NORTON COUNTY —One person was injured after an accident while ice fishing in northwest Kansas.

On Saturday, two ice fisherman were fishing together on Keith Sebelius Reservoir near Norton, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens.

 One man fell through the ice near a pressure ridge and could not get up. He stayed afloat by holding on to his sled while help arrived. His partner called 911 and friends for help. 

A Game Warden with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism and two friends of the fisherman arrived on scene. Through their efforts and quick action, the man was safely rescued from poor ice conditions. 

EMS was on scene and transported the man to the Norton County Hospital. 

Wardens&nbsp; thanked those who responded, including Game Warden, Park Manager, and Park Ranger from KDWPT; Norton County EMS; Norton County Sheriff’s Department; and multiple friends and sportsman who dropped what they were doing and helped.

NORTON COUNTY —One person was injured after an accident while ice fishing in northwest Kansas.On Saturday, two ice fisherman were fishing together on Keith Sebelius Reservoir near Norton, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens. One man fell through the ice near a pressure ridge and could not get up. He stayed afloat by holding on to his sled while help arrived. His partner called 911 and friends for help. A Game Warden with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism and two friends of the fisherman arrived on scene. Through their efforts and quick action, the man was safely rescued from poor ice conditions. EMS was on scene and transported the man to the Norton County Hospital. Wardens&nbsp; thanked those who responded, including Game Warden, Park Manager, and Park Ranger from KDWPT; Norton County EMS; Norton County Sheriff’s Department; and multiple friends and sportsman who dropped what they were doing and helped.

Kansas game warden helps rescue ice fisherman 

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City woman who led police officers on a high-speed chase down Grand Avenue was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for two armed bank robberies, according to the United State's Attorney.

Sarah Theresa Watkins, 41, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Thursday’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Watkins on Feb. 5, 2021.

The indictment charges Watkins with the armed robbery of Central Bank in Claycomo, Mo., on Feb. 1, 2021, and the armed robbery of Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty, Mo., on Feb. 2, 2021.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaints, Watkins entered Central Bank at 11:24 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2021, and approached a teller window. Watkins handed the teller a note that stated "HAND OVER ALL THE MONEY AND I WON'T SHOOT." She allegedly pulled a gun out of her purse and pointed it at the teller. When the teller pulled the money out of the drawers and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says, Watkins took the money and ran out of the bank. The bank reported a loss of $1,819.

Surveillance video footage from an exterior ATM of the bank captured video footage of a white Hyundai, four-door sedan. This vehicle appears to be the same vehicle that was involved in a bank robbery that occurred the next day, on Feb. 2, 2021.

According to the affidavit, Watkins entered Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2021. Watkins took a note out of her bag and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says. The note stated: "HAND ME ALL THE MONEY OR I WILL SHOOT." While the teller was reading the note, Watkins allegedly stated: "All of it, hurry up, all of it!" The teller began opening her cash drawer, the affidavit says, when she heard the noise of a heavy object hitting the counter. The teller saw that Watkins had a black semi-automatic handgun in her hand, resting on the counter and pointed at the teller. When the teller took money out of the drawer and placed it on the counter, Watkins allegedly took the money, put it in her bag, and left through the main door of the lobby. The bank reported a loss of $971.

Surveillance video cameras captured footage of the white Hyundai four-door sedan (and license plate number) allegedly driven by Watkins when she arrived at the bank, and when she left the bank.

Law enforcement officers located the vehicle on Feb. 4, 2021. Kansas City police officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of 27th Street and Brooklyn Avenue. Watkins, however, drove around the officers in an attempt to flee. A vehicle pursuit ensued, during which officers attempted to immobilize Watkins’ vehicle on three occasions, but she continued to drive around the officers and flee. The pursuit continued at high rates of speed, up to 70 miles per hour while going northbound on Grand Avenue. During the pursuit, traffic was congested at different points along Grand Avenue. The pursuit ended when Watkins lost control of the vehicle in the area E. 21st Street and Walnut Street. Watkins attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended by police officers. As she exited the vehicle, the affidavit says, Watkins reached into her waistband, then pointed at officers with her index finger extended forward, and her thumb extended upward, possibly attempting to imitate a handgun. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612996673889.png" alt="Sarah Watkins as seen in security camera images courtesy FBI Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Sarah Watkins as seen in security camera images courtesy FBI Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City woman who led police officers on a high-speed chase down Grand Avenue was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for two armed bank robberies, according to the United State's Attorney.Sarah Theresa Watkins, 41, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Thursday’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Watkins on Feb. 5, 2021.The indictment charges Watkins with the armed robbery of Central Bank in Claycomo, Mo., on Feb. 1, 2021, and the armed robbery of Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty, Mo., on Feb. 2, 2021.According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaints, Watkins entered Central Bank at 11:24 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2021, and approached a teller window. Watkins handed the teller a note that stated "HAND OVER ALL THE MONEY AND I WON'T SHOOT." She allegedly pulled a gun out of her purse and pointed it at the teller. When the teller pulled the money out of the drawers and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says, Watkins took the money and ran out of the bank. The bank reported a loss of $1,819.Surveillance video footage from an exterior ATM of the bank captured video footage of a white Hyundai, four-door sedan. This vehicle appears to be the same vehicle that was involved in a bank robbery that occurred the next day, on Feb. 2, 2021.According to the affidavit, Watkins entered Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2021. Watkins took a note out of her bag and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says. The note stated: "HAND ME ALL THE MONEY OR I WILL SHOOT." While the teller was reading the note, Watkins allegedly stated: "All of it, hurry up, all of it!" The teller began opening her cash drawer, the affidavit says, when she heard the noise of a heavy object hitting the counter. The teller saw that Watkins had a black semi-automatic handgun in her hand, resting on the counter and pointed at the teller. When the teller took money out of the drawer and placed it on the counter, Watkins allegedly took the money, put it in her bag, and left through the main door of the lobby. The bank reported a loss of $971.Surveillance video cameras captured footage of the white Hyundai four-door sedan (and license plate number) allegedly driven by Watkins when she arrived at the bank, and when she left the bank.Law enforcement officers located the vehicle on Feb. 4, 2021. Kansas City police officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of 27th Street and Brooklyn Avenue. Watkins, however, drove around the officers in an attempt to flee. A vehicle pursuit ensued, during which officers attempted to immobilize Watkins’ vehicle on three occasions, but she continued to drive around the officers and flee. The pursuit continued at high rates of speed, up to 70 miles per hour while going northbound on Grand Avenue. During the pursuit, traffic was congested at different points along Grand Avenue. The pursuit ended when Watkins lost control of the vehicle in the area E. 21st Street and Walnut Street. Watkins attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended by police officers. As she exited the vehicle, the affidavit says, Watkins reached into her waistband, then pointed at officers with her index finger extended forward, and her thumb extended upward, possibly attempting to imitate a handgun. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Indictment: KC woman told bank teller, "Hand me the money or I will shoot"

NEMAHA COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged animal cruelty.

Just before 7p.m. Friday deputies responded to an animal call located on E Road approximately 200 yards north of 224th Road, according to a social media report from the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office in Seneca, Kansas.

Deputies found a dog that had been shot several times and left in the roadway.  It is believed that the shooting happened between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Friday.

The Sheriff's Department wanted anyone with information on the case to contact them.&nbsp; On Saturday, the sheriff's department did not provide an update on the dog breed or condition.

NEMAHA COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged animal cruelty.Just before 7p.m. Friday deputies responded to an animal call located on E Road approximately 200 yards north of 224th Road, according to a social media report from the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office in Seneca, Kansas.Deputies found a dog that had been shot several times and left in the roadway. It is believed that the shooting happened between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Friday.The Sheriff's Department wanted anyone with information on the case to contact them.&nbsp; On Saturday, the sheriff's department did not provide an update on the dog breed or condition.

