By TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/emporia-state-receives-green-light-to-move-rapidly-with-faculty-program-realignment/">Kansas Reflector</a>

OLATHE — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis worked to broaden his 2024 presidential foundation Sunday by traveling to Kansas to headline an endorsement rally for Republican gubernatorial nominee Derek Schmidt.

Presence of DeSantis and other conservatives at Schmidt campaign events less than two months ahead of the November election appears to reflect competitiveness of the contest with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Schmidt’s strategy could be associated with the insurgent campaign for governor by right-wing independent state Sen. Dennis Pyle, who is expected to peel votes away from the GOP nominee.

DeSantis, who emerged on the stage after a flashy promotional video, said he was in Kansas to help convince undecided voters to side with the GOP’s nominee. DeSantis devoted much of his 50-minute speech to his own accomplishments as Florida governor and a roster of decisions made by President Joe Biden, but sprinkled those remarks with praise for elements of Schmidt’s campaign agenda.

“Part of the reason I’m here is because if you look over the last few years governors have been more important to peoples’ freedoms than ever before,” he said. “You saw this here in Kansas and they saw it in California, New York and Illinois and all these states where you had leftist governors locking people down. In Florida, we lifted people up.”

DeSantis said Kelly was in step with Biden’s agenda, including response to the COVID-19 pandemic, proclaiming there was “no daylight between them. Basically, it’s like having Biden as governor here.”

He touched on a campaign talking point favored by Schmidt about Kelly’s veto of two sweeping tax bills that included repeal of the state sales tax on groceries. Subsequently, Kelly advocated for elimination July 1 of the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries. The Republican-led Legislature rejected that idea and approved a bill signed by the governor in 2022 phasing out that regressive state tax over three years.

“Right when people needed her, she stood on the side of the tax collector rather than the taxpayer,” DeSantis said. “I think you need a governor like Derek Schmidt who is going to put taxpayers first.”

Midway through the speech, to the delight of the audience, DeSantis delved into his effort to throw a spotlight on influx of immigrants into the United States. He defended his stir-the-pot expenditure of $615,000 Florida tax dollars — $12,300 per person — to fly 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. He has said people boarded those two flights voluntarily. There have been calls for a federal investigation to determine whether the immigrants were misled and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/09/15/authoritarian-politicians-advocates-react-to-fls-transport-of-migrants-to-mass/">the flights approximated human trafficking</a>.

“They were homeless. They were hungry. They were trying to get to places like Florida and others. They were given basically a lottery ticket to get to the wealthiest sanctuary,” he said to laughter from the crowd. “If you’re going to support open borders, then you should have to deal with the consequences.”

DeSantis referred to establishment of Martha’s Vineyard as a sanctuary jurisdiction and the hostility expressed by some in that wealthy enclave after unexpected arrival of immigrants. The governor said the position of those island residents amounted to “self-congratulatory virtue signaling.”

He also said immigration was one example of how elites and leftists in the United States wanted to impose an ideology on the nation while casting dissenters as second-class citizens.

The governor encouraged the audience to be culture warriors against the “woke mind virus,” but warned the stakes were high and the struggle would be difficult.

He illustrated that point while attacking Disney, pressing for greater scrutiny of school curriculum and library books, demanding transgender boys be forbidden from playing sports against girls, and denouncing The New York Times’ “1619 Project” regarding U.S. history and racism.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Republican nominee for Kansas governor, gestured to the crowd in Olathe gathered Sunday for a campaign speech by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who endorsed Schmidt in the race against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Schmidt, who has served as Kansas attorney general for more than a decade, told more than 1,000 people at the “united and win” rally that support of DeSantis was welcomed. Schmidt also used the event to plow through a critique of Kelly’s work as chief executive of Kansas.

“My friends, here in Kansas, we are going to retire Laura Kelly in November,” Schmidt said. “We need a Kansas governor who didn’t hurt our kids by rushing to lock them out of school, who won’t trail far behind the nation in recovering jobs her lockdowns destroyed, who never again will lose hundreds of millions of tax dollars to unemployment fraud.”

Schmidt touted his work as attorney general, including his presence as a legal thorn in the side of Biden. He vowed to constrain state government spending approved by the Kansas Legislature and Kelly. He repeatedly asserted Kelly was wrong to send students home at outset of the pandemic by ordering school buildings temporarily closed and requiring instruction to be performed online.

“The truth is Laura Kelly has done more damage to more of our children than any other governor in the history of this state,” Schmidt said.

Nicole Vannicola and Carrie Walker, both of Eudora, stand in line Sunday before start of the Olathe political rally headlined by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Wallace said she hoped to learn more about DeSantis’ views on separation of church and state. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

The Kansas Democratic Party staged a street protest outside the hotel in advance of the Schmidt-DeSantis event that also featured a speech attacking Kelly by U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican.

Emma O’Brien, spokesperson for the state Democratic Party, said Schmidt had again sought out-of-state support because of the presence of Pyle, a lifelong Republican who threated to attract conservative votes that might otherwise go to Schmidt.

“On the heels of his former boss, Republican Governor Bill Graves, throwing his support behind Governor Kelly, Derek Schmidt hurried to fly in an out-of-state, divisive politician for a ‘unity rally’ in a last-ditch attempt to stop the massive number of Kansas Republicans running from his campaign,” O’Brien said.

Kelly has modeled her campaign along lines of her successful effort in 2018 in which she promised to cross the political aisle and reverse budget and policy miscues by former Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican. Kelly has made reference during the campaign to Schmidt’s endorsements of Brownback.

Madison Andrus, spokesperson for Kelly’s campaign, said people rallying to Schmidt stood in contrast to the governor’s “bipartisan coalition” and “common-sense leadership.”

Olathe resident Judah Prince, right, attended the Olathe rally with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Prince hopes DeSantis wins the 2024 presidential nomination because DeSantis offers conservative values without recklessness of former President Donald Trump. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

A long line formed in the parking lot outside the Embassy Suites hotel in Olathe before Turning Point Action, the Arizona political organization in charge of the event, opened doors to a conference facility with more than 700 seats. Those chairs filled and several hundred were left to stand in the ballroom.

Olathe residents Linda and Ron Schmidt, who weren’t related to the candidate for governor, said they didn’t frequently attend political rallies but wanted to get a glimpse of the GOP candidate for governor and a potential GOP candidate for president.

“We’re here to support Derek Schmidt and excited for the bonus of seeing the next president — DeSantis,” Linda Schmidt said.

Ron Schmidt wore a red cap with the “Make America Great” slogan popularized by Trump. He said the federal government’s deficit spending was driving too much borrowing and contributed to consumer inflation.

Judah Prince, also of Olathe, said he was a conservative who voted for Kelly four years ago because he was concerned GOP nominee Kris Kobach would be a poor choice for governor. Prince said Kelly had done reasonable well as governor and that he was prepared to support Kobach’s run for attorney general.

On a similar line of thought, Prince said he was hopeful DeSantis won the Republican nomination for president. He said DeSantis had the right values to lead the nation but would be less volatile than Trump. He said Trump had made a “lot of reckless decisions.”

Carrie Wallace and Nicole Vannicola, both of Eudora, were part of the throng attending the rally. Wallace said she was intrigued by DeSantis’ remarks indicating religion ought to take a more prominent place in the political environment.

