SEDGWICK COUNTY —Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter and District Attorney Marc Bennett held a press conference Thursday morning to discuss the tragic events leading to the death and subsequent KBI and Sheriff’s Office investigation of 17-year-old Cedric “CJ” Lofton, of Wichita. 

Lofton was briefly in the custody of the Sedgwick County Corrections Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) after being booked on September 24, 2021 for four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer by the Wichita Police Department. 

While in custody, Lofton assaulted JIAC staff and was restrained. After restraining the juvenile, he became unresponsive and EMS was summoned. Lofton was transported to a local hospital and died on September 26, 2021.

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Multiple staff members at a Kansas juvenile facility engaged in a physical struggle with a 17-year-old youth who was restrained and died two days later at a hospital, authorities said.

Details of the events leading up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-c46e524dc4dd062827c83c96c2ee3a3d">the in-custody death</a>&nbsp;of Cedric “CJ’ Lofton emerged late Tuesday in a news release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that also identified the Wichita teen for the first time.

An autopsy has been conducted and a cause of death is pending further investigation and toxicology results, the agency said.

The Black teenager’s encounter with law enforcement authorities began at about 1 a.m. Friday when officers from the Wichita Police Department responded to a disturbance call and found Lofton outside a house. The teen appeared paranoid and was behaving erratically, the KBI said. Officers tried to convince him to voluntarily seek mental health treatment before trying to take him into custody. He resisted by assaulting the officers, according to the release.

After a physical struggle, he was arrested on suspicion of battery of a law enforcement officer. A police report from that incident indicates all three police officers involved were white men.

Lofton was taken to the Sedgwick County juvenile intake and assessment center in a WRAP restraint system, a device described by the sheriff’s office as a way to restrain a person who’s “out of control” so they don’t hurt themselves or others. The device is comprised of a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints and ankle straps.

Once he was at the facility, that device and handcuffs were removed and he was placed in a single holding cell, authorities said.

“When we left the facility, the individual was upright and communicating,” said police spokesman Charley Davidson.

Lofton was later allowed out of the holding cell to use the restroom. When a staff member at the juvenile center tried to escort him back to the holding cell, Lofton assaulted the staff member, according to the KBI news release.

The KBI said multiple corrections staff engaged in “a lengthy physical struggle” to get him into the holding cell and place him in handcuffs. A police report shows there were Black, white and Hispanic staff at the facility.

Once Lofton was under control, corrections staff monitoring him noticed he was unresponsive.

Life-saving measures were initiated, the KBI said. Emergency medical responders transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 1:55 a.m. Sunday.

A youth justice organization, Progeny, has called for “a transparent and thorough investigation.”

“This is a tragic example of the immense harm caused when young people are placed behind bars, and much worse, restrained like animals under the supervision of adults who are supposed to keep them safe,” the group said in a written statement. “These facilities are devastating our community. They need to be stopped.”

Wichita pastor Maurice “Moe” Evans, a director at the Community Empowerment and Resilience Coalition, called the WRAP restraint “a torture device” that restricts a person’s comfort, breathing and circulation. He said authorities don’t know if Lofton’s injuries came from the police officers’ use of the WRAP or from the later altercation at the intake center.

“Something was clearly done incorrectly because the claim that he was just suddenly fine and then all of a sudden went unresponsive and then passed away two days later — that just doesn’t happen,” he said. “There are some extenuating circumstances here that they are not yet sharing. We will get to the bottom of it.”

The WRAP is used in more than 1,400 hospitals, youth detention facilities, sheriff’s offices and police departments where people have to deal with combative subjects, said Charles Hammond, president and chief executive officer of Safe Restraints Inc., the company that makes it.

Its purpose is to quickly stop conflict to prevent injury and death, allowing a person to be seated upright so that medical care can be provided, he said, adding the restraint is not a pain tool. It reduces mobility with no breathing restriction, he said.

Evans has also set up a GoFundMe account for the teen’s mother, Sarah Harrison.

“The community is preparing to organize around this so this is not something that is just going to go away,” Evans said. “We are going to find justice for the mom.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1633019917195.png" alt="Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter and&nbsp;District Attorney Marc Bennett answered questions during a Thursday morning news conference" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter and&nbsp;District Attorney Marc Bennett answered questions during a Thursday morning news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter and District Attorney Marc Bennett held a press conference Thursday morning to discuss the tragic events leading to the death and subsequent KBI and Sheriff’s Office investigation of 17-year-old Cedric “CJ” Lofton, of Wichita. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountySheriff%2Fvideos%2F400841661443170%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Lofton was briefly in the custody of the Sedgwick County Corrections Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) after being booked on September 24, 2021 for four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer by the Wichita Police Department. While in custody, Lofton assaulted JIAC staff and was restrained. After restraining the juvenile, he became unresponsive and EMS was summoned. Lofton was transported to a local hospital and died on September 26, 2021.-----------BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Multiple staff members at a Kansas juvenile facility engaged in a physical struggle with a 17-year-old youth who was restrained and died two days later at a hospital, authorities said.Details of the events leading up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-c46e524dc4dd062827c83c96c2ee3a3d">the in-custody death</a>&nbsp;of Cedric “CJ’ Lofton emerged late Tuesday in a news release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that also identified the Wichita teen for the first time.An autopsy has been conducted and a cause of death is pending further investigation and toxicology results, the agency said.The Black teenager’s encounter with law enforcement authorities began at about 1 a.m. Friday when officers from the Wichita Police Department responded to a disturbance call and found Lofton outside a house. The teen appeared paranoid and was behaving erratically, the KBI said. Officers tried to convince him to voluntarily seek mental health treatment before trying to take him into custody. He resisted by assaulting the officers, according to the release.After a physical struggle, he was arrested on suspicion of battery of a law enforcement officer. A police report from that incident indicates all three police officers involved were white men.Lofton was taken to the Sedgwick County juvenile intake and assessment center in a WRAP restraint system, a device described by the sheriff’s office as a way to restrain a person who’s “out of control” so they don’t hurt themselves or others. The device is comprised of a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints and ankle straps.Once he was at the facility, that device and handcuffs were removed and he was placed in a single holding cell, authorities said.“When we left the facility, the individual was upright and communicating,” said police spokesman Charley Davidson.Lofton was later allowed out of the holding cell to use the restroom. When a staff member at the juvenile center tried to escort him back to the holding cell, Lofton assaulted the staff member, according to the KBI news release.The KBI said multiple corrections staff engaged in “a lengthy physical struggle” to get him into the holding cell and place him in handcuffs. A police report shows there were Black, white and Hispanic staff at the facility.Once Lofton was under control, corrections staff monitoring him noticed he was unresponsive.Life-saving measures were initiated, the KBI said. Emergency medical responders transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 1:55 a.m. Sunday.A youth justice organization, Progeny, has called for “a transparent and thorough investigation.”“This is a tragic example of the immense harm caused when young people are placed behind bars, and much worse, restrained like animals under the supervision of adults who are supposed to keep them safe,” the group said in a written statement. “These facilities are devastating our community. They need to be stopped.”Wichita pastor Maurice “Moe” Evans, a director at the Community Empowerment and Resilience Coalition, called the WRAP restraint “a torture device” that restricts a person’s comfort, breathing and circulation. He said authorities don’t know if Lofton’s injuries came from the police officers’ use of the WRAP or from the later altercation at the intake center.“Something was clearly done incorrectly because the claim that he was just suddenly fine and then all of a sudden went unresponsive and then passed away two days later — that just doesn’t happen,” he said. “There are some extenuating circumstances here that they are not yet sharing. We will get to the bottom of it.”The WRAP is used in more than 1,400 hospitals, youth detention facilities, sheriff’s offices and police departments where people have to deal with combative subjects, said Charles Hammond, president and chief executive officer of Safe Restraints Inc., the company that makes it.Its purpose is to quickly stop conflict to prevent injury and death, allowing a person to be seated upright so that medical care can be provided, he said, adding the restraint is not a pain tool. It reduces mobility with no breathing restriction, he said.Evans has also set up a GoFundMe account for the teen’s mother, Sarah Harrison.“The community is preparing to organize around this so this is not something that is just going to go away,” Evans said. “We are going to find justice for the mom.”___

🎥  Sheriff, DA update investigation of Kan. teen's death after restrained 

LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINA —An alleged test drive turned into a stolen vehicle from a Salina dealership.