Sheriff: Deputies find dog shot, left on rural Kansas road

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers endorsed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEoZ-M4pEwk&amp;list=PLslqZ7OaczKEUNNDVq-u_OE31P2k7UwKc&amp;index=105" target="_blank">one-dose COVID-19 vaccine&nbsp;</a>from Johnson &amp; Johnson on Friday, putting the nation on the cusp of adding an easier-to-use option to fight the pandemic.

The acting head of the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that the agency will move quickly to follow the recommendation, which would make J&amp;J’s shot the third vaccine authorized for emergency use in the U.S. Vaccinations are picking up speed, but new supplies are urgently needed to stay ahead of a mutating virus that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.

After daylong discussions, the FDA panelists voted unanimously that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for adults. Once FDA issues a final decision, shipments of a few million doses could begin as early as Monday.

“There’s an urgency to get this done,” said Dr. Jay Portnoy of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City “We’re in a race between the virus mutating — and new variants coming out that can cause further disease — and stopping it.”

More than 47 million people in the U.S., or 14% of the population, have received at least one shot of the two-dose vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which FDA authorized in December. But the pace of vaccinations has been strained by limited supplies and delays due to winter storms.

While early J&amp;J supplies will be small, the company has said it can deliver 20 million doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June.

J&amp;J’s vaccine protects against the worst effects of COVID-19 after one shot, and it can be stored up to three months at refrigerator temperatures, making it easier to handle than the previous vaccines, which must be frozen.

One challenge in rolling out the new vaccine will be explaining how protective the J&amp;J shot is after the astounding success of the first U.S. vaccines.

“It’s important that people do not think that one vaccine is better than another,” said panelist Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts University.

The two-dose Pfizer and Moderna shots were found to be about 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19. The numbers from J&amp;J’s study are not that high, but it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. One dose of the J&amp;J vaccine was 85% protective against the most severe COVID-19. After adding in moderate cases, the total effectiveness dropped to about 66%.

Some experts fear that lower number could feed public perceptions that J&amp;J’s shot is a “second-tier vaccine.” But the difference in protection reflects when and where J&amp;J conducted its studies.

J&amp;J’s vaccine was tested in the U.S., Latin America and South Africa at a time when more contagious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-many-coronavirus-variants-are-there-12d1f000ed9601f99c1c7c08e020ba7b">mutated versions</a>&nbsp;of the virus were spreading. That wasn’t the case last fall, when Pfizer and Moderna were wrapping up testing, and it’s not clear if their numbers would hold against the most worrisome of those variants.

Importantly, the FDA reported this week that, just like its predecessors, the J&amp;J shot offers strong protection against the worst outcomes, hospitalization and death.

While J&amp;J is seeking FDA authorization for its single-dose version, the company is also studying whether a second dose boosts protection.

Panel member Dr. Paul Offit warned that launching a two-dose version of the vaccine down the road might cause problems.

“You can see where that would be confusing to people thinking, ’Maybe I didn’t get what I needed,’” said Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “It’s a messaging challenge.”

J&amp;J representatives said they chose to begin with the single shot because the World Health Organization and other experts agreed it would be a faster, more effective tool in an emergency.

Cases and hospitalizations have fallen dramatically since their January peak that followed the winter holidays. But public health officials warned that those gains may be stalling as more variants take root in the U.S.

“We may be done with the virus, but clearly the virus is not done with us,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said during a White House briefing Friday. She noted that new COVID-19 cases have increased over the past few days.

While it’s too early to tell if the trend will last, Walensky said adding a third vaccine “will help protect more people faster.” More vaccines are in the pipeline.

On Sunday, a CDC panel is expected to meet to recommend how to best prioritize use of the J&amp;J vaccine.

Other parts of the world already are facing which-is-best challenges. Italy’s main teachers’ union recently protested when the government decided to reserve Pfizer and Moderna shots for the elderly and designate AstraZeneca’s vaccine for younger, at-risk workers. AstraZeneca’s vaccine was deemed to be about 70% effective in testing. Canada became the latest country Friday to allow use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602590971875.png" alt="Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers endorsed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEoZ-M4pEwk&amp;list=PLslqZ7OaczKEUNNDVq-u_OE31P2k7UwKc&amp;index=105" target="_blank">one-dose COVID-19 vaccine&nbsp;</a>from Johnson &amp; Johnson on Friday, putting the nation on the cusp of adding an easier-to-use option to fight the pandemic.The acting head of the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that the agency will move quickly to follow the recommendation, which would make J&amp;J’s shot the third vaccine authorized for emergency use in the U.S. Vaccinations are picking up speed, but new supplies are urgently needed to stay ahead of a mutating virus that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.After daylong discussions, the FDA panelists voted unanimously that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for adults. Once FDA issues a final decision, shipments of a few million doses could begin as early as Monday.“There’s an urgency to get this done,” said Dr. Jay Portnoy of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City “We’re in a race between the virus mutating — and new variants coming out that can cause further disease — and stopping it.”More than 47 million people in the U.S., or 14% of the population, have received at least one shot of the two-dose vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which FDA authorized in December. But the pace of vaccinations has been strained by limited supplies and delays due to winter storms.While early J&amp;J supplies will be small, the company has said it can deliver 20 million doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June.J&amp;J’s vaccine protects against the worst effects of COVID-19 after one shot, and it can be stored up to three months at refrigerator temperatures, making it easier to handle than the previous vaccines, which must be frozen.One challenge in rolling out the new vaccine will be explaining how protective the J&amp;J shot is after the astounding success of the first U.S. vaccines.“It’s important that people do not think that one vaccine is better than another,” said panelist Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts University.The two-dose Pfizer and Moderna shots were found to be about 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19. The numbers from J&amp;J’s study are not that high, but it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. One dose of the J&amp;J vaccine was 85% protective against the most severe COVID-19. After adding in moderate cases, the total effectiveness dropped to about 66%.Some experts fear that lower number could feed public perceptions that J&amp;J’s shot is a “second-tier vaccine.” But the difference in protection reflects when and where J&amp;J conducted its studies.J&amp;J’s vaccine was tested in the U.S., Latin America and South Africa at a time when more contagious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-many-coronavirus-variants-are-there-12d1f000ed9601f99c1c7c08e020ba7b">mutated versions</a>&nbsp;of the virus were spreading. That wasn’t the case last fall, when Pfizer and Moderna were wrapping up testing, and it’s not clear if their numbers would hold against the most worrisome of those variants.Importantly, the FDA reported this week that, just like its predecessors, the J&amp;J shot offers strong protection against the worst outcomes, hospitalization and death.While J&amp;J is seeking FDA authorization for its single-dose version, the company is also studying whether a second dose boosts protection.Panel member Dr. Paul Offit warned that launching a two-dose version of the vaccine down the road might cause problems.“You can see where that would be confusing to people thinking, ’Maybe I didn’t get what I needed,’” said Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “It’s a messaging challenge.”J&amp;J representatives said they chose to begin with the single shot because the World Health Organization and other experts agreed it would be a faster, more effective tool in an emergency.Cases and hospitalizations have fallen dramatically since their January peak that followed the winter holidays. But public health officials warned that those gains may be stalling as more variants take root in the U.S.“We may be done with the virus, but clearly the virus is not done with us,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said during a White House briefing Friday. She noted that new COVID-19 cases have increased over the past few days.While it’s too early to tell if the trend will last, Walensky said adding a third vaccine “will help protect more people faster.” More vaccines are in the pipeline.On Sunday, a CDC panel is expected to meet to recommend how to best prioritize use of the J&amp;J vaccine.Other parts of the world already are facing which-is-best challenges. Italy’s main teachers’ union recently protested when the government decided to reserve Pfizer and Moderna shots for the elderly and designate AstraZeneca’s vaccine for younger, at-risk workers. AstraZeneca’s vaccine was deemed to be about 70% effective in testing. Canada became the latest country Friday to allow use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.___

Third US vaccine now raises the question: Which shot is best?

