital connectivity.

"We set up the Office of Broadband Development because there's no way to recruit and retain good businesses or smart young people if we don't have a robust broadband internet accessibility," she said.

Transportation and closing the 'Bank of KDOT'

Kelly said her administration is changing the way the state deals with transportation issues, including selecting projects on a two-year cycle.

"We no longer decide on 10-years-worth of projects. We're going on a two-year cycle right now. We'll use a very robust process to determine what projects will be put in the pipeline first," she said.

Kelly noted that the previous 10-year comprehensive transportation program was not properly funded so that some of its funding could be swept back into the general fund to plug budget holes in other areas.

"So we've been able to balance our budget without sweeping all of those funds, in fact, in next year's budget, we will officially close what we call 'the Bank of KDOT,'" Kelly said. "We will ensure that all the funding that is supposed to be dedicated to transportation will be dedicated to transportation beginning next year."

Additionally, Julie Lorenz, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) secretary, and other officials have conducted listening sessions all over the state, working with local business and economic development representatives to help determine what the state's transportation needs are. Transportation project proposals were then submitted and a process used to rank the projects.

"Some of the priority was to get to projects that had been promised a long time ago but had not been fulfilled in the previous transportation program, so a lot of those are now being worked on. But then others were put there and it was all based on metrics data (used to determine need and impact). I think we've got an excellent process and I think folks all around the state would tell you that, too. And I think what they really appreciate is the fact that we've been creative with the structure of the transportation program," Kelly said.

Additionally, the state now has a cost share program in which local governments, while using some of their own budget funds can apply to the state for grants to help complete their transportation projects. For instance, in late May, the state announced that multiple government entities in our area, including Saline County, the City of Ellsworth, Ellsworth County, Dickinson County, and the City of Miltonvale, were among the local governments receiving funds under the state's 2021 Cost Share Projects initiative.

READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/0796c243-fc65-45cf-b18b-a17a4934aad6">Saline County, area transportation projects receive state funding</a>

"That's been very well received and made a huge difference in the number of projects we've been able to break ground on," Kelly said of the cost share program.

"If we had expanded Medicaid when we were originally eligible to do it, which I think was about seven years ago, we would have brought back to Kansas over $5 billion in taxpayer funding. The taxes that Kansans pay to the federal government would have come back into our state for us to use to provide health care for folks, but also to create a number of jobs and just grow our economy," she said.

According to Kelly, the most recent study that was done suggested that Medicaid expansion would result in approximately 13,000 new, good-paying jobs that would bring money into the state and help the state have a much healthier workforce, rather than cost the state additional money.

"So there are all sorts of reasons that we should have done it. There are even more reasons now why we should, including the $400 million or so that the federal government is holding out as a carrot for those states that have not expanded Medicaid. So if we were to do this right now, we would get another probably over $400 million over the next two years from the federal government," Kelly said.

"It's a no-brainer," she added. "Again the legislature just needs to let down their idological guard and put this in place. It's good for all Kansans."

A special place in the governor's heart for Salina

Kelly said that when she was in Salina May 24 to speak at the Salina Rotary meeting, she let the Rotarians know how fond she is of Salina.

"I actually lived in Salina when I first moved to Kansas and I grew to love and appreciate that community. It is very, very special. It has one of the most sophisticated populations I've ever lived around in terms of their interest in the arts and culture and education. They're incredibly creative and engaged," Kelly said. "I just think the world of the community and I will continue as governor to do everything I can to ensure that Salina and that area thrives."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577584514428.jpeg" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. Photo courtesy the governor's office" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. Photo courtesy the governor's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostHow does the state build a stronger economy, stem the tide of younger people leaving the state, and generally improve the quality of life for Kansans?Kansas Governor Laura Kelly believes it is through a strong economic development program, transportation improvements, and Medicaid expansion."We need very much to ensure that there are good jobs here, all across the State of Kansas, so that our youth can make their lives here and not feel that they need to move someplace else," Kelly said during an interview with Salina Post earlier this week."Even before the pandemic, when I first came into office, it was clear that we had to rebuild our Department of Commerce. It had been absolutely descimated the previous eight years," she said.According to Kelly, the department had been gutted so that some of its funding could be used other places to fill holes in the budget created by former Governor Sam Brownback's tax experiment."We reversed that and we have reinvested heavily in our Department of Commerce," Kelly said. "We've re-established our international division and our domestic division. We've brought back the Main Street program, which is incredibly important to our rural communities, and we actually created an Office of Rural Prosperity to allow us to focus and partner with our smaller communities in ways to help them grow."As of Tuesday, the Kelly Administration has secured more than $5.7 billion in new capital investment and created more than 25,000 jobs statewide, according to information from the governor's office."All during the pandemic, while we were dealing with the health issue, we were also busy recruiting companies large and small or helping companies here in the state, like Schwan's, to expand," Kelly said.In August, Schwan's Company announced a 400,000-square-foot expansion of its pizza manufacturing facility at the Salina Airport Industrial Center, bringing with it 225 new full-time jobs by 2023. Kelly was among the dignitaries who spoke during the announcement event.Additionally, Kelly noted the importance of digital connectivity."We set up the Office of Broadband Development because there's no way to recruit and retain good businesses or smart young people if we don't have a robust broadband internet accessibility," she said.<h2>Transportation and closing the 'Bank of KDOT'</h2>Kelly said her administration is changing the way the state deals with transportation issues, including selecting projects on a two-year cycle."We no longer decide on 10-years-worth of projects. We're going on a two-year cycle right now. We'll use a very robust process to determine what projects will be put in the pipeline first," she said.Kelly noted that the previous 10-year comprehensive transportation program was not properly funded so that some of its funding could be swept back into the general fund to plug budget holes in other areas."So we've been able to balance our budget without sweeping all of those funds, in fact, in next year's budget, we will officially close what we call 'the Bank of KDOT,'" Kelly said. "We will ensure that all the funding that is supposed to be dedicated to transportation will be dedicated to transportation beginning next year."Additionally, Julie Lorenz, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) secretary, and other officials have conducted listening sessions all over the state, working with local business and economic development representatives to help determine what the state's transportation needs are. Transportation project proposals were then submitted and a process used to rank the projects."Some of the priority was to get to projects that had been promised a long time ago but had not been fulfilled in the previous transportation program, so a lot of those are now being worked on. But then others were put there and it was all based on metrics data (used to determine need and impact). I think we've got an excellent process and I think folks all around the state would tell you that, too. And I think what they really appreciate is the fact that we've been creative with the structure of the transportation program," Kelly said.Additionally, the state now has a cost share program in which local governments, while using some of their own budget funds can apply to the state for grants to help complete their transportation projects. For instance, in late May, the state announced that multiple government entities in our area, including Saline County, the City of Ellsworth, Ellsworth County, Dickinson County, and the City of Miltonvale, were among the local governments receiving funds under the state's 2021 Cost Share Projects initiative.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622045932474.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/0796c243-fc65-45cf-b18b-a17a4934aad6">Saline County, area transportation projects receive state funding</a>"That's been very well received and made a huge difference in the number of projects we've been able to break ground on," Kelly said of the cost share program.<h2>Medicaid expansion</h2>"If we had expanded Medicaid when we were originally eligible to do it, which I think was about seven years ago, we would have brought back to Kansas over $5 billion in taxpayer funding. The taxes that Kansans pay to the federal government would have come back into our state for us to use to provide health care for folks, but also to create a number of jobs and just grow our economy," she said.According to Kelly, the most recent study that was done suggested that Medicaid expansion would result in approximately 13,000 new, good-paying jobs that would bring money into the state and help the state have a much healthier workforce, rather than cost the state additional money."So there are all sorts of reasons that we should have done it. There are even more reasons now why we should, including the $400 million or so that the federal government is holding out as a carrot for those states that have not expanded Medicaid. So if we were to do this right now, we would get another probably over $400 million over the next two years from the federal government," Kelly said."It's a no-brainer," she added. "Again the legislature just needs to let down their idological guard and put this in place. It's good for all Kansans."<h2>A special place in the governor's heart for Salina</h2>Kelly said that when she was in Salina May 24 to speak at the Salina Rotary meeting, she let the Rotarians know how fond she is of Salina."I actually lived in Salina when I first moved to Kansas and I grew to love and appreciate that community. It is very, very special. It has one of the most sophisticated populations I've ever lived around in terms of their interest in the arts and culture and education. They're incredibly creative and engaged," Kelly said. "I just think the world of the community and I will continue as governor to do everything I can to ensure that Salina and that area thrives."

Governor discusses enhancements needed for a better Kansas

The American Red Cross wants you to PUMP Up The Volume!

The annual PUMP Up The Volume Salina Community Blood Drive is scheduled for noon to 7 p.m. June 28-29 and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. June 30 at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 E. Beloit Avenue. The blood drive is sponsored by Eagle Radio and its entities: 99 KG, 94.5 Prime FM, KINA, and Salina Post.

Radio listeners are challenged to donate during the three-day drive and vote for their favorite participating radio station. The winning station receives bragging rights and a traveling trophy to display for a year. 

Since 2010, the Pump Up the Volume Blood Drive has raised more than 4,125 donations, according to information from the American Red Cross. This year’s goal is 234 donations.

Healthy donors are asked to make an appointment to give at this year’s Pump Up the Volume Blood Drive by using the Blood Donor App, visiting <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, calling 1-800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

All who donate June 14-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card by email. Restrictions apply and are available at <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org/SummerFullOfLife">RedCrossBlood.org/SummerFullOfLife</a>.

According to the American Red Cross, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges to blood donations and in the care and treatment of cancer patients. The Red Cross continues to feel the ongoing effects of COVID-19 as each month roughly 1,000 drives are canceled, impacting the collection of approximately 30,000 units of lifesaving blood.

