Advance voting for the City of Hutchinson’s sales tax special election begins today.

Voters may cast advance ballots Monday through Friday of this week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the conference room at the Reno County Annex. An additional advance voting opportunity will be available next Monday, March 2, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Mail ballots have already been sent to voters who requested them. However, due to changes in state law, advance mail ballots must now be received by the Reno County Election Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The previous three-day grace period for mail ballot returns is no longer in effect.

Voters who wish to return their completed mail ballots in person may use the secure ballot drop-off box located in front of the Reno County Annex.

The special election is Tuesday, March 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Advance voting begins today for Hutchinson sales tax special election

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC)is&nbsp;proud to announce the launch of a series of initiatives aimed at honoring veterans&nbsp;and those who have served our country. These efforts, which are deeply rooted in&nbsp;our mission to make health and healing available to all, are an expression of&nbsp;our&nbsp;gratitude&nbsp;and respect for the sacrifices made by our military personnel.&nbsp;

At HRMC, we believe that recognizing the contributions of our veterans is not just&nbsp;a duty, but a privilege. This month, we held our first-ever Veteran Honor Walk,&nbsp;a touching&nbsp;event where staff members, volunteers, and community members&nbsp;lined&nbsp;the&nbsp;halls to show their respect for a veteran’s life and service as they were escorted&nbsp;through the halls of the hospital. During the walk, taps were played over the&nbsp;hospital's overhead speakers, marking a solemn moment of silence. This simple but&nbsp;powerful act allowed us to collectively pause, reflect, and pay tribute to the selfless&nbsp;individuals who have given so much&nbsp;for&nbsp;our nation.&nbsp;

To further honor veterans, HRMC provides recognition items to veteran patients&nbsp;during their hospital stay. These small tokens of appreciation include a flag&nbsp;wristband, a Veterans Discount Card, and a door magnet displayed outside the&nbsp;patient’s&nbsp;room. These items are a simple yet meaningful way to show our respect&nbsp;and to acknowledge their service while they are receiving care.&nbsp;

These new initiatives were inspired by a deep commitment to ensuring that our&nbsp;veterans&nbsp;feel recognized, valued, and supported. HRMC believes that honoring&nbsp;veterans&nbsp;goes&nbsp;beyond just offering care when needed; it involves creating an&nbsp;environment where veterans are&nbsp;celebrated for&nbsp;their sacrifice and heroism.&nbsp;

In addition to our internal efforts, HRMC is honored to partner with KS4Vets, a local&nbsp;organization dedicated to serving and supporting veterans. Through this&nbsp;collaboration, members of KS4Vets are notified each time a&nbsp;veteran passes, allowing&nbsp;them to&nbsp;join us in our Veteran Honor Walk and further personalize our tribute. This&nbsp;partnership underscores the importance of community in honoring those who have&nbsp;served, reinforcing the idea that every veteran deserves respect, dignity, and&nbsp;recognition.&nbsp;

Cindy Naab, Chairperson of the HRHS Veteran Committee, added, “The Veteran&nbsp;Honor Walk and our continued initiatives reflect the heartfelt respect and&nbsp;admiration we hold for those who have served. These efforts are vital, not only for&nbsp;showing&nbsp;appreciation but&nbsp;for supporting veterans in their health journey.&nbsp;It’s&nbsp;a true&nbsp;honor for us to serve those who have served our country.”&nbsp;

Veterans hold a special place in the hearts of the HRMC family. Our team members,&nbsp;many of whom have close personal connections to military service, are proud to be&nbsp;part of an organization that offers this type of tribute. The Veteran Honor Walk is&nbsp;just one way we can show our gratitude and appreciation, but it is just the&nbsp;beginning. We are committed to exploring further opportunities to support and&nbsp;honor our veterans in meaningful ways.&nbsp;

As we continue to expand our initiatives, we invite the entire community to join us in&nbsp;celebrating the lives and legacies of veterans. We are grateful for their service and&nbsp;honored to be part of their journey in health and healing.&nbsp;

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center honors veterans and their service through new initiatives 

<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

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. ——————————————

Vitaliy	Philip	Stubbs		2/22/2026 3:39&nbsp;AM	Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body, Poss of marijuana; 1 prior conviction,					Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction),Shane	Clifton	Stone		2/22/2026 12:38&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Melvin	James	Silas		2/22/2026 7:38&nbsp;PM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Melvin	James	Silas		2/22/2026 7:38&nbsp;PM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Eric	Omar	Perez		2/23/2026 4:22&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear,					Direct Contempt

Daily Bookings

Hutch Rec is partnering with Kansas CPR to offer a spring break babysitting training course designed to help young people gain lifesaving skills and confidence.

