KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — There are few surprises expected on Election Day in solidly Republican Arkansas, where Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-arkansas-primary-governor-92c3770dc9fd23d80e0e3a4bc6797597">former press secretary</a>&nbsp;is heavily favored in the race for governor and other GOP candidates are considered locks.

But one big exception is the campaign to make Arkansas the first state in the South to legalize recreational marijuana.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-arkansas-marijuana-recreational-supreme-court-bb2ec7c849bb46a793537ccfb9946420">A proposal to change the state's constitution</a>&nbsp;is drawing millions of dollars from opponents and supporters of legalization, with ads crowding the airwaves.

President Joe Biden's recent announcement that he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">pardon thousands of people</a>&nbsp;for simple marijuana possession has shined a new spotlight on the legalization efforts in Arkansas and four other states. Voters in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/larry-hogan-maryland-marijuana-constitutional-amendments-constitutions-1f60d69c21e364499b81b0e76caf65ed">Maryland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-marijuana-recreational-medical-missouri-d09e1ab128d572495edca73bb52bb241">Missouri</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-recreational-north-dakota-sd-state-wire-d6dbbc3c512ae80f09f5505de87b7441">North Dakota</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sd-state-wire-south-dakota-marijuana-legalization-recreational-9426bf3208b9b53aa5804fb2b33b9bb9">South Dakota</a>&nbsp;are also taking up measures on recreational marijuana.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/10/06/granting-pardon-for-the-offense-of-simple-possession-of-marijuana/">Biden's step</a>&nbsp;toward decriminalizing the drug could provide a boost for legalization in some of the most conservative parts of the country, experts say.

“The most powerful elected leader in the world has publicly declared it was a mistake to criminalize people for using cannabis and I think that will go a long way with voters who may be on the fence," said Mason Tvert, partner at VS Strategies, a cannabis policy and public affairs firm.

Biden's announcement only covers people convicted under the federal law. But he has called on governors to issue similar pardons for those convicted of state marijuana offenses, which reflect the vast majority of marijuana possession cases. The president also directed his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/10/06/statement-from-president-biden-on-marijuana-reform/">health secretary and attorney general</a>&nbsp;to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.

The moves come as opposition to legalization has softened around the country, with recreational marijuana legal in 19 states, despite resistance at the federal level. Advocates say it shows that states are ahead of the federal government on the issue.

“I think it's an example of state level leadership and citizens pushing the federal government in the right direction," said Eddie Armstrong, a former state legislator who leads the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.responsiblegrowtharkansas.com/about">Responsible Growth Arkansas</a>&nbsp;group campaigning for legalization.

In 2016, Arkansas became the first Bible Belt state to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/539c26f41a4b4f2e90905f4448a28d48">approve medical marijuana</a>, with voters approving a legalization measure.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/medical-marijuana">More than 91,000 people have cards</a>&nbsp;to legally buy marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-us-news-arkansas-medical-marijuana-ar-state-wire-94ad1c34506b4c22b1868011de720bca">which opened in 2019</a>. Patients have spent more than $200 million so far this year, the state says.

An ad by Responsible Growth Arkansas points to benefits such as the thousands of jobs it says legalization would create. The main group opposing the measure is running an ad that urges voters to “protect Arkansas from big marijuana.”

The proposal faces opposition from Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a former head of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration who criticized Biden's pardon announcement. Former White House press secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-arkansas-race-and-ethnicity-election-2020-little-rock-510eba764a340c9d316969aca9f494b7">Sarah Sanders</a>, the Republican front-runner to succeed Hutchinson, has said she will vote against the measure. Her Democratic rival, Chris Jones, said he supports it.

In neighboring Missouri, a proposed constitutional amendment would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-marijuana-recreational-constitutions-missouri-65e4a10bb7d99fdf9fca2ea57e07d0c1">expunge records</a>&nbsp;of past arrests and convictions for nonviolent marijuana offenses, except for selling to minors or driving under the influence.

Supporters said they do not expect Biden’s pardon announcement for some federal marijuana offenses to have much of an impact on the Missouri measure, which could expunge several hundred thousand state marijuana offenses.

“There is some danger of confusion, but I think most people understand the distinction of the federal and state processes,” said John Payne, campaign manager for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legalmo22.com/">Legal Missouri 2022</a>.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican and former sheriff, opposes the ballot measure but has not aggressively campaigned against it. He has no plans to emulate Biden’s pardon announcement.

Parson has granted pardons “to individuals who demonstrate a changed life-style, commitment to rehabilitation, contrition and contribution to their communities — rather than as a blanket approach to undermine existing law,” said Parson spokesperson Kelli Jones.

Similarly, North Dakota's legalization campaign does not expect to incorporate Biden's pardons into its messaging. Mark Friese, treasurer of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newapproachnd.org/">New Approach Initiative</a>&nbsp;backing the legalization ballot proposal, said he doubts Biden’s pardon will have much of an impact in North Dakota or sway the legalization effort.

“The number of North Dakotans convicted in federal court is small,” said Friese, a prominent North Dakota lawyer and former police officer. “Small amounts of marijuana are typically and historically not prosecuted in North Dakota.”

Matt Schwiech, who is running South Dakota’s ballot initiative campaign to legalize recreational marijuana possession for adults, said the president’s pardons may hand the campaign a boost with older Democrats. It also underscores the campaign’s message that convictions for pot possession hurt people on job or rental applications, as well as that enforcing pot possession laws are a waste of time and resources for law enforcement, he said.

South Dakotans, including a sizable number of Republicans, voted to legalize marijuana possession in 2020, but that law was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-business-marijuana-legalization-recreational-marijuana-marijuana-987c36ced5a5dc2188a0667e9a8879cb">struck down by the state Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;in part because the proposal was coupled with medical marijuana and hemp. This year, recreational pot is standing by itself as it goes before voters.

It remains unclear whether Biden's pardon move will inject party politics into an issue that supporters say crosses partisan lines. For example, Arkansas voters in 2016 approved medical marijuana the same year they overwhelmingly backed Trump.

All of the states with recreational marijuana on the ballot next month, except for Maryland, voted for Trump in the 2020 presidential election. And the issue is going before voters as GOP candidates have been stepping up their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-gun-violence-new-york-race-and-ethnicity-campaigns-dfba652ac7409c64311efcd7c908ed08">anti-crime rhetoric</a>.

“From our perspective the people of Arkansas, they didn’t vote for Biden initially and so we don’t anticipate this really having any sort of influence over anybody’s decision,” said Tyler Beaver, campaign manager for&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsecurecommunities.com/">Safe and Secure Communities</a>, the main group campaigning against the proposal.

