KANSAS CITY (AP) — First-of-its-kind Missouri legislation shows that pro-life lawmakers in Republican-led states aren’t likely to stop at banning most abortions within their borders but also could try to make it harder to go out of state to end pregnancies.

A proposal that could be debated in the Legislature as soon as next week seeks to make it illegal to “aid or abet” abortions outlawed in Missouri, even if they are performed in other states.

Like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-health-abortion-government-and-politics-ba02cd7c3f02b1eb5c87094257ee4db2">a Texas law passed&nbsp;</a>last&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-health-abortion-government-and-politics-ba02cd7c3f02b1eb5c87094257ee4db2">year</a>, the bill puts enforcement in the hands of residents, who could file lawsuits against those they believe have violated it.

State Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman’s bill is aimed at a key frustration for abortion foes: people crossing state lines to avoid restrictions. The bill also targets a network of 90-plus groups across the U.S. that have sprung up specifically to preserve access to abortion.

The proposal comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide by June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-united-states-mississippi-65751e1b9ca7d34f1458ffe9729f82b2">whether to overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion&nbsp;</a>and GOP-led states rush to pass more restrictions in anticipation that the landmark ruling could be tossed out.

“If the court does that, the ability to get an abortion will be on the line for everyone in America, and so we’re at a crisis point,” said Andrew Beck, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project. “The Missouri bill crystallizes that as extreme and dangerous as that crisis is, it’s just the first step in politicians’ effort to outlaw abortions for everyone.”

Missouri lawmakers in 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/df05286364fb4ba6bfb501aea5c335d8">passed a law banning almost all abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned.</a>

Under Coleman’s measure, anything from driving women across state lines for abortions to internet providers allowing access to certain abortion-related websites would be outlawed. She said St. Louis-area billboards advertising easier-to-get abortions in neighboring Illinois would be banned, too.

“It’s trying to evade the laws of the state of Missouri,” said Coleman, a St. Louis-area Republican. “Abortion is a really brutal practice and Illinois has chosen not to, in any way, provide protections for the unborn and women, and so we’re trying to do everything we can to make sure Missourians are protected.”

For a clinic across the state line from St. Louis, 75% of the patients from September 2021 through February were from Missouri, according to the Planned Parenthood affiliate that operates it.

In the Kansas City area, the two clinics performing abortions are on the Kansas side. Missouri residents have traditionally accounted for a large percentage of the abortions performed in Kansas — 42% in 2020, the latest data available.

“We’re taking it (Coleman’s proposal) seriously because I think if we’ve learned anything from Missouri and also from what’s happened in Texas, it’s that laws that clearly violate an individual’s constitutional rights, rights that have been recognized and protected for decades, are now going into effect and impacting whether people can get care,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood affiliate that operates one of those Kansas City clinics.

Coleman’s proposal also would outlaw paying for a woman’s abortion or helping them get insurance coverage to pay for the procedure.

The Missouri Abortion Fund provided financial assistance to 1,866 Missouri residents seeking abortions last year — only two of them in Missouri. Its aid averaged $113, but Michele Landeau, its president, said it helped some people who were only $10 short of being able to pay for their procedures.

“It’s already so difficult to obtain abortion in Missouri and in a lot of parts of the country, and we don’t need additional threats to people’s lives and people’s livelihoods,” Landeau said.

While some legal experts doubt that Coleman’s proposal is constitutional, they also worry that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-texas-56fe96917e21b53b581005cb30db66e0">Supreme Court might refuse to intervene to stop it — just as it did with the Texas law.</a>

“It’s unclear to these states what they’re going to be able to do, and so I think they’re sort of throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks,” said Mary Ziegler, a Florida State University law professor.

The Missouri proposal comes as other Republican-led states consider laws like Texas,′ with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-business-lawsuits-51f006f5be4ac59b85c28a2d50f1710d">Idaho lawmakers passing</a>&nbsp;a similar measure this week.

“While this is the first, it could kick off similar measures elsewhere as states look to adopt more and more outrageous legislation,” said Elizabeth Nash, a policy expert for the abortion-rights supporting Guttmacher Institute.

John Seago, legislative director of Texas Right to Life, said women traveling to other states is “going to be a reality” if Roe v. Wade is overturned.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-coronavirus-pandemic-health-austin-texas-d85d715dc7f73a3cc4f1638df7ce4a14">Since Texas’ six-week ban took effect last year,&nbsp;</a>clinics in neighboring states have reported a sharp increase in the number of patients from that state.

“This is something that the pro-life movement has to come to terms with and figure out what really is the proper response,” he said.

Abortion-rights advocates said regardless of what happens with such laws in the courts, they can create fear or confusion.

“We still get calls from Texas ... where they ask, ‘Is it even legal for me to call you?’” said Zack Gingrich-Gaylord, spokesperson for the abortion-rights group Trust Women, which operates clinics proving abortions in Wichita, Kansas, and Norman, Oklahoma.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569156934026.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — First-of-its-kind Missouri legislation shows that pro-life lawmakers in Republican-led states aren’t likely to stop at banning most abortions within their borders but also could try to make it harder to go out of state to end pregnancies.A proposal that could be debated in the Legislature as soon as next week seeks to make it illegal to “aid or abet” abortions outlawed in Missouri, even if they are performed in other states.Like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-health-abortion-government-and-politics-ba02cd7c3f02b1eb5c87094257ee4db2">a Texas law passed&nbsp;</a>last&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-health-abortion-government-and-politics-ba02cd7c3f02b1eb5c87094257ee4db2">year</a>, the bill puts enforcement in the hands of residents, who could file lawsuits against those they believe have violated it.State Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman’s bill is aimed at a key frustration for abortion foes: people crossing state lines to avoid restrictions. The bill also targets a network of 90-plus groups across the U.S. that have sprung up specifically to preserve access to abortion.The proposal comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide by June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-united-states-mississippi-65751e1b9ca7d34f1458ffe9729f82b2">whether to overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion&nbsp;</a>and GOP-led states rush to pass more restrictions in anticipation that the landmark ruling could be tossed out.“If the court does that, the ability to get an abortion will be on the line for everyone in America, and so we’re at a crisis point,” said Andrew Beck, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project. “The Missouri bill crystallizes that as extreme and dangerous as that crisis is, it’s just the first step in politicians’ effort to outlaw abortions for everyone.”Missouri lawmakers in 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/df05286364fb4ba6bfb501aea5c335d8">passed a law banning almost all abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned.</a>Under Coleman’s measure, anything from driving women across state lines for abortions to internet providers allowing access to certain abortion-related websites would be outlawed. She said St. Louis-area billboards advertising easier-to-get abortions in neighboring Illinois would be banned, too.“It’s trying to evade the laws of the state of Missouri,” said Coleman, a St. Louis-area Republican. “Abortion is a really brutal practice and Illinois has chosen not to, in any way, provide protections for the unborn and women, and so we’re trying to do everything we can to make sure Missourians are protected.”For a clinic across the state line from St. Louis, 75% of the patients from September 2021 through February were from Missouri, according to the Planned Parenthood affiliate that operates it.In the Kansas City area, the two clinics performing abortions are on the Kansas side. Missouri residents have traditionally accounted for a large percentage of the abortions performed in Kansas — 42% in 2020, the latest data available.“We’re taking it (Coleman’s proposal) seriously because I think if we’ve learned anything from Missouri and also from what’s happened in Texas, it’s that laws that clearly violate an individual’s constitutional rights, rights that have been recognized and protected for decades, are now going into effect and impacting whether people can get care,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood affiliate that operates one of those Kansas City clinics.Coleman’s proposal also would outlaw paying for a woman’s abortion or helping them get insurance coverage to pay for the procedure.The Missouri Abortion Fund provided financial assistance to 1,866 Missouri residents seeking abortions last year — only two of them in Missouri. Its aid averaged $113, but Michele Landeau, its president, said it helped some people who were only $10 short of being able to pay for their procedures.“It’s already so difficult to obtain abortion in Missouri and in a lot of parts of the country, and we don’t need additional threats to people’s lives and people’s livelihoods,” Landeau said.While some legal experts doubt that Coleman’s proposal is constitutional, they also worry that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-texas-56fe96917e21b53b581005cb30db66e0">Supreme Court might refuse to intervene to stop it — just as it did with the Texas law.</a>“It’s unclear to these states what they’re going to be able to do, and so I think they’re sort of throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks,” said Mary Ziegler, a Florida State University law professor.The Missouri proposal comes as other Republican-led states consider laws like Texas,′ with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-business-lawsuits-51f006f5be4ac59b85c28a2d50f1710d">Idaho lawmakers passing</a>&nbsp;a similar measure this week.“While this is the first, it could kick off similar measures elsewhere as states look to adopt more and more outrageous legislation,” said Elizabeth Nash, a policy expert for the abortion-rights supporting Guttmacher Institute.John Seago, legislative director of Texas Right to Life, said women traveling to other states is “going to be a reality” if Roe v. Wade is overturned.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-coronavirus-pandemic-health-austin-texas-d85d715dc7f73a3cc4f1638df7ce4a14">Since Texas’ six-week ban took effect last year,&nbsp;</a>clinics in neighboring states have reported a sharp increase in the number of patients from that state.“This is something that the pro-life movement has to come to terms with and figure out what really is the proper response,” he said.Abortion-rights advocates said regardless of what happens with such laws in the courts, they can create fear or confusion.“We still get calls from Texas ... where they ask, ‘Is it even legal for me to call you?’” said Zack Gingrich-Gaylord, spokesperson for the abortion-rights group Trust Women, which operates clinics proving abortions in Wichita, Kansas, and Norman, Oklahoma.

