KANSAS CITY (AP) — The trial of a Missouri man accused of killing two brothers from Wisconsin is being moved because of extensive pre-trial publicity.

Online court records show that a change of venue was granted Tuesday relocating Garland Nelson's trial to Johnson County from Caldwell County, where the crime happened.

Nelson is facing the death penalty in the killings of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. They disappeared in July 2019 after visiting Nelson’s farm in Braymer to collect a $250,000 debt stemming from a cattle deal. Their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska. Nelson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564610122687.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nelson-photo Caldwell Co.KANSAS CITY (AP) — The trial of a Missouri man accused of killing two brothers from Wisconsin is being moved because of extensive pre-trial publicity.Online court records show that a change of venue was granted Tuesday relocating Garland Nelson's trial to Johnson County from Caldwell County, where the crime happened.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565280147807.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nelson is facing the death penalty in the killings of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. They disappeared in July 2019 after visiting Nelson’s farm in Braymer to collect a $250,000 debt stemming from a cattle deal. Their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska. Nelson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Trial moved for man charged in brothers' deaths

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Harley Davidson driven by David R.&nbsp;Burkhardt, 43, Lenexa, was southbound on Interstate 35 just north of 18th Street.&nbsp; When vehicles slowed for traffic the Harley rear-ended a 2016 Toyota RaV 4 driven by Michael Scott Berryman, 48, Overland Park.

Burkhardt laid the motorcycle on its side, fell off, rolled into the left lane and was struck by the rear passenger trailer tires of 2014 Freightliner semi driven by Rafael&nbsp;Cruz-Perez, 46, Shawnee.

Burkhardt was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Harley Davidson driven by David R.&nbsp;Burkhardt, 43, Lenexa, was southbound on Interstate 35 just north of 18th Street.&nbsp; When vehicles slowed for traffic the Harley rear-ended a 2016 Toyota RaV 4 driven by Michael Scott Berryman, 48, Overland Park.Burkhardt laid the motorcycle on its side, fell off, rolled into the left lane and was struck by the rear passenger trailer tires of 2014 Freightliner semi driven by Rafael&nbsp;Cruz-Perez, 46, Shawnee.Burkhardt was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies in 3-vehicle motorcycle accident

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Pat Roberts Chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, participated in the dedication of the national memorial to honor President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=3565612390137065&amp;ref=watch_permalink">Click here&nbsp;</a>to watch a replay of the ribbon cutting ceremony&nbsp;

“As we look to the entrance of the memorial to that teenage boy from small-town Kansas looking back at us, we see the hopes of all young men and women as they imagine their future: a reminder that we still have within us our own dreams, and that liberty and freedom make it possible for us to find our way, to pursue those hopes and dreams, and to seize the opportunities before us,”&nbsp;said Roberts.

“Eisenhower understood that in a country where destiny is determined not by one’s position at birth, but rather strength of character and determination of spirit, dreams do come true. Eisenhower understood one person’s ability to chart his or her own course and change the course of the world.”

“That American story, the story of a young boy from Abilene, is celebrated at the entrance of this memorial. For me, as a small-town Kansas boy, I never dreamed I would one day dedicate a memorial to Kansas’ favorite son, Dwight David Eisenhower.”

“It is with wonder in my heart that I stand here near the statues of Eisenhower as General and as President, with the towering cliffs of Pointe du Hoc behind us. And I marvel anew at the lessons he left for us.”

WASHINGTON — After a delay due to the global pandemic, the formal dedication of The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, D.C., was held in the rain Thursday evening.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=3565612390137065&amp;ref=watch_permalink">Click here </a>to watch a replay of the ribbon cutting ceremony&nbsp;

The Memorial, commissioned by Congress in 1999, honors the legacy of the World War II Supreme Allied Commander and nation's 34th&nbsp;President. Emceed by&nbsp;Bret Baier, the early evening ceremony will feature an address by Senator&nbsp;Pat Roberts&nbsp;of&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;(chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission), recorded remarks by former Secretary of State&nbsp;Condoleezza Rice&nbsp;and performances and appearances by the 101st Airborne Honor Guard, "The President's Own" United States Marine Band and Voices of Service.

"I am proud to honor&nbsp;Kansas'&nbsp;favorite son with the unveiling of the&nbsp;Dwight D. Eisenhower&nbsp;Memorial. This memorial pays tribute to Ike's historic leadership as both Supreme Allied Commander and the 34th President of&nbsp;the United States, who hailed from&nbsp;Abilene, Kansas," said Senator&nbsp;Pat Roberts, chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission.&nbsp;"The Eisenhower Memorial not only commemorates the life and legacy of an extraordinary man; it also stands as a symbol for all generations of the promise of America and what our values make possible here and around the world."

Like many other events during the pandemic, the Memorial dedication has been modified in scale for the safety and health of guests. Dedication plans follow CDC guidelines for events and gatherings, allowing for appropriate social distancing at the outdoor Memorial. The dedication will be live-streamed so those not physically present can mark the moment.

"While we have had to adjust our celebratory plans, it's important to note that Eisenhower's legacy, as honored through the Memorial, transcends one moment in time and must be shared with the world," said&nbsp;Victoria Tigwell, deputy executive director of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. "We are thrilled that the Memorial is opening to the public, so that generations of future visitors can learn about, remember and pay tribute to the man who helped shape America and the world through his extraordinary leadership."&nbsp;

As Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II, Eisenhower led the invasion of Normandy, a dramatic turning point in the war. While he is perhaps best known globally for his role in defeating the Nazis, Eisenhower served two terms as President of&nbsp;United States&nbsp;during a pivotal time in history. His post-war leadership transformed America through commitment to education, transportation and exploration. His foreign policy ultimately led to the collapse of Soviet domination of eastern&nbsp;Europe.

"As decades have passed, historians increasingly have recognized and valued the significance of Eisenhower's presidency," said Tigwell. "Truly great Presidents have a vision that lasts well beyond their four or eight-year terms, and Eisenhower's vision is evident still today. We hope the Memorial encourages visitors to reflect on the critical role he played in American and world history."

The dedication of the Memorial marks the culmination of years of work by the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and its chairman Senator&nbsp;Pat Roberts&nbsp;(Kansas), Memorial architect&nbsp;Frank Gehry, and the designers, artists, construction teams and others to bring the Memorial project from vision to reality. Invited guests for the dedication ceremony include President Trump, current and former members of Congress, current and former Cabinet members, military leaders, the Eisenhower family and others impacted by the late President's contributions. Following the dedication, the National Park Service will assume operation of the Memorial, which opens to the public on&nbsp;Friday, September 18.&nbsp;

The Memorial is located in a newly created, four-acre public park adjacent to the National Mall and across the street from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Gehry's design is a combination of grand architectural elements, sculpture and green space, which highlights Eisenhower from his humble childhood in America's heartland, to his decisive role as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II and his two terms as President.&nbsp;

