Hero cop — on fire — races in and saves two children

By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County Review

As this is being written, Phillips County Sheriff’s Deputy John Miner is being transported to Via Christi Burn Center in Wichita after he twice rushed into a burning vehicle, saving the lives of two children, ages 2 and 4, in the immediate aftermath of a fiery four-vehicle accident on highway Kansas 383, four miles northeast of Long Island.    

Readers of the Phillips County Review will recall the paper ran <a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/08/07/ross-oversize-loads-common-sense-went-mia-last-week/">a series of articles and editorials</a> detailing the death-trap nature of that roadway.

     The extremely dramatic events began around 5 p.m. Wednesday evening as a two-vehicle caravan filled with a total of at least seven occupants was moving from Wisconsin to Arizona, passing through northwest Phillips County.

     When one of those vehicles broke down midway between Woodruff and Long Island, Deputy John Miner, a 15-year veteran of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, pulled in behind the vehicles to render roadside assistance, turning on his flashing lights in the process.    

     With shoulders on the highway being all but nonexistent and amplifying  the dangers of a run-of-the-mill breakdown, the car hood was opened on the disabled car.     

     As work was proceeding on getting the vehicle started, a westbound 2016 Peterbilt driven by Jerry D. Richard, 59, Scott City, bore down on the unsuspecting group.     

     Richard afterward stated he was blinded by the setting sun and did not see the three vehicles in front of him.    

     Spotting them at the very last moment, Richard swerved sharply, but not soon enough to avoid slicing off the rear quarter of the Sheriff’s Department pickup.    

     With the fuel tank disintegrating and diesel spraying everything in a wide radius from the point of impact, all vehicles, including the semi, caught on fire.

     Miraculously, no one was injured by the collision itself, with all persons standing along the roadside fleeing into an adjacent alfalfa field.    

     Deputy Miner, who had been in front of the disabled vehicle, instinctively hit is bodycam button almost simultaneously with the impact.    

     With flames clearly visible rising from the line of cars, two small children, a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy, remained strapped into their car seats inside one of the burning cars.    

     A 1-year-old baby was also with the group but was not in the vehicles.    

     Quickly taking in the chaotic scene, Deputy Miner immediately reacted, running from his point of safety in the hayfield and jerking the car door open.     

     Car seats can be difficult to maneuver a child out of under the best of circumstances — even more difficult in an escalating emergency.    

     In the bodycam footage, flames can be seen rising from Miner’s legs.  Despite this, he can be seen taking his utility knife and cutting the straps to the first seat.      

     Grabbing the toddler, Miner then runs with it to a point of safety a short distance away in the field and lays her on the ground.      

     With flames continuing to rise from the lower part of his body, he then runs back to the flaming vehicle as individuals off-camera can be heard hollering to him that he’s on fire.

     Regardless of the danger and ignoring his own peril, Miner returns to the vehicle and cuts the second child out of his seat and carries him to safety.    

     With the flames spreading on his own clothes, Miner then rolls desperately on the ground and successfully extinguishes the fire threatening to consume him.     

     Miner next attempts to radio for help, but can not make contact with dispatch due to the distance and geographic conditions of that part of the county.     

     Miner then successfully makes contact through his cellphone, and requests that “all EMS respond to the scene.”    

     As he is standing in the field, the body camera pans the apocalyptic scene and catches wreckage scattered up and down the highway, along with billowing black smoke coming from four vehicles, including the semi a half-mile further down the road.     

     And in that footage occurring in just the brief moments after the children had been taken to safety, the vehicle they had occupied can be seen totally engulfed in flames as explosions begin taking effect in different parts of it.

     Wednesday night, Deputy Miner was transported to Phillips County Hospital, and was en route to Via Christi on Thursday morning.     

Miner suffered third-degree burns on his legs.  While the rescue was quite dramatic and could have been deadly, and Miner's painful injuries will leave behind a scarring reminder of what happened yesterday, they are not considered critical, and he should be making a full recovery.

PHILLIPS COUNTY —Three children were injured in a 4 vehicle accident just after 5p.m. Wednesday in Phillips County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Peterbilt semi driven by Jerry D Richard, 59, Scott City, was westbound on Kansas 383 six miles west of U.S. 183.

The semi struck the left rear of a 2016 Dodge Ram, a marked sheriff's department vehicle parked on the north edge of the highway facing west with emergency lights activated. Phillips County Sheriff's Deputy John Miner had stopped to assist a disabled motorist&nbsp; near West 800 Road. 

The impact pushed the Dodge Ram sheriff's vehicle into the north ditch. 

The semi then struck a trailer that was parked in front of the deputy's vehicle. The Peterbilt spilled fuel and caught fire as it continued westbound past a 1989 Dodge Ram and a 2015 Ram 1500 also parked on the north edge of the highway.

The 1989 Ram, the camper connected to it and the 2015 Ram also caught fire due to the amount of fuel spilled by the semi.

 Three front seat occupants of Ram 1500 were safely able to exit the vehicle while sheriff's deputy Miner was able to safely remove 2 occupants from the back seat of Ram 1500&nbsp; before they were injured by the fire.

EMS transported Ella Rae, 4; Emric Wilkens, 2 and Ryatt Wilkens, all from Wisconsin, to the Phillips County Hospital.

Deputy Miner suffered minor burns when he rescued the two children.  He was transported to Phillips County Hospital and is being referred to another facility for treatment of his injuries, according to the Phillips County Sheriff's Office.

