TOPEKA — Kansas legislators are questioning the termination of two high ranking leaders of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

On July 23, Governor Laura Kelly announced Majors Scott Harrington and Josh Kellerman were no longer employed with the agency after an independent investigation into complaints of sexual harassment against Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Herman Jones found the complaints to be unsubstantiated.

According to a social media post from Republican Representative <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/members/rep_owens_stephen_1/">Steve Owens of Hesston</a>, "We have requested legislative post audit to do a brief look into this situation. Legislators will vote on Wednesday whether or not to approve the audit. I am confident it will get approved.&nbsp;Ultimately, if the LPA finds "smoke" we will send in the "fire brigade" for a deep dive to extinguish the flames!!"

TOPEKA&nbsp;-&nbsp; Majors&nbsp;Scott Harrington&nbsp;and&nbsp;Josh Kellerman&nbsp;are no longer employed with the Kansas Highway Patrol, according to a media release from the governor's office.

 The staff changes are part of Superintendent Colonel Herman Jones’ efforts to make the Kansas Highway Patrol as effective as possible in achieving the agency’s mission.

“Since my appointment last year, I have prioritized building a culture and a structure within our agency that will help our troopers best serve the people of Kansas,” Colonel Jones said. “I’m confident that the Kansas Highway Patrol will continue to grow stronger as an organization and improve our ability to carry out our mission.”&nbsp;

As a result of Governor Kelly’s and Colonel Jones’s commitment to a successful and transparent Kansas Highway Patrol, the Governor also released summaries of an internal and an independent investigation into complaints against Colonel Jones. The first investigation was conducted by the Department of Administration. The firm of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler &amp; Smith, LLP was then retained to conduct a thorough and independent investigation, to ensure a review of the complaints that was separate from the Kelly Administration.

The investigation conducted by the Department of Administration provided an assessment, rather than a judgement of the accusations. The independent investigation, which was concluded this week, found the complaints of sexual harassment against Colonel Jones were unsubstantiated.

“My administration has a responsibility to make sure the agency and leadership are living up to the values that Kansans expect,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The Kansas Highway Patrol is our state’s premiere law enforcement agency, and they have a responsibility to meet the standard that comes with this position. While my confidence in the men and women who make up our force of troopers has never wavered, there is no question that there were cultural issues and a lack of accountability that go back years. I believed when I appointed him, that Colonel Jones was the right man for the job and my belief has been reaffirmed.&nbsp; He has my full support.”

Three primary complaints regarding Colonel Jones were raised and investigated. In order to protect the identities and privacy of the complainants in the investigation, who are valued employees still serving at the Kansas Highway Patrol, the investigations have been summarized below.&nbsp;

TOPEKA — Kansas legislators are questioning the termination of two high ranking leaders of the Kansas Highway Patrol.On July 23, Governor Laura Kelly announced Majors Scott Harrington and Josh Kellerman were no longer employed with the agency after an independent investigation into complaints of sexual harassment against Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Herman Jones found the complaints to be unsubstantiated.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frep.owens%2Fposts%2F945240249289741&width=500" width="500" height="1005" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>According to a social media post from Republican Representative <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/members/rep_owens_stephen_1/">Steve Owens of Hesston</a>, "We have requested legislative post audit to do a brief look into this situation. Legislators will vote on Wednesday whether or not to approve the audit. I am confident it will get approved.&nbsp;Ultimately, if the LPA finds "smoke" we will send in the "fire brigade" for a deep dive to extinguish the flames!!"------------TOPEKA&nbsp;-&nbsp; Majors&nbsp;Scott Harrington&nbsp;and&nbsp;Josh Kellerman&nbsp;are no longer employed with the Kansas Highway Patrol, according to a media release from the governor's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595516989688.png" alt="Colonel Herman Jones-photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Colonel Herman Jones-photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure> The staff changes are part of Superintendent Colonel Herman Jones’ efforts to make the Kansas Highway Patrol as effective as possible in achieving the agency’s mission.“Since my appointment last year, I have prioritized building a culture and a structure within our agency that will help our troopers best serve the people of Kansas,” Colonel Jones said. “I’m confident that the Kansas Highway Patrol will continue to grow stronger as an organization and improve our ability to carry out our mission.”&nbsp;As a result of Governor Kelly’s and Colonel Jones’s commitment to a successful and transparent Kansas Highway Patrol, the Governor also released summaries of an internal and an independent investigation into complaints against Colonel Jones. The first investigation was conducted by the Department of Administration. The firm of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler &amp; Smith, LLP was then retained to conduct a thorough and independent investigation, to ensure a review of the complaints that was separate from the Kelly Administration.The investigation conducted by the Department of Administration provided an assessment, rather than a judgement of the accusations. The independent investigation, which was concluded this week, found the complaints of sexual harassment against Colonel Jones were unsubstantiated.“My administration has a responsibility to make sure the agency and leadership are living up to the values that Kansans expect,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The Kansas Highway Patrol is our state’s premiere law enforcement agency, and they have a responsibility to meet the standard that comes with this position. While my confidence in the men and women who make up our force of troopers has never wavered, there is no question that there were cultural issues and a lack of accountability that go back years. I believed when I appointed him, that Colonel Jones was the right man for the job and my belief has been reaffirmed.&nbsp; He has my full support.”Three primary complaints regarding Colonel Jones were raised and investigated. In order to protect the identities and privacy of the complainants in the investigation, who are valued employees still serving at the Kansas Highway Patrol, the investigations have been summarized below.&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Complaints of sexual harassment in the form of unwanted/unwelcome physical contact and verbal comments.</li><li>These complaints were raised by three KHP employees and generally alleged that Colonel Jones greeted the employees by slapping their backs, shaking their hands, patting their shoulders, hugging, standing close to the employee, and sometimes making awkward comments that were not of a sexual nature.</li><li>Investigators interviewed the complainants, other witnesses, and Colonel Jones. The employees did not allege that the physical contact or comments were of a sexual nature. Colonel Jones was interviewed and indicated that he did not know the physical nature of the greetings made the employees uncomfortable and would avoid such contact in the future.</li><li>The investigation exonerates Col. Jones with respect to the complaints of sexual harassment/discrimination.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Complaints of misuse of a state aircraft.</li><li>Another complaint alleged that Colonel Jones misused a state aircraft for his family to travel on vacation.</li><li>Investigators interviewed witnesses, obtained flight logs, and interviewed Colonel Jones.</li><li>The investigation determined that Colonel Jones has used a state aircraft only twice. In Spring 2019 he flew to Pratt for a funeral of a law enforcement officer in Greensburg and flew back to Wichita for a graduation ceremony. This was state business and an appropriate use of the aircraft. Colonel Jones also used a state aircraft in July 2019 to return early from a vacation in Eagle, Colorado, so that he could attend a Governor’s Cabinet meeting. The vacation had been scheduled and paid for long before Colonel Jones was appointed KHP Superintendent, and the Governor’s Cabinet meeting was mandatory for all Cabinet members. Colonel Jones left his vacation several days early to return to work and none of his family accompanied him on the flight. This was also an appropriate use of the aircraft for state business.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Complaint of gender discrimination.</li><li>Another complaint involved a KHP employee arising from a number of unrelated administrative actions. The employee did not initially feel any of the actions were motivated by gender discrimination. The employee raised the issue to Human Resources after another employee suggested an action may have been the result of gender bias.</li><li>The investigators interviewed the employee, Colonel Jones, and other witnesses.</li><li>The investigation determined Colonel Jones’ administrative actions and decisions were not motivated by gender discrimination but were instead consistent with various KHP policy and accountability priorities.</li>
 </ol>

Lawmakers question termination of 2 KHP troopers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former captain in the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to charges related to illegally selling 77 firearms over a five-year period, and to selling firearms to convicted felons, according to United State's Attorney Timothy Garrison.

“Our gun laws exist to make it hard for violent criminals to obtain the tools of their trade,” Garrison said. &nbsp;“Felons, illegal aliens, domestic abusers, drug users, and other prohibited persons cannot purchase or possess firearms — unless someone breaks the law to put guns in their hands. &nbsp;These criminals may not pull the trigger, but they profit by making violent crime possible in our neighborhoods.”

