By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Salina woman was arrested late Wednesday afternoon after she was found driving a pickup stolen downtown a few minutes earlier.

A 39-year-old Salina mah walked out of his place of employment in the 300 block of N. Fifth Street at approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and found that his 2005 Chevrolet Colorado had been stolen, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester

A coworker saw a woman get into the pickup and drive away south on N. Fifth Street. The keys were in the pickup, Forrester said.

While officers were on their way, another officer spotted the stolen pickup near the intersection of S. Fifth Street/E. Mulberry Street. The officer stopped the pickup in the 200 block of S. Seventh Street and arrested the driver, Mary Willems, 25, of Salina, on a requested charge of felony theft. She allegedly had $25 in cash from the pickup in her pocket, according to Forrester.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635431077474.jpeg" alt="Willems-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Willems-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina woman was arrested late Wednesday afternoon after she was found driving a pickup stolen downtown a few minutes earlier.A 39-year-old Salina mah walked out of his place of employment in the 300 block of N. Fifth Street at approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and found that his 2005 Chevrolet Colorado had been stolen, according to Salina Police Captain Paul ForresterA coworker saw a woman get into the pickup and drive away south on N. Fifth Street. The keys were in the pickup, Forrester said.While officers were on their way, another officer spotted the stolen pickup near the intersection of S. Fifth Street/E. Mulberry Street. The officer stopped the pickup in the 200 block of S. Seventh Street and arrested the driver, Mary Willems, 25, of Salina, on a requested charge of felony theft. She allegedly had $25 in cash from the pickup in her pocket, according to Forrester.

Police: Woman took Kansas man's pickup and cash

By SUZANNE PEREZ, JIM MCLEAN and BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-27/your-local-kansas-elections-are-getting-taken-over-by-bruising-dc-style-politics">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA — The notion of low-key elections in Kansas 
during odd-numbered years — largely spared the attack campaigns, 
mysterious money and blue-versus-red rancor — now feels so quaint.

Instead,
 school board races carry talking points about race and mask orders that
 would feel at home on Fox News or MSNBC. In one city in central Kansas,
 residents find themselves in an emotional battle over how much power 
local officials should have in the midst of a public health crisis. And 
voters in the state’s capital find one candidate on the ballot for city 
council with ties to a white supremacist group linked to the Jan. 6 
siege of the U.S. Capitol.

So now people running for local office —
 jobs where it can often prove hard to recruit volunteers to serve, much
 less withstand public attack — find themselves in increasingly 
partisan-like contests settled by an ever more polarized electorate.

School
 board meetings across Kansas have become a battleground for protests 
about mask mandates, critical race theory and other issues.

That 
means races for hundreds of school board seats — usually low-interest, 
low-turnout affairs — draw more attention than usual this year.

The <a href="https://1776projectpac.com/" target="_blank">Project 1776 PAC</a>, a New York-based political action committee, is backing dozens of candidates in seven states, including Kansas. The group has <a href="https://1776projectpac.com/endorsed-candidates/" target="_blank">endorsed 10 candidates</a> for school board races in Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, Olathe and Lansing.

Project 1776 opposes the teaching of critical race theory or anything related to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html" target="_blank">1619 Project</a>,
 a New York Times initiative that aims to reframe American history by 
focusing on the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black 
Americans.

In Wichita, the state’s largest school district has <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-19/your-guide-to-the-2021-wichita-school-board-elections" target="_blank">four seats up for grabs</a> — a board majority — on Tuesday.

Incumbents
 have faced criticism for more than a year over COVID-19 protocols, 
including decisions to start last school year with <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2020-08-20/wichita-school-board-votes-to-start-middle-and-high-school-students-remotely" target="_blank">remote-only classes for secondary students</a> and to require <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-08-23/wichita-boe-votes-to-mandate-masks-for-students-employees" target="_blank">masks in schools</a>.

They’re facing a slate of challengers recruited and endorsed by the Sedgwick County Republican Party who oppose mask mandates.

Both
 the incumbents and challengers in Wichita are campaigning as a group, 
which is unusual for school board races, and both are getting support 
from larger organizations.

A campaign flier for the incumbents was paid for by the <a href="https://bluestemkansas.com/" target="_blank">Bluestem Fund PAC</a>, which gets contributions from the National Education Association and other unions.

During
 a recent gathering at a parking lot in east Wichita, Republican state 
Rep. Patrick Penn rallied the challengers and their supporters. He said 
Kansas school districts will get more than $8 billion in federal funding
 for COVID relief, and they’re spending it on the wrong things.

“What
 kind of stuff am I talking about? I’m talking about critical race 
theory,” Penn said. “I’m talking about anything that can be associated 
with depression, anti-bullying — they call it social-emotional learning.
 That’s what the school board wants to push out there.”

Judith Deedy, executive director of <a href="https://gameonforkansasschools.com/" target="_blank">Game On For Kansas Schools</a>, says she’s troubled by the shift toward partisan elections all over the state.

“There’s
 a lot of anger and frustration, particularly with COVID, and so the 
more traditional school board members are maybe more susceptible to 
being picked off right now,” she said.“It’s misguided anger or 
misdirected anger at the people who’ve been in there and having to make 
some really difficult decisions.”

In
 Salina, a town of about 50,000 in the middle of the state, an effort to
 limit the emergency powers of the city commission is sparking heated 
debate.

A group of residents angered by a mask mandate and 
restrictions imposed on businesses during the height of the pandemic 
mounted a petition drive over the summer to get the question on the Nov.
 2 ballot.

“This is about a lot of citizens that feel like the government overreached,” said Kevin Korb, the leader of the group —<a href="https://salinafreedom.com/" target="_blank"> Salina Freedom </a>— during a recent<a href="https://www.ksal.com/ballot-question-debate-on-ksal/" target="_blank"> discussion of the issue </a>on Salina radio station KSAL.

“The city commissioners are there to represent us,” he said, “not rule over us like kings.”

A rival group, <a href="https://salinansforfacts.org/" target="_blank">Salinans for Facts,</a> is spearheading an effort to defeat the measure. It includes <a href="https://www.ksal.com/opinion-former-commissioners-mayors-urge-no-vote/" target="_blank">several former mayors and commissioners</a> who argue the proposed ordinance would usurp the home-rule powers granted the city in the Kansas Constitution.

“This
 isn’t about freedom,” said former Commissioner Jon Blanchard on the 
KSAL broadcast. “This is about how we best respond to public 
emergencies.”

Passage of the ordinance, Blanchard said, would tie the city’s hands when dealing with future health crises.

“I fail to see how that makes anybody more free and it certainly does not make people safer,” he said.

A
 court challenge could prevent the ordinance from taking effect even if 
voters approve it. Saline County District Court Judge Paul Hickman has 
heard arguments in the case earlier this month but is waiting until 
after the election to issue a ruling.

A candidate in Topeka’s city council race has deep-rooted connections to the Proud Boys.

Canada
 labeled the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization, and the group 
fundraised legal defense funds for people arrested in the Capitol 
insurrection.

Joel Campbell, who says he left the group, was a 
third-degree member with a tattoo professing his allegiance to the 
group. He is running against incumbent Neil Dobler for Topeka’s a 
district city council seat.

Campbell was previously investigated 
by the state’s highway patrol for threats against Gov. Laura Kelly. In a
 now-deleted video he, without evidence, linked Kelly to running a child
 trafficking ring out of a pizza shop in Salina.

“(Kelly) is 
wearing the red shoes,” Campbell said in the video. “They are literally 
throwing this (expletive) in our face. … The leader of Kansas, 
(expletive) Kansas’ governor, is in on this (expletive).”

Campbell’s social media also follows a “super straight" account.

