By MARGARET MELLOTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/15/emporia-nursing-student-who-refused-covid-19-vaccine-allowed-to-complete-degree/">Kansas Reflector</a>

EMPORIA — Following Newman Regional 
Health’s “change in position” regarding students not vaccinated against 
COVID-19, a Flint Hills Technical College nursing student has been 
allowed to finish her degree.

“Flint Hills Technical College 
announced in court (March 11) that they would reverse course and honor 
nursing student Molly Ellis’ religious beliefs and provide her nursing 
clinical studies at Newman Regional Hospital,” said Linus Baker, the 
Johnson County attorney who represented the plaintiff.

Just more than a month after <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/18/kansas-judge-blocks-college-from-failing-nursing-student-who-refused-covid-19-vaccine/">filing a lawsuit</a>,
 Ellis has been allowed to complete her remaining clinicals — required 
training that provides real-life experience at emergency facilities — as
 well as the ones she missed at the beginning of the spring semester. 
Lyon County District Judge W. Lee Fowler issued an injunction in 
February to block FHTC from failing Ellis.

FHTC partners with Newman Regional 
Health in Emporia for students to earn field experience. When the 
lawsuit was filed, Newman Regional Health allowed exemptions for 
employees but not for students. This changed on March 11, when the 
hospital adapted its policy to allow students to file exemptions.

“Due to a change of position by 
Newman Regional Health,” said Clark Allemang, the Emporia attorney 
representing Kim McNeese, director of the nursing program at FHTC, 
“Flint Hills Technical College and Kim McNeese, D.O.N., have been able 
to obtain approval from Newman Regional Health allowing Molly access to 
participate in clinicals without COVID-19 immunization. Molly is now 
participating in clinicals at Newman Regional Health.”

During an earlier court hearing, 
Ellis testified she refused the COVID-19 vaccine because of “fetal 
lining taken from abortions a couple of decades ago.” While fetal cell 
lining was used in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8205255/">according to the National Institutes for Health</a>, it wasn’t used in the production of the shots.

Though Ellis will be allowed to continue her education, litigation against FHTC and McNeese remains ongoing.

“While (allowing Ellis to complete 
her clinicals) resolves the bulk of the issues, the parties have not 
resolved the litigation,” Baker said. “But it does allow Molly to keep 
her religious convictions while completing her nursing degree at Flint 
Hills.”

In email correspondence between 
attorneys on March 21, FHTC attorney Monte Miller said Baker was acting 
in “bad faith” by refusing to specify a settlement proposal.

“Respectfully, any plaintiff that is 
evasive as to what specific relief is being sought seems to be an 
indicator of bad faith, churning for fees, and acting against the best 
interests of their client and judicial economy,” Miller wrote. “In good 
faith, we are asking you to provide your settlement proposal, or do we 
need to get Judge Fowler involved for his direction?”

Shortly after that email was sent, Baker responded.

“You know, Monte,” Baker wrote, 
“you’re doing that on purpose — questioning my ethics. I don’t have to 
negotiate the way you think I should if you’ve got a better way to 
negotiate get after it (soon). Until then, stop the flame throwing.”

The semester will be extended for Ellis, with her making up missed clinicals on May 17, 19, 24 and 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650040495933.png" alt="Newman Regional Health partners with Flint Hills Technical College so its nursing students can complete clinicals, required training that provides real-life experience at emergency facilities. Before changing its policy on March 11, the hospital only allowed employees, not students, to requisition a vaccine exemption. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Newman Regional Health partners with Flint Hills Technical College so its nursing students can complete clinicals, required training that provides real-life experience at emergency facilities. Before changing its policy on March 11, the hospital only allowed employees, not students, to requisition a vaccine exemption. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARGARET MELLOTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/15/emporia-nursing-student-who-refused-covid-19-vaccine-allowed-to-complete-degree/">Kansas Reflector</a>EMPORIA — Following Newman Regional 
Health’s “change in position” regarding students not vaccinated against 
COVID-19, a Flint Hills Technical College nursing student has been 
allowed to finish her degree.“Flint Hills Technical College 
announced in court (March 11) that they would reverse course and honor 
nursing student Molly Ellis’ religious beliefs and provide her nursing 
clinical studies at Newman Regional Hospital,” said Linus Baker, the 
Johnson County attorney who represented the plaintiff.Just more than a month after <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/18/kansas-judge-blocks-college-from-failing-nursing-student-who-refused-covid-19-vaccine/">filing a lawsuit</a>,
 Ellis has been allowed to complete her remaining clinicals — required 
training that provides real-life experience at emergency facilities — as
 well as the ones she missed at the beginning of the spring semester. 
Lyon County District Judge W. Lee Fowler issued an injunction in 
February to block FHTC from failing Ellis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650040560098.png" alt="Flint Hills Technical College nursing student Molly Ellis will be allowed to finish out the semester with a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Flint Hills Technical College nursing student Molly Ellis will be allowed to finish out the semester with a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHTC partners with Newman Regional 
Health in Emporia for students to earn field experience. When the 
lawsuit was filed, Newman Regional Health allowed exemptions for 
employees but not for students. This changed on March 11, when the 
hospital adapted its policy to allow students to file exemptions.“Due to a change of position by 
Newman Regional Health,” said Clark Allemang, the Emporia attorney 
representing Kim McNeese, director of the nursing program at FHTC, 
“Flint Hills Technical College and Kim McNeese, D.O.N., have been able 
to obtain approval from Newman Regional Health allowing Molly access to 
participate in clinicals without COVID-19 immunization. Molly is now 
participating in clinicals at Newman Regional Health.”During an earlier court hearing, 
Ellis testified she refused the COVID-19 vaccine because of “fetal 
lining taken from abortions a couple of decades ago.” While fetal cell 
lining was used in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8205255/">according to the National Institutes for Health</a>, it wasn’t used in the production of the shots.Though Ellis will be allowed to continue her education, litigation against FHTC and McNeese remains ongoing.“While (allowing Ellis to complete 
her clinicals) resolves the bulk of the issues, the parties have not 
resolved the litigation,” Baker said. “But it does allow Molly to keep 
her religious convictions while completing her nursing degree at Flint 
Hills.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650040590453.png" alt="In February, an unlawful discrimination lawsuit was filed against Flint Hills Technical College and the director of its nursing program, Kim McNeese. The litigation remains unsettled. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>In February, an unlawful discrimination lawsuit was filed against Flint Hills Technical College and the director of its nursing program, Kim McNeese. The litigation remains unsettled. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In email correspondence between 
attorneys on March 21, FHTC attorney Monte Miller said Baker was acting 
in “bad faith” by refusing to specify a settlement proposal.“Respectfully, any plaintiff that is 
evasive as to what specific relief is being sought seems to be an 
indicator of bad faith, churning for fees, and acting against the best 
interests of their client and judicial economy,” Miller wrote. “In good 
faith, we are asking you to provide your settlement proposal, or do we 
need to get Judge Fowler involved for his direction?”Shortly after that email was sent, Baker responded.“You know, Monte,” Baker wrote, 
“you’re doing that on purpose — questioning my ethics. I don’t have to 
negotiate the way you think I should if you’ve got a better way to 
negotiate get after it (soon). Until then, stop the flame throwing.”The semester will be extended for Ellis, with her making up missed clinicals on May 17, 19, 24 and 26.

Kan. nursing student who refused COVID vaccine allowed to complete degree

COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has identified the woman killed in Friday's officer-involved shooting in Cowley County as Andrea C. Barrow, 32, of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Just after 11:45 a.m. Friday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a suspicious vehicle. They began searching for the reported black Jeep Liberty, and at approximately 12:10 p.m. deputies radioed that they had located the vehicle north of Winfield. It was parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd&nbsp;Road.

The three deputies approached the SUV and made contact with the female driver later identified as Barrow. She did not comply with their commands to get out of the vehicle, according to the KBI.&nbsp; When the deputies attempted to remove her from the vehicle, the woman pulled out a handgun and gunfire was exchanged.