The two-hour, hands-on class is open to youth ages 10 to 18 and will focus on preparing participants to become responsible and well-prepared babysitters.

Students will receive instruction in CPR for infants, children and adults, automated external defibrillator, or AED, usage and basic first aid skills. Organizers say the training is intended to give youth practical knowledge they can use in emergency situations while caring for others.

Each participant will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.&nbsp;

Three sessions are available, and participants may choose one to attend. Sessions are scheduled for March 17, March 18 and March 19 from 10 a.m. to noon each day. The registration deadline for all sessions is March 13.

The training will be held at Hutch Rec Downtown. The cost is $60 per session, and scholarships are available.

Organizers say the program offers an opportunity for youth to take the next step toward becoming trusted babysitters while learning skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.

For more information, you can contact Hutch Rec at 620-663-6179.&nbsp;

Hutch Rec offering spring break babysitting training for youth

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info 7-day forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day Outlook

State wildlife officials are giving Kansans a chance to enjoy the outdoors at no cost this year, announcing free fishing and free state park entrance days for 2026.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks said in a news release that residents and visitors can take advantage of designated Free Fishing Days and Free Entrance Days at all 28 Kansas state parks.

According to KDWP spokeswoman Laura Clawson, Free Fishing Days will be held Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7. On those dates, anglers will not need a Kansas fishing license to fish in public waters.

All other regulations will remain in effect, however. Participants must still follow established length limits, creel limits and other fishing rules.

In addition, all Kansas state parks will offer free entrance on Wednesday, April 22. While vehicle entrance fees will be waived that day, camping fees and other associated charges will still apply.

“These free days are a great opportunity for Kansans and visitors alike to get outside and enjoy Kansas’ natural resources,” KDWP Secretary Chris Kennedy said in a statement. “Whether you’re fishing, hiking, picnicking, or simply spending time outdoors, we hope these days encourage people to connect with nature and with each other.”

Kennedy has also designated several additional Free Entrance Days from April through October. Many of those dates coincide with special events and programs aimed at encouraging more people to explore Kansas state parks.

State officials say the annual initiative is designed to introduce new visitors to Kansas’ outdoor recreation opportunities while giving longtime park users another reason to plan a trip.

KDWP announces free fishing, park entry days

A bill currently before the Kansas House would ban required diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) courses at the state’s public colleges and universities. Supporters argue that institutions should offer “more diverse academic opportunities that are not against a student’s political, religious, moral or ethical beliefs.” On its face, this claim appears to champion intellectual openness. In practice, however, it misunderstands the purpose of higher education and deprives students of the rigorous learning environment that universities are designed to provide.

Higher education is not meant to function as an echo chamber for students’ pre‑existing worldviews. Its central mission has always been to expand knowledge, foster critical thinking, and encourage engagement with complexity. College is one of the few structured environments where young adults can test their assumptions, encounter unfamiliar perspectives, and engage in reflection supported by research rather than insulated by comfort. Shielding students from ideas that challenge their beliefs undermines this mission entirely.

This understanding of higher education’s mission traces directly to our country’s founding. Several Founders explicitly argued that a democratic society requires citizens capable of reasoning through complex ideas. Thomas Jefferson, for example, maintained that education must cultivate critical thinkers who can meaningfully participate in civic life. He warned that democratic freedom depends on an informed, analytically capable public.

This civic purpose is not only a long‑standing academic principle—it aligns with public sentiment in Kansas. According to the 2025 Kansas Speaks survey, 55.8% of Kansans believe the primary goal of higher education is to create an educated citizenry, while only 34.1% say workforce development should be the dominant aim. These findings affirm that Kansans value universities as institutions that cultivate analytical citizens capable of democratic engagement, not as ideological safe havens designed to avoid friction with personal beliefs.

