SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two people have died and two others were injured in two separate accident just after 2a.m. Saturday in Wichita. Police identified the motorcyclist who died as&nbsp;&nbsp;38-year-old Justin Cunningham of Andover, according to Officer Trevor Macy. The Good Samaritan who observed the initial accident and attempted to help the occupants before she was struck by the motorcycle also died on Monday, according to Macy.

The initial 911 call reported a single vehicle had rolled over in the eastbound lanes in the 6600 Block of Kellogg near Armour with two people inside, according to Macy.

As officers arrived on scene, they learned that a second accident involving a motorcycle had occurred just after the first crash.

Officers located the motorcycle driver Justin Cunningham deceased at the scene. They also&nbsp;found three additional people with critical injuries who were all transported to area hospitals. Another person was located uninjured.

Through the investigation, officers learned that a silver SUV was eastbound on Kellogg with two occupants – a 48-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man– when the&nbsp;driver lost control of the vehicle and struck the median, causing the SUV to roll.

An uninvolved person, a woman, witnessed the turned-over SUV and began rendering aid to the occupants.

As she was rendering aid, a motorcycle with two occupants traveled eastbound on Kellogg. The motorcycle struck the 19-year-old Good Samaritan then hit the SUV.

Cunningham, who was driving the motorcycle, was pronounced deceased on scene. EMS&nbsp; transported the female SUV driver, a female motorcycle passenger and the 19-year-old woman struck by the motorcycle to area hospitals for treatment of serious injuries, according to Macy. The Good Samaritan died on Monday. Police have not released her name.

The passenger of the SUV was uninjured.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652552821114.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the crash early Saturday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the crash early Saturday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two people have died and two others were injured in two separate accident just after 2a.m. Saturday in Wichita. Police identified the motorcyclist who died as&nbsp;&nbsp;38-year-old Justin Cunningham of Andover, according to Officer Trevor Macy. The Good Samaritan who observed the initial accident and attempted to help the occupants before she was struck by the motorcycle also died on Monday, according to Macy.The initial 911 call reported a single vehicle had rolled over in the eastbound lanes in the 6600 Block of Kellogg near Armour with two people inside, according to Macy.As officers arrived on scene, they learned that a second accident involving a motorcycle had occurred just after the first crash.Officers located the motorcycle driver Justin Cunningham deceased at the scene. They also&nbsp;found three additional people with critical injuries who were all transported to area hospitals. Another person was located uninjured.Through the investigation, officers learned that a silver SUV was eastbound on Kellogg with two occupants – a 48-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man– when the&nbsp;driver lost control of the vehicle and struck the median, causing the SUV to roll.An uninvolved person, a woman, witnessed the turned-over SUV and began rendering aid to the occupants.As she was rendering aid, a motorcycle with two occupants traveled eastbound on Kellogg. The motorcycle struck the 19-year-old Good Samaritan then hit the SUV.Cunningham, who was driving the motorcycle, was pronounced deceased on scene. EMS&nbsp; transported the female SUV driver, a female motorcycle passenger and the 19-year-old woman struck by the motorcycle to area hospitals for treatment of serious injuries, according to Macy. The Good Samaritan died on Monday. Police have not released her name.The passenger of the SUV was uninjured.&nbsp;

Good Samaritan struck by motorcycle at Kan. crash scene has died

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an order Monday to redeploy hundreds of U.S. troops to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-elections-presidential-somalia-mohamed-abdullahi-15c69062ac1ba6dfa60c24e173cf72b1">Somalia</a>&nbsp;to counter the Islamic extremist rebel group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-somalia-mogadishu-al-shabab-1f68208d223285db793386bfcbb96263">al-Shabab</a>, an effort that American military leaders said had been hampered by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-counterterrorism-east-africa-africa-somalia-64eb33d761c52c3813e89f3368755834">President Donald Trump’s late-term decision</a>&nbsp;to withdraw forces from the country.

U.S. troops will be repositioned from elsewhere in Africa to train and provide other support to Somali forces in their fight against al-Shabab, which is considered the largest and wealthiest affiliate of the al-Qaida extremist organization.

It’s a reminder that the U.S. remains engaged in the long fight against Islamic extremists around the world, even if the effort has been eclipsed by the war in Ukraine and other matters.

The decision to station forces again in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/somalia">Somalia</a>, rather than rotate them in and out, is intended “to maximize the safety and effectiveness of our forces and enable them to provide more efficient support to our partners,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in announcing the redeployment.

U.S. forces in Somalia will total “under 500” and are not being sent to engage in direct combat, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to brief journalists on the rationale behind the decision.

Instead, the troops will work with Somali forces and provide security to personnel from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development as they work with the government to emerge from years of turmoil, the official said.

Trump abruptly ordered the withdrawal of approximately 700 troops from Somalia at the end of his term in January 2021, an extension of a broader policy of seeking to pull the U.S. out of what he derisively referred to as “endless wars” around the world.

But military leaders said that came at a cost, wasting time, money and momentum as troops had to rotate in and out of the country.

Gen. Stephen Townsend, head of U.S. Africa Command, told Congress in March that the rotations, which he called “commuting to work,” were not efficient or effective and put American troops at greater risk.

“In my view, we are marching in place at best. We may be backsliding,” Townsend told the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requested the deployment “to reestablish a persistent U.S. military presence in Somalia to enable a more effective fight against al-Shabaab, which has increased in strength and poses a heightened threat,” said an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the plan before the White House announcement.

Biden’s decision to sign the order was first reported by The New York Times, which also said the the president had a approved a Pentagon request for standing authority to target about a dozen suspected leaders of al-Shabab.

The group has killed more than a dozen Americans in East Africa, including three in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/somalia-us-news-ap-top-news-international-news-east-africa-65926ee82091f779d28d6a9644fb739f">January 2020 attack on a base used by U.S. counterterrorism forces&nbsp;</a>in Kenya. Later that year, the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indictments-us-news-united-states-d53d808597763855815d47b3dc917617">charged a Kenyan&nbsp;</a>who had been taking flight lessons in the Philippines with planning a 9/11-style hijacking attack on behalf of al-Shabab.

The rebel group has made territorial gains against Somalia’s federal government in recent months, reversing the gains of African Union peacekeepers who once had pushed the militants into remote areas of the country.

Word of the deployment decision came after Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who served as Somalia’s president between 2012 and 2017, was announced on Sunday as the winner of a protracted election.

Somalia began to fall apart in 1991 when warlords ousted dictator&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9fed60a380756a12bf4e227a5054e496">Siad Barre</a>&nbsp;and then turned on each other. Years of conflict and al-Shabab attacks, along with famine, have shattered the country which has a long, strategic coastline by the Indian Ocean.

