JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Geary County Schools USD 475 said that the Junction City High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America team, which consists of Mateo Fuentes, Kai Walsh, Brittney Dibben, Aubrey Goddard and Keileigh Johnston, was recently named the 2026 Kansas State Varsity LifeSmarts&nbsp;Champion at the Kansas State Finals on the campus of Wichita State University.

By earning state championship accolades, the Blue Jays, who had already secured a wild card spot for nationals in January prior to competing late last week, will be one of only two teams from the entire state of Kansas who will compete at the 2026 National LifeSmarts Championship in Orlando, Fla.&nbsp;In all, Fuentes, Walsh, Dibben, Goddard and Johnston are not only the firstteam&nbsp;in school history to win a LifeSmarts State Championship or competition, but also the first team in school history to qualify for nationals as a non-wild card team. 

In 2024, JCHS saw former graduates Armani Coleman, Macie Muto, Rilynn Hotard and Gracie Erichsen advance to nationals as a wild card.The Blue Jays, who had to qualify for state to even compete last week, placed first overall by beating out five other state qualifying teams in a head-to-head in person team competition, including runner-up Sunrise Christian Academy of Wichita who will now join JCHS at nationals after the Blue Jays were able to pass along their wild card spot to the Buffaloes.&nbsp;

The group will travel to Orlando the week of April 15-18 to compete against 48 other teams, nationally, for the right to be crowned the 2026 LifeSmarts National Champion.

LifeSmarts, a consumer education and life skills competition, challenges teens about personal finance, health &amp; safety, the environment, technology &amp; workforce preparation, as well as consumer rights and responsibilities, is a program of the National Consumers League.

JCHS FCCLA Wins LifeSmarts State Championship

The Junction City Commission has approved a resolution to have the city manager, Kim Zimmerman, administer a Build Grant if it's received from the&nbsp; US Department of Transportation. The City is about a week away from submitting an application. The city manager would operate within the policies of the city.

The grant would support Grant Avenue improvements.

&nbsp;According to the City the authorization reflects the Commission’s commitment to advancing public safety, improving sustainable infrastructure, and supporting continued economic and community development, particularly in partnership with Fort Riley, private industry, and local residents. 

The Commission’s support includes pursuing BUILD grant funding (up to the program’s $25 million cap) to repair Grant Avenue and address related stormwater drainage and roadway concerns. In accordance with Kansas Budget and Cash-Basis Law, the City has further pledged to cover any and all potential cost overruns that may exceed the current cost estimate amount of $24.8 million.&nbsp;

City Commission approves a resolution for a grant application

Join the United Way JCGC to help STUFF THE PANTRY.They&nbsp; will be collecting food and baby items. Donations will be shared with the Geary County Food Pantry, JC Pregnancy Center, Konza Cupboard, Clover Cabinet, and other food pantries.

. Each month, the food pantries in the community provide food for over 2,000 people. United Way wants to make sure that there is enough food to meet the needs.

In addition to food items, they are collecting items for the JC Pregnancy Center. Often, when a new or expecting parent comes into the pregnancy center, it is to get help with items for their little one. This could be diapers, wipes, pacifiers, or baby towels. Volunteers who would like to help can sign up at through theSignUp Genius link. Volunteers will help collect items and/or deliver them to the intended recipients. In addition to live days, there will be drop off boxes throughout the community.

Volunteers will be at Dillons and both Wal-Mart locations

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Wish List Items

Peanut Butter, Jelly Boxed Dinners (Hamburger Helper)

Canned Meat any type Diapers (Any Size/Brand), Baby Wipes

Canned Vegetables, Shampoo/Conditioner, Canned Pasta – (Spaghetti O’s)

Spaghetti Sauce, Canned Mac &amp; Cheese, Trail Mix/Snack Crackers

Pancake Mix &amp; Syrup, Baby Towels Baby Washcloths

Baby Blankets, Cleaning Supplies, Condiments

United Way will collect food and baby items

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Kaiona Patterson, Escape from custody; Resisting arrest; Domestic battery; Criminal deprivation of property; Interference with LEO, Obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor warrant service or execution, arrested 02/13

Veronica Hicks, Violation of a protection order, arrested 02/13

Myrthles Crawford, Probation violation, arrested 02/13

Hope Hasty, Unlawful damage to property; Criminal deprivation of property; Domestic battery, arrested 02/14

