DICKINSON COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 11p.m. Saturday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Nathan T. Peterka, 35, Paola, was northbound on Oat Road one mile south of Hope. 

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The pickup traveled into the ditch and landed on its top on the eastbound side of K4.

Peterka was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Zeiner Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

DICKINSON COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 11p.m. Saturday in Dickinson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Nathan T. Peterka, 35, Paola, was northbound on Oat Road one mile south of Hope. The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The pickup traveled into the ditch and landed on its top on the eastbound side of K4.Peterka was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Zeiner Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

KHP IDs Kansas man who died in pickup rollover crash

TOPEKA —The Kansas Highway Patrol announced on social media Monday they have a new police service dog.

The two-year old Belgian Malinois from Holland named Ares is assigned to Technical Trooper Bosley

Ares is certified in explosive detection and patrol to include evidence recovery, tracking, building clearing, area searches and handler protection.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623700901788.png" alt="Ares photo courtesy KHP" />
 <figcaption>Ares photo courtesy KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The Kansas Highway Patrol announced on social media Monday they have a new police service dog.The two-year old Belgian Malinois from Holland named Ares is assigned to Technical Trooper BosleyAres is certified in explosive detection and patrol to include evidence recovery, tracking, building clearing, area searches and handler protection.

New KHP service dog will assist with explosive detection, more

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting death of a woman in a southeastern Kansas City neighborhood.

The shooting happened around 10 a.m. Sunday in a home along East Linwood, just blocks from the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, police said in a news release. Police had not released the woman’s name by early Monday morning, and no other details of the shooting were given.

Police also had not announced any arrests in the case by Monday morning.

The woman's death marked the 68th homicide this year in Kansas City. The city set a record for homicides in 2020 with 182.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting death of a woman in a southeastern Kansas City neighborhood.The shooting happened around 10 a.m. Sunday in a home along East Linwood, just blocks from the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, police said in a news release. Police had not released the woman’s name by early Monday morning, and no other details of the shooting were given.Police also had not announced any arrests in the case by Monday morning.The woman's death marked the 68th homicide this year in Kansas City. The city set a record for homicides in 2020 with 182.

Kansas City police investigate 68th homicide of 2021

By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-farmers-find-only-thing-harder-growing-hemp-selling-it">Kansas News Service</a>

PRATT, Kansas — This summer marks the third year that Kansans have grown hemp for industrial uses.

Yet
 growing the less sexy cousin of the plant associated with getting high 
and some medicinal uses has proven riskier and more difficult than many 
farmers initially expected.

Consequently, the number of licenses issued this year is less than half of what the state saw in 2020.

“There
 were some misconceptions about the ease of marketability of it,” said 
Braden Hoch, the state’s industrial hemp program supervisor.

The risk of any agricultural operation is compounded by an ever-changing set of <a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp" target="_blank">state and federal rules</a>. And now some hemp farmers and processors want more help from the government to reduce risk and encourage innovation.

<a href="https://www.shiningstarhemp.com/" target="_blank">Shining Star Hemp Co.</a> is one of only 11 licensed hemp processors in the state.

Outside
 of the industrial building near the Pratt municipal airport in 
south-central Kansas where Shining Star operates sits rows of 1,200 
pound bags full of industrial hemp stalks, grains and flowers.

Inside,
 workers break open the bags and dump them onto a large conveyor belt 
leading to a cacophony of machinery shaking, blowing and sifting the 
biomass into its usable parts.

The operation is one of the few successful outfits in the state.

“It’s
 been a lot of work, a lot of phone calls developing relationships and 
finding synergies,” Jennifer Holmes, who works with Shining Star <a href="https://plainjanehempco.com/" target="_blank">to develop and market products</a> said. “But honestly, I can say at this point, we’re doing awesome for where we’re at.”

Paul McGeary masterminded Shining Star’s system for converting the hemp harvest into something industry can use.

“It’s about, probably, 30 years of beating your head against the wall, mostly,” he said.

McGeary
 is a contractor for Shining Star. He’s worked in the agricultural 
processing world for most of his life and has applied what he learned 
over decades of sifting wheat and corn to develop this machine to sift 
hemp.

He said the complexity of the process is part of what’s 
holding the industry back. It just doesn’t have the scale to supply 
manufacturers who would put the fiber to use.

