By BECCY TANNER <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/the-range/2022-03-25/an-out-of-this-world-exhibit-lands-in-a-small-kansas-museum">Kansas News Service</a>

GENESEO — In the Rice County town of Geneseo, population 200, there 
is a sign at the entrance of the city museum beckoning visitors. All 
kinds of visitors.

Welcome
 to Geneseo, where a movement is underway to name the town the UFO 
Capital of Kansas and perhaps even host a special global event on July 2
 — World UFO day.

Evidence of otherworldly visitors is in a new permanent exhibit at the Geneseo City Museum.

When
 it comes to viewing the exhibit, think of a mix of Orson Welles' "War 
of the Worlds" radio broadcast of 1938, and episodes of "Lost in Space" 
and "My Favorite Martian" from the 1960s.

The UFO collection was originally gathered by Elmer Janzen, a Geneseo chiropractor.

The
 museum first opened in the 1960s and, when Janzen died in 1977, he 
donated his house and collection to the city of Geneseo. In recent 
years, the museum board's focus has been to help tell the unique stories
 of Janzen, along with the history of northern Rice County — including 
railroad history and early pioneer families.

"We call him 
Doc Janzen, and he was very interested in everything Geneseo," said Jim 
Gray, president of the Geneseo City Museum board and one of the people 
responsible for the museum's space alien exhibit. "He collected all 
kinds of early histories.

"But he was also a minister, and he had a belief the future could be seen in the scriptures."

And somehow, Gray said, Janzen believed beings from outer space were Christian.

"So, he was very much involved with this idea of alien visitation to our planet," Gray said.

"The
 whole thing begins for these guys with the atomic explosions in Japan, 
and they claimed that we were being visited by these alien beings to 
warn us that we were messing with the polarity of the earth by exploding
 these atomic weapons — and we were not only threatening our planet but 
the entire solar system."

So, Janzen had friends from the 1940s through the '70s, Gray said.

There
 was John Dean from Nickerson, who drew multiple illustrations of 
spaceships — both inside and out. Janzen collected spring water from 
Buck Nelson's farm in Missouri — that the space aliens liked to drink — 
and the hair of a dog from Venus … because just like humans, space 
aliens like to travel with their pets.

Photos of the dog, however, look suspiciously like a Pomeranian.

"When
 it comes to the flying saucer collection, I know no collection like 
this one … OK, so Roswell is like the cream of the crop," Gray said 
wryly.

"And I have been there, and it is a wonderful 
collection and story to tell — but it's not this story, and I don't 
think this story is told anywhere in the country in the way that we can 
tell it."

In fact, the exhibit and museum may be the only one of its kind in Kansas, Gray said.

Janzen had many interests beyond visitors from outer space. He became knowledgeable on Braille and magnetic tape recordings.

Part
 of his collection includes the letter Janzen received from Hellen 
Keller, the American author and educator who was both blind and deaf.

But the outer space aliens aspect is so intriguing.

"This
 is classic Americana of a specific time period," Gray said. "They 
(Janzen and other believers) did not think that these were little green 
men. They describe them as looking just like us. And they were living 
amongst us and actually influencing our direction.

"They early on believed that there was this simple kind of 
Christian-type movement — that these alien beings were also 
Christianized — and then there were different branches that not all were
 interested in our welfare.

They began developing ways of identifying whether these were good beings or not."

Gray,
 whose family has lived in the Geneseo area for five generations, said 
he remembers as a child when Dean, Janzen's friend from Nickerson, came 
to Geneseo and made a presentation about spaceships.

"They 
did a PTA program here at Geneseo … and, of course, most the community 
was somewhat embarrassed by the whole thing," Gray said. "A lot of folks
 just thought of him (Janzen) as a crackpot, and they didn't want other 
folks to know about this guy's stuff.

"But he represented a culture that was widespread across the country."

And now, it may be the one thing that draws tourism visitors to Geneseo.

"They
 (believers of UFOs) understood that there were people visiting our 
planet from Venus, from Saturn and from far off planet they called 
Coriander," Gray said. "That's certainly some wild stuff.

"I've
 always said that the thing about being a Kansan is that when you grew 
up seeing the vast horizon, you get a sense that all things are 
possible. You get a sense of the openness of the prairie that you can't 
get if you are living in the eastern part of the country.

"A
 strong value amongst Kansans is that we are neighborly — whether it is 
our neighbors down the road or space aliens. They are just another 
neighbor and somebody to say howdy to."

The
 Geneseo City Museum is located at 907 Silver Ave. in Geneseo. It is 
open the second Saturday of each month from 2 to 5 p.m. or by special 
appointment by contacting Jim Gray at 785-531-2058.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648221335894.png" alt="Beccy Tanner / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>Beccy Tanner / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECCY TANNER <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/the-range/2022-03-25/an-out-of-this-world-exhibit-lands-in-a-small-kansas-museum">Kansas News Service</a>GENESEO — In the Rice County town of Geneseo, population 200, there 
is a sign at the entrance of the city museum beckoning visitors. All 
kinds of visitors."Space Ships Welcome."Welcome
 to Geneseo, where a movement is underway to name the town the UFO 
Capital of Kansas and perhaps even host a special global event on July 2
 — World UFO day.Evidence of otherworldly visitors is in a new permanent exhibit at the Geneseo City Museum.When
 it comes to viewing the exhibit, think of a mix of Orson Welles' "War 
of the Worlds" radio broadcast of 1938, and episodes of "Lost in Space" 
and "My Favorite Martian" from the 1960s.The UFO collection was originally gathered by Elmer Janzen, a Geneseo chiropractor.The
 museum first opened in the 1960s and, when Janzen died in 1977, he 
donated his house and collection to the city of Geneseo. In recent 
years, the museum board's focus has been to help tell the unique stories
 of Janzen, along with the history of northern Rice County — including 
railroad history and early pioneer families."We call him 
Doc Janzen, and he was very interested in everything Geneseo," said Jim 
Gray, president of the Geneseo City Museum board and one of the people 
responsible for the museum's space alien exhibit. "He collected all 
kinds of early histories."But he was also a minister, and he had a belief the future could be seen in the scriptures."And somehow, Gray said, Janzen believed beings from outer space were Christian."So, he was very much involved with this idea of alien visitation to our planet," Gray said."The
 whole thing begins for these guys with the atomic explosions in Japan, 
and they claimed that we were being visited by these alien beings to 
warn us that we were messing with the polarity of the earth by exploding
 these atomic weapons — and we were not only threatening our planet but 
the entire solar system."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648221397537.png" alt="Beccy Tanner / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>Beccy Tanner / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>So, Janzen had friends from the 1940s through the '70s, Gray said.There
 was John Dean from Nickerson, who drew multiple illustrations of 
spaceships — both inside and out. Janzen collected spring water from 
Buck Nelson's farm in Missouri — that the space aliens liked to drink — 
and the hair of a dog from Venus … because just like humans, space 
aliens like to travel with their pets.Photos of the dog, however, look suspiciously like a Pomeranian."When
 it comes to the flying saucer collection, I know no collection like 
this one … OK, so Roswell is like the cream of the crop," Gray said 
wryly."And I have been there, and it is a wonderful 
collection and story to tell — but it's not this story, and I don't 
think this story is told anywhere in the country in the way that we can 
tell it."In fact, the exhibit and museum may be the only one of its kind in Kansas, Gray said.Janzen had many interests beyond visitors from outer space. He became knowledgeable on Braille and magnetic tape recordings.Part
 of his collection includes the letter Janzen received from Hellen 
Keller, the American author and educator who was both blind and deaf.But the outer space aliens aspect is so intriguing."This
 is classic Americana of a specific time period," Gray said. "They 
(Janzen and other believers) did not think that these were little green 
men. They describe them as looking just like us. And they were living 
amongst us and actually influencing our direction.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648221440309.png" alt="Beccy Tanner / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>Beccy Tanner / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>"They early on believed that there was this simple kind of 
Christian-type movement — that these alien beings were also 
Christianized — and then there were different branches that not all were
 interested in our welfare.They began developing ways of identifying whether these were good beings or not."Gray,
 whose family has lived in the Geneseo area for five generations, said 
he remembers as a child when Dean, Janzen's friend from Nickerson, came 
to Geneseo and made a presentation about spaceships."They 
did a PTA program here at Geneseo … and, of course, most the community 
was somewhat embarrassed by the whole thing," Gray said. "A lot of folks
 just thought of him (Janzen) as a crackpot, and they didn't want other 
folks to know about this guy's stuff."But he represented a culture that was widespread across the country."And now, it may be the one thing that draws tourism visitors to Geneseo."They
 (believers of UFOs) understood that there were people visiting our 
planet from Venus, from Saturn and from far off planet they called 
Coriander," Gray said. "That's certainly some wild stuff."I've
 always said that the thing about being a Kansan is that when you grew 
up seeing the vast horizon, you get a sense that all things are 
possible. You get a sense of the openness of the prairie that you can't 
get if you are living in the eastern part of the country."A
 strong value amongst Kansans is that we are neighborly — whether it is 
our neighbors down the road or space aliens. They are just another 
neighbor and somebody to say howdy to."The
 Geneseo City Museum is located at 907 Silver Ave. in Geneseo. It is 
open the second Saturday of each month from 2 to 5 p.m. or by special 
appointment by contacting Jim Gray at 785-531-2058.