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 3-year-old child died and two adults suffered minor injuries in a fire at a Blue Springs apartment complex on Friday.

The fire was reported Friday morning at the Apple Gate East apartment complex, said Fire Chief Jeff Grote, of the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. A man and woman were able to escape the blaze. Firefighters had the fire under control within 15 minutes but found the child dead inside, Grote said.

The two adults were treated at a hospital for minor injuries. Grote did not say how the child and adults were related. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Blue Springs is approximately 19 miles east of Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 3-year-old child died and two adults suffered minor injuries in a fire at a Blue Springs apartment complex on Friday.The fire was reported Friday morning at the Apple Gate East apartment complex, said Fire Chief Jeff Grote, of the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. A man and woman were able to escape the blaze. Firefighters had the fire under control within 15 minutes but found the child dead inside, Grote said.The two adults were treated at a hospital for minor injuries. Grote did not say how the child and adults were related. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Blue Springs is approximately 19 miles east of Kansas City.

3-year-old dies, 2 adults injured in KC-area apartment fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County.

Just after 3p.m. Friday, police were
dispatched to an injury collision in the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235 in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.

Several calls were made to 911 regarding the collision, and one of those callers
reported that there had been a disturbance with a weapon with shots fired that occurred
just prior to the collision, and just north near 31st Street South and Meridian. 

The caller also
reported that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was possibly involved in the
disturbance with weapons.


Upon arrival, Officers located an accident scene involving three vehicles – a
white Impala, a tan Buick and a black Lincoln. 

Through their investigation, police learned
that the Impala was&nbsp; southbound on Meridian at a high rate of speed. As
the Impala approached the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235, it collided with the Buick which was attempting to make a left turn onto Interstate 235, according to Macey. The force of the impact
caused the engine to be ejected from the Buick. The engine struck the Lincoln.

EMS transported the single occupant of the Impala, a 26-year-old man, to an
area hospital in critical condition. 

EMS also transported the 72-year-old driver of the Buick to the hospital in critical condition. A passenger of the Buick was
pronounced deceased on scene. There were no injuries to the occupants of the Lincoln.

Authorities have not released names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614428626845.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Friday evening- photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Friday evening- photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County.Just after 3p.m. Friday, police were
dispatched to an injury collision in the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235 in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.Several calls were made to 911 regarding the collision, and one of those callers
reported that there had been a disturbance with a weapon with shots fired that occurred
just prior to the collision, and just north near 31st Street South and Meridian. The caller also
reported that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was possibly involved in the
disturbance with weapons.
Upon arrival, Officers located an accident scene involving three vehicles – a
white Impala, a tan Buick and a black Lincoln. Through their investigation, police learned
that the Impala was&nbsp; southbound on Meridian at a high rate of speed. As
the Impala approached the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235, it collided with the Buick which was attempting to make a left turn onto Interstate 235, according to Macey. The force of the impact
caused the engine to be ejected from the Buick. The engine struck the Lincoln.EMS transported the single occupant of the Impala, a 26-year-old man, to an
area hospital in critical condition. EMS also transported the 72-year-old driver of the Buick to the hospital in critical condition. A passenger of the Buick was
pronounced deceased on scene. There were no injuries to the occupants of the Lincoln.Authorities have not released names of the victims.

Police: 1 dead in 3-vehicle crash after report of shots fired

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-personal-taxes-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-2409cc7b60e46ee9f9721b787dd7c623">a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill&nbsp;</a>in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-bills-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-minimum-wage-c543f26d45b39a8cf0113e11ed5f7aaf">a win for President Joe Biden,</a>&nbsp;even as top Democrats tried assuring agitated progressives that they’d revive their derailed drive to boost the minimum wage.

The new president’s vision for flushing cash to individuals, businesses, states and cities battered by COVID-19 passed on a near party-line 219-212 vote early Saturday. That ships the massive measure to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues.

Democrats said the still-faltering economy and the half-million American lives lost demanded quick, decisive action. GOP lawmakers, they said, were out of step with a public that polling shows largely views the bill favorably.

“I am a happy camper tonight,” Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said Friday. “This is what America needs. Republicans, you ought to be a part of this. But if you’re not, we’re going without you.”

Republicans said the bill was too expensive and said too few education dollars would be spent quickly to immediately reopen schools. They said it was laden with gifts to Democratic constituencies like labor unions and funneled money to Democratic-run states they suggested didn’t need it because their budgets had bounced back.

“To my colleagues who say this bill is bold, I say it’s bloated,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “To those who say it’s urgent, I say it’s unfocused. To those who say it’s popular, I say it is entirely partisan.”

Moderate Democratic Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon were the only two lawmakers to cross party lines. That sharp partisan divide is making the fight a showdown over who voters will reward for heaping more federal spending to combat the coronavirus and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-consumer-rebound-boost-spending-75da4e4aae346edc86773127194b0a65">revive the economy</a>&nbsp;atop the $4 trillion approved last year.

The battle is also emerging as an early test of Biden’s ability to hold together his party’s fragile congressional majorities — just 10 votes in the House and an evenly divided 50-50 Senate.

At the same time, Democrats were trying to figure out how to assuage progressives who lost their top priority in a jarring Senate setback Thursday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gop-rally-against-democrat-virus-relief-225cea9a0247f6a0f01ca5f1d2216350">That chamber’s nonpartisan parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough</a>, said Senate rules require that a federal minimum wage increase would have to be dropped from the COVID-19 bill, leaving the proposal on life support. The measure would gradually lift that minimum to $15 hourly by 2025, doubling the current $7.25 floor in effect since 2009.

Hoping to revive the effort in some form, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is considering adding a provision to the Senate version of the COVID-19 relief bill that would penalize large companies that don’t pay workers at least $15 an hour, said a senior Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations.

That was in line with ideas floated Thursday night by Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a chief sponsor of the $15 plan, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to boost taxes on corporations that don’t hit certain minimum wage targets.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., offered encouragement, too, calling a minimum wage increase “a financial necessity for our families, a great stimulus for our economy and a moral imperative for our country.” She said the House would “absolutely” approve a final version of the relief bill because of its widespread benefits, even if it lacked progressives’ treasured goal.

While Democratic leaders were eager to signal to rank-and-file progressives and liberal voters that they would not yield on the minimum wage fight, their pathway was unclear because of GOP opposition and questions over whether they had enough Democratic support.

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal, D-Mass., sidestepped a question on taxing companies that don’t boost pay, saying of Senate Democrats, “I hesitate to say anything until they decide on a strategy.”

Progressives were demanding that the Senate press ahead anyway on the minimum wage increase, even if it meant changing that chamber’s rules and eliminating the filibuster, a tactic that requires 60 votes for a bill to move forward.

“We’re going to have to reform the filibuster because we have to be able to deliver,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a progressive leader.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., another high-profile progressive, also said Senate rules must be changed, telling reporters that when Democrats meet with their constituents, “We can’t tell them that this didn’t get done because of an unelected parliamentarian.”

Traditionalists of both parties — including Biden, who served as a senator for 36 years — have opposed eliminating filibusters because they protect parties’ interests when they are in the Senate minority. Biden said weeks ago that he didn’t expect the minimum wage increase to survive the Senate’s rules.

Pelosi, too, seemed to shy away from dismantling Senate procedures, saying, “We will seek a solution consistent with Senate rules, and we will do so soon.”

The House COVID-19 bill includes the minimum wage increase, so the real battle over its fate will occur when the Senate debates its version over the next two weeks.

The overall relief bill would provide $1,400 payments to individuals, extend emergency unemployment benefits through August and increase tax credits for children and federal subsidies for health insurance.

It also provides billions for schools and colleges, state and local governments, COVID-19 vaccines and testing, renters, food producers and struggling industries like airlines, restaurants, bars and concert venues.