American soldiers deployed there in 1992 to stave off a national famine on a peacekeeping mission that lasted until their 1994 withdrawal — about five months after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/205ae5064bb64ac6a3307916cf6a2c47">the humiliating “Black Hawk Down” debacle&nbsp;</a>in late 1993 when Somali militiamen shot down two U.S. helicopters; 18 servicemen were killed in the crash and subsequent rescue attempt.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an order Monday to redeploy hundreds of U.S. troops to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-elections-presidential-somalia-mohamed-abdullahi-15c69062ac1ba6dfa60c24e173cf72b1">Somalia</a>&nbsp;to counter the Islamic extremist rebel group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-somalia-mogadishu-al-shabab-1f68208d223285db793386bfcbb96263">al-Shabab</a>, an effort that American military leaders said had been hampered by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-counterterrorism-east-africa-africa-somalia-64eb33d761c52c3813e89f3368755834">President Donald Trump’s late-term decision</a>&nbsp;to withdraw forces from the country.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDeptofDefense%2Fvideos%2F370163751742685%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=986" 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>U.S. troops will be repositioned from elsewhere in Africa to train and provide other support to Somali forces in their fight against al-Shabab, which is considered the largest and wealthiest affiliate of the al-Qaida extremist organization.It’s a reminder that the U.S. remains engaged in the long fight against Islamic extremists around the world, even if the effort has been eclipsed by the war in Ukraine and other matters.The decision to station forces again in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/somalia">Somalia</a>, rather than rotate them in and out, is intended “to maximize the safety and effectiveness of our forces and enable them to provide more efficient support to our partners,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in announcing the redeployment.U.S. forces in Somalia will total “under 500” and are not being sent to engage in direct combat, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to brief journalists on the rationale behind the decision.Instead, the troops will work with Somali forces and provide security to personnel from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development as they work with the government to emerge from years of turmoil, the official said.Trump abruptly ordered the withdrawal of approximately 700 troops from Somalia at the end of his term in January 2021, an extension of a broader policy of seeking to pull the U.S. out of what he derisively referred to as “endless wars” around the world.But military leaders said that came at a cost, wasting time, money and momentum as troops had to rotate in and out of the country.Gen. Stephen Townsend, head of U.S. Africa Command, told Congress in March that the rotations, which he called “commuting to work,” were not efficient or effective and put American troops at greater risk.“In my view, we are marching in place at best. We may be backsliding,” Townsend told the Senate Armed Forces Committee.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requested the deployment “to reestablish a persistent U.S. military presence in Somalia to enable a more effective fight against al-Shabaab, which has increased in strength and poses a heightened threat,” said an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the plan before the White House announcement.Biden’s decision to sign the order was first reported by The New York Times, which also said the the president had a approved a Pentagon request for standing authority to target about a dozen suspected leaders of al-Shabab.The group has killed more than a dozen Americans in East Africa, including three in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/somalia-us-news-ap-top-news-international-news-east-africa-65926ee82091f779d28d6a9644fb739f">January 2020 attack on a base used by U.S. counterterrorism forces&nbsp;</a>in Kenya. Later that year, the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indictments-us-news-united-states-d53d808597763855815d47b3dc917617">charged a Kenyan&nbsp;</a>who had been taking flight lessons in the Philippines with planning a 9/11-style hijacking attack on behalf of al-Shabab.The rebel group has made territorial gains against Somalia’s federal government in recent months, reversing the gains of African Union peacekeepers who once had pushed the militants into remote areas of the country.Word of the deployment decision came after Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who served as Somalia’s president between 2012 and 2017, was announced on Sunday as the winner of a protracted election.Somalia began to fall apart in 1991 when warlords ousted dictator&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9fed60a380756a12bf4e227a5054e496">Siad Barre</a>&nbsp;and then turned on each other. Years of conflict and al-Shabab attacks, along with famine, have shattered the country which has a long, strategic coastline by the Indian Ocean.American soldiers deployed there in 1992 to stave off a national famine on a peacekeeping mission that lasted until their 1994 withdrawal — about five months after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/205ae5064bb64ac6a3307916cf6a2c47">the humiliating “Black Hawk Down” debacle&nbsp;</a>in late 1993 when Somali militiamen shot down two U.S. helicopters; 18 servicemen were killed in the crash and subsequent rescue attempt.

🎥Biden signs order to put US troops back in Somalia

FORD COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 7p.m. Monday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Dalton Kuhlman, 24, Dodge City, was southbound on 210 Road one half mile north of A Road.

The pickup traveled left of center and collided head-on with a northbound 2013 Ford Explorer driven by Juan&nbsp;Ramos-Ortiz, 25, Dodge City.

A passenger in the SUV identified as Angelina&nbsp;Perez-Velasquez, 21, Dodge City, was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Beckwith Funeral Home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EMS transported Kuhlman, Ramos-Ortiz and 2-year-old boy in the SUV to the hospital in Dodge City.&nbsp;Perez-Velasquez was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

FORD COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 7p.m. Monday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Dalton Kuhlman, 24, Dodge City, was southbound on 210 Road one half mile north of A Road.The pickup traveled left of center and collided head-on with a northbound 2013 Ford Explorer driven by Juan&nbsp;Ramos-Ortiz, 25, Dodge City.A passenger in the SUV identified as Angelina&nbsp;Perez-Velasquez, 21, Dodge City, was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Beckwith Funeral Home.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported Kuhlman, Ramos-Ortiz and 2-year-old boy in the SUV to the hospital in Dodge City.&nbsp;Perez-Velasquez was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kan. woman dead, 2-year-old injured in head-on crash

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;government attorney argued Monday that congressional redistricting is naturally political and that the Kansas Supreme Court shouldn't try to decide when partisanship goes too far, only to be chastised by one of the justices for making a “boys will be boys” argument.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the state's appeal of a lower court ruling that represented the first time that a Kansas court declared that partisan gerrymandering violates the state constitution. The lower court ruling struck down a Republican congressional redistricting law that would make it harder for the only Democrat in the state's congressional delegation to win reelection this year. The GOP-controlled Legislature enacted it over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto.

Federal judges — not the Kansas courts — have typically reviewed congressional boundaries, but the U.S. Supreme Court declared in 2019 that complaints about partisan gerrymandering are political issues and not for the federal courts to resolve.

Kansas Solicitor General Brant Laue argued that Kansas' top court should take the same position. The Kansas Constitution mentions only legislative redistricting and does not contain any specific provisions prohibiting gerrymandering.

“Congressional redistricting is political by design," Laue said. “The Legislature, and not the state judiciary, is designed and equipped to make the political determinations that cannot be avoided.”

The Supreme Court did not say when it would rule, though both sides are hoping it will be within days, with the state's June 1 candidate filing deadline a little more than two weeks away. Also, the Legislature set to reconvene next week for a day or two of work if the justices reject the new congressional map or new boundaries for legislative districts that the court also reviewed Monday.

During Monday's hearing, the seven-member court wrestled with how to determine when improper political gerrymandering has occurred. Justice Caleb Stegall questioned whether the term can be clearly defined.

“I need to know what my standards are,” added Justice Evelyn Wilson.

Lawsuits over new congressional-district lines have proliferated across the U.S., with Republicans looking to recapture a U.S. House majority in this year’s midterm elections. State courts have issued decisions favoring Democrats in&nbsp;North Carolina,&nbsp;Ohio&nbsp;and&nbsp;Pennsylvania, and a new GOP map in&nbsp;Florida&nbsp;has been invalidated by a state court judge.&nbsp;New York’s highest court recently declared that that state's new districts were gerrymandered to favor Democrats.

In Kansas, 20 Democratic voters and a voting-rights group, Loud Light, filed three lawsuits against the new congressional map. District Judge Bill Klapper in Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area agreed with them that the new lines were too partisan and diluted minority voters' political clout. He ordered lawmakers to draw a new map.

Justice Dan Biles told Laue that he is asking the state Supreme Court to accept that “boys will be boys” when legislators target specific colleagues.

“How is partisan gerrymandering ever a legitimate government interest?” Biles asked.

Laue told Biles that politics is part of the process of drawing new maps and, “It can’t be distilled from the process.”

Republican legislative leaders argued that based on 2020 results, Davids still can win her new district. They said their map was a fair way to rebalance the population in each of the state’s congressional districts to make them as equal as possible after 10 years of demographic shifts. Republicans rejected the argument that they improperly diluted minority voters' clout.

The new Kansas map moved the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Kansas City, Kansas, is among the few Democratic strongholds in the GOP-leaning state. Davids lost territory where she performs well, while the new map added several rural, heavily Republican counties to her district.

The map also moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence — another Democratic stronghold and home to the main University of Kansas campus — out of the 2nd District. The city of 95,000 is now in the already sprawling 1st District of central and western Kansas with small conservative communities, some six hours away by car.

Klapper relied heavily on the testimony of a University of&nbsp;Michigan&nbsp;political scientist who used a computer algorithm to produce 1,000 alternative redistricting plans to conclude that the new districts “are extreme pro-Republican partisan outliers."

