WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a new clash involving religion and the rights of LGBTQ people in the case of a Colorado web designer who says her religious beliefs prevent her from offering wedding website designs to gay couples.

The high court said Tuesday it would hear the case of Lorie Smith. The Denver-area designer offers graphic and website design services and wants to expand to wedding website services, but she says her religious beliefs would lead her to decline any request from a same-sex couple to design a wedding website. She also wants to post a statement on her website about her beliefs. Doing those things, however, would run afoul of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-phillips-colorado-discrimination-weddings-denver-960d0fbefb77ddb78de89780cf8b4881">a Colorado anti-discrimination law</a>. Smith had argued the law violates her free speech and religious rights.

The Supreme Court said in taking the case that it would look only at the free speech issue. It said it would decide whether a law that requires an artist to speak or stay silent violates the free speech clause of the First Amendment. The case is expected to be argued in the fall.

Smith’s attorney, Kristen Waggoner, said in a statement after the court agreed to hear the case that “Colorado has weaponized its law to silence speech it disagrees with, to compel speech it approves of, and to punish anyone who dares to dissent.”

In a 2-1 ruling last year, the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-colorado-b3892f44fe98711fdbfe9390c8836eff">denied Smith’s attempt</a>&nbsp;to overturn a lower court ruling throwing out her legal challenge. The panel said Colorado had a compelling interest in protecting the “dignity interests” of members of marginalized groups through its law, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.

The law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, is the same one at issue in the case of Colorado baker Jack Phillips that was decided in 2018 by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The high court said at the time that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had acted with anti-religious bias against Phillips after he refused to bake a cake for two men who were getting married. But it did not rule on the larger issue of whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to LGBTQ people.

The Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom represented Phillips and represents Smith.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a new clash involving religion and the rights of LGBTQ people in the case of a Colorado web designer who says her religious beliefs prevent her from offering wedding website designs to gay couples.The high court said Tuesday it would hear the case of Lorie Smith. The Denver-area designer offers graphic and website design services and wants to expand to wedding website services, but she says her religious beliefs would lead her to decline any request from a same-sex couple to design a wedding website. She also wants to post a statement on her website about her beliefs. Doing those things, however, would run afoul of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-phillips-colorado-discrimination-weddings-denver-960d0fbefb77ddb78de89780cf8b4881">a Colorado anti-discrimination law</a>. Smith had argued the law violates her free speech and religious rights.The Supreme Court said in taking the case that it would look only at the free speech issue. It said it would decide whether a law that requires an artist to speak or stay silent violates the free speech clause of the First Amendment. The case is expected to be argued in the fall.Smith’s attorney, Kristen Waggoner, said in a statement after the court agreed to hear the case that “Colorado has weaponized its law to silence speech it disagrees with, to compel speech it approves of, and to punish anyone who dares to dissent.”In a 2-1 ruling last year, the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-colorado-b3892f44fe98711fdbfe9390c8836eff">denied Smith’s attempt</a>&nbsp;to overturn a lower court ruling throwing out her legal challenge. The panel said Colorado had a compelling interest in protecting the “dignity interests” of members of marginalized groups through its law, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.The law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, is the same one at issue in the case of Colorado baker Jack Phillips that was decided in 2018 by the U.S. Supreme Court.The high court said at the time that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had acted with anti-religious bias against Phillips after he refused to bake a cake for two men who were getting married. But it did not rule on the larger issue of whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to LGBTQ people.The Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom represented Phillips and represents Smith.

High court takes case involving refusal to serve gay couples

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are considering two proposals that would make it harder for police to seize and keep cash and property from people suspected in crimes.

One bill would require law enforcement to get a criminal conviction before seizing assets. A second bill would create a new process for criminal forfeiture of property worth less than $100,000 and prevent law enforcement from seizing less than $200 cash or vehicles worth less than $2,000.

Currently, law enforcement can go to civil court to get approval to take property officers believe is linked to a crime. Supporters of the process say it serves as a deterrent to crime and provides important funding for law enforcement.

The latest completed KBI report on the practice statewide said that in 2020 law enforcement agencies seized $5.1 million cash and $1.2 million in other property. Out of that, law enforcement agencies took $2.1 million in cash and nearly $800,000 in other property through the civil forfeiture process.

In one recent case,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-colorado-marijuana-medical-marijuana-6d41f1053f142075b735464107e3b0d5">a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;has been filed by a company that was transporting cash from legal medical marijuana dispensaries in Missouri challenging the seizure of nearly $166,000 last May. Law enforcement officials have defended the seizure because marijuana use remains illegal in Kansas.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter testified on behalf of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association that many seizures are related to traffic stops of couriers for drug dealers who often claim the money isn’t theirs.

“During these stops, probable cause exists to search the vehicles,” he said. “Large amount of money is seized and the mules do not claim the money as theirs, do not know how it got there and were only instructed to return the car to someone they do not know in Mexico.”

Jefferson County Attorney Joshua Ney supports forfeiture reform. He said the current law creates a potential for “profit motive” in law enforcement and prosecutor offices.

Jon Lueth with the Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity said police shouldn’t be able to claim property until after someone is convicted of a crime.

“A substantial portion of these seizures never results in criminal charges or a conviction,” he said. “This data reveals that law enforcement in Kansas is frequently using this power to seize the property of innocent Kansans without the necessary due process protections normally provided in our criminal justice system.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586208701830.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are considering two proposals that would make it harder for police to seize and keep cash and property from people suspected in crimes.One bill would require law enforcement to get a criminal conviction before seizing assets. A second bill would create a new process for criminal forfeiture of property worth less than $100,000 and prevent law enforcement from seizing less than $200 cash or vehicles worth less than $2,000.Currently, law enforcement can go to civil court to get approval to take property officers believe is linked to a crime. Supporters of the process say it serves as a deterrent to crime and provides important funding for law enforcement.The latest completed KBI report on the practice statewide said that in 2020 law enforcement agencies seized $5.1 million cash and $1.2 million in other property. Out of that, law enforcement agencies took $2.1 million in cash and nearly $800,000 in other property through the civil forfeiture process.In one recent case,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-colorado-marijuana-medical-marijuana-6d41f1053f142075b735464107e3b0d5">a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;has been filed by a company that was transporting cash from legal medical marijuana dispensaries in Missouri challenging the seizure of nearly $166,000 last May. Law enforcement officials have defended the seizure because marijuana use remains illegal in Kansas.Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter testified on behalf of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association that many seizures are related to traffic stops of couriers for drug dealers who often claim the money isn’t theirs.“During these stops, probable cause exists to search the vehicles,” he said. “Large amount of money is seized and the mules do not claim the money as theirs, do not know how it got there and were only instructed to return the car to someone they do not know in Mexico.”Jefferson County Attorney Joshua Ney supports forfeiture reform. He said the current law creates a potential for “profit motive” in law enforcement and prosecutor offices.Jon Lueth with the Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity said police shouldn’t be able to claim property until after someone is convicted of a crime.“A substantial portion of these seizures never results in criminal charges or a conviction,” he said. “This data reveals that law enforcement in Kansas is frequently using this power to seize the property of innocent Kansans without the necessary due process protections normally provided in our criminal justice system.”

Kan. lawmakers may make it harder for police to seize cash

By DYLAN LYSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-22/a-push-to-dump-the-kansas-food-sales-tax-could-run-into-election-politics">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE&nbsp;— Buying groceries has become more difficult for Patty Wiggins.

Previously,
 a week’s worth of groceries cost the retired nurse about $30. But as 
inflation over the last year made seemingly everything more expensive, 
the groceries cost about $50.

To help fill that gap, Wiggins, who 
lives in Lawrence, supplements her groceries through her local food 
bank, Just Food. Wiggins said she wished she wouldn’t need to do that, 
and there is some hope that some relief is on the way.

Kansas 
lawmakers are debating a bill that would eliminate state sales tax on 
food. If the bill becomes law, it would wipe out the state’s 6.5% sales 
tax on food and provide a little more spending room for shoppers like 
Wiggins.

“(Spending) $10 or $20 more a month may not sound like a 
lot,” Wiggins said. “But it makes a difference, especially when you live
 like me on a fixed income.”

Despite apparent bipartisan support 
for dumping the sales tax on food — it’s a top priority of Democratic 
Gov. Laura Kelly and the change has support from Attorney General Derek 
Schmidt, her likely re-election opponent in November — the effort looks 
shaky at best.

Already, one state Senate committee has amended the proposal to delay the end of the tax by a year, to Jan. 1, 2024.

The
 Republican-controlled Legislature has also tried to tie the measure to 
other, more partisan tax changes. And GOP lawmakers could be reluctant 
to give Kelly a win on cutting taxes in an election year.

