TOPEKA&nbsp;–Governor Laura Kelly kicked off the first COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Taskforce meeting on Wednesday to promote equitable vaccine distribution in vulnerable communities across Kansas. By engaging leaders across diverse organizations – including physicians, nurses, community organizers, faith leaders, and researchers -- state and local public health can promote the importance of working together to vaccinate Kansans at highest risk for COVID-19.

“Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates are an urgent issue that must be addressed in Kansas,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“It’s an issue that affects communities large and small -- urban and rural. The quicker we can get all Kansans vaccinated – the quicker we can get back to school, back to work and back to normal.”

The group is tasked with breaking down barriers about vaccinations, such as access, transportation, language barriers, or misinformation; and providing information and messages that resonate with Kansans who have questions about the vaccine.

The Kelly administration has been developing solutions to improve vaccination rates at high risk for COVID-19 – such as those working in the meat packing industry – as well as in socially vulnerable Hispanic, Black, and Native American communities. In collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, this effort is spearheaded by Dr. Marci Nielsen, Chief Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Coordination and Dr. Ximena Garcia, Special Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Vaccination Equity.

The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity.

Dr. Ximena Garcia will lead the equity Taskforce. To find the video of the first meeting please click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTUuMzg4MzUyNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PVhpYU81eWg4NnJRIn0.xHT_BUcsfR2AcUr0iYFiiyVfCulV5zkfW0Tl8fR4uNU/s/1303160919/br/102208887756-l" target="_blank">here</a>.

The Taskforce is comprised of the following individuals:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618496467327.png" alt="The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity in Kansas." />
 <figcaption>The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity in Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–Governor Laura Kelly kicked off the first COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Taskforce meeting on Wednesday to promote equitable vaccine distribution in vulnerable communities across Kansas. By engaging leaders across diverse organizations – including physicians, nurses, community organizers, faith leaders, and researchers -- state and local public health can promote the importance of working together to vaccinate Kansans at highest risk for COVID-19.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XiaO5yh86rQ?start=85" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates are an urgent issue that must be addressed in Kansas,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“It’s an issue that affects communities large and small -- urban and rural. The quicker we can get all Kansans vaccinated – the quicker we can get back to school, back to work and back to normal.”The group is tasked with breaking down barriers about vaccinations, such as access, transportation, language barriers, or misinformation; and providing information and messages that resonate with Kansans who have questions about the vaccine.The Kelly administration has been developing solutions to improve vaccination rates at high risk for COVID-19 – such as those working in the meat packing industry – as well as in socially vulnerable Hispanic, Black, and Native American communities. In collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, this effort is spearheaded by Dr. Marci Nielsen, Chief Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Coordination and Dr. Ximena Garcia, Special Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Vaccination Equity.The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity.Dr. Ximena Garcia will lead the equity Taskforce. To find the video of the first meeting please click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTUuMzg4MzUyNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PVhpYU81eWg4NnJRIn0.xHT_BUcsfR2AcUr0iYFiiyVfCulV5zkfW0Tl8fR4uNU/s/1303160919/br/102208887756-l" target="_blank">here</a>.The Taskforce is comprised of the following individuals:<ul>
 <li>Allison DeGroff – Kansas HealthCare Collaborative</li><li>Andrea Perdomo-Morales – Vibrant Health</li><li>Annette Graham – Central Plains Area Agency on Aging</li><li>Broderick Crawford – NBC Community Development Corporation</li><li>Camille Childers – Wichita State University</li><li>Chris Howell – Office of Native American Affairs</li><li>Dan Leong - Immunize Kansas Coalition</li><li>Connie Satzler – Immunize Kansas Coalition</li><li>David Jordan – United Methodists Health Ministry Fund</li><li>Dorothy Hughes – University of Kansas School of Medicine</li><li>Allen Greiner – Wyandotte County Health Officer</li><li>Shalaunda K. Gray – Interhab</li><li>Ed O’Malley – The Kansas Leadership Center</li><li>Edith Gaines – Shawnee County Health Department</li><li>Erica Andrade – El Centro</li><li>Jennifer Sutherlin – MARC</li><li>Joan Duwve – KDHE</li><li>John Carney – Center for Practical Bioethics</li><li>Judy Bellome – AARP</li><li>Kelly Sommers – Kansas State Nurse Association</li><li>Kenya Cox – Kansas African American Affairs Commission</li><li>Kristi Zukovich – Kansas Health Foundation</li><li>Kristina Simmons – Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Physician</li><li>Mang Sonna – Bethel Neighborhood Center</li><li>Mariana Ramirez – Juntos Center for Advancing Latino Health</li><li>Martha Gabehart – Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns&nbsp;</li><li>Nicole Garner – Unified Government Public Health Department</li><li>Paul Kruz – Wichita Police Department</li><li>Rachel Monger – LeadingAge Kansas</li><li>Tony Carter – Salem Missionary Baptist Church</li><li>Shannon Olsen – Kansas Office of Refugees</li><li>Tarah Remington – AAFP</li><li>Virgil Watson Jr. – South Kansas Medical Center</li><li>Audé Negrete – Kansas Hispanic-Latino American Affairs Commission</li><li>Bruce Chladny – Kansas Association of Counties</li><li>Chad Austin – Kansas Hospital Association</li><li>Melissa Rooker – Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund</li><li>Aaron Dunkel – Kansas Pharmacists Association</li><li>Alice Weingartner – Community Care Network of Kansas</li><li>Ernestor De La Rosa – Kansas Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity &amp; Justice</li><li>Brad Neuenswander – Kansas Department of Education</li><li>Janis DeBoer – KDADS</li><li>Jerry Jones – Blue Cross Blue Shield of KC</li><li>Kate Watson – Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition</li><li>Michelle Ponce – Association of Community Mental Health Center</li><li>Rachelle Colombo – Kansas Medical Society</li>
 </ul>

🎥 Gov. launches COVID-19 vaccine equity taskforce 

HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City man on trial for two counts of first degree murder has testified that he didn't kill the two women but suggested that his dead half-brother did.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2e9fd844eed84ba1a2999295a675fe04">Kylr Yust</a>&nbsp;took the stand in his own defense Wednesday in connection to the deaths of 17-year-old Kara Kopetsky and 21-year-old Jessica Runions. Yust left a party with Runions before she disappeared in September 2016. Kopetsky had filed a protection order against Yust in April 2007, a month before she was last seen. The women’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a5ab3e00dba34407a798be48a5a012aa">remains were found&nbsp;</a>near each other in a wooded area in 2017.

Yust, 32, testified on Wednesday that he did not kill the women, and suggested that his half-brother, who died by suicide in 2018, was involved in their deaths.

“I didn’t do anything to either of them.” he said.

Yust testified that on May 4, 2007 — the day Kopetsky disappeared — he was at this grandfather’s house and at band practice. He said he believed that his half-brother, Jessep Carter, was going to take Kopetsky to a skate park.

Yust later learned people were searching for Kopetsky and allowed her worried aunt and uncle to look around his apartment to show that Kopetsky wasn’t there, he testified.

In 2018, Carter died by suicide while he was being held in the Jackson County jail on a charge of second-degree arson. Yust testified that he believed Carter, 32, killed himself because Yust pleaded not guilty in Kopetsky’s and Runions’ deaths.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Julie Tolle accused Yust of trying to create an alibi on the day of Kopetsky’s disappearance and said he knew “exactly where” Kopetsky was because he had strangled her to death. Yust denied the accusations.

Tolle also said that Yust had not accused Carter in the killings until Wednesday. He replied that he told his attorney, Molly Hastings, about it years ago and she was representing him for free because she believed him.

Yust defense attorney Sharon Turlington said the state's case lacks concrete proof or physical evidence.

