Here are the current cancellations and submitted to Hutch Post.&nbsp; To submit a cancellation, please send an email to <a href="mailto:hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="https://eaglepost.netlify.app/dashboard/hutch/posts/5008cda3-3e87-4169-a064-a84877914989">LINK:&nbsp;Winter Weather: How to submit closures, delays, and cancellations</a>

USD 332 Cunningham - Closed Friday USD 349 Stafford - Closed Friday USD 350 St. John-Hudson - Closed Friday USD 351 Macksville - Closed Friday USD 438 Skyline Schools - Closed Friday

American Legion Bingo - Cancelled, Post is closed&nbsp;

American Legion Post #68 - Post closed Cosmosphere - Closed Polar Plunge for Special Olympics - Postponed to Feb. 14

Faith United Methodist Church, Hutchinson - No Sunday services First Presbyterian Church, McPherson - No Sunday services Nickerson United Methodist Church - No Sunday services Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson - No Sunday services

American Legion Post #68 - Post closed TEFAP commodities distribution - Postponed to Feb. 1

Women for Kansas - Hutchinson Area Chapter meeting - Cancelled&nbsp;

Closings and cancellations

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — United Way of Reno County (UWRC) is pleased to welcome Jodie Hess and Jeremy Stauffacher as new members of its Board of Directors. Both bring valuable professional experience and a strong commitment to community service which will support the mission and work of UWRC in the community.

Jodie Hess, CPA, serves as a Senior Manager at Adams Brown. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Kansas State University. Prior to joining Adams Brown, Jodie held positions at Envista Credit Union in Hutchinson and American General Financial Services in Hutchinson, Kansas, and Crestview, Florida. Jodie and her husband, Kevin, have two sons, Austin and Aaron. In her free time, she enjoys weekends at the lake fishing and boating with her family, as well as cheering on K-State football and basketball.

Jeremy Stauffacher has worked in the financial industry since graduating from Wichita State University. He began his career as a loan officer at Bank of Kansas in South Hutchinson and later spent several years as a finance manager at a local dealership. In 2009, he joined Heartland Credit Union as an account representative, where he developed a passion for serving members and advancing the credit union industry. Jeremy and his wife are celebrating 20 years of marriage and have a 13-year-old son. As a family, they enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors, including riding mountain trails together in their RZR.

“Jeremy and Jodie each bring unique perspectives and expertise that will strengthen our board and our work in the community,” said Lacey Mills, UWRC CEO. “We are grateful for their willingness to serve and invest their time and talents in support of making Reno County a place where all can thrive.”

UWRC also recognizes its incoming executive officers, who will help guide the organization’s strategic direction. Those officers are:

For more information about United Way of Reno County, visit www.uwrenocounty.org.

About United Way of Reno County: United Way of Reno County works to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community to advance the common good. Through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and direct support, UWRC addresses critical needs in youth opportunity, financial stability, health and basic needs.

United Way of Reno County welcomes new board members

Firefighters rescued four animals from a house fire in the 200 block of West Eighth during a mid-morning response.

Crews arrived to find a significant fire in a back room of the residence, with smoke throughout the structure. Firefighters quickly located and removed four animals from the home. Two of the animals were unconscious and not breathing when they were pulled out, but crews were able to revive them. All four animals survived.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire without it spreading beyond the room of origin. Officials said there was no extension of the fire into the attic or the basement.

The cause of the fire has not yet been released and no injuries were reported.&nbsp;

Pets rescued after mid-morning house fire

 With a winter storm forecast to impact much of central Kansas, area churches, businesses, organizations, and event organizers are being encouraged to submit any cancellations, delays, or postponements as early as possible to help keep the community informed.

Hutch Post will compile and publish weather-related schedule changes as they are received. Those needing to announce an update should email the required information to <a href="MAILTO:HUTCHPOST@EAGLEMEDIA.COM">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com</a>.

Submissions should include the following details:

School district administrators should have received information on how to make cancellations. If you have not received that information, please let us know.&nbsp;

Community members are encouraged to check Hutch Post regularly for the latest updates as weather conditions evolve. Early and complete submissions will help ensure accurate and timely information for residents across the region.

