TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is gearing up for a large increase in testing as it works to bring an outbreak of the coronavirus under control.

Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health and environment, said Wednesday that he expects to have up to 64,000 test kits that can produce results in 45 minutes in the coming weeks, the Lawrence Journal-World reports.

“Very clearly we need to do population studies, meaning testing people who are well,” he said. “It’s very fundamental work and will push the analysis (of the virus) upstream. But until that time, social distancing is the name of the game.”

Health officials reported 482 cases Wednesday, up 54 from Tuesday. Also, the number of COVID-19 fatalities has grown to 11 following the death Tuesday of a 90-year-old woman in Coffey County. The county is battling an outbreak at the Life Care Center of Burlington, located about 60 miles south of Topeka.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585769259410.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Governor Laura Kelly answer questions during Wednesday's press conference" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Governor Laura Kelly answer questions during Wednesday's press conference</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is gearing up for a large increase in testing as it works to bring an outbreak of the coronavirus under control.Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health and environment, said Wednesday that he expects to have up to 64,000 test kits that can produce results in 45 minutes in the coming weeks, the Lawrence Journal-World reports.“Very clearly we need to do population studies, meaning testing people who are well,” he said. “It’s very fundamental work and will push the analysis (of the virus) upstream. But until that time, social distancing is the name of the game.”Health officials reported 482 cases Wednesday, up 54 from Tuesday. Also, the number of COVID-19 fatalities has grown to 11 following the death Tuesday of a 90-year-old woman in Coffey County. The county is battling an outbreak at the Life Care Center of Burlington, located about 60 miles south of Topeka.For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

Kansas plans to increase testing soon in fight against virus

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of burglaries involving storage unit facilities.

Through the investigations of these burglaries, police in Wichita believe multiple suspects are involved, according to officer Charley Davidson.

 The suspects will generally break into a storage unit, take items, and then replace the lock, making it appear no burglary had occurred. In some of these situations, a theft has not been noticed for several weeks, which can hinder the investigation.

On Monday, an individual reported multiple burglaries to the storage units by the locks being cut off in the 1700 block of North Rock Road in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

If you know the identity of these individuals or have any information on this case, please contact police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585830608199.png" alt="Security camera images Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of burglaries involving storage unit facilities.Through the investigations of these burglaries, police in Wichita believe multiple suspects are involved, according to officer Charley Davidson. The suspects will generally break into a storage unit, take items, and then replace the lock, making it appear no burglary had occurred. In some of these situations, a theft has not been noticed for several weeks, which can hinder the investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585830518989.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, an individual reported multiple burglaries to the storage units by the locks being cut off in the 1700 block of North Rock Road in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585830964227.png" alt="Vehicle used in Monday burglary -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Vehicle used in Monday burglary -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>If you know the identity of these individuals or have any information on this case, please contact police.

Police warn of storage unit burglary trend in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home order to stem the spread of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the new coronavirus</a>&nbsp;despite his administration’s projections that tens of thousands of Americans are likely to be killed by the disease. One by one, though, states are increasingly pushing shutdown orders of their own.

Trump said Wednesday he wants to give governors’ “flexibility” on whether a stay-at-home policy is the best option for their constituents but acknowledged that he’s looking at limiting air and rail travel between hot spots within the United States. The Republican president remains hesitant to press a unified policy even after the White House released “sobering”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c8a9da5569b191ae278e60fffcc855f7">new projections&nbsp;</a>on Tuesday that 100,000 to 240,000 Americans will likely succumb to the coronavirus even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.

Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday the nation’s federalist system leaves much of the authority on how to properly respond to catastrophes to state governors and local officials.

On Wednesday alone, five more states — Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada and Pennsylvania — added or expanded their stay-at-home orders.

But the invocation of federalism in the midst of a crisis that threatens a nationwide body count on par with some of the deadliest American wars suggests that Trump and his advisers are cognizant of the political ramifications of their response. Republican governors in states like Florida, Texas and Nebraska have questioned the necessity of applying strong&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing rules</a>&nbsp;to rural or exurban areas that haven’t reported much evidence of the virus.

The lack of a unified, 50-state response also collides with evidence emerging that coronavirus infections are being spread by people who have no clear symptoms, complicating efforts to gain control of the pandemic. A study conducted by researchers in Singapore and published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday is the latest to estimate that around 10% of new coronavirus infections may be spread by people who were infected with the virus but not experiencing symptom

Even while deferring to governors. the Trump administration has issued guidelines that have urged Americans to work from home if possible, cancel on-site instruction at schools and avoid large gatherings. The resistance to a more robust response comes even as Vice President Mike Pence said White House models for the coronavirus toll show the country on a trajectory akin to hard-hit Italy.

Speaking to CNN, Pence said, “We think Italy may be the most comparable area to the United States at this point.” Italy, which has already recorded more than 13,000 deaths, has issued a nationwide quarantine, shutting down almost all industrial production and offices and largely prohibiting residents from leaving their homes. The U.S. has recorded more than 5,000 deaths, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The White House’s best-case projection for loss of life assumes statewide stay-at-home orders, according to a senior administration official familiar with Trump’s thinking. Trump, the official said, is a believer in federalism and that it is up to governors to set restrictions for their states. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions.

More than 285 million people live in the 40 states where governors have declared statewide shelter-in-place orders or have recommended that residents stay home. In other states — places like Iowa and Nebraska, among others — governors have resisted state-level decisions, but some localities have declared residents should stay at home.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1a7c1f7f226c6d04fa7ca380998a7e9a">a poll published Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 78% of U.S. adults, including 84% of Democrats and 76% of Republicans, favor requiring Americans to stay in their homes except for essential errands. Americans in states that already had stay-at-home orders in place when the survey began are more likely than those in states that did not to approve of their state’s response, 63% to 51%.

Still, Trump — who has conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/969eafc8f5cb01e9b3e8fe941b3264eb">long, near-daily briefings</a>&nbsp;on his administration’s response to the virus outbreak over the last three weeks — has been reluctant to use his bully pulpit to urge governors to issue orders that would help effectively create a national quarantine.

“There are some states that are different,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “There are some states that don’t have much of a problem.”

But there are signs that Trump administration officials are pushing behind the scenes for holdout governors to issue statewide quarantines.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had resisted issuing a statewide order but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e5bac343ca91824ecd6c7699bf371183">reversed course and issued one</a>&nbsp;Wednesday as federal and local pressure mounted for him to abandon the county-by-county approach he had implemented.

DeSantis, a Republican, told reporters that he decided to issue the order after consulting with Trump and White House advisers.

Rep. Donna Shalala, a Florida Democrat, said earlier Wednesday that Trump should be pressing governors for a unified approach to help stem the spread of the disease, calling his response so far “fragmented, weak and uneven.”

“He hasn’t made a national plea to say we’re all in this together, and he hasn’t even talked to the governors about all doing the same thing,” Shalala, who was secretary of health and human services under President Bill Clinton, said in an interview.

