KANSAS CITY (AP) — Voters approved recreational marijuana in Missouri and Maryland but rejected it in two other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country.

The results mean that 21 states have now approved marijuana’s recreational use. Arkansas and North Dakota voters rejected legalization proposals in Tuesday's elections. A similar initiative went before voters in South Dakota, but early Wednesday it was too early to call.

Advocates said the results send a message to lawmakers in Washington about support around the country for legalization.

“A growing number of voters recognize that cannabis policy reform is in the best interest of public health and safety, criminal justice reform, social equity, and personal freedom,” Toi Hutchinson, president and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project, said in a statement. “State-level legalization victories are what’s necessary to move the needle forward at the federal level."

The state voting follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">moves by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;toward decriminalizing marijuana. Biden last month announced he was pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law.

Advocates of the marijuana initiatives have said Biden's announcement could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-health-donald-trump-arkansas-30242edb2600bf46ff404fc2c80862cd">give a boost</a>&nbsp;to their efforts.

Missouri’s measure will legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and expunge records of past arrests and convictions for nonviolent marijuana offenses, except for selling to minors or driving under the influence.

“It just shows that this is not a partisan issue,” said John Payne, who led the Missouri campaign to legalize marijuana use. “This is something that transcends partisan divides.”

Payne said he expected recreational sales to start in Missouri early next year.

Opponents said they would be working to limit the implementation of Missouri's legalization, such as working with cities and towns to opt out of allowing dispensaries.

“The devil is in the details, and we will remain actively involved in Missouri implementation because we don’t need another Big Tobacco industry harming kids in Missouri," said Kevin Sabet, president of SAM Action, an anti-legalization group.

Maryland will also make changes in criminal law and create automatic expungements of past marijuana possession convictions.

Heading into the election, recreational marijuana was legal in 19 states, and polls have shown opposition to legalization softening. All of the states with recreational marijuana on the ballot, except for Maryland, voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

About 6 in 10 voters support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana nationwide, according to VoteCast, an extensive survey of more than 90,000 voters nationwide conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

“Support for ending marijuana prohibition in the states is spreading much like it did at the end of alcohol prohibition," said Mason Tvert, a partner at VS Strategies, a cannabis policy and public affairs firm. “

The five states that held votes on Tuesday have legal medical marijuana programs. That includes Arkansas, which in 2016 became the first Bible Belt state to approve medical marijuana. The state's dispensaries opened in 2019, and more than 91,000 patients have cards to legally buy marijuana for medical conditions.

The legalization campaigns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-marijuana-industry-donors-d97a216994afd9933d0f733b3def6742">raised</a>&nbsp;about $23 million in the five states, with the vast majority in Arkansas and Missouri. More than 85% of contributions in those two states came from donors associated with companies holding medical marijuana licenses, according to an Associated Press analysis of the most recent campaign finance reports.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-arkansas-marijuana-recreational-supreme-court-bb2ec7c849bb46a793537ccfb9946420">Arkansas</a>, supporters ran upbeat ads touting the thousands of jobs they said would be created by the measure. Opponents ran more ominous spots, warning voters to “protect Arkansas from big marijuana.”

“The marijuana industry spent millions of dollars trying to write itself into the Arkansas Constitution," said Jerry Cox, executive director of the Family Council Action Committee, one of the groups opposing the measure. “Now they know that Arkansans do not support that kind of crony politics."

The initiative drew the criticism of traditional legalization opponents as well as some medical marijuana advocates, who said the Arkansas proposal placed too many limits and would only benefit a handful of dispensaries. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a former head of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, also opposed the measure.

Supporters indicated they planned to try again in Arkansas.

“Tonight, we made history by putting adult-use cannabis on the ballot for the first time, Although we fell short, we look forward to continuing this effort to build this momentum to 2024," said Robert McLarty, campaign director for Responsible Growth Arkansas.

David Owen, who led North Dakota's legalization effort, said he wasn't sure another effort would be made after the proposal was rejected.

“Tonight was not what we wanted, but the people have spoken and we have to prepare for the next steps,” Owen said.

North Dakota's proposal would have allowed people 21 and older to legally use marijuana at home as well as possess and cultivate restricted amounts of cannabis. It also would have established policies to regulate retail stores, cultivators and other types of marijuana businesses.

“It’s pretty clear North Dakota families don’t want marijuana across the state,” said Luke Niforatos, executive vice president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a Virginia-based political organization against marijuana legalization, which helped fight the measure in North Dakota.

South Dakotans, including a sizable number of Republicans, voted to legalize marijuana possession in 2020, but that law was struck down by the state Supreme Court in part because the proposal was coupled with medical marijuana and hemp. This year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sd-state-wire-south-dakota-marijuana-legalization-recreational-9426bf3208b9b53aa5804fb2b33b9bb9">recreational pot</a>&nbsp;stood by itself as it went before voters.

In Colorado, where recreational marijuana has been legal for nearly a decade, voters on Tuesday took up a proposal that would allow the use of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-health-veterans-denver-mental-f41ec8947ac4af17e6c51c84a1690727">certain psychedelic substances</a>. If approved, it would make Colorado the second state to take such a step. The vote was too early to call early Wednesday.

Melody Finley, a Republican in Little Rock, Arkansas, said she voted for the state's legalization measure because she thinks it can help some people for certain conditions.

“If you can buy alcohol, you can buy that, too," Finley, 47, a dance instructor, said.

But Rick Huffman, a voter in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, voted against that state's legalization proposal, two years after supporting recreational marijuana on South Dakota's ballot in 2020.

“I’ve got a kid that’s a teenager now,” he said. “So I think it’ll eventually happen, but maybe I’ll wait until my kids grow up.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Voters approved recreational marijuana in Missouri and Maryland but rejected it in two other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country.The results mean that 21 states have now approved marijuana’s recreational use. Arkansas and North Dakota voters rejected legalization proposals in Tuesday's elections. A similar initiative went before voters in South Dakota, but early Wednesday it was too early to call.Advocates said the results send a message to lawmakers in Washington about support around the country for legalization.“A growing number of voters recognize that cannabis policy reform is in the best interest of public health and safety, criminal justice reform, social equity, and personal freedom,” Toi Hutchinson, president and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project, said in a statement. “State-level legalization victories are what’s necessary to move the needle forward at the federal level."The state voting follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">moves by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;toward decriminalizing marijuana. Biden last month announced he was pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law.Advocates of the marijuana initiatives have said Biden's announcement could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-health-donald-trump-arkansas-30242edb2600bf46ff404fc2c80862cd">give a boost</a>&nbsp;to their efforts.Missouri’s measure will legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and expunge records of past arrests and convictions for nonviolent marijuana offenses, except for selling to minors or driving under the influence.“It just shows that this is not a partisan issue,” said John Payne, who led the Missouri campaign to legalize marijuana use. “This is something that transcends partisan divides.”Payne said he expected recreational sales to start in Missouri early next year.Opponents said they would be working to limit the implementation of Missouri's legalization, such as working with cities and towns to opt out of allowing dispensaries.“The devil is in the details, and we will remain actively involved in Missouri implementation because we don’t need another Big Tobacco industry harming kids in Missouri," said Kevin Sabet, president of SAM Action, an anti-legalization group.Maryland will also make changes in criminal law and create automatic expungements of past marijuana possession convictions.Heading into the election, recreational marijuana was legal in 19 states, and polls have shown opposition to legalization softening. All of the states with recreational marijuana on the ballot, except for Maryland, voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.About 6 in 10 voters support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana nationwide, according to VoteCast, an extensive survey of more than 90,000 voters nationwide conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.“Support for ending marijuana prohibition in the states is spreading much like it did at the end of alcohol prohibition," said Mason Tvert, a partner at VS Strategies, a cannabis policy and public affairs firm. “The five states that held votes on Tuesday have legal medical marijuana programs. That includes Arkansas, which in 2016 became the first Bible Belt state to approve medical marijuana. The state's dispensaries opened in 2019, and more than 91,000 patients have cards to legally buy marijuana for medical conditions.The legalization campaigns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-marijuana-industry-donors-d97a216994afd9933d0f733b3def6742">raised</a>&nbsp;about $23 million in the five states, with the vast majority in Arkansas and Missouri. More than 85% of contributions in those two states came from donors associated with companies holding medical marijuana licenses, according to an Associated Press analysis of the most recent campaign finance reports.In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-arkansas-marijuana-recreational-supreme-court-bb2ec7c849bb46a793537ccfb9946420">Arkansas</a>, supporters ran upbeat ads touting the thousands of jobs they said would be created by the measure. Opponents ran more ominous spots, warning voters to “protect Arkansas from big marijuana.”“The marijuana industry spent millions of dollars trying to write itself into the Arkansas Constitution," said Jerry Cox, executive director of the Family Council Action Committee, one of the groups opposing the measure. “Now they know that Arkansans do not support that kind of crony politics."The initiative drew the criticism of traditional legalization opponents as well as some medical marijuana advocates, who said the Arkansas proposal placed too many limits and would only benefit a handful of dispensaries. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a former head of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, also opposed the measure.Supporters indicated they planned to try again in Arkansas.“Tonight, we made history by putting adult-use cannabis on the ballot for the first time, Although we fell short, we look forward to continuing this effort to build this momentum to 2024," said Robert McLarty, campaign director for Responsible Growth Arkansas.David Owen, who led North Dakota's legalization effort, said he wasn't sure another effort would be made after the proposal was rejected.“Tonight was not what we wanted, but the people have spoken and we have to prepare for the next steps,” Owen said.North Dakota's proposal would have allowed people 21 and older to legally use marijuana at home as well as possess and cultivate restricted amounts of cannabis. It also would have established policies to regulate retail stores, cultivators and other types of marijuana businesses.“It’s pretty clear North Dakota families don’t want marijuana across the state,” said Luke Niforatos, executive vice president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a Virginia-based political organization against marijuana legalization, which helped fight the measure in North Dakota.South Dakotans, including a sizable number of Republicans, voted to legalize marijuana possession in 2020, but that law was struck down by the state Supreme Court in part because the proposal was coupled with medical marijuana and hemp. This year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sd-state-wire-south-dakota-marijuana-legalization-recreational-9426bf3208b9b53aa5804fb2b33b9bb9">recreational pot</a>&nbsp;stood by itself as it went before voters.In Colorado, where recreational marijuana has been legal for nearly a decade, voters on Tuesday took up a proposal that would allow the use of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-health-veterans-denver-mental-f41ec8947ac4af17e6c51c84a1690727">certain psychedelic substances</a>. If approved, it would make Colorado the second state to take such a step. The vote was too early to call early Wednesday.Melody Finley, a Republican in Little Rock, Arkansas, said she voted for the state's legalization measure because she thinks it can help some people for certain conditions.“If you can buy alcohol, you can buy that, too," Finley, 47, a dance instructor, said.But Rick Huffman, a voter in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, voted against that state's legalization proposal, two years after supporting recreational marijuana on South Dakota's ballot in 2020.“I’ve got a kid that’s a teenager now,” he said. “So I think it’ll eventually happen, but maybe I’ll wait until my kids grow up.”

