SHAWNEE COUNTY—A Topeka firefighter was injured&nbsp; after being struck by a car while working an accident on icy Interstate 470 on Thursday.

Just before 8a.m. police and fire crews responded to a non-injury accident on westbound Interstate 470 near Huntoon, according to city spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

A few minutes later, a vehicle not involved in the original accident, struck the firefighter who was working the accident. Personnel on scene provided immediate care to the firefighter. 

American Medical Response transported the firefighter to a local hospital with serious injuries. The firefighter is alert at the hospital, according to Spiker.

The drivers involved in both accidents were treated on scene for minor injuries that did not require transport.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating both accidents. Westbound Interstate 470 was shut down at Huntoon during the investigation. Officials did not release the name of the injured firefighter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673536228071.png" alt="American Medical Response transported the firefighter to a local hospital-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>American Medical Response transported the firefighter to a local hospital-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—A Topeka firefighter was injured&nbsp; after being struck by a car while working an accident on icy Interstate 470 on Thursday.Just before 8a.m. police and fire crews responded to a non-injury accident on westbound Interstate 470 near Huntoon, according to city spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.A few minutes later, a vehicle not involved in the original accident, struck the firefighter who was working the accident. Personnel on scene provided immediate care to the firefighter. American Medical Response transported the firefighter to a local hospital with serious injuries. The firefighter is alert at the hospital, according to Spiker.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673536255787.png" alt="KHP is in charge of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>KHP is in charge of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>The drivers involved in both accidents were treated on scene for minor injuries that did not require transport.The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating both accidents. Westbound Interstate 470 was shut down at Huntoon during the investigation. Officials did not release the name of the injured firefighter.

Kansas firefighter struck by car while working earlier crash

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of flights across the U.S. were canceled or delayed Wednesday after a system that offers safety information to pilots failed, and the government launched an investigation into the breakdown, which grounded some planes for hours.

Senator Jerry Moran, co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus wants answers. 

In a statement from his office Moran and Senator Amy Klobuchar wrote,&nbsp; “Travelers in the United States deserve safe and dependable air travel service. As co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, we had a constructive conversation with FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen who said that his agency is working to determine what caused the breakdown to ensure it doesn’t happen again."

"We are committed to working together in a bipartisan way to strengthen and modernize our air travel system and meet the demands of our 21st century economy.”

The Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary indications “traced the outage to a damaged database file." The agency said it would take steps to avoid another similar disruption.

The breakdown showed how much American air travel depends on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-federal-aviation-administration-business-9e277db75130cc7e4d4b6c6a7bdaad7c">the computer system that generates alerts called NOTAMs</a>&nbsp;— or Notice to Air Missions.

Before a plane takes off, pilots and airline dispatchers must review the notices, which include details about bad weather, runway closures or other temporary factors that could affect the flight. The system was once telephone-based but moved online years ago.

The system broke down late Tuesday and was not fixed until midmorning Wednesday. The FAA took the rare step of preventing any planes from taking off for a time, and the cascading chaos led to more than 1,300 flight cancellations and 9,000 delays by early evening on the East Coast, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told a news conference that the problems "led to a ground stop because of the way safety information was moving through the system.”

After the failures were fixed, he warned that travelers could continue to see some effects “rippling through the system.”

Buttigieg said his agency would now try to learn why the system went down.

Longtime aviation insiders could not recall an outage of such magnitude caused by a technology failure. Some compared it in scope to the nationwide shutdown of airspace after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

“Periodically there have been local issues here or there, but this is pretty significant historically,” said Tim Campbell, a former senior vice president of air operations at American Airlines and now a consultant in Minneapolis.

Campbell said there has long been concern about the FAA’s technology, and not just the NOTAM system.

Many of those systems “are old mainframe systems that are generally reliable, but they are out of date,” he said.

John Cox, a former airline pilot and aviation safety expert, said the aviation industry has talked for years about trying to modernize the NOTAM system, but he did not know the age of the servers that the FAA uses.

“I’ve been flying 53 years. I’ve never heard the system go down like this,” Cox said. “So something unusual happened.”

According to FAA advisories, the NOTAM system failed at 8:28 p.m. Tuesday, preventing new or amended notices from being distributed to pilots. The FAA resorted to a telephone hotline to keep departures flying overnight, but as air traffic picked up in the morning, the phone system was overwhelmed.

The FAA ordered all departing flights grounded early Wednesday, affecting all passenger and cargo flights. Some medical flights could get clearance, and the outage did not affect military operations.

President Joe Biden said that he was briefed by Buttigieg.

Buttigieg said the ground stop showed that “safety is going to be our North Star, as it always is.”

“We are now pivoting to focus on understanding the causes of the issue,” he said.

Pilots and safety officials have complained about NOTAMs for years, saying there are too many of them and that some are unnecessary and written in cryptic abbreviations.

The National Transportation Safety Board highlighted the large number of notices in its investigation of a near-disaster in 2017 in San Francisco. An Air Canada jet whose pilots had overlooked a NOTAM about a closed runway nearly landed by mistake on a parallel taxiway. They skimmed just over the tops of four other airliners waiting to take off.

The safety board’s chairman at the time, Robert Sumwalt, noted that the closed runway was mentioned on the eighth of 27 pages of notices for the San Francisco airport, and the entry was written in an arcane fashion.

“That’s what NOTAMs are. They are a bunch of garbage that no one pays any attention to,” he said.

The FAA said in a 2020 report that it modernized the distribution of the notices through a standardized digital format that was to be completed in July of that year.

As the extent of Wednesday’s breakdown became clear and airlines delayed more flights, passengers scrambled to rearrange trips. Many said they had trouble finding out how long the delays would last.

“There is just a lot of frustration, a lot of confusion,” said Ryan Ososki, who was trying to fly from Washington, D.C., to California for a conference.

Julia Macpherson was on a United flight from Sydney to Los Angeles when she learned of possible delays.

“As I was up in the air, I got news from my friend who was also traveling overseas that there was a power outage,” said Macpherson, who was returning to Jacksonville, Florida, from Tasmania.

Passengers at airports in Chicago, Atlanta and elsewhere reported similar experiences.

European flights into the U.S. appeared to be largely unaffected.