“We were walking 
into those meetings thinking that to have 30-to- 40,000 pounds on hand 
is something. But when you walk into industry and they want five train 
cars a day or a trainload a week, we just aren’t prepared for that,” he 
said. “And getting them to wait until we’re prepared, that’s the 
bottleneck of the whole thing.”

Hemp has been hyped as something 
with a wide range of industrial uses. The stalk can be made into paper 
or biodegradable plastics. The seeds can be made into food. And the 
flowers can be pressed to extract oils.

But so far, the only 
market the industry is pushing seems to be for its cannabinoid-rich, or 
CBD, oil. And there’s a flood of CBD already on the market.

“We 
don’t have the best of luck selling full-spectrum oil,” Holmes said. 
“It’s just something that we all need to work through and do the right 
thing and move into the grain and fiber industry.”

But that will take millions of dollars in investments in new equipment.

Until
 that equipment can be designed, built or purchased, companies 
interested in making products from hemp fibers are out of luck. A 
company in Newton, Kansas, wants to <a href="https://humanplantsolutions.com/" target="_blank">make prosthetic limbs from hemp</a>. It imports its processed hemp from overseas.

Holmes
 wants more government help to offset some of the risk for investing in 
converting the plant into something useful for industry.

“A lot 
of people are scared to start because they don’t know if they’re going 
to fail, so they don’t ever get started,” she said.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture says its hemp growing licenses dropped&nbsp; from 218 in 2020, to only 81 this year.

And last year, of the almost 4,000 acres planted, only 761 were harvested for production.

An eighth of that had to be burned by the state because it contained too much of the psychoactive chemical THC.

“The
 past two years have really helped individuals get up to speed,” Hoch 
said. “But producers are really still determining the best way to grow 
hemp as a crop and if it’s feasible to include in their rotation.”

He
 said growers and processors need to expand beyond CBD products, but 
with federal and state rules surrounding the crop in constant flux, 
finding the right investors that can spur that kind of innovation and 
development will remain challenging.

Brian Grimmett reports 
on the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and
 the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623692445108.png" alt=" Workers at Shining Star Hemp Co. load a bag of hemp biomass into the processor. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Workers at Shining Star Hemp Co. load a bag of hemp biomass into the processor. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-farmers-find-only-thing-harder-growing-hemp-selling-it">Kansas News Service</a>PRATT, Kansas — This summer marks the third year that Kansans have grown hemp for industrial uses.Yet
 growing the less sexy cousin of the plant associated with getting high 
and some medicinal uses has proven riskier and more difficult than many 
farmers initially expected.Consequently, the number of licenses issued this year is less than half of what the state saw in 2020.“There
 were some misconceptions about the ease of marketability of it,” said 
Braden Hoch, the state’s industrial hemp program supervisor.The risk of any agricultural operation is compounded by an ever-changing set of <a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp" target="_blank">state and federal rules</a>. And now some hemp farmers and processors want more help from the government to reduce risk and encourage innovation.<a href="https://www.shiningstarhemp.com/" target="_blank">Shining Star Hemp Co.</a> is one of only 11 licensed hemp processors in the state.Outside
 of the industrial building near the Pratt municipal airport in 
south-central Kansas where Shining Star operates sits rows of 1,200 
pound bags full of industrial hemp stalks, grains and flowers.Inside,
 workers break open the bags and dump them onto a large conveyor belt 
leading to a cacophony of machinery shaking, blowing and sifting the 
biomass into its usable parts.The operation is one of the few successful outfits in the state.“It’s
 been a lot of work, a lot of phone calls developing relationships and 
finding synergies,” Jennifer Holmes, who works with Shining Star <a href="https://plainjanehempco.com/" target="_blank">to develop and market products</a> said. “But honestly, I can say at this point, we’re doing awesome for where we’re at.”Paul McGeary masterminded Shining Star’s system for converting the hemp harvest into something industry can use.“It’s about, probably, 30 years of beating your head against the wall, mostly,” he said.McGeary
 is a contractor for Shining Star. He’s worked in the agricultural 
processing world for most of his life and has applied what he learned 
over decades of sifting wheat and corn to develop this machine to sift 
hemp.He said the complexity of the process is part of what’s 
holding the industry back. It just doesn’t have the scale to supply 
manufacturers who would put the fiber to use.“We were walking 
into those meetings thinking that to have 30-to- 40,000 pounds on hand 
is something. But when you walk into industry and they want five train 
cars a day or a trainload a week, we just aren’t prepared for that,” he 
said. “And getting them to wait until we’re prepared, that’s the 
bottleneck of the whole thing.”Hemp has been hyped as something 
with a wide range of industrial uses. The stalk can be made into paper 
or biodegradable plastics. The seeds can be made into food. And the 
flowers can be pressed to extract oils.But so far, the only 
market the industry is pushing seems to be for its cannabinoid-rich, or 
CBD, oil. And there’s a flood of CBD already on the market.“We 
don’t have the best of luck selling full-spectrum oil,” Holmes said. 
“It’s just something that we all need to work through and do the right 
thing and move into the grain and fiber industry.”But that will take millions of dollars in investments in new equipment.Until
 that equipment can be designed, built or purchased, companies 
interested in making products from hemp fibers are out of luck. A 
company in Newton, Kansas, wants to <a href="https://humanplantsolutions.com/" target="_blank">make prosthetic limbs from hemp</a>. It imports its processed hemp from overseas.Holmes
 wants more government help to offset some of the risk for investing in 
converting the plant into something useful for industry.“A lot 
of people are scared to start because they don’t know if they’re going 
to fail, so they don’t ever get started,” she said.The Kansas Department of Agriculture says its hemp growing licenses dropped&nbsp; from 218 in 2020, to only 81 this year.And last year, of the almost 4,000 acres planted, only 761 were harvested for production.An eighth of that had to be burned by the state because it contained too much of the psychoactive chemical THC.“The
 past two years have really helped individuals get up to speed,” Hoch 
said. “But producers are really still determining the best way to grow 
hemp as a crop and if it’s feasible to include in their rotation.”He
 said growers and processors need to expand beyond CBD products, but 
with federal and state rules surrounding the crop in constant flux, 
finding the right investors that can spur that kind of innovation and 
development will remain challenging.Brian Grimmett reports 
on the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and
 the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

