By LIBBY HANSSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2021-06-09/road-trip-your-guide-to-summer-adventures-across-central-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>

This story was first published in KCUR's Creative Adventure newsletter. You can <a href="https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1925875/1916404/" target="_blank">sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.</a>

While
 it may not be first in mind when you think of a road trip destination, 
the key to a good Kansas adventure is to get off the beaten track — and 
by track, we mean Interstate 70. The straight shot west makes the whole 
state seem like an endless track of asphalt and billboards, but that’s 
hardly the case.

Travel by state routes and back roads to get 
closer to the scenery. By moving at a slightly slower pace, you can 
better appreciate the changing environment on your journey.

You'll
 catch glimpses of wildlife — falcons, prairie chickens, bison and 
jackrabbits — against the backdrop of farms and wildflowers. And the 
state is peppered with mini-museums, scenic byways and nature preserves.

Here
 are a few day trips and some overnight options to explore the great 
wide west. Or, string these options together for a weeklong sojourn.

Abilene, Kansas — about 150 miles outside of Kansas City — has a handful of interesting sights, but the most prominent is the <a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/" target="_blank">Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum &amp; Boyhood Home.</a> At this time, only the museum is available to visitors, with limited hours and online programming.

But Abilene also shares a Wild West history, with events at the <a href="https://oldabilenetown.org/" target="_blank">Old Abilene Town</a>, which recently opened a new trail center.

Want to feel centered? Kansas offers a few options. About 130 miles northwest of Abilene lies the <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/geographicalcenter.htm" target="_blank">Geographic Center of the United States</a> (if you don’t count Alaska and Hawaii) in Lebanon. Learn about what this designation means for the people of the town <a href="https://www.kcur.org/show/central-standard/2016-10-13/for-this-kansas-town-being-the-geographic-center-of-the-u-s-may-be-a-lifeline">in this story by KCUR.</a>

From there, the <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/geodeticcenter.htm" target="_blank">Geodetic Center of North America</a> is about 45 minutes south, in Tipton. (Geodetic relates to the geometric shape of the globe, not a 2D map.)

Kansas
 has a long history of folk and outsider art, and nowhere is that more 
prominent than in Lucas: “Grassroots Art Capital of the World.” It’s the
 home of — among other sights — the United States' oldest intact art 
environment, <a href="http://www.gardenofedenlucas.org/" target="_blank">Garden of Eden</a>, and the <a href="http://www.worldslargestthings.com/" target="_blank">World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things</a>, which reopens “by chance or appointment” in July.

While you're in the area, why not do a little rock climbing? Located between Abilene and Lucas is <a href="https://geokansas.ku.edu/rock-city" target="_blank">Rock City</a>, a field of huge concretions — sandstone spheres deposited 100 million years ago — ripe for exploring by all ages.

Kansas history reaches back millions of years. Once the bottom of a 
vast inland sea, this history was rediscovered by farmers, scientists 
and adventurers through the search for fossils. Many of those have made 
their way into the <a href="https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/index.html" target="_blank">Sternberg Museum of Natural History</a> in Hays. Hays is about an hour from Lucas and four hours from Kansas City.

Much of Kansas’ story is one of perseverance and the search for a better place. That’s apparent in the history of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/nico/index.htm" target="_blank">Nicodemus</a>,
 an African American community founded in 1877. Today, remnants of the 
town are part of the National Parks Service as a National Historic Site.
 The landmark is open 24 hours a day, though the buildings have limited 
hours.

While exploring Kansas, don’t hesitate to turn off for a town’s small museum or roadside attraction, like the <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/balloftwine.htm" target="_blank">World’s Largest Ball of Twine</a>, in Cawker City. Visitors can <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7S9daHwipU" target="_blank">add twine</a>, too, and contribute to maintaining that world record.

Personal
 passions and unique perspectives are captured in these out-of-the-way 
curiosities and serve as testaments to the complex history of the land 
and people.

Although there are no coasts, no mountains, nor many forests in 
western Kansas, the landscape is nevertheless breathtaking. Strangely, 
the state isn’t well known for its geological wonders, but it boasts 
quite a few.

Opened in 2019, <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/little-jerusalem-badlands-state-park/" target="_blank">Little Jerusalem Badland State Park</a>
 is a relative newcomer to the Kansas tourism scene — even though its 
chalk towers were formed approximately 85 million years ago. Hike the 
trails to overlook points, or <a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Little-Jerusalem-Badlands" target="_blank">sign up for a guided tour</a>
 into the formations on select dates and times. A $5 vehicle park permit
 is required and can be paid at the self-service station, so have some 
cash on hand.

Nearby, a bit north of Scott City, the famous <a href="https://www.washburn.edu/cas/art/cyoho/archive/KStravel/bigrocks/pyramids.html" target="_blank">Monument Rocks</a> (which are on private land, but with allowed public access) were declared a National Natural Landmark in 1968.

Another
 aspect of the Kansas landscape is human intervention, which converted 
the prairie and near-desert conditions into farmland. Remember those 
quirky museums we mentioned? Take a <a href="https://www.travelks.com/blog/stories/post/adventure-awaits-on-the-kansas-byways/" target="_blank">scenic byway</a> to La Crosse and visit the <a href="http://www.rushcounty.org/BarbedWireMuseum/index.html" target="_blank">Kansas Barbed Wire Museum</a>, located next door to the <a href="http://www.rushcounty.org/PostRockMuseum/" target="_blank">Post Rock Museum</a>, for more background into the resources and inventions used to subdue the wildlands.

Do some road trip research or learn more about these places in George Frazier’s <a href="https://www.kansas.com/sports/outdoors/article121510582.html" target="_blank">“The Last Wild Places in Kansas,”</a> which deftly combines the author’s explorations around the state and the history that shaped it to what we know today.

If you think Kansas is just hot, dry and flat, think again. The Wetlands &amp; Wildlife National Scenic Byway takes you from <a href="https://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area</a> (the largest inland wetland in the United States) to the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/quivira/" target="_blank">Quivira National Wildlife Refuge</a> (a bird watcher’s <a href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2021-05-28/photos-quivira-wildlife-refuge-is-a-hidden-treasure-for-birdwatchers-any-time-of-year">wonderland</a>). Before your trip, download this <a href="https://www.kansaswetlandsandwildlifescenicbyway.com/vnews/display.v/SEC/About%20the%20Byway%7CAudio%20Tour" target="_blank">audio tour</a> that explains the ecology and history of the area.

The city of Hutchinson — located three hours from Kansas City — offers activities from the stars to the subterranean. The <a href="https://cosmo.org/" target="_blank">Cosmosphere</a> has
 artifacts from space exploration, an interactive kids’ area, space 
movies and more. If you really want to sink deep into Kansas, <a href="https://www.underkansas.org/" target="_blank">Strataca</a> is an underground salt mine-turned-museum.

<a href="https://www.lindsborgcity.org/" target="_blank">Lindsborg</a> is another interesting town that honors its Swedish heritage with huge Dala horses along the main street.

Not too far away is <a href="http://kansastravel.org/coronadoheights.htm" target="_blank">Coronado Heights</a>,
 a small castle-like structure built on a hill by the Works Progress 
Administration in 1936. It’s a great viewing and picnic spot with some 
surrounding trails (though the outhouse-style restrooms are not great). 
Coronado Heights was built to commemorate Francisco Vásquez de 
Coronado’s attempt to find the legendary city of gold in 1541.

Of course, Kansas is best known for its prairie. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm" target="_blank">Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve</a>
 is one of the last remaining intact prairie lands that used to run from
 Mexico to Canada. Only about 4% of the prairie remains, with most of it
 located just two hours from Kansas City.

There you'll find miles
 of hiking trails, a herd of bison (use caution when in the bison 
pasture), wildflowers, birds and a sunset you won't soon forget. The 
preserve is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although there is no
 camping or overnight parking allowed in the preserve, it makes an 
excellent spot for stargazing, with a 360° view of the Milky Way. Ad 
Astra!

Driving through backroads and byways, you’ll be certain to 
spot barn quilts — large wooden quilt squares attached to barns, fences 
and homes. Learn more about these folk art treasures by following the <a href="http://ksflinthillsquilttrail.blogspot.com/p/home.html" target="_blank">Flint Hills Barn Quilt Trail</a>, and learn how you can make your own, as a testament to your Kansas adventure. No barn necessary.

