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

GREAT BEND — Sara 
Hayden,&nbsp;director of&nbsp;Great Bend&nbsp;Economic Development,&nbsp;asked 
the&nbsp;Barton County Commission&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;$20,000&nbsp;for&nbsp;an 
advertising initiative. A majority of&nbsp;Commissioners approved&nbsp;that 
request but added another $20,000 for 
projects&nbsp;her&nbsp;non-profit&nbsp;organization&nbsp;is working on.&nbsp;

Hayden's only
 request was for money for a targeted advertising campaign aimed at 
businesses and individuals outside the state of Kansas. It would be used
 for video and print advertising.

Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson&nbsp;expressed&nbsp;his&nbsp;support&nbsp;for GBED after Hayden made her presentation.&nbsp;

"We
 don’t have to hire an additional person at the county level that would 
cost us more resources,” Hutchinson said. “We can dedicate some of those
 resources to what the Great Bend Economic Development initiative is.”&nbsp;

Hutchinson,
 however,&nbsp;surprised some of his colleagues when he made&nbsp;a&nbsp;motion to 
award the money requested plus the additional funds.&nbsp;His motion 
stipulated that the additional $20,000 would go to project development. 
Hayden explained that project development for her organization would 
include ongoing initiatives for childcare, housing and 
entrepreneurship.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Commissioner Jennifer Schartz&nbsp;expressed 
concern&nbsp;about&nbsp;the suddenness of Hutchinson’s proposal.&nbsp;She pointed out 
that the extra funding had not been discussed at the 
Commission’s&nbsp;previous&nbsp;study&nbsp;sessions.&nbsp;

"I may be in favor of 
this,” Schartz said. “What I am not in favor of is that we talked about 
the first $20,000&nbsp;and that’s what I was prepared to vote on. I think we 
need to talk about it a little bit more and give it some thought. I 
don’t like things&nbsp;pushed at me during a meeting and have to make a 
decision right now.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hutchison’s motion was approved with the 
support of Commissioners Kirby Krier and Barb&nbsp;Esfeld. Schartz was joined
 by Commission Chairman&nbsp;Jim Daily in opposing the motion.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Daily said he wanted to discuss the additional funding before he would&nbsp;vote to support it.&nbsp;

By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — Sara 
Hayden,&nbsp;director of&nbsp;Great Bend&nbsp;Economic Development,&nbsp;asked 
the&nbsp;Barton County Commission&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;$20,000&nbsp;for&nbsp;an 
advertising initiative. A majority of&nbsp;Commissioners approved&nbsp;that 
request but added another $20,000 for 
projects&nbsp;her&nbsp;non-profit&nbsp;organization&nbsp;is working on.&nbsp;Hayden's only
 request was for money for a targeted advertising campaign aimed at 
businesses and individuals outside the state of Kansas. It would be used
 for video and print advertising.Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson&nbsp;expressed&nbsp;his&nbsp;support&nbsp;for GBED after Hayden made her presentation.&nbsp;"We
 don’t have to hire an additional person at the county level that would 
cost us more resources,” Hutchinson said. “We can dedicate some of those
 resources to what the Great Bend Economic Development initiative is.”&nbsp;Hutchinson,
 however,&nbsp;surprised some of his colleagues when he made&nbsp;a&nbsp;motion to 
award the money requested plus the additional funds.&nbsp;His motion 
stipulated that the additional $20,000 would go to project development. 
Hayden explained that project development for her organization would 
include ongoing initiatives for childcare, housing and 
entrepreneurship.&nbsp;&nbsp;Commissioner Jennifer Schartz&nbsp;expressed 
concern&nbsp;about&nbsp;the suddenness of Hutchinson’s proposal.&nbsp;She pointed out 
that the extra funding had not been discussed at the 
Commission’s&nbsp;previous&nbsp;study&nbsp;sessions.&nbsp;"I may be in favor of 
this,” Schartz said. “What I am not in favor of is that we talked about 
the first $20,000&nbsp;and that’s what I was prepared to vote on. I think we 
need to talk about it a little bit more and give it some thought. I 
don’t like things&nbsp;pushed at me during a meeting and have to make a 
decision right now.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Hutchison’s motion was approved with the 
support of Commissioners Kirby Krier and Barb&nbsp;Esfeld. Schartz was joined
 by Commission Chairman&nbsp;Jim Daily in opposing the motion.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daily said he wanted to discuss the additional funding before he would&nbsp;vote to support it.&nbsp;

Barton Co. split on funding for Great Bend Economic Development 

TOKYO (AP) — Fans were banned from the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics which will open in two weeks, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said after meeting with IOC and Japanese organizers on Thursday.

The ban came hours after a state of emergency in the capital starting from Monday, declared by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to contain rising COVID-19 cases.

The twin decisions have turned the Olympics into a made-for-TV event in a decision pushed by the Japanese government and supported by the International Olympic Committee.

“Many people were looking forward to watching the games at the venues, but I would like everyone to fully enjoy watching the games on TV at home,” Koike said after the meeting.

Fans from aboard were banned months ago, and the new measures will clear venues around Tokyo — indoor and outdoor — of any fans at all.

The emergency declaration made for a rude arrival in Japan for IOC President Thomas Bach, who landed in Tokyo on Thursday just hours before the new measures were announced. He was to spend three days in self-isolation at the five-star hotel that lodges IOC members.

Suga said the state of emergency would go into effect on Monday and last through Aug. 22. This means the Olympics, opening on July 23 and running through Aug. 8, will be held entirely under emergency measures. The Paralympics open on Aug. 24.

“Taking into consideration the impact of the delta strain, and in order to prevent the resurgence of infections from spreading across the country, we need to step up virus prevention measures,” Suga said.

Suga, who had long favored fans, hinted at a no-fan Olympics in announcing the state of emergency.

“I have already said I won’t hesitate to have no spectators,” he added.

Just two weeks ago, organizers and the IOC allowed venues to be filled to 50% of capacity but crowds not to exceed 10,000. The state of emergency has forced a late turnaround, which was always an option if infections got worse.

“We will have to consider the option of no spectators,” Marukawa said in opening remarks with the IOC and others as they went into meetings to discuss a ban on fans.

The main focus of the emergency is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving alcohol to close. A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the games on TV from home.

“How to stop people enjoying the Olympics from going out for drinks is a main issue,” Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said.

The present state of emergency ends Sunday. Tokyo reported 896 new cases on Thursday, up from 673 a week earlier. It’s the 19th straight day that cases have topped the mark set seven days prior. New cases on Wednesday hit 920, the highest total since 1,010 were reported on May 13.

The no-fan atmosphere will include the opening ceremony at the $1.4 billion National Stadium, which is traditionally the most watched event during the Olympics.

“It’s not too late. Cancel or postpone it,” said Yukio Edano, the head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party to Suga’s LDP

The uptick in infections has also forced the Tokyo city government to pull the Olympic torch relay off capital streets, allowing it to run only on remote islands off the Tokyo coast. It’s unclear how the torch will enter the stadium for the opening ceremony.

“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, said.

He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics, with summer vacations approaching.

Omi has repeatedly called for a ban on spectators, and has said it’s “abnormal” to hold the Olympics during a pandemic.

Separately, a government COVID-19 advisory panel met Wednesday and expressed concerns about the ongoing resurgence of the infections.

“Two-thirds of the infections in the capital region are from Tokyo, and our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas,” said Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

The Olympics are pushing ahead against most medical advice, partially because the postponement stalled the IOC’s income flow. It gets almost 75% of its income from selling broadcast rights, and estimates suggest it would lose $3 billion to $4 billion if the Olympics were canceled.

