NICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson USD 309 Superintendent Curtis Nightingale gave a short update on the condition of Assistant Superintendent Amy Jones and her family Thursday. The Jones <a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/c911dfff-8950-46f3-89f3-6d60ac6d123d">were hit</a> by an alleged drunk driver in Louisville, Kentucky Tuesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The daughter, Ava, who just signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Iowa, is improving, according to Nightingale.&nbsp; Ava Jones' team, Wheat State Elite, is playing in the&nbsp;<a href="https://run4theroses.com/">Run 4 The Roses</a>&nbsp;club basketball tournament in Louisville.

Amy is also improving, though she was initially admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Ava's father and Amy's husband, Trey Jones is still in critical condition. A fourth member of the family was not seriously injured.

Nightingale told Hutch Post that a candlelight vigil will be held at the Nickerson High School football stadium on Sunday at 9 p.m. Guests are asked to bring their own candles.&nbsp;

Also, a fund has been set up at Peoples Bank and Trust to help with the family’s expenses. Donations can be made at the bank to the Jones Family Fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628266388485.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ROD ZOOK Hutch PostNICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson USD 309 Superintendent Curtis Nightingale gave a short update on the condition of Assistant Superintendent Amy Jones and her family Thursday. The Jones <a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/c911dfff-8950-46f3-89f3-6d60ac6d123d">were hit</a> by an alleged drunk driver in Louisville, Kentucky Tuesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;The daughter, Ava, who just signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Iowa, is improving, according to Nightingale.&nbsp; Ava Jones' team, Wheat State Elite, is playing in the&nbsp;<a href="https://run4theroses.com/">Run 4 The Roses</a>&nbsp;club basketball tournament in Louisville.Amy is also improving, though she was initially admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Ava's father and Amy's husband, Trey Jones is still in critical condition. A fourth member of the family was not seriously injured.Nightingale told Hutch Post that a candlelight vigil will be held at the Nickerson High School football stadium on Sunday at 9 p.m. Guests are asked to bring their own candles.&nbsp;Also, a fund has been set up at Peoples Bank and Trust to help with the family’s expenses. Donations can be made at the bank to the Jones Family Fund.

Candlelight vigil for Kan. family struck by reported impaired driver

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, working with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, has identified a presumptive positive case of monkeypox in Kansas based on testing at the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories.&nbsp;This is the first presumptive positive case in Kansas.

The patient is an adult resident in Johnson County, KS who recently traveled out of state. To protect the individual’s privacy, no additional information will be shared at this time. The patient is working with KDHE to identify contacts who may have been exposed.

“The risk of monkeypox spreading in Kansas remains low,” said Janet Stanek, Secretary of KDHE.&nbsp;“If you are experiencing symptoms of monkeypox illness, it’s important to stay home and contact your health care provider as soon as possible to avoid spreading the disease to others.”

In typical cases, a person may experience symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion followed by the appearance of a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that may appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body like hands, feet, chest, or genitals. However, it is important to note that not all cases will show symptoms before the onset of a rash, so KDHE strongly recommends anyone experiencing symptoms of a monkeypox-like rash with other risk factors contact their health care provider as soon as possible. Risk factors for monkeypox infection include the following scenarios within 21 days of first symptom onset:

The monkeypox vaccine is available to those with a known exposure to a confirmed monkeypox case; however,&nbsp;with the vaccine supply extremely limited in the United States, residents who have not been contacted by KDHE or clinic partners are not able to be vaccinated at this time.&nbsp;KDHE will expand eligibility as additional doses are available.

The KDHE Phone Bank is available to assist in answering general questions about monkeypox. Individuals can call 1-866-KDHEINF (534-3463) Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or can&nbsp;<a href="mailto:monkeypox@ks.gov">email their questions</a>.

KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, working with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, has identified a presumptive positive case of monkeypox in Kansas based on testing at the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories.&nbsp;This is the first presumptive positive case in Kansas.The patient is an adult resident in Johnson County, KS who recently traveled out of state. To protect the individual’s privacy, no additional information will be shared at this time. The patient is working with KDHE to identify contacts who may have been exposed.“The risk of monkeypox spreading in Kansas remains low,” said Janet Stanek, Secretary of KDHE.&nbsp;“If you are experiencing symptoms of monkeypox illness, it’s important to stay home and contact your health care provider as soon as possible to avoid spreading the disease to others.”In typical cases, a person may experience symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion followed by the appearance of a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that may appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body like hands, feet, chest, or genitals. However, it is important to note that not all cases will show symptoms before the onset of a rash, so KDHE strongly recommends anyone experiencing symptoms of a monkeypox-like rash with other risk factors contact their health care provider as soon as possible. Risk factors for monkeypox infection include the following scenarios within 21 days of first symptom onset:<ul>
 <li>Contact with a person or people with a similar appearing rash or who received a diagnosis of confirmed or probable monkeypox, OR</li><li>Close or intimate in-person contact with individuals in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity including meeting partners through an online website, digital app or social event, OR</li><li>Recent travel outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where Monkeypox virus is endemic, OR</li><li>Contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that is an African endemic species or used a product derived from such animals (game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)</li>
 </ul>The monkeypox vaccine is available to those with a known exposure to a confirmed monkeypox case; however,&nbsp;with the vaccine supply extremely limited in the United States, residents who have not been contacted by KDHE or clinic partners are not able to be vaccinated at this time.&nbsp;KDHE will expand eligibility as additional doses are available.The KDHE Phone Bank is available to assist in answering general questions about monkeypox. Individuals can call 1-866-KDHEINF (534-3463) Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or can&nbsp;<a href="mailto:monkeypox@ks.gov">email their questions</a>.

KDHE: First presumptive positive case of monkeypox in Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man for the alleged attempted murder of his mother.

Just after 6:30p.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center received information that a 63-year-old woman had arrived at a local hospital with serious injuries to her face, head, and hands, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 Investigators learned that the 63-year-old woman was attacked by her&nbsp; son identified as 41-year-old Preston Price&nbsp; in her own home in the 1100 block of NE 35th Street in Topeka.

The 63-year-old female was able to escape the scene and drive herself to a local hospital. She is currently being treated in a Kansas City hospital for extensive injuries suffered during the attack.

Deputies arrested Preston L. Price of Topeka and booked him on a requested charge of attempted murder in the 1st degree, according to Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657221582560.png" alt="Price-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Price-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man for the alleged attempted murder of his mother.Just after 6:30p.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center received information that a 63-year-old woman had arrived at a local hospital with serious injuries to her face, head, and hands, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Investigators learned that the 63-year-old woman was attacked by her&nbsp; son identified as 41-year-old Preston Price&nbsp; in her own home in the 1100 block of NE 35th Street in Topeka.The 63-year-old female was able to escape the scene and drive herself to a local hospital. She is currently being treated in a Kansas City hospital for extensive injuries suffered during the attack.Deputies arrested Preston L. Price of Topeka and booked him on a requested charge of attempted murder in the 1st degree, according to Christian.

Kan. woman hospitalized after violent attack by her son

WICHITA, KAN. – A California man was sentenced three years in prison following a jury conviction in Sedgwick County on one count of mail fraud and one count of making a false representation in a bankruptcy proceeding, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, in January 2018, Nana Baidoobonso – Iam, 69, of California engaged in a scheme in which he mailed an Involuntary Petition in Bankruptcy to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas. 

The defendant signed the Involuntary Petition in Bankruptcy under the penalties of perjury and falsely claimed that an individual owed him $630,000 and owed a second person $1.26 million.

The U.S. Postal Service investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657035695583.png" alt="Baidoobonso – Iam- photo Butler County" />
 <figcaption>Baidoobonso – Iam- photo Butler County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A California man was sentenced three years in prison following a jury conviction in Sedgwick County on one count of mail fraud and one count of making a false representation in a bankruptcy proceeding, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, in January 2018, Nana Baidoobonso – Iam, 69, of California engaged in a scheme in which he mailed an Involuntary Petition in Bankruptcy to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas. The defendant signed the Involuntary Petition in Bankruptcy under the penalties of perjury and falsely claimed that an individual owed him $630,000 and owed a second person $1.26 million.The U.S. Postal Service investigated the case.

Man sentenced to prison for bankruptcy fraud in Kansas

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating bomb threats nationwide and at two schools in Kansas.

Just before 1p.m. Thursday, a&nbsp;bomb threat was called in at KU School of Medicine, 1010 N. Kansas Street, in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. Police and&nbsp;&nbsp;KU Security checked the facility and alerted staff. They found no bomb but continue to investigate, according to Ditch.

Just after 1p.m., the Ford County Communications Center received a call from a person saying there was a bomb in the Arts classroom of the Dodge City Community College, 2501 North 14th Avenue in Dodge City, according to a media release from police.

 The caller described the bomb and its location in the back of the classroom.  The caller also stated it would detonate in just over one hour.  Police, Fire and EMS responded and coordinated with campus security to evacuate the area and sweep the stated location.  No suspicious devices were located.  

College administration and security requested the area to be swept by a bomb dog.  During the coordination of the dog, we learned from state and federal Intelligence sources that the same report had been made at multiple campuses across the nation. 

 Each of these searches concluded the same.  The detonation time elapsed without incident.  