James Samuels, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to one count of conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of firearms, one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, four counts of selling firearms and ammunition to persons prohibited by law from possessing them, and one count of possessing an unregistered firearm. Samuels, who has been in federal custody without bond since his arrest on Oct. 4, 2018, remains in federal custody until his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

By pleading guilty today, Samuels admitted that he purchased 77 firearms from November 2013 to August 2018. Of those 77 firearms, 57 were Jimenez pistols. Samuels transferred 47 of those 77 firearms to third parties (including 43 Jimenez pistols). During this time, Samuels was not a licensed dealer of firearms.

Samuels also admitted that 10 to 20 of those firearms were sold to persons who were forbidden by law from possessing them. Samuels bought the firearms at a low price and sold them for a $40 to $50 profit.

Samuels conspired with others to make false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers by misrepresenting the identity of the actual buyer of firearms. Samuels purchased firearms then transferred ownership to another person, who later reported the firearms had been stolen.

Samuels was arrested on Oct. 4, 2018, following an undercover operation in which he sold an Armscor of the Philippines .38-caliber revolver to a confidential informant whom he knew to be a felon. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Samuels’s residence the same day and seized 28 firearms (including 22 handguns, five rifles and one shotgun). Among the firearms seized was a Glock .40-caliber pistol with a TAC Isran GLR 440 stock installed, which was not registered to Samuels, and a Colt .45-caliber pistol, which had been reported stolen. In addition to the firearms, officers seized approximately 12,000 rounds of assorted ammunition, as well as firearm parts and accessories.

The Oct. 4, 2018, transaction is one of four instances cited in today’s plea agreement in which the same confidential informant, whom Samuels knew was a felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, purchased a firearm and ammunition from Samuels. In each of those four instances, Samuels accompanied the confidential informant and an undercover federal agent to a licensed firearms dealer, where the undercover agent completed the paperwork for the straw purchase of the firearm on behalf of the confidential informant. In each instance, the straw purchase was at the direction of Samuels.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Samuels acknowledges that he has the ability to pay a fine and agrees that $11,282 seized by law enforcement officers during the execution of the search warrant at his residence will be applied to any fine imposed by the court.

Under federal statutes, Samuels is subject to a sentence of up to 60 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582215629955.png" alt="Former Kansas City Fire Captain James Samuels (L) admitted&nbsp; illegally buying and selling guns. One was used in a 2016 murder. Photo shows Samuels during a recognition event courtesy Greater Kansas City Firefighter's Assn.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Former Kansas City Fire Captain James Samuels (L) admitted&nbsp; illegally buying and selling guns. One was used in a 2016 murder. Photo shows Samuels during a recognition event courtesy Greater Kansas City Firefighter's Assn.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former captain in the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to charges related to illegally selling 77 firearms over a five-year period, and to selling firearms to convicted felons, according to United State's Attorney Timothy Garrison.“Our gun laws exist to make it hard for violent criminals to obtain the tools of their trade,” Garrison said. &nbsp;“Felons, illegal aliens, domestic abusers, drug users, and other prohibited persons cannot purchase or possess firearms — unless someone breaks the law to put guns in their hands. &nbsp;These criminals may not pull the trigger, but they profit by making violent crime possible in our neighborhoods.”James Samuels, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to one count of conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of firearms, one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, four counts of selling firearms and ammunition to persons prohibited by law from possessing them, and one count of possessing an unregistered firearm. Samuels, who has been in federal custody without bond since his arrest on Oct. 4, 2018, remains in federal custody until his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.By pleading guilty today, Samuels admitted that he purchased 77 firearms from November 2013 to August 2018. Of those 77 firearms, 57 were Jimenez pistols. Samuels transferred 47 of those 77 firearms to third parties (including 43 Jimenez pistols). During this time, Samuels was not a licensed dealer of firearms.Samuels also admitted that 10 to 20 of those firearms were sold to persons who were forbidden by law from possessing them. Samuels bought the firearms at a low price and sold them for a $40 to $50 profit.Samuels conspired with others to make false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers by misrepresenting the identity of the actual buyer of firearms. Samuels purchased firearms then transferred ownership to another person, who later reported the firearms had been stolen.Samuels was arrested on Oct. 4, 2018, following an undercover operation in which he sold an Armscor of the Philippines .38-caliber revolver to a confidential informant whom he knew to be a felon. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Samuels’s residence the same day and seized 28 firearms (including 22 handguns, five rifles and one shotgun). Among the firearms seized was a Glock .40-caliber pistol with a TAC Isran GLR 440 stock installed, which was not registered to Samuels, and a Colt .45-caliber pistol, which had been reported stolen. In addition to the firearms, officers seized approximately 12,000 rounds of assorted ammunition, as well as firearm parts and accessories.The Oct. 4, 2018, transaction is one of four instances cited in today’s plea agreement in which the same confidential informant, whom Samuels knew was a felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, purchased a firearm and ammunition from Samuels. In each of those four instances, Samuels accompanied the confidential informant and an undercover federal agent to a licensed firearms dealer, where the undercover agent completed the paperwork for the straw purchase of the firearm on behalf of the confidential informant. In each instance, the straw purchase was at the direction of Samuels.Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Samuels acknowledges that he has the ability to pay a fine and agrees that $11,282 seized by law enforcement officers during the execution of the search warrant at his residence will be applied to any fine imposed by the court.Under federal statutes, Samuels is subject to a sentence of up to 60 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Former KC fire captain admits illegally buying, selling guns

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not “backpedal” on the number of deaths caused by COVID-19, reducing the figure from nearly 154,000 to just over 9,000, as social media posts claimed.

The term “Only 6%” trended widely on Twitter over the weekend as supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory promoted tweets that falsely suggested <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR3-wrg3tTKK5-9tOHPGAHWFVO3DfslkJ0KsDEPQpWmPbKtp6EsoVV2Qs1Q">the CDC had updated</a> its records to show that only 6% of U.S. deaths tied to COVID-19 were legitimate. President Donald Trump was among those who tweeted the information, which was later taken down by Twitter for violating platform rules.

The posts, which received hundreds of thousands of shares online, were based on a regularly updated CDC data table showing underlying conditions for those who died of COVID-19. The conditions included high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, as well as problems that are caused by COVID-19 itself, such as respiratory failure and pneumonia.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm#Comorbidities" target="_blank">CDC data table&nbsp;</a>is based on an analysis of death certificates that mention COVID-19 as a cause. For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned, the CDC notes.

The other 94% list COVID-19 and other conditions together. Among those deaths, there were, on average, 2.6 additional conditions or causes per death, the public health agency said.

As of Aug. 26, the CDC said, there were 161,332 deaths where COVID-19 was listed on the death certificate. Social media users over the weekend posted an older screenshot of the data that showed 153,504 deaths. The posts used the 6% figure to claim the U.S. death toll was much lower — 9,210.

“CDC just backpedaled (quietly) and adjusted the U.S. COVID deaths from 153,504 to 9,210. Admitting that their numbers are so (expletive) that they are off by a whopping 94%,” said a post being shared on Facebook Monday.

But such claims misrepresent the data. A death isn’t excluded from the COVID-19 tally just because the person was obese or had diabetes or dementia. Someone with heart problems can still be killed by COVID-19, and the death certificate could mention both as contributing.

Experts say it’s not surprising that so few people who died from COVID-19 had no underlying conditions listed on their death certificates. It is rare for people not to have multiple medical issues at death.

“The underlying cause of death is the condition that began the chain of events that ultimately led to the person’s death,” Dr. Robert Anderson, who oversees the CDC’s death statistics work, said in a statement. “In 92% of all deaths that mention COVID-19, COVID-19 is listed as the underlying cause of death.”

Also, while death certificates are supposed to list any causes or conditions that contributed, past research has shown that the documents aren’t perfect. Doctors might not know – or specify – all the reasons behind a particular death.

More important, the CDC figures show what medical professionals have been saying since the outset of the pandemic — that the virus tends to have a more severe impact on people with underlying conditions.

For example, people died with diabetes not because of it, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious-diseases expert at Vanderbilt University.

