JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of armed robberies and have made an arrest.

Lenexa Police reported two&nbsp;armed robberies Tuesday involving Facebook Marketplace sales of electronics. 

The sales took place in the parking lots of a gas station and a grocery store.&nbsp; Police in Olathe arrested one suspect Tuesday night. The suspect is believed to be tied to both cases.&nbsp; According to the Johnson County Police Department booking report, officers arrested 22-year-old Terrell Harris in Olathe Tuesday on a requested charge of aggravated robbery.

"With the holidays approaching, these types of person-to-person sales are likely to increase. Police strongly recommend meeting at a police station to conduct these transactions. For example, the front circle drive, front entrance walkway and even our front lobby of the Lenexa Police are considered good options.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636562894250.png" alt="Police arrested 22-year-old Terrell Harris in Olathe Tuesday on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to the Johnson County booking report." />
 <figcaption>Police arrested 22-year-old Terrell Harris in Olathe Tuesday on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to the Johnson County booking report.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of armed robberies and have made an arrest.Lenexa Police reported two&nbsp;armed robberies Tuesday involving Facebook Marketplace sales of electronics. The sales took place in the parking lots of a gas station and a grocery store.&nbsp; Police in Olathe arrested one suspect Tuesday night. The suspect is believed to be tied to both cases.&nbsp; According to the Johnson County Police Department booking report, officers arrested 22-year-old Terrell Harris in Olathe Tuesday on a requested charge of aggravated robbery."With the holidays approaching, these types of person-to-person sales are likely to increase. Police strongly recommend meeting at a police station to conduct these transactions. For example, the front circle drive, front entrance walkway and even our front lobby of the Lenexa Police are considered good options.

Police investigate Facebook Marketplace armed robberies in Kansas

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The only eye witnesses to a 1978 triple murder in Kansas City tried to tell prosecutors years before she died that she had identified the wrong shooter, but they told her it was “too late” to recant and that she could be charged with perjury, her sister testified Tuesday.

Cecile “Cookie” Simmons testified on the second day of a hearing that could lead to the release of Kevin Strickland, who has served 43 years in prison for a triple murder that many people, including current Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, believe he did not commit.

In testimony on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">Strickland, who is now 62, strongly denied being involved in the crime</a>, which he has maintained since he was arrested and convicted in 1979.

Peters Baker announced in May that she and several other legal and political leaders believe Strickland was wrongly convicted. In August, she called for Strickland’s exoneration by using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">a new state law</a>&nbsp;that allows local prosecutors to challenge convictions if they believe the defendant did not commit the crime.

The evidentiary hearing was delayed several times after motions filed by the Missouri Attorney General’s office. Attorney General Eric Schmidt, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/has%20said%20he%20believes%20Strickland%20is%20guilty">he believes Strickland is guilty</a>.

Simmons’ sister, Cynthia Douglas, was injured but survived the shootings that killed three of her friends at a home in Kansas City on April 25, 1978. Her identification of Strickland, as being at the scene was a primary factor in his conviction.

Simmons said Tuesday that Douglas told her she knew two of four suspects, Vincent Bell, 21, and Kilm Adkins, 19, but did not know the other two suspects.

She picked Strickland, who was 18 at the time, out of a lineup the next day and later told people she was pressured by police to choose him, Simmons testified. Douglas’ mother, sister and a former co-worker gave similar testimony on Monday.

Years later, when Douglas told county prosecutors about her mistaken identification, they told her they were “not going to go back to court” over it and that she could be charged with perjury, according to Simmons.

Simmons said Douglas had nightmares and was sickened by her actions but she never took back her recantation before she died in 2015.

Bell and Adkins later served prison sentences for their roles in the murders. They both have said that Strickland was not involved in the crimes.

“Cindy never got her justice,” Simmons said Tuesday, noting that the two suspects Bell and Adkins identified were never arrested.

During cross-examination from Gregory Goodwin with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, Simmons acknowledged she was not with her sister when she contacted various officials.

Douglas’ ex-husband, Ronald Richardson, also testified Tuesday that she told him she had been wrong to identify Strickland. Richardson, who is currently in prison, was with Douglas for 24 years and married to her for 15 years.

Douglas told him she was hesitant to revive Strickland’s case because other families were involved and she was afraid Strickland might retaliate. Richardson told her said Strickland was more likely to be grateful if she recanted her identification, he testified.

Richardson said he and Strickland are imprisoned together but they are not friends and Strickland has never promised him anything for his testimony.

Assistant Attorney General Christine Krug noted Richardson’s lengthy prison record, which started with stealing in 1994 and include convictions for drugs, forgery and sex charges. She also said the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office did not find him credible when he was prosecuted for sex crimes and robbery.

Richardson responded that he didn’t understand what his crimes had to do with Strickland’s case. And he said he watched Douglas suffer for years because she identified the wrong person, KSHB-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kevin-stricklands-quest-for-freedom-continues-tuesday-in-jackson-county-court" target="_blank">reported</a>.

“I’ve lived with the girl for 24 years, and I’ve seen her slowly deteriorate and I’ve seen the hurt and the pain that the girl went through for 24 years,” Richardson said. “So don’t tell me all the things I did. I broke her heart. With the things I’ve done, I broke the girl’s heart. Y’all broke her spirit.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620695920927.png" alt="Strickland-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Strickland-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The only eye witnesses to a 1978 triple murder in Kansas City tried to tell prosecutors years before she died that she had identified the wrong shooter, but they told her it was “too late” to recant and that she could be charged with perjury, her sister testified Tuesday.Cecile “Cookie” Simmons testified on the second day of a hearing that could lead to the release of Kevin Strickland, who has served 43 years in prison for a triple murder that many people, including current Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, believe he did not commit.In testimony on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">Strickland, who is now 62, strongly denied being involved in the crime</a>, which he has maintained since he was arrested and convicted in 1979.Peters Baker announced in May that she and several other legal and political leaders believe Strickland was wrongly convicted. In August, she called for Strickland’s exoneration by using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">a new state law</a>&nbsp;that allows local prosecutors to challenge convictions if they believe the defendant did not commit the crime.The evidentiary hearing was delayed several times after motions filed by the Missouri Attorney General’s office. Attorney General Eric Schmidt, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/has%20said%20he%20believes%20Strickland%20is%20guilty">he believes Strickland is guilty</a>.Simmons’ sister, Cynthia Douglas, was injured but survived the shootings that killed three of her friends at a home in Kansas City on April 25, 1978. Her identification of Strickland, as being at the scene was a primary factor in his conviction.Simmons said Tuesday that Douglas told her she knew two of four suspects, Vincent Bell, 21, and Kilm Adkins, 19, but did not know the other two suspects.She picked Strickland, who was 18 at the time, out of a lineup the next day and later told people she was pressured by police to choose him, Simmons testified. Douglas’ mother, sister and a former co-worker gave similar testimony on Monday.Years later, when Douglas told county prosecutors about her mistaken identification, they told her they were “not going to go back to court” over it and that she could be charged with perjury, according to Simmons.Simmons said Douglas had nightmares and was sickened by her actions but she never took back her recantation before she died in 2015.Bell and Adkins later served prison sentences for their roles in the murders. They both have said that Strickland was not involved in the crimes.“Cindy never got her justice,” Simmons said Tuesday, noting that the two suspects Bell and Adkins identified were never arrested.During cross-examination from Gregory Goodwin with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, Simmons acknowledged she was not with her sister when she contacted various officials.Douglas’ ex-husband, Ronald Richardson, also testified Tuesday that she told him she had been wrong to identify Strickland. Richardson, who is currently in prison, was with Douglas for 24 years and married to her for 15 years.Douglas told him she was hesitant to revive Strickland’s case because other families were involved and she was afraid Strickland might retaliate. Richardson told her said Strickland was more likely to be grateful if she recanted her identification, he testified.Richardson said he and Strickland are imprisoned together but they are not friends and Strickland has never promised him anything for his testimony.Assistant Attorney General Christine Krug noted Richardson’s lengthy prison record, which started with stealing in 1994 and include convictions for drugs, forgery and sex charges. She also said the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office did not find him credible when he was prosecuted for sex crimes and robbery.Richardson responded that he didn’t understand what his crimes had to do with Strickland’s case. And he said he watched Douglas suffer for years because she identified the wrong person, KSHB-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kevin-stricklands-quest-for-freedom-continues-tuesday-in-jackson-county-court" target="_blank">reported</a>.“I’ve lived with the girl for 24 years, and I’ve seen her slowly deteriorate and I’ve seen the hurt and the pain that the girl went through for 24 years,” Richardson said. “So don’t tell me all the things I did. I broke her heart. With the things I’ve done, I broke the girl’s heart. Y’all broke her spirit.”