An out-of-this-world exhibit lands in a small Kansas museum

RZESZOW, Poland (AP) — Just 60 miles from Ukraine, President Joe Biden saluted Poland on Friday for welcoming more than 2 million refugees who have fled Russia’s invasion. Then he met with humanitarian experts on the ground about what will be needed to mitigate the growing suffering.

Biden said he had hoped to get even closer to the border but was prevented because of security concerns. Still, he said he wanted to visit Poland to underscore that the assistance it is providing is of “enormous consequence” as Europe experiences the biggest refugee crisis since World War II.

“It’s not stopping,” Biden said of the devastation in Ukraine. “It’s like something out of a science fiction movie.”

Biden also visited with some of the thousands of U.S. troops who have been sent near Poland’s border to assist with the humanitarian emergency and to bolster the U.S. military presence on the eastern flank of NATO. More than 3.5 million Ukrainians have fled the country since the Feb. 24 invasion, including about 2.2 million to Poland, according to the United Nations.

Within a few days, the number of refugees displaced from Ukraine since last month will exceed the number of Syrians routed from their homes over years of conflict after a 2011 uprising turned into a full-scale war, said Samantha Power, the U.S. Agency for International Development administrator.

The American military commitment in Poland was apparent as soon as Air Force One touched down, rolling past Patriot missile batteries. More hardware, including heavy trucks and other equipment painted with dark green and brown camouflage, was present at the airport. A nearby convention center serves as a base for the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

Polish President Andrzej Duda joined Biden for a briefing with humanitarian experts.

Duda, through an interpreter, thanked Biden for his support. He said the Poles see the Ukrainians they are receiving as their “guests.”

“This is the name we want to apply to them,” Duda said. “We do not want to call them refugees. They are our guests, our brothers, our neighbors from Ukraine, who today are in a very difficult situation.”

Biden’s first stop was with 82nd Airborne troops, at a barber shop and dining facility where he invited himself to sit down and share some pizza. The Americans are serving alongside Polish troops.

With the troops, he shared an anecdote about visiting his late son, Beau Biden, while he was deployed in Baghdad and going by his mother’s maiden name so as not to draw attention to himself. The president jokingly razzed one service member about his standard-issue short haircut and seriously praised the troops, too.

“You are the finest fighting force in the world and that’s not hyperbole,. Biden said.

He later addressed a group of soldiers in more formal remarks, telling them the nation “owes you big.” He also borrowed the words of the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to underscore their place in a fragile moment for the U.S. and its European allies.

“The secretary of state used to have an expression. She said, ‘We are the essential nation,’” Biden told the troops. “I don’t want to sound philosophical here, but you are in midst of a fight between democracy and an an oligarch.”

Biden will be in Warsaw on Saturday for further talks with Duda and others. The Polish leader had planned to welcome him at the airport on Friday, but his plane was delayed by a technical problem.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden was looking to hear directly from the American troops and humanitarian experts about the situation on the ground and “what further steps need to be taken to make sure that we’re investing” U.S. dollars in the right place.

Biden, who spent Thursday lobbying U.S. allies to stay united against Russia, speculated that what he sees in Poland “will reinforce my commitment to have the United States make sure we are a major piece of dealing with the relocation of all those folks, as well as humanitarian assistance needed both inside Ukraine and outside Ukraine.”

Speaking in Brussels after meetings with other world leaders, Biden said he had visited many war zones and refugee camps during his political career and “it’s devastating” to see young children without parents or men and women with blank looks on their faces wondering, “My God, where am I? What’s going to happen to me?”

He said Poland, Romania and Germany shouldn’t be left on their own to deal with the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

“This is an international responsibility,” Biden said shortly after he announced $1 billion in additional assistance to help Ukrainian refugees. He also announced that the United States would take in up to 100,000 of those refugees. The White House has said most Ukrainian refugees eventually want to return home.

Biden said the United States is obligated to be “engaged and do all we can to ease the suffering and pain of innocent women and children and men” who make it across the border.

He said, “I plan on attempting to see those folks ... I hope I get to see a lot of people.”

Some refugees interviewed Friday at the train station in Przemysl, Poland, said they hoped to eventually return to Ukraine. They also weren’t very hopeful about Biden’s visit.

“For sure I do not have any expectations” about Biden, said a tearful Ira Satula, 32, from Kremenchug. Satula was grateful for all the support and Poland’s warm reception.

“But home is home, and I hope we’ll be there soon,” Satula said.

Olga Antonovna, 68, from Chernigov, said “it’s really 50-50” that Biden will help enough.

“I think that we needed help a long time ago, long before,” she said.