Republican
 state Sen. Caryn Tyson from southeast Kansas chairs the tax committee 
and said the elimination of the sales tax on food has been complicated 
by another major tax bill. The governor lobbied hard for a change in law
 that will let the state give roughly $1 billion in potential tax 
incentives to a company — its identity hasn’t been made public — if it 
delivers on promises for a manufacturing plant with thousands of jobs.

Tyson
 said if the company chooses to move to Kansas, the state would be 
providing millions of dollars in incentives to the company for years. 
Erasing the sales tax on food could cost the state from $320 million to 
$785 million a year in revenue. Tyson said the tax giveaways to a new, 
large employer would make it harder to afford the lost money to the 
state that would come with exempting food from the sales tax.

“We 
have to be good stewards of the state’s money,” Tyson said. “That has to
 be taken into consideration when working on other kinds of 
legislation.”

Along with pushing back the start date of the food 
sales tax cut, the amended bill also includes making changes to the 
state’s sales tax on utilities.

Sen. Tom Holland, the top-ranking 
Democrat on the tax committee, wants the food sales tax to go away in 
July — not a year and a half later.

Holland also said Kansas can 
afford to offer the incentives to a manufacturer and cut the sales tax 
because the state expects to have more than $2 billion in surplus at the
 end of the fiscal year in June.

“We need to get that tax relief back to Kansas families,” he said. “The best way we can do that is a sales tax refund bill.”

Advocates for the cut have said it is needed now to give Kansans a break when food prices are skyrocketing.

The
 U.S. Department of Labor says the country saw a 7.5% increase in rate 
of inflation over the last year, which is the largest increase since 
1982.

Wiggins, the retired nurse, said she saw a small increase to
 her Social Security checks. But she said that didn’t make much of a 
difference.

“It’s all gone because of the inflation,” Wiggins 
said. “They say inflation has hit certain portions of the groceries. But
 what I see in the stores, it has hit everything.”

She is not 
alone. Brain Walker, president for the Kansas Food Bank based in 
Wichita, said many of the more than 200,000 Kansans his organization 
serves would benefit from food sales tax relief. Removing the tax would 
immediately allow them to put more food on their tables, he said.

People
 with lower incomes are disproportionately affected by the tax, Walker 
said. He used the example of a four-person family making $20,000 a year 
purchasing the same amount of food as a four-person family making 
$100,000 a year. While the families buy the same amount of food and pay 
the same amount of tax on it, the family with a smaller household income
 pays a larger percentage of that income toward the tax.

“To us, 
it makes really good sense,” Walker said. “When you cut the sales tax, 
you aren’t favoring anybody — both groups of folks get the relief. But 
the help it extends to a struggling family is huge.”

Debates
 about giving breaks to consumers and whether the state can afford the 
lost revenue — Republicans note that the state’s financial surplus is 
propped up by federal pandemic aid that won’t continue in years to come —
 come in the midst of an election year.

Kelly, who is running for a
 second term, has repeatedly called for the cut of the tax. It featured 
prominently in her State of the State address in January and her “Axe 
the Food Tax” slogan plays in her re-election campaign. Kelly says it 
would save the average Kansas family about $500 a year.

But Schmidt also asked lawmakers to make a cut this year.

In
 a letter to Republican legislative leaders in November, Schmidt called 
for the lawmakers to eliminate or at least significantly reduce the tax 
on groceries because of inflation.

Wiggins said she hopes lawmakers don’t delay on approving legislation.

“It would be nice to think they would pass it and get started changing (the tax),” she said. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

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/2022/2/1645553088412.png" alt="Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By DYLAN LYSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-22/a-push-to-dump-the-kansas-food-sales-tax-could-run-into-election-politics">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE&nbsp;— Buying groceries has become more difficult for Patty Wiggins.Previously,
 a week’s worth of groceries cost the retired nurse about $30. But as 
inflation over the last year made seemingly everything more expensive, 
the groceries cost about $50.To help fill that gap, Wiggins, who 
lives in Lawrence, supplements her groceries through her local food 
bank, Just Food. Wiggins said she wished she wouldn’t need to do that, 
and there is some hope that some relief is on the way.Kansas 
lawmakers are debating a bill that would eliminate state sales tax on 
food. If the bill becomes law, it would wipe out the state’s 6.5% sales 
tax on food and provide a little more spending room for shoppers like 
Wiggins.“(Spending) $10 or $20 more a month may not sound like a 
lot,” Wiggins said. “But it makes a difference, especially when you live
 like me on a fixed income.”Despite apparent bipartisan support 
for dumping the sales tax on food — it’s a top priority of Democratic 
Gov. Laura Kelly and the change has support from Attorney General Derek 
Schmidt, her likely re-election opponent in November — the effort looks 
shaky at best.Already, one state Senate committee has amended the proposal to delay the end of the tax by a year, to Jan. 1, 2024.The
 Republican-controlled Legislature has also tried to tie the measure to 
other, more partisan tax changes. And GOP lawmakers could be reluctant 
to give Kelly a win on cutting taxes in an election year.<h2>Can the state afford it?</h2>Republican
 state Sen. Caryn Tyson from southeast Kansas chairs the tax committee 
and said the elimination of the sales tax on food has been complicated 
by another major tax bill. The governor lobbied hard for a change in law
 that will let the state give roughly $1 billion in potential tax 
incentives to a company — its identity hasn’t been made public — if it 
delivers on promises for a manufacturing plant with thousands of jobs.Tyson
 said if the company chooses to move to Kansas, the state would be 
providing millions of dollars in incentives to the company for years. 
Erasing the sales tax on food could cost the state from $320 million to 
$785 million a year in revenue. Tyson said the tax giveaways to a new, 
large employer would make it harder to afford the lost money to the 
state that would come with exempting food from the sales tax.“We 
have to be good stewards of the state’s money,” Tyson said. “That has to
 be taken into consideration when working on other kinds of 
legislation.”Along with pushing back the start date of the food 
sales tax cut, the amended bill also includes making changes to the 
state’s sales tax on utilities.Sen. Tom Holland, the top-ranking 
Democrat on the tax committee, wants the food sales tax to go away in 
July — not a year and a half later.Holland also said Kansas can 
afford to offer the incentives to a manufacturer and cut the sales tax 
because the state expects to have more than $2 billion in surplus at the
 end of the fiscal year in June.“We need to get that tax relief back to Kansas families,” he said. “The best way we can do that is a sales tax refund bill.”<h2>Inflation pressure</h2>Advocates for the cut have said it is needed now to give Kansans a break when food prices are skyrocketing.The
 U.S. Department of Labor says the country saw a 7.5% increase in rate 
of inflation over the last year, which is the largest increase since 
1982.Wiggins, the retired nurse, said she saw a small increase to
 her Social Security checks. But she said that didn’t make much of a 
difference.“It’s all gone because of the inflation,” Wiggins 
said. “They say inflation has hit certain portions of the groceries. But
 what I see in the stores, it has hit everything.”She is not 
alone. Brain Walker, president for the Kansas Food Bank based in 
Wichita, said many of the more than 200,000 Kansans his organization 
serves would benefit from food sales tax relief. Removing the tax would 
immediately allow them to put more food on their tables, he said.People
 with lower incomes are disproportionately affected by the tax, Walker 
said. He used the example of a four-person family making $20,000 a year 
purchasing the same amount of food as a four-person family making 
$100,000 a year. While the families buy the same amount of food and pay 
the same amount of tax on it, the family with a smaller household income
 pays a larger percentage of that income toward the tax.“To us, 
it makes really good sense,” Walker said. “When you cut the sales tax, 
you aren’t favoring anybody — both groups of folks get the relief. But 
the help it extends to a struggling family is huge.”<h2>Election politics</h2>Debates
 about giving breaks to consumers and whether the state can afford the 
lost revenue — Republicans note that the state’s financial surplus is 
propped up by federal pandemic aid that won’t continue in years to come —
 come in the midst of an election year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636397666116.png" alt="courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kelly, who is running for a
 second term, has repeatedly called for the cut of the tax. It featured 
prominently in her State of the State address in January and her “Axe 
the Food Tax” slogan plays in her re-election campaign. Kelly says it 
would save the average Kansas family about $500 a year.But Schmidt also asked lawmakers to make a cut this year.In
 a letter to Republican legislative leaders in November, Schmidt called 
for the lawmakers to eliminate or at least significantly reduce the tax 
on groceries because of inflation.Wiggins said she hopes lawmakers don’t delay on approving legislation.“It would be nice to think they would pass it and get started changing (the tax),” she said. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”Dylan
 Lysen reports on politics for the Kansas News Service. You can follow 
him on Twitter @DylanLysen or email him at dlysen@kcur.org.

