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#11
Obituaries / DOSHIER, Kathryn C. (Knabe) - ...
Last post by patyrn - January 21, 2026, 08:52:56 PMKathryn C. Doshier, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026. She was born and raised in Moline, Kansas, the daughter of Clarence and Katie Knabe.
After graduating high school, she moved to Wichita, Kansas where she began her career at Boeing Aircraft and shortly thereafter started her family. She remained in Wichita for many years, building a life centered around family and service to others. She was a retired Human Resources administrator, dedicating 33 years of service during her professional career.
Kathryn was a devoted mother and grandmother who spent countless hours cheering from the sidelines at sporting events for her sons and grandchildren. She was happiest when helping others and was rarely found far from the kitchen where she enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends.
Kathryn is survived by her sons, Rob (Leah) Doshier of Andover, Kansas and Mike (Staci) Doshier of Overland Park, Kansas; her grandchildren, Lauren Doshier and Zach Doshier of Wichita, Kansas, Jessica Doshier of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Kaitlyn Doshier of Overland Park, Kansas; her sister, Mary Riney of Denver, Colorado; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Katie Knabe and her siblings, Bonnie Knabe, Betty Sallee, Sue Mills, George Fred Knabe, and Martha Lee Cooley.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6;00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026 and funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 E. Central Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67206. The service will be livestreamed. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Moline Cemetery in Moline, Kansas.
(taken from the Downing & Lahey Mortuary website)
After graduating high school, she moved to Wichita, Kansas where she began her career at Boeing Aircraft and shortly thereafter started her family. She remained in Wichita for many years, building a life centered around family and service to others. She was a retired Human Resources administrator, dedicating 33 years of service during her professional career.
Kathryn was a devoted mother and grandmother who spent countless hours cheering from the sidelines at sporting events for her sons and grandchildren. She was happiest when helping others and was rarely found far from the kitchen where she enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends.
Kathryn is survived by her sons, Rob (Leah) Doshier of Andover, Kansas and Mike (Staci) Doshier of Overland Park, Kansas; her grandchildren, Lauren Doshier and Zach Doshier of Wichita, Kansas, Jessica Doshier of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Kaitlyn Doshier of Overland Park, Kansas; her sister, Mary Riney of Denver, Colorado; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Katie Knabe and her siblings, Bonnie Knabe, Betty Sallee, Sue Mills, George Fred Knabe, and Martha Lee Cooley.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6;00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026 and funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 E. Central Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67206. The service will be livestreamed. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Moline Cemetery in Moline, Kansas.
(taken from the Downing & Lahey Mortuary website)
#12
Obituaries / SHINKLE, Virginia Marlene (Sho...
Last post by patyrn - January 21, 2026, 08:42:02 PMVirginia Marlene Shinkle, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on January 19, 2026 in Fall River, Kansas with all five of her children by her side. Born on July 12, 1938 in Fredonia, Kansas, she was the daughter of Marvin and Alicer (Worford) Shoaf.
Marlene graduated from Fall River High School in the Class of 1956 and went on to create a life filled with love, hard work, and dedication to those around her. Throughout her career, she held various positions in the local food service industry including working at the Hillcrest Cafe where she met her husband, Sherley. She worked at Flint Oak in 1980. She was a part-owner and manager of Crazy Horse. Over the years, Marlene's talents extended to cooking and waitressing at numerous restaurants as well as farming.
On January 18, 1958, Marlene was united in marriage to Sherley Shinkle in Fredonia, Kansas. Marlene enjoyed a variety of hobbies that enriched her life and those of her loved ones. She had a passion for crocheting, flower and vegetable gardening, and exploring her ancestry. An avid picture-taker, Marlene captured countless moments with her family. Her culinary skills were legendary, particularly her famous horse fritters, fried chicken, and meatloaf, dishes that brought joy to family gatherings and celebrations. Marlene was also a former member of the Methodist Church in Fall River, Kansas.
