Unemployment modernization council prepares for interim report

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/22/kansas-kicks-7k-off-unemployment-benefits-for-failing-to-meet-new-work-search-requirement/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — About 7,000 Kansans lost
 unemployment benefits this week because they did not meet a deadline to
 sign up for a new state program designed to help people find a job.

Legislators inserted the work search requirement into <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2196/">House Bill 2196</a> earlier this year. Mike
 Beene, director of workforce development at the Department of Commerce,
 told legislators Thursday many people who receive unemployment benefits
 were still adjusting to the policy.

The Kansas Department of Labor issued referrals to the online <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/12/kansas-labor-department-pushes-new-reemployment-program-as-council-considers-facial-recognition-strategies/">My Reemployment Plan</a> program for weeks in advance of the deadline.

“The activity of a work search 
requirement is almost a cultural shift for people right now because they
 have gone so long during the pandemic without that requirement,” Beene 
told the Kansas Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement 
Council.

The council met in anticipation of
 a preliminary report to the Legislative Coordinating Council updating 
leading lawmakers on progress made modernizing the state’s 40-year-old 
unemployment system. Updates on why some claims were being denied and 
modernization vendor search were provided, in addition to a look at My 
Reemployment.&nbsp;

Gov. Laura Kelly expressed concern with the requirements keeping so many from receiving their benefits.

“We tried as much as we could to 
get information out to people, and we’ll continue to work with those 
7,000 people to rectify their situation so that they can continue 
receiving the benefits,” Kelly said.

Using the week of July 10 as a 
baseline, KDOL deputy secretary Peter Brady said 87.7% of all pandemic 
unemployment program claims were paid. The remaining 12.3% either 
encountered a mainframe error, an eligibility issue with their claim, a 
requirement of additional information, or most prominently, triggered a 
fraud flag.

Brady was hopeful this snapshot 
would help the council better understand how claims were being processed
 in Kansas and how the system modernization project could improve these 
numbers for the upcoming council report.

“Different presenters we’ve had 
before this council have all made a lot of similar points of what the 
core requirements and functions of a modern UI system are. This is what 
it needs to do,” Brady said, urging the council to consider these 
presentations in the report when choosing a vendor for the modernization
 project. “These are all the criteria that will need to be looked at for
 a modernized system vendor.”

HB2196, which took effect May 13, 
created the council, initiated the needed modernization effort, and 
required a report recommending a vendor to be issued within 60 days.

With vendor selection taking 
longer than initially anticipated, Brady and others urged a more 
forward-looking report when the council takes that up on Friday. Rep. 
Kyle Hoffman, R-Coldwater, said while the initial 60-day window appeared
 ample enough time, once in the process he saw that wasn’t as feasible 
as previously thought.

“We don’t want to hold it up, but 
we also don’t want to rush it just for a report,” Hoffman said. “If the 
LCC understands that this report is preliminary I think that covers the 
statutory requirement of sending a report.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627070593842.png" alt="Mike Beene, director of workforce development at the Department of Commerce, appears Thursday before the Kansas Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council. (Screen capture from YouTube video)" />
 <figcaption>Mike Beene, director of workforce development at the Department of Commerce, appears Thursday before the Kansas Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council. (Screen capture from YouTube video)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Unemployment modernization council prepares for interim report</h2>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/22/kansas-kicks-7k-off-unemployment-benefits-for-failing-to-meet-new-work-search-requirement/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — About 7,000 Kansans lost
 unemployment benefits this week because they did not meet a deadline to
 sign up for a new state program designed to help people find a job.Legislators inserted the work search requirement into <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2196/">House Bill 2196</a> earlier this year. Mike
 Beene, director of workforce development at the Department of Commerce,
 told legislators Thursday many people who receive unemployment benefits
 were still adjusting to the policy.The Kansas Department of Labor issued referrals to the online <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/12/kansas-labor-department-pushes-new-reemployment-program-as-council-considers-facial-recognition-strategies/">My Reemployment Plan</a> program for weeks in advance of the deadline.“The activity of a work search 
requirement is almost a cultural shift for people right now because they
 have gone so long during the pandemic without that requirement,” Beene 
told the Kansas Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement 
Council.The council met in anticipation of
 a preliminary report to the Legislative Coordinating Council updating 
leading lawmakers on progress made modernizing the state’s 40-year-old 
unemployment system. Updates on why some claims were being denied and 
modernization vendor search were provided, in addition to a look at My 
Reemployment.&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly expressed concern with the requirements keeping so many from receiving their benefits.“We tried as much as we could to 
get information out to people, and we’ll continue to work with those 
7,000 people to rectify their situation so that they can continue 
receiving the benefits,” Kelly said.Using the week of July 10 as a 
baseline, KDOL deputy secretary Peter Brady said 87.7% of all pandemic 
unemployment program claims were paid. The remaining 12.3% either 
encountered a mainframe error, an eligibility issue with their claim, a 
requirement of additional information, or most prominently, triggered a 
fraud flag.Brady was hopeful this snapshot 
would help the council better understand how claims were being processed
 in Kansas and how the system modernization project could improve these 
numbers for the upcoming council report.“Different presenters we’ve had 
before this council have all made a lot of similar points of what the 
core requirements and functions of a modern UI system are. This is what 
it needs to do,” Brady said, urging the council to consider these 
presentations in the report when choosing a vendor for the modernization
 project. “These are all the criteria that will need to be looked at for
 a modernized system vendor.”HB2196, which took effect May 13, 
created the council, initiated the needed modernization effort, and 
required a report recommending a vendor to be issued within 60 days.With vendor selection taking 
longer than initially anticipated, Brady and others urged a more 
forward-looking report when the council takes that up on Friday. Rep. 
Kyle Hoffman, R-Coldwater, said while the initial 60-day window appeared
 ample enough time, once in the process he saw that wasn’t as feasible 
as previously thought.“We don’t want to hold it up, but 
we also don’t want to rush it just for a report,” Hoffman said. “If the 
LCC understands that this report is preliminary I think that covers the 
statutory requirement of sending a report.”

Kan. kicks 7K off unemployment for failing to meet work search requirement

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities have identified a Kansas man who died in an accident just before 9p.m. Friday in Shawnee County as&nbsp;46-year-old&nbsp; Terrell M. Myers of Topkea, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

A 2000 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Myers southbound in the 3100 Block of Croco Road and struck a&nbsp;2012 Honda CRV that was attempting to turn north onto Croco Road from the Swim Beach parking lot.