It was the latest headache for travelers in the U.S., who faced an even larger number of daily flight cancellations over the Christmas holiday due to a severe winter storm and a breakdown in crew-scheduling technology at Southwest Airlines.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650998339816.png" alt="The Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary indications “traced the outage to a damaged database file." The agency said it would take steps to avoid another similar disruption." />
 <figcaption>The Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary indications “traced the outage to a damaged database file." The agency said it would take steps to avoid another similar disruption.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of flights across the U.S. were canceled or delayed Wednesday after a system that offers safety information to pilots failed, and the government launched an investigation into the breakdown, which grounded some planes for hours.Senator Jerry Moran, co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus wants answers. In a statement from his office Moran and Senator Amy Klobuchar wrote,&nbsp; “Travelers in the United States deserve safe and dependable air travel service. As co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, we had a constructive conversation with FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen who said that his agency is working to determine what caused the breakdown to ensure it doesn’t happen again.""We are committed to working together in a bipartisan way to strengthen and modernize our air travel system and meet the demands of our 21st century economy.”The Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary indications “traced the outage to a damaged database file." The agency said it would take steps to avoid another similar disruption.The breakdown showed how much American air travel depends on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-federal-aviation-administration-business-9e277db75130cc7e4d4b6c6a7bdaad7c">the computer system that generates alerts called NOTAMs</a>&nbsp;— or Notice to Air Missions.Before a plane takes off, pilots and airline dispatchers must review the notices, which include details about bad weather, runway closures or other temporary factors that could affect the flight. The system was once telephone-based but moved online years ago.The system broke down late Tuesday and was not fixed until midmorning Wednesday. The FAA took the rare step of preventing any planes from taking off for a time, and the cascading chaos led to more than 1,300 flight cancellations and 9,000 delays by early evening on the East Coast, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told a news conference that the problems "led to a ground stop because of the way safety information was moving through the system.”After the failures were fixed, he warned that travelers could continue to see some effects “rippling through the system.”Buttigieg said his agency would now try to learn why the system went down.Longtime aviation insiders could not recall an outage of such magnitude caused by a technology failure. Some compared it in scope to the nationwide shutdown of airspace after the 2001 terrorist attacks.“Periodically there have been local issues here or there, but this is pretty significant historically,” said Tim Campbell, a former senior vice president of air operations at American Airlines and now a consultant in Minneapolis.Campbell said there has long been concern about the FAA’s technology, and not just the NOTAM system.Many of those systems “are old mainframe systems that are generally reliable, but they are out of date,” he said.John Cox, a former airline pilot and aviation safety expert, said the aviation industry has talked for years about trying to modernize the NOTAM system, but he did not know the age of the servers that the FAA uses.“I’ve been flying 53 years. I’ve never heard the system go down like this,” Cox said. “So something unusual happened.”According to FAA advisories, the NOTAM system failed at 8:28 p.m. Tuesday, preventing new or amended notices from being distributed to pilots. The FAA resorted to a telephone hotline to keep departures flying overnight, but as air traffic picked up in the morning, the phone system was overwhelmed.The FAA ordered all departing flights grounded early Wednesday, affecting all passenger and cargo flights. Some medical flights could get clearance, and the outage did not affect military operations.President Joe Biden said that he was briefed by Buttigieg.Buttigieg said the ground stop showed that “safety is going to be our North Star, as it always is.”“We are now pivoting to focus on understanding the causes of the issue,” he said.Pilots and safety officials have complained about NOTAMs for years, saying there are too many of them and that some are unnecessary and written in cryptic abbreviations.The National Transportation Safety Board highlighted the large number of notices in its investigation of a near-disaster in 2017 in San Francisco. An Air Canada jet whose pilots had overlooked a NOTAM about a closed runway nearly landed by mistake on a parallel taxiway. They skimmed just over the tops of four other airliners waiting to take off.The safety board’s chairman at the time, Robert Sumwalt, noted that the closed runway was mentioned on the eighth of 27 pages of notices for the San Francisco airport, and the entry was written in an arcane fashion.“That’s what NOTAMs are. They are a bunch of garbage that no one pays any attention to,” he said.The FAA said in a 2020 report that it modernized the distribution of the notices through a standardized digital format that was to be completed in July of that year.As the extent of Wednesday’s breakdown became clear and airlines delayed more flights, passengers scrambled to rearrange trips. Many said they had trouble finding out how long the delays would last.“There is just a lot of frustration, a lot of confusion,” said Ryan Ososki, who was trying to fly from Washington, D.C., to California for a conference.Julia Macpherson was on a United flight from Sydney to Los Angeles when she learned of possible delays.“As I was up in the air, I got news from my friend who was also traveling overseas that there was a power outage,” said Macpherson, who was returning to Jacksonville, Florida, from Tasmania.Passengers at airports in Chicago, Atlanta and elsewhere reported similar experiences.European flights into the U.S. appeared to be largely unaffected.It was the latest headache for travelers in the U.S., who faced an even larger number of daily flight cancellations over the Christmas holiday due to a severe winter storm and a breakdown in crew-scheduling technology at Southwest Airlines.---------

Moran demands answers from FAA over air travel nightmare

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged arson.

Just after 11a.m. Tuesday fire crews first responded to the 1500 block of SW Cheyenne Hills Road on the report of a grass fire, according to Topeka Fire Dept. spokesperson Rosie Nichols. Firefighters were able to control the fire before structures were threatened. 

Soon after their arrival, they were alerted of a fire at a nearby assisted living facility in the 5800 block of SW Drury Lane. With the assistance of staff on-site, crews were able to extinguish the fire before major damage occurred.

Minutes after the initial fire call, more reports were received for grass and leaves on fire around a fence in the 1400 block of SW Glendale Drive. Crews from the south side of Topeka were dispatched to handle those fires due to the ongoing grass fire crews were already attending. 

Due to the proactive work and awareness from Topeka police officers, a woman matching the suspect’s description was located and questioned regarding the fires. 

After further investigation, it was determined that 43-year-old Colleen Knoxsah of Topeka was responsible for the fires, and she was arrested by a Topeka Fire Investigator with the assistance of a TPD officer, and the Chief of Investigations from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal.

Knoxsah is in custody on requested charges that include three counts of arson, and one count of aggravated arson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673454350216.png" alt="Knoxsah-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Knoxsah-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged arson.Just after 11a.m. Tuesday fire crews first responded to the 1500 block of SW Cheyenne Hills Road on the report of a grass fire, according to Topeka Fire Dept. spokesperson Rosie Nichols. Firefighters were able to control the fire before structures were threatened. Soon after their arrival, they were alerted of a fire at a nearby assisted living facility in the 5800 block of SW Drury Lane. With the assistance of staff on-site, crews were able to extinguish the fire before major damage occurred.Minutes after the initial fire call, more reports were received for grass and leaves on fire around a fence in the 1400 block of SW Glendale Drive. Crews from the south side of Topeka were dispatched to handle those fires due to the ongoing grass fire crews were already attending. Due to the proactive work and awareness from Topeka police officers, a woman matching the suspect’s description was located and questioned regarding the fires. After further investigation, it was determined that 43-year-old Colleen Knoxsah of Topeka was responsible for the fires, and she was arrested by a Topeka Fire Investigator with the assistance of a TPD officer, and the Chief of Investigations from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal.Knoxsah is in custody on requested charges that include three counts of arson, and one count of aggravated arson.

Kansas woman accused of setting series of fires

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas have assisted in arresting a sex crime suspect.

Last week, the&nbsp;Schoharie County New York Sheriff's Office&nbsp;contacted officials in Kansas about a possible wanted felon located in Shawnee County, according to a media release.

The 28-year-old suspect identified as Briad D. Kosier, was wanted for an alleged sex crime against a minor. 

Deputies with the Shawnee County Fugitive Warrant Unit located the Kosier and took him into custody without incident. 

He remains in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections waiting for extradition. The bond warrant, according to online jail records is $250,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673472138066.png" alt="Kosier-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kosier-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas have assisted in arresting a sex crime suspect.Last week, the&nbsp;Schoharie County New York Sheriff's Office&nbsp;contacted officials in Kansas about a possible wanted felon located in Shawnee County, according to a media release.The 28-year-old suspect identified as Briad D. Kosier, was wanted for an alleged sex crime against a minor. Deputies with the Shawnee County Fugitive Warrant Unit located the Kosier and took him into custody without incident. He remains in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections waiting for extradition. The bond warrant, according to online jail records is $250,000.

New York child sex crime suspect captured in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s legal team has discovered additional documents containing classification markings in a second location, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The revelation comes days after an attorney for the president said Biden’s lawyers had discovered a “small number” of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-812ef44a5333f6d93423a67a683fa024">classified documents at his former office space</a>&nbsp;in Washington.

Earlier this week, the White House confirmed that the Department of Justice was reviewing “a small number of documents with classified markings” found at the office. Biden’s attorneys had discovered the documents at the offices of the Penn Biden Center and then immediately called the National Archives about the discovery, the White House said. Biden kept an office there after he left the vice presidency in 2017 until shortly before he launched his Democratic presidential campaign in 2019.

The person who spoke to the AP Wednesday said the president’s legal team found additional classified material at a second location. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the sensitive matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. The person did not say when or where the material was found or specific details about the level of classification of the documents.

