GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating over a dozens suspects on drug allegations after a special enforcement operation conducted by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Geary County Attorney’s Office, according to a media release.

During the 16 hour operation on Thursday and Friday night, authorities made 17 arrests.

 The operation totaled 11 drug cases, 9 of which were for methamphetamine, fentanyl and/or “Dirty 30” pills (fentanyl-laced opioid pills). The operation recovered a stolen firearm; had a Driving Under the Influence arrest and cleared 6 active arrest warrants, according to the release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655574236284.png" alt="Cadarius Sapp, 27, was booked early Friday on requested charges that include possession of a stolen firearm and drug possession, according to online jail records.- photo Geary County Detention Center." />
 <figcaption>Cadarius Sapp, 27, was booked early Friday on requested charges that include possession of a stolen firearm and drug possession, according to online jail records.- photo Geary County Detention Center.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating over a dozens suspects on drug allegations after a special enforcement operation conducted by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Geary County Attorney’s Office, according to a media release.During the 16 hour operation on Thursday and Friday night, authorities made 17 arrests. The operation totaled 11 drug cases, 9 of which were for methamphetamine, fentanyl and/or “Dirty 30” pills (fentanyl-laced opioid pills). The operation recovered a stolen firearm; had a Driving Under the Influence arrest and cleared 6 active arrest warrants, according to the release.

 Sheriff: 17 arrested in targeted Kansas drug operation

SALINE COUNTY —The Salina Police Department is asking the public for help in locating a man who hasn't been seen in approximately a week and is being considered a missing, endangered person.

Nathan Philip Thompson, 44, of Salina is described as 6-foot-2, weighs 184 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.

On June 13, the Salina Fire Department responded to a trailer home fire located at 1635 Elgin, Salina, Kansas. Once the fire was extinguished the fire department determined no one was at home but has since classified the fire as arson, according to a statement from police.

The Salina Police Department has received information from neighbors that Nathan Thompson, who had been residing in the trailer home, has not been seen for approximately one week. Mr. Thompson’s family members have not spoken to him in the last seven days and are unaware of his location. In addition, Mr. Thompson failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing in Salina Municipal Court on June 14, 2022.

The Salina Police Department has received information that foul play may be involved in Mr. Thompson’s disappearance.

If you have had contact with Nathan Thompson since June 1, 2022, have information concerning his disappearance, or have information relative to the fire at 1635 Elgin please contact the Salina Police

Department at 785-826-7210. You may also call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS or make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210 and ask to speak to Detective Lemon, case 2022-17281.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655577117894.jpeg" alt="Nathan Philip Thompson. Photo from May 3, 2022- Salina Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Nathan Philip Thompson. Photo from May 3, 2022- Salina Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —The Salina Police Department is asking the public for help in locating a man who hasn't been seen in approximately a week and is being considered a missing, endangered person.Nathan Philip Thompson, 44, of Salina is described as 6-foot-2, weighs 184 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.On June 13, the Salina Fire Department responded to a trailer home fire located at 1635 Elgin, Salina, Kansas. Once the fire was extinguished the fire department determined no one was at home but has since classified the fire as arson, according to a statement from police.The Salina Police Department has received information from neighbors that Nathan Thompson, who had been residing in the trailer home, has not been seen for approximately one week. Mr. Thompson’s family members have not spoken to him in the last seven days and are unaware of his location. In addition, Mr. Thompson failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing in Salina Municipal Court on June 14, 2022.The Salina Police Department has received information that foul play may be involved in Mr. Thompson’s disappearance.If you have had contact with Nathan Thompson since June 1, 2022, have information concerning his disappearance, or have information relative to the fire at 1635 Elgin please contact the Salina PoliceDepartment at 785-826-7210. You may also call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS or make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210 and ask to speak to Detective Lemon, case 2022-17281.

Police: Foul play could be involved in Kan. man's disappearance

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. failed to take basic steps at the start of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;to prevent fraud in a federal aid program intended to help small businesses, depleting the funds and making people more vulnerable to identity theft, the chairman of a House panel examining the payouts said Tuesday.

Democratic Rep. James Clyburn blamed the Trump administration for the problems in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-lifestyle-health-small-business-574e126b4365d417ae38255dd8c9e0c2">the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program</a>, overseen by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-small-business-administration">the U.S. Small Business Administration</a>, amid revelations that as much as 20% of the money — tens of billions of dollars — may have been awarded to fraudsters.

Clyburn said the Biden administration has implemented measures to identify potential fraud and directed loan officers to address indications of fraud before approving loans, while Congress has invested in fraud prevention and accountability.

Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, said the Trump administration and Congress worked together at the beginning of the pandemic, when uncertainty was rampant and much of the economy was locked down, to deliver “much needed relief as fast as we could to help save as many jobs as we could” and prevent the economy from crashing.

Scalise, R-La., said Democrats are undermining the successes, and he asked why the House coronavirus panel Clyburn chairs wasn’t looking into the enhanced unemployment insurance program that was plagued by “egregious and unprecedented fraud” and is a “leading contributor” to the high inflation rates.

“I hope that in our oversight of pandemic programs, my Democratic colleagues will be able to recognize the difference between what was needed to save the economy during an unprecedented pandemic versus pushing a partisan, inflation-inducing agenda,” he said.

Clyburn, of South Carolina, said the subcommittee will determine what more must be done to bring perpetrators of fraud to justice and how to protect future emergency programs.

Clyburn said he supports extending the statute of limitations for this kind of fraud case to give investigators more time to untangle complex potential crimes. Witnesses at the hearing suggested standardizing the data collected by states to make it easier for federal authorities to spot possibly fraudulent patterns.

The SBA’s Office of the Inspector General has estimated that at least $80 billion distributed from the $400 billion EIDL program could have been fraudulent, much of it in scams using stolen identities. Separately, staff for the select subcommittee on Tuesday issued a report that found that some 1.6 million applications for the loans may have been approved without being evaluated.

The subcommittee’s staff found that those loans were approved in batches of up to 500 applications at a time. Applications were allowed to move through even if they had certain red flags for fraud — such as international client locations or phone numbers not associated with the business or the owner — so long as they weren’t too many of them. The process meant that while software analyzed the applications, they were not even opened by officials before being greenlighted for funding.

The SBA’s inspector general, Hannibal “Mike” Ware, said initially there was a huge struggle at the agency about the “need for speed versus the need for controls.” He said he was “screaming” about the need for fraud controls. He said the most concerning thing was self-certification, which meant applicants could say they had a business or a certain number of employees and get money.

The subcommittee hearing also tackled broader fraud concerns with the flood of pandemic aid from multiple federal government programs for states, local governments, businesses and the unemployed. The $5 trillion in total aid, delivered in a series of bills signed by Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, have come with numerous complications.

Fraud overwhelmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-asia-pacific-ohio-b651def05a8a049637c4a1047f788631">enhanced unemployment insurance programs</a>&nbsp;funded by the federal government and administered by the states. There was so much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-d159b73865f3346db8570008c6985112">aid to governments</a>&nbsp;that many struggled to find a way to spend it all under the original regulations. And there have been questions about whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-donald-trump-79dffb001bd8e54bea69a4e1c1bb6ed4">the Paycheck Protection Program</a>&nbsp;to keep employees working was worth it.

The Secret Service said in December that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-pandemics-us-secret-service-9d5c43814ef2c1ffb45c2a6f4e13faa9">nearly $100 billion has been stolen</a>&nbsp;from COVID-19 relief programs, basing that estimate on its cases and data from the Labor Department and the Small Business Administration. The White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-jen-psaki-small-business-b41e0ac90640a943e5c664e3a1781ee5">downplayed the estimate</a>, saying it was based on old reports.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency may have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-emergency-management-federal-agency-a4c59a218d5e185aa02ed61d6b0bc3bc">double-billed for the funerals</a>&nbsp;of hundreds of people who died of COVID-19, the Government Accountability Office said in April. States and cities continue to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-states-cities-spend-federal-pandemic-funds-191dce8c75b0f5159691f0606d910d74">slow to spend</a>&nbsp;their pandemic relief money.

The select subcommittee said Tuesday that more than $10 billion allocated under two massive business loan programs has been returned because of investigations and bank actions. Federal prosecutors have charged nearly 1,500 people with crimes related to fraud against the government over the business loans and enhanced unemployment insurance programs.

