Roberts raps Trump for judges comment

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts is pushing back against President Donald Trump for his description of a judge who ruled against Trump’s migrant asylum policy as an “Obama judge.”

It’s the first time the Republican-appointed leader of the federal judiciary has offered even a hint of criticism of Trump, who has previously blasted federal judges who ruled against him.

Roberts said Wednesday the U.S. doesn’t have “Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges.” He commented in a statement released by the Supreme Court after a query by The Associated Press.

Roberts said on the day before Thanksgiving that an “independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for.”

Last year, the president used the term a “so-called judge” after the first federal ruling against his travel ban. During the presidential campaign, Trump criticized Roberts himself for the chief justice’s decisive vote in 2012 to preserve the Obama health care overhaul.

The president’s latest remarks come as the Supreme Court is enmeshed in controversy over his appointment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Several justices have spoken out about judicial independence and the danger of having the court viewed as a political institution that is divided between five conservative Republicans and four liberal Democrats. Roberts is widely seen as the justice closest to the middle and likely to determine the outcome of high-profile cases that split the court.

Trump had spoken Tuesday when a reporter asked for his reaction to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar in San Francisco that put the administration’s asylum policy on hold.

The president went on to say about the asylum ruling: “This was an Obama judge. And I’ll tell you what, it’s not going to happen like this anymore. “

But the initial travel ban ruling in 2017 was issued by U.S. District Judge James Robart, an appointee of President George W. Bush. Roberts also was appointed by Bush.

It was unclear what Trump meant when he said things would change.

‘Clean’ cash

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Dutch police who found 350,000 euros ($400,000) hidden inside a washing machine have detained a man on suspicion of — what else? — money laundering.

Police said in a statement Thursday that officers were checking a house in western Amsterdam on Monday for unregistered residents when they found the valuable laundry load.

A photo displayed on the police website showed bundles of bank notes, mainly 20- and 50-euro bills, crammed into the drum.

The officers also found a money-counting machine, a gun and several cell phones.

The 24-year-old suspect’s name was not released, in line with Dutch privacy rules.

A FEASTIVE ATMOSPHERE

  • Students at McKinley Elementary enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
  • Max Ebberts and Hunter Robb wait for a slice of bread with butter made by students.
  • Maxton Coltrane, Emma Eyler, Riley Weast and Mashayla Johnson dig in. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
  • Emma Eyler loads up her plate.
  • Mashayla Johnson gets ready to dig in.

McKinley Elementary School students dressed as turkeys, pilgrims and Native Americans to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday. Students brought ingredients to make some of the dishes.

Embattled county official resigns

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A white county official in Kansas has resigned under pressure after saying at a meeting that he belongs to “the master race.”

Louis Klemp said in the letter submitted Tuesday resigning his seat on the Leavenworth County Commission that the remark was “well-meaning” and “not racially motivated.”

Klemp cited the master race — the Nazi ideology of Aryan supremacy — last week while responding to a presentation by a black official, Triveece Penelton.

Klemp was appointed to fill a Republican vacancy in the county just west of Kansas City. He said he was identifying a similarity in their appearance, noting both have a space between their teeth. Penelton said in a statement that the comment was “unbelievably inappropriate.”

Kansas Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer was among those to demand Klemp’s resignation.

Health officials sound alert over romaine lettuce, E. coli outbreak

NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials in the U.S. and Canada told people Tuesday to stop eating romaine lettuce because of a new E. coli outbreak.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it is working with officials in Canada on the outbreak, which has sickened 32 people in 11 states and 18 people in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

The strain identified is different than the one linked to romaine earlier this year but appears similar to last year’s outbreak linked to leafy greens.

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the agency doesn’t have enough information to ask suppliers for a recall, but he suggested that supermarkets and restaurants should withdraw romaine until the source of the contamination can be identified. People are also being advised to throw out any romaine they have at home.

The contaminated lettuce is likely still on the market, Gottlieb told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

He said FDA wanted to issue a warning before people gathered for Thanksgiving meals, where the potential for exposure could increase.

“We did feel some pressure to draw conclusions as quickly as we could,” he said.

In Canada, officials issued similar warnings to the two provinces where people were sickened. They said there was no evidence to suggest people in other parts of the country had been affected.

Most romaine sold this time of year is grown in California, Gottlieb said. The romaine lettuce linked to the E. coli outbreak earlier this year was from Yuma, Arizona. Tainted irrigation water appeared to be the source of that outbreak, which sickened about 200 people and killed five.