Kan. farmers: The only thing harder than growing hemp? Selling it 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 245 to a total of 316,014, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 19 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5125.

<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 245 to a total of 316,014, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 19 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5125.<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/2021/6/1623690808235.png" alt="Monday June 14, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday June 14, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

GYPSUM - An 84-year-old newspaper delivery person was injured early Saturday morning when he was dragged while trying to prevent his vehicle from being stolen in Gypsum.

Robert Rogers had gotten out of his 2000 Subaru Legacy to deliver a newspaper in the 400 block of Maple Street (Kansas Highway 4) at 4:10 a.m. Saturday when a gray 2004 Honda Civic pulled up behind the Legacy, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

The driver of the Civic got out and jumped behind the wheel of the Legacy. Rogers attempted to stop the man, who drove off, dragging Rogers for about 20 yards, Soldan said. Rogers suffered road rash, he added.

A Galaxy S20 cellphone belonging to Rogers and valued at $1,000 was still in the vehicle.

Soldan identified the person who drove off in the Legacy as Hassan Williford, 38, of Salina.

Officers arrested Williford later on Saturday for allegedly trying to break into a residence in Morris County, according to Soldan. Although the Legacy has yet to be found, the key to it was in Williford's pocket.

The Legacy is described as being blue and having a brush guard on the front and an orange strap holding the hood closed, Soldan said. It was valued at $1,500.

The Civic that was left in Gypsum was reported stolen that same night from an acquaintance of Williford's in Mitchell County.

Williford was booked into the Saline County jail on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to Soldan. Additional charges may be requested, he added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623591665932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostGYPSUM - An 84-year-old newspaper delivery person was injured early Saturday morning when he was dragged while trying to prevent his vehicle from being stolen in Gypsum.Robert Rogers had gotten out of his 2000 Subaru Legacy to deliver a newspaper in the 400 block of Maple Street (Kansas Highway 4) at 4:10 a.m. Saturday when a gray 2004 Honda Civic pulled up behind the Legacy, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.The driver of the Civic got out and jumped behind the wheel of the Legacy. Rogers attempted to stop the man, who drove off, dragging Rogers for about 20 yards, Soldan said. Rogers suffered road rash, he added.A Galaxy S20 cellphone belonging to Rogers and valued at $1,000 was still in the vehicle.Soldan identified the person who drove off in the Legacy as Hassan Williford, 38, of Salina.Officers arrested Williford later on Saturday for allegedly trying to break into a residence in Morris County, according to Soldan. Although the Legacy has yet to be found, the key to it was in Williford's pocket.The Legacy is described as being blue and having a brush guard on the front and an orange strap holding the hood closed, Soldan said. It was valued at $1,500.The Civic that was left in Gypsum was reported stolen that same night from an acquaintance of Williford's in Mitchell County.Williford was booked into the Saline County jail on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to Soldan. Additional charges may be requested, he added.