Marlene's legacy is lovingly carried on by her five children, Sherlene (Gary) Holter of League City, Texas, Bobby (Debbie) Shinkle of Fredonia, Kansas, Tommy (Carla) Shinkle of Fredonia, Kansas; Roy Shinkle of Fredonia, Kansas, and Karen (Benny) Stephens of Fredonia, Kansas. In addition, she leaves behind an impressive family tree of 21 grandkids, 52 great-grandkids, and 2 great-great grandkids, all who will forever remember her kindness and love. She is also survived by her sister, Marilyn (Jack) Vaught of Okmulgee, Oklahoma and sister-in-law, Linda Shoaf of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She is preceded in death by her husband, Sherley Shinkle on August 6, 1994; her parents, Marvin and Alice Shoaf; her brother, Raymond Shoaf, Sr.; her granddaughter, Kara Pryor; and her infant great-granddaughter, Bexlie Rose Barton.
A visitation will be held in Marlene's honor on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wickham Family Funeral Home in Fredonia, Kansas. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Wickham Family Funeral Home beginning at 10:00 a.m. Memorial remembrances may be made to the Fall River Women's Fund or the Fall River Kid's Fund and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home, 501 N. 7th Street, Fredonia, Kansas 66736.
Marlene Shinkle's gentle spirit and unwavering devotion to her family will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
(taken from the Wickham Family Funeral Home website)
Marlene graduated from Fall River High School in the Class of 1956 and went on to create a life filled with love, hard work, and dedication to those around her. Throughout her career, she held various positions in the local food service industry including working at the Hillcrest Cafe where she met her husband, Sherley. She worked at Flint Oak in 1980. She was a part-owner and manager of Crazy Horse. Over the years, Marlene's talents extended to cooking and waitressing at numerous restaurants as well as farming.
On January 18, 1958, Marlene was united in marriage to Sherley Shinkle in Fredonia, Kansas. Marlene enjoyed a variety of hobbies that enriched her life and those of her loved ones. She had a passion for crocheting, flower and vegetable gardening, and exploring her ancestry. An avid picture-taker, Marlene captured countless moments with her family. Her culinary skills were legendary, particularly her famous horse fritters, fried chicken, and meatloaf, dishes that brought joy to family gatherings and celebrations. Marlene was also a former member of the Methodist Church in Fall River, Kansas.
Marlene's legacy is lovingly carried on by her five children, Sherlene (Gary) Holter of League City, Texas, Bobby (Debbie) Shinkle of Fredonia, Kansas, Tommy (Carla) Shinkle of Fredonia, Kansas; Roy Shinkle of Fredonia, Kansas, and Karen (Benny) Stephens of Fredonia, Kansas. In addition, she leaves behind an impressive family tree of 21 grandkids, 52 great-grandkids, and 2 great-great grandkids, all who will forever remember her kindness and love. She is also survived by her sister, Marilyn (Jack) Vaught of Okmulgee, Oklahoma and sister-in-law, Linda Shoaf of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She is preceded in death by her husband, Sherley Shinkle on August 6, 1994; her parents, Marvin and Alice Shoaf; her brother, Raymond Shoaf, Sr.; her granddaughter, Kara Pryor; and her infant great-granddaughter, Bexlie Rose Barton.
A visitation will be held in Marlene's honor on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wickham Family Funeral Home in Fredonia, Kansas. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Wickham Family Funeral Home beginning at 10:00 a.m. Memorial remembrances may be made to the Fall River Women's Fund or the Fall River Kid's Fund and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home, 501 N. 7th Street, Fredonia, Kansas 66736.
Marlene Shinkle's gentle spirit and unwavering devotion to her family will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
(taken from the Wickham Family Funeral Home website)
#13
Politics / Re: OVAL OFFICE BUFFOONERY
Last post by CCarl - January 17, 2026, 11:50:10 AMONE HOMELAND. ONE PEOPLE. ONE HERITAGE.