The revelation that additional classified documents were uncovered by Biden’s attorneys came hours after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged questions about Biden’s handling of classified information and the West Wing’s management of the discovery. She said the White House was committed to handling the matter in the “right way,” pointing to Biden’s personal attorneys’ immediate notification of the National Archives.

But she refused to say when Biden himself had been briefed, whether there were any more classified documents potentially located at other unauthorized locations, and why the White House waited more than two months to reveal the discovery of the initial batch of documents, which were found Nov. 2, days before the midterm elections.

(Click below to watch the White House Press Sec. answer questions on the documents)

“As my colleagues in the Counsel have stated and said to all of you yesterday, this is an ongoing process under the review of the Department of Justice. So we are going to be limited on what we can say here," Jean-Pierre said.

The White House and Justice Department declined to comment Wednesday on reports of the second set of classified records. It was first reported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-aides-find-second-batch-classified-documents-new-location-rcna65371">NBC News</a>.

The Justice Department is reviewing the records that were found at the Penn Biden Center and Attorney General Merrick Garland has asked John Lausch, the U.S. attorney in Chicago, to review the the matter, another person familiar with the matter told the AP this week. That person also was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Lausch is one of the few U.S. attorneys to be held over from former President Donald Trump’s administration.

Irrespective of the Justice Department review, the revelation that Biden potentially mishandled classified or presidential records could prove to be a political headache for the president, who called Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-national-security-9c1f6dca7e3e8073ee029604c8253a5c">decision to keep hundreds of such records</a>&nbsp;at his private club in Florida “irresponsible.”

Biden has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-us-department-justice-a45855907a73acb256bb7c4dd5a91610">said he was “surprised to learn that there are any government records that were taken there to that office”</a>&nbsp;but his lawyers “did what they should have done” when they immediately called the National Archives.

The top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee has requested that the U.S. intelligence community conduct a “damage assessment” of potentially classified documents.

The revelation also may complicate the Justice Department’s consideration of whether to bring charges against Trump, a Republican who is trying to win back the White House in 2024 and has repeatedly claimed the department’s inquiry into his own conduct amounted to “corruption.”

There&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-trump-side-by-side-fb2c4ebccdbdbb9039c1c5e227b1da53">are significant differences between the Trump and Biden situations</a>, including the gravity of an ongoing grand jury investigation into the Mar-a-Lago matter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673489410307.png" alt="The White House and Justice Department declined to comment Wednesday on reports of the second set of classified records.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House and Justice Department declined to comment Wednesday on reports of the second set of classified records.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s legal team has discovered additional documents containing classification markings in a second location, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The revelation comes days after an attorney for the president said Biden’s lawyers had discovered a “small number” of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-812ef44a5333f6d93423a67a683fa024">classified documents at his former office space</a>&nbsp;in Washington.Earlier this week, the White House confirmed that the Department of Justice was reviewing “a small number of documents with classified markings” found at the office. Biden’s attorneys had discovered the documents at the offices of the Penn Biden Center and then immediately called the National Archives about the discovery, the White House said. Biden kept an office there after he left the vice presidency in 2017 until shortly before he launched his Democratic presidential campaign in 2019.The person who spoke to the AP Wednesday said the president’s legal team found additional classified material at a second location. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the sensitive matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. The person did not say when or where the material was found or specific details about the level of classification of the documents.The revelation that additional classified documents were uncovered by Biden’s attorneys came hours after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged questions about Biden’s handling of classified information and the West Wing’s management of the discovery. She said the White House was committed to handling the matter in the “right way,” pointing to Biden’s personal attorneys’ immediate notification of the National Archives.But she refused to say when Biden himself had been briefed, whether there were any more classified documents potentially located at other unauthorized locations, and why the White House waited more than two months to reveal the discovery of the initial batch of documents, which were found Nov. 2, days before the midterm elections.(Click below to watch the White House Press Sec. answer questions on the documents)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1178795769445405%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=613" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>“As my colleagues in the Counsel have stated and said to all of you yesterday, this is an ongoing process under the review of the Department of Justice. So we are going to be limited on what we can say here," Jean-Pierre said.The White House and Justice Department declined to comment Wednesday on reports of the second set of classified records. It was first reported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-aides-find-second-batch-classified-documents-new-location-rcna65371">NBC News</a>.The Justice Department is reviewing the records that were found at the Penn Biden Center and Attorney General Merrick Garland has asked John Lausch, the U.S. attorney in Chicago, to review the the matter, another person familiar with the matter told the AP this week. That person also was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.Lausch is one of the few U.S. attorneys to be held over from former President Donald Trump’s administration.Irrespective of the Justice Department review, the revelation that Biden potentially mishandled classified or presidential records could prove to be a political headache for the president, who called Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-national-security-9c1f6dca7e3e8073ee029604c8253a5c">decision to keep hundreds of such records</a>&nbsp;at his private club in Florida “irresponsible.”Biden has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-us-department-justice-a45855907a73acb256bb7c4dd5a91610">said he was “surprised to learn that there are any government records that were taken there to that office”</a>&nbsp;but his lawyers “did what they should have done” when they immediately called the National Archives.The top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee has requested that the U.S. intelligence community conduct a “damage assessment” of potentially classified documents.The revelation also may complicate the Justice Department’s consideration of whether to bring charges against Trump, a Republican who is trying to win back the White House in 2024 and has repeatedly claimed the department’s inquiry into his own conduct amounted to “corruption.”There&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-trump-side-by-side-fb2c4ebccdbdbb9039c1c5e227b1da53">are significant differences between the Trump and Biden situations</a>, including the gravity of an ongoing grand jury investigation into the Mar-a-Lago matter.

🎥Biden team finds more classified documents at second location

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the&nbsp;&nbsp;alleged kidnappings involving three juveniles near a Kansas elementary school made his first court appearance Tuesday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20063339">&nbsp;Manasseh Ward, 21, Wichita,</a> is charged with kidnapping, 4 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated kidnapping, 3 counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, 2 counts of attempted rape, aggravated assault and interference with law enforcement, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 4p.m. January 4, a teenage girl reported being kidnapped by a bi-racial man driving a blue vehicle in the 6600 block of East Boston in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

 The man attempted to sexually assault the girl in the car. The man let the child go and she reported the incident to a family member.

Just before 9a.m. January 5, two elementary-aged children, a boy and girl, left their home on foot in the 900 block of South Drury to head to Clark Elementary School at 650 S Apache in Wichita.

A man in a blue vehicle kidnapped the children. The suspect put both kids in his vehicle and then drove away. A short time later he dropped the boy victim off and left with the girl..

While gathering information officers were patrolling the area and located the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it. &nbsp;A brief foot pursuit occurred and officers took Ward into custody in the 6600 block of East Boston.&nbsp; 

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20063339">He is being held on $1, 600,000 bond.</a>&nbsp;The next court hearing in the case is January 26, according to the district attorney's office. His bond in an earlier probation violation is one-million dollar

In September, police arrested Ward on requested charges of of aggravated domestic battery, according to Sedgwick County booking report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673010286685.png" alt="Ward-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Ward-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the&nbsp;&nbsp;alleged kidnappings involving three juveniles near a Kansas elementary school made his first court appearance Tuesday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20063339">&nbsp;Manasseh Ward, 21, Wichita,</a> is charged with kidnapping, 4 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated kidnapping, 3 counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, 2 counts of attempted rape, aggravated assault and interference with law enforcement, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 4p.m. January 4, a teenage girl reported being kidnapped by a bi-racial man driving a blue vehicle in the 6600 block of East Boston in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. The man attempted to sexually assault the girl in the car. The man let the child go and she reported the incident to a family member.Just before 9a.m. January 5, two elementary-aged children, a boy and girl, left their home on foot in the 900 block of South Drury to head to Clark Elementary School at 650 S Apache in Wichita.A man in a blue vehicle kidnapped the children. The suspect put both kids in his vehicle and then drove away. A short time later he dropped the boy victim off and left with the girl..While gathering information officers were patrolling the area and located the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it. &nbsp;A brief foot pursuit occurred and officers took Ward into custody in the 6600 block of East Boston.&nbsp; <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20063339">He is being held on $1, 600,000 bond.</a>&nbsp;The next court hearing in the case is January 26, according to the district attorney's office. His bond in an earlier probation violation is one-million dollarIn September, police arrested Ward on requested charges of of aggravated domestic battery, according to Sedgwick County booking report.

