Janet Rice

Janet L. Rice, age 73 and resident of Bartlesville, Okla., passed away on May 7, 2019 in St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa.

Janet Lynne Means was born on Aug. 25, 1945, in Iola. She was the daughter of Frank Means and Edna Simmons. She grew up in Iola where she graduated high school in 1963. She furthered her education by attending Iola Community College and then attended Wichita State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, speech language pathology and a minor in psychology.

Janet and Eugene F. Rice were married in Park City, on Nov. 28, 1969. It was during this time that she was teaching while working on her master’s degree. Janet lived in several locations including Copan, Okla., moving to Bartlesville in 1996. She had been living in Tulsa the last year of her life.

Janet was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Dewey, Okla. She was a member of Moms in Prayer, and was a founder of a group at American Christian School; member of the Community Bible Study and was a leader of the Children’s Bible Study there; member of the Bartlesville Ladies Connection and was very devoted and active in many facets at Grace Baptist Church.

Janet remembered and helped honor everyone’s accomplishments of which she knew. She was an avid reader, enjoyed sewing as well as watching westerns on TV Her husband was a pastor for many years and she was a very faithful pastor’s wife. 

Survivors include her daughter, Amy Anna Rice of Bartlesville, Okla.; two sisters, Carol Mann and her husband, Scott, of Round Rock, Texas, and Hilda Roberts of Great Bend; niece, Carrie Rivera and her husband, David, of Chicago, Ill.; nephew, Steven Voisinet and his wife, Hollee, of Dallas, Texas; great-nephew, Ethan Rivera; and great-niece, Meghan Rivera.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and son David Jonathan Rice. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions can be made to Grace Baptist Church, Dewey, Okla.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Grace Baptist Church in Dewey, Okla. Pastor Trace Foote will be the officiant. Interment will be held at a later date at the Elcado Cemetery in Peru.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. 

Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Trump: No rush for trade deal after US hikes tariffs

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday there was “no need to rush” to get a trade deal with China, hours after he raised tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods, escalating a battle over China’s technology ambitions.

U.S. and Chinese negotiators met briefly Friday in an effort to revive negotiations even as the Trump administration increased duties on nearly half of Chinese imports to 25% from 10%. China’s Commerce Ministry said it would impose “necessary countermeasures” but gave no details.

The increase went ahead even after American and Chinese negotiators began more talks in Washington on Thursday aimed at ending a dispute that has disrupted billions of dollars in trade and shaken global financial markets. After a short session on Friday, the lead Chinese negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, left the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative about midday, though it was not immediately clear whether talks had ended. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin shook hands with Liu as he left.

“The risk of a complete breakdown in trade talks has certainly increased,” Michael Taylor of Moody’s Investors Service said in a report.

But Trump tweeted that his tariffs, which went into effect just after midnight, “will bring in FAR MORE wealth to our Country than even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind. Also, much easier & quicker to do.”

In fact, tariffs are taxes paid by U.S. importers and often passed along to consumers and companies that rely on imported components.

The developments sent stocks tumbling on Wall Street.

American officials accuse Beijing of backtracking on commitments made in earlier rounds of negotiations.

“China deeply regrets that it will have to take necessary countermeasures,” said a Commerce Ministry statement.

The administration bought a little extra time for talks to work: According to the filing Wednesday in the Federal Register, the tariff hike won’t hit goods that have already left Chinese ports before Friday’s deadline.

So the tariffs won’t start taking affect until those shipments complete the three- to four-week voyage across the Pacific Ocean.

U.S. business groups appealed for a settlement that will resolve chronic complaints about Chinese market barriers, subsidies to state companies and a regulatory system they say is rigged against foreign companies.

American companies disagree with tariff hikes but “are supportive of the idea in the short term if it helps us get to a strong, enforceable, long-term agreement that addresses structural issues,” said Greg Gilligan, the deputy chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

The latest increase extends 25% duties to a total of $250 billion of Chinese imports, including $50 billion already taxed at 25% before the new hike. Trump said Sunday he might expand penalties to all Chinese goods shipped to the United States.

Beijing retaliated for previous tariff hikes by raising duties on $110 billion of American imports. But regulators are running out of U.S. goods for penalties due to the lopsided trade balance.

Chinese officials have targeted operations of American companies in China by slowing customs clearance for them and stepping up regulatory scrutiny that can hamper operations.

The latest U.S. increase might hit American consumers harder, said Jake Parker, vice president of the U.S.-China Business Council, an industry group. He said the earlier 10% increase was absorbed by companies and offset by a weakening of the Chinese currency’s exchange rate.

A 25% hike “needs to be passed on to the consumer,” Parker said. “It is just too big to dilute with those other factors.”

