PAWNEE COUNTY—A Kansas man accused of sex crimes made his first court appearance Wednesday in Pawnee County.

&nbsp;Justin W. Hamond, 36 of Larned, appeared via Zoom. On July 10, he was charged&nbsp;The defendant was charged with five&nbsp; counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberty with a Child, to wit: sexual intercourse with a child 14 or 15 years of age; and Three (3) counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child, to wit: lewd fondling of child 14 or 15 years of age, according Pawnee County Attorney Doug Mcnett.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Pawnee County between July 8, 2018 and December 15, 2018. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation following a referral by the Pawnee County Sheriff.

Hammond turned himself in on July 10 to the Pawnee County Sheriff and later released from custody the same day after posting a $75,000 bond.&nbsp; His next court appearance is scheduled for September 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598462828879.png" alt="Hammond photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Hammond photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY—A Kansas man accused of sex crimes made his first court appearance Wednesday in Pawnee County.&nbsp;Justin W. Hamond, 36 of Larned, appeared via Zoom. On July 10, he was charged&nbsp;The defendant was charged with five&nbsp; counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberty with a Child, to wit: sexual intercourse with a child 14 or 15 years of age; and Three (3) counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child, to wit: lewd fondling of child 14 or 15 years of age, according Pawnee County Attorney Doug Mcnett.The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Pawnee County between July 8, 2018 and December 15, 2018. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation following a referral by the Pawnee County Sheriff.Hammond turned himself in on July 10 to the Pawnee County Sheriff and later released from custody the same day after posting a $75,000 bond.&nbsp; His next court appearance is scheduled for September 30.

Kansas man accused of child sex crimes turned himself in

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of shootings and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 3p.m. Tuesday, police went to an address in the 1600 block of SW Harrison in Topeka to try and locate 31 year old Samuel L. Portlock of Topeka, who was wanted in connection with two shooting incidents on Monday, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.

Officers had reason to believe he was hiding inside the residence and possibly armed with a weapon. TPD Crisis Negotiation Team and Response Team were asked to respond to assist with searching for the suspect. 

Just after 6:15 p.m. police took Portlock into custody without incident. No one was injured during this incident. The suspect was taken to the LEC for questioning and then transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of&nbsp;aggravated assault and other criminal charges, according to Ekis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598452036681.png" alt="Portlock-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Portlock-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of shootings and have a suspect in custody.Just before 3p.m. Tuesday, police went to an address in the 1600 block of SW Harrison in Topeka to try and locate 31 year old Samuel L. Portlock of Topeka, who was wanted in connection with two shooting incidents on Monday, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.Officers had reason to believe he was hiding inside the residence and possibly armed with a weapon. TPD Crisis Negotiation Team and Response Team were asked to respond to assist with searching for the suspect. Just after 6:15 p.m. police took Portlock into custody without incident. No one was injured during this incident. The suspect was taken to the LEC for questioning and then transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of&nbsp;aggravated assault and other criminal charges, according to Ekis.

Police capture Kan. shooting suspect hiding in house

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-26/kansas-nursing-homes-face-scores-of-coronavirus-outbreaks-but-still-cant-count-on-fast-tests">Kansas News Service</a>

Half a year into the pandemic, Kansas nursing homes still face uneven
 access to fast COVID-19 testing through the state’s patchwork of 
private labs and hospitals. And the prices they pay for it vary widely.

Testing access has dramatically increased in Kansas from its initial <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2020-04-20/kansas-ranks-lowest-in-coronavirus-testing-which-could-make-it-harder-to-reopen-economy" target="_blank">slow start</a>. Last month alone, it tested <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1125/Historical---August-19?bidId=" target="_blank">4%</a> of its population. But that hasn’t guaranteed quick and cheap options for long-term care.

Meanwhile, <a href="https://data.cms.gov/Special-Programs-Initiatives-COVID-19-Nursing-Home/COVID-19-Nursing-Home-Dataset/s2uc-8wxp" target="_blank">federa</a><a href="https://data.cms.gov/Special-Programs-Initiatives-COVID-19-Nursing-Home/COVID-19-Nursing-Home-Dataset/s2uc-8wxp" target="_blank">l tallies</a>
 show the virus has reached nursing home residents in about 30 counties,
 from the state’s most populous to some of its most rural. That’s caused
 more than half of the state’s coronavirus death toll.

Fifty outbreaks are active in long-term care facilities right now.

Though
 the state lab in Topeka frequently conducts mass testing of workers and
 residents from long-term care facilities when those places get hit with
 outbreaks, its help only stretches so far.

Kansas health 
secretary Lee Norman last week suggested the state contract with private
 labs willing to expand their capacity, and connect nursing homes to 
them.

“That would really speed up the turnaround time on the testing a lot,” he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mJP7DeWnBY" target="_blank">told a state task force</a>.

Swift
 test results help nursing homes catch cases early, saving lives. They 
also let homes clear healthy employees faster so they can go back to 
work. That’s critical because nursing aides are taking on long hours — 
risking burnout and driving up overtime costs — to cover shifts for 
colleagues waiting to find out if a sore throat or a cough could be 
COVID-19.

“You can’t expect that they’re going to do that forever,” said Joe Ewert, CEO of Brewster Place in Topeka. “You just can’t.”

Brewster
 Place has nurse’s aides working 60 to 70-hour weeks to cover for the 
three to eight employees out with symptoms at any given time. Most turn 
out not to have the coronavirus, but checking can take anywhere from 48 
hours to a week.

That variation is partly because wait times — for
 an appointment and then to get test results — differ by week, depending
 on demand, and by hospital or clinic, for similar reasons. One Brewster
 employee may go to one hospital for the test, and another may head to a
 different one.

Across the state, nursing homes’ experiences also depend on what resources their county health departments can offer.

“It's
 a little bit odd that we have a million different ways to do it,” Ewert
 said. “It’s a little bit curious that folks in my profession aren't 
basically (all) provided with the same access.”

An hour southeast 
of Topeka, nursing home employees with symptoms can count on almost 
immediate results from rapid-testing machines that Lyon County’s health 
agency acquired amid an outbreak at a meatpacking plant.

Months ago, Ewert ordered a rapid-testing machine, too.

“We
 are still waiting,” he said. If it ever comes through, “then we can 
start getting in line for the reagent. I anticipate every single step 
will be a long wait and a fight.”

The Trump administration has said it will start <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-new-resources-protect-nursing-home-residents-against-covid-19#:~:text=Building%20on%20the%20initiative%20HHS,5%25%20positivity%20rate%20or%20greater" target="_blank">requiring weekly testing</a> in many nursing homes, and promised to <a href="https://khn.org/news/trump-is-sending-fast-cheap-covid-tests-to-nursing-homes-but-theres-a-hitch/" target="_blank">send out 14,000 machines</a>.
 But nursing home administrators have many questions about how accurate 
and reliable the devices are, when they will arrive, and how accessible 
and affordable related testing supplies will be.

This spring, the 
administration promised to send protective gear to nursing homes, but 
when the boxes arrived, some facilities reported receiving <a href="https://khn.org/news/federal-help-falters-as-nursing-homes-run-short-of-protective-equipment/?utm_campaign=KHN%20New%20from%20KHN&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=89345426&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8vuDupGpwQGw8-8nQJqZD6mw-4wW8b0z67bU8DQ9FpeBKgbV52zIPPIhTCYesg85X_16wH4_HGZ9T4M6DDIiPjGyFj-A&amp;utm_content=89345426&amp;utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">subpar or unusable equipment</a>.

