TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 752 to a total of 295,861, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4812, a decrease of4 from Wednesday's report.

<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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 752 to a total of 295,861, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4812, a decrease of4 from Wednesday's report.<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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614967879234.png" alt="Friday March 5, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday March 5, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of vandalism and theft and asking the public to help identify those responsible.

Suspects cut multiple fuel lines and stole fuel from USD 251 vehicles at Northern Heights High School in Allen, Kansas, according to the Lyon County sheriff's department. The suspects also took a catalytic converter. 

On Friday morning, the sheriff's department released surveillance photos of the suspect and their vehicle. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 620-341-3205 or Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273 or the P3 app.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614965866804.png" alt="Photo Lyon County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lyon County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of vandalism and theft and asking the public to help identify those responsible.Suspects cut multiple fuel lines and stole fuel from USD 251 vehicles at Northern Heights High School in Allen, Kansas, according to the Lyon County sheriff's department. The suspects also took a catalytic converter. On Friday morning, the sheriff's department released surveillance photos of the suspect and their vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 620-341-3205 or Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273 or the P3 app.

Sheriff: Fuel lines cut from Kansas school district vehicles

HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Health Department, in conjunction with AGCO Corporation, has confirmed a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the AGCO facility in Hesston, according to a media release from County public information officer Kyle McCaskey.

The cluster includes 14 employees positive for COVID-19. These individuals are isolating at home.&nbsp;

In October the company reported a cluster that included 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The 14 individuals this week were identified through continued precautionary COVID-19 testing implemented by AGCO. AGCO conducts on-site antigen testing of employees as needed for contact tracing and to reduce asymptomatic spread.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Our priority throughout the pandemic has been the health and safety of our employees, suppliers and customers. The employees that have tested positive have mild or no symptoms at this time, and we wish them good health as they recover and complete their isolation,” said Seth Beytien, AGCO Hesston site leader. “Our on-site COVID-19 testing is helping us ensure a safe work environment at AGCO. While a cluster is undesirable and preventative measures are taken, our onsite COVID-19 positivity rate remains lower than the county and state statistics.”

AGCO has had additional health precautions in place for several months, including increased availability to COVID-19 testing, routine daily disinfecting, mandatory masks regardless of ability to social distance, and continued COVID-19 education.

“While we have seen positive trends overall in local COVID-19 cases, we know the threat of COVID-19 remains persistent,” said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington. “AGCO’s testing strategy is extremely beneficial to identifying COVID-19 cases, and in turn, reducing the spread in our communities.”

The cluster will be considered active until there are 28 consecutive days – two incubation periods – without positive cases. Employees will be included in the COVID-19 case counts of their respective county of residence.&nbsp;AGCO is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions and delivers high-tech solutions for farmers feeding the world through its full line of equipment and related services, according to the company web site.

HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Health Department, in conjunction with AGCO Corporation, has confirmed a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the AGCO facility in Hesston, according to a media release from County public information officer Kyle McCaskey.The cluster includes 14 employees positive for COVID-19. These individuals are isolating at home.&nbsp;In October the company reported a cluster that included 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases.The 14 individuals this week were identified through continued precautionary COVID-19 testing implemented by AGCO. AGCO conducts on-site antigen testing of employees as needed for contact tracing and to reduce asymptomatic spread.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Our priority throughout the pandemic has been the health and safety of our employees, suppliers and customers. The employees that have tested positive have mild or no symptoms at this time, and we wish them good health as they recover and complete their isolation,” said Seth Beytien, AGCO Hesston site leader. “Our on-site COVID-19 testing is helping us ensure a safe work environment at AGCO. While a cluster is undesirable and preventative measures are taken, our onsite COVID-19 positivity rate remains lower than the county and state statistics.”AGCO has had additional health precautions in place for several months, including increased availability to COVID-19 testing, routine daily disinfecting, mandatory masks regardless of ability to social distance, and continued COVID-19 education.“While we have seen positive trends overall in local COVID-19 cases, we know the threat of COVID-19 remains persistent,” said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington. “AGCO’s testing strategy is extremely beneficial to identifying COVID-19 cases, and in turn, reducing the spread in our communities.”The cluster will be considered active until there are 28 consecutive days – two incubation periods – without positive cases. Employees will be included in the COVID-19 case counts of their respective county of residence.&nbsp;AGCO is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions and delivers high-tech solutions for farmers feeding the world through its full line of equipment and related services, according to the company web site.

For 2nd time COVID-19 cluster identified at Agco 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer signaled Friday that he’ll make a comeback bid in 2022 by taking a step required to raise money for the Kansas governor’s race and bringing a granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower to his team.

Colyer stopped short of formally announcing his candidacy but described philanthropist Mary Eisenhower as joining “our campaign” to be its treasurer. State law says a candidate must appoint a treasurer to accept contributions, the announcement came on “Jeff Colyer Governor” letterhead and it quoted Colyer as saying the state needs “an authentic, effective conservative.”

But the path to the GOP nomination and the right to challenge Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is far from open. Many Republicans expect three-term state Attorney General Derek Schmidt also to run, and Colyer’s last race was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3fb2cb1264394eb2b0325c872f8c59cf">his narrow loss</a>&nbsp;as governor in the August 2018 primary to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c2a150d5705044aeb44174c1ef359ae5">conservative firebrand</a>&nbsp;and then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/32816d964acc49e188c9de18b9acb3b9">lost the general election</a>&nbsp;to Kelly.

“Kansas made a mistake in 2018, and it’s time to fix that mistake,” Mary Eisenhower said in a statement.

Colyer was governor for a little less than a year after serving seven years as GOP Gov. Sam Brownback’s lieutenant governor.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9291de4d840f4bb88dde5fa699d87abc">He rose</a>&nbsp;to the higher office in January 2018, when Brownback resigned to become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4626e11a24c1415195cc4774b23961de">U.S. ambassador</a>&nbsp;for international religious freedom under President Donald Trump.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9dc2ed42fbc74738a6c12d1a06c9060a">tweeted his endorsement</a>&nbsp;of Kobach the day before the 2018 primary. Kobach is known nationally advocating tough immigration laws and alienated moderate GOP and independent voters. Some Republicans argued later that Colyer would have fared better against Kelly.

She ran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">largely against Brownback’s legacy.</a>&nbsp;His nationally notorious 2012-13 experiment in slashing income taxes was followed by persistent budget shortfalls until state lawmakers repealed most of the tax cuts in 2017.

Colyer, a reconstructive plastic surgeon and former state legislator from Overland Park, was the architect of much of Brownback’s health policy. They opposed expanding the state’s Medicaid health coverage for the needy, which Kelly has advocated without success in the Legislature.

Mary Eisenhower is a former CEO of People to People International, a Kansas City-based organization founded by her grandfather to provide international travel for students with the goal of promoting understanding.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582891085198.png" alt="Jeff Colyer was governor for a little less than a year after serving seven years as GOP Gov. Sam Brownback’s lieutenant governor." />
 <figcaption>Jeff Colyer was governor for a little less than a year after serving seven years as GOP Gov. Sam Brownback’s lieutenant governor.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer signaled Friday that he’ll make a comeback bid in 2022 by taking a step required to raise money for the Kansas governor’s race and bringing a granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower to his team.Colyer stopped short of formally announcing his candidacy but described philanthropist Mary Eisenhower as joining “our campaign” to be its treasurer. State law says a candidate must appoint a treasurer to accept contributions, the announcement came on “Jeff Colyer Governor” letterhead and it quoted Colyer as saying the state needs “an authentic, effective conservative.”But the path to the GOP nomination and the right to challenge Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is far from open. Many Republicans expect three-term state Attorney General Derek Schmidt also to run, and Colyer’s last race was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3fb2cb1264394eb2b0325c872f8c59cf">his narrow loss</a>&nbsp;as governor in the August 2018 primary to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c2a150d5705044aeb44174c1ef359ae5">conservative firebrand</a>&nbsp;and then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/32816d964acc49e188c9de18b9acb3b9">lost the general election</a>&nbsp;to Kelly.“Kansas made a mistake in 2018, and it’s time to fix that mistake,” Mary Eisenhower said in a statement.Colyer was governor for a little less than a year after serving seven years as GOP Gov. Sam Brownback’s lieutenant governor.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9291de4d840f4bb88dde5fa699d87abc">He rose</a>&nbsp;to the higher office in January 2018, when Brownback resigned to become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4626e11a24c1415195cc4774b23961de">U.S. ambassador</a>&nbsp;for international religious freedom under President Donald Trump.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9dc2ed42fbc74738a6c12d1a06c9060a">tweeted his endorsement</a>&nbsp;of Kobach the day before the 2018 primary. Kobach is known nationally advocating tough immigration laws and alienated moderate GOP and independent voters. Some Republicans argued later that Colyer would have fared better against Kelly.She ran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">largely against Brownback’s legacy.</a>&nbsp;His nationally notorious 2012-13 experiment in slashing income taxes was followed by persistent budget shortfalls until state lawmakers repealed most of the tax cuts in 2017.Colyer, a reconstructive plastic surgeon and former state legislator from Overland Park, was the architect of much of Brownback’s health policy. They opposed expanding the state’s Medicaid health coverage for the needy, which Kelly has advocated without success in the Legislature.Mary Eisenhower is a former CEO of People to People International, a Kansas City-based organization founded by her grandfather to provide international travel for students with the goal of promoting understanding.