A
 TikTok user coined the term super straight after saying they didn't 
want to date transgender people. The post then gained popularity and 
became closely tied with transphobic posts. It has since been banned 
from the social media app TikTok because it is “associated with hateful 
behavior.”

The
 Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, 
KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social 
determinants of health and their connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635433578405.png" alt="The race for four seats on the Wichita school board has become a battle between the incumbents and a slate of challengers recruited by the county Republican Party. Suzanne Perez / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>The race for four seats on the Wichita school board has become a battle between the incumbents and a slate of challengers recruited by the county Republican Party. Suzanne Perez / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ, JIM MCLEAN and BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-27/your-local-kansas-elections-are-getting-taken-over-by-bruising-dc-style-politics">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA — The notion of low-key elections in Kansas 
during odd-numbered years — largely spared the attack campaigns, 
mysterious money and blue-versus-red rancor — now feels so quaint.Instead,
 school board races carry talking points about race and mask orders that
 would feel at home on Fox News or MSNBC. In one city in central Kansas,
 residents find themselves in an emotional battle over how much power 
local officials should have in the midst of a public health crisis. And 
voters in the state’s capital find one candidate on the ballot for city 
council with ties to a white supremacist group linked to the Jan. 6 
siege of the U.S. Capitol.So now people running for local office —
 jobs where it can often prove hard to recruit volunteers to serve, much
 less withstand public attack — find themselves in increasingly 
partisan-like contests settled by an ever more polarized electorate.School
 board meetings across Kansas have become a battleground for protests 
about mask mandates, critical race theory and other issues.That 
means races for hundreds of school board seats — usually low-interest, 
low-turnout affairs — draw more attention than usual this year.The <a href="https://1776projectpac.com/" target="_blank">Project 1776 PAC</a>, a New York-based political action committee, is backing dozens of candidates in seven states, including Kansas. The group has <a href="https://1776projectpac.com/endorsed-candidates/" target="_blank">endorsed 10 candidates</a> for school board races in Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, Olathe and Lansing.Project 1776 opposes the teaching of critical race theory or anything related to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html" target="_blank">1619 Project</a>,
 a New York Times initiative that aims to reframe American history by 
focusing on the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black 
Americans.In Wichita, the state’s largest school district has <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-19/your-guide-to-the-2021-wichita-school-board-elections" target="_blank">four seats up for grabs</a> — a board majority — on Tuesday.Incumbents
 have faced criticism for more than a year over COVID-19 protocols, 
including decisions to start last school year with <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2020-08-20/wichita-school-board-votes-to-start-middle-and-high-school-students-remotely" target="_blank">remote-only classes for secondary students</a> and to require <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-08-23/wichita-boe-votes-to-mandate-masks-for-students-employees" target="_blank">masks in schools</a>.They’re facing a slate of challengers recruited and endorsed by the Sedgwick County Republican Party who oppose mask mandates.Both
 the incumbents and challengers in Wichita are campaigning as a group, 
which is unusual for school board races, and both are getting support 
from larger organizations.A campaign flier for the incumbents was paid for by the <a href="https://bluestemkansas.com/" target="_blank">Bluestem Fund PAC</a>, which gets contributions from the National Education Association and other unions.During
 a recent gathering at a parking lot in east Wichita, Republican state 
Rep. Patrick Penn rallied the challengers and their supporters. He said 
Kansas school districts will get more than $8 billion in federal funding
 for COVID relief, and they’re spending it on the wrong things.“What
 kind of stuff am I talking about? I’m talking about critical race 
theory,” Penn said. “I’m talking about anything that can be associated 
with depression, anti-bullying — they call it social-emotional learning.
 That’s what the school board wants to push out there.”Judith Deedy, executive director of <a href="https://gameonforkansasschools.com/" target="_blank">Game On For Kansas Schools</a>, says she’s troubled by the shift toward partisan elections all over the state.“There’s
 a lot of anger and frustration, particularly with COVID, and so the 
more traditional school board members are maybe more susceptible to 
being picked off right now,” she said.“It’s misguided anger or 
misdirected anger at the people who’ve been in there and having to make 
some really difficult decisions.”<h2>Salina showdown</h2>In
 Salina, a town of about 50,000 in the middle of the state, an effort to
 limit the emergency powers of the city commission is sparking heated 
debate.A group of residents angered by a mask mandate and 
restrictions imposed on businesses during the height of the pandemic 
mounted a petition drive over the summer to get the question on the Nov.
 2 ballot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635433656199.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“This is about a lot of citizens that feel like the government overreached,” said Kevin Korb, the leader of the group —<a href="https://salinafreedom.com/" target="_blank"> Salina Freedom </a>— during a recent<a href="https://www.ksal.com/ballot-question-debate-on-ksal/" target="_blank"> discussion of the issue </a>on Salina radio station KSAL.“The city commissioners are there to represent us,” he said, “not rule over us like kings.”A rival group, <a href="https://salinansforfacts.org/" target="_blank">Salinans for Facts,</a> is spearheading an effort to defeat the measure. It includes <a href="https://www.ksal.com/opinion-former-commissioners-mayors-urge-no-vote/" target="_blank">several former mayors and commissioners</a> who argue the proposed ordinance would usurp the home-rule powers granted the city in the Kansas Constitution.“This
 isn’t about freedom,” said former Commissioner Jon Blanchard on the 
KSAL broadcast. “This is about how we best respond to public 
emergencies.”Passage of the ordinance, Blanchard said, would tie the city’s hands when dealing with future health crises.“I fail to see how that makes anybody more free and it certainly does not make people safer,” he said.A
 court challenge could prevent the ordinance from taking effect even if 
voters approve it. Saline County District Court Judge Paul Hickman has 
heard arguments in the case earlier this month but is waiting until 
after the election to issue a ruling.<h2>Controversial candidate</h2>A candidate in Topeka’s city council race has deep-rooted connections to the Proud Boys.Canada
 labeled the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization, and the group 
fundraised legal defense funds for people arrested in the Capitol 
insurrection.Joel Campbell, who says he left the group, was a 
third-degree member with a tattoo professing his allegiance to the 
group. He is running against incumbent Neil Dobler for Topeka’s a 
district city council seat.Campbell was previously investigated 
by the state’s highway patrol for threats against Gov. Laura Kelly. In a
 now-deleted video he, without evidence, linked Kelly to running a child
 trafficking ring out of a pizza shop in Salina.“(Kelly) is 
wearing the red shoes,” Campbell said in the video. “They are literally 
throwing this (expletive) in our face. … The leader of Kansas, 
(expletive) Kansas’ governor, is in on this (expletive).”Campbell’s social media also follows a “super straight" account.A
 TikTok user coined the term super straight after saying they didn't 
want to date transgender people. The post then gained popularity and 
became closely tied with transphobic posts. It has since been banned 
from the social media app TikTok because it is “associated with hateful 
behavior.”The
 Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, 
KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social 
determinants of health and their connection to public policy.

Local Kan. elections getting taken over by bruising DC-style politics

OSAGE COUNTY&nbsp; – Law enforcement authorities are conducting an investigation regarding the online solicitation of a child by an adult.

On October 26, Osage County Investigators and Jefferson County Deputies arrested Marcus L. Smith, 39, of Effingham, in Ozawkie on an Osage County arrest warrant, according to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells.

Smith was transported to the Jefferson County Jail where he was held on the warrant.

On Wednesday, Osage County deputies transported Smith to the Osage County Jail Facility where he is being held on requested charges of electronic solicitation and indecent solicitation of a minor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635416096432.png" alt="Smith photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY&nbsp; – Law enforcement authorities are conducting an investigation regarding the online solicitation of a child by an adult.On October 26, Osage County Investigators and Jefferson County Deputies arrested Marcus L. Smith, 39, of Effingham, in Ozawkie on an Osage County arrest warrant, according to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells.Smith was transported to the Jefferson County Jail where he was held on the warrant.On Wednesday, Osage County deputies transported Smith to the Osage County Jail Facility where he is being held on requested charges of electronic solicitation and indecent solicitation of a minor.