Missouri could make it harder to get out-of-state abortions

&nbsp;Interstate 70 Westbound has now reopened late Friday, according to Kansas City Kansas Police.&nbsp; However, only the inside lane is clear.  The middle and outside lanes remain closed to clear accident debris. 

Westbound drivers were cautioned not to driver at full speed.&nbsp;

Authorities have not released additional details on the crash.

Eastbound Interstate 70 reopened to traffic just after 12:40p.m. Friday, according to Kansas City, Kansas Police. Westbound remains closed will likely remain closed for a good portion of the afternoon.

KANSAS CITY— Authorities say it may take until late Friday afternoon to reopen Interstate 70 to east and westbound traffic due to a fatal crash and fire in Kansas City, Kansas just <a href="https://legendsshopping.com/">east of The Legends Outlets.</a>

According to KCK Police, eastbound traffic continues to be diverted at Interstate 435 and westbound at 78th Street.

Just after 7:30a.m. Friday, police responded to the crash that involved two semi trucks, according to KCK police. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647617462937.png" alt="The crash occurred just after 7:30 a.m. Friday -Photo courtesy Kansas City Scout" />
 <figcaption>The crash occurred just after 7:30 a.m. Friday -Photo courtesy Kansas City Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Interstate 70 Westbound has now reopened late Friday, according to Kansas City Kansas Police.&nbsp; However, only the inside lane is clear. The middle and outside lanes remain closed to clear accident debris. Westbound drivers were cautioned not to driver at full speed.&nbsp;Authorities have not released additional details on the crash.-----------Eastbound Interstate 70 reopened to traffic just after 12:40p.m. Friday, according to Kansas City, Kansas Police. Westbound remains closed will likely remain closed for a good portion of the afternoon.---------KANSAS CITY— Authorities say it may take until late Friday afternoon to reopen Interstate 70 to east and westbound traffic due to a fatal crash and fire in Kansas City, Kansas just <a href="https://legendsshopping.com/">east of The Legends Outlets.</a>According to KCK Police, eastbound traffic continues to be diverted at Interstate 435 and westbound at 78th Street.Just after 7:30a.m. Friday, police responded to the crash that involved two semi trucks, according to KCK police. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Westbound I-70 now open after crash, fire east of Legends Outlets

KANSAS CITY— A judge sentenced a Kansas City man to 20 years in prison for the fatal stabbing in November 2020 of Daniel Atkinson, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Trever A. Young, 30, pleaded guilty to Murder 2nd Degree.&nbsp;

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on Nov. 5, 2020 to the 3700 block of Gardner Avenue on a reported cutting. Officers found a victim, later identified as 37-year-old Daniel Atkison.

 He was suffering from apparent trauma. He later died at a hospital of his injuries. A witness provided a suspect description, a name and that the suspect was traveling on foot from the crime scene.

Officers took the Young into custody soon after. He had apparent blood on his clothing and a knife that appeared to be bloody. Witnesses described for police how the suspect punched or stabbed the victim in the stomach.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647461066969.png" alt="Young-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Young-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— A judge sentenced a Kansas City man to 20 years in prison for the fatal stabbing in November 2020 of Daniel Atkinson, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Trever A. Young, 30, pleaded guilty to Murder 2nd Degree.&nbsp;According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on Nov. 5, 2020 to the 3700 block of Gardner Avenue on a reported cutting. Officers found a victim, later identified as 37-year-old Daniel Atkison. He was suffering from apparent trauma. He later died at a hospital of his injuries. A witness provided a suspect description, a name and that the suspect was traveling on foot from the crime scene.Officers took the Young into custody soon after. He had apparent blood on his clothing and a knife that appeared to be bloody. Witnesses described for police how the suspect punched or stabbed the victim in the stomach.

Kansas City man sentenced for fatal knife attack

MOSCOW (AP) —The United States stepped up its push Friday for consular access to Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling, as a member of a Russian state-backed prison monitoring group said Griner was faring well behind bars.

Ekaterina Kalugina told The Associated Press on Friday that she visited Griner on Monday at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russia-arrest-extended-d769f6dfe03a3b55f23ef24960dae787">pretrial detention facility outside of Moscow</a>&nbsp;where she’s being held and spoke to her with the help of a cellmate who speaks Russian and English and served as an interpreter.

“Her physical condition is fine, she’s holding up fine, and I’d even say that she is fairly calm and isn’t anxious,” Kalugina said of the Phoenix Mercury star and former 3-time Big 12 Player of the year, whose legal ordeal comes amid tension between Russia and the U.S. over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-united-nations-europe-antony-blinken-c3310a12490a0cf2e06f5f389e22e3a6">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.

The United States stepped up its push Friday for consular access to Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling, as a member of a Russian state-backed prison monitoring group said Griner was faring well behind bars.

“Her physical condition is fine, she’s holding up fine, and I’d even say that she is fairly calm and isn’t anxious,” Kalugina said of the Phoenix Mercury star, whose legal ordeal comes amid tension between Russia and the U.S. over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-united-nations-europe-antony-blinken-c3310a12490a0cf2e06f5f389e22e3a6">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.

Kalugina said Griner is being held at the facility where an Israeli woman, Naama Issachar, spent time before Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/122f4edecc8fa71d30b060ef2fa81a62">pardoned her in 2020</a>. Russian authorities said they found hashish in Issachar’s luggage while she was transferring between flights in Moscow en route from India to Israel, at the same airport where Griner was detained. Issachar was convicted and sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison before she was freed after spending nine months behind bars.

Griner’s legal team has been quietly seeking her release and has declined to speak out about the case since her arrest was made public earlier this month.

Of the thousands of U.S. citizens arrested and jailed in prisons abroad, a small subset are designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained — a category that affords their cases an extra level of government attention and places them under the auspices of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department. The U.S. government has not yet put Griner’s case in that category.