84-year-old Kansas man injured in carjacking

HUDSON, S.D. (AP) — A 10-year-old boy who died in the Big Sioux River saved one of his younger siblings who had fallen into the water, family members said.

The body of Ricky Lee Sneve was recovered Saturday night, Lincoln County sheriff’s officials said. His mother, Nicole Eufers, told the Argus Leader that Ricky was out on the river with his dad and siblings when several fell into the water near Hudson, in southeastern&nbsp;South Dakota.

Eufers said Ricky jumped in to save his sister Chevelle and got her to shore, but when his father and siblings turned around, Ricky was missing.

The boy’s father, Chad Sneve, said his son was the type of boy to do anything for anyone. Ricky was smart, dedicated and conservative, Sneve said.

“He was generous, kind and special in more ways than I can begin to explain,” Chad Sneve said. “He was my everything, and he touched everyone he encountered.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623685046364.png" alt="Ricky Lee Sneve- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ricky Lee Sneve- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HUDSON, S.D. (AP) — A 10-year-old boy who died in the Big Sioux River saved one of his younger siblings who had fallen into the water, family members said.The body of Ricky Lee Sneve was recovered Saturday night, Lincoln County sheriff’s officials said. His mother, Nicole Eufers, told the Argus Leader that Ricky was out on the river with his dad and siblings when several fell into the water near Hudson, in southeastern&nbsp;South Dakota.Eufers said Ricky jumped in to save his sister Chevelle and got her to shore, but when his father and siblings turned around, Ricky was missing.The boy’s father, Chad Sneve, said his son was the type of boy to do anything for anyone. Ricky was smart, dedicated and conservative, Sneve said.“He was generous, kind and special in more ways than I can begin to explain,” Chad Sneve said. “He was my everything, and he touched everyone he encountered.”

Sheriff: 10-year-old boy dies in river after saving sister

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident have identified the victim as 43-year-old Matthew Golden of Wichita.

At midnight on Saturday night, police were in the area of 3400 South Hydraulic when they observed two motorcycles with two riders who were involved in a crash, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

The officers stopped to assist the riders and requested assistance from EMS. Police identified Golden&nbsp; as one of the riders and he was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Macy.

EMS transported the other rider, a 36-year-old man,&nbsp; to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Through the investigation, officers learned that the motorcycles were northbound on Hydraulic when they attempted to go around another northbound vehicle.&nbsp;

One of the motorcycles made contact with the car, which caused both motorcycles to crash. The other vehicle left the scene. Police released no additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident have identified the victim as 43-year-old Matthew Golden of Wichita.At midnight on Saturday night, police were in the area of 3400 South Hydraulic when they observed two motorcycles with two riders who were involved in a crash, according to Officer Trevor Macy.The officers stopped to assist the riders and requested assistance from EMS. Police identified Golden&nbsp; as one of the riders and he was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Macy.EMS transported the other rider, a 36-year-old man,&nbsp; to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Through the investigation, officers learned that the motorcycles were northbound on Hydraulic when they attempted to go around another northbound vehicle.&nbsp;One of the motorcycles made contact with the car, which caused both motorcycles to crash. The other vehicle left the scene. Police released no additional details.

Police ID Kan. man who died in hit-and-run motorcycle crash

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by employees of a Houston hospital system over its requirement that all of its staff be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Houston Methodist Hospital system suspended 178 employees without pay last week over their refusal to get vaccinated. Of them, 117 sued seeking to overturn the requirement and over their suspension and threatened termination.