Brewster Place in Topeka is dealing with its first cluster of cases among patients. <a href="https://brewsterliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Brewster-COVID-Update-Positive-Cases-08-19-20-update-08-20-20.pdf" target="_blank">Six employees and three residents</a> tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

When
 the coronavirus strikes a long-term care facility, it can require 
several weeks’ worth of repeatedly testing hundreds of people until all 
the cases are found and isolated, and the outbreak contained.

Nursing
 homes say the state lab in Topeka generally covers the first two rounds
 of facility-wide testing — and picks up the cost. The homes then turn 
to private labs for the subsequent rounds.

“The experience with 
the private labs has been mixed,” Mission Health Management Group vice 
president Shawn Sullivan said. His company has more than 30 long-term 
care facilities in Kansas. “We have had experiences where the turnaround
 time has been very quick and other times where the turnaround time has 
taken several days.”

The Kansas nursing home industry says prices 
also vary significantly — from less than $100 to more than $200 per 
test. Facilities with outbreaks can quickly rack up tens of thousands or
 dollars in expenses to stop a single outbreak.

While <a href="https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2020-06-22-medicare-cover-covid-19-tests-nursing-home-patients" target="_blank">Medicare</a>
 or other insurance covers lab work for residents, nursing homes and 
other long-term care facilities are generally on the hook for testing 
their employees.

The situation can be even tougher for locations farther from the state lab in Topeka.

Windsor
 Place in Coffeyville — southeast Kansas — faced an outbreak last month 
that affected 35 residents and 22 staff. Most did not experience 
symptoms, one was hospitalized and two died.

Windsor leaned 
largely on a lab in its region instead of sending samples to the state 
capital, nearly three hours away, because it offered same-day results.

“With the state lab, if we timed it right, the results were still two to four days out,” CEO Monte Coffman said.

Since
 the local lab charges less than $100 a test, Windsor has been able to 
afford the tests with help from federal stimulus funds. But Coffman is 
uncertain what will happen if outbreaks recur.

“If we have repeated periods of this into the fall or through the winter flu season,” he said, “then things tighten up.”

Flu season will likely lead to <a href="https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/here-comes-the-double-whammy-flu-season-on-top-of-covid" target="_blank">even more demand</a> for testing patients with respiratory symptoms.

More than <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">1,700</a><a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank"> cases of COVID-19</a>
 in Kansas — and 209 deaths — are linked to long-term care settings. 
That’s less than 5% of the known cases, but more than half of the 
fatalities.

And the situation may not get better anytime soon. 
Around 13% of Kansans who got checked for the virus in the past week 
tested positive, according to <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/individual-states/kansas" target="_blank">Johns Hopkins University</a>. Experts say when rates are that high despite the state’s aggressive increase in testing, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-29/as-coronavirus-cases-climb-in-kansas-its-hard-to-measure-how-the-state-is-doing" target="_blank">it suggests</a> the virus is widespread.

It gained traction here and nationally as states reopened their 
economies and friends and family gathered again for holidays, sports and
 cookouts.

Renee Hively, health officer for Lyon County, thinks that likely contributed to two ongoing outbreaks at nursing homes there.

“I
 think people just tend to let their guards down,” she said. “Especially
 in the summer months, when people like to congregate and do all kinds 
of social activities.”

Her agency helped collect samples at the 
homes, and the state lab processed them generally within a day or two. 
The state covered the first two rounds of testing for the homes, and a 
third round for one of them that was struggling to get it done 
otherwise.

But Hively worries that nursing homes may find it even 
harder to get timely results as more people mix on a daily basis, 
spreading germs.

“With schools starting, and colleges,” she said, “the labs are going to get inundated with testing.”

