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Longtime 20th Judicial District judge Svaty to retire
new deh ron svaty retires pic web
Ron Svaty, 20th Judicial District judge, right, has announced his plans to retire. He is shown with district Chief Judge Mike Keeley during a county swearing-in ceremony in January. - photo by Tribune file photo
Updated: Sep 7, 2017, 8:54 PM
Published: Sep 7, 2017, 9:07 PM

 TOPEKA — District Judge Ron Svaty, who has served in Ellsworth County in the 20th Judicial District since 2004, will retire Oct. 1.

Svaty has spent all but his first year out of law school working in Ellsworth. He clerked for one year for the Alaska Supreme Court following graduation from Stanford University School of Law in 1967.

Svaty practiced law in Ellsworth from 1969 until his election to the bench.

An Ellsworth native, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1964 with a liberal arts degree and pre-law emphasis. He and his wife, Pat, have been married 53 years, and they have three daughters and six grandchildren.

Svaty said he will miss his association with the legal profession.

“What stands out, and what I’ll miss the most, are the dedicated lawyers I’ve dealt with as a judge,” he said. “I’ve been extremely impressed with their ability and commitment. I’m going to miss that the most. Most of them are idealists; they look on the law as a calling. I know that’s not true everywhere, but it is out here.”

He said he also will miss his longtime secretary Vi Jiricek, who has worked for him since he returned to Ellsworth in 1969 and is currently battling cancer.

“I’m praying for the best for her,” he said.

Svaty said his retirement plans include attending his Stanford law class’ 50th reunion in October and helping his nephew Josh Svaty, a former state representative, in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018.

Judges in the 20th Judicial District are elected by partisan ballot. State statute requires the governor to select a replacement to complete a vacated term of office. Svaty was last elected to a four-year term in 2014.
Avian influenza found in Russell County
bird flu alert march 2025
Published: Mar 11, 2025, 2:12 PM

 The Russell County Health Department reports there have been positive test results for avian influenza (bird flu) in Russell County. Health Officer Jennifer Funk, RN, issued a community alert on Monday, March 10.

Avian influenza is a viral infection that mainly affects birds. It can be spread to poultry, cows, cats and humans through contact with infected birds or droppings. At this time, there are no positive animal-to-human cases of bird flu in Kansas. Funk notes measures can be taken to decrease the chance of human infection by using personal protective equipment when in contact with sick animals and dropping. For more information, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/caring/.

Signs and symptoms in animals include lethargy, loss of appetite, lack of coordination, respiratory distress, decreased milk production in cows, and decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs in poultry. Symptoms in humans can range from mild to severe including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue.

Drinking unpasteurized milk from an infected cow can expose a person to bird flu. The CDC states that pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, like avian influenza A viruses, in milk. Cooking poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate internal temperature also kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses.

Funk’s alter concludes, “If possible, keep cats indoors and monitor your animals. If symptoms do occur, contact your veterinarian immediately. If you are in contact with an infected animal and develop symptoms, contact your local health department or primary care provider.”