WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Staff with a well-known botanical gardens venue in Wichita say last month's Arctic cold snap proved costly for the gardens. 

Television station KAKE reports that the failure of a heater in Botanica's largest greenhouse during the coldest day of the season killed a slew of plants, some of which had been with the garden for 20 to nearly 30 years. 

Kathy Spillman is director of special events for Botanica. She says most of the plants lost were warm-weather succulents and palms, and the estimated value of the plants lost is between $30,000 and $40,000. Botanica staff have started a<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Botanica-Greenhouse-Fund?sharetype=teams&amp;member=9080274&amp;pc=fb_co_campmgmt_w&amp;rcid=r01-161478403431-f9889e1ed72a4201&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bshare-sheet&amp;fbclid=IwAR0bazo5kPyPCL9uwyz83nMPIibn3GN3jhXRgr_p1_V9rtAA6J3288YXhvw"> crowd-funding </a>effort to replace the plants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615243569675.png" alt="Nearly 200 plants died in the historically low temperatures-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Nearly 200 plants died in the historically low temperatures-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Staff with a well-known botanical gardens venue in Wichita say last month's Arctic cold snap proved costly for the gardens. Television station KAKE reports that the failure of a heater in Botanica's largest greenhouse during the coldest day of the season killed a slew of plants, some of which had been with the garden for 20 to nearly 30 years. Kathy Spillman is director of special events for Botanica. She says most of the plants lost were warm-weather succulents and palms, and the estimated value of the plants lost is between $30,000 and $40,000. Botanica staff have started a<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Botanica-Greenhouse-Fund?sharetype=teams&amp;member=9080274&amp;pc=fb_co_campmgmt_w&amp;rcid=r01-161478403431-f9889e1ed72a4201&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bshare-sheet&amp;fbclid=IwAR0bazo5kPyPCL9uwyz83nMPIibn3GN3jhXRgr_p1_V9rtAA6J3288YXhvw"> crowd-funding </a>effort to replace the plants.

Failed Kan. greenhouse heater leads loss of up to $40K of plants

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 32-year-old man is in custody after a child died in a hit-and-run in Wichita. Police arrested Marcus Downey Monday on potential charges of felony hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license. 

The 4-year-old boy was struck by a pickup truck when he and his mother were crossing a street in downtown Wichita Monday morning. He died at a Wichita hospital. Capt. Wendell Nicholson said the truck fled the scene but was found about 100 yards away. The boy's mother was not injured

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615254271840.png" alt="Downey photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Downey photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 32-year-old man is in custody after a child died in a hit-and-run in Wichita. Police arrested Marcus Downey Monday on potential charges of felony hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615252494342.png" alt="Police near the accident scene Monday photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police near the accident scene Monday photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The 4-year-old boy was struck by a pickup truck when he and his mother were crossing a street in downtown Wichita Monday morning. He died at a Wichita hospital. Capt. Wendell Nicholson said the truck fled the scene but was found about 100 yards away. The boy's mother was not injured

Kan. man arrested after 4-year-old killed in hit-and-run

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 8:30a.m. Sunday, police responded to a disturbance at the Royal Lodge motel, 320 East Kellogg Street in Wichita, according to police Lt. Christian Cory.

A 23-year-old woman at the scene told police she left a business downtown when a suspect approached and walked her to the motel where she was sexually assaulted.

Investigators later learned of the involvement of 47-year-old Anthony Douglas of Wichita who is a registered sex offender.

On Sunday afternoon, police located Douglas at the business in the 100 Block of North Mosley and arrested him on requested charges of rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and possession of marijuana, according to Cory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615236375927.png" alt="Douglas photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Douglas photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault and have a suspect in custody.Just before 8:30a.m. Sunday, police responded to a disturbance at the Royal Lodge motel, 320 East Kellogg Street in Wichita, according to police Lt. Christian Cory.A 23-year-old woman at the scene told police she left a business downtown when a suspect approached and walked her to the motel where she was sexually assaulted.Investigators later learned of the involvement of 47-year-old Anthony Douglas of Wichita who is a registered sex offender.On Sunday afternoon, police located Douglas at the business in the 100 Block of North Mosley and arrested him on requested charges of rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and possession of marijuana, according to Cory.

Registed Kansas sex offender arrested for alleged rape

By LAURA OLSON <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/08/cdc-its-ok-for-vaccinated-grandparents-to-visit-family-if-no-risk-for-severe-disease/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON
 — People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely socialize
 inside with other vaccinated individuals without wearing masks or 
maintaining distance, federal health officials advised Monday in their 
first formal guidance for vaccinated Americans.

Perhaps more critically at a time when more than 90% of Americans are still waiting to be fully vaccinated, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html">the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines</a>
 also detail one scenario in which public health officials suggest it’s 
safe for those who are fully vaccinated to gather with those who are 
not.

Vaccinated
 individuals can gather with one other household that includes people 
who have not been vaccinated, as long as none of those lacking vaccines 
are at high risk for complications from COVID-19, officials said.

“If
 grandparents have been vaccinated, they can visit their daughter and 
her family, even if they have not been vaccinated, so long as the 
daughter and her family are not at risk for severe disease,” CDC 
director Rochelle Walensky said during a news conference.

Walensky
 added that if any of those unvaccinated are at high risk, everyone — 
including those with vaccines — should still wear a mask, physically 
distance and gather outside or in a well-ventilated space.

The
 new recommendations offer a glimmer of hope just days before March 11, 
which will mark one year since the World Health Organization declared a 
pandemic and the country began to lock down in response to the COVID-19 
outbreak. President Joe Biden is set to give his first primetime address
 Thursday evening to commemorate that anniversary.&nbsp;

Biden
 also will meet with officials from two vaccine manufacturers, Johnson 
&amp; Johnson and Merck, at the White House on Wednesday, according to 
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. He had been scheduled to travel 
to Baltimore to meet with them at Emergent BioSolutions, which produces 
the drug substance for the J&amp;J vaccine.

But
 as health officials detailed scenarios in which vaccinated individuals 
can begin to return to a semblance of normal life, they still urged 
caution, citing insufficient data about whether vaccinated individuals 
can transmit the virus.&nbsp;

Those
 who are vaccinated are urged to continue taking safety precautions — 
including wearing masks, socially distancing, and gathering outside — if
 gathering with people from multiple households.&nbsp;

And
 everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is still urged to refrain 
from large gatherings or non-essential travel. The guidance against 
travel is likely to come into conflict with the new recommendations on 
socializing after receiving a vaccine, with many agitating to travel to 
see family members in other states after a year of separation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“As
 more people get vaccinated, levels of COVID-19 infection decline in 
communities, and as our understanding of COVID immunity improves, we 
look forward to updating these recommendations,” Walensky said.

The
 guidelines come against a backdrop in which U.S. infections and 
hospitalizations are dropping, but not yet far enough to diminish the 
high rates of transmission in most communities. New variants of the 
virus also continue to circulate, yet some states have begun to lift 
restrictions on mask-wearing and business capacity.