At this time, the Dodge City Community College security and police were holding the area closed off to the public until the bomb dog arrives and searches for a device.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590767306420.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating bomb threats nationwide and at two schools in Kansas.Just before 1p.m. Thursday, a&nbsp;bomb threat was called in at KU School of Medicine, 1010 N. Kansas Street, in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. Police and&nbsp;&nbsp;KU Security checked the facility and alerted staff. They found no bomb but continue to investigate, according to Ditch.Just after 1p.m., the Ford County Communications Center received a call from a person saying there was a bomb in the Arts classroom of the Dodge City Community College, 2501 North 14th Avenue in Dodge City, according to a media release from police. The caller described the bomb and its location in the back of the classroom. The caller also stated it would detonate in just over one hour. Police, Fire and EMS responded and coordinated with campus security to evacuate the area and sweep the stated location. No suspicious devices were located. College administration and security requested the area to be swept by a bomb dog. During the coordination of the dog, we learned from state and federal Intelligence sources that the same report had been made at multiple campuses across the nation. Each of these searches concluded the same. The detonation time elapsed without incident. At this time, the Dodge City Community College security and police were holding the area closed off to the public until the bomb dog arrives and searches for a device.

Police: Bomb threats at campuses nationwide, 2 in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a weekend double murder have identified one of the victims as 43-year-old Saren Negrete-Perez of California, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick. The sheriff's office has not released the name of the male victim.

Just after 5 a.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call in the 4400 block of south Rock Road in rural Sedgwick County, according to Blick.&nbsp;

At the scene, first responders found 42-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076411">David Baeza</a>&nbsp;of Wichita on the side of the road suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Colonel Brian White with the sheriff's department. EMS transported Baeza to an area hospital for treatment.

During an additional search of the rural property, deputies found a man andNegrete-Perez deceased in the backyard of a residence the 4300 block of South Rock Road. They died from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; The victims did not live at this location, according to White.

While processing the scene, investigators found 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18714449">Joseph Ponse Jr. </a>&nbsp;of Wichita. Deputies booked him on requested charges of first degree murder and a Kansas Department of Corrections arrest and detain order, according to White.

After he was released from the hospital and interviewed, deputies booked<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076411">&nbsp;Baeza</a>&nbsp;on requested charges of first-degree murder.

Investigators still have individuals they want to interview in connection with the case, according to White. "This was not a random act and drug activity is believed involved."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1656781809875.png" alt="Rock Road was closed during the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Rock Road was closed during the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a weekend double murder have identified one of the victims as 43-year-old Saren Negrete-Perez of California, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick. The sheriff's office has not released the name of the male victim.Just after 5 a.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call in the 4400 block of south Rock Road in rural Sedgwick County, according to Blick.&nbsp;At the scene, first responders found 42-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076411">David Baeza</a>&nbsp;of Wichita on the side of the road suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Colonel Brian White with the sheriff's department. EMS transported Baeza to an area hospital for treatment.During an additional search of the rural property, deputies found a man andNegrete-Perez deceased in the backyard of a residence the 4300 block of South Rock Road. They died from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; The victims did not live at this location, according to White.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657051675461.png" alt="Baeza-photo Sedgwick County." />
 <figcaption>Baeza-photo Sedgwick County.</figcaption>
 </figure>While processing the scene, investigators found 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18714449">Joseph Ponse Jr. </a>&nbsp;of Wichita. Deputies booked him on requested charges of first degree murder and a Kansas Department of Corrections arrest and detain order, according to White.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657051599579.png" alt="Ponse-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Ponse-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>After he was released from the hospital and interviewed, deputies booked<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076411">&nbsp;Baeza</a>&nbsp;on requested charges of first-degree murder. Investigators still have individuals they want to interview in connection with the case, according to White. "This was not a random act and drug activity is believed involved."&nbsp;

Sheriff: California woman a victim in rural Kan. double murder

By KAY HAWES University of Kansas Medical Center

OVERLAND PARK - The University of Kansas Cancer Center has been designated as a “Comprehensive” cancer center by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/research/transformative-research/nci-designation" target="_blank">the National Cancer Institute (NCI)</a>. This is the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI and is the gold standard for cancer centers.

(Click below to watch Thursday's announcement)

“Nearly twenty years ago, this entire community joined together and decided that national designation, and ultimately Comprehensive designation, of our cancer center was our top priority as a region. It was our moonshot,” said Douglas A. Girod, MD, chancellor of&nbsp;<a href="https://ku.edu/" target="_blank">the University of Kansas</a>. “Well, today we’ve landed on the moon, so to speak. What was once a dream is now a reality. And that reality means better patient care, better health outcomes and better research. And it means we are one step closer to our ultimate goal – which is to rid our society of cancer so that we all have the opportunity to live happier, healthier lives.”

In addition to Comprehensive status, the KU Cancer Center was awarded a five-year, $13.8 million grant to support the center’s research programs, shared equipment and resources. It also received an “outstanding” rating by NCI reviewers.

“Comprehensive designation is a crucial milestone in our journey to conquer all cancers,” said Roy Jensen, MD, vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center. “You might ask, ‘What does Comprehensive designation mean for people with cancer?’ As one of just 53 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation, it means patients will be cared for by the world’s leading cancer experts who have access to a robust portfolio of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/cancer-clinical-trials" target="_blank">clinical trials</a>. It also means we now have increased access to more federal funding and research dollars, which helps us grow and retain our team of internationally renowned&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/research/research-areas" target="_blank">researchers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/research/transformative-research/beyond-the-bench/2021/physician-scientists-bridging-the-lab-and-clinic" target="_blank">physician-scientists</a>.”

The University of Kansas Cancer Center has nearly 350 researchers and 150 disease-specific oncologists. They conduct all phases of cancer research, from laboratory studies to clinical trials to population-based studies that address environmental and behavioral factors that contribute to cancer.

Research operations at KU Cancer Center have already contributed an estimated $2.5 billion in economic impact to the region since 2007 when the center began working toward NCI designation in earnest. It’s estimated that those numbers will only increase with the anticipated expansion that will accompany KU Cancer Center achieving Comprehensive designation. University leaders note that the growth of the cancer center has contributed to additional advancements at the university.

“Two decades ago, when KU Medical Center leadership decided to focus on cancer research, there were some who worried that other areas might be left behind,” said Robert D. Simari, MD, executive vice chancellor of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/" target="_blank">the University of Kansas Medical Center</a>. “However, it has never been more true that rising tides raise all ships. With the success of the cancer center, centers of excellence in Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, diabetes, aging and many others have flourished.”

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Children’s Mercy Kansas City are consortium partners with KU Cancer Center, while The University of Kansas Health System is a clinical partner.

“This designation from the National Cancer Institute confirms the excellence of The University of Kansas Cancer Center and underscores the importance of research, combined with exceptional clinical care,” said Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, PhD, executive director and chief scientific officer of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stowers.org/" target="_blank">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a>. “Science at Stowers is deliberately designed to make the important biological discoveries that can lead to potential new treatments and eventual cures for cancer and other diseases. We are honored to participate with KU Cancer Center and Children’s Mercy in this most auspicious endeavor.”

“This designation will strengthen the region’s research environment and fast-track new and improved cancer treatments for patients, including children,” said Paul Kempinski, MS, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.childrensmercy.org/childrens-mercy-research-institute/" target="_blank">Children’s Mercy Kansas City</a>. “Of the 5,000 cancer treatment centers nationwide, very few have partnered with a pediatric hospital as part of its consortium. Working together, we can continue to bring the very best that science and technology have to offer for children with cancer.”

Bob Page, president and chief executive officer of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/" target="_blank">The University of Kansas Health System</a>, noted that the quest for Comprehensive status has been a collective effort. “Today is a celebration of the power of collaboration,” he said. “It’s about bringing together our organizations’ strengths in research, education and patient care to demonstrate the remarkable impact of academic medicine.”

With Comprehensive designation, the outreach activities of KU Cancer Center are expected to expand across its catchment area—defined as the state of Kansas and western Missouri—even more.

“We are so pleased with and proud of the work being done across KU Cancer Center’s catchment area at our<a href="https://www.masoniccanceralliance.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA)</a>&nbsp;member sites,” said Gary Doolittle, MD, professor of clinical oncology and director of the MCA. “As the outreach network of KU Cancer Center, MCA sites have done a tremendous job for more than a decade now bringing outreach activities to their communities, offering access to clinical trials to their patients close to home, participating in professional development and much more.”