Winter Weather: How to submit closures, delays, and cancellations

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Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Esaiahs	Xavier	Flores		1/21/2026 8:53&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Candace	May	Helm		1/21/2026 9:27&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Cameron	Dewayne	Hardrick		1/21/2026 11:28&nbsp;AM	Direct Contempt

Adam	Scott	McConnell		1/21/2026 12:47&nbsp;PM	In Transit From-To Other Agency

Brayden	Wayne	Chesterman		1/21/2026 1:28&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Reghan	Anastacia	ONeal		1/21/2026 10:11&nbsp;PM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Darious	Zane	Ledford		1/21/2026 10:37&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,					Probation Violation (5 counts),					Failure to Appear

Kammi	Kay	Doddato		1/21/2026 6:59&nbsp;PM	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

Tyler	Wayne	Lyon		1/21/2026 8:02&nbsp;PM	Violation of conditions of release, on parole, conditional release or post release supervision,					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest,					Assault

Kainoa	Kaneakua	Torres-Barrozo		1/22/2026 1:32&nbsp;AM	Interference with Law Enforcement; Falsely report a Felony crime intending to obstruct,					Drugs; Distribute Opiates/Opium/Narcotic (Cocaine, Crack, Amphetamine); Unknown QTY

Kyle	Jarrett	Baker		1/22/2026 1:34&nbsp;AM	Poss of substance in KSA 65-4105/65-4111;1 prior conv,					Theft; Property or Services; $1,500 to $24,999,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Conceal /alter/destroy evidence Felony case,					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; $1,000 to $24,999,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

David	Earl	Sinnett	Sr	1/22/2026 3:22&nbsp;AM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Poss of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Daily Bookings

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the northwest corner of 2nd Avenue and North Plum.

Frank Colladay came to Hutchinson in 1885 and started a retail hardware store at 16 N. Main in 1888. He was very successful, especially at producing buggies. The first photo shows his advertising atop the Peru-Van Zandt Implement Company at 13 E. 1st in 1897.

Colladay incorporated in 1903 into a retail and wholesale division and, in 1906, built a large four-story building at (then addressed 420-428 E. 2nd) for $50,000. The second photo shows that building right after construction.

The third photo shows a second building added to the north in 1929.

By 1950, Frank's son, Charles, took over the company and its success continued.

The wholesale hardware company remained at this location until 2003 when the buildings were abandoned. The fourth photo shows the structures today, now addressed as 201-203 N. Plum St., and owned by Stovers Property Development L.L.C. out of Maize.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anchorinnhutch">Anchor Inn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Anchorawayhutch/">Anchor Away</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: Colladay Hardware - Vol. 158

HUTCHINSON — The Kansas Corporation Commission on Tuesday held a public hearing on Evergy’s request for a line-siting permit for a new approximately 15-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line in Reno County that would connect the McNew generating station to the existing Reno County Substation.

KCC Chair Andrew French, joined by Commissioner Dwight Keen and Commissioner Annie Kieither (participating by Zoom), told attendees the docket was opened after Evergy requested approval to site and build the line, which would tie the new McNew facility into Evergy’s transmission grid. French emphasized the hearing was limited to the transmission line siting permit and did not address whether the generating station should exist, only the line proposed to connect it.

The hearing was structured in two parts: an informational session with presentations from Evergy and KCC staff followed by a Q&amp;A, and then a formal public comment period for residents to enter comments into the official record.

Evergy outlines route study and timeline

Evergy Vice President of Transmission Steve Vetch said the company’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan identified a need for additional capacity and energy tied to demand growth and requirements from the Southwest Power Pool. He referenced a prior KCC order in Evergy’s predetermination case that granted authority to construct and own two combined-cycle natural gas facilities in Kansas, including the McNew station in Reno County.

Vetch said the proposed transmission line would strengthen capacity and reliability and help meet the needs of homes and businesses in Hutchinson, central Kansas and beyond.

Evergy project manager Scott Lord described a routing study that began in March 2025, including the use of an engineering consultant and an internal multi-discipline team to identify potential routes connecting the McNew station and the Reno County substation.