“Each individual should not have their votes relegated to not matter simply because of who they vote for,” said Sharon Brett, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652719984286.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt argues before the Kansas Supreme Court on Monday that the state House and Senate redistricting maps should be affirmed. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt argues before the Kansas Supreme Court on Monday that the state House and Senate redistricting maps should be affirmed. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;government attorney argued Monday that congressional redistricting is naturally political and that the Kansas Supreme Court shouldn't try to decide when partisanship goes too far, only to be chastised by one of the justices for making a “boys will be boys” argument.The Supreme Court heard arguments in the state's appeal of a lower court ruling that represented the first time that a Kansas court declared that partisan gerrymandering violates the state constitution. The lower court ruling struck down a Republican congressional redistricting law that would make it harder for the only Democrat in the state's congressional delegation to win reelection this year. The GOP-controlled Legislature enacted it over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto.Federal judges — not the Kansas courts — have typically reviewed congressional boundaries, but the U.S. Supreme Court declared in 2019 that complaints about partisan gerrymandering are political issues and not for the federal courts to resolve.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652739986481.png" alt="Kansas Solicitor General Brant Laue said,“Congressional redistricting is political by design. The Legislature, and not the state judiciary, is designed and equipped to make the political determinations that cannot be avoided.”&nbsp;(Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Solicitor General Brant Laue said,“Congressional redistricting is political by design. The Legislature, and not the state judiciary, is designed and equipped to make the political determinations that cannot be avoided.”&nbsp;(Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Solicitor General Brant Laue argued that Kansas' top court should take the same position. The Kansas Constitution mentions only legislative redistricting and does not contain any specific provisions prohibiting gerrymandering.“Congressional redistricting is political by design," Laue said. “The Legislature, and not the state judiciary, is designed and equipped to make the political determinations that cannot be avoided.”The Supreme Court did not say when it would rule, though both sides are hoping it will be within days, with the state's June 1 candidate filing deadline a little more than two weeks away. Also, the Legislature set to reconvene next week for a day or two of work if the justices reject the new congressional map or new boundaries for legislative districts that the court also reviewed Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652720047067.png" alt="Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall asks Mark Johnson a question during the Monday arguments. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall asks Mark Johnson a question during the Monday arguments. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>During Monday's hearing, the seven-member court wrestled with how to determine when improper political gerrymandering has occurred. Justice Caleb Stegall questioned whether the term can be clearly defined.“I need to know what my standards are,” added Justice Evelyn Wilson.Lawsuits over new congressional-district lines have proliferated across the U.S., with Republicans looking to recapture a U.S. House majority in this year’s midterm elections. State courts have issued decisions favoring Democrats in&nbsp;North Carolina,&nbsp;Ohio&nbsp;and&nbsp;Pennsylvania, and a new GOP map in&nbsp;Florida&nbsp;has been invalidated by a state court judge.&nbsp;New York’s highest court recently declared that that state's new districts were gerrymandered to favor Democrats.In Kansas, 20 Democratic voters and a voting-rights group, Loud Light, filed three lawsuits against the new congressional map. District Judge Bill Klapper in Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area agreed with them that the new lines were too partisan and diluted minority voters' political clout. He ordered lawmakers to draw a new map.Justice Dan Biles told Laue that he is asking the state Supreme Court to accept that “boys will be boys” when legislators target specific colleagues.“How is partisan gerrymandering ever a legitimate government interest?” Biles asked.Laue told Biles that politics is part of the process of drawing new maps and, “It can’t be distilled from the process.”Republican legislative leaders argued that based on 2020 results, Davids still can win her new district. They said their map was a fair way to rebalance the population in each of the state’s congressional districts to make them as equal as possible after 10 years of demographic shifts. Republicans rejected the argument that they improperly diluted minority voters' clout.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="The map also moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence — another Democratic stronghold and home to the main University of Kansas campus — out of the 2nd District. " />
 <figcaption>The map also moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence — another Democratic stronghold and home to the main University of Kansas campus — out of the 2nd District. </figcaption>
 </figure>The new Kansas map moved the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Kansas City, Kansas, is among the few Democratic strongholds in the GOP-leaning state. Davids lost territory where she performs well, while the new map added several rural, heavily Republican counties to her district.The map also moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence — another Democratic stronghold and home to the main University of Kansas campus — out of the 2nd District. The city of 95,000 is now in the already sprawling 1st District of central and western Kansas with small conservative communities, some six hours away by car.Klapper relied heavily on the testimony of a University of&nbsp;Michigan&nbsp;political scientist who used a computer algorithm to produce 1,000 alternative redistricting plans to conclude that the new districts “are extreme pro-Republican partisan outliers."“Each individual should not have their votes relegated to not matter simply because of who they vote for,” said Sharon Brett, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.

Kansas court wrestles with barring political gerrymandering

JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple drug charges following an investigation.

Just after 10:30a.m. Saturday, a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2020 Hyundai Elantra for allegedly failing to display a license plate on the vehicle, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the traffic stop, the deputy found hallucinogenic drugs in the vehicle. A subsequent search was conducted by deputies of a room at the Red Roof Inn located in Holton where the driver was believed to be staying. 

 A substance believed to be cocaine was seized with drug paraphernalia. 

The driver, 29-year-old Jeanata Larae Valentine of Holton was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail and booked on requested charges that include possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking contraband into a correctional facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652628171278.png" alt="Valentine-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Valentine-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple drug charges following an investigation.Just after 10:30a.m. Saturday, a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2020 Hyundai Elantra for allegedly failing to display a license plate on the vehicle, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the traffic stop, the deputy found hallucinogenic drugs in the vehicle. A subsequent search was conducted by deputies of a room at the Red Roof Inn located in Holton where the driver was believed to be staying. A substance believed to be cocaine was seized with drug paraphernalia. The driver, 29-year-old Jeanata Larae Valentine of Holton was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail and booked on requested charges that include possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking contraband into a correctional facility.

Sheriff: Investigators found cocaine in Kansas motel room

FINNEY COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal Sunday accident in Finney County have identified the victim as 41-year-old&nbsp; Amanda Robyn Wurtz, of Plains.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Wurtz was northbound&nbsp; on Pierceville Road at Plymell Road in a 2013 Ford Edge and hit a deer.

The vehicle traveled off the road to the right, rolled and come to rest on its top.

She was pronounced dead at St. Catherines Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

FINNEY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a fatal accident that occurred just before 10p.m. Sunday in Finney County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was northbound on Pierceville Road at Plymell Road and hit a deer. 

The vehicle traveled off the road to the right, rolled and come to rest on its top. The KHP has not released name of the victim or other details.

FINNEY COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal Sunday accident in Finney County have identified the victim as 41-year-old&nbsp; Amanda Robyn Wurtz, of Plains.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Wurtz was northbound&nbsp; on Pierceville Road at Plymell Road in a 2013 Ford Edge and hit a deer.The vehicle traveled off the road to the right, rolled and come to rest on its top.She was pronounced dead at St. Catherines Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.--------FINNEY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a fatal accident that occurred just before 10p.m. Sunday in Finney County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was northbound on Pierceville Road at Plymell Road and hit a deer. The vehicle traveled off the road to the right, rolled and come to rest on its top. The KHP has not released name of the victim or other details.

KHP IDs Kansas woman who died after car struck a deer

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged assault in Manhattan.

Just after 10a.m. Saturday, officers filed a report for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and felony interference with a law enforcement officer in the 400 block of South 5th Street in Manhattan,&nbsp;according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. An RCPD officer was listed as the victim. 

Officers arrested 43-year-old Joseph Stepney of Manhattan in connection with the incident.

 Stepney was issued a total bond of $14,000 and remains in custody, according to the RCPD.&nbsp;

Stepney has a previous first-degree sexual abuse conviction in Alabama, according the KBI Offender Registry. In January, police in Manhattan arrested him for a violation of the offender registration act, according to RCPD booking records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652714709563.png" alt="Joseph Stepney has a previous first-degree sexual abuse conviction in Alabama, according the KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Joseph Stepney has a previous first-degree sexual abuse conviction in Alabama, according the KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged assault in Manhattan.Just after 10a.m. Saturday, officers filed a report for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and felony interference with a law enforcement officer in the 400 block of South 5th Street in Manhattan,&nbsp;according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. An RCPD officer was listed as the victim. Officers arrested 43-year-old Joseph Stepney of Manhattan in connection with the incident. Stepney was issued a total bond of $14,000 and remains in custody, according to the RCPD.&nbsp;Stepney has a previous first-degree sexual abuse conviction in Alabama, according the KBI Offender Registry. In January, police in Manhattan arrested him for a violation of the offender registration act, according to RCPD booking records.