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of online child sex crime

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A woman who was crossing a Kansas City street died after being hit by a vehicle that then fled the scene, police said.

The crash happened around 7 p.m. Wednesday on the south side of the city, Kansas City police said in a news release.

Investigators believe the 61-year-old woman was walking west and crossing Troost Avenue at 82nd Terrace when she was hit by a northbound vehicle. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police did not immediately release her name and have not announced any suspects or arrests in the case.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A woman who was crossing a Kansas City street died after being hit by a vehicle that then fled the scene, police said.The crash happened around 7 p.m. Wednesday on the south side of the city, Kansas City police said in a news release.Investigators believe the 61-year-old woman was walking west and crossing Troost Avenue at 82nd Terrace when she was hit by a northbound vehicle. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.Police did not immediately release her name and have not announced any suspects or arrests in the case.

Woman crossing Kansas City street killed in hit-and-run

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday defended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/McConnell,%20R-Ky.,%20was%20initially%20cool%20to%20a%20Walker%20candidacy.%20But%20by%20endorsing%20him%20now,%20McConnell%20can%20sidestep%20what%20could%20have%20been%20a%20messy%20intraparty%20fight%20with%20Trump%20that%20might%20have%20complicated%20the%20quest%20to%20retake%20a%20Senate%20majority." target="_blank">a memo aimed at combating threats against school officials nationwide</a>&nbsp;while Republicans insisted he rescind the directive. He signaled he had no plans to do so despite their criticism.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/page/file/1438986/download" target="_blank">The memo</a>&nbsp;took center stage as Garland appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee – his second congressional appearance in a week – and said it was meant to respond to violence and threats of violence directed against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-education-school-boards-940da42fac771366929fc2150c8acf4d">local school board officials</a>.

<a href="https://nsba.org/-/media/NSBA/File/nsba-letter-to-president-biden-concerning-threats-to-public-schools-and-school-board-members-92921.pdf">CLICK HERE </a>to read the full letter originally sent to the President by the National School Boards Assn.

The memo came out Oct. 4, less than a week after the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsba.org/-/media/NSBA/File/nsba-federal-assistance-letter-9292021.pdf?la=en&amp;hash=430A3833A52FB1D2B8DF25160BCD8EFFBDE93CC2" target="_blank">National School Board Association</a>&nbsp;wrote the Biden administration about the threats to school officials and asked for help. Some school board meetings have devolved into shouting contests over issues such as how racial issues are taught, masks in schools, and COVID-19 vaccines and testing requirements.

Republicans say Garland went too far in instructing Justice Department divisions to coordinate with local law enforcement. In his memo Garland said there had been “a disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff who participate in the vital work of running our nation’s public schools.”

An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-addresses-violent-threats-against-school-officials-and-teachers" target="_blank">accompanying news release</a>&nbsp;mentioned the FBI, the department’s criminal division, national security division, civil rights division and other parts.

“The obligation of the Justice Department is to protect the American people against violence and threats of violence and that particularly includes public officials,” Garland said.

Republicans on the Senate committee also seized on a memo from Leif Johnson, the acting U.S. attorney in Montana, to the state attorney general, county attorneys, sheriffs and school officials in the state. The memo spells out federal crimes that could be used in prosecutions for violence, harassment or intimidation of school board officials.

The Montana memo, obtained by The Associated Press, cites about a dozen federal statues from conspiracy to deprive someone of civil rights to stalking and “anonymous telephone harassment.” It instructs the recipients to contact the FBI “if you believe that a person has violated one of these statutes.”

Garland told senators he was never sent the U.S. attorney’s memo and did not know specifics about it. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Montana did not immediately respond to questions about whether Johnson had consulted senior Justice Department officials before issuing the memo.

“I’ve never seen that memo,” Garland said. “No one has sent me that memo, so I haven’t seen it.”

The National School Board Association has since said “we regret and apologize” for its letter, which asked for federal assistance to combat harassment and violence against school officials and said some of the acts could be “domestic terrorism.”

The original letter asked for the federal government to investigate cases where threats or violence could be handled as violations of federal laws protecting civil rights. The association asked for the Justice Department, FBI, Homeland Security and Secret Service to help monitor threat levels and assess risks to students, educators, board members and school buildings.

The letter documented more than 20 instances of threats, harassment, disruption, and acts of intimidation in California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio and other states. It cited the September arrest of an Illinois man for aggravated battery and disorderly conduct for allegedly striking a school official at a meeting. In Michigan, a meeting was disrupted when a man performed a Nazi salute to protest masking.

Garland has said parents have the right to express their concerns to school boards but his primary concern is if that devolves into violence or when threats emerge. During questioning Wednesday, Garland said that making a Nazi salute would be protected under the First Amendment. He also acknowledged that he did not have an accounting of the number of incidents.

At least two Republican senators – Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Josh Hawley of Missouri – called for Garland to resign over his handling of the memo.

“This is shameful,” Cotton exclaimed. “You should resign in disgrace.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635370077745.png" alt="Attorney General Merrick Garland during Wednesday's Senate hearing-image courtesy CSPAN." />
 <figcaption>Attorney General Merrick Garland during Wednesday's Senate hearing-image courtesy CSPAN.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday defended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/McConnell,%20R-Ky.,%20was%20initially%20cool%20to%20a%20Walker%20candidacy.%20But%20by%20endorsing%20him%20now,%20McConnell%20can%20sidestep%20what%20could%20have%20been%20a%20messy%20intraparty%20fight%20with%20Trump%20that%20might%20have%20complicated%20the%20quest%20to%20retake%20a%20Senate%20majority." target="_blank">a memo aimed at combating threats against school officials nationwide</a>&nbsp;while Republicans insisted he rescind the directive. He signaled he had no plans to do so despite their criticism.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">AG Derek Schmidt to Biden administration: Withdraw directive for federal monitoring of local school board meetings <a href="https://t.co/ZzcNfWLnpq">https://t.co/ZzcNfWLnpq</a>&mdash; Kansas AG&#39;s Office (@KSAGOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSAGOffice/status/1453470308392849410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/page/file/1438986/download" target="_blank">The memo</a>&nbsp;took center stage as Garland appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee – his second congressional appearance in a week – and said it was meant to respond to violence and threats of violence directed against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-education-school-boards-940da42fac771366929fc2150c8acf4d">local school board officials</a>.<a href="https://nsba.org/-/media/NSBA/File/nsba-letter-to-president-biden-concerning-threats-to-public-schools-and-school-board-members-92921.pdf">CLICK HERE </a>to read the full letter originally sent to the President by the National School Boards Assn.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633090424533.png" alt="The first of the of the six page letter to President Biden from the National School Board Assn." />
 <figcaption>The first of the of the six page letter to President Biden from the National School Board Assn.</figcaption>
 </figure>The memo came out Oct. 4, less than a week after the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsba.org/-/media/NSBA/File/nsba-federal-assistance-letter-9292021.pdf?la=en&amp;hash=430A3833A52FB1D2B8DF25160BCD8EFFBDE93CC2" target="_blank">National School Board Association</a>&nbsp;wrote the Biden administration about the threats to school officials and asked for help. Some school board meetings have devolved into shouting contests over issues such as how racial issues are taught, masks in schools, and COVID-19 vaccines and testing requirements.Republicans say Garland went too far in instructing Justice Department divisions to coordinate with local law enforcement. In his memo Garland said there had been “a disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff who participate in the vital work of running our nation’s public schools.”An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-addresses-violent-threats-against-school-officials-and-teachers" target="_blank">accompanying news release</a>&nbsp;mentioned the FBI, the department’s criminal division, national security division, civil rights division and other parts.“The obligation of the Justice Department is to protect the American people against violence and threats of violence and that particularly includes public officials,” Garland said.Republicans on the Senate committee also seized on a memo from Leif Johnson, the acting U.S. attorney in Montana, to the state attorney general, county attorneys, sheriffs and school officials in the state. The memo spells out federal crimes that could be used in prosecutions for violence, harassment or intimidation of school board officials.The Montana memo, obtained by The Associated Press, cites about a dozen federal statues from conspiracy to deprive someone of civil rights to stalking and “anonymous telephone harassment.” It instructs the recipients to contact the FBI “if you believe that a person has violated one of these statutes.”Garland told senators he was never sent the U.S. attorney’s memo and did not know specifics about it. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Montana did not immediately respond to questions about whether Johnson had consulted senior Justice Department officials before issuing the memo.“I’ve never seen that memo,” Garland said. “No one has sent me that memo, so I haven’t seen it.”The National School Board Association has since said “we regret and apologize” for its letter, which asked for federal assistance to combat harassment and violence against school officials and said some of the acts could be “domestic terrorism.”The original letter asked for the federal government to investigate cases where threats or violence could be handled as violations of federal laws protecting civil rights. The association asked for the Justice Department, FBI, Homeland Security and Secret Service to help monitor threat levels and assess risks to students, educators, board members and school buildings.The letter documented more than 20 instances of threats, harassment, disruption, and acts of intimidation in California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio and other states. It cited the September arrest of an Illinois man for aggravated battery and disorderly conduct for allegedly striking a school official at a meeting. In Michigan, a meeting was disrupted when a man performed a Nazi salute to protest masking.Garland has said parents have the right to express their concerns to school boards but his primary concern is if that devolves into violence or when threats emerge. During questioning Wednesday, Garland said that making a Nazi salute would be protected under the First Amendment. He also acknowledged that he did not have an accounting of the number of incidents.At least two Republican senators – Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Josh Hawley of Missouri – called for Garland to resign over his handling of the memo.“This is shameful,” Cotton exclaimed. “You should resign in disgrace.”