The
 pace of COVID-19 vaccinations through the three federally authorized 
shots has picked up to more than 2 million doses per day, with 59 
million individuals having received at least one dose and 31 million now
 fully vaccinated.

Being
 “fully vaccinated” under the CDC’s definition means those who are at 
least two weeks past receiving the one-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson 
vaccine or the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna shots.

People
 who are fully vaccinated are now advised that they do not need to 
quarantine or seek a COVID-19 test if they are exposed to the virus, as 
long as they do not have symptoms of infection.

Laura Olson covers the nation's capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit outlets that includes Kansas Reflector. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections, and campaign finance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615235292299.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURA OLSON <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/08/cdc-its-ok-for-vaccinated-grandparents-to-visit-family-if-no-risk-for-severe-disease/">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON
 — People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely socialize
 inside with other vaccinated individuals without wearing masks or 
maintaining distance, federal health officials advised Monday in their 
first formal guidance for vaccinated Americans.Perhaps more critically at a time when more than 90% of Americans are still waiting to be fully vaccinated, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html">the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines</a>
 also detail one scenario in which public health officials suggest it’s 
safe for those who are fully vaccinated to gather with those who are 
not.Vaccinated
 individuals can gather with one other household that includes people 
who have not been vaccinated, as long as none of those lacking vaccines 
are at high risk for complications from COVID-19, officials said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615235345027.jpeg" alt="Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided guidance Monday for interactions with family who have been vaccinated. (Lauren Bishop/CDC)" />
 <figcaption>Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided guidance Monday for interactions with family who have been vaccinated. (Lauren Bishop/CDC)</figcaption>
 </figure>“If
 grandparents have been vaccinated, they can visit their daughter and 
her family, even if they have not been vaccinated, so long as the 
daughter and her family are not at risk for severe disease,” CDC 
director Rochelle Walensky said during a news conference.Walensky
 added that if any of those unvaccinated are at high risk, everyone — 
including those with vaccines — should still wear a mask, physically 
distance and gather outside or in a well-ventilated space.The
 new recommendations offer a glimmer of hope just days before March 11, 
which will mark one year since the World Health Organization declared a 
pandemic and the country began to lock down in response to the COVID-19 
outbreak. President Joe Biden is set to give his first primetime address
 Thursday evening to commemorate that anniversary.&nbsp;Biden
 also will meet with officials from two vaccine manufacturers, Johnson 
&amp; Johnson and Merck, at the White House on Wednesday, according to 
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. He had been scheduled to travel 
to Baltimore to meet with them at Emergent BioSolutions, which produces 
the drug substance for the J&amp;J vaccine.But
 as health officials detailed scenarios in which vaccinated individuals 
can begin to return to a semblance of normal life, they still urged 
caution, citing insufficient data about whether vaccinated individuals 
can transmit the virus.&nbsp;Those
 who are vaccinated are urged to continue taking safety precautions — 
including wearing masks, socially distancing, and gathering outside — if
 gathering with people from multiple households.&nbsp;And
 everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is still urged to refrain 
from large gatherings or non-essential travel. The guidance against 
travel is likely to come into conflict with the new recommendations on 
socializing after receiving a vaccine, with many agitating to travel to 
see family members in other states after a year of separation.&nbsp;&nbsp;“As
 more people get vaccinated, levels of COVID-19 infection decline in 
communities, and as our understanding of COVID immunity improves, we 
look forward to updating these recommendations,” Walensky said.The
 guidelines come against a backdrop in which U.S. infections and 
hospitalizations are dropping, but not yet far enough to diminish the 
high rates of transmission in most communities. New variants of the 
virus also continue to circulate, yet some states have begun to lift 
restrictions on mask-wearing and business capacity.The
 pace of COVID-19 vaccinations through the three federally authorized 
shots has picked up to more than 2 million doses per day, with 59 
million individuals having received at least one dose and 31 million now
 fully vaccinated.Being
 “fully vaccinated” under the CDC’s definition means those who are at 
least two weeks past receiving the one-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson 
vaccine or the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna shots.People
 who are fully vaccinated are now advised that they do not need to 
quarantine or seek a COVID-19 test if they are exposed to the virus, as 
long as they do not have symptoms of infection.Laura Olson covers the nation's capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit outlets that includes Kansas Reflector. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections, and campaign finance.

CDC OKs vaccinated grandparents to visit family if no risk for severe disease

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a sexual assault have made an arrest.

Just after 10:00 a.m. March 4, police were dispatched to report of a sexual assault&nbsp; that occurred at 1500 block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21-year-old female victim who reported an unknown suspect knocking on her front door. When the victim opened the door, the suspect produced a knife and forced his way into the residence, and sexually assaulted her. The victims left the residence and called 911 for help. The suspect was described as a black, male, 5-foot-10 inches tall, approximately 200 pounds and bald.

On Sunday police located and arrested 38-year-old Antonio Riley from Oklahoma, according to police Lt. Christian Cory. He is being held on requested charges of rape, aggravated burglary, criminal sodomy, kidnapping, drug charges and an active warrant.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault case and asking the public for help to find a suspect.

Just after 10:00 a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to report of a sexual assault&nbsp; that occurred at 1500 block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer&nbsp; Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21-year-old female victim who reported an unknown suspect knocking on her front door. When the victim opened the door, the suspect produced a knife and forced his way into the residence, and sexually assaulted her. The victims left the residence and called 911 for help.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614980294892.png" alt="Home video surveillance of the suspect&nbsp; -Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Home video surveillance of the suspect&nbsp; -Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a sexual assault have made an arrest.Just after 10:00 a.m. March 4, police were dispatched to report of a sexual assault&nbsp; that occurred at 1500 block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615214618758.png" alt="Riley photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Riley photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21-year-old female victim who reported an unknown suspect knocking on her front door. When the victim opened the door, the suspect produced a knife and forced his way into the residence, and sexually assaulted her. The victims left the residence and called 911 for help. The suspect was described as a black, male, 5-foot-10 inches tall, approximately 200 pounds and bald.On Sunday police located and arrested 38-year-old Antonio Riley from Oklahoma, according to police Lt. Christian Cory. He is being held on requested charges of rape, aggravated burglary, criminal sodomy, kidnapping, drug charges and an active warrant.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault case and asking the public for help to find a suspect.Just after 10:00 a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to report of a sexual assault&nbsp; that occurred at 1500 block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer&nbsp; Paul Cruz.Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21-year-old female victim who reported an unknown suspect knocking on her front door. When the victim opened the door, the suspect produced a knife and forced his way into the residence, and sexually assaulted her. The victims left the residence and called 911 for help.

Police arrest Kansas rape suspect seen on doorbell camera

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as&nbsp; Victor Cabrera, 32, of Garden City. 

Just before 7:00 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to 1404 W. Fulton Street Apt. 4, in Garden City after report of a man shot in the head, according to Sgt. Lana Urteaga.

At the scene, police located the Cabrera and Finney County EMS transported him&nbsp; St. Catherine Hospital. He was later flown to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita where he died.