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Missouri

MOSCOW (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/brittney-griner">American basketball star Brittney Griner</a>&nbsp;has been sent to a penal colony in Russia to serve her sentence for drug possession, her legal team said Wednesday.

A Russian court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russia-prison-appeal-denied-0baf45ba608ec4231642c3d0fe3d1522#:~:text=MOSCOW%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20A%20Russian,swap%20between%20Moscow%20and%20Washington.">rejected an appeal of her nine-year sentence</a>&nbsp;last month. The eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/40eccfc427da65b3c02eeabc8a7410ff">was convicted Aug. 4</a>&nbsp;after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.

Her arrest came at a time of heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, just days before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia sent troops into Ukraine</a>, and the politically charged case could lead to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-prisoner-exchange-explainer-e5321a583bed0fd3f2311616161d8d3a">high-stakes prisoner exchange</a>&nbsp;between Washington and Moscow.

Griner's legal team said she left a detention center on Nov. 4 for a penal colony — a common type of Russian prison where detainees work for minimal pay. Her lawyers said Wednesday that they did not know exactly where she was or where she would end up — but that they expected to be notified when she reached her final destination. Such transfers can take days.

The 32-year-old star athlete, who was detained while returning to play for a Russian team during the WNBA’s offseason, has admitted that she had the canisters in her luggage. But she testified that she had inadvertently packed them in haste and that she had no criminal intent. Her defense team presented written statements that she had been prescribed cannabis to treat pain.

“Every minute that Brittney Griner must endure wrongful detention in Russia is a minute too long," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “As we have said before, the U.S. Government made a significant offer to the Russians to resolve the current unacceptable and wrongful detentions of American citizens.”

The Associated Press and other news organizations have reported that Washington has offered to exchange Griner and Paul Whelan — an American serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for espionage — for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/054f3cc0a8895e1ce1d7c632b46f2fe9">Viktor Bout</a>. Bout is a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. and once earned the nickname the “merchant of death.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646510097872.png" alt="-Griner, 31, is one of the most recognizable players in women’s basketball, has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star and three-time Big 12 Player of the year at Baylor-photo courtesy Phoenix Mercury" />
 <figcaption>-Griner, 31, is one of the most recognizable players in women’s basketball, has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star and three-time Big 12 Player of the year at Baylor-photo courtesy Phoenix Mercury</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/brittney-griner">American basketball star Brittney Griner</a>&nbsp;has been sent to a penal colony in Russia to serve her sentence for drug possession, her legal team said Wednesday.A Russian court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russia-prison-appeal-denied-0baf45ba608ec4231642c3d0fe3d1522#:~:text=MOSCOW%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20A%20Russian,swap%20between%20Moscow%20and%20Washington.">rejected an appeal of her nine-year sentence</a>&nbsp;last month. The eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/40eccfc427da65b3c02eeabc8a7410ff">was convicted Aug. 4</a>&nbsp;after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.Her arrest came at a time of heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, just days before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia sent troops into Ukraine</a>, and the politically charged case could lead to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-prisoner-exchange-explainer-e5321a583bed0fd3f2311616161d8d3a">high-stakes prisoner exchange</a>&nbsp;between Washington and Moscow.Griner's legal team said she left a detention center on Nov. 4 for a penal colony — a common type of Russian prison where detainees work for minimal pay. Her lawyers said Wednesday that they did not know exactly where she was or where she would end up — but that they expected to be notified when she reached her final destination. Such transfers can take days.The 32-year-old star athlete, who was detained while returning to play for a Russian team during the WNBA’s offseason, has admitted that she had the canisters in her luggage. But she testified that she had inadvertently packed them in haste and that she had no criminal intent. Her defense team presented written statements that she had been prescribed cannabis to treat pain.“Every minute that Brittney Griner must endure wrongful detention in Russia is a minute too long," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “As we have said before, the U.S. Government made a significant offer to the Russians to resolve the current unacceptable and wrongful detentions of American citizens.”The Associated Press and other news organizations have reported that Washington has offered to exchange Griner and Paul Whelan — an American serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for espionage — for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/054f3cc0a8895e1ce1d7c632b46f2fe9">Viktor Bout</a>. Bout is a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. and once earned the nickname the “merchant of death.”

Griner sent to Russian penal colony to serve sentence

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A former Kansas City police detective&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/933d3aba9b37c83145fba5818d557c02">convicted of shooting</a>&nbsp;and killing a Black man in 2019 is asking that his conviction be overturned or that he be given a new trial.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Dale Youngs convicted Eric DeValkenaere in March of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb on Dec. 3, 2019.

DeValkenaere, who is white, and his partner shot Lamb within seconds of arriving at a home where Lamb lived. They had followed him after reports of several traffic violations. Lamb was backing a pickup truck into a garage when he was shot.

In announcing the conviction, Youngs said the detectives violated Lamb’s constitutional rights because they had no probable cause to believe he had committed a crime, had no warrant for Lamb’s arrest and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property.

In a motion filed Oct. 27 with the Missouri Court of Appeals, DeValkenaere's attorneys argued that DeValkenaere and his partner had probable cause to be on Lamb's property and to arrest him for the traffic violations, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article268437077.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>. They also argued that police did not trespass on private property, were not the “initial aggressors” and that Lamb's death was a lawful use of force by a police officer.

DeValkenaere testified that he shot Lamb to save his partner's life because he believed Lamb had a firearm. Lamb’s family has said he was not armed and that a gun found at the scene was planted.

DeValkenaere&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-5168b9935ec869fa74453228a87c166d">was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to three years for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively. He has been allowed to remain free while his conviction is appealed.

DeValkenaere was suspended from the police force after his conviction and left the force in January. Police have not said if he was fired, resigned or retired.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592994941014.png" alt="DeValkenaere photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>DeValkenaere photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A former Kansas City police detective&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/933d3aba9b37c83145fba5818d557c02">convicted of shooting</a>&nbsp;and killing a Black man in 2019 is asking that his conviction be overturned or that he be given a new trial.Jackson County Circuit Judge Dale Youngs convicted Eric DeValkenaere in March of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb on Dec. 3, 2019.DeValkenaere, who is white, and his partner shot Lamb within seconds of arriving at a home where Lamb lived. They had followed him after reports of several traffic violations. Lamb was backing a pickup truck into a garage when he was shot.In announcing the conviction, Youngs said the detectives violated Lamb’s constitutional rights because they had no probable cause to believe he had committed a crime, had no warrant for Lamb’s arrest and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property.In a motion filed Oct. 27 with the Missouri Court of Appeals, DeValkenaere's attorneys argued that DeValkenaere and his partner had probable cause to be on Lamb's property and to arrest him for the traffic violations, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article268437077.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>. They also argued that police did not trespass on private property, were not the “initial aggressors” and that Lamb's death was a lawful use of force by a police officer.DeValkenaere testified that he shot Lamb to save his partner's life because he believed Lamb had a firearm. Lamb’s family has said he was not armed and that a gun found at the scene was planted.DeValkenaere&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-5168b9935ec869fa74453228a87c166d">was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to three years for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively. He has been allowed to remain free while his conviction is appealed.DeValkenaere was suspended from the police force after his conviction and left the force in January. Police have not said if he was fired, resigned or retired.