Woman says her sister ID'd wrong man in KC triple murder

NEW YORK (AP) — Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 29 points and No. 3 Kansas beat Michigan State 87-74 at the Champions Classic on the opening night of college basketball. Remy Martin added 15 points and David McCormack had 10 for the Jayhawks, who returned four starters from last season’s squad that lost to USC in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks were missing forward Jalen Wilson, who was suspended last week for the first three regular season games after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving last month. A.J. Hoggard scored 17 points and Julius Marble added 13 for the Spartans.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 29 points and No. 3 Kansas beat Michigan State 87-74 at the Champions Classic on the opening night of college basketball. Remy Martin added 15 points and David McCormack had 10 for the Jayhawks, who returned four starters from last season’s squad that lost to USC in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks were missing forward Jalen Wilson, who was suspended last week for the first three regular season games after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving last month. A.J. Hoggard scored 17 points and Julius Marble added 13 for the Spartans.

Jayhawks top Michigan State

HUTCHINSON — She was accused of a crime she did not commit and went through jail time and a trial that lasted for years. Now Amanda Knox is an advocate for those who are wrongly accused. Knox was the last speaker for the Dillon Lecture Series for 2021. Knox says she was practically convicted before the case could go through the legal system.

"I was arrested five days after the crime was discovered, before really any evidence was really available," Knox said. "I think what’s really telling about that is that the prosecution and the detectives sort of decided upon a theory before they actually had any evidence. And that is how this whole case unfolded."

Knox now spends her time supporting those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes. She says it is hard to get wrongful conviction cases overturned.

"One of the major obstacles to getting a wrongful conviction overturned is just the sense of they don't exist," Knox said. "And if they do exist they are so, so rare that all these claims of innocence could not possibly be based on reality."

Knox also says that her case was an early onset of how crimes, criminals and victims are perceived today.

"I realized from very early on in my case that it was an early sign of where we were going to be heading in terms of tribalism and in terms of echo chambers," Knox said. "It really all comes down to a rather adversarial mindset that is beset with confirmation bias."&nbsp;

And it's not just one side of the spectrum, according to Knox.

"It’s not to say that there are good people on this side and bad people on this side, which is how it is often portrayed," Knox said. "Instead, it’s these facts are meaningful to me and prove my point, and these facts are inconvenient for me so I'm not going to acknowledge them. And that happens on both sides of issues."

Knox, who is a journalist, says the media coverage of criminal cases needs to be narrowed down to the areas of factual information and portray what is in the public interest. She also praised her friends and family who stuck by her during her eight-year ordeal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636491945304.jpeg" alt="Knox now spends her time supporting those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes. She says it is hard to get wrongful conviction cases overturned." />
 <figcaption>Knox now spends her time supporting those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes. She says it is hard to get wrongful conviction cases overturned.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Rod ZookHutch PostHUTCHINSON — She was accused of a crime she did not commit and went through jail time and a trial that lasted for years. Now Amanda Knox is an advocate for those who are wrongly accused. Knox was the last speaker for the Dillon Lecture Series for 2021. Knox says she was practically convicted before the case could go through the legal system."I was arrested five days after the crime was discovered, before really any evidence was really available," Knox said. "I think what’s really telling about that is that the prosecution and the detectives sort of decided upon a theory before they actually had any evidence. And that is how this whole case unfolded."Knox now spends her time supporting those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes. She says it is hard to get wrongful conviction cases overturned."One of the major obstacles to getting a wrongful conviction overturned is just the sense of they don't exist," Knox said. "And if they do exist they are so, so rare that all these claims of innocence could not possibly be based on reality."Knox also says that her case was an early onset of how crimes, criminals and victims are perceived today."I realized from very early on in my case that it was an early sign of where we were going to be heading in terms of tribalism and in terms of echo chambers," Knox said. "It really all comes down to a rather adversarial mindset that is beset with confirmation bias."&nbsp;And it's not just one side of the spectrum, according to Knox."It’s not to say that there are good people on this side and bad people on this side, which is how it is often portrayed," Knox said. "Instead, it’s these facts are meaningful to me and prove my point, and these facts are inconvenient for me so I'm not going to acknowledge them. And that happens on both sides of issues."Knox, who is a journalist, says the media coverage of criminal cases needs to be narrowed down to the areas of factual information and portray what is in the public interest. She also praised her friends and family who stuck by her during her eight-year ordeal.

Wrongfully-convicted: Amanda Knox speaks at lecture series

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 19-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death last year of a pregnant Kansas City woman as she was pushing her baby in a stroller.

David Everson was charged Monday in the July 2020 death of 20-year-old Diamon Eichelburger. He also faces a charge of armed criminal action in Eichelburger's killing.

Everson is the second person charged in Eichelburger’s death. Last year, police arrested Jovon Burrell in the killing, saying he was driving the car from which Eichelburger was shot.

