By DAVE SKRETTA Associated Press

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Jerome Tang was tearing around his property on
 an unseasonably warm spring day not long ago, just before Kansas State 
headed down Interstate 70 for the Big 12 Tournament, when he noticed his
 four-wheeler was running out of fuel.

So, the Wildcats' coach did
 what anyone would do in a small town: He steered that bad boy onto the 
road, conveniently forgetting that it wasn't exactly street legal, and 
headed off for the service station.

“So I'm zooming down and the 
college kids are outside. They're hollering at you, happy to see you. I 
mean, how great is that?" Tang recalled. “My wife was upset. She's like,
 'You're going to get arrested. It's going to be on the news!'”

Tang glances around furtively, his ever-present smile growing just a bit wider.

“I can't, like, get in trouble for something that already happened, right?”

Not these days. Not in Manhattan, Kansas.

One
 year after taking over a downtrodden program coming off three straight 
losing seasons, Tang and his upstart Wildcats are preparing to play 
Michigan State in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. They've <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kentucky-kansas-state-e0f322d3422ce45e56ec92d210ea55d8">already taken down mighty Kentucky</a> and its roster of NBA prospects, and now they will face Tom Izzo and the Spartans — a program synonymous with <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a> success — under the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">bright lights of Madison Square Garden</a>.

The
 fan apathy that reached a nadir last spring? Forgotten after eight 
straight sellouts to end the regular season. Chants of “Eff K-U” during 
home games, the epitome of a long-standing inferiority complex toward 
their bitter rival, replaced by pride-filled shouts of “K-S-U,” much to 
the relief of a coach who demands 10 pushups every time his players 
swear.

This is a coach who can be found posted up on a purple sofa
 delivered to random spots around campus, from dining halls to the 
engineering building, so that he can chat with students going about 
their everyday lives.

“I mean, I'm just happy to see Coach Tang and our team having so much success,” says <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kentucky-kansas-state-e0f322d3422ce45e56ec92d210ea55d8">Markquis Nowell, their All-American guard.</a> “He's the reason we play with so much love and joy. And you know, we still have a lot to prove.”

Tang
 kept using the term “elevate” when he was hired to replace Bruce Weber a
 year ago. But not even the longtime Baylor assistant could imagine how 
quickly, and how high, <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Top25/status/1637614896367140864?s=20">he would have the Wildcats soaring.</a>

“We
 surpassed the epectations I had,” Tang said in a wide-ranging interview
 with The Associated Press. “But like, you don't enjoy this, you 
shouldn't be doing it, right? Our guys, our young people, our community 
deserves to have someone that really appreciates them and desires to be 
around them. They deserve this.”

The first thing to understand 
about Tang's winding road to the heartland of America is fortunate to be
 here. Not here, as in Kansas State. Here, as in alive.

Born in 
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, Tang moved to St. Croix with his 
mother and three siblings while his father chased work in the oil 
industry. He was about 5 years old and playing marbles beneath a car in 
his aunt's driveway when his cousin, not knowing he was there, got 
behind the wheel and drove away.

“Drove right over him,” remembers Tang's older sister, Kim. “He's lucky. He was in the hospital for weeks.”

Perhaps
 that brush with death somehow infused in Tang his profoundly deep faith
 — “I believe my gift is ministry,” he explains, “and my passion just 
happens to be basketball." Or perhaps it somehow led to a 
preternaturally optimistic outlook on life, which has served him well as
 he tries to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-sports-manhattan-mens-college-basketball-texas-8d2a90d1813be03b4a5a9d91f69c28f0">resurrect Kansas State's basketball program</a>.

“He treats people the right way,” says Baylor coach Scott Drew, his longtime friend. “He just always sees the good in people.”

Tang
 grew up playing cricket and soccer, and when his family moved to the 
Houston area, it became baseball and football — this was Texas, after 
all. But in 1979, while watching Magic Johnson and Michigan State beat 
Larry Bird and Indiana State in the title game that truly gave birth to 
March Madness, Tang fell in love with basketball.

It
 was a bible scholarship that got him to North Central College. He later
 attended junior college before dropping out, partly because of money, 
partly due to immaturity. (He would earn his degree from Charter Oak 
State College years later.)

Tang returned to Texas, intent on 
becoming a youth pastor. But when the founder of Heritage Christian 
Academy, Dr. Jennifer Cooper, was searching for a basketball coach, she 
turned to Mike Allard, Tang's own youth pastor at Green’s Bayou Assembly
 of God. He recommended this energetic kid with a devout faith in both 
Jesus and basketball.

“We drove around in, like, a Cheech-and-Chong van to get places,” Tang says. “It was the best place in the world.”

Tang
 soon built the small school into a national power, pumping out 
prospects such as Von Wafer, who played at Florida State and in the NBA.
 And he was still there in 2002 when Drew was hired to clean up <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-college-football-nfl-business-mens-college-basketball-bd83e9e43e464016b6e29d6d9ec98818">an inconceivable mess at Baylor.</a>

Drew
 needed someone with an unflinchingly positive attitude who could 
recruit in Texas, and over dinner one night, Tang won him over, earning a
 job that Drew had very nearly given to someone else.

Nearly two 
decades later, inside a quiet football stadium at the end of an NCAA 
Tournament played entirely inside a COVID-19 bubble, Drew and Tang 
celebrated the Bears <a href="https://apnews.com/article/baylor-win-defeat-gonzaga-1st-ncaa-basketball-championship-1d53c12b04f50a9ea50110e787cc6567">winning the 2021 national championship</a>.

“Scott
 allowed us to make mistakes,” says Tang, who has Drew's book, “The Road
 to Joy,” prominently displayed above his otherwise haphazard desk. “I 
mean, we were young, so we could make mistakes. And sometimes in this 
business, you're not allowed to make mistakes. I'll never be able to 
thank him for that.”

Gene Taylor remembers a moment last year when
 the Wildcats still had just five players on their roster, and he was 
rightfully nervous. The athletic director had hired Tang after a pair of
 lengthy linterviews, one in Kansas City and one at Tang's home in Waco,
 Texas, and entrusted him with a program long on tradition but short on 
recent success.

“I asked, ‘Are we OK?’” Taylor recalled, "and he said, ‘Gene, we're fine. I don’t just want guys; I want the right guys.'”

The right guys turned out to be a motley crew carefully assembled during that hot summer in the Flint Hills.

Nowell
 is the 5-foot-8 sparkplug that Kentucky coach John Calipari couldn't 
get himself to call by name — “That little guy,” coach Cal said — after 
he'd minced up his own Wildcats in last weekend's second-round tourney 
game.

Keyontae Johnson, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-all-america-mens-basketball-team-2ab037abcde5157ad840f7dcd22cc8a4">voted an All-American alongside Nowell</a>,
 was playing for Florida when he collapsed on the court during a game in
 December 2020. Most schools were unwilling to clear Johnson to play, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-florida-gators-kansas-top-25-college-basketball-today-keyontae-johnson-6b738fc1685d1e9fdfade4e2a1afc6be">due to his underlying heart condition</a>, but Tang was willing to take every step and precaution necessary to get him back on the court.

Cam
 Carter came from Mississippi State, David N'Guessan from Virginia Tech.
 Desi Sills arrived from Arkansas State, Abayomi Iyiola from Hofstra. 
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who never even played basketball in high school, signed
 out of junior college, and a pair of freshmen were sold on Tang's 
unwavering vision for the future.

“Nobody," Kansas coach Bill Self said, “has done a better job of assembling talent in a short amount of time.”

Picked
 to finish last in the Big 12, the Wildcats finished third. The reward 
was a No. 3 seed in March Madness, where the Wildcats <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-state-montana-state-c73a1a3cad7f67d1db2b315deb5917eb">knocked off Montana State</a> in the first round before toppling Kentucky last weekend.

Now, they're just two more wins away from their first Final Four in nearly 50 years.

“I
 like doing first stuff, you know?” Tang says, leaning forward in a 
purple wingback chair in the corner of his office, where boxes still 
remain unpacked a year after moving in. “Players, you ask them, do you 
remember your first dunk? They all remember their first dunk. Do you 
remember your third dunk? They don’t. Do you remember your first 
girlfriend? My first girlfriend was Pam Hubbard. My last was Careylyen, 
and I married her.

