SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to assess damage reports after a clash with protesters in Topeka Monday night. 

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office is attempting to identify the suspect responsible for criminal damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle during the protest at the Law Enforcement Center, 320, Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

Police arrested at least five people during the violent protest, according to Topeka police department spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

Anyone with knowledge of this incident is encouraged to call the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office at 785-251-2200. Police continue to remind citizens to report any damages to TPD by calling 785-368-9551. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591276480007.png" alt="Photos courtesy Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to assess damage reports after a clash with protesters in Topeka Monday night. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591278117776.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office is attempting to identify the suspect responsible for criminal damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle during the protest at the Law Enforcement Center, 320, Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591094592476.png" alt="View of the confrontation Monday photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>View of the confrontation Monday photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police arrested at least five people during the violent protest, according to Topeka police department spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.Anyone with knowledge of this incident is encouraged to call the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office at 785-251-2200. Police continue to remind citizens to report any damages to TPD by calling 785-368-9551.

Sheriff works to ID suspect for Kansas protest march violence

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the peaceful protests that turned violent on Tuesday and made several arrests.

&nbsp;No officers were injured when police were forced to clear the unlawful assemblies.

Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, individuals began to gather at the intersection of 21st and Maize Road, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay.

 Initially, the gathering was peaceful, but the disturbances quickly escalated, leading to a physical fight in the street. As the crowd agitation continued to elevate, WPD began to clear the crowd, and bottles were thrown at officers. WPD arrested five individuals for remaining at an unlawful assembly, one individual was arrested for reckless driving, and one individual was arrested for obstruction.

WPD then learned of a gathering at 21st and Arkansas. As officers monitored the situation, bottles and rocks were thrown at them. Also, random shots started to be fired at locations around the gathering. The crowd continued to become more agitated, and multiple individuals began looting the QuikTrip store at 626 w 21st, and the windshield of a WPD patrol car was damaged.

WPD began clearing the unlawful assembly. Random shots continued to occur from various locations around the protest, and one arrest was made for remaining at an unlawful assembly and obstruction.

After the assembly was disbanded, WPD began receiving information of businesses in east Wichita being damaged. WPD began checking several locations. In doing so, WPD arrested four individuals at an east side business. After the arrest of the individuals, officers recovered evidence in their car related to the looting that occurred earlier at QT.

Police arrested 22-year-old Valenthum Ponds of Wichita on requested charges of criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, and an outstanding warrant. They also arrested 21-year-old Tyra Adair of Wichita on charges of criminal damage to property, burglary, resisting arrest, and&nbsp; an outstanding warrant.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Police arrested a 17-year-old girl for charges of burglary, theft, battery of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage to property and resisting arrest and a 15-year-old girl on charges of burglary, theft, and destruction to property.

WPD continued to receive reports of vandalism and thefts at multiple businesses throughout the city into the early morning.

“We are grateful for those who have held and helped maintain peaceful protests,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “However, criminal activity will not be tolerated, and you will be arrested. Violent acts and looting will result in jail time.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591267402416.png" alt="Adair Photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Adair Photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the peaceful protests that turned violent on Tuesday and made several arrests.&nbsp;No officers were injured when police were forced to clear the unlawful assemblies.Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, individuals began to gather at the intersection of 21st and Maize Road, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay. Initially, the gathering was peaceful, but the disturbances quickly escalated, leading to a physical fight in the street. As the crowd agitation continued to elevate, WPD began to clear the crowd, and bottles were thrown at officers. WPD arrested five individuals for remaining at an unlawful assembly, one individual was arrested for reckless driving, and one individual was arrested for obstruction.WPD then learned of a gathering at 21st and Arkansas. As officers monitored the situation, bottles and rocks were thrown at them. Also, random shots started to be fired at locations around the gathering. The crowd continued to become more agitated, and multiple individuals began looting the QuikTrip store at 626 w 21st, and the windshield of a WPD patrol car was damaged.WPD began clearing the unlawful assembly. Random shots continued to occur from various locations around the protest, and one arrest was made for remaining at an unlawful assembly and obstruction.After the assembly was disbanded, WPD began receiving information of businesses in east Wichita being damaged. WPD began checking several locations. In doing so, WPD arrested four individuals at an east side business. After the arrest of the individuals, officers recovered evidence in their car related to the looting that occurred earlier at QT.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591267369729.png" alt="Ponds" />
 <figcaption>Ponds</figcaption>
 </figure>Police arrested 22-year-old Valenthum Ponds of Wichita on requested charges of criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, and an outstanding warrant. They also arrested 21-year-old Tyra Adair of Wichita on charges of criminal damage to property, burglary, resisting arrest, and&nbsp; an outstanding warrant.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police arrested a 17-year-old girl for charges of burglary, theft, battery of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage to property and resisting arrest and a 15-year-old girl on charges of burglary, theft, and destruction to property.WPD continued to receive reports of vandalism and thefts at multiple businesses throughout the city into the early morning.“We are grateful for those who have held and helped maintain peaceful protests,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “However, criminal activity will not be tolerated, and you will be arrested. Violent acts and looting will result in jail time.”

Police make arrests following protest and looting in Wichita

By CORINNE BOYER <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/george-floyds-death-draws-1000-protesters-small-city-western-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>

A unity rally put together by an incoming Garden City High School 
senior drew more than 1,000 people to downtown Garden City on Wednesday 
night.

Carmen Robinson said she had the support of the Garden 
City Police Department for the rally, which was held in a park that 
filled up with hundreds before the event even started.&nbsp;

"This is awesome," she said. "This is change."

Garden
 City, which has a population of about 26,000 in a county whose total is
 about 36,000, joined countless cities across the United States and the 
world in protesting racism and police violence, including Wichita, 
Topeka and Lawrence.

The protests have been spurred by the recent
 deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis, who was killed when a police 
officer knelt on his neck for several minutes, as well as Louisville, 
Kentucky, EMS worker Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot in her home by
 police.

"I have a six-year-old black nephew who loves police 
officers," Robinson told the crowd in Garden City. "And as he grows, I 
don't want him to be seen as a threat — or any black lives at that."

All types of people — families, students and children — marched 
around the park. Traffic slowed on Main Street as demonstrators shouted,
 "I can't breathe," "Black Lives Matter" and George Floyd's name.

The Garden City Police Department thanked the speakers and participants for attending.

"The
 Garden City Police Department listened to the messages delivered last 
night," it said in a statement Thursday, "and will continue to work with
 the community to maintain a growing, positive relationship."&nbsp;

Corinne Boyer covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio 
and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter 
@corinne_boyer or email cboyer@hppr.org. The 
Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, 
KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social 
determinants of health and their connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290086986.jpeg" alt=" A man holds an American flag at Garden City's unity rally on Wednesday night. Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> A man holds an American flag at Garden City's unity rally on Wednesday night. Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CORINNE BOYER <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/george-floyds-death-draws-1000-protesters-small-city-western-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>GARDEN CITY —&nbsp;A unity rally put together by an incoming Garden City High School 
senior drew more than 1,000 people to downtown Garden City on Wednesday 
night.Carmen Robinson said she had the support of the Garden 
City Police Department for the rally, which was held in a park that 
filled up with hundreds before the event even started.&nbsp;"This is awesome," she said. "This is change."Garden
 City, which has a population of about 26,000 in a county whose total is
 about 36,000, joined countless cities across the United States and the 
world in protesting racism and police violence, including Wichita, 
Topeka and Lawrence.The protests have been spurred by the recent
 deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis, who was killed when a police 
officer knelt on his neck for several minutes, as well as Louisville, 
Kentucky, EMS worker Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot in her home by
 police."I have a six-year-old black nephew who loves police 
officers," Robinson told the crowd in Garden City. "And as he grows, I 
don't want him to be seen as a threat — or any black lives at that."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290150570.png" alt="Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>All types of people — families, students and children — marched 
around the park. Traffic slowed on Main Street as demonstrators shouted,
 "I can't breathe," "Black Lives Matter" and George Floyd's name.The Garden City Police Department thanked the speakers and participants for attending."The
 Garden City Police Department listened to the messages delivered last 
night," it said in a statement Thursday, "and will continue to work with
 the community to maintain a growing, positive relationship."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290185919.png" alt=" Many people wore masks as they chanted "Black Lives Matter" calling for an end to police violence. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Many people wore masks as they chanted "Black Lives Matter" calling for an end to police violence. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290213716.png" alt=" The crowd listens to speakers during the unity rally in Garden City. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The crowd listens to speakers during the unity rally in Garden City. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290246512.png" alt=" Several people carried signs with George Floyd's name. Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer last week. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Several people carried signs with George Floyd's name. Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer last week. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290271105.png" alt=" Children of all ages marched with their families at the unity rally. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Children of all ages marched with their families at the unity rally. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290297307.png" alt=" People holding signs while listening to speakers. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> People holding signs while listening to speakers. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290323947.png" alt=" An attendee holding a "Black Trans Lives Matter" sign as dust clouds rolled in. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> An attendee holding a "Black Trans Lives Matter" sign as dust clouds rolled in. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290345986.png" alt=" A woman holding a sign in downtown Garden City. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> A woman holding a sign in downtown Garden City. Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591290370625.png" alt="People gathered in the center of the park as the event ended.&nbsp;Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>People gathered in the center of the park as the event ended.&nbsp;Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>Corinne Boyer covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio 
and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter 
@corinne_boyer or email cboyer@hppr.org. The 
Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, 
KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social 
determinants of health and their connection to public policy.

Floyd's death draws 1,000 protesters in Garden City

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas food plant temporarily shut down Wednesday after several workers tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Reser’s Fine Foods plant in Topeka, which makes prepared entrees and side dishes sold at grocery stores, will close for two weeks while all employees get tested.

Reser’s didn’t specify how many employees have tested positive for the coronavirus. A spokeswoman declined to provide further information Wednesday, including how many people work at the site.

Meanwhile, Kansas health officials want to randomly test Sedgwick County residents to track the spread of coronavirus in the area.

The county health department will offer testing to 1,600 random residents next week, KSNW-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksn.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-in-kansas/sedgwick-county-wants-to-randomly-test-residents-for-covid-19/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Residents who get a call from the health department will be offered testing regardless of whether they have symptoms of COVID-19.

Testing in Sedgwick County will be held June 18 through June 20. Health officials are planning another round of random testing in mid-July to see if the virus spreads.

Kansas has continued to see coronavirus cases and COVID-19-related deaths increase. The state Department of Health and Environment reported Monday that the number of cases had reached 10,011, which was up by 292 or 3% since Friday. The number of deaths jumped 4.5%, up 9 to a total of 217 since the pandemic hit the state in early March.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas food plant temporarily shut down Wednesday after several workers tested positive for the coronavirus.The Reser’s Fine Foods plant in Topeka, which makes prepared entrees and side dishes sold at grocery stores, will close for two weeks while all employees get tested.Reser’s didn’t specify how many employees have tested positive for the coronavirus. A spokeswoman declined to provide further information Wednesday, including how many people work at the site.Meanwhile, Kansas health officials want to randomly test Sedgwick County residents to track the spread of coronavirus in the area.The county health department will offer testing to 1,600 random residents next week, KSNW-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksn.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-in-kansas/sedgwick-county-wants-to-randomly-test-residents-for-covid-19/" target="_blank">reported</a>.Residents who get a call from the health department will be offered testing regardless of whether they have symptoms of COVID-19.Testing in Sedgwick County will be held June 18 through June 20. Health officials are planning another round of random testing in mid-July to see if the virus spreads.Kansas has continued to see coronavirus cases and COVID-19-related deaths increase. The state Department of Health and Environment reported Monday that the number of cases had reached 10,011, which was up by 292 or 3% since Friday. The number of deaths jumped 4.5%, up 9 to a total of 217 since the pandemic hit the state in early March.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

Kansas food plant shuts down after workers contract virus

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon after a high-speed chase in Shawnee County.

Just after 10:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy observed a 2002 Lincoln Town Car traveling in the 7700 block of SW U.S 75 Highway that was reported stolen out of Parsons, Kansas, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit traveled through the southern portion of Shawnee County and ended in Osage County. Deputies arrested Travis W. Wolverton, 28, of Topeka, on requested charges of felony flee and elude, reckless driving, multiple traffic violations and drug charges.

He was on parole and reported as an absconder after two convictions for theft and one for flee and elude law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591123955421.png" alt="Wolverton photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Wolverton photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon after a high-speed chase in Shawnee County.Just after 10:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy observed a 2002 Lincoln Town Car traveling in the 7700 block of SW U.S 75 Highway that was reported stolen out of Parsons, Kansas, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit traveled through the southern portion of Shawnee County and ended in Osage County. Deputies arrested Travis W. Wolverton, 28, of Topeka, on requested charges of felony flee and elude, reckless driving, multiple traffic violations and drug charges.He was on parole and reported as an absconder after two convictions for theft and one for flee and elude law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Wanted Kan. felon captured driving reported stolen car 

HUTCHINSON —A physical altercation occurred at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) - Central Unit on Wednesday, June 3, that resulted in property damage and minor injuries, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

At approximately 5:13 p.m., a physical altercation between two offenders took place in the dining hall. 

A chemical agent was deployed to help gain control of the situation and the remaining offenders were moved from the dining hall to the East Yard for decontamination. 

While in the East Yard, an additional physical altercation began between two offenders. At that time, approximately 40 additional offenders in the East Yard began throwing objects at staff members and state property. Windows and glass doors were broken during the disturbance.

All offenders were returned to their cells and the emergency was cleared at approximately 6:47 p.m.