“I’m very interested in his comments recently about how church and state should not be separated,” Wallace said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Ron-DeSantis-3-16x9b-1024x576.jpg" alt="Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s campaign for Kansas governor Sunday during an Olathe rally. Schmidt is campaigning against Gov. Laura Kelly and two other candidates. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s campaign for Kansas governor Sunday during an Olathe rally. Schmidt is campaigning against Gov. Laura Kelly and two other candidates. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/emporia-state-receives-green-light-to-move-rapidly-with-faculty-program-realignment/">Kansas Reflector</a>OLATHE — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis worked to broaden his 2024 presidential foundation Sunday by traveling to Kansas to headline an endorsement rally for Republican gubernatorial nominee Derek Schmidt.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DerekSchmidtKS</a> is a proven leader and will continue to fight for the people of Kansas as Governor. He will support law enforcement, ensure safe communities, and protect the freedoms of the people of the Kansas. I’m proud to stand with him.<a href="https://t.co/8X3928vBBv">https://t.co/8X3928vBBv</a> <a href="https://t.co/WadKAkQuGe">pic.twitter.com/WadKAkQuGe</a>&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantisFL/status/1571615205645324288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Presence of DeSantis and other conservatives at Schmidt campaign events less than two months ahead of the November election appears to reflect competitiveness of the contest with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Schmidt’s strategy could be associated with the insurgent campaign for governor by right-wing independent state Sen. Dennis Pyle, who is expected to peel votes away from the GOP nominee.DeSantis, who emerged on the stage after a flashy promotional video, said he was in Kansas to help convince undecided voters to side with the GOP’s nominee. DeSantis devoted much of his 50-minute speech to his own accomplishments as Florida governor and a roster of decisions made by President Joe Biden, but sprinkled those remarks with praise for elements of Schmidt’s campaign agenda.“Part of the reason I’m here is because if you look over the last few years governors have been more important to peoples’ freedoms than ever before,” he said. “You saw this here in Kansas and they saw it in California, New York and Illinois and all these states where you had leftist governors locking people down. In Florida, we lifted people up.”DeSantis said Kelly was in step with Biden’s agenda, including response to the COVID-19 pandemic, proclaiming there was “no daylight between them. Basically, it’s like having Biden as governor here.”He touched on a campaign talking point favored by Schmidt about Kelly’s veto of two sweeping tax bills that included repeal of the state sales tax on groceries. Subsequently, Kelly advocated for elimination July 1 of the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries. The Republican-led Legislature rejected that idea and approved a bill signed by the governor in 2022 phasing out that regressive state tax over three years.“Right when people needed her, she stood on the side of the tax collector rather than the taxpayer,” DeSantis said. “I think you need a governor like Derek Schmidt who is going to put taxpayers first.”Midway through the speech, to the delight of the audience, DeSantis delved into his effort to throw a spotlight on influx of immigrants into the United States. He defended his stir-the-pot expenditure of $615,000 Florida tax dollars — $12,300 per person — to fly 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. He has said people boarded those two flights voluntarily. There have been calls for a federal investigation to determine whether the immigrants were misled and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/09/15/authoritarian-politicians-advocates-react-to-fls-transport-of-migrants-to-mass/">the flights approximated human trafficking</a>.“They were homeless. They were hungry. They were trying to get to places like Florida and others. They were given basically a lottery ticket to get to the wealthiest sanctuary,” he said to laughter from the crowd. “If you’re going to support open borders, then you should have to deal with the consequences.”DeSantis referred to establishment of Martha’s Vineyard as a sanctuary jurisdiction and the hostility expressed by some in that wealthy enclave after unexpected arrival of immigrants. The governor said the position of those island residents amounted to “self-congratulatory virtue signaling.”He also said immigration was one example of how elites and leftists in the United States wanted to impose an ideology on the nation while casting dissenters as second-class citizens.The governor encouraged the audience to be culture warriors against the “woke mind virus,” but warned the stakes were high and the struggle would be difficult.He illustrated that point while attacking Disney, pressing for greater scrutiny of school curriculum and library books, demanding transgender boys be forbidden from playing sports against girls, and denouncing The New York Times’ “1619 Project” regarding U.S. history and racism.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Derek-Schmidt-rally-4-1024x768.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Republican nominee for Kansas governor, gestured to the crowd in Olathe gathered Sunday for a campaign speech by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who endorsed Schmidt in the race against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)<h2>Schmidt welcomes support</h2>Schmidt, who has served as Kansas attorney general for more than a decade, told more than 1,000 people at the “united and win” rally that support of DeSantis was welcomed. Schmidt also used the event to plow through a critique of Kelly’s work as chief executive of Kansas.“My friends, here in Kansas, we are going to retire Laura Kelly in November,” Schmidt said. “We need a Kansas governor who didn’t hurt our kids by rushing to lock them out of school, who won’t trail far behind the nation in recovering jobs her lockdowns destroyed, who never again will lose hundreds of millions of tax dollars to unemployment fraud.”Schmidt touted his work as attorney general, including his presence as a legal thorn in the side of Biden. He vowed to constrain state government spending approved by the Kansas Legislature and Kelly. He repeatedly asserted Kelly was wrong to send students home at outset of the pandemic by ordering school buildings temporarily closed and requiring instruction to be performed online.“The truth is Laura Kelly has done more damage to more of our children than any other governor in the history of this state,” Schmidt said.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Vannicola-and-Wallace-1024x768.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nicole Vannicola and Carrie Walker, both of Eudora, stand in line Sunday before start of the Olathe political rally headlined by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Wallace said she hoped to learn more about DeSantis’ views on separation of church and state. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)<h2>Democrats join fray</h2>The Kansas Democratic Party staged a street protest outside the hotel in advance of the Schmidt-DeSantis event that also featured a speech attacking Kelly by U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican.Emma O’Brien, spokesperson for the state Democratic Party, said Schmidt had again sought out-of-state support because of the presence of Pyle, a lifelong Republican who threated to attract conservative votes that might otherwise go to Schmidt.“On the heels of his former boss, Republican Governor Bill Graves, throwing his support behind Governor Kelly, Derek Schmidt hurried to fly in an out-of-state, divisive politician for a ‘unity rally’ in a last-ditch attempt to stop the massive number of Kansas Republicans running from his campaign,” O’Brien said.Kelly has modeled her campaign along lines of her successful effort in 2018 in which she promised to cross the political aisle and reverse budget and policy miscues by former Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican. Kelly has made reference during the campaign to Schmidt’s endorsements of Brownback.Madison Andrus, spokesperson for Kelly’s campaign, said people rallying to Schmidt stood in contrast to the governor’s “bipartisan coalition” and “common-sense leadership.”<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Olathe-resident-Judah-Prince-1024x768.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Olathe resident Judah Prince, right, attended the Olathe rally with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Prince hopes DeSantis wins the 2024 presidential nomination because DeSantis offers conservative values without recklessness of former President Donald Trump. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)<h2>Pumped for rally</h2>A long line formed in the parking lot outside the Embassy Suites hotel in Olathe before Turning Point Action, the Arizona political organization in charge of the event, opened doors to a conference facility with more than 700 seats. Those chairs filled and several hundred were left to stand in the ballroom.Olathe residents Linda and Ron Schmidt, who weren’t related to the candidate for governor, said they didn’t frequently attend political rallies but wanted to get a glimpse of the GOP candidate for governor and a potential GOP candidate for president.“We’re here to support Derek Schmidt and excited for the bonus of seeing the next president — DeSantis,” Linda Schmidt said.Ron Schmidt wore a red cap with the “Make America Great” slogan popularized by Trump. He said the federal government’s deficit spending was driving too much borrowing and contributed to consumer inflation.Judah Prince, also of Olathe, said he was a conservative who voted for Kelly four years ago because he was concerned GOP nominee Kris Kobach would be a poor choice for governor. Prince said Kelly had done reasonable well as governor and that he was prepared to support Kobach’s run for attorney general.On a similar line of thought, Prince said he was hopeful DeSantis won the Republican nomination for president. He said DeSantis had the right values to lead the nation but would be less volatile than Trump. He said Trump had made a “lot of reckless decisions.”Carrie Wallace and Nicole Vannicola, both of Eudora, were part of the throng attending the rally. Wallace said she was intrigued by DeSantis’ remarks indicating religion ought to take a more prominent place in the political environment.“I’m very interested in his comments recently about how church and state should not be separated,” Wallace said.

DeSantis campaigns for Schmidt in Kan. governor's race

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon for alleged theft involving horses. Just before midnight Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to the 8100 block of SE California Avenue to check the welfare of a woman, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.

The caller was on his way home with a trailer full of horses, when he was flagged down by a woman. The caller notified law enforcement and continued home. Once at his residence, the caller was unloading horses, when someone stole his truck and proceeded to drive away with several horses inside. The caller was able to catch up to the driver nearby and notify law enforcement of their location. Deputies arrived and placed the woman identified as 35-year-old Brianna M. Nowack into custody. &nbsp;All horses were accounted for and none were harmed. &nbsp;Nowak was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of theft from a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle and theft of all other. She has a previous conviction for attempted aggravated arson and had absconded four times since 2020, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663527393520.png" alt="Nowak has a previous conviction for attempted aggravated arson, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Nowak has a previous conviction for attempted aggravated arson, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon for alleged theft involving horses. Just before midnight Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to the 8100 block of SE California Avenue to check the welfare of a woman, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.The caller was on his way home with a trailer full of horses, when he was flagged down by a woman. The caller notified law enforcement and continued home. Once at his residence, the caller was unloading horses, when someone stole his truck and proceeded to drive away with several horses inside. The caller was able to catch up to the driver nearby and notify law enforcement of their location. Deputies arrived and placed the woman identified as 35-year-old Brianna M. Nowack into custody. &nbsp;All horses were accounted for and none were harmed. &nbsp;Nowak was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of theft from a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle and theft of all other. She has a previous conviction for attempted aggravated arson and had absconded four times since 2020, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-

Sheriff: Kan. felon attempted to steal trailer full of horses

STAFFORD COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Monday in Stafford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville driven by 16-year-old Shane Riley Sheets of St. John was&nbsp;eastbound in the 100 block of NE 20th Street. 

The car entered the north ditch and struck a tree. Sheets was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Minnis Chapel. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

USD 349 has counselors and staff&nbsp; available to meet with students and staff throughout the day and throughout the week.

STAFFORD COUNTY — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after a student from Stafford High School died in a car accident early Monday, according to USD 349 and the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.

Counselors and staff are available to meet with students and staff throughout the day and throughout the week, according to the school district.

The Kansas Highway Patrol has not released details of the crash including the name of the student who died.&nbsp;

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592389654778.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>STAFFORD COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Monday in Stafford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville driven by 16-year-old Shane Riley Sheets of St. John was&nbsp;eastbound in the 100 block of NE 20th Street. The car entered the north ditch and struck a tree. Sheets was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Minnis Chapel. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.USD 349 has counselors and staff&nbsp; available to meet with students and staff throughout the day and throughout the week.-------STAFFORD COUNTY — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after a student from Stafford High School died in a car accident early Monday, according to USD 349 and the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.Counselors and staff are available to meet with students and staff throughout the day and throughout the week, according to the school district.The Kansas Highway Patrol has not released details of the crash including the name of the student who died.&nbsp;Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

KHP IDs 16-year-old who died after car struck a tree

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex in Shawnee.

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a medical emergency at at apartment in the 7400 Block of Flint, according to a media release from police.

At the scene, officers located a 25-year-old woman with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Officers took to into custody for questioning.

The Johnson County Sheriff's office crime scene investigations unit is assisting police.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex in Shawnee.Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a medical emergency at at apartment in the 7400 Block of Flint, according to a media release from police.At the scene, officers located a 25-year-old woman with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Officers took to into custody for questioning.The Johnson County Sheriff's office crime scene investigations unit is assisting police.

Police: 25-year-old Kan. woman found dead after shooting

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on sex allegations. Just after 8p.m. Friday, police arrested 55-year-old Charles McMullen of Ogden on requested charges that include one count of rape in connection to a September 2, 2022, incident involving a 58-year-old female victim, according to the Riley County police department.

He is also accused of an additional count of rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery in connection to a July 5, 2022, incident involving a 51-year-old female victim. Both victims were known to McMullen.