Democrats are pushing the relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate GOP filibuster, meaning that if they are united they won’t need any Republican votes.

It also lets the bill move faster, a top priority for Democrats who want the bill on Biden’s desk before the most recent emergency jobless benefits end on March 14.

But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough decided that the minimum wage provision failed that test.

Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614427934581.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi celebrates the win for President Biden early Saturday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi celebrates the win for President Biden early Saturday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-personal-taxes-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-2409cc7b60e46ee9f9721b787dd7c623">a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill&nbsp;</a>in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-bills-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-minimum-wage-c543f26d45b39a8cf0113e11ed5f7aaf">a win for President Joe Biden,</a>&nbsp;even as top Democrats tried assuring agitated progressives that they’d revive their derailed drive to boost the minimum wage.The new president’s vision for flushing cash to individuals, businesses, states and cities battered by COVID-19 passed on a near party-line 219-212 vote early Saturday. That ships the massive measure to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues.Democrats said the still-faltering economy and the half-million American lives lost demanded quick, decisive action. GOP lawmakers, they said, were out of step with a public that polling shows largely views the bill favorably.“I am a happy camper tonight,” Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said Friday. “This is what America needs. Republicans, you ought to be a part of this. But if you’re not, we’re going without you.”Republicans said the bill was too expensive and said too few education dollars would be spent quickly to immediately reopen schools. They said it was laden with gifts to Democratic constituencies like labor unions and funneled money to Democratic-run states they suggested didn’t need it because their budgets had bounced back.“To my colleagues who say this bill is bold, I say it’s bloated,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “To those who say it’s urgent, I say it’s unfocused. To those who say it’s popular, I say it is entirely partisan.”Moderate Democratic Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon were the only two lawmakers to cross party lines. That sharp partisan divide is making the fight a showdown over who voters will reward for heaping more federal spending to combat the coronavirus and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-consumer-rebound-boost-spending-75da4e4aae346edc86773127194b0a65">revive the economy</a>&nbsp;atop the $4 trillion approved last year.The battle is also emerging as an early test of Biden’s ability to hold together his party’s fragile congressional majorities — just 10 votes in the House and an evenly divided 50-50 Senate.At the same time, Democrats were trying to figure out how to assuage progressives who lost their top priority in a jarring Senate setback Thursday.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gop-rally-against-democrat-virus-relief-225cea9a0247f6a0f01ca5f1d2216350">That chamber’s nonpartisan parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough</a>, said Senate rules require that a federal minimum wage increase would have to be dropped from the COVID-19 bill, leaving the proposal on life support. The measure would gradually lift that minimum to $15 hourly by 2025, doubling the current $7.25 floor in effect since 2009.Hoping to revive the effort in some form, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is considering adding a provision to the Senate version of the COVID-19 relief bill that would penalize large companies that don’t pay workers at least $15 an hour, said a senior Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations.That was in line with ideas floated Thursday night by Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a chief sponsor of the $15 plan, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to boost taxes on corporations that don’t hit certain minimum wage targets.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., offered encouragement, too, calling a minimum wage increase “a financial necessity for our families, a great stimulus for our economy and a moral imperative for our country.” She said the House would “absolutely” approve a final version of the relief bill because of its widespread benefits, even if it lacked progressives’ treasured goal.While Democratic leaders were eager to signal to rank-and-file progressives and liberal voters that they would not yield on the minimum wage fight, their pathway was unclear because of GOP opposition and questions over whether they had enough Democratic support.House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal, D-Mass., sidestepped a question on taxing companies that don’t boost pay, saying of Senate Democrats, “I hesitate to say anything until they decide on a strategy.”Progressives were demanding that the Senate press ahead anyway on the minimum wage increase, even if it meant changing that chamber’s rules and eliminating the filibuster, a tactic that requires 60 votes for a bill to move forward.“We’re going to have to reform the filibuster because we have to be able to deliver,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a progressive leader.Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., another high-profile progressive, also said Senate rules must be changed, telling reporters that when Democrats meet with their constituents, “We can’t tell them that this didn’t get done because of an unelected parliamentarian.”Traditionalists of both parties — including Biden, who served as a senator for 36 years — have opposed eliminating filibusters because they protect parties’ interests when they are in the Senate minority. Biden said weeks ago that he didn’t expect the minimum wage increase to survive the Senate’s rules.Pelosi, too, seemed to shy away from dismantling Senate procedures, saying, “We will seek a solution consistent with Senate rules, and we will do so soon.”The House COVID-19 bill includes the minimum wage increase, so the real battle over its fate will occur when the Senate debates its version over the next two weeks.The overall relief bill would provide $1,400 payments to individuals, extend emergency unemployment benefits through August and increase tax credits for children and federal subsidies for health insurance.It also provides billions for schools and colleges, state and local governments, COVID-19 vaccines and testing, renters, food producers and struggling industries like airlines, restaurants, bars and concert venues.Democrats are pushing the relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate GOP filibuster, meaning that if they are united they won’t need any Republican votes.It also lets the bill move faster, a top priority for Democrats who want the bill on Biden’s desk before the most recent emergency jobless benefits end on March 14.But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough decided that the minimum wage provision failed that test.Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.___

House passes $1.9T pandemic bill including $1400 relief checks

By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-02-26/medical-marijuana-for-kansas-proposed-with-tight-rules-in-hopes-of-winning-legalization">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — Kiley Klug, flanked by her 13-year-old son, 
Owen, in a wheelchair, stood before Kansas lawmakers Wednesday and 
pleaded to let her treat her son’s hundreds of daily seizures with legal
 medicinal marijuana.

At one point, she paused to tend to one of the boy’s seizures before resuming her testimony.

“He,
 as you can see, suffers from a rare, relentless seizure monster called 
Dravet Syndrome,” she said. “He, at his worst, has struggled through up 
to 200 to 300 seizures a day.”

Klug was speaking in favor of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2184/" target="_blank">a bill</a>
 that’s a new effort this year to legalize medicinal marijuana. She said
 her son has shown significant improvement using products containing 
limited THC, which falls in a<a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2019-07-11/a-doctors-note-might-get-you-off-the-hook-for-possessing-cbd-with-thc-in-kansas" target="_blank"> gray area under Kansas law,</a> and they want the option to try other cannabis treatments.

“We
 need the flexibility to explore different strains and ratios,” Klug 
said, “in order to find the combination that’s most effective to combat 
these seizures.”

Kansas lawmakers are taking another run at 
medical marijuana legislation this session, but it could face long odds 
after other plans have stalled in recent years.

The state has taken only <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2019-07-11/a-doctors-note-might-get-you-off-the-hook-for-possessing-cbd-with-thc-in-kansas" target="_blank">the smallest steps</a>
 to allow medical use of products made from cannabis, and the new bill 
includes significant restrictions aimed at making it palatable to 
lawmakers less interested in loosening marijuana laws.

Kansas remains one of only a few states without some kind of law legalizing the medical use of cannabis products. Around <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">three dozen states</a> have comprehensive medical marijuana laws.

Even with those restrictions, the legislation still faces opposition from law enforcement groups.

Republican
 Rep. Eric Smith, a sheriff’s deputy, said medicinal use would increase 
the number of people driving under the influence of marijuana. He said 
someone ignoring those kinds of impacts is sticking their “head in the 
sand.”

Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley, representing the Kansas
 Sheriffs’ Association, said the plan could put Kansas on a path to 
full-on recreational use of cannabis.

“Almost every state that 
we’ve seen go down this path, this is just one step closer to legalizing
 recreational marijuana,” Presley said.

Law enforcement opposing 
the bill also said that because marijuana remains illegal under federal 
law, legalizing it at the state level creates a conflict. Law 
enforcement officials said they’ll need an accessible database so they 
can verify medical marijuana ID cards are valid.

Yet the legalization for medical use is drawing some bipartisan support.