There were no others injured, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594071502884.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hero cop — on fire — races in and saves two children</h2>By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County ReviewAs this is being written, Phillips County Sheriff’s Deputy John Miner is being transported to Via Christi Burn Center in Wichita after he twice rushed into a burning vehicle, saving the lives of two children, ages 2 and 4, in the immediate aftermath of a fiery four-vehicle accident on highway Kansas 383, four miles northeast of Long Island. Readers of the Phillips County Review will recall the paper ran <a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/08/07/ross-oversize-loads-common-sense-went-mia-last-week/">a series of articles and editorials</a> detailing the death-trap nature of that roadway. The extremely dramatic events began around 5 p.m. Wednesday evening as a two-vehicle caravan filled with a total of at least seven occupants was moving from Wisconsin to Arizona, passing through northwest Phillips County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598378953.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure> When one of those vehicles broke down midway between Woodruff and Long Island, Deputy John Miner, a 15-year veteran of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, pulled in behind the vehicles to render roadside assistance, turning on his flashing lights in the process. With shoulders on the highway being all but nonexistent and amplifying the dangers of a run-of-the-mill breakdown, the car hood was opened on the disabled car. As work was proceeding on getting the vehicle started, a westbound 2016 Peterbilt driven by Jerry D. Richard, 59, Scott City, bore down on the unsuspecting group. Richard afterward stated he was blinded by the setting sun and did not see the three vehicles in front of him. Spotting them at the very last moment, Richard swerved sharply, but not soon enough to avoid slicing off the rear quarter of the Sheriff’s Department pickup. With the fuel tank disintegrating and diesel spraying everything in a wide radius from the point of impact, all vehicles, including the semi, caught on fire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598408506.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure> Miraculously, no one was injured by the collision itself, with all persons standing along the roadside fleeing into an adjacent alfalfa field. Deputy Miner, who had been in front of the disabled vehicle, instinctively hit is bodycam button almost simultaneously with the impact. With flames clearly visible rising from the line of cars, two small children, a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy, remained strapped into their car seats inside one of the burning cars. A 1-year-old baby was also with the group but was not in the vehicles. Quickly taking in the chaotic scene, Deputy Miner immediately reacted, running from his point of safety in the hayfield and jerking the car door open. Car seats can be difficult to maneuver a child out of under the best of circumstances — even more difficult in an escalating emergency. In the bodycam footage, flames can be seen rising from Miner’s legs. Despite this, he can be seen taking his utility knife and cutting the straps to the first seat. Grabbing the toddler, Miner then runs with it to a point of safety a short distance away in the field and lays her on the ground. With flames continuing to rise from the lower part of his body, he then runs back to the flaming vehicle as individuals off-camera can be heard hollering to him that he’s on fire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598440895.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure> Regardless of the danger and ignoring his own peril, Miner returns to the vehicle and cuts the second child out of his seat and carries him to safety. With the flames spreading on his own clothes, Miner then rolls desperately on the ground and successfully extinguishes the fire threatening to consume him. Miner next attempts to radio for help, but can not make contact with dispatch due to the distance and geographic conditions of that part of the county. Miner then successfully makes contact through his cellphone, and requests that “all EMS respond to the scene.” As he is standing in the field, the body camera pans the apocalyptic scene and catches wreckage scattered up and down the highway, along with billowing black smoke coming from four vehicles, including the semi a half-mile further down the road. And in that footage occurring in just the brief moments after the children had been taken to safety, the vehicle they had occupied can be seen totally engulfed in flames as explosions begin taking effect in different parts of it.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598462237.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure> Wednesday night, Deputy Miner was transported to Phillips County Hospital, and was en route to Via Christi on Thursday morning. Miner suffered third-degree burns on his legs. While the rescue was quite dramatic and could have been deadly, and Miner's painful injuries will leave behind a scarring reminder of what happened yesterday, they are not considered critical, and he should be making a full recovery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598478167.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598491049.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598505135.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598517835.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598625894.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598638144.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Republished with permission---------PHILLIPS COUNTY —Three children were injured in a 4 vehicle accident just after 5p.m. Wednesday in Phillips County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Peterbilt semi driven by Jerry D Richard, 59, Scott City, was westbound on Kansas 383 six miles west of U.S. 183.The semi struck the left rear of a 2016 Dodge Ram, a marked sheriff's department vehicle parked on the north edge of the highway facing west with emergency lights activated. Phillips County Sheriff's Deputy John Miner had stopped to assist a disabled motorist&nbsp; near West 800 Road. The impact pushed the Dodge Ram sheriff's vehicle into the north ditch. The semi then struck a trailer that was parked in front of the deputy's vehicle. The Peterbilt spilled fuel and caught fire as it continued westbound past a 1989 Dodge Ram and a 2015 Ram 1500 also parked on the north edge of the highway.The 1989 Ram, the camper connected to it and the 2015 Ram also caught fire due to the amount of fuel spilled by the semi. Three front seat occupants of Ram 1500 were safely able to exit the vehicle while sheriff's deputy Miner was able to safely remove 2 occupants from the back seat of Ram 1500&nbsp; before they were injured by the fire.EMS transported Ella Rae, 4; Emric Wilkens, 2 and Ryatt Wilkens, all from Wisconsin, to the Phillips County Hospital.Deputy Miner suffered minor burns when he rescued the two children. He was transported to Phillips County Hospital and is being referred to another facility for treatment of his injuries, according to the Phillips County Sheriff's Office.There were no others injured, according to the KHP.

Update: Kan deputy injured saving children from fiery crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A retired firefighter who charged with threatening to kidnap and kill the mayor of Wichita because he was upset about the city’s mask ordinance is scheduled for another court appearance Thursday afternoon, according to the district attorney's office.

Meredith Dowty, 59, Wichita, was charged with three counts of criminal threat.

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he had been read text messages received by another city official that threatened his life.

The mayor says the suspect talked about tyranny in the messages and was upset about the mask mandates and not being able to see his mother because of COVID-19 restrictions on elderly homes.

In Kansas, criminal threat is a level 9 felony which means, depending on his criminal record, it’s possible Mr. Dowty could receive anywhere from probation to 17 months in prison on each count, if he’s convicted, according to the district attorney.

Dowty is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A retired firefighter unhappy with the city of Wichita's mask mandate who was arrested Friday for threatening to kidnap and kill the mayor made his first court appearance Tuesday.

Meredith Dowty, 59, Wichita, was charged with three counts of criminal threat, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he had been read text messages received by another city official that asked about the mayor’s address and threatened his life.

