GEARY COUNTY—A Junction City man was injured in an accident just after noon Sunday during a pursuit by law enforcement in Geary County.

The Kansas HIghway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by&nbsp; Brad W. Briand, 43, Junction City, was eastbound on Kansas 244 fleeing law enforcement. 

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car crossed the centerline, struck a guard rail, rolled into the north ditch and caught fire.

EMS transported Briand to the Geary County Hospital and he was later booked into the Geary County jail on requested charges of&nbsp;Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana; Driving under the influence of drug or combination of drugs; 1st conv; Obstruction or impeding of lawful activities; Flee or attempt to elude LEO by engaging in reckless driving and maximum speed limits, according to online jail records.

He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670844754707.png" alt="Briand photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Briand photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY—A Junction City man was injured in an accident just after noon Sunday during a pursuit by law enforcement in Geary County.The Kansas HIghway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by&nbsp; Brad W. Briand, 43, Junction City, was eastbound on Kansas 244 fleeing law enforcement. The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car crossed the centerline, struck a guard rail, rolled into the north ditch and caught fire.EMS transported Briand to the Geary County Hospital and he was later booked into the Geary County jail on requested charges of&nbsp;Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana; Driving under the influence of drug or combination of drugs; 1st conv; Obstruction or impeding of lawful activities; Flee or attempt to elude LEO by engaging in reckless driving and maximum speed limits, according to online jail records.He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. man jailed after crash, fire during high-speed chase

WASHINGTON —The United States has committed $20 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including&nbsp; $19.3 billion since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked&nbsp; invasion on February 24, according to a statement from the Department of Defense.

On Friday evening, the Department of Defense announced the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of additional security assistance valued at up to $275 million to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs.

This latest authorization is the Biden Administration's twenty-seventh drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.&nbsp; &nbsp; This security assistance package will provide Ukraine with new capabilities to boost its air defenses in addition to providing critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield. &nbsp; Capabilities in this latest package includes: &nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;80,000 155mm artillery rounds; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems equipment; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Counter air defense capability; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) Ambulances and medical equipment; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Approximately 150 generators; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Field equipment.&nbsp; &nbsp; To meet Ukraine's evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities.

WASHINGTON —The United States has committed $20 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including&nbsp; $19.3 billion since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked&nbsp; invasion on February 24, according to a statement from the Department of Defense.On Friday evening, the Department of Defense announced the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of additional security assistance valued at up to $275 million to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This latest authorization is the Biden Administration's twenty-seventh drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.&nbsp; &nbsp; This security assistance package will provide Ukraine with new capabilities to boost its air defenses in addition to providing critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield. &nbsp; Capabilities in this latest package includes: &nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;80,000 155mm artillery rounds; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems equipment; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Counter air defense capability; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) Ambulances and medical equipment; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Approximately 150 generators; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Field equipment.&nbsp; &nbsp; To meet Ukraine's evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities.

U.S. has spent $20 billion on security assistance for Ukraine

MIAMI COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Sunday in Miami County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Melissa Dawn Hicks, 33, Pomona, Kansas, was southbound on Interstate 35 just south of 223rd road in the left lane.

The Ford struck a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit that had been involved in a previous collision and was disabled on Interstate 35 facing northeast across the lanes of traffic.

The driver of the Volkswagen Matthew James O'Neil, 21, Wellsville, had exited the vehicle.&nbsp; When the Ford struck the left front corner of the Volkswagen, the Volkswagen struck O'Neill.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

EMS transported Hicks to the hospital in Ottawa. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670864992463.png" alt="photo courtesy Franklin Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Franklin Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Sunday in Miami County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Melissa Dawn Hicks, 33, Pomona, Kansas, was southbound on Interstate 35 just south of 223rd road in the left lane.The Ford struck a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit that had been involved in a previous collision and was disabled on Interstate 35 facing northeast across the lanes of traffic.The driver of the Volkswagen Matthew James O'Neil, 21, Wellsville, had exited the vehicle.&nbsp; When the Ford struck the left front corner of the Volkswagen, the Volkswagen struck O'Neill.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;EMS transported Hicks to the hospital in Ottawa. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. man outside car after crash is struck and killed

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in the fatal shooting of Shayla Curts, 22, on Tuesday inside a Kansas City residence, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.&nbsp;

Emmett C. Williams, 33, faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records, on Dec. 6, KC police officers were dispatched to the 4900 block of Bellefontaine Avenue on a reported shooting. 

Officers found the victim, 22-year-old Shayla Curts deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound. Witnesses placed the defendant at the scene at the time of the shooting. One reported hearing a gunshot when the victim and "EW" were in residence. 

A shell casing was located in the residence. The defendant told police the victim often antagonized him with her words and normally he ignored them. This time, she was on the living room couch as he was walking past her when he made the decision to pull a 9mm handgun and shoot her in the head. Police located the weapon later in a wooded area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670585057057.png" alt="Williams-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in the fatal shooting of Shayla Curts, 22, on Tuesday inside a Kansas City residence, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.&nbsp;Emmett C. Williams, 33, faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.According to court records, on Dec. 6, KC police officers were dispatched to the 4900 block of Bellefontaine Avenue on a reported shooting. Officers found the victim, 22-year-old Shayla Curts deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound. Witnesses placed the defendant at the scene at the time of the shooting. One reported hearing a gunshot when the victim and "EW" were in residence. A shell casing was located in the residence. The defendant told police the victim often antagonized him with her words and normally he ignored them. This time, she was on the living room couch as he was walking past her when he made the decision to pull a 9mm handgun and shoot her in the head. Police located the weapon later in a wooded area.

KC man told police woman antagonized him; he shot her in the head

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man has been convicted by a trial jury of the armed robbery of a Family Dollar store with the assistance of the store’s assistant manager, according to the United State's Attorney.

Delshawn Lemons, 27, was found guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 7, of one count of robbery and one count of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Co-defendants Veronika Rodriguez, 26, and Bobby J. Booker, Jr., 25, both of Kansas City, Mo., have pleaded guilty to their roles in the robbery.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Lemons stole $3,102 at gunpoint from the Family Dollar store at 4401 E. 50th&nbsp;Terrace in Kansas City, Mo., on June 8, 2020.

Rodriguez, who was an assistant manager at the store, was counting the money drawer to close up for the night when Lemons and Booker, who were both armed with handguns and wearing masks, walked into the store. They held two store employees at gunpoint while Rodriguez put all the money in a bag. Lemons and Booker then left the store.

Rodriguez told investigators that Lemons, who knew she was closing the night of the robbery, had approached her about robbing the store and promised her a share of the robbery proceeds.

Rodriguez also told investigators that Lemons had approached her about setting up other men for him to rob.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for three and a half hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey, ending a trial that began Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Under federal statutes, Lemons is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670771819748.png" alt="Lemons-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Lemons-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man has been convicted by a trial jury of the armed robbery of a Family Dollar store with the assistance of the store’s assistant manager, according to the United State's Attorney.Delshawn Lemons, 27, was found guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 7, of one count of robbery and one count of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.Co-defendants Veronika Rodriguez, 26, and Bobby J. Booker, Jr., 25, both of Kansas City, Mo., have pleaded guilty to their roles in the robbery.Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Lemons stole $3,102 at gunpoint from the Family Dollar store at 4401 E. 50th&nbsp;Terrace in Kansas City, Mo., on June 8, 2020.Rodriguez, who was an assistant manager at the store, was counting the money drawer to close up for the night when Lemons and Booker, who were both armed with handguns and wearing masks, walked into the store. They held two store employees at gunpoint while Rodriguez put all the money in a bag. Lemons and Booker then left the store.Rodriguez told investigators that Lemons, who knew she was closing the night of the robbery, had approached her about robbing the store and promised her a share of the robbery proceeds.Rodriguez also told investigators that Lemons had approached her about setting up other men for him to rob.Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for three and a half hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey, ending a trial that began Tuesday, Dec. 6.Under federal statutes, Lemons is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant manager helped man rob her KC Family Dollar Store 

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least six&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;justices sound skeptical of making a broad ruling that would leave state legislatures virtually unchecked when making rules for elections for Congress and the presidency.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/21-1271">Click here to listen</a> to the oral argument

In arguments this past week, both liberal and conservative members of the high court appeared to take issue with the main thrust of a challenge asking them to essentially eliminate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-north-carolina-legislature-3d92b5079e7d66913a9a74678e0680d2">the power of state courts to strike down legislature-drawn, gerrymandered congressional districts</a>&nbsp;on grounds that they violate state constitutions.

Republicans from North Carolina who brought the case to the high court argue that a provision of the U.S. Constitution known as the elections clause gives state lawmakers virtually total control over the “times, places and manner” of congressional elections, including redistricting, cutting state courts out of the process.

The Republicans are advancing a concept called the “independent legislature theory,” never before adopted by the Supreme Court but cited approvingly by four conservative justices.

A broad ruling could threaten hundreds of election laws, require separate rules for federal and state elections on the same ballot and lead to new efforts to redraw congressional districts to maximize partisan advantage.

“This is a theory with big consequences,” Justice Elena Kagan said, allowing for the “most extreme forms of gerrymandering from legislatures.”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett said the outcome sought by North Carolina Republicans would leave judges with “difficult lines to draw.”

The court's decision in the North Carolina case also might suggest how the justices would deal with another part of the Constitution — not at issue in the current case — that gives legislatures the authority to decide how presidential electors are appointed. That provision, the electors clause, was central to efforts to try to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in several closely contested states.

The North Carolina state Supreme Court struck down districts drawn by Republicans who control the legislature because they heavily favored Republicans in the highly competitive state. The court-drawn map used in last month's elections for Congress produced a 7-7 split between Democrats and Republicans.

North Carolina is among six states in recent years in which state courts have ruled that overly partisan redistricting for Congress violated their state constitutions. The others are Florida, Maryland, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

State courts have become the only legal forum for challenging partisan congressional maps since the Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that those lawsuits cannot be brought in federal court.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court and joined by four other conservative justices, noted that state courts remained open. “Provisions in state statutes and state constitutions can provide standards and guidance for state courts to apply,” Roberts wrote, in an opinion joined by Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas.

But Alito, Gorsuch and Thomas wrote in March that they would have allowed the Republican-drawn map to be used this year. Alito wrote for the three justices that “there must be some limit on the authority of state courts to countermand actions taken by state legislatures when they are prescribing rules for the conduct of federal elections. I think it is likely that the applicants would succeed in showing that the North Carolina Supreme Court exceeded those limits.”

Kavanaugh has separately written about the need for federal courts to police the actions of state courts when it comes to federal elections, citing an opinion by three conservatives in the Bush v. Gore case that settled the 2000 presidential election. Thomas was one of the three justices on that 22-year-old opinion, but the court decided the case on other grounds.

In North Carolina, Republican lawmakers won't have to wait for the court's decision to produce a new congressional map that is expected to have more Republican districts.

Even as Democrats won half the state's 14 congressional seats, Republicans seized control of the state Supreme Court. Two newly elected Republican justices give them a 5-2 edge that makes it more likely than not that the court would uphold a map with more Republican districts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least six&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;justices sound skeptical of making a broad ruling that would leave state legislatures virtually unchecked when making rules for elections for Congress and the presidency.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/21-1271">Click here to listen</a> to the oral argumentIn arguments this past week, both liberal and conservative members of the high court appeared to take issue with the main thrust of a challenge asking them to essentially eliminate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-north-carolina-legislature-3d92b5079e7d66913a9a74678e0680d2">the power of state courts to strike down legislature-drawn, gerrymandered congressional districts</a>&nbsp;on grounds that they violate state constitutions.Republicans from North Carolina who brought the case to the high court argue that a provision of the U.S. Constitution known as the elections clause gives state lawmakers virtually total control over the “times, places and manner” of congressional elections, including redistricting, cutting state courts out of the process.The Republicans are advancing a concept called the “independent legislature theory,” never before adopted by the Supreme Court but cited approvingly by four conservative justices.A broad ruling could threaten hundreds of election laws, require separate rules for federal and state elections on the same ballot and lead to new efforts to redraw congressional districts to maximize partisan advantage.“This is a theory with big consequences,” Justice Elena Kagan said, allowing for the “most extreme forms of gerrymandering from legislatures.”Justice Amy Coney Barrett said the outcome sought by North Carolina Republicans would leave judges with “difficult lines to draw.”The court's decision in the North Carolina case also might suggest how the justices would deal with another part of the Constitution — not at issue in the current case — that gives legislatures the authority to decide how presidential electors are appointed. That provision, the electors clause, was central to efforts to try to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in several closely contested states.The North Carolina state Supreme Court struck down districts drawn by Republicans who control the legislature because they heavily favored Republicans in the highly competitive state. The court-drawn map used in last month's elections for Congress produced a 7-7 split between Democrats and Republicans.North Carolina is among six states in recent years in which state courts have ruled that overly partisan redistricting for Congress violated their state constitutions. The others are Florida, Maryland, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.State courts have become the only legal forum for challenging partisan congressional maps since the Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that those lawsuits cannot be brought in federal court.Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court and joined by four other conservative justices, noted that state courts remained open. “Provisions in state statutes and state constitutions can provide standards and guidance for state courts to apply,” Roberts wrote, in an opinion joined by Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas.But Alito, Gorsuch and Thomas wrote in March that they would have allowed the Republican-drawn map to be used this year. Alito wrote for the three justices that “there must be some limit on the authority of state courts to countermand actions taken by state legislatures when they are prescribing rules for the conduct of federal elections. I think it is likely that the applicants would succeed in showing that the North Carolina Supreme Court exceeded those limits.”Kavanaugh has separately written about the need for federal courts to police the actions of state courts when it comes to federal elections, citing an opinion by three conservatives in the Bush v. Gore case that settled the 2000 presidential election. Thomas was one of the three justices on that 22-year-old opinion, but the court decided the case on other grounds.In North Carolina, Republican lawmakers won't have to wait for the court's decision to produce a new congressional map that is expected to have more Republican districts.Even as Democrats won half the state's 14 congressional seats, Republicans seized control of the state Supreme Court. Two newly elected Republican justices give them a 5-2 edge that makes it more likely than not that the court would uphold a map with more Republican districts.

🎤Justices skeptical of elections case that could alter voting

GREAT BEND, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged in the 1980 shooting death of a 23-year-old neighbor after investigators who reexamined her death turned up new evidence, authorities said.

