By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY- A Kansas woman was injured when her vehicle was rear-ended on Interstate 135 near Assaria Monday evening.

According to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan,&nbsp; a 2015 Nissan Altima driven by Jayden Norwood, 18, of Salina, was southbound on Interstate 135 near the Assaria exit, when he looked down to pick up a water bottle. 

When he looked up, his vehicle was quickly bearing down on a 2021 Toyota RAV4 ahead of him. Soldan said that at the time, Norwood was using the car's cruise control and was not able to stop before rear-ending the RAV4.

The accident occurred at 7 p.m. Monday near milepost 82 on I-135.

Anita Neilson, 61, of Lindsborg, the driver of the RAV4, complained of general pain and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center.

Norwood was cited for following too closely, Soldan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644941410553.jpeg" alt="The Altima sustained major front-end damage in the wreck. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>The Altima sustained major front-end damage in the wreck. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY- A Kansas woman was injured when her vehicle was rear-ended on Interstate 135 near Assaria Monday evening.According to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan,&nbsp; a 2015 Nissan Altima driven by Jayden Norwood, 18, of Salina, was southbound on Interstate 135 near the Assaria exit, when he looked down to pick up a water bottle. When he looked up, his vehicle was quickly bearing down on a 2021 Toyota RAV4 ahead of him. Soldan said that at the time, Norwood was using the car's cruise control and was not able to stop before rear-ending the RAV4.The accident occurred at 7 p.m. Monday near milepost 82 on I-135.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644941502157.png" alt="Damage to the RAV4." />
 <figcaption>Damage to the RAV4.</figcaption>
 </figure>Anita Neilson, 61, of Lindsborg, the driver of the RAV4, complained of general pain and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center.Norwood was cited for following too closely, Soldan said.

Sheriff: Kan. teen reached for water just before rear-end crash

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — The father of an infant killed in a house fire in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, has been charged with first-degree murder and other counts in the case. 

The fire was reported around 1 a.m. Sunday in Shawnee, and firefighters battling the flames found the body of the infant inside home. Television station WDAF reports that police later arrested 28-year-old Nicholas Adam Ecker. 

Ecker was charged Monday in Johnson County Court Monday with first-degree murder and aggravated arson. Ecker is also charged with felony stalking, domestic aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm. He is being held on $1 million bond.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the&nbsp; a&nbsp; Sunday morning house fire that left a child dead have made an arrest, according to Major Jim Baker with the Shawnee, Kansas police department.

Just before 1a.m. Sunday, fire crews responded to the fire in a home at 10502 west 69th Terrace in Shawnee. When crews arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters located an infant boy inside the home who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Deputy Fire Chief Corey Sands.

On Monday, Police arrested 28-year-old Nicholas Ecker on requested charges of first-degree murder, stalking and aggravated domestic battery, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644924205485.png" alt="Ecker-photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Ecker-photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — The father of an infant killed in a house fire in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, has been charged with first-degree murder and other counts in the case. The fire was reported around 1 a.m. Sunday in Shawnee, and firefighters battling the flames found the body of the infant inside home. Television station WDAF reports that police later arrested 28-year-old Nicholas Adam Ecker. Ecker was charged Monday in Johnson County Court Monday with first-degree murder and aggravated arson. Ecker is also charged with felony stalking, domestic aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm. He is being held on $1 million bond.--------JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the&nbsp; a&nbsp; Sunday morning house fire that left a child dead have made an arrest, according to Major Jim Baker with the Shawnee, Kansas police department.Just before 1a.m. Sunday, fire crews responded to the fire in a home at 10502 west 69th Terrace in Shawnee. When crews arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters located an infant boy inside the home who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Deputy Fire Chief Corey Sands.On Monday, Police arrested 28-year-old Nicholas Ecker on requested charges of first-degree murder, stalking and aggravated domestic battery, according to online jail records.

Father charged with murder after infant found dead in fire

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man accused of indiscriminately firing a gun in the middle of a Kansas City street was shot and injured by police early Tuesday morning, officials there said.

The shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in a residential area in the Ivanhoe Northeast neighborhood. Officers who arrived on the scene for reports of a shooting found a man in the street firing a handgun into the air, television&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/kcpd-mshp-on-scene-of-officer-involved-shooting">station KSHB reported</a>.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said officers first fired bean bag rounds at the man, but were unable to subdue him, even after he had been hit by the less-than-lethal rounds.

“That is a pretty substantial hit to take and still continue doing what you’re doing,” patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe said.

The man continued to threaten officers with the gun, and at least one officer shot him, Lowe said. The man was taken to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, police said. Officials have not released the man's name.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the shooting by police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644938198074.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man accused of indiscriminately firing a gun in the middle of a Kansas City street was shot and injured by police early Tuesday morning, officials there said.The shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in a residential area in the Ivanhoe Northeast neighborhood. Officers who arrived on the scene for reports of a shooting found a man in the street firing a handgun into the air, television&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/kcpd-mshp-on-scene-of-officer-involved-shooting">station KSHB reported</a>.The Missouri State Highway Patrol said officers first fired bean bag rounds at the man, but were unable to subdue him, even after he had been hit by the less-than-lethal rounds.“That is a pretty substantial hit to take and still continue doing what you’re doing,” patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe said.The man continued to threaten officers with the gun, and at least one officer shot him, Lowe said. The man was taken to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, police said. Officials have not released the man's name.No one else was injured in the shooting.The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the shooting by police.

Man reportedly firing gun in air shot by Kansas City police

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated Press

When nurse Julia Buffo was told by her Montana hospital that she had to be vaccinated against COVID-19, she responded by filling out paperwork declaring that the shots run afoul of her religious beliefs.

She cited various Old and New Testament verses including a passage from Revelation that vaccine opponents often quote to liken the shots to the “Mark of the Beast.” She told her managers that God is the “ultimate guardian of health” and that accepting the vaccine would make her “complicit with evil.”

Religious exemptions like the one Buffo obtained are increasingly becoming a workaround for unvaccinated hospital and nursing home workers who want to keep their jobs in the face of federal mandates that are going into effect nationwide this week.

In some institutions, religious exemptions are being invoked by staff and approved by managers in large numbers. It’s a tricky issue for hospital administrators, who are struggling to maintain adequate staff levels and are often reticent to question the legitimacy of the requests.

“We’re not going to have a Spanish inquisition with Torquemada deciding if your religious exemption is granted or not by the Grand Inquisitor,” said Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital in Missouri, where about 25% of the 145 employees remain unvaccinated and 30 of them have been granted exemptions.

Tobler, who is vaccinated, said some employees threatened to quit if they were required to get the shot.

“For people that want to judge what we’re doing in rural America, I’d love them to come and walk in our shoes for a little while, just come and sit in the desk and try to staff the place,” Tobler said.

At Cody Regional Health in Wyoming, about 200 of the 620 staffers have asked for religious exemptions and most have been granted. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte pledged his support last week to “defending Montanans against discrimination based on their vaccination status" in an open letter to medical workers and urged the unvaccinated to consider seeking exemptions. And West Virginia lawmakers have advanced a proposal with health care workers in mind that would let those who quit because their exemption was denied collect unemployment.

As of Monday health care workers in 24 states — all but three of which went for then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election — will be required to have received their first vaccine dose or an exemption. The mandate already took effect late last month in jurisdictions that didn’t challenge the requirement in court, although enforcement actions won’t begin immediately.

It affects a wide swath of the industry, covering doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, hospital volunteers, nursing homes, home-health agencies and other providers that participate in the federal Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Beyond the federal mandate, some hospitals and cities have imposed their own requirements. One of the most sweeping is in New York City, where public workers faced termination if they weren't vaccinated by Friday. The military branches have their own vaccine mandates, but commanders have been loath to grant religious exemptions.

While reasons given for seeking exemptions vary, the vaccines’ remote link to fetuses aborted decades ago is often cited — lab-grown cell lines descended from those fetuses were used in testing and manufacturing processes. The vaccines do not contain fetal cells, however, and workers generally are seeking the exemptions without the backing of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.

But as the health care mandate takes effect, hospital leaders acknowledge that they see the exemptions as a way to retain staff at a time when resources are already stretched thin.