Kan. AG to Biden: Withdraw directive on monitoring of local school board meetings

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal prosecutors allege eight people connected to a&nbsp;Kansas-based organization conspired to provide unpaid child labor to businesses across the country and physically abused them for years.

The organization, formerly known as the United Nation of Islam and the Value Creators, was labeled a cult by a federal judge in the District of Kansas in 2018.

In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, prosecutors alleged the Kansas City group beat children, imposed severe dietary restrictions and forced children, some as young as 8, to work without pay.

Royall Jenkins had been a member of the Nation of Islam until 1978, when he founded the separate United Nation of Islam. He persuaded his followers that he was shown the proper way to rule the Earth after being “taken through the galaxy by aliens on a spaceship,” according to the indictment. At one point, the group had hundreds of followers.

Eight leaders of the organization, including three of Jenkins’ “many wives,” were named in the indictment after they were arrested in cities across the U.S. They are Randolph Hadley, Jacelyn Greenwell, Etinia Kinnard, Dana Peach, Daniel Jenkins, James Staton, Yunus Rassoul and Kaaba Majeed.

They are accused of conspiracy to commit forced labor and forced labor. None of the defendants had an attorney listed in federal court records.

Prosecutors allege that beginning in October 2000, the organization ran businesses such as gas stations, bakeries and restaurants in several states using unpaid labor from group members and their children, some as young as 8.

Parents were encouraged to send their children to an unlicensed school in Kansas City, Kansas, called the University of Arts and Logistics of Civilization, which did not provide appropriate instruction in most subjects.

The indictment said those who didn't attend the school were forced to work instead.

Some of the child victims worked in businesses in Kansas City, while others were trafficked to businesses in other states, including&nbsp;New Jersey,&nbsp;New York,&nbsp;Ohio,&nbsp;Maryland,&nbsp;Georgia&nbsp;and&nbsp;North Carolina, the indictment alleges.

Prosecutors said the victims also lived in “overcrowded dormitories, barracks, or households of adult members who were not related,” and many were forced to work up to 16 hours per day. Their diet consisted of bean soup, salad, and occasionally fruit, and frequent cleanses were ordered that included only consuming lemon juice for days.

Physical abuse mentioned in the indictment included routine “Fruit of Islam Beatdowns” organized by three of the defendants to punish male members for violating its code by such offenses as stealing food.

The indictment names 10 children who were forced to work for the organization between October 2000 and November 2012. Some worked for 12 years without pay, the indictment says.

In May 2018, U.S. Judge Daniel Crabtree called the group a cult and ordered it to pay $8 million to Kendra Ross, who said she spent 10 years performing unpaid labor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635365692259.png" alt="Royall Jenkins-image from the organization's Youtube page" />
 <figcaption>Royall Jenkins-image from the organization's Youtube page</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal prosecutors allege eight people connected to a&nbsp;Kansas-based organization conspired to provide unpaid child labor to businesses across the country and physically abused them for years.The organization, formerly known as the United Nation of Islam and the Value Creators, was labeled a cult by a federal judge in the District of Kansas in 2018.In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, prosecutors alleged the Kansas City group beat children, imposed severe dietary restrictions and forced children, some as young as 8, to work without pay.Royall Jenkins had been a member of the Nation of Islam until 1978, when he founded the separate United Nation of Islam. He persuaded his followers that he was shown the proper way to rule the Earth after being “taken through the galaxy by aliens on a spaceship,” according to the indictment. At one point, the group had hundreds of followers.Eight leaders of the organization, including three of Jenkins’ “many wives,” were named in the indictment after they were arrested in cities across the U.S. They are Randolph Hadley, Jacelyn Greenwell, Etinia Kinnard, Dana Peach, Daniel Jenkins, James Staton, Yunus Rassoul and Kaaba Majeed.They are accused of conspiracy to commit forced labor and forced labor. None of the defendants had an attorney listed in federal court records.Prosecutors allege that beginning in October 2000, the organization ran businesses such as gas stations, bakeries and restaurants in several states using unpaid labor from group members and their children, some as young as 8.Parents were encouraged to send their children to an unlicensed school in Kansas City, Kansas, called the University of Arts and Logistics of Civilization, which did not provide appropriate instruction in most subjects.The indictment said those who didn't attend the school were forced to work instead.Some of the child victims worked in businesses in Kansas City, while others were trafficked to businesses in other states, including&nbsp;New Jersey,&nbsp;New York,&nbsp;Ohio,&nbsp;Maryland,&nbsp;Georgia&nbsp;and&nbsp;North Carolina, the indictment alleges.Prosecutors said the victims also lived in “overcrowded dormitories, barracks, or households of adult members who were not related,” and many were forced to work up to 16 hours per day. Their diet consisted of bean soup, salad, and occasionally fruit, and frequent cleanses were ordered that included only consuming lemon juice for days.Physical abuse mentioned in the indictment included routine “Fruit of Islam Beatdowns” organized by three of the defendants to punish male members for violating its code by such offenses as stealing food.The indictment names 10 children who were forced to work for the organization between October 2000 and November 2012. Some worked for 12 years without pay, the indictment says.In May 2018, U.S. Judge Daniel Crabtree called the group a cult and ordered it to pay $8 million to Kendra Ross, who said she spent 10 years performing unpaid labor.

8 members of religious group tied to Kan. charged with child abuse

BARTON COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Hoisington Police Department are investigating a shooting death that occurred early Wednesday morning in Hoisington, according to a media release from the agency.

Just after 3a.m., the Hoisington Police Department received a 911 call reporting a shooting at 405 E. 2nd&nbsp;St. in Hoisington. 

