SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Erasmo C. Ramirez Soto, 37 of Topeka.

Just after 3:30a.m. Saturday, July 24 at around responded to a single vehicle crash near the intersection of SE 29th Street and SE Adams Street, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Responding officers located a single passenger identified as Ramirez Soto suffering from serious injuries. Officers attempted life-saving measures and American Medical Response personnel responded to the scene and pronounced Ramirez Soto deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

The driver of the vehicle, Cesar R. Carreto-Orozco, 39 of Topeka was located nearby the crash scene and was uninjured. As a result of the investigation police arrested Carreto-Orozco on requested&nbsp;charges of Involuntary manslaughter; While under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Improper Driving On Laned Roadway and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, according to Spiker.

SHAWNEE COUNTY— A Kansas man was arrested after a fatal weekend crash in Topeka.&nbsp; One person died in the crash that happened around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at 29th and Adams, according to Police Lt. Joe Perry.

According to the Shawnee County Detention Center booking records 39-year-old Cesar Roberto Carreto-Orozco was&nbsp; being held on a requested charges of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, driving without a license and improper driving on a laned road. He was booked Saturday and held without bond.

Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627236588760.png" alt="Cesar Roberto Carreto-Orozco" />
 <figcaption>Cesar Roberto Carreto-Orozco</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Erasmo C. Ramirez Soto, 37 of Topeka.Just after 3:30a.m. Saturday, July 24 at around responded to a single vehicle crash near the intersection of SE 29th Street and SE Adams Street, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Responding officers located a single passenger identified as Ramirez Soto suffering from serious injuries. Officers attempted life-saving measures and American Medical Response personnel responded to the scene and pronounced Ramirez Soto deceased at the scene.&nbsp;The driver of the vehicle, Cesar R. Carreto-Orozco, 39 of Topeka was located nearby the crash scene and was uninjured. As a result of the investigation police arrested Carreto-Orozco on requested&nbsp;charges of Involuntary manslaughter; While under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Improper Driving On Laned Roadway and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, according to Spiker.--------SHAWNEE COUNTY— A Kansas man was arrested after a fatal weekend crash in Topeka.&nbsp; One person died in the crash that happened around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at 29th and Adams, according to Police Lt. Joe Perry.According to the Shawnee County Detention Center booking records 39-year-old Cesar Roberto Carreto-Orozco was&nbsp; being held on a requested charges of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, driving without a license and improper driving on a laned road. He was booked Saturday and held without bond.Police have not released the name of the victim.

Update: Police arrest driver, ID Kan. man who died in crash

KANSAS CITY (AP) — When the text message popped up on his phone, Samuel Alfaro didn’t want to believe it.

It said his appointment with U.S. immigration services about his application to join the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the one he had been waiting on for months, was canceled because of a court order halting the Obama-era deportation protections for those brought to the U.S. as children.

“I thought it was a scam,” the 19-year-old from Houston said of the message he received Sunday night, hours before his appointment.

Alfaro went to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website and “kept checking it, refreshing it every few hours.” Later, he got an email, confirming it was true.

Alfaro isn’t the only one. Tens of thousands of young immigrants in the country without legal status are in the same position&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-f01fc0f485a8983b5f072e7af324c43f">following a July 16 ruling from a federal judge</a>&nbsp;in Texas that declared DACA illegal while leaving the program intact for existing recipients.

The ruling bars the government from approving any new applications, like that of Alfaro, whose parents brought him to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 2, along with his older brother. Immigrants and advocates have said they will appeal.

In a statement, Citizenship and Immigration Services said it “will comply with the court order, continue to implement the components of DACA that remain in place.”

It’s the latest twist for the program, which has been struck down and revived in a constant stream of court challenges since then-President Barack Obama created it by executive order in 2012.

Former President Donald Trump announced early on that he was ending the program, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year determined that he had not done it properly, bringing it back to life and allowing for new applications like the one from Alfaro, who filed at the beginning of the year.

The latest ruling calling DACA illegal involved a lawsuit that had been filed by Texas and eight other states. They said Obama didn’t have the authority to create the program and that it was an action under the power of Congress.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Houston agreed, saying in his ruling that “Congress’s clear articulation of laws for removal, lawful presence and work authorization illustrates a manifest intent to reserve for itself the authority to determine the framework of the nation’s immigration system.”

Immigration attorneys say the court decision has renewed fears about the future of the program and once again puts young immigrants in a precarious position.

Attorney Max Meyers with the Mississippi Center for Justice was gearing up to submit DACA paperwork on behalf of 40 young immigrants last week, most of them first-time applicants. But he had to scrap those plans.

“It really just throws everybody back into uncertainty,” he said. “Rather than people treat people as humans with foundational needs to go to school and be able to get a job, a judge decided that politics is more important in striking this down.”

Advocates were informed that as of last week, Citizenship and Immigration Services had 90,000 new DACA applications pending, according to Astrid Silva, executive director of Dream Big Nevada.

She said the agency received 50,000 applications in the first three months of the year but made decisions on fewer than 1,000.

After the application period opened in December following the Supreme Court decision, Silva said advocates were patient with the delays, understanding the agency might face a backlog from the coronavirus pandemic or other issues. But as time went on, they started to wonder what might be wrong.

“We started seeing these issues from the get-go,” Silva said. “We understood COVID and the mail and UPS, and we had an insurrection and it’s Christmas. We were, quite honestly, very patient. I think many of us felt like this was a blessing and we can wait a little bit.”

“For us, the frustration has really been since January,” she said.

Now, the applications have ground to a halt. Silva said advocates are still encouraging eligible people to apply in the hope their applications will eventually be processed and because having something pending with immigration authorities is better than nothing.

She’s been fielding calls from mothers worried about what this means for their children.

“The applications will literally just be held in a box somewhere,” Silva said.

Esperanza Avila, 21, sent her application about a month ago and presumes it’s among those on hold. While she is counting on the program to help her get a steady job at Home Depot or as a restaurant server while she pursues her nursing degree in Los Angeles, Avila said she isn’t losing hope.

“We’ve been through this already. They brought down DACA, they brought it back up. It’s just like ups and downs,” she said. “I do think eventually we’ll be OK.”

DACA supporters say Congress needs to approve legislation that would offer permanent protection to young immigrants. The House has passed a measure that would create a pathway to citizenship, but it’s gone nowhere in the Senate. There’s also hope something could be included in budget legislation Democrats want to pass, but it’s unclear if that will happen.

Alfaro would love to see it. He’s seen the sense of freedom DACA has given his older brother, who initially applied shortly after Obama proposed it. By the time Alfaro was eligible, the Trump administration was in charge, and DACA out of reach.

When Alfaro, the 19-year-old from Houston, submitted his application and hundreds of dollars in fees this year, he thought it was the beginning of a life where he didn’t have to constantly look over his shoulder because he lacks documentation.