All three deputies were struck during the shooting. Barrow was also shot during the incident. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office has one sheriff’s deputy still recovering from injuries at Wesley Medical Center. He is now in good condition. Two additional deputies involved in the shooting have been released from the hospital to continue recovering at home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650123044781.png" alt="Law enforcement investigators on the scene of Friday's fatal officer shooting in Cowley County-phot courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement investigators on the scene of Friday's fatal officer shooting in Cowley County-phot courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has identified the woman killed in Friday's officer-involved shooting in Cowley County as Andrea C. Barrow, 32, of Arkansas City, Kansas.Just after 11:45 a.m. Friday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a suspicious vehicle. They began searching for the reported black Jeep Liberty, and at approximately 12:10 p.m. deputies radioed that they had located the vehicle north of Winfield. It was parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd&nbsp;Road.The three deputies approached the SUV and made contact with the female driver later identified as Barrow. She did not comply with their commands to get out of the vehicle, according to the KBI.&nbsp; When the deputies attempted to remove her from the vehicle, the woman pulled out a handgun and gunfire was exchanged.All three deputies were struck during the shooting. Barrow was also shot during the incident. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office has one sheriff’s deputy still recovering from injuries at Wesley Medical Center. He is now in good condition. Two additional deputies involved in the shooting have been released from the hospital to continue recovering at home.-------

Fatal gunfight: Kan. deputy remains hospitalized, suspect identified

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday signed a redistricting measure expected to preserve Republican supermajorities in the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Legislature while also making it possible for conservatives to elect more members to the state school board.

Kelly didn't say why she signed the measure in announcing her action, but she had praised the new House and Senate maps as fair to incumbents and “a pretty good job.” The maps also had bipartisan support among lawmakers.

The debate over the State Board of Education map was more contentious, with board members opposing it.

The Kansas Constitution requires the state Supreme Court to review the legislative maps and rule on their validity within 45 days. If the court strikes them down, lawmakers have another 15 days to pass new maps.

The state constitution also mandates that lawmakers redraw their districts every 10 years to make them as equal in population as possible after population shifts. Southeastern, central and parts of western Kansas lost population, while the Kansas City, Wichita, Lawrence and Manhattan areas gained.

The Board of Education offered its own plan, one likely to preserve the 10-member board's current moderate GOP-Democratic majority. That plan also avoided any districts with two incumbents, while the measure signed into law by Kelly created two of them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="State legislative district map 2022" />
 <figcaption>State legislative district map 2022</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA, AP Political WriterTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday signed a redistricting measure expected to preserve Republican supermajorities in the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Legislature while also making it possible for conservatives to elect more members to the state school board.Kelly didn't say why she signed the measure in announcing her action, but she had praised the new House and Senate maps as fair to incumbents and “a pretty good job.” The maps also had bipartisan support among lawmakers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648723358554.png" alt="School board district map 2022" />
 <figcaption>School board district map 2022</figcaption>
 </figure>The debate over the State Board of Education map was more contentious, with board members opposing it.The Kansas Constitution requires the state Supreme Court to review the legislative maps and rule on their validity within 45 days. If the court strikes them down, lawmakers have another 15 days to pass new maps.The state constitution also mandates that lawmakers redraw their districts every 10 years to make them as equal in population as possible after population shifts. Southeastern, central and parts of western Kansas lost population, while the Kansas City, Wichita, Lawrence and Manhattan areas gained.The Board of Education offered its own plan, one likely to preserve the 10-member board's current moderate GOP-Democratic majority. That plan also avoided any districts with two incumbents, while the measure signed into law by Kelly created two of them.

Kansas governor signs new legislative, school board maps

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a possible abduction have located the suspect and victim, according to Kansas City Police.

On Friday evening, police asked the public for help identifying a BMW SUV with Kansas license and suspect involved in a possible abduction at the McDonald’s at 75th and State Street.

The victim is safe and police continue their investigation. In addition, police reported the victim and suspect were known to each other.

Police reported no additional details Saturday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650111269439.png" alt="Security camera image KCK Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image KCK Police</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a possible abduction have located the suspect and victim, according to Kansas City Police.On Friday evening, police asked the public for help identifying a BMW SUV with Kansas license and suspect involved in a possible abduction at the McDonald’s at 75th and State Street.The victim is safe and police continue their investigation. In addition, police reported the victim and suspect were known to each other.Police reported no additional details Saturday morning.

Police investigate possible abduction at Kan. fast-food restaurant 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Month by month, more of the roughly 40 million Americans who get help buying groceries through the federal food stamp program are seeing their benefits plunge even as the nation struggles with the biggest increase in food costs in decades.

The payments to low-income individuals and families are dropping as governors end COVID-19 disaster declarations and opt out of an ongoing federal program that made their states eligible for dramatic increases in SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began offering the increased benefit in April 2020 in response to surging unemployment after the COVID-19 pandemic swept over the country.

The result is that depending on the politics of a state, individuals and families in need find themselves eligible for significantly different levels of help buying food.

Nebraska took the most aggressive action anywhere in the country, ending the emergency benefits four months into the pandemic in July 2020 in a move Republican Gov. Pete Rickett said was necessary to “show the rest of the country how to get back to normal.”

Since then, nearly a dozen states with Republican leadership have taken similar action, with Iowa this month being the most recent place to slash the benefits. Benefits also will be cut in Wyoming and Kentucky in the next month. Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Tennessee have also scaled back the benefits.

Republican leaders argue that the extra benefits were intended to only temporarily help people forced out of work by the pandemic. Now that the virus has eased, they maintain, there is no longer a need to offer the higher payments at a time when businesses in most states are struggling to find enough workers.

But the extra benefits also help out families in need at a time of skyrocketing prices for food. Recipients receive at least $95 per month under the program, but some individuals and families typically eligible for only small benefits can get hundreds of dollars in extra payments each month.

The entire program would come to a halt if the federal government decides to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-business-coronavirus-vaccine-medicaid-fbb66b72937f3517a5d3d1ba8840f339">its public health emergency</a>, though the Biden administration so far hasn’t signaled an intention to do so.

For Tara Kramer, 45, of Des Moines, the decision by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to end the emergency payments starting April 1 meant her monthly SNAP benefit plunged from $250 in March to $20 in April. Kramer, who has a genetic disorder that can cause intense pain, said the extra money enabled her to buy healthier food that made her feel better and help her to live a more active life.

“My heart sank,” Kramer said. “All the memories from before the emergency allotment came rushing back.”

Alex Murphy, a spokesman for Reynolds, noted the extra benefits were always intended to help people who lost jobs because of the pandemic and said, “we have to return to pre-pandemic life.” Murphy pointed out that Iowa has over 86,000 job openings listed on a state unemployment website.

But Kramer said she’s not able to work and that even getting out of her apartment can be a struggle at times.

Vince Hall, who oversees public policy for the nationwide food bank network Feeding America, said ending the extra benefits ignores the reality that even as the pandemic wanes there&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-banks-hunger-inflation-a3d8f4ed0c4842fc3927710f11207c9e">hasn’t been a decline in demand at food banks.</a>

Wages have been increasing in the United States and the national unemployment rate in March dropped to 3.6%, but those gains have been offset by an 8.5% increase in inflation compared to a year ago. Food is among items rising the fastest, leaving many families unable to buy enough groceries.

“The COVID pandemic is giving way to a hunger pandemic,” Hall said. “We’re in a real, real struggle.”

Feeding America, which represents 200 food banks, reports that demand for food has increased just as these organizations are seeing individual donations dwindle and food costs rise. The organization estimates the nation’s food banks will spend 40% more to buy food in the fiscal year ending June 2022 as in the previous year.

For people like Annie Ballan, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, the decision by Ricketts to stop participating in the program reduced the SNAP payments she and her son receive from nearly $500 a month to $41. Both have health problems and can’t work.

“From the middle of the month to the end of the month, people have no food,” Ballan said, her voice rising in anger. “This is all the governor’s fault. He says he loves Nebraskans, that Nebraskans are wonderful, but he’s cut off our food.”