“You remember your firsts and your lasts,” Tang says, "and I like firsts.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679420939010.jpeg" alt="Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang celebrates with members of the pep band after defeating Kentucky in a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang celebrates with members of the pep band after defeating Kentucky in a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA Associated PressMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Jerome Tang was tearing around his property on
 an unseasonably warm spring day not long ago, just before Kansas State 
headed down Interstate 70 for the Big 12 Tournament, when he noticed his
 four-wheeler was running out of fuel.So, the Wildcats' coach did
 what anyone would do in a small town: He steered that bad boy onto the 
road, conveniently forgetting that it wasn't exactly street legal, and 
headed off for the service station.“So I'm zooming down and the 
college kids are outside. They're hollering at you, happy to see you. I 
mean, how great is that?" Tang recalled. “My wife was upset. She's like,
 'You're going to get arrested. It's going to be on the news!'”Tang glances around furtively, his ever-present smile growing just a bit wider.“I can't, like, get in trouble for something that already happened, right?”Not these days. Not in Manhattan, Kansas.One
 year after taking over a downtrodden program coming off three straight 
losing seasons, Tang and his upstart Wildcats are preparing to play 
Michigan State in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. They've <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kentucky-kansas-state-e0f322d3422ce45e56ec92d210ea55d8">already taken down mighty Kentucky</a> and its roster of NBA prospects, and now they will face Tom Izzo and the Spartans — a program synonymous with <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a> success — under the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">bright lights of Madison Square Garden</a>.The
 fan apathy that reached a nadir last spring? Forgotten after eight 
straight sellouts to end the regular season. Chants of “Eff K-U” during 
home games, the epitome of a long-standing inferiority complex toward 
their bitter rival, replaced by pride-filled shouts of “K-S-U,” much to 
the relief of a coach who demands 10 pushups every time his players 
swear.This is a coach who can be found posted up on a purple sofa
 delivered to random spots around campus, from dining halls to the 
engineering building, so that he can chat with students going about 
their everyday lives.“I mean, I'm just happy to see Coach Tang and our team having so much success,” says <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kentucky-kansas-state-e0f322d3422ce45e56ec92d210ea55d8">Markquis Nowell, their All-American guard.</a> “He's the reason we play with so much love and joy. And you know, we still have a lot to prove.”Tang
 kept using the term “elevate” when he was hired to replace Bruce Weber a
 year ago. But not even the longtime Baylor assistant could imagine how 
quickly, and how high, <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Top25/status/1637614896367140864?s=20">he would have the Wildcats soaring.</a>“We
 surpassed the epectations I had,” Tang said in a wide-ranging interview
 with The Associated Press. “But like, you don't enjoy this, you 
shouldn't be doing it, right? Our guys, our young people, our community 
deserves to have someone that really appreciates them and desires to be 
around them. They deserve this.”The first thing to understand 
about Tang's winding road to the heartland of America is fortunate to be
 here. Not here, as in Kansas State. Here, as in alive.Born in 
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, Tang moved to St. Croix with his 
mother and three siblings while his father chased work in the oil 
industry. He was about 5 years old and playing marbles beneath a car in 
his aunt's driveway when his cousin, not knowing he was there, got 
behind the wheel and drove away.“Drove right over him,” remembers Tang's older sister, Kim. “He's lucky. He was in the hospital for weeks.”Perhaps
 that brush with death somehow infused in Tang his profoundly deep faith
 — “I believe my gift is ministry,” he explains, “and my passion just 
happens to be basketball." Or perhaps it somehow led to a 
preternaturally optimistic outlook on life, which has served him well as
 he tries to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-sports-manhattan-mens-college-basketball-texas-8d2a90d1813be03b4a5a9d91f69c28f0">resurrect Kansas State's basketball program</a>.“He treats people the right way,” says Baylor coach Scott Drew, his longtime friend. “He just always sees the good in people.”Tang
 grew up playing cricket and soccer, and when his family moved to the 
Houston area, it became baseball and football — this was Texas, after 
all. But in 1979, while watching Magic Johnson and Michigan State beat 
Larry Bird and Indiana State in the title game that truly gave birth to 
March Madness, Tang fell in love with basketball.Except, well, he wasn't very good.It
 was a bible scholarship that got him to North Central College. He later
 attended junior college before dropping out, partly because of money, 
partly due to immaturity. (He would earn his degree from Charter Oak 
State College years later.)Tang returned to Texas, intent on 
becoming a youth pastor. But when the founder of Heritage Christian 
Academy, Dr. Jennifer Cooper, was searching for a basketball coach, she 
turned to Mike Allard, Tang's own youth pastor at Green’s Bayou Assembly
 of God. He recommended this energetic kid with a devout faith in both 
Jesus and basketball.“We drove around in, like, a Cheech-and-Chong van to get places,” Tang says. “It was the best place in the world.”Tang
 soon built the small school into a national power, pumping out 
prospects such as Von Wafer, who played at Florida State and in the NBA.
 And he was still there in 2002 when Drew was hired to clean up <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-college-football-nfl-business-mens-college-basketball-bd83e9e43e464016b6e29d6d9ec98818">an inconceivable mess at Baylor.</a>Drew
 needed someone with an unflinchingly positive attitude who could 
recruit in Texas, and over dinner one night, Tang won him over, earning a
 job that Drew had very nearly given to someone else.Nearly two 
decades later, inside a quiet football stadium at the end of an NCAA 
Tournament played entirely inside a COVID-19 bubble, Drew and Tang 
celebrated the Bears <a href="https://apnews.com/article/baylor-win-defeat-gonzaga-1st-ncaa-basketball-championship-1d53c12b04f50a9ea50110e787cc6567">winning the 2021 national championship</a>.“Scott
 allowed us to make mistakes,” says Tang, who has Drew's book, “The Road
 to Joy,” prominently displayed above his otherwise haphazard desk. “I 
mean, we were young, so we could make mistakes. And sometimes in this 
business, you're not allowed to make mistakes. I'll never be able to 
thank him for that.”Gene Taylor remembers a moment last year when
 the Wildcats still had just five players on their roster, and he was 
rightfully nervous. The athletic director had hired Tang after a pair of
 lengthy linterviews, one in Kansas City and one at Tang's home in Waco,
 Texas, and entrusted him with a program long on tradition but short on 
recent success.“I asked, ‘Are we OK?’” Taylor recalled, "and he said, ‘Gene, we're fine. I don’t just want guys; I want the right guys.'”The right guys turned out to be a motley crew carefully assembled during that hot summer in the Flint Hills.Nowell
 is the 5-foot-8 sparkplug that Kentucky coach John Calipari couldn't 
get himself to call by name — “That little guy,” coach Cal said — after 
he'd minced up his own Wildcats in last weekend's second-round tourney 
game.Keyontae Johnson, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-all-america-mens-basketball-team-2ab037abcde5157ad840f7dcd22cc8a4">voted an All-American alongside Nowell</a>,
 was playing for Florida when he collapsed on the court during a game in
 December 2020. Most schools were unwilling to clear Johnson to play, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-florida-gators-kansas-top-25-college-basketball-today-keyontae-johnson-6b738fc1685d1e9fdfade4e2a1afc6be">due to his underlying heart condition</a>, but Tang was willing to take every step and precaution necessary to get him back on the court.Cam
 Carter came from Mississippi State, David N'Guessan from Virginia Tech.
 Desi Sills arrived from Arkansas State, Abayomi Iyiola from Hofstra. 
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who never even played basketball in high school, signed
 out of junior college, and a pair of freshmen were sold on Tang's 
unwavering vision for the future.“Nobody," Kansas coach Bill Self said, “has done a better job of assembling talent in a short amount of time.”Picked
 to finish last in the Big 12, the Wildcats finished third. The reward 
was a No. 3 seed in March Madness, where the Wildcats <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-state-montana-state-c73a1a3cad7f67d1db2b315deb5917eb">knocked off Montana State</a> in the first round before toppling Kentucky last weekend.Now, they're just two more wins away from their first Final Four in nearly 50 years.“I
 like doing first stuff, you know?” Tang says, leaning forward in a 
purple wingback chair in the corner of his office, where boxes still 
remain unpacked a year after moving in. “Players, you ask them, do you 
remember your first dunk? They all remember their first dunk. Do you 
remember your third dunk? They don’t. Do you remember your first 
girlfriend? My first girlfriend was Pam Hubbard. My last was Careylyen, 
and I married her.“You remember your firsts and your lasts,” Tang says, "and I like firsts.”

Jerome Tang has rising Kansas State feeling sweet again

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a police officer for alleged child sex crimes.