Ex-Kansas Gov. Colyer signals he'll make 2022 governor bid

By ROD ZOOK <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>

HUTCHINSON — Quivira Wildlife Refuge says the usual spring migration of whooping cranes could begin by the end of March.&nbsp;

“We’ve
 had a lot of birds come in the last couple of weeks, back from the 
south,” Mike Oldham, Wildlife Refuge Manager for Quivira, said. “They 
got caught during this colder weather, so they hung around . . . but no 
whoopers yet.”

Oldham says that, while none of the rare birds have
 made their way to Quivira yet, it has still been a very busy stop over 
for birds this winter.

“I think we’ve held between five and seven 
thousand sandhill cranes on Quivira all winter long, which is kind of 
unheard of,'' Oldham said. “The good thing is we’re starting to see 
species coming back from the south and I would really fully suspect that
 we’re going to have whoopers coming back maybe later on this month.”

The
 population of the endangered birds continues to grow. When Oldham came 
to Quivira, the whooping crane population was around 350 birds. While no
 count was conducted due to COVID, the 2019 count showed the bird 
population had grown to 505.

Most, if not all, of the cranes' 
nesting takes place in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada during the 
summer before they make their fall migration through Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614960432889.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ROD ZOOK <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>HUTCHINSON — Quivira Wildlife Refuge says the usual spring migration of whooping cranes could begin by the end of March.&nbsp;“We’ve
 had a lot of birds come in the last couple of weeks, back from the 
south,” Mike Oldham, Wildlife Refuge Manager for Quivira, said. “They 
got caught during this colder weather, so they hung around . . . but no 
whoopers yet.”Oldham says that, while none of the rare birds have
 made their way to Quivira yet, it has still been a very busy stop over 
for birds this winter.“I think we’ve held between five and seven 
thousand sandhill cranes on Quivira all winter long, which is kind of 
unheard of,'' Oldham said. “The good thing is we’re starting to see 
species coming back from the south and I would really fully suspect that
 we’re going to have whoopers coming back maybe later on this month.”The
 population of the endangered birds continues to grow. When Oldham came 
to Quivira, the whooping crane population was around 350 birds. While no
 count was conducted due to COVID, the 2019 count showed the bird 
population had grown to 505.Most, if not all, of the cranes' 
nesting takes place in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada during the 
summer before they make their fall migration through Kansas.

Lots of birds at Quivira, but no whoopers yet

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Firefighters in suburban Kansas City are investigating a fire that destroyed part of the First Baptist Church in Mission, Kansas, but spared the long-standing church’s sanctuary.

Firefighters were called to the church around 5:30 p.m. Thursday after smoke and flames were reported coming from an annex building of the church. By the time firefighters arrived, flames had broken through the building’s roof, which later collapsed.

Firefighters managed to keep the fire from breaching the church’s sanctuary. The building was empty when the fire broke out, and no one was injured, officials said. The State Fire Marshal is investigating to determine the cause of the fire.

The church’s website says it was founded more than 85 years ago, but does not give information on the age of the building destroyed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614905877250.png" alt="Crews from Consolidated Fire District 2 on the scene Thursday evening photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Crews from Consolidated Fire District 2 on the scene Thursday evening photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Firefighters in suburban Kansas City are investigating a fire that destroyed part of the First Baptist Church in Mission, Kansas, but spared the long-standing church’s sanctuary.Firefighters were called to the church around 5:30 p.m. Thursday after smoke and flames were reported coming from an annex building of the church. By the time firefighters arrived, flames had broken through the building’s roof, which later collapsed.Firefighters managed to keep the fire from breaching the church’s sanctuary. The building was empty when the fire broke out, and no one was injured, officials said. The State Fire Marshal is investigating to determine the cause of the fire.The church’s website says it was founded more than 85 years ago, but does not give information on the age of the building destroyed.

Fire destroys Kansas church building; sanctuary saved

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/04/mulberry-files-lawsuit-accusing-bp-energy-of-price-gouging-during-extreme-cold/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A small Kansas 
town is fighting natural gas prices charged by BP Energy during last 
month’s extreme cold, accusing the multinational oil and gas giant of 
“unconscionable profiteering” under state statute.

A lawsuit filed Tuesday by
 the city of Mulberry says BP inflated prices for natural gas from $2.98
 per mmbtu on Feb. 9 to $329.615 from Feb. 13-16. The city is asking for
 bills to be recalculated at a reasonable rate.

Jim Zakoura, an attorney 
representing the city in the lawsuit, said BP took advantage of Mulberry
 and other Kansas towns that operate their own utilities at a moment 
when residents needed natural gas to heat their homes and stay alive.

“This is pure and simple 
price gouging and profiteering in the sale of a critical life product, 
in a life and death situation,” Zakoura said. “It is not only unlawful 
conduct under Kansas law but also shows a complete disregard for the 
people of Kansas.”

A spokeswoman for BP said 
the company was aware of the lawsuit filed in Crawford County District 
Court and declined to answer questions.

Mulberry is a southeast 
Kansas town along the Missouri border with a population of about 500 
people. Like dozens of other small Kansas towns, the city distributes 
natural gas for heating to residents, businesses, schools, nursing homes
 and medical care facilities. Monthly gas bills for February would be 10
 times higher than usual because of the higher prices.

The city pays a monthly 
service fee to Utility Gas Management to procure contracts to acquire 
natural gas, but the prices are dictated by producers like BP, which has
 headquarters in Houston.

Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 9,
 when weather forecasts began predicting record chills from Canada to 
Texas, the price BP charged for natural gas increased from $2.54 to 
$2.98. Over the next four days, BP’s prices for Mulberry, according to 
the lawsuit, increased to $4.05, $9.64, $44.80 and $329.615.

As temperatures warmed, 
prices rapidly fell from their peak rate to $8.75, and then continued to
 decline. By the end of February, the cost was back down to $2.485.

Gov. Laura Kelly declared a
 state of emergency on Feb. 14, triggering provisions of the Kansas 
Consumer Protection Act that restrict prices from rising more than 25% 
above the usual rate.

Court documents contend 
the residents of Mulberry “have been subjected to profiteering during an
 extreme weather disaster, in the form of exorbitant natural gas 
pricing.” The lawsuit asks for the city to be repaid $40,459.48, and 
that rates be set no higher than $3.725, a 25% increase from the $2.98 
price on Feb. 9.

Rep. Ken Collins, 
R-Mulberry, said he wasn’t familiar with the lawsuit but that it was 
important to find out why natural gas prices spiked.

“If there was actual price
 gouging involved, the proper authorities need to know about it,” 
Collins said. “It really has been a big burden on Mulberry and other 
cities with municipal utilities. And I generally think it’s good for 
cities have municipal utilities, but when things like this happen, it 
kind of makes me wonder.”

