KANSAS CITY (AP) — Jackson County Executive Frank White plans to ask county officials to remove statues of Andrew Jackson that stand in front of two county courthouses.

White issued a statement about the statues late Thursday, shortly after two men were arrested when the Jackson statue in front of the county courthouse in Kansas City was vandalized.

The statue was spray-painted with expletives and the words “Slave Owner.” The vandalism comes as statues of historic figures have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/810a6cb13ce6cdbde5b534661c5f2da6">defaced and torn down&nbsp;</a>across the country during demonstrations against racial injustice.

People who come to the courthouses in Kansas City and Independence are greeted by statues honoring a man who was a slave owner, opposed abolishing slavery and forced thousands of Native Americans off their land so white settlers could move in, White said.

“As long as these statues remain, our words about fairness, justice and equality will continue to ring hollow for many we serve,” White said.

White plans to ask the Jackson County Legislature to form a committee and hold public hearings to discuss removing the statues.

“I welcome the opportunity to work with the Legislature and fellow elected officials to find a better home for these statues where their history can be put into the appropriate context for us to learn from, but I am convinced that home is not in front of our courthouses,” White said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593276153738.png" alt="photo courtesy KSHB TV" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy KSHB TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Jackson County Executive Frank White plans to ask county officials to remove statues of Andrew Jackson that stand in front of two county courthouses.White issued a statement about the statues late Thursday, shortly after two men were arrested when the Jackson statue in front of the county courthouse in Kansas City was vandalized.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1568842075232.png" alt="Jackson County Executive Frank White" />
 <figcaption>Jackson County Executive Frank White</figcaption>
 </figure>The statue was spray-painted with expletives and the words “Slave Owner.” The vandalism comes as statues of historic figures have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/810a6cb13ce6cdbde5b534661c5f2da6">defaced and torn down&nbsp;</a>across the country during demonstrations against racial injustice.People who come to the courthouses in Kansas City and Independence are greeted by statues honoring a man who was a slave owner, opposed abolishing slavery and forced thousands of Native Americans off their land so white settlers could move in, White said.“As long as these statues remain, our words about fairness, justice and equality will continue to ring hollow for many we serve,” White said.White plans to ask the Jackson County Legislature to form a committee and hold public hearings to discuss removing the statues.“I welcome the opportunity to work with the Legislature and fellow elected officials to find a better home for these statues where their history can be put into the appropriate context for us to learn from, but I am convinced that home is not in front of our courthouses,” White said.

County leader wants Jackson statues removed from courthouses

By PEGGY LOWE <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-06-23/wyandotte-county-da-says-task-force-snub-wasnt-racist-but-hes-still-fighting-good-old-boy-traditions">Kansas News Service</a>

Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree, the first 
African-American district attorney ever elected in Kansas, said Tuesday 
that he was shocked to learn he was the only law enforcement official 
left off a newly-formed county police community board.

He doesn’t 
think the move by Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor David Alvey was racist, but
 Dupree said he and Alvey certainly have different philosophies.

“I
 do not believe that the mayor intended, nor had any ill will on not 
putting me on there, specifically concerning my race,” Dupree told <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2020-06-23/wyandotte-county-district-attorney-america-what-went-wrong" target="_blank">KCUR’s “Up To Date.”</a>

Dupree
 said he commended Alvey for doing something amid ongoing calls for 
police reform and social justice locally and around the nation, but he 
hopes the task force will communicate with him moving forward.

“Because
 as the chief law enforcement official in the county, it’s my ball 
park,” he said. “And so we’re going to have to deal with the criminal 
justice systemic racism issues.”

Alvey <a href="https://www.wycokck.org/News-and-Events/News/Wyco-Task-Force-on-Community-and-Police-Relations.aspx" target="_blank">announced the Task Force on Community and Police Relations</a>
 on June 8, saying he wanted to “advance the dialogue” between African 
American and Hispanic communities and law enforcement in the county.

The
 10-member task force includes Kansas City, Kansas, Interim Police Chief
 Michael York and Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash, who are both white. 
The panel is co-chaired by Alvey, who is white, and Wyandotte County 
Commissioner Harold Johnson, who is black.

Alvey defended his 
decision on Tuesday, saying he created the commission to host 
conversations between the community and law enforcement. There are four 
people of color on the commission so the community will be 
well-represented, he said.

“This in no way excludes the voice of 
the district attorney or the things he wants to advocate for,” Alvey 
said. “In fact, it just actually preserves his ability to advocate for 
those things.”

York and Ash will be able to hear stories about 
interactions with police from the community and then they are in the 
position to take immediate action on changing things, Alvey said. 

Dupree will soon be asked to speak to the task force, Alvey said.

Since
 taking over the district attorney’s office in 2017, Dupree said he’s 
been trying to change the “good old boy traditions,” like passing a 
noose around the office when a prosecutor’s case went to a hung jury. 
That showed a lack of “cultural education,” Dupree said, so he 
instituted implicit bias training.

“I'm an advocate for getting 
rid of those good old boy traditions, those good old boy thought 
processes and making sure that justice and our constitutional rights 
apply to every person, regardless of race and ethnicity,” he said.

Former DA Jerome Gorman didn't return a call seeking comment. 

Dupree
 recently renamed his Conviction Integrity Unit to the Community 
Integrity Unit, saying he wanted complaints from the entire community. 

Dupree <a href="https://www.kcur.org/community/2017-11-10/prosecutor-wants-probe-of-kck-detective-in-wrongful-conviction" target="_blank">announced the unit in 2017</a>,
 after Lamonte McIntyre was exonerated. McIntyre spent 23 years in 
prison after being framed for murder by Kansas City, Kansas, police 
officer Roger Golubski.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is looking into the case.

In March, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-03-03/judge-allows-wrongfully-convicted-lamonte-mcintyres-civil-case-against-wyandotte-county-to-proceed" target="_blank">a federal judge allowed a case</a>
 filed by McIntyre and his mother to proceed. The state of Kansas 
awarded McIntyre $1.55 million earlier this year for his wrongful 
imprisonment.

At least one case has come from the unit, Dupree said. Olin P. Coones, a Kansas City, Kansas, man, is also seeking <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article239945523.html" target="_blank">his 2009 murder conviction overturned.</a>