When officers arrived they located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was later identified as Chase Anderson, 22, of Hoisington. EMS arrived and attempted life-saving measures. A short time later Anderson was pronounced dead.

Preliminary information revealed that Anderson was shot in the chest with a handgun. His acquaintance, 32-year-old Adam Sullivan, of Hoisington, was also in the residence at the time of the shooting.

At approximately 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, Sullivan was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Barton County Jail.

At this time charges have not been filed related to Anderson’s death. An autopsy will be performed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635367438814.png" alt="Sullivan photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Sullivan photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Hoisington Police Department are investigating a shooting death that occurred early Wednesday morning in Hoisington, according to a media release from the agency.Just after 3a.m., the Hoisington Police Department received a 911 call reporting a shooting at 405 E. 2nd&nbsp;St. in Hoisington. When officers arrived they located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was later identified as Chase Anderson, 22, of Hoisington. EMS arrived and attempted life-saving measures. A short time later Anderson was pronounced dead.Preliminary information revealed that Anderson was shot in the chest with a handgun. His acquaintance, 32-year-old Adam Sullivan, of Hoisington, was also in the residence at the time of the shooting.At approximately 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, Sullivan was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Barton County Jail.At this time charges have not been filed related to Anderson’s death. An autopsy will be performed.

KBI: Suspect arrested after shooting death in Hoisington

WASHINGTON (AP) — Relatives of more than two dozen American hostages and wrongful detainees held overseas told President Joe Biden in a letter this week that they questioned his administration’s commitment to bringing their loved ones home.

In the letter, obtained by The Associated Press, the family members complained that the administration seemed to be getting “bogged down in burdensome processes or policy debates that keep our loved ones from coming home and keep us uninformed of what you can and cannot do to help us.”

“We need to be shown that the promises of your administration to prioritize the return of our family members are not empty. Now is the time for action. Now we need you to bring our fellow Americans home,” the letter states.

The letter reflects growing concerns within the hostage community that the Biden administration’s foreign policy agenda does not prioritize the release of hostages, and that legal and political actions have complicated rather than advanced efforts to get captives released. In some cases, the letter to Biden asserts, the families feel as if they’re in a “worse” situation now than eight months ago.

In addition, 17&nbsp;missionaries&nbsp;from the U.S. and Canada are being held hostage in Haiti after they were kidnapped this month by the 400 Mawozo gang. The group’s leader has&nbsp;threatened to kill them&nbsp;if their ransom demand for $1 million per hostage is not met.

The U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan without bringing home Mark Frerichs, an American contractor abducted there in early 2020. Six American oil executives who’d been under house arrest in Venezuela were ordered back to jail this month following the extradition to the U.S. on corruption charges of a businessman who prosecutors say was a major conduit for corruption by President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle.

The Biden team has been short on high-profile detainee and hostages releases so far. It was an area of keen interest to President Donald Trump, who in keeping with his unconventional approach to foreign policy appeared open to outside-the-box machinations with regard to hostage negotiations, such as a high-level but ultimately unsuccessful trip by administration officials to Damascus aimed at getting journalist Austin Tice home. He also invited American captives who’d been freed during his administration to appear with him at the 2020 Republican National Convention.

The families note in the letter that they were optimistic following a February call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Since then, though, they say they have been unable to meet with Biden or with his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, “which leads us to believe that your administration is not prioritizing negotiations and other methods to secure their release.

“When we do meet with other officials we feel we are being kept in the dark about what the U.S. government intends to do to free our loved ones,” the letter says.

Asked about the letter, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said, “The safe and prompt release of U.S. hostages and wrongful detainees will always be a top priority, never an afterthought, in all of our foreign policy decisions.”

The letter was signed by family members of 26 American hostages and detainees held in countries across the world. That includes the mother of Trevor Reed, a Marine imprisoned in Moscow on charges of assaulting a police officer in Russia; the sister of Frerichs; and the wife of Jeffrey Woodke, an aid worker taken from his home in Niger in 2016.

“We have heard a lot of positive talk about making Mark and the other cases a national priority, but we are not seeing actions to bring them home,” Frerichs’s sister, Charlene Cakora, said in a statement to the AP. “There are solutions for many of these cases – including my brother’s, which could have been solved last summer – but we are not sensing any urgency on the part of the White House. For families, every second a loved one is kept detained is an eternity.”

Others who signed include the families of nine Americans detained in Venezuela, who joined together more than a week ago in a separate critical letter of the White House approach to their cases.

The lack of urgency is especially troubling to the family of José Pereira, the former president of Houston-based CITGO, a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state owned oil company. Over the weekend, Pereira was rushed from jail to a private clinic in Caracas for emergency treatment for a cardiac condition that his family says hasn’t received medical treatment since his detention four years ago.

John Pereira said that although the Biden administration isn’t to blame for his father’s arrest, he expected more from the new U.S. president.

“Our feeling is that they can do more,” said Pereira, who along with the families of eight other American detainees in Caracas sent their own letter to Biden a week ago urging U.S. officials to sit down and talk directly with Maduro’s government.

“This goes beyond politics. It’s a humanitarian issue. They have to sit down to talk.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Relatives of more than two dozen American hostages and wrongful detainees held overseas told President Joe Biden in a letter this week that they questioned his administration’s commitment to bringing their loved ones home.In the letter, obtained by The Associated Press, the family members complained that the administration seemed to be getting “bogged down in burdensome processes or policy debates that keep our loved ones from coming home and keep us uninformed of what you can and cannot do to help us.”“We need to be shown that the promises of your administration to prioritize the return of our family members are not empty. Now is the time for action. Now we need you to bring our fellow Americans home,” the letter states.The letter reflects growing concerns within the hostage community that the Biden administration’s foreign policy agenda does not prioritize the release of hostages, and that legal and political actions have complicated rather than advanced efforts to get captives released. In some cases, the letter to Biden asserts, the families feel as if they’re in a “worse” situation now than eight months ago.In addition, 17&nbsp;missionaries&nbsp;from the U.S. and Canada are being held hostage in Haiti after they were kidnapped this month by the 400 Mawozo gang. The group’s leader has&nbsp;threatened to kill them&nbsp;if their ransom demand for $1 million per hostage is not met.The U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan without bringing home Mark Frerichs, an American contractor abducted there in early 2020. Six American oil executives who’d been under house arrest in Venezuela were ordered back to jail this month following the extradition to the U.S. on corruption charges of a businessman who prosecutors say was a major conduit for corruption by President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle.The Biden team has been short on high-profile detainee and hostages releases so far. It was an area of keen interest to President Donald Trump, who in keeping with his unconventional approach to foreign policy appeared open to outside-the-box machinations with regard to hostage negotiations, such as a high-level but ultimately unsuccessful trip by administration officials to Damascus aimed at getting journalist Austin Tice home. He also invited American captives who’d been freed during his administration to appear with him at the 2020 Republican National Convention.The families note in the letter that they were optimistic following a February call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Since then, though, they say they have been unable to meet with Biden or with his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, “which leads us to believe that your administration is not prioritizing negotiations and other methods to secure their release.“When we do meet with other officials we feel we are being kept in the dark about what the U.S. government intends to do to free our loved ones,” the letter says.Asked about the letter, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said, “The safe and prompt release of U.S. hostages and wrongful detainees will always be a top priority, never an afterthought, in all of our foreign policy decisions.”The letter was signed by family members of 26 American hostages and detainees held in countries across the world. That includes the mother of Trevor Reed, a Marine imprisoned in Moscow on charges of assaulting a police officer in Russia; the sister of Frerichs; and the wife of Jeffrey Woodke, an aid worker taken from his home in Niger in 2016.“We have heard a lot of positive talk about making Mark and the other cases a national priority, but we are not seeing actions to bring them home,” Frerichs’s sister, Charlene Cakora, said in a statement to the AP. “There are solutions for many of these cases – including my brother’s, which could have been solved last summer – but we are not sensing any urgency on the part of the White House. For families, every second a loved one is kept detained is an eternity.”Others who signed include the families of nine Americans detained in Venezuela, who joined together more than a week ago in a separate critical letter of the White House approach to their cases.The lack of urgency is especially troubling to the family of José Pereira, the former president of Houston-based CITGO, a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state owned oil company. Over the weekend, Pereira was rushed from jail to a private clinic in Caracas for emergency treatment for a cardiac condition that his family says hasn’t received medical treatment since his detention four years ago.John Pereira said that although the Biden administration isn’t to blame for his father’s arrest, he expected more from the new U.S. president.“Our feeling is that they can do more,” said Pereira, who along with the families of eight other American detainees in Caracas sent their own letter to Biden a week ago urging U.S. officials to sit down and talk directly with Maduro’s government.“This goes beyond politics. It’s a humanitarian issue. They have to sit down to talk.”____