A man who is believed to have provided false information asked to test-drive a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado at Marshall Motor Company, 3500 S. Ninth Street, on Wednesday afternoon, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The man was supposed to test-drive the pickup for two hours, but he never returned with it.

The pickup, which had some customization on it, was valued at $70,000. It had a Kansas dealer tag of D944AM on it.

The man was described as white, six-foot tall, and weighing 190 pounds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1633017665295.png" alt="The pickup had a Kansas dealer tag of D944AM -.Google image" />
 <figcaption>The pickup had a Kansas dealer tag of D944AM -.Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA —An alleged test drive turned into a stolen vehicle from a Salina dealership.A man who is believed to have provided false information asked to test-drive a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado at Marshall Motor Company, 3500 S. Ninth Street, on Wednesday afternoon, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The man was supposed to test-drive the pickup for two hours, but he never returned with it.The pickup, which had some customization on it, was valued at $70,000. It had a Kansas dealer tag of D944AM on it.The man was described as white, six-foot tall, and weighing 190 pounds.

Police: Man took $70,000 pickup for test drive, didn't return

By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Spectators at the 
St. Joseph Central-Lafayette football game at Noyes Field last Friday 
were greeted by metal detectors at the entrances.

It's a new 
security measure that was put in place by the St. Joseph School District
 on September 24 following a scary situation at the Lafayette-Savannah 
game the week before.

Robert Sigrist, director of non-academic 
services for the district, says local law enforcement apprehended a 
17-year-old at Alumni Stadium, who was in possession of a firearm.&nbsp;Two 
juveniles were arrested at the stadium in connection to a shooting in 
the 5500 block of Pryor Avenue&nbsp;that same night.

"One of our SROs 
noticed those individuals at the game," Sigrist recalled, "which was 
great that he was aware and had that ability to discern that. Turned out
 one of those individuals was in possession of a gun, so it was a bit of
 a tense situation."

Officer Herrera and Detective McGinnis of the
 St. Joseph Police Department responded to the situation, as did Officer
 Dudick of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who was off duty, but was 
at the game watching his son, Ethan, compete for Savannah.

The 
teenager faces a Class B felony of unlawful use of a weapon in Buchanan 
County Juvenile Court. Weapons are also prohibited on St. Joseph School 
District property.

After the incident, Sigrist said school 
officials had a serious discussion about what to do increase security at
 football games. Metal detectors were soon ordered, and put in place at 
all three of the district's football fields - all done in enough time 
before the next game on Sept. 24.

"We were fortunate with the way 
supply chains are right now to get that turned around and done very 
quickly," Sigrist said. "We were able to have that in place last Friday 
night for the Central-Lafayette game."

All went well, as dozens of
 fans packed the stands to watch Central beat Lafayette 63-56 in 
overtime at Noyes Field. Sigrist said fans were pretty understanding and
 cooperative about the changes.

"I think most people understand 
that if you go to a game at Arrowhead or you go to a concert or the 
courthouse, being wanded in and going through a metal detector and 
emptying your pockets is not something that's a foreign concept to most 
of us."

Sigrist says the metal detectors will only be implemented at the school district's football games for the time being.

"That's
 where our largest crowds are," he said. "Obviously, it's where we've 
had a concern. So, I'm not saying that it wouldn't be on the table, but 
right now, we're not looking at moving it beyond that."

As 
troubling as the incident was at the Lafayette-Savannah game, Sigrist 
expresses gratitude that nobody was hurt and that football fans who 
watch games within the St. Joseph School District can have a little more
 peace of mind when they arrive at the stadium.

"At least we will 
have a little bit more confidence that our events will be more safe and 
there will be nobody with weapons at the game."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1633012166297.jpeg" alt="Dr. Robert Sigrist discusses increased security at St. Joseph School District football games. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Dr. Robert Sigrist discusses increased security at St. Joseph School District football games. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Spectators at the 
St. Joseph Central-Lafayette football game at Noyes Field last Friday 
were greeted by metal detectors at the entrances.It's a new 
security measure that was put in place by the St. Joseph School District
 on September 24 following a scary situation at the Lafayette-Savannah 
game the week before.Robert Sigrist, director of non-academic 
services for the district, says local law enforcement apprehended a 
17-year-old at Alumni Stadium, who was in possession of a firearm.&nbsp;Two 
juveniles were arrested at the stadium in connection to a shooting in 
the 5500 block of Pryor Avenue&nbsp;that same night."One of our SROs 
noticed those individuals at the game," Sigrist recalled, "which was 
great that he was aware and had that ability to discern that. Turned out
 one of those individuals was in possession of a gun, so it was a bit of
 a tense situation."Officer Herrera and Detective McGinnis of the
 St. Joseph Police Department responded to the situation, as did Officer
 Dudick of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who was off duty, but was 
at the game watching his son, Ethan, compete for Savannah.The 
teenager faces a Class B felony of unlawful use of a weapon in Buchanan 
County Juvenile Court. Weapons are also prohibited on St. Joseph School 
District property.After the incident, Sigrist said school 
officials had a serious discussion about what to do increase security at
 football games. Metal detectors were soon ordered, and put in place at 
all three of the district's football fields - all done in enough time 
before the next game on Sept. 24."We were fortunate with the way 
supply chains are right now to get that turned around and done very 
quickly," Sigrist said. "We were able to have that in place last Friday 
night for the Central-Lafayette game."All went well, as dozens of
 fans packed the stands to watch Central beat Lafayette 63-56 in 
overtime at Noyes Field. Sigrist said fans were pretty understanding and
 cooperative about the changes."I think most people understand 
that if you go to a game at Arrowhead or you go to a concert or the 
courthouse, being wanded in and going through a metal detector and 
emptying your pockets is not something that's a foreign concept to most 
of us."Sigrist says the metal detectors will only be implemented at the school district's football games for the time being."That's
 where our largest crowds are," he said. "Obviously, it's where we've 
had a concern. So, I'm not saying that it wouldn't be on the table, but 
right now, we're not looking at moving it beyond that."As 
troubling as the incident was at the Lafayette-Savannah game, Sigrist 
expresses gratitude that nobody was hurt and that football fans who 
watch games within the St. Joseph School District can have a little more
 peace of mind when they arrive at the stadium."At least we will 
have a little bit more confidence that our events will be more safe and 
there will be nobody with weapons at the game."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mo. school places metal detectors at football field after weapon incident

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas felon accused in a fatal stabbing made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.

James Shaw, 60 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder.&nbsp;

Just after 10 p.m. Sept. 21, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 100 block of North Glenn in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 67-year-old Kurt Petersen and determined he had been stabbed multiple times.&nbsp; Petersen was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed, Petersen’s caretaker came to the home to check on him and found him lying on the kitchen floor with injuries and called 911.&nbsp; James Shaw was also inside of the residence when the caretaker arrived.&nbsp; Examination of evidence and interviews led to Shaw’s arrest, according to Davidson. Shaw was hospitalized for his injuries in the altercation and booked into jail two days later.