Peggy Lowe is a veteran investigative reporter based at KCUR, NPR’s member station in Kansas City. She also serves as a correspondent for Marketplace, public media’s national business show.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593011484204.png" alt="About 200 people showed up at a Black Lives Matter protest on May 31 in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, and prayed for peace. Laura Ziegler / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>About 200 people showed up at a Black Lives Matter protest on May 31 in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, and prayed for peace. Laura Ziegler / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By PEGGY LOWE <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-06-23/wyandotte-county-da-says-task-force-snub-wasnt-racist-but-hes-still-fighting-good-old-boy-traditions">Kansas News Service</a>Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree, the first 
African-American district attorney ever elected in Kansas, said Tuesday 
that he was shocked to learn he was the only law enforcement official 
left off a newly-formed county police community board.He doesn’t 
think the move by Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor David Alvey was racist, but
 Dupree said he and Alvey certainly have different philosophies.“I
 do not believe that the mayor intended, nor had any ill will on not 
putting me on there, specifically concerning my race,” Dupree told <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2020-06-23/wyandotte-county-district-attorney-america-what-went-wrong" target="_blank">KCUR’s “Up To Date.”</a> Dupree
 said he commended Alvey for doing something amid ongoing calls for 
police reform and social justice locally and around the nation, but he 
hopes the task force will communicate with him moving forward.“Because
 as the chief law enforcement official in the county, it’s my ball 
park,” he said. “And so we’re going to have to deal with the criminal 
justice systemic racism issues.”Alvey <a href="https://www.wycokck.org/News-and-Events/News/Wyco-Task-Force-on-Community-and-Police-Relations.aspx" target="_blank">announced the Task Force on Community and Police Relations</a>
 on June 8, saying he wanted to “advance the dialogue” between African 
American and Hispanic communities and law enforcement in the county.The
 10-member task force includes Kansas City, Kansas, Interim Police Chief
 Michael York and Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash, who are both white. 
The panel is co-chaired by Alvey, who is white, and Wyandotte County 
Commissioner Harold Johnson, who is black.Alvey defended his 
decision on Tuesday, saying he created the commission to host 
conversations between the community and law enforcement. There are four 
people of color on the commission so the community will be 
well-represented, he said.“This in no way excludes the voice of 
the district attorney or the things he wants to advocate for,” Alvey 
said. “In fact, it just actually preserves his ability to advocate for 
those things.”York and Ash will be able to hear stories about 
interactions with police from the community and then they are in the 
position to take immediate action on changing things, Alvey said. Dupree will soon be asked to speak to the task force, Alvey said.Since
 taking over the district attorney’s office in 2017, Dupree said he’s 
been trying to change the “good old boy traditions,” like passing a 
noose around the office when a prosecutor’s case went to a hung jury. 
That showed a lack of “cultural education,” Dupree said, so he 
instituted implicit bias training.“I'm an advocate for getting 
rid of those good old boy traditions, those good old boy thought 
processes and making sure that justice and our constitutional rights 
apply to every person, regardless of race and ethnicity,” he said.Former DA Jerome Gorman didn't return a call seeking comment. Dupree
 recently renamed his Conviction Integrity Unit to the Community 
Integrity Unit, saying he wanted complaints from the entire community. Dupree <a href="https://www.kcur.org/community/2017-11-10/prosecutor-wants-probe-of-kck-detective-in-wrongful-conviction" target="_blank">announced the unit in 2017</a>,
 after Lamonte McIntyre was exonerated. McIntyre spent 23 years in 
prison after being framed for murder by Kansas City, Kansas, police 
officer Roger Golubski. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is looking into the case.In March, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-03-03/judge-allows-wrongfully-convicted-lamonte-mcintyres-civil-case-against-wyandotte-county-to-proceed" target="_blank">a federal judge allowed a case</a>
 filed by McIntyre and his mother to proceed. The state of Kansas 
awarded McIntyre $1.55 million earlier this year for his wrongful 
imprisonment.At least one case has come from the unit, Dupree said. Olin P. Coones, a Kansas City, Kansas, man, is also seeking <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article239945523.html" target="_blank">his 2009 murder conviction overturned.</a>Peggy Lowe is a veteran investigative reporter based at KCUR, NPR’s member station in Kansas City. She also serves as a correspondent for Marketplace, public media’s national business show.&nbsp;

Wyandotte Co. DA says he’s still fighting ‘good old boy traditions’

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two people were killed and a third person was critically inured early Saturday when a car crashed into a Kansas City building.

Police said in a news release that a witness reported seeing a Ford Mustang and another vehicle speed past around 2 a.m. before the driver of the Mustang lost control. The Mustang then went off the road and into the building.

The driver and a passenger in the back seat were pronounced dead at the scene. A front seat passenger was transported to a hospital with critical injuries.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two people were killed and a third person was critically inured early Saturday when a car crashed into a Kansas City building.Police said in a news release that a witness reported seeing a Ford Mustang and another vehicle speed past around 2 a.m. before the driver of the Mustang lost control. The Mustang then went off the road and into the building.The driver and a passenger in the back seat were pronounced dead at the scene. A front seat passenger was transported to a hospital with critical injuries.

Police: 2 killed when car crashes into Kansas City building

Washington (AP) —Governors in places seeing huge spikes in coronavirus infections often cite statewide data to assure the public they have plenty of hospital capacity to survive the onslaught, even as the states routinely miss the critical benchmarks to guide their pandemic response.

Public health officials and experts say the heavy reliance on statewide hospital data is a misleading and sometimes irresponsible metric to justify keeping a state open or holding back on imposing new limits.

That is because statewide statistics can be deceiving, especially in large states where individual hospitals can be in crisis mode even while the overall capacity numbers look OK.

Thomas LaVeist, dean of the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, said basing pandemic and reopening policy on statewide hospital bed capacity ”is incredibly irresponsible.”

“To cherry-pick hospital capacity and to use that one metric without the context of number of cases, number of deaths, is shocking,” LaVeist said.

The issue of hospital capacity has gained urgency across the nation this week as Florida, Texas, California, Arizona and other states reported skyrocketing case numbers. Governors have repeatedly invoked hospital capacity in arguing against new business restrictions, though the dynamic began to shift Friday when Texas and Florida clamped down on bars amid an increasingly dire situation with COVID-19.

At the first White House coronavirus briefing nearly two months Friday, Vice President Mike Pence also cited hospitalizations in discussing the outlook for the pandemic.

Two months ago, Pence said 15% of patients were being hospitalized. Now it’s about 5%. That means the health care system is better positioned to cope with a resurgence in cases, he says.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas jumped by 568, fueled in part by outbreaks in sports practices and tournaments. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday that there were now 13,538 cases, up 4.3% from Wednesday and 12% from last Friday. The state also reported three more deaths, bringing the total to 264 since the pandemic began in early March.&nbsp;

In Texas, the state health department’s website on Thursday showed 12,951 available beds, 1,320 available ICU beds, and 5,850 available ventilators. What it doesn’t break down is how bleak the situation is in some particular places, including Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city. Hospital beds in Houston are filling so fast that Texas Children’s Hospital is starting to treat adult patients, and 97% of ICU beds at Texas Medical Center were in use.

In Miami, Homestead Hospital confirmed Tuesday it was at capacity. The hospital was transferring patients to other hospitals and preparing to convert regular beds to beds for ICU and acute care patients, if needed.

In Arizona, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has declined to impose new restrictions on business activity or a stay-at-home order, repeatedly citing ample capacity in the state’s hospitals as the reason he is comfortable staying open.

“That’s what’s most important when there’s a rise in cases,” Ducey said earlier this month.

Ducey has condemned as “misinformation” the notion that hospital space is running short, even as state data shows that 85% of Arizona’s hospital beds are occupied. Arizona has about 2,500 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

At the same time, the state is badly missing the mark on the benchmarks established by the White House task force to guide the reopening of the economy, with 23 percent of COVID-19 tests coming back positive in the past week in Arizona.

The task force does not include statewide hospitalizations as part of its criteria that states are supposed to meet before reopening. Those criteria include a downward trajectory of cases within a two-week period. They also specify that hospitals should have enough intensive care unit capacity to treat a surge in patients and should have a robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including virus antibody testing.

Dr. Joseph Gerald, associate professor of public health policy and management at the University of Arizona, said that if the trend continues, cases will likely exceed statewide hospital bed capacity within the next several weeks.

California has broken several of its own daily records for the number of positive tests and hospitalizations have risen by more than 30 percent in the past two weeks. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has sounded an upbeat tone in recent days about hospital capacity but changed his tune somewhat on Friday, saying he wants a Southern California county that borders Mexico to consider a stay-home order again.

Dr. Colleen Kraft, associate chief medical officer at Emory Hospital in Atlanta and a member of Georgia’s coronavirus task force, said regional hospital bed capacity would be a better metric than statewide capacity. She lamented that the pandemic has seemingly devolved into a “political situation.”

“As someone who came into medicine to serve people, it’s difficult to watch,” Kraft said.

Robyn Gershon, a professor and public health expert at New York University, called using statewide hospital bed capacity to guide policy “completely unethical.”