Man charged in kidnapping, sex assault of kids near Kan. school

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Geico is off the hook, at least for now, from paying a Missouri woman $5.2 million because she said she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-kansas-lawsuits-business-d2968fb49ad807a720223ec09e7bc614">contracted a sexually transmitted disease in the car</a>&nbsp;of a man who is insured by the company.

The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=191589">ruled unanimously</a>&nbsp;to overturn a lower court’s ruling that favored paying the woman. Instead, the state Supreme Court judges said Maryland-based Geico should have had a chance to weigh in sooner and sent the case back to the lower court for further deliberation.

According to court documents, the woman, identified as M.O., and a man, who were in a relationship, had sex in the man’s car. She contends she contracted HPV, human papillomavirus, because the man did not tell her he had the disease. HPV can cause cervical cancer, certain other cancers and genital warts.

In February 2021, M.O. notified Geico she planned to seek a $1 million insurance settlement against the man. She argued the man’s auto insurance provided coverage for her injuries and losses.

The insurance company refused the settlement, saying the woman’s claim did not occur because of normal use of the vehicle, according to court documents.

An arbitrator eventually determined she should be awarded $5.2 million for damages and her injuries. Geico sought to intervene in the case but was denied by an appeals court.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Geico could be required to pay a Missouri woman $5.2 million because she said she contracted a sexually transmitted disease while having sex in the car of a man who is insured by the company.

A three-judge panel of the Missouri Court of Appeals on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=187183">upheld</a>&nbsp;a Jackson County Court's decision affirming an arbitrator's finding that the woman was entitled to the award.

However, Maryland-based Geico has filed a federal lawsuit arguing the woman's claim is not covered by the man's insurance policy. The company said in an email Thursday that lawsuit will determine whether “there is coverage in this matter.”

According to court documents, the woman, identified as M.O., and a man, who were in a relationship, had sex in the man's car. She contends she contracted HPV, human papillomavirus, because the man did not tell her he had the disease. HPV can cause cervical cancer, certain other cancers and genital warts.

The insurance company refused the settlement offer, saying the woman's claim did not occur because of normal use of the vehicle, according to court documents.

An arbitrator eventually determined she should be awarded $5.2 million for damages and her injuries. She then filed a motion in Jackson County Court seeking to confirm the award.

Geico claimed it did not know the man and woman had entered into arbitration and, when it found out, it sought to intervene in the court case. The company argued the arbitration award was reached through collusion and fraud, violated its rights to due process and was unenforceable.

The lower court rejected Geico's requests and confirmed the award, prompting the insurance company's appeal because it said it did not have a “meaningful opportunity” to defend its interests, according to court documents.

The appeals court found that Geico did not have the right to “re-litigate” the issues after the award had been affirmed.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Geico is off the hook, at least for now, from paying a Missouri woman $5.2 million because she said she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-kansas-lawsuits-business-d2968fb49ad807a720223ec09e7bc614">contracted a sexually transmitted disease in the car</a>&nbsp;of a man who is insured by the company.The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=191589">ruled unanimously</a>&nbsp;to overturn a lower court’s ruling that favored paying the woman. Instead, the state Supreme Court judges said Maryland-based Geico should have had a chance to weigh in sooner and sent the case back to the lower court for further deliberation.According to court documents, the woman, identified as M.O., and a man, who were in a relationship, had sex in the man’s car. She contends she contracted HPV, human papillomavirus, because the man did not tell her he had the disease. HPV can cause cervical cancer, certain other cancers and genital warts.In February 2021, M.O. notified Geico she planned to seek a $1 million insurance settlement against the man. She argued the man’s auto insurance provided coverage for her injuries and losses.The insurance company refused the settlement, saying the woman’s claim did not occur because of normal use of the vehicle, according to court documents.An arbitrator eventually determined she should be awarded $5.2 million for damages and her injuries. Geico sought to intervene in the case but was denied by an appeals court.---------------KANSAS CITY (AP) — Geico could be required to pay a Missouri woman $5.2 million because she said she contracted a sexually transmitted disease while having sex in the car of a man who is insured by the company.A three-judge panel of the Missouri Court of Appeals on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=187183">upheld</a>&nbsp;a Jackson County Court's decision affirming an arbitrator's finding that the woman was entitled to the award.However, Maryland-based Geico has filed a federal lawsuit arguing the woman's claim is not covered by the man's insurance policy. The company said in an email Thursday that lawsuit will determine whether “there is coverage in this matter.”According to court documents, the woman, identified as M.O., and a man, who were in a relationship, had sex in the man's car. She contends she contracted HPV, human papillomavirus, because the man did not tell her he had the disease. HPV can cause cervical cancer, certain other cancers and genital warts.In February 2021, M.O. notified Geico she planned to seek a $1 million insurance settlement against the man. She argued the man’s auto insurance provided coverage for her injuries and losses.The insurance company refused the settlement offer, saying the woman's claim did not occur because of normal use of the vehicle, according to court documents.An arbitrator eventually determined she should be awarded $5.2 million for damages and her injuries. She then filed a motion in Jackson County Court seeking to confirm the award.Geico claimed it did not know the man and woman had entered into arbitration and, when it found out, it sought to intervene in the court case. The company argued the arbitration award was reached through collusion and fraud, violated its rights to due process and was unenforceable.The lower court rejected Geico's requests and confirmed the award, prompting the insurance company's appeal because it said it did not have a “meaningful opportunity” to defend its interests, according to court documents.The appeals court found that Geico did not have the right to “re-litigate” the issues after the award had been affirmed.

Judges vacate $5M payout to woman who got STD during sex in car

KANSAS CITY (AP ) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">Christian boarding school in Missouri</a>&nbsp;that's been under intense scrutiny over abuse allegations announced Wednesday that it will close later this month due to financial hardship.

Agape Boarding School in Stockton has been the subject of state and location investigations and several lawsuits from former students. It will stop providing service effective Jan. 20, according to a statement from the school for boys.

Attendance at Agape plummeted after abuse allegations surfaced. Agape had 132 students 13 months ago, its lawyer, John Schultz said. It now has 12.

The school’s focus now is “on getting the boys who remain in the program safely transitioned to their parents or to foster care, other group homes or residential programs," its former director, Bryan Clemensen, said in a statement.

Clemensen said the decision to close "is voluntary and solely due to the lack of financial resources to continue caring for the boys.”

Agape's trouble began in 2020 when former students came forward with abuse allegations. One former student said he was raped at Agape and called “seizure boy” because of his epilepsy. Others said they suffered permanent injuries from being disciplined or forced to work long hours of manual labor.

Allegations of physical and sexual abuse at Agape and Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch prompted a state law in 2021 requiring stricter oversight of such facilities. Missouri previously had virtually no oversight for religious boarding schools.

In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-missouri-springfield-89eb20fc1edcba8cf5963abdc69e48c8">Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock</a>, was charged with child sex crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-child-abuse-kansas-missouri-a97fcf244d041a1468945b10af5f5f76">five employees were charged</a>&nbsp;with low-level abuse counts. Then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.

Meanwhile, the husband-and-wife&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-fe24ade3e378bfb53796a0af7cd71deb">founders of Circle of Hope</a>, Boyd and Stephanie Householder, face a combined 99 charges that include child abuse and neglect, sex crimes and other counts. The school closed in 2020 amid investigations.

