SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an off duty officer in connection with an alleged domestic incident.

Just after 2:00 a.m. Monday, deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 1900 block of SE 37th St. at the request of Topeka Police Department personnel, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Upon arrival, two adult males were detained, while deputies investigated a possible physical altercation.

As a result of the investigation, off-duty Topeka Police Officer, Jordan D. Sterbenz, 32 of Topeka, was arrested for domestic battery.

Justin D. Sterbenz, 35 of Topeka, was arrested for an outstanding failure to appear warrant.&nbsp; Both were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and later released on bond.

Jordan Sterbenz has been placed on administrative leave pending the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office review of all reports. The Topeka Police Department is conducting its internal administrative review of the incident.&nbsp; The police department released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649107097730.png" alt="Officer Jordan Sterbenz" />
 <figcaption>Officer Jordan Sterbenz</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an off duty officer in connection with an alleged domestic incident.Just after 2:00 a.m. Monday, deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 1900 block of SE 37th St. at the request of Topeka Police Department personnel, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.Upon arrival, two adult males were detained, while deputies investigated a possible physical altercation.As a result of the investigation, off-duty Topeka Police Officer, Jordan D. Sterbenz, 32 of Topeka, was arrested for domestic battery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649107426447.png" alt="Justin Sterbenz" />
 <figcaption>Justin Sterbenz</figcaption>
 </figure>Justin D. Sterbenz, 35 of Topeka, was arrested for an outstanding failure to appear warrant.&nbsp; Both were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and later released on bond.Jordan Sterbenz has been placed on administrative leave pending the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office review of all reports. The Topeka Police Department is conducting its internal administrative review of the incident.&nbsp; The police department released no additional details.

2 jailed including Kan. police officer for alleged domestic incident

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the military from disciplining a dozen U.S. Air Force officers who are asking for religious exemptions to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine.

The officers, mostly from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton,&nbsp;Ohio, along with a handful of airmen and reservists, filed a lawsuit in February after their exemption requests were denied.

U.S. District Court Judge Matthew McFarland in Cincinnati granted a preliminary injunction last Thursday that stops the Air Force from acting against the officers, airmen and reservists until their lawsuit is resolved.

The plaintiffs accuse the Air Force of using a double standard when it comes to approving exemption requests, saying it had allowed thousands of medical and administrative exemptions but only a handful for religious reasons.

Last week, a federal judge in&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;barred the Navy from taking action for now against sailors who have objected to being vaccinated on religious grounds.

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor had, in January, issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Navy from disciplining or discharging 35 sailors who sued over the Navy’s vaccine policy while their case played out. A week ago, O’Connor agreed the case could go forward as a class action lawsuit and issued a preliminary injunction covering about 4,000 sailors who have objected on religious grounds to being vaccinated.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last year made vaccinations mandatory for service members, saying the vaccine is critical to maintaining military readiness and the health of the force. But members of Congress, the military and the public have questioned if the exemption reviews have been fair.

Those who refuse the vaccine can face discipline up to being discharged from the service.

The officers who filed the lawsuit in Ohio said they had followed their chain of command and each had talked with an Air Force chaplain to determine the sincerity of their beliefs.

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the military from disciplining a dozen U.S. Air Force officers who are asking for religious exemptions to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine.The officers, mostly from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton,&nbsp;Ohio, along with a handful of airmen and reservists, filed a lawsuit in February after their exemption requests were denied.U.S. District Court Judge Matthew McFarland in Cincinnati granted a preliminary injunction last Thursday that stops the Air Force from acting against the officers, airmen and reservists until their lawsuit is resolved.The plaintiffs accuse the Air Force of using a double standard when it comes to approving exemption requests, saying it had allowed thousands of medical and administrative exemptions but only a handful for religious reasons.Last week, a federal judge in&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;barred the Navy from taking action for now against sailors who have objected to being vaccinated on religious grounds.U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor had, in January, issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Navy from disciplining or discharging 35 sailors who sued over the Navy’s vaccine policy while their case played out. A week ago, O’Connor agreed the case could go forward as a class action lawsuit and issued a preliminary injunction covering about 4,000 sailors who have objected on religious grounds to being vaccinated.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last year made vaccinations mandatory for service members, saying the vaccine is critical to maintaining military readiness and the health of the force. But members of Congress, the military and the public have questioned if the exemption reviews have been fair.Those who refuse the vaccine can face discipline up to being discharged from the service.The officers who filed the lawsuit in Ohio said they had followed their chain of command and each had talked with an Air Force chaplain to determine the sincerity of their beliefs.

Judge blocks Air Force discipline over vaccine objections

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man involved in a fatal 2019 car crash made a court appearance in the case Friday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20048806">Jerry Batts, 30, Wichita, </a>was charged with 2nd degree murder or in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November of 2019, Batts was driving a Ford Escape and did not stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection of North Charles Street and&nbsp;West 53rd Street in Wichita, according to Wichita Police.

The Ford struck a Honda passenger vehicle, rolled and struck power pole.

A passenger in the Ford identified as 28-year-old Sierra Frost of Wichita died in the crash, according to police. Batts and the 72-year-old driver of the Honda were not injured.

Batts next court appearance is scheduled for April 11, according to the District Attorney's office. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20048806">He remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.</a>

Cases can be charged alternatively if there are two or more theories of how the crime was committed. Each charge can be presented to a jury and a defendant may be convicted of more than one of the alternative charges.  However, the defendant can only be sentenced for one of the alternative counts, that being the most severe offense, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648843964955.png" alt="Batts-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Batts-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man involved in a fatal 2019 car crash made a court appearance in the case Friday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20048806">Jerry Batts, 30, Wichita, </a>was charged with 2nd degree murder or in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In November of 2019, Batts was driving a Ford Escape and did not stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection of North Charles Street and&nbsp;West 53rd Street in Wichita, according to Wichita Police.The Ford struck a Honda passenger vehicle, rolled and struck power pole.A passenger in the Ford identified as 28-year-old Sierra Frost of Wichita died in the crash, according to police. Batts and the 72-year-old driver of the Honda were not injured.Batts next court appearance is scheduled for April 11, according to the District Attorney's office. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20048806">He remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.</a>Cases can be charged alternatively if there are two or more theories of how the crime was committed. Each charge can be presented to a jury and a defendant may be convicted of more than one of the alternative charges. However, the defendant can only be sentenced for one of the alternative counts, that being the most severe offense, according to the district attorney's office.

Man charged for 2019 crash that killed Kansas woman

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the murder of a Kansas City man are asking the public for help to identify a vehicle they believe was involved.

The Kansas City Police department shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1511026178081140739?s=20&amp;t=d3-x4I0FzRNLzEeh2nMMPg" target="_blank">surveillance video from a Ring doorbell camera</a>&nbsp;recorded on January 15.

Homicide detectives believe the light colored SUV shown in the street in this video is involved in the murder of 45-year-old Maurice Ball&nbsp; near 78th St and Hickman Mills Drive.

It may be damaged in the front and/or have limited functionality. 
If you recognize this SUV or know who the occupants are please call detectives or @KCCrimeStop 816-474-TIPS a reward of $25,000 is available

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649100590045.png" alt="Image courtesy KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the murder of a Kansas City man are asking the public for help to identify a vehicle they believe was involved.The Kansas City Police department shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1511026178081140739?s=20&amp;t=d3-x4I0FzRNLzEeh2nMMPg" target="_blank">surveillance video from a Ring doorbell camera</a>&nbsp;recorded on January 15.Homicide detectives believe the light colored SUV shown in the street in this video is involved in the murder of 45-year-old Maurice Ball&nbsp; near 78th St and Hickman Mills Drive.It may be damaged in the front and/or have limited functionality. 
If you recognize this SUV or know who the occupants are please call detectives or @KCCrimeStop 816-474-TIPS a reward of $25,000 is available

KCPD: Video shows SUV believed involved in fatal shooting

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a drug bust at a home in Great Bend.