The HCF - Central Unit has been placed on lockdown until further notice. Two staff members received minor injuries and one offender received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588634023977.png" alt="Hutchinson Correctional Facility photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Correctional Facility photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON —A physical altercation occurred at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) - Central Unit on Wednesday, June 3, that resulted in property damage and minor injuries, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.At approximately 5:13 p.m., a physical altercation between two offenders took place in the dining hall. A chemical agent was deployed to help gain control of the situation and the remaining offenders were moved from the dining hall to the East Yard for decontamination. While in the East Yard, an additional physical altercation began between two offenders. At that time, approximately 40 additional offenders in the East Yard began throwing objects at staff members and state property. Windows and glass doors were broken during the disturbance.All offenders were returned to their cells and the emergency was cleared at approximately 6:47 p.m.The HCF - Central Unit has been placed on lockdown until further notice. Two staff members received minor injuries and one offender received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.&nbsp;

Kansas prison on lockdown after fight in dining hall

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the rape of a runaway teen made his first court appearance Tuesday, according to the Sedgwick Count District Attorney's office.

Gerardo Aguero-Hernandez, 26, Wichita, is charged with aggravated kidnapping, rape, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery, according to online jail records. He is jailed on a bond of $300,000.

Just before 1a.m. May 22, police responded to a rape report in the 1800 block of W. Pine Avenue in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

A minor female who ran to that location and reported to a citizen that she had been sexually assaulted.

The investigation revealed that the juvenile ran from her foster home earlier in the day around noon.&nbsp;

A suspect identified as Aguero-Hernandez contacted her as she walked along North Broadway and offered her a ride.&nbsp; She accepted, but instead of being taken to the agreed-upon location, Aguero-Hernandez drove her to an area near Arthur B. Sim Park.&nbsp; While in the vehicle, Aguero-Hernandez sexually assaulted and battered the girl, according to Davidson. She was able to escape the vehicle and ran to contact a citizen who called 911.&nbsp;

Through further investigation, Aguero-Hernandez was identified subsequently arrested&nbsp;from a residence in the 2400 block of N. Woodland in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590769800736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Aguero-HernandezSEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the rape of a runaway teen made his first court appearance Tuesday, according to the Sedgwick Count District Attorney's office.Gerardo Aguero-Hernandez, 26, Wichita, is charged with aggravated kidnapping, rape, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery, according to online jail records. He is jailed on a bond of $300,000.Just before 1a.m. May 22, police responded to a rape report in the 1800 block of W. Pine Avenue in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;A minor female who ran to that location and reported to a citizen that she had been sexually assaulted.The investigation revealed that the juvenile ran from her foster home earlier in the day around noon.&nbsp;A suspect identified as Aguero-Hernandez contacted her as she walked along North Broadway and offered her a ride.&nbsp; She accepted, but instead of being taken to the agreed-upon location, Aguero-Hernandez drove her to an area near Arthur B. Sim Park.&nbsp; While in the vehicle, Aguero-Hernandez sexually assaulted and battered the girl, according to Davidson. She was able to escape the vehicle and ran to contact a citizen who called 911.&nbsp;Through further investigation, Aguero-Hernandez was identified subsequently arrested&nbsp;from a residence in the 2400 block of N. Woodland in Wichita.

Kan. man accused in rape of runaway teen makes court appearance

JEWELL COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Jewell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Peterbilt semi driven by Scott T. Sell, 50, Hastings, NE., was southbound on Kansas 14 just north of Cedar Road.

The vehicle veered onto the west shoulder. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle entered the east ditch and overturned in a pasture.

Sell was pronounced dead at the scene. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

JEWELL COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Jewell County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Peterbilt semi driven by Scott T. Sell, 50, Hastings, NE., was southbound on Kansas 14 just north of Cedar Road.The vehicle veered onto the west shoulder. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle entered the east ditch and overturned in a pasture.Sell was pronounced dead at the scene. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Driver dies after semi overturns on Kansas highway

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republican-led Kansas Senate has rejected Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s latest nominee for the state Court of Appeals. 

The Senate on Wednesday rejected Kelly’s nomination of longtime state and federal public defender Carl Folsom III, largely because he represented a client convicted of possessing child pornography.

Republican Sen. Molly Baumgardner criticized Folsom for aruging for a reduced sentence for his client. Democratic Sen. Vic Miller challenged Baumgardner, noting that public defenders don’t choose their clients. Kelly called it “political games.”

TOPEKA—Governor Laura Kelly issued a statement to the press Wednesday afternoon critical of the Kansas Senate’s action to reject the nomination of Carl Folsom to the Kansas Court of Appeals.

The governor made her comments in the Kansas Statehouse, 2nd Floor Rotunda.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republican-led Kansas Senate has rejected Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s latest nominee for the state Court of Appeals. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F3289779231074220%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 Senate on Wednesday rejected Kelly’s nomination of longtime state and federal public defender Carl Folsom III, largely because he represented a client convicted of possessing child pornography.Republican Sen. Molly Baumgardner criticized Folsom for aruging for a reduced sentence for his client. Democratic Sen. Vic Miller challenged Baumgardner, noting that public defenders don’t choose their clients. Kelly called it “political games.”--------TOPEKA—Governor Laura Kelly issued a statement to the press Wednesday afternoon critical of the Kansas Senate’s action to reject the nomination of Carl Folsom to the Kansas Court of Appeals.The governor made her comments in the Kansas Statehouse, 2nd Floor Rotunda.

🎥  Gov. responds to decision to reject her appointment to Court of Appeals

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a peaceful protest march in Wichita that turned violent Monday night and have released video of the alleged shooter.

According to Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsey, officers faced a life threatening and harrowing situation during a protest march Monday night.

"What started out as a peaceful protest about 7p.m. at 21st Street and Arkansas turned into a very violent scene in the early morning hours of Tuesday," said Ramsay during a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WichitaPolice/videos/247413959927580/">Tuesday afternoon press conference.</a>

At about 11:30p.m. a glass window on the Metro PCS store on 21 Street was vandalized and random gunshots began to ring out in the area, according to Ramsey.&nbsp; "We don't have an issue with peaceful protests but when property is damaged and there are gunshots, it raises our level of concern as it does our community members."

Wichita police moved toward the scene of the violence with additional officers to clear what had become an unlawful assembly from the area. "The majority left peacefully after being asked to leave over a loud speaker," said Ramsey. 

"Some 50-70 people remained and were very hostile. As officers moved in to clear the area, they were hit with cinder blocks, rocks, water bottles and other debris."

In addition, unknown suspects began firing shots towards the group of officers, striking a a police armored vehicle. 

 Three officers received minor injuries from the items being thrown, two of them requiring stitches.

Police were ultimately able to clear the unlawful assembly without firing any shots.&nbsp;

Two arrests were made during the incident for charges of criminal discharge of a firearm, rioting, and failure to disperse.  Additional arrests will occur with further investigation.

"There have been a number of protests over the past few days and I'm really hopeful we can come together as a community and let voices be heard to continue moving Wichita forward," Ramsay said.

"Everyone in this police department has worked incredibly hard to build good will and strong relationships with our community."