Several lawsuits filed on behalf of former students also have named Agape and Circle of Hope. One former Agape student who sued, Robert Bucklin, said the closure means justice “has finally prevailed.”

“Today, the hundreds of victims who have come forth can rest assured that no more children will be hurt at Agape Boarding School,” Bucklin said in a text. “The healing process can start for so many.”

Among other things, the new state law allows state or local authorities to petition the court for closure of a facility if children's safety or health are believed to be in immediate danger.

Schmitt last year asked a Cedar County judge to close Agape, but the judge had not yet issued a decision. Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate last year and sworn in this month. The newly appointed attorney general, Andrew Bailey, had said he planned to continue pursuing closure.

KANSAS CITY (AP ) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">Christian boarding school in Missouri</a>&nbsp;that's been under intense scrutiny over abuse allegations announced Wednesday that it will close later this month due to financial hardship.Agape Boarding School in Stockton has been the subject of state and location investigations and several lawsuits from former students. It will stop providing service effective Jan. 20, according to a statement from the school for boys.Attendance at Agape plummeted after abuse allegations surfaced. Agape had 132 students 13 months ago, its lawyer, John Schultz said. It now has 12.The school’s focus now is “on getting the boys who remain in the program safely transitioned to their parents or to foster care, other group homes or residential programs," its former director, Bryan Clemensen, said in a statement.Clemensen said the decision to close "is voluntary and solely due to the lack of financial resources to continue caring for the boys.”Agape's trouble began in 2020 when former students came forward with abuse allegations. One former student said he was raped at Agape and called “seizure boy” because of his epilepsy. Others said they suffered permanent injuries from being disciplined or forced to work long hours of manual labor.Allegations of physical and sexual abuse at Agape and Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch prompted a state law in 2021 requiring stricter oversight of such facilities. Missouri previously had virtually no oversight for religious boarding schools.In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-missouri-springfield-89eb20fc1edcba8cf5963abdc69e48c8">Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock</a>, was charged with child sex crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-child-abuse-kansas-missouri-a97fcf244d041a1468945b10af5f5f76">five employees were charged</a>&nbsp;with low-level abuse counts. Then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.Meanwhile, the husband-and-wife&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-fe24ade3e378bfb53796a0af7cd71deb">founders of Circle of Hope</a>, Boyd and Stephanie Householder, face a combined 99 charges that include child abuse and neglect, sex crimes and other counts. The school closed in 2020 amid investigations.Several lawsuits filed on behalf of former students also have named Agape and Circle of Hope. One former Agape student who sued, Robert Bucklin, said the closure means justice “has finally prevailed.”“Today, the hundreds of victims who have come forth can rest assured that no more children will be hurt at Agape Boarding School,” Bucklin said in a text. “The healing process can start for so many.”Among other things, the new state law allows state or local authorities to petition the court for closure of a facility if children's safety or health are believed to be in immediate danger.Schmitt last year asked a Cedar County judge to close Agape, but the judge had not yet issued a decision. Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate last year and sworn in this month. The newly appointed attorney general, Andrew Bailey, had said he planned to continue pursuing closure.

Christian boarding school under investigation will shut down

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug and weapons charges after a high speed chase.

Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a&nbsp; 2001 Chevrolet Suburban near NW Gordon Street and NW Polk Street&nbsp; with an unreadable tag, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver failed to stop and initiated a pursuit that continued in north Topeka before crossing the Kansas Avenue bridge. A deputy performed a successful tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) near SE 6th Street and SE Liberty Street, ending the pursuit. 

Both occupants were taken into custody. During the investigation, illegal narcotics and two handguns were located inside the vehicle.

The driver, Keith F. Kulper Jr., 42, of Topeka, received medical attention at a local hospital for shoulder pain. Kulper Jr. was then booked into the Shawnee County Department of Correction on requested charges of felon in possession of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony flee and elude, endangerment, improper registration of vehicle, driving while suspended, and no insurance. Kulper Jr. was also booked in on a felony warrant through the Kansas Department of Corrections for a parole violation with the original charge being criminal possession of a weapon.

The passenger, Jennifer D. Richardson, 28, of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a warrant through Shawnee County for probation violation (original charge being theft) as well as a felony warrant through Neosho County, Kan. for possession of opiates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673436237910.png" alt="Kulper-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kulper-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug and weapons charges after a high speed chase.Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a&nbsp; 2001 Chevrolet Suburban near NW Gordon Street and NW Polk Street&nbsp; with an unreadable tag, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver failed to stop and initiated a pursuit that continued in north Topeka before crossing the Kansas Avenue bridge. A deputy performed a successful tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) near SE 6th Street and SE Liberty Street, ending the pursuit. Both occupants were taken into custody. During the investigation, illegal narcotics and two handguns were located inside the vehicle.The driver, Keith F. Kulper Jr., 42, of Topeka, received medical attention at a local hospital for shoulder pain. Kulper Jr. was then booked into the Shawnee County Department of Correction on requested charges of felon in possession of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony flee and elude, endangerment, improper registration of vehicle, driving while suspended, and no insurance. Kulper Jr. was also booked in on a felony warrant through the Kansas Department of Corrections for a parole violation with the original charge being criminal possession of a weapon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673436341293.png" alt="Richardson-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Richardson-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The passenger, Jennifer D. Richardson, 28, of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a warrant through Shawnee County for probation violation (original charge being theft) as well as a felony warrant through Neosho County, Kan. for possession of opiates.

Sheriff: Wanted Kansas felon captured after chase

BROWN COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and the Horton Police Department are investigating a suspicious death after a man was found dead Tuesday afternoon in rural Horton, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a woman requesting law enforcement assistance at 1435 K-20 Highway, in Horton.

 Upon arrival, Brown County deputies discovered a man’s body in the attic of the home. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The man has been identified as Gene A.&nbsp; Dunlap, 56. Dunlap lived at the residence where he was found. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.&nbsp;

BROWN COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and the Horton Police Department are investigating a suspicious death after a man was found dead Tuesday afternoon in rural Horton, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.Just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a woman requesting law enforcement assistance at 1435 K-20 Highway, in Horton. Upon arrival, Brown County deputies discovered a man’s body in the attic of the home. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.The man has been identified as Gene A.&nbsp; Dunlap, 56. Dunlap lived at the residence where he was found. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.&nbsp;

KBI: Deputies found man's body in attic of Kansas home

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Chickens may not be able to fly very far, but the price of eggs is soaring.

A lingering bird flu outbreak, combined with soaring feed, fuel and labor costs, has led to U.S. egg prices more than doubling over the past year, and hatched a lot of sticker shock on grocery aisles.

The national average price for a dozen eggs hit $3.59 in November, up from $1.72 a year earlier, according to the latest government data. That's putting stress on consumer budgets and the bottom lines of restaurants, bakeries and other food producers that rely heavily on eggs.

Grocery prices that were up 12% in November are driving inflation higher, even though the overall pace of price increases slowed a bit through the fall as gas prices eased.

But egg prices are up significantly more than other foods — even more than chicken or turkey — because egg farmers were hit harder by the bird flu. More than 43 million of the 58 million birds slaughtered over the past year to control the virus have been egg-laying chickens, including some farms with more than a million birds apiece in major egg-producing states like Iowa.

Everyone who approaches the egg case a Hy-Vee grocery store in Omaha, "has a sour face," said shopper Nancy Stom.

But even with the cost increases, eggs remain relatively cheap compared to the price of other proteins like chicken or beef, with a pound of chicken breasts going for $4.42 on average in November and a pound of ground beef selling for $4.85, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"It's still an inexpensive meal," Stom said. But the 70-year-old said that at these prices, she'll watch her eggs more closely in the fridge and try not to let them go bad before they get used.