Lord said routes were evaluated on a wide range of criteria, including maximizing distance from residences and public facilities, minimizing impacts to cultivated land and irrigation pivots, avoiding wetlands and sensitive habitat where possible, and maintaining a practical line length with fewer angles. Lord noted the route network generally headed east and north, influenced by proximity to the Hutchinson Municipal Airport.

Evergy held a public open house on July 29, 2025, Lord said, inviting landowners within 1,000 feet of identified line segments and collecting questionnaires to weigh route factors. Evergy then modified the route network and scored alternate routes using weighted criteria based on public input, agency feedback, engineering and KCC guidance.

If approved, Lord said, the project schedule would include easement acquisition in 2026, engineering and procurement in 2026 and 2027, construction beginning in January 2028 and ending in December 2028, and restoration extending into 2029.

KCC staff: Case is about the line, not the plant

KCC staff attorney Assan Latif told attendees the commission is a state agency with three commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Kansas Senate. Latif said KCC proceedings operate similar to administrative trials, with commissioners serving as the decision-makers and KCC technical staff acting as a party advocating on behalf of the public interest.

Latif said Evergy filed its application on Nov. 14, 2025, seeking approval for an approximately 15-mile, 345-kV transmission line in Reno County. He reiterated the public hearing and docket focus on the transmission line only.

Latif said KCC staff are conducting an independent review of Evergy’s routing study, potential impacts and whether the process used appropriate reasoning, and will file testimony stating staff’s position after the investigation is complete. He also referenced commission guidance adopted for transmission line siting proceedings.

Q&amp;A highlights: Substation noise, right-of-way concerns, restoration and trees

During the Q&amp;A portion, residents raised a series of questions and concerns ranging from substation impacts to restoration expectations and accountability during construction.

One resident living near the Reno County substation asked whether the new line would increase audible “humming” and whether Evergy could reduce lighting around the site. Evergy responded that the line connecting the plant to the grid would likely carry lower amperage than other existing lines feeding the substation, and said substation lighting is used for security due to theft concerns. Evergy also said work at the substation would remain within existing fence lines.

Others asked about restoration and how Evergy compensates for damage, including questions about trash left behind after projects, equipment traveling outside easements, and whether land would be restored to original conditions. KCC staff noted residents can contact the commission if construction crews go outside the right-of-way and said restoration compliance issues can be addressed through formal channels.

A property owner whose land includes mature timber asked how restoration works when tree clearing is required. Evergy said easements require the corridor to remain clear of tall-growing vegetation and indicated wooded areas would be cleared within the easement. Evergy said tree compensation is handled during the easement process and restoration would typically return areas to native grass, while encouraging landowners to discuss specifics with Evergy’s real estate staff.

Additional commenters echoed notification concerns and proposed route changes. one resident requested shifting the line east several hundred feet near Kent Street, arguing it would reduce residential adjacency. Another landowner said his wife received notifications on one property, but he did not receive notice on another property where the line would cross for roughly a mile.

French reminded residents that public comments can be submitted in multiple ways and will be accepted through 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, with all comments carrying equal weight regardless of whether they are made in person, online, by mail or by phone.

The commission said it will hold an evidentiary hearing on March 9 at 10 a.m. in the KCC hearing room in Topeka, with the hearing also broadcast on the commission’s YouTube channel. Commissioners said a final decision is scheduled on or before May 13.

Evergy and KCC staff encouraged landowners seeking more information to review docket filings through the commission’s website and to contact the appropriate offices with questions about the process.