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a peaceful protest march in Wichita that turned violent Monday night and have released video of the alleged shooter.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F529036301099374%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>According to Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsey, officers faced a life threatening and harrowing situation during a protest march Monday night."What started out as a peaceful protest about 7p.m. at 21st Street and Arkansas turned into a very violent scene in the early morning hours of Tuesday," said Ramsay during a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WichitaPolice/videos/247413959927580/">Tuesday afternoon press conference.</a><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F2590384587945591%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>At about 11:30p.m. a glass window on the Metro PCS store on 21 Street was vandalized and random gunshots began to ring out in the area, according to Ramsey.&nbsp; "We don't have an issue with peaceful protests but when property is damaged and there are gunshots, it raises our level of concern as it does our community members."Wichita police moved toward the scene of the violence with additional officers to clear what had become an unlawful assembly from the area. "The majority left peacefully after being asked to leave over a loud speaker," said Ramsey. "Some 50-70 people remained and were very hostile. As officers moved in to clear the area, they were hit with cinder blocks, rocks, water bottles and other debris."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591127610629.png" alt="Chief Ramsay said, "A bullet ricocheted off of a helmet worn by an officer during the confrontation."- photo courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Chief Ramsay said, "A bullet ricocheted off of a helmet worn by an officer during the confrontation."- photo courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition, unknown suspects began firing shots towards the group of officers, striking a a police armored vehicle. Three officers received minor injuries from the items being thrown, two of them requiring stitches.Police were ultimately able to clear the unlawful assembly without firing any shots.&nbsp;Two arrests were made during the incident for charges of criminal discharge of a firearm, rioting, and failure to disperse. Additional arrests will occur with further investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591132639079.png" alt="Chief Gordon Ramsay spoke to the community Tuesday about the&nbsp; violent confrontation" />
 <figcaption>Chief Gordon Ramsay spoke to the community Tuesday about the&nbsp; violent confrontation</figcaption>
 </figure>"There have been a number of protests over the past few days and I'm really hopeful we can come together as a community and let voices be heard to continue moving Wichita forward," Ramsay said."Everyone in this police department has worked incredibly hard to build good will and strong relationships with our community."

Police release video of suspect in Kan. protest march shooting

By ELLE MOXLEY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2020-06-03/kansas-school-districts-funding-looks-good-on-paper-but-deep-cuts-are-expected-this-fall-due-to-the-pandemic">Kansas News Service</a>

Kansas school districts are trying to budget for some pretty big unknowns right now.

No
 one knows if it will even be safe to have students in schools in 
August, and everyone’s worried about the $650 million hole COVID-19 blew
 in the state’s budget. Administrators are worried that if the state’s 
economy doesn’t rebound soon, they’ll have to make deep cuts in the 
middle of next school year.

“There’s not a superintendent that 
isn’t preparing for something like that,” said Glen Suppes, the 
superintendent of the Smoky Valley Public Schools in Lindsborg. “We 
continue to hear optimism from (state education) Commissioner Randy 
Watson, and that schools are a priority for the governor.

“But I’m anxious to see how the tax revenues are going to come in.”

The
 fiscal year 2021 budget that Kansas lawmakers passed in March, before 
the pandemic hit, looked pretty good for public education. K-12 schools 
got an additional $120 million, money that the state’s high court has 
said needs to be spent on schools following <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-03-29/times-nearly-up-for-kansas-lawmakers-to-resolve-school-spending" target="_blank">a years-long funding battle</a>.

“The
 problem is that budget, when it was passed, was based on numbers last 
November that have dramatically changed,” said Mark Tallman with the 
Kansas Association of School Boards.

Because of the pandemic, 
Kansas is facing a huge budget shortfall. In an April 20 memo, the 
Kansas Legislative Research Department forecasted an 8% overall decline 
in revenue for the coming fiscal year.

Tallman said in a state that spends more than half its revenue on education, there’s no way cuts won’t touch K-12 schools.

“There
 are certainly things the governor and legislature could do, but all of 
those are kind of bad choices. In a simple world, if you just ... cut 8%
 out of the budget, you're taking very major cuts,” Tallman said.

In
 a big district like Shawnee Mission in Johnson County, an 8% cut would 
be the difference between ending the school year with a $7 million 
surplus — and a $13 million deficit.

And that’s before factoring 
in raises, which are top-of-mind in Shawnee Mission after a protracted 
contract dispute with the teachers union that dragged on for most of the
 school year that just ended.

“I guess I’m one of those that’s 
really concerned about the revenue,” board member Brad Stratton said 
during a budget workshop last week.

Stratton, who was first 
elected to the school board in 2015, wants to budget cautiously for the 
upcoming school year because he knows what happens when revenue 
collections fall short: Education pays the price.

“KSDE (the 
Kansas Department of Education) is presenting one number, and then 
there’s the reality our legislators and governor are going to have to 
face,” Stratton said.

Until
 lawmakers tell the state Department of Education otherwise, though, 
schools are stuck with the optimistic, pre-pandemic numbers.

But 
Kansas school superintendents can’t afford to be quite so optimistic. 
Suppes, the Smoky Valley superintendent, needs to make decisions about 
staffing now before the fiscal year resets July 1.

“Are we going 
to be paying coaches that may not coach a sport in the fall if we're 
shut down? Are we going to be paying bus drivers? And if we don't, yes, 
the district saves money, but on the other hand, there's another family 
without an income,” he said.

On top of that, Suppes says 
superintendents still don’t know what school will look like in the fall 
after the pandemic wiped out the final two months of this past school 
year. 

“Can we touch the playground equipment? Can we sit in the 
lunch room together where we have plexiglass between us at all times?” 
Suppes said. “And how will we even pass through the corridor safely?”

In
 a normal budget year, Wichita Public Schools Chief Financial Officer 
Susan Willis runs four or five budget scenarios. This year, she said 
she’s running 15.

Not only is Willis trying to account for how 
school might be changed by the coronavirus, but she also is trying to 
factor in the timing of potential budget cuts.

“What does it mean 
if they let us start the year with the increase that is due under the 
formula, but they come in with a cut in December? What are our options 
at that point?” Willis said.

Willis
 said Kansas schools are used to dealing with financial uncertainty. 
There was the Great Recession, the tax cuts imposed by former Gov. Sam 
Brownback and the prolonged school funding fight.

“But what makes 
this extremely challenging is we’re not as familiar with how we adapt 
the academic school year ... if we have to social distance,” Willis 
said.

Kansas has gotten $2 billion dollars from the federal 
government to pay for coronavirus-related expenses, like protective gear
 and ventilators. But that money isn’t meant to shore up state budgets. 
That kind of aid could still come — it did during the Great Recession — 
but according to Marguerite Roza, states shouldn’t count on it.

“We
 can’t even sort of look back at the last recession and say, ‘Here’s how
 we know this plays out’ because this is different,” said Roza, who runs
 the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, a research center for 
education financial policy.

Roza said states that delay making 
inevitable budget cuts could fare worse than states that act now to 
restrict spending. Missouri has already slashed K-12 funding by more 
than $130 million. Colorado has warned schools that significant cuts are
 coming.

But Kansas lawmakers have historically waited for the revenue consensus to come out in November before balancing the budgets.

“If
 states wait longer to revise their budget projections or announce any 
K-12 funding impact, that will send districts further into the future 
before making any spending changes, which could require deeper cuts,” 
Roza said. “The idea is if you can’t start saving money now, you’ll have
 to save more and more suddenly.”

