Stop Trafficking
We have all done it. You let your kid use your cellphone while you wait in line at the store, or doctor’s office.
You know who else does it? Over 500,000 predators, perverts, and pimps.
Some of them are eighth graders luring your child and others. And if your child is lonely, feels isolated, they are easy prey.
Russ Tuttle goes around the country speaking with children and adults from small, rural towns to large cities. The internet is the equalizer.
While 60 people came to hear Tuttle speak at the Northrup Theatre on Wednesday night, it wasn’t enough. Every parent needs to be aware.
Law enforcement can’t do very much because most of the time the child shares a nude picture of themselves willingly. Or they leave their house on their own accord. It’s up to us.
Snapchat, TikTok, and instagram are the three biggest apps right now that predators, pimps, and perverts use. But ANY app that has private messaging helps them get to your child.
Not my child? Don’t be so sure. Young boys playing Fortnite or gaming against a friend are vulnerable. Tuttle shared relatable true stories of kids just like ours who fell prey to these people. It’s a billion dollar industry.
A young boy is home gaming with his cousin. The cousin lets a friend in. The friend starts chatting. The cousin hangs up. Pretty soon the boy leaves his home and hides in a ditch for 18 hours waiting for what he thinks is a young girl.
A girl starts messaging a friend. The friend adds in their friend. They chat. He makes her feel good, pretty, special. Soon he is asking her for a picture. Then he is asking for a naked picture. If she doesn’t do it right away, he keeps chatting.
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking happens fast. But sometimes they can be persistent. It can happen in three days or three years.
Tuttle shared the story of a star softball player headed for great things. It was one chat. It was one picture. She left her house to meet a boy. But it wasn’t a boy. It was a 21 year old sex trafficker who beat her, raped her. She returned home, she kept playing softball, going to school. But he would sell her often. And he would break her pinkie to remind her to not say a word.
One day she left home for good. She was trafficked and sold for years. When she ran away from the traffickers, they found her. And had her raped by over 30 men in a 24 hour period as punishment.
Can’t happen to my kid? Are you sure?
If you missed the presentation, he is in Lakin tonight at Lakin High School, 407 N Campbell St, 6:00 PM Central Time.
Can’t be there? There are over 100 apps pimps, predators, and perverts are using to lure your kids. And sometimes they live right in your town.
Share the information with each other. Monitor your child’s phone. Be a trusted adult and have trusted adults your child can talk too. Listen to them.
Go to the website https://www.stoptraffickingproject.com Or download the Stop Trafficking app on your phone for up to date resources.
NEWS
A is for Agriculture
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LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS
Boarders Inn & Suites photo - Pictured from Top Left to Right - Francisco Orta, Albani Dowell, Areia Bustillos, Saraya Lewis, Shauna Valentine, Mayra Orta, Maria Orta, Judy Nielsen
Bottom - Left to Right Brandon Herrera, Yadira Portillo, Ximena Portillo, Alexis Worsley Not pictured - Rebekah Seal, Erica Salgado/photos by Michele Boy
Wheatland Electric photo - Shajia Donecker, social media specialist; Alli Conine, director of member services & corporate communications; Nicole Semenko, payroll specialist; Bruce W. Mueller, general manager; Rick Klaus, director of operations; and Kyle Strickert, manager of substations and metering, accept the 2023 Apprenticeship Champions and Partners Award from Lt. Governor David Toland (center) at the Kansas Business Awards on Oct. 12, 2023, in Wichita.
Dream First Bank photo - Pictured L to R - Roxanne Emmerich, Chair and Founder of The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ï¸ and Dream First Bank President and CEO Chris Floyd at the Banky Awards Event
The Kansas Cold Weather Rule Takes Effect November 1
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OPINIONS
Day of Action of Thanks
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SPORTS
STATE GOLF RESULTS
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
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OBITUARIES
Everett “Butch” Buchanan
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Larry Gene Holdren
Larry Gene Holdren was born November 16, 1971, in Syracuse, Kansas to Charles Richard and Beverly Jean (Potter) Holdren. He passed from this life on November 24, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado after suffering an aortic tear. He leaves behind many family and friends who... [More]
Martina Pena
A Mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada resident, Martina Pena was held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Lamar with Reverend Kenny Joe Parlingayan’s.s.s.... [More]
Richard Marquez
A mass of Christian burial for lifelong Granada resident, Richard Marquez will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. A rosary service will be held prior to the mass at 10:30AM with Deacon Allan Medina... [More]
Dorothy Jean (Bules) Leslie Reed
Dorothy Jean (Bules) Leslie Reed, 95, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born November 25, 1927 in Gentry, Arkansas the daughter of Grover Bules & Devona (Huser) Bules. Dorothy began her life in Gentry, and... [More]
María Salgado
Mass of Christian Burial for Maria Salgado will be held at 10:00 a.m. and Recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, November 18, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. Interment will take place following the Massin the Holly Cemetery. Visitation... [More]
Evelyn Youngers
Garfield - Evelyn T. Youngers, 93, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023 at home. She was born June 9, 1930 in Ost, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Helen (Schauf) Marx. She was a supportive farmer’s wife and a loving mother of twelve children. On May 18,... [More]
Chad Allen Myers
Chad Allen Myers, 51, Spring Hill, Kansas passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023. Visitation will be 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 6, 2023 with a Celebration Of Life at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 7, 2023 both at Spring HillUnited Methodist Church, 112 E. Nichols Street,... [More]
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- Letha (Reavis) Kraft
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