June 2023

Kansas faces grim spike in train-pedestrian deaths. We can do more than label victims ‘trespassers’

At age 85, John Speece was using a walker the afternoon of May 4 to cross the triple railway tracks on Commercial Street in downtown Emporia. He was struck and killed by an eastbound BNSF freight, one of 80 trains that pass through the city day and night, at speeds of up to 40 mph.

Read MoreKansas faces grim spike in train-pedestrian deaths. We can do more than label victims ‘trespassers’

All-Central Kansas League teams

u-unanimous selection Softball First team P Avery Brawner-u, fr., Haven P Elyse Griffin, fr., Hesston P Jordyn Boxberger, jr., Hoisington P Alyson James-u, jr., Pratt C Justice Large, jr., Hesston 1B Jaycie Theis, jr., Pratt 2B Gabby Gatlin, sr., Pratt 3B Bailey Jackson, jr., Pratt SS BrieAnn Brawner-u, sr., Haven OF Sadie Estill, jr., Haven OF Kelsi Kincaid, sr., Haven OF Kashlin Beck, jr., Hoisington OF Destiny Ponds, so., Nickerson U Anastin Teasley, so., Pratt DP Addison Sowers-u, fr., Pratt Second team P Mya Morris, jr., Halstead P Kori Arnold, sr., Hillsboro P Emma Willesden, sr., Hoisington P Karee Adam, sr., Smoky Valley C Brookelyn Barnett, sr., Haven 1B Cassie Albin, sr., Hesston 2B Morgan O’Neal, fr., Haven 3B Sophie Faidley, so., Haven SS Kori Arnold, sr., Hillsboro OF Brett Young, so., Halstead OF Mackenzie Reinert, jr., Larned OF Kaydence Kendall, sr., Larned OF Hope Hughes, fr., Pratt U Ellie Crawford, so., Hoisington DP Karley Lemuz, so., Larned Honorable mention 1B Mya Morris, jr., Halstead U Thea Boese, fr., Halstead U Sophia Walters, sr., Hesston OF Keeley Brewer, sr., Hillsboro U Cassidy Bernhardt, so., Hillsboro 2B Mollie Steiner, jr., Hoisington 3B Addy Ogle, jr., Hoisington C Alexa Ryersee, sr., Larned 2B Emma Thompson, jr., Larned C Marleigh Bates, sr., Pratt C Kayla Norberg, jr., Smoky Valley 1B Rylie Tolle, so., Smoky Valley Baseball First team P Preston Sander, jr., Haven P Kael Shelite, sr., Hesston P Whit Rhodes, jr., Hesston P Kade Blanchat, sr., Smoky Valley C Solomon Goforth, jr., Lyons 1B Ty Heitschmidt, fr., Smoky Valley 2B Brady Hope, jr., Larned 3B Chase Steinert, sr., Hoisington SS Gunnar Lewis, jr., OF Brett Cox-u, sr., OF Colton Morrell, sr., OF Jayden Mies, jr., Pratt OF Kade Blanchat, sr., U Ty Lastinger, jr., DH Taye Wilson, so., Second team P D.J. Miller, sr., Haven P Keagan Shelite, so., Hesston Larned Pratt Nickerson Hesston Hesston Haven Haven P Brady Hope, jr., P Jayden Mies, jr., Pratt C Chaz Teafatiller, so., 1B Bronson Nuss, jr., 2B Keagan Shelite, so., 3B Whit Rhodes, jr., SS Nash Wray, so., OF Dustin Loughrie, jr., OF Dawson Boldt, jr., Hillsboro OF Leyton Haxton, sr., Hoisington OF Wrikin Scobee, jr., Lyons U Ethan Luck, so., Lyons DH Kael Shelite, sr., Hesston Honorable mention P Zack Gavlak, jr., Halstead OF Kaden Eskins, jr., Halstead P Dalton Bontrager, so., Haven P Tony Moore, jr., Hoisington 2B MJ Aylward, sr., Hoisington SS Tony Moore, jr., Hoisington SS Caden Morgan, jr., Larned C Kohen Starnes, sr., Nickerson U Camden Cornelius, 1B Justus Tatro, sr., Pratt 2B Cresten Pore, fr., 3B Barrett Bolen, jr., SS Max Younie, jr., Pratt U Dawson Evert, sr., OF Trevor Jones, sr., Hesston jr., Nickerson Hesston Nickerson Smoky Valley Haven Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Smoky Valley .