Kansas City officer appeals conviction in man's shooting death

WASHINGTON – A Kansas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, according to the United State's Attorney.

Michael Eckerman, 38, of Wichita, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Eckerman illegally entered the Capitol grounds. At approximately 2 p.m., Eckerman observed rioters fighting with police officers outside the Capitol and began yelling at officers that they were “traitors to the country.” He and others then walked through scaffolding and up a set of steps leading to the Upper West Terrace. He entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Doors at approximately 2:24 p.m. He joined a crowd in pushing their collective bodies forward to breach a police line in the Crypt. Eckerman and others then surged forward and funneled toward the east side of the Capitol.

Near the Memorial Doors, he and others in the mob encountered another small group of officers who were trying to block access to nearby stairs leading to Statuary Hall and the area near the Speaker’s Lobby. Eckerman pushed his way to the front of the stand-off and once again used his body as part of a collective surge to get past the small line of law enforcement officers. At this moment, he was face to face with an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police, who put his hand on Eckerman’s shoulder. Eckerman moved his body forward to forcibly resist, impede, and interfere with the officer, which, along with the actions of others in the mob, caused the officer to stumble down some steps.

Eckerman continued moving through the building, and at one point entered the Rayburn Conference Room. He finally exited the Capitol at approximately 2:44 p.m.

&nbsp;Eckerman was arrested on Sept. 20, 2021. He is to be sentenced on Feb. 14, 2023. He faces a statutory maximum of eight years in prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, as well as potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office, and its Wichita Resident Agency, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the FBI’s Boston Field Office and its Lowell, Massachusetts and Bedford, New Hampshire Resident Agencies. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

&nbsp;In the 22 months since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly 900 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 275 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659042081555.png" alt="Photograph included in the FBI’s affidavit filed against Michael Eckerman" />
 <figcaption>Photograph included in the FBI’s affidavit filed against Michael Eckerman</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – A Kansas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, according to the United State's Attorney.Michael Eckerman, 38, of Wichita, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers.According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Eckerman illegally entered the Capitol grounds. At approximately 2 p.m., Eckerman observed rioters fighting with police officers outside the Capitol and began yelling at officers that they were “traitors to the country.” He and others then walked through scaffolding and up a set of steps leading to the Upper West Terrace. He entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Doors at approximately 2:24 p.m. He joined a crowd in pushing their collective bodies forward to breach a police line in the Crypt. Eckerman and others then surged forward and funneled toward the east side of the Capitol.Near the Memorial Doors, he and others in the mob encountered another small group of officers who were trying to block access to nearby stairs leading to Statuary Hall and the area near the Speaker’s Lobby. Eckerman pushed his way to the front of the stand-off and once again used his body as part of a collective surge to get past the small line of law enforcement officers. At this moment, he was face to face with an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police, who put his hand on Eckerman’s shoulder. Eckerman moved his body forward to forcibly resist, impede, and interfere with the officer, which, along with the actions of others in the mob, caused the officer to stumble down some steps.Eckerman continued moving through the building, and at one point entered the Rayburn Conference Room. He finally exited the Capitol at approximately 2:44 p.m.&nbsp;Eckerman was arrested on Sept. 20, 2021. He is to be sentenced on Feb. 14, 2023. He faces a statutory maximum of eight years in prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, as well as potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office, and its Wichita Resident Agency, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the FBI’s Boston Field Office and its Lowell, Massachusetts and Bedford, New Hampshire Resident Agencies. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.&nbsp;In the 22 months since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly 900 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 275 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.&nbsp;

Kansas man pleads guilty to actions during Jan. 6 capitol breach

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on child sex crime allegations.

On September 30, police learned that there may have been unlawful sexual acts between Tyann White, 32, of Hutchinson and two juvenile males, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police. Since then, two more boys have been identified as additional victims.

On Monday, police arrested White on requested charges of rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties and indecent solicitation of a child.

White is being held at the Reno County Correctional Facility with a bond of $420,000.

Police are asking anyone who has information of criminal activity to please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2834, or use your P3Tips App on your smartphone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667919105296.png" alt="White-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>White-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on child sex crime allegations.On September 30, police learned that there may have been unlawful sexual acts between Tyann White, 32, of Hutchinson and two juvenile males, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police. Since then, two more boys have been identified as additional victims.On Monday, police arrested White on requested charges of rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties and indecent solicitation of a child.White is being held at the Reno County Correctional Facility with a bond of $420,000.Police are asking anyone who has information of criminal activity to please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2834, or use your P3Tips App on your smartphone.

Kansas woman accused of sex crimes with juvenile boys

By KALIN KROHE Panhandle Post

On April 10, 37-year-old Ryan McElroy, Salina, Kan., killed 22-year-old Blythe Boness of Alliance in a vehicle crash on Highway 2 east of Alliance.

"As we know on April 10, 2022 in the afternoon, victim in this case, Blythe Boness, was traveling eastbound on Highway 2 in Box Butte County, Nebraska," Edward Vierk of the Nebraska Attorney General's Office said in Box Butte County District County Monday. 

"Blythe had just dropped off her fiancé Bailey to pick up a used truck that would be their future ranch truck. Blythe and Bailey were putting the pieces in place for their life together as husband and wife on a ranch. In fact, at the time of the crash that would soon happen, Bailey was following Blythe approximately two and a half miles behind her in this new used truck that they had purchased."

"At the time, Blythe was driving her Ford Escape SUV. In her vehicle, she had no other human passenger. She did have her and Bailey's four companions, their loyal dogs, not all of which would survive the upcoming event. And at the same time, the defendant, Mr. McElroy was traveling westbound on Highway 2. He was alone in his Camaro. At that time, he was driving on a suspended Kansas license and in fact, in Kansas, he did have a warrant out for his arrest. He had been drinking that morning, but he'd run out of alcohol and got in his car to go buy more alcohol. At approximately mile marker 92.5 in Box Butte County, Mr. McElroy crossed the center line and began driving in the eastbound lane of Highway 2. This was the lane that Blythe was properly driving in. Blythe made an evasive maneuver to try to avoid Mr. McElroy's oncoming car. She moved towards the north shoulder rather than trying to endanger herself by going into a ditch and the defendant then made another maneuver, returning to his lane, and he struck Miss Boness vehicle. As a result of this collision, Miss Boness was ejected and was killed." Boness was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and both vehicles were traveling slightly above the 65 MPH speed limit. McElroy hit Boness at approximately 73 MPH. McElroy was extracted from his vehicle by first responders and flown to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff for treatment. His Blood Alcohol Content was .235 grams per 100 ml of blood. McElroy was previously convicted of a DUI in Gage County on June 12, 2008 and another DUI in Salina, Kansas that year.

"In addition to this trauma, Blythe's fiancee, who I'd stated earlier had been following about two and a half miles behind, did arrive at the scene," Vierk said. "The worst nightmare possible he finds his fiancee underneath her vehicle, Bailey attempted to lift the vehicle off of her, but obviously could not. And he's still wracked with guilt that he was unable to do so. Mr McElroy is actions and choices that day provided lives, family and friends with the worst day of their lives. Mr. McElroy however his series of bad choices took Blythe away from her mother, her father, her fiancé, her brother's, the rest of her family or friends in her community. When we look around this courtroom, it's clear the damage to the community that Mr. McElroy has wrought with his bad and selfish choices. Blythe's mother Teresa didn't have an easy time giving birth to her daughter, she's been affected by this. She was on five months bed rest when she carried Blythe with every doctor telling her she was going to lose the baby. Despite the odds Blythe was healthy baby and she lived a short life that enlightened the lives of all those around her."

"Your Honor, this is a sad case," McElroy's attorney Stacy Bach said. "When I took this case on, I knew I wasn't going to be popular in the community. But, I had a duty and obligation and that's what we do as defense counsel, we represent our clients to the best of our ability. Mr. McElroy...after he got out of the hospital, and after I had an opportunity to meet with him, and after he was able to bond out of jail...he and I came into my office and we sat down. As defense counsel, it's my job to review every ounce of the evidence to review all the transcripts, and help my client make determinations on how to proceed to trial. In reviewing those transcripts and viewing the evidence, it was clear that there was no seatbelt being worn. It was clear there was a high rate of speed on the part of both parties. There were also issues of whether or not Ms. Boness was on her cell phone at the time. There were also issues that were being addressed, instigated by the firm that we intended to hire as expert witnesses, whether or not this was avoidable-- whether or not the evasive actions that she took were inappropriate. And again, those are what defense counsel does. As I sat and talked with Mr. McElroy about that, he said don't do it. I'm not gonna put the family to trial. I'm guilty. I was drunk. I caused the accident. He came into court. This court said, How do you plead? And he said, I plead guilty. He didn't plead no contest, which is what I tell 99% of my clients to do when there's civil litigation potentially. He said I don't care. I caused the accident, I'm absolutely guilty. I think that's what he told the court. This is hard for me. It's hard for Mr. McElroy. It's hard for these people behind me to sit here and listen to this today. But, it's closure. And I hope that this court gives them the closure that they need."