Originally from Indiana, Libby Hanssen covers the performing arts in Kansas City. She's written for KCUR, KC Studio, The Kansas City Star, The Pitch, and KCMetropolis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623422127163.png" alt="Sunset over Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Logan County. The Nature Conservancy" />
 <figcaption>Sunset over Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Logan County. The Nature Conservancy</figcaption>
 </figure>By LIBBY HANSSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2021-06-09/road-trip-your-guide-to-summer-adventures-across-central-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>This story was first published in KCUR's Creative Adventure newsletter. You can <a href="https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1925875/1916404/" target="_blank">sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.</a>While
 it may not be first in mind when you think of a road trip destination, 
the key to a good Kansas adventure is to get off the beaten track — and 
by track, we mean Interstate 70. The straight shot west makes the whole 
state seem like an endless track of asphalt and billboards, but that’s 
hardly the case.Travel by state routes and back roads to get 
closer to the scenery. By moving at a slightly slower pace, you can 
better appreciate the changing environment on your journey.You'll
 catch glimpses of wildlife — falcons, prairie chickens, bison and 
jackrabbits — against the backdrop of farms and wildflowers. And the 
state is peppered with mini-museums, scenic byways and nature preserves.Here
 are a few day trips and some overnight options to explore the great 
wide west. Or, string these options together for a weeklong sojourn.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623422197048.png" alt="The Garden of Eden in Lucas is the oldest intact art environment in the U.S. Kansas Tourism Office" />
 <figcaption>The Garden of Eden in Lucas is the oldest intact art environment in the U.S. Kansas Tourism Office</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Day One</h2>Abilene, Kansas — about 150 miles outside of Kansas City — has a handful of interesting sights, but the most prominent is the <a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/" target="_blank">Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum &amp; Boyhood Home.</a> At this time, only the museum is available to visitors, with limited hours and online programming. But Abilene also shares a Wild West history, with events at the <a href="https://oldabilenetown.org/" target="_blank">Old Abilene Town</a>, which recently opened a new trail center.Want to feel centered? Kansas offers a few options. About 130 miles northwest of Abilene lies the <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/geographicalcenter.htm" target="_blank">Geographic Center of the United States</a> (if you don’t count Alaska and Hawaii) in Lebanon. Learn about what this designation means for the people of the town <a href="https://www.kcur.org/show/central-standard/2016-10-13/for-this-kansas-town-being-the-geographic-center-of-the-u-s-may-be-a-lifeline">in this story by KCUR.</a> From there, the <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/geodeticcenter.htm" target="_blank">Geodetic Center of North America</a> is about 45 minutes south, in Tipton. (Geodetic relates to the geometric shape of the globe, not a 2D map.)Kansas
 has a long history of folk and outsider art, and nowhere is that more 
prominent than in Lucas: “Grassroots Art Capital of the World.” It’s the
 home of — among other sights — the United States' oldest intact art 
environment, <a href="http://www.gardenofedenlucas.org/" target="_blank">Garden of Eden</a>, and the <a href="http://www.worldslargestthings.com/" target="_blank">World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things</a>, which reopens “by chance or appointment” in July.While you're in the area, why not do a little rock climbing? Located between Abilene and Lucas is <a href="https://geokansas.ku.edu/rock-city" target="_blank">Rock City</a>, a field of huge concretions — sandstone spheres deposited 100 million years ago — ripe for exploring by all ages.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623422247620.png" alt="Fossils on display at Sternberg Museum in Hays reveal the state's unique prehistoric past. James St. John | Flickr" />
 <figcaption>Fossils on display at Sternberg Museum in Hays reveal the state's unique prehistoric past. James St. John | Flickr</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Day Two</h2>Kansas history reaches back millions of years. Once the bottom of a 
vast inland sea, this history was rediscovered by farmers, scientists 
and adventurers through the search for fossils. Many of those have made 
their way into the <a href="https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/index.html" target="_blank">Sternberg Museum of Natural History</a> in Hays. Hays is about an hour from Lucas and four hours from Kansas City.Much of Kansas’ story is one of perseverance and the search for a better place. That’s apparent in the history of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/nico/index.htm" target="_blank">Nicodemus</a>,
 an African American community founded in 1877. Today, remnants of the 
town are part of the National Parks Service as a National Historic Site.
 The landmark is open 24 hours a day, though the buildings have limited 
hours.While exploring Kansas, don’t hesitate to turn off for a town’s small museum or roadside attraction, like the <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/balloftwine.htm" target="_blank">World’s Largest Ball of Twine</a>, in Cawker City. Visitors can <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7S9daHwipU" target="_blank">add twine</a>, too, and contribute to maintaining that world record. Personal
 passions and unique perspectives are captured in these out-of-the-way 
curiosities and serve as testaments to the complex history of the land 
and people.<h2>Day Three</h2>Although there are no coasts, no mountains, nor many forests in 
western Kansas, the landscape is nevertheless breathtaking. Strangely, 
the state isn’t well known for its geological wonders, but it boasts 
quite a few.Opened in 2019, <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/little-jerusalem-badlands-state-park/" target="_blank">Little Jerusalem Badland State Park</a>
 is a relative newcomer to the Kansas tourism scene — even though its 
chalk towers were formed approximately 85 million years ago. Hike the 
trails to overlook points, or <a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Little-Jerusalem-Badlands" target="_blank">sign up for a guided tour</a>
 into the formations on select dates and times. A $5 vehicle park permit
 is required and can be paid at the self-service station, so have some 
cash on hand.Nearby, a bit north of Scott City, the famous <a href="https://www.washburn.edu/cas/art/cyoho/archive/KStravel/bigrocks/pyramids.html" target="_blank">Monument Rocks</a> (which are on private land, but with allowed public access) were declared a National Natural Landmark in 1968.Another
 aspect of the Kansas landscape is human intervention, which converted 
the prairie and near-desert conditions into farmland. Remember those 
quirky museums we mentioned? Take a <a href="https://www.travelks.com/blog/stories/post/adventure-awaits-on-the-kansas-byways/" target="_blank">scenic byway</a> to La Crosse and visit the <a href="http://www.rushcounty.org/BarbedWireMuseum/index.html" target="_blank">Kansas Barbed Wire Museum</a>, located next door to the <a href="http://www.rushcounty.org/PostRockMuseum/" target="_blank">Post Rock Museum</a>, for more background into the resources and inventions used to subdue the wildlands.Do some road trip research or learn more about these places in George Frazier’s <a href="https://www.kansas.com/sports/outdoors/article121510582.html" target="_blank">“The Last Wild Places in Kansas,”</a> which deftly combines the author’s explorations around the state and the history that shaped it to what we know today.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623422332567.png" alt="Coronado Heights Park near Lindsborg boasts spectacular views and a small castle-like structure built by the Works Progress Administration in 1936." />
 <figcaption>Coronado Heights Park near Lindsborg boasts spectacular views and a small castle-like structure built by the Works Progress Administration in 1936.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Day Four</h2>If you think Kansas is just hot, dry and flat, think again. The Wetlands &amp; Wildlife National Scenic Byway takes you from <a href="https://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area</a> (the largest inland wetland in the United States) to the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/quivira/" target="_blank">Quivira National Wildlife Refuge</a> (a bird watcher’s <a href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2021-05-28/photos-quivira-wildlife-refuge-is-a-hidden-treasure-for-birdwatchers-any-time-of-year">wonderland</a>). Before your trip, download this <a href="https://www.kansaswetlandsandwildlifescenicbyway.com/vnews/display.v/SEC/About%20the%20Byway%7CAudio%20Tour" target="_blank">audio tour</a> that explains the ecology and history of the area.The city of Hutchinson — located three hours from Kansas City — offers activities from the stars to the subterranean. The <a href="https://cosmo.org/" target="_blank">Cosmosphere</a> has
 artifacts from space exploration, an interactive kids’ area, space 
movies and more. If you really want to sink deep into Kansas, <a href="https://www.underkansas.org/" target="_blank">Strataca</a> is an underground salt mine-turned-museum.<a href="https://www.lindsborgcity.org/" target="_blank">Lindsborg</a> is another interesting town that honors its Swedish heritage with huge Dala horses along the main street. Not too far away is <a href="http://kansastravel.org/coronadoheights.htm" target="_blank">Coronado Heights</a>,
 a small castle-like structure built on a hill by the Works Progress 
Administration in 1936. It’s a great viewing and picnic spot with some 
surrounding trails (though the outhouse-style restrooms are not great). 
Coronado Heights was built to commemorate Francisco Vásquez de 
Coronado’s attempt to find the legendary city of gold in 1541.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623422377312.png" alt="Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve north of Strong City is a significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Patrick Emerson | Flickr" />
 <figcaption>Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve north of Strong City is a significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Patrick Emerson | Flickr</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Day Five</h2>Of course, Kansas is best known for its prairie. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm" target="_blank">Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve</a>
 is one of the last remaining intact prairie lands that used to run from
 Mexico to Canada. Only about 4% of the prairie remains, with most of it
 located just two hours from Kansas City. There you'll find miles
 of hiking trails, a herd of bison (use caution when in the bison 
pasture), wildflowers, birds and a sunset you won't soon forget. The 
preserve is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although there is no
 camping or overnight parking allowed in the preserve, it makes an 
excellent spot for stargazing, with a 360° view of the Milky Way. Ad 
Astra!Driving through backroads and byways, you’ll be certain to 
spot barn quilts — large wooden quilt squares attached to barns, fences 
and homes. Learn more about these folk art treasures by following the <a href="http://ksflinthillsquilttrail.blogspot.com/p/home.html" target="_blank">Flint Hills Barn Quilt Trail</a>, and learn how you can make your own, as a testament to your Kansas adventure. No barn necessary.Originally from Indiana, Libby Hanssen covers the performing arts in Kansas City. She's written for KCUR, KC Studio, The Kansas City Star, The Pitch, and KCMetropolis.

Road trip! Your guide to summer adventures across NW, central Kan.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 27-year-old man is now facing manslaughter charges for an accident in May that killed a man in Kansas City, Kansas. Police say Diquan P. Fant was driving a Ford Thunderbird at a high rate of speed when he ran a red light on May 9 and collided with a Kia Soul driven by 53-year-old Henry C. Fletcher of Kansas City, Kansas. 