The Memorial features three bronze sculptures of Eisenhower by sculptor&nbsp;Sergey Eylanbekov, stone bas relief images and inscription panels with words from notable Eisenhower addresses.&nbsp; Framing the entire park and Memorial is a first-of-its-kind stainless steel woven tapestry by artist&nbsp;Tomas Osinski, which depicts the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc on the Normandy coastline in peacetime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600390497040.png" alt="Senator Roberts and members of the Memorial Commission cut the ribbon at the ceremony Thursday evening in DC." />
 <figcaption>Senator Roberts and members of the Memorial Commission cut the ribbon at the ceremony Thursday evening in DC.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Pat Roberts Chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, participated in the dedication of the national memorial to honor President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=3565612390137065&amp;ref=watch_permalink">Click here&nbsp;</a>to watch a replay of the ribbon cutting ceremony&nbsp;“As we look to the entrance of the memorial to that teenage boy from small-town Kansas looking back at us, we see the hopes of all young men and women as they imagine their future: a reminder that we still have within us our own dreams, and that liberty and freedom make it possible for us to find our way, to pursue those hopes and dreams, and to seize the opportunities before us,”&nbsp;said Roberts.“Eisenhower understood that in a country where destiny is determined not by one’s position at birth, but rather strength of character and determination of spirit, dreams do come true. Eisenhower understood one person’s ability to chart his or her own course and change the course of the world.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600385994829.png" alt="Senator Pat Roberts chaired the Memorial commission and spoke to the guests Thursday." />
 <figcaption>Senator Pat Roberts chaired the Memorial commission and spoke to the guests Thursday.</figcaption>
 </figure>“That American story, the story of a young boy from Abilene, is celebrated at the entrance of this memorial. For me, as a small-town Kansas boy, I never dreamed I would one day dedicate a memorial to Kansas’ favorite son, Dwight David Eisenhower.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600390580413.png" alt="Former Kansas Senator Bob Dole spoke on tape during the ceremony" />
 <figcaption>Former Kansas Senator Bob Dole spoke on tape during the ceremony</figcaption>
 </figure>“It is with wonder in my heart that I stand here near the statues of Eisenhower as General and as President, with the towering cliffs of Pointe du Hoc behind us. And I marvel anew at the lessons he left for us.”---------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600089941706.png" alt="Photo courtesy Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Commission" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — After a delay due to the global pandemic, the formal dedication of The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, D.C., was held in the rain Thursday evening.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=3565612390137065&amp;ref=watch_permalink">Click here </a>to watch a replay of the ribbon cutting ceremony&nbsp;The Memorial, commissioned by Congress in 1999, honors the legacy of the World War II Supreme Allied Commander and nation's 34th&nbsp;President. Emceed by&nbsp;Bret Baier, the early evening ceremony will feature an address by Senator&nbsp;Pat Roberts&nbsp;of&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;(chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission), recorded remarks by former Secretary of State&nbsp;Condoleezza Rice&nbsp;and performances and appearances by the 101st Airborne Honor Guard, "The President's Own" United States Marine Band and Voices of Service."I am proud to honor&nbsp;Kansas'&nbsp;favorite son with the unveiling of the&nbsp;Dwight D. Eisenhower&nbsp;Memorial. This memorial pays tribute to Ike's historic leadership as both Supreme Allied Commander and the 34th President of&nbsp;the United States, who hailed from&nbsp;Abilene, Kansas," said Senator&nbsp;Pat Roberts, chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission.&nbsp;"The Eisenhower Memorial not only commemorates the life and legacy of an extraordinary man; it also stands as a symbol for all generations of the promise of America and what our values make possible here and around the world."Like many other events during the pandemic, the Memorial dedication has been modified in scale for the safety and health of guests. Dedication plans follow CDC guidelines for events and gatherings, allowing for appropriate social distancing at the outdoor Memorial. The dedication will be live-streamed so those not physically present can mark the moment."While we have had to adjust our celebratory plans, it's important to note that Eisenhower's legacy, as honored through the Memorial, transcends one moment in time and must be shared with the world," said&nbsp;Victoria Tigwell, deputy executive director of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. "We are thrilled that the Memorial is opening to the public, so that generations of future visitors can learn about, remember and pay tribute to the man who helped shape America and the world through his extraordinary leadership."&nbsp;As Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II, Eisenhower led the invasion of Normandy, a dramatic turning point in the war. While he is perhaps best known globally for his role in defeating the Nazis, Eisenhower served two terms as President of&nbsp;United States&nbsp;during a pivotal time in history. His post-war leadership transformed America through commitment to education, transportation and exploration. His foreign policy ultimately led to the collapse of Soviet domination of eastern&nbsp;Europe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600350778153.png" alt="Senator Pat Roberts on a portion of the Eisenhower Memorial" />
 <figcaption>Senator Pat Roberts on a portion of the Eisenhower Memorial</figcaption>
 </figure>"As decades have passed, historians increasingly have recognized and valued the significance of Eisenhower's presidency," said Tigwell. "Truly great Presidents have a vision that lasts well beyond their four or eight-year terms, and Eisenhower's vision is evident still today. We hope the Memorial encourages visitors to reflect on the critical role he played in American and world history."The dedication of the Memorial marks the culmination of years of work by the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and its chairman Senator&nbsp;Pat Roberts&nbsp;(Kansas), Memorial architect&nbsp;Frank Gehry, and the designers, artists, construction teams and others to bring the Memorial project from vision to reality. Invited guests for the dedication ceremony include President Trump, current and former members of Congress, current and former Cabinet members, military leaders, the Eisenhower family and others impacted by the late President's contributions. Following the dedication, the National Park Service will assume operation of the Memorial, which opens to the public on&nbsp;Friday, September 18.&nbsp;The Memorial is located in a newly created, four-acre public park adjacent to the National Mall and across the street from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Gehry's design is a combination of grand architectural elements, sculpture and green space, which highlights Eisenhower from his humble childhood in America's heartland, to his decisive role as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II and his two terms as President.&nbsp;The Memorial features three bronze sculptures of Eisenhower by sculptor&nbsp;Sergey Eylanbekov, stone bas relief images and inscription panels with words from notable Eisenhower addresses.&nbsp; Framing the entire park and Memorial is a first-of-its-kind stainless steel woven tapestry by artist&nbsp;Tomas Osinski, which depicts the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc on the Normandy coastline in peacetime.

🎥 Eisenhower Memorial dedication in DC

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 pickup truck near SW 10th Street and SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, narcotics were located inside the vehicle. The driver, Shane D. Kendall, 37, of Topeka, was placed into custody on a felony warrant through Shawnee County for aggravated battery and is facing multiple drug related charges and traffic violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600289102638.png" alt="Kendall-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kendall-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 pickup truck near SW 10th Street and SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, narcotics were located inside the vehicle. The driver, Shane D. Kendall, 37, of Topeka, was placed into custody on a felony warrant through Shawnee County for aggravated battery and is facing multiple drug related charges and traffic violations.

Deputies catch wanted Kan aggravated battery suspect

HUMANSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Authorities are investigating a Christian boarding school from which around 20 girls were removed after former residents turned to social media to describe abuse in a case that has focused attention on a Missouri law that exempts faith-based schools from oversight.

In recent years, the state has substantiated four reports of abuse and neglect involving the Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch, which is located less than 7 miles from the 1,000-person town of Humansville in rural southwestern Missouri.

One report was for neglect, one for physical abuse and neglect and two for sexual abuse allegations, said Rebecca Woelfel, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Social Services. She did not say when the reports were made or whom the allegations were against, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article245753025.html">reported.</a>

Former residents told the newspaper about punishments that included the withholding of food and water and being forced to stand against a wall for hours for even minor infractions.

But because the recently closed reform school is exempt from state licensure, the state “does not have authority” over its operations, Woelfel said. The facility has close ties to the independent fundamental Baptist church, which teach followers to separate themselves from worldly influence. Such churches refuse to join any affiliated Baptist denomination.

No criminal charges have been filed against the owners, Boyd and Stephanie Householder. But an investigation is underway, and Cedar County's prosecuting attorney, Ty Gaither, said he’s still waiting on reports from state agencies and law enforcement.

The couple say they have no plans to reopen the school but want their reputation restored. They have appealed all of the substantiated reports, blaming their estranged daughter and what they describe as a group of former residents whose lives didn’t turn out the way they wanted after they left the ranch.

“They’re angry and they’re bitter, and they want to blame somebody,” said Stephanie Householder, 55. “They feel like they’re victims, and they just want to take their anger out on somebody.”

Last month, Cedar County authorities removed all of the girls who were still at the facility — 25 of them according to the prosecutor and 18 according to Stephanie Householder. A search warrant also was served.

The couple's attorney, Jay Kirksey, didn’t immediately respond to phone messages from The Star and The Associated Press.

In recent months, several former residents have recorded videos for social media describing their alleged abuse. And a secret recording made in March by a friend of the Householders appeared to capture Boyd Householder endorsing the use of violence among the girls.

Boyd Householder told The Star that the video was edited and that he was simply telling one girl that she had the right to defend herself against another.

The couple's daughter, Amanda Householder, said that although she’s relieved to hear that her parents are shutting down Circle of Hope, she’s not going to stop pushing for a thorough investigation.

“I’m not done,” she said. “They can deny it all they want, but they still need to be held accountable.”

Democratic state Rep. Keri Ingle, a former social worker from Lee's Summit, has asked the state’s Office of the Child Advocate to conduct a complete review of the allegations against Circle of Hope and called for a legislative committee hearing on the matter.

“I want to know what happened, what happened in the system?” Ingle said. “Was it they weren’t following their own policies, they weren’t following existing laws? Or are there laws and policies that need to be put in place to prevent this from happening again?”

HUMANSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Authorities are investigating a Christian boarding school from which around 20 girls were removed after former residents turned to social media to describe abuse in a case that has focused attention on a Missouri law that exempts faith-based schools from oversight.In recent years, the state has substantiated four reports of abuse and neglect involving the Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch, which is located less than 7 miles from the 1,000-person town of Humansville in rural southwestern Missouri.One report was for neglect, one for physical abuse and neglect and two for sexual abuse allegations, said Rebecca Woelfel, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Social Services. She did not say when the reports were made or whom the allegations were against, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article245753025.html">reported.</a>Former residents told the newspaper about punishments that included the withholding of food and water and being forced to stand against a wall for hours for even minor infractions.But because the recently closed reform school is exempt from state licensure, the state “does not have authority” over its operations, Woelfel said. The facility has close ties to the independent fundamental Baptist church, which teach followers to separate themselves from worldly influence. Such churches refuse to join any affiliated Baptist denomination.No criminal charges have been filed against the owners, Boyd and Stephanie Householder. But an investigation is underway, and Cedar County's prosecuting attorney, Ty Gaither, said he’s still waiting on reports from state agencies and law enforcement.The couple say they have no plans to reopen the school but want their reputation restored. They have appealed all of the substantiated reports, blaming their estranged daughter and what they describe as a group of former residents whose lives didn’t turn out the way they wanted after they left the ranch.“They’re angry and they’re bitter, and they want to blame somebody,” said Stephanie Householder, 55. “They feel like they’re victims, and they just want to take their anger out on somebody.”Last month, Cedar County authorities removed all of the girls who were still at the facility — 25 of them according to the prosecutor and 18 according to Stephanie Householder. A search warrant also was served.The couple's attorney, Jay Kirksey, didn’t immediately respond to phone messages from The Star and The Associated Press.In recent months, several former residents have recorded videos for social media describing their alleged abuse. And a secret recording made in March by a friend of the Householders appeared to capture Boyd Householder endorsing the use of violence among the girls.Boyd Householder told The Star that the video was edited and that he was simply telling one girl that she had the right to defend herself against another.The couple's daughter, Amanda Householder, said that although she’s relieved to hear that her parents are shutting down Circle of Hope, she’s not going to stop pushing for a thorough investigation.“I’m not done,” she said. “They can deny it all they want, but they still need to be held accountable.”Democratic state Rep. Keri Ingle, a former social worker from Lee's Summit, has asked the state’s Office of the Child Advocate to conduct a complete review of the allegations against Circle of Hope and called for a legislative committee hearing on the matter.“I want to know what happened, what happened in the system?” Ingle said. “Was it they weren’t following their own policies, they weren’t following existing laws? Or are there laws and policies that need to be put in place to prevent this from happening again?”

Christian boarding school probed over abuse claims

TOPEKA, KS – The Independent Police Auditor has concluded his investigation into the use of force incident regarding Tamiko Mitchell and the Topeka Police Department.