Shaw and Petersen were known to each other, according to Davidson.&nbsp; Shaw has had previous felony arrests and convictions and was currently on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).&nbsp; He was paroled to Wichita from Wyandotte County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

His remains jailed on bond of $300,000. His next court appearance is October 7, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632486359786.png" alt="Shaw-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Shaw-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas felon accused in a fatal stabbing made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.James Shaw, 60 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder.&nbsp;Just after 10 p.m. Sept. 21, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 100 block of North Glenn in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 67-year-old Kurt Petersen and determined he had been stabbed multiple times.&nbsp; Petersen was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed, Petersen’s caretaker came to the home to check on him and found him lying on the kitchen floor with injuries and called 911.&nbsp; James Shaw was also inside of the residence when the caretaker arrived.&nbsp; Examination of evidence and interviews led to Shaw’s arrest, according to Davidson. Shaw was hospitalized for his injuries in the altercation and booked into jail two days later.Shaw and Petersen were known to each other, according to Davidson.&nbsp; Shaw has had previous felony arrests and convictions and was currently on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).&nbsp; He was paroled to Wichita from Wyandotte County.&nbsp;&nbsp;His remains jailed on bond of $300,000. His next court appearance is October 7, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas felon on parole charged in knife attack killing

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The spread of COVID-19 vaccination requirements across the U.S. hasn’t had the desired effect so far, with the number of Americans getting their first shots plunging in recent weeks. And some experts worry that the move to dispense boosters could just make matters worse.

The fear is that the rollout of booster shots will lead some people to question the effectiveness of the vaccine in the first place.

“Many of my patients are already saying, ‘If we need a third dose, what was the point?’” said Dr. Jason Goldman, a physician in Coral Springs, Florida.

The average daily count of Americans getting a first dose of vaccine has been falling for six weeks, plummeting more than 50% from about 480,000 in early August to under 230,000 by the middle of last week, according to the most recently available federal data.

An estimated 70 million vaccine-eligible Americans have yet to start vaccinations, despite a summer surge in infections, hospitalizations and deaths driven by the delta variant.

This is the case despite a growing number of businesses announcing vaccination requirements for their employees, including Google, McDonald’s, Microsoft and Disney. Also, big cities such as New York and San Francisco are demanding people be vaccinated to eat at restaurants or enter certain other businesses.

Separately, President Joe Biden announced sweeping new vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans on Sept. 9. Employees at businesses with more than 100 people on the payroll will have to get vaccinated or undergo weekly testing. But the mandates have yet to go into effect; the necessary regulations are still being drawn up.

Allie French, of Omaha, Nebraska, said the move toward booster shots only reinforced her strong belief that vaccinations aren’t necessary, particularly for people who take care of themselves.

“It comes back to a mindset of not needing your hand held through every situation,” said French, founder of a small advocacy group called Nebraskans Against Government Overreach.

Tara Dukart, a 40-year-old rancher from Hazen, North Dakota, and a board member for Health Freedom North Dakota, an organization that has fought mask and vaccine mandates, said: “I think that there is a tremendous amount of hesitancy because why get a third shot if the first two shots didn’t work?”

Scientists have emphasized that the vaccine remains highly effective against serious illness and death from COVID-19, noting that the unvaccinated account for the vast majority of the dead and hospitalized recently. But experts have also seen signs that the vaccine’s protection may be slipping, and they want to get out ahead of the problem.

Experts have long said the key to ending the U.S. epidemic is vaccinating the vast majority of the American public — perhaps as much as 90%. But of the more than 283 million Americans age 12 and older who are eligible for shots, only about 65% — 184 million — are fully vaccinated, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Children under 12 are not yet eligible to get vaccinated, meaning only about 55% of the U.S. public is fully protected.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday that health officials have not lost sight of that problem. The booster effort “will not distract us from our most important focus — to get as many people as possible vaccinated with a primary series,” she said.

White House officials said they doubt the need for boosters is a real concern among the vast majority of the unvaccinated, who for a variety of reasons, including misinformation, have continued to resist getting their shots despite nearly a year’s worth of data showing their lifesaving potential.

They argue, too, that as the pool of unvaccinated Americans gradually shrinks, there will be declines in the numbers of new people getting shots. They say the latest numbers should not be read as a sign that mandates aren’t working, noting that most businesses haven’t yet put in place the Biden administration’s vaccinate-or-test policy.

Indeed, despite the downward vaccination trends seen in CDC data, they say there is evidence employer mandates are already working. White House officials cited a number of success stories, including strong increases in the percentage of vaccinated employees at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, United Airlines and the Defense Department.

Noel Brewer, a University of North Carolina professor of health behavior, said the mandates show promise and there is good reason to be optimistic.

“I think we’re heading into a great season for vaccinations. Everything is lining up in a good way,” said Brewer, who advises the CDC and the World Health Organization on COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-203d8c288858e815175880753cbc9b8f">authorized&nbsp;</a>booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for tens of millions of Americans who are 65 and older, have underlying health conditions or work in jobs that put them at high risk. The extra dose would be given six months after the two-shot regimen.

Regulators have yet to take up the question of booster shots for people who got the Moderna or the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.

More than 400,000 Americans got boosters at drugstores over the weekend, and 1 million more have signed up for them, according to White House officials.

But some members of an expert panel that advises the CDC worried last week that the booster discussion was a distraction from the more pressing need to get more Americans vaccinated.

“We have a very effective vaccine, and it’s like saying, ‘It’s not working,’” said Dr. Pablo Sanchez of Ohio State University.

At that meeting, a CDC official presented unpublished data from a recent 1,000-person survey that suggested that offering boosters would make 25% of unvaccinated Americans much less likely to get a shot. This week, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll of more than 1,500 adults found that 71% of the unvaccinated say the recent news about boosters is a sign that the vaccines aren’t working.

Dr. James Conway, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at the University of Wisconsin, said last week that if vaccine-hesitant people “start to get the idea that this is only going to last for six or eight or 10 months,” they may be further soured on the whole idea.

Meanwhile, the pandemic’s summer surge has shown signs of easing. Deaths are still running high at over 2,000 a day on average, but cases and hospitalizations are trending down.

While any ebb in COVID-19′s toll is welcome, it also may undercut health officials’ effort to instill a sense of urgency in the unvaccinated. That could be a difficult task even when cases were exploding.

Dr. Alex Jahangir, director of orthopedic trauma surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the head of a coronavirus task force in Nashville, Tennessee, recalled operating on an elderly man injured in a car wreck over the summer. The man survived those injuries but ended up dying from COVID-19.

Jahangir said he was struck by how the man’s family seemed to absorb the facts about the COVID-19′s dangers only at the very end.