“If it hadn’t been for the COVID virus infection, these people would be living today,” he said. “So yes, although they have contributing underlying chronic health factors, it’s still the COVID virus that killed them.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598927207022.png" alt="Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a weekend Zoom conference" />
 <figcaption>Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a weekend Zoom conference</figcaption>
 </figure>By BEATRICE DUPUY, Associated PressThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not “backpedal” on the number of deaths caused by COVID-19, reducing the figure from nearly 154,000 to just over 9,000, as social media posts claimed.The term “Only 6%” trended widely on Twitter over the weekend as supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory promoted tweets that falsely suggested <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR3-wrg3tTKK5-9tOHPGAHWFVO3DfslkJ0KsDEPQpWmPbKtp6EsoVV2Qs1Q">the CDC had updated</a> its records to show that only 6% of U.S. deaths tied to COVID-19 were legitimate. President Donald Trump was among those who tweeted the information, which was later taken down by Twitter for violating platform rules.The posts, which received hundreds of thousands of shares online, were based on a regularly updated CDC data table showing underlying conditions for those who died of COVID-19. The conditions included high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, as well as problems that are caused by COVID-19 itself, such as respiratory failure and pneumonia.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm#Comorbidities" target="_blank">CDC data table&nbsp;</a>is based on an analysis of death certificates that mention COVID-19 as a cause. For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned, the CDC notes.The other 94% list COVID-19 and other conditions together. Among those deaths, there were, on average, 2.6 additional conditions or causes per death, the public health agency said.As of Aug. 26, the CDC said, there were 161,332 deaths where COVID-19 was listed on the death certificate. Social media users over the weekend posted an older screenshot of the data that showed 153,504 deaths. The posts used the 6% figure to claim the U.S. death toll was much lower — 9,210.“CDC just backpedaled (quietly) and adjusted the U.S. COVID deaths from 153,504 to 9,210. Admitting that their numbers are so (expletive) that they are off by a whopping 94%,” said a post being shared on Facebook Monday.But such claims misrepresent the data. A death isn’t excluded from the COVID-19 tally just because the person was obese or had diabetes or dementia. Someone with heart problems can still be killed by COVID-19, and the death certificate could mention both as contributing.Experts say it’s not surprising that so few people who died from COVID-19 had no underlying conditions listed on their death certificates. It is rare for people not to have multiple medical issues at death.“The underlying cause of death is the condition that began the chain of events that ultimately led to the person’s death,” Dr. Robert Anderson, who oversees the CDC’s death statistics work, said in a statement. “In 92% of all deaths that mention COVID-19, COVID-19 is listed as the underlying cause of death.”Also, while death certificates are supposed to list any causes or conditions that contributed, past research has shown that the documents aren’t perfect. Doctors might not know – or specify – all the reasons behind a particular death.More important, the CDC figures show what medical professionals have been saying since the outset of the pandemic — that the virus tends to have a more severe impact on people with underlying conditions.For example, people died with diabetes not because of it, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious-diseases expert at Vanderbilt University.“If it hadn’t been for the COVID virus infection, these people would be living today,” he said. “So yes, although they have contributing underlying chronic health factors, it’s still the COVID virus that killed them.”

CDC has not reduced the death count for COVID-19

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday urged local officials to consider using part of federal coronavirus assistance to pay for more drop-off boxes for mail-in ballots.

Kelly said during a Monday press conference that adding drop-off boxes would help keep Kansans safe from COVID-19 and relieve pressure on the postal service ahead of the November election.

The Kansas secretary of state’s office has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/af2fd14acc2be2c94dfa5463d47593cb">offered</a>&nbsp;each county up to two drop-off boxes where people can deposit their absentee ballots.

Kelly said she instructed her staff last week to send a letter to local government officials telling them that they can use a portion of federal coronavirus relief funds to add drop boxes.

The Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported 1,564 new confirmed COVID-19 cases since Friday, an increase of 3.81%, to bring the total to 42,612. The department reported an additional three COVID-19-related deaths, to put the pandemic total at 446.

The three-day jump in reported coronavirus cases again gave Kansas its biggest seven-day spike in new cases since the pandemic reached the state in early March.

The average number of new cases for the seven days ending Monday was 602, or 0.5% higher than the previous peak of 599 for the seven days ending Friday.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday urged local officials to consider using part of federal coronavirus assistance to pay for more drop-off boxes for mail-in ballots.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F356732891998559%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Kelly said during a Monday press conference that adding drop-off boxes would help keep Kansans safe from COVID-19 and relieve pressure on the postal service ahead of the November election.The Kansas secretary of state’s office has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/af2fd14acc2be2c94dfa5463d47593cb">offered</a>&nbsp;each county up to two drop-off boxes where people can deposit their absentee ballots.Kelly said she instructed her staff last week to send a letter to local government officials telling them that they can use a portion of federal coronavirus relief funds to add drop boxes.The Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported 1,564 new confirmed COVID-19 cases since Friday, an increase of 3.81%, to bring the total to 42,612. The department reported an additional three COVID-19-related deaths, to put the pandemic total at 446.The three-day jump in reported coronavirus cases again gave Kansas its biggest seven-day spike in new cases since the pandemic reached the state in early March.The average number of new cases for the seven days ending Monday was 602, or 0.5% higher than the previous peak of 599 for the seven days ending Friday.___

🎥 Kansas gov. urges local officials to add ballot drop-off boxes

VINITA, Okla. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the deaths of two people and the disappearance of two teenage girls more than 20 years ago.

Ronnie Busick, 69, Wichita, was sentenced Monday i<a href="https://craigcountyso.com/inmate-search.php?FullName=busick&amp;Search=Search">n Craig County </a>on one count of accessory to murder, said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Brook Arbeitman.

Busick, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2d867480c8bdaafe2d0f6a9db9a005fb">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in July, could have earned a reduction in his sentence by showing authorities where the bodies of Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman were located, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2b48eaf595d69d063f23809078e3d4ff">several searches</a>&nbsp;have not recovered the teens’ remains, Arbeitman said.

Bible and Freeman, who were both 16, haven’t been seen since Dec. 30. 1999, after Freeman’s parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were found slain in their burned mobile home in Welch about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Tulsa.

Busick, of Wichita, Kansas, was arrested and charged in 2018, and investigators say two other suspects are now dead.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1598956739361.png" alt="Busick, who has been jailed in Craig County, Oklahoma since April 2018, was given credit for time served." />
 <figcaption>Busick, who has been jailed in Craig County, Oklahoma since April 2018, was given credit for time served.</figcaption>
 </figure>VINITA, Okla. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the deaths of two people and the disappearance of two teenage girls more than 20 years ago.Ronnie Busick, 69, Wichita, was sentenced Monday i<a href="https://craigcountyso.com/inmate-search.php?FullName=busick&amp;Search=Search">n Craig County </a>on one count of accessory to murder, said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Brook Arbeitman. Busick, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2d867480c8bdaafe2d0f6a9db9a005fb">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in July, could have earned a reduction in his sentence by showing authorities where the bodies of Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman were located, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2b48eaf595d69d063f23809078e3d4ff">several searches</a>&nbsp;have not recovered the teens’ remains, Arbeitman said.Bible and Freeman, who were both 16, haven’t been seen since Dec. 30. 1999, after Freeman’s parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were found slain in their burned mobile home in Welch about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Tulsa.Busick, of Wichita, Kansas, was arrested and charged in 2018, and investigators say two other suspects are now dead.

Kan. man sentenced for Oklahoma cold case murders

KANSAS CITY, KAN. -&nbsp;An Overland Park woman who owned massage parlors in Olathe and Leawood pleaded guilty today to a federal interstate prostitution charge.

Chunqui Wu, 62, Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of transportation with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. 

An indictment alleges Wu operated three massage parlors: Alpha Massage at 116 S. Clairborne, #A, in Olathe, Kan.; A Plus Massage at 527 N. Mur-Len Road, in Olathe, Kan.; and King Spa at 13104 State Line Road in Leawood, Kan.

Wu’s plea agreement says investigators worked with an undercover confidential source who contacted Wu and asked for a job working in Wu’s massage parlors. Wu made statements indicating she allowed her employees to perform sexual services for tips. Other investigators working undercover confirmed that employees in Wu’s massage parlors were offering sexual services to customers.