“Our position has been we would we want we want everyone vaccinated,” said Brock Slabach, chief operations officer for the National Rural Health Association. “But we also think that access to care is incredibly important."

Similar stories abound across the country.

At the 25-bed Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, in the southwestern part of the state, about 20% of the 320 employees have not been vaccinated. About 35 applied for exemptions, and others are still deciding what to do. The hospital has rejected some requests that relied on specious religious reasoning.

“If it’s a complete, like, essay on the science behind why this shouldn’t be allowed, or a complete essay on why a certain political party or political figure is an idiot, which we’ve seen, we don’t go with that because that’s not religious at all,” hospital president and CEO Troy Buntz said. “We do push back on those, but I don’t know if other people are even reading the exemptions as much as they probably should be.”

In Mississippi, some hospitals have nearly all their employees vaccinated while others are closer to the 50% to 70% range, according to Richard Roberson, the state hospital association’s general counsel. Since the mandate was announced, he has received dozens of calls inquiring about how the exemptions work.

“I don’t know how many there will be, but we’re in the heart of the Bible belt. And so that is something that is very near and dear to everyone’s heart,” Roberson said.

And at the 14-bed Holton Community Hospital in rural northeastern Kansas, 28 out of 193 employees have gotten religious exemptions and one got a medical exemption. The mandate helped nudge the staff vaccination rate from around 75% to nearly 87%, but some younger nurses remain hesitant because of disproven concerns that the vaccine could hurt their fertility, CEO Carrie Saia said.

Saia questioned vaccine resistance among medical workers since they see every day that those in their care with the most severe COVID-19 consequences are overwhelmingly unvaccinated. But “unfortunately, with the COVID 19 pandemic, everything has gotten so political or polarized,” she said.

Buffo, the Montana nurse, said she was in a “state of terror” when the mandate was announced, fearing that it might threaten her career. She asked herself how much she was willing to sacrifice for her values, she added, and turning to the Bible strengthened her resolve to resist what she called the “insidious evil behind the vaccine campaign.”

But Marcella Dahl, a primary care clinic nurse in Sidney, Montana, said she feels like some people are abusing the exemptions and it's alarming that some religious leaders are encouraging the practice.

“Half of the people saying this don’t even go to church,” Dahl said. “I think it puts everybody at risk.”

Faith-based opposition to immunizations in the country historically has been limited to just a relatively few small denominations such as the End Time Ministries and the Church of the First Born. But during the pandemic, some more mainstream preachers have spoken out against the vaccines from the pulpit.

“That’s new, and that’s a problem,” said Dr. Chris Beyrer, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If you are not going to be vaccinated and you’re going to be caring for the frail, the elderly, you should get out of health care."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637097035278.png" alt="Healthcare workers in Wichita protest mandatory vaccinations -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Healthcare workers in Wichita protest mandatory vaccinations -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated PressWhen nurse Julia Buffo was told by her Montana hospital that she had to be vaccinated against COVID-19, she responded by filling out paperwork declaring that the shots run afoul of her religious beliefs.She cited various Old and New Testament verses including a passage from Revelation that vaccine opponents often quote to liken the shots to the “Mark of the Beast.” She told her managers that God is the “ultimate guardian of health” and that accepting the vaccine would make her “complicit with evil.”Religious exemptions like the one Buffo obtained are increasingly becoming a workaround for unvaccinated hospital and nursing home workers who want to keep their jobs in the face of federal mandates that are going into effect nationwide this week.In some institutions, religious exemptions are being invoked by staff and approved by managers in large numbers. It’s a tricky issue for hospital administrators, who are struggling to maintain adequate staff levels and are often reticent to question the legitimacy of the requests.“We’re not going to have a Spanish inquisition with Torquemada deciding if your religious exemption is granted or not by the Grand Inquisitor,” said Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital in Missouri, where about 25% of the 145 employees remain unvaccinated and 30 of them have been granted exemptions.Tobler, who is vaccinated, said some employees threatened to quit if they were required to get the shot.“For people that want to judge what we’re doing in rural America, I’d love them to come and walk in our shoes for a little while, just come and sit in the desk and try to staff the place,” Tobler said.At Cody Regional Health in Wyoming, about 200 of the 620 staffers have asked for religious exemptions and most have been granted. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte pledged his support last week to “defending Montanans against discrimination based on their vaccination status" in an open letter to medical workers and urged the unvaccinated to consider seeking exemptions. And West Virginia lawmakers have advanced a proposal with health care workers in mind that would let those who quit because their exemption was denied collect unemployment.As of Monday health care workers in 24 states — all but three of which went for then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election — will be required to have received their first vaccine dose or an exemption. The mandate already took effect late last month in jurisdictions that didn’t challenge the requirement in court, although enforcement actions won’t begin immediately.It affects a wide swath of the industry, covering doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, hospital volunteers, nursing homes, home-health agencies and other providers that participate in the federal Medicare or Medicaid programs.Beyond the federal mandate, some hospitals and cities have imposed their own requirements. One of the most sweeping is in New York City, where public workers faced termination if they weren't vaccinated by Friday. The military branches have their own vaccine mandates, but commanders have been loath to grant religious exemptions.While reasons given for seeking exemptions vary, the vaccines’ remote link to fetuses aborted decades ago is often cited — lab-grown cell lines descended from those fetuses were used in testing and manufacturing processes. The vaccines do not contain fetal cells, however, and workers generally are seeking the exemptions without the backing of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.But as the health care mandate takes effect, hospital leaders acknowledge that they see the exemptions as a way to retain staff at a time when resources are already stretched thin.“Our position has been we would we want we want everyone vaccinated,” said Brock Slabach, chief operations officer for the National Rural Health Association. “But we also think that access to care is incredibly important."Similar stories abound across the country.At the 25-bed Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, in the southwestern part of the state, about 20% of the 320 employees have not been vaccinated. About 35 applied for exemptions, and others are still deciding what to do. The hospital has rejected some requests that relied on specious religious reasoning.“If it’s a complete, like, essay on the science behind why this shouldn’t be allowed, or a complete essay on why a certain political party or political figure is an idiot, which we’ve seen, we don’t go with that because that’s not religious at all,” hospital president and CEO Troy Buntz said. “We do push back on those, but I don’t know if other people are even reading the exemptions as much as they probably should be.”In Mississippi, some hospitals have nearly all their employees vaccinated while others are closer to the 50% to 70% range, according to Richard Roberson, the state hospital association’s general counsel. Since the mandate was announced, he has received dozens of calls inquiring about how the exemptions work.“I don’t know how many there will be, but we’re in the heart of the Bible belt. And so that is something that is very near and dear to everyone’s heart,” Roberson said.And at the 14-bed Holton Community Hospital in rural northeastern Kansas, 28 out of 193 employees have gotten religious exemptions and one got a medical exemption. The mandate helped nudge the staff vaccination rate from around 75% to nearly 87%, but some younger nurses remain hesitant because of disproven concerns that the vaccine could hurt their fertility, CEO Carrie Saia said.Saia questioned vaccine resistance among medical workers since they see every day that those in their care with the most severe COVID-19 consequences are overwhelmingly unvaccinated. But “unfortunately, with the COVID 19 pandemic, everything has gotten so political or polarized,” she said.Buffo, the Montana nurse, said she was in a “state of terror” when the mandate was announced, fearing that it might threaten her career. She asked herself how much she was willing to sacrifice for her values, she added, and turning to the Bible strengthened her resolve to resist what she called the “insidious evil behind the vaccine campaign.”But Marcella Dahl, a primary care clinic nurse in Sidney, Montana, said she feels like some people are abusing the exemptions and it's alarming that some religious leaders are encouraging the practice.“Half of the people saying this don’t even go to church,” Dahl said. “I think it puts everybody at risk.”Faith-based opposition to immunizations in the country historically has been limited to just a relatively few small denominations such as the End Time Ministries and the Church of the First Born. But during the pandemic, some more mainstream preachers have spoken out against the vaccines from the pulpit.“That’s new, and that’s a problem,” said Dr. Chris Beyrer, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If you are not going to be vaccinated and you’re going to be caring for the frail, the elderly, you should get out of health care."

Unvaccinated medical workers turn to religious exemptions

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a violent weekend crime.