“Only when they were negatively impacted did they seek the truth,” Jahangir said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1633006485546.png" alt="The Lawrence-Douglas County Kansas Public Health Department started a COVID vaccine booster clinic on Wednesday- photo courtesy Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Lawrence-Douglas County Kansas Public Health Department started a COVID vaccine booster clinic on Wednesday- photo courtesy Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The spread of COVID-19 vaccination requirements across the U.S. hasn’t had the desired effect so far, with the number of Americans getting their first shots plunging in recent weeks. And some experts worry that the move to dispense boosters could just make matters worse.The fear is that the rollout of booster shots will lead some people to question the effectiveness of the vaccine in the first place.“Many of my patients are already saying, ‘If we need a third dose, what was the point?’” said Dr. Jason Goldman, a physician in Coral Springs, Florida.The average daily count of Americans getting a first dose of vaccine has been falling for six weeks, plummeting more than 50% from about 480,000 in early August to under 230,000 by the middle of last week, according to the most recently available federal data.An estimated 70 million vaccine-eligible Americans have yet to start vaccinations, despite a summer surge in infections, hospitalizations and deaths driven by the delta variant.This is the case despite a growing number of businesses announcing vaccination requirements for their employees, including Google, McDonald’s, Microsoft and Disney. Also, big cities such as New York and San Francisco are demanding people be vaccinated to eat at restaurants or enter certain other businesses.Separately, President Joe Biden announced sweeping new vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans on Sept. 9. Employees at businesses with more than 100 people on the payroll will have to get vaccinated or undergo weekly testing. But the mandates have yet to go into effect; the necessary regulations are still being drawn up.Allie French, of Omaha, Nebraska, said the move toward booster shots only reinforced her strong belief that vaccinations aren’t necessary, particularly for people who take care of themselves.“It comes back to a mindset of not needing your hand held through every situation,” said French, founder of a small advocacy group called Nebraskans Against Government Overreach.Tara Dukart, a 40-year-old rancher from Hazen, North Dakota, and a board member for Health Freedom North Dakota, an organization that has fought mask and vaccine mandates, said: “I think that there is a tremendous amount of hesitancy because why get a third shot if the first two shots didn’t work?”Scientists have emphasized that the vaccine remains highly effective against serious illness and death from COVID-19, noting that the unvaccinated account for the vast majority of the dead and hospitalized recently. But experts have also seen signs that the vaccine’s protection may be slipping, and they want to get out ahead of the problem.Experts have long said the key to ending the U.S. epidemic is vaccinating the vast majority of the American public — perhaps as much as 90%. But of the more than 283 million Americans age 12 and older who are eligible for shots, only about 65% — 184 million — are fully vaccinated, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Children under 12 are not yet eligible to get vaccinated, meaning only about 55% of the U.S. public is fully protected.CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday that health officials have not lost sight of that problem. The booster effort “will not distract us from our most important focus — to get as many people as possible vaccinated with a primary series,” she said.White House officials said they doubt the need for boosters is a real concern among the vast majority of the unvaccinated, who for a variety of reasons, including misinformation, have continued to resist getting their shots despite nearly a year’s worth of data showing their lifesaving potential.They argue, too, that as the pool of unvaccinated Americans gradually shrinks, there will be declines in the numbers of new people getting shots. They say the latest numbers should not be read as a sign that mandates aren’t working, noting that most businesses haven’t yet put in place the Biden administration’s vaccinate-or-test policy.Indeed, despite the downward vaccination trends seen in CDC data, they say there is evidence employer mandates are already working. White House officials cited a number of success stories, including strong increases in the percentage of vaccinated employees at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, United Airlines and the Defense Department.Noel Brewer, a University of North Carolina professor of health behavior, said the mandates show promise and there is good reason to be optimistic.“I think we’re heading into a great season for vaccinations. Everything is lining up in a good way,” said Brewer, who advises the CDC and the World Health Organization on COVID-19 vaccination policy.Last week, the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-203d8c288858e815175880753cbc9b8f">authorized&nbsp;</a>booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for tens of millions of Americans who are 65 and older, have underlying health conditions or work in jobs that put them at high risk. The extra dose would be given six months after the two-shot regimen.Regulators have yet to take up the question of booster shots for people who got the Moderna or the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.More than 400,000 Americans got boosters at drugstores over the weekend, and 1 million more have signed up for them, according to White House officials.But some members of an expert panel that advises the CDC worried last week that the booster discussion was a distraction from the more pressing need to get more Americans vaccinated.“We have a very effective vaccine, and it’s like saying, ‘It’s not working,’” said Dr. Pablo Sanchez of Ohio State University.At that meeting, a CDC official presented unpublished data from a recent 1,000-person survey that suggested that offering boosters would make 25% of unvaccinated Americans much less likely to get a shot. This week, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll of more than 1,500 adults found that 71% of the unvaccinated say the recent news about boosters is a sign that the vaccines aren’t working.Some outside experts saw this coming.Dr. James Conway, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at the University of Wisconsin, said last week that if vaccine-hesitant people “start to get the idea that this is only going to last for six or eight or 10 months,” they may be further soured on the whole idea.Meanwhile, the pandemic’s summer surge has shown signs of easing. Deaths are still running high at over 2,000 a day on average, but cases and hospitalizations are trending down.While any ebb in COVID-19′s toll is welcome, it also may undercut health officials’ effort to instill a sense of urgency in the unvaccinated. That could be a difficult task even when cases were exploding.Dr. Alex Jahangir, director of orthopedic trauma surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the head of a coronavirus task force in Nashville, Tennessee, recalled operating on an elderly man injured in a car wreck over the summer. The man survived those injuries but ended up dying from COVID-19.Jahangir said he was struck by how the man’s family seemed to absorb the facts about the COVID-19′s dangers only at the very end.“Only when they were negatively impacted did they seek the truth,” Jahangir said.___

Could booster shots hurt drive to reach the unvaccinated?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is moving to avert one crisis while putting off another with the Senate poised to approve legislation that would fund the federal government into early December.

The House is expected to approve the measure following the Senate vote Thursday, preventing a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Friday.

Democrats were forced to remove a suspension of the federal government's borrowing limit from the bill at the insistence of Republicans. If the debt limit isn't raised by Oct. 18, the country would likely face a financial crisis and economic recession, says Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Republicans say Democrats have the votes to raise the debt ceiling on their own, and Republican leader Mitch McConnell is insisting that they do so.

But the most immediate priority facing Congress is to keep the government running once the current fiscal year ends at midnight Thursday. The bill's expected approval will buy lawmakers more time to craft the spending bills that will fund federal agencies and the programs they administer.

Meanwhile, Democrats are struggling over how to get President Joe Biden's top domestic priorities over the finish line. Those include a bipartisan infrastructure bill that contains $550 billion in new spending for roads, bridges, broadband and other priorities, as well as a $3.5 trillion slate of social, health and environmental programs.

“With so many critical issues to address, the last thing the American people need right now is a government shutdown," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Schumer said the stopgap spending legislation will also provide aid for those reeling from Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters as well as funding to support Afghanistan evacuees from the 20-year war between the U.S. and the Taliban.

Action in the final hours to avoid a partial government shutdown has become almost routine, with lawmakers usually able to fashion a compromise. The funding bill was slowed this time by disagreement over allowing the government to take on more debt so that it could continue to meet its financial obligations. Currently the borrowing cap is set at $28.4 trillion.

The U.S. has never defaulted on its debts in the modern era, and historically both parties have voted to raise the limit. Democrats joined the Republican Senate majority in doing so three times during Donald Trump’s presidency. This time Democrats wanted to take care of both priorities in one bill, but Senate Republicans blocked that effort Monday.

Raising or suspending the debt limit allows the federal government to pay obligations already incurred. It does not authorize new spending. McConnell has argued that Democrats should pass a debt limit extension with the same budgetary tools they are using to try to pass a $3.5 trillion effort to expand social safety net programs and tackle climate change.

“There is no tradition of doing this on a bipartisan basis. Sometimes we have and sometimes we haven’t,” McConnell told reporters about past debt ceiling increases.

House Democrats complained about the steps they were being forced to take as they approved a standalone bill late Wednesday that would suspend the debt ceiling until December 2022. That bill now heads to the Senate, where it is almost certain to be blocked by a Republican filibuster.

“You are more interested in punishing Democrats than preserving our credit and that is something I’m having a real tough time getting my head around,” House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told Republicans. “The idea of not paying bills just because we don’t like (Biden’s) policies is the wrong way to go.”

But Republicans were undaunted. They argued that Democrats have chosen to ram through their political priorities on their own, and thus are responsible for raising the debt limit on their own.

“So long as the Democratic majority continues to insist on spending money hand over fist, Republicans will refuse to help them lift the debt ceiling," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.

McGovern said Republicans ballooned the debt under Trump and now are washing their hands of the consequences.

“Republicans have now rediscovered the issue of the debt," McGovern said. “Where the hell were you the last four years?”