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — There are few surprises expected on Election Day in solidly Republican Arkansas, where Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-arkansas-primary-governor-92c3770dc9fd23d80e0e3a4bc6797597">former press secretary</a>&nbsp;is heavily favored in the race for governor and other GOP candidates are considered locks.But one big exception is the campaign to make Arkansas the first state in the South to legalize recreational marijuana.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-arkansas-marijuana-recreational-supreme-court-bb2ec7c849bb46a793537ccfb9946420">A proposal to change the state's constitution</a>&nbsp;is drawing millions of dollars from opponents and supporters of legalization, with ads crowding the airwaves.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Hear from <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on the three steps he is taking to right these wrongs. <a href="https://t.co/IqOxHxjgue">pic.twitter.com/IqOxHxjgue</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1578108939174281218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>President Joe Biden's recent announcement that he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">pardon thousands of people</a>&nbsp;for simple marijuana possession has shined a new spotlight on the legalization efforts in Arkansas and four other states. Voters in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/larry-hogan-maryland-marijuana-constitutional-amendments-constitutions-1f60d69c21e364499b81b0e76caf65ed">Maryland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-marijuana-recreational-medical-missouri-d09e1ab128d572495edca73bb52bb241">Missouri</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-recreational-north-dakota-sd-state-wire-d6dbbc3c512ae80f09f5505de87b7441">North Dakota</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sd-state-wire-south-dakota-marijuana-legalization-recreational-9426bf3208b9b53aa5804fb2b33b9bb9">South Dakota</a>&nbsp;are also taking up measures on recreational marijuana.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/10/06/granting-pardon-for-the-offense-of-simple-possession-of-marijuana/">Biden's step</a>&nbsp;toward decriminalizing the drug could provide a boost for legalization in some of the most conservative parts of the country, experts say.“The most powerful elected leader in the world has publicly declared it was a mistake to criminalize people for using cannabis and I think that will go a long way with voters who may be on the fence," said Mason Tvert, partner at VS Strategies, a cannabis policy and public affairs firm.Biden's announcement only covers people convicted under the federal law. But he has called on governors to issue similar pardons for those convicted of state marijuana offenses, which reflect the vast majority of marijuana possession cases. The president also directed his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/10/06/statement-from-president-biden-on-marijuana-reform/">health secretary and attorney general</a>&nbsp;to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.The moves come as opposition to legalization has softened around the country, with recreational marijuana legal in 19 states, despite resistance at the federal level. Advocates say it shows that states are ahead of the federal government on the issue.“I think it's an example of state level leadership and citizens pushing the federal government in the right direction," said Eddie Armstrong, a former state legislator who leads the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.responsiblegrowtharkansas.com/about">Responsible Growth Arkansas</a>&nbsp;group campaigning for legalization.In 2016, Arkansas became the first Bible Belt state to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/539c26f41a4b4f2e90905f4448a28d48">approve medical marijuana</a>, with voters approving a legalization measure.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/medical-marijuana">More than 91,000 people have cards</a>&nbsp;to legally buy marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-us-news-arkansas-medical-marijuana-ar-state-wire-94ad1c34506b4c22b1868011de720bca">which opened in 2019</a>. Patients have spent more than $200 million so far this year, the state says.An ad by Responsible Growth Arkansas points to benefits such as the thousands of jobs it says legalization would create. The main group opposing the measure is running an ad that urges voters to “protect Arkansas from big marijuana.”The proposal faces opposition from Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a former head of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration who criticized Biden's pardon announcement. Former White House press secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-arkansas-race-and-ethnicity-election-2020-little-rock-510eba764a340c9d316969aca9f494b7">Sarah Sanders</a>, the Republican front-runner to succeed Hutchinson, has said she will vote against the measure. Her Democratic rival, Chris Jones, said he supports it.In neighboring Missouri, a proposed constitutional amendment would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-marijuana-recreational-constitutions-missouri-65e4a10bb7d99fdf9fca2ea57e07d0c1">expunge records</a>&nbsp;of past arrests and convictions for nonviolent marijuana offenses, except for selling to minors or driving under the influence.Supporters said they do not expect Biden’s pardon announcement for some federal marijuana offenses to have much of an impact on the Missouri measure, which could expunge several hundred thousand state marijuana offenses.“There is some danger of confusion, but I think most people understand the distinction of the federal and state processes,” said John Payne, campaign manager for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legalmo22.com/">Legal Missouri 2022</a>.Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican and former sheriff, opposes the ballot measure but has not aggressively campaigned against it. He has no plans to emulate Biden’s pardon announcement.Parson has granted pardons “to individuals who demonstrate a changed life-style, commitment to rehabilitation, contrition and contribution to their communities — rather than as a blanket approach to undermine existing law,” said Parson spokesperson Kelli Jones.Similarly, North Dakota's legalization campaign does not expect to incorporate Biden's pardons into its messaging. Mark Friese, treasurer of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newapproachnd.org/">New Approach Initiative</a>&nbsp;backing the legalization ballot proposal, said he doubts Biden’s pardon will have much of an impact in North Dakota or sway the legalization effort.“The number of North Dakotans convicted in federal court is small,” said Friese, a prominent North Dakota lawyer and former police officer. “Small amounts of marijuana are typically and historically not prosecuted in North Dakota.”Matt Schwiech, who is running South Dakota’s ballot initiative campaign to legalize recreational marijuana possession for adults, said the president’s pardons may hand the campaign a boost with older Democrats. It also underscores the campaign’s message that convictions for pot possession hurt people on job or rental applications, as well as that enforcing pot possession laws are a waste of time and resources for law enforcement, he said.South Dakotans, including a sizable number of Republicans, voted to legalize marijuana possession in 2020, but that law was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-business-marijuana-legalization-recreational-marijuana-marijuana-987c36ced5a5dc2188a0667e9a8879cb">struck down by the state Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;in part because the proposal was coupled with medical marijuana and hemp. This year, recreational pot is standing by itself as it goes before voters.It remains unclear whether Biden's pardon move will inject party politics into an issue that supporters say crosses partisan lines. For example, Arkansas voters in 2016 approved medical marijuana the same year they overwhelmingly backed Trump.All of the states with recreational marijuana on the ballot next month, except for Maryland, voted for Trump in the 2020 presidential election. And the issue is going before voters as GOP candidates have been stepping up their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-gun-violence-new-york-race-and-ethnicity-campaigns-dfba652ac7409c64311efcd7c908ed08">anti-crime rhetoric</a>.“From our perspective the people of Arkansas, they didn’t vote for Biden initially and so we don’t anticipate this really having any sort of influence over anybody’s decision,” said Tyler Beaver, campaign manager for&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsecurecommunities.com/">Safe and Secure Communities</a>, the main group campaigning against the proposal.

Biden's pot pardons could boost states' legalization drives

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug and theft allegations.

Just before 11a.m. Thursday, a K9 unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Ford F150 pickup truck, that was reported stolen out of Lawrence, in the 2200 blockof SE Market Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located.

Deputies arrested the driver, James C. Robinson, 47, of Lawrence, and the passenger, Tara M. Williams, 36, of Topeka.

They were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665696289509.png" alt="Robinson" />
 <figcaption>Robinson</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug and theft allegations.Just before 11a.m. Thursday, a K9 unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Ford F150 pickup truck, that was reported stolen out of Lawrence, in the 2200 blockof SE Market Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665776645515.png" alt="Williams-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested the driver, James C. Robinson, 47, of Lawrence, and the passenger, Tara M. Williams, 36, of Topeka.They were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas couple jailed after drugs found in reported stolen pickup

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teen in connection with multiple vehicle burglaries and stolen vehicle cases in Salina.

Between Oct. 3 and October 13, police investigated 24 vehicle burglaries and several vehicle thefts, according to a media release from police.

Most, if not all, of the burglaries and thefts were from unlocked vehicles. The keys were left in most of the stolen vehicles.

The vehicle burglaries and thefts were not isolated to one area of Salina, the department added. According to reports, items taken from the vehicle burglaries included handguns, keys, wallets, purses, credit cards, debit cards, cash, change, work tools, hunting equipment, an Apple watch, air pods, and checkbooks. 

Just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a suspicious activity call in the 2200 block of Roach Street. The reporting party noted a dome light on inside a vehicle.

Four vehicles in that area had been illegally entered. Additionally, officers located a person inside a vehicle in the 2100 block of Nottingham Drive. That person was detained and taken to the Salina Police department for questioning. 

Detectives then served two search warrants, one in the 700 block of N. Fifth Street and the 800 block of W. Ash Stree. Another person was detained during the execution of the search warrants.&nbsp; As a result of the investigation and and the search warrants, police were able to establish probable cause for the following eight vehicle burglary cases and three stolen vehicle cases.

Also as a result of the investigation, police arrested two teens. Ethan&nbsp; Runyan, 18, of Salina, is being held on requested charges that include Four counts of vehicle burglary/theft, Four counts of vehicle burglary/firearms theft and Three counts of felony theft/automobile.

Dalton R. Gimeson-Smith, 18, Salina, is being held on requested charges that include two counts of vehicle burglary/theft and Four counts of vehicle burglary/firearms theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665790991976.jpeg" alt="Dalton Gimeson-Smith -photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Dalton Gimeson-Smith -photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teen in connection with multiple vehicle burglaries and stolen vehicle cases in Salina. Between Oct. 3 and October 13, police investigated 24 vehicle burglaries and several vehicle thefts, according to a media release from police.Most, if not all, of the burglaries and thefts were from unlocked vehicles. The keys were left in most of the stolen vehicles.The vehicle burglaries and thefts were not isolated to one area of Salina, the department added. According to reports, items taken from the vehicle burglaries included handguns, keys, wallets, purses, credit cards, debit cards, cash, change, work tools, hunting equipment, an Apple watch, air pods, and checkbooks. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665790939670.jpeg" alt="Ethan DKauth Runyan. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Ethan DKauth Runyan. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a suspicious activity call in the 2200 block of Roach Street. The reporting party noted a dome light on inside a vehicle.Four vehicles in that area had been illegally entered. Additionally, officers located a person inside a vehicle in the 2100 block of Nottingham Drive. That person was detained and taken to the Salina Police department for questioning. Detectives then served two search warrants, one in the 700 block of N. Fifth Street and the 800 block of W. Ash Stree. Another person was detained during the execution of the search warrants.&nbsp; As a result of the investigation and and the search warrants, police were able to establish probable cause for the following eight vehicle burglary cases and three stolen vehicle cases.Also as a result of the investigation, police arrested two teens. Ethan&nbsp; Runyan, 18, of Salina, is being held on requested charges that include Four counts of vehicle burglary/theft, Four counts of vehicle burglary/firearms theft and Three counts of felony theft/automobile.Dalton R. Gimeson-Smith, 18, Salina, is being held on requested charges that include two counts of vehicle burglary/theft and Four counts of vehicle burglary/firearms theft.

