SEDGWICK COUNTY—The mask mandate for the state's largest school district will continue through Friday. During Monday's USD 259-Wichita&nbsp; Public School Board meeting, the board members, by a 4-2 vote, rejected a motion to&nbsp;immediately remove the mask mandate. The district begins Spring Break on Friday.

The Board did approve to add no masks on school buses as of March 10 consistent with CDC guidelines.

A motion to have signage mentioning masks or COVID on district buildings was also defeated.

The Kansas Department of Health reported just 388 new COVID cases on Monday and five additional COVID deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646739208824.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—The mask mandate for the state's largest school district will continue through Friday. During Monday's USD 259-Wichita&nbsp; Public School Board meeting, the board members, by a 4-2 vote, rejected a motion to&nbsp;immediately remove the mask mandate. The district begins Spring Break on Friday.The Board did approve to add no masks on school buses as of March 10 consistent with CDC guidelines.A motion to have signage mentioning masks or COVID on district buildings was also defeated.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646676129296.png" alt="Monday March 7, 2022 -KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday March 7, 2022 -KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health reported just 388 new COVID cases on Monday and five additional COVID deaths.

Mask mandate will continue in state's largest school district

Gasoline prices are pushing even farther above $4 a gallon, the highest price that American motorists have faced since July 2008, as calls grow to ban imports of Russian oil.

Prices at the pump were rising long before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-europe-evacuations-kharkiv-01693b3373cf8bcf2400ae29af992bbe">Russia invaded Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and have spiraled faster since the start of the war. The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline has soared 45 cents a gallon in the past week and topped $4.06 on Monday, according to auto club AAA.

“I am looking at the possibility of walking to work,” said Asiya Joseph, who had just paid $4.29 a gallon at a BP station in Brooklyn, New York. “This is the first time that I am filling up my tank in like, 10 days.”

In Huntington Beach, California, Julian Mesa earns $15 an hour cleaning offices. On Monday, he paid $92 to fill his pickup at $5.79 a gallon.

“It’s very expensive, high for people who are earning the minimum,” Mesa said. His family had already scaled back on eating out to cut their spending during the pandemic.

The price of regular broke $4 a gallon on Sunday for the first time in nearly 14 years and is now up nearly 50% from a year ago.

The price is even higher in Europe, averaging 1.75 euros per liter last week, according to the European Commission, the equivalent of $7.21 per gallon.

GasBuddy, which tracks prices down to the service-station level, said Monday that the U.S. was likely to break its record price of $4.10 a gallon, but that does not account for inflation. In today’s terms, the record price would be equal to about $5.24 after accounting for inflation.

“Forget the $4 per gallon mark, the nation will soon set new all-time record highs and we could push closer to a national average of $4.50,” said GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan. “We’ve never been in this situation before, with this level of uncertainty. ... Americans will be feeling the pain of the rise in prices for quite some time.”

Energy prices are contributing to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-long-beach-inflation-prices-consumer-prices-d412bcce554693de469765b34351773d">worst inflation that Americans have seen in 40 years</a>, far outpacing higher wages. Consumer prices jumped 7.5% in January, compared with a year earlier, and analysts predict a 7.9% increase when the government reports February figures later this week.

Oil prices soared early Monday before retreating. Benchmark U.S. crude surged to $130 a barrel overnight, then moderated to around $119, a 3% gain, in afternoon trading. The international price skyrocketed to $139 before falling back to about $123 a barrel. U.S. stocks tumbled, with the S&amp;P 500 falling 3%, its biggest drop in 16 months.

Crude prices plummeted in early 2020 as economies around the world shut down because of COVID-19 — the price of futures even turned negative, meaning some sellers were paying buyers to take oil. Prices rebounded, however, as demand recovered faster than producers pulled oil out of the ground and inventories dried up.

Still, few forecasters saw this week’s surge coming. Just a month ago, the Energy Department predicted oil would average around $80 a barrel this year. That was before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The United States is the world’s largest oil producer — ahead of Saudi Arabia and Russia — but it is also the biggest oil consumer, and it can’t meet that staggering demand with domestic crude alone.

The U.S. imported&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_ep00_im0_mbbl_m.htm" target="_blank">245 million barrels of oil from Russia last year</a>&nbsp;— about 8% of all U.S. oil imports — up from 198 million barrels in 2020. That’s less than the U.S. gets from Canada or Mexico but more than it imported last year from Saudi Arabia.

The increasingly violent Russian attack on Ukraine has raised calls to cut off Russia from the money it gets from oil and natural gas exports. Europe is heavily dependent on Russian gas.

President Joe Biden has been reluctant to ban Russian oil, fearing it could further fuel inflation heading into the midterm elections this November.

Many Republicans and a growing number of Democrats in the House and Senate, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-business-europe-d30c144383033e2fc9bce6f3d5cfeb0b">endorsed banning Russian crude</a>&nbsp;as a way to put more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the shelling of Ukraine. On Monday, a bipartisan group of committee chairmen reached agreement on legislation to ban Russian oil imports and suspend normal trade relations status with Russia and its ally, Belarus — the latter move could lead to steep tariffs on other goods from the two countries.

The White House hasn’t ruled out a ban, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the United States and its allies were discussing a ban “while making sure that there is still an appropriate supply of oil” on the world market.

Talk of a ban on Russian oil has led U.S. officials to consider other sources that are currently limited.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-business-europe-venezuela-cbe04e87fca44ed3815aba8dd2b65945">In what was supposed to be a secret trip</a>, senior U.S. officials traveled to Venezuela over the weekend to discuss the chance of easing oil sanctions on the major crude-exporting country.

Ronnie James, an Uber driver in Brooklyn, wants the government to do something to bring prices down — get oil from Venezuela or tap more from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