Above is a quote from the US Department of Labor following a UAW Union member calling Trump a 'pedophile protector'.
An often repeated motto of Hitler's Third Reich was, "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer".
Or, in English, "ONE NATION, ONE EMPIRE, ONE LEADER."
Hey, MAGA-hats, see the aped similarity, get where the USA is going!?? Yea, you probably don't, do you? No one speaks to individuals anymore, all the fascist political clamoring is about the State.
Above is a quote from the US Department of Labor following a UAW Union member calling Trump a 'pedophile protector'.
An often repeated motto of Hitler's Third Reich was, "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer".
Or, in English, "ONE NATION, ONE EMPIRE, ONE LEADER."
Hey, MAGA-hats, see the aped similarity, get where the USA is going!?? Yea, you probably don't, do you? No one speaks to individuals anymore, all the fascist political clamoring is about the State.
#14
Politics / Re: A SKEPTIC'S VIEW
Last post by CCarl - January 17, 2026, 11:44:37 AMAnyone know who this AAWG [Arrogant, Angry, White Guy] is?
And his conclusion is the woman deserved to be shot in the head for exercising her Right to Free Speech? Does it matter if she was paid or not? Does it matter if she was married to a man, a woman, or a martian?
Whoever he is, he is one scary element of the far right. In his very small mind the Bill of Rights apparently only protects certain individuals.
Doesn't it matter that she was shot dead by a government agent for voicing her opinion? Apparently not.
He claims to be an American. So do I. In my America, everyone's speech is protected from government censorship. In my America I would never extend permission to this jerk to be on my private property. And I would never accept his privilege extended for me to be on his private property.
His America and my America are no longer the same. He is just as much a threat to my America as Biden and Obama were. Belay my earlier . . . I do not need to know who he is. I want nothing to do with his ilk.
If he were acting a role in Hollywood, this AAWG would be a rager, a pedophile, a domestic abuser, involved in law enforcement, and/or very likely an alcoholic. He's even likely to believe god is speaking through him. His psychopathic persona bridges all those possibilities. And if he isn't acting . . .
And his conclusion is the woman deserved to be shot in the head for exercising her Right to Free Speech? Does it matter if she was paid or not? Does it matter if she was married to a man, a woman, or a martian?
Whoever he is, he is one scary element of the far right. In his very small mind the Bill of Rights apparently only protects certain individuals.
Doesn't it matter that she was shot dead by a government agent for voicing her opinion? Apparently not.
He claims to be an American. So do I. In my America, everyone's speech is protected from government censorship. In my America I would never extend permission to this jerk to be on my private property. And I would never accept his privilege extended for me to be on his private property.
His America and my America are no longer the same. He is just as much a threat to my America as Biden and Obama were. Belay my earlier . . . I do not need to know who he is. I want nothing to do with his ilk.
If he were acting a role in Hollywood, this AAWG would be a rager, a pedophile, a domestic abuser, involved in law enforcement, and/or very likely an alcoholic. He's even likely to believe god is speaking through him. His psychopathic persona bridges all those possibilities. And if he isn't acting . . .
#15
Politics / Re: A SKEPTIC'S VIEW
Last post by CCarl - January 16, 2026, 09:01:57 AM2026 - Watchin' the American Dream Die in a Ponzi Scheme
A Ponzi scheme is an unsustainable scam that relies on a continuous inflow of new money to keep it going. The scheme collapses if the flow of new money slows down, or tapers.
The Federal Reserve monetary policy is, and has been, a Ponzi scheme. That's because the US government's obscene spending and skyrocketing debt have reached an inflection point where the whole system will collapse unless the Fed pumps an ever-increasing amount of new fake money into the system.
Government spending is the leading cause of the problem. However, the government cannot even slow the growth rate of spending, let alone cut it. Here's why.
(1) The biggest expenditures for the US government are so-called entitlements. It's unlikely any politician will cut these. On the contrary, I expect them to continue growing as the last Baby Boomers enter retirement in 2031.