Two Kan. teens accused in series of burglaries, vehicle thefts

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man has been sentenced back to prison for a violent attack on his girlfriend in 2020.

On Wednesday, Judge Seth Rundle sentenced 28-year-old Kealan Dixon to just over 11-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In September <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=391068">Dixon pled</a> guilty to two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery and criminal threat, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;

In December of 2020, police responded to a domestic violence call at a home in the 1800 block of South Estelle in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. At the scene, police found a woman with injuries.&nbsp;

Investigators learned the victim's boyfriend identified as Dixon became upset, battered, strangled and threatened her.&nbsp; Police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=391068">arrested him </a>at the scene without further incident, according to Davidson.

Dixon has eight previous convictions that include theft, burglary and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665602593843.png" alt="Dixon-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Dixon-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man has been sentenced back to prison for a violent attack on his girlfriend in 2020.On Wednesday, Judge Seth Rundle sentenced 28-year-old Kealan Dixon to just over 11-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In September <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=391068">Dixon pled</a> guilty to two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery and criminal threat, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;In December of 2020, police responded to a domestic violence call at a home in the 1800 block of South Estelle in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. At the scene, police found a woman with injuries.&nbsp;Investigators learned the victim's boyfriend identified as Dixon became upset, battered, strangled and threatened her.&nbsp; Police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=391068">arrested him </a>at the scene without further incident, according to Davidson.Dixon has eight previous convictions that include theft, burglary and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon sentenced for violent attack on girlfriend

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A 15-year-old boy fatally shot two people in the streets of a middle class Raleigh neighborhood, then fled toward a popular walking trail where he opened fire, killing three more people and wounding two others in an attack that left the city reeling and authorities searching for a motive, police said Friday.

Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-north-carolina-raleigh-168acb4bc412772ea006326c6a234bfa">teen was captured</a>&nbsp;hours after the Thursday evening shooting. He was hospitalized and in critical condition following his arrest. Authorities have not said how he was injured.

President Biden issued a statement on the tragedy, "Jill and I are grieving with the families in Raleigh, North Carolina, whose loved ones were killed and wounded in yet another mass shooting in America. We are thinking of yet another community shaken and shattered as they mourn the loss of friends and neighbors, including an off-duty police officer. As we mourn with the people of Raleigh, we are grateful for the law enforcement and other first responders, including federal law enforcement who were on the scene last night and into this morning.&nbsp;My Administration is working closely with Governor Cooper to assist local authorities in this investigation to the fullest extent needed.&nbsp; Enough. We’ve grieved and prayed with too many families who have had to bear the terrible burden of these mass shootings. Too many families have had spouses, parents, and children taken from them forever. This year, and even in just the five months since Buffalo and Uvalde, there are too many mass shootings across America, including ones that don’t even make the national news. For the lives we’ve lost and the lives we can save, I took historic action to stop gun violence in our nation, including signing the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years. But we must do more. We must pass an assault weapons ban. The American people support this commonsense action to get weapons of war off our streets. House Democrats have already passed it. The Senate should do the same. Send it to my desk and I’ll sign it.&nbsp; May God bless our fellow Americans we lost and their families and may He grant the wounded the strength to recover in Raleigh, North Carolina."

The victims were of different races and ranged in age from 16 to their late 50s, Patterson said during a news conference. The dead include off-duty Raleigh police Officer Gabriel Torres, 29, who was on his way to work when the shooting began. Police identified the other victims as Nicole Connors, 52; Mary Marshall, 34; Susan Karnatz, 49; and James Roger Thompson, 16.

Marcille Lynn Gardner, 59, was wounded and remained hospitalized in critical condition Friday. A second police officer, Casey Joseph Clark, 33, was wounded and released from the hospital.

The teen, who was not immediately identified by police, eluded officers for hours — setting off a manhunt across a crime scene that stretched for 2 miles (3 kilometers) — before he was cornered in a home and arrested, Patterson said.

Gov. Roy Cooper called the shooting an “infuriating and tragic act of gun violence.”

“Today we’re sad, we’re angry and we want to know the answers to all the questions," Cooper said. “I think we all know the core truth — no neighborhood, no parent, no child, no grandparent, no one should feel this fear in their communities — no one.”

The gunfire broke out around 5 p.m. Thursday in a residential area northeast of downtown, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said. Officers from numerous law enforcement agencies swarmed the area, closing roads and warning residents to stay inside while they searched for the shooter.

The Hedingham neighborhood, where the shooting began, is a residential area of single family and town homes, as well as a golf club. The Neuse River Greenway, a walking and biking trail, runs just behind houses in the neighborhood. The trail runs about 27 miles (43 kilometers) along the river and connects to the state’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail that’s popular with thru-hikers. The stretch behind the neighborhood is paved and lies down a grassy slope from the houses.

Karnatz’s husband, Tom Karnatz, said she was an avid runner who often ran on the greenway.

“She was a very loving wife and amazing mother to our three sons,” he said through tears when he answered the door at the family’s home Friday. “We’re absolutely heartbroken and miss her dearly.”

In the driveway, a silver minivan and a Toyota Camry had matching 26.2 stickers — symbolizing the miles of a marathon. The minivan’s license plate read simply: “RUNNR.”

Woodrow Glass, a 74-year-old retiree and neighbor of Connors, said he talked to her nearly every day as she walked her small dog.

“She was friendly with everybody in the neighborhood, spoke with everybody ... and was really respected here. And we’re going to miss her," he said.

Baldwin said the shooting has brought home the need to “end senseless gun violence that has grips on our country and now on our city.”

In a statement Friday, President Joe Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden are grieving with victims' families, and his administration is working closely with Cooper to help local authorities with their investigation.

“We are thinking of yet another community shaken and shattered as they mourn the loss of friends and neighbors, including an off-duty police officer,” he said, adding: “Enough. We’ve grieved and prayed with too many families who have had to bear the terrible burden of these mass shootings."

Under North Carolina law, crimes committed by 15-year-olds are usually adjudicated in juvenile court. But a juvenile court judge must transfer a case to Superior Court for a youth to be tried as an adult if a 15-year-old is accused of first-degree murder and the judge determines there is probable cause that the teen committed the crime. Authorities have not commented on what charges the teen could face.

The Raleigh shooting was the latest in a violent week across the country. Five people were killed Sunday in a shooting at a home in Inman, South Carolina. On Wednesday night two police officers were fatally shot in Connecticut after apparently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-connecticut-bristol-hartford-6efd1a56f0f7f958698eff0068de6bef">being drawn into an ambush</a>&nbsp;by an emergency call about possible domestic violence. Police officers have been shot this week in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-shootings-mississippi-tate-reeves-greenville-7bf522b3aedcba2f142f28c91e801568">Greenville, Mississippi</a>;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-chicago-illinois-decatur-5ef243f9c0f74ed37e3448133c7cadd4">Decatur, Illinois</a>;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-philadelphia-c918ad89710e17851a4e0cc71e498278">Philadelphia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-arrests-las-vegas-nevada-mass-shooting-ce7f6ae2e5321900e96a9553604d401e">Las Vegas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-florida-91d7040cecd3692653335019f8b058f2">central Florida</a>. Two of those officers, one in Greenville and one Las Vegas, were killed.

Thursday’s violence was the 25th mass killing in 2022 in which the victims were fatally shot, according to The Associated Press/USA TODAY/Northeastern University Mass Killings database. A mass killing is defined as when four or more people are killed excluding the perpetrator.

The walking trail was quieter than usual Friday. Sara Cutter, 31, said she sensed “a lingering sadness over Raleigh” as she walked the greenway, about a mile from the shootings. She said the shooting won't deter her from using the trail, but she will be more vigilant and probably won't walk alone anymore.