“The folks who are every day building the wealth of this nation could use a break,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637673365192.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID KOENIG, Associated PressGasoline prices are pushing even farther above $4 a gallon, the highest price that American motorists have faced since July 2008, as calls grow to ban imports of Russian oil.Prices at the pump were rising long before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-europe-evacuations-kharkiv-01693b3373cf8bcf2400ae29af992bbe">Russia invaded Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and have spiraled faster since the start of the war. The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline has soared 45 cents a gallon in the past week and topped $4.06 on Monday, according to auto club AAA.“I am looking at the possibility of walking to work,” said Asiya Joseph, who had just paid $4.29 a gallon at a BP station in Brooklyn, New York. “This is the first time that I am filling up my tank in like, 10 days.”In Huntington Beach, California, Julian Mesa earns $15 an hour cleaning offices. On Monday, he paid $92 to fill his pickup at $5.79 a gallon.“It’s very expensive, high for people who are earning the minimum,” Mesa said. His family had already scaled back on eating out to cut their spending during the pandemic.The price of regular broke $4 a gallon on Sunday for the first time in nearly 14 years and is now up nearly 50% from a year ago.The price is even higher in Europe, averaging 1.75 euros per liter last week, according to the European Commission, the equivalent of $7.21 per gallon.GasBuddy, which tracks prices down to the service-station level, said Monday that the U.S. was likely to break its record price of $4.10 a gallon, but that does not account for inflation. In today’s terms, the record price would be equal to about $5.24 after accounting for inflation.“Forget the $4 per gallon mark, the nation will soon set new all-time record highs and we could push closer to a national average of $4.50,” said GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan. “We’ve never been in this situation before, with this level of uncertainty. ... Americans will be feeling the pain of the rise in prices for quite some time.”Energy prices are contributing to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-long-beach-inflation-prices-consumer-prices-d412bcce554693de469765b34351773d">worst inflation that Americans have seen in 40 years</a>, far outpacing higher wages. Consumer prices jumped 7.5% in January, compared with a year earlier, and analysts predict a 7.9% increase when the government reports February figures later this week.Oil prices soared early Monday before retreating. Benchmark U.S. crude surged to $130 a barrel overnight, then moderated to around $119, a 3% gain, in afternoon trading. The international price skyrocketed to $139 before falling back to about $123 a barrel. U.S. stocks tumbled, with the S&amp;P 500 falling 3%, its biggest drop in 16 months.Crude prices plummeted in early 2020 as economies around the world shut down because of COVID-19 — the price of futures even turned negative, meaning some sellers were paying buyers to take oil. Prices rebounded, however, as demand recovered faster than producers pulled oil out of the ground and inventories dried up.Still, few forecasters saw this week’s surge coming. Just a month ago, the Energy Department predicted oil would average around $80 a barrel this year. That was before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.The United States is the world’s largest oil producer — ahead of Saudi Arabia and Russia — but it is also the biggest oil consumer, and it can’t meet that staggering demand with domestic crude alone.The U.S. imported&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_ep00_im0_mbbl_m.htm" target="_blank">245 million barrels of oil from Russia last year</a>&nbsp;— about 8% of all U.S. oil imports — up from 198 million barrels in 2020. That’s less than the U.S. gets from Canada or Mexico but more than it imported last year from Saudi Arabia.The increasingly violent Russian attack on Ukraine has raised calls to cut off Russia from the money it gets from oil and natural gas exports. Europe is heavily dependent on Russian gas.President Joe Biden has been reluctant to ban Russian oil, fearing it could further fuel inflation heading into the midterm elections this November.Many Republicans and a growing number of Democrats in the House and Senate, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-business-europe-d30c144383033e2fc9bce6f3d5cfeb0b">endorsed banning Russian crude</a>&nbsp;as a way to put more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the shelling of Ukraine. On Monday, a bipartisan group of committee chairmen reached agreement on legislation to ban Russian oil imports and suspend normal trade relations status with Russia and its ally, Belarus — the latter move could lead to steep tariffs on other goods from the two countries.The White House hasn’t ruled out a ban, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the United States and its allies were discussing a ban “while making sure that there is still an appropriate supply of oil” on the world market.Talk of a ban on Russian oil has led U.S. officials to consider other sources that are currently limited.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-business-europe-venezuela-cbe04e87fca44ed3815aba8dd2b65945">In what was supposed to be a secret trip</a>, senior U.S. officials traveled to Venezuela over the weekend to discuss the chance of easing oil sanctions on the major crude-exporting country.Ronnie James, an Uber driver in Brooklyn, wants the government to do something to bring prices down — get oil from Venezuela or tap more from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.“The folks who are every day building the wealth of this nation could use a break,” he said.

US gasoline prices rise again on talk of banning Russian oil

BRANSON, Mo. (AP) — A performer in the Missouri tourist town of Branson who convinced his audiences to donate thousands of dollars to a fake charity for foster children has been sentenced to five years of probation.

James Patrick Garrett, a 65-year-old best known for his John Denver tribute, also was ordered to pay $82,000 in restitution when he was sentenced Friday for wire fraud, the Springfield News-Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/2022/03/05/ex-branson-performer-gets-probation-fake-foster-kid-charity-scam/9376708002/">reported</a>. He entered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-philanthropy-john-denver-missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-branson-7980b73b0aa55a451d21f75f1314ea8b">guilty plea&nbsp;</a>last year.

Authorities have said Garrett devised the scheme in 2012 by creating a company named Diamond Jym Ranch, making himself the president and a member of its board of directors.

The enterprise purported to provide housing, education, food and other needs to displaced or homeless children. But prosecutors said Garrett used the donated money to eat out, pay off credit cards and pay rent and taxes.

Garrett was initially supposed to be sentenced in January, but Judge Roseann Ketchmark asked for a continuance to allow the government to explore whether or not some of the money Garrett owed could be donated to a charity.

After some research, it was determined that roughly $52,000 of the restitution money would be paid to FosterAdopt Connect, an organization that works in Missouri and Kansas to help kids and families navigate the foster care system.

The rest of the restitution money will be paid directly to Garrett’s victims who dropped cash or checks in a donation box after Garret’s shows.

“I take full responsibility,” said Garrett, who sold his house to pay the restitution. “I and I alone dismantled my life, my career, my relationships.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616161613418.png" alt="James Garrett from his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaIBf3CT0VQ">YouTube page</a>" />
 <figcaption>James Garrett from his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaIBf3CT0VQ">YouTube page</a></figcaption>
 </figure>BRANSON, Mo. (AP) — A performer in the Missouri tourist town of Branson who convinced his audiences to donate thousands of dollars to a fake charity for foster children has been sentenced to five years of probation.James Patrick Garrett, a 65-year-old best known for his John Denver tribute, also was ordered to pay $82,000 in restitution when he was sentenced Friday for wire fraud, the Springfield News-Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/2022/03/05/ex-branson-performer-gets-probation-fake-foster-kid-charity-scam/9376708002/">reported</a>. He entered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-philanthropy-john-denver-missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-branson-7980b73b0aa55a451d21f75f1314ea8b">guilty plea&nbsp;</a>last year.Authorities have said Garrett devised the scheme in 2012 by creating a company named Diamond Jym Ranch, making himself the president and a member of its board of directors.The enterprise purported to provide housing, education, food and other needs to displaced or homeless children. But prosecutors said Garrett used the donated money to eat out, pay off credit cards and pay rent and taxes.Garrett was initially supposed to be sentenced in January, but Judge Roseann Ketchmark asked for a continuance to allow the government to explore whether or not some of the money Garrett owed could be donated to a charity.After some research, it was determined that roughly $52,000 of the restitution money would be paid to FosterAdopt Connect, an organization that works in Missouri and Kansas to help kids and families navigate the foster care system.The rest of the restitution money will be paid directly to Garrett’s victims who dropped cash or checks in a donation box after Garret’s shows.“I take full responsibility,” said Garrett, who sold his house to pay the restitution. “I and I alone dismantled my life, my career, my relationships.”

Branson performer who collected $85K in fake charity sentenced

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for allegedly stealing more than two dozen parking meters from downtown Topeka,

On Monday, police arressted 32-year-old suspect identified according to online jail records as David Allen Brookens II of Topeka.