Wu was arrested when she went to the Kansas City International airport in Kansas City, Mo., to meet the undercover confidential source and transport her back to Kansas to work in one of Wu’s massage parlors.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 16. Wu could face up to 10 years in federal prison. McAllister commended the Olathe Police Department, the Leawood Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598900345466.png" alt="Wu-photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Wu-photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. -&nbsp;An Overland Park woman who owned massage parlors in Olathe and Leawood pleaded guilty today to a federal interstate prostitution charge.Chunqui Wu, 62, Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of transportation with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. An indictment alleges Wu operated three massage parlors: Alpha Massage at 116 S. Clairborne, #A, in Olathe, Kan.; A Plus Massage at 527 N. Mur-Len Road, in Olathe, Kan.; and King Spa at 13104 State Line Road in Leawood, Kan.Wu’s plea agreement says investigators worked with an undercover confidential source who contacted Wu and asked for a job working in Wu’s massage parlors. Wu made statements indicating she allowed her employees to perform sexual services for tips. Other investigators working undercover confirmed that employees in Wu’s massage parlors were offering sexual services to customers.Wu was arrested when she went to the Kansas City International airport in Kansas City, Mo., to meet the undercover confidential source and transport her back to Kansas to work in one of Wu’s massage parlors.Sentencing is set for Nov. 16. Wu could face up to 10 years in federal prison. McAllister commended the Olathe Police Department, the Leawood Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

Kan. massage parlor owner admits to prostitution charge

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 19-year-old Kansas House candidate who admitted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ac948dae17c3dbc36ffe62246925c4f3">circulating revenge porn</a>&nbsp;and abusing young girls online narrowly won his primary race this month with an appeal to young, liberal voters in a safe Democratic district after having run for local office just a year earlier.

Aaron Coleman’s 14-vote victory shows how social media and door-to-door campaigning can rouse voters and overcome an incumbent’s fundraising advantage in a district that hasn’t seen a contested primary in years. It also demonstrates how a platform that includes defunding the police, providing universal health coverage, eliminating college tuition and legalizing marijuana resonates with many Democratic voters.

“You talk to him for two minutes, and you’re like, ‘Ah, yeah, this kid’s good. This kid’s got energy. He’s progressive,’” said Faith Rivera, a liberal Kansas City, Kansas, community activist who called Coleman “a monster” over his behavior toward women and girls.

Coleman’s Aug. 4 victory over seven-term state Rep. Stan Frownfelter in Kansas City, Kansas, put the Kansas Democratic Party in an unwanted national spotlight. The party disowned Coleman when a former girlfriend this past week said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d6ea4066903abd8ef70d60bebe6c8a3c">he was abusive</a>&nbsp;to her, slapping and choking her in a late-December attack. Democrats are backing a fall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f48e9e7b7f82aa29c0dae0fd62cc9d6d">write-in campaign</a>&nbsp;by Frownfelter and talking of trying to block Coleman from being seated if he wins the Nov. 3 general election. No Republican is on the ballot.

Coleman, a community college student and dishwasher, did not return telephone, email or Facebook messages this past week. He recently&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron4KS37/status/1298357644311355392" target="_blank">tweeted&nbsp;</a>that voters “nominated me, regardless of my sins.” In a June 17 Facebook post admitting that allegations of revenge porn, blackmail and harassing middle-school girls were true, he said he had been “a sick and troubled 14-year-old boy.” He has not publicly addressed the more recent allegations.

State Sen. David Haley, a fellow Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat, said Coleman is “no flash in the pan.”

Coleman ran as an independent write-in candidate for governor in 2018, one of several teenagers who leveraged the state’s lack of a minimum age for the office into media attention.

He also ran last year for a $900-a-month seat on the part-time local board that sets rates and the budget for water and electric services, in a primary against Frownfelter and two others, finishing last. Frownfelter placed first but lost in November after the field narrowed to two.

Frownfelter told voters last year that he planned&nbsp;<a href="http://wyandottedaily.com/seven-candidates-run-for-bpu-districts-1-and-3/" target="_blank">to retire</a>&nbsp;from the House, saying, “It’s time for me to leave.” Coleman quoted that statement in this year’s campaign.

Haley said the utilities board district is similar to the Kansas House district and Coleman stayed engaged to build a broader base.

“He’s savvy,” Haley said. “He knows how to do door-to-door and how to do social media.”

Haley also said Coleman represents “the future” and Democrats are sending a bad message to young voters by disowning him.

“If voters speak, and that’s the majority, we have to honor that,” Haley said.

Since Coleman’s 823-to-809 vote victory over Frownfelter, the incumbent and his allies have faced suggestions that, like many incumbents in long-safe districts, he didn’t work hard.

Frownfelter and campaign manager Brandie Armstrong said he knocked on enough doors to win. Frownfelter spent almost $15,000 on his campaign from January through late July, while Coleman spent about $2,200, according to their finance reports.

The incumbent said he believes older constituents who backed him didn’t vote, expecting that his victory was “in the bag.”

“I had an uneasy feeling out there,” Frownfelter said. “When I walked to the door: ‘Oh, we liked the kid. He had energy and that, but we know he’s not going to win.’”

But Chris Reeves, a Democratic National Committee member for Kansas, suggested the Kansas City area has “a lot of untapped voters.” He said when election outcomes seem set voter participation can wane over time. He compared Frownfelter’s loss to that of veteran Democratic U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/36ae43993c0fe43e67bcdd9539675997">William Lacy Clay</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis.

Frownfelter, a 69-year-old small business owner, first won his House seat in 2006. Five of his seven previous House races were uncontested, and he had never faced a contested primary.

Reeves said many Democrats didn’t see Coleman as a serious candidate but that Coleman effectively marketed himself to voters who “took him at face value.”

Armstrong acknowledged that Frownfelter’s campaign ”didn’t push” information about Coleman’s past behavior.

“If you weren’t on Facebook, you had no idea about it,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597491942776.png" alt="Aaron Coleman" />
 <figcaption>Aaron Coleman</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 19-year-old Kansas House candidate who admitted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ac948dae17c3dbc36ffe62246925c4f3">circulating revenge porn</a>&nbsp;and abusing young girls online narrowly won his primary race this month with an appeal to young, liberal voters in a safe Democratic district after having run for local office just a year earlier.Aaron Coleman’s 14-vote victory shows how social media and door-to-door campaigning can rouse voters and overcome an incumbent’s fundraising advantage in a district that hasn’t seen a contested primary in years. It also demonstrates how a platform that includes defunding the police, providing universal health coverage, eliminating college tuition and legalizing marijuana resonates with many Democratic voters.“You talk to him for two minutes, and you’re like, ‘Ah, yeah, this kid’s good. This kid’s got energy. He’s progressive,’” said Faith Rivera, a liberal Kansas City, Kansas, community activist who called Coleman “a monster” over his behavior toward women and girls.Coleman’s Aug. 4 victory over seven-term state Rep. Stan Frownfelter in Kansas City, Kansas, put the Kansas Democratic Party in an unwanted national spotlight. The party disowned Coleman when a former girlfriend this past week said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d6ea4066903abd8ef70d60bebe6c8a3c">he was abusive</a>&nbsp;to her, slapping and choking her in a late-December attack. Democrats are backing a fall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f48e9e7b7f82aa29c0dae0fd62cc9d6d">write-in campaign</a>&nbsp;by Frownfelter and talking of trying to block Coleman from being seated if he wins the Nov. 3 general election. No Republican is on the ballot.Coleman, a community college student and dishwasher, did not return telephone, email or Facebook messages this past week. He recently&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron4KS37/status/1298357644311355392" target="_blank">tweeted&nbsp;</a>that voters “nominated me, regardless of my sins.” In a June 17 Facebook post admitting that allegations of revenge porn, blackmail and harassing middle-school girls were true, he said he had been “a sick and troubled 14-year-old boy.” He has not publicly addressed the more recent allegations.State Sen. David Haley, a fellow Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat, said Coleman is “no flash in the pan.”Coleman ran as an independent write-in candidate for governor in 2018, one of several teenagers who leveraged the state’s lack of a minimum age for the office into media attention.He also ran last year for a $900-a-month seat on the part-time local board that sets rates and the budget for water and electric services, in a primary against Frownfelter and two others, finishing last. Frownfelter placed first but lost in November after the field narrowed to two.Frownfelter told voters last year that he planned&nbsp;<a href="http://wyandottedaily.com/seven-candidates-run-for-bpu-districts-1-and-3/" target="_blank">to retire</a>&nbsp;from the House, saying, “It’s time for me to leave.” Coleman quoted that statement in this year’s campaign.Haley said the utilities board district is similar to the Kansas House district and Coleman stayed engaged to build a broader base.“He’s savvy,” Haley said. “He knows how to do door-to-door and how to do social media.”Haley also said Coleman represents “the future” and Democrats are sending a bad message to young voters by disowning him.“If voters speak, and that’s the majority, we have to honor that,” Haley said.Since Coleman’s 823-to-809 vote victory over Frownfelter, the incumbent and his allies have faced suggestions that, like many incumbents in long-safe districts, he didn’t work hard.Frownfelter and campaign manager Brandie Armstrong said he knocked on enough doors to win. Frownfelter spent almost $15,000 on his campaign from January through late July, while Coleman spent about $2,200, according to their finance reports.The incumbent said he believes older constituents who backed him didn’t vote, expecting that his victory was “in the bag.”“I had an uneasy feeling out there,” Frownfelter said. “When I walked to the door: ‘Oh, we liked the kid. He had energy and that, but we know he’s not going to win.’”But Chris Reeves, a Democratic National Committee member for Kansas, suggested the Kansas City area has “a lot of untapped voters.” He said when election outcomes seem set voter participation can wane over time. He compared Frownfelter’s loss to that of veteran Democratic U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/36ae43993c0fe43e67bcdd9539675997">William Lacy Clay</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis.Frownfelter, a 69-year-old small business owner, first won his House seat in 2006. Five of his seven previous House races were uncontested, and he had never faced a contested primary.Reeves said many Democrats didn’t see Coleman as a serious candidate but that Coleman effectively marketed himself to voters who “took him at face value.”Armstrong acknowledged that Frownfelter’s campaign ”didn’t push” information about Coleman’s past behavior.“If you weren’t on Facebook, you had no idea about it,” she said.___