Griner is not the only American detained in Russia. Marine veteran Trevor Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2020 on charges alleging that he assaulted police officers in Moscow. And Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges that his family and the U.S. government have said are false. U.S. officials have publicly called for Moscow to release them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646510097872.png" alt="The 31-year-old Griner, one of the most recognizable players in women’s basketball, has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star and three-time Big 12 Player of the year at Baylor-photo courtesy Phoenix Mercury" />
 <figcaption>The 31-year-old Griner, one of the most recognizable players in women’s basketball, has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star and three-time Big 12 Player of the year at Baylor-photo courtesy Phoenix Mercury</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) —The United States stepped up its push Friday for consular access to Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling, as a member of a Russian state-backed prison monitoring group said Griner was faring well behind bars.Ekaterina Kalugina told The Associated Press on Friday that she visited Griner on Monday at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russia-arrest-extended-d769f6dfe03a3b55f23ef24960dae787">pretrial detention facility outside of Moscow</a>&nbsp;where she’s being held and spoke to her with the help of a cellmate who speaks Russian and English and served as an interpreter.“Her physical condition is fine, she’s holding up fine, and I’d even say that she is fairly calm and isn’t anxious,” Kalugina said of the Phoenix Mercury star and former 3-time Big 12 Player of the year, whose legal ordeal comes amid tension between Russia and the U.S. over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-united-nations-europe-antony-blinken-c3310a12490a0cf2e06f5f389e22e3a6">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.The United States stepped up its push Friday for consular access to Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling, as a member of a Russian state-backed prison monitoring group said Griner was faring well behind bars.Ekaterina Kalugina told The Associated Press on Friday that she visited Griner on Monday at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russia-arrest-extended-d769f6dfe03a3b55f23ef24960dae787">pretrial detention facility outside of Moscow</a>&nbsp;where she’s being held and spoke to her with the help of a cellmate who speaks Russian and English and served as an interpreter.“Her physical condition is fine, she’s holding up fine, and I’d even say that she is fairly calm and isn’t anxious,” Kalugina said of the Phoenix Mercury star, whose legal ordeal comes amid tension between Russia and the U.S. over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-united-nations-europe-antony-blinken-c3310a12490a0cf2e06f5f389e22e3a6">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.Kalugina said Griner is being held at the facility where an Israeli woman, Naama Issachar, spent time before Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/122f4edecc8fa71d30b060ef2fa81a62">pardoned her in 2020</a>. Russian authorities said they found hashish in Issachar’s luggage while she was transferring between flights in Moscow en route from India to Israel, at the same airport where Griner was detained. Issachar was convicted and sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison before she was freed after spending nine months behind bars.Griner’s legal team has been quietly seeking her release and has declined to speak out about the case since her arrest was made public earlier this month.Of the thousands of U.S. citizens arrested and jailed in prisons abroad, a small subset are designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained — a category that affords their cases an extra level of government attention and places them under the auspices of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department. The U.S. government has not yet put Griner’s case in that category.Griner is not the only American detained in Russia. Marine veteran Trevor Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2020 on charges alleging that he assaulted police officers in Moscow. And Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges that his family and the U.S. government have said are false. U.S. officials have publicly called for Moscow to release them.

US demands Russia allow access to detained basketball star

UPDATE 4:25 p.m. Friday: The Salina Police this afternoon released new information in the landscaper BB shooting case.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A social media challenge apparently is connected to the shooting of a landscaper in downtown Salina late Tuesday morning.

The Salina Police Department this afternoon announced that two people had been apprehended in connection to the case.

Earlier today, by using a partial license plate number, detectives were able to locate in the 700 block of S. Ninth Street the white Dodge Ram connected to the shooting, according to a news release from the department. Two teen males believed to be associated with the shooting were located in the pickup. The two were identified as a 17-year-old Salina boy and Lucas E. Burleson, 18, of Salina. Both were taken to the Salina Police Department for questioning.

"Detectives learned the suspect’s actions might be associated with a Tick Tock 'Orbeez Challenge' on social media involving gel or water beads fired from airsoft-type guns. This challenge encourages participants to use airsoft-type guns which shoot gel or water beads at pedestrians. This Tick Tock social media challenge is apparently a nation-wide phenomenon and has resulted in injuries," the Salina Police Department noted in the news release.

Following are the requested charges for the two, according to information from the police.

The 17-year-old boy: Aggravated assault and battery. Both are Saline County District Court juvenile charges.

Burleson: Unlawful discharge of an air gun within the city limits. This is a Salina Municipal Court charge.

Additionally, there is a third person believed to be involved in the incident.

"Once they are identified, that person will beinterviewed and may be subject to charges," the department noted in the news release.

If you have any information concerning this event or identification of the individual(s) involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950</a> to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward and you are not required to give your name. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210. Case 2022-3667.

On Tuesday, officers with the Salina Police Department received a report from a citizen who had been shot by a BB gun. 

The woman reported that she was working along the side of the road in the 200 block of S. Santa Fe Avenue when a newer white four-door Dodge Ram pickup drove by slowly. The woman observed the rear driver’s side passenger holding a black BB gun. The passenger then fired the BB gun, striking the victim in the chest with a BB.

Video surveillance from the downtown area shows the suspect vehicle leaving the scene.

If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individual involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, or Officer Cranmer, case 2022-7160.

UPDATE 4:25 p.m. Friday: The Salina Police this afternoon released new information in the landscaper BB shooting case.By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA social media challenge apparently is connected to the shooting of a landscaper in downtown Salina late Tuesday morning.The Salina Police Department this afternoon announced that two people had been apprehended in connection to the case.Earlier today, by using a partial license plate number, detectives were able to locate in the 700 block of S. Ninth Street the white Dodge Ram connected to the shooting, according to a news release from the department. Two teen males believed to be associated with the shooting were located in the pickup. The two were identified as a 17-year-old Salina boy and Lucas E. Burleson, 18, of Salina. Both were taken to the Salina Police Department for questioning."Detectives learned the suspect’s actions might be associated with a Tick Tock 'Orbeez Challenge' on social media involving gel or water beads fired from airsoft-type guns. This challenge encourages participants to use airsoft-type guns which shoot gel or water beads at pedestrians. This Tick Tock social media challenge is apparently a nation-wide phenomenon and has resulted in injuries," the Salina Police Department noted in the news release.Following are the requested charges for the two, according to information from the police.The 17-year-old boy: Aggravated assault and battery. Both are Saline County District Court juvenile charges.Burleson: Unlawful discharge of an air gun within the city limits. This is a Salina Municipal Court charge.Additionally, there is a third person believed to be involved in the incident."Once they are identified, that person will beinterviewed and may be subject to charges," the department noted in the news release.If you have any information concerning this event or identification of the individual(s) involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950</a> to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward and you are not required to give your name. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210. Case 2022-3667.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647624264575.jpeg" alt="Crimestoppers is seeking tips about this white Dodge Ram in connection with an incident in which a worker&nbsp; was shot with a BB gun in the 200 block of S. Santa Fe Avenue.&nbsp;Photos courtesy Crimestoppers&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Crimestoppers is seeking tips about this white Dodge Ram in connection with an incident in which a worker&nbsp; was shot with a BB gun in the 200 block of S. Santa Fe Avenue.&nbsp;Photos courtesy Crimestoppers&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>CrimestoppersOn Tuesday, officers with the Salina Police Department received a report from a citizen who had been shot by a BB gun. The woman reported that she was working along the side of the road in the 200 block of S. Santa Fe Avenue when a newer white four-door Dodge Ram pickup drove by slowly. The woman observed the rear driver’s side passenger holding a black BB gun. The passenger then fired the BB gun, striking the victim in the chest with a BB.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647624406768.jpeg" alt="Another view of the Dodge Ram taken from surveillance video." />
 <figcaption>Another view of the Dodge Ram taken from surveillance video.</figcaption>
 </figure>Video surveillance from the downtown area shows the suspect vehicle leaving the scene.If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individual involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, or Officer Cranmer, case 2022-7160. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647624476894.jpeg" alt="Another image from surveillance video." />
 <figcaption>Another image from surveillance video.</figcaption>
 </figure>

BB shooting case in Salina may be part of nationwide trend

LINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp; — The Nebraska 
State Patrol is renewing its request for information regarding the 
disappearance of Linda Dillard, who went missing last June in southeast 
Nebraska, according to a media release.

Dillard was last seen on June 16, 2021, in the rural Table Rock, Neb., area.
 As part of the investigation, NSP and assisting agencies have conducted
 multiple searches in the area where Dillard was last seen. 
Investigators believe Dillard may have been the victim of a crime, which
 led to her disappearance.

Dillard was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black DKNY boxer brief shorts, and brown Birkenstock-type 
sandals. Dillard is described as a white female, 5’0”, 130 pounds, with 
blue eyes and brown hair (possibly dyed or wearing a wig).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647635073487.jpeg" alt="Dillard photo Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Dillard photo Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp; — The Nebraska 
State Patrol is renewing its request for information regarding the 
disappearance of Linda Dillard, who went missing last June in southeast 
Nebraska, according to a media release.Dillard was last seen on June 16, 2021, in the rural Table Rock, Neb., area.
 As part of the investigation, NSP and assisting agencies have conducted
 multiple searches in the area where Dillard was last seen. 
Investigators believe Dillard may have been the victim of a crime, which
 led to her disappearance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647635024140.png" alt="Table Rock is in the southeast portion of Nebraska near the Kansas border. Google Maps." />
 <figcaption>Table Rock is in the southeast portion of Nebraska near the Kansas border. Google Maps.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dillard was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black DKNY boxer brief shorts, and brown Birkenstock-type 
sandals. Dillard is described as a white female, 5’0”, 130 pounds, with 
blue eyes and brown hair (possibly dyed or wearing a wig).

Nebraska Patrol: Search continues for woman missing since June

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) was recently appointed by the Senate to join the Senate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Observer Group, which serves as a bridge between the U.S. Senate and NATO allies, according to a media release his office.

“As Russia’s unprovoked war with Ukraine threatens European stability, a unified NATO is essential to deterring further threats and preserving American peace and prosperity,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have regularly met with NATO military leaders stationed throughout Europe, and I am pleased to now join the Senate NATO Observer Group to continue strengthening this transatlantic alliance. Through this bipartisan group my colleagues and I will track the implementation of NATO initiatives, assess its military capabilities and review NATO defense spending to protect democracy and safeguard freedom for the U.S. and our NATO allies.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647627371678.png" alt="In October, and before Senator Moran's addition, the Senate NATO Observer Group met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Washington.&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH),&nbsp;a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) co-chair the group " />
 <figcaption>In October, and before Senator Moran's addition, the Senate NATO Observer Group met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Washington.&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH),&nbsp;a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) co-chair the group </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) was recently appointed by the Senate to join the Senate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Observer Group, which serves as a bridge between the U.S. Senate and NATO allies, according to a media release his office.“As Russia’s unprovoked war with Ukraine threatens European stability, a unified NATO is essential to deterring further threats and preserving American peace and prosperity,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have regularly met with NATO military leaders stationed throughout Europe, and I am pleased to now join the Senate NATO Observer Group to continue strengthening this transatlantic alliance. Through this bipartisan group my colleagues and I will track the implementation of NATO initiatives, assess its military capabilities and review NATO defense spending to protect democracy and safeguard freedom for the U.S. and our NATO allies.”<ul>
 <li>The Senate NATO Observer group was first established in 1997 and helped guide the Senate approval process for aspiring NATO allies from former Soviet satellite countries in Eastern and Southern Europe.</li><li>The Senate NATO Observer Group meets regularly with leaders from the Departments of State and Defense and with key NATO leaders, including the Secretary General.</li><li>Current members of the Senate NATO Observer Group include U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) as co-chairs, along with John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Booker (R-N.J.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).</li>
 </ul>

Senator Moran appointed to Senate NATO Observer Group

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/17/most-hbcu-bomb-threats-may-be-coming-from-one-juvenile-fbi-official-tells-congress/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — A top FBI official 
told members of a U.S. House panel on Thursday that the agency believes a
 single juvenile is behind most of the bomb threats made to more than 30
 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Ryan Young, executive assistant director of the Intelligence Branch 
at the FBI, said that the bomb threats made to HBCUs and historically 
Black churches are the agency’s top priority.

“We’ve treated this as domestic terrorism,” he said. “It’s meant to inflict harm within the African American population.”

Under questioning from Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana, 
Young said that the FBI believes that a majority of the bomb threats are
 from one juvenile, but declined to give any more information.

Higgins asked if it is correct that the FBI has identified one 
juvenile behind the threats. Young said “that is consistent with the 
message we’ve shared with both law enforcement and the Historically 
Black Colleges.”

The exchange came during a hearing of the House Oversight Committee, 
as lawmakers grilled officials from law enforcement agencies about why 
those making bomb threats made against Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities have not been caught.

“As the investigation is ongoing, I know that the FBI cannot answer 
any questions about the status of these specific cases,” said Rep. Jamie
 Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and chair of the&nbsp;Subcommittee on Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties.

“But I would like to know how the FBI is coordinating with HBCUs and 
communities of color to address the terrifying rise in hate crimes and 
white supremacy in the U.S.”

This year alone, 36 HBCUs have been targeted with bomb threats. The House and Senate on a bipartisan vote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/08/u-s-house-condemns-bomb-threats-made-against-hbcus/">passed</a>&nbsp;
 a resolution condemning the bomb threats made to HBCUs and several 
congressional hearings on the threats to minority institutions have been
 held.

Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis temporarily closed its campus on Feb. 1 <a target="_blank" href="https://news.stlpublicradio.org/education/2022-02-01/harris-stowe-state-university-shuts-down-campus-following-bomb-threats-to-it-and-other-hbcus">after receiving a bomb threat</a>.

Leaders of faith organizations and HBCUs&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/17/u-s-house-hearing-on-extremism-toward-minorities-turns-into-defund-the-police-debate/">detailed</a>&nbsp;to
 the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland 
Security how their institutions and places of worship have been roiled 
by bomb threats and extremism.

Higgins said it was unacceptable that the FBI and Department of Justice have not made an arrest.

“The impact of the bomb threats, when you look at (the) historical 
aspect, that’s a level of fear that we should absolutely investigate in 
the most aggressive way possible,” he said.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-juveniles-identified-fbi-persons-interests-bomb-threats-historical-rcna14591">A February report from NBC&nbsp;</a>said
 the FBI was looking at a group of six juveniles as “persons of 
interest” in the threats. That report said the juveniles were “tech 
savvy” and able to disguise the source of the threats.

Students from HBCUs also testified before lawmakers on the impact of dealing with bomb threats.

Emmanuel Ukot, the president of the Student Government Association at
 Xavier University of Louisiana, said many classmates were anxious 
following the bomb threats in February.

“Our HBCUs are spaces where we are the majority, where we are valued,
 and where we are expected to excel,” Ukot said. “These attacks robbed 
us of that freedom and ease that HBCUs have historically provided to 
Black students.”

Another student,&nbsp;Devan Vilfrard, from&nbsp;Florida A&amp;M University in 
Tallahassee, said in his opening statement to lawmakers that “racial 
violence towards HBCUs is a multi-generational occurrence that 
profoundly impacts the Black community.”

“HBCUs should continue to be federally supported and protected as we 
endeavor to remove this ongoing tradition of bombing and bomb threats 
for HBCU students of the future,” he said.

Rep. Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, said that the threats were also
 an attack on the mental health of faculty, students and staff, as a 
majority of the threats were made in February during Black History 
Month.

“HBCUs are building the next generation of Black leaders and Congress
 must continue to recognize their contributions in the most important 
way possible by affording the support, the infrastructure and the 
investment to keep them and our future leaders safe and secure,” Brown 
said.

She asked Michelle Asha Cooper, the acting assistant secretary for 
postsecondary education at the U.S. Department of Education, what the 
agency is doing to help HBCUs address the mental health impact of the 
bomb threats.

Cooper said that HBCUs who have received bomb threats get immediately
 contacted by the Department of Education so the agency can understand 
how to best serve those institutions. Cooper added that the agency is 
working on guidance on how HBCUs can tap into pandemic relief funds to 
address mental health needs.

The chair of the House Oversight Committee, Rep.&nbsp;Carolyn B. Maloney, a
 New York Democrat, asked Young if he believed these threats were being 
made by foreign actors.

Young said that the FBI had found no evidence of foreign influence in
 the bomb threats, but added that “there is an understanding that people
 online are radicalizing a lot more.”

He added that the agency has seen a rise in hate crimes not only 
toward the African American community, but other minority communities 
and places of worship.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647552407908.png" alt="Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis temporarily closed its campus on Feb. 1 after receiving a bomb threat (photo courtesy of Harris-Stowe State)." />
 <figcaption>Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis temporarily closed its campus on Feb. 1 after receiving a bomb threat (photo courtesy of Harris-Stowe State).</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/17/most-hbcu-bomb-threats-may-be-coming-from-one-juvenile-fbi-official-tells-congress/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — A top FBI official 
told members of a U.S. House panel on Thursday that the agency believes a
 single juvenile is behind most of the bomb threats made to more than 30
 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.Ryan Young, executive assistant director of the Intelligence Branch 
at the FBI, said that the bomb threats made to HBCUs and historically 
Black churches are the agency’s top priority.“We’ve treated this as domestic terrorism,” he said. “It’s meant to inflict harm within the African American population.”Under questioning from Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana, 
Young said that the FBI believes that a majority of the bomb threats are
 from one juvenile, but declined to give any more information.Higgins asked if it is correct that the FBI has identified one 
juvenile behind the threats. Young said “that is consistent with the 
message we’ve shared with both law enforcement and the Historically 
Black Colleges.”The exchange came during a hearing of the House Oversight Committee, 
as lawmakers grilled officials from law enforcement agencies about why 
those making bomb threats made against Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities have not been caught.“As the investigation is ongoing, I know that the FBI cannot answer 
any questions about the status of these specific cases,” said Rep. Jamie
 Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and chair of the&nbsp;Subcommittee on Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties.“But I would like to know how the FBI is coordinating with HBCUs and 
communities of color to address the terrifying rise in hate crimes and 
white supremacy in the U.S.”This year alone, 36 HBCUs have been targeted with bomb threats. The House and Senate on a bipartisan vote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/08/u-s-house-condemns-bomb-threats-made-against-hbcus/">passed</a>&nbsp;
 a resolution condemning the bomb threats made to HBCUs and several 
congressional hearings on the threats to minority institutions have been
 held.Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis temporarily closed its campus on Feb. 1 <a target="_blank" href="https://news.stlpublicradio.org/education/2022-02-01/harris-stowe-state-university-shuts-down-campus-following-bomb-threats-to-it-and-other-hbcus">after receiving a bomb threat</a>.Leaders of faith organizations and HBCUs&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/17/u-s-house-hearing-on-extremism-toward-minorities-turns-into-defund-the-police-debate/">detailed</a>&nbsp;to
 the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland 
Security how their institutions and places of worship have been roiled 
by bomb threats and extremism.Higgins said it was unacceptable that the FBI and Department of Justice have not made an arrest.“The impact of the bomb threats, when you look at (the) historical 
aspect, that’s a level of fear that we should absolutely investigate in 
the most aggressive way possible,” he said.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-juveniles-identified-fbi-persons-interests-bomb-threats-historical-rcna14591">A February report from NBC&nbsp;</a>said
 the FBI was looking at a group of six juveniles as “persons of 
interest” in the threats. That report said the juveniles were “tech 
savvy” and able to disguise the source of the threats.<h2>Student anxiety</h2>Students from HBCUs also testified before lawmakers on the impact of dealing with bomb threats.Emmanuel Ukot, the president of the Student Government Association at
 Xavier University of Louisiana, said many classmates were anxious 
following the bomb threats in February.“Our HBCUs are spaces where we are the majority, where we are valued,
 and where we are expected to excel,” Ukot said. “These attacks robbed 
us of that freedom and ease that HBCUs have historically provided to 
Black students.”Another student,&nbsp;Devan Vilfrard, from&nbsp;Florida A&amp;M University in 
Tallahassee, said in his opening statement to lawmakers that “racial 
violence towards HBCUs is a multi-generational occurrence that 
profoundly impacts the Black community.”“HBCUs should continue to be federally supported and protected as we 
endeavor to remove this ongoing tradition of bombing and bomb threats 
for HBCU students of the future,” he said.Rep. Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, said that the threats were also
 an attack on the mental health of faculty, students and staff, as a 
majority of the threats were made in February during Black History 
Month.“HBCUs are building the next generation of Black leaders and Congress
 must continue to recognize their contributions in the most important 
way possible by affording the support, the infrastructure and the 
investment to keep them and our future leaders safe and secure,” Brown 
said.She asked Michelle Asha Cooper, the acting assistant secretary for 
postsecondary education at the U.S. Department of Education, what the 
agency is doing to help HBCUs address the mental health impact of the 
bomb threats.Cooper said that HBCUs who have received bomb threats get immediately
 contacted by the Department of Education so the agency can understand 
how to best serve those institutions. Cooper added that the agency is 
working on guidance on how HBCUs can tap into pandemic relief funds to 
address mental health needs.The chair of the House Oversight Committee, Rep.&nbsp;Carolyn B. Maloney, a
 New York Democrat, asked Young if he believed these threats were being 
made by foreign actors.Young said that the FBI had found no evidence of foreign influence in
 the bomb threats, but added that “there is an understanding that people
 online are radicalizing a lot more.”He added that the agency has seen a rise in hate crimes not only 
toward the African American community, but other minority communities 
and places of worship.

FBI: Most HBCU bomb threats may be coming from one juvenile

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 172 to a total of 769,218 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.

The state reported 58 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,146 and 74 new hospitalizations since Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> 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 (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>.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 172 to a total of 769,218 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.The state reported 58 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,146 and 74 new hospitalizations since Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647623606827.png" alt="Friday March 18, 2022 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday March 18, 2022 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> 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 (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 reports 58 additional COVID-19 deaths

There have been four overdose fatalities in Reno County over the past seven days, according to law enforcement. 

Three of the overdoses are suspected to be fentanyl related. Fentanyl is mixed in with other substances including methamphetamine, heroin, and fake pills. Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage, the county said in a news release Friday.

There have been four overdose fatalities in Reno County over the past seven days, according to law enforcement. Three of the overdoses are suspected to be fentanyl related. Fentanyl is mixed in with other substances including methamphetamine, heroin, and fake pills. Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage, the county said in a news release Friday.— Hutch Post

Four fatal overdoses reported in Reno Co. in one week

WASHINGTON (AP) — Key figures for a war half a world away, President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday as the White House looked to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-united-nations-europe-antony-blinken-c3310a12490a0cf2e06f5f389e22e3a6">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.

China’s Foreign Ministry was the first to issue a readout of the video conversation, deploring “conflict and confrontation” as “not in anyone’s interest,” without assigning any blame to Russia.

Ahead of the call, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and an “absence of denunciation” of Russia’s invasion.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Chunying Hua pushed back, calling Biden’s administration’s suggestions that China risks falling on the wrong side of history in the conflict “overbearing.”\

Planning for the call had been in the works since Biden and Xi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">held a virtual summit in November,</a>&nbsp;but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine were expected to be at the center of the call.

China on Friday also sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine.

In an attempt to show international support for China’s position, state broadcaster CCTV said Xi discussed Ukraine in phone calls with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, adding that the leaders’ views were “extremely close.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">The U.S.-China relationship</a>, long fraught, has only become more strained since the start of Biden’s presidency. Biden has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.

But the relationship may have reached a new low with the Russian invasion.

In the days after Putin deployed Russian forces in Ukraine, Xi’s government tried to distance itself from Russia’s offensive but avoided criticizing Moscow. At other moments, Beijing’s actions have been provocative and have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-health-biological-weapons-china-39eeee023efdf7ea59c4a20b7e018169">amplifying unverified Russian claims</a>&nbsp;that Ukraine ran chemical and biological weapons labs with U.S. support.

Earlier this week, the U.S. informed Asian and European allies that American intelligence had determined that China had signaled to Russia that it would be willing to provide both military support for the campaign in Ukraine and financial backing to help stave off the impact of severe sanctions imposed by the West.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday reiterated that the Biden administration remains concerned that China is considering providing military equipment to Russia. He said Biden would make clear to Xi “that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs.”

The White House says China has been sending mixed messages about its support for Russia. There were initial signs that Chinese state owned banks were pulling back from financing Russian activities, according to a senior Biden administration official who insisted on anonymity to discuss internal analyses. But there have also been public comments by Chinese officials who expressed support for Russia being a strategic partner.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi met in Rome earlier this week for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">intense, seven-hour talk&nbsp;</a>about the Russian invasion and other issues.

Ahead of the Rome talks, Sullivan said the U.S. wouldn’t abide China or any other country helping Russia work around economy-jarring sanctions inflicted by the U.S. and other allies since the Feb. 24 invasion.

Sullivan also said the administration determined China knew that Putin “was planning something” before the invasion of Ukraine, but the Chinese government “may not have understood the full extent” of what Putin had in mind.

Xi and Putin met in early February, weeks before the invasion, with the Russian leader traveling to Beijing for the start of the Winter Olympics. During Putin’s visit, the two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless “friendship.”

Beijing’s leadership would like to be supportive of Russia but also recognizes how badly the Russian military action is going as an overmatched Ukrainian military has put up stiff resistance, according to a Western official familiar with current intelligence assessments.

The official, who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Beijing is weighing the potential “reputational blowback” of being associated with the Russian camp. The Chinese response to Russia’s request for help “is in the process of being formulated,” the official added.

Though seen as siding with Russia, China has also reached out to Ukraine, with its ambassador to the country on Monday quoted as saying: “China is a friendly country for the Ukrainian people. As an ambassador, I can responsibly say that China will forever be a good force for Ukraine, both economically and politically.”

“We have seen how great the unity of the Ukrainian people is, and that means its strength,” Fan Xianrong was quoted by Ukraine’s state news service Ukrinform as telling regional authorities in the western city of Lviv, where the Chinese Embassy has relocated to.

In a reminder of China’s threat to assert its claim to Taiwan by force, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, just hours before the Biden-Xi call, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.

Any conflict over the self-governing island democracy stands to involve the U.S., which is legally obligated to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and treats threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”

“The national army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are in complete possession of the movements of Chinese ships in the sea and planes in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait to safeguard national security,” the ministry said in a statement.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said he had no details about the ship’s passage through the strait, but added that “I believe the carrier has its routine training schedule, and it should not be linked with the communication between Chinese and American leaders.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke Friday via a video call as the White House looks to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi held a virtual summit in November. 

But differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine were expected to be at the center of the call. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says Biden will question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and its failure to denounce Russia’s brutal invasion.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-china-united-states-435b16e7ad35199462e2b6e4927846f9">set to speak on Friday</a>&nbsp;as the White House warns Beijing that providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will trigger severe consequences from Washington and beyond.

Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">held a virtual summit in November,</a>&nbsp;but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine are expected to be at the center of the call.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and an “absence of denunciation” of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.

“This is an opportunity to assess where President Xi stands,” Psaki said.

China on Friday again sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine.

“China has called for every effort to avoid civilian casualties all the time,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing. “Which do the civilians in Ukraine need more: food and sleeping bags or machine guns and artillery? It’s easy to answer.”

Despite tensions in U.S.-China relations, Biden and Xi have sought to keep the leader-to-leader dialogue open and have become familiar with each other through their political rise.

Biden and Xi first got to know each other on travels across the U.S. and China when both were vice presidents, interactions that both leaders say left a lasting impression. Friday’s phone call will be the fourth exchange between the two leaders since Biden became president.

Zhao said he had no details about the ship’s passage through the strait, but added that “I believe the carrier has its routine training schedule, and it should not be linked with the communication between Chinese and American leaders.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will speak Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ongoing economic competition between the two countries and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-kyiv-europe-world-news-303fbd14ea7d3f131abc9b3d5739123f">Russia’s war against Ukraine</a>.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced the upcoming phone call in a Thursday statement that said it’s “part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication” between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">the United States and China</a>.

The call follows an intense seven-hour meeting in Rome on Monday between White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy advise</a>&nbsp;r Yang Jiechi.

U.S. officials have warned that China has amplified Russian disinformation that could be a pretext for Putin’s forces to attack Ukraine with chemical or biological weapons. There are also reports —denied by the Kremlin — that Russia has reached out to China for aid as it faces sanctions and an invasion that faces stiff resistance by Ukrainians.