Authority to order quarantines inside states rests almost entirely with states under provisions in the U.S. Constitution ceding power not explicitly delegated to the federal government to states, courts have ruled consistently for years. While the federal government itself can’t order nationwide quarantines or impose quarantines on states, courts have said it has clear power under constitutional clauses regulating commerce to quarantine international travelers or those traveling state to state who might be carriers of deadly diseases.

A few legal scholars have argued that the Constitution’s Commerce Clause may vest Trump with powers to impose a multiple state or national lockdown with or without states’ approval, though any such move under that minority interpretation would almost certainly be challenged immediately as unconstitutional.

Pence told CNN that leaders and residents of states that haven’t been hard hit are already taking action to slow the virus’ spread.

In Nebraska, Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he’s basing his decisions on the advice he gets from public health experts at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which has dealt extensively with outbreaks and served as a quarantine space for Ebola patients. In Iowa, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has resisted a mandatory shelter-in- place order, saying the data she looks at doesn’t yet justify it in her state.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, another Republican, said her voluntary guidance had helped slow the infection rate. “The calls to apply a one-size-fits-all approach is herd mentality, it’s not leadership,” she said.

Ricketts, a vocal Trump supporter, has repeatedly said he won’t impose a stay-at-home order in Nebraska but has ordered restaurants either to close their dining areas or allow no more than 10 people inside at once, depending on their location in the state.

In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered schools to stay closed through at least May and imposed restrictions that doctors and even his critics say are tantamount to a stay-at-home order for the state. Still, Abbott refused to call it that.

“This is not a stay-at-home strategy. A stay-at-home strategy would mean that you have to stay home,” Abbott said. “This is a standard based upon essential services and essential activities.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696207171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home order to stem the spread of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the new coronavirus</a>&nbsp;despite his administration’s projections that tens of thousands of Americans are likely to be killed by the disease. One by one, though, states are increasingly pushing shutdown orders of their own.Trump said Wednesday he wants to give governors’ “flexibility” on whether a stay-at-home policy is the best option for their constituents but acknowledged that he’s looking at limiting air and rail travel between hot spots within the United States. The Republican president remains hesitant to press a unified policy even after the White House released “sobering”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c8a9da5569b191ae278e60fffcc855f7">new projections&nbsp;</a>on Tuesday that 100,000 to 240,000 Americans will likely succumb to the coronavirus even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584976508622.png" alt="Surgeon General Jerome Adams-photo courtesy White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Surgeon General Jerome Adams-photo courtesy White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday the nation’s federalist system leaves much of the authority on how to properly respond to catastrophes to state governors and local officials.On Wednesday alone, five more states — Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada and Pennsylvania — added or expanded their stay-at-home orders.But the invocation of federalism in the midst of a crisis that threatens a nationwide body count on par with some of the deadliest American wars suggests that Trump and his advisers are cognizant of the political ramifications of their response. Republican governors in states like Florida, Texas and Nebraska have questioned the necessity of applying strong&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing rules</a>&nbsp;to rural or exurban areas that haven’t reported much evidence of the virus.The lack of a unified, 50-state response also collides with evidence emerging that coronavirus infections are being spread by people who have no clear symptoms, complicating efforts to gain control of the pandemic. A study conducted by researchers in Singapore and published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday is the latest to estimate that around 10% of new coronavirus infections may be spread by people who were infected with the virus but not experiencing symptom<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696236815.png" alt="White House" />
 <figcaption>White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Even while deferring to governors. the Trump administration has issued guidelines that have urged Americans to work from home if possible, cancel on-site instruction at schools and avoid large gatherings. The resistance to a more robust response comes even as Vice President Mike Pence said White House models for the coronavirus toll show the country on a trajectory akin to hard-hit Italy.Speaking to CNN, Pence said, “We think Italy may be the most comparable area to the United States at this point.” Italy, which has already recorded more than 13,000 deaths, has issued a nationwide quarantine, shutting down almost all industrial production and offices and largely prohibiting residents from leaving their homes. The U.S. has recorded more than 5,000 deaths, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.The White House’s best-case projection for loss of life assumes statewide stay-at-home orders, according to a senior administration official familiar with Trump’s thinking. Trump, the official said, is a believer in federalism and that it is up to governors to set restrictions for their states. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions.More than 285 million people live in the 40 states where governors have declared statewide shelter-in-place orders or have recommended that residents stay home. In other states — places like Iowa and Nebraska, among others — governors have resisted state-level decisions, but some localities have declared residents should stay at home.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1a7c1f7f226c6d04fa7ca380998a7e9a">a poll published Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 78% of U.S. adults, including 84% of Democrats and 76% of Republicans, favor requiring Americans to stay in their homes except for essential errands. Americans in states that already had stay-at-home orders in place when the survey began are more likely than those in states that did not to approve of their state’s response, 63% to 51%.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585690758211.png" alt="President Trump answers questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answers questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>Still, Trump — who has conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/969eafc8f5cb01e9b3e8fe941b3264eb">long, near-daily briefings</a>&nbsp;on his administration’s response to the virus outbreak over the last three weeks — has been reluctant to use his bully pulpit to urge governors to issue orders that would help effectively create a national quarantine.“There are some states that are different,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “There are some states that don’t have much of a problem.”But there are signs that Trump administration officials are pushing behind the scenes for holdout governors to issue statewide quarantines.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had resisted issuing a statewide order but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e5bac343ca91824ecd6c7699bf371183">reversed course and issued one</a>&nbsp;Wednesday as federal and local pressure mounted for him to abandon the county-by-county approach he had implemented.DeSantis, a Republican, told reporters that he decided to issue the order after consulting with Trump and White House advisers.Rep. Donna Shalala, a Florida Democrat, said earlier Wednesday that Trump should be pressing governors for a unified approach to help stem the spread of the disease, calling his response so far “fragmented, weak and uneven.”“He hasn’t made a national plea to say we’re all in this together, and he hasn’t even talked to the governors about all doing the same thing,” Shalala, who was secretary of health and human services under President Bill Clinton, said in an interview.Authority to order quarantines inside states rests almost entirely with states under provisions in the U.S. Constitution ceding power not explicitly delegated to the federal government to states, courts have ruled consistently for years. While the federal government itself can’t order nationwide quarantines or impose quarantines on states, courts have said it has clear power under constitutional clauses regulating commerce to quarantine international travelers or those traveling state to state who might be carriers of deadly diseases.A few legal scholars have argued that the Constitution’s Commerce Clause may vest Trump with powers to impose a multiple state or national lockdown with or without states’ approval, though any such move under that minority interpretation would almost certainly be challenged immediately as unconstitutional.Pence told CNN that leaders and residents of states that haven’t been hard hit are already taking action to slow the virus’ spread.In Nebraska, Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he’s basing his decisions on the advice he gets from public health experts at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which has dealt extensively with outbreaks and served as a quarantine space for Ebola patients. In Iowa, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has resisted a mandatory shelter-in- place order, saying the data she looks at doesn’t yet justify it in her state.South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, another Republican, said her voluntary guidance had helped slow the infection rate. “The calls to apply a one-size-fits-all approach is herd mentality, it’s not leadership,” she said.Ricketts, a vocal Trump supporter, has repeatedly said he won’t impose a stay-at-home order in Nebraska but has ordered restaurants either to close their dining areas or allow no more than 10 people inside at once, depending on their location in the state.In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered schools to stay closed through at least May and imposed restrictions that doctors and even his critics say are tantamount to a stay-at-home order for the state. Still, Abbott refused to call it that.“This is not a stay-at-home strategy. A stay-at-home strategy would mean that you have to stay home,” Abbott said. “This is a standard based upon essential services and essential activities.”___

Trump resists national shutdown, leaving it up to states

BUFFALO, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri man is facing a felony charge of making a terrorist threat after he allegedly tried to avoid being arrested by lying about possibly having the coronavirus.