Push to dump Kansas food sales tax could run into election politics

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect who was in possession of police property missing since December of 2020.

On Monday night, officers were sent to the 700 block of N. Fourth Street in Salina after report of suspicious activity. Once there, they made contact with Shadd Boese, 47, of Salina, who was in the driver's seat of a Toyota Land Cruiser, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

Boese had an active warrant from Salina Municipal Court for failure to appear.&nbsp;During a search of the vehicle, officers located an X26P Taser that had been stolen from a police officer during a vehicle burglary in Saline County in December 2020, according to Forrester.

&nbsp;Boese was also in possession of methamphetamine that was without a tax stamp, as well as some narcotic pills.&nbsp;

Boese was arrested on requested charges of Felony possession with intent to distribute, Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, No drug tax stamp and Possession of stolen property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645541262071.png" alt="Shadd Boese. Photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Shadd Boese. Photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect who was in possession of police property missing since December of 2020.On Monday night, officers were sent to the 700 block of N. Fourth Street in Salina after report of suspicious activity. Once there, they made contact with Shadd Boese, 47, of Salina, who was in the driver's seat of a Toyota Land Cruiser, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.Boese had an active warrant from Salina Municipal Court for failure to appear.&nbsp;During a search of the vehicle, officers located an X26P Taser that had been stolen from a police officer during a vehicle burglary in Saline County in December 2020, according to Forrester.&nbsp;Boese was also in possession of methamphetamine that was without a tax stamp, as well as some narcotic pills.&nbsp;Boese was arrested on requested charges of Felony possession with intent to distribute, Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, No drug tax stamp and Possession of stolen property.

Police find Kansas officer's Taser taken during burglary

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/corvette-seizure-prompts-house-bill-altering-vin-mandate-for-antique-vehicles/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Richard Martinez bought a
 restored 1959 Chevrolet Corvette for $50,000 from an Indiana dealer in 
2016 that the Kansas Highway Patrol labeled as “contraband” that must be
 seized and destroyed under state law.

The Johnson County resident was sent a notice warning of the 
forfeiture action by KHP because a trooper discovered during a mandatory
 registration inspection a defect with a vehicle’s identification 
number. Martinez wasn’t aware of the problem, and law enforcement 
officers said there was no question he was an “innocent owner” of a car 
with VIN issues. Still, the Corvette was seized so it could go to a 
crusher.

Martinez filed a lawsuit in Johnson County District Court — a 
proceeding still active five years later. The district court scheduled a
 conference proceeding for next week.

In the meantime, the Kansas House voted Monday to approve a bill that
 would amend state law on antique vehicles to work around the statute 
declaring a vehicle or trailer with a “destroyed, removed, altered or 
defaced” VIN must be seized as contraband and reduced to scrap metal.

Overhaul of the law would create an exemption for people who removed 
and promptly reinstalled a VIN or manufacturer’s serial number on a 
vehicle at least 35 years old as long as that work was associated with 
repairs or restorations. In addition, House Bill 2594 would carve out an
 exception for antique vehicle owners who didn’t know or had no reason 
to know the antique vehicle was stolen.

Rep. Leo Delperdang, R-Wichita, said old vehicles frequently required
 repairs to areas housing VIN plates that could result in making it 
appear as if something was amiss. In this case, Martinez wasn’t under 
investigation for criminal conduct nor would KHP allow the vehicle to be
 sent back to the seller in Indiana.

“I don’t blame the Kansas Highway Patrol with what they’re doing in 
this case,” Delperdang told his House colleagues. “They’re doing their 
job. I blame the rule makers. That’s us in this room. We have the 
ability to do something for the better moving forward.”

He said the Kansas law caused intense anxiety among antique vehicle 
clubs and at automobile restoration shops where parts of multiple 
vehicles were used to put together a complete vehicle.

Col. Herman Jones, superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, 
objected to the bill. He said existing KHP procedure allowed a person 
who wanted to remove a VIN plate to cooperate with troopers to document 
the removal and reinstallation to avoid the threat of seizure in Kansas.

He recommended that if the House bill advanced that a provision be 
added mandating vehicles to be inspected by KHP before removal of a VIN 
plate.

“This would allow us to document the vehicle’s identity and the 
removal process, thus protecting innocent citizens of Kansas from fraud,
 while still holding those accountable who traffic in stolen vehicles,” 
he said.

Sam MacRoberts, litigation director of the Kansas Justice Institute, 
said the current seizure process relied upon by KHP violated the state 
and federal constitutions because it enabled government to take an 
innocent person’s property without due process. He said the statute 
guiding KHP was too vague to be properly enforced.

“Innocence matters,” MacRoberts said in a brief submitted to the 
Johnson County District Court. “The government should not get to destroy
 Mr. Martinez’ car for a wrong he did not commit. That is 
unconstitutional.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645480601283.png" alt="The Kansas House granted preliminary approval Monday of a bill dealing with quirk of state law allowing Kansas Highway Patrol to seize and destroy vehicles with changed or altered vehicle identification plates. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas House granted preliminary approval Monday of a bill dealing with quirk of state law allowing Kansas Highway Patrol to seize and destroy vehicles with changed or altered vehicle identification plates. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/corvette-seizure-prompts-house-bill-altering-vin-mandate-for-antique-vehicles/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Richard Martinez bought a
 restored 1959 Chevrolet Corvette for $50,000 from an Indiana dealer in 
2016 that the Kansas Highway Patrol labeled as “contraband” that must be
 seized and destroyed under state law.The Johnson County resident was sent a notice warning of the 
forfeiture action by KHP because a trooper discovered during a mandatory
 registration inspection a defect with a vehicle’s identification 
number. Martinez wasn’t aware of the problem, and law enforcement 
officers said there was no question he was an “innocent owner” of a car 
with VIN issues. Still, the Corvette was seized so it could go to a 
crusher.Martinez filed a lawsuit in Johnson County District Court — a 
proceeding still active five years later. The district court scheduled a
 conference proceeding for next week.In the meantime, the Kansas House voted Monday to approve a bill that
 would amend state law on antique vehicles to work around the statute 
declaring a vehicle or trailer with a “destroyed, removed, altered or 
defaced” VIN must be seized as contraband and reduced to scrap metal.Overhaul of the law would create an exemption for people who removed 
and promptly reinstalled a VIN or manufacturer’s serial number on a 
vehicle at least 35 years old as long as that work was associated with 
repairs or restorations. In addition, House Bill 2594 would carve out an
 exception for antique vehicle owners who didn’t know or had no reason 
to know the antique vehicle was stolen.Rep. Leo Delperdang, R-Wichita, said old vehicles frequently required
 repairs to areas housing VIN plates that could result in making it 
appear as if something was amiss. In this case, Martinez wasn’t under 
investigation for criminal conduct nor would KHP allow the vehicle to be
 sent back to the seller in Indiana.“I don’t blame the Kansas Highway Patrol with what they’re doing in 
this case,” Delperdang told his House colleagues. “They’re doing their 
job. I blame the rule makers. That’s us in this room. We have the 
ability to do something for the better moving forward.”He said the Kansas law caused intense anxiety among antique vehicle 
clubs and at automobile restoration shops where parts of multiple 
vehicles were used to put together a complete vehicle.Col. Herman Jones, superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, 
objected to the bill. He said existing KHP procedure allowed a person 
who wanted to remove a VIN plate to cooperate with troopers to document 
the removal and reinstallation to avoid the threat of seizure in Kansas.He recommended that if the House bill advanced that a provision be 
added mandating vehicles to be inspected by KHP before removal of a VIN 
plate.“This would allow us to document the vehicle’s identity and the 
removal process, thus protecting innocent citizens of Kansas from fraud,
 while still holding those accountable who traffic in stolen vehicles,” 
he said.Sam MacRoberts, litigation director of the Kansas Justice Institute, 
said the current seizure process relied upon by KHP violated the state 
and federal constitutions because it enabled government to take an 
innocent person’s property without due process. He said the statute 
guiding KHP was too vague to be properly enforced.“Innocence matters,” MacRoberts said in a brief submitted to the 
Johnson County District Court. “The government should not get to destroy
 Mr. Martinez’ car for a wrong he did not commit. That is 
unconstitutional.”

Corvette seizure prompts Kan. bill retooling VIN mandate for antique vehicles

KANSAS CITY(AP) — Police have identified a man and woman killed in a shooting in Kansas City that also critically wounded a 5-year-old boy.