At the meeting, Sullivan wanted more transparency on Beijing’s posture regarding Russia and repeated that any attempts by China to help Russia avoid sanctions would be costly for Xi’s government.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647635567547.png" alt="President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Key figures for a war half a world away, President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday as the White House looked to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-united-nations-europe-antony-blinken-c3310a12490a0cf2e06f5f389e22e3a6">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.China’s Foreign Ministry was the first to issue a readout of the video conversation, deploring “conflict and confrontation” as “not in anyone’s interest,” without assigning any blame to Russia.Ahead of the call, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and an “absence of denunciation” of Russia’s invasion.Foreign Ministry spokesman Chunying Hua pushed back, calling Biden’s administration’s suggestions that China risks falling on the wrong side of history in the conflict “overbearing.”\Planning for the call had been in the works since Biden and Xi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">held a virtual summit in November,</a>&nbsp;but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine were expected to be at the center of the call.China on Friday also sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine.In an attempt to show international support for China’s position, state broadcaster CCTV said Xi discussed Ukraine in phone calls with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, adding that the leaders’ views were “extremely close.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">The U.S.-China relationship</a>, long fraught, has only become more strained since the start of Biden’s presidency. Biden has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.But the relationship may have reached a new low with the Russian invasion.In the days after Putin deployed Russian forces in Ukraine, Xi’s government tried to distance itself from Russia’s offensive but avoided criticizing Moscow. At other moments, Beijing’s actions have been provocative and have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-health-biological-weapons-china-39eeee023efdf7ea59c4a20b7e018169">amplifying unverified Russian claims</a>&nbsp;that Ukraine ran chemical and biological weapons labs with U.S. support.Earlier this week, the U.S. informed Asian and European allies that American intelligence had determined that China had signaled to Russia that it would be willing to provide both military support for the campaign in Ukraine and financial backing to help stave off the impact of severe sanctions imposed by the West.Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday reiterated that the Biden administration remains concerned that China is considering providing military equipment to Russia. He said Biden would make clear to Xi “that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs.”The White House says China has been sending mixed messages about its support for Russia. There were initial signs that Chinese state owned banks were pulling back from financing Russian activities, according to a senior Biden administration official who insisted on anonymity to discuss internal analyses. But there have also been public comments by Chinese officials who expressed support for Russia being a strategic partner.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi met in Rome earlier this week for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">intense, seven-hour talk&nbsp;</a>about the Russian invasion and other issues.Ahead of the Rome talks, Sullivan said the U.S. wouldn’t abide China or any other country helping Russia work around economy-jarring sanctions inflicted by the U.S. and other allies since the Feb. 24 invasion.Sullivan also said the administration determined China knew that Putin “was planning something” before the invasion of Ukraine, but the Chinese government “may not have understood the full extent” of what Putin had in mind.Xi and Putin met in early February, weeks before the invasion, with the Russian leader traveling to Beijing for the start of the Winter Olympics. During Putin’s visit, the two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless “friendship.”Beijing’s leadership would like to be supportive of Russia but also recognizes how badly the Russian military action is going as an overmatched Ukrainian military has put up stiff resistance, according to a Western official familiar with current intelligence assessments.The official, who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Beijing is weighing the potential “reputational blowback” of being associated with the Russian camp. The Chinese response to Russia’s request for help “is in the process of being formulated,” the official added.Though seen as siding with Russia, China has also reached out to Ukraine, with its ambassador to the country on Monday quoted as saying: “China is a friendly country for the Ukrainian people. As an ambassador, I can responsibly say that China will forever be a good force for Ukraine, both economically and politically.”“We have seen how great the unity of the Ukrainian people is, and that means its strength,” Fan Xianrong was quoted by Ukraine’s state news service Ukrinform as telling regional authorities in the western city of Lviv, where the Chinese Embassy has relocated to.In a reminder of China’s threat to assert its claim to Taiwan by force, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, just hours before the Biden-Xi call, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.Any conflict over the self-governing island democracy stands to involve the U.S., which is legally obligated to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and treats threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”“The national army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are in complete possession of the movements of Chinese ships in the sea and planes in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait to safeguard national security,” the ministry said in a statement.Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said he had no details about the ship’s passage through the strait, but added that “I believe the carrier has its routine training schedule, and it should not be linked with the communication between Chinese and American leaders.”___WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke Friday via a video call as the White House looks to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi held a virtual summit in November. But differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine were expected to be at the center of the call. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says Biden will question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and its failure to denounce Russia’s brutal invasion.---------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-china-united-states-435b16e7ad35199462e2b6e4927846f9">set to speak on Friday</a>&nbsp;as the White House warns Beijing that providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will trigger severe consequences from Washington and beyond.Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">held a virtual summit in November,</a>&nbsp;but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine are expected to be at the center of the call.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and an “absence of denunciation” of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.“This is an opportunity to assess where President Xi stands,” Psaki said.China on Friday again sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine.“China has called for every effort to avoid civilian casualties all the time,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing. “Which do the civilians in Ukraine need more: food and sleeping bags or machine guns and artillery? It’s easy to answer.”In an attempt to show international support for China’s position, state broadcaster CCTV said Xi discussed Ukraine in phone calls with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, adding that the leaders’ views were “extremely close.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">The U.S.-China relationship</a>, long fraught, has only become more strained since the start of Biden’s presidency. Biden has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.But the relationship may have reached a new low with the Russian invasion.In the days after Putin deployed Russian forces in Ukraine, Xi’s government tried to distance itself from Russia’s offensive but avoided criticizing Moscow. At other moments, Beijing’s actions have been provocative and have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-health-biological-weapons-china-39eeee023efdf7ea59c4a20b7e018169">amplifying unverified Russian claims</a>&nbsp;that Ukraine ran chemical and biological weapons labs with U.S. support.Earlier this week, the U.S. informed Asian and European allies that American intelligence had determined that China had signaled to Russia that it would be willing to provide both military support for the campaign in Ukraine and financial backing to help stave off the impact of severe sanctions imposed by the West.Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday reiterated that the Biden administration remains concerned that China is considering providing military equipment to Russia. He said Biden would make clear to Xi “that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs.”White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi met in Rome earlier this week for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">intense, seven-hour talk&nbsp;</a>about the Russian invasion and other issues.Ahead of the Rome talks, Sullivan said the U.S. wouldn’t abide China or any other country helping Russia work around economy-jarring sanctions inflicted by the U.S. and other allies since the Feb. 24 invasion.Sullivan also said the administration determined China knew that Putin “was planning something” before the invasion of Ukraine, but the Chinese government “may not have understood the full extent” of what Putin had in mind.Xi and Putin met in early February, weeks before the invasion, with the Russian leader traveling to Beijing for the start of the Winter Olympics. During Putin’s visit, the two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless “friendship.”Beijing’s leadership would like to be supportive of Russia but also recognizes how badly the Russian military action is going as an overmatched Ukrainian military has put up stiff resistance, according to a Western official familiar with current intelligence assessments.The official, who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Beijing is weighing the potential “reputational blowback” of being associated with the Russian camp. The Chinese response to Russia’s request for help “is in the process of being formulated,” the official added.Though seen as siding with Russia, China has also reached out to Ukraine, with its ambassador to the country on Monday quoted as saying: “China is a friendly country for the Ukrainian people. As an ambassador, I can responsibly say that China will forever be a good force for Ukraine, both economically and politically.”“We have seen how great the unity of the Ukrainian people is, and that means its strength,” Fan Xianrong was quoted by Ukraine’s state news service Ukrinform as telling regional authorities in the western city of Lviv, where the Chinese Embassy has relocated to.Despite tensions in U.S.-China relations, Biden and Xi have sought to keep the leader-to-leader dialogue open and have become familiar with each other through their political rise.Biden and Xi first got to know each other on travels across the U.S. and China when both were vice presidents, interactions that both leaders say left a lasting impression. Friday’s phone call will be the fourth exchange between the two leaders since Biden became president.In a reminder of China’s threat to assert its claim to Taiwan by force, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, just hours before the Biden-Xi call, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.Any conflict over the self-governing island democracy stands to involve the U.S., which is legally obligated to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and treats threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”“The national army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are in complete possession of the movements of Chinese ships in the sea and planes in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait to safeguard national security,” the ministry said in a statement.Zhao said he had no details about the ship’s passage through the strait, but added that “I believe the carrier has its routine training schedule, and it should not be linked with the communication between Chinese and American leaders.”___WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will speak Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ongoing economic competition between the two countries and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-kyiv-europe-world-news-303fbd14ea7d3f131abc9b3d5739123f">Russia’s war against Ukraine</a>.White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced the upcoming phone call in a Thursday statement that said it’s “part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication” between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">the United States and China</a>.The call follows an intense seven-hour meeting in Rome on Monday between White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy advise</a>&nbsp;r Yang Jiechi.U.S. officials have warned that China has amplified Russian disinformation that could be a pretext for Putin’s forces to attack Ukraine with chemical or biological weapons. There are also reports —denied by the Kremlin — that Russia has reached out to China for aid as it faces sanctions and an invasion that faces stiff resistance by Ukrainians.At the meeting, Sullivan wanted more transparency on Beijing’s posture regarding Russia and repeated that any attempts by China to help Russia avoid sanctions would be costly for Xi’s government.

Critical call: Biden warns China on support for Russia in Ukraine

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

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — One person has been arrested after a North Platte woman was allegedly assault while she slept.

According to police, just after 9 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the Great Plains Health Emergency Room to meet with a victim who reported they had been assaulted.&nbsp;

Upon arrival, Officers made contact with the victim and observed several injuries to their face.&nbsp; Officers also noted various bruising throughout the victim's body.&nbsp;

Police said the victim reported that the assault took place on March 12, at a residence located in the 1200 block of East Fourth.&nbsp;

The victim stated she was asleep when she was awoken and assaulted by two individuals.&nbsp; One of the suspects was identified as Shantoya Charging Elk, 25.&nbsp;

Police said the victim stated that she was struck several times with brass knuckles and a chain, as well as being punched and kicked.&nbsp; The victim then reported that after the assault, Charging Elk and the other individual began going through her belongings and took several things.&nbsp;

Police said the victim was then forced into a vehicle&nbsp;and transported to another residence, where the suspects attempted to provide first aid to the victim.&nbsp; The victim was taken back to the car and driven around town for several hours.&nbsp; The victim was eventually able to leave.&nbsp;

After speaking with the victim, officers were able to establish probable cause to arrest Charging Elk, based on the information given.&nbsp;

At around 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, officers located Charging Elk in the 1200 block of East Fourth and she was taken into custody.&nbsp; Charging Elk was incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center on suspicion of robbery and first-degree assault.&nbsp;

Police said the victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries during the assault.&nbsp;