(2) With the most precarious geopolitical situation since World War II, so-called defense spending seems unlikely to be cut. Instead, it is all but certain to increase.
(3) Income Security is a catch-all category for different types of welfare. That's unlikely to be cut too.
Efforts to reduce expenditures will be meaningless unless it becomes politically acceptable to cut those three. What are the chances of that?
(4) Further, interest expense is exploding higher. The federal interest expense recently exceeded $1 trillion for the first time, and is shooting higher. That means the interest expense is already bigger than defense spending, and everything else in the budget except for Social Security.
The cost of debt service (interest expense) is taking up a larger portion of the budget, leaving less for other expenditures. That means the government has to borrow increasingly larger amounts to maintain basic functions. The situation is compounded by the fact that the more the US government borrows, the larger the interest expense on the federal debt, which causes it to borrow even more. Thus, the debt spiral.
Borrowing money to pay debt service IS the inflection point in the debt spiral, and the US is now at that point. Here's the bottom line with the budget.
(A) Expenditures have nowhere to go but up.
(B) But don't count on increased revenue to offset these increases in expenditures. Even if tax rates went to 100%, it would not be enough to stop the deficits—and the debt needed to finance them—from growing.
(C) The debt will not stop growing, no matter what happens. It's not even going to slow down. The debt is increasing exponentially.
The only way the US government can continue to finance itself is for the Fed to kick the can further down the road by continuing to create ever-increasing amounts of fake money. That will simply continue and accelerate inflation of all resources, products, and services. Imagine, a 16 ounce bag of potato chips costing as much five years from now as a full bag of groceries cost five years ago. There is America's future.
If the Fed doesn't provide more monetary accommodation to lower interest rates, the growing interest expense alone will bankrupt the US government... and bring down the entire debt-based economy with it.
Thanks to Doug Casey at International Man for most of the above; https://internationalman.com/
A friend from military service in the early 70's had a solution for the recession he and I both faced in the early 80's. He thought rocks should be money. He believed that would eliminate the poor class of Americans. After-all, how easy are rocks to get? A dull rock for a bottle of water, and a shiny rock for a carbonated beverage . . yeah, baby, now there is easy street!!
I had to explain to him that if rocks were money, we would all eventually be starving, that it would enlarge the poor class to the only class. Imagine gravel to be nickels and dimes, softball-size rocks to be tens, and basketball-size rocks to be one hundreds. If rocks were money, we'd bet paid in rocks as income. We carry them around somehow. Eventually, banks wouldn't want them, so they'd fill our backyards by the dump truck load. Pretty soon you couldn't give rocks away, everyone's backyard would be full. Who's going to pump gas for more rocks? Mend fences? Make clothes? Grow food? Then, why bothering working for more rocks? In other words production would stop because every one has rocks running out their ears. And the economy collapses without productivity.
Would rocks really be any different than the 'monopoly money' we now have, i.e. the valueless paper 'our' government calls Federal Reserve Notes? Nope. And the outcome will be no different, either.
A Ponzi scheme is an unsustainable scam that relies on a continuous inflow of new money to keep it going. The scheme collapses if the flow of new money slows down, or tapers.
The Federal Reserve monetary policy is, and has been, a Ponzi scheme. That's because the US government's obscene spending and skyrocketing debt have reached an inflection point where the whole system will collapse unless the Fed pumps an ever-increasing amount of new fake money into the system.
Government spending is the leading cause of the problem. However, the government cannot even slow the growth rate of spending, let alone cut it. Here's why.
(1) The biggest expenditures for the US government are so-called entitlements. It's unlikely any politician will cut these. On the contrary, I expect them to continue growing as the last Baby Boomers enter retirement in 2031.
(2) With the most precarious geopolitical situation since World War II, so-called defense spending seems unlikely to be cut. Instead, it is all but certain to increase.