Officers had been investigating the theft last week of 26 coin-operated parking meters. Around midnight Monday, a caller told police they saw someone walking with a shopping cart in an area of downtown and possibly stealing meters. Officers arrived and arrested Brookens.&nbsp;

He was in possession of several recently-stolen meters. He is jailed without bond on requested charges of&nbsp;Theft $25,000 &lt;$100,000 Coin-Operated Machine or Device, Aggravated Criminal Damage,&nbsp;Theft Lost or Mislaid; Coin Operated Machine; $1,000 to $25,000

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646680647513.png" alt="Brookens-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Brookens-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for allegedly stealing more than two dozen parking meters from downtown Topeka,On Monday, police arressted 32-year-old suspect identified according to online jail records as David Allen Brookens II of Topeka.Officers had been investigating the theft last week of 26 coin-operated parking meters. Around midnight Monday, a caller told police they saw someone walking with a shopping cart in an area of downtown and possibly stealing meters. Officers arrived and arrested Brookens.&nbsp;He was in possession of several recently-stolen meters. He is jailed without bond on requested charges of&nbsp;Theft $25,000 &lt;$100,000 Coin-Operated Machine or Device, Aggravated Criminal Damage,&nbsp;Theft Lost or Mislaid; Coin Operated Machine; $1,000 to $25,000

Kan. man accused of stealing 26 coin-operated parking meters

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man was sentenced Thursday to 48 years and nine months in jail for the death of his ex-girlfriend.

Jeremy Lardner, 39, Topeka was sentenced for second-degree murder for the death of Brandi Prchal, 36, who was found dead in Lardner's gas-filled home on Nov. 1, 2019. She had suffered blunt force trauma and was dead at the scene, police said.

Lardner was found unconscious in the home and was charged with Prchal's murder after he was released from the hospital, WIBW reported.

He was initially charged with first-degree murder but in January accepted a plea deal to second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping in the death of Prchal, who was an officer for the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573057629606.png" alt="Lardner-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Lardner-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man was sentenced Thursday to 48 years and nine months in jail for the death of his ex-girlfriend.Jeremy Lardner, 39, Topeka was sentenced for second-degree murder for the death of Brandi Prchal, 36, who was found dead in Lardner's gas-filled home on Nov. 1, 2019. She had suffered blunt force trauma and was dead at the scene, police said.Lardner was found unconscious in the home and was charged with Prchal's murder after he was released from the hospital, WIBW reported.He was initially charged with first-degree murder but in January accepted a plea deal to second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping in the death of Prchal, who was an officer for the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Kan. man hospitalized after killing ex-girlfriend is going to prison  

KANSAS CITY —An 18-year-old Kansas City man has been charged with multiple felony counts in connection with the the shooting of &nbsp;three victims in February 2022, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

David Emerson, 18, faces two counts of Murder 2nd Degree, Assault 1st Degree, and three counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, after midnight on Feb. 21, 2022, police were alerted to bodies in a vehicle in a parking lot n the area of Linwood and Agnes Avenue.

 Video of the scene showed the defendant leaning into the victims' vehicle, stepping back and discharging a firearm. Then firing again. A 5-year-old victim was found in the backseat of the vehicle. The child was shot in the eye.&nbsp; Prosecutors requested a bond of $500,000 cash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646620553901.png" alt="Emerson-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Emerson-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —An 18-year-old Kansas City man has been charged with multiple felony counts in connection with the the shooting of &nbsp;three victims in February 2022, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.David Emerson, 18, faces two counts of Murder 2nd Degree, Assault 1st Degree, and three counts of Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, after midnight on Feb. 21, 2022, police were alerted to bodies in a vehicle in a parking lot n the area of Linwood and Agnes Avenue. Video of the scene showed the defendant leaning into the victims' vehicle, stepping back and discharging a firearm. Then firing again. A 5-year-old victim was found in the backseat of the vehicle. The child was shot in the eye.&nbsp; Prosecutors requested a bond of $500,000 cash.

Teen charged in KC shooting that killed 2, injured 5-year-old

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One person was killed and two others were critically wounded Monday after gunfire that appeared to come from a passing vehicle struck them outside an Iowa school, authorities said.

Des Moines police said in a news release that potential suspects have been detained in the shooting on the grounds of East High School, near Des Moines’ downtown, about a half mile, from the Capitol. No charges were immediately filed.

Sgt. Paul Parizek told KCCI-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcci.com/article/shooting-reported-outside-des-moines-iowa-school/39359495">that</a>&nbsp;calls started pouring in around 2:50 p.m., shortly before classes were scheduled to dismiss for the day.

The district said in a news release that the school was immediately put into lockdown and students were kept inside while police investigated. They were dismissed around 3:30 p.m. after law enforcement gave an all clear.

Principal Jill Versteeg described what happened as “everyone’s worst nightmare" and urged parents to “hug your students and love them.”

The district said there would be no classes Tuesday and that it was postponing the ACT and parent-teacher conferences. The district also was making grief counselors available.

Superintendent Thomas Ahart said school shootings have “become too common” and said that “real change to gun laws and access would go a long way to help us.”

“Our staff and students," he said, “are forced to train for these incidents and the trauma associated with the repeated drills and incidents will remain with them for years to come. It’s unfortunate that our state and our country have become a place where firearms are far too easily accessible.”

Parizek said he didn’t know whether the victims, who all appeared to be teenagers, were students. Their names weren't immediately released.

Police said they do not believe there is a continued threat to the public.

A motive was not immediately known, and Parizek provided no details on the potential suspects. Authorities have recovered shell casings from the scene as they investigate what happened.

“Obviously, we threw every resource we had at this. We know that the kids in that school are our community’s most precious cargo.”

Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert went to the school after the shooting and expressed frustration at the violence.

“Unfortunately what happened here today was just another pointless tragedy in our community,” Wingert told TV station WOI-TV. “People using firearms to settle their differences.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say multiple people have been wounded in a shooting outside an Iowa high school. KCCI-TV reports that Sgt. Paul Parizek said suspects have been detained in the Monday afternoon shooting on the grounds of East High School in Des Moines. 

Police said three teens are in critical condition. The school is locked down and residents are asked to stay clear. Streets around the school have been shut down. Police said they do not believe there is a continued threat to the public.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646692512479.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KCCI TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KCCI TV</figcaption>
 </figure>DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One person was killed and two others were critically wounded Monday after gunfire that appeared to come from a passing vehicle struck them outside an Iowa school, authorities said.Des Moines police said in a news release that potential suspects have been detained in the shooting on the grounds of East High School, near Des Moines’ downtown, about a half mile, from the Capitol. No charges were immediately filed.Sgt. Paul Parizek told KCCI-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcci.com/article/shooting-reported-outside-des-moines-iowa-school/39359495">that</a>&nbsp;calls started pouring in around 2:50 p.m., shortly before classes were scheduled to dismiss for the day.The district said in a news release that the school was immediately put into lockdown and students were kept inside while police investigated. They were dismissed around 3:30 p.m. after law enforcement gave an all clear.Principal Jill Versteeg described what happened as “everyone’s worst nightmare" and urged parents to “hug your students and love them.”The district said there would be no classes Tuesday and that it was postponing the ACT and parent-teacher conferences. The district also was making grief counselors available.Superintendent Thomas Ahart said school shootings have “become too common” and said that “real change to gun laws and access would go a long way to help us.”“Our staff and students," he said, “are forced to train for these incidents and the trauma associated with the repeated drills and incidents will remain with them for years to come. It’s unfortunate that our state and our country have become a place where firearms are far too easily accessible.”Parizek said he didn’t know whether the victims, who all appeared to be teenagers, were students. Their names weren't immediately released.Police said they do not believe there is a continued threat to the public.A motive was not immediately known, and Parizek provided no details on the potential suspects. Authorities have recovered shell casings from the scene as they investigate what happened.“Obviously, we threw every resource we had at this. We know that the kids in that school are our community’s most precious cargo.”Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert went to the school after the shooting and expressed frustration at the violence.“Unfortunately what happened here today was just another pointless tragedy in our community,” Wingert told TV station WOI-TV. “People using firearms to settle their differences.”-------DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say multiple people have been wounded in a shooting outside an Iowa high school. KCCI-TV reports that Sgt. Paul Parizek said suspects have been detained in the Monday afternoon shooting on the grounds of East High School in Des Moines. Police said three teens are in critical condition. The school is locked down and residents are asked to stay clear. Streets around the school have been shut down. Police said they do not believe there is a continued threat to the public.