Read MoreAll-Central Kansas League teams

Remembering the fallen

Wayne G Austin Newton American Legion Post No 2 and the Ladies Auxillary hosted a Memorial Day observance in Greenwood Cemetery on May 29. Hundreds of flags were placed in the cemetery with the help of volunteers and Newton area Boy Scouts. The morning ceremony featured prayer by post chaplain Dan Heinze and an address by Paul Sanford, Adjutant / Finance Officer for Wayne G. Austin American Legion Newton Post 2 who has also served a state commander, national vice commander and Kansas Centennial Membership Chairman. All photos by Michele Clark, Newton Kansan. For a full gallery, visit thekansan.com

Read MoreRemembering the fallen

Self portrait Saturday at NPL

Newton Public Library recently hosted a “Self-Portrait Saturday.” Students were invited to create their own self-portraits in a pop art style, with support and instruction from Beth Burns. Their self-portraits will be incorporated into the library’s summer decorations.

Read MoreSelf portrait Saturday at NPL

Engaged Kansas

Glenn Brunkow, Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher It seems as though the news is full of headlines about nothing but bickering at all levels of government. I don’t know about you but at times I want to send them all to their corners until they can be civil to each other. Often, I hear from people that this discord and constant fighting are why they have no confidence in our leaders, and they think our government is broken.

Read MoreEngaged Kansas

JANET ROCHALLE SCHEFFLER

Janet Rochalle Scheffler went to Heaven on Monday, May 29th. She could comfort an upset grandchild in an instant, dish out motherly advice with a look, and kept Dad on his toes for 45 years. Janet was born October 28, 1956 and had quite the list of accomplishments during her 66 years of life. She attended Hutchinson Community College where she earned her associate degree and became a Registered Nurse working at Bethel Hospital, Newton Medical Center, Asbury, and Kidron Bethel before retiring. But it was meeting a cute Dillions meat cutter named Mark while she was in nursing school that forever changed her life and that earned her many titles including: Loving Wife, Amazing Mother to Six Girls, Super Grandmother of 17, and Supportive Friend. Mom loved the family trips to Colorado, Sunday family dinners on the farm with grandkids, and her long drives looking for deer with Dad. Mom’s hands made us matching homemade Christmas outfits, baptismal gowns for her grandchildren from her very own wedding dress, and food for more than 30 immediate family members that brought us all together. Her hands held us... and Dad’s heart. Mom leaves behind all of us. Her loving family includes husband Mark, daughters Melissa (husband Rob Hoyle), Michelle (husband Billy Lown), Marcie (husband Keith Schaller), Margo (husband Colton Hege), Marie (husband Tyler Brenneman), and Martha

Read MoreJANET ROCHALLE SCHEFFLER

MAXINE O’NEILL

Maxine O’Neill passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, May 27th 2023, she was 77 years old. Maxine lived life to the fullest and will be remembered for her enormous capacity to love and her kind and grateful spirit. Maxine loved traveling, which included crisscrossing the country with her husband of 38 years, Lynn Auernheimer and their friends on their Harleys. She also found great joy in watching her grandchildren compete in sports and truly was their number one fan, never missing an event. She was a fierce competitor herself during card nights with her daughters and granddaughter and the laughter of those nights will be not be forgotten. Maxine graduated from Newton High School in 1963. She enjoyed a 50+ year career with AGCO, formerly, Hesston Corporation. She took pride in her work and was driven by her desire to take care of her family. Maxine is survived by her husband, Lynn Auernheimer. Children; Kellie Griffith’s (Corey), Jamie Remsberg (Tad), Jadlyn O’Neill, Terri Shyrock (Jeffrey Loyd), Vickie Hiebert (Lynell) and Jack Lyon (Julie). Grandchildren; Kadin Remsberg (Kailey), Maggie Remsberg, Jonah Remsberg, Peyton O’Neill, Isabella O’Neill, Noah O’Neill, Brian Herbert (Amber), Ashley Nuss (James) and Kendall Hiebert. Great grandchildren; Ezra Hiebert, Charlie and Gracie Nuss. Siblings: Robert Whomans (Mary Ann), Marjorie Keazer, Rose Allison (Nick Kyle), Lee Allison, Howard Allison (Becky), Art Allison (Sandy). Maxine is proceeded in death by her parents DH and Florence Allison and brother Paul Whomans. Maxine bravely fought a nine year battle with cancer. Her strength and will to live was unmeasurable and she will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her. Funeral Service will be graveside at Greenwood Cemetery Wednesday May 31st at 10:00 a.m.. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later day.

Read MoreMAXINE O’NEILL