“Somehow Kylr is supposed to have pulled off two murders without leaving a trace,” Turlington said, later saying there is no DNA linking Yust to either crime.

The case went to the jury Wednesday evening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1567616156500.png" alt="Yust-photo Cass County" />
 <figcaption>Yust-photo Cass County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City man on trial for two counts of first degree murder has testified that he didn't kill the two women but suggested that his dead half-brother did.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2e9fd844eed84ba1a2999295a675fe04">Kylr Yust</a>&nbsp;took the stand in his own defense Wednesday in connection to the deaths of 17-year-old Kara Kopetsky and 21-year-old Jessica Runions. Yust left a party with Runions before she disappeared in September 2016. Kopetsky had filed a protection order against Yust in April 2007, a month before she was last seen. The women’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a5ab3e00dba34407a798be48a5a012aa">remains were found&nbsp;</a>near each other in a wooded area in 2017.Yust, 32, testified on Wednesday that he did not kill the women, and suggested that his half-brother, who died by suicide in 2018, was involved in their deaths.“I didn’t do anything to either of them.” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576707396150.png" alt="Jessica Runions-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Jessica Runions-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>Yust testified that on May 4, 2007 — the day Kopetsky disappeared — he was at this grandfather’s house and at band practice. He said he believed that his half-brother, Jessep Carter, was going to take Kopetsky to a skate park.Yust later learned people were searching for Kopetsky and allowed her worried aunt and uncle to look around his apartment to show that Kopetsky wasn’t there, he testified.In 2018, Carter died by suicide while he was being held in the Jackson County jail on a charge of second-degree arson. Yust testified that he believed Carter, 32, killed himself because Yust pleaded not guilty in Kopetsky’s and Runions’ deaths.Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Julie Tolle accused Yust of trying to create an alibi on the day of Kopetsky’s disappearance and said he knew “exactly where” Kopetsky was because he had strangled her to death. Yust denied the accusations.Tolle also said that Yust had not accused Carter in the killings until Wednesday. He replied that he told his attorney, Molly Hastings, about it years ago and she was representing him for free because she believed him.Yust defense attorney Sharon Turlington said the state's case lacks concrete proof or physical evidence.“Somehow Kylr is supposed to have pulled off two murders without leaving a trace,” Turlington said, later saying there is no DNA linking Yust to either crime.The case went to the jury Wednesday evening.

Kansas City man testifies he didn't kill 2 women

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican-led state House on Wednesday advanced a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent.

Lawmakers in a voice vote gave the bill initial approval. It needs another full House vote to move to the Senate for consideration.

Federal law prevents states from moving to daylight saving time permanently, so the Missouri bill would only take effect if Congress changes federal law.

The change would only kick in for Missouri when three neighboring states also decide to permanently switch to daylight saving time. Arkansas and Tennessee are the only two states bordering Missouri to pass similar legislation so far.

In total, 15 states have adopted legislation or a resolution to stop the twice-a-year time shift, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/daylight-savings-time-state-legislation.aspx#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20had%20daylight%20saving,as%20the%20Uniform%20Time%20Act.&amp;text=Federal%20law%20allows%20a%20state,the%20permanent%20observance%20of%20DST." target="_blank">National Conference of State Legislatures</a>.

Bill sponsor Rep. Chris Sander, a Lone Jack Republican, humorously emphasized to lawmakers that the switch wouldn’t mean less daylight.

“A yes vote by any means will not change the number of minutes of daylight on any day,” he said.

Some skeptics questioned whether permanently adopting daylight saving time will mean school children have to wait for morning buses in the dark.

Similar measures for years have failed to pass Missouri’s Legislature.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican-led state House on Wednesday advanced a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent.Lawmakers in a voice vote gave the bill initial approval. It needs another full House vote to move to the Senate for consideration.Federal law prevents states from moving to daylight saving time permanently, so the Missouri bill would only take effect if Congress changes federal law.The change would only kick in for Missouri when three neighboring states also decide to permanently switch to daylight saving time. Arkansas and Tennessee are the only two states bordering Missouri to pass similar legislation so far.In total, 15 states have adopted legislation or a resolution to stop the twice-a-year time shift, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/daylight-savings-time-state-legislation.aspx#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20had%20daylight%20saving,as%20the%20Uniform%20Time%20Act.&amp;text=Federal%20law%20allows%20a%20state,the%20permanent%20observance%20of%20DST." target="_blank">National Conference of State Legislatures</a>.Bill sponsor Rep. Chris Sander, a Lone Jack Republican, humorously emphasized to lawmakers that the switch wouldn’t mean less daylight.“A yes vote by any means will not change the number of minutes of daylight on any day,” he said.Some skeptics questioned whether permanently adopting daylight saving time will mean school children have to wait for morning buses in the dark.Similar measures for years have failed to pass Missouri’s Legislature.

Missouri needs Kan. help to make daylight saving permanent

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire have made an arrest.

Just after 8:30a.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to the fire in a home at 229 SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the single story residence.&nbsp;Three occupants were able to escape prior to the fire departments arrival.

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be intentionally set.&nbsp; Authorities arrested 30-year old Austen Burris and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Aggravated Arson.

The estimated dollar loss – $1,000.00; all of which is associated with structural loss. Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618437420592.png" alt="Burris photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Burris photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire have made an arrest.Just after 8:30a.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to the fire in a home at 229 SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the single story residence.&nbsp;Three occupants were able to escape prior to the fire departments arrival.A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be intentionally set.&nbsp; Authorities arrested 30-year old Austen Burris and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Aggravated Arson.The estimated dollar loss – $1,000.00; all of which is associated with structural loss. Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin

Man accused of setting fire at Kansas home

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has crossed the threshold of vaccinating more than 1 million people as a third highly contagious variant is detected in the state.

That means 35% of the state’s 2.9 million residents have received at least one shot, according to state data released Wednesday.

The state hit the mark one day after the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced that a particularly contagious variant of COVID-19 that is sweeping through Brazil has been detected for the first time in Kansas. The agency said it is investigating how someone in Sedgwick County became infected with the P.1 variant and whether others may have been exposed.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-4617202b57a470bcdd83f446b969d096">Earlier this month, </a>the South African variant was identified for the first time in Kansas in someone from Finney County. Another variant first identified in the United Kingdom also has been found in several Kansas counties.

Lee Norman, secretary of health and environment, urged Kansans in a statement to wear masks, physically distance and get vaccinated. The number of COVID-19 cases rose by 601 from Monday to Wednesday to 305,320 and the number of deaths increased by 14 to 4,944.

Adrienne Byrne, Sedgwick County Health Director, said the identification of the Brazilian variant shows the importance of getting tested for the virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618481198163.png" alt="35% of the state’s 2.9 million residents have received at least one shot." />
 <figcaption>35% of the state’s 2.9 million residents have received at least one shot.</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has crossed the threshold of vaccinating more than 1 million people as a third highly contagious variant is detected in the state.That means 35% of the state’s 2.9 million residents have received at least one shot, according to state data released Wednesday.The state hit the mark one day after the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced that a particularly contagious variant of COVID-19 that is sweeping through Brazil has been detected for the first time in Kansas. The agency said it is investigating how someone in Sedgwick County became infected with the P.1 variant and whether others may have been exposed.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-4617202b57a470bcdd83f446b969d096">Earlier this month, </a>the South African variant was identified for the first time in Kansas in someone from Finney County. Another variant first identified in the United Kingdom also has been found in several Kansas counties.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618425843921.png" alt="Wednesday April 14, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday April 14, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Lee Norman, secretary of health and environment, urged Kansans in a statement to wear masks, physically distance and get vaccinated. The number of COVID-19 cases rose by 601 from Monday to Wednesday to 305,320 and the number of deaths increased by 14 to 4,944.Adrienne Byrne, Sedgwick County Health Director, said the identification of the Brazilian variant shows the importance of getting tested for the virus.