Elle Moxley covers education for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591215691151.png" alt="Kansas schools face major uncertainty entering the 2020-21 school year, with many school administrators expecting drastic cuts in the fall once the state's budget fully absorbs the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Chris Neal / For the Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Kansas schools face major uncertainty entering the 2020-21 school year, with many school administrators expecting drastic cuts in the fall once the state's budget fully absorbs the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Chris Neal / For the Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By ELLE MOXLEY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2020-06-03/kansas-school-districts-funding-looks-good-on-paper-but-deep-cuts-are-expected-this-fall-due-to-the-pandemic">Kansas News Service</a>Kansas school districts are trying to budget for some pretty big unknowns right now.No
 one knows if it will even be safe to have students in schools in 
August, and everyone’s worried about the $650 million hole COVID-19 blew
 in the state’s budget. Administrators are worried that if the state’s 
economy doesn’t rebound soon, they’ll have to make deep cuts in the 
middle of next school year.“There’s not a superintendent that 
isn’t preparing for something like that,” said Glen Suppes, the 
superintendent of the Smoky Valley Public Schools in Lindsborg. “We 
continue to hear optimism from (state education) Commissioner Randy 
Watson, and that schools are a priority for the governor.“But I’m anxious to see how the tax revenues are going to come in.”<h2>‘You’re talking very major cuts’</h2>The
 fiscal year 2021 budget that Kansas lawmakers passed in March, before 
the pandemic hit, looked pretty good for public education. K-12 schools 
got an additional $120 million, money that the state’s high court has 
said needs to be spent on schools following <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-03-29/times-nearly-up-for-kansas-lawmakers-to-resolve-school-spending" target="_blank">a years-long funding battle</a>.“The
 problem is that budget, when it was passed, was based on numbers last 
November that have dramatically changed,” said Mark Tallman with the 
Kansas Association of School Boards.Because of the pandemic, 
Kansas is facing a huge budget shortfall. In an April 20 memo, the 
Kansas Legislative Research Department forecasted an 8% overall decline 
in revenue for the coming fiscal year.Tallman said in a state that spends more than half its revenue on education, there’s no way cuts won’t touch K-12 schools.“There
 are certainly things the governor and legislature could do, but all of 
those are kind of bad choices. In a simple world, if you just ... cut 8%
 out of the budget, you're taking very major cuts,” Tallman said.In
 a big district like Shawnee Mission in Johnson County, an 8% cut would 
be the difference between ending the school year with a $7 million 
surplus — and a $13 million deficit.And that’s before factoring 
in raises, which are top-of-mind in Shawnee Mission after a protracted 
contract dispute with the teachers union that dragged on for most of the
 school year that just ended.“I guess I’m one of those that’s 
really concerned about the revenue,” board member Brad Stratton said 
during a budget workshop last week.Stratton, who was first 
elected to the school board in 2015, wants to budget cautiously for the 
upcoming school year because he knows what happens when revenue 
collections fall short: Education pays the price.“KSDE (the 
Kansas Department of Education) is presenting one number, and then 
there’s the reality our legislators and governor are going to have to 
face,” Stratton said.<h2>Factoring in cuts and the coronavirus</h2>Until
 lawmakers tell the state Department of Education otherwise, though, 
schools are stuck with the optimistic, pre-pandemic numbers.But 
Kansas school superintendents can’t afford to be quite so optimistic. 
Suppes, the Smoky Valley superintendent, needs to make decisions about 
staffing now before the fiscal year resets July 1.“Are we going 
to be paying coaches that may not coach a sport in the fall if we're 
shut down? Are we going to be paying bus drivers? And if we don't, yes, 
the district saves money, but on the other hand, there's another family 
without an income,” he said.On top of that, Suppes says 
superintendents still don’t know what school will look like in the fall 
after the pandemic wiped out the final two months of this past school 
year. “Can we touch the playground equipment? Can we sit in the 
lunch room together where we have plexiglass between us at all times?” 
Suppes said. “And how will we even pass through the corridor safely?”In
 a normal budget year, Wichita Public Schools Chief Financial Officer 
Susan Willis runs four or five budget scenarios. This year, she said 
she’s running 15.Not only is Willis trying to account for how 
school might be changed by the coronavirus, but she also is trying to 
factor in the timing of potential budget cuts.“What does it mean 
if they let us start the year with the increase that is due under the 
formula, but they come in with a cut in December? What are our options 
at that point?” Willis said.<h2>A new kind of challenge</h2>Willis
 said Kansas schools are used to dealing with financial uncertainty. 
There was the Great Recession, the tax cuts imposed by former Gov. Sam 
Brownback and the prolonged school funding fight.“But what makes 
this extremely challenging is we’re not as familiar with how we adapt 
the academic school year ... if we have to social distance,” Willis 
said.Kansas has gotten $2 billion dollars from the federal 
government to pay for coronavirus-related expenses, like protective gear
 and ventilators. But that money isn’t meant to shore up state budgets. 
That kind of aid could still come — it did during the Great Recession — 
but according to Marguerite Roza, states shouldn’t count on it.“We
 can’t even sort of look back at the last recession and say, ‘Here’s how
 we know this plays out’ because this is different,” said Roza, who runs
 the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, a research center for 
education financial policy.Roza said states that delay making 
inevitable budget cuts could fare worse than states that act now to 
restrict spending. Missouri has already slashed K-12 funding by more 
than $130 million. Colorado has warned schools that significant cuts are
 coming.But Kansas lawmakers have historically waited for the revenue consensus to come out in November before balancing the budgets.“If
 states wait longer to revise their budget projections or announce any 
K-12 funding impact, that will send districts further into the future 
before making any spending changes, which could require deeper cuts,” 
Roza said. “The idea is if you can’t start saving money now, you’ll have
 to save more and more suddenly.”Elle Moxley covers education for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.

Kan. school funding looks good on paper, but deep cuts expected

LANE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Wednesday in Lane County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 International Truck driven by Jesse A. Miller, 51, Fort Worth, TX., was stopped on Kansas 4 Highway just east of Kansas 23. 

A pedestrian identified as Charles D. Twa, 55, Sabinal, TX., was&nbsp; manually locking the rear steering pin onto the trailer. 

The truck driver exited the vehicle for unknown reason, got back into the vehicle, got the all clear sign from the lead vehicle not knowing the Twa was still under the trailer.

Twa was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Gernand Funeral Chapel. The KHP released no additional details.

LANE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Wednesday in Lane County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 International Truck driven by Jesse A. Miller, 51, Fort Worth, TX., was stopped on Kansas 4 Highway just east of Kansas 23. A pedestrian identified as Charles D. Twa, 55, Sabinal, TX., was&nbsp; manually locking the rear steering pin onto the trailer. The truck driver exited the vehicle for unknown reason, got back into the vehicle, got the all clear sign from the lead vehicle not knowing the Twa was still under the trailer.Twa was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Gernand Funeral Chapel. The KHP released no additional details.