Police have said Eichelburger was pushing a stroller holding her 1-year-old child and walking with her boyfriend at a convenience store when a car pulled up and someone inside it asked if she was Diamon. When she confirmed her identity, someone in the car shot her several times, witnesses told police. The child in the stroller was not hurt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636487390305.png" alt="Everson photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Everson photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 19-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death last year of a pregnant Kansas City woman as she was pushing her baby in a stroller.David Everson was charged Monday in the July 2020 death of 20-year-old Diamon Eichelburger. He also faces a charge of armed criminal action in Eichelburger's killing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595470452421.png" alt="Jovon Burrell phot Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jovon Burrell phot Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Everson is the second person charged in Eichelburger’s death. Last year, police arrested Jovon Burrell in the killing, saying he was driving the car from which Eichelburger was shot.Police have said Eichelburger was pushing a stroller holding her 1-year-old child and walking with her boyfriend at a convenience store when a car pulled up and someone inside it asked if she was Diamon. When she confirmed her identity, someone in the car shot her several times, witnesses told police. The child in the stroller was not hurt.

Man charged in killing of Kansas City woman pushing a stroller

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on multiple charges after an arrest.&nbsp;

Police officers had been alerted that a 1996 Chrysler mini-van reported stolen to Kansas City Missouri Police was in the Atchison, Kansas area, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, officers located the van near 4th and Main in Atchison and it was occupied by 20-year-old&nbsp; Kala Woods of Stover Missouri.

Officers arrested her on requested charges of possession of stolen property.&nbsp;Woods was also accused of criminal damage to property in connection to damage to a vehicle tire following a dispute in the 900 block South 4th that had occurred around 11p.m. Monday, according to Wilson. Woods was taken to the County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636469263291.png" alt="Woods-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Woods-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on multiple charges after an arrest.&nbsp;Police officers had been alerted that a 1996 Chrysler mini-van reported stolen to Kansas City Missouri Police was in the Atchison, Kansas area, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, officers located the van near 4th and Main in Atchison and it was occupied by 20-year-old&nbsp; Kala Woods of Stover Missouri.Officers arrested her on requested charges of possession of stolen property.&nbsp;Woods was also accused of criminal damage to property in connection to damage to a vehicle tire following a dispute in the 900 block South 4th that had occurred around 11p.m. Monday, according to Wilson. Woods was taken to the County Jail.

Police: Woman jailed in Kansas for driving stolen van

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City are investigating two separate homicides discovered hours apart.

The first was reported around 2:45 p.m. Monday when officers were called to the Brush Creek Tower apartments to check on the welfare of a resident who had been reported missing. Arriving officers found a man dead inside the apartment, and police have launched a homicide investigation. Police have not said how the man died.

Around 9:30 p.m. Monday, police were called to the Blue Hills neighborhood and found a person who had been shot. The person was rushed to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

Police have not released the names of either victim, and no arrests have been announced.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City are investigating two separate homicides discovered hours apart.The first was reported around 2:45 p.m. Monday when officers were called to the Brush Creek Tower apartments to check on the welfare of a resident who had been reported missing. Arriving officers found a man dead inside the apartment, and police have launched a homicide investigation. Police have not said how the man died.Around 9:30 p.m. Monday, police were called to the Blue Hills neighborhood and found a person who had been shot. The person was rushed to a hospital and later pronounced dead.Police have not released the names of either victim, and no arrests have been announced.

Police: 2 Kansas City homicides discovered hours apart

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Nov. 1 shooting have made a second arrest in the&nbsp; case.&nbsp; On Monday evening, police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20073275">booked 18-year-old Davaun Carter</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested murder charges, according to the sheriff's department arrest report.

At approximately 5:30 p.m, November 1, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 300 block of W. 10th St. North in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macey. 

After arriving on scene, they located&nbsp; 22-year-old Braekwon Bennett with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Officers learned that two male suspects, an 18-year-old later identified as Carter and a 17-year-old arrived at the apartment and confronted Bennett. There was an altercation that led to multiple shots being fired. Carter was also shot during the altercation, and both suspects then left the apartment.

The suspects later arrived at an area hospital, where Carter was admitted for treatment. The 17-year-old was contacted at the hospital and attempted to run from police but was taken into custody. The 17-year-old was booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility for First-Degree Murder. Carter remained hospitalized until Monday afternoon. Police will present the case to the district attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636466340747.png" alt="Carter-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Carter-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Nov. 1 shooting have made a second arrest in the&nbsp; case.&nbsp; On Monday evening, police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20073275">booked 18-year-old Davaun Carter</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested murder charges, according to the sheriff's department arrest report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635868894294.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>At approximately 5:30 p.m, November 1, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 300 block of W. 10th St. North in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macey. After arriving on scene, they located&nbsp; 22-year-old Braekwon Bennett with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.Officers learned that two male suspects, an 18-year-old later identified as Carter and a 17-year-old arrived at the apartment and confronted Bennett. There was an altercation that led to multiple shots being fired. Carter was also shot during the altercation, and both suspects then left the apartment.The suspects later arrived at an area hospital, where Carter was admitted for treatment. The 17-year-old was contacted at the hospital and attempted to run from police but was taken into custody. The 17-year-old was booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility for First-Degree Murder. Carter remained hospitalized until Monday afternoon. Police will present the case to the district attorney.

Teen suspect in fatal Kansas gunfight moved from hospital to jail

WASHINGTON (AP) — A suspected Ukrainian hacker has been arrested and charged in the United States in connection with a string of costly ransomware attacks, including one that snarled businesses around the globe on the Fourth of July weekend, U.S. officials said Monday.

Yaroslav Vasinskyi was arrested last month after traveling to Poland, according to the Justice Department, which also announced the recovery of $6.1 million in ill-gotten funds from a Russian national who was separately charged and remains sought by the FBI.

Both men are alleged to be affiliated with the prolific Russia-based REvil ransomware gang, whose attacks have compromised tens of thousands of computers worldwide and yielded at least $200 million in ransom payments, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. Victims have included the world’s largest meat processor, JBS SA, and a technology company called Kaseya,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-government-and-politics-technology-business-fc0df4c42f8cd6148bf936ca24bb5cbe">which was hit in a holiday weekend attack last July&nbsp;</a>that the company said affected between 800 and 1,500 businesses that relied on its software.

The coordination of multiple agencies across the Biden administration amounted to perhaps the most high-profile response yet to a blitz of ransomware attacks that officials say continues to threaten national security and the economy. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco appeared to foreshadow Monday’s announcement in an interview with The Associated Press last week, saying that “in the days and weeks to come, you’re going to see more arrests” as well as more seizures of illicit ransomware proceeds.

Speaking at a news conference Monday, she said, “We have been using every tool at our disposal and leveraging every authority we have to hunt down and hold accountable cybercriminals wherever they seek to hide.”

The indictment accuses Vasinskyi, 22, of deploying REvil ransomware, also known as Sodinokibi, a broad range of victims — including the massive Kaseya attack.

Yevgeniy Polyanin, a Russian national, is charged in a separate indictment. He’s accused of conducting roughly 3,000 ransomware attacks on companies and entities across the U.S., including law enforcement agencies and local governments in the state of Texas.

Both indictments were filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, a state where REvil ransomware&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-government-and-politics-business-texas-hacking-47e23be2d9d90d67383c1bd6cee5aef7">compromised the computer networks</a>&nbsp;of some two dozen local government agencies in the summer of 2019.