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453819411.png" alt="When nurse's aides from Brewster Place in Topeka get tested for COVID-19, sometimes it just takes a day or two. Other times, it takes a week. Kansas nursing homes need reliably fast and affordable access to testing. Janis Swanson / Submitted" />
 <figcaption>When nurse's aides from Brewster Place in Topeka get tested for COVID-19, sometimes it just takes a day or two. Other times, it takes a week. Kansas nursing homes need reliably fast and affordable access to testing. Janis Swanson / Submitted</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-26/kansas-nursing-homes-face-scores-of-coronavirus-outbreaks-but-still-cant-count-on-fast-tests">Kansas News Service</a>Half a year into the pandemic, Kansas nursing homes still face uneven
 access to fast COVID-19 testing through the state’s patchwork of 
private labs and hospitals. And the prices they pay for it vary widely.Testing access has dramatically increased in Kansas from its initial <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2020-04-20/kansas-ranks-lowest-in-coronavirus-testing-which-could-make-it-harder-to-reopen-economy" target="_blank">slow start</a>. Last month alone, it tested <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1125/Historical---August-19?bidId=" target="_blank">4%</a> of its population. But that hasn’t guaranteed quick and cheap options for long-term care.Meanwhile, <a href="https://data.cms.gov/Special-Programs-Initiatives-COVID-19-Nursing-Home/COVID-19-Nursing-Home-Dataset/s2uc-8wxp" target="_blank">federa</a><a href="https://data.cms.gov/Special-Programs-Initiatives-COVID-19-Nursing-Home/COVID-19-Nursing-Home-Dataset/s2uc-8wxp" target="_blank">l tallies</a>
 show the virus has reached nursing home residents in about 30 counties,
 from the state’s most populous to some of its most rural. That’s caused
 more than half of the state’s coronavirus death toll.Fifty outbreaks are active in long-term care facilities right now.Though
 the state lab in Topeka frequently conducts mass testing of workers and
 residents from long-term care facilities when those places get hit with
 outbreaks, its help only stretches so far.Kansas health 
secretary Lee Norman last week suggested the state contract with private
 labs willing to expand their capacity, and connect nursing homes to 
them.“That would really speed up the turnaround time on the testing a lot,” he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mJP7DeWnBY" target="_blank">told a state task force</a>.Swift
 test results help nursing homes catch cases early, saving lives. They 
also let homes clear healthy employees faster so they can go back to 
work. That’s critical because nursing aides are taking on long hours — 
risking burnout and driving up overtime costs — to cover shifts for 
colleagues waiting to find out if a sore throat or a cough could be 
COVID-19.“You can’t expect that they’re going to do that forever,” said Joe Ewert, CEO of Brewster Place in Topeka. “You just can’t.”<h2>‘A million different ways’</h2>Brewster
 Place has nurse’s aides working 60 to 70-hour weeks to cover for the 
three to eight employees out with symptoms at any given time. Most turn 
out not to have the coronavirus, but checking can take anywhere from 48 
hours to a week.That variation is partly because wait times — for
 an appointment and then to get test results — differ by week, depending
 on demand, and by hospital or clinic, for similar reasons. One Brewster
 employee may go to one hospital for the test, and another may head to a
 different one.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453912766.png" alt="Kansas nursing homes can count on some help from a state-run lab in Topeka, but resources are limited. Janis Swanson" />
 <figcaption>Kansas nursing homes can count on some help from a state-run lab in Topeka, but resources are limited. Janis Swanson</figcaption>
 </figure>Across the state, nursing homes’ experiences also depend on what resources their county health departments can offer.“It's
 a little bit odd that we have a million different ways to do it,” Ewert
 said. “It’s a little bit curious that folks in my profession aren't 
basically (all) provided with the same access.”An hour southeast 
of Topeka, nursing home employees with symptoms can count on almost 
immediate results from rapid-testing machines that Lyon County’s health 
agency acquired amid an outbreak at a meatpacking plant.Months ago, Ewert ordered a rapid-testing machine, too.“We
 are still waiting,” he said. If it ever comes through, “then we can 
start getting in line for the reagent. I anticipate every single step 
will be a long wait and a fight.”The Trump administration has said it will start <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-new-resources-protect-nursing-home-residents-against-covid-19#:~:text=Building%20on%20the%20initiative%20HHS,5%25%20positivity%20rate%20or%20greater" target="_blank">requiring weekly testing</a> in many nursing homes, and promised to <a href="https://khn.org/news/trump-is-sending-fast-cheap-covid-tests-to-nursing-homes-but-theres-a-hitch/" target="_blank">send out 14,000 machines</a>.
 But nursing home administrators have many questions about how accurate 
and reliable the devices are, when they will arrive, and how accessible 
and affordable related testing supplies will be.This spring, the 
administration promised to send protective gear to nursing homes, but 
when the boxes arrived, some facilities reported receiving <a href="https://khn.org/news/federal-help-falters-as-nursing-homes-run-short-of-protective-equipment/?utm_campaign=KHN%20New%20from%20KHN&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=89345426&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8vuDupGpwQGw8-8nQJqZD6mw-4wW8b0z67bU8DQ9FpeBKgbV52zIPPIhTCYesg85X_16wH4_HGZ9T4M6DDIiPjGyFj-A&amp;utm_content=89345426&amp;utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">subpar or unusable equipment</a>.<h2>When outbreaks happen</h2>Brewster Place in Topeka is dealing with its first cluster of cases among patients. <a href="https://brewsterliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Brewster-COVID-Update-Positive-Cases-08-19-20-update-08-20-20.pdf" target="_blank">Six employees and three residents</a> tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.When
 the coronavirus strikes a long-term care facility, it can require 
several weeks’ worth of repeatedly testing hundreds of people until all 
the cases are found and isolated, and the outbreak contained.Nursing
 homes say the state lab in Topeka generally covers the first two rounds
 of facility-wide testing — and picks up the cost. The homes then turn 
to private labs for the subsequent rounds.“The experience with 
the private labs has been mixed,” Mission Health Management Group vice 
president Shawn Sullivan said. His company has more than 30 long-term 
care facilities in Kansas. “We have had experiences where the turnaround
 time has been very quick and other times where the turnaround time has 
taken several days.”The Kansas nursing home industry says prices 
also vary significantly — from less than $100 to more than $200 per 
test. Facilities with outbreaks can quickly rack up tens of thousands or
 dollars in expenses to stop a single outbreak.While <a href="https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2020-06-22-medicare-cover-covid-19-tests-nursing-home-patients" target="_blank">Medicare</a>
 or other insurance covers lab work for residents, nursing homes and 
other long-term care facilities are generally on the hook for testing 
their employees.The situation can be even tougher for locations farther from the state lab in Topeka.Windsor
 Place in Coffeyville — southeast Kansas — faced an outbreak last month 
that affected 35 residents and 22 staff. Most did not experience 
symptoms, one was hospitalized and two died.Windsor leaned 
largely on a lab in its region instead of sending samples to the state 
capital, nearly three hours away, because it offered same-day results.“With the state lab, if we timed it right, the results were still two to four days out,” CEO Monte Coffman said.<h2>As cold weather returns</h2>Since
 the local lab charges less than $100 a test, Windsor has been able to 
afford the tests with help from federal stimulus funds. But Coffman is 
uncertain what will happen if outbreaks recur.“If we have repeated periods of this into the fall or through the winter flu season,” he said, “then things tighten up.”Flu season will likely lead to <a href="https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/here-comes-the-double-whammy-flu-season-on-top-of-covid" target="_blank">even more demand</a> for testing patients with respiratory symptoms.More than <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">1,700</a><a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank"> cases of COVID-19</a>
 in Kansas — and 209 deaths — are linked to long-term care settings. 
That’s less than 5% of the known cases, but more than half of the 
fatalities.And the situation may not get better anytime soon. 
Around 13% of Kansans who got checked for the virus in the past week 
tested positive, according to <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/individual-states/kansas" target="_blank">Johns Hopkins University</a>. Experts say when rates are that high despite the state’s aggressive increase in testing, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-29/as-coronavirus-cases-climb-in-kansas-its-hard-to-measure-how-the-state-is-doing" target="_blank">it suggests</a> the virus is widespread.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453957294.png" alt="The Trump administration has promised to send COVID-19 testing machines to Brewster Place and other nursing homes, but questions remain about how reliable the results will be. Janis Swanson" />
 <figcaption>The Trump administration has promised to send COVID-19 testing machines to Brewster Place and other nursing homes, but questions remain about how reliable the results will be. Janis Swanson</figcaption>
 </figure>It gained traction here and nationally as states reopened their 
economies and friends and family gathered again for holidays, sports and
 cookouts.Renee Hively, health officer for Lyon County, thinks that likely contributed to two ongoing outbreaks at nursing homes there.“I
 think people just tend to let their guards down,” she said. “Especially
 in the summer months, when people like to congregate and do all kinds 
of social activities.”Her agency helped collect samples at the 
homes, and the state lab processed them generally within a day or two. 
The state covered the first two rounds of testing for the homes, and a 
third round for one of them that was struggling to get it done 
otherwise.But Hively worries that nursing homes may find it even 
harder to get timely results as more people mix on a daily basis, 
spreading germs.“With schools starting, and colleges,” she said, “the labs are going to get inundated with testing.”Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Kan. nursing homes still can't count on fast COVID-19 tests 

TOPEKA —Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), held a press briefing Wednesday afternoon to discuss the increase in coronavirus in Kansas.&nbsp; He said if the pandemic were a football game, we'd be near the end of the first quarter.

The state reported another 1,536 confirmed and probable cases&nbsp; of the virus since Monday, an increase of 4%. The total since the pandemic began is 39,937. The KDHE also said there were additional 11 deaths for a total of 437.

TOPEKA —Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), held a press briefing Wednesday afternoon to discuss the increase in coronavirus in Kansas.&nbsp; He said if the pandemic were a football game, we'd be near the end of the first quarter.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F303913344047288%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>The state reported another 1,536 confirmed and probable cases&nbsp; of the virus since Monday, an increase of 4%. The total since the pandemic began is 39,937. The KDHE also said there were additional 11 deaths for a total of 437.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598462849768.png" alt="August 26, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>August 26, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 Dr. Lee Norman on increase in COVID-19 in Kansas

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — All three NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed, with players around the league choosing to boycott in their strongest statement yet against racial injustice. 

Called off: Games between Milwaukee and Orlando, Houston and Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland. The NBA said all three games would be rescheduled, yet did not say when. The dramatic series of moves began when the Bucks — the NBA’s team from Wisconsin, a state rocked in recent days by the shooting by police officers of Jacob Blake, a Black man — didn’t take the floor for their game against the Magic.

&nbsp;Former Kansas Jayhawk Frank Mason, is a member of the Bucks.&nbsp;

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — NBA players made their strongest statement yet against racial injustice when the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t take the floor for their scheduled playoff game against the Orlando Magic. 