Kan. candidate admitting abuse has liberal message, base

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has reversed a Topeka real estate developer's conviction for threatening another man, saying a law used to convict him criminalizes free speech.

The court based its decision on its October ruling that struck down a provision of the criminal threat law that made it a crime to speak with reckless disregard for whether one's comments would cause fear. The court found that the law could make some protesters’ comments illegal, violating free speech guarantees.

A Shawnee County District Court jury in 2016 had convicted Kent Lindemuth of making a criminal threat to Michael Matthews, the owner of an Oklahoma trucking company.

In 2014, Matthews told police Lindemuth threatened to kill him over the phone multiple times as he attempted from Oklahoma to retrieve a trailer cab Lindemuth had towed.

The Shawnee County jury convicted Lindemuth of one count of criminal threat for allegedly threatening Matthews before he left Oklahoma. Lindemuth appealed the case to the Kansas Court of Appeals, which in 2018 reversed the trial court's ruling, saying it had failed to instruct jurors. The Supreme Court agreed that the conviction should be reversed, but not because of the jury instruction.

The court on Friday said Lindemuth “simply spoke in the heat of argument and the result of unthinking rage” and, therefore, did not make an “intentional threat.”

The Shawnee County District Attorney’s office can try Lindemuth again or dismiss charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598909143453.png" alt="Kent Lindemuth photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Kent Lindemuth photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has reversed a Topeka real estate developer's conviction for threatening another man, saying a law used to convict him criminalizes free speech.The court based its decision on its October ruling that struck down a provision of the criminal threat law that made it a crime to speak with reckless disregard for whether one's comments would cause fear. The court found that the law could make some protesters’ comments illegal, violating free speech guarantees.A Shawnee County District Court jury in 2016 had convicted Kent Lindemuth of making a criminal threat to Michael Matthews, the owner of an Oklahoma trucking company.In 2014, Matthews told police Lindemuth threatened to kill him over the phone multiple times as he attempted from Oklahoma to retrieve a trailer cab Lindemuth had towed.The Shawnee County jury convicted Lindemuth of one count of criminal threat for allegedly threatening Matthews before he left Oklahoma. Lindemuth appealed the case to the Kansas Court of Appeals, which in 2018 reversed the trial court's ruling, saying it had failed to instruct jurors. The Supreme Court agreed that the conviction should be reversed, but not because of the jury instruction.The court on Friday said Lindemuth “simply spoke in the heat of argument and the result of unthinking rage” and, therefore, did not make an “intentional threat.”The Shawnee County District Attorney’s office can try Lindemuth again or dismiss charges.

Court reverses Kan. developer's criminal threat conviction

SCOTT COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office made a fifth arrest connected to the murder of 78-year-old Danny Shue of Eureka, Kan.

Just after 2:30 Monday, KBI agents, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and the Scott City Police Department, arrested a 15-year-old boy from Scott City, according to a media release from the KBI.

The teen was arrested for suspected felony murder, aggravated burglary, felony theft, and conspiracy to commit felony theft. He was then transported to an area juvenile facility where he will be held.

On August 27,&nbsp; Leon A. Lindsay, 34, of El Dorado, was arrested at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for felony murder in connection with the case.

Previously charged in this case were 30-year-old Noah J. E. Farr, of Dighton, 25-year-old Joseph E. Warden, of El Dorado, and a 17-year-old teen from El Dorado, who was not named as he is a juvenile.

On August 19, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office responded to do a welfare check at a home at 1607 Quincy Street in Eureka, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

 When deputies responded, they searched the residence and discovered 78-year-old Danny Shue deceased inside. Shue was pronounced dead at the scene.

No further arrests are expected in this case.

BUTLER COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office have made an additional arrest connected to the murder of 78-year-old Danny Shue of Eureka, Kansas, according to a media release.

Just before 10a.m. Thursday, Leon A. Lindsay, 34, of El Dorado, was arrested at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for felony murder, aggravated burglary, felony theft, and conspiracy to commit felony theft. He is currently being held at the Butler County Jail.

Assisting the KBI and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office in this arrest were the El Dorado Police Department, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, and K-9 handlers from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

Just after 10 p.m. August 19, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office responded to do a welfare check at a home at 1607 Quincy Street in Eureka, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598026621001.png" alt="KBI on the scene of the investigation August 20 -photo courtesy Eureka Herald" />
 <figcaption>KBI on the scene of the investigation August 20 -photo courtesy Eureka Herald</figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTT COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office made a fifth arrest connected to the murder of 78-year-old Danny Shue of Eureka, Kan.Just after 2:30 Monday, KBI agents, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and the Scott City Police Department, arrested a 15-year-old boy from Scott City, according to a media release from the KBI.The teen was arrested for suspected felony murder, aggravated burglary, felony theft, and conspiracy to commit felony theft. He was then transported to an area juvenile facility where he will be held.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598638528314.png" alt="Lindsay" />
 <figcaption>Lindsay</figcaption>
 </figure>On August 27,&nbsp; Leon A. Lindsay, 34, of El Dorado, was arrested at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for felony murder in connection with the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598477662600.png" alt="Farr-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Farr-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Previously charged in this case were 30-year-old Noah J. E. Farr, of Dighton, 25-year-old Joseph E. Warden, of El Dorado, and a 17-year-old teen from El Dorado, who was not named as he is a juvenile.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598639981075.png" alt="Warden" />
 <figcaption>Warden</figcaption>
 </figure>On August 19, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office responded to do a welfare check at a home at 1607 Quincy Street in Eureka, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI. When deputies responded, they searched the residence and discovered 78-year-old Danny Shue deceased inside. Shue was pronounced dead at the scene.No further arrests are expected in this case.----------BUTLER COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office have made an additional arrest connected to the murder of 78-year-old Danny Shue of Eureka, Kansas, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598638528314.png" alt="Lindsay-photo Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Lindsay-photo Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 10a.m. Thursday, Leon A. Lindsay, 34, of El Dorado, was arrested at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for felony murder, aggravated burglary, felony theft, and conspiracy to commit felony theft. He is currently being held at the Butler County Jail.Assisting the KBI and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office in this arrest were the El Dorado Police Department, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, and K-9 handlers from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598477662600.png" alt="Farr-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Farr-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Previously charged in this case were 30-year-old Noah J. E. Farr, of Dighton, 25-year-old Joseph E. Warden, of El Dorado, and a 17-year-old teen from El Dorado, who was not named as he is a juvenile.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598639981075.png" alt="Warden photo Greenwood County" />
 <figcaption>Warden photo Greenwood County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 10 p.m. August 19, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office responded to do a welfare check at a home at 1607 Quincy Street in Eureka, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI. When deputies responded, they searched the residence and discovered 78-year-old Danny Shue deceased inside. Shue was pronounced dead at the scene.

KBI: 15-year-old is 5th suspect jailed in Kan. murder case

TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly held a news conference Monday to discuss the increase in coronavirus in the state.