McMullen remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $500,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on sex allegations. Just after 8p.m. Friday, police arrested 55-year-old Charles McMullen of Ogden on requested charges that include one count of rape in connection to a September 2, 2022, incident involving a 58-year-old female victim, according to the Riley County police department.He is also accused of an additional count of rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery in connection to a July 5, 2022, incident involving a 51-year-old female victim. Both victims were known to McMullen.McMullen remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $500,000.

Police: Kansas man held on $500K bond for multiple sex crimes

TOPEKA (AP) — Federal prosecutors seeking to keep a former Kansas police detective in jail for allegedly preying on Black women and girls have revealed more details of the accusations against him, including complaints from seven more women.

Roger Golubksi, 69, faces a federal court hearing Monday during which prosecutors will argue he should remain in jail until his trial.

He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-civil-rights-violations-c465a1483c9295eb465847fb8c3463eb">arrested and charged</a>&nbsp;on Thursday on six counts of civil rights violations alleging that as an officer with the Kansas City, Kansas, police department, he sexually abused a Black woman and a teenager more than two decades ago. Five of the counts allege that Golubski kidnapped or tried to kidnap the victims.

Prosecutors filed a motion Friday that included graphic details of his encounters with the two victims and that added complaints from seven other females who say Golubski harassed and abused them. Golubski has not been charged in those seven cases, but prosecutors argued they provided more evidence that he is dangerous and has shown “nothing but utter contempt for the law.”

Golubski, who retired in 2010, has pleaded not guilty. He faces a possible life sentence on each of the six counts.

His attorney, Tom Lemon, did not respond to a message Monday seeking reaction to the new motion. Lemon argued last week that Golubski should be released before trial because he needs medical attention for several health issues, including failing kidneys, diabetes and recovering from quintuple bypass surgery.

Prosecutors responded in their motion that all of Golubski’s medical conditions could be treated in a detention facility.

“He has spent decades lording his power over his victims and the community by demonstrating how unbound by legal limits he feels,” prosecutors wrote. “The only way to assure community safety is detention.”

The motion alleges Golubski displayed his gun or hit some of his victims with it while demanding sex. He told the victims he would have them or their relatives imprisoned or killed if they ever told anyone what he did, prosecutors said.

The charges accuse Golubski of sexually assaulting a girl more than 10 times over about three years. He repeatedly told the girl, who was 13 when the abuse allegedly began, that he would kill her or her grandmother. He told her he would throw her in a river and sang a version of childhood song with the phrase, "where they won’t find her until she stank,” according to the motion.

The other victim in the charged case, Ophelia Williams, was raped and sexually assaulted several times over two or three years, according to the motion. He initially abused Williams shortly after her two sons were arrested, prosecutors said.

The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual assault, but Williams has told her story publicly.

The seven other victims were abused or threatened by Golubski between 1980s and 2004, prosecutors said.

One woman said she called the Kansas City, Kansas, police internal affairs department to report her encounter with Golubski but was told “there was nothing they could do because it was (her) word against the defendant’s,” prosecutors wrote.

The Kansas City, Kansas, police department said Monday that Chief Karl Oakman would not have any comment on the motion. Mayor Tyrone Garner was out of the office Monday. He said in a statement released Thursday that he remained committed to pushing for improvements in police-community relations to restore trust.

Another victim said Golubski sexually assaulted and raped her periodically between the mid-1990s and 2004 while threatening to take away her children, prosecutors said. In 2016, the woman was in the hospital when Golubski showed up and said, “Long time no see,” according to the indictment, prompting her to change hospitals, according to the motion.

Civil rights groups for years sought an investigation into Golubski. The allegations gained attention after Lamont McIntyre,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-kansas-city-ks-state-wire-3e379716ed9e4dba83412311eaadfd08">who spent 23 years in prison</a>&nbsp;for a double murder he didn’t commit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-kansas-7b4c4af7410f67d20fd19cb2e9235aad">sued Golubski</a>&nbsp;and other Kansas City, Kansas, officers. McIntyre and his mother, Rose McIntyre, alleged that Golubski framed Lamont in 1994 because she refused the detective’s sexual demands.

The local government agreed in June to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-96f163ee13c721c0ab53899dcad05897">settle the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;for $12.5 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663616484786.png" alt="Golubski is being held in Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Golubski is being held in Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP) — Federal prosecutors seeking to keep a former Kansas police detective in jail for allegedly preying on Black women and girls have revealed more details of the accusations against him, including complaints from seven more women.Roger Golubksi, 69, faces a federal court hearing Monday during which prosecutors will argue he should remain in jail until his trial.He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-civil-rights-violations-c465a1483c9295eb465847fb8c3463eb">arrested and charged</a>&nbsp;on Thursday on six counts of civil rights violations alleging that as an officer with the Kansas City, Kansas, police department, he sexually abused a Black woman and a teenager more than two decades ago. Five of the counts allege that Golubski kidnapped or tried to kidnap the victims.Prosecutors filed a motion Friday that included graphic details of his encounters with the two victims and that added complaints from seven other females who say Golubski harassed and abused them. Golubski has not been charged in those seven cases, but prosecutors argued they provided more evidence that he is dangerous and has shown “nothing but utter contempt for the law.”Golubski, who retired in 2010, has pleaded not guilty. He faces a possible life sentence on each of the six counts.His attorney, Tom Lemon, did not respond to a message Monday seeking reaction to the new motion. Lemon argued last week that Golubski should be released before trial because he needs medical attention for several health issues, including failing kidneys, diabetes and recovering from quintuple bypass surgery.Prosecutors responded in their motion that all of Golubski’s medical conditions could be treated in a detention facility.“He has spent decades lording his power over his victims and the community by demonstrating how unbound by legal limits he feels,” prosecutors wrote. “The only way to assure community safety is detention.”The motion alleges Golubski displayed his gun or hit some of his victims with it while demanding sex. He told the victims he would have them or their relatives imprisoned or killed if they ever told anyone what he did, prosecutors said.The charges accuse Golubski of sexually assaulting a girl more than 10 times over about three years. He repeatedly told the girl, who was 13 when the abuse allegedly began, that he would kill her or her grandmother. He told her he would throw her in a river and sang a version of childhood song with the phrase, "where they won’t find her until she stank,” according to the motion.The other victim in the charged case, Ophelia Williams, was raped and sexually assaulted several times over two or three years, according to the motion. He initially abused Williams shortly after her two sons were arrested, prosecutors said.The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual assault, but Williams has told her story publicly.The seven other victims were abused or threatened by Golubski between 1980s and 2004, prosecutors said.One woman said she called the Kansas City, Kansas, police internal affairs department to report her encounter with Golubski but was told “there was nothing they could do because it was (her) word against the defendant’s,” prosecutors wrote.The Kansas City, Kansas, police department said Monday that Chief Karl Oakman would not have any comment on the motion. Mayor Tyrone Garner was out of the office Monday. He said in a statement released Thursday that he remained committed to pushing for improvements in police-community relations to restore trust.Another victim said Golubski sexually assaulted and raped her periodically between the mid-1990s and 2004 while threatening to take away her children, prosecutors said. In 2016, the woman was in the hospital when Golubski showed up and said, “Long time no see,” according to the indictment, prompting her to change hospitals, according to the motion.Civil rights groups for years sought an investigation into Golubski. The allegations gained attention after Lamont McIntyre,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-kansas-city-ks-state-wire-3e379716ed9e4dba83412311eaadfd08">who spent 23 years in prison</a>&nbsp;for a double murder he didn’t commit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-kansas-7b4c4af7410f67d20fd19cb2e9235aad">sued Golubski</a>&nbsp;and other Kansas City, Kansas, officers. McIntyre and his mother, Rose McIntyre, alleged that Golubski framed Lamont in 1994 because she refused the detective’s sexual demands.The local government agreed in June to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-96f163ee13c721c0ab53899dcad05897">settle the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;for $12.5 million.

More women accuse ex-Kansas police detective of sex crimes

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Recently, investigators with the Wichita Police Department Missing and Exploited Child Unit were made aware of two incidents of a suspicious nature involving adults attempting to contact young people as they were walking to or from school, according to a media release from police.

Just after 7a.m. September 12, a 14-year-old boy reported being approached by an older white male with gray hair in the 9200 block of E. Harry and offered a ride. 

The boy eported that the male claimed to have been sent by the child's parents. The juvenile, not believing this to be true, left the area and went back home where he reported the incident to a parent.

Just after 6:30p.m. on September 12, an 11-year-old girl reported walking home from school when she noticed a vehicle following her. She reported a man exited the vehicle and began following her on foot. She described the man as an older white male with white hair. 

She reported the male attempted to coerce her to get into his vehicle, which she reported was a black van with Texas plates. Sensing something was not right, the juvenile did not talk to the man and quickly walked to her home where she reported what happened to her parent.

Wichita Police reminded parents to talk to their children about how to handle interactions with strangers. Both of these young people handled each situation like champs, and we want to make sure all children in Wichita are equipped with the knowledge to keep themselves safe. A few tips you can share with your kids include:- Don't accept rides from people you don't know.- Trust your instincts! If something feels off, it probably is.- Point out safe places such as schools, police stations, fire stations, etc.- Teach assertiveness. It's okay to say no to an adult.- Encourage your children to be in groups of friends.If you have any information on suspicious activity, don't hesitate to contact us by calling 911 or visiting one of our four patrol stations. Investigators with the WPD are actively looking into each of these reported incidents.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Recently, investigators with the Wichita Police Department Missing and Exploited Child Unit were made aware of two incidents of a suspicious nature involving adults attempting to contact young people as they were walking to or from school, according to a media release from police.Just after 7a.m. September 12, a 14-year-old boy reported being approached by an older white male with gray hair in the 9200 block of E. Harry and offered a ride. The boy eported that the male claimed to have been sent by the child's parents. The juvenile, not believing this to be true, left the area and went back home where he reported the incident to a parent.Just after 6:30p.m. on September 12, an 11-year-old girl reported walking home from school when she noticed a vehicle following her. She reported a man exited the vehicle and began following her on foot. She described the man as an older white male with white hair. She reported the male attempted to coerce her to get into his vehicle, which she reported was a black van with Texas plates. Sensing something was not right, the juvenile did not talk to the man and quickly walked to her home where she reported what happened to her parent.Wichita Police reminded parents to talk to their children about how to handle interactions with strangers. Both of these young people handled each situation like champs, and we want to make sure all children in Wichita are equipped with the knowledge to keep themselves safe. A few tips you can share with your kids include:- Don't accept rides from people you don't know.- Trust your instincts! If something feels off, it probably is.- Point out safe places such as schools, police stations, fire stations, etc.- Teach assertiveness. It's okay to say no to an adult.- Encourage your children to be in groups of friends.If you have any information on suspicious activity, don't hesitate to contact us by calling 911 or visiting one of our four patrol stations. Investigators with the WPD are actively looking into each of these reported incidents.