The Garden City Police Department is requesting assistance from the community. If you witnessed this incident, or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department.

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as&nbsp; Victor Cabrera, 32, of Garden City. Just before 7:00 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to 1404 W. Fulton Street Apt. 4, in Garden City after report of a man shot in the head, according to Sgt. Lana Urteaga.At the scene, police located the Cabrera and Finney County EMS transported him&nbsp; St. Catherine Hospital. He was later flown to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita where he died.The Garden City Police Department is requesting assistance from the community. If you witnessed this incident, or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department.

SW Kan. shooting victim air-lifted to hospital has died

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Michael Brown, 65, of Wichita.

Just before 8p.m. Sunday a&nbsp;2010 Ford Focus driven by Brown was southbound in the 4100 Block of South Hydraulic in Wichita. The car crossed the center line and struck a&nbsp; 2018 Kia Soul driven by a 28-year-old woman head-on, according to officer Paul Cruz.

EMS transported Brown to a local hospital where he died. The 28-year-old woman was not transported for treatment. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. This is the ninth fatal accident in Wichita in 2021, according to Cruz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615233677422.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal head-on crash /photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal head-on crash /photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Michael Brown, 65, of Wichita.Just before 8p.m. Sunday a&nbsp;2010 Ford Focus driven by Brown was southbound in the 4100 Block of South Hydraulic in Wichita. The car crossed the center line and struck a&nbsp; 2018 Kia Soul driven by a 28-year-old woman head-on, according to officer Paul Cruz.EMS transported Brown to a local hospital where he died. The 28-year-old woman was not transported for treatment. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. This is the ninth fatal accident in Wichita in 2021, according to Cruz.

Police ID Kansas man who died in head-on crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is rethinking Trump administration policies that weakened how colleges and universities that get federal dollars handle sexual assault accusations on campus, according to administration officials.

Biden is set to sign an executive order on Monday directing the Department of Education to review policies implemented by Donald Trump’s administration, including changes to Title IX regulations that prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded institutions.

The new president focused on gender equity during his campaign and promised to strengthen Title IX if he won the White House. He also will sign a second executive order formally establishing the White House Gender Policy Council, according to two administration officials who briefed reporters on the plan. Biden’s transition team announced his plans to create the council before he took office.

The order directing the review of Title IX could pave the way to a major shift in how colleges handle allegations of sexual misconduct moving forward.

Trump’s education secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-betsy-devos-coronavirus-pandemic-education-9bac8880e7c7164473674c0bc02365d5">Betsy DeVos</a>, in 2018 rescinded an Obama-era administration standard in cases of reported sexual assault from requiring a “preponderance of evidence” — meaning it is more likely than not that sexual harassment or violence occurred — to “clear and convincing evidence.”

The DeVos changes reduced the liability of colleges and universities for investigating sexual misconduct claims and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f489490cb06c0ac02e6c586be9abc5f1">bolstered the due process rights of the accused</a>, including the right to cross-examine their accusers through a third-party advocate at campus hearings.

Biden, as vice president, along with then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan in 2011&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/vice-president-biden-announces-new-administration-effort-help-nations-schools-ad" target="_blank">laid out the legal guidance</a>&nbsp;of what was expected of college campuses in response to allegations of sexual violence on behalf of President Barack Obama’s administration.

With the Education Department review, Biden’s intent is to set policies that help ensure students have an environment that’s free from sexual harassment and without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to one White House official who briefed reporters on the orders.

The order establishing the Gender Policy Council comes after Trump disbanded an office specifically focused on women’s issues created during the Obama administration that was called the White House Council on Women and Girls.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615204180481.png" alt="President Biden during comments on Sunday-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during comments on Sunday-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is rethinking Trump administration policies that weakened how colleges and universities that get federal dollars handle sexual assault accusations on campus, according to administration officials.Biden is set to sign an executive order on Monday directing the Department of Education to review policies implemented by Donald Trump’s administration, including changes to Title IX regulations that prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded institutions.The new president focused on gender equity during his campaign and promised to strengthen Title IX if he won the White House. He also will sign a second executive order formally establishing the White House Gender Policy Council, according to two administration officials who briefed reporters on the plan. Biden’s transition team announced his plans to create the council before he took office.The order directing the review of Title IX could pave the way to a major shift in how colleges handle allegations of sexual misconduct moving forward.Trump’s education secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-betsy-devos-coronavirus-pandemic-education-9bac8880e7c7164473674c0bc02365d5">Betsy DeVos</a>, in 2018 rescinded an Obama-era administration standard in cases of reported sexual assault from requiring a “preponderance of evidence” — meaning it is more likely than not that sexual harassment or violence occurred — to “clear and convincing evidence.”The DeVos changes reduced the liability of colleges and universities for investigating sexual misconduct claims and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f489490cb06c0ac02e6c586be9abc5f1">bolstered the due process rights of the accused</a>, including the right to cross-examine their accusers through a third-party advocate at campus hearings.Biden, as vice president, along with then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan in 2011&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/vice-president-biden-announces-new-administration-effort-help-nations-schools-ad" target="_blank">laid out the legal guidance</a>&nbsp;of what was expected of college campuses in response to allegations of sexual violence on behalf of President Barack Obama’s administration.With the Education Department review, Biden’s intent is to set policies that help ensure students have an environment that’s free from sexual harassment and without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to one White House official who briefed reporters on the orders.The order establishing the Gender Policy Council comes after Trump disbanded an office specifically focused on women’s issues created during the Obama administration that was called the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Biden order could change how colleges handle sex misconduct

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 590 to a total of 296,451, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,816, an increase of 4.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 590 to a total of 296,451, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,816, an increase of 4.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615226577323.png" alt="Monday March 8, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday March 8, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SALINE COUNTY —A controlled burn got away from a Saline County landowner early Saturday afternoon and spread to adjacent property, forcing four rural fire districts to respond, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

Just after noon Saturday, 52-year-old Jeffrey Benson was burning grass around his pond in the 3600 block of South Crest Lane when the fire got away from him.

The fire quickly spread north onto a neighbor's the property where it&nbsp; melted part of a fence. The estimated damage to the fence is $2,600, according to Soldan.

The fire continued north and past the 2700 block of South Burma Road before it was extinguished. Saline County Rural Fire Districts 2, 3, 6 and 7 responded to the blaze. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615220577969.jpeg" alt="Four rural fire districts responded to a Saturday grass fire in Saline County-photo Saline Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Four rural fire districts responded to a Saturday grass fire in Saline County-photo Saline Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —A controlled burn got away from a Saline County landowner early Saturday afternoon and spread to adjacent property, forcing four rural fire districts to respond, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.Just after noon Saturday, 52-year-old Jeffrey Benson was burning grass around his pond in the 3600 block of South Crest Lane when the fire got away from him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615220723875.jpeg" alt="Fire damaged fence -photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Fire damaged fence -photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The fire quickly spread north onto a neighbor's the property where it&nbsp; melted part of a fence. The estimated damage to the fence is $2,600, according to Soldan.The fire continued north and past the 2700 block of South Burma Road before it was extinguished. Saline County Rural Fire Districts 2, 3, 6 and 7 responded to the blaze. There were no injuries reported.