Willie
 Dove is a conservative Republican and former Kansas lawmaker who urged 
the House Federal and State Affairs committee to approve the bill. He 
said he’s heard from people who wanted to treat conditions such as 
seizures and chronic pain.

“We’re not talking about hippies from 
the sixties,” Dove told the committee. “We’re talking about individuals,
 law-abiding citizens, that really want to make something happen for 
their families.”

The new Republican president of the Senate is 
also open to the idea, as long as it has restrictions so it can’t be 
exploited to allow recreational use under the guise of medical 
marijuana.

“You don’t really believe we have that many 
18-year-olds with glaucoma that need to smoke weed for a medical 
benefit,” Senator Ty Masterson said in an interview. “Clearly, that’s 
recreational.”

To attract people like Masterson, the House plan 
includes various restrictions and state oversight. For instance, only 
specially certified physicians could prescribe the drug, and only for <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2184_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a specific list</a>
 of 21 conditions ranging from cancer to severe chronic pain and brain 
injuries. There are provisions for the state to add more conditions to 
the list.A patient also couldn’t find a doctor and quickly get a 
recommendation to use marijuana. The bill says doctors can only 
recommend cannabis to patients they’ve been seeing for at least a year.

Marijuana could not be smoked under the plan. Instead, it could be sold in other forms like edible products and oils.

State
 agencies and an oversight panel would regulate the certificates for 
doctors and the system for growing and distributing marijuana. The bill 
would allow patients to only have up to a 90-day supply.

Registered
 Nurse April Hatch said marijuana is a safer alternative for pain 
treatment. She told lawmakers about her grandmother’s painful withdrawal
 after using opiods.

“A 90-year-old woman was forced into 
withdrawal that resulted in the worst days of her life,” Hatch said. 
“Cannabis does have the potential to prevent patients from suffering 
like she did.”

Eric Voth, an internal medicine doctor representing
 the Kansas Medical Society, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
hasn’t fully weighed in on the safety of using medical marijuana and it 
needs more study. The agency <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process#research" target="_blank">has approved some limited related products</a>.

Voth
 told lawmakers to trim back the limited list of conditions eligible for
 treatment with marijuana and ignore the fact that Kansas is one of only
 a small number of states that don’t allow some form of medicinal use.

“It
 should not be allowed as a medicine,” Voth said. “You should continue 
to hold the line. Unlike many other states, we need to be proud of 
holding the line.”

The House plan is one of several ideas in the Statehouse regarding marijuana policy. <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettParker4KS/status/1362057123064991752" target="_blank">Some Democrats</a> have introduced a bill to allow the recreational use of marijuana. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has proposed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-medical-marijuana-kansas-marijuana-medicaid-a11663e4684db69315b71f1db5353013" target="_blank">a separate plan</a> to allow medical marijuana and use the revenue from it to pay for Medicaid expansion.

Kelly
 says she would support a bill allowing medical cannabis because it’s a 
treatment option already available to many Americans.

“I want 
Kansans to be able to get the treatment they need here in their home 
state, and not have to go someplace else,” Kelly said after the House 
hearing.

Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda" target="_blank"> @kprkoranda</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614364202941.png" alt="A Colorado cannabis dispensary, the kind some people want to open in Kansas for medical marijuana. Scott Canon / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>A Colorado cannabis dispensary, the kind some people want to open in Kansas for medical marijuana. Scott Canon / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-02-26/medical-marijuana-for-kansas-proposed-with-tight-rules-in-hopes-of-winning-legalization">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — Kiley Klug, flanked by her 13-year-old son, 
Owen, in a wheelchair, stood before Kansas lawmakers Wednesday and 
pleaded to let her treat her son’s hundreds of daily seizures with legal
 medicinal marijuana.At one point, she paused to tend to one of the boy’s seizures before resuming her testimony.“He,
 as you can see, suffers from a rare, relentless seizure monster called 
Dravet Syndrome,” she said. “He, at his worst, has struggled through up 
to 200 to 300 seizures a day.”Klug was speaking in favor of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2184/" target="_blank">a bill</a>
 that’s a new effort this year to legalize medicinal marijuana. She said
 her son has shown significant improvement using products containing 
limited THC, which falls in a<a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2019-07-11/a-doctors-note-might-get-you-off-the-hook-for-possessing-cbd-with-thc-in-kansas" target="_blank"> gray area under Kansas law,</a> and they want the option to try other cannabis treatments.“We
 need the flexibility to explore different strains and ratios,” Klug 
said, “in order to find the combination that’s most effective to combat 
these seizures.”Kansas lawmakers are taking another run at 
medical marijuana legislation this session, but it could face long odds 
after other plans have stalled in recent years.The state has taken only <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2019-07-11/a-doctors-note-might-get-you-off-the-hook-for-possessing-cbd-with-thc-in-kansas" target="_blank">the smallest steps</a>
 to allow medical use of products made from cannabis, and the new bill 
includes significant restrictions aimed at making it palatable to 
lawmakers less interested in loosening marijuana laws.Kansas remains one of only a few states without some kind of law legalizing the medical use of cannabis products. Around <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">three dozen states</a> have comprehensive medical marijuana laws.Even with those restrictions, the legislation still faces opposition from law enforcement groups.Republican
 Rep. Eric Smith, a sheriff’s deputy, said medicinal use would increase 
the number of people driving under the influence of marijuana. He said 
someone ignoring those kinds of impacts is sticking their “head in the 
sand.”Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley, representing the Kansas
 Sheriffs’ Association, said the plan could put Kansas on a path to 
full-on recreational use of cannabis.“Almost every state that 
we’ve seen go down this path, this is just one step closer to legalizing
 recreational marijuana,” Presley said.Law enforcement opposing 
the bill also said that because marijuana remains illegal under federal 
law, legalizing it at the state level creates a conflict. Law 
enforcement officials said they’ll need an accessible database so they 
can verify medical marijuana ID cards are valid.Yet the legalization for medical use is drawing some bipartisan support.Willie
 Dove is a conservative Republican and former Kansas lawmaker who urged 
the House Federal and State Affairs committee to approve the bill. He 
said he’s heard from people who wanted to treat conditions such as 
seizures and chronic pain.“We’re not talking about hippies from 
the sixties,” Dove told the committee. “We’re talking about individuals,
 law-abiding citizens, that really want to make something happen for 
their families.”The new Republican president of the Senate is 
also open to the idea, as long as it has restrictions so it can’t be 
exploited to allow recreational use under the guise of medical 
marijuana.“You don’t really believe we have that many 
18-year-olds with glaucoma that need to smoke weed for a medical 
benefit,” Senator Ty Masterson said in an interview. “Clearly, that’s 
recreational.”To attract people like Masterson, the House plan 
includes various restrictions and state oversight. For instance, only 
specially certified physicians could prescribe the drug, and only for <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2184_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a specific list</a>
 of 21 conditions ranging from cancer to severe chronic pain and brain 
injuries. There are provisions for the state to add more conditions to 
the list.A patient also couldn’t find a doctor and quickly get a 
recommendation to use marijuana. The bill says doctors can only 
recommend cannabis to patients they’ve been seeing for at least a year.Marijuana could not be smoked under the plan. Instead, it could be sold in other forms like edible products and oils.State
 agencies and an oversight panel would regulate the certificates for 
doctors and the system for growing and distributing marijuana. The bill 
would allow patients to only have up to a 90-day supply.Registered
 Nurse April Hatch said marijuana is a safer alternative for pain 
treatment. She told lawmakers about her grandmother’s painful withdrawal
 after using opiods.“A 90-year-old woman was forced into 
withdrawal that resulted in the worst days of her life,” Hatch said. 
“Cannabis does have the potential to prevent patients from suffering 
like she did.”Eric Voth, an internal medicine doctor representing
 the Kansas Medical Society, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
hasn’t fully weighed in on the safety of using medical marijuana and it 
needs more study. The agency <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process#research" target="_blank">has approved some limited related products</a>.Voth
 told lawmakers to trim back the limited list of conditions eligible for
 treatment with marijuana and ignore the fact that Kansas is one of only
 a small number of states that don’t allow some form of medicinal use.“It
 should not be allowed as a medicine,” Voth said. “You should continue 
to hold the line. Unlike many other states, we need to be proud of 
holding the line.”The House plan is one of several ideas in the Statehouse regarding marijuana policy. <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettParker4KS/status/1362057123064991752" target="_blank">Some Democrats</a> have introduced a bill to allow the recreational use of marijuana. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has proposed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-medical-marijuana-kansas-marijuana-medicaid-a11663e4684db69315b71f1db5353013" target="_blank">a separate plan</a> to allow medical marijuana and use the revenue from it to pay for Medicaid expansion.Kelly
 says she would support a bill allowing medical cannabis because it’s a 
treatment option already available to many Americans.“I want 
Kansans to be able to get the treatment they need here in their home 
state, and not have to go someplace else,” Kelly said after the House 
hearing.Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda" target="_blank"> @kprkoranda</a>.