Sex offender jailed for alleged assault on a Kansas officer

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit and run accident believe they have located a vehicle in the Kansas City area they suspect to be the transit van involved in the crash, according to a media release from the Douglas County Sheriff's office.

Investigators are working to identify the driver of the vehicle and asking anyone who might have information to contact law enforcement. The vehicle would have been eastbound on Kansas 10 highway just after 5p.m. on Saturday.

Brooklyn Brouhard, 9, of Eudora later died from injuries suffered in the crash. She was passenger on a motorcycle driven by her grandfather 54-year-old Barry Larson who was also injured.

Larson was driving a motorcycle northbound on East 1900 Road with Brooklyn as a passenger. As the motorcycle approached the overpass, the transit van moved forward from the stop sign and the top of the eastbound off ramp from K-10 and into the intersection and struck the motorcycle.

Witnesses reported that after the collision, the driver of the white van proceeded down the ramp leaving its black front bumper cover behind and returned to eastbound K-10.&nbsp;

EMS transported Larson and his granddaughter to an area hospital.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run accident and asking the public for help to locate a van and driver that fled the scene.

Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 1300 Block of East 1900 Road on the ramp over Kansas 10 Highway between Lawrence and Eudora, according to the Douglas County Sheriff.

According to a preliminary investigation, a 54-year-old man was driving a motorcycle northbound on East 1900 Road with a 9-year-old girl as passenger. As the approached the overpass, an unknown possibly a 2013-19 white Ford Transit van moved forward from the stop sign and the top of the eastbound off ramp from K-10 and into the intersection.

The van struck the motorcycle which overturned. EMS transported the man and the girl to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. He had serious but non life threatening injuries. The girl, who was wearing a helmet suffered critical injuries and died Sunday morning, according the sheriff's department.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Douglas Co. Sheriff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652731134056.png" alt="Image Douglas Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Image Douglas Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit and run accident believe they have located a vehicle in the Kansas City area they suspect to be the transit van involved in the crash, according to a media release from the Douglas County Sheriff's office.Investigators are working to identify the driver of the vehicle and asking anyone who might have information to contact law enforcement. The vehicle would have been eastbound on Kansas 10 highway just after 5p.m. on Saturday.Brooklyn Brouhard, 9, of Eudora later died from injuries suffered in the crash. She was passenger on a motorcycle driven by her grandfather 54-year-old Barry Larson who was also injured.Larson was driving a motorcycle northbound on East 1900 Road with Brooklyn as a passenger. As the motorcycle approached the overpass, the transit van moved forward from the stop sign and the top of the eastbound off ramp from K-10 and into the intersection and struck the motorcycle.Witnesses reported that after the collision, the driver of the white van proceeded down the ramp leaving its black front bumper cover behind and returned to eastbound K-10.&nbsp;EMS transported Larson and his granddaughter to an area hospital.-------------DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run accident and asking the public for help to locate a van and driver that fled the scene.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">EAST 1900 Road Fatality Accident After further investigation, Sheriff&#39;s Office detectives now believe the vehicle that left the scene yesterday was a Ford Transit Connect XL Model 2013-2019, more likely a 2018-19. Anyone with info is asked to call the DGSO, 785-843-0250. <a href="https://t.co/NazzZWkS2O">pic.twitter.com/NazzZWkS2O</a>&mdash; Douglas Co. Sheriff (@DGSOSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/DGSOSheriff/status/1525963802629505037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 1300 Block of East 1900 Road on the ramp over Kansas 10 Highway between Lawrence and Eudora, according to the Douglas County Sheriff.According to a preliminary investigation, a 54-year-old man was driving a motorcycle northbound on East 1900 Road with a 9-year-old girl as passenger. As the approached the overpass, an unknown possibly a 2013-19 white Ford Transit van moved forward from the stop sign and the top of the eastbound off ramp from K-10 and into the intersection.The van struck the motorcycle which overturned. EMS transported the man and the girl to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. He had serious but non life threatening injuries. The girl, who was wearing a helmet suffered critical injuries and died Sunday morning, according the sheriff's department.Witnesses reported that after the collision, the driver of the white van proceeded down the ramp leaving its black front bumper cover behind and returned to eastbound K-10.&nbsp;Anyone with information is asked to contact the Douglas Co. Sheriff.

Van involved in crash that killed 9-year-old Kan. girl found

By DYLAN LYSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-05-12/kansas-thinks-maybe-youre-accidently-buying-vegetarian-meat-so-it-passed-a-law">Kansas News Service</a>

The power of the Kansas cattle industry means grocery shoppers in the
 state won't be buying anything called sausage or burger unless it's 
made of animal parts.

Gov. Laura Kelly recently signed a bill into
 law requiring meat substitutes to be sold with labeling that makes 
clear they come from plants, not livestock.

It's part of a 
national effort from the meat industry to stave off competition from a 
range of products cutting into its market share. The Kansas Livestock 
Association <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-01-24/the-kansas-cattle-industry-wants-tighter-labeling-guidelines-for-fake-meats" target="_blank">pushed for the law for years</a>, arguing it will spare consumers from confusion.

“It
 became pretty clear they were using deceptive labels to market their 
products,” KLA lobbyist Aaron Popekla said of meat alternative 
producers.

The law had bipartisan support, receiving a unanimous vote in both the Kansas House and Senate.

Similar
 to other states, Kansas law now prohibits the substitute products from 
using terms associated with animal meat unless they also provide a 
this-is-not meat disclaimer — like “meat-free,” “vegan,” or 
“plant-based.”

Plant-based meat products continue to grow in 
popularity. Recent retail data shows plant-based food sales imitating 
animal products have grown 54%, to a total of $7.4 billion, over the 
last three years, <a href="https://gfi.org/2021-market-research-preview/" target="_blank">according to the Good Food Institute</a>.

Many
 meat alternatives sold in Kansas already used disclaimer language on 
packaging, including the big brand names of the meat alternative market —
 Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.

In fact, the Impossible Foods 
mission is one of the reasons the KLA pursued the legislation. Popelka 
pointed to the Impossible Foods CEO Patrick Brown, who said in 2020 that
 the company wants to replace all animal-based meat products by 2035, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/23/impossible-foods-ceo-meat-industry-will-be-obsolete-within-15-years.html" target="_blank">according to CNBC</a>.

Popelka said he took that to mean fake meat products are marketed to meat eaters, not vegans and vegetarians.

“(We’re) just making sure when consumers go to the grocery store, they know exactly what they are buying,” Popelka said.

The
 Kansas Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill for placing restrictions on
 businesses that sell fake meat products, including the need for 
companies to make labels specific for Kansas.

Dylan Lysen 
reports on politics for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on 
Twitter @DylanLysen or email him at dlysen@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652459067695.png" alt="A new Kansas law requires meat alternative products to include disclaimers showing they are made from plants, not animals. Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>A new Kansas law requires meat alternative products to include disclaimers showing they are made from plants, not animals. Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DYLAN LYSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-05-12/kansas-thinks-maybe-youre-accidently-buying-vegetarian-meat-so-it-passed-a-law">Kansas News Service</a>The power of the Kansas cattle industry means grocery shoppers in the
 state won't be buying anything called sausage or burger unless it's 
made of animal parts.Gov. Laura Kelly recently signed a bill into
 law requiring meat substitutes to be sold with labeling that makes 
clear they come from plants, not livestock.It's part of a 
national effort from the meat industry to stave off competition from a 
range of products cutting into its market share. The Kansas Livestock 
Association <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-01-24/the-kansas-cattle-industry-wants-tighter-labeling-guidelines-for-fake-meats" target="_blank">pushed for the law for years</a>, arguing it will spare consumers from confusion.“It
 became pretty clear they were using deceptive labels to market their 
products,” KLA lobbyist Aaron Popekla said of meat alternative 
producers.The law had bipartisan support, receiving a unanimous vote in both the Kansas House and Senate.Similar
 to other states, Kansas law now prohibits the substitute products from 
using terms associated with animal meat unless they also provide a 
this-is-not meat disclaimer — like “meat-free,” “vegan,” or 
“plant-based.”Plant-based meat products continue to grow in 
popularity. Recent retail data shows plant-based food sales imitating 
animal products have grown 54%, to a total of $7.4 billion, over the 
last three years, <a href="https://gfi.org/2021-market-research-preview/" target="_blank">according to the Good Food Institute</a>.Many
 meat alternatives sold in Kansas already used disclaimer language on 
packaging, including the big brand names of the meat alternative market —
 Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.In fact, the Impossible Foods 
mission is one of the reasons the KLA pursued the legislation. Popelka 
pointed to the Impossible Foods CEO Patrick Brown, who said in 2020 that
 the company wants to replace all animal-based meat products by 2035, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/23/impossible-foods-ceo-meat-industry-will-be-obsolete-within-15-years.html" target="_blank">according to CNBC</a>.Popelka said he took that to mean fake meat products are marketed to meat eaters, not vegans and vegetarians.“(We’re) just making sure when consumers go to the grocery store, they know exactly what they are buying,” Popelka said.The
 Kansas Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill for placing restrictions on
 businesses that sell fake meat products, including the need for 
companies to make labels specific for Kansas.Dylan Lysen 
reports on politics for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on 
Twitter @DylanLysen or email him at dlysen@kcur.org.