If prices remain this high, Kelly Fischer said she will start thinking more seriously about building a backyard chicken coop in Chicago because everyone in her family eats eggs.

"We (with neighbors) are contemplating building a chicken coop behind our houses, so eventually I hope not to buy them and have my own eggs and I think the cost comes into that somewhat," the 46-year-old public school teacher said while shopping at HarvesTime Foods on the city's North Side. "For me, it's more of the environmental impact and trying to purchase locally."

In some places, it can even be hard to find eggs on the shelves. But egg supplies overall are holding up because the total flock is only down about 5% from from its normal size of around 320 million hens. Farmers have been working to replace their flocks as soon as they can after an outbreak.

Jakob Werner, 18, said he tries to find the cheapest eggs he can because he eats five or six of them a day while he's trying to gain weight and build muscle.

"For a while, I just stopped eating eggs as they got more expensive. But since they're my favorite food, I came back to them in the end," said Werner, who lives in Chicago. "So I think for like a few months I just stopped eating eggs, waited for the price to come down. It never did. So now I'm buying again."

Purdue University agricultural economist Jayson Lusk said he believes the bird flu outbreak is the biggest driver in the price increases. Unlike past years, the virus lingered throughout the summer and made a resurgence last fall infecting egg and poultry farms.

"Bird flu is not the only factor, but in my view it's the main driver of what we're experiencing at the moment," Lusk said.

But the president and CEO of the American Egg Board trade group, Emily Metz, said she believes all the cost increases farmers have faced in the past year were a bigger factor in the price increases than bird flu.

"When you're looking at fuel costs go up, and you're looking at feed costs go up as much as 60%, labor costs, packaging costs — all of that ... those are much much bigger factors than bird flu for sure," Metz said.

Jada Thomson, a University of Arkansas agricultural economist, said there may be some relief coming in egg prices in the next couple months because egg farmers have been steadily replacing their flocks lost to bird flu last year and demand will ease a bit now that people are done with their holiday baking.

But she said bird flu remains a wildcard that could still drive prices higher if there are more sizeable outbreaks at egg farms.

Farmers are doing all they can to limit the spread, but the disease is easily spread by migrating wild birds and the virus can be picked up on clothing or vehicles.

"But there are some things that are just outside of our control," Thompson said. "You can't control nature sometimes."

Food producers and restaurants are hurting because it's hard to find a good substitute for eggs in their recipes.

Any decrease in egg prices would be welcome at Patti Stobaugh's two restaurants and two bakeries in Conway and Russelville, Arkansas, because all of her ingredients and supplies are more expensive these days. For some of her baked goods, Stobaugh has switched to a frozen egg product that's not quite as pricey, but she's still buying eggs for all the breakfasts she serves.

A case of 15 dozen eggs has gone from $36 to $86 over the last year, but flour, butter, chicken and everything else she buys is also more expensive. Stobaugh said that has her "hyper vigilant about every little item."

She's already increased her prices 8% in the past year, and she may have to soon increase them again. It's a delicate balance of trying not to make it too expensive for people to eat out and hurting sales, but she doesn't have much choice while trying to provide for her 175 employees.

"We have a lot of employees that work for us and we're responsible for making payroll every week and supporting their families. We take that very seriously. But it certainly has been tough," Stobaugh said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673438313098.png" alt="Egg prices are up significantly more than other foods — even more than chicken or turkey — because egg farmers were hit harder by the bird flu." />
 <figcaption>Egg prices are up significantly more than other foods — even more than chicken or turkey — because egg farmers were hit harder by the bird flu.</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Chickens may not be able to fly very far, but the price of eggs is soaring.A lingering bird flu outbreak, combined with soaring feed, fuel and labor costs, has led to U.S. egg prices more than doubling over the past year, and hatched a lot of sticker shock on grocery aisles.The national average price for a dozen eggs hit $3.59 in November, up from $1.72 a year earlier, according to the latest government data. That's putting stress on consumer budgets and the bottom lines of restaurants, bakeries and other food producers that rely heavily on eggs.Grocery prices that were up 12% in November are driving inflation higher, even though the overall pace of price increases slowed a bit through the fall as gas prices eased.But egg prices are up significantly more than other foods — even more than chicken or turkey — because egg farmers were hit harder by the bird flu. More than 43 million of the 58 million birds slaughtered over the past year to control the virus have been egg-laying chickens, including some farms with more than a million birds apiece in major egg-producing states like Iowa.Everyone who approaches the egg case a Hy-Vee grocery store in Omaha, "has a sour face," said shopper Nancy Stom.But even with the cost increases, eggs remain relatively cheap compared to the price of other proteins like chicken or beef, with a pound of chicken breasts going for $4.42 on average in November and a pound of ground beef selling for $4.85, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics."It's still an inexpensive meal," Stom said. But the 70-year-old said that at these prices, she'll watch her eggs more closely in the fridge and try not to let them go bad before they get used.If prices remain this high, Kelly Fischer said she will start thinking more seriously about building a backyard chicken coop in Chicago because everyone in her family eats eggs."We (with neighbors) are contemplating building a chicken coop behind our houses, so eventually I hope not to buy them and have my own eggs and I think the cost comes into that somewhat," the 46-year-old public school teacher said while shopping at HarvesTime Foods on the city's North Side. "For me, it's more of the environmental impact and trying to purchase locally."In some places, it can even be hard to find eggs on the shelves. But egg supplies overall are holding up because the total flock is only down about 5% from from its normal size of around 320 million hens. Farmers have been working to replace their flocks as soon as they can after an outbreak.Jakob Werner, 18, said he tries to find the cheapest eggs he can because he eats five or six of them a day while he's trying to gain weight and build muscle."For a while, I just stopped eating eggs as they got more expensive. But since they're my favorite food, I came back to them in the end," said Werner, who lives in Chicago. "So I think for like a few months I just stopped eating eggs, waited for the price to come down. It never did. So now I'm buying again."Purdue University agricultural economist Jayson Lusk said he believes the bird flu outbreak is the biggest driver in the price increases. Unlike past years, the virus lingered throughout the summer and made a resurgence last fall infecting egg and poultry farms."Bird flu is not the only factor, but in my view it's the main driver of what we're experiencing at the moment," Lusk said.But the president and CEO of the American Egg Board trade group, Emily Metz, said she believes all the cost increases farmers have faced in the past year were a bigger factor in the price increases than bird flu."When you're looking at fuel costs go up, and you're looking at feed costs go up as much as 60%, labor costs, packaging costs — all of that ... those are much much bigger factors than bird flu for sure," Metz said.Jada Thomson, a University of Arkansas agricultural economist, said there may be some relief coming in egg prices in the next couple months because egg farmers have been steadily replacing their flocks lost to bird flu last year and demand will ease a bit now that people are done with their holiday baking.But she said bird flu remains a wildcard that could still drive prices higher if there are more sizeable outbreaks at egg farms.Farmers are doing all they can to limit the spread, but the disease is easily spread by migrating wild birds and the virus can be picked up on clothing or vehicles."But there are some things that are just outside of our control," Thompson said. "You can't control nature sometimes."Food producers and restaurants are hurting because it's hard to find a good substitute for eggs in their recipes.Any decrease in egg prices would be welcome at Patti Stobaugh's two restaurants and two bakeries in Conway and Russelville, Arkansas, because all of her ingredients and supplies are more expensive these days. For some of her baked goods, Stobaugh has switched to a frozen egg product that's not quite as pricey, but she's still buying eggs for all the breakfasts she serves.A case of 15 dozen eggs has gone from $36 to $86 over the last year, but flour, butter, chicken and everything else she buys is also more expensive. Stobaugh said that has her "hyper vigilant about every little item."She's already increased her prices 8% in the past year, and she may have to soon increase them again. It's a delicate balance of trying not to make it too expensive for people to eat out and hurting sales, but she doesn't have much choice while trying to provide for her 175 employees."We have a lot of employees that work for us and we're responsible for making payroll every week and supporting their families. We take that very seriously. But it certainly has been tough," Stobaugh said.