Bach then spoke about McElroy's criminal past.

"Mr. McElroy when he turned 29, I think he kind of had an epiphany," Bach said. "And that's when, for the most part, his criminal record left. He had a couple of things...no proof of insurance in 2018, and then got sideways with a girlfriend in 2020. And then there was this. The two prior convictions, although valid, are all right on the cusp of not being usable offenses anymore. They're 14 and a half years. In Nebraska, it's a 15 year look back period. Doesn't discount it. They're there. It's an&nbsp;enhanceable offense. And that's what the courts done and my clients not objecting to that. When we look through here, your Honor, I know you have a range that you can do a range from one to 50 years. I'm asking for the opportunity for Mr. McElroy to be able to get out at some point, put what he has learned to use, whether that's to go to schools and talk about driving and drinking and telling kids what he did. The court has the opportunity to put two numbers out there bottom to top. And so what we're asking for is at least somewhere in the middle for the bottom number and top numbers up to the discretion of the court. I know this, again, has been hard on everyone. But I appreciate that Mr. McElroy stood up, took responsibility for his actions in this case, and didn't drag this family through anything more than what they've already suffered."

"I just wrote this today," McElroy said "For six months. I've thought about what to say today and just have so many thoughts and everything is like a snowball and it just melted together. I had to say something today because I didn't want to feel like a coward. I don't know how to say what I want to say, I cannot imagine the grief that I put everyone through. This is one of those things that unless it actually happens to you, you will never thoroughly understand how it feels. Nothing I say will return what's lost or heal their broken hearts. I've had the privilege today to read some of the letters. I feel the sadness radiating from these letters. I can't fault anyone for feeling the way they do about me, I would too in their shoes. One letter that stuck out to me had a different message. One that said they hope my heart and mind find a different path. And I hope so. I'm sorry is not enough. No words will ever be enough. But, still I'm sorry. In the end, I had a choice that day to drink and drive. I wish more than anything that I could go back and do better."

"This is just a very difficult, tragic case," Box Butte County District Court Judge Travis P. O'Gorman said. "I wish there was something magical that I could say today that would take away all the pain and hurt and anger in this room. And I've been doing this long enough. I know that that's not possible for me to do.&nbsp;All I can say is the people here from Miss Boness, is that you have my most sincere condolences and I'm very sorry for your mom. We've all heard Mr. McElroy, you do have a concerning record to prior DUI offenses, one of which had a child in the vehicle, some theft offenses as well as two prior domestic offenses, which all contribute to the present report finding that you are high risk to reoffend. As noted by the prosecution going to treatment on multiple occasions, but still continuing to drink and drive. You admit and your criminal history is in your words fueled by alcohol. And that's what the evidence in this case shows." McElroy was sentenced to a term of &nbsp;"not less than 45 years, not more than 50 years" in the Nebraska State Prison. McElroy was credited for the 108 days already served. He will be eligible for parole in 22 1/2 years.

McElroy was also ordered to pay the cost of the prosecution and his driver's license was revoked for 15 years. His mandatory discharge will be in 25 years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667910749521.jpeg" alt="-Ryan McElroy" />
 <figcaption>-Ryan McElroy</figcaption>
 </figure>By KALIN KROHE Panhandle PostOn April 10, 37-year-old Ryan McElroy, Salina, Kan., killed 22-year-old Blythe Boness of Alliance in a vehicle crash on Highway 2 east of Alliance."As we know on April 10, 2022 in the afternoon, victim in this case, Blythe Boness, was traveling eastbound on Highway 2 in Box Butte County, Nebraska," Edward Vierk of the Nebraska Attorney General's Office said in Box Butte County District County Monday. "Blythe had just dropped off her fiancé Bailey to pick up a used truck that would be their future ranch truck. Blythe and Bailey were putting the pieces in place for their life together as husband and wife on a ranch. In fact, at the time of the crash that would soon happen, Bailey was following Blythe approximately two and a half miles behind her in this new used truck that they had purchased.""At the time, Blythe was driving her Ford Escape SUV. In her vehicle, she had no other human passenger. She did have her and Bailey's four companions, their loyal dogs, not all of which would survive the upcoming event. And at the same time, the defendant, Mr. McElroy was traveling westbound on Highway 2. He was alone in his Camaro. At that time, he was driving on a suspended Kansas license and in fact, in Kansas, he did have a warrant out for his arrest. He had been drinking that morning, but he'd run out of alcohol and got in his car to go buy more alcohol. At approximately mile marker 92.5 in Box Butte County, Mr. McElroy crossed the center line and began driving in the eastbound lane of Highway 2. This was the lane that Blythe was properly driving in. Blythe made an evasive maneuver to try to avoid Mr. McElroy's oncoming car. She moved towards the north shoulder rather than trying to endanger herself by going into a ditch and the defendant then made another maneuver, returning to his lane, and he struck Miss Boness vehicle. As a result of this collision, Miss Boness was ejected and was killed." Boness was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and both vehicles were traveling slightly above the 65 MPH speed limit. McElroy hit Boness at approximately 73 MPH. McElroy was extracted from his vehicle by first responders and flown to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff for treatment. His Blood Alcohol Content was .235 grams per 100 ml of blood. McElroy was previously convicted of a DUI in Gage County on June 12, 2008 and another DUI in Salina, Kansas that year."In addition to this trauma, Blythe's fiancee, who I'd stated earlier had been following about two and a half miles behind, did arrive at the scene," Vierk said. "The worst nightmare possible he finds his fiancee underneath her vehicle, Bailey attempted to lift the vehicle off of her, but obviously could not. And he's still wracked with guilt that he was unable to do so. Mr McElroy is actions and choices that day provided lives, family and friends with the worst day of their lives. Mr. McElroy however his series of bad choices took Blythe away from her mother, her father, her fiancé, her brother's, the rest of her family or friends in her community. When we look around this courtroom, it's clear the damage to the community that Mr. McElroy has wrought with his bad and selfish choices. Blythe's mother Teresa didn't have an easy time giving birth to her daughter, she's been affected by this. She was on five months bed rest when she carried Blythe with every doctor telling her she was going to lose the baby. Despite the odds Blythe was healthy baby and she lived a short life that enlightened the lives of all those around her.""Your Honor, this is a sad case," McElroy's attorney Stacy Bach said. "When I took this case on, I knew I wasn't going to be popular in the community. But, I had a duty and obligation and that's what we do as defense counsel, we represent our clients to the best of our ability. Mr. McElroy...after he got out of the hospital, and after I had an opportunity to meet with him, and after he was able to bond out of jail...he and I came into my office and we sat down. As defense counsel, it's my job to review every ounce of the evidence to review all the transcripts, and help my client make determinations on how to proceed to trial. In reviewing those transcripts and viewing the evidence, it was clear that there was no seatbelt being worn. It was clear there was a high rate of speed on the part of both parties. There were also issues of whether or not Ms. Boness was on her cell phone at the time. There were also issues that were being addressed, instigated by the firm that we intended to hire as expert witnesses, whether or not this was avoidable-- whether or not the evasive actions that she took were inappropriate. And again, those are what defense counsel does. As I sat and talked with Mr. McElroy about that, he said don't do it. I'm not gonna put the family to trial. I'm guilty. I was drunk. I caused the accident. He came into court. This court said, How do you plead? And he said, I plead guilty. He didn't plead no contest, which is what I tell 99% of my clients to do when there's civil litigation potentially. He said I don't care. I caused the accident, I'm absolutely guilty. I think that's what he told the court. This is hard for me. It's hard for Mr. McElroy. It's hard for these people behind me to sit here and listen to this today. But, it's closure. And I hope that this court gives them the closure that they need." Bach then spoke about McElroy's criminal past."Mr. McElroy when he turned 29, I think he kind of had an epiphany," Bach said. "And that's when, for the most part, his criminal record left. He had a couple of things...no proof of insurance in 2018, and then got sideways with a girlfriend in 2020. And then there was this. The two prior convictions, although valid, are all right on the cusp of not being usable offenses anymore. They're 14 and a half years. In Nebraska, it's a 15 year look back period. Doesn't discount it. They're there. It's an&nbsp;enhanceable offense. And that's what the courts done and my clients not objecting to that. When we look through here, your Honor, I know you have a range that you can do a range from one to 50 years. I'm asking for the opportunity for Mr. McElroy to be able to get out at some point, put what he has learned to use, whether that's to go to schools and talk about driving and drinking and telling kids what he did. The court has the opportunity to put two numbers out there bottom to top. And so what we're asking for is at least somewhere in the middle for the bottom number and top numbers up to the discretion of the court. I know this, again, has been hard on everyone. But I appreciate that Mr. McElroy stood up, took responsibility for his actions in this case, and didn't drag this family through anything more than what they've already suffered."McElroy then spoke to the court."I just wrote this today," McElroy said "For six months. I've thought about what to say today and just have so many thoughts and everything is like a snowball and it just melted together. I had to say something today because I didn't want to feel like a coward. I don't know how to say what I want to say, I cannot imagine the grief that I put everyone through. This is one of those things that unless it actually happens to you, you will never thoroughly understand how it feels. Nothing I say will return what's lost or heal their broken hearts. I've had the privilege today to read some of the letters. I feel the sadness radiating from these letters. I can't fault anyone for feeling the way they do about me, I would too in their shoes. One letter that stuck out to me had a different message. One that said they hope my heart and mind find a different path. And I hope so. I'm sorry is not enough. No words will ever be enough. But, still I'm sorry. In the end, I had a choice that day to drink and drive. I wish more than anything that I could go back and do better.""This is just a very difficult, tragic case," Box Butte County District Court Judge Travis P. O'Gorman said. "I wish there was something magical that I could say today that would take away all the pain and hurt and anger in this room. And I've been doing this long enough. I know that that's not possible for me to do.&nbsp;All I can say is the people here from Miss Boness, is that you have my most sincere condolences and I'm very sorry for your mom. We've all heard Mr. McElroy, you do have a concerning record to prior DUI offenses, one of which had a child in the vehicle, some theft offenses as well as two prior domestic offenses, which all contribute to the present report finding that you are high risk to reoffend. As noted by the prosecution going to treatment on multiple occasions, but still continuing to drink and drive. You admit and your criminal history is in your words fueled by alcohol. And that's what the evidence in this case shows." McElroy was sentenced to a term of &nbsp;"not less than 45 years, not more than 50 years" in the Nebraska State Prison. McElroy was credited for the 108 days already served. He will be eligible for parole in 22 1/2 years.McElroy was also ordered to pay the cost of the prosecution and his driver's license was revoked for 15 years. His mandatory discharge will be in 25 years.