(3) Income Security is a catch-all category for different types of welfare. That's unlikely to be cut too.
Efforts to reduce expenditures will be meaningless unless it becomes politically acceptable to cut those three. What are the chances of that?
(4) Further, interest expense is exploding higher. The federal interest expense recently exceeded $1 trillion for the first time, and is shooting higher. That means the interest expense is already bigger than defense spending, and everything else in the budget except for Social Security.
The cost of debt service (interest expense) is taking up a larger portion of the budget, leaving less for other expenditures. That means the government has to borrow increasingly larger amounts to maintain basic functions. The situation is compounded by the fact that the more the US government borrows, the larger the interest expense on the federal debt, which causes it to borrow even more. Thus, the debt spiral.
Borrowing money to pay debt service IS the inflection point in the debt spiral, and the US is now at that point. Here's the bottom line with the budget.
(A) Expenditures have nowhere to go but up.
(B) But don't count on increased revenue to offset these increases in expenditures. Even if tax rates went to 100%, it would not be enough to stop the deficits—and the debt needed to finance them—from growing.
(C) The debt will not stop growing, no matter what happens. It's not even going to slow down. The debt is increasing exponentially.
The only way the US government can continue to finance itself is for the Fed to kick the can further down the road by continuing to create ever-increasing amounts of fake money. That will simply continue and accelerate inflation of all resources, products, and services. Imagine, a 16 ounce bag of potato chips costing as much five years from now as a full bag of groceries cost five years ago. There is America's future.
If the Fed doesn't provide more monetary accommodation to lower interest rates, the growing interest expense alone will bankrupt the US government... and bring down the entire debt-based economy with it.
Thanks to Doug Casey at International Man for most of the above; https://internationalman.com/
A friend from military service in the early 70's had a solution for the recession he and I both faced in the early 80's. He thought rocks should be money. He believed that would eliminate the poor class of Americans. After-all, how easy are rocks to get? A dull rock for a bottle of water, and a shiny rock for a carbonated beverage . . yeah, baby, now there is easy street!!
I had to explain to him that if rocks were money, we would all eventually be starving, that it would enlarge the poor class to the only class. Imagine gravel to be nickels and dimes, softball-size rocks to be tens, and basketball-size rocks to be one hundreds. If rocks were money, we'd bet paid in rocks as income. We carry them around somehow. Eventually, banks wouldn't want them, so they'd fill our backyards by the dump truck load. Pretty soon you couldn't give rocks away, everyone's backyard would be full. Who's going to pump gas for more rocks? Mend fences? Make clothes? Grow food? Then, why bothering working for more rocks? In other words production would stop because every one has rocks running out their ears. And the economy collapses without productivity.
Would rocks really be any different than the 'monopoly money' we now have, i.e. the valueless paper 'our' government calls Federal Reserve Notes? Nope. And the outcome will be no different, either.
#16
Obituaries / PERKINS, Billy E. "Bill" - b. ...
Last post by patyrn - January 13, 2026, 05:27:08 PMBilly E. "Bill" Perkins, age 91, a lifelong resident of rural Howard, Kansas, passed away on January 7, 2026 at his home. He was born on July 11, 1934, the son of Earl and Emma Bernadine (Moore) Perkins.
Growing up, Bill attended Union Center School, often riding his horse to the one-room rural schoolhouse. He was a charter member of the Flint Hills Boosters 4-H Club and graduated from Howard High School in 1952. While in high school, Bill loved playing football which became a passion for him to watch and attend games throughout his life.
As a student at Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kansas, Bill was in the Army ROTC and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Part of his K-State experience was his adventure as an International Foreign Youth Exchange student, traveling to Argentina and living on a cattle ranch. He graduated from Kansas State with his Bachelor's degree in Animal Husbandry in 1958. After college, he returned to the family ranch near Howard and served in the United States Army Reserves.