“We’re all hurting today, the entire city,” Cutter said. “I’ve seen some somber faces while I’ve been out walking today. But it’s also been good to see people out. The community — that’s what will get us through.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665773856849.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy WRAL TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy WRAL TV</figcaption>
 </figure>RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A 15-year-old boy fatally shot two people in the streets of a middle class Raleigh neighborhood, then fled toward a popular walking trail where he opened fire, killing three more people and wounding two others in an attack that left the city reeling and authorities searching for a motive, police said Friday.Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-north-carolina-raleigh-168acb4bc412772ea006326c6a234bfa">teen was captured</a>&nbsp;hours after the Thursday evening shooting. He was hospitalized and in critical condition following his arrest. Authorities have not said how he was injured.President Biden issued a statement on the tragedy, "Jill and I are grieving with the families in Raleigh, North Carolina, whose loved ones were killed and wounded in yet another mass shooting in America. We are thinking of yet another community shaken and shattered as they mourn the loss of friends and neighbors, including an off-duty police officer. As we mourn with the people of Raleigh, we are grateful for the law enforcement and other first responders, including federal law enforcement who were on the scene last night and into this morning.&nbsp;My Administration is working closely with Governor Cooper to assist local authorities in this investigation to the fullest extent needed.&nbsp; Enough. We’ve grieved and prayed with too many families who have had to bear the terrible burden of these mass shootings. Too many families have had spouses, parents, and children taken from them forever. This year, and even in just the five months since Buffalo and Uvalde, there are too many mass shootings across America, including ones that don’t even make the national news. For the lives we’ve lost and the lives we can save, I took historic action to stop gun violence in our nation, including signing the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years. But we must do more. We must pass an assault weapons ban. The American people support this commonsense action to get weapons of war off our streets. House Democrats have already passed it. The Senate should do the same. Send it to my desk and I’ll sign it.&nbsp; May God bless our fellow Americans we lost and their families and may He grant the wounded the strength to recover in Raleigh, North Carolina." The victims were of different races and ranged in age from 16 to their late 50s, Patterson said during a news conference. The dead include off-duty Raleigh police Officer Gabriel Torres, 29, who was on his way to work when the shooting began. Police identified the other victims as Nicole Connors, 52; Mary Marshall, 34; Susan Karnatz, 49; and James Roger Thompson, 16.Marcille Lynn Gardner, 59, was wounded and remained hospitalized in critical condition Friday. A second police officer, Casey Joseph Clark, 33, was wounded and released from the hospital.The teen, who was not immediately identified by police, eluded officers for hours — setting off a manhunt across a crime scene that stretched for 2 miles (3 kilometers) — before he was cornered in a home and arrested, Patterson said.Gov. Roy Cooper called the shooting an “infuriating and tragic act of gun violence.”“Today we’re sad, we’re angry and we want to know the answers to all the questions," Cooper said. “I think we all know the core truth — no neighborhood, no parent, no child, no grandparent, no one should feel this fear in their communities — no one.”The gunfire broke out around 5 p.m. Thursday in a residential area northeast of downtown, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said. Officers from numerous law enforcement agencies swarmed the area, closing roads and warning residents to stay inside while they searched for the shooter.The Hedingham neighborhood, where the shooting began, is a residential area of single family and town homes, as well as a golf club. The Neuse River Greenway, a walking and biking trail, runs just behind houses in the neighborhood. The trail runs about 27 miles (43 kilometers) along the river and connects to the state’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail that’s popular with thru-hikers. The stretch behind the neighborhood is paved and lies down a grassy slope from the houses.Karnatz’s husband, Tom Karnatz, said she was an avid runner who often ran on the greenway.“She was a very loving wife and amazing mother to our three sons,” he said through tears when he answered the door at the family’s home Friday. “We’re absolutely heartbroken and miss her dearly.”In the driveway, a silver minivan and a Toyota Camry had matching 26.2 stickers — symbolizing the miles of a marathon. The minivan’s license plate read simply: “RUNNR.”Woodrow Glass, a 74-year-old retiree and neighbor of Connors, said he talked to her nearly every day as she walked her small dog.“She was friendly with everybody in the neighborhood, spoke with everybody ... and was really respected here. And we’re going to miss her," he said.Baldwin said the shooting has brought home the need to “end senseless gun violence that has grips on our country and now on our city.”“We have to do something,” she said.In a statement Friday, President Joe Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden are grieving with victims' families, and his administration is working closely with Cooper to help local authorities with their investigation.“We are thinking of yet another community shaken and shattered as they mourn the loss of friends and neighbors, including an off-duty police officer,” he said, adding: “Enough. We’ve grieved and prayed with too many families who have had to bear the terrible burden of these mass shootings."Under North Carolina law, crimes committed by 15-year-olds are usually adjudicated in juvenile court. But a juvenile court judge must transfer a case to Superior Court for a youth to be tried as an adult if a 15-year-old is accused of first-degree murder and the judge determines there is probable cause that the teen committed the crime. Authorities have not commented on what charges the teen could face.The Raleigh shooting was the latest in a violent week across the country. Five people were killed Sunday in a shooting at a home in Inman, South Carolina. On Wednesday night two police officers were fatally shot in Connecticut after apparently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-connecticut-bristol-hartford-6efd1a56f0f7f958698eff0068de6bef">being drawn into an ambush</a>&nbsp;by an emergency call about possible domestic violence. Police officers have been shot this week in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-shootings-mississippi-tate-reeves-greenville-7bf522b3aedcba2f142f28c91e801568">Greenville, Mississippi</a>;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-chicago-illinois-decatur-5ef243f9c0f74ed37e3448133c7cadd4">Decatur, Illinois</a>;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-philadelphia-c918ad89710e17851a4e0cc71e498278">Philadelphia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-arrests-las-vegas-nevada-mass-shooting-ce7f6ae2e5321900e96a9553604d401e">Las Vegas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-florida-91d7040cecd3692653335019f8b058f2">central Florida</a>. Two of those officers, one in Greenville and one Las Vegas, were killed.Thursday’s violence was the 25th mass killing in 2022 in which the victims were fatally shot, according to The Associated Press/USA TODAY/Northeastern University Mass Killings database. A mass killing is defined as when four or more people are killed excluding the perpetrator.The walking trail was quieter than usual Friday. Sara Cutter, 31, said she sensed “a lingering sadness over Raleigh” as she walked the greenway, about a mile from the shootings. She said the shooting won't deter her from using the trail, but she will be more vigilant and probably won't walk alone anymore.“We’re all hurting today, the entire city,” Cutter said. “I’ve seen some somber faces while I’ve been out walking today. But it’s also been good to see people out. The community — that’s what will get us through.”___

Biden on North Carolina mass shooting; Police ID victims

MORRIS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities including the FBI conducted an intensive investigation Wednesday a man accused in&nbsp; the robbery at Bank of the Flint Hills, 101 E MacKenzie Street in White City, according to the Morris County Sheriff.

Just after 10p.m. Wednesday, police captured 35-year-old Christopher J. Callaham of Junction City at a motel in Junction City.&nbsp;

Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, a man with a handgun and wearing a mask entered the Bank of the Flint Hills and demanded money from a clerk, according to the Morris County Sheriff's office.

The man was described as a white male with dark colored hair. He was wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and brown boots. He left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash and ran into a residential neighborhood south of the bank.

Officers from Council Grove and deputies from the Morris County Sheriff's office began searching for the suspect. School in White City were placed on lockdown.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported at the bank.

Callaham is being held in Geary County on a felony arrest warrant for aggravated robbery and&nbsp; two additional requested drug charges, according to online booking records.

MORRIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities including the FBI&nbsp; investigating a bank robbery in Morris County have a suspect in custody.

Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, a man with a handgun and wearing a mask entered the Bank of the Flint Hills,&nbsp;101 E MacKenzie Street in White City and demanded money from a clerk, according to the Morris County Sheriff's office.

Authorities believed the suspect fled White City. Late Wednesday, the sheriff's office reported an arrest.&nbsp; &nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665699076001.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MORRIS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities including the FBI conducted an intensive investigation Wednesday a man accused in&nbsp; the robbery at Bank of the Flint Hills, 101 E MacKenzie Street in White City, according to the Morris County Sheriff.Just after 10p.m. Wednesday, police captured 35-year-old Christopher J. Callaham of Junction City at a motel in Junction City.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665658539715.png" alt="Bank of the Flint Hills in White City was temporarily closed Wednesday following the robbery-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Bank of the Flint Hills in White City was temporarily closed Wednesday following the robbery-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, a man with a handgun and wearing a mask entered the Bank of the Flint Hills and demanded money from a clerk, according to the Morris County Sheriff's office.The man was described as a white male with dark colored hair. He was wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and brown boots. He left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash and ran into a residential neighborhood south of the bank.Officers from Council Grove and deputies from the Morris County Sheriff's office began searching for the suspect. School in White City were placed on lockdown.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported at the bank.Callaham is being held in Geary County on a felony arrest warrant for aggravated robbery and&nbsp; two additional requested drug charges, according to online booking records.-----------------MORRIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities including the FBI&nbsp; investigating a bank robbery in Morris County have a suspect in custody.Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, a man with a handgun and wearing a mask entered the Bank of the Flint Hills,&nbsp;101 E MacKenzie Street in White City and demanded money from a clerk, according to the Morris County Sheriff's office.The man was described as a white male with dark colored hair. He was wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and brown boots. He left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash and ran into a residential neighborhood south of the bank.Officers from Council Grove and deputies from the Morris County Sheriff's office began searching for the suspect. School in White City were placed on lockdown.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported at the bank.Authorities believed the suspect fled White City. Late Wednesday, the sheriff's office reported an arrest.&nbsp; &nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Sheriff: Bank robbery suspect captured in Junction City

ELLIS COUNTY —An hours-long standoff in Hays Wednesday ended with a suspect identified as 33-year-old Brenon Johnson transported from the scene via ambulance.