In a scathing ruling, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes of Houston deemed lead plaintiff Jennifer Bridges’ contention that the vaccines are “experimental and dangerous” to be false and otherwise irrelevant. He also found that her likening the vaccination requirement to the Nazis’ forced medical experimentation on concentration camp captives during the Holocaust to be “reprehensible.”

Hughes also ruled that making vaccinations a condition of employment was not coercion, as Bridges contended.

“Bridges can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine; however, if she refuses, she will simply need to work somewhere else. If a worker refuses an assignment, changed office, earlier start time, or other directive, he may be properly fired. Every employment includes limits on the worker’s behavior in exchange for remuneration. That is all part of the bargain,” Hughes concluded.

Jared Woodfill, a Houston lawyer representing Bridges and the other clients, promised an appeal.

“All of my clients continue to be committed to fighting this unjust policy,” Woodfill said in a statement. “What is shocking is that many of my clients were on the front line treating COVID-positive patients at Texas Methodist Hospital during the height of the pandemic. As a result, many of them contracted COVID-19. As a thank you for their service and sacrifice, Methodist Hospital awards them a pink slip and sentences them to bankruptcy.”

Employees had a June 7 deadline to complete their immunization.

In a Tuesday memo, the hospital system’s CEO, Marc Boom, said that 24,947 employees had complied with the vaccination requirement and that 27 of the 178 others had received the first of a two-dose vaccine and wouldn’t be fired if they got their second. The rest are subject to termination.

He also wrote that 285 other employees received medical or religious exemptions, and 332 were deferred because they were pregnant or for some other reason.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623673580456.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by employees of a Houston hospital system over its requirement that all of its staff be vaccinated against COVID-19.The Houston Methodist Hospital system suspended 178 employees without pay last week over their refusal to get vaccinated. Of them, 117 sued seeking to overturn the requirement and over their suspension and threatened termination.In a scathing ruling, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes of Houston deemed lead plaintiff Jennifer Bridges’ contention that the vaccines are “experimental and dangerous” to be false and otherwise irrelevant. He also found that her likening the vaccination requirement to the Nazis’ forced medical experimentation on concentration camp captives during the Holocaust to be “reprehensible.”Hughes also ruled that making vaccinations a condition of employment was not coercion, as Bridges contended.“Bridges can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine; however, if she refuses, she will simply need to work somewhere else. If a worker refuses an assignment, changed office, earlier start time, or other directive, he may be properly fired. Every employment includes limits on the worker’s behavior in exchange for remuneration. That is all part of the bargain,” Hughes concluded.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623674276825.png" alt="Employee protest outside the hospital last week photo courtesy KTRK-TV" />
 <figcaption>Employee protest outside the hospital last week photo courtesy KTRK-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Jared Woodfill, a Houston lawyer representing Bridges and the other clients, promised an appeal.“All of my clients continue to be committed to fighting this unjust policy,” Woodfill said in a statement. “What is shocking is that many of my clients were on the front line treating COVID-positive patients at Texas Methodist Hospital during the height of the pandemic. As a result, many of them contracted COVID-19. As a thank you for their service and sacrifice, Methodist Hospital awards them a pink slip and sentences them to bankruptcy.”Employees had a June 7 deadline to complete their immunization.In a Tuesday memo, the hospital system’s CEO, Marc Boom, said that 24,947 employees had complied with the vaccination requirement and that 27 of the 178 others had received the first of a two-dose vaccine and wouldn’t be fired if they got their second. The rest are subject to termination.He also wrote that 285 other employees received medical or religious exemptions, and 332 were deferred because they were pregnant or for some other reason.

Federal judge tosses lawsuit by employees who refused vaccine

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Texas man wanted for robbery in Nebraska following a two state pursuit Saturday night. 

Just before 11p.m., a police officer stopped a 2015 Dodge Durango for a traffic infraction in the 400 Block of Arizona Street in Holton, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;

 The suspect vehicle stopped in the Casey’s General Store parking lot. It was discovered that the driver identified as 23-year-old Davionne Marquise Stark-Briggs of Houston, Texas was wanted out of Nebraska on a felony robbery warrant. 

The suspect was to be considered armed and dangerous. The police officer attempted to arrest Stark-Briggs when he allegedly fled in his vehicle striking the Holton Police vehicle. 

Jackson County Deputies entered into the pursuit with Holton Police north of Holton on U.S. Highway 75. 