The two occupants of the Honda, a 46-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were not injured. Preliminary investigation shows speed may have been a factor, according to Christian.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities have identified a Kansas man who died in an accident just before 9p.m. Friday in Shawnee County as&nbsp;46-year-old&nbsp; Terrell M. Myers of Topkea, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.A 2000 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Myers southbound in the 3100 Block of Croco Road and struck a&nbsp;2012 Honda CRV that was attempting to turn north onto Croco Road from the Swim Beach parking lot.Myers was pronounced dead the scene.The two occupants of the Honda, a 46-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were not injured. Preliminary investigation shows speed may have been a factor, according to Christian.

Sheriff IDs Kan. man who died in motorcycle, SUV crash

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to search for 42-year-old John Freeman Colt according to the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office.

Just after 7a.m. June 30, he walked out of the Sexual Predator Treatment Program at the Larned State Hospital, according to the Pawnee County Sheriff.&nbsp;

He was last seen at 11:10a.m. Wednesday June 30 walking north bound from Kwik Shop on Broadway.

Barton County Sheriff Bellendir explained how Colt made it&nbsp;that far.&nbsp; “He caught a ride into town and gave a story he had a broken-down vehicle,” Bellendir said. “He was dressed in dress clothes. He didn’t look like what you’d expect an inmate to be. He looked more like a social worker, and that’s probably how he managed to escape, which the state investigators for DOC (the Department of Corrections) are over there trying to figure all of that out&nbsp;right now.”&nbsp;

Bellendir said&nbsp;Colt had altered his appearance by cutting his hair and shaving off a beard.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Colt is described as a white male, medium skin tone, 5-foot-7 200 pounds, blue eyes, and&nbsp; short brown hair. 

 He also has a tattoo on his left arm of a heart with the letters BH. 

He was last seen wearing a gray long sleeve shirt, black pants ( possibly dress pants ) and a dark face mask.  Subject possibly has an ID badge "C JONES", and may have a cell phone.&nbsp;

Colt should be considered dangerous.&nbsp;If seen, or you know his whereabouts, please call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625150026523.png" alt="Colt photo Kansas Public Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Colt photo Kansas Public Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to search for 42-year-old John Freeman Colt according to the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office.Just after 7a.m. June 30, he walked out of the Sexual Predator Treatment Program at the Larned State Hospital, according to the Pawnee County Sheriff.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625086515798.png" alt="Colt has previous convictions for aggravated sexual battery, theft, forgery, aggravated burglary, interference with parental custody and criminal damage, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections photos Pawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Colt has previous convictions for aggravated sexual battery, theft, forgery, aggravated burglary, interference with parental custody and criminal damage, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections photos Pawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>He was last seen at 11:10a.m. Wednesday June 30 walking north bound from Kwik Shop on Broadway.Barton County Sheriff Bellendir explained how Colt made it&nbsp;that far.&nbsp; “He caught a ride into town and gave a story he had a broken-down vehicle,” Bellendir said. “He was dressed in dress clothes. He didn’t look like what you’d expect an inmate to be. He looked more like a social worker, and that’s probably how he managed to escape, which the state investigators for DOC (the Department of Corrections) are over there trying to figure all of that out&nbsp;right now.”&nbsp;Bellendir said&nbsp;Colt had altered his appearance by cutting his hair and shaving off a beard.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Colt is described as a white male, medium skin tone, 5-foot-7 200 pounds, blue eyes, and&nbsp; short brown hair. He also has a tattoo on his left arm of a heart with the letters BH. He was last seen wearing a gray long sleeve shirt, black pants ( possibly dress pants ) and a dark face mask. Subject possibly has an ID badge "C JONES", and may have a cell phone.&nbsp;Colt should be considered dangerous.&nbsp;If seen, or you know his whereabouts, please call 911.

Search continues for man from Kan. sexual predator program 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —Police arrested a Kansas felon after he thought he was soliciting a 14- year-old.

Instead 35-year-old Kelly Andrade of Hutchinson was texting and sending email to a police officer. He's being held in the Reno County Jail on a bond of $25,500.

Andrade was arrested in a case which dates back to November of last year. He’s accused of attempting to contact a 14-year-old and asking to meet that subject. Police took him into custody and a search of his home turned up meth and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

He is currently on parole for 2007 convictions out of&nbsp; Reno County on drug manufacturing and possession along with trafficking contraband into a correctional facility. He was released in July of 2019.

Andrade is expected to be back in court July 30 for the formal reading of charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627056487896.jpeg" alt="Andrade has six previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Andrade has six previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. —Police arrested a Kansas felon after he thought he was soliciting a 14- year-old.Instead 35-year-old Kelly Andrade of Hutchinson was texting and sending email to a police officer. He's being held in the Reno County Jail on a bond of $25,500.Andrade was arrested in a case which dates back to November of last year. He’s accused of attempting to contact a 14-year-old and asking to meet that subject. Police took him into custody and a search of his home turned up meth and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;He is currently on parole for 2007 convictions out of&nbsp; Reno County on drug manufacturing and possession along with trafficking contraband into a correctional facility. He was released in July of 2019.Andrade is expected to be back in court July 30 for the formal reading of charges.

Police: Kan. felon was texting officer not teen girl

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 7a.m. Friday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Highlander driven by Bradley S. Dupin, 62, Overland Park, was northbound on Interstate 35 ramp to Southwest Boulevard. 

For an unknown reason, a possible medical condition, caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a building.

Dupin was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 7a.m. Friday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Highlander driven by Bradley S. Dupin, 62, Overland Park, was northbound on Interstate 35 ramp to Southwest Boulevard. For an unknown reason, a possible medical condition, caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a building.Dupin was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after SUV strikes a building

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and looking for possible suspects.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting call at Harry and Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; 

Officers located an 18-year-old who had been shot.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital, treated, and released.

The investigation revealed a disturbance occurred at apartments in the 4900 block of East Harry between multiple individuals.&nbsp; A dark color Ford Fusion&nbsp; was leaving the parking lot of the apartments when shots were fired that struck the victim and an unoccupied white Nissan Quest.&nbsp; Officers also located a shell casing in the parking lot.

This was not a random incident, according to Davidson. Police have not reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627066372162.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and looking for possible suspects.Just after 1:30 a.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting call at Harry and Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Officers located an 18-year-old who had been shot.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital, treated, and released.The investigation revealed a disturbance occurred at apartments in the 4900 block of East Harry between multiple individuals.&nbsp; A dark color Ford Fusion&nbsp; was leaving the parking lot of the apartments when shots were fired that struck the victim and an unoccupied white Nissan Quest.&nbsp; Officers also located a shell casing in the parking lot.This was not a random incident, according to Davidson. Police have not reported an arrest.

Police: Kan. teen shot driving from parking lot disturbance

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will not stop paying extended federal unemployment benefits that started during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Laura Kelly said.

Business groups, companies and Republican leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-government-and-politics-347b82421fea01e0f12ca9527a857d92">have been pressuring Kelly to end the benefits</a>, which include extra $300 weekly unemployment payments. They argue the additional benefits are discouraging people from searching for work, at a time when businesses can’t find enough employees.