The teams were set to begin Game 5 of their series shortly after 4 p.m. EST, with the Bucks needing a win to advance to the second round. Players had been discussing boycotting games in the bubble after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 

More discussions were expected Wednesday, but even before that the Bucks apparently decided they would act. Magic players and referees were on the floor for the game but Milwaukee never took the floor.&nbsp; Former Kansas Jayhawk Frank Mason, is a member of the Bucks.&nbsp;

Following the Bucks decision, the other two playoff games Houston vs. Oklahoma City and Los Angeles vs. Portland have been postponed, according to the NBA.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — All three NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed, with players around the league choosing to boycott in their strongest statement yet against racial injustice. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;It is a great challenge to have an appreciation and a desire to want change. To want something different and better in Kenosha, Milwaukee and Wisconsin and then to go out and play a game.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/BCmHZdFf1P">pic.twitter.com/BCmHZdFf1P</a>&mdash; Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/1298706183499513859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Called off: Games between Milwaukee and Orlando, Houston and Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland. The NBA said all three games would be rescheduled, yet did not say when. The dramatic series of moves began when the Bucks — the NBA’s team from Wisconsin, a state rocked in recent days by the shooting by police officers of Jacob Blake, a Black man — didn’t take the floor for their game against the Magic.&nbsp;Former Kansas Jayhawk Frank Mason, is a member of the Bucks.&nbsp;LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — NBA players made their strongest statement yet against racial injustice when the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t take the floor for their scheduled playoff game against the Orlando Magic. The teams were set to begin Game 5 of their series shortly after 4 p.m. EST, with the Bucks needing a win to advance to the second round. Players had been discussing boycotting games in the bubble after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. More discussions were expected Wednesday, but even before that the Bucks apparently decided they would act. Magic players and referees were on the floor for the game but Milwaukee never took the floor.&nbsp; Former Kansas Jayhawk Frank Mason, is a member of the Bucks.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The NBA and the NBPA today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today’s three games – MIL-ORL, HOU-OKC and LAL-POR have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled.&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1298729514403594240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Following the Bucks decision, the other two playoff games Houston vs. Oklahoma City and Los Angeles vs. Portland have been postponed, according to the NBA.

Boycott: NBA playoff games called off amid player protest

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,533 to a total of 39,937 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 437, an increase of 11.

<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 1,533 to a total of 39,937 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 437, an increase of 11.<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/2020/8/1598462849768.png" alt="August 26, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>August 26, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

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

Just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, an officer with the Great Bend Police Department conducted a traffic stop at 10th Street and Wilson Street for an equipment violation on a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, according to a media release.

During the stop, police service dog Menta was deployed and conducted a free air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. K-9 Menta indicated to the presence of illegal narcotics. A search of the vehicle was conducted. Police located controlled substances including marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Officers arrested Elijah Cheney, 22, and transported him to the Barton County Jail. He is being held on a $10,000 bond. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598455017858.jpeg" alt="Elijah Cheney has a previous conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Elijah Cheney has a previous conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a Tuesday arrest.Just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, an officer with the Great Bend Police Department conducted a traffic stop at 10th Street and Wilson Street for an equipment violation on a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, according to a media release.During the stop, police service dog Menta was deployed and conducted a free air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. K-9 Menta indicated to the presence of illegal narcotics. A search of the vehicle was conducted. Police located controlled substances including marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia.Officers arrested Elijah Cheney, 22, and transported him to the Barton County Jail. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.

Police K9 helps catch 22-year-old Kansas felon

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and searching for a suspect.

Just after 3p.m. Monday, police responded to a robbery in progress at a gas station-convenience store in the 700 Block of North Ridge in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A 55-year-old male employee told police an unknown suspect&nbsp; entered the business, pulled out a handgun and fired it toward the employee, according to Davidson.&nbsp; The suspect described as a white male in this 20s with a dark complexion, short braided hair with a pony tail and wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans demanded cash, took it and fled the business on foot.

The employee and customers in the business were not injured. Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598457863834.png" alt="The incident occurred at this gas station and smoke shop, according to police -google image" />
 <figcaption>The incident occurred at this gas station and smoke shop, according to police -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and searching for a suspect.Just after 3p.m. Monday, police responded to a robbery in progress at a gas station-convenience store in the 700 Block of North Ridge in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.A 55-year-old male employee told police an unknown suspect&nbsp; entered the business, pulled out a handgun and fired it toward the employee, according to Davidson.&nbsp; The suspect described as a white male in this 20s with a dark complexion, short braided hair with a pony tail and wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans demanded cash, took it and fled the business on foot.The employee and customers in the business were not injured. Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call police.

Kan. armed robbery suspect fired gun, demanded cash

Three Republican candidates for Legislature address crowd

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/25/hundreds-rally-in-topeka-to-back-the-blue-in-clash-with-black-lives-matter/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Hundreds of 
police supporters gathered Tuesday afternoon outside the capital’s city 
hall to protest demands by Black Lives Matter.

Standing in sweltering 
heat, they chanted “back the blue,” joined in prayer, sang “God Bless 
America,” and cheered speakers, including three Republican candidates 
for the Kansas Legislature, who urged them to brace for a long battle 
against activists who would restrict police from keeping them safe.

The demonstration <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/25/politics-misinformation-undermine-topeka-debate-on-police-reform/" target="_blank">preceded a special city council meeting</a> in which dozens of community members signed up to speak in favor or opposition of proposed police reforms.

Some of the rally 
participants hawked T-shirts. Virtually all of them were white, and few 
wore masks as they packed into shady corners of the city block.

A contingent of Black Lives Matter supporters held court on the edge of the larger protest, engaging in spirited verbal clashes.

“This is like a comedy show I didn’t even have a ticket for.”

The rally was organized by
 retired Topeka police officer Ron Gish in response to various proposals
 inspired by the death of George Floyd earlier this year, and countless 
other Black men and women who have been killed by police nationwide. In 
Topeka, Black Lives Matter is asking the city council to overhaul 
qualified immunity for police officers, classify a chokehold as a crime,
 prohibit racial profiling, establish a registry of police misconduct to
 be maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice, and create a civilian 
review board to represent and empower the community.

“When we say Black Lives 
Matter, we’re talking about more than police brutality,” said Pjay 
Carter, an organizer for Black Lives Matter-Topeka. “We’re talking about
 incarceration, health care, housing, education, and economics — all the
 different components of a broader system that has created the reality 
we see today, where Black people are incarcerated at more than five 
times the rate of white people, where Black people are given harsher 
sentences for the same offenses, where Black people are more likely to 
be held on bail pretrial, and where Black people are dying not only at 
the hands of police, but because of an unequal health care system.

“Black lives should matter
 in all stages of life, and to honor that truth, we must radically 
transform the system from its roots.”

Speakers at the pro-police rally warned supporters of the dangers of pursing such reform.

“We have to be vigilant,” 
said Francis Slobodnik, a Topeka resident and district manager for the 
American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, 
which bills itself as Catholic inspired and is known as an anti-LGBTQ 
group.

“Be vigilant,” Slobodnik 
told the crowd. “Because what the people who want to reduce the police, 
weaken the police, what they will do is they will try to wait us out. 
They will hope we fall asleep.”

Republican Jeff Coen, a 
former Topeka councilman who is now running against Democratic Rep. Jim 
Gartner, lamented how the council in one year had gone from talking 
about fixing potholes and water main lines to talk of police reform.

“You know, if one of our 
officers was struggling with a bad guy, and it was a chance to get a 
little jujitsu action to put the person to sleep, so they could put the 
handcuffs on him — that’s not asking for much,” Coen said.

