Emma "Charlene" (Wilkens) Gunther, 85, of Stockton, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2023, at an assisted living facility.

Eugene “Gene” Wagner, age 89, Downs, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023.

He was born September 24, 1933, to Frank and Philomena (Gradig) Wagner on a farm south of Downs.

Mr. Wagner was a farmer.

He is preceded in death by his sisters, Leona Budke and Loretta Eilert, and grandson, Justin Wagner.

James Willis Feil, 67, of Russell, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer with his loving family by his side.

He was born July 4, 1955, in Stockton, Kansas. He was the son of Willis Leo and Georgia Marie (Mai) Feil. He grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the Class of '73. He then attended Kansas University for a year before transferring to Fort Hays State University, where he graduated with a degree in Accounting.

Hello from Topeka.

I enjoyed seeing all of you who came to the town halls we had throughout the district; great attendance and many issues were discussed. Glad to have State Senators Billinger and Bowers and State Representative Barb Wasinger at some of the stops.

We are in the final two weeks before the First Adjournment of the session. There are many things that we will vote on and some that did not make the cut, so they may be attempted next year. Here are a few of the things that happened: