TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury has convicted a man of killing a college football player in Kansas and wounding another man who went on to play in the NFL. 

Twenty-one-year-old Francisco “Franky” Mendez was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder in the April 2019 shooting death of Dwane Simmons, a Washburn University football player.

Mendez was also convicted on four counts of attempted murder for shooting at four other Washburn players. 

One of them, Corey Ballentine, had been drafted hours before the shooting by the New York Giants. He was shot but recovered and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons. The three other players were not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569579773491.png" alt="Mendez-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Mendez-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury has convicted a man of killing a college football player in Kansas and wounding another man who went on to play in the NFL. Twenty-one-year-old Francisco “Franky” Mendez was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder in the April 2019 shooting death of Dwane Simmons, a Washburn University football player.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1570915422888.png" alt="Simmons photo courtesy Washburn&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Simmons photo courtesy Washburn&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Mendez was also convicted on four counts of attempted murder for shooting at four other Washburn players. One of them, Corey Ballentine, had been drafted hours before the shooting by the New York Giants. He was shot but recovered and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons. The three other players were not injured.

Man convicted in shooting that killed Washburn football player

RENO COUNTY&nbsp;— One person died in an accident just&nbsp;before 3 p.m. Friday near Hutchinson.

According to the Reno County Sheriff's Office, a 1988 Chevrolet 1500 driven by an 18-year-old man from Hutchinson was northbound on Halstead Road at 56th Avenue.

 The driver failed to yield at the stop sign and struck an eastbound GMC Yukon&nbsp;driven by a 40-year-old woman from Hutchinson. The teen in the Chevrolet 1500 was ejected from his vehicle.

EMS transported the teen to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

The driver and a 44-year-old passenger in the GMC were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The accident is still under investigation.&nbsp; The sheriff' office did not release names of the those involved.

RENO COUNTY&nbsp;— One person died in an accident just&nbsp;before 3 p.m. Friday near Hutchinson.According to the Reno County Sheriff's Office, a 1988 Chevrolet 1500 driven by an 18-year-old man from Hutchinson was northbound on Halstead Road at 56th Avenue. The driver failed to yield at the stop sign and struck an eastbound GMC Yukon&nbsp;driven by a 40-year-old woman from Hutchinson. The teen in the Chevrolet 1500 was ejected from his vehicle.EMS transported the teen to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.The driver and a 44-year-old passenger in the GMC were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The accident is still under investigation.&nbsp; The sheriff' office did not release names of the those involved.

18-year-old Kansas man dead after pickup, SUV crash

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/topeka-business-government-form-task-force-to-assist-ukrainian-refugees/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Ukrainian immigrant will lead a Topeka task force of local
 business leaders and government officials to better position Topeka to 
support refugees fleeing violence from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday the United States would accept
 up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine. Millions of people have been 
displaced as Russian bombardments left towns and cities without water, 
food, heat and electrical power.

The Greater Topeka 
Partnership, an economic development organization, will participate in 
the task force led by Yana Ross, who relocated 16 years ago from Ukraine
 to Topeka.

“I have friends who are currently being housed in refugee camps in 
Poland. I am working hard to bring them over to stay with me during this
 crisis,” she said.

Ross said she was convinced other Topekans would open their hearts and homes to people.

Topeka City Council member Karen Hiller, Greater Topeka Chamber of 
Commerce president Curtis Sneden and representatives of the Topeka 
Center for Peace and Justice as well as the Topeka Community Foundation 
will be part of the task force.

Hiller, who said she’d heard from people offering to house refugees 
from Ukraine, said the character of a city was defined by how it 
responded to people in need.

“This task force gives us an opportunity to explore how Topeka can be
 part of the solution by creating a sustainable process to support 
refugees during this conflict and others in the future,” Hiller said.

White House officials said Ukrainian 
refugees would be welcomed through the U.S. refugee admissions program 
offering a green card or a process leading to permanent residence. Other
 could receive visas or be granted temporary entry offered individuals 
displaced by emergencies or war. The initiative could concentrate on 
Ukrainians with family members in the United States.

“There are clearly many questions that still need to be answered,” 
said Matt Pivarnik, chief executive officer of the Greater Topeka 
Partnership. “How would refugees travel here? What support will the 
federal government provide? Where can people be housed if they arrive? ”

Sneden, of the Topeka Chamber, said watching the war unfold in 
Ukraine made him appreciate the stability of life in the United States.

“It is a dream shared by people across the globe, and this dream of 
Ukrainians is being shattered. It is time for us to band together and 
look for ways to support them,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648233118305.png" alt="Topeka business, government and community leaders are forming a task force to consider how to assist refugees fleeing Russia’s assault on Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced by the fighting. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Topeka poster on Ukraine)" />
 <figcaption>Topeka business, government and community leaders are forming a task force to consider how to assist refugees fleeing Russia’s assault on Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced by the fighting. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Topeka poster on Ukraine)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/topeka-business-government-form-task-force-to-assist-ukrainian-refugees/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Ukrainian immigrant will lead a Topeka task force of local
 business leaders and government officials to better position Topeka to 
support refugees fleeing violence from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.President Joe Biden announced Thursday the United States would accept
 up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine. Millions of people have been 
displaced as Russian bombardments left towns and cities without water, 
food, heat and electrical power.The Greater Topeka 
Partnership, an economic development organization, will participate in 
the task force led by Yana Ross, who relocated 16 years ago from Ukraine
 to Topeka.“I have friends who are currently being housed in refugee camps in 
Poland. I am working hard to bring them over to stay with me during this
 crisis,” she said.Ross said she was convinced other Topekans would open their hearts and homes to people.Topeka City Council member Karen Hiller, Greater Topeka Chamber of 
Commerce president Curtis Sneden and representatives of the Topeka 
Center for Peace and Justice as well as the Topeka Community Foundation 
will be part of the task force.Hiller, who said she’d heard from people offering to house refugees 
from Ukraine, said the character of a city was defined by how it 
responded to people in need.“This task force gives us an opportunity to explore how Topeka can be
 part of the solution by creating a sustainable process to support 
refugees during this conflict and others in the future,” Hiller said.White House officials said Ukrainian 
refugees would be welcomed through the U.S. refugee admissions program 
offering a green card or a process leading to permanent residence. Other
 could receive visas or be granted temporary entry offered individuals 
displaced by emergencies or war. The initiative could concentrate on 
Ukrainians with family members in the United States.“There are clearly many questions that still need to be answered,” 
said Matt Pivarnik, chief executive officer of the Greater Topeka 
Partnership. “How would refugees travel here? What support will the 
federal government provide? Where can people be housed if they arrive? ”Sneden, of the Topeka Chamber, said watching the war unfold in 
Ukraine made him appreciate the stability of life in the United States.“It is a dream shared by people across the globe, and this dream of 
Ukrainians is being shattered. It is time for us to band together and 
look for ways to support them,” he said.

Topeka business, government form task force to assist Ukrainian refugees

By MARTY SCHLADEN <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/25/expert-hard-to-know-if-covid-variant-will-surge-in-u-s-or-how-badly/">Ohio Capital Journal</a>

The
 last thing people want to hear right now is that the coronavirus might 
have mutated yet again into yet another deadly variant, extending the 
pain, death and inconvenience of a pandemic that we long hoped would be 
over.

However, whether the subvariant of 
omicron known as BA.2 will hit the United States as hard as it’s hitting
 other parts of the world is hard to say at this point, an expert at 
modeling the disease said Wednesday.

The pandemic has been full of unpleasant surprises and BA.2 is no exception. Scientists estimate that it’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/15/is-omicron-subvariant-bapoint2-to-blame-for-rising-covid-cases.html">one-and-a-half times as transmissible</a> as the original omicron strain, BA.1, and is overtaking it.

Europe, and particularly the <a target="_blank" href="https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases">United Kingdom</a>, have seen an increase in the new variant in recent months, but that hasn’t been the case everywhere, said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/stephen-kissler/">Stephen Kissler</a>,
 a research fellow in the Department of Immunology and Infectious 
Diseases of Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“The question of if and when a surge 
is coming and how large is very open,” Kissler said in a Zoom conference
 with reporters. “I know that we’ve seen surges that are dominated by 
BA.2 across much of Europe. But in contrast, for example, in South 
Africa we saw a major BA.1 wave — that’s where we saw the omicron wave 
first — and now there’s a lot of circulation of BA.2, but it hasn’t 
really caused an increase in cases so much that it’s lengthened the 
decline and given the epidemic a very long tail.”

Kissler explained that vaccination 
rates in the U.S. are lower than those in Europe, but higher than those 
in South Africa. That could mean that more Americans have developed 
antibodies against the omicron variants than have Europeans.

“To the extent that that gives us 
protection against BA.2 we might see dynamics that are more similar to 
what happened in South Africa,” he said.

Seasonality and other factors likely 
will play a role, Kissler said, with spring in the United States being a
 season of relatively low spread and fall a season of relatively high 
spread.

So if there is a surge here of the new variant, how will it affect Americans of varying ages?

“In many ways it will likely resemble our experience with COVID-19 up to this point,” Kissler said.

And past experience has shown one factor to be hugely important: vaccination.&nbsp;

Kissler said that being vaccinated, 
along with a booster dose, “really goes a long way toward helping to 
protect you from symptomatic disease and especially severe disease. The 
biggest delineation I imagine seeing is that people who are boosted will
 probably fare better than people who are unboosted.”

Another important factor is age, with
 the elderly having less natural resistance to all variants of the 
coronavirus than the young. Vaccines and boosters, though, can be a 
great equalizer.

“A vaccinated and boosted person over
 the age of 75, their risk is probably on the order of — if not lower 
than — an unvaccinated 20-year-old,” Kissler said.

COVID eventually will go from being a pandemic disease that spikes rapidly and overwhelms resources to an <a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-19-pandemic-endemic-difference-matters/story?id=83166723#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20declared,toward%20an%20%E2%80%9Cendemic%E2%80%9D%20phase.">endemic </a>one
 where a background level is present, sickening and even killing people,
 but in semi-predictable ways. Sadly, however, hopes that it will 
disappear altogether are small.

Looking forward, one simple public-health measure might be most effective, Kissler said.

“In many ways, one of the best things
 we can do to manage outbreaks is to just to continue to keep informing 
people how much COVID is circulating in their communities and make it 
just as accessible as a weather report,” he said. “A lot of data suggest
 that people tend to adjust their behavior accordingly.”

He said that probably won’t be enough to quell future waves of COVID, or be adequate in the face of major new variants.

“But as we continue to deal with 
COVID and we think about this permanent circulation of COVID-19 in the 
population — recognizing that there’s going to be different dynamics in 
different places, different patterns across the year — making it clear 
what’s happening in any given community at any given time through 
passive surveillance is probably the best thing we can do right now,” he
 said.

This article was originally published by the Ohio Capital Journal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648237238183.png" alt="The deaths data, which the department calls “probable” COVID-19 fatalities, is being added eight months after the department began reporting antigen-identified infections in its daily report (image courtesy of CDC)." />
 <figcaption>The deaths data, which the department calls “probable” COVID-19 fatalities, is being added eight months after the department began reporting antigen-identified infections in its daily report (image courtesy of CDC).</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARTY SCHLADEN <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/25/expert-hard-to-know-if-covid-variant-will-surge-in-u-s-or-how-badly/">Ohio Capital Journal</a>The
 last thing people want to hear right now is that the coronavirus might 
have mutated yet again into yet another deadly variant, extending the 
pain, death and inconvenience of a pandemic that we long hoped would be 
over.However, whether the subvariant of 
omicron known as BA.2 will hit the United States as hard as it’s hitting
 other parts of the world is hard to say at this point, an expert at 
modeling the disease said Wednesday.The pandemic has been full of unpleasant surprises and BA.2 is no exception. Scientists estimate that it’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/15/is-omicron-subvariant-bapoint2-to-blame-for-rising-covid-cases.html">one-and-a-half times as transmissible</a> as the original omicron strain, BA.1, and is overtaking it.Europe, and particularly the <a target="_blank" href="https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases">United Kingdom</a>, have seen an increase in the new variant in recent months, but that hasn’t been the case everywhere, said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/stephen-kissler/">Stephen Kissler</a>,
 a research fellow in the Department of Immunology and Infectious 
Diseases of Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.“The question of if and when a surge 
is coming and how large is very open,” Kissler said in a Zoom conference
 with reporters. “I know that we’ve seen surges that are dominated by 
BA.2 across much of Europe. But in contrast, for example, in South 
Africa we saw a major BA.1 wave — that’s where we saw the omicron wave 
first — and now there’s a lot of circulation of BA.2, but it hasn’t 
really caused an increase in cases so much that it’s lengthened the 
decline and given the epidemic a very long tail.”Kissler explained that vaccination 
rates in the U.S. are lower than those in Europe, but higher than those 
in South Africa. That could mean that more Americans have developed 
antibodies against the omicron variants than have Europeans.“To the extent that that gives us 
protection against BA.2 we might see dynamics that are more similar to 
what happened in South Africa,” he said.Seasonality and other factors likely 
will play a role, Kissler said, with spring in the United States being a
 season of relatively low spread and fall a season of relatively high 
spread.So if there is a surge here of the new variant, how will it affect Americans of varying ages?“In many ways it will likely resemble our experience with COVID-19 up to this point,” Kissler said.And past experience has shown one factor to be hugely important: vaccination.&nbsp;Kissler said that being vaccinated, 
along with a booster dose, “really goes a long way toward helping to 
protect you from symptomatic disease and especially severe disease. The 
biggest delineation I imagine seeing is that people who are boosted will
 probably fare better than people who are unboosted.”Another important factor is age, with
 the elderly having less natural resistance to all variants of the 
coronavirus than the young. Vaccines and boosters, though, can be a 
great equalizer.“A vaccinated and boosted person over
 the age of 75, their risk is probably on the order of — if not lower 
than — an unvaccinated 20-year-old,” Kissler said.COVID eventually will go from being a pandemic disease that spikes rapidly and overwhelms resources to an <a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-19-pandemic-endemic-difference-matters/story?id=83166723#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20declared,toward%20an%20%E2%80%9Cendemic%E2%80%9D%20phase.">endemic </a>one
 where a background level is present, sickening and even killing people,
 but in semi-predictable ways. Sadly, however, hopes that it will 
disappear altogether are small.Looking forward, one simple public-health measure might be most effective, Kissler said.“In many ways, one of the best things
 we can do to manage outbreaks is to just to continue to keep informing 
people how much COVID is circulating in their communities and make it 
just as accessible as a weather report,” he said. “A lot of data suggest
 that people tend to adjust their behavior accordingly.”He said that probably won’t be enough to quell future waves of COVID, or be adequate in the face of major new variants.“But as we continue to deal with 
COVID and we think about this permanent circulation of COVID-19 in the 
population — recognizing that there’s going to be different dynamics in 
different places, different patterns across the year — making it clear 
what’s happening in any given community at any given time through 
passive surveillance is probably the best thing we can do right now,” he
 said.This article was originally published by the Ohio Capital Journal.

Expert: Hard to know if COVID variant will surge in U.S. or how badly

Wheeler joked Victors-Cozad’s gavel might be a tomahawk

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/25/native-american-legislator-rejects-gop-lawmakers-apology-for-offensive-remark/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad rejected Friday the apology of a
 House Republican who said during a House floor debate that he had to 
make certain Victors-Cozad was using a wooden gavel rather than a 
tomahawk to bring order to the chamber.

The incident occurred the same day a pair of Native American 
lawmakers in the House created history by simultaneously presiding over 
the chamber and carrying a bill on the floor. Victors-Cozad, a Wichita 
Democrat, was joined by Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, as the House
 considered Wednesday a bill transferring one-half acre of land from the
 City of Shawnee to the Shawnee tribe where remains of tribal leaders 
were buried.

Victors-Cozad said the “racially insensitive” comment by Rep. John 
Wheeler, R-Garden City, was an abuse of his power as an elected member 
of the Legislature. She said his “slanderous” attempt at satire mocked 
her Native American culture and shouldn’t be tolerated by the 
Legislature.

“These remarks had no relevance in our sacred House chamber — to the 
business at hand — other than to instigate mockery towards myself and 
the Native people that I represent throughout the country,” Cozad said.

“I do not accept Representative Wheeler’s disingenuous apology. We as
 members of this legislative branch cannot allow this behavior to be 
tolerated without consequence in the people’s House,” she said.

Wheeler, who served as Finney County prosecutor from 1993 to 2013 
prior to election to the House in 2017, was leading discussion of a bill
 altering the state’s approach to assessing competency of individuals 
prior to trial. As the volume of private conversation among House 
members elevated, Victors-Cozad tapped the House speaker’s gavel to 
signal the need to pay attention to Wheeler.

“Thank you, madam chair,” said Wheeler, who turned to face Victors-Cozad. “I was just checking to see if that was a tomahawk.”

The remark from Wheeler resulted in a combination of laughter and 
groaning among state representatives. Wheeler audibly chuckled at his 
sense of humor, before facing his colleagues and offering an apology.

“I am getting a point that that is apparently considered offensive,” 
Wheeler told House colleagues. “If it is, I certainly do apologize.”

He subsequently reached out to the three Native Americans serving in the House to express remorse for his commentary.

On Friday, Victors-Cozad said she wouldn’t devalue Wheeler’s 
religion, place of worship or culture. She expected Wheeler to offer the
 same reverence and respect of other Kansans as he did his own religion 
and culture.

“I would like to think our elected public officials would know and 
understand this principle,” Victors-Cozad said. “This is women’s history
 month and I am a proud Native American mother making history for the 
state of Kansas, and Representative Wheeler did his best to tarnish 
these accomplishments. I firmly hold him accountable to his words and 
actions.”

Wheeler, 74, is a member of the Legislature’s joint committee on 
state-tribal relations. It provides a bridge between the Legislature and
 the state’s four federally recognized tribes.

A backdrop to controversy in the House 
was the bizarre statement last month by Randy Watson, commissioner of 
the Kansas Department of Education, during an online educational 
program. Watson had said during the video conference that during his 
youth he tried to persuade children to fear for their safety when 
visiting Kansas because American Indians might attack them.

The Kansas State Board of Education emerged from an executive session
 to unanimously reject Watson’s offer to resign for the derogatory 
remark, but did suspend him for one month without pay. His suspension is
 scheduled to end Monday.

Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and of the Chickasaw nation,
 said the suspension of Watson wouldn’t be considered an appropriate 
response to an example of systematic racism confronted by American 
Indians. She said acceptance of Watson’s resignation by the state Board 
of Education would have been appropriate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648237043592.png" alt="Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad, a Native American and Wichita Democrat, said she rejected an apology by Rep. John Wheeler, R-Garden City, who made an insensitive remark about Victors-Cozad holding a tomahawk instead of a gavel. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal, courtesy Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad, a Native American and Wichita Democrat, said she rejected an apology by Rep. John Wheeler, R-Garden City, who made an insensitive remark about Victors-Cozad holding a tomahawk instead of a gavel. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal, courtesy Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Wheeler joked Victors-Cozad’s gavel might be a tomahawk</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/25/native-american-legislator-rejects-gop-lawmakers-apology-for-offensive-remark/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad rejected Friday the apology of a
 House Republican who said during a House floor debate that he had to 
make certain Victors-Cozad was using a wooden gavel rather than a 
tomahawk to bring order to the chamber.The incident occurred the same day a pair of Native American 
lawmakers in the House created history by simultaneously presiding over 
the chamber and carrying a bill on the floor. Victors-Cozad, a Wichita 
Democrat, was joined by Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, as the House
 considered Wednesday a bill transferring one-half acre of land from the
 City of Shawnee to the Shawnee tribe where remains of tribal leaders 
were buried.Victors-Cozad said the “racially insensitive” comment by Rep. John 
Wheeler, R-Garden City, was an abuse of his power as an elected member 
of the Legislature. She said his “slanderous” attempt at satire mocked 
her Native American culture and shouldn’t be tolerated by the 
Legislature.“These remarks had no relevance in our sacred House chamber — to the 
business at hand — other than to instigate mockery towards myself and 
the Native people that I represent throughout the country,” Cozad said.“I do not accept Representative Wheeler’s disingenuous apology. We as
 members of this legislative branch cannot allow this behavior to be 
tolerated without consequence in the people’s House,” she said.Wheeler, who served as Finney County prosecutor from 1993 to 2013 
prior to election to the House in 2017, was leading discussion of a bill
 altering the state’s approach to assessing competency of individuals 
prior to trial. As the volume of private conversation among House 
members elevated, Victors-Cozad tapped the House speaker’s gavel to 
signal the need to pay attention to Wheeler.“Thank you, madam chair,” said Wheeler, who turned to face Victors-Cozad. “I was just checking to see if that was a tomahawk.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648237107217.png" alt="Rep. John Wheeler, R-Garden City, apologized if anyone was offended by his joke that Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad, D-Wichita and a Native American, might be holding a tomahawk instead of a gavel. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. John Wheeler, R-Garden City, apologized if anyone was offended by his joke that Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad, D-Wichita and a Native American, might be holding a tomahawk instead of a gavel. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The remark from Wheeler resulted in a combination of laughter and 
groaning among state representatives. Wheeler audibly chuckled at his 
sense of humor, before facing his colleagues and offering an apology.“I am getting a point that that is apparently considered offensive,” 
Wheeler told House colleagues. “If it is, I certainly do apologize.”He subsequently reached out to the three Native Americans serving in the House to express remorse for his commentary.On Friday, Victors-Cozad said she wouldn’t devalue Wheeler’s 
religion, place of worship or culture. She expected Wheeler to offer the
 same reverence and respect of other Kansans as he did his own religion 
and culture.“I would like to think our elected public officials would know and 
understand this principle,” Victors-Cozad said. “This is women’s history
 month and I am a proud Native American mother making history for the 
state of Kansas, and Representative Wheeler did his best to tarnish 
these accomplishments. I firmly hold him accountable to his words and 
actions.”Wheeler, 74, is a member of the Legislature’s joint committee on 
state-tribal relations. It provides a bridge between the Legislature and
 the state’s four federally recognized tribes.A backdrop to controversy in the House 
was the bizarre statement last month by Randy Watson, commissioner of 
the Kansas Department of Education, during an online educational 
program. Watson had said during the video conference that during his 
youth he tried to persuade children to fear for their safety when 
visiting Kansas because American Indians might attack them.The Kansas State Board of Education emerged from an executive session
 to unanimously reject Watson’s offer to resign for the derogatory 
remark, but did suspend him for one month without pay. His suspension is
 scheduled to end Monday.Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and of the Chickasaw nation,
 said the suspension of Watson wouldn’t be considered an appropriate 
response to an example of systematic racism confronted by American 
Indians. She said acceptance of Watson’s resignation by the state Board 
of Education would have been appropriate.

Native American legislator rejects lawmaker’s apology for 'tomahawk' remark

NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>

HUTCHINSON — 
Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that gas prices are still moving a lot right now.

"The
 key words continue to be volatility and fluctuation with regard to 
crude oil and gas prices," Steward said. "Today in Kansas, we're at 
$3.79 a gallon on average."

Kansas is still one of the best places in the country to fuel up.

"We're
 45 cents less than the national average, which is $4.24 today," Steward
 said. "That puts us at second least expensive gas prices in the 
country."

There are some policymakers who want to see stimulus 
checks or gas tax reductions to lessen the pain at the pump. Steward 
doesn't want to see unintended consequences from that.

"We 
understand and we appreciate legislators desires to help motorists and 
others who are grappling with these higher gas prices," Steward said. 
"One cautionary note is that we think it's very important to think about
 any of those cuts in terms of taxes and the impact they may have 
transportation funding, especially maintaining roads and keeping roads 
safe."

Be sure to check your owner’s manual for what gas is required for your vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648233850272.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>HUTCHINSON — 
Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that gas prices are still moving a lot right now."The
 key words continue to be volatility and fluctuation with regard to 
crude oil and gas prices," Steward said. "Today in Kansas, we're at 
$3.79 a gallon on average."Kansas is still one of the best places in the country to fuel up."We're
 45 cents less than the national average, which is $4.24 today," Steward
 said. "That puts us at second least expensive gas prices in the 
country."There are some policymakers who want to see stimulus 
checks or gas tax reductions to lessen the pain at the pump. Steward 
doesn't want to see unintended consequences from that."We 
understand and we appreciate legislators desires to help motorists and 
others who are grappling with these higher gas prices," Steward said. 
"One cautionary note is that we think it's very important to think about
 any of those cuts in terms of taxes and the impact they may have 
transportation funding, especially maintaining roads and keeping roads 
safe."Be sure to check your owner’s manual for what gas is required for your vehicle.

AAA: Gas prices volatile, Kansas still better than most

FINNEY COUNTY — Six students and the driver of a school bus were uninjured after an accident in Finney County Thursday morning.

Just after 8 a.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol reported a school bus was stopped in the 2500 block of Maple — southwest of Garden City —&nbsp;with its stop sign out and flashers on, preparing to pick up a pedestrian.

The KHP reproted the bus was struck from the rear by a 2019 Chrysler 300 driven by Brittany Marie Garcia, 32, Garden City. Garcia was transported to St. Catherine's Hospital for treated of a suspected minor injury. An 8-year passenger in her vehicle also was transported for treatment of a suspected minor injury.

Neither the bus driver, his six passengers nor the pedestrian were injured.

FINNEY COUNTY — Six students and the driver of a school bus were uninjured after an accident in Finney County Thursday morning.Just after 8 a.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol reported a school bus was stopped in the 2500 block of Maple — southwest of Garden City —&nbsp;with its stop sign out and flashers on, preparing to pick up a pedestrian.The KHP reproted the bus was struck from the rear by a 2019 Chrysler 300 driven by Brittany Marie Garcia, 32, Garden City. Garcia was transported to St. Catherine's Hospital for treated of a suspected minor injury. An 8-year passenger in her vehicle also was transported for treatment of a suspected minor injury.Neither the bus driver, his six passengers nor the pedestrian were injured.

Students safe after car strikes school bus in SW Kan.

HAMILTON COUNTY — Two southwest Kansas residents died in a single-vehicle accident in Hamilton County just before 11 p.m. Thursday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 BMW driven by Gabriel Gonzalez, 35, Dexter, N.M., was southbound on Kansas 27 when it crossed the centerline and went off the roadway to the left. The driver overcorrected and crossed into the other ditch, where the car rolled an unknown number of times. 

Gonzalez was transported to Wesley Hospital in Wichita for treatment of a suspected serious injury. He was properly restrained, the KHP reported.

Two passengers in the vehicle — Ty F. Fullmer, 36, and Adriana G. Zapata-Munoz, 26, both of Syracuse —&nbsp;were killed in the accident. Neither were properly restrained, the KHP reported.

HAMILTON COUNTY — Two southwest Kansas residents died in a single-vehicle accident in Hamilton County just before 11 p.m. Thursday.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 BMW driven by Gabriel Gonzalez, 35, Dexter, N.M., was southbound on Kansas 27 when it crossed the centerline and went off the roadway to the left. The driver overcorrected and crossed into the other ditch, where the car rolled an unknown number of times. Gonzalez was transported to Wesley Hospital in Wichita for treatment of a suspected serious injury. He was properly restrained, the KHP reported.Two passengers in the vehicle — Ty F. Fullmer, 36, and Adriana G. Zapata-Munoz, 26, both of Syracuse —&nbsp;were killed in the accident. Neither were properly restrained, the KHP reported.

Two from SW Kansas dead after rollover accident

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today updated its <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/taxpros/fs-2022-22.pdf">frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the third-round Economic Impact Payment (FS-2022-22)</a>&nbsp;PDF.

These FAQs revisions (as noted by date at the end of each revised question) are as follows:

These FAQs are being issued to provide general information to taxpayers and tax professionals as expeditiously as possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today updated its <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/taxpros/fs-2022-22.pdf">frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the third-round Economic Impact Payment (FS-2022-22)</a>&nbsp;PDF.These FAQs revisions (as noted by date at the end of each revised question) are as follows:<ul>
 <li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic A: General Information</li><li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic B: Eligibility and Calculation of the Third Payment</li><li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic C: Plus-Up Payments</li><li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic D: EIP Cards</li><li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic E: Requesting My Payment</li><li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic F: Social Security, 
Railroad Retirement and Department of Veterans Affairs benefit 
recipients</li><li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic G: Receiving My Payment</li><li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic H: Reconciling on Your 2021 Tax Return</li><li>Third-round Economic Impact Payment — Topic J: Payment Issued but Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Not Received</li>
 </ul>These FAQs are being issued to provide general information to taxpayers and tax professionals as expeditiously as possible.

Questions about COVID relief payments and taxes? IRS updates FAQs

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 102 to a total of 769,700 the state health department reported Monday.

The state reported 23 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,221 and 29 new hospitalizations since Friday.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection&nbsp;(e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648231186000.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 102 to a total of 769,700 the state health department reported Monday.The state reported 23 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,221 and 29 new hospitalizations since Friday.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection&nbsp;(e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: Latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

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

GREAT BEND — Melissa Manchester, singer, songwriter and actress best known for her
 solo music career of the 1970s-1980s, will perform for the Golden Belt 
Community Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the 
Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone. Doors open at 6:30 
p.m.

This GBCCA event is open to association members. No single 
concert tickets are available. Anyone who is not a GBCCA member may 
purchase a $50 season membership at this concert allowing them to attend
 the Melissa Manchester event and the remaining concert of the season, 
Crocodile Rockin’ – an Elton John Tribute, May 3. Because the concert 
association encourages music education in the schools, full-time 
students of any age will be admitted to the concert for a $5 donation at
 the door.

Manchester has gained critical and commercial acclaim 
for her many talents. She received her first Grammy nomination for Best 
Pop Female Vocal Performance in 1979 for “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” Four 
years later, she won the Grammy in that category again for “You Should 
Hear How She Talks About You.”

In 1980, Manchester became the 
first recording artist in the history of the Academy Awards to have two 
nominated movie themes in a single year, “Through the Eyes of Love” from
 “Ice Castles” and “I’ll Never Say Goodbye” from “The Promise.” She 
performed them both on the Oscar telecast. She also starred in the 
national tours of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Music of the Night” and “Song 
and Dance.” Manchester also has had her songs recorded by Barbra 
Streisand, Roberta Flack, Dusty Springfield, Alison Krauss, Kenny 
Loggins and many others. She celebrated her 45-year-career in 2017 with 
the release of her 21st album, “The Fellas,” a tribute to the iconic 
male singers, including Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett and Dean 
Martin, who set the platinum standard for the music of the Great 
American Songbook.

Season GBCCA memberships are $50 per adult; $10
 for any full-time enrolled student; $110 for a Family Membership (two 
adults and all dependent children living in the same household); and 
$110 for a Grandparent Package (two adults and up to four minor 
grandchildren).

For more information about GBCCA and for video 
previews of the season’s concerts, go to the web site, 
www.goldenbeltcca.org, or call 620-793-2748.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648215147356.jpeg" alt="Melissa Manchester, singer, songwriter and actress, noted for her hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s, will perform for the Golden Belt Community Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. April 7 at the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone. Doors open at 6:30 p.m." />
 <figcaption>Melissa Manchester, singer, songwriter and actress, noted for her hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s, will perform for the Golden Belt Community Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. April 7 at the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — Melissa Manchester, singer, songwriter and actress best known for her
 solo music career of the 1970s-1980s, will perform for the Golden Belt 
Community Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the 
Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone. Doors open at 6:30 
p.m.This GBCCA event is open to association members. No single 
concert tickets are available. Anyone who is not a GBCCA member may 
purchase a $50 season membership at this concert allowing them to attend
 the Melissa Manchester event and the remaining concert of the season, 
Crocodile Rockin’ – an Elton John Tribute, May 3. Because the concert 
association encourages music education in the schools, full-time 
students of any age will be admitted to the concert for a $5 donation at
 the door.Manchester has gained critical and commercial acclaim 
for her many talents. She received her first Grammy nomination for Best 
Pop Female Vocal Performance in 1979 for “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” Four 
years later, she won the Grammy in that category again for “You Should 
Hear How She Talks About You.”In 1980, Manchester became the 
first recording artist in the history of the Academy Awards to have two 
nominated movie themes in a single year, “Through the Eyes of Love” from
 “Ice Castles” and “I’ll Never Say Goodbye” from “The Promise.” She 
performed them both on the Oscar telecast. She also starred in the 
national tours of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Music of the Night” and “Song 
and Dance.” Manchester also has had her songs recorded by Barbra 
Streisand, Roberta Flack, Dusty Springfield, Alison Krauss, Kenny 
Loggins and many others. She celebrated her 45-year-career in 2017 with 
the release of her 21st album, “The Fellas,” a tribute to the iconic 
male singers, including Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett and Dean 
Martin, who set the platinum standard for the music of the Great 
American Songbook.Season GBCCA memberships are $50 per adult; $10
 for any full-time enrolled student; $110 for a Family Membership (two 
adults and all dependent children living in the same household); and 
$110 for a Grandparent Package (two adults and up to four minor 
grandchildren).For more information about GBCCA and for video 
previews of the season’s concerts, go to the web site, 
www.goldenbeltcca.org, or call 620-793-2748.

Melissa Manchester schedules Great Bend performance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Baby formula maker Abbott failed to maintain sanitary conditions and procedures at the Michigan manufacturing plant recently linked to a cluster of infant illnesses, according to findings released Tuesday by federal safety inspectors.

The Food and Drug Administration posted its initial inspection&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/fda-investigation-cronobacter-infections-powdered-infant-formula-february-2022?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">findings&nbsp;</a>from the Abbott plant that’s been tied to several infant hospitalizations, including two deaths, due to a rare bacterial infection. Abbott&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-michigan-sturgis-a44d06262482d776ae465e0d22382d2d">recalled&nbsp;</a>various lots of three popular powdered infant formulas in mid-February. FDA inspectors have been on-site inspecting the Sturgis, Michigan, facility since late January.

Abbott didn’t maintain clean surfaces used in producing and handling the powdered formula, according to the FDA inspection, which concluded last week. Additionally, inspectors found a history of contamination with the bacteria, known as cronobacter, including eight instances between fall 2019 and February of this year.

The report gives the agency’s preliminary findings and is likely to be followed by a formal report and a warning to the company.

Food safety advocates who have followed the recall noted that neither the FDA nor the company has been able to explain what caused the contamination.

“This sheds a little more light on what went wrong, but we still don’t have all the answers,” said Sarah Sorscher of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Abbott and the FDA really need to do more work to get to the bottom of what happened so we can prevent the next outbreak.”

Abbott said in a statement it is “taking this very seriously and working closely with the FDA to implement corrective actions.”

Abbott has not confirmed how many units have been recalled, but the company’s brands include some of the best-selling baby formulas in the world, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare. The company says it continues to produce baby formula at its other plants in the U.S. and overseas.

<a href="https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/product-lookup.html">The recalls</a> have exacerbated ongoing shortages of infant formula due to supply chain issues.

Infections with the cronobacter bacteria are rare but can be fatal in babies. Almost all outbreaks reported in the U.S. have been linked to powdered baby formulas, which don’t undergo the same high temperatures used to kill germs in many other foods. Manufacturers have long said that it’s impossible to eliminate all bacteria from the formulas.

There had been little new information about the recall since last month, despite requests from Senate lawmakers for Abbott to turn over documents on conditions at the Michigan plant.

In a letter last month, members of the Senate health committee specifically asked Abbott about the amount of time it took to start the recall. According to the letter, Abbott first received a report of an illness tied to its formula from Minnesota health officials in September, with additional reports in coming months from Ohio and Texas.

It’s also unclear why the FDA didn’t take action at the plant earlier. FDA inspectors visited the plant in late September and cited several problems, including unsanitary conditions, a lack of temperature controls, and employees who failed to sanitize their hands. But none of the problems resulted in a formal FDA warning or requirement that Abbott halt production.

The FDA released the September inspection report Tuesday evening along with another from 2019.

In addition to its plant inspectors, the FDA has scientists at its Washington headquarters who specialize in food outbreaks linked to baby food and formulas. A high-ranking FDA deputy commissioner is also assigned to oversee food safety issues.

The recalled Abbott products can be identified by examining the coding on the bottom of each container. The affected formulas all have an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or later. The company has set up a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/home.html" target="_blank">website&nbsp;</a>where parents can check if products have been recalled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648164055231.png" alt="photo courtesy Abbott" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Abbott</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Baby formula maker Abbott failed to maintain sanitary conditions and procedures at the Michigan manufacturing plant recently linked to a cluster of infant illnesses, according to findings released Tuesday by federal safety inspectors.The Food and Drug Administration posted its initial inspection&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/fda-investigation-cronobacter-infections-powdered-infant-formula-february-2022?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">findings&nbsp;</a>from the Abbott plant that’s been tied to several infant hospitalizations, including two deaths, due to a rare bacterial infection. Abbott&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-michigan-sturgis-a44d06262482d776ae465e0d22382d2d">recalled&nbsp;</a>various lots of three popular powdered infant formulas in mid-February. FDA inspectors have been on-site inspecting the Sturgis, Michigan, facility since late January.Abbott didn’t maintain clean surfaces used in producing and handling the powdered formula, according to the FDA inspection, which concluded last week. Additionally, inspectors found a history of contamination with the bacteria, known as cronobacter, including eight instances between fall 2019 and February of this year.The report gives the agency’s preliminary findings and is likely to be followed by a formal report and a warning to the company.Food safety advocates who have followed the recall noted that neither the FDA nor the company has been able to explain what caused the contamination.“This sheds a little more light on what went wrong, but we still don’t have all the answers,” said Sarah Sorscher of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Abbott and the FDA really need to do more work to get to the bottom of what happened so we can prevent the next outbreak.”Abbott said in a statement it is “taking this very seriously and working closely with the FDA to implement corrective actions.”Abbott has not confirmed how many units have been recalled, but the company’s brands include some of the best-selling baby formulas in the world, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare. The company says it continues to produce baby formula at its other plants in the U.S. and overseas.<a href="https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/product-lookup.html">The recalls</a> have exacerbated ongoing shortages of infant formula due to supply chain issues.Infections with the cronobacter bacteria are rare but can be fatal in babies. Almost all outbreaks reported in the U.S. have been linked to powdered baby formulas, which don’t undergo the same high temperatures used to kill germs in many other foods. Manufacturers have long said that it’s impossible to eliminate all bacteria from the formulas.There had been little new information about the recall since last month, despite requests from Senate lawmakers for Abbott to turn over documents on conditions at the Michigan plant.In a letter last month, members of the Senate health committee specifically asked Abbott about the amount of time it took to start the recall. According to the letter, Abbott first received a report of an illness tied to its formula from Minnesota health officials in September, with additional reports in coming months from Ohio and Texas.It’s also unclear why the FDA didn’t take action at the plant earlier. FDA inspectors visited the plant in late September and cited several problems, including unsanitary conditions, a lack of temperature controls, and employees who failed to sanitize their hands. But none of the problems resulted in a formal FDA warning or requirement that Abbott halt production.The FDA released the September inspection report Tuesday evening along with another from 2019.In addition to its plant inspectors, the FDA has scientists at its Washington headquarters who specialize in food outbreaks linked to baby food and formulas. A high-ranking FDA deputy commissioner is also assigned to oversee food safety issues.The recalled Abbott products can be identified by examining the coding on the bottom of each container. The affected formulas all have an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or later. The company has set up a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/home.html" target="_blank">website&nbsp;</a>where parents can check if products have been recalled.___

FDA details problems at plant behind recalled baby formula

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/">North Platte Post</a>

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. —&nbsp;One man is believed to be dead after a major fire in west-central Nebraska.

The North Platte Police Department reported that just before 11 p.m. Thursday, 911 Center received reports of gunshots in the area of Rodeo Road and Carr. Multiple callers reported hearing gunshots as well as the discharge of fireworks.

North Platte police officers responded to investigate and made contact with an individual at 1900 Rodeo Road — a large commercial property. The individual was inside of the Titan Machinery building near an open overhead garage door, and there was a small fire inside of the building. The officers ordered the man out of the building but he refused their instructions and retreated into the building.  

The North Platte Fire Department was dispatched and assistance was requested from the Lincoln County (Neb.) Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol. The officers secured the building after receiving information that there was a large amount of fireworks inside.  

By 11:50 PM, the building was reported to be fully engulfed.  

The individual whom the police had contact with was last seen inside of the building. Out of concern that a grand jury may be convened, the incident is being investigated by the Nebraska Fire Marshal’s office, the North Platte Fire Marshal’s office and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office.  

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648221347238.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://northplattepost.com/">North Platte Post</a>NORTH PLATTE, Neb. —&nbsp;One man is believed to be dead after a major fire in west-central Nebraska.The North Platte Police Department reported that just before 11 p.m. Thursday, 911 Center received reports of gunshots in the area of Rodeo Road and Carr. Multiple callers reported hearing gunshots as well as the discharge of fireworks.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S9gYUJVwFdI"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Video courtesy of Gary Koch</figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte police officers responded to investigate and made contact with an individual at 1900 Rodeo Road — a large commercial property. The individual was inside of the Titan Machinery building near an open overhead garage door, and there was a small fire inside of the building. The officers ordered the man out of the building but he refused their instructions and retreated into the building. The North Platte Fire Department was dispatched and assistance was requested from the Lincoln County (Neb.) Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol. The officers secured the building after receiving information that there was a large amount of fireworks inside. By 11:50 PM, the building was reported to be fully engulfed. The individual whom the police had contact with was last seen inside of the building. Out of concern that a grand jury may be convened, the incident is being investigated by the Nebraska Fire Marshal’s office, the North Platte Fire Marshal’s office and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office.

One feared dead after large fire in Neb. commercial structure

WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall announced Friday he will vote against Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

In a statement from his office Marshall wrote,“After sitting in on some of Judge Jackson’s hearing and conducting a thorough and thoughtful review of her qualifications and judicial record, I cannot support her confirmation."

"As the son of a police chief, I am very troubled by Judge Jackson’s record of being soft on crime, one that has followed her through each stage of her legal career. As a practicing attorney, she worked to release dangerous prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. As a District Judge, she worked to wipe out President Trump's expedited removal of illegal immigrants at our southern border and issued multiple lenient sentences for people convicted of possessing child pornography."

"That alone would be enough to oppose her confirmation but she has also demonstrated a tendency for legislating from behind the bench and an affinity to growing government. Not to mention, she lacks the serious experience needed to serve a lifelong term at our nation’s highest court. All that being said, I believe she will rubberstamp Biden’s far-left agenda instead of protecting the Constitution and our Kansas values. There is no way I can in good faith support her to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648219379911.png" alt="Senator Marshall who is not a member of the Judiciary Committee attended Judge Jackson’s confirmation hearing-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Senator Marshall who is not a member of the Judiciary Committee attended Judge Jackson’s confirmation hearing-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall announced Friday he will vote against Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.In a statement from his office Marshall wrote,“After sitting in on some of Judge Jackson’s hearing and conducting a thorough and thoughtful review of her qualifications and judicial record, I cannot support her confirmation."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648220256831.png" alt="President Biden and his nominee -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and his nominee -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"As the son of a police chief, I am very troubled by Judge Jackson’s record of being soft on crime, one that has followed her through each stage of her legal career. As a practicing attorney, she worked to release dangerous prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. As a District Judge, she worked to wipe out President Trump's expedited removal of illegal immigrants at our southern border and issued multiple lenient sentences for people convicted of possessing child pornography.""That alone would be enough to oppose her confirmation but she has also demonstrated a tendency for legislating from behind the bench and an affinity to growing government. Not to mention, she lacks the serious experience needed to serve a lifelong term at our nation’s highest court. All that being said, I believe she will rubberstamp Biden’s far-left agenda instead of protecting the Constitution and our Kansas values. There is no way I can in good faith support her to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.

Sen. Marshall is a no vote on Judge Jackson for Supreme Court

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

When Emily Ryan was in second grade in Claflin, the
elementary school put together a talent show. Emily chose to showcase basketball
ball handling as her talent in front of the school. 
 
“I could just kick myself because we didn’t take video of it,” joked Lisa Ryan,
Emily’s mother. “At the time, I didn’t think a lot about it, but now looking
back…yeah.” 
 
A second-grade talent show performance might have been a good sign for what was
to come. Emily is now using those ball handling skills as a sophomore with the
Iowa State University’s basketball team. Ryan and the Cyclones will compete in the
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Friday night against Creighton University in Greensboro,
North Carolina. 
 
Through 34 games this year, Emily is averaging 13 points per game, 7 assists and 4
rebounds. Her 243 assists so far has broken the Iowa State school record for
assists in a season. 
 
That success comes from what her mom refers to as a “good addiction.” 
 
“She is addicted to being in the gym and working out,” said Lisa Ryan. “Just
going on family vacations where she couldn’t be in the gym for a couple of
days would drive her nuts.” 
 
In Ames, Iowa, Emily will show up to the gym at 6:30 a.m. each day and usually
returns to the gym in the evenings in addition to going to practice. Her
freshman year on campus, was the COVID-19 year, and access to the gym was a
little more difficult but that did not slow down Ryan. 
 
“Josh Carper is the Director of Basketball Operations at Iowa State and Emily
would always contact him last year to let her in the gym,” said Lisa Ryan. “He jokes
that he got so sick of Emily because he would always have to let her in the
gym.” 
 
Those work habits were similar to her playing days at Central Plains where she
helped the Oilers go 106-0 with three state championships and a “Final
Four” appearance in 2020 after the tournament was cancelled because of the
pandemic. 
 
The success she has had in her first two years in college would probably
translate to any university, but it wasn’t always sure that it would be taking place
at Iowa State. Ryan had her mind made up on another university in the Midwest
until she was convinced to take a visit to Ames. 
 
“She was set on this other university,” said Lisa Ryan. “Her AAU coach, Keith
Ferguson, said to take at least two official visits so you have something to
compare. She didn’t want to. He asked what her second choice was and she said
probably Iowa State. She did and she changed her mind.” 
 
Emily was named to the 2022 All-Big 12 First Team while helping the 
Cyclones to a 28-6 record. The Sweet 16 matchup against Creighton will 
be a game, like many
others, the Ryan family will be attending in person. The Ryans left 
Wednesday
afternoon to make the 18-hour road trip to North Carolina. 
 
“We’ve gone somewhere to watch Emily almost every weekend this basketball
season,” said Lisa Ryan. “We didn’t travel sub-state basketball weekend or the
St. John Tournament weekend with our son in high school, but we have the route
to Ames, Iowa pretty much memorized.” 
 
For the rest of the Barton County area and Ryan supporters across the state, Iowa
State tips off against Creighton at 8:30 p.m. Friday and can be watched on ESPN
2. 
 
“The support in the entire state has been amazing over the past two years,”
said Lisa Ryan. “We’ll be somewhere else in the state and someone will come up
to us and say something about Emily and how they follow her. We don’t even know
who they are…it’s amazing.” 
 
From demonstrating ball handling skills in a second-grade talent show to
competing in the NCAA Sweet 16, there will be plenty of supporters in Kansas cheering
Friday for Iowa State and the girl with a “good addiction” from Claflin. 
 
“As a parent, I hope she’ll keep enjoying it and it doesn’t become a big stress
or anxiety type of thing,” said Lisa Ryan. “It hasn’t and I keep hoping it
stays that way. She loves basketball.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648214805668.jpeg" alt="The Ryan family posed for a photo following an NCAA Tournament game in 2022." />
 <figcaption>The Ryan family posed for a photo following an NCAA Tournament game in 2022.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>When Emily Ryan was in second grade in Claflin, the
elementary school put together a talent show. Emily chose to showcase basketball
ball handling as her talent in front of the school. 
 
“I could just kick myself because we didn’t take video of it,” joked Lisa Ryan,
Emily’s mother. “At the time, I didn’t think a lot about it, but now looking
back…yeah.” 
 
A second-grade talent show performance might have been a good sign for what was
to come. Emily is now using those ball handling skills as a sophomore with the
Iowa State University’s basketball team. Ryan and the Cyclones will compete in the
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Friday night against Creighton University in Greensboro,
North Carolina. 
 
Through 34 games this year, Emily is averaging 13 points per game, 7 assists and 4
rebounds. Her 243 assists so far has broken the Iowa State school record for
assists in a season. 
 
That success comes from what her mom refers to as a “good addiction.” 
 
“She is addicted to being in the gym and working out,” said Lisa Ryan. “Just
going on family vacations where she couldn’t be in the gym for a couple of
days would drive her nuts.” 
 
In Ames, Iowa, Emily will show up to the gym at 6:30 a.m. each day and usually
returns to the gym in the evenings in addition to going to practice. Her
freshman year on campus, was the COVID-19 year, and access to the gym was a
little more difficult but that did not slow down Ryan. 
 
“Josh Carper is the Director of Basketball Operations at Iowa State and Emily
would always contact him last year to let her in the gym,” said Lisa Ryan. “He jokes
that he got so sick of Emily because he would always have to let her in the
gym.” 
 
Those work habits were similar to her playing days at Central Plains where she
helped the Oilers go 106-0 with three state championships and a “Final
Four” appearance in 2020 after the tournament was cancelled because of the
pandemic. 
 
The success she has had in her first two years in college would probably
translate to any university, but it wasn’t always sure that it would be taking place
at Iowa State. Ryan had her mind made up on another university in the Midwest
until she was convinced to take a visit to Ames. 
 
“She was set on this other university,” said Lisa Ryan. “Her AAU coach, Keith
Ferguson, said to take at least two official visits so you have something to
compare. She didn’t want to. He asked what her second choice was and she said
probably Iowa State. She did and she changed her mind.” 
 
Emily was named to the 2022 All-Big 12 First Team while helping the 
Cyclones to a 28-6 record. The Sweet 16 matchup against Creighton will 
be a game, like many
others, the Ryan family will be attending in person. The Ryans left 
Wednesday
afternoon to make the 18-hour road trip to North Carolina. 
 
“We’ve gone somewhere to watch Emily almost every weekend this basketball
season,” said Lisa Ryan. “We didn’t travel sub-state basketball weekend or the
St. John Tournament weekend with our son in high school, but we have the route
to Ames, Iowa pretty much memorized.” 
 
For the rest of the Barton County area and Ryan supporters across the state, Iowa
State tips off against Creighton at 8:30 p.m. Friday and can be watched on ESPN
2. 
 
“The support in the entire state has been amazing over the past two years,”
said Lisa Ryan. “We’ll be somewhere else in the state and someone will come up
to us and say something about Emily and how they follow her. We don’t even know
who they are…it’s amazing.” 
 
From demonstrating ball handling skills in a second-grade talent show to
competing in the NCAA Sweet 16, there will be plenty of supporters in Kansas cheering
Friday for Iowa State and the girl with a “good addiction” from Claflin. 
 
“As a parent, I hope she’ll keep enjoying it and it doesn’t become a big stress
or anxiety type of thing,” said Lisa Ryan. “It hasn’t and I keep hoping it
stays that way. She loves basketball.”

'Good addiction' fuels Kan. support for Claflin native at Iowa State

PAWNEE COUNTY —A Pawnee County Judge sentenced a Kansas man to life in prison Thursday for an incident involving a 13-year-old in February 2019.

Judge Bruce Gatterman sentenced Roy Gene Hill, 59 of Osage, to life in prison with a requirement he serve a minimum of 40 years prior to becoming eligible for parole, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett. He received an additional 18-month sentence due to the failure to register conviction.