The demand on food banks will only grow as more states reduce their SNAP payments, which typically provide nine meals for every one meal offered by food banks, Hall said.

Valerie Andrews, 59, of St. Charles, Missouri, said the SNAP benefits that she and her husband rely on fell from $430 a month to $219 when Missouri ended the extra payments in August 2021. Andrews, who is disabled, said she tries to budget carefully and gets food regularly from a food pantry but it’s difficult.

“We’re barely making it from paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “It gets pretty rough most of the time.”

Officials at food banks and pantries said they will do their best to meet increased demand but there is no way they can fully offset the drop in SNAP benefits.

Matt Unger, director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council network of food pantries in Iowa’s capital city, noted the pantry’s cost for a 5-ounce can of chicken as jumped from 54 cents in March 2019 to a current price of $1.05.

“Costs are just going through the roof,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596032283510.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Month by month, more of the roughly 40 million Americans who get help buying groceries through the federal food stamp program are seeing their benefits plunge even as the nation struggles with the biggest increase in food costs in decades.The payments to low-income individuals and families are dropping as governors end COVID-19 disaster declarations and opt out of an ongoing federal program that made their states eligible for dramatic increases in SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began offering the increased benefit in April 2020 in response to surging unemployment after the COVID-19 pandemic swept over the country.The result is that depending on the politics of a state, individuals and families in need find themselves eligible for significantly different levels of help buying food.Nebraska took the most aggressive action anywhere in the country, ending the emergency benefits four months into the pandemic in July 2020 in a move Republican Gov. Pete Rickett said was necessary to “show the rest of the country how to get back to normal.”Since then, nearly a dozen states with Republican leadership have taken similar action, with Iowa this month being the most recent place to slash the benefits. Benefits also will be cut in Wyoming and Kentucky in the next month. Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Tennessee have also scaled back the benefits.Republican leaders argue that the extra benefits were intended to only temporarily help people forced out of work by the pandemic. Now that the virus has eased, they maintain, there is no longer a need to offer the higher payments at a time when businesses in most states are struggling to find enough workers.But the extra benefits also help out families in need at a time of skyrocketing prices for food. Recipients receive at least $95 per month under the program, but some individuals and families typically eligible for only small benefits can get hundreds of dollars in extra payments each month.The entire program would come to a halt if the federal government decides to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-business-coronavirus-vaccine-medicaid-fbb66b72937f3517a5d3d1ba8840f339">its public health emergency</a>, though the Biden administration so far hasn’t signaled an intention to do so.For Tara Kramer, 45, of Des Moines, the decision by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to end the emergency payments starting April 1 meant her monthly SNAP benefit plunged from $250 in March to $20 in April. Kramer, who has a genetic disorder that can cause intense pain, said the extra money enabled her to buy healthier food that made her feel better and help her to live a more active life.“My heart sank,” Kramer said. “All the memories from before the emergency allotment came rushing back.”Alex Murphy, a spokesman for Reynolds, noted the extra benefits were always intended to help people who lost jobs because of the pandemic and said, “we have to return to pre-pandemic life.” Murphy pointed out that Iowa has over 86,000 job openings listed on a state unemployment website.But Kramer said she’s not able to work and that even getting out of her apartment can be a struggle at times.Vince Hall, who oversees public policy for the nationwide food bank network Feeding America, said ending the extra benefits ignores the reality that even as the pandemic wanes there&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-banks-hunger-inflation-a3d8f4ed0c4842fc3927710f11207c9e">hasn’t been a decline in demand at food banks.</a>Wages have been increasing in the United States and the national unemployment rate in March dropped to 3.6%, but those gains have been offset by an 8.5% increase in inflation compared to a year ago. Food is among items rising the fastest, leaving many families unable to buy enough groceries.“The COVID pandemic is giving way to a hunger pandemic,” Hall said. “We’re in a real, real struggle.”Feeding America, which represents 200 food banks, reports that demand for food has increased just as these organizations are seeing individual donations dwindle and food costs rise. The organization estimates the nation’s food banks will spend 40% more to buy food in the fiscal year ending June 2022 as in the previous year.For people like Annie Ballan, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, the decision by Ricketts to stop participating in the program reduced the SNAP payments she and her son receive from nearly $500 a month to $41. Both have health problems and can’t work.“From the middle of the month to the end of the month, people have no food,” Ballan said, her voice rising in anger. “This is all the governor’s fault. He says he loves Nebraskans, that Nebraskans are wonderful, but he’s cut off our food.”The demand on food banks will only grow as more states reduce their SNAP payments, which typically provide nine meals for every one meal offered by food banks, Hall said.Valerie Andrews, 59, of St. Charles, Missouri, said the SNAP benefits that she and her husband rely on fell from $430 a month to $219 when Missouri ended the extra payments in August 2021. Andrews, who is disabled, said she tries to budget carefully and gets food regularly from a food pantry but it’s difficult.“We’re barely making it from paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “It gets pretty rough most of the time.”Officials at food banks and pantries said they will do their best to meet increased demand but there is no way they can fully offset the drop in SNAP benefits.Matt Unger, director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council network of food pantries in Iowa’s capital city, noted the pantry’s cost for a 5-ounce can of chicken as jumped from 54 cents in March 2019 to a current price of $1.05.“Costs are just going through the roof,” he said.

States scale back food stamp benefits even as prices soar

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas murder suspect captured by the U.S. Border Patrol <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=158988">is in jail in</a> Kansas.

On Thursday afternoon, police booked 32-year-old Patricio Gomez into the Sedgwick County Jail on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=158988">requested charges</a> of first-degree murder, criminal possession of a firearm and a drug charges.

On March 28, U.S. Border Patrol Agents&nbsp;in the El Paso&nbsp;Sector&nbsp;arrested Gomez who was wanted for&nbsp;murder in Wichita.

The El Paso Station&nbsp;Border Patrol Agent encountered a Gomez walking along&nbsp;the south side of the Border Barrier&nbsp;near Fonseca Drive&nbsp;and Cesar E. Chavez/Border Highway, according to a media release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

When agents questioned the Gomez as to his citizenship, he stated that he was a U.S.&nbsp;citizen and that he had&nbsp;just&nbsp;entered the United States&nbsp;from Mexico, illegally,&nbsp;by attempting to drive his truck across the Rio Grande.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Gomez, was taken into custody, for the illegal entry,&nbsp;and transported to a Border Patrol station for further investigation.&nbsp;Record checks revealed that he had an extensive criminal history&nbsp;and an&nbsp;active&nbsp;warrant&nbsp;out of&nbsp;Wichita for&nbsp;murder.

Gomez was&nbsp;remanded to the&nbsp;custody of the&nbsp;El Paso County Sheriff’s&nbsp;Office until his extradition to Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On October 1, Wichita police issued an alert in an attempt to locate Gomez.

Just before 6:30p.m. Sept. 30, 2021. officers responded to a shooting call at a hotel in the 9400 block of East Corporate Hills.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed&nbsp;Patricio&nbsp;along with a woman arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and&nbsp;Gomez&nbsp;fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gomez&nbsp;and the woman fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.