“You can get a driver’s license and not be scared to be pulled over,” he said.

Alfaro looked forward to being able to build a credit score, get a decent-paying job and maybe move out on his own.

He doesn’t know what to do now, other than wait. He’s trying to find optimism to hold on to, like the comments he’s seeing people post online.

“They say that it’ll for sure come back, it’s just a matter of time,” Alfaro said hopefully.

But, he adds quietly, “the wait, again, it’s stressful.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — When the text message popped up on his phone, Samuel Alfaro didn’t want to believe it.It said his appointment with U.S. immigration services about his application to join the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the one he had been waiting on for months, was canceled because of a court order halting the Obama-era deportation protections for those brought to the U.S. as children.“I thought it was a scam,” the 19-year-old from Houston said of the message he received Sunday night, hours before his appointment.Alfaro went to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website and “kept checking it, refreshing it every few hours.” Later, he got an email, confirming it was true.Now, he simply feels “a little sad.”Alfaro isn’t the only one. Tens of thousands of young immigrants in the country without legal status are in the same position&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-f01fc0f485a8983b5f072e7af324c43f">following a July 16 ruling from a federal judge</a>&nbsp;in Texas that declared DACA illegal while leaving the program intact for existing recipients.The ruling bars the government from approving any new applications, like that of Alfaro, whose parents brought him to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 2, along with his older brother. Immigrants and advocates have said they will appeal.In a statement, Citizenship and Immigration Services said it “will comply with the court order, continue to implement the components of DACA that remain in place.”It’s the latest twist for the program, which has been struck down and revived in a constant stream of court challenges since then-President Barack Obama created it by executive order in 2012.Former President Donald Trump announced early on that he was ending the program, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year determined that he had not done it properly, bringing it back to life and allowing for new applications like the one from Alfaro, who filed at the beginning of the year.The latest ruling calling DACA illegal involved a lawsuit that had been filed by Texas and eight other states. They said Obama didn’t have the authority to create the program and that it was an action under the power of Congress.U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Houston agreed, saying in his ruling that “Congress’s clear articulation of laws for removal, lawful presence and work authorization illustrates a manifest intent to reserve for itself the authority to determine the framework of the nation’s immigration system.”Immigration attorneys say the court decision has renewed fears about the future of the program and once again puts young immigrants in a precarious position.Attorney Max Meyers with the Mississippi Center for Justice was gearing up to submit DACA paperwork on behalf of 40 young immigrants last week, most of them first-time applicants. But he had to scrap those plans.“It really just throws everybody back into uncertainty,” he said. “Rather than people treat people as humans with foundational needs to go to school and be able to get a job, a judge decided that politics is more important in striking this down.”Advocates were informed that as of last week, Citizenship and Immigration Services had 90,000 new DACA applications pending, according to Astrid Silva, executive director of Dream Big Nevada.She said the agency received 50,000 applications in the first three months of the year but made decisions on fewer than 1,000.After the application period opened in December following the Supreme Court decision, Silva said advocates were patient with the delays, understanding the agency might face a backlog from the coronavirus pandemic or other issues. But as time went on, they started to wonder what might be wrong.“We started seeing these issues from the get-go,” Silva said. “We understood COVID and the mail and UPS, and we had an insurrection and it’s Christmas. We were, quite honestly, very patient. I think many of us felt like this was a blessing and we can wait a little bit.”“For us, the frustration has really been since January,” she said.Now, the applications have ground to a halt. Silva said advocates are still encouraging eligible people to apply in the hope their applications will eventually be processed and because having something pending with immigration authorities is better than nothing.She’s been fielding calls from mothers worried about what this means for their children.“The applications will literally just be held in a box somewhere,” Silva said.Esperanza Avila, 21, sent her application about a month ago and presumes it’s among those on hold. While she is counting on the program to help her get a steady job at Home Depot or as a restaurant server while she pursues her nursing degree in Los Angeles, Avila said she isn’t losing hope.“We’ve been through this already. They brought down DACA, they brought it back up. It’s just like ups and downs,” she said. “I do think eventually we’ll be OK.”DACA supporters say Congress needs to approve legislation that would offer permanent protection to young immigrants. The House has passed a measure that would create a pathway to citizenship, but it’s gone nowhere in the Senate. There’s also hope something could be included in budget legislation Democrats want to pass, but it’s unclear if that will happen.Alfaro would love to see it. He’s seen the sense of freedom DACA has given his older brother, who initially applied shortly after Obama proposed it. By the time Alfaro was eligible, the Trump administration was in charge, and DACA out of reach.When Alfaro, the 19-year-old from Houston, submitted his application and hundreds of dollars in fees this year, he thought it was the beginning of a life where he didn’t have to constantly look over his shoulder because he lacks documentation.“You can get a driver’s license and not be scared to be pulled over,” he said.Alfaro looked forward to being able to build a credit score, get a decent-paying job and maybe move out on his own.He doesn’t know what to do now, other than wait. He’s trying to find optimism to hold on to, like the comments he’s seeing people post online.“They say that it’ll for sure come back, it’s just a matter of time,” Alfaro said hopefully.But, he adds quietly, “the wait, again, it’s stressful.”___

Ruling leaves immigrants who newly applied for DACA in limbo

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said Sunday.

“We’re going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as “very frustrated.”

He said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials. Also, booster shots may be suggested for people with suppressed immune systems who have been vaccinated, Fauci said.

Fauci, who also serves as President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, told CNN’s “State of the Union” that he has taken part in conversations about altering the mask guidelines.

He noted that some local jurisdictions where infection rates are surging, such as Los Angeles County, are already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-california-coronavirus-pandemic-3b893ce7a9dbbfaeb4eb6161edebf4e6">calling on individuals to wear masks in indoor public spaces&nbsp;</a>regardless of vaccination status. Fauci said those local rules are compatible with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that the vaccinated do not need to wear masks in public.

Nearly 163 million people, or 49% of the eligible U.S. population, are vaccinated, according to CDC data.

“This is an issue predominantly among the unvaccinated, which is the reason why we’re out there, practically pleading with the unvaccinated people to go out and get vaccinated,” Fauci said.

Fauci said government experts are reviewing early data as they consider whether to recommend that vaccinated individuals to get booster shots. He suggested that some of the most vulnerable, such as organ transplant and cancer patients, are “likely” to be recommended for booster shots.