The shooting was reported just before 1 a.m. Monday at an intersection between the Santa Fe and Oak Park West neighborhoods, police said. Arriving officers were pointed to a vehicle in a parking lot where they found 34-year-old Jermaine Jackson and 31-year-old Ashley Pettiford and Pettiford’s 5-year-old son inside, all suffering from gunshot wounds.

Jackson and Pettiford were pronounced dead at the scene. The boy was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, but police later said he was expected to survive.

Police have not indicated they have any suspects in the shooting.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man and woman were shot dead and a young child was critically wounded in an overnight shooting in Kansas City, police there said.

Police were called just before 1 a.m. Monday to an intersection between the Santa Fe and Oak Park West neighborhoods for reports of a shooting, according to a news release issued by Kansas City police. Arriving officers were pointed to a vehicle in a parking lot. Inside the vehicle, police found the two adults and a boy under the age of 10 with gunshot wounds.

Paramedics declared the two adults dead at the scene. The boy was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. Officials later said the child was in critical but stable condition.

Police were canvassing the area for any witnesses to the shooting. The names of the victims were not immediately released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645462997877.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — Police have identified a man and woman killed in a shooting in Kansas City that also critically wounded a 5-year-old boy.The shooting was reported just before 1 a.m. Monday at an intersection between the Santa Fe and Oak Park West neighborhoods, police said. Arriving officers were pointed to a vehicle in a parking lot where they found 34-year-old Jermaine Jackson and 31-year-old Ashley Pettiford and Pettiford’s 5-year-old son inside, all suffering from gunshot wounds.Jackson and Pettiford were pronounced dead at the scene. The boy was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, but police later said he was expected to survive.Police have not indicated they have any suspects in the shooting.-----------KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man and woman were shot dead and a young child was critically wounded in an overnight shooting in Kansas City, police there said.Police were called just before 1 a.m. Monday to an intersection between the Santa Fe and Oak Park West neighborhoods for reports of a shooting, according to a news release issued by Kansas City police. Arriving officers were pointed to a vehicle in a parking lot. Inside the vehicle, police found the two adults and a boy under the age of 10 with gunshot wounds.Paramedics declared the two adults dead at the scene. The boy was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. Officials later said the child was in critical but stable condition.Police were canvassing the area for any witnesses to the shooting. The names of the victims were not immediately released.

KC police ID victims in fatal shooting that injured 5-year-old 

MOSCOW (AP) — The White House on Tuesday began referring to Russian troop deployments in eastern Ukraine as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">an “invasion”&nbsp;</a>after initially hesitating to use the term — a red line that President Joe Biden has said would result in the U.S. levying severe sanctions against Moscow.

Several European leaders said earlier in the day that Russian troops have moved into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recognized their independence — but some indicated it was not yet the long-feared, full-fledged invasion.

Later, the White House signaled a shift in its own position.

“We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine,” said Jon Finer, principal deputy national security adviser. “An invasion is an invasion and that is what is underway.”

The White House decided to begin referring to Russia’s actions as an “invasion” because of the situation on the ground, according to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The administration resisted initially calling the deployment of troops because the White House wanted to see what Russia was actually going to do. After assessing Russian troop movements, it became clear it was a new invasion, the official added.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki also alluded to the Russian action as being an invasion in a twitter post commenting on Germany chancellor Olaf Scholz decision to halt the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in response to Russia’s actions.

The U.S. president “made clear that if Russia invaded Ukraine, we would action would act with Germany to ensure Nord Stream 2 does not move forward,” Psaki said.

For weeks, Western powers have been bracing for an invasion as Russia massed an estimated 150,000 troops on three sides of neighboring Ukraine. They warned an attack would cause massive casualties,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-climate-business-russia-europe-a4e956253d3640084f8bdfaa2c901be8">energy shortages in Europe&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-asia-tokyo-europe-e6b1a6678833d81272b2dd7b130aa25a">economic chaos around the globe&nbsp;</a>— and promised swift and severe sanctions if it materialized. The European Union and Britain announced Tuesday that some of those measures were coming.

Western leaders have long warned Moscow would look for cover to invade — and just such a pretext appeared to come Monday, when Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-boris-johnson-europe-emmanuel-macron-2b7c2949ae3168effce9d0cb2584bb32">recognized as independent two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine</a>, where government troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-vladimir-putin-moscow-bcd0c04a2aa146e76b7e757f482f27bb">have fought Russia-backed rebels</a>&nbsp;in a conflict that has killed over 14,000 people. The Kremlin then raised the stakes further Tuesday, by saying that recognition extends even to the large parts now held by Ukrainian forces.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia has recognized the rebel regions’ independence “in borders that existed when they proclaimed” their independence in 2014 — broad territories that extend far beyond the areas now under the rebel control and that include the major Black Sea port of Mariupol.

Putin’s move to recognize the territories’ independence opened the door for him to formalize his hold on them and send forces in, though Ukraine and its Western allies have charged Russian troops have been fighting there for years. Moscow denies those allegations.

Condemnation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-asia-europe-united-nations-881717d75ad21662562dec7b5c8f43b0">from around the world was quick.</a>&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would consider breaking diplomatic ties with Russia and Kyiv recalled its ambassador in Moscow.

But confusion over what exactly was happening in eastern Ukraine threatened to hobble a Western response. While the U.S. clearly called it an invasion, some other allies hedged.

“Russian troops have entered in Donbas,” the name for the area where the two separatist regions are located, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in Paris. “We consider Donbas part of Ukraine.”

But in a distinction that could complicate a European and Western response, he added: “I wouldn’t say that (it is) a fully fledged invasion, but Russian troops are on Ukrainian soil.”

Poland’s Defense Ministry and British Health Secretary Sajid Javid also said Russian forces had entered Ukraine’s east, with Javid telling Sky News that “the invasion of Ukraine has begun.”

Not all in Europe saw it that way. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares noted “if Russia uses force against Ukraine, sanctions will be massive.”

The Kremlin hasn’t confirmed any troop deployments to the rebel east, saying it will depend on the security situation. Vladislav Brig, a member of the separatist local council in Donetsk, told reporters that the Russian troops already had moved in, but more senior rebel leaders didn’t confirm that. Late Monday, convoys of armored vehicles were seen rolling across the separatist-controlled territories. It wasn’t immediately clear if they were Russian.

In response to the moves thus far, top EU officials said the bloc was prepared to impose sanctions on several Russian officials and banks financing the Russian armed forces and move to limit Moscow’s access to EU capital and financial markets. They gave few details.

EU foreign ministers are meeting later Tuesday to discuss the measures — but they did not appear to include the massive punishment repeatedly promised in case of a full-fledged invasion.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said the U.K. would slap sanctions on five Russian banks and three wealthy individuals.

While he said that Russian tanks have already rolled into eastern Ukraine, he warned a full-scale offensive would bring “further powerful sanctions.”

The White House has also moved to respond, issuing an executive order to prohibit U.S. investment and trade in the separatist regions, and additional measures — likely sanctions — were to be announced Tuesday. Those sanctions are independent of what Washington has prepared in the event of a Russian invasion, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity.

The Russian moves also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-germany-europe-berlin-79e3dafb0d231f6a033613b7dab78cdf">pushed Germany</a>&nbsp;to suspend the certification process for Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was to bring natural gas from Russia. The pipeline was built to help Germany meet its energy needs, particularly as it switches off its last three nuclear power plants and phases out the use of coal, and it has resisted calls by the U.S. and others to halt the project.

As world leaders scrambled to decide on their response, legislation that will likely set the stage for a deeper move into Ukrainian territory moved through Russia’s parliament.

The bills, which sailed quickly through the Kremlin-controlled parliament, envisage military ties between Moscow and the separatist regions, including possible deployment of Russian military bases in the separatist regions.

Even as alarm spread across the globe, Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, sought to project calm, telling the country in an address overnight: “We are not afraid of anyone or anything. We don’t owe anyone anything. And we won’t give anything to anyone.”

His foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, will be in Washington on Tuesday to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the State Department said.

Russia has long denied it has any plans to invade Ukraine, instead blaming the U.S. and its allies for the current crisis and describing Ukraine’s bid to join NATO as an existential challenge to Russia. Putin reiterated those accusations in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-poland-vladimir-putin-f00872897f338dbedd857cd1d880e9d3">hourlong televised speech</a>&nbsp;on Monday, when he announced that Russia would recognize the rebels.

“Ukraine’s membership in NATO poses a direct threat to Russia’s security,” he said.

Russia says it wants Western guarantees that NATO won’t allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members. Moscow has also demanded the alliance halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe — demands flatly rejected by the West.

Putin warned Monday that the Western rejection of Moscow’s demands gives Russia the right to take other steps to protect its security.