Kan. man sentenced in DUI crash that killed Nebraska woman

RENO COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities arrested a Kansas felon who injured an officer while resisting on Sunday in Hutchinson.

Just after 4p.m., officers were sent to the 300 block of East 8th Street just&nbsp; for a loud music complaint.&nbsp; Gary McQueen, 45, was acting disorderly and so officers attempted to arrest him. McQueen resisted and one of the responding officers was injured.

EMS transported the officer&nbsp; to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment and he was released.

McQueen was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer and Interference with Law Enforcement. He has a previous conviction for driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667858228454.png" alt="McQueen has a previous conviction for driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>McQueen has a previous conviction for driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities arrested a Kansas felon who injured an officer while resisting on Sunday in Hutchinson.Just after 4p.m., officers were sent to the 300 block of East 8th Street just&nbsp; for a loud music complaint.&nbsp; Gary McQueen, 45, was acting disorderly and so officers attempted to arrest him. McQueen resisted and one of the responding officers was injured.EMS transported the officer&nbsp; to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment and he was released.McQueen was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer and Interference with Law Enforcement. He has a previous conviction for driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Kan. officer injured while arresting felon for disorderly conduct

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — When Planned Parenthood decided four years ago to open a new clinic in a medically underserved working-class neighborhood here, it envisioned a place that would save women living nearby from having to take hourslong bus rides to obtain birth control, testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">or an abortion</a>.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">decision overturning Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;— four days before the clinic opened — changed all that. Because Kansas is one of the few states in the region where abortion remains legal, the clinic soon found itself inundated with calls not just from panicked patients in Kansas and nearby Missouri, but also in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas — even as far away as Louisiana.

This clinic and other Planned Parenthood centers in Kansas have been doing their best to help by lengthening hours, hiring staff and flying in physicians. Still, they have only been able to take about 10% to 15% of the patients seeking abortions.

"The ecosystem, it’s not even fragile. It’s broken,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. “I think there’s a perception that if you are seeking care, you can find it somewhere. And that’s not true.”

Haley Ruark, of Platte City, Missouri, was able to get an appointment on a recent Wednesday after a two-week wait — longer than she wanted but better than driving hundreds of miles west to Colorado.

Ruark had panicked after a series of birth control mishaps. First a condom broke and then, despite using the morning-after pill, a pregnancy test came back positive. Missouri bans abortion in all cases but medical emergencies.

“It was just idiotic for a law to be put in place that you can’t do what you feel is necessary for your body and not even your body, but your mental health also,” Ruark said.

She already balances working 12-hour shifts as a patient care technician at a hospital with caring for her 2- and 6-year-olds.

“The two kids, like they’re good, you know, ends are met,” she said. “Bringing a baby into that, I just don’t think that that would be a good idea right now.”

Ruark walked past shouting protesters to get inside the new clinic. It took her almost two hours to get the abortion pill after meeting with Dr. Elizabeth Brett Daily. By law, Daily only needed to wait 30 minutes after Ruark's arrival to dispense the medication, but the clinic was busy.

Thousands of patients likely aren't getting appointments at all, according to a national tracking effort called #WeCount, which is led by the Society of Family Planning, a nonprofit organization that promotes research on abortion and contraception.

The society's report, released in October, found 6% fewer abortions were administered nationwide in August — when many of the more-restrictive bans on abortion had taken effect — compared with the number of abortions administered nationwide in April, before Roe was overturned.

Some of the states with bans saw the number of abortions drop from as many as 2,770 in April to below 10 in August, while bordering states that still permit the procedure saw their abortion numbers ramp up, the survey found. In Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska and North Carolina, the number of abortions administered in August was at least 30% higher than the number administered in April. In Illinois, 28% more abortions were administered in August than in April.

The study had some limitations, including that only 79% of all identified abortion providers — including clinics, private medical offices and hospitals — provided data. The society says the figures represent an estimated 82% of all abortions provided nationwide.

Few outside Kansas anticipated the state would take on this larger role providing abortions, said Elizabeth Nash, principal policy associate for state issues for the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.

“It’s a pretty conservative place. You know, it’s not like Colorado or Illinois where people have been thinking these will definitely be access points," Nash said.

Abortion opponents have been influential in Kansas politics since the 1991&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/66396619da3f451dabe4e996406bb4bd">Summer of Mercy</a>&nbsp;protests in Wichita, when thousands of anti-abortion activists gathered in Wichita, sparking protests that led to nearly 2,700 arrests.

The picture may be changing. Voters continue to elect large anti-abortion majorities to the Legislature, but in August&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">they overwhelmingly rejected</a>&nbsp;a constitutional amendment that would have cleared the way for tougher abortion restrictions or a ban.

Abortion demand in Kansas promises only to grow. While the procedure remains legal in neighboring Iowa and Nebraska, both are conservative and Nash described the states as “bans in waiting.”

Routinely, staff are turning away patients seeking appointments at the new clinic and the two other abortion clinics Planned Parenthood operates in Kansas, telling them they don’t keep a waiting list, and if they can get an appointment in Colorado or New Mexico to take it.

But there are no guarantees in those two states either, said Dr. Kristina Tocce, medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.

“I hypothesize that for every patient that can get to us and that we can see there are many patients who are not able to access care," Tocce said, adding that the number of out-of-state patients has soared.

Getting an appointment in Kansas City is luck of the draw. Local patients aren’t prioritized, but have an advantage because it is easier for them to make it to mid-week consultations. Planned Parenthood leaders said adding a fourth clinic is among the options under consideration to increase access, but they haven't released details.

Daily, of the new Kansas clinic, said she was drawn to the work after a stint with the Peace Corps in the West African nation of Togo. She saw sexual assault victims and “many, many" women and their babies die during childbirth.

The doctor sees horrific stories here, too. A recent abortion patient was 13, her face so bruised from the assault she endured that she could barely open one of her eyes in the waiting room.

Daily likens getting an appointment for an abortion these days to winning the lottery.

“Think about our current health care system and how hard it is just to get like a primary care visit," she said. “Times that by a thousand because that’s how hard it is for abortion care nowadays."

Among the patients Daily saw recently was a 29-year-old mother of two who asked that her name not be used because she didn't want her family and acquaintances to know. The woman said she initially had planned to carry her pregnancy to term. But then her 3-year-old daughter had a terrifying 40-minute seizure, which temporarily paralyzed her. It was her 13th major seizure in the past year.

Doctors intubated the little girl, and the woman hastily arranged for her 9-month-old son to be with his father. The couple had separated, so she sat by her daughter's bedside alone.