Justin Welch, Failure to appear, arrested 02/14

Matthew Klukis, Failure to appear, arrested 02/14

Leonel Gonzalez-Leiva, DUI-Liquor/Drugs (2nd offense); Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 02/15

Joseph Smith, DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 02/15

Dshawn Grant, Domestic battery, arrested 02/15

Jean Mballa Onana, Failure to appear, arrested 02/16

Dylan Williams, Failure to appear, arrested 02/16

Imani Rodriguez, Failure to appear, arrested 02/17

Geary County Booking Photos Feb. 14-18, 2026

The Junction City Elks Lodge #1037 has donated cleaning supplies and made a financial donation to the Junction City Animal Shelter.&nbsp;

 Members of Junction City Elks Lodge dropped off over $500 in cleaning supplies and kennels for the Junction City Animal Shelter this week. They also made a $550 donation to Max’s Fund at the animal shelter.

According to Vanessa Gray, Director of the Junction City Animal Shelter, "Max's Fund&nbsp;is a donation-based fund that anyone can apply for through the animal shelter. It is there to assist pet owners with vet bills or supplies as needed." They can apply twice a year, and approval is based on availability of funds in the account.

Junction City Elks Lodge #1037 Supports the Junction City Animal Shelter

The Junction City High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams were back in the capital city of Topeka on Tuesday night for their fifth straight road game—three of those in Topeka. Tuesday’s matchup was played at Topeka High School.

Girls Recap - Topeka High 66, Junction City 33

The girls’ game belonged to Topeka High from the start. The Lady Trojans, now winners of six straight, rolled past Junction City on Tuesday night.

Topeka led 9-4 just two minutes into the game, with all four of Junction City’s points coming from sophomore Laniyah Warmack. From there, the Trojans took control. Turning defense into offense, Topeka finished the first quarter on a 23-1 run and led 32-5 at the end of the period.

The Lady Jays played much better in the second quarter, scoring 13 points, including five straight from senior Breya Allen. Junction City trailed 56-18 at halftime.

The entire second half was played with a running clock, and Topeka High secured its sixth consecutive win by doubling up the Lady Jays, 66-33.

*Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game was senior Breya Allen. She scored a season-high eight points and provided solid minutes in her first start of the season. For being named the Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Breya receives a $20 coupon voucher from Blu Restaurant, located at 602 N. Washington St. in Junction City.

Boys Recap - Junction City 61, Topeka High 59

This game lived up to the excitement of the first matchup between these two teams exactly one month earlier, when Topeka won 72-69 in overtime.

Both teams entered the contest in need of a Centennial League win. The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with each team trading baskets. Topeka High led 16-15 after one.

The second quarter featured an early Trojans run. Topeka opened the period on an 11-6 run to take a 27-21 lead. The Blue Jays responded and cut the deficit to four, trailing 29-25 at halftime.

The third quarter mirrored the first, as neither team could pull away. Topeka led 46-41 heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter brought plenty of drama. Junction City began the period on a 10-4 run to take a 51-50 lead. Topeka answered with a run of its own, going up 57-51 with 1:35 remaining.&nbsp;

Then the Blue Jays dug in defensively and found their offense. Senior Jackson Hollie made a layup and then hit a jumper from the left elbow to cut the deficit to 57-55 with under a minute to play. Junction City got another stop when junior Angel Allen dove in front of a cross-court pass, stole the ball and called a timeout.

Senior Lovell Autry tied the game at 57 with 27 seconds remaining. On the next possession, Topeka attempted to score in transition but threw the ball out of bounds. With no timeouts left, Junction City executed and took the lead. Autry drove to the basket and gave the Blue Jays a 59-57 lead with 9.5 seconds to play.

Topeka advanced the ball and called timeout with 6.7 seconds left. Senior Bryson McComas drove to the basket and missed, but goaltending was called when Autry hit the backboard while the ball was near the cylinder. The game was tied at 59 with 1.8 seconds left, and overtime seemed likely again.

Junior Khaliel Walker, standing on the baseline at the opposite end of the floor, threw a one-handed, full-court pass that hit Autry in stride. Autry finished with a left-handed layup at the buzzer to give Junction City a 61-59 win.

It was a remarkable comeback, as the Blue Jays closed the game on a 10-2 run, with an outstanding final play to win the game.

With the win, Junction City improves to 10-9 on the season, while Topeka High falls to 10-10. Three Blue Jays scored in double figures: Lovell Autry led the way with 24 points, Jackson Hollie added 14, and Khaliel Walker had 11.

*Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game was senior Lovell Autry.&nbsp;For being named our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Lovell receives a $20 coupon voucher from Blu Restaurant, located at 602 N. Washington St. in Junction City.

Both the Junction City Blue Jays and Lady Jays return to action Friday night at Manhattan High School.

🏀 Blue Jay boys beat Topeka High at the Buzzer, Lady Jays swept by Topeka on the season

Geary County Commissioners have denied a $1,000 funding recommendation&nbsp; from the CVB for use in supporting the Mudd Bogg event that raises money for Freedom Fest.

The County has already increased funding for Freedom Fest this year from $20,000 up to $25,000.&nbsp;

Commissioners Keith Ascher and Kathy Tremont voted in favor of denying the CVB recomendation.&nbsp; But Commissioner Trish Giordano voted the other way, noting that it is an event that brings other people to the community.

County denies extra funding for Mudd Bogg

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Manhattan man on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just after 2p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 48-year-old Scott Marchand, 48, of Manhattan, in the 100 block of Courthouse Plaza, according to the Riley Police Department activity report.&nbsp;

He was booked into jail on requested charges that include use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, possession of substance in KSA 65-4105(h), distribution or possess with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school (&gt;100 grams); distribute or possess with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school (3.5-&lt;100 grams), distribute certain stimulant (3.5-&lt;100 grams) within 1000 feet of a school, distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, and possession of marijuana. Marchand met the requirement of a $125,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

RCPD: Alleged fentanyl dealer arrested in Manhattan

&nbsp;As of 5p.m. the eastbound lanes remained closed between Colby and Oakley. Westbound lanes were opened from WaKeeney to Colorado state line and eastbound lanes are open at Oakley

Interstate 70 is closed in both directions between Colby and Oakley, extending to WaKeeney due to high winds and blowing dust causing reduced visibility.

Vehicle crashes blocking the roadway are also part of the closure.

High Wind and Red Flag Warnings are in effect through the afternoon across much of northwest Kansas. Motorists are advised to consider delaying non-essential travel if possible.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c6d2c8df6-0638a7d6-ac7f-4643-bdf5-2cbdbc567602-000000/94Kw5yb63L8KkrnqJ9WiJz13sFtIyfg6qrGkYpNqD08=444">kandrive.gov</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

KDOT: I-70 now open in both directions after dust storm

Geary County Health Department Director Charles Martinez told the Board of Health ( county commision ) Tuesday night that the Department is expanding the Safe Kids program.

Some of the plans include giving out car seats, events, smoke detectors and firearm safety.&nbsp;

Seperately they are also planning on doing Bucks for Buckles.

Martinez reported that Covid numbers are down in 2026 and typical of this time of year Infuenza A had a 5.9% rating. But that number compares with 19% two years ago.

Health Department Report

&nbsp;Geary County Commissioner Trish Giordano reported on a number of issues during the Tuesday night meeting of the governing body. She noted at a recent Military Affairs Council meeting there was discussion about a possible Veterans Parade.&nbsp; But instead there was consensus on going with a Veterans Summit where resources could be provided for veterans on the Saturday before Veterans day.

Giordano also referred to an $18,000 deficiency in cash for MAC last year. She would like to see an explanation on the cause. It has been made up with an annual appropriation from the city and county.

There has been a request by Alan Bontrager for a marketing campaign. Giordano wants to see it headed up by the CVB. She would like to see the subject discussed at a joint city, county, school district meeting.

Giordano and Commissioner Kathy Tremont both agreed to go with quarterly department staff meetings in the future.&nbsp;

Commissioner Giordano updates topics

SHAWNEE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas man Tuesday afternoon for an alleged child sex offense.

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, KBI agents with the Child Victims Unit arrested Charles K. VanCamp, 26, in Topeka. VanCamp was arrested for a charge of criminal sodomy, and two counts of sexual exploitation of a child.&nbsp;

On Dec. 18, 2025, KBI agents executed a search warrant at VanCamp’s residence after receiving a cyber-tip that was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Evidence was seized from the residence.

Following his arrest VanCamp was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Additional charges against VanCamp are expected.

KBI: Cyber-tip led to arrest of Kansas man for child sex crimes

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 1:30p.m. February 14,&nbsp;a Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero passenger vehicle for a traffic infraction in rural Jackson County, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver 40-year-old Shane Christopher Garrison, and the passenger 39-year-old Cheyanna Marie Gordon both of Horton were placed under arrest. 