On Monday, Wichita Police Department Command Staff learned that officer <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">Brock England</a> was arrested by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department and <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">booked into the Sedgwick County Jail </a>on charges of sexual abuse of a child under 12-years-old and lewd molestation stemming from an investigation in Garfield County, Oklahoma.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The county booking details list him <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">as a fugitive from justice.</a>

England, 32, has been employed with the Wichita Police for 7-years and was assigned to the field services division. England will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both the criminal and internal investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679400244875.png" alt="England photo Sedgwick County." />
 <figcaption>England photo Sedgwick County.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a police officer for alleged child sex crimes.On Monday, Wichita Police Department Command Staff learned that officer <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">Brock England</a> was arrested by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department and <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">booked into the Sedgwick County Jail </a>on charges of sexual abuse of a child under 12-years-old and lewd molestation stemming from an investigation in Garfield County, Oklahoma.&nbsp;&nbsp;The county booking details list him <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">as a fugitive from justice.</a>England, 32, has been employed with the Wichita Police for 7-years and was assigned to the field services division. England will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both the criminal and internal investigation.

Fugitive from justice: Kan. police officer accused of sex crimes

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679404238596.jpeg" alt="Calvin Fontenot, Use/possess w/intent to use&nbsp; drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of controlled substance; unknown substance; arrested 3/20" />
 <figcaption>Calvin Fontenot, Use/possess w/intent to use&nbsp; drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of controlled substance; unknown substance; arrested 3/20</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679404340567.jpeg" alt="James L Pratt, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;; Maximum speed limit; arrested 3/20" />
 <figcaption>James L Pratt, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;; Maximum speed limit; arrested 3/20</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679404443910.jpeg" alt="Edward Thomas Rivas, Criminal trespass; arrested 3/20" />
 <figcaption>Edward Thomas Rivas, Criminal trespass; arrested 3/20</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679404514151.jpeg" alt="Jaya Marie Simmons, Outside warrant x2; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; Misd; Unk. conv.; arrested 3/20" />
 <figcaption>Jaya Marie Simmons, Outside warrant x2; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; Misd; Unk. conv.; arrested 3/20</figcaption>
 </figure>Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos March 21

SCOTT COUNTY— For several months, law enforcement authorities in Scott City have been&nbsp;assisting the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation on an investigation in Oklahoma. They have a suspect in custody.

On March 16, police assisted Special Agents from the  Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation executing an arrest warrant. Officers too 22-year-old Kevin Adalberto Rodriguez-Ruiz, 22, of Scott City into custody at the Law Enforcement Center on an Oklahoma arrest warrant for alleged Rape and three counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under the age of 16.

Rodriguez-Ruiz remains in the custody of the Scott County Jail awaiting extradition to Oklahoma. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679324669781.png" alt="Rodriguez-photo Scott County" />
 <figcaption>Rodriguez-photo Scott County</figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTT COUNTY— For several months, law enforcement authorities in Scott City have been&nbsp;assisting the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation on an investigation in Oklahoma. They have a suspect in custody.On March 16, police assisted Special Agents from the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation executing an arrest warrant. Officers too 22-year-old Kevin Adalberto Rodriguez-Ruiz, 22, of Scott City into custody at the Law Enforcement Center on an Oklahoma arrest warrant for alleged Rape and three counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under the age of 16.Rodriguez-Ruiz remains in the custody of the Scott County Jail awaiting extradition to Oklahoma.

Kansas man jailed for alleged sex crimes in Oklahoma

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.

Just after 10:30a.m. Friday,&nbsp;the Brown County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force initiated search warrants at 605 Virginia Street and 610 Roxanna Street in Morrill, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Deputies Arrested 39-year-old Forrest Gaston II of Morill on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Distribution of Meth,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana and Possesion of Drug. He remains in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679341190812.png" alt="Gaston-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Gaston-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.Just after 10:30a.m. Friday,&nbsp;the Brown County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force initiated search warrants at 605 Virginia Street and 610 Roxanna Street in Morrill, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Deputies Arrested 39-year-old Forrest Gaston II of Morill on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Distribution of Meth,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana and Possesion of Drug. He remains in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas man accused of selling meth

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.

&nbsp;On Sunday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the Sheriff’s Proactive Operational Response Team (S.P.O.R.T.) assisted the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant in the 100 block of Darling Street in Willard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the execution of the search warrant, deputies found three stolen vehicles; a stolen ATV from Wabaunsee County, a stolen ATV from the City of Topeka and a stolen motorcycle from Riley County.&nbsp;

They also located multiple illegal narcotics including methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and distribution items.

Deputies arrested 46-year-old Matthew J. Sumner and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of distribution of opiates and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679315177474.png" alt="Sumner-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Sumner-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WABAUNSEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.&nbsp;On Sunday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the Sheriff’s Proactive Operational Response Team (S.P.O.R.T.) assisted the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant in the 100 block of Darling Street in Willard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the execution of the search warrant, deputies found three stolen vehicles; a stolen ATV from Wabaunsee County, a stolen ATV from the City of Topeka and a stolen motorcycle from Riley County.&nbsp;They also located multiple illegal narcotics including methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and distribution items. Deputies arrested 46-year-old Matthew J. Sumner and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of distribution of opiates and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.

Deputies found stolen vehicles, drugs during investigation 

DENVER
 (AP) — Investigators say a Colorado dentist intent on killing his wife 
put poison in her protein shakes before finally succeeding with a rush 
order dose of potassium cyanide powder he said he needed to perform 
surgery. As Angela Craig languished in the hospital with doctors unable 
to figure out what was wrong with her, police also allege James Craig 
was meeting with a woman he planned to start a new life with, according 
to court documents.

Craig, 45, was arrested on suspicion of 
first-degree murder Sunday, shortly after his wife died after being 
taken off life support during her third trip to the hospital this month.
 According to court records, he is being represented by the public 
defender's office, which does not comment on cases.

Craig is scheduled to appear in court Thursday to learn whether prosecutors have decided to file charges against him.

Police
 in the Denver suburb of Aurora began investigating Craig after the 
partner in his dental practice and friend, Ryan Redfearn, told a nurse 
that Craig had ordered potassium cyanide even though they did not need 
it for their work, according to an arrest warrant laying out evidence 
gathered by investigators. Craig had asked an office manager not to open
 the package but another employee did, leading to its discovery and 
eventual disclosure to authorities, the document said.

Investigators
 believe Craig put arsenic in one of the protein shakes he routinely 
made for her for their workouts on March 6 and then gave her one with 
potassium cyanide before she had to go back to the hospital again. The 
delivery of a third substance he is accused of ordering, Oleandrin, was 
intercepted by authorities after they began investigating him.

According
 to the arrest affidavit, Craig told Redfearn that he ordered the 
potassium cyanide for his wife and told a social worker that she had 
been suicidal and depressed since he asked for a divorce in December 
even though neither of the couple's children said anything about suicide
 attempts.

Redfearn also told investigators that Craig was on the 
verge of bankruptcy and had been having problems in his marriage. Angela
 Craig's sister, Toni Kofoed, told police that Craig had drugged his 
wife about five years ago with an unknown drug because he said he 
planned to kill himself and did not want her to be able to save him.

Kofoed
 believes that incident is what Craig referenced in a series of texts 
between Angela and James Craig about her symptoms after she first fell 
ill on March 6. James Craig wrote: “Given our history I know that must 
be triggering. Just for the record, I didn't drug you. I am super 
worried though."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679342495745.png" alt="Craig-photo Aurora PD" />
 <figcaption>Craig-photo Aurora PD</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER
 (AP) — Investigators say a Colorado dentist intent on killing his wife 
put poison in her protein shakes before finally succeeding with a rush 
order dose of potassium cyanide powder he said he needed to perform 
surgery. As Angela Craig languished in the hospital with doctors unable 
to figure out what was wrong with her, police also allege James Craig 
was meeting with a woman he planned to start a new life with, according 
to court documents.Craig, 45, was arrested on suspicion of 
first-degree murder Sunday, shortly after his wife died after being 
taken off life support during her third trip to the hospital this month.
 According to court records, he is being represented by the public 
defender's office, which does not comment on cases.Craig is scheduled to appear in court Thursday to learn whether prosecutors have decided to file charges against him.Police
 in the Denver suburb of Aurora began investigating Craig after the 
partner in his dental practice and friend, Ryan Redfearn, told a nurse 
that Craig had ordered potassium cyanide even though they did not need 
it for their work, according to an arrest warrant laying out evidence 
gathered by investigators. Craig had asked an office manager not to open
 the package but another employee did, leading to its discovery and 
eventual disclosure to authorities, the document said.Investigators
 believe Craig put arsenic in one of the protein shakes he routinely 
made for her for their workouts on March 6 and then gave her one with 
potassium cyanide before she had to go back to the hospital again. The 
delivery of a third substance he is accused of ordering, Oleandrin, was 
intercepted by authorities after they began investigating him.According
 to the arrest affidavit, Craig told Redfearn that he ordered the 
potassium cyanide for his wife and told a social worker that she had 
been suicidal and depressed since he asked for a divorce in December 
even though neither of the couple's children said anything about suicide
 attempts.Redfearn also told investigators that Craig was on the 
verge of bankruptcy and had been having problems in his marriage. Angela
 Craig's sister, Toni Kofoed, told police that Craig had drugged his 
wife about five years ago with an unknown drug because he said he 
planned to kill himself and did not want her to be able to save him.Kofoed
 believes that incident is what Craig referenced in a series of texts 
between Angela and James Craig about her symptoms after she first fell 
ill on March 6. James Craig wrote: “Given our history I know that must 
be triggering. Just for the record, I didn't drug you. I am super 
worried though."