Sweeping through more than a century of history, Putin painted today’s Ukraine as a modern construct used by the West to contain Russia despite the neighbors inextricable links.

In a stark warning to Ukraine, the Russian leader charged that it has unfairly inherited Russia’s historic land granted to it by the Communist rulers of the Soviet Union and mocked its effort to shed the Communist past in a so-called “decommunization” campaign.

“We are ready to show you what the real decommunization would mean for Ukraine,” Putin added ominously in an apparent signal of his readiness to raise new land claims.

Amid the soaring tensions, U.S. President Joe Biden and Putin tentatively agreed to a meeting in a last-ditch effort to avoid war. But the U.S. always said that if Russia moved in, the meeting would be off.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645539632172.png" alt="On Monday night, President Biden signed an Executive Order to deny Russia the chance to profit from its blatant violations of international law-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>On Monday night, President Biden signed an Executive Order to deny Russia the chance to profit from its blatant violations of international law-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) — The White House on Tuesday began referring to Russian troop deployments in eastern Ukraine as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">an “invasion”&nbsp;</a>after initially hesitating to use the term — a red line that President Joe Biden has said would result in the U.S. levying severe sanctions against Moscow.Several European leaders said earlier in the day that Russian troops have moved into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recognized their independence — but some indicated it was not yet the long-feared, full-fledged invasion.Later, the White House signaled a shift in its own position.“We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine,” said Jon Finer, principal deputy national security adviser. “An invasion is an invasion and that is what is underway.”The White House decided to begin referring to Russia’s actions as an “invasion” because of the situation on the ground, according to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.The administration resisted initially calling the deployment of troops because the White House wanted to see what Russia was actually going to do. After assessing Russian troop movements, it became clear it was a new invasion, the official added.White House press secretary Jen Psaki also alluded to the Russian action as being an invasion in a twitter post commenting on Germany chancellor Olaf Scholz decision to halt the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in response to Russia’s actions.The U.S. president “made clear that if Russia invaded Ukraine, we would action would act with Germany to ensure Nord Stream 2 does not move forward,” Psaki said.For weeks, Western powers have been bracing for an invasion as Russia massed an estimated 150,000 troops on three sides of neighboring Ukraine. They warned an attack would cause massive casualties,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-climate-business-russia-europe-a4e956253d3640084f8bdfaa2c901be8">energy shortages in Europe&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-asia-tokyo-europe-e6b1a6678833d81272b2dd7b130aa25a">economic chaos around the globe&nbsp;</a>— and promised swift and severe sanctions if it materialized. The European Union and Britain announced Tuesday that some of those measures were coming.Western leaders have long warned Moscow would look for cover to invade — and just such a pretext appeared to come Monday, when Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-boris-johnson-europe-emmanuel-macron-2b7c2949ae3168effce9d0cb2584bb32">recognized as independent two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine</a>, where government troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-vladimir-putin-moscow-bcd0c04a2aa146e76b7e757f482f27bb">have fought Russia-backed rebels</a>&nbsp;in a conflict that has killed over 14,000 people. The Kremlin then raised the stakes further Tuesday, by saying that recognition extends even to the large parts now held by Ukrainian forces.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia has recognized the rebel regions’ independence “in borders that existed when they proclaimed” their independence in 2014 — broad territories that extend far beyond the areas now under the rebel control and that include the major Black Sea port of Mariupol.Putin’s move to recognize the territories’ independence opened the door for him to formalize his hold on them and send forces in, though Ukraine and its Western allies have charged Russian troops have been fighting there for years. Moscow denies those allegations.Condemnation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-asia-europe-united-nations-881717d75ad21662562dec7b5c8f43b0">from around the world was quick.</a>&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would consider breaking diplomatic ties with Russia and Kyiv recalled its ambassador in Moscow.But confusion over what exactly was happening in eastern Ukraine threatened to hobble a Western response. While the U.S. clearly called it an invasion, some other allies hedged.“Russian troops have entered in Donbas,” the name for the area where the two separatist regions are located, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in Paris. “We consider Donbas part of Ukraine.”But in a distinction that could complicate a European and Western response, he added: “I wouldn’t say that (it is) a fully fledged invasion, but Russian troops are on Ukrainian soil.”Poland’s Defense Ministry and British Health Secretary Sajid Javid also said Russian forces had entered Ukraine’s east, with Javid telling Sky News that “the invasion of Ukraine has begun.”Not all in Europe saw it that way. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares noted “if Russia uses force against Ukraine, sanctions will be massive.”The Kremlin hasn’t confirmed any troop deployments to the rebel east, saying it will depend on the security situation. Vladislav Brig, a member of the separatist local council in Donetsk, told reporters that the Russian troops already had moved in, but more senior rebel leaders didn’t confirm that. Late Monday, convoys of armored vehicles were seen rolling across the separatist-controlled territories. It wasn’t immediately clear if they were Russian.In response to the moves thus far, top EU officials said the bloc was prepared to impose sanctions on several Russian officials and banks financing the Russian armed forces and move to limit Moscow’s access to EU capital and financial markets. They gave few details.EU foreign ministers are meeting later Tuesday to discuss the measures — but they did not appear to include the massive punishment repeatedly promised in case of a full-fledged invasion.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said the U.K. would slap sanctions on five Russian banks and three wealthy individuals.While he said that Russian tanks have already rolled into eastern Ukraine, he warned a full-scale offensive would bring “further powerful sanctions.”The White House has also moved to respond, issuing an executive order to prohibit U.S. investment and trade in the separatist regions, and additional measures — likely sanctions — were to be announced Tuesday. Those sanctions are independent of what Washington has prepared in the event of a Russian invasion, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity.The Russian moves also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-germany-europe-berlin-79e3dafb0d231f6a033613b7dab78cdf">pushed Germany</a>&nbsp;to suspend the certification process for Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was to bring natural gas from Russia. The pipeline was built to help Germany meet its energy needs, particularly as it switches off its last three nuclear power plants and phases out the use of coal, and it has resisted calls by the U.S. and others to halt the project.As world leaders scrambled to decide on their response, legislation that will likely set the stage for a deeper move into Ukrainian territory moved through Russia’s parliament.The bills, which sailed quickly through the Kremlin-controlled parliament, envisage military ties between Moscow and the separatist regions, including possible deployment of Russian military bases in the separatist regions.Even as alarm spread across the globe, Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, sought to project calm, telling the country in an address overnight: “We are not afraid of anyone or anything. We don’t owe anyone anything. And we won’t give anything to anyone.”His foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, will be in Washington on Tuesday to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the State Department said.Russia has long denied it has any plans to invade Ukraine, instead blaming the U.S. and its allies for the current crisis and describing Ukraine’s bid to join NATO as an existential challenge to Russia. Putin reiterated those accusations in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-poland-vladimir-putin-f00872897f338dbedd857cd1d880e9d3">hourlong televised speech</a>&nbsp;on Monday, when he announced that Russia would recognize the rebels.“Ukraine’s membership in NATO poses a direct threat to Russia’s security,” he said.Russia says it wants Western guarantees that NATO won’t allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members. Moscow has also demanded the alliance halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe — demands flatly rejected by the West.Putin warned Monday that the Western rejection of Moscow’s demands gives Russia the right to take other steps to protect its security.Sweeping through more than a century of history, Putin painted today’s Ukraine as a modern construct used by the West to contain Russia despite the neighbors inextricable links.In a stark warning to Ukraine, the Russian leader charged that it has unfairly inherited Russia’s historic land granted to it by the Communist rulers of the Soviet Union and mocked its effort to shed the Communist past in a so-called “decommunization” campaign.“We are ready to show you what the real decommunization would mean for Ukraine,” Putin added ominously in an apparent signal of his readiness to raise new land claims.Amid the soaring tensions, U.S. President Joe Biden and Putin tentatively agreed to a meeting in a last-ditch effort to avoid war. But the U.S. always said that if Russia moved in, the meeting would be off.

White House now calls Russian moves on Ukraine an invasion

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday east of Salina.

A 2000 Ford F150 driven by Chris Engle, 51, of Salina, was westbound on E. Magnolia Road just west of South Cunningham Road,&nbsp;according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

The pickup traveled off the south side of the road and through two fences before launching over the roadway and striking a culvert on the north side.

Engle was pronounced dead at the scene, Soldan said. He had been properly restrained and there were no signs of impairment, Soldan added.