The government’s Pandemic Response Accountability Committee says inspectors general for various federal agencies have at least 1,150 ongoing investigations into fraud from the different aid funds. Officials say it could take years to untangle all the problems.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586444648763.png" alt="Business on Wanamaker in Topeka at the beginning of the pandemic." />
 <figcaption>Business on Wanamaker in Topeka at the beginning of the pandemic.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. failed to take basic steps at the start of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;to prevent fraud in a federal aid program intended to help small businesses, depleting the funds and making people more vulnerable to identity theft, the chairman of a House panel examining the payouts said Tuesday.Democratic Rep. James Clyburn blamed the Trump administration for the problems in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-lifestyle-health-small-business-574e126b4365d417ae38255dd8c9e0c2">the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program</a>, overseen by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-small-business-administration">the U.S. Small Business Administration</a>, amid revelations that as much as 20% of the money — tens of billions of dollars — may have been awarded to fraudsters.Clyburn said the Biden administration has implemented measures to identify potential fraud and directed loan officers to address indications of fraud before approving loans, while Congress has invested in fraud prevention and accountability.Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, said the Trump administration and Congress worked together at the beginning of the pandemic, when uncertainty was rampant and much of the economy was locked down, to deliver “much needed relief as fast as we could to help save as many jobs as we could” and prevent the economy from crashing.Scalise, R-La., said Democrats are undermining the successes, and he asked why the House coronavirus panel Clyburn chairs wasn’t looking into the enhanced unemployment insurance program that was plagued by “egregious and unprecedented fraud” and is a “leading contributor” to the high inflation rates.“I hope that in our oversight of pandemic programs, my Democratic colleagues will be able to recognize the difference between what was needed to save the economy during an unprecedented pandemic versus pushing a partisan, inflation-inducing agenda,” he said.Clyburn, of South Carolina, said the subcommittee will determine what more must be done to bring perpetrators of fraud to justice and how to protect future emergency programs.Clyburn said he supports extending the statute of limitations for this kind of fraud case to give investigators more time to untangle complex potential crimes. Witnesses at the hearing suggested standardizing the data collected by states to make it easier for federal authorities to spot possibly fraudulent patterns.The SBA’s Office of the Inspector General has estimated that at least $80 billion distributed from the $400 billion EIDL program could have been fraudulent, much of it in scams using stolen identities. Separately, staff for the select subcommittee on Tuesday issued a report that found that some 1.6 million applications for the loans may have been approved without being evaluated.The subcommittee’s staff found that those loans were approved in batches of up to 500 applications at a time. Applications were allowed to move through even if they had certain red flags for fraud — such as international client locations or phone numbers not associated with the business or the owner — so long as they weren’t too many of them. The process meant that while software analyzed the applications, they were not even opened by officials before being greenlighted for funding.The SBA’s inspector general, Hannibal “Mike” Ware, said initially there was a huge struggle at the agency about the “need for speed versus the need for controls.” He said he was “screaming” about the need for fraud controls. He said the most concerning thing was self-certification, which meant applicants could say they had a business or a certain number of employees and get money.The subcommittee hearing also tackled broader fraud concerns with the flood of pandemic aid from multiple federal government programs for states, local governments, businesses and the unemployed. The $5 trillion in total aid, delivered in a series of bills signed by Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, have come with numerous complications.Fraud overwhelmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-asia-pacific-ohio-b651def05a8a049637c4a1047f788631">enhanced unemployment insurance programs</a>&nbsp;funded by the federal government and administered by the states. There was so much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-d159b73865f3346db8570008c6985112">aid to governments</a>&nbsp;that many struggled to find a way to spend it all under the original regulations. And there have been questions about whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-donald-trump-79dffb001bd8e54bea69a4e1c1bb6ed4">the Paycheck Protection Program</a>&nbsp;to keep employees working was worth it.The Secret Service said in December that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-pandemics-us-secret-service-9d5c43814ef2c1ffb45c2a6f4e13faa9">nearly $100 billion has been stolen</a>&nbsp;from COVID-19 relief programs, basing that estimate on its cases and data from the Labor Department and the Small Business Administration. The White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-jen-psaki-small-business-b41e0ac90640a943e5c664e3a1781ee5">downplayed the estimate</a>, saying it was based on old reports.The Federal Emergency Management Agency may have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-emergency-management-federal-agency-a4c59a218d5e185aa02ed61d6b0bc3bc">double-billed for the funerals</a>&nbsp;of hundreds of people who died of COVID-19, the Government Accountability Office said in April. States and cities continue to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-states-cities-spend-federal-pandemic-funds-191dce8c75b0f5159691f0606d910d74">slow to spend</a>&nbsp;their pandemic relief money.The select subcommittee said Tuesday that more than $10 billion allocated under two massive business loan programs has been returned because of investigations and bank actions. Federal prosecutors have charged nearly 1,500 people with crimes related to fraud against the government over the business loans and enhanced unemployment insurance programs.The government’s Pandemic Response Accountability Committee says inspectors general for various federal agencies have at least 1,150 ongoing investigations into fraud from the different aid funds. Officials say it could take years to untangle all the problems.___

Report: US failed to stop fraud in COVID loan program

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Friday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250 driven by Christopher R.&nbsp;Hodgkiss, 40, Meriden, was westbound on U.S. 40 Highway just east of SE Shawnee Heights Road.

The motorcycle traveled left of center, overturned onto its side and continued at a sideways motion. An eastbound 2013 Chevy Cruze driven by Tina L. Jefferson, 54, Lawrence, struck the motorcycle head-on.

Hodgkiss was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported a passenger on the motorcycle identified as Jinny L. Fratiello, 32 Baldwin City, to Stormont Vail where she died.&nbsp; A private vehicle transported Jefferson to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She was not injured. The occupants of the motorcycle were not wearing helmets, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655554652242.png" alt="Authorities closed the road Friday during the accident investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Authorities closed the road Friday during the accident investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Friday in Shawnee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250 driven by Christopher R.&nbsp;Hodgkiss, 40, Meriden, was westbound on U.S. 40 Highway just east of SE Shawnee Heights Road.The motorcycle traveled left of center, overturned onto its side and continued at a sideways motion. An eastbound 2013 Chevy Cruze driven by Tina L. Jefferson, 54, Lawrence, struck the motorcycle head-on.Hodgkiss was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported a passenger on the motorcycle identified as Jinny L. Fratiello, 32 Baldwin City, to Stormont Vail where she died.&nbsp; A private vehicle transported Jefferson to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She was not injured. The occupants of the motorcycle were not wearing helmets, according to the KHP.

Kansas man, woman dead after head-on car, motorcycle crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an abrupt change of course, the White House is now declining to comment on the frequency of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 testing regimen, even as it maintains that it would inform the public if he were to ever test positive for the coronavirus.

Since Inauguration Day, the White House had frequently answered questions from reporters about when Biden, 79, last tested negative for the virus. Now, the White House says its policy is not to answer those questions.

“I’m telling you he has a regular cadence,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday, refusing to say what day he last tested negative. “I just don’t have a date to share with you, but he does have a regular weekly cadence.”

Following Jean-Pierre’s comments, deputy press secretary Chris Meagher tweeted Thursday that “Our policy is not to readout every test POTUS has taken.”

Biden has often been tested more frequently, either because of close calls with people who have subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 or because of his travel schedule. And the White House had previously been more transparent about Biden’s testing.

“To remain transparent with you and the American people, we wanted to share that the President tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday,” then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last February. “We will venture to provide this update the following day in the future.”

As recently as May 4, Psaki told reporters that Biden tested negative the previous day.

The new, more opaque approach comes as top White House officials have been matter-of-fact about the chances of the president getting COVID, a measure of how ingrained the virus has become in society — and of its diminished threat for those who are up to date on their vaccinations and with access to treatments.

Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the White House would inform the public if Biden were to test positive or if he were to be deemed a “close contact” of someone who tested positive. The White House uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of a “close contact,” which is being in the presence of someone with known or suspected COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes, or within six feet of someone with the virus up to two days before they tested positive.

The White House said Biden has never tested positive for COVID-19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652913740800.png" alt="The White House said Biden has never tested positive for COVID-19- White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House said Biden has never tested positive for COVID-19- White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — In an abrupt change of course, the White House is now declining to comment on the frequency of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 testing regimen, even as it maintains that it would inform the public if he were to ever test positive for the coronavirus.Since Inauguration Day, the White House had frequently answered questions from reporters about when Biden, 79, last tested negative for the virus. Now, the White House says its policy is not to answer those questions.“I’m telling you he has a regular cadence,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday, refusing to say what day he last tested negative. “I just don’t have a date to share with you, but he does have a regular weekly cadence.”Following Jean-Pierre’s comments, deputy press secretary Chris Meagher tweeted Thursday that “Our policy is not to readout every test POTUS has taken.”Biden has often been tested more frequently, either because of close calls with people who have subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 or because of his travel schedule. And the White House had previously been more transparent about Biden’s testing.“To remain transparent with you and the American people, we wanted to share that the President tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday,” then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last February. “We will venture to provide this update the following day in the future.”As recently as May 4, Psaki told reporters that Biden tested negative the previous day.The new, more opaque approach comes as top White House officials have been matter-of-fact about the chances of the president getting COVID, a measure of how ingrained the virus has become in society — and of its diminished threat for those who are up to date on their vaccinations and with access to treatments.Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the White House would inform the public if Biden were to test positive or if he were to be deemed a “close contact” of someone who tested positive. The White House uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of a “close contact,” which is being in the presence of someone with known or suspected COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes, or within six feet of someone with the virus up to two days before they tested positive.The White House said Biden has never tested positive for COVID-19.

White House clams up on Biden COVID-19 testing regimen

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Lifeguards at Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park in Derby performed a water rescue Friday, according to a statement from the city.