Kansas Bureau of Investigation officers arrested 68-year-old Steven Hanks, of Burden, on Thursday on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Mary Robin Walter, who was a wife, mother and nursing school student when she was killed, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said at a news conference Friday. He is jailed on $500,000 bond and doesn’t have an attorney, according to court records.

Bellendir said Detective Sgt. Adam Hales decided in April to reopen the investigation into the Jan. 24, 1980, killing, which happened at a trailer park near the airport in Great Bend, a city of about 15,000 residents in central Kansas.

“After taking a fresh look at the case, it became evident that some of the information had been initially overlooked and some had been added at a later date,” the sheriff said. “This was unknown to the original investigators.”

Bellendir directed two additional officers to join the investigation. In October, new evidence was discovered, though authorities declined to disclose it.

Bellendir said Hanks was investigated as a suspect immediately after the shooting, “but the case went cold." He didn't disclose a possible motive for the killing.

Hanks spent time in prison for another crime. He was arrested in 1981 and charged with rape, battery, robbery and burglary. He was sentenced in 1983 and discharged in 1993, according to online records from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670608379475.png" alt="Mary Robin Walter, who was a wife, mother and nursing school student when she was killed." />
 <figcaption>Mary Robin Walter, who was a wife, mother and nursing school student when she was killed.</figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged in the 1980 shooting death of a 23-year-old neighbor after investigators who reexamined her death turned up new evidence, authorities said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670728765150.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Bureau of Investigation officers arrested 68-year-old Steven Hanks, of Burden, on Thursday on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Mary Robin Walter, who was a wife, mother and nursing school student when she was killed, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said at a news conference Friday. He is jailed on $500,000 bond and doesn’t have an attorney, according to court records.Bellendir said Detective Sgt. Adam Hales decided in April to reopen the investigation into the Jan. 24, 1980, killing, which happened at a trailer park near the airport in Great Bend, a city of about 15,000 residents in central Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670609613326.jpeg" alt="Hanks-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Hanks-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>“After taking a fresh look at the case, it became evident that some of the information had been initially overlooked and some had been added at a later date,” the sheriff said. “This was unknown to the original investigators.”Bellendir directed two additional officers to join the investigation. In October, new evidence was discovered, though authorities declined to disclose it.Bellendir said Hanks was investigated as a suspect immediately after the shooting, “but the case went cold." He didn't disclose a possible motive for the killing.Hanks spent time in prison for another crime. He was arrested in 1981 and charged with rape, battery, robbery and burglary. He was sentenced in 1983 and discharged in 1993, according to online records from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Read the criminal complaint filed in 1980 killing of Kan. nursing student

By DANIEL WHEATON <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-12-11/watch-drone-footage-reveals-extent-of-keystone-pipeline-oil-spill">Nebraska Public Media</a>

An oil leak from the Keystone Pipeline is estimated to have released 
14,000 barrels, or about 588,000 gallons. The spill spread over pasture 
ground, and some went into Mill Creek, about five miles northeast of 
Washington, Kansas.

Since the leak became known late Wednesday 
night, crews have begun working on repair and recovery. TC Energy, a 
Canadian firm, said that multiple vacuum trucks are being used to 
recover the crude.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-12-11/watch-drone-footage-reveals-extent-of-keystone-pipeline-oil-spill">CLICK HERE: Aerial footage reveals the extent of the damage.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670783653358.png" alt="Keystone Pipeline oil leaks into Mill Creek in Washington County, Kansas. Tyler Kersting / Nebraska Public Media" />
 <figcaption>Keystone Pipeline oil leaks into Mill Creek in Washington County, Kansas. Tyler Kersting / Nebraska Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>By DANIEL WHEATON <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-12-11/watch-drone-footage-reveals-extent-of-keystone-pipeline-oil-spill">Nebraska Public Media</a>An oil leak from the Keystone Pipeline is estimated to have released 
14,000 barrels, or about 588,000 gallons. The spill spread over pasture 
ground, and some went into Mill Creek, about five miles northeast of 
Washington, Kansas.Since the leak became known late Wednesday 
night, crews have begun working on repair and recovery. TC Energy, a 
Canadian firm, said that multiple vacuum trucks are being used to 
recover the crude.<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-12-11/watch-drone-footage-reveals-extent-of-keystone-pipeline-oil-spill">CLICK HERE: Aerial footage reveals the extent of the damage.</a>

🎥 Drone footage shows extent of Kansas oil spill

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas man and woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $2.9 million conspiracy to defraud Medicare, according to the United State's Attorney.

Timothy A. Chin, 64, and Lauren M. Sword, 36, both of Lenexa were charged in a 23-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this month.

Chin and Sword jointly owned and operated Senior Community Care LLC a/k/a Momentum Med Services, LLC. Sword, a chiropractor and owner of <a href="https://www.adjusttohealthkc.com/meet-the-doctor">Adjust to Health</a>, was enrolled as a Medicare provider.

The federal indictment alleges that Chin and Sword participated in a conspiracy to pay bribes and receive kickbacks for the referral of Medicare beneficiary information that was used to submit $2,927,706 in claims to Medicare from February 2019 through September 2019. Medicare actually paid out approximately $861,399 to two laboratories that submitted those claims.

In addition to the conspiracy, Chin and Sword are charged with 22 counts of wire fraud.

Through Senior Community Care, the indictment says, Chin and Sword marketed genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries. They also hired or contracted with marketers, sales representatives, and patient recruiters to target Medicare beneficiaries at senior residential communities and other locations, and to induce those Medicare beneficiaries to agree to genetic testing regardless of medical necessity.

Genetic testing is used to indicate whether there is a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, or to assess how the body’s genetic makeup would affect its response to certain medications. To conduct genetic testing, a laboratory needed to obtain a DNA specimen from the patient. Specimens were typically obtained from the patient’s saliva by using a cheek swab to collect cells.

Marketers collected Medicare personal identifying information from Medicare beneficiaries, along with the swabs. Health care providers, such as doctors, then signed orders for genetic tests that were, in turn, used to bill Medicare for those tests.

Operating through Senior Community Care, the indictment says, Chin and Sword were marketers and patient recruiters for MBM Solutions, a Florida company involved in marketing genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries. Chin and Sword allegedly received kickbacks and bribes from MBM in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries for genetic tests and doctors’ orders for those tests.

MBM Solutions purportedly received kickbacks and bribes from Momentum Sales &amp; Marketing, a company operating out of New Jersey and Florida that marketed genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries.

Senior Community Care was one of other marketing sub-groups that operated in a payment structure that included MBM and Momentum Sales &amp; Marketing, whose owners are being prosecuted in other districts. Because Chin and Sword were involved in this multi-level scheme to defraud Medicare, the indictment says, they were paid kickbacks and bribes by MBM. Chin and Sword allegedly paid kickbacks and bribes to their Senior Community Care marketers in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries for genetic tests.

Chin and Sword caused two laboratories to bill and be paid by Medicare. Those laboratories billed Medicare approximately $2,927,706, and Medicare paid them approximately $861,399 for specimens from 163 Medicare beneficiaries.