At 5:29 p.m. Wednesday, the Hays Communication Center received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance at 332 W. Eighth in Hays. The caller reported they were able to hear yelling and a physical disturbance in the basement apartment at that address. Officers from the Hays Police Department responded to the domestic disturbance.&nbsp;

Officers arrived and two females exited the apartment, one female was covered in blood and had suffered multiple injuries. The second female also had blood on her. A male then exited the basement apartment, and he was also covered in blood. Officers attempted to detain the male, but he ran back inside the apartment. The suspect shouted that he had a gun, and he threatened to shoot the officers. The victims were removed from the scene and a perimeter was established around the building. Several homes and businesses were evacuated as a result of this incident.&nbsp;

The Hays Police Department Special Situation Response Team and the Kansas Highway Patrol Special Response Team were called to the scene for the armed barricaded suspect. For over three hours, officers attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender with the suspect. These efforts were unsuccessful as the subject continued to break out windows, display knives, threaten to burn down the apartment complex, and threaten to shoot the officers.&nbsp;

At 9:24 p.m., a chemical irritant was inserted into the apartment. Six minutes later the suspect exited the apartment but continued to resist arrest. The suspect refused to comply with the commands of the officers, and he then reached toward his waistband. Using a 40mm less than lethal launcher, a Hays police officer shot the suspect one time with a foam-tipped impact round. The suspect then surrendered and was taken into custody. The suspect was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to the hospital for minor injuries.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Johnson is being held in the Ellis County Jail on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, domestic battery, criminal threat, and interference with a law enforcement official.&nbsp; He has previous convictions for criminal threat and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

ELLIS COUNTY —An hours-long standoff in Hays Wednesday ended with a suspect transported from the scene via ambulance.

Just after 5:30p.m, police first responded to the 300 Block of west Eighth Street on the report of an altercation at an apartment, according to a media release.

Upon the officers' arrival, the suspect entered the residence and refused to leave.

Area law enforcement agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Fort Hays State University Police and Hays Police Department secured several blocks around the building and negotiated with the subject for over three hours before he exited the home around 9:30 p.m.

Ellis County Emergency Medical Services and the Hays Fire Department were also on scene to assist.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665631439143.jpeg" alt="Photos by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photos by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY —An hours-long standoff in Hays Wednesday ended with a suspect identified as 33-year-old Brenon Johnson transported from the scene via ambulance.At 5:29 p.m. Wednesday, the Hays Communication Center received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance at 332 W. Eighth in Hays. The caller reported they were able to hear yelling and a physical disturbance in the basement apartment at that address. Officers from the Hays Police Department responded to the domestic disturbance.&nbsp;Officers arrived and two females exited the apartment, one female was covered in blood and had suffered multiple injuries. The second female also had blood on her. A male then exited the basement apartment, and he was also covered in blood. Officers attempted to detain the male, but he ran back inside the apartment. The suspect shouted that he had a gun, and he threatened to shoot the officers. The victims were removed from the scene and a perimeter was established around the building. Several homes and businesses were evacuated as a result of this incident.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665686417424.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Police Department Special Situation Response Team and the Kansas Highway Patrol Special Response Team were called to the scene for the armed barricaded suspect. For over three hours, officers attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender with the suspect. These efforts were unsuccessful as the subject continued to break out windows, display knives, threaten to burn down the apartment complex, and threaten to shoot the officers.&nbsp;At 9:24 p.m., a chemical irritant was inserted into the apartment. Six minutes later the suspect exited the apartment but continued to resist arrest. The suspect refused to comply with the commands of the officers, and he then reached toward his waistband. Using a 40mm less than lethal launcher, a Hays police officer shot the suspect one time with a foam-tipped impact round. The suspect then surrendered and was taken into custody. The suspect was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to the hospital for minor injuries.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665687805725.png" alt="Johnson photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Johnson is being held in the Ellis County Jail on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, domestic battery, criminal threat, and interference with a law enforcement official.&nbsp; He has previous convictions for criminal threat and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.----------------ELLIS COUNTY —An hours-long standoff in Hays Wednesday ended with a suspect transported from the scene via ambulance.Just after 5:30p.m, police first responded to the 300 Block of west Eighth Street on the report of an altercation at an apartment, according to a media release.Upon the officers' arrival, the suspect entered the residence and refused to leave.Area law enforcement agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Fort Hays State University Police and Hays Police Department secured several blocks around the building and negotiated with the subject for over three hours before he exited the home around 9:30 p.m.Ellis County Emergency Medical Services and the Hays Fire Department were also on scene to assist.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Police arrest Kan. felon after hours long stand-off in Hays

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man has been sentenced to prison for a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2020.

On Tuesday, Judge Bruce Brown sentenced Jeffrey Jack to just over 2 and one half years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

On November 3, 2020, Kaminsky was crossing the road to his home and was struck by a southbound white pick-up truck on North Parkridge in Wichita, according to Officer Kevin Wheeler. The driver, later identified as Jack did not stop and fled. Police believed alcohol was a factor in the case. 

Police later found Jack's damaged truck in a nearby neighborhood and ultimately made an arrest.&nbsp; Earlier this year, he pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665571242846.png" alt="Jack-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Jack-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man has been sentenced to prison for a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2020.On Tuesday, Judge Bruce Brown sentenced Jeffrey Jack to just over 2 and one half years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WANTED! Law enforcement needs your help locating Jeffrey T. Jack, wanted on a felony arrest warrant for failure to stop at a fatality accident that occurred on November 3rd, 2020 in the 1600 block of Parkwood. <a href="https://t.co/GT9oBV3XC5">pic.twitter.com/GT9oBV3XC5</a>&mdash; Crime Stoppers ICT (@crimestoppers) <a href="https://twitter.com/crimestoppers/status/1519706195585642499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On November 3, 2020, Kaminsky was crossing the road to his home and was struck by a southbound white pick-up truck on North Parkridge in Wichita, according to Officer Kevin Wheeler. The driver, later identified as Jack did not stop and fled. Police believed alcohol was a factor in the case. Police later found Jack's damaged truck in a nearby neighborhood and ultimately made an arrest.&nbsp; Earlier this year, he pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident..

Kan. man sentenced for crash that killed 80-year-old pedestrian

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug charges after an arrest,

Just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, a patrol sergeant with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 10 block of Southwest 110 Avenue for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The occupant of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture was identified as Corban Cale, age 30 of Pawnee Rock. 

The sergeant became suspicious of drug activity and the Sheriff’s Office K9 Maxx and handler were called to the scene. Maxx alerted to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed Cale was in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia as well as items used to distribute methamphetamine.

Cale was arrested without incident and transported to the Barton County Jail where he was booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665593687386.png" alt="Cale has four previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Cale has four previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug charges after an arrest,Just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, a patrol sergeant with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 10 block of Southwest 110 Avenue for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The occupant of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture was identified as Corban Cale, age 30 of Pawnee Rock. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665586181761.jpeg" alt="Photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>The sergeant became suspicious of drug activity and the Sheriff’s Office K9 Maxx and handler were called to the scene. Maxx alerted to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle.Further investigation revealed Cale was in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia as well as items used to distribute methamphetamine.Cale was arrested without incident and transported to the Barton County Jail where he was booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond

Kan. felon held on $100,000 bond for allegedly selling meth

FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 290 officials are investigating an alleged school threat and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, police were notified of an alleged threat of violence at Ottawa High School, 1120 South Ash, according to a media release.