The FDA’s blanket warning in the current outbreak is broader and more direct than the ones issued in the earlier outbreak, said Robert Whitaker, chief science officer for the Produce Marketing Association. In the earlier outbreak, the warnings about romaine from Yuma might have been confusing, he said.

Whitaker said the industry group told members they should cooperate with the FDA and stop supplying romaine lettuce, especially since people have been told to stop buying and eating it.

No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak, but 13 people in the U.S. and six in Canada have been hospitalized. The last reported U.S. illness was on Oct. 31, while and the most recent illness in Canada was early this month.

Tracing the source of contaminated lettuce can be difficult because it’s often repackaged by middlemen, said Sarah Sorscher, deputy director of regulatory affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. That can mean the entire industry becomes implicated in outbreaks, even if not all products are contaminated.

“One of the problems with produce is that it can be very hard to trace back,” she said.

She said washing contaminated lettuce won’t ensure that harmful germs are killed.

Infections from E. coli can cause symptoms including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.

Health officials have also been reminding people to properly handle and cook their Thanksgiving birds amid a widespread salmonella outbreak linked to raw turkey. Last week, Hormel recalled some packages of Jennie-O ground turkey that regulators were able to tie to an illness.

But unlike with romaine lettuce, regulators are not warning people to avoid turkey. Salmonella is not prohibited in raw meat and poultry, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which overseas raw meat, said cooking should kill any salmonella.

Betty Stroh

Betty Louise Stroh, age 90, of Chanute passed away on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 in Chanute. She was born on July 10, 1928 in Iola, to Jay and Claire (Rowland) Judah. Betty’s stepmom, Mary Ellen, raised her after her mother passed away shortly after giving birth to Betty. Betty graduated from Iola High School in 1947. On July 19, 1947, she married Charles R. Stroh in Iola; he preceded her in death in 2001.

Betty was an avid seamstress making all her family’s clothes. She took great pride in that she never had to take her children to the store to buy clothes. She was also very proud of staying home and taking care of her family and making sure they had everything they needed. She was a very compassionate person and believed the best in everyone. Betty was a past member of the Eastern Star and was active in Farm Bureau with her husband. She was also a very active member at First Christian Church in Chanute.

Betty is survived by daughters Sandy Hatfield and husband Alan of Chanute, Debbie Decker and husband Marv of Collinsville, Okla.; grandchildren Brandi Schwarz and husband Ryan, Casey Decker and wife Stacey; great-grandchildren Cooper and Tristan Schwarz, Abby and Miley Decker.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Mary Ellen Judah; husband, Charles; siblings, Bertha Cation and Theodore Judah.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday at First Christian Church in Chanute. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Humboldt. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.

Memorials have been suggested to First Christian Church or God’s Pantry and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.

Rita Wood

WICHITA — Rita E. (Hoag) Wood, 87, retired registered nurse, died Monday, Nov. 19, 2018.

The Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. Sunday, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Church of the Magdalen Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Barbara Hoag; brothers, Johny, Daniel, and Paul Hoag; sisters, Alice Eisenbart, Esther Yohon, Serita Hoag; son, Randy Wood.

Survivors include her husband, Gordon Wood; sons, Gary Wood, Alan (Sharon) Wood; daughter, Danette (Ed) Baker; grandsons, Joshua Wood, Daniel (Shelia Stiers) Wood; granddaughters, Dana Lynn Wood, Candace (Steven) Rich; nine great-grandchildren.

Memorials have been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS, 67202; A Better Choice, 3007 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67214. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com

Gina Best

Gina Lorraine (Queen) Best, age 53, of Pittsburg, died on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

She was born to Gary and Betty (Shmalfeldt) Queen on March 26, 1965 in Wichita. She grew up in Iola, Kansas, where she made many longtime friends. 

Survivors include her father, Gary Queen of Paola; biological mother Beverly J. Smith of Enid, Okla.; two daughters, Bridget Best of Iola, Brittany Swank of Pittsburg; adopted son Jason Outlan of Moran; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Queen; infant daughter, Courtney Best.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Hwy. 54, Iola. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Iola. The family will greet friends from 12:30 to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Family and friends make it a holiday

For the Hawks, as the years have gone by, family members have increased. In 1940, when the Hawks moved to the area, there were four. We are now at the point that individual homes aren’t large enough, so this year we will be having Thanksgiving dinner in the Carlyle Presbyterian Church fellowship hall. The dinner will be our traditional Thanksgiving fare and the guests will be the same, just the location has changed. Our family has been blessed. —Bob Hawk