Hostage families to Biden: 'Bring our fellow Americans home'

Police arrested a Kansas man Tuesday after he was allegedly found to be in possession of a a pickup stolen from a Salina business in July.

On Tuesday, an officer spotted the gray Chevrolet pickup at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 834 N. 11th Street in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

 The pickup had a license plate belonging to a Ford F150. The officer ran the vehicle identification number and learned that the pickup was one reported stolen from Ferco Rental, 264 S. Broadway Boulevard in Salina on July 26. It was valued at $7,500.

Eric Goldberg, 43, of Salina, approached the officer. Goldberg allegedly had the pickup keys hanging out of his jacket pocket. During a search, the officer allegedly located methamphetamine inside the pickup.

Goldberg was arrested on requested charges of Felony possession of stolen property, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of a controlled substance. The pickup was released to Ferco Rental.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635338705192.jpeg" alt="Eric Goldberg has previous convictions for drugs and fleeing from law enforcement, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections- photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Eric Goldberg has previous convictions for drugs and fleeing from law enforcement, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections- photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostPolice arrested a Kansas man Tuesday after he was allegedly found to be in possession of a a pickup stolen from a Salina business in July.On Tuesday, an officer spotted the gray Chevrolet pickup at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 834 N. 11th Street in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The pickup had a license plate belonging to a Ford F150. The officer ran the vehicle identification number and learned that the pickup was one reported stolen from Ferco Rental, 264 S. Broadway Boulevard in Salina on July 26. It was valued at $7,500.Eric Goldberg, 43, of Salina, approached the officer. Goldberg allegedly had the pickup keys hanging out of his jacket pocket. During a search, the officer allegedly located methamphetamine inside the pickup.Goldberg was arrested on requested charges of Felony possession of stolen property, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of a controlled substance. The pickup was released to Ferco Rental.

Police find Kansas felon with pickup reported stolen in July

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with multiple crimes including bank robbery.

Just before 8:30a.m. Monday, a Lyon County resident called in a theft of fuel from Road 110 and South Highway 99, according to&nbsp;Detective Sergeant Jacob Welsh.

The suspect’s vehicle was described as a White Dodge truck with an Oklahoma license plate. Deputies located the truck northbound in the 700 block of South Weaver Street.

 Deputies initiated a traffic stop however the suspect fled eastbound on Logan Avenue into the county and ultimately came back into Emporia on East Logan Avenue.

 The suspect drove northbound on Commercial Street and failed to navigate a turn eastbound&nbsp;on Norton Street. The suspect’s vehicle struck an Evergy power pole.

The suspect later identified as 43-year-old Jerry Brown of Bixby, Oklahoma, exited his vehicle and continued fleeing on foot and was shortly captured in the area of 302 S. Commercial Street.

Deputies arrested Brown for the theft of fuel, and additional requested charges that include criminal damage, felony flee and elude, leaving the scene of an accident and several other traffic related charges.&nbsp;

During the investigation, it was discovered that Brown was involved in a felony flee and elude around 3:30a.m. Monday in Nowata, OK. It was also discovered that Brown is pending trial for two bank robberies out of Oklahoma.

Detectives are working with Oklahoma authorities to determine if any other crimes have been committed, according to Welsh

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635192951054.png" alt="Brown photo Lyon County" />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Lyon County</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with multiple crimes including bank robbery.Just before 8:30a.m. Monday, a Lyon County resident called in a theft of fuel from Road 110 and South Highway 99, according to&nbsp;Detective Sergeant Jacob Welsh.The suspect’s vehicle was described as a White Dodge truck with an Oklahoma license plate. Deputies located the truck northbound in the 700 block of South Weaver Street. Deputies initiated a traffic stop however the suspect fled eastbound on Logan Avenue into the county and ultimately came back into Emporia on East Logan Avenue. The suspect drove northbound on Commercial Street and failed to navigate a turn eastbound&nbsp;on Norton Street. The suspect’s vehicle struck an Evergy power pole.The suspect later identified as 43-year-old Jerry Brown of Bixby, Oklahoma, exited his vehicle and continued fleeing on foot and was shortly captured in the area of 302 S. Commercial Street.Deputies arrested Brown for the theft of fuel, and additional requested charges that include criminal damage, felony flee and elude, leaving the scene of an accident and several other traffic related charges.&nbsp;During the investigation, it was discovered that Brown was involved in a felony flee and elude around 3:30a.m. Monday in Nowata, OK. It was also discovered that Brown is pending trial for two bank robberies out of Oklahoma.Detectives are working with Oklahoma authorities to determine if any other crimes have been committed, according to Welsh

Man wanted for bank robberies captured after Kan. fuel theft

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple charges after an early morning traffic stop.

Just after 2:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy was on active patrol in the city of Pawnee Rock. The deputy observed a 2001 Buick Century commit an alleged traffic infraction and attempted to stop the vehicle, at which point the driver attempted to flee from the deputy proceeding west on U.S. 56 into the city of Larned, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The occupants stopped, abandoned the vehicle and attempting to flee on foot. Both suspects were taken into custody a short distance from the vehicle.

After a registration check, it was discovered the vehicle was stolen from Colby. A firearm and illicit drugs were discovered inside the vehicle. The driver also had outstanding warrants from Barton County, Pawnee County and the city of Great Bend.

Arrested at the scene was Aaron Taylor, 33, Great Bend. Taylor on requested charges of&nbsp; attempt to flee and elude, possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of a weapon, no drivers license as well as three outstanding warrants. Taylor is being held without bond due to one of the warrants, his other bonds total over $30,000.

The second subject arrested was Sabrina Foster, 24, Colby. She is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. Foster is being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635275216893.jpeg" alt="Taylor-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Taylor-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple charges after an early morning traffic stop.Just after 2:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy was on active patrol in the city of Pawnee Rock. The deputy observed a 2001 Buick Century commit an alleged traffic infraction and attempted to stop the vehicle, at which point the driver attempted to flee from the deputy proceeding west on U.S. 56 into the city of Larned, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The occupants stopped, abandoned the vehicle and attempting to flee on foot. Both suspects were taken into custody a short distance from the vehicle.After a registration check, it was discovered the vehicle was stolen from Colby. A firearm and illicit drugs were discovered inside the vehicle. The driver also had outstanding warrants from Barton County, Pawnee County and the city of Great Bend.Arrested at the scene was Aaron Taylor, 33, Great Bend. Taylor on requested charges of&nbsp; attempt to flee and elude, possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of a weapon, no drivers license as well as three outstanding warrants. Taylor is being held without bond due to one of the warrants, his other bonds total over $30,000.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635275241787.jpeg" alt="Foster-photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Foster-photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>The second subject arrested was Sabrina Foster, 24, Colby. She is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. Foster is being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond.