Police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650038792432.png" alt="Gomez-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Gomez-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas murder suspect captured by the U.S. Border Patrol <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=158988">is in jail in</a> Kansas.On Thursday afternoon, police booked 32-year-old Patricio Gomez into the Sedgwick County Jail on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=158988">requested charges</a> of first-degree murder, criminal possession of a firearm and a drug charges.On March 28, U.S. Border Patrol Agents&nbsp;in the El Paso&nbsp;Sector&nbsp;arrested Gomez who was wanted for&nbsp;murder in Wichita.The El Paso Station&nbsp;Border Patrol Agent encountered a Gomez walking along&nbsp;the south side of the Border Barrier&nbsp;near Fonseca Drive&nbsp;and Cesar E. Chavez/Border Highway, according to a media release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.When agents questioned the Gomez as to his citizenship, he stated that he was a U.S.&nbsp;citizen and that he had&nbsp;just&nbsp;entered the United States&nbsp;from Mexico, illegally,&nbsp;by attempting to drive his truck across the Rio Grande.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gomez, was taken into custody, for the illegal entry,&nbsp;and transported to a Border Patrol station for further investigation.&nbsp;Record checks revealed that he had an extensive criminal history&nbsp;and an&nbsp;active&nbsp;warrant&nbsp;out of&nbsp;Wichita for&nbsp;murder.Gomez was&nbsp;remanded to the&nbsp;custody of the&nbsp;El Paso County Sheriff’s&nbsp;Office until his extradition to Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117408445.png" alt="Gomez-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Gomez-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On October 1, Wichita police issued an alert in an attempt to locate Gomez.Just before 6:30p.m. Sept. 30, 2021. officers responded to a shooting call at a hotel in the 9400 block of East Corporate Hills.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed&nbsp;Patricio&nbsp;along with a woman arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and&nbsp;Gomez&nbsp;fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gomez&nbsp;and the woman fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.Police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City.&nbsp;

Murder suspect captured at U.S. border extradited to Kansas 

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday her veto of two controversial measures including the ban on transgender athletes in women's sports and the"Parents' Bill of Rights."

On the veto of Senate Bill 160, the ban of transgender athletes in women's sports Kelly, Kelly said in a statement from her office.

"Both Republican and Democratic Governors have joined me in vetoing similar divisive bills for the same reasons: it’s harmful to students and their families and it’s bad for business.

"We all want a fair and safe place for our kids to play and compete. However, this bill didn't come from the experts at our schools, our athletes, or the Kansas State High School Activities Association. It came from politicians trying to score political points.&nbsp;

"This bill would also undoubtedly harm our ability to attract and retain businesses. It would send a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking.

Republicans nationwide have pushed the issue, framing it as fairness in competition and access to scholarships to appeal to a broad swath of voters. At least 12 other states have enacted such laws, including&nbsp;Arizona&nbsp;and&nbsp;Oklahoma.

In Kansas, the proposal was part of a larger agenda for conservatives who lead the Republican-controlled Legislature, with Kelly facing a tough reelection race this year. Conservatives advanced a measure to respond to concerns about what’s taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries, and they also sought to tighten election laws.

On her veto of Senate Bill 58, the "<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb58/">Parents Bill of Rights,</a>" Kelly said, "Throughout the pandemic, parents had to step up and do the impossible. Go to work. Take care of their children. Teach, tutor and facilitate their children’s learning. When it comes to their children’s education, parents can and should play a vital role. We know that parental engagement in their child’s education greatly impacts the outcome.

"This bill, however, is about politics, not parents. Over one hundred Kansas parents testified against this bill. It would create more division in our schools and would be costly. Money that should be spent in the classroom would end up being spent in the courtroom.&nbsp;

"That's unacceptable, especially after our efforts to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund our schools for the last four years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I look forward to working with the Legislature in a bipartisan fashion on a bill that gives parents a seat at the table without harming school funding or exacerbating the issues facing our teachers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648900498513.png" alt="Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker during debate on the transgender sports bill- photo by&nbsp;Aileen Berquist ACLU Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker during debate on the transgender sports bill- photo by&nbsp;Aileen Berquist ACLU Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday her veto of two controversial measures including the ban on transgender athletes in women's sports and the"Parents' Bill of Rights." On the veto of Senate Bill 160, the ban of transgender athletes in women's sports Kelly, Kelly said in a statement from her office."Both Republican and Democratic Governors have joined me in vetoing similar divisive bills for the same reasons: it’s harmful to students and their families and it’s bad for business."We all want a fair and safe place for our kids to play and compete. However, this bill didn't come from the experts at our schools, our athletes, or the Kansas State High School Activities Association. It came from politicians trying to score political points.&nbsp;"This bill would also undoubtedly harm our ability to attract and retain businesses. It would send a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking.Republicans nationwide have pushed the issue, framing it as fairness in competition and access to scholarships to appeal to a broad swath of voters. At least 12 other states have enacted such laws, including&nbsp;Arizona&nbsp;and&nbsp;Oklahoma.In Kansas, the proposal was part of a larger agenda for conservatives who lead the Republican-controlled Legislature, with Kelly facing a tough reelection race this year. Conservatives advanced a measure to respond to concerns about what’s taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries, and they also sought to tighten election laws.On her veto of Senate Bill 58, the "<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb58/">Parents Bill of Rights,</a>" Kelly said, "Throughout the pandemic, parents had to step up and do the impossible. Go to work. Take care of their children. Teach, tutor and facilitate their children’s learning. When it comes to their children’s education, parents can and should play a vital role. We know that parental engagement in their child’s education greatly impacts the outcome."This bill, however, is about politics, not parents. Over one hundred Kansas parents testified against this bill. It would create more division in our schools and would be costly. Money that should be spent in the classroom would end up being spent in the courtroom.&nbsp;"That's unacceptable, especially after our efforts to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund our schools for the last four years.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I look forward to working with the Legislature in a bipartisan fashion on a bill that gives parents a seat at the table without harming school funding or exacerbating the issues facing our teachers.

 Kan Gov. vetoes ban on transgender athletes in women's sports, parents bill of rights

COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday in rural Cowley County. Three deputies were shot, and one woman was shot and killed during the incident, according to a media release from the KBI.

Preliminary information indicates that deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 11:45 a.m. reporting a suspicious vehicle. They began searching for the reported black Jeep Liberty, and at approximately 12:10 p.m. deputies radioed that they had located the vehicle north of Winfield, Kansas. It was parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd&nbsp;Road.

The three deputies approached the SUV and made contact with the female driver. She did not comply with their commands to get out of the vehicle. When they attempted to remove her from the vehicle, the woman pulled out a handgun and gunfire was exchanged.

All three deputies were struck during the shooting. The woman was also shot during the incident. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. The woman will be identified once next of kin has been notified.

EMS responded and transported the three deputies to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Following treatment of their injuries, two of the deputies have been upgraded to good condition, and could be released later Friday. The third deputy’s injuries are more serious, but he is expected to recover.

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Cowley County&nbsp; that sent three deputies to an area hospital, according to Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Melissa Underwood.

On Friday afternoon, KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to an investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; The shooting occurred north of Winfield off of US 77 Highway and 122nd Street in Cowley County. Deputies had initially responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle.&nbsp;

Three deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office were shot during the incident and were taken to Wesley in Wichita for treatment.

The conditions of two of the deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office was reported good, according to Underwood and they may even be released from the hospital later Friday. The third deputy’s injuries are more serious, but that deputy is also expected to recover.

One female subject involved in the shooting was pronounced deceased at the scene.

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Cowley, according to Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Melissa Underwood.

The shooting, involving the Cowley County Sheriff's office, occurred Friday afternoon north of Winfield off of U.S. 77 Highway and 122nd Street in Cowley County.

KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team are assisting with the investigation, according to Underwood.