Our big, fun, family continues to grow in numbers. Our celebration began last Friday and continued through Sunday. We had 32 around our table, in every corner and every room, but we couldn’t imagine it any other way. We had baked turkey, smoked ham and all the trimmings. Our dessert efforts were made simple this year with granddaughter Emily’s Wesley Youth Group Pie Fundraiser. Happy Thanksgiving to all. —Kelly and Steve Sigg

I will have Thanksgiving at my home in Yates Center. My three children and two daughters-in-law and my husband and grandson will be gathering around the table. We love to watch football on Thanksgiving Day and if the weather is just right we usually will shoot some clay pigeons. My sons will always request scalloped oysters. It is a unique dish that I learned how to make from my mother-in-law years ago. —Melissa Stiffler

From Barbara Anderson: Those around the table will be my friend, Juan; my son, Benjamin Bockover and his family, Leah, Ava, Delaney and twin 2-year-old boys Lincoln and Everett; my daughter, Cari Jo, and her family, Tyrone, Camri and Brooklyn; and my daughter Rachel and her family, Courtney, Nolan and Noxx. These last two years my family has increased from feeding eight to 16! We always have my grandmother Opal Houk’s oyster dressing to go along with the traditional turkey and fixings as well as her homemade pecan pie and lemon pie (with real meringue, not just Cool Whip!) My Grandmother Opal told me the oyster dressing recipe came from a long line of ancestors from Ireland. Having lived in the New England area, they always incorporated the oysters into the dressing. Even after moving to Kansas, they continued the tradition. Some of family members love the oysters, some not. I cannot imagine a tastier dressing and love making it for the memories it brings of my ancestors. I will be using the Blue Delft china passed down to me by Joan Fisher, the mother of my best friend and who was like a second mother to me. Again, those dishes remind me of wonderful memories and at some point that evening I will make a call to my friend to see how her Thanksgiving Day went.

I think the best part of Thanksgiving is spending time with my family and overdoing it on some great food! I am counting down the days to pumpkin pie and Cool Whip! —Jennifer Terrell, KSU Extension Office, Erie

Tracy and David Lee write: Our newly married daughter, Adin, and her husband Michael Decker from Provo, Utah, will join us for Thanksgiving week. This will also be the first Thanksgiving celebration for our first grandchild, Juliana Josephine (Jo), who is just 8 months. She and her mother, Tai, and son Austin and wife, Bailey, will join us as we visit relatives in Missouri, and with the Harry and Joyce Lee extended family. We are looking forward to smoked turkey with trimmings, wonderful homemade rolls made by Joyce Lee, and new specialty desserts by Tai. We also can’t wait for all the great pies. There are usually many extended family members on Thanksgiving, so we make the most of it by playing games, and of course, watching football.

My favorite Thanksgiving traditions are gathering together after dinner and reading the story of the first Thanksgiving, reading Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation, and then going outside and playing family football. Later, we also like to make blessing snack mix and watch a family movie together. It is a blessing to have this special holiday to remind us of all God gives us, and also to help us remember that we can be grateful no matter what!” —Robyn and Nathan Fawson

Alana Cloutier, Humboldt, writes: When I was a kid my British and Native American parents usually took me out to eat on Thanksgiving, which is something I highly recommend! No dishes! No over- (or under-) cooked turkey anxiety! You can go to the movies after! For the last 10 years my husband and I have celebrated “Friendsgiving” with a big group of friends. We all travel to the same friend’s house, and stay for a couple of days of hiking, puzzle-solving, sitting in front of a nice fire, and of course, lots and lots of food. On Thanksgiving Day we always grill a turkey, and I make yams with marshmallows and bourbon, and a pumpkin pie. Our group has swelled over the years with new spouses, children, and pets, so it’s sometimes a bit chaotic, but with everyone scattered across the country, it’s nice to slow down and just hang out for a couple of days.

I would like to take a moment to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and remember the thing that makes Iola great: Our willingness to serve our community, our willingness to share with those in need, and our willingness to love our neighbors. —Jon Wells, Iola mayor

Spencer and Helen Ambler will have to set up extra tables this year. Expected guests include: Christopher and Danette  Washington and children, Chris A. and Morgan, Chantilly, Va.; Kevin and Diana Jukes and children, Sean and Stella, Cooper City, Fla.; Jim and Linda Young and son, Jared, Kansas City, Kan.; Neal and Alice Washington, Lawton, Okla.; J.R. and Kim Young,  St. Louis, Mo.; Douglas and Cussandra Hale, Chanute; Kathryn Jukes, Lauderhill, Fla.; Tracy Washington, Cambridge, Mass.; William Newman, Iola, and Dawn Williams, Iola.
 