Fletcher’s vehicle rolled several times. He died at the scene. Fant’s vehicle eventually crashed into a retaining wall. He was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Fant is jailed on $100,000 bail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623425202252.png" alt="Fant photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Fant photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 27-year-old man is now facing manslaughter charges for an accident in May that killed a man in Kansas City, Kansas. Police say Diquan P. Fant was driving a Ford Thunderbird at a high rate of speed when he ran a red light on May 9 and collided with a Kia Soul driven by 53-year-old Henry C. Fletcher of Kansas City, Kansas. Fletcher’s vehicle rolled several times. He died at the scene. Fant’s vehicle eventually crashed into a retaining wall. He was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Fant is jailed on $100,000 bail.

Kan. man charged in crash that killed 53-year-old 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas firefighter was injured while fighting a house fire Friday night in Wichita.

The firefighter went down in the home in the 4300 Block of West Douglas and a Mayday was called, according to a social media report from the Wichita Fire Department.

 Crews removed the firefighter within seconds and began CPR. Emergency crews&nbsp; transported him to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

On Saturday, the Wichita Fire Department reported the firefighter remains in serious condition but has stabilized. He is undergoing further evaluation.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623539237119.png" alt="Fire crews late Friday working the house fire -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Fire crews late Friday working the house fire -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas firefighter was injured while fighting a house fire Friday night in Wichita.The firefighter went down in the home in the 4300 Block of West Douglas and a Mayday was called, according to a social media report from the Wichita Fire Department. Crews removed the firefighter within seconds and began CPR. Emergency crews&nbsp; transported him to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries.On Saturday, the Wichita Fire Department reported the firefighter remains in serious condition but has stabilized. He is undergoing further evaluation.&nbsp;

Injured Kansas firefighter remains in serious condition 

RENO COUNTY— A Kansas City man who was part of a shooting that injured two people near the Hutchinson Walmart will spend a little more than a year in prison.

Deante Watley-Jones, 22,&nbsp; pleaded to two counts of aggravated assault in the shooting of Darin Rodriguez Nov. 9, 2019, during a confrontation between occupants of two vehicles.&nbsp;

Watley-Jones could have received a much longer sentence, but the state and defense agreed to the plea on a less-severe charge. The defense asked for probation in the case, but Judge Joe McCarville noted that he could not find enough reason to support the defendant's claim of self-defense.

According to police, the argument started near the intersection of Ring Road and 17th Avenue. When Rodriguez got out of the vehicle, he was allegedly shot by Jones, who was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle. The bullet then went through the open door of the victim's car, ricocheted off the interior, and grazed the driver of the suspect's car, 74-year-old Paula Thomas.

Both victims were taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where they were treated and released

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623458142645.png" alt="Watley-Jones from a previous arrest in Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Watley-Jones from a previous arrest in Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— A Kansas City man who was part of a shooting that injured two people near the Hutchinson Walmart will spend a little more than a year in prison.Deante Watley-Jones, 22,&nbsp; pleaded to two counts of aggravated assault in the shooting of Darin Rodriguez Nov. 9, 2019, during a confrontation between occupants of two vehicles.&nbsp;Watley-Jones could have received a much longer sentence, but the state and defense agreed to the plea on a less-severe charge. The defense asked for probation in the case, but Judge Joe McCarville noted that he could not find enough reason to support the defendant's claim of self-defense.According to police, the argument started near the intersection of Ring Road and 17th Avenue. When Rodriguez got out of the vehicle, he was allegedly shot by Jones, who was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle. The bullet then went through the open door of the victim's car, ricocheted off the interior, and grazed the driver of the suspect's car, 74-year-old Paula Thomas.Both victims were taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where they were treated and released

Man sentenced for Kansas road-rage shooting

By MIRANDA DAVIS <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/06/11/kansas-clinics-look-for-creative-ways-to-connect-with-residents-who-need-covid-19-vaccine/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — As health officials across the country aim for a national 70% adult 
vaccination rate against COVID-19 by July 4, health centers in Kansas 
are finding ways to reach the most vulnerable populations in the state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations">reports</a> that 50.9% of Kansans ages 18 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine. About 2.2 million doses of the vaccines have been administered in the state, <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment</a>, and more than 2.8 million doses have been distributed to health care providers.

Alice Weingartner, chief
 strategy officer for the Community Care Network of Kansas, said the 
network’s clinics are finding creative ways to connect to patients who 
may not have easy access to the vaccine. That includes working with ride
 sharing service Uber to bring people to vaccine appointments at no 
cost, as well as clinics setting up vaccine sites at places like 
laundromats and grocery stores.

“They’re really working hard to meet people where they are,” she said.&nbsp;

Weingartner
 said this push by the network is especially important because of the 
need to vaccinate at-risk populations, low income individuals, those 
with preexisting conditions and those without health insurance, given 
that those with underlying health conditions can be most susceptible to a
 severe case of COVID-19.

As of Friday, 5,106 
Kansans have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, and 
more than 315,000 have been infected with the virus.

Clinics
 across Kansas are seeing greater access to more vaccines through both 
state and federal distribution channels, and it’s much easier to access a
 vaccine than it was several months ago.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Weingartner
 said the network is currently focused on the entire state, because both
 rural and urban areas have challenges in getting residents vaccinated. 
However, the network is focused on bridging the gap between the 
percentage of white individuals that are vaccinated and the percentage 
of people of color that are vaccinated. For those who identify as white,
 the vaccination rate is 350 per thousand, while the rate for those who 
identify as Black is 256 per thousand.

That’s
 part of the reason the clinics are given the ability to choose 
solutions that work for their specific communities. The network’s 
partnership with Uber is valuable to its inoculation efforts, because it
 allows for more certainty that a patient can return and get a second 
dose, even if the patient doesn’t have access to reliable 
transportation.&nbsp;

Other
 specialty events include church vaccination sites in Wyandotte and 
Sedgwick counties, and a middle school vaccination site in the Flint 
Hills. At a southeast Kansas clinic, a couple getting married can 
arrange for wedding guests to get vaccinated before their wedding.

For those still debating the vaccine, Weingartner recommended learning more through an accurate source, like the <a href="https://www.immunizekansascoalition.org/resources-to-answer-common-questions.asp">Kansas Vaccine Coalition</a>,
 and added that the network clinics are here to help keep these 
communities healthy and safe, and the vaccination efforts are part of 
that.&nbsp;

“We will encourage people to do what needs to be done to ensure the health and wellbeing of our communities,” she said. 

Miranda Davis is a freelance writer living in the Kansa City area. She is originally from Lawrence and has previously covered real estate, state and local politics, and economic development. Follow her on Twitter @mirandardavis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623442333610.png" alt="A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a COVID-19 vaccine record card Nov. 13, 2020, at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, D.C.. The cards were sent out as part of vaccination kits. (EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense)" />
 <figcaption>A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a COVID-19 vaccine record card Nov. 13, 2020, at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, D.C.. The cards were sent out as part of vaccination kits. (EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIRANDA DAVIS <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/06/11/kansas-clinics-look-for-creative-ways-to-connect-with-residents-who-need-covid-19-vaccine/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — As health officials across the country aim for a national 70% adult 
vaccination rate against COVID-19 by July 4, health centers in Kansas 
are finding ways to reach the most vulnerable populations in the state.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations">reports</a> that 50.9% of Kansans ages 18 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine. About 2.2 million doses of the vaccines have been administered in the state, <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment</a>, and more than 2.8 million doses have been distributed to health care providers.Alice Weingartner, chief
 strategy officer for the Community Care Network of Kansas, said the 
network’s clinics are finding creative ways to connect to patients who 
may not have easy access to the vaccine. That includes working with ride
 sharing service Uber to bring people to vaccine appointments at no 
cost, as well as clinics setting up vaccine sites at places like 
laundromats and grocery stores.“They’re really working hard to meet people where they are,” she said.&nbsp;Weingartner
 said this push by the network is especially important because of the 
need to vaccinate at-risk populations, low income individuals, those 
with preexisting conditions and those without health insurance, given 
that those with underlying health conditions can be most susceptible to a
 severe case of COVID-19.As of Friday, 5,106 
Kansans have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, and 
more than 315,000 have been infected with the virus.Clinics
 across Kansas are seeing greater access to more vaccines through both 
state and federal distribution channels, and it’s much easier to access a
 vaccine than it was several months ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;Weingartner
 said the network is currently focused on the entire state, because both
 rural and urban areas have challenges in getting residents vaccinated. 
However, the network is focused on bridging the gap between the 
percentage of white individuals that are vaccinated and the percentage 
of people of color that are vaccinated. For those who identify as white,
 the vaccination rate is 350 per thousand, while the rate for those who 
identify as Black is 256 per thousand.That’s
 part of the reason the clinics are given the ability to choose 
solutions that work for their specific communities. The network’s 
partnership with Uber is valuable to its inoculation efforts, because it
 allows for more certainty that a patient can return and get a second 
dose, even if the patient doesn’t have access to reliable 
transportation.&nbsp;Other
 specialty events include church vaccination sites in Wyandotte and 
Sedgwick counties, and a middle school vaccination site in the Flint 
Hills. At a southeast Kansas clinic, a couple getting married can 
arrange for wedding guests to get vaccinated before their wedding.For those still debating the vaccine, Weingartner recommended learning more through an accurate source, like the <a href="https://www.immunizekansascoalition.org/resources-to-answer-common-questions.asp">Kansas Vaccine Coalition</a>,
 and added that the network clinics are here to help keep these 
communities healthy and safe, and the vaccination efforts are part of 
that.&nbsp;“We will encourage people to do what needs to be done to ensure the health and wellbeing of our communities,” she said. Miranda Davis is a freelance writer living in the Kansa City area. She is originally from Lawrence and has previously covered real estate, state and local politics, and economic development. Follow her on Twitter @mirandardavis.