The&nbsp;Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission announced Feb. 22 it would investigate wrongdoing 
in the sale of natural gas during the extreme cold. Kelly has urged 
regulators to look into allegations of price gouging.

“Because yeah — how can 
you let these companies charge that kind of money in a disaster 
situation?” the governor said during a news briefing Wednesday at the 
Statehouse. “That’s what we’re asking for them to find out. What 
happened here? What needs to be done to ensure that it never happens 
again?”

Lawmakers on Wednesday 
fast-tracked new legislation that provides $100 million in low-interest 
loans to Kansas municipalities that are struggling with natural gas 
bills. The program, which the governor signed into law, was viewed as 
necessary because some towns risked losing access to natural gas within 
days if they don’t pay bills they can’t afford.

The loans would mean 
residents all over the state would be paying for February price hikes 
for the next 10 years, as opposed to having thousands of dollars added 
to their current bill.

Sen. Alicia Straub, 
R-Ellinwood, opposed the legislation because the problem, she said, 
because consumers shouldn’t be held responsible for problems with market
 rates.

“I feel like I am being 
put to the task of negotiating the rate for the consumers,” Straub said.
 “First of all, I’m not paid to do that. Second of all, I wasn’t elected
 to do that. My job is to protect the end consumer, the constituent, and
 I think there’s a better way to do that.”

Sen. Tom Holland, 
D-Baldwin City, warned that without some sort of intervention in the 
markets, “we can be perpetually held hostage.”

“I may have been born 
during the night, but I wasn’t born last night,” said Sen. Tom Holland, 
D-Baldwin City. “I am continually perplexed when I see examples of both 
federal and now, once you get to the state level, where we have moral 
hazards and we’re rushing to bail out the energy companies.”

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614898551271.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly says during a briefing Wednesday at the Statehouse that federal regulators need to figure out why companies charged such high prices for natural gas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly says during a briefing Wednesday at the Statehouse that federal regulators need to figure out why companies charged such high prices for natural gas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/04/mulberry-files-lawsuit-accusing-bp-energy-of-price-gouging-during-extreme-cold/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A small Kansas 
town is fighting natural gas prices charged by BP Energy during last 
month’s extreme cold, accusing the multinational oil and gas giant of 
“unconscionable profiteering” under state statute.A lawsuit filed Tuesday by
 the city of Mulberry says BP inflated prices for natural gas from $2.98
 per mmbtu on Feb. 9 to $329.615 from Feb. 13-16. The city is asking for
 bills to be recalculated at a reasonable rate.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614898625018.jpeg" alt="Jim Zakoura, an attorney involved in the city of Mulberry’s legal fight over high natural gas prices, says BP Energy illegally profited during from a disaster. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Jim Zakoura, an attorney involved in the city of Mulberry’s legal fight over high natural gas prices, says BP Energy illegally profited during from a disaster. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>Jim Zakoura, an attorney 
representing the city in the lawsuit, said BP took advantage of Mulberry
 and other Kansas towns that operate their own utilities at a moment 
when residents needed natural gas to heat their homes and stay alive.“This is pure and simple 
price gouging and profiteering in the sale of a critical life product, 
in a life and death situation,” Zakoura said. “It is not only unlawful 
conduct under Kansas law but also shows a complete disregard for the 
people of Kansas.”A spokeswoman for BP said 
the company was aware of the lawsuit filed in Crawford County District 
Court and declined to answer questions.Mulberry is a southeast 
Kansas town along the Missouri border with a population of about 500 
people. Like dozens of other small Kansas towns, the city distributes 
natural gas for heating to residents, businesses, schools, nursing homes
 and medical care facilities. Monthly gas bills for February would be 10
 times higher than usual because of the higher prices.The city pays a monthly 
service fee to Utility Gas Management to procure contracts to acquire 
natural gas, but the prices are dictated by producers like BP, which has
 headquarters in Houston.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614898655424.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 9,
 when weather forecasts began predicting record chills from Canada to 
Texas, the price BP charged for natural gas increased from $2.54 to 
$2.98. Over the next four days, BP’s prices for Mulberry, according to 
the lawsuit, increased to $4.05, $9.64, $44.80 and $329.615.As temperatures warmed, 
prices rapidly fell from their peak rate to $8.75, and then continued to
 decline. By the end of February, the cost was back down to $2.485.Gov. Laura Kelly declared a
 state of emergency on Feb. 14, triggering provisions of the Kansas 
Consumer Protection Act that restrict prices from rising more than 25% 
above the usual rate.Court documents contend 
the residents of Mulberry “have been subjected to profiteering during an
 extreme weather disaster, in the form of exorbitant natural gas 
pricing.” The lawsuit asks for the city to be repaid $40,459.48, and 
that rates be set no higher than $3.725, a 25% increase from the $2.98 
price on Feb. 9.Rep. Ken Collins, 
R-Mulberry, said he wasn’t familiar with the lawsuit but that it was 
important to find out why natural gas prices spiked.“If there was actual price
 gouging involved, the proper authorities need to know about it,” 
Collins said. “It really has been a big burden on Mulberry and other 
cities with municipal utilities. And I generally think it’s good for 
cities have municipal utilities, but when things like this happen, it 
kind of makes me wonder.”The&nbsp;Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission announced Feb. 22 it would investigate wrongdoing 
in the sale of natural gas during the extreme cold. Kelly has urged 
regulators to look into allegations of price gouging.“Because yeah — how can 
you let these companies charge that kind of money in a disaster 
situation?” the governor said during a news briefing Wednesday at the 
Statehouse. “That’s what we’re asking for them to find out. What 
happened here? What needs to be done to ensure that it never happens 
again?”Lawmakers on Wednesday 
fast-tracked new legislation that provides $100 million in low-interest 
loans to Kansas municipalities that are struggling with natural gas 
bills. The program, which the governor signed into law, was viewed as 
necessary because some towns risked losing access to natural gas within 
days if they don’t pay bills they can’t afford.The loans would mean 
residents all over the state would be paying for February price hikes 
for the next 10 years, as opposed to having thousands of dollars added 
to their current bill.Sen. Alicia Straub, 
R-Ellinwood, opposed the legislation because the problem, she said, 
because consumers shouldn’t be held responsible for problems with market
 rates.“I feel like I am being 
put to the task of negotiating the rate for the consumers,” Straub said.
 “First of all, I’m not paid to do that. Second of all, I wasn’t elected
 to do that. My job is to protect the end consumer, the constituent, and
 I think there’s a better way to do that.”Sen. Tom Holland, 
D-Baldwin City, warned that without some sort of intervention in the 
markets, “we can be perpetually held hostage.”“I may have been born 
during the night, but I wasn’t born last night,” said Sen. Tom Holland, 
D-Baldwin City. “I am continually perplexed when I see examples of both 
federal and now, once you get to the state level, where we have moral 
hazards and we’re rushing to bail out the energy companies.”Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.

Kan. town files suit accusing BP of price gouging during extreme cold

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate steered on Friday toward a voting marathon on Democrats' $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill after enduring an extraordinary half-day holdup forced by a Republican foe of President Joe Biden's top legislative priority.

The chamber planned to begin voting around midday on a mountain of amendments, mostly by GOP opponents and virtually all of which were destined to be rejected. That would set the Senate on course toward approving its reworked version of the massive measure, probably over the weekend, and shipping it back to the House so it could whisk the final package to Biden for his signature.

Moments after the Senate took up the legislation Thursday, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., forced the chamber's clerks to read aloud the entire 628-page measure. The exhausting task took the staffers 10 hours and 44 minutes and ended shortly after 2 a.m. EST, with Johnson alternately sitting at his desk and pacing around the mostly empty chamber.

Democratic leaders made more than a dozen late additions to their package on Thursday. That reflected their need to cement unanimous support from all their senators — plus Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote — to succeed in the precariously divided 50-50 chamber.

The Senate’s 51-50 vote to start debating the package, with Harris pushing Democrats over the top, underscored how they were navigating the package through Congress with virtually no margin for error. In the House their majority is a scrawny 10 votes.