The pickup, owned by BlueLine Remodeling and Contracting, sustained substantial damage and was towed from the scene. Engle was an employee of BlueLine, according to Soldan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645546563879.png" alt="Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure> By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday east of Salina.A 2000 Ford F150 driven by Chris Engle, 51, of Salina, was westbound on E. Magnolia Road just west of South Cunningham Road,&nbsp;according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.The pickup traveled off the south side of the road and through two fences before launching over the roadway and striking a culvert on the north side.Engle was pronounced dead at the scene, Soldan said. He had been properly restrained and there were no signs of impairment, Soldan added.The pickup, owned by BlueLine Remodeling and Contracting, sustained substantial damage and was towed from the scene. Engle was an employee of BlueLine, according to Soldan.

Sheriff IDs Kan. man who died in violent weekend accident

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect involved in an accident that sent two police officers to the hospital.

Just before 6p.m. Monday, officers&nbsp;were responding to a domestic call in the Oakland area of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

 As officers were approaching SE 4th and SE Golden, a westbound vehicle&nbsp; ran the stop sign and struck the police car with two officers inside. Both officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment and were later released.

As a result of the investigation, Olbin Adinai Gutierrez-Garcia, 21 of Topeka, was transported to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of DUI, Reckless Driving, No Driver’s License and No Insurance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645527986797.png" alt="Gutierrez-Garcia" />
 <figcaption>Gutierrez-Garcia</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect involved in an accident that sent two police officers to the hospital.Just before 6p.m. Monday, officers&nbsp;were responding to a domestic call in the Oakland area of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley. As officers were approaching SE 4th and SE Golden, a westbound vehicle&nbsp; ran the stop sign and struck the police car with two officers inside. Both officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment and were later released.As a result of the investigation, Olbin Adinai Gutierrez-Garcia, 21 of Topeka, was transported to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of DUI, Reckless Driving, No Driver’s License and No Insurance.

2 Kan. officers hospitalized after crash with alleged drunk driver

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Monday night responded to reports that Russian troops invaded Eastern Ukraine:

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an avoidable tragedy for which Vladimir Putin is solely responsible. President Biden and our allies&nbsp;must impose punishing sanctions on Russia’s vital economic sectors and provide humanitarian support to Ukrainian victims of Moscow’s aggression. It is also imperative that all NATO allies remain unified against the Russian threat and ensure the security of the alliance’s eastern-most members. While this moment underscores the need for our allies to contribute more to NATO’s defense, the United States’ commitment to our NATO obligations cannot be in doubt.

“I am grateful for our military service members stationed in Europe—and those who have recently deployed there—for demonstrating to our NATO allies in Europe and around the world that the United States can be relied upon.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644151735079.png" alt="U.S. combat troops on the way to Poland in a demonstration of American commitment to NATO allies -photo U.S. Defense Department" />
 <figcaption>U.S. combat troops on the way to Poland in a demonstration of American commitment to NATO allies -photo U.S. Defense Department</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Monday night responded to reports that Russian troops invaded Eastern Ukraine:“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an avoidable tragedy for which Vladimir Putin is solely responsible. President Biden and our allies&nbsp;must impose punishing sanctions on Russia’s vital economic sectors and provide humanitarian support to Ukrainian victims of Moscow’s aggression. It is also imperative that all NATO allies remain unified against the Russian threat and ensure the security of the alliance’s eastern-most members. While this moment underscores the need for our allies to contribute more to NATO’s defense, the United States’ commitment to our NATO obligations cannot be in doubt.“I am grateful for our military service members stationed in Europe—and those who have recently deployed there—for demonstrating to our NATO allies in Europe and around the world that the United States can be relied upon.”

Moran: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an avoidable tragedy

SHAWNEE COUNTY—There were no serious injuries after a fire at a Kansas home on Monday in Topeka.

Just after 9a.m. fire crews responded to report of a fire in a home at 509 SW 5th Street, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the two story wood frame multi-family home. Firefighters found no residents in the home but located two dogs including one of which was semi-conscious. Firefighters removed both dogs and began administering oxygen to one.

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, more likely than not associated with a dog turning a stove burner on.

The estimated dollar loss – $1,000.00; of which $500.00 is associated with structure loss and $500.00 in contents loss. Working smoke detectors were not located in the home, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645484485434.png" alt="One of the dogs rescued -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>One of the dogs rescued -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—There were no serious injuries after a fire at a Kansas home on Monday in Topeka.Just after 9a.m. fire crews responded to report of a fire in a home at 509 SW 5th Street, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the two story wood frame multi-family home. Firefighters found no residents in the home but located two dogs including one of which was semi-conscious. Firefighters removed both dogs and began administering oxygen to one.A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, more likely than not associated with a dog turning a stove burner on.The estimated dollar loss – $1,000.00; of which $500.00 is associated with structure loss and $500.00 in contents loss. Working smoke detectors were not located in the home, according to Harrison.

Fire Marshal: Dog accidentally started fire at Kansas home

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman for&nbsp;trafficking large quantities of marijuana into Kansas.

On Saturday, a sheriff’s deputy stopped a 2013 Dodge Durango for a traffic infraction in the construction zone on U.S. Highway 75 near Netawaka, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

 Further investigation into the traffic stop led deputies to discover a large quantity of marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle. 

 The driver, Kristian Renea Shepherd, 36, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested and is being held in the Jackson County Jail for felony distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645385042821.png" alt="Shepherd-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Shepherd-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman for&nbsp;trafficking large quantities of marijuana into Kansas.On Saturday, a sheriff’s deputy stopped a 2013 Dodge Durango for a traffic infraction in the construction zone on U.S. Highway 75 near Netawaka, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. Further investigation into the traffic stop led deputies to discover a large quantity of marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle. The driver, Kristian Renea Shepherd, 36, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested and is being held in the Jackson County Jail for felony distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp, according to Morse.

Sheriff: Woman brought large quantity of marijuana to Kansas

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/21/senate-panel-signs-off-on-kansas-income-tax-deduction-increase-credit-for-teachers/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Kansas Senate panel 
backed two bills Monday providing tax relief for everyday Kansans and 
teachers using their own money to fund classroom needs.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb519/">Senate Bill 519</a>&nbsp;increases
 the standard deduction by 25% in Kansas from $3,500 to $4,375 for an 
individual filing as single, $8,000 to $10,000 for married couples 
filing together and $6,000 to $7,500 for those filing as a head of 
household beginning in 2023. The Department of Revenue estimated the 
bill would decrease state revenue by $23.4 million in 2024, $78.4 
million in 2025 and $79.1 million in 2026.

Still, some legislators echoed hesitancy expressed in opponent 
testimony that the committee’s time would be better spent on other, more
 pressing tax policies. The Legislature passed a bill last year 
increasing the standard deduction.

Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, said he likes the policy but not its prioritization.

“What are the priorities for Kansas households for tax policy at this
 point?” said Holland, who passed on the vote. “I think there’s some 
debate as to how much room we have for tax policy. I want to see a food 
tax done, and I also want to be sure that we consider a one-time income 
tax rebate versus an ongoing standard deduction.”

Testimony from Kansas Action for Children argued the tax deduction 
was already generous to those who need it and recommended the panel 
focus on amending the tax bracket structure instead. Supporters of the 
measure countered there was more than enough room for the increased 
standard deduction and other tax measures.

The approved measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

“It would generate savings for a majority of families in the state of
 Kansas, much more than what they pay in a food sales tax,” said Sen. 
Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Assessment
 and Taxation Committee. “I would support increasing it, but 25% is a 
good start in the right direction.”

A second measure receiving the panel’s stamp of approval would 
provide an income tax credit to any Kansas resident employed as a public
 or private school teacher for any expenses made for school and 
classroom supplies beginning in 2022. KDOR estimated that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb520/">Senate Bill 520</a>&nbsp;would reduce state revenue by $20.4 million in 2023, $10.4 million in 2024 and $10.5 million in 2025.

The credit may not exceed $250, although the committee discussed the possibility of a higher cap.

Tim Graham, director of legislative and political advocacy at the 
Kansas National Education Association, said teachers were grateful for 
the bill, but he also suggested making the credit available to 
paraprofessionals. The amendment was not added.

“We feel like this dynamic of teachers shelling out money out of 
their own pockets, has been something that has gone on for far too 
long.” Graham said. “It’s almost become a dynamic that is expected.”

An amendment by Sen. Virgil Peck removed the refundability of the tax credit, despite objections from Democrat legislators.