Sullivan said Biden will give a speech Saturday on “the stakes of this moment, the urgency of the challenge that lies ahead, what the conflict in Ukraine means for the world.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648290495540.png" alt="President Biden also visited with some of the thousands of U.S. troops who have been sent near Poland’s border-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden also visited with some of the thousands of U.S. troops who have been sent near Poland’s border-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>RZESZOW, Poland (AP) — Just 60 miles from Ukraine, President Joe Biden saluted Poland on Friday for welcoming more than 2 million refugees who have fled Russia’s invasion. Then he met with humanitarian experts on the ground about what will be needed to mitigate the growing suffering.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My message to the 82nd Airborne Division on the ground in Poland: Every single one of you stepped up. Thank you. <a href="https://t.co/9Z9NeiWllQ">pic.twitter.com/9Z9NeiWllQ</a>&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1507487532015144963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden said he had hoped to get even closer to the border but was prevented because of security concerns. Still, he said he wanted to visit Poland to underscore that the assistance it is providing is of “enormous consequence” as Europe experiences the biggest refugee crisis since World War II.“It’s not stopping,” Biden said of the devastation in Ukraine. “It’s like something out of a science fiction movie.”Biden also visited with some of the thousands of U.S. troops who have been sent near Poland’s border to assist with the humanitarian emergency and to bolster the U.S. military presence on the eastern flank of NATO. More than 3.5 million Ukrainians have fled the country since the Feb. 24 invasion, including about 2.2 million to Poland, according to the United Nations.Within a few days, the number of refugees displaced from Ukraine since last month will exceed the number of Syrians routed from their homes over years of conflict after a 2011 uprising turned into a full-scale war, said Samantha Power, the U.S. Agency for International Development administrator.The American military commitment in Poland was apparent as soon as Air Force One touched down, rolling past Patriot missile batteries. More hardware, including heavy trucks and other equipment painted with dark green and brown camouflage, was present at the airport. A nearby convention center serves as a base for the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.Polish President Andrzej Duda joined Biden for a briefing with humanitarian experts.Duda, through an interpreter, thanked Biden for his support. He said the Poles see the Ukrainians they are receiving as their “guests.”“This is the name we want to apply to them,” Duda said. “We do not want to call them refugees. They are our guests, our brothers, our neighbors from Ukraine, who today are in a very difficult situation.”Biden’s first stop was with 82nd Airborne troops, at a barber shop and dining facility where he invited himself to sit down and share some pizza. The Americans are serving alongside Polish troops.With the troops, he shared an anecdote about visiting his late son, Beau Biden, while he was deployed in Baghdad and going by his mother’s maiden name so as not to draw attention to himself. The president jokingly razzed one service member about his standard-issue short haircut and seriously praised the troops, too.“You are the finest fighting force in the world and that’s not hyperbole,. Biden said.ADVERTISEMENTHe later addressed a group of soldiers in more formal remarks, telling them the nation “owes you big.” He also borrowed the words of the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to underscore their place in a fragile moment for the U.S. and its European allies.“The secretary of state used to have an expression. She said, ‘We are the essential nation,’” Biden told the troops. “I don’t want to sound philosophical here, but you are in midst of a fight between democracy and an an oligarch.”Biden will be in Warsaw on Saturday for further talks with Duda and others. The Polish leader had planned to welcome him at the airport on Friday, but his plane was delayed by a technical problem.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden was looking to hear directly from the American troops and humanitarian experts about the situation on the ground and “what further steps need to be taken to make sure that we’re investing” U.S. dollars in the right place.Biden, who spent Thursday lobbying U.S. allies to stay united against Russia, speculated that what he sees in Poland “will reinforce my commitment to have the United States make sure we are a major piece of dealing with the relocation of all those folks, as well as humanitarian assistance needed both inside Ukraine and outside Ukraine.”Speaking in Brussels after meetings with other world leaders, Biden said he had visited many war zones and refugee camps during his political career and “it’s devastating” to see young children without parents or men and women with blank looks on their faces wondering, “My God, where am I? What’s going to happen to me?”He said Poland, Romania and Germany shouldn’t be left on their own to deal with the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.“This is an international responsibility,” Biden said shortly after he announced $1 billion in additional assistance to help Ukrainian refugees. He also announced that the United States would take in up to 100,000 of those refugees. The White House has said most Ukrainian refugees eventually want to return home.Biden said the United States is obligated to be “engaged and do all we can to ease the suffering and pain of innocent women and children and men” who make it across the border.He said, “I plan on attempting to see those folks ... I hope I get to see a lot of people.”Some refugees interviewed Friday at the train station in Przemysl, Poland, said they hoped to eventually return to Ukraine. They also weren’t very hopeful about Biden’s visit.“For sure I do not have any expectations” about Biden, said a tearful Ira Satula, 32, from Kremenchug. Satula was grateful for all the support and Poland’s warm reception.“But home is home, and I hope we’ll be there soon,” Satula said.Olga Antonovna, 68, from Chernigov, said “it’s really 50-50” that Biden will help enough.“I think that we needed help a long time ago, long before,” she said.Sullivan said Biden will give a speech Saturday on “the stakes of this moment, the urgency of the challenge that lies ahead, what the conflict in Ukraine means for the world.”___

🎥Biden visits U.S. troops, sees refugee crisis near Ukraine border

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Members of the Saline County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad are among those assisting the Nebraska State Patrol in the search for a woman who went missing last June.

Commander Bill Cooke told Salina Post that five members of the mounted patrol are in Nebraska helping with the search.

Linda Dillard was last seen on June 16, 2021, in the rural Table Rock, Neb., area. As part of the investigation, NSP and assisting agencies have conducted multiple searches in the area where Dillard was last seen. Investigators believe Dillard may have been the victim of a crime, which led to her disappearance, according to information from the Nebraska State Patrol.

Cooke said his unit was contacted by the Nebraska State Patrol to assist with the search since part of the area being searched is somewhat rugged terrain not compatable with motorized vehicles, but easily accessible by horses.

The mounted patrol members left Wednesday and plan to remain in Nebraska through Saturday, if need be, to assist with the search, Cooke said.&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Emergency Management’s K9 Search and Rescue Team also deployed to Nebraska Wednesday to assist.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648235986587.jpeg" alt="Some of the members of the Saline County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad. Recent file photo courtesy&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad" />
 <figcaption>Some of the members of the Saline County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad. Recent file photo courtesy&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostMembers of the Saline County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad are among those assisting the Nebraska State Patrol in the search for a woman who went missing last June.Commander Bill Cooke told Salina Post that five members of the mounted patrol are in Nebraska helping with the search.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625684792207.png" alt="Linda Dillard. Photo Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Linda Dillard. Photo Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>Linda Dillard was last seen on June 16, 2021, in the rural Table Rock, Neb., area. As part of the investigation, NSP and assisting agencies have conducted multiple searches in the area where Dillard was last seen. Investigators believe Dillard may have been the victim of a crime, which led to her disappearance, according to information from the Nebraska State Patrol.Cooke said his unit was contacted by the Nebraska State Patrol to assist with the search since part of the area being searched is somewhat rugged terrain not compatable with motorized vehicles, but easily accessible by horses.The mounted patrol members left Wednesday and plan to remain in Nebraska through Saturday, if need be, to assist with the search, Cooke said.&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Emergency Management’s K9 Search and Rescue Team also deployed to Nebraska Wednesday to assist.

Saline Co. Sheriff's Mounted Patrol joins search for missing woman

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is being held on no bond after he was charged late Wednesday in the fatal February 2022 shooting of Davonte Robinson, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Terrance J. Robinson, 19, faces charges of Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, on Feb. 22, 2022, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of 101st and Fremont Avenue regarding an armed individual. 