Police: Man approached children walking to and from school

LONDON (AP) — Britain and the world said a final goodbye to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-health-update-b2578aa91c3fef9c5d6ad4a557bf63e4">Queen Elizabeth II</a>&nbsp;at a state funeral Monday that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds who massed along the streets of London to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.

Click below to watch on YouTube at 5a.m. CDT

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?522859-1/funeral-service-queen-elizabeth-ii&amp;live">or click here</a> to watch the replay of the funeral service

A day packed with events in London and Windsor began early when the doors of 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-london-6615990a69cfc706ce7ee64a4fa584e9">hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her flag-draped coffin</a>. Many had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-boris-johnson-london-united-kingdom-898f092ee58f7a74cea64fa9d3e42cad">waited for hours in line</a>, including through cold nights, to attend the lying in state in an outpouring of collective grief and respect.

“I felt like I had to come and pay my final respects to our majestic queen. She has done so much for us and just a little thank you really from the people,” said Tracy Dobson, who was among the last to join the line.

In a country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-london-government-and-politics-f07d95ed1c9c0f745cfa148c4c7fae83">known for pomp and pageantry</a>, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill's was filled with spectacle: 142 Royal Navy sailors drew the gun carriage carrying Elizabeth’s coffin to Westminster Abbey, with King Charles III and his sons, Princes William and Harry, walking behind as bagpipers played. Pall bearers carried the coffin into the abbey, where around 2,000 people ranging from world leaders to health care workers gathered to mourn her. Ahead of the service, a bell tolled 96 times — once a minute for each year of her life.

“Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and in sure confidence to commit her to the mercy of God our maker and redeemer,” the dean of the medieval abbey, David Hoyle, told the mourners, as the funeral opened.

It drew to a close with two minutes of silence observed across the United Kingdom. The attendees then sang the national anthem.

Monday has been declared a public holiday in honor of Elizabeth, who died Sept. 8 — and hundreds of thousands of people descended on central London to partake&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-funeral-live-coverage-177bed5e9415e00016b84983d03e310a">in the historic moment</a>. Long before the service began, city authorities said viewing areas along the route of the funeral's procession were full.

Millions more had been expected to tune into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-biden-king-charles-iii-health-covid-0229717aa9198a6120e66639cf5171bb">the funeral</a>&nbsp;live on television, and crowds flocked to parks and public spaces across the U.K. to watch it on screens. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby noted during the funeral that “few leaders receive the outpouring of love we have seen" for Elizabeth.

On the evening before, Charles issued a message of thanks to people in the U.K. and around the world, saying he and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, have been “moved beyond measure” by the large numbers of people who have turned out to pay their respects to the queen.

Following the funeral, the coffin — accompanied by units of the armed forces in dress uniforms and members of her family — was brought through the capital's streets.

At Wellington Arch near Hyde Park, it will be placed in a hearse to be driven to Windsor Castle — where Elizabeth spent much of her time — for another procession before a committal service in St. George’s Chapel. She will be laid to rest with her late husband, Prince Philip, at a private family service.

U.S. President Joe Biden was among leaders to pay their respects at the queen’s coffin on Sunday as thousands of police, hundreds of British troops and an army of officials made final preparations for the funeral.

Biden called Queen Elizabeth II “decent” and “honorable” and “all about service” as he signed the condolence book, saying his heart went out to the royal family.

People across Britain paused for a minute of silence at 8 p.m. Sunday in memory of the only monarch most have ever known. At Westminster Hall, the constant stream of mourners paused for 60 seconds as people observed the minute of reflection in deep silence.

In Windsor, rain began to fall as the crowd fell silent for the moment of reflection. Some camped overnight outside the castle in order to reserve the best spots to view the queen’s coffin.

Jilly Fitzgerald, who was in Windsor, said there was a sense of community among the mourners as they prepared to wait hours to see procession carrying the queen’s coffin.

“It’s good to be with all the people who are all feeling the same. It’s like a big family because everyone feels that … the queen was part of their family,” she said.

LONDON (AP) — Britain and the world are laying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-health-update-b2578aa91c3fef9c5d6ad4a557bf63e4">Queen Elizabeth II</a>&nbsp;to rest on Monday at a state funeral that is drawing presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and up to a million people lining the streets of London to say a final goodbye to a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?522859-1/funeral-service-queen-elizabeth-ii&amp;live">or click here</a> to watch

A day packed with funeral events in London and Windsor began early when the doors of 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-london-6615990a69cfc706ce7ee64a4fa584e9">hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her flag-draped coffin</a>. Many had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-boris-johnson-london-united-kingdom-898f092ee58f7a74cea64fa9d3e42cad">waited for hours in line</a>, including through cold nights, to see the lying in state in an outpouring of collective grief and respect.

In a country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-london-government-and-politics-f07d95ed1c9c0f745cfa148c4c7fae83">known for pomp and pageantry</a>, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill's promised to be a spectacular display: 142 Royal Navy sailors drew the gun carriage carrying Elizabeth’s coffin to Westminster Abbey, with King Charles III and his sons Princes William and Harry walking behind as pipers played. At the Abbey, around 2,000 people ranging from world leaders to health care workers and volunteers have gathered to mourn her. One of the Abbey’s bells tolled 96 times — once a minute for each year of her life.

Monday has been declared a public holiday in honor of Elizabeth, who died Sept. 8 — and hundreds of thousands of people descended on central London to partake&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-funeral-live-coverage-177bed5e9415e00016b84983d03e310a">in the historic moment</a>. Long before the service was set to begin, city authorities said viewing areas along the route of the funeral's procession were full.

Millions more are expected to tune into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-biden-king-charles-iii-health-covid-0229717aa9198a6120e66639cf5171bb">the funeral</a>&nbsp;live on television, and crowds are flocking to parks and public spaces across the U.K. to watch it on screens.

“As we all prepare to say our last farewell, I wanted simply to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and myself in this time of grief,” he said.

Following the funeral in the medieval abbey where Elizabeth was married and crowned, her coffin — ringed by units of the armed forces in dress uniforms and members of her family — will be brought through the capital's streets to Wellington Arch near Hyde Park.

There, it will be placed in a hearse to be driven to Windsor Castle — where Elizabeth spent much of her time — for another procession before a committal service in St. George’s Chapel. She will be laid to rest with her late husband, Prince Philip, at a private family service.

Mourners started arriving to take their seats about three hours ahead of the ceremony.

LONDON (AP) — Events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral on Monday cap 10 days of national mourning and are expected to be watched by hundreds of thousands of people packed onto the streets of London and millions around the world. Those are just a few of the staggering array of numbers generated by the death of the 96-year-old monarch after a 70-year-reign.

— 2,000: Dignitaries and guests in Westminster Abbey for the the state funeral, ranging from King Charles III and other royals to world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden to members of the British public who helped battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

— 800: Guests at a committal service later in the day at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

— 5,949: Military personnel deployed throughout the meticulously choreographed operation that began with the queen's death on Sept. 8 at her Balmoral Estate in the Scottish Highlands. That number comprises 4,416 from the army, 847 from the navy and 686 from the air force. In addition, around 175 armed forces personnel from Commonwealth nations have been involved.

— 1,650: At least that number of military personnel will be involved in the pomp-filled procession of the queen's coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch after her funeral. A further 1,000 will line the streets along the procession route When the coffin reaches Windsor, 410 military personnel will take part in the procession, 480 will line streets, 150 will be in a guard of honor and line steps and 130 more will fulfil other ceremonial duties.

— 142: Royal Navy ratings who will pull the state gun carriage carrying the queen's coffin on Monday when it leaves the Houses of Parliament for her funeral.

— More than 10,000: Police officers. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said the “hugely complex” policing operation is the biggest in the London force’s history, surpassing the London 2012 Olympics which saw up to 10,000 police officers on duty per day.

— 22: Miles of barriers erected in central London alone to control crowds and keep key areas around the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace secure.

— 1 million: The number of people London transport authorities expect to visit the capital on Monday. Around 250 extra rail services will run to move people in and out of the city.

— 5: Miles of people lining up to file past the queen's coffin in Westminster Hall. The mammoth queue stretched back from the Houses of Parliament along the south bank of the River Thames to Southwark Park. The number of people in the queue is unlikely to be known until after the lying-in-state closes early on Monday.

— 125: Movie theaters that will open their doors to broadcast Monday's funeral live.

— 2,868: Diamonds, along with 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and 4 rubies, sparkle in the Imperial State Crown that rested on the queen's coffin as it lay in state.

— 2: Minutes of silence at the end of the funeral at Westminster Abbey.

— 1: Coffin. The silent eye in the days-long storm of pomp, pageantry and protection is a single, flag-draped oak coffin carrying the only monarch most Britons have ever known.