“I thought to myself, ‘It’s not fair, you know, to not be able to give another child my full attention."

She knows some people won’t understand her decision.

“People are just quick to judge," she said. “A lot of people have religious beliefs. ‘Oh, no. You can’t do that.' But for me, I just don’t think people take the time to get to know somebody and realize what their situation really is."

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — When Planned Parenthood decided four years ago to open a new clinic in a medically underserved working-class neighborhood here, it envisioned a place that would save women living nearby from having to take hourslong bus rides to obtain birth control, testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">or an abortion</a>.The U.S. Supreme Court’s June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">decision overturning Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;— four days before the clinic opened — changed all that. Because Kansas is one of the few states in the region where abortion remains legal, the clinic soon found itself inundated with calls not just from panicked patients in Kansas and nearby Missouri, but also in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas — even as far away as Louisiana.This clinic and other Planned Parenthood centers in Kansas have been doing their best to help by lengthening hours, hiring staff and flying in physicians. Still, they have only been able to take about 10% to 15% of the patients seeking abortions."The ecosystem, it’s not even fragile. It’s broken,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. “I think there’s a perception that if you are seeking care, you can find it somewhere. And that’s not true.”Haley Ruark, of Platte City, Missouri, was able to get an appointment on a recent Wednesday after a two-week wait — longer than she wanted but better than driving hundreds of miles west to Colorado.Ruark had panicked after a series of birth control mishaps. First a condom broke and then, despite using the morning-after pill, a pregnancy test came back positive. Missouri bans abortion in all cases but medical emergencies.“It was just idiotic for a law to be put in place that you can’t do what you feel is necessary for your body and not even your body, but your mental health also,” Ruark said.She already balances working 12-hour shifts as a patient care technician at a hospital with caring for her 2- and 6-year-olds.“The two kids, like they’re good, you know, ends are met,” she said. “Bringing a baby into that, I just don’t think that that would be a good idea right now.”Ruark walked past shouting protesters to get inside the new clinic. It took her almost two hours to get the abortion pill after meeting with Dr. Elizabeth Brett Daily. By law, Daily only needed to wait 30 minutes after Ruark's arrival to dispense the medication, but the clinic was busy.Thousands of patients likely aren't getting appointments at all, according to a national tracking effort called #WeCount, which is led by the Society of Family Planning, a nonprofit organization that promotes research on abortion and contraception.The society's report, released in October, found 6% fewer abortions were administered nationwide in August — when many of the more-restrictive bans on abortion had taken effect — compared with the number of abortions administered nationwide in April, before Roe was overturned.Some of the states with bans saw the number of abortions drop from as many as 2,770 in April to below 10 in August, while bordering states that still permit the procedure saw their abortion numbers ramp up, the survey found. In Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska and North Carolina, the number of abortions administered in August was at least 30% higher than the number administered in April. In Illinois, 28% more abortions were administered in August than in April.The study had some limitations, including that only 79% of all identified abortion providers — including clinics, private medical offices and hospitals — provided data. The society says the figures represent an estimated 82% of all abortions provided nationwide.Few outside Kansas anticipated the state would take on this larger role providing abortions, said Elizabeth Nash, principal policy associate for state issues for the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.“It’s a pretty conservative place. You know, it’s not like Colorado or Illinois where people have been thinking these will definitely be access points," Nash said.Abortion opponents have been influential in Kansas politics since the 1991&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/66396619da3f451dabe4e996406bb4bd">Summer of Mercy</a>&nbsp;protests in Wichita, when thousands of anti-abortion activists gathered in Wichita, sparking protests that led to nearly 2,700 arrests.The picture may be changing. Voters continue to elect large anti-abortion majorities to the Legislature, but in August&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">they overwhelmingly rejected</a>&nbsp;a constitutional amendment that would have cleared the way for tougher abortion restrictions or a ban.Abortion demand in Kansas promises only to grow. While the procedure remains legal in neighboring Iowa and Nebraska, both are conservative and Nash described the states as “bans in waiting.”Routinely, staff are turning away patients seeking appointments at the new clinic and the two other abortion clinics Planned Parenthood operates in Kansas, telling them they don’t keep a waiting list, and if they can get an appointment in Colorado or New Mexico to take it.But there are no guarantees in those two states either, said Dr. Kristina Tocce, medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.“I hypothesize that for every patient that can get to us and that we can see there are many patients who are not able to access care," Tocce said, adding that the number of out-of-state patients has soared.Getting an appointment in Kansas City is luck of the draw. Local patients aren’t prioritized, but have an advantage because it is easier for them to make it to mid-week consultations. Planned Parenthood leaders said adding a fourth clinic is among the options under consideration to increase access, but they haven't released details.Daily, of the new Kansas clinic, said she was drawn to the work after a stint with the Peace Corps in the West African nation of Togo. She saw sexual assault victims and “many, many" women and their babies die during childbirth.The doctor sees horrific stories here, too. A recent abortion patient was 13, her face so bruised from the assault she endured that she could barely open one of her eyes in the waiting room.Daily likens getting an appointment for an abortion these days to winning the lottery.“Think about our current health care system and how hard it is just to get like a primary care visit," she said. “Times that by a thousand because that’s how hard it is for abortion care nowadays."Among the patients Daily saw recently was a 29-year-old mother of two who asked that her name not be used because she didn't want her family and acquaintances to know. The woman said she initially had planned to carry her pregnancy to term. But then her 3-year-old daughter had a terrifying 40-minute seizure, which temporarily paralyzed her. It was her 13th major seizure in the past year.Doctors intubated the little girl, and the woman hastily arranged for her 9-month-old son to be with his father. The couple had separated, so she sat by her daughter's bedside alone.“I thought to myself, ‘It’s not fair, you know, to not be able to give another child my full attention."She knows some people won’t understand her decision.“People are just quick to judge," she said. “A lot of people have religious beliefs. ‘Oh, no. You can’t do that.' But for me, I just don’t think people take the time to get to know somebody and realize what their situation really is."

Kan. abortion clinic that opened days after Roe fell is inundated

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two women on drug allegations.

On Friday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 2500 Block SE Wisconsin Avenue related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

 While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine and marijuana.

Officers arrested Merry Conrad, 49 and Christina Stevenson, 48, and&nbsp; transported them to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Conrad is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Distribution of methamphetamine, Possession of paraphernalia with intent, Possession of marijuana and Aggravated child endangerment.

Stevenson, is being held on Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana and Aggravated child endangerment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667656811422.png" alt="Conrad-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Conrad-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two women on drug allegations.On Friday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 2500 Block SE Wisconsin Avenue related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell. While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine and marijuana.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667657435520.png" alt="Stevenson photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Stevenson photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers arrested Merry Conrad, 49 and Christina Stevenson, 48, and&nbsp; transported them to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.Conrad is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Distribution of methamphetamine, Possession of paraphernalia with intent, Possession of marijuana and Aggravated child endangerment.Stevenson, is being held on Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana and Aggravated child endangerment.

Police find meth, marijuana with children at Kan. home

KANSAS CITY —A child was struck and killed in an accident just after 11p.m. Friday in Clay County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford F150 driven by Lacy D. James, 33, Smithville, was backing up in a residential area at&nbsp;8 Jolisa Court in Smithville and struck a 3-year-0ld girl.

The child was transported to North Kansas City hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Authorities arrested James on requested charges of felony driving while intoxicated and causing the death of another, not a passenger and driving while suspended. She was taken to the Clay County jail on a 12-hour hold, according to online arrest records.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —A child was struck and killed in an accident just after 11p.m. Friday in Clay County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford F150 driven by Lacy D. James, 33, Smithville, was backing up in a residential area at&nbsp;8 Jolisa Court in Smithville and struck a 3-year-0ld girl.The child was transported to North Kansas City hospital where she was pronounced deceased.Authorities arrested James on requested charges of felony driving while intoxicated and causing the death of another, not a passenger and driving while suspended. She was taken to the Clay County jail on a 12-hour hold, according to online arrest records.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

KC-area woman arrested after pickup strikes, kills 3-year-old

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after&nbsp;

Just after 4a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County&nbsp;Emergency Communication Center&nbsp;received a 911 call of an unknown person with a flashlight had been near the caller’s barn in the 10000 block of SW Auburn Road, according to a media release.

When deputies arrived, they found a man later identified as 26-year-old Jonathan D. Veach of Topeka hiding under an ATV in the caller’s barn. He was wielding a sword.&nbsp;

After Veach refused to comply with commands, deputies seized the sword and attempted to arrest him. However, he continued to ignore commands and a taser was used to safely arrest him, according to the release.