Janlyn Nesbett Tucker, a 
Republican who is running for a Statehouse seat held by Democratic Rep. 
Annie Kuether, led the crowd in chanting the names of fallen Topeka 
police officers. It was her take on the “say his name” references to 
Floyd.

“When someone says, ‘Black
 lives matter,’ and we say, ‘All lives matter,’ it’s like saying, ‘My 
grandmother died,’ and, ‘Well, all grandmothers die.’ And you know, I 
want us to really think about that,” she said.

She continued:&nbsp;“I believe 
in my heart of hearts that what started off as an awareness movement has
 turned into something that is so out of control, that we are going to 
be lucky if we ever get control of it again. And it’s going to be up to 
us to stand up and say, ‘No, this is not right.’ ”

Michael Martin, a retired 
investigator for the Topeka Fire Department, is the Republican candidate
 running for a Statehouse seat held by Democratic Rep. John Alcala. He 
urged the community to get better at treating law enforcement officers 
well. Police need more funding, he said, not less.

“They’re to be our sheep 
dogs,” Martin said. “They’re to guard the flock. And we need to make 
sure that you don’t protect the flock by hobbling them, putting them in 
cages, or unnecessarily punishing the sheep dog. You protect the flock 
by making sure the sheep dog has the tools necessary.”

He added:&nbsp;“Why are we so 
divisive on this issue? Because it’s Topeka, Kansas. OK? We don’t have 
the problems on the east and west coasts. We don’t have those problems. 
This is Kansas. We’re better than that.”

Reeves Oyster, 
communications director for the Kansas Democratic Party, responded in an
 email to the remarks by Republicans. She pointed to the shooting this 
week of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as the 
latest “tragic example of police brutality, white supremacy and 
institutional racism,” and said it was disappointing to see political 
hopefuls denying the issues impacting their communities.

“In times of crisis, we 
need leaders who listen, show empathy and acknowledge the uncomfortable 
realities needed to move forward — not spread disinformation or block 
needed progress for the sake of a political agenda,” Oyster said.

As rally participants 
began to disperse ahead of the special meeting, several police 
supporters moved to escape a camera’s view of a Black Lives Matter 
demonstrator who had climbed to a high point to flip them off.

“Come on, let’s make it a family photo — me and the KKK,” the Black Lives Matter demonstrator said.

“He’s family, alright — if I s*** him out my a**,” the police supporter replied.

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453141072.jpeg" alt="Hundreds of police supporters demonstrate for a Back the Blue rally Tuesday in downtown Topeka ahead of a special council meeting to discuss potential police reform. (Photos by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Hundreds of police supporters demonstrate for a Back the Blue rally Tuesday in downtown Topeka ahead of a special council meeting to discuss potential police reform. (Photos by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Three Republican candidates for Legislature address crowd</h2>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/25/hundreds-rally-in-topeka-to-back-the-blue-in-clash-with-black-lives-matter/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Hundreds of 
police supporters gathered Tuesday afternoon outside the capital’s city 
hall to protest demands by Black Lives Matter.Standing in sweltering 
heat, they chanted “back the blue,” joined in prayer, sang “God Bless 
America,” and cheered speakers, including three Republican candidates 
for the Kansas Legislature, who urged them to brace for a long battle 
against activists who would restrict police from keeping them safe.The demonstration <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/25/politics-misinformation-undermine-topeka-debate-on-police-reform/" target="_blank">preceded a special city council meeting</a> in which dozens of community members signed up to speak in favor or opposition of proposed police reforms.Some of the rally 
participants hawked T-shirts. Virtually all of them were white, and few 
wore masks as they packed into shady corners of the city block.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453205115.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A contingent of Black Lives Matter supporters held court on the edge of the larger protest, engaging in spirited verbal clashes.“Black lives matter!”“Jesus matters!”“Jesus was black, baby!”“This is like a comedy show I didn’t even have a ticket for.”The rally was organized by
 retired Topeka police officer Ron Gish in response to various proposals
 inspired by the death of George Floyd earlier this year, and countless 
other Black men and women who have been killed by police nationwide. In 
Topeka, Black Lives Matter is asking the city council to overhaul 
qualified immunity for police officers, classify a chokehold as a crime,
 prohibit racial profiling, establish a registry of police misconduct to
 be maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice, and create a civilian 
review board to represent and empower the community.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453262178.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“When we say Black Lives 
Matter, we’re talking about more than police brutality,” said Pjay 
Carter, an organizer for Black Lives Matter-Topeka. “We’re talking about
 incarceration, health care, housing, education, and economics — all the
 different components of a broader system that has created the reality 
we see today, where Black people are incarcerated at more than five 
times the rate of white people, where Black people are given harsher 
sentences for the same offenses, where Black people are more likely to 
be held on bail pretrial, and where Black people are dying not only at 
the hands of police, but because of an unequal health care system.“Black lives should matter
 in all stages of life, and to honor that truth, we must radically 
transform the system from its roots.”Speakers at the pro-police rally warned supporters of the dangers of pursing such reform.“We have to be vigilant,” 
said Francis Slobodnik, a Topeka resident and district manager for the 
American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, 
which bills itself as Catholic inspired and is known as an anti-LGBTQ 
group.“Be vigilant,” Slobodnik 
told the crowd. “Because what the people who want to reduce the police, 
weaken the police, what they will do is they will try to wait us out. 
They will hope we fall asleep.”Republican Jeff Coen, a 
former Topeka councilman who is now running against Democratic Rep. Jim 
Gartner, lamented how the council in one year had gone from talking 
about fixing potholes and water main lines to talk of police reform.“You know, if one of our 
officers was struggling with a bad guy, and it was a chance to get a 
little jujitsu action to put the person to sleep, so they could put the 
handcuffs on him — that’s not asking for much,” Coen said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453336191.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Janlyn Nesbett Tucker, a 
Republican who is running for a Statehouse seat held by Democratic Rep. 
Annie Kuether, led the crowd in chanting the names of fallen Topeka 
police officers. It was her take on the “say his name” references to 
Floyd.“When someone says, ‘Black
 lives matter,’ and we say, ‘All lives matter,’ it’s like saying, ‘My 
grandmother died,’ and, ‘Well, all grandmothers die.’ And you know, I 
want us to really think about that,” she said.She continued:&nbsp;“I believe 
in my heart of hearts that what started off as an awareness movement has
 turned into something that is so out of control, that we are going to 
be lucky if we ever get control of it again. And it’s going to be up to 
us to stand up and say, ‘No, this is not right.’ ”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453396190.jpeg" alt="Republican legislative candidate Janlyn Nesbett Tucker tells the crowd that efforts to raise awareness have evolved into an out-of-control effort to restrict police. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Republican legislative candidate Janlyn Nesbett Tucker tells the crowd that efforts to raise awareness have evolved into an out-of-control effort to restrict police. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Michael Martin, a retired 
investigator for the Topeka Fire Department, is the Republican candidate
 running for a Statehouse seat held by Democratic Rep. John Alcala. He 
urged the community to get better at treating law enforcement officers 
well. Police need more funding, he said, not less.“They’re to be our sheep 
dogs,” Martin said. “They’re to guard the flock. And we need to make 
sure that you don’t protect the flock by hobbling them, putting them in 
cages, or unnecessarily punishing the sheep dog. You protect the flock 
by making sure the sheep dog has the tools necessary.”He added:&nbsp;“Why are we so 
divisive on this issue? Because it’s Topeka, Kansas. OK? We don’t have 
the problems on the east and west coasts. We don’t have those problems. 
This is Kansas. We’re better than that.”Reeves Oyster, 
communications director for the Kansas Democratic Party, responded in an
 email to the remarks by Republicans. She pointed to the shooting this 
week of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as the 
latest “tragic example of police brutality, white supremacy and 
institutional racism,” and said it was disappointing to see political 
hopefuls denying the issues impacting their communities.“In times of crisis, we 
need leaders who listen, show empathy and acknowledge the uncomfortable 
realities needed to move forward — not spread disinformation or block 
needed progress for the sake of a political agenda,” Oyster said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598453427715.jpeg" alt="A Black Lives Matter demonstrator flips off police supporters at the end of Tuesday’s rally. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A Black Lives Matter demonstrator flips off police supporters at the end of Tuesday’s rally. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>As rally participants 
began to disperse ahead of the special meeting, several police 
supporters moved to escape a camera’s view of a Black Lives Matter 
demonstrator who had climbed to a high point to flip them off.“Come on, let’s make it a family photo — me and the KKK,” the Black Lives Matter demonstrator said.“He’s family, alright — if I s*** him out my a**,” the police supporter replied.Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.&nbsp;