 Garrison was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gordon was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methampehtamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Traffic stop ruins Valentine's Day for Kansas couple

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Wednesday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Honda motorcycle driven by&nbsp;Shaun Keller, 47, Augusta, was northbound in the right lane of Interstate 135 near Rock Road. The motorcycle traveled off the left side of the road and struck the barrier wall.

Keller was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Morgue. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle crash into barrier wall

LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mark-zuckerberg">Mark Zuckerberg</a>&nbsp;and opposing lawyers dueled in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, where the Meta CEO answered questions about young people’s use of Instagram, his congressional testimony and internal advice he’s received about being “authentic” and not “robotic.”

Zuckerberg's testimony is part of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-instagram-youtube-social-media-addiction-los-angeles-1b409b31438e5ba46e2e8c064229b51a">unprecedented social media trial</a>&nbsp;that questions whether Meta's platforms deliberately addict and harm children. During questioning by the plaintiff's lawyer, Zuckerberg said he still agrees with a previous statement he made that the existing body of scientific work has not proven that social media causes mental health harms.

The plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Lanier, asked Zuckerberg if people tend to use something more if it’s addictive.

“I’m not sure what to say to that,” Zuckerberg said. “I don’t think that applies here.”

Attorneys representing the plaintiff, a now 20-year-old woman identified by the initials KGM, claim her early use of social media addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta Platforms and Google’s YouTube are the two remaining defendants in the case, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-media-trial-kids-addiction-meta-tiktok-youtube-d3a6bf617f2d11521675412ffb275031">TikTok and Snap have settled.</a>

Beginning his questioning, Lanier laid out three options of what people can do regarding vulnerable people: help them, ignore them, or “prey upon them and use them for our own ends.” Zuckerberg said he agrees the last option is not what a reasonable company should do, saying, “I think a reasonable company should try to help the people that use its services.”

Lanier questioned the Meta CEO extensively about a comment he made during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-tiktok-snap-discord-zuckerberg-testify-senate-00754a6bea92aaad62585ed55f219932">past congressional hearing</a>, where he said Instagram employees are not given goals to increase amount of time people spent on the platform.

Lanier presented internal documents that seemed to contradict that statement. Zuckerberg replied that they previously had goals associated with time, but said he and the company made the conscious decision to move away from those goals, focusing instead on utility. He said he believes in the “basic assumption” that “if something is valuable, people will use it more because it’s useful to them.”

Lanier also asked Zuckerberg about what he characterized as extensive media training, including for testimonies like the one he was giving in court. Lanier pointed to an internal document about feedback on Zuckerberg's tone of voice on his own social media, imploring him to come off as “authentic, direct, human, insightful and real,” and instructing him to “not try hard, fake, robotic, corporate or cheesy” in his communication.

Zuckerberg pushed back against the idea that he’s been coached on how to respond to questions or present himself, saying those offering the advice were “just giving feedback.”

Regarding his media appearances and public speaking, Zuckerberg said, “I think I’m actually well known to be sort of bad at this.”

The Meta CEO has long been mocked online for appearing robotic and, when he was younger, nervous when speaking publicly. In 2010, during an interview with renowned tech journalists Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, he was sweating so profusely that Swisher asked him if he wanted to “take off the hoodie” that was his uniform at the time.

Lanier spent a considerable stretch of his time with Zuckerberg asking about the company’s age verification policies.

“I don’t see why this is so complicated,” Zuckerberg said after a lengthy back-and-forth, reiterating that the company’s policy restricts users under the age of 13 and that they work to detect users who have lied about their ages to bypass restrictions.

Zuckerberg mostly stuck to his talking points, referencing his goal of building a platform that is valuable to users and, on multiple occasions, saying he disagreed with Lanier’s “characterization” of his questions or of Zuckerberg’s own comments.

As was the case with head of Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-social-media-addiction-trial-mosseri-los-angeles-a49f64e21682e8bc1b98fbdf3d061579">Adam Mosseri’s testimony last week</a>, Zuckerberg was grilled about policies relating to cosmetic beauty filters on Instagram. Zuckerberg said he didn’t believe there was enough evidence pointing to harm the filters could cause and said he has a “high bar” for blocking tools or features that would limit people’s expression. Lanier pointed to external experts Meta hired to assess the filters and their potential impacts, saying that all 18 of them raised concerns.