The Treasury has taken steps to preserve cash, but once it runs out, it will be forced to rely on incoming revenue to pay its obligations. That would likely mean delays in payments to Social Security recipients, veterans and government workers, including military personnel. The Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank, projects that the federal government would be unable to meet about 40% of payments due in the several weeks that follow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632951499889.png" alt="GOP Senator John Barrasso with the Biden funding bill of 2,500 pages requesting $3.5 trillion. He said it is literally $1 billion and $400 million dollars per page- photo Courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>GOP Senator John Barrasso with the Biden funding bill of 2,500 pages requesting $3.5 trillion. He said it is literally $1 billion and $400 million dollars per page- photo Courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is moving to avert one crisis while putting off another with the Senate poised to approve legislation that would fund the federal government into early December.The House is expected to approve the measure following the Senate vote Thursday, preventing a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Friday.Democrats were forced to remove a suspension of the federal government's borrowing limit from the bill at the insistence of Republicans. If the debt limit isn't raised by Oct. 18, the country would likely face a financial crisis and economic recession, says Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Republicans say Democrats have the votes to raise the debt ceiling on their own, and Republican leader Mitch McConnell is insisting that they do so.But the most immediate priority facing Congress is to keep the government running once the current fiscal year ends at midnight Thursday. The bill's expected approval will buy lawmakers more time to craft the spending bills that will fund federal agencies and the programs they administer.Meanwhile, Democrats are struggling over how to get President Joe Biden's top domestic priorities over the finish line. Those include a bipartisan infrastructure bill that contains $550 billion in new spending for roads, bridges, broadband and other priorities, as well as a $3.5 trillion slate of social, health and environmental programs.“With so many critical issues to address, the last thing the American people need right now is a government shutdown," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.Schumer said the stopgap spending legislation will also provide aid for those reeling from Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters as well as funding to support Afghanistan evacuees from the 20-year war between the U.S. and the Taliban.Action in the final hours to avoid a partial government shutdown has become almost routine, with lawmakers usually able to fashion a compromise. The funding bill was slowed this time by disagreement over allowing the government to take on more debt so that it could continue to meet its financial obligations. Currently the borrowing cap is set at $28.4 trillion.The U.S. has never defaulted on its debts in the modern era, and historically both parties have voted to raise the limit. Democrats joined the Republican Senate majority in doing so three times during Donald Trump’s presidency. This time Democrats wanted to take care of both priorities in one bill, but Senate Republicans blocked that effort Monday.Raising or suspending the debt limit allows the federal government to pay obligations already incurred. It does not authorize new spending. McConnell has argued that Democrats should pass a debt limit extension with the same budgetary tools they are using to try to pass a $3.5 trillion effort to expand social safety net programs and tackle climate change.“There is no tradition of doing this on a bipartisan basis. Sometimes we have and sometimes we haven’t,” McConnell told reporters about past debt ceiling increases.House Democrats complained about the steps they were being forced to take as they approved a standalone bill late Wednesday that would suspend the debt ceiling until December 2022. That bill now heads to the Senate, where it is almost certain to be blocked by a Republican filibuster.“You are more interested in punishing Democrats than preserving our credit and that is something I’m having a real tough time getting my head around,” House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told Republicans. “The idea of not paying bills just because we don’t like (Biden’s) policies is the wrong way to go.”But Republicans were undaunted. They argued that Democrats have chosen to ram through their political priorities on their own, and thus are responsible for raising the debt limit on their own.“So long as the Democratic majority continues to insist on spending money hand over fist, Republicans will refuse to help them lift the debt ceiling," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.McGovern said Republicans ballooned the debt under Trump and now are washing their hands of the consequences.“Republicans have now rediscovered the issue of the debt," McGovern said. “Where the hell were you the last four years?”The Treasury has taken steps to preserve cash, but once it runs out, it will be forced to rely on incoming revenue to pay its obligations. That would likely mean delays in payments to Social Security recipients, veterans and government workers, including military personnel. The Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank, projects that the federal government would be unable to meet about 40% of payments due in the several weeks that follow.

Shutdown showdown: Congress needs to take action Thursday

MONITEAU COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 9 p.m. Wednesday in Moniteau County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Toyota Tacoma driven by Martin L. Fisher, 43, Virginia Beach, VA., was eastbound on Highway 87 at Route C.&nbsp;

The driver failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a southbound 2013 Peterbilt semi driven by Adrian Salcedo, 44, Moscow, Kansas.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Windmill Ridge Funeral Home in California, Missouri. Salcedo was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

MONITEAU COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 9 p.m. Wednesday in Moniteau County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Toyota Tacoma driven by Martin L. Fisher, 43, Virginia Beach, VA., was eastbound on Highway 87 at Route C.&nbsp;The driver failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a southbound 2013 Peterbilt semi driven by Adrian Salcedo, 44, Moscow, Kansas.Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Windmill Ridge Funeral Home in California, Missouri. Salcedo was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

SW Kansas man among two dead in pickup, semi crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on drug allegations after a traffic stop.

On Tuesday, police arrested 19-year-old Jack W. Campbell of Atchison on a District Court warrant for possession of fentanyl and speeding, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

&nbsp;Campbell remains in the Atchison County Jail, according to online records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632942342729.png" alt="Campbell photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Campbell photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on drug allegations after a traffic stop.On Tuesday, police arrested 19-year-old Jack W. Campbell of Atchison on a District Court warrant for possession of fentanyl and speeding, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;Campbell remains in the Atchison County Jail, according to online records.

Police: Kansas teen  accused of fentanyl  possession 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri law seeking to ban most abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy led to a legal battle Wednesday before the state's highest court over whether the people's right to overturn laws passed by the Legislature has been illegally limited by procedural hurdles.

The case before the Missouri Supreme Court won't ultimately affect the fate of the anti-abortion law — which currently is blocked by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-courts-health-laws-st-louis-8310eaa67debfe2f06bd331d918b2cd9">a separate federal court case</a>&nbsp;— but could determine how easy or difficult it is for people to force a statewide vote on future laws they don't like.

The Missouri case is one of several battles around the nation over state election laws that supporters describe as safeguards but which opponents contend are unjustified limits on democracy.

Missouri's constitution includes a referendum right that allows people to challenge a law passed by Legislature by gathering petition signatures to put the measure to a public vote. Petitions must be submitted to the secretary of state’s office 90 days after the end of the legislative session during which the law passed.

A separate state law dating to 1997 requires petitions to contain an official ballot title certified by the secretary of state, and another law sets forth procedural deadlines for the secretary of state to approve that ballot title.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the group No Bans No Choice challenged those laws after Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft used much of the allotted time, leaving them little opportunity to gather enough signatures to force a referendum on the 2019 abortion law.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/referendums-courts-michael-brown-40116cb2e88fbf0cd8ea636e444970a8">Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem struck down the laws</a>&nbsp;in December, ruling that “the State may not constitutionally delay the circulation of a referendum petition for the purpose of certifying a ballot title.” The state appealed to the Supreme Court.

Attorney Jason Lewis, who argued on behalf of Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt, defended the laws as “reasonable regulations of the referendum process.” Schmitt's office argued in court filings that the ballot title requirement “creates order and consistency, prevents voters from being confused or misled by complex bills, and promotes informed voter choices about whether to sign referendum proposals.”

But the ACLU said in court filings that there is “conflict between the Constitution, which reserves a right of referendum to the people, and the two statutes, which curtail that right.”

“The Legislature shouldn't be given the tools to narrow or broaden that right beyond what the constitution provides,” said ACLU attorney Jessie Steffan, of St. Louis.

During questioning Wednesday, Supreme Court judges Brent Powell and Patricia Breckenridge honed in on where to draw the line between reasonable and unreasonable regulations of the referendum process. They noted that based on when a bill is passed by the Legislature, opponents might have several months to gather signatures — as was the case in a successful referendum overturning a 2017 labor union law — or a matter of just weeks, as was the case with the abortion law.

Steffan argued that any law impeding the gathering of referendum signatures should be unconstitutional. Lewis said the fact that scenarios exist allowing enough time for signature gathering means the laws regulating referendums cannot be declared unconstitutional on their face.

The 2019 abortion law that prompted the legal fight sought to ban the procedure at eight weeks of pregnancy, except for cases of medical emergencies. It included a stairstep of other abortion bans at 14, 18, or 20 weeks should one of the earlier-term restrictions get struck down in court. It also sought to ban abortions based solely on race, sex or a diagnosis indicating Down syndrome.