She also announced the Kansas Department for Children and Families has additional benefit in September for those receiving child care assistance to support families as they adapt to delayed school openings across the state.

&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,564 to a total of 42,612 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 446, an increase of 3.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our state, and many families and child care providers are in need of additional resources,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“As parents and kids adjust to virtual, remote, and hybrid learning environments, DCF is providing the support Kansas families need right now.”

“We know a large number of districts have moved the beginning of the school year to September,”&nbsp;DCF Secretary Laura Howard said.&nbsp;“This means many families are needing child care during a time when their kids would normally be in school.”

DCF is supplementing September child care plans to equal the benefit issued in August. In a typical year, the benefit would be reduced in September to account for children being in school. Those families eligible for the extra benefit include those with existing child care plans with DCF that have school-aged children. Additionally, families who apply by September 30, 2020 also will receive these additional September benefits, prorated based on the date of application.

DCF also is expanding eligibility criteria for its Hero Relief Program. The program expands DCF’s child care assistance subsidies for families by making them available to essential workers who financially qualify. Effective Sept. 1, school personnel will be added to the list of eligible workers.

To qualify, families must have countable gross income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. For an average family of four that equals a monthly income of $5,458.&nbsp;Families will receive the full DCF subsidy amount based on their family size, with no family-share deduction.

“We know teachers and other school personnel are dealing with difficult situations involving the care of their own children,”&nbsp;Howard said.&nbsp;“By expanding the Hero Relief Program, we hope to relieve some of the financial burden many of these families now face.”

TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly held a news conference Monday to discuss the increase in coronavirus in the state.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F356732891998559%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>She also announced the Kansas Department for Children and Families has additional benefit in September for those receiving child care assistance to support families as they adapt to delayed school openings across the state.&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,564 to a total of 42,612 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 446, an increase of 3.“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our state, and many families and child care providers are in need of additional resources,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“As parents and kids adjust to virtual, remote, and hybrid learning environments, DCF is providing the support Kansas families need right now.”“We know a large number of districts have moved the beginning of the school year to September,”&nbsp;DCF Secretary Laura Howard said.&nbsp;“This means many families are needing child care during a time when their kids would normally be in school.”DCF is supplementing September child care plans to equal the benefit issued in August. In a typical year, the benefit would be reduced in September to account for children being in school. Those families eligible for the extra benefit include those with existing child care plans with DCF that have school-aged children. Additionally, families who apply by September 30, 2020 also will receive these additional September benefits, prorated based on the date of application.DCF also is expanding eligibility criteria for its Hero Relief Program. The program expands DCF’s child care assistance subsidies for families by making them available to essential workers who financially qualify. Effective Sept. 1, school personnel will be added to the list of eligible workers.The expansion will include:<ul>
 <li>Educators and select other school personnel including teachers, para-professionals and their substitutes</li><li>Workers providing bus or other transportation services, food services, and custodial services for public and private schools, including those employed by contractors</li><li>Workers providing other essential services within public and private schools may be determined eligible with the approval of regional administrators&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>To qualify, families must have countable gross income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. For an average family of four that equals a monthly income of $5,458.&nbsp;Families will receive the full DCF subsidy amount based on their family size, with no family-share deduction.“We know teachers and other school personnel are dealing with difficult situations involving the care of their own children,”&nbsp;Howard said.&nbsp;“By expanding the Hero Relief Program, we hope to relieve some of the financial burden many of these families now face.”

🎥 Gov.: Additional child care benefit, Hero Relief Program expanded

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Two former soccer club executives are hoping to help fund a planned $330 million redevelopment of the shuttered Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, with sales tax funds.

Robb Heineman, Sporting KC’s former CEO, and Greg Cotton, its former chief operating officer and chief counsel, have proposed building a multisport complex on the site, which was sold in June last year.

Unified Government of Wyandotte County-Kansas City officials say the redevelopment would “remove (the) blight and political stigma” that has tainted the park since 2016&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6e76d9f5d6cd4b64bf7833e554c5323d#:~:text=(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20A%20Kansas%20waterslide,an%20executive%20with%20involuntary%20manslaughter">when a 10-year-old boy was decapitated</a>&nbsp;while on a ride billed as the world’s tallest waterslide.

Heineman and Cotton were pitching their plans Monday to the economic development committee of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County-Kansas City.

The developers are seeking $130 million in Kansas STAR bonds — originally designed to fund attractions that bring in tourists — to boost the project. STAR bonds are among the most powerful incentives available to developers.

The new complex would include indoor and outdoor amenities, retail, office and entertainment space with soccer, football, baseball and lacrosse fields, as well as water sports such as paddleboarding, dragon boat racing and kayaking.

Tom Burroughs, who chairs the Economic Development and Finance Standing Committee, indicated that he thought it was a suitable redevelopment plan.

“Having that sports mecca there, it just plays right in with the development we have in western Wyandotte County,” Burroughs said. “I like to call it leisure-tainment.”

Katherine Carttar, the local economic development director, said the county has no plans to offer property tax abatements, and that developers won’t receive a penny in incentives until they build the first phase of the project in Wyandotte County.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Two former soccer club executives are hoping to help fund a planned $330 million redevelopment of the shuttered Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, with sales tax funds.Robb Heineman, Sporting KC’s former CEO, and Greg Cotton, its former chief operating officer and chief counsel, have proposed building a multisport complex on the site, which was sold in June last year.Unified Government of Wyandotte County-Kansas City officials say the redevelopment would “remove (the) blight and political stigma” that has tainted the park since 2016&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6e76d9f5d6cd4b64bf7833e554c5323d#:~:text=(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20A%20Kansas%20waterslide,an%20executive%20with%20involuntary%20manslaughter">when a 10-year-old boy was decapitated</a>&nbsp;while on a ride billed as the world’s tallest waterslide.Heineman and Cotton were pitching their plans Monday to the economic development committee of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County-Kansas City.The developers are seeking $130 million in Kansas STAR bonds — originally designed to fund attractions that bring in tourists — to boost the project. STAR bonds are among the most powerful incentives available to developers.The new complex would include indoor and outdoor amenities, retail, office and entertainment space with soccer, football, baseball and lacrosse fields, as well as water sports such as paddleboarding, dragon boat racing and kayaking.Tom Burroughs, who chairs the Economic Development and Finance Standing Committee, indicated that he thought it was a suitable redevelopment plan.“Having that sports mecca there, it just plays right in with the development we have in western Wyandotte County,” Burroughs said. “I like to call it leisure-tainment.”Katherine Carttar, the local economic development director, said the county has no plans to offer property tax abatements, and that developers won’t receive a penny in incentives until they build the first phase of the project in Wyandotte County.

$330M development planned on Schlitterbahn water park site

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-31/the-coronavirus-killed-so-many-jobs-that-as-many-as-350-000-plus-kansans-are-at-risk-of-eviction">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — As many as 40 million Americans – including 357,000 Kansans – face the risk of eviction in the next several months.

An
 enhanced federal unemployment benefit of $600 a week that expired at 
the end of July helped people who lost jobs because of the COVID-19 
pandemic cover basic living expenses, like rent and mortgage payments.

But <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/the-covid-19-eviction-crisis-an-estimated-30-40-million-people-in-america-are-at-risk/" target="_blank">a recent report from the Aspen Institute</a>
 says that because Congress hasn’t extended those larger jobless checks,
 the country could soon see an unprecedented wave of evictions and 
foreclosures.

“America is facing an urgent and unprecedented eviction crisis,” the Aspen Institute researchers concluded.

Hundreds
 of thousands of Kansans could be at risk, said Donna Ginther, an 
economist with the Institute for Policy and Social Research at the 
University of Kansas.

“We need to understand that this (the pandemic) is a natural disaster,” Ginther said.

In<a href="https://ipsr.ku.edu/covid19/images/Ginther_CoronaVirus12.pdf" target="_blank"> a recent report</a>, Ginther said the lapse of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Assistance —<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares" target="_blank"> or CARES Act</a> — is “compounding a crisis that is already terrible.”

“The
 federal government is playing with fire right now,” she said. “If those
 benefits aren’t restored, you’re going to see a lot of hardship and 
deprivation.”

Sheena Mooney, of Topeka, has already experienced 
it. She lost her janitorial job in March, fell behind on her rent and 
last week was evicted from her house.

“It’s my home,” Mooney said as friends helped her pack up her belongings. “It’s so hard, you have no idea.”