On arrival, police located a victim of shooting on the kitchen floor of a residence. Medical staff at Research informed police that the victim was non-responsive and could not survive his injuries. He is currently on life support. Under Missouri statutes, he is considered deceased.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648214700666.png" alt="Robinson-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Robinson-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is being held on no bond after he was charged late Wednesday in the fatal February 2022 shooting of Davonte Robinson, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Terrance J. Robinson, 19, faces charges of Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, on Feb. 22, 2022, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of 101st and Fremont Avenue regarding an armed individual. On arrival, police located a victim of shooting on the kitchen floor of a residence. Medical staff at Research informed police that the victim was non-responsive and could not survive his injuries. He is currently on life support. Under Missouri statutes, he is considered deceased.&nbsp;

KC shooting victim on life support, teen charged with murder

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A 14-year-old boy fell to his death late at night from a free-fall amusement park ride that is taller than the Statue of Liberty along a busy street in the heart of Orlando's tourist district.

Sheriff's officials and emergency crews responded to a call late Thursday at the Orlando Free Fall ride, which opened late last year at Icon Park on the city's International Drive.

The teen was identified Friday as Tyre Sampson, who was visiting central Florida from Missouri with a friend's family. Detectives investigating the death will look into whether it was intentional or accidental, said Orange County Sheriff John Mina.

“It appears to be just a terrible tragedy,” Mina said. “We will see moving forward what that results in.”

Sampson was taken to a hospital, where he died, sheriff's officials said. No additional details about the teen or the incident were immediately released.

A man who witnessed what happened told a 911 dispatcher that Sampson seemed to slip out of his seat when the ride braked as it approached the bottom.

“Bam, went straight through his chair and dropped,” the man said on the 911 call. “It was the biggest smack I ever heard in my life. I seen him hit the ground.”

A woman who called 911 told a dispatcher that Sampson was facedown, wasn’t responsive and appeared to have broken his arms and legs. Another man told a 911 dispatcher that the teen had no pulse.

A video aired by NBC's “Today" show Friday morning appears to show passengers on the ride discussing issues with a seat restraint Thursday night. The ride then began its trek up the tower before someone is later seen falling from the ride.

“We are absolutely saddened and devastated by what happened, and our hearts go out this young man's family,” John Stine, sales director with the Slingshot Group which owns the ride, told The Associated Press on Friday morning.

The Free Fall ride and an adjacent ride, the Sling Shot, have been closed indefinitely, Stine said. His company operates the two rides at Icon Park.

“We are cooperating with all other investigations at this time to get to the bottom of what happened,” Stine said.

Stine said there had been no issues reported previously with the Free Fall ride, which opened last December.

Employees and witnesses interviewed by detectives reported no problems beforehand.

“Everything seemed to be OK and normal," Mina said.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees amusement ride inspections with the exception of the state's largest theme parks, has launched an investigation and inspectors were at the site Friday, spokesperson Caroline Stoneciper said in an email.

According to a report from the state agency, the ride had its initial permit inspection on Dec. 20, 2021, and no problems were found. The next semi-annual inspection for the ride wasn't due for several more months.

“The ride will be closed for the foreseeable future and will not re-open until all questions are answered as part of the ongoing FDACS investigation," the report said.

The ride has over-the shoulder restraint harnesses, with two hand grips at the chest level, that riders pull down and then they are released automatically at the end of the ride. An inspector on Friday could be seen sitting in a ride seat with the security harness over his shoulders as another inspector took measurements.

The ride stands 430-feet (131-meters) tall, and is billed as the world's tallest free-standing drop tower, according to the park's&nbsp;<a href="https://iconparkorlando.com/media-room/orlando-free-fall-at-icon-park-topped-out-today/">website</a>.

The ride holds 30 passengers as it rises in the air, rotates around the tower and then tilts to face the ground before free falling at more than 75 mph (120 kph), the website said.

In 2021, a maintenance technician who was not properly hooked up to a safety device plunged 225 feet (68.5 meters) to his death at a neighboring ride at the park, the 450-foot-tall (137-kilometer-tall) StarFlyer swing ride.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648251123999.png" alt="Orlando Free Fall ride -photo courtesy WFTV" />
 <figcaption>Orlando Free Fall ride -photo courtesy WFTV</figcaption>
 </figure>ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A 14-year-old boy fell to his death late at night from a free-fall amusement park ride that is taller than the Statue of Liberty along a busy street in the heart of Orlando's tourist district.Sheriff's officials and emergency crews responded to a call late Thursday at the Orlando Free Fall ride, which opened late last year at Icon Park on the city's International Drive.The teen was identified Friday as Tyre Sampson, who was visiting central Florida from Missouri with a friend's family. Detectives investigating the death will look into whether it was intentional or accidental, said Orange County Sheriff John Mina.“It appears to be just a terrible tragedy,” Mina said. “We will see moving forward what that results in.”Sampson was taken to a hospital, where he died, sheriff's officials said. No additional details about the teen or the incident were immediately released.A man who witnessed what happened told a 911 dispatcher that Sampson seemed to slip out of his seat when the ride braked as it approached the bottom.“Bam, went straight through his chair and dropped,” the man said on the 911 call. “It was the biggest smack I ever heard in my life. I seen him hit the ground.”A woman who called 911 told a dispatcher that Sampson was facedown, wasn’t responsive and appeared to have broken his arms and legs. Another man told a 911 dispatcher that the teen had no pulse.A video aired by NBC's “Today" show Friday morning appears to show passengers on the ride discussing issues with a seat restraint Thursday night. The ride then began its trek up the tower before someone is later seen falling from the ride.“We are absolutely saddened and devastated by what happened, and our hearts go out this young man's family,” John Stine, sales director with the Slingshot Group which owns the ride, told The Associated Press on Friday morning.The Free Fall ride and an adjacent ride, the Sling Shot, have been closed indefinitely, Stine said. His company operates the two rides at Icon Park.“We are cooperating with all other investigations at this time to get to the bottom of what happened,” Stine said.Stine said there had been no issues reported previously with the Free Fall ride, which opened last December.Employees and witnesses interviewed by detectives reported no problems beforehand.“Everything seemed to be OK and normal," Mina said.The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees amusement ride inspections with the exception of the state's largest theme parks, has launched an investigation and inspectors were at the site Friday, spokesperson Caroline Stoneciper said in an email.According to a report from the state agency, the ride had its initial permit inspection on Dec. 20, 2021, and no problems were found. The next semi-annual inspection for the ride wasn't due for several more months.“The ride will be closed for the foreseeable future and will not re-open until all questions are answered as part of the ongoing FDACS investigation," the report said.The ride has over-the shoulder restraint harnesses, with two hand grips at the chest level, that riders pull down and then they are released automatically at the end of the ride. An inspector on Friday could be seen sitting in a ride seat with the security harness over his shoulders as another inspector took measurements.The ride stands 430-feet (131-meters) tall, and is billed as the world's tallest free-standing drop tower, according to the park's&nbsp;<a href="https://iconparkorlando.com/media-room/orlando-free-fall-at-icon-park-topped-out-today/">website</a>.The ride holds 30 passengers as it rises in the air, rotates around the tower and then tilts to face the ground before free falling at more than 75 mph (120 kph), the website said.In 2021, a maintenance technician who was not properly hooked up to a safety device plunged 225 feet (68.5 meters) to his death at a neighboring ride at the park, the 450-foot-tall (137-kilometer-tall) StarFlyer swing ride.