The abortion law has never been enforced, because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-us-news-st-louis-michael-brown-courts-338c2e0c396b4e4eb4d053ea6eb48633">a federal judge blocked it</a>&nbsp;a day before it was scheduled to take effect.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-courts-health-laws-st-louis-8310eaa67debfe2f06bd331d918b2cd9">The full 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments</a>&nbsp;last week on an appeal of the injunction, but a ruling isn't expected for at least several weeks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1562964750524.png" alt="Photo courtesy Planned Parenthood Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Planned Parenthood Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri law seeking to ban most abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy led to a legal battle Wednesday before the state's highest court over whether the people's right to overturn laws passed by the Legislature has been illegally limited by procedural hurdles.The case before the Missouri Supreme Court won't ultimately affect the fate of the anti-abortion law — which currently is blocked by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-courts-health-laws-st-louis-8310eaa67debfe2f06bd331d918b2cd9">a separate federal court case</a>&nbsp;— but could determine how easy or difficult it is for people to force a statewide vote on future laws they don't like.The Missouri case is one of several battles around the nation over state election laws that supporters describe as safeguards but which opponents contend are unjustified limits on democracy.Missouri's constitution includes a referendum right that allows people to challenge a law passed by Legislature by gathering petition signatures to put the measure to a public vote. Petitions must be submitted to the secretary of state’s office 90 days after the end of the legislative session during which the law passed.A separate state law dating to 1997 requires petitions to contain an official ballot title certified by the secretary of state, and another law sets forth procedural deadlines for the secretary of state to approve that ballot title.The American Civil Liberties Union and the group No Bans No Choice challenged those laws after Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft used much of the allotted time, leaving them little opportunity to gather enough signatures to force a referendum on the 2019 abortion law.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/referendums-courts-michael-brown-40116cb2e88fbf0cd8ea636e444970a8">Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem struck down the laws</a>&nbsp;in December, ruling that “the State may not constitutionally delay the circulation of a referendum petition for the purpose of certifying a ballot title.” The state appealed to the Supreme Court.Attorney Jason Lewis, who argued on behalf of Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt, defended the laws as “reasonable regulations of the referendum process.” Schmitt's office argued in court filings that the ballot title requirement “creates order and consistency, prevents voters from being confused or misled by complex bills, and promotes informed voter choices about whether to sign referendum proposals.”But the ACLU said in court filings that there is “conflict between the Constitution, which reserves a right of referendum to the people, and the two statutes, which curtail that right.”“The Legislature shouldn't be given the tools to narrow or broaden that right beyond what the constitution provides,” said ACLU attorney Jessie Steffan, of St. Louis.During questioning Wednesday, Supreme Court judges Brent Powell and Patricia Breckenridge honed in on where to draw the line between reasonable and unreasonable regulations of the referendum process. They noted that based on when a bill is passed by the Legislature, opponents might have several months to gather signatures — as was the case in a successful referendum overturning a 2017 labor union law — or a matter of just weeks, as was the case with the abortion law.Steffan argued that any law impeding the gathering of referendum signatures should be unconstitutional. Lewis said the fact that scenarios exist allowing enough time for signature gathering means the laws regulating referendums cannot be declared unconstitutional on their face.The 2019 abortion law that prompted the legal fight sought to ban the procedure at eight weeks of pregnancy, except for cases of medical emergencies. It included a stairstep of other abortion bans at 14, 18, or 20 weeks should one of the earlier-term restrictions get struck down in court. It also sought to ban abortions based solely on race, sex or a diagnosis indicating Down syndrome.The abortion law has never been enforced, because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-us-news-st-louis-michael-brown-courts-338c2e0c396b4e4eb4d053ea6eb48633">a federal judge blocked it</a>&nbsp;a day before it was scheduled to take effect.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-courts-health-laws-st-louis-8310eaa67debfe2f06bd331d918b2cd9">The full 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments</a>&nbsp;last week on an appeal of the injunction, but a ruling isn't expected for at least several weeks.

Missouri abortion law leads to court battle over referendums

The
 Federal Trade Commission is sending 8,843 checks totaling more than $2 
million to consumers who were harmed by a company that charged them 
money for “funding” to pay for expensive and often ineffective training 
programs, but instead opened multiple credit card accounts in their 
names.

<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase"></a><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/01/ftc-acts-stop-nevada-companies-charging-consumers-thousands-open">According to the FTC’s complaint</a>,
 Seed Consulting, LLC (which also operated under the names Seed Capital 
and Foundation Funding) was pitched by training companies as a way to 
get “funding” to people who wanted to start a business or become a real 
estate investor. The complaint alleged that Seed didn’t actually provide
 any funds to consumers but instead charged them $3,000 or more to apply
 for numerous credit cards on their behalf, with total credit lines of 
more than $50,000, a practice known as “credit card stacking.”

To obtain these credit lines, the suit alleges, Seed often inflated 
consumers’ annual incomes on credit card applications by approximately 
$100,000, telling consumers they could expect to make that much when 
they completed their training programs. Often, the consumers used the 
credit cards Seed obtained for them to pay for expensive programs sold 
by the training companies.

Seed agreed to settle the FTC’s case in January 2021. Each check recipient will receive $232.12.

People who receive checks should deposit or cash them within 90 days,
 as indicated on the check. Recipients who have questions about their 
checks, as well as anyone who paid Seed Consulting for business training
 and real estate investment programs, should call the refund 
administrator, JND Legal Administration at 1-833-823-0045. The FTC never
 requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a 
refund check.

The FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase">interactive dashboards for refund data(link is external)</a>
 provide a state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds. In 2020, FTC actions
 led to more than $483 million in refunds to consumers across the 
country, but recently the United States Supreme Court ruled the FTC 
lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal 
court going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission is sending 8,843 checks totaling more than $2 
million to consumers who were harmed by a company that charged them 
money for “funding” to pay for expensive and often ineffective training 
programs, but instead opened multiple credit card accounts in their 
names.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase"></a><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/01/ftc-acts-stop-nevada-companies-charging-consumers-thousands-open">According to the FTC’s complaint</a>,
 Seed Consulting, LLC (which also operated under the names Seed Capital 
and Foundation Funding) was pitched by training companies as a way to 
get “funding” to people who wanted to start a business or become a real 
estate investor. The complaint alleged that Seed didn’t actually provide
 any funds to consumers but instead charged them $3,000 or more to apply
 for numerous credit cards on their behalf, with total credit lines of 
more than $50,000, a practice known as “credit card stacking.”To obtain these credit lines, the suit alleges, Seed often inflated 
consumers’ annual incomes on credit card applications by approximately 
$100,000, telling consumers they could expect to make that much when 
they completed their training programs. Often, the consumers used the 
credit cards Seed obtained for them to pay for expensive programs sold 
by the training companies.Seed agreed to settle the FTC’s case in January 2021. Each check recipient will receive $232.12.People who receive checks should deposit or cash them within 90 days,
 as indicated on the check. Recipients who have questions about their 
checks, as well as anyone who paid Seed Consulting for business training
 and real estate investment programs, should call the refund 
administrator, JND Legal Administration at 1-833-823-0045. The FTC never
 requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a 
refund check.The FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase">interactive dashboards for refund data(link is external)</a>
 provide a state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds. In 2020, FTC actions
 led to more than $483 million in refunds to consumers across the 
country, but recently the United States Supreme Court ruled the FTC 
lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal 
court going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC: $2M returned to victims of 'credit card stacking' scheme

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Sedalia man pleaded guilty Tuesday to trying to hire someone to kill a victim in a statutory sodomy case.

Jon Mark Wilson, 57, pleaded guilty in federal court to use of interstate facilities — using a cellphone and crossing state lines — in the commission of murder for hire.

He admitted that he paid $2,000 to an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to murder the victim. Wilson was charged in Pettis County with two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy.

Prosecutors said Wilson contacted a person in January 2019 to help him arrange the killing. That person contacted law enforcement, which helped set up a meeting between Wilson and the undercover agent.