The pursuit continued into Brown County and into Nebraska. Several law enforcement agencies attempted to use tire deflation devices to stop the pursuit, however, the pursuit continued through Dawson, Nebraska and then east to Fall City. 

Just north of Fall City, the suspect vehicle left the highway and traveled into the ditch. Starks-Briggs fled on foot from the vehicle heading east into a field.

 Jackson County deputies pursued him on foot capturing him and taking him into custody about 200 yards from where the vehicle pursuit ended. Deputies from Brown County and Richardson County, Nebraska assisted with the incident. Starks-Briggs is currently being held in the Richardson County Jail on requested charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, Driving Under Suspension, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person. He is also being held on Lancaster County and Douglas County Nebraska warrants. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623586828570.png" alt="Starks-Briggs photo Richardson County" />
 <figcaption>Starks-Briggs photo Richardson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Texas man wanted for robbery in Nebraska following a two state pursuit Saturday night. Just before 11p.m., a police officer stopped a 2015 Dodge Durango for a traffic infraction in the 400 Block of Arizona Street in Holton, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle stopped in the Casey’s General Store parking lot. It was discovered that the driver identified as 23-year-old Davionne Marquise Stark-Briggs of Houston, Texas was wanted out of Nebraska on a felony robbery warrant. The suspect was to be considered armed and dangerous. The police officer attempted to arrest Stark-Briggs when he allegedly fled in his vehicle striking the Holton Police vehicle. Jackson County Deputies entered into the pursuit with Holton Police north of Holton on U.S. Highway 75. The pursuit continued into Brown County and into Nebraska. Several law enforcement agencies attempted to use tire deflation devices to stop the pursuit, however, the pursuit continued through Dawson, Nebraska and then east to Fall City. Just north of Fall City, the suspect vehicle left the highway and traveled into the ditch. Starks-Briggs fled on foot from the vehicle heading east into a field. Jackson County deputies pursued him on foot capturing him and taking him into custody about 200 yards from where the vehicle pursuit ended. Deputies from Brown County and Richardson County, Nebraska assisted with the incident. Starks-Briggs is currently being held in the Richardson County Jail on requested charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, Driving Under Suspension, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person. He is also being held on Lancaster County and Douglas County Nebraska warrants.

Wanted robbery suspect captured after 2-state police chase

WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts this summer. 

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 11.

The Wireless Emergency Alert portion of the test will be directed only to consumer cell phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages. This will be the second nationwide WEA test, but the first nationwide WEA test on a consumer opt-in basis. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The Emergency Alert System portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the sixth nationwide EAS test.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers, and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster.

 Major information about the test includes:

· The purpose of the Aug. 11 test is to ensure that the EAS and WEA systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems helps to assess the operational readiness of alerting infrastructure and to identify any needed technological and administrative improvements.

· The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code that alerts only phones that have opted in to receive WEA test messages. The EAS portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA-designated Primary Entry Point stations.

· In case the Aug. 11 test is canceled due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, a back-up testing date is scheduled for Aug. 25. 

Anyone who has opted in to receive test messages on their wireless phone will receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide test:

· Beginning at 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages, that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message. Wireless phones should receive the message only once.

· For consumers who have opted in to receive WEA test messages, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” 

· Opt-in phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

· Launched in 2012, WEA is a tool for authorized government agencies to reach the American public during times of national emergency. It is used locally to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones.

· Alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas.

· To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration. The test handling code will allow FEMA to test this capability while limiting test messages to those phones that have opted in to receive test messages.  

· The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers (EAS participants).

Other important information about the EAS test:

· The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. No action is required.”

· Emergency alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies. EAS participants receive the alerts through IPAWS or through local “over-the-air” monitoring sources. EAS participants then disseminate the emergency alerts to affected communities