Mooney applied for unemployment but was told she didn’t qualify. So, 
her eviction wasn’t triggered by the loss of federal benefits.

It 
was approved by the Shawnee County District Court between the May 26 
expiration of Gov. Laura Kelly’s initial order barring evictions and 
mortgage foreclosures and Aug. 17, when her new order took effect.

With
 Congress stalled on a new coronavirus relief package, Kelly announced 
last week that the state would apply to participate in a stop-gap Trump 
administration program to boost unemployment benefits by $400 a week.

In
 a statement, Kelly said using federal disaster relief funds to 
temporarily increase benefits to jobless Kansas is “far from a perfect 
solution.” But she said the program “is the only available option for 
additional federal assistance at this time.”

In recent testimony 
to a legislative committee monitoring the economic impact of the 
pandemic, Kansas Secretary of Labor Ryan Wright said he was reluctant to
 participate in the program because it would take “several weeks” to 
reprogram the agency’s decades-old-computer system to process the 
payments. Plus, he said, the $44 billion earmarked for the program isn’t
 expected to last long.

“What we’ve been told … is that we should only plan on three weeks of dedicated funding,” Wright said.

More than 415,000 Kansans have filed for unemployment since mid-March.

New
 claims, said Ginther, the KU economist, “remain stubbornly high,” 
particularly among low- to moderate-income Kansans making under $20 per 
hour.

The number of Kansans filing initial claims is on the rise, 
going from 11,092 on Aug. 1, to 21,175 on Aug. 22, the end of the last 
reporting period. Initial and continued claims combined total 87,546.

Social
 service agencies are bracing for a surge in demand if more relief isn’t
 available soon, said Tawny Stottlemire, director of <a href="http://www.wefightpoverty.org/" target="_blank">Community Action Topeka,</a> an anti-poverty organization that helps low-income Kansans with child care and basic living expenses.

“We’re going to see it just get worse and worse unless Congress acts,” Stottlemire said. “We’re going to see more homelessness.”

Teresa
 Baker helps people avoid financial calamities like foreclosure, 
eviction and bankruptcy as a counselor at Topeka’s Housing and Credit 
Counseling, Inc. She’s been anticipating a sharp increase in people 
seeking assistance since pandemic-related business closures threw tens 
of thousands of Kansans out of work in mid-March.

It hasn’t 
happened yet, she said, because the enhanced unemployment benefits have 
allowed people to scrape by. But she said a housing crisis looks 
inevitable if Washington doesn’t extend the benefits.

“It’s going to happen,” Baker said.

People
 fearing eviction, Baker said, should contact their landlord and attempt
 to work out a partial payment plan. If that’s not possible, agree to 
vacate their home or apartment before they’re evicted.

“We don’t 
want to see people legally evicted,” Baker said, because that puts a 
negative mark on their credit record “that’s going to make it harder for
 them to rent in the future.”

Kelly’s moratorium on evictions and 
foreclosures remains in effect until Sept. 15. She can’t extend it 
beyond that date unless the Kansas Legislature renews her emergency 
powers.

“No Kansan should be kicked out of their home during the pandemic,” Kelly said when announcing the order. “That’s just wrong.”

Vince Munoz, an organizer for the Rent Zero Kansas coalition, argues in<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/20/how-lawmakers-can-give-155000-kansans-housing-security-cancel-rent/" target="_blank"> an opinion piece in The Kansas Reflector</a>
 that state or federal lawmakers need to cancel rent and mortgage 
payments all together until a vaccine capable of ending the pandemic is 
widely available.

To protect landlords and lenders, Munoz wrote, 
taxpayers could “offset real losses associated with cancelling and 
suspending payments.”

Steve Vogel, the head of the Shawnee County 
Landlords Association, said the governor’s temporary moratorium is 
warranted. But he said cancelling or suspending rent payments for the 
duration of the pandemic would financially cripple scores of small 
businesses across the state.

“Most of the landlords that I know 
of, especially if they have very many properties, have acquired those 
properties with borrowed money,” Vogel said. “They have mortgages to 
pay.”

Vogel owns 13 rental properties in the Topeka area. He says 
landlords are generally willing to work with tenants to avoid evictions,
 which he says are “a last resort.”

“No landlord that I know or have ever met wants to do an eviction,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking to go through that.”

Kelly has said her administration is also looking for ways to help landlords.

Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598893700394.png" alt="Sheena Mooney moving after being evicted from her Topeka rental home. Jim McLean / KCUR" />
 <figcaption>Sheena Mooney moving after being evicted from her Topeka rental home. Jim McLean / KCUR</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-31/the-coronavirus-killed-so-many-jobs-that-as-many-as-350-000-plus-kansans-are-at-risk-of-eviction">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — As many as 40 million Americans – including 357,000 Kansans – face the risk of eviction in the next several months.An
 enhanced federal unemployment benefit of $600 a week that expired at 
the end of July helped people who lost jobs because of the COVID-19 
pandemic cover basic living expenses, like rent and mortgage payments.But <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/the-covid-19-eviction-crisis-an-estimated-30-40-million-people-in-america-are-at-risk/" target="_blank">a recent report from the Aspen Institute</a>
 says that because Congress hasn’t extended those larger jobless checks,
 the country could soon see an unprecedented wave of evictions and 
foreclosures.“America is facing an urgent and unprecedented eviction crisis,” the Aspen Institute researchers concluded.Hundreds
 of thousands of Kansans could be at risk, said Donna Ginther, an 
economist with the Institute for Policy and Social Research at the 
University of Kansas.“We need to understand that this (the pandemic) is a natural disaster,” Ginther said.In<a href="https://ipsr.ku.edu/covid19/images/Ginther_CoronaVirus12.pdf" target="_blank"> a recent report</a>, Ginther said the lapse of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Assistance —<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares" target="_blank"> or CARES Act</a> — is “compounding a crisis that is already terrible.”“The
 federal government is playing with fire right now,” she said. “If those
 benefits aren’t restored, you’re going to see a lot of hardship and 
deprivation.”Sheena Mooney, of Topeka, has already experienced 
it. She lost her janitorial job in March, fell behind on her rent and 
last week was evicted from her house.“It’s my home,” Mooney said as friends helped her pack up her belongings. “It’s so hard, you have no idea.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598893768107.png" alt="Sheena Mooney, lost her job at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March, reacting to being evicted from her Topeka rental home. " />
 <figcaption>Sheena Mooney, lost her job at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March, reacting to being evicted from her Topeka rental home. </figcaption>
 </figure>Mooney applied for unemployment but was told she didn’t qualify. So, 
her eviction wasn’t triggered by the loss of federal benefits.It 
was approved by the Shawnee County District Court between the May 26 
expiration of Gov. Laura Kelly’s initial order barring evictions and 
mortgage foreclosures and Aug. 17, when her new order took effect.<h2>Stop-gap measures</h2>With
 Congress stalled on a new coronavirus relief package, Kelly announced 
last week that the state would apply to participate in a stop-gap Trump 
administration program to boost unemployment benefits by $400 a week.In
 a statement, Kelly said using federal disaster relief funds to 
temporarily increase benefits to jobless Kansas is “far from a perfect 
solution.” But she said the program “is the only available option for 
additional federal assistance at this time.”In recent testimony 
to a legislative committee monitoring the economic impact of the 
pandemic, Kansas Secretary of Labor Ryan Wright said he was reluctant to
 participate in the program because it would take “several weeks” to 
reprogram the agency’s decades-old-computer system to process the 
payments. Plus, he said, the $44 billion earmarked for the program isn’t
 expected to last long.“What we’ve been told … is that we should only plan on three weeks of dedicated funding,” Wright said.More than 415,000 Kansans have filed for unemployment since mid-March.New
 claims, said Ginther, the KU economist, “remain stubbornly high,” 
particularly among low- to moderate-income Kansans making under $20 per 
hour.The number of Kansans filing initial claims is on the rise, 
going from 11,092 on Aug. 1, to 21,175 on Aug. 22, the end of the last 
reporting period. Initial and continued claims combined total 87,546.<h2>Bracing for the 'inevitable'</h2>Social
 service agencies are bracing for a surge in demand if more relief isn’t
 available soon, said Tawny Stottlemire, director of <a href="http://www.wefightpoverty.org/" target="_blank">Community Action Topeka,</a> an anti-poverty organization that helps low-income Kansans with child care and basic living expenses.“We’re going to see it just get worse and worse unless Congress acts,” Stottlemire said. “We’re going to see more homelessness.”Teresa
 Baker helps people avoid financial calamities like foreclosure, 
eviction and bankruptcy as a counselor at Topeka’s Housing and Credit 
Counseling, Inc. She’s been anticipating a sharp increase in people 
seeking assistance since pandemic-related business closures threw tens 
of thousands of Kansans out of work in mid-March.It hasn’t 
happened yet, she said, because the enhanced unemployment benefits have 
allowed people to scrape by. But she said a housing crisis looks 
inevitable if Washington doesn’t extend the benefits.“It’s going to happen,” Baker said.People
 fearing eviction, Baker said, should contact their landlord and attempt
 to work out a partial payment plan. If that’s not possible, agree to 
vacate their home or apartment before they’re evicted.“We don’t 
want to see people legally evicted,” Baker said, because that puts a 
negative mark on their credit record “that’s going to make it harder for
 them to rent in the future.”Kelly’s moratorium on evictions and 
foreclosures remains in effect until Sept. 15. She can’t extend it 
beyond that date unless the Kansas Legislature renews her emergency 
powers.“No Kansan should be kicked out of their home during the pandemic,” Kelly said when announcing the order. “That’s just wrong.”Vince Munoz, an organizer for the Rent Zero Kansas coalition, argues in<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/20/how-lawmakers-can-give-155000-kansans-housing-security-cancel-rent/" target="_blank"> an opinion piece in The Kansas Reflector</a>
 that state or federal lawmakers need to cancel rent and mortgage 
payments all together until a vaccine capable of ending the pandemic is 
widely available.To protect landlords and lenders, Munoz wrote, 
taxpayers could “offset real losses associated with cancelling and 
suspending payments.”Steve Vogel, the head of the Shawnee County 
Landlords Association, said the governor’s temporary moratorium is 
warranted. But he said cancelling or suspending rent payments for the 
duration of the pandemic would financially cripple scores of small 
businesses across the state.“Most of the landlords that I know 
of, especially if they have very many properties, have acquired those 
properties with borrowed money,” Vogel said. “They have mortgages to 
pay.”Vogel owns 13 rental properties in the Topeka area. He says 
landlords are generally willing to work with tenants to avoid evictions,
 which he says are “a last resort.”“No landlord that I know or have ever met wants to do an eviction,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking to go through that.”Kelly has said her administration is also looking for ways to help landlords.Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