On Jan. 22, 2019, Wilson drove from Sedalia to Kansas City, Kansas, to meet the undercover agent. He paid the agent $2,000 and agreed to pay $3,000 more after the killing. He also bought shotgun shells for use in the murder, prosecutors said.

Wilson was arrested after he left the area and was stopped by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper.

The original statutory sodomy case against Wilson is still pending.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632909705438.png" alt="Wilson is being held in Cole County" />
 <figcaption>Wilson is being held in Cole County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Sedalia man pleaded guilty Tuesday to trying to hire someone to kill a victim in a statutory sodomy case.Jon Mark Wilson, 57, pleaded guilty in federal court to use of interstate facilities — using a cellphone and crossing state lines — in the commission of murder for hire.He admitted that he paid $2,000 to an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to murder the victim. Wilson was charged in Pettis County with two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy.Prosecutors said Wilson contacted a person in January 2019 to help him arrange the killing. That person contacted law enforcement, which helped set up a meeting between Wilson and the undercover agent.On Jan. 22, 2019, Wilson drove from Sedalia to Kansas City, Kansas, to meet the undercover agent. He paid the agent $2,000 and agreed to pay $3,000 more after the killing. He also bought shotgun shells for use in the murder, prosecutors said.Wilson was arrested after he left the area and was stopped by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper.The original statutory sodomy case against Wilson is still pending.

Man paid undercover agent in Kansas in murder for hire plot

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man was sentenced to more than three years in prison after a fatal crash killed a Baker University employee. 

The Douglas County District  Attorney's office said Tuesday that Tayler Livingston, 27, Paola, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Authorities said Livingston's car was trying to pass another vehicle on Kansas 33 about 6 miles east of Baldwin City in February 2020. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol says Livingston's vehicle hit a car driven by 25-year-old Deeva Sharma, of Leawood. Sharma died in the crash. The district attorney's office say Livingston was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Sharma was an admissions counselor at Baker University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632857687770.png" alt="Livingston photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Livingston photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man was sentenced to more than three years in prison after a fatal crash killed a Baker University employee. The Douglas County District Attorney's office said Tuesday that Tayler Livingston, 27, Paola, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Authorities said Livingston's car was trying to pass another vehicle on Kansas 33 about 6 miles east of Baldwin City in February 2020. The Kansas Highway Patrol says Livingston's vehicle hit a car driven by 25-year-old Deeva Sharma, of Leawood. Sharma died in the crash. The district attorney's office say Livingston was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Sharma was an admissions counselor at Baker University.

Kan. man sentenced for DUI crash that killed university employee

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a drug bust at a Kansas home.

On Tuesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 200 Block NE Grattan Street related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

Through the search warrant, the officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

As a result, police arrested 52-year-old John Santos and 52-year-old Jason Castle both of Topeka.

Officers transported them to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Santos is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

Jason Castle is jailed on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine with the intent of distribution within 1000 feet of a school, Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent of distribution within 1000 feet of a school, Possession of marijuana and Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632912839012.png" alt="John Santos-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>John Santos-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a drug bust at a Kansas home.On Tuesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 200 Block NE Grattan Street related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.Through the search warrant, the officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.As a result, police arrested 52-year-old John Santos and 52-year-old Jason Castle both of Topeka.Officers transported them to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Santos is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632913120221.png" alt="Castle photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Castle photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Jason Castle is jailed on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine with the intent of distribution within 1000 feet of a school, Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent of distribution within 1000 feet of a school, Possession of marijuana and Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

Investigation leads to drug arrest at Kansas home

Nurses and hundreds of other staff members will soon begin wearing panic buttons at a Missouri hospital where assaults on workers tripled after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cox Medical Center Branson is using grant money to add buttons to identification badges worn by up to 400 employees who work in the emergency room and inpatient hospital rooms. Pushing the button will immediately alert hospital security, launching a tracking system that will send help to the endangered worker. The hospital hopes to have the system operational by the end of the year.

A similar program was successfully tested last year at CoxHealth’s Springfield hospital, spokeswoman Kaitlyn McConnell said Tuesday.

Hospital data showed that the number of “security incidents” at the Branson hospital rose from 94 in 2019 to 162 in 2020. Assaults rose from 40 to 123 during that same period, and injuries to health care workers rose from 17 to 78. Data for 2021 was not available.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mo-state-wire-michael-brown-coronavirus-pandemic-health-89fa995c59397228d8d56e1ab45890ab">The delta variant of the virus</a>&nbsp;hit hard in southwestern Missouri starting in June, leaving hospitals so full that many patients were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mo-state-wire-michael-brown-springfield-business-coronavirus-pandemic-fea74a1cc80d3bd632aa29d417f2aa87">sent to other facilities</a>&nbsp;hundreds of miles away. The hospital in Branson, the popular tourist town known for its many shows and attractions, has been at or near capacity for four months.

CoxHealth’s director of safety and security, Alan Butler, said the panic buttons “fill a critical void.”

“Personal Panic Buttons are one more tool in the battle to keep our staff safe and further demonstrate this organization’s commitment to maintaining a safe work and care environment,” Butler said in a statement.

The Missouri hospital isn’t alone.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/01/coronavirus-texas-hospital-attacks-health-workers/" target="_blank">The Texas Tribune</a>&nbsp;reported earlier this month about the rising number of assaults at Texas hospitals, incidents that officials believe are fueled by a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Jane McCurley, chief nursing executive for Methodist Healthcare System in Texas, said at a news conference in August that staff members at the San Antonio hospital “have been cursed at, screamed at, threatened with bodily harm and even had knives pulled on them.”

Worldwide, a February report by the Geneva-based Insecurity Insight and the University of California, Berkeley’s Human Rights Center&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-19-fuels-attacks-health-workers-92b2df8f56118ffce9d3507a62ae941e">identified more than 1,100 threats or acts of violence</a>&nbsp;against health care workers and facilities last year. Researchers found that about 400 of those attacks were related to COVID-19, many motivated by fear or frustration.

Assaults on health care workers have been a concern for years, Missouri Hospital Association spokesman Dave Dillon said, but COVID-19 “has changed the dynamic in a number of ways.” Among them: The effort to slow the spread of the virus means relatives often can’t accompany a sick person, raising already-high stress levels.

Jackie Gatz, vice president of safety and preparedness for the Missouri Hospital Association, said the use of a button alert is among many steps hospitals are taking to protect workers. Security cameras are being added, and some security personnel are wearing body cameras. CoxHealth added security dogs late last year in Springfield.

The Missouri Hospital Association also provides training to help workers protect themselves, including training on how to recognize and de-escalate when someone becomes agitated. Gatz said nurses and staff also are encouraged to stand between the hospital bed and the door.