Why U.S. egg prices doubled over the past year

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/11/khp-outlines-recruiting-retention-challenges-in-wake-of-30-salary-bump-for-troopers/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Highway 
Patrol said Wednesday the state agency continued to struggle with 
recruitment and retention of qualified law enforcement officers despite 
the 30% raise in base salary for newer troopers implemented last year by
 the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly.

Capt. Mitch Clark told state senators the KHP was competing with 
police and sheriff departments in urban centers in Kansas and law 
enforcement agencies in neighboring states.

Nationally, he said, the applicant pool was diminished, training 
classes where smaller, and retention of young troopers and people 
eligible for retirement persisted. The economy, COVID-19, the “great 
resignation” and negative news coverage contributed to staffing woes, he
 said.

“We are all fishing out of the same pond that’s drying up, that’s more shallow,” Clark said. “This is a national crisis.”

In 2022, the state raised the wage for troopers with less than three 
years of experience from $21.13 per hour to $27.61 per hour — an 
adjustment the captain said was a “huge” benefit to the agency.

Clark told the Senate Transportation Committee the KHP had 52 trooper
 vacancies based on budget authorization for employment of 478 troopers.
 The 10.9% shortage left KHP with 426 troopers in uniform to serve the 
state’s public safety interests. In the past decade, under leadership of
 three different KHP superintendents, the agency reported averages of 
430 to 456 uniformed personnel.

The KHP graduated 15 people from training programs in 2022 and the current recruiting class included 11 members, he said.

“That’s not going to sustain us. It’s not getting us there,” Clark 
said. “It’s not going to cover those that we have already preparing to 
retire in the next few years.”

He said KHP modified entrance requirements to accept applicants with 
tattoos, under the condition the ink was covered by clothing. KHP 
changed policy to accept recruits who had experimented with illegal 
drugs. There are limits to how much KHP could amend personnel policy to 
entice people, he said.

“One of the things we cannot and are not ever going to consider is lowering our standards,” Clark said.

KHP does require applicants to have a high school diploma or GED and 
be 21 years of age by the time they graduate from the academy, but the 
state agency didn’t require college attendance or diplomas of 
applicants.

Senators on the committee didn’t raise questions about ongoing 
lawsuits and other legal controversies involving current and former KHP 
administrators. There were no questions about an&nbsp; inquiry authorized by 
the governor into whether KHP pilots misused state funds by deploying 
aircraft for personal reasons or to complete advanced flight training 
unnecessary for service in the law enforcement agency.

There has been discussion among state legislators about transferring 
administrative oversight of KHP from the governor to the attorney 
general. In addition, the Kansas State Troopers Association recommended a
 change in leadership at the highest levels of KHP, including 
Superintendent and Col. Herman Jones. He was appointed by Kelly in 2019 
when former Col. Mark Bruce was forced to resign.

Sen. Kelli Warren, a Leawood Republican and chairwoman of the Senate 
Judiciary Committee, said legislation was under development that would 
amend state law to enable law enforcement agencies to exchange 
information about unsuccessful applicants.

“The jurisdictions don’t have any ability to talk to each other about
 background checks,” Warren said. “There is legislation coming forward 
that would help address that. Is that something that would be helpful in
 your mind?”

“I do see the need for that,” the KHP captain said. “I don’t know any
 agency out there that wouldn’t want to have all the information 
available to make the best decision before they swear that person in.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673458667053.png" alt="Kansas Highway Patrol Capt. Mitch Clark told a Kansas Senate committee the agency was struggling with recruitment and retention despite a 30% increase in base pay for troopers approved by the 2022 Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Highway Patrol Capt. Mitch Clark told a Kansas Senate committee the agency was struggling with recruitment and retention despite a 30% increase in base pay for troopers approved by the 2022 Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/11/khp-outlines-recruiting-retention-challenges-in-wake-of-30-salary-bump-for-troopers/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Highway 
Patrol said Wednesday the state agency continued to struggle with 
recruitment and retention of qualified law enforcement officers despite 
the 30% raise in base salary for newer troopers implemented last year by
 the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly.Capt. Mitch Clark told state senators the KHP was competing with 
police and sheriff departments in urban centers in Kansas and law 
enforcement agencies in neighboring states.Nationally, he said, the applicant pool was diminished, training 
classes where smaller, and retention of young troopers and people 
eligible for retirement persisted. The economy, COVID-19, the “great 
resignation” and negative news coverage contributed to staffing woes, he
 said.“We are all fishing out of the same pond that’s drying up, that’s more shallow,” Clark said. “This is a national crisis.”In 2022, the state raised the wage for troopers with less than three 
years of experience from $21.13 per hour to $27.61 per hour — an 
adjustment the captain said was a “huge” benefit to the agency.Clark told the Senate Transportation Committee the KHP had 52 trooper
 vacancies based on budget authorization for employment of 478 troopers.
 The 10.9% shortage left KHP with 426 troopers in uniform to serve the 
state’s public safety interests. In the past decade, under leadership of
 three different KHP superintendents, the agency reported averages of 
430 to 456 uniformed personnel.The KHP graduated 15 people from training programs in 2022 and the current recruiting class included 11 members, he said.“That’s not going to sustain us. It’s not getting us there,” Clark 
said. “It’s not going to cover those that we have already preparing to 
retire in the next few years.”He said KHP modified entrance requirements to accept applicants with 
tattoos, under the condition the ink was covered by clothing. KHP 
changed policy to accept recruits who had experimented with illegal 
drugs. There are limits to how much KHP could amend personnel policy to 
entice people, he said.“One of the things we cannot and are not ever going to consider is lowering our standards,” Clark said.KHP does require applicants to have a high school diploma or GED and 
be 21 years of age by the time they graduate from the academy, but the 
state agency didn’t require college attendance or diplomas of 
applicants.Senators on the committee didn’t raise questions about ongoing 
lawsuits and other legal controversies involving current and former KHP 
administrators. There were no questions about an&nbsp; inquiry authorized by 
the governor into whether KHP pilots misused state funds by deploying 
aircraft for personal reasons or to complete advanced flight training 
unnecessary for service in the law enforcement agency.There has been discussion among state legislators about transferring 
administrative oversight of KHP from the governor to the attorney 
general. In addition, the Kansas State Troopers Association recommended a
 change in leadership at the highest levels of KHP, including 
Superintendent and Col. Herman Jones. He was appointed by Kelly in 2019 
when former Col. Mark Bruce was forced to resign.Sen. Kelli Warren, a Leawood Republican and chairwoman of the Senate 
Judiciary Committee, said legislation was under development that would 
amend state law to enable law enforcement agencies to exchange 
information about unsuccessful applicants.“The jurisdictions don’t have any ability to talk to each other about
 background checks,” Warren said. “There is legislation coming forward 
that would help address that. Is that something that would be helpful in
 your mind?”“I do see the need for that,” the KHP captain said. “I don’t know any
 agency out there that wouldn’t want to have all the information 
available to make the best decision before they swear that person in.”

KHP: Despite raises, recruiting and retention obstacles remain

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

A vote that was cast in April 2022 was finalized Monday evening at 
the Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood. The USD 112 Board of 
Education voted 5-2 to close Wilson High School at the close of the 
2022-23 school year. The vote followed a two-hour public forum held at 
Wilson High School on Jan. 4, and came nearly three hours into Monday's 
board meeting. 