Dallas County Sheriff's deputies went to Larry Moore's home in Buffalo on March 20 to investigate a disturbance report.

Moore, 47, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest but he told deputies he was awaiting results of a recent test for the coronavirus, The Springfield News-Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2020/04/01/dallas-county-man-charged-lying-coronavirus-avoid-arrest/5102966002/">reported</a>.

The documents say Moore was not arrested "for the safety of law enforcement."

He was arrested later that day at a Sonic restaurant after a witness told authorities Moore had admitted lying about the coronavirus to avoid being arrested, court documents said.

Because he had two prior felony convictions, Moore faces up to seven years in prison if he is convicted of the terrorist threat charge. Online court records don't list a defense attorney for this case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585822170041.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Moore photo Dallas County SheriffBUFFALO, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri man is facing a felony charge of making a terrorist threat after he allegedly tried to avoid being arrested by lying about possibly having the coronavirus.Dallas County Sheriff's deputies went to Larry Moore's home in Buffalo on March 20 to investigate a disturbance report.Moore, 47, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest but he told deputies he was awaiting results of a recent test for the coronavirus, The Springfield News-Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2020/04/01/dallas-county-man-charged-lying-coronavirus-avoid-arrest/5102966002/">reported</a>.The documents say Moore was not arrested "for the safety of law enforcement."He was arrested later that day at a Sonic restaurant after a witness told authorities Moore had admitted lying about the coronavirus to avoid being arrested, court documents said.Because he had two prior felony convictions, Moore faces up to seven years in prison if he is convicted of the terrorist threat charge. Online court records don't list a defense attorney for this case.

Police: Man lied about having coronavirus to avoid arrest

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators are telling drugmakers to immediately pull their popular heartburn drugs off the market after determining that a contamination issue with the medications poses a greater risk than previously thought.

The move from the Food and Drug Administration Wednesday applies to all prescription and over-the-counter versions of ranitidine, best known by the brand name Zantac. The drugs are widely used to treat stomach acid and ulcers.

Patients should stop taking any of the medications they currently have and throw them away, the FDA said.

The agency last year said patients could continue taking the medications and did not face health risks from low levels of a "probable" cancer-causing contaminant found in multiple brands.

But officials reversed that decision, saying they've now determined that levels of the chemical increase over time, especially if tablets and capsules are stored at higher temperatures. That poses an unacceptable risk to patients, they said.

"Since we don't know how or for how long the product might have been stored, we decided that it should not be available to consumers and patients," said Dr. Janet Woodcock in a statement.

Woodcock said there are multiple alternative medications to treat heartburn, including Prilosec, Nexium and Tagament.

Many makers of ranitidine drugs already removed their products from the market, including Zantac-manufacturer Sanofi. Additionally several drug store chains pulled the drugs from their shelves last year.

Dozens of recalls have been linked to the same probable carcinogen since last year. The FDA is still investigating the issue and has sanctioned at least one manufacturing plant in India that makes ingredients used in the medications.

The FDA has suspended nearly all U.S. and foreign inspections due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585825168959.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators are telling drugmakers to immediately pull their popular heartburn drugs off the market after determining that a contamination issue with the medications poses a greater risk than previously thought.The move from the Food and Drug Administration Wednesday applies to all prescription and over-the-counter versions of ranitidine, best known by the brand name Zantac. The drugs are widely used to treat stomach acid and ulcers.Patients should stop taking any of the medications they currently have and throw them away, the FDA said.The agency last year said patients could continue taking the medications and did not face health risks from low levels of a "probable" cancer-causing contaminant found in multiple brands.But officials reversed that decision, saying they've now determined that levels of the chemical increase over time, especially if tablets and capsules are stored at higher temperatures. That poses an unacceptable risk to patients, they said."Since we don't know how or for how long the product might have been stored, we decided that it should not be available to consumers and patients," said Dr. Janet Woodcock in a statement.Woodcock said there are multiple alternative medications to treat heartburn, including Prilosec, Nexium and Tagament.Many makers of ranitidine drugs already removed their products from the market, including Zantac-manufacturer Sanofi. Additionally several drug store chains pulled the drugs from their shelves last year.Dozens of recalls have been linked to the same probable carcinogen since last year. The FDA is still investigating the issue and has sanctioned at least one manufacturing plant in India that makes ingredients used in the medications.The FDA has suspended nearly all U.S. and foreign inspections due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

FDA wants heartburn meds off the market due to contamination

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; three suspect in connection with a gun fight.

Just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a disturbance with shots fired in the 1500 block of North Spruce.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers contacted a 57-year-old male resident, his 32-year-old son, and the son’s 19-year-old male friend.&nbsp; The 57-year-old reported that a group of males came to his residence and began a physical disturbance with his son.

The 57-year-old reported that he retrieved a handgun in defense of his son, and the group of men then ran away.&nbsp;&nbsp; While running away, they began firing shots at him, and there was an exchange of multiple gunshots.

The 57-year-old’s home and a nearby vacant home were struck with gunshots.&nbsp; However, there were no injuries. A 16-year-old male was located by officers in the area and was arrested.&nbsp; Police also located 22-year-old David Hayes and 20-year-old Antwain Thomas both of Wichita at a nearby residence and took them into custody. All three face requested charges of charges of aggravated assault.&nbsp; Thomas is also accused of marijuana possession, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585772163847.png" alt="Hayes photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hayes photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; three suspect in connection with a gun fight.Just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a disturbance with shots fired in the 1500 block of North Spruce.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers contacted a 57-year-old male resident, his 32-year-old son, and the son’s 19-year-old male friend.&nbsp; The 57-year-old reported that a group of males came to his residence and began a physical disturbance with his son.The 57-year-old reported that he retrieved a handgun in defense of his son, and the group of men then ran away.&nbsp;&nbsp; While running away, they began firing shots at him, and there was an exchange of multiple gunshots.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585772130313.png" alt="Thomas photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Thomas photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>The 57-year-old’s home and a nearby vacant home were struck with gunshots.&nbsp; However, there were no injuries. A 16-year-old male was located by officers in the area and was arrested.&nbsp; Police also located 22-year-old David Hayes and 20-year-old Antwain Thomas both of Wichita at a nearby residence and took them into custody. All three face requested charges of charges of aggravated assault.&nbsp; Thomas is also accused of marijuana possession, according to Davidson.