About 11,000 Olympians and 4,400 Paralympians are expected to enter Japan, with tens of thousands of officials, judges, administrators, sponsors, broadcasters, and media also entering. The IOC says more than 80% of resident of the Olympic Village will be vaccinated.

Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 cases and nearly 14,900 deaths. Only 15% of Japanese are fully vaccinated, still low compared with 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan is set to place Tokyo under a state of emergency that would last through the Olympics, fearing an ongoing COVID-19 surge will multiply during the Games.

At a meeting with experts Thursday morning, government officials proposed a plan to issue a state of emergency in Tokyo from next Monday to Aug. 22. The Summer Olympics, already delayed a year by the pandemic, begin July 23 and close Aug. 8.

The Games already will take place without foreign spectators, but the planned six-week state of emergency likely ends chances of a local audience. A decision about fans is expected later Thursday when local organizers meet with the International Olympic Committee and other representatives.

Tokyo is currently under less-stringent measures that focus on shortened hours for bars and restaurants but have proven less effective at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is to formally announce the emergency plans later Thursday, hours after IOC President Thomas Bach was to land in Tokyo. Bach must self-isolate for three days in the IOC’s five-star hotel in the Japanese capital before heading to Hiroshima, where heavy rain is threatening flooding.

The upcoming emergency will be the fourth for Tokyo since the pandemic began and is a last-minute change of plan made late Wednesday after a meeting with experts who warned strongly against the government’s soft approach.

A main focus of the emergency is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving alcohol to close. A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the Games on TV from home.

Tokyo reported 920 new cases on Wednesday, up from 714 last week and its highest since 1,010 on May 13. The figure is in line with experts’ earlier estimate that daily cases in Tokyo could hit 1,000 before the Games and could spike into thousands in August.

Kazuhiro Tateta, a Toho University infectious diseases expert, noted an earlier state of emergency in the spring came too late to prevent hospitals in Osaka from overflowing with patients and said another delay should not be allowed.

Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, noted that two-thirds of Japan’s cases are from the Tokyo region and “our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas.”

Experts also noted cases among younger, unvaccinated people are rising as Japan’s inoculation drive loses steam due to supply uncertainty.

Just 15% of Japanese are fully vaccinated, low compared to 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain. Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 infections and nearly 14,900 deaths.

“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, told reporters.

He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics with summer vacations approaching. “The period from July to September is the most critical time for Japan’s COVID-19 measures,” Omi said.

TOKYO (AP) — Surging COVID-19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees the Japanese government will declare a new state of emergency to start next week and continue for the duration of the Tokyo Olympics.

The pandemic-delayed Olympics open in just over two weeks on July 23.

IOC President Thomas Bach is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on Thursday, when he will be greeted by the rising cases as he self-isolates for three days in the International Olympic Committee’s five-star hotel in the capital.

A new state of emergency could lead to a ban even on local fans. That decision on fans is expected Friday when local organizers meet with the IOC and others.

The present quasi-state of emergency ends Sunday. Tokyo reported 920 new cases on Wednesday, up from 714 last Wednesday. It is the highest total since 1,010 were reported on May 13.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with key ministers to discuss virus measures and reportedly is considering reinstating a state of emergency in the capital until Aug. 22. The Olympics end on Aug. 8.

Suga did not confirm the report but noted Tokyo’s upsurge and vowed “to do everything we can to prevent the further spread of the infections.”

Suga said he would make a final decision Thursday after consulting with a panel of experts.

Fans from abroad were banned from attending the Olympics months ago. But just two weeks ago, organizers and the IOC decided to allow venues to be filed to 50% of capacity but not to exceed 10,000.

The soaring cases are likely to mean that venues will be without any fans, although sponsors and others may have access. The no-fan atmosphere could include the opening ceremony at the $1.4 billion National Stadium.

He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics with summer vacations approaching.

“The period from July to September is the most critical time for Japan’s COVID-19 measures,” Omi said.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters that she expects the government to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo, a fourth for the capital since the pandemic began early last year.

The Olympics are pushing ahead against most medical advice, partially because the postponement of 15 months stalled the IOC’s income flow. It gets almost 75% of its income from selling broadcast rights, and estimates suggest it would lose between $3 billion and $4 billion if the Olympics were canceled.

Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 cases and nearly 14,900 deaths. Only 15% of the Japanese are fully vaccinated, still low compared to 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain.