Man locking pin on truck's trailer dies in Kansas accident 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials want to randomly test Sedgwick County residents to determine the spread of coronavirus in the area.

The local health department will offer testing to 1,600 random residents next week.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

Kansas has continued to see coronavirus cases and COVID-19-related deaths increase. The state Department of Health and Environment reported Monday that the number of cases had reached 10,011, up 292 or 3% since Friday, and the number of deaths jumped 4.5%, up 9 to a total of 217 since the pandemic hit the state in early March.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591208066312.png" alt="photo courtesy HealthCore" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy HealthCore</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials want to randomly test Sedgwick County residents to determine the spread of coronavirus in the area.The local health department will offer testing to 1,600 random residents next week.Residents who get a call from the health department will be offered testing regardless of whether they have symptoms of COVID-19.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.Testing in Sedgwick County will be held June 18 through June 20. Health officials are planning another round of random testing in mid-July to see if the virus spreads.Kansas has continued to see coronavirus cases and COVID-19-related deaths increase. The state Department of Health and Environment reported Monday that the number of cases had reached 10,011, up 292 or 3% since Friday, and the number of deaths jumped 4.5%, up 9 to a total of 217 since the pandemic hit the state in early March.

Kansas county will randomly test for coronavirus

TOPEKA — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a fire late Tuesday in Topeka.

Just after 11:30p.m., crews responded to a structure fire at 3740 S. Topeka Boulevard, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison

As they arrived,&nbsp; they found smoke and flames coming from the single story pay-day loan business.&nbsp;&nbsp;A search of the structure revealed no occupants.

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire was intentionally set, according to Harrison. The estimated dollar loss is $15,000.00.&nbsp; It was the second fire at the business in recent months. A fire in late February at the Loansmart business caused some $100,000 in damage.

&nbsp;Fire crews did not find working smoke detectors in the building.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591191384706.png" alt="Crews at the scene of the business fire&nbsp; &nbsp;Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Crews at the scene of the business fire&nbsp; &nbsp;Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a fire late Tuesday in Topeka.Just after 11:30p.m., crews responded to a structure fire at 3740 S. Topeka Boulevard, according to Fire Marshal Todd HarrisonAs they arrived,&nbsp; they found smoke and flames coming from the single story pay-day loan business.&nbsp;&nbsp;A search of the structure revealed no occupants.A preliminary investigation indicates the fire was intentionally set, according to Harrison. The estimated dollar loss is $15,000.00.&nbsp; It was the second fire at the business in recent months. A fire in late February at the Loansmart business caused some $100,000 in damage.&nbsp;Fire crews did not find working smoke detectors in the building.

Fire Marshall: Blaze at Kan. business intentionally set

HUTCHINSON —Hutchinson Public Schools were the victim of an social media hoax Wednesday.

According to a Facebook post from Superintendent Mike Folks,&nbsp;"A very serious and alarming racist Facebook post happened overnight (Tuesday) by an individual who listed Hutchinson Public Schools as her employer."

The posts were about the national turmoil involving the killing of George Floyd.

"First and foremost, the school district will respond swiftly and harshly to all comments of this nature. Our research Wednesday morning finds the district does not have and has not had a Marsha Williams on staff who matches her Facebook profile. A check of all staff using her listed birthdate found none of our employees were born on that date."

Her (Facebook) profile has since been taken down.

"Again, USD 308 has policies in place that will be followed and will not tolerate any such activity by an employee."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579618707683.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON —Hutchinson Public Schools were the victim of an social media hoax Wednesday.According to a Facebook post from Superintendent Mike Folks,&nbsp;"A very serious and alarming racist Facebook post happened overnight (Tuesday) by an individual who listed Hutchinson Public Schools as her employer."The posts were about the national turmoil involving the killing of George Floyd."First and foremost, the school district will respond swiftly and harshly to all comments of this nature. Our research Wednesday morning finds the district does not have and has not had a Marsha Williams on staff who matches her Facebook profile. A check of all staff using her listed birthdate found none of our employees were born on that date."Her (Facebook) profile has since been taken down."Again, USD 308 has policies in place that will be followed and will not tolerate any such activity by an employee."

Kansas school district responds to social media hoax

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 159 to a total of 10,170, the state health department reported Wednesday 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 159 to a total of 10,170, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 222<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/2020/6/1591204185971.png" alt="June 3, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>June 3, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SALINE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4:30a.m. Wednesday in Saline County.&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1990 Honda Shadow driven by&nbsp; Louis V. Swartz, 35, Salina, was northbound on Interstate 135 exiting to Interstate 70 eastbound.

The motorcycle left the roadway and then the riderless Honda slid across Interstate 70 and&nbsp; collided with a 2019 Dodge Caravan driven by James Shanks, 35, of Piketon, Ohio, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

What caused Swartz to come off the motorcycle is unknown. However&nbsp;a Kenworth tractor-trailer rig was reported to also have been involved with the the accident.&nbsp; The KHP has not indicated how the semi was involved.

EMS transported Swarts to the hospital in Salina. Shanks and four passengers in the van were not injured, according to Soldan.

The rented minivan sustained front-end damage and the motorcycle sustained damage to its side, Soldan said.

SALINE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4:30a.m. Wednesday in Saline County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1990 Honda Shadow driven by&nbsp; Louis V. Swartz, 35, Salina, was northbound on Interstate 135 exiting to Interstate 70 eastbound.The motorcycle left the roadway and then the riderless Honda slid across Interstate 70 and&nbsp; collided with a 2019 Dodge Caravan driven by James Shanks, 35, of Piketon, Ohio, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.What caused Swartz to come off the motorcycle is unknown. However&nbsp;a Kenworth tractor-trailer rig was reported to also have been involved with the the accident.&nbsp; The KHP has not indicated how the semi was involved.EMS transported Swarts to the hospital in Salina. Shanks and four passengers in the van were not injured, according to Soldan.Swarts was not wearing a helmet.The rented minivan sustained front-end damage and the motorcycle sustained damage to its side, Soldan said.

Man injured, riderless motorcycle involved in 2nd I-70 accident

More than 49,000 businesses in Kansas were able to secure federal Paycheck Protection Loans during the pandemic

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-06-02/federal-paycheck-loans-the-difference-between-collapse-survival-for-small-kansas-businesses">Kansas News Service</a>&nbsp;

TOPEKA, Kansas — Pharmaceutical companies and large hotel chains <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/01/sba-ppp-public-companies/" target="_blank">snatched up </a>emergency COVID-19 federal loans meant for businesses<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/01/sba-ppp-public-companies/" target="_blank"> typically with 500 or fewer employees.</a>

In
 Kansas, however, it appears most of its $4.9 billion in Paycheck 
Protection Program money landed where Congress intended: on the books of
 small- to medium-size businesses and nonprofits — from a wine bar in 
Hays to a movie theater in Parsons.

“I was able to keep all my 
employees busy and fully paid,” said Troy Mentzer, the third member of 
his family to own The Pad, a Topeka fast-food restaurant that his 
grandfather started in 1961.