Medical marijuana for Kan. proposed with tight rules in hopes of winning legalization

SMITH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8a.m. Friday in Smith County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Ardath Nix, 64, Phillipsburg, was southbound on Kansas 8 five miles north of Athol.

The pickup left the roadway, entered the west ditch and struck a large tree.&nbsp;

Nix was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Olliff-Boevie Memorial Chapel. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the. KHP.

SMITH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8a.m. Friday in Smith County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Ardath Nix, 64, Phillipsburg, was southbound on Kansas 8 five miles north of Athol.The pickup left the roadway, entered the west ditch and struck a large tree.&nbsp;Nix was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Olliff-Boevie Memorial Chapel. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the. KHP.

Kansas man dies after pickup strikes a tree

WEBSTER CITY, IOWA (AP)&nbsp;— A Kansas&nbsp;man has been convicted of second-degree murder in the 2018 death of his girlfriend in&nbsp;Iowa.

Zackery Bassett, 34, of Elwood, Kansas, was originally charged with first-degree murder after Andrea Solokowski, 50, was found not breathing in a home in Webster City. An autopsy showed evidence of asphyxiation but her cause of death was listed as undetermined.

Bassett was convicted in Hamilton County Tuesday on the lesser charge after a trial that had been repeatedly delayed by COVID-19 precautions.

Prosecutors alleged Bassett repeatedly abused Solokowski, of Sioux City, for more than a year before her death. Her family told investigators Bassett had stalked her and she had told a friend she was afraid he would kill her.

The maximum sentence possible in Iowa for second-degree murder is 50 years. Bassett is scheduled to be sentenced April 5.

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) — A March trial has been scheduled for a&nbsp;man accused of killing his girlfriend&nbsp;in central Iowa.

Hamilton County District Court records show 32-year-old Zackery Bassett, of Webster City, entered a written plea of not guilty Monday to a charge of first-degree murder. His trial is set to begin March 5.

Investigators said Bassett called Webster City police Sept. 22&nbsp;to report his girlfriend, 50-year-old Andrea Sokolowski, was not breathing. Sokolowski was taken by ambulance to a Webster City hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Bassett was&nbsp;arrested on an Iowa warrant&nbsp;Nov. 14 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Through interviews and medical records, detectives determined&nbsp;Bassett had expressed jealousy and violence toward&nbsp;Sokolowski&nbsp;in the months leading up to her death, according to charging documents.

Authorities said&nbsp;Bassett abused&nbsp;Sokolowski&nbsp;for&nbsp;more than a year before she died.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614355180712.png" alt=" Bassett&nbsp;photo Hamilton Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption> Bassett&nbsp;photo Hamilton Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>WEBSTER CITY, IOWA (AP)&nbsp;— A Kansas&nbsp;man has been convicted of second-degree murder in the 2018 death of his girlfriend in&nbsp;Iowa.Zackery Bassett, 34, of Elwood, Kansas, was originally charged with first-degree murder after Andrea Solokowski, 50, was found not breathing in a home in Webster City. An autopsy showed evidence of asphyxiation but her cause of death was listed as undetermined.Bassett was convicted in Hamilton County Tuesday on the lesser charge after a trial that had been repeatedly delayed by COVID-19 precautions.Prosecutors alleged Bassett repeatedly abused Solokowski, of Sioux City, for more than a year before her death. Her family told investigators Bassett had stalked her and she had told a friend she was afraid he would kill her.The maximum sentence possible in Iowa for second-degree murder is 50 years. Bassett is scheduled to be sentenced April 5.----------WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) — A March trial has been scheduled for a&nbsp;man accused of killing his girlfriend&nbsp;in central Iowa.Hamilton County District Court records show 32-year-old Zackery Bassett, of Webster City, entered a written plea of not guilty Monday to a charge of first-degree murder. His trial is set to begin March 5.Investigators said Bassett called Webster City police Sept. 22&nbsp;to report his girlfriend, 50-year-old Andrea Sokolowski, was not breathing. Sokolowski was taken by ambulance to a Webster City hospital, where she was pronounced dead.Bassett was&nbsp;arrested on an Iowa warrant&nbsp;Nov. 14 in St. Joseph, Missouri.Through interviews and medical records, detectives determined&nbsp;Bassett had expressed jealousy and violence toward&nbsp;Sokolowski&nbsp;in the months leading up to her death, according to charging documents.Authorities said&nbsp;Bassett abused&nbsp;Sokolowski&nbsp;for&nbsp;more than a year before she died.&nbsp;

Jury: Kansas man guilty of stalking, killing his girlfriend 

ELLIS COUNTY —The Ellis County Sheriff's Office has reported a Hays man is dead as the result of an accidental shooting Friday afternoon.

At 3:21 p.m. Friday, dispatchers received a 911 call regarding a vehicle parked in the 2000 block of 200th Avenue. The caller reported an individual laying next to the vehicle, not believed to be breathing.&nbsp;

Emergency responders reported finding Raymond Nieman, 72, Hays, deceased next to his vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the chest.

"The Ellis County Sheriff's Office along with 23rd Judicial District Coroner Lyle Noordhoek determined the death as accidental as all evidence indicates Nieman was securing his shotgun in the back of the vehicle when it accidentally discharged," the sheriff's office said in a news release Friday evening.

ELLIS COUNTY —The Ellis County Sheriff's Office has reported a Hays man is dead as the result of an accidental shooting Friday afternoon.At 3:21 p.m. Friday, dispatchers received a 911 call regarding a vehicle parked in the 2000 block of 200th Avenue. The caller reported an individual laying next to the vehicle, not believed to be breathing.&nbsp;Emergency responders reported finding Raymond Nieman, 72, Hays, deceased next to his vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the chest."The Ellis County Sheriff's Office along with 23rd Judicial District Coroner Lyle Noordhoek determined the death as accidental as all evidence indicates Nieman was securing his shotgun in the back of the vehicle when it accidentally discharged," the sheriff's office said in a news release Friday evening.

Sheriff: Kansas man dead after accidental shooting

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of burglaries and have two suspects in custody.

Over the course of last several weeks the Barton County Sheriff’s Office has taken several burglary reports from late January to mid February, according to sheriff Brian Bellendir.

 The estimated amount of loss has been in the tens of thousands of dollars. On February 20, the Sheriff’s office took a report of a stolen 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche in Barton County. The vehicle was located the next evening by the Larned Police Department and Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office. The occupants of the vehicle were arrested by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office for drug charges as well as the possessing the stolen vehicle.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office recovered the vehicle at which time they noted what appeared to be property matching the description of stolen property from Barton County thefts. Over the last week Sheriff’s deputies and detectives from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office have been conducting an investigation which led to the search of a residence in Hoisington, Kansas and recovered a substantial amount of stolen property. At least six burglaries in Barton County have been cleared, with the possibility of more being solved pending investigation.