Just after 4:30p.m. Feb. 12, police received a service call from the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center of a disturbance resulting in a possible stabbing in 100 Block SE Willow Way, in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

 Officers located an adult victim suffering from minor injuries as a result of the incident. The suspect identified as 20-year-old&nbsp; Brian Weixelman Jr., was located at the scene and taken into custody without incident. 

Officers determined through the investigation the two are known to each other.

As a result, Weixelman was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Battery and Felony Theft, according to Monasmith.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644761201548.png" alt="Weixelman-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Weixelman-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a violent weekend crime.Just after 4:30p.m. Feb. 12, police received a service call from the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center of a disturbance resulting in a possible stabbing in 100 Block SE Willow Way, in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith. Officers located an adult victim suffering from minor injuries as a result of the incident. The suspect identified as 20-year-old&nbsp; Brian Weixelman Jr., was located at the scene and taken into custody without incident. Officers determined through the investigation the two are known to each other.As a result, Weixelman was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Battery and Felony Theft, according to Monasmith.

Police: Kansas man accused of knife attack during robbery

WASHINGTON — On Monday, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced more than 10 million households have enrolled in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, the nation’s largest broadband affordability program.  Thanks to funding support in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, millions of families who previously could not get online or struggled to pay for this modern-day necessity are now connected.  Low-income households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for eligible households on Tribal lands.  Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

“No family should have to choose between paying for gas or groceries and their monthly internet bill, especially when a connection is essential for work, school, health care and more. But for far too many, the cost of internet service makes the connections we need for everyday life, out of reach,” said Rosenworcel. “Now with more than 10 million households enrolled, we’ve proven the need for this program, and we are continuing our efforts to ensure no community, no household, no one is left offline.” 

The FCC is joining with ACP outreach partners to host ten local enrollment events in different areas of the country over the next month. These events will build program awareness and train grassroots navigators on ACP eligibility and the enrollment process. Event times and locations will be announced in the coming days. You can find more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program at www.fcc.gov/ACP.   

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

· Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;

· Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;

· Eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;

· Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or

· Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider's existing low-income internet program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — On Monday, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced more than 10 million households have enrolled in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, the nation’s largest broadband affordability program. Thanks to funding support in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, millions of families who previously could not get online or struggled to pay for this modern-day necessity are now connected. Low-income households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for eligible households on Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.“No family should have to choose between paying for gas or groceries and their monthly internet bill, especially when a connection is essential for work, school, health care and more. But for far too many, the cost of internet service makes the connections we need for everyday life, out of reach,” said Rosenworcel. “Now with more than 10 million households enrolled, we’ve proven the need for this program, and we are continuing our efforts to ensure no community, no household, no one is left offline.” The FCC is joining with ACP outreach partners to host ten local enrollment events in different areas of the country over the next month. These events will build program awareness and train grassroots navigators on ACP eligibility and the enrollment process. Event times and locations will be announced in the coming days. You can find more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program at www.fcc.gov/ACP. A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:· Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;· Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;· Eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;· Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or· Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider's existing low-income internet program.

Over 10M homes enrolled in federal broadband program

This year’s housing market is <a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/january-2022-data" target="_blank">set to be just as competitive as in 2021</a>. Home listings are down 60% compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. With fewer homes for sale and <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2022/02/05/interest-rates-may-have-to-rise-sharply-to-fight-inflation" target="_blank">rumors of rising interest rates</a>, houses are selling faster than ever.

If you are looking to buy a new home, you need to be prepared. Prospective buyers can make their offer more competitive by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/09/homes-are-selling-faster-than-ever-before.html" target="_blank">getting preapproved for financing</a>
 before even bidding on a house. This lets sellers know that a buyer is 
serious and provides reassurance that the sale will close without 
issues.

That means many prospective home buyers are shopping for a mortgage 
lender before finding the right home. To get the best deal, be sure to 
compare all the costs and understand how mortgages work. Fortunately, 
shopping around, comparing prices, and negotiating deals can save you 
thousands of dollars.

Whether you are buying a home,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24233-bbb-tip-should-you-refinance-your-home-for-a-lower-mortgage-interest-rate" target="_blank">refinancing your home</a>, or taking out a home equity loan, follow these tips to help make your search for a mortgage lender a success.

See <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/your-home-hq" target="_blank">BBB's Home HQ</a> for information on buying, selling, building and where to find help for improving the inside and outside of your home.&nbsp;

Visit the <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/mortgages/" target="_blank">Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s mortgage page</a> to learn more about how mortgages work. Learn about reverse mortgages by reading the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23105-bbb-tip-reverse-mortgages" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Understanding Reverse Mortgages</a>.

When shopping for a lender, always look for businesses that follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards" target="_blank">BBB Accreditation Standards</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>.

Search for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/near-me/mortgage-lenders" target="_blank">reputable mortgage lender</a>&nbsp;near you.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBThis year’s housing market is <a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/january-2022-data" target="_blank">set to be just as competitive as in 2021</a>. Home listings are down 60% compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. With fewer homes for sale and <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2022/02/05/interest-rates-may-have-to-rise-sharply-to-fight-inflation" target="_blank">rumors of rising interest rates</a>, houses are selling faster than ever.If you are looking to buy a new home, you need to be prepared. Prospective buyers can make their offer more competitive by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/09/homes-are-selling-faster-than-ever-before.html" target="_blank">getting preapproved for financing</a>
 before even bidding on a house. This lets sellers know that a buyer is 
serious and provides reassurance that the sale will close without 
issues.That means many prospective home buyers are shopping for a mortgage 
lender before finding the right home. To get the best deal, be sure to 
compare all the costs and understand how mortgages work. Fortunately, 
shopping around, comparing prices, and negotiating deals can save you 
thousands of dollars.Whether you are buying a home,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24233-bbb-tip-should-you-refinance-your-home-for-a-lower-mortgage-interest-rate" target="_blank">refinancing your home</a>, or taking out a home equity loan, follow these tips to help make your search for a mortgage lender a success.<h2>How to Shop for a Mortgage Lender </h2><ul>
 <li>Know how much you can spend upfront. Before you ask
 for information from a lender, it’s a good idea to know how much you 
can spend on a loan and the maximum monthly payment you can afford. This
 information will be a key part of your negotiations, so review your 
budget ahead of time. </li><li>Get to know your loan options. <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home/loan-options/" target="_blank">Loan options</a>
 include loan terms, interest rate type, and the loan type. The loan 
term refers to the length of the loan, which may be 15 or 30 years. 
Shorter loans usually have higher monthly payments with lower interest 
rates. Interest rate types may be fixed or adjustable. Fixed rate loans 
are lower risk but carry higher interest rates. Adjustable rate 
mortgages (ARMs) have lower interest rates to start, but the rates can 
change over time.&nbsp; Loan types may be conventional or part of a 
government program. Understanding the options will help you choose the 
best loan for your situation. </li><li>Understand the difference between a broker and a lender. According to <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-difference-between-a-mortgage-broker-and-a-mortgage-lender-en-130/" target="_blank">ConsumerFinance.gov</a>,
 a lender is a bank or other financial institution that loans money 
directly to you. A broker acts a middleman, comparing loan options on 
your behalf. The <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0189-shopping-mortgage" target="_blank">Federal Trade Commission</a>
 adds, “Whether you are dealing with a lender or a broker may not always
 be clear. Some financial institutions operate as both lenders and 
brokers. And most brokers’ advertisements do not use the word ‘broker.’ 
Therefore, be sure to ask whether a broker is involved.” You’ll want to 
know, since brokers are usually paid a service fee separate from the 
lender’s fees. </li><li>Get information from multiple lenders and brokers before making a decision. Get
 as much information from each lender as you can. Keep your options open
 to begin with, since different lenders may offer different rates, <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0189-shopping-mortgage#best" target="_blank">advises the FTC</a>.
 Make sure you ask about interest rates, loan types, annual percentage 
rates, points, down payments, mortgage insurance, and all other fees. 
This will help you get a clear view of the actual cost of the mortgage. </li><li>Understand whether you should pay points. Your mortgage lender will likely give you the <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/discount-points" target="_blank">option of paying for discount points</a>.
 Mortgage points are fees you pay a lender to reduce the interest rate 
on a mortgage. Typically, one discount point is equally to 1% of the 
mortgage amount and will reduce your interest rate by .25%. Depending on
 how long you plan to keep your home and your mortgage, this extra cost 
may or may not make sense. This <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/should-i-buy-points-mortgage-calculator" target="_blank">calculator will help you figure that out</a>. </li><li>Working with a broker? Make sure they find you the best deal. If
 you prefer to hire a broker to do the shopping for you, know that while
 brokers have access to several lenders, they aren’t obligated to find 
the best deal for you unless they sign a contract to act as your agent. </li><li>Be prepared to negotiate the best deal. Loan 
officers and brokers are allowed to keep some or all of the overages 
(the difference between the lowest available price and any higher price 
you agree to pay) of a loan as extra compensation. This means you may be
 able to negotiate a price lower than what they initially offer you. The
 best way to negotiate is to have the broker or lender <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0104-mortgage-shopping-worksheet.pdf" target="_blank">give you a written list</a>
 of all of the costs and fees included in the loan. Then, ask if they 
will reduce or waive completely one or more of the fees. You can also 
show them a competitor’s offer to see if they will give you a better 
deal. </li><li>Watch out for scams.
 Shopping around for a mortgage lender will help you get a general idea 
of how much a loan costs, which will help you spot and avoid any offers 
that seem too good to be true. Be wary of unsolicited calls and emails 
offering you great rates on a mortgage or “no-cost” loans. Never give in
 to high pressure sales tactics. <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/mortgage-closing-scams-how-protect-yourself-and-your-closing-funds/" target="_blank">ConsumerFinance.gov warns about a phishing scam</a>
 where con artists attempt to divert your closing costs and down payment
 by suggesting, right before your loan closes, that you wire the money 
into a fraudulent account.&nbsp; </li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>See <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/your-home-hq" target="_blank">BBB's Home HQ</a> for information on buying, selling, building and where to find help for improving the inside and outside of your home.&nbsp;Visit the <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/mortgages/" target="_blank">Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s mortgage page</a> to learn more about how mortgages work. Learn about reverse mortgages by reading the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23105-bbb-tip-reverse-mortgages" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Understanding Reverse Mortgages</a>.When shopping for a lender, always look for businesses that follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards" target="_blank">BBB Accreditation Standards</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>.Search for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/near-me/mortgage-lenders" target="_blank">reputable mortgage lender</a>&nbsp;near you.