Between April 15 and Aug. 30, 2019, MBM paid Chin and Sword approximately $95,348 by making 14 electronic deposits into their account. These payments allegedly were made in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries for genetic testing and, as such, were illegal kickbacks.

Between June 19 and Sept. 4, 2019, Chin and Sword allegedly withdrew a total of $34,458 from their bank account and used those funds to compensate Senior Community Care marketers for genetic testing referrals and, as such, those payments were illegal kickbacks.

The federal indictment also contains a forfeiture count, which would require Chin and Sword to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged wire fraud, including a money judgment in the amount of $95,348.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670090483032.png" alt="Lauren Sword-photo courtesy Adjust to Health" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Sword-photo courtesy Adjust to Health</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– A Kansas man and woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $2.9 million conspiracy to defraud Medicare, according to the United State's Attorney.Timothy A. Chin, 64, and Lauren M. Sword, 36, both of Lenexa were charged in a 23-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this month.Chin and Sword jointly owned and operated Senior Community Care LLC a/k/a Momentum Med Services, LLC. Sword, a chiropractor and owner of <a href="https://www.adjusttohealthkc.com/meet-the-doctor">Adjust to Health</a>, was enrolled as a Medicare provider.The federal indictment alleges that Chin and Sword participated in a conspiracy to pay bribes and receive kickbacks for the referral of Medicare beneficiary information that was used to submit $2,927,706 in claims to Medicare from February 2019 through September 2019. Medicare actually paid out approximately $861,399 to two laboratories that submitted those claims.In addition to the conspiracy, Chin and Sword are charged with 22 counts of wire fraud.Through Senior Community Care, the indictment says, Chin and Sword marketed genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries. They also hired or contracted with marketers, sales representatives, and patient recruiters to target Medicare beneficiaries at senior residential communities and other locations, and to induce those Medicare beneficiaries to agree to genetic testing regardless of medical necessity.Genetic testing is used to indicate whether there is a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, or to assess how the body’s genetic makeup would affect its response to certain medications. To conduct genetic testing, a laboratory needed to obtain a DNA specimen from the patient. Specimens were typically obtained from the patient’s saliva by using a cheek swab to collect cells.Marketers collected Medicare personal identifying information from Medicare beneficiaries, along with the swabs. Health care providers, such as doctors, then signed orders for genetic tests that were, in turn, used to bill Medicare for those tests.Operating through Senior Community Care, the indictment says, Chin and Sword were marketers and patient recruiters for MBM Solutions, a Florida company involved in marketing genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries. Chin and Sword allegedly received kickbacks and bribes from MBM in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries for genetic tests and doctors’ orders for those tests.MBM Solutions purportedly received kickbacks and bribes from Momentum Sales &amp; Marketing, a company operating out of New Jersey and Florida that marketed genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries.Senior Community Care was one of other marketing sub-groups that operated in a payment structure that included MBM and Momentum Sales &amp; Marketing, whose owners are being prosecuted in other districts. Because Chin and Sword were involved in this multi-level scheme to defraud Medicare, the indictment says, they were paid kickbacks and bribes by MBM. Chin and Sword allegedly paid kickbacks and bribes to their Senior Community Care marketers in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries for genetic tests.Chin and Sword caused two laboratories to bill and be paid by Medicare. Those laboratories billed Medicare approximately $2,927,706, and Medicare paid them approximately $861,399 for specimens from 163 Medicare beneficiaries.Between April 15 and Aug. 30, 2019, MBM paid Chin and Sword approximately $95,348 by making 14 electronic deposits into their account. These payments allegedly were made in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries for genetic testing and, as such, were illegal kickbacks.Between June 19 and Sept. 4, 2019, Chin and Sword allegedly withdrew a total of $34,458 from their bank account and used those funds to compensate Senior Community Care marketers for genetic testing referrals and, as such, those payments were illegal kickbacks.The federal indictment also contains a forfeiture count, which would require Chin and Sword to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged wire fraud, including a money judgment in the amount of $95,348.

Kan. man, woman accused in $2.9 million medicare fraud 

SYRIA – U.S. forces conducted a successful helicopter raid in eastern Syria at 2:57 a.m. local time on December 11, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command.

The raid&nbsp; killed two ISIS officials including Anas, an ISIS Syria Province Official who was involved in the group’s deadly plotting and facilitation operations in eastern Syria. Extensive planning went into this unilateral operation to ensure its success. Initial assessments indicate no civilians were killed or injured.

The United States remains committed to countering the global threat from ISIS in partnership with local forces. ISIS continues to pursue an aggressive operational agenda, including external attacks that threaten US allies and partners in the region and beyond.

“ISIS continues to represent a threat to the security and stability of the region. This operation reaffirms CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the group’s enduring defeat,” said Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1561036312700.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SYRIA – U.S. forces conducted a successful helicopter raid in eastern Syria at 2:57 a.m. local time on December 11, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command.The raid&nbsp; killed two ISIS officials including Anas, an ISIS Syria Province Official who was involved in the group’s deadly plotting and facilitation operations in eastern Syria. Extensive planning went into this unilateral operation to ensure its success. Initial assessments indicate no civilians were killed or injured.The United States remains committed to countering the global threat from ISIS in partnership with local forces. ISIS continues to pursue an aggressive operational agenda, including external attacks that threaten US allies and partners in the region and beyond.“ISIS continues to represent a threat to the security and stability of the region. This operation reaffirms CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the group’s enduring defeat,” said Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East.”

US helicopter raid kills ISIS officials in Syria

CASS COUNTY —Two inmates who escaped Monday from&nbsp;the jail in Cass County, Missouri south of Kansas City are still missing, according FBI.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 each for information that leads directly to the capture of 33-year-old Trevor Sparks and 43-year-old Sergio Perez- Martinez.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Perez-Martinez of Panorama City, California and Sparks of Kansas City escaped on Monay. Authorities did not know they were missing until Tuesday.

Perez Mertinez&nbsp; was being held for possession of dangerous drugs. Sparks was jailed on money laundering charges, according to the sheriff's office.

A third individual, Steven Lydell Williams, Sr., 64, Kansas City, has been charged&nbsp; with aiding or assisting in the escape.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911. Harrisonville is located approximately 38 miles southeast of Kansas City. Submit a tip to the Marshals<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR2np8V0SoqQyr6Znkz_ykiw2FsK7SY3PkQN_uuUCJz41bCD_XDGusIXZJw"> here</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670539649262.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY —Two inmates who escaped Monday from&nbsp;the jail in Cass County, Missouri south of Kansas City are still missing, according FBI.The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 each for information that leads directly to the capture of 33-year-old Trevor Sparks and 43-year-old Sergio Perez- Martinez.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670539680558.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Perez-Martinez of Panorama City, California and Sparks of Kansas City escaped on Monay. Authorities did not know they were missing until Tuesday.Perez Mertinez&nbsp; was being held for possession of dangerous drugs. Sparks was jailed on money laundering charges, according to the sheriff's office.A third individual, Steven Lydell Williams, Sr., 64, Kansas City, has been charged&nbsp; with aiding or assisting in the escape. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911. Harrisonville is located approximately 38 miles southeast of Kansas City. Submit a tip to the Marshals<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR2np8V0SoqQyr6Znkz_ykiw2FsK7SY3PkQN_uuUCJz41bCD_XDGusIXZJw"> here</a>

Reward offered in search for 2 KC-area fugitives

WASHINGTON —Christmas is two weeks away. First Lady Jill Biden hosted a virtual event Friday on COVID-19 and the Holiday Season.&nbsp;

Click the video to watch the virtual event.

