RUFUS - New Shire's 25th and oldest Lt. Governor, Micheal Wendtz died at the age of 74 at his Hillcrest, New Shire home this afternoon leaving behind his loving wife, and three children and six grandchildren. Wendtz had been battling cancer for less than four months before the disease took his life.

"He was a great husband, father, brother, uncle and grandpa," said the family in a joint statement. "It hurts to know that we will never see his sweet face, his infectious smile and his unmistakable laughter. We all will miss him tremendously and nothing will patch the void in our hearts."

The New Shire State police say they were called to his home around 12:05 PM and arrived a little after 12:10 PM and attempted CPR for 22 minutes before it was called by a certified medical professional whose name is being withheld at this time.

Governor Thomas Cooke has not made any public statement at the time of the publishing of this article. It is expected that he will post a statement on his X account and on the Governor's Website, sometime later this afternoon.

A state funeral has not been announced by the Governor's Office and the Governor's Office has not returned our request for comment at this time. It is heavily speculated that Governor Cooke will authorize a state funeral for the late- Lt Governor.