More than 1 million get at least 1 vaccine dose in Kansas

An economic relief program approved by Congress that has been popular with small business owners also can be used by farmers.

Congress has extended the deadline to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program to the end of May.

“It’s important for people to know that despite the name of it, you do not have to have employees in order to apply and farmers can apply,” according to Regional Director Rebecca Lobina with the Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center during an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline.

The Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, has been one of the most popular of the programs initiated by Congress in response to the recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Congress renewed PPP in the latest coronavirus relief and economic stimulus package it approved, extending the program to the end of May.

Lobina says while small business owners have accessed the program, farmers have been more hesitant to tap it.

Lobina recalls talking to a farmer about using the program.

“They were worried that they couldn’t because of some other concerns that they had,” Lobina says. “They were worried about, like, what if our credit is not good. It doesn’t matter. With the PPP, it doesn’t matter.”

Lobina points out PPP is based on gross receipts, not net. She says farmers should use the Schedule F filed with their 2019 income taxes, Line 9 for their gross income.

“So, it does not matter if you had employees. It does not matter how well or bad you did in 2020,” Lobina says. “All that matters is that there is a number on Line 9 that says you are operating, essentially, in 2019 and that’s it.”

Lobina says too many farmers believe they do not qualify for federal COVID-19 economic assistance. She says they qualify, even if they do not have employees.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn economic relief program approved by Congress that has been popular with small business owners also can be used by farmers.Congress has extended the deadline to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program to the end of May.“It’s important for people to know that despite the name of it, you do not have to have employees in order to apply and farmers can apply,” according to Regional Director Rebecca Lobina with the Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center during an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline.The Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, has been one of the most popular of the programs initiated by Congress in response to the recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Congress renewed PPP in the latest coronavirus relief and economic stimulus package it approved, extending the program to the end of May.Lobina says while small business owners have accessed the program, farmers have been more hesitant to tap it.Lobina recalls talking to a farmer about using the program.“They were worried that they couldn’t because of some other concerns that they had,” Lobina says. “They were worried about, like, what if our credit is not good. It doesn’t matter. With the PPP, it doesn’t matter.”Lobina points out PPP is based on gross receipts, not net. She says farmers should use the Schedule F filed with their 2019 income taxes, Line 9 for their gross income.“So, it does not matter if you had employees. It does not matter how well or bad you did in 2020,” Lobina says. “All that matters is that there is a number on Line 9 that says you are operating, essentially, in 2019 and that’s it.”Lobina says too many farmers believe they do not qualify for federal COVID-19 economic assistance. She says they qualify, even if they do not have employees.

Popular COVID relief program can help farmers as well as business owners

WASHINGTON
 — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are 
disbursing nearly 2 million payments in the fifth batch of Economic 
Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.

Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 159 million payments, with a total value of more than $376
 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.

The fifth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 9, with
 an official payment date of April 14, with some people receiving direct
 payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending deposits. 
Here is additional information on this batch of payments:

Additional information is available on the first four batches of
 Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.

A larger percentage of payments was made electronically during this 
round of payments than during previous rounds. This accelerated the 
delivery of payments to millions of American families whose payments 
would otherwise have been sent by mail. Over 95% of all Social Security 
beneficiaries have been paid electronically during this round of 
payments, compared to 70% in the first round and 72% in the second 
round.

The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.

Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return

Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.

For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.

People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.

Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.

Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are 
disbursing nearly 2 million payments in the fifth batch of Economic 
Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 159 million payments, with a total value of more than $376
 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.The fifth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 9, with
 an official payment date of April 14, with some people receiving direct
 payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending deposits. 
Here is additional information on this batch of payments:<ul>
 <li>In total, this batch includes nearly 2 million payments with a value of more than $3.4 billion.</li><li>More than 320,000 payments, with a total value of $450 million, 
went to Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries who receive Compensation and
 Pension (C&amp;P) benefit payments but who don't normally file a tax 
return and didn't use the Non-Filers tool last year.</li><li>Nearly 850,000 payments, with a total value of nearly $1.6 billion,
 went to eligible individuals for whom the IRS previously did not have 
information to issue an Economic Impact Payment but who recently filed a
 tax return.&nbsp;</li><li>This batch also includes additional ongoing supplemental payments 
for people who earlier this year received payments based on their 2019 
tax returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their 
recently processed 2020 tax returns. This batch included more than 
700,000&nbsp;of these "plus-up" payments, with a total value of more than 
$1.2 billion.</li><li>Another 72,000 payments went to Social Security beneficiaries who 
didn't file a 2020 or 2019 tax return and didn't use the Non-Filers tool
 last year.</li><li>Overall, this fifth batch of payments contains nearly 1.2 million 
direct deposit payments (with a total value of just under $2 billion) 
and nearly 800,000 paper check payments (with a total value of over $1.4
 billion).</li>
 </ul>Additional information is available on the first four batches of
 Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.A larger percentage of payments was made electronically during this 
round of payments than during previous rounds. This accelerated the 
delivery of payments to millions of American families whose payments 
would otherwise have been sent by mail. Over 95% of all Social Security 
beneficiaries have been paid electronically during this round of 
payments, compared to 70% in the first round and 72% in the second 
round.The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.<h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

IRS: Fifth batch of stimulus checks sent to Veterans Affairs beneficiaries

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri prosecutor said she'd work with local police in response to concerns raised by the House speaker about a resigning lawmaker's contact with a child.

Emails obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday show House Speaker Rob Vescovo and the House Ethics Committee leader last week went to the Jackson County prosecutor to share concerns about fellow Republican Rep. Rick Roeber.

After his November election last year, Roeber’s adult children told Vescovo that he sexually and physically abused them when they were young.

The House launched an investigation and on Tuesday House leaders said they found the allegations credible. Roeber announced his resignation plans Tuesday without mentioning the claims against him.

As part of the investigation, lawmakers found out that Roeber has weekend visitations with a child around 12 years old.

In response, Vescovo and Ethics Committee Chairman Travis Fitzwater on April 6 wrote to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker asking her to notify local law enforcement who can check on the child.

“Given the severity of the allegations raised by Representative Roeber's children, we are concerned for the safety of this minor child,” Vescovo and Fitzwater wrote.

Baker in response said she takes the allegations “very seriously." She wrote that she contacted the chief of police in Lee's Summit, where Roeber lives, and will “work with him to devise a plan.”

Baker's spokesman declined to comment further. Roeber did not immediately return an Associated Press request for comment Wednesday.

Roeber in his letter of resignation said he needs to move out of state to be closer to family, citing that as the reason for his departure from the Legislature. He said he plans to move after he marries his fiancé.

The House Ethics Committee is scheduled to release a full report on the investigation of Roeber next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608046618254.png" alt="Roeber announced his plans to resign Tuesday.&nbsp; He represents part of Jackson County, including much of Lee’s Summit in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2020. Prior to his legislative duties, Roeber served as a project manager for Sprint for 20 years, as well as a chaplain for KC Rescue Mission." />
 <figcaption>Roeber announced his plans to resign Tuesday.&nbsp; He represents part of Jackson County, including much of Lee’s Summit in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2020. Prior to his legislative duties, Roeber served as a project manager for Sprint for 20 years, as well as a chaplain for KC Rescue Mission.</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri prosecutor said she'd work with local police in response to concerns raised by the House speaker about a resigning lawmaker's contact with a child.Emails obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday show House Speaker Rob Vescovo and the House Ethics Committee leader last week went to the Jackson County prosecutor to share concerns about fellow Republican Rep. Rick Roeber.After his November election last year, Roeber’s adult children told Vescovo that he sexually and physically abused them when they were young.The House launched an investigation and on Tuesday House leaders said they found the allegations credible. Roeber announced his resignation plans Tuesday without mentioning the claims against him.As part of the investigation, lawmakers found out that Roeber has weekend visitations with a child around 12 years old.In response, Vescovo and Ethics Committee Chairman Travis Fitzwater on April 6 wrote to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker asking her to notify local law enforcement who can check on the child.“Given the severity of the allegations raised by Representative Roeber's children, we are concerned for the safety of this minor child,” Vescovo and Fitzwater wrote.Baker in response said she takes the allegations “very seriously." She wrote that she contacted the chief of police in Lee's Summit, where Roeber lives, and will “work with him to devise a plan.”Baker's spokesman declined to comment further. Roeber did not immediately return an Associated Press request for comment Wednesday.Roeber in his letter of resignation said he needs to move out of state to be closer to family, citing that as the reason for his departure from the Legislature. He said he plans to move after he marries his fiancé.The House Ethics Committee is scheduled to release a full report on the investigation of Roeber next week.