“This is so minimal,” Peck said. “It’s $250, which we might have – 
before it gets out of the Capitol — (to) change that amount, but it 
seems like the refundable part is more administrative headache and 
heartache than what I am willing to do at this time.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645471796551.png" alt="Sen. Tom Holland declined to vote on a measure increasing the standard tax deduction in Kansas by 25% because he felt there are more pressing tax policy needs for the state. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Tom Holland declined to vote on a measure increasing the standard tax deduction in Kansas by 25% because he felt there are more pressing tax policy needs for the state. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/21/senate-panel-signs-off-on-kansas-income-tax-deduction-increase-credit-for-teachers/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Kansas Senate panel 
backed two bills Monday providing tax relief for everyday Kansans and 
teachers using their own money to fund classroom needs.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb519/">Senate Bill 519</a>&nbsp;increases
 the standard deduction by 25% in Kansas from $3,500 to $4,375 for an 
individual filing as single, $8,000 to $10,000 for married couples 
filing together and $6,000 to $7,500 for those filing as a head of 
household beginning in 2023. The Department of Revenue estimated the 
bill would decrease state revenue by $23.4 million in 2024, $78.4 
million in 2025 and $79.1 million in 2026.Still, some legislators echoed hesitancy expressed in opponent 
testimony that the committee’s time would be better spent on other, more
 pressing tax policies. The Legislature passed a bill last year 
increasing the standard deduction.Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, said he likes the policy but not its prioritization.“What are the priorities for Kansas households for tax policy at this
 point?” said Holland, who passed on the vote. “I think there’s some 
debate as to how much room we have for tax policy. I want to see a food 
tax done, and I also want to be sure that we consider a one-time income 
tax rebate versus an ongoing standard deduction.”Testimony from Kansas Action for Children argued the tax deduction 
was already generous to those who need it and recommended the panel 
focus on amending the tax bracket structure instead. Supporters of the 
measure countered there was more than enough room for the increased 
standard deduction and other tax measures.The approved measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration.“It would generate savings for a majority of families in the state of
 Kansas, much more than what they pay in a food sales tax,” said Sen. 
Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Assessment
 and Taxation Committee. “I would support increasing it, but 25% is a 
good start in the right direction.”A second measure receiving the panel’s stamp of approval would 
provide an income tax credit to any Kansas resident employed as a public
 or private school teacher for any expenses made for school and 
classroom supplies beginning in 2022. KDOR estimated that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb520/">Senate Bill 520</a>&nbsp;would reduce state revenue by $20.4 million in 2023, $10.4 million in 2024 and $10.5 million in 2025.The credit may not exceed $250, although the committee discussed the possibility of a higher cap.Tim Graham, director of legislative and political advocacy at the 
Kansas National Education Association, said teachers were grateful for 
the bill, but he also suggested making the credit available to 
paraprofessionals. The amendment was not added.“We feel like this dynamic of teachers shelling out money out of 
their own pockets, has been something that has gone on for far too 
long.” Graham said. “It’s almost become a dynamic that is expected.”An amendment by Sen. Virgil Peck removed the refundability of the tax credit, despite objections from Democrat legislators.“This is so minimal,” Peck said. “It’s $250, which we might have – 
before it gets out of the Capitol — (to) change that amount, but it 
seems like the refundable part is more administrative headache and 
heartache than what I am willing to do at this time.”

Kan. panel signs off on income tax deduction increase, teacher credit

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) program office announced today that its 2022 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4134.pdf">Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List</a>&nbsp;PDF, is now available.

IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List, provides 
information about LITCs by geographic area, including contact 
information and details about the languages, in addition to English, in 
which each LITC offers services.

A <a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/about-us/low-income-taxpayer-clinics-litc/">Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC)</a>
 represents individuals whose incomes are generally at or below 250% of 
the federal poverty guideline, and who are seeking to resolve tax 
problems with the IRS, such as audits, appeals and tax collection 
disputes. LITCs can represent taxpayers in court as well as before the 
IRS. They also can provide information about taxpayer rights and 
responsibilities in different languages for English as a Second Language
 (ESL) taxpayers.

The LITC program is a federal grant program administered by the 
Taxpayer Advocate Service, led by National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. 
Collins. Through the LITC program, the IRS awards matching grants of up 
to $100,000 per year to qualifying organizations. LITCs provide services
 for free or a small fee. They receive IRS grants but work independently
 to assist and advocate for taxpayers.

Organizations interested in representing, educating and advocating for low-income and ESL taxpayers can check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAHNRTCi7MI">video</a> about applying for an LITC grant and review the most recent <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3319.pdf">application package</a>&nbsp;PDF.

There are presently no LITCs in the states of Montana and North 
Dakota, the territory of Puerto Rico, as well as unserved counties in 
the states of Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, North Carolina and 
Pennsylvania. Qualifying organizations that will serve taxpayers in 
these states, territories and unserved counties are strongly encouraged 
to apply.

A complete list of organizations that are currently funded and where they are located can be found by looking at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4134.pdf">Publication 4134.</a>&nbsp;PDF
 Individuals who have questions or need additional information about the
 LITC program or application process, can contact Karen Tober with the 
LITC program office via email at <a href="mailto:LITCProgramOffice@irs.gov">litcprogramoffice@irs.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) program office announced today that its 2022 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4134.pdf">Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List</a>&nbsp;PDF, is now available.IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List, provides 
information about LITCs by geographic area, including contact 
information and details about the languages, in addition to English, in 
which each LITC offers services.<h2>How an LITC can help</h2>A <a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/about-us/low-income-taxpayer-clinics-litc/">Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC)</a>
 represents individuals whose incomes are generally at or below 250% of 
the federal poverty guideline, and who are seeking to resolve tax 
problems with the IRS, such as audits, appeals and tax collection 
disputes. LITCs can represent taxpayers in court as well as before the 
IRS. They also can provide information about taxpayer rights and 
responsibilities in different languages for English as a Second Language
 (ESL) taxpayers.<h2>LITC program information</h2>The LITC program is a federal grant program administered by the 
Taxpayer Advocate Service, led by National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. 
Collins. Through the LITC program, the IRS awards matching grants of up 
to $100,000 per year to qualifying organizations. LITCs provide services
 for free or a small fee. They receive IRS grants but work independently
 to assist and advocate for taxpayers.<h2>Interested in becoming an LITC?</h2>Organizations interested in representing, educating and advocating for low-income and ESL taxpayers can check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAHNRTCi7MI">video</a> about applying for an LITC grant and review the most recent <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3319.pdf">application package</a>&nbsp;PDF.There are presently no LITCs in the states of Montana and North 
Dakota, the territory of Puerto Rico, as well as unserved counties in 
the states of Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, North Carolina and 
Pennsylvania. Qualifying organizations that will serve taxpayers in 
these states, territories and unserved counties are strongly encouraged 
to apply.A complete list of organizations that are currently funded and where they are located can be found by looking at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4134.pdf">Publication 4134.</a>&nbsp;PDF
 Individuals who have questions or need additional information about the
 LITC program or application process, can contact Karen Tober with the 
LITC program office via email at <a href="mailto:LITCProgramOffice@irs.gov">litcprogramoffice@irs.gov</a>.

2022 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List now available

Reported fraud losses increase more than 70 percent over 2020 to more than $5.8B    

Newly released <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2021">Federal Trade Commission data</a>&nbsp;shows
 that consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021,
 an increase of more than 70 percent over the previous year.

The FTC received fraud reports from more than 2.8 million consumers 
last year, with the most commonly reported category once again being 
imposter scams, followed by online shopping scams.

Prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries; internet services; and business 
and job opportunities rounded out the top five fraud categories.

Of the losses reported by consumers, more than $2.3 billion of losses
 reported last year were due to imposter scams—up from $1.2 billion in 
2020, while online shopping accounted for about $392 million in reported
 losses from consumers—up from $246 million in 2020.

The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network (Sentinel) is a database that 
receives reports directly from consumers, as well as from federal, 
state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Better Business Bureau, 
industry members, and non-profit organizations. Twenty-five states now 
contribute to Sentinel. Reports from around the country about consumer 
protection issues are a key resource for FTC investigations that stop 
illegal activities and, when possible, provide refunds to consumers.

Sentinel received more than 5.7 million reports in 2021; these 
include the fraud reports detailed above, as well as identity theft 
reports and complaints related to other consumer issues, such as 
problems with credit bureaus and banks and lenders. In 2021, there were 
nearly 1.4 million reports of identity theft received by the FTC.

The FTC uses the reports it receives through Sentinel as the starting
 point for many of its law enforcement investigations, and the agency 
also shares these reports with approximately 2,800 federal, state, 
local, and international law enforcement professionals. While the FTC 
does not intervene in individual complaints, Sentinel reports are a 
vital part of the agency’s law enforcement mission.