&nbsp;Authorities have not released details related to the condition of the subjects involved. Check the Post for additional information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650056191925.png" alt="Law enforcement authorities on the scene in Cowley County -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement authorities on the scene in Cowley County -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday in rural Cowley County. Three deputies were shot, and one woman was shot and killed during the incident, according to a media release from the KBI.Preliminary information indicates that deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 11:45 a.m. reporting a suspicious vehicle. They began searching for the reported black Jeep Liberty, and at approximately 12:10 p.m. deputies radioed that they had located the vehicle north of Winfield, Kansas. It was parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd&nbsp;Road.The three deputies approached the SUV and made contact with the female driver. She did not comply with their commands to get out of the vehicle. When they attempted to remove her from the vehicle, the woman pulled out a handgun and gunfire was exchanged.All three deputies were struck during the shooting. The woman was also shot during the incident. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. The woman will be identified once next of kin has been notified.EMS responded and transported the three deputies to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Following treatment of their injuries, two of the deputies have been upgraded to good condition, and could be released later Friday. The third deputy’s injuries are more serious, but he is expected to recover.---------COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Cowley County&nbsp; that sent three deputies to an area hospital, according to Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Melissa Underwood.On Friday afternoon, KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to an investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; The shooting occurred north of Winfield off of US 77 Highway and 122nd Street in Cowley County. Deputies had initially responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle.&nbsp;Three deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office were shot during the incident and were taken to Wesley in Wichita for treatment.The conditions of two of the deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office was reported good, according to Underwood and they may even be released from the hospital later Friday. The third deputy’s injuries are more serious, but that deputy is also expected to recover.One female subject involved in the shooting was pronounced deceased at the scene.------COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Cowley, according to Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Melissa Underwood.The shooting, involving the Cowley County Sheriff's office, occurred Friday afternoon north of Winfield off of U.S. 77 Highway and 122nd Street in Cowley County.KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team are assisting with the investigation, according to Underwood.&nbsp;Authorities have not released details related to the condition of the subjects involved. Check the Post for additional information as it becomes available.

Update: Female suspect dead, 3 Kan. deputies injured in gunfight

After months of drought, wind and dry grass continue to fuel extreme wildfire conditions

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-04-15/kanas-wildfire-responders-brace-as-a-dangerously-dry-windy-season-drags-on">Kansas News Service</a>

This state knows something about dry spells, high winds and the out-of-control fires that can follow.

So it might be easy for recent alerts that have warned Kansans about dangerous wildfire conditions to fade into the background.

But
 Chip Redmond, a volunteer fire captain in rural Pottawatomie County, 
said the ferocity of the wildfires he’s seeing in northeast Kansas this 
spring make this season feel different.

“It’s burning more aggressively. It’s burning hotter,” he said. “It’s harder to put out.”

Kansas
 has seen short snapshots of similar dry, volatile fire conditions in 
recent years. But this winter and spring, those snapshots have been 
strung together into a months-long horror show.

It’s getting 
harder to prevent the statewide tinderbox from igniting. And with 
drought conditions expected to drag on into the summer, there’s little 
relief on the horizon for the state’s wildfire responders.

Redmond, who’s also a meteorologist with the statewide monitoring system <a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas Mesonet</a>, issued a <a href="https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/fuels_fire-danger/Fuels_Fire_Behavior_Advisory_RM_KS-NE_20220411.pdf" target="_blank">fuels and fire behavior advisory</a>
 this week warning of a “volatile landscape for extreme fire” in Kansas 
through late April. It’s the first time this type of advisory has been 
issued in the state since 2018.

Fire teams he’s talked with recently have told him the strategies 
they’ve used to suppress wildfires in past years aren’t working as well 
now. And even if they can get a blaze under control, the smoldering 
embers have been more likely to reignite.

That means firefighters 
have to pour more time — and water — into each fire to make sure the 
flames don’t flare up again a day or two later. His crew responded to 13
 fires in the past week, including some calls that turned into day-long 
battles to beat back long lines of burning grass.

That comes on 
top of a long-standing problem: Volunteer fire departments across the 
country are strained as rural populations drop. Since 1984, the number 
of volunteer firefighters nationwide has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/01/1077371659/volunteer-fire-departments-that-the-u-s-relies-on-are-stretched-dangerously-thin" target="_blank">fallen 17%</a>, while calls for their help have tripled.

Redmond
 said the number of volunteers in his rural department isn’t what it was
 even 10 years ago. And for the remaining firefighters who have already 
faced months of dangerous conditions dating back to the <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-12-22/kansas-ranchers-face-a-long-road-to-recovery-after-devastating-wildfires" target="_blank">widespread fires</a> last December, the ongoing inferno leaves them frustrated and exhausted.

“We are worn out. Equipment has been breaking because it’s just been used excessively,” Redmond said. “It’s running us ragged.”

So what makes this spring an especially treacherous time for wildfires?

It may be hard to believe, but one of the big factors fueling the current danger is too much rain — last year.

Before
 the drought set in, the state got some timely precipitation that 
spurred extra grassland growth. For example, last year brought Wichita’s
 <a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/Mar2021Climate" target="_blank">fifth wettest</a> March on record.

All
 that rain was great news for cool season grasses, which grew taller and
 more abundantly than usual. But by the time winter arrived, those 
grasses were dead.

And now, they’ve turned into tall piles of dry kindling that blanket much of the state.

Mark
 Neely, fire management officer with the Kansas Forest Service, said 
drought-prone places like western and central Kansas have to straddle a 
fine line between too much or too little rain.

“If it’s a dry 
year, we want rain to mitigate the hazard,” Neely said. “But then when 
we do get the rain, all we do is say, ‘Well, crap. Now it’s gonna be 
more grass for next year when it’s dry again.’”

That’s where 
Kansas sits now — left with an extraordinarily high fuel load in the 
form of dry grass that could potentially burn in a fire.

Then there’s the drought that has gripped much of Kansas for months since the state's <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/17/december-2021-was-the-warmest-on-record-in-kansas-and-missouri-by-a-long-shot/" target="_blank">warmest December</a> on record.

Persistently
 dry air masses covering Kansas evaporate what little moisture ends up 
on the ground before it can do much to counteract the drought. In these 
conditions, Redmond said, it only takes about an hour for wet grass to 
dry out enough to burn extremely efficiently.

It’s been windier 
than normal too. Redmond said statewide wind speeds in March were nearly
 two miles per hour faster than average.

And the relief that usually comes with spring hasn’t arrived yet.

Normally
 by this point of the year, new green grass begins to overtake the dead 
grass left from the previous year. That’s a big help for firefighters 
because the new grass isn’t as combustible as dead grass — it holds more
 moisture — and therefore keeps fires from becoming so large and 
destructive.

“The 
green grass that’s coming up now is so small in proportion,” Redmond 
said, “It’s not slowing fire down because there’s so much dead grass 
above it.”

Neely, the forest service official, said when an area’s
 burning index — a measurement of the destructive power of a fire based 
on the available fuel — is consistently above the 90th percentile, 
that’s a trigger point for the state to increase firefighting resources.
 And he’s been seeing those types of extreme levels across the state for
 weeks.

It’s especially dire in north-central and northeast 
Kansas, where wildfire danger indicators have been at or near record 
levels for more than a month.

“We are at some critical stages in 
our fuels,” Neely said. “Wind and temperature is just going to 
exasperate that unless we get that good green-up and some more 
moisture.”

But the Kansas fire season — which would normally begin wrapping up around this time of year — may be long from over.

Redmond
 said weather projections indicate that above-normal temperatures and 
below-normal precipitation could continue to push fire conditions to 
dangerous levels for the rest of this spring and into the summer.

“Everything is (pointing) the wrong way right now,” Redmond said.

In
 western Kansas, Scott County emergency management director Tim 
Stoecklein said he has felt a heightened sense of alert this week, as 
the region inches closer to its <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/04/11/drought-plains-fire-us/" target="_blank">most significant drought</a> in a decade.

“There’s been a lot of comparisons to 2012,” Stoecklein said. “This feels like one of those years.”

Each
 day, he goes through a mental checklist to make sure he’s prepared for 
whatever comes. Talking with his fire department to check that the water
 tankers are ready. Asking neighboring counties if they need any help. 
Checking with the local National Weather Service office about the 
forecast.

Here’s how the wildfire response process generally 
works. When someone sees a fire, they call 911 and the local fire 
department responds. Usually, the local squads can handle things.

This
 week, a task force from Johnson County helped fight fires in Ottawa 
County. State aircraft dropped water on fires in northeast Kansas. 
Vehicles and a team leader on loan from a neighboring state assisted 
local firefighters with a blaze in southwest Kansas’ Ford County.

And wildfire preparedness isn’t just about responding after an emergency happens. This week in Scott City, a forest service <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottCoEM/status/1513720033435959297" target="_blank">training event</a> proactively removed downed trees and other debris that could kindle fire at a nearby state park.