Prosecutor reviews abuse claims against KC-area lawmaker

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A former Kansas police chief accused of stalking and violating a protective order was convicted Wednesday morning in Reno County District Court.

In April of 2019, former Bushton Police Chief Brian Treaster was booked into Reno County Correctional Facility in connection with a stalking incident. In June of 2019 he was charged with battery of the same victim.

After a two-day trial, a jury deliberated just 90 minutes before finding Treaster guilty of felony stalking, felony criminal threat, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor violation of a PFA. His sentencing is set for June 4.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618437109663.jpeg" alt="Treaster photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Treaster photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A former Kansas police chief accused of stalking and violating a protective order was convicted Wednesday morning in Reno County District Court.In April of 2019, former Bushton Police Chief Brian Treaster was booked into Reno County Correctional Facility in connection with a stalking incident. In June of 2019 he was charged with battery of the same victim.After a two-day trial, a jury deliberated just 90 minutes before finding Treaster guilty of felony stalking, felony criminal threat, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor violation of a PFA. His sentencing is set for June 4.

Jury: Former Kan. police chief guilty of felony stalking

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Tucked away in the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C Headquarters building in Salina is a room that is a beehive of activity.

From that room, communications specialists with KHP's Troop M provide dispatch services for most of the state 24/7. The site in Salina dispatches for KHP for the entire state with the exception of the Turnpike and the state capitol.

"The police officers that are there, they have their own dispatch center as well, however at midnight and overnight, we take over operations for them," said Lieutenant Alex Taylor, who oversees the central communications operations for Troop M.

While much of their communications are over the radio, the dispatchers also field thousands of telephone calls from other law enforcement agencies and the public, including calls to the Kansas State Department of Education's school safety hotline.

With all of that, the communications specialists keep quite busy.

Since Jan. 1, the communications specialists have handled more than 4,317,000 radio transmissions and phone calls, Taylor noted. In 2020, they dealt with 309,103 incidents from across the state, he added.

Brian Walter, a public service administrator who has worked for the KHP for 19 years, reiterated that the communications specialists stay busy.

"Just on one day of this month (March 2021), for a 24-hour period, we averaged 980 phone calls," Walter said.

The Salina dispatch center employees 49 people, including seven supervisors. Taylor noted, however, that the dispatch center also has 13 open positions.

Some of the communications specialists have been with KHP for more than 20 years, while others have been with the dispatch center for only a few years.

"You know, it's not uncommon to have people who do this for a career and want to be here for 10 to 20 or longer years," Taylor said.

"The unique thing about KHP is that it is very much like a family here," Taylor added. "There is a lot of commitment here and a lot of unspoken things that keep people drawn to this, plus, you don't come into this profession without wanting to help people. And there is a purpose behind it, and I think people see that and they value that greatly."

Derek Lathan, a Communications Specialist II, said he came to the KHP because he was unhappy where he was and needed a different job.

"I kind of just ended up here and ran with it," he said.

That decision proved to be a good one, as Lathan has now been with the KHP for 22 years. When asked what he liked best about his job, he replied, "All of it."

"From the start it's always been intriguing to me. I like the camaraderie with the troopers and the one-on-ones with them. Running the traffic, the end-of-the-day result, especially if you've spent most of the day trying to hunt down information on a subject or incident," he said.

Lathan also said he enjoyed being a part of the finished process from start to finish.

"I hate it when a car chase starts at shift change and you lose out on it at shift change because it is time for you to go home," Lathan said and laughed.

"It's just great being on this side of law enforcement rather than being on the uniform side of it, and I did try that out also, but I just wasn't physically cut out for it. I got a little bit of an injury so I came back to dispatch and haven't looked back since," he said.

Lathan said that the most challenging part of his job has been learning the troop areas.

"I was born and raised here in Salina," Lathan explained. "We dispatch the entire state for the highway patrol from here. For me it was learning a lot of areas that I'd never been to or never frequented a lot."

Now that he's learned the areas, they seem familiar to him when he does happen to travel there, he said.

For Nikki Miles, the path to a career as a KHP communications specialist, began with a suggestion from a former supervisor.

"Actually, I had never heard of the highway patrol. I was working at Raytheon Aircraft in the administrative office and my supervisor used to be a dispatcher. Our department was getting laid off and she said 'I think you'd be really good at dispatching.' And I'm like, 'really? What does a dispatcher do?'" Miles said and laughed.

The woman explained to Miles about dispatching, but Miles said that initially, she was reluctant to pursue a dispatching job because it sounded stressful and she saw herself as being soft-spoken. But the idea stuck in her head, and when she saw an ad for a dispatcher opening with KHP, she applied. That was nearly 20 years ago and she is now a Communications Specialist II!

Over the years, Miles, like other dispatchers, has had a chance to meet some of the troopers with whom she communicates over the radio or by telephone. She said the troopers never look like she imagines they do while she is talking with them over the radio, but their voices are the same.

"I think it was the first time I ever met a trooper, they had come in and they were standing behind me, and I could tell by just them talking," who they were, Miles said.

Dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol is both challenging and rewarding, Miles said. While some days are stressful, others are not; and for those stressful days, there is support and the dispatcher team in place to help.

"We seem to be a pretty good group. Like if we have a critical incident or something major is going on, the teamwork is there and that's comforting to know that you've got people behind your back helping you out," Miles said. "The teamwork is just awesome."

Megan Rogers, a Communications Specialist I, who has been with KHP for a little over a year, said she had always wanted to be a dispatcher.

"I love that we help people. They call in and we can get them the help that they need as fast as we can," Rogers said. "We can help them with day-to-day road conditions, weather conditions, that sort of thing, and also in their worst moments when they're in an accident or someone's hurt, we can get them help."

And while the job isn't what Rogers thought it would be, she wouldn't trade it.

"It's not what I thought, honestly, but it's way better," Rogers said. "I love my job. I love what I do. I love the environment. I love everybody that I work with. I think it's awesome!"

Rogers said that she considered dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol a career choice, not just another job.

Like Rogers, the ability to help is important to Maggie Studt, a Communications Specialist who has been with the KHP for six and a half years.

"I kind of wanted to help keep the roads or Kansas a little bit safer and I knew I couldn't be a trooper, so this was a way that I could do that," Studt said. "I thought it was kind of interesting, something different that was out of my box. I had always done office work and I wanted to try something different."

While Taylor and a number of the communications specialists reiterated that no two days are the same, there are some steps that are taken daily, Taylor explained.

The communications specialists work on three shifts: daytime, evening, and midnight. The calls and incidents, however don't take a break for the shift changes, so it is imperative that communications specialists beginning their shift communicate with those going off-shift, Taylor said.

"The incoming dispatcher first meets with the dispatcher he/she is relieving to find out whether there are any calls that are ongoing," he said.

Likewise, as troopers go on and off duty, they are required to call in and check out with dispatch, Taylor added.