Police arrest 2 Kan. men, 16-year-old for alleged gun fight

LABETTE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Wednesday in Labette County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Tiffany N. Jakee, 29, Parsons,&nbsp; was southbound on U.S. 59 south of Larsen Boulevard. 

The vehicle traveled left of center, passed another southbound vehicle in a no passing zone, drove partially off the roadway onto the northbound shoulder and struck a pedestrian identified as William A. Treiber, 29, St. Paul, Kansas, who was&nbsp;walking southbound on the northbound shoulder of U.S. 59

Treiber was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics. Jakee was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

LABETTE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Wednesday in Labette County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Tiffany N. Jakee, 29, Parsons,&nbsp; was southbound on U.S. 59 south of Larsen Boulevard. The vehicle traveled left of center, passed another southbound vehicle in a no passing zone, drove partially off the roadway onto the northbound shoulder and struck a pedestrian identified as William A. Treiber, 29, St. Paul, Kansas, who was&nbsp;walking southbound on the northbound shoulder of U.S. 59Treiber was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics. Jakee was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man struck, killed walking on shoulder of highway

MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Navy ships are being moved toward Venezuela as his administration beefs up counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean following a U.S. drug indictment against Nicolás Maduro.

The announcement came at the start of the daily White House press briefing to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, which has left much of the country in lock-down and which the government warns could cause 100,000 to 240,000 deaths.

“The Venezuelan people continue to suffer tremendously due to Maduro and his criminal control over the country, and drug traffickers are seizing on this lawlessness,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper said after the president’s announcement.

The deployment is one of the largest U.S. military operations in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama to remove Gen. Manuel Noriega from power and bring him to the U.S. to face drug charges. It involves assets like Navy warships, AWACS surveillance aircraft and on-ground special forces seldom seen before in the region.

The goal is to nearly double the U.S. counter-narcotics capacity in the Western Hemisphere, with forces operating both in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Esper said the mission would be supported by 22 partner nations.

“As governments and nations focus on the coronavirus there is a growing threat that cartels, criminals, terrorists and other malign actors will try to exploit the situation for their own gain,” said Trump. “We must not let that happen.”

The enhanced mission has been months in the making but has taken on greater urgency following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">last week’s indictment</a>&nbsp;of Maduro, Venezuela’s embattled socialist leader, and members of his inner circle and military. They are accused of leading a narcoterrorist conspiracy responsible for smuggling up to 250 metric tons of cocaine a year into the U.S., about half of it by sea.

"If I was just indicted for drug trafficking by the United States, with a $15 million reward for my capture, having the U.S. Navy conducting anti-drug operations off my coast would be something I would worry about,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who has been among those calling for a tougher stance against Maduro.

Maduro’s communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, called the deployment a “desperate attempt to distract attention from the tragic humanitarian crisis” in the U.S. caused by the coronavirus. In an ironic jab, he said that for “the first time” in decades the U.S. is trying to choke off the supply of cocaine, which he noted mostly comes from Colombia, a staunch U.S. ally.

Maduro has blasted the Trump administration’s offer of a $15 million reward for his arrest, calling it the work of a “racist cowboy” aimed at getting U.S. hands on Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the world’s largest.

Others have faulted a U.S. plan, unveiled Tuesday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to create a five-member council without Maduro or Guaidó to govern the country until elections can be held within a year. While its the first attempt in months by the U.S. to seek a negotiated solution to Venezuela’s stalemate, coming on the heels of the indictments many say it has little hope of succeeding and likely to drive Maduro farther away from the path of dialogue.

The Trump administration has long insisted that all options are on the table for removing Maduro, including military ones. Still, there’s no indication then, or now, that any sort of U.S. invasion is being planned.

Rather, the sending of ships fits into a longstanding call by the U.S. Southern Command for additional assets to combat growing antinarcotics and other security threats in the hemisphere.

It could also be an attempt to send a message of protection for Maduro’s U.S.-backed rival, Juan Guaidó.

Maduro’s chief prosecutor ordered Guaidó to provide testimony Thursday as part of an investigation into an alleged coup attempt. Guaidó, the head of Venezuela’s congress who is recognized as his country’s legitimate leader by the U.S. and almost 60 other nations, is unlikely to show up, raising the possibility he could be arrested. The U.S. has long insisted it will not tolerate any harm against Guaido.

In January, another Navy vessel, the USS Detroit, conducted a freedom of navigation operation off the coast of Venezuela in a show of pressure against Maduro.

“That presence sends a big statement about U.S. commitment, it sends a big statement to our friends, it reassures them, and then to our adversaries that those are capable performers,” Adm. Craig Faller, the head of the U.S. military’s Southern Command, said in congressional testimony last month.

The report of the planned deployment comes two days after one of Venezuela’s naval patrol boats sank after colliding with a Portuguese-flagged cruise ship near the Venezuelan-controlled island of La Tortuga. Maduro accused the ship of acting aggressively and said it was possibly carrying “mercenaries” seeking his ouster.

“You have to be very naive to see this as an isolated incident,” Maduro said Tuesday night on state TV.