By KAY HAWES University of Kansas Medical CenterOVERLAND PARK - The University of Kansas Cancer Center has been designated as a “Comprehensive” cancer center by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/research/transformative-research/nci-designation" target="_blank">the National Cancer Institute (NCI)</a>. This is the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI and is the gold standard for cancer centers.(Click below to watch Thursday's announcement)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4k7duagcOgc?start=1582" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Nearly twenty years ago, this entire community joined together and decided that national designation, and ultimately Comprehensive designation, of our cancer center was our top priority as a region. It was our moonshot,” said Douglas A. Girod, MD, chancellor of&nbsp;<a href="https://ku.edu/" target="_blank">the University of Kansas</a>. “Well, today we’ve landed on the moon, so to speak. What was once a dream is now a reality. And that reality means better patient care, better health outcomes and better research. And it means we are one step closer to our ultimate goal – which is to rid our society of cancer so that we all have the opportunity to live happier, healthier lives.”In addition to Comprehensive status, the KU Cancer Center was awarded a five-year, $13.8 million grant to support the center’s research programs, shared equipment and resources. It also received an “outstanding” rating by NCI reviewers.“Comprehensive designation is a crucial milestone in our journey to conquer all cancers,” said Roy Jensen, MD, vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center. “You might ask, ‘What does Comprehensive designation mean for people with cancer?’ As one of just 53 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation, it means patients will be cared for by the world’s leading cancer experts who have access to a robust portfolio of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/cancer-clinical-trials" target="_blank">clinical trials</a>. It also means we now have increased access to more federal funding and research dollars, which helps us grow and retain our team of internationally renowned&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/research/research-areas" target="_blank">researchers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/research/transformative-research/beyond-the-bench/2021/physician-scientists-bridging-the-lab-and-clinic" target="_blank">physician-scientists</a>.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyJensenMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoyJensenMD</a> and his team at <a href="https://twitter.com/KUcancercenter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KUCancerCenter</a>. Attaining this designation is a huge deal and shows that Kansas is a national leader in the fight against cancer. <a href="https://t.co/YFw9YCIIDA">https://t.co/YFw9YCIIDA</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1545088316013412353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The University of Kansas Cancer Center has nearly 350 researchers and 150 disease-specific oncologists. They conduct all phases of cancer research, from laboratory studies to clinical trials to population-based studies that address environmental and behavioral factors that contribute to cancer.Research operations at KU Cancer Center have already contributed an estimated $2.5 billion in economic impact to the region since 2007 when the center began working toward NCI designation in earnest. It’s estimated that those numbers will only increase with the anticipated expansion that will accompany KU Cancer Center achieving Comprehensive designation. University leaders note that the growth of the cancer center has contributed to additional advancements at the university.“Two decades ago, when KU Medical Center leadership decided to focus on cancer research, there were some who worried that other areas might be left behind,” said Robert D. Simari, MD, executive vice chancellor of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/" target="_blank">the University of Kansas Medical Center</a>. “However, it has never been more true that rising tides raise all ships. With the success of the cancer center, centers of excellence in Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, diabetes, aging and many others have flourished.”The Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Children’s Mercy Kansas City are consortium partners with KU Cancer Center, while The University of Kansas Health System is a clinical partner.“This designation from the National Cancer Institute confirms the excellence of The University of Kansas Cancer Center and underscores the importance of research, combined with exceptional clinical care,” said Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, PhD, executive director and chief scientific officer of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stowers.org/" target="_blank">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a>. “Science at Stowers is deliberately designed to make the important biological discoveries that can lead to potential new treatments and eventual cures for cancer and other diseases. We are honored to participate with KU Cancer Center and Children’s Mercy in this most auspicious endeavor.”“This designation will strengthen the region’s research environment and fast-track new and improved cancer treatments for patients, including children,” said Paul Kempinski, MS, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.childrensmercy.org/childrens-mercy-research-institute/" target="_blank">Children’s Mercy Kansas City</a>. “Of the 5,000 cancer treatment centers nationwide, very few have partnered with a pediatric hospital as part of its consortium. Working together, we can continue to bring the very best that science and technology have to offer for children with cancer.”Bob Page, president and chief executive officer of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/" target="_blank">The University of Kansas Health System</a>, noted that the quest for Comprehensive status has been a collective effort. “Today is a celebration of the power of collaboration,” he said. “It’s about bringing together our organizations’ strengths in research, education and patient care to demonstrate the remarkable impact of academic medicine.”With Comprehensive designation, the outreach activities of KU Cancer Center are expected to expand across its catchment area—defined as the state of Kansas and western Missouri—even more.“We are so pleased with and proud of the work being done across KU Cancer Center’s catchment area at our<a href="https://www.masoniccanceralliance.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA)</a>&nbsp;member sites,” said Gary Doolittle, MD, professor of clinical oncology and director of the MCA. “As the outreach network of KU Cancer Center, MCA sites have done a tremendous job for more than a decade now bringing outreach activities to their communities, offering access to clinical trials to their patients close to home, participating in professional development and much more.”

🎥KU Cancer Center earns prestigious national designation

CLEVELAND (AP) — Reassuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-abortion-us-supreme-court-filibusters-michael-bennet-6a3ea5e275e6e2bc4f3a3060beda4fa3">frustrated blue-collar voters</a>, President Joe Biden on Wednesday visited Ohio iron workers to highlight federal action to shore up troubled pension funding for millions now on the job or retired — and to make his political case that he’s been a champion for workers in the White House.

Biden’s speech at a Cleveland high school showcased a final rule tied to his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package from last year. The rule allows troubled multi-company pensions to be made financially whole, ensuring full benefits for 2 million to 3 million workers and retirees.

Hurt politically by inflation at a 40-year high and damage wrought by the pandemic, the president chose to deliver his message in a state that has been trending strongly Republican, with Donald Trump easily carrying it twice. In his sixth visit as president, Biden looked to personally reverse that electoral tide, touting the rule to help multi-company pensions as one of the most significant efforts to support union workers’ retirement funds in the past 50 years.

“A lot of politicians like to talk about how they’re going to do something about it,” Biden said. “Well, I’m here today to say we’ve done something about it.”

“We’re turning a promise broken, into a promise kept.”

The roughly 200 pension plans receiving assistance faced possible insolvency without government aid. And without the full benefits, workers and retirees could struggle to pay for housing, food and other essentials. The financial support should help keep the pension funds solvent for roughly 30 years until 2051.

That’s important, several retirees said.

Bill DeVito, who introduced Biden, said “it was devastating” when his pension was cut 40 percent in 2017 after his lifetime spent as an iron worker.

“The thing of it is, we had a lot of politicians over the years saying, hey, we’ll try to help you, we’ll do everything we can, and nobody’s ever done anything for us until Joe Biden come along,” said DeVito, 73. He said that other Ohio Democrats in Washington kept pushing, too.

Jeffrey Carlson, 67, of the Cleveland suburb of North Ridgeville, said that a year before he retired in 2017, he learned his pension would be cut, too.

“I’m grateful for anything that we could get back,” he said. “I know I earned it. I worked hard.”

Multiemployer plans are created through agreements between companies and a union, and are insured by the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). In 2014, Congress passed the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act that allowed plans, for the first time, to cut workers and retirees’ benefits in order to ensure that pensions projected to run out of money remained solvent.

The American Rescue Plan passed in March 2021 included a special finance assistance program that allows struggling multiemployer pension plans to apply to the PBGC for assistance. The final rule being unveiled by the Biden administration is designed to make it easier for the pensions’ investments to receive a higher rate of return.

The effort to highlight a program to help union workers comes as Democrats hope to pick up a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio, where a strong showing with working class voters could play a pivotal role.

Republican Rob Portman is leaving the Senate after two terms. Vying to replace him are Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan and Republican J.D. Vance, the author of the memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” who secured an endorsement during the primary from Trump. Ohio voters backed Trump in 2016 and 2020, with his margin of victory each time at roughly 8 percentage points.

In a sign of Biden’s standing in the state, Ryan didn’t appear with him at Wednesday’s event, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration was “in close contact with Congressman Tim Ryan in particular.” Biden in his speech noted Ryan’s absence and referred to him as the “future” U.S. senator from Ohio.

One veteran Democratic lawmaker who did attend, Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur, praised Biden for looking out for American workers’ pensions.

“People say, ’Marcy why do you stay in the House?′ This is why,” Kaptur said. She added, “The former president — the Donald — didn’t do anything.”

Biden, too, sharply criticized his predecessor, as well as “Trumpers” in Congress who continue to support the former president’s agenda. He blamed them for blocking efforts to lower prescription drug prices and tackle surging inflation, and assailed them for proposals to require Congress to reauthorize Medicare and Social Security and raise some low-income Americans’ taxes.

“That’s why elections have consequences,” Biden said, looking ahead to November’s midterms. “That’s why they matter. And that’s why what we’re doing here is so important.”

While Biden boasts of steady job growth — unemployment sits at 3.6% — Americans have largely been discontented with the Democratic president’s handling of the economy as inflation continues to rise, interest rates increase and the stock market wobbles. Just 28 percent approve of Biden’s stewardship of the economy, down from 51% a year ago, according to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published last week.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who attended with Biden, made his own pitch that the president has delivered for American workers.

“I just want you to understand that this, the president that we have right now .. .is the most pro worker president in America’s history,” he declared.

Biden closed his remarks by appealing to working-class voters who helped send him to the White House.

“There’s no other place I want to be than right here with the workers in this room and the workers that built America,” Biden said. “I see you. I hear you and I’ll always have your back.”