In January, a Pawnee County Jury found Hill Guilty of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child Under the Age of 14 following a three-day trial.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of February 10, 2019, at a residence in Garfield, Kansas involving a 13 year old.&nbsp; Hill was arrested at the scene without incident following a call to 911. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the follow-up investigation. Testimony was presented at trial that Hill was a house guest of the family.

At the time of the incident, Hill was subject to life-time registration due to a previous Aggravated Indecent Liberties conviction for an incident in Neosho County in 2002. Hill previously entered a No Contest plea on December 16, 2021, to Count 2 in the case to a charge of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender with the Pawnee County Sheriff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642114839130.png" alt="Hill-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —A Pawnee County Judge sentenced a Kansas man to life in prison Thursday for an incident involving a 13-year-old in February 2019.Judge Bruce Gatterman sentenced Roy Gene Hill, 59 of Osage, to life in prison with a requirement he serve a minimum of 40 years prior to becoming eligible for parole, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett. He received an additional 18-month sentence due to the failure to register conviction.In January, a Pawnee County Jury found Hill Guilty of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child Under the Age of 14 following a three-day trial.The conviction stems from an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of February 10, 2019, at a residence in Garfield, Kansas involving a 13 year old.&nbsp; Hill was arrested at the scene without incident following a call to 911. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the follow-up investigation. Testimony was presented at trial that Hill was a house guest of the family.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642115281720.png" alt="Hill-photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>At the time of the incident, Hill was subject to life-time registration due to a previous Aggravated Indecent Liberties conviction for an incident in Neosho County in 2002. Hill previously entered a No Contest plea on December 16, 2021, to Count 2 in the case to a charge of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender with the Pawnee County Sheriff.

Kan. sex offender sentenced for crime involving 13-year-old

BRUSSELS (AP) — The United States and European Union on Friday announced a new partnership to reduce the continent’s reliance on Russian energy, a step top officials characterized as the start of a years-long initiative to further isolate Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin uses energy to “coerce and manipulate his neighbors” and uses the profits from its sale to “drive his war machine.”

Biden said the partnership he announced jointly with a top European Union official will turn that dynamic on its head by reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy sources, as well as the continent’s demand for gas overall.

The president said such a step is not “only the right thing to do from a moral standpoint” but “it’s going to put us on a stronger strategic footing.”

Under the plan, the U.S. and other nations will increase liquified natural gas exports to Europe by 15 billion cubic meters this year. Even larger shipments would be delivered in the future.

At the same time, they will try to keep their climate goals on track by powering gas infrastructure with clean energy and reducing methane leaks that can worsen global warming.

Although the initiative will likely require new facilities for importing liquified natural gas, the partnership is also geared toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the long run through energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy, according to the White House.

Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU’s executive arm, said it is important for Europe to shift away from Russia and toward energy suppliers that are trustworthy, friendly and reliable.

“We aim to reduce this dependence on Russian fossil fuels and get rid of it,” she said.

Russian energy is a key source of income and political leverage for Moscow. Almost 40% of the European Union’s natural gas comes from Russia to heat homes, generate electricity and power industry.

Biden was leaving Brussels after the announcement and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-warsaw-europe-c905f43858e7966afb3b6cbfbed82b46">heading to Rzeszów in Poland</a>, where U.S. troops are based roughly an hour’s drive from the Ukrainian border.

He will be briefed on the humanitarian response to the refugees streaming out of Ukraine and those still suffering inside the country. He also will meet with U.S. service members from the 82nd Airborne Division, who serve alongside Polish troops.

Biden is then expected to fly to Warsaw for talks Saturday with Polish President Andrzej Duda and an address to the Polish people before he departs for Washington.

While in Brussels, Biden participated in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-g-7-summit-9f6705e72533496f513c3540881d348e">a trio of summits</a>&nbsp;hosted by NATO, the Group of Seven industrialized nations and the European Union, all on Thursday. The extraordinary series of meetings reflects heightened concerns about the war in Ukraine, which has entered its second month.

Although Ukraine has resisted the Russian invasion much more successfully than initially expected, the conflict has become a grueling and bloody affair, with thousands of casualties on each side and millions of refugees fleeing the country.

Western leaders are also concerned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use chemical or even nuclear weapons to regain momentum in the war.

Getting more liquefied natural gas to Europe could be difficult, even though the U.S. has been dramatically increasing its exports in recent years. Many export facilities are already operating at capacity, and most new terminals are still only in the planning stages.

Most U.S. shipments already go to Europe, according to the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, an industry lobbying group. Although much of the supply is already contracted out to buyers, there are still opportunities to shift its destination.

“The U.S. is in a unique position because it has flexible LNG that can be rerouted to Europe or to Asia, depending on who’s willing to pay that price,” said Emily McClain, gas markets analyst at Rystad.

Even if the U.S. can ship more gas to Europe, the continent may struggle to receive it. Import terminals are located in coastal areas, where there are fewer pipeline connections for distributing it.

Even if all Europe’s facilities were operating at capacity, the amount of gas would likely be only about two-thirds of what Russia delivers through pipelines.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648203885524.png" alt="Under the plan, the U.S. and other nations will increase liquified natural gas exports to Europe by 15 billion cubic meters this year. Even larger shipments would be delivered in the future.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Under the plan, the U.S. and other nations will increase liquified natural gas exports to Europe by 15 billion cubic meters this year. Even larger shipments would be delivered in the future.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BRUSSELS (AP) — The United States and European Union on Friday announced a new partnership to reduce the continent’s reliance on Russian energy, a step top officials characterized as the start of a years-long initiative to further isolate Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The transatlantic partnership stands stronger than ever. In a world faced with disorder, our unity upholds fundamental values and rules that our citizens believe in. And we are determined to stand up against Russia’s brutal war. <a href="https://t.co/EbO9c3R7Mt">https://t.co/EbO9c3R7Mt</a>&mdash; Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1507282881772765201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. President Joe Biden asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin uses energy to “coerce and manipulate his neighbors” and uses the profits from its sale to “drive his war machine.”Biden said the partnership he announced jointly with a top European Union official will turn that dynamic on its head by reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy sources, as well as the continent’s demand for gas overall.The president said such a step is not “only the right thing to do from a moral standpoint” but “it’s going to put us on a stronger strategic footing.”Under the plan, the U.S. and other nations will increase liquified natural gas exports to Europe by 15 billion cubic meters this year. Even larger shipments would be delivered in the future.At the same time, they will try to keep their climate goals on track by powering gas infrastructure with clean energy and reducing methane leaks that can worsen global warming.Although the initiative will likely require new facilities for importing liquified natural gas, the partnership is also geared toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the long run through energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy, according to the White House.Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU’s executive arm, said it is important for Europe to shift away from Russia and toward energy suppliers that are trustworthy, friendly and reliable.“We aim to reduce this dependence on Russian fossil fuels and get rid of it,” she said.Russian energy is a key source of income and political leverage for Moscow. Almost 40% of the European Union’s natural gas comes from Russia to heat homes, generate electricity and power industry.Biden was leaving Brussels after the announcement and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-warsaw-europe-c905f43858e7966afb3b6cbfbed82b46">heading to Rzeszów in Poland</a>, where U.S. troops are based roughly an hour’s drive from the Ukrainian border.He will be briefed on the humanitarian response to the refugees streaming out of Ukraine and those still suffering inside the country. He also will meet with U.S. service members from the 82nd Airborne Division, who serve alongside Polish troops.Biden is then expected to fly to Warsaw for talks Saturday with Polish President Andrzej Duda and an address to the Polish people before he departs for Washington.While in Brussels, Biden participated in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-g-7-summit-9f6705e72533496f513c3540881d348e">a trio of summits</a>&nbsp;hosted by NATO, the Group of Seven industrialized nations and the European Union, all on Thursday. The extraordinary series of meetings reflects heightened concerns about the war in Ukraine, which has entered its second month.Although Ukraine has resisted the Russian invasion much more successfully than initially expected, the conflict has become a grueling and bloody affair, with thousands of casualties on each side and millions of refugees fleeing the country.Western leaders are also concerned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use chemical or even nuclear weapons to regain momentum in the war.Getting more liquefied natural gas to Europe could be difficult, even though the U.S. has been dramatically increasing its exports in recent years. Many export facilities are already operating at capacity, and most new terminals are still only in the planning stages.Most U.S. shipments already go to Europe, according to the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, an industry lobbying group. Although much of the supply is already contracted out to buyers, there are still opportunities to shift its destination.“The U.S. is in a unique position because it has flexible LNG that can be rerouted to Europe or to Asia, depending on who’s willing to pay that price,” said Emily McClain, gas markets analyst at Rystad.Even if the U.S. can ship more gas to Europe, the continent may struggle to receive it. Import terminals are located in coastal areas, where there are fewer pipeline connections for distributing it.Even if all Europe’s facilities were operating at capacity, the amount of gas would likely be only about two-thirds of what Russia delivers through pipelines.___

🎥US, EU announce new partnership to undercut Russian energy

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue asking the public to help locate an inmate who was released from jail by mistake.