BBB Tip: Choosing a mortgage lender in today's market

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly Monday directed affected state agencies to apply Kansas law when complying with the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule requiring staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a statement from her office.

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.uIEbuflf_UWAEfS3L9BOaUjo56JI0uIVYY7NTQ_3sYU/s/1303160919/br/126612324325-l" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to find the full directive&nbsp;

The directive requires agencies complying with the CMS rule to follow Kansas state laws regarding medical and religious exemptions, documentation, and self-attestation regarding vaccination status.

“I’ve consistently opposed federal COVID-19 vaccine requirements because the responsibility was given to the states from the beginning to make these decisions,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“However, in order to protect the millions of dollars in funding Kansas receives and to prevent Kansans’ tax dollars from going to other states, we must comply with the federal vaccine requirement.&nbsp;

“It’s absolutely critical that any policy implemented in response to the federal ruling must follow our state laws which protect medical and religious exemptions, and prevent intrusive requests from employers,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.

In January 2022, the United States Supreme Court upheld the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 vaccine requirement. For nearly all Kansas state employees, there will be no vaccine requirement. 11.2% of state employees work in the state’s six CMS-funded facilities that are subject to the United States Supreme Court ruling.

The Governor’s directive requires that any agency policy implementing the CMS rule should not conflict with provisions of Kansas state law, including but not limited to the 2021 Special Session House Bill 2001 and 2021 Regular Session Senate Bill 159.

The directive requires the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Commission on Veteran Affairs Office, and any other state agency impacted by the CMS Interim Final rule to affirm state laws when complying with the federal CMS guidance, including but not limited to:

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly Monday directed affected state agencies to apply Kansas law when complying with the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule requiring staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a statement from her office.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.uIEbuflf_UWAEfS3L9BOaUjo56JI0uIVYY7NTQ_3sYU/s/1303160919/br/126612324325-l" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to find the full directive&nbsp;The directive requires agencies complying with the CMS rule to follow Kansas state laws regarding medical and religious exemptions, documentation, and self-attestation regarding vaccination status.“I’ve consistently opposed federal COVID-19 vaccine requirements because the responsibility was given to the states from the beginning to make these decisions,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“However, in order to protect the millions of dollars in funding Kansas receives and to prevent Kansans’ tax dollars from going to other states, we must comply with the federal vaccine requirement.&nbsp;“It’s absolutely critical that any policy implemented in response to the federal ruling must follow our state laws which protect medical and religious exemptions, and prevent intrusive requests from employers,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.In January 2022, the United States Supreme Court upheld the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 vaccine requirement. For nearly all Kansas state employees, there will be no vaccine requirement. 11.2% of state employees work in the state’s six CMS-funded facilities that are subject to the United States Supreme Court ruling.The Governor’s directive requires that any agency policy implementing the CMS rule should not conflict with provisions of Kansas state law, including but not limited to the 2021 Special Session House Bill 2001 and 2021 Regular Session Senate Bill 159.The directive requires the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Commission on Veteran Affairs Office, and any other state agency impacted by the CMS Interim Final rule to affirm state laws when complying with the federal CMS guidance, including but not limited to:<ul>
 <li>Medical exemptions:&nbsp;Facilities must grant an exemption to the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement if the employee submits a written waiver request stating that complying with the condition would endanger the life or health of the employee or an individual who resides with the employee, as evidenced by an accompanying written statement signed by a physician.</li><li>Religious exemptions:&nbsp;Facilities must grant an exemption to the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement if the employee submits a written waiver request stating that complying with the requirement would violate the religious beliefs of the employee. Facilities can’t inquire into the sincerity of the request.</li><li>Documentation:&nbsp;Facilities must not require employees to provide documentation of their COVID-19 vaccination status. Facilities may request such documentation but must make it clear that providing documentation is not a condition of employment and that no adverse action will be taken if the employee does not provide it.</li><li>Self-Attestation: Facilities can implement a verbal self-attestation of COVID-19 vaccination status policy from any employee who does not provide documentation and does not request an exemption from the vaccination requirement. The facility, not the individual, will be responsible for documenting the individual’s self-attested vaccination status.</li>
 </ul>

Gov.: Kan. must comply with the fed. vaccine mandate for health workers

HASKELL COUNTY—A Kansas man injured in an accident February 3 in Haskell County has died.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Polaris ATV driven by&nbsp; Claudy R.&nbsp;Reynolds, 88, Sublette, was eastbound in the 900 Block Edelle Avenue in Sublette.

 The ATV became unstable, crossed the center line, entered the north ditch and overturned.

EMS transported&nbsp;Reynolds and a passenger James H Barton, 69, Sublette, to Satanta District Hospital. Both were later flown to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where Reynolds died, according to an updated report from the KHP.

HASKELL COUNTY—A Kansas man injured in an accident February 3 in Haskell County has died.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Polaris ATV driven by&nbsp; Claudy R.&nbsp;Reynolds, 88, Sublette, was eastbound in the 900 Block Edelle Avenue in Sublette. The ATV became unstable, crossed the center line, entered the north ditch and overturned.EMS transported&nbsp;Reynolds and a passenger James H Barton, 69, Sublette, to Satanta District Hospital. Both were later flown to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where Reynolds died, according to an updated report from the KHP.-------------

88-year-old Kansas man injured in ATV accident died

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14457.pdf">Form 14457, Voluntary Disclosure Practice Preclearance Request and Application</a>&nbsp;PDF,
 has been revised, including expanding a section on reporting virtual 
currency. Form 14457 permits taxpayers who may face criminal prosecution
 for willful violation of tax law to voluntarily disclose information to
 the IRS that they failed to previously disclose.

Updates and additions to this form include:

The updates reflect input from practitioners and stakeholders 
and take into account trends in the type of financial asset that 
taxpayers hold.

"This is an important form and process for people who recognize it's 
better to step forward and address their tax situations head-on, before 
facing IRS enforcement action," said Doug O'Donnell, Deputy Commissioner
 Services and Enforcement. "The revised form includes a number of 
updates, and we encourage people to review the guidelines and consult a 
trusted tax professional."