Below are the remarks from the First Lady during the opening of the event:

I’m so grateful to all of you for being with us today—because this time of year is busy, to say the least.

I know you probably have holiday shopping to do: cards to address or cookies to bake. Perhaps you’re wrapping up end-of-the-year work or planning parties for the people you love.

It’s not easy, is it? Sometimes the holidays feel like a full-time job, on top of volunteering, or organizing, or your real full-time job!

But we do that work because it makes the magical moments of this season possible: when our homes fill with the aromas of our favorite family recipes, when we see big smiles on little faces as they open that perfect present, when we have the chance to look around our full table, a clamor of laughter and love, and just feel grateful.

These moments seem even more precious now, knowing what it’s like to lose them to a deadly disease that’s kept us apart.

Which is why the most important thing you can do to prepare for the holidays is get your updated COVID vaccine.

And if you get it now, you’ll be protected in time for winter holiday gatherings.

This updated vaccine offers the best protection for you and your family against the version of the virus we’re facing today.

It reduces the risk of catching or spreading the disease—and helps protect you from ending up in the hospital or worse.

It’s free, and available all over the country!

I know you’re busy, but this is important! I just got mine, too. So join me, because your president and I care about you and we want to make sure you stay healthy.

Go to Vaccines.gov today to find an appointment near you.

Now, I know some of you might have questions.

So, I invited Dr. Jha and Dr. Fauci—two of our nation’s top COVID experts—to be with us and answer your questions. And let me say that we’re especially lucky to have Dr. Fauci, who is leaving his current role at the NIH soon to begin the next chapter of his career.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670611632700.png" alt="Dr. Jha and Dr. Fauci with First Lady Jill Biden -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Jha and Dr. Fauci with First Lady Jill Biden -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Christmas is two weeks away. First Lady Jill Biden hosted a virtual event Friday on COVID-19 and the Holiday Season.&nbsp;Click the video to watch the virtual event.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vbbg8-PokfI?start=114" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Below are the remarks from the First Lady during the opening of the event: I’m so grateful to all of you for being with us today—because this time of year is busy, to say the least.I know you probably have holiday shopping to do: cards to address or cookies to bake. Perhaps you’re wrapping up end-of-the-year work or planning parties for the people you love.It’s not easy, is it? Sometimes the holidays feel like a full-time job, on top of volunteering, or organizing, or your real full-time job!But we do that work because it makes the magical moments of this season possible: when our homes fill with the aromas of our favorite family recipes, when we see big smiles on little faces as they open that perfect present, when we have the chance to look around our full table, a clamor of laughter and love, and just feel grateful.These moments seem even more precious now, knowing what it’s like to lose them to a deadly disease that’s kept us apart.Which is why the most important thing you can do to prepare for the holidays is get your updated COVID vaccine.And if you get it now, you’ll be protected in time for winter holiday gatherings.This updated vaccine offers the best protection for you and your family against the version of the virus we’re facing today.It reduces the risk of catching or spreading the disease—and helps protect you from ending up in the hospital or worse.It’s free, and available all over the country!I know you’re busy, but this is important! I just got mine, too. So join me, because your president and I care about you and we want to make sure you stay healthy.Go to Vaccines.gov today to find an appointment near you.Now, I know some of you might have questions.So, I invited Dr. Jha and Dr. Fauci—two of our nation’s top COVID experts—to be with us and answer your questions. And let me say that we’re especially lucky to have Dr. Fauci, who is leaving his current role at the NIH soon to begin the next chapter of his career.

🎥Jill Biden: Most important thing to prepare for the holidays

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a child while taking nude pictures and videos of the child, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;

According to court documents, in September 2022, Joshua Courtney, 35, of Bonner Springs pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of possession of child pornography.

Acting on cybertips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement agents found dozens of pornographic images in Courtney’s Google photos. 

Courtney admitted to investigators to taking nude photos of a 10-year-old child, filming while he engaged in sexual acts with the child, and sending these materials to others. He also admitted receiving child pornography of other children on his cell phone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670275278962.png" alt="Courtney was arrested in February by U.S. Marshals, according to online booking records." />
 <figcaption>Courtney was arrested in February by U.S. Marshals, according to online booking records.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a child while taking nude pictures and videos of the child, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;According to court documents, in September 2022, Joshua Courtney, 35, of Bonner Springs pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of possession of child pornography.Acting on cybertips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement agents found dozens of pornographic images in Courtney’s Google photos. Courtney admitted to investigators to taking nude photos of a 10-year-old child, filming while he engaged in sexual acts with the child, and sending these materials to others. He also admitted receiving child pornography of other children on his cell phone.

Kan. man took inappropriate photos of a 10-year-old

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities arrested two suspect on drug allegations after one refused to exit a convenience store bathroom.

Just before noon Thursday, A police officer on patrol in the 500 block of E. Pacific Avenue in Salina saw a blue motorcycle with a man and a woman on it driving eastbound, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester. The officer recognized the motorcycle as being associated with someone he knew to have an active Saline County District Court warrant.

The duo headed south on N. Ohio Street, pulling into Casey's, 500 N. Ohio Street, with the officer following to conduct a traffic stop as the license plate on the motorcycle had expired in July of 2021, according to Forrester. At that point, other officers had also arrived.

Officers went inside the store and made contact with the driver, identified as Dillon Sonnier, 23, of Salina. Forrester said that when they took Sonnier outside to talk about the expired license plate, he became nervous and asked to go into the restroom. Instead, officers patted him down and found an SCCY 9mm handgun in his coat. They also found a small metal container with pills that were later identified as amphetamine.

Because Sonnier was a convicted felon, he was not to be in possession of a firearm. Offices arrested him on requested charges of Criminal possession of a firearm, Possession of a controlled substance, No valid driver's license and Unlawful acts with registration.

Meanwhile, the woman&nbsp;identified as Elektra Iford, 22, of Salina, who had been on the motorcycle had gone into the women's restroom and refused to exit. A store employee finally got her to leave the restroom. Iford had an active warrant from Saline County District Court. She was booked on the warrant and requested charges and Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670598856393.jpeg" alt="Elektra Iford-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Elektra Iford-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities arrested two suspect on drug allegations after one refused to exit a convenience store bathroom.Just before noon Thursday, A police officer on patrol in the 500 block of E. Pacific Avenue in Salina saw a blue motorcycle with a man and a woman on it driving eastbound, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester. The officer recognized the motorcycle as being associated with someone he knew to have an active Saline County District Court warrant.The duo headed south on N. Ohio Street, pulling into Casey's, 500 N. Ohio Street, with the officer following to conduct a traffic stop as the license plate on the motorcycle had expired in July of 2021, according to Forrester. At that point, other officers had also arrived.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670599292244.jpeg" alt="Sonnier-photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Sonnier-photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers went inside the store and made contact with the driver, identified as Dillon Sonnier, 23, of Salina. Forrester said that when they took Sonnier outside to talk about the expired license plate, he became nervous and asked to go into the restroom. Instead, officers patted him down and found an SCCY 9mm handgun in his coat. They also found a small metal container with pills that were later identified as amphetamine.Because Sonnier was a convicted felon, he was not to be in possession of a firearm. Offices arrested him on requested charges of Criminal possession of a firearm, Possession of a controlled substance, No valid driver's license and Unlawful acts with registration.Meanwhile, the woman&nbsp;identified as Elektra Iford, 22, of Salina, who had been on the motorcycle had gone into the women's restroom and refused to exit. A store employee finally got her to leave the restroom. Iford had an active warrant from Saline County District Court. She was booked on the warrant and requested charges and Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police: Kan. drug suspect coaxed out of bathroom before arrest

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a drug bust.

On Wednesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrants in the 1500 Block SW Tyler Street related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, stolen property and a firearm.

As a result, Dyllon Tucker, 31, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of stolen property and Possession of paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670529572944.png" alt="Tucker-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Tucker-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a drug bust.On Wednesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrants in the 1500 Block SW Tyler Street related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, stolen property and a firearm.As a result, Dyllon Tucker, 31, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of stolen property and Possession of paraphernalia.

Kansas felon caught with stolen property, firearm and drugs

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A ruptured pipe dumped enough oil this week into a northeastern Kansas creek to nearly fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool, becoming the largest onshore crude pipeline spill in nine years and surpassing all the previous ones on the same pipeline system combined, according to federal data.

The Keystone pipeline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-spills-business-texas-canada-kansas-34d8391337583fc242407141d24d66c2">spill in a creek</a>&nbsp;running through rural pastureland in Washington County, Kansas, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Kansas City, also was the biggest in the system's history, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data. The operator, Canada-based TC Energy, said the pipeline that runs from Canada to Oklahoma lost about 14,000 barrels, or 588,000 gallons.

The spill raised questions for environmentalists and safety advocates about whether TC Energy should keep a federal government permit that has allowed the pressure inside parts of its Keystone system — including the stretch through Kansas — to exceed the typical maximum permitted levels. With Congress facing a potential debate on reauthorizing regulatory programs, the chair of a House subcommittee on pipeline safety took note of the spill Friday.

A U.S. Government Accountability Office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-21-588.pdf">report last year</a>&nbsp;said there had been 22 previous spills along the Keystone system since it began operating in 2010, most of them on TC Energy property and fewer than 20 barrels. The total from those 22 events was a little less than 12,000 barrels, the report said.

“I’m watching this situation closely to learn more about this latest oil leak and inform ways to prevent future releases and protect public safety and the environment,” Democratic U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., of New Jersey,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RepDonaldPayne/status/1601213879794954240">tweeted.</a>

TC Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the spill has been contained. The EPA said the company built an earthen dam across the creek about 4 miles downstream from the pipeline rupture to prevent the oil from moving into larger waterways.

Randy Hubbard, the county's emergency management director, said the oil traveled only about a quarter mile and there didn't appear to be any wildlife deaths.

The company said it is doing around-the-clock air-quality checks and other environmental monitoring. It also was using multiple trucks that amount to giant wet vacuums to suck up the oil.

Past Keystone spills have led to outages that lasted about two weeks, and the company said it still is evaluating when it can reopen the system.

The EPA said no drinking water wells were affected and oil-removal efforts will continue into next week. No one was evacuated, but the Kansas Department of Health and Environment warned people not to go into the creek or allow animals to wade in.

“At the time of the incident, the pipeline was operating within its design and regulatory approval requirements,” the company said in a statement.

The nearly 2,700-mile (4345-kilometer) Keystone pipeline carries thick, Canadian tar-sands oil to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas, with about 600,000 barrels moving per day from Canada to Cushing, Oklahoma. Concerns about spills fouling water helped spur opposition to a new, 1,200 mile (1,900 kilometers) Keystone XL pipeline, and the company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-keystone-pipeline-canada-environment-and-nature-141eabd7cca6449dfbd2dab8165812f2">pulled the plug last year</a>&nbsp;after President Joe Biden canceled a permit for it.

Environmentalists said the heavier tar sands oil is not only more toxic than lighter crude but can sink in water instead of floating on top. Bill Caram, executive director of the advocacy Pipeline Safety Trust, said cleanup even sometimes can include scrubbing individual rocks in a creek bed.

“This is going to be months, maybe even years before we get the full handle on this disaster and know the extent of the damage and get it all cleaned up,” said Zack Pistora, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club at the Kansas Statehouse.

Pipelines often are considered safer than shipping oil by railcar or truck, but large spills can create significant environmental damage. The American Petroleum Institute said Friday that companies have robust monitoring to detect leaks, cracks, corrosion and other problems, not only through control centers but with employees who walk alongside pipelines.

Still, in September 2013, a Tesoro Corp. pipeline in North Dakota ruptured and spilled 20,600 barrels, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data.

A more expensive spill happened in July 2010, when an Enbridge Inc. pipeline in Michigan ruptured and spilled more than 20,000 barrels into Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River. Hundreds of homes and businesses were evacuated.

The Keystone pipeline's previous largest spill came in 2017, when more than 6,500 barrels spilled near Amherst, South Dakota, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report released last year. The second largest, 4,515 barrels, was in 2019 near Edinburg, North Dakota.

The Petroleum Institute said pipelines go through tests before opening using pressures that exceed the company's planned levels and are designed to account for what they'll carry and changes in the ground they cover. An arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation oversees pipeline safety and permitted TC Energy to have greater pressures on the Keystone system because the company used pipe made from better steel.

But Caram said: “When we see multiple failures like this of such large size and a relatively short amount of time after that pressure has increased, I think it’s time to question that.”

In its report last year to Congress, the GAO said Keystone’s accident history was similar to other oil pipelines, but spills have gotten larger in recent years. Investigations ordered by regulators found that the four worst spills were caused by flaws in design or pipe manufacturing during construction.

TC Energy's permit included more than 50 special conditions, mostly for its design, construction and operation, the GAO report said. The company said in response to the 2021 report that it took "decisive action” in recent years to improve safety, including developing new technology for detecting cracks and an independent review of its pipeline integrity program.

The company said Friday that it would conduct a full investigation into the causes of the spill.

The spill caused a brief surge in crude prices Thursday. Benchmark U.S. oil was up more modestly -- about 1% — on Friday morning as fears of a supply disruption were overshadowed by bigger concerns about an economic downturn in the U.S. and other major countries that would reduce demand for oil.