’’It’s unethical to say let’s just go about our business and by the way, we can handle the overflow,” Gershon said. “A better measure is the 14-day and seven-day case infection rate. That’s what’s telling us what’s going on right now.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593204436609.png" alt="Vice President Mike Pence and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speak during a briefing with members of the Coronavirus Task Force at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, Friday" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Mike Pence and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speak during a briefing with members of the Coronavirus Task Force at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM SALTER and LINDSEY TANNERWashington (AP) —Governors in places seeing huge spikes in coronavirus infections often cite statewide data to assure the public they have plenty of hospital capacity to survive the onslaught, even as the states routinely miss the critical benchmarks to guide their pandemic response.Public health officials and experts say the heavy reliance on statewide hospital data is a misleading and sometimes irresponsible metric to justify keeping a state open or holding back on imposing new limits.That is because statewide statistics can be deceiving, especially in large states where individual hospitals can be in crisis mode even while the overall capacity numbers look OK.Thomas LaVeist, dean of the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, said basing pandemic and reopening policy on statewide hospital bed capacity ”is incredibly irresponsible.”“To cherry-pick hospital capacity and to use that one metric without the context of number of cases, number of deaths, is shocking,” LaVeist said.The issue of hospital capacity has gained urgency across the nation this week as Florida, Texas, California, Arizona and other states reported skyrocketing case numbers. Governors have repeatedly invoked hospital capacity in arguing against new business restrictions, though the dynamic began to shift Friday when Texas and Florida clamped down on bars amid an increasingly dire situation with COVID-19.At the first White House coronavirus briefing nearly two months Friday, Vice President Mike Pence also cited hospitalizations in discussing the outlook for the pandemic.Two months ago, Pence said 15% of patients were being hospitalized. Now it’s about 5%. That means the health care system is better positioned to cope with a resurgence in cases, he says.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas jumped by 568, fueled in part by outbreaks in sports practices and tournaments. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday that there were now 13,538 cases, up 4.3% from Wednesday and 12% from last Friday. The state also reported three more deaths, bringing the total to 264 since the pandemic began in early March.&nbsp;In Texas, the state health department’s website on Thursday showed 12,951 available beds, 1,320 available ICU beds, and 5,850 available ventilators. What it doesn’t break down is how bleak the situation is in some particular places, including Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city. Hospital beds in Houston are filling so fast that Texas Children’s Hospital is starting to treat adult patients, and 97% of ICU beds at Texas Medical Center were in use.In Miami, Homestead Hospital confirmed Tuesday it was at capacity. The hospital was transferring patients to other hospitals and preparing to convert regular beds to beds for ICU and acute care patients, if needed.In Arizona, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has declined to impose new restrictions on business activity or a stay-at-home order, repeatedly citing ample capacity in the state’s hospitals as the reason he is comfortable staying open.“That’s what’s most important when there’s a rise in cases,” Ducey said earlier this month.Ducey has condemned as “misinformation” the notion that hospital space is running short, even as state data shows that 85% of Arizona’s hospital beds are occupied. Arizona has about 2,500 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.At the same time, the state is badly missing the mark on the benchmarks established by the White House task force to guide the reopening of the economy, with 23 percent of COVID-19 tests coming back positive in the past week in Arizona.The task force does not include statewide hospitalizations as part of its criteria that states are supposed to meet before reopening. Those criteria include a downward trajectory of cases within a two-week period. They also specify that hospitals should have enough intensive care unit capacity to treat a surge in patients and should have a robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including virus antibody testing.Dr. Joseph Gerald, associate professor of public health policy and management at the University of Arizona, said that if the trend continues, cases will likely exceed statewide hospital bed capacity within the next several weeks.California has broken several of its own daily records for the number of positive tests and hospitalizations have risen by more than 30 percent in the past two weeks. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has sounded an upbeat tone in recent days about hospital capacity but changed his tune somewhat on Friday, saying he wants a Southern California county that borders Mexico to consider a stay-home order again.Dr. Colleen Kraft, associate chief medical officer at Emory Hospital in Atlanta and a member of Georgia’s coronavirus task force, said regional hospital bed capacity would be a better metric than statewide capacity. She lamented that the pandemic has seemingly devolved into a “political situation.”“As someone who came into medicine to serve people, it’s difficult to watch,” Kraft said.Robyn Gershon, a professor and public health expert at New York University, called using statewide hospital bed capacity to guide policy “completely unethical.”’’It’s unethical to say let’s just go about our business and by the way, we can handle the overflow,” Gershon said. “A better measure is the 14-day and seven-day case infection rate. That’s what’s telling us what’s going on right now.”—-

As virus grows, governors rely on misleading hospital data

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Democratic governor is locked in a new partisan dispute with the Republican-controlled Legislature over her plan to largely paper over a massive budget shortfall tied to the coronavirus pandemic with short-term accounting moves.

Republican legislative leaders argued Friday that measures that Gov. Laura Kelly’s budget director outlined to balance the next budget merely push most of the state’s financial problems off a year — and back into the Legislature’s lap. The plan avoids cuts for public schools, social services and highway projects.

The dispute came to a head this week when Kelly asked legislative leaders for permission to move $900 million into Kansas’ main bank account from other government accounts so that the state can keep meeting its payroll and making payments to public schools on time. It’s been a routine practice over the past two decades, necessary because tax collections aren’t steady, causing the state’s main bank account to become periodically short of funds.

Kelly met with legislative leaders Thursday afternoon to get their permission for moving the funds, but top Republicans refused, seeking a few more days to review her budget plan. A miffed Kelly immediately called another meeting for Friday morning and obtained their approval — after GOP leaders excoriated her as she sat without responding.

“The plan that you gave us passes the buck,” Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and vocal Kelly critic told the governor. “You are refusing to lead.”

GOP leaders said Kelly needs to cut spending more aggressively but haven’t outlined their own plan. Wagle suggested across-the-board cuts would be necessary.

The back-and-forth showed that partisan rancor over the budget is all but certain to continue into next year. Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9c6cd7daa615420690d105cca7b42987" target="_blank">advocated a bipartisan approach</a>&nbsp;to governing when she took office in January 2019, but she and GOP leaders have scrapped regularly, particularly over her response to the coronavirus pandemic.

After Thursday’s GOP rebuff, Kelly accused top Republicans of endangering the state’s pandemic response and its future. After Friday’s meeting, Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, suggested GOP leaders wanted to score “gotcha points.”

Kansas law gives the governor broad power to revise the budget to head off a shortfall when the part-time Legislature is not in session. Republican leaders had projections from their staff Friday showing that pushing off the state’s financial problems another year causes them to snowball, making lawmakers’ budget work tougher when they reconvene in January.

The state is facing a projected shortfall of between $600 million and $700 million, or between $7.5 and $9%, for the 2021 fiscal year that begins July 1. State officials in April slashed projections for tax collections because of the economic slowdown from the coronavirus pandemic.

Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a5e30a0ec7a5943ada9f03af22ee1970">lifted statewide restrictions</a>&nbsp;on businesses and public gatherings May 26, after weeks of complaints from Republican lawmakers that she was moving too slowly to reopen the economy. Rules were left to the state’s 105 counties, and Kansas has seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5ed8a22e48d5727150487e91875fa848">a recent spike</a>&nbsp;in reported coronavirus cases.

The governor said after Friday’s meeting that she’s trying to avoid damaging public schools, roads and services. She has repeatedly irritated GOP lawmakers by arguing that former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback crippled state government with a now-reversed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">experiment</a>&nbsp;in cutting income taxes in 2012 and 2013 that was followed by persistent budget woes.

“When we come out of this, I want to make sure that the foundation is still in place for us to grow,” Kelly said.

Kelly and fellow Democrats also hope Congress will approve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d28bbaf0b97756b255b3a6fce561551a">coronavirus relief funding&nbsp;</a>to help state and local governments with budget problems. Republicans in Kansas and Washington have criticized that idea.

“We may be talking about a problem here that won’t be as large a problem as foreseen,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat.

Kelly’s budget-balancing plan does include $40 million in unspecified spending cuts and pares back spending increases in multiple agencies, though her budget director said the trimming shouldn’t restrict operations.