He <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18723930">remains jailed on a $50,000 bond </a>and is scheduled to return to court November 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602897809399.png" alt="Meredith Dowty-photo Sedgwick County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Meredith Dowty-photo Sedgwick County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A retired firefighter who charged with threatening to kidnap and kill the mayor of Wichita because he was upset about the city’s mask ordinance is scheduled for another court appearance Thursday afternoon, according to the district attorney's office.Meredith Dowty, 59, Wichita, was charged with three counts of criminal threat.Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he had been read text messages received by another city official that threatened his life.The mayor says the suspect talked about tyranny in the messages and was upset about the mask mandates and not being able to see his mother because of COVID-19 restrictions on elderly homes.In Kansas, criminal threat is a level 9 felony which means, depending on his criminal record, it’s possible Mr. Dowty could receive anywhere from probation to 17 months in prison on each count, if he’s convicted, according to the district attorney.Dowty is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.-----SEDGWICK COUNTY —A retired firefighter unhappy with the city of Wichita's mask mandate who was arrested Friday for threatening to kidnap and kill the mayor made his first court appearance Tuesday.Meredith Dowty, 59, Wichita, was charged with three counts of criminal threat, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he had been read text messages received by another city official that asked about the mayor’s address and threatened his life.The mayor says the suspect talked about tyranny in the messages and was upset about the mask mandates and not being able to see his mother because of COVID-19 restrictions on elderly homes.In Kansas, criminal threat is a level 9 felony which means, depending on his criminal record, it’s possible Mr. Dowty could receive anywhere from probation to 17 months in prison on each count, if he’s convicted, according to the district attorney.He <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18723930">remains jailed on a $50,000 bond </a>and is scheduled to return to court November 5.---------

Kan. man charged in threat over masks due back in court

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A man who was in the traffic lanes of Interstate 35 was hit and killed by a vehicle early Thursday, police there said.

The incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Thursday in the northbound lanes of the interstate where it runs beneath the Independence Avenue overpass, police said. The man was either walking along or trying to cross the traffic lanes of the interstate when he was hit by a semitrailer truck, according to police.

Police said the truck diver was unsure whether he had hit something, so turned around and went back to the scene, where the victim was found dead. The man's name was not immediately released.

The death marked the 93rd traffic fatality of the year, compared with 62 by the same time in 2019, according to police.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A man who was in the traffic lanes of Interstate 35 was hit and killed by a vehicle early Thursday, police there said.The incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Thursday in the northbound lanes of the interstate where it runs beneath the Independence Avenue overpass, police said. The man was either walking along or trying to cross the traffic lanes of the interstate when he was hit by a semitrailer truck, according to police.Police said the truck diver was unsure whether he had hit something, so turned around and went back to the scene, where the victim was found dead. The man's name was not immediately released.The death marked the 93rd traffic fatality of the year, compared with 62 by the same time in 2019, according to police.

Police: Man walking on I-35 in Kansas City struck, killed

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a traffic stop.

Just before 3a.m. Tuesday, a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office observed a silver Ford Escape at the intersection of NW 25th&nbsp;Street and NW Button Road, according to deputy Abigail Christian.

A silver Ford Escape was reported earlier as suspicious in the Cherry Creek subdivision. 

The driver later identified as Travis L. Quillin, 39, of Topeka, was recognized by the deputy and known to have a suspended driver’s license.&nbsp; 

The deputy conducted a traffic stop and arrested Quillin on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, suspended driver’s license, and habitual violator, according to Christian.&nbsp; In addition,&nbsp; Quillin had two misdemeanor warrants from the City of Topeka.&nbsp; &nbsp;He also had a previous drug conviction and had been out of prison since July 2019, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604423635220.png" alt="Quillin photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Quillin photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a traffic stop.Just before 3a.m. Tuesday, a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office observed a silver Ford Escape at the intersection of NW 25th&nbsp;Street and NW Button Road, according to deputy Abigail Christian.A silver Ford Escape was reported earlier as suspicious in the Cherry Creek subdivision. The driver later identified as Travis L. Quillin, 39, of Topeka, was recognized by the deputy and known to have a suspended driver’s license.&nbsp; The deputy conducted a traffic stop and arrested Quillin on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, suspended driver’s license, and habitual violator, according to Christian.&nbsp; In addition,&nbsp; Quillin had two misdemeanor warrants from the City of Topeka.&nbsp; &nbsp;He also had a previous drug conviction and had been out of prison since July 2019, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Sheriff: Report of suspicious car leads to wanted Kan. felon

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are investigating that city's latest homicide. Police say officers were called around 12:30 a.m. Thursday to a home near Terrace Street and Leavenworth Road for a report of a disturbance. 

Arriving officers found a man inside dead from a a gunshot wound. Police have not released the man's name or given details about what may have led up to the shooting. 

Police say a suspect in the shooting was also inside the home and was arrested. The death marked the city's 50th homicide this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604584883648.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation early Thursday photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation early Thursday photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are investigating that city's latest homicide. Police say officers were called around 12:30 a.m. Thursday to a home near Terrace Street and Leavenworth Road for a report of a disturbance. Arriving officers found a man inside dead from a a gunshot wound. Police have not released the man's name or given details about what may have led up to the shooting. Police say a suspect in the shooting was also inside the home and was arrested. The death marked the city's 50th homicide this year.

Police investigate 50th homicide of 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Several dozen hospitals serving Kansas patients reported Wednesday that they expect to deal with staffing shortages over the next week as the state continues to report an average of well over 1,000 new coronavirus cases a day.

The Wichita area’s two major health systems said Wednesday that almost 150 coronavirus patients were hospitalized, their highest numbers since the pandemic began. The Ascension Via Christi system is trying to bring about 60 nurses from outside Kansas into the state to help with staffing, and it has converted space into two new units for COVID-19 patients.

A surge in cases even prompted public health officials and the local Chamber of Commerce in Reno County in south-central Kansas to launch a 10-day campaign to be more diligent in following the county’s mask mandate and following other public health recommendations, such as observing social distancing and avoiding gatherings.

The state Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday added 2,988 confirmed and probable cases to the state’s count since Monday, a 3.3% increase that brought the pandemic total to 92,215. The state averaged 1,453 new cases a day for the seven days ending Wednesday — not a record, but still more than double than the rolling seven-day averages reported a month ago.

Public health officials say Kansas is seeing such large numbers of new cases because too many people aren’t wearing masks in public, aren’t social distancing and aren’t avoiding gatherings. They contend that people are letting their guard down at family events such as parties, weddings and baby showers.

“When I see people without a mask, that’s what breaks my heart,” said Jenifer Phelps, nurse manager in a 20-bed Via Christi unit for coronavirus patients in Wichita. “So when I see that, the first thing in my mind is, ‘Well, we’re going to be — the unit’s probably going to be full next week.’”

In northeast Kansas, the Douglas County health department said it has seen a “concerning” trend of people “not staying home while awaiting a COVID-19 test result.”

The state health department reported five active clusters of five or more cases within the past two weeks tied to private events, including a wedding in Riley County and a wedding reception in Leavenworth County. It also reported five clusters in schools, including an outbreak involving five students at Newton High School.

Debra Teufel, president and CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce said the community previously focused on reopening businesses safely, then on economic recovery.