The bill, aimed at battling the killer virus and nursing the staggered economy back to health, will provide direct payments of up to $1,400 to most Americans. There’s also money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, aid to state and local governments, help for schools and the airline industry, tax breaks for lower-earners and families with children, and subsidies for health insurance.

“We are not going to be timid in the face of a great challenge," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

The new provisions offered items appealing to all manner of Democrats. Progressives got money boosting feeding programs, federal subsidies for health care for workers who lose jobs, tax-free student loans, and money for public broadcasting and consumer protection investigations.

Moderates won funds for rural health care, language assuring minimum amounts of money for smaller states and a prohibition on states receiving aid using the windfalls to cut taxes. And for everyone, there was money for infrastructure, cultural venues, start-up companies and afterschool programs.

Even with the late revisions, there was a good chance lawmakers will make yet another one and vote to pare back the bill’s $400 weekly emergency unemployment benefits to $300.

That potential change could also extend those emergency payments another month, through September. It was described by aides and a lobbyist who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal conversations.

Biden and Senate leaders had agreed Wednesday to retain the $400 weekly jobless payments included in the version of the relief bill the House approved Saturday. The reduction to $300 — which seemed likely to occur once the Senate begins a “vote-a-rama” on scores of amendments later this week — seemed to reflect a need to secure support from moderate Democrats.

It also left House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the task of keeping her chamber’s numerous progressives on board. Liberals already suffered a blow when their No. 1 priority — a federal minimum wage increase to $15 hourly that was included in the House package — was booted from the bill in the Senate for violating the chamber's rules and for lack of moderates' support.

In another bargain that satisfied moderates, Biden and Senate Democrats agreed Wednesday to tighten eligibility for the direct checks to individuals. The new provision completely phases out the $1,400 payments for individuals earning at least $80,000 and couples making $160,000, well lower than the original ceilings.

“My hope is they don’t screw around with it too much,” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said of the Senate in an interview. “If they do there could be some problems.”

Congress wants to send the bill to Biden before March 14, when a previous round of emergency benefits for people tossed out of work by the pandemic expires.

Johnson told reporters he was forcing the bill's reading to “shine the light on this abusive and obscene amount of money. ” Schumer said Johnson would “accomplish little more than a few sore throats for the Senate clerks.”

Asked about GOP delays, Biden told reporters he's talked to Republican lawmakers and added, “We’re keeping everybody informed.” Biden met last month with Republican senators who offered a plan one-third the size of Democrats' proposal, and there have been no signs since of serious talks.

Johnson's move pointed to a larger GOP argument: Democrats were ramming an overpriced bill through that disregarded that growing numbers of vaccinations and other signs suggesting the country's pandemic ordeal is beginning to ease.

“Instead of heading into a dark tunnel, we're accelerating out of it," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

The economic recovery began to stall late last year as the virus surged, causing a shortfall in hiring in recent months. Employers added just 49,000 jobs in January and cut 227,000 jobs in December. Economists estimate that the February employment report being released Friday will show gains of 175,000, not nearly enough to swiftly recover the nearly 10 million jobs lost to the pandemic-induced recession.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates economic growth will exceed 4% this year without Biden’s rescue package. Republicans cite that as evidence the economy is pointed upward, but Democrats say a strong economic stimulus is still needed to prevent a relapse.

“It’s a crisis that is still very much with us, and it is deadly, deadly serious,” Schumer said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted by the slimmest of margins Thursday to begin debating a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, after Democrats made eleventh-hour changes aimed at ensuring they could pull President Joe Biden’s top legislative priority through the precariously divided chamber.

Democrats were hoping for Senate approval of the package before next week, in time for the House to sign off and get the measure to Biden quickly. They were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-democrats-no-republicans-1f84cadac63439f89efc1e0ea82de735">encountering opposition from Republicans</a>&nbsp;arguing that the measure’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-financial-markets-gross-domestic-product-medicare-7961437d611ef01d18278bd32c602b73">massive price tag</a>&nbsp;ignored promising signs that the pandemic and wounded economy were turning around.

Democratic leaders made over a dozen late additions to their package, reflecting their need to cement unanimous support from all their senators — plus Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote — to succeed in the 50-50 chamber. It’s widely expected the Senate will approve the bill and the House will whisk it to Biden for his signature by mid-March, handing him a crucial early legislative victory.

The bill, aimed at battling the killer virus and nursing the staggered economy back to health, will provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-virus-relief-checks-3eed6a4659f1fb7d36b4ced0eba58f86">direct payments of up to $1,400</a>&nbsp;to most Americans. There’s also money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, aid to state and local governments, help for schools and the airline industry, tax breaks for lower-earners and families with children, and subsidies for health insurance.

“We are not going to be timid in the face of a great challenge,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

It also left House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the task of keeping her chamber’s numerous progressives on board. Liberals already suffered a blow when their No. 1 priority — a federal minimum wage increase to $15 hourly that was included in the House package — was booted from the bill in the Senate for violating the chamber’s rules and for lack of moderates’ support.

As soon as the Senate began considering the bill, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., forced the chamber’s clerks to begin reading the entire 628-page measure aloud. He was the only senator at his desk for most of the night, appearing to follow along silently, one sheet at a time. As the night dragged on, he stood every so often and paced the perimeter of the chamber, reading as he walked. He said earlier that he was doing it to “shine the light on this abusive and obscene amount of money.”

Schumer said Johnson would “accomplish little more than a few sore throats for the Senate clerks.”

Asked about GOP delays, Biden told reporters he’s talked to Republican lawmakers and added, “We’re keeping everybody informed.” Biden met last month with Republican senators who offered a plan one-third the size of Democrats’ proposal, and there have been no signs since of serious talks.

Johnson’s move, which would take many hours to complete, pointed to a larger GOP argument: Democrats were ramming an overpriced bill through that disregarded that growing numbers of vaccinations and other signs suggesting the country’s pandemic ordeal is beginning to ease.