Once the incoming dispatchers are up-to-speed on current activity, they log into all of the various criminal justice information systems that they will need during their shifts, as well as the system they use to keep track of every call and the events that occur during it.

"From there, they have a phone line that is constantly getting calls, not only from troopers, but also from citizens across the state for their needs," Taylor said. "It's a dispatcher's job to determine exactly what those needs are and then relay them to the appropriate people. Throughout all this time, they're also receiving traffic calls or calls of accidents from other counties and other agencies, and they're multitasking and managing the processes of where do these calls need to go? How do they need to be routed? Which ones are of highest priority and urgency? Obviously looking at human life as the No. 1 priority and the goal is to preserve that."

Dispatching isn't for everyone. Likewise, everyone isn't qualified to be a dispatcher.

For those who are interested in dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol, there are a number of steps to complete, according to Nicole Ascher, a staff development specialist with Troop M.

"It takes a couple of months just to get through all the steps and make sure everything is clear in the background," Taylor added.

1. Employment application submitted. Those applications can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://kansashighwaypatrol.org/">kansashighwaypatrol.org</a>.

9. Background investigation (process typically takes four-six weeks to complete)

10. Psychological exam and interview (process typically takes one-two weeks to complete)

12. Newly hired communications specialists undergo at least one week of classroom training and at least eight-12 weeks of on-the-job training to become proficient dispatchers.

Once someone is hired as a communications specialist, he or she is assigned a "home troop."

"This is assigned to you partly by what's needed. It's also based off of your skill set and what's demonstrated through your basic class," Taylor explained. "We evaluate you during that time. If you're having a harder time, we may put you on a troop that's a little more forgiving or has a little bit less activity. Whereas, if you come in with some experience, maybe you've been a dispatcher before for another agency and you come in, we may put you on a busier troop."

Taylor said there are tests involved to make sure a communications specialist knows "who the troopers are who are working that area, the roads that are in those areas, the chain of command that is in those areas, and so forth. Once you complete it, then you're given some time on that troop."

"From here, there's seven different troops that are dispatched all from this location, and so there's seven different locations you could learn to work. You don't ever take a troop unless you've learned that area," he said.

Ideally, there are two dispatchers per troop working at the same time, however, other dispatchers who are proficient in multiple troop areas can also help out when needed, Taylor said.

"The nice thing about centralized dispatch like we are is the fact that if there is only one person on a troop, another person from another troop can help out. If there's a major incident, everybody works as a team. Everybody pitches in because there are so many steps that happen, like for a pursuit or for a fatality accident or an injury accident. There are so many calls that need to be made, so many messages that need to be sent. There's a lot of help down there," Taylor said.

"It's a good profession," Taylor added. "It's got good ethics and morals behind it. And it's a service-oriented position. For those people that really want to be a part of something bigger than just themselves, this is a good place to work."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618432306934.jpeg" alt="The Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch center is arranged with groupings of workstation pods. Each grouping of pods is assigned a certain area of the state, and from that, individual dispatchers are assigned particular KHP troops." />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch center is arranged with groupings of workstation pods. Each grouping of pods is assigned a certain area of the state, and from that, individual dispatchers are assigned particular KHP troops.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostTucked away in the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C Headquarters building in Salina is a room that is a beehive of activity.From that room, communications specialists with KHP's Troop M provide dispatch services for most of the state 24/7. The site in Salina dispatches for KHP for the entire state with the exception of the Turnpike and the state capitol."The police officers that are there, they have their own dispatch center as well, however at midnight and overnight, we take over operations for them," said Lieutenant Alex Taylor, who oversees the central communications operations for Troop M.While much of their communications are over the radio, the dispatchers also field thousands of telephone calls from other law enforcement agencies and the public, including calls to the Kansas State Department of Education's school safety hotline.With all of that, the communications specialists keep quite busy.Since Jan. 1, the communications specialists have handled more than 4,317,000 radio transmissions and phone calls, Taylor noted. In 2020, they dealt with 309,103 incidents from across the state, he added.Brian Walter, a public service administrator who has worked for the KHP for 19 years, reiterated that the communications specialists stay busy."Just on one day of this month (March 2021), for a 24-hour period, we averaged 980 phone calls," Walter said.The Salina dispatch center employees 49 people, including seven supervisors. Taylor noted, however, that the dispatch center also has 13 open positions.<h2>From a few years to many</h2>Some of the communications specialists have been with KHP for more than 20 years, while others have been with the dispatch center for only a few years."You know, it's not uncommon to have people who do this for a career and want to be here for 10 to 20 or longer years," Taylor said."The unique thing about KHP is that it is very much like a family here," Taylor added. "There is a lot of commitment here and a lot of unspoken things that keep people drawn to this, plus, you don't come into this profession without wanting to help people. And there is a purpose behind it, and I think people see that and they value that greatly."Derek Lathan, a Communications Specialist II, said he came to the KHP because he was unhappy where he was and needed a different job."I kind of just ended up here and ran with it," he said.That decision proved to be a good one, as Lathan has now been with the KHP for 22 years. When asked what he liked best about his job, he replied, "All of it.""From the start it's always been intriguing to me. I like the camaraderie with the troopers and the one-on-ones with them. Running the traffic, the end-of-the-day result, especially if you've spent most of the day trying to hunt down information on a subject or incident," he said.Lathan also said he enjoyed being a part of the finished process from start to finish."I hate it when a car chase starts at shift change and you lose out on it at shift change because it is time for you to go home," Lathan said and laughed."It's just great being on this side of law enforcement rather than being on the uniform side of it, and I did try that out also, but I just wasn't physically cut out for it. I got a little bit of an injury so I came back to dispatch and haven't looked back since," he said.Lathan said that the most challenging part of his job has been learning the troop areas."I was born and raised here in Salina," Lathan explained. "We dispatch the entire state for the highway patrol from here. For me it was learning a lot of areas that I'd never been to or never frequented a lot."Now that he's learned the areas, they seem familiar to him when he does happen to travel there, he said.For Nikki Miles, the path to a career as a KHP communications specialist, began with a suggestion from a former supervisor."Actually, I had never heard of the highway patrol. I was working at Raytheon Aircraft in the administrative office and my supervisor used to be a dispatcher. Our department was getting laid off and she said 'I think you'd be really good at dispatching.' And I'm like, 'really? What does a dispatcher do?'" Miles said and laughed.The woman explained to Miles about dispatching, but Miles said that initially, she was reluctant to pursue a dispatching job because it sounded stressful and she saw herself as being soft-spoken. But the idea stuck in her head, and when she saw an ad for a dispatcher opening with KHP, she applied. That was nearly 20 years ago and she is now a Communications Specialist II!Over the years, Miles, like other dispatchers, has had a chance to meet some of the troopers with whom she communicates over the radio or by telephone. She said the troopers never look like she imagines they do while she is talking with them over the radio, but their voices are the same."I think it was the first time I ever met a trooper, they had come in and they were standing behind me, and I could tell by just them talking," who they were, Miles said.Dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol is both challenging and rewarding, Miles said. While some days are stressful, others are not; and for those stressful days, there is support and the dispatcher team in place to help."We seem to be a pretty good group. Like if we have a critical incident or something major is going on, the teamwork is there and that's comforting to know that you've got people behind your back helping you out," Miles said. "The teamwork is just awesome."<h2>A love for the job and for helping</h2>Megan Rogers, a Communications Specialist I, who has been with KHP for a little over a year, said she had always wanted to be a dispatcher."I love that we help people. They call in and we can get them the help that they need as fast as we can," Rogers said. "We can help them with day-to-day road conditions, weather conditions, that sort of thing, and also in their worst moments when they're in an accident or someone's hurt, we can get them help."And while the job isn't what Rogers thought it would be, she wouldn't trade it."It's not what I thought, honestly, but it's way better," Rogers said. "I love my job. I love what I do. I love the environment. I love everybody that I work with. I think it's awesome!"Rogers said that she considered dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol a career choice, not just another job.Like Rogers, the ability to help is important to Maggie Studt, a Communications Specialist who has been with the KHP for six and a half years."I kind of wanted to help keep the roads or Kansas a little bit safer and I knew I couldn't be a trooper, so this was a way that I could do that," Studt said. "I thought it was kind of interesting, something different that was out of my box. I had always done office work and I wanted to try something different."<h2>No typical day</h2>While Taylor and a number of the communications specialists reiterated that no two days are the same, there are some steps that are taken daily, Taylor explained.The communications specialists work on three shifts: daytime, evening, and midnight. The calls and incidents, however don't take a break for the shift changes, so it is imperative that communications specialists beginning their shift communicate with those going off-shift, Taylor said."The incoming dispatcher first meets with the dispatcher he/she is relieving to find out whether there are any calls that are ongoing," he said.Likewise, as troopers go on and off duty, they are required to call in and check out with dispatch, Taylor added.Once the incoming dispatchers are up-to-speed on current activity, they log into all of the various criminal justice information systems that they will need during their shifts, as well as the system they use to keep track of every call and the events that occur during it."From there, they have a phone line that is constantly getting calls, not only from troopers, but also from citizens across the state for their needs," Taylor said. "It's a dispatcher's job to determine exactly what those needs are and then relay them to the appropriate people. Throughout all this time, they're also receiving traffic calls or calls of accidents from other counties and other agencies, and they're multitasking and managing the processes of where do these calls need to go? How do they need to be routed? Which ones are of highest priority and urgency? Obviously looking at human life as the No. 1 priority and the goal is to preserve that."<h2>Becoming a KHP communications specialist</h2>Dispatching isn't for everyone. Likewise, everyone isn't qualified to be a dispatcher.For those who are interested in dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol, there are a number of steps to complete, according to Nicole Ascher, a staff development specialist with Troop M."It takes a couple of months just to get through all the steps and make sure everything is clear in the background," Taylor added.Those steps are as follows.1. Employment application submitted. Those applications can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://kansashighwaypatrol.org/">kansashighwaypatrol.org</a>.2. Typing test3. Panel interview4. Conditional offer of employment5. Vision test6. Hearing exam7. Physical requirements review8. Fingerprints9. Background investigation (process typically takes four-six weeks to complete)10. Psychological exam and interview (process typically takes one-two weeks to complete)11. Final offer of employment12. Newly hired communications specialists undergo at least one week of classroom training and at least eight-12 weeks of on-the-job training to become proficient dispatchers.<h2>Area assignments</h2>Once someone is hired as a communications specialist, he or she is assigned a "home troop.""This is assigned to you partly by what's needed. It's also based off of your skill set and what's demonstrated through your basic class," Taylor explained. "We evaluate you during that time. If you're having a harder time, we may put you on a troop that's a little more forgiving or has a little bit less activity. Whereas, if you come in with some experience, maybe you've been a dispatcher before for another agency and you come in, we may put you on a busier troop."Taylor said there are tests involved to make sure a communications specialist knows "who the troopers are who are working that area, the roads that are in those areas, the chain of command that is in those areas, and so forth. Once you complete it, then you're given some time on that troop.""From here, there's seven different troops that are dispatched all from this location, and so there's seven different locations you could learn to work. You don't ever take a troop unless you've learned that area," he said.Ideally, there are two dispatchers per troop working at the same time, however, other dispatchers who are proficient in multiple troop areas can also help out when needed, Taylor said."The nice thing about centralized dispatch like we are is the fact that if there is only one person on a troop, another person from another troop can help out. If there's a major incident, everybody works as a team. Everybody pitches in because there are so many steps that happen, like for a pursuit or for a fatality accident or an injury accident. There are so many calls that need to be made, so many messages that need to be sent. There's a lot of help down there," Taylor said."It's a good profession," Taylor added. "It's got good ethics and morals behind it. And it's a service-oriented position. For those people that really want to be a part of something bigger than just themselves, this is a good place to work."