Just after 2p.m. April 1, members of the Great Bend Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at a residence located at 2107 30th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.

During a search of the residence, investigators located methamphetamine, marijuana and items of illegal drug paraphernalia.

Jennifer Wilson, age 44, was located at the residence and placed under arrest without incident on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649106605623.jpeg" alt="photo Great Bend Police" />
 <figcaption>photo Great Bend Police</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a drug bust at a home in Great Bend.Just after 2p.m. April 1, members of the Great Bend Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at a residence located at 2107 30th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.During a search of the residence, investigators located methamphetamine, marijuana and items of illegal drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649106639351.jpeg" alt="Jennifer Wilson photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Jennifer Wilson photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Jennifer Wilson, age 44, was located at the residence and placed under arrest without incident on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.

Police: Kan. woman was selling meth, marijuana from home

BUCHA, Ukraine (AP) — Moscow faced a new wave of revulsion and accusations of war crimes Monday after the Russian pullout from the outskirts of Kyiv revealed streets&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">strewn with corpses</a>&nbsp;of what appeared to be civilians, some of whom had seemingly been killed deliberately at close range.

The images of battered bodies out in the open or in hastily dug graves also led to calls for tougher economic sanctions against the Kremlin, namely a cutoff of fuel imports from Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the capital, Kyiv, for his first reported trip since the war began nearly six weeks ago to see for himself what he called the “genocide” and “war crimes” in the town of Bucha, the site of some of the horrors.

“Dead people have been found in barrels, basements, strangled, tortured,” said Zelenskyy, who again called on Russia to move quickly to negotiate an agreement to end to the war.

European leaders and the United Nations human rights chief condemned the bloodshed, some of them also branding it genocide, and U.S. President Joe Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin should face a war crimes trial.

“This guy is brutal, and what’s happening in Bucha is outrageous,” said Biden, who also promised to increase sanctions against Moscow.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the scenes outside Kyiv as a “stage-managed anti-Russian provocation.” The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected allegations of atrocities as fakery on Ukraine’s part.

Lavrov said the mayor of Bucha made no mention of atrocities a day after Russian troops left last week, but two days later scores of bodies were photographed scattered in the streets.

Ukrainian officials said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-europe-evacuations-665fd06b92852547d7b27627b99509a6">bodies of 410 civilians&nbsp;</a>were found in towns around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces in recent days.

In Bucha, northwest of the capital, Associated Press journalists saw 21 bodies, including a group of nine in civilian clothes who appeared to have been shot at close range. At least two had their hands tied behind their backs. A bag of groceries were spilled by one of the dead.

The full extent of the bloodshed in the Kyiv area has yet to emerge, but by all accounts the horrors in the shattered southern port city of Mariupol are likely to be even worse.

“This is a war of murders, a lot of blood. A lot of civilians are dying,” said Natalia Svitlova, a refugee from Dnipro in eastern Ukraine who fled to Poland. “I don’t understand why this is possible in the 21st century and why no one can stop it.”

Moscow continued to press its offensive in eastern Ukraine, where little news has made it to the outside world since the war began Feb. 24. Russia, in pulling back from the capital, has said its main focus is gaining control the Donbas, the largely Russian-speaking industrial region in the country’s east that includes Mariupol.

European allies, though united in outrage over the aftermath outside Kyiv, appeared split on how to respond.

Poland, which is on Ukraine’s border and has taken in large numbers of refugees, angrily singled out France and Germany for not taking tougher action and urged Europe to quickly wean itself off Russian energy. But Germany said it would stick with a more gradual approach of phasing out coal and oil imports over the next several months.

Western and Ukrainian leaders have accused Russia of war crimes before, and the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-genocides-crime-war-crimes-europe-499d7b6a9e955f659284b2edc6f1c508">has opened an investigation.&nbsp;</a>But the latest reports ratcheted up the condemnation.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said “the Russian authorities are responsible for these atrocities, committed while they had effective control of the area.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said there is “clear evidence of war crimes” in Bucha that demand new measures. “I’m in favor of a new round of sanctions and in particular on coal and gasoline. We need to act,” he said on France-Inter radio.

But Poland’s prime minister, who described Russia under Putin as a “totalitarian-fascist state,” called for actions “that will finally break Putin’s war machine.”

“President Macron, how many times have you negotiated with Putin? What have you achieved? ... Would you negotiate with Hitler, with Stalin, with Pol Pot?” Mateusz Morawiecki asked.

The U.S. and its allies have sought to punish Russia for the invasion by imposing sweeping economic sanctions. But they may be reluctant to impose measures that cause further harm to a global economy still recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

Europe is in a particular bind, since it gets 40% of its gas and 25% of its oil from Russia.

Putin’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-entertainment-business-fumio-kishida-4977ac7797317890b220e85ee0af92b6">Feb. 24 invasion&nbsp;</a>has left thousands of people dead and forced more than 4 million Ukrainians to flee their country.

Putin has said the attack is aimed at eliminating a security threat and has demanded that Ukraine drop its bid to join NATO. Ukraine insists it never posed any threat but has offered to officially declare itself neutral.

While Western officials initially said they believed Putin’s goal was to take Kyiv and install a Kremlin-friendly government, Russian forces faced stiff resistance outside the capital and on other fronts, and have now retreated from some areas.

Britain’s Defense Ministry said Russia continues to flood soldiers and mercenaries from the Wagner military group into the Donbas. It said Russian troops are still trying to take Mariupol, which has seen weeks of heavy fighting and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-mariupol-descends-into-despair-708cb8f4a171ce3f1c1b0b8d090e38e3">some of the worst suffering</a>&nbsp;of the war.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday called for a war crimes trial against Russia President Vladimir Putin and said he’d seek more sanctions after reported atrocities in Ukraine.

“You saw what happened in Bucha,” Biden said. He added that Putin “is a war criminal.”

Biden’s comments to reporters came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-business-moscow-3a40c029638ffddb289ceba89462c1aa">Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bucha,</a>&nbsp;one of the towns surrounding Kyiv where Ukrainian officials say the bodies of civilians have been found. Zelenskyy called the Russian actions “genocide” and called for the West to apply tougher sanctions against Russia.

Biden, however, stopped short of calling the actions genocide.

The bodies of 410 civilians have been removed from Kyiv-area towns that were recently retaken from Russian forces, Ukraine’s prosecutor-general, Iryna Venediktova, said. Associated Press journalists saw the bodies of at least 21 people in various spots around Bucha, northwest of the capital.

“We have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue the fight. And we have to gather all the detail so this can be an actual -- have a war crimes trial,” Biden said.

Biden lashed out at Putin as “brutal.”

“What’s happening in Bucha is outrageous and everyone sees it,” Biden added.

White House officials said talks about ramping up new sanctions against Russia intensified after reports of alleged atrocities emerged. Biden said Monday that he would continue to add sanctions but did not detail what sectors the U.S. may target next.

After unveiling an avalanche of sanctions in the first weeks of the war, administration officials in recent days have put more focus on closing loopholes that Russia might try to use to avoid sanctions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, tweeted Monday that he European Union will send investigators to Ukraine to help the local prosecutor general “document war crimes.”