Kan. clinics look for creative ways to connect with those who need vaccine

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A federal judge has halted a loan forgiveness program for farmers of color in response to a lawsuit alleging the program discriminates against white farmers.

U.S. District Judge William Griesbach in Milwaukee issued a temporary restraining order Thursday suspending the program for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/06/10/judge-suspends-biden-debt-relief-program-farmers-color/7646187002/">Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</a>&nbsp;reported.

The program pays up to 120% of direct or guaranteed farm loan balances for Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian American or Pacific Islander farmers. President Joe Biden's administration created the loan forgiveness program as part of its COVID-19 pandemic relief plan.

Minority farmers have maintained for decades that they have been unfairly denied farm loans and other government assistance. Federal agriculture officials in 1999 and 2010 settled lawsuits from Black farmers accusing the agency of discriminating against them.

Conservative law firm Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-lawsuits-business-31e568255f85fb7655d20319d8dc271d">filed suit in April</a>&nbsp;arguing white farmers aren’t eligible, amounting to a violation of their constitutional rights. The firm sued on behalf of 12 farmers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Oregon and Kentucky.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A federal judge has halted a loan forgiveness program for farmers of color in response to a lawsuit alleging the program discriminates against white farmers.U.S. District Judge William Griesbach in Milwaukee issued a temporary restraining order Thursday suspending the program for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/06/10/judge-suspends-biden-debt-relief-program-farmers-color/7646187002/">Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</a>&nbsp;reported.The program pays up to 120% of direct or guaranteed farm loan balances for Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian American or Pacific Islander farmers. President Joe Biden's administration created the loan forgiveness program as part of its COVID-19 pandemic relief plan.Minority farmers have maintained for decades that they have been unfairly denied farm loans and other government assistance. Federal agriculture officials in 1999 and 2010 settled lawsuits from Black farmers accusing the agency of discriminating against them.Conservative law firm Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-lawsuits-business-31e568255f85fb7655d20319d8dc271d">filed suit in April</a>&nbsp;arguing white farmers aren’t eligible, amounting to a violation of their constitutional rights. The firm sued on behalf of 12 farmers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Oregon and Kentucky.

Judge pauses loan forgiveness program for farmers of color

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly sent a letter on Friday urging Senate President Ty Masterson and members of the Legislative Coordinating Council to extend the current State of Disaster Emergency Declaration.&nbsp;

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTEuNDE4Mzc1NDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDYvR292LUtlbGx5LUFwcGxpY2F0aW9uLXRvLUxDQy1mb3ItRXh0ZW5zaW9uLW9mLUVtZXJnZW5jeS1EZWNsYXJhdGlvbi02LjExLjIxLnBkZiJ9.HU3tPZHppveXRPUGgCLGO7UPcAuaEVysno2JxCPXzWg/s/1303160919/br/107831157338-l" target="_blank">Click here to view a PDF of the letter</a>

On May 24, 2021, I submitted my first application for a 30-day extension of the COVID-19 state of disaster emergency to the Legislative Coordinating Council (“LCC”) pursuant to Senate Bill 40’s amendments to the Kansas Emergency Management Act (“KEMA”).&nbsp; K.S.A. 48-924(b)(3).&nbsp; Please consider this letter my specific application to extend the COVID-19 state of disaster emergency up to and including July 15, 2021.

While these conversations took place back in March, I do want to point out that my Chief of Staff discussed with legislators during session that the objective has been to get to the fall of 2021 and the start of the new school year to ensure that vaccine efforts are not stalled or impeded.&nbsp; To build on those conversations, I am including with this specific application an outline of the current plan regarding the State Emergency Operations Center (“SEOC”) and a timeline for demobilization of those efforts.&nbsp; This plan will include the following components:

The plan I present to you in this application continues to reduce the number of activities and pandemic emergency executive orders as we move closer ending the emergency declaration. Ultimately, this plan will require extensions from the LCC to August 30, 2021 as outlined below.

Priorities and Objectives to be Completed by August 30, 2021

There are several priorities that continue to need the attention of the State of Kansas and that require an extension of the state of disaster emergency declaration.&nbsp; First, we need to continue efforts to vaccinate school-aged children to allow schools to resume normal activities beginning this fall.&nbsp; As of June 11, 2021, Kansas has vaccinated 48,045 (20.1%) of children age 12-17. Based on current projections, we anticipate being able to have between 100,000 (42%) to 118,000 (49%) of this age group vaccinated by the end of August. There was a notable decline in the rate of children vaccinations as school ended for the summer. Vaccination efforts planned around the back to school period of early to mid-August will greatly increase the rate of vaccinations for this age group.&nbsp;

Second, we need KDEM to continue to support the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine through our mobile clinics.&nbsp; The Kansas National Guard (“KSNG”) has administered 122,323 vaccines with 4,360 of those being administered since May 28, 2021.&nbsp; These efforts are directly tied to Executive Order 21-21 through the use of contract nurses who are able to perform vaccinations more easily under the order’s provisions.&nbsp; These contract nurses have delivered 45,981 vaccines across the state of Kansas.&nbsp; We continue to receive requests from employers to do onsite vaccination clinics, which is important to continue to vaccinate the workforce.&nbsp; To date, we have completed vaccine clinics at 47 employer locations across the state.&nbsp; The total number of employees who have had the opportunity to get vaccinated through this employer-partnership exceeds 40,000 Kansans.&nbsp; And, as of the writing of this letter, there are an additional 12 employers who have requested vaccination clinics for their nearly 5,000 (total) employees that are being scheduled. We have an additional 20 community vaccination clinics already scheduled between June 12 and July 27, 2021.

Third, we continue to receive resource requests from counties and hospitals that need to be fulfilled.&nbsp; We have received 5,090 resource requests for personal protective equipment (PPE), supplies, personnel and equipment.&nbsp; We have delivered 114,234 cases of PPE through these requests.&nbsp; Since May 28, 2021, there have been 26 requests, totaling 28,976 cases of PPE. &nbsp;Some of this equipment, such as ventilators, will need to be returned, inventoried, and receive maintenance work.&nbsp; Having a scheduled ramp-down will give counties and hospitals time to plan and understand that these resources will become unavailable after August 30th.

Fourth, as outlined below regarding executive orders, we need to continue requiring testing at our adult care homes and underserved populations.&nbsp; KSNG has tested over 30,603 individuals and transported over 26,304 samples to Kansas Health and Environment Laboratory (KHEL) with 297 of those samples since May 28, 2021. While these efforts will ultimately become part of KDHE’s normal operation, we need to continue to support these efforts through August 30th.

Without a disaster declaration in place, these priorities and objectives cannot be effectively accomplished. As you know, aside from removing the legal basis for conducting much of these efforts, the federal emergency response funding Kansas receives may be immediately imperiled if the disaster declaration expires. Pursuant to KEMA, the Adjutant General loses his authority to mission assign agencies such as the Civil Air Patrol, Highway Patrol, and others as part of the state response.&nbsp; These agencies do not have liability protection for work conducted in these efforts absent the emergency declaration.

Additionally, some of our most vulnerable Kansans would lose the emergency allotment of SNAP benefits the federal government provides to states with active COVID-19 emergency responses. Approximately 63,000 Kansas households would be affected by a loss of this additional financial support, and a total of around $14.5 million in additional benefits to those vulnerable Kansans and to our economy would be lost. While many of the elements of our emergency response from last summer are no longer essential, the disaster declaration itself is still essential.

SEOC COVID-19 Activities Closure Timeline

While there are certain activities that need to continue as described above, the list below indicates the mission assignments and activities that have been closed and which ones would be re-opened under an extension of the emergency declaration.

The time to conclude our emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic under KEMA and to transition to a new normal for dealing with COVID-19 through standard authorities is approaching, but that time has not yet arrived. At the LCC’s May 28, 2021 meeting, some LCC members indicated that they wanted to see a plan for how we wind the emergency response

down and return to normal. Our administration has now provided that plan. It will take until August 30, 2021, to execute it.

As circumstances have changed, we have transitioned to an emergency response that has been trimmed down to vaccination efforts, logistical support to local communities, finishing an orderly return to normal in state agencies, and securing federal financial support for our efforts.

While COVID-19 could become an ever-present threat to public health if vaccination rates continue to decline, our emergency response will not be permanent. We owe it to Kansans to finish the job and wind down the state of disaster emergency responsibly.