Among other accounting moves, the plan would delay repaying $264 million in interest-free internal borrowing used to cover past budget holes. A law enacted this year says half that amount must be paid Tuesday, and Republicans questioned whether skipping the loan repayment is legal.

“It’s not really addressing a lot of issues that we know we’re facing,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Kansas City-area Republican.

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Democratic governor is locked in a new partisan dispute with the Republican-controlled Legislature over her plan to largely paper over a massive budget shortfall tied to the coronavirus pandemic with short-term accounting moves.Republican legislative leaders argued Friday that measures that Gov. Laura Kelly’s budget director outlined to balance the next budget merely push most of the state’s financial problems off a year — and back into the Legislature’s lap. The plan avoids cuts for public schools, social services and highway projects.The dispute came to a head this week when Kelly asked legislative leaders for permission to move $900 million into Kansas’ main bank account from other government accounts so that the state can keep meeting its payroll and making payments to public schools on time. It’s been a routine practice over the past two decades, necessary because tax collections aren’t steady, causing the state’s main bank account to become periodically short of funds.Kelly met with legislative leaders Thursday afternoon to get their permission for moving the funds, but top Republicans refused, seeking a few more days to review her budget plan. A miffed Kelly immediately called another meeting for Friday morning and obtained their approval — after GOP leaders excoriated her as she sat without responding.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1570012484923.png" alt="Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle</figcaption>
 </figure>“The plan that you gave us passes the buck,” Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and vocal Kelly critic told the governor. “You are refusing to lead.”GOP leaders said Kelly needs to cut spending more aggressively but haven’t outlined their own plan. Wagle suggested across-the-board cuts would be necessary.The back-and-forth showed that partisan rancor over the budget is all but certain to continue into next year. Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9c6cd7daa615420690d105cca7b42987" target="_blank">advocated a bipartisan approach</a>&nbsp;to governing when she took office in January 2019, but she and GOP leaders have scrapped regularly, particularly over her response to the coronavirus pandemic.After Thursday’s GOP rebuff, Kelly accused top Republicans of endangering the state’s pandemic response and its future. After Friday’s meeting, Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, suggested GOP leaders wanted to score “gotcha points.”Kansas law gives the governor broad power to revise the budget to head off a shortfall when the part-time Legislature is not in session. Republican leaders had projections from their staff Friday showing that pushing off the state’s financial problems another year causes them to snowball, making lawmakers’ budget work tougher when they reconvene in January.The state is facing a projected shortfall of between $600 million and $700 million, or between $7.5 and $9%, for the 2021 fiscal year that begins July 1. State officials in April slashed projections for tax collections because of the economic slowdown from the coronavirus pandemic.Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a5e30a0ec7a5943ada9f03af22ee1970">lifted statewide restrictions</a>&nbsp;on businesses and public gatherings May 26, after weeks of complaints from Republican lawmakers that she was moving too slowly to reopen the economy. Rules were left to the state’s 105 counties, and Kansas has seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5ed8a22e48d5727150487e91875fa848">a recent spike</a>&nbsp;in reported coronavirus cases.The governor said after Friday’s meeting that she’s trying to avoid damaging public schools, roads and services. She has repeatedly irritated GOP lawmakers by arguing that former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback crippled state government with a now-reversed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">experiment</a>&nbsp;in cutting income taxes in 2012 and 2013 that was followed by persistent budget woes.“When we come out of this, I want to make sure that the foundation is still in place for us to grow,” Kelly said.Kelly and fellow Democrats also hope Congress will approve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d28bbaf0b97756b255b3a6fce561551a">coronavirus relief funding&nbsp;</a>to help state and local governments with budget problems. Republicans in Kansas and Washington have criticized that idea.“We may be talking about a problem here that won’t be as large a problem as foreseen,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat.Kelly’s budget-balancing plan does include $40 million in unspecified spending cuts and pares back spending increases in multiple agencies, though her budget director said the trimming shouldn’t restrict operations.Among other accounting moves, the plan would delay repaying $264 million in interest-free internal borrowing used to cover past budget holes. A law enacted this year says half that amount must be paid Tuesday, and Republicans questioned whether skipping the loan repayment is legal.“It’s not really addressing a lot of issues that we know we’re facing,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Kansas City-area Republican.___

Kansas governor, GOP scrap again over COVID-19 budget plan

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a drug bust.

Just before 6p.m. Friday, the Hutchison Police Department Special Operations Unit, Reno County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit and South Hutchinson Police Department a search warrant on West Bigger Street in Hutchinson, according to a media release.

Officers seized 44 balloons with each balloon containing .5 grams black tar heroin, 14 Oxycodone 30mg pills, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

They arrested Randall J. Sipes, 51, Hutchinson was arrested on requested charges of&nbsp; Possession of Heroin w/ intent to distribute, Possession of Oxycodone w/ intent to distribute, Possession of Paraphernalia w/ intent to distribute, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593253082314.jpeg" alt="Officers seized 44 balloons with each balloon containing .5 grams black tar heroin -Photo Hutchinson Police" />
 <figcaption>Officers seized 44 balloons with each balloon containing .5 grams black tar heroin -Photo Hutchinson Police</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a drug bust.Just before 6p.m. Friday, the Hutchison Police Department Special Operations Unit, Reno County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit and South Hutchinson Police Department a search warrant on West Bigger Street in Hutchinson, according to a media release.Officers seized 44 balloons with each balloon containing .5 grams black tar heroin, 14 Oxycodone 30mg pills, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593258505380.png" alt="Sipes has 2 previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Sipes has 2 previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>They arrested Randall J. Sipes, 51, Hutchinson was arrested on requested charges of&nbsp; Possession of Heroin w/ intent to distribute, Possession of Oxycodone w/ intent to distribute, Possession of Paraphernalia w/ intent to distribute, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of paraphernalia.

Police find balloons with black tar heroin during Kan. drug bust

Washington (AP)—House Democrats on Friday failed to override President Donald Trump's veto of a measure that would have reversed the Education Department's tough policy on loan forgiveness for students misled by for-profit colleges.

The House voted 238-173 in support of the override measure, coming up short of the two-thirds majority needed to send it to the Senate.

It marks a victory for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, whose policy on student loan forgiveness was in jeopardy after Congress voted to reverse it in March. It now remains in place and will take effect July 1.

A statement from the Education Department said it looks forward to implementing a rule "that protects students from fraud, treats higher education institutions fairly and protects taxpayers."

The measure Congress approved in March would have restored a 2016 rule created by the Obama administration. It was approved using the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn federal rules with a simple majority of both chambers and approval of the president.

While the original measure had bipartisan support, just six Republicans voted in favor of overriding the veto, while 172 opposed it.

In calling for the override, Democrats said DeVos' rule made it nearly impossible for cheated students to get loans canceled. They accused her of stacking the rules in favor of the for-profit college industry, which has found an ally in the Trump administration.

But Republicans said DeVos' rule is an improvement over the Obama-era policy, which they say granted loan cancellations too freely.

"Massive loan forgiveness has long been a Democrat objective, and the Obama rule was a giant leap toward that goal. One that also ignored the high cost to taxpayers," said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the ranking Republican on the House education committee.

The dispute stems from a policy known as borrower defense to repayment, which allows borrowers to get their federal student loans erased if their colleges made false claims to get them to enroll.

The rule was created in the 1990s but was expanded under President Barack Obama after the collapse of for-profit college chain Corinthian Colleges. The chain closed in 2015 after authorities found it used misleading ads to recruit students and lied about the success of its graduates.

Students could get loans forgiven under the Obama-era rule if there was evidence of significant misrepresentation or breach of contract by the college. In cases of widespread fraud, entire groups of students could get loans discharged under a single claim.

But DeVos halted the policy before it took effect, saying it had become too easy to get loans forgiven. Last year, DeVos replaced it with a new policy that she said protects taxpayers and colleges from frivolous claims.