CLEVELAND (AP) — Reassuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-abortion-us-supreme-court-filibusters-michael-bennet-6a3ea5e275e6e2bc4f3a3060beda4fa3">frustrated blue-collar voters</a>, President Joe Biden on Wednesday visited Ohio iron workers to highlight federal action to shore up troubled pension funding for millions now on the job or retired — and to make his political case that he’s been a champion for workers in the White House.(Click below to watch the President)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1253936668475649%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=946" width="560" height="314" 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>Biden’s speech at a Cleveland high school showcased a final rule tied to his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package from last year. The rule allows troubled multi-company pensions to be made financially whole, ensuring full benefits for 2 million to 3 million workers and retirees.Hurt politically by inflation at a 40-year high and damage wrought by the pandemic, the president chose to deliver his message in a state that has been trending strongly Republican, with Donald Trump easily carrying it twice. In his sixth visit as president, Biden looked to personally reverse that electoral tide, touting the rule to help multi-company pensions as one of the most significant efforts to support union workers’ retirement funds in the past 50 years.“A lot of politicians like to talk about how they’re going to do something about it,” Biden said. “Well, I’m here today to say we’ve done something about it.”“We’re turning a promise broken, into a promise kept.”The roughly 200 pension plans receiving assistance faced possible insolvency without government aid. And without the full benefits, workers and retirees could struggle to pay for housing, food and other essentials. The financial support should help keep the pension funds solvent for roughly 30 years until 2051.That’s important, several retirees said.Bill DeVito, who introduced Biden, said “it was devastating” when his pension was cut 40 percent in 2017 after his lifetime spent as an iron worker.“The thing of it is, we had a lot of politicians over the years saying, hey, we’ll try to help you, we’ll do everything we can, and nobody’s ever done anything for us until Joe Biden come along,” said DeVito, 73. He said that other Ohio Democrats in Washington kept pushing, too.Jeffrey Carlson, 67, of the Cleveland suburb of North Ridgeville, said that a year before he retired in 2017, he learned his pension would be cut, too.“I’m grateful for anything that we could get back,” he said. “I know I earned it. I worked hard.”Multiemployer plans are created through agreements between companies and a union, and are insured by the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). In 2014, Congress passed the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act that allowed plans, for the first time, to cut workers and retirees’ benefits in order to ensure that pensions projected to run out of money remained solvent.The American Rescue Plan passed in March 2021 included a special finance assistance program that allows struggling multiemployer pension plans to apply to the PBGC for assistance. The final rule being unveiled by the Biden administration is designed to make it easier for the pensions’ investments to receive a higher rate of return.The effort to highlight a program to help union workers comes as Democrats hope to pick up a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio, where a strong showing with working class voters could play a pivotal role.Republican Rob Portman is leaving the Senate after two terms. Vying to replace him are Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan and Republican J.D. Vance, the author of the memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” who secured an endorsement during the primary from Trump. Ohio voters backed Trump in 2016 and 2020, with his margin of victory each time at roughly 8 percentage points.In a sign of Biden’s standing in the state, Ryan didn’t appear with him at Wednesday’s event, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration was “in close contact with Congressman Tim Ryan in particular.” Biden in his speech noted Ryan’s absence and referred to him as the “future” U.S. senator from Ohio.One veteran Democratic lawmaker who did attend, Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur, praised Biden for looking out for American workers’ pensions.“People say, ’Marcy why do you stay in the House?′ This is why,” Kaptur said. She added, “The former president — the Donald — didn’t do anything.”Biden, too, sharply criticized his predecessor, as well as “Trumpers” in Congress who continue to support the former president’s agenda. He blamed them for blocking efforts to lower prescription drug prices and tackle surging inflation, and assailed them for proposals to require Congress to reauthorize Medicare and Social Security and raise some low-income Americans’ taxes.“That’s why elections have consequences,” Biden said, looking ahead to November’s midterms. “That’s why they matter. And that’s why what we’re doing here is so important.”While Biden boasts of steady job growth — unemployment sits at 3.6% — Americans have largely been discontented with the Democratic president’s handling of the economy as inflation continues to rise, interest rates increase and the stock market wobbles. Just 28 percent approve of Biden’s stewardship of the economy, down from 51% a year ago, according to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published last week.Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who attended with Biden, made his own pitch that the president has delivered for American workers.“I just want you to understand that this, the president that we have right now .. .is the most pro worker president in America’s history,” he declared.Biden closed his remarks by appealing to working-class voters who helped send him to the White House.“There’s no other place I want to be than right here with the workers in this room and the workers that built America,” Biden said. “I see you. I hear you and I’ll always have your back.”

🎥 Biden spotlights his effort to rescue troubled pension funds

By ROSS WILLIAMS <a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2022/07/07/failed-gop-governor-candidate-cheers-satanic-georgia-guidestones-blast/">Georgia Recorder</a>

ELBERTON, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of 
Investigation is investigating an explosion that destroyed much of the 
Georgia Guidestones, a quirky granite monument in Elberton near the 
South Carolina border.

Sometimes called “America’s Stonehenge,” the guidestones consisted of
 several large, upright stone blocks built in alignment with stars and 
constellations and weighing in at 119 tons and containing over 4,000 
sandblasted letters spelling out what appear to be lessons for 
rebuilding humanity in 12 languages. Some of the advice is 
controversial, including the tip “maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in
 perpetual balance with nature.”

The world’s population is more than 15 times higher than that.

The stones were built in 1980, commissioned by a mysterious man who used the pseudonym R.C. Christian.

The GBI believes unknown suspects detonated an explosive device at 
about 4 a.m., reducing several of the upright stones to rubble. By 5 
p.m., the remaining stones had been knocked down.

The stones were a popular stop for fans of strange roadside 
attractions like Laura Jones and her father, Robert Jones of Atlanta, 
who were puzzled by the police presence Wednesday.

“We literally were like, ‘OK, the GPS says turn here. Wow, that’s a 
lot of cars parked by the side.’ And then I saw it was closed. We just 
pulled up over there,” Laura Jones said. “We just saw the GBI guys and 
were like, ‘Hey, what’s up?’ He said ‘Watch the news, that’s about all I
 can tell you.’”

The two planned to stop by the stones after watching <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEa3sK1iZxc">a segment</a> about them on comedian John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight.”

“If you watch that John Oliver thing, one of the kookier Republican 
primary people had some vendetta against it, Kandiss something, but I 
don’t think anyone seriously does,” Laura Jones said. “I think it 
probably was just like some bored kids.”

Jones was referring to Kandiss Taylor, third place finisher in May’s <a target="_blank" href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2022/05/24/kemp-easily-bests-trump-endorsed-former-sen-david-perdue-for-gop-governor-nod/">Republican gubernatorial primary</a>,
 who listed destroying the guidestones as one of her top 10 priorities 
during the campaign, describing them as evil and satanic.

In an emailed statement, Taylor seemed to express glee at the monument’s destruction:

“Since my election, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of THREE of 
my main platform issues and executive orders (Jesus, Guns, and Babies), 
and Just like Religious persecution, Gun Control, and abortion, the 
Georgia Guidestones, a demonic monument that calls for the depopulation 
of the earth, as well as for the extermination of 7.5 Billion people, 
has no place in the Christian state of Georgia, or in America for that 
matter! This looks like another Act of God to me. Today, it is another 
defeat of the devil. Never underestimate the power of Prayer!”

Taylor was not the only one who found fault with the rocks.

A Franklin County pastor, Clint Harper, pressed Elbert County 
commissioners at their June meeting to dismantle the monument, which he 
says advocates for genocide and abortion.

“To maintain humanity under 500 million people, that means that this 
monument that is in Elbert County advocates the killing of 6.5 billion 
people,” Harper told the commissioners last month.

Harper argued the county was essentially endorsing the cryptic 
message by letting it stay on county property and tending to the site. 
When his request went nowhere, he asked commissioners to let him install
 a giant cross and a copy of the 10 Commandments alongside the Georgia 
Guidestones.

The county’s attorney, Bill Daughtry, said Harper was reading too 
much into the monument’s inscriptions, which Daughtry described as 
“nonsense” paid for by an eccentric millionaire.

“It’s simply a tourist attraction. We don’t have to disagree with it 
or understand it,” Daughtry said. “You looked at it and saw ‘abortion’ 
in big letters, which I looked at it and I did not see that. It’s simply
 a tourist attraction. It’s been there for years, and people pull off 
the interstate and come spend their money at local businesses after they
 look at the funny monument.”

Daughtry said no one objected to the Georgia Guidestones as a 
religious monument until Taylor ran for governor. Daughtry encouraged 
Harper to buy land and erect a Christian monument there.

“I’ve never known anybody other than Kandiss Taylor to consider this a
 statement of faith. It’s just a bunch of nonsense chiseled on stone,” 
he said.

Residents said they viewed the stones as a fun piece of local lore.

“We came out here as kids,” said George Bond, an Elberton resident 
and restaurant operator. “We would sneak a beer and hang out at the 
weird, Southern Gothic architecture, and that’s it. There’s been nothing
 out here as long as I can remember bad or satanic or evil. It’s just a 
hokey little gimmick out in a little town. It was terrible that somebody
 blew it up, a little town don’t need to spend any money fixing it.”

Jack Patel, who works at the nearby Quik Mart and Cafe, estimated 
about a third of his customers are tourists visiting the monument. He 
said he’s never heard of anyone expressing a problem with the stones.

“You’d just go take a walk, read the blocks, take a picture,” he said
 with a shrug. “A lot of people come in on the weekends to see the 
Guidestones.”

Elberton sits on top of a large bed of granite and has become known 
for its numerous granite companies and skilled stoneworkers, which are 
likely the reason the mysterious Mr. Christian chose the town as the 
spot for his monument.

There were security cameras present on the site, said Christopher 
Kubas, executive vice president of the Elberton Granite Association, but
 details of the investigation have not yet been released.

“I really hate that this happened. I do think it’s an attack on free 
speech, and I hate that we’ve gotten to this point in our country where 
nothing can be out there for people to read without somebody trying to 
destroy it.”

Speaking outside the Elberton Granite Museum and Exhibit, Elberton 
Mayor Daniel Graves said the attack feels like a strike at his city’s 
history.

“It’s not part of a vast conspiracy theory. It’s not intended to 
spread hate or anything evil. This is a celebration of the men and women
 that work so hard in our stone industry and what it means to this 
community. It’s the lifeblood. We’re the granite capital of the world, 
and it’s something we’re extremely proud of.”

“We’re heartbroken, but still so grateful,” he added. “There’s so 
many communities that have experienced such serious loss in the last 
several weeks. We’re grateful that we’re only mourning the loss of stone
 and some of the others have lost so much more.”

As Graves spoke with the Recorder, city officials had yet to determine the extent of the damage to the monument, but the mayor said he hoped to see it restored.

“We’re not running out of stone anytime soon,” he said. “So I’m confident that one thing we can do is fix a monument.”