Kan. man's out-of-control fire burns neighbor's fence 

TOPEKA —A Kansas teen has been indicted and arrested on federal charges of&nbsp; Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, according to the United State's Attorney.

Jeremiah M. Guesby, 18, of Topeka, is scheduled for his first court appearance on the charges Monday.

The crimes on both are punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00 or both and a term of supervised release of at least two years, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615124162801.png" alt="Guesby-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Guesby-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —A Kansas teen has been indicted and arrested on federal charges of&nbsp; Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, according to the United State's Attorney.Jeremiah M. Guesby, 18, of Topeka, is scheduled for his first court appearance on the charges Monday.The crimes on both are punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00 or both and a term of supervised release of at least two years, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Kansas teen faces federal drug trafficking charges

By SCOTT CARLSON <a href="https://northplattepost.com">North Platte Post</a>

CUSTER COUNTY, Neb. — Authorities in Custer County say one man is dead following a plane crash Saturday.

According
 to a news release from the Custer County Sheriff's Office, on March 6, 
at around 1:09 p.m, the Sheriff's office received a report that a plane 
had left the Mason City, Neb., area at around 6:30 a.m. Saturday en 
route for Holyoke, Colo., but was overdue.

At around 4:37 p.m.,
 authorities received a report from the Civil Air Patrol that a small 
single-engine plane had crashed in a pasture approximately 7 miles 
southwest of Ansley, Neb.

Deputies along with the Nebraska 
State Patrol, Ansley Fire and Rescue, Mason City Fire and Rescue, and 
Broken Bow Fire and Rescue all responded to the scene.

Upon 
arrival, deputies reported finding the plane completely destroyed, and 
the pilot, identified as Keith A. Walker, 74, of Mason City, was 
deceased. Walker was the lone occupant of the aircraft.

The investigation into the crash has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board and is ongoing at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615208126508.png" alt="Google maps" />
 <figcaption>Google maps</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON <a href="https://northplattepost.com">North Platte Post</a>CUSTER COUNTY, Neb. — Authorities in Custer County say one man is dead following a plane crash Saturday.According
 to a news release from the Custer County Sheriff's Office, on March 6, 
at around 1:09 p.m, the Sheriff's office received a report that a plane 
had left the Mason City, Neb., area at around 6:30 a.m. Saturday en 
route for Holyoke, Colo., but was overdue.At around 4:37 p.m.,
 authorities received a report from the Civil Air Patrol that a small 
single-engine plane had crashed in a pasture approximately 7 miles 
southwest of Ansley, Neb.Deputies along with the Nebraska 
State Patrol, Ansley Fire and Rescue, Mason City Fire and Rescue, and 
Broken Bow Fire and Rescue all responded to the scene.Upon 
arrival, deputies reported finding the plane completely destroyed, and 
the pilot, identified as Keith A. Walker, 74, of Mason City, was 
deceased. Walker was the lone occupant of the aircraft.The investigation into the crash has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board and is ongoing at this time.

One dead after plane crash in central Nebraska

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes.

Just after 12:30p.m. Sunday, the Geary County Sheriff's Department arrested Christopher Hyde, 20, of Topeka on Interstate 70 just east of Humboldt Creek Road, according to a media release.

Hyde was wanted on Dickinson County District Court warrant alleging Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, Electronic Solicitation and Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child.&nbsp; &nbsp;Hyde posted bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615213860221.png" alt="Hyde photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Hyde photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes.Just after 12:30p.m. Sunday, the Geary County Sheriff's Department arrested Christopher Hyde, 20, of Topeka on Interstate 70 just east of Humboldt Creek Road, according to a media release.Hyde was wanted on Dickinson County District Court warrant alleging Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, Electronic Solicitation and Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child.&nbsp; &nbsp;Hyde posted bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

I-70 traffic stop leads to arrest of child sex crime suspect

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Much of Kansas will likely see higher electric bills as a result of February’s deep freeze, but utility customers in the Kansas City area could get refunds.

The difference has to do with how two different divisions of utility giant Evergy fared during the brutal cold.

The company’s Kansas Central division had to spend an additional $100 million to buy power. Meanwhile, Evergy’s Metro Division that serves the Kansas City area was able to generate $60 million in extra revenue because it was able to generate surplus power and sell it to other utilities.

State regulations say both the extra costs Evergy’s Kansas unit incurred and the extra revenue the Metro unit generated must eventually be passed on to customers.

Company spokeswoman Gina Penzig said the differences have to do with the type of power plants in each division.

“The costs and credits related to the extreme cold event are a result of the differences in each area’s available mix of power plants and fuel requirements alongside having enough power to meet customers’ needs,” Penzig said in an e mail.

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he was surprised the freeze would wind up costing one set of Evergy customers and benefiting another. He suggested the Legislature should consider requiring Evergy’s two divisions to merge. The Kansas Corporation Commission plans to investigate the situation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613601077409.png" alt="During a news conference February 17, Andrew French, Chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission said energy usage in the region was lower than forecast. "That tells me our conservation measures by businesses and residents in Kansas are making a difference."" />
 <figcaption>During a news conference February 17, Andrew French, Chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission said energy usage in the region was lower than forecast. "That tells me our conservation measures by businesses and residents in Kansas are making a difference."</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Much of Kansas will likely see higher electric bills as a result of February’s deep freeze, but utility customers in the Kansas City area could get refunds.The difference has to do with how two different divisions of utility giant Evergy fared during the brutal cold.The company’s Kansas Central division had to spend an additional $100 million to buy power. Meanwhile, Evergy’s Metro Division that serves the Kansas City area was able to generate $60 million in extra revenue because it was able to generate surplus power and sell it to other utilities.State regulations say both the extra costs Evergy’s Kansas unit incurred and the extra revenue the Metro unit generated must eventually be passed on to customers.Company spokeswoman Gina Penzig said the differences have to do with the type of power plants in each division.“The costs and credits related to the extreme cold event are a result of the differences in each area’s available mix of power plants and fuel requirements alongside having enough power to meet customers’ needs,” Penzig said in an e mail.Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he was surprised the freeze would wind up costing one set of Evergy customers and benefiting another. He suggested the Legislature should consider requiring Evergy’s two divisions to merge. The Kansas Corporation Commission plans to investigate the situation.

Deep freeze to affect Kansas utility customers differently

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two men died and a third man was critically wounded after a shooting in Kansas City.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the shooting was reported around 8:45 p.m. Saturday after a fender bender crash. Becchina said a large disturbance after the crash led to the gunfire.

Officers from the Kansas City Police Department found two men who had been shot unresponsive in front of a home near East 51st Street and Agnes Avenue. A third man was found with gunshot wounds just north of the two men who died. The third man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Becchina said investigators are working to determine what led to the shooting and to identify the victims.