Police: Colorado dentist used rush order cyanide to poison wife

GEARY COUNTY - On Sunday afternoon, the Junction City Police Department released additional details regarding the Saturday evening homicide.

The homicide victims have been identified as 75-year-old Valerie J. Krissman and 80-year-old Roland C. Krissman.

Earlier on Sunday, March 19, arrest warrants were issued for the arrest of 33-year-old Steven P. Pierce of Junction City and 29-year-old Kallie R. Peters, also of Junction City for 2 counts of Felony Murder, 2 counts of Aggravated Robbery and 1 count of Felony Theft.

Michigan State Patrol located and arrested both Pierce and Peters on the warrants issued and the pair are in custody in Michigan awaiting extradition back to Kansas.

Junction City Police Department says no other details will be release at this time.

----------------------------------------------------

GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide in Junction City.

Just before 8:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to the 700 block of W. 1st Street in Junction City in reference to a check welfare, according to a media release.

Officers located two subjects deceased inside of a residence. The deceased were identified as a 75-year-old white female and an 80-year-old white male, both residents of Junction City. 

The deaths are being investigated as Homicides, according to police.&nbsp;

The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of the family. Autopsies have been scheduled for a later date.

Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Junction City Police Department at 785-762-5912 or submit a tip at the Junction City Geary County Crime Stoppers link at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FP3tips.com%2Ftipform.aspx%3FID%3D1216%26fbclid%3DIwAR1wkfeCf_5EGnTbO1XxQTTOlB7eiBAzcG-Xz_TK5eoJpSQ2cCIQvSn0QCM&amp;h=AT2xYn9rkA2Oeel-hvfHxsOn5YgkCAAVOCqW66Nbx7qhrowDNcTIpcT-UMgJva9GUZ1_rodQG4RR-6W3NZlp-GY51eDuGRtZ7Cv5dcFtDqgw6ONO0cc6CLLxLe8ShvUUXvPz16c&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT12D-pObWPQ5d26smTRjCVAd3y23XqdkQ5N0yHmhb5pQXU7b8rU9-lDeSotNz3JZd4DSe75R6XQQJhioEYZCY_9nVr43fvEsXM6E0PA-65_3TGQNbAHkYDBRDzSCaJvc4kDC_TtzqQDOr3v7q_quGphcWmPaqekT69lGId0RAxN4wP7eM8pbqvHE8FOKfxdGCMoRQ" target="_blank">P3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=1216</a>#. Tips should reference JCPD Case #2023-05269. No further information will be released at this time.

by BECKY GOFF JC PostGEARY COUNTY - On Sunday afternoon, the Junction City Police Department released additional details regarding the Saturday evening homicide.The homicide victims have been identified as 75-year-old Valerie J. Krissman and 80-year-old Roland C. Krissman.Earlier on Sunday, March 19, arrest warrants were issued for the arrest of 33-year-old Steven P. Pierce of Junction City and 29-year-old Kallie R. Peters, also of Junction City for 2 counts of Felony Murder, 2 counts of Aggravated Robbery and 1 count of Felony Theft.Michigan State Patrol located and arrested both Pierce and Peters on the warrants issued and the pair are in custody in Michigan awaiting extradition back to Kansas.Junction City Police Department says no other details will be release at this time.----------------------------------------------------GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide in Junction City.Just before 8:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to the 700 block of W. 1st Street in Junction City in reference to a check welfare, according to a media release.Officers located two subjects deceased inside of a residence. The deceased were identified as a 75-year-old white female and an 80-year-old white male, both residents of Junction City. The deaths are being investigated as Homicides, according to police.&nbsp;The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of the family. Autopsies have been scheduled for a later date.Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Junction City Police Department at 785-762-5912 or submit a tip at the Junction City Geary County Crime Stoppers link at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FP3tips.com%2Ftipform.aspx%3FID%3D1216%26fbclid%3DIwAR1wkfeCf_5EGnTbO1XxQTTOlB7eiBAzcG-Xz_TK5eoJpSQ2cCIQvSn0QCM&amp;h=AT2xYn9rkA2Oeel-hvfHxsOn5YgkCAAVOCqW66Nbx7qhrowDNcTIpcT-UMgJva9GUZ1_rodQG4RR-6W3NZlp-GY51eDuGRtZ7Cv5dcFtDqgw6ONO0cc6CLLxLe8ShvUUXvPz16c&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT12D-pObWPQ5d26smTRjCVAd3y23XqdkQ5N0yHmhb5pQXU7b8rU9-lDeSotNz3JZd4DSe75R6XQQJhioEYZCY_9nVr43fvEsXM6E0PA-65_3TGQNbAHkYDBRDzSCaJvc4kDC_TtzqQDOr3v7q_quGphcWmPaqekT69lGId0RAxN4wP7eM8pbqvHE8FOKfxdGCMoRQ" target="_blank">P3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=1216</a>#. Tips should reference JCPD Case #2023-05269. No further information will be released at this time.

UPDATE: Arrests made, victims identified in Saturday homicide in JC

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679246388681.jpeg" alt="Damani Joseph Bisio, Failure to appear, Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance; arrested 3/18" />
 <figcaption>Damani Joseph Bisio, Failure to appear, Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance; arrested 3/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679246457944.jpeg" alt="Eleanor Kate Fisher, Failure to appear; arrested 3/19" />
 <figcaption>Eleanor Kate Fisher, Failure to appear; arrested 3/19</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679246546169.jpeg" alt="Dylan Anthony Mallard, DUI-Liquor/drugs(2nd offense); Cancelled/Suspended/Revoked Driver's License; Driving on left side of roadway; No signal/unsafe turning/stopping; arrested 3/19" />
 <figcaption>Dylan Anthony Mallard, DUI-Liquor/drugs(2nd offense); Cancelled/Suspended/Revoked Driver's License; Driving on left side of roadway; No signal/unsafe turning/stopping; arrested 3/19</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679246737532.jpeg" alt="Kiera JVonne Rice, Defective headlamps on motor vehicle; Vehicle liability insurance; Liability coverage required; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license; Driving under the influence; 3rd conv in 10 yrs; incapable of safely driving; Possession of firearm while under influence of drugs or alcohol; arrested 3/19" />
 <figcaption>Kiera JVonne Rice, Defective headlamps on motor vehicle; Vehicle liability insurance; Liability coverage required; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license; Driving under the influence; 3rd conv in 10 yrs; incapable of safely driving; Possession of firearm while under influence of drugs or alcohol; arrested 3/19</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679246883949.jpeg" alt="Marcus Dewayne Solton, Criminal threat; unknown circumstance; Criminal use of weapons; possess w/intent to use billy/blckjack/clingsh/knife/throw star; Interference with LEO; unknown circumstance; felony; Criminal possession of a weapon; convicted of person/drug felony; firearm used in crime; arrested 3/18" />
 <figcaption>Marcus Dewayne Solton, Criminal threat; unknown circumstance; Criminal use of weapons; possess w/intent to use billy/blckjack/clingsh/knife/throw star; Interference with LEO; unknown circumstance; felony; Criminal possession of a weapon; convicted of person/drug felony; firearm used in crime; arrested 3/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679247042652.jpeg" alt="Shamir Naseem Williams, Failure to appear; arrested 3/18" />
 <figcaption>Shamir Naseem Williams, Failure to appear; arrested 3/18</figcaption>
 </figure>Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos March 19

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says lawmakers who refuse to legalize medical marijuana are responsible for the needless suffering of Kansans.

After two days of Senate hearings on proposed legislation, there appears to be little hope for change this year.

Rangel-Lopez, a Dodge City resident who has appeared before the Legislature previously to advocate for voting rights and immigration policy, said there were 17 arrests for possession of marijuana in Ford County between November and February.