“Now, everyone recognizes that if numbers continue to rise, there’s a risk that we could have to go back into some sort of stay-at-home order,” Teufel said.

The state averaged 33 new hospitalizations a day for the seven days ending Wednesday. The state health department reported 91 new hospitalizations since Monday, bringing the total to 3,984 since the pandemic reached Kansas in early March.

“We also saw increasing problems for urban hospitals this week,” Gov. Laura Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference Wednesday.

The state also reported an additional 41 deaths since Monday, to bring the pandemic total to 1,087. Kansas averaged 11 additional deaths a day for the seven days ending Wednesday.

The Kansas Hospital Association surveyed 143 hospitals that serve Kansas patients, including some on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Forty-three of them, or 30%, said they expected to deal with staffing shortages within the next week.

“You might have have a physical bed or a physical ventilator, but you have to have the staff to be able to staff that,” said association spokeswoman Cindy Samuelson.

Robert Freelove, chief medical officer of the Salina Regional Health Center, said his hospital had 11 active COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday afternoon. The hospital has designated 29 out of about 35 negative pressure rooms for COVID-19 patients and can accept up to 44 coronavirus patients. The hospital can accept up to 16 critically ill COVID-19 patients, Freelove said.

But the Salina health center, with a nursing staff of about 600, is about 50 nurses short of full staff. Freelove said the shortage is “a little high,” compared to before the pandemic.

“Certainly things are more stressful,” Freelove said. “I don’t know if we’ve lost anybody necessarily because of COVID, but certainly being a healthcare provider is a lot more difficult now than it was pre-pandemic.”

Phelps said caring for coronavirus patients can be both physically and emotionally draining. She said it sometimes requires one nurse for some patients — and it takes a team of a half-dozen staffers when a doctors want to turn patients from their backs to their stomachs so that they can breathe more easily.

She said nurses’ 12 1/2-hour shifts now typically begin with a prayer with a hospital chaplain. Phelps said a few weeks ago, a patient told her, “I’m just not going to beat this.”

“After leaving his room, I just cried, and then I of course didn’t want others to see me cry, but I couldn’t wipe my face, because I can’t touch my face,” she said. ___

This story has been corrected to show that Robert Freelove’s title with the Salina Regional Health Center, is chief medical officer, not chief executive officer.

By JOHN HANNA and ANDY TSUBASA FIELDTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Several dozen hospitals serving Kansas patients reported Wednesday that they expect to deal with staffing shortages over the next week as the state continues to report an average of well over 1,000 new coronavirus cases a day.The Wichita area’s two major health systems said Wednesday that almost 150 coronavirus patients were hospitalized, their highest numbers since the pandemic began. The Ascension Via Christi system is trying to bring about 60 nurses from outside Kansas into the state to help with staffing, and it has converted space into two new units for COVID-19 patients.A surge in cases even prompted public health officials and the local Chamber of Commerce in Reno County in south-central Kansas to launch a 10-day campaign to be more diligent in following the county’s mask mandate and following other public health recommendations, such as observing social distancing and avoiding gatherings.The state Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday added 2,988 confirmed and probable cases to the state’s count since Monday, a 3.3% increase that brought the pandemic total to 92,215. The state averaged 1,453 new cases a day for the seven days ending Wednesday — not a record, but still more than double than the rolling seven-day averages reported a month ago.Public health officials say Kansas is seeing such large numbers of new cases because too many people aren’t wearing masks in public, aren’t social distancing and aren’t avoiding gatherings. They contend that people are letting their guard down at family events such as parties, weddings and baby showers.“When I see people without a mask, that’s what breaks my heart,” said Jenifer Phelps, nurse manager in a 20-bed Via Christi unit for coronavirus patients in Wichita. “So when I see that, the first thing in my mind is, ‘Well, we’re going to be — the unit’s probably going to be full next week.’”In northeast Kansas, the Douglas County health department said it has seen a “concerning” trend of people “not staying home while awaiting a COVID-19 test result.”The state health department reported five active clusters of five or more cases within the past two weeks tied to private events, including a wedding in Riley County and a wedding reception in Leavenworth County. It also reported five clusters in schools, including an outbreak involving five students at Newton High School.Debra Teufel, president and CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce said the community previously focused on reopening businesses safely, then on economic recovery.“Now, everyone recognizes that if numbers continue to rise, there’s a risk that we could have to go back into some sort of stay-at-home order,” Teufel said.The state averaged 33 new hospitalizations a day for the seven days ending Wednesday. The state health department reported 91 new hospitalizations since Monday, bringing the total to 3,984 since the pandemic reached Kansas in early March.“We also saw increasing problems for urban hospitals this week,” Gov. Laura Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference Wednesday.The state also reported an additional 41 deaths since Monday, to bring the pandemic total to 1,087. Kansas averaged 11 additional deaths a day for the seven days ending Wednesday.The Kansas Hospital Association surveyed 143 hospitals that serve Kansas patients, including some on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Forty-three of them, or 30%, said they expected to deal with staffing shortages within the next week.“You might have have a physical bed or a physical ventilator, but you have to have the staff to be able to staff that,” said association spokeswoman Cindy Samuelson.Robert Freelove, chief medical officer of the Salina Regional Health Center, said his hospital had 11 active COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday afternoon. The hospital has designated 29 out of about 35 negative pressure rooms for COVID-19 patients and can accept up to 44 coronavirus patients. The hospital can accept up to 16 critically ill COVID-19 patients, Freelove said.But the Salina health center, with a nursing staff of about 600, is about 50 nurses short of full staff. Freelove said the shortage is “a little high,” compared to before the pandemic.“Certainly things are more stressful,” Freelove said. “I don’t know if we’ve lost anybody necessarily because of COVID, but certainly being a healthcare provider is a lot more difficult now than it was pre-pandemic.”Phelps said caring for coronavirus patients can be both physically and emotionally draining. She said it sometimes requires one nurse for some patients — and it takes a team of a half-dozen staffers when a doctors want to turn patients from their backs to their stomachs so that they can breathe more easily.She said nurses’ 12 1/2-hour shifts now typically begin with a prayer with a hospital chaplain. Phelps said a few weeks ago, a patient told her, “I’m just not going to beat this.”“After leaving his room, I just cried, and then I of course didn’t want others to see me cry, but I couldn’t wipe my face, because I can’t touch my face,” she said. ___This story has been corrected to show that Robert Freelove’s title with the Salina Regional Health Center, is chief medical officer, not chief executive officer.___

Hospitals serving Kansas stressed as coronavirus cases rise

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City nightclub where two people died and 15 people were injured in a shooting in January has lost its liquor license after city officials said it was the scene of continuing violence.