After a thorough review of officer statements, witness statements, and seven body worn camera videos, the Independent Police Auditor has concluded that the use of force was within policy, according to a media release from the city of Topeka.&nbsp;

According to the report, just after 10p.m., August 23, a Topeka Police Department Sergeant stopped a white Scion for running a red light at 10th and Gage in Topeka, according to the IPA report. Footage from the police body worn camera shows the Scion facing north on Gage in the left turn lane to turn west. 

It is observed in the video that the light for all northbound traffic was red. The Scion makes the left turn while the traffic light was red.

Sergeant made contact with the driver and only occupant of the Scion . Initial contact was made via the passenger side door. Sergeant opened the door and advised the driver why she was being stopped. 

The Sergeant then asked the driver for a driver’s license. The driver indicated she did not have one.&nbsp; The Sergeant inquired as to driver’s name and if the vehicle was registered in her name. 

The driver acknowledged that it was registered in her name. With that information, the Sergeant closed the door and&nbsp; returned to his patrol unit. The Sergeant ran the driver’s name and began working on the citation. 

The Sergeant then learned that the driver had two active warrants through Topeka Municipal Court. The Sergeant contacted an officer in the area to respond as back up.

The Sergeant briefed the Officer on the situation and forthcoming arrest related to active warrants.

The Sergeant and Officer approached the vehicle. The Sergeant opened the driver’s side door and initiated a conversation with the driver, asking her to shut the vehicle off and requesting her to exit the vehicle. 

The driver acknowledged that she had city warrants and was going to jail. The sergeant asked driver to exit the vehicle multiple times. There was also conversation relating to the keys of the vehicle and about the Sergeant contacting the driver’s daughter to pick up the vehicle.

The driver removed her seat belt and began exiting the vehicle when the Sergeant grabbed the driver’s left wrist/forearm area.&nbsp; The driver seemed to take offense to this and quickly objected to the Sergeant’s grasping her left arm. The driver brought her arms in front of her, with her fists clenched up to chest area facing the Sergeant. During this time, the Sergeant and driver are having a verbal back and forth, the driver stating that the Sergeant did not give her a chance to comply and&nbsp; the Sergeant ordering the driver to turn around and put her hands behind her back.

The Sergeant summons the assistance of the Officer, asking the officer to grab the driver’s left arm. The verbal back and forth between the driver and Sergeant continues throughout the entirety of this apprehension process. As they continue attempting to arrest the the driver, the driver continues to avoid handcuffing and exclaiming that the Sergeant did not give her an opportunity to comply. The trio moves from being next to the driver’s side door to the rear of driver’s vehicle. 

Here, officers continue trying to gain control and compliance from the driver.

The officer was able to get the driver’s left hand in cuffs; however, the driver slipped out of the officers’ control leading to her left arm being loose with the handcuff attached to her left wrist. The Sergeant informed the officer to hold off. The Sergeant then placed his arms through the driver’s armpits and up to the back of the driver’s head where both of Sergeant’s hands were behind the driver’s head, effectively locking the driver’s arms in an upward position. At this point, the parties are facing toward the west. 

The Sergeant turned the driver in a counter clockwise direction until they were facing east, they moved to their left (north) until they reached the edge of the sidewalk where the sergeant then spun the driver around and down onto the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street. The driver went down (face down) with the Sergeant’s upper torso going down on top of the driver’s torso area.

While on the ground, the Sergeant and Officer were still trying to cuff the driver, with the driver continuing to indicate the Sergeant did not give her the opportunity to comply. The officers were finally able to handcuff the driver, stand her up and place her in a patrol vehicle. AMR was summonsed for an injury to the driver’s right eye. Ultimately, the driver was transported to the hospital by a 3rd officer (hereinafter Officer

2) that was summoned by the watch commander (hereinafter Lieutenant), who also responded to the scene and did the administrative use of force interview with the driver.

The body worn camera video will be released to the public pending criminal proceedings, according to the city of Topeka.

Driver’s description of the encounter:

Driver states that she was going to pick her daughter up because she did not have a ride. Driver
was near 10th and Gage, there was a car in front of her waiting to turn left and she was stuck behind that
car in the middle of the intersection. The police was right behind her and she was in the middle of the
intersection. The officer (Sergeant) turned on his lights as soon as she made her turn. He asked where
she was headed, and Driver explained that she was going to pick up her daughter a block and a half
away from where they were. Officer told her she ran a red light and she explained that she was in the
middle of the intersection. He then advised her that the other vehicle ran the light as well. He asked for
ID and Driver explained that she didn’t bring it with her. He then asked her for her name and she gave it
to him. She then waited in the car while he went back to his vehicle. He then returned and opened her
driver’s side door and asked her to turn off the vehicle twice. Driver complied and turned vehicle off.
Driver knew that her driver’s license was suspended so she asked the officer if her daughter could pick
up the car. Driver and the officer had a conversation about possibly calling her daughter to pick up car.
The officer asked Driver to exit the vehicle twice; she advised him that she did not have a problem
getting out. She began to get out of the vehicle. She indicates that she was getting out slowly due to
medical reasons. As soon as she exited the vehicle, the officer twisted her arm. Driver advised the officer
that she would turn around, that it wasn’t necessary for him to grab her that she would do it. Officer
stated that she should have done it and that she replied that he had not given her a chance to comply.
Driver was then placed in a “full nelson” where she couldn’t move. Officer then swung the Driver around
and slammed her to the ground with the officer landing on top of her. Driver described herself as being
mad and the officer not caring. Driver told officer to go to hell. Driver was then taken to the patrol car
and knew she could not see out of her right eye. Driver indicates she said, “you fucked my eye up”, and
that the officer replied, “yeah”. Driver stated that the entire right side of her body was in pain, that she
had been diagnosed with a mass on her kidney and that her arm was slipping out of place and that’s
why she wanted to turn around herself and was then dislocated during this incident. Driver then saw the
ambulance and that both the male and female medics spoke to her. The male medic indicated that she
needed to go to the hospital. That the officer then opened the door and watched the Driver the entire
time while she was being diagnosed. That the EMT would look at her then look at the officer. When
Driver began explaining to the EMT what had happened that the officer screamed that she (Driver)
didn’t have to tell them (EMT’s) her story. That Driver then told the officer that he knew that what you
did was wrong. That officer stated, “she looks fine to me” and slammed the door. Driver wanted to go to
the hospital, even if she went to jail later. Driver does not understand why she was not allowed to go in
the ambulance. Driver yelled that she wanted a supervisor and the officer told her that one was coming.
Driver explained to the supervisor (Lieutenant) that she was not against the police and felt that if you
“do the crime then you do the time”. She stated that the officer did not have to do that to her, that she
was hurt and wanted to turn around herself but the officer didn’t give her the chance. The supervisor
got her out of the patrol vehicle, introduced her to another officer (Officer 2), her handcuffs were
loosened and she was taken to the hospital. At the hospital, she was wheel chaired in and was there for
2-3 hours. That she was diagnosed with a fractured nose and bleeding behind her right eye. That a
specialist was called and the doctor arranged for Driver to be seen at KU Med in Kansas City. The officer
then gave her the ticket from the arresting officer and placed it in her pocket. The officer removed the
handcuffs and told Driver she was free to go. Driver was wheeled out to her family and was told to go to
KU due to the bleeding behind her eye. Driver went to KU and was treated, she was told that the
bleeding was caused by the fractured nose and that so long as the nostrils are open that she would not&nbsp; require surgery and she should get her eye sight back. Driver reiterated that there was no reason for the
officer to think that she was not going to cooperate, that the officer hurt her permanently and should
have let her get help. That she heard the officer talk to someone over the radio and said that she just
had a “little goose egg”. That the officer told EMTs that she did not have life threatening injuries and
they just drove away. That the officer didn’t care that she was just sitting there bleeding. That she was
in pain and was not trying to fight, that all she had on was a sundress and flip-flops, that it was not
necessary.


**Driver gave her statement in IPA’s office with her attorneys being present**


Two witnesses, (hereinafter W1 and W2) who were parked directly across the street, gave their
account of events. Following is a summary of their statements to Lieutenant Jones. The IPA has
reviewed the audio recording of these interviews:


W1 – They were on their way home from Dillon’s when they observed the traffic stop and
parked in the parking lot facing north to observe. W1 saw Sergeant exit his patrol vehicle and approach
the white vehicle along with Officer. W1 observed Sergeant having a discussion with the Driver. W1
described Driver as “staggering” out of the vehicle and pulling away from officers. W1 saw Driver
continue to pull away as she had one hand in handcuffs. W1 saw officers pushing Driver into the back of
her car trying to handcuff her. Then she observed Sergeant take down Driver and screaming by Driver.
W1 describes the sequence of additional arrivals as; TFD, AMR, Watch Commander (Lieutenant),
another patrol officer (Officer 2) and tow truck. W1 does not believe that any police actions were
racially motivated, she thought Driver was drunk. W1 described Driver as “yelling and belligerent”.


W2 – Officers approached the vehicle, noticed Driver pulling back when officers were trying to
arrest her. They walked to the back of Driver’s vehicle. W2 observed that the officers were struggling to
handcuff Driver as she turned facing the officers. When trying to arrest Driver by the car didn’t work,
they moved to the rear of the car. W-2 described the interaction at the back of the car as being able to
see the car moving because they were pushing her violently against the car and she was pushing
violently back. He heard Officer state “stop resisting”, then saw Sergeant do a controlled take down. W2
describes hearing a “cracking noise” which he believes may have been Driver’s face hitting the ground.
He believes Driver was taken down in the grassy area. After this, he heard Sergeant tell Driver to “stop
resisting.” W2 observed that officers were finally able to handcuff Driver, and Driver was still yelling at
officers. W2 also heard a thumping noise from inside the patrol car where Driver was placed. He
indicates, “I don’t know if she was hitting her head or something.” He indicates that Driver did not
appear intoxicated, just someone who didn’t want to go to jail. W2 described the encounter as a
“textbook arrest,” and that officers gave her every opportunity to stop resisting. W2 does not belief that
Driver was treated differently because of race or that any actions were racially motivated.