“You can control your environment without necessarily placing physical barriers,” Gatz said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632938144591.png" alt="Photo courtesy Cox Health" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Cox Health</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM SALTER, Associated PressNurses and hundreds of other staff members will soon begin wearing panic buttons at a Missouri hospital where assaults on workers tripled after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.Cox Medical Center Branson is using grant money to add buttons to identification badges worn by up to 400 employees who work in the emergency room and inpatient hospital rooms. Pushing the button will immediately alert hospital security, launching a tracking system that will send help to the endangered worker. The hospital hopes to have the system operational by the end of the year.A similar program was successfully tested last year at CoxHealth’s Springfield hospital, spokeswoman Kaitlyn McConnell said Tuesday.Hospital data showed that the number of “security incidents” at the Branson hospital rose from 94 in 2019 to 162 in 2020. Assaults rose from 40 to 123 during that same period, and injuries to health care workers rose from 17 to 78. Data for 2021 was not available.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mo-state-wire-michael-brown-coronavirus-pandemic-health-89fa995c59397228d8d56e1ab45890ab">The delta variant of the virus</a>&nbsp;hit hard in southwestern Missouri starting in June, leaving hospitals so full that many patients were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mo-state-wire-michael-brown-springfield-business-coronavirus-pandemic-fea74a1cc80d3bd632aa29d417f2aa87">sent to other facilities</a>&nbsp;hundreds of miles away. The hospital in Branson, the popular tourist town known for its many shows and attractions, has been at or near capacity for four months.CoxHealth’s director of safety and security, Alan Butler, said the panic buttons “fill a critical void.”“Personal Panic Buttons are one more tool in the battle to keep our staff safe and further demonstrate this organization’s commitment to maintaining a safe work and care environment,” Butler said in a statement.The Missouri hospital isn’t alone.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/01/coronavirus-texas-hospital-attacks-health-workers/" target="_blank">The Texas Tribune</a>&nbsp;reported earlier this month about the rising number of assaults at Texas hospitals, incidents that officials believe are fueled by a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.Jane McCurley, chief nursing executive for Methodist Healthcare System in Texas, said at a news conference in August that staff members at the San Antonio hospital “have been cursed at, screamed at, threatened with bodily harm and even had knives pulled on them.”Worldwide, a February report by the Geneva-based Insecurity Insight and the University of California, Berkeley’s Human Rights Center&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-19-fuels-attacks-health-workers-92b2df8f56118ffce9d3507a62ae941e">identified more than 1,100 threats or acts of violence</a>&nbsp;against health care workers and facilities last year. Researchers found that about 400 of those attacks were related to COVID-19, many motivated by fear or frustration.Assaults on health care workers have been a concern for years, Missouri Hospital Association spokesman Dave Dillon said, but COVID-19 “has changed the dynamic in a number of ways.” Among them: The effort to slow the spread of the virus means relatives often can’t accompany a sick person, raising already-high stress levels.Jackie Gatz, vice president of safety and preparedness for the Missouri Hospital Association, said the use of a button alert is among many steps hospitals are taking to protect workers. Security cameras are being added, and some security personnel are wearing body cameras. CoxHealth added security dogs late last year in Springfield.The Missouri Hospital Association also provides training to help workers protect themselves, including training on how to recognize and de-escalate when someone becomes agitated. Gatz said nurses and staff also are encouraged to stand between the hospital bed and the door.“You can control your environment without necessarily placing physical barriers,” Gatz said.

COVID-related attacks prompt hospital to issue panic buttons

WICHITA —&nbsp;A Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Emil J. Kapaun was held at Hartman Arena on Wednesday morning.

Following the Mass, Father Kapaun's remains were carried from Veterans Memorial Park, 339 Veterans Memorial Parkway, by way of horse-drawn caisson to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where he will finally be laid to rest.

Kapaun will be laid to rest in a 5,400 pound tomb inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception located at Broadway and Central in Wichita.

Kapaun was captured in 1950 while attending to soldiers during the Korean War. He died of pneumonia at the POW camp while continuing to minister to fellow prisoners.

Kapaun was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1993, the Catholic church named him a “Servant of God,” which began the lengthy process of canonization.

The Defense Department’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced in March that Kapaun’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wichita-pope-john-paul-ii-kansas-sainthood-2c4b0f8a05d91b0c10b27fd262c3956b">remains had been identified</a>&nbsp;at the agency’s laboratory at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. On March 4, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reported the remains of Father Emil Kapaun were positively identified.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632945060287.png" alt="Father Kapaun's remains were carried from Veterans Memorial Park, 339 Veterans Memorial Parkway, by way of horse-drawn caisson from to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Father Kapaun's remains were carried from Veterans Memorial Park, 339 Veterans Memorial Parkway, by way of horse-drawn caisson from to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —&nbsp;A Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Emil J. Kapaun was held at Hartman Arena on Wednesday morning.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wyIoBQMXRqA" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Following the Mass, Father Kapaun's remains were carried from Veterans Memorial Park, 339 Veterans Memorial Parkway, by way of horse-drawn caisson to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where he will finally be laid to rest.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631705866678.png" alt="Fr. Kapaun’s 5,400 lb. marble tomb placed on the concrete foundation in the east transept of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita-photo Catholic Diocese of Wichita" />
 <figcaption>Fr. Kapaun’s 5,400 lb. marble tomb placed on the concrete foundation in the east transept of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita-photo Catholic Diocese of Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>Kapaun will be laid to rest in a 5,400 pound tomb inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception located at Broadway and Central in Wichita.Kapaun was captured in 1950 while attending to soldiers during the Korean War. He died of pneumonia at the POW camp while continuing to minister to fellow prisoners.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614944899732.png" alt="Kapaun, the Marion County-native, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, served as an Army Chaplain during WWII and the Korean War, and was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1951. He continued to minister to Americans as a POW before passing away on May 23, 1951." />
 <figcaption>Kapaun, the Marion County-native, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, served as an Army Chaplain during WWII and the Korean War, and was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1951. He continued to minister to Americans as a POW before passing away on May 23, 1951.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kapaun was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1993, the Catholic church named him a “Servant of God,” which began the lengthy process of canonization.The Defense Department’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced in March that Kapaun’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wichita-pope-john-paul-ii-kansas-sainthood-2c4b0f8a05d91b0c10b27fd262c3956b">remains had been identified</a>&nbsp;at the agency’s laboratory at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. On March 4, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reported the remains of Father Emil Kapaun were positively identified.&nbsp;

🎥  Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Emil Kapaun 

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating five suspects on multiple charges after an incident in Great Bend.

Early Tuesday,&nbsp; police began investigating a reported robbery and kidnapping in the 4700 block of 8th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.

During the course of this investigation, detectives and patrol officers&nbsp; obtained and executed search warrants at 1212 Warner Road and 4701 8th Street.

During the search of the residence at 1212 Warner, items of evidence were located and seized related to the investigation. 

During the search of the property located at 4701 8th, detectives and patrol officers processed the scene of the crime and located additional items of evidence. In addition, items of illegal drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine were seized as evidence.

Police arrested Braylin Bretz, 25; Gunner Mayhugh, 19; Tyler Tomlinson, 38; Brennan Behnke, 21 and Blake Stegman, 20 on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, criminal threat, felony obstruction - aiding and abetting, intimidation of a witness, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.

Bretz, Mayhugh and Tomlinson were arrested by the Great Bend Police Department.

Later that evening, information was communicated between Great Bend Police detectives and the Larned Police Department that resulted in locating Behnke and Stegman at a residence in Larned. 

Both Behnke and Stegman were arrested by the Larned Police Department, and they were transported to the Barton County Detention Center where they were booked in lieu of bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632944331052.png" alt="Braylin Bretz-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Braylin Bretz-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating five suspects on multiple charges after an incident in Great Bend.Early Tuesday,&nbsp; police began investigating a reported robbery and kidnapping in the 4700 block of 8th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.During the course of this investigation, detectives and patrol officers&nbsp; obtained and executed search warrants at 1212 Warner Road and 4701 8th Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632944355611.png" alt="Gunner Mayhugh photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Gunner Mayhugh photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the search of the residence at 1212 Warner, items of evidence were located and seized related to the investigation. During the search of the property located at 4701 8th, detectives and patrol officers processed the scene of the crime and located additional items of evidence. In addition, items of illegal drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine were seized as evidence.Police arrested Braylin Bretz, 25; Gunner Mayhugh, 19; Tyler Tomlinson, 38; Brennan Behnke, 21 and Blake Stegman, 20 on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, criminal threat, felony obstruction - aiding and abetting, intimidation of a witness, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632944377668.png" alt="Tyler Tomlinson-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Tyler Tomlinson-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Bretz, Mayhugh and Tomlinson were arrested by the Great Bend Police Department.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632944397595.png" alt="Brennan Behnke-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Brennan Behnke-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Later that evening, information was communicated between Great Bend Police detectives and the Larned Police Department that resulted in locating Behnke and Stegman at a residence in Larned. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632944418235.png" alt="Blake Stegman-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Blake Stegman-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Both Behnke and Stegman were arrested by the Larned Police Department, and they were transported to the Barton County Detention Center where they were booked in lieu of bond.