Kelly said Thursday the state focused on improving child care&nbsp;and other programs that would help people return to work.

”What we did is we evaluated what happened in other states that had eliminated those benefits and we really found that wasn’t a silver bullet that is going to solve the workforce problem,” Kelly said.

The federal program is scheduled to end Sept. 6.

Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Republican from Stillwell, said people who lost work during the pandemic should be back in the workforce.

“They can walk into just about any store and get a vaccine and get back into the workforce,” Tarwater said Thursday. “COVID should no longer be an excuse to not work. We all woke up this morning and went to work, why didn’t they? Are they special? Why are they different than us?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627077845617.png" alt="Laura Kelly at the grand opening of Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka on Friday" />
 <figcaption>Laura Kelly at the grand opening of Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka on Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will not stop paying extended federal unemployment benefits that started during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Laura Kelly said.Business groups, companies and Republican leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-government-and-politics-347b82421fea01e0f12ca9527a857d92">have been pressuring Kelly to end the benefits</a>, which include extra $300 weekly unemployment payments. They argue the additional benefits are discouraging people from searching for work, at a time when businesses can’t find enough employees.Kelly said Thursday the state focused on improving child care&nbsp;and other programs that would help people return to work.”What we did is we evaluated what happened in other states that had eliminated those benefits and we really found that wasn’t a silver bullet that is going to solve the workforce problem,” Kelly said.The federal program is scheduled to end Sept. 6.Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Republican from Stillwell, said people who lost work during the pandemic should be back in the workforce.“They can walk into just about any store and get a vaccine and get back into the workforce,” Tarwater said Thursday. “COVID should no longer be an excuse to not work. We all woke up this morning and went to work, why didn’t they? Are they special? Why are they different than us?”

Kansas will continue extended federal unemployment benefits

KANSAS CITY (AP) — As the delta variant of COVID-19 makes its way through the Kansas City area, the region's medical leaders appear to be on the verge of calling for new mask mandates.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, said that region is seeing a big increase in patients, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article252958273.html">Kansas City Star</a>&nbsp;reported.

“We are past the tipping point,” Stites said. “We are in trouble.”

Missouri is at the epicenter of the summer surge of the coronavirus, a surge driven by the fast-spreading delta variant and low vaccination rates in rural areas.

The spread has made its way to the urban areas, too. St. Louis city and county leaders have not ruled out new measures such as a mask mandate or social distancing requirements, as that region faces increasing cases and hospitalizations.

In the Missouri part of the Kansas City region, information from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services shows that 319 people are hospitalized — nearly triple the number from early April. The number of intensive care unit patients has more than doubled since June, to 84.

Stites said medical leaders from the Kansas City area were in agreement about mandates.

“I think you are going to find the chief medical officers are going to call for a reinstitution of the mask mandates and social distancing because we had that discussion this morning and we were all in favor of it because we’re in trouble in the hospitals,” Stites said during a briefing.

Southwestern Missouri continues to see the worst of the surge, and Republican Gov. Mike Parson announced Thursday that 10 advanced life support ambulances, 20 medical professionals, two “strike team” leaders and a logistics specialist are being sent to Springfield. Their role will be to help with transporting patients in a city where hospitals are near capacity.

They were expected to arrive Friday from Arkansas, and will remain for up to two weeks. A news release from Parson's office said a mutual aid agreement between states “allows for the sharing of critical resources when needed.”

“We will continue to do all we can to support the Springfield area and surrounding communities as we experience this increase in COVID-19 spread,” Parson said in a news release.

Springfield and Greene County earlier this month asked the state to fund an alternate care site to help handle the overflow of patients. Parson said the city and county are specifically asking that a hotel be converted into a temporary medical facility. The request has been submitted to federal emergency management officials, Parson's news release said.

State data shows 544 people hospitalized and 222 in ICU in southwestern Missouri, numbers that exceed the worst of the winter peak of the virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584374089535.png" alt="Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer" />
 <figcaption>Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — As the delta variant of COVID-19 makes its way through the Kansas City area, the region's medical leaders appear to be on the verge of calling for new mask mandates.Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, said that region is seeing a big increase in patients, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article252958273.html">Kansas City Star</a>&nbsp;reported.“We are past the tipping point,” Stites said. “We are in trouble.”Missouri is at the epicenter of the summer surge of the coronavirus, a surge driven by the fast-spreading delta variant and low vaccination rates in rural areas.The spread has made its way to the urban areas, too. St. Louis city and county leaders have not ruled out new measures such as a mask mandate or social distancing requirements, as that region faces increasing cases and hospitalizations.In the Missouri part of the Kansas City region, information from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services shows that 319 people are hospitalized — nearly triple the number from early April. The number of intensive care unit patients has more than doubled since June, to 84.Stites said medical leaders from the Kansas City area were in agreement about mandates.“I think you are going to find the chief medical officers are going to call for a reinstitution of the mask mandates and social distancing because we had that discussion this morning and we were all in favor of it because we’re in trouble in the hospitals,” Stites said during a briefing.Southwestern Missouri continues to see the worst of the surge, and Republican Gov. Mike Parson announced Thursday that 10 advanced life support ambulances, 20 medical professionals, two “strike team” leaders and a logistics specialist are being sent to Springfield. Their role will be to help with transporting patients in a city where hospitals are near capacity.They were expected to arrive Friday from Arkansas, and will remain for up to two weeks. A news release from Parson's office said a mutual aid agreement between states “allows for the sharing of critical resources when needed.”“We will continue to do all we can to support the Springfield area and surrounding communities as we experience this increase in COVID-19 spread,” Parson said in a news release.Springfield and Greene County earlier this month asked the state to fund an alternate care site to help handle the overflow of patients. Parson said the city and county are specifically asking that a hotel be converted into a temporary medical facility. The request has been submitted to federal emergency management officials, Parson's news release said.State data shows 544 people hospitalized and 222 in ICU in southwestern Missouri, numbers that exceed the worst of the winter peak of the virus.

Kansas City-area medical leaders may urge new mask mandate

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp; investigating a shooting incident in Arkansas City, with no injuries reported.

Just before 11:30 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 600 block of North Seventh Street for a report of multiple gunshots.

Cowley County Emergency Communications learned through multiple 911 calls that a person residing in that block reported a bullet had been shot into their residence.

Officers arrived at the residence, contacted the victim and learned a single bullet had struck the front of the residence. No injuries were reported or observed, according to police.

Witnesses in the area described a gold-colored sedan and a dark car that were both seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed.

Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp; investigating a shooting incident in Arkansas City, with no injuries reported.Just before 11:30 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 600 block of North Seventh Street for a report of multiple gunshots.Cowley County Emergency Communications learned through multiple 911 calls that a person residing in that block reported a bullet had been shot into their residence.Officers arrived at the residence, contacted the victim and learned a single bullet had struck the front of the residence. No injuries were reported or observed, according to police.Witnesses in the area described a gold-colored sedan and a dark car that were both seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed.Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.

Police: Drive-by shooting damages Kansas home

Reports of athletes, lawmakers and others getting the coronavirus despite vaccination may sound alarming but top health experts point to overwhelming evidence that the shots are doing exactly what they are supposed to: dramatically reducing severe illness and death.

The best indicator: U.S. hospitalizations and deaths are nearly all among the unvaccinated, and real-world data from Britain and Israel support that protection against the worst cases remains strong. What scientists call “breakthrough” infections in people who are fully vaccinated make up a small fraction of cases.

“When you hear about a breakthrough infection, that doesn’t necessarily mean the vaccine is failing,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease specialist, told a worried Senate panel this week. The shots are holding up, he said, even in the face of the highly contagious delta variant that is burning through unvaccinated communities

Health authorities have warned that even though the COVID-19 vaccines are incredibly effective -- the Pfizer and Moderna ones about 95% against symptomatic infection in studies -- they’re not perfect. No vaccine is.

But it wasn’t until delta variant began spreading that the risk of breakthroughs started getting much public attention. The barrage of headlines is disconcerting for vaccinated people wondering how to balance getting back to normal with more exposure to unvaccinated strangers — especially if they have vulnerable family members, such as children too young to qualify for the shots.

Sports fans are seeing daily reports about infected athletes, from the New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-yankees-science-mlb-baseball-coronavirus-pandemic-60d860682e6c2253f800a39da550c2ca">Yankees</a>&nbsp;to the Summer Olympics. With the Games soon to start, Kara Eaker, a member of the U.S. women’s gymnastic team who said she was vaccinated, tested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gymnast-covid-2020-tokyo-olympics-44e21e98694b6c82cb57429bf8af4644">positive</a>&nbsp;in a training camp just outside Tokyo. WNBA player Katie Lou Samuelson pulled out of the Olympics and the 3-on-3 basketball competition after testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-2020-tokyo-olympics-basketball-health-coronavirus-pandemic-84a6a4e504c6cf9fa754256495351a29">positive</a>&nbsp;despite being vaccinated.

And politicians in the nation’s capital are being rattled by reports of breakthrough cases, including from a congressman, Florida Republican Vern Buchanan; some Texas Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-texas-health-coronavirus-pandemic-d6f7396d3507ed629ecc58c530b0cda7">lawmakers</a>&nbsp;visiting Washington as a political protest; at least two people in the White House and several congressional staff members.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that with 2,000 people on the White House campus each day some breakthrough cases are inevitable, but that the administration will release information if doctors determine any staffer had close contact with the president, vice president or their spouses.

One critical question about breakthrough cases is whether the person actually had symptoms, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told The Associated Press. “Or is this somebody just being sampled out of an abundance of caution because they had to go into some place like the Congress?” he added.

Indeed, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said for months that vaccinated people don’t even need to get tested after a virus exposure unless they develop symptoms. The agency cites limited evidence that they’re less likely to infect others than unvaccinated people who get an asymptomatic infection.

But different places have different rules. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- who survived COVID-19 early in the pandemic and now is fully vaccinated -- began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-cc5f64eb13bf363534cd905cfcef343f">quarantining</a>&nbsp;over the weekend after contact with someone experiencing mild symptoms from a breakthrough infection.

And rigorous testing is required as thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and media -- not all of whom are vaccinated -- descend on Tokyo for the pandemic-delayed Olympics.

While there’s not a specific count, it’s clear breakthrough infections are rare. As of July 12, the CDC had tallied 5,492 vaccinated people who were hospitalized or died and also tested positive for coronavirus — out of more than 159 million fully vaccinated Americans. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has said 99.5% of all deaths from COVID-19 are in the unvaccinated.

There isn’t a separate count of mild or asymptomatic breakthroughs, although CDC is tracking those through studies such as one that gives weekly virus tests to more than 5,000 essential workers, she told senators.

Breakthroughs tend to be mild because a vaccinated person’s immune system doesn’t have to start from scratch to fight the coronavirus. Even if the virus sneaks past vaccine-spurred antibodies and starts replicating in your nose or throat, secondary defenses jump into action and usually, “the virus is stopped in its tracks within a few days,” said University of Pennsylvania immunologist Scott Hensley.

There are caveats. The vaccines don’t work as well in people with severely weak immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients.

And the government is watching closely for signs that breakthrough cases, especially serious ones, are rising, because that might signal the need for booster vaccinations.

But meanwhile White House officials want to “normalize” the concept of breakthrough infections for the public, because they’re worried that these rare, inevitable events could play into the misinformation wars that have helped to keep millions from rolling up their sleeves.

“The vaccines were developed to keep us out of those terrible institutions we call hospitals,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University. “We have to keep coming back to that.”