Kansas thinks you're accidentally buying vegetarian 'meat,' so it passed a law

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under fire from parents and politicians, President Joe Biden is offering formula manufacturers and retailers transportation and logistics support to ease the nationwide shortage of baby formula, as the administration works to bring the largest domestic plant back on line after it was shut down early this year due to safety issues.

The<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-additional-steps-to-address-infant-formula-shortage/"> White House said </a>it is working with all major formula producers to boost production, including reaching out to their suppliers to encourage them to prioritize production and delivery of formula ingredients. It comes as the Biden administration has come under intense pressure over the last week to do more to ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">the shortage of formula</a>&nbsp;that has forced parents of infants to go to significant lengths to feed their children.

The shortage stems from a February recall by Abbott, the nation’s largest formula maker, that shuttered the company’s Michigan plant and exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on stores shelves across much of the country. The shortage has led retailers like CVS and Target to limit how many containers customers can purchase per visit and forced some parents to swap and sell formula online.

<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html">Click here to view </a>the government infant formula web site.

On Monday, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” that the federal agency is “working really closely with Abbott” to reopen the closed Michigan factory and he expects that “in a very short period of time we’re going to have an announcement about the path forward.”

Califf said an announcement is forthcoming about importing baby formula from abroad, noting that the key is making sure the instructions for the formula are in languages that mothers and caregivers can understand.

The FDA warned families against making their own baby formula because it has 30 distinct constituents that have to be in the right amount, otherwise the formula can possibly be dangerous to consume.

Abbott’s voluntary recall was triggered by four illnesses reported in babies who had consumed powdered formula from the Michigan plant. All four infants were hospitalized with a rare type of bacterial infection and two died.

Abbott is one of just four companies that produce roughly 90% of U.S. formula, so its shutdown squeezed already tight supplies.

After a six-week inspection, FDA investigators published&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-michigan-a4205025fc781b1fb902cdd9e1264b41">a list of problems</a>&nbsp;in March, including lax safety and sanitary standards and a history of bacterial contamination in several parts of the plant.

But Chicago-based Abbott has emphasized that its products have not been directly linked to the bacterial infections in children. Samples of the bacteria found at its plant did not match the strains collected from the babies by federal investigators. The company has repeatedly stated it is ready to resume manufacturing, pending an FDA decision.

Former FDA officials say fixing the type of problems uncovered at Abbott’s plant takes time, and infant formula facilities receive more scrutiny than other food facilities. Companies need to exhaustively clean the facility and equipment, retrain staff, repeatedly test and document there is no contamination.

Even if the facility reopens soon, the FDA will still face scrutiny for its handling of the issues at the plant.

FDA inspectors visited the factory in September for a routine inspection, around the time that the first bacterial infection was reported in an infant. Although inspectors uncovered several violations— including standing water and unsanitary conditions— the FDA did not shut down the plant or issue any formal warning.

Only after several more illnesses were reported did the FDA return to the plant in January, this time finding a history of bacterial contamination in several parts of the plant. Abbott then shut down the facility and recalled several powdered formulas in mid-February.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro reported last month that a whistleblower had contacted the FDA in October about unsafe conditions and practices at the plant, including falsifying plant records and failing to properly test formula for contamination.

She and other lawmakers are set to question FDA Commissioner Califf about that issue and others at a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652447550275.png" alt="On Thursday, President Biden spoke with retailers and manufacturers to discuss ways to do more to help families access infant formula." />
 <figcaption>On Thursday, President Biden spoke with retailers and manufacturers to discuss ways to do more to help families access infant formula.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Under fire from parents and politicians, President Joe Biden is offering formula manufacturers and retailers transportation and logistics support to ease the nationwide shortage of baby formula, as the administration works to bring the largest domestic plant back on line after it was shut down early this year due to safety issues.The<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-additional-steps-to-address-infant-formula-shortage/"> White House said </a>it is working with all major formula producers to boost production, including reaching out to their suppliers to encourage them to prioritize production and delivery of formula ingredients. It comes as the Biden administration has come under intense pressure over the last week to do more to ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">the shortage of formula</a>&nbsp;that has forced parents of infants to go to significant lengths to feed their children.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648164055231.png" alt="In February Abbott, one of the country’s largest infant formula makers announced a recall of Similac-FDA image" />
 <figcaption>In February Abbott, one of the country’s largest infant formula makers announced a recall of Similac-FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>The shortage stems from a February recall by Abbott, the nation’s largest formula maker, that shuttered the company’s Michigan plant and exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on stores shelves across much of the country. The shortage has led retailers like CVS and Target to limit how many containers customers can purchase per visit and forced some parents to swap and sell formula online.<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html">Click here to view </a>the government infant formula web site.On Monday, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” that the federal agency is “working really closely with Abbott” to reopen the closed Michigan factory and he expects that “in a very short period of time we’re going to have an announcement about the path forward.”Califf said an announcement is forthcoming about importing baby formula from abroad, noting that the key is making sure the instructions for the formula are in languages that mothers and caregivers can understand.The FDA warned families against making their own baby formula because it has 30 distinct constituents that have to be in the right amount, otherwise the formula can possibly be dangerous to consume.Abbott’s voluntary recall was triggered by four illnesses reported in babies who had consumed powdered formula from the Michigan plant. All four infants were hospitalized with a rare type of bacterial infection and two died.Abbott is one of just four companies that produce roughly 90% of U.S. formula, so its shutdown squeezed already tight supplies.After a six-week inspection, FDA investigators published&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-michigan-a4205025fc781b1fb902cdd9e1264b41">a list of problems</a>&nbsp;in March, including lax safety and sanitary standards and a history of bacterial contamination in several parts of the plant.But Chicago-based Abbott has emphasized that its products have not been directly linked to the bacterial infections in children. Samples of the bacteria found at its plant did not match the strains collected from the babies by federal investigators. The company has repeatedly stated it is ready to resume manufacturing, pending an FDA decision.Former FDA officials say fixing the type of problems uncovered at Abbott’s plant takes time, and infant formula facilities receive more scrutiny than other food facilities. Companies need to exhaustively clean the facility and equipment, retrain staff, repeatedly test and document there is no contamination.Even if the facility reopens soon, the FDA will still face scrutiny for its handling of the issues at the plant.FDA inspectors visited the factory in September for a routine inspection, around the time that the first bacterial infection was reported in an infant. Although inspectors uncovered several violations— including standing water and unsanitary conditions— the FDA did not shut down the plant or issue any formal warning.Only after several more illnesses were reported did the FDA return to the plant in January, this time finding a history of bacterial contamination in several parts of the plant. Abbott then shut down the facility and recalled several powdered formulas in mid-February.Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro reported last month that a whistleblower had contacted the FDA in October about unsafe conditions and practices at the plant, including falsifying plant records and failing to properly test formula for contamination.She and other lawmakers are set to question FDA Commissioner Califf about that issue and others at a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Biden offers logistics support to ease baby formula shortage

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

Just after 11 a.m. May 13, police received a report of a sex offense involving two juvenile females occurring at a residence in Great Bend, according to a media release.