KHP dispatchers: Working across Kansas from one location

Washington, D.C.—&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall delivered what is called his "maiden" speech in the U.S. Senate Wednesday.&nbsp; This was Marshall's first time speaking on the floor since the debate in January on Arizona's electors.&nbsp;

Marshall’s speech highlighted his upbringing and the Kansas values that will help lay the foundation for his priorities as a U.S. Senator.

Excerpts of Senator Marshall’s Remarks:

<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=80" target="_blank">On the values that shaped Senator Marshall and that are laying the foundation for his priorities as a U.S. Senator</a>:

These VALUES provided the foundation for me – a fifth generation farm kid – to become a first generation college student, and live my American dream as a physician in rural America. And these VALUES have become pillars, the sturdiest of which in my life are faith, family, community, education and hard work: A FAITH that you live in your heart, not wear on your shirt sleeve; A FAMILY that loves and stands beside you no matter what; A COMMUNITY where everyone looks out for each other; An EDUCATION that is the great equalizer leveling the playing field for all. And finally, a belief in HARD WORK that paves the way to achieve your American dream.

<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=127" target="_blank">On Senator Marshall’s priorities</a>:

As I traveled Kansas this past year, I carried these pillars with me while I heard from people all over the state as they gave me three very clear priorities: 1) To provide for their safety, health, and security; 2) To bring our jobs and economy back; and 3) To protect our VALUES and our God-given, inalienable rights. And I’m here in this Senate to do just that. To fight for the people of Kansas, for all Americans, but more than anyone else, I’m here to fight for our children and grandchildren. Like another Kansan, the 34th President of the United States, Dwight David Eisenhower, the decisions I make will be most guided by the impact they will have upon future generations

<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=183" target="_blank">On providing for the safety, health, and security of Kansans</a>:

The motto of the First Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, the BIG RED 1 – housed in the heart of Kansas – is “No Mission Too Difficult. No Sacrifice Too Great. Duty First!” It is with this fighting attitude I intend to: Fully fund our military; secure our borders; as the son and brother of veterans, and a veteran myself, honor our commitment to those who protected our freedoms and values; and, as the son of a police chief, fully support our law enforcement.

<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=244" target="_blank">On bringing our jobs and economy back</a>:

Pre-COVID, we had the strongest economy of my lifetime thanks to Republican led policies put into place over the last four years. Lower taxes and deregulation resulted in historically low unemployment rates, as well as American energy independence and affordable energy costs. But here’s what concerns me today: like my grandma often told me at the supper table, there are three things you can count on from the current majority party: 1) They will spend a lot of your money, 2) They will raise your taxes, 3) They will increase regulations.

Just like my grandma warned, within the first three months of this new administration, we’ve seen an onslaught of harmful red tape, proposed tax increases, and an unprecedented spending spree. Fighting government red tape and working to ensure Kansans keep more of their hard-earned money as a means to harness job growth and help our economy recover, will be what I work for each day.

<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=311" target="_blank">On protecting Kansas values and our God-given, inalienable rights</a>:

Lastly, and I think most importantly, as this is what keeps me up at night, I was sent here to protect the Kansas VALUES I was raised on. These VALUES are still held by the majority of Americans and many of us are tired of being canceled, censured, and lectured to… I believe our country will not fall from another military giant, nor will it succumb to economic failure created from foreign lands. Our greater risk of failure comes from falling under our own weight if we continue to ignore the self-evident VALUES our forefathers taught us… I want to share how important and personal the sanctity of life is to me. I had the honor as an OBGYN to deliver over 5,000 babies, and I will work as hard in this Chamber to protect the lives of the unborn and our children as I did in the delivery room all those years. I will always LEAD on this issue, and protect our VALUES… And as long as we pass on our American VALUES that have seen this nation through so many dark nights, we will succeed through current and future trials and conflicts.

