December 2021

Alicia Dawn Unruh

December 15, 2021

WICHITA, KS - Alicia Dawn Unruh, 42, loving wife and homeschool mom, died Thursday, December 9, 2021. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday, December 17, 2021, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary; Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Pathway Church. Survived by her husband, Travis; sons, Caleb, Carson, Carter and Cameron; mother, Kristi Powell; father-in-law, Duane (Cyndy) Unruh of McPherson, KS; mother-in-law, Wanda (Wendel) Lambert of St. Louis, MO; sisters, Jordan Lambert, Julia Lambert, Larissa (Joshua) Frisbie of St. Joseph, MO; grandparents, Duane (Joan) Ream of Smith Center, KS; many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. A memorial has been established for the education of Travis and Alicia’s children through the Alicia Unruh Memorial Fund at Emprise Bank, 8807 W. Central Ave., Wichita, KS 67212. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com

December 15, 2021

MCPHERSON - Joyce Lorraine Groke, age 61, of McPherson, Kansas, died Saturday morning, December 11, 2021, at Disability Supports of the Great Plains, McPherson, Kansas. She was born May 18th, 1960 in McPherson Kansas, to Albert H.

Newton Railer basketball team rallies to force overtime

December 12, 2021

The Newton High School boys’ basketball team didn’t have the size or physical strength that rival McPherson showed. The Railers also struggled with turnovers and rebounding, but Newton did show some shooting touches in a 68-64 overtime loss to the Bullpups.

30 x 30 initiative frustrates lawmakers

December 12, 2021

If you’re confused about President Joe Biden’s 30 x 30 initiative, you’re not alone. State legislators, officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, research staff and advocacy groups remain largely perplexed and cautious about the federal plan, which aims to protect 30% of U.S.

‘Die is definitely a Christmas movie. Or not.

December 12, 2021

Every year, it’s the same old argument: “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. • Or it’s not. • Actually, it’s an argument for all seasons, not just the holiday one. The argument, I get. The level of devotion to one side or the other, not so much. • Because it doesn’t really matter. • Anything can be a holiday movie. It all has to do with what the movie means to you — no matter what holiday you celebrate, if a film moves you in the manner of the season, it counts. • Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

McPherson gets past Railers in second half

December 12, 2021

The Newton High School girls’ basketball team had McPherson on its heels for the first half, and despite being shut out in the third quarter, was in the game before a Bullpup run in the fourth spilled the Railers 49-26 Tuesday at Ravenscroft Gym.

December 12, 2021

A threat against the middle school in McPherson resulted in a police response and the arrest of a student this week. On Dec.

December 12, 2021

December has arrived, meaning it’s time to “Freeze Your Brass Off.” The Lindsborg Landmark Concert Series will host its annual “Freeze Your Brass Off” outdoor concert at 3:30 p.m. Dec.

New owner of $30 million central Kansas ranch wants to continue to serve guests in style

December 12, 2021

A little way from where two dirt roads cross on the Kansas prairie sits a newlypurchased $30 million hunting compound — the Hooray Ranch. This exclusive lodge serves five-star meals three times a day and includes lush accommodations and a more than one-to-one employee to guest ratio.

A Gorman poetry collection, Maier bio and more reading

December 12, 2021

1. “Call Us What We Carry,” by Amanda Gorman (Viking, poetry) What it’s about: Gorman proved herself an energizing new voice in American poetry with her stirring poem, “The Hill We Climb,” memorably delivered at this year’s presidential inauguration.