KCC hears public concerns over Evergy’s proposed 345-kV transmission line

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today announced&nbsp;ten&nbsp;Kansas communities have secured&nbsp;over&nbsp;$2.5&nbsp;million&nbsp;in federal&nbsp;Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act&nbsp;(IIJA) funding from the&nbsp;Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grant&nbsp;(AIG)&nbsp;program. &nbsp;

“Investing in&nbsp;Kansas’&nbsp;airport&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;is crucial&nbsp;to&nbsp;enhancing connectivity and supporting local economies&nbsp;across the state,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;"I'm pleased&nbsp;that these projects are receiving vital infrastructure grants, which will not only improve our airports but also strengthen the entire state’s transportation network.”&nbsp;

Combined with just over $145,000 in matching funds from the Kansas Infrastructure Hub and Build Kansas Fund and over $22,000 in local contributions, the total investment into airport infrastructure in Kansas through this round of grants is more than $2.6 million.&nbsp;

“The City of Chanute has been planning funding for over&nbsp;three&nbsp;years to rehabilitate our runway and taxiway pavements. With most of our local matching funds dedicated&nbsp;to&nbsp;Runway 18-36, the availability of&nbsp;Build Kansas&nbsp;Funds&nbsp;allowed us to take advantage of&nbsp;additional&nbsp;federal&nbsp;funds and complete taxiway repairs in the same year,”&nbsp;said Ryan Follmer, Chanute Assistant City Manager.&nbsp;“Completing these repairs now will extend the life of our taxiway by 10-15 years,&nbsp;eliminate&nbsp;the need for costly reconstruction, and&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;operations.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;airport&nbsp;projects receiving funding&nbsp;are:

Hugoton Airport – Improvements to Runway, Taxiway, Lighting, Signage, and Electrical

City of Garnett – Runway 1-19 Reconstruction – Phase 2 Land Acquisition

City of Colby – Hangar Construction – Design Only

McPherson Airport Authority – Airfield Electrical Improvements

Strother Field Commission – Snow Removal Equipment Building Construction

City of Eureka – Apron Construction – Design Only

Kearny County – Electrical Vault and Beacon Installation&nbsp;

City of Eureka – Fuel Farm Installation

City of Chanute – South Taxiway A Rehabilitation&nbsp;

City of Great Bend – Runway 17-35 Rehabilitation&nbsp;

In addition to these&nbsp;ten&nbsp;awards&nbsp;for airport infrastructure, the Build Kansas Fund has provided the required match dollars for 79&nbsp;other federal grant awards across Kansas. The combined total investment by the Build Kansas Fund in all projects&nbsp;across the state&nbsp;is over $47.7&nbsp;million, which has resulted in federal grant awards of more than $153.4&nbsp;million.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kansas Infrastructure Hub connects multiple state agencies and serves as a resource center for Kansas communities to&nbsp;identify&nbsp;best practices for maximizing IIJA funding opportunities. The Build Kansas Fund provides state matching dollars for projects throughout Kansas that successfully apply for federal grants under IIJA.&nbsp;&nbsp;

McPherson airport and others receive airport infrastructure AIG grants

The American Red Cross has issued a severe blood shortage warning after the national blood supply dropped by approximately 35% over the past month, raising concerns for hospitals and patients nationwide.

The decline comes as flu activity surges across nearly every state, sidelining many potential donors and placing additional strain on already overburdened hospitals. As inventories continue to fall, some hospitals are being forced to triage critical blood products, prioritizing limited supplies for the most urgent cases.

The shortage is particularly acute for blood types O, A negative, and B negative. Patients who depend on regular transfusions—including trauma victims, mothers in childbirth, and individuals undergoing cancer treatment or living with sickle cell disease—could face serious risks if supplies are not replenished quickly.

Winter weather has further complicated collection efforts. According to the Red Cross, approximately 400 blood drives were disrupted by severe winter conditions last month alone—more than three times the number affected during the same period last year. Those cancellations resulted in thousands of donations going uncollected, deepening the shortage.

“This time of year is always challenging for blood collection — but right now, the perfect storm of a long holiday season, record flu activity and winter weather are all impeding donation efforts,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, executive medical director for the Red Cross. “Every person’s blood donation can help save lives — plus you help ease the tremendous burden on our doctors and nurses, allowing them to focus on caring for patients.”

With additional winter storms forecast in the coming weeks, the Red Cross warns the situation could worsen without immediate donor action. Eligible donors are urged to schedule an appointment as soon as possible by using the Blood Donor App, visiting <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Red Cross issues blood shortage warning

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-des-moines-superintendent-ian-roberts-ice-b02b600b1bb8ba51d2d6a4f60d543f0e">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;Thursday, and admitted to falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a federal form and illegally possessing firearms.