TOKYO (AP) — Fans were banned from the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics which will open in two weeks, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said after meeting with IOC and Japanese organizers on Thursday.The ban came hours after a state of emergency in the capital starting from Monday, declared by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to contain rising COVID-19 cases.The twin decisions have turned the Olympics into a made-for-TV event in a decision pushed by the Japanese government and supported by the International Olympic Committee.“Many people were looking forward to watching the games at the venues, but I would like everyone to fully enjoy watching the games on TV at home,” Koike said after the meeting.Fans from aboard were banned months ago, and the new measures will clear venues around Tokyo — indoor and outdoor — of any fans at all.The emergency declaration made for a rude arrival in Japan for IOC President Thomas Bach, who landed in Tokyo on Thursday just hours before the new measures were announced. He was to spend three days in self-isolation at the five-star hotel that lodges IOC members.Suga said the state of emergency would go into effect on Monday and last through Aug. 22. This means the Olympics, opening on July 23 and running through Aug. 8, will be held entirely under emergency measures. The Paralympics open on Aug. 24.“Taking into consideration the impact of the delta strain, and in order to prevent the resurgence of infections from spreading across the country, we need to step up virus prevention measures,” Suga said.Suga, who had long favored fans, hinted at a no-fan Olympics in announcing the state of emergency.“I have already said I won’t hesitate to have no spectators,” he added.Just two weeks ago, organizers and the IOC allowed venues to be filled to 50% of capacity but crowds not to exceed 10,000. The state of emergency has forced a late turnaround, which was always an option if infections got worse.“We will have to consider the option of no spectators,” Marukawa said in opening remarks with the IOC and others as they went into meetings to discuss a ban on fans.The main focus of the emergency is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving alcohol to close. A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the games on TV from home.“How to stop people enjoying the Olympics from going out for drinks is a main issue,” Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said.The present state of emergency ends Sunday. Tokyo reported 896 new cases on Thursday, up from 673 a week earlier. It’s the 19th straight day that cases have topped the mark set seven days prior. New cases on Wednesday hit 920, the highest total since 1,010 were reported on May 13.The no-fan atmosphere will include the opening ceremony at the $1.4 billion National Stadium, which is traditionally the most watched event during the Olympics.“It’s not too late. Cancel or postpone it,” said Yukio Edano, the head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party to Suga’s LDPThe uptick in infections has also forced the Tokyo city government to pull the Olympic torch relay off capital streets, allowing it to run only on remote islands off the Tokyo coast. It’s unclear how the torch will enter the stadium for the opening ceremony.“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, said.He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics, with summer vacations approaching.Omi has repeatedly called for a ban on spectators, and has said it’s “abnormal” to hold the Olympics during a pandemic.Separately, a government COVID-19 advisory panel met Wednesday and expressed concerns about the ongoing resurgence of the infections.“Two-thirds of the infections in the capital region are from Tokyo, and our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas,” said Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.The Olympics are pushing ahead against most medical advice, partially because the postponement stalled the IOC’s income flow. It gets almost 75% of its income from selling broadcast rights, and estimates suggest it would lose $3 billion to $4 billion if the Olympics were canceled.About 11,000 Olympians and 4,400 Paralympians are expected to enter Japan, with tens of thousands of officials, judges, administrators, sponsors, broadcasters, and media also entering. The IOC says more than 80% of resident of the Olympic Village will be vaccinated.Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 cases and nearly 14,900 deaths. Only 15% of Japanese are fully vaccinated, still low compared with 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain.___TOKYO (AP) — Japan is set to place Tokyo under a state of emergency that would last through the Olympics, fearing an ongoing COVID-19 surge will multiply during the Games.At a meeting with experts Thursday morning, government officials proposed a plan to issue a state of emergency in Tokyo from next Monday to Aug. 22. The Summer Olympics, already delayed a year by the pandemic, begin July 23 and close Aug. 8.The Games already will take place without foreign spectators, but the planned six-week state of emergency likely ends chances of a local audience. A decision about fans is expected later Thursday when local organizers meet with the International Olympic Committee and other representatives.Tokyo is currently under less-stringent measures that focus on shortened hours for bars and restaurants but have proven less effective at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is to formally announce the emergency plans later Thursday, hours after IOC President Thomas Bach was to land in Tokyo. Bach must self-isolate for three days in the IOC’s five-star hotel in the Japanese capital before heading to Hiroshima, where heavy rain is threatening flooding.The upcoming emergency will be the fourth for Tokyo since the pandemic began and is a last-minute change of plan made late Wednesday after a meeting with experts who warned strongly against the government’s soft approach.A main focus of the emergency is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving alcohol to close. A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the Games on TV from home.“How to stop people enjoying the Olympics from going out for drinks is a main issue,” Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said.Tokyo reported 920 new cases on Wednesday, up from 714 last week and its highest since 1,010 on May 13. The figure is in line with experts’ earlier estimate that daily cases in Tokyo could hit 1,000 before the Games and could spike into thousands in August.Kazuhiro Tateta, a Toho University infectious diseases expert, noted an earlier state of emergency in the spring came too late to prevent hospitals in Osaka from overflowing with patients and said another delay should not be allowed.Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, noted that two-thirds of Japan’s cases are from the Tokyo region and “our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas.”Experts also noted cases among younger, unvaccinated people are rising as Japan’s inoculation drive loses steam due to supply uncertainty.Just 15% of Japanese are fully vaccinated, low compared to 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain. Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 infections and nearly 14,900 deaths.“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, told reporters.He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics with summer vacations approaching. “The period from July to September is the most critical time for Japan’s COVID-19 measures,” Omi said.-------------TOKYO (AP) — Surging COVID-19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees the Japanese government will declare a new state of emergency to start next week and continue for the duration of the Tokyo Olympics.The pandemic-delayed Olympics open in just over two weeks on July 23.IOC President Thomas Bach is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on Thursday, when he will be greeted by the rising cases as he self-isolates for three days in the International Olympic Committee’s five-star hotel in the capital.A new state of emergency could lead to a ban even on local fans. That decision on fans is expected Friday when local organizers meet with the IOC and others.The present quasi-state of emergency ends Sunday. Tokyo reported 920 new cases on Wednesday, up from 714 last Wednesday. It is the highest total since 1,010 were reported on May 13.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with key ministers to discuss virus measures and reportedly is considering reinstating a state of emergency in the capital until Aug. 22. The Olympics end on Aug. 8.Suga did not confirm the report but noted Tokyo’s upsurge and vowed “to do everything we can to prevent the further spread of the infections.”Suga said he would make a final decision Thursday after consulting with a panel of experts.Fans from abroad were banned from attending the Olympics months ago. But just two weeks ago, organizers and the IOC decided to allow venues to be filed to 50% of capacity but not to exceed 10,000.The soaring cases are likely to mean that venues will be without any fans, although sponsors and others may have access. The no-fan atmosphere could include the opening ceremony at the $1.4 billion National Stadium.“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, told reporters.He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics with summer vacations approaching.“The period from July to September is the most critical time for Japan’s COVID-19 measures,” Omi said.Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters that she expects the government to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo, a fourth for the capital since the pandemic began early last year.Separately, a government COVID-19 advisory panel met Wednesday and expressed concerns about the ongoing resurgence of the infections.“Two-thirds of the infections in the capital region are from Tokyo, and our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas,” said Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.The Olympics are pushing ahead against most medical advice, partially because the postponement of 15 months stalled the IOC’s income flow. It gets almost 75% of its income from selling broadcast rights, and estimates suggest it would lose between $3 billion and $4 billion if the Olympics were canceled.Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 cases and nearly 14,900 deaths. Only 15% of the Japanese are fully vaccinated, still low compared to 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain.

Fans banned at Olympics; COVID state of emergency

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A teenager injured in an accident on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adventureland-accident-ce3a56b8e482fcdbbad2890b259bc094">an Iowa amusement ride</a>&nbsp;that killed his younger brother remained on life support Wednesday as he turned 16, his <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-jaramillo-family">family pastor said.</a>

David Jaramillo has been in a medically induced coma at Blank Children’s Hospital since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adventureland-raging-river-accident-273dbf870b1cbab93f92ea1df8bff413">Saturday’s accident</a>&nbsp;on the Raging River at Adventureland Park in Altoona, pastor Christian Shields said.

David has some brain function and has woken up a couple times at the Des Moines hospital, opening his eyes and asking what happened, he said. He remains hooked up to breathing machines, but doctors are hoping to wean him off life support, Shields said.

Shields, the pastor at Christian Life Church in Cedar Rapids, said it’s a miracle that David is alive after being pinned underneath a boat in water for several minutes. The church planned a prayer vigil for the family Wednesday night and is sponsoring a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-jaramillo-family" target="_blank">GoFundMe page</a>&nbsp;that has raised $30,000.

“We’ll be praying for life for David, that his brain function would miraculously be undamaged and unhindered and have no long-term lasting effects on him,” he said. “He’s still in very serious condition, but there’s some good signs.”

Friends have brought balloons to the hospital for David’s birthday, but “there won’t be a lot of celebrating.”

Family attorney Ryan Best said Wednesday that David is “responding to questioning by moving his toes and his head,” an encouraging sign.

The Jaramillo family, of Marion, Iowa, went to Adventureland to celebrate David’s upcoming birthday on Saturday. David, a junior at Linn-Mar High School, had been excited about getting his driver’s license as a step toward freedom and adulthood, Shields said.

David, his younger brothers Gus, 14, and Michael, 11; their 18-year-old cousin Nyla Pettie; and parents Sabrina and David Jaramillo boarded a boat for the ride on Saturday night. A family-friendly staple of the park since 1983, the ride uses a conveyor belt to push circular boats through rapids.

The family’s boat flipped over within 20 seconds of the ride beginning, Shields said, causing all six to hit their heads on the surface below and trapping them in their seatbelts underneath the water.

What caused the raft to flip remains under investigation, but at least one of its eight bladders was deflated, according to a mandatory “major breakdown” report filed by Adventureland with the state and released to The Associated Press.

Adventureland attorney Guy Cook said the bladder could have deflated upon overturning, and it’s premature to draw any conclusions. He said it was the first time one of the boats had flipped out of tens of thousands of launches in the ride’s 38-year history.

Nyla managed to unbuckle herself and Gus and the two got out with minor injuries, Shields said.