Just before 9p.m. a lifeguard identified a 3-year-old boy under water in the children’s area of the pool and performed a water rescue.&nbsp;

Derby Fire &amp; Rescue responded to the call in less than two minutes. Sedgwick County EMS was also on scene. The boy was alert and responsive when emergency responders arrived. EMS transported the boy to a Wichita hospital as a precaution.

Since the park opened in 2004, the only other major incident occurred on July 25, 2019 in which there was a near drowning of a 9-year-old girl. Rock River Rapids lifeguards are trained for situations like this and can be commended for their quick response.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655556404906.png" alt="River Rock Rapids -Google image" />
 <figcaption>River Rock Rapids -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Lifeguards at Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park in Derby performed a water rescue Friday, according to a statement from the city.Just before 9p.m. a lifeguard identified a 3-year-old boy under water in the children’s area of the pool and performed a water rescue.&nbsp;Derby Fire &amp; Rescue responded to the call in less than two minutes. Sedgwick County EMS was also on scene. The boy was alert and responsive when emergency responders arrived. EMS transported the boy to a Wichita hospital as a precaution.Since the park opened in 2004, the only other major incident occurred on July 25, 2019 in which there was a near drowning of a 9-year-old girl. Rock River Rapids lifeguards are trained for situations like this and can be commended for their quick response.

Lifeguard saves boy from drowning at Kansas waterpark

NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers and marketers have been quick to commemorate Juneteenth with an avalanche of merchandise from ice cream to T-shirts to party cups.

But many are getting backlash on social media for what critics say undermines the day,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-congress-federal-holiday-3cc3b7a56ec97b0bae3dbdff1da092ee">designated as a federal holiday last year</a>&nbsp;to honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. A search for Juneteenth items among online sellers like Amazon and J.C. Penney produced everything from toothpicks with pan-African flags to party plates and balloons.

Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, apologized last month after getting slammed for a Juneteenth ice cream flavor — swirled red velvet and cheesecake — under its store label Great Value. Walmart said it’s reviewing its product assortment and will remove items “as appropriate.” As of Friday, Walmart’s site was still offering lots of T-shirts and party plates.

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum removed a Juneteenth watermelon salad from its menu and issued a mea culpa earlier this week. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the museum blamed a lapse in vendor oversight, noting the label and salad were not reviewed by museum staff.

“We are an imperfect institution, but we are committed to improvement and will work tirelessly to regain your trust,” the museum wrote on its Facebook page.

The backlash comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-business-lifestyle-race-and-ethnicity-death-of-george-floyd-ec48d239cd93b8d07a9fc13d62ba7364">companies promised after the police killing of George Floyd in May of 2020 to no longer stay silent</a>&nbsp;and vowed to take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/whole-foods-market-inc-race-and-ethnicity-beyonce-knowles-corporate-giving-coronavirus-pandemic-65357480c89de284c6f0feb2f4b62587">an active role</a>&nbsp;in confronting and educating customers and employees on systemic racism. According to the preliminary results of a survey by Mercer of 200 employers, 33% are offering Juneteenth as a paid holiday to their staff. That’s up from 9% last year in a survey of more than 400 companies conducted shortly before Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday.

At the same time, many have cashed in on a holiday that Black Americans have observed since June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in alignment with President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.

Many experts believe that if retailers and other marketers plan to recognize the day, they should either sell merchandise from Black-owned businesses or invest in campaigns that would help Black communities. Amazon. for instance, does have a Black-owned business storefront that’s live all year-round for customers who want to support and shop Black-owned businesses selling on the site.

“This is a serious and reflective moment — I am excited and grateful for the recognition,” said Ramon Manning, chairman of the board at Emancipation Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization aimed to restore the park, which was purchased in 1872 by a group of former enslaved people to commemorate the anniversary of their emancipation.

“However, I feel like it is also brought back everybody else out of the woodwork who are opportunists more so than folks who are looking at the history of this country and looking at where a group of people have come from,” he added.

Manning, who is also founder and chairman of Ridgegate Capital, a private investment fund, further wondered: “Who is this going to benefit?”

Sheryl Daija, founder and CEO of Bridge, a group of marketing and diversity, equity and inclusion executives, noted there’s a disconnect between the seriousness of the holiday and the merchandise on display.

“A lot of companies have good intentions, but unfortunately good intentions can go awry, and this is what we have seen,” said Daija, who found Walmart’s Juneteenth ice cream particularly egregious because it used the holiday moniker to brand a new ice cream flavor.

Companies have a long history of commercializing holidays and other moments in order to cash in. Take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/12a7bd7d472a4037a984b04fae278107">Cinco de Mayo</a>, which has become in the U.S a celebration of all things Mexican, with companies selling everything from beans to beer to sombrero hats. The holiday has spread from the American Southwest, even though most have no idea about its original ties to the U.S. Civil War, abolition and promotion of civil rights for Blacks. In fact, it’s often mistaken for Mexican Independence day.

Meanwhile, every October, retailers are awash in pink merchandise to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month, but critics say many make misleading claims about supporting cancer groups. And Memorial Day, a federal holiday day designated to mourn the U.S. military who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces, has morphed into all-day mattress sales at stores.

But what makes the move by companies to cash in on Juneteenth worse is that it comes as the U.S. remains fraught with racial tensions, said Darnise Martin, clinical associate professor of African American studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

“It is weird to merchandise around it, but that’s what America does,” Martin said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624012350734.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers and marketers have been quick to commemorate Juneteenth with an avalanche of merchandise from ice cream to T-shirts to party cups.But many are getting backlash on social media for what critics say undermines the day,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-congress-federal-holiday-3cc3b7a56ec97b0bae3dbdff1da092ee">designated as a federal holiday last year</a>&nbsp;to honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. A search for Juneteenth items among online sellers like Amazon and J.C. Penney produced everything from toothpicks with pan-African flags to party plates and balloons.Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, apologized last month after getting slammed for a Juneteenth ice cream flavor — swirled red velvet and cheesecake — under its store label Great Value. Walmart said it’s reviewing its product assortment and will remove items “as appropriate.” As of Friday, Walmart’s site was still offering lots of T-shirts and party plates.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Please take a moment to read this important letter from The Children’s Museum. <a href="https://t.co/vMhnBSuGgK">pic.twitter.com/vMhnBSuGgK</a>&mdash; The Children&#39;s Museum (@TCMIndy) <a href="https://twitter.com/TCMIndy/status/1536679876589150209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum removed a Juneteenth watermelon salad from its menu and issued a mea culpa earlier this week. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the museum blamed a lapse in vendor oversight, noting the label and salad were not reviewed by museum staff.“We are an imperfect institution, but we are committed to improvement and will work tirelessly to regain your trust,” the museum wrote on its Facebook page.The backlash comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-business-lifestyle-race-and-ethnicity-death-of-george-floyd-ec48d239cd93b8d07a9fc13d62ba7364">companies promised after the police killing of George Floyd in May of 2020 to no longer stay silent</a>&nbsp;and vowed to take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/whole-foods-market-inc-race-and-ethnicity-beyonce-knowles-corporate-giving-coronavirus-pandemic-65357480c89de284c6f0feb2f4b62587">an active role</a>&nbsp;in confronting and educating customers and employees on systemic racism. According to the preliminary results of a survey by Mercer of 200 employers, 33% are offering Juneteenth as a paid holiday to their staff. That’s up from 9% last year in a survey of more than 400 companies conducted shortly before Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday.At the same time, many have cashed in on a holiday that Black Americans have observed since June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in alignment with President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.Many experts believe that if retailers and other marketers plan to recognize the day, they should either sell merchandise from Black-owned businesses or invest in campaigns that would help Black communities. Amazon. for instance, does have a Black-owned business storefront that’s live all year-round for customers who want to support and shop Black-owned businesses selling on the site.“This is a serious and reflective moment — I am excited and grateful for the recognition,” said Ramon Manning, chairman of the board at Emancipation Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization aimed to restore the park, which was purchased in 1872 by a group of former enslaved people to commemorate the anniversary of their emancipation.“However, I feel like it is also brought back everybody else out of the woodwork who are opportunists more so than folks who are looking at the history of this country and looking at where a group of people have come from,” he added.Manning, who is also founder and chairman of Ridgegate Capital, a private investment fund, further wondered: “Who is this going to benefit?”Sheryl Daija, founder and CEO of Bridge, a group of marketing and diversity, equity and inclusion executives, noted there’s a disconnect between the seriousness of the holiday and the merchandise on display.“A lot of companies have good intentions, but unfortunately good intentions can go awry, and this is what we have seen,” said Daija, who found Walmart’s Juneteenth ice cream particularly egregious because it used the holiday moniker to brand a new ice cream flavor.Companies have a long history of commercializing holidays and other moments in order to cash in. Take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/12a7bd7d472a4037a984b04fae278107">Cinco de Mayo</a>, which has become in the U.S a celebration of all things Mexican, with companies selling everything from beans to beer to sombrero hats. The holiday has spread from the American Southwest, even though most have no idea about its original ties to the U.S. Civil War, abolition and promotion of civil rights for Blacks. In fact, it’s often mistaken for Mexican Independence day.Meanwhile, every October, retailers are awash in pink merchandise to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month, but critics say many make misleading claims about supporting cancer groups. And Memorial Day, a federal holiday day designated to mourn the U.S. military who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces, has morphed into all-day mattress sales at stores.But what makes the move by companies to cash in on Juneteenth worse is that it comes as the U.S. remains fraught with racial tensions, said Darnise Martin, clinical associate professor of African American studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.“It is weird to merchandise around it, but that’s what America does,” Martin said.