Sheriff: Kansas couple jailed after chase in stolen vehicle

MITCHELL COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after a suspect was found dead Monday following a standoff at a residence near Glen Elder, according to a media release from the agency.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, at approximately noon, the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from a 78-year-old man who reported that he was forcibly taken at gunpoint and held for around 26 hours by his 59-year-old acquaintance, John Roudybush, of Glen Elder.

&nbsp;An arrest warrant for Roudybush for aggravated kidnapping was obtained, and a search warrant for Roudybush’s residence was secured.

At approximately 9 p.m. Sunday, the KBI’s High Risk Warrant Team attempted to execute the warrants at 2446 190 Road in rural Glen Elder. Roudybush refused to come out of the house and a standoff began. During the standoff, negotiators attempted to communicate with Roudybush for many hours.

Two shots were heard inside the house at approximately 4:30 a.m. Monday morning. Then at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Monday, control of the scene was transferred to the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team, due to the length of time it was requiring to resolve the incident.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., KHP reported hearing a gunshot inside the residence. They later breached an external wall of the house and were able to locate Roudybush deceased in an upstairs room at around 12:45 p.m. on Monday. He died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No shots were fired by any law enforcement officer during this incident. An autopsy will be performed.

The KBI and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death of Roudybush, as well as the aggravated kidnapping case. There is no indication that any other subjects were involved in the kidnapping incident.

MITCHELL COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after a suspect was found dead Monday following a standoff at a residence near Glen Elder, according to a media release from the agency.On Saturday, Oct. 23, at approximately noon, the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from a 78-year-old man who reported that he was forcibly taken at gunpoint and held for around 26 hours by his 59-year-old acquaintance, John Roudybush, of Glen Elder.&nbsp;An arrest warrant for Roudybush for aggravated kidnapping was obtained, and a search warrant for Roudybush’s residence was secured.At approximately 9 p.m. Sunday, the KBI’s High Risk Warrant Team attempted to execute the warrants at 2446 190 Road in rural Glen Elder. Roudybush refused to come out of the house and a standoff began. During the standoff, negotiators attempted to communicate with Roudybush for many hours.Two shots were heard inside the house at approximately 4:30 a.m. Monday morning. Then at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Monday, control of the scene was transferred to the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team, due to the length of time it was requiring to resolve the incident.At approximately 8:30 a.m., KHP reported hearing a gunshot inside the residence. They later breached an external wall of the house and were able to locate Roudybush deceased in an upstairs room at around 12:45 p.m. on Monday. He died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No shots were fired by any law enforcement officer during this incident. An autopsy will be performed.The KBI and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death of Roudybush, as well as the aggravated kidnapping case. There is no indication that any other subjects were involved in the kidnapping incident.

KBI: Suspect found dead following standoff near Glen Elder

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made an arrest. 

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, law enforcement was notified of an intruder inside a residence at 217 W. 4th&nbsp;Street in Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Holton Police and Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the address and found signs of forced entry to the residence and a man on the floor being held at gunpoint by the owner of the property. 

The suspect identified as 27-year-old Dylan Lynard Thomas of Holton was dressed in a Halloween type costume, according to Morse. 

Deputies arrested him and&nbsp; booked him into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of attempted aggravated burglary, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635197173750.png" alt="Thomas photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Thomas photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made an arrest. Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, law enforcement was notified of an intruder inside a residence at 217 W. 4th&nbsp;Street in Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Holton Police and Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the address and found signs of forced entry to the residence and a man on the floor being held at gunpoint by the owner of the property. The suspect identified as 27-year-old Dylan Lynard Thomas of Holton was dressed in a Halloween type costume, according to Morse. Deputies arrested him and&nbsp; booked him into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of attempted aggravated burglary, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass, according to Morse.

Sheriff: Kan. burglary suspect was wearing a Halloween costume

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire and have made an arrest.

Just after 2a.m. Friday, fire crews were dispatched to the Osage Apartment complex, 100 North Summit Street in Arkansas City, for a report of smoke in the building.

When they arrived, 18-year-old Jaxon Miloy Hofmeister met them, reporting he had smelled smoke and heard a smoke alarm while outside. He told firefighters he thought the smoke was coming from the third floor of the apartment building.

Hofmeister allowed investigating fire-EMS personnel to enter his apartment, where they found a large amount of smoke and evidence of arson.&nbsp; At that time, police were dispatched to the scene.

Officers transported Hofmeister to the police department where he was interviewed by police and a fire investigator. During this interview, he allegedly admitted to setting the fire in the occupied apartment building.

Police arrested Hofmeister subsequently was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail on requested charges that include one felony count of aggravated arson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635175171782.png" alt="Hofmeister-photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Hofmeister-photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire and have made an arrest.Just after 2a.m. Friday, fire crews were dispatched to the Osage Apartment complex, 100 North Summit Street in Arkansas City, for a report of smoke in the building.When they arrived, 18-year-old Jaxon Miloy Hofmeister met them, reporting he had smelled smoke and heard a smoke alarm while outside. He told firefighters he thought the smoke was coming from the third floor of the apartment building.Hofmeister allowed investigating fire-EMS personnel to enter his apartment, where they found a large amount of smoke and evidence of arson.&nbsp; At that time, police were dispatched to the scene.Officers transported Hofmeister to the police department where he was interviewed by police and a fire investigator. During this interview, he allegedly admitted to setting the fire in the occupied apartment building.Police arrested Hofmeister subsequently was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail on requested charges that include one felony count of aggravated arson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police: Kansas teen admits setting fire in occupied apartment

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug allegations after a traffic stop in Barton County.

Just after 11:45 p.m. Sunday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1991 Oldsmobile 98 at the intersection of 2nd Street and Main Street in Great Bend for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

During the course of the traffic stop, officers became suspicious of illegal activity and a K9 from the Great Bend Police Department was called to the scene. The K9 indicated the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and the occupants.

During the course the search, a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located as well as more than nine kilos or about 20 pounds of marijuana. Deputies arrested four at the scene including Tiffany Willinger, age 35; Tashum McNary, age 31; Billy Fuqua, age 54 and Betty Dosch, age 38, all Owensboro, Kentucky.

Deputies booked all four were booked on requested charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

McNanry was also faces a charge of obstruction of a law enforcement officer. 

All four are being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond. Deputies also seized the car and more than $1,000 in US currency, according to Belledir.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177846036.jpeg" alt="Mcnanry photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Mcnanry photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug allegations after a traffic stop in Barton County.Just after 11:45 p.m. Sunday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1991 Oldsmobile 98 at the intersection of 2nd Street and Main Street in Great Bend for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177879019.jpeg" alt="Betty Dosch photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Betty Dosch photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the course of the traffic stop, officers became suspicious of illegal activity and a K9 from the Great Bend Police Department was called to the scene. The K9 indicated the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and the occupants.During the course the search, a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located as well as more than nine kilos or about 20 pounds of marijuana. Deputies arrested four at the scene including Tiffany Willinger, age 35; Tashum McNary, age 31; Billy Fuqua, age 54 and Betty Dosch, age 38, all Owensboro, Kentucky.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177901219.jpeg" alt="Tiffany Willinger photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Tiffany Willinger photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies booked all four were booked on requested charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177918178.jpeg" alt="Billy Fuqua photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Billy Fuqua photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>McNanry was also faces a charge of obstruction of a law enforcement officer. All four are being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond. Deputies also seized the car and more than $1,000 in US currency, according to Belledir.