Just after 11:30 a.m. Monday, inmate Elijah Nehemiah Reed was released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility in error, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

 Reed was in custody on two writs to detain through the Juvenile District Court and a criminal possession of a firearm charge through the Adult District Court. After the adult case was dismissed by the District Court a paperwork error in the Sheriff’s Office was made concerning the sentencing status of the two juvenile cases and Reed was released from custody in error.

Reed is a 20 year old African-American who was last known to live in Wichita. He is 6-foot -2,&nbsp; weighs approximately 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Reed could be dangerous and possibly armed.

If you know of Reed’s whereabouts please call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648080074670.png" alt="Reed-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Reed-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue asking the public to help locate an inmate who was released from jail by mistake.Just after 11:30 a.m. Monday, inmate Elijah Nehemiah Reed was released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility in error, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick. Reed was in custody on two writs to detain through the Juvenile District Court and a criminal possession of a firearm charge through the Adult District Court. After the adult case was dismissed by the District Court a paperwork error in the Sheriff’s Office was made concerning the sentencing status of the two juvenile cases and Reed was released from custody in error.Reed is a 20 year old African-American who was last known to live in Wichita. He is 6-foot -2,&nbsp; weighs approximately 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Reed could be dangerous and possibly armed.If you know of Reed’s whereabouts please call 911.

Search continues for dangerous Kan. inmate released by mistake

WASHINGTON — Unclaimed income tax refunds totaling almost $1.5 
billion may be waiting for an estimated 1.5 million taxpayers who did 
not file a 2018 Form 1040 federal income tax return, but people must act
 before the April tax deadline, according to the Internal Revenue 
Service.

"The IRS wants to help people who are due refunds but haven't filed 
their 2018 tax returns yet," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "But 
people need to act quickly. By law, there's only a three-year window to 
claim these refunds, which closes with this year's April tax deadline. 
We want to help people get these refunds, but they need to file a 2018 
tax return before this critical deadline."

The IRS estimates the midpoint for the potential refunds for 2018 to 
be $813 — that is, half of the refunds are more than $813 and half are 
less.

In cases where a federal income tax return was not filed, the law 
provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity to claim
 a tax refund. If they do not file a tax return within three years, the 
money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2018 tax returns, 
the window closes April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. Taxpayers living 
in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 19, 2022. The law requires 
taxpayers to properly address, mail and ensure the tax return is 
postmarked by that date.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2018 tax refund that their checks
 may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2019 and 2020. In 
addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the 
IRS or a state tax agency and may be used to offset unpaid child support
 or past due federal debts, such as student loans.

By failing to file a tax return, people stand to lose more than just 
their refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2018. Many low- and 
moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit
 (EITC). For 2018, the credit was worth as much as $6,431. The EITC 
helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain 
thresholds. The thresholds for 2018 were:

Tax year 2018 returns must be filed with the IRS center listed on the last page of the current <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf">Form 1040 instructions</a>&nbsp;PDF.
 Current and prior year tax forms (such as the tax year 2018 Form 1040, 
1040-A and 1040-EZ) and instructions are available on the IRS.gov <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions">Forms and Publications</a> page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (<a href="tel:800-829-3676">800-829-3676</a>). However, taxpayers can e-file tax year 2019 and later returns.

Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for the years
 2018, 2019 or 2020 should request copies from their employer, bank or 
other payer. Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms from their 
employer or other payer can order a free wage and income transcript at 
IRS.gov using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript Online</a> tool. Alternatively, they can file Form 4506-T to request a wage and income transcript.

A wage and income transcript shows data from information returns 
received by the IRS, such as Forms W-2, 1098, 1099, Form 5498 and IRA 
contribution information. Taxpayers can use the information from the 
transcript to file their tax return.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — Unclaimed income tax refunds totaling almost $1.5 
billion may be waiting for an estimated 1.5 million taxpayers who did 
not file a 2018 Form 1040 federal income tax return, but people must act
 before the April tax deadline, according to the Internal Revenue 
Service."The IRS wants to help people who are due refunds but haven't filed 
their 2018 tax returns yet," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "But 
people need to act quickly. By law, there's only a three-year window to 
claim these refunds, which closes with this year's April tax deadline. 
We want to help people get these refunds, but they need to file a 2018 
tax return before this critical deadline."The IRS estimates the midpoint for the potential refunds for 2018 to 
be $813 — that is, half of the refunds are more than $813 and half are 
less.In cases where a federal income tax return was not filed, the law 
provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity to claim
 a tax refund. If they do not file a tax return within three years, the 
money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2018 tax returns, 
the window closes April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. Taxpayers living 
in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 19, 2022. The law requires 
taxpayers to properly address, mail and ensure the tax return is 
postmarked by that date.The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2018 tax refund that their checks
 may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2019 and 2020. In 
addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the 
IRS or a state tax agency and may be used to offset unpaid child support
 or past due federal debts, such as student loans.By failing to file a tax return, people stand to lose more than just 
their refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2018. Many low- and 
moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit
 (EITC). For 2018, the credit was worth as much as $6,431. The EITC 
helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain 
thresholds. The thresholds for 2018 were:<ul>
 <li>$49,194 ($54,884 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children;</li><li>$45,802 ($51,492 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children;</li><li>$40,320 ($46,010 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child; and</li><li>$15,270 ($20,950 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children.</li>
 </ul>Tax year 2018 returns must be filed with the IRS center listed on the last page of the current <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf">Form 1040 instructions</a>&nbsp;PDF.
 Current and prior year tax forms (such as the tax year 2018 Form 1040, 
1040-A and 1040-EZ) and instructions are available on the IRS.gov <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions">Forms and Publications</a> page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (<a href="tel:800-829-3676">800-829-3676</a>). However, taxpayers can e-file tax year 2019 and later returns.Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for the years
 2018, 2019 or 2020 should request copies from their employer, bank or 
other payer. Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms from their 
employer or other payer can order a free wage and income transcript at 
IRS.gov using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript Online</a> tool. Alternatively, they can file Form 4506-T to request a wage and income transcript.A wage and income transcript shows data from information returns 
received by the IRS, such as Forms W-2, 1098, 1099, Form 5498 and IRA 
contribution information. Taxpayers can use the information from the 
transcript to file their tax return.

Didn't file a return in 2018? IRS has $1.5B in refunds, but deadline nears

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man is accused of smuggling more than 1,700 reptiles — including baby crocodiles and Mexican beaded lizards — into the U.S. since 2016, authorities said Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648164271375.png" alt="Agents found 52 live reptiles tied up in small bags “which were concealed in the man’s jacket, pants pockets, and groin area.&nbsp;-Photo U.S. Customs and Border Protection" />
 <figcaption>Agents found 52 live reptiles tied up in small bags “which were concealed in the man’s jacket, pants pockets, and groin area.&nbsp;-Photo U.S. Customs and Border Protection</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man is accused of smuggling more than 1,700 reptiles — including baby crocodiles and Mexican beaded lizards — into the U.S. since 2016, authorities said Thursday.Jose Manuel Perez, also known as “Julio Rodriguez,” who had a home in Missouri was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-oddities-lizards-snakes-california-06dd6da23ce434019c5905a81e76bbd4">taken into custody</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 25 at the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico.Border patrol agents found about 60 lizards and snakes tied up in small bags, “which were concealed in the man’s jacket, pants pockets, and groin area,” authorities said last month. Perez allegedly told the agents that the animals were his pets.Perez, 30, of Oxnard, has been in federal custody since then and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles on Thursday announced additional charges on a superseding indictment that also includes Perez's sister as a defendant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648164285696.png" alt="The reptiles were initially taken to Perez's home in Missouri -Photo&nbsp; U.S. Customs and Border Protection" />
 <figcaption>The reptiles were initially taken to Perez's home in Missouri -Photo&nbsp; U.S. Customs and Border Protection</figcaption>
 </figure>Perez is scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles on Monday. His federal attorney in San Diego declined to comment Thursday. Some of the smuggled reptiles were protected and endangered species, authorities said.Beginning January 2016, Perez and his sister, as well as others, are accused of using social media to buy and sell wildlife in the U.S. The animals, including Yucatan and Mexican box turtles, were allegedly imported from Mexico and Hong Kong without permits.The reptiles were initially taken to Perez's home in Missouri but later shipped to Oxnard when he moved to California, authorities said. His sister assisted him in the smuggling business, prosecutors alleged, especially during times when Perez was incarcerated in the U.S.