NEOSHO COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 3a.m. Thursday in Neosho County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by&nbsp;Timothy John Vanleeuwen, 36, Savonburg, was southbound on U.S. 59 just south of Kansas 39 Highway. 

The car crossed the centerline, traveled off the roadway to the left and came to rest at the bottom of the ditch ravine. 

Vanleeuwen was ejected in the crash, pronounce dead at the scene and was transported to the Forensic Center Kansas City. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

NEOSHO COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 3a.m. Thursday in Neosho County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by&nbsp;Timothy John Vanleeuwen, 36, Savonburg, was southbound on U.S. 59 just south of Kansas 39 Highway. The car crossed the centerline, traveled off the roadway to the left and came to rest at the bottom of the ditch ravine. Vanleeuwen was ejected in the crash, pronounce dead at the scene and was transported to the Forensic Center Kansas City. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after ejected when car lands in ravine

CARTHAGE, Mo. (AP) — Sam Butcher, the artist who created the Precious Moments figurines depicting angelic teardrop-eyed children, has died. He was 85.

The company said in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPreciousMoments/posts/pfbid02CjXCJ7LRLisyo7DmHYwatfjtQXyMQUi3y2Sos6wh235po4BB9CPhzyDeaBcCLH41l">post</a>&nbsp;that he died early Monday surrounded by family. It said his life's mission was “to share God’s gift of love with the world.” No details about his cause of death were provided.

Some of the Christian-themed figurines feature Bible verses or children praying. Fans have collections numbering in the hundreds, while critics deride them as kitsch.

Butcher's childhood love of illustrating got a wider audience when he began telling Bible stories on a children’s ministry television show while he drew. That experience led to him cofounding a business in 1974 named Jonathan &amp; David after the biblical figures, according to his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/sam-butcher-1939-2024-precious-moments-founder-and-artist/">online obituary.</a>

Early offerings included greeting cards. And within a few years, those drawings were transformed into porcelain figurines.

Thousands of designs have been produced over the decades, and fans of his work flock each year to the Precious Moments Inspiration Park and Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri.

The cornerstone of the pastel-painted, non-denominational oasis is the chapel, which Butcher was inspired to build by a 1983 trip to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. It includes 84 Biblical murals that cover more than 5,000 square feet.

CARTHAGE, Mo. (AP) — Sam Butcher, the artist who created the Precious Moments figurines depicting angelic teardrop-eyed children, has died. He was 85.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FOfficialPreciousMoments%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02CjXCJ7LRLisyo7DmHYwatfjtQXyMQUi3y2Sos6wh235po4BB9CPhzyDeaBcCLH41l&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="764" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The company said in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPreciousMoments/posts/pfbid02CjXCJ7LRLisyo7DmHYwatfjtQXyMQUi3y2Sos6wh235po4BB9CPhzyDeaBcCLH41l">post</a>&nbsp;that he died early Monday surrounded by family. It said his life's mission was “to share God’s gift of love with the world.” No details about his cause of death were provided.Some of the Christian-themed figurines feature Bible verses or children praying. Fans have collections numbering in the hundreds, while critics deride them as kitsch.Butcher's childhood love of illustrating got a wider audience when he began telling Bible stories on a children’s ministry television show while he drew. That experience led to him cofounding a business in 1974 named Jonathan &amp; David after the biblical figures, according to his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/sam-butcher-1939-2024-precious-moments-founder-and-artist/">online obituary.</a>Early offerings included greeting cards. And within a few years, those drawings were transformed into porcelain figurines.Thousands of designs have been produced over the decades, and fans of his work flock each year to the Precious Moments Inspiration Park and Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri.The cornerstone of the pastel-painted, non-denominational oasis is the chapel, which Butcher was inspired to build by a 1983 trip to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. It includes 84 Biblical murals that cover more than 5,000 square feet.

Precious Moments creator Sam Butcher dies at 85

TEXAS COUNTY (AP) —The bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer, according to recently unsealed court documents.

The bodies of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, both of Hugoton, Kansas, were found April 14 buried on land in rural Texas County and rented by Tad Cullum, who is among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ad12febeab316e7d5ff7746aa05efa7f">five people charged</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bodies-found-missing-kansas-women-search-oklahoma-91796a0b0b4d02db3d593da9c1bf0f5a">kidnapping and killing the two women</a>, according to the documents unsealed March 15.

Also found on the land, which Cullum rented for cattle grazing, were articles of clothing, duct tape and a knife, each “with possible blood on them,” in addition to black tape, electrical cord and a combination stun gun/flashlight, according to the documents.

Cullum, 43, his girlfriend Tifany Adams, 54, both of Keyes, Oklahoma; husband and wife Cole Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, of Texhoma, Oklahoma; and Paul Grice, 31, are each charged with two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping and a single count of conspiracy to commit murder.

All are being held without bail and a gag order in the case prohibits attorneys from commenting on the case.

Investigators have said Butler and Adams were in a bitter child dispute over custody of Butler’s children, who are Adams’ grandchildren.

Butler's attorney told investigators that Butler was likely to be granted unsupervised visitation during a hearing scheduled just more than two weeks after the two disappeared, the documents state.

Butler and Kelley, who was to supervise a visitation with Butler and her children, disappeared March 30 while driving to pick up Butler’s two children from Adams for a birthday party.

The women’s car was found near the rural highway intersection about 260 miles (418 kilometers) from where Butler was to pick up her son and daughter. Butler’s glasses were found near the car and blood was found on the roadway, according to an arrest affidavit.

The buried freezer with the bodies inside was found about 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) from where the car was found and in the area where prepaid cell phones purchased by Adams were traced, according to the court documents.

A witness also told an investigator the Grice had asked him shortly after the bodies were found how long it would take the state lab to process DNA evidence, how long DNA would tast in dirt, how long DNA would last on clothing in dirt in a 15 feet deep hole and if he knew how to get a “guy and his family” into Mexico, according to documents.

The witness told the investigator that Grice said he was concerned about his DNA being in the hole where the bodies were found “because he had been to the Twombly residence.”

Another witness told Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents that all five suspects were part of “an anti-government group that had a religious affiliation” known as “God's Misfits” according to an affidavit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713359723848.jpeg" alt="This combination photo shows Veronica Butler, left, and Jilian Kelley, right. On Saturday, April 13, 2024, (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>This combination photo shows Veronica Butler, left, and Jilian Kelley, right. On Saturday, April 13, 2024, (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TEXAS COUNTY (AP) —The bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer, according to recently unsealed court documents.The bodies of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, both of Hugoton, Kansas, were found April 14 buried on land in rural Texas County and rented by Tad Cullum, who is among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ad12febeab316e7d5ff7746aa05efa7f">five people charged</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bodies-found-missing-kansas-women-search-oklahoma-91796a0b0b4d02db3d593da9c1bf0f5a">kidnapping and killing the two women</a>, according to the documents unsealed March 15.Also found on the land, which Cullum rented for cattle grazing, were articles of clothing, duct tape and a knife, each “with possible blood on them,” in addition to black tape, electrical cord and a combination stun gun/flashlight, according to the documents.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713056452999.png" alt="Counterclockwise from top-43-year-old Tad Bert Cullum; 54-year-old Tifany Machel Adams, 50-year-old Cole Earl Twombly, and 44-year-old Cora Twombly -photos Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation" />
 <figcaption>Counterclockwise from top-43-year-old Tad Bert Cullum; 54-year-old Tifany Machel Adams, 50-year-old Cole Earl Twombly, and 44-year-old Cora Twombly -photos Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation</figcaption>
 </figure>Cullum, 43, his girlfriend Tifany Adams, 54, both of Keyes, Oklahoma; husband and wife Cole Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, of Texhoma, Oklahoma; and Paul Grice, 31, are each charged with two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping and a single count of conspiracy to commit murder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713991420283.png" alt="Grice -photo OSBI" />
 <figcaption>Grice -photo OSBI</figcaption>
 </figure>All are being held without bail and a gag order in the case prohibits attorneys from commenting on the case.Investigators have said Butler and Adams were in a bitter child dispute over custody of Butler’s children, who are Adams’ grandchildren.Butler's attorney told investigators that Butler was likely to be granted unsupervised visitation during a hearing scheduled just more than two weeks after the two disappeared, the documents state.Butler and Kelley, who was to supervise a visitation with Butler and her children, disappeared March 30 while driving to pick up Butler’s two children from Adams for a birthday party.The women’s car was found near the rural highway intersection about 260 miles (418 kilometers) from where Butler was to pick up her son and daughter. Butler’s glasses were found near the car and blood was found on the roadway, according to an arrest affidavit.The buried freezer with the bodies inside was found about 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) from where the car was found and in the area where prepaid cell phones purchased by Adams were traced, according to the court documents.A witness also told an investigator the Grice had asked him shortly after the bodies were found how long it would take the state lab to process DNA evidence, how long DNA would tast in dirt, how long DNA would last on clothing in dirt in a 15 feet deep hole and if he knew how to get a “guy and his family” into Mexico, according to documents.The witness told the investigator that Grice said he was concerned about his DNA being in the hole where the bodies were found “because he had been to the Twombly residence.”Another witness told Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents that all five suspects were part of “an anti-government group that had a religious affiliation” known as “God's Misfits” according to an affidavit.