But Columbia Cruise Services, the operator of the cruise ship, said the patrol boat fired gunshots and than purposely rammed into the liner at speed. There were no passengers on board and none of its 32 crew members were injured, the company said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585823451382.png" alt="President Trump announced the operation during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump announced the operation during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Navy ships are being moved toward Venezuela as his administration beefs up counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean following a U.S. drug indictment against Nicolás Maduro.The announcement came at the start of the daily White House press briefing to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, which has left much of the country in lock-down and which the government warns could cause 100,000 to 240,000 deaths.“The Venezuelan people continue to suffer tremendously due to Maduro and his criminal control over the country, and drug traffickers are seizing on this lawlessness,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper said after the president’s announcement.The deployment is one of the largest U.S. military operations in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama to remove Gen. Manuel Noriega from power and bring him to the U.S. to face drug charges. It involves assets like Navy warships, AWACS surveillance aircraft and on-ground special forces seldom seen before in the region.The goal is to nearly double the U.S. counter-narcotics capacity in the Western Hemisphere, with forces operating both in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Esper said the mission would be supported by 22 partner nations.“As governments and nations focus on the coronavirus there is a growing threat that cartels, criminals, terrorists and other malign actors will try to exploit the situation for their own gain,” said Trump. “We must not let that happen.”The enhanced mission has been months in the making but has taken on greater urgency following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">last week’s indictment</a>&nbsp;of Maduro, Venezuela’s embattled socialist leader, and members of his inner circle and military. They are accused of leading a narcoterrorist conspiracy responsible for smuggling up to 250 metric tons of cocaine a year into the U.S., about half of it by sea."If I was just indicted for drug trafficking by the United States, with a $15 million reward for my capture, having the U.S. Navy conducting anti-drug operations off my coast would be something I would worry about,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who has been among those calling for a tougher stance against Maduro.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585777561924.png" alt="General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff answered questions during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force Media briefing" />
 <figcaption>General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff answered questions during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force Media briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>Maduro’s communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, called the deployment a “desperate attempt to distract attention from the tragic humanitarian crisis” in the U.S. caused by the coronavirus. In an ironic jab, he said that for “the first time” in decades the U.S. is trying to choke off the supply of cocaine, which he noted mostly comes from Colombia, a staunch U.S. ally.Maduro has blasted the Trump administration’s offer of a $15 million reward for his arrest, calling it the work of a “racist cowboy” aimed at getting U.S. hands on Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the world’s largest.Others have faulted a U.S. plan, unveiled Tuesday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to create a five-member council without Maduro or Guaidó to govern the country until elections can be held within a year. While its the first attempt in months by the U.S. to seek a negotiated solution to Venezuela’s stalemate, coming on the heels of the indictments many say it has little hope of succeeding and likely to drive Maduro farther away from the path of dialogue.The Trump administration has long insisted that all options are on the table for removing Maduro, including military ones. Still, there’s no indication then, or now, that any sort of U.S. invasion is being planned.Rather, the sending of ships fits into a longstanding call by the U.S. Southern Command for additional assets to combat growing antinarcotics and other security threats in the hemisphere.It could also be an attempt to send a message of protection for Maduro’s U.S.-backed rival, Juan Guaidó.Maduro’s chief prosecutor ordered Guaidó to provide testimony Thursday as part of an investigation into an alleged coup attempt. Guaidó, the head of Venezuela’s congress who is recognized as his country’s legitimate leader by the U.S. and almost 60 other nations, is unlikely to show up, raising the possibility he could be arrested. The U.S. has long insisted it will not tolerate any harm against Guaido.In January, another Navy vessel, the USS Detroit, conducted a freedom of navigation operation off the coast of Venezuela in a show of pressure against Maduro.“That presence sends a big statement about U.S. commitment, it sends a big statement to our friends, it reassures them, and then to our adversaries that those are capable performers,” Adm. Craig Faller, the head of the U.S. military’s Southern Command, said in congressional testimony last month.The report of the planned deployment comes two days after one of Venezuela’s naval patrol boats sank after colliding with a Portuguese-flagged cruise ship near the Venezuelan-controlled island of La Tortuga. Maduro accused the ship of acting aggressively and said it was possibly carrying “mercenaries” seeking his ouster.“You have to be very naive to see this as an isolated incident,” Maduro said Tuesday night on state TV.But Columbia Cruise Services, the operator of the cruise ship, said the patrol boat fired gunshots and than purposely rammed into the liner at speed. There were no passengers on board and none of its 32 crew members were injured, the company said.

US to deploy Navy ships near Venezuela to deter drug smuggling

TOPEKA —The Department of Corrections announced Tuesday night that three employees at the Lansing Correctional Facility are recovering at home from COVID-19 in the first positive diagnoses in the state prison system. Inmates who had close contact with the workers have been moved to medical isolation where they will be monitored for symptoms.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said staff in the state’s prison system are using protective equipment only when treating inmates who are ill with coronavirus or who are suspected of having it. She said it would require 13,500 sets of equipment each day to have all staff use them as a preventive measure, and the supply chain “is not going to support it.”

Kelly said the state is “really at the exploratory phase right now on what action we may or may not need to take regarding our corrections facilities.”

“They’re understandably frightened,” Sarah LaFrenz, president of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said of prison staff.

Health officials reported 482 cases Wednesday, up 54 from Tuesday.&nbsp;

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Tuesday that three staff members working at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) tested positive for COVID-19. These are the first positive cases within a KDOC facility, according to a media release from the department.

The staff include a male over the age of 20 and two females over the age of 40. In order to protect the identity of these staff, no other information will be released.

The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps are being implemented immediately:

“With a virus that moves and changes as quickly as the coronavirus we anticipated that this day may come,” Zmuda said. “With the support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Kelly, and the hard work of our staff members, we are ready to care for our residents and those we serve in the community.”

TOPEKA —The Department of Corrections announced Tuesday night that three employees at the Lansing Correctional Facility are recovering at home from COVID-19 in the first positive diagnoses in the state prison system. Inmates who had close contact with the workers have been moved to medical isolation where they will be monitored for symptoms.Department of Corrections spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said staff in the state’s prison system are using protective equipment only when treating inmates who are ill with coronavirus or who are suspected of having it. She said it would require 13,500 sets of equipment each day to have all staff use them as a preventive measure, and the supply chain “is not going to support it.”Kelly said the state is “really at the exploratory phase right now on what action we may or may not need to take regarding our corrections facilities.”“They’re understandably frightened,” Sarah LaFrenz, president of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said of prison staff.Health officials reported 482 cases Wednesday, up 54 from Tuesday.&nbsp;-------TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Tuesday that three staff members working at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) tested positive for COVID-19. These are the first positive cases within a KDOC facility, according to a media release from the department.The staff include a male over the age of 20 and two females over the age of 40. In order to protect the identity of these staff, no other information will be released.The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps are being implemented immediately:<ol>
 <li>A medical investigation to ascertain who among our staff and residents have been in close contact with these staff</li><li>Notifying those persons that they have had contact with a COVID-19 confirmed case</li><li>Moving those residents who have had close contact to medical isolation where they will be monitored for symptoms</li><li>And remaining diligent in monitoring other staff and residents for symptoms</li>
 </ol>“With a virus that moves and changes as quickly as the coronavirus we anticipated that this day may come,” Zmuda said. “With the support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Kelly, and the hard work of our staff members, we are ready to care for our residents and those we serve in the community.”

The Latest: Coronavirus cases at Kansas prison

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Officials in the Wichita area took what is likely to be an unsuccessful step toward halting abortions amid the coronavirus outbreak as the Kansas prison system reported its first cases in three workers.

Sedgwick County commissioners voted Wednesday to approve a recommendation to restrict abortion clinics to only essential medical procedures during the coronavirus pandemic, a move designed to stop abortions at the Trust Women Wichita Clinic.

The recommendation will go to the county’s health officer, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, where it likely will be shot down. The Kansas Supreme Court last year declared access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution.

“Women’s reproductive health is considered an essential need and health care clinics will fall under that category,” Kelly said at a news conference Wednesday.

Julie Burkhart, founder and CEO of the clinic, has called the proposal “unethical” and “unconscionable.”

But Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and abortion opponent said: “While high-risk screenings and all elective procedures throughout the state are being canceled and doctor’s offices are struggling to survive, why should an elective abortion be an exception? Personal protective equipment is in short supply during this pandemic. Making an exception for an elective abortion is inexcusable.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585768840357.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly answers question about women traveling from out of state to abortion clinics during the coronavirus pandemic" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly answers question about women traveling from out of state to abortion clinics during the coronavirus pandemic</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Officials in the Wichita area took what is likely to be an unsuccessful step toward halting abortions amid the coronavirus outbreak as the Kansas prison system reported its first cases in three workers.Sedgwick County commissioners voted Wednesday to approve a recommendation to restrict abortion clinics to only essential medical procedures during the coronavirus pandemic, a move designed to stop abortions at the Trust Women Wichita Clinic.The recommendation will go to the county’s health officer, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, where it likely will be shot down. The Kansas Supreme Court last year declared access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution.“Women’s reproductive health is considered an essential need and health care clinics will fall under that category,” Kelly said at a news conference Wednesday.Julie Burkhart, founder and CEO of the clinic, has called the proposal “unethical” and “unconscionable.”But Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and abortion opponent said: “While high-risk screenings and all elective procedures throughout the state are being canceled and doctor’s offices are struggling to survive, why should an elective abortion be an exception? Personal protective equipment is in short supply during this pandemic. Making an exception for an elective abortion is inexcusable.”

Gov. Kelly: Women's reproductive centers are essential during pandemic

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a criminal homicide that left a 19-year-old Kansas man dead.

Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call in the 3100 block of South Davidson in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Officers located the victim in a grassy area near homes with a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.

Investigators have learned that an unknown suspect shot the victim during a verbal disturbance.&nbsp; &nbsp;This was not a random incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585757131010.png" alt="Police at the scene of the shooting investigation photo c<a href="https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Man-shot-found-dead-in-street-in-S-Wichita-neighborhood--569268761.htmlDavidson">ourtesy KWCH</a>" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the shooting investigation photo c<a href="https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Man-shot-found-dead-in-street-in-S-Wichita-neighborhood--569268761.htmlDavidson">ourtesy KWCH</a></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a criminal homicide that left a 19-year-old Kansas man dead.Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call in the 3100 block of South Davidson in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Officers located the victim in a grassy area near homes with a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.Investigators have learned that an unknown suspect shot the victim during a verbal disturbance.&nbsp; &nbsp;This was not a random incident.&nbsp;

Police: Kansas teen shot and killed during argument 

WASHINGTON (AP) – If you’re not sick with the new coronavirus, should you wear a mask in public? Global health authorities say no. Amid a shortage of masks, the United States is sticking with that advice but Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested people who are worried wear a scarf.

That shortage is so severe that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19">Joint Commission</a>, which accredits U.S. hospitals, said Tuesday that if facilities can’t provide proper masks, health workers are allowed to bring their own from home.

Front-line health workers have the greatest need for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/the-right-mask-for-the-task.html">masks</a>. And when people are sick, wearing a mask helps lessen the chances of infecting others. In places where relatives care for the sick at home, the World Health Organization also has recommended they wear a mask.

But “there is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit,” Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s epidemics chief, told reporters Monday.

“In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite,” he added, noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or touching the face while taking it off or putting it on.

For months as the COVID-19 crisis grew and masks disappeared from store shelves, U.S. health officials have agreed. The virus is believed to spread mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes, and thus the main advice has been to keep your distance – staying 6 feet away – in addition to frequent hand-washing and not touching your face. Health workers who may be doing procedures that generate tinier particles are supposed to get high priority for tight-fitting filtering masks.

“Seriously people – STOP BUYING MASKS!” Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote in a February 29 tweet. “They are not effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk.”

But mask-wearing has long been common in some countries during respiratory outbreaks, especially in parts of Asia. As questions grow about whether people sometimes can spread the virus before realizing they’re sick – which social distancing is supposed to address – increasingly people ask what it would hurt to wear some form of mask in public.

Trump said Tuesday that his scientific advisers made clear the general public shouldn’t be competing with hospitals and health workers for scarce masks of any type.

His solution: “Use a scarf if you want,” Trump said at the daily White House briefing. “It doesn’t have to be a mask. It’s not a bad idea at least for a period of time.”

Earlier in the day, Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, had told CNN that once there are enough masks, there might be “some very serious consideration” about broadening the mask recommendations.

For now, the advice posted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html">website</a>: “If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask).”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584894001370.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) – If you’re not sick with the new coronavirus, should you wear a mask in public? Global health authorities say no. Amid a shortage of masks, the United States is sticking with that advice but Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested people who are worried wear a scarf.That shortage is so severe that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19">Joint Commission</a>, which accredits U.S. hospitals, said Tuesday that if facilities can’t provide proper masks, health workers are allowed to bring their own from home.Front-line health workers have the greatest need for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/the-right-mask-for-the-task.html">masks</a>. And when people are sick, wearing a mask helps lessen the chances of infecting others. In places where relatives care for the sick at home, the World Health Organization also has recommended they wear a mask.But “there is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit,” Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s epidemics chief, told reporters Monday.“In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite,” he added, noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or touching the face while taking it off or putting it on.For months as the COVID-19 crisis grew and masks disappeared from store shelves, U.S. health officials have agreed. The virus is believed to spread mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes, and thus the main advice has been to keep your distance – staying 6 feet away – in addition to frequent hand-washing and not touching your face. Health workers who may be doing procedures that generate tinier particles are supposed to get high priority for tight-fitting filtering masks.“Seriously people – STOP BUYING MASKS!” Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote in a February 29 tweet. “They are not effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk.”But mask-wearing has long been common in some countries during respiratory outbreaks, especially in parts of Asia. As questions grow about whether people sometimes can spread the virus before realizing they’re sick – which social distancing is supposed to address – increasingly people ask what it would hurt to wear some form of mask in public.Trump said Tuesday that his scientific advisers made clear the general public shouldn’t be competing with hospitals and health workers for scarce masks of any type.His solution: “Use a scarf if you want,” Trump said at the daily White House briefing. “It doesn’t have to be a mask. It’s not a bad idea at least for a period of time.”Earlier in the day, Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, had told CNN that once there are enough masks, there might be “some very serious consideration” about broadening the mask recommendations.For now, the advice posted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html">website</a>: “If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask).”

Should you wear mask in public if not sick with coronavirus?

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — The longtime president of the Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee resigned last month following an “ethical lapse,” the school said in a statement this week.

The Rev. Molly T. Marshall resigned March 1 after being president of the school since 2004. The school’s statement did not provide any details about Marshall’s resignation. She had originally planned to retire in June.

The seminary’s headquarters are in Shawnee and it has nine other locations across the country serving more than 500 students.

“I humbly apologize to the board and the rest of the Central constituency and seek forgiveness,” Marshall said in a letter to the seminary’s board. “My deepest prayer is for the flourishing of the school and her new president.”

The Rev. Pamela R. Durso, president of the Baptist Women in Ministry, will become president June 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585775315102.png" alt="Dr. Molly T. Marshall -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Molly T. Marshall -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — The longtime president of the Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee resigned last month following an “ethical lapse,” the school said in a statement this week.The Rev. Molly T. Marshall resigned March 1 after being president of the school since 2004. The school’s statement did not provide any details about Marshall’s resignation. She had originally planned to retire in June.The seminary’s headquarters are in Shawnee and it has nine other locations across the country serving more than 500 students.“I humbly apologize to the board and the rest of the Central constituency and seek forgiveness,” Marshall said in a letter to the seminary’s board. “My deepest prayer is for the flourishing of the school and her new president.”The Rev. Pamela R. Durso, president of the Baptist Women in Ministry, will become president June 1.