LONDON (AP) — Britain and the world said a final goodbye to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-health-update-b2578aa91c3fef9c5d6ad4a557bf63e4">Queen Elizabeth II</a>&nbsp;at a state funeral Monday that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds who massed along the streets of London to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.Click below to watch on YouTube at 5a.m. CDT<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">⚫ The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen at Westminster Abbey:&mdash; The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1571793720785125378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?522859-1/funeral-service-queen-elizabeth-ii&amp;live">or click here</a> to watch the replay of the funeral serviceA day packed with events in London and Windsor began early when the doors of 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-london-6615990a69cfc706ce7ee64a4fa584e9">hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her flag-draped coffin</a>. Many had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-boris-johnson-london-united-kingdom-898f092ee58f7a74cea64fa9d3e42cad">waited for hours in line</a>, including through cold nights, to attend the lying in state in an outpouring of collective grief and respect.“I felt like I had to come and pay my final respects to our majestic queen. She has done so much for us and just a little thank you really from the people,” said Tracy Dobson, who was among the last to join the line.In a country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-london-government-and-politics-f07d95ed1c9c0f745cfa148c4c7fae83">known for pomp and pageantry</a>, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill's was filled with spectacle: 142 Royal Navy sailors drew the gun carriage carrying Elizabeth’s coffin to Westminster Abbey, with King Charles III and his sons, Princes William and Harry, walking behind as bagpipers played. Pall bearers carried the coffin into the abbey, where around 2,000 people ranging from world leaders to health care workers gathered to mourn her. Ahead of the service, a bell tolled 96 times — once a minute for each year of her life.“Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and in sure confidence to commit her to the mercy of God our maker and redeemer,” the dean of the medieval abbey, David Hoyle, told the mourners, as the funeral opened.It drew to a close with two minutes of silence observed across the United Kingdom. The attendees then sang the national anthem.Monday has been declared a public holiday in honor of Elizabeth, who died Sept. 8 — and hundreds of thousands of people descended on central London to partake&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-funeral-live-coverage-177bed5e9415e00016b84983d03e310a">in the historic moment</a>. Long before the service began, city authorities said viewing areas along the route of the funeral's procession were full.Millions more had been expected to tune into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-biden-king-charles-iii-health-covid-0229717aa9198a6120e66639cf5171bb">the funeral</a>&nbsp;live on television, and crowds flocked to parks and public spaces across the U.K. to watch it on screens. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby noted during the funeral that “few leaders receive the outpouring of love we have seen" for Elizabeth.On the evening before, Charles issued a message of thanks to people in the U.K. and around the world, saying he and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, have been “moved beyond measure” by the large numbers of people who have turned out to pay their respects to the queen.Following the funeral, the coffin — accompanied by units of the armed forces in dress uniforms and members of her family — was brought through the capital's streets.At Wellington Arch near Hyde Park, it will be placed in a hearse to be driven to Windsor Castle — where Elizabeth spent much of her time — for another procession before a committal service in St. George’s Chapel. She will be laid to rest with her late husband, Prince Philip, at a private family service.U.S. President Joe Biden was among leaders to pay their respects at the queen’s coffin on Sunday as thousands of police, hundreds of British troops and an army of officials made final preparations for the funeral.Biden called Queen Elizabeth II “decent” and “honorable” and “all about service” as he signed the condolence book, saying his heart went out to the royal family.People across Britain paused for a minute of silence at 8 p.m. Sunday in memory of the only monarch most have ever known. At Westminster Hall, the constant stream of mourners paused for 60 seconds as people observed the minute of reflection in deep silence.In Windsor, rain began to fall as the crowd fell silent for the moment of reflection. Some camped overnight outside the castle in order to reserve the best spots to view the queen’s coffin.Jilly Fitzgerald, who was in Windsor, said there was a sense of community among the mourners as they prepared to wait hours to see procession carrying the queen’s coffin.“It’s good to be with all the people who are all feeling the same. It’s like a big family because everyone feels that … the queen was part of their family,” she said.--------LONDON (AP) — Britain and the world are laying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-health-update-b2578aa91c3fef9c5d6ad4a557bf63e4">Queen Elizabeth II</a>&nbsp;to rest on Monday at a state funeral that is drawing presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and up to a million people lining the streets of London to say a final goodbye to a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.Click below to watch on YouTube at 5a.m. CDT<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TN2vT_jpW1o"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?522859-1/funeral-service-queen-elizabeth-ii&amp;live">or click here</a> to watchA day packed with funeral events in London and Windsor began early when the doors of 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-london-6615990a69cfc706ce7ee64a4fa584e9">hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her flag-draped coffin</a>. Many had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-boris-johnson-london-united-kingdom-898f092ee58f7a74cea64fa9d3e42cad">waited for hours in line</a>, including through cold nights, to see the lying in state in an outpouring of collective grief and respect.“I felt like I had to come and pay my final respects to our majestic queen. She has done so much for us and just a little thank you really from the people,” said Tracy Dobson, who was among the last to join the line.In a country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-london-government-and-politics-f07d95ed1c9c0f745cfa148c4c7fae83">known for pomp and pageantry</a>, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill's promised to be a spectacular display: 142 Royal Navy sailors drew the gun carriage carrying Elizabeth’s coffin to Westminster Abbey, with King Charles III and his sons Princes William and Harry walking behind as pipers played. At the Abbey, around 2,000 people ranging from world leaders to health care workers and volunteers have gathered to mourn her. One of the Abbey’s bells tolled 96 times — once a minute for each year of her life.Monday has been declared a public holiday in honor of Elizabeth, who died Sept. 8 — and hundreds of thousands of people descended on central London to partake&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-funeral-live-coverage-177bed5e9415e00016b84983d03e310a">in the historic moment</a>. Long before the service was set to begin, city authorities said viewing areas along the route of the funeral's procession were full.Millions more are expected to tune into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-biden-king-charles-iii-health-covid-0229717aa9198a6120e66639cf5171bb">the funeral</a>&nbsp;live on television, and crowds are flocking to parks and public spaces across the U.K. to watch it on screens.On the evening before, Charles issued a message of thanks to people in the U.K. and around the world, saying he and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, have been “moved beyond measure” by the large numbers of people who have turned out to pay their respects to the queen.“As we all prepare to say our last farewell, I wanted simply to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and myself in this time of grief,” he said.Following the funeral in the medieval abbey where Elizabeth was married and crowned, her coffin — ringed by units of the armed forces in dress uniforms and members of her family — will be brought through the capital's streets to Wellington Arch near Hyde Park.There, it will be placed in a hearse to be driven to Windsor Castle — where Elizabeth spent much of her time — for another procession before a committal service in St. George’s Chapel. She will be laid to rest with her late husband, Prince Philip, at a private family service.U.S. President Joe Biden was among leaders to pay their respects at the queen’s coffin on Sunday as thousands of police, hundreds of British troops and an army of officials made final preparations for the funeral.Biden called Queen Elizabeth II “decent” and “honorable” and “all about service” as he signed the condolence book, saying his heart went out to the royal family.Mourners started arriving to take their seats about three hours ahead of the ceremony.People across Britain paused for a minute of silence at 8 p.m. Sunday in memory of the only monarch most have ever known. At Westminster Hall, the constant stream of mourners paused for 60 seconds as people observed the minute of reflection in deep silence.In Windsor, rain began to fall as the crowd fell silent for the moment of reflection. Some camped overnight outside the castle in order to reserve the best spots to view the queen’s coffin.Jilly Fitzgerald, who was in Windsor, said there was a sense of community among the mourners as they prepared to wait hours to see procession carrying the queen’s coffin.“It’s good to be with all the people who are all feeling the same. It’s like a big family because everyone feels that … the queen was part of their family,” she said.___LONDON (AP) — Events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral on Monday cap 10 days of national mourning and are expected to be watched by hundreds of thousands of people packed onto the streets of London and millions around the world. Those are just a few of the staggering array of numbers generated by the death of the 96-year-old monarch after a 70-year-reign.— 2,000: Dignitaries and guests in Westminster Abbey for the the state funeral, ranging from King Charles III and other royals to world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden to members of the British public who helped battle the COVID-19 pandemic.— 800: Guests at a committal service later in the day at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.— 5,949: Military personnel deployed throughout the meticulously choreographed operation that began with the queen's death on Sept. 8 at her Balmoral Estate in the Scottish Highlands. That number comprises 4,416 from the army, 847 from the navy and 686 from the air force. In addition, around 175 armed forces personnel from Commonwealth nations have been involved.— 1,650: At least that number of military personnel will be involved in the pomp-filled procession of the queen's coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch after her funeral. A further 1,000 will line the streets along the procession route When the coffin reaches Windsor, 410 military personnel will take part in the procession, 480 will line streets, 150 will be in a guard of honor and line steps and 130 more will fulfil other ceremonial duties.— 142: Royal Navy ratings who will pull the state gun carriage carrying the queen's coffin on Monday when it leaves the Houses of Parliament for her funeral.— More than 10,000: Police officers. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said the “hugely complex” policing operation is the biggest in the London force’s history, surpassing the London 2012 Olympics which saw up to 10,000 police officers on duty per day.— 22: Miles of barriers erected in central London alone to control crowds and keep key areas around the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace secure.— 1 million: The number of people London transport authorities expect to visit the capital on Monday. Around 250 extra rail services will run to move people in and out of the city.— 5: Miles of people lining up to file past the queen's coffin in Westminster Hall. The mammoth queue stretched back from the Houses of Parliament along the south bank of the River Thames to Southwark Park. The number of people in the queue is unlikely to be known until after the lying-in-state closes early on Monday.— 125: Movie theaters that will open their doors to broadcast Monday's funeral live.— 2,868: Diamonds, along with 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and 4 rubies, sparkle in the Imperial State Crown that rested on the queen's coffin as it lay in state.— 2: Minutes of silence at the end of the funeral at Westminster Abbey.— 1: Coffin. The silent eye in the days-long storm of pomp, pageantry and protection is a single, flag-draped oak coffin carrying the only monarch most Britons have ever known.___

🎥Queen Elizabeth II mourned at funeral by Britain and world

TOME, N.M. (AP) — A missing New Mexico woman has been found dead and her husband has been arrested in Kansas in connection with the case, according to authorities.