Some retailers face social media backlash over Juneteenth marketing 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of the many cast members to grace 2022 Smallville Con this weekend at the Kansas State Fairgrounds is Jack O' Halloran. He played Non, the menacing but mute member of the trio of Kryptonian supervillains in the first two Superman movies.

"It's like an immortal deal," O'Halloran said. "I knew that, when we did the film, that it was going to be there forever."

O'Halloran spoke glowingly of the brilliance of director Richard Donner. He believes the so-called Donner Cut of Superman II is more true to the intent of the story.

"Richard Donner is a tremendous director," O'Halloran said. "He had already shot 86% of Superman II. When they brought on Richard Lester, in order for him to be a named director on the film, he had to have shot better than 50% of the film, so he went back and reshot stuff and added a lot more comedy and stuff than Donner did. The Donner Cut is actually a much better version of Superman II."

One of the differences in the older Superman movies from current comic book fare is that it isn't nearly as dark.

"There was enough action in the film to make the story work extremely well," O'Halloran said. "You didn't need to go overboard. Today, the films get darker and darker and darker. Hopefully, that changes in the future."

Jack O’Halloran will have Q&amp;A on Saturday in the Sunflower North Building.&nbsp;<a href="https://smallvillecomiccon.com/sites/all/libraries/pdfjs/web/2022SmallvilleProgramSchedule.pdf">Here is the full schedule</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655495294065.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of the many cast members to grace 2022 Smallville Con this weekend at the Kansas State Fairgrounds is Jack O' Halloran. He played Non, the menacing but mute member of the trio of Kryptonian supervillains in the first two Superman movies."It's like an immortal deal," O'Halloran said. "I knew that, when we did the film, that it was going to be there forever."O'Halloran spoke glowingly of the brilliance of director Richard Donner. He believes the so-called Donner Cut of Superman II is more true to the intent of the story."Richard Donner is a tremendous director," O'Halloran said. "He had already shot 86% of Superman II. When they brought on Richard Lester, in order for him to be a named director on the film, he had to have shot better than 50% of the film, so he went back and reshot stuff and added a lot more comedy and stuff than Donner did. The Donner Cut is actually a much better version of Superman II."One of the differences in the older Superman movies from current comic book fare is that it isn't nearly as dark."There was enough action in the film to make the story work extremely well," O'Halloran said. "You didn't need to go overboard. Today, the films get darker and darker and darker. Hopefully, that changes in the future."Jack O’Halloran will have Q&amp;A on Saturday in the Sunflower North Building.&nbsp;<a href="https://smallvillecomiccon.com/sites/all/libraries/pdfjs/web/2022SmallvilleProgramSchedule.pdf">Here is the full schedule</a>.

Smallville Con brings movie actors to Hutchinson

WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — The Cowley County Attorney says three sheriff's deputies who fatally shot a woman near Winfield in April were justified in their actions. 

KAKE-TV reports County Attorney Larry Schwartz says in a report that the shooting of Andrea Barrow was “lawful and justified." Schwartz's report says the deputies were responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle when they encountered Barrow, of Arkansas City, who was acting erratically.

 He says the woman refused repeated orders to get out of her vehicle and eventually pulled a handgun and fired at the deputies. All three deputies were injured. Two deputies returned fire, killing Barrow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650123044781.png" alt="Law enforcement investigators on the scene of the April fatal officer shooting in Cowley County-phot courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement investigators on the scene of the April fatal officer shooting in Cowley County-phot courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — The Cowley County Attorney says three sheriff's deputies who fatally shot a woman near Winfield in April were justified in their actions. KAKE-TV reports County Attorney Larry Schwartz says in a report that the shooting of Andrea Barrow was “lawful and justified." Schwartz's report says the deputies were responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle when they encountered Barrow, of Arkansas City, who was acting erratically. He says the woman refused repeated orders to get out of her vehicle and eventually pulled a handgun and fired at the deputies. All three deputies were injured. Two deputies returned fire, killing Barrow.

Kansas deputies cleared in woman's shooting death

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities arrested a Montgomery, Alabama man&nbsp; Thursday afternoon on Interstate 70 west of Salina after more than 27 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products were found in the rental vehicle he was driving.

Just before 3p.m., a deputy stopped an eastbound 2021 Chrysler Voyager on Interstate 70 just west of Halstead Road for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff's Captain Jim Hughes

During a search of the vehicle, the deputy located 18 packages of raw marijuana weighing a total of 15.45 pounds. Additionally, 11.6 pounds of THC wax and THC edibles were located in the vehicle, Hughes said.

Deputies also found a set of brass knuckles near the driver's seat

Deputies arrested the driver of the rental vehicle, Willie Boswell, 49, of Montgomery, Ala., on requested charges of Possession of marijuana with intent to distribution, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of a weapon and Failure to signal a lane change.

Four others in the vehicle were not arrested, according to Hughes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655479246400.jpeg" alt="Willie Boswell-photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Willie Boswell-photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities arrested a Montgomery, Alabama man&nbsp; Thursday afternoon on Interstate 70 west of Salina after more than 27 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products were found in the rental vehicle he was driving.Just before 3p.m., a deputy stopped an eastbound 2021 Chrysler Voyager on Interstate 70 just west of Halstead Road for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff's Captain Jim HughesDuring a search of the vehicle, the deputy located 18 packages of raw marijuana weighing a total of 15.45 pounds. Additionally, 11.6 pounds of THC wax and THC edibles were located in the vehicle, Hughes said.Deputies also found a set of brass knuckles near the driver's seatDeputies arrested the driver of the rental vehicle, Willie Boswell, 49, of Montgomery, Ala., on requested charges of Possession of marijuana with intent to distribution, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of a weapon and Failure to signal a lane change.Four others in the vehicle were not arrested, according to Hughes.

Deputies find 27 pounds of pot, pot products on I-70

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide have identified the victim as 35-year-old Lorenzo Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri.

At 10p.m. on&nbsp; Tuesday, police responded to 800 block of Kindelberger Road, according to a media release. They located Johnson's body in the parking lot with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The KCKPD Major Crime Care Unit is in charge of the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide have identified the victim as 35-year-old Lorenzo Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri.At 10p.m. on&nbsp; Tuesday, police responded to 800 block of Kindelberger Road, according to a media release. They located Johnson's body in the parking lot with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.The KCKPD Major Crime Care Unit is in charge of the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Police ID man found dead in Kansas parking lot

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly firmly believes that if the state is not growing, it is dying. That is why she and her administration have placed such an emphasis on economic development during her first term in office.

"We have revived our state. We've fixed a lot of the things that were wrong, and clearly, that strategy is working," Kelly told Salina Post in an interview Thursday afternoon. "And I want to continue to build on that so that I leave Kansas a lot stronger than I found it."

Last week, it was announced that Kansas was one of only five states to win Area Development magazine’s coveted 2022 Gold Shovel Award, the second such award in as many years. The annual award is given to states that attract high-value investment projects that create a significant number of new jobs in their communities.

According to information from the governor's office, Kansas has received nearly $8.8 billion in new business investments, created and retained nearly 43,000 jobs, and been home to 645 new economic development projects during the Kelly administration. 

With two gold shovels in the state's trophy case, Kelly now has her sights set on a move upward to the recently created platinum shovel, a goal that she has conveyed to Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland.

"The first time he delivered the gold shovel (2021), I said, 'this is very nice, David, but next year we want the platinum one," but there wasn't one," she said.

Now, however a platinum shovel award has been established. How does Kansas win a platinum shovel?

"You just have to be very successful in landing new capital investments," Kelly explained. "We have been able to do that. In 2020, we set a record for the most new capital investments in state history. That was only good, though, for a silver shovel. But then, in 2021, we went above and beyond and hit $3.8 billion in capital investments. That earned us the gold shovel."

Some of those capital investments, or economic development projects, are right here in Salina, including expansions at Schwan's, Great Plains Manufacturing, and McShares. Kelly also noted the unique-to-Kansas services offered by 1 Vision Aviation and the company's growth at the Salina Regional Airport as a boost to the local and state economy.

While the job growth is a huge boost for Salina, it also has created a need for more housing in and around the city. On April 20, Kelly signed the new state budget that includes increases the state’s funding for housing by $65 million over two years. According to information from the governor's office, the funding "will be dedicated to the development and renovation of moderate-income housing and the creation of a state revolving loan program to support the state’s workforce needs and close the financing gap in rural communities."

"We're making serious investments for things that we know are critical for people in the state of Kansas," Kelly said.

Kelly said she has plenty to keep her busy should she win re-election in November.