Officers and detectives began compiling details and evidence of the report alleging multiple sex offenses in Kansas starting in 2015 and 2016. 

It was reported that the suspect involved in this investigation had left his residence in a black 2013 Dodge Ram pickup, with most of his belongings, in an unknown direction of travel.

During the course of the investigation, detectives requested a ping of his location using the suspect's cellular phone. A number of locations were checked and the suspect identified as 41-year-old Joseph Cruse&nbsp; was located a short time later by officers in a motel parking lot in the 700 block of 10th Street in Great Bend.

Cruse was arrested without further incident and transported to the Barton County Detention Center where he was booked on requested charges of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy. He is being held on a $1,000,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652717589648.jpeg" alt="Cruse photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Cruse photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.Just after 11 a.m. May 13, police received a report of a sex offense involving two juvenile females occurring at a residence in Great Bend, according to a media release.Officers and detectives began compiling details and evidence of the report alleging multiple sex offenses in Kansas starting in 2015 and 2016. It was reported that the suspect involved in this investigation had left his residence in a black 2013 Dodge Ram pickup, with most of his belongings, in an unknown direction of travel.During the course of the investigation, detectives requested a ping of his location using the suspect's cellular phone. A number of locations were checked and the suspect identified as 41-year-old Joseph Cruse&nbsp; was located a short time later by officers in a motel parking lot in the 700 block of 10th Street in Great Bend.Cruse was arrested without further incident and transported to the Barton County Detention Center where he was booked on requested charges of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy. He is being held on a $1,000,000 bond.

Police track child sex crime suspect to motel in Great Bend

The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 1 million on Monday, a once-unimaginable figure that only hints at the multitudes of loved ones and friends staggered by grief and frustration.

The confirmed number of dead is equivalent to a 9/11 attack every day for 336 days. It is roughly equal to how many Americans died in the Civil War and World War II combined. It’s as if Boston and Pittsburgh were wiped out.

“It is hard to imagine a million people plucked from this earth,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, who leads a new pandemic center at the Brown University School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island. “It’s still happening and we are letting it happen.”

Some of those left behind say they cannot return to normal. They replay their loved ones’ voicemail messages. Or watch old videos to see them dance. When other people say they are done with the virus, they bristle with anger or ache in silence.

“‘Normal.’ I hate that word,” said Julie Wallace, 55, of Elyria, Ohio, who lost her husband to COVID-19 in 2020. “All of us never get to go back to normal.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-native-americans-hispanics-d2234e9d7df7ca8026faf9f88c7baeac">Three out of every four deaths</a>&nbsp;were people 65 and older. More men died than women. White people made up most of the deaths overall. But Black, Hispanic and Native American people have been roughly twice as likely to die from COVID-19 as their white counterparts.

Most deaths happened in urban areas, but rural places — where opposition to masks and vaccinations tends to run high — paid a heavy price at times.

The death toll less than 2 1/2 years into the outbreak is based on death certificate data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. But the real number of lives lost to COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, as a result the disruption of the health care system in the world’s richest country, is believed to be far higher.

The milestone comes more than three months after the U.S. reached 900,000 dead. The pace has slowed since a harrowing winter surge fueled by the omicron variant. The U.S. is averaging about 300 COVID-19 deaths per day, compared with a peak of about 3,400 a day in January 2021.

The largest bell at Washington National Cathedral in the nation’s capital tolled 1,000 times a week ago, once for every 1,000 deaths. President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered flags lowered to half-staff and called each life “an irreplaceable loss.”

“As a nation, we must not grow numb to such sorrow,” he said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/statement-from-president-joe-biden-marking-one-million-american-lives-lost-to-covid-19/" target="_blank">statement</a>. “To heal, we must remember.”

More than half the deaths occurred since vaccines became available in December of 2020. Two-thirds of Americans are fully vaccinated, and nearly half of them have had at least one booster dose. But demand for the vaccine has plummeted, and the campaign to put shots in arms has been plagued by misinformation, distrust and political polarization.

Unvaccinated people have a 10 times greater risk of dying of COVID-19 than the fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

“To me, that is what is just so particularly heartbreaking,” Nuzzo said. Vaccines are safe and greatly reduce the likelihood of severe illness, she said. They “largely take the possibility of death off the table.”

Angelina Proia, 36, of New York, lost her father to COVID-19 in April 2020. She runs a support group for grieving families on Facebook and has seen it divided over vaccinations. She has booted people from the group for spreading misinformation.

“I don’t want to hear conspiracy theories. I don’t want to hear anti-science,” said Proia, who wishes her father could have been vaccinated.

Sara Atkins, 42, of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, channels her grief into fighting for global vaccination and better access to health care to honor her father, Andy Rotman-Zaid, who died of COVID-19 in December 2020.

“My father gave me marching orders to end it and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Atkins said of the pandemic. “He told me, ‘Politicize the hell out of my death if I die of this.’”

Julie Wallace and her husband, Lewis Dunlap, had cellphone numbers one digit apart. She continues paying to keep his number. She calls it just to hear his voice.

“It’s just so important to hear that sometimes,” she said. “It gives you a little bit of reassurance while also tearing your heart out.”

Some have offered solace in poetry. In Philadelphia, poet and social worker Trapeta Mayson, created a&nbsp;<a href="https://philadelphiacontemporary.org/projects/healing-verse-poetry-line" target="_blank">24-hour poetry hotline called Healing Verse</a>. Traffic to the Academy of American Poets’&nbsp;<a href="https://poets.org/" target="_blank">poets.org website</a>&nbsp;rose during the pandemic.

Brian Sonia-Wallace, poet laureate of West Hollywood, California, has traveled the country&nbsp;<a href="https://rentpoet.com/" target="_blank">writing poems for hire</a>. He imagines a memorial of a million poems, written by people who don’t normally write poetry. They would talk to those who are grieving and listen for points of connection.