Despite the public acrimony, local Chinese officials who want to attract American investment have tried to reassure companies there is “minimal retaliation,” he said.

“We’ve actually seen an increased sensitivity to U.S. companies at the local level,” he added.

The higher U.S. import taxes don’t apply to Chinese goods shipped before Friday. By sea, shipments across the Pacific take about three weeks, which gives negotiators a few more days to reach a settlement before importers may have to pay the increased charges.

The negotiators met Thursday evening, and Lighthizer, Mnuchin and Liu held a working dinner.

Liu, speaking to Chinese state TV on his arrival in Washington, said he “came with sincerity.” He appealed to Washington to avoid more tariff hikes, saying they are “not a solution” and would harm the world.

“We should not hurt innocent people,” Liu told CCTV.

At the White House, Trump said he received “a beautiful letter” from Chinese President Xi Jinping and would “probably speak to him by phone.”

The two countries are sparring over U.S. allegations Beijing steals technology and pressures companies to hand over trade secrets in a campaign to turn Chinese companies into world leaders in robotics, electric cars and other advanced industries.

This week’s setback was unexpected. Through late last week, Trump administration officials were suggesting that negotiators were making steady progress.

U.S. officials say they got an inkling of China’s second thoughts about prior commitments in talks last week in Beijing but the backsliding became more apparent in exchanges over the weekend. They wouldn’t identify the specific issues involved.

A sticking point is U.S. insistence on an enforcement mechanism with penalties to ensure Beijing lives up to its commitments. American officials say China has repeatedly broken past promises.

China wants tariffs lifted as soon as an agreement is reached, while U.S. officials want to keep them as leverage to ensure compliance.

“A real enforcement mechanism is critical,” the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai said in a statement.

Also Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Trump in a phone call to press China to release two Canadians who have been held for five months.

The men were detained in apparent retaliation after Canada arrested an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei on U.S. charges of bank fraud.

Governor hopes extra state dollars prompt tuition cut

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly says she hopes that extra state funding for the Kansas higher education system will lead to lower tuition for students and their families.

Kelly on Friday touted the additional $33 million included for higher education in a proposed $18.4 billion state budget for the fiscal year beginning in July.

She said during a Statehouse news conference that legislators included the extra money hoping that the Kansas Board of Regents could keep university tuition flat.

Kelly said she would like the regents to go further and reduce tuition. She said she’s worried that students are being priced out of higher education.

The regents have complained in the past that tight state funding has forced them to increase tuition to pay for vital programs on the campuses.

Wheat forecast: Bountiful

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A government report forecasts a bountiful Kansas winter wheat harvest.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Friday that this year’s wheat crop is expected to be up 17 percent from a year ago. It predicted Kansas growers would bring in 323 million bushels.

The agency forecast the state’s average yield at 49 bushels per acre, up 11 bushels from last year.

It also anticipated that grain would be harvested from 6.6 million acres in Kansas, down 700,000 acres from a year ago.

The government’s estimate is a bit more optimistic than the one put out by participants in last week’s winter wheat tour who estimated the size of the Kansas crop at 306.5 million bushels.

Court report

DISTRICT COURT

Judge Daniel Creitz

Civil cases filed:

Landmark National Bank vs. Karl D. Allen, other civil

Sharon A. Edmundson vs. Eric Edmundson, protection from abuse

Sandra E. Ingram vs. James K. Ingram, protection from abuse

Sharon A. Edmundson vs. Eric J. Edmundson, divorce

Marriage licenses issued:

Tanner R. Odell and Destiny Jones

 

MAGISTRATE COURT

Judge Tod Davis

Convicted of no seat belt and fined $30:

Isaac A. Wilson, Iola

Kayla L. Sutter, Fort Scott

Ciara R. Dobson, LaHarpe

Patricia S. Akin, LaHarpe

Chad L. Reed, Iola

Convicted of speeding:

Lee R. Desjardins, Tulsa, Okla., 75/65, $153

Robin L. Welch, Andover, 75/65, $153

Shannon K. Crays, Chanute, 75/65, $153

Justin Vela, San Antonio, Texas, 65/55, $153

Michael G. Sykes, Olathe, 82/65, $195

Rodney E. Westhoff, Moran, 75/65, $153

Alysa D. Degraeve, Olathe, 75/65, $153

Dana L. Sundell, Grapevine, Texas, 75/65, $153

Hanna S. Friedrich, Rochester, Minn., 75/65, $153

Anthony A. Ikehorn, Humboldt, 92/55, $408

Johnny L. Powders, Fort Scott, 65/55, $153

Ginger K. Bellm, Independence, 88/65, $240

Convicted as follows:

Carl W. Seeley, Iola, expired tag, $350

Cases deferred with fines assessed:

Kristen L. Blase, Mt. Vernon, Texas, 82/65, $220

Contract cases filed:

City of Iola vs. Baileah N. Flynn

City of Iola vs. Jonathan D. Gay

City of Iola vs. Ethan M. and Aaron M. Fulton

City of Iola vs. Delawnda M. King

City of Iola vs. Marlana A. Jones

City of Iola vs. Michael S. Jones and Melissa L. Nichols

City of Iola vs. Kristen A. Miller

City of Iola vs. Trinity M. Salyers

City of Iola vs. Marie A. Meek

City of Iola vs. Sara R. and Ed. G. Turner Jr.