Thousands of taxpayers have used the Voluntary Disclosure Practice 
since its inception. It serves as a compliance option for taxpayers who 
have potential criminal exposure and wish to come into compliance with 
the tax laws. Those making such disclosure are still subject to civil 
examination and the payment of all applicable taxes, interest and 
penalties.

Taxpayers who did not commit any tax or tax-related crimes and wish 
to correct mistakes or file delinquent returns should consider other 
options available to comply with their tax and reporting obligations. 
The IRS encourages taxpayers to consult with professional tax or legal 
advisors in determining which option is the most appropriate.

A taxpayer's voluntary disclosure must be timely, accurate and 
complete. The taxpayer must also cooperate with the IRS in determining 
the correct tax liability, and make full payment of the tax, interest 
and any applicable penalties.

Cooperation includes full payment of all tax, interest and penalties.
 A taxpayer who is unable to make full payment may request that the IRS 
consider other payment arrangements. If a taxpayer anticipates they 
cannot pay the total amount of tax, interest and penalties required, 
they must disclose this and submit a proposed payment arrangement and a 
completed, and executed, Collection Information Statement (Form 433-A). 
The burden is on the taxpayer to establish inability to pay, to the 
satisfaction of the IRS, based on full disclosure of all assets and 
income, domestic and foreign, under the taxpayer's control.

For more information on the Voluntary Disclosure Practice, as well as
 other options to come into compliance with the law please visit:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14457.pdf">Form 14457, Voluntary Disclosure Practice Preclearance Request and Application</a>&nbsp;PDF,
 has been revised, including expanding a section on reporting virtual 
currency. Form 14457 permits taxpayers who may face criminal prosecution
 for willful violation of tax law to voluntarily disclose information to
 the IRS that they failed to previously disclose.Updates and additions to this form include:<ul>
 <li>IRS Criminal Investigation now accepts photocopies, facsimiles 
and scans of taxpayer signatures. Taxpayers can send this form via eFax 
to 844-253-5613 to reduce mailing and processing times. Previously, Part
 II of this form had to be mailed.</li><li>An expanded section for reporting virtual currency.</li><li>A penalty structure for employment tax and estate and gift issues.</li><li>A check-box for inability to pay in full.</li>
 </ul>The updates reflect input from practitioners and stakeholders 
and take into account trends in the type of financial asset that 
taxpayers hold."This is an important form and process for people who recognize it's 
better to step forward and address their tax situations head-on, before 
facing IRS enforcement action," said Doug O'Donnell, Deputy Commissioner
 Services and Enforcement. "The revised form includes a number of 
updates, and we encourage people to review the guidelines and consult a 
trusted tax professional."Thousands of taxpayers have used the Voluntary Disclosure Practice 
since its inception. It serves as a compliance option for taxpayers who 
have potential criminal exposure and wish to come into compliance with 
the tax laws. Those making such disclosure are still subject to civil 
examination and the payment of all applicable taxes, interest and 
penalties.Taxpayers who did not commit any tax or tax-related crimes and wish 
to correct mistakes or file delinquent returns should consider other 
options available to comply with their tax and reporting obligations. 
The IRS encourages taxpayers to consult with professional tax or legal 
advisors in determining which option is the most appropriate.A taxpayer's voluntary disclosure must be timely, accurate and 
complete. The taxpayer must also cooperate with the IRS in determining 
the correct tax liability, and make full payment of the tax, interest 
and any applicable penalties.Cooperation includes full payment of all tax, interest and penalties.
 A taxpayer who is unable to make full payment may request that the IRS 
consider other payment arrangements. If a taxpayer anticipates they 
cannot pay the total amount of tax, interest and penalties required, 
they must disclose this and submit a proposed payment arrangement and a 
completed, and executed, Collection Information Statement (Form 433-A). 
The burden is on the taxpayer to establish inability to pay, to the 
satisfaction of the IRS, based on full disclosure of all assets and 
income, domestic and foreign, under the taxpayer's control.For more information on the Voluntary Disclosure Practice, as well as
 other options to come into compliance with the law please visit:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/irs-criminal-investigation-voluntary-disclosure-practice">IRS Criminal Investigation Voluntary Disclosure Practice</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/irm/part9/irm_09-005-011">IRM 9.5.11, Investigative Process – Other Investigations</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/irm/part4/irm_04-063-003r">IRM
 4.63.3, Withholding and International Individual Compliance – Offshore 
Voluntary Disclosure Program, Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures 
and Voluntary Disclosure Practice</a></li>
 </ul>

IRS expands section on reporting cryptocurrency, other disclosures

KANSAS CITY, KAN.– Five people have now been sentenced to prison terms in connection with an armed robbery at a Kansas City, Kansas cell phone store in which victims were bound, according to the United State's Attorney.

• Mario Lambert, 39, of Rockford, Ill. was sentenced to 61 months;

• Sir Love, 36, of Knoxville, Tenn. was sentenced to 35 months;

• Domonique Walker, 30, of Rockford, Ill. was sentenced to 145 months;

• Sharod Pitts, 40, of Chicago, Ill. was sentenced to 100 months;

• and Terry Curtis, 38, of Rockford, Ill. received a sentence of 72 months.

According to court documents, in September 2016, Lambert, Love, Walker, and Pitts entered a Verizon store on Village West Parkway. They pulled out handguns, and announced it was a robbery.

The men locked the doors and forced the employees and customers to the back of the store at gunpoint. The assailants made the victims lie face down on the floor and bound their hands behind their back with zip ties. Then they untied one employee, put a gun to his face and demanded he open the store safe. Lambert, Love, Walker, and Pitts stole cash and merchandise before fleeing the scene with Curtis who was waiting outside as the getaway driver.

Walker, Curtis, Lambert, and Love each pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. Pitts pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Lambert, Love, and Walker were indicted and sentenced in Tennessee and Illinois on related charges.

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644760450362.png" alt="Walker photo Illinois Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Walker photo Illinois Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN.– Five people have now been sentenced to prison terms in connection with an armed robbery at a Kansas City, Kansas cell phone store in which victims were bound, according to the United State's Attorney.• Mario Lambert, 39, of Rockford, Ill. was sentenced to 61 months;• Sir Love, 36, of Knoxville, Tenn. was sentenced to 35 months;• Domonique Walker, 30, of Rockford, Ill. was sentenced to 145 months;• Sharod Pitts, 40, of Chicago, Ill. was sentenced to 100 months;• and Terry Curtis, 38, of Rockford, Ill. received a sentence of 72 months.According to court documents, in September 2016, Lambert, Love, Walker, and Pitts entered a Verizon store on Village West Parkway. They pulled out handguns, and announced it was a robbery.The men locked the doors and forced the employees and customers to the back of the store at gunpoint. The assailants made the victims lie face down on the floor and bound their hands behind their back with zip ties. Then they untied one employee, put a gun to his face and demanded he open the store safe. Lambert, Love, Walker, and Pitts stole cash and merchandise before fleeing the scene with Curtis who was waiting outside as the getaway driver.Walker, Curtis, Lambert, and Love each pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. Pitts pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Lambert, Love, and Walker were indicted and sentenced in Tennessee and Illinois on related charges.The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.

5 sentenced for violent Kansas cell phone store armed robbery

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged drug distribution.

Just before 9p.m. Saturday, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 35 and the Kansas 31 exit for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

 During the stop, deputies found illegal narcotics.

The driver of the vehicle, Demarcus M. Richards, 25, of Atchison, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, no drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644853671925.png" alt="Richards-photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Richards-photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged drug distribution.Just before 9p.m. Saturday, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 35 and the Kansas 31 exit for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, deputies found illegal narcotics.The driver of the vehicle, Demarcus M. Richards, 25, of Atchison, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, no drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas man jailed for alleged cocaine distribution

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have two suspects in custody.

Just before 10:30 a.m. Sunday police&nbsp;were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 800 block of N. 5th Street in Garden City, according to a media release.

Officers located Jesus Hector Flores, 36, of&nbsp; Garden City, KS, who had been shot. EMS transported Flores to St. Catherine Hospital where he later died.