“Instead of heading into a dark tunnel, we’re accelerating out of it,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614942546425.png" alt="Biden and Senate leaders have agreed to retain the $400 weekly jobless payments included in the version of the relief bill the House approved Saturday. The bill also provides $1,400 relief payments to most Americans.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Biden and Senate leaders have agreed to retain the $400 weekly jobless payments included in the version of the relief bill the House approved Saturday. The bill also provides $1,400 relief payments to most Americans.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate steered on Friday toward a voting marathon on Democrats' $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill after enduring an extraordinary half-day holdup forced by a Republican foe of President Joe Biden's top legislative priority.The chamber planned to begin voting around midday on a mountain of amendments, mostly by GOP opponents and virtually all of which were destined to be rejected. That would set the Senate on course toward approving its reworked version of the massive measure, probably over the weekend, and shipping it back to the House so it could whisk the final package to Biden for his signature.Moments after the Senate took up the legislation Thursday, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., forced the chamber's clerks to read aloud the entire 628-page measure. The exhausting task took the staffers 10 hours and 44 minutes and ended shortly after 2 a.m. EST, with Johnson alternately sitting at his desk and pacing around the mostly empty chamber.Democratic leaders made more than a dozen late additions to their package on Thursday. That reflected their need to cement unanimous support from all their senators — plus Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote — to succeed in the precariously divided 50-50 chamber.The Senate’s 51-50 vote to start debating the package, with Harris pushing Democrats over the top, underscored how they were navigating the package through Congress with virtually no margin for error. In the House their majority is a scrawny 10 votes.The bill, aimed at battling the killer virus and nursing the staggered economy back to health, will provide direct payments of up to $1,400 to most Americans. There’s also money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, aid to state and local governments, help for schools and the airline industry, tax breaks for lower-earners and families with children, and subsidies for health insurance.“We are not going to be timid in the face of a great challenge," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.The new provisions offered items appealing to all manner of Democrats. Progressives got money boosting feeding programs, federal subsidies for health care for workers who lose jobs, tax-free student loans, and money for public broadcasting and consumer protection investigations.Moderates won funds for rural health care, language assuring minimum amounts of money for smaller states and a prohibition on states receiving aid using the windfalls to cut taxes. And for everyone, there was money for infrastructure, cultural venues, start-up companies and afterschool programs.Even with the late revisions, there was a good chance lawmakers will make yet another one and vote to pare back the bill’s $400 weekly emergency unemployment benefits to $300.That potential change could also extend those emergency payments another month, through September. It was described by aides and a lobbyist who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal conversations.Biden and Senate leaders had agreed Wednesday to retain the $400 weekly jobless payments included in the version of the relief bill the House approved Saturday. The reduction to $300 — which seemed likely to occur once the Senate begins a “vote-a-rama” on scores of amendments later this week — seemed to reflect a need to secure support from moderate Democrats.It also left House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the task of keeping her chamber’s numerous progressives on board. Liberals already suffered a blow when their No. 1 priority — a federal minimum wage increase to $15 hourly that was included in the House package — was booted from the bill in the Senate for violating the chamber's rules and for lack of moderates' support.In another bargain that satisfied moderates, Biden and Senate Democrats agreed Wednesday to tighten eligibility for the direct checks to individuals. The new provision completely phases out the $1,400 payments for individuals earning at least $80,000 and couples making $160,000, well lower than the original ceilings.“My hope is they don’t screw around with it too much,” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said of the Senate in an interview. “If they do there could be some problems.”Congress wants to send the bill to Biden before March 14, when a previous round of emergency benefits for people tossed out of work by the pandemic expires.Johnson told reporters he was forcing the bill's reading to “shine the light on this abusive and obscene amount of money. ” Schumer said Johnson would “accomplish little more than a few sore throats for the Senate clerks.”Asked about GOP delays, Biden told reporters he's talked to Republican lawmakers and added, “We’re keeping everybody informed.” Biden met last month with Republican senators who offered a plan one-third the size of Democrats' proposal, and there have been no signs since of serious talks.Johnson's move pointed to a larger GOP argument: Democrats were ramming an overpriced bill through that disregarded that growing numbers of vaccinations and other signs suggesting the country's pandemic ordeal is beginning to ease.“Instead of heading into a dark tunnel, we're accelerating out of it," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.The economic recovery began to stall late last year as the virus surged, causing a shortfall in hiring in recent months. Employers added just 49,000 jobs in January and cut 227,000 jobs in December. Economists estimate that the February employment report being released Friday will show gains of 175,000, not nearly enough to swiftly recover the nearly 10 million jobs lost to the pandemic-induced recession.The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates economic growth will exceed 4% this year without Biden’s rescue package. Republicans cite that as evidence the economy is pointed upward, but Democrats say a strong economic stimulus is still needed to prevent a relapse.“It’s a crisis that is still very much with us, and it is deadly, deadly serious,” Schumer said.___WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted by the slimmest of margins Thursday to begin debating a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, after Democrats made eleventh-hour changes aimed at ensuring they could pull President Joe Biden’s top legislative priority through the precariously divided chamber.Democrats were hoping for Senate approval of the package before next week, in time for the House to sign off and get the measure to Biden quickly. They were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-democrats-no-republicans-1f84cadac63439f89efc1e0ea82de735">encountering opposition from Republicans</a>&nbsp;arguing that the measure’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-financial-markets-gross-domestic-product-medicare-7961437d611ef01d18278bd32c602b73">massive price tag</a>&nbsp;ignored promising signs that the pandemic and wounded economy were turning around.Democratic leaders made over a dozen late additions to their package, reflecting their need to cement unanimous support from all their senators — plus Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote — to succeed in the 50-50 chamber. It’s widely expected the Senate will approve the bill and the House will whisk it to Biden for his signature by mid-March, handing him a crucial early legislative victory.The Senate’s 51-50 vote to start debating the package, with Harris pushing Democrats over the top, underscored how they were navigating the package through Congress with virtually no margin for error. In the House their majority is a scrawny 10 votes.The bill, aimed at battling the killer virus and nursing the staggered economy back to health, will provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-virus-relief-checks-3eed6a4659f1fb7d36b4ced0eba58f86">direct payments of up to $1,400</a>&nbsp;to most Americans. There’s also money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, aid to state and local governments, help for schools and the airline industry, tax breaks for lower-earners and families with children, and subsidies for health insurance.“We are not going to be timid in the face of a great challenge,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.The new provisions offered items appealing to all manner of Democrats. Progressives got money boosting feeding programs, federal subsidies for health care for workers who lose jobs, tax-free student loans, and money for public broadcasting and consumer protection investigations.Moderates won funds for rural health care, language assuring minimum amounts of money for smaller states and a prohibition on states receiving aid using the windfalls to cut taxes. And for everyone, there was money for infrastructure, cultural venues, start-up companies and afterschool programs.Even with the late revisions, there was a good chance lawmakers will make yet another one and vote to pare back the bill’s $400 weekly emergency unemployment benefits to $300.That potential change could also extend those emergency payments another month, through September. It was described by aides and a lobbyist who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal conversations.Biden and Senate leaders had agreed Wednesday to retain the $400 weekly jobless payments included in the version of the relief bill the House approved Saturday. The reduction to $300 — which seemed likely to occur once the Senate begins a “vote-a-rama” on scores of amendments later this week — seemed to reflect a need to secure support from moderate Democrats.It also left House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the task of keeping her chamber’s numerous progressives on board. Liberals already suffered a blow when their No. 1 priority — a federal minimum wage increase to $15 hourly that was included in the House package — was booted from the bill in the Senate for violating the chamber’s rules and for lack of moderates’ support.In another bargain that satisfied moderates, Biden and Senate Democrats agreed Wednesday to tighten eligibility for the direct checks to individuals. The new provision completely phases out the $1,400 payments for individuals earning at least $80,000 and couples making $160,000, well lower than the original ceilings.“My hope is they don’t screw around with it too much,” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said of the Senate in an interview. “If they do there could be some problems.”Congress wants to send the bill to Biden before March 14, when a previous round of emergency benefits for people tossed out of work by the pandemic expires.As soon as the Senate began considering the bill, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., forced the chamber’s clerks to begin reading the entire 628-page measure aloud. He was the only senator at his desk for most of the night, appearing to follow along silently, one sheet at a time. As the night dragged on, he stood every so often and paced the perimeter of the chamber, reading as he walked. He said earlier that he was doing it to “shine the light on this abusive and obscene amount of money.”Schumer said Johnson would “accomplish little more than a few sore throats for the Senate clerks.”Asked about GOP delays, Biden told reporters he’s talked to Republican lawmakers and added, “We’re keeping everybody informed.” Biden met last month with Republican senators who offered a plan one-third the size of Democrats’ proposal, and there have been no signs since of serious talks.Johnson’s move, which would take many hours to complete, pointed to a larger GOP argument: Democrats were ramming an overpriced bill through that disregarded that growing numbers of vaccinations and other signs suggesting the country’s pandemic ordeal is beginning to ease.“Instead of heading into a dark tunnel, we’re accelerating out of it,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.The economic recovery began to stall late last year as the virus surged, causing a shortfall in hiring in recent months. Employers added just 49,000 jobs in January and cut 227,000 jobs in December. Economists estimate that the February employment report being released Friday will show gains of 175,000, not nearly enough to swiftly recover the nearly 10 million jobs lost to the pandemic-induced recession.The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates economic growth will exceed 4% this year without Biden’s rescue package. Republicans cite that as evidence the economy is pointed upward, but Democrats say a strong economic stimulus is still needed to prevent a relapse.“It’s a crisis that is still very much with us, and it is deadly, deadly serious,” Schumer said.

Senate nears vote on $1.9T relief bill after half-day delay

WICHITA, KAN. –&nbsp;Gage H. Clausen, 21, of Cheney, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), Interstate Communication of a Threat.&nbsp; Clausen previously communicated a threat via the internet on the life of a juvenile, according to the United State's Attorney's office.

“Gage Clausen threatened serious bodily harm against another person via the Internet,” said&nbsp;Acting&nbsp;U.S. Attorney&nbsp;Duston Slinkard. “His&nbsp;plea of guilty Thursday should send a message that,&nbsp;you cannot&nbsp;hide&nbsp;behind a computer keyboard and make threats against another person with impunity.&nbsp;These&nbsp;threats&nbsp;are&nbsp;taken seriously,&nbsp;they&nbsp;are&nbsp;investigated and&nbsp;people are&nbsp;held accountable.”