Courses addressing race, gender, culture, and inequality play a crucial role in this intellectual development. They draw on decades of peer‑reviewed research in political science, sociology, psychology, history, and education. Despite false reports to the contrary, DEI courses do not require students to adopt a particular political ideology; rather, they teach students how systems, data, and lived experiences intersect to produce real‑world outcomes. Students are free to

disagree with the interpretations presented, but disagreement is most meaningful when it emerges from informed engagement rather than avoidance.

Kansans also signal broad support for the underlying value of diversity in public life. The 2025 Kansas Speaks data show that 59.8% agree that Kansas government becomes stronger when elected officials are more diverse, compared with only 8.2% who disagree. This belief—that diversity enhances institutional strength—undermines the notion that engaging with difference is inherently divisive or ideological. If diversity strengthens government, it follows that young adults benefit from learning how to navigate, understand, and appreciate diverse perspectives before they enter civic and professional life.

The legislators’ concern—that students should not be confronted with material that challenges their beliefs—reflects a fundamental misconception about what universities are for. Higher education does not exist to affirm; it exists to question. It does not exist to soothe; it exists to stimulate growth. Students will carry their political, religious, and ethical commitments with them throughout their education, but the university’s role is to equip them with the analytical tools to understand those commitments in a broader context.

The Founders made clear that democratic governance requires citizens who are able to confront rather than avoid difficult questions. Jefferson and Adams both argued that education must develop citizens prepared for the moral and political complexities of republican life—not individuals shielded from discomfort. Their belief was that democratic institutions survive only when the populace can wrestle with complexity and evaluate competing claims.

Kansas should be investing in opportunities that broaden students’ horizons, not narrowing them. Intellectual diversity is not achieved by restricting academic content; it is achieved by engaging with it fully, especially when it invites discomfort.

Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is an associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Wichita State University.

Insight Kansas: Higher education should challenge students, not shield them

Jeremy	Evan	Vansyckle		2/21/2026 10:10&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

Douglas	Craig	Millet		2/21/2026 3:39&nbsp;PM	Pedestrian; Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs upon Roadway

Kaylee	Dawn	Smith		2/21/2026 7:21&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Renovations at the historic Landmark building in downtown Hutchinson are entering the final stages, with developers targeting a July opening for the long-vacant property at Fifth and Main.

Developer Laura Meyer Dick said interior work is progressing rapidly, with countertops and flooring being installed and painting underway throughout the building. She expects to begin taking reservation agreements for apartments next month and anticipates welcoming tenants this summer.

The project will create 36 market-rate apartments, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Meyer Dick said original plans called for 40 units, but layouts were adjusted to provide larger living spaces.

“It’s really starting to come together,” she said.

The Landmark is part of a broader STAR bond redevelopment district led by the Cosmosphere and Memorial Hall. Meyer Dick emphasized that the Landmark project is separate from the city’s current sales tax election and has been in development for about three years.

Under the STAR bond structure, state sales tax revenue generated within the district is used to retire bonds that finance eligible improvements. Meyer Dick said the financing relies primarily on state sales tax dollars that would otherwise go to Topeka.

Communities with fewer than 50,000 residents can use the STAR bond program for rural revitalization efforts. Meyer Dick said restoring the Landmark, long considered a cornerstone of downtown Hutchinson, fits squarely within that purpose.

The renovation has required extensive work to modernize the early 1900s structure while meeting historic preservation standards tied to state and federal tax credits. Meyer Dick said all plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems have been replaced, and original materials are being restored or replicated where required.

“There’s not a wire or a pipe that’s original,” she said.

Historic tax credit requirements have limited design flexibility, including preserving hallway configurations and using authentic materials such as real wood flooring. Meyer Dick said the most intensive paperwork will come after construction is complete, when final documentation is submitted for tax credit approval.

In addition to the apartments, the building will feature a restaurant on the main floor, which is expected to open in the fall. Retail space is also planned. The restaurant’s name has not yet been released.