The boat was crushing the shoulder of 43-year-old David, and he could hear his bones crunching as he ripped his shoulder out from underneath to break free, Shields said. He and Sabrina got out and could see their sons face down in the river, but could not move the boat because of David’s arm injuries.

They screamed for help as other rafts passed by, and believe that at least 10 minutes passed before workers shut off water to the ride and the boys were freed from the water, he said. Emergency responders on site began with life-saving measures and CPR very quickly, but several minutes passed before an ambulance could reach them and take the four most seriously injured to the hospital.

Cook said the timeline of the accident remains under investigation.

Doctors decided to remove Michael, who was going into sixth grade at Boulder Peak Intermediate School, from life support Sunday after he showed no brain function and his organs had failed. Shields said he and other pastors held the boy’s hand and sang as doctors disconnected the machine.

Shields had gotten to know Michael this summer because the boy had volunteered for a church fundraiser cleaning a local minor league baseball stadium after games. He promised he would show up for all 12 nights and he did, joyfully picking up trash and beer bottles.

Shields said Michael was “full of smiles and laughter and jokes,” loved small dogs, playing video games and hanging with friends.

“The potential that has been robbed from this world is incalculable with a young man like Michael,” he said. “He is a gem.”

The Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday an autopsy on Michael has been completed but the cause and manner of death remain under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625696833028.png" alt="David, Michael and a cousin at the park-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>David, Michael and a cousin at the park-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A teenager injured in an accident on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adventureland-accident-ce3a56b8e482fcdbbad2890b259bc094">an Iowa amusement ride</a>&nbsp;that killed his younger brother remained on life support Wednesday as he turned 16, his <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-jaramillo-family">family pastor said.</a>David Jaramillo has been in a medically induced coma at Blank Children’s Hospital since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adventureland-raging-river-accident-273dbf870b1cbab93f92ea1df8bff413">Saturday’s accident</a>&nbsp;on the Raging River at Adventureland Park in Altoona, pastor Christian Shields said.David has some brain function and has woken up a couple times at the Des Moines hospital, opening his eyes and asking what happened, he said. He remains hooked up to breathing machines, but doctors are hoping to wean him off life support, Shields said.Shields, the pastor at Christian Life Church in Cedar Rapids, said it’s a miracle that David is alive after being pinned underneath a boat in water for several minutes. The church planned a prayer vigil for the family Wednesday night and is sponsoring a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-jaramillo-family" target="_blank">GoFundMe page</a>&nbsp;that has raised $30,000.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625522251378.png" alt="First responders at the park Saturday evening -Photo courtesy KCCI" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the park Saturday evening -Photo courtesy KCCI</figcaption>
 </figure>“We’ll be praying for life for David, that his brain function would miraculously be undamaged and unhindered and have no long-term lasting effects on him,” he said. “He’s still in very serious condition, but there’s some good signs.”Friends have brought balloons to the hospital for David’s birthday, but “there won’t be a lot of celebrating.”Family attorney Ryan Best said Wednesday that David is “responding to questioning by moving his toes and his head,” an encouraging sign.The Jaramillo family, of Marion, Iowa, went to Adventureland to celebrate David’s upcoming birthday on Saturday. David, a junior at Linn-Mar High School, had been excited about getting his driver’s license as a step toward freedom and adulthood, Shields said.David, his younger brothers Gus, 14, and Michael, 11; their 18-year-old cousin Nyla Pettie; and parents Sabrina and David Jaramillo boarded a boat for the ride on Saturday night. A family-friendly staple of the park since 1983, the ride uses a conveyor belt to push circular boats through rapids.The family’s boat flipped over within 20 seconds of the ride beginning, Shields said, causing all six to hit their heads on the surface below and trapping them in their seatbelts underneath the water.What caused the raft to flip remains under investigation, but at least one of its eight bladders was deflated, according to a mandatory “major breakdown” report filed by Adventureland with the state and released to The Associated Press.Adventureland attorney Guy Cook said the bladder could have deflated upon overturning, and it’s premature to draw any conclusions. He said it was the first time one of the boats had flipped out of tens of thousands of launches in the ride’s 38-year history.Nyla managed to unbuckle herself and Gus and the two got out with minor injuries, Shields said.The boat was crushing the shoulder of 43-year-old David, and he could hear his bones crunching as he ripped his shoulder out from underneath to break free, Shields said. He and Sabrina got out and could see their sons face down in the river, but could not move the boat because of David’s arm injuries.They screamed for help as other rafts passed by, and believe that at least 10 minutes passed before workers shut off water to the ride and the boys were freed from the water, he said. Emergency responders on site began with life-saving measures and CPR very quickly, but several minutes passed before an ambulance could reach them and take the four most seriously injured to the hospital.Cook said the timeline of the accident remains under investigation.Doctors decided to remove Michael, who was going into sixth grade at Boulder Peak Intermediate School, from life support Sunday after he showed no brain function and his organs had failed. Shields said he and other pastors held the boy’s hand and sang as doctors disconnected the machine.Shields had gotten to know Michael this summer because the boy had volunteered for a church fundraiser cleaning a local minor league baseball stadium after games. He promised he would show up for all 12 nights and he did, joyfully picking up trash and beer bottles.Shields said Michael was “full of smiles and laughter and jokes,” loved small dogs, playing video games and hanging with friends.“The potential that has been robbed from this world is incalculable with a young man like Michael,” he said. “He is a gem.”The Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday an autopsy on Michael has been completed but the cause and manner of death remain under investigation.

Brother of boy killed in amusement park accident remains on life support

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged attack on his roommate.

Early Tuesday, police were dispatched to 221 W. Adams Avenue in Arkansas City for a report of a physical disturbance in which the victim had been stabbed, according to a media release from police.

When they arrived on scene, they found a 20-year-old Arkansas City man with a severe laceration to his hand. He was evaluated and treated at the scene by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department, which then transported him to South Central Kansas Medical Center for further treatment of his injury.

Police learned the suspect in this incident, later identified as 29-year-old Felipe Augustine was in the bathroom of the residence, but he refused to leave. After some time, he exited the room, still in possession of the knife.

Augustine, who police determined to be the victim’s roommate, was taken into custody without incident on requested charges of aggravated battery, criminal threat and identity theft. He was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625691310527.png" alt="Augustine photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Augustine photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged attack on his roommate.Early Tuesday, police were dispatched to 221 W. Adams Avenue in Arkansas City for a report of a physical disturbance in which the victim had been stabbed, according to a media release from police.When they arrived on scene, they found a 20-year-old Arkansas City man with a severe laceration to his hand. He was evaluated and treated at the scene by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department, which then transported him to South Central Kansas Medical Center for further treatment of his injury.Police learned the suspect in this incident, later identified as 29-year-old Felipe Augustine was in the bathroom of the residence, but he refused to leave. After some time, he exited the room, still in possession of the knife.Augustine, who police determined to be the victim’s roommate, was taken into custody without incident on requested charges of aggravated battery, criminal threat and identity theft. He was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield.

Police: Kansas man allegedly stabbed his roommate

The global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 4 million Wednesday as the crisis increasingly becomes a race between the vaccine and the highly contagious delta variant.

The tally of lives lost over the past year and a half, as compiled from official sources by Johns Hopkins University, is about equal to the number of people killed in battle in all of the world’s wars since 1982, according to estimates from the Peace Research Institute Oslo.

The toll is three times the number of people killed in traffic accidents around the globe every year. It is about equal to the population of Los Angeles or the nation of Georgia. It is equivalent to more than half of Hong Kong or close to 50% of New York City.