"Obviously, I want to build on the successes of my first term. I want to continue to set records for economic development," Kelly told Salina Post. "I want to continue to fund our schools and our roads, all of the things that really contribute to our economic success and the quality of life here in the state."

Kelly said she also had some goals she had not yet been able to achieve, including Medicaid expansion.

"I have been pushing hard for that all four sessions as governor and before as a state senator. I am hoping that once the election is over and I'm no longer a candidate to be opposed that we can break that logjam in the legislature and get Medicaid expansion done," she said.

Additionally, Kelly wants to expand high-speed internet access in Kansas.

"Another thing I want to build on and complete is by the end of my second term, I want to have every home and every business in the State of Kansas that wants to be connected to high-speed internet to get connected," Kelly said. "We know that if we are going to continue to grow as a state and attract people and keep people in our state, we've got to have that connectivity, so that is a goal."

Taking care of early childhood needs also is a goal for Kelly.

"I've always said that I want my legacy as governor to be the most robust, comprehensive early childhood system in the country," she told Salina Post.

Kelly said some headway has been made in the early childhood area during her first term as governor, however, the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on those efforts and forced the Kelly administration to change its focus to making sure there were childcare slots available because so many childcare providers had to shut down during the pandemic.

"We've been focused on ensuring that there are places for parents to leave their kids in a quality environment while they work, but we want to go way beyond that," Kelly said. "We had begun to develop a public/private partnership approach to early childhood, and we will continue to build on that during my second term."

Local and area programs that contribute to economic development

Earlier this year, Kelly was in Salina twice. Once to announce that Salina had joined the state's revitalized Main Street program and also for the ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration of the expanded OCCK Transportation facility downtown. Additionally, OCCK celebrated the announcement that it was one of 26 agencies receiving funds as a part of the Access, Innovation, and Collaboration (AIC) Public Transit Program.

Kelly noted that both Salina efforts were boosts to economic development. The Kansas Main Street program, for instance, give communities access to key technical services, networking, and training opportunities. It also allows local officials to prioritize restoring and preserving unique, historic downtown business districts. The program supports community development and projects that bring in new businesses, that improve the quality of life, and slow the exodus of young Kansans from the state.

READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2571ccf9-4463-4322-b307-43b03ff0d8ef">Salina Downtown receives national accreditation</a>

Likewise, OCCK's efforts to provide transportation to those who need it, both in Salina and throughout the area, also boosts economic development.

"That was probably one of the most inspiring of all the dedications that I have done," Kelly said of the OCCK celebration in April. "To just see what OCCK has done in your area to really serve folks in need of transportation. Getting them to and from where they need to be. It started out so small and it has just grown like gangbusters."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655488006431.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly with the state's second Gold Shovel Award for economic development. Photo courtesy the governor's office" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly with the state's second Gold Shovel Award for economic development. Photo courtesy the governor's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostKansas Governor Laura Kelly firmly believes that if the state is not growing, it is dying. That is why she and her administration have placed such an emphasis on economic development during her first term in office."We have revived our state. We've fixed a lot of the things that were wrong, and clearly, that strategy is working," Kelly told Salina Post in an interview Thursday afternoon. "And I want to continue to build on that so that I leave Kansas a lot stronger than I found it."Last week, it was announced that Kansas was one of only five states to win Area Development magazine’s coveted 2022 Gold Shovel Award, the second such award in as many years. The annual award is given to states that attract high-value investment projects that create a significant number of new jobs in their communities.According to information from the governor's office, Kansas has received nearly $8.8 billion in new business investments, created and retained nearly 43,000 jobs, and been home to 645 new economic development projects during the Kelly administration. With two gold shovels in the state's trophy case, Kelly now has her sights set on a move upward to the recently created platinum shovel, a goal that she has conveyed to Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland."The first time he delivered the gold shovel (2021), I said, 'this is very nice, David, but next year we want the platinum one," but there wasn't one," she said.Now, however a platinum shovel award has been established. How does Kansas win a platinum shovel?"You just have to be very successful in landing new capital investments," Kelly explained. "We have been able to do that. In 2020, we set a record for the most new capital investments in state history. That was only good, though, for a silver shovel. But then, in 2021, we went above and beyond and hit $3.8 billion in capital investments. That earned us the gold shovel."Some of those capital investments, or economic development projects, are right here in Salina, including expansions at Schwan's, Great Plains Manufacturing, and McShares. Kelly also noted the unique-to-Kansas services offered by 1 Vision Aviation and the company's growth at the Salina Regional Airport as a boost to the local and state economy.While the job growth is a huge boost for Salina, it also has created a need for more housing in and around the city. On April 20, Kelly signed the new state budget that includes increases the state’s funding for housing by $65 million over two years. According to information from the governor's office, the funding "will be dedicated to the development and renovation of moderate-income housing and the creation of a state revolving loan program to support the state’s workforce needs and close the financing gap in rural communities.""We're making serious investments for things that we know are critical for people in the state of Kansas," Kelly said.Looking to the futureKelly said she has plenty to keep her busy should she win re-election in November."Obviously, I want to build on the successes of my first term. I want to continue to set records for economic development," Kelly told Salina Post. "I want to continue to fund our schools and our roads, all of the things that really contribute to our economic success and the quality of life here in the state."Kelly said she also had some goals she had not yet been able to achieve, including Medicaid expansion."I have been pushing hard for that all four sessions as governor and before as a state senator. I am hoping that once the election is over and I'm no longer a candidate to be opposed that we can break that logjam in the legislature and get Medicaid expansion done," she said.Additionally, Kelly wants to expand high-speed internet access in Kansas."Another thing I want to build on and complete is by the end of my second term, I want to have every home and every business in the State of Kansas that wants to be connected to high-speed internet to get connected," Kelly said. "We know that if we are going to continue to grow as a state and attract people and keep people in our state, we've got to have that connectivity, so that is a goal."Taking care of early childhood needs also is a goal for Kelly."I've always said that I want my legacy as governor to be the most robust, comprehensive early childhood system in the country," she told Salina Post.Kelly said some headway has been made in the early childhood area during her first term as governor, however, the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on those efforts and forced the Kelly administration to change its focus to making sure there were childcare slots available because so many childcare providers had to shut down during the pandemic."We've been focused on ensuring that there are places for parents to leave their kids in a quality environment while they work, but we want to go way beyond that," Kelly said. "We had begun to develop a public/private partnership approach to early childhood, and we will continue to build on that during my second term."Local and area programs that contribute to economic developmentEarlier this year, Kelly was in Salina twice. Once to announce that Salina had joined the state's revitalized Main Street program and also for the ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration of the expanded OCCK Transportation facility downtown. Additionally, OCCK celebrated the announcement that it was one of 26 agencies receiving funds as a part of the Access, Innovation, and Collaboration (AIC) Public Transit Program.Kelly noted that both Salina efforts were boosts to economic development. The Kansas Main Street program, for instance, give communities access to key technical services, networking, and training opportunities. It also allows local officials to prioritize restoring and preserving unique, historic downtown business districts. The program supports community development and projects that bring in new businesses, that improve the quality of life, and slow the exodus of young Kansans from the state.READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2571ccf9-4463-4322-b307-43b03ff0d8ef">Salina Downtown receives national accreditation</a>Likewise, OCCK's efforts to provide transportation to those who need it, both in Salina and throughout the area, also boosts economic development."That was probably one of the most inspiring of all the dedications that I have done," Kelly said of the OCCK celebration in April. "To just see what OCCK has done in your area to really serve folks in need of transportation. Getting them to and from where they need to be. It started out so small and it has just grown like gangbusters."

Kelly: Economic development key to strengthening Kansas

PAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 4:30a.m.&nbsp; Friday in. Pawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Nissan passenger car driven by Courtney Dawn Towery, 28, Larned, was eastbound on Kansas 156, just east of Kansas 265.

The vehicle left the roadway and traveled into the south ditch.&nbsp; The driver over corrected. The car returned to the roadway and traveled left of center.&nbsp; A 2008 Kenworth semi driven by Asael&nbsp;Hernandez-Salas, 45, Syracuse, Kansas, struck the Nissan.

Towery was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Beckwith Mortuary. Hernandez-Salas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

PAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 4:30a.m.&nbsp; Friday in. Pawnee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Nissan passenger car driven by Courtney Dawn Towery, 28, Larned, was eastbound on Kansas 156, just east of Kansas 265.The vehicle left the roadway and traveled into the south ditch.&nbsp; The driver over corrected. The car returned to the roadway and traveled left of center.&nbsp; A 2008 Kenworth semi driven by Asael&nbsp;Hernandez-Salas, 45, Syracuse, Kansas, struck the Nissan.Towery was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Beckwith Mortuary. Hernandez-Salas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after crash with a semi

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Abortion providers in some places where the procedure could be banned if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade are bracing for a ruling by halting scheduling for the procedure, transitioning staff to help patients travel to other states and creating networks of clinics that will span across regions of the country.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, which operates three clinics that provide abortions in the state, is not scheduling the procedure beyond June 25 as it anticipates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-religion-government-and-politics-e75b43ad1dd5608fbd7a186b3afe59a6">a late June decision reversing the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed abortion rights nationwide.</a>&nbsp;The organization in recent weeks has dedicated two staff members to help patients book appointments and figure out how to get to clinics.