Her rule sets a higher bar for loan relief, requiring borrowers to prove their schools knowingly misled them and caused personal financial harm. It also sets a time limit on claims, giving students up to three years after they graduate or withdraw.

Other changes include the elimination of group claims and a provision that automatically canceled loans for students who went to schools that shut down before they could graduate.

Her policy was backed by Republicans and by the for-profit college industry, which says it was unfairly targeted by the Obama administration. Democrats and consumer advocates, though, say the rule strips protections for defrauded students.

The Institute for College Access and Success on Friday said the rule will leave many defrauded students stuck repaying their loans.

"The rule creates roadblocks for defrauded students in the middle of an economic and a public health crisis, while imposing next to no consequences for the deceitful colleges," said James Kvaal, the nonprofit's president.

DeVos has faced sharp criticism from Democrats over her handling of the policy and a backlog of loan cancellation claims. In April, DeVos said she would process more than 170,000 claims as part of a settlement in a lawsuit alleging that she illegally halted the process while she rewrote the rule.

As of April 30, the agency said it has 130,000 pending claims out of 318,000 total received applications.

DeVos separately changed the policy to provide only partial loan relief to many students. Her update provides full discharges only if students attended programs that produce graduates with average earnings far below those of graduates at similar programs. Other students get portions of their loans erased. The Obama-era rule provided full loan forgiveness only.

Consumer groups filed a lawsuit challenging DeVos' partial relief rule in June.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593205499970.png" alt="Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during an online video announcement&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during an online video announcement&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington (AP)—House Democrats on Friday failed to override President Donald Trump's veto of a measure that would have reversed the Education Department's tough policy on loan forgiveness for students misled by for-profit colleges.The House voted 238-173 in support of the override measure, coming up short of the two-thirds majority needed to send it to the Senate.It marks a victory for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, whose policy on student loan forgiveness was in jeopardy after Congress voted to reverse it in March. It now remains in place and will take effect July 1.A statement from the Education Department said it looks forward to implementing a rule "that protects students from fraud, treats higher education institutions fairly and protects taxpayers."The measure Congress approved in March would have restored a 2016 rule created by the Obama administration. It was approved using the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn federal rules with a simple majority of both chambers and approval of the president.While the original measure had bipartisan support, just six Republicans voted in favor of overriding the veto, while 172 opposed it.In calling for the override, Democrats said DeVos' rule made it nearly impossible for cheated students to get loans canceled. They accused her of stacking the rules in favor of the for-profit college industry, which has found an ally in the Trump administration.But Republicans said DeVos' rule is an improvement over the Obama-era policy, which they say granted loan cancellations too freely."Massive loan forgiveness has long been a Democrat objective, and the Obama rule was a giant leap toward that goal. One that also ignored the high cost to taxpayers," said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the ranking Republican on the House education committee.The dispute stems from a policy known as borrower defense to repayment, which allows borrowers to get their federal student loans erased if their colleges made false claims to get them to enroll.The rule was created in the 1990s but was expanded under President Barack Obama after the collapse of for-profit college chain Corinthian Colleges. The chain closed in 2015 after authorities found it used misleading ads to recruit students and lied about the success of its graduates.Students could get loans forgiven under the Obama-era rule if there was evidence of significant misrepresentation or breach of contract by the college. In cases of widespread fraud, entire groups of students could get loans discharged under a single claim.But DeVos halted the policy before it took effect, saying it had become too easy to get loans forgiven. Last year, DeVos replaced it with a new policy that she said protects taxpayers and colleges from frivolous claims.Her rule sets a higher bar for loan relief, requiring borrowers to prove their schools knowingly misled them and caused personal financial harm. It also sets a time limit on claims, giving students up to three years after they graduate or withdraw.Other changes include the elimination of group claims and a provision that automatically canceled loans for students who went to schools that shut down before they could graduate.Her policy was backed by Republicans and by the for-profit college industry, which says it was unfairly targeted by the Obama administration. Democrats and consumer advocates, though, say the rule strips protections for defrauded students.The Institute for College Access and Success on Friday said the rule will leave many defrauded students stuck repaying their loans."The rule creates roadblocks for defrauded students in the middle of an economic and a public health crisis, while imposing next to no consequences for the deceitful colleges," said James Kvaal, the nonprofit's president.DeVos has faced sharp criticism from Democrats over her handling of the policy and a backlog of loan cancellation claims. In April, DeVos said she would process more than 170,000 claims as part of a settlement in a lawsuit alleging that she illegally halted the process while she rewrote the rule.As of April 30, the agency said it has 130,000 pending claims out of 318,000 total received applications.DeVos separately changed the policy to provide only partial loan relief to many students. Her update provides full discharges only if students attended programs that produce graduates with average earnings far below those of graduates at similar programs. Other students get portions of their loans erased. The Obama-era rule provided full loan forgiveness only.Consumer groups filed a lawsuit challenging DeVos' partial relief rule in June.

Democrats fail to override Trump veto on student loan forgiveness

SALINE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects from Indiana after a wild chase in Saline County.

Just before 3a.m. Friday, a deputy sheriff noticed a 2020 Dodge Charger with no tag in the 500 block of N. 9th Street in Salina and attempted to make a traffic stop, according Sheriff Roger&nbsp; Soldan.&nbsp;

The driver later identified as Destinee Milton-Mata, 23, Gary, Indiana., in the&nbsp; Dodge ignored the deputy, traveled north on 9th Street&nbsp; and entered Interstate 70 at speeds of 100 mph.

The chase continued traveling in both directions on Interstate 70, Interstate 135, Crawford Street,&nbsp; State Street and on Halstead Road where&nbsp; the driver turned around and traveled eastbound in the westbound lanes toward deputies who swerved to avoid a crash.

After returning to northbound Interstate 135, the Dodge traveled over a spike strip left by Salina Police.&nbsp; However, the pull rope on the strip broke and the officer was unable to retrieve the spikes before two sheriff's vehicles and a motorist's vehicle drove over them, causing multiple tire punctures, according to Soldan&nbsp; No one was injured, he added.

The chase continued north onto U.S. 81 when the Dodge exited to Kansas 143 Highway and turned west on to a gravel road where it crashed, according to Soldan.

Milton-Mata and a passenger identified as 23-year-old Stefano Childress, 31, Hammond Indiana, fled on foot. Deputies located them hiding in a field. Deputies learned the car was reported stolen in Illinois.

&nbsp;Childress, who has a prior felony conviction in Indiana is being held on requested charges of Obstruction and Possession of stolen property, according to Soldan.

Milton-Mata is being held on requested charges that include a&nbsp;registration violation, Felony flee and elude, Aggravated assault on an law enforcement officer, Obstruction, Transporting an open container, Driving while suspended and Possession of stolen property

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593194364790.png" alt="Childress&nbsp; photo Lake County Indiana Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Childress&nbsp; photo Lake County Indiana Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects from Indiana after a wild chase in Saline County.Just before 3a.m. Friday, a deputy sheriff noticed a 2020 Dodge Charger with no tag in the 500 block of N. 9th Street in Salina and attempted to make a traffic stop, according Sheriff Roger&nbsp; Soldan.&nbsp;The driver later identified as Destinee Milton-Mata, 23, Gary, Indiana., in the&nbsp; Dodge ignored the deputy, traveled north on 9th Street&nbsp; and entered Interstate 70 at speeds of 100 mph.The chase continued traveling in both directions on Interstate 70, Interstate 135, Crawford Street,&nbsp; State Street and on Halstead Road where&nbsp; the driver turned around and traveled eastbound in the westbound lanes toward deputies who swerved to avoid a crash.After returning to northbound Interstate 135, the Dodge traveled over a spike strip left by Salina Police.&nbsp; However, the pull rope on the strip broke and the officer was unable to retrieve the spikes before two sheriff's vehicles and a motorist's vehicle drove over them, causing multiple tire punctures, according to Soldan&nbsp; No one was injured, he added.The chase continued north onto U.S. 81 when the Dodge exited to Kansas 143 Highway and turned west on to a gravel road where it crashed, according to Soldan.Milton-Mata and a passenger identified as 23-year-old Stefano Childress, 31, Hammond Indiana, fled on foot. Deputies located them hiding in a field. Deputies learned the car was reported stolen in Illinois.&nbsp;Childress, who has a prior felony conviction in Indiana is being held on requested charges of Obstruction and Possession of stolen property, according to Soldan.Milton-Mata is being held on requested charges that include a&nbsp;registration violation, Felony flee and elude, Aggravated assault on an law enforcement officer, Obstruction, Transporting an open container, Driving while suspended and Possession of stolen property

Sheriff: Suspects arrested after spike strip incident on Kansas highway

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas – in consultation with Kansas City Department of Public Health Director Rex Archer, M.D. – Friday, announced the next steps in Kansas City’s COVID-19 response efforts and issued a Ninth Amended Order.