Court documents reveal new details on Kan. moms murdered in Oklahoma

BOONE COUNTY —Authorities in Boone County Arkansas say a Kansas woman identified as 69-year-old Judy Henderson-Bailey of Topeka&nbsp; drowned last weekend at the Carver, Buffalo National River.

&nbsp;Just after 5p.m. May 19, the Buffalo National River dispatch learned of a possible drowning in the upper district of the river near Carver, according to a media release from the National Park Service.

Judy Henderson-Bailey, 69, Topeka, Kansas, was floating in a private kayak that overturned after striking a tree in the river channel.&nbsp; After turning over in the water, the she was pulled under a submerged tree. 

Members of her floating party tried to extract her but were unsuccessful. She was not wearing a personal floatation device at the time. 

Buffalo National River thanked the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Hasty Volunteer Fire Department who also responded to the incident.

Currents, down trees, and underwater obstructions exist in rivers and creeks, which can make paddling more challenging. Buffalo National River offers a loaner life jacket program. You may borrow a life jacket from the Steel Creek Ranger Station, Tyler Bend Visitor Center, or Buffalo Point Ranger Station. Please call the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502 to learn more.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716481759897.png" alt="Photo National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>BOONE COUNTY —Authorities in Boone County Arkansas say a Kansas woman identified as 69-year-old Judy Henderson-Bailey of Topeka&nbsp; drowned last weekend at the Carver, Buffalo National River.&nbsp;Just after 5p.m. May 19, the Buffalo National River dispatch learned of a possible drowning in the upper district of the river near Carver, according to a media release from the National Park Service.Judy Henderson-Bailey, 69, Topeka, Kansas, was floating in a private kayak that overturned after striking a tree in the river channel.&nbsp; After turning over in the water, the she was pulled under a submerged tree. Members of her floating party tried to extract her but were unsuccessful. She was not wearing a personal floatation device at the time. Buffalo National River thanked the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Hasty Volunteer Fire Department who also responded to the incident.Currents, down trees, and underwater obstructions exist in rivers and creeks, which can make paddling more challenging. Buffalo National River offers a loaner life jacket program. You may borrow a life jacket from the Steel Creek Ranger Station, Tyler Bend Visitor Center, or Buffalo Point Ranger Station. Please call the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502 to learn more.

Kansas woman drowns after kayak overturns in river

&nbsp;KANSAS CITy (AP) — A judge will soon decide the fate of a Missouri man who has spent more than three decades in prison for a killing he says he didn't commit.

Christopher Dunn was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1990 shooting death of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore believes Dunn was wrongfully convicted, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-hearing-missouri-christopher-dunn-ffc9fb15b4cd207ee726d110cd8e74b8">requested a hearing</a>&nbsp;before Judge Jason Sengheiser. It concluded Wednesday.

“In this case, your honor, there simply remains no evidence at all,” Gore said, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-courts/fate-of-man-who-claims-innocence-in-st-louis-murder-now-in-hands-of-judge/article_531064c2-188a-11ef-9bc7-9725c72808b8.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;reported.

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office opposed the effort to vacate Dunn's conviction. Lawyers for the state said that initial testimony from two boys at the scene who said Dunn was the shooter was correct, even though they later recanted as adults.

“That verdict was accurate, and that verdict should stand,” said Assistant Attorney General Tristin Estep.

Both sides will now submit written arguments to Sengheiser. It isn't clear when he will decide.

A Missouri law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">adopted in 2021</a>&nbsp;allows prosecutors to request hearings when they see evidence of a wrongful conviction. Gore filed a motion in February seeking to vacate the guilty verdict, citing “clear and convincing evidence of Christopher Dunn’s actual innocence.”

While Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office is not required to oppose such efforts, he also opposed another major effort in St. Louis when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-vacated-3eb7e5fbe6210dbc38b11995902b9947">Lamar Johnson</a>&nbsp;was freed last year after serving 28 years for a murder a judge ruled he was wrongfully convicted of.

Dunn was convicted based largely on the testimony of 14-year-old DeMorris Stepp and 12-year-old Michael Davis Jr., who said they witnessed the shooting but later recanted.

Rogers was shot to death on May 18, 1990, when a gunman opened fire while he was with a group of other teenage boys outside of a home. Davis and Stepp immediately claimed Dunn was the shooter.

In a recorded interview played Tuesday in court, Davis said he lied because he thought Dunn was affiliated with a rival gang.

Stepp's story has changed a few times over the years, Gore said at Wednesday's hearing. He has most recently said he did not see Dunn as the shooter. Gore said another judge previously found Stepp to be a “completely unreliable witness” and urged Sengheiser to discount him altogether.

Dunn has said he was at his mother's home at the time of the shooting. Childhood friend Nicole Bailey testified that she spoke with Dunn by phone that night. She said Dunn was speaking on a phone at his mother's house.

Estep, the assistant attorney general, said Dunn's alibi could not be trusted. She said his story has shifted multiple times over the years. Dunn did not testify at the hearing.

The 2021 law has resulted in the the release of two men who each spent decades in prison. In addition to Johnson,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-missouri-bba67efd61eaa165165e29a7298a1dc3">Kevin Strickland</a>&nbsp;was freed in 2021 after more than 40 years for three killings in Kansas City after a judge ruled he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">had been wrongfully convicted in 1979</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716285440731.png" alt="Dunn photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Dunn photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;KANSAS CITy (AP) — A judge will soon decide the fate of a Missouri man who has spent more than three decades in prison for a killing he says he didn't commit.Christopher Dunn was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1990 shooting death of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore believes Dunn was wrongfully convicted, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-hearing-missouri-christopher-dunn-ffc9fb15b4cd207ee726d110cd8e74b8">requested a hearing</a>&nbsp;before Judge Jason Sengheiser. It concluded Wednesday.“In this case, your honor, there simply remains no evidence at all,” Gore said, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-courts/fate-of-man-who-claims-innocence-in-st-louis-murder-now-in-hands-of-judge/article_531064c2-188a-11ef-9bc7-9725c72808b8.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;reported.The Missouri Attorney General’s Office opposed the effort to vacate Dunn's conviction. Lawyers for the state said that initial testimony from two boys at the scene who said Dunn was the shooter was correct, even though they later recanted as adults.“That verdict was accurate, and that verdict should stand,” said Assistant Attorney General Tristin Estep.Both sides will now submit written arguments to Sengheiser. It isn't clear when he will decide.A Missouri law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">adopted in 2021</a>&nbsp;allows prosecutors to request hearings when they see evidence of a wrongful conviction. Gore filed a motion in February seeking to vacate the guilty verdict, citing “clear and convincing evidence of Christopher Dunn’s actual innocence.”While Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office is not required to oppose such efforts, he also opposed another major effort in St. Louis when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wrongful-conviction-vacated-3eb7e5fbe6210dbc38b11995902b9947">Lamar Johnson</a>&nbsp;was freed last year after serving 28 years for a murder a judge ruled he was wrongfully convicted of.Dunn was convicted based largely on the testimony of 14-year-old DeMorris Stepp and 12-year-old Michael Davis Jr., who said they witnessed the shooting but later recanted.Rogers was shot to death on May 18, 1990, when a gunman opened fire while he was with a group of other teenage boys outside of a home. Davis and Stepp immediately claimed Dunn was the shooter.In a recorded interview played Tuesday in court, Davis said he lied because he thought Dunn was affiliated with a rival gang.Stepp's story has changed a few times over the years, Gore said at Wednesday's hearing. He has most recently said he did not see Dunn as the shooter. Gore said another judge previously found Stepp to be a “completely unreliable witness” and urged Sengheiser to discount him altogether.Dunn has said he was at his mother's home at the time of the shooting. Childhood friend Nicole Bailey testified that she spoke with Dunn by phone that night. She said Dunn was speaking on a phone at his mother's house.Estep, the assistant attorney general, said Dunn's alibi could not be trusted. She said his story has shifted multiple times over the years. Dunn did not testify at the hearing.The 2021 law has resulted in the the release of two men who each spent decades in prison. In addition to Johnson,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-missouri-bba67efd61eaa165165e29a7298a1dc3">Kevin Strickland</a>&nbsp;was freed in 2021 after more than 40 years for three killings in Kansas City after a judge ruled he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">had been wrongfully convicted in 1979</a>.