1 dead, 2 teens wounded in shooting outside Iowa high school

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting and vehicle crash have arrested a suspect identified as 19-year-<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069507">old James Lamount Lowe, </a>according to Officer Trevor Macy.

accident have identified 21-year-old Amill Williams and 20-year-old Alonzo Montgomery, both of Wichita, as the victims, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Just after 1:30 a.m. February 21, 911 dispatch received several check shot calls between Harry and Lincoln along George Washington Boulevard in Wichita, according to Macy.

 When officers checked the area, they located a tan Ford Fusion crash at Lincoln and George Washington Blvd. A 22-year-old woman had been ejected from the vehicle and was transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The two additional occupants&nbsp;identified 21-year-old Amill Williams and 20-year-old Alonzo Montgomery,  were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Officers located evidence of a shooting in the area. The investigation revealed that the three occupants of of the Ford Fusion were being followed by an unknown vehicle. Occupants of the unknown vehicle began firing shots at them.&nbsp;None of the victims appear to have been struck by the gunfire. 

Police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069507">arrested Lowe </a>in connection with the crime. He is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, interference with law enforcement, possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a firearm.

It is believed at this time that drugs were involved, according to Macy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646661376648.png" alt="Lowe-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Lowe-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting and vehicle crash have arrested a suspect identified as 19-year-<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069507">old James Lamount Lowe, </a>according to Officer Trevor Macy.accident have identified 21-year-old Amill Williams and 20-year-old Alonzo Montgomery, both of Wichita, as the victims, according to Officer Trevor Macy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645465620879.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 1:30 a.m. February 21, 911 dispatch received several check shot calls between Harry and Lincoln along George Washington Boulevard in Wichita, according to Macy. When officers checked the area, they located a tan Ford Fusion crash at Lincoln and George Washington Blvd. A 22-year-old woman had been ejected from the vehicle and was transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.The two additional occupants&nbsp;identified 21-year-old Amill Williams and 20-year-old Alonzo Montgomery, were pronounced deceased at the scene.Officers located evidence of a shooting in the area. The investigation revealed that the three occupants of of the Ford Fusion were being followed by an unknown vehicle. Occupants of the unknown vehicle began firing shots at them.&nbsp;None of the victims appear to have been struck by the gunfire. Police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069507">arrested Lowe </a>in connection with the crime. He is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, interference with law enforcement, possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a firearm.It is believed at this time that drugs were involved, according to Macy.

Police: Suspect fired shots at vehicle ahead of fatal Kan. crash

In 2006, two former Wichita State students traveled to Ukraine to teach for the Peace
                        Corps.
                     

Locals asked if the Americans knew Britney Spears. They helped them learn a language.
                        They welcomed them with foods such as borscht and layered salads with beets, eggs
                        and mayonnaise.
                     

Some were wary of Americans, suspicions remaining from the Cold War and the fall of
                        the Soviet Union. These visitors, Matt and Stephanie (Whitcomb) Clark, sought to make
                        a good impression.
                     

“They wanted us to be part of their family,” said Stephanie, a 2004 broadcast journalism
                        graduate who played volleyball for WSU from 2000-03. “They would sit with us for hours
                        and help teach us certain things. They wanted us to be a part of who they were. I
                        feel like Ukraine is our home.”
                     

That home, their friends, and their warm memories are in turmoil as the Russian invasion
                        wears on in their adopted country. They rely on social media to hear from former students,
                        host families and friends, as they try to sort good information from bad and bring
                        attention to the crisis.
                     

“It rips your heart out,” Matt said. “We know … people pretty well that are just in
                        a horrible situation. We feel very connected to them.”
                     

The Clarks live in Fort Collins, Colorado, where Matt works in health care and business
                        development, and Stephanie is a licensed clinical social worker. Son Aubyn is 10,
                        and daughter Anya is 8. Anya is a common name in Ukraine.
                     

Matt, who graduated in 2004 with a degree in English literature, played basketball
                        for the Shockers from 2000 to 2004.
                     

From 2006 to 2008, the couple taught English to students from fifth grade to high
                        school in Ukraine; Stephanie in a school that emphasized math and science, Matt in
                        a school focused on arts and language. After training in Uzyn, they moved to Shostka,
                        a city of around 74,000 people within two hours of the Russian border.&nbsp;
                     

Borscht, a soup made with red beetroots, remains on their family menu every six weeks
                        or so.
                     

“One of their expressions was always, ‘Open soul, open heart,’” Matt said. “So incredibly
                        warm and kind. A lot of our time was spent around a table, sharing a meal and talking.
                        They love to dance. They love sports. They’re highly educated, as a population.”
                     

While in Ukraine, the Clarks saw the difficulties of life as a Russian neighbor. They
                        kept a bag with money and medicine prepared in case they needed to leave quickly.
                        They saw demonstrations and heard the stories about the conflict between the countries.
                        In 2014, they followed the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
                     

“There were times when we there, 2006-08, I thought we were going to be evacuated,”
                        Stephanie said. “We weren’t sure whether or not the political turn would be something
                        that would be safe for us. Ukraine is a nation that’s been fighting for their independence,
                        really, since the fall of the Soviet Union. When I was watching everything unfold,
                        it was surreal. I didn’t think it was going to escalate to this point.”
                     

They are eager to get the word out and direct people to reliable information and reputable
                        sources for donations to refugee camps.
                     