He also praised Republicans, including Govs. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Ron DeSantis of Florida, and the second-ranking House leader, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, for encouraging their constituents to get vaccinated. Their states have among the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

“What I would really like to see is more and more of the leaders in those areas that are not vaccinating to get out and speak out and encourage people to get vaccinated,” Fauci said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610053263006.png" alt="Fauci said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials." />
 <figcaption>Fauci said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials.</figcaption>
 </figure>WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said Sunday.“We’re going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as “very frustrated.”He said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials. Also, booster shots may be suggested for people with suppressed immune systems who have been vaccinated, Fauci said.Fauci, who also serves as President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, told CNN’s “State of the Union” that he has taken part in conversations about altering the mask guidelines.He noted that some local jurisdictions where infection rates are surging, such as Los Angeles County, are already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-california-coronavirus-pandemic-3b893ce7a9dbbfaeb4eb6161edebf4e6">calling on individuals to wear masks in indoor public spaces&nbsp;</a>regardless of vaccination status. Fauci said those local rules are compatible with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that the vaccinated do not need to wear masks in public.Nearly 163 million people, or 49% of the eligible U.S. population, are vaccinated, according to CDC data.“This is an issue predominantly among the unvaccinated, which is the reason why we’re out there, practically pleading with the unvaccinated people to go out and get vaccinated,” Fauci said.Fauci said government experts are reviewing early data as they consider whether to recommend that vaccinated individuals to get booster shots. He suggested that some of the most vulnerable, such as organ transplant and cancer patients, are “likely” to be recommended for booster shots.He also praised Republicans, including Govs. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Ron DeSantis of Florida, and the second-ranking House leader, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, for encouraging their constituents to get vaccinated. Their states have among the lowest vaccination rates in the country.“What I would really like to see is more and more of the leaders in those areas that are not vaccinating to get out and speak out and encourage people to get vaccinated,” Fauci said.

Fauci: Vaccinated wearing masks 'under consideration'

FULTON, Mo. (AP) — A central Missouri woman who shot and killed her boyfriend while acting out a scene from the movie “Deadpool” was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison.

Kalesha Marie Peterson, 40, of Fulton was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter during a court hearing. She had been scheduled to go to trial Aug. 31.

She told investigators she and her boyfriend, 36-year-old David Dalton, were drinking at a Fulton home in March 2019 when they decided to act out the scene, which involved a firearm, KRCG-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://krcgtv.com/news/local/fulton-woman-sentenced-for-drunkenly-shooting-boyfriend-while-acting-out-movie-scene">reported</a>. Peterson admitted that she knew the gun was loaded.

Peterson called 911 immediately after the shooting but Dalton was pronounced dead at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569271914445.png" alt="Kalesha Peterson-photo Callaway Co." />
 <figcaption>Kalesha Peterson-photo Callaway Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FULTON, Mo. (AP) — A central Missouri woman who shot and killed her boyfriend while acting out a scene from the movie “Deadpool” was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison.Kalesha Marie Peterson, 40, of Fulton was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter during a court hearing. She had been scheduled to go to trial Aug. 31.She told investigators she and her boyfriend, 36-year-old David Dalton, were drinking at a Fulton home in March 2019 when they decided to act out the scene, which involved a firearm, KRCG-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://krcgtv.com/news/local/fulton-woman-sentenced-for-drunkenly-shooting-boyfriend-while-acting-out-movie-scene">reported</a>. Peterson admitted that she knew the gun was loaded.Peterson called 911 immediately after the shooting but Dalton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Woman sentenced in boyfriend's movie scene killing

OMAHA — -A Nebraska man was sentenced Friday for possession of a fraudulent passport, according to acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp

Jesse Chase Swartz, 31, North Platte, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp;

On July 29, 2020, Swartz was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska.&nbsp; Swartz was ejected from the vehicle. While investigating the accident, law enforcement officers discovered what appeared to be a passport card which displayed Swartz’s picture, but listed a different name.&nbsp; 

The passport card was discovered to be a fake.&nbsp; At sentencing, Judge Gerrard noted that Swartz had outstanding arrest warrants in several other states and that Swartz was using the fake passport as part of his efforts to avoid being arrested for the other warrants.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, and by the United States Department of State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627125714691.png" alt="Swartz photo Lincoln County" />
 <figcaption>Swartz photo Lincoln County</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA — -A Nebraska man was sentenced Friday for possession of a fraudulent passport, according to acting United States Attorney Jan SharpJesse Chase Swartz, 31, North Platte, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp;On July 29, 2020, Swartz was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska.&nbsp; Swartz was ejected from the vehicle. While investigating the accident, law enforcement officers discovered what appeared to be a passport card which displayed Swartz’s picture, but listed a different name.&nbsp; The passport card was discovered to be a fake.&nbsp; At sentencing, Judge Gerrard noted that Swartz had outstanding arrest warrants in several other states and that Swartz was using the fake passport as part of his efforts to avoid being arrested for the other warrants.This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, and by the United States Department of State.

Man gets federal prison time for using fake passport 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a traffic stop on a bicycle.

Just before 9:30p.m. July 22, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a bicycle in the 300 block of NW Paramore Street in Topeka for failing to have a headlight, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the bicycle rider 31-year-0ld Carlos A. Brown of Topeka, had a felony warrant out of Jackson County. Brown was placed into custody and deputies also located illegal narcotics.

Brown was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his felony warrant and also faced requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and a bicycle not equipped with a lamp when in use at night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627058598163.png" alt="Brown remains jailed in Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Brown remains jailed in Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a traffic stop on a bicycle.Just before 9:30p.m. July 22, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a bicycle in the 300 block of NW Paramore Street in Topeka for failing to have a headlight, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, it was discovered that the bicycle rider 31-year-0ld Carlos A. Brown of Topeka, had a felony warrant out of Jackson County. Brown was placed into custody and deputies also located illegal narcotics.Brown was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his felony warrant and also faced requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and a bicycle not equipped with a lamp when in use at night.

Deputies catch wanted Kan. man riding a bike in the dark

GODDARD, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita-area splash park that closed after an illness outbreak has been allowed to reopen. Sedgwick County health officials said the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard has exceeded health recommendations and could for reopen this weekend. 

The splash park closed June 18 after several people became ill with bacterial infections. The approval to reopen comes after the facility made several changes and after testing done on July 21 and an inspection on July 16. 

Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns told the park in a letter on Friday that the health department is satisfied the park meets all requirements and there is no risk of infection.

GODDARD, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita-area splash park that closed after an illness outbreak has been allowed to reopen. Sedgwick County health officials said the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard has exceeded health recommendations and could for reopen this weekend. The splash park closed June 18 after several people became ill with bacterial infections. The approval to reopen comes after the facility made several changes and after testing done on July 21 and an inspection on July 16. Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns told the park in a letter on Friday that the health department is satisfied the park meets all requirements and there is no risk of infection.

Kansas splash park reopens after illness outbreak

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-07-23/a-lot-of-confusion-here-communication-gaps-leave-kansas-refugees-puzzled-about-child-tax-credit">Kansas News Service</a>

Congress OK’d the spending of trillions in pandemic relief to resuscitate the economy, part of it directed at lifting <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/07/16/1016980157/the-new-child-tax-credit-is-here-will-millions-get-cash-permanently" target="_blank">tens of millions</a> of children out of poverty.