Even then, it is widely believed to be an undercount because of overlooked cases or deliberate concealment.

But in recent weeks, the mutant delta version of the virus first identified in India has set off alarms around the world, spreading rapidly even in vaccination success stories like the U.S., Britain and Israel.

Britain, in fact, recorded a one-day total this week of more than 30,000 new infections for the first time since January, even as the government prepares to lift all remaining lockdown restrictions in England later this month.

Other countries have reimposed preventive measures, and authorities are rushing to step up the campaign to dispense shots.

At the same time, the disaster has exposed the gap between the haves and the have-nots, with vaccination drives barely getting started in Africa and other desperately poor corners of the world because of extreme shortages of shots.

The U.S. and other wealthy countries have agreed to share at least 1 billion doses with struggling countries.

The U.S. has the world’s highest reported death toll, at over 600,000, or nearly 1 in 7 deaths, followed by Brazil at more than 520,000, though the real numbers are believed to be much higher in Brazil, where President Jair Bolsonaro’s far-right government has long downplayed the virus.

The variants, uneven access to vaccines and the relaxation of precautions in wealthier countries are “a toxic combination that is very dangerous,” warned Ann Lindstrand, a top immunization official at the World Health Organization.

Instead of treating the crisis as a “me-and-myself-and-my-country” problem, she said, “we need to get serious that this is a worldwide problem that needs worldwide solutions.”

By JOSHUA GOODMAN, Associated PressThe global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 4 million Wednesday as the crisis increasingly becomes a race between the vaccine and the highly contagious delta variant.The tally of lives lost over the past year and a half, as compiled from official sources by Johns Hopkins University, is about equal to the number of people killed in battle in all of the world’s wars since 1982, according to estimates from the Peace Research Institute Oslo.The toll is three times the number of people killed in traffic accidents around the globe every year. It is about equal to the population of Los Angeles or the nation of Georgia. It is equivalent to more than half of Hong Kong or close to 50% of New York City.Even then, it is widely believed to be an undercount because of overlooked cases or deliberate concealment.But in recent weeks, the mutant delta version of the virus first identified in India has set off alarms around the world, spreading rapidly even in vaccination success stories like the U.S., Britain and Israel.Britain, in fact, recorded a one-day total this week of more than 30,000 new infections for the first time since January, even as the government prepares to lift all remaining lockdown restrictions in England later this month.Other countries have reimposed preventive measures, and authorities are rushing to step up the campaign to dispense shots.At the same time, the disaster has exposed the gap between the haves and the have-nots, with vaccination drives barely getting started in Africa and other desperately poor corners of the world because of extreme shortages of shots.The U.S. and other wealthy countries have agreed to share at least 1 billion doses with struggling countries.The U.S. has the world’s highest reported death toll, at over 600,000, or nearly 1 in 7 deaths, followed by Brazil at more than 520,000, though the real numbers are believed to be much higher in Brazil, where President Jair Bolsonaro’s far-right government has long downplayed the virus.The variants, uneven access to vaccines and the relaxation of precautions in wealthier countries are “a toxic combination that is very dangerous,” warned Ann Lindstrand, a top immunization official at the World Health Organization.Instead of treating the crisis as a “me-and-myself-and-my-country” problem, she said, “we need to get serious that this is a worldwide problem that needs worldwide solutions.”

Global COVID-19 deaths hit 4 million amid rush to vaccinate

&nbsp;PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities seized a substantial amount of drugs and made three arrests Tuesday evening, according to a social media report from the Pawnee County Sheriff.

The search occurred at a house in the 1200 block of Broadway in Larned.

With help from the Larned Police Department, 266.4 grams of methamphetamine and 126.5 grams of marijuana and paraphernalia were seized. The value of the meth alone is over $20,000.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release names of the suspects.

&nbsp;PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities seized a substantial amount of drugs and made three arrests Tuesday evening, according to a social media report from the Pawnee County Sheriff.The search occurred at a house in the 1200 block of Broadway in Larned.With help from the Larned Police Department, 266.4 grams of methamphetamine and 126.5 grams of marijuana and paraphernalia were seized. The value of the meth alone is over $20,000.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release names of the suspects.

Law enforcement seize $20K in meth at Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for allegedly stalking a woman.

On May 26, a female victim reported that a suspect identified as 57-year-old Ed Harrington – a person known to her –had placed a GPS tracking device on her vehicle, according to Wichita Police Officer Trevor Macy.

 She had taken it to a local automotive shop, where they were able to locate and remove it.

On July 6th, Harrington was brought to city hall and interviewed regarding this case and a prior burglary in which the victim's car was broken into, and numerous items were stolen. After interviews, Harrington was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of Stalking, Burglary to Auto, Theft, and Violation of a protection order.

This arrest was made due to extensive follow-up work performed by the Wichita Police Department (WPD) Domestic Violence Intervention and Reduction Team (DVIRT) and partnerships with community domestic violence advocates.

The case will be presented to the District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625666476262.png" alt="Harrington photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Harrington photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for allegedly stalking a woman.On May 26, a female victim reported that a suspect identified as 57-year-old Ed Harrington – a person known to her –had placed a GPS tracking device on her vehicle, according to Wichita Police Officer Trevor Macy. She had taken it to a local automotive shop, where they were able to locate and remove it.On July 6th, Harrington was brought to city hall and interviewed regarding this case and a prior burglary in which the victim's car was broken into, and numerous items were stolen. After interviews, Harrington was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of Stalking, Burglary to Auto, Theft, and Violation of a protection order.This arrest was made due to extensive follow-up work performed by the Wichita Police Department (WPD) Domestic Violence Intervention and Reduction Team (DVIRT) and partnerships with community domestic violence advocates.The case will be presented to the District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. man placed GPS tracking device on woman's car

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — Investigators have identified three men found shot to death on the golf course of a country club in the Atlanta suburbs, but it's still unclear what prompted the violence.

Golf pro Eugene Siller was gunned down when he went to find out why a white pickup truck had driven onto the 10th green at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw on Saturday afternoon, police said.

Two other men — both fatally shot — were then found in the bed of the pickup truck. Cobb County police on Wednesday identified those men as 46-year-old Henry Valdez of California and 76-year-old Paul Pierson of Kansas.

The gunman is believed to have gotten away on foot, authorities said. He remained on the loose Wednesday.

Investigators believe that Siller, 46, was slain because he came upon a “crime in progress,” police have said. It doesn’t appear that he was targeted, and the other men appear to have “no relation to the location at all,” police said in a statement. Pierson was the truck’s registered owner.

Police haven't commented on any possible motive for the killings of the two men whose bodies were found in the pickup.

The country club is near the campus of Kennesaw State University, about 25 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625690174997.png" alt="Cobb County police on Wednesday identified the victims as&nbsp;Golf pro Eugene Siller, 46-year-old Henry Valdez of California and 76-year-old Paul Pierson of Kansas -photo courtesy WGCL TV" />
 <figcaption>Cobb County police on Wednesday identified the victims as&nbsp;Golf pro Eugene Siller, 46-year-old Henry Valdez of California and 76-year-old Paul Pierson of Kansas -photo courtesy WGCL TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — Investigators have identified three men found shot to death on the golf course of a country club in the Atlanta suburbs, but it's still unclear what prompted the violence.Golf pro Eugene Siller was gunned down when he went to find out why a white pickup truck had driven onto the 10th green at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw on Saturday afternoon, police said.Two other men — both fatally shot — were then found in the bed of the pickup truck. Cobb County police on Wednesday identified those men as 46-year-old Henry Valdez of California and 76-year-old Paul Pierson of Kansas.The gunman is believed to have gotten away on foot, authorities said. He remained on the loose Wednesday.Investigators believe that Siller, 46, was slain because he came upon a “crime in progress,” police have said. It doesn’t appear that he was targeted, and the other men appear to have “no relation to the location at all,” police said in a statement. Pierson was the truck’s registered owner.Police haven't commented on any possible motive for the killings of the two men whose bodies were found in the pickup.The country club is near the campus of Kennesaw State University, about 25 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.