Ian Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, had initially pleaded not guilty to both counts, which together carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a trial was scheduled to begin in early March. Roberts is aware he could face deportation after he serves his sentence, according to the plea agreement he signed Wednesday.

Roberts ascended as an exuberant and inspiring leader over a two-decade career in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d11c6bc49815e2655b758fb8497bb23e">urban education</a>. For two years, he was superintendent of the Des Moines public school district, which serves 30,000 students.

Just weeks into a new school year, Roberts was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-des-moines-superintendent-ian-roberts-b52a9ea28d002d27832c67513403368e">detained by federal immigration officers</a>. The Sept. 26 arrest stunned community members and drew national attention to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ian-roberts-ice-superintendent-lawsuit-iowa-b93f7c426b90a2e805d71f914707ce2d">history of criminal charges</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ian-roberts-superintendent-ice-doctorate-d719dac9a6cffd5b8dc93725441fdebc">falsified credentials</a>.

As part of Roberts’ plea agreement, prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa agreed to not pursue additional charges against Roberts or others related to these counts, according to the filing. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency, but Roberts’ sentence is ultimately up to the judge.

In a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation, Roberts was pulled over in his school-issued Jeep Cherokee and allegedly fled from federal agents. They later found the car abandoned near a wooded area and located Roberts with the help of state troopers. Authorities said a loaded handgun was wrapped in a towel under the seat and there was $3,000 in cash in the car.

A federal grand jury in October returned a two-count indictment. According to the plea agreement, Roberts admits he knowingly and intentionally made a “false attestation” that he was a U.S. citizen on the Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, that he submitted in Des Moines. That carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine.

Roberts also faces a federal weapons charge, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine. In addition to the one in his vehicle when he was arrested, a second pistol, a rifle and a shotgun were found during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said.

Roberts will forfeit the weapons, according to the agreement.

Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, declined to comment on Roberts’ legal proceedings. The district’s focus “remains on serving the educational needs of students,” he said in a statement.

Roberts completed the I-9 form when he was hired in 2023 and submitted a Social Security card and driver’s license as verifying documents, according to the district. He also stated he was a U.S. citizen in his application to the state board of educational examiners, which issued Roberts a professional administrator license in 2023.

Roberts was subject to a notice to appear before an immigration judge in October 2020, just months before his work authorization was set to expire, and a final removal order in 2024, authorities said. District officials said they were not aware of the immigration issues.

Leader of Iowa’s largest public school district admits falsely claiming US citizenship

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/kaitlyn-huamani">KAITLYN HUAMANI</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-divestment-deal-trump-2fdb915cac5b6d06907a5a2de6764376">TikTok</a>&nbsp;has finalized a deal to create a new American version of the app, avoiding the looming threat of a ban in the U.S. that has been in discussion for years.

The social video platform company signed agreements with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX to form the new TikTok U.S. joint venture. The new app will operate under “defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for U.S. users,” the company said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/announcement-from-the-new-tiktok-usds-joint-venture-llc?lang=en" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;Thursday.

Adam Presser, who previously worked as TikTok’s head of operations and trust and safety, will lead the new venture as its CEO. He will work alongside a seven-member, majority-American board of directors that includes TikTok’s CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-shou-zi-chew-testify-7927b1915db270aac67ca6f4ca31d6f3">Shou Chew</a>.

The deal marks the end of years of uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the United States. After wide bipartisan majorities in Congress passed — and President Joe Biden signed — a law that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-security-speech-166f7c794ee587d3385190f893e52777">ban TikTok in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;if it did not find a new owner in the place of China’s ByteDance, the platform was set to go dark on the law’s January 2025 deadline. For a several hours, it did. But on his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-biden-china-bdc79b7ce741a81761f67ea56d410103">executive order to keep it running</a>&nbsp;while his administration sought an agreement for the sale of the company.

TikTok finalizes deal to form new American version of the app

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust in Brown County.