A Russian law enforcement agency says it has launched its own investigation into allegations that Ukrainian civilians were massacred in suburbs of Kyiv that were held by Russian troops, focusing on what it calls “false information” about Russian forces.

The Investigative Committee claims Ukrainian authorities made the allegations “with the aim of discrediting Russian troops” and that those involved should be investigated over possible breaches of a new Russian law banning what the government deems to be false information about its forces.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649084165553.png" alt="“This guy is brutal, and what’s happening in Bucha is outrageous,” said President Biden, who also promised to increase sanctions against Moscow-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“This guy is brutal, and what’s happening in Bucha is outrageous,” said President Biden, who also promised to increase sanctions against Moscow-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BUCHA, Ukraine (AP) — Moscow faced a new wave of revulsion and accusations of war crimes Monday after the Russian pullout from the outskirts of Kyiv revealed streets&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">strewn with corpses</a>&nbsp;of what appeared to be civilians, some of whom had seemingly been killed deliberately at close range.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on Putin: &quot;He is a war criminal, but we have gather the information...We have to gather all the detail so this can be an actual have a war crime trial. This guy is brutal. What&#39;s happening in Bucha is outrageous.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/SnlJdHgOT7">pic.twitter.com/SnlJdHgOT7</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1510993467299799051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The images of battered bodies out in the open or in hastily dug graves also led to calls for tougher economic sanctions against the Kremlin, namely a cutoff of fuel imports from Russia.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the capital, Kyiv, for his first reported trip since the war began nearly six weeks ago to see for himself what he called the “genocide” and “war crimes” in the town of Bucha, the site of some of the horrors.“Dead people have been found in barrels, basements, strangled, tortured,” said Zelenskyy, who again called on Russia to move quickly to negotiate an agreement to end to the war.European leaders and the United Nations human rights chief condemned the bloodshed, some of them also branding it genocide, and U.S. President Joe Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin should face a war crimes trial.“This guy is brutal, and what’s happening in Bucha is outrageous,” said Biden, who also promised to increase sanctions against Moscow.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the scenes outside Kyiv as a “stage-managed anti-Russian provocation.” The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected allegations of atrocities as fakery on Ukraine’s part.Lavrov said the mayor of Bucha made no mention of atrocities a day after Russian troops left last week, but two days later scores of bodies were photographed scattered in the streets.Ukrainian officials said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-europe-evacuations-665fd06b92852547d7b27627b99509a6">bodies of 410 civilians&nbsp;</a>were found in towns around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces in recent days.In Bucha, northwest of the capital, Associated Press journalists saw 21 bodies, including a group of nine in civilian clothes who appeared to have been shot at close range. At least two had their hands tied behind their backs. A bag of groceries were spilled by one of the dead.The full extent of the bloodshed in the Kyiv area has yet to emerge, but by all accounts the horrors in the shattered southern port city of Mariupol are likely to be even worse.“This is a war of murders, a lot of blood. A lot of civilians are dying,” said Natalia Svitlova, a refugee from Dnipro in eastern Ukraine who fled to Poland. “I don’t understand why this is possible in the 21st century and why no one can stop it.”Moscow continued to press its offensive in eastern Ukraine, where little news has made it to the outside world since the war began Feb. 24. Russia, in pulling back from the capital, has said its main focus is gaining control the Donbas, the largely Russian-speaking industrial region in the country’s east that includes Mariupol.European allies, though united in outrage over the aftermath outside Kyiv, appeared split on how to respond.Poland, which is on Ukraine’s border and has taken in large numbers of refugees, angrily singled out France and Germany for not taking tougher action and urged Europe to quickly wean itself off Russian energy. But Germany said it would stick with a more gradual approach of phasing out coal and oil imports over the next several months.Western and Ukrainian leaders have accused Russia of war crimes before, and the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-genocides-crime-war-crimes-europe-499d7b6a9e955f659284b2edc6f1c508">has opened an investigation.&nbsp;</a>But the latest reports ratcheted up the condemnation.European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said “the Russian authorities are responsible for these atrocities, committed while they had effective control of the area.”French President Emmanuel Macron said there is “clear evidence of war crimes” in Bucha that demand new measures. “I’m in favor of a new round of sanctions and in particular on coal and gasoline. We need to act,” he said on France-Inter radio.But Poland’s prime minister, who described Russia under Putin as a “totalitarian-fascist state,” called for actions “that will finally break Putin’s war machine.”“President Macron, how many times have you negotiated with Putin? What have you achieved? ... Would you negotiate with Hitler, with Stalin, with Pol Pot?” Mateusz Morawiecki asked.The U.S. and its allies have sought to punish Russia for the invasion by imposing sweeping economic sanctions. But they may be reluctant to impose measures that cause further harm to a global economy still recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.Europe is in a particular bind, since it gets 40% of its gas and 25% of its oil from Russia.Putin’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-entertainment-business-fumio-kishida-4977ac7797317890b220e85ee0af92b6">Feb. 24 invasion&nbsp;</a>has left thousands of people dead and forced more than 4 million Ukrainians to flee their country.Putin has said the attack is aimed at eliminating a security threat and has demanded that Ukraine drop its bid to join NATO. Ukraine insists it never posed any threat but has offered to officially declare itself neutral.While Western officials initially said they believed Putin’s goal was to take Kyiv and install a Kremlin-friendly government, Russian forces faced stiff resistance outside the capital and on other fronts, and have now retreated from some areas.Britain’s Defense Ministry said Russia continues to flood soldiers and mercenaries from the Wagner military group into the Donbas. It said Russian troops are still trying to take Mariupol, which has seen weeks of heavy fighting and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-mariupol-descends-into-despair-708cb8f4a171ce3f1c1b0b8d090e38e3">some of the worst suffering</a>&nbsp;of the war.___WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday called for a war crimes trial against Russia President Vladimir Putin and said he’d seek more sanctions after reported atrocities in Ukraine.“You saw what happened in Bucha,” Biden said. He added that Putin “is a war criminal.”Biden’s comments to reporters came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-business-moscow-3a40c029638ffddb289ceba89462c1aa">Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bucha,</a>&nbsp;one of the towns surrounding Kyiv where Ukrainian officials say the bodies of civilians have been found. Zelenskyy called the Russian actions “genocide” and called for the West to apply tougher sanctions against Russia.Biden, however, stopped short of calling the actions genocide.The bodies of 410 civilians have been removed from Kyiv-area towns that were recently retaken from Russian forces, Ukraine’s prosecutor-general, Iryna Venediktova, said. Associated Press journalists saw the bodies of at least 21 people in various spots around Bucha, northwest of the capital.“We have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue the fight. And we have to gather all the detail so this can be an actual -- have a war crimes trial,” Biden said.Biden lashed out at Putin as “brutal.”“What’s happening in Bucha is outrageous and everyone sees it,” Biden added.White House officials said talks about ramping up new sanctions against Russia intensified after reports of alleged atrocities emerged. Biden said Monday that he would continue to add sanctions but did not detail what sectors the U.S. may target next.After unveiling an avalanche of sanctions in the first weeks of the war, administration officials in recent days have put more focus on closing loopholes that Russia might try to use to avoid sanctions.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, tweeted Monday that he European Union will send investigators to Ukraine to help the local prosecutor general “document war crimes.”A Russian law enforcement agency says it has launched its own investigation into allegations that Ukrainian civilians were massacred in suburbs of Kyiv that were held by Russian troops, focusing on what it calls “false information” about Russian forces.The Investigative Committee claims Ukrainian authorities made the allegations “with the aim of discrediting Russian troops” and that those involved should be investigated over possible breaches of a new Russian law banning what the government deems to be false information about its forces.