Police: Kan. man among 3 in country club triple homicide

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a crash that killed a Kansas woman who was 33-weeks pregnant. The infant is hospitalized in critical condition.

Just before 5 pm on Tuesday, police were dispatched to a disturbance with a gun at a hotel in the 7500 block of West Taft in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp;

At the scene, a 35-year-old male victim reported that a man had robbed him at gunpoint. The victim was able to run away and reported seeing the suspect leaving the hotel with another male suspect.

The robbery suspect was identified as 34-year-old Jamie Chavez of Wichita, who was wanted in connection to a previous robbery. He was located near Maple and Ridge and taken into custody. The other suspect identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=161387">&nbsp;Javan Jermaine Ervin, 37,</a>&nbsp;Wichita,&nbsp;&nbsp;began to flee in a 2002 Dodge Ram northbound on Ridge Road. Officers began pursuing him, but the pursuit was terminated due to the high speed and traffic conditions.

The pickup continued at a high rate of speed, failed to stop at the red traffic light at Central Avenue and collided with a westbound 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by Jordan Samuel Peltzer, 40, Henderson, Nevada.

The impact caused the driver side rear wheels and tires to detach from the vehicle which collided with a 2016 Jeep Compass driven by Connie L. Holt, 73, Wichita, that was stopped on the inside left turn lane from South bound Ridge Road to East bound Central Avenue.

The Dodge Ram then collided with 2019 Mazda CX3 driven by 22-year-old Samantha Lee Russell of Wichita which was stopped behind the Jeep. The Dodge Ram then rolled onto its top and came to a rest in the North bound lanes of Ridge Road.

EMS transported Russell to Wesley Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.&nbsp;She was 33 weeks pregnant, and her baby is currently hospitalized in critical condition, according to Macy.

Ervin, Peltzer and Holt were not injured. Ervin attempted to run from the crash but police quickly took him into custody on requested charges of aggravated battery, first degree murder in the commission of a felony and criminal possession of a firearm,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=161387">according to online booking records.</a>

Police also booked Jamie Chavez into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery (one from a previous case) and felon in possession of a firearm. Chavez is on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625655160724.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal 4-vehicle crash photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal 4-vehicle crash photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a crash that killed a Kansas woman who was 33-weeks pregnant. The infant is hospitalized in critical condition.Just before 5 pm on Tuesday, police were dispatched to a disturbance with a gun at a hotel in the 7500 block of West Taft in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp;At the scene, a 35-year-old male victim reported that a man had robbed him at gunpoint. The victim was able to run away and reported seeing the suspect leaving the hotel with another male suspect.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625688980232.png" alt="At the time of his arrest Tuesday, Jamie Chavez was on parole for a child sex crime, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections.-&nbsp; photo Sedgwick Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>At the time of his arrest Tuesday, Jamie Chavez was on parole for a child sex crime, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections.-&nbsp; photo Sedgwick Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>The robbery suspect was identified as 34-year-old Jamie Chavez of Wichita, who was wanted in connection to a previous robbery. He was located near Maple and Ridge and taken into custody. The other suspect identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=161387">&nbsp;Javan Jermaine Ervin, 37,</a>&nbsp;Wichita,&nbsp;&nbsp;began to flee in a 2002 Dodge Ram northbound on Ridge Road. Officers began pursuing him, but the pursuit was terminated due to the high speed and traffic conditions.The pickup continued at a high rate of speed, failed to stop at the red traffic light at Central Avenue and collided with a westbound 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by Jordan Samuel Peltzer, 40, Henderson, Nevada.The impact caused the driver side rear wheels and tires to detach from the vehicle which collided with a 2016 Jeep Compass driven by Connie L. Holt, 73, Wichita, that was stopped on the inside left turn lane from South bound Ridge Road to East bound Central Avenue.The Dodge Ram then collided with 2019 Mazda CX3 driven by 22-year-old Samantha Lee Russell of Wichita which was stopped behind the Jeep. The Dodge Ram then rolled onto its top and came to a rest in the North bound lanes of Ridge Road.EMS transported Russell to Wesley Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.&nbsp;She was 33 weeks pregnant, and her baby is currently hospitalized in critical condition, according to Macy.Ervin, Peltzer and Holt were not injured. Ervin attempted to run from the crash but police quickly took him into custody on requested charges of aggravated battery, first degree murder in the commission of a felony and criminal possession of a firearm,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=161387">according to online booking records.</a>Police also booked Jamie Chavez into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery (one from a previous case) and felon in possession of a firearm. Chavez is on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Doctors deliver baby after Kan. woman dies in chase, crash

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/06/white-house-says-executive-order-coming-on-labeling-beef-as-a-product-of-usa/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON
 — The White House will unveil an executive order in the coming days 
that directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clarify that meat can
 only receive a “Product of USA” label if that livestock is raised in 
the U.S. rather than abroad, press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters 
Tuesday.

“The
 EO directs USDA to develop a plan to increase opportunities for farmers
 to access markets and receive a fair return, including supporting 
alternative food distribution systems like farmers markets and 
developing standards and labels so that consumers can choose to buy 
products that treat farmers and agriculture workers fairly,” Psaki said.

Psaki
 said that the executive order will make it easier for farmers to 
economically compete against international meat industries.

Under
 current labeling rules, most grass fed beef labeled “Product of USA” is
 actually raised and slaughtered abroad, but imported to the United 
States for processing.

“The
 president and the USDA believe it is unfair for domestic farmers and 
ranchers to have to compete with foreign companies that are misleading 
consumers,” she said.

USDA
 Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement last week that the agency 
would initiate a “top-to-bottom” review of the “Product of USA” label 
that will help determine what the label means to consumers. The 
announcement followed <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/07/ftc-issues-rule-deter-rampant-made-usa-fraud">a Federal Trade Commission move </a>on strengthening the labeling.

“We
 have taken note of the many comments submitted to USDA and the FTC 
regarding meat labeling and understand that the current ‘Product of USA’
 label on meat products may no longer effectively serve either of those 
purposes, to the detriment of consumers, producers, and fair and 
competitive markets,” said Vilsack.

Psaki
 said the order also aims to make it easier for farmers to bring claims 
against corporate agriculture companies under the Packers and Stockyards
 Act to prevent chicken processors from underpaying farmers, and would 
protect from retaliation those farmers who report companies that are not
 following the rules.