The project includes a two-part documentary chronicling the building’s history and restoration. The Landmark once hosted President Harry Truman and appeared in the 1941 film “When the Sun Shines, Nellie,” according to project materials.

Meyer Dick said she took on the project to preserve a key piece of Hutchinson’s history and stimulate additional downtown investment.

“Economics 101 is if you invest $15 million on a corner, it will spiral on the blocks going either direction,” she said.

She credited Curtis Mitchel, Tyler England, and NBC Construction along with city officials, for helping keep the project on schedule. Despite supply chain challenges in recent years, she said delays have been minimal.

A grand opening is being planned for late June. Meyer Dick said her primary goal is to complete the project successfully and contribute to downtown revitalization.

“I’m doing this project for the city,” she said. “I hope it makes downtown more vibrant. That’s the whole goal.”

Historic Landmark renovation nears completion

WICHITA, Kan. — Meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Wichita will host a training session designed to prepare storm spotters and weather enthusiasts for the upcoming severe weather season.

Here is a list of local spotter talks.&nbsp;

All presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.&nbsp;

The presentation will provide an in-depth look at the science behind severe storms, including how they form and the atmospheric conditions that contribute to their development. Forecasters will cover a range of storm types, from supercells and squall lines to tornado-producing systems common across south-central Kansas.

Attendees will learn how to identify key storm features that signal potential severity, such as wall clouds, rotating updrafts, large hail cores and damaging straight-line winds. Meteorologists will also explain how radar is used to detect hazardous weather and how real-time reports from trained spotters can enhance warning operations.

A significant portion of the training will focus on severe weather safety and best practices for reporting hazardous conditions. Participants will receive guidance on when and how to report information such as hail size, wind damage and tornado sightings to the Weather Service.

The session is intended for both new and experienced spotters, as well as anyone interested in better understanding severe weather and how to stay safe during storm season.

Severe weather awareness week is March 2 - 6.&nbsp;

NWS to host storm identification and safety presentations

SOCORRO, Texas (AP) — In a Texas town at the edge of the Rio Grande and a tall metal border wall, rumors swirled that federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration</a>&nbsp;officials wanted to purchase three hulking warehouses to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigrant-detention-warehouses-ice-trump-51ad28e6b1e1c3fa60a38029d932aeeb">transform into a detention center.</a>

As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigrant-detention-warehouses-ice-trump-a4a71226409cd9fedc9aa5de5ec90654">local officials scrambled</a>&nbsp;to find out what was happening, a deed was filed showing the Department of Homeland Security had already inked a $122.8 million deal for the 826,000-square-foot (76,738-square-meter) warehouses in Socorro, a bedroom community of 40,000 people outside El Paso.

“Nobody from the federal government bothered to pick up the phone or even send us any type of correspondence letting us know what’s about to take place,” said Rudy Cruz Jr., the mayor of the predominantly Hispanic town of low-slung ranch homes and trailer parks, where orchards and irrigation ditches share the landscape with strip malls, truck stops, recycling plants and distribution warehouses.

Socorro is among at least 20 communities with large warehouses across the U.S. that have become stealth targets for Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s $45-billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detention-louisiana-trump-3db72b138d1a6ee8a7bb5388669a1666">expansion of detention centers</a>.

As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-ice-minneapolis-deportation-42aff472ccf1ecd7b92ba0c90469c9e7">public support</a>&nbsp;for the agency and President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-republicans-minnesota-immigration-homeland-ice-5fe9c40236203703751c6274f8da435f">sags,</a>&nbsp;communities are objecting to mass detentions and raising concerns that the facilities could strain water supplies and other services while reducing local tax revenue. In many cases, mayors, county commissioners, governors and members of Congress learned about ICE’s ambitions only after the agency bought or leased space for detainees, leading to shock and frustration even in areas that have backed Trump.

“I just feel,” said Cruz, whose wife was born in Mexico, “that they do these things in silence so that they don’t get opposition.”

ICE, which is part of DHS, has purchased at least seven warehouses in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Texas, signed deeds show. Other deals have been announced but not yet finalized, though buyers scuttled sales in eight locations.

DHS objected to calling the sites warehouses, stressing in a statement that they would be “very well structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards.”