Effective Monday, June 29, all employees or visitors to any place of public accommodation must wear face coverings in an area or while performing an activity which will necessarily involve close contact or proximity to co-workers or the public where six feet of separation is not feasible. Also effective Monday, June 29, percentage capacity limits as required by Mayor Lucas’s Eighth Amended Order will be eliminated, except for taverns and bars.

“Our country’s leading health and scientific experts have indicated in no uncertain terms that mask-weari­ng is the most effective way to curb the spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Lucas. “Case numbers in Kansas City continue to rise, and we are taking all steps we can to ensure public health and safety. I know wearing masks can be uncomfortable, but this is a necessary step to ensure we can save lives and keep our economy open. We wear masks to protect our loved ones, those around us, and their loved ones.”

“We are keeping a close watch on our cases and hospitalizations, but know widespread mask-use is one essential way to slow COVID-19 and keep Kansas City businesses open,” said Dr. Archer. “It’s up to us. Let’s learn from Texas and Florida and what’s happening there now. Their mitigations and closures weren’t as quickly adopted or embraced. Now their case counts are rising at a disturbing rate and they’ve had to slow their reopening plans.”

Exceptions to the face covering requirement are as follows:

Click to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/home/showdocument?id=5225" target="_blank">Read the Order</a>&nbsp; and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19-kcmo-information-and-response/reopen">read the FAQ.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588182496457.png" alt="KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas removes his mask ahead of a press conference in April-photo courtesy city of KCMO" />
 <figcaption>KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas removes his mask ahead of a press conference in April-photo courtesy city of KCMO</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas – in consultation with Kansas City Department of Public Health Director Rex Archer, M.D. – Friday, announced the next steps in Kansas City’s COVID-19 response efforts and issued a Ninth Amended Order.Effective Monday, June 29, all employees or visitors to any place of public accommodation must wear face coverings in an area or while performing an activity which will necessarily involve close contact or proximity to co-workers or the public where six feet of separation is not feasible. Also effective Monday, June 29, percentage capacity limits as required by Mayor Lucas’s Eighth Amended Order will be eliminated, except for taverns and bars.“Our country’s leading health and scientific experts have indicated in no uncertain terms that mask-weari­ng is the most effective way to curb the spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Lucas. “Case numbers in Kansas City continue to rise, and we are taking all steps we can to ensure public health and safety. I know wearing masks can be uncomfortable, but this is a necessary step to ensure we can save lives and keep our economy open. We wear masks to protect our loved ones, those around us, and their loved ones.”“We are keeping a close watch on our cases and hospitalizations, but know widespread mask-use is one essential way to slow COVID-19 and keep Kansas City businesses open,” said Dr. Archer. “It’s up to us. Let’s learn from Texas and Florida and what’s happening there now. Their mitigations and closures weren’t as quickly adopted or embraced. Now their case counts are rising at a disturbing rate and they’ve had to slow their reopening plans.”Exceptions to the face covering requirement are as follows:<ul>
 <li>Minors, though Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance recommends that all individuals over the age of two wear masks.</li><li>People who have disabilities that:Prevent them from comfortably wearing or taking off face coverings.Prevent them from communicating while wearing face coverings.</li><li>Prevent them from comfortably wearing or taking off face coverings.</li><li>Prevent them from communicating while wearing face coverings.</li><li>People who have respiratory conditions or breathing trouble.</li><li>People who have been told by a medical, legal, or behavioral health professional not to wear face coverings.</li><li>People who are seated in a restaurant, tavern, or bar and are actively engaged in consuming food or drink while adequately distanced from other tables.</li>
 </ul>Click to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/home/showdocument?id=5225" target="_blank">Read the Order</a>&nbsp; and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19-kcmo-information-and-response/reopen">read the FAQ.</a>

Face coverings to be required indoors in Kansas City 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; detention deputy for allegedly filing a false sexual assault report against another detention deputy.

On December 28, 2016, a detention deputy reported being the victim of a sexual assault and the suspect was a detention deputy, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter during a Friday press conference.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Upon receiving the report, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office conducted a full criminal investigation.&nbsp; The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office for charging.&nbsp; No charges were filed in this case.

Subsequently, a Professional Standards investigation was conducted into this matter and both deputies received discipline for policy violations.&nbsp; The violations were not related to the sexual assault allegation.

In early 2020, the deputy, 23-year-old LeAnn Schlicher that reported the sexual assault applied to be a commissioned deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; 

Part of the hiring process is an interview with a background investigator.&nbsp; On June 23, 2020, a background investigator conducted the interview with the her.&nbsp; During the interview, she admitted to filing a false police report to detectives about the December 2016 sexual assault report.

Because making a false report is a crime, a criminal investigation was initiated on June 25, 2020, for Interference with LEO under K.S.A 21-5904, which is a felony crime.&nbsp;

Deputies booked Schlicher booked into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility on June 26, 2020 and she has been relieved of her duties, according to Easter.

Schlicher had served as a detention deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since 2015.

"Due to recent national issues being raised about law enforcement protecting their own or not investigating their own, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office believes it is important to show the Sheriff’s Office has consistently taken every report seriously and completes full investigations made against its employees.&nbsp; 

Upon receiving the December 2016 report, a criminal and internal investigation was conducted on the sexual assault claim.&nbsp; The victim of that claim has now admitted she did not tell the truth when she initially reported a felony crime had been committed.&nbsp;

Deputies are not above the law and the Sheriff’s Office will always investigate any crime with the due diligence that the public entrusts in us.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593199436618.png" alt="SCHLICHER photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>SCHLICHER photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; detention deputy for allegedly filing a false sexual assault report against another detention deputy.On December 28, 2016, a detention deputy reported being the victim of a sexual assault and the suspect was a detention deputy, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter during a Friday press conference.&nbsp;&nbsp;Upon receiving the report, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office conducted a full criminal investigation.&nbsp; The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office for charging.&nbsp; No charges were filed in this case.Subsequently, a Professional Standards investigation was conducted into this matter and both deputies received discipline for policy violations.&nbsp; The violations were not related to the sexual assault allegation.In early 2020, the deputy, 23-year-old LeAnn Schlicher that reported the sexual assault applied to be a commissioned deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; Part of the hiring process is an interview with a background investigator.&nbsp; On June 23, 2020, a background investigator conducted the interview with the her.&nbsp; During the interview, she admitted to filing a false police report to detectives about the December 2016 sexual assault report.Because making a false report is a crime, a criminal investigation was initiated on June 25, 2020, for Interference with LEO under K.S.A 21-5904, which is a felony crime.&nbsp;Deputies booked Schlicher booked into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility on June 26, 2020 and she has been relieved of her duties, according to Easter.Schlicher had served as a detention deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since 2015."Due to recent national issues being raised about law enforcement protecting their own or not investigating their own, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office believes it is important to show the Sheriff’s Office has consistently taken every report seriously and completes full investigations made against its employees.&nbsp; Upon receiving the December 2016 report, a criminal and internal investigation was conducted on the sexual assault claim.&nbsp; The victim of that claim has now admitted she did not tell the truth when she initially reported a felony crime had been committed.&nbsp;Deputies are not above the law and the Sheriff’s Office will always investigate any crime with the due diligence that the public entrusts in us.