Valencia County Sheriff’s officials say <a href="https://www.dps.nm.gov/blog/2022/09/07/missing-endangered-advisory-valencia-county-sheriffs-office-karla-aguilera/">37-year-old Karla Aguilera</a> of Tome was reported missing by family members on Sept. 6.

Torrance County officials said a body was found Wednesday near the Mountainair and Highway 60 area and an autopsy confirmed it was Aguilera.

An arrest warrant was issued for 50-year-old Rosalio Aguilera-Gamboa and authorities said he was arrested Saturday about 440 miles away in Garden City, Kansas.

It was unclear Sunday if Aguilera-Gamboa has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf.

Valencia County authorities were expected to release more information about the case at a news conference Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663516163568.png" alt="Karla Aguilera photo New Mexico Department of Public Safety" />
 <figcaption>Karla Aguilera photo New Mexico Department of Public Safety</figcaption>
 </figure>TOME, N.M. (AP) — A missing New Mexico woman has been found dead and her husband has been arrested in Kansas in connection with the case, according to authorities.Valencia County Sheriff’s officials say <a href="https://www.dps.nm.gov/blog/2022/09/07/missing-endangered-advisory-valencia-county-sheriffs-office-karla-aguilera/">37-year-old Karla Aguilera</a> of Tome was reported missing by family members on Sept. 6.Torrance County officials said a body was found Wednesday near the Mountainair and Highway 60 area and an autopsy confirmed it was Aguilera.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663601570422.png" alt="Aguilera Gamboa-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Aguilera Gamboa-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>An arrest warrant was issued for 50-year-old Rosalio Aguilera-Gamboa and authorities said he was arrested Saturday about 440 miles away in Garden City, Kansas.It was unclear Sunday if Aguilera-Gamboa has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf.Valencia County authorities were expected to release more information about the case at a news conference Monday.

New Mexico woman found dead, husband arrested in Kansas

Money-flipping cons have long been <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23322-bbb-scam-alert-this-get-rich-quick-con-promises-fast-money-on-cashapp" target="_blank">popular on Instagram and Twitter</a>.
 But as TikTok’s popularity grows, so do the con artists. Watch out for 
this TikTok scam, which promises to turn a few hundred dollars’ worth of
 cryptocurrency into thousands in no time at all. BBB is seeing many <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">new reports in BBB Scam Tracker</a> related to this money-flipping scam. Here’s what you need to know.

You are scrolling through <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/santa-monica/profile/mobile-apps/tiktok-1216-1074502" target="_blank">TikTok</a>
 when you come across a video showing a pile of cash. The creator says 
they earned the stack of money in just a few days by investing in 
cryptocurrency. You may not know much about cryptocurrency, but this 
“investor” can help you get the same kind of return for a modest fee. 
Better yet, they have a 100% guarantee that they can triple your money 
in less than a week.

When you contact the supposed investor, likely through WhatsApp, 
Telegram, or another messaging app, they will be polite and 
professional. They will ask you to send money – usually, a few hundred 
dollars to start – through a <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/13038-how-to-avoid-digital-wallet-scams-on-paypal-venmo-and-other-services" target="_blank">digital wallet service</a>
 like PayPal, Zelle or Venmo. They may even ask you to purchase the 
cryptocurrency yourself and send it to them. Then, they “invest” your 
money in the stock market, where it allegedly starts multiplying right 
away.

As always, the scam isn’t what it seems. When you try to get your 
money back, the scammer will claim you need to pay fees. At first, these
 amounts may seem harmless. Since your few hundred dollars now turned 
into a few thousand, what’s the harm in spending a couple hundred in 
fees, right?

Scammers try to extend this con for as long as possible to get as 
much money as they can. They may ask for fees several times, always 
promising you will get much more back than what you are spending. If you
 question them, they may resort to scare tactics, telling you that if 
you don’t pay, you’ll miss out on the giant return or that they can take
 legal action. Unfortunately, any money you send will end up in the 
scammer’s pockets. You won’t be getting a return on your investment, and
 you won’t be getting your initial deposit back either.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBMoney-flipping cons have long been <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23322-bbb-scam-alert-this-get-rich-quick-con-promises-fast-money-on-cashapp" target="_blank">popular on Instagram and Twitter</a>.
 But as TikTok’s popularity grows, so do the con artists. Watch out for 
this TikTok scam, which promises to turn a few hundred dollars’ worth of
 cryptocurrency into thousands in no time at all. BBB is seeing many <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">new reports in BBB Scam Tracker</a> related to this money-flipping scam. Here’s what you need to know.<h2>How the scam works</h2>You are scrolling through <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/santa-monica/profile/mobile-apps/tiktok-1216-1074502" target="_blank">TikTok</a>
 when you come across a video showing a pile of cash. The creator says 
they earned the stack of money in just a few days by investing in 
cryptocurrency. You may not know much about cryptocurrency, but this 
“investor” can help you get the same kind of return for a modest fee. 
Better yet, they have a 100% guarantee that they can triple your money 
in less than a week.When you contact the supposed investor, likely through WhatsApp, 
Telegram, or another messaging app, they will be polite and 
professional. They will ask you to send money – usually, a few hundred 
dollars to start – through a <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/13038-how-to-avoid-digital-wallet-scams-on-paypal-venmo-and-other-services" target="_blank">digital wallet service</a>
 like PayPal, Zelle or Venmo. They may even ask you to purchase the 
cryptocurrency yourself and send it to them. Then, they “invest” your 
money in the stock market, where it allegedly starts multiplying right 
away.As always, the scam isn’t what it seems. When you try to get your 
money back, the scammer will claim you need to pay fees. At first, these
 amounts may seem harmless. Since your few hundred dollars now turned 
into a few thousand, what’s the harm in spending a couple hundred in 
fees, right?Scammers try to extend this con for as long as possible to get as 
much money as they can. They may ask for fees several times, always 
promising you will get much more back than what you are spending. If you
 question them, they may resort to scare tactics, telling you that if 
you don’t pay, you’ll miss out on the giant return or that they can take
 legal action. Unfortunately, any money you send will end up in the 
scammer’s pockets. You won’t be getting a return on your investment, and
 you won’t be getting your initial deposit back either.&nbsp;<h2>How to avoid money flipping scams&nbsp;</h2><ul>
 <li>Use good judgment. Get-rich-quick schemes and 
investments that are guaranteed to give you a huge return are nearly 
always scams. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. </li><li>Do your research. Before you contact someone 
through TikTok or another social media platform, look up their name, 
phone number, and company name (if they have one) online. If they have 
conned others, you’ll likely find complaints online about it. </li><li>Don’t give into scare tactics. If an “investor” 
contacts you, they may try to convince you the investment will only work
 if you act right now. Or, if you’ve already sent them funds, they may 
threaten you with legal action if you don’t pay their fees. In any case,
 don’t give in to scare tactics. Recognize them as the hallmarks of a 
scam. </li><li>Understand how digital wallet services work. Treat 
any money you send through a digital wallet service like cash. Once you 
send the money, there will be little you can do to get it back if it 
turns out you were scammed. It’s best to use these apps only with people
 you know and trust.</li>
 </ul>

Alert: Cryptocurrency investment scams take to TikTok

The Kansas Forest Service assisted in fighting a wildfire that started off of Interstate 70 in Ellsworth County and burned into Lincoln County Sunday evening. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansasforestservice">Kansas Forest Service Facebook page</a>:

The Kansas Forest Service assisted in fighting a wildfire that started off of Interstate 70 in Ellsworth County and burned into Lincoln County Sunday evening. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansasforestservice">Kansas Forest Service Facebook page</a>:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkansasforestservice%2Fvideos%2F1251034092329706%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Kansas Forest Service battles wildfire in Ellsworth, Lincoln counties 

KANSAS CITY – Four Kansas City men who were part of 246, a violent street gang, were convicted by a federal jury for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy, according to the United State's Attorney.

Ladele D. Smith, also known as “Dellio” and “Dog,” 35; David J. Duncan, IV, also known as “Deej” or “DJ,” 33; Roy Franklin, Jr., 31; and Gary O. Toombs, 42, were found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana from Jan. 1, 2011, to Oct. 1, 2019. Smith, Duncan, and Franklin were also convicted of multiple counts that charged them with various drug-trafficking and firearms crimes, to include drive-by shooting and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.&nbsp; Toombs was convicted of multiple counts that charged him with various drug-trafficking and firearms crimes as well.&nbsp;

The investigation into the 246 street gang, operating in the Kansas City metropolitan area, began in June 2017. The gang is an alliance of gang members from the 24th, 43rd, and 68th&nbsp;streets of Kansas City, Mo. Smith was identified as a leader of the gang, and Duncan, Franklin and Toombs as members of the gang.

Smith and Duncan are local rap artists who often posted to social media platforms, such as YouTube, with references to the 246 gang. In some of the videos, Smith and others show firearms and large amounts of cash. The social media posts also portrayed Smith and others wearing expensive jewelry, watches, hats, clothing and plate carrying vests that depicted 246 gang affiliation.

Members of the 246 gang used a residence in the 4400 block of Kensington, which is within 1,000 feet of George Washington Carver Dual Language School, a public elementary school, for gang and drug-trafficking business. No one utilized the house as a primary or permanent residence. On Oct. 2, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the house and seized heroin as well as two assault rifles and a stolen vehicle &nbsp;that had been used in a drive-by shooting. Officers also found a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Century Arms International 7.62x39mm pistol under the couch in the living room and a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on the kitchen cabinet.

Smith was arrested at his apartment on Oct 2, 2019. Officers searched his residence and found codeine, $31,601 in cash, and jewelry valued at over $40,000.