<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=468" target="_blank">On leadership and the filibuster</a>:

Three months into the 117th Congress, it appears the power grab General Washington declined is now the majority party’s primary modus operandi. We’ve seen: a record number of executive orders, the first partisan COVID relief bill, steps to grant D.C. statehood to tip the scales of power, an attempt to federalize elections and destroy election integrity with H.R.1, and now a commission to study expanding the Supreme Court. Like Dorothy watching the grains of sand dropping through the hourglass, additional partisan priorities remain on standby while the timing of dropping the ultimate power grab – the elimination of the filibuster – is carefully weighed.

The filibuster is meant to force both parties to work together to come up with long-lasting policies which help all Americans. Without it, we will see tax laws and many other important policies go up and down like a roller coaster, creating uncertainty and making it impossible for long term business planning.

We are witnessing what may be the most blatantly hypocritical policy switch we’ve ever seen, as most all senators – and the president – have been on record previously in support of the filibuster. This flip -flop appears to be all in the name of greed and power.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618413718530.png" alt="Senator Roger Marshall acknowledged Jerry Moran, now the Senior Senator from Kansas, and mentioned Pat Roberts and Bob Dole during&nbsp; the opening of his speech on Wednesday morning." />
 <figcaption>Senator Roger Marshall acknowledged Jerry Moran, now the Senior Senator from Kansas, and mentioned Pat Roberts and Bob Dole during&nbsp; the opening of his speech on Wednesday morning.</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C.—&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall delivered what is called his "maiden" speech in the U.S. Senate Wednesday.&nbsp; This was Marshall's first time speaking on the floor since the debate in January on Arizona's electors.&nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n4Ddkx2Cbf0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Marshall’s speech highlighted his upbringing and the Kansas values that will help lay the foundation for his priorities as a U.S. Senator.Excerpts of Senator Marshall’s Remarks:<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=80" target="_blank">On the values that shaped Senator Marshall and that are laying the foundation for his priorities as a U.S. Senator</a>:These VALUES provided the foundation for me – a fifth generation farm kid – to become a first generation college student, and live my American dream as a physician in rural America. And these VALUES have become pillars, the sturdiest of which in my life are faith, family, community, education and hard work: A FAITH that you live in your heart, not wear on your shirt sleeve; A FAMILY that loves and stands beside you no matter what; A COMMUNITY where everyone looks out for each other; An EDUCATION that is the great equalizer leveling the playing field for all. And finally, a belief in HARD WORK that paves the way to achieve your American dream.***<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=127" target="_blank">On Senator Marshall’s priorities</a>:As I traveled Kansas this past year, I carried these pillars with me while I heard from people all over the state as they gave me three very clear priorities: 1) To provide for their safety, health, and security; 2) To bring our jobs and economy back; and 3) To protect our VALUES and our God-given, inalienable rights. And I’m here in this Senate to do just that. To fight for the people of Kansas, for all Americans, but more than anyone else, I’m here to fight for our children and grandchildren. Like another Kansan, the 34th President of the United States, Dwight David Eisenhower, the decisions I make will be most guided by the impact they will have upon future generations***<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=183" target="_blank">On providing for the safety, health, and security of Kansans</a>:The motto of the First Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, the BIG RED 1 – housed in the heart of Kansas – is “No Mission Too Difficult. No Sacrifice Too Great. Duty First!” It is with this fighting attitude I intend to: Fully fund our military; secure our borders; as the son and brother of veterans, and a veteran myself, honor our commitment to those who protected our freedoms and values; and, as the son of a police chief, fully support our law enforcement.<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=244" target="_blank">On bringing our jobs and economy back</a>:Pre-COVID, we had the strongest economy of my lifetime thanks to Republican led policies put into place over the last four years. Lower taxes and deregulation resulted in historically low unemployment rates, as well as American energy independence and affordable energy costs. But here’s what concerns me today: like my grandma often told me at the supper table, there are three things you can count on from the current majority party: 1) They will spend a lot of your money, 2) They will raise your taxes, 3) They will increase regulations.Just like my grandma warned, within the first three months of this new administration, we’ve seen an onslaught of harmful red tape, proposed tax increases, and an unprecedented spending spree. Fighting government red tape and working to ensure Kansans keep more of their hard-earned money as a means to harness job growth and help our economy recover, will be what I work for each day.***<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=311" target="_blank">On protecting Kansas values and our God-given, inalienable rights</a>:Lastly, and I think most importantly, as this is what keeps me up at night, I was sent here to protect the Kansas VALUES I was raised on. These VALUES are still held by the majority of Americans and many of us are tired of being canceled, censured, and lectured to… I believe our country will not fall from another military giant, nor will it succumb to economic failure created from foreign lands. Our greater risk of failure comes from falling under our own weight if we continue to ignore the self-evident VALUES our forefathers taught us… I want to share how important and personal the sanctity of life is to me. I had the honor as an OBGYN to deliver over 5,000 babies, and I will work as hard in this Chamber to protect the lives of the unborn and our children as I did in the delivery room all those years. I will always LEAD on this issue, and protect our VALUES… And as long as we pass on our American VALUES that have seen this nation through so many dark nights, we will succeed through current and future trials and conflicts.***<a href="https://youtu.be/n4Ddkx2Cbf0?t=468" target="_blank">On leadership and the filibuster</a>:Three months into the 117th Congress, it appears the power grab General Washington declined is now the majority party’s primary modus operandi. We’ve seen: a record number of executive orders, the first partisan COVID relief bill, steps to grant D.C. statehood to tip the scales of power, an attempt to federalize elections and destroy election integrity with H.R.1, and now a commission to study expanding the Supreme Court. Like Dorothy watching the grains of sand dropping through the hourglass, additional partisan priorities remain on standby while the timing of dropping the ultimate power grab – the elimination of the filibuster – is carefully weighed.The filibuster is meant to force both parties to work together to come up with long-lasting policies which help all Americans. Without it, we will see tax laws and many other important policies go up and down like a roller coaster, creating uncertainty and making it impossible for long term business planning.We are witnessing what may be the most blatantly hypocritical policy switch we’ve ever seen, as most all senators – and the president – have been on record previously in support of the filibuster. This flip -flop appears to be all in the name of greed and power.

🎥 Roger Marshall outlines policy goals in first Senate speech

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Sedgwick County sherif's deputy for alleged domestic violence.

On Tuesday, police arrested 31-year-old Tyler Brooks on requested charges of Aggravated Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Domestic Violence Criminal Damage to Property, according to a Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp; He was booked into jail just before 2:30a.m. Wednesday, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

The requested charges stem from an incident involving an intimate partner of the deputy with whom he shares a residence.

&nbsp;Deputy Brooks has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for 8 years.

In addition to the criminal case, the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an investigation.

Following the arrest, Deputy Brooks was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation, according to Blick. His initial bond was $25,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618420882448.png" alt="Brooks photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Brooks photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Sedgwick County sherif's deputy for alleged domestic violence.On Tuesday, police arrested 31-year-old Tyler Brooks on requested charges of Aggravated Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Domestic Violence Criminal Damage to Property, according to a Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp; He was booked into jail just before 2:30a.m. Wednesday, according to online jail records.&nbsp;The requested charges stem from an incident involving an intimate partner of the deputy with whom he shares a residence.&nbsp;Deputy Brooks has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for 8 years.In addition to the criminal case, the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an investigation.Following the arrest, Deputy Brooks was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation, according to Blick. His initial bond was $25,000.

Kansas sheriff's deputy jailed for alleged domestic battery

By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

Savannah will still be called the Savages, but the school's mascot imagery will be changing, starting next school year.