The process has been chaotic at times. ICE this past week acknowledged it made a “mistake” when it announced warehouse purchases in Chester, New York, and Roxbury, New Jersey. Roxbury then announced Friday that the sale there had closed.

DHS has confirmed it is looking for more detention space but hasn’t disclosed individual sites ahead of acquisitions. Some cities learned that ICE was scouting warehouses through reporters. Others were tipped off by a spreadsheet circulating online among activists whose source is unclear.

It wasn’t until Feb. 13 that the scope of the warehouse project was confirmed, when the governor’s office in New Hampshire, where there is backlash to a planned 500-bed processing center, released a document from ICE showing the agency plans to spend $38.3 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-detention-facilities-expansion-warehouses-c61c3e23c4246e94a760b4d979cb9c48">to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds</a>.

Since Trump took office, the number of people detained by ICE has increased to 75,000 from 40,000, spread across more than 225 sites.

ICE could use the warehouses to consolidate and to increase capacity. The document describes a project that includes eight large-scale detention centers, capable of housing 7,000 to 10,000 detainees each, and 16 smaller regional processing centers. The document also refers to the acquisition of 10 existing “turnkey” facilities.

The project is funded through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sign-tax-cut-bill-july-4-3804df732e461a626fd8c2b43413c3f0">the big tax and spending cuts bill</a>&nbsp;passed by Congress last year that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-ice-deportation-budget-be983b14f60a5cdfc17af7cf0307f1c9">nearly doubled DHS’ budget.</a>&nbsp;To build the detention centers, the Trump administration is using military contracts.

Those contracts allow a lot of secrecy and for DHS to move quickly without following the usual processes and safeguards, said Charles Tiefer, a professor emeritus of law at the University of Baltimore Law School.

Socorro facility could be among the largest

In Socorro, the ICE-owned warehouses are so large that 4 1/2 Walmart Supercenters could fit inside, standing in contrast to the remnants of the austere Spanish colonial and mission architecture that defines the town.

At a recent City Council meeting, public comments stretched for hours. “I think a lot of innocent people are getting caught up in their dragnet,” said Jorge Mendoza, an El Paso County retiree whose grandparents immigrated from Mexico.

Many speakers invoked concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-detention-death-texas-f04b5cb76f175255e58b947f0e14bc12">three recent deaths</a>&nbsp;at an ICE detention facility at the nearby Fort Bliss Army base.

Even communities that backed Trump in 2024 have been caught off guard by ICE’s plans and have raised concerns.

In rural Pennsylvania’s Berks County, commissioner Christian Leinbach called the district attorney, the sheriff, the jail warden and the county’s head of emergency services when he first heard ICE might buy a warehouse in Upper Bern Township, 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from his home.

A few days later, a local official in charge of land records informed him that ICE had bought the building —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.loopnet.com/viewer/pdf?file=https%3a%2f%2fimages1.loopnet.com%2fd2%2f7i2RZgAWTM0ps1PuIY386PsUTrc8NDygNcAeBSipteA%2fMarketing%2520BrochureFlyer.pdf" target="_blank">promoted</a>&nbsp;by developers as a “state-of-the art logistics center” — for $87.4 million.

“There was absolutely no warning,” Leinbach said during a meeting in which he raised concerns that turning the warehouse into a federal facility means a loss of more than $800,000 in local tax dollars.

ICE has touted the income taxes its workers would pay, though the facilities themselves will be exempt from property taxes.

A Georgia detention center could house twice the population of the city where it’s located

In Social Circle, Georgia, which also strongly supported Trump in 2024, officials were stunned by ICE’s plans for a facility that could hold 7,500 to 10,000 people after first learning about it through a reporter.

The city, which has a population of just 5,000 and worries about the infrastructure needs for such a detention center, only heard from DHS after the $128.6 million sale of a 1 million-square-foot (92,900-square-meter) warehouse was completed. Like Socorro and Berks County, Social Circle questioned whether the water and sewage system could keep up.

ICE has said it did due diligence to ensure the sites don’t overwhelm city utilities. But Social Circle said the agency’s analysis relied on a yet-to-be built sewer treatment plant.