Additionally, the American Cancer Society reported that many patient visits and procedures were forced to be delayed or canceled early in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. According to the American Cancer Society, while cancer deaths dropped at the onset of the pandemic, those rates will likely increase in the months and years to come due to delays in diagnosis and treatment

This June, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society are teaming up to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time. Many cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy, will likely have a need for blood products. When donors give blood or platelets to the Red Cross, they’re helping cancer patients receive the care they need.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622771762163.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The American Red Cross wants you to PUMP Up The Volume!The annual PUMP Up The Volume Salina Community Blood Drive is scheduled for noon to 7 p.m. June 28-29 and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. June 30 at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 E. Beloit Avenue. The blood drive is sponsored by Eagle Radio and its entities: 99 KG, 94.5 Prime FM, KINA, and Salina Post.Radio listeners are challenged to donate during the three-day drive and vote for their favorite participating radio station. The winning station receives bragging rights and a traveling trophy to display for a year. Since 2010, the Pump Up the Volume Blood Drive has raised more than 4,125 donations, according to information from the American Red Cross. This year’s goal is 234 donations.Healthy donors are asked to make an appointment to give at this year’s Pump Up the Volume Blood Drive by using the Blood Donor App, visiting <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, calling 1-800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.All who donate June 14-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card by email. Restrictions apply and are available at <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org/SummerFullOfLife">RedCrossBlood.org/SummerFullOfLife</a>.According to the American Red Cross, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges to blood donations and in the care and treatment of cancer patients. The Red Cross continues to feel the ongoing effects of COVID-19 as each month roughly 1,000 drives are canceled, impacting the collection of approximately 30,000 units of lifesaving blood.Additionally, the American Cancer Society reported that many patient visits and procedures were forced to be delayed or canceled early in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. According to the American Cancer Society, while cancer deaths dropped at the onset of the pandemic, those rates will likely increase in the months and years to come due to delays in diagnosis and treatmentThis June, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society are teaming up to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time. Many cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy, will likely have a need for blood products. When donors give blood or platelets to the Red Cross, they’re helping cancer patients receive the care they need.

Help the American Red Cross PUMP Up The Volume; please give blood

OCCK, Inc. announced today that it is increasing its minimum wage to $15 for direct support professionals and drivers across its north-central Kansas offices effective immediately.&nbsp; 

The new $15 minimum wage will benefit more than 160 OCCK employees, as well as any new employees who will be hired for these positions.

“We listened to our teams, thought hard about what we wanted to do, and decided we want to lead,” said Shelia Nelson-Stout, OCCK president and CEO. “We’re excited about this change and what it will do for employees.”

Employees will continue to receive OCCK’s industry-leading benefits, including:

●Comprehensive healthcare, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. 

●Company-paid life and disability insurance. 

To learn more about working at OCCK, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.occk.com/" target="_blank">www.occk.com</a>.

OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives.&nbsp; OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer’s supports, autism services, assistive technology, children’s services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.&nbsp; In 2020, OCCK, Inc. celebrated 50 years of service to north-central Kansas.

OCCK, Inc. announced today that it is increasing its minimum wage to $15 for direct support professionals and drivers across its north-central Kansas offices effective immediately.&nbsp; The new $15 minimum wage will benefit more than 160 OCCK employees, as well as any new employees who will be hired for these positions.“We listened to our teams, thought hard about what we wanted to do, and decided we want to lead,” said Shelia Nelson-Stout, OCCK president and CEO. “We’re excited about this change and what it will do for employees.”Employees will continue to receive OCCK’s industry-leading benefits, including:●Comprehensive healthcare, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. ●Company-paid life and disability insurance. ●KPERS retirement. ●Paid training. ●Increased evening and weekend pay.To learn more about working at OCCK, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.occk.com/" target="_blank">www.occk.com</a>.About OCCKOCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives.&nbsp; OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer’s supports, autism services, assistive technology, children’s services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.&nbsp; In 2020, OCCK, Inc. celebrated 50 years of service to north-central Kansas.

OCCK, Inc. raises minimum wage to $15 for employees

<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/CStanley-Nelson">Obituary for C. Stanley Nelson | Ryan Mortuary</a>

C. Stanley Nelson, 96, of Salina, passed away Monday, May 31, 2021. He was born May 19, 1925 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Carl and Hearty Nelson.

He was raised in Lawrence and graduated from the University of Kansas where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After spending a year as an undergraduate at KU, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. He spent three years in the Pacific. Once WWII ended and he was discharged from the Marines, he went back to KU, finished his undergraduate degree, and graduated from the University of Kansas law school.

He married Rosemary Gaines in 1949. In 1950 they moved to Salina and he joined the law firm that is now known as Hampton &amp; Royce, where he spent over 60 years practicing law. They raised four sons. He was active in many community activities and held many leadership positions: Saline County Economic Development Council, YMCA, Salina Country Club, and Salina Chamber of Commerce.

C. Stanley brought joy to every group he was part of, whether at the office or with friends. He loved traveling to the Ozarks for many family boating and tennis-playing vacations and later on many overseas trips. He was a diehard Jayhawk fan and loved tailgating at KU football games for over 30 years. He loved Kansas basketball and had met Phog Allen on many occasions.

He had a very unique and healthy approach to life. He didn’t regret or reminisce about anything in the past, nor did he worry or even think about the future. He only focused on one day at a time.

Wherever he was, he always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He loved meeting new people, asked a lot of questions, was a great listener, and left everyone feeling better. Though he didn’t use the phrase himself, he was the perfect example of someone who tried to be more interested than interesting.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Rosemary Gaines Nelson and his brother Arthur Nelson.

Survivors include four sons: Steve (and Sharon Persinger) of Salina, KS; Jeff (and wife Lisa) of Overland Park, KS; Mike (and Bridget Smithmier) of Leawood, KS; and Kendal (and Karen Williams) of Wichita, KS; as well as four grandchildren, Chris (and wife Michele) and Colby Nelson and Carley and Kate Nelson. Special recognition for the incredible relationship, companionship, and love of Ann Neumann of Salina, KS over the past ten years.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Eighth. Private family burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Memorials are suggested to Salina Net Generation, c/o Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, KS 67401.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of C. Stanley Nelson, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/CStanley-Nelson/sympathy">floral store.</a>

<h2>C. Stanley Nelson, Salina</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622665239834.jpeg" alt="C. Stanley Nelson" />
 <figcaption>C. Stanley Nelson</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/CStanley-Nelson">Obituary for C. Stanley Nelson | Ryan Mortuary</a>May 19, 1925 ~ May 31, 2021 (age 96)C. Stanley Nelson, 96, of Salina, passed away Monday, May 31, 2021. He was born May 19, 1925 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Carl and Hearty Nelson.He was raised in Lawrence and graduated from the University of Kansas where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After spending a year as an undergraduate at KU, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. He spent three years in the Pacific. Once WWII ended and he was discharged from the Marines, he went back to KU, finished his undergraduate degree, and graduated from the University of Kansas law school.He married Rosemary Gaines in 1949. In 1950 they moved to Salina and he joined the law firm that is now known as Hampton &amp; Royce, where he spent over 60 years practicing law. They raised four sons. He was active in many community activities and held many leadership positions: Saline County Economic Development Council, YMCA, Salina Country Club, and Salina Chamber of Commerce.C. Stanley brought joy to every group he was part of, whether at the office or with friends. He loved traveling to the Ozarks for many family boating and tennis-playing vacations and later on many overseas trips. He was a diehard Jayhawk fan and loved tailgating at KU football games for over 30 years. He loved Kansas basketball and had met Phog Allen on many occasions.He had a very unique and healthy approach to life. He didn’t regret or reminisce about anything in the past, nor did he worry or even think about the future. He only focused on one day at a time.Wherever he was, he always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He loved meeting new people, asked a lot of questions, was a great listener, and left everyone feeling better. Though he didn’t use the phrase himself, he was the perfect example of someone who tried to be more interested than interesting.He was proceeded in death by his wife Rosemary Gaines Nelson and his brother Arthur Nelson.Survivors include four sons: Steve (and Sharon Persinger) of Salina, KS; Jeff (and wife Lisa) of Overland Park, KS; Mike (and Bridget Smithmier) of Leawood, KS; and Kendal (and Karen Williams) of Wichita, KS; as well as four grandchildren, Chris (and wife Michele) and Colby Nelson and Carley and Kate Nelson. Special recognition for the incredible relationship, companionship, and love of Ann Neumann of Salina, KS over the past ten years.Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Eighth. Private family burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.Memorials are suggested to Salina Net Generation, c/o Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, KS 67401.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of C. Stanley Nelson, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/CStanley-Nelson/sympathy">floral store.</a>

C. Stanley Nelson

<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Wesley-TeelJr">Obituary for Wesley E. Teel Jr. | Ryan Mortuary</a>

Wesley E. Teel Jr.&nbsp;passed away May 28, 2021, at his home in Salina, Kansas at the age of 72. He was born to Wesley Sr. and Betty (Herron) Teel on December 1, 1948, in Salina, Kansas. Wes grew up in Salina, served in the U.S. Army and had a long career in law enforcement and retired as the security supervisor from K-State University-Salina.

Wes was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Doyle and William "James". He is survived by his sisters Sharon (Glen) Barnum, Karen (Dennis) Krier and Carol (Mike) Hirsch and sister in laws Shelly Teel and Debbie Teel. Wes prided himself on being the uncle to nine nephews and three nieces as well as their many children. Wes had many special friends in his life. Many in the law enforcement community in Salina knew him as "Old Man River". They knew he often was watching and guarding their calls hoping to send them home safely. Shelly and John in dispatch always knew he was listening. He will also be missed very much by his dear friends Kip, Carol, Maxine and Eddie. &nbsp;

The family will honor Wesley with a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Salina, Kansas 67401, with internment to follow at Highland Cemetery, New Cambria.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the SPD Excellence Fund and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wesley E. Teel Jr., please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Wesley-TeelJr/sympathy">floral store.</a>

<h2>Wesley Teel, Jr., Salina</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622665160144.jpeg" alt="Wesley Teel Jr..jpg" />
 <figcaption>Wesley Teel Jr..jpg</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Wesley-TeelJr">Obituary for Wesley E. Teel Jr. | Ryan Mortuary</a>December 1, 1948 ~ May 28, 2021 (age 72)Wesley E. Teel Jr.&nbsp;passed away May 28, 2021, at his home in Salina, Kansas at the age of 72. He was born to Wesley Sr. and Betty (Herron) Teel on December 1, 1948, in Salina, Kansas. Wes grew up in Salina, served in the U.S. Army and had a long career in law enforcement and retired as the security supervisor from K-State University-Salina.Wes was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Doyle and William "James". He is survived by his sisters Sharon (Glen) Barnum, Karen (Dennis) Krier and Carol (Mike) Hirsch and sister in laws Shelly Teel and Debbie Teel. Wes prided himself on being the uncle to nine nephews and three nieces as well as their many children. Wes had many special friends in his life. Many in the law enforcement community in Salina knew him as "Old Man River". They knew he often was watching and guarding their calls hoping to send them home safely. Shelly and John in dispatch always knew he was listening. He will also be missed very much by his dear friends Kip, Carol, Maxine and Eddie. &nbsp;The family will honor Wesley with a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Salina, Kansas 67401, with internment to follow at Highland Cemetery, New Cambria.In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the SPD Excellence Fund and may be sent in care of the mortuary.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wesley E. Teel Jr., please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Wesley-TeelJr/sympathy">floral store.</a>

Wesley Teel, Jr.