🎥Biden calls for Putin to face war crimes trial for shocking atrocities

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) provided additional  preliminary findings in connection to the officer-involved shooting that occurred during a hostage incident on Saturday, March 26 in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

<a href="https://www.knellmortuary.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=24441888">Taylor Shutte, 27,</a> was killed just outside of the camping trailer after she was struck by multiple gunshots fired by Eli Crawford, according to a media release from the KBI.

It is believed that Eli Crawford, 37, died of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The investigation indicates that 2-year-old <a href="https://www.knellmortuary.com/obituaries/Clesslynn-Jane-Crawford?obId=24442028#/celebrationWall">Clesslynn Crawford died</a> as a result of the single round fired by an officer from the Joplin Police Department.

The investigation is ongoing. We ask the public for patience as KBI agents finish their work. The incident is being thoroughly and independently investigated. Once it concludes, the findings will be presented to the Cherokee County Attorney.

CHEROKEE COUNTY&nbsp;–The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred during a barricade and hostage incident in Baxter Springs, according to a media release.

Just after 7p.m.  Saturday, officers from the Baxter Springs Police Department responded after a woman called 911 requesting help at 340 Wyandotte Ave. in Baxter Springs due to an ongoing domestic disturbance.

When responding officers arrived, they knocked on the door of the residence, which was a pull behind camping trailer. Eli Crawford, 37, of Baxter Springs, answered the door but after seeing it was police, slammed it back shut. The subjects’ daughter, 2-year-old Clesslynn J. Crawford, then reopened the door and Taylor D. Shutte, 27, of Webb City, Missouri, ran outside. Crawford then stepped out and shot and killed Shutte. He also began shooting at the four responding officers.

The officers retreated to a safe distance without returning fire. Gunfire from Crawford continued. Additional law enforcement support arrived from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Joplin Police Department’s S.W.A.T. Team. The KBI and the Kansas Highway Patrol also responded.

During the incident Crawford is believed to have used several guns to fire over 90 rounds from the trailer at responding law enforcement officers. At approximately 9:25 p.m., a law enforcement officer fired one round into the camping trailer.

Officers approached the residence and located Eli Crawford deceased inside from a gunshot wound. Shutte and Clesslynn Crawford were also discovered deceased from fatal gunshot wounds. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649093710680.png" alt="Taylor Shutte-photo courtesy Knell mortuary" />
 <figcaption>Taylor Shutte-photo courtesy Knell mortuary</figcaption>
 </figure>CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) provided additional preliminary findings in connection to the officer-involved shooting that occurred during a hostage incident on Saturday, March 26 in Baxter Springs, Kansas.<a href="https://www.knellmortuary.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=24441888">Taylor Shutte, 27,</a> was killed just outside of the camping trailer after she was struck by multiple gunshots fired by Eli Crawford, according to a media release from the KBI.It is believed that Eli Crawford, 37, died of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649093822546.png" alt="Clesslynn Crawford-photo Knell mortuary&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Clesslynn Crawford-photo Knell mortuary&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation indicates that 2-year-old <a href="https://www.knellmortuary.com/obituaries/Clesslynn-Jane-Crawford?obId=24442028#/celebrationWall">Clesslynn Crawford died</a> as a result of the single round fired by an officer from the Joplin Police Department.The investigation is ongoing. We ask the public for patience as KBI agents finish their work. The incident is being thoroughly and independently investigated. Once it concludes, the findings will be presented to the Cherokee County Attorney.---------CHEROKEE COUNTY&nbsp;–The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred during a barricade and hostage incident in Baxter Springs, according to a media release.Just after 7p.m. Saturday, officers from the Baxter Springs Police Department responded after a woman called 911 requesting help at 340 Wyandotte Ave. in Baxter Springs due to an ongoing domestic disturbance.When responding officers arrived, they knocked on the door of the residence, which was a pull behind camping trailer. Eli Crawford, 37, of Baxter Springs, answered the door but after seeing it was police, slammed it back shut. The subjects’ daughter, 2-year-old Clesslynn J. Crawford, then reopened the door and Taylor D. Shutte, 27, of Webb City, Missouri, ran outside. Crawford then stepped out and shot and killed Shutte. He also began shooting at the four responding officers.The officers retreated to a safe distance without returning fire. Gunfire from Crawford continued. Additional law enforcement support arrived from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Joplin Police Department’s S.W.A.T. Team. The KBI and the Kansas Highway Patrol also responded.During the incident Crawford is believed to have used several guns to fire over 90 rounds from the trailer at responding law enforcement officers. At approximately 9:25 p.m., a law enforcement officer fired one round into the camping trailer.Officers approached the residence and located Eli Crawford deceased inside from a gunshot wound. Shutte and Clesslynn Crawford were also discovered deceased from fatal gunshot wounds. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

KBI: Shot from officer killed 2-year-old during hostage incident

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary that occurred at Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, 800 Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The crime occurred on Friday night. Cash and coins were taken.

Police released no additional details early Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649101818516.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary that occurred at Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, 800 Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The crime occurred on Friday night. Cash and coins were taken.Police released no additional details early Monday.

Police investigate burglary at Kansas funeral home

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers have moved to the brink of shaking hands on a scaled-back bipartisan compromise providing a fresh $10 billion to combat COVID-19, a deal that could set up final congressional approval this week.

The price tag was down from an earlier $15.6 billion agreement between the two parties that collapsed weeks ago after House Democrats rejected cutting unused pandemic aid to states to help pay for it. President Joe Biden requested $22.5 billion in early March. With leaders hoping to move the package through Congress quickly, the lowered cost seemed to reflect both parties’ calculations that agreeing soon to additional savings would be too hard.

The effort, which would finance steps like vaccines, treatments and tests, comes as&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;and other Democrats have&nbsp;warned the government is running out of money&nbsp;to counter the pandemic. At the same time, the more transmissible omicron variant BA.2 has been spreading quickly in the U.S. and abroad.

“We’ve reached an agreement in principle on all the spending and all of the offsets,” Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the lead Republican bargainer, told reporters Thursday, using Washington-speak for savings. “It’s entirely balanced by offsets.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and others were more circumspect.

“We are getting close to a final agreement that would garner bipartisan support,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. He said lawmakers were still finalizing the bill’s components and language, and awaiting a cost estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the Senate health committee and another bargainer, said, “I’m hoping,” when asked about Romney’s assessment.

Once clinched, an agreement would represent a semblance of bipartisan cooperation in battling the pandemic that dissolved a year ago, when a far larger, $1.9 trillion measure proposed by the new president cleared Congress with only Democratic votes. That bill was laden with spending to help struggling families, businesses and communities, while this one would be aimed exclusively at public health.

Many Republicans have been willing to go along with the new expenditures but have insisted on paying for them with unspent funds from previous bills Congress has enacted to address the pandemic.

Half the new measure’s $10 billion would be used for treatments, said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who has helped negotiate the agreement. He said top federal health officials would be given wide discretion on spending the rest of it but it would include research and other steps for battling the disease, which has killed around 975,000 Americans and millions across the world.

Romney and others said savings the two parties had agreed to for the new bill would not include the cuts in state assistance that House Democrats opposed. He said some unused funds would be culled from another pandemic program that gives state and local governments funds for grants to local businesses.

Blunt said both sides had also agreed to savings that include pulling back an unspent $2.2 billion for aiding entertainment venues closed during the pandemic and more than $2 billion still available for assisting aviation manufacturing.

Romney said the $10 billion might include $1 billion for vaccines, treatments and other support for countries overseas. Blunt said that figure seemed unresolved. One third of the earlier, $15.6 billion measure had been slated to go abroad.