“What we need as a nation is empathy,” said Tanya Alves, 35, of Weston, Florida, who lost her 24-year-old sister to COVID-19 in October. “Over two years into the pandemic, with all the cases and lives lost, we should be more compassionate and respectful when talking about COVID. Thousands of families changed forever. This virus is not just a cold.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652709604973.png" alt="COVID deaths by county. Not all states report the same information on COVID -Map courtesy John Hopkins Covid Research Center&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>COVID deaths by county. Not all states report the same information on COVID -Map courtesy John Hopkins Covid Research Center&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated PressThe U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 1 million on Monday, a once-unimaginable figure that only hints at the multitudes of loved ones and friends staggered by grief and frustration.The confirmed number of dead is equivalent to a 9/11 attack every day for 336 days. It is roughly equal to how many Americans died in the Civil War and World War II combined. It’s as if Boston and Pittsburgh were wiped out.“It is hard to imagine a million people plucked from this earth,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, who leads a new pandemic center at the Brown University School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island. “It’s still happening and we are letting it happen.”Some of those left behind say they cannot return to normal. They replay their loved ones’ voicemail messages. Or watch old videos to see them dance. When other people say they are done with the virus, they bristle with anger or ache in silence.“‘Normal.’ I hate that word,” said Julie Wallace, 55, of Elyria, Ohio, who lost her husband to COVID-19 in 2020. “All of us never get to go back to normal.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652709580859.png" alt="Map courtesy John Hopkins " />
 <figcaption>Map courtesy John Hopkins </figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-native-americans-hispanics-d2234e9d7df7ca8026faf9f88c7baeac">Three out of every four deaths</a>&nbsp;were people 65 and older. More men died than women. White people made up most of the deaths overall. But Black, Hispanic and Native American people have been roughly twice as likely to die from COVID-19 as their white counterparts.Most deaths happened in urban areas, but rural places — where opposition to masks and vaccinations tends to run high — paid a heavy price at times.The death toll less than 2 1/2 years into the outbreak is based on death certificate data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. But the real number of lives lost to COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, as a result the disruption of the health care system in the world’s richest country, is believed to be far higher.The milestone comes more than three months after the U.S. reached 900,000 dead. The pace has slowed since a harrowing winter surge fueled by the omicron variant. The U.S. is averaging about 300 COVID-19 deaths per day, compared with a peak of about 3,400 a day in January 2021.The largest bell at Washington National Cathedral in the nation’s capital tolled 1,000 times a week ago, once for every 1,000 deaths. President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered flags lowered to half-staff and called each life “an irreplaceable loss.”“As a nation, we must not grow numb to such sorrow,” he said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/statement-from-president-joe-biden-marking-one-million-american-lives-lost-to-covid-19/" target="_blank">statement</a>. “To heal, we must remember.”More than half the deaths occurred since vaccines became available in December of 2020. Two-thirds of Americans are fully vaccinated, and nearly half of them have had at least one booster dose. But demand for the vaccine has plummeted, and the campaign to put shots in arms has been plagued by misinformation, distrust and political polarization.Unvaccinated people have a 10 times greater risk of dying of COVID-19 than the fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.“To me, that is what is just so particularly heartbreaking,” Nuzzo said. Vaccines are safe and greatly reduce the likelihood of severe illness, she said. They “largely take the possibility of death off the table.”Angelina Proia, 36, of New York, lost her father to COVID-19 in April 2020. She runs a support group for grieving families on Facebook and has seen it divided over vaccinations. She has booted people from the group for spreading misinformation.“I don’t want to hear conspiracy theories. I don’t want to hear anti-science,” said Proia, who wishes her father could have been vaccinated.Sara Atkins, 42, of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, channels her grief into fighting for global vaccination and better access to health care to honor her father, Andy Rotman-Zaid, who died of COVID-19 in December 2020.“My father gave me marching orders to end it and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Atkins said of the pandemic. “He told me, ‘Politicize the hell out of my death if I die of this.’”Julie Wallace and her husband, Lewis Dunlap, had cellphone numbers one digit apart. She continues paying to keep his number. She calls it just to hear his voice.“It’s just so important to hear that sometimes,” she said. “It gives you a little bit of reassurance while also tearing your heart out.”Some have offered solace in poetry. In Philadelphia, poet and social worker Trapeta Mayson, created a&nbsp;<a href="https://philadelphiacontemporary.org/projects/healing-verse-poetry-line" target="_blank">24-hour poetry hotline called Healing Verse</a>. Traffic to the Academy of American Poets’&nbsp;<a href="https://poets.org/" target="_blank">poets.org website</a>&nbsp;rose during the pandemic.Brian Sonia-Wallace, poet laureate of West Hollywood, California, has traveled the country&nbsp;<a href="https://rentpoet.com/" target="_blank">writing poems for hire</a>. He imagines a memorial of a million poems, written by people who don’t normally write poetry. They would talk to those who are grieving and listen for points of connection.“What we need as a nation is empathy,” said Tanya Alves, 35, of Weston, Florida, who lost her 24-year-old sister to COVID-19 in October. “Over two years into the pandemic, with all the cases and lives lost, we should be more compassionate and respectful when talking about COVID. Thousands of families changed forever. This virus is not just a cold.”___

CDC: US deaths from COVID hit 1 million

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit and run have made an arrest.

Just before 3:30 a.m., Sunday, responded to a report of a motorcycle vs passenger vehicle at SE 6th Street and SE Chandler Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

Officers arrived on scene and found one victim in the roadway. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Following an investigation by the Topeka Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team, police arrested 23-year-old&nbsp;Geovany Arellano of Topeka, on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 1st Degree, Aggravated Assault and&nbsp;Reckless Driving, according to Monasmith.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652662672522.png" alt="Arellano-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Arellano-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit and run have made an arrest.Just before 3:30 a.m., Sunday, responded to a report of a motorcycle vs passenger vehicle at SE 6th Street and SE Chandler Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.Officers arrived on scene and found one victim in the roadway. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.Following an investigation by the Topeka Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team, police arrested 23-year-old&nbsp;Geovany Arellano of Topeka, on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 1st Degree, Aggravated Assault and&nbsp;Reckless Driving, according to Monasmith.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

Police: Kan. driver facing murder charge for crash with motorcycle

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting early Sunday morning that sent one to the hospital.

At approximately 2a.m., police were dispatched to a disturbance with shots fired near Lincoln and Crestway in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

As officers arrived in the area, they located a 32-year-old man walking eastbound on Lincoln at Pershing with three gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He is expected to survive, according to Macy.

Police investigators located a shooting scene in the 800 block of S. Crestway. The victim did not cooperate with investigators.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting early Sunday morning that sent one to the hospital.At approximately 2a.m., police were dispatched to a disturbance with shots fired near Lincoln and Crestway in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.As officers arrived in the area, they located a 32-year-old man walking eastbound on Lincoln at Pershing with three gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He is expected to survive, according to Macy.Police investigators located a shooting scene in the 800 block of S. Crestway. The victim did not cooperate with investigators.

Police: Kan. man with gunshot wounds won't cooperate with investigators

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden urged unity Sunday to address the “hate that remains a stain on the soul of America” after a deadly mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, while state officials pleaded for federal action to end the ”uniquely American phenomenon” of mass shootings.

(Click below to watch the President's comments)

Addressing an annual law enforcement ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Biden said he and his wife, Jill, pray for those who were shot “by a lone gunman, armed with weapons of war and hate-filled soul,” and their families.

Authorities say a white 18-year-old male in military gear opened fire on shoppers and workers at the supermarket on Saturday, killing 10 people, including a retired Buffalo police officer, and wounding three others. Most of the victims were Black.

Law enforcement officials said Sunday that the gunman had researched the local demographics while looking for places with a high concentration of Black people.

“We must all work together to address the hate that remains a stain on the soul of America,” Biden said at the 41st annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service honoring fallen law enforcement officers. “Our hearts are heavy once again, but the resolve must never, ever waver.”

“No one understands this more than the people sitting in front of me,” he added.

Biden, speaking at the ceremony for the second time as president, did not address the calls by New York officials — Gov. Kathy Hochul and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown — for strong federal action to end what Brown said is the ”uniquely American phenomenon” of mass shootings.

The president also did not mention gun control efforts that have stalled in Washington.

Brown expressed frustration that “thoughts and prayers” and pledges to act are offered after every mass shooting, only to be be blocked by “some on one side of the aisle.”

“It seems like there are those that believe owning a gun is more precious than the sanctity of human life,” the mayor told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “So I think people all across this country have to rise up. They have to speak more loudly and more clearly that there must be gun control in this country. This is a uniquely American phenomenon. These mass shootings don’t happen in other countries across the world.”

Brown said he would like to see “sensible gun control.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said tighter gun measures are “a huge priority” for Democrats and the White House. She bemoaned the 60-vote threshold needed in the 50-50 Senate that has made it difficult to advance such legislation, but she pledged on CNN’s “State of the Union” that “we are not going away until the job is done.”

Hochul said most of the illegal guns being used on the streets of her cities come from other states. “We need a national response,” she told NBC.