The two deaths were the 27th and 28th homicides of the year in Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615202460088.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two men died and a third man was critically wounded after a shooting in Kansas City.Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the shooting was reported around 8:45 p.m. Saturday after a fender bender crash. Becchina said a large disturbance after the crash led to the gunfire.Officers from the Kansas City Police Department found two men who had been shot unresponsive in front of a home near East 51st Street and Agnes Avenue. A third man was found with gunshot wounds just north of the two men who died. The third man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.Becchina said investigators are working to determine what led to the shooting and to identify the victims.The two deaths were the 27th and 28th homicides of the year in Kansas City.

3 shot, 2 die after dispute over fender bender in Kansas City

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the theft of a vehicle from a local car dealer and have made an arrest.

On March 1, a car dealer in Hiawatha reported that a 2020 Ford Escape was taken from their lot, according to, Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Just after 10:30p.m. March 5, an officer spotted a 2020 blue Ford Escape traveling on North 4th Street in Atchison.

&nbsp;Officers stopped the vehicle and took 42-year-old Nicholas Norton into custody. Police took Norton to the county jail on requested charges of possession of stolen property. He has previous convictions for theft and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614957945319.png" alt="Norton has previous 3 convictions for theft, for burglary and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dept. of Correctons." />
 <figcaption>Norton has previous 3 convictions for theft, for burglary and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dept. of Correctons.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the theft of a vehicle from a local car dealer and have made an arrest.On March 1, a car dealer in Hiawatha reported that a 2020 Ford Escape was taken from their lot, according to, Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Just after 10:30p.m. March 5, an officer spotted a 2020 blue Ford Escape traveling on North 4th Street in Atchison.&nbsp;Officers stopped the vehicle and took 42-year-old Nicholas Norton into custody. Police took Norton to the county jail on requested charges of possession of stolen property. He has previous convictions for theft and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Police arrest suspect driving new car stolen from Kan. dealership

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — More than a year after two U.S. Department of Agriculture research agencies were moved from the nation’s capital to Kansas City forcing a mass exodus of employees who couldn’t or didn’t want to move halfway across the country, they remain critically understaffed and some farmers are less confident in the work they produce.

The decision to move the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in September 2019 was pitched as putting them closer to farmers in the nation’s breadbasket, though much of their work involves advising members of Congress back in Washington. After the relocation was announced, President Donald Trump’s chief of staff at the time, Mick Mulvaney, joked that moving the jobs to Kansas City was also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9f3b4c70d47e4bdf92816c5f170b29f6">“a wonderful way to streamline government.”</a>

Tom Vilsack inherited a demoralized workforce at the two agencies when he took over as secretary of agriculture under President Joe Biden. With 235 vacancies between them, the agencies continued to hire during the pandemic and administration change, but they are putting out work that is smaller in scope and less frequent, causing some farmers to look elsewhere for data they rely on to run their operations.

Among them is Vance Ehmke, who said that since the USDA relocations occurred, he has been paying a lot more attention to private market analysis and what private grain companies are doing. The information feeds his decisions on everything from whether to buy more land or a new tractor to whether to build more grain bins.

“Here, when we need really good, hard information, you are really starting to question groups like USDA, which before that had a sterling reputation,” Ehmke said recently. “But out in the country, people are worried about how good the information is now because those groups are operating at half capacity.”

The relocation hollowed out years of specialized experience and delayed or scuttled some of the agencies’ research and other work. Hiring at the Kansas City site remains well below the roughly 550&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4f29da28ecd746169ded179859c02eca">high-paying jobs</a>&nbsp;local leaders had anticipated.

Farmers rely on the research to make decisions on a wide range of topics, from rural community planning to farming with climate change and volatile weather conditions, said Aaron Lehman, a farmer who is president of the Iowa Farmers Union.

The ERS examines issues including the rural economy, international trade, food safety and programs that provide food assistance to poor Americans. NIFA, meanwhile, provides grants for agricultural research and other farm services.

“It has gone in the wrong direction in general in terms of accuracy now,” said Adrian Polansky, a farmer and former executive director of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency office in Kansas during the Obama administration. “Whether that was for sure based on that transition or whether it was the leadership in the department in terms of what the political goals may have been, I am not exactly sure. But it seems like there was less reliability.”

Polansky said he looks to commercial sources of agricultural information to corroborate USDA data more often now than he did in the past. He said that even after the agencies fill their openings, it will take time to “become fully impactful” because research is a long-term endeavor.

“When you lose significant staff and significant institutional knowledge, there is just not a way that can’t impact the product and information from USDA,” he said.

Dan O’Brien, a grain market specialist at Kansas State University Research and Extension, acknowledged that farmers have increasingly been questioning the reliability of the government’s agricultural data over the past few years. However, he said those frustrations have dealt more with reports published by other USDA agencies, and that some farmers may be confusing them.

Laura Dodson, the union representative for ERS employees, said the relocation will affect the agency for another five years. It hasn’t affected the accuracy of its reports, but it has reduced their scope and frequency.

Dozens of ERS reports have either come out late or not at all, including reports on the organic food sector, antibiotic use in animal production, and hired farm workers and labor markets, among others, Dodson said. For example, a two-year research project on pollinators such as honeybees was shelved because the entire team working on it left the agency rather than move to Kansas City.

ERS published 37 reports in 2018, compared to 11 last year, Dodson said. Those figures don’t include its monthly crop price and analysis reports, which have remained fairly steady despite the relocation and the pandemic. Agency employees also published 100 articles in academic journals related to their fields of study in 2018, but just 64 in 2020.

“We help make sure that food is produced safely, timely and responds to changes in the marketplace and changes to environmental sector,” she said. “And so if those become less effective because they are not being informed by good data and research, that will translate directly to how Americans receive their food.”

Matt Herrick, a USDA spokesman, said in an email that he couldn’t speak to the volume and variety of ERS reports and research under the Trump administration. “However, when you lose more than half of your expert workforce, there is bound to be a noticeable effect,” he added, noting that the USDA is focused on restoring employee confidence and morale.

When former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5d5c86204a4d4d6c84431488b19c5fea">Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue</a>&nbsp;toured the new Kansas City headquarters in November 2019, he predicted the agencies would be fully staffed by the first quarter of 2020. That didn’t happen.

In October 2016 — before Trump’s first year in office — ERS had 318 permanent employees, according to USDA data. By October 2019 — just a month after the move — its workforce had shrunk to 164. As of late January 2021, it had 219 employees, including 67 still based in Washington.

The same trend played out at NIFA, which had 320 employees in October 2016. In October 2019, it was down to 112 workers, though it rebounded somewhat to 218 by late January, including 16 based in Washington.

“Best I can tell, they were putting out information that Trump really did not like hearing, like global climate change and things like that,” Ehmke said. “And here in the United States, what we do with groups like that — we can’t send them to Siberia, so we send them to Kansas City.”