Kan.seminary president's resignation followed 'ethical lapse'

RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating remains the after a body was found in a burned vehicle in Reno County.&nbsp;

Just after 1:00p.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to approximately the 10000 block of South Avery Road 2 miles south of Plevna for a possible burned vehicle with a body inside, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.

&nbsp;Detectives, a county arson investigator, and a death Investigator were requested at the scene.

The initial investigation revealed human remains were located inside of the burnt vehicle and an apparent single vehicle accident had occurred&nbsp;with unknown circumstances. 

Through the evening hours, detectives conducted follow up interviews with at least 3 potential witnesses. The remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center for an autopsy. The Reno County Sheriff’s Office is awaiting results from the autopsy and DNA testing to confirm the identity of the driver.

At this time, it is believed, the accident is a single vehicle, single occupant accident. The investigation is still ongoing and further information will be provided later after the conclusion of any testing and follow up investigations. Agencies assisting with the investigation include, Reno County Sheriff’s Office, District 4 Fire Department, and Reno County District Attorney’s Office.

RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating remains the after a body was found in a burned vehicle in Reno County.&nbsp;Just after 1:00p.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to approximately the 10000 block of South Avery Road 2 miles south of Plevna for a possible burned vehicle with a body inside, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.&nbsp;Detectives, a county arson investigator, and a death Investigator were requested at the scene.The initial investigation revealed human remains were located inside of the burnt vehicle and an apparent single vehicle accident had occurred&nbsp;with unknown circumstances. Through the evening hours, detectives conducted follow up interviews with at least 3 potential witnesses. The remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center for an autopsy. The Reno County Sheriff’s Office is awaiting results from the autopsy and DNA testing to confirm the identity of the driver.At this time, it is believed, the accident is a single vehicle, single occupant accident. The investigation is still ongoing and further information will be provided later after the conclusion of any testing and follow up investigations. Agencies assisting with the investigation include, Reno County Sheriff’s Office, District 4 Fire Department, and Reno County District Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff: Human remains found inside burned vehicle in Kansas

ELLSWORTH COUNTY — One person died in an accident Wednesday in Ellsworth County.

&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by&nbsp; Janice A. Perkins, 63, Ellsworth, was northbound on 1st Road nine miles south of Wilson.

The SUV traveled off road to the east. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle slid sideways into the east ditch, rolled and driver was ejected.

The vehicle then rolled up the embankment through a wire fence and came to rest upright in a pasture.

Perkins was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Parsons Funeral Home. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

The time the accident occurred is unknown and still under investigation, according to the KHP.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY — One person died in an accident Wednesday in Ellsworth County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by&nbsp; Janice A. Perkins, 63, Ellsworth, was northbound on 1st Road nine miles south of Wilson.The SUV traveled off road to the east. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle slid sideways into the east ditch, rolled and driver was ejected.The vehicle then rolled up the embankment through a wire fence and came to rest upright in a pasture.Perkins was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Parsons Funeral Home. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.The time the accident occurred is unknown and still under investigation, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after ejected when SUV rolls

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

As of the time of this report (10 a.m) there have been 482 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths in the state, according to the KDHE information.&nbsp;

Additionally, KDHE has launched a new dashboard for COVID-19 information. You can access it <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/">here</a>.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.As of the time of this report (10 a.m) there have been 482 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths in the state, according to the KDHE information.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585775364730.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Additionally, KDHE has launched a new dashboard for COVID-19 information. You can access it <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/">here</a>.

KDHE: Latest COVID-19 numbers; 10 deaths

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/major-hospital-topeka-cutting-salaries-get-through-covid-19#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA —&nbsp;A major hospital in the state’s 
capital slashed pay this week for many employees to try to weather 
financial woes spurred by the coronavirus pandemic.

Stormont Vail
 Health will shield the salaries of health workers doing “face-to-face” 
patient care in the hospital’s acute care and ambulatory settings.

But
 starting April 5, everyone else gets a cut to their base pay, ranging 
from 10% to 50%. Stormont Vail hasn’t said how many people that affects,
 but the hospital has 5,300 employees.

“It is our obligation to ensure that the health system remains 
financially viable and able to serve our community,” CEO and physician 
Robert Kenagy told reporters on Wednesday. “Our revenues have been cut 
significantly … perhaps as much as half.”

Across Kansas, hospitals have <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/most-kansas-city-area-hospitals-put-elective-surgeries-prepare-covid-19#stream/0" target="_blank">tapered off</a> non-emergency surgeries and visits — what Kenagy called “engines” of financial health for his hospital. <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/even-40-kansans-getting-covid-19-six-months-would-overwhelm-states-hospitals" target="_blank">Research from Harvard University</a>
 suggests such dramatic measures are needed to save protective gear and 
free up beds for an anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients.

The hospital will review the cuts every 30 days, but it expects the pandemic to last for months.

“Everyone
 across the health system is lined up to perform during this crisis,” 
Kenagy said, “and we believe that when we’ve called for sacrifice, we’ve
 done our best to spread that and share that sacrifice equitably.”

“Before
 this crisis hit, the organization was performing very well 
financially,” he said. “We were hitting all of our budgetary targets — 
actually exceeding them.”

Kenagy is taking a 35% pay cut. Other executives and high-level directors are taking cuts ranging from 15% to 25%.

Kenagy
 said doctors and advanced practice clinicians fall in a category 
separate from other health workers. He could not elaborate on how their 
salaries will work beyond saying they would lose pay “comparable” to the
 rest of the organization’s workforce.

Other staff working from 
home or on-site, but not face-to-face with patients, will lose 10% of 
their paychecks. Pay will drop 50% for employees who do not have work 
assigned to them currently, but the hospital will not allow anyone’s pay
 to drop below $12.45 per hour.

A labor pool could allow some 
people without current assignments to get access to work on a rotating 
basis. Employees can also use paid time off and sick leave.

The 
hospital has put off unnecessary spending, such as construction costs, 
but has made some unexpected investments, including to quickly ramp up 
telemedicine and serve patients remotely when possible.

Stormont 
Vail scrambled in recent weeks to create a dedicated respiratory illness
 intake center at one of its clinics and to add negative-pressure air 
systems to patient rooms at the hospital to prevent the spread of 
COVID-19. It had 31 such rooms prior to the outbreak but will have 63 
after finishing renovations in about another week.

The hospital 
hoped to have in-house COVID-19 testing by this week, but a vendor 
pushed back delivery of the necessary equipment a few more weeks. 
Stormont Vail is relying on private labs in the meantime, with a typical
 wait time of two days for test results.

Meanwhile, a local 
financial institution donated more than 1,000 N-95 masks to the 
hospital, shoring up its supply of protective gear for health workers.

“N-95
 masks are a precious commodity right now,” Kenagy said. “Every health 
system across the country is doing everything they can to get their 
hands on those.”