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressReports of athletes, lawmakers and others getting the coronavirus despite vaccination may sound alarming but top health experts point to overwhelming evidence that the shots are doing exactly what they are supposed to: dramatically reducing severe illness and death.The best indicator: U.S. hospitalizations and deaths are nearly all among the unvaccinated, and real-world data from Britain and Israel support that protection against the worst cases remains strong. What scientists call “breakthrough” infections in people who are fully vaccinated make up a small fraction of cases.“When you hear about a breakthrough infection, that doesn’t necessarily mean the vaccine is failing,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease specialist, told a worried Senate panel this week. The shots are holding up, he said, even in the face of the highly contagious delta variant that is burning through unvaccinated communitiesHealth authorities have warned that even though the COVID-19 vaccines are incredibly effective -- the Pfizer and Moderna ones about 95% against symptomatic infection in studies -- they’re not perfect. No vaccine is.But it wasn’t until delta variant began spreading that the risk of breakthroughs started getting much public attention. The barrage of headlines is disconcerting for vaccinated people wondering how to balance getting back to normal with more exposure to unvaccinated strangers — especially if they have vulnerable family members, such as children too young to qualify for the shots.Sports fans are seeing daily reports about infected athletes, from the New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-yankees-science-mlb-baseball-coronavirus-pandemic-60d860682e6c2253f800a39da550c2ca">Yankees</a>&nbsp;to the Summer Olympics. With the Games soon to start, Kara Eaker, a member of the U.S. women’s gymnastic team who said she was vaccinated, tested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gymnast-covid-2020-tokyo-olympics-44e21e98694b6c82cb57429bf8af4644">positive</a>&nbsp;in a training camp just outside Tokyo. WNBA player Katie Lou Samuelson pulled out of the Olympics and the 3-on-3 basketball competition after testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-2020-tokyo-olympics-basketball-health-coronavirus-pandemic-84a6a4e504c6cf9fa754256495351a29">positive</a>&nbsp;despite being vaccinated.And politicians in the nation’s capital are being rattled by reports of breakthrough cases, including from a congressman, Florida Republican Vern Buchanan; some Texas Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-texas-health-coronavirus-pandemic-d6f7396d3507ed629ecc58c530b0cda7">lawmakers</a>&nbsp;visiting Washington as a political protest; at least two people in the White House and several congressional staff members.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that with 2,000 people on the White House campus each day some breakthrough cases are inevitable, but that the administration will release information if doctors determine any staffer had close contact with the president, vice president or their spouses.One critical question about breakthrough cases is whether the person actually had symptoms, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told The Associated Press. “Or is this somebody just being sampled out of an abundance of caution because they had to go into some place like the Congress?” he added.Indeed, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said for months that vaccinated people don’t even need to get tested after a virus exposure unless they develop symptoms. The agency cites limited evidence that they’re less likely to infect others than unvaccinated people who get an asymptomatic infection.But different places have different rules. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- who survived COVID-19 early in the pandemic and now is fully vaccinated -- began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-cc5f64eb13bf363534cd905cfcef343f">quarantining</a>&nbsp;over the weekend after contact with someone experiencing mild symptoms from a breakthrough infection.And rigorous testing is required as thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and media -- not all of whom are vaccinated -- descend on Tokyo for the pandemic-delayed Olympics.While there’s not a specific count, it’s clear breakthrough infections are rare. As of July 12, the CDC had tallied 5,492 vaccinated people who were hospitalized or died and also tested positive for coronavirus — out of more than 159 million fully vaccinated Americans. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has said 99.5% of all deaths from COVID-19 are in the unvaccinated.There isn’t a separate count of mild or asymptomatic breakthroughs, although CDC is tracking those through studies such as one that gives weekly virus tests to more than 5,000 essential workers, she told senators.Breakthroughs tend to be mild because a vaccinated person’s immune system doesn’t have to start from scratch to fight the coronavirus. Even if the virus sneaks past vaccine-spurred antibodies and starts replicating in your nose or throat, secondary defenses jump into action and usually, “the virus is stopped in its tracks within a few days,” said University of Pennsylvania immunologist Scott Hensley.There are caveats. The vaccines don’t work as well in people with severely weak immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients.And the government is watching closely for signs that breakthrough cases, especially serious ones, are rising, because that might signal the need for booster vaccinations.But meanwhile White House officials want to “normalize” the concept of breakthrough infections for the public, because they’re worried that these rare, inevitable events could play into the misinformation wars that have helped to keep millions from rolling up their sleeves.“The vaccines were developed to keep us out of those terrible institutions we call hospitals,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University. “We have to keep coming back to that.”___

'Breakthrough' COVID cases are causing alarm, confusion

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1539 to a total of 327,267, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 21 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5239.

<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.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1539 to a total of 327,267, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 21 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5239.<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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627064396131.png" alt="Friday July 23, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday July 23, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SHERMAN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect found hiding in a corn field.

On Friday, the Sherman County Sheriff's office and KHP were&nbsp;north of Edson with a possible armed suspect in a cornfield, according Sheriff Burton Pianalto.

The suspect was contained within the cornfield and there was no danger to surrounding homes. However, the sheriff wanted area residents to be alert and keep their eyes open to what is going on.

Shortly after KHP aircraft arrived, deputies took the suspect into custody without incident. The sheriff's office released no additional details including the name of the suspect late Friday morning.

SHERMAN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect found hiding in a corn field.On Friday, the Sherman County Sheriff's office and KHP were&nbsp;north of Edson with a possible armed suspect in a cornfield, according Sheriff Burton Pianalto.The suspect was contained within the cornfield and there was no danger to surrounding homes. However, the sheriff wanted area residents to be alert and keep their eyes open to what is going on.Shortly after KHP aircraft arrived, deputies took the suspect into custody without incident. The sheriff's office released no additional details including the name of the suspect late Friday morning.

Sheriff: Deputies find suspect hiding in NW Kan. corn field

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY - A tractor-trailer rig driver got more than he bargained for when he attempted to turn his rig around in Kipp Thursday afternoon.

Joseph Koehn, 38, of Galva, had been to the Great Plains Manufacturing facility in Kipp and was attempting to turn around a tractor-trailer rig owned by Unruh Transport of Galva, when the trailer snagged a guy wire on an Evergy power pole near the elevator, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. The pole snapped and electrical wires fell on top of the cab of the tractor and across E. Schilling Road.

Koehn, who was not injured, stayed in the cab of the 2021 Peterbilt tractor until Evergy personnel were able to remove the wires, Soldan said.

A spokesperson from Evergy said the outage caused by the accident, which was reported at 2:04 p.m. Thursday, affected 70 customers. Power was restored at 7:36 p.m., she said

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627059537403.jpeg" alt="Power lines can be seen on the tractor of this rig in Kipp Thursday afternoon. An Evergy spokesperson said 70 customers lost power for several hours because of the incident.Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Power lines can be seen on the tractor of this rig in Kipp Thursday afternoon. An Evergy spokesperson said 70 customers lost power for several hours because of the incident.Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY - A tractor-trailer rig driver got more than he bargained for when he attempted to turn his rig around in Kipp Thursday afternoon.Joseph Koehn, 38, of Galva, had been to the Great Plains Manufacturing facility in Kipp and was attempting to turn around a tractor-trailer rig owned by Unruh Transport of Galva, when the trailer snagged a guy wire on an Evergy power pole near the elevator, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. The pole snapped and electrical wires fell on top of the cab of the tractor and across E. Schilling Road.Koehn, who was not injured, stayed in the cab of the 2021 Peterbilt tractor until Evergy personnel were able to remove the wires, Soldan said.A spokesperson from Evergy said the outage caused by the accident, which was reported at 2:04 p.m. Thursday, affected 70 customers. Power was restored at 7:36 p.m., she said

Trailer snags guy wire, snaps Evergy pole; 70 lose power

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on multiple charges after he was injured in a police chase and crash Thursday in Atchison.

Just after 11:30p.m. Thursday, an officer attempted to stop a GMC pick up truck driven by&nbsp;Christopher Horton, 15, Atchison at 10th and U.S.59 in Atchison for traffic violations, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 The truck fled from the officer northbound on 10th Street and because of the reckless driving of the fleeing vehicle police terminated the pursuit.

A short time later officers observed the pickup eastbound on Harper Drive at 8th Street. 

Officers deployed Stop Sticks at 3rd and Harper Drive.&nbsp; After running over the Stop Sticks, the vehicle still continued southbound on 2nd Street to Main and then westbound on Main where the pickup struck a building and the driver was ejected.