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600376978424.png" alt="Tamiko Mitchell photo <a href="https://www.wibw.com/2020/09/03/tamiko-mitchell-speaks-on-what-happened-with-topeka-police-officer-causing-injuries/">courtesy WIBW TV</a>" />
 <figcaption>Tamiko Mitchell photo <a href="https://www.wibw.com/2020/09/03/tamiko-mitchell-speaks-on-what-happened-with-topeka-police-officer-causing-injuries/">courtesy WIBW TV</a></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KS – The Independent Police Auditor has concluded his investigation into the use of force incident regarding Tamiko Mitchell and the Topeka Police Department. After a thorough review of officer statements, witness statements, and seven body worn camera videos, the Independent Police Auditor has concluded that the use of force was within policy, according to a media release from the city of Topeka.&nbsp;According to the report, just after 10p.m., August 23, a Topeka Police Department Sergeant stopped a white Scion for running a red light at 10th and Gage in Topeka, according to the IPA report. Footage from the police body worn camera shows the Scion facing north on Gage in the left turn lane to turn west. It is observed in the video that the light for all northbound traffic was red. The Scion makes the left turn while the traffic light was red.Sergeant made contact with the driver and only occupant of the Scion . Initial contact was made via the passenger side door. Sergeant opened the door and advised the driver why she was being stopped. The Sergeant then asked the driver for a driver’s license. The driver indicated she did not have one.&nbsp; The Sergeant inquired as to driver’s name and if the vehicle was registered in her name. The driver acknowledged that it was registered in her name. With that information, the Sergeant closed the door and&nbsp; returned to his patrol unit. The Sergeant ran the driver’s name and began working on the citation. The Sergeant then learned that the driver had two active warrants through Topeka Municipal Court. The Sergeant contacted an officer in the area to respond as back up.The Sergeant briefed the Officer on the situation and forthcoming arrest related to active warrants.The Sergeant and Officer approached the vehicle. The Sergeant opened the driver’s side door and initiated a conversation with the driver, asking her to shut the vehicle off and requesting her to exit the vehicle. The driver acknowledged that she had city warrants and was going to jail. The sergeant asked driver to exit the vehicle multiple times. There was also conversation relating to the keys of the vehicle and about the Sergeant contacting the driver’s daughter to pick up the vehicle.The driver removed her seat belt and began exiting the vehicle when the Sergeant grabbed the driver’s left wrist/forearm area.&nbsp; The driver seemed to take offense to this and quickly objected to the Sergeant’s grasping her left arm. The driver brought her arms in front of her, with her fists clenched up to chest area facing the Sergeant. During this time, the Sergeant and driver are having a verbal back and forth, the driver stating that the Sergeant did not give her a chance to comply and&nbsp; the Sergeant ordering the driver to turn around and put her hands behind her back.The Sergeant summons the assistance of the Officer, asking the officer to grab the driver’s left arm. The verbal back and forth between the driver and Sergeant continues throughout the entirety of this apprehension process. As they continue attempting to arrest the the driver, the driver continues to avoid handcuffing and exclaiming that the Sergeant did not give her an opportunity to comply. The trio moves from being next to the driver’s side door to the rear of driver’s vehicle. Here, officers continue trying to gain control and compliance from the driver.The officer was able to get the driver’s left hand in cuffs; however, the driver slipped out of the officers’ control leading to her left arm being loose with the handcuff attached to her left wrist. The Sergeant informed the officer to hold off. The Sergeant then placed his arms through the driver’s armpits and up to the back of the driver’s head where both of Sergeant’s hands were behind the driver’s head, effectively locking the driver’s arms in an upward position. At this point, the parties are facing toward the west. The Sergeant turned the driver in a counter clockwise direction until they were facing east, they moved to their left (north) until they reached the edge of the sidewalk where the sergeant then spun the driver around and down onto the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street. The driver went down (face down) with the Sergeant’s upper torso going down on top of the driver’s torso area.While on the ground, the Sergeant and Officer were still trying to cuff the driver, with the driver continuing to indicate the Sergeant did not give her the opportunity to comply. The officers were finally able to handcuff the driver, stand her up and place her in a patrol vehicle. AMR was summonsed for an injury to the driver’s right eye. Ultimately, the driver was transported to the hospital by a 3rd officer (hereinafter Officer2) that was summoned by the watch commander (hereinafter Lieutenant), who also responded to the scene and did the administrative use of force interview with the driver.The body worn camera video will be released to the public pending criminal proceedings, according to the city of Topeka.Driver’s description of the encounter:
Driver states that she was going to pick her daughter up because she did not have a ride. Driver
was near 10th and Gage, there was a car in front of her waiting to turn left and she was stuck behind that
car in the middle of the intersection. The police was right behind her and she was in the middle of the
intersection. The officer (Sergeant) turned on his lights as soon as she made her turn. He asked where
she was headed, and Driver explained that she was going to pick up her daughter a block and a half
away from where they were. Officer told her she ran a red light and she explained that she was in the
middle of the intersection. He then advised her that the other vehicle ran the light as well. He asked for
ID and Driver explained that she didn’t bring it with her. He then asked her for her name and she gave it
to him. She then waited in the car while he went back to his vehicle. He then returned and opened her
driver’s side door and asked her to turn off the vehicle twice. Driver complied and turned vehicle off.
Driver knew that her driver’s license was suspended so she asked the officer if her daughter could pick
up the car. Driver and the officer had a conversation about possibly calling her daughter to pick up car.
The officer asked Driver to exit the vehicle twice; she advised him that she did not have a problem
getting out. She began to get out of the vehicle. She indicates that she was getting out slowly due to
medical reasons. As soon as she exited the vehicle, the officer twisted her arm. Driver advised the officer
that she would turn around, that it wasn’t necessary for him to grab her that she would do it. Officer
stated that she should have done it and that she replied that he had not given her a chance to comply.
Driver was then placed in a “full nelson” where she couldn’t move. Officer then swung the Driver around
and slammed her to the ground with the officer landing on top of her. Driver described herself as being
mad and the officer not caring. Driver told officer to go to hell. Driver was then taken to the patrol car
and knew she could not see out of her right eye. Driver indicates she said, “you fucked my eye up”, and
that the officer replied, “yeah”. Driver stated that the entire right side of her body was in pain, that she
had been diagnosed with a mass on her kidney and that her arm was slipping out of place and that’s
why she wanted to turn around herself and was then dislocated during this incident. Driver then saw the
ambulance and that both the male and female medics spoke to her. The male medic indicated that she
needed to go to the hospital. That the officer then opened the door and watched the Driver the entire
time while she was being diagnosed. That the EMT would look at her then look at the officer. When
Driver began explaining to the EMT what had happened that the officer screamed that she (Driver)
didn’t have to tell them (EMT’s) her story. That Driver then told the officer that he knew that what you
did was wrong. That officer stated, “she looks fine to me” and slammed the door. Driver wanted to go to
the hospital, even if she went to jail later. Driver does not understand why she was not allowed to go in
the ambulance. Driver yelled that she wanted a supervisor and the officer told her that one was coming.
Driver explained to the supervisor (Lieutenant) that she was not against the police and felt that if you
“do the crime then you do the time”. She stated that the officer did not have to do that to her, that she
was hurt and wanted to turn around herself but the officer didn’t give her the chance. The supervisor
got her out of the patrol vehicle, introduced her to another officer (Officer 2), her handcuffs were
loosened and she was taken to the hospital. At the hospital, she was wheel chaired in and was there for
2-3 hours. That she was diagnosed with a fractured nose and bleeding behind her right eye. That a
specialist was called and the doctor arranged for Driver to be seen at KU Med in Kansas City. The officer
then gave her the ticket from the arresting officer and placed it in her pocket. The officer removed the
handcuffs and told Driver she was free to go. Driver was wheeled out to her family and was told to go to
KU due to the bleeding behind her eye. Driver went to KU and was treated, she was told that the
bleeding was caused by the fractured nose and that so long as the nostrils are open that she would not&nbsp; require surgery and she should get her eye sight back. Driver reiterated that there was no reason for the
officer to think that she was not going to cooperate, that the officer hurt her permanently and should
have let her get help. That she heard the officer talk to someone over the radio and said that she just
had a “little goose egg”. That the officer told EMTs that she did not have life threatening injuries and
they just drove away. That the officer didn’t care that she was just sitting there bleeding. That she was
in pain and was not trying to fight, that all she had on was a sundress and flip-flops, that it was not
necessary.
**Driver gave her statement in IPA’s office with her attorneys being present**
Summary of Witness Statements:
Two witnesses, (hereinafter W1 and W2) who were parked directly across the street, gave their
account of events. Following is a summary of their statements to Lieutenant Jones. The IPA has
reviewed the audio recording of these interviews:
W1 – They were on their way home from Dillon’s when they observed the traffic stop and
parked in the parking lot facing north to observe. W1 saw Sergeant exit his patrol vehicle and approach
the white vehicle along with Officer. W1 observed Sergeant having a discussion with the Driver. W1
described Driver as “staggering” out of the vehicle and pulling away from officers. W1 saw Driver
continue to pull away as she had one hand in handcuffs. W1 saw officers pushing Driver into the back of
her car trying to handcuff her. Then she observed Sergeant take down Driver and screaming by Driver.
W1 describes the sequence of additional arrivals as; TFD, AMR, Watch Commander (Lieutenant),
another patrol officer (Officer 2) and tow truck. W1 does not believe that any police actions were
racially motivated, she thought Driver was drunk. W1 described Driver as “yelling and belligerent”.
W2 – Officers approached the vehicle, noticed Driver pulling back when officers were trying to
arrest her. They walked to the back of Driver’s vehicle. W2 observed that the officers were struggling to
handcuff Driver as she turned facing the officers. When trying to arrest Driver by the car didn’t work,
they moved to the rear of the car. W-2 described the interaction at the back of the car as being able to
see the car moving because they were pushing her violently against the car and she was pushing
violently back. He heard Officer state “stop resisting”, then saw Sergeant do a controlled take down. W2
describes hearing a “cracking noise” which he believes may have been Driver’s face hitting the ground.
He believes Driver was taken down in the grassy area. After this, he heard Sergeant tell Driver to “stop
resisting.” W2 observed that officers were finally able to handcuff Driver, and Driver was still yelling at
officers. W2 also heard a thumping noise from inside the patrol car where Driver was placed. He
indicates, “I don’t know if she was hitting her head or something.” He indicates that Driver did not
appear intoxicated, just someone who didn’t want to go to jail. W2 described the encounter as a
“textbook arrest,” and that officers gave her every opportunity to stop resisting. W2 does not belief that
Driver was treated differently because of race or that any actions were racially motivated.