Officers located and arrested the suspect at a home in Ottawa. During the investigation, police collected an airsoft pistol and a knife. The 16-year-old boy is being held in the Douglas County juvenile detention center in Lawrence on a requested charge of criminal threat.

Police said there is now no known threat to students or staff in the school district. The case has been sent to the Franklin County Attorney .

FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 290 officials are investigating an alleged school threat and have a suspect in custody.Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, police were notified of an alleged threat of violence at Ottawa High School, 1120 South Ash, according to a media release.Officers located and arrested the suspect at a home in Ottawa. During the investigation, police collected an airsoft pistol and a knife. The 16-year-old boy is being held in the Douglas County juvenile detention center in Lawrence on a requested charge of criminal threat.Police said there is now no known threat to students or staff in the school district. The case has been sent to the Franklin County Attorney .

16-year-old arrested for alleged threat at Kansas high school

SALINE COUNTY —Police investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot at Salina South High School on Tuesday released additional details Wednesday morning.

At school dismissal, a vehicle occupied by several individuals was leaving the west parking lot of Salina South High School, 730 E. Magnolia. Just before turning East onto East Magnolia, an occupant of the vehicle was seen firing a weapon from the passenger’s side of the car in the direction of the school building. No injuries or damage were reported.

A witness provided the police department with vehicle and suspect information. The driver of the vehicle, Tyler Kerr (age 17, South High Student), was located at his residence, and the suspect vehicle was located parked around the corner from Kerr’s home.

Through their investigation, police detectives established probable cause to believe that Elijah Schmidt (age 16, Salina Virtual Innovation Academy) was the person who fired the handgun from the passenger’s side of the vehicle and that Robert Wood (age 15, South High Student) was identified as having possessed the handgun in the vehicle while on school property.

Kerr, Schmidt and Wood have been booked into juvenile detention

Tyler Kerr is being held on requested charges of Discharge of a Firearm and Obstructing Apprehension.

Elijah Schmidt faces requested charges of Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Criminal Use of a Weapon. Robert Wood is accused of Criminal Use of a Weapon.

Police have no information to indicate that the handgun used was ever in the school building.

"The Salina Police Department takes these threats seriously and will work to identify suspect(s) and make an arrest as quickly as possible when probable cause exists."

"This is the second example where citizen information has led to the quick arrest of individuals involved in criminal acts committed at Salina South High School. As a reminder, citizen tips are often instrumental in helping clear criminal cases. Parents, please talk to your children about reporting suspicious activity or criminal acts they may be aware of to you, a school official and/or the police."

"The police department believes we have identified and spoken to all of the occupants who were in the suspect vehicle. With that said, this investigation is still on going. If you have information relative to this case please call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an on—line tip at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210."

SALINE COUNTY—Police investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot at Salina South High School on Tuesday have taken the alleged shooter into custody, according to a Wednesday morning statement from Salina Police.

"We have identified and spoken to the other occupants of the vehicle as well.   At this time, we do not suspect there are any other persons involved in this incident." Police also thanked the public the information provided to assist with the investigation.

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot of Salina South High School, 730 East Magnolia, on Tuesday, according to a media release from police.

The incident occurred at school dismissal. No one was injured as a result of the gunfire. Salina Police Detectives are actively following up on investigative leads. 

Please know that the police department is in regular communication with USD305 administration. More information will be released when it becomes available. If you have information relative to this investigation, please call the police department at 785-826-7210 or you can call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS.

SALINE COUNTY —Police investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot at Salina South High School on Tuesday released additional details Wednesday morning.At school dismissal, a vehicle occupied by several individuals was leaving the west parking lot of Salina South High School, 730 E. Magnolia. Just before turning East onto East Magnolia, an occupant of the vehicle was seen firing a weapon from the passenger’s side of the car in the direction of the school building. No injuries or damage were reported.A witness provided the police department with vehicle and suspect information. The driver of the vehicle, Tyler Kerr (age 17, South High Student), was located at his residence, and the suspect vehicle was located parked around the corner from Kerr’s home.Through their investigation, police detectives established probable cause to believe that Elijah Schmidt (age 16, Salina Virtual Innovation Academy) was the person who fired the handgun from the passenger’s side of the vehicle and that Robert Wood (age 15, South High Student) was identified as having possessed the handgun in the vehicle while on school property.Kerr, Schmidt and Wood have been booked into juvenile detentionTyler Kerr is being held on requested charges of Discharge of a Firearm and Obstructing Apprehension.Elijah Schmidt faces requested charges of Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Criminal Use of a Weapon. Robert Wood is accused of Criminal Use of a Weapon.Police have no information to indicate that the handgun used was ever in the school building."The Salina Police Department takes these threats seriously and will work to identify suspect(s) and make an arrest as quickly as possible when probable cause exists.""This is the second example where citizen information has led to the quick arrest of individuals involved in criminal acts committed at Salina South High School. As a reminder, citizen tips are often instrumental in helping clear criminal cases. Parents, please talk to your children about reporting suspicious activity or criminal acts they may be aware of to you, a school official and/or the police.""The police department believes we have identified and spoken to all of the occupants who were in the suspect vehicle. With that said, this investigation is still on going. If you have information relative to this case please call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an on—line tip at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210."-------------------SALINE COUNTY—Police investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot at Salina South High School on Tuesday have taken the alleged shooter into custody, according to a Wednesday morning statement from Salina Police."We have identified and spoken to the other occupants of the vehicle as well. At this time, we do not suspect there are any other persons involved in this incident." Police also thanked the public the information provided to assist with the investigation.------------SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot of Salina South High School, 730 East Magnolia, on Tuesday, according to a media release from police.The incident occurred at school dismissal. No one was injured as a result of the gunfire. Salina Police Detectives are actively following up on investigative leads. Please know that the police department is in regular communication with USD305 administration. More information will be released when it becomes available. If you have information relative to this investigation, please call the police department at 785-826-7210 or you can call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS.

3 teens face charges after gun fired outside Salina high school

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man and woman for alleged burglary and theft.

On August 24, police investigated a theft of a financial card from a residence in the 400 block Mound in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Just after 6p.m. Oct. 9, police arrested 32-year-old Mary C. McDonald and 30-year-old Jacob Camp both of Atchison.

McDonald is accused of unlawful entry into that residence and taking a financial card belonging to a 70-year-old victim.

Camp is being held on requested charge that involves unlawfully using that financial card at several area retail stores in amounts totaling around $850.&nbsp;

She is being held on a District Court warrant for aggravated burglary and a requested charge of theft by deception, according to Wilson. In 2016 and in July of 2020, police arrested McDonald on requested charges of domestic battery and interference with law enforcement.

She remains jailed on a $30,000 bond, according to online jail records. He remains in custody on a $15,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665417972139.png" alt="Camp-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Camp-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man and woman for alleged burglary and theft.On August 24, police investigated a theft of a financial card from a residence in the 400 block Mound in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Just after 6p.m. Oct. 9, police arrested 32-year-old Mary C. McDonald and 30-year-old Jacob Camp both of Atchison.McDonald is accused of unlawful entry into that residence and taking a financial card belonging to a 70-year-old victim.Camp is being held on requested charge that involves unlawfully using that financial card at several area retail stores in amounts totaling around $850.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665416860919.png" alt="McDonald-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>McDonald-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>She is being held on a District Court warrant for aggravated burglary and a requested charge of theft by deception, according to Wilson. In 2016 and in July of 2020, police arrested McDonald on requested charges of domestic battery and interference with law enforcement.She remains jailed on a $30,000 bond, according to online jail records. He remains in custody on a $15,000 bond.

Kansas couple accused of burglary, using stolen credit card

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A woman was held captive in a basement room for about a month and was raped repeatedly before she was able to escape, according to charging documents filed Tuesday.

The suspect, 39-year-old Timothy M. Haslett of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, was arrested Friday. He is charged with first-degree rape or attempted rape, first-degree kidnapping and second-degree assault. He is jailed on $500,000 bond and does not yet have a listed attorney.

The victim was found early Friday, wearing latex lingerie and a metal collar with what appeared to be a padlock on the front, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article267140221.html">Kansas City Star</a>&nbsp;reported. The woman told police she had been been picked up in early September, then taken to a home and kept in a small room in the suspect's basement.

Police removed the lock which they said was restricting the woman’s breathing. She pointed out the home where she was held as she was being driven to the hospital, according to a probable cause statement from a detective.

“He kept her restrained in handcuffs on her wrists and ankles. She was able to get free when he took his child to school,” the probable cause statement said. The woman told police that Haslett whipped and raped her frequently.