Children's advocates slammed Zuckerberg's testimony as disingenuous.

“All Mark Zuckerberg accomplished with his testimony today was to prove yet again that he cannot be trusted, especially when it comes to kids’ safety," said Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay. “Under oath, Meta’s CEO testified that his company does not have an objective to increase users’ time spent on Instagram. But we know Zuckerberg and his fellow executives prevented Instagram from getting rid of features like visible like counts and plastic surgery filters — features that are by their very nature addictive.”

Zuckerberg has testified in other trials and answered questions from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-tiktok-snap-discord-zuckerberg-testify-senate-00754a6bea92aaad62585ed55f219932">Congress about youth safety</a>&nbsp;on Meta's platforms. During his 2024 congressional testimony, he apologized to families whose lives had been upended by tragedies they believed were caused by social media. But while he told parents he was “sorry for everything you have all been through,” he stopped short of taking direct responsibility for it. This trial marks the first time Zuckerberg stands before a jury. Once again, bereaved parents are sitting in the courtroom audience.

The case, along with two others, has been selected as a bellwether trial, meaning its outcome could impact how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies are likely to play out.

One of Meta's attorneys, Paul Schmidt, said in his opening statement that the company is not disputing that KGM experienced mental health struggles, but rather disputing that Instagram played a substantial factor in those struggles. He pointed to medical records that showed a turbulent home life, and both he and an attorney representing YouTube argue she turned to their platforms as a coping mechanism or a means of escaping her mental health struggles.

Meta is also facing a separate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-new-mexico-child-exploitation-trial-19195fc680dba782fb971d68082e11a4">trial in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;that began last week.

Facebook founder quizzed on kids' social media use in landmark trial

COMANCHE COUNTY —All fires in Comanche County are contained at this time, according to Comanche County Emergency Management.&nbsp; All Barber County firefighters who were assisting have returned to the Barber County.

COMANCHE COUNTY—A grass fire in Comanche County is moving to the north with localized evacuations occurring, according to Barber County Emergency Management.&nbsp;

Multiple fire agencies from Barber County are responding to assist The fire was at Comanche County Hwy 160 just 7 miles East of Coldwater, according to Comanche County Emergency Management. There are no reports of injuries.

South central Kansas wildfire fire now contained

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Agrochemical maker Bayer and attorneys for cancer patients announced a proposed $7.25 billion settlement Tuesday to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller Roundup could cause cancer.

The proposed settlement comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-bayer-roundup-glyphosate-cancer-2e8e03708f125a84999259e624fb695c">preparing to hear arguments</a>&nbsp;on Bayer's assertion that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Roundup without a cancer warning should invalidate claims filed in state courts. That case would not be affected by the proposed settlement.

But the settlement would eliminate some of the risk from an eventual and uncertain Supreme Court ruling — both for Bayer and for patients seeking damages.

Germany-based Bayer, which acquired Roundup maker Monsanto in 2018, disputes the assertion that the weedkiller's key ingredient, glyphosate, can cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. But the company has warned that mounting legal costs are threatening its ability to continue selling the product in U.S. agricultural markets.

“Litigation uncertainly has plagued the company for years, and this settlement gives the company a road to closure,” Bayer CEO Bill Anderson said Tuesday.

The proposed settlement was filed in St. Louis Circuit Court in Missouri, home to Bayer's North America crop science division and the state where many of the lawsuits have been brought. The settlement still needs the court's approval.

Bayer agrees to $7 billion settlement in Roundup cancer lawsuits

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansans will soon be required to use the bathroom of their biological sex at birth in all government buildings after the House joined the Senate Wednesday to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto.&nbsp;

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb244/" target="_blank">House Substitute for Senate Bill 244</a>&nbsp;will go into effect immediately after paperwork is filed at the Secretary of State’s office. Along with the public facilities regulations, the bill requires Kansans to use the gender marker of their biological sex at birth on their driver’s licenses and birth certificates. It invalidates documents that were issued to transgender people previously.&nbsp;

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260218120124_975402/" target="_blank">vote was 87 to 37</a>, with Republican Rep. Mark Schreiber joining all Democrats present in opposing the bill. It passed the Senate on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Kelly said in a statement after her veto was overridden that the bill was poorly drafted and will cost taxpayers millions of dollars to comply.&nbsp;

“It is nothing short of ridiculous that the Legislature is forcing the entire state, every city and town, every school district, every public university to spend taxpayer money on a manufactured problem,” she said. “Kansans elected them to focus on education, job creation, housing, and grocery costs.”