EMS transported Horton to Amberwell and then he was taken to a KU Medical Center.

When he is released from the hospital, the teen faces requested charges of fleeing and attempting to elude as well as reckless driving. Police believe alcohol to be a factor in the crash, according to Wilson.

Reports on the case are being submitted to the Atchison County Attorney’s Office.

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 12a.m. Friday in Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 GMC pickup driven by Christopher Horton, 15, Atchison, was westbound in the 1100 Block of Main Street fleeing law enforcement. 

The pickup left the roadway to the north, struck a building, and driver was ejected from the vehicle.

EMS transported Horton to KU Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. Police have not released details on what prompted the chase.

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on multiple charges after he was injured in a police chase and crash Thursday in Atchison.Just after 11:30p.m. Thursday, an officer attempted to stop a GMC pick up truck driven by&nbsp;Christopher Horton, 15, Atchison at 10th and U.S.59 in Atchison for traffic violations, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The truck fled from the officer northbound on 10th Street and because of the reckless driving of the fleeing vehicle police terminated the pursuit.A short time later officers observed the pickup eastbound on Harper Drive at 8th Street. Officers deployed Stop Sticks at 3rd and Harper Drive.&nbsp; After running over the Stop Sticks, the vehicle still continued southbound on 2nd Street to Main and then westbound on Main where the pickup struck a building and the driver was ejected.EMS transported Horton to Amberwell and then he was taken to a KU Medical Center.When he is released from the hospital, the teen faces requested charges of fleeing and attempting to elude as well as reckless driving. Police believe alcohol to be a factor in the crash, according to Wilson.Reports on the case are being submitted to the Atchison County Attorney’s Office.-------ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 12a.m. Friday in Atchison County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 GMC pickup driven by Christopher Horton, 15, Atchison, was westbound in the 1100 Block of Main Street fleeing law enforcement. The pickup left the roadway to the north, struck a building, and driver was ejected from the vehicle.EMS transported Horton to KU Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. Police have not released details on what prompted the chase.

Police: Alcohol a factor in Kan. teen crash during police chase

ELLSWORTH COUNTY— Authorities continue their investigation of Thursday's natural gas pipeline explosion and fire in an Ellsworth County pasture, according to North Natural Gas spokesperson Johanna Dewald.

The explosion ignited a large fire along Interstate 70 northeast of Ellsworth. Northern Natural shut off the gas to the pipeline and that helped crews extinguish the fire about 3:30p.m.

Northern Natural is working with local officials to learn what caused the explosion. In addition, the company will do their own investigation and the outcome will take several weeks, according to Dewald.

This is the company's second incident in just over a week. On July 16,&nbsp; Northern Natural crews were doing&nbsp; work at an underground storage facility southeast of Lyons when something happened with a valve that caused a release of natural gas.

The company evacuated residents within a one-mile radius of the area and closed all access to roads until they repaired damage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627051243941.png" alt="Damage left from the pipeline explosion in rural Ellsworth County-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Damage left from the pipeline explosion in rural Ellsworth County-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH COUNTY— Authorities continue their investigation of Thursday's natural gas pipeline explosion and fire in an Ellsworth County pasture, according to North Natural Gas spokesperson Johanna Dewald.The explosion ignited a large fire along Interstate 70 northeast of Ellsworth. Northern Natural shut off the gas to the pipeline and that helped crews extinguish the fire about 3:30p.m.Northern Natural is working with local officials to learn what caused the explosion. In addition, the company will do their own investigation and the outcome will take several weeks, according to Dewald.This is the company's second incident in just over a week. On July 16,&nbsp; Northern Natural crews were doing&nbsp; work at an underground storage facility southeast of Lyons when something happened with a valve that caused a release of natural gas.The company evacuated residents within a one-mile radius of the area and closed all access to roads until they repaired damage.

Company: Weeks to learn cause of Kan. pipeline explosion

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Police are investigating Kansas City’s latest homicide after being called early Friday to a neighborhood on the south end of the city.

Officers were called around 3 a.m. Friday to an area just blocks north of Noble Park, police said in a news release. Arriving officers found a man with gunshot wounds outside a house. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police did not immediately release the victim’s name and said they had no suspects in the case.

The killing marked the city’s 85 homicide so far this year. That compares with 112 homicides by this time in 2020, according to data kept by the Kansas City Star.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Police are investigating Kansas City’s latest homicide after being called early Friday to a neighborhood on the south end of the city.Officers were called around 3 a.m. Friday to an area just blocks north of Noble Park, police said in a news release. Arriving officers found a man with gunshot wounds outside a house. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.Police did not immediately release the victim’s name and said they had no suspects in the case.The killing marked the city’s 85 homicide so far this year. That compares with 112 homicides by this time in 2020, according to data kept by the Kansas City Star.

Police investigate Kansas City's 85th homicide of 2021

SALINA —The Saline County Health Department is investigating&nbsp; a COVID-19 spreader event and alerting the public.

At least seven individuals who recently tested positive for COVID-19 were in attendance at Outlaws Bar, 1676 State Street in Salina on the evening of July 10, according to information attained by contact tracers at the Saline County Health Department.

Individuals present at Outlaws on July 10 should monitor themselves for symptoms. If they develop symptoms should get tested for COVID-19.

This is an active outbreak investigation. Additional details including the vaccination status of the individuals, variant sequencing, and the like are not currently available.

The Saline County Health Department will release more details as they become available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SALINA —The Saline County Health Department is investigating&nbsp; a COVID-19 spreader event and alerting the public.At least seven individuals who recently tested positive for COVID-19 were in attendance at Outlaws Bar, 1676 State Street in Salina on the evening of July 10, according to information attained by contact tracers at the Saline County Health Department. Individuals present at Outlaws on July 10 should monitor themselves for symptoms. If they develop symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. This is an active outbreak investigation. Additional details including the vaccination status of the individuals, variant sequencing, and the like are not currently available. The Saline County Health Department will release more details as they become available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Health Department: COVID spreader event at Salina Bar

By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend Post

On Monday evening, authorities arrested 36-year-old Elias Trejo as a person of interest in the murder of 39-year-old Micah Merryman-Scifres&nbsp;Sunday night at a hotel in Great Bend.&nbsp;Trejo is being held at the Barton County&nbsp;jail&nbsp;on a $500,000 bond.&nbsp;&nbsp;

County prosecutor Levi Morris is in charge of prosecuting&nbsp;the&nbsp;murder&nbsp;case and has contacted&nbsp;the State Attorney General’s Office&nbsp;for help.&nbsp;

"I did make a request for assistance, and the Attorney General’s&nbsp;Office did accept it. Essentially, this case will be tried by one of the&nbsp;attorneys in&nbsp;that office and myself.&nbsp;But essentially, they are going to prosecute the case.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Morris explained&nbsp;how&nbsp;Barton County,&nbsp;which has a relatively small population, can benefit from the help&nbsp;the Attorney General can provide&nbsp;in a homicide case.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“If you live in one of the bigger cities, they jot down X number of homicides a year, and the resources to investigate, the resources to&nbsp;prosecute&nbsp;are&nbsp;in&nbsp;the budget,” Morris said. “Fortunately, we don’t have a lot. We have enough, but&nbsp;they don’t happen frequently enough that they are essentially a part of our budget. 