The suspects, who had been arrested on the Pawnee County drug charges were in the Barton County Jail during this investigation. Two suspects have been booked for the burglaries. Edward Johnson age 51 and Austin Lemonds age 33, both of Hoisington, are also now being held on requested charges of two counts of burglary of a residence, three counts of burglary of a non-dwelling, four counts of criminal damage to property, four counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, four counts of criminal damage to property and three counts of criminal trespass. J

Not all the property has been recovered. Deputies are still looking for a Polaris Ranger ATV, a trailer, plasma cutters as well as other welding and shop equipment. We are seeking the public’s assistance if they have any information, please call Crime Stoppers of Barton County at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300. We would appreciate any information citizens may have. All calls are anonymous

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614359894184.png" alt="Lemonds-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Lemonds-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of burglaries and have two suspects in custody.Over the course of last several weeks the Barton County Sheriff’s Office has taken several burglary reports from late January to mid February, according to sheriff Brian Bellendir. The estimated amount of loss has been in the tens of thousands of dollars. On February 20, the Sheriff’s office took a report of a stolen 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche in Barton County. The vehicle was located the next evening by the Larned Police Department and Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office. The occupants of the vehicle were arrested by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office for drug charges as well as the possessing the stolen vehicle.The Barton County Sheriff’s Office recovered the vehicle at which time they noted what appeared to be property matching the description of stolen property from Barton County thefts. Over the last week Sheriff’s deputies and detectives from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office have been conducting an investigation which led to the search of a residence in Hoisington, Kansas and recovered a substantial amount of stolen property. At least six burglaries in Barton County have been cleared, with the possibility of more being solved pending investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614359856135.png" alt="Johnson photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspects, who had been arrested on the Pawnee County drug charges were in the Barton County Jail during this investigation. Two suspects have been booked for the burglaries. Edward Johnson age 51 and Austin Lemonds age 33, both of Hoisington, are also now being held on requested charges of two counts of burglary of a residence, three counts of burglary of a non-dwelling, four counts of criminal damage to property, four counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, four counts of criminal damage to property and three counts of criminal trespass. JNot all the property has been recovered. Deputies are still looking for a Polaris Ranger ATV, a trailer, plasma cutters as well as other welding and shop equipment. We are seeking the public’s assistance if they have any information, please call Crime Stoppers of Barton County at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300. We would appreciate any information citizens may have. All calls are anonymous

Sheriff: 2 jailed suspects linked to series of Kansas burglaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that Iran should view his decision to authorize U.S. airstrikes in Syria as a warning that it can expect consequences for its support of militia groups that threaten U.S. interests or personnel.

“You can’t act with impunity. Be careful,” Biden said when a reporter asked what message he had intended to send with the airstrikes, which the Pentagon said destroyed several buildings in eastern Syria but were not intended to eradicate the militia groups that used them to facilitate attacks inside Iraq.

Administration officials defended the Thursday night airstrikes as legal and appropriate, saying they took out facilities that housed valuable “capabilities” used by Iranian-backed militia groups to attack American and allied forces in Iraq.

John Kirby, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, said members of Congress were notified before the strikes as two Air Force F-15E aircraft launched seven missiles, destroying nine facilities and heavily damaging two others, rendering both “functionally destroyed.” He said the facilities, at “entry control points” on the border, had been used by militia groups the U.S. deems responsible for recent attacks against U.S. interests in Iraq.

In a political twist for the new Democratic administration, several leading Congress members in Biden’s own party denounced the strikes, which were the first military actions he authorized. Democrats said the airstrikes were done without authorization from lawmakers, while Republicans were more supportive.

“Offensive military action without congressional approval is not constitutional absent extraordinary circumstances,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. And Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said lawmakers must hold the current administration to the same standards as any other. “Retaliatory strikes not necessary to prevent an imminent threat,” he said, must get congressional authorization.

But Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, backed the decision as “the correct, proportionate response to protect American lives.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Friday that Biden used his constitutional authority to defend U.S. personnel.

“The targets were chosen to correspond to the recent attacks on facilities and to deter the risk of additional attacks over the coming weeks,” she said.

Among the recent attacks cited was a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

At the Pentagon, Kirby said the operation was “a defensive strike” on a waystation used by militants to move weapons and materials for attacks into Iraq. But he noted that while it sent a message of deterrence and eroded their ability to strike from that compound, the militias have other sites and capabilities. He said the strikes resulted in “casualties” but declined to provide further details on how many were killed or injured and what was inside the buildings pending the completion of a broader assessment of damage inflicted.

An Iraqi militia official said Friday that the strikes killed one fighter and wounded several others.

Kirby said the facilities hit in the attack were near Boukamal, on the Syrian side of the Iraq border, along the Euphrates River.

“This location is known to facilitate Iranian-aligned militia group activity,” he said. He described the site as a “compound” that previously had been used by the Islamic State group when it held sway in the area.

The Iraqi militia official told The Associated Press that the strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi side. The official was not authorized to speak publicly of the attack and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Speaking to reporters Thursday evening shortly after the airstrikes were carried out, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “I’m confident in the target that we went after. We know what we hit.”

Biden’s decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq and send a message to Iran. The Biden administration in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist.

The U.S. has previously targeted facilities in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah, which it has blamed for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq. The Iraqi Kataeb is separate from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the war in Syria, said the strikes targeted a shipment of weapons that were being taken by trucks entering Syrian territories from Iraq. The group said 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were killed. The report could not be independently verified.

In a statement, the group confirmed one of its fighters was killed and said it reserved the right to retaliate, without elaborating. Kataeb Hezbollah, like other Iranian-backed factions, maintains fighters in Syria to both fight against the Islamic State group and assist Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces in that country’s civil war.

Austin said he was confident the U.S. had hit back at “the same Shia militants” that carried out the Feb.1 5 rocket attack in northern Iraq.

Kirby credited Iraqis with providing valuable intelligence that allowed the U.S. to identify the groups responsible for attacks earlier this year. The U.S., he said, then determined the appropriate target for the retaliatory strike. He said the U.S. also notified Russia shortly before the strike as part of the ongoing deconfliction process of military activities in Syria.

“The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel,” Kirby said.

Syria condemned the U.S. strike, calling it “a cowardly and systematic American aggression,” warning that the attack will lead to consequences.