Through the investigation police identified 18-year-old Alexander Goetting and 28-year-old Dalton Pister both of Garden City, KS, as being involved in the shooting.

Police located Goetting and took him into custody. Pister was located and arrested in Scott City, with the assistance of the Scott City Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Department. 

Goetting is being held on requested charges of of First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and weapons violations. Pister is being held on requested charges of First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery.

Updated 8:20 a.m. Tuesday to correct photo.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644866390586.png" alt="Goetting-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Goetting-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have two suspects in custody.Just before 10:30 a.m. Sunday police&nbsp;were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 800 block of N. 5th Street in Garden City, according to a media release.Officers located Jesus Hector Flores, 36, of&nbsp; Garden City, KS, who had been shot. EMS transported Flores to St. Catherine Hospital where he later died.Through the investigation police identified 18-year-old Alexander Goetting and 28-year-old Dalton Pister both of Garden City, KS, as being involved in the shooting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644934626650.png" alt="Dalton Pister-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Dalton Pister-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police located Goetting and took him into custody. Pister was located and arrested in Scott City, with the assistance of the Scott City Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Department. Goetting is being held on requested charges of of First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and weapons violations. Pister is being held on requested charges of First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery.Updated 8:20 a.m. Tuesday to correct photo.&nbsp;

Police: 2 accused of murder during SW Kansas robbery

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at a home in Wichita.

Just after 3:30 p.m.&nbsp; Sunday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 2100 block of South Erie in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located two victims, a 38-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man who had been shot.&nbsp; Both were pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed a resident of the home found the victims shot and called the police.&nbsp;

This was not a random incident and is believed to involve illegal and dangerous drugs.&nbsp; The victims were known to frequent the home. Police have not released the names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644862888477.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at a home in Wichita.Just after 3:30 p.m.&nbsp; Sunday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 2100 block of South Erie in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located two victims, a 38-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man who had been shot.&nbsp; Both were pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed a resident of the home found the victims shot and called the police.&nbsp;This was not a random incident and is believed to involve illegal and dangerous drugs.&nbsp; The victims were known to frequent the home. Police have not released the names of the victims.

Double murder: Man, woman found dead in Kansas home

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/14/kansas-panel-balances-transparency-costs-in-open-records-act-update/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Kansas Senate panel 
considered Monday how best to proceed with amending the state’s open 
records act to increase transparency without triggering unintended 
consequences and placing an undue burden on municipalities.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb386/">Senate Bill 386</a>
 would limit fees for copying and providing records, including the cost 
of staff time, under the Kansas Open Records Act to the lowest hourly 
rate of the person qualified to provide the records. The bill would also
 ensure no fee is charged if a search determines the record does not 
exist.

It would also give the record custodian the discretion to waive any fee should it be in the public interest to do so.

Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, 
pointed to a 2020 incident following a series of personnel firings in 
Frontenac where the city attorney wanted to charge $3,500 for records 
without explanation of how he arrived at that figure.

“While a majority of KORA requests from journalists are handled well,
 with efficiency and grace from government entities, there are many 
instances where this is not the case,” Bradbury said. “Because there are
 no real statutory guidelines for what can be charged, newspaper 
reporters and private citizens have had to deal with exorbitant costs 
for gaining access to public records.”

A 2020 Northwestern University Law review labeled Kansas as a 
“transparency desert.” In 2015, the Center for Public Integrity gave 
Kansas an F grade for transparency, placing the state 43rd overall.

An investigation conducted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office 
found the city government of Frontenac to have violated its own policies
 by charging unreasonable rates. Caleb Smith, campaign director for 
Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, pointed to additional 
instances, such KAKE receiving a bill totaling more than $40,000 when 
pursuing records about fraudulent unemployment claims.

“This bill puts in place best practices for limiting the fee barrier 
to transparency,” Smith said. “It limits the charging of staff time to 
the lowest rate of a person qualified to fulfill the request, prevents 
fees from being charged just to determine if a record exists and 
provides for the discretionary waiver of fees if requested records are 
in the public interest.”

However, opponents of the bill say existing law already addresses rare cases, such as Frontenac.

Michael Koss, an attorney for the City of Overland Park, said most 
concerning was that by changing wording regarding furnishing copies, the
 bill could require local taxpayers to subsidize the costs of redacting 
public records. He used a recent request of more than 15,000 emails 
related to multiple lawsuits to illustrate the potential issue.

“Many of those emails contained information about juvenile victims 
and were subject to attorney-client privilege, so staff had to review 
and redact such information from the emails,” Koss said. “That change 
arguably removes the basis for local governments to recoup the cost of 
staff time to redact records, thus creating an expensive unfunded 
mandate on local taxpayers who have to assume that cost.”

If passed, the law would go into effect July 1.

Sen. Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican, also noted the laborious 
nature of the redaction process, from her firsthand experience as an 
attorney participating in significant litigation.

“Is there a balance we can bring to the need to keep private 
information private, to allow our responding agencies and departments to
 do the research and to the need for being transparent to the public?” 
Warren said.

Erik Sartorius, executive director for the Kansas League of 
Municipalities, said his organization had already been engaging in 
dialogue with the Kansas Press Association to close these gaps. One area
 he said could easily be bridged was the provision requiring the lowest 
hourly rate of the person qualified to provide the records.

While he accepted the concept, he pushed for a better definition to be applied.

“The person who works the check-in desk at the rec center may have 
the capacity to get a record, but if the record is housed at City Hall” 
it could cause a problem, he said. “If it’s not a workable situation, 
just because that is the lowest possible wage that could conceivably do 
the work, then that’s an area where it seems a little murky.”

Disclosure: Hays Post is a member of the Kansas Press Association.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644868167712.png" alt="While most KORA requests from journalists are handled well, said Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, Senate Bill 386 would target excessive fees and increase transparency (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube.)" />
 <figcaption>While most KORA requests from journalists are handled well, said Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, Senate Bill 386 would target excessive fees and increase transparency (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube.)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/14/kansas-panel-balances-transparency-costs-in-open-records-act-update/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Kansas Senate panel 
considered Monday how best to proceed with amending the state’s open 
records act to increase transparency without triggering unintended 
consequences and placing an undue burden on municipalities.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb386/">Senate Bill 386</a>
 would limit fees for copying and providing records, including the cost 
of staff time, under the Kansas Open Records Act to the lowest hourly 
rate of the person qualified to provide the records. The bill would also
 ensure no fee is charged if a search determines the record does not 
exist.It would also give the record custodian the discretion to waive any fee should it be in the public interest to do so.Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, 
pointed to a 2020 incident following a series of personnel firings in 
Frontenac where the city attorney wanted to charge $3,500 for records 
without explanation of how he arrived at that figure.“While a majority of KORA requests from journalists are handled well,
 with efficiency and grace from government entities, there are many 
instances where this is not the case,” Bradbury said. “Because there are
 no real statutory guidelines for what can be charged, newspaper 
reporters and private citizens have had to deal with exorbitant costs 
for gaining access to public records.”A 2020 Northwestern University Law review labeled Kansas as a 
“transparency desert.” In 2015, the Center for Public Integrity gave 
Kansas an F grade for transparency, placing the state 43rd overall.An investigation conducted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office 
found the city government of Frontenac to have violated its own policies
 by charging unreasonable rates. Caleb Smith, campaign director for 
Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, pointed to additional 
instances, such KAKE receiving a bill totaling more than $40,000 when 
pursuing records about fraudulent unemployment claims.“This bill puts in place best practices for limiting the fee barrier 
to transparency,” Smith said. “It limits the charging of staff time to 
the lowest rate of a person qualified to fulfill the request, prevents 
fees from being charged just to determine if a record exists and 
provides for the discretionary waiver of fees if requested records are 
in the public interest.”However, opponents of the bill say existing law already addresses rare cases, such as Frontenac.Michael Koss, an attorney for the City of Overland Park, said most 
concerning was that by changing wording regarding furnishing copies, the
 bill could require local taxpayers to subsidize the costs of redacting 
public records. He used a recent request of more than 15,000 emails 
related to multiple lawsuits to illustrate the potential issue.“Many of those emails contained information about juvenile victims 
and were subject to attorney-client privilege, so staff had to review 
and redact such information from the emails,” Koss said. “That change 
arguably removes the basis for local governments to recoup the cost of 
staff time to redact records, thus creating an expensive unfunded 
mandate on local taxpayers who have to assume that cost.”If passed, the law would go into effect July 1.Sen. Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican, also noted the laborious 
nature of the redaction process, from her firsthand experience as an 
attorney participating in significant litigation.“Is there a balance we can bring to the need to keep private 
information private, to allow our responding agencies and departments to
 do the research and to the need for being transparent to the public?” 
Warren said.Erik Sartorius, executive director for the Kansas League of 
Municipalities, said his organization had already been engaging in 
dialogue with the Kansas Press Association to close these gaps. One area
 he said could easily be bridged was the provision requiring the lowest 
hourly rate of the person qualified to provide the records.While he accepted the concept, he pushed for a better definition to be applied.“The person who works the check-in desk at the rec center may have 
the capacity to get a record, but if the record is housed at City Hall” 
it could cause a problem, he said. “If it’s not a workable situation, 
just because that is the lowest possible wage that could conceivably do 
the work, then that’s an area where it seems a little murky.”Disclosure: Hays Post is a member of the Kansas Press Association.