From my point of&nbsp;view, the Attorney General’s Office wants to be a resource for smaller counties. The attorneys there have done it before&nbsp;and they’ve done it a lot and they’re rather good at it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Morris said charges&nbsp;in the case&nbsp;were filed&nbsp;on Wednesday evening&nbsp;within 48 hours of the arrest.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626800745537.jpeg" alt="Trejo photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Trejo photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend PostOn Monday evening, authorities arrested 36-year-old Elias Trejo as a person of interest in the murder of 39-year-old Micah Merryman-Scifres&nbsp;Sunday night at a hotel in Great Bend.&nbsp;Trejo is being held at the Barton County&nbsp;jail&nbsp;on a $500,000 bond.&nbsp;&nbsp;County prosecutor Levi Morris is in charge of prosecuting&nbsp;the&nbsp;murder&nbsp;case and has contacted&nbsp;the State Attorney General’s Office&nbsp;for help.&nbsp;"I did make a request for assistance, and the Attorney General’s&nbsp;Office did accept it. Essentially, this case will be tried by one of the&nbsp;attorneys in&nbsp;that office and myself.&nbsp;But essentially, they are going to prosecute the case.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Morris explained&nbsp;how&nbsp;Barton County,&nbsp;which has a relatively small population, can benefit from the help&nbsp;the Attorney General can provide&nbsp;in a homicide case.&nbsp;&nbsp;“If you live in one of the bigger cities, they jot down X number of homicides a year, and the resources to investigate, the resources to&nbsp;prosecute&nbsp;are&nbsp;in&nbsp;the budget,” Morris said. “Fortunately, we don’t have a lot. We have enough, but&nbsp;they don’t happen frequently enough that they are essentially a part of our budget. From my point of&nbsp;view, the Attorney General’s Office wants to be a resource for smaller counties. The attorneys there have done it before&nbsp;and they’ve done it a lot and they’re rather good at it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Morris said charges&nbsp;in the case&nbsp;were filed&nbsp;on Wednesday evening&nbsp;within 48 hours of the arrest.&nbsp;

Kan. attorney general's staff to assist in Barton Co. murder case

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration is beginning to make $3 billion in economic development grants available to communities — a tenfold increase in the program paid for by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">this year’s COVID-19 relief bill</a>.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said her agency on Thursday will begin accepting applications for the competitive grants, which officials hope will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and help struggling cities and towns make long-term investments to drive development for years to come. Applications for the grants are available at the website for Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration.

“This is about real help for communities across the country as they rebuild,” Raimondo said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s about longer-term investments to help communities build themselves back from the bottom up in the ways that work best for them.”

The grants will be targeted at supporting local infrastructure, job training programs and developing new industries. Recipients will be selected on the basis of the anticipated return on investment to taxpayers, which Raimondo said at Thursday’s White House briefing would involve job creation and racial and gender equity goals. She estimated that 300,000 jobs would be created by the grants in the near term.

“Our number one investment priority is equity,” Raimondo said. “In order to qualify to get the money, you’ll have to prove to us that you’ll have an equity lens.”

The administration hopes that the competitive nature of the program will also coax private businesses and philanthropies to focus on rehabilitating their communities by making their own development commitments. There will be $1 billion available for 20 to 30 regions to spend on projects that would rebuild their economies, as well as $750 million in grants targeted for travel, tourism and outdoor recreation.

Fully 10% of the total will be earmarked for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-business-government-and-politics-joe-biden-climate-change-4384bc4e6c09fee9185ef089e65537e3">coal communities</a>, which have struggled for decades amid the nation’s shift away from fossil fuels and are set to bear the economic brunt of the Biden administration’s even more aggressive efforts to move toward clean energy technologies.

“We know that it will enable these communities to recover, diversify their economies and grow,” Raimondo said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627036493350.png" alt="According to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the grants will be targeted at supporting local infrastructure, job training programs and developing new industries." />
 <figcaption>According to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the grants will be targeted at supporting local infrastructure, job training programs and developing new industries.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration is beginning to make $3 billion in economic development grants available to communities — a tenfold increase in the program paid for by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">this year’s COVID-19 relief bill</a>.Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said her agency on Thursday will begin accepting applications for the competitive grants, which officials hope will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and help struggling cities and towns make long-term investments to drive development for years to come. Applications for the grants are available at the website for Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration.“This is about real help for communities across the country as they rebuild,” Raimondo said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s about longer-term investments to help communities build themselves back from the bottom up in the ways that work best for them.”The grants will be targeted at supporting local infrastructure, job training programs and developing new industries. Recipients will be selected on the basis of the anticipated return on investment to taxpayers, which Raimondo said at Thursday’s White House briefing would involve job creation and racial and gender equity goals. She estimated that 300,000 jobs would be created by the grants in the near term.“Our number one investment priority is equity,” Raimondo said. “In order to qualify to get the money, you’ll have to prove to us that you’ll have an equity lens.”The administration hopes that the competitive nature of the program will also coax private businesses and philanthropies to focus on rehabilitating their communities by making their own development commitments. There will be $1 billion available for 20 to 30 regions to spend on projects that would rebuild their economies, as well as $750 million in grants targeted for travel, tourism and outdoor recreation.Fully 10% of the total will be earmarked for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-business-government-and-politics-joe-biden-climate-change-4384bc4e6c09fee9185ef089e65537e3">coal communities</a>, which have struggled for decades amid the nation’s shift away from fossil fuels and are set to bear the economic brunt of the Biden administration’s even more aggressive efforts to move toward clean energy technologies.“We know that it will enable these communities to recover, diversify their economies and grow,” Raimondo said.

Biden Admin: $3B in community grants from COVID bill available 

CHEROKEE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 4p.m. Thursday in Cherokee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 motorcycle driven by Theodore G. Lane III, 20, Galena, was southbound on State Line Road and 21st Street in Galena.

The vehicle left the roadway, struck a telephone pole and the driver was ejected from the motorcycle.

Lane was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics by Derfelt Funeral Home. He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

CHEROKEE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 4p.m. Thursday in Cherokee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 motorcycle driven by Theodore G. Lane III, 20, Galena, was southbound on State Line Road and 21st Street in Galena.The vehicle left the roadway, struck a telephone pole and the driver was ejected from the motorcycle.Lane was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics by Derfelt Funeral Home. He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kan. man dies after motorcycle strikes a telephone pole

BEIJING (AP) — China cannot accept the World Health Organization’s plan for the second phase of a study into the origins of COVID-19, a senior Chinese health official said Thursday.