Duncan was also arrested at his apartment on Oct. 2, 2019. Officers searched his residence and found a Zastava 7.62 x 39mm rifle, a Norinco 7.62 x 39mm rifle, a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol, two loaded rifle magazines, and a loaded handgun magazine under the bed in a bedroom. Officers found $7,100 in cash and four bags of pills that contained oxycodone in the living room.

Smith, Franklin and Toombs also were found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Smith also was found guilty of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, one count of distributing marijuana, one count of distributing marijuana near a school (within 1,000 feet of George Washington Carver Dual Language School), four counts of distributing heroin, and four counts of distributing heroin near a school (within 1,000 feet of George Washington Carver Dual Language School).

Franklin also was found guilty of two counts of distributing marijuana and two counts of distributing marijuana near a school (within 1,000 feet of George Washington Carver Dual Language School).

Duncan also was found guilty of possessing oxycodone the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and five counts of money laundering related to the purchases of money orders with drug-trafficking proceeds.

Toombs also was found guilty of maintaining a residence for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using controlled substances.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about six hours over two days before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Aug. 29, 2022.

Eleven co-defendants in this case have pleaded guilty and been sentenced.

Sirrico L. Franklin, 31, of Raytown, Mo., was sentenced on May 31, 2022, to five years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Terrance Garner, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on June 21, 2022, to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Joshua Marchbanks, 32, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 24, 2022, to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Carleeon D. Lockett, 30, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 31, 2022, to six years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Kenneth D. Scott, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on March 24, 2021, to three years and six months in federal prison without parole. Cordell Edwards, 34, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on March 7, 2022, to five years in federal prison without parole. Michael E. Sims, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on June 28, 2022, to five years and five months in federal prison without parole. Cordarrel L. Scott, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on Dec. 15, 2020, to 18 months in federal prison without parole. Marco R. Maddox, 38, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 27, 2022, to three years and five months in federal prison without parole. Cornelius Phelps, 36, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., was sentenced on April 27, 2022, to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Herman G. Bell, 67, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on June 22, 2022, to three years of probation.

Co-defendant Martin C. Garner, 35, of St. Louis, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 26, 2022, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and awaits sentencing.

Under federal statutes, Smith, Duncan, Franklin and Toombs each are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663429114378.png" alt="Ladele D. Smith, also knows as Dellio and Dog as seen from one of his rap videos" />
 <figcaption>Ladele D. Smith, also knows as Dellio and Dog as seen from one of his rap videos</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – Four Kansas City men who were part of 246, a violent street gang, were convicted by a federal jury for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy, according to the United State's Attorney.Ladele D. Smith, also known as “Dellio” and “Dog,” 35; David J. Duncan, IV, also known as “Deej” or “DJ,” 33; Roy Franklin, Jr., 31; and Gary O. Toombs, 42, were found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana from Jan. 1, 2011, to Oct. 1, 2019. Smith, Duncan, and Franklin were also convicted of multiple counts that charged them with various drug-trafficking and firearms crimes, to include drive-by shooting and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.&nbsp; Toombs was convicted of multiple counts that charged him with various drug-trafficking and firearms crimes as well.&nbsp;The investigation into the 246 street gang, operating in the Kansas City metropolitan area, began in June 2017. The gang is an alliance of gang members from the 24th, 43rd, and 68th&nbsp;streets of Kansas City, Mo. Smith was identified as a leader of the gang, and Duncan, Franklin and Toombs as members of the gang.Smith and Duncan are local rap artists who often posted to social media platforms, such as YouTube, with references to the 246 gang. In some of the videos, Smith and others show firearms and large amounts of cash. The social media posts also portrayed Smith and others wearing expensive jewelry, watches, hats, clothing and plate carrying vests that depicted 246 gang affiliation.Members of the 246 gang used a residence in the 4400 block of Kensington, which is within 1,000 feet of George Washington Carver Dual Language School, a public elementary school, for gang and drug-trafficking business. No one utilized the house as a primary or permanent residence. On Oct. 2, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the house and seized heroin as well as two assault rifles and a stolen vehicle &nbsp;that had been used in a drive-by shooting. Officers also found a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Century Arms International 7.62x39mm pistol under the couch in the living room and a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on the kitchen cabinet.Smith was arrested at his apartment on Oct 2, 2019. Officers searched his residence and found codeine, $31,601 in cash, and jewelry valued at over $40,000.Duncan was also arrested at his apartment on Oct. 2, 2019. Officers searched his residence and found a Zastava 7.62 x 39mm rifle, a Norinco 7.62 x 39mm rifle, a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol, two loaded rifle magazines, and a loaded handgun magazine under the bed in a bedroom. Officers found $7,100 in cash and four bags of pills that contained oxycodone in the living room.Smith, Franklin and Toombs also were found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.Smith also was found guilty of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, one count of distributing marijuana, one count of distributing marijuana near a school (within 1,000 feet of George Washington Carver Dual Language School), four counts of distributing heroin, and four counts of distributing heroin near a school (within 1,000 feet of George Washington Carver Dual Language School).Franklin also was found guilty of two counts of distributing marijuana and two counts of distributing marijuana near a school (within 1,000 feet of George Washington Carver Dual Language School).Duncan also was found guilty of possessing oxycodone the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and five counts of money laundering related to the purchases of money orders with drug-trafficking proceeds.Toombs also was found guilty of maintaining a residence for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using controlled substances.Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about six hours over two days before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Aug. 29, 2022.Eleven co-defendants in this case have pleaded guilty and been sentenced.Sirrico L. Franklin, 31, of Raytown, Mo., was sentenced on May 31, 2022, to five years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Terrance Garner, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on June 21, 2022, to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Joshua Marchbanks, 32, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 24, 2022, to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Carleeon D. Lockett, 30, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 31, 2022, to six years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Kenneth D. Scott, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on March 24, 2021, to three years and six months in federal prison without parole. Cordell Edwards, 34, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on March 7, 2022, to five years in federal prison without parole. Michael E. Sims, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on June 28, 2022, to five years and five months in federal prison without parole. Cordarrel L. Scott, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on Dec. 15, 2020, to 18 months in federal prison without parole. Marco R. Maddox, 38, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 27, 2022, to three years and five months in federal prison without parole. Cornelius Phelps, 36, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., was sentenced on April 27, 2022, to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Herman G. Bell, 67, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on June 22, 2022, to three years of probation.Co-defendant Martin C. Garner, 35, of St. Louis, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 26, 2022, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and awaits sentencing.Under federal statutes, Smith, Duncan, Franklin and Toombs each are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

4 guilty in massive Kansas City drug, street gang conspiracy

TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a man with one count of murder in the second degree, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;

Stryder Dane Keo, 34, is accused of shooting and killing&nbsp;William Blacksmith, 35, Whiting, a member of the Kickapoo tribe on the Kickapoo Reservation in July 2022. 

The federal government has jurisdiction over the offense because the offense occurred within Indian country. The FBI is investigating the case.

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting on the Kickapoo Reservation, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

Just after 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s office received a call of a possible shooting in the 1300 Block of Firefly on the Reservation. First responders found a victim identified as William&nbsp;Blacksmith, 35, Whiting who was unresponsive in the yard near that address with multiple gunshot wounds.

A short time later, the suspect, Stryder Dane Keo, 32, was arrested without incident at his home on the reservation.

Keo was booked into the Brown County Jail just before 9 a.m. Sunday. He is being held without bond on requested charges of of Murder in the 1st Degree.&nbsp; The incident is being investigated by the Brown County Sheriff's Office, coordinated with the Brown County Attorney and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658145480978.png" alt="Keo-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Keo-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a man with one count of murder in the second degree, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;Stryder Dane Keo, 34, is accused of shooting and killing&nbsp;William Blacksmith, 35, Whiting, a member of the Kickapoo tribe on the Kickapoo Reservation in July 2022. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658173612717.png" alt="Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas -Google map" />
 <figcaption>Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas -Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>The federal government has jurisdiction over the offense because the offense occurred within Indian country. The FBI is investigating the case.----------BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting on the Kickapoo Reservation, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.Just after 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s office received a call of a possible shooting in the 1300 Block of Firefly on the Reservation. First responders found a victim identified as William&nbsp;Blacksmith, 35, Whiting who was unresponsive in the yard near that address with multiple gunshot wounds.A short time later, the suspect, Stryder Dane Keo, 32, was arrested without incident at his home on the reservation.Keo was booked into the Brown County Jail just before 9 a.m. Sunday. He is being held without bond on requested charges of of Murder in the 1st Degree.&nbsp; The incident is being investigated by the Brown County Sheriff's Office, coordinated with the Brown County Attorney and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. man accused of murder on Kickapoo Reservation

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp; Crime Stoppers of Wichita-Sedgwick County has approved a $2,500 reward for an anonymous tipster whose information led to the arrest of wholesale fentanyl dealers in Wichita.

On August 11, police in Wichita arrested 21-year-old Chandra Bray, 26-year-old, Michael Parker and 25-year-old Matthew Lewis – all of Wichita – after a search warrant was conducted at their home in the 6100 block of E. Boston in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

 The three were all booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested drug and paraphernalia charges.

The arrests come after an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers reported drugs being sold from the home. Through diligent follow-up work, officers located over 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills, powders, drug paraphernalia, and several stolen firearms.

"This is a great example of the collaboration between Crime Stoppers and our local law enforcement agencies," said Macy, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. 

"We rely on the great follow-up work from officers to corroborate the information received through Crime Stoppers, and in this case, it led to something significant."

A $2,500 reward was approved at Monday's Crime Stoppers board meeting. This reward coincides with Crime Stoppers new efforts to combat the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the Wichita/Sedgwick County community

"We're actively targeting fentanyl dealers in Sedgwick County," said Macy. "So if someone has information about a person with large quantities of these pills, they can send that into Crime Stoppers and expect an increased reward if it leads to their arrest."