The U.S. is seeking Vasinskyi’s extradition from Poland. Though it successfully seized $6 million in ransomware payments from Polyanin, the FBI is continuing to seek his arrest, and the State Department on Monday announced a $10 million reward for anyone with information leading to the capture of any leaders of the REvil group.

The Treasury Department, meanwhile, announced sanctions against the pair as well as a virtual currency exchange, Chatex, that it said was used to facilitate financial transactions for ransomware gangs.

President Joe Biden commended the government’s actions, saying he was making good on his commitment to Russian leader Vladimir Putin that the U.S. would hold cyber criminals accountable.

He said in a statement that the U.S. was “bringing the full strength of the federal government to disrupt malicious cyber activity and actors” and to “bolster resilience at home.”

The announcement of the criminal charges came hours after European law enforcement officials revealed the results of a lengthy, 17-nation operation. As part of that operation, Europol said, a total of seven hackers linked to REvil and another ransomware family have been arrested since February, including two last week by Romanian authorities.

The Justice Department has tried multiple ways to address a ransomware scourge that has exploded over the last year with attacks against critical infrastructure and major corporations. Arrests of foreign hackers are significant for the Justice Department, and rare, since many of them operate in the refuge of countries that do not extradite their own citizens to the U.S. for prosecution.

“There’s lots of reasons why people travel, and I can’t get into the specific reasons why Mr. Vasinskyi traveled, but boy are we glad he did,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said Monday.

Even so, ransomware attacks — in which hackers seize and encrypt data and demand often-exorbitant sums to release it to victims — have been hard to curb. Monaco told the AP last week that since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-technology-government-and-politics-russia-df7ef73f02bcba61ad6e628aa95a9f84">Biden’s admonitions to Putin last summer</a>&nbsp;to rein in ransomware gangs, “we have not seen a material change in the landscape.”

Garland did not answer directly when asked if there was evidence that the Russian government was aware of REvil’s activities, but said, “we expect and hope that any government in which one of these ransomware actors is residing will do everything it can to provide that person to us for prosecution.”

The $6.1 million seizure in this case builds on a similar success from months ago.

Federal authorities in June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-government-and-politics-8e7f5b297012333480d5e9153f40bd52">seized $2.3 million in cryptocurrency</a>&nbsp;from a payment made by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ga-state-wire-business-c6ef4314af911fb58b8445d2b121e82d">Colonial Pipeline</a>&nbsp;following a ransomware attack that caused the company to temporarily halt operations, creating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-technology-hacking-business-472c7e4f30649aec2dbf38200521b906">fuel shortages</a>&nbsp;in parts of the country.

Justice Department officials also used Monday’s news conference to urge Congress to create a national standard for the reporting of significant cyber incidents, and to require that that information be shared immediately with federal law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636402127170.png" alt="Attorney General Merrick Garland and other top officials announced charges against Ukrainian Yaroslav Vasinskyi and Russian Yevgeniy Polyanin, alleging them to be part of the REvil ransomware gang-image courtesy FBI" />
 <figcaption>Attorney General Merrick Garland and other top officials announced charges against Ukrainian Yaroslav Vasinskyi and Russian Yevgeniy Polyanin, alleging them to be part of the REvil ransomware gang-image courtesy FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A suspected Ukrainian hacker has been arrested and charged in the United States in connection with a string of costly ransomware attacks, including one that snarled businesses around the globe on the Fourth of July weekend, U.S. officials said Monday.Yaroslav Vasinskyi was arrested last month after traveling to Poland, according to the Justice Department, which also announced the recovery of $6.1 million in ill-gotten funds from a Russian national who was separately charged and remains sought by the FBI.Both men are alleged to be affiliated with the prolific Russia-based REvil ransomware gang, whose attacks have compromised tens of thousands of computers worldwide and yielded at least $200 million in ransom payments, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. Victims have included the world’s largest meat processor, JBS SA, and a technology company called Kaseya,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-government-and-politics-technology-business-fc0df4c42f8cd6148bf936ca24bb5cbe">which was hit in a holiday weekend attack last July&nbsp;</a>that the company said affected between 800 and 1,500 businesses that relied on its software.The coordination of multiple agencies across the Biden administration amounted to perhaps the most high-profile response yet to a blitz of ransomware attacks that officials say continues to threaten national security and the economy. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco appeared to foreshadow Monday’s announcement in an interview with The Associated Press last week, saying that “in the days and weeks to come, you’re going to see more arrests” as well as more seizures of illicit ransomware proceeds.Speaking at a news conference Monday, she said, “We have been using every tool at our disposal and leveraging every authority we have to hunt down and hold accountable cybercriminals wherever they seek to hide.”The indictment accuses Vasinskyi, 22, of deploying REvil ransomware, also known as Sodinokibi, a broad range of victims — including the massive Kaseya attack.Yevgeniy Polyanin, a Russian national, is charged in a separate indictment. He’s accused of conducting roughly 3,000 ransomware attacks on companies and entities across the U.S., including law enforcement agencies and local governments in the state of Texas.Both indictments were filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, a state where REvil ransomware&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-government-and-politics-business-texas-hacking-47e23be2d9d90d67383c1bd6cee5aef7">compromised the computer networks</a>&nbsp;of some two dozen local government agencies in the summer of 2019.The U.S. is seeking Vasinskyi’s extradition from Poland. Though it successfully seized $6 million in ransomware payments from Polyanin, the FBI is continuing to seek his arrest, and the State Department on Monday announced a $10 million reward for anyone with information leading to the capture of any leaders of the REvil group.The Treasury Department, meanwhile, announced sanctions against the pair as well as a virtual currency exchange, Chatex, that it said was used to facilitate financial transactions for ransomware gangs.President Joe Biden commended the government’s actions, saying he was making good on his commitment to Russian leader Vladimir Putin that the U.S. would hold cyber criminals accountable.He said in a statement that the U.S. was “bringing the full strength of the federal government to disrupt malicious cyber activity and actors” and to “bolster resilience at home.”The announcement of the criminal charges came hours after European law enforcement officials revealed the results of a lengthy, 17-nation operation. As part of that operation, Europol said, a total of seven hackers linked to REvil and another ransomware family have been arrested since February, including two last week by Romanian authorities.The Justice Department has tried multiple ways to address a ransomware scourge that has exploded over the last year with attacks against critical infrastructure and major corporations. Arrests of foreign hackers are significant for the Justice Department, and rare, since many of them operate in the refuge of countries that do not extradite their own citizens to the U.S. for prosecution.“There’s lots of reasons why people travel, and I can’t get into the specific reasons why Mr. Vasinskyi traveled, but boy are we glad he did,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said Monday.Even so, ransomware attacks — in which hackers seize and encrypt data and demand often-exorbitant sums to release it to victims — have been hard to curb. Monaco told the AP last week that since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-technology-government-and-politics-russia-df7ef73f02bcba61ad6e628aa95a9f84">Biden’s admonitions to Putin last summer</a>&nbsp;to rein in ransomware gangs, “we have not seen a material change in the landscape.”Garland did not answer directly when asked if there was evidence that the Russian government was aware of REvil’s activities, but said, “we expect and hope that any government in which one of these ransomware actors is residing will do everything it can to provide that person to us for prosecution.”The $6.1 million seizure in this case builds on a similar success from months ago.Federal authorities in June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-government-and-politics-8e7f5b297012333480d5e9153f40bd52">seized $2.3 million in cryptocurrency</a>&nbsp;from a payment made by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ga-state-wire-business-c6ef4314af911fb58b8445d2b121e82d">Colonial Pipeline</a>&nbsp;following a ransomware attack that caused the company to temporarily halt operations, creating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-technology-hacking-business-472c7e4f30649aec2dbf38200521b906">fuel shortages</a>&nbsp;in parts of the country.Justice Department officials also used Monday’s news conference to urge Congress to create a national standard for the reporting of significant cyber incidents, and to require that that information be shared immediately with federal law enforcement.