Police ID teen who died after fall from amusement park ride

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury has convicted a man of killing a college football player in Kansas and wounding another man who went on to play in the NFL. 

Twenty-one-year-old Francisco “Franky” Mendez was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder in the April 2019 shooting death of Dwane Simmons, a Washburn University football player.

Mendez was also convicted on four counts of attempted murder for shooting at four other Washburn players. 

One of them, Corey Ballentine, had been drafted hours before the shooting by the New York Giants. He was shot but recovered and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons. The three other players were not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569579773491.png" alt="Mendez-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Mendez-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury has convicted a man of killing a college football player in Kansas and wounding another man who went on to play in the NFL. Twenty-one-year-old Francisco “Franky” Mendez was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder in the April 2019 shooting death of Dwane Simmons, a Washburn University football player.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1570915422888.png" alt="Simmons photo courtesy Washburn&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Simmons photo courtesy Washburn&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Mendez was also convicted on four counts of attempted murder for shooting at four other Washburn players. One of them, Corey Ballentine, had been drafted hours before the shooting by the New York Giants. He was shot but recovered and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons. The three other players were not injured.

Man convicted in shooting that killed Washburn football player

RENO COUNTY&nbsp;— One person died in an accident just&nbsp;before 3 p.m. Friday near Hutchinson.

According to the Reno County Sheriff's Office, a 1988 Chevrolet 1500 driven by an 18-year-old man from Hutchinson was northbound on Halstead Road at 56th Avenue.

 The driver failed to yield at the stop sign and struck an eastbound GMC Yukon&nbsp;driven by a 40-year-old woman from Hutchinson. The teen in the Chevrolet 1500 was ejected from his vehicle.

EMS transported the teen to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

The driver and a 44-year-old passenger in the GMC were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The accident is still under investigation.&nbsp; The sheriff' office did not release names of the those involved.

RENO COUNTY&nbsp;— One person died in an accident just&nbsp;before 3 p.m. Friday near Hutchinson.According to the Reno County Sheriff's Office, a 1988 Chevrolet 1500 driven by an 18-year-old man from Hutchinson was northbound on Halstead Road at 56th Avenue. The driver failed to yield at the stop sign and struck an eastbound GMC Yukon&nbsp;driven by a 40-year-old woman from Hutchinson. The teen in the Chevrolet 1500 was ejected from his vehicle.EMS transported the teen to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.The driver and a 44-year-old passenger in the GMC were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The accident is still under investigation.&nbsp; The sheriff' office did not release names of the those involved.

18-year-old Kansas man dead after pickup, SUV crash

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/topeka-business-government-form-task-force-to-assist-ukrainian-refugees/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Ukrainian immigrant will lead a Topeka task force of local
 business leaders and government officials to better position Topeka to 
support refugees fleeing violence from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday the United States would accept
 up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine. Millions of people have been 
displaced as Russian bombardments left towns and cities without water, 
food, heat and electrical power.

The Greater Topeka 
Partnership, an economic development organization, will participate in 
the task force led by Yana Ross, who relocated 16 years ago from Ukraine
 to Topeka.

“I have friends who are currently being housed in refugee camps in 
Poland. I am working hard to bring them over to stay with me during this
 crisis,” she said.

Ross said she was convinced other Topekans would open their hearts and homes to people.

Topeka City Council member Karen Hiller, Greater Topeka Chamber of 
Commerce president Curtis Sneden and representatives of the Topeka 
Center for Peace and Justice as well as the Topeka Community Foundation 
will be part of the task force.

Hiller, who said she’d heard from people offering to house refugees 
from Ukraine, said the character of a city was defined by how it 
responded to people in need.

“This task force gives us an opportunity to explore how Topeka can be
 part of the solution by creating a sustainable process to support 
refugees during this conflict and others in the future,” Hiller said.

White House officials said Ukrainian 
refugees would be welcomed through the U.S. refugee admissions program 
offering a green card or a process leading to permanent residence. Other
 could receive visas or be granted temporary entry offered individuals 
displaced by emergencies or war. The initiative could concentrate on 
Ukrainians with family members in the United States.

“There are clearly many questions that still need to be answered,” 
said Matt Pivarnik, chief executive officer of the Greater Topeka 
Partnership. “How would refugees travel here? What support will the 
federal government provide? Where can people be housed if they arrive? ”

Sneden, of the Topeka Chamber, said watching the war unfold in 
Ukraine made him appreciate the stability of life in the United States.

“It is a dream shared by people across the globe, and this dream of 
Ukrainians is being shattered. It is time for us to band together and 
look for ways to support them,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648233118305.png" alt="Topeka business, government and community leaders are forming a task force to consider how to assist refugees fleeing Russia’s assault on Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced by the fighting. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Topeka poster on Ukraine)" />
 <figcaption>Topeka business, government and community leaders are forming a task force to consider how to assist refugees fleeing Russia’s assault on Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced by the fighting. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Topeka poster on Ukraine)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/topeka-business-government-form-task-force-to-assist-ukrainian-refugees/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Ukrainian immigrant will lead a Topeka task force of local
 business leaders and government officials to better position Topeka to 
support refugees fleeing violence from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.President Joe Biden announced Thursday the United States would accept
 up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine. Millions of people have been 
displaced as Russian bombardments left towns and cities without water, 
food, heat and electrical power.The Greater Topeka 
Partnership, an economic development organization, will participate in 
the task force led by Yana Ross, who relocated 16 years ago from Ukraine
 to Topeka.“I have friends who are currently being housed in refugee camps in 
Poland. I am working hard to bring them over to stay with me during this
 crisis,” she said.Ross said she was convinced other Topekans would open their hearts and homes to people.Topeka City Council member Karen Hiller, Greater Topeka Chamber of 
Commerce president Curtis Sneden and representatives of the Topeka 
Center for Peace and Justice as well as the Topeka Community Foundation 
will be part of the task force.Hiller, who said she’d heard from people offering to house refugees 
from Ukraine, said the character of a city was defined by how it 
responded to people in need.“This task force gives us an opportunity to explore how Topeka can be
 part of the solution by creating a sustainable process to support 
refugees during this conflict and others in the future,” Hiller said.White House officials said Ukrainian 
refugees would be welcomed through the U.S. refugee admissions program 
offering a green card or a process leading to permanent residence. Other
 could receive visas or be granted temporary entry offered individuals 
displaced by emergencies or war. The initiative could concentrate on 
Ukrainians with family members in the United States.“There are clearly many questions that still need to be answered,” 
said Matt Pivarnik, chief executive officer of the Greater Topeka 
Partnership. “How would refugees travel here? What support will the 
federal government provide? Where can people be housed if they arrive? ”Sneden, of the Topeka Chamber, said watching the war unfold in 
Ukraine made him appreciate the stability of life in the United States.“It is a dream shared by people across the globe, and this dream of 
Ukrainians is being shattered. It is time for us to band together and 
look for ways to support them,” he said.