The pipeline runs through Chris and Bill Pannbacker’s family farm. Bill Pannbacker, a farmer and stockman, said the company told him that the issues with the pipeline there probably will not be resolved until after the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

The hill where the breach happened was a landmark to locals and used to be a popular destination for hayrides, Pannbacker said.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A ruptured pipe dumped enough oil this week into a northeastern Kansas creek to nearly fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool, becoming the largest onshore crude pipeline spill in nine years and surpassing all the previous ones on the same pipeline system combined, according to federal data.The Keystone pipeline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-spills-business-texas-canada-kansas-34d8391337583fc242407141d24d66c2">spill in a creek</a>&nbsp;running through rural pastureland in Washington County, Kansas, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Kansas City, also was the biggest in the system's history, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data. The operator, Canada-based TC Energy, said the pipeline that runs from Canada to Oklahoma lost about 14,000 barrels, or 588,000 gallons.The spill raised questions for environmentalists and safety advocates about whether TC Energy should keep a federal government permit that has allowed the pressure inside parts of its Keystone system — including the stretch through Kansas — to exceed the typical maximum permitted levels. With Congress facing a potential debate on reauthorizing regulatory programs, the chair of a House subcommittee on pipeline safety took note of the spill Friday.A U.S. Government Accountability Office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-21-588.pdf">report last year</a>&nbsp;said there had been 22 previous spills along the Keystone system since it began operating in 2010, most of them on TC Energy property and fewer than 20 barrels. The total from those 22 events was a little less than 12,000 barrels, the report said.“I’m watching this situation closely to learn more about this latest oil leak and inform ways to prevent future releases and protect public safety and the environment,” Democratic U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., of New Jersey,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RepDonaldPayne/status/1601213879794954240">tweeted.</a>TC Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the spill has been contained. The EPA said the company built an earthen dam across the creek about 4 miles downstream from the pipeline rupture to prevent the oil from moving into larger waterways.Randy Hubbard, the county's emergency management director, said the oil traveled only about a quarter mile and there didn't appear to be any wildlife deaths.The company said it is doing around-the-clock air-quality checks and other environmental monitoring. It also was using multiple trucks that amount to giant wet vacuums to suck up the oil.Past Keystone spills have led to outages that lasted about two weeks, and the company said it still is evaluating when it can reopen the system.The EPA said no drinking water wells were affected and oil-removal efforts will continue into next week. No one was evacuated, but the Kansas Department of Health and Environment warned people not to go into the creek or allow animals to wade in.“At the time of the incident, the pipeline was operating within its design and regulatory approval requirements,” the company said in a statement.The nearly 2,700-mile (4345-kilometer) Keystone pipeline carries thick, Canadian tar-sands oil to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas, with about 600,000 barrels moving per day from Canada to Cushing, Oklahoma. Concerns about spills fouling water helped spur opposition to a new, 1,200 mile (1,900 kilometers) Keystone XL pipeline, and the company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-keystone-pipeline-canada-environment-and-nature-141eabd7cca6449dfbd2dab8165812f2">pulled the plug last year</a>&nbsp;after President Joe Biden canceled a permit for it.Environmentalists said the heavier tar sands oil is not only more toxic than lighter crude but can sink in water instead of floating on top. Bill Caram, executive director of the advocacy Pipeline Safety Trust, said cleanup even sometimes can include scrubbing individual rocks in a creek bed.“This is going to be months, maybe even years before we get the full handle on this disaster and know the extent of the damage and get it all cleaned up,” said Zack Pistora, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club at the Kansas Statehouse.Pipelines often are considered safer than shipping oil by railcar or truck, but large spills can create significant environmental damage. The American Petroleum Institute said Friday that companies have robust monitoring to detect leaks, cracks, corrosion and other problems, not only through control centers but with employees who walk alongside pipelines.Still, in September 2013, a Tesoro Corp. pipeline in North Dakota ruptured and spilled 20,600 barrels, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data.A more expensive spill happened in July 2010, when an Enbridge Inc. pipeline in Michigan ruptured and spilled more than 20,000 barrels into Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River. Hundreds of homes and businesses were evacuated.The Keystone pipeline's previous largest spill came in 2017, when more than 6,500 barrels spilled near Amherst, South Dakota, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report released last year. The second largest, 4,515 barrels, was in 2019 near Edinburg, North Dakota.The Petroleum Institute said pipelines go through tests before opening using pressures that exceed the company's planned levels and are designed to account for what they'll carry and changes in the ground they cover. An arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation oversees pipeline safety and permitted TC Energy to have greater pressures on the Keystone system because the company used pipe made from better steel.But Caram said: “When we see multiple failures like this of such large size and a relatively short amount of time after that pressure has increased, I think it’s time to question that.”In its report last year to Congress, the GAO said Keystone’s accident history was similar to other oil pipelines, but spills have gotten larger in recent years. Investigations ordered by regulators found that the four worst spills were caused by flaws in design or pipe manufacturing during construction.TC Energy's permit included more than 50 special conditions, mostly for its design, construction and operation, the GAO report said. The company said in response to the 2021 report that it took "decisive action” in recent years to improve safety, including developing new technology for detecting cracks and an independent review of its pipeline integrity program.The company said Friday that it would conduct a full investigation into the causes of the spill.The spill caused a brief surge in crude prices Thursday. Benchmark U.S. oil was up more modestly -- about 1% — on Friday morning as fears of a supply disruption were overshadowed by bigger concerns about an economic downturn in the U.S. and other major countries that would reduce demand for oil.The pipeline runs through Chris and Bill Pannbacker’s family farm. Bill Pannbacker, a farmer and stockman, said the company told him that the issues with the pipeline there probably will not be resolved until after the Christmas and New Year's holidays.The hill where the breach happened was a landmark to locals and used to be a popular destination for hayrides, Pannbacker said.

Federal data: Kansas oil spill biggest in Keystone history

WASHINGTON —Kansas 3rd District Representative Sharice Davids on Thursday applauded bipartisan passage of legislation she help introduce to enshrine marriage equality in federal law. 

The&nbsp;<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-117HR8404IH.pdf">Respect for Marriage Act</a>&nbsp;passed in the House 258-169 with almost 40 Republican votes. It also protects interracial unions by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.” Congresswoman Davids was the only member of the Kansas House delegation to vote in favor of the bill. Representatives Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner voted against the measure in addition to Missouri Representatives Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Billy Long and Jason Smith.

The Senate passed the bill last week with 12 Republican votes. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voted against the bill. Retiring Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted with the Democrats.&nbsp; The legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

In July Davids joined her colleagues to introduce the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;following Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in&nbsp;Dobbs v Jackson,&nbsp;in which he stated that the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/24/thomas-constitutional-rights-00042256">“should reconsider”</a>&nbsp;previous rulings codifying same-sex marriage protections.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provides additional legal protections from attempts to undermine marriage equality at the state level.

“After the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, people across Kansas and the entire country felt fear and anxiety as many of our individual freedoms were called into question or outright stripped away. That includes marriage equality for same-sex couples, which was explicitly threatened by Justice Thomas,” said&nbsp;Davids. “I’m proud to have introduced legislation that will help lessen that fear and provide stability to so many families, and I applaud the bipartisan group of lawmakers who joined me to stand up for our rights.”