The Kansas City Liquor Control Board voted Wednesday to revoke the liquor license of 9ine Ultra Lounge, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article246962472.html">reported</a>.

Raeven Parks, 25, died&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d2f19c481503aff9f98b1aba324a894c">on Jan. 19</a>&nbsp;when a man fired into a line of people waiting to get into the club as the city celebrated the Kansas City Chiefs getting into the Super Bowl. A security guard shot and killed the gunman, Jahron Swift.

The club closed for several months but the violence continued when it reopened. On Aug. 30, four people were shot in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2e476fcee4d17da01f4cfa0ab29f5ba6">an argument</a>&nbsp;that started inside the club and involved several shooters.

Jim Ready, manager of the city’s regulated industries, said the club never provided proper security, which led to the violence, thefts and assaults.

The club's owner did not submit forms needed for the club to retain its license and did not attend Wednesday's meeting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598814744716.png" alt="Scene of the January shooting photo courtesy KSHB TV" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the January shooting photo courtesy KSHB TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City nightclub where two people died and 15 people were injured in a shooting in January has lost its liquor license after city officials said it was the scene of continuing violence.The Kansas City Liquor Control Board voted Wednesday to revoke the liquor license of 9ine Ultra Lounge, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article246962472.html">reported</a>.Raeven Parks, 25, died&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d2f19c481503aff9f98b1aba324a894c">on Jan. 19</a>&nbsp;when a man fired into a line of people waiting to get into the club as the city celebrated the Kansas City Chiefs getting into the Super Bowl. A security guard shot and killed the gunman, Jahron Swift.The club closed for several months but the violence continued when it reopened. On Aug. 30, four people were shot in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2e476fcee4d17da01f4cfa0ab29f5ba6">an argument</a>&nbsp;that started inside the club and involved several shooters.Jim Ready, manager of the city’s regulated industries, said the club never provided proper security, which led to the violence, thefts and assaults.The club's owner did not submit forms needed for the club to retain its license and did not attend Wednesday's meeting.

Kansas City club with violent record loses liquor license

SCOTT COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Wednesday in Scott County.

A 2010 Chevy Silverado driven by Steven Craig Gruver, 60, Scott City, was southbound on U.S. 83 in front of a 2021 Freightliner semi driven by&nbsp; Benjamin Keith Gilbert, 56, Jamestown, Kansas.

The Silverado initiated a left turn onto Scott County Road 30, entering into the north bound lane of U.S. Highway 83 directly into the path of a 2007 Peterbilt semi driven by Brian L. Lytle, 45, McCook, Nebraska.

The Peterbilt semi struck the Silverado causing it to rotate counterclockwise in a northwestern direction. 

The Freightliner then struck the Silverado.

Gruver and a passenger James D. Hickert, 37, Bird City, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Price &amp; Son's Funeral Home.&nbsp;

Gilbert and Lytle were not injured. The occupants of the Silverado and Lytle were not weariing seat belts, according to the KHP.

SCOTT COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Wednesday in Scott County.A 2010 Chevy Silverado driven by Steven Craig Gruver, 60, Scott City, was southbound on U.S. 83 in front of a 2021 Freightliner semi driven by&nbsp; Benjamin Keith Gilbert, 56, Jamestown, Kansas.The Silverado initiated a left turn onto Scott County Road 30, entering into the north bound lane of U.S. Highway 83 directly into the path of a 2007 Peterbilt semi driven by Brian L. Lytle, 45, McCook, Nebraska.The Peterbilt semi struck the Silverado causing it to rotate counterclockwise in a northwestern direction. The Freightliner then struck the Silverado.Gruver and a passenger James D. Hickert, 37, Bird City, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Price &amp; Son's Funeral Home.&nbsp;Gilbert and Lytle were not injured. The occupants of the Silverado and Lytle were not weariing seat belts, according to the KHP.

2 Kansas men dead after 3-vehicle semi crash

WICHITA —A Kansas man was charged Wednesday with one count of producing child pornography and one count of committing a crime involving a minor child while registered as a sex offender. 

The crimes by&nbsp;Clinton Wade McElroy, 49, Ellis, Kan., are&nbsp;alleged to have occurred May 27 through June 23, 2020 in Ellis, according to the United State's Attorney's office.

&nbsp;In 2017, McElroy was convicted in Ellis County District Court of sexually exploiting a 14-year-old victim.&nbsp;

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the production charge, and up to 10 years (consecutive) on the other count. The FBI investigated.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604520809920.png" alt="McElroy-photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>McElroy-photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —A Kansas man was charged Wednesday with one count of producing child pornography and one count of committing a crime involving a minor child while registered as a sex offender. The crimes by&nbsp;Clinton Wade McElroy, 49, Ellis, Kan., are&nbsp;alleged to have occurred May 27 through June 23, 2020 in Ellis, according to the United State's Attorney's office.&nbsp;In 2017, McElroy was convicted in Ellis County District Court of sexually exploiting a 14-year-old victim.&nbsp;If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the production charge, and up to 10 years (consecutive) on the other count. The FBI investigated.&nbsp;

Kan. sex offender charged with crime involving minor

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man arrested for an alleged&nbsp;violent attack on woman made his first court appearance Monday.

Kenton Grubbs, &nbsp;40 of Wichita, was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, 2 counts of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated assault, 3 counts of criminal threat, interference with law enforcement, and a misdemeanor count of battery of a law enforcement officer, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Just after 11a.m. Oct. 28, police responded to an assault call at a residence in the 11300 block of East Lewis in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 64-year-old woman who was injured.&nbsp; EMS transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injures.&nbsp;

The investigation revealed an argument began between the woman and her boyfriend identified as 40-year-old Kenton Grubbs.&nbsp; 

During the argument, Grubbs strangled her multiple times, struck her with a baseball bat multiple times, battered and threatened her, according to Davidson.

Police contacted Grubbs at the scene and he battered an officer while being arrested.