Topeka business, government form task force to assist Ukrainian refugees

By MARTY SCHLADEN <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/25/expert-hard-to-know-if-covid-variant-will-surge-in-u-s-or-how-badly/">Ohio Capital Journal</a>

The
 last thing people want to hear right now is that the coronavirus might 
have mutated yet again into yet another deadly variant, extending the 
pain, death and inconvenience of a pandemic that we long hoped would be 
over.

However, whether the subvariant of 
omicron known as BA.2 will hit the United States as hard as it’s hitting
 other parts of the world is hard to say at this point, an expert at 
modeling the disease said Wednesday.

The pandemic has been full of unpleasant surprises and BA.2 is no exception. Scientists estimate that it’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/15/is-omicron-subvariant-bapoint2-to-blame-for-rising-covid-cases.html">one-and-a-half times as transmissible</a> as the original omicron strain, BA.1, and is overtaking it.

Europe, and particularly the <a target="_blank" href="https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases">United Kingdom</a>, have seen an increase in the new variant in recent months, but that hasn’t been the case everywhere, said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/stephen-kissler/">Stephen Kissler</a>,
 a research fellow in the Department of Immunology and Infectious 
Diseases of Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“The question of if and when a surge 
is coming and how large is very open,” Kissler said in a Zoom conference
 with reporters. “I know that we’ve seen surges that are dominated by 
BA.2 across much of Europe. But in contrast, for example, in South 
Africa we saw a major BA.1 wave — that’s where we saw the omicron wave 
first — and now there’s a lot of circulation of BA.2, but it hasn’t 
really caused an increase in cases so much that it’s lengthened the 
decline and given the epidemic a very long tail.”

Kissler explained that vaccination 
rates in the U.S. are lower than those in Europe, but higher than those 
in South Africa. That could mean that more Americans have developed 
antibodies against the omicron variants than have Europeans.

“To the extent that that gives us 
protection against BA.2 we might see dynamics that are more similar to 
what happened in South Africa,” he said.

Seasonality and other factors likely 
will play a role, Kissler said, with spring in the United States being a
 season of relatively low spread and fall a season of relatively high 
spread.

So if there is a surge here of the new variant, how will it affect Americans of varying ages?

“In many ways it will likely resemble our experience with COVID-19 up to this point,” Kissler said.

And past experience has shown one factor to be hugely important: vaccination.&nbsp;

Kissler said that being vaccinated, 
along with a booster dose, “really goes a long way toward helping to 
protect you from symptomatic disease and especially severe disease. The 
biggest delineation I imagine seeing is that people who are boosted will
 probably fare better than people who are unboosted.”

Another important factor is age, with
 the elderly having less natural resistance to all variants of the 
coronavirus than the young. Vaccines and boosters, though, can be a 
great equalizer.

“A vaccinated and boosted person over
 the age of 75, their risk is probably on the order of — if not lower 
than — an unvaccinated 20-year-old,” Kissler said.

COVID eventually will go from being a pandemic disease that spikes rapidly and overwhelms resources to an <a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-19-pandemic-endemic-difference-matters/story?id=83166723#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20declared,toward%20an%20%E2%80%9Cendemic%E2%80%9D%20phase.">endemic </a>one
 where a background level is present, sickening and even killing people,
 but in semi-predictable ways. Sadly, however, hopes that it will 
disappear altogether are small.

Looking forward, one simple public-health measure might be most effective, Kissler said.

“In many ways, one of the best things
 we can do to manage outbreaks is to just to continue to keep informing 
people how much COVID is circulating in their communities and make it 
just as accessible as a weather report,” he said. “A lot of data suggest
 that people tend to adjust their behavior accordingly.”

He said that probably won’t be enough to quell future waves of COVID, or be adequate in the face of major new variants.

“But as we continue to deal with 
COVID and we think about this permanent circulation of COVID-19 in the 
population — recognizing that there’s going to be different dynamics in 
different places, different patterns across the year — making it clear 
what’s happening in any given community at any given time through 
passive surveillance is probably the best thing we can do right now,” he
 said.

This article was originally published by the Ohio Capital Journal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648237238183.png" alt="The deaths data, which the department calls “probable” COVID-19 fatalities, is being added eight months after the department began reporting antigen-identified infections in its daily report (image courtesy of CDC)." />
 <figcaption>The deaths data, which the department calls “probable” COVID-19 fatalities, is being added eight months after the department began reporting antigen-identified infections in its daily report (image courtesy of CDC).</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARTY SCHLADEN <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/25/expert-hard-to-know-if-covid-variant-will-surge-in-u-s-or-how-badly/">Ohio Capital Journal</a>The
 last thing people want to hear right now is that the coronavirus might 
have mutated yet again into yet another deadly variant, extending the 
pain, death and inconvenience of a pandemic that we long hoped would be 
over.However, whether the subvariant of 
omicron known as BA.2 will hit the United States as hard as it’s hitting
 other parts of the world is hard to say at this point, an expert at 
modeling the disease said Wednesday.The pandemic has been full of unpleasant surprises and BA.2 is no exception. Scientists estimate that it’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/15/is-omicron-subvariant-bapoint2-to-blame-for-rising-covid-cases.html">one-and-a-half times as transmissible</a> as the original omicron strain, BA.1, and is overtaking it.Europe, and particularly the <a target="_blank" href="https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases">United Kingdom</a>, have seen an increase in the new variant in recent months, but that hasn’t been the case everywhere, said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/stephen-kissler/">Stephen Kissler</a>,
 a research fellow in the Department of Immunology and Infectious 
Diseases of Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.“The question of if and when a surge 
is coming and how large is very open,” Kissler said in a Zoom conference
 with reporters. “I know that we’ve seen surges that are dominated by 
BA.2 across much of Europe. But in contrast, for example, in South 
Africa we saw a major BA.1 wave — that’s where we saw the omicron wave 
first — and now there’s a lot of circulation of BA.2, but it hasn’t 
really caused an increase in cases so much that it’s lengthened the 
decline and given the epidemic a very long tail.”Kissler explained that vaccination 
rates in the U.S. are lower than those in Europe, but higher than those 
in South Africa. That could mean that more Americans have developed 
antibodies against the omicron variants than have Europeans.“To the extent that that gives us 
protection against BA.2 we might see dynamics that are more similar to 
what happened in South Africa,” he said.Seasonality and other factors likely 
will play a role, Kissler said, with spring in the United States being a
 season of relatively low spread and fall a season of relatively high 
spread.So if there is a surge here of the new variant, how will it affect Americans of varying ages?“In many ways it will likely resemble our experience with COVID-19 up to this point,” Kissler said.And past experience has shown one factor to be hugely important: vaccination.&nbsp;Kissler said that being vaccinated, 
along with a booster dose, “really goes a long way toward helping to 
protect you from symptomatic disease and especially severe disease. The 
biggest delineation I imagine seeing is that people who are boosted will
 probably fare better than people who are unboosted.”Another important factor is age, with
 the elderly having less natural resistance to all variants of the 
coronavirus than the young. Vaccines and boosters, though, can be a 
great equalizer.“A vaccinated and boosted person over
 the age of 75, their risk is probably on the order of — if not lower 
than — an unvaccinated 20-year-old,” Kissler said.COVID eventually will go from being a pandemic disease that spikes rapidly and overwhelms resources to an <a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-19-pandemic-endemic-difference-matters/story?id=83166723#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20declared,toward%20an%20%E2%80%9Cendemic%E2%80%9D%20phase.">endemic </a>one
 where a background level is present, sickening and even killing people,
 but in semi-predictable ways. Sadly, however, hopes that it will 
disappear altogether are small.Looking forward, one simple public-health measure might be most effective, Kissler said.“In many ways, one of the best things
 we can do to manage outbreaks is to just to continue to keep informing 
people how much COVID is circulating in their communities and make it 
just as accessible as a weather report,” he said. “A lot of data suggest
 that people tend to adjust their behavior accordingly.”He said that probably won’t be enough to quell future waves of COVID, or be adequate in the face of major new variants.“But as we continue to deal with 
COVID and we think about this permanent circulation of COVID-19 in the 
population — recognizing that there’s going to be different dynamics in 
different places, different patterns across the year — making it clear 
what’s happening in any given community at any given time through 
passive surveillance is probably the best thing we can do right now,” he
 said.This article was originally published by the Ohio Capital Journal.