By ROXANA HEGEMANBELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — More than a year after two U.S. Department of Agriculture research agencies were moved from the nation’s capital to Kansas City forcing a mass exodus of employees who couldn’t or didn’t want to move halfway across the country, they remain critically understaffed and some farmers are less confident in the work they produce.The decision to move the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in September 2019 was pitched as putting them closer to farmers in the nation’s breadbasket, though much of their work involves advising members of Congress back in Washington. After the relocation was announced, President Donald Trump’s chief of staff at the time, Mick Mulvaney, joked that moving the jobs to Kansas City was also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9f3b4c70d47e4bdf92816c5f170b29f6">“a wonderful way to streamline government.”</a>Tom Vilsack inherited a demoralized workforce at the two agencies when he took over as secretary of agriculture under President Joe Biden. With 235 vacancies between them, the agencies continued to hire during the pandemic and administration change, but they are putting out work that is smaller in scope and less frequent, causing some farmers to look elsewhere for data they rely on to run their operations.Among them is Vance Ehmke, who said that since the USDA relocations occurred, he has been paying a lot more attention to private market analysis and what private grain companies are doing. The information feeds his decisions on everything from whether to buy more land or a new tractor to whether to build more grain bins.“Here, when we need really good, hard information, you are really starting to question groups like USDA, which before that had a sterling reputation,” Ehmke said recently. “But out in the country, people are worried about how good the information is now because those groups are operating at half capacity.”The relocation hollowed out years of specialized experience and delayed or scuttled some of the agencies’ research and other work. Hiring at the Kansas City site remains well below the roughly 550&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4f29da28ecd746169ded179859c02eca">high-paying jobs</a>&nbsp;local leaders had anticipated.Farmers rely on the research to make decisions on a wide range of topics, from rural community planning to farming with climate change and volatile weather conditions, said Aaron Lehman, a farmer who is president of the Iowa Farmers Union.ADVERTISEMENTThe ERS examines issues including the rural economy, international trade, food safety and programs that provide food assistance to poor Americans. NIFA, meanwhile, provides grants for agricultural research and other farm services.“It has gone in the wrong direction in general in terms of accuracy now,” said Adrian Polansky, a farmer and former executive director of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency office in Kansas during the Obama administration. “Whether that was for sure based on that transition or whether it was the leadership in the department in terms of what the political goals may have been, I am not exactly sure. But it seems like there was less reliability.”Polansky said he looks to commercial sources of agricultural information to corroborate USDA data more often now than he did in the past. He said that even after the agencies fill their openings, it will take time to “become fully impactful” because research is a long-term endeavor.“When you lose significant staff and significant institutional knowledge, there is just not a way that can’t impact the product and information from USDA,” he said.Dan O’Brien, a grain market specialist at Kansas State University Research and Extension, acknowledged that farmers have increasingly been questioning the reliability of the government’s agricultural data over the past few years. However, he said those frustrations have dealt more with reports published by other USDA agencies, and that some farmers may be confusing them.Laura Dodson, the union representative for ERS employees, said the relocation will affect the agency for another five years. It hasn’t affected the accuracy of its reports, but it has reduced their scope and frequency.Dozens of ERS reports have either come out late or not at all, including reports on the organic food sector, antibiotic use in animal production, and hired farm workers and labor markets, among others, Dodson said. For example, a two-year research project on pollinators such as honeybees was shelved because the entire team working on it left the agency rather than move to Kansas City.ERS published 37 reports in 2018, compared to 11 last year, Dodson said. Those figures don’t include its monthly crop price and analysis reports, which have remained fairly steady despite the relocation and the pandemic. Agency employees also published 100 articles in academic journals related to their fields of study in 2018, but just 64 in 2020.“We help make sure that food is produced safely, timely and responds to changes in the marketplace and changes to environmental sector,” she said. “And so if those become less effective because they are not being informed by good data and research, that will translate directly to how Americans receive their food.”Matt Herrick, a USDA spokesman, said in an email that he couldn’t speak to the volume and variety of ERS reports and research under the Trump administration. “However, when you lose more than half of your expert workforce, there is bound to be a noticeable effect,” he added, noting that the USDA is focused on restoring employee confidence and morale.When former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5d5c86204a4d4d6c84431488b19c5fea">Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue</a>&nbsp;toured the new Kansas City headquarters in November 2019, he predicted the agencies would be fully staffed by the first quarter of 2020. That didn’t happen.In October 2016 — before Trump’s first year in office — ERS had 318 permanent employees, according to USDA data. By October 2019 — just a month after the move — its workforce had shrunk to 164. As of late January 2021, it had 219 employees, including 67 still based in Washington.The same trend played out at NIFA, which had 320 employees in October 2016. In October 2019, it was down to 112 workers, though it rebounded somewhat to 218 by late January, including 16 based in Washington.“Best I can tell, they were putting out information that Trump really did not like hearing, like global climate change and things like that,” Ehmke said. “And here in the United States, what we do with groups like that — we can’t send them to Siberia, so we send them to Kansas City.”

USDA relocations to Kansas City curtail research, farmer confidence

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges following an arrest.&nbsp;

Just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Ranger pickup truck in the 100 block of NW Lyman Road, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer. 

During the investigation, deputies located a firearm, illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. They also arrested the driver&nbsp;Sarah R. Chaplin, 38, of Topeka, and transported her to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearmk criminal use of a weapon, illegal use of a telecommunication device and&nbsp;&nbsp;other drug violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615124018889.png" alt="Chaplin photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Chaplin photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges following an arrest.&nbsp;Just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Ranger pickup truck in the 100 block of NW Lyman Road, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer. During the investigation, deputies located a firearm, illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. They also arrested the driver&nbsp;Sarah R. Chaplin, 38, of Topeka, and transported her to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearmk criminal use of a weapon, illegal use of a telecommunication device and&nbsp;&nbsp;other drug violations.

Kansas woman accused of distributing meth

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal car accident early Sunday have identified the victim as 5-year-old Aleah A. Reyes of Wichita&nbsp; according Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

Just after 3a.m. Sunday, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident near 47th Street South and 127th Street East, according to Blick.

 When deputies arrived they located a 2014 Ford Escape driven by 26-year-old Nory Lam of Wichita that had been westbound on 47th Street South when it left the road and overturned. 

Lam had minor injuries. The passenger, Lam's 5-year-old daughter Aleah A. Reyes of Wichita was unresponsive.&nbsp; EMS provided life saving measures to Reyes but she was pronounced deceased at 3:39a.m., according to Blick.

During the accident investigation deputies discovered evidence that indicated alcohol may have contributed to the accident, according to Blick. Additional investigative efforts determined probable cause existed to arrest and<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069853"> book Nory Lam for</a> Involuntary Manslaughter, Driving under the Influence and Transporting an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615146154109.png" alt="Lam photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Lam photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal car accident early Sunday have identified the victim as 5-year-old Aleah A. Reyes of Wichita&nbsp; according Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.Just after 3a.m. Sunday, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident near 47th Street South and 127th Street East, according to Blick. When deputies arrived they located a 2014 Ford Escape driven by 26-year-old Nory Lam of Wichita that had been westbound on 47th Street South when it left the road and overturned. Lam had minor injuries. The passenger, Lam's 5-year-old daughter Aleah A. Reyes of Wichita was unresponsive.&nbsp; EMS provided life saving measures to Reyes but she was pronounced deceased at 3:39a.m., according to Blick.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615146641270.png" alt="Investigators at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Investigators at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>During the accident investigation deputies discovered evidence that indicated alcohol may have contributed to the accident, according to Blick. Additional investigative efforts determined probable cause existed to arrest and<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069853"> book Nory Lam for</a> Involuntary Manslaughter, Driving under the Influence and Transporting an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. woman jailed after crash that killed 5-year-old daughter

CAMDENTON, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri real estate agent was charged Friday with conspiring to have her former mother-in-law killed.