Stoecklein said homeowners can mount their own <a href="https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/home-builder-guide-construction-defensible-space.pdf" target="_blank">defenses</a> by storing firewood at least 30 feet from a house, trimming back trees, clearing out gutters and leaf piles.

It’s also vital to have an <a href="https://www.ready.gov/wildfires#prepare" target="_blank">evacuation plan</a>
 if your home lands in the path of a fire. So have a bag packed with 
everything you need for a few days and know where to turn for fire 
updates if an emergency arises, such as alerts from the regional <a href="https://www.weather.gov/ddc/" target="_blank">National Weather Service</a> office or the local emergency management department.

“I want folks to not be surprised,” Stoecklein said. “It’s better to be prepared than scared.”

David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank"> @davidcondos</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650031859614.png" alt="Fire crews battle a Pottawatomie County grassfire in the early morning hours of April 12. It was one of several fire calls that local departments responded to in the area this week. Chip Redmond / Courtesy Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Fire crews battle a Pottawatomie County grassfire in the early morning hours of April 12. It was one of several fire calls that local departments responded to in the area this week. Chip Redmond / Courtesy Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>After months of drought, wind and dry grass continue to fuel extreme wildfire conditions</h2>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-04-15/kanas-wildfire-responders-brace-as-a-dangerously-dry-windy-season-drags-on">Kansas News Service</a>This state knows something about dry spells, high winds and the out-of-control fires that can follow.So it might be easy for recent alerts that have warned Kansans about dangerous wildfire conditions to fade into the background.But
 Chip Redmond, a volunteer fire captain in rural Pottawatomie County, 
said the ferocity of the wildfires he’s seeing in northeast Kansas this 
spring make this season feel different.“It’s burning more aggressively. It’s burning hotter,” he said. “It’s harder to put out.”Kansas
 has seen short snapshots of similar dry, volatile fire conditions in 
recent years. But this winter and spring, those snapshots have been 
strung together into a months-long horror show.It’s getting 
harder to prevent the statewide tinderbox from igniting. And with 
drought conditions expected to drag on into the summer, there’s little 
relief on the horizon for the state’s wildfire responders.Redmond, who’s also a meteorologist with the statewide monitoring system <a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas Mesonet</a>, issued a <a href="https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/fuels_fire-danger/Fuels_Fire_Behavior_Advisory_RM_KS-NE_20220411.pdf" target="_blank">fuels and fire behavior advisory</a>
 this week warning of a “volatile landscape for extreme fire” in Kansas 
through late April. It’s the first time this type of advisory has been 
issued in the state since 2018.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650031959772.png" alt="The green area on this map shows where the fuels and fire behavior advisory is in effect for Kansas and Nebraska through April 25th.&nbsp;US Drought Monitor" />
 <figcaption>The green area on this map shows where the fuels and fire behavior advisory is in effect for Kansas and Nebraska through April 25th.&nbsp;US Drought Monitor</figcaption>
 </figure>Fire teams he’s talked with recently have told him the strategies 
they’ve used to suppress wildfires in past years aren’t working as well 
now. And even if they can get a blaze under control, the smoldering 
embers have been more likely to reignite.That means firefighters 
have to pour more time — and water — into each fire to make sure the 
flames don’t flare up again a day or two later. His crew responded to 13
 fires in the past week, including some calls that turned into day-long 
battles to beat back long lines of burning grass.That comes on 
top of a long-standing problem: Volunteer fire departments across the 
country are strained as rural populations drop. Since 1984, the number 
of volunteer firefighters nationwide has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/01/1077371659/volunteer-fire-departments-that-the-u-s-relies-on-are-stretched-dangerously-thin" target="_blank">fallen 17%</a>, while calls for their help have tripled.Redmond
 said the number of volunteers in his rural department isn’t what it was
 even 10 years ago. And for the remaining firefighters who have already 
faced months of dangerous conditions dating back to the <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-12-22/kansas-ranchers-face-a-long-road-to-recovery-after-devastating-wildfires" target="_blank">widespread fires</a> last December, the ongoing inferno leaves them frustrated and exhausted.“We are worn out. Equipment has been breaking because it’s just been used excessively,” Redmond said. “It’s running us ragged.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ugh. Enough. <a href="https://t.co/4yxQTTJelx">pic.twitter.com/4yxQTTJelx</a>&mdash; Chip Redmond (@wx_chip) <a href="https://twitter.com/wx_chip/status/1514013523696832513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><h2>Blame it on the rain</h2>So what makes this spring an especially treacherous time for wildfires?It may be hard to believe, but one of the big factors fueling the current danger is too much rain — last year.Before
 the drought set in, the state got some timely precipitation that 
spurred extra grassland growth. For example, last year brought Wichita’s
 <a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/Mar2021Climate" target="_blank">fifth wettest</a> March on record.All
 that rain was great news for cool season grasses, which grew taller and
 more abundantly than usual. But by the time winter arrived, those 
grasses were dead.And now, they’ve turned into tall piles of dry kindling that blanket much of the state.Mark
 Neely, fire management officer with the Kansas Forest Service, said 
drought-prone places like western and central Kansas have to straddle a 
fine line between too much or too little rain.“If it’s a dry 
year, we want rain to mitigate the hazard,” Neely said. “But then when 
we do get the rain, all we do is say, ‘Well, crap. Now it’s gonna be 
more grass for next year when it’s dry again.’”That’s where 
Kansas sits now — left with an extraordinarily high fuel load in the 
form of dry grass that could potentially burn in a fire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650032053375.png" alt="Crews from Riley County Fire District 1, Blue Township Fire and Saint George PT Consolidated District battle a grassfire in Pottawatomie County in the early morning hours of April 12, 2022. Chip Redmond / Courtesy Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Crews from Riley County Fire District 1, Blue Township Fire and Saint George PT Consolidated District battle a grassfire in Pottawatomie County in the early morning hours of April 12, 2022. Chip Redmond / Courtesy Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Then there’s the drought that has gripped much of Kansas for months since the state's <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/17/december-2021-was-the-warmest-on-record-in-kansas-and-missouri-by-a-long-shot/" target="_blank">warmest December</a> on record.Persistently
 dry air masses covering Kansas evaporate what little moisture ends up 
on the ground before it can do much to counteract the drought. In these 
conditions, Redmond said, it only takes about an hour for wet grass to 
dry out enough to burn extremely efficiently.It’s been windier 
than normal too. Redmond said statewide wind speeds in March were nearly
 two miles per hour faster than average.And the relief that usually comes with spring hasn’t arrived yet.Normally
 by this point of the year, new green grass begins to overtake the dead 
grass left from the previous year. That’s a big help for firefighters 
because the new grass isn’t as combustible as dead grass — it holds more
 moisture — and therefore keeps fires from becoming so large and 
destructive.But the drought has stunted its growth.“The 
green grass that’s coming up now is so small in proportion,” Redmond 
said, “It’s not slowing fire down because there’s so much dead grass 
above it.”Neely, the forest service official, said when an area’s
 burning index — a measurement of the destructive power of a fire based 
on the available fuel — is consistently above the 90th percentile, 
that’s a trigger point for the state to increase firefighting resources.
 And he’s been seeing those types of extreme levels across the state for
 weeks.It’s especially dire in north-central and northeast 
Kansas, where wildfire danger indicators have been at or near record 
levels for more than a month.“We are at some critical stages in 
our fuels,” Neely said. “Wind and temperature is just going to 
exasperate that unless we get that good green-up and some more 
moisture.”But the Kansas fire season — which would normally begin wrapping up around this time of year — may be long from over.Redmond
 said weather projections indicate that above-normal temperatures and 
below-normal precipitation could continue to push fire conditions to 
dangerous levels for the rest of this spring and into the summer.“Everything is (pointing) the wrong way right now,” Redmond said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wildfire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wildfire</a> season has been off to a busy start for the high plains and southwest. <a href="https://twitter.com/NIFC_Fire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NIFC_Fire</a> recently updated their outlooks pointing to the active season across those regions potentially continuing through <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/July?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#July</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Drought?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Drought</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FireWx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FireWx</a> <a href="https://t.co/ur9nDMf6Vu">pic.twitter.com/ur9nDMf6Vu</a>&mdash; Dr. Stephen Bieda III (@DrWildcatWx) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrWildcatWx/status/1512812451213029384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><h2>‘One of those years’</h2>In
 western Kansas, Scott County emergency management director Tim 
Stoecklein said he has felt a heightened sense of alert this week, as 
the region inches closer to its <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/04/11/drought-plains-fire-us/" target="_blank">most significant drought</a> in a decade.“There’s been a lot of comparisons to 2012,” Stoecklein said. “This feels like one of those years.”Each
 day, he goes through a mental checklist to make sure he’s prepared for 
whatever comes. Talking with his fire department to check that the water
 tankers are ready. Asking neighboring counties if they need any help. 
Checking with the local National Weather Service office about the 
forecast.Here’s how the wildfire response process generally 
works. When someone sees a fire, they call 911 and the local fire 
department responds. Usually, the local squads can handle things.But not always.This
 week, a task force from Johnson County helped fight fires in Ottawa 
County. State aircraft dropped water on fires in northeast Kansas. 
Vehicles and a team leader on loan from a neighboring state assisted 
local firefighters with a blaze in southwest Kansas’ Ford County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650032133479.png" alt="Kansas Forest Service personnel work to control the Four County Fire north of Hays in December of 2021. Chris Hanson / Kansas Forest Service" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Forest Service personnel work to control the Four County Fire north of Hays in December of 2021. Chris Hanson / Kansas Forest Service</figcaption>
 </figure>And wildfire preparedness isn’t just about responding after an emergency happens. This week in Scott City, a forest service <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottCoEM/status/1513720033435959297" target="_blank">training event</a> proactively removed downed trees and other debris that could kindle fire at a nearby state park.Stoecklein said homeowners can mount their own <a href="https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/home-builder-guide-construction-defensible-space.pdf" target="_blank">defenses</a> by storing firewood at least 30 feet from a house, trimming back trees, clearing out gutters and leaf piles.“That’s all fuel,” he said.It’s also vital to have an <a href="https://www.ready.gov/wildfires#prepare" target="_blank">evacuation plan</a>
 if your home lands in the path of a fire. So have a bag packed with 
everything you need for a few days and know where to turn for fire 
updates if an emergency arises, such as alerts from the regional <a href="https://www.weather.gov/ddc/" target="_blank">National Weather Service</a> office or the local emergency management department.“I want folks to not be surprised,” Stoecklein said. “It’s better to be prepared than scared.”David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank"> @davidcondos</a>.