Georgia Recorder Deputy Editor Jill Nolin contributed to this report.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657219953343.png" alt="The wreckage of the Georgia Guidestones shortly before the remaining upright stones were knocked down following a bombing early July 6. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder" />
 <figcaption>The wreckage of the Georgia Guidestones shortly before the remaining upright stones were knocked down following a bombing early July 6. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROSS WILLIAMS <a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2022/07/07/failed-gop-governor-candidate-cheers-satanic-georgia-guidestones-blast/">Georgia Recorder</a>ELBERTON, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of 
Investigation is investigating an explosion that destroyed much of the 
Georgia Guidestones, a quirky granite monument in Elberton near the 
South Carolina border.Sometimes called “America’s Stonehenge,” the guidestones consisted of
 several large, upright stone blocks built in alignment with stars and 
constellations and weighing in at 119 tons and containing over 4,000 
sandblasted letters spelling out what appear to be lessons for 
rebuilding humanity in 12 languages. Some of the advice is 
controversial, including the tip “maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in
 perpetual balance with nature.”The world’s population is more than 15 times higher than that.The stones were built in 1980, commissioned by a mysterious man who used the pseudonym R.C. Christian.The GBI believes unknown suspects detonated an explosive device at 
about 4 a.m., reducing several of the upright stones to rubble. By 5 
p.m., the remaining stones had been knocked down.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657220018648.jpeg" alt="The remains of the Georgia Guidestones. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder" />
 <figcaption>The remains of the Georgia Guidestones. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder</figcaption>
 </figure>The stones were a popular stop for fans of strange roadside 
attractions like Laura Jones and her father, Robert Jones of Atlanta, 
who were puzzled by the police presence Wednesday.“We literally were like, ‘OK, the GPS says turn here. Wow, that’s a 
lot of cars parked by the side.’ And then I saw it was closed. We just 
pulled up over there,” Laura Jones said. “We just saw the GBI guys and 
were like, ‘Hey, what’s up?’ He said ‘Watch the news, that’s about all I
 can tell you.’”The two planned to stop by the stones after watching <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEa3sK1iZxc">a segment</a> about them on comedian John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight.”“If you watch that John Oliver thing, one of the kookier Republican 
primary people had some vendetta against it, Kandiss something, but I 
don’t think anyone seriously does,” Laura Jones said. “I think it 
probably was just like some bored kids.”Jones was referring to Kandiss Taylor, third place finisher in May’s <a target="_blank" href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2022/05/24/kemp-easily-bests-trump-endorsed-former-sen-david-perdue-for-gop-governor-nod/">Republican gubernatorial primary</a>,
 who listed destroying the guidestones as one of her top 10 priorities 
during the campaign, describing them as evil and satanic.In an emailed statement, Taylor seemed to express glee at the monument’s destruction:“Since my election, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of THREE of 
my main platform issues and executive orders (Jesus, Guns, and Babies), 
and Just like Religious persecution, Gun Control, and abortion, the 
Georgia Guidestones, a demonic monument that calls for the depopulation 
of the earth, as well as for the extermination of 7.5 Billion people, 
has no place in the Christian state of Georgia, or in America for that 
matter! This looks like another Act of God to me. Today, it is another 
defeat of the devil. Never underestimate the power of Prayer!”Taylor was not the only one who found fault with the rocks.A Franklin County pastor, Clint Harper, pressed Elbert County 
commissioners at their June meeting to dismantle the monument, which he 
says advocates for genocide and abortion.“To maintain humanity under 500 million people, that means that this 
monument that is in Elbert County advocates the killing of 6.5 billion 
people,” Harper told the commissioners last month.Harper argued the county was essentially endorsing the cryptic 
message by letting it stay on county property and tending to the site. 
When his request went nowhere, he asked commissioners to let him install
 a giant cross and a copy of the 10 Commandments alongside the Georgia 
Guidestones.The county’s attorney, Bill Daughtry, said Harper was reading too 
much into the monument’s inscriptions, which Daughtry described as 
“nonsense” paid for by an eccentric millionaire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657220047933.jpeg" alt="The GBI and Elbert County Sheriff’s Department investigate the explosion. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder" />
 <figcaption>The GBI and Elbert County Sheriff’s Department investigate the explosion. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s simply a tourist attraction. We don’t have to disagree with it 
or understand it,” Daughtry said. “You looked at it and saw ‘abortion’ 
in big letters, which I looked at it and I did not see that. It’s simply
 a tourist attraction. It’s been there for years, and people pull off 
the interstate and come spend their money at local businesses after they
 look at the funny monument.”Daughtry said no one objected to the Georgia Guidestones as a 
religious monument until Taylor ran for governor. Daughtry encouraged 
Harper to buy land and erect a Christian monument there.“I’ve never known anybody other than Kandiss Taylor to consider this a
 statement of faith. It’s just a bunch of nonsense chiseled on stone,” 
he said.Residents said they viewed the stones as a fun piece of local lore.“We came out here as kids,” said George Bond, an Elberton resident 
and restaurant operator. “We would sneak a beer and hang out at the 
weird, Southern Gothic architecture, and that’s it. There’s been nothing
 out here as long as I can remember bad or satanic or evil. It’s just a 
hokey little gimmick out in a little town. It was terrible that somebody
 blew it up, a little town don’t need to spend any money fixing it.”Jack Patel, who works at the nearby Quik Mart and Cafe, estimated 
about a third of his customers are tourists visiting the monument. He 
said he’s never heard of anyone expressing a problem with the stones.“You’d just go take a walk, read the blocks, take a picture,” he said
 with a shrug. “A lot of people come in on the weekends to see the 
Guidestones.”Elberton sits on top of a large bed of granite and has become known 
for its numerous granite companies and skilled stoneworkers, which are 
likely the reason the mysterious Mr. Christian chose the town as the 
spot for his monument.There were security cameras present on the site, said Christopher 
Kubas, executive vice president of the Elberton Granite Association, but
 details of the investigation have not yet been released.“I really hate that this happened. I do think it’s an attack on free 
speech, and I hate that we’ve gotten to this point in our country where 
nothing can be out there for people to read without somebody trying to 
destroy it.”Speaking outside the Elberton Granite Museum and Exhibit, Elberton 
Mayor Daniel Graves said the attack feels like a strike at his city’s 
history.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657220082108.jpeg" alt="Elberton Mayor Daniel Graves. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder" />
 <figcaption>Elberton Mayor Daniel Graves. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s not part of a vast conspiracy theory. It’s not intended to 
spread hate or anything evil. This is a celebration of the men and women
 that work so hard in our stone industry and what it means to this 
community. It’s the lifeblood. We’re the granite capital of the world, 
and it’s something we’re extremely proud of.”“We’re heartbroken, but still so grateful,” he added. “There’s so 
many communities that have experienced such serious loss in the last 
several weeks. We’re grateful that we’re only mourning the loss of stone
 and some of the others have lost so much more.”As Graves spoke with the Recorder, city officials had yet to determine the extent of the damage to the monument, but the mayor said he hoped to see it restored.“We’re not running out of stone anytime soon,” he said. “So I’m confident that one thing we can do is fix a monument.”Georgia Recorder Deputy Editor Jill Nolin contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Failed governor candidate cheers ‘satanic’ Georgia Guidestones blast

By CLAY WIRESTONE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/07/kansas-senators-bullying-of-county-health-officials-is-the-height-of-self-regarding-delusion/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Kansas Sen. Mark Steffen acts as 
though he’s the hero in his own story. In reality, he’s a single state 
legislator drunk on imagined power.

The Hutchinson anesthesiologist’s <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/08/mark-steffens-grotesque-buffoonery-has-put-kansans-in-danger-as-new-covid-19-wave-approaches/">high-on-his-own-supply tendencies</a> have been apparent for a while now, but his latest posturing deserves special note. He decided to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/06/kansas-senator-seeks-dismissal-of-county-health-officers-over-covid-19-vaccines-for-children/">send a letter</a> to the Reno County health department, declaring that its work <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0618-children-vaccine.html">vaccinating young children</a> against COVID-19 was a threat.

“While I take no pleasure in sending 
this letter, the citizens of Reno County can no longer endure a health 
department that blindly and thoughtlessly follows the politicized CDC 
and FDA,” Steffen wrote in the email calling for county commissioners to
 fire <a target="_blank" href="https://www.renogov.org/239/Health-Department">their own health officials</a>. “Your failure to reason the way through the virus response has led to needless suffering and even death.”

“I strongly encourage you to leave immediately on your own terms as soon as possible,” he added.

Steffen is a Republican state senator <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/26/kansas-senator-under-investigation-after-prescribing-ivermectin-for-covid-19-seeks-legal-cover/">who was investigated</a>
 by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts for prescribing ineffective, 
potentially harmful remedies during the worst pandemic of the past 
century. He previously <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/05/kansas-senator-warns-doctors-of-consequences-for-failure-to-treat-covid-19-with-ivermectin/">used Senate letterhead to threaten</a> hundreds of health care providers across the state for not using&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/why-you-should-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19">ivermectin</a>.
 He is most certainly not a public health official, nor does he have the
 temperament or intellect to order around anyone other than a pet 
ferret. And that ferret is currently wondering if it can find a more 
responsible owner among the state’s grade schoolers.

Steffen has damaged the state, 
Legislature and his constituents. His bullying has left fear and 
bewilderment in its wake, for no good reason.