Google has several App Engines, none of which are located in the State of Kansas.&nbsp; These engines are located in Iowa, South Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, California, Utah, and Nevada.&nbsp; In order for Clausen’s communication to be received by the victim the communication would have traveled through one of these engines, thus Clausen’s communication traveled in interstate commerce before reaching the victim.

&nbsp;Sentencing is scheduled for May 25, 2021 at 2:30, before U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes.&nbsp;

WICHITA, KAN. – The FBI investigated a social media threat involving a Kansas man.

As a result of the investigation, Gage H. Clausen, 20, Cheney, Kan., is charged with one count of making a threat via interstate communications, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp; The crime is alleged to have occurred June 27, in Cheney, Kansas.

Clausen is alleged to have used social media to send a threat to a 15-year-old student at Derby School. The threat was couched in racist language and referred to the victim as a “filthy farm animal.”

&nbsp;If convicted, Clausen could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

WICHITA, KAN. –&nbsp;Gage H. Clausen, 21, of Cheney, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), Interstate Communication of a Threat.&nbsp; Clausen previously communicated a threat via the internet on the life of a juvenile, according to the United State's Attorney's office.“Gage Clausen threatened serious bodily harm against another person via the Internet,” said&nbsp;Acting&nbsp;U.S. Attorney&nbsp;Duston Slinkard. “His&nbsp;plea of guilty Thursday should send a message that,&nbsp;you cannot&nbsp;hide&nbsp;behind a computer keyboard and make threats against another person with impunity.&nbsp;These&nbsp;threats&nbsp;are&nbsp;taken seriously,&nbsp;they&nbsp;are&nbsp;investigated and&nbsp;people are&nbsp;held accountable.”Google has several App Engines, none of which are located in the State of Kansas.&nbsp; These engines are located in Iowa, South Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, California, Utah, and Nevada.&nbsp; In order for Clausen’s communication to be received by the victim the communication would have traveled through one of these engines, thus Clausen’s communication traveled in interstate commerce before reaching the victim.&nbsp;Sentencing is scheduled for May 25, 2021 at 2:30, before U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes.&nbsp;------------WICHITA, KAN. – The FBI investigated a social media threat involving a Kansas man.As a result of the investigation, Gage H. Clausen, 20, Cheney, Kan., is charged with one count of making a threat via interstate communications, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp; The crime is alleged to have occurred June 27, in Cheney, Kansas.Clausen is alleged to have used social media to send a threat to a 15-year-old student at Derby School. The threat was couched in racist language and referred to the victim as a “filthy farm animal.”&nbsp;If convicted, Clausen could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Kansas man admits using social media to threaten teen

SALINA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the murder of a woman in Salina continue their search for a suspect identified as as 35-year-old Nelson Gerrod Hull.

He is wanted for the February 23, shooting death of 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman.&nbsp; The Saline County District Court issued an arrest warrant for Hull for murder in the first degree.

Hull is described as a black male, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. A tattoo on the right side of his neck is "Mi Familia."

On Monday, police reported the arrest of Clarence Darnyl Brown, 34, of Salina, in connection with the case.&nbsp;Brown is being held on requested charges of Aiding and abetting first degree murder, Criminal solicitation and Interference with law enforcement.

Just after 11:30a.m. on February 23, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as Hoffman inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.

Police say Hull should be considered armed and dangerous. They encourage anyone with information on Hull's current location to contact 911 immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576681996331.jpeg" alt="Hull photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Hull photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the murder of a woman in Salina continue their search for a suspect identified as as 35-year-old Nelson Gerrod Hull.He is wanted for the February 23, shooting death of 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman.&nbsp; The Saline County District Court issued an arrest warrant for Hull for murder in the first degree.Hull is described as a black male, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. A tattoo on the right side of his neck is "Mi Familia."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614348886825.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Salina. photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Salina. photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, police reported the arrest of Clarence Darnyl Brown, 34, of Salina, in connection with the case.&nbsp;Brown is being held on requested charges of Aiding and abetting first degree murder, Criminal solicitation and Interference with law enforcement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614629894498.png" alt="Clarence Brown single mugshot.PNG" />
 <figcaption>Clarence Brown single mugshot.PNG</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11:30a.m. on February 23, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as Hoffman inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.Police say Hull should be considered armed and dangerous. They encourage anyone with information on Hull's current location to contact 911 immediately.

Search continues for suspect in Salina woman's murder

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple charges after an arrest.

Just before 3p.m. March 3, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 white Buick Century at SW 37th Street and South Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, deputies located narcotics and drug paraphernalia. They arrested&nbsp;Brandon J. Norris, 23, of Topeka for a felony warrant and a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

They also arrested Crystal J. Mack, 29, of Topeka was on requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Norris and Mack were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, according to Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613410475366.png" alt="Norris photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Norris photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple charges after an arrest.Just before 3p.m. March 3, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 white Buick Century at SW 37th Street and South Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, deputies located narcotics and drug paraphernalia. They arrested&nbsp;Brandon J. Norris, 23, of Topeka for a felony warrant and a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. They also arrested Crystal J. Mack, 29, of Topeka was on requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.Norris and Mack were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, according to Christian.

Kan. deputies arrest 2 after drugs found during traffic stop

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Thursday released the following statement after receiving news from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency that the remains of Father Emil Kapaun were identified:

“This evening I was notified that the remains of Marion County-native Father Emil Kapaun, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, have been identified. Father Kapaun served as an Army Chaplain during WWII and the Korean War, and was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1951. He continued to minister to Americans as a POW before passing away on May 23, 1951.

“In 2011, I introduced legislation to bestow Father Kapaun with the Presidential Medal of Honor, which was awarded in 2013. In 1993, Pope John Paul II declared Father Kapaun a Servant of God, the first step toward sainthood. I am glad that his family has finally been granted closure after Father Kapaun’s selfless service to our nation.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614944899732.png" alt="Father Kapaun photo courtesy office of Senator Moran" />
 <figcaption>Father Kapaun photo courtesy office of Senator Moran</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Thursday released the following statement after receiving news from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency that the remains of Father Emil Kapaun were identified:“This evening I was notified that the remains of Marion County-native Father Emil Kapaun, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, have been identified. Father Kapaun served as an Army Chaplain during WWII and the Korean War, and was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1951. He continued to minister to Americans as a POW before passing away on May 23, 1951.“In 2011, I introduced legislation to bestow Father Kapaun with the Presidential Medal of Honor, which was awarded in 2013. In 1993, Pope John Paul II declared Father Kapaun a Servant of God, the first step toward sainthood. I am glad that his family has finally been granted closure after Father Kapaun’s selfless service to our nation.”

Moran: Remains of Father Emil Kapaun who died in Korean War identified 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the killing more than five years ago of a woman whose body was found stuffed in a trash bag.

Kevin Hurley, 62, was sentenced Monday for the 2015 beating death of 42-year-old Brandy Helbock-Castaneda. A judge found Hurley guilty in December of second-degree murder in the case.

Helbock-Castaneda’s sister reported her missing on Dec. 5, 2015. Her body was found in the trash bag on Jan. 8, 2016. Hurley was arrested in March 2018 after DNA taken from the victim's ankle matched his, according to court documents.

After Hurley denied knowing Castaneda, further testing showed DNA from a rope around the victim’s hips matched Hurley’s or someone in his paternal lineage. Hurley had been paroled in 2013 after serving nearly 30 years for first-degree robbery and murder convictions in Jackson County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608239168107.png" alt="Hurley photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Hurley photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the killing more than five years ago of a woman whose body was found stuffed in a trash bag.Kevin Hurley, 62, was sentenced Monday for the 2015 beating death of 42-year-old Brandy Helbock-Castaneda. A judge found Hurley guilty in December of second-degree murder in the case.Helbock-Castaneda’s sister reported her missing on Dec. 5, 2015. Her body was found in the trash bag on Jan. 8, 2016. Hurley was arrested in March 2018 after DNA taken from the victim's ankle matched his, according to court documents.After Hurley denied knowing Castaneda, further testing showed DNA from a rope around the victim’s hips matched Hurley’s or someone in his paternal lineage. Hurley had been paroled in 2013 after serving nearly 30 years for first-degree robbery and murder convictions in Jackson County.