Veach was booked into the&nbsp;Shawnee Co. Dept. of Corrections&nbsp;on requested charges of criminal trespass and interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667569993513.png" alt="Veach-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Veach-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after&nbsp;Just after 4a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County&nbsp;Emergency Communication Center&nbsp;received a 911 call of an unknown person with a flashlight had been near the caller’s barn in the 10000 block of SW Auburn Road, according to a media release.When deputies arrived, they found a man later identified as 26-year-old Jonathan D. Veach of Topeka hiding under an ATV in the caller’s barn. He was wielding a sword.&nbsp;After Veach refused to comply with commands, deputies seized the sword and attempted to arrest him. However, he continued to ignore commands and a taser was used to safely arrest him, according to the release.Veach was booked into the&nbsp;Shawnee Co. Dept. of Corrections&nbsp;on requested charges of criminal trespass and interference with law enforcement.

Kansas deputies find man hiding in barn wielding a sword

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man who is a registered Democratic voter has been arrested on suspicion of tampering with voting equipment by allegedly inserting a USB thumb drive into a voting machine at a polling station during the primary election in June, authorities said.

No elections data were accessed, and the June 28 incident didn't cause any major disruption to voting, authorities said. But it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-presidential-conspiracy-theories-colorado-53c90f7afe304e26eaee79b4699181bb">heightened concerns among election officials and security experts that conspiracy theories related to the 2020 presidential election could inspire some voters to meddle with — or even attempt to sabotage — election equipment.</a>

Experts say even unsuccessful breaches could become major problems in the days leading up to and on Tuesday’s midterm election, causing delays at polling places or sowing the seeds of misinformation campaigns.

Richard Patton, 31, of Pueblo was arrested on Thursday by members of the Pueblo Police Department High-Tech Crime Unit for investigation of tampering with voting equipment, a felony, and cybercrime-unauthorized access, a misdemeanor, the department said in a statement.

Court records indicate Patton was being held without bond at the Pueblo County Judicial Center pending an advisement hearing later Friday in which he will hear the pending charges against him. Patton was being represented by an attorney from the public defender's office, which does not comment on pending cases.

Gilbert Ortiz, Pueblo County's clerk and recorder, confirmed Friday that Patton has been a registered Democratic voter since 2019, when he switched his affiliation from the Green Party.

Election officials in Colorado use locks and tamper-evident seals on voting equipment, so it becomes apparent if someone has tried to access it. Trigger alerts make machines inoperable if someone tries to tamper with them, which is what happened in Pueblo, according to Ortiz and the Colorado Secretary of State's office.

On the afternoon of June 28, poll workers heard noises coming from a voting booth. When a poll worker went to investigate and clean the machine, they saw an error message and notified a supervisor. Tamper-evident seals on the machine appeared to be disturbed, the secretary's office said. The machine was immediately taken out of service for investigation.

Activists who promote the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">false claim</a>&nbsp;that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from former President Donald Trump have been traveling the country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abridged-content-ca44472abe0883ae891f5231539faf00">peddling a narrative</a>&nbsp;that electronic voting machines are being manipulated.

Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Friday that this is the first arrest and potential prosecution under a new law broadening the definition of tampering with election equipment and strengthening the penalty for it. It is now a felony punishable by up to three years in prison.

“The continued spread of election conspiracies and the Big Lie is fueling threats to American elections, including efforts to interfere with election equipment," Griswold, a Democrat seeking reelection Tuesday, said in a statement. "It is vital that anyone who breaks the law in attempts of subverting the will of the people or undermining elections be held responsible.”

Citing an ongoing investigation, Pueblo police spokesperson Officer Meagan Chapman said the department could not release further information, including a warrant for Patton's arrest that could potentially suggest a possible motive for the alleged tampering.

Ortiz said Patton was identified as a suspect because he presented a driver's license to poll workers as proof he was eligible to vote — and that he did vote — before the alleged tampering was discovered.

“The atmosphere we have around elections is so rumor-generated these days, and I feel like a lot of the public feel like we’re the enemy when our staff and judges are the ones protecting democracy,” Ortiz said. “This just proves to me that Colorado’s system has so many checks and balances it's just impossible for anybody to tamper with our elections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667587279967.png" alt="Patton-photo Pueblo Police" />
 <figcaption>Patton-photo Pueblo Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man who is a registered Democratic voter has been arrested on suspicion of tampering with voting equipment by allegedly inserting a USB thumb drive into a voting machine at a polling station during the primary election in June, authorities said.No elections data were accessed, and the June 28 incident didn't cause any major disruption to voting, authorities said. But it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-presidential-conspiracy-theories-colorado-53c90f7afe304e26eaee79b4699181bb">heightened concerns among election officials and security experts that conspiracy theories related to the 2020 presidential election could inspire some voters to meddle with — or even attempt to sabotage — election equipment.</a>Experts say even unsuccessful breaches could become major problems in the days leading up to and on Tuesday’s midterm election, causing delays at polling places or sowing the seeds of misinformation campaigns.Richard Patton, 31, of Pueblo was arrested on Thursday by members of the Pueblo Police Department High-Tech Crime Unit for investigation of tampering with voting equipment, a felony, and cybercrime-unauthorized access, a misdemeanor, the department said in a statement.Court records indicate Patton was being held without bond at the Pueblo County Judicial Center pending an advisement hearing later Friday in which he will hear the pending charges against him. Patton was being represented by an attorney from the public defender's office, which does not comment on pending cases.Gilbert Ortiz, Pueblo County's clerk and recorder, confirmed Friday that Patton has been a registered Democratic voter since 2019, when he switched his affiliation from the Green Party.Election officials in Colorado use locks and tamper-evident seals on voting equipment, so it becomes apparent if someone has tried to access it. Trigger alerts make machines inoperable if someone tries to tamper with them, which is what happened in Pueblo, according to Ortiz and the Colorado Secretary of State's office.On the afternoon of June 28, poll workers heard noises coming from a voting booth. When a poll worker went to investigate and clean the machine, they saw an error message and notified a supervisor. Tamper-evident seals on the machine appeared to be disturbed, the secretary's office said. The machine was immediately taken out of service for investigation.Activists who promote the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">false claim</a>&nbsp;that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from former President Donald Trump have been traveling the country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abridged-content-ca44472abe0883ae891f5231539faf00">peddling a narrative</a>&nbsp;that electronic voting machines are being manipulated.Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Friday that this is the first arrest and potential prosecution under a new law broadening the definition of tampering with election equipment and strengthening the penalty for it. It is now a felony punishable by up to three years in prison.“The continued spread of election conspiracies and the Big Lie is fueling threats to American elections, including efforts to interfere with election equipment," Griswold, a Democrat seeking reelection Tuesday, said in a statement. "It is vital that anyone who breaks the law in attempts of subverting the will of the people or undermining elections be held responsible.”Citing an ongoing investigation, Pueblo police spokesperson Officer Meagan Chapman said the department could not release further information, including a warrant for Patton's arrest that could potentially suggest a possible motive for the alleged tampering.Ortiz said Patton was identified as a suspect because he presented a driver's license to poll workers as proof he was eligible to vote — and that he did vote — before the alleged tampering was discovered.“The atmosphere we have around elections is so rumor-generated these days, and I feel like a lot of the public feel like we’re the enemy when our staff and judges are the ones protecting democracy,” Ortiz said. “This just proves to me that Colorado’s system has so many checks and balances it's just impossible for anybody to tamper with our elections.

Man arrested on suspicion of tampering with voting machine

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent attack on an off-duty police officer have confirmed the alleged attack that occurred Thursday night, according to Lawrence Police Department spokesperson Laura McCabe.&nbsp; Police have five suspect in custody.&nbsp;

Just before 2a.m. officers were dispatched to Bob Billings Parkway and George Williams Way on a disturbance with weapons call and quickly learned the potential victim was an off-duty officer.

The victim tells reported to police he was walking on a nearby sidewalk and saw a car pass by with several people inside.&nbsp; Moments later, the victim said he was surprised to see a man emerge from the tree line.&nbsp; The off-duty officer was unarmed. The victim says he walked by the man, but then turned around to see the man was swinging a crowbar at him.&nbsp;

 The victim reported he was able to avoid getting hit and knocked the object out of the man’s hands.&nbsp; They struggled and when another man joined in, the victim says the first alleged assailant was able to grab the crowbar and hit him in the head, according to McCabe.

The group then took off in the same car the victim says he saw pass by before the altercation.&nbsp; As the victim fled, he says he heard gunshots, but was not hit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Responding officers stopped the car a short time later, near Bob White Drive and Lake Alvamar Drive, and arrested four adults and one juvenile.&nbsp;

The crime scene was extensive because officers recovered evidence that had been potentially thrown from the vehicle, including a firearm.