The man deserves to be <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/01/dear-kansas-board-of-healing-arts-this-doctor-senator-is-a-threat-to-public-health/">stripped of his license</a>
 to practice medicine, removed from his elected office and employed in a
 position better suited to his apparent skill set: selling dubious 
warranties for electronics in a big-box store. At least a two-year 
repair plan for the latest video game console won’t infect you with a 
novel virus.

The only person in this situation whose behavior may have led to “needless suffering and death” is Steffen himself. <a target="_blank" href="https://lawrencekstimes.com/2021/09/28/wirestone-anti-vax-show/">Spreading doubt</a> about vaccines and effective treatments for COVID-19 has likely cost lives and encouraged the spread of infection.

While many may behave as though the pandemic has ended, too many in our state walk around unprotected. <a target="_blank" href="http://kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Only 55.4%</a>
 of Kansans have received both of their initial vaccinations against the
 virus, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. 
Less than a million state residents have received a booster shot. Those 
boosters play a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html">critical role</a> in protecting against severe illness and death as more variants circulate.

Consider what would have happened if Steffen took a different path.

Consider what would have happened if 
he promoted vaccines and science-based treatments. In central Kansas, he
 could have been a leader in softening the blow of the pandemic. He 
could have saved lives. He could have been a profile in courage during 
the darkest days of 2020 and 2021. He could have joined the <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/03/rep-howe-navigates-personal-journey-from-hesitancy-to-acceptance-of-covid-19-vaccine/">honorable example of Salina Rep. Steven Howe</a>, who publicly advocated for vaccination and shared his path away from skepticism.

Steffen made a different choice. He embraced conspiracy theories and political expediency.

July of 2022 is not July of 2021 or 2020. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html">vaccines against COVID-19</a> have proven themselves safe and effective. Roughly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html">260 million</a>
 people in the United States have been vaccinated, and they haven’t 
mutated into werewolves or become magnetic or received radio broadcasts 
inside their heads from the Illuminati. They have been protected against
 a virus.

We also can employ effective treatments now, such as the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/13-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19">antiviral Paxlovid</a>. Doctors know more about the disease and don’t have to grapple in the dark to understand what’s happening. We <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/12/with-covid-19-an-unwanted-houseguest-i-gave-thanks-for-vaccines-and-grew-frustrated-with-society/">don’t have to panic</a>. We can keep ourselves and our families safe.

We can give up the horse paste and laying on of hands.

We can give up bullying and anti-science tirades.

Clay Wirestone has written columns and edited reporting for newsrooms in Kansas, New Hampshire, Florida and Pennsylvania. He has also fact checked politicians, researched for Larry the Cable Guy, and appeared in PolitiFact, Mental Floss, cnn.com and a host of other publications.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657218763683.png" alt="Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, sent a letter encouraging Reno County commissioners to fire health department officials He spoke last year at the Freedom Revival in the Heartland at City Center Church in Lenexa. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, sent a letter encouraging Reno County commissioners to fire health department officials He spoke last year at the Freedom Revival in the Heartland at City Center Church in Lenexa. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CLAY WIRESTONE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/07/kansas-senators-bullying-of-county-health-officials-is-the-height-of-self-regarding-delusion/">Kansas Reflector</a>Kansas Sen. Mark Steffen acts as 
though he’s the hero in his own story. In reality, he’s a single state 
legislator drunk on imagined power.The Hutchinson anesthesiologist’s <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/08/mark-steffens-grotesque-buffoonery-has-put-kansans-in-danger-as-new-covid-19-wave-approaches/">high-on-his-own-supply tendencies</a> have been apparent for a while now, but his latest posturing deserves special note. He decided to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/06/kansas-senator-seeks-dismissal-of-county-health-officers-over-covid-19-vaccines-for-children/">send a letter</a> to the Reno County health department, declaring that its work <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0618-children-vaccine.html">vaccinating young children</a> against COVID-19 was a threat.“While I take no pleasure in sending 
this letter, the citizens of Reno County can no longer endure a health 
department that blindly and thoughtlessly follows the politicized CDC 
and FDA,” Steffen wrote in the email calling for county commissioners to
 fire <a target="_blank" href="https://www.renogov.org/239/Health-Department">their own health officials</a>. “Your failure to reason the way through the virus response has led to needless suffering and even death.”“I strongly encourage you to leave immediately on your own terms as soon as possible,” he added.Who does this man think he is?<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Steffen is a Republican state senator <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/26/kansas-senator-under-investigation-after-prescribing-ivermectin-for-covid-19-seeks-legal-cover/">who was investigated</a>
 by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts for prescribing ineffective, 
potentially harmful remedies during the worst pandemic of the past 
century. He previously <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/05/kansas-senator-warns-doctors-of-consequences-for-failure-to-treat-covid-19-with-ivermectin/">used Senate letterhead to threaten</a> hundreds of health care providers across the state for not using&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/why-you-should-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19">ivermectin</a>.
 He is most certainly not a public health official, nor does he have the
 temperament or intellect to order around anyone other than a pet 
ferret. And that ferret is currently wondering if it can find a more 
responsible owner among the state’s grade schoolers.Steffen has damaged the state, 
Legislature and his constituents. His bullying has left fear and 
bewilderment in its wake, for no good reason.The man deserves to be <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/01/dear-kansas-board-of-healing-arts-this-doctor-senator-is-a-threat-to-public-health/">stripped of his license</a>
 to practice medicine, removed from his elected office and employed in a
 position better suited to his apparent skill set: selling dubious 
warranties for electronics in a big-box store. At least a two-year 
repair plan for the latest video game console won’t infect you with a 
novel virus.The only person in this situation whose behavior may have led to “needless suffering and death” is Steffen himself. <a target="_blank" href="https://lawrencekstimes.com/2021/09/28/wirestone-anti-vax-show/">Spreading doubt</a> about vaccines and effective treatments for COVID-19 has likely cost lives and encouraged the spread of infection.While many may behave as though the pandemic has ended, too many in our state walk around unprotected. <a target="_blank" href="http://kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Only 55.4%</a>
 of Kansans have received both of their initial vaccinations against the
 virus, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. 
Less than a million state residents have received a booster shot. Those 
boosters play a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html">critical role</a> in protecting against severe illness and death as more variants circulate.Consider what would have happened if Steffen took a different path.Consider what would have happened if 
he promoted vaccines and science-based treatments. In central Kansas, he
 could have been a leader in softening the blow of the pandemic. He 
could have saved lives. He could have been a profile in courage during 
the darkest days of 2020 and 2021. He could have joined the <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/03/rep-howe-navigates-personal-journey-from-hesitancy-to-acceptance-of-covid-19-vaccine/">honorable example of Salina Rep. Steven Howe</a>, who publicly advocated for vaccination and shared his path away from skepticism.Steffen made a different choice. He embraced conspiracy theories and political expediency.July of 2022 is not July of 2021 or 2020. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html">vaccines against COVID-19</a> have proven themselves safe and effective. Roughly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html">260 million</a>
 people in the United States have been vaccinated, and they haven’t 
mutated into werewolves or become magnetic or received radio broadcasts 
inside their heads from the Illuminati. They have been protected against
 a virus.We also can employ effective treatments now, such as the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/13-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19">antiviral Paxlovid</a>. Doctors know more about the disease and don’t have to grapple in the dark to understand what’s happening. We <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/12/with-covid-19-an-unwanted-houseguest-i-gave-thanks-for-vaccines-and-grew-frustrated-with-society/">don’t have to panic</a>. We can keep ourselves and our families safe.We can give up the horse paste and laying on of hands.We can give up bullying and anti-science tirades.But can Mark Steffen?<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645737832786.jpeg" alt="Clay Wirestone" />
 <figcaption>Clay Wirestone</figcaption>
 </figure>Clay Wirestone has written columns and edited reporting for newsrooms in Kansas, New Hampshire, Florida and Pennsylvania. He has also fact checked politicians, researched for Larry the Cable Guy, and appeared in PolitiFact, Mental Floss, cnn.com and a host of other publications.

OPINION: 'A single state legislator drunk on imagined power'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of “The Godfather” and to television audiences as both the dying football player in the classic weeper “Brian’s Song” and the casino boss in “Las Vegas,” has died. He was 82.

His manager Matt DelPiano said he died on Wednesday. No cause was given.

“Jimmy was one of the greatest. Not only was he one of the best actors our business has ever seen, he was funny, loyal, caring and beloved,” DelPiano said. “Our relationship was always friendship before business. I will miss him dearly and am proud to have worked with him all these years."

A football player at Michigan State University and a practical joker on production sets, Caan was a grinning, handsome performer with an athlete’s swagger and muscular build. He managed a long career despite drug problems, outbursts of temper and minor brushes with the law.

Caan had been a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola since the 1960s, when Coppola cast him for the lead in “Rain People.” He was primed for a featured role in “The Godfather” as Sonny, the No. 1 enforcer and eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone.

Sonny Corleone, a violent and reckless man who conducted many killings, met his own end in one of the most jarring movie scenes in history. For decades after, he once said, strangers would approach him on the street and jokingly warn him to stay clear of toll roads.

Despite Coppola’s fears he had made a flop, the 1972 release was an enormous critical and commercial success and brought supporting actor Oscar nominations for Caan, Duvall and Al Pacino.

Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer the year before at age 26.

After “Brian’s Song” and “The Godfather,” he was one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, appearing in “Hide in Plain Sight” (which he also directed), “Funny Lady” (opposite Barbra Streisand), “The Killer Elite” and Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two,” among others. He also made a brief appearance in a flashback sequence in “The Godfather, Part II.”

But by the early 1980s he began to sour on films. He had begun to struggle with drug use and was devastated by the 1981 leukemia death of his sister, Barbara, who until then had been a guiding force in his career.