Man sentenced for death of woman whose body was stuffed in trash bag

PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — A “suspicious device” that was found near the Pittsburg State University campus contained a “small amount of incendiary components,” police said.

The device was found Wednesday in a block adjacent to the campus. The Kansas State Highway Patrol’s Hazardous Device Unit was called and left with the device Wednesday evening after it was safely dismantled.

Pieces of the device will be sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Forensic Laboratories for further examination of trace evidence, police said in a news release. Police did not provide a description of the device.

No suspects have been developed and the investigation continues.

Pittsburg State officials on Thursday thanked law enforcement for their work said in a tweet they “wanted to follow up and say we’re all clear on this situation.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614900903033.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Thursday photo courtesy KOAM TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Thursday photo courtesy KOAM TV</figcaption>
 </figure>PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — A “suspicious device” that was found near the Pittsburg State University campus contained a “small amount of incendiary components,” police said.The device was found Wednesday in a block adjacent to the campus. The Kansas State Highway Patrol’s Hazardous Device Unit was called and left with the device Wednesday evening after it was safely dismantled.Pieces of the device will be sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Forensic Laboratories for further examination of trace evidence, police said in a news release. Police did not provide a description of the device.No suspects have been developed and the investigation continues.Pittsburg State officials on Thursday thanked law enforcement for their work said in a tweet they “wanted to follow up and say we’re all clear on this situation.”

Suspicious device removed from Pittsburg State campus

SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas man and woman arrested after three police officers were injured by a modified shotgun blast when they checked out a vacant home in Wichita made their first court appearance Wednesday.&nbsp;

James Hathorn, 46, is charged with burglary, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated weapons violation by a felon and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Tiffany Vulgamore is charged with burglary and theft.&nbsp;

Hathorn remains jailed on a bond of $100,000. Vulgamore is being held on a bond of $50,000, according to online jail records.

Just after 4p.m. February 27, police were dispatched to check the residence&nbsp; in the 1400 Block S. St. Francis in Wichita after a the homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to the vacant home and they believed someone might be inside.

Upon arrival, officers obtained keys from the homeowner and attempted to check the residence to ensure no one was inside. After entering the front door of the residence, officers reported hearing an explosion and three officers sustained injuries to their legs, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay during a Monday news conference.

Initially, the officers thought it was an explosion or even a bomb, according to Ramsay.

The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released Saturday. One of the other officers had minor injuries and the third was listed in serious but stable condition.&nbsp; Both were released from the hospital Monday.

The Wichita Police Department SWAT team and Bomb Squad were activated and secured the house. The investigation revealed that no one was inside the home, but someone had left a modified, loaded shotgun in the residence which discharged as the officers made entry.

Investigators learned the two suspects had been staying at the home but had left before police arrived Saturday. The loaded, sawed off shotgun had been left in a side pouch of a recliner near the entrance of the home, according to Ramsay.&nbsp;Police arrested Hathorn and Vulgamore on Sunday when they tried to enter the same home. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614629870051.png" alt="The modified shotgun -photo courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>The modified shotgun -photo courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas man and woman arrested after three police officers were injured by a modified shotgun blast when they checked out a vacant home in Wichita made their first court appearance Wednesday.&nbsp;James Hathorn, 46, is charged with burglary, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated weapons violation by a felon and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Tiffany Vulgamore is charged with burglary and theft.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614611582606.png" alt="Hathorn has previous convictions for theft, aggravated battery, criminal threat, violation of a protection order, remove or disable electronic monitoring equipment, interference with law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Hathorn has previous convictions for theft, aggravated battery, criminal threat, violation of a protection order, remove or disable electronic monitoring equipment, interference with law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>Hathorn remains jailed on a bond of $100,000. Vulgamore is being held on a bond of $50,000, according to online jail records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614627418126.png" alt="Vulgamore photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Vulgamore photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 4p.m. February 27, police were dispatched to check the residence&nbsp; in the 1400 Block S. St. Francis in Wichita after a the homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to the vacant home and they believed someone might be inside.Upon arrival, officers obtained keys from the homeowner and attempted to check the residence to ensure no one was inside. After entering the front door of the residence, officers reported hearing an explosion and three officers sustained injuries to their legs, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay during a Monday news conference.Initially, the officers thought it was an explosion or even a bomb, according to Ramsay.The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released Saturday. One of the other officers had minor injuries and the third was listed in serious but stable condition.&nbsp; Both were released from the hospital Monday.The Wichita Police Department SWAT team and Bomb Squad were activated and secured the house. The investigation revealed that no one was inside the home, but someone had left a modified, loaded shotgun in the residence which discharged as the officers made entry.Investigators learned the two suspects had been staying at the home but had left before police arrived Saturday. The loaded, sawed off shotgun had been left in a side pouch of a recliner near the entrance of the home, according to Ramsay.&nbsp;Police arrested Hathorn and Vulgamore on Sunday when they tried to enter the same home. -----

2 charged in case of modified shotgun that injured Kan. officers

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today announced her administration’s plan to vaccinate meatpacking plant workers in Kansas. Under the plan, all meatpacking workers who want to be vaccinated will receive the first dose within the next two weeks.

“Throughout this pandemic, meatpacking plant workers have stepped up to successfully maintain the food supply chain,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“We owe them our gratitude for keeping food on the shelves and on the plates of families across our state, our nation, and the world.”

“Since the pandemic began, many of us have anxiously awaited this day…a day where our meat processing employees would have access to a vaccine that would protect them, their coworkers, and their families,”&nbsp;Secretary Mike Beam, Kansas Department of Agriculture, said.

Much like Governor Kelly’s “Back to School” plan to vaccinate Kansas teachers and school staff, counties with meatpacking plants will receive additional vaccine doses specifically earmarked for meatpacking workers, in addition to the doses counties already receive from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

KDHE is coordinating this approach with local health departments and directly with the meatpacking plants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614899240296.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly held a zoom meeting on the plan Thursday.&nbsp; "Kansas meatpacking workers risked their lives to feed our state, our nation, and our world. I was proud to announce that by the end of next week, we will complete first doses for every meatpacking worker in Kansas."" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly held a zoom meeting on the plan Thursday.&nbsp; "Kansas meatpacking workers risked their lives to feed our state, our nation, and our world. I was proud to announce that by the end of next week, we will complete first doses for every meatpacking worker in Kansas."</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today announced her administration’s plan to vaccinate meatpacking plant workers in Kansas. Under the plan, all meatpacking workers who want to be vaccinated will receive the first dose within the next two weeks.“Throughout this pandemic, meatpacking plant workers have stepped up to successfully maintain the food supply chain,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“We owe them our gratitude for keeping food on the shelves and on the plates of families across our state, our nation, and the world.”“Since the pandemic began, many of us have anxiously awaited this day…a day where our meat processing employees would have access to a vaccine that would protect them, their coworkers, and their families,”&nbsp;Secretary Mike Beam, Kansas Department of Agriculture, said.Much like Governor Kelly’s “Back to School” plan to vaccinate Kansas teachers and school staff, counties with meatpacking plants will receive additional vaccine doses specifically earmarked for meatpacking workers, in addition to the doses counties already receive from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).KDHE is coordinating this approach with local health departments and directly with the meatpacking plants.

Plan will vaccinate Kansas meatpacking plant workers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Arrowhead Stadium has a new name. The Kansas City Chiefs announced the stadium will be known as GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. 

The team reached a naming rights agreement with Government Employees Health Association, which is the Chiefs' exclusive partner for health, dental and vision plans. 