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/resistance-among-kansans-covid-19-vaccines-fading-except-where-it-isnt">Kansas News Service</a>

New survey results show that reluctance to get COVID-19 vaccinations has dropped in Kansas.

At the same time, worries about vaccine side effects seem to be increasing.

Federal
 statistics analyzed by the Kansas Health Institute, or KHI, show that 
roughly 22% of Kansan adults reported feeling uncertain about getting 
the vaccine in April. That’s down from 30% in March and 47% in January. 
(KHI, like the Kansas News Service, gets significant support from the 
Kansas Health Foundation.)

It’s the first analysis of data from the US Census Bureau’s <a href="https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/household-pulse-survey.html">Household Pulse Survey</a>
 since Kansas opened up vaccine access to all adults at the end of 
March. And it shows that more than three quarters of Kansas respondents 
had either gotten their shot or planned to do so.

“We already see
 that people who are excited about the (vaccine efficacy) data are 
getting the vaccine,” said KHI analyst Emily Burgen. “We’re mostly 
concerned about those who are uncertain.”

Burgen said that the 
next phase of vaccination efforts should give people space to ask 
detailed questions and take the time to address their specific concerns 
in a nonjudgmental way. And as more of the vaccine rollout shifts into 
the <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/cdc-urges-states-get-more-covid-19-vaccine-doctors-offices">doctor’s office</a>, that could offer people more opportunities to have one-on-one conversations with a trusted health care professional.

“To me,” Burgen said, “it comes back to sharing factual information and having those conversations.”

Gretchen
 Homan, a professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 
Wichita, said that the best route to addressing a patients’ worries 
about the vaccine is often the most simple and direct one.

“Listen
 to what they’re concerned about, talk about what you've learned and … 
explain why it’s so important,” Homan said. “They just want to hear 
confidence from you.”

But as the pool of people still hesitant 
about the vaccine shrinks, the barriers to reaching those who remain 
unconvinced get bigger. The number of survey respondents who said they 
were concerned about possible vaccine side effects increased by 15 
percentage points compared to the previous month, from 49% to 64%.

The
 survey also reported increases in the number of people who listed a 
lack of trust in the government and a belief that COVID-19 is not a 
serious illness among their reasons for vaccine reluctance. Roughly half
 of respondents said concerns about vaccine safety were keeping them 
from getting the shot.

And the number of people who may be open 
to learning more about the vaccine also appears to be dwindling. Of the 
22% of people who remain uncertain, roughly 8% said they would 
definitely not get a vaccine — a figure that has remained steady since 
January.

Some of the concerns highlighted in the survey, however,
 could be more easily addressed. Roughly 7% of people said they hadn’t 
gotten the vaccine because their doctor had not recommended it, which is
 something Emily Burgen of KHI said many doctors might not have thought 
of. And nearly 10% listed the cost of the vaccine as a barrier.

“That’s just a public health messaging (issue),” Bergen said. “The cost to (get) the vaccine is free.”

The
 survey also shows the impact that the Johnson and Johnson pause had on 
the public’s view of vaccine side effects. The Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine">recommended</a>
 that health agencies temporarily stop giving out that shot in mid-April
 to study a rare blood clot condition that showed up in six out of 6.8 
million people who had received that version of the vaccine.

Federal agencies <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-and-cdc-lift-recommended-pause-johnson-johnson-janssen-covid-19-vaccine-use-following-thorough">lifted</a>
 the pause 10 days later after determining the vaccine was safe to use. 
But Bergan said the survey, which was conducted both during and after 
the pause, shows that it had a lasting effect on people’s ideas about 
the vaccine’s effects.

“That Johnson and Johnson pause,” Burgen 
said, “even though it is a normal part of clinical trials, really 
affected how people are viewing all three vaccines … not just the 
Johnson and Johnson vaccine.”

That’s further complicated by common misunderstandings about the difference between side effects and adverse effects.

Adverse effects, like the blood clots that paused the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, have been <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/antivaccine-activists-use-government-database-side-effects-scare-public">very rare</a>.
 And Burgen said that most side effects are natural signs of the body’s 
immune system reacting to the vaccine in the way it’s supposed to, just 
like when someone’s arm hurts after a flu shot.

But stories about people feeling sick after their shots have gotten an <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/except-for-sore-arm-3-out-of-4-people-didnt-report-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects">outsized amount</a>
 of social media attention compared to the number of people who actually
 experience them. That could lead other people to be afraid of getting 
their own shots.

“Are we elevating those side effects,” Burgen said, “and creating rhetoric around the vaccine that maybe shouldn’t be there?

Gretchen
 Homan, who joined Burgen for a presentation to medical professionals 
from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri, agrees that messages about the
 vaccine’s safety and side effects need to be more straightforward. She 
said that the risk of experiencing fatigue, fever and chills after the 
shot is small compared to protection from a potentially fatal virus.

“The
 COVID-19 vaccines have been developed under the most intensive safety 
monitoring in U.S. history,” Homan said. “We know it's safe, and we know
 it works.”

Burgen, the KHI analyst, said that doesn’t mean 
concerns about vaccine side effects aren’t valid. For example, some 
people may not want to risk feeling ill after their shot if they can’t 
take a day off from work or if they need to care for a loved one.

“It's
 a really tough decision for some people to make to get the vaccine,” 
Burgen said. “And the goal is not necessarily … for someone to be 
excited about getting the vaccine by the end of the conversation, but 
kind of starting to move the needle closer.”

But if sizable pockets of people remain unvaccinated, it could lead to <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/the-next-phase-of-the-us-pandemic-pockets-of-localized-outbreaks">future outbreaks</a> in Kansas — particularly in the state’s rural areas, where vaccination rates <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2021-05-21/vaccination-rates-in-rural-parts-of-kansas-and-missouri-are-lagging">continue to trail</a> urban centers.

Burgen
 said she hopes that, as more Kansans safely receive the vaccine and 
more doctors are able to administer it, word-of-mouth promotion will 
slowly help more people feel comfortable getting their shot.

David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos">@davidcondos</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622574616057.png" alt="A sign advertises vaccine availability outside a grocery store in Hays.&nbsp;David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>A sign advertises vaccine availability outside a grocery store in Hays.&nbsp;David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/resistance-among-kansans-covid-19-vaccines-fading-except-where-it-isnt">Kansas News Service</a>New survey results show that reluctance to get COVID-19 vaccinations has dropped in Kansas.At the same time, worries about vaccine side effects seem to be increasing.Federal
 statistics analyzed by the Kansas Health Institute, or KHI, show that 
roughly 22% of Kansan adults reported feeling uncertain about getting 
the vaccine in April. That’s down from 30% in March and 47% in January. 
(KHI, like the Kansas News Service, gets significant support from the 
Kansas Health Foundation.)It’s the first analysis of data from the US Census Bureau’s <a href="https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/household-pulse-survey.html">Household Pulse Survey</a>
 since Kansas opened up vaccine access to all adults at the end of 
March. And it shows that more than three quarters of Kansas respondents 
had either gotten their shot or planned to do so.“We already see
 that people who are excited about the (vaccine efficacy) data are 
getting the vaccine,” said KHI analyst Emily Burgen. “We’re mostly 
concerned about those who are uncertain.”Burgen said that the 
next phase of vaccination efforts should give people space to ask 
detailed questions and take the time to address their specific concerns 
in a nonjudgmental way. And as more of the vaccine rollout shifts into 
the <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/cdc-urges-states-get-more-covid-19-vaccine-doctors-offices">doctor’s office</a>, that could offer people more opportunities to have one-on-one conversations with a trusted health care professional.“To me,” Burgen said, “it comes back to sharing factual information and having those conversations.”<h2>Reasons for concern</h2>Gretchen
 Homan, a professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 
Wichita, said that the best route to addressing a patients’ worries 
about the vaccine is often the most simple and direct one.“Listen
 to what they’re concerned about, talk about what you've learned and … 
explain why it’s so important,” Homan said. “They just want to hear 
confidence from you.”But as the pool of people still hesitant 
about the vaccine shrinks, the barriers to reaching those who remain 
unconvinced get bigger. The number of survey respondents who said they 
were concerned about possible vaccine side effects increased by 15 
percentage points compared to the previous month, from 49% to 64%.The
 survey also reported increases in the number of people who listed a 
lack of trust in the government and a belief that COVID-19 is not a 
serious illness among their reasons for vaccine reluctance. Roughly half
 of respondents said concerns about vaccine safety were keeping them 
from getting the shot.And the number of people who may be open 
to learning more about the vaccine also appears to be dwindling. Of the 
22% of people who remain uncertain, roughly 8% said they would 
definitely not get a vaccine — a figure that has remained steady since 
January.Some of the concerns highlighted in the survey, however,
 could be more easily addressed. Roughly 7% of people said they hadn’t 
gotten the vaccine because their doctor had not recommended it, which is
 something Emily Burgen of KHI said many doctors might not have thought 
of. And nearly 10% listed the cost of the vaccine as a barrier.“That’s just a public health messaging (issue),” Bergen said. “The cost to (get) the vaccine is free.”<h2>Pause and effect</h2>The
 survey also shows the impact that the Johnson and Johnson pause had on 
the public’s view of vaccine side effects. The Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine">recommended</a>
 that health agencies temporarily stop giving out that shot in mid-April
 to study a rare blood clot condition that showed up in six out of 6.8 
million people who had received that version of the vaccine.Federal agencies <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-and-cdc-lift-recommended-pause-johnson-johnson-janssen-covid-19-vaccine-use-following-thorough">lifted</a>
 the pause 10 days later after determining the vaccine was safe to use. 
But Bergan said the survey, which was conducted both during and after 
the pause, shows that it had a lasting effect on people’s ideas about 
the vaccine’s effects.“That Johnson and Johnson pause,” Burgen 
said, “even though it is a normal part of clinical trials, really 
affected how people are viewing all three vaccines … not just the 
Johnson and Johnson vaccine.”That’s further complicated by common misunderstandings about the difference between side effects and adverse effects.Adverse effects, like the blood clots that paused the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, have been <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/antivaccine-activists-use-government-database-side-effects-scare-public">very rare</a>.
 And Burgen said that most side effects are natural signs of the body’s 
immune system reacting to the vaccine in the way it’s supposed to, just 
like when someone’s arm hurts after a flu shot.But stories about people feeling sick after their shots have gotten an <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/except-for-sore-arm-3-out-of-4-people-didnt-report-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects">outsized amount</a>
 of social media attention compared to the number of people who actually
 experience them. That could lead other people to be afraid of getting 
their own shots.“Are we elevating those side effects,” Burgen said, “and creating rhetoric around the vaccine that maybe shouldn’t be there?<h2>‘Baby Steps’</h2>Gretchen
 Homan, who joined Burgen for a presentation to medical professionals 
from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri, agrees that messages about the
 vaccine’s safety and side effects need to be more straightforward. She 
said that the risk of experiencing fatigue, fever and chills after the 
shot is small compared to protection from a potentially fatal virus.“The
 COVID-19 vaccines have been developed under the most intensive safety 
monitoring in U.S. history,” Homan said. “We know it's safe, and we know
 it works.”Burgen, the KHI analyst, said that doesn’t mean 
concerns about vaccine side effects aren’t valid. For example, some 
people may not want to risk feeling ill after their shot if they can’t 
take a day off from work or if they need to care for a loved one.“It's
 a really tough decision for some people to make to get the vaccine,” 
Burgen said. “And the goal is not necessarily … for someone to be 
excited about getting the vaccine by the end of the conversation, but 
kind of starting to move the needle closer.”But if sizable pockets of people remain unvaccinated, it could lead to <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/the-next-phase-of-the-us-pandemic-pockets-of-localized-outbreaks">future outbreaks</a> in Kansas — particularly in the state’s rural areas, where vaccination rates <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2021-05-21/vaccination-rates-in-rural-parts-of-kansas-and-missouri-are-lagging">continue to trail</a> urban centers.Burgen
 said she hopes that, as more Kansans safely receive the vaccine and 
more doctors are able to administer it, word-of-mouth promotion will 
slowly help more people feel comfortable getting their shot.“It’s baby steps.”David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos">@davidcondos</a>.