Just after 8p.m. on Jan. 18, a sheriff's deputy responded to a&nbsp; call of a domestic disturbance in Fairview, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Upon arrival and after the initial investigation, a search warrant was then approved for the residence at 114 W. Front Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 At the conclusion of the warrant, 69-year-old Jane Teske of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.

&nbsp; Robert Hobbs, 50, of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.&nbsp;

Yvette Ward, 56, Pawnee City Nebraska was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of DrugParaphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff: Domestic disturbance led to drug bust at Kan. home

Kansas Republican Congressmen Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Derek Schmidt voted against the resolution.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House rejected a Democratic-backed resolution Thursday that would have prevented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;from sending U.S. military forces to Venezuela after a tied vote on the legislation fell just short of the majority needed for passage.

The tied vote was the latest sign of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s tenuous hold on the majority, as well as some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-republicans-trump-greenland-denmark-28252fc0691a183f52d3c4a77369457b">growing pushback</a>&nbsp;in the GOP-controlled Congress to Trump’s aggressions in the Western Hemisphere. A Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">vote on a similar resolution</a>&nbsp;was also tied last week until Vice President JD Vance broke the deadlock.

To defeat the resolution Thursday, Republican leaders had to hold the vote open for more than 20 minutes while Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt, who had been out of state all week campaigning for a Senate seat in Texas, rushed back to Capitol Hill.

On the House floor, Democrats responded with shouts that Republican leaders were violating the chamber’s procedural moves. Two Republicans — Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky — voted with all Democrats for the legislation.

The war powers resolution would have directed Trump to remove U.S. troops from Venezuela. The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">told senators last week</a>&nbsp;that there are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela and committed to getting congressional approval before launching major military operations there.

But Democrats argued that the resolution is necessary after the U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-trump-military-operation-85041a1ec03bafe839b785a95169d694">Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;and since Trump has stated plans to control the country’s oil industry for years to come.

Thursday’s vote was the latest test in Congress of how much leeway Republicans will give a president who campaigned on removing the U.S. from foreign entanglements but has increasingly reached for military options to impose his will in the Western Hemisphere. So far, almost all Republicans have declined to put checks on Trump through the war powers votes.

Rep. Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the House Armed Services Committee, accused Democrats of bringing the war powers resolution to a vote out of “spite” for Trump.

“It’s about the fact that you don’t want President Trump to arrest Maduro, and you will condemn him no matter what he does, even though he brought Maduro to justice with possibly the most successful law enforcement operation in history,” Mast added.

Still, Democrats stridently argued that Congress needs to assert its role in determining when the president can use wartime powers. They have been able to force a series of votes in both the House and Senate as Trump in recent months ramped up his campaign against Maduro and set his sights on other conflicts overseas.

“Donald Trump is reducing the United States to a regional bully with fewer allies and more enemies,” Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during a floor debate. “This isn’t making America great again. It’s making us isolated and weak.”

Last week, Senate Republicans were only able to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">narrowly dismiss</a>&nbsp;a Venezuela war powers resolution after the Trump administration persuaded two Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-war-powers-venezuela-trump-maduro-greenland-e1c5c8390eb2331779504b710fe85025">back away from their earlier support</a>. As part of that effort, Secretary of State Marco Rubio committed to a briefing next week before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

When the House voted on a similar Venezuela war powers resolution last month, three Republican House members — Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has since resigned from Congress — joined Democrats in voting for the legislation. Trump has since carried out the attack on Venezuela to seize Maduro, as well as turned his ambitions to possessing Greenland.

Trump’s insistence that the U.S. will possess Greenland over the objections of Denmark, a NATO ally, has alarmed some Republicans on Capitol Hill. They have mounted some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-republicans-trump-greenland-denmark-28252fc0691a183f52d3c4a77369457b">most outspoken objections</a>&nbsp;to almost anything the president has done since taking office.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-davos-housing-greenland-gaza-a2f3f4c18ba321c8025a3e208fc0ddf6">Trump this week backed away</a>&nbsp;from military and tariff threats against European allies as he announced that his administration was working with NATO on a “framework of a future deal” on Arctic security.

But Bacon still expressed frustration with Trump’s aggressive foreign policy and planned to vote for the war powers resolution, even though it only applies to Venezuela.