Fate of Mo. man jailed more than 30 years now in the hands of a judge

SALINE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7p.m. Wednesday in Saline County.

A 2001 Harley Davidson&nbsp;driven by Steven Moore, 60, Salina was traveling in the 600 Block of South Broadway in Salina, according to Salina Police Sgt. Chad McCary.

A 2020 Chevy Silverado driven by Cody Soukup of Salina, was attempting a left turn out of the Club Carwash.&nbsp; According to police, Soukup failed to yield which caused traffic to back up on the right lane of South Broadway.

The motorcycle traveled around backed up traffic and stopped to avoid the pickup.&nbsp; Moore fell from the bike with and a passenger identified as&nbsp;64-year-old Debra Dankenbring of Salina slid onto the road. Moore then slid into the back of a 2000 Dodge Neon driven by Jose Silva-Collazo who was in the center lane, attempting to turn into a parking lot.

EMS transported&nbsp; Moore and Dankenbring to Salina Regional Health Center where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

The accident remains under investigation, according to McCary.

SALINE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7p.m. Wednesday in Saline County.A 2001 Harley Davidson&nbsp;driven by Steven Moore, 60, Salina was traveling in the 600 Block of South Broadway in Salina, according to Salina Police Sgt. Chad McCary.A 2020 Chevy Silverado driven by Cody Soukup of Salina, was attempting a left turn out of the Club Carwash.&nbsp; According to police, Soukup failed to yield which caused traffic to back up on the right lane of South Broadway.The motorcycle traveled around backed up traffic and stopped to avoid the pickup.&nbsp; Moore fell from the bike with and a passenger identified as&nbsp;64-year-old Debra Dankenbring of Salina slid onto the road. Moore then slid into the back of a 2000 Dodge Neon driven by Jose Silva-Collazo who was in the center lane, attempting to turn into a parking lot.EMS transported&nbsp; Moore and Dankenbring to Salina Regional Health Center where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;The accident remains under investigation, according to McCary.

Kansas man dies, woman injured after fall from motorcycle

KANSAS CITY —Three firefighters were injured fighting a Kansas City. house fire.

Just after 10p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to report of a house fire in the 700 block of Elmwood, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant structure. The fire was heavily involved and extending to the homes both to the north and south and additional companies were ordered to the scene.

&nbsp;The fire was brought under control at 10:44 pm.&nbsp; Three firefighters sustained injuries during this operation, two were transported to local hospitals with non- life threatening but serious injuries including burns to lower extremities and one with severe dehydration, according to Hopkins.&nbsp;&nbsp;Searches of the home came back all clear. There were no other injuries reported.

One firefighter was treated at the hospital and released and will follow up for additional care. The other firefighter was kept in the hospital overnight for fluids and treatment but should be released Thursday, according to Hopkins.

The Red Cross responded to assist two adults. The cause of this fire is under investigation by KCFD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716475600078.png" alt="Photos Kansas City Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kansas City Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Three firefighters were injured fighting a Kansas City. house fire.Just after 10p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to report of a house fire in the 700 block of Elmwood, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant structure. The fire was heavily involved and extending to the homes both to the north and south and additional companies were ordered to the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716475664056.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The fire was brought under control at 10:44 pm.&nbsp; Three firefighters sustained injuries during this operation, two were transported to local hospitals with non- life threatening but serious injuries including burns to lower extremities and one with severe dehydration, according to Hopkins.&nbsp;&nbsp;Searches of the home came back all clear. There were no other injuries reported.One firefighter was treated at the hospital and released and will follow up for additional care. The other firefighter was kept in the hospital overnight for fluids and treatment but should be released Thursday, according to Hopkins.The Red Cross responded to assist two adults. The cause of this fire is under investigation by KCFD.

3 firefighters injured battling Kansas City house fire

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-justice">The Justice Department</a>&nbsp;filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation Entertainment on Thursday, accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America — squelching competition and driving up prices for fans.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, was being brought with 30 state and district attorneys general and seeks to break up the monopoly they say is squeezing out smaller promoters and hurting artists.

"We allege that Live Nation relies on unlawful, anticompetitive conduct to exercise its monopolistic control over the live events industry in the United States at the cost of fans, artists, smaller promoters, and venue operators,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/merrick-garland">Attorney General Merrick Garland</a>&nbsp;said in a statement. “The result is that fans pay more in fees, artists have fewer opportunities to play concerts, smaller promoters get squeezed out, and venues have fewer real choices for ticketing services. It is time to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster.”

The Justice Department accuses Live Nation of a slew of practices that allow it to maintain a stronghold over the live music scene, including using long-term contracts to keep venues from choosing rival ticketers, blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers and threatening venues that they could lose money and fans if they don't choose Ticketmaster. The Justice Department says Live Nation also threatened to retaliate against one firm if it didn't stop a subsidiary from competing for artist promotion contracts.

Live Nation said in prepared remarks Thursday that the Justice Department's lawsuit “won’t solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees, and access to in-demand shows.”

Live Nation added that “calling Ticketmaster a monopoly may be a PR win for the DOJ in the short term, but it will lose in court because it ignores the basic economics of live entertainment" — stating that most service fees go to venues. The company said it would defend itself “against these baseless allegations" and push for other reforms.

Live Nation has for years denied that it is violating antitrust laws and also said Thursday that competition had “steadily eroded Ticketmaster’s market share and profit margin.”

But competitor ticket sellers have long complained that Live Nation makes it difficult for them to disrupt the market with practices such as withholding acts if those venues don’t agree to use Ticketmaster’s service.

The lawsuit is the latest example of the Biden administration’s aggressive antitrust enforcement approach targeting companies accused of engaging in illegal monopolies that box out competitors and drive up prices. In March, the Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3">filed a lawsuit against Apple</a>&nbsp;alleging that the tech giant has monopoly power in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/smartphones">the smartphone market</a>. The Democratic administration has also taken on Google, Amazon and other tech giants.

“Today’s action is a step forward in making this era of live music more accessible for the fans, the artists, and the industry that supports them,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement.

Ticketmaster, which merged with Live Nation in 2010, is the world’s largest ticket seller. During its annual report last month, the company said that Ticketmaster distributed more than 620 million tickets through its systems in 2023.

Around 70% of tickets for major concert venues in the U.S. are sold through Ticketmaster, according to data in a federal lawsuit filed by consumers in 2022. The company owns or controls more than 265 of North America's concert venues and dozens of top amphitheaters, according to the Justice Department.

The ticket seller sparked outrage in November 2022 when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-concert-tickets-parents-34399cca6403c97f0983a5c69c7edec0">its site crashed during a presale event for a Taylor Swift stadium tour</a>. The company said its site was overwhelmed by both fans and attacks from bots, which were posing as consumers to scoop up tickets and sell them on secondary sites. The debacle prompted congressional hearings and bills in state legislatures aimed at better protecting consumers.

The Justice Department allowed Live Nation and Ticketmaster to merge as long as Live Nation agreed not to retaliate against concert venues for using other ticket companies for 10 years. In 2019, the department investigated and found that Live Nation had “repeatedly” violated that agreement and extended the prohibition on retaliating against concert venues to 2025.