“To be clear, the City has repeatedly communicated that it does not have the capacity or resources to accommodate this demand, and no proposal presented to date has demonstrated otherwise,” the city said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.socialcirclega.gov/Home/Components/News/News/241/16" target="_blank">a statement</a>.

And in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise, officials sent a scathing letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after ICE without warning bought a massive warehouse in a residential area about a mile from a high school. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, raised the prospect of going to court to have the site declared a public nuisance.

Back in Socorro, people waiting to speak against the ICE facility spilled out of the City Council chambers, some standing beside murals paying tribute to the World War II-era Braceros Program that allowed Mexican farmworkers to be guest workers in the U.S. The program stoked Socorro’s economy and population before President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportations-immigration-gop-147d96fd00aa4c56e2cbe6074eceb874">in the 1950s</a>&nbsp;began mass deportations aimed at people who had crossed the border illegally.

Eduardo Castillo, formerly an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, told city officials it is intimidating but “not impossible” to challenge the federal government.

“If you don’t at least try,” he said, “you will end up with another inhumane detention facility built in your jurisdiction and under your watch.”

Hollingsworth reported from Kansas City, Missouri. Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire, and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, also contributed.

ICE quietly buying warehouses for detention centers and leaving local officials out of the loop

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating and searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred October 23 at Dr. Glen Dey Park, located at 2801 N. Grove in Wichita.&nbsp; Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward in the case.  Police indicated they have only received very few tips on the investigation since the crime occurred.

At approximately 7:03 p.m. an off-duty WPD detective working secondary employment at&nbsp; the park heard multiple gunshots from another area of the park. The detective immediately ran toward the scene and found 32-year-old Travon Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds.

The detective called for backup and emergency medical services, then began life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Stewart was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and later died from his injuries.

Preliminary findings indicate that around 200 to 300 people were in attendance at the football games. Stewart was at the park selling concessions as a fundraiser for a football team not affiliated with the Wichita Junior Football League.

Homicide investigators responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses who remained in the area. Detectives believe this was a targeted shooting and not connected to the youth football games.

Anyone who attended the games or may have information is urged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at 316-268-4407.&nbsp;

After 4 months, no arrest in deadly Kan. youth football game shooting

The security alert continues across Mexico. Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran reminded Kansans his office is available to help.

On social media Moran wrote. "U.S. citizens in many cities in Mexico are being directed by the State Department to shelter in place due to cartel violence. If you’re a Kansan in Mexico in need of assistance, please reach out to my office&nbsp;by calling&nbsp;202-224-6521&nbsp;or emailing casework@moran.senate.gov "

The&nbsp;State Department also offers the Smart Travel Enrollment Program – a free service that allows U.S. citizens to enroll their trip abroad so the department can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.
&nbsp;
Learn more:&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/oKOmlXDWSO" target="_blank">https://mx.usembassy.gov/security-alert-update-ongoing-security-operations-u-s-mission-mexico-february-22-2026/</a>

According to the alert from the U.S. State Deparatment, Broad areas, including the state of Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), the state of Baja California (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada), the state of Quintana Roo (including Cancún, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), the state of Nayarit (including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerto Vallarta), Sinaloa (including Mazatlán), and areas of the states of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de México, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.

Event: Due to ongoing security operations and resulting road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens located in various locations across Mexico are advised to shelter in place. U.S. government personnel in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzmán (Jalisco), Cancún (Quintana Roo), Playa del Carmen (Quintana Roo), Cozumel (Quintana Roo), Reynosa (Tamaulipas), Tijuana (Baja California), and Michoacán will shelter in place and work remotely on Monday, February 23, and U.S. citizens should do the same.



All U.S. government personnel at the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey have been instructed to remain within the Monterrey metropolitan area, and U.S. government personnel have been ordered not to travel to Mazatlán until Wednesday, February 25.

Although no airports have been closed, road blockages have impacted airline operations, and the majority of domestic and international flights have been canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. 

All transportation services in Puerto Vallarta have been suspended. Some businesses have suspended operations.