The officer required treatment at the hospital for his injuries but will be ok, according to McCabe. Detectives in Lawrence&nbsp; Police Investigations Unit are still working to compile evidence and will send an affidavit to the District Attorney suggesting a variety of potential charges to include attempted murder. &nbsp;

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent attack on an off-duty police officer have confirmed the alleged attack that occurred Thursday night, according to Lawrence Police Department spokesperson Laura McCabe.&nbsp; Police have five suspect in custody.&nbsp;Just before 2a.m. officers were dispatched to Bob Billings Parkway and George Williams Way on a disturbance with weapons call and quickly learned the potential victim was an off-duty officer.The victim tells reported to police he was walking on a nearby sidewalk and saw a car pass by with several people inside.&nbsp; Moments later, the victim said he was surprised to see a man emerge from the tree line.&nbsp; The off-duty officer was unarmed. The victim says he walked by the man, but then turned around to see the man was swinging a crowbar at him.&nbsp; The victim reported he was able to avoid getting hit and knocked the object out of the man’s hands.&nbsp; They struggled and when another man joined in, the victim says the first alleged assailant was able to grab the crowbar and hit him in the head, according to McCabe.The group then took off in the same car the victim says he saw pass by before the altercation.&nbsp; As the victim fled, he says he heard gunshots, but was not hit.&nbsp;&nbsp;Responding officers stopped the car a short time later, near Bob White Drive and Lake Alvamar Drive, and arrested four adults and one juvenile.&nbsp;The crime scene was extensive because officers recovered evidence that had been potentially thrown from the vehicle, including a firearm.The officer required treatment at the hospital for his injuries but will be ok, according to McCabe. Detectives in Lawrence&nbsp; Police Investigations Unit are still working to compile evidence and will send an affidavit to the District Attorney suggesting a variety of potential charges to include attempted murder. &nbsp;

Off-duty Kansas police officer hospitalized after crowbar attack

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after a violent incident in rural Saline County home.

Just before 7:30a.m. Thursday, a 25-year-old Assaria woman called to report that her husband had struck her multiple times, handcuffed her to a pole in the basement for a while overnight, and then kept her locked in the basement, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan. The man also allegedly made threats against her should she contact law enforcement. 

The woman said he only let her out of the basement when one of their young children began crying and needed to be tended to. Two small children - an infant and a toddler - were in the house at the time of the incident.

The incident started after the couple got into an argument Wednesday night, according to Soldan.

After her husband went to work Thursday morning, the woman went to a neighbor's to make the call, as her husband, identified as Kevin M. Walden, 38, of Assaria, had taken her cellphone.

Deputies arrested Walden at his place of work on the following requested charges, Aggravated battery, Kidnapping, Two counts of child endangerment, Domestic battery and Intimidation of a witness.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667566725618.jpeg" alt="Kevin M. Walden. Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Kevin M. Walden. Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after a violent incident in rural Saline County home.Just before 7:30a.m. Thursday, a 25-year-old Assaria woman called to report that her husband had struck her multiple times, handcuffed her to a pole in the basement for a while overnight, and then kept her locked in the basement, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan. The man also allegedly made threats against her should she contact law enforcement. The woman said he only let her out of the basement when one of their young children began crying and needed to be tended to. Two small children - an infant and a toddler - were in the house at the time of the incident.The incident started after the couple got into an argument Wednesday night, according to Soldan.After her husband went to work Thursday morning, the woman went to a neighbor's to make the call, as her husband, identified as Kevin M. Walden, 38, of Assaria, had taken her cellphone.Deputies arrested Walden at his place of work on the following requested charges, Aggravated battery, Kidnapping, Two counts of child endangerment, Domestic battery and Intimidation of a witness.

Sheriff: Kan. man allegedly handcuffed woman to pole in basement

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack on a student at Manhattan High School

Just after 8a.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for aggravated battery at Manhattan High School in the 2100 block of Poyntz Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 17-year-old boy was listed as the victim when it was reported a 15-year-old girl kicked him in the head multiple times and punched him during school. 

Police arrested 15-year-old Hanna Whitnack of Manhattan on requested charges of aggravated battery. She was processed through juvenile intake and released to a guardian.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack on a student at Manhattan High SchoolJust after 8a.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for aggravated battery at Manhattan High School in the 2100 block of Poyntz Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 17-year-old boy was listed as the victim when it was reported a 15-year-old girl kicked him in the head multiple times and punched him during school. Police arrested 15-year-old Hanna Whitnack of Manhattan on requested charges of aggravated battery. She was processed through juvenile intake and released to a guardian..

15-year-old arrested after alleged violent attack at high school

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man and his girlfriend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-murder-suspect-400e3453a8c2ae58ca0ef3276c8d9b40">suspected of killing</a>&nbsp;five people in three states last year have pleaded guilty to two of the killings in South Carolina and been sentenced to life in prison without parole, authorities said.

Tyler Terry and Adrienne Simpson each pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and numerous other charges Wednesday in Chester County, according to media reports.

Prosecutors agreed to not seek the death penalty in any of the five killings as long as the couple also pleaded guilty to two shootings near St. Louis, Missouri, and another in Memphis, Tennessee. All five deaths happened in May 2021, investigators said.

Terry, 27, said nothing in court other than to answer questions about his guilty plea, while Simpson apologized to the families of the victims, which included her estranged husband.

Simpson, 34, said she was heartbroken over what happened and wished she could turn back time. Her lawyer said Simpson has struggled with abusive relationships.

Police began looking for Terry last year after he fired at an officer who tried to talk to him when he was parked at a closed restaurant. The officer kept chasing him with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sc-state-wire-south-carolina-0c2bf19007e1b67a475e152979105451">a bullet hole</a>&nbsp;in her SUV's windshield, authorities said.

Simpson was arrested at the end of the chase, but Terry managed to avoid more than 300 officers looking for him over seven days in one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-29239f3c23a8298e31f40acfc4284f2f">largest manhunts</a>&nbsp;law enforcement could recall in South Carolina.

The couple pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing Simpson's estranged husband Eugene in Chester County and Thomas Hardin in York County on the same day in May 2021.

Terry and Simpson then ended up in Missouri 13 days later where prosecutors said they shot and killed Sergei Zacharev during a robbery in a restaurant parking lot in the St. Louis suburb of Brentwood. They then killed Barbara Goodkin as she sat in her car with her husband in University City, authorities said.

Goodkin's husband was also shot, but investigators said the bullet hit his cellphone, which may have saved his life.

Two days later, Danterrio Coats was found shot to death near a car with its emergency flashers on in Memphis, said investigators, who think he was also robbed.

Prosecutors in South Carolina said their counterparts in Tennessee and Missouri also agreed not to seek the death penalty against either Terry or Simpson as long as they plead guilty in those states, too.

The couple will serve their life sentences in South Carolina prisons after they are sent to the other states to admit to the crimes, authorities said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667509540729.png" alt="Terry-photo&nbsp; Chester County South Carolina Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Terry-photo&nbsp; Chester County South Carolina Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man and his girlfriend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-murder-suspect-400e3453a8c2ae58ca0ef3276c8d9b40">suspected of killing</a>&nbsp;five people in three states last year have pleaded guilty to two of the killings in South Carolina and been sentenced to life in prison without parole, authorities said.Tyler Terry and Adrienne Simpson each pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and numerous other charges Wednesday in Chester County, according to media reports.Prosecutors agreed to not seek the death penalty in any of the five killings as long as the couple also pleaded guilty to two shootings near St. Louis, Missouri, and another in Memphis, Tennessee. All five deaths happened in May 2021, investigators said.Terry, 27, said nothing in court other than to answer questions about his guilty plea, while Simpson apologized to the families of the victims, which included her estranged husband.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667509514716.png" alt="Simpson-photo Chester County South Carolina Sheriff'" />
 <figcaption>Simpson-photo Chester County South Carolina Sheriff'</figcaption>
 </figure>Simpson, 34, said she was heartbroken over what happened and wished she could turn back time. Her lawyer said Simpson has struggled with abusive relationships.Police began looking for Terry last year after he fired at an officer who tried to talk to him when he was parked at a closed restaurant. The officer kept chasing him with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sc-state-wire-south-carolina-0c2bf19007e1b67a475e152979105451">a bullet hole</a>&nbsp;in her SUV's windshield, authorities said.Simpson was arrested at the end of the chase, but Terry managed to avoid more than 300 officers looking for him over seven days in one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-29239f3c23a8298e31f40acfc4284f2f">largest manhunts</a>&nbsp;law enforcement could recall in South Carolina.The couple pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing Simpson's estranged husband Eugene in Chester County and Thomas Hardin in York County on the same day in May 2021.Terry and Simpson then ended up in Missouri 13 days later where prosecutors said they shot and killed Sergei Zacharev during a robbery in a restaurant parking lot in the St. Louis suburb of Brentwood. They then killed Barbara Goodkin as she sat in her car with her husband in University City, authorities said.Goodkin's husband was also shot, but investigators said the bullet hit his cellphone, which may have saved his life.Two days later, Danterrio Coats was found shot to death near a car with its emergency flashers on in Memphis, said investigators, who think he was also robbed.Prosecutors in South Carolina said their counterparts in Tennessee and Missouri also agreed not to seek the death penalty against either Terry or Simpson as long as they plead guilty in those states, too.The couple will serve their life sentences in South Carolina prisons after they are sent to the other states to admit to the crimes, authorities said.