“Our heart is there, and our focus is there,” Matt said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646685861893.png" alt="Matt and Stephanie (Whitcomb) Clark" />
 <figcaption>Matt and Stephanie (Whitcomb) Clark</figcaption>
 </figure>By WSU Strategic CommunicationsIn 2006, two former Wichita State students traveled to Ukraine to teach for the Peace
 Corps.
 Locals asked if the Americans knew Britney Spears. They helped them learn a language.
 They welcomed them with foods such as borscht and layered salads with beets, eggs
 and mayonnaise.
 Some were wary of Americans, suspicions remaining from the Cold War and the fall of
 the Soviet Union. These visitors, Matt and Stephanie (Whitcomb) Clark, sought to make
 a good impression.
 “They wanted us to be part of their family,” said Stephanie, a 2004 broadcast journalism
 graduate who played volleyball for WSU from 2000-03. “They would sit with us for hours
 and help teach us certain things. They wanted us to be a part of who they were. I
 feel like Ukraine is our home.”
 That home, their friends, and their warm memories are in turmoil as the Russian invasion
 wears on in their adopted country. They rely on social media to hear from former students,
 host families and friends, as they try to sort good information from bad and bring
 attention to the crisis.
 “It rips your heart out,” Matt said. “We know … people pretty well that are just in
 a horrible situation. We feel very connected to them.”
 The Clarks live in Fort Collins, Colorado, where Matt works in health care and business
 development, and Stephanie is a licensed clinical social worker. Son Aubyn is 10,
 and daughter Anya is 8. Anya is a common name in Ukraine.
 Matt, who graduated in 2004 with a degree in English literature, played basketball
 for the Shockers from 2000 to 2004.
 From 2006 to 2008, the couple taught English to students from fifth grade to high
 school in Ukraine; Stephanie in a school that emphasized math and science, Matt in
 a school focused on arts and language. After training in Uzyn, they moved to Shostka,
 a city of around 74,000 people within two hours of the Russian border.&nbsp;
 Borscht, a soup made with red beetroots, remains on their family menu every six weeks
 or so.
 “One of their expressions was always, ‘Open soul, open heart,’” Matt said. “So incredibly
 warm and kind. A lot of our time was spent around a table, sharing a meal and talking.
 They love to dance. They love sports. They’re highly educated, as a population.”
 While in Ukraine, the Clarks saw the difficulties of life as a Russian neighbor. They
 kept a bag with money and medicine prepared in case they needed to leave quickly.
 They saw demonstrations and heard the stories about the conflict between the countries.
 In 2014, they followed the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
 “There were times when we there, 2006-08, I thought we were going to be evacuated,”
 Stephanie said. “We weren’t sure whether or not the political turn would be something
 that would be safe for us. Ukraine is a nation that’s been fighting for their independence,
 really, since the fall of the Soviet Union. When I was watching everything unfold,
 it was surreal. I didn’t think it was going to escalate to this point.”
 They are eager to get the word out and direct people to reliable information and reputable
 sources for donations to refugee camps.
 “Our heart is there, and our focus is there,” Matt said.

Wichita State alums regard Ukraine as second home: ‘It rips your heart out’

LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Sunday crash have identified the victims.

&nbsp;Just after 4:30 p.m., a&nbsp;2014 Chevy Malibu driven 31-year-old Nichole Gibbons of Wichita, along with her 11-year-old son, Terrell Gibbons of Topeka, were eastbound on Highway 50 at Road C, according to Lyon County Deputy Jody Meyers.

The Malibu crossed the center line into the westbound lane&nbsp; and struck a 2020 Hyundai Palisade driven by James Morton, 53, Dodge City. The impact&nbsp;caused the Malibu to turn sideways. A westbound 2009 Nissan Quest driven by Steven Miller, 49, Hutchinson, struck the Malibu.

Gibbons and her son Terrell were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Meyers.

Emporia/Lyon County EMS transported Miller to Newman Regional Hospital.

Chase County EMS checked James Morton and&nbsp; a passenger in the Hyundai 43-year-old Sheree Morton of Dodge City for injuries. They refused medical treatment. The sheriff's office released no additional details.

EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — Two people are dead following an accident in eastern Kansas. 

KSNT-TV reports that the accident happened Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 50 and Road C, west of Emporia in Lyon County. Sheriff Jeff Cope says a third person is hospitalized with serious injuries. 

Few details have been released, including names of the victims. Authorities have not said if the wintry weather was a factor in the wreck.

LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Sunday crash have identified the victims.&nbsp;Just after 4:30 p.m., a&nbsp;2014 Chevy Malibu driven 31-year-old Nichole Gibbons of Wichita, along with her 11-year-old son, Terrell Gibbons of Topeka, were eastbound on Highway 50 at Road C, according to Lyon County Deputy Jody Meyers.The Malibu crossed the center line into the westbound lane&nbsp; and struck a 2020 Hyundai Palisade driven by James Morton, 53, Dodge City. The impact&nbsp;caused the Malibu to turn sideways. A westbound 2009 Nissan Quest driven by Steven Miller, 49, Hutchinson, struck the Malibu.Gibbons and her son Terrell were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Meyers.Emporia/Lyon County EMS transported Miller to Newman Regional Hospital.Chase County EMS checked James Morton and&nbsp; a passenger in the Hyundai 43-year-old Sheree Morton of Dodge City for injuries. They refused medical treatment. The sheriff's office released no additional details.------EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — Two people are dead following an accident in eastern Kansas. KSNT-TV reports that the accident happened Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 50 and Road C, west of Emporia in Lyon County. Sheriff Jeff Cope says a third person is hospitalized with serious injuries. Few details have been released, including names of the victims. Authorities have not said if the wintry weather was a factor in the wreck.

Sheriff IDs Kan. woman, 11-year-old who died in 3-vehicle crash 

KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County jury on Thursday convicted a Kansas City man in the 2018, fatal shooting of Donna McKeown, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

The jury convicted 47-year-old Damon Kerr of Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;

According to court records, Kansas City police responded on Nov. 25, 2018, to the 3400 block of East 54th Street on a reported shooting. Officers found the victim in the front seat of a Dodge Avenger. 

She had been shot in the neck. She was later declared deceased at the &nbsp;hospital. The victim was mother of three children of the defendant, who initially denied shooting the victim.&nbsp;&nbsp;A Jackson County judge will sentence Kerr on May 6.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646402801603.png" alt="Kerr-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Kerr-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County jury on Thursday convicted a Kansas City man in the 2018, fatal shooting of Donna McKeown, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.The jury convicted 47-year-old Damon Kerr of Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;According to court records, Kansas City police responded on Nov. 25, 2018, to the 3400 block of East 54th Street on a reported shooting. Officers found the victim in the front seat of a Dodge Avenger. She had been shot in the neck. She was later declared deceased at the &nbsp;hospital. The victim was mother of three children of the defendant, who initially denied shooting the victim.&nbsp;&nbsp;A Jackson County judge will sentence Kerr on May 6.

Jury: KC man guilty for murder of the mother of his 3 children

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/07/tax-credit-bundle-promoting-housing-aerospace-education-gets-preliminary-kansas-senate-nod/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate gave 
the tentative green light Thursday to a massive bundle of tax credit 
incentives for aerospace and aviation programs, housing investments, 
teacher supplies and income tax while declining to provide a $250 rebate
 to all Kansans.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb282/">Senate Bill 282</a>
 began the debate as a tax credit estimated to cost the state $7.9 
million by allowing employers in the aviation industry to write off 
tuition costs or certain program fees for a qualified employee beginning
 in 2023. Employees would be a graduate of an accredited engineering 
program, or an associate of an applied science degree program or a 
career technical program.

This credit would be capped at 50%
 of the tuition reimbursement paid and could be claimed each year, for 
up to the fourth year of employment.

The bill would also create a 
nonrefundable tax credit for taxpayers equal to 10% of the compensation 
paid to qualified employees in each of their first five years of 
employment, not to exceed $15,000 per year.

Sen. Gene Suellentrop, R-Wichita, 
said the measure was important to bring Kansas level with Oklahoma, 
which has been pushing aerospace development.