The investigation is ongoing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647610361694.png" alt="Charging Elk" />
 <figcaption>Charging Elk</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON <a href="https://northplattepost.com/">North Platte Post</a>NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — One person has been arrested after a North Platte woman was allegedly assault while she slept.According to police, just after 9 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the Great Plains Health Emergency Room to meet with a victim who reported they had been assaulted.&nbsp;Upon arrival, Officers made contact with the victim and observed several injuries to their face.&nbsp; Officers also noted various bruising throughout the victim's body.&nbsp;Police said the victim reported that the assault took place on March 12, at a residence located in the 1200 block of East Fourth.&nbsp;The victim stated she was asleep when she was awoken and assaulted by two individuals.&nbsp; One of the suspects was identified as Shantoya Charging Elk, 25.&nbsp;Police said the victim stated that she was struck several times with brass knuckles and a chain, as well as being punched and kicked.&nbsp; The victim then reported that after the assault, Charging Elk and the other individual began going through her belongings and took several things.&nbsp;Police said the victim was then forced into a vehicle&nbsp;and transported to another residence, where the suspects attempted to provide first aid to the victim.&nbsp; The victim was taken back to the car and driven around town for several hours.&nbsp; The victim was eventually able to leave.&nbsp;After speaking with the victim, officers were able to establish probable cause to arrest Charging Elk, based on the information given.&nbsp;At around 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, officers located Charging Elk in the 1200 block of East Fourth and she was taken into custody.&nbsp; Charging Elk was incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center on suspicion of robbery and first-degree assault.&nbsp;Police said the victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries during the assault.&nbsp;The investigation is ongoing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police: Neb. woman assaulted with chain, brass knuckles as she slept

MANHATTAN— Authorities investigating the cause of a fire in an apartment in Manhattan have&nbsp;filed a report for aggravated arson and criminal damage to property 

Just before 4:30 a.m. Thursday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 2215 College Avenue building Q for a report of a structure fire, according to Assistant Chief Sam Dameron.

Upon arrival, crews found a three-story apartment building with smoke coming from the second floor.

The fire was controlled by the sprinkler system and crews finished the extinguishment. No one was home in the apartment at the time of the fire however, one cat was found deceased due to smoke inhalation.

&nbsp;According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a 35-year-old man is considered a suspect after it was reported the fire started inside an apartment.

The total estimated loss has been increased to $10,000 to the structure and $1,000 to contents according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityofmhk.com/232/Manhattan-Fire-Department">Manhattan Fire Department</a>&nbsp;(MFD).&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647619592896.png" alt="The total estimated loss has been increased to $10,000-Photo courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>The total estimated loss has been increased to $10,000-Photo courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN— Authorities investigating the cause of a fire in an apartment in Manhattan have&nbsp;filed a report for aggravated arson and criminal damage to property Just before 4:30 a.m. Thursday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 2215 College Avenue building Q for a report of a structure fire, according to Assistant Chief Sam Dameron.Upon arrival, crews found a three-story apartment building with smoke coming from the second floor.The fire was controlled by the sprinkler system and crews finished the extinguishment. No one was home in the apartment at the time of the fire however, one cat was found deceased due to smoke inhalation.&nbsp;According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a 35-year-old man is considered a suspect after it was reported the fire started inside an apartment.The fire was controlled by the sprinkler system and crews finished the extinguishment. No one was home in the apartment at the time of the fire however, one cat was found deceased due to smoke inhalation.The total estimated loss has been increased to $10,000 to the structure and $1,000 to contents according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityofmhk.com/232/Manhattan-Fire-Department">Manhattan Fire Department</a>&nbsp;(MFD).&nbsp;------

Police: Kansas apartment fire intentionally set

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

GREAT BEND — Great Bend 
Economic Development has put together plans to build a new 
childcare center in Great Bend. So far, the organization has raised over
 $435,000 for the project. 

GBED's director Sara Hayden asked the 
Barton County Commission at their meeting on Wednesday to match the 
money that has been raised. That would bring the total funds to more 
than $870,000. With that amount of money in the bank, Hayden plans to 
apply for another matching grant that would double the more than 
$870,000 figure.

Hayden told commissioners that she needs to 
submit an application for the matching grant by the end of this month. 
She said GBED would like to break ground on the childcare center no 
later than the fall of this year.

"We have all of the numbers 
worked out for our facility specifically down to the penny," Hayden 
said. "We know how much we will end the year; we know how much we're 
charging; we know which programs are going to support this through the 
year to make that happen. So it has proceeded much more than just 
concept. We've got the site plan complete; we've got the build plans 
complete. We are ready to move forward with this, and it will be a 
self-sustaining facility, and then we will continue it into the 
county."&nbsp;

The City of Great Bend has earmarked $70,000 for the 
project. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz questioned why the county was 
being asked to commit a significantly higher amount.

"First of all
 Sara, you are a heck of an ambassador for this project," Schartz 
commented. "You come in here and you have all of the answers and you 
have made me understand that childcare is an important issue in our 
county. While I understand the need and I understand the importance, I 
also think that the city needs to step up in a bigger fashion because we
 know that if this childcare facility is in Great Bend, Great Bend will 
reap the profits more so than the other cities would."&nbsp;

Commissioners
 voted to table the issue until their meeting on March 30, giving Hayden
 time to ask the Great Bend City Council to contribute more funding for 
the project.

By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — Great Bend 
Economic Development has put together plans to build a new 
childcare center in Great Bend. So far, the organization has raised over
 $435,000 for the project. GBED's director Sara Hayden asked the 
Barton County Commission at their meeting on Wednesday to match the 
money that has been raised. That would bring the total funds to more 
than $870,000. With that amount of money in the bank, Hayden plans to 
apply for another matching grant that would double the more than 
$870,000 figure.Hayden told commissioners that she needs to 
submit an application for the matching grant by the end of this month. 
She said GBED would like to break ground on the childcare center no 
later than the fall of this year."We have all of the numbers 
worked out for our facility specifically down to the penny," Hayden 
said. "We know how much we will end the year; we know how much we're 
charging; we know which programs are going to support this through the 
year to make that happen. So it has proceeded much more than just 
concept. We've got the site plan complete; we've got the build plans 
complete. We are ready to move forward with this, and it will be a 
self-sustaining facility, and then we will continue it into the 
county."&nbsp;The City of Great Bend has earmarked $70,000 for the 
project. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz questioned why the county was 
being asked to commit a significantly higher amount."First of all
 Sara, you are a heck of an ambassador for this project," Schartz 
commented. "You come in here and you have all of the answers and you 
have made me understand that childcare is an important issue in our 
county. While I understand the need and I understand the importance, I 
also think that the city needs to step up in a bigger fashion because we
 know that if this childcare facility is in Great Bend, Great Bend will 
reap the profits more so than the other cities would."&nbsp;Commissioners
 voted to table the issue until their meeting on March 30, giving Hayden
 time to ask the Great Bend City Council to contribute more funding for 
the project.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Barton Co. Commission pondering support for childcare center

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday to authorize a fourth shot of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for all adults.

The request is broader than rival pharmaceutical company Pfizer's request earlier this week for the regulator to approve a booster shot for all seniors.

In a press release, the company said its request for approval for all adults was made “to provide flexibility” to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical providers to determine the “appropriate use” of a second booster dose of the mRNA vaccine, “including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities."

U.S. officials have been laying the groundwork to deliver additional booster doses to shore up the vaccines' protection against serious disease and death from COVID-19. The White House has been sounding the alarm that it needs Congress to “urgently” approve more funding for the federal government to secure more doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, either for additional booster shots or variant-specific immunizations.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday to authorize a fourth shot of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for all adults.The request is broader than rival pharmaceutical company Pfizer's request earlier this week for the regulator to approve a booster shot for all seniors.In a press release, the company said its request for approval for all adults was made “to provide flexibility” to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical providers to determine the “appropriate use” of a second booster dose of the mRNA vaccine, “including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities."U.S. officials have been laying the groundwork to deliver additional booster doses to shore up the vaccines' protection against serious disease and death from COVID-19. The White House has been sounding the alarm that it needs Congress to “urgently” approve more funding for the federal government to secure more doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, either for additional booster shots or variant-specific immunizations.