The lowered figure for assisting other countries encountered opposition in the House, where some Democrats wanted to boost the figure. Epidemiologists have cited the need to vaccinate more people around the world and reduce the virus’ opportunities for spinning off new variants.

“It’s a problem,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters. “It’s a shame.”

Kate Bedingfield, White House communications director, said officials were “very hopeful” an agreement would be reached and prodded lawmakers to include funds to help other countries cope with the disease.

“We’re not going to be able to put this pandemic behind us until we stop the spread and proliferation of new variants globally,” Bedingfield said.

Leaders hope Congress can approve the legislation before lawmakers leave for a spring recess after next week.

Republicans have leverage in the Democratic-controlled, 50-50 Senate because 60 votes are needed to pass most major bills. Romney and Blunt both said they believed a finalized package they described would attract significantly more than the 10 GOP votes needed.

Since the pandemic began, Congress has approved more than $5 trillion to address the economic and health crises it produced. Only a small fraction of that has been for public health programs like vaccines.

In an interview earlier Thursday with Punchbowl News, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the measure’s price tag seemed to have fallen to $10 billion because Democrats weren’t agreeing to additional savings.

Minutes later, Schumer took to the Senate floor and mentioned no figures but suggested its size could fall.

“I’m pleading with my Republican colleagues, join us,” Schumer said. “We want more than you do, but we have to get something done. We have to get something done.”

Asked if he thought an agreement could be reached before lawmakers’ recess, McConnell said, “We’ll see. Hope so.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646882872135.png" alt="The lowered figure for assisting other countries encountered opposition in the House, where some Democrats wanted to boost the figure.&nbsp;“It’s a problem,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters. “It’s a shame.”" />
 <figcaption>The lowered figure for assisting other countries encountered opposition in the House, where some Democrats wanted to boost the figure.&nbsp;“It’s a problem,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters. “It’s a shame.”</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers have moved to the brink of shaking hands on a scaled-back bipartisan compromise providing a fresh $10 billion to combat COVID-19, a deal that could set up final congressional approval this week.The price tag was down from an earlier $15.6 billion agreement between the two parties that collapsed weeks ago after House Democrats rejected cutting unused pandemic aid to states to help pay for it. President Joe Biden requested $22.5 billion in early March. With leaders hoping to move the package through Congress quickly, the lowered cost seemed to reflect both parties’ calculations that agreeing soon to additional savings would be too hard.The effort, which would finance steps like vaccines, treatments and tests, comes as&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;and other Democrats have&nbsp;warned the government is running out of money&nbsp;to counter the pandemic. At the same time, the more transmissible omicron variant BA.2 has been spreading quickly in the U.S. and abroad.“We’ve reached an agreement in principle on all the spending and all of the offsets,” Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the lead Republican bargainer, told reporters Thursday, using Washington-speak for savings. “It’s entirely balanced by offsets.”Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and others were more circumspect.“We are getting close to a final agreement that would garner bipartisan support,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. He said lawmakers were still finalizing the bill’s components and language, and awaiting a cost estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the Senate health committee and another bargainer, said, “I’m hoping,” when asked about Romney’s assessment.Once clinched, an agreement would represent a semblance of bipartisan cooperation in battling the pandemic that dissolved a year ago, when a far larger, $1.9 trillion measure proposed by the new president cleared Congress with only Democratic votes. That bill was laden with spending to help struggling families, businesses and communities, while this one would be aimed exclusively at public health.Many Republicans have been willing to go along with the new expenditures but have insisted on paying for them with unspent funds from previous bills Congress has enacted to address the pandemic.Half the new measure’s $10 billion would be used for treatments, said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who has helped negotiate the agreement. He said top federal health officials would be given wide discretion on spending the rest of it but it would include research and other steps for battling the disease, which has killed around 975,000 Americans and millions across the world.Romney and others said savings the two parties had agreed to for the new bill would not include the cuts in state assistance that House Democrats opposed. He said some unused funds would be culled from another pandemic program that gives state and local governments funds for grants to local businesses.Blunt said both sides had also agreed to savings that include pulling back an unspent $2.2 billion for aiding entertainment venues closed during the pandemic and more than $2 billion still available for assisting aviation manufacturing.Romney said the $10 billion might include $1 billion for vaccines, treatments and other support for countries overseas. Blunt said that figure seemed unresolved. One third of the earlier, $15.6 billion measure had been slated to go abroad.The lowered figure for assisting other countries encountered opposition in the House, where some Democrats wanted to boost the figure. Epidemiologists have cited the need to vaccinate more people around the world and reduce the virus’ opportunities for spinning off new variants.“It’s a problem,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters. “It’s a shame.”Kate Bedingfield, White House communications director, said officials were “very hopeful” an agreement would be reached and prodded lawmakers to include funds to help other countries cope with the disease.“We’re not going to be able to put this pandemic behind us until we stop the spread and proliferation of new variants globally,” Bedingfield said.Leaders hope Congress can approve the legislation before lawmakers leave for a spring recess after next week.Republicans have leverage in the Democratic-controlled, 50-50 Senate because 60 votes are needed to pass most major bills. Romney and Blunt both said they believed a finalized package they described would attract significantly more than the 10 GOP votes needed.Since the pandemic began, Congress has approved more than $5 trillion to address the economic and health crises it produced. Only a small fraction of that has been for public health programs like vaccines.In an interview earlier Thursday with Punchbowl News, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the measure’s price tag seemed to have fallen to $10 billion because Democrats weren’t agreeing to additional savings.Minutes later, Schumer took to the Senate floor and mentioned no figures but suggested its size could fall.“I’m pleading with my Republican colleagues, join us,” Schumer said. “We want more than you do, but we have to get something done. We have to get something done.”Asked if he thought an agreement could be reached before lawmakers’ recess, McConnell said, “We’ll see. Hope so.”

Bipartisan deal near on another $10B to fight COVID 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee has deadlocked on whether to send Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor. But President Joe Biden’s nominee is still on track to be confirmed this week as the first Black woman on the high court. 

The committee’s tie vote Monday was expected. But it was still a blow to Democrats who had hoped for a bipartisan process and the first time the committee has deadlocked on a Supreme Court nomination in three decades. Democrats are aiming to confirm her by the end of the week as the first Black woman on the court.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are launching a whirlwind of votes and Senate floor action Monday with the goal of confirming&nbsp;Ketanji Brown Jackson&nbsp;as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court by the end of the week.

The Senate Judiciary Committee kicks off Monday morning with a vote on whether to move Jackson’s nomination to the Senate floor. Democrats will then wind the nomination through the 50-50 Senate, with a final vote in sight for President Joe Biden’s pick to replace retiring Justice&nbsp;Stephen Breyer.

After more than 30 hours of hearings and interrogation from Republicans over her record, Jackson is&nbsp;on the brink&nbsp;of making history as the third Black justice and only the sixth woman in the court’s more than 200-year history. Democrats — and at least one Republican — cite her deep experience in her nine years on the federal bench and the chance for her to become the first former public defender on the court.

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Thursday that the high regard for Jackson after a combative four days of hearings is “evidence of the strength that she brings to this nomination and the value that she will bring to the Supreme Court.”

The committee could deadlock on Monday’s vote, 11-11, meaning Democrats will have to spend additional hours on the Senate floor to “discharge” her nomination from committee. While it won’t delay the process for long, it’s another blow for Democrats who had hoped to confirm Jackson with bipartisan support.

A deadlocked vote would be “a truly unfortunate signal of the continued descent into dysfunction of our confirmation process,” said Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat on the committee.