Kan. panel balances transparency, costs in open records act update

Law enforcement authorities arrested a Salina man Sunday after his pickup left the interstate, struck a fence and started a grass fire northeast of Salina.

Just after 3 a.m., emergency personnel were sent just east of Niles Road on eastbound Interstate 70 for the report of a vehicle that had left the roadway, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan.

When they arrived, they found a 1998 Chevrolet S10 pickup up against the fence that runs along the interstate.. Both the pickup and nearby grass were burning.

The driver, identified as Aaron Powers, 24, of Salina, was eastbound in the pickup when he lost control of the vehicle and it traveled off the highway. Powers sustained only minor injuries and refused treatment.

An estimate $500 in damage was done to the fence and the grass, Soldan said. The fire burned approximately 50 acres of grassland before it was extinguished by rural fire department personnel. 

Powers was arrested on the following requested charges of Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and Not wearing a seatbelt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644857056701.jpeg" alt="A grass fire caused by the crash backlights the scene of the single-vehicle wreck along Interstate 70 early Sunday morning. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>A grass fire caused by the crash backlights the scene of the single-vehicle wreck along Interstate 70 early Sunday morning. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostLaw enforcement authorities arrested a Salina man Sunday after his pickup left the interstate, struck a fence and started a grass fire northeast of Salina.Just after 3 a.m., emergency personnel were sent just east of Niles Road on eastbound Interstate 70 for the report of a vehicle that had left the roadway, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan.When they arrived, they found a 1998 Chevrolet S10 pickup up against the fence that runs along the interstate.. Both the pickup and nearby grass were burning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644763005553.jpeg" alt="Aaron Powers-photo&nbsp;Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Aaron Powers-photo&nbsp;Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, identified as Aaron Powers, 24, of Salina, was eastbound in the pickup when he lost control of the vehicle and it traveled off the highway. Powers sustained only minor injuries and refused treatment.An estimate $500 in damage was done to the fence and the grass, Soldan said. The fire burned approximately 50 acres of grassland before it was extinguished by rural fire department personnel. Powers was arrested on the following requested charges of Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and Not wearing a seatbelt.

50 acres of grass burned after reported I-70 DUI crash

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/14/states-director-of-indigent-defense-argues-budget-woes-undercut-judicial-system/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Criminal defense attorneys taking on challenging work of the
 Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense are struggling under weight of
 insufficient state funding and the burdens of withering caseloads, 
modest wages and high turnover.

Kansas’ indigent defense program provides staff public defenders or 
appointed private defense attorneys to deal with 85% of all adult felony
 cases Kansas. Pressure to come to terms with attorney demand-and-supply
 imbalances has grown as administrators of the program shared 
statistical evidence of difficulties providing sound legal counsel for 
about 25,000 impoverished defendants annually.

Heather Cessna, executive director of the Board of Indigents’ 
Defense, said on the Kansas Reflector podcast that breakdowns in the 
system didn’t serve interests of crime victims, posed ethical issues for
 lawyers and raised constitutional complexities. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2021/07/27/public-defenders/">Other states are facing comparable obstacles</a> to delivering on the promise of representing poor criminal defendants.

The Kansas Legislature raised salaries of attorneys appointed to pick
 up cases the Board of Indigents’ Defense staff lawyers couldn’t get to,
 but that one-year budget provision is set to expire. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2017/11/21/public-defenders-fight-back-against-budget-cuts-growing-caseloads">An
 argument can be made for adopting a comprehensive approach for bringing
 the public defender system in line with reasonable expectations,</a> Cessna said.

She said people who cherished the U.S. Constitution and the Kansas 
Constitution should be concerned about financial integrity of the 
public-defender system.

“Not to sound too overly pessimistic, but it comes down to the 
ultimate end of the criminal justice system,” Cessna said. “Our 
appointed counsel and our public defenders are an integral part of that 
criminal justice system in Kansas. Without sufficient funding and 
sufficient attorneys to meet those caseload needs, that system will 
fail.”

She said Kansas taxpayers could be part of the budget solution or end
 up paying for consequences of indifference, including wrongful 
convictions that could stem from an insufficiently funded legal system 
for defendants. In the past few years, she said, Kansas has paid out 
millions of dollars in compensation to defendants incorrectly convicted 
of murder. It’s plausible there are more of those cases on the horizon, 
she said.

“The Legislature is starting to understand the complexities of the 
problem and the amount of additional funding that we’re in need of,” 
Cessna said. “I’m optimistic, cautiously optimistic, I would say, for 
where we’re going with some of these issues.”

The Board of Indigents’ Defense serves clients with staff public 
defense lawyers and by hiring attorneys to take on defense cases. They 
work out of 11 trial offices in Kansas and six specialty offices dealing
 that concentrate on capital murder trials and cases on appeal.

Cessna said the board needed to retain experienced staff and build a 
larger pipeline of attorneys eager to work as public defenders. 
Recruiting those people to grow the staff wouldn’t be such a hurdle if 
salaries came closer to amounts paid prosecutors with comparable years 
of experience. Twelve percent of attorneys working for the Board of 
Indigents’ Defense left in 2021, she said. Some are poached by 
prosecution offices offering substantive raises, she said.

In addition, Cessna said, compensation of part-time appointed defense
 attorneys needed to be increased so those people weren’t “losing their 
shirts” on the cases. The current rate for outside defense counsel is 
$100 per hour, but without legislative action that would fall back to 
$80 per hour. She’d like the rate to be reset at $120 an hour. For 
comparison sake, she said, a private attorney hired by a defendant in a 
complex case might cost $400 per hour.

“They’re doing this partially as an attempt to provide some pro bono 
services, but we also have to be able to compensate them so that they 
can keep their lights on and keep taking cases,” Cessna said.

Cessna said the staff attorneys with the Board of Indigents’ Defense 
averaged about 13 hours per attorney per case, which would be considered
 below appropriate standards for effective assistance of counsel. She 
said some public defender offices were temporarily refusing cases.

Appointed defense lawyers are being paid for windshield time to drive
 from the Kansas City area to handle cases in Junction City or to drive 
from southcentral Kansas communities to help cover cases in Wichita.