“If we’re not careful, they can 
take a good part of McConnell Air Force Base and our entire aviation 
production and haul it down south in a very short order,” Suellentrop 
said. “Their governor has worked with their legislature to create 
similar tax credit programs. So, this is not something new. This is used
 in the industry.”

Additionally, the bill would 
create a nonrefundable tax credit for taxpayers who become qualified 
employees during the year. Employees with income tax liability less than
 $5,000 would be eligible to carry any unused credit forward for up to 
four years.

Several other legislators 
piggybacked on the tax credit, proposing ideas of their own. Sen. Robert
 Olson, R-Olathe, brought a pair of housing tax credits and tacked them 
on with Senate approval.

The main credit, established in 
the Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit Act, would allow any financial 
institution, project builder and developer who makes cash investment in 
some housing projects to claim a tax credit.

Under the act, the director of the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation can issue credits up to
 $35,000 per residential unit in a county with a population no more than
 8,000; up to $32,000 per unit in a county with a population greater 
than 8,000 but not more than 25,000; and up to $30,000 per resident for 
all other qualified housing projects.

Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, 
said he was concerned it did not include areas of high growth in 
northeast Kansas but still supported the measure.

“We need new housing in the state 
of Kansas, we need workforce development, and we need affordable housing
 in our counties out there across the state,” Pittman said.

Sen. Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood, 
saw other issues in her area, like senior citizens on a fixed income 
struggling to afford the homes they have owned for years because of high
 taxes.

“I would support a reduction in 
taxes for all Kansas residents, not just picking winners and losers with
 builders and certain developments,” Straub said.

The only amendment to fail was an 
offer from Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes to include a $250 tax 
rebate for all single filers and $500 for married Kansas residents. The 
idea is part of the governor’s proposed budget.

Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, shut down the amendment quickly.

“It may sound good on the surface,
 but this is not the way to promote economic development or good sound 
tax policy,” Tyson said. “We’ve seen that behavior at the federal level.
 It was not the results that we would have liked to have seen.”

Another amendment adds another 
option to the Homestead Property Tax Act for Kansans aged 65 years or 
older or disabled veterans.&nbsp;

The final amendment, introduced by
 Sen. Virgil Peck, R-Havana, would increase the amount of the 
residential exemption of the 20-mill property tax levy from $20,000 of 
valuation to $65,000. It would also allow that amount to increase in 
future years.

The amendment drew some worry from
 Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, about the impact this may have on the
 school finance formula.

“My concern is there would be less
 property tax available so more of that funding would come from our 
state general fund than from the property taxes collected,” Francisco 
said. “I would just hope before I voted on this that I would have a 
better understanding of those numbers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646664752961.png" alt="Sen. Gene Suellentrop said Kansas needs to take steps to become more competitive in the aerospace industry or risk being left behind by neighbor Oklahoma. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Gene Suellentrop said Kansas needs to take steps to become more competitive in the aerospace industry or risk being left behind by neighbor Oklahoma. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/07/tax-credit-bundle-promoting-housing-aerospace-education-gets-preliminary-kansas-senate-nod/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate gave 
the tentative green light Thursday to a massive bundle of tax credit 
incentives for aerospace and aviation programs, housing investments, 
teacher supplies and income tax while declining to provide a $250 rebate
 to all Kansans.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb282/">Senate Bill 282</a>
 began the debate as a tax credit estimated to cost the state $7.9 
million by allowing employers in the aviation industry to write off 
tuition costs or certain program fees for a qualified employee beginning
 in 2023. Employees would be a graduate of an accredited engineering 
program, or an associate of an applied science degree program or a 
career technical program.This credit would be capped at 50%
 of the tuition reimbursement paid and could be claimed each year, for 
up to the fourth year of employment.The bill would also create a 
nonrefundable tax credit for taxpayers equal to 10% of the compensation 
paid to qualified employees in each of their first five years of 
employment, not to exceed $15,000 per year.Sen. Gene Suellentrop, R-Wichita, 
said the measure was important to bring Kansas level with Oklahoma, 
which has been pushing aerospace development.“If we’re not careful, they can 
take a good part of McConnell Air Force Base and our entire aviation 
production and haul it down south in a very short order,” Suellentrop 
said. “Their governor has worked with their legislature to create 
similar tax credit programs. So, this is not something new. This is used
 in the industry.”Additionally, the bill would 
create a nonrefundable tax credit for taxpayers who become qualified 
employees during the year. Employees with income tax liability less than
 $5,000 would be eligible to carry any unused credit forward for up to 
four years.Several other legislators 
piggybacked on the tax credit, proposing ideas of their own. Sen. Robert
 Olson, R-Olathe, brought a pair of housing tax credits and tacked them 
on with Senate approval.The main credit, established in 
the Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit Act, would allow any financial 
institution, project builder and developer who makes cash investment in 
some housing projects to claim a tax credit.Under the act, the director of the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation can issue credits up to
 $35,000 per residential unit in a county with a population no more than
 8,000; up to $32,000 per unit in a county with a population greater 
than 8,000 but not more than 25,000; and up to $30,000 per resident for 
all other qualified housing projects.Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, 
said he was concerned it did not include areas of high growth in 
northeast Kansas but still supported the measure.“We need new housing in the state 
of Kansas, we need workforce development, and we need affordable housing
 in our counties out there across the state,” Pittman said.Sen. Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood, 
saw other issues in her area, like senior citizens on a fixed income 
struggling to afford the homes they have owned for years because of high
 taxes.“I would support a reduction in 
taxes for all Kansas residents, not just picking winners and losers with
 builders and certain developments,” Straub said.The only amendment to fail was an 
offer from Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes to include a $250 tax 
rebate for all single filers and $500 for married Kansas residents. The 
idea is part of the governor’s proposed budget.Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, shut down the amendment quickly.“It may sound good on the surface,
 but this is not the way to promote economic development or good sound 
tax policy,” Tyson said. “We’ve seen that behavior at the federal level.
 It was not the results that we would have liked to have seen.”Another amendment adds another 
option to the Homestead Property Tax Act for Kansans aged 65 years or 
older or disabled veterans.&nbsp;The final amendment, introduced by
 Sen. Virgil Peck, R-Havana, would increase the amount of the 
residential exemption of the 20-mill property tax levy from $20,000 of 
valuation to $65,000. It would also allow that amount to increase in 
future years.The amendment drew some worry from
 Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, about the impact this may have on the
 school finance formula.“My concern is there would be less
 property tax available so more of that funding would come from our 
state general fund than from the property taxes collected,” Francisco 
said. “I would just hope before I voted on this that I would have a 
better understanding of those numbers.”

Kan. tax credit bundle would promote housing, aerospace, education

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 388 to a total of 767,870, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The state reported five additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,988.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> 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 (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>.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 388 to a total of 767,870, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;The state reported five additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,988.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646676129296.png" alt="Monday March 7, 2022 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday March 7, 2022 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> 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 (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>.

KDHE: Latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

HUTCHINSON—The Cottonwood Complex fire in Reno County is now about 70% contained, according&nbsp;Hutchinson Fire Chief Steve Beer.