The committee hasn’t deadlocked on a nomination since 1991, when a motion to send the nomination of current Justice Clarence Thomas to the floor with a “favorable” recommendation failed on a 7-7 vote. The committee then voted to send the nomination to the floor without a recommendation, meaning it could still be brought up for a vote.

Either way, Democrats are ready to spend time on the discharge Monday afternoon, if necessary. The Senate would then move to a series of procedural steps before a final confirmation vote later in the week.

While none of the Republicans on the committee is expected to support Jackson, Democrats will have at least one GOP vote in favor on the floor — Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who&nbsp;announced last week&nbsp;that she will support the nominee. Collins said that even though she may not always agree with her, Jackson “possesses the experience, qualifications and integrity to serve as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.”

It’s unclear so far whether any other Republicans will join her. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky set the tone for the party last week when he said he “cannot and will not” support her, citing GOP concerns raised in the hearing about her sentencing record and her support from liberal advocacy groups.

Collins and Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were the only three to vote for Jackson when the Senate confirmed her as an appeals court judge last year. Graham said Thursday he won’t support her this time around; Murkowski says she’s still deciding.

Collins’ support likely saves Democrats from having to use Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote to confirm President Joe Biden’s pick, and Biden called Collins on Wednesday to thank her after her announcement, according to the senator’s office. The president had called her at least three times before the hearings, part of a larger push to win a bipartisan vote for his historic nominee.

It is expected that all 50 Democrats will support Jackson, though one notable moderate Democrat, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, hasn’t yet said how she will vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648220256831.png" alt="It is expected that all 50 Democrats will support Jackson, though one notable moderate Democrat, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, hasn’t yet said how she will vote. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran also has not said how he will vote. On March 25, Senator Roger Marshall said he would vote against the nomination-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>It is expected that all 50 Democrats will support Jackson, though one notable moderate Democrat, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, hasn’t yet said how she will vote. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran also has not said how he will vote. On March 25, Senator Roger Marshall said he would vote against the nomination-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee has deadlocked on whether to send Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor. But President Joe Biden’s nominee is still on track to be confirmed this week as the first Black woman on the high court. The committee’s tie vote Monday was expected. But it was still a blow to Democrats who had hoped for a bipartisan process and the first time the committee has deadlocked on a Supreme Court nomination in three decades. Democrats are aiming to confirm her by the end of the week as the first Black woman on the court.-------WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are launching a whirlwind of votes and Senate floor action Monday with the goal of confirming&nbsp;Ketanji Brown Jackson&nbsp;as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court by the end of the week.The Senate Judiciary Committee kicks off Monday morning with a vote on whether to move Jackson’s nomination to the Senate floor. Democrats will then wind the nomination through the 50-50 Senate, with a final vote in sight for President Joe Biden’s pick to replace retiring Justice&nbsp;Stephen Breyer.After more than 30 hours of hearings and interrogation from Republicans over her record, Jackson is&nbsp;on the brink&nbsp;of making history as the third Black justice and only the sixth woman in the court’s more than 200-year history. Democrats — and at least one Republican — cite her deep experience in her nine years on the federal bench and the chance for her to become the first former public defender on the court.The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Thursday that the high regard for Jackson after a combative four days of hearings is “evidence of the strength that she brings to this nomination and the value that she will bring to the Supreme Court.”The committee could deadlock on Monday’s vote, 11-11, meaning Democrats will have to spend additional hours on the Senate floor to “discharge” her nomination from committee. While it won’t delay the process for long, it’s another blow for Democrats who had hoped to confirm Jackson with bipartisan support.A deadlocked vote would be “a truly unfortunate signal of the continued descent into dysfunction of our confirmation process,” said Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat on the committee.The committee hasn’t deadlocked on a nomination since 1991, when a motion to send the nomination of current Justice Clarence Thomas to the floor with a “favorable” recommendation failed on a 7-7 vote. The committee then voted to send the nomination to the floor without a recommendation, meaning it could still be brought up for a vote.Either way, Democrats are ready to spend time on the discharge Monday afternoon, if necessary. The Senate would then move to a series of procedural steps before a final confirmation vote later in the week.While none of the Republicans on the committee is expected to support Jackson, Democrats will have at least one GOP vote in favor on the floor — Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who&nbsp;announced last week&nbsp;that she will support the nominee. Collins said that even though she may not always agree with her, Jackson “possesses the experience, qualifications and integrity to serve as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.”It’s unclear so far whether any other Republicans will join her. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky set the tone for the party last week when he said he “cannot and will not” support her, citing GOP concerns raised in the hearing about her sentencing record and her support from liberal advocacy groups.Collins and Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were the only three to vote for Jackson when the Senate confirmed her as an appeals court judge last year. Graham said Thursday he won’t support her this time around; Murkowski says she’s still deciding.Collins’ support likely saves Democrats from having to use Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote to confirm President Joe Biden’s pick, and Biden called Collins on Wednesday to thank her after her announcement, according to the senator’s office. The president had called her at least three times before the hearings, part of a larger push to win a bipartisan vote for his historic nominee.It is expected that all 50 Democrats will support Jackson, though one notable moderate Democrat, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, hasn’t yet said how she will vote.

Senate panel deadlocks on Supreme Court nomination

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after an arrest.

Just before 1a.m. Friday, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp; conducted a traffic stop on a white 2009 Pontiac G6 in the 1400 block of SE Lott Street with an expired license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver 27-year-old Ronnie E. Taylor Jr. had a suspended driver’s license. During the investigation, the deputy found illegal narcotics.

Taylor was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charged that included possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, expired vehicle registration, no vehicle liability insurance and driving with a suspended driver’s license, according to Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648831696154.png" alt="Taylor-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Taylor-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after an arrest.Just before 1a.m. Friday, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp; conducted a traffic stop on a white 2009 Pontiac G6 in the 1400 block of SE Lott Street with an expired license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver 27-year-old Ronnie E. Taylor Jr. had a suspended driver’s license. During the investigation, the deputy found illegal narcotics.Taylor was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charged that included possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, expired vehicle registration, no vehicle liability insurance and driving with a suspended driver’s license, according to Christian.

Sheriff: Kansas deputy found cocaine during traffic stop

TOPEKA – Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly recently issued a proclamation declaring the month of April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Each year, Sexual Assault Awareness Month&nbsp;raises awareness about and prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 6 men experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetimes.&nbsp;

“Sexual violence affects the lives of many Kansans, and it is critical that we work together to raise awareness,” said Joyce Grover, Executive Director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. “The majority of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim – in 80% of Kansas cases.”

Sexual assault and rape are some of the most underreported crimes. There are a wide range of reasons why people do not report, including fear of the rapist, self-blame, self-doubt, shame, guilt, and embarrassment. Fear of not being believed is one of the strongest deterrents to reporting.

“The experience of sexual violence can have different impacts on each person. There is no ‘right’ way to respond after experiencing sexual violence,” said Grover.&nbsp;

Sexual assault advocates have found that many people experience sexual violence as a severe emotional and physical violation. The effects of that violation may be felt directly after the assault or for many months or years later. The trauma from sexual violence can cause feelings of helplessness and powerlessness, as well as physical symptoms such as breathing problems or nightmares. Research has also found that this trauma can affect the way the brain recalls memories and details of the assault.

“We live in a society where the victim is often blamed for where they were, who they were with, what they were doing, or what they were wearing,” said Grover. “When we question victims’ responsibility for their own rape, we deflect blame from the offender. Rape is never the victim’s fault, and offenders must be held accountable.”