4 from Kentucky found with 20 pounds of marijuana in Kansas

By BLAISE MESA and STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-25/kansas-state-senator-gets-48-hours-in-jail-probation-for-wrong-way-drunk-driving-on-i-70">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA&nbsp;— Republican Kansas Sen. Gene 
Suellentrop pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanor drunk driving and 
reckless driving charges after he was <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-03-16/kansas-senate-majority-leader-gene-suellentrop-arrested-on-dui-charge" target="_blank">arrested</a> earlier this year for driving drunk the wrong way on Interstate 70 in Topeka and evading police.

The
 agreement means a felony charge of evading police is dropped. The 
sentence orders Suellentrop to spend 48 hours in jail as well as 12 
months on probation. He reports to the Shawnee County jail Nov. 18 at 
noon.

Suellentrop, who represents Wichita's 27th District in the Kansas Senate, will also pay a $775 fine and will have an 
ignition interlock device, a breathalyzer-type machine, on his vehicle 
to ensure he remains sober.

The plea won’t immediately mean the end of Suellentrop’s political career. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_066_0000_article/021_066_0013_section/021_066_0013_k/" target="_blank">State law</a>
 says anyone convicted of a felony can’t hold public office, but the 
plea deal means Suellentrop will only be convicted of misdemeanors.

An
 officer said Suellentrop drove the wrong way on I-70 in Topeka and 
other cars swerved to avoid a crash on the highway. The statement said 
Suellentrop raced to avoid police and later called an officer “donut 
boy” and said he could “take” the officer in a fight.

Thomas 
Lemon, Suellentrop’s attorney, argued for probation because of a clean 
criminal record. He said previous “salacious” details of the case 
painted Suellentrop in a negative light.

“All other aspects of his life are in good shape,” Lemon said.

Suellentrop
 didn’t speak with reporters after leaving the courtroom, but said 
during the hearing that he won’t have any future legal troubles.

“There are many lessons to be learned in circumstances such as these,” Suellentrop said. “I can assure you I learned my share.”

He didn’t respond to a question about whether he would stay in office.

Before
 his arrest in March, Suellentrop, from Wichita, was one of the most 
powerful conservative Republican lawmakers in the Statehouse, holding 
the job of Senate majority leader.

Republicans already stripped him of his leadership position in April after <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-09/kansas-senate-president-expects-his-majority-leader-to-quit-leadership-after-new-dui-details" target="_blank">court documents</a> alleged dangerous belligerence the night of the arrest.

There
 are ways the chamber can remove members, but Republican Senate 
President Ty Masterson previously said it’s up to the voters in 
Suellentrop’s district to decide his fate.

“The chamber has no 
business determining who represents this district,” Masterson said in 
April. “We think that’s best left to the people who elected him.”

Masterson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or 
email him at <a href="mailto:blaise@kcur.org" target="_blank">blaise@kcur.org</a>.&nbsp;Stephen Koranda is the news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a> or email him at stephenkoranda@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635184490940.png" alt="Sen. Gene Suellentrop in Shawnee County District Court for his plea hearing. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Gene Suellentrop in Shawnee County District Court for his plea hearing. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA and STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-25/kansas-state-senator-gets-48-hours-in-jail-probation-for-wrong-way-drunk-driving-on-i-70">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA&nbsp;— Republican Kansas Sen. Gene 
Suellentrop pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanor drunk driving and 
reckless driving charges after he was <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-03-16/kansas-senate-majority-leader-gene-suellentrop-arrested-on-dui-charge" target="_blank">arrested</a> earlier this year for driving drunk the wrong way on Interstate 70 in Topeka and evading police.The
 agreement means a felony charge of evading police is dropped. The 
sentence orders Suellentrop to spend 48 hours in jail as well as 12 
months on probation. He reports to the Shawnee County jail Nov. 18 at 
noon.Suellentrop, who represents Wichita's 27th District in the Kansas Senate, will also pay a $775 fine and will have an 
ignition interlock device, a breathalyzer-type machine, on his vehicle 
to ensure he remains sober.The plea won’t immediately mean the end of Suellentrop’s political career. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_066_0000_article/021_066_0013_section/021_066_0013_k/" target="_blank">State law</a>
 says anyone convicted of a felony can’t hold public office, but the 
plea deal means Suellentrop will only be convicted of misdemeanors.An
 officer said Suellentrop drove the wrong way on I-70 in Topeka and 
other cars swerved to avoid a crash on the highway. The statement said 
Suellentrop raced to avoid police and later called an officer “donut 
boy” and said he could “take” the officer in a fight.Thomas 
Lemon, Suellentrop’s attorney, argued for probation because of a clean 
criminal record. He said previous “salacious” details of the case 
painted Suellentrop in a negative light.“All other aspects of his life are in good shape,” Lemon said.Suellentrop
 didn’t speak with reporters after leaving the courtroom, but said 
during the hearing that he won’t have any future legal troubles.“There are many lessons to be learned in circumstances such as these,” Suellentrop said. “I can assure you I learned my share.”He didn’t respond to a question about whether he would stay in office.Before
 his arrest in March, Suellentrop, from Wichita, was one of the most 
powerful conservative Republican lawmakers in the Statehouse, holding 
the job of Senate majority leader.Republicans already stripped him of his leadership position in April after <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-09/kansas-senate-president-expects-his-majority-leader-to-quit-leadership-after-new-dui-details" target="_blank">court documents</a> alleged dangerous belligerence the night of the arrest.There
 are ways the chamber can remove members, but Republican Senate 
President Ty Masterson previously said it’s up to the voters in 
Suellentrop’s district to decide his fate.“The chamber has no 
business determining who represents this district,” Masterson said in 
April. “We think that’s best left to the people who elected him.”Masterson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or 
email him at <a href="mailto:blaise@kcur.org" target="_blank">blaise@kcur.org</a>.&nbsp;Stephen Koranda is the news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a> or email him at stephenkoranda@kcur.org.

Kan. state senator gets 48 hours in jail for wrong-way drunk driving on I-70 

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Texas man on charges after&nbsp; a two state pursuit. 

Just before 4p.m. Friday, Nebraska authorities notified the Jackson County Kansas Sheriff’s office of a pursuit with a motorcycle with in Richardson County, Nebraska, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The pursuit continued into Brown County, Kansas and into Jackson County. 

 The authorities lost sight of the suspect later identified as 20-year-old Dylan Reid Aubey of New Braunsfels, Texas.

A Jackson County Deputy located the suspect and motorcycle near 198th and P. Road in Jackson County.&nbsp; Just before 4:30p.m., deputies stopped and arrested Aubey. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the PBPN Police assisted with the incident.&nbsp; 

Aubey was jailed on requested charges of fleeing law enforcement, operating a vehicle without proper license, Illegal display of license plate, speeding, reckless driving, driving on left side of road in no passing, unsafe turning or stopping,: failure to give proper signal, according to Sheriff Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634994896287.png" alt="Aubey photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Aubey photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Texas man on charges after&nbsp; a two state pursuit. Just before 4p.m. Friday, Nebraska authorities notified the Jackson County Kansas Sheriff’s office of a pursuit with a motorcycle with in Richardson County, Nebraska, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The pursuit continued into Brown County, Kansas and into Jackson County. The authorities lost sight of the suspect later identified as 20-year-old Dylan Reid Aubey of New Braunsfels, Texas.A Jackson County Deputy located the suspect and motorcycle near 198th and P. Road in Jackson County.&nbsp; Just before 4:30p.m., deputies stopped and arrested Aubey. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the PBPN Police assisted with the incident.&nbsp; Aubey was jailed on requested charges of fleeing law enforcement, operating a vehicle without proper license, Illegal display of license plate, speeding, reckless driving, driving on left side of road in no passing, unsafe turning or stopping,: failure to give proper signal, according to Sheriff Morse.