But
 money coming in advance child tax credits often doesn’t find its way to
 refugees in southwest Kansas, or when it does, they’re confused about 
what’s landed in their mailboxes or checking accounts.

Elama Mohamud, a Somali-American mother of two in Garden City, said people in her community don’t know what to do.

“Some
 people don’t watch news or they don’t understand the English,” Mohamud 
said. “So, abruptly, they just get this money, and it’s like, ‘What!?’ ”

She’s
 gotten several anxious calls from other people in local Somali and 
Congolese refugee communities caught off guard by the payments.

“There’s a lot of rumors going around,” Mohamud said. “There’s a lot of confusion here.”

Some
 of her neighbors are worried the checks could be some kind of scam. 
Others think the payments might be part of a low-income assistance 
program that’s separate from their tax returns entirely.

There’s
 also some confusion about how many monthly payments they’ll receive and
 if they’ll need to pay that money back at some point.

The payments are an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/07/15/1016122095/the-expanded-child-tax-credit-is-here-heres-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank">advance</a>
 on half of the child tax credit that families have historically 
received after they file their taxes each spring. The monthly payments 
are scheduled to run from now until December.

The problem, 
Mohamed said, is that many refugees haven’t seen information from the 
federal government about the child tax credit in their native languages.

The Internal Revenue Service’s website shows tax information in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/languages" target="_blank">20 languages</a>.
 But Somali, Congolese and several other languages spoken in Garden City
 aren’t on the list. And the letters that families have received in the 
mail explaining the advance payments are written only in English and 
Spanish.

That has left a critical gap in these families’ understanding of a program that’s intended to help them care for their children.

“Most people in the community,” Mohamud said, “they don’t understand what this money is.”

This confusion goes well beyond Garden City.

As
 director of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants office in 
Des Moines, Kerri True-Funk has heard similar questions and concerns 
from refugee families in Iowa going back to the first round of COVID 
stimulus checks last year.

She said it points to a larger 
disconnect that often leaves refugee communities in the dark when it 
comes to government communications.

“It's something that we see pretty routinely with both the state and the federal government,” True-Funk said.

While
 official notices often cover at least a couple of languages spoken 
among residents, she said it’s common for smaller ethnic groups to fall 
through the cracks.

Refugee populations also change 
constantly as new arrivals come from different parts of the world. So 
the primary languages spoken by refugees in a given town ten years ago 
might not be the same ones spoken today.

“With the speed at which the federal government works,” she said, “it’s hard for them to keep up.”

The arrival of tax credit payments in Iowa refugee communities has triggered new questions about eligibility.

Some
 families aren’t getting the full credit they are entitled to, either 
because they are new to the tax system or because they have a new baby 
that’s not in the system yet, and don’t know how to sign up. (The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-a-general-information#a16#a16" target="_blank">website</a>
 currently states — in English — that families won’t be able to add new 
dependents for the child tax credit until later this summer.)

But
 True-Funk said that even if a refugee family realizes they need to 
register for the money, they often don’t have the resources or the 
skills to easily navigate the online process on their own.

“The
 IRS website is not super user-friendly to begin with,” she said. “And 
then if you don't have a lot of technological literacy or a good grasp 
of the written English language, it’s that much more complicated.”

And
 when government communications and resources don’t reach refugee 
families in a meaningful way, that often leaves local support 
organizations to pick up the slack.

In Garden City, Mohamud
 plans to create her own flyer explaining the advance child tax credit 
in Somali that she can distribute to neighbors and local businesses. But
 first, she needs to find answers to her own questions about it.

“I have to understand this clearly,” she said, “before I can tell them anything.”

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627067734665.png" alt="The White House mailed a letter explaining the advance child tax credit to families who would receive it, but it's only in English and Spanish. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>The White House mailed a letter explaining the advance child tax credit to families who would receive it, but it's only in English and Spanish. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>“There’s a lot of confusion here”</h2>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-07-23/a-lot-of-confusion-here-communication-gaps-leave-kansas-refugees-puzzled-about-child-tax-credit">Kansas News Service</a>Congress OK’d the spending of trillions in pandemic relief to resuscitate the economy, part of it directed at lifting <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/07/16/1016980157/the-new-child-tax-credit-is-here-will-millions-get-cash-permanently" target="_blank">tens of millions</a> of children out of poverty.But
 money coming in advance child tax credits often doesn’t find its way to
 refugees in southwest Kansas, or when it does, they’re confused about 
what’s landed in their mailboxes or checking accounts.Elama Mohamud, a Somali-American mother of two in Garden City, said people in her community don’t know what to do.“Some
 people don’t watch news or they don’t understand the English,” Mohamud 
said. “So, abruptly, they just get this money, and it’s like, ‘What!?’ ”She’s
 gotten several anxious calls from other people in local Somali and 
Congolese refugee communities caught off guard by the payments.“There’s a lot of rumors going around,” Mohamud said. “There’s a lot of confusion here.”Some
 of her neighbors are worried the checks could be some kind of scam. 
Others think the payments might be part of a low-income assistance 
program that’s separate from their tax returns entirely.There’s
 also some confusion about how many monthly payments they’ll receive and
 if they’ll need to pay that money back at some point.The payments are an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/07/15/1016122095/the-expanded-child-tax-credit-is-here-heres-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank">advance</a>
 on half of the child tax credit that families have historically 
received after they file their taxes each spring. The monthly payments 
are scheduled to run from now until December.The problem, 
Mohamed said, is that many refugees haven’t seen information from the 
federal government about the child tax credit in their native languages.The Internal Revenue Service’s website shows tax information in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/languages" target="_blank">20 languages</a>.
 But Somali, Congolese and several other languages spoken in Garden City
 aren’t on the list. And the letters that families have received in the 
mail explaining the advance payments are written only in English and 
Spanish.That has left a critical gap in these families’ understanding of a program that’s intended to help them care for their children.“Most people in the community,” Mohamud said, “they don’t understand what this money is.”<h2>Tower of Babel</h2>This confusion goes well beyond Garden City.As
 director of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants office in 
Des Moines, Kerri True-Funk has heard similar questions and concerns 
from refugee families in Iowa going back to the first round of COVID 
stimulus checks last year.She said it points to a larger 
disconnect that often leaves refugee communities in the dark when it 
comes to government communications.“It's something that we see pretty routinely with both the state and the federal government,” True-Funk said.While
 official notices often cover at least a couple of languages spoken 
among residents, she said it’s common for smaller ethnic groups to fall 
through the cracks.Refugee populations also change 
constantly as new arrivals come from different parts of the world. So 
the primary languages spoken by refugees in a given town ten years ago 
might not be the same ones spoken today.“With the speed at which the federal government works,” she said, “it’s hard for them to keep up.”The arrival of tax credit payments in Iowa refugee communities has triggered new questions about eligibility.Some
 families aren’t getting the full credit they are entitled to, either 
because they are new to the tax system or because they have a new baby 
that’s not in the system yet, and don’t know how to sign up. (The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-a-general-information#a16#a16" target="_blank">website</a>
 currently states — in English — that families won’t be able to add new 
dependents for the child tax credit until later this summer.)But
 True-Funk said that even if a refugee family realizes they need to 
register for the money, they often don’t have the resources or the 
skills to easily navigate the online process on their own.“The
 IRS website is not super user-friendly to begin with,” she said. “And 
then if you don't have a lot of technological literacy or a good grasp 
of the written English language, it’s that much more complicated.”And
 when government communications and resources don’t reach refugee 
families in a meaningful way, that often leaves local support 
organizations to pick up the slack.In Garden City, Mohamud
 plans to create her own flyer explaining the advance child tax credit 
in Somali that she can distribute to neighbors and local businesses. But
 first, she needs to find answers to her own questions about it.“I have to understand this clearly,” she said, “before I can tell them anything.”David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank">@davidcondos</a>.