“These are folks my age. I recognize a lot of those names from elementary school, from high school. I graduated with a lot of them,” Rangel-Lopez said. “And it’s heartbreaking because you know what’s going to happen. They get sucked into the criminal justice system, and they end up in parole for years, if not decades. And it ruins their lives. And for what? For what? I don’t think we have anything to show for the criminalization of marijuana. So I’m tired of seeing folks suffer needlessly due to inaction from our lawmakers.”

The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee tabled debate on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb135/">Senate Bill 135</a>, which would implement a medical marijuana program in 2025. The committee decision means the legislation is unlikely to advance before lawmakers finish their work in early April, although any policy could resurface as part of a late-session deal.

Rangel-Lopez and dozens of other advocates for medical marijuana offered vocal and written testimony in support of the bill during a hearing Wednesday. The following day, law enforcement and others warned the bill would have negative consequences.

Sen. Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood questioned Rangel-Lopez about why his “friends” use drugs, although Rangel-Lopez never described them as friends.

“Do you know if these people were using for medical reasons? Or were they just simply using to feel good?” Straub said.

Rangel-Lopez said there is little access to mental health resources in southwest Kansas, and “there’s a lot of self medication.”

“I don’t know what they were using it for, but a lot of them are first-time offenders, and it’s just unjust,” Rangel-Lopez said. “There’s no good reason to arrest them and keep them in jail for that, in my opinion.”

The proposed legislation, introduced by Sen. Jeff Longbine, R-Emporia, would regulate the cultivation, testing, processing, distribution and sale of marijuana. Four state agencies would provide oversight: the Department of Health and Environment; Board of Healing Arts; Department of Revenue’s Alcohol and Beverage Control, which would be renamed to Alcohol and Cannabis Control; and the Board of Pharmacy.

Cultivators would pay $20,000 for a license and $20 per plant. Processors, distributors and retailers also would pay $20,000 for a license. Patients would pay $50 for a registration card and a 10% excise tax on purchases.

The legal limit for THC would be 35% for plant materials, 60% for oils and concentrates, 3.5 grams for edibles and 10 milligrams for patches. Smoking and vaporizing would remain illegal.

Mandy Sohosky, who identified herself as a private citizen, said she had tried “everything” to treat chronic migraines. She compared the “sudden, piercing pain” to the kind of “brain freeze” someone gets after eating ice cream, except that it can last for hours or days.

She estimates that she has spent half of the past 20 years in pain that prohibits her from watching movies, attending sporting events or going to church.

Sohosky said she tried medications, trigger point injections, sleep studies, MRIs, bloodwork, physical therapy, diets, acupuncture and even “crazy” things like daith piercings, specific body wash, supplements and exercise.

“The doctors don’t have anything else to try, so they prescribe me muscle relaxers and opioids,” Sohosky said. “When I picked up my last refill at the pharmacy, the pharmacist asked if I needed them to request Narcan for me to have on hand.”

Narcan is used to reverse an opioid overdose.

A few months ago, she said, she nervously tried medical marijuana in a state where it is legal. Ten minutes later, the pain was gone. She cried.

“There is a solution for my migraines” Sohosky said. “It’s not a perfect solution, but it would help me be a more present parent for my kids. I could attend karate practice, go to choir concerts. I could be there for family movie night. There is a solution for my pain. Please allow me to use it while my kids are still young, and my parents are still alive. I have so many memories left to make. Please allow me to make them.”

Tuck Duncan, a lobbyist for the Kansas Cannabis Industry Association, said 70% of Kansans and 90% of Americans favor some form of legal marijuana.

“Those who oppose medical marijuana, quite honestly, in my opinion, are on the wrong side of history,” Duncan said. “If not this year, it will happen.”

Debbie Mize, co-founder of the prominent anti-vaccine group Kansans for Health Freedom, joined law enforcement officials and former state Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook in providing opposition to the bill.

Mize, a Louisburg resident who sells herbal supplements, advocated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for the rights of individuals to decide what goes into their bodies. But in her written testimony, she said the proposed legislation for medical marijuana was a “guise” to legalize a “dangerous substance that is tied to the foreign cartels.”

“We all know that the cartels are noncompliant of all legal authority creating a very dangerous situation for unsuspecting marijuana users,” Mize said, without providing any evidence to support her claims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3150163-1024x576.jpg" alt="&nbsp;Alejandro Rangel-Lopez appears before a Senate panel March 15, 2023, to advocate for the legalization of medical marijuana. He says lawmakers are responsible for needless suffering of Kansans. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Alejandro Rangel-Lopez appears before a Senate panel March 15, 2023, to advocate for the legalization of medical marijuana. He says lawmakers are responsible for needless suffering of Kansans. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says lawmakers who refuse to legalize medical marijuana are responsible for the needless suffering of Kansans.After two days of Senate hearings on proposed legislation, there appears to be little hope for change this year.Rangel-Lopez, a Dodge City resident who has appeared before the Legislature previously to advocate for voting rights and immigration policy, said there were 17 arrests for possession of marijuana in Ford County between November and February.“These are folks my age. I recognize a lot of those names from elementary school, from high school. I graduated with a lot of them,” Rangel-Lopez said. “And it’s heartbreaking because you know what’s going to happen. They get sucked into the criminal justice system, and they end up in parole for years, if not decades. And it ruins their lives. And for what? For what? I don’t think we have anything to show for the criminalization of marijuana. So I’m tired of seeing folks suffer needlessly due to inaction from our lawmakers.”The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee tabled debate on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb135/">Senate Bill 135</a>, which would implement a medical marijuana program in 2025. The committee decision means the legislation is unlikely to advance before lawmakers finish their work in early April, although any policy could resurface as part of a late-session deal.Rangel-Lopez and dozens of other advocates for medical marijuana offered vocal and written testimony in support of the bill during a hearing Wednesday. The following day, law enforcement and others warned the bill would have negative consequences.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3150194.jpg" alt="Sen. Alicia Straub questions Alejandro Rangel-Lopez about whether people he knows use marijuana for medical purposes or just to feel good. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Alicia Straub questions Alejandro Rangel-Lopez about whether people he knows use marijuana for medical purposes or just to feel good. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood questioned Rangel-Lopez about why his “friends” use drugs, although Rangel-Lopez never described them as friends.“Do you know if these people were using for medical reasons? Or were they just simply using to feel good?” Straub said.Rangel-Lopez said there is little access to mental health resources in southwest Kansas, and “there’s a lot of self medication.”“I don’t know what they were using it for, but a lot of them are first-time offenders, and it’s just unjust,” Rangel-Lopez said. “There’s no good reason to arrest them and keep them in jail for that, in my opinion.”The proposed legislation, introduced by Sen. Jeff Longbine, R-Emporia, would regulate the cultivation, testing, processing, distribution and sale of marijuana. Four state agencies would provide oversight: the Department of Health and Environment; Board of Healing Arts; Department of Revenue’s Alcohol and Beverage Control, which would be renamed to Alcohol and Cannabis Control; and the Board of Pharmacy.Cultivators would pay $20,000 for a license and $20 per plant. Processors, distributors and retailers also would pay $20,000 for a license. Patients would pay $50 for a registration card and a 10% excise tax on purchases.The legal limit for THC would be 35% for plant materials, 60% for oils and concentrates, 3.5 grams for edibles and 10 milligrams for patches. Smoking and vaporizing would remain illegal.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3150042.jpg" alt="Mandy Sohosky describes the pain of her chronic migraines during a March 15, 2023, legislative hearing. She says medical marijuana is the only treatment that can bring her relief. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Mandy Sohosky describes the pain of her chronic migraines during a March 15, 2023, legislative hearing. She says medical marijuana is the only treatment that can bring her relief. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Mandy Sohosky, who identified herself as a private citizen, said she had tried “everything” to treat chronic migraines. She compared the “sudden, piercing pain” to the kind of “brain freeze” someone gets after eating ice cream, except that it can last for hours or days.She estimates that she has spent half of the past 20 years in pain that prohibits her from watching movies, attending sporting events or going to church.Sohosky said she tried medications, trigger point injections, sleep studies, MRIs, bloodwork, physical therapy, diets, acupuncture and even “crazy” things like daith piercings, specific body wash, supplements and exercise.“The doctors don’t have anything else to try, so they prescribe me muscle relaxers and opioids,” Sohosky said. “When I picked up my last refill at the pharmacy, the pharmacist asked if I needed them to request Narcan for me to have on hand.”Narcan is used to reverse an opioid overdose.A few months ago, she said, she nervously tried medical marijuana in a state where it is legal. Ten minutes later, the pain was gone. She cried.“There is a solution for my migraines” Sohosky said. “It’s not a perfect solution, but it would help me be a more present parent for my kids. I could attend karate practice, go to choir concerts. I could be there for family movie night. There is a solution for my pain. Please allow me to use it while my kids are still young, and my parents are still alive. I have so many memories left to make. Please allow me to make them.”<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3150137.jpg" alt="-Lobbyist Tuck Duncan says those who oppose the legalization of medical marijuana are on the wrong side of history. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>-Lobbyist Tuck Duncan says those who oppose the legalization of medical marijuana are on the wrong side of history. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Tuck Duncan, a lobbyist for the Kansas Cannabis Industry Association, said 70% of Kansans and 90% of Americans favor some form of legal marijuana.“Those who oppose medical marijuana, quite honestly, in my opinion, are on the wrong side of history,” Duncan said. “If not this year, it will happen.”Debbie Mize, co-founder of the prominent anti-vaccine group Kansans for Health Freedom, joined law enforcement officials and former state Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook in providing opposition to the bill.Mize, a Louisburg resident who sells herbal supplements, advocated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for the rights of individuals to decide what goes into their bodies. But in her written testimony, she said the proposed legislation for medical marijuana was a “guise” to legalize a “dangerous substance that is tied to the foreign cartels.”“We all know that the cartels are noncompliant of all legal authority creating a very dangerous situation for unsuspecting marijuana users,” Mize said, without providing any evidence to support her claims.