Hundreds rally in Topeka to ‘back the blue’ in clash with Black Lives Matter

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 19-year-old woman drowned after she jumped into a pond at a Liberty sports complex (18 miles east of Kansas City) police said Tuesday.

Searchers recovered the body of Dashiza Jordan from a retention pond Tuesday at the Capitol Federal Sports Complex in Liberty, police said in a news release.

Jordan's cousin told police Jordan began to panic as they drove by the complex Monday afternoon. When the cousin stopped the car, Jordan got out and jumped into the pond, said Liberty police spokesman Capt. Andy Hedrick.

A search for Jordan on Monday was unsuccessful. Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol found her when the search resumed Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598448053172.png" alt="Search crews on the scene Tuesday photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Search crews on the scene Tuesday photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 19-year-old woman drowned after she jumped into a pond at a Liberty sports complex (18 miles east of Kansas City) police said Tuesday.Searchers recovered the body of Dashiza Jordan from a retention pond Tuesday at the Capitol Federal Sports Complex in Liberty, police said in a news release.Jordan's cousin told police Jordan began to panic as they drove by the complex Monday afternoon. When the cousin stopped the car, Jordan got out and jumped into the pond, said Liberty police spokesman Capt. Andy Hedrick.A search for Jordan on Monday was unsuccessful. Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol found her when the search resumed Tuesday.

Woman drowns in retention pond near Kansas City

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent robbery and have made an arrest.

Just after 9:30 a.m. Monday, police responded to a disturbance with a weapon call at a business in the 4000 block of South Laura in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

&nbsp;A 39-year-old female employee told police that a suspect later identified as 31-year-old Michael Sheppard, Jr., concealed items inside the store and exited without paying.

When she approached him, Sheppard pulled out a knife and threatened her. The employee was not injured.

Sheppard then fled the business in a silver Chevy Equinox that was reported stolen.

Investigators determined&nbsp; Sheppard was involved in the violent crime. An officer located Sheppard and the stolen vehicle Monday afternoon in the area of MacArthur and Laura. He was arrested without incident, and the vehicle was recovered.

Sheppard is being held on requested&nbsp;charges of aggravated assault, theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal deprivation of an automobile, and warrants, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598369502006.png" alt="Sheppard photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Sheppard photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent robbery and have made an arrest.Just after 9:30 a.m. Monday, police responded to a disturbance with a weapon call at a business in the 4000 block of South Laura in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;A 39-year-old female employee told police that a suspect later identified as 31-year-old Michael Sheppard, Jr., concealed items inside the store and exited without paying.When she approached him, Sheppard pulled out a knife and threatened her. The employee was not injured.Sheppard then fled the business in a silver Chevy Equinox that was reported stolen.Investigators determined&nbsp; Sheppard was involved in the violent crime. An officer located Sheppard and the stolen vehicle Monday afternoon in the area of MacArthur and Laura. He was arrested without incident, and the vehicle was recovered.Sheppard is being held on requested&nbsp;charges of aggravated assault, theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal deprivation of an automobile, and warrants, according to Davidson.

Kansas man pulled knife on employee during robbery

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling — a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing but also insufficient testing — even as the disease continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the U.S. each day.

About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21% from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. While the U.S., India and Brazil still have the highest numbers of new cases in the world, the downward trend is encouraging.

“It’s profoundly hopeful news,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious-diseases expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who credits the American public’s growing understanding of how the virus spreads, more mask-wearing and, possibly, an increasing level of immunity.

“Hopefully all those factors are coming into play to get this virus under control in this country that’s really been battered by the pandemic,” she said.

But insufficient testing is probably concealing the full extent of the crisis, said Dr. Jonathan Quick, who leads the pandemic response for the Rockefeller Foundation, which has recommended the U.S. test 4 million people a day by fall.

“We’re grossly under-testing in some of the places that are still having high caseloads,” Quick said, singling out Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and North Dakota as hot spots with high rates of positive test results.

Even at 43,000 new cases per day, the U.S. remains far above the numbers seen during the spring, when new daily cases peaked at about 34,000, he said.

“It’s a good trend, but nowhere near what we need to be,” Quick said of the recent decline.

The virus is blamed for more than 5.7 million confirmed infections and about 178,000 deaths in the U.S. Worldwide, the death toll is put at more than 810,000, with about 23.7 million cases.

Jeffrey Shaman, a public health expert at Columbia University, said he is skeptical enough people are immune to significantly slow the spread. But he agreed that changes in Americans’ behavior could well be making a difference, recalling the impact that people’s actions had in containing Ebola in West Africa several years ago.

“Ebola stopped for reasons we didn’t anticipate at the time. It was so horrifying that people stopped touching each other,” Shaman said. Something similar may be happening with the coronavirus, he said.

“I know I don’t have nearly the number of contacts that I used to,” Shaman said. “But if we relax that, if we get complacent, will we just see another outbreak?”

The decline in newly reported cases in the U.S. comes even as deaths from the virus remain alarmingly high. Over the past two weeks, officials have reported an average of 965 deaths a day from COVID-19, down from 1,051 a day in early August.

Deaths from the coronavirus are a lagging indicator — they trail new infections because of the time it takes for people to get sick and succumb to the disease.

The percentage of tests coming back positive for the disease has also declined over the past two weeks, from 7.3% to 6.1%. But that comes as the total number of tests administered has fallen from its August peak of more than 820,000 a day, leveling off in recent weeks at about 690,000 a day.

The situation has improved dramatically in several states that struggled with high caseloads earlier this summer.

In Arizona, for example, officials reported 859 new cases Tuesday, down from a peak of 5,500 in late June. More than 2,000 people arrived at the state’s hospitals showing symptoms of the virus on a single day in early July. This week, that number has been less than 1,000.

In Florida, where more than 10,000 people have died, the state reported 2,600 new virus cases Tuesday. Earlier in the summer, it was regularly reporting more than 10,000 new cases.

Malinda Coler, 37, of San Francisco, said she has been diligent about mask wearing and other preventive measures, less to protect herself than a best friend who has a compromised immune system, with severe arthritis psoriasis.

“So I wear a damned mask and get infuriated when others don’t,” she said.

Most states now have some type of mask requirement, either through statewide orders issued by governors or from city and county rules that cover most of their population.

Even some conservative governors have gone along with masks. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves mandated masks in all public places earlier this month, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp dropped a lawsuit against Atlanta in a dispute over a requirement by the state’s largest city.