As with the LCC’s previous meeting to consider an extension, at next Tuesday’s meeting Major General Weishaar, Dr. Norman, and members of my staff will be present to answer any questions the LCC may have.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly sent a letter on Friday urging Senate President Ty Masterson and members of the Legislative Coordinating Council to extend the current State of Disaster Emergency Declaration.&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTEuNDE4Mzc1NDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDYvR292LUtlbGx5LUFwcGxpY2F0aW9uLXRvLUxDQy1mb3ItRXh0ZW5zaW9uLW9mLUVtZXJnZW5jeS1EZWNsYXJhdGlvbi02LjExLjIxLnBkZiJ9.HU3tPZHppveXRPUGgCLGO7UPcAuaEVysno2JxCPXzWg/s/1303160919/br/107831157338-l" target="_blank">Click here to view a PDF of the letter</a>The Governor wrote:On May 24, 2021, I submitted my first application for a 30-day extension of the COVID-19 state of disaster emergency to the Legislative Coordinating Council (“LCC”) pursuant to Senate Bill 40’s amendments to the Kansas Emergency Management Act (“KEMA”).&nbsp; K.S.A. 48-924(b)(3).&nbsp; Please consider this letter my specific application to extend the COVID-19 state of disaster emergency up to and including July 15, 2021.While these conversations took place back in March, I do want to point out that my Chief of Staff discussed with legislators during session that the objective has been to get to the fall of 2021 and the start of the new school year to ensure that vaccine efforts are not stalled or impeded.&nbsp; To build on those conversations, I am including with this specific application an outline of the current plan regarding the State Emergency Operations Center (“SEOC”) and a timeline for demobilization of those efforts.&nbsp; This plan will include the following components:<ul>
 <li>Priorities and objectives to be completed by August 30, 2021;</li><li>SEOC COVID-19 activities closure timeline;</li><li>Rescinding or sunsetting of current executive orders based on the priorities and objectives to be achieved by August 30, 2021.</li>
 </ul>The plan I present to you in this application continues to reduce the number of activities and pandemic emergency executive orders as we move closer ending the emergency declaration. Ultimately, this plan will require extensions from the LCC to August 30, 2021 as outlined below.Priorities and Objectives to be Completed by August 30, 2021There are several priorities that continue to need the attention of the State of Kansas and that require an extension of the state of disaster emergency declaration.&nbsp; First, we need to continue efforts to vaccinate school-aged children to allow schools to resume normal activities beginning this fall.&nbsp; As of June 11, 2021, Kansas has vaccinated 48,045 (20.1%) of children age 12-17. Based on current projections, we anticipate being able to have between 100,000 (42%) to 118,000 (49%) of this age group vaccinated by the end of August. There was a notable decline in the rate of children vaccinations as school ended for the summer. Vaccination efforts planned around the back to school period of early to mid-August will greatly increase the rate of vaccinations for this age group.&nbsp;Second, we need KDEM to continue to support the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine through our mobile clinics.&nbsp; The Kansas National Guard (“KSNG”) has administered 122,323 vaccines with 4,360 of those being administered since May 28, 2021.&nbsp; These efforts are directly tied to Executive Order 21-21 through the use of contract nurses who are able to perform vaccinations more easily under the order’s provisions.&nbsp; These contract nurses have delivered 45,981 vaccines across the state of Kansas.&nbsp; We continue to receive requests from employers to do onsite vaccination clinics, which is important to continue to vaccinate the workforce.&nbsp; To date, we have completed vaccine clinics at 47 employer locations across the state.&nbsp; The total number of employees who have had the opportunity to get vaccinated through this employer-partnership exceeds 40,000 Kansans.&nbsp; And, as of the writing of this letter, there are an additional 12 employers who have requested vaccination clinics for their nearly 5,000 (total) employees that are being scheduled. We have an additional 20 community vaccination clinics already scheduled between June 12 and July 27, 2021.Third, we continue to receive resource requests from counties and hospitals that need to be fulfilled.&nbsp; We have received 5,090 resource requests for personal protective equipment (PPE), supplies, personnel and equipment.&nbsp; We have delivered 114,234 cases of PPE through these requests.&nbsp; Since May 28, 2021, there have been 26 requests, totaling 28,976 cases of PPE. &nbsp;Some of this equipment, such as ventilators, will need to be returned, inventoried, and receive maintenance work.&nbsp; Having a scheduled ramp-down will give counties and hospitals time to plan and understand that these resources will become unavailable after August 30th.Fourth, as outlined below regarding executive orders, we need to continue requiring testing at our adult care homes and underserved populations.&nbsp; KSNG has tested over 30,603 individuals and transported over 26,304 samples to Kansas Health and Environment Laboratory (KHEL) with 297 of those samples since May 28, 2021. While these efforts will ultimately become part of KDHE’s normal operation, we need to continue to support these efforts through August 30th.Without a disaster declaration in place, these priorities and objectives cannot be effectively accomplished. As you know, aside from removing the legal basis for conducting much of these efforts, the federal emergency response funding Kansas receives may be immediately imperiled if the disaster declaration expires. Pursuant to KEMA, the Adjutant General loses his authority to mission assign agencies such as the Civil Air Patrol, Highway Patrol, and others as part of the state response.&nbsp; These agencies do not have liability protection for work conducted in these efforts absent the emergency declaration.Additionally, some of our most vulnerable Kansans would lose the emergency allotment of SNAP benefits the federal government provides to states with active COVID-19 emergency responses. Approximately 63,000 Kansas households would be affected by a loss of this additional financial support, and a total of around $14.5 million in additional benefits to those vulnerable Kansans and to our economy would be lost. While many of the elements of our emergency response from last summer are no longer essential, the disaster declaration itself is still essential.SEOC COVID-19 Activities Closure TimelineWhile there are certain activities that need to continue as described above, the list below indicates the mission assignments and activities that have been closed and which ones would be re-opened under an extension of the emergency declaration.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623456723168.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623456662997.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The time to conclude our emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic under KEMA and to transition to a new normal for dealing with COVID-19 through standard authorities is approaching, but that time has not yet arrived. At the LCC’s May 28, 2021 meeting, some LCC members indicated that they wanted to see a plan for how we wind the emergency responsedown and return to normal. Our administration has now provided that plan. It will take until August 30, 2021, to execute it.As circumstances have changed, we have transitioned to an emergency response that has been trimmed down to vaccination efforts, logistical support to local communities, finishing an orderly return to normal in state agencies, and securing federal financial support for our efforts.While COVID-19 could become an ever-present threat to public health if vaccination rates continue to decline, our emergency response will not be permanent. We owe it to Kansans to finish the job and wind down the state of disaster emergency responsibly.As with the LCC’s previous meeting to consider an extension, at next Tuesday’s meeting Major General Weishaar, Dr. Norman, and members of my staff will be present to answer any questions the LCC may have.

Gov. asks LCC to extend COVID disaster declaration

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A 26-year-old Kansas woman critically injured in a hit and run accident June 5 in Wichita has died.

According to a GoFundMe page, "Lynny lost her battle this morning at 11:54a.m. She was surrounded by family. Thank you all so much for all of your continued prayers and support. Please continue to share this with all of your friends and family, so we can <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/lynnys-hospital-expenses?utm_campaign=p_cp_display&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">help Lynny’s family</a> as much as possible with the medical and now funeral expenses."

Just before 9:30 p.m. June 5, police responded to a hit-and-run injury accident at Douglas and Greenwood in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located the victim with critical injuries.&nbsp; EMS transported her to an area hospital for medical treatment.

Investigators learned the woman was crossing the street, leaving a business in the 100 block of South Greenwood and a newer white northbound sedan struck her. It is believed the sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to Davidson.&nbsp; &nbsp;

On Sunday, police found the unoccupied vehicle at a hotel at 36th&nbsp;and Rock Road in Wichita.

Officers also contacted contacted 18-year-old Bricetin Wedel of Wichita about the incident.&nbsp; Police then arrested him on a requested charge of aggravated battery and two counts of hit and run, according to Davidson.&nbsp; Wedel now faces new charges in the case. He is not longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623008016375.png" alt="Police on the scene of the Saturday night investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the Saturday night investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A 26-year-old Kansas woman critically injured in a hit and run accident June 5 in Wichita has died.According to a GoFundMe page, "Lynny lost her battle this morning at 11:54a.m. She was surrounded by family. Thank you all so much for all of your continued prayers and support. Please continue to share this with all of your friends and family, so we can <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/lynnys-hospital-expenses?utm_campaign=p_cp_display&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">help Lynny’s family</a> as much as possible with the medical and now funeral expenses."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623447849772.png" alt="Lynny photo courtesy GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Lynny photo courtesy GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 9:30 p.m. June 5, police responded to a hit-and-run injury accident at Douglas and Greenwood in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located the victim with critical injuries.&nbsp; EMS transported her to an area hospital for medical treatment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623083406162.png" alt="Wedel photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Wedel photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned the woman was crossing the street, leaving a business in the 100 block of South Greenwood and a newer white northbound sedan struck her. It is believed the sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to Davidson.&nbsp; &nbsp;On Sunday, police found the unoccupied vehicle at a hotel at 36th&nbsp;and Rock Road in Wichita.Officers also contacted contacted 18-year-old Bricetin Wedel of Wichita about the incident.&nbsp; Police then arrested him on a requested charge of aggravated battery and two counts of hit and run, according to Davidson.&nbsp; Wedel now faces new charges in the case. He is not longer in custody.--------------

26-year-old Kan. woman injured in hit-and-run has died

BARTON COUNTY — After several months of investigation, law enforcement authorities arrested of Kansas man on weapons and drug charges.

Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, a Barton County Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputies executed a search warrant at 1809 Jackson Street in Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. A second warrant was executed at an adjoining building at 3108 18th Street. 

Deputies located multiple firearms hidden in a wall. At least one of the firearms was stolen, others are suspected to be modified to function fully automatic. Deputies also found homemade suppressors, according Bellendir along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Deputies arrested the resident identified as 55-year-old Matthew Jones of Great Bend. He is being held on a $100,000 bond on the requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, criminal possession of a firearm by a drug user, criminal possession of a fully automatic firearm,&nbsp;criminal possession of a suppressor, possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine.