“I’m tired of all the threats,” he said.

Trump’s recent military actions — and threats to do more — have reignited a decades-old debate in Congress over the War Powers Act, a law passed in the early 1970s by lawmakers looking to claw back their authority over military actions.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63">War Powers Resolution</a>&nbsp;was passed in the Vietnam War era as the U.S. sent troops to conflicts throughout Asia. It attempted to force presidents to work with Congress to deploy troops if there hasn’t already been a formal declaration of war.

Under the legislation, lawmakers can also force votes on legislation that directs the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities.

Presidents have long tested the limits of those parameters, and Democrats argue that Trump in his second term has pushed those limits farther than ever.

The Trump administration left Congress in the dark ahead of the surprise raid to capture Maduro. It has also used an evolving set of legal justifications to blow up alleged drug boats and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/venezuela-oil-exports-explainer/">seize sanctioned oil tankers</a>&nbsp;near Venezuela.

Democrats question who gets to benefit from Venezuelan oil licenses

As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">Trump administration oversees</a>&nbsp;the sale of Venezuela’s petroleum worldwide, Senate Democrats are questioning who is benefitting from the contracts.

In one of the first transactions, the U.S. granted Vitol, the world’s largest independent oil broker, a license worth roughly $250 million. A senior partner at Vitol, John Addison, gave roughly $6 million to Trump-aligned political action committees during the presidential election, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?cycle=2024&amp;order=asc&amp;page=3&amp;sort=N&amp;zip=77024" target="_blank">donation records</a>&nbsp;compiled by OpenSecrets.

“Congress and the American people deserve full transparency regarding any financial commitments, promises, deals, or other arrangements related to Venezuela that could favor donors to the President’s campaign and political operation,” 13 Democratic senators wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Thursday in a letter led by Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.

The White House has said it is safeguarding the South American country’s oil for the benefit of both the people of Venezuela and the U.S.

Kan. GOP lawmakers help House defeat war powers resolution to check Trump’s military action 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A prominent civil rights attorney and at least two other people involved in an anti-immigration enforcement protest that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protest-church-minneapolis-fcc97a29b9c4434c665d76d4811c5a3e">disrupted a service</a>&nbsp;at a Minnesota church have been arrested, Trump administration officials said Thursday, even as a judge rebuffed related charges against journalist Don Lemon.

The developments unfolded as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-ice-minneapolis-deportations-trump-economy-002f1d1acf05c00aeee289ec192100e7">Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;arrived in the state. Speaking in Minneapolis, he urged state and local law enforcement to collaborate with federal officials and said protesters must stop getting in their way.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X. On Sunday, protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. Bondi later posted on X that a second person had been arrested, followed by a third arrest announced by FBI Director Kash Patel.

The Justice Department quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good," referring to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">37-year-old mother of three</a>&nbsp;who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month.

“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP," the attorney general wrote on X.

Cities Church belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention and lists one of its pastors as David Easterwood, who leads the local ICE field office. Many Baptist churches have pastors who also work other jobs.

Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protest-church-minneapolis-fcc97a29b9c4434c665d76d4811c5a3e">the church’s defense</a>, arguing that compassion for migrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating a sacred space during worship.

Attorneys representing the church hailed the arrests.

“The U.S. Department of Justice acted decisively by arresting those who coordinated and carried out the terrible crime,” said Doug Wardlow, director of litigation for True North Legal, which calls itself a public interest civil rights firm, in a statement.

Levy Armstrong, an attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”

“You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities,” she said Tuesday. “When officials protect armed agents, repeatedly refuse meaningful investigation into killings like Renee Good’s, and signal they may pursue peaceful protesters and journalists, that is not justice — it is intimidation.”

Vance wants local law enforcement to assist federal officers

Vance, a Republican, arrived amid tense interactions between federal immigration law enforcement authorities and residents. State and local elected officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-renee-good-immigration-sweeps-6ae64be5a0d6a718b658a938fb56e567">have opposed the crackdown</a>&nbsp;that has become a major focus of Department of Homeland Security sweeps.