AP Reporters Michelle Chapman and Maria Sherman contri

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668687399028.jpeg" alt="-Ticketmaster tickets and gift cards are shown at a box office in San Jose, Calif., May 11, 2009. The Justice Department has filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, accusing the companies of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America and squelching competition. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)" />
 <figcaption>-Ticketmaster tickets and gift cards are shown at a box office in San Jose, Calif., May 11, 2009. The Justice Department has filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, accusing the companies of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America and squelching competition. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-justice">The Justice Department</a>&nbsp;filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation Entertainment on Thursday, accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America — squelching competition and driving up prices for fans.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Attorney General Merrick Garland: &quot;We allege that Live Nation has illegally monopolized markets across the live concert industry in the United States for far too long. It is time to break it up.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/F2zoOnBZMq">pic.twitter.com/F2zoOnBZMq</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1793663670523686986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, was being brought with 30 state and district attorneys general and seeks to break up the monopoly they say is squeezing out smaller promoters and hurting artists."We allege that Live Nation relies on unlawful, anticompetitive conduct to exercise its monopolistic control over the live events industry in the United States at the cost of fans, artists, smaller promoters, and venue operators,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/merrick-garland">Attorney General Merrick Garland</a>&nbsp;said in a statement. “The result is that fans pay more in fees, artists have fewer opportunities to play concerts, smaller promoters get squeezed out, and venues have fewer real choices for ticketing services. It is time to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster.”The Justice Department accuses Live Nation of a slew of practices that allow it to maintain a stronghold over the live music scene, including using long-term contracts to keep venues from choosing rival ticketers, blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers and threatening venues that they could lose money and fans if they don't choose Ticketmaster. The Justice Department says Live Nation also threatened to retaliate against one firm if it didn't stop a subsidiary from competing for artist promotion contracts.Live Nation said in prepared remarks Thursday that the Justice Department's lawsuit “won’t solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees, and access to in-demand shows.”Live Nation added that “calling Ticketmaster a monopoly may be a PR win for the DOJ in the short term, but it will lose in court because it ignores the basic economics of live entertainment" — stating that most service fees go to venues. The company said it would defend itself “against these baseless allegations" and push for other reforms.Live Nation has for years denied that it is violating antitrust laws and also said Thursday that competition had “steadily eroded Ticketmaster’s market share and profit margin.”But competitor ticket sellers have long complained that Live Nation makes it difficult for them to disrupt the market with practices such as withholding acts if those venues don’t agree to use Ticketmaster’s service.The lawsuit is the latest example of the Biden administration’s aggressive antitrust enforcement approach targeting companies accused of engaging in illegal monopolies that box out competitors and drive up prices. In March, the Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3">filed a lawsuit against Apple</a>&nbsp;alleging that the tech giant has monopoly power in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/smartphones">the smartphone market</a>. The Democratic administration has also taken on Google, Amazon and other tech giants.“Today’s action is a step forward in making this era of live music more accessible for the fans, the artists, and the industry that supports them,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement.Ticketmaster, which merged with Live Nation in 2010, is the world’s largest ticket seller. During its annual report last month, the company said that Ticketmaster distributed more than 620 million tickets through its systems in 2023.Around 70% of tickets for major concert venues in the U.S. are sold through Ticketmaster, according to data in a federal lawsuit filed by consumers in 2022. The company owns or controls more than 265 of North America's concert venues and dozens of top amphitheaters, according to the Justice Department.The ticket seller sparked outrage in November 2022 when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-concert-tickets-parents-34399cca6403c97f0983a5c69c7edec0">its site crashed during a presale event for a Taylor Swift stadium tour</a>. The company said its site was overwhelmed by both fans and attacks from bots, which were posing as consumers to scoop up tickets and sell them on secondary sites. The debacle prompted congressional hearings and bills in state legislatures aimed at better protecting consumers.The Justice Department allowed Live Nation and Ticketmaster to merge as long as Live Nation agreed not to retaliate against concert venues for using other ticket companies for 10 years. In 2019, the department investigated and found that Live Nation had “repeatedly” violated that agreement and extended the prohibition on retaliating against concert venues to 2025.__________AP Reporters Michelle Chapman and Maria Sherman contri

🎥Justice Dept.: Illegal monopoly by Ticketmaster drives up prices for fans

GREENFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A deadly tornado that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/severe-weather-midwest-iowa-tornadoes-26c73e14ab481ef77a1b0606a2b10adc">wreaked havoc in the small city of Greenfield, Iowa</a>, left four people dead and nearly three dozen injured, officials said, while a fifth person was killed elsewhere.

The twister that tore through the city&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-flooding-winds-nebraska-omaha-iowa-07e423f20b8e81f40cc648090b8a2409">on Tuesday</a>&nbsp;was rated at least an EF-3 by the National Weather Service and was so destructive that it took authorities more than a day to account for the area's residents.

It’s believed that the number of people injured is likely higher, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said.

The fifth person was killed about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Greenfield when her car was blown off the road in a tornado, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Monica Zamarron, 46, died in the crash Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Officials haven't yet released the names of the other victims.

The severe weather turned south Wednesday. In Texas, officials issued an emergency declaration in Temple, a city of more than 90,000 people north of Austin, after powerful storms ripped through the area. Thousands of residents lost power, schools canceled Thursday's classes and nearby Fort Cavazos reported significant debris blocking traffic at the Army installation.

In Iowa, the Greenfield tornado obliterated homes, splintered trees and crumpled cars in the town of 2,000 about 55 miles (89 kilometers) southwest of Des Moines. The twister also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-iowa-wind-farm-turbines-feb9913c3d53915ffa420e277af4bb6d">crumpled massive power-producing wind turbines</a>&nbsp;outside the city.

Greenfield resident Kimberly Ergish and her husband dug through the debris field Wednesday that used to be their home, looking for family photos and other salvageable items. There wasn’t much left, she acknowledged. The reality of having her house destroyed in seconds hadn’t really set in.

“If it weren’t for all the bumps and bruises and the achy bones, I would think that it didn’t happen,” Ergish said.

This is a historically busy tornado season in the U.S., in an era when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/climate-and-environment">climate change</a>&nbsp;is heightening the severity of storms around the world. April had the country's&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NWSSPC/status/1786147051090428273">second-highest number of tornadoes</a>&nbsp;on record.

Through Tuesday, 859 tornadoes had been confirmed this year, 27% more than the U.S. sees on average, according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Iowa has so far recorded the most, with 81 confirmed twisters.

On Tuesday alone, the National Weather Service said it received 23 tornado reports, with 21 in Iowa.

Tuesday's storms also pummeled parts of Illinois and Wisconsin, knocking out power to tens of thousands of customers.

The Greenfield tornado was at least an EF-3, according to initial surveys, and more damage assessments could lead to a more powerful ranking, the National Weather Service said.

The tornado appeared to have been on the ground for more than 40 miles (64 kilometers), AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said. A satellite photo taken by a BlackSky Technology shows where the twister gouged a nearly straight path of destruction through the town, just south of Greenfield’s center square.

“Debris was lifted thousands of feet in the air and ended up falling to the ground several counties away from Greenfield. That’s evidence of just how intense and deadly this tornado was," Porter said.

People as far as 100 miles (160 kilometers) away from Greenfield posted photos on Facebook of ripped family photos, yearbook pages and other items that were lifted into the sky by the tornado.

About 90 miles (145 kilometers) away, in Ames, Iowa, Nicole Banner found a yellowed page declaring “This Book is the Property of the Greenfield Community School District” stuck to her garage door like a Post-It note after the storm passed.

“We just couldn’t believe it had traveled that far,” she said.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said FEMA’s administrator would be in Iowa Thursday and that the White House was in touch with state and local officials. She said they were “praying for those who tragically lost their lives” and wished those injured a “speedy recovery.”

Greenfield's 25-bed hospital was among the buildings damaged, so at least a dozen injured people had to be taken elsewhere. Hospital officials said in a Facebook post Wednesday that they'll remain closed and full repairs could take months. Meanwhile, an urgent care clinic was set up at the elementary school, with primary care services to start there Thursday, the post said.