Small Claims filed:

Sheri A. Smith vs. Jayme Browning

 

IOLA MUNICIPAL COURT

Judge Patti Boyd

Convicted of no seat belt and fined $30:

Mystic N. Stephens, Iola

Convicted of speeding:

Dane M. Hartwig, Chanute, 35/25, $155

Mario A. Vargas, Oxnard, Calif., 35/25, $155

Convicted as follows with fines assessed:

Jesse J. Belsher, Iola, two count of battery, $555, probation

Caedyn J. Hauge, Iola, no insurance, following too closely, $545

Kristin N. Kumalae, Moran, driving while suspended, $315

Russell W. Vanhouden, Iola, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal damage, $555, probation

John W. Zahm III, Iola, interference with law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct, $675, probation

Police news

Arrests reported

Allen County sheriff’s deputies arrested Ginger J. Nelson, 44, rural Iola, for suspicion of domestic battery and criminal damage to property Wednesday. Deputies also are requesting a disorderly conduct charge be filed.

Iola police officers arrested David J. Petty, 19, Gas, for suspicion of driving while suspended, illegal registration and no liability insurance Wednesday.

Deputies arrested Regina R. Cuppy, 39, Iola, on a warrant Tuesday.

Deputies arrested Cassandra R. Ibbetson, 18, Chanute, Tuesday for suspicion of driving while suspended and transporting an open container of alcohol.

Timothy A. Fisher, 29, Chanute, was arrested by deputies Tuesday on a warrant stemming from a misdemeanor traffic warrant.

Deputies arrested Wa Yang, 49, Fridley, Mont., for suspicion of driving while impaired Monday.

Eric J. Edmundson, 48, rural Elsmore, was arrested Sunday for suspicion of domestic battery, deputies reported.

Iola officers arrested Joseph L. Wools, 23, Iola, for suspicion of disorderly conduct May 4.

Chilam Balam, 33, Moran, was arrested by deputies May 4 for suspicion of driving while impaired.

Deputies arrested Sarah R. Chard, 39, Humboldt, May 3 on a warrant.

Larry W. Weast, 52, LaHarpe, was arrested on a warrant May 3. The warrant stemmed from misdemeanor traffic charges, deputies said.

Robert A. Peterson, 39, Iola, was arrested by Iola officers May 2 for suspicion of disorderly conduct and trespassing. A day later, Peterson was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol for suspicion of driving while suspended.

Deputies arrested Jacob D. Brown, 27, Iola, for suspicion of driving while impaired, possessing marijuana, driving against restrictions, no proof of insurance and illegal vehicle registration.

Iola officers arrested Anthony E. Wickey, 48, Iola, for suspicion of possessing stolen property.

Drake A. Tucker, 30, Fort Worth, Texas, was arrested by Iola officers May 1 for a warrant out of Fort Worth.

Officers arrested Craig E. Duvall, 49, Iola, for suspicion of disorderly conduct and being a pedestrian under the influence.

Deputies arrested Beth S. Rife, 40, Yates Center, for a  warrant related to a charge of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Deputies arrested Warren J. Odom Jr., 46, Yates Center, May 1 for a warrant related to a theft charge.

Dirt Diggers meet

Dorothy McGhee hosted Wednesday’s Dirt Diggers Garden Club meeting. She and her daughter-in-law, Linda McGhee, hosted an anniversary luncheon. Four members attended.

McGhee and Evelyn Lay will pick Iola’s Yard of the Month for May.

The next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. June 12 at Pat Howerton’s home.

Colony-Crest reunion on tap

COLONY — The annual Colony-Crest Alumni Banquet is Saturday, May 25 at the Colony Community Room.

Registration begins at 5 p.m., with dinner starting at 6:30. Advance tickets sell for $18; tickets at the door are $20.

Organizers hope to get an advance count, on behalf of the caterer.

Advance registrations may be sent to Arvin Clemans, 705 N. Kentucky St., Iola, KS 66749.

Checks should be made to the Colony-Crest Alumni Association, and received by May 17.

You can also register by emailing Clemans at carvin@hotmail.com or Melissa Hobbs at mhobbs843@gmail.com.