Over the last several months, the sheriff’s office received assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Great Bend Police Department. The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has also been notified and is involved in the case, according to Bellendir.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623432875106.jpeg" alt="Photos Barton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Barton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY — After several months of investigation, law enforcement authorities arrested of Kansas man on weapons and drug charges.Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, a Barton County Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputies executed a search warrant at 1809 Jackson Street in Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. A second warrant was executed at an adjoining building at 3108 18th Street. Deputies located multiple firearms hidden in a wall. At least one of the firearms was stolen, others are suspected to be modified to function fully automatic. Deputies also found homemade suppressors, according Bellendir along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623432888323.jpeg" alt="Jones photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Jones photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested the resident identified as 55-year-old Matthew Jones of Great Bend. He is being held on a $100,000 bond on the requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, criminal possession of a firearm by a drug user, criminal possession of a fully automatic firearm,&nbsp;criminal possession of a suppressor, possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623432847855.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Over the last several months, the sheriff’s office received assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Great Bend Police Department. The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has also been notified and is involved in the case, according to Bellendir.

Hidden guns, thousands of rounds of ammo at Kan. home 

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. regulators are allowing the release of about 10 million doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine from a troubled Baltimore factory, but many more doses can't be used and must be thrown out.

The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it had determined that two batches could be released from the plant, which is owned by Emergent BioSolutions and has been shuttered for eight weeks. But it said several other batches are not suitable for use and additional batches are still under review.

The agency wouldn't specify the size of those batches or why they can't be used, but a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that they could have yielded tens of millions of doses and that they possibly were contaminated. Another person familiar with the situation said the doses to be discarded were made about the same time as a vaccine batch equal to about 15 million doses that was contaminated earlier this year and thrown out.

Neither person was authorized to release details about the decision and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

J&amp;J and Emergent wouldn't give any details on the size of the batches that are usable, nor those being discarded.

The two batches from the factory known as Bayview can be used in the U.S. or exported to other countries. They are the first J&amp;J vaccines from Bayview approved for use.

The FDA said if any of the vaccine is exported, J&amp;J and Emergent must allow the agency to share information about the manufacture of those batches confidentially with regulators in other countries.

The FDA statement implied that the batches didn't meet all of the agency's manufacturing quality standards. “This review has been taking place while Emergent BioSolutions prepares to resume manufacturing operations with corrective actions to ensure compliance with the FDA’s” manufacturing requirements, Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.

The agency said the vaccines are “critically needed,” given the current public health emergency, and that it made the decisions after reviewing records and the results of quality testing.

The FDA, however, stopped short of allowing the plant to restart vaccine production. The agency said it was working through issues there with J&amp;J and Emergent BioSolutions management.

Emergent is one of several J&amp;J contractors that produce its one-shot vaccine in bulk. The concentrated vaccine then is shipped to other factories for final steps, including diluting them to the correct strength, putting them in vials and packaging them up.

Roughly 100 million doses made from bulk vaccine produced at Emergent’s factory, including those just approved for use, had been set aside for additional review by FDA staff after factory employees accidentally contaminated an earlier batch.

That contamination led the FDA to shut down the factory in mid-April and send in a team of inspectors. They spent a week going through the factory and reviewing security camera footage that showed employees carelessly handling vaccine materials. The inspectors reported unsanitary conditions, poorly trained employees and other problems.

The lapses have hampered J&amp;J's efforts to be a major player in vaccinating people, particularly in remote areas and poor countries, given that it’s the only drugmaker with an authorized vaccine that only requires one dose and standard refrigeration. It's also cheaper than some other vaccines.

The productions problems have forced J&amp;J to import millions of doses from its factory in the Netherlands to the U.S. and to miss supply commitments.

Emergent’s factory had a history of FDA citations for problems including mold, dirty walls and floors, poorly trained employees and an inadequate strategy to prevent contamination, yet it was given a huge role in COVID-19 vaccine production by the Trump administration. Emergent was handed a lucrative contract to make many millions of COVID-19 vaccines for both J&amp;J and AstraZeneca at the Bayview factory.

Emergent’s chief executive has blamed the contamination and other problems on the complexity of scaling up the factory in just months to make two different vaccines.

The Biden administration is working to find a different American manufacturing partner for the British drugmaker, which has yet to request authorization to distribute it in the U.S.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johnson &amp; Johnson said Thursday that U.S. regulators extended the expiration date on millions of doses of its COVID-19 vaccine by six weeks.

The company said a Food and Drug Administration review concluded the shots remain safe and effective for at least 4 1/2 months. In February, the FDA originally authorized J&amp;J’s vaccine for up to three months when stored at normal refrigeration levels.

Thursday’s announcement comes after state officials warned that many doses in storage would expire before the end of the month. The change gives health providers more time to try and use remaining J&amp;J shots sitting at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. Many states have adopted a “first-in-first-out” approach to try and use their oldest vaccines first.

Vaccine expiration dates are based on information from drugmakers on how long the shots stay at the right strength. J&amp;J said the FDA added six weeks based on data from ongoing studies assessing the vaccine’s stability.

The FDA has been reviewing expiration dates on all three U.S. authorized vaccines as companies have continued to test batches in the months since the shots first rolled out. Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, authorized in December, have a six-month shelf life.

The J&amp;J extension will help maintain vaccine supplies even as the number of Americans getting shots has slipped. The country averaged about 800,000 new injections per day last week. That’s down from a high of nearly 2 million daily shots two months ago. Government officials and companies have turned to incentives to encourages shots, including paid time off and $1 million lottery prizes.

As vaccinations have slowed it’s become clear the U.S. is unlikely to meet President Joe Biden’s goal to have 70% of adults partially vaccinated by July 4. Roughly 64% of Americans older than 18 have had at least one dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

J&amp;J’s vaccine was highly anticipated because of its one-and-done formulation and easy-to-ship refrigeration. The shot was expected to play a key role in vaccination campaigns in rural areas and low-income countries with limited health care infrastructure.

But rival drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna, which started shipping shots months earlier, have already supplied more than enough doses to meet U.S. demand. More than 129 million Americans have been fully vaccinated with the companies’ two-dose shots. By comparison, just 11 million Americans have been vaccinated with the J&amp;J shot. About 10 million more J&amp;J doses have been sent to states, according to the CDC.

Use of J&amp;J’s vaccine has been hurt by links to a rare blood clot disorder. That issue led U.S. health officials to “pause” use of the shot for an 11-day review. Officials lifted the hold in late April after concluding that the vaccine’s benefits outweighed its risks

J&amp;J’s rollout has also been slowed by contamination problems at a Baltimore factory that helps make the shots. The facility was shuttered after an FDA inspection uncovered unsanitary conditions and other problems in April. None of the vaccines made there have been distributed.

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. regulators are allowing the release of about 10 million doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine from a troubled Baltimore factory, but many more doses can't be used and must be thrown out.The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it had determined that two batches could be released from the plant, which is owned by Emergent BioSolutions and has been shuttered for eight weeks. But it said several other batches are not suitable for use and additional batches are still under review.The agency wouldn't specify the size of those batches or why they can't be used, but a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that they could have yielded tens of millions of doses and that they possibly were contaminated. Another person familiar with the situation said the doses to be discarded were made about the same time as a vaccine batch equal to about 15 million doses that was contaminated earlier this year and thrown out.Neither person was authorized to release details about the decision and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.J&amp;J and Emergent wouldn't give any details on the size of the batches that are usable, nor those being discarded.The two batches from the factory known as Bayview can be used in the U.S. or exported to other countries. They are the first J&amp;J vaccines from Bayview approved for use.The FDA said if any of the vaccine is exported, J&amp;J and Emergent must allow the agency to share information about the manufacture of those batches confidentially with regulators in other countries.The FDA statement implied that the batches didn't meet all of the agency's manufacturing quality standards. “This review has been taking place while Emergent BioSolutions prepares to resume manufacturing operations with corrective actions to ensure compliance with the FDA’s” manufacturing requirements, Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.The agency said the vaccines are “critically needed,” given the current public health emergency, and that it made the decisions after reviewing records and the results of quality testing.The FDA, however, stopped short of allowing the plant to restart vaccine production. The agency said it was working through issues there with J&amp;J and Emergent BioSolutions management.Emergent is one of several J&amp;J contractors that produce its one-shot vaccine in bulk. The concentrated vaccine then is shipped to other factories for final steps, including diluting them to the correct strength, putting them in vials and packaging them up.Roughly 100 million doses made from bulk vaccine produced at Emergent’s factory, including those just approved for use, had been set aside for additional review by FDA staff after factory employees accidentally contaminated an earlier batch.That contamination led the FDA to shut down the factory in mid-April and send in a team of inspectors. They spent a week going through the factory and reviewing security camera footage that showed employees carelessly handling vaccine materials. The inspectors reported unsanitary conditions, poorly trained employees and other problems.The lapses have hampered J&amp;J's efforts to be a major player in vaccinating people, particularly in remote areas and poor countries, given that it’s the only drugmaker with an authorized vaccine that only requires one dose and standard refrigeration. It's also cheaper than some other vaccines.The productions problems have forced J&amp;J to import millions of doses from its factory in the Netherlands to the U.S. and to miss supply commitments.Emergent’s factory had a history of FDA citations for problems including mold, dirty walls and floors, poorly trained employees and an inadequate strategy to prevent contamination, yet it was given a huge role in COVID-19 vaccine production by the Trump administration. Emergent was handed a lucrative contract to make many millions of COVID-19 vaccines for both J&amp;J and AstraZeneca at the Bayview factory.Emergent’s chief executive has blamed the contamination and other problems on the complexity of scaling up the factory in just months to make two different vaccines.The Biden administration is working to find a different American manufacturing partner for the British drugmaker, which has yet to request authorization to distribute it in the U.S.-------WASHINGTON (AP) — Johnson &amp; Johnson said Thursday that U.S. regulators extended the expiration date on millions of doses of its COVID-19 vaccine by six weeks.The company said a Food and Drug Administration review concluded the shots remain safe and effective for at least 4 1/2 months. In February, the FDA originally authorized J&amp;J’s vaccine for up to three months when stored at normal refrigeration levels.Thursday’s announcement comes after state officials warned that many doses in storage would expire before the end of the month. The change gives health providers more time to try and use remaining J&amp;J shots sitting at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. Many states have adopted a “first-in-first-out” approach to try and use their oldest vaccines first.Vaccine expiration dates are based on information from drugmakers on how long the shots stay at the right strength. J&amp;J said the FDA added six weeks based on data from ongoing studies assessing the vaccine’s stability.The FDA has been reviewing expiration dates on all three U.S. authorized vaccines as companies have continued to test batches in the months since the shots first rolled out. Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, authorized in December, have a six-month shelf life.The J&amp;J extension will help maintain vaccine supplies even as the number of Americans getting shots has slipped. The country averaged about 800,000 new injections per day last week. That’s down from a high of nearly 2 million daily shots two months ago. Government officials and companies have turned to incentives to encourages shots, including paid time off and $1 million lottery prizes.As vaccinations have slowed it’s become clear the U.S. is unlikely to meet President Joe Biden’s goal to have 70% of adults partially vaccinated by July 4. Roughly 64% of Americans older than 18 have had at least one dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.J&amp;J’s vaccine was highly anticipated because of its one-and-done formulation and easy-to-ship refrigeration. The shot was expected to play a key role in vaccination campaigns in rural areas and low-income countries with limited health care infrastructure.But rival drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna, which started shipping shots months earlier, have already supplied more than enough doses to meet U.S. demand. More than 129 million Americans have been fully vaccinated with the companies’ two-dose shots. By comparison, just 11 million Americans have been vaccinated with the J&amp;J shot. About 10 million more J&amp;J doses have been sent to states, according to the CDC.Use of J&amp;J’s vaccine has been hurt by links to a rare blood clot disorder. That issue led U.S. health officials to “pause” use of the shot for an 11-day review. Officials lifted the hold in late April after concluding that the vaccine’s benefits outweighed its risksJ&amp;J’s rollout has also been slowed by contamination problems at a Baltimore factory that helps make the shots. The facility was shuttered after an FDA inspection uncovered unsanitary conditions and other problems in April. None of the vaccines made there have been distributed.___