Zeng Yixin, the vice minister of the National Health Commission, said he was “rather taken aback” that the plan includes further investigation of the theory that the virus might have leaked from a Chinese lab.

He dismissed the lab leak idea as a rumor that runs counter to common sense and science.

“It is impossible for us to accept such an origin-tracing plan,” he said at a news conference called to address the COVID-19 origins issue.

The search for where the virus came from has become a diplomatic issue that has fueled China’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-pandemics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-c0bd15235531b31fc506ed578afbf62e">deteriorating relations with the U.S.</a>&nbsp;and many American allies. The U.S. and others say that China has not been transparent about what happened in the early days of the pandemic. China accuses critics of seeking to blame it for the pandemic and politicizing an issue that should be left to scientists.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-world-news-health-science-coronavirus-pandemic-c0c594f9060f676c0ea48c2d1c69daec">acknowledged last week&nbsp;</a>that there had been a “premature push” after the first phase of the study to rule out the theory that the virus might have escaped from a Chinese government lab in Wuhan, the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019.

Most experts don’t think a lab leak is the likely cause. The question is whether the possibility is so remote that it should be dropped, or whether it merits further study.

The first phase was conducted earlier this year by an international team of scientists who came to Wuhan to work with their Chinese counterparts. The team was accused of bowing to demands from the Chinese side after it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-virus-unlikley-leaked-china-lab-7a739e01f0713ebcc031d7ca81c51345">initially indicated</a>&nbsp;that further study wasn’t necessary.

Zeng said the Wuhan lab has no virus that can directly infect humans and noted that the WHO team concluded that a lab leak was highly unlikely. He added that speculation that staff and graduate students at the lab had been infected and might have started the spread of the virus in the city was untrue.

Yuan Zhiming, the director of the biosafety lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, said they had not stored or studied the new coronavirus before the outbreak. “I want to emphasize that .... the Wuhan Institute of Virology has never designed, made or leaked the novel coronavirus,” he said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-report-animals-source-covid-19-coronavirus-8a839c179c330c56fa46a763b7286a7f">WHO team concluded&nbsp;</a>that the virus most likely jumped from animals to humans, probably from bats to an intermediate animal. The experts visited markets in Wuhan that had sold live animals, and recommended further study of the farms that supplied the market.

“In the next step, I think animal tracing should still be the priority direction. It is the most valuable field for our efforts,” Liang Wannian, who headed the Chinese side, said at Thursday’s news conference.

Tedros said last week that he hoped for better cooperation and access to data from China. “We are asking China to be transparent, open and cooperate, especially on the information, raw data that we asked for in the early days of the pandemic,” he said.

His words were echoed at the same virtual news conference by Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, who called on China to intensify cooperation in the search for the origin of the virus.

Zeng said China has always supported “scientific virus tracing” and wants to see the study extended to other countries and regions. “However, we are opposed to politicizing the tracing work,” he said.

China has frequently sought to deflect accusations that the pandemic originated in Wuhan and was allowed to spread by early bureaucratic missteps and an attempted coverup.

BEIJING (AP) — China cannot accept the World Health Organization’s plan for the second phase of a study into the origins of COVID-19, a senior Chinese health official said Thursday.Zeng Yixin, the vice minister of the National Health Commission, said he was “rather taken aback” that the plan includes further investigation of the theory that the virus might have leaked from a Chinese lab.He dismissed the lab leak idea as a rumor that runs counter to common sense and science.“It is impossible for us to accept such an origin-tracing plan,” he said at a news conference called to address the COVID-19 origins issue.The search for where the virus came from has become a diplomatic issue that has fueled China’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-pandemics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-c0bd15235531b31fc506ed578afbf62e">deteriorating relations with the U.S.</a>&nbsp;and many American allies. The U.S. and others say that China has not been transparent about what happened in the early days of the pandemic. China accuses critics of seeking to blame it for the pandemic and politicizing an issue that should be left to scientists.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-world-news-health-science-coronavirus-pandemic-c0c594f9060f676c0ea48c2d1c69daec">acknowledged last week&nbsp;</a>that there had been a “premature push” after the first phase of the study to rule out the theory that the virus might have escaped from a Chinese government lab in Wuhan, the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019.Most experts don’t think a lab leak is the likely cause. The question is whether the possibility is so remote that it should be dropped, or whether it merits further study.The first phase was conducted earlier this year by an international team of scientists who came to Wuhan to work with their Chinese counterparts. The team was accused of bowing to demands from the Chinese side after it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-virus-unlikley-leaked-china-lab-7a739e01f0713ebcc031d7ca81c51345">initially indicated</a>&nbsp;that further study wasn’t necessary.Zeng said the Wuhan lab has no virus that can directly infect humans and noted that the WHO team concluded that a lab leak was highly unlikely. He added that speculation that staff and graduate students at the lab had been infected and might have started the spread of the virus in the city was untrue.Yuan Zhiming, the director of the biosafety lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, said they had not stored or studied the new coronavirus before the outbreak. “I want to emphasize that .... the Wuhan Institute of Virology has never designed, made or leaked the novel coronavirus,” he said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-report-animals-source-covid-19-coronavirus-8a839c179c330c56fa46a763b7286a7f">WHO team concluded&nbsp;</a>that the virus most likely jumped from animals to humans, probably from bats to an intermediate animal. The experts visited markets in Wuhan that had sold live animals, and recommended further study of the farms that supplied the market.“In the next step, I think animal tracing should still be the priority direction. It is the most valuable field for our efforts,” Liang Wannian, who headed the Chinese side, said at Thursday’s news conference.Tedros said last week that he hoped for better cooperation and access to data from China. “We are asking China to be transparent, open and cooperate, especially on the information, raw data that we asked for in the early days of the pandemic,” he said.His words were echoed at the same virtual news conference by Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, who called on China to intensify cooperation in the search for the origin of the virus.Zeng said China has always supported “scientific virus tracing” and wants to see the study extended to other countries and regions. “However, we are opposed to politicizing the tracing work,” he said.China has frequently sought to deflect accusations that the pandemic originated in Wuhan and was allowed to spread by early bureaucratic missteps and an attempted coverup.Government spokespersons have called for an investigation into whether the virus might have been produced in a U.S. military laboratory, a theory not widely shared in the scientific community.China has largely ended local transmission of COVID through lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements, and has now administered more than 1.4 billion doses of Chinese vaccines. Just 12 new domestically spread cases were reported Thursday and China’s death toll from the virus has remained unchanged for months at 4,636.