Background: In 2007, FEMA began modernizing the nation’s public alert and warning system by integrating new technologies into the existing alert systems.&nbsp;The new system, known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) became operational in 2011. Today, IPAWS supports nearly 1,600 state, local, tribal, territorial and federal users through a standardized message format. IPAWS enables public safety alerting authorities such as emergency managers, police, and fire departments to send the same alert and warning message over multiple communication pathways at the same time to citizens in harm’s way, helping to save lives. For more information on FEMA’s IPAWS, go to www.fema.gov/ipaws. For more preparedness information, go to www.ready.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts this summer. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 11.The Wireless Emergency Alert portion of the test will be directed only to consumer cell phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages. This will be the second nationwide WEA test, but the first nationwide WEA test on a consumer opt-in basis. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.The Emergency Alert System portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the sixth nationwide EAS test.FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers, and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster. Major information about the test includes:· The purpose of the Aug. 11 test is to ensure that the EAS and WEA systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems helps to assess the operational readiness of alerting infrastructure and to identify any needed technological and administrative improvements.· The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code that alerts only phones that have opted in to receive WEA test messages. The EAS portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA-designated Primary Entry Point stations.· In case the Aug. 11 test is canceled due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, a back-up testing date is scheduled for Aug. 25. Anyone who has opted in to receive test messages on their wireless phone will receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide test:· Beginning at 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages, that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message. Wireless phones should receive the message only once.· For consumers who have opted in to receive WEA test messages, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” · Opt-in phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”· Launched in 2012, WEA is a tool for authorized government agencies to reach the American public during times of national emergency. It is used locally to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones.· Alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas.· To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration. The test handling code will allow FEMA to test this capability while limiting test messages to those phones that have opted in to receive test messages. · The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers (EAS participants).Other important information about the EAS test:· The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. No action is required.”· Emergency alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies. EAS participants receive the alerts through IPAWS or through local “over-the-air” monitoring sources. EAS participants then disseminate the emergency alerts to affected communities###Background: In 2007, FEMA began modernizing the nation’s public alert and warning system by integrating new technologies into the existing alert systems.&nbsp;The new system, known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) became operational in 2011. Today, IPAWS supports nearly 1,600 state, local, tribal, territorial and federal users through a standardized message format. IPAWS enables public safety alerting authorities such as emergency managers, police, and fire departments to send the same alert and warning message over multiple communication pathways at the same time to citizens in harm’s way, helping to save lives. For more information on FEMA’s IPAWS, go to www.fema.gov/ipaws. For more preparedness information, go to www.ready.gov.

FEMA,  FCC schedule nationwide emergency alert test

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of weekend shootings in Topeka.

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the report of shooting in&nbsp;1700 block of SE 31st Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Shane Hilton. Upon arrival, officers found that a 13-year-old girl suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. This incident is being investigated as a possible accidental shooting.

Just after 9:30p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to the 700 block of SE Hackberry on the report of a shooting, according to&nbsp; Hilton.&nbsp; Upon arrival, Officers found a 15-year-old boy who was suffering from non-life-threatening wounds to his arm. The victim was uncooperative with the police investigation.

The investigation continues on both incidents. They are not related to one another, according to Hilton.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of weekend shootings in Topeka.Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the report of shooting in&nbsp;1700 block of SE 31st Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Shane Hilton. Upon arrival, officers found that a 13-year-old girl suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. This incident is being investigated as a possible accidental shooting.Just after 9:30p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to the 700 block of SE Hackberry on the report of a shooting, according to&nbsp; Hilton.&nbsp; Upon arrival, Officers found a 15-year-old boy who was suffering from non-life-threatening wounds to his arm. The victim was uncooperative with the police investigation.The investigation continues on both incidents. They are not related to one another, according to Hilton.

Police: 13-year-old Kan. girl injured in accidental shooting

LABETTE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 5p.m. Sunday in Labette County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy Malibu driven by Mara M. Cash, 15, Mound City, was southbound on&nbsp; U.S 59 and Corning Avenue.

&nbsp;The vehicle struck a southbound 2009 Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle driven Phillip Andrew Moore, 52, Columbus, in the right lane.

Moore was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. Cash and two 10-year-old children in the Chevy were properly restrained and not injured. Moore was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

LABETTE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 5p.m. Sunday in Labette County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy Malibu driven by Mara M. Cash, 15, Mound City, was southbound on&nbsp; U.S 59 and Corning Avenue.&nbsp;The vehicle struck a southbound 2009 Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle driven Phillip Andrew Moore, 52, Columbus, in the right lane.Moore was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. Cash and two 10-year-old children in the Chevy were properly restrained and not injured. Moore was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

15-year-old Kansas driver strikes motorcycle

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in a stabbing made her first court appearance in the case June 9.