Leigh Ann Bauman, 43, was arrested Thursday afternoon and was being held in the Camden County Jail on no bond.

Bauman agreed to pay people in St. Louis $1,500 to make her ex-mother-in-law’s death look like an accident, the Camden County prosecutor’s office said in a news release. Bauman was upset that the woman was interfering with her relationship with her children, the prosecutor said.

A witness recorded a conversation with Baumann about the plot.

“In the recording, Bauman was asked multiple times if she was sure she wanted to hire these people, and she confirmed,” said prosecutor said. “Bauman stated specially that she knew as a Christian it was wrong, but she could ask for forgiveness.” Bauman reportedly also sent a text message to her daughter stating “your grandmother will die.” Online court records do not name an attorney for Bauman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615041838837.png" alt="Bauman photo Camden Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Bauman photo Camden Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>CAMDENTON, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri real estate agent was charged Friday with conspiring to have her former mother-in-law killed.Leigh Ann Bauman, 43, was arrested Thursday afternoon and was being held in the Camden County Jail on no bond.Bauman agreed to pay people in St. Louis $1,500 to make her ex-mother-in-law’s death look like an accident, the Camden County prosecutor’s office said in a news release. Bauman was upset that the woman was interfering with her relationship with her children, the prosecutor said.A witness recorded a conversation with Baumann about the plot.“In the recording, Bauman was asked multiple times if she was sure she wanted to hire these people, and she confirmed,” said prosecutor said. “Bauman stated specially that she knew as a Christian it was wrong, but she could ask for forgiveness.” Bauman reportedly also sent a text message to her daughter stating “your grandmother will die.” Online court records do not name an attorney for Bauman.

Popular realtor charged in plan to kill ex-mother-in-law

KANSAS CITY (AP) — More than 50 people gathered outside the home of a Kansas City-area prosecutor to protest her decision not to charge a police officer in the fatal shooting of a Black man last year.

The protesters called for justice for 47-year-old Donnie Sanders as they marched down Ward Parkway to the home of Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on Saturday. Peters Baker announced Monday that investigators didn't find enough evidence to support charges against the Kansas City police officer involved in the shooting,

Sanders’ sisters, who participated in the protest, said they want Peters Baker to release a complete copy of the investigation into the shooting for the officer held accountable.

“We’re going to keep going ... until we get some form of justice,” Reshonda Sanders said. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article249746238.html">told&nbsp;</a>the Kansas City Star that her brother wasn’t doing anything wrong when he was shot.

Another sister, Youlanda Sanders, said her brother didn’t deserve to die for a traffic stop.

“Man I miss my little brother,” she said. “I’m tired. This ain’t right.”

Donnie Sanders was shot last March after the officer, whose name hasn't been released, began following him for alleged traffic violations. The officer confronted Sanders when he got out of his vehicle in an alley. The officer told investigators that he believed Sanders was pointing a gun at him. Investigators determined Sanders did not have a gun, but two witnesses corroborated the officer's account.

Sanders’ death was one of several fatal shootings of Black people cited during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kansas-city-health-kansas-racial-injustice-02d510348e588646ec876a492b281809">protests&nbsp;</a>against police in 2020.

During the march Saturday, one protester was arrested after a car hit another protester at a low speed. The protester who was hit by the car did not appear to be injured. Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the protester who was arrested apparently damaged the car.

The prosecutor said on Twitter that she supported the peaceful protest that took place outside her home.

“I fully support the right to peacefully protest. That includes the protest that occurred at my home today,” she said. “I do question those few people who decided to carry and display rifles at a peaceful protest, to block traffic, and to vandalize a car, which also occurred today.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615145766318.png" alt="Protesters blocked traffic on Ward Parkway in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Protesters blocked traffic on Ward Parkway in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — More than 50 people gathered outside the home of a Kansas City-area prosecutor to protest her decision not to charge a police officer in the fatal shooting of a Black man last year.The protesters called for justice for 47-year-old Donnie Sanders as they marched down Ward Parkway to the home of Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on Saturday. Peters Baker announced Monday that investigators didn't find enough evidence to support charges against the Kansas City police officer involved in the shooting,<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I fully support the right to peacefully protest. That includes the protest that occurred at my home today. I do question those few people who decided to carry and display rifles at a peaceful protest, to block traffic, and to vandalize a car, which also occurred today. 1/2&mdash; Jean Peters Baker (@jeanpetersbaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeanpetersbaker/status/1368348519459872771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sanders’ sisters, who participated in the protest, said they want Peters Baker to release a complete copy of the investigation into the shooting for the officer held accountable.“We’re going to keep going ... until we get some form of justice,” Reshonda Sanders said. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article249746238.html">told&nbsp;</a>the Kansas City Star that her brother wasn’t doing anything wrong when he was shot.Another sister, Youlanda Sanders, said her brother didn’t deserve to die for a traffic stop.“Man I miss my little brother,” she said. “I’m tired. This ain’t right.”Donnie Sanders was shot last March after the officer, whose name hasn't been released, began following him for alleged traffic violations. The officer confronted Sanders when he got out of his vehicle in an alley. The officer told investigators that he believed Sanders was pointing a gun at him. Investigators determined Sanders did not have a gun, but two witnesses corroborated the officer's account.Sanders’ death was one of several fatal shootings of Black people cited during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kansas-city-health-kansas-racial-injustice-02d510348e588646ec876a492b281809">protests&nbsp;</a>against police in 2020.During the march Saturday, one protester was arrested after a car hit another protester at a low speed. The protester who was hit by the car did not appear to be injured. Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the protester who was arrested apparently damaged the car.The prosecutor said on Twitter that she supported the peaceful protest that took place outside her home.“I fully support the right to peacefully protest. That includes the protest that occurred at my home today,” she said. “I do question those few people who decided to carry and display rifles at a peaceful protest, to block traffic, and to vandalize a car, which also occurred today.”

Protesters object to lack of charges in KC police shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Emergency loans made to small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic have been added to a list of government programs considered at high risk of waste, fraud or mismanagement.

The most common of those emergency loans, PPP loans, are provided at a low interest rate and are fully forgivable under conditions that include spending a certain percentage on payroll costs. The loans were created by Congress and have proven exceedingly popular as shops, restaurants and other small businesses try to survive the pandemic.

The Government Accountability Office reported that millions of small businesses benefitted from the emergency loans, but the speed with which the relief programs were set up limited safeguards necessary to identify risks, “including susceptibility to improper payments and potential fraud.”