He remains jailed on a bond of $150,000, according to the district attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603990295790.png" alt="Grubbs photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Grubbs photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man arrested for an alleged&nbsp;violent attack on woman made his first court appearance Monday.Kenton Grubbs, &nbsp;40 of Wichita, was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, 2 counts of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated assault, 3 counts of criminal threat, interference with law enforcement, and a misdemeanor count of battery of a law enforcement officer, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.Just after 11a.m. Oct. 28, police responded to an assault call at a residence in the 11300 block of East Lewis in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 64-year-old woman who was injured.&nbsp; EMS transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injures.&nbsp;The investigation revealed an argument began between the woman and her boyfriend identified as 40-year-old Kenton Grubbs.&nbsp; During the argument, Grubbs strangled her multiple times, struck her with a baseball bat multiple times, battered and threatened her, according to Davidson.Police contacted Grubbs at the scene and he battered an officer while being arrested.He remains jailed on a bond of $150,000, according to the district attorney.

Kansas man charged for baseball bat attack on woman

NEOSHO COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 5a.m. Wednesday in Neosho County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by Jacob Logan Abercrombie, 39, Broken Arrow, OK., was north bound on U.S. 169 one half mile north of Douglas Road.&nbsp;

The pickup drifted off the roadway to the left. The driver&nbsp; overcorrected. The pickup traveled back onto U.S. 169 to the left, overturned and came to a stop in a field.

Abercrombie was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Countryside Funeral Home. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

NEOSHO COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 5a.m. Wednesday in Neosho County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by Jacob Logan Abercrombie, 39, Broken Arrow, OK., was north bound on U.S. 169 one half mile north of Douglas Road.&nbsp;The pickup drifted off the roadway to the left. The driver&nbsp; overcorrected. The pickup traveled back onto U.S. 169 to the left, overturned and came to a stop in a field.Abercrombie was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Countryside Funeral Home. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Driver dies after pickup overturns on Kansas highway

GOP candidate sits nearly 850 votes ahead of longest-serving legislator in Kansas history

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/04/kloos-ill-fated-campaign-for-governor-guides-shocking-senate-run-against-icon-hensley/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Republican Rick Kloos’ confidence began growing two weeks ago that a majority of voters in the 19th
 District were willing to turn away from Democratic Sen. Anthony 
Hensley, the longest serving member of the Kansas Legislature in state 
history.

Kloos understood why 
reasonable folks could be skeptical. Hensley has served in the 
Legislature for more than four decades and had led Senate Democrats for a
 quarter century. Kloos, with his son Nathaniel as his running mate, had
 finished last with 0.6% of the vote in their audacious independent 
campaign for governor in 2018.

“A lot of people have 
looked to him as kind of an icon in this district because of his strong 
base,” Kloos said during a Topeka coffee-shop interview Wednesday. “I 
don’t think people thought this was doable. But the last two weeks, I 
had a sense we were winning. Even among Democrats, I heard ‘term limits’
 come out.”

On Tuesday, voters in the 
Senate district spread over Topeka and eastern Shawnee County, western 
Douglas County and all of Osage County responded in concrete terms to 
Kloos. With totals unofficial and ballots still to count, Kloos leads 
with 15,676 votes to Hensley’s 14,827.

Hensley carved a 
2,200-vote advantage in Shawnee County, but Kloos outran Hensley by 
nearly 3,000 votes in Osage County — a county in which 71% of voters 
chose President Donald Trump over Democrat Joe Biden. In Douglas County,
 Hensley and Kloos essentially tied at 1,600 votes each.

Bottom line, for now: Kloos is up by 849.

Hensley said he wasn’t 
prepared to concede the race until all votes were tabulated, including 
provisional votes and advance ballots still arriving by mail at election
 offices in the three counties.

“We will be waiting until 
every vote has been counted,” the senator said Wednesday. “As such, I 
have not conceded. We will know the official counts and the final say of
 the people of Senate District 19 on November 16.”

Hensley, a retired Topeka 
public school teacher, said he was grateful for expressions of support 
for his family. He also said that “serving the people of Senate District
 19, and Kansas, has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”

Kloos said he was doubtful there were enough uncounted votes for Hensley to make up the deficit and alter the outcome.

Kloos, who helped found a 
Topeka community thrift shop called God’s Store House, generated 
controversy during the campaign by including a reference to God’s Store 
House on more than 100 large campaign signs scattered throughout the 
district.

Questions were raised 
about a nonprofit organization’s name being a featured on a political 
candidate’s advertising. Kloos said the name God’s Store House wasn’t 
trademarked and the unusual appendage was allowed by the Kansas 
Governmental Ethics Commission. He said it was his wife’s idea to add it
 to the signs.

“A third of my signs were 
in Democrat yards,” Kloos said. “That’s because they made a connection 
with what I’d been doing in the community with God’s Store House. That 
was powerful. I shared with people who I am.”

“People want to know that you’ve been doing something. It’s not so much what you’re going to do, but what have you been doing.”

Kloos said he drew upon 
his experience running for Kansas governor two years ago, a campaign in 
which he finished far behind the four other candidates in the contest 
won by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over Republican Kris Kobach, 
independent Greg Orman, Libertarian Jeff Caldwell and Kloos. He 
attracted more than twice the votes for Senate than he did for governor.

“The governor’s race, 
obviously, I reflect on because that was my boot camp. From that I 
learned strategy and how important it was to listen to people,” Kloos 
said.

He said the Senate 
campaign had what his run for governor lacked: A meaningful ground game.
 He went door to door and spoke directly to residents in the diverse 
Senate district with a voter registration ranging from 32% Republican to
 30% Democrat and 28% independent.

“That was our strategy,” Kloos said. “We knocked on thousands of doors. Hundreds and hundreds of conversations.”

He didn’t surrender urban 
areas to Hensley, and conducted three meet-and-greet events with music 
and food in the Highland Park, Oakland and East Topeka neighborhoods. 
The gatherings were more social than political and served as an 
opportunity to engage with Democrats and independents in Topeka.

“In this district, they’re just not policy driven as much as they are that we want to put a face to the name,” Kloos said.

Kloos said there was no 
avalanche of early endorsements and financial support from conservative 
organizations pushing their special-interest agenda. He assumed it was 
because most didn’t think it possible to dislodge Hensley. Kloos said 
his opposition to abortion did attract attention of Kansans for Life. 
Hensley had at least three times the campaign budget, Kloos said, but 
“our social media plan was really good.”