Whether clinics in Wisconsin will be able to provide abortions, though, has turned into a day-to-day question.

“One of the hardest aspects of this is not knowing what day this decision will come down and what it will be,” said Michelle Velasquez, the director of legal advocacy and services at Planned Parenthood Wisconsin. “The unknown has been difficult.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-travel-health-b0561979f5b28c7aebc164c1e159ba0a">It’s a window into what abortion providers and access funds are planning</a>&nbsp;in more than a dozen other states across the South and Midwest. In South Dakota this week, the state’s only abortion clinic, also operated by Planned Parenthood, announced it had “paused” scheduling abortions beyond the end of the month. In Oklahoma, providers already stopped the procedure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-texas-legislature-a43f7f21c1b8e07a383b120d1bdbc695">after a law was enacted to ban it.</a>

In Wisconsin, a law banning abortion has been on the books since 1849, but Roe v. Wade overrode it. While Roe’s fall would likely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-wisconsin-madison-6109f177299eb861d8fa7a2e888e086a">spark a legal tussle</a>&nbsp;over whether it is valid, Planned Parenthood does not want to put its staff at risk of prosecution.

Velasquez said clinic staff wanted to provide abortions in Wisconsin up until the last minute it was legal, but also had to consider that scheduling appointments for dates when it could become illegal could create uncertainty and be “distressing” for patients.

Velasquez acknowledged that the Supreme Court could release its decision as soon as next week, even while Planned Parenthood has appointments on the books. She said if that happened, Planned Parenthood would help those patients book appointments for abortions in nearby states, such as Minnesota and Illinois. Patients could still get counseling, lab work and ultrasounds in Wisconsin in the meantime.

“We wouldn’t leave patients, like, ‘You’re on your own,’” Velasquez said.

“Even if we can’t provide the medications or we can’t do a procedure, we are absolutely able to help people find the care they need,” she added.

The strategy will inevitably put more pressure on providers in states in the region where abortion will still be legal, said Caitlyn Myers, an economic professor at Middlebury College who studies abortion access.

“As hundreds of thousands of women flood out of these states, it is going to enormously tax the resources of these providers,” she said. “I don’t think they are prepared for this huge influx.”

It comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-us-supreme-court-science-health-6a72fba07ebe4f8ba7cfb0ba66e3c592">the number and rates of U.S. abortions is on the rise after a long decline.</a>&nbsp;Abortions increased from 2017 to 2020, according to figures from the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. It counted more than 930,000 abortions in the U.S. in 2020.

Clinics shuttering, like one did in Idaho recently, or halting scheduling show that a post-Roe reality has already arrived in many places. Myers said getting an appointment for an abortion may soon become “critical” across the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648771341385.png" alt="Photo Planned Parenthood" />
 <figcaption>Photo Planned Parenthood</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Abortion providers in some places where the procedure could be banned if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade are bracing for a ruling by halting scheduling for the procedure, transitioning staff to help patients travel to other states and creating networks of clinics that will span across regions of the country.Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, which operates three clinics that provide abortions in the state, is not scheduling the procedure beyond June 25 as it anticipates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-religion-government-and-politics-e75b43ad1dd5608fbd7a186b3afe59a6">a late June decision reversing the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed abortion rights nationwide.</a>&nbsp;The organization in recent weeks has dedicated two staff members to help patients book appointments and figure out how to get to clinics.Whether clinics in Wisconsin will be able to provide abortions, though, has turned into a day-to-day question.“One of the hardest aspects of this is not knowing what day this decision will come down and what it will be,” said Michelle Velasquez, the director of legal advocacy and services at Planned Parenthood Wisconsin. “The unknown has been difficult.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-travel-health-b0561979f5b28c7aebc164c1e159ba0a">It’s a window into what abortion providers and access funds are planning</a>&nbsp;in more than a dozen other states across the South and Midwest. In South Dakota this week, the state’s only abortion clinic, also operated by Planned Parenthood, announced it had “paused” scheduling abortions beyond the end of the month. In Oklahoma, providers already stopped the procedure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-texas-legislature-a43f7f21c1b8e07a383b120d1bdbc695">after a law was enacted to ban it.</a>In Wisconsin, a law banning abortion has been on the books since 1849, but Roe v. Wade overrode it. While Roe’s fall would likely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-wisconsin-madison-6109f177299eb861d8fa7a2e888e086a">spark a legal tussle</a>&nbsp;over whether it is valid, Planned Parenthood does not want to put its staff at risk of prosecution.Velasquez said clinic staff wanted to provide abortions in Wisconsin up until the last minute it was legal, but also had to consider that scheduling appointments for dates when it could become illegal could create uncertainty and be “distressing” for patients.Velasquez acknowledged that the Supreme Court could release its decision as soon as next week, even while Planned Parenthood has appointments on the books. She said if that happened, Planned Parenthood would help those patients book appointments for abortions in nearby states, such as Minnesota and Illinois. Patients could still get counseling, lab work and ultrasounds in Wisconsin in the meantime.“We wouldn’t leave patients, like, ‘You’re on your own,’” Velasquez said.“Even if we can’t provide the medications or we can’t do a procedure, we are absolutely able to help people find the care they need,” she added.The strategy will inevitably put more pressure on providers in states in the region where abortion will still be legal, said Caitlyn Myers, an economic professor at Middlebury College who studies abortion access.“As hundreds of thousands of women flood out of these states, it is going to enormously tax the resources of these providers,” she said. “I don’t think they are prepared for this huge influx.”It comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-us-supreme-court-science-health-6a72fba07ebe4f8ba7cfb0ba66e3c592">the number and rates of U.S. abortions is on the rise after a long decline.</a>&nbsp;Abortions increased from 2017 to 2020, according to figures from the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. It counted more than 930,000 abortions in the U.S. in 2020.Clinics shuttering, like one did in Idaho recently, or halting scheduling show that a post-Roe reality has already arrived in many places. Myers said getting an appointment for an abortion may soon become “critical” across the country.___

Some clinics halting abortions while bracing for Roe's fall

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (AP) — Former NASCAR driver and Fox Sports analyst Clint Bowyer struck and killed a pedestrian on a highway in southwest Missouri earlier this month, police said.

The crash occurred June 5 on an exit ramp off of U.S 54 near Osage Beach, Missouri, according to a crash report from Lake Ozark police.

Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, stopped immediately after the collision and called 911, police said. The woman, 47-year-old Mary Jane Simmons, of Camdenton, died at the scene.

The crash report says Bowyer showed no signs of impairment and provided a roadside blood sample that showed no trace of alcohol.

A crystalline substance was found with the woman’s belongings and residents at a recreational vehicle park where she was staying said they believed she was under the influence of drugs, according to the police statement.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-sports-charlotte-nascar-clint-bowyer-ead024f089682ede9e85953a4faf1859">Bowyer retired in 2020</a>&nbsp;after winning 10 Cup Series races over 15 years. His sense of humor has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daytona-beach-jeff-gordon-nascar-clint-bowyer-fd1cdcada40ba723b13d1d914444cea6">a hit in the Fox Sports booth</a>&nbsp;since jumping into that job as a second career.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655484827252.png" alt="Clint Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas." />
 <figcaption>Clint Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAKE OZARK, Mo. (AP) — Former NASCAR driver and Fox Sports analyst Clint Bowyer struck and killed a pedestrian on a highway in southwest Missouri earlier this month, police said.The crash occurred June 5 on an exit ramp off of U.S 54 near Osage Beach, Missouri, according to a crash report from Lake Ozark police.Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, stopped immediately after the collision and called 911, police said. The woman, 47-year-old Mary Jane Simmons, of Camdenton, died at the scene.The crash report says Bowyer showed no signs of impairment and provided a roadside blood sample that showed no trace of alcohol.A crystalline substance was found with the woman’s belongings and residents at a recreational vehicle park where she was staying said they believed she was under the influence of drugs, according to the police statement.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-sports-charlotte-nascar-clint-bowyer-ead024f089682ede9e85953a4faf1859">Bowyer retired in 2020</a>&nbsp;after winning 10 Cup Series races over 15 years. His sense of humor has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daytona-beach-jeff-gordon-nascar-clint-bowyer-fd1cdcada40ba723b13d1d914444cea6">a hit in the Fox Sports booth</a>&nbsp;since jumping into that job as a second career.

Former NASCAR driver, Kan. native Clint Bowyer involved in fatal crash

This is the first of a&nbsp; three-part series on former K-State football coach Bill Snyder. This story focuses on that portion of his life ranging from childhood through college and his early teaching years.&nbsp;

Former K-State football coach Bill Snyder credits educators for having a great impact on his life. That was a message during remarks to a Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel audience in Junction City Thursday. "The people that have had the greatest impact on my life are people like you, people who sat in classrooms with me, people who guided me, people who gave me direction, people who redirected me in many, many ways. "&nbsp;

Snyder told the story about his childhood. "My mother worked at a downtown department store in St. Joseph, MO.. " He added that she worked 12 hours a day, six days a week and didn't make a lot of money. They lived in a one room apartment, his mother never drove an automobile in her life and she had to walk to work. At night he slept on a murphy bed and his mother on a cot. " But I thought we were rich because of my mother and all that she did for me."