Mexican authorities announced on the afternoon of February 22 that toll highway operations in Puebla, Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, San Luis Potosí, Tijuana, Querétaro, Veracruz, and Mazatlán will be temporarily restricted due to blockages affecting motorists.

Actions to take: 
- Seek shelter and minimize unnecessary travel. 
- Avoid areas near police activity. 
- Check <a href="https://x.com/CAPUFE">@CAPUFE</a> on X for updates on road closures. 
- Monitor local media for updated information. 
- Follow the instructions of local authorities and, in case of emergency, call 911. 
- Keep family and friends informed of your location and well-being through phone calls, text messages, and social media.

Cartel violence: Senator Moran's office assisting Kansans in Mexico

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

&nbsp;just before 10:15p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4900 block of College Avenue, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

When officers arrived, they located a juvenile male victim later identified as 17-year-old Santino Gonzalez suffering from apparent gunshot trauma and unresponsive. 

Officers performed life-saving measures until EMS could respond and transport the boy to an area hospital for treatment. Officers on scene were advised that he had been pronounced deceased. 

Three additional victims, one adult female and two juvenile teens, were located at the scene all suffering from varying gunshot trauma. An additional two victims, one adult female and one juvenile teen, arrived at area hospitals by private conveyance all suffering from gunshot wounds.

Preliminary investigation indicates there was a gathering occurring at a residence in the 4900 block of College when an altercation between unknown individuals transpired inside of the residence. That altercation escalated into shots being fired, and resulted in two adult females, two juvenile teen males, and two juvenile teen females being struck. At this time, we do not have a person of interest identified and we do not have anyone in custody.

Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene to begin collecting evidence and gathering witness statements.

This incident is being investigated as a homicide. Police have not released suspect details or the name of the victim.

Mass Shooting: Teen killed, 5 others injured at Kansas City home

WASHINGTON —The Mexican army killed the leader of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-jalisco-cartel-us-sanctions-8e40e7da8ce88c4feb45e61f3a2e00a3">Jalisco New Generation Cartel</a>, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho," on Sunday, decapitating what had become Mexico's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/el-mencho-justice-department-drug-cartels-cjng-73b539b8029c793fbd995a357b57f25f">most powerful drug cartel</a>&nbsp;and thrusting swaths of the nation into chaos.

According to a social media report late Sunday from White House spokesperson Karaoline Leavitt, " The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated. 

‘El Mencho’ was a was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland. Last year, President Trump rightfully designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization — because that’s exactly what it is. In this operation, three additional cartel members were killed, three were wounded, and two were arrested.

"President Trump has been very clear — the United States will ensure narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved."

"The Trump Administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation."

The drug lord was the Mexican government's biggest prize yet to show the Trump administration in its efforts to crack down on the cartels, and his death was met with a forceful reaction from the cartel, known by its Spanish initials CJNG.

White House: U.S. helped Mexican army kill powerful drug lord

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after

Just after 6a.m. January 18, a sheriff's deputy conducted a narcotic search warrant in the 1100 block of Laing Street in Osage City., according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

As a result, two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility.&nbsp; Gabriel A. Kennedy, 37, of Osage City is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Interference with law enforcement

Christopher W. Hibbs, 39, of Osage City is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Violation of the registered offender act, 2nd offense and Aggravated violation of the registered offender act. He has been listed as a registered sex offender since a conviction in 2006 for attempted aggravated indecent liberties w/ child; Intercourse w child 14-16 years of age, according to the KBI Offender Registry.

Wanted Kan. sex offender caught during drug bust

WASHINGTON (AP) — An armed man drove into the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's resort in Palm Beach, Florida, before being shot and killed early Sunday morning, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service.

Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House when the breach occurred around 1:30 a.m.

The man had a gas can and a shotgun, authorities said. Investigators identified him as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss it publicly, and authorities said his family had recently reported him missing.

He’s believed to have purchased his shotgun while driving south, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, and a box for the weapon was later discovered in the man’s vehicle.

Investigators have not identified a motive. However, Trump has faced threats to his life before, including two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign.

The man entered the north gate of the property as another vehicle was exiting and was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said at a brief press conference. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”

The Moore County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina said a relative of Martin’s reported him missing early Sunday morning.

Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile. Asked whether the man was previously known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said “not right now.”

The FBI encouraged residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.

In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.

Martin was described by family as quiet and averse to guns

On Sunday afternoon, vehicles blocked the entrance to a property listed in public records as an address for Martin at the end of a private road in Cameron, North Carolina.

Braeden Fields, Martin’s cousin, reacted with disbelief. He described Martin as quiet, afraid of guns and from a family of avid Trump supporters.

“He’s a good kid,” Fields, 19, said. He said they grew up together. “I wouldn’t believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing,” Fields said.

He said Martin worked at a local golf course and would send money from each paycheck to charity.

“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun,” Fields said.

He said his cousin didn’t discuss politics.

“We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody,” Fields said, but his cousin was “real quiet, never really talked about anything.”

Trump faced two assassination attempts during his last campaign

Sunday's incursion at Mar-a-Lago took place a few miles from Trump's West Palm Beach club where a man tried to assassinate him while he played golf during the 2024 campaign.

A Secret Service agent spotted that man, Ryan Routh, aiming a rifle through the shrubbery before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire and caused Routh to drop his weapon.

Routh was found guilty last year and sentenced this month to life in prison.

Trump also survived an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-butler-assassination-attempt-anniversary-crooks-d18804b0e1382003bbb91449638c721c">assassination attempt at a campaign rally</a>&nbsp;in Butler, Pennsylvania. That gunman fired eight shots before being killed by a Secret Service counter sniper. One rally attendee was killed by the gunman.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X that “the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home.”

Leavitt used her post to blame Democratic lawmakers in Congress for the partial government shutdown&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-shutdown-ice-funding-7bf62bc50ca0a6a6013a714bee2ffdb4">affecting the Homeland Security Department</a>, which began Feb. 14 after Democrats demanded changes to the president's deportation campaign.

The Secret Service is among the agencies where the vast majority of employees are continuing their work but missing a paycheck.

“Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans,” Leavitt said. “It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”

The White House referred all questions to the Secret Service and FBI. Both Trump and his wife posted statements on social media after the incident, but they were unrelated to the shooting.

Numerous recent acts of politically motivated violence

In the past year, there was the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk; the assassination of the Democratic leader in the Minnesota state House and her husband and the shooting of another lawmaker and his wife; and an arson attack at the official residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Five days ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-arrest-shotgun-congress-e4c2233b957ca6ab4ae780006cd75081">a Georgia man armed with a shotgun</a>&nbsp;was arrested as he sprinted toward the west side of the U.S. Capitol. Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address there on Tuesday night.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An armed man drove into the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's resort in Palm Beach, Florida, before being shot and killed early Sunday morning, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service. Trump was not there but was at the White House in Washington.

The man, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, had a gas can and a shotgun, according to Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman. He had been reported missing by his family a few days ago, and investigators believe he headed south and picked up the shotgun along the way.

Guglielmi said a box for the weapon was discovered in the man's vehicle after the incident, which took place around 1:30 a.m.

The man killed was identified by investigators as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.

Trump has faced threats to his life before, including two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign. Although the president often spends weekends at his resort, he and first lady Melania Trump were at the White House when the breach at Mar-a-Lago occurred.

“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said at a brief press conference. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”

The FBI asked residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.

In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said that the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.

Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation. Asked whether the individual was known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said “not right now.”

The incident comes as the United States has been rocked by spasms political violence.

The incursion at Mar-a-Lago took place a few miles from Trump's West Palm Beach club where a man tried to assassinate him while he played golf during the 2024 campaign.

Trump also survived an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-butler-assassination-attempt-anniversary-crooks-d18804b0e1382003bbb91449638c721c">assassination attempt at a Butler, Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;campaign rally. That gunman fired eight shots before being killed by a Secret Service counter sniper. One rally attendee was killed by the gunman.

Leavitt used her post to blame Democratic lawmakers in Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-shutdown-ice-funding-7bf62bc50ca0a6a6013a714bee2ffdb4">for the partial government shutdown affecting the Homeland Security department</a>&nbsp;that began Feb. 14 after Democrats demanded changes to the president's deportation campaign.

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