The PPP loans also saved some jobs 
for nearly 267,000 Kansans who suddenly found themselves out of work 
when stay-at-home orders and other restrictions aimed at slowing the 
spread of the coronavirus shut down thousands of businesses across the 
state.

Mentzer said the loan gave him enough “breathing room” to 
keep all of his workers on the payroll despite having to close the 
restaurant to dine-in customers for almost two months.

“I brought in my full crew every day,” he said, “and if we weren’t busy we cleaned.”

As of May 30, 49,375 Kansas businesses <a href="https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/PPP_Report_Net_200518.pdf" target="_blank">received</a>
 a share of PPP funding, which they must use primarily for payroll over a
 set period of time to have forgiven. (The rules of which<a href="http://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-22/millions-of-ppp-loan-forgiveness-requests-about-to-rain-on-banks" target="_blank"> are still in flux</a>, even as <a href="https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program#section-header-3" target="_blank">loan-forgiveness applications</a> are being accepted.)

The PPP came in two rounds — the first giving Kansas and other Midwestern states <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/05/07/business/small-business-loans-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">higher loans per small-business employee</a>
 than the rest of the U.S., especially states that had far more COVID-19
 cases. The average loan in the first round of PPP money in Kansas 
totaled just over $160,000 but dropped to around $30,000 in the second 
round.

The PPP wasn’t just for small businesses, but also for 
nonprofits, like museums, churches and an organization that provides 
legal assistance to low-income Kansans.

The<a href="https://cosmo.org/" target="_blank"> Cosmosphere and Space Center </a>in
 Hutchinson, which is one of the state’s top tourist attractions, closed
 March 16. Officials believe the drop in foot traffic will translate to 
an estimated loss of $1.4 million.

It received a $406,000 PPP loan, which president and CEO Jim Remar said went to keeping most of his 60-person staff on board.

“It allowed us to bring back staff, do some deep cleaning of high-traffic areas and some maintenance,” Remar said.

It
 also gave his top staff an opportunity to “reflect on what it is we do”
 and to formulate a plan for protecting visitors when the museum reopens
 next month, he said, as well as protecting children if the annual 
summer space camp can take place.

“We’ve been working with our local health department and have a good plan in place,” he said.

Just up the road in McPherson, Luke Aichele missed out on getting a loan in the first round.

“By
 the time I got around to applying for PPP, all that money was gone,” 
said Aichele, a barber who made headlines by attempting to reopen his 
shop<a href="https://www.mcphersonsentinel.com/news/20200511/warrant-for-barber-causes-outrage" target="_blank"> in defiance of state and local health orders</a>.

He
 recently testified in front of a Kansas legislative committee, saying 
many of the loans went to businesses that were less affected by COVID-19
 than his because they were allowed to remain open.

“It really wasn’t going to people trying to keep their employees on,” he argued.

Still, he said, he was approved for a loan in the second round of PPP money.

A
 small-town movie house is “barely a break-even business” under the best
 of circumstances, said Pat Haley, who co-owns The Parsons Theater in 
the southeast Kansas community of about 10,000 people.

The movie 
theater was forced to close March 17 to comply with orders aimed at 
slowing the spread of the coronavirus, and Haley wasn’t sure he would 
still have a viable business when allowed to reopen.

“It’s been very, very difficult,” Haley said.

A $24,000 PPP loan combined with a $10,000 disaster payment, he said, provided just enough cash “to keep us going.”

“Without
 them, I’m not sure what we would have done,” Haley said. “We would have
 had debts that we simply couldn’t pay and probably would have had to 
eventually look at bankruptcy.”

Recipients are required to spend 
75% of PPP money on payroll. The remaining 25% can cover essential 
business expenses such as mortgage payments, rent and utilities.

Haley said it would have been helpful to have more flexibility, “something more like 60/40.”

That
 flexibility might be on the way. The U.S. House recently approved 
legislation to ease restrictions on small businesses as they seek to 
have their PPP loans forgiven. The bill reduces the amount business 
owners must spend on payroll to 60% allowing them to use the remaining 
40% to cover other expenses. It also:

The overwhelming margin by which the House approved the bill (417-1) makes it more likely the U.S. Senate will follow suit.

That’s
 good news to Shaun Musil, who was hesitant to apply for a PPP loan 
fearing he wouldn’t be able to meet the forgiveness criteria.

“We didn’t want to have a bunch of loans to pay back,” Musil said. “That was my biggest fear.”

Musil
 and his wife, Heather, own the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro &amp; 
Market in Hays. Their small, mostly part-time staff includes several 
Fort Hays University students. If too many of them “graduated and moved 
on,” Musil was worried he might not be in strict compliance with those 
rules, which he said, seemed to be “changing daily.”

“Running a 
small business, we’re all hands on deck and we didn’t have time to read 
all the information that was coming out,” he said.