Residential streets that on Monday were lined with old-growth trees and neatly-appointed ranch-style homes were a chaotic jumble of splintered and smashed remnants by Wednesday. Many basements where people took shelter were exposed, and front yards were littered with furniture and toys and Christmas decorations.

Roseann Freeland waited until the last minute to rush with her husband to a concrete room in their basement. Seconds after the twister passed, her husband opened the door "and you could just see daylight,” Freeland said. “I just lost it. I just totally lost it.”

Beck reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Steve Karnowski and Trisha Ahmed in Minneapolis; Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; and Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716371806181.png" alt="Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI" />
 <figcaption>Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI</figcaption>
 </figure>GREENFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A deadly tornado that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/severe-weather-midwest-iowa-tornadoes-26c73e14ab481ef77a1b0606a2b10adc">wreaked havoc in the small city of Greenfield, Iowa</a>, left four people dead and nearly three dozen injured, officials said, while a fifth person was killed elsewhere.The twister that tore through the city&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-flooding-winds-nebraska-omaha-iowa-07e423f20b8e81f40cc648090b8a2409">on Tuesday</a>&nbsp;was rated at least an EF-3 by the National Weather Service and was so destructive that it took authorities more than a day to account for the area's residents.It’s believed that the number of people injured is likely higher, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said.The fifth person was killed about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Greenfield when her car was blown off the road in a tornado, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Monica Zamarron, 46, died in the crash Tuesday afternoon, officials said.Officials haven't yet released the names of the other victims.The severe weather turned south Wednesday. In Texas, officials issued an emergency declaration in Temple, a city of more than 90,000 people north of Austin, after powerful storms ripped through the area. Thousands of residents lost power, schools canceled Thursday's classes and nearby Fort Cavazos reported significant debris blocking traffic at the Army installation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716372219187.png" alt="Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI" />
 <figcaption>Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI</figcaption>
 </figure>In Iowa, the Greenfield tornado obliterated homes, splintered trees and crumpled cars in the town of 2,000 about 55 miles (89 kilometers) southwest of Des Moines. The twister also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-iowa-wind-farm-turbines-feb9913c3d53915ffa420e277af4bb6d">crumpled massive power-producing wind turbines</a>&nbsp;outside the city.Greenfield resident Kimberly Ergish and her husband dug through the debris field Wednesday that used to be their home, looking for family photos and other salvageable items. There wasn’t much left, she acknowledged. The reality of having her house destroyed in seconds hadn’t really set in.“If it weren’t for all the bumps and bruises and the achy bones, I would think that it didn’t happen,” Ergish said.This is a historically busy tornado season in the U.S., in an era when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/climate-and-environment">climate change</a>&nbsp;is heightening the severity of storms around the world. April had the country's&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NWSSPC/status/1786147051090428273">second-highest number of tornadoes</a>&nbsp;on record.Through Tuesday, 859 tornadoes had been confirmed this year, 27% more than the U.S. sees on average, according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Iowa has so far recorded the most, with 81 confirmed twisters.On Tuesday alone, the National Weather Service said it received 23 tornado reports, with 21 in Iowa.Tuesday's storms also pummeled parts of Illinois and Wisconsin, knocking out power to tens of thousands of customers.The Greenfield tornado was at least an EF-3, according to initial surveys, and more damage assessments could lead to a more powerful ranking, the National Weather Service said.The tornado appeared to have been on the ground for more than 40 miles (64 kilometers), AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said. A satellite photo taken by a BlackSky Technology shows where the twister gouged a nearly straight path of destruction through the town, just south of Greenfield’s center square.“Debris was lifted thousands of feet in the air and ended up falling to the ground several counties away from Greenfield. That’s evidence of just how intense and deadly this tornado was," Porter said.People as far as 100 miles (160 kilometers) away from Greenfield posted photos on Facebook of ripped family photos, yearbook pages and other items that were lifted into the sky by the tornado.About 90 miles (145 kilometers) away, in Ames, Iowa, Nicole Banner found a yellowed page declaring “This Book is the Property of the Greenfield Community School District” stuck to her garage door like a Post-It note after the storm passed.“We just couldn’t believe it had traveled that far,” she said.White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said FEMA’s administrator would be in Iowa Thursday and that the White House was in touch with state and local officials. She said they were “praying for those who tragically lost their lives” and wished those injured a “speedy recovery.”Greenfield's 25-bed hospital was among the buildings damaged, so at least a dozen injured people had to be taken elsewhere. Hospital officials said in a Facebook post Wednesday that they'll remain closed and full repairs could take months. Meanwhile, an urgent care clinic was set up at the elementary school, with primary care services to start there Thursday, the post said.Residential streets that on Monday were lined with old-growth trees and neatly-appointed ranch-style homes were a chaotic jumble of splintered and smashed remnants by Wednesday. Many basements where people took shelter were exposed, and front yards were littered with furniture and toys and Christmas decorations.Roseann Freeland waited until the last minute to rush with her husband to a concrete room in their basement. Seconds after the twister passed, her husband opened the door "and you could just see daylight,” Freeland said. “I just lost it. I just totally lost it.”___Beck reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Steve Karnowski and Trisha Ahmed in Minneapolis; Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; and Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, contributed.

Tornadoes killed 5, injured dozens in Iowa. Here’s what they found after the storm

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting at a Kansas City home that killed&nbsp; 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman have identified a subject of interest, according to KDPC Captain Jake Becchina. The subject is a juvenile and is in custody. Police have released no additional details on the investigation.

Just before 10p.m. April 10, police were dispatched to the 3300 block of Flora in Kansas City on a sound of shots call, according Becchina.

While officers were on the way the call was upgraded to a shooting with a victim inside a residence at the address.

Officers were led inside a home where they located a Freeman unresponsive. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS who responded, took over treatment and transported her to the hospital where she was declared deceased a short time later, according to Becchina.

Detectives spoke with people who were at the scene when officers arrived and canvassed for witnesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A funeral <a href="https://www.serenitymemorialkc.com/obituary/Kourtney-Freeman#tributewall">service was held April 21,&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;for Kourtney, according to Serenity Funeral Home.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call 816-474-TIPS or homicide detectives at 816-234-5043.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713225081501.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting at a Kansas City home that killed&nbsp; 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman have identified a subject of interest, according to KDPC Captain Jake Becchina. The subject is a juvenile and is in custody. Police have released no additional details on the investigation.Just before 10p.m. April 10, police were dispatched to the 3300 block of Flora in Kansas City on a sound of shots call, according Becchina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713228804602.png" alt="Kourtney Freeman courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kourtney Freeman courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>While officers were on the way the call was upgraded to a shooting with a victim inside a residence at the address.Officers were led inside a home where they located a Freeman unresponsive. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS who responded, took over treatment and transported her to the hospital where she was declared deceased a short time later, according to Becchina.Detectives spoke with people who were at the scene when officers arrived and canvassed for witnesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;A funeral <a href="https://www.serenitymemorialkc.com/obituary/Kourtney-Freeman#tributewall">service was held April 21,&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;for Kourtney, according to Serenity Funeral Home.Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call 816-474-TIPS or homicide detectives at 816-234-5043.

Juvenile in custody for drive-by killing of 11-year-old at KC home

KANSAS CITY(AP) — Missouri prosecutors said Wednesday that they intend to seek the death penalty against a Kansas City-area man who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/officers-shot-wounded-independence-missouri-87f9ad636e064b3399c17536f727bc8f">charged with murder</a>&nbsp;in the killings of a court employee who tried to serve an eviction notice on him and a police officer who responded.

Larry Acree, 70, of Independence, is accused of shooting court employee Drexel Mack on Feb. 29, plus two police officers who came to the scene, including Cody Allen, who was killed. Officers returned fire and arrested Acree, who suffered minor injuries.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker's office filed a notice with the court saying the state will prove there are aggravating circumstances sufficient to warrant the death penalty. Acree is charged with 18 total counts including two of first-degree murder.

According to court papers, Acree owed delinquent taxes dating back to at least 2019. His 9-acre (3.6-hectare) property and three-bedroom home was sold last August for $260,000, and the new owner paid the taxes. A “Notice to Vacate” sign was posted at the property in February, and authorities have said Acree had no right to be there.