Expert: Hard to know if COVID variant will surge in U.S. or how badly

Wheeler joked Victors-Cozad’s gavel might be a tomahawk

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/25/native-american-legislator-rejects-gop-lawmakers-apology-for-offensive-remark/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad rejected Friday the apology of a
 House Republican who said during a House floor debate that he had to 
make certain Victors-Cozad was using a wooden gavel rather than a 
tomahawk to bring order to the chamber.

The incident occurred the same day a pair of Native American 
lawmakers in the House created history by simultaneously presiding over 
the chamber and carrying a bill on the floor. Victors-Cozad, a Wichita 
Democrat, was joined by Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, as the House
 considered Wednesday a bill transferring one-half acre of land from the
 City of Shawnee to the Shawnee tribe where remains of tribal leaders 
were buried.

Victors-Cozad said the “racially insensitive” comment by Rep. John 
Wheeler, R-Garden City, was an abuse of his power as an elected member 
of the Legislature. She said his “slanderous” attempt at satire mocked 
her Native American culture and shouldn’t be tolerated by the 
Legislature.

“These remarks had no relevance in our sacred House chamber — to the 
business at hand — other than to instigate mockery towards myself and 
the Native people that I represent throughout the country,” Cozad said.

“I do not accept Representative Wheeler’s disingenuous apology. We as
 members of this legislative branch cannot allow this behavior to be 
tolerated without consequence in the people’s House,” she said.

Wheeler, who served as Finney County prosecutor from 1993 to 2013 
prior to election to the House in 2017, was leading discussion of a bill
 altering the state’s approach to assessing competency of individuals 
prior to trial. As the volume of private conversation among House 
members elevated, Victors-Cozad tapped the House speaker’s gavel to 
signal the need to pay attention to Wheeler.

“Thank you, madam chair,” said Wheeler, who turned to face Victors-Cozad. “I was just checking to see if that was a tomahawk.”

The remark from Wheeler resulted in a combination of laughter and 
groaning among state representatives. Wheeler audibly chuckled at his 
sense of humor, before facing his colleagues and offering an apology.

“I am getting a point that that is apparently considered offensive,” 
Wheeler told House colleagues. “If it is, I certainly do apologize.”

He subsequently reached out to the three Native Americans serving in the House to express remorse for his commentary.

On Friday, Victors-Cozad said she wouldn’t devalue Wheeler’s 
religion, place of worship or culture. She expected Wheeler to offer the
 same reverence and respect of other Kansans as he did his own religion 
and culture.

“I would like to think our elected public officials would know and 
understand this principle,” Victors-Cozad said. “This is women’s history
 month and I am a proud Native American mother making history for the 
state of Kansas, and Representative Wheeler did his best to tarnish 
these accomplishments. I firmly hold him accountable to his words and 
actions.”

Wheeler, 74, is a member of the Legislature’s joint committee on 
state-tribal relations. It provides a bridge between the Legislature and
 the state’s four federally recognized tribes.

A backdrop to controversy in the House 
was the bizarre statement last month by Randy Watson, commissioner of 
the Kansas Department of Education, during an online educational 
program. Watson had said during the video conference that during his 
youth he tried to persuade children to fear for their safety when 
visiting Kansas because American Indians might attack them.

The Kansas State Board of Education emerged from an executive session
 to unanimously reject Watson’s offer to resign for the derogatory 
remark, but did suspend him for one month without pay. His suspension is
 scheduled to end Monday.

Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and of the Chickasaw nation,
 said the suspension of Watson wouldn’t be considered an appropriate 
response to an example of systematic racism confronted by American 
Indians. She said acceptance of Watson’s resignation by the state Board 
of Education would have been appropriate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648237043592.png" alt="Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad, a Native American and Wichita Democrat, said she rejected an apology by Rep. John Wheeler, R-Garden City, who made an insensitive remark about Victors-Cozad holding a tomahawk instead of a gavel. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal, courtesy Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad, a Native American and Wichita Democrat, said she rejected an apology by Rep. John Wheeler, R-Garden City, who made an insensitive remark about Victors-Cozad holding a tomahawk instead of a gavel. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal, courtesy Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Wheeler joked Victors-Cozad’s gavel might be a tomahawk</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/25/native-american-legislator-rejects-gop-lawmakers-apology-for-offensive-remark/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad rejected Friday the apology of a
 House Republican who said during a House floor debate that he had to 
make certain Victors-Cozad was using a wooden gavel rather than a 
tomahawk to bring order to the chamber.The incident occurred the same day a pair of Native American 
lawmakers in the House created history by simultaneously presiding over 
the chamber and carrying a bill on the floor. Victors-Cozad, a Wichita 
Democrat, was joined by Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, as the House
 considered Wednesday a bill transferring one-half acre of land from the
 City of Shawnee to the Shawnee tribe where remains of tribal leaders 
were buried.Victors-Cozad said the “racially insensitive” comment by Rep. John 
Wheeler, R-Garden City, was an abuse of his power as an elected member 
of the Legislature. She said his “slanderous” attempt at satire mocked 
her Native American culture and shouldn’t be tolerated by the 
Legislature.“These remarks had no relevance in our sacred House chamber — to the 
business at hand — other than to instigate mockery towards myself and 
the Native people that I represent throughout the country,” Cozad said.“I do not accept Representative Wheeler’s disingenuous apology. We as
 members of this legislative branch cannot allow this behavior to be 
tolerated without consequence in the people’s House,” she said.Wheeler, who served as Finney County prosecutor from 1993 to 2013 
prior to election to the House in 2017, was leading discussion of a bill
 altering the state’s approach to assessing competency of individuals 
prior to trial. As the volume of private conversation among House 
members elevated, Victors-Cozad tapped the House speaker’s gavel to 
signal the need to pay attention to Wheeler.“Thank you, madam chair,” said Wheeler, who turned to face Victors-Cozad. “I was just checking to see if that was a tomahawk.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648237107217.png" alt="Rep. John Wheeler, R-Garden City, apologized if anyone was offended by his joke that Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad, D-Wichita and a Native American, might be holding a tomahawk instead of a gavel. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. John Wheeler, R-Garden City, apologized if anyone was offended by his joke that Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad, D-Wichita and a Native American, might be holding a tomahawk instead of a gavel. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The remark from Wheeler resulted in a combination of laughter and 
groaning among state representatives. Wheeler audibly chuckled at his 
sense of humor, before facing his colleagues and offering an apology.“I am getting a point that that is apparently considered offensive,” 
Wheeler told House colleagues. “If it is, I certainly do apologize.”He subsequently reached out to the three Native Americans serving in the House to express remorse for his commentary.On Friday, Victors-Cozad said she wouldn’t devalue Wheeler’s 
religion, place of worship or culture. She expected Wheeler to offer the
 same reverence and respect of other Kansans as he did his own religion 
and culture.“I would like to think our elected public officials would know and 
understand this principle,” Victors-Cozad said. “This is women’s history
 month and I am a proud Native American mother making history for the 
state of Kansas, and Representative Wheeler did his best to tarnish 
these accomplishments. I firmly hold him accountable to his words and 
actions.”Wheeler, 74, is a member of the Legislature’s joint committee on 
state-tribal relations. It provides a bridge between the Legislature and
 the state’s four federally recognized tribes.A backdrop to controversy in the House 
was the bizarre statement last month by Randy Watson, commissioner of 
the Kansas Department of Education, during an online educational 
program. Watson had said during the video conference that during his 
youth he tried to persuade children to fear for their safety when 
visiting Kansas because American Indians might attack them.The Kansas State Board of Education emerged from an executive session
 to unanimously reject Watson’s offer to resign for the derogatory 
remark, but did suspend him for one month without pay. His suspension is
 scheduled to end Monday.Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and of the Chickasaw nation,
 said the suspension of Watson wouldn’t be considered an appropriate 
response to an example of systematic racism confronted by American 
Indians. She said acceptance of Watson’s resignation by the state Board 
of Education would have been appropriate.