Kansans' resistance to COVID vaccines fading, except where it isn't

The Monkees farewell tour is making a stop in Salina's Stiefel Theatre this fall!

The Monkees Farewell Tour with Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz is scheduled for 8 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $69 and go on sale at noon on Friday.&nbsp;Buy tickets in person at the Stiefel Theatre's&nbsp; new walk-up window at 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue from noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday,&nbsp;call the Stiefel Theatre at 785-827-1998 or online at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/" target="_blank">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nesmith&nbsp;and Dolenz will embark on their farewell tour in September. Commemorating 55-years of Monkeemania, the tour will embrace major markets in North America through the fall. Their critically acclaimed concerts feature the voice of Dolenz, who sang The Monkees’ biggest hits: “I’m A Believer,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone.” Nesmith was the group’s primary songwriter and wrote such classics as “Mary, Mary,” “Papa Gene’s Blues,” “You Just May Be The One” and “Listen To The Band” to name but a few.

This evening with The Monkees, will feature songs that span the band’s entire career – from their 1966 self-titled debut album to 2016’s&nbsp;Good Times. Their most recent release – THE MONKEES –THE MIKE &amp; MICKY SHOW LIVE – was issued in April 2020 and became their 17th&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;charting album release. In addition to their hits, their farewell shows will spotlight songs featured on their Emmy-winning TV series (“The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” “You Told Me,” “Randy Scouse Git,” “Goin’ Down” and “For Pete’s Sake”) as well as music from their feature film Head (“Circle Sky” and “As We Go Along”). Plus some rarely performed deep cuts (such as “Auntie’s Municipal Court”) and tracks from their most-recent studio album, 2016’s&nbsp;Good Times&nbsp;(“Me &amp; Magdelena” and “Birth Of An Accidental Hipster”).&nbsp;

This farewell tour will mark the end of a unique project that began in 1965 when four young men were cast in a television show about a struggling rock band that was inspired by the Beatles’&nbsp;A Hard Day’s Night. Few could have predicted the impact the Monkees would have on music and pop culture at large, one that still reverberates more than 50 years later.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Formed in Los Angeles for the eponymous television series, the quartet of Dolenz, Nesmith, the late Peter Tork and the late Davy Jones brought a singular mix of pop, rock, psychedelia, Broadway and country to their music. The Monkees’ first single, “Last Train To Clarksville,” was released in August 1966 and quickly headed for the top spot of the&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;charts in tandem with the band's self-titled debut album, which held the top slot for 13 of the 78 weeks it remained in the Top 200. Two decades later, in the midst of a new burst of Monkee-mania,&nbsp;The Monkees&nbsp;popped back onto the charts, bringing the total number of weeks to 102.

By the time the series aired its final new episode on March 25, 1968, the Monkees had seen three further albums top the charts —More of the Monkees,&nbsp;Headquarters, and&nbsp;Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn &amp; Jones, Ltd. All were released in 1967, staggeringly enough, racking up several more hit singles, with “I’m A Believer,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You,” “The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “Words,” “Daydream Believer,” “Valleri,” and “Tapioca Tundra” all finding their way into the&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;Top 40. The final tally: 16 million albums and 7.5 million singles sold in a mere 2 1/2 years.&nbsp;

After the series’ two-season run, the group went on to star in the cult feature film,&nbsp;Head&nbsp;(co-written by Jack Nicholson) and a TV special (33 1/3 Revolutions per Monkee) while also continuing to record new material. But as the ’60s gave way to the ’70s, the members of the Monkees eventually gave in to their individual musical interests and went their separate ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In February 1986, after MTV broadcast a marathon of&nbsp;The Monkees&nbsp;series, Dolenz, Jones, and Tork reunited for a 20th anniversary tour, with Nesmith joining them onstage for the Los Angeles date of the tour. In 1996, all four members of the group reunited for a new album (Justus) and TV special (Hey, Hey, It’s the Monkees). In the wake of Jones’s death on Feb. 12, 2012, the surviving members of the Monkees reunited and performed a series of concerts. The shows were received so triumphantly that Dolenz, Nesmith, and Tork returned the following summer for a tour dubbed, “A Midsummer’s Night With the Monkees.”&nbsp;

To celebrate the Monkees’ 50th&nbsp;anniversary in 2016, the surviving members of the band recorded the critically acclaimed album&nbsp;Good Times&nbsp;(produced by the late Adam Schlesinger). Much like the Monkees’ early albums, it featured tracks written for the band by a group of gifted songwriters, including Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), Rivers Cuomo (Weezer), Andy Partridge (XTC) and more. Following the passings of Davy Jones and Peter Tork (who succumbed to cancer in 2019), Nesmith and Dolenz have honored the music and the memory of The Monkees onstage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622589369804.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Monkees farewell tour is making a stop in Salina's Stiefel Theatre this fall!The Monkees Farewell Tour with Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz is scheduled for 8 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $69 and go on sale at noon on Friday.&nbsp;Buy tickets in person at the Stiefel Theatre's&nbsp; new walk-up window at 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue from noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday,&nbsp;call the Stiefel Theatre at 785-827-1998 or online at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/" target="_blank">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Nesmith&nbsp;and Dolenz will embark on their farewell tour in September. Commemorating 55-years of Monkeemania, the tour will embrace major markets in North America through the fall. Their critically acclaimed concerts feature the voice of Dolenz, who sang The Monkees’ biggest hits: “I’m A Believer,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone.” Nesmith was the group’s primary songwriter and wrote such classics as “Mary, Mary,” “Papa Gene’s Blues,” “You Just May Be The One” and “Listen To The Band” to name but a few.This evening with The Monkees, will feature songs that span the band’s entire career – from their 1966 self-titled debut album to 2016’s&nbsp;Good Times. Their most recent release – THE MONKEES –THE MIKE &amp; MICKY SHOW LIVE – was issued in April 2020 and became their 17th&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;charting album release. In addition to their hits, their farewell shows will spotlight songs featured on their Emmy-winning TV series (“The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” “You Told Me,” “Randy Scouse Git,” “Goin’ Down” and “For Pete’s Sake”) as well as music from their feature film Head (“Circle Sky” and “As We Go Along”). Plus some rarely performed deep cuts (such as “Auntie’s Municipal Court”) and tracks from their most-recent studio album, 2016’s&nbsp;Good Times&nbsp;(“Me &amp; Magdelena” and “Birth Of An Accidental Hipster”).&nbsp;This farewell tour will mark the end of a unique project that began in 1965 when four young men were cast in a television show about a struggling rock band that was inspired by the Beatles’&nbsp;A Hard Day’s Night. Few could have predicted the impact the Monkees would have on music and pop culture at large, one that still reverberates more than 50 years later.&nbsp;&nbsp;Formed in Los Angeles for the eponymous television series, the quartet of Dolenz, Nesmith, the late Peter Tork and the late Davy Jones brought a singular mix of pop, rock, psychedelia, Broadway and country to their music. The Monkees’ first single, “Last Train To Clarksville,” was released in August 1966 and quickly headed for the top spot of the&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;charts in tandem with the band's self-titled debut album, which held the top slot for 13 of the 78 weeks it remained in the Top 200. Two decades later, in the midst of a new burst of Monkee-mania,&nbsp;The Monkees&nbsp;popped back onto the charts, bringing the total number of weeks to 102.By the time the series aired its final new episode on March 25, 1968, the Monkees had seen three further albums top the charts —More of the Monkees,&nbsp;Headquarters, and&nbsp;Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn &amp; Jones, Ltd. All were released in 1967, staggeringly enough, racking up several more hit singles, with “I’m A Believer,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You,” “The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “Words,” “Daydream Believer,” “Valleri,” and “Tapioca Tundra” all finding their way into the&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;Top 40. The final tally: 16 million albums and 7.5 million singles sold in a mere 2 1/2 years.&nbsp;After the series’ two-season run, the group went on to star in the cult feature film,&nbsp;Head&nbsp;(co-written by Jack Nicholson) and a TV special (33 1/3 Revolutions per Monkee) while also continuing to record new material. But as the ’60s gave way to the ’70s, the members of the Monkees eventually gave in to their individual musical interests and went their separate ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;In February 1986, after MTV broadcast a marathon of&nbsp;The Monkees&nbsp;series, Dolenz, Jones, and Tork reunited for a 20th anniversary tour, with Nesmith joining them onstage for the Los Angeles date of the tour. In 1996, all four members of the group reunited for a new album (Justus) and TV special (Hey, Hey, It’s the Monkees). In the wake of Jones’s death on Feb. 12, 2012, the surviving members of the Monkees reunited and performed a series of concerts. The shows were received so triumphantly that Dolenz, Nesmith, and Tork returned the following summer for a tour dubbed, “A Midsummer’s Night With the Monkees.”&nbsp;To celebrate the Monkees’ 50th&nbsp;anniversary in 2016, the surviving members of the band recorded the critically acclaimed album&nbsp;Good Times&nbsp;(produced by the late Adam Schlesinger). Much like the Monkees’ early albums, it featured tracks written for the band by a group of gifted songwriters, including Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), Rivers Cuomo (Weezer), Andy Partridge (XTC) and more. Following the passings of Davy Jones and Peter Tork (who succumbed to cancer in 2019), Nesmith and Dolenz have honored the music and the memory of The Monkees onstage.