Kan. wildfire responders brace as a dangerously dry, windy season drags on 

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Thursday afternoon to announce the addition of three cities - including Salina - to the state's Kansas Main Street program.

In addition to Salina, Great Bend and Hays are rejoining the Kansas Main Street program, Kelly said.

"Salina, along with Great Bend and Hays, recognize the value of having the support and guidance from the state and Main Street America programs," Kelly said. "Because of these communities' strong leadership and commitment, they've returned to this program that, without a doubt, is proving to be a winning approach to economic development."

Kelly said that when she took office, she "quickly re-established the Community Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce and we brought back the proven Kansas Main Street program."

"This program gives our communities access to key technical services, networking, and training opportunities. It also allows local officials to prioritize restoring and preserving unique, historic downtown business districts," Kelly said. "It supports community development and projects that draw in new businesses, that improve quality of life, and encourage our young folks to stay and raise families in their own home communities."

Kelly said the state has made significant progress in economic development, something of which everyone should be proud.

"There is more economic opportunity in Kansas today then at any time in Kansas history. My administration has created more than 600 new economic development projects. We've brought more than $8.6 billion in new capital investment to the state. We've created or retained more than 42,000 jobs. Many of those jobs and much of that capital investment have been right here in Salina, Kansas," she said.

With the addition of Great Bend, Hays, and Salina, the Kansas Main Street program now has 35 designated communities "working to make substantial improvements and significant quality of life enhancements in those communities," Kelly added.

Salina Downtown, Inc., Executive Director Leslie Bishop said downtown Salina is thrilled to be a member of Kansas Main Street once again.

"Being a part of Kansas Main Street keeps us connected with other local communities that are doing the same thing we are," Bishop told Salina Post. "Keeping local dollars in Salina. Having people do business in Salina. It's so important. It grows our economy."

Salina Mayor Trent Davis talked about the importance of the downtown revitalization project, which was funded with both public and private money. 

He also noted that every great city has its place where people gather. 

"In Kansas City, you have the Country Club Plaza and the Power and Light District. New York, of course, has Times Square. If you're in Chicago and you're hungry, you want to go shopping or just hang out, you go to Navy Pier," Davis said. 

In Salina, that place is downtown, he said.

Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell said he actually first became involved in the Main Street program in downtown Salina as a director of the local program in the early 1990s. From Salina, Sewell moved on to the state organization.

"It's been great to follow the progress that has happened here in downtown Salina over all these years. We talked about this earlier today how you talk about things in the future and you want them to happen, and then to see them happen is really exciting," Sewell said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649976446416.jpeg" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Thursday afternoon to announce that Salina, as well as Great Bend and Hays, had rejoined the Kansas Main Street program. The announcement was made in the Watson Room of the Stiefel Theatre. Photos by Leslie Eikleberry/Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Thursday afternoon to announce that Salina, as well as Great Bend and Hays, had rejoined the Kansas Main Street program. The announcement was made in the Watson Room of the Stiefel Theatre. Photos by Leslie Eikleberry/Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostKansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Thursday afternoon to announce the addition of three cities - including Salina - to the state's Kansas Main Street program.In addition to Salina, Great Bend and Hays are rejoining the Kansas Main Street program, Kelly said."Salina, along with Great Bend and Hays, recognize the value of having the support and guidance from the state and Main Street America programs," Kelly said. "Because of these communities' strong leadership and commitment, they've returned to this program that, without a doubt, is proving to be a winning approach to economic development."Kelly said that when she took office, she "quickly re-established the Community Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce and we brought back the proven Kansas Main Street program.""This program gives our communities access to key technical services, networking, and training opportunities. It also allows local officials to prioritize restoring and preserving unique, historic downtown business districts," Kelly said. "It supports community development and projects that draw in new businesses, that improve quality of life, and encourage our young folks to stay and raise families in their own home communities."Kelly said the state has made significant progress in economic development, something of which everyone should be proud."There is more economic opportunity in Kansas today then at any time in Kansas history. My administration has created more than 600 new economic development projects. We've brought more than $8.6 billion in new capital investment to the state. We've created or retained more than 42,000 jobs. Many of those jobs and much of that capital investment have been right here in Salina, Kansas," she said.With the addition of Great Bend, Hays, and Salina, the Kansas Main Street program now has 35 designated communities "working to make substantial improvements and significant quality of life enhancements in those communities," Kelly added.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649976718099.jpeg" alt="The governor, left, speaks with Leslie Bishop, executive director of Salina Downtown, Inc.,&nbsp;April Rickman, executive assistant/event planner for Salina Downtown, and Dian Gebhardt, downtown aesthetic specialist for Salina Downtown." />
 <figcaption>The governor, left, speaks with Leslie Bishop, executive director of Salina Downtown, Inc.,&nbsp;April Rickman, executive assistant/event planner for Salina Downtown, and Dian Gebhardt, downtown aesthetic specialist for Salina Downtown.</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Downtown, Inc., Executive Director Leslie Bishop said downtown Salina is thrilled to be a member of Kansas Main Street once again."Being a part of Kansas Main Street keeps us connected with other local communities that are doing the same thing we are," Bishop told Salina Post. "Keeping local dollars in Salina. Having people do business in Salina. It's so important. It grows our economy."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649977028288.jpeg" alt="Salina Mayor Trent Davis" />
 <figcaption>Salina Mayor Trent Davis</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Mayor Trent Davis talked about the importance of the downtown revitalization project, which was funded with both public and private money. He also noted that every great city has its place where people gather. "In Kansas City, you have the Country Club Plaza and the Power and Light District. New York, of course, has Times Square. If you're in Chicago and you're hungry, you want to go shopping or just hang out, you go to Navy Pier," Davis said. In Salina, that place is downtown, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649977067082.jpeg" alt="Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell said he actually first became involved in the Main Street program in downtown Salina as a director of the local program in the early 1990s. From Salina, Sewell moved on to the state organization."It's been great to follow the progress that has happened here in downtown Salina over all these years. We talked about this earlier today how you talk about things in the future and you want them to happen, and then to see them happen is really exciting," Sewell said.