In Leeds, Alabama, Will Heath said he has seen greater adherence to mask rules around town, whether in stores or at his 5-year-old daughter’s cheerleading practice.

He and his wife, a nurse, have worn masks all along but said the attitude among others has shifted from “Even if I get it, I’ll be OK,” to “Let’s make sure we don’t give it to somebody else.”

“We have all been sort of operating under the assumption that we all have it or we’re going to get it eventually. So we want to make sure we don’t spread it,” Heath said.

Many places around the U.S. are seeing pockets of contagion, especially in college towns where students are holding parties and crowding into bars.

Over the past week, 531 students, faculty and staff at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa have tested positive for the virus, according to the school. Alabama said it tested nearly 30,000 students before classes began. The mayor of Tuscaloosa shut down bars for two weeks because of the spike, which could derail plans to continue the semester on campus.

The university is still moving ahead with fall sports in the football-crazed state, with plans to allow only about 20,000 fans at its 101,000-capacity stadium and a ban on tailgating. Coach Nick Saban weighed in on the virus Monday, urging people to wear masks.

“It’s not just about football. So, for people to make the right choices and decisions to wear their masks, do the things when they’re out publicly, respect the rules, respect the virus, that’s important,” he said.

It’s not clear what will happen to case numbers as more school districts bring students back to classrooms and colleges reopen their campuses. In recent weeks, schools including the University of North Carolina, Michigan State and Notre Dame have moved instruction online after outbreaks on their campuses.

Officials at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville said four students are facing disciplinary proceedings after three hosted off-campus parties with no mask or other distancing and another left isolation to meet with others despite testing positive for the virus.

“If the facts reported to the university are accurate, these students will face at least suspension from the university, and potentially greater penalties,” Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590784947764.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling — a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing but also insufficient testing — even as the disease continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the U.S. each day.About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21% from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. While the U.S., India and Brazil still have the highest numbers of new cases in the world, the downward trend is encouraging.“It’s profoundly hopeful news,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious-diseases expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who credits the American public’s growing understanding of how the virus spreads, more mask-wearing and, possibly, an increasing level of immunity.“Hopefully all those factors are coming into play to get this virus under control in this country that’s really been battered by the pandemic,” she said.But insufficient testing is probably concealing the full extent of the crisis, said Dr. Jonathan Quick, who leads the pandemic response for the Rockefeller Foundation, which has recommended the U.S. test 4 million people a day by fall.“We’re grossly under-testing in some of the places that are still having high caseloads,” Quick said, singling out Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and North Dakota as hot spots with high rates of positive test results.Even at 43,000 new cases per day, the U.S. remains far above the numbers seen during the spring, when new daily cases peaked at about 34,000, he said.“It’s a good trend, but nowhere near what we need to be,” Quick said of the recent decline.The virus is blamed for more than 5.7 million confirmed infections and about 178,000 deaths in the U.S. Worldwide, the death toll is put at more than 810,000, with about 23.7 million cases.Jeffrey Shaman, a public health expert at Columbia University, said he is skeptical enough people are immune to significantly slow the spread. But he agreed that changes in Americans’ behavior could well be making a difference, recalling the impact that people’s actions had in containing Ebola in West Africa several years ago.“Ebola stopped for reasons we didn’t anticipate at the time. It was so horrifying that people stopped touching each other,” Shaman said. Something similar may be happening with the coronavirus, he said.“I know I don’t have nearly the number of contacts that I used to,” Shaman said. “But if we relax that, if we get complacent, will we just see another outbreak?”The decline in newly reported cases in the U.S. comes even as deaths from the virus remain alarmingly high. Over the past two weeks, officials have reported an average of 965 deaths a day from COVID-19, down from 1,051 a day in early August.Deaths from the coronavirus are a lagging indicator — they trail new infections because of the time it takes for people to get sick and succumb to the disease.The percentage of tests coming back positive for the disease has also declined over the past two weeks, from 7.3% to 6.1%. But that comes as the total number of tests administered has fallen from its August peak of more than 820,000 a day, leveling off in recent weeks at about 690,000 a day.The situation has improved dramatically in several states that struggled with high caseloads earlier this summer.In Arizona, for example, officials reported 859 new cases Tuesday, down from a peak of 5,500 in late June. More than 2,000 people arrived at the state’s hospitals showing symptoms of the virus on a single day in early July. This week, that number has been less than 1,000.In Florida, where more than 10,000 people have died, the state reported 2,600 new virus cases Tuesday. Earlier in the summer, it was regularly reporting more than 10,000 new cases.Malinda Coler, 37, of San Francisco, said she has been diligent about mask wearing and other preventive measures, less to protect herself than a best friend who has a compromised immune system, with severe arthritis psoriasis.“So I wear a damned mask and get infuriated when others don’t,” she said.Most states now have some type of mask requirement, either through statewide orders issued by governors or from city and county rules that cover most of their population.Even some conservative governors have gone along with masks. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves mandated masks in all public places earlier this month, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp dropped a lawsuit against Atlanta in a dispute over a requirement by the state’s largest city.In Leeds, Alabama, Will Heath said he has seen greater adherence to mask rules around town, whether in stores or at his 5-year-old daughter’s cheerleading practice.He and his wife, a nurse, have worn masks all along but said the attitude among others has shifted from “Even if I get it, I’ll be OK,” to “Let’s make sure we don’t give it to somebody else.”“We have all been sort of operating under the assumption that we all have it or we’re going to get it eventually. So we want to make sure we don’t spread it,” Heath said.Many places around the U.S. are seeing pockets of contagion, especially in college towns where students are holding parties and crowding into bars.Over the past week, 531 students, faculty and staff at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa have tested positive for the virus, according to the school. Alabama said it tested nearly 30,000 students before classes began. The mayor of Tuscaloosa shut down bars for two weeks because of the spike, which could derail plans to continue the semester on campus.The university is still moving ahead with fall sports in the football-crazed state, with plans to allow only about 20,000 fans at its 101,000-capacity stadium and a ban on tailgating. Coach Nick Saban weighed in on the virus Monday, urging people to wear masks.“It’s not just about football. So, for people to make the right choices and decisions to wear their masks, do the things when they’re out publicly, respect the rules, respect the virus, that’s important,” he said.It’s not clear what will happen to case numbers as more school districts bring students back to classrooms and colleges reopen their campuses. In recent weeks, schools including the University of North Carolina, Michigan State and Notre Dame have moved instruction online after outbreaks on their campuses.Officials at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville said four students are facing disciplinary proceedings after three hosted off-campus parties with no mask or other distancing and another left isolation to meet with others despite testing positive for the virus.“If the facts reported to the university are accurate, these students will face at least suspension from the university, and potentially greater penalties,” Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote.___

New virus cases decline in the US and experts credit masks

STANTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 7p.m. Tuesday in Stanton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford F150 driven by&nbsp; Abigail Licon-Hernandez, 28, Johnson, was southbound on Elm Street in Johnson City. 

The driver pulled to the left side of the roadway to talk to the owners at 103 N Elm Street from the drivers seat of the pickup.&nbsp; When she left, she did not observe 6-year-old Matthew J.&nbsp;Pantoja of Johnson in front of the vehicle on a bike. 