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604523843742.png" alt="Topeka Republican Rick Kloos leads by more than 800 votes in the Kansas Senate race against Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, the longest serving member of the Kansas Legislature in state history. Kloos, left, stands Wednesday next to his controversial campaign sign with his son, Nathaniel. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Topeka Republican Rick Kloos leads by more than 800 votes in the Kansas Senate race against Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, the longest serving member of the Kansas Legislature in state history. Kloos, left, stands Wednesday next to his controversial campaign sign with his son, Nathaniel. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>GOP candidate sits nearly 850 votes ahead of longest-serving legislator in Kansas history</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/04/kloos-ill-fated-campaign-for-governor-guides-shocking-senate-run-against-icon-hensley/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Republican Rick Kloos’ confidence began growing two weeks ago that a majority of voters in the 19th
 District were willing to turn away from Democratic Sen. Anthony 
Hensley, the longest serving member of the Kansas Legislature in state 
history.Kloos understood why 
reasonable folks could be skeptical. Hensley has served in the 
Legislature for more than four decades and had led Senate Democrats for a
 quarter century. Kloos, with his son Nathaniel as his running mate, had
 finished last with 0.6% of the vote in their audacious independent 
campaign for governor in 2018.“A lot of people have 
looked to him as kind of an icon in this district because of his strong 
base,” Kloos said during a Topeka coffee-shop interview Wednesday. “I 
don’t think people thought this was doable. But the last two weeks, I 
had a sense we were winning. Even among Democrats, I heard ‘term limits’
 come out.”On Tuesday, voters in the 
Senate district spread over Topeka and eastern Shawnee County, western 
Douglas County and all of Osage County responded in concrete terms to 
Kloos. With totals unofficial and ballots still to count, Kloos leads 
with 15,676 votes to Hensley’s 14,827.Hensley carved a 
2,200-vote advantage in Shawnee County, but Kloos outran Hensley by 
nearly 3,000 votes in Osage County — a county in which 71% of voters 
chose President Donald Trump over Democrat Joe Biden. In Douglas County,
 Hensley and Kloos essentially tied at 1,600 votes each.Bottom line, for now: Kloos is up by 849.Hensley said he wasn’t 
prepared to concede the race until all votes were tabulated, including 
provisional votes and advance ballots still arriving by mail at election
 offices in the three counties.“We will be waiting until 
every vote has been counted,” the senator said Wednesday. “As such, I 
have not conceded. We will know the official counts and the final say of
 the people of Senate District 19 on November 16.”Hensley, a retired Topeka 
public school teacher, said he was grateful for expressions of support 
for his family. He also said that “serving the people of Senate District
 19, and Kansas, has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”Kloos said he was doubtful there were enough uncounted votes for Hensley to make up the deficit and alter the outcome.Kloos, who helped found a 
Topeka community thrift shop called God’s Store House, generated 
controversy during the campaign by including a reference to God’s Store 
House on more than 100 large campaign signs scattered throughout the 
district.Questions were raised 
about a nonprofit organization’s name being a featured on a political 
candidate’s advertising. Kloos said the name God’s Store House wasn’t 
trademarked and the unusual appendage was allowed by the Kansas 
Governmental Ethics Commission. He said it was his wife’s idea to add it
 to the signs.“A third of my signs were 
in Democrat yards,” Kloos said. “That’s because they made a connection 
with what I’d been doing in the community with God’s Store House. That 
was powerful. I shared with people who I am.”“People want to know that you’ve been doing something. It’s not so much what you’re going to do, but what have you been doing.”Kloos said he drew upon 
his experience running for Kansas governor two years ago, a campaign in 
which he finished far behind the four other candidates in the contest 
won by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over Republican Kris Kobach, 
independent Greg Orman, Libertarian Jeff Caldwell and Kloos. He 
attracted more than twice the votes for Senate than he did for governor.“The governor’s race, 
obviously, I reflect on because that was my boot camp. From that I 
learned strategy and how important it was to listen to people,” Kloos 
said.He said the Senate 
campaign had what his run for governor lacked: A meaningful ground game.
 He went door to door and spoke directly to residents in the diverse 
Senate district with a voter registration ranging from 32% Republican to
 30% Democrat and 28% independent.“That was our strategy,” Kloos said. “We knocked on thousands of doors. Hundreds and hundreds of conversations.”He didn’t surrender urban 
areas to Hensley, and conducted three meet-and-greet events with music 
and food in the Highland Park, Oakland and East Topeka neighborhoods. 
The gatherings were more social than political and served as an 
opportunity to engage with Democrats and independents in Topeka.“In this district, they’re just not policy driven as much as they are that we want to put a face to the name,” Kloos said.Kloos said there was no 
avalanche of early endorsements and financial support from conservative 
organizations pushing their special-interest agenda. He assumed it was 
because most didn’t think it possible to dislodge Hensley. Kloos said 
his opposition to abortion did attract attention of Kansans for Life. 
Hensley had at least three times the campaign budget, Kloos said, but 
“our social media plan was really good.”Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

Ill-fated campaign for Kan. governor guides shocking run against icon Hensley

TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2,988 to a total of 92,215 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 1087, an increase of 41.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.

TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F2690697114578564%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2,988 to a total of 92,215 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 1087, an increase of 41.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604516785972.png" alt="Wednesday Nov. 4, 2020, KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday Nov. 4, 2020, KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

 🎥  Gov. on election results, COVID-19 in Kansas

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a Tuesday arrest.

Just after 11p.m, a patrol officer noticed a northbound 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe in the 200 block of South College Avenue in Salina with no tail lights on, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The officer attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the intersection of Iron Avenue and College Avenue. The driver later identified as 43-year-old Shane Garrett,&nbsp; continued northbound on College Avenue.

 At that point, the officer initiated a pursuit of the vehicle, which turned east on West Ash Street, north on North 13th Street, and east on Park Street before pulling into a driveway in the 700 block of Park Street.

&nbsp;Garrett exited the Tahoe, disobeyed commands from the officer, and entered the residence. A short time later, however, Garrett exited the residence and was taken into custody, according to Forester.

Garrett had warrants for a probation violation, for possession of opiates and three other misdemeanor charges out of Saline County District Court and three fail to appear warrants out of Salina Municipal Court.

Garrett was booked on charges of Felony interference with law enforcement, Misdemeanor flee and elude, Driving while suspended, Not stopping at a stop sign, Illegal tag displayed and Operating a motor vehicle without operable tail lamps.