“One of the first conversations I had when I came into this position 
two years ago was with one of our line defenders in one of our regional 
offices,” Cessna said. “She started off the conversation and said, 
‘Look, I’m concerned I’m going to lose my law license.’ We’re all 
capable of making mistakes.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644850091504.png" alt="Heather Cessna, executive director of the Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense, said lack of state funding, high case loads, significant attorney turnover, modest wages raise constitutional questions. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Heather Cessna, executive director of the Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense, said lack of state funding, high case loads, significant attorney turnover, modest wages raise constitutional questions. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/14/states-director-of-indigent-defense-argues-budget-woes-undercut-judicial-system/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Criminal defense attorneys taking on challenging work of the
 Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense are struggling under weight of
 insufficient state funding and the burdens of withering caseloads, 
modest wages and high turnover.Kansas’ indigent defense program provides staff public defenders or 
appointed private defense attorneys to deal with 85% of all adult felony
 cases Kansas. Pressure to come to terms with attorney demand-and-supply
 imbalances has grown as administrators of the program shared 
statistical evidence of difficulties providing sound legal counsel for 
about 25,000 impoverished defendants annually.Heather Cessna, executive director of the Board of Indigents’ 
Defense, said on the Kansas Reflector podcast that breakdowns in the 
system didn’t serve interests of crime victims, posed ethical issues for
 lawyers and raised constitutional complexities. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2021/07/27/public-defenders/">Other states are facing comparable obstacles</a> to delivering on the promise of representing poor criminal defendants.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1215271558&color=%232b7fb4&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast" title="Reflector Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Reflector Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast/defense-attorney-crisis-in-kansas" title="Defense attorney crisis in Kansas" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Defense attorney crisis in Kansas</a></div></div>The Kansas Legislature raised salaries of attorneys appointed to pick
 up cases the Board of Indigents’ Defense staff lawyers couldn’t get to,
 but that one-year budget provision is set to expire. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2017/11/21/public-defenders-fight-back-against-budget-cuts-growing-caseloads">An
 argument can be made for adopting a comprehensive approach for bringing
 the public defender system in line with reasonable expectations,</a> Cessna said.She said people who cherished the U.S. Constitution and the Kansas 
Constitution should be concerned about financial integrity of the 
public-defender system.“Not to sound too overly pessimistic, but it comes down to the 
ultimate end of the criminal justice system,” Cessna said. “Our 
appointed counsel and our public defenders are an integral part of that 
criminal justice system in Kansas. Without sufficient funding and 
sufficient attorneys to meet those caseload needs, that system will 
fail.”She said Kansas taxpayers could be part of the budget solution or end
 up paying for consequences of indifference, including wrongful 
convictions that could stem from an insufficiently funded legal system 
for defendants. In the past few years, she said, Kansas has paid out 
millions of dollars in compensation to defendants incorrectly convicted 
of murder. It’s plausible there are more of those cases on the horizon, 
she said.“The Legislature is starting to understand the complexities of the 
problem and the amount of additional funding that we’re in need of,” 
Cessna said. “I’m optimistic, cautiously optimistic, I would say, for 
where we’re going with some of these issues.”The Board of Indigents’ Defense serves clients with staff public 
defense lawyers and by hiring attorneys to take on defense cases. They 
work out of 11 trial offices in Kansas and six specialty offices dealing
 that concentrate on capital murder trials and cases on appeal.Cessna said the board needed to retain experienced staff and build a 
larger pipeline of attorneys eager to work as public defenders. 
Recruiting those people to grow the staff wouldn’t be such a hurdle if 
salaries came closer to amounts paid prosecutors with comparable years 
of experience. Twelve percent of attorneys working for the Board of 
Indigents’ Defense left in 2021, she said. Some are poached by 
prosecution offices offering substantive raises, she said.In addition, Cessna said, compensation of part-time appointed defense
 attorneys needed to be increased so those people weren’t “losing their 
shirts” on the cases. The current rate for outside defense counsel is 
$100 per hour, but without legislative action that would fall back to 
$80 per hour. She’d like the rate to be reset at $120 an hour. For 
comparison sake, she said, a private attorney hired by a defendant in a 
complex case might cost $400 per hour.“They’re doing this partially as an attempt to provide some pro bono 
services, but we also have to be able to compensate them so that they 
can keep their lights on and keep taking cases,” Cessna said.Cessna said the staff attorneys with the Board of Indigents’ Defense 
averaged about 13 hours per attorney per case, which would be considered
 below appropriate standards for effective assistance of counsel. She 
said some public defender offices were temporarily refusing cases.Appointed defense lawyers are being paid for windshield time to drive
 from the Kansas City area to handle cases in Junction City or to drive 
from southcentral Kansas communities to help cover cases in Wichita.“One of the first conversations I had when I came into this position 
two years ago was with one of our line defenders in one of our regional 
offices,” Cessna said. “She started off the conversation and said, 
‘Look, I’m concerned I’m going to lose my law license.’ We’re all 
capable of making mistakes.”

🎙 Kan. director of indigent defense: Budget woes undercut judicial system

Charles ( Chuck ) and Deanna Munson bid $926,000 during a bankruptcy sale in Abilene on Monday to acquire the former Brookville Hotel restaurant property. Pinnacle Bank had put the property up&nbsp; for sale with the Munson's submitting the lone bid. They plan to open a new restaurant called Legacy Kansas, with a subtitle acknowledging both the Brookville Hotel and Munson's Prime.&nbsp;

Charles and Deanna owned the Munson Prime steakhouse in Junction City that was destroyed by fire in February of 2021. They now plan to open the new restaurant with what Deanna termed "the best of both worlds. We will continue the traditional family style served chicken the way it was done at Brookville. " Munson said in at least three of the rooms, there will be a bar with high top tables and the other available rooms will serve menu items including "high-end Munson steaks and also burgers." In that latter area customers will also be able to order a plated Brookville chicken dinner. There are also plans to serve Munson homemade ice cream.

There is work to be done to prepare the facility with the goal of a June 24th, 2022 opening, explained Deanna. "We have a ways to go. First of all it deteriorated in the last year and there are things missing that were there before that are not there now." The work can progress again on remodeling the bar in&nbsp; the building, the ice cream machine has to be remade and a facility must be built to hold that machine.&nbsp;There will need to be some work as well to staff the new restaurant

The original plan called for the restaurant to be open by June 24th, 2021, but back tax issues facing the previous owners of the Brookville Hotel resulted in a delay and eventually concluded with the sale on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Deanna explained how this project fits their dream. "To do something like this, not to own a restaurant, not to have a steakhouse. " She said they want the farm community. "The Legacy Kansas is perfect for what Chuck ,and especially my dream is, for where we leave Munson Farms when we leave this world. We've got the next generation that as far as our management team that probably are as eager to make it we want it to be as we are, and they're young!"

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644863571031.jpeg" alt="Brookville Hotel restaurant building in Abilene" />
 <figcaption>Brookville Hotel restaurant building in Abilene</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostCharles ( Chuck ) and Deanna Munson bid $926,000 during a bankruptcy sale in Abilene on Monday to acquire the former Brookville Hotel restaurant property. Pinnacle Bank had put the property up&nbsp; for sale with the Munson's submitting the lone bid. They plan to open a new restaurant called Legacy Kansas, with a subtitle acknowledging both the Brookville Hotel and Munson's Prime.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644863556399.jpeg" alt="Front entry way of the former Munson's Prime steakhouse in Junction City" />
 <figcaption>Front entry way of the former Munson's Prime steakhouse in Junction City</figcaption>
 </figure>Charles and Deanna owned the Munson Prime steakhouse in Junction City that was destroyed by fire in February of 2021. They now plan to open the new restaurant with what Deanna termed "the best of both worlds. We will continue the traditional family style served chicken the way it was done at Brookville. " Munson said in at least three of the rooms, there will be a bar with high top tables and the other available rooms will serve menu items including "high-end Munson steaks and also burgers." In that latter area customers will also be able to order a plated Brookville chicken dinner. There are also plans to serve Munson homemade ice cream.There is work to be done to prepare the facility with the goal of a June 24th, 2022 opening, explained Deanna. "We have a ways to go. First of all it deteriorated in the last year and there are things missing that were there before that are not there now." The work can progress again on remodeling the bar in&nbsp; the building, the ice cream machine has to be remade and a facility must be built to hold that machine.&nbsp;There will need to be some work as well to staff the new restaurantThe original plan called for the restaurant to be open by June 24th, 2021, but back tax issues facing the previous owners of the Brookville Hotel resulted in a delay and eventually concluded with the sale on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Deanna explained how this project fits their dream. "To do something like this, not to own a restaurant, not to have a steakhouse. " She said they want the farm community. "The Legacy Kansas is perfect for what Chuck ,and especially my dream is, for where we leave Munson Farms when we leave this world. We've got the next generation that as far as our management team that probably are as eager to make it we want it to be as we are, and they're young!"

Former Brookville Hotel building sells to Junction City couple

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1,996 to a total of 758,237 since Friday, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The state reported 14 additional COVID-19 deaths since Friday for a total of 7,860.

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

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

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1,996 to a total of 758,237 since Friday, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;The state reported 14 additional COVID-19 deaths since Friday for a total of 7,860.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644861542915.png" alt="Monday February 14, 2022 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday February 14, 2022 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.