As of 8 a.m. Monday, Johnson County, The Kansas Forest Service and Hutchinson Fire Crews continue to work on cutting down burning trees and extinguishing them. The moisture did help a little with some hot spots but the burning trees are still a major problem, according to the latest release.

An assessment of the area shows that 35 homes were destroyed in the fire along with 92 outbuildings and 110 vehicles. Crews did find the body of a missing person from the fire. That part of the investigation has been turned over to the Reno County Sheriff’s Department.

Donations of snacks, water and Gatorade are still being taken at the command center at 3201 East 4th Avenue. They ask that you do not bring food to the center as that is already being provided.

Donations can be made to the United Way of Reno County by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org/">unitedwayofrenocounty.org</a>&nbsp;or mailing it to 924 N. Main Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646673959653.png" alt="Photo Credit Dennis Carlson, Kansas Forest Service AFMO&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo Credit Dennis Carlson, Kansas Forest Service AFMO&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON—The Cottonwood Complex fire in Reno County is now about 70% contained, according&nbsp;Hutchinson Fire Chief Steve Beer.As of 8 a.m. Monday, Johnson County, The Kansas Forest Service and Hutchinson Fire Crews continue to work on cutting down burning trees and extinguishing them. The moisture did help a little with some hot spots but the burning trees are still a major problem, according to the latest release.An assessment of the area shows that 35 homes were destroyed in the fire along with 92 outbuildings and 110 vehicles. Crews did find the body of a missing person from the fire. That part of the investigation has been turned over to the Reno County Sheriff’s Department.Donations of snacks, water and Gatorade are still being taken at the command center at 3201 East 4th Avenue. They ask that you do not bring food to the center as that is already being provided.Donations can be made to the United Way of Reno County by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org/">unitedwayofrenocounty.org</a>&nbsp;or mailing it to 924 N. Main Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.

Fire Chief: 1 dead, 35 homes destroyed in weekend Kan. wildfire

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an arrest.

On February 4, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 300 Block SW Tyler Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation,&nbsp;according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.&nbsp;

Officers located heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.

As a result, officers arrested Marcus Knight, 66 years of age, was transported him to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Manufacturing controlled substance, Use/possess w/intent to use drug para, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution, Possession of marijuana, Distribution of opiate/opium/narcotics, Distribution of heroin, Possession of stimulant, Criminal possession of a weapon by felon, Possession of stolen property Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance using a communication facility, according to Connell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646512174835.png" alt="Knight-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Knight-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an arrest.On February 4, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 300 Block SW Tyler Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation,&nbsp;according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.&nbsp;Officers located heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.As a result, officers arrested Marcus Knight, 66 years of age, was transported him to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Manufacturing controlled substance, Use/possess w/intent to use drug para, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution, Possession of marijuana, Distribution of opiate/opium/narcotics, Distribution of heroin, Possession of stimulant, Criminal possession of a weapon by felon, Possession of stolen property Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance using a communication facility, according to Connell.

Police find heroin, cocaine and guns at Kansas home

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will soon begin to run out of money to bolster COVID-19 testing supplies and to guarantee that uninsured Americans keep getting free treatment for the virus unless Congress swiftly approves more funding, the White House warned.

Nearly a year after passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, the administration says the federal government has nearly used up the money dedicated directly to COVID-19 response. More money from Congress is urgently needed to buy antibody treatments, preventative pills for the immunocompromised and to fund community testing sites, officials say.

“From the COVID side, the bank account is empty,” said COVID-19 deputy coordinator Natalie Quillian. “We’re in conversations with lawmakers about how to secure the funding, but it’s urgently needed.” Some of the consequences could be felt later this month.

The White House last month told Congress it was preparing to seek $30 billion for the virus response, but cut that to $22.5 billion in a formal request that officials said includes only the most critical needs. It’s being coupled with a $10 billion request to provide support to Ukraine and its people after Russia’s invasion.

“This is an urgent request and this is what is at stake in our fight against COVID,” press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday.

This month, the White House warns, COVID-19 testing manufacturers will begin to slow production of at-home rapid tests unless the federal government signs contracts to buy more. Officials say that could result in a supply crunch should there be another surge in cases.

They also said the Health Resources and Services Administration will be forced to begin winding down claims for COVID-19 treatment for uninsured people this month if Congress doesn’t provide more money. Moreover, the U.S. government supply of monoclonal antibodies would run out in May. And in July, supplies of the AstraZeneca prophylactic pill that can prevent serious illness in immunocompromised individuals would go dry. By September, the U.S. would run out of supplies of an oral anti-viral pill.

“Given how costly COVID has been with so many of our fellow Americans hospitalized or dying, and our daily lives disrupted, we simply cannot afford to wait on investing now and keeping people protected,” said Psaki.

The request also includes funding to support U.S. vaccine purchases and global vaccine distribution.

The U.S. has enough shots of the Pfizer vaccine for children under age 5, should it be approved in the coming weeks. But if regulators make it a three-dose vaccine regimen, the administration would need more money to buy additional doses. The same would also be true if regulators determine that kids aged 5-11 should receive booster shots.

The White House emphasized that the federal government must sign contracts for drugs and vaccines months before they’re needed, so Congress must act now to prevent any gaps.

Some Republicans have expressed sticker shock at Biden’s request, pressing the administration to repurpose other relief funding that hasn’t been spent.

“Oh no, that’s too much,” Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Thursday when asked about the administration’s $22.5 billion request. “And secondly, we want to see how much money is out there” that hasn’t been spent yet from previously approved COVID-19 relief measures.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and 35 other GOP senators wrote Biden on Tuesday that before supporting new money, they want “a full accounting” of how the government has spent funds already provided.

The White House says it’s open to exploring reallocating already-approved, unspent money, but emphasized that the priority must be to continue meeting needs.

And the administration will ask Congress for additional funding in coming weeks.

“We are being reasonable in our urgent request now, but we know more will be needed,” said Quillian.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the federal government has worked to make COVID-19 treatments and vaccines free. Earlier this year, Biden began shipping up to eight free virus tests to U.S. households.

Quillian said the administration is open to eventually shifting the cost of shots and pills to insurers, like treatments for other illnesses, particularly as the virus becomes subsides. But she said that the White House believes COVID-19 recovery is still too fragile to make the change yet, and that Washington needed to foot the bill.

“We can’t squander our position,” Quillian said.

The COVID-19 relief bills enacted since the pandemic began have contained $370 billion for public health programs including vaccines and other medical supplies, testing, research, and reimbursing providers, according to a Department of Health and Human Services table obtained by The Associated Press.