SW Kansas refugees left puzzled by Child Tax Credit payments

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri couple&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-fe24ade3e378bfb53796a0af7cd71deb">facing multiple charges of abuse against girls&nbsp;</a>at a Christian reform school have been released from jail and placed on home confinement after they reported health issues.

In a bond hearing on Friday, Circuit Judge David Munton released Boyd and Stephanie Householder from the Cedar County jail after setting a $10,000 bond for the couple. They will be on house arrest with GPS monitoring pending their trial.

The couple's attorney said in a court filings that Boyd Householder, 72, has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and Beth Householder, 56, has a serious blood clot disorder that might cause her to lose her foot.

Attorney Adam Woody said the couple needs medical care that county jails cannot provide.

The Householders have been accused of statutory rape, sodomy, physical abuse and neglect against girls at the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch they operated near Humansville. They pleaded not guilty in March.

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued in its response to the request for Friday's bond hearing that no medical documentation or doctor's diagnosis had been provided to confirm the couple's health issues or their need for extra medical care.

Prosecutors have argued in the past against releasing the Householders, saying they are a flight risk and a danger to the community and their alleged victims.

A woman who attended Circle of Hope from October 2007 to January 2013 said she was “shocked and horrified” that the couple was released.

“I thought they would be in custody until the trial. … I’m worried that they are going to run or start targeting girls,” said Maggie Drew.

Circle of Hope was closed after about two dozen girls&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-kansas-social-media-archive-michael-brown-87ba63e06f2cc6e7661dc806a6c77da4">were removed&nbsp;</a>during an investigation into the allegations last summer.

Four lawsuits filed by former students against the school have been settled. The girls alleged in the lawsuits that they were raped, thrown against walls, forced to eat until they vomited and starved by the Householders.

Residential religious care facilities were exempted from state licensure requirements. Prompted by the Circle of Hope allegations, Republican Gov. Mike Parson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-michael-brown-0377a84c0cdf657eb2173f90cedb0c30">signed a bill</a>&nbsp;this month to regulate the unlicensed schools.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615414551416.png" alt="Householder-photo Cedar Co." />
 <figcaption>Householder-photo Cedar Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri couple&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-fe24ade3e378bfb53796a0af7cd71deb">facing multiple charges of abuse against girls&nbsp;</a>at a Christian reform school have been released from jail and placed on home confinement after they reported health issues.In a bond hearing on Friday, Circuit Judge David Munton released Boyd and Stephanie Householder from the Cedar County jail after setting a $10,000 bond for the couple. They will be on house arrest with GPS monitoring pending their trial.The couple's attorney said in a court filings that Boyd Householder, 72, has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and Beth Householder, 56, has a serious blood clot disorder that might cause her to lose her foot.Attorney Adam Woody said the couple needs medical care that county jails cannot provide.The Householders have been accused of statutory rape, sodomy, physical abuse and neglect against girls at the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch they operated near Humansville. They pleaded not guilty in March.The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued in its response to the request for Friday's bond hearing that no medical documentation or doctor's diagnosis had been provided to confirm the couple's health issues or their need for extra medical care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615414571281.png" alt="Householder-photo Cedar Co." />
 <figcaption>Householder-photo Cedar Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Prosecutors have argued in the past against releasing the Householders, saying they are a flight risk and a danger to the community and their alleged victims.A woman who attended Circle of Hope from October 2007 to January 2013 said she was “shocked and horrified” that the couple was released.“I thought they would be in custody until the trial. … I’m worried that they are going to run or start targeting girls,” said Maggie Drew.Circle of Hope was closed after about two dozen girls&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-kansas-social-media-archive-michael-brown-87ba63e06f2cc6e7661dc806a6c77da4">were removed&nbsp;</a>during an investigation into the allegations last summer.Four lawsuits filed by former students against the school have been settled. The girls alleged in the lawsuits that they were raped, thrown against walls, forced to eat until they vomited and starved by the Householders.Residential religious care facilities were exempted from state licensure requirements. Prompted by the Circle of Hope allegations, Republican Gov. Mike Parson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-michael-brown-0377a84c0cdf657eb2173f90cedb0c30">signed a bill</a>&nbsp;this month to regulate the unlicensed schools.

Couple accused of reform school abuses released from jail

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police said a teen girl was critically injured after the car she was riding in flipped and crashed while “hill jumping” in Kansas City, Missouri

The crash was reported around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Police Capt. Leslie Foreman said the driver was headed north on James A Reed Road at a high speed when the crash happened.

Foreman said a 15-year-old passenger in the Toyota Corolla who wasn't wearing a seat belt was thrown from the car and critically hurt. She was hospitalized after the crash.

The 16-year-old driver was treated for injuries that weren't life threatening. A 19-year-old passenger who had minor injuries refused medical treatment.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police said a teen girl was critically injured after the car she was riding in flipped and crashed while “hill jumping” in Kansas City, MissouriThe crash was reported around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Police Capt. Leslie Foreman said the driver was headed north on James A Reed Road at a high speed when the crash happened.Foreman said a 15-year-old passenger in the Toyota Corolla who wasn't wearing a seat belt was thrown from the car and critically hurt. She was hospitalized after the crash.The 16-year-old driver was treated for injuries that weren't life threatening. A 19-year-old passenger who had minor injuries refused medical treatment.

Teen girl critically hurt in hill jumping crash in Kansas City

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top U.S. pork producer is pushing federal lawmakers to allow immigrant workers to stay on the job year-round.

A spokeswoman for Iowa Select Farms — the state's largest pork producer — <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/immigrant-farmworkers-are-essential-to-feeding-america">told U.S. senators during </a>a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week that seasonal employment currently allowed under a federal visa program is insufficient to meet the industry’s needs.

Farmers and meatpacking plants are facing severe labor shortages and need immigrant workers to be able to work year-round, said spokeswoman Jen Sorenson.