Over his lifetime, Bill would operate a cow/calf operation with his father and brother; then later with his daughter and nephews. He was devoted to the stewardship of the land and the stockmanship of the herd. On June 14, 1959, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Ramona Sue Tucker. Bill and Susie's marriage spanned over 65 years, working side by side on their ranch until her death on October 19, 2024.
Ranching was Bill's life with a devotion to God, his wife Susie, and his family. Bill was not all work and no play. He enjoyed square dancing, playing bridge, and snow and water skiing. He rarely missed school and 4-H activities and sporting events of his children and grandchildren. Bill and Susie held K-State season football tickets for many years and enjoyed traveling to bowl games. He was involved in his community as a member of the Howard Methodist Church, Howard Rotary, and was the current President of Watershed District #47.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Kate Perkins and husband, David Whetstone of Howard, Kansas; grandchildren, Tim Whetstone and wife, Mackenzie and Hannah Whetstone; his sister-in-law, Shelby Perkins; and three nephews, Rick (Susan) Perkins, Patrick (Julie) Perkins, and Phillip Perkins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Susie; his son, Timothy; his sister, Betty Joan Perkins; and his brother, Don Perkins.
Cremation has been requested with a memorial Celebration of Life to be held on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.at the Howard Methodist Church in Howard, Kansas. The family suggests in Bill's memory that you dress in boots, jeans, and K-State purple. Memorials have been suggested to the Tim Perkins Memorial Scholarship via the Elk County Community Foundation and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com. Services are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.
(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)
Growing up, Bill attended Union Center School, often riding his horse to the one-room rural schoolhouse. He was a charter member of the Flint Hills Boosters 4-H Club and graduated from Howard High School in 1952. While in high school, Bill loved playing football which became a passion for him to watch and attend games throughout his life.
As a student at Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kansas, Bill was in the Army ROTC and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Part of his K-State experience was his adventure as an International Foreign Youth Exchange student, traveling to Argentina and living on a cattle ranch. He graduated from Kansas State with his Bachelor's degree in Animal Husbandry in 1958. After college, he returned to the family ranch near Howard and served in the United States Army Reserves.
Over his lifetime, Bill would operate a cow/calf operation with his father and brother; then later with his daughter and nephews. He was devoted to the stewardship of the land and the stockmanship of the herd. On June 14, 1959, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Ramona Sue Tucker. Bill and Susie's marriage spanned over 65 years, working side by side on their ranch until her death on October 19, 2024.
Ranching was Bill's life with a devotion to God, his wife Susie, and his family. Bill was not all work and no play. He enjoyed square dancing, playing bridge, and snow and water skiing. He rarely missed school and 4-H activities and sporting events of his children and grandchildren. Bill and Susie held K-State season football tickets for many years and enjoyed traveling to bowl games. He was involved in his community as a member of the Howard Methodist Church, Howard Rotary, and was the current President of Watershed District #47.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Kate Perkins and husband, David Whetstone of Howard, Kansas; grandchildren, Tim Whetstone and wife, Mackenzie and Hannah Whetstone; his sister-in-law, Shelby Perkins; and three nephews, Rick (Susan) Perkins, Patrick (Julie) Perkins, and Phillip Perkins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Susie; his son, Timothy; his sister, Betty Joan Perkins; and his brother, Don Perkins.
Cremation has been requested with a memorial Celebration of Life to be held on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.at the Howard Methodist Church in Howard, Kansas. The family suggests in Bill's memory that you dress in boots, jeans, and K-State purple. Memorials have been suggested to the Tim Perkins Memorial Scholarship via the Elk County Community Foundation and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com. Services are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.
(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)
#17
Politics / Re: LONGTON'S WOES
Last post by CCarl - January 09, 2026, 11:09:17 PMWhat Happens to Rural Counties When The Cities Collapse
They are collapsing. See MetalLeo videos of the Left Coast on Youtube. See similar videos about NYC, Chicago, Las Vegas, even St. Louis. Look at the daily crime headlines in Wichita. The collapse has started, and it is trickling Elk County's way. The video refers to those who are bailing out of the cities as the Golden Horde. Historically, that is probably a reference to the late days of the Mongol Empire. Not sure I see the similarities.