Hey! Hey! It's the Monkees' farewell tour at the Stiefel Theatre

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/fauci-effect-inspiring-young-kansans-pursue-health-care-careers">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — Gracie Dean will graduate from Maize South High 
School this month, but she’s already working in a field that drew 
increasing interest during the pandemic.

As a certified nursing 
assistant at a long-term care facility, she’s among a growing number of 
young people pursuing careers in health care because of what they’ve 
witnessed or experienced during COVID-19.

“These nurses have put their lives on the line to help people,” the 17-year-old said. “And that’s just what I aspire to be.”

Some
 are calling it "the Fauci effect": a new generation of health care 
workers on a public health mission inspired by people like Anthony 
Fauci, the face of the White House coronavirus task force.

Medical school applications <a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/medicaleducation/90581" target="_blank">are up 18% over last year</a>, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm" target="_blank">health educators and community health workers will see a 13% increase in jobs between 2019 and 2029.</a>

Kansas State University recently launched the region’s <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2020-12/public-health-bachelors12720.html" target="_blank">first bachelor of science in public health</a>,
 and student interest already is high. The program aims to prepare 
people for jobs such as epidemiologist, public health analyst and 
wellness coordinator.

The trend mirrors one after Sept. 11, when 
colleges saw a burst of interest in Middle Eastern studies, Arabic 
language and homeland security. Other young people sought careers in the
 military or public safety. Or post-Watergate, when the work of Bob 
Woodward and Carl Bernstein launched the careers of would-be 
investigative journalists.

Lindsay King knows the feeling. A 
high-schooler during the attacks on 9/11, she joined the U.S. Air Force.
 She later earned her master’s and doctorate in education and now serves
 as principal of <a href="https://www.usd266.com/mca" target="_blank">Maize Career Academy</a>.

She
 said enrollment in high school medical programs is on the rise. This 
year, the academy saw a 20% increase in students interested in certified
 nursing assistant, or CNA, certification. The school also added classes
 in anatomy and physiology, a foundational course for students pursuing 
careers in health care.

“Students are going to see how dangerous 
it is to be on the front lines in health care, but they make the other 
choice — to be brave and to help others,” King said. “They can see 
that’s how you make a difference, how you change the world.”

Dean,
 the Maize South student, earned her CNA certification and works 
part-time in the memory care department of a nursing home. She 
experienced the effects of COVID first-hand, working with patients who 
lost spouses, suffered with isolation or had to go into long-term care 
because of the virus.

“They love to talk, and I love listening to them,” she said. “Their stories are just incredible, and they matter.”

She plans to attend Wichita State University to continue her nursing education. She ultimately wants to become a trauma nurse.

Lindsey Dean, Gracie’s mother, says the career seems a perfect fit for her oldest daughter.

“This
 fits with Gracie so easily and so well,” she said. “She just has such a
 quiet, calm, sweet spirit and I think she’s going to be great at that.”

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT&nbsp;or email her at perez@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622061955493.png" alt="Maize High graduate Gracie Dean is among a growing number of young adults pursuing health careers. Courtesy Maize High" />
 <figcaption>Maize High graduate Gracie Dean is among a growing number of young adults pursuing health careers. Courtesy Maize High</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/fauci-effect-inspiring-young-kansans-pursue-health-care-careers">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — Gracie Dean will graduate from Maize South High 
School this month, but she’s already working in a field that drew 
increasing interest during the pandemic.As a certified nursing 
assistant at a long-term care facility, she’s among a growing number of 
young people pursuing careers in health care because of what they’ve 
witnessed or experienced during COVID-19.“These nurses have put their lives on the line to help people,” the 17-year-old said. “And that’s just what I aspire to be.”Some
 are calling it "the Fauci effect": a new generation of health care 
workers on a public health mission inspired by people like Anthony 
Fauci, the face of the White House coronavirus task force.Medical school applications <a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/medicaleducation/90581" target="_blank">are up 18% over last year</a>, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm" target="_blank">health educators and community health workers will see a 13% increase in jobs between 2019 and 2029.</a>Kansas State University recently launched the region’s <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2020-12/public-health-bachelors12720.html" target="_blank">first bachelor of science in public health</a>,
 and student interest already is high. The program aims to prepare 
people for jobs such as epidemiologist, public health analyst and 
wellness coordinator.The trend mirrors one after Sept. 11, when 
colleges saw a burst of interest in Middle Eastern studies, Arabic 
language and homeland security. Other young people sought careers in the
 military or public safety. Or post-Watergate, when the work of Bob 
Woodward and Carl Bernstein launched the careers of would-be 
investigative journalists.Lindsay King knows the feeling. A 
high-schooler during the attacks on 9/11, she joined the U.S. Air Force.
 She later earned her master’s and doctorate in education and now serves
 as principal of <a href="https://www.usd266.com/mca" target="_blank">Maize Career Academy</a>.She
 said enrollment in high school medical programs is on the rise. This 
year, the academy saw a 20% increase in students interested in certified
 nursing assistant, or CNA, certification. The school also added classes
 in anatomy and physiology, a foundational course for students pursuing 
careers in health care.“Students are going to see how dangerous 
it is to be on the front lines in health care, but they make the other 
choice — to be brave and to help others,” King said. “They can see 
that’s how you make a difference, how you change the world.”Dean,
 the Maize South student, earned her CNA certification and works 
part-time in the memory care department of a nursing home. She 
experienced the effects of COVID first-hand, working with patients who 
lost spouses, suffered with isolation or had to go into long-term care 
because of the virus.“They love to talk, and I love listening to them,” she said. “Their stories are just incredible, and they matter.”She plans to attend Wichita State University to continue her nursing education. She ultimately wants to become a trauma nurse.Lindsey Dean, Gracie’s mother, says the career seems a perfect fit for her oldest daughter.“This
 fits with Gracie so easily and so well,” she said. “She just has such a
 quiet, calm, sweet spirit and I think she’s going to be great at that.”Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT&nbsp;or email her at perez@kmuw.org.

'Fauci effect' inspiring young people to pursue health care careers 

ARLINGTON, TX (AP) —B.J. Thomas, the Grammy-winning singer who enjoyed success on the pop, country and gospel charts with such hits as “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and “Hooked on a Feeling,” has died. He was 78.

Thomas, who announced in March that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, died from complications of the disease Saturday at his home in Arlington, Texas, his publicist Jeremy Westby said in a statement.

A Hugo, Oklahoma-native who grew up in Houston, Billy Joe Thomas broke through in 1966 with a gospel-styled cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and went on to sell millions of records and have dozens of hits across genres. He reached No. 1 with pop, adult contemporary and country listeners in 1976 with ″(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.” The same year, his “Home Where I Belong” became one of the first gospel albums to be certified platinum for selling more than 1 million copies.

Dionne Warwick, who duetted with Thomas, sent out a tweet Saturday with her condolences.

“My sincere condolences to the family of one of my favorite duet partners, BJ Thomas. I will miss him as I know so many others will as well. Rest In Peace my friend,” she said.

Thomas’ signature recording was “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” a No. 1 pop hit and an Oscar winner for best original song as part of the soundtrack to one of the biggest movies of 1969, the irreverent Western “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Thomas wasn’t the first choice to perform the whimsical ballad composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David; Ray Stevens turned the songwriters down. But his warm, soulful tenor fit the song’s easygoing mood, immortalized on film during the scene when Butch (Paul Newman) shows off his new bicycle to Etta Place (Katharine Ross), the girlfriend of the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford).

“Raindrops” has since been heard everywhere from “The Simpsons” to “Forrest Gump” and was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013. But, at first, not everyone was satisfied. Thomas was recovering from laryngitis while recording the soundtrack version and his vocals are raspier than for the track released on its own. Redford, meanwhile, doubted the song even belonged in “Butch Cassidy.”

“When the film was released, I was highly critical — how did the song fit with the film? There was no rain,” Redford told USA Today in 2019. “At the time, it seemed like a dumb idea. How wrong I was.”

Thomas would later say the phenomenon of “Raindrops” exacerbated an addiction to pills and alcohol which dated back to his teens, when a record producer in Houston suggested he take amphetamines to keep his energy up. He was touring and recording constantly and taking dozens of pills a day. By 1976, while ″(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” was hitting No. 1, he felt like he was “number 1,000.”

“I was at the bottom with my addictions and my problems,” he said in 2020 on “The Debby Campbell Goodtime Show.” He cited a “spiritual awakening,” shared with his wife, Gloria Richardson, with helping him to get clean.

Thomas had few pop hits after the mid-1970s, but he continued to score on the country charts with such No. 1 songs as “Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love” and “New Looks from an Old Lover.” In the late 1970s and early ’80s, he was also a top gospel and inspirational singer, winning two Dove awards and five Grammys, including a Grammy in 1979 for best gospel performance for “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Fans of the 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains” heard him as the singer of the show’s theme song. He also acted in a handful of movies, including “Jory” and “Jake’s Corner” and toured often. Recent recordings included “Living Room Music,” featuring cameos from Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill and Richard Marx. He had planned to record in 2020 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, but the sessions were delayed because of the pandemic.

Thomas married Richardson in 1968, and had three daughters: Paige, Nora and Erin. He and his wife worked on the 1982 memoir “In Tune: Finding How Good Life Can Be.” His book “Home Where I Belong” came out in 1978 and was co-authored by Jerry B. Jenkins, later famous for the million-selling “Left Behind” religious novels written with Tim LaHaye.