“We need other states to step up. We need the federal government on our side,” said Hochul, a Buffalo native.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden urged unity Sunday to address the “hate that remains a stain on the soul of America” after a deadly mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, while state officials pleaded for federal action to end the ”uniquely American phenomenon” of mass shootings.(Click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1912091172315320%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=343" 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>Addressing an annual law enforcement ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Biden said he and his wife, Jill, pray for those who were shot “by a lone gunman, armed with weapons of war and hate-filled soul,” and their families.Authorities say a white 18-year-old male in military gear opened fire on shoppers and workers at the supermarket on Saturday, killing 10 people, including a retired Buffalo police officer, and wounding three others. Most of the victims were Black.Law enforcement officials said Sunday that the gunman had researched the local demographics while looking for places with a high concentration of Black people.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Jill and I will travel to Buffalo on Tuesday to grieve with the community that lost ten lives in a senseless and horrific mass shooting.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1526003099529355264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We must all work together to address the hate that remains a stain on the soul of America,” Biden said at the 41st annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service honoring fallen law enforcement officers. “Our hearts are heavy once again, but the resolve must never, ever waver.”“No one understands this more than the people sitting in front of me,” he added.Biden, speaking at the ceremony for the second time as president, did not address the calls by New York officials — Gov. Kathy Hochul and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown — for strong federal action to end what Brown said is the ”uniquely American phenomenon” of mass shootings.The president also did not mention gun control efforts that have stalled in Washington.Brown expressed frustration that “thoughts and prayers” and pledges to act are offered after every mass shooting, only to be be blocked by “some on one side of the aisle.”“It seems like there are those that believe owning a gun is more precious than the sanctity of human life,” the mayor told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “So I think people all across this country have to rise up. They have to speak more loudly and more clearly that there must be gun control in this country. This is a uniquely American phenomenon. These mass shootings don’t happen in other countries across the world.”Brown said he would like to see “sensible gun control.”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said tighter gun measures are “a huge priority” for Democrats and the White House. She bemoaned the 60-vote threshold needed in the 50-50 Senate that has made it difficult to advance such legislation, but she pledged on CNN’s “State of the Union” that “we are not going away until the job is done.”Hochul said most of the illegal guns being used on the streets of her cities come from other states. “We need a national response,” she told NBC.“We need other states to step up. We need the federal government on our side,” said Hochul, a Buffalo native.

🎥Biden urges unity to stem racial hate after weekend shootings

OVERLAND PARK -&nbsp; U.S. Senator Roger Marshall announced at a Friday press conference, a shipment of protective equipment to Ukrainian military forces&nbsp;provided by Kansas law enforcement. 

Among the protective equipment being donated were approximately 300 vests and 50 helmets. The equipment varies in size and level of protection but will be distributed to both military and law enforcement officials within Ukraine.

Senator Marshall was joined by Eudora Police Chief Wes Lovett; Mike Bergmeier, owner of ShieldAg; and Daniel Rauchholz, owner of Farmada – Kansans who were instrumental in the collection of the protective equipment.&nbsp;

“We have all been inspired by the courage and bravery of the Ukrainian people and very few days go by in my life that somebody doesn’t ask, ‘What can we do to help the people of Ukraine?’ All this equipment is a testament of what Kansans do when we come together – more than 300 vests and 50 helmets all donated from 20 different Kansas law enforcement departments and agencies. These donations will help military and law enforcement officials in Ukraine and save lives,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.

Donations of the protective equipment were collected from Carbondale Police Department, Colby Police Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Eudora Police Department, Fort Hays State University Police, Haven Police Department, Kansas Attorney General’s Office, Leavenworth Police Department, McPherson Police Department, Overland Park Police Department, Park City Police Department, Riley County Police Department, University of Kansas Office of Public Safety, Wellington Police Department, and Wichita State University Police Department.

Senator Marshall’s staff is working with the Ukrainian Embassy to ship the items to Poland and they will then be moved into Ukraine and provided to Ukrainian military forces.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652655599648.jpeg" alt="Protective equipment for Ukrainian military forces provided by Kansas law enforcement including, FHSU&nbsp; police and Colby Police Dept. (Photos by Sen. Marshall's office)" />
 <figcaption>Protective equipment for Ukrainian military forces provided by Kansas law enforcement including, FHSU&nbsp; police and Colby Police Dept. (Photos by Sen. Marshall's office)</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK -&nbsp; U.S. Senator Roger Marshall announced at a Friday press conference, a shipment of protective equipment to Ukrainian military forces&nbsp;provided by Kansas law enforcement. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652655740266.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Among the protective equipment being donated were approximately 300 vests and 50 helmets. The equipment varies in size and level of protection but will be distributed to both military and law enforcement officials within Ukraine.Senator Marshall was joined by Eudora Police Chief Wes Lovett; Mike Bergmeier, owner of ShieldAg; and Daniel Rauchholz, owner of Farmada – Kansans who were instrumental in the collection of the protective equipment.&nbsp;“We have all been inspired by the courage and bravery of the Ukrainian people and very few days go by in my life that somebody doesn’t ask, ‘What can we do to help the people of Ukraine?’ All this equipment is a testament of what Kansans do when we come together – more than 300 vests and 50 helmets all donated from 20 different Kansas law enforcement departments and agencies. These donations will help military and law enforcement officials in Ukraine and save lives,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.Donations of the protective equipment were collected from Carbondale Police Department, Colby Police Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Eudora Police Department, Fort Hays State University Police, Haven Police Department, Kansas Attorney General’s Office, Leavenworth Police Department, McPherson Police Department, Overland Park Police Department, Park City Police Department, Riley County Police Department, University of Kansas Office of Public Safety, Wellington Police Department, and Wichita State University Police Department.Senator Marshall’s staff is working with the Ukrainian Embassy to ship the items to Poland and they will then be moved into Ukraine and provided to Ukrainian military forces.

Kan. law enforcement donate more equipment to Ukraine military

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652713174349.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run accident and asking the public for help to locate a van and driver that fled the scene.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">EAST 1900 Road Fatality Accident After further investigation, Sheriff&#39;s Office detectives now believe the vehicle that left the scene yesterday was a Ford Transit Connect XL Model 2013-2019, more likely a 2018-19. Anyone with info is asked to call the DGSO, 785-843-0250. <a href="https://t.co/NazzZWkS2O">pic.twitter.com/NazzZWkS2O</a>&mdash; Douglas Co. Sheriff (@DGSOSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/DGSOSheriff/status/1525963802629505037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 1300 Block of East 1900 Road on the ramp over Kansas 10 Highway between Lawrence and Eudora, according to the Douglas County Sheriff.According to a preliminary investigation, a 54-year-old man was driving a motorcycle northbound on East 1900 Road with a 9-year-old girl as passenger. As the approached the overpass, an unknown possibly a 2013-19 white Ford Transit van moved forward from the stop sign and the top of the eastbound off ramp from K-10 and into the intersection.The van struck the motorcycle which overturned. EMS transported the man and the girl to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. He had serious but non life threatening injuries. The girl, who was wearing a helmet suffered critical injuries and died Sunday morning, according the sheriff's department.Witnesses reported that after the collision, the driver of the white van proceeded down the ramp leaving its black front bumper cover behind and returned to eastbound K-10.&nbsp;Anyone with information is asked to contact the Douglas Co. Sheriff.

Search continues for van in crash that killed 9-year-old Kan. girl

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Two men who participated in an elaborate phone scam that cheated people from across the nation have agreed to repay their victims but avoided time behind bars, Massachusetts prosecutors said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619452442605.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Two men who participated in an elaborate phone scam that cheated people from across the nation have agreed to repay their victims but avoided time behind bars, Massachusetts prosecutors said.Ajaykumar Chaudhari, 26, of Pownal, Vermont, and Jitendra Chaudhari, 29, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court to larceny and attempt to commit larceny, according to a statement Wednesday from the office of Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington. They were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5a039563a11c5d22b1f1974d199a05ee">arrested in June 2020</a>.The guilty pleas were filed by the court, meaning the defendants won't be sent to jail as long as they stay out of additional legal trouble.They, together with a third defendant, have agreed to pay more than $200,000 in restitution. That&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-massachusetts-vermont-pittsfield-b6be2c31953b01374a93289866775db8">third defendant, Parth Chaudhari, pleaded guilty to the same charges in December</a>&nbsp;and was sentenced to time served. The restitution money has already been secured, prosecutors said.All three men are members of the same family, the district attorney's office said.“The victims in this case overwhelmingly supported a resolution that would return the most money in the most timely manner while sparing them, many of whom are aging and live out of state, from having to travel to Massachusetts to testify,” Harrington said in a statement.The three men, sometimes posing as government employees, targeted about 20 victims, some of whom sent packages of cash, often to an address in Adams, Massachusetts, prosecutors said.In one case, they told the victim their Social Security number had been compromised and they needed to send money to fix the problem, according to the DA's office. Victims came from multiple states including California, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia, prosecutors said.Adams police started investigating in March 2020 after getting tips from out-of-state law enforcement agencies.During the investigation, victims and law enforcement intercepted packages of cash together worth more than $100,000.