The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;will:

The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;is&nbsp;<a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/newsroom/respectformarriagesupport/">strongly supported by leading national organizations</a>&nbsp;including: ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Women’s Law Center, and PFLAG National.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670540217091.png" alt="Rep. Davids celebrate passage of HR 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Davids celebrate passage of HR 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Kansas 3rd District Representative Sharice Davids on Thursday applauded bipartisan passage of legislation she help introduce to enshrine marriage equality in federal law. The&nbsp;<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-117HR8404IH.pdf">Respect for Marriage Act</a>&nbsp;passed in the House 258-169 with almost 40 Republican votes. It also protects interracial unions by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.” Congresswoman Davids was the only member of the Kansas House delegation to vote in favor of the bill. Representatives Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner voted against the measure in addition to Missouri Representatives Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Billy Long and Jason Smith.The Senate passed the bill last week with 12 Republican votes. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voted against the bill. Retiring Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted with the Democrats.&nbsp; The legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.In July Davids joined her colleagues to introduce the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;following Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in&nbsp;Dobbs v Jackson,&nbsp;in which he stated that the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/24/thomas-constitutional-rights-00042256">“should reconsider”</a>&nbsp;previous rulings codifying same-sex marriage protections.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provides additional legal protections from attempts to undermine marriage equality at the state level.“After the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, people across Kansas and the entire country felt fear and anxiety as many of our individual freedoms were called into question or outright stripped away. That includes marriage equality for same-sex couples, which was explicitly threatened by Justice Thomas,” said&nbsp;Davids. “I’m proud to have introduced legislation that will help lessen that fear and provide stability to so many families, and I applaud the bipartisan group of lawmakers who joined me to stand up for our rights.”The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;will:<ul>
 <li>Repeal DOMA.&nbsp;The Supreme Court effectively rendered DOMA inactive with its landmark decisions in&nbsp;United States v. Windsor&nbsp;and&nbsp;Obergefell v. Hodges, but it did not repeal it, meaning the unconstitutional and discriminatory law still officially remains on the books.&nbsp;With passage of the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act, DOMA will finally be repealed.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Enshrine Marriage Equality for Federal Law Purposes. The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;requires, for federal law purposes, that an individual be considered married if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed, even if that state is not where the individual lives permanently. This gives same sex and interracial couples additional certainty that they will enjoy their Constitutional right to equal treatment under federal law—regardless of where they live.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Provide Additional Legal Protections from Individuals Seeking to Undermine Marriage Equality While Acting Under Color of State Law. The bill prohibits any person acting under color of state law from denying full faith and credit to an out-of-state marriage based on the sex, race, ethnicity or national origin of the individuals in the marriage, provides the Attorney General with the authority to pursue enforcement actions, and creates a private right of action for any individual harmed by a violation of this provision.</li>
 </ul>The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;is&nbsp;<a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/newsroom/respectformarriagesupport/">strongly supported by leading national organizations</a>&nbsp;including: ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Women’s Law Center, and PFLAG National.

1 member of the Kan. delegation voted to protect same-sex marriage

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident have identified the victim as 47-year-old Troy J. Callahan.

Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, Callahan was attempting to cross the southbound lanes of SW Trafficway, south of Clark Avenue in the Westport district when he was initially struck by a Chrysler mini-van, according to Police Captain Leslie Foreman.

A short time later, a Honda CRV struck Callahan. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Both drivers stopped at the scene and cooperated during the investigation. Police released no additional details.

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident have identified the victim as 47-year-old Troy J. Callahan.Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, Callahan was attempting to cross the southbound lanes of SW Trafficway, south of Clark Avenue in the Westport district when he was initially struck by a Chrysler mini-van, according to Police Captain Leslie Foreman.A short time later, a Honda CRV struck Callahan. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Both drivers stopped at the scene and cooperated during the investigation. Police released no additional details.

Man crossing the street struck by two vehicles in Kansas City

TOPEKA —A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman and three Florida residents in connection with a scheme to defraud Medicare, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Steven A. Churchill, 36, of Boca Raton, Florida, Samson K. Solomon, 25, of Margate, Florida, Elaine J. Balsamo, 58, of Boca Raton, Florida, and Fawn J. Lickteig, 42, of Lawrence, Kansas, are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud; eight counts of health care fraud; six counts of mail fraud; and four counts of wire fraud.

Churchill and Balsamo are also charged with four counts of money laundering.

Despite claiming to be a retail pharmacy, the defendants are accused of establishing a fraudulent mail order pharmacy. Between February 2020 and February 2021, the defendants allegedly used Freestate Pharmacy to submit false claims to Medicare for prescriptions for patients who had not spoken with the doctor and who had not requested the medication.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case.

TOPEKA —A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman and three Florida residents in connection with a scheme to defraud Medicare, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Steven A. Churchill, 36, of Boca Raton, Florida, Samson K. Solomon, 25, of Margate, Florida, Elaine J. Balsamo, 58, of Boca Raton, Florida, and Fawn J. Lickteig, 42, of Lawrence, Kansas, are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud; eight counts of health care fraud; six counts of mail fraud; and four counts of wire fraud.Churchill and Balsamo are also charged with four counts of money laundering.Despite claiming to be a retail pharmacy, the defendants are accused of establishing a fraudulent mail order pharmacy. Between February 2020 and February 2021, the defendants allegedly used Freestate Pharmacy to submit false claims to Medicare for prescriptions for patients who had not spoken with the doctor and who had not requested the medication.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case.

Indictment: 4 used Kansas pharmacy to defraud Medicare

WASHINGTON —The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $275 million to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs, according to a statement from the agency on Friday evening.

This authorization is the Biden Administration's twenty-seventh drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.&nbsp; &nbsp; This security assistance package will provide Ukraine with new capabilities to boost its air defenses in addition to providing critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield. &nbsp; Capabilities in this package include: &nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;80,000 155mm artillery rounds; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems equipment; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Counter air defense capability; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) Ambulances and medical equipment; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Approximately 150 generators; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Field equipment.&nbsp; &nbsp; To meet Ukraine's evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661277535073.png" alt="-Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his social media page on August 15-" />
 <figcaption>-Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his social media page on August 15-</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $275 million to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs, according to a statement from the agency on Friday evening. This authorization is the Biden Administration's twenty-seventh drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.&nbsp; &nbsp; This security assistance package will provide Ukraine with new capabilities to boost its air defenses in addition to providing critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield. &nbsp; Capabilities in this package include: &nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;80,000 155mm artillery rounds; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems equipment; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Counter air defense capability; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) Ambulances and medical equipment; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Approximately 150 generators; •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Field equipment.&nbsp; &nbsp; To meet Ukraine's evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities.

US to spend another $275M to aid Ukraine in war with Russia

WINFIELD, KAN. –&nbsp;Winfield Correctional Facility (WCF) resident Juan Manuel Torres died Thursday, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Corrections. 

He was found unresponsive in his housing unit. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. A preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.

Torres, 31, was serving a 63-month sentence, based on convictions in Ford County, Kansas of Possession of drugs, Fleeing law enforcement, DUI – 2nd&nbsp;conviction, and two counts of Violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. He was registered as a violent offender for convictions in 2013 of violent crimes in aid of racketeering, attempted murder.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

The Winfield Correctional Facility's (WCF) capacity is&nbsp;632 minimum-security adult male residents.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670603859504.png" alt="Torres-photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Torres-photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>WINFIELD, KAN. –&nbsp;Winfield Correctional Facility (WCF) resident Juan Manuel Torres died Thursday, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Corrections. He was found unresponsive in his housing unit. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. A preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.Torres, 31, was serving a 63-month sentence, based on convictions in Ford County, Kansas of Possession of drugs, Fleeing law enforcement, DUI – 2nd&nbsp;conviction, and two counts of Violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. He was registered as a violent offender for convictions in 2013 of violent crimes in aid of racketeering, attempted murder.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;The Winfield Correctional Facility's (WCF) capacity is&nbsp;632 minimum-security adult male residents.&nbsp;