He has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections and had been out of prison since August 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604501209323.jpeg" alt="Shane Garrett -photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Shane Garrett -photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a Tuesday arrest.Just after 11p.m, a patrol officer noticed a northbound 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe in the 200 block of South College Avenue in Salina with no tail lights on, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The officer attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the intersection of Iron Avenue and College Avenue. The driver later identified as 43-year-old Shane Garrett,&nbsp; continued northbound on College Avenue. At that point, the officer initiated a pursuit of the vehicle, which turned east on West Ash Street, north on North 13th Street, and east on Park Street before pulling into a driveway in the 700 block of Park Street.&nbsp;Garrett exited the Tahoe, disobeyed commands from the officer, and entered the residence. A short time later, however, Garrett exited the residence and was taken into custody, according to Forester.Garrett had warrants for a probation violation, for possession of opiates and three other misdemeanor charges out of Saline County District Court and three fail to appear warrants out of Salina Municipal Court.Garrett was booked on charges of Felony interference with law enforcement, Misdemeanor flee and elude, Driving while suspended, Not stopping at a stop sign, Illegal tag displayed and Operating a motor vehicle without operable tail lamps.He has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections and had been out of prison since August 2019.

Wanted Kan. felon back in jail after traffic stop, chase

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 375,000 Explorer SUVs in the U.S. and Canada to fix a suspension problem that has caused 13 crashes.

The recall covers SUVs from the 2013 through 2017 model years built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant from Sept. 4, 2012 to Jan. 25, 2017. They were sold or registered 22 states and six Canadian provinces where salt is used to clear roads during the winter.

The automaker said Wednesday that in places where corrosion is common, the rear toe links can fracture, reducing steering control. A toe link provides more weight on the rear tires so they stay firmly on the ground.

Six people have been hurt in the crashes, the company said.

Dealers will inspect the suspension and replace parts if necessary. Customers will be notified starting the week of Nov. 30.

States included in the recall are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin plus Washington, D.C. Also included are the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 375,000 Explorer SUVs in the U.S. and Canada to fix a suspension problem that has caused 13 crashes.The recall covers SUVs from the 2013 through 2017 model years built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant from Sept. 4, 2012 to Jan. 25, 2017. They were sold or registered 22 states and six Canadian provinces where salt is used to clear roads during the winter.The automaker said Wednesday that in places where corrosion is common, the rear toe links can fracture, reducing steering control. A toe link provides more weight on the rear tires so they stay firmly on the ground.Six people have been hurt in the crashes, the company said.Dealers will inspect the suspension and replace parts if necessary. Customers will be notified starting the week of Nov. 30.States included in the recall are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin plus Washington, D.C. Also included are the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

Ford recalls over 375K Explorers to fix suspension problem

HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Health Department, in conjunction with Newton Public Schools, has confirmed a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Newton High School.

The cluster includes five positive active COVID-19 cases and they are students, according to a media release.

 The Health Department is investigating if there is any known connected source of exposure.

The individuals that are positive for COVID-19 are in home isolation. Those that are close contacts of the individuals have been notified and are in quarantine.

“We take this very seriously,” said USD 373 Superintendent Fred Van Ranken. “We work with the Health Department to conduct contact tracing, and will continue to implement plans to keep our students and staff safe.”

Newton High School has been and is currently in its hybrid learning model through Nov. 13.

USD 373 has taken several safety precautions in its buildings to prevent the spread of COVID19, including a face mask requirement, additional and routine cleaning of high-touch areas, temperature checks, social distancing when possible and hybrid and remote learning.

“We have worked closely with the Newton High School leadership to quickly identify the close contacts of the positive cases to have those individuals quarantine,” said Harvey County Health

Department Director Lynnette Redington. “The school district has been and continues to be in consistent communication with the Health Department as the district implements comprehensive strategies to promote safe learning environments for students and staff.”

The cluster will be considered active until there are 28 consecutive days – two incubation periods – without positive cases. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599600091452.png" alt="Photo courtesy Newton High School" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Newton High School</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Health Department, in conjunction with Newton Public Schools, has confirmed a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Newton High School.The cluster includes five positive active COVID-19 cases and they are students, according to a media release. The Health Department is investigating if there is any known connected source of exposure.The individuals that are positive for COVID-19 are in home isolation. Those that are close contacts of the individuals have been notified and are in quarantine.“We take this very seriously,” said USD 373 Superintendent Fred Van Ranken. “We work with the Health Department to conduct contact tracing, and will continue to implement plans to keep our students and staff safe.”Newton High School has been and is currently in its hybrid learning model through Nov. 13.USD 373 has taken several safety precautions in its buildings to prevent the spread of COVID19, including a face mask requirement, additional and routine cleaning of high-touch areas, temperature checks, social distancing when possible and hybrid and remote learning.“We have worked closely with the Newton High School leadership to quickly identify the close contacts of the positive cases to have those individuals quarantine,” said Harvey County HealthDepartment Director Lynnette Redington. “The school district has been and continues to be in consistent communication with the Health Department as the district implements comprehensive strategies to promote safe learning environments for students and staff.”The cluster will be considered active until there are 28 consecutive days – two incubation periods – without positive cases.

Health official: COVID-19 cluster at Kan. high school

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former Wichita band teacher will serve as the first transgender state lawmaker in Kansas. Unofficial results from Tuesday's election show 57-year-old Democrat Stephanie Byers of Wichita defeated Republican Cyndi Howerton and will represent a legislative district that includes parts of Wichita. 

Byers said throughout the campaign that being transgender is only part of her identity, and she plans to focus on issues such as health care. But she acknowledged her election gives hope to the transgender community, particularly in deeply conservative Kansas. Before Tuesday's election, there were four other transgender people serving in state legislatures in the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596823813701.png" alt="Photo courtesy Byers for Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Byers for Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former Wichita band teacher will serve as the first transgender state lawmaker in Kansas. Unofficial results from Tuesday's election show 57-year-old Democrat Stephanie Byers of Wichita defeated Republican Cyndi Howerton and will represent a legislative district that includes parts of Wichita. Byers said throughout the campaign that being transgender is only part of her identity, and she plans to focus on issues such as health care. But she acknowledged her election gives hope to the transgender community, particularly in deeply conservative Kansas. Before Tuesday's election, there were four other transgender people serving in state legislatures in the U.S.

Kansas elects first transgender state lawmaker

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2,988 to a total of 92,215 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2,988 to a total of 92,215 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 1087, an increase of 41.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604516785972.png" alt="Wednesday Nov. 4, 2020, KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday Nov. 4, 2020, KDHE image</figcaption>
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