Medical marijuana advocate blames Kansas lawmakers for needless suffering

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) —&nbsp;Top Republicans, including some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;potential rivals for the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination, rushed to his defense Saturday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-arrested-indicted-hush-money-manhattan-prosecutor-a48428984cf99d23f46b4157b34160ae?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_01">Trump said he is bracing for possible arrest.</a>

“The idea of indicting a former president of the United States is deeply troubling to me as it is to tens of millions of Americans," said former Vice President Mike Pence, a likely Trump rival, during a visit to Iowa, an early-voting state. 

Tech investor Vivek Ramaswamy, campaigning in South Carolina, said he didn't want to live in a country where “the party in power is able to use police force to arrest its political opposition."

The reaction underscores the political risks faced by would-be opponents who are eager to convince voters that it is time to move on from the former president, but who must contend with the fact that he remains the most popular figure in the party. The multiple investigations Trump is facing — his&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/110044039949982181">post on social media</a>&nbsp;about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-indictment-new-york-f3ce87a1b4ec50fbeaefcbe21f87ab0b">the Manhattan district attorney's probe</a>&nbsp;led to the public declarations of support — remain deeply unpopular with his supporters and criticizing Trump too harshly risks alienating his loyal base.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-9e8d683afe87389407950af7ccfdbdd6">garnered similar support</a>&nbsp;last summer after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago club as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents. The search also proved a fundraising boon.

Among those coming to Trump's defense were House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said a possible indictment would be “an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance" against Trump.

McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would direct relevant GOP-led House committees “to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions.” McCarthy has not endorsed Trump’s White House campaign, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">Trump helped McCarthy secure the speakership</a>&nbsp;after a contentious campaign that required multiple rounds of voting.

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking House Republican and an early Trump endorser, said action by the district attorney would be “unAmerican.”

The comments came hours after Trump claimed in a social media post that he expects to be arrested this coming week as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-crimes-united-states-government-new-york-city-donald-trump-manhattan-6c5ace7d704c944fe2e4bc66c71a42ba">New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg</a>&nbsp;mulls charges in an investigation into hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump. A Trump lawyer and spokesman said Saturday that Trump, who has long denied the charges, had been responding in that post to media reports and had no independent knowledge of any pending legal action.

Trump, in a message on his Truth Social network, nonetheless declared that, “THE FAR &amp; AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE &amp; FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.” He then called on his supporters to "PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!” recalling the pleas he made before the deadly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">insurrection at the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 6, 2021.

Any potential violence spurred by Trump's comments could change the tenor of reaction. But on Saturday, several of Trump's declared and potential rivals were quick to blast the district attorney's investigation.

Pence, who has been escalating his criticism of the former president in recent weeks, said the news was particularly troubling, "happening in what appears to be a politically-charged environment in New York where the attorney general and other elected officials literally campaigned on a pledge to prosecutor the former president."

“No one is above the law," he added. “I’m confident President Trump can take care of himself. My focus is going to continue to be on the issues that are affecting the American people.”

Pence had been noncommittal when asked Thursday if Trump should drop out if he is indicted. “I think it’s a free country. Everybody can make their own decisions,” he said.

Trump has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cpac-gop-nomination-campaign-a7017a5d45abbb9d631a422514f9f12f">he would continue his presidential campaign even if indicted</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d">Ramaswamy</a>, who is already a declared candidate, earlier called on Bragg to “reconsider."

“A Trump indictment would be a national disaster,” Ramaswamy tweeted. “It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals.”

Representatives for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another potential candidate who is seen as Trump's most serious rival, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday — a decision publicized by a super PAC supporting Trump's candidacy. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, another declared candidate, did not address the investigation while campaigning in South Carolina.

Ramaswamy called on Haley and DeSantis to join him in condemning the possible indictment.

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who won his race in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement, said he had been asked by multiple reporters if an indictment would lead him to rescind support for Trump's campaign.

"The answer is: hell no. A politically motivated prosecution makes the argument for Trump stronger,” he tweeted. “We simply don’t have a real country if justice depends on politics.”

Prosecutors have been investigating hush money payments made to two women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump decades ago. A grand jury has been hearing from witnesses including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-grand-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-fb5c515d90c607d8e954431e271f9e16">former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen</a>, who says he orchestrated payments in 2016 to the women in exchange for their silence.

Trump denies the encounters and has cast the investigation as a “witch hunt” by a Democratic prosecutor bent on sabotaging Trump's latest presidential campaign. Trump has said he believes an indictment would help him in the 2024 race.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a longtime ally, said he agreed.

“The prosecutor in New York has done more to help Donald Trump get elected,” Graham said Saturday at the Vision ’24 conference in North Charleston, South Carolina. “They’re doing this because they’re afraid of Donald Trump."

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) —&nbsp;Top Republicans, including some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;potential rivals for the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination, rushed to his defense Saturday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-arrested-indicted-hush-money-manhattan-prosecutor-a48428984cf99d23f46b4157b34160ae?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_01">Trump said he is bracing for possible arrest.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Great being at the <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KUHoops</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RazorbackMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RazorbackMBB</a> game in Des Moines today! Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/RazorbackMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RazorbackMBB</a>! 🏀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZjQxqWuatu">pic.twitter.com/ZjQxqWuatu</a>&mdash; Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1637239788938969089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The idea of indicting a former president of the United States is deeply troubling to me as it is to tens of millions of Americans," said former Vice President Mike Pence, a likely Trump rival, during a visit to Iowa, an early-voting state. Tech investor Vivek Ramaswamy, campaigning in South Carolina, said he didn't want to live in a country where “the party in power is able to use police force to arrest its political opposition."The reaction underscores the political risks faced by would-be opponents who are eager to convince voters that it is time to move on from the former president, but who must contend with the fact that he remains the most popular figure in the party. The multiple investigations Trump is facing — his&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/110044039949982181">post on social media</a>&nbsp;about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-indictment-new-york-f3ce87a1b4ec50fbeaefcbe21f87ab0b">the Manhattan district attorney's probe</a>&nbsp;led to the public declarations of support — remain deeply unpopular with his supporters and criticizing Trump too harshly risks alienating his loyal base.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-9e8d683afe87389407950af7ccfdbdd6">garnered similar support</a>&nbsp;last summer after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago club as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents. The search also proved a fundraising boon.Among those coming to Trump's defense were House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said a possible indictment would be “an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance" against Trump.McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would direct relevant GOP-led House committees “to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions.” McCarthy has not endorsed Trump’s White House campaign, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">Trump helped McCarthy secure the speakership</a>&nbsp;after a contentious campaign that required multiple rounds of voting.New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking House Republican and an early Trump endorser, said action by the district attorney would be “unAmerican.”The comments came hours after Trump claimed in a social media post that he expects to be arrested this coming week as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-crimes-united-states-government-new-york-city-donald-trump-manhattan-6c5ace7d704c944fe2e4bc66c71a42ba">New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg</a>&nbsp;mulls charges in an investigation into hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump. A Trump lawyer and spokesman said Saturday that Trump, who has long denied the charges, had been responding in that post to media reports and had no independent knowledge of any pending legal action.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679143938516.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump, in a message on his Truth Social network, nonetheless declared that, “THE FAR &amp; AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE &amp; FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.” He then called on his supporters to "PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!” recalling the pleas he made before the deadly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">insurrection at the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 6, 2021.Any potential violence spurred by Trump's comments could change the tenor of reaction. But on Saturday, several of Trump's declared and potential rivals were quick to blast the district attorney's investigation.Pence, who has been escalating his criticism of the former president in recent weeks, said the news was particularly troubling, "happening in what appears to be a politically-charged environment in New York where the attorney general and other elected officials literally campaigned on a pledge to prosecutor the former president."“No one is above the law," he added. “I’m confident President Trump can take care of himself. My focus is going to continue to be on the issues that are affecting the American people.”Pence had been noncommittal when asked Thursday if Trump should drop out if he is indicted. “I think it’s a free country. Everybody can make their own decisions,” he said.Trump has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cpac-gop-nomination-campaign-a7017a5d45abbb9d631a422514f9f12f">he would continue his presidential campaign even if indicted</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d">Ramaswamy</a>, who is already a declared candidate, earlier called on Bragg to “reconsider."“A Trump indictment would be a national disaster,” Ramaswamy tweeted. “It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals.”Representatives for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another potential candidate who is seen as Trump's most serious rival, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday — a decision publicized by a super PAC supporting Trump's candidacy. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, another declared candidate, did not address the investigation while campaigning in South Carolina.Ramaswamy called on Haley and DeSantis to join him in condemning the possible indictment.Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who won his race in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement, said he had been asked by multiple reporters if an indictment would lead him to rescind support for Trump's campaign."The answer is: hell no. A politically motivated prosecution makes the argument for Trump stronger,” he tweeted. “We simply don’t have a real country if justice depends on politics.”Prosecutors have been investigating hush money payments made to two women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump decades ago. A grand jury has been hearing from witnesses including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-grand-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-fb5c515d90c607d8e954431e271f9e16">former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen</a>, who says he orchestrated payments in 2016 to the women in exchange for their silence.Trump denies the encounters and has cast the investigation as a “witch hunt” by a Democratic prosecutor bent on sabotaging Trump's latest presidential campaign. Trump has said he believes an indictment would help him in the 2024 race.Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a longtime ally, said he agreed.“The prosecutor in New York has done more to help Donald Trump get elected,” Graham said Saturday at the Vision ’24 conference in North Charleston, South Carolina. “They’re doing this because they’re afraid of Donald Trump."