Snyder attended the University of Missouri where he struggled and after one semester returned to St. Joseph where he attended community college with no plans to further his college education beyond that level until the football coach and athletic director for William Jewell College, Dr. Norris Patterson, came to see him. Snyder decided to attend the school and between the jobs that were provided and some need based scholarship money worked his way through college. "I didn't want my mother to have to pay for anything so I made sure that I had enough employment in order to pay what the scholarships did not pay and I was able to do exactly that. " He worked his way through college and went into teaching at Gallatin High School in the small town of Gallatin, MO.

Snyder told a humorous story that left his audience laughing out loud about how he was required to take a foreign language and he had enrolled in one that was unfamiliar to him, Spanish. He took the necessary two classes. " And I thought I'll take one more&nbsp; and that will give me a minor, and I'll have a minor in something. Big mistake in my life!" When he arrived in Gallatin he was informed by the principal that he would be teaching four classes of Spanish. "I don't know if it was fortunately or unfortunately such a small school, the largest class was seven students and the smallest was four." Snyder recounted how he stayed up late every night just to prepare for the next day's lesson. " I was one step ahead, that's it, period!

Later Snyder would become a teacher and assistant football coach at Indio High School in Indio, California. On his first day he learned about his teaching responsibilities including physical education and unexpectedly for one semester....Spanish!&nbsp;&nbsp;

After serving as a graduate assistant in the football program at USC, he returned to Indio High School for three years as the head football coach. He then moved to Foothill High School in Santa Anna, California with the intention of becoming an assistant&nbsp; football coach and physical education teacher. While laughing, explained that on the first day the principal informed him that a teacher had left. "And we would like for you...you guessed it right?&nbsp; So for one class a day I'm back in the classroom with the Spanish students. I thought I will never get away from this, I've got to get into college coaching where that doesn't take place. "

But one point was clear in his remarks. While he may have forgotten the names of some acquaintances over the years he could clearly remember the names of his teachers. "I can recall them so quickly and dream up&nbsp; the images because of the impact that they had."

Snyder would go on to coach at Austin College, North Texas State, the University of Iowa and finally Kansas State University where he took on the massive job of trying to build up the Wildcat football program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655430955148.jpeg" alt="Bill Snyder speaking at the&nbsp; Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel convention in Junction City" />
 <figcaption>Bill Snyder speaking at the&nbsp; Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel convention in Junction City</figcaption>
 </figure>This is the first of a&nbsp; three-part series on former K-State football coach Bill Snyder. This story focuses on that portion of his life ranging from childhood through college and his early teaching years.&nbsp;By Dewey TerrillJC PostFormer K-State football coach Bill Snyder credits educators for having a great impact on his life. That was a message during remarks to a Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel audience in Junction City Thursday. "The people that have had the greatest impact on my life are people like you, people who sat in classrooms with me, people who guided me, people who gave me direction, people who redirected me in many, many ways. "&nbsp;Snyder told the story about his childhood. "My mother worked at a downtown department store in St. Joseph, MO.. " He added that she worked 12 hours a day, six days a week and didn't make a lot of money. They lived in a one room apartment, his mother never drove an automobile in her life and she had to walk to work. At night he slept on a murphy bed and his mother on a cot. " But I thought we were rich because of my mother and all that she did for me."Snyder attended the University of Missouri where he struggled and after one semester returned to St. Joseph where he attended community college with no plans to further his college education beyond that level until the football coach and athletic director for William Jewell College, Dr. Norris Patterson, came to see him. Snyder decided to attend the school and between the jobs that were provided and some need based scholarship money worked his way through college. "I didn't want my mother to have to pay for anything so I made sure that I had enough employment in order to pay what the scholarships did not pay and I was able to do exactly that. " He worked his way through college and went into teaching at Gallatin High School in the small town of Gallatin, MO.Snyder told a humorous story that left his audience laughing out loud about how he was required to take a foreign language and he had enrolled in one that was unfamiliar to him, Spanish. He took the necessary two classes. " And I thought I'll take one more&nbsp; and that will give me a minor, and I'll have a minor in something. Big mistake in my life!" When he arrived in Gallatin he was informed by the principal that he would be teaching four classes of Spanish. "I don't know if it was fortunately or unfortunately such a small school, the largest class was seven students and the smallest was four." Snyder recounted how he stayed up late every night just to prepare for the next day's lesson. " I was one step ahead, that's it, period!Later Snyder would become a teacher and assistant football coach at Indio High School in Indio, California. On his first day he learned about his teaching responsibilities including physical education and unexpectedly for one semester....Spanish!&nbsp;&nbsp;After serving as a graduate assistant in the football program at USC, he returned to Indio High School for three years as the head football coach. He then moved to Foothill High School in Santa Anna, California with the intention of becoming an assistant&nbsp; football coach and physical education teacher. While laughing, explained that on the first day the principal informed him that a teacher had left. "And we would like for you...you guessed it right?&nbsp; So for one class a day I'm back in the classroom with the Spanish students. I thought I will never get away from this, I've got to get into college coaching where that doesn't take place. "But one point was clear in his remarks. While he may have forgotten the names of some acquaintances over the years he could clearly remember the names of his teachers. "I can recall them so quickly and dream up&nbsp; the images because of the impact that they had."Snyder would go on to coach at Austin College, North Texas State, the University of Iowa and finally Kansas State University where he took on the massive job of trying to build up the Wildcat football program.

Coach Snyder shares his early story with retired Kan. educators

WASHINGTON— U.S. Representative Tracey Mann and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;led several of their colleagues in sending a letter&nbsp;to the U.S. Department of Commerce, urging it to consider the record-high fertilizer cost and suspend the duties it placed on urea ammonium nitrate fertilizer imports from Trinidad and Tobago.

<a href="https://mann.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/mann.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/FINAL_ITC_2_RAIMONDO.pdf">CLICK here to read</a> the letter

"We're seeing the price of fertilizer, which is many times based on fossil fuel increase 300 to 400%," Mann said this week.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) heard final arguments on Thursday in the antidumping duty investigation of UAN fertilizers from Trinidad and Tobago.

"When you quadruple the price of fertilizer and other inputs, it's all about the margin and what you actually take home," Mann said. "We're putting our ag producers, the best in the world, in a really bad spot right now."

<a href="https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/fertilizer-prices-expected-remain-higher-longer">The World Bank posted on its blog last month</a>&nbsp;that fertilizers are now at their least affordable levels since the 2008 global food crisis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627660813904.png" alt="Kansas First District congressman Tracey Mann" />
 <figcaption>Kansas First District congressman Tracey Mann</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— U.S. Representative Tracey Mann and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;led several of their colleagues in sending a letter&nbsp;to the U.S. Department of Commerce, urging it to consider the record-high fertilizer cost and suspend the duties it placed on urea ammonium nitrate fertilizer imports from Trinidad and Tobago.<a href="https://mann.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/mann.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/FINAL_ITC_2_RAIMONDO.pdf">CLICK here to read</a> the letter"We're seeing the price of fertilizer, which is many times based on fossil fuel increase 300 to 400%," Mann said this week.The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) heard final arguments on Thursday in the antidumping duty investigation of UAN fertilizers from Trinidad and Tobago."When you quadruple the price of fertilizer and other inputs, it's all about the margin and what you actually take home," Mann said. "We're putting our ag producers, the best in the world, in a really bad spot right now."<a href="https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/fertilizer-prices-expected-remain-higher-longer">The World Bank posted on its blog last month</a>&nbsp;that fertilizers are now at their least affordable levels since the 2008 global food crisis.

Mann, Moran respond to record high cost of fertilizer

By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — November 15, 
2021, is a day Jefferson Davis will never forget. That afternoon, Davis 
and a friend were cruising the highways of northern Barton County on 
motorcycles when Davis lost control of his bike and crashed into a 
ditch. The off-duty Great Bend Police Department sergeant suffered two 
skull fractures, a broken neck, broken ribs down his entire left side, a
 broken shoulder, ruptured spleen, and bleeding in the brain.

But 
this is a happy story. A month ago, in early May, Davis returned 
full-time to his job with the GBPD. He has been overwhelmed by the 
community's response after the accident.

"It's hard for me to put 
it into words, but it really made me appreciate and love this community 
that much more," he said. "That show of support was just amazing. It 
just inspires me to give back to my community more than I ever did."

Because
 of his injuries, Davis does not recall a whole lot about the moments 
just before and after his accident.  He can remember looking down at one
 of his foot pegs because it felt wrong.

"I remember thinking when
 I get home, I'm going to loosen it and adjust it and get it fixed," he 
said. "I think that was my mistake. By the time I looked up we were 
coming up on a curve. I attempted to slow down so I could navigate the 
road. I got on my front brake pretty hard, which I know better, but at 
the time you don't think about that. I think I was on that front brake a
 little too hard. I went to shift the bike with my body weight to move 
it. It locked up and rolled and sent me flying."