J& J ordered to throw out thousands of COVID doses

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The teenager who pulled out her cellphone and recorded the police restraint and death of George Floyd has been awarded a special citation by the Pulitzer Prizes. 

Darnella Frazier was cited “for courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality, around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists' quest for truth and justice," the Pulitzer Prizes said.

Frazier’s publicist did not immediately respond to an Associated Press message seeking comment.

Frazier was 17 when she recorded the arrest of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, on May 25, 2020. Her video, which she posted to Facebook hours after it happened, sparked a reckoning on race in America and demands for an end to police brutality.

The video was seen worldwide and was prominent in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck, pinning him to the pavement for 9 minutes, 29 seconds, as he said repeatedly that he couldn't breathe. Chauvin was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. He will be sentenced June 25.

Frazier was also honored last year by PEN America, a literary and human rights organization. She was awarded the PEN/Benenson Courage Award.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The teenager who pulled out her cellphone and recorded the police restraint and death of George Floyd has been awarded a special citation by the Pulitzer Prizes. <div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kQ_0PAVpQoU?start=1103" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Darnella Frazier was cited “for courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality, around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists' quest for truth and justice," the Pulitzer Prizes said.Frazier’s publicist did not immediately respond to an Associated Press message seeking comment.Frazier was 17 when she recorded the arrest of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, on May 25, 2020. Her video, which she posted to Facebook hours after it happened, sparked a reckoning on race in America and demands for an end to police brutality.The video was seen worldwide and was prominent in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck, pinning him to the pavement for 9 minutes, 29 seconds, as he said repeatedly that he couldn't breathe. Chauvin was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. He will be sentenced June 25.Frazier was also honored last year by PEN America, a literary and human rights organization. She was awarded the PEN/Benenson Courage Award.

 🎥  Teen who recorded Floyd's arrest, death wins Pulitzer nod

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-06-10/kansas-now-has-the-beds-need-for-most-kids-awaiting-psychiatric-care-but-not-the-workers">Kansas News Service</a>

Psychiatric facilities across Kansas added enough beds last year to 
potentially dramatically cut the number of children waiting for 
intensive mental health care.

But about 100 of those spots remain empty — in large part because organizations can’t find workers.

In
 recent years, children have had to wait months for openings in 
specialized facilities that offer long-term psychiatric care. In 
mid-2018, the average wait neared 200 days.

The waits fell in 2019 and 2020. As of last month, the average wait stood at 44 days.

Yet 146 remain in line for their turn, even though 104 beds are open.

Despite significant efforts to expand capacity, the residential care centers have hit fresh roadblocks.

They’re
 struggling to compete in the current labor market. They need to fill 
shifts around the clock for physically and emotionally taxing work that 
sometimes pays less than $15 an hour.

Take KidsTLC in Olathe. 
It’s searching for the money to make that happen, while also nudging the
 state of Kansas to help it explore other incentives. Those could range 
from college tuition waivers and signing bonuses to subsidies for health
 insurance or child care.

KidsTLC bought land in March 2020 to add another 50 beds for children.

The
 expansion included specialized units for children with the most severe 
traumas and disorders, who often face the longest waits for placement — 
such as a program for victims of sex abuse who lash out sexually.

That
 work finished in December, nearly doubling KidsTLC’s residential 
capacity. It hoped to fill the spots in two or three months, but 45 of 
the new beds remain empty.

“We had space, we were licensed, and 
were feeling just exceptional about that and being able to make a 
significant dent in that waitlist,” CEO Erin Dugan said. “And then it 
became really hard to hire staff.”

Nonprofit
 facilities offer more than 400 beds for long-term psychiatric care of 
youths across Kansas. Many of those slots were added within the past 
year and a half as the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly worked to 
license more beds and reduce wait times.

“So we are proud of the 
improvement,” said Andrew Brown, the state’s commissioner of behavioral 
health services, “but ideally we would like to get to the point where 
people didn’t have to wait even a month, right? We’d like to get to the 
point where the average time is about a week or less.”

Psychiatric
 residential treatment facilities are for children and youths whose 
conditions don’t improve through other care. They may struggle with 
severe depression, for example, or attachment disorders resulting from 
childhood abuse.

Those services are different from acute mental 
health care. Children at risk of harming themselves, for example, can 
get immediate short-term care. But when they walk out of the hospital, 
the residential program that some may need for weeks or months of 
follow-up treatment takes longer to get into.

KidsTLC wants to 
fill its empty beds, but won’t until it has the personnel to do so 
safely. It has almost 300 workers but wants about 425.

The agency hasn’t struggled to recruit and retain therapists and 
other salaried specialists. Hourly staff trained to work on site 24-7 
are a different matter. Dugan hopes more applicants — who must be at 
least 21 years old — will materialize as the pandemic winds down.

Her organization offers $14-an-hour starting pay. It was working toward $15 before the pandemic hit, and is now considering $16.

“These
 folks need to be paid more, so that it is a living wage and they can 
take care of their families and do the job they love and make an impact 
in the community,” she said. “The Amazons of the world, the FedEx, the 
places where 21-year-olds go to work — they’re paying $18, $19, $20.”

Hiking pay will require significant fundraising by KidsTLC, which gets paid by Medicaid for its patients.

Medicaid
 rates are widely considered low compared to private health insurance. 
KidsTLC expects Medicaid would likely eventually increase its payments 
in recognition of the higher hourly pay, but it says adjustments like 
that take six months to a year to kick in and won’t help retroactively.

“We
 are this month sitting down to say, how do we find this large infusion 
of dollars, to at least get our minimum wage to 15 or 16?” Dugan said. 
“How does KidsTLC find a couple million dollars? It’s not sitting 
around. We don’t have a couple millions of dollars sitting around.”

She said the state is also encouraging her to put together cost estimates for her other ideas, such as child care subsidies.

Meanwhile, the state has called on one of its Medicaid contractors to reduce wait times for kids.

The
 Kansas Medicaid system — also known as KanCare — is privatized. Anyone 
on Medicaid falls under one of three private companies that run the 
program: Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Sunflower or UnitedHealthcare.

Those
 companies review and approve applications for residential treatment. 
But after the state began tracking wait times by company in 2019, it 
revealed that children with Aetna waited significantly longer than those
 with Sunflower or UnitedHealthcare. The company appeared to have 
problems promptly gathering paperwork such as parental releases to get 
children in line for care.

“We hope that we will see improvements,” Brown said.

In a statement to the Kansas News Service, Aetna said it took swift action after the state pointed out the problem.

“We
 immediately took steps to review our process, identify causes for 
delays, and implement the changes necessary to minimize interruptions in
 care for our members,” the statement says. “As a result of our internal
 review we have modified our processes to eliminate avoidable delays.”