Kansas jail deputy accused of filing false sexual assault report 

BARTON COUNTY—John Paul Zapata, who was wanted for aggravated escape from custody has been captured, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

 Zapata had been released on a furlough by order of the District Court. He failed to return at the appointed time.

Through various investigative techniques, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office detectives were able to locate him in Raymond, Kansas. The Rice County Sheriff’s office was notified, and a search warrant was obtained for a residence in Raymond. 

Just after 3p.m. Friday,&nbsp; Zapata was located and taken into custody.

He was returned to the Barton County Jail and faces additional charges of aggravated escape.

BARTON COUNTY— Law enforcement are asking the public for help to locate a suspect who is wanted for aggravated escape from custody.

On March 4, 2020 and again on May 8, 2020 the Barton County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at 260 N. Washington just north of the city of Great Bend. During the April 8 incident the Sheriff’s Office was forced to use tear gas to dislodge a subject from the residence, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The search warrants resulted in the arrest of John Paul Zapata, 34 of Great Bend. Zapata was being held in the Barton County Jail awaiting trial.

Zapata entered into a plea agreement with the court sentencing him to the Department of Corrections. Part of that plea agreement ordered the Sheriff’s Office to release Zapata on furlough “for the express purpose to get his affairs in order before being sentenced to Kansas Department of Corrections”. 

The Sheriff’s Office did not have input as to the plea agreement, according to Bellendir.

Zapata was released at 10 AM Monday as ordered by the court. The order stated Zapata was to return on June 24 at 10a.m.

 He has failed to do so. He is now wanted for aggravated escape from custody.

The Sheriff’s office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating him. Zapata has a history of resisting arrest and has been known to have firearms in his possession. 

Tattoo Abdomen, Tattoo Abdomen, Tattoo Abdomen, Tattoo Back, Tattoo Chest, TAT FACE, Tattoo Groin Area, Tattoo Left Hand Finger(s), Tattoo Left Hand, Tattoo Left Forearm, Tattoo Neck, Tattoo Right Calf, Tattoo Right Hand, Tattoo Right Forearm, Tattoo Upper Left Arm, Tattoo Upper Right Arm

(TAT NECK) - Lucky with clover on right side, Dakota on left side; (TAT UR ARM) - Beltran 3-2-98 Roses ad ribbon jesus "cross", ; (TAT RF ARM) - sleeve of skulls; (TAT R HND) - chinese symbol "strength"; (TAT UL ARM) - mom with rose, Praying hands, name "Adriana", ; (TAT LF ARM) - Bulldog tribal, Foot prints, name "Cheryl",chinese Symbol "Love", name with flames "Joshua",; (TAT L HND) - "TSI", name "AMY"; (TAT CHEST) - "JORDAN", "Miles", "Izabella"; (TAT ABDOM) - Right rib cage "cross with Heart"; (TAT ABDOM) - "Zapata"; (TAT GROIN) - "AMY"; (TAT R CALF) - 3 skulls and roses; (TAT L FGR) - "LOVE"; (TAT BACK) - tribal cross "TJ ROY" on each side of cross.; (TAT FACE) - Lower right eye "BABY J" with cross; (TAT ABDOM) - left ribcage "Raider Logo"

If anyone has information as to the whereabouts of John Paul Zapata please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593031608394.png" alt="Zapata" />
 <figcaption>Zapata</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—John Paul Zapata, who was wanted for aggravated escape from custody has been captured, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. Zapata had been released on a furlough by order of the District Court. He failed to return at the appointed time.Through various investigative techniques, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office detectives were able to locate him in Raymond, Kansas. The Rice County Sheriff’s office was notified, and a search warrant was obtained for a residence in Raymond. Just after 3p.m. Friday,&nbsp; Zapata was located and taken into custody.He was returned to the Barton County Jail and faces additional charges of aggravated escape.----------BARTON COUNTY— Law enforcement are asking the public for help to locate a suspect who is wanted for aggravated escape from custody.On March 4, 2020 and again on May 8, 2020 the Barton County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at 260 N. Washington just north of the city of Great Bend. During the April 8 incident the Sheriff’s Office was forced to use tear gas to dislodge a subject from the residence, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The search warrants resulted in the arrest of John Paul Zapata, 34 of Great Bend. Zapata was being held in the Barton County Jail awaiting trial.Zapata entered into a plea agreement with the court sentencing him to the Department of Corrections. Part of that plea agreement ordered the Sheriff’s Office to release Zapata on furlough “for the express purpose to get his affairs in order before being sentenced to Kansas Department of Corrections”. The Sheriff’s Office did not have input as to the plea agreement, according to Bellendir.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588988120890.png" alt="Zapata from an earlier arrest in Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Zapata from an earlier arrest in Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Zapata was released at 10 AM Monday as ordered by the court. The order stated Zapata was to return on June 24 at 10a.m. He has failed to do so. He is now wanted for aggravated escape from custody.The Sheriff’s office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating him. Zapata has a history of resisting arrest and has been known to have firearms in his possession. Height 5-foot-6Weight 175 lbs.Hair Black, Length Short, Partial BeardSkin Light BrownBuild SlimEyes BrownLanguage EnglishRight handedScar Left Hip(SC L HIP) - 2 scars 2 inches long eachTattoo Abdomen, Tattoo Abdomen, Tattoo Abdomen, Tattoo Back, Tattoo Chest, TAT FACE, Tattoo Groin Area, Tattoo Left Hand Finger(s), Tattoo Left Hand, Tattoo Left Forearm, Tattoo Neck, Tattoo Right Calf, Tattoo Right Hand, Tattoo Right Forearm, Tattoo Upper Left Arm, Tattoo Upper Right Arm(TAT NECK) - Lucky with clover on right side, Dakota on left side; (TAT UR ARM) - Beltran 3-2-98 Roses ad ribbon jesus "cross", ; (TAT RF ARM) - sleeve of skulls; (TAT R HND) - chinese symbol "strength"; (TAT UL ARM) - mom with rose, Praying hands, name "Adriana", ; (TAT LF ARM) - Bulldog tribal, Foot prints, name "Cheryl",chinese Symbol "Love", name with flames "Joshua",; (TAT L HND) - "TSI", name "AMY"; (TAT CHEST) - "JORDAN", "Miles", "Izabella"; (TAT ABDOM) - Right rib cage "cross with Heart"; (TAT ABDOM) - "Zapata"; (TAT GROIN) - "AMY"; (TAT R CALF) - 3 skulls and roses; (TAT L FGR) - "LOVE"; (TAT BACK) - tribal cross "TJ ROY" on each side of cross.; (TAT FACE) - Lower right eye "BABY J" with cross; (TAT ABDOM) - left ribcage "Raider Logo"If anyone has information as to the whereabouts of John Paul Zapata please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.

Sheriff: Deputies arrest Kan. man wanted for escape from custody

BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged drug distribution.

On Thursday, Sheriff’s deputies and detectives executed a search warrant at 161 SW. 10th Avenue just south of the city of Great Bend, according to sheriff Brian Bellendir.

Sheriff’s Office detectives had been working a distribution case; sales of methamphetamine were suspected at that location. 

Just after 7 AM Sheriff’s deputies made entry into the residence. Officers discovered numerous firearms, methamphetamine and evidence of distribution of drugs.

Arrested at the scene was Rick Novotny age 62 of Great Bend. Novotny was booked on charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and criminal possession of a firearm. He was being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond. 