Auditor: Use of force within policy in Kan. woman's arrest

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum has broken again with fellow Kansas Republicans to support Democrat Barbara Bollier for the seat Kassebaum once held.

Kassebaum said in a statement Thursday that Bollier shares her belief in working with members of both parties and Bollier’s election would be a “positive step” toward bipartisanship in Washington.

Kassebaum also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b61cf81d8b0e4137a606038b7a6b2e82">endorsed Democrat Laura Kelly</a>&nbsp;in the 2018 Kansas governor’s race.

Republican nominee Roger Marshall’s campaign manager, Eric Pahls, pointed to the two-term western and central Kansas congressman’s endorsements from retiring GOP Sen. Pat Roberts and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, the 1996 GOP nominee for president. Roberts holds Kassebaum’s former seat. Also Thursday, Former Senator Sheila Frahm, who succeeded Bob Dole in the U.S. Senate, served as Kansas' Lt. Governor, and was the first female state Senate Majority Leader announced her endorsement for Marshall.&nbsp; She is from Colby.

“This Kassebaum endorsement comes as no surprise, as she has endorsed only Democrats in recent elections,” Pahls said in a statement.

Bollier called the 88-year-old Kassebaum a mentor. Bollier, a Kansas City-area state senator, was a moderate Republican before switching parties at the end of 2018.

Kassebaum served in the Senate from 1979 until 1997 and was among the state’s most popular officials. Her father was Kansas Gov. Alf Landon, the 1936 GOP presidential nominee, and she is the widow of former Tennessee Sen. and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600361238465.png" alt="Former Senator Nancy Kassebaum received the Dole Leadership Prize in 2016-photo courtesy Robert Dole Institute. She also endorsed Laura Kelly in the 2018 race for governor." />
 <figcaption>Former Senator Nancy Kassebaum received the Dole Leadership Prize in 2016-photo courtesy Robert Dole Institute. She also endorsed Laura Kelly in the 2018 race for governor.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum has broken again with fellow Kansas Republicans to support Democrat Barbara Bollier for the seat Kassebaum once held.Kassebaum said in a statement Thursday that Bollier shares her belief in working with members of both parties and Bollier’s election would be a “positive step” toward bipartisanship in Washington.Kassebaum also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b61cf81d8b0e4137a606038b7a6b2e82">endorsed Democrat Laura Kelly</a>&nbsp;in the 2018 Kansas governor’s race.Republican nominee Roger Marshall’s campaign manager, Eric Pahls, pointed to the two-term western and central Kansas congressman’s endorsements from retiring GOP Sen. Pat Roberts and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, the 1996 GOP nominee for president. Roberts holds Kassebaum’s former seat. Also Thursday, Former Senator Sheila Frahm, who succeeded Bob Dole in the U.S. Senate, served as Kansas' Lt. Governor, and was the first female state Senate Majority Leader announced her endorsement for Marshall.&nbsp; She is from Colby.“This Kassebaum endorsement comes as no surprise, as she has endorsed only Democrats in recent elections,” Pahls said in a statement.Bollier called the 88-year-old Kassebaum a mentor. Bollier, a Kansas City-area state senator, was a moderate Republican before switching parties at the end of 2018.Kassebaum served in the Senate from 1979 until 1997 and was among the state’s most popular officials. Her father was Kansas Gov. Alf Landon, the 1936 GOP presidential nominee, and she is the widow of former Tennessee Sen. and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker.___

U.S. Senate candidates get big endorsements in Kan. race

The Salina Police Department reported Thursday that Jack Rex Mildfelt, the Salina man reported missing a week ago, has been located unharmed.

In a statement, the Salina Police Department wrote, "Jack Rex Mildfelt has been located unharmed. The Salina Police Department would like to thank the public for all of the tips received regarding Mr. Mildfelt."

Mildfelt was reported missing on Sept. 10 and was last seen in Salina on the afternoon of Sept. 3.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599772381818.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Salina Police Department reported Thursday that Jack Rex Mildfelt, the Salina man reported missing a week ago, has been located unharmed.In a statement, the Salina Police Department wrote, "Jack Rex Mildfelt has been located unharmed. The Salina Police Department would like to thank the public for all of the tips received regarding Mr. Mildfelt."Mildfelt was reported missing on Sept. 10 and was last seen in Salina on the afternoon of Sept. 3.

Police: Missing 52-year-old Kan. man found safe

PHILLIPS COUNTY - The cause of a car fire in Phillipsburg Thursday morning is under investigation.

An exploding vape pen is believed responsible for the fire in a Chevy Cobalt that occurred near the middle school in the 600 Block of 7th Street, according to Deputy Charles Radabaugh.

The fire started in or near the driver's purse.&nbsp; She reportedly uses a vape pen, according to Radabaugh.

"The vape pen uses a rechargeable lithium battery and when a malfunction occurs, it can be catastrophic." In this case, the car is a total loss, according to Radabaugh.&nbsp; &nbsp;There were no injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600366510079.png" alt="Photo courtesy Phillips County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Phillips County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPS COUNTY - The cause of a car fire in Phillipsburg Thursday morning is under investigation.An exploding vape pen is believed responsible for the fire in a Chevy Cobalt that occurred near the middle school in the 600 Block of 7th Street, according to Deputy Charles Radabaugh.The fire started in or near the driver's purse.&nbsp; She reportedly uses a vape pen, according to Radabaugh."The vape pen uses a rechargeable lithium battery and when a malfunction occurs, it can be catastrophic." In this case, the car is a total loss, according to Radabaugh.&nbsp; &nbsp;There were no injuries.

Sheriff: Exploding vape pen blamed for Kan. car fire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Health Department has directed 10 people to quarantine after potential exposure to COVID-19 at the Kansas City Chiefs’ game on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Arrowhead Stadium, according to a media release.

<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1446/16">The health department’s</a> disease investigation team quickly activated and reached out through many channels to identify and then contact the 10 people who had close contact with the individual.

Everyone has been notified and is under quarantine. Chiefs’ staff and contacts responded swiftly to investigators’ questions and provided crucial information, so all exposures could be identified.

The individual watched from their group's box and tested positive the day after the game.&nbsp;

“I want to remind everyone that COVID-19 is anywhere and everywhere. While we’re all tired of it, frustrated and even angry at how it has altered and stricken our lives and livelihoods, we must continue to think of those who have not and will not survive it,” said Dr. Rex Archer, Kansas City health director.&nbsp;

“We still don’t understand why it strikes some so viciously while others have only mild symptoms. If you have an existing or prior health condition such as cancer, diabetes, heart or lung disease, or if you’re older than 65, you should not be taking unnecessary risks like being in large crowds. We hope those around you aren’t taking those risks either and possibly bringing the virus home to you.”&nbsp;

The Kansas City Health Department urges the public and businesses to continue to work quickly with the department and disease investigators to minimize the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600360409565.png" alt="Photo courtesy Kansas City Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Kansas City Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Health Department has directed 10 people to quarantine after potential exposure to COVID-19 at the Kansas City Chiefs’ game on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Arrowhead Stadium, according to a media release.<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1446/16">The health department’s</a> disease investigation team quickly activated and reached out through many channels to identify and then contact the 10 people who had close contact with the individual.Everyone has been notified and is under quarantine. Chiefs’ staff and contacts responded swiftly to investigators’ questions and provided crucial information, so all exposures could be identified.The individual watched from their group's box and tested positive the day after the game.&nbsp;“I want to remind everyone that COVID-19 is anywhere and everywhere. While we’re all tired of it, frustrated and even angry at how it has altered and stricken our lives and livelihoods, we must continue to think of those who have not and will not survive it,” said Dr. Rex Archer, Kansas City health director.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement on COVID-19 positive fan.<a href="https://t.co/S3ACCQdN8F">https://t.co/S3ACCQdN8F</a>&mdash; Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1306635335892455428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We still don’t understand why it strikes some so viciously while others have only mild symptoms. If you have an existing or prior health condition such as cancer, diabetes, heart or lung disease, or if you’re older than 65, you should not be taking unnecessary risks like being in large crowds. We hope those around you aren’t taking those risks either and possibly bringing the virus home to you.”&nbsp;The Kansas City Health Department urges the public and businesses to continue to work quickly with the department and disease investigators to minimize the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp;

10 Chiefs fans to quarantine after COVID-19 exposure at game

HUTCHINSON— A Hutchinson Correctional Facility employee is facing numerous counts of attempting to smuggle contraband into the prison.&nbsp;

Twenty-two-year-old Zachary Wood of Newton faces eight different counts in an effort to smuggle K-2 into the facility. He’s being held on a bond of $100,000. 