The video asserts when the Horde finds rural settings, they expect rural people to give freely what the Horde needs. And when giving does not happen, whatever rural Elk County residents do have will simply be stolen by the Horde.
They won't be here to ask, they will be here to take. That's what we can expect as the collapse continues. The video suggests several solutions.
They are collapsing. See MetalLeo videos of the Left Coast on Youtube. See similar videos about NYC, Chicago, Las Vegas, even St. Louis. Look at the daily crime headlines in Wichita. The collapse has started, and it is trickling Elk County's way. The video refers to those who are bailing out of the cities as the Golden Horde. Historically, that is probably a reference to the late days of the Mongol Empire. Not sure I see the similarities.
The video asserts when the Horde finds rural settings, they expect rural people to give freely what the Horde needs. And when giving does not happen, whatever rural Elk County residents do have will simply be stolen by the Horde.
They won't be here to ask, they will be here to take. That's what we can expect as the collapse continues. The video suggests several solutions.
#18
Politics / Re: A SKEPTIC'S VIEW
Last post by CCarl - January 07, 2026, 04:47:50 PM"I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation, under Fraud, clearly visible
with bribery and corruption for all."
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation, under Fraud, clearly visible
with bribery and corruption for all."
#19
Politics / Re: LONGTON'S WOES
Last post by CCarl - January 07, 2026, 03:02:15 PMWolves in Sheep's Clothing
A Test for the New City Council & Mayor
January 7, 2026A Test for the New City Council & Mayor
A friend pointed out correctly that the State and Local governments would never foist a huge debt on the people of Wichita to completely replace its aged sewer system. No one, especially the wealthy and big businesses want a huge pay increase in sewer costs to affect their livelihoods. It will never happen. In Wichita what is repaired is only what is broken.
But, to a handful of poor folks in Elk County, the State and its professionally certified, licensed, and bonded Agents are proposing just that. They sell the scam by promising to spread 75% of the costs to taxpayers living outside Longton. But the State and its Professional Agents will get what they want, a share of close to $5,000,000.00, if not more before all the design and construction over-runs are tallied, not to mention the impact of runaway inflation. And the harm done to taxpayers is simply spread over a larger population.
If the new mayor and new city council alignment has any sympathy for taxpayers they will drop the permit process in favor of DON'T FIX IT IF IT AIN'T BROKE.
In spite of the fact that dropping the permit process is an easy step forward, I have my doubts to the sincerity of the council and mayor to truly represent the interests and needs of the residents and taxpayers of Longton.
Here are the steps to Don't Fix It If It Ain't Broke;
1) Withdraw permit applications and funding requests.
2) Conduct the FREE Smoke Test in 2026 when the groundwater is lowest, and the soil moisture content is minimal. That will probably be August or September, unless we have an spring drought of several months.
3) Compile the results of the Smoke Test with the City's 26-year records of maintenance and repair of the sewer line. Put the compiled results in a database and on a City map, correlated to the nearest manholes. I think any number of locals should be more than capable of doing that. In other words, professionally certified, licensed, and bonded Agents for the State are NOT needed.
4) Now, look where the smoke leaks, and where the City always needs to make repairs. Label those areas by priority, and schedule a program to systematically repair them. That should be a no-brainer to anyone who cares that taxpayer money be effectively used by government. Our elected government 'officials' probably do not. Prove me wrong!
5) Beyond the frequency of repair and smoke leaking areas, add to the City assessment an examination of the drainage ditches in our road rights-of-way. After-all, much of the current sewer problem is surface water flooding manholes, and getting into sewer lines.