A full breakdown of reports received in 2021 is now available on the FTC’s data analysis site at <a href="https://ftc.gov/exploredata">ftc.gov/exploredata</a>.
 The data dashboards there break down the reports across a numbers of 
categories, including by state and metropolitan area, as well as 
exploring a number of subcategories of fraud reports.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Reported fraud losses increase more than 70 percent over 2020 to more than $5.8B </h2>FTCNewly released <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2021">Federal Trade Commission data</a>&nbsp;shows
 that consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021,
 an increase of more than 70 percent over the previous year.The FTC received fraud reports from more than 2.8 million consumers 
last year, with the most commonly reported category once again being 
imposter scams, followed by online shopping scams.Prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries; internet services; and business 
and job opportunities rounded out the top five fraud categories.Of the losses reported by consumers, more than $2.3 billion of losses
 reported last year were due to imposter scams—up from $1.2 billion in 
2020, while online shopping accounted for about $392 million in reported
 losses from consumers—up from $246 million in 2020.The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network (Sentinel) is a database that 
receives reports directly from consumers, as well as from federal, 
state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Better Business Bureau, 
industry members, and non-profit organizations. Twenty-five states now 
contribute to Sentinel. Reports from around the country about consumer 
protection issues are a key resource for FTC investigations that stop 
illegal activities and, when possible, provide refunds to consumers.Sentinel received more than 5.7 million reports in 2021; these 
include the fraud reports detailed above, as well as identity theft 
reports and complaints related to other consumer issues, such as 
problems with credit bureaus and banks and lenders. In 2021, there were 
nearly 1.4 million reports of identity theft received by the FTC.The FTC uses the reports it receives through Sentinel as the starting
 point for many of its law enforcement investigations, and the agency 
also shares these reports with approximately 2,800 federal, state, 
local, and international law enforcement professionals. While the FTC 
does not intervene in individual complaints, Sentinel reports are a 
vital part of the agency’s law enforcement mission.A full breakdown of reports received in 2021 is now available on the FTC’s data analysis site at <a href="https://ftc.gov/exploredata">ftc.gov/exploredata</a>.
 The data dashboards there break down the reports across a numbers of 
categories, including by state and metropolitan area, as well as 
exploring a number of subcategories of fraud reports.

Report: FTC received 2.8M fraud reports from consumers in 2021

Buying a home can be one of the most important financial investments you will ever make. But
 how do you know if the house is everything it appears to be? If your 
new home has hidden structural issues and needs major repairs, you may 
be buying into a money pit and sleepless nights. A home inspection is one of the smartest ways to educate yourself about the physical condition of a property before you buy.&nbsp;

A home inspection is a visual inspection of the physical structure 
and mechanical condition of a home - from roof to foundation. The 
inspection is designed to identify problems, advise of repairs needed 
and, in some cases, provide preventive maintenance advice. A home 
inspection points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the 
maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. A 
home inspector may be a residential architect, structural engineer, or 
building contractor. Currently, home inspectors are not regulated on a 
federal level in either the United State or Canada. But many states and 
provinces have their own licensing requirments. To find out what your 
region requires, check out <a href="https://www.homeinspector.org/StateRegulations" target="_blank">this list from American Society of Home Inspectors</a> or <a href="https://www.homeinspectioninstitute.com/cregulations.php" target="_blank">Professional Home Inspection Institute in Canada</a>. For structural engineer licensing requirements in the U.S., see the <a href="http://www.ncsea.com/resources/licensure/" target="_blank">National Council of Structural Engineers Association (NCSEA)</a> website.

Pick a home inspector who has experience, positive references, and is
 known for being very comprehensive. While this may cost more upfront, 
hiring a great inspector will save you money in the long run. If you 
don’t get a complete, accurate inspection, you may miss major problems 
and your chance to negotiate repairs with the seller.&nbsp;

Ultimately, no inspection can guarantee that something won’t go wrong
 with a home, but getting a thorough inspection job can really help 
prevent expensive, nasty surprises.

For more help buying a home, check out our tips on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/19906-bbb-tip-how-to-shop-for-financial-services" target="_blank">shopping for financial services</a> or <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20147-bbb-tip-how-to-choose-a-real-estate-agent" target="_blank">hiring a real estate agent.</a> Find <a href="https://bbb.org/near-me/home-inspection" target="_blank">home inspectors near you</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBBuying a home can be one of the most important financial investments you will ever make. But
 how do you know if the house is everything it appears to be? If your 
new home has hidden structural issues and needs major repairs, you may 
be buying into a money pit and sleepless nights. A home inspection is one of the smartest ways to educate yourself about the physical condition of a property before you buy.&nbsp;<h2>What's a home inspection?&nbsp;</h2>A home inspection is a visual inspection of the physical structure 
and mechanical condition of a home - from roof to foundation. The 
inspection is designed to identify problems, advise of repairs needed 
and, in some cases, provide preventive maintenance advice. A home 
inspection points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the 
maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. A 
home inspector may be a residential architect, structural engineer, or 
building contractor. Currently, home inspectors are not regulated on a 
federal level in either the United State or Canada. But many states and 
provinces have their own licensing requirments. To find out what your 
region requires, check out <a href="https://www.homeinspector.org/StateRegulations" target="_blank">this list from American Society of Home Inspectors</a> or <a href="https://www.homeinspectioninstitute.com/cregulations.php" target="_blank">Professional Home Inspection Institute in Canada</a>. For structural engineer licensing requirements in the U.S., see the <a href="http://www.ncsea.com/resources/licensure/" target="_blank">National Council of Structural Engineers Association (NCSEA)</a> website.<h2>Tips for hiring a home inspector</h2>Pick a home inspector who has experience, positive references, and is
 known for being very comprehensive. While this may cost more upfront, 
hiring a great inspector will save you money in the long run. If you 
don’t get a complete, accurate inspection, you may miss major problems 
and your chance to negotiate repairs with the seller.&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations. Ask for and experienced home inspector who is known for being very thorough. </li><li>Find someone familiar with your type of home and the issues you need to inspect.
 Be sure your inspector specializes in homes, not commercial properties,
 and any issues you anticipate finding. For example, if you’re concerned
 about a home’s structure, consider hiring a professional engineer or 
architect who also does general home inspections. Also, be sure your 
agreement with the inspector covers the systems you most need to have 
examined.&nbsp; </li><li>Ask prospective inspectors questions about their 
professional training, relevant experience and/or length of time in 
business. Find out if the inspector belongs to a professional 
association, such as the <a href="https://www.homeinspector.org/" target="_blank">American Society of Home Inspectors</a>, the <a href="https://www.nspe.org/" target="_blank">National Society of Professional Engineers</a>, or the <a href="https://www.cahpi.ca/" target="_blank">Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors</a>. Membership in professional associations may offer added assurance of an inspector's qualifications and training. </li><li>Make sure your home inspector is working in your best interests.
 For example, many home inpectors rely on referrals from real estate 
agents for their business. This means that the inspector may be more 
interested in maintaining that relationship than providing you a 
thorough inspection. They may be less inclined to identify major repair 
issues that hold up the sale of your home. Also, be cautious about 
hiring a home inspector who is looking to get contracting work from you. </li><li>Be present during the inspection. The majority of 
inspectors will allow you to tour the home with them and ask questions 
during or after the inspection. The inspection can last anywhere from 
two to five hours, depending on the size of the house. </li><li>Ask how soon after the inspection will you receive a copy of the home inspection final written report.
 Carefully read your home inspection report and make a list of items 
that need correction. Understand that the home inspection report records
 the condition of the home, both positives and negatives. This will help
 you to determine your future expenditures for repairs and maintenance. 
The report will contain useful information that serves as a reference 
for you in the future. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">Check BBB.org</a>
 to see if the home inspector is a BBB Accredited Business and read 
reviews. Ensure that the business responds to complaints in a timely 
fashion.&nbsp; Find <a href="https://bbb.org/near-me/home-inspection" target="_blank">home inspectors near you</a>.</li>
 </ul>Ultimately, no inspection can guarantee that something won’t go wrong
 with a home, but getting a thorough inspection job can really help 
prevent expensive, nasty surprises.<h2>For More Information</h2>For more help buying a home, check out our tips on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/19906-bbb-tip-how-to-shop-for-financial-services" target="_blank">shopping for financial services</a> or <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20147-bbb-tip-how-to-choose-a-real-estate-agent" target="_blank">hiring a real estate agent.</a> Find <a href="https://bbb.org/near-me/home-inspection" target="_blank">home inspectors near you</a>.See&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/your-home-hq" target="_blank">BBB's Home HQ</a>&nbsp;for information on buying, selling, building and where to find help for improving the inside and outside of your home.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-serving-metropolitan-new-york" target="_blank">BBB serving Metropolitan New York</a> contributed to this article.&nbsp;