At a brief hearing Wednesday, Acree’s attorney, Edward Berrigan of the Missouri State Public Defender’s office, asked for a continuance so that the public defenders who handle death penalty cases could be reassigned, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article288648525.html">Kansas City Star reported</a>.

Acree's next court date is set for July 10 in Independence, a suburb of Kansas City with about 122,000 residents.

Eleven people are currently on death row in Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709695226784.png" alt="Acree-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Acree-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — Missouri prosecutors said Wednesday that they intend to seek the death penalty against a Kansas City-area man who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/officers-shot-wounded-independence-missouri-87f9ad636e064b3399c17536f727bc8f">charged with murder</a>&nbsp;in the killings of a court employee who tried to serve an eviction notice on him and a police officer who responded.Larry Acree, 70, of Independence, is accused of shooting court employee Drexel Mack on Feb. 29, plus two police officers who came to the scene, including Cody Allen, who was killed. Officers returned fire and arrested Acree, who suffered minor injuries.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker's office filed a notice with the court saying the state will prove there are aggravating circumstances sufficient to warrant the death penalty. Acree is charged with 18 total counts including two of first-degree murder.According to court papers, Acree owed delinquent taxes dating back to at least 2019. His 9-acre (3.6-hectare) property and three-bedroom home was sold last August for $260,000, and the new owner paid the taxes. A “Notice to Vacate” sign was posted at the property in February, and authorities have said Acree had no right to be there.At a brief hearing Wednesday, Acree’s attorney, Edward Berrigan of the Missouri State Public Defender’s office, asked for a continuance so that the public defenders who handle death penalty cases could be reassigned, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article288648525.html">Kansas City Star reported</a>.Acree's next court date is set for July 10 in Independence, a suburb of Kansas City with about 122,000 residents.Eleven people are currently on death row in Missouri.

Prosecutors to seek death penalty in KC killing of court employee, police officer

NEW YORK (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;said Wednesday that she will be voting for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in the general election, a notable show of support given their intense and often personal rivalry during the Republican primary calendar.

But Haley also made it clear that she feels Trump has work to do to win over voters who supported her during the course of the primary campaign and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-presidential-primary-election-indiana-8b73a23568e054ce33163e2ca23b8fb3">continue to cast votes for her in ongoing primary contests</a>.

“I will be voting for Trump,” Haley, Trump’s former U.N. ambassador, said during an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington.

“Having said that, I stand by what I said in my suspension speech,” Haley added. "Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me and not assume that they’re just going to be with him. And I genuinely hope he does that.”

The comments in her first public speech since leaving the race are another signal of the GOP’s virtually complete consolidation of support behind Trump, even from those who have labeled him a threat in the past.

Haley shuttered her own bid for the GOP nomination two months ago but did not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-republicans-trump-biden-donors-endorsement-ec63bee49d27a75145baba557acbd9cb">immediately endorse</a>&nbsp;Trump, having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-trump-2024-republican-south-carolina-e5cf13a535b2746c757c63e34f611dfa">accused him</a>&nbsp;of causing chaos and disregarding the importance of U.S. alliances abroad as well as questioning whether Trump, 77, was too old to be president again.

Trump, in turn, repeatedly mocked her with the nickname “Birdbrain," though he curtailed those attacks after securing enough delegates in March to become the presumptive Republican nominee.

Trump's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Haley's announcement.

President Joe Biden's campaign, meanwhile, has been working to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-donald-trump-pennsylvania-joe-biden-c8ab4e675cfd2fa64d6b749b881c6fbd">win over her supporters</a>, whom they view as true swing voters. Biden’s team is quietly organizing a Republicans for Biden group, which will eventually include dedicated staff and focus on the hundreds of thousands of Haley voters in each battleground state, according to people familiar with the plans but not authorized to discuss them publicly.

But Haley made several criticisms of Biden's foreign policy and handling of the U.S.-Mexico border in her speech Wednesday at the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank she recently joined as she reemerges in the political realm.

Earlier this month, Haley huddled in South Carolina with some of her donors, an event characterized as a “thank you” to her top supporters and not a discussion about Haley’s future political plans or intended to push her backers toward any other candidate.

If she runs for president again, Haley will likely need to win over former Trump supporters in a Republican primary. But her support for him now risks offending moderates and anti-Trump conservatives.

NEW YORK (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;said Wednesday that she will be voting for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in the general election, a notable show of support given their intense and often personal rivalry during the Republican primary calendar.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Biden has been a catastrophe. So I will be voting for Trump.&quot; -- <a href="https://twitter.com/NikkiHaley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NikkiHaley</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/HudsonInstitute?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HudsonInstitute</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y3HPFHMmGR">pic.twitter.com/Y3HPFHMmGR</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1793405487263764977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But Haley also made it clear that she feels Trump has work to do to win over voters who supported her during the course of the primary campaign and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-presidential-primary-election-indiana-8b73a23568e054ce33163e2ca23b8fb3">continue to cast votes for her in ongoing primary contests</a>.“I will be voting for Trump,” Haley, Trump’s former U.N. ambassador, said during an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington.“Having said that, I stand by what I said in my suspension speech,” Haley added. "Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me and not assume that they’re just going to be with him. And I genuinely hope he does that.”The comments in her first public speech since leaving the race are another signal of the GOP’s virtually complete consolidation of support behind Trump, even from those who have labeled him a threat in the past.Haley shuttered her own bid for the GOP nomination two months ago but did not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-republicans-trump-biden-donors-endorsement-ec63bee49d27a75145baba557acbd9cb">immediately endorse</a>&nbsp;Trump, having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-trump-2024-republican-south-carolina-e5cf13a535b2746c757c63e34f611dfa">accused him</a>&nbsp;of causing chaos and disregarding the importance of U.S. alliances abroad as well as questioning whether Trump, 77, was too old to be president again.Trump, in turn, repeatedly mocked her with the nickname “Birdbrain," though he curtailed those attacks after securing enough delegates in March to become the presumptive Republican nominee.Trump's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Haley's announcement.President Joe Biden's campaign, meanwhile, has been working to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-donald-trump-pennsylvania-joe-biden-c8ab4e675cfd2fa64d6b749b881c6fbd">win over her supporters</a>, whom they view as true swing voters. Biden’s team is quietly organizing a Republicans for Biden group, which will eventually include dedicated staff and focus on the hundreds of thousands of Haley voters in each battleground state, according to people familiar with the plans but not authorized to discuss them publicly.But Haley made several criticisms of Biden's foreign policy and handling of the U.S.-Mexico border in her speech Wednesday at the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank she recently joined as she reemerges in the political realm.Earlier this month, Haley huddled in South Carolina with some of her donors, an event characterized as a “thank you” to her top supporters and not a discussion about Haley’s future political plans or intended to push her backers toward any other candidate.If she runs for president again, Haley will likely need to win over former Trump supporters in a Republican primary. But her support for him now risks offending moderates and anti-Trump conservatives.

🎥Nikki Haley explains why she will now vote for Donald Trump

JOHNSON COUNTY —Two members of the Kansas City Chiefs arrested Friday in Johnson County are due to appear in court Thursday, according to online booking information.

The Johnson County sheriff's office reported&nbsp; 23-year-old Chukwuebuka <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/chukwuebuka-jason-godrick/">Godrick </a>and 23-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/wanya-morris/">Wanya Morris </a>were booked into jail for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

Both were released on Friday afternoon after posting $2,500 bond.&nbsp;

Morris, an offensive lineman from the University of Oklahoma, was a third-round draft pick (92nd overall) by the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to his bio on the team web site.

Godrick, an offensive lineman, is also entering his second season with the Chiefs. He originally entered the NFL as a designated International Pathway Player with the Chiefs in 2023, according to his bio on the team web site.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both are due back in court May 23, according to online records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716029417033.png" alt="Godrick-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Godrick-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Two members of the Kansas City Chiefs arrested Friday in Johnson County are due to appear in court Thursday, according to online booking information.The Johnson County sheriff's office reported&nbsp; 23-year-old Chukwuebuka <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/chukwuebuka-jason-godrick/">Godrick </a>and 23-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/wanya-morris/">Wanya Morris </a>were booked into jail for misdemeanor marijuana possession.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716029434679.png" alt="Morris-photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Morris-photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716029595231.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716029631137.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Both were released on Friday afternoon after posting $2,500 bond.&nbsp;Morris, an offensive lineman from the University of Oklahoma, was a third-round draft pick (92nd overall) by the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to his bio on the team web site.Godrick, an offensive lineman, is also entering his second season with the Chiefs. He originally entered the NFL as a designated International Pathway Player with the Chiefs in 2023, according to his bio on the team web site.&nbsp;&nbsp;Both are due back in court May 23, according to online records.