He returned to full-fledged stardom opposite Kathy Bates in “Misery” in 1990.

Once again in demand, Caan starred in “For the Boys” with Bette Midler in 1991 as part of a song-and-dance team entertaining U.S. soldiers during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The following year he played a tongue-in-cheek version of Sonny Corleone in the comedy “Honeymoon in Vegas."

Other later films included “Flesh and Bone,” “Bottle Rocket” and “Mickey Blue Eyes.” He introduced himself to a new generation playing Walter, the workaholic, stone-faced father of Buddy’s Will Ferrell in “Elf.”

Married and divorced four times, Caan had a daughter, Tara, and sons Scott, Alexander, James and Jacob.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657215793023.png" alt="Before the Godfather, Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer at age 26." />
 <figcaption>Before the Godfather, Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer at age 26.</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of “The Godfather” and to television audiences as both the dying football player in the classic weeper “Brian’s Song” and the casino boss in “Las Vegas,” has died. He was 82.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. End of tweet&mdash; James Caan (@James_Caan) <a href="https://twitter.com/James_Caan/status/1545090774517174272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>His manager Matt DelPiano said he died on Wednesday. No cause was given.“Jimmy was one of the greatest. Not only was he one of the best actors our business has ever seen, he was funny, loyal, caring and beloved,” DelPiano said. “Our relationship was always friendship before business. I will miss him dearly and am proud to have worked with him all these years."A football player at Michigan State University and a practical joker on production sets, Caan was a grinning, handsome performer with an athlete’s swagger and muscular build. He managed a long career despite drug problems, outbursts of temper and minor brushes with the law.Caan had been a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola since the 1960s, when Coppola cast him for the lead in “Rain People.” He was primed for a featured role in “The Godfather” as Sonny, the No. 1 enforcer and eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone.Sonny Corleone, a violent and reckless man who conducted many killings, met his own end in one of the most jarring movie scenes in history. For decades after, he once said, strangers would approach him on the street and jokingly warn him to stay clear of toll roads.Despite Coppola’s fears he had made a flop, the 1972 release was an enormous critical and commercial success and brought supporting actor Oscar nominations for Caan, Duvall and Al Pacino.Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer the year before at age 26.After “Brian’s Song” and “The Godfather,” he was one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, appearing in “Hide in Plain Sight” (which he also directed), “Funny Lady” (opposite Barbra Streisand), “The Killer Elite” and Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two,” among others. He also made a brief appearance in a flashback sequence in “The Godfather, Part II.”But by the early 1980s he began to sour on films. He had begun to struggle with drug use and was devastated by the 1981 leukemia death of his sister, Barbara, who until then had been a guiding force in his career.He returned to full-fledged stardom opposite Kathy Bates in “Misery” in 1990.Once again in demand, Caan starred in “For the Boys” with Bette Midler in 1991 as part of a song-and-dance team entertaining U.S. soldiers during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The following year he played a tongue-in-cheek version of Sonny Corleone in the comedy “Honeymoon in Vegas."Other later films included “Flesh and Bone,” “Bottle Rocket” and “Mickey Blue Eyes.” He introduced himself to a new generation playing Walter, the workaholic, stone-faced father of Buddy’s Will Ferrell in “Elf.”Married and divorced four times, Caan had a daughter, Tara, and sons Scott, Alexander, James and Jacob.

Oscar-nominated actor James Caan has died at 82

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

On Wednesday, July 6th, Saint George Police Department served two search warrants simultaneously at 107 N Lincoln Street and 215 Kelly Lane, both in Saint George, Kansas.

Saint George Police Department has been investigating an ongoing distribution of marijuana, prescription pills and possible fentanyl to teenagers in the Pottawatomie County area.

The search warrants allege adults are using teenagers to distribute the illegal drugs with small children present in both homes.

The following individuals were arrested as part of the two search warrants.&nbsp; DIXIE ROSE MARTIN, 44,&nbsp; was arrested at 107 N. Lincoln and transported to Pottawatomie County Jail with the following requested charges: Distribute or possess with intent to distribute marijuana within 1000 feet of school; Aggravated Endangering of a Child; Contributing to a child's misconduct; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession of Opiates; Possession of Depressants; No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp

ADAM SCOT TIRAK, 17, was arrested at 107 N Lincoln with requested charges of Possession of Marijuana and Endangering a Child. He was later released to a family member.

-KALEY RENA HAMILTON, 30, of 215 Kelly Lane was arrested and transported to the Pottawatomie County Jail with the following requested charges:&nbsp;Distribute marijuana; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of stimulant; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia;&nbsp;Aggravated Endangering of a Child; Contributing to a child’s misconduct;&nbsp;No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp

-WESLEY DARELL COOK, 23, Topeka was arrested and transported to the Pottawatomie County Jail with requested charges of: Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

AISON ANDERSON RODNEY, 17, of 4255 Blue Run Road, Saint George, was arrested with requested charges of Possession of Marijuana and Endangering a Child. He was released to a family member.

MARTIN,&nbsp; HAMILTON and COOK are being held at the Pottawatomie County Jail without bond until their first court appearance and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

During the search, officers removed four children from both homes, they were placed into custody of the State of Kansas.

The investigation is still on-going and more arrests are anticipated with investigation.&nbsp;

If you have information about the investigation or any other illegal activity you are encouraged to contact the Saint George Police Department at 785-494-2556.

Saint George Police Chief Dan Trechter and the Saint George Police Department would like thank the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PTCOSO/?__cft__[0]=AZU9TvzriG3_UCED1NtKbfPHKcoHvHfCWr9DP6fiyzORXIl-sD9Cy8s0MXt7d5i0KuUbYov2lbxsHmMZKRvml414_GlKWe9uS79vo_gCzcwTneOfAPwnK7yyHMACXlr-yfFDg1MRst3vO95ZwiNSrnI1&amp;__tn__=kK-R">Pottawatomie Co Sheriff's Office</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshighwayPatrol?__cft__[0]=AZU9TvzriG3_UCED1NtKbfPHKcoHvHfCWr9DP6fiyzORXIl-sD9Cy8s0MXt7d5i0KuUbYov2lbxsHmMZKRvml414_GlKWe9uS79vo_gCzcwTneOfAPwnK7yyHMACXlr-yfFDg1MRst3vO95ZwiNSrnI1&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Highway Patrol</a>, and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCPDKS?__cft__[0]=AZU9TvzriG3_UCED1NtKbfPHKcoHvHfCWr9DP6fiyzORXIl-sD9Cy8s0MXt7d5i0KuUbYov2lbxsHmMZKRvml414_GlKWe9uS79vo_gCzcwTneOfAPwnK7yyHMACXlr-yfFDg1MRst3vO95ZwiNSrnI1&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City, Kansas Police Department</a> Crime Scene Investigation Unit for assisting us with a significant amount of manpower in the execution of these search warrants.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657204299944.jpeg" alt="Photo St. George Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo St. George Police</figcaption>
 </figure>by BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostOn Wednesday, July 6th, Saint George Police Department served two search warrants simultaneously at 107 N Lincoln Street and 215 Kelly Lane, both in Saint George, Kansas.Saint George Police Department has been investigating an ongoing distribution of marijuana, prescription pills and possible fentanyl to teenagers in the Pottawatomie County area.The search warrants allege adults are using teenagers to distribute the illegal drugs with small children present in both homes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657206251795.png" alt="Martin-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Martin-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>The following individuals were arrested as part of the two search warrants.&nbsp; DIXIE ROSE MARTIN, 44,&nbsp; was arrested at 107 N. Lincoln and transported to Pottawatomie County Jail with the following requested charges: Distribute or possess with intent to distribute marijuana within 1000 feet of school; Aggravated Endangering of a Child; Contributing to a child's misconduct; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession of Opiates; Possession of Depressants; No Kansas Drug Tax StampADAM SCOT TIRAK, 17, was arrested at 107 N Lincoln with requested charges of Possession of Marijuana and Endangering a Child. He was later released to a family member.-KALEY RENA HAMILTON, 30, of 215 Kelly Lane was arrested and transported to the Pottawatomie County Jail with the following requested charges:&nbsp;Distribute marijuana; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of stimulant; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia;&nbsp;Aggravated Endangering of a Child; Contributing to a child’s misconduct;&nbsp;No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp-WESLEY DARELL COOK, 23, Topeka was arrested and transported to the Pottawatomie County Jail with requested charges of: Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug ParaphernaliaAISON ANDERSON RODNEY, 17, of 4255 Blue Run Road, Saint George, was arrested with requested charges of Possession of Marijuana and Endangering a Child. He was released to a family member.MARTIN,&nbsp; HAMILTON and COOK are being held at the Pottawatomie County Jail without bond until their first court appearance and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.During the search, officers removed four children from both homes, they were placed into custody of the State of Kansas.The investigation is still on-going and more arrests are anticipated with investigation.&nbsp;If you have information about the investigation or any other illegal activity you are encouraged to contact the Saint George Police Department at 785-494-2556.Saint George Police Chief Dan Trechter and the Saint George Police Department would like thank the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PTCOSO/?__cft__[0]=AZU9TvzriG3_UCED1NtKbfPHKcoHvHfCWr9DP6fiyzORXIl-sD9Cy8s0MXt7d5i0KuUbYov2lbxsHmMZKRvml414_GlKWe9uS79vo_gCzcwTneOfAPwnK7yyHMACXlr-yfFDg1MRst3vO95ZwiNSrnI1&amp;__tn__=kK-R">Pottawatomie Co Sheriff's Office</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshighwayPatrol?__cft__[0]=AZU9TvzriG3_UCED1NtKbfPHKcoHvHfCWr9DP6fiyzORXIl-sD9Cy8s0MXt7d5i0KuUbYov2lbxsHmMZKRvml414_GlKWe9uS79vo_gCzcwTneOfAPwnK7yyHMACXlr-yfFDg1MRst3vO95ZwiNSrnI1&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Highway Patrol</a>, and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCPDKS?__cft__[0]=AZU9TvzriG3_UCED1NtKbfPHKcoHvHfCWr9DP6fiyzORXIl-sD9Cy8s0MXt7d5i0KuUbYov2lbxsHmMZKRvml414_GlKWe9uS79vo_gCzcwTneOfAPwnK7yyHMACXlr-yfFDg1MRst3vO95ZwiNSrnI1&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City, Kansas Police Department</a> Crime Scene Investigation Unit for assisting us with a significant amount of manpower in the execution of these search warrants.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

4 kids removed from  Kan. home; 5 arrested on drug charges

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal head-on crash have identified the man who died as 32-year-old Nicholas Cox of Haysville, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

Just after 11a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a 2014 Chevy Cruze driven by Cox was eastbound at 7600 west MacArthur Road. The Chevy struck a westbound 2012 Ford F-150 driven by a 27-year-old man from Derby head-on.