US charges 2 suspected in major ransomware attacks

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Police arrested a Kansas felon after a pursuit through Salina ended in a stolen-vehicle crash and a severed power pole on Saturday night.

Just after 7a.m. Friday, police were sent to the 100 block of Fairdale Road for the report of a stolen vehicle, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.

Michelle Peck, 41, of Salina, reported that her 2015 Nissan Armada valued at $25,000 was stolen from a driveway. A key fob had been left in the unlocked SUV.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, an officer observed the stolen SUV in the 1900 block of N. Ninth Street in Salina. When the officer attempted to stop the SUV, it sped away and a pursuit that included numerous side streets and Interstate 70 was underway.

The driver, later identified as 33-year-old Dustin Cole of Salina ultimately lost control of the SUV and crashed&nbsp; into two power poles at the  southeast corner of the Roach Street and E. Prescott Road intersection. 

The SUV also struck two boats on the property of Sankey Auto Center, Inc. The boats were a 1999 Pro Weld flat-bottom boat and a 2001 Bass Tracker 175.

Cole fled on foot and headed north across the old Smoky Hill River channel. He was captured by a Kansas Highway Patrol lieutenant in the 800 block of Elmhurst Boulevard, Forrester said. Cole allegedly was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Cole is being held on requested charges of possession of stolen property, Felony obstruction, Felony flee and elude, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Multiple traffic violations. Authorities did not arrest a woman passenger in the SUV.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636248194079.jpeg" alt="The SUV severed a power pole.&nbsp;Photo by Jerry Hinrikus for Salina Post&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The SUV severed a power pole.&nbsp;Photo by Jerry Hinrikus for Salina Post&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Police arrested a Kansas felon after a pursuit through Salina ended in a stolen-vehicle crash and a severed power pole on Saturday night.Just after 7a.m. Friday, police were sent to the 100 block of Fairdale Road for the report of a stolen vehicle, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.Michelle Peck, 41, of Salina, reported that her 2015 Nissan Armada valued at $25,000 was stolen from a driveway. A key fob had been left in the unlocked SUV.At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, an officer observed the stolen SUV in the 1900 block of N. Ninth Street in Salina. When the officer attempted to stop the SUV, it sped away and a pursuit that included numerous side streets and Interstate 70 was underway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636390924931.png" alt="Cole has three previous drug related convictions and convictions for obstruction and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Cole has three previous drug related convictions and convictions for obstruction and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, later identified as 33-year-old Dustin Cole of Salina ultimately lost control of the SUV and crashed&nbsp; into two power poles at the southeast corner of the Roach Street and E. Prescott Road intersection. The SUV also struck two boats on the property of Sankey Auto Center, Inc. The boats were a 1999 Pro Weld flat-bottom boat and a 2001 Bass Tracker 175.Cole fled on foot and headed north across the old Smoky Hill River channel. He was captured by a Kansas Highway Patrol lieutenant in the 800 block of Elmhurst Boulevard, Forrester said. Cole allegedly was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Cole is being held on requested charges of possession of stolen property, Felony obstruction, Felony flee and elude, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Multiple traffic violations. Authorities did not arrest a woman passenger in the SUV.

Police: Kan. felon crashed stolen SUV into boats, power pole

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Sunday shooting and have identified the victim as 16-year-old Brandi Williams.

Just before 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 900 block of N Volutsia in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. Once on scene, officers located Williams unresponsive in the front yard of a home. She was transported to an area hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. 

Another victim, an 18-year-old girl, was located with non-lifethreatening gunshot wounds. She was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries and later released.

Officers learned that multiple people, adults and juveniles, were at a gathering at the home when an argument started between the two girls and two boys, according to Macy.

During the argument, the boys produced firearms and began firing in the direction of the two girls. As a result, Williams and the 18-year-old girl were both struck by gunfire.

Officers located the boys and taken into custody. They have been identified as a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old. After interviews, they were both booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility on murder charges, according to Macy.

“While we have another sad and tragic life lost too soon, we’ve been highlighting the increase in juvenile crime for the last fifteen months.” Said Wichita Police Chief Gordon&nbsp; Ramsay. “Families and community members must take note of this disturbing trend and be as involved as possible to help keep our youth safe.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636386789329.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Sunday shooting and have identified the victim as 16-year-old Brandi Williams.Just before 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 900 block of N Volutsia in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. Once on scene, officers located Williams unresponsive in the front yard of a home. She was transported to an area hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. Another victim, an 18-year-old girl, was located with non-lifethreatening gunshot wounds. She was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries and later released.Officers learned that multiple people, adults and juveniles, were at a gathering at the home when an argument started between the two girls and two boys, according to Macy.During the argument, the boys produced firearms and began firing in the direction of the two girls. As a result, Williams and the 18-year-old girl were both struck by gunfire.Officers located the boys and taken into custody. They have been identified as a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old. After interviews, they were both booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility on murder charges, according to Macy.“While we have another sad and tragic life lost too soon, we’ve been highlighting the increase in juvenile crime for the last fifteen months.” Said Wichita Police Chief Gordon&nbsp; Ramsay. “Families and community members must take note of this disturbing trend and be as involved as possible to help keep our youth safe.”

Police ID Kansas girl killed, arrest 14- and 16-year-olds for murder

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing last month have a suspect in custody.

Shortly after midnight on October 9 police responded to a stabbing that at a residence in the 500 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;

Aa 31-year-old man had suffered a stab wound during an argument with a suspect who fled the area. EMS transported the victim to the hospital in St. Joseph, according to Wilson.

On Saturday afternoon, police located the suspect identified as 52-year-old David W. Barber in the 300 block Santa Fe in Atchison and took him into custody on a District Court warrant for aggravated battery. During that arrest, officers found he was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636384979230.png" alt="Barber-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Barber-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing last month have a suspect in custody.Shortly after midnight on October 9 police responded to a stabbing that at a residence in the 500 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;Aa 31-year-old man had suffered a stab wound during an argument with a suspect who fled the area. EMS transported the victim to the hospital in St. Joseph, according to Wilson.On Saturday afternoon, police located the suspect identified as 52-year-old David W. Barber in the 300 block Santa Fe in Atchison and took him into custody on a District Court warrant for aggravated battery. During that arrest, officers found he was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Wilson.