Native American legislator rejects lawmaker’s apology for 'tomahawk' remark

NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>

HUTCHINSON — 
Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that gas prices are still moving a lot right now.

"The
 key words continue to be volatility and fluctuation with regard to 
crude oil and gas prices," Steward said. "Today in Kansas, we're at 
$3.79 a gallon on average."

Kansas is still one of the best places in the country to fuel up.

"We're
 45 cents less than the national average, which is $4.24 today," Steward
 said. "That puts us at second least expensive gas prices in the 
country."

There are some policymakers who want to see stimulus 
checks or gas tax reductions to lessen the pain at the pump. Steward 
doesn't want to see unintended consequences from that.

"We 
understand and we appreciate legislators desires to help motorists and 
others who are grappling with these higher gas prices," Steward said. 
"One cautionary note is that we think it's very important to think about
 any of those cuts in terms of taxes and the impact they may have 
transportation funding, especially maintaining roads and keeping roads 
safe."

Be sure to check your owner’s manual for what gas is required for your vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648233850272.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>HUTCHINSON — 
Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that gas prices are still moving a lot right now."The
 key words continue to be volatility and fluctuation with regard to 
crude oil and gas prices," Steward said. "Today in Kansas, we're at 
$3.79 a gallon on average."Kansas is still one of the best places in the country to fuel up."We're
 45 cents less than the national average, which is $4.24 today," Steward
 said. "That puts us at second least expensive gas prices in the 
country."There are some policymakers who want to see stimulus 
checks or gas tax reductions to lessen the pain at the pump. Steward 
doesn't want to see unintended consequences from that."We 
understand and we appreciate legislators desires to help motorists and 
others who are grappling with these higher gas prices," Steward said. 
"One cautionary note is that we think it's very important to think about
 any of those cuts in terms of taxes and the impact they may have 
transportation funding, especially maintaining roads and keeping roads 
safe."Be sure to check your owner’s manual for what gas is required for your vehicle.

AAA: Gas prices volatile, Kansas still better than most

FINNEY COUNTY — Six students and the driver of a school bus were uninjured after an accident in Finney County Thursday morning.

Just after 8 a.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol reported a school bus was stopped in the 2500 block of Maple — southwest of Garden City —&nbsp;with its stop sign out and flashers on, preparing to pick up a pedestrian.

The KHP reproted the bus was struck from the rear by a 2019 Chrysler 300 driven by Brittany Marie Garcia, 32, Garden City. Garcia was transported to St. Catherine's Hospital for treated of a suspected minor injury. An 8-year passenger in her vehicle also was transported for treatment of a suspected minor injury.

Neither the bus driver, his six passengers nor the pedestrian were injured.

FINNEY COUNTY — Six students and the driver of a school bus were uninjured after an accident in Finney County Thursday morning.Just after 8 a.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol reported a school bus was stopped in the 2500 block of Maple — southwest of Garden City —&nbsp;with its stop sign out and flashers on, preparing to pick up a pedestrian.The KHP reproted the bus was struck from the rear by a 2019 Chrysler 300 driven by Brittany Marie Garcia, 32, Garden City. Garcia was transported to St. Catherine's Hospital for treated of a suspected minor injury. An 8-year passenger in her vehicle also was transported for treatment of a suspected minor injury.Neither the bus driver, his six passengers nor the pedestrian were injured.

Students safe after car strikes school bus in SW Kan.

HAMILTON COUNTY — Two southwest Kansas residents died in a single-vehicle accident in Hamilton County just before 11 p.m. Thursday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 BMW driven by Gabriel Gonzalez, 35, Dexter, N.M., was southbound on Kansas 27 when it crossed the centerline and went off the roadway to the left. The driver overcorrected and crossed into the other ditch, where the car rolled an unknown number of times. 

Gonzalez was transported to Wesley Hospital in Wichita for treatment of a suspected serious injury. He was properly restrained, the KHP reported.

Two passengers in the vehicle — Ty F. Fullmer, 36, and Adriana G. Zapata-Munoz, 26, both of Syracuse —&nbsp;were killed in the accident. Neither were properly restrained, the KHP reported.

HAMILTON COUNTY — Two southwest Kansas residents died in a single-vehicle accident in Hamilton County just before 11 p.m. Thursday.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 BMW driven by Gabriel Gonzalez, 35, Dexter, N.M., was southbound on Kansas 27 when it crossed the centerline and went off the roadway to the left. The driver overcorrected and crossed into the other ditch, where the car rolled an unknown number of times. Gonzalez was transported to Wesley Hospital in Wichita for treatment of a suspected serious injury. He was properly restrained, the KHP reported.Two passengers in the vehicle — Ty F. Fullmer, 36, and Adriana G. Zapata-Munoz, 26, both of Syracuse —&nbsp;were killed in the accident. Neither were properly restrained, the KHP reported.

Two from SW Kansas dead after rollover accident

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 102 to a total of 769,700 the state health department reported Monday.

The state reported 23 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,221 and 29 new hospitalizations since Friday.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

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

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection&nbsp;(e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648231186000.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 102 to a total of 769,700 the state health department reported Monday.The state reported 23 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,221 and 29 new hospitalizations since Friday.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection&nbsp;(e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.