“If the labor shortage is not addressed, it could lead to farms and packing plants shutting down, causing serious financial harm to the communities in which they operate,” said Sorenson, who’s also president of the National Pork Producers Council.

Wednesday’s hearing focused on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would provide a pathway to legal status for more than 1 million undocumented farmworkers. The U.S. House passed the bill in March.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, also testified at the hearing.

While Sorenson praised the legislation's call for year-round visas, she urged lawmakers to lift its cap on the number of those visas, saying that would force producers to “compete against one another for the same limited number of year-round visas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626980146257.png" alt="&nbsp;Jen Sorenson during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee- image courtesy Judiciary Committee" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Jen Sorenson during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee- image courtesy Judiciary Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A top U.S. pork producer is pushing federal lawmakers to allow immigrant workers to stay on the job year-round.A spokeswoman for Iowa Select Farms — the state's largest pork producer — <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/immigrant-farmworkers-are-essential-to-feeding-america">told U.S. senators during </a>a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week that seasonal employment currently allowed under a federal visa program is insufficient to meet the industry’s needs.Farmers and meatpacking plants are facing severe labor shortages and need immigrant workers to be able to work year-round, said spokeswoman Jen Sorenson.“If the labor shortage is not addressed, it could lead to farms and packing plants shutting down, causing serious financial harm to the communities in which they operate,” said Sorenson, who’s also president of the National Pork Producers Council.Wednesday’s hearing focused on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would provide a pathway to legal status for more than 1 million undocumented farmworkers. The U.S. House passed the bill in March.U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, also testified at the hearing.While Sorenson praised the legislation's call for year-round visas, she urged lawmakers to lift its cap on the number of those visas, saying that would force producers to “compete against one another for the same limited number of year-round visas.

Pork producer: We need year-round immigrant workers

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-07-22/despite-covid-surge-and-advice-from-health-experts-most-kansas-schoolkids-wont-have-to-wear-masks">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — Overwhelmingly, the guidance from doctors and health agencies to schools weighing whether to require masks goes like this:

Unvaccinated
 people — including elementary students, for whom the COVID-19 shot 
isn’t yet available — should continue wearing face coverings at school.

The
 message comes as the highly contagious delta variant continues to 
spread through Kansas and rage through next-door Missouri, fueling a new
 surge of hospitalizations. The vast majority of cases are among 
unvaccinated people.

So far, though, only one large Kansas 
district has signaled a return to universal masking. The Kansas City, 
Kansas, school board <a href="https://kckps.org/kckpshealthandsafety/" target="_blank">adopted a back-to-school plan</a> requiring all students to wear face masks except those with health exemptions.

Other districts have either not decided on COVID protocols for the coming school year or have said masks <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-07-08/even-with-delta-driving-a-covid-resurgence-most-kansas-schools-ditch-mask-rules" target="_blank">will be recommended — not required</a>.

Earlier
 this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new 
guidelines giving vaccinated students the option to attend class without
 masks. But it said their unvaccinated classmates <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html" target="_blank">should continue to wear masks</a> into the 2021-22 school year.

The <a href="https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/" target="_blank">American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance</a> urging a return to in-person instruction along with mandatory masks for all students and staff over age 2.

Because
 . . . we want to have all students in school, the AAP advocates for all
 students, teachers and staff to wear masks while indoors in school,” 
Dr. Sonja O’Leary, who heads the group’s school health committee, said 
in a statement.

The group recommended masks for everybody, 
including older students and teachers, because schools lack the 
resources to monitor vaccine status or enforce mask policies based on 
vaccination status.

Kansas doctors and public health officials have weighed in as well.

In a <a href="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/documents/CMO/20210716schoolguidanceletter_final.pdf" target="_blank">letter to superintendents and school board members</a>,
 the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment recommended 
that school boards “implement a policy that requires indoor mask wearing
 among persons who are not fully vaccinated.”

And just this week, a group of 100 Kansas City area doctors, 
including pediatricians and infectious disease specialists, sent an open
 letter to school districts urging them to require masks for 
unvaccinated students and teachers.

“We all agree that our 
students need to be in schools and that they need to be safe,” the 
letter said. “Enacting these policies will give schools the best 
opportunity to do both while minimizing potential instructional 
interruptions due to illness, contact isolations, and quarantine.”

Officials
 with the state’s largest district in Wichita announced last month that 
masks would be optional for all staff, students and visitors.

Sedgwick
 County spokesman Akeam Ashford said the county health department 
doesn’t plan to issue school-specific guidance on masks or other 
measures.

“The decision of county leaders has been to <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/education/article249974939.html" target="_blank">leave that decision up to the local school districts</a>,” he said.

Susan
 Arensman, a spokeswoman for Wichita schools, said the plan is still to 
make masks optional. But “we are monitoring what is happening in the 
community,” she said in an email.

Wichita Superintendent Alicia 
Thompson got advice from public health officials and doctors and 
feedback from a community survey before crafting the district’s <a href="https://www.usd259.org/WPSadvance" target="_blank">back-to-school plan</a>.

In Johnson County, five of six districts have said they will recommend but not require masks. The sixth, <a href="https://www.smsd.org/about/board-of-education" target="_blank">Shawnee Mission</a>, is expected to announce its back-to-school plan Monday.

Brent
 Lewis, president of United Teachers of Wichita, said he’s not concerned
 that the district’s back-to-school plan is at odds with recent health 
guidance.

“We understand that our school district faces difficult 
circumstances and decisions regarding safety during the pandemic,” Lewis
 said this week.

“We simply expect that as conditions and 
recommendations change, the school district will ensure that our 
students and staff are safe within our schools. And we want to stay in 
the classroom.”