His visit comes less than a month after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-enforcement-crackdown-woman-shot-5158ce0838305b491c95db97b970cd03">Renee Good was killed</a>. He has called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-06b23b428edcc8498362be4ac656f201">Good’s death</a>&nbsp;a “tragedy of her own making.”

Speaking in Toledo, Ohio, before his Minnesota visit, Vance warned the church protesters: “Those people are going to be sent to prison so long as we have the power to do so. We’re going to do everything we can to enforce the law."

Later in Minneapolis, he urged state and city law enforcement to help the federal immigration officers.

“We’re doing everything that we can to lower the temperature,” Vance said, adding that he wants “state and local officials to meet us halfway.”

A longtime activist in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Levy Armstrong has helped lead local protests after the high-profile police-involved killings of Black Americans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/video-minneapolis-immigration-good-ice-george-floyd-9dc5b1f19af644f861963f0a041516f4">George Floyd,</a>&nbsp;Philando&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/philando-castile">Castile</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-51873689cf63426c89e78ae987479315">Jamar Clark.</a>&nbsp;She is a former president of the NAACP’s Minneapolis branch.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a photo on X of Levy Armstrong with her arms behind her back next to a person wearing a badge. Noem said she faces a charge under a statute that bars threatening or intimidating someone exercising a right.

Patel posted on X that Chauntyll Louisa Allen, the second person Bondi said was arrested, is charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits physically obstructing or using the threat of force to intimidate or interfere with a person seeking reproductive health services or seeking to participate in a service at a house of worship. Patel said William Kelly has also been arrested.

It's unclear which attorneys would represent Allen and Kelly.

Saint Paul Public Schools, where Allen is a member of the board of education, is aware of her arrest but will not comment on pending legal matters, according to district spokesperson Erica Wacker.

Allen and Levy Armstrong are part of a community of Black Minnesota activists who have protested the deaths of African Americans at the hands of police.

Kelly defended the protest during a news conference Tuesday, criticizing the church for its association with a pastor who works for ICE.

In court Thursday, federal magistrate judge Doug Micko granted the women bond and restricted them from traveling outside Minnesota or from going near the church. The government said it would appeal.

Levy-Armstrong’s attorney said he offered for her to turn herself in peacefully, but the Trump administration insisted on arresting her.

“They wanted a spectacle,” Levy-Armstrong’s husband Marques Armstrong said, recalling around 50 agents came to detain his wife.

Arrests follow a DOJ civil rights investigation

The Justice Department’s swift investigation into the church protest stands in contrast to its decision not to open a civil rights investigation into the killing of Good. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said last week there was “no basis” for a civil rights investigation into her death.

Administration officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-enforcement-crackdown-woman-shot-5158ce0838305b491c95db97b970cd03">have said the officer acted in self-defense</a>&nbsp;and that the driver of the Honda was engaging in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-06b23b428edcc8498362be4ac656f201">“an act of domestic terrorism”</a>&nbsp;when she pulled toward him. But the decision not to have the department’s Civil Rights Division investigate marked a sharp departure from past administrations, which have moved quickly to probe shootings of civilians by law enforcement officials.

The Justice Department has separately&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-trump-5e2f40582b62687fd9bc70640382f034">opened an investigation</a>&nbsp;into whether Minnesota officials impeded or obstructed federal immigration enforcement though their public statements. Prosecutors this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-trump-5e2f40582b62687fd9bc70640382f034">sent subpoenas</a>&nbsp;to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties, according to a person familiar with the matter.

A magistrate judge rejected federal prosecutors’ bid to charge journalist Don Lemon related to the church protest, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation.

Lemon was among those on who entered the church. Lemon has said he is not affiliated with the protest organizers and was there chronicling as a journalist.

“Once the protest started in the church we did an act of journalism which was report on it and talk to the people involved, including the pastor, members of the church and members of the organization,” Lemon said in a video posted on social media. “That’s it. That’s called journalism.”

It wasn’t immediately clear what the Justice Department would do after the judge’s decision. Authorities could return to a magistrate judge to again seek a criminal complaint or an indictment against Lemon before a grand jury.

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