GEHA and Chiefs officials said they are committed to ensuring Arrowhead Stadium remains the identity of the venue. It is the first time in Chiefs history that the organization has sold naming rights for Arrowhead. The stadium opened in 1972 and is one of the NFL's most recognizable venues.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Arrowhead Stadium has a new name. The Kansas City Chiefs announced the stadium will be known as GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The team reached a naming rights agreement with Government Employees Health Association, which is the Chiefs' exclusive partner for health, dental and vision plans. GEHA and Chiefs officials said they are committed to ensuring Arrowhead Stadium remains the identity of the venue. It is the first time in Chiefs history that the organization has sold naming rights for Arrowhead. The stadium opened in 1972 and is one of the NFL's most recognizable venues.

Chiefs sell naming rights to field at Arrowhead Stadium

KANSAS CITY —The mayor of Missouri’s largest city has asked the federal government to make sure the state's urban residents get better access to coronavirus vaccines.

In a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas wrote wrote that the federal government has plans to set up 18 mass vaccination sites around the country, but none of them are in Missouri. He asked that Kansas City be added to the list.

On Thursday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced plans to get more vaccine to Kansas City.&nbsp; "While vaccine distribution is based on population throughout each region, we do recognize that some Missourians are less interested in receiving a vaccine than others," Parson wrote on twitter.

"Vaccine interest is often highest in urban populations, so starting next week, we will begin transitioning mass vaccination teams to accommodate more events in Region A (Kansas City region) and Region C (St. Louis region). We expect a full transition by April 1."

Both mass and targeted vaccination events hosted by the state will begin utilizing the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as supply allows, according to Parson. This will help increase the scale and efficiency of these events as vaccination teams will not need to return for boosters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614891206146.png" alt="Missouri Governor Mike Parson with members of the National Guard during a vaccination event on Thursday" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Governor Mike Parson with members of the National Guard during a vaccination event on Thursday</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The mayor of Missouri’s largest city has asked the federal government to make sure the state's urban residents get better access to coronavirus vaccines.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614807036253.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas wrote wrote that the federal government has plans to set up 18 mass vaccination sites around the country, but none of them are in Missouri. He asked that Kansas City be added to the list.On Thursday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced plans to get more vaccine to Kansas City.&nbsp; "While vaccine distribution is based on population throughout each region, we do recognize that some Missourians are less interested in receiving a vaccine than others," Parson wrote on twitter."Vaccine interest is often highest in urban populations, so starting next week, we will begin transitioning mass vaccination teams to accommodate more events in Region A (Kansas City region) and Region C (St. Louis region). We expect a full transition by April 1."Both mass and targeted vaccination events hosted by the state will begin utilizing the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as supply allows, according to Parson. This will help increase the scale and efficiency of these events as vaccination teams will not need to return for boosters.

Governor: More mass vaccination teams coming to Kansas City

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill that would require high school students to pass a civics test to graduate has won initial approval in the Kansas House.

(Click below to listen to the House debate about a civics test)

Lawmakers voted Wednesday to advance the bill despite opposition from the Kansas State Board of Education, which said the bill encroaches on its constitutional authority to set graduation requirements. The bill faces a final House vote before going to the Senate.

The legislation would require students to pass one or more tests consisting of 60 questions from the 128-question U.S. citizenship test. The bill does not set a passing grade, and students would be able to take the test multiple times. Valley Center Republican Rep. Steve Huebert, the bill’s chief proponent, said teachers could decide what constitutes passing.

The test would also require high schools to submit an annual report to the state board showing how students are doing on the tests.

Supporters say the test would give students basic knowledge to become engaged citizens. Nineteen states require high school graduates to take a civics test, according to the Kansas Department of Legislative Research.

The bill faces pushback from education groups, including the Kansas National Education Association, which says that students are already getting an education in civics in government and history classes.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill that would require high school students to pass a civics test to graduate has won initial approval in the Kansas House.(Click below to listen to the House debate about a civics test)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4QAIh32JLJ0?start=17474" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Lawmakers voted Wednesday to advance the bill despite opposition from the Kansas State Board of Education, which said the bill encroaches on its constitutional authority to set graduation requirements. The bill faces a final House vote before going to the Senate.The legislation would require students to pass one or more tests consisting of 60 questions from the 128-question U.S. citizenship test. The bill does not set a passing grade, and students would be able to take the test multiple times. Valley Center Republican Rep. Steve Huebert, the bill’s chief proponent, said teachers could decide what constitutes passing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614884863187.png" alt="Valley Center Republican Rep. Steve Huebert, the bill’s chief proponent, said teachers could decide what constitutes passing." />
 <figcaption>Valley Center Republican Rep. Steve Huebert, the bill’s chief proponent, said teachers could decide what constitutes passing.</figcaption>
 </figure>The test would also require high schools to submit an annual report to the state board showing how students are doing on the tests.Supporters say the test would give students basic knowledge to become engaged citizens. Nineteen states require high school graduates to take a civics test, according to the Kansas Department of Legislative Research.The bill faces pushback from education groups, including the Kansas National Education Association, which says that students are already getting an education in civics in government and history classes.

🎥  Kan. House gives initial approval to civics test for graduation

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in the backyard of a home during a small gathering in Wichita have arrested&nbsp;41-year-old Michael Swinney, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Just before 1a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police responded to a home in the 2400 Block of North Sunny Lane in Wichita, according to&nbsp;Captain Jason Stephens.&nbsp; In the backyard of that location, police located 22-year-old Jacob Kalese with several gunshot wounds.&nbsp; EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation revealed Kalese, his girlfriend and Swinney were at a small gathering at the home with several other individuals.&nbsp; A disturbance occurred between Swinney and Kalese, multiple shots were fired and&nbsp; Swinney fled the scene.

Through the investigation, investigators learned of Swinney’s involvement and he was arrested Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 100 block of South Young in Wichita without incident, according to Davidson.

Swinney is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, an arrest and detain order through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), and outstanding warrants, according to Davidson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614870081716.png" alt="Swinney has numerous convictions that include aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, violation of the offender registration act and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Swinney has numerous convictions that include aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, violation of the offender registration act and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in the backyard of a home during a small gathering in Wichita have arrested&nbsp;41-year-old Michael Swinney, according to officer Charley Davidson.Just before 1a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police responded to a home in the 2400 Block of North Sunny Lane in Wichita, according to&nbsp;Captain Jason Stephens.&nbsp; In the backyard of that location, police located 22-year-old Jacob Kalese with several gunshot wounds.&nbsp; EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614789091458.png" alt="Police on the scene of the Wednesday morning shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the Wednesday morning shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed Kalese, his girlfriend and Swinney were at a small gathering at the home with several other individuals.&nbsp; A disturbance occurred between Swinney and Kalese, multiple shots were fired and&nbsp; Swinney fled the scene.Through the investigation, investigators learned of Swinney’s involvement and he was arrested Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 100 block of South Young in Wichita without incident, according to Davidson.Swinney is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, an arrest and detain order through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), and outstanding warrants, according to Davidson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police: Kan. felon accused of murder during backyard gathering 

&nbsp;SALINE COUNTY —Several restored vehicles were among the loss in a rural Saline County structure fire late Wednesday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614874678901.jpeg" alt="Crews at the scene of the fire on Wednesday -photos Saline Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Crews at the scene of the fire on Wednesday -photos Saline Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;SALINE COUNTY —Several restored vehicles were among the loss in a rural Saline County structure fire late Wednesday afternoon.Just after 5:30p.m. Wednesday, firefighters from Rural Fire Districts 6 and 2&nbsp; were dispatched to report of a fire in the 4200 block of West Parsons Road north of the unincorporated Saline County community of Salemsborg according to, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. When they arrived, they found a building on the property ablaze.A 1932 Ford valued at $33,000, a restored 1946 Studebaker valued at $33,000, a restored 1953 Chevrolet pickup valued at $33,000, a 1939 Studebaker valued at $2,000 along with $25,000 worth of tools were located inside the building, according to Soldan. The building itself was valued at $60,000. The total loss as a result of the fire is $186,000.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614874752297.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The property owner, Ron Householter, 58, was not home at the time of the fire, which was believed to be caused by an electrical issue. There were no injuries reported.