Of that amount, $355 billion is currently being spent, has been spent or has been committed to contracts, according to HHS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645113082140.png" alt="The White House last month told Congress it was preparing to seek $30 billion for the virus response, but cut that to $22.5 billion in a formal request that officials said includes only the most critical needs. It’s being coupled with a $10 billion request to provide support to Ukraine and its people after Russia’s invasion.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House last month told Congress it was preparing to seek $30 billion for the virus response, but cut that to $22.5 billion in a formal request that officials said includes only the most critical needs. It’s being coupled with a $10 billion request to provide support to Ukraine and its people after Russia’s invasion.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will soon begin to run out of money to bolster COVID-19 testing supplies and to guarantee that uninsured Americans keep getting free treatment for the virus unless Congress swiftly approves more funding, the White House warned.Nearly a year after passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, the administration says the federal government has nearly used up the money dedicated directly to COVID-19 response. More money from Congress is urgently needed to buy antibody treatments, preventative pills for the immunocompromised and to fund community testing sites, officials say.“From the COVID side, the bank account is empty,” said COVID-19 deputy coordinator Natalie Quillian. “We’re in conversations with lawmakers about how to secure the funding, but it’s urgently needed.” Some of the consequences could be felt later this month.The White House last month told Congress it was preparing to seek $30 billion for the virus response, but cut that to $22.5 billion in a formal request that officials said includes only the most critical needs. It’s being coupled with a $10 billion request to provide support to Ukraine and its people after Russia’s invasion.“This is an urgent request and this is what is at stake in our fight against COVID,” press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday.This month, the White House warns, COVID-19 testing manufacturers will begin to slow production of at-home rapid tests unless the federal government signs contracts to buy more. Officials say that could result in a supply crunch should there be another surge in cases.They also said the Health Resources and Services Administration will be forced to begin winding down claims for COVID-19 treatment for uninsured people this month if Congress doesn’t provide more money. Moreover, the U.S. government supply of monoclonal antibodies would run out in May. And in July, supplies of the AstraZeneca prophylactic pill that can prevent serious illness in immunocompromised individuals would go dry. By September, the U.S. would run out of supplies of an oral anti-viral pill.“Given how costly COVID has been with so many of our fellow Americans hospitalized or dying, and our daily lives disrupted, we simply cannot afford to wait on investing now and keeping people protected,” said Psaki.The request also includes funding to support U.S. vaccine purchases and global vaccine distribution.The U.S. has enough shots of the Pfizer vaccine for children under age 5, should it be approved in the coming weeks. But if regulators make it a three-dose vaccine regimen, the administration would need more money to buy additional doses. The same would also be true if regulators determine that kids aged 5-11 should receive booster shots.The White House emphasized that the federal government must sign contracts for drugs and vaccines months before they’re needed, so Congress must act now to prevent any gaps.Some Republicans have expressed sticker shock at Biden’s request, pressing the administration to repurpose other relief funding that hasn’t been spent.“Oh no, that’s too much,” Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Thursday when asked about the administration’s $22.5 billion request. “And secondly, we want to see how much money is out there” that hasn’t been spent yet from previously approved COVID-19 relief measures.Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and 35 other GOP senators wrote Biden on Tuesday that before supporting new money, they want “a full accounting” of how the government has spent funds already provided.The White House says it’s open to exploring reallocating already-approved, unspent money, but emphasized that the priority must be to continue meeting needs.And the administration will ask Congress for additional funding in coming weeks.“We are being reasonable in our urgent request now, but we know more will be needed,” said Quillian.Since the onset of the pandemic, the federal government has worked to make COVID-19 treatments and vaccines free. Earlier this year, Biden began shipping up to eight free virus tests to U.S. households.Quillian said the administration is open to eventually shifting the cost of shots and pills to insurers, like treatments for other illnesses, particularly as the virus becomes subsides. But she said that the White House believes COVID-19 recovery is still too fragile to make the change yet, and that Washington needed to foot the bill.“We can’t squander our position,” Quillian said.The COVID-19 relief bills enacted since the pandemic began have contained $370 billion for public health programs including vaccines and other medical supplies, testing, research, and reimbursing providers, according to a Department of Health and Human Services table obtained by The Associated Press.Of that amount, $355 billion is currently being spent, has been spent or has been committed to contracts, according to HHS.

White House: Congress must act now to replenish COVID funds

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it will not take up the&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/MeToo" target="_blank">sexual assault</a>&nbsp;case against comedian&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/BillCosby" target="_blank">Bill Cosby</a>, leaving in place a decision by Pennsylvania's highest court to throw out his conviction and set him free from prison.

The high court declined prosecutors' request to hear the case and reinstate Cosby's conviction. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last year threw out Cosby's conviction, saying the prosecutor who brought the case was bound by his predecessor’s agreement not to charge Cosby.

As is typical, the Supreme Court did not say anything in rejecting the case. The case was included in a long list of cases the court said Monday it would not hear.

The 84-year-old Cosby became the first celebrity convicted of sexual assault in the #MeToo era when a jury in 2018 found him guilty of drugging and molesting Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004. A jury had previously deadlocked in Cosby's case, resulting in a mistrial in 2017.

Cosby spent nearly three years in prison before Pennsylvania’s high court ordered his release.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission. Constand has done so.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625071903399.png" alt="Cosby from booking photo following sentencing from the Montgomery County Correctional Facility" />
 <figcaption>Cosby from booking photo following sentencing from the Montgomery County Correctional Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it will not take up the&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/MeToo" target="_blank">sexual assault</a>&nbsp;case against comedian&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/BillCosby" target="_blank">Bill Cosby</a>, leaving in place a decision by Pennsylvania's highest court to throw out his conviction and set him free from prison.The high court declined prosecutors' request to hear the case and reinstate Cosby's conviction. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last year threw out Cosby's conviction, saying the prosecutor who brought the case was bound by his predecessor’s agreement not to charge Cosby.As is typical, the Supreme Court did not say anything in rejecting the case. The case was included in a long list of cases the court said Monday it would not hear.The 84-year-old Cosby became the first celebrity convicted of sexual assault in the #MeToo era when a jury in 2018 found him guilty of drugging and molesting Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004. A jury had previously deadlocked in Cosby's case, resulting in a mistrial in 2017.Cosby spent nearly three years in prison before Pennsylvania’s high court ordered his release.The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission. Constand has done so.

Supreme Court won't review decision freeing Bill Cosby from prison

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of regular gasoline broke $4 per gallon on average across the U.S. on Sunday for the first time since 2008.

During the first full week of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-kyiv-business-europe-f0b25c9e0201a6c5cf380ff061950673">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>, the price of regular gas rose by almost 41 cents, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/" target="_blank">AAA motor club</a>.

That represents the second largest jump in average national prices in a week, GasBuddy reported.

“As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to evolve and we head into a season where gas prices typically increase, Americans should prepare to pay more for gas than they ever have before,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646659156352.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The price of regular gasoline broke $4 per gallon on average across the U.S. on Sunday for the first time since 2008.During the first full week of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-kyiv-business-europe-f0b25c9e0201a6c5cf380ff061950673">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>, the price of regular gas rose by almost 41 cents, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/" target="_blank">AAA motor club</a>.That represents the second largest jump in average national prices in a week, GasBuddy reported.“As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to evolve and we head into a season where gas prices typically increase, Americans should prepare to pay more for gas than they ever have before,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a statement.The all-time high for average gasoline prices was set in July 17, 2008 at $4.10 per gallon.Neither President Joe Biden nor Congress has moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-business-europe-d30c144383033e2fc9bce6f3d5cfeb0b">ban the import&nbsp;</a>of Russian oil or place energy sanctions on the country, which could have major global economic repercussions.On Sunday, California had the highest average price per gallon among U.S. states at $5.29, while Missouri had the lowest at around $3.60.