Police are still trying to determine if there are other victims. The Star reported that since Haslett's arrest, police have carried large bags of evidence from the ranch-style home. They've used a cadaver dog — which can track the missing or dead — to examine the yard and Haslett's truck.

Excelsior Springs, a town of 11,600 residents, is 30 miles northeast of Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665352038142.png" alt="-Haslett-photo Clay County" />
 <figcaption>-Haslett-photo Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A woman was held captive in a basement room for about a month and was raped repeatedly before she was able to escape, according to charging documents filed Tuesday.The suspect, 39-year-old Timothy M. Haslett of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, was arrested Friday. He is charged with first-degree rape or attempted rape, first-degree kidnapping and second-degree assault. He is jailed on $500,000 bond and does not yet have a listed attorney.The victim was found early Friday, wearing latex lingerie and a metal collar with what appeared to be a padlock on the front, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article267140221.html">Kansas City Star</a>&nbsp;reported. The woman told police she had been been picked up in early September, then taken to a home and kept in a small room in the suspect's basement.Police removed the lock which they said was restricting the woman’s breathing. She pointed out the home where she was held as she was being driven to the hospital, according to a probable cause statement from a detective.“He kept her restrained in handcuffs on her wrists and ankles. She was able to get free when he took his child to school,” the probable cause statement said. The woman told police that Haslett whipped and raped her frequently.Police are still trying to determine if there are other victims. The Star reported that since Haslett's arrest, police have carried large bags of evidence from the ranch-style home. They've used a cadaver dog — which can track the missing or dead — to examine the yard and Haslett's truck.Excelsior Springs, a town of 11,600 residents, is 30 miles northeast of Kansas City.

Police: Woman held captive near KC for a month, repeatedly raped

HAMILTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug and DUI allegations after a crash in Hamilton County, Kansas.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Sheriff's deputies were on a traffic stop on South Kansas 27 with a reported stolen vehicle out of Oklahoma, according to Sheriff Mike Wilson

A southbound vehicle struck the patrol car. Fortunately, there were no injuries and the Deputy was out of the patrol unit at the time of crash, according to Wilson.

Deputies arrested the driver who hit the patrol car on requested charges of DUI, possession of a controlled substance and transporting an open container.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665437861613.png" alt="Photo Hamilton County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Hamilton County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>HAMILTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug and DUI allegations after a crash in Hamilton County, Kansas.Just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Sheriff's deputies were on a traffic stop on South Kansas 27 with a reported stolen vehicle out of Oklahoma, according to Sheriff Mike WilsonA southbound vehicle struck the patrol car. Fortunately, there were no injuries and the Deputy was out of the patrol unit at the time of crash, according to Wilson.Deputies arrested the driver who hit the patrol car on requested charges of DUI, possession of a controlled substance and transporting an open container.

Kan. deputy's car struck during traffic stop with stolen car suspect

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a&nbsp; weekend homicide have identified the victim as 68-year-old Diana Bloom of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to the 200 BLK of NW Knox Avenue in Topeka for a medical emergency, according to Stanley.

EMS transported Bloom to a local area hospital with life threatening injures and she was later pronounced deceased.

Detectives were notified in regards to a suspicious death. As a result of the investigation, police arrested 25-year-old Elisha Burton of Topeka on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; Intentional and premeditated.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RjsnNx2tohM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a&nbsp; weekend homicide have identified the victim as 68-year-old Diana Bloom of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to the 200 BLK of NW Knox Avenue in Topeka for a medical emergency, according to Stanley.EMS transported Bloom to a local area hospital with life threatening injures and she was later pronounced deceased.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665284512632.png" alt="Burton-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Burton-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Detectives were notified in regards to a suspicious death. As a result of the investigation, police arrested 25-year-old Elisha Burton of Topeka on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; Intentional and premeditated.

Premeditated murder: Police ID 68-year-old Kansas victim

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered sex offender on multiple charges after a weekend arrest.

On October 7, police arrested Cedrick Wilson, 41, of Manhattan for aggravated burglary, possession of an opiate, lewd and lascivious behavior, and violation of offender registration, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 The aggravated burglary charge stems from an October 6, 2022, incident when it was reported Wilson entered a 29-year-old woman's residence in the 2000 block of Hayes Drive and exposed himself in front of her.

The lewd and lascivious behavior charge stems from an October 2, 2022, incident. when it was reported Wilson masturbated inside the Bourbon and Baker restaurant, 312 Poyntz in Manhattan.

The possession of an opiate charge stems from Wilson being found in possession of an opiate during his arrest on October 7.

The violation of offender registration charge comes from the incidents at the restaurant and at the woman's residence.&nbsp; They are violations of his offender registration, according to the RCPD.

Wilson has a 1997 conviction for rape and indecent exposure in Oklahoma involving a 16-year-old victiim, according to the sex offender registry.

Wison remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $60,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665419734324.png" alt="Wilson-photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Wilson-photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered sex offender on multiple charges after a weekend arrest.On October 7, police arrested Cedrick Wilson, 41, of Manhattan for aggravated burglary, possession of an opiate, lewd and lascivious behavior, and violation of offender registration, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. The aggravated burglary charge stems from an October 6, 2022, incident when it was reported Wilson entered a 29-year-old woman's residence in the 2000 block of Hayes Drive and exposed himself in front of her.The lewd and lascivious behavior charge stems from an October 2, 2022, incident. when it was reported Wilson masturbated inside the Bourbon and Baker restaurant, 312 Poyntz in Manhattan.The possession of an opiate charge stems from Wilson being found in possession of an opiate during his arrest on October 7.The violation of offender registration charge comes from the incidents at the restaurant and at the woman's residence.&nbsp; They are violations of his offender registration, according to the RCPD.Wilson has a 1997 conviction for rape and indecent exposure in Oklahoma involving a 16-year-old victiim, according to the sex offender registry.Wison remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $60,000.

RCPD: Kansas sex offender accused of multiple crimes

KANSAS CITY (AP) — By pardoning Americans with federal convictions for marijuana possession, President Joe Biden said he aimed to partially redress decades of anti-drug laws that disproportionately harmed Black and Latino communities.

While&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">Biden’s executive action</a>&nbsp;will benefit thousands of people by making it easier for them to find housing, get a job or apply to college,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/videos-8409d61e21ab4864a242d1d9650c246c">it does nothing to help</a>&nbsp;the hundreds of thousands of mostly Black and Hispanic Americans still burdened by state convictions for marijuana-related offenses, not to mention the millions more with other drug offenses on their records.

Advocates for overhauling the nation’s drug laws are hopeful that Biden’s pardons lead state lawmakers to pardon and expunge minor drug offenses from people’s records. After all, they say, dozens of states have already decriminalized cannabis and legalized it for a multibillion-dollar recreational and medicinal use industry that is predominantly white-owned.

“We know that this is really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to people who are suffering the effects of (past) marijuana prohibition,” said Maritza Perez, director of federal affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit organization pushing for decriminalization and safe drug use policies.

The decades-long “war on drugs,” a sweeping federal legislative agenda that Biden championed as a U.S. senator and that was mirrored by state lawmakers, brought about mass-criminalization and an explosion of the prison population. An estimated tens of millions of people have had a marijuana-related arrest on their record since 1965, the vast majority of them stemming from enforcement by local police and state prosecutors.

But as many law enforcement officials like to point out, the majority of people who serve long sentences for marijuana-related offenses were convicted of more serious charges than possession, such as a weapons count or the intent to sell or traffic the drug on a larger scale. Such factors are typically how a case moves into federal territory versus state prosecution.

Still, reform advocates counter that many of them aren’t violent drug kingpins.

A 2021 Associated Press review of federal and state incarceration data showed that between 1975 and 2019, the U.S. prison population jumped from 240,593 to 1.43 million people. Of them, about 1 in 5 were incarcerated with a drug offense listed as their most serious crime.

The passage of stiffer penalties for crack cocaine, marijuana and other drugs in the 1990s helped to triple the Black and Hispanic incarceration rates by the year 2000. The white incarceration rate only doubled.

And despite state legalization or decriminalization of possession up to certain amounts, local law enforcement agencies continue to make more arrests for drug possession, including marijuana, than any other criminal offense, according to FBI crime data.

The president’s pardon of more than 6,500 Americans with federal marijuana possession convictions, as well as thousands more with convictions in the majority-Black city of Washington, captures only a sliver of those with records nationwide. That’s likely why he has called on state governors to take similar steps for people with state marijuana possession convictions.

“While white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted at disproportionate rates,” Biden said Thursday. “Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.”