Just four Democratic opponents were able to debate the bill before Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, made a motion of the previous question, which means all debate stops and a vote is immediately taken.

Rep. Heather Meyer, an Overland Park Democrat, said the legislation was discriminatory and “paints a bullseye” on the backs of legislative colleagues who are trans women, including Rep. Abi Boatman, D-Wichita, and former representative Stephanie Byers, a Democrat from Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I feel safer in a restroom with those representatives than I do or would with some people here, including women, and I’m not even joking about that,” she said.&nbsp;

Rep. Alexis Simmons, D-Topeka, said she took issue with a statement that the bill codifies societal norms.&nbsp;

“We used to also have a law that women were subjugated to pregnancy and marriage because that was considered the societal norm,” she said. “Societal norms also would have included slavery and Jim Crow and other horrific stains on our nation’s history.”

Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, D-Overland Park, said evidence shows that bills like SB 244 negatively impact the mental health of trans people and cause “hateful stereotypes.”&nbsp;

“Attempting to legislate away the rights of people who are different from you has played out in history time and again,” she said. “So I want to ask which side of history does this body want to be on today?”

After debate was shut down, many Democratic opponents used the one-minute opportunity to explain their vote to show support for trans people and their frustration with the bill.&nbsp;

Rep. Carolyn Caiharr, R-Edwardsville, supported the bill and voted to overturn the veto.&nbsp;

“Our young women deserve to have restrooms and locker rooms where they can undress without men in the room. This bill protects girls and women, the ones feminists used to claim to stand for,” she said.&nbsp;

Along with opposing the bill, several Democrats talked about the fact that debate was cut short Wednesday, and that the process allowed no public input on the bathroom restrictions.&nbsp;

“Statesmanship requires the willingness to listen to those you disagree with, to care when you are exhausted, and to respect when you are not willing to,” said Rep. Kirk Haskins, D-Topeka. “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. They deserve our protection, even if we don’t want to listen to them.”

Rep. Lynn Melton, D-Kansas City, said lawmakers were silenced during the debate on SB 244.&nbsp;

“Kansans want tax relief and affordability,” she said. “Fourteen voices were silenced today that represent thousands of people who deserve to be heard. Shame on this chamber.”

Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, said in a statement that SB 244 protects privacy and safety.&nbsp;

“While the Governor fearmongers and muddies the water with her misleading veto message, our position remains steady: This isn’t about scoring political points, but doing what’s right for women and girls across our communities,” he said. “Kansans expect clarity, not confusion.”

Advocacy groups joined in a written statement criticizing the passage of SB 244 and raising concerns about its effects.&nbsp;

“This discriminatory bill undermines our state’s strong constitutional protections against government overreach and persecution,” said Micah&nbsp; Kubic, executive director of ACLU of Kansas.

Michael Poppa, executive director of Mainstream Coalition, said the legislativesupermajority was targeting an already marginalized community.&nbsp;

“Kansas families are being crushed by rising housing and healthcare costs. Small businesses face workforce shortages,” he said. “Rural communities are losing hospitals and struggling with failing infrastructure. These are the issues that demand action.”

Other organizations included in the statement were&nbsp;Equality Kansas, Kansas Interfaith Action, Loud Light Civic Action and Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes.

Kan. House overrides veto; ‘bathroom bill’ limiting access to facilities will become law 

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Tuesday in Kansas City.

A silver Nissan Altima was eastbound on Interstate 70 approaching Stadium Drive in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. The driver failed to stop for congested traffic ahead. The Nissan Altima rear-ended a black Nissan full-size van, resulting in a four-vehicle collision. 

Two individuals were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. EMS pronounced one passenger deceased at the scene. This is fatality #9 in KCMO in 2026, according to Gonzalez.

Police released no additional details including the name of the victims.

KCPD: One dead after 4-vehicle I-70 crash

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/"></a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Cellphones are one step closer to disappearing from Kansas classrooms after the House passed a bill that would require a daytime device ban to public and private schools.

Social connection, phone addiction and parental choice came into play in an hours-long debate Monday that involved Republicans and Democrats crossing the aisle to ultimately support a bill that would apply to public and private schools.