We will have around our Thanksgiving table several of our family, including  Thad and Micheal Parker, Lenz and Aylan, Chehalis, Wash., Kim Parker, Will and girlfriend Julie, Meridian, Idaho. Ryan and Lise Parker, Anika and Nathanael, Houston; our grandson Denver Parker and girlfriend Ophelia. Denver and Ophelia have just recently returned from their deployment in Kosovo. We are thankful to God for all of our blessings and especially our being together on this Thanksgiving day. —Gary and Janice Parker

Judy Baker will be spending Thanksgiving with her daughter Kelcey and family in Olympia, Wash. Darin, Kelcey, Emilly, and Drew will be hosting the Thanksgiving feast. It will be an exciting holiday for them all.

The Willis family will host Thanksgiving at the home of Dan and Angie Willis. Brett Willis will help host his sister Kristin and her husband Justin Stotler and their children Emalee and Colton Thompson and Bailey Stotler as well has his brother Tyler Fehr with Nikki and children Lynsie, Cain and Marlee Fehr. Amy and Trevor Wilson will bring Galen Smith along with Amanda, Dustin, Aidan, Ryleigh and Maddy Baker. Also squeezing in around the table will be Joan Willis, Todd and Jackie Willis, Lee Ann Childers of Wichita and Gail and Lloyd Strickland of Lawton, Okla.

Bob and Beverly Johnson, Humboldt, will host a Thanksgiving feast, featuring prime rib, In deference to son Bob’s offer to prepare the main course, at noon Thursday. He and wife Melanie and their children, Noah, Alayna, Emma and Maddox will attend, as well as Jenelle Johnson, the elder Bob’s sister. Assorted friends of the younger Johnsons also may be at the table. A tradition is for each person to tell why he or she is thankful.

Earl and Vicki Long are feeling very blessed. Joining them for Thanksgiving dinner will be her brother, Ronald and Elizabeth Kelley from The Woodlands, Texas, and Kelley’s daughter, Kayla Kelley from Austin University, Austin, Texas. Also joining them will be their daughter, Jennifer, Osage City, and grandson, Alex Francis and girlfriend, Jadyn Swearingen, both of Nevada, Mo.

The Mentzer family will celebrate Thanksgiving at the Craig Mentzer farm with the following attending:  Bill and Marjorie Mentzer; Craig and Denise Mentzer; Corbin and Lissa Manbeck, and Elcie; Nathan and Heather Mentzer, Elijah, Case and Jeanie; Miles and Jennifer Mentzer,  Isaac, and Faith; Neil and Amanda Godsey, Bryce, Blake, and Claire of Olathe; Craig and Jeanine Pumphrey, Edna Pumphrey and two special guests from Wichita.
 
My wife Jo and I and children Allie, a junior, Sam, a freshman, Jackie, 7th grade, and Ben, fourth grade, will be having Thanksgiving dinner with Jo’s extended family in Farlington. This has been a tradition since Jo and I were married in 2000. Turkey, stuffing and pies will be in order.
I am particularly thankful in how community members of LaHarpe, Gas and Iola have come together in a steering committee process to gather input and will be making a recommendation to the USD 257 Board of Education for a bond proposal, to give our district patrons and parents the best educational options for our students to be successful in the future. —Stacey Fager, USD 257 Superintendent of Schools
 

Damaris Kunkler is especially grateful this Thanksgiving because her big brother, who recently suffered a massive heart attack and stroke, is with her. “He is now with us every day. It feels like being a kid again, to hang with my big bro.”

Emily and Austin Sigg and children Elliot, Cohen and Nellie will enjoy Thanksgiving with Emily’s parents, Angie and Mark Larson, and Emily’s sisters Megan and Jeremy Neville and Kelsey and her boyfriend Lake Johnson. “There’s also the possibility of a visit from a few aunts, uncles and cousins,” said Emily.

Guests of Mark and Chardel Hastings will be Mary, Maddox, Mason and Micah Hull from Dallas; Brynn Hastings from Addison, Texas; Megan, Steve, Gage Finley and Blaydin Silberski of Rose Hill, and Alice Hastings, Iola.
The Regehr family will be gathering to eat Thanksgiving dinner and spend quality time together at the home of Walt and Mary Ann Regehr. In attendance will be Lisse Regehr; Donna and Larry Regehr with their son Ryan; Brian and Shellie Regehr with their sons Chase and Cole; and Vernon and Dolores Miller of Wichita. We’re looking forward to a day of good food and a lot of laughter!  