Cox died at the scene, according to Blick. EMS transported the driver of the Ford F-150 to a local hospital with serious injuries

At the location of the collision MacArthur Road is a two lane paved road with center and edge line markings. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation, according to Blick. 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Sedgwick County.

According to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick, a 2014 Chevy Cruze driven by a 32-year-old man was eastbound at 7600 west MacArthur Road. The Chevy struck a westbound 2012 Ford F-150 driven by a 27-year-old man head-on.

The driver of the Chevy Cruze died at the scene, according to Blick. EMS transported the driver of the Ford F-150 to a local hospital with serious injuries

Names of the drivers have not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657144701199.png" alt="The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation-photo courtesy KWCH&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation-photo courtesy KWCH&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal head-on crash have identified the man who died as 32-year-old Nicholas Cox of Haysville, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.Just after 11a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a 2014 Chevy Cruze driven by Cox was eastbound at 7600 west MacArthur Road. The Chevy struck a westbound 2012 Ford F-150 driven by a 27-year-old man from Derby head-on.Cox died at the scene, according to Blick. EMS transported the driver of the Ford F-150 to a local hospital with serious injuriesAt the location of the collision MacArthur Road is a two lane paved road with center and edge line markings. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation, according to Blick. SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Sedgwick County.According to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick, a 2014 Chevy Cruze driven by a 32-year-old man was eastbound at 7600 west MacArthur Road. The Chevy struck a westbound 2012 Ford F-150 driven by a 27-year-old man head-on.The driver of the Chevy Cruze died at the scene, according to Blick. EMS transported the driver of the Ford F-150 to a local hospital with serious injuriesAt the location of the collision MacArthur Road is a two lane paved road with center and edge line markings. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation, according to Blick. Names of the drivers have not been released.

Sheriff IDs Kansas man who died after head-on crash

MOSCOW (AP) — Jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner on Thursday pleaded guilty to drug possession and smuggling during her trial in Moscow but said she had no intention of committing a crime, Russian news agencies reported.

The reports quoted Griner as saying through an interpreter at the court hearing that she had acted unintentionally because she was packing in haste.

Griner was detained in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters with cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of large-scale transportation of drugs.

The trial of the Phoenix Mercury star and two-time Olympic gold medalist began last week amid a growing chorus of calls for Washington to do more to secure her freedom nearly five months after her arrest.

Before Thursday’s hearing, Russian police escorted Griner, handcuffed and clad in a bright red T-shirt and sports trousers, into the courtroom past a crowd of journalists.

The athlete was detained in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters with cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of large-scale transportation of drugs.

Elizabeth Rood, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, told reporters after the hearing that she spoke to Griner in the courtroom and shared a letter from President Joe Biden that she read.

“She’s eating well, she’s able to read books and under the circumstances she’s doing well,” Rood said of Griner.

“I would like again to emphasize the commitment of the U.S. government at the very highest level to bring home safely Ms. Griner and all U.S. citizens wrongfully detained as well as the commitment of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to care for and protect the interests of all U.S. citizens detained or imprisoned in Russia,” Rood said.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov bristled at the U.S. description of Briner as “wrongfully detained” and warned that “attempts by the American side to make noise in public ... don’t help the practical settlement of issues.”

The White House said Biden called Griner’s wife on Wednesday to assure her that he’s doing all he can to obtain the athlete’s release, as soon as possible. They spoke after Biden read a letter from Griner in which she said she feared she’d never return home.

Washington hasn’t made public its strategy in the case and the United States may have little leverage with Moscow because of strong animosity due to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The State Department has designated Griner as wrongfully detained, moving her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, effectively the government’s chief hostage negotiator.

Asked about the possibility of Griner being swapped for a Russian jailed in the U.S., Ryabkov, the senior Russian diplomat, noted that until her trial is over “there are no formal or procedural reasons to talk about any further steps.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646510097872.png" alt="The 31-year-old Griner, one of the most recognizable players in women’s basketball, has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star and three-time Big 12 Player of the year at Baylor-photo courtesy Phoenix Mercury" />
 <figcaption>The 31-year-old Griner, one of the most recognizable players in women’s basketball, has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star and three-time Big 12 Player of the year at Baylor-photo courtesy Phoenix Mercury</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) — Jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner on Thursday pleaded guilty to drug possession and smuggling during her trial in Moscow but said she had no intention of committing a crime, Russian news agencies reported.The reports quoted Griner as saying through an interpreter at the court hearing that she had acted unintentionally because she was packing in haste.Griner was detained in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters with cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of large-scale transportation of drugs.The trial of the Phoenix Mercury star and two-time Olympic gold medalist began last week amid a growing chorus of calls for Washington to do more to secure her freedom nearly five months after her arrest.Before Thursday’s hearing, Russian police escorted Griner, handcuffed and clad in a bright red T-shirt and sports trousers, into the courtroom past a crowd of journalists.The athlete was detained in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters with cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of large-scale transportation of drugs.Elizabeth Rood, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, told reporters after the hearing that she spoke to Griner in the courtroom and shared a letter from President Joe Biden that she read.“She’s eating well, she’s able to read books and under the circumstances she’s doing well,” Rood said of Griner.“I would like again to emphasize the commitment of the U.S. government at the very highest level to bring home safely Ms. Griner and all U.S. citizens wrongfully detained as well as the commitment of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to care for and protect the interests of all U.S. citizens detained or imprisoned in Russia,” Rood said.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov bristled at the U.S. description of Briner as “wrongfully detained” and warned that “attempts by the American side to make noise in public ... don’t help the practical settlement of issues.”The White House said Biden called Griner’s wife on Wednesday to assure her that he’s doing all he can to obtain the athlete’s release, as soon as possible. They spoke after Biden read a letter from Griner in which she said she feared she’d never return home.Washington hasn’t made public its strategy in the case and the United States may have little leverage with Moscow because of strong animosity due to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The State Department has designated Griner as wrongfully detained, moving her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, effectively the government’s chief hostage negotiator.Asked about the possibility of Griner being swapped for a Russian jailed in the U.S., Ryabkov, the senior Russian diplomat, noted that until her trial is over “there are no formal or procedural reasons to talk about any further steps.”He warned that U.S. criticism, including a description of Griner as wrongfully detained and dismissive comments about the Russian judicial system, “makes it difficult to engage in detailed discussion of any possible exchanges.”“The persistence with which the U.S. administration ... describes those who were handed prison sentences for serious criminal articles and those who are awaiting the end of investigation and court verdicts as ‘wrongfully detained’ reflects Washington’s refusal to have a sober view of the outside world,” Ryabkov snapped.Griner's trial was adjourned after its start last week because two scheduled witnesses did not appear. Such delays are routine in Russian courts and her detention has been authorized through Dec. 20, suggesting the proceedings could last months.Although Griner's supporters initially kept a low profile, calls for the United States to take action spiked after the trial's first day.The Rev. Al Sharpton, one of America's most prominent Black activists, this week called for Biden to arrange a prayer meeting with Griner, saying, "Four months is too long for this to have gone on, and I hope the President acts on her pleas to come home.”An organization called Win With Black Women sent Biden a letter saying Secretary of State Antony Blinken “has called Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s wife, assuring her and stating publicly that Brittney’s safe return was a matter of personal priority; however, we are concerned that the rhetoric does not appear to align with the actions taken to date. We urge you to make a deal to get Brittney back home swiftly.”Russian news media have repeatedly speculated that Griner could be swapped for Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, nicknamed “the Merchant of Death,” who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. on conviction of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization.Russia has agitated for Bout’s release for years. But the wide discrepancy between Griner’s alleged offense and Bout’s global dealings in deadly weapons could make such a swap unpalatable to Washington.Others have suggested that she could be traded along with Paul Whelan, a former Marine and security director serving a 16-year sentence in Russia on an espionage conviction that the U.S. has repeatedly described as a setup.Russia has shown no signs of backing off.“This is a serious offense, confirmed by indisputable evidence ... Attempts to present the case as if the American was detained illegally do not hold up," Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexei Zaitsev said Wednesday.“The law has been violated, and arguments about the innocent nature of Griner’s addiction, which, by the way, is punishable in some U.S. states, are inappropriate in this case,” he said.