As of Wednesday, Stormont Vail had six in-patients with COVID-19.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585765297733.jpeg" alt=" Stormont Vail Health is reducing pay for many employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Stormont Vail Health is reducing pay for many employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/major-hospital-topeka-cutting-salaries-get-through-covid-19#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA —&nbsp;A major hospital in the state’s 
capital slashed pay this week for many employees to try to weather 
financial woes spurred by the coronavirus pandemic.Stormont Vail
 Health will shield the salaries of health workers doing “face-to-face” 
patient care in the hospital’s acute care and ambulatory settings.But
 starting April 5, everyone else gets a cut to their base pay, ranging 
from 10% to 50%. Stormont Vail hasn’t said how many people that affects,
 but the hospital has 5,300 employees.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585765340067.jpeg" alt=" Robert Kenagy, CEO of Stormont Vail Health, will take a 35% pay cut. Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Robert Kenagy, CEO of Stormont Vail Health, will take a 35% pay cut. Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>“It is our obligation to ensure that the health system remains 
financially viable and able to serve our community,” CEO and physician 
Robert Kenagy told reporters on Wednesday. “Our revenues have been cut 
significantly … perhaps as much as half.”Across Kansas, hospitals have <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/most-kansas-city-area-hospitals-put-elective-surgeries-prepare-covid-19#stream/0" target="_blank">tapered off</a> non-emergency surgeries and visits — what Kenagy called “engines” of financial health for his hospital. <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/even-40-kansans-getting-covid-19-six-months-would-overwhelm-states-hospitals" target="_blank">Research from Harvard University</a>
 suggests such dramatic measures are needed to save protective gear and 
free up beds for an anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients.The hospital will review the cuts every 30 days, but it expects the pandemic to last for months.“Everyone
 across the health system is lined up to perform during this crisis,” 
Kenagy said, “and we believe that when we’ve called for sacrifice, we’ve
 done our best to spread that and share that sacrifice equitably.”“Before
 this crisis hit, the organization was performing very well 
financially,” he said. “We were hitting all of our budgetary targets — 
actually exceeding them.”Kenagy is taking a 35% pay cut. Other executives and high-level directors are taking cuts ranging from 15% to 25%.Kenagy
 said doctors and advanced practice clinicians fall in a category 
separate from other health workers. He could not elaborate on how their 
salaries will work beyond saying they would lose pay “comparable” to the
 rest of the organization’s workforce.Other staff working from 
home or on-site, but not face-to-face with patients, will lose 10% of 
their paychecks. Pay will drop 50% for employees who do not have work 
assigned to them currently, but the hospital will not allow anyone’s pay
 to drop below $12.45 per hour.A labor pool could allow some 
people without current assignments to get access to work on a rotating 
basis. Employees can also use paid time off and sick leave.The 
hospital has put off unnecessary spending, such as construction costs, 
but has made some unexpected investments, including to quickly ramp up 
telemedicine and serve patients remotely when possible.Stormont 
Vail scrambled in recent weeks to create a dedicated respiratory illness
 intake center at one of its clinics and to add negative-pressure air 
systems to patient rooms at the hospital to prevent the spread of 
COVID-19. It had 31 such rooms prior to the outbreak but will have 63 
after finishing renovations in about another week.The hospital 
hoped to have in-house COVID-19 testing by this week, but a vendor 
pushed back delivery of the necessary equipment a few more weeks. 
Stormont Vail is relying on private labs in the meantime, with a typical
 wait time of two days for test results.Meanwhile, a local 
financial institution donated more than 1,000 N-95 masks to the 
hospital, shoring up its supply of protective gear for health workers.“N-95
 masks are a precious commodity right now,” Kenagy said. “Every health 
system across the country is doing everything they can to get their 
hands on those.”As of Wednesday, Stormont Vail had six in-patients with COVID-19.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service.

Topeka hospital cutting salaries to get through COVID-19 

TOPEKA - The State of Kansas closed March with total tax collections at $523.4 million; 1.6% or $8.6 million below the estimate. That is 0.3% or $1.4 million more than March of Fiscal Year 2019, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Individual income tax collections were $247.3 million; $4.3 million more than the estimate and 7.1% more than last March. Corporate income tax collections were $18.4 million; $8.6 million below estimate and 24.5% below March FY 2019.

Retail sales tax collections were $179.4 million; $3.4 million more than the estimate. That's an increase of $2.9 million compared to the same month last fiscal year. Compensating use tax collections were $34.7 million; 8.5% or $2.7 million more than the estimate and 8.7% more than last March.

<a>"We expect the uncertain business and employment landscape to negatively affect withholding and estimated income taxes,” Secretary Mark Burghart said.</a>

“As consumer spending patterns change, retail sales tax and compensating use tax collections could experience a major decline in the months to come.”

"While seeing a slight increase in total tax collection revenues compared to last fiscal year, we must continue to be cautious as we evaluate the financial impact of COVID-19," Governor Laura Kelly said.

&nbsp;She issued a statewide stay-at-home order in that is effect until April 19.

“Later this month, we should see a clearer picture moving forward as the Consensus Revenue Estimating group evaluates fall projections.”

TOPEKA - The State of Kansas closed March with total tax collections at $523.4 million; 1.6% or $8.6 million below the estimate. That is 0.3% or $1.4 million more than March of Fiscal Year 2019, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.Individual income tax collections were $247.3 million; $4.3 million more than the estimate and 7.1% more than last March. Corporate income tax collections were $18.4 million; $8.6 million below estimate and 24.5% below March FY 2019.Retail sales tax collections were $179.4 million; $3.4 million more than the estimate. That's an increase of $2.9 million compared to the same month last fiscal year. Compensating use tax collections were $34.7 million; 8.5% or $2.7 million more than the estimate and 8.7% more than last March.<a>"We expect the uncertain business and employment landscape to negatively affect withholding and estimated income taxes,” Secretary Mark Burghart said.</a>“As consumer spending patterns change, retail sales tax and compensating use tax collections could experience a major decline in the months to come.”"While seeing a slight increase in total tax collection revenues compared to last fiscal year, we must continue to be cautious as we evaluate the financial impact of COVID-19," Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;She issued a statewide stay-at-home order in that is effect until April 19.“Later this month, we should see a clearer picture moving forward as the Consensus Revenue Estimating group evaluates fall projections.”

COVID-19 yet to hit Kansas budget; March taxes $8.6M short

OLATHE, KAN. (AP) —&nbsp;Authorities say a driver has struck and killed a 61-year-old woman as she was walking a dog in suburban&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;City.

Police in Olathe, Kansas, say the crash happened just before noon Tuesday. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released.

Police say the dog also was injured and was taken to an animal hospital for treatment.

The driver wasn't injured and remained on scene. The crash remains under investigation.

OLATHE, KAN. (AP) —&nbsp;Authorities say a driver has struck and killed a 61-year-old woman as she was walking a dog in suburban&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;City.Police in Olathe, Kansas, say the crash happened just before noon Tuesday. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released.Police say the dog also was injured and was taken to an animal hospital for treatment.The driver wasn't injured and remained on scene. The crash remains under investigation.