They applied 
anyway and got what Musil described as a “small loan” — just enough to 
cover a couple of weeks of payroll. Now that the bistro has reopened, 
Musil’s focus is on “getting people back in the seats.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591121842063.png" alt="Troy Mentzer is an owner of The Pad, a restaurant in Topeka that received a federal loan during the coronavirus. Jim McLean photo" />
 <figcaption>Troy Mentzer is an owner of The Pad, a restaurant in Topeka that received a federal loan during the coronavirus. Jim McLean photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More than 49,000 businesses in Kansas were able to secure federal Paycheck Protection Loans during the pandemic</h2>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-06-02/federal-paycheck-loans-the-difference-between-collapse-survival-for-small-kansas-businesses">Kansas News Service</a>&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kansas — Pharmaceutical companies and large hotel chains <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/01/sba-ppp-public-companies/" target="_blank">snatched up </a>emergency COVID-19 federal loans meant for businesses<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/01/sba-ppp-public-companies/" target="_blank"> typically with 500 or fewer employees.</a>In
 Kansas, however, it appears most of its $4.9 billion in Paycheck 
Protection Program money landed where Congress intended: on the books of
 small- to medium-size businesses and nonprofits — from a wine bar in 
Hays to a movie theater in Parsons.“I was able to keep all my 
employees busy and fully paid,” said Troy Mentzer, the third member of 
his family to own The Pad, a Topeka fast-food restaurant that his 
grandfather started in 1961.The PPP loans also saved some jobs 
for nearly 267,000 Kansans who suddenly found themselves out of work 
when stay-at-home orders and other restrictions aimed at slowing the 
spread of the coronavirus shut down thousands of businesses across the 
state.Mentzer said the loan gave him enough “breathing room” to 
keep all of his workers on the payroll despite having to close the 
restaurant to dine-in customers for almost two months.“I brought in my full crew every day,” he said, “and if we weren’t busy we cleaned.”<h2>High demand</h2>As of May 30, 49,375 Kansas businesses <a href="https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/PPP_Report_Net_200518.pdf" target="_blank">received</a>
 a share of PPP funding, which they must use primarily for payroll over a
 set period of time to have forgiven. (The rules of which<a href="http://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-22/millions-of-ppp-loan-forgiveness-requests-about-to-rain-on-banks" target="_blank"> are still in flux</a>, even as <a href="https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program#section-header-3" target="_blank">loan-forgiveness applications</a> are being accepted.)The PPP came in two rounds — the first giving Kansas and other Midwestern states <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/05/07/business/small-business-loans-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">higher loans per small-business employee</a>
 than the rest of the U.S., especially states that had far more COVID-19
 cases. The average loan in the first round of PPP money in Kansas 
totaled just over $160,000 but dropped to around $30,000 in the second 
round.The PPP wasn’t just for small businesses, but also for 
nonprofits, like museums, churches and an organization that provides 
legal assistance to low-income Kansans.The<a href="https://cosmo.org/" target="_blank"> Cosmosphere and Space Center </a>in
 Hutchinson, which is one of the state’s top tourist attractions, closed
 March 16. Officials believe the drop in foot traffic will translate to 
an estimated loss of $1.4 million.It received a $406,000 PPP loan, which president and CEO Jim Remar said went to keeping most of his 60-person staff on board.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591121929614.png" alt="The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, houses the Apollo 13 command module. The nonprofit received $406,000 in PPP money. Courtesy of the Cosmosphere" />
 <figcaption>The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, houses the Apollo 13 command module. The nonprofit received $406,000 in PPP money. Courtesy of the Cosmosphere</figcaption>
 </figure>“It allowed us to bring back staff, do some deep cleaning of high-traffic areas and some maintenance,” Remar said.It
 also gave his top staff an opportunity to “reflect on what it is we do”
 and to formulate a plan for protecting visitors when the museum reopens
 next month, he said, as well as protecting children if the annual 
summer space camp can take place.“We’ve been working with our local health department and have a good plan in place,” he said.Just up the road in McPherson, Luke Aichele missed out on getting a loan in the first round.“By
 the time I got around to applying for PPP, all that money was gone,” 
said Aichele, a barber who made headlines by attempting to reopen his 
shop<a href="https://www.mcphersonsentinel.com/news/20200511/warrant-for-barber-causes-outrage" target="_blank"> in defiance of state and local health orders</a>.He
 recently testified in front of a Kansas legislative committee, saying 
many of the loans went to businesses that were less affected by COVID-19
 than his because they were allowed to remain open.“It really wasn’t going to people trying to keep their employees on,” he argued.Still, he said, he was approved for a loan in the second round of PPP money.<h2>A lifeline</h2>A
 small-town movie house is “barely a break-even business” under the best
 of circumstances, said Pat Haley, who co-owns The Parsons Theater in 
the southeast Kansas community of about 10,000 people.The movie 
theater was forced to close March 17 to comply with orders aimed at 
slowing the spread of the coronavirus, and Haley wasn’t sure he would 
still have a viable business when allowed to reopen.“It’s been very, very difficult,” Haley said.A $24,000 PPP loan combined with a $10,000 disaster payment, he said, provided just enough cash “to keep us going.”“Without
 them, I’m not sure what we would have done,” Haley said. “We would have
 had debts that we simply couldn’t pay and probably would have had to 
eventually look at bankruptcy.”Recipients are required to spend 
75% of PPP money on payroll. The remaining 25% can cover essential 
business expenses such as mortgage payments, rent and utilities.Haley said it would have been helpful to have more flexibility, “something more like 60/40.”That
 flexibility might be on the way. The U.S. House recently approved 
legislation to ease restrictions on small businesses as they seek to 
have their PPP loans forgiven. The bill reduces the amount business 
owners must spend on payroll to 60% allowing them to use the remaining 
40% to cover other expenses. It also:<ol>
 <li>Extends the window for using the funds from eight to 24 weeks.</li><li>Delays a June 30 deadline for rehiring workers to Dec. 31, 2020.</li><li>Gives more leeway to business owners who show they couldn’t rehire workers due to safety standards.</li><li>Gives recipients that don’t have their loans forgiven more time to pay them back.</li>
 </ol>The overwhelming margin by which the House approved the bill (417-1) makes it more likely the U.S. Senate will follow suit.That’s
 good news to Shaun Musil, who was hesitant to apply for a PPP loan 
fearing he wouldn’t be able to meet the forgiveness criteria.“We didn’t want to have a bunch of loans to pay back,” Musil said. “That was my biggest fear.”Musil
 and his wife, Heather, own the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro &amp; 
Market in Hays. Their small, mostly part-time staff includes several 
Fort Hays University students. If too many of them “graduated and moved 
on,” Musil was worried he might not be in strict compliance with those 
rules, which he said, seemed to be “changing daily.”“Running a 
small business, we’re all hands on deck and we didn’t have time to read 
all the information that was coming out,” he said.They applied 
anyway and got what Musil described as a “small loan” — just enough to 
cover a couple of weeks of payroll. Now that the bistro has reopened, 
Musil’s focus is on “getting people back in the seats.”“We hope they feel safe, but I can’t judge what people are thinking,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591121969237.png" alt="Silver Lake Bank President Pat Gideon said, combined, his five branches in northeast Kansas processed 186 loans worth $34 million in the first round of federal PPP money. Jim McLean photo" />
 <figcaption>Silver Lake Bank President Pat Gideon said, combined, his five branches in northeast Kansas processed 186 loans worth $34 million in the first round of federal PPP money. Jim McLean photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘It worked fantastic’</h2><a href="https://silverlakebank.com/" target="_blank">The Silver Lake Bank i</a>s
 one of many Kansas community banks with a history of being a Small 
Business Administration lender. Bank president Pat Gideon said that made
 it more ready to start handling applications as soon as the PPP 
launched.On the Friday of the launch, Gideon said, his staff made
 sure at 4:30 a.m. the application portal was working. By 6:30 a.m., 
they had pushed through the first application.“We ran until 10 p.m. that Friday night,” he said, and all that weekend.The
 first $342 billion ran out within five days, and Silver Lake Bank, 
which has five branches in northeast Kansas, had processed 186 loans 
worth $34 million.The biggest was a Topeka-based food production 
business got the Silver Lake Bank’s largest loan of $2.7 million. A 
home-based vegetable hot house that needed only $1,200 was the recipient
 of its smallest.Most of the loans went to help “owner,-operator businesses” retain workers, Gideon said. “They kept people off unemployment.”More than 500 Kansas banks, credit unions and other types of lending institutions participated in the program.<h2>California connection</h2>The
 first round of PPP money had all but run out when Don Kipper, the owner
 of a small toy store in Los Angeles, connected with Gideon through a 
mutual acquaintance. Kipper’s bank wasn’t responding to him.Gideon
 did, and he was intrigued by Kip’s Toyland, which was started in 1945 
by Don’s father. He had been a prisoner of war in World War II, and when
 he got back to the U.S., he decided to sell only child-powered toys — 
none rely on batteries or electricity.“It’s a great story and this (the pandemic) was going to close them down,” Gideon said. “So, we secured the money for them.”The approximately $30,000 loan allowed Kipper to stay in business and continue paying his small staff.“It reminds me of that movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Pat is that guy,” Kipper said. “He made it happen.”Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.&nbsp;Scott Canon is managing editor of the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/scottcanon" target="_blank">@ScottCanon</a> or email scott@kcur.org.