The bipartisan ban proposes a bell-to-bell prohibition on cellphone use, requiring schools to craft detailed policies to ensure devices are turned off and stored away during the school day and to enact disciplinary measures for students who violate a ban.

A cascade of changes as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb281/" target="_blank">House Substitute for Senate Bill 281</a>&nbsp;made its way through committee resulted in a bill that only mandated a ban in public schools and merely suggested one for private schools.

Republican Rep. Jill Ward of Wichita added a provision Monday to apply the mandate to both public and nonpublic schools. The bill itself drew mixed reactions from each party, and so did Ward’s amendment.

​​“These kids’ lives are just as negatively impacted by phones as those that attend public schools,” Ward said.

Students wouldn’t be allowed under the bill to use cellphones or other electronic communication devices, smartwatches and earbuds during the school day, which includes passing period and lunch time, unless the student is allowed to leave school grounds during lunch.

Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, said private schools should receive the same funding as public schools if the same rules must apply. She said she agreed with the need to address devices and their connection to mental health issues in children, but she said the bill, with Ward’s amendment, would be equivalent to a de facto state operation of private, religious schools.

She said many parents choose private schools because they don’t want to deal with state mandates.

Ward’s amendment passed with 68 voting in favor and 55 against.

Some Democrats opposed the bill entirely, favoring phones in school in the event of emergencies such as natural disasters or school shootings. Others didn’t think a one-size-fits-all policy was appropriate for schools with unique needs.

Rep. Carolyn Caiharr, a Republican from Edwardsville, attempted to strip the bill, re-adding language to make bans optional for private schools.

Some, like Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater of Stilwell, were torn. He said Monday that he couldn’t support Caiharr’s amendment, arguing that all children matter.

“In my opinion, children are children, mental health is mental health and suicide is suicide, no matter what school you go to,” Tarwater said. “Are we trying to help some children or all children here?”

Caiharr said Kansas has a long tradition of respecting educational diversity and removing private schools from the bill maintains that tradition.

Sixty seven representatives opposed her amendment, and 54 voted in favor, retaining the inclusion of private and public schools. The House voted on the bill Tuesday with 76 in favor and 45 against, forwarding it to the Senate.

The Senate unanimously passed a previous version of the bill, which applied to both public and private schools, but it must vote again in the wake of House changes.

Rep. Angela Martinez, a Wichita Democrat, said Tuesday a phone-free school day restores focus and encourages relationship building. Rep. Steven Howe, a Salina Republican, said a cellphone ban restores human connection and slackens the grip big tech companies have exercised over kids’ attention.

Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall, a Paola Republican, said the bill leaves students helpless, eliminating a tool used to document bullying and removing a piece of parents’ rights.

Williams said Tuesday decisions for private school students should be up to parents and individual schools, not the state.

“This bill opens a door we should keep closed,” she said.

Kansas cellphone ban applying to both public and private schools clears House 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp;Zachary Ramirez, 22, was sentenced on Tuesday for the July 2023 shooting deaths of two people in an Old Town parking garage in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

During a hearing before Chief Judge Jeffrey Goering, Ramirez was sentenced to two consecutive "hard 25" life sentences. He also received 61 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections and six months in jail for additional counts, to be served concurrently with the life sentences.

In Kansas, a "hard 25" sentence is a mandatory life term that requires a defendant to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Because the court ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, Ramirez must serve at least 50 years before he is eligible for release.

The sentencing follows an April 2024 trial in which a Sedgwick County jury convicted Ramirez of several charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, two alternative counts of second-degree murder, criminal discharge of a weapon, aggravated battery, and two counts of battery. The case had been pending sentencing while the court considered the outcome of several post-trial motions.

The charges stem from an incident on July 27, 2023. At approximately 4 a.m., Wichita police responded to a parking garage in the 300 block of North Moore after a street sweeper operator discovered two victims inside a vehicle. Josephina Lerma-Dominguez, 20, and Bryan Lara-Hernandez, 21, both of Wichita, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators used surveillance footage and the FLOCK license plate reader system to identify and apprehend Ramirez shortly after the shooting.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Jason Roach and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Jameson.

"We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Wichita Police Department for their thorough and diligent work on this investigation," the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. "Their commitment to the case ensured that justice could be served for the victims and their families."

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A man convicted&nbsp; of killing two people in a parking garage in&nbsp;Old Town in Wichita is scheduled to learn his fate Tuesday.

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