The first action to stop the flooding is to increase the conveyance and/or storage capacity of the ditches where the smoke leaks and where the manholes flood in any intensity of rain. Conveyance is improved first by cleaning out all culverts on a routine schedule. Then conveyance and storage capacity are improved by excavation of existing ditches. That can be done using local labor, and the money paid out locally helps the communities in our County. If necessary divert open ditch drainage into large buried pipes to entirely prevent flooding in the worst areas, like the sub-basin containing the Pump Station in the southwest part of town.
6) Where smoke tests show failed pipe, the City excavates and replaces only the failed pipe, not entire city blocks of it, just what has failed. No permit required, just local labor.
Six easy steps to manage on an annual basis, with just a slight bit of planning on the City's part. Wise? Yes. Doable? Yes. Are the City Council and new Mayor capable? The jury is out.
The city collects something like [$26 x 150 x 12] $46,800.00 a year from residents to manage the sewer system [and it's going up, will it double, triple?]. If that is not enough to support annual repair plans outlined above for long-term sewer system performance, then the City should seek a low interest as-needed loan from a local bank, one that also makes loans to private parties in the city. That creates a win-win financial perspective, keeps money locally, and does not feed the pockets of the State and its Professional Agents. They are the wolves in sheep's clothing.
There is only one reasonable State-approved sewer project that represents any fairness to the taxpayers. That is to convert 100 percent of sewer users to septic tanks and drain fields. That can be done for 20% of the costs proposed by the latest consulting firm to improve 5.7 miles of sewer lines. That also ends residents' monthly sewer fees and makes residents personally responsible for septic tank up-keep. BUT, it would require the use of the same wolves in sheep's clothing for all the construction activities, and NO money spent would stay locally.
I'll take the responsibility of the City to develop and implement annual sewer maintenance and improvement plans. How about you? But, can anybody convince the egos of the public office wolves to cooperate with the residents they serve?
You will have a chance to question and challenge on January 14th.
#20
Obituaries / SMITH, Crystal L. (Hoggard) - ...
Last post by patyrn - January 06, 2026, 06:18:45 PMCrystal L. Smith, age 72, of Moline, Kansas, passed away December 24, 2025 at the Eureka Health Center in Eureka, Kansas. She was born on November 3, 1953 in Springfield, Missouri, the daughter of Floyd and Rose Hoggard.
Crystal worked as a cosmetologist. She had a zest for life and loved seeing her clients and friends. When she was not working, she enjoyed going camping and fishing, being a Chiefs and KU fan, loving her dogs, and most importantly, being with her family. She loved to cook and bake and was planning big for her favorite time of year which was Christmas.
On May 8, 1981, Crystal married William Smith, and they were married for 44 years. Crystal enjoyed attending the Moline Christian Church and will be a great loss to her family, friends, and community.
Survivors include her husband, William Smith; sons, Joseph Smith and Michael (Sally) Smith of Moline, Kansas; and grandson, Joseph Smith, Jr. Crystal was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Mary Martin, Martha Lundgren, and Lisa Boyles.
Cremation has been requested at this time. Memorials have been suggested to the family to help curb expenses and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family online at www.countrysidefh.com. Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.
(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)
Crystal worked as a cosmetologist. She had a zest for life and loved seeing her clients and friends. When she was not working, she enjoyed going camping and fishing, being a Chiefs and KU fan, loving her dogs, and most importantly, being with her family. She loved to cook and bake and was planning big for her favorite time of year which was Christmas.
On May 8, 1981, Crystal married William Smith, and they were married for 44 years. Crystal enjoyed attending the Moline Christian Church and will be a great loss to her family, friends, and community.
Survivors include her husband, William Smith; sons, Joseph Smith and Michael (Sally) Smith of Moline, Kansas; and grandson, Joseph Smith, Jr. Crystal was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Mary Martin, Martha Lundgren, and Lisa Boyles.
Cremation has been requested at this time. Memorials have been suggested to the family to help curb expenses and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family online at www.countrysidefh.com. Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.
(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)
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