Besides music, Thomas loved baseball as a kid and started calling himself B.J. because so many Little League teammates also were named Billy Joe. By his teens, he was singing in church and had joined a local rock band, the Triumphs, whom he would stay with into his 20s. He enjoyed Ernest Tubbs, Hank Williams and other country performers his parents liked, but on his own he was inspired by the soul and rhythm and blues singers he heard on the radio or saw on stage, notably Jackie Wilson, whose hit ballad “To Be Loved” Thomas later covered and adopted as a kind of guide to his life.

“I was raised in a fairly dysfunctional situation and I went through years of intense alcoholism and drug addiction so the song was always a touchstone for me. When you open yourself up to drugs and alcohol at such a young age it becomes something you have to deal with the rest of your life,” he told the Huffington Post in 2014.

“What a road block and heartbreak and times of failure these addictions have caused me. But I had that little piece of lightning from that song. That’s the essence of the whole thing. To love and be loved. And that takes a lifetime to accomplish. It’s always been an important part of my emotions.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622341060284.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, TX (AP) —B.J. Thomas, the Grammy-winning singer who enjoyed success on the pop, country and gospel charts with such hits as “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and “Hooked on a Feeling,” has died. He was 78.Thomas, who announced in March that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, died from complications of the disease Saturday at his home in Arlington, Texas, his publicist Jeremy Westby said in a statement.A Hugo, Oklahoma-native who grew up in Houston, Billy Joe Thomas broke through in 1966 with a gospel-styled cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and went on to sell millions of records and have dozens of hits across genres. He reached No. 1 with pop, adult contemporary and country listeners in 1976 with ″(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.” The same year, his “Home Where I Belong” became one of the first gospel albums to be certified platinum for selling more than 1 million copies.Dionne Warwick, who duetted with Thomas, sent out a tweet Saturday with her condolences.“My sincere condolences to the family of one of my favorite duet partners, BJ Thomas. I will miss him as I know so many others will as well. Rest In Peace my friend,” she said.Thomas’ signature recording was “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” a No. 1 pop hit and an Oscar winner for best original song as part of the soundtrack to one of the biggest movies of 1969, the irreverent Western “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Thomas wasn’t the first choice to perform the whimsical ballad composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David; Ray Stevens turned the songwriters down. But his warm, soulful tenor fit the song’s easygoing mood, immortalized on film during the scene when Butch (Paul Newman) shows off his new bicycle to Etta Place (Katharine Ross), the girlfriend of the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford).“Raindrops” has since been heard everywhere from “The Simpsons” to “Forrest Gump” and was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013. But, at first, not everyone was satisfied. Thomas was recovering from laryngitis while recording the soundtrack version and his vocals are raspier than for the track released on its own. Redford, meanwhile, doubted the song even belonged in “Butch Cassidy.”“When the film was released, I was highly critical — how did the song fit with the film? There was no rain,” Redford told USA Today in 2019. “At the time, it seemed like a dumb idea. How wrong I was.”Thomas would later say the phenomenon of “Raindrops” exacerbated an addiction to pills and alcohol which dated back to his teens, when a record producer in Houston suggested he take amphetamines to keep his energy up. He was touring and recording constantly and taking dozens of pills a day. By 1976, while ″(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” was hitting No. 1, he felt like he was “number 1,000.”“I was at the bottom with my addictions and my problems,” he said in 2020 on “The Debby Campbell Goodtime Show.” He cited a “spiritual awakening,” shared with his wife, Gloria Richardson, with helping him to get clean.Thomas had few pop hits after the mid-1970s, but he continued to score on the country charts with such No. 1 songs as “Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love” and “New Looks from an Old Lover.” In the late 1970s and early ’80s, he was also a top gospel and inspirational singer, winning two Dove awards and five Grammys, including a Grammy in 1979 for best gospel performance for “The Lord’s Prayer.”Fans of the 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains” heard him as the singer of the show’s theme song. He also acted in a handful of movies, including “Jory” and “Jake’s Corner” and toured often. Recent recordings included “Living Room Music,” featuring cameos from Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill and Richard Marx. He had planned to record in 2020 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, but the sessions were delayed because of the pandemic.Thomas married Richardson in 1968, and had three daughters: Paige, Nora and Erin. He and his wife worked on the 1982 memoir “In Tune: Finding How Good Life Can Be.” His book “Home Where I Belong” came out in 1978 and was co-authored by Jerry B. Jenkins, later famous for the million-selling “Left Behind” religious novels written with Tim LaHaye.Besides music, Thomas loved baseball as a kid and started calling himself B.J. because so many Little League teammates also were named Billy Joe. By his teens, he was singing in church and had joined a local rock band, the Triumphs, whom he would stay with into his 20s. He enjoyed Ernest Tubbs, Hank Williams and other country performers his parents liked, but on his own he was inspired by the soul and rhythm and blues singers he heard on the radio or saw on stage, notably Jackie Wilson, whose hit ballad “To Be Loved” Thomas later covered and adopted as a kind of guide to his life.“I was raised in a fairly dysfunctional situation and I went through years of intense alcoholism and drug addiction so the song was always a touchstone for me. When you open yourself up to drugs and alcohol at such a young age it becomes something you have to deal with the rest of your life,” he told the Huffington Post in 2014.“What a road block and heartbreak and times of failure these addictions have caused me. But I had that little piece of lightning from that song. That’s the essence of the whole thing. To love and be loved. And that takes a lifetime to accomplish. It’s always been an important part of my emotions.”___

'Hooked on a Feeling' singer B.J. Thomas dies at 78

<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Caren-Dumler">Obituary for Caren Louise Dumler | Ryan Mortuary</a>

February 27, 1943 ~ May 26, 2021 (age 78)

LINDSBORG -&nbsp;Caren Louise Dumler, 78, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on May 26, 2021. She was born in El Dorado, Kan., on February 27, 1943.

Caren met the love of her life, J.R. Dumler, at a WSU street dance in August of 1961.&nbsp; J.R. arrived home that night and informed his roommates that he had met his future wife.&nbsp; It was a quick courtship - engaged in November, and married on June 10, 1962.&nbsp; They lived in Kansas where they raised their four daughters until they moved to Colorado in 1986 to fulfill their dreams of living in the Rocky Mountains.&nbsp; They returned “home” to Kansas in 2017.

Caren’s biggest legacy was being a wonderful mother and grandma.&nbsp; Caren was a woman of many talents and stories.&nbsp; The grandkids loved going to “Bonca’s” house and riding her horses, making pans of homemade cinnamon rolls, taking day trips to Estes Park, or simply having a hot dog roast in the backyard while enjoying the view of the Rocky Mountains.&nbsp; Caren loved “her” mountains and sitting under a pine tree next to a mountain stream where she would sometimes pack her paints and create a beautiful masterpiece. She enjoyed the Kansas landscape and taking country drives with her corgi and a Diet Coke packed full of ice.&nbsp; She appreciated the simple things of life like sitting on her back porch and listening to the birds singing. &nbsp;

She was a woman of many words and never hesitated to speak her mind and offer some wit and humor in conversation.&nbsp; She had the gift of hospitality and always welcomed people into her home. She was a friend to many and those who had the honor of meeting Caren instantly loved being around her. Caren was a talented horsewoman and a member of the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association.&nbsp; She enjoyed attending horse shows and volunteering at the National Western Stock Show in Denver,&nbsp; providing her delicious home-cooked meals and cookies for the volunteers.&nbsp; Music brought great joy to Caren’s life.&nbsp; She loved attending concerts of her favorite artists and sometimes would score a backstage pass.&nbsp; One of her favorite moments was being the driver for Lee Greenwood when he performed at the Bicentennial Center.

Caren is preceded in death by her mother Dolly Chandler (John Clark); father James Lee Chandler; and son-in-law Bret Nimerick.&nbsp; Caren is survived by her husband J.R. Dumler; her brother Vernon Chandler (Jan), Kansas City, Mo.; her four daughters, Stacy Hamontree (Gerry) Ellsworth, Kan., Dana Taylor (Steve), Richardson, Texas, Kim Kratzer (Andy), Marquette, Kan., and Lisa Mansfield (Bill), Niwot, Colo.; and her beloved grandchildren, Nathan Hamontree (Kate), Nicole Hamontree, Kelsie Jensen (Austin), Maddie Klotzbach (Rachelle), Collin Duffy, and Maggie Taylor; her great-grandson, Henry Hamontree; and her best napping buddy and lap dog, Jesse.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 1, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th, Salina, Kan.&nbsp; A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following at Ryan Mortuary at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following: Lead Changes (Chris Cox Horsemanship Leadership Camps for Urban Youth) or TACOL (The Associated Churches of Lindsborg), in care of Ryan Mortuary.