Prior to the final vote, Board Member Brad 
Schiermeyer of Wilson explained the body had three options: table the 
vote forever, table the vote while other options are discussed, or 
approve the resolution to close the high school. After a motion to 
temporarily table the vote failed, Schiermeyer and Roger Robinson, also 
of Wilson, were the lone two votes against the closure.

Schiermeyer
 said it was not viable to go with option one, but potentially losing 
students with option three was also not the best option.

"With 
that, I would like a motion to table to take the time to look at the 
numbers, to look at the different options, and make sure that, as a 
board, we're doing what is right for the district and right for our 
students," he said.

With that motion failed, Board President 
Tamara Dody reread the resolution stating that the board of education, 
with a majority vote, had the power to close any school in the district.
 

Prior to the vote, the board heard from six members of the 
public, mostly expressing concern over a perceived lack of information 
and transparency from the board. Michelle Brokes questioned numbers 
provided by Interim Superintendent Bill Lowry, and said approving the 
closure would be like signing the district's death warrant.

"Our 
best bet is to work together, north and south, to come up with a 
solution to this proposed financial problem," she said. "That doesn't 
require closing any of the schools."

Citizen Richard Rugan 
compared USD 112 to the USD 355 Ellinwood School District. Though they 
share similar numbers in students, USD 112 has 15 more teachers because 
of the additional buildings. Board Member Dalton Wirth said salaries 
account for most of the USD 112 budget expenditures.

Following an 
18-minute executive session, the board itself began discussion on the 
resolution. "I know a lot of people feel this has been a last-minute 
thing, but I would like to remind everybody that in 2019, the Bushton 
Attendance Center was closed, and the board of education at that time, 
did give a grim warning that wasn't the end, and there would still be 
tough decisions that have to be made," Dody said.

Other talking 
points included how USD 112, which encompasses a large geographic region
 but features relatively few students, could not afford to run two 
independent junior/high schools. A loss of students from the district 
following the closure could create more problems, and Schiermeyer 
expressed concern about a survey that indicated just four current Wilson
 High students planned to transfer to Central Plains in Claflin next 
year.

"We struggle if we lose a few students, let alone 60, 70," 
he said. "And that's just high school. Does the elementary school 
follow? If you have a high school kid that goes to Sylvan, goes to 
Ellsworth, and you have an elementary student that's going to do the 
same thing when they get to junior high, are they staying so they can 
finish out elementary and then move, or are they moving with their older
 sibling? We don't know that number either. But we do that the threat is
 there, that the possibility is there. I don't feel like we, as a board,
 have looked at the consequences of that. And that is concerning."

Schiermeyer
 also addressed safety issues with more high school students making the 
23-mile drive from Wilson to Claflin every day, and questioned both 
sides using the potential number of students who will transfer as 
leverage in the debate. He and a member of the public also questioned 
why the district would close Wilson over Central Plains, quoting a study
 that showed USD 112 would save $336,000 dollars by closing Wilson 
versus $815,000 by closing Central Plains High School.

Wirth said 
the closure was not ideal, but based on studies provided that showed the
 district has lost money in eight of the last 10 years, keeping both 
high schools open was not an option. 

"I want this district to be 
around forever," he said. "I want my grandkids to come to this district,
 I was in this district. I personally want every child in this district 
to have the best education we can possibly give them, and I mean that 
from the bottom of my heart."

Immediately after the vote, several 
students and members of the public in attendance walked out of the 
meeting.&nbsp;With Monday's vote, Wilson High School will close at the end of
 the 2022-23 school year. The USD 112 district was created in 2011.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673463329552.png" alt="Wilson High School-google image" />
 <figcaption>Wilson High School-google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostA vote that was cast in April 2022 was finalized Monday evening at 
the Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood. The USD 112 Board of 
Education voted 5-2 to close Wilson High School at the close of the 
2022-23 school year. The vote followed a two-hour public forum held at 
Wilson High School on Jan. 4, and came nearly three hours into Monday's 
board meeting. Prior to the final vote, Board Member Brad 
Schiermeyer of Wilson explained the body had three options: table the 
vote forever, table the vote while other options are discussed, or 
approve the resolution to close the high school. After a motion to 
temporarily table the vote failed, Schiermeyer and Roger Robinson, also 
of Wilson, were the lone two votes against the closure.Schiermeyer
 said it was not viable to go with option one, but potentially losing 
students with option three was also not the best option."With 
that, I would like a motion to table to take the time to look at the 
numbers, to look at the different options, and make sure that, as a 
board, we're doing what is right for the district and right for our 
students," he said.With that motion failed, Board President 
Tamara Dody reread the resolution stating that the board of education, 
with a majority vote, had the power to close any school in the district.
 Prior to the vote, the board heard from six members of the 
public, mostly expressing concern over a perceived lack of information 
and transparency from the board. Michelle Brokes questioned numbers 
provided by Interim Superintendent Bill Lowry, and said approving the 
closure would be like signing the district's death warrant."Our 
best bet is to work together, north and south, to come up with a 
solution to this proposed financial problem," she said. "That doesn't 
require closing any of the schools."Citizen Richard Rugan 
compared USD 112 to the USD 355 Ellinwood School District. Though they 
share similar numbers in students, USD 112 has 15 more teachers because 
of the additional buildings. Board Member Dalton Wirth said salaries 
account for most of the USD 112 budget expenditures.Following an 
18-minute executive session, the board itself began discussion on the 
resolution. "I know a lot of people feel this has been a last-minute 
thing, but I would like to remind everybody that in 2019, the Bushton 
Attendance Center was closed, and the board of education at that time, 
did give a grim warning that wasn't the end, and there would still be 
tough decisions that have to be made," Dody said.Other talking 
points included how USD 112, which encompasses a large geographic region
 but features relatively few students, could not afford to run two 
independent junior/high schools. A loss of students from the district 
following the closure could create more problems, and Schiermeyer 
expressed concern about a survey that indicated just four current Wilson
 High students planned to transfer to Central Plains in Claflin next 
year."We struggle if we lose a few students, let alone 60, 70," 
he said. "And that's just high school. Does the elementary school 
follow? If you have a high school kid that goes to Sylvan, goes to 
Ellsworth, and you have an elementary student that's going to do the 
same thing when they get to junior high, are they staying so they can 
finish out elementary and then move, or are they moving with their older
 sibling? We don't know that number either. But we do that the threat is
 there, that the possibility is there. I don't feel like we, as a board,
 have looked at the consequences of that. And that is concerning."Schiermeyer
 also addressed safety issues with more high school students making the 
23-mile drive from Wilson to Claflin every day, and questioned both 
sides using the potential number of students who will transfer as 
leverage in the debate. He and a member of the public also questioned 
why the district would close Wilson over Central Plains, quoting a study
 that showed USD 112 would save $336,000 dollars by closing Wilson 
versus $815,000 by closing Central Plains High School.Wirth said 
the closure was not ideal, but based on studies provided that showed the
 district has lost money in eight of the last 10 years, keeping both 
high schools open was not an option. "I want this district to be 
around forever," he said. "I want my grandkids to come to this district,
 I was in this district. I personally want every child in this district 
to have the best education we can possibly give them, and I mean that 
from the bottom of my heart."Immediately after the vote, several 
students and members of the public in attendance walked out of the 
meeting.&nbsp;With Monday's vote, Wilson High School will close at the end of
 the 2022-23 school year. The USD 112 district was created in 2011.

Central Plains USD 112 votes to close Wilson High School

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,339 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Jan. 4 to Jan. 11, for a total of&nbsp; 921,937 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 2,842 the previous week.

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;81 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on Jan. 4, for a total of 9,834.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,339 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Jan. 4 to Jan. 11, for a total of&nbsp; 921,937 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 2,842 the previous week.On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;81 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on Jan. 4, for a total of 9,834.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673458975725.png" alt="Wednesday January 11, 2023 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday January 11, 2023 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;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.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.