He has since posted bond and been released, according to Bellendir.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593205874198.png" alt="Novotny" />
 <figcaption>Novotny</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged drug distribution.On Thursday, Sheriff’s deputies and detectives executed a search warrant at 161 SW. 10th Avenue just south of the city of Great Bend, according to sheriff Brian Bellendir.Sheriff’s Office detectives had been working a distribution case; sales of methamphetamine were suspected at that location. Just after 7 AM Sheriff’s deputies made entry into the residence. Officers discovered numerous firearms, methamphetamine and evidence of distribution of drugs.Arrested at the scene was Rick Novotny age 62 of Great Bend. Novotny was booked on charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and criminal possession of a firearm. He was being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond. He has since posted bond and been released, according to Bellendir.

Deputies bust alleged drug dealer near Great Bend

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of burglaries and asking the public&nbsp; for help to locate a suspect.

The burglaries involved tools and equipment taken from construction sites along the Kansas Turnpike, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Investigators believe the suspect works in construction or a traffic control related business.

Anyone with information on the suspect or the vehicle should contact the Kansas Highway Patrol

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593200327972.png" alt="Suspect photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Suspect photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of burglaries and asking the public&nbsp; for help to locate a suspect.The burglaries involved tools and equipment taken from construction sites along the Kansas Turnpike, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593200459570.png" alt="photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators believe the suspect works in construction or a traffic control related business.Anyone with information on the suspect or the vehicle should contact the Kansas Highway Patrol

KHP looking for suspect in Turnpike construction site burglaries

Topeka— The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with local public health, is encouraging people who are attending sporting tournaments to please exercise appropriate prevention measures for COVID-19 as clusters are beginning to develop and potential exposures have occurred.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Sports settings by their very nature may pose a higher risk for spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary. “Sports have athletes breathing heavy from physical exertion and spreading respiratory droplets, close contact with other players, indoor spaces where it may be difficult for individuals to remain 6 feet apart and attendees who travel from outside the local area. Because of this, it is paramount that individuals choosing to participate or attend sporting events take precautions.”&nbsp;

KDHE and local public health are currently investigating a total of four clusters connected to sports practices and tournaments across the state; the MAYB tournaments account for two of the four clusters. KDHE has confirmed that two people associated with the MAYB Boys Tournament and two people associated with the MAYB Girls Tournament have tested positive for COVID-19. People who attended these events may have been exposed and should be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19.

The tournaments were June 20 and 21 at the Hays Recreation Commission and the Wichita Sports Forum.

Anyone who attended any of these tournaments during the identified days and times should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after the last day they attended (monitoring ending July 4 or July 5). Those symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. If symptoms develop, please stay home and contact your health care provider or local health department for guidance on testing. In an emergency please call 911 and notify first responders that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 and, if possible, wear a cloth face mask before they arrive.

“Participants and spectators at these events are advised to exercise extra caution and practice social distancing, appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and wear cloth facemasks,” said Dr. Norman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590778958989.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka— The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with local public health, is encouraging people who are attending sporting tournaments to please exercise appropriate prevention measures for COVID-19 as clusters are beginning to develop and potential exposures have occurred.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Sports settings by their very nature may pose a higher risk for spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary. “Sports have athletes breathing heavy from physical exertion and spreading respiratory droplets, close contact with other players, indoor spaces where it may be difficult for individuals to remain 6 feet apart and attendees who travel from outside the local area. Because of this, it is paramount that individuals choosing to participate or attend sporting events take precautions.”&nbsp;KDHE and local public health are currently investigating a total of four clusters connected to sports practices and tournaments across the state; the MAYB tournaments account for two of the four clusters. KDHE has confirmed that two people associated with the MAYB Boys Tournament and two people associated with the MAYB Girls Tournament have tested positive for COVID-19. People who attended these events may have been exposed and should be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19.The tournaments were June 20 and 21 at the Hays Recreation Commission and the Wichita Sports Forum.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593196652624.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Anyone who attended any of these tournaments during the identified days and times should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after the last day they attended (monitoring ending July 4 or July 5). Those symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. If symptoms develop, please stay home and contact your health care provider or local health department for guidance on testing. In an emergency please call 911 and notify first responders that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 and, if possible, wear a cloth face mask before they arrive.“Participants and spectators at these events are advised to exercise extra caution and practice social distancing, appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and wear cloth facemasks,” said Dr. Norman.

KDHE: After possible exposure in Hays, Wichita, take care at tournaments

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City have arrested two men suspected of vandalizing a downtown statue of Andrew Jackson during a protest.

Officers were called to the Jackson County Courthouse around 5:30 p.m. for a report of people defacing the statue that stands outside the steps of the courthouse, police said. Jackson County is named for the 19th century U.S. president.

The statue had been spray-painted with expletives and the words “Slave Owner,” and police said responding officers saw the two men they believed were responsible from a distance. Police did not give the names of the men arrested, but said both men were 25.

The defacing of the Kansas City statue comes as protesters across the nation have defaced and torn down statues of historic figures during recent demonstrations against racial injustice.

Following the incident, Jackson County Executive Frank White issued a written statement calling for the removal of the Jackson statue, as well as an identical one that stands outside the courthouse in Independence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593205974188.png" alt="<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrew_Jackson_statue_County_Courthouse_KC_Missouri.jpg">Public domain image</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrew_Jackson_statue_County_Courthouse_KC_Missouri.jpg">Public domain image</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City have arrested two men suspected of vandalizing a downtown statue of Andrew Jackson during a protest.Officers were called to the Jackson County Courthouse around 5:30 p.m. for a report of people defacing the statue that stands outside the steps of the courthouse, police said. Jackson County is named for the 19th century U.S. president.The statue had been spray-painted with expletives and the words “Slave Owner,” and police said responding officers saw the two men they believed were responsible from a distance. Police did not give the names of the men arrested, but said both men were 25.The defacing of the Kansas City statue comes as protesters across the nation have defaced and torn down statues of historic figures during recent demonstrations against racial injustice.Following the incident, Jackson County Executive Frank White issued a written statement calling for the removal of the Jackson statue, as well as an identical one that stands outside the courthouse in Independence.

Kansas City police arrest 2 for Andrew Jackson statue damage

Kansas City (AP) — Police officers have shot a 15-year-old carjacking suspect in the arm near Kansas City after the officers were fired upon, authorities say.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe said Independence police officers were responding to an argument in an apartment complex when they heard the carjacking victim yelling for help. Lowe said officers tried to stop the driver of stolen vehicle before it crashed into fencing around the complex.

He said the 15-year-old and a 17-year-old suspect then got out of the vehicle and fired toward officers. Officers returned fired, striking the younger teen in the upper arm.

Lowe said the teens took off running and were apprehended a short time later. Lowe described the wounded teen's injury as non-life threatening.

The patrol was called to help with the investigation early Friday. Lowe said the disturbance and carjacking are not related.

No officer was injured. The names of the teens were not immediately released. The patrol said the investigation is ongoing.

Kansas City (AP) — Police officers have shot a 15-year-old carjacking suspect in the arm near Kansas City after the officers were fired upon, authorities say.Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe said Independence police officers were responding to an argument in an apartment complex when they heard the carjacking victim yelling for help. Lowe said officers tried to stop the driver of stolen vehicle before it crashed into fencing around the complex.He said the 15-year-old and a 17-year-old suspect then got out of the vehicle and fired toward officers. Officers returned fired, striking the younger teen in the upper arm.Lowe said the teens took off running and were apprehended a short time later. Lowe described the wounded teen's injury as non-life threatening.The patrol was called to help with the investigation early Friday. Lowe said the disturbance and carjacking are not related.No officer was injured. The names of the teens were not immediately released. The patrol said the investigation is ongoing.

Police wound 15-year-old accused of shooting at officers in Kansas City

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 568 to a total of 13,538, the state health department reported Friday 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 568 to a total of 13,538, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 264<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/2020/6/1593191085169.png" alt="June 26, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>June 26, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>