The Crime Stoppers fentanyl campaign offers up to $2,500 rewards to tipsters whose information leads to an arrest of a fentanyl wholesaler – or anyone with more than one thousand pills in their possession, intending to sell.

"I think it sends a strong message to the community and the dealers that we won't tolerate this happening here in Sedgwick County," Macy said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663340799051.png" alt="Lewis-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Lewis-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp; Crime Stoppers of Wichita-Sedgwick County has approved a $2,500 reward for an anonymous tipster whose information led to the arrest of wholesale fentanyl dealers in Wichita.On August 11, police in Wichita arrested 21-year-old Chandra Bray, 26-year-old, Michael Parker and 25-year-old Matthew Lewis – all of Wichita – after a search warrant was conducted at their home in the 6100 block of E. Boston in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663340714627.png" alt="Bray-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bray-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure> The three were all booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested drug and paraphernalia charges.The arrests come after an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers reported drugs being sold from the home. Through diligent follow-up work, officers located over 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills, powders, drug paraphernalia, and several stolen firearms.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663341042332.png" alt="Parker" />
 <figcaption>Parker</figcaption>
 </figure>"This is a great example of the collaboration between Crime Stoppers and our local law enforcement agencies," said Macy, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. "We rely on the great follow-up work from officers to corroborate the information received through Crime Stoppers, and in this case, it led to something significant."A $2,500 reward was approved at Monday's Crime Stoppers board meeting. This reward coincides with Crime Stoppers new efforts to combat the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the Wichita/Sedgwick County community"We're actively targeting fentanyl dealers in Sedgwick County," said Macy. "So if someone has information about a person with large quantities of these pills, they can send that into Crime Stoppers and expect an increased reward if it leads to their arrest."The Crime Stoppers fentanyl campaign offers up to $2,500 rewards to tipsters whose information leads to an arrest of a fentanyl wholesaler – or anyone with more than one thousand pills in their possession, intending to sell."I think it sends a strong message to the community and the dealers that we won't tolerate this happening here in Sedgwick County," Macy said.

Anonymous tip led to arrest of fentanyl dealers at Kansas home

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/16/community-divided-over-kansas-school-district-book-ban-push/">Kansas Reflector</a>

The Gardner Edgerton School District 
has made news recently with a transgender student policy that the Kansas
 American Civil Liberties Union <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/13/a-traumatic-and-fatal-conclusion-kansas-school-district-debates-potential-transgender-policy/">condemned as potentially unlawful</a>.
 With the policy still under discussion and a vote delayed, it seemed as
 though things were finally settling down for the district.

But the newest issue to come up is 
censorship. Parents are demanding that a book be banned from the school 
curriculum. Sherman Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time 
Indian” has been on the classroom curriculum for years as an upper-level
 English class reading assignment.&nbsp;

Two parents have taken the lead in 
trying to take the book out of school circulation. Bud Campbell, father 
of four children in the district, said he found out about the book in 
August from a Facebook group. Though he hasn’t read the full novel,&nbsp; he 
didn’t approve of the excerpts he had read. Campbell hopes to get it 
banned from the curriculum and library.&nbsp;

While his 16-year-old has not been 
assigned the book, and he has not talked with the teenager about the 
novel, Campbell said he was concerned about other students in the high 
school reading questionable material.&nbsp;

Campbell started by emailing the 
principal of the school about “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time 
Indian,” and the “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which he had heard was available
 for student reading. “The Handmaid’s Tale” was taken out of the school,
 though it was a donation accepted by a teacher and not part of the 
library or assigned reading, Campbell said.&nbsp;

He and fellow parent Carrie Schmidt filled out forms requesting an evaluation of the book, meeting with Gardner
 Edgerton School District Superintendent Brian Huff. Campbell said he 
wanted to be the one teaching his children about topics like sexuality 
and race.

“I think I’m one of those people that
 think schools are trying to take too much from the parents. Things that
 we’re not really asking them to teach our kids,” Campbell said.

Kristen Schultz, a former school 
board member, said she was extremely tired of all of the rancor. Schultz
 has lived in the area since 1995 and served on the school board for 
nearly eight years, with all three of her kids graduating from the 
district.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663530759424.jpeg" alt="Carrie Schmidt speaks against a required reading novel at the September meeting of the Gardner Edgerton Board of Education. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Gardner Edgerton school board video)" />
 <figcaption>Carrie Schmidt speaks against a required reading novel at the September meeting of the Gardner Edgerton Board of Education. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Gardner Edgerton school board video)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/16/community-divided-over-kansas-school-district-book-ban-push/">Kansas Reflector</a>The Gardner Edgerton School District 
has made news recently with a transgender student policy that the Kansas
 American Civil Liberties Union <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/13/a-traumatic-and-fatal-conclusion-kansas-school-district-debates-potential-transgender-policy/">condemned as potentially unlawful</a>.
 With the policy still under discussion and a vote delayed, it seemed as
 though things were finally settling down for the district.But the newest issue to come up is 
censorship. Parents are demanding that a book be banned from the school 
curriculum. Sherman Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time 
Indian” has been on the classroom curriculum for years as an upper-level
 English class reading assignment.&nbsp;Two parents have taken the lead in 
trying to take the book out of school circulation. Bud Campbell, father 
of four children in the district, said he found out about the book in 
August from a Facebook group. Though he hasn’t read the full novel,&nbsp; he 
didn’t approve of the excerpts he had read. Campbell hopes to get it 
banned from the curriculum and library.&nbsp;While his 16-year-old has not been 
assigned the book, and he has not talked with the teenager about the 
novel, Campbell said he was concerned about other students in the high 
school reading questionable material.&nbsp;Campbell started by emailing the 
principal of the school about “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time 
Indian,” and the “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which he had heard was available
 for student reading. “The Handmaid’s Tale” was taken out of the school,
 though it was a donation accepted by a teacher and not part of the 
library or assigned reading, Campbell said.&nbsp;He and fellow parent Carrie Schmidt filled out forms requesting an evaluation of the book, meeting with Gardner
 Edgerton School District Superintendent Brian Huff. Campbell said he 
wanted to be the one teaching his children about topics like sexuality 
and race.“I think I’m one of those people that
 think schools are trying to take too much from the parents. Things that
 we’re not really asking them to teach our kids,” Campbell said.Kristen Schultz, a former school 
board member, said she was extremely tired of all of the rancor. Schultz
 has lived in the area since 1995 and served on the school board for 
nearly eight years, with all three of her kids graduating from the 
district.&nbsp;She said parental outrage started 
with the Johnson County mask mandates and snowballed from there. Schultz
 believes just a few ultra-conservative parents have dominated the 
entire school discussion.&nbsp;“It began there,” Schultz said. “And 
since then, in just the nine short months since the new school board has
 taken over, we’ve had complaints about the transgender issue, which is a
 very heated topic right now. And then just falling into this book 
banning thing. So it’s almost like they’re following the 
ultra-conservative recipe. First we have masks. Now we have trans kids 
and LGBTQ kids and now book banning.”Schultz said her children had read 
the book with no problems, and that excerpts read by parents for shock 
value were taken out of context, with explicit material occurring in 
less than a dozen pages.Schultz believes there are plenty of 
options for disgruntled parents. An opt-out option is given for assigned
 books in the district, and parents can choose to have their child read 
something else if they object to the material on any grounds.&nbsp;She worries that important issues, 
such as bolstering the district’s special education program or helping 
overworked teachers, are getting ignored in favor of political talking 
points.&nbsp;“Our district is trying. I take 
nothing away from our district, our district administration, they’re 
trying to focus on these things, but every time someone throws a wrench 
like a book banning into the works, it removes the focus from where it 
should be and wastes both time and resources,” Schultz said.&nbsp;Schultz’s daughter, Taylor Farwell, 
taught at Gardner Edgerton High School for seven years. She said she had
 never experienced difficulty with the book as either a student or a 
teacher, with her students responding positively to “The Absolutely True
 Diary of a Part-Time Indian.”&nbsp;“It was one of the few books that I think all of our students were really engaged with,” Farwell said.Farwell believes the novel is age appropriate, and that students are able to handle topics including masturbation and racism.&nbsp;“We’re expecting these young adults 
to carry responsibilities like getting behind the wheel of a car,” 
Farwell said. “But yet they’re not mature responsible enough to read a 
book that talks about sex? That has you know, words about sex. That’s 
just silly to me.”&nbsp;When Schmidt was asked about her 
children’s thoughts on the novel and whether they would opt out, she 
said she wanted to keep them out of the discussion.“It’s not about them necessarily 
individually,” Schmidt said. “It’s about our children, everyone in the 
district, all the kids in the district.”&nbsp;She, like Campbell, feels the opt-out option isn’t enough.“Kids should not be reading this 
information or these words,” Schmidt said. “It’s horrible, in my 
opinion. There is so much sex that is being pushed down our kids’ throat
 outside of the school. Why are we bringing it inside of the school?”A committee decision on the book will
 be made in October, before the Oct. 10 Board of Education meeting. The 
committee, which includes the high school principal, students, teachers,
 parents and district officials, will have the ultimate decision on 
whether the book is kept or removed, according to district spokesman Ben
 Boothe.&nbsp;The evaluation comes in the wake of 
other Kansas school book removals. Goddard Public Schools and Derby 
Public Schools both banned “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time 
Indian” in 2021. Goddard removed more than two dozen books from the 
district’s school libraries in November 2021 before reversing the 
decision, and students in the North Kansas City School District to 
campaigned to get novels dealing with sexuality and gender put back on 
the shelves.&nbsp;Randy Watson, commissioner of the 
Kansas State Department of Education since 2014, said challenges to 
school books available to students were appropriately handled by the 
elected local school board, in a statement to the Kansas Reflector.&nbsp;“I think local school districts have 
policies on that,” said Watson, who has visited all 286 of the state’s 
public school districts. “I think they handle it well.”