Wood faces three counts of conspiracy, three counts of using a communication device to distribute drugs, one count of drug distribution and one count of trafficking contraband into a correctional facility.

According to the complaint, Wood is accused of using three different women to bring the synthetic marijuana into the facility over a period of two months.

One of those three, 48-year-old Esther Davis, was taken into custody on Tuesday on a charge of trafficking contraband. She is currently free on bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600357864536.jpeg" alt="Wood photo Reno County" />
 <figcaption>Wood photo Reno County</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON— A Hutchinson Correctional Facility employee is facing numerous counts of attempting to smuggle contraband into the prison.&nbsp;Twenty-two-year-old Zachary Wood of Newton faces eight different counts in an effort to smuggle K-2 into the facility. He’s being held on a bond of $100,000. Wood faces three counts of conspiracy, three counts of using a communication device to distribute drugs, one count of drug distribution and one count of trafficking contraband into a correctional facility.According to the complaint, Wood is accused of using three different women to bring the synthetic marijuana into the facility over a period of two months.One of those three, 48-year-old Esther Davis, was taken into custody on Tuesday on a charge of trafficking contraband. She is currently free on bond.

Employee allegedly tried to smuggle K2 into Kan. prison

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court seemed worried Wednesday about the proper roles of the Legislature and courts as it wrestled with whether a state statute that prohibits lawsuits based on “wrongful birth” claims is constitutional.

Justices heard oral arguments via Zoom on whether the parents of a disabled child have a right to a trial on their malpractice claims. A lower appeals court had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/01c03eebf83e41cba11b30bec802f8cc">earlier held that the statute</a>&nbsp;— signed into law by then-Gov. Sam Brownback in 2013— protects physicians from malpractice suits if they fail to provide information about fetal abnormalities that might cause the mother to get an abortion.

The parents’ attorney, Lynn Johnson, argued the case was an action for the recovery of damages for negligent injury under common law that had evolved based on advances of technology and a recognition of a woman’s reproductive rights.

“So the Legislature cannot — simply because it doesn’t like abortion — simply cannot step in and deprive these folks and others similarly situated of their right to remedy ... by a trial by jury of whether the doctor was negligent and whether that negligence ultimately caused their monetary damages,” Johnson said.

<a href="https://kscourts-my.sharepoint.com/personal/taylorl_kscourts_org/Documents/Tillman%20Case/117439PetReview.pdf" target="_blank">Alysia Tillman gave birth&nbsp;</a>in May 2014 to a baby girl with a severe brain abnormality that left her permanently disabled and unable to ever perform “activities of daily living.” Months before the birth, the doctor performed an ultrasound and told the parents it showed a healthy female fetus.

In their petition to the state’s highest court, Tillman and the baby’s father argued that they would have chosen to terminate the pregnancy had they received an accurate interpretation of the ultrasound. The child was diagnosed with a rare birth defect called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/all-disorders/schizencephaly-information-page" target="_blank">schizencephaly</a>,

Tillman and Storm Fleetwood sued their doctor, claiming Dr. Katherine Goodpasture’s failure to make a correct diagnosis denied them the right to make an informed decision on whether to end the pregnancy. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt subsequently intervened in the case to defend the statute.

The doctor’s attorney, Jacob Peterson told the court that this is something entirely different than a traditional negligence lawsuit, saying “it seems somewhat crass and somewhat wrong” to try to award damages because “the result is the existence of this child, this living being.”

Peterson contended the parents wanted to have specific child, they just didn’t want to have the specific fetus that was in the womb.

“That does implicate certain matters of public policy as the Kansas Legislature has articulated on numerous times they believe that, and the people of Kansas believe, that life begins at conception,” he said.

Kansas Deputy Solicitor General Brant Laue also argued the legislative branch has the primary authority to determine what injuries are compensated.

The court took the matter under advisement after listening to the arguments.

Besides Kansas, a dozen other states have similar laws: Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports reproductive rights.

The Guttmacher Institute contends these laws are part of “the anti-abortion strategy.”

“False and misleading information is a long-standing strategy employed by abortion opponents, whether it is through a wrongful life statute or through state-mandated abortion counseling, they have the same goal of denying full information to patients as a way to force the continuation of a pregnancy,” Elizabeth Nash, a public policy associate at Guttmacher, said in an email.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600358645442.png" alt="Members of the Kansas Supreme Court during a Thursday Sept. 17, hearing" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Kansas Supreme Court during a Thursday Sept. 17, hearing</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROXANA HEGEMANBELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court seemed worried Wednesday about the proper roles of the Legislature and courts as it wrestled with whether a state statute that prohibits lawsuits based on “wrongful birth” claims is constitutional.Justices heard oral arguments via Zoom on whether the parents of a disabled child have a right to a trial on their malpractice claims. A lower appeals court had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/01c03eebf83e41cba11b30bec802f8cc">earlier held that the statute</a>&nbsp;— signed into law by then-Gov. Sam Brownback in 2013— protects physicians from malpractice suits if they fail to provide information about fetal abnormalities that might cause the mother to get an abortion.The parents’ attorney, Lynn Johnson, argued the case was an action for the recovery of damages for negligent injury under common law that had evolved based on advances of technology and a recognition of a woman’s reproductive rights.“So the Legislature cannot — simply because it doesn’t like abortion — simply cannot step in and deprive these folks and others similarly situated of their right to remedy ... by a trial by jury of whether the doctor was negligent and whether that negligence ultimately caused their monetary damages,” Johnson said.<a href="https://kscourts-my.sharepoint.com/personal/taylorl_kscourts_org/Documents/Tillman%20Case/117439PetReview.pdf" target="_blank">Alysia Tillman gave birth&nbsp;</a>in May 2014 to a baby girl with a severe brain abnormality that left her permanently disabled and unable to ever perform “activities of daily living.” Months before the birth, the doctor performed an ultrasound and told the parents it showed a healthy female fetus.In their petition to the state’s highest court, Tillman and the baby’s father argued that they would have chosen to terminate the pregnancy had they received an accurate interpretation of the ultrasound. The child was diagnosed with a rare birth defect called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/all-disorders/schizencephaly-information-page" target="_blank">schizencephaly</a>,Tillman and Storm Fleetwood sued their doctor, claiming Dr. Katherine Goodpasture’s failure to make a correct diagnosis denied them the right to make an informed decision on whether to end the pregnancy. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt subsequently intervened in the case to defend the statute.The doctor’s attorney, Jacob Peterson told the court that this is something entirely different than a traditional negligence lawsuit, saying “it seems somewhat crass and somewhat wrong” to try to award damages because “the result is the existence of this child, this living being.”Peterson contended the parents wanted to have specific child, they just didn’t want to have the specific fetus that was in the womb.“That does implicate certain matters of public policy as the Kansas Legislature has articulated on numerous times they believe that, and the people of Kansas believe, that life begins at conception,” he said.Kansas Deputy Solicitor General Brant Laue also argued the legislative branch has the primary authority to determine what injuries are compensated.The court took the matter under advisement after listening to the arguments.Besides Kansas, a dozen other states have similar laws: Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports reproductive rights.The Guttmacher Institute contends these laws are part of “the anti-abortion strategy.”“False and misleading information is a long-standing strategy employed by abortion opponents, whether it is through a wrongful life statute or through state-mandated abortion counseling, they have the same goal of denying full information to patients as a way to force the continuation of a pregnancy,” Elizabeth Nash, a public policy associate at Guttmacher, said in an email.

Kansas court hears arguments over “wrongful birth” law

TOPEKA —A Kansas man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas on federal child pornography charges, according to Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division late Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1317426/download">Click here</a> to read the indictment

The three-count indictment charged Jeffrey Pierce, 40, a basketball&nbsp;<a href="https://shs.seamanschools.org/athletics/winter/boys_basketball/coaching_staff/jeff_pierce">coach at Seaman High&nbsp;</a>School, with producing and possessing child pornography. &nbsp;Pierce is alleged to have solicited sexually explicit images and videos from minor victims.

Using social networking platforms, Pierce would contact his victims while pretending to be a teenage girl, according to the FBI.

 He would then solicit explicit photos or videos from the juvenile victims. Pierce used the following user/vanity names when contacting his victims through Instagram, Snapchat, KiK, and Grinder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599184633467.png" alt="Pierce photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Pierce photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —A Kansas man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas on federal child pornography charges, according to Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division late Wednesday.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1317426/download">Click here</a> to read the indictmentThe three-count indictment charged Jeffrey Pierce, 40, a basketball&nbsp;<a href="https://shs.seamanschools.org/athletics/winter/boys_basketball/coaching_staff/jeff_pierce">coach at Seaman High&nbsp;</a>School, with producing and possessing child pornography. &nbsp;Pierce is alleged to have solicited sexually explicit images and videos from minor victims.Using social networking platforms, Pierce would contact his victims while pretending to be a teenage girl, according to the FBI.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599081222209.png" alt="Coach Pierce -photo courtesy Seaman USD 345" />
 <figcaption>Coach Pierce -photo courtesy Seaman USD 345</figcaption>
 </figure> He would then solicit explicit photos or videos from the juvenile victims. Pierce used the following user/vanity names when contacting his victims through Instagram, Snapchat, KiK, and Grinder.

Federal grand jury indicts Kan. high school coach

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Roger Marshall is using out-of-context clips from Democrat Barbara Bollier’s ads in a television spot in which his campaign argues that she’s trying to hide liberal views from voters, suggesting the GOP doesn’t have the race for an open U.S. Senate seat locked down yet in normally safe Kansas.

Bollier’s campaign and two Kansas political scientists argued Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1302977421986103296" target="_blank">Marshall’s ad</a>&nbsp;is misleading because it uses video snippets of Bollier in attacking her for opposing abortion restrictions and for supporting gun control measures when she was speaking about other topics. Marshall has been running the ad online and statewide since Labor Day weekend.