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626989974830.png" alt="Kim Welch, a Wichita preschool teacher, leads a class during a half-day summer program at Cessna Elementary School. Suzanne Perez / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>Kim Welch, a Wichita preschool teacher, leads a class during a half-day summer program at Cessna Elementary School. Suzanne Perez / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-07-22/despite-covid-surge-and-advice-from-health-experts-most-kansas-schoolkids-wont-have-to-wear-masks">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — Overwhelmingly, the guidance from doctors and health agencies to schools weighing whether to require masks goes like this:Unvaccinated
 people — including elementary students, for whom the COVID-19 shot 
isn’t yet available — should continue wearing face coverings at school.The
 message comes as the highly contagious delta variant continues to 
spread through Kansas and rage through next-door Missouri, fueling a new
 surge of hospitalizations. The vast majority of cases are among 
unvaccinated people.So far, though, only one large Kansas 
district has signaled a return to universal masking. The Kansas City, 
Kansas, school board <a href="https://kckps.org/kckpshealthandsafety/" target="_blank">adopted a back-to-school plan</a> requiring all students to wear face masks except those with health exemptions.Other districts have either not decided on COVID protocols for the coming school year or have said masks <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-07-08/even-with-delta-driving-a-covid-resurgence-most-kansas-schools-ditch-mask-rules" target="_blank">will be recommended — not required</a>.Updated guidanceEarlier
 this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new 
guidelines giving vaccinated students the option to attend class without
 masks. But it said their unvaccinated classmates <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html" target="_blank">should continue to wear masks</a> into the 2021-22 school year.The <a href="https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/" target="_blank">American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance</a> urging a return to in-person instruction along with mandatory masks for all students and staff over age 2.Because
 . . . we want to have all students in school, the AAP advocates for all
 students, teachers and staff to wear masks while indoors in school,” 
Dr. Sonja O’Leary, who heads the group’s school health committee, said 
in a statement.The group recommended masks for everybody, 
including older students and teachers, because schools lack the 
resources to monitor vaccine status or enforce mask policies based on 
vaccination status.Kansas doctors and public health officials have weighed in as well.In a <a href="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/documents/CMO/20210716schoolguidanceletter_final.pdf" target="_blank">letter to superintendents and school board members</a>,
 the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment recommended 
that school boards “implement a policy that requires indoor mask wearing
 among persons who are not fully vaccinated.”And just this week, a group of 100 Kansas City area doctors, 
including pediatricians and infectious disease specialists, sent an open
 letter to school districts urging them to require masks for 
unvaccinated students and teachers.“We all agree that our 
students need to be in schools and that they need to be safe,” the 
letter said. “Enacting these policies will give schools the best 
opportunity to do both while minimizing potential instructional 
interruptions due to illness, contact isolations, and quarantine.”Masks optionalOfficials
 with the state’s largest district in Wichita announced last month that 
masks would be optional for all staff, students and visitors.Sedgwick
 County spokesman Akeam Ashford said the county health department 
doesn’t plan to issue school-specific guidance on masks or other 
measures.“The decision of county leaders has been to <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/education/article249974939.html" target="_blank">leave that decision up to the local school districts</a>,” he said.Susan
 Arensman, a spokeswoman for Wichita schools, said the plan is still to 
make masks optional. But “we are monitoring what is happening in the 
community,” she said in an email.Wichita Superintendent Alicia 
Thompson got advice from public health officials and doctors and 
feedback from a community survey before crafting the district’s <a href="https://www.usd259.org/WPSadvance" target="_blank">back-to-school plan</a>.In Johnson County, five of six districts have said they will recommend but not require masks. The sixth, <a href="https://www.smsd.org/about/board-of-education" target="_blank">Shawnee Mission</a>, is expected to announce its back-to-school plan Monday.Brent
 Lewis, president of United Teachers of Wichita, said he’s not concerned
 that the district’s back-to-school plan is at odds with recent health 
guidance.“We understand that our school district faces difficult 
circumstances and decisions regarding safety during the pandemic,” Lewis
 said this week.“We simply expect that as conditions and 
recommendations change, the school district will ensure that our 
students and staff are safe within our schools. And we want to stay in 
the classroom.”Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

Despite warnings, most Kan. schoolkids won't have to wear masks 

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just before 7p.m. Saturday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was southbound on Prairie Road near 240th Street four miles east of Hiawatha.

The vehicle traveled off the road into the west ditch, continued southbound, jumped a creek, struck an embankment, continued southbound in a ditch, struck a wooden post and rolled on its top in a field.

Authorities did not release additional details early Sunday.

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just before 7p.m. Saturday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was southbound on Prairie Road near 240th Street four miles east of Hiawatha.The vehicle traveled off the road into the west ditch, continued southbound, jumped a creek, struck an embankment, continued southbound in a ditch, struck a wooden post and rolled on its top in a field.Authorities did not release additional details early Sunday.

KHP investigates violent, rollover crash

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The number of NFL players in the COVID-19 vaccination process has reached 80%, with nine teams having 90% or more of their players in that category.

Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s medical director, said Friday that nearly all Tier 1 and Tier 2 team employees — those who deal directly with players — have been vaccinated. Five teams are at less than 70% of players who have either received one vaccination shot or both. He is optimistic the number of vaccinated players will continue to rise as training camps open.

“I think we are off to an excellent start,” Sills said. “Those numbers are much higher than what we’re seeing in society as a whole. There has been a lot of movement in that area. As you see players coming to training camp, you will see more players beginning that process (of vaccination).”

Sills cited teams having strong advocates for vaccination among players and coaches, as well as the educational materials available.

“I think that has influenced a lot of players,” he said. “I think we are still seeing a lot of positive momentum. Numbers are changing on a day-by-day basis and I think we’ll be seeing them day by day going up.

“What matters is that individuals have the most accurate information. Let’s not get information from Instagram or Facebook posts. Let’s try to hear from the most reputable professionals. You don’t shout anyone into belief here — there have to be thoughtful conversations. What we can do is provide the facts and make sure the entirety of the medical facts are presented.”

On Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to the 32 teams warning that forfeited regular-season games could occur for a COVID-19 outbreak caused by nonvaccinated players.

Dawn Aponte, the league’s chief football administrative officer, reiterated that games will not be postponed to avoid roster issues because of the flexibility built in: COVID-19 replacement players; expanded practice squads to 16 players; a three-week minimum stay on injured reserve instead of six weeks; no limit on activating players from IR.

That means 272 games on time within 18 weeks “safely and responsibly,” she said.

“Flexible and adaptable will continue to be key,” Aponte added, noting that Goodell’s memo was vetted by people in a variety of NFL roles. “We are committed to playing a full season as scheduled. There is the no-play/no-pay provision (from 2020), which has been agreed to with the players’ association and will carry into this season.”

“Health and science truly is what drives and guides these decisions,” she added. “And I think we illustrated that last season and will continue to do so. I think we know a lot more this year ... the biggest difference is a vaccination is available.”

Minnesota has an assistant, Rick Dennison, who is not vaccinated. After ESPN reported that Dennison has been ousted from his role as offensive line coach and run game coordinator, the Vikings released a statement confirming they were in discussions with him regarding league protocols for training camp and preseason games. As of Friday afternoon, Dennison remained a team employee.

“At this time, coach Dennison does not have an exemption to the vaccination requirements of those protocols. We will adhere to the requirements of the protocols and of applicable law,” the Vikings said in their statement.

Said Peter Schaffer, Dennison’s agent: “Rick is 100% committed to and invested in being the best football coach he can be for the Vikings with the singular focus of winning the Super Bowl this year.”

Kansas City is one team well above the threshold of 85% vaccinated players.

“There’s six teams that are over 90%, so we’re glad to be in that area there,” coach Andy Reid said. “We’re one of the teams where the players have really challenged themselves to get things done and take care of business.”

The Chiefs are a prime example of what Sills discussed: NFL vaccinations outpacing those in the community. For Missouri, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 40.8% of the population is fully vaccinated. In Buchanan County where the Chiefs train in northwest Missouri, that number drops to 19.34%.