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

<h2>Caren Louise Dumler, Lindsborg</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622328545628.jpeg" alt="Caren Louise Dumler" />
 <figcaption>Caren Louise Dumler</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Caren-Dumler">Obituary for Caren Louise Dumler | Ryan Mortuary</a>February 27, 1943 ~ May 26, 2021 (age 78)LINDSBORG -&nbsp;Caren Louise Dumler, 78, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on May 26, 2021. She was born in El Dorado, Kan., on February 27, 1943.Caren met the love of her life, J.R. Dumler, at a WSU street dance in August of 1961.&nbsp; J.R. arrived home that night and informed his roommates that he had met his future wife.&nbsp; It was a quick courtship - engaged in November, and married on June 10, 1962.&nbsp; They lived in Kansas where they raised their four daughters until they moved to Colorado in 1986 to fulfill their dreams of living in the Rocky Mountains.&nbsp; They returned “home” to Kansas in 2017.Caren’s biggest legacy was being a wonderful mother and grandma.&nbsp; Caren was a woman of many talents and stories.&nbsp; The grandkids loved going to “Bonca’s” house and riding her horses, making pans of homemade cinnamon rolls, taking day trips to Estes Park, or simply having a hot dog roast in the backyard while enjoying the view of the Rocky Mountains.&nbsp; Caren loved “her” mountains and sitting under a pine tree next to a mountain stream where she would sometimes pack her paints and create a beautiful masterpiece. She enjoyed the Kansas landscape and taking country drives with her corgi and a Diet Coke packed full of ice.&nbsp; She appreciated the simple things of life like sitting on her back porch and listening to the birds singing. &nbsp;She was a woman of many words and never hesitated to speak her mind and offer some wit and humor in conversation.&nbsp; She had the gift of hospitality and always welcomed people into her home. She was a friend to many and those who had the honor of meeting Caren instantly loved being around her. Caren was a talented horsewoman and a member of the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association.&nbsp; She enjoyed attending horse shows and volunteering at the National Western Stock Show in Denver,&nbsp; providing her delicious home-cooked meals and cookies for the volunteers.&nbsp; Music brought great joy to Caren’s life.&nbsp; She loved attending concerts of her favorite artists and sometimes would score a backstage pass.&nbsp; One of her favorite moments was being the driver for Lee Greenwood when he performed at the Bicentennial Center.Caren is preceded in death by her mother Dolly Chandler (John Clark); father James Lee Chandler; and son-in-law Bret Nimerick.&nbsp; Caren is survived by her husband J.R. Dumler; her brother Vernon Chandler (Jan), Kansas City, Mo.; her four daughters, Stacy Hamontree (Gerry) Ellsworth, Kan., Dana Taylor (Steve), Richardson, Texas, Kim Kratzer (Andy), Marquette, Kan., and Lisa Mansfield (Bill), Niwot, Colo.; and her beloved grandchildren, Nathan Hamontree (Kate), Nicole Hamontree, Kelsie Jensen (Austin), Maddie Klotzbach (Rachelle), Collin Duffy, and Maggie Taylor; her great-grandson, Henry Hamontree; and her best napping buddy and lap dog, Jesse.&nbsp; &nbsp;Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 1, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th, Salina, Kan.&nbsp; A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following at Ryan Mortuary at 11:00 a.m.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following: Lead Changes (Chris Cox Horsemanship Leadership Camps for Urban Youth) or TACOL (The Associated Churches of Lindsborg), in care of Ryan Mortuary.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Caren Louise Dumler, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Caren-Dumler/sympathy">floral store.</a>

Caren Louise Dumler

My wife and I are in our 20s, and together we make about $80,000 a year. Our first baby is due in early 2022, so being debt-free has become a top priority in my mind. Right now, we have two cars. The one I drive is paid off and has a lot of miles on it, but it’s in really good shape. We still owe $30,000 on the other one, and the rest of our debt is about $90,000 in student loans. My wife puts 40,000 miles a year on the other car traveling for work. I talked to her the other day about us moving down a little in car, but she’s particular about what she drives. I even found out she has her eye on a newer vehicle that costs about $48,000. I don’t know what to do. Can you help?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Okay, let’s start slow. I’m glad you’ve seen the wisdom in getting control of your money and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/debt-calculator?int_cmpgn=rscom_launchtraffic&amp;int_dept=rplus_bu&amp;int_lctn=Homepage-Smart_Moves&amp;int_fmt=text&amp;int_dscpn=Free_Tools_Debt_Calc_041221&amp;campaign_id=&amp;lead_source=Direct" target="_blank">getting out of debt</a>. That’s the first step toward financial peace.

Now, where the car thing is concerned, there’s not a chance in the world I’d do this. And honestly, I don’t give a crap what your wife is&nbsp;particular&nbsp;about. You guys are broke! You’re up to your eyeballs in debt, and now she’s talking about buying a $48,000 car—when you still owe $30,000 on one—then putting 40,000 miles a year on it and destroying its value quicker than you can say “fast.”

This whole idea and attitude is dumber than a rock. Absolutely not!&nbsp;You&nbsp;may have seen the light where your finances are concerned, but it sounds like your wife is still in the dark&nbsp;and&nbsp;needs to grow up some. You two should have a long, serious talk about things, and get on the same page financially—especially with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/cost-of-having-a-baby" target="_blank">baby on the way</a>. Your family’s future depends on it.

<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596845065840.jpeg" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,My wife and I are in our 20s, and together we make about $80,000 a year. Our first baby is due in early 2022, so being debt-free has become a top priority in my mind. Right now, we have two cars. The one I drive is paid off and has a lot of miles on it, but it’s in really good shape. We still owe $30,000 on the other one, and the rest of our debt is about $90,000 in student loans. My wife puts 40,000 miles a year on the other car traveling for work. I talked to her the other day about us moving down a little in car, but she’s particular about what she drives. I even found out she has her eye on a newer vehicle that costs about $48,000. I don’t know what to do. Can you help?&nbsp;&nbsp;ZachDear Zach,Okay, let’s start slow. I’m glad you’ve seen the wisdom in getting control of your money and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/debt-calculator?int_cmpgn=rscom_launchtraffic&amp;int_dept=rplus_bu&amp;int_lctn=Homepage-Smart_Moves&amp;int_fmt=text&amp;int_dscpn=Free_Tools_Debt_Calc_041221&amp;campaign_id=&amp;lead_source=Direct" target="_blank">getting out of debt</a>. That’s the first step toward financial peace.Now, where the car thing is concerned, there’s not a chance in the world I’d do this. And honestly, I don’t give a crap what your wife is&nbsp;particular&nbsp;about. You guys are broke! You’re up to your eyeballs in debt, and now she’s talking about buying a $48,000 car—when you still owe $30,000 on one—then putting 40,000 miles a year on it and destroying its value quicker than you can say “fast.”This whole idea and attitude is dumber than a rock. Absolutely not!&nbsp;You&nbsp;may have seen the light where your finances are concerned, but it sounds like your wife is still in the dark&nbsp;and&nbsp;needs to grow up some. You two should have a long, serious talk about things, and get on the same page financially—especially with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/cost-of-having-a-baby" target="_blank">baby on the way</a>. Your family’s future depends on it.I hope I wasn’t unclear.Dave<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

DAVE SAYS: Being on the same page is vital to your family’s future

<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Laura-Loder">Obituary for Laura Leslie (Bowen) Loder | Ryan Mortuary</a>

SALINA -&nbsp;Laura Leslie (Bowen) Loder&nbsp;died Tuesday, May 25, 2021 in Salina.&nbsp; She was born August 14, 1952 to Richard and Marilyn Bowen in Kansas City, MO.&nbsp; As a child, she lived in Kansas City, Springfield, Mo, and Beloit, KS until moving with her family to Salina in 1963.&nbsp; She graduated from Salina High School in 1970, a member of the last graduating class there.&nbsp; She lived much of her adult life in Salina but lived in Noble, OK. in the late 70s for a few years, and in 1991 she moved to the Loder family farm in Marquette, KS, in 1991 with Doug Loder.&nbsp; She lived there until his death in 2016 and then moved back to Salina. &nbsp; She had varied careers and workplaces during her adult life.&nbsp; She spent the last 25-plus years driving for Quality Driveaway delivering buses nearly everywhere in the United States.&nbsp; She is remembered by her family, coworkers and others who knew her for her wit and humor.&nbsp; She always had a listening ear and a metaphor to summarize any situation.&nbsp; She was a member of First Covenant Church in Salina and found great joy in singing along to country gospel music. &nbsp; She was preceded in death by her husband Doug Loder, her father Richard Bowen, her mother Marilyn Larson and a brother, Joe Bowen. &nbsp; &nbsp; She is survived by her son Jeremy Hopkins (Angela) of Salina, daughter Emily DeRocco (Steven) of Virginia, sisters Sue Jordan (Don) of Salina, Sally Morrison (Todd) of Olathe, and her stepfather Oscar Larson of Tescott. Her grandchildren were the greatest joy of her life and include Noah and Eli Hopkins of Salina and Laramie, Liam, Elon, Joss and Dexter DeRocco of Northern Virginia.&nbsp; She is also survived by her nephews James (Soni) and John (Casey) Jordan and nieces Melanie and Malorie Morrison.&nbsp; She will also be missed by her extended Larson family including her several stepbrothers and sisters and their spouses and children as well as her extended Loder family including all of Doug’s children and grandchildren. &nbsp; Services will be Saturday, May 29 at 10 a.m. at First Covenant Church, 2625 E. Magnolia Road in Salina. Burial will be private by family at a later date in the Franklin Cemetery, Tescott.&nbsp;

In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations to the Salvation Army or the First Covenant Church, Salina. Ryan Mortuary is handling arrangements.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622148847994.jpeg" alt="Laura Loder" />
 <figcaption>Laura Loder</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Laura-Loder">Obituary for Laura Leslie (Bowen) Loder | Ryan Mortuary</a>August 14, 1952 ~ May 25, 2021 (age 68)SALINA -&nbsp;Laura Leslie (Bowen) Loder&nbsp;died Tuesday, May 25, 2021 in Salina.&nbsp; She was born August 14, 1952 to Richard and Marilyn Bowen in Kansas City, MO.&nbsp; As a child, she lived in Kansas City, Springfield, Mo, and Beloit, KS until moving with her family to Salina in 1963.&nbsp; She graduated from Salina High School in 1970, a member of the last graduating class there.&nbsp; She lived much of her adult life in Salina but lived in Noble, OK. in the late 70s for a few years, and in 1991 she moved to the Loder family farm in Marquette, KS, in 1991 with Doug Loder.&nbsp; She lived there until his death in 2016 and then moved back to Salina. &nbsp; She had varied careers and workplaces during her adult life.&nbsp; She spent the last 25-plus years driving for Quality Driveaway delivering buses nearly everywhere in the United States.&nbsp; She is remembered by her family, coworkers and others who knew her for her wit and humor.&nbsp; She always had a listening ear and a metaphor to summarize any situation.&nbsp; She was a member of First Covenant Church in Salina and found great joy in singing along to country gospel music. &nbsp; She was preceded in death by her husband Doug Loder, her father Richard Bowen, her mother Marilyn Larson and a brother, Joe Bowen. &nbsp; &nbsp; She is survived by her son Jeremy Hopkins (Angela) of Salina, daughter Emily DeRocco (Steven) of Virginia, sisters Sue Jordan (Don) of Salina, Sally Morrison (Todd) of Olathe, and her stepfather Oscar Larson of Tescott. Her grandchildren were the greatest joy of her life and include Noah and Eli Hopkins of Salina and Laramie, Liam, Elon, Joss and Dexter DeRocco of Northern Virginia.&nbsp; She is also survived by her nephews James (Soni) and John (Casey) Jordan and nieces Melanie and Malorie Morrison.&nbsp; She will also be missed by her extended Larson family including her several stepbrothers and sisters and their spouses and children as well as her extended Loder family including all of Doug’s children and grandchildren. &nbsp; Services will be Saturday, May 29 at 10 a.m. at First Covenant Church, 2625 E. Magnolia Road in Salina. Burial will be private by family at a later date in the Franklin Cemetery, Tescott.&nbsp;In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations to the Salvation Army or the First Covenant Church, Salina. Ryan Mortuary is handling arrangements.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laura Leslie (Bowen) Loder, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Laura-Loder/sympathy">floral store.</a>

Laura Loder

I can’t decide whether to sell or keep a rental property. Except for the property in question I’m debt-free, and I make $90,000 a year. I owe $20,000 on the property, and it is worth $65,000. What do you think?