Marshall campaign manager Eric Pahls said the ad is not deceptive because it opens with a narrator asking, “How would it sound if Barbara Bollier’s ads actually matched her liberal record?” Pahls said viewers are “smart enough to understand what they’re watching.”

But Bob Beatty, a Washburn University of Topeka political scientist, said his review of about 1,200 state political ads dating back more than 50 years indicates that Marshall’s move is a new tactic for Kansas.

“Of course it’s manipulative,” he said. Later, he added about viewers, “The vast majority aren’t really going to tune in to a narrator at the beginning.”

Marshall is a two-term congressman for western and central Kansas and his ad is part of a broader effort by Republicans to undercut attempts by Bollier, a Kansas City-area state senator, to attract moderate GOP and independent voters after switching to the Democratic Party at the end of 2018.

Republicans already face tough races in other states in trying to keep their 53-47 Senate majority, and a competitive race in Kansas would complicate their efforts. The GOP hasn’t lost a Senate race in Kansas since 1932, but Bollier has proven to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/244be255c21df39bb3a67d1b363ac5cf">an unusually strong fundraiser.</a>

University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller called the Marshall ad “arguably slimy.”

“This says that you’re in a close race and that you’re really desperate to get out of it,” he said.

Republicans are attacking Bollier for her strong support of abortion rights, which led her to vote against new abortion restrictions during her decade-plus in the Legislature. One recent GOP political action committee mailer calling her a “liberal extremist” on the issue.

The Marshall ad criticizes Bollier for voting against 2015 legislation to ban a common second-trimester procedure designated in the measure as “dismemberment” abortion, with a clip of Bollier saying, “That’s what I believe in my heart.” The clip comes from Bollier’s October 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X8P0s_4_lo&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">announcement video</a>&nbsp;and followed her call for bipartisanship in Washington.

The Marshall ad also cites a 2014 statement from Bollier to a local newspaper about gun issues to suggest she supports a ban on guns, with a clip of her saying, “I’ll work to ban them nationwide.”

Bollier spokeswoman Alexandra De Luca called that section of the ad “particularly egregious.” Bollier’s statement expressed support for background checks for all gun purchases and allowing cities and counties to enact their own gun restrictions. Bollier backed limits on the types of guns available to the public “specifically” when it comes to large-capacity ammunition magazines. The video snippet of Bollier is from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_jh5U9W-aQ&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">a July ad</a>&nbsp;in which she promises to work to ban surprise medical bills.

“His campaign doesn’t want to engage with Barbara directly on the issues in an honest manner and so they put words in her mouth and create a fictional Barbara, quite literally, that they run ads on,” De Luca said.

Pahls said if the Marshall campaign wanted to be “sneaky” it would have omitted the narrator’s introduction and the ad is “not hiding anything.”

“They’re unable to refute any of the substance of the ad, so they’re attacking style,” he said in a text to The Associated Press.

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Roger Marshall is using out-of-context clips from Democrat Barbara Bollier’s ads in a television spot in which his campaign argues that she’s trying to hide liberal views from voters, suggesting the GOP doesn’t have the race for an open U.S. Senate seat locked down yet in normally safe Kansas.Bollier’s campaign and two Kansas political scientists argued Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1302977421986103296" target="_blank">Marshall’s ad</a>&nbsp;is misleading because it uses video snippets of Bollier in attacking her for opposing abortion restrictions and for supporting gun control measures when she was speaking about other topics. Marshall has been running the ad online and statewide since Labor Day weekend.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨BRAND NEW: How would it sound if Barbara Bollier&#39;s ads actually matched her liberal record? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kssen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kssen</a> <a href="https://t.co/KffwRifuen">pic.twitter.com/KffwRifuen</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1302977421986103296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Marshall campaign manager Eric Pahls said the ad is not deceptive because it opens with a narrator asking, “How would it sound if Barbara Bollier’s ads actually matched her liberal record?” Pahls said viewers are “smart enough to understand what they’re watching.”But Bob Beatty, a Washburn University of Topeka political scientist, said his review of about 1,200 state political ads dating back more than 50 years indicates that Marshall’s move is a new tactic for Kansas.“Of course it’s manipulative,” he said. Later, he added about viewers, “The vast majority aren’t really going to tune in to a narrator at the beginning.”Marshall is a two-term congressman for western and central Kansas and his ad is part of a broader effort by Republicans to undercut attempts by Bollier, a Kansas City-area state senator, to attract moderate GOP and independent voters after switching to the Democratic Party at the end of 2018.Republicans already face tough races in other states in trying to keep their 53-47 Senate majority, and a competitive race in Kansas would complicate their efforts. The GOP hasn’t lost a Senate race in Kansas since 1932, but Bollier has proven to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/244be255c21df39bb3a67d1b363ac5cf">an unusually strong fundraiser.</a>University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller called the Marshall ad “arguably slimy.”“This says that you’re in a close race and that you’re really desperate to get out of it,” he said.Republicans are attacking Bollier for her strong support of abortion rights, which led her to vote against new abortion restrictions during her decade-plus in the Legislature. One recent GOP political action committee mailer calling her a “liberal extremist” on the issue.The Marshall ad criticizes Bollier for voting against 2015 legislation to ban a common second-trimester procedure designated in the measure as “dismemberment” abortion, with a clip of Bollier saying, “That’s what I believe in my heart.” The clip comes from Bollier’s October 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X8P0s_4_lo&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">announcement video</a>&nbsp;and followed her call for bipartisanship in Washington.The Marshall ad also cites a 2014 statement from Bollier to a local newspaper about gun issues to suggest she supports a ban on guns, with a clip of her saying, “I’ll work to ban them nationwide.”Bollier spokeswoman Alexandra De Luca called that section of the ad “particularly egregious.” Bollier’s statement expressed support for background checks for all gun purchases and allowing cities and counties to enact their own gun restrictions. Bollier backed limits on the types of guns available to the public “specifically” when it comes to large-capacity ammunition magazines. The video snippet of Bollier is from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_jh5U9W-aQ&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">a July ad</a>&nbsp;in which she promises to work to ban surprise medical bills.“His campaign doesn’t want to engage with Barbara directly on the issues in an honest manner and so they put words in her mouth and create a fictional Barbara, quite literally, that they run ads on,” De Luca said.Pahls said if the Marshall campaign wanted to be “sneaky” it would have omitted the narrator’s introduction and the ad is “not hiding anything.”“They’re unable to refute any of the substance of the ad, so they’re attacking style,” he said in a text to The Associated Press.___

🎥 Kan. Republican's Senate ad relies on out-of-context clips

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials are considering spending $50 million to dramatically ramp up testing of people who aren't showing obvious signs of the coronavirus.

A state task force this week backed Kansas Health Secretary Lee Norman’s recommendation to use the federal stimulus money on testing at schools, workplaces and other sites. The goal is to catch coronavirus in people who haven’t even realized they’re carrying it, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-11/how-kansas-could-spend-tens-of-millions-to-test-asymptomatic-people-for-coronavirus">reports.</a>

Some of the testing would be done at Wichita State University, where a new not-for-profit lab is gearing up to churn out hundreds of thousands of tests by the end of the year.

“I know that sounds like a lot,” said Tonya Witherspoon, Wichita State’s vice president of industry engagement, “but we think several labs in the state need to be able to do that much — or more.”

Kansas has so far focused most of its energy on people who know either that they are ill or that they have had direct exposure to a confirmed outbreak. But experts say positivity rates should drop when a state or city goes beyond testing these groups of people who are most likely to be sick.

Right now, about 15% of Kansans who get the test find out they have COVID-19. By Johns Hopkins University’s calculations, that puts it among the states with the highest rates of new positives.

On Wednesday, Kansas health officials reported 971 new cases since Monday, for a total of 50,870 across the state. Kansas also had 52 new deaths, raising that number to 586 since the pandemic began.

Norman said at a news conference that 37 of the new deaths were added through a review of death certificates. But that still meant 15 had occurred since Monday, a higher than normal number.

“We are getting to a very sensitive point in time as we talked about during Labor Day with universities, colleges and schools starting back again, athletics those sorts of things,” Norman said. “People are starting to mass gather again in ways that we didn’t see as much of over the summer when people were more dispersed out. As the overall number count goes up, we are going to have more deaths.”

The positive cases include 841 at the University of Kansas, where house parties near campus are raising alarms.

After a debate during the Lawrence City Commission meeting Tuesday, a majority of the commissioners said they were interested in at least considering an ordinance that would make it a municipal offense to violate local health orders designed to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the Lawrence Journal-World&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/city-government/2020/sep/16/city-leaders-express-interest-in-creating-ordinance-that-would-make-disregarding-health-orders-a-municipal-offense/">reports</a>.

City Attorney Toni Wheeler said the offense would be a misdemeanor that could be prosecuted in municipal court. Violators could face a fine of no more than $500, up to 30 days in jail or both.

However, Vice Mayor Brad Finkeldei and Mayor Jennifer Ananda said they were not sure that creating a municipal ordinance would be the best approach, and that perhaps stronger disciplinary action from the university, such as bans from campus, mandatory quarantines or suspensions, would be more effective.

Meanwhile, Gov. Laura Kelly hosted a discussion with rural hospital administrators on Wednesday where she urged them to “exert pressure” on lawmakers to support a proposal to expand Medicaid in Kansas.

In the discussion, Harold Courtois, CEO for the Memorial Health System in Abilene, said his organization is worried about running out of personal protective equipment, particularly medical N95 respirators, known as N95 masks, ahead of the flu season.