Editor’s note: This story was reported in memory of KCUR reporter <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-25/kcur-reporter-and-beloved-colleague-aviva-okeson-haberman" target="_blank">Aviva Okeson-Haberman</a>, a dedicated journalist who began the research for it and submitted the open records requests shortly before her death.

Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health for the Kansas News Service. 
You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623419696853.png" alt="Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-06-10/kansas-now-has-the-beds-need-for-most-kids-awaiting-psychiatric-care-but-not-the-workers">Kansas News Service</a>Psychiatric facilities across Kansas added enough beds last year to 
potentially dramatically cut the number of children waiting for 
intensive mental health care.But about 100 of those spots remain empty — in large part because organizations can’t find workers.In
 recent years, children have had to wait months for openings in 
specialized facilities that offer long-term psychiatric care. In 
mid-2018, the average wait neared 200 days.The waits fell in 2019 and 2020. As of last month, the average wait stood at 44 days.Yet 146 remain in line for their turn, even though 104 beds are open.Despite significant efforts to expand capacity, the residential care centers have hit fresh roadblocks.They’re
 struggling to compete in the current labor market. They need to fill 
shifts around the clock for physically and emotionally taxing work that 
sometimes pays less than $15 an hour.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623419775096.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>And hiking wages is no simple task.Take KidsTLC in Olathe. 
It’s searching for the money to make that happen, while also nudging the
 state of Kansas to help it explore other incentives. Those could range 
from college tuition waivers and signing bonuses to subsidies for health
 insurance or child care.KidsTLC bought land in March 2020 to add another 50 beds for children.The
 expansion included specialized units for children with the most severe 
traumas and disorders, who often face the longest waits for placement — 
such as a program for victims of sex abuse who lash out sexually.That
 work finished in December, nearly doubling KidsTLC’s residential 
capacity. It hoped to fill the spots in two or three months, but 45 of 
the new beds remain empty.“We had space, we were licensed, and 
were feeling just exceptional about that and being able to make a 
significant dent in that waitlist,” CEO Erin Dugan said. “And then it 
became really hard to hire staff.”<h2>Longer-term care</h2>Nonprofit
 facilities offer more than 400 beds for long-term psychiatric care of 
youths across Kansas. Many of those slots were added within the past 
year and a half as the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly worked to 
license more beds and reduce wait times.“So we are proud of the 
improvement,” said Andrew Brown, the state’s commissioner of behavioral 
health services, “but ideally we would like to get to the point where 
people didn’t have to wait even a month, right? We’d like to get to the 
point where the average time is about a week or less.”Psychiatric
 residential treatment facilities are for children and youths whose 
conditions don’t improve through other care. They may struggle with 
severe depression, for example, or attachment disorders resulting from 
childhood abuse.Those services are different from acute mental 
health care. Children at risk of harming themselves, for example, can 
get immediate short-term care. But when they walk out of the hospital, 
the residential program that some may need for weeks or months of 
follow-up treatment takes longer to get into.KidsTLC wants to 
fill its empty beds, but won’t until it has the personnel to do so 
safely. It has almost 300 workers but wants about 425.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623419807409.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The agency hasn’t struggled to recruit and retain therapists and 
other salaried specialists. Hourly staff trained to work on site 24-7 
are a different matter. Dugan hopes more applicants — who must be at 
least 21 years old — will materialize as the pandemic winds down.She isn’t counting on it.Her organization offers $14-an-hour starting pay. It was working toward $15 before the pandemic hit, and is now considering $16.“These
 folks need to be paid more, so that it is a living wage and they can 
take care of their families and do the job they love and make an impact 
in the community,” she said. “The Amazons of the world, the FedEx, the 
places where 21-year-olds go to work — they’re paying $18, $19, $20.”Hiking pay will require significant fundraising by KidsTLC, which gets paid by Medicaid for its patients.Medicaid
 rates are widely considered low compared to private health insurance. 
KidsTLC expects Medicaid would likely eventually increase its payments 
in recognition of the higher hourly pay, but it says adjustments like 
that take six months to a year to kick in and won’t help retroactively.“We
 are this month sitting down to say, how do we find this large infusion 
of dollars, to at least get our minimum wage to 15 or 16?” Dugan said. 
“How does KidsTLC find a couple million dollars? It’s not sitting 
around. We don’t have a couple millions of dollars sitting around.”She said the state is also encouraging her to put together cost estimates for her other ideas, such as child care subsidies.<h2>Aetna paperwork delays</h2>Meanwhile, the state has called on one of its Medicaid contractors to reduce wait times for kids.The
 Kansas Medicaid system — also known as KanCare — is privatized. Anyone 
on Medicaid falls under one of three private companies that run the 
program: Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Sunflower or UnitedHealthcare.Those
 companies review and approve applications for residential treatment. 
But after the state began tracking wait times by company in 2019, it 
revealed that children with Aetna waited significantly longer than those
 with Sunflower or UnitedHealthcare. The company appeared to have 
problems promptly gathering paperwork such as parental releases to get 
children in line for care.“We hope that we will see improvements,” Brown said.In a statement to the Kansas News Service, Aetna said it took swift action after the state pointed out the problem.“We
 immediately took steps to review our process, identify causes for 
delays, and implement the changes necessary to minimize interruptions in
 care for our members,” the statement says. “As a result of our internal
 review we have modified our processes to eliminate avoidable delays.”Editor’s note: This story was reported in memory of KCUR reporter <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-25/kcur-reporter-and-beloved-colleague-aviva-okeson-haberman" target="_blank">Aviva Okeson-Haberman</a>, a dedicated journalist who began the research for it and submitted the open records requests shortly before her death.Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health for the Kansas News Service. 
You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Kan. has beds for most kids awaiting psychiatric care, not the workers 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 269 to a total of 315,769, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5106.

<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 269 to a total of 315,769, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5106.<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/2021/6/1623431244684.png" alt="Friday June 11, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday June 11, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a car burglary and have made an arrest.

On June 5, a police officer was proactively patrolling in the area of 100 N. Rock Island in Wichita observed 28-year-old Breana Holt of Wichita attempting to break the window of a vehicle, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

 Officers contacted her and learned a separate vehicle in the lot had been broken into and items were taken.

Officers arrested her on requested charges of burglary of a non-dwelling, criminal damage to property, and theft of property. Officers also recovered the stolen property.

Police reminded the public to hide your items to leave in your car, lock your vehicle and take your keys.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623406770269.png" alt="Holt-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Holt-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a car burglary and have made an arrest.On June 5, a police officer was proactively patrolling in the area of 100 N. Rock Island in Wichita observed 28-year-old Breana Holt of Wichita attempting to break the window of a vehicle, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Officers contacted her and learned a separate vehicle in the lot had been broken into and items were taken.Officers arrested her on requested charges of burglary of a non-dwelling, criminal damage to property, and theft of property. Officers also recovered the stolen property.Police reminded the public to hide your items to leave in your car, lock your vehicle and take your keys.

Police catch Kansas woman breaking into cars

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Topeka men have been honored for rescuing a woman from a burning home. 

KSNT-TV reports that the Topeka Fire Department on Thursday gave “citizen heroism awards” to Robert Havens and Mark Elder. 

The fire broke out at the woman’s home in March. Fire Chief Craig Duke says that if the men hadn’t acted, the results would have been “disastrous.” The homeowner was treated at a hospital. Duke says she is doing much better.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Topeka men have been honored for rescuing a woman from a burning home. KSNT-TV reports that the Topeka Fire Department on Thursday gave “citizen heroism awards” to Robert Havens and Mark Elder. The fire broke out at the woman’s home in March. Fire Chief Craig Duke says that if the men hadn’t acted, the results would have been “disastrous.” The homeowner was treated at a hospital. Duke says she is doing much better.

Two honored for saving Kan. woman from burning home

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of multiple separate murders in Kansas City on Tuesday and have made one arrest.

On Thursday, as a result of police investigation, officers served a search warrant, arrested and charged a suspect in the murder of 15-year old Terrell Bell.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623184131475.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation near&nbsp;Hazel Grove Elementary-photo courtesy Fox4 Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation near&nbsp;Hazel Grove Elementary-photo courtesy Fox4 Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of multiple separate murders in Kansas City on Tuesday and have made one arrest.On Thursday, as a result of police investigation, officers served a search warrant, arrested and charged a suspect in the murder of 15-year old Terrell Bell.&nbsp;Detectives haven’t let up on their work in any of these cases, according to a social media report from KCPD.Around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the 3500 block of Independence Avenue on a shooting. They found 52-year-old Jose Lugo suffering from gunshot wounds. An ambulance transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;&nbsp;The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction.Half an hour later at about 2 p.m.,&nbsp;officers went to 52nd and Euclid for a shooting. When they got there, the officers found one man suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. That victim was transported to a local hospital by ambulance. Another victim from the shooting scene arrived at the hospital by private transport with critical injuries. About three hours after the initial shooting, the victim with critical injuries was pronounced deceased at the hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;He has been identified as 30-year-old Lavance Jones.&nbsp;There is no suspect information at this time.Then at 2:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of 108th and Sycamore, where they found a 15-year-old boy who had been shot. Officers attempted life-saving measures before the victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as Terrell Bell, 15.Meanwhile, police are also are investigating after 15-year-old Kaden Bauswell was killed Tuesday in a shooting near an elementary school. Police are urging anyone with information about that shooting to call a tips hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest in these cases through the TIPS Hotline.