350,000-plus Kansans at risk of eviction in virus-plagued economy

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend crash and fire.

Just before 11:30 p.m., Saturday, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident on K-96 and 215th&nbsp;Street West, according to Lt. Tim Myers.

At the scene, deputies found a grey Mazda 6 and a grey Honda Accord on fire.

A Maize Police Officer and a deputy attempted to extinguish the vehicle fires and extricate the drivers.&nbsp; Unfortunately, their efforts were not successful.&nbsp; Both drivers of the vehicles were pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Myers.

Investigators believe the Mazda was driving west in the eastbound lanes of K-96.&nbsp; Myers did not release the victim's names on Monday morning.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend crash and fire.Just before 11:30 p.m., Saturday, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident on K-96 and 215th&nbsp;Street West, according to Lt. Tim Myers.At the scene, deputies found a grey Mazda 6 and a grey Honda Accord on fire.A Maize Police Officer and a deputy attempted to extinguish the vehicle fires and extricate the drivers.&nbsp; Unfortunately, their efforts were not successful.&nbsp; Both drivers of the vehicles were pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Myers.Investigators believe the Mazda was driving west in the eastbound lanes of K-96.&nbsp; Myers did not release the victim's names on Monday morning.

Sheriff: 2 dead after Kansas wrong-way crash and fire

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,564 to a total of 42,612 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,564 to a total of 42,612 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 446, an increase of 3.<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/2020/8/1598893394751.png" alt="Screen Shot 2020-08-31 at 12.01.54 PM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2020-08-31 at 12.01.54 PM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after alleged altercation in Salina and a subsequent pursuit into Saline County on Saturday.

Just after 4:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of East Iron Avenue in Salina where a 56-year-old Salina man and a 30-year-old Salina woman reported an altercation with Evan Howie, 33, of Solomon, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The man was struck numerous times with a branch and a brick and the woman was struck with the brick when it was thrown at her, causing her to drop her cellphone. 

The woman told police that Howie then took her cell phone that was valued at $50. The man had a $10 pair of sunglasses broken during the altercation, he added. Howie allegedly also struck the man's 2006 Ford 500 when he was leaving, causing approximately $500 damage, according to Forrester.

Officers were advised the suspect left in a white or gray Buick. An officer located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 200 block of South Kansas Avenue. 

The vehicle continued north on Kansas Avenue and ultimately east on Old Highway 40. At that point, the pursuit was turned over to Saline County Sheriff's deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol. 

KHP was able to conduct a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) on the car in the 3000 block of North Whitmore Road, ending the pursuit, according to Forrester.

Howie was arrested on requested charges of aggravated battery, Theft, Damage to property, Flee and elude in the commission of a felony and Multiple traffic offenses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598282715073.jpeg" alt="Howie photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Howie photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after alleged altercation in Salina and a subsequent pursuit into Saline County on Saturday.Just after 4:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of East Iron Avenue in Salina where a 56-year-old Salina man and a 30-year-old Salina woman reported an altercation with Evan Howie, 33, of Solomon, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The man was struck numerous times with a branch and a brick and the woman was struck with the brick when it was thrown at her, causing her to drop her cellphone. The woman told police that Howie then took her cell phone that was valued at $50. The man had a $10 pair of sunglasses broken during the altercation, he added. Howie allegedly also struck the man's 2006 Ford 500 when he was leaving, causing approximately $500 damage, according to Forrester.Officers were advised the suspect left in a white or gray Buick. An officer located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 200 block of South Kansas Avenue. The vehicle continued north on Kansas Avenue and ultimately east on Old Highway 40. At that point, the pursuit was turned over to Saline County Sheriff's deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol. KHP was able to conduct a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) on the car in the 3000 block of North Whitmore Road, ending the pursuit, according to Forrester.Howie was arrested on requested charges of aggravated battery, Theft, Damage to property, Flee and elude in the commission of a felony and Multiple traffic offenses.

State trooper uses TVI to end pursuit of theft, battery suspect 

JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities searching for an inmate who walked away from an exam at Olathe Medical Center Monday reported just after 11a.m. they had him in custody, according to a social media report from&nbsp; the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.

Elijah Naves, 27, was last seen at 4:30 a.m. Monday. He was in custody on aggravated robbery charges.&nbsp;

Deputies released no additional details late Monday morning.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are attempting to locate an inmate who escaped from Olathe Medical Center.

Elijah Naves, 27, was last seen at 4:30 a.m. Monday and was wearing a green hospital gown with blue and white stripped jail issued pants, according to a media release from the Johnson County Sheriff's department.

Naves was in custody on aggravated robbery charges. His last direction of travel was south of the Medical Center at 20333 West 151st in Olathe.

Authorities reminded the public, if you see him, do not contact Neves but call the sheriff's office at 913-782-0720 or call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598876667094.png" alt="Naves' facial hair has been trimmed and cleaned up since this photo was taken, according to police." />
 <figcaption>Naves' facial hair has been trimmed and cleaned up since this photo was taken, according to police.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities searching for an inmate who walked away from an exam at Olathe Medical Center Monday reported just after 11a.m. they had him in custody, according to a social media report from&nbsp; the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.Elijah Naves, 27, was last seen at 4:30 a.m. Monday. He was in custody on aggravated robbery charges.&nbsp;Deputies released no additional details late Monday morning.---------JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are attempting to locate an inmate who escaped from Olathe Medical Center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598886555334.png" alt="Suspect is believed to be driving this pickup" />
 <figcaption>Suspect is believed to be driving this pickup</figcaption>
 </figure>Elijah Naves, 27, was last seen at 4:30 a.m. Monday and was wearing a green hospital gown with blue and white stripped jail issued pants, according to a media release from the Johnson County Sheriff's department.Naves was in custody on aggravated robbery charges. His last direction of travel was south of the Medical Center at 20333 West 151st in Olathe.Authorities reminded the public, if you see him, do not contact Neves but call the sheriff's office at 913-782-0720 or call 911.