In 2020, one incident of rape was reported to Kansas law enforcement every 7 hours, 56 minutes, and 5 seconds; and in 2021 more than 5,300 people received services for sexual assault from Kansas victim advocacy organizations.

Sexual harassment, assault, and abuse can happen anywhere, including in online spaces. For too long harassment, cyberbullying, and sexual abuse and exploitation have come to be expected as typical and unavoidable behaviors

State-level efforts in Kansas are underway to raise awareness and prevent sexual violence. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/saki.shtml">Kansas Sexual Assault Kit Initiative</a>&nbsp;worked collaboratively to develop a number of resources for responders. The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence currently partners with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and other multidisciplinary stakeholders on the Kansas Sexual Assault Response Advisory Committee.&nbsp;

This committee facilitates cross-discipline collaboration and develops promising practices in sexual assault response that increase victim safety and offender accountability. A statewide public awareness campaign,&nbsp;<a href="https://yesthisroom.com/">Yes, This Room</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://yesthisroom.com/espanol/">Sí, Este Cuarto</a>) was also launched in 2019 to raise awareness in Kansas.

If you would like to learn more about sexual assaults reported by law enforcement agencies in your community, refer to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/stats/docs/pdf/DVStalking%20Rape%202020.pdf">2020 Domestic Violence, Stalking and Sexual Assault in Kansas report</a>. See a summary of Kansas Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, &amp; Stalking Advocacy Services provided in 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcsdv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/22_SA-DV-KS-Services-Stats-for-2021_Final.pdf">here.</a>

<a href="https://www.kcsdv.org/find-help/in-kansas/dv-sa-services-map/">Kansas victim advocacy organizations</a>&nbsp;provide free and confidential services to victims, survivors, and their families. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Kansas Crisis Hotline at 1-888-363-2287 or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcsdv.org/find-help">www.kcsdv.org/find-help</a>.

Founded in 1982 and celebrating 40 years of service this year, the purpose of KCSDV is the prevention and elimination of sexual and domestic violence through a statewide network of programs providing support and safety for all victims of sexual and domestic violence and stalking with a primary focus on women and their children; direct services; public awareness and education; advocacy for victims; comprehensive prevention; and social change efforts. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcsdv.org/">https://www.kcsdv.org/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649091546336.png" alt="National Sexual Violence Resource Center" />
 <figcaption>National Sexual Violence Resource Center</figcaption>
 </figure>KCSDV TOPEKA – Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly recently issued a proclamation declaring the month of April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Each year, Sexual Assault Awareness Month&nbsp;raises awareness about and prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 6 men experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetimes.&nbsp;“Sexual violence affects the lives of many Kansans, and it is critical that we work together to raise awareness,” said Joyce Grover, Executive Director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. “The majority of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim – in 80% of Kansas cases.”Sexual assault and rape are some of the most underreported crimes. There are a wide range of reasons why people do not report, including fear of the rapist, self-blame, self-doubt, shame, guilt, and embarrassment. Fear of not being believed is one of the strongest deterrents to reporting.“The experience of sexual violence can have different impacts on each person. There is no ‘right’ way to respond after experiencing sexual violence,” said Grover.&nbsp;Sexual assault advocates have found that many people experience sexual violence as a severe emotional and physical violation. The effects of that violation may be felt directly after the assault or for many months or years later. The trauma from sexual violence can cause feelings of helplessness and powerlessness, as well as physical symptoms such as breathing problems or nightmares. Research has also found that this trauma can affect the way the brain recalls memories and details of the assault.“We live in a society where the victim is often blamed for where they were, who they were with, what they were doing, or what they were wearing,” said Grover. “When we question victims’ responsibility for their own rape, we deflect blame from the offender. Rape is never the victim’s fault, and offenders must be held accountable.”In 2020, one incident of rape was reported to Kansas law enforcement every 7 hours, 56 minutes, and 5 seconds; and in 2021 more than 5,300 people received services for sexual assault from Kansas victim advocacy organizations.Sexual harassment, assault, and abuse can happen anywhere, including in online spaces. For too long harassment, cyberbullying, and sexual abuse and exploitation have come to be expected as typical and unavoidable behaviorsState-level efforts in Kansas are underway to raise awareness and prevent sexual violence. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/saki.shtml">Kansas Sexual Assault Kit Initiative</a>&nbsp;worked collaboratively to develop a number of resources for responders. The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence currently partners with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and other multidisciplinary stakeholders on the Kansas Sexual Assault Response Advisory Committee.&nbsp;This committee facilitates cross-discipline collaboration and develops promising practices in sexual assault response that increase victim safety and offender accountability. A statewide public awareness campaign,&nbsp;<a href="https://yesthisroom.com/">Yes, This Room</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://yesthisroom.com/espanol/">Sí, Este Cuarto</a>) was also launched in 2019 to raise awareness in Kansas.If you would like to learn more about sexual assaults reported by law enforcement agencies in your community, refer to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/stats/docs/pdf/DVStalking%20Rape%202020.pdf">2020 Domestic Violence, Stalking and Sexual Assault in Kansas report</a>. See a summary of Kansas Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, &amp; Stalking Advocacy Services provided in 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcsdv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/22_SA-DV-KS-Services-Stats-for-2021_Final.pdf">here.</a><a href="https://www.kcsdv.org/find-help/in-kansas/dv-sa-services-map/">Kansas victim advocacy organizations</a>&nbsp;provide free and confidential services to victims, survivors, and their families. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Kansas Crisis Hotline at 1-888-363-2287 or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcsdv.org/find-help">www.kcsdv.org/find-help</a>.--------------------------------Founded in 1982 and celebrating 40 years of service this year, the purpose of KCSDV is the prevention and elimination of sexual and domestic violence through a statewide network of programs providing support and safety for all victims of sexual and domestic violence and stalking with a primary focus on women and their children; direct services; public awareness and education; advocacy for victims; comprehensive prevention; and social change efforts. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcsdv.org/">https://www.kcsdv.org/</a>.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after human remains were found in a rural area of Sedgwick County.

Just before 11:00 p.m.&nbsp; Saturday, police were dispatched to the 4000 block of E. 45th Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Officers spoke with Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputies, who had responded to a call of human remains found in the area, which were determined to be inside city limits.

Officers searched the area and located fragments of skeletal remains. The scene was processed with assistance from the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center and the Wichita State University anthropology department, according to Macy.

The investigation into the origin and identity of the remains is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact WPD detectives at 316-268-4407 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649086410909.png" alt="The remains were located in the 4000 block of E. 45th Street North-google map" />
 <figcaption>The remains were located in the 4000 block of E. 45th Street North-google map</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after human remains were found in a rural area of Sedgwick County.Just before 11:00 p.m.&nbsp; Saturday, police were dispatched to the 4000 block of E. 45th Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Officers spoke with Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputies, who had responded to a call of human remains found in the area, which were determined to be inside city limits.Officers searched the area and located fragments of skeletal remains. The scene was processed with assistance from the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center and the Wichita State University anthropology department, according to Macy.The investigation into the origin and identity of the remains is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact WPD detectives at 316-268-4407 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 316-267-2111.

Police: Human remains found in rural area of Wichita

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Sunday morning accident in Shawnee County have identified the 12-year-old victim as&nbsp;Landon S. Turner of Olathe, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, a 2004 Acura driven by 19-year-old&nbsp; Dalton V. Turner of Berryton&nbsp; was southbound in the 8300 Block of Ratner Road when the driver lost control, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The Acura entered the west ditch, struck a culvert and rolled multiple times.