The league has said that determining who makes the roster can’t involve whether a player is vaccinated. Policing such roster moves would be difficult, but Aponte dismissed any conspiracy theories.

“Cutting players is for their performance,” she said. “And I don’t think clubs will — I can’t stand in their shoes — but I think there are protocols that have been put in place ... that are not restricting their ability to perform. I don’t see the two tying together.”

Still, it is clear the league and the players’ union are strongly advocating vaccinations with every move they make.

“No one is trying to be punitive or anything like that,” Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “Simply, if your choice is not to get vaccinated, it’s going to be a much more difficult season.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The number of NFL players in the COVID-19 vaccination process has reached 80%, with nine teams having 90% or more of their players in that category.Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s medical director, said Friday that nearly all Tier 1 and Tier 2 team employees — those who deal directly with players — have been vaccinated. Five teams are at less than 70% of players who have either received one vaccination shot or both. He is optimistic the number of vaccinated players will continue to rise as training camps open.“I think we are off to an excellent start,” Sills said. “Those numbers are much higher than what we’re seeing in society as a whole. There has been a lot of movement in that area. As you see players coming to training camp, you will see more players beginning that process (of vaccination).”Sills cited teams having strong advocates for vaccination among players and coaches, as well as the educational materials available.“I think that has influenced a lot of players,” he said. “I think we are still seeing a lot of positive momentum. Numbers are changing on a day-by-day basis and I think we’ll be seeing them day by day going up.“What matters is that individuals have the most accurate information. Let’s not get information from Instagram or Facebook posts. Let’s try to hear from the most reputable professionals. You don’t shout anyone into belief here — there have to be thoughtful conversations. What we can do is provide the facts and make sure the entirety of the medical facts are presented.”On Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to the 32 teams warning that forfeited regular-season games could occur for a COVID-19 outbreak caused by nonvaccinated players.Dawn Aponte, the league’s chief football administrative officer, reiterated that games will not be postponed to avoid roster issues because of the flexibility built in: COVID-19 replacement players; expanded practice squads to 16 players; a three-week minimum stay on injured reserve instead of six weeks; no limit on activating players from IR.That means 272 games on time within 18 weeks “safely and responsibly,” she said.“Flexible and adaptable will continue to be key,” Aponte added, noting that Goodell’s memo was vetted by people in a variety of NFL roles. “We are committed to playing a full season as scheduled. There is the no-play/no-pay provision (from 2020), which has been agreed to with the players’ association and will carry into this season.”“Health and science truly is what drives and guides these decisions,” she added. “And I think we illustrated that last season and will continue to do so. I think we know a lot more this year ... the biggest difference is a vaccination is available.”Minnesota has an assistant, Rick Dennison, who is not vaccinated. After ESPN reported that Dennison has been ousted from his role as offensive line coach and run game coordinator, the Vikings released a statement confirming they were in discussions with him regarding league protocols for training camp and preseason games. As of Friday afternoon, Dennison remained a team employee.“At this time, coach Dennison does not have an exemption to the vaccination requirements of those protocols. We will adhere to the requirements of the protocols and of applicable law,” the Vikings said in their statement.Said Peter Schaffer, Dennison’s agent: “Rick is 100% committed to and invested in being the best football coach he can be for the Vikings with the singular focus of winning the Super Bowl this year.”Kansas City is one team well above the threshold of 85% vaccinated players.“There’s six teams that are over 90%, so we’re glad to be in that area there,” coach Andy Reid said. “We’re one of the teams where the players have really challenged themselves to get things done and take care of business.”The Chiefs are a prime example of what Sills discussed: NFL vaccinations outpacing those in the community. For Missouri, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 40.8% of the population is fully vaccinated. In Buchanan County where the Chiefs train in northwest Missouri, that number drops to 19.34%.The league has said that determining who makes the roster can’t involve whether a player is vaccinated. Policing such roster moves would be difficult, but Aponte dismissed any conspiracy theories.“Cutting players is for their performance,” she said. “And I don’t think clubs will — I can’t stand in their shoes — but I think there are protocols that have been put in place ... that are not restricting their ability to perform. I don’t see the two tying together.”Still, it is clear the league and the players’ union are strongly advocating vaccinations with every move they make.“No one is trying to be punitive or anything like that,” Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “Simply, if your choice is not to get vaccinated, it’s going to be a much more difficult season.”___

Number of NFL players in vaccination process up to 80%

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld most convictions against a Wichita woman for torturing and killing a man in a crime that the trial judge called “horrific beyond imagination.” 

Heidi Hillard and her husband, Jeff, were convicted of participating in the November 2016 killing of 33-year-old Scottie Goodpaster Jr. of Wichita. She was sentenced in 2018 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 50 years.

The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed Heidi Hillard’s convictions and sentences for premeditated first-degree murder, felony murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery and rape. It overturned her conviction for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after concluding the state presented insufficient evidence to support that charge.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627071335279.png" alt="Hillard photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Hillard photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld most convictions against a Wichita woman for torturing and killing a man in a crime that the trial judge called “horrific beyond imagination.” Heidi Hillard and her husband, Jeff, were convicted of participating in the November 2016 killing of 33-year-old Scottie Goodpaster Jr. of Wichita. She was sentenced in 2018 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 50 years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627071394249.png" alt="Jeff Hillard is being held in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility -photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Hillard is being held in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility -photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed Heidi Hillard’s convictions and sentences for premeditated first-degree murder, felony murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery and rape. It overturned her conviction for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after concluding the state presented insufficient evidence to support that charge.

Kansas court upholds convictions in torture killing 

MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A Nebraska man who set a fire that forced the evacuation of a Missouri county jail has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for arson and other charges.

Ethen Mark Bentley, 29, of Stella, Nebraska, was sentenced July 16 after pleading guilty to first-degree arson for setting a fire in his cell in January at the Nodaway County Jail. Jail officials were forced to evacuate 20 inmates through smoky, narrow hallways. No one was injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627073783192.png" alt="Bentley photo Platte Co" />
 <figcaption>Bentley photo Platte Co</figcaption>
 </figure>MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A Nebraska man who set a fire that forced the evacuation of a Missouri county jail has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for arson and other charges.Ethen Mark Bentley, 29, of Stella, Nebraska, was sentenced July 16 after pleading guilty to first-degree arson for setting a fire in his cell in January at the Nodaway County Jail. Jail officials were forced to evacuate 20 inmates through smoky, narrow hallways. No one was injured.The inmates were relocated to nearby county jails for about a month while the jail was repaired.Bentley also pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree domestic assault and one count of felony resisting arrest.Those charges came after someone saw Bentley assault a woman in a moving vehicle, prosecutors said. He fled when police tried to stop the vehicle and eventually hit a Maryville Public Safety car head on, totaling both vehicles.As part of the sentence, Bentley was ordered to pay $5,000 restitution to the county.