Police catch suspect wanted for stabbing at Kansas home

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a violent attack on a woman.

At 2:30p.m. September 17, officers responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1000 block North 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

EMS transported a 36-year-old woman from the scene to the hospital for injuries incurred during the disturbance. 

A 34-year-old suspect had left the area and not located. It was determined that the suspect had struck the victim with his hands and feet and struck the victim in the head with a baseball bat.

On Friday, police arrested Anthony M. Barnhart, 34, Atchison, on a District Court warrant and requested charges of aggravated battery, domestic battery and criminal threat, according to Wilson.

Authorities have arrested Barnhart six times over the past two years, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636138280692.png" alt="Barnhart-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Barnhart-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a violent attack on a woman.At 2:30p.m. September 17, officers responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1000 block North 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.EMS transported a 36-year-old woman from the scene to the hospital for injuries incurred during the disturbance. A 34-year-old suspect had left the area and not located. It was determined that the suspect had struck the victim with his hands and feet and struck the victim in the head with a baseball bat.On Friday, police arrested Anthony M. Barnhart, 34, Atchison, on a District Court warrant and requested charges of aggravated battery, domestic battery and criminal threat, according to Wilson.Authorities have arrested Barnhart six times over the past two years, according to online jail records.

Police: Kan. man used baseball bat in violent attack on woman

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have a suspect in custody.

&nbsp;Just after 7:30p.m. on September 1, police were dispatched to the 1300 Block of SW Huntoon Street in Topeka in reference to a shooting that had just occurred, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.

 Officers arrived and found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Thanks to citizen tips on Crime Stoppers, the photos of the suspect were identified as Adofo-Julius Smith, 19, of Topeka.&nbsp; On Friday, police located Smith, also due to a Crime Stopper tip, and arrested him, according to Lt. Stanley. 

Smith is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Criminal Possession of a firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a weapon and interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636230099834.png" alt="Smith-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have a suspect in custody.&nbsp;Just after 7:30p.m. on September 1, police were dispatched to the 1300 Block of SW Huntoon Street in Topeka in reference to a shooting that had just occurred, according to Lt. Edward Stanley. Officers arrived and found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.&nbsp;Thanks to citizen tips on Crime Stoppers, the photos of the suspect were identified as Adofo-Julius Smith, 19, of Topeka.&nbsp; On Friday, police located Smith, also due to a Crime Stopper tip, and arrested him, according to Lt. Stanley. Smith is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Criminal Possession of a firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a weapon and interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.

Tip leads police to ID and arrest of Kan. shooting suspect 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest facing child pornography charges in&nbsp;Rhode Island&nbsp;was released on unsecured bond and will be allowed to travel to&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;to stay with a family member while he awaits trial.

The Rev. James W. Jackson, 66, made an initial appearance in federal court in Providence on Wednesday.

Prosecutors sought to have Jackson detained, saying he was a flight risk and a danger to the community. But Jackson will be allowed to travel to Kansas with home detention and GPS monitoring. Authorities did not specify exactly where in Kansas he would stay.

Jackson was arrested on Saturday by state police after a court-authorized search warrant was executed at St. Mary's church and rectory in Providence.

According to an affidavit, the investigation began on Sept. 4 after police identified an IP address sharing files of “child sexual abuse materials” through a peer-to-peer network.

The IP address was linked to St. Mary’s, according to authorities.

Investigators found hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on an external hard drive owned by Jackson, according to court documents. An email seeking comment was left with Jackson's attorney.

Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin in an earlier statement said Jackson has been prohibited from performing the duties of a priest.

Jackson came to the diocese in August from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, which has cared for St. Mary's since June 2018. He had previously passed a background check, the organization said.

Jackson also faces arraignment on related state charges on Nov. 15.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636050976552.png" alt="Jackson photo&nbsp;Rhode Island State Police" />
 <figcaption>Jackson photo&nbsp;Rhode Island State Police</figcaption>
 </figure>PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest facing child pornography charges in&nbsp;Rhode Island&nbsp;was released on unsecured bond and will be allowed to travel to&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;to stay with a family member while he awaits trial.The Rev. James W. Jackson, 66, made an initial appearance in federal court in Providence on Wednesday.Prosecutors sought to have Jackson detained, saying he was a flight risk and a danger to the community. But Jackson will be allowed to travel to Kansas with home detention and GPS monitoring. Authorities did not specify exactly where in Kansas he would stay.Jackson was arrested on Saturday by state police after a court-authorized search warrant was executed at St. Mary's church and rectory in Providence.According to an affidavit, the investigation began on Sept. 4 after police identified an IP address sharing files of “child sexual abuse materials” through a peer-to-peer network.The IP address was linked to St. Mary’s, according to authorities.Investigators found hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on an external hard drive owned by Jackson, according to court documents. An email seeking comment was left with Jackson's attorney.Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin in an earlier statement said Jackson has been prohibited from performing the duties of a priest.Jackson came to the diocese in August from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, which has cared for St. Mary's since June 2018. He had previously passed a background check, the organization said.Jackson also faces arraignment on related state charges on Nov. 15.

Priest had 'hundreds' of child porn images, will await trial in Kan.

KANSAS CITY(AP) — A Kansas City woman who told police she shot and killed three people because she was "a bad person” has been convicted in their deaths.

Lynnsey D. Jones, 37, was convicted Thursday of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of armed criminal action, the Jackson County Prosecutor's office said in a news release.

Court documents said Jones went to a home in Kansas City to buy narcotics on Oct. 17, 2019.

Officers who were responding to reports of gunshots saw her walking near the home with a weapon in her hands. She was arrested and a man who was with her, Victor Sykes, 45, was arrested after a short foot chase.

Officers found the bodies of Larona T. Jones, Brady Jones and Larry T. Barnes Jr. inside and outside of the home.

When police asked Jones why she shot the three victims, she replied “because I'm a bad person," according to a police affidavit.

Sykes is scheduled for trial on Nov. 29 on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of armed criminal action.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636135682333.png" alt="Jones photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jones photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — A Kansas City woman who told police she shot and killed three people because she was "a bad person” has been convicted in their deaths.Lynnsey D. Jones, 37, was convicted Thursday of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of armed criminal action, the Jackson County Prosecutor's office said in a news release.Court documents said Jones went to a home in Kansas City to buy narcotics on Oct. 17, 2019.Officers who were responding to reports of gunshots saw her walking near the home with a weapon in her hands. She was arrested and a man who was with her, Victor Sykes, 45, was arrested after a short foot chase.Officers found the bodies of Larona T. Jones, Brady Jones and Larry T. Barnes Jr. inside and outside of the home.When police asked Jones why she shot the three victims, she replied “because I'm a bad person," according to a police affidavit.Sykes is scheduled for trial on Nov. 29 on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of armed criminal action.

KC woman to police: I killed 3 people because I'm a bad  person

RENO COUNTY — The Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit made a pair of significant arrests this week.