Landon Turner, the front passenger was ejected from the vehicle. Lifesaving procedures were performed; however he was pronounced deceased. EMS transported Dalton Turner to a local hospital with serious injuries.&nbsp; &nbsp;The accident remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649083685651.png" alt="Landon Turner -photo courtesy Turner family" />
 <figcaption>Landon Turner -photo courtesy Turner family</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Sunday morning accident in Shawnee County have identified the 12-year-old victim as&nbsp;Landon S. Turner of Olathe, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, a 2004 Acura driven by 19-year-old&nbsp; Dalton V. Turner of Berryton&nbsp; was southbound in the 8300 Block of Ratner Road when the driver lost control, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The Acura entered the west ditch, struck a culvert and rolled multiple times.Landon Turner, the front passenger was ejected from the vehicle. Lifesaving procedures were performed; however he was pronounced deceased. EMS transported Dalton Turner to a local hospital with serious injuries.&nbsp; &nbsp;The accident remains under investigation.

Sheriff IDs 12-year-old Kan. boy who died in rollover crash

RENO COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a Monday house fire in Hutchinson.

Just after 4:30 a.m. crews responded to a fire in a home at 541 East Avenue C in Hutchinson, according for Fire Chief Steven Beer.

&nbsp;When they arrived, crews saw fire was venting from a bedroom window on the east side of the single-story house.&nbsp;

One adult and one child got out safely thanks to working smoke detectors. Fire crews were able to keep the fire down to the single bedroom. Smoke damage was noted throughout the house.&nbsp;

RENO COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a Monday house fire in Hutchinson.Just after 4:30 a.m. crews responded to a fire in a home at 541 East Avenue C in Hutchinson, according for Fire Chief Steven Beer.&nbsp;When they arrived, crews saw fire was venting from a bedroom window on the east side of the single-story house.&nbsp;One adult and one child got out safely thanks to working smoke detectors. Fire crews were able to keep the fire down to the single bedroom. Smoke damage was noted throughout the house.&nbsp;There were no injuries reported

Working smoke detectors: Adult, child escape Kan. house fire 

MITCHELL COUNTY —A Kansas man was injured in an accident during high-speed chase just before noon Sunday in Mitchell County.

According to a social media report from police in Beloit, Mitchell County Communications was notified of an erratic driver traveling westbound on Highway 24 through Beloit.

Soon after, a Beloit Police Officer located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. 

The vehicle failed to stop for law enforcement and a vehicle pursuit occurred.&nbsp; Officers with the Beloit Police Department and Deputies with the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office pursued the vehicle until the it crashed east of Cawker City.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered the driver Monte J. Jackson, 71, Glen Elder, was having a medical emergency and was unaware of what was happening. EMS transported Jackson to the Mitchell County Hospital.

MITCHELL COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident during high-speed chase just before noon Sunday in Mitchell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported law enforcement was in pursuit of a 2013 Toyota Rav 4 driven by Monte J. Jackson, 71, Glen Elder,  westbound on U.S. 24 one mile east of Cawker City with speeds of 80-90 miles per hour.

The driver lost control of the SUV as it crossed left of center and entered the south ditch lined with large drainage rock.

The Toyota rolled end over end and came to rest on the passenger side facing eastbound.

EMS transported Jackson to the Mitchell County Hospital.  He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.  Authorities did not report what prompted the chase.

MITCHELL COUNTY —A Kansas man was injured in an accident during high-speed chase just before noon Sunday in Mitchell County.According to a social media report from police in Beloit, Mitchell County Communications was notified of an erratic driver traveling westbound on Highway 24 through Beloit.Soon after, a Beloit Police Officer located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop for law enforcement and a vehicle pursuit occurred.&nbsp; Officers with the Beloit Police Department and Deputies with the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office pursued the vehicle until the it crashed east of Cawker City.Upon further investigation, it was discovered the driver Monte J. Jackson, 71, Glen Elder, was having a medical emergency and was unaware of what was happening. EMS transported Jackson to the Mitchell County Hospital.--------MITCHELL COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident during high-speed chase just before noon Sunday in Mitchell County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported law enforcement was in pursuit of a 2013 Toyota Rav 4 driven by Monte J. Jackson, 71, Glen Elder, westbound on U.S. 24 one mile east of Cawker City with speeds of 80-90 miles per hour.The driver lost control of the SUV as it crossed left of center and entered the south ditch lined with large drainage rock.The Toyota rolled end over end and came to rest on the passenger side facing eastbound.EMS transported Jackson to the Mitchell County Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP. Authorities did not report what prompted the chase.

Update: Kan. man injured in crash during chase had medical emergency

Corrected 9 a.m. Monday to clarify Cook&nbsp; no longer works for the Kansas Highway Patrol.

MOUNT VERNON, Mo. (AP) — A former southwest Missouri sheriff's deputy who also once worked as a Kansas State Trooper faces animal abuse charges after his girlfriend's dog died of injuries that included fractured ribs and a liver laceration.

The preliminary hearing for 24-year-old Zachary Cook, of Mount Vernon, is scheduled for April 12. He is free on bond after pleading not guilty last month to three counts each animal abuse and burglary.

Lawrence County Sheriff Brad Delay said Cook resigned from the sheriff’s office after learning about the charges, the Springfield News-Leader&nbsp;reports.

According to court documents, Cook’s girlfriend reviewed footage from her doorbell camera after finding the dog dead upon returning home from work on the morning of Jan. 14. The footage showed that Cook had entered her apartment while she was gone, even though he didn't have permission to come and go as he pleased. The surveillance system also captured high-pitched whining and crying noises.

The woman took her dog’s body for a necropsy examination, which revealed signs of trauma, court documents say.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649034436530.png" alt="Zachary Cook earned his his KHP badge in 2019 but no longer works for the patrol" />
 <figcaption>Zachary Cook earned his his KHP badge in 2019 but no longer works for the patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>Corrected 9 a.m. Monday to clarify Cook&nbsp; no longer works for the Kansas Highway Patrol.MOUNT VERNON, Mo. (AP) — A former southwest Missouri sheriff's deputy who also once worked as a Kansas State Trooper faces animal abuse charges after his girlfriend's dog died of injuries that included fractured ribs and a liver laceration.The preliminary hearing for 24-year-old Zachary Cook, of Mount Vernon, is scheduled for April 12. He is free on bond after pleading not guilty last month to three counts each animal abuse and burglary.Lawrence County Sheriff Brad Delay said Cook resigned from the sheriff’s office after learning about the charges, the Springfield News-Leader&nbsp;reports.According to court documents, Cook’s girlfriend reviewed footage from her doorbell camera after finding the dog dead upon returning home from work on the morning of Jan. 14. The footage showed that Cook had entered her apartment while she was gone, even though he didn't have permission to come and go as he pleased. The surveillance system also captured high-pitched whining and crying noises.The woman took her dog’s body for a necropsy examination, which revealed signs of trauma, court documents say.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trooper Zachary Cook has just received his <a href="https://twitter.com/kshighwaypatrol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kshighwaypatrol</a> badge following 24 weeks of training. Trooper Cook&#39;s father, TERRY COOK placed his badge on his uniform for the first time. His hometown is Mount Vernon, Missouri. His duty station is Douglas County. <a href="https://t.co/23otZY37Jd">pic.twitter.com/23otZY37Jd</a>&mdash; KS Highway Patrol (@kshighwaypatrol) <a href="https://twitter.com/kshighwaypatrol/status/1202676201220956161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The documents say the woman previously had noticed the animal was acting scared around Cook.Cook’s attorney, Dakota Paris, said in a statement that “the truth will come out through the judicial process.”