Thanksgiving will be hosted by Dick and Karen Works at their rural Humboldt home. Gathered around their table will be nine more Workses:  Adam, Kayla, Ethan, Eliza, Fred, Judy, Abby, Colby, and John. The menu is traditional with turkey, potatoes, dressing, green beans, crudités, cranberries, hot rolls, pies and more.

The Ben and Jen Taylor family will be enjoying Thanksgiving with family and friends and  extended family from Utah. Lots of turkey, mashed potatoes, amazing side dishes and, most importantly, pie will be consumed. Lots of laughter will be heard. Football and board games will be played, and a Disney movie will be watched to end a day full of gratitude for each other and the amazing country that we live in.

Susan Lynn and Brian Wolfe will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Saturday. Joining them will be Susan’s children, Tim and Violeta Stauffer and son Lucas, Iola; Louise and Nick Krug and Olive and Bruce of Topeka; and Aaron Stauffer and wife Lauren Plummer of Nashville. A goal for the weekend is to have the younger generation show their not-so-smart elders how to program a “smart” TV.

Donna Lower-Nord hosted an early Thanksgiving dinner Saturday. Those attending were their children, Pam and Ron Powers, Shawnee Mission; Terry Lower, Iola, and Lisa and Fred Riebel, Humboldt; grandchildren Brandon Powers, Shawnee, Kristin, Bryan, Loren and Lucas Lisbona, Basehor, Dylan Lower, Overland Park, Karlie Lower, Fayetteville, Kayle Riebel, Lawrence, Haley Riebel, Overland Park, and Hannah Riebel, Pittsburg. Others attending were Dr. Dwight Blackwood, Chanute, Connor Roseberry, Lawrence, and Rosa Mendez, Overland Park.
Bob and Jacki Chase are hosting daughter Eileen, Los Angeles, Tom, Camille and Jack Talkington, Prairie Village, and Jim, Staci and Will Talkington, Iola.

Richard Zahn is spending Thanksgiving in Dallas at his daughter Mollie’s home and will be  joined  by Hillary Zahn of San Francisco, Romy  and more!! Then back to Iola with leftovers!!
In typical big-family fashion, Allegra, Jack, Henry, Milo, Arlo and I will be joining about 50 other family members in a day of thanksgiving. We will celebrate with the customary holiday dishes at a feast so large we have to rent out the local community building. Our family seems to treat every holiday as if it is a family reunion! — Aaron Franklin

Tony and Barb Leavitt will host 53 family members around our tables for Thanksgivings dinner. Attending will be Rick and Terry Coomes, St. Paul; Jack and Tina Stanley, Lane; Martin and Janalin Taylor, Iola; Michael and Terry Taylor, Iola; and everyone’s kids and grandkids. We are thankful for the blessing of having the family together for a day of food, fun and adventure.

13 ways to attract wildlife to gardens

Pat Howerton told Dirt Digger Garden Club members of 13 ways to invite desirable wildlife into their gardens at the Nov. 14 meeting at the home of Shirley Robertson.

Pat’s suggestions included:

1. A butterfly puddler, made of handcrafted stoneware and recycled glass, provides a spot for butterflies to load up on minerals. A shallow well holds sand and rock salt along with a teaspoon of water.

2. A bird feeder with a high-quality mix of seed and bulb nuts.

3. A toad house with a ceramic sanctuary that provides a dark, cool place for toads to hide and escape the hot sun. They will repay your kindness by consuming slugs and harmful bugs.

4. A butterfly feeder. Place a tall butterfly feeder filled with over-ripe fruit or a special nectar-soaked sponge near other blooms in garden.

5. A certified Monarch Waystation. They have seed kits you can get to start your habitat.

6. A hummingbird feeder.

7. A squirrel-deterrent bird feeder.

8. A natural birdhouse.

9. A deck-mounted water bath with an automatic heater.

10. Suspended waterers.

11. A bee house.

12. Spring bulbs.

13. A squirrel spinner.

Pat encouraged members to design their gardens like an artist, drawing strong lines, straight or curved, to define garden beds, paths and patio. Play with perspectives to fool the eye to make spaces look bigger and paths wider.

The next meeting is a Christmas lunch at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at China Palace.