For more information, Clemans can be reached at (620) 363-4836.

Donations also are being accepted for the Earl R. Clemans Scholarship Fund for the 2020 Crest High School graduates.

Throngs celebrate famed railroad’s 150th anniversary

PROMONTORY, Utah (AP) — Thousands of people gathered Friday at the remote spot in the Utah desert where the final spikes of the Transcontinental Railroad were hammered 150 years ago, uniting a nation long separated by vast expanses of desert, mountains and forests and fresh off the Civil War.

Visitors traveled from as far as China and dressed in old-fashioned dresses, top hats and bonnets for the celebration featuring music, a flyover, the firing of cannons and ringing of bells at the Golden Spike National Historic Park, about 90 miles northwest of Salt Lake City.

It was the signature festivity of several days of events marking the railroad’s anniversary.

The 1869 completion of the 1,800-mile rail line shortened cross-county travel from as long as six months in wagons and stagecoaches to about 10 days on the rails and served as a unifying moment for the nation.

It became a pivotal moment in United States history that dramatically changed how people traveled and did business.

“It psychologically and symbolically bound the country,” said Brad Westwood, Utah’s senior public historian.

Bill Hanmer drove with his wife from their Middletown, Virginia, home to check off a bucket list item. The 73-year-old pilot and train enthusiast said he desperately wanted to attend the 100th anniversary event in 1969 but couldn’t afford it.

The laying of the final rails triggered a famous telegraph that set off celebrations around the nation: “The last rail is laid. The last spike is driven. The Pacific railroad is completed. The point of junction is 1,086 miles west of the Missouri River and 690 miles east of Sacramento City.”

The bells at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall rang in celebration, a hundred guns were fired in New York, and American flags were hung in cities across the nation.

The golden spike included an inscription: “May God continue the unity of our country as this railroad unites the two great oceans of the world.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt were scheduled to speak at Friday’s event. At least 15,000 attendees were expected, including large contingents from China, said Josh Loftin, a spokesman for the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts.

The railroad was built using horses, oxen, hand carts, wagons and the “brawn” of mostly Irish immigrants working on the portion that came from the East and mostly Chinese workers on the part that came from the West, Westwood said. They worked day and night and risked their lives blasting through rocks with black powder explosives and shoveling snow on frigid high mountain peaks, he said.

Westwood said it was built by the “most discriminated and least appreciated people in America.”

The epic construction of the railroad also had a dark side, leading to the near annihilation of the bison, eventual loss of land for Native American tribes and the deaths of several hundred railroad workers, Westwood said.

“It was a grand engineering feat, it was a grand gesture to bind the nation after the Civil War but it was also a story of human capital and what it took,” Westwood said.

Crest seniors rake in awards

COLONY — Crest High School’s Class of 2019 was celebrated Wednesday with a number of scholarships and other academic awards.

The outgoing seniors will receive their high school diplomas at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Crest gymnasium.

The list of scholarship and award winners follows:

Allen Community College — Jewel Armstrong (Academic), Bryce Atzbach (Vocal Music), Jacob Holloran (Academic), Vicky Rodriguez (Academic), Taylor Eddings (Vocal Music), Hayden Hermreck (Academic), Cassie Bowen (Volleyball)

Kansas University (Crimson and Blue Scholarship) — Camryn Strickler

Kansas University (Jayhawk Scholarship) — Regan Godderz

Kansas State University (All University Memorial Award) — Breyanna Benjamin

Neosho County Community College  — Tayton Driskel

Four Winds, NSDAR Scholarship — Regan Godderz

Chelsie Spain Memorial Scholarship — Camryn Stickler

Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship — Taylor Eddings

Throckmorton/Riser Foundation — Camryn Strickler

Garnett VFW Auxiliary Scholarship — Cassie Bowen

Crest Education Association — Hayden Hermreck

Dale and Betty Lybarger Scholarship — Regan Godderz

Crest Alumni Association/Earl Clemans Memorial-Jewell Armstrong, Regan Godderz and Camryn Strickler

R.E. French Family Foundation — Jewel Armstrong, Regan Godderz and Camryn Strickler

Doug Bruce Memorial Scholarship — Jewel Armstrong

Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative Scholarship — Hayden Hermreck

Lake Garnett Sporting Club Scholarship-Jewel Armstrong

First Baptist Church of Kincaid Scholarship  — Jewel Armstrong

Susie Bubna Memorial Scholarship — Jewel Armstrong, Cassie Bowen, Camryn Strickler and Jacob Holloran

Kansas Masonic Foundation Scholarship — Taylor Eddings

Anderson County Corn Festival — Cassie Bowen

Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Scholarship — Hayden Hermreck