With the president’s unambiguous acknowledgement of racial inequity in marijuana enforcement, drug law reform advocates and those with convictions now see an opening to push for far more remedies to the harms of the war on drugs.

Weldon Angelos, whose 2003 federal case for selling $300 worth of marijuana to a confidential informant in Utah got him sentenced to 55 years in prison, said he knows many people who will benefit from the president’s pardon. But there are also many more who will not, he said.

“I feel like this is a first step of (Biden) doing something bigger,” said Angelos who, after serving 13 years in prison, received presidential clemency and a pardon during the Obama and Trump administrations. He is now a drug law reform activist.

Felony cannabis cases like his also deserve consideration, Weldon said. Biden’s pardon does not cover convictions for possessing marijuana with an intent to distribute, which could further widen the scope of people receiving relief by tens of thousands.

Enacting a law that clears a person’s federal drug record, similar to what has been offered in nearly two dozen states where marijuana has been decriminalized or legalized recreationally, would make the conviction invisible to companies and landlords doing criminal background checks, he said. Even with the federal pardon, Weldon’s record is still visible, he said.

“There’s a lot more that needs to be done here, if we really want to unwind the effects, and the racist effects, of the war on cannabis,” Weldon said.

Some advocates believe the country should consider clearing more than just marijuana records. In the 1990s, Marlon Chamberlain was a college student in Iowa when he learned that his then-girlfriend was pregnant with his eldest son. He began using cannabis to cope with the anxiety of becoming a young father and, soon after, started selling the drug.

“My thought was that I would try to make enough money and have the means to take care of my son,” said Chamberlain, a 46-year-old Chicago native. “But I got addicted to the lifestyle and I graduated from selling weed to selling cocaine.”

Chamberlain said he had a slew of state charges for marijuana possession between the ages of 19 and 25. But it was a federal case for crack cocaine, in which authorities used his prior marijuana arrests to enhance the seriousness of their case, that upended his life. Chamberlain was sentenced to 20 years in prison before the punishment was reduced to 14 years under the Fair Sentencing Act that narrowed the sentencing disparity between crack and powder forms of cocaine. He was freed after 10 years.

Even though he will not benefit from Biden’s marijuana pardon, Chamberlain sees it as an opportunity to advocate for the elimination of what he calls the “permanent punishments,” such as the difficulties in finding a job or housing that come with having a past drug offense.

“What Biden is initiating is a process of righting the wrongs” of the drug war, he said.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — By pardoning Americans with federal convictions for marijuana possession, President Joe Biden said he aimed to partially redress decades of anti-drug laws that disproportionately harmed Black and Latino communities.While&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">Biden’s executive action</a>&nbsp;will benefit thousands of people by making it easier for them to find housing, get a job or apply to college,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/videos-8409d61e21ab4864a242d1d9650c246c">it does nothing to help</a>&nbsp;the hundreds of thousands of mostly Black and Hispanic Americans still burdened by state convictions for marijuana-related offenses, not to mention the millions more with other drug offenses on their records.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Hear from <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on the three steps he is taking to right these wrongs. <a href="https://t.co/IqOxHxjgue">pic.twitter.com/IqOxHxjgue</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1578108939174281218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Advocates for overhauling the nation’s drug laws are hopeful that Biden’s pardons lead state lawmakers to pardon and expunge minor drug offenses from people’s records. After all, they say, dozens of states have already decriminalized cannabis and legalized it for a multibillion-dollar recreational and medicinal use industry that is predominantly white-owned.“We know that this is really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to people who are suffering the effects of (past) marijuana prohibition,” said Maritza Perez, director of federal affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit organization pushing for decriminalization and safe drug use policies.The decades-long “war on drugs,” a sweeping federal legislative agenda that Biden championed as a U.S. senator and that was mirrored by state lawmakers, brought about mass-criminalization and an explosion of the prison population. An estimated tens of millions of people have had a marijuana-related arrest on their record since 1965, the vast majority of them stemming from enforcement by local police and state prosecutors.But as many law enforcement officials like to point out, the majority of people who serve long sentences for marijuana-related offenses were convicted of more serious charges than possession, such as a weapons count or the intent to sell or traffic the drug on a larger scale. Such factors are typically how a case moves into federal territory versus state prosecution.Still, reform advocates counter that many of them aren’t violent drug kingpins.A 2021 Associated Press review of federal and state incarceration data showed that between 1975 and 2019, the U.S. prison population jumped from 240,593 to 1.43 million people. Of them, about 1 in 5 were incarcerated with a drug offense listed as their most serious crime.The passage of stiffer penalties for crack cocaine, marijuana and other drugs in the 1990s helped to triple the Black and Hispanic incarceration rates by the year 2000. The white incarceration rate only doubled.And despite state legalization or decriminalization of possession up to certain amounts, local law enforcement agencies continue to make more arrests for drug possession, including marijuana, than any other criminal offense, according to FBI crime data.The president’s pardon of more than 6,500 Americans with federal marijuana possession convictions, as well as thousands more with convictions in the majority-Black city of Washington, captures only a sliver of those with records nationwide. That’s likely why he has called on state governors to take similar steps for people with state marijuana possession convictions.“While white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted at disproportionate rates,” Biden said Thursday. “Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.”With the president’s unambiguous acknowledgement of racial inequity in marijuana enforcement, drug law reform advocates and those with convictions now see an opening to push for far more remedies to the harms of the war on drugs.Weldon Angelos, whose 2003 federal case for selling $300 worth of marijuana to a confidential informant in Utah got him sentenced to 55 years in prison, said he knows many people who will benefit from the president’s pardon. But there are also many more who will not, he said.“I feel like this is a first step of (Biden) doing something bigger,” said Angelos who, after serving 13 years in prison, received presidential clemency and a pardon during the Obama and Trump administrations. He is now a drug law reform activist.Felony cannabis cases like his also deserve consideration, Weldon said. Biden’s pardon does not cover convictions for possessing marijuana with an intent to distribute, which could further widen the scope of people receiving relief by tens of thousands.Enacting a law that clears a person’s federal drug record, similar to what has been offered in nearly two dozen states where marijuana has been decriminalized or legalized recreationally, would make the conviction invisible to companies and landlords doing criminal background checks, he said. Even with the federal pardon, Weldon’s record is still visible, he said.“There’s a lot more that needs to be done here, if we really want to unwind the effects, and the racist effects, of the war on cannabis,” Weldon said.Some advocates believe the country should consider clearing more than just marijuana records. In the 1990s, Marlon Chamberlain was a college student in Iowa when he learned that his then-girlfriend was pregnant with his eldest son. He began using cannabis to cope with the anxiety of becoming a young father and, soon after, started selling the drug.“My thought was that I would try to make enough money and have the means to take care of my son,” said Chamberlain, a 46-year-old Chicago native. “But I got addicted to the lifestyle and I graduated from selling weed to selling cocaine.”Chamberlain said he had a slew of state charges for marijuana possession between the ages of 19 and 25. But it was a federal case for crack cocaine, in which authorities used his prior marijuana arrests to enhance the seriousness of their case, that upended his life. Chamberlain was sentenced to 20 years in prison before the punishment was reduced to 14 years under the Fair Sentencing Act that narrowed the sentencing disparity between crack and powder forms of cocaine. He was freed after 10 years.Even though he will not benefit from Biden’s marijuana pardon, Chamberlain sees it as an opportunity to advocate for the elimination of what he calls the “permanent punishments,” such as the difficulties in finding a job or housing that come with having a past drug offense.“What Biden is initiating is a process of righting the wrongs” of the drug war, he said.Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize the recreational use of cannabis in 2012, although medical use had already been legal in several states. According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, 37 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories now permit the medical use of cannabis. Nineteen states, D.C. and two territories have legalized its recreational use.And during next month’s midterm elections, voters in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota will decide whether to permit recreational adult use of cannabis. That is reason enough for every state to look into mass-pardons and expungements, civil rights leaders say.“How fair is it that you will legalize marijuana now, tax it to use those state taxes to fund government, but forget all the people who are sitting in jails or were incarcerated when it was illegal?” NAACP President Derrick Johnson told the AP. “All those individuals who have been charged with marijuana crimes need to be pardoned, particularly those in states that have legalized marijuana.”Richard Wallace, executive director of Equity and Transformation, a social and economic justice advocacy group in Chicago, said state pardons must also come with some form of restitution to those who suffered economically under the racially discriminatory drug war.“We need to be thinking about building out durable reparations campaigns centered around cannabis legalization,” he said. “I think oftentimes we end up just fighting for the pardons and the expungements, and we leave out the economic component.”___