Governor celebrates Kansas Main Street program in Salina

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported </a>&nbsp;1,245 new coronavirus cases in Kansas since Friday April 8, for a total of 722,222 cases.

The state reported 23 additional COVID-19 deaths in the past week for a total of 8,524.

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

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

Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.

The state will continue to support access to free COVID-19 testing, work to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

 The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Friday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported </a>&nbsp;1,245 new coronavirus cases in Kansas since Friday April 8, for a total of 722,222 cases.The state reported 23 additional COVID-19 deaths in the past week for a total of 8,524.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650042338641.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.The state will continue to support access to free COVID-19 testing, work to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.” The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Friday.

KDHE reports 23 additional COVID-19 deaths in past 7 days

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged sex crime involving a teen in Manhattan.

Just after 5p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for unlawful transmission of a visual depiction of a child in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

It was reported an unknown suspect solicited pictures from a 14-year-old boy then demanded payment to not share the pictures. 

Due to the nature of the crime reported, police released no additional information. 

Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged sex crime involving a teen in Manhattan.Just after 5p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for unlawful transmission of a visual depiction of a child in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.It was reported an unknown suspect solicited pictures from a 14-year-old boy then demanded payment to not share the pictures. Due to the nature of the crime reported, police released no additional information. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000

Police: Sex crime investigation involving Kan. 14-year-old

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal July 2021 accident have made an arrest.

On Thursday, police arrested 81-year-old Russell Peterson of Randolph, on a Riley County District Court Warrant on requested charges of&nbsp; Murder in the 2nd Degree; unintentional but reckless, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that just after 8:30a.m. Sunday July 25, a 2006 Volvo semi driven by Russell Peterson, 81, Randolph was eastbound on Greet Randolph Road one half mile north of Randolph.

&nbsp;The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at U.S. 77.&nbsp; The semi struck a northbound Acura driven by Adam Samuelson, 38, Randolph.&nbsp;

EMS transported Samuelson to Stormont Vail where he died.&nbsp;Peterson was not injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Thursday Peterson was issued a total bond of $100,000 and is not confined in the Riley County Jail, according to the RCPD.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal July 2021 accident have made an arrest.On Thursday, police arrested 81-year-old Russell Peterson of Randolph, on a Riley County District Court Warrant on requested charges of&nbsp; Murder in the 2nd Degree; unintentional but reckless, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that just after 8:30a.m. Sunday July 25, a 2006 Volvo semi driven by Russell Peterson, 81, Randolph was eastbound on Greet Randolph Road one half mile north of Randolph.&nbsp;The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at U.S. 77.&nbsp; The semi struck a northbound Acura driven by Adam Samuelson, 38, Randolph.&nbsp;EMS transported Samuelson to Stormont Vail where he died.&nbsp;Peterson was not injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Thursday Peterson was issued a total bond of $100,000 and is not confined in the Riley County Jail, according to the RCPD.

Police: 81-year-old arrested for crash that killed Kansas man

KANSAS CITY—Detectives investigating the homicide in the 3700 block of Plaza Drive in Kansas City have identified the victim as 36-year-old Lisa McKeehan of Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 10:30p.m. Tuesday, police responded to the 3700 Block of Plaza Drive on report of a shooting, according to a media release.

They found a victim, later identified as McKeehan, with a gunshot wound. EMS transported her to a local hospital in critical condition. She died of her injuries.

Police have released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Detectives investigating the homicide in the 3700 block of Plaza Drive in Kansas City have identified the victim as 36-year-old Lisa McKeehan of Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 10:30p.m. Tuesday, police responded to the 3700 Block of Plaza Drive on report of a shooting, according to a media release.They found a victim, later identified as McKeehan, with a gunshot wound. EMS transported her to a local hospital in critical condition. She died of her injuries.Police have released no additional details.

Police ID Kansas woman who died from gunshot wound

BY:&nbsp;NOAH TABORDA,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/14/kansas-inspector-generals-report-identifies-weakness-in-financial-oversight-of-medicaid/">Kansas Reflector</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650018766215.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly, left, signed into law Thursday a bill packaging parts of 29 bills amending property, sales and income tax laws in Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly, left, signed into law Thursday a bill packaging parts of 29 bills amending property, sales and income tax laws in Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;NOAH TABORDA,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/14/kansas-inspector-generals-report-identifies-weakness-in-financial-oversight-of-medicaid/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Kansas bill signed into law Thursday spans the gamut of tax policy, packaging more than two dozen measures amending property, sales and income tax laws.The massive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2239/">House Bill 2239</a>, backed by the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly, included provisions from 29 different bills cutting taxes and will hack nearly $91 million from state tax revenue in the first year. The largest cost is the taxpayer-assessed 20 mill levy toward supporting K-12 public education.In approving the changes to state tax laws, Kelly said she felt the opportunity to provide relief for Kansans was now, while the state experiences its first budget surplus in decades.“Our fiscal responsibility has put Kansas back on track,” Kelly said. “We’ve been able to fully fund our schools, fix our roads and bridges, balance the budget and cut property taxes, providing relief for Kansans.”The House voted 103-10 to adopt the bill, while no senator opposed the measure. Before negotiations between the two chambers, House tax committee leaders said the bill drained close to $500 million.In 2024, the package will sap $99.8 million in state tax revenue and an additional $119.6 million in 2025.The changes increase the residential property tax exemption, provide homestead property tax refunds to eligible taxpayers and will broaden the property tax reduction authority of county commissioners for property destroyed by a disaster.Rep. Adam Smith, R-Weskan, said the measure contains many noncontroversial measures so he was excited to see the governor approve it. In particular, he applauded the property tax relief provided and the homestead exemption for qualifying elderly Kansans.“A lot of senior citizens on fixed lower incomes, are faced with increasing property values and property tax statements every year,” Smith said. “This essentially, once they hit the qualifying terms for the program, freezes their property tax bill, and that’s something they can count on for for the rest of their years is that the property taxes that are due will never be going up.”Although&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/05/kansas-tax-reform-bundle-sent-kelly-amassed-from-shards-of-29-different-bills/">some legislators expressed concern about passing so-called mega bill legislation</a>, both parties found common ground in the bill.The law provides tax credits for school and classroom supplies purchased by teachers and graduates of aerospace and aviation-related educational programs and employers of graduates. It also provides additional personal income tax exemptions for disabled veterans.“I am very pleased Kansas taxpayers will benefit from the governor’s election year conversion,” said Senate President Ty MastersonAdditional provisions create a sales tax exemption for the purchase of supplies to reconstruct or repair fencing for agricultural land damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, a highly sought-after bill for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/14/kansas-ranchers-plead-for-tax-relief-after-devastating-december-wildfire/">farmers and ranchers impacted by recent wildfires</a>.While Kelly said these tax cuts would provide needed relief for Kansans, she reiterated the need for an elimination of the food sales tax. House Bill 2106, which wasn’t&nbsp;acted upon before the Legislature adjourned for a three-week break, would phase out the state sales tax by 2025.“We have the opportunity to help Kansans who are feeling the impact of pandemic-induced inflation,” Kelly said. With the largest budget surplus in decades, we can do both – provide property tax relief and finally eliminate the state sales tax on food.”