U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614381413238.png" alt="&nbsp;President Biden during a FEMA COVID-19 vaccination event at NRG Stadium Friday afternoon -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President Biden during a FEMA COVID-19 vaccination event at NRG Stadium Friday afternoon -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that Iran should view his decision to authorize U.S. airstrikes in Syria as a warning that it can expect consequences for its support of militia groups that threaten U.S. interests or personnel.“You can’t act with impunity. Be careful,” Biden said when a reporter asked what message he had intended to send with the airstrikes, which the Pentagon said destroyed several buildings in eastern Syria but were not intended to eradicate the militia groups that used them to facilitate attacks inside Iraq.Administration officials defended the Thursday night airstrikes as legal and appropriate, saying they took out facilities that housed valuable “capabilities” used by Iranian-backed militia groups to attack American and allied forces in Iraq.John Kirby, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, said members of Congress were notified before the strikes as two Air Force F-15E aircraft launched seven missiles, destroying nine facilities and heavily damaging two others, rendering both “functionally destroyed.” He said the facilities, at “entry control points” on the border, had been used by militia groups the U.S. deems responsible for recent attacks against U.S. interests in Iraq.In a political twist for the new Democratic administration, several leading Congress members in Biden’s own party denounced the strikes, which were the first military actions he authorized. Democrats said the airstrikes were done without authorization from lawmakers, while Republicans were more supportive.“Offensive military action without congressional approval is not constitutional absent extraordinary circumstances,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. And Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said lawmakers must hold the current administration to the same standards as any other. “Retaliatory strikes not necessary to prevent an imminent threat,” he said, must get congressional authorization.But Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, backed the decision as “the correct, proportionate response to protect American lives.”White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Friday that Biden used his constitutional authority to defend U.S. personnel.“The targets were chosen to correspond to the recent attacks on facilities and to deter the risk of additional attacks over the coming weeks,” she said.Among the recent attacks cited was a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.At the Pentagon, Kirby said the operation was “a defensive strike” on a waystation used by militants to move weapons and materials for attacks into Iraq. But he noted that while it sent a message of deterrence and eroded their ability to strike from that compound, the militias have other sites and capabilities. He said the strikes resulted in “casualties” but declined to provide further details on how many were killed or injured and what was inside the buildings pending the completion of a broader assessment of damage inflicted.An Iraqi militia official said Friday that the strikes killed one fighter and wounded several others.Kirby said the facilities hit in the attack were near Boukamal, on the Syrian side of the Iraq border, along the Euphrates River.“This location is known to facilitate Iranian-aligned militia group activity,” he said. He described the site as a “compound” that previously had been used by the Islamic State group when it held sway in the area.The Iraqi militia official told The Associated Press that the strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi side. The official was not authorized to speak publicly of the attack and spoke on condition of anonymity.Speaking to reporters Thursday evening shortly after the airstrikes were carried out, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “I’m confident in the target that we went after. We know what we hit.”Biden’s decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq and send a message to Iran. The Biden administration in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist.The U.S. has previously targeted facilities in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah, which it has blamed for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq. The Iraqi Kataeb is separate from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the war in Syria, said the strikes targeted a shipment of weapons that were being taken by trucks entering Syrian territories from Iraq. The group said 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were killed. The report could not be independently verified.In a statement, the group confirmed one of its fighters was killed and said it reserved the right to retaliate, without elaborating. Kataeb Hezbollah, like other Iranian-backed factions, maintains fighters in Syria to both fight against the Islamic State group and assist Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces in that country’s civil war.Austin said he was confident the U.S. had hit back at “the same Shia militants” that carried out the Feb.1 5 rocket attack in northern Iraq.Kirby credited Iraqis with providing valuable intelligence that allowed the U.S. to identify the groups responsible for attacks earlier this year. The U.S., he said, then determined the appropriate target for the retaliatory strike. He said the U.S. also notified Russia shortly before the strike as part of the ongoing deconfliction process of military activities in Syria.“The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel,” Kirby said.Syria condemned the U.S. strike, calling it “a cowardly and systematic American aggression,” warning that the attack will lead to consequences.U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.

Biden says US airstrikes in Syria told Iran: 'Be careful'

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran for reelection in 2022, early backing that makes it unlikely the two-term Republican will face a serious challenge in the GOP primary.

Trump’s endorsement Thursday evening came less than two weeks after Moran voted with most Republican senators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-riots-trials-impeachments-b245b52fd7d4a079ae199c954baba452">to acquit Trump</a>&nbsp;on an impeachment charge of inciting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 insurrection</a>&nbsp;in Washington aimed at stopping the certification of Trump’s election loss. But Moran had voted to certify the results, and earlier this month, the Clay County Republican Party&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/clayco.gop/photos/a.122749795791176/499281468138005" target="_blank">censured him</a>&nbsp;— suggesting he might face an August 2022 primary challenge.

Kelly Arnold, a former state GOP chairman, said Friday that Trump’s endorsement is “a golden ticket” and “one of the best ways” for Moran to fend off potential challengers.

“I think this can shut the door on that,” Arnold said. “This is a pretty big get.”

In Kansas, Republicans generally are strongly favored to win Senate races once they emerge from the primary. The GOP hasn’t lost a general election race since 1932, even when Democrats field strong challenges, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-senate-elections-kansas-city-kansas-8b2327e7ad387b3b4a8453a7ea3e4228">state Sen. Barbara Bollier</a>, who raised a record $27 million for her unsuccessful campaign last year against Republican Roger Marshall.

In the November election, Trump carried Kansas by nearly 14 percentage points. His statement praised Moran, the ranking Republican and a former chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, as strong on military and veterans’ issues, as well as gun rights and protecting U.S. borders.

“Senator Jerry Moran is doing a terrific job for the wonderful people of Kansas,” Trump said in his statement. “Jerry has my Complete and Total Endorsement for his re-election in 2022!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614344215582.png" alt="Senator Moran during a stop at VA Medical Center in Topeka this week." />
 <figcaption>Senator Moran during a stop at VA Medical Center in Topeka this week.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran for reelection in 2022, early backing that makes it unlikely the two-term Republican will face a serious challenge in the GOP primary.Trump’s endorsement Thursday evening came less than two weeks after Moran voted with most Republican senators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-riots-trials-impeachments-b245b52fd7d4a079ae199c954baba452">to acquit Trump</a>&nbsp;on an impeachment charge of inciting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 insurrection</a>&nbsp;in Washington aimed at stopping the certification of Trump’s election loss. But Moran had voted to certify the results, and earlier this month, the Clay County Republican Party&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/clayco.gop/photos/a.122749795791176/499281468138005" target="_blank">censured him</a>&nbsp;— suggesting he might face an August 2022 primary challenge.Kelly Arnold, a former state GOP chairman, said Friday that Trump’s endorsement is “a golden ticket” and “one of the best ways” for Moran to fend off potential challengers.“I think this can shut the door on that,” Arnold said. “This is a pretty big get.”In Kansas, Republicans generally are strongly favored to win Senate races once they emerge from the primary. The GOP hasn’t lost a general election race since 1932, even when Democrats field strong challenges, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-senate-elections-kansas-city-kansas-8b2327e7ad387b3b4a8453a7ea3e4228">state Sen. Barbara Bollier</a>, who raised a record $27 million for her unsuccessful campaign last year against Republican Roger Marshall.In the November election, Trump carried Kansas by nearly 14 percentage points. His statement praised Moran, the ranking Republican and a former chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, as strong on military and veterans’ issues, as well as gun rights and protecting U.S. borders.“Senator Jerry Moran is doing a terrific job for the wonderful people of Kansas,” Trump said in his statement. “Jerry has my Complete and Total Endorsement for his re-election in 2022!”___

Trump endorses Moran reelection making primary fight less likely

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Ellis County firefighters responded to 13 fire calls this week, including a house fire near Victoria that resulted in a resident receiving serious injuries.

Ellis County Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management Darin Myers said he could not release the name of the person who was injured near Victoria on Friday, Feb. 19.

However, he said the home at&nbsp;2584 Grants Villa Road was a total loss.

An investigation by the state fire marshal could not determine a cause. However, inspectors suspect the blaze may have been sparked by a portable heater being used to warm pets.

No firefighters were injured in fighting that blaze.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614376550118.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostEllis County firefighters responded to 13 fire calls this week, including a house fire near Victoria that resulted in a resident receiving serious injuries.Ellis County Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management Darin Myers said he could not release the name of the person who was injured near Victoria on Friday, Feb. 19.However, he said the home at&nbsp;2584 Grants Villa Road was a total loss.An investigation by the state fire marshal could not determine a cause. However, inspectors suspect the blaze may have been sparked by a portable heater being used to warm pets.No firefighters were injured in fighting that blaze.Ellis County fire crews battled two significant grass fires Tuesday, while a third broke out across the county line in Russell County.A grass fire west of U.S. 183 between Homestead Road and the Saline River burned about 270 acres. One hundred hay bales were caught in the blaze. Oil wells in the area were not affected, and cattle grazing in the area were able to be moved out of the path of the fire.A home was threatened, but firefighters were able to protect the structure. An abandoned shed in the area was lost, Myers said.Firefighters responded to another grass fire near Air Flyte Drive. A local resident was treated for smoke inhalation by EMS, but was not seriously injured, Myers said.No firefighters were injured on calls this week.