The
 Savannah Board of Education voted 4-3 Tuesday night to retain the 
"Savage" nickname, but phase out the Native American imagery and 
symbolism associated with the mascot.

The board also motioned to 
expand curriculum and expand its relationship with the Andrew County 
Museum and Historical Society to educate students on the history of the 
mascot, and to honor that history as well.

It's a decision that qualms a 10-month long debate amongst the board and community.

"This
 has been a long work-in-progress," outgoing school board president 
Stancy Bond said. "It's something the board has really very diligently 
tried to be thorough in our evaluation. We received a lot of criticism 
for taking so long. But in the end, I think it proved that we did our 
homework, we read through all public comment, we listened to everyone's 
concern and we made a decision. That's ultimately what we're here for - 
to make decisions for our district."

Board member Dyann Duncan motioned to put the mascot issue before voters on the August ballot - a motion that Bond opposed.

"We
 were elected to make decisions and I think we are fully capable and 
educated," Bond said. "And I don't think that we should put this on the 
ballot."

Duncan's motion failed narrowly, 4-3. Bond, 
vice-president Rebecca Bledsoe, Linda Kozminski and newly elected 
president Joseph Barbosa voted against putting the issue on the August 
ballot.

Barbosa then suggested keeping the name "Savage," but 
removing the Native American imagery from uniforms, playing surfaces and
 other places on the school's campus.

"This debate has gone on for
 the last 10 months," Barbosa said. "Not only in our community, but 
abroad and I think we need to move toward some sort of resolution."

Barbosa
 simply offered the idea up for discussion. Bond made it into a motion, 
while adding the amendment to, "expand the curriculum of course 
offerings to include Native American history, culture, genealogy and 
current events and instruct the administration to develop a relationship
 with Native American groups for educational opportunities" starting in 
the 2022-23 school year.

The amendment also instructed 
administration to "expand the district relationship with the Andrew 
County Museum and Historical Society and Savannah Alumni Association 
Foundation to preserve and maintain school artifacts and history 
including Savage memorabilia.

Barbosa notes this amendment was key in Tuesday's decision.

"The
 one thing I kept hearing from constituents," Barbosa said, "they felt 
that this was an attack on their identity. I did not want that to be the
 case. This is a moment where we preserve who we are and preserve our 
history. This preserves a big piece of our town."

A mascot 
committee was formed last July to do research on the history of the 
mascot and to explore alternatives to the current name and imagery.

That committee voted 4-4 last month on a mascot change, ultimately leaving the decision up to the board.

"I'm ready to be done," said Bond. "I think most of the community was ready for us to make a decision and move forward."

There
 was no public comment at Tuesday's meeting, but 348 comments from 
community members were submitted to the board beforehand.

"Five of
 those were 'no change' comments," Bond revealed. "So, that means that 
340 plus were for change, and I think that was expressed through those 
comments."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618430526482.png" alt="The Savannah school board meets in the high school gym Tuesday to discuss the changes to the Savannah Savages mascot and imagery./ Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>The Savannah school board meets in the high school gym Tuesday to discuss the changes to the Savannah Savages mascot and imagery./ Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>Savannah will still be called the Savages, but the school's mascot imagery will be changing, starting next school year.The
 Savannah Board of Education voted 4-3 Tuesday night to retain the 
"Savage" nickname, but phase out the Native American imagery and 
symbolism associated with the mascot.The board also motioned to 
expand curriculum and expand its relationship with the Andrew County 
Museum and Historical Society to educate students on the history of the 
mascot, and to honor that history as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618430580582.png" alt="Replacing all of the Native American imagery within the Savannah school district could take years, according to newly elected board president Joseph Barbosa. /Photo by Tommy Rezac" />
 <figcaption>Replacing all of the Native American imagery within the Savannah school district could take years, according to newly elected board president Joseph Barbosa. /Photo by Tommy Rezac</figcaption>
 </figure>It's a decision that qualms a 10-month long debate amongst the board and community."This
 has been a long work-in-progress," outgoing school board president 
Stancy Bond said. "It's something the board has really very diligently 
tried to be thorough in our evaluation. We received a lot of criticism 
for taking so long. But in the end, I think it proved that we did our 
homework, we read through all public comment, we listened to everyone's 
concern and we made a decision. That's ultimately what we're here for - 
to make decisions for our district."Board member Dyann Duncan motioned to put the mascot issue before voters on the August ballot - a motion that Bond opposed."We
 were elected to make decisions and I think we are fully capable and 
educated," Bond said. "And I don't think that we should put this on the 
ballot."Duncan's motion failed narrowly, 4-3. Bond, 
vice-president Rebecca Bledsoe, Linda Kozminski and newly elected 
president Joseph Barbosa voted against putting the issue on the August 
ballot.Barbosa then suggested keeping the name "Savage," but 
removing the Native American imagery from uniforms, playing surfaces and
 other places on the school's campus."This debate has gone on for
 the last 10 months," Barbosa said. "Not only in our community, but 
abroad and I think we need to move toward some sort of resolution."Barbosa
 simply offered the idea up for discussion. Bond made it into a motion, 
while adding the amendment to, "expand the curriculum of course 
offerings to include Native American history, culture, genealogy and 
current events and instruct the administration to develop a relationship
 with Native American groups for educational opportunities" starting in 
the 2022-23 school year.The amendment also instructed 
administration to "expand the district relationship with the Andrew 
County Museum and Historical Society and Savannah Alumni Association 
Foundation to preserve and maintain school artifacts and history 
including Savage memorabilia.Barbosa notes this amendment was key in Tuesday's decision."The
 one thing I kept hearing from constituents," Barbosa said, "they felt 
that this was an attack on their identity. I did not want that to be the
 case. This is a moment where we preserve who we are and preserve our 
history. This preserves a big piece of our town."A mascot 
committee was formed last July to do research on the history of the 
mascot and to explore alternatives to the current name and imagery.That committee voted 4-4 last month on a mascot change, ultimately leaving the decision up to the board."I'm ready to be done," said Bond. "I think most of the community was ready for us to make a decision and move forward."There
 was no public comment at Tuesday's meeting, but 348 comments from 
community members were submitted to the board beforehand."Five of
 those were 'no change' comments," Bond revealed. "So, that means that 
340 plus were for change, and I think that was expressed through those 
comments."Bond, Barbosa, Bledsoe and Kozminski voted in favor of 
the mascot image change. Duncan, along with board members Jamin Sybert 
and Than Wagers, voted against.It's been a divisive issue since 
the beginning, but Bond is relieved to see her time as school board 
president end with such an impactful decision."It's not really 
been a fun discussion," she admitted. "Both sides are very passionate 
about their opinion and both sides make great points, but ultimately, we
 made a great compromise and that's what it's all about."The 
discussion does not end with Tuesday's vote. The estimated cost of 
phasing out all of the Native American imagery on Savannah's campus and 
uniforms could be in the neighborhood of $500,000.Bond made it clear that not a cent of that expense would come from the school district's budget."As
 we do routine maintenance, that's when we'll look at images and what 
needs to be replaced and how we go forward," Bond said. "At a decent 
pace, but fiscally responsible. So, we won't use any district money to 
replace the gym floor. We just had it replaced two years ago."There's
 a lot of work ahead for Barbosa, as he takes over as the board's new 
president. But as a lifelong area resident, Barbosa is excited to move 
forward and fully resolve the matter."It is somewhat resolved, 
but with anything in our system and anything in America, there's going 
to debate and there's going to be discussion," he said. "But, I am 
looking forward to focusing on what's best for our students."The 
next big question is - what will the new mascot imagery be? That won't 
be answered overnight, but Bond hopes that the Savannah student body has
 a big say in the decision."While this is a community issue, the 
mascot belongs to our students," she said. "So, we'd like our student 
input to be the strongest voice in that conversation."