“My fear is that during the influenza season, where everybody appears to have COVID -- whether it’s influenza or not -- PPE is going to become scarce and be very difficult to acquire again,” Courtois said. “It just doesn’t seem like we see a lot of PPE unless you’re willing to pay enormous prices. There’s still price gouging going on every week

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600340563243.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman during his press conference on Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman during his press conference on Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials are considering spending $50 million to dramatically ramp up testing of people who aren't showing obvious signs of the coronavirus.A state task force this week backed Kansas Health Secretary Lee Norman’s recommendation to use the federal stimulus money on testing at schools, workplaces and other sites. The goal is to catch coronavirus in people who haven’t even realized they’re carrying it, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-11/how-kansas-could-spend-tens-of-millions-to-test-asymptomatic-people-for-coronavirus">reports.</a>Some of the testing would be done at Wichita State University, where a new not-for-profit lab is gearing up to churn out hundreds of thousands of tests by the end of the year.“I know that sounds like a lot,” said Tonya Witherspoon, Wichita State’s vice president of industry engagement, “but we think several labs in the state need to be able to do that much — or more.”Kansas has so far focused most of its energy on people who know either that they are ill or that they have had direct exposure to a confirmed outbreak. But experts say positivity rates should drop when a state or city goes beyond testing these groups of people who are most likely to be sick.Right now, about 15% of Kansans who get the test find out they have COVID-19. By Johns Hopkins University’s calculations, that puts it among the states with the highest rates of new positives.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600277925237.png" alt="Sept. 16, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Sept. 16, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday, Kansas health officials reported 971 new cases since Monday, for a total of 50,870 across the state. Kansas also had 52 new deaths, raising that number to 586 since the pandemic began.Norman said at a news conference that 37 of the new deaths were added through a review of death certificates. But that still meant 15 had occurred since Monday, a higher than normal number.“We are getting to a very sensitive point in time as we talked about during Labor Day with universities, colleges and schools starting back again, athletics those sorts of things,” Norman said. “People are starting to mass gather again in ways that we didn’t see as much of over the summer when people were more dispersed out. As the overall number count goes up, we are going to have more deaths.”The positive cases include 841 at the University of Kansas, where house parties near campus are raising alarms.After a debate during the Lawrence City Commission meeting Tuesday, a majority of the commissioners said they were interested in at least considering an ordinance that would make it a municipal offense to violate local health orders designed to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the Lawrence Journal-World&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/city-government/2020/sep/16/city-leaders-express-interest-in-creating-ordinance-that-would-make-disregarding-health-orders-a-municipal-offense/">reports</a>.City Attorney Toni Wheeler said the offense would be a misdemeanor that could be prosecuted in municipal court. Violators could face a fine of no more than $500, up to 30 days in jail or both.However, Vice Mayor Brad Finkeldei and Mayor Jennifer Ananda said they were not sure that creating a municipal ordinance would be the best approach, and that perhaps stronger disciplinary action from the university, such as bans from campus, mandatory quarantines or suspensions, would be more effective.Meanwhile, Gov. Laura Kelly hosted a discussion with rural hospital administrators on Wednesday where she urged them to “exert pressure” on lawmakers to support a proposal to expand Medicaid in Kansas.In the discussion, Harold Courtois, CEO for the Memorial Health System in Abilene, said his organization is worried about running out of personal protective equipment, particularly medical N95 respirators, known as N95 masks, ahead of the flu season.“My fear is that during the influenza season, where everybody appears to have COVID -- whether it’s influenza or not -- PPE is going to become scarce and be very difficult to acquire again,” Courtois said. “It just doesn’t seem like we see a lot of PPE unless you’re willing to pay enormous prices. There’s still price gouging going on every week

Plan calls for more testing of Kansans without virus symptoms

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — After more than a year of discussion, Lawrence city officials have approved a nondiscrimination ordinance that governs treatment of immigrants in the country illegally, and oversees how police interact with those immigrants.

<a href="https://lawrenceks.org/live/">Click here </a>to watch the meeting

<a href="https://lawrenceks.org/live/">Tuesday’s vote by the Lawrence City</a> Commission comes after more than a year of discussion of police and city interaction with immigrants, prompted by the advocacy group Sanctuary Alliance.

The nondiscrimination ordinance, among other things, prohibits the city from considering immigration status or collecting immigration-related information when providing city services.

On Tuesday, the commission approved two additional provisions that require police to notify the public when the department becomes aware of certain federal immigration activities in Lawrence. The public also must be notified if the police department changes to its policy that generally limits police cooperation with federal immigration agents for noncriminal matters.

“This has been a labor of love for so many people in our community,” Mayor Jennifer Ananda said after the ordinance was finalized Tuesday. “It has been a wonderful facilitation by our city attorney and certainly drafting this has been, I think, a real example of our community coming together.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600340240192.png" alt="Lawrence virtual city commission meeting on Tuesday&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lawrence virtual city commission meeting on Tuesday&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — After more than a year of discussion, Lawrence city officials have approved a nondiscrimination ordinance that governs treatment of immigrants in the country illegally, and oversees how police interact with those immigrants.<a href="https://lawrenceks.org/live/">Click here </a>to watch the meeting<a href="https://lawrenceks.org/live/">Tuesday’s vote by the Lawrence City</a> Commission comes after more than a year of discussion of police and city interaction with immigrants, prompted by the advocacy group Sanctuary Alliance.The nondiscrimination ordinance, among other things, prohibits the city from considering immigration status or collecting immigration-related information when providing city services.On Tuesday, the commission approved two additional provisions that require police to notify the public when the department becomes aware of certain federal immigration activities in Lawrence. The public also must be notified if the police department changes to its policy that generally limits police cooperation with federal immigration agents for noncriminal matters.“This has been a labor of love for so many people in our community,” Mayor Jennifer Ananda said after the ordinance was finalized Tuesday. “It has been a wonderful facilitation by our city attorney and certainly drafting this has been, I think, a real example of our community coming together.”

Lawrence OKs protections for immigrants in country illegally

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just before midnight Wednesday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Polaris Magnum 4-wheeler in the 2300 block of NE Calhoun Bluff Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver identified as Randy D. Clelland, 60, of Topeka, was placed into custody and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a misdemeanor warrant through Shawnee County and is facing requested charges of&nbsp;possession of methamphetamine and a traffic violation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600288860092.png" alt="Clelland photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Clelland photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just before midnight Wednesday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Polaris Magnum 4-wheeler in the 2300 block of NE Calhoun Bluff Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver identified as Randy D. Clelland, 60, of Topeka, was placed into custody and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a misdemeanor warrant through Shawnee County and is facing requested charges of&nbsp;possession of methamphetamine and a traffic violation.

Sheriff: Kansas man on ATV was transporting meth

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three Kansas City Council members boycotted a committee meeting Wednesday because Mayor Quinton Lucas has not removed another council member as leader of the committee for what they called racist and unethical behavior.

<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/city-council-members">Council members</a> Kevin O’Neill, Melissa Robinson and Eric Bunch boycotted the meeting over a dispute with <a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/city-council-members/councilwoman-teresa-loar">Councilwoman Teresa Loar</a>, who is white, after comments she made to Robinson, who is Black, in July. The boycott meant the committee did not have a quorum and could not meet.

A coalition of civil rights groups and the three council members have previously asked Lucas to remove Loar as chairwoman of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee.

They said Lucas had made several verbal commitments to remove Loar but had not done so.

The mayor’s spokeswoman, Morgan Said, said he had committed only to evaluating a “change in committee structure” and that the evaluation was still underway.

In July, Robinson opposed a resolution proposed by Loar regarding the city’s animal control operations.

After Robinson spoke, Loar said “That was a very nice speech someone wrote you, Miss Robinson.”

Robinson replied that she had a Master of Business Administration degree and didn’t need anyone to write for her. When she told Loar not to question her intellect, Loar responded with a mocking physical gesture that included a neck roll and shimmy that Robinson and others considered racist, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article244511087.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Loar said Wednesday that she had apologized three times to Robinson and taken implicit bias training after Lucas asked her to do so.

Loar said the council members’ actions were more about a dispute over selecting bidders for work on the new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport than about racism.

In a letter sent to Lucas in August, the three council members objected to Loar’s behavior during negotiations over the bidding process.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600285856803.png" alt="Second District Councilwoman Teresa Loar-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Second District Councilwoman Teresa Loar-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three Kansas City Council members boycotted a committee meeting Wednesday because Mayor Quinton Lucas has not removed another council member as leader of the committee for what they called racist and unethical behavior.<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/city-council-members">Council members</a> Kevin O’Neill, Melissa Robinson and Eric Bunch boycotted the meeting over a dispute with <a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/city-council-members/councilwoman-teresa-loar">Councilwoman Teresa Loar</a>, who is white, after comments she made to Robinson, who is Black, in July. The boycott meant the committee did not have a quorum and could not meet.A coalition of civil rights groups and the three council members have previously asked Lucas to remove Loar as chairwoman of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee.They said Lucas had made several verbal commitments to remove Loar but had not done so.The mayor’s spokeswoman, Morgan Said, said he had committed only to evaluating a “change in committee structure” and that the evaluation was still underway.In July, Robinson opposed a resolution proposed by Loar regarding the city’s animal control operations.After Robinson spoke, Loar said “That was a very nice speech someone wrote you, Miss Robinson.”Robinson replied that she had a Master of Business Administration degree and didn’t need anyone to write for her. When she told Loar not to question her intellect, Loar responded with a mocking physical gesture that included a neck roll and shimmy that Robinson and others considered racist, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article244511087.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.Loar said Wednesday that she had apologized three times to Robinson and taken implicit bias training after Lucas asked her to do so.Loar said the council members’ actions were more about a dispute over selecting bidders for work on the new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport than about racism.In a letter sent to Lucas in August, the three council members objected to Loar’s behavior during negotiations over the bidding process.