The Small Business Administration made or guaranteed more than 14.7 million loans and grants totaling about $744 billion between March and December. Congress approved an additional $304 billion in emergency loans in December.

The GAO said in the report that, as of January, it continues to experience delays in obtaining key information about the loans, including detailed oversight plans and documentation for estimating improper payments.

“There’s no doubt they’ve had a positive impact. However, the management of these programs needs to be dramatically improved,” U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro told reporters in previewing the report.

Government auditors release a high-risk list near the beginning of every new Congress. The list is designed to increase attention on the shortfalls cited by the GAO, and to prompt action that can often save taxpayer dollars and improve government operations.

Auditors also added the government’s efforts to prevent drug misuse to the high-risk list. The GAO had warned as the pandemic began that it would be doing so. At the time, it noted that the pandemic could fuel the conditions that contribute to drug misuse, such as unemployment.

In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the largest ever increase of drug overdose deaths during a 12-month period that ended the previous May. The CDC noted a particular acceleration in drug overdose deaths as widespread mitigation measures kicked in.

“This is heartbreaking,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.

Portman said that the country and his home state had finally seen a drop in overdose deaths in 2018 for the first time in decades.

“Substantial progress. And yet now, with the pandemic, under this horrible pandemic, we have this horrible addiction crisis that has grown,” Portman said.

Auditors said that maintaining sustained attention to the problem of drug abuse will be challenging in the coming months with agencies focused on addressing the pandemic.

“This makes developing and implementing a coordinated, strategic approach even more important as agencies’ resources are also being diverted, in part, to pandemic priorities,” the report said.

On a positive note, the GAO said the Department of Defense had made concerted progress in how it aligns its support infrastructure with the needs of the country’s military forces, It dropped the support program from it’s high-risk list.

For example, in citing, progress, auditors said the Army reduced its leased footprint in the Washington D.C. region from a peak of 3.9 million square feet in 2011 to roughly 1 million square feet as of September 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588075781384.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Emergency loans made to small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic have been added to a list of government programs considered at high risk of waste, fraud or mismanagement.The most common of those emergency loans, PPP loans, are provided at a low interest rate and are fully forgivable under conditions that include spending a certain percentage on payroll costs. The loans were created by Congress and have proven exceedingly popular as shops, restaurants and other small businesses try to survive the pandemic.The Government Accountability Office reported that millions of small businesses benefitted from the emergency loans, but the speed with which the relief programs were set up limited safeguards necessary to identify risks, “including susceptibility to improper payments and potential fraud.”The Small Business Administration made or guaranteed more than 14.7 million loans and grants totaling about $744 billion between March and December. Congress approved an additional $304 billion in emergency loans in December.The GAO said in the report that, as of January, it continues to experience delays in obtaining key information about the loans, including detailed oversight plans and documentation for estimating improper payments.“There’s no doubt they’ve had a positive impact. However, the management of these programs needs to be dramatically improved,” U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro told reporters in previewing the report.Government auditors release a high-risk list near the beginning of every new Congress. The list is designed to increase attention on the shortfalls cited by the GAO, and to prompt action that can often save taxpayer dollars and improve government operations.Auditors also added the government’s efforts to prevent drug misuse to the high-risk list. The GAO had warned as the pandemic began that it would be doing so. At the time, it noted that the pandemic could fuel the conditions that contribute to drug misuse, such as unemployment.In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the largest ever increase of drug overdose deaths during a 12-month period that ended the previous May. The CDC noted a particular acceleration in drug overdose deaths as widespread mitigation measures kicked in.“This is heartbreaking,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.Portman said that the country and his home state had finally seen a drop in overdose deaths in 2018 for the first time in decades.“Substantial progress. And yet now, with the pandemic, under this horrible pandemic, we have this horrible addiction crisis that has grown,” Portman said.Auditors said that maintaining sustained attention to the problem of drug abuse will be challenging in the coming months with agencies focused on addressing the pandemic.“This makes developing and implementing a coordinated, strategic approach even more important as agencies’ resources are also being diverted, in part, to pandemic priorities,” the report said.On a positive note, the GAO said the Department of Defense had made concerted progress in how it aligns its support infrastructure with the needs of the country’s military forces, It dropped the support program from it’s high-risk list.For example, in citing, progress, auditors said the Army reduced its leased footprint in the Washington D.C. region from a peak of 3.9 million square feet in 2011 to roughly 1 million square feet as of September 2019.

Pandemic loan program at high-risk for fraud, auditor finds

SEDGWICK COUNTY— One of two men involved in the death of a man during a drug deal has been sentenced to prison.

On March 3, Judge David Dahl sentenced Ashantis Bledsoe, 22 of Wichita, to 247 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In February of 2019, police found Lorenzo Wade, 22 of Wichita, with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the Genesis Health Club in the 3700 block of west 13th Street.&nbsp; Police also found a bag of marijuana&nbsp; next to his body.

Last month, Bledsoe pled guilty to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

In September 2020, Tanner Mora, 27 of Wichita, was sentenced to life with parole eligibility after 25 years. A jury convicted Mora of felony first-degree murder during the commission of an aggravated robbery which occurred during the sale of marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614882985144.png" alt="Bledsoe photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bledsoe photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— One of two men involved in the death of a man during a drug deal has been sentenced to prison.On March 3, Judge David Dahl sentenced Ashantis Bledsoe, 22 of Wichita, to 247 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In February of 2019, police found Lorenzo Wade, 22 of Wichita, with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the Genesis Health Club in the 3700 block of west 13th Street.&nbsp; Police also found a bag of marijuana&nbsp; next to his body.Last month, Bledsoe pled guilty to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614882835032.png" alt="Mora is currently being held in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility" />
 <figcaption>Mora is currently being held in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>In September 2020, Tanner Mora, 27 of Wichita, was sentenced to life with parole eligibility after 25 years. A jury convicted Mora of felony first-degree murder during the commission of an aggravated robbery which occurred during the sale of marijuana.

Kansas man sentenced for marijuana sale murder

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, Governor Kelly proclaimed March 7, 2021, the one-year anniversary of the first recorded case of COVID-19 in Kansas, as COVID Memorial Day to honor those that have died due to COVID-19.

“Today, a year after the first recorded COVID case in Kansas, we honor the memories of those we have lost and recognize the frontline workers who have battled this virus over the last year,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615129427690.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly signed the proclamation to honor 4812 in Kansas who have died from the virus-photo courtesy governor's office." />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly signed the proclamation to honor 4812 in Kansas who have died from the virus-photo courtesy governor's office.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, Governor Kelly proclaimed March 7, 2021, the one-year anniversary of the first recorded case of COVID-19 in Kansas, as COVID Memorial Day to honor those that have died due to COVID-19.“Today, a year after the first recorded COVID case in Kansas, we honor the memories of those we have lost and recognize the frontline workers who have battled this virus over the last year,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly.<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COVIDProc.pdf">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;to view </a>the&nbsp; proclamation.