Ariana Figueroa covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom, a network of state-based nonprofit news outlets that includes Kansas Reflector.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625690364448.png" alt="The White House plans to issue an executive order to clarify the labeling for beef produced in the United States, the president's press secretary said Tuesday. (May 10, 2021, photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The White House plans to issue an executive order to clarify the labeling for beef produced in the United States, the president's press secretary said Tuesday. (May 10, 2021, photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/06/white-house-says-executive-order-coming-on-labeling-beef-as-a-product-of-usa/">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON
 — The White House will unveil an executive order in the coming days 
that directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clarify that meat can
 only receive a “Product of USA” label if that livestock is raised in 
the U.S. rather than abroad, press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters 
Tuesday.“The
 EO directs USDA to develop a plan to increase opportunities for farmers
 to access markets and receive a fair return, including supporting 
alternative food distribution systems like farmers markets and 
developing standards and labels so that consumers can choose to buy 
products that treat farmers and agriculture workers fairly,” Psaki said.Psaki
 said that the executive order will make it easier for farmers to 
economically compete against international meat industries.Under
 current labeling rules, most grass fed beef labeled “Product of USA” is
 actually raised and slaughtered abroad, but imported to the United 
States for processing.“The
 president and the USDA believe it is unfair for domestic farmers and 
ranchers to have to compete with foreign companies that are misleading 
consumers,” she said.USDA
 Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement last week that the agency 
would initiate a “top-to-bottom” review of the “Product of USA” label 
that will help determine what the label means to consumers. The 
announcement followed <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/07/ftc-issues-rule-deter-rampant-made-usa-fraud">a Federal Trade Commission move </a>on strengthening the labeling.“We
 have taken note of the many comments submitted to USDA and the FTC 
regarding meat labeling and understand that the current ‘Product of USA’
 label on meat products may no longer effectively serve either of those 
purposes, to the detriment of consumers, producers, and fair and 
competitive markets,” said Vilsack.Psaki
 said the order also aims to make it easier for farmers to bring claims 
against corporate agriculture companies under the Packers and Stockyards
 Act to prevent chicken processors from underpaying farmers, and would 
protect from retaliation those farmers who report companies that are not
 following the rules.Ariana Figueroa covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom, a network of state-based nonprofit news outlets that includes Kansas Reflector.

White House: ‘Product of USA’ executive order coming for beef industry

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking for the public’s assistance in locating a suspect identified as 23-year-old&nbsp; Elijah C. Radcliff, 23 of Topeka.

Just before 7:30a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the Casey’s 600 SE Rice Road in Topeka after receiving reports of an armed robbery that had just occurred, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Witnesses stated that Radcliff entered the store, displayed a handgun and stole an undisclosed amount of cigarettes. The suspect fled prior to officer’s arrival.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625687420180.png" alt="&nbsp;Elijah C. Radcliff photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Elijah C. Radcliff photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking for the public’s assistance in locating a suspect identified as 23-year-old&nbsp; Elijah C. Radcliff, 23 of Topeka.Just before 7:30a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the Casey’s 600 SE Rice Road in Topeka after receiving reports of an armed robbery that had just occurred, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625687398747.png" alt="Radcliff as seen in security camera during the armed robbery-photo Topeka Police." />
 <figcaption>Radcliff as seen in security camera during the armed robbery-photo Topeka Police.</figcaption>
 </figure>Witnesses stated that Radcliff entered the store, displayed a handgun and stole an undisclosed amount of cigarettes. The suspect fled prior to officer’s arrival.

Police ask for help to locate Kan. armed robbery suspect

BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S.-backed Syrian fighters and American troops foiled an attack with drones Wednesday on a base housing members of the U.S.-led coalition in eastern Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces said. In neighboring Iraq, rockets hit a base housing U.S. troops, inflicting two minor injuries.

The attacks come as tension has been on the rise between U.S. troops and Iran-backed fighters after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-syria-iran-middle-east-iraq-47774c2b5a6862353c8c6751738e7ba0">American airstrikes in eastern Syria killed four Iraqi fighters&nbsp;</a>late last month in areas along the Syria-Iraq border. The Pentagon said targets attacked on June 27, were facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups to support drone strikes inside Iraq.

The spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition Col. Wayne Marotto said that Al-Assad Air Base in western Iraq was attacked early in the afternoon by 14 rockets that landed on the base and its perimeter, prompting the activation of defensive measures. Marotto later tweeted: “100 % accountability at Ain Al-Assad Air Base after rocket attack. Two personnel sustained minor injuries.” The damage was still to be assessed, he added without elaborating.

A statement from the Security Media Cell, affiliated with Iraq’s security forces, said a mobile rocket launcher hidden in a truck loaded with bags of flour and parked in the nearby village of Baghdadi was used in the attack. It added that 14 rockets were fired toward the base while the rest exploded on the truck, damaging some village homes and a mosque.

Iraq’s government called it a “terrorist attack” and a “flagrant violation” of Iraqi laws.

A previously unknown group calling itself “The brigades to avenge al-Muhandis,” said its members fired 30 rockets toward the base “run by American occupiers.” It added a message to U.S. troops: “We will force you to leave our lands defeated.”

The group is named after Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who was killed last year in a U.S. drone attack in Baghdad along with Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

In Syria, the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led forces said in a statement they foiled an attack that was using drones on Wednesday morning on the al-Omar oil field in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour. There were no damages, the statement said.

The same al-Omar base was attacked with two rockets over the weekend, according to the Syrian Kurdish-led forces and a Syrian opposition activist. There were no casualties in that attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-group-syria-middle-east-1a83bc506552d804e511758a1e915609">The U.S. military denied there were any attacks on Sunday.</a>

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the drones took off from areas controlled by Iran-backed fighters in the eastern Syrian town of Mayadeen.

Drone attacks against the U.S.-led coalition in Syria are not common. Hundreds of U.S. troops are stationed in northeastern Syria, working with the Kurdish-led fighters in battling the Islamic State group.

Thousands of Iran-backed militiamen from around the Middle East are deployed in different parts of Syria, many of them in areas along the border with Iraq.

The leader of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia vowed on Monday to retaliate against America for the deaths of four of his men in a U.S. airstrike along the Iraq-Syria border last month. Abu Alaa al-Walae, commander of the Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada group,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-iraq-government-and-politics-d6b61b979b2ca123bc04b12ae5576bf6">said the revenge attack will be a military operation everyone will talk about.</a>

The U.S. has blamed Iran-backed militias for attacks — most of them rocket strikes — that have targeted the American presence in Baghdad and at military bases across Iraq. The attacks have recently become more sophisticated, with militants using drones.

Late Tuesday, the counter-terrorism unit in Iraq’s northern Kurdish-run region reported a drone attack on Irbil airport, near where U.S. forces are based. The statement by the counter-terrorism unit said the attack caused no damage, though the missiles fell in open fields and set fires.

BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S.-backed Syrian fighters and American troops foiled an attack with drones Wednesday on a base housing members of the U.S.-led coalition in eastern Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces said. In neighboring Iraq, rockets hit a base housing U.S. troops, inflicting two minor injuries.The attacks come as tension has been on the rise between U.S. troops and Iran-backed fighters after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-syria-iran-middle-east-iraq-47774c2b5a6862353c8c6751738e7ba0">American airstrikes in eastern Syria killed four Iraqi fighters&nbsp;</a>late last month in areas along the Syria-Iraq border. The Pentagon said targets attacked on June 27, were facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups to support drone strikes inside Iraq.The spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition Col. Wayne Marotto said that Al-Assad Air Base in western Iraq was attacked early in the afternoon by 14 rockets that landed on the base and its perimeter, prompting the activation of defensive measures. Marotto later tweeted: “100 % accountability at Ain Al-Assad Air Base after rocket attack. Two personnel sustained minor injuries.” The damage was still to be assessed, he added without elaborating.A statement from the Security Media Cell, affiliated with Iraq’s security forces, said a mobile rocket launcher hidden in a truck loaded with bags of flour and parked in the nearby village of Baghdadi was used in the attack. It added that 14 rockets were fired toward the base while the rest exploded on the truck, damaging some village homes and a mosque.Iraq’s government called it a “terrorist attack” and a “flagrant violation” of Iraqi laws.A previously unknown group calling itself “The brigades to avenge al-Muhandis,” said its members fired 30 rockets toward the base “run by American occupiers.” It added a message to U.S. troops: “We will force you to leave our lands defeated.”The group is named after Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who was killed last year in a U.S. drone attack in Baghdad along with Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.In Syria, the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led forces said in a statement they foiled an attack that was using drones on Wednesday morning on the al-Omar oil field in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour. There were no damages, the statement said.The same al-Omar base was attacked with two rockets over the weekend, according to the Syrian Kurdish-led forces and a Syrian opposition activist. There were no casualties in that attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-group-syria-middle-east-1a83bc506552d804e511758a1e915609">The U.S. military denied there were any attacks on Sunday.</a>The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the drones took off from areas controlled by Iran-backed fighters in the eastern Syrian town of Mayadeen.Drone attacks against the U.S.-led coalition in Syria are not common. Hundreds of U.S. troops are stationed in northeastern Syria, working with the Kurdish-led fighters in battling the Islamic State group.Thousands of Iran-backed militiamen from around the Middle East are deployed in different parts of Syria, many of them in areas along the border with Iraq.The leader of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia vowed on Monday to retaliate against America for the deaths of four of his men in a U.S. airstrike along the Iraq-Syria border last month. Abu Alaa al-Walae, commander of the Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada group,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-iraq-government-and-politics-d6b61b979b2ca123bc04b12ae5576bf6">said the revenge attack will be a military operation everyone will talk about.</a>The U.S. has blamed Iran-backed militias for attacks — most of them rocket strikes — that have targeted the American presence in Baghdad and at military bases across Iraq. The attacks have recently become more sophisticated, with militants using drones.Late Tuesday, the counter-terrorism unit in Iraq’s northern Kurdish-run region reported a drone attack on Irbil airport, near where U.S. forces are based. The statement by the counter-terrorism unit said the attack caused no damage, though the missiles fell in open fields and set fires.

2 injured in rocket attack on base housing U.S. troops

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. government has agreed to pay nearly $7 million to settle claims from eight veterans that they were sexually abused by a former physician assistant at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Kansas.

The veterans, who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, alleged they were subjected to unnecessary genital exams and other procedures by Mark Wisner while he was a physician assistant at the Dwight Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth between 2008 and 2014.

About 100 veterans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/63b9a721b1ad43b4a8b3bb7fd17f1d76">have sued&nbsp;</a>Wisner. More than 80 veterans settled their lawsuits against the government over Wisner’s abuse for $6.7 million in 2019, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-07-06/government-to-pay-nearly-7-million-to-resolve-sexual-abuse-cases-at-leavenworth-va" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Wisner was convicted of aggravated sexual battery and related charges in 2017 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/06275c7fe2e64a7a84dec1f5bc542b16">sentenced&nbsp;</a>to nearly 16 years in prison. He surrendered his license to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in February 2015.

“The Department of Justice fought these cases tooth and nail for years. They treated these veterans like dirt,” said attorney Danny Thomas, who represented the veterans in the latest cases. “They accused them of lying, they attacked their character in court and in pleadings. And we just weren’t going to stand for it.”

The eight veterans will receive amounts ranging from $706,250 to $1.4 million, Thomas said.

The latest settlements came after three of the veterans took their cases to trial. As part of the settlement, the government agreed to drop its appeals in those cases, Thomas said.

In those cases, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-medical-malpractice-veterans-leavenworth-6480cd56ae43cfa89eb45958c1faae4c">awarded&nbsp;</a>one veteran $538,000, another veteran $1.5 million and the third veteran more than $1 million.

The government didn’t dispute that Wisner sexually molested the veterans, but it argued it was not liable because his conduct occurred outside the scope of his employment.

Thomas, who has represented veterans in the cases for more than four years, criticized U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, accusing him of “not lifting a finger” for the veterans.

He said Moran, the ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, never sought an investigation of what happened at the Leavenworth VA or inquired about the veterans’ well-being.

Moran’s office responded that the senator had raised concerns about the allegations against Wisner with then-VA Secretary Robert McDonald in 2016 and later publicly questioned him about them.

He also introduced the Accountability to Safeguard Veterans from Violent Crimes Act of 2016 to reduce pensions earned by certain VA hospital employees convicted of violent crimes, his office said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576024575745.png" alt="The veterans, who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, alleged they were subjected to unnecessary genital exams and other procedures by Mark Wisner while he was a physician assistant at the Dwight Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth between 2008 and 2014. Wisner is currently being held in the Norton Correctional Facility, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>The veterans, who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, alleged they were subjected to unnecessary genital exams and other procedures by Mark Wisner while he was a physician assistant at the Dwight Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth between 2008 and 2014. Wisner is currently being held in the Norton Correctional Facility, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. government has agreed to pay nearly $7 million to settle claims from eight veterans that they were sexually abused by a former physician assistant at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Kansas.The veterans, who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, alleged they were subjected to unnecessary genital exams and other procedures by Mark Wisner while he was a physician assistant at the Dwight Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth between 2008 and 2014.About 100 veterans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/63b9a721b1ad43b4a8b3bb7fd17f1d76">have sued&nbsp;</a>Wisner. More than 80 veterans settled their lawsuits against the government over Wisner’s abuse for $6.7 million in 2019, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-07-06/government-to-pay-nearly-7-million-to-resolve-sexual-abuse-cases-at-leavenworth-va" target="_blank">reported</a>.Wisner was convicted of aggravated sexual battery and related charges in 2017 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/06275c7fe2e64a7a84dec1f5bc542b16">sentenced&nbsp;</a>to nearly 16 years in prison. He surrendered his license to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in February 2015.“The Department of Justice fought these cases tooth and nail for years. They treated these veterans like dirt,” said attorney Danny Thomas, who represented the veterans in the latest cases. “They accused them of lying, they attacked their character in court and in pleadings. And we just weren’t going to stand for it.”The eight veterans will receive amounts ranging from $706,250 to $1.4 million, Thomas said.The latest settlements came after three of the veterans took their cases to trial. As part of the settlement, the government agreed to drop its appeals in those cases, Thomas said.In those cases, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-medical-malpractice-veterans-leavenworth-6480cd56ae43cfa89eb45958c1faae4c">awarded&nbsp;</a>one veteran $538,000, another veteran $1.5 million and the third veteran more than $1 million.The government didn’t dispute that Wisner sexually molested the veterans, but it argued it was not liable because his conduct occurred outside the scope of his employment.Thomas, who has represented veterans in the cases for more than four years, criticized U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, accusing him of “not lifting a finger” for the veterans.He said Moran, the ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, never sought an investigation of what happened at the Leavenworth VA or inquired about the veterans’ well-being.Moran’s office responded that the senator had raised concerns about the allegations against Wisner with then-VA Secretary Robert McDonald in 2016 and later publicly questioned him about them.He also introduced the Accountability to Safeguard Veterans from Violent Crimes Act of 2016 to reduce pensions earned by certain VA hospital employees convicted of violent crimes, his office said.

US agrees to $7M settlement in Kan. VA hospital abuse case

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1071 to a total of 319,586, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 7 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5166.

<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.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1071 to a total of 319,586, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 7 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5166.<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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625677363136.png" alt="Wednesday July 7, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday July 7, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>