Just after 9p.m. Nov. 3, the drug enforcement unit stopped a car for a traffic violation in the 11000 block of east Arlington Road, just east of Haven, according to the Reno Co. Sheriff's Department.

Deputies found methamphetamine that was stored in a quart-sized plastic baggie, which later weighed in at 1 lb. Underneath one of the seats, there was a loaded M-11 9mm firearm. There were several other items of drug paraphernalia found throughout the vehicle. Both occupants were arrested on suspicion of numerous drug charges.

Bradley Kuker, 47, Dodge City, is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while suspended.

Anthony Thomas, 39, also of Dodge City, is being held on requested charges&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (100g-&lt;1kg), possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal transportation of alcohol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636196066934.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — The Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit made a pair of significant arrests this week.Just after 9p.m. Nov. 3, the drug enforcement unit stopped a car for a traffic violation in the 11000 block of east Arlington Road, just east of Haven, according to the Reno Co. Sheriff's Department.Deputies found methamphetamine that was stored in a quart-sized plastic baggie, which later weighed in at 1 lb. Underneath one of the seats, there was a loaded M-11 9mm firearm. There were several other items of drug paraphernalia found throughout the vehicle. Both occupants were arrested on suspicion of numerous drug charges.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636205299221.png" alt="Kuker has previous convictions for burglary, theft, aggravated robbery and aggravated assault, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Kuker has previous convictions for burglary, theft, aggravated robbery and aggravated assault, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>Bradley Kuker, 47, Dodge City, is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while suspended.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636205454803.png" alt="Thomas has previous convictions for identity theft, criminal threat, aggravated battery, theft, forgery and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Thomas has previous convictions for identity theft, criminal threat, aggravated battery, theft, forgery and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Anthony Thomas, 39, also of Dodge City, is being held on requested charges&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (100g-&lt;1kg), possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal transportation of alcohol.

Deputies find pound of meth, firearm, arrest 2 Kan. felons

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Six people have been arrested after a brawl outside of South High School in Wichita — the second big fight there in nine days. KAKE-TV reports that four juveniles and two adults were arrested Friday. 

In the latest incident, a school district spokeswoman says two students were in a fight that was broken up, but relatives of the students went to the school and began fighting in the parking lot, and their students joined in. Police say those arrested are accused of disorderly conduct, battery of a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Six people have been arrested after a brawl outside of South High School in Wichita — the second big fight there in nine days. KAKE-TV reports that four juveniles and two adults were arrested Friday. In the latest incident, a school district spokeswoman says two students were in a fight that was broken up, but relatives of the students went to the school and began fighting in the parking lot, and their students joined in. Police say those arrested are accused of disorderly conduct, battery of a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement.

Six arrested after fight breaks out at Kansas high school

HOUSTON (AP) — At least eight people died and numerous others were injured in what officials described as a surge of the crowd at the Astroworld music festival in Houston while rapper Travis Scott was performing.

Officials declared a “mass casualty incident” just after 9 p.m. Friday during the festival where an estimated 50,000 people were in attendance, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña told reporters at a news conference.

“The crowd began to compress towards the front of the stage, and that caused some panic, and it started causing some injuries,” the fire chief said. “People began to fall out, become unconscious, and it created additional panic.”

The show was called off shortly thereafter. The fire chief said “scores of individuals” were injured.

Officials transported 17 people to hospitals, including 11 who were in cardiac arrest, Peña said. It wasn’t clear whether all eight who died were among the 17 that had been transported to hospitals. Many people were also treated at the scene at NRG Park, where a field hospital had been set up. About 300 people were examined at that site throughout the day, he said.

Astroworld is a two-day music festival that was scheduled to take place Friday and Saturday in Houston. The event was sold out, according to the Astroworld website. Saturday’s performances have been canceled.

The deaths called to mind a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8f4b34167ea84746a542a2fd19df55d0">1979 concert for The Who</a>&nbsp;where 11 people died and about two dozen were injured as thousands of fans tried to get into Cincinnati’s riverfront coliseum.

Scott, one of music’s biggest young stars, released two new songs earlier Friday, “Mafia” and “Escape Plan.” The 29-year-old Houston native has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards. He has a 3-year-old daughter, Stormi, with Kylie Jenner, who announced in September that she’s pregnant with their second child.

Drake joined Scott on-stage at the concert — which was livestreamed by Apple Music — and posted photos to Instagram after the performance.

Event promoters had arranged for medical units to be on scene at the festival, however once the crowd surge began, those units were “quickly overwhelmed,” Peña said.

In a video posted to social media, Scott could be seen stopping the concert at one point and asking for aid for someone in the audience: “Security, somebody help real quick.”

Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite was near the front of the crowd and said it seemed the surge “happened all at once.”

“Suddenly we had several people down on the ground, experiencing some type of cardiac arrest or some type of medical episode,” Satterwhite said. “And so we immediately started doing CPR, and moving people right then, and that’s when I went and met with the promoters, and Live Nation, and they agreed to end early in the interest of public safety.”

Peña said officials did not immediately know the causes of death for the eight people who died. A medical examiner would investigate. The deceased had not been identified as of early Saturday.

Officials set up a reunification center at a hotel for family members who had not been able to reach relatives who had been in attendance at the event. Authorities were looking to connect families with festivalgoers who were transported to the hospital, “some as young as 10” years old, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner called for calm and urged people not to jump to conclusions as to what caused the surge.

“I think it’s very important that none of us speculate. Nobody has all the answers tonight,” Finner said. He added that there have been several rumors surrounding the event that authorities would look into.

“We’re going to do an investigation and find out because it’s not fair to the producers, to anybody else involved, until we determine what happened, what caused the surge,” he said. “We don’t know, but we will find out.”

The Associated Press reached out to a representative for Scott but did not immediately hear back.

Finner told reporters that Scott and the event promoters cooperated with police.