You’re in pretty good shape financially, and you could probably pay off the rental property in a year or two. So really, it’s a matter of personal preference. I will say this; there’s nothing worse than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/insurance/renting-out-a-house" target="_blank">being a landlord</a>&nbsp;if you don’t want to be one.

It’s not a bad thing to feel that way. Some folks have fun and enjoy landlording for a while, but then other things become more important. It’s your life and your feelings that matter at this point.

If you still enjoy dabbling in real estate and being a landlord, go for it. If the shine has worn off, get rid of the place. If the latter is the case, you’ll get the responsibility of being a landlord off your back&nbsp;and&nbsp;become&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/7-characteristics-of-debt-free-people" target="_blank">debt-free</a>&nbsp;all at the same time!

I’ve been following your advice for about a year. I’m almost out of debt, and I live on a budget, but looking toward the future it seems like it will be very difficult to save up for a down payment on a home. I live in Chicago, and property prices are very expensive. I have a friend in Georgia who suggested I buy a less expensive property there, then fix it up and flip it to make the money I would need for a down payment. What do you think of this idea?

When you take on the kind of work you’re talking about, you need to oversee what’s happening every step of the way. You’re working out details, keeping an eye on the crew, and having to handle a dozen other issues tied to the project. Plus, you can’t just walk up to a house or see it online, buy it, and expect to come out ahead in the deal.

People who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/how-to-flip-a-house" target="_blank">flip houses</a>&nbsp;for a living professionally eyeball dozens, sometimes hundreds, of properties to buy just one. It’s not an easy way to make money, and it’s definitely not something I’d recommend doing from a distance. In short, I wouldn’t do it, Erik. Fixing and flipping properties is a hands-on business, and trying to do it from 700 miles away would be a nightmare.

Just keep on working&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/what-is-a-budget" target="_blank">the budget</a>&nbsp;and save as much as you can. I’d consider getting a part-time job for a while to add to the down payment fund before I’d try to fix and flip a house that far away.

<a href="http://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596845065840.jpeg" alt="Dave Ramsey&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>You’re in good shape either way</h2>Dear Dave,I can’t decide whether to sell or keep a rental property. Except for the property in question I’m debt-free, and I make $90,000 a year. I owe $20,000 on the property, and it is worth $65,000. What do you think?GeorgeDear George,You’re in pretty good shape financially, and you could probably pay off the rental property in a year or two. So really, it’s a matter of personal preference. I will say this; there’s nothing worse than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/insurance/renting-out-a-house" target="_blank">being a landlord</a>&nbsp;if you don’t want to be one.It’s not a bad thing to feel that way. Some folks have fun and enjoy landlording for a while, but then other things become more important. It’s your life and your feelings that matter at this point.If you still enjoy dabbling in real estate and being a landlord, go for it. If the shine has worn off, get rid of the place. If the latter is the case, you’ll get the responsibility of being a landlord off your back&nbsp;and&nbsp;become&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/7-characteristics-of-debt-free-people" target="_blank">debt-free</a>&nbsp;all at the same time!Dave<h2>Long distance flip?</h2>Dear Dave,I’ve been following your advice for about a year. I’m almost out of debt, and I live on a budget, but looking toward the future it seems like it will be very difficult to save up for a down payment on a home. I live in Chicago, and property prices are very expensive. I have a friend in Georgia who suggested I buy a less expensive property there, then fix it up and flip it to make the money I would need for a down payment. What do you think of this idea?ErikDear Erik,When you take on the kind of work you’re talking about, you need to oversee what’s happening every step of the way. You’re working out details, keeping an eye on the crew, and having to handle a dozen other issues tied to the project. Plus, you can’t just walk up to a house or see it online, buy it, and expect to come out ahead in the deal.People who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/how-to-flip-a-house" target="_blank">flip houses</a>&nbsp;for a living professionally eyeball dozens, sometimes hundreds, of properties to buy just one. It’s not an easy way to make money, and it’s definitely not something I’d recommend doing from a distance. In short, I wouldn’t do it, Erik. Fixing and flipping properties is a hands-on business, and trying to do it from 700 miles away would be a nightmare.Just keep on working&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/what-is-a-budget" target="_blank">the budget</a>&nbsp;and save as much as you can. I’d consider getting a part-time job for a while to add to the down payment fund before I’d try to fix and flip a house that far away.Dave<a href="http://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

DAVE SAYS: You’re in good shape either way; Long distance flip?

KANSAS CITY(AP) — The City Council of Kansas City on Thursday approved two new ordinances that reallocate a part of the police department's budget to a new fund that would be used to focus on new strategies for combatting violent crime.

The approval came swiftly, just hours after Mayor Quinton Lucas announced the new ordinances, which reallocate about $44 million in police department funding to a new Community Services and Prevention Fund. The city manager will negotiate with police officials over how the money is spent, with an emphasis on community engagement, prevention, mental health services and other public services.

Lucas said in a news conference the changes are also aimed at increasing police accountability in a city where elected officials have almost no say in how the police department spends it money.

The department is overseen by a Board of Police Commissioners, which includes the mayor and four members appointed by the Missouri governor. The board determines how police funds are spent.

Since social justice protests erupted last year in response to George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, residents in Kansas City have ask for several things, Lucas said.

“(They've said) we want our community to be safer, we want to have a positive relationship with law enforcement, we want them to listen to us, hear from us, we want everyone to do better,” he said. "This is us recognizing that we must do better and we can do better, as a city, as city leadership and as a police department."

Lucas said in the past the city has increased funding for the police department to hire more officers, rather than looking at more creative ways to address violent crime. The approach has not worked as the city continues to have too many murders and tragedy for too many families, he said.

The ordinances come days after Police Chief Rick Smith wrote in a blog that the department needs more funding because it is facing a serious shortage of officers. He also said if more funding is not approved, community outreach programs such as the Police Athletic League and youth programs would have to be cut so officers can be used to respond to 911 calls.

The police department received $238 million in the current year budget. In his blog, Smith asked citizens to urge the city council to allocate some of the $97.5 million the city received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to police.

Smith also said budget problems have prevented the department from having a new police recruit class since February of 2020. The proposals introduced Thursday would include $3 million for a new class of recruits, bringing total redirected spending to almost $48 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621591891245.png" alt="Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas answers questions following Thursday's Council meeting. Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas answers questions following Thursday's Council meeting. Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — The City Council of Kansas City on Thursday approved two new ordinances that reallocate a part of the police department's budget to a new fund that would be used to focus on new strategies for combatting violent crime.The approval came swiftly, just hours after Mayor Quinton Lucas announced the new ordinances, which reallocate about $44 million in police department funding to a new Community Services and Prevention Fund. The city manager will negotiate with police officials over how the money is spent, with an emphasis on community engagement, prevention, mental health services and other public services.Lucas said in a news conference the changes are also aimed at increasing police accountability in a city where elected officials have almost no say in how the police department spends it money.The department is overseen by a Board of Police Commissioners, which includes the mayor and four members appointed by the Missouri governor. The board determines how police funds are spent.Since social justice protests erupted last year in response to George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, residents in Kansas City have ask for several things, Lucas said.“(They've said) we want our community to be safer, we want to have a positive relationship with law enforcement, we want them to listen to us, hear from us, we want everyone to do better,” he said. "This is us recognizing that we must do better and we can do better, as a city, as city leadership and as a police department."Lucas said in the past the city has increased funding for the police department to hire more officers, rather than looking at more creative ways to address violent crime. The approach has not worked as the city continues to have too many murders and tragedy for too many families, he said.The ordinances come days after Police Chief Rick Smith wrote in a blog that the department needs more funding because it is facing a serious shortage of officers. He also said if more funding is not approved, community outreach programs such as the Police Athletic League and youth programs would have to be cut so officers can be used to respond to 911 calls.The police department received $238 million in the current year budget. In his blog, Smith asked citizens to urge the city council to allocate some of the $97.5 million the city received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to police.Smith also said budget problems have prevented the department from having a new police recruit class since February of 2020. The proposals introduced Thursday would include $3 million for a new class of recruits, bringing total redirected spending to almost $48 million.Smith said in a statement Thursday that he was “disheartened” Lucas and the eight council co-sponsors had not notified the police department before announcing the ordinances, and had not mentioned them at Board of Police Commissioners meetings."The Mayor and the other sponsoring council members have not previously mentioned this proposal, so our discussions about it are just beginning,” Smith said.Four city council members who represent mostly suburban Kansas City areas north of the Missouri river also said they had not been notified before Lucas held his news conference. They all voted against the ordinances, saying the city needs more, not fewer, officers. They also expressed concern that the council had not had time to vet the proposals or have public discussions on them.Councilman Dan Fowler, who represents a part of the city in Platte County, said police already have difficulty closing cases because of a lack of officers and staff.“I support change, we all do,” Fowler said. “I support working collaboratively to come up with creative solutions to solve complex issues, and these are complex issues. I don't support change without a plan, and that is what is happening here.”Lucas did not respond during the council meeting to the complaints that the council members and police chief were not notified.The ordinance reducing the police budget by $44 million gives it 20% of the city’s general fund revenue, which is the minimum required by state law.Lucas emphasized the changes are reallocations, not a defunding of the police department, if the police board agrees to negotiate over the use of the funds. He noted the board is not under legal obligation to negotiate a contract on how the money is spent.The city already has a contract with the police department over parking enforcement, as well as with other governmental entities, such as the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.In the last year, several civil rights advocates have strongly criticized Lucas, the city council and the police department — including demanding that Smith resign or be fired.One of those critics, Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas City, said the ordinances proposed Thursday are “a refreshing change of course” that would use tax dollars to address the root causes of violent crime and to make the city safer."It is time that the KCPD be held to account for their inefficient and ineffective expenditures, which have failed to substantively address the proliferation of violent crime in our community,” Grant said in a statement.