The drivers side front tire of the pickup struck the boy. EMS transported him to the Stanton County Hospital where he died.&nbsp;

STANTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 7p.m. Tuesday in Stanton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford F150 driven by&nbsp; Abigail Licon-Hernandez, 28, Johnson, was southbound on Elm Street in Johnson City. The driver pulled to the left side of the roadway to talk to the owners at 103 N Elm Street from the drivers seat of the pickup.&nbsp; When she left, she did not observe 6-year-old Matthew J.&nbsp;Pantoja of Johnson in front of the vehicle on a bike. The drivers side front tire of the pickup struck the boy. EMS transported him to the Stanton County Hospital where he died.&nbsp;The KHP released no additional details.

Pickup strikes, kills 6-year-old Kansas boy riding a bike

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A second suspect is charged in the shooting death of a Wichita teenager in May at a Wichita apartment complex. 

Twenty-two-year-old Nathaniel Saunders appeared in court Tuesday, where he was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery charges in the death of 17-year-old Marcus Sain, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

A second person was seriously injured in the shooting, which police say occurred during a drug deal. 

Another suspect, 22-year-old Malcolm Ganther, was charged in May with first-degree murder and aggravated battery. 

Prosecutors say the two victims were in Ganther’s vehicle when a disturbance broke out. Saunders is accused of getting out of the vehicle and firing several shots at the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598393802179.png" alt="Saunders" />
 <figcaption>Saunders</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A second suspect is charged in the shooting death of a Wichita teenager in May at a Wichita apartment complex. Twenty-two-year-old Nathaniel Saunders appeared in court Tuesday, where he was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery charges in the death of 17-year-old Marcus Sain, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.A second person was seriously injured in the shooting, which police say occurred during a drug deal. Another suspect, 22-year-old Malcolm Ganther, was charged in May with first-degree murder and aggravated battery. Prosecutors say the two victims were in Ganther’s vehicle when a disturbance broke out. Saunders is accused of getting out of the vehicle and firing several shots at the victims.

Second man charged in drug deal death of Kan. teen

This story corrects an earlier version from the Associated Press that said Poor had been fired

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — An associate professor at the University of Missouri says he was “relieved of teaching duties” after an online class exchange in which he said to a student from Wuhan, China, “Well, let me get my mask on.”

Joel Poor sent a notification to students Monday saying, “Today I was relieved of teaching duties, I apologize for any disruption this might cause you.”

But university spokesman Christian Basi said Tuesday that Poor was not fired and remains an employee, but has been “assigned to other duties.”

<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/mu-professor-relieved-of-teaching-duties-after-alleged-xenophobic-comment/article_7580188c-e65b-11ea-8e71-5f44e4f32283.html">The Columbia Missourian</a>&nbsp;reported that Poor was leading an online marketing class. In a video posted on Twitter, he asks if any students are from outside the U.S. A student says he is from China.

“I’ve heard of China,” Poor says, asking where the student is from in China.

“Wuhan? Well, let me get my mask on,” Poor says with a slight laugh.

Poor later apologized in an email and said the reference was meant as a joke. But many students replied to the tweet that they found the comment racist and xenophobic.

Basi said the comment was reported to the university's Office of Civil Rights and Title IX for investigation. He said Poor “will be provided due process.”

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — An associate professor at the University of Missouri has been fired after an online class exchange in which he responded to a student who said he was from Wuhan, China, “Let me get my mask on.”

Joel Poor was relieved of his teaching duties on Monday after the comment was posted on Twitter.

<a href="https://business.missouri.edu/departments-faculty/people-directory/joel-poor">Poor was leading an online </a>marketing class. In the video, he asks if any students are from outside the U.S. A student says he is from China.

Poor apologized in an email and said the reference was meant as a joke. But many students replied to the tweet that they found the comment racist and xenophobic.

A university spokesman said the comment was reported to the university’s Office of Civil Rights and Title IX for investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598372603522.png" alt="Joel Poor-photo University of Missouri" />
 <figcaption>Joel Poor-photo University of Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>This story corrects an earlier version from the Associated Press that said Poor had been firedCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — An associate professor at the University of Missouri says he was “relieved of teaching duties” after an online class exchange in which he said to a student from Wuhan, China, “Well, let me get my mask on.”Joel Poor sent a notification to students Monday saying, “Today I was relieved of teaching duties, I apologize for any disruption this might cause you.”But university spokesman Christian Basi said Tuesday that Poor was not fired and remains an employee, but has been “assigned to other duties.”<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/mu-professor-relieved-of-teaching-duties-after-alleged-xenophobic-comment/article_7580188c-e65b-11ea-8e71-5f44e4f32283.html">The Columbia Missourian</a>&nbsp;reported that Poor was leading an online marketing class. In a video posted on Twitter, he asks if any students are from outside the U.S. A student says he is from China.“I’ve heard of China,” Poor says, asking where the student is from in China.“Actually, Wuhan,” the student said.“Wuhan? Well, let me get my mask on,” Poor says with a slight laugh.Poor later apologized in an email and said the reference was meant as a joke. But many students replied to the tweet that they found the comment racist and xenophobic.Basi said the comment was reported to the university's Office of Civil Rights and Title IX for investigation. He said Poor “will be provided due process.”---------COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — An associate professor at the University of Missouri has been fired after an online class exchange in which he responded to a student who said he was from Wuhan, China, “Let me get my mask on.”Joel Poor was relieved of his teaching duties on Monday after the comment was posted on Twitter.<a href="https://business.missouri.edu/departments-faculty/people-directory/joel-poor">Poor was leading an online </a>marketing class. In the video, he asks if any students are from outside the U.S. A student says he is from China.“I’ve heard of China,” Poor says, asking where the student is from in China.“Actually, Wuhan,” the student said.“Wuhan? Well, let me get my mask on,” Poor says with a slight laugh.Poor apologized in an email and said the reference was meant as a joke. But many students replied to the tweet that they found the comment racist and xenophobic.A university spokesman said the comment was reported to the university’s Office of Civil Rights and Title IX for investigation.

Professor's comment to Wuhan student draws backlash

COWLEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities arrested a Kansas man after he allegedly brandished a knife outside a local store.

Just before 2p.m. August 22, police were dispatched to the parking lot of Walmart Supercenter, 2701 N. Summit Street in Arkansas City for a report of a disturbance involving a knife.

Police made contact with the victim, a 21-year-old Winfield man, and several witnesses, who reported the incident started after one of the parties honked his car horn at the other driver on Summit Street.

One of the drivers pulled his vehicle into the Walmart parking lot and parked it. Upon exiting the vehicle, the suspect later identified as&nbsp; 29-year-old Eric Carter Rogers allegedly became confrontational with the victim and pushed him.

Rogers then allegedly displayed a large knife and began yelling at the victim. 

Police located Rogers inside Walmart and took him into custody without incident on requested charges of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor battery. He was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $10,750

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598302152572.png" alt="Rogers-photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Rogers-photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities arrested a Kansas man after he allegedly brandished a knife outside a local store.Just before 2p.m. August 22, police were dispatched to the parking lot of Walmart Supercenter, 2701 N. Summit Street in Arkansas City for a report of a disturbance involving a knife.Police made contact with the victim, a 21-year-old Winfield man, and several witnesses, who reported the incident started after one of the parties honked his car horn at the other driver on Summit Street.One of the drivers pulled his vehicle into the Walmart parking lot and parked it. Upon exiting the vehicle, the suspect later identified as&nbsp; 29-year-old Eric Carter Rogers allegedly became confrontational with the victim and pushed him.Rogers then allegedly displayed a large knife and began yelling at the victim. Police located Rogers inside Walmart and took him into custody without incident on requested charges of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor battery. He was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $10,750