2 KC Chiefs players due in court after arrest in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Wichita Police Officers are investigating another deadly shooting.

Just before 3:30p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting at 2723 SE Boulevard Plaza, according to Police spokesman Andrew Ford.&nbsp;

First responders located a man suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene. Officers also located another victim suffering from several gunshot wounds as well. EMS transported him to an area hospital. He should survive his injuries, according to Ford.&nbsp;

 Investigators continue working to determine the circumstances that led to this shooting. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716430928843.png" alt="Police on the scene photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Wichita Police Officers are investigating another deadly shooting.Just before 3:30p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting at 2723 SE Boulevard Plaza, according to Police spokesman Andrew Ford.&nbsp;First responders located a man suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene. Officers also located another victim suffering from several gunshot wounds as well. EMS transported him to an area hospital. He should survive his injuries, according to Ford.&nbsp; Investigators continue working to determine the circumstances that led to this shooting. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Man dead after gunfight at Kansas massage parlor

WASHINGTON (AP) —A Michigan dairy worker has been diagnosed with bird flu — the second human case associated with an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows.

The worker had been in contact with cows presumed to be infected, experienced mild eye symptoms and has recovered, U.S. and Michigan health officials said in announcing the case Wednesday. A nasal swab from the person tested negative for the virus, but an eye swab tested positive, “indicating an eye infection," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement.

The risk to the public remains low, but farmworkers exposed to infected animals are at higher risk, health officials said. They said those workers should be offered protective equipment, especially for their eyes.

The first case happened in late March, when a farmworker in Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-texas-cows-355f1e288e72df8b81b0e2efd8b3ae2f">was diagnosed</a>&nbsp;in what officials called the first known instance globally of a person catching this version of bird flu from a mammal. That patient also reported only eye inflammation and recovered.

Since 2020, a bird flu virus has been spreading among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disease-outbreaks-hong-kong-health-bird-flu-animals-75e5d058e0fda23b5359f66cafb74cdf">more animal species</a>&nbsp;— including dogs, cats, skunks, bears and even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-bird-flu-deaths-oceans-80184a8793fbcc21fab01b1c90b0d71b">seals</a>&nbsp;and porpoises — in scores of countries. The detection&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-cattle-usda-kansas-texas-c3040bb31a9a8293717d47362f006902">in U.S. livestock</a>&nbsp;earlier this year was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-farmers-barb-petersen-07bd5accb01441bc5d279464271d2371">unexpected twist</a>&nbsp;that sparked questions about food safety and whether it would start spreading among humans.

That hasn't happened, although there's been a steady increase of reported infections in cows. As of Wednesday, the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock">had been confirmed</a>&nbsp;in 51 dairy herds in nine states, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. Fifteen of the herds were in Michigan.

Health officials in Michigan have declined to say how many people exposed to infected cattle have been tested or monitored. U.S. officials said they had tested 40 people since the first cow cases were discovered in late March.

The CDC's Dr. Nirav Shah praised Michigan officials for actively monitoring farmworkers. He said health officials there have been sending daily text messages to workers exposed to infected cows asking about possible symptoms, and that the effort helped officials catch this infection. He said no other workers had reported symptoms.

USDA is expanding financial incentives to dairy farmers whose herds have not yet been infected with the virus, Eric Deeble. a federal agriculture official, said Wednesday.

The virus has been found in high levels in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-raw-milk-h5n1-6398d2eda26eb41797ee2700cf9d036b">raw milk</a>&nbsp;of infected cows, but government officials say pasteurized products sold in grocery stores are safe because heat treatment has been confirmed to kill the virus.

The new case marks the third time a person in the United States has been diagnosed with what’s known as Type A H5N1 virus. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-environment-colorado-b98906e0a1899bb1f92da30a7b1dbe28">picked it up</a>&nbsp;while killing infected birds at a poultry farm in Montrose County, Colorado. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered. That predated the virus’s appearance in cows.

WASHINGTON (AP) —A Michigan dairy worker has been diagnosed with bird flu — the second human case associated with an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows.The worker had been in contact with cows presumed to be infected, experienced mild eye symptoms and has recovered, U.S. and Michigan health officials said in announcing the case Wednesday. A nasal swab from the person tested negative for the virus, but an eye swab tested positive, “indicating an eye infection," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement.The risk to the public remains low, but farmworkers exposed to infected animals are at higher risk, health officials said. They said those workers should be offered protective equipment, especially for their eyes.The first case happened in late March, when a farmworker in Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-texas-cows-355f1e288e72df8b81b0e2efd8b3ae2f">was diagnosed</a>&nbsp;in what officials called the first known instance globally of a person catching this version of bird flu from a mammal. That patient also reported only eye inflammation and recovered.Since 2020, a bird flu virus has been spreading among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disease-outbreaks-hong-kong-health-bird-flu-animals-75e5d058e0fda23b5359f66cafb74cdf">more animal species</a>&nbsp;— including dogs, cats, skunks, bears and even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-bird-flu-deaths-oceans-80184a8793fbcc21fab01b1c90b0d71b">seals</a>&nbsp;and porpoises — in scores of countries. The detection&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-cattle-usda-kansas-texas-c3040bb31a9a8293717d47362f006902">in U.S. livestock</a>&nbsp;earlier this year was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-farmers-barb-petersen-07bd5accb01441bc5d279464271d2371">unexpected twist</a>&nbsp;that sparked questions about food safety and whether it would start spreading among humans.That hasn't happened, although there's been a steady increase of reported infections in cows. As of Wednesday, the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock">had been confirmed</a>&nbsp;in 51 dairy herds in nine states, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. Fifteen of the herds were in Michigan.Health officials in Michigan have declined to say how many people exposed to infected cattle have been tested or monitored. U.S. officials said they had tested 40 people since the first cow cases were discovered in late March.The CDC's Dr. Nirav Shah praised Michigan officials for actively monitoring farmworkers. He said health officials there have been sending daily text messages to workers exposed to infected cows asking about possible symptoms, and that the effort helped officials catch this infection. He said no other workers had reported symptoms.USDA is expanding financial incentives to dairy farmers whose herds have not yet been infected with the virus, Eric Deeble. a federal agriculture official, said Wednesday.The virus has been found in high levels in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-raw-milk-h5n1-6398d2eda26eb41797ee2700cf9d036b">raw milk</a>&nbsp;of infected cows, but government officials say pasteurized products sold in grocery stores are safe because heat treatment has been confirmed to kill the virus.The new case marks the third time a person in the United States has been diagnosed with what’s known as Type A H5N1 virus. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-environment-colorado-b98906e0a1899bb1f92da30a7b1dbe28">picked it up</a>&nbsp;while killing infected birds at a poultry farm in Montrose County, Colorado. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered. That predated the virus’s appearance in cows.

Another farmworker diagnosed with bird flu tied to dairy cows

KANSAS CITY —A father and son have been charged in connection with a shooting in the area of 34th and Wyoming in Kansas City after the two men tracked a missing vehicle to that location, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Charles Harrison Jr. , 55, and Charles Harrison Sr. face charges in connection with the shooting. The younger Harrison faces Assault 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, while the older Harrison faces Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records filed, Kansas City Police Department officers were dispatched on a reported shooting. Officers soon located a victim on the ground. One victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Harrison Jr. stated he was tracking a vehicle that had been reported stolen in Raytown. He had tracked it to the area of 34th and Wyoming, he said. He and his father drove there in a black Toyota. Video showed that vehicle accelerating toward the victim and shots were fired.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716088530027.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A father and son have been charged in connection with a shooting in the area of 34th and Wyoming in Kansas City after the two men tracked a missing vehicle to that location, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716404091656.png" alt="Charles Harrison, Jr. -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Charles Harrison, Jr. -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Charles Harrison Jr. , 55, and Charles Harrison Sr. face charges in connection with the shooting. The younger Harrison faces Assault 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, while the older Harrison faces Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.According to court records filed, Kansas City Police Department officers were dispatched on a reported shooting. Officers soon located a victim on the ground. One victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Harrison Jr. stated he was tracking a vehicle that had been reported stolen in Raytown. He had tracked it to the area of 34th and Wyoming, he said. He and his father drove there in a black Toyota. Video showed that vehicle accelerating toward the victim and shots were fired.This case remains under investigation.