Former VP attends KU game, is against a Trump indictment

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Three people involved in a botched drug deal that left a 19-year-old man dead have been sentenced.&nbsp;

On March 3, a judge sentenced 20-year-old Brian Youngman to nine years in prison for the killing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On Thursday, 19-year-old Lanita Baugh was&nbsp;sentenced to eight years in prison and 20-year-old&nbsp; Myrashia Griffin&nbsp; was sentenced to one year of probation.

On July 11,2022, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call near the intersection of 47th Street South and Clifton in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

 The call location was quickly updated to the QuikTrip at 47th Street South and Hydraulic. When deputies arrived at the convenience store they found a 19-year-old later identified as Donovan Graves of Wichita, in a vehicle deceased from a gunshot wound. Baugh and Griffin were with him.

Deputies were directed to a mobile home in the 5200 block of south Clifton where the shooting occurred. 

Investigators learned that Graves, Baugh and Griffin drove to the 5200 Block of South Clifton for a drug transaction, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. 

Graves attempted to rob a 17-year-old girl of marijuana, according to Easter.&nbsp; Youngman pulled a gun and shot Graves during the robbery.

Deputies arrested Youngman, the two women with Graves and the 17-year-old girl for marijuana possession with intent to sell, according to Easter.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Three suspects arrested after a fatal drug deal shooting will return to court for a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon.

Brian Youngman, 20 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder and attempted distribution of a controlled substance, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Myrashia Griffin, 20 and&nbsp;Lanita Baugh, 19, both of Wichita, were charged with 1st degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the DA's office.

Just after 7:30p.m. July 11, deputies were sent to a shooting call near the intersection of 47th Street South and Clifton in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

 The call location was quickly updated to the QuikTrip at 47th Street South and Hydraulic. When deputies arrived at the convenience store they found a 19-year-old later identified as Donovan Graves of Wichita, in a vehicle deceased from a gunshot wound. Two adult woman were with him.

Deputies arrested 20-year-old Brian Youngman of Wichita at the mobile home and booked him on requested charges of first degree murder.

Investigators learned that Graves, 19-year-old Lanita Baugh and 20-year-old Myrashia Griffin drove to the 5200 Block of South Clifton for a drug transaction, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. 

Graves attempted to rob a 17-year-old girl of marijuana, according to Easter. Youngman pulled a gun and shot Graves during the robbery.

Deputies arrested the two women with Graves, according to Blick.&nbsp; Deputies also arrested the 17-year-old girl for marijuana possession with intent to sell, according to Easter. She and Graves knew each other.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657641940268.png" alt="Youngman-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Youngman-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Three people involved in a botched drug deal that left a 19-year-old man dead have been sentenced.&nbsp;On March 3, a judge sentenced 20-year-old Brian Youngman to nine years in prison for the killing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On Thursday, 19-year-old Lanita Baugh was&nbsp;sentenced to eight years in prison and 20-year-old&nbsp; Myrashia Griffin&nbsp; was sentenced to one year of probation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657636527733.png" alt="Baugh-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Baugh-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On July 11,2022, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call near the intersection of 47th Street South and Clifton in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick. The call location was quickly updated to the QuikTrip at 47th Street South and Hydraulic. When deputies arrived at the convenience store they found a 19-year-old later identified as Donovan Graves of Wichita, in a vehicle deceased from a gunshot wound. Baugh and Griffin were with him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657636612949.png" alt="Griffin-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies were directed to a mobile home in the 5200 block of south Clifton where the shooting occurred. Investigators learned that Graves, Baugh and Griffin drove to the 5200 Block of South Clifton for a drug transaction, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. Graves attempted to rob a 17-year-old girl of marijuana, according to Easter.&nbsp; Youngman pulled a gun and shot Graves during the robbery.Deputies arrested Youngman, the two women with Graves and the 17-year-old girl for marijuana possession with intent to sell, according to Easter.&nbsp;-------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Three suspects arrested after a fatal drug deal shooting will return to court for a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon.Brian Youngman, 20 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder and attempted distribution of a controlled substance, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Myrashia Griffin, 20 and&nbsp;Lanita Baugh, 19, both of Wichita, were charged with 1st degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the DA's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657634255367.png" alt="Deputies on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Deputies on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 7:30p.m. July 11, deputies were sent to a shooting call near the intersection of 47th Street South and Clifton in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick. The call location was quickly updated to the QuikTrip at 47th Street South and Hydraulic. When deputies arrived at the convenience store they found a 19-year-old later identified as Donovan Graves of Wichita, in a vehicle deceased from a gunshot wound. Two adult woman were with him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657636612949.png" alt="Griffin-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies were directed to a mobile home in the 5200 block of south Clifton where the shooting occurred. Deputies arrested 20-year-old Brian Youngman of Wichita at the mobile home and booked him on requested charges of first degree murder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657636527733.png" alt="Baugh-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Baugh-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned that Graves, 19-year-old Lanita Baugh and 20-year-old Myrashia Griffin drove to the 5200 Block of South Clifton for a drug transaction, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. Graves attempted to rob a 17-year-old girl of marijuana, according to Easter. Youngman pulled a gun and shot Graves during the robbery.Deputies arrested the two women with Graves, according to Blick.&nbsp; Deputies also arrested the 17-year-old girl for marijuana possession with intent to sell, according to Easter. She and Graves knew each other.Each is being held on a $500,000 bond

Three sentenced for drug deal killing of Kansas teen

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679150487711.jpeg" alt="Jordan Michael Talton, Failure to appear; arrested 3/17" />
 <figcaption>Jordan Michael Talton, Failure to appear; arrested 3/17</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679150573219.jpeg" alt="William Franklin Bivens Fourth, Failure to appear; Probation violation; arrested 3/17" />
 <figcaption>William Franklin Bivens Fourth, Failure to appear; Probation violation; arrested 3/17</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679150736923.jpeg" alt="Charles Lamar Steele, Probation violation; arrested 3/17" />
 <figcaption>Charles Lamar Steele, Probation violation; arrested 3/17</figcaption>
 </figure>Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos March 18

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump said in a social media post that he expects to be arrested Tuesday as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-grand-jury-investigation-manhattan-e35836ebb6179e1c0ea28877590cfc1c">New York prosecutor is eyeing charges</a>&nbsp;in a case examining hush money paid to women who alleged sexual encounters with the former president.

Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network early Saturday that “illegal leaks” from the Manhattan district attorney's office indicate that “THE FAR &amp; AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE &amp; FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.”

Messages left Saturday with the district attorney’s office were not immediately returned. Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to calls for comment.

Trump did not provide any details on social media about how he knew about the expected arrest. In his postings, he repeated his lies that the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden was stolen and he urged his followers to “PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!” That language evoked the message from the then-president that preceded the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Law enforcement officials in New York have been making security preparations for the possibility that Trump could be indicted.

There has been no public announcement of any time frame for the grand jury’s secret work in the case, including any potential vote on whether to indict the ex-president.

Trump's posting echoes one made last summer when he broke the news on Truth Socia that the FBI was searching his home as part of an investigation into the possible mishandling of classified documents.

The grand jury in Manhattan has been hearing from witnesses, including former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who says he orchestrated payments in 2016 to two women to silence them about sexual encounters they said they had with Trump a decade earlier.

Trump denies the encounters occurred, says he did nothing wrong and has cast the investigation as a “witch hunt” by a Democratic prosecutor bent on sabotaging the Republican’s 2024 presidential campaign.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has apparently been examining whether any state laws were broken in connection with the payments or the way Trump’s company compensated Cohen for his work to keep the women’s allegations quiet.

Daniels and at least two former Trump aides — onetime political adviser Kellyanne Conway and former spokesperson Hope Hicks — are among witnesses who have met with prosecutors in recent weeks.

Cohen has said that at Trump’s direction, he arranged payments totaling $280,000 to porn actor Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. According to Cohen, the payouts were to buy their silence about Trump, who was then in the thick of his first presidential campaign. ___

Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump said in a social media post that he expects to be arrested Tuesday as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-grand-jury-investigation-manhattan-e35836ebb6179e1c0ea28877590cfc1c">New York prosecutor is eyeing charges</a>&nbsp;in a case examining hush money paid to women who alleged sexual encounters with the former president.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679143938516.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network early Saturday that “illegal leaks” from the Manhattan district attorney's office indicate that “THE FAR &amp; AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE &amp; FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.”Messages left Saturday with the district attorney’s office were not immediately returned. Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to calls for comment.Trump did not provide any details on social media about how he knew about the expected arrest. In his postings, he repeated his lies that the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden was stolen and he urged his followers to “PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!” That language evoked the message from the then-president that preceded the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.Law enforcement officials in New York have been making security preparations for the possibility that Trump could be indicted.There has been no public announcement of any time frame for the grand jury’s secret work in the case, including any potential vote on whether to indict the ex-president.Trump's posting echoes one made last summer when he broke the news on Truth Socia that the FBI was searching his home as part of an investigation into the possible mishandling of classified documents.The grand jury in Manhattan has been hearing from witnesses, including former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who says he orchestrated payments in 2016 to two women to silence them about sexual encounters they said they had with Trump a decade earlier.Trump denies the encounters occurred, says he did nothing wrong and has cast the investigation as a “witch hunt” by a Democratic prosecutor bent on sabotaging the Republican’s 2024 presidential campaign.Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has apparently been examining whether any state laws were broken in connection with the payments or the way Trump’s company compensated Cohen for his work to keep the women’s allegations quiet.Daniels and at least two former Trump aides — onetime political adviser Kellyanne Conway and former spokesperson Hope Hicks — are among witnesses who have met with prosecutors in recent weeks.Cohen has said that at Trump’s direction, he arranged payments totaling $280,000 to porn actor Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. According to Cohen, the payouts were to buy their silence about Trump, who was then in the thick of his first presidential campaign. ___Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.

Trump expects to be arrested Tuesday as DA eyes charges

IRON COUNTY (AP) —A rural Missouri sheriff and two deputies are jailed and facing charges accusing them of helping a man in a parental kidnapping plot.

Officers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Thursday arrested Iron County Sheriff Jeff Burkett, deputies Matthew Cozad and Chase Bresnahan, and the father of the child, Donald Gaston. All four face multiple charges and were jailed Friday in neighboring Washington County.

Iron County has about 9,500 residents and sits 100 miles (161 kilometers) southwest of St. Louis.

Burkett's lawyer, Gabe Crocker, said the charges are politically motivated.

“This is small-town politics,” Crocker said. "This is the continuation of a long gestating effort to remove this sheriff from office."

Charging documents say that in February, Gaston, 62, sought to take his daughter after an argument with the child's mother. Among the accusations against Burkett: Prosecutors say he lied to a 911 dispatcher to report that the mother had kidnapped the girl, and falsely accused the woman of putting the child in danger. Ultimately, the girl remained with her mother.

The sheriff and deputies also are accused of tracking the woman's whereabouts through her cell phone.

All four men were charged with criminal street gang activity since the alleged crime was organized. Burkett, 46, also is charged with attempted kidnapping, being an accessory to stalking, and other crimes.

Gaston's alleged crimes include stalking and attempted parental kidnapping. Gaston, Cozad and Bresnahan do not yet have attorneys, according to Missouri's online court reporting system.

Burkett is jailed on $500,000 cash-only bond. The other suspects are jailed on $400,000 cash-only bond.

Burkett, a Republican, was elected sheriff in 2020 and previously worked as a deputy. Last year, he was hospitalized for nearly four months with COVID-19, including spending time on a ventilator, according to the department's Facebook page. While he was hospitalized, county officials sought to remove him from office but eventually backed off, the posting said.

“It is no secret that Sheriff Burkett is an outsider to many of the current elected officials,” the posting stated.

Burkett was hospitalized briefly on March 10 due to lingering COVID-19 “symptoms and complications,” the Facebook page stated. The mugshot photo taken after his arrest shows him wearing an oxygen line in his nose.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679072161027.png" alt="Burkett-photo Washington Co." />
 <figcaption>Burkett-photo Washington Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>IRON COUNTY (AP) —A rural Missouri sheriff and two deputies are jailed and facing charges accusing them of helping a man in a parental kidnapping plot.Officers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Thursday arrested Iron County Sheriff Jeff Burkett, deputies Matthew Cozad and Chase Bresnahan, and the father of the child, Donald Gaston. All four face multiple charges and were jailed Friday in neighboring Washington County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679072213542.png" alt="Cozad-phjoto Washington Co." />
 <figcaption>Cozad-phjoto Washington Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Iron County has about 9,500 residents and sits 100 miles (161 kilometers) southwest of St. Louis.Burkett's lawyer, Gabe Crocker, said the charges are politically motivated.“This is small-town politics,” Crocker said. "This is the continuation of a long gestating effort to remove this sheriff from office."Charging documents say that in February, Gaston, 62, sought to take his daughter after an argument with the child's mother. Among the accusations against Burkett: Prosecutors say he lied to a 911 dispatcher to report that the mother had kidnapped the girl, and falsely accused the woman of putting the child in danger. Ultimately, the girl remained with her mother.The sheriff and deputies also are accused of tracking the woman's whereabouts through her cell phone.All four men were charged with criminal street gang activity since the alleged crime was organized. Burkett, 46, also is charged with attempted kidnapping, being an accessory to stalking, and other crimes.Gaston's alleged crimes include stalking and attempted parental kidnapping. Gaston, Cozad and Bresnahan do not yet have attorneys, according to Missouri's online court reporting system.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679072275600.png" alt="Gaston-photo Washington Co." />
 <figcaption>Gaston-photo Washington Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Burkett is jailed on $500,000 cash-only bond. The other suspects are jailed on $400,000 cash-only bond.Burkett, a Republican, was elected sheriff in 2020 and previously worked as a deputy. Last year, he was hospitalized for nearly four months with COVID-19, including spending time on a ventilator, according to the department's Facebook page. While he was hospitalized, county officials sought to remove him from office but eventually backed off, the posting said.“It is no secret that Sheriff Burkett is an outsider to many of the current elected officials,” the posting stated.Burkett was hospitalized briefly on March 10 due to lingering COVID-19 “symptoms and complications,” the Facebook page stated. The mugshot photo taken after his arrest shows him wearing an oxygen line in his nose.

Rural sheriff, 2 deputies arrested in kidnap plot

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;

On Thursday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 2300 Block of SE Oakwood Drive, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678963945921.png" alt="Cowhick-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Cowhick-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;On Thursday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 2300 Block of SE Oakwood Drive, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.As a result, officer arrested 32-year-old Cody Cowhick and transported him to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested&nbsp; charges that include Distribution of Opioids (Fentanyl), Possession of Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia and&nbsp; Possession of User Drug Paraphernalia