Coming around the
 curve, Davis's friend had braked. Davis was wearing amber-colored 
lenses at the time, and law enforcement has suggested that may have been
 a contributing factor in the accident. 

"I don't know if that's 
exactly what led to the accident, but it could very well have been a 
circumstance towards it," Davis said. "I've told people, stay away from 
the amber color. It does kind of hide the shade of brake lights and you 
don't see it."

Hoisington EMS was 
dispatched to the accident. Davis never lost consciousness after the 
crash, but he is forever grateful for the fast response of Hoisington's 
crew.

"If I was going to hat-tip anybody, Hoisington EMS did a 
great job," he said. "I was confused, I was scared, I was in a lot of 
places at that time. I recognized one of them, and she kind of reminded 
me I know her. It just brought me some feeling of security. They really 
did a good job of treating me and getting me to the hospital. They 
stayed there at the hospital while I was being diagnosed."

That 
move paid off. In addition to the broken bones, a scan revealed two 
brain bleeds inside the skull.  The same Hoisington EMS team was able to
 rush Davis to a hospital in Wichita. Fortunately, Davis's Traumautic 
Brain Injury rated as the least severe on a 15-point scale.

"I've 
since found the EMTs who responded and I can't thank them enough," said 
Davis. "Every time I see them I just smile and tell them I owe them. I 
can never repay it but I owe them. I love those guys. They did me a 
solid, for sure."

Davis was released from 
the hospital five days after the accident. A day later, a home-health 
nurse arrived for additional care. After asking about his pain level and
 going through some movement tests, she suggested he visit the emergency
 room for another check. 

"I credit her for keeping me healthy, 
too," Davis said. "She said I should probably go to the ER and get 
checked out again. They scanned and ended up finding several smaller 
brain bleeds. That's when I got to take a helicopter ride back to 
Wichita."

This hospital stint lasted four days. Davis wore a neck 
brace for approximately six weeks upon returning home the second time, 
and began physical therapy at Catalyst Sports Therapy and Rehab in Great
 Bend.

"That was my first time with physical therapy and I didn't 
know what to expect," he said. "That is an amazing process. I was able 
to heal up and get movement back. I'm probably stronger now than I was 
before the accident."

Davis had 
little time to notice the community response after the first hospital 
stay. It became quite evident once he was back for good.

"When I 
got back the second time, my wife started telling me about all the 
community support," he said. "I was absolutely overwhelmed. My first 
question was 'Why, why?' She said, 'Believe it or not, people like 
you.'"

Davis first noticed a railing that had been added to his 
front porch so he could get into his home. Wally Eldridge had stopped by
 to install it. When Jefferson's brother tried to pay for the services, 
Eldridge refused to accept.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655477644878.jpeg" alt="Great Bend Police Department Sgt. Jefferson Davis has returned to work after a November 2021 motorcycle crash." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend Police Department Sgt. Jefferson Davis has returned to work after a November 2021 motorcycle crash.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — November 15, 
2021, is a day Jefferson Davis will never forget. That afternoon, Davis 
and a friend were cruising the highways of northern Barton County on 
motorcycles when Davis lost control of his bike and crashed into a 
ditch. The off-duty Great Bend Police Department sergeant suffered two 
skull fractures, a broken neck, broken ribs down his entire left side, a
 broken shoulder, ruptured spleen, and bleeding in the brain.But 
this is a happy story. A month ago, in early May, Davis returned 
full-time to his job with the GBPD. He has been overwhelmed by the 
community's response after the accident."It's hard for me to put 
it into words, but it really made me appreciate and love this community 
that much more," he said. "That show of support was just amazing. It 
just inspires me to give back to my community more than I ever did."The accidentBecause
 of his injuries, Davis does not recall a whole lot about the moments 
just before and after his accident. He can remember looking down at one
 of his foot pegs because it felt wrong."I remember thinking when
 I get home, I'm going to loosen it and adjust it and get it fixed," he 
said. "I think that was my mistake. By the time I looked up we were 
coming up on a curve. I attempted to slow down so I could navigate the 
road. I got on my front brake pretty hard, which I know better, but at 
the time you don't think about that. I think I was on that front brake a
 little too hard. I went to shift the bike with my body weight to move 
it. It locked up and rolled and sent me flying."Coming around the
 curve, Davis's friend had braked. Davis was wearing amber-colored 
lenses at the time, and law enforcement has suggested that may have been
 a contributing factor in the accident. "I don't know if that's 
exactly what led to the accident, but it could very well have been a 
circumstance towards it," Davis said. "I've told people, stay away from 
the amber color. It does kind of hide the shade of brake lights and you 
don't see it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655477683275.jpeg" alt="Davis suffered several broken bones, including two skull fractures and a broken neck. He spent a total of nine days in a Wichita hospital." />
 <figcaption>Davis suffered several broken bones, including two skull fractures and a broken neck. He spent a total of nine days in a Wichita hospital.</figcaption>
 </figure>Trip to the hospital, Part IHoisington EMS was 
dispatched to the accident. Davis never lost consciousness after the 
crash, but he is forever grateful for the fast response of Hoisington's 
crew."If I was going to hat-tip anybody, Hoisington EMS did a 
great job," he said. "I was confused, I was scared, I was in a lot of 
places at that time. I recognized one of them, and she kind of reminded 
me I know her. It just brought me some feeling of security. They really 
did a good job of treating me and getting me to the hospital. They 
stayed there at the hospital while I was being diagnosed."That 
move paid off. In addition to the broken bones, a scan revealed two 
brain bleeds inside the skull. The same Hoisington EMS team was able to
 rush Davis to a hospital in Wichita. Fortunately, Davis's Traumautic 
Brain Injury rated as the least severe on a 15-point scale."I've 
since found the EMTs who responded and I can't thank them enough," said 
Davis. "Every time I see them I just smile and tell them I owe them. I 
can never repay it but I owe them. I love those guys. They did me a 
solid, for sure."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655477712370.jpeg" alt="Davis with the Hoisington EMTs who helped save his life." />
 <figcaption>Davis with the Hoisington EMTs who helped save his life.</figcaption>
 </figure>Trip to the hospital, Part IIDavis was released from 
the hospital five days after the accident. A day later, a home-health 
nurse arrived for additional care. After asking about his pain level and
 going through some movement tests, she suggested he visit the emergency
 room for another check. "I credit her for keeping me healthy, 
too," Davis said. "She said I should probably go to the ER and get 
checked out again. They scanned and ended up finding several smaller 
brain bleeds. That's when I got to take a helicopter ride back to 
Wichita."This hospital stint lasted four days. Davis wore a neck 
brace for approximately six weeks upon returning home the second time, 
and began physical therapy at Catalyst Sports Therapy and Rehab in Great
 Bend."That was my first time with physical therapy and I didn't 
know what to expect," he said. "That is an amazing process. I was able 
to heal up and get movement back. I'm probably stronger now than I was 
before the accident."A wave of supportDavis had 
little time to notice the community response after the first hospital 
stay. It became quite evident once he was back for good."When I 
got back the second time, my wife started telling me about all the 
community support," he said. "I was absolutely overwhelmed. My first 
question was 'Why, why?' She said, 'Believe it or not, people like 
you.'"Davis first noticed a railing that had been added to his 
front porch so he could get into his home. Wally Eldridge had stopped by
 to install it. When Jefferson's brother tried to pay for the services, 
Eldridge refused to accept.The Brothers in Blue Motorcycle Club 
held a fundraiser and requested an appearance from Davis. He was only 
able to make a quick stop but it made a huge impact on his recovery as 
he received encouragement from friends and strangers."It was a 
little overwhelming to me," he said. "It inspired me to get better. I 
told myself when I get better, I'm going to give everything I have and 
more to the community. When I needed help, it was there."Many in 
the community lent a hand. The local Fraternal Order of Police, American
 Legion, and Great Bend Fire Department Social and Charity Fund all 
helped with moral and financial support. Back on the bikeLife
 is slowly returning to normal for Davis. Given his injuries, he was 
unsure about the future of his position with the GBPD. A police officer 
since 2003, Davis's dreams of returning full-time came to fruition in 
May. And then there are motorcycles. Davis owned two motorcycles 
at the time of the crash. His riding days are not as long as they used 
to be, but he's back on the bike."I investigate accidents," he 
said. "Looking at my own accident and understanding it better afterward,
 I realize there was a very strong possibility I could have been a 
fatality. But I was given a second chance. I debated about riding again 
and, at the end of the day, I'm still me. I still love motorcycles. I've
 always enjoyed riding and, in my case, fixing motorcycles. I still 
wanted to be myself."Davis was not wearing a helmet at the time of his accident. That's a mistake he's vowed to never make again."I
 promised my wife I'd wear a helmet," he said. "I've owned a helmet and 
used to wear it before the accident hit or miss. I wear it every time 
now. I realize how much a helmet can help when we're talking potential 
accidents and potential injury. If I could go back in time, on Nov. 15, I
 really wish I'd had my helmet. That would have prevented a lot of the 
brain injuries. We learn lessons in life, and I guess that was one I had
 to learn the hard way."