Scott founded Astroworld Festival in 2018 and it has taken place at the former site of Six Flags AstroWorld each year since, except for in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Other music events where there have been multiple fatalities in recent years include the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-shootings-las-vegas-tennessee-6ad8d49e6a99bc2e3bd75994b1234a51">Las Vegas massacre in 2017</a>&nbsp;when 58 people were killed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, the so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fires-oakland-san-francisco-coronavirus-pandemic-bc08427a00668b593d4c2dd536f4bfed">Ghost Ship fire in 2016</a>&nbsp;that killed 36 people in California and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/566480ddd2ae4d0ab8ced0ea40d06fcc">2003 Station nightclub fire</a>&nbsp;that killed 100 people in Rhode Island.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636206921494.png" alt="The fire chief said “scores of individuals” were injured. -photo courtesy KPRC-TV" />
 <figcaption>The fire chief said “scores of individuals” were injured. -photo courtesy KPRC-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — At least eight people died and numerous others were injured in what officials described as a surge of the crowd at the Astroworld music festival in Houston while rapper Travis Scott was performing.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=316&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHoustonpolice%2Fvideos%2F293461855969202%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="316" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Officials declared a “mass casualty incident” just after 9 p.m. Friday during the festival where an estimated 50,000 people were in attendance, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña told reporters at a news conference.“The crowd began to compress towards the front of the stage, and that caused some panic, and it started causing some injuries,” the fire chief said. “People began to fall out, become unconscious, and it created additional panic.”The show was called off shortly thereafter. The fire chief said “scores of individuals” were injured.Officials transported 17 people to hospitals, including 11 who were in cardiac arrest, Peña said. It wasn’t clear whether all eight who died were among the 17 that had been transported to hospitals. Many people were also treated at the scene at NRG Park, where a field hospital had been set up. About 300 people were examined at that site throughout the day, he said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">UPDATE AS OF 0745 am: If you have not been able to contact your loved one who attended <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASTROWORLDFest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASTROWORLDFest</a> please call 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 or go to the reunification center at 8686 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77054.&mdash; Houston OEM (@HoustonOEM) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonOEM/status/1456976711766077442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Astroworld is a two-day music festival that was scheduled to take place Friday and Saturday in Houston. The event was sold out, according to the Astroworld website. Saturday’s performances have been canceled.The deaths called to mind a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8f4b34167ea84746a542a2fd19df55d0">1979 concert for The Who</a>&nbsp;where 11 people died and about two dozen were injured as thousands of fans tried to get into Cincinnati’s riverfront coliseum.Scott, one of music’s biggest young stars, released two new songs earlier Friday, “Mafia” and “Escape Plan.” The 29-year-old Houston native has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards. He has a 3-year-old daughter, Stormi, with Kylie Jenner, who announced in September that she’s pregnant with their second child.Drake joined Scott on-stage at the concert — which was livestreamed by Apple Music — and posted photos to Instagram after the performance.Event promoters had arranged for medical units to be on scene at the festival, however once the crowd surge began, those units were “quickly overwhelmed,” Peña said.In a video posted to social media, Scott could be seen stopping the concert at one point and asking for aid for someone in the audience: “Security, somebody help real quick.”Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite was near the front of the crowd and said it seemed the surge “happened all at once.”“Suddenly we had several people down on the ground, experiencing some type of cardiac arrest or some type of medical episode,” Satterwhite said. “And so we immediately started doing CPR, and moving people right then, and that’s when I went and met with the promoters, and Live Nation, and they agreed to end early in the interest of public safety.”Peña said officials did not immediately know the causes of death for the eight people who died. A medical examiner would investigate. The deceased had not been identified as of early Saturday.Officials set up a reunification center at a hotel for family members who had not been able to reach relatives who had been in attendance at the event. Authorities were looking to connect families with festivalgoers who were transported to the hospital, “some as young as 10” years old, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said.Houston Police Chief Troy Finner called for calm and urged people not to jump to conclusions as to what caused the surge.“I think it’s very important that none of us speculate. Nobody has all the answers tonight,” Finner said. He added that there have been several rumors surrounding the event that authorities would look into.“We’re going to do an investigation and find out because it’s not fair to the producers, to anybody else involved, until we determine what happened, what caused the surge,” he said. “We don’t know, but we will find out.”The Associated Press reached out to a representative for Scott but did not immediately hear back.Finner told reporters that Scott and the event promoters cooperated with police.Scott founded Astroworld Festival in 2018 and it has taken place at the former site of Six Flags AstroWorld each year since, except for in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.Other music events where there have been multiple fatalities in recent years include the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-shootings-las-vegas-tennessee-6ad8d49e6a99bc2e3bd75994b1234a51">Las Vegas massacre in 2017</a>&nbsp;when 58 people were killed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, the so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fires-oakland-san-francisco-coronavirus-pandemic-bc08427a00668b593d4c2dd536f4bfed">Ghost Ship fire in 2016</a>&nbsp;that killed 36 people in California and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/566480ddd2ae4d0ab8ced0ea40d06fcc">2003 Station nightclub fire</a>&nbsp;that killed 100 people in Rhode Island.

Fire chief: Mass casualty incident at music festival in Houston 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; a suspect for alleged porch theft from a home.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, a woman reported an unknown suspect taking a package from the front porch of her home, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Through the examination of video, Flock Safety License Plate Readers, and police records investigators learned of 35-year-old Adam Quick’s involvement in the theft.&nbsp; Police located Quick on Friday and arrested him without incident.&nbsp;

Police will present the case to the City of Wichita prosecutor’s office.&nbsp; Additionally, Quick has been arrested and convicted on previous felony charges that include burglary and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

An increase in package thefts is generally seen during this time of year.&nbsp; Here are some tips you can do to help keep your property safe:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Have packages delivered to your home only during hours that you are there;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If you are not home or out of town, have packages delivered to a trusted neighbor or have that neighbor pick up the package for you;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Have packages delivered to a store you’ve ordered from, or you can have that package delivered to the carrier facility for pick-up;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check with your employer and have packages delivered to your place of work during the day;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Consider purchasing surveillance cameras and motion sensor lights; and If you are a victim of a theft, call 911 or (316) 268-4221 file a police report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636146736916.png" alt="Quick has previous convictions for burglary, theft and drugs, according to the Kan. Dept of Corrections -photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Quick has previous convictions for burglary, theft and drugs, according to the Kan. Dept of Corrections -photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; a suspect for alleged porch theft from a home.Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, a woman reported an unknown suspect taking a package from the front porch of her home, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Through the examination of video, Flock Safety License Plate Readers, and police records investigators learned of 35-year-old Adam Quick’s involvement in the theft.&nbsp; Police located Quick on Friday and arrested him without incident.&nbsp;Police will present the case to the City of Wichita prosecutor’s office.&nbsp; Additionally, Quick has been arrested and convicted on previous felony charges that include burglary and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.An increase in package thefts is generally seen during this time of year.&nbsp; Here are some tips you can do to help keep your property safe:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Have packages delivered to your home only during hours that you are there;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If you are not home or out of town, have packages delivered to a trusted neighbor or have that neighbor pick up the package for you;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Have packages delivered to a store you’ve ordered from, or you can have that package delivered to the carrier facility for pick-up;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check with your employer and have packages delivered to your place of work during the day;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Consider purchasing surveillance cameras and motion sensor lights; and If you are a victim of a theft, call 911 or (316) 268-4221 file a police report.

Kan. man out of prison caught taking package from woman's porch

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas sex offender on new charges.

On Wednesday, police arrested 39-year-old Brett A. Johnson, 39, Lansing, on a Kansas Department of Corrections detain order for parole violation, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Johnson has three previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child. In addition, Johnson has eight previous convictions for theft and burglary and has convictions for aggravated battery, criminal restraint and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636036816185.png" alt="Johnson-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas sex offender on new charges.On Wednesday, police arrested 39-year-old Brett A. Johnson, 39, Lansing, on a Kansas Department of Corrections detain order for parole violation, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Johnson has three previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child. In addition, Johnson has eight previous convictions for theft and burglary and has convictions for aggravated battery, criminal restraint and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.