Father, son charged in deadly shooting over missing vehicle in Kansas City

NEW YORK (AP) — Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/music">band</a>&nbsp;Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like “Drops of Jupiter" and “Meet Virginia,” has died. He was 58.

Colin’s sister Carolyn Stephens confirmed her brother's death to The Associated Press Wednesday. He died after slipping and falling in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tmz.com/2024/05/22/charlie-colin-dead-dies-train-founding-member-fall-shower/#continued">celebrity website TMZ.com reported</a>.

Colin grew up in California and Virginia and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.

He played in a group called Apostles after college with guitarist Jimmy Stafford and singer Rob Hotchkiss. The band eventually dissolved, and Colin moved to Singapore for a year to write jingles.

Eventually, Colin, Hotchkiss and Stafford relocated to San Francisco, where Train formed in the early ‘90s with singer Pat Monahan. Colin brought in drummer Scott Underwood to round out the group, according to an interview with Colin and Hotchkiss in Berklee’s alumni magazine.

As a founding member of Train, Colin played on the band's first three records, 1998's self-titled album, 2001's “Drops of Jupiter” and 2003's “My Private Nation." The latter two releases peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart.

“Meet Virginia,” from Train's debut album broke the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, but it was their sophomore album, “Drops of Jupiter,” that confirmed the band's success.

The eight-times platinum title track “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" — which features&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/the-rolling-stones">the Rolling Stones</a>&nbsp;′ session pianist Chuck Leavell and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/leonard-cohen">Leonard Cohen</a>&nbsp;’s string orchestrator Paul Buckmaster and was written about the death of Monahan's mother — hit No. 5 on the same chart. It also earned two Grammys, for best rock song and best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocalist(s).

Colin left Train in 2003 due to substance abuse. “Charlie is one incredible bass player, but he was in a lot of pain, and the way he was dealing with it was very painful for everyone else around him," Monahan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/in-your-neighborhood/train/14823/">told NBC San Diego</a>.

In 2015, he reunited with Hotchkiss to start a new band called Painbirds, alongside Tom Luce.

In 2017, he formed another band, the Side Deal, with Sugar Ray’s Stan Frazier and the PawnShop Kings’ Joel and Scott Owen.

On Wednesday, a tribute to Colin appeared on the official Facebook and X social media pages for the band Train. “When I met Charlie Colin, front left, I fell in love with him. He was the sweetest guy and what a handsome chap. Let’s make a band that’s the only reasonable thing to do,” it reads.

“His unique bass playing a beautiful guitar work helped get folks to notice us in SF and beyond. I’ll always have a warm place for him in my heart. I always tried to pull him closer but he had a vision of his own. You’re a legend, Charlie. Go charm the pants off those angels.”

Prior to his death, Colin documented his time in Brussels, writing “Officially my favorite city,” in a March&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4XBXQHIfJ9/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1">Instagram post</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716427609107.png" alt="As a founding member of Train, Colin played on the band's first three records, 1998's self-titled album, 2001's “Drops of Jupiter” and 2003's “My Private Nation." The latter two releases peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart." />
 <figcaption>As a founding member of Train, Colin played on the band's first three records, 1998's self-titled album, 2001's “Drops of Jupiter” and 2003's “My Private Nation." The latter two releases peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/music">band</a>&nbsp;Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like “Drops of Jupiter" and “Meet Virginia,” has died. He was 58.Colin’s sister Carolyn Stephens confirmed her brother's death to The Associated Press Wednesday. He died after slipping and falling in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tmz.com/2024/05/22/charlie-colin-dead-dies-train-founding-member-fall-shower/#continued">celebrity website TMZ.com reported</a>.Colin grew up in California and Virginia and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.He played in a group called Apostles after college with guitarist Jimmy Stafford and singer Rob Hotchkiss. The band eventually dissolved, and Colin moved to Singapore for a year to write jingles.Eventually, Colin, Hotchkiss and Stafford relocated to San Francisco, where Train formed in the early ‘90s with singer Pat Monahan. Colin brought in drummer Scott Underwood to round out the group, according to an interview with Colin and Hotchkiss in Berklee’s alumni magazine.As a founding member of Train, Colin played on the band's first three records, 1998's self-titled album, 2001's “Drops of Jupiter” and 2003's “My Private Nation." The latter two releases peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart.“Meet Virginia,” from Train's debut album broke the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, but it was their sophomore album, “Drops of Jupiter,” that confirmed the band's success.The eight-times platinum title track “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" — which features&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/the-rolling-stones">the Rolling Stones</a>&nbsp;′ session pianist Chuck Leavell and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/leonard-cohen">Leonard Cohen</a>&nbsp;’s string orchestrator Paul Buckmaster and was written about the death of Monahan's mother — hit No. 5 on the same chart. It also earned two Grammys, for best rock song and best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocalist(s).Colin left Train in 2003 due to substance abuse. “Charlie is one incredible bass player, but he was in a lot of pain, and the way he was dealing with it was very painful for everyone else around him," Monahan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/in-your-neighborhood/train/14823/">told NBC San Diego</a>.In 2015, he reunited with Hotchkiss to start a new band called Painbirds, alongside Tom Luce.In 2017, he formed another band, the Side Deal, with Sugar Ray’s Stan Frazier and the PawnShop Kings’ Joel and Scott Owen.On Wednesday, a tribute to Colin appeared on the official Facebook and X social media pages for the band Train. “When I met Charlie Colin, front left, I fell in love with him. He was the sweetest guy and what a handsome chap. Let’s make a band that’s the only reasonable thing to do,” it reads.“His unique bass playing a beautiful guitar work helped get folks to notice us in SF and beyond. I’ll always have a warm place for him in my heart. I always tried to pull him closer but he had a vision of his own. You’re a legend, Charlie. Go charm the pants off those angels.”Prior to his death, Colin documented his time in Brussels, writing “Officially my favorite city,” in a March&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4XBXQHIfJ9/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1">Instagram post</a>.

Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on multiple allegations.

On May 17, police took a report of stolen property and someone being battered, according to a media release.

On May 19, police located and arrested 35-year-old Ashley Van Petten of Topeka&nbsp;&nbsp;in the 1500 block of SE Morrison Street.

Van Petten is being held on requested&nbsp;charges of aggravated Robbery; Inflicts bodily harm; domestic battery; Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship and intimidation of witness or victim; Prevent reporting of victimization.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716294981890.png" alt="Van Petten photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Van Petten photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on multiple allegations.On May 17, police took a report of stolen property and someone being battered, according to a media release.On May 19, police located and arrested 35-year-old Ashley Van Petten of Topeka&nbsp;&nbsp;in the 1500 block of SE Morrison Street.Van Petten is being held on requested&nbsp;charges of aggravated Robbery; Inflicts bodily harm; domestic battery; Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship and intimidation of witness or victim; Prevent reporting of victimization.

Kansas woman accused of violent robbery

FORD COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 6p.m. Tuesday in Ford County.

FORD COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 6p.m. Tuesday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford passenger vehicle driven by William M.&nbsp;Redd, 62, Borger, Texas, was turning southbound onto U.S 283 out of the westbound lane of U.S. 50. The vehicleThe vehicle pulled out in front of an eastbound 2014 Ram driven by Chantelle L.&nbsp;Scott, 23, Wright. The&nbsp;vehicles collided head-on, and traveled into the south ditchEMS transported&nbsp; Scott and a passenger Derrick J.&nbsp;Sprott, 25, Spearville, to&nbsp;St. Catherines of Dodge City where Scott was pronounced deceased. Redd was not transported for treatment. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.