Mykala McAlpine, 20, of Wichita, is charged with aggravated battery, according to Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Just before 2:30 a.m. June 5, police responded to a residence in the 500 Block of East Marion in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. They found a 19-year-old victim with a number of stab wounds.

EMS transported the man to a local&nbsp; hospital for treatment and police arrested McApline.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for June 17, according to the district attorney. She was jailed on<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20061820">&nbsp;</a>$75,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623356186156.png" alt="McApine photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>McApine photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in a stabbing made her first court appearance in the case June 9.Mykala McAlpine, 20, of Wichita, is charged with aggravated battery, according to Sedgwick County District Attorney.Just before 2:30 a.m. June 5, police responded to a residence in the 500 Block of East Marion in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. They found a 19-year-old victim with a number of stab wounds.EMS transported the man to a local&nbsp; hospital for treatment and police arrested McApline.Her next court appearance is scheduled for June 17, according to the district attorney. She was jailed on<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20061820">&nbsp;</a>$75,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

Kansas woman charged for violent knife attack

BUTLER COUNTY—A Kansas teen injured in a head-on crash just before 11:30p.m. Friday in Butler County has died.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by Amy L. Brown, 46, Eureka, was eastbound in the westbound lanes of Kansas 254 just west of El Dorado. The Nissan&nbsp; struck a 2009 Chevy Impala driven by Dylan M. Lawson, 19, Augusta,&nbsp; head-on.

EMS transported Brown, Lawson and passengers in the Chevy&nbsp; Alexandria M. Epp, 18 and Lila Fisher, 17, both of El Dorado to Wesley Medical Center.&nbsp; Epp died Saturday night, according to the KHP.

The KHP did nor have complete seat belt information.

BUTLER COUNTY—A Kansas teen injured in a head-on crash just before 11:30p.m. Friday in Butler County has died.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by Amy L. Brown, 46, Eureka, was eastbound in the westbound lanes of Kansas 254 just west of El Dorado. The Nissan&nbsp; struck a 2009 Chevy Impala driven by Dylan M. Lawson, 19, Augusta,&nbsp; head-on.EMS transported Brown, Lawson and passengers in the Chevy&nbsp; Alexandria M. Epp, 18 and Lila Fisher, 17, both of El Dorado to Wesley Medical Center.&nbsp; Epp died Saturday night, according to the KHP.The KHP did nor have complete seat belt information.

Kan. teen dies from injuries after wrong-way, head-on crash

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man who called 911 to aid his mother was charged in federal court Thursday after police officers responded to their residence and found evidence of drug trafficking and illegal firearms, according to the United States Attorney's office.

Michael Cummings II, 39, was charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. Cummings remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on June 14.

According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s federal criminal complaint, police officers were called to Cummings’s residence on Monday night, June 7, when Cummings called 911 for emergency medical assistance for his mother. Emergency personnel attempted lifesaving measures on Cummings’s mother but she was unresponsive, and pronounced dead at approximately 12:04 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8.

Officers saw a loaded Heckler &amp; Koch .40-caliber handgun on the dining room table, next to a pile of cash, and an SKS-style assault rifle with a magazine leaning against the wall of a stairwell. Officers arrested Cummings, who is a convicted felon, for illegally possessing the firearms.

Officers then obtained a warrant and searched the residence. In addition to the two firearms, officers also seized $618 found on the table and under the couch cushion.

In one bedroom, officers found a Pioneer Arms 7.62 x 39mm AKM-47-style pistol in the closet, a baggie that contained .24 grams of a fentanyl/heroin compound, baggies that contained a total of 351.37 grams of methamphetamine, two plastic baggies that contained a total of 28.1 grams of crack cocaine, a baggie that contained marijuana, and approximately $3,512 in cash.

In another bedroom, officers found a Ruger .22-caliber pistol on a shelf.

&nbsp;In another bedroom, officers found a Smith and Wesson AR-15 style assault rifle in the closet and a safe that contained $175,100 in cash and a Ruger revolver that had previously been reported as stolen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623349053824.png" alt="Cummings-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Cummings-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man who called 911 to aid his mother was charged in federal court Thursday after police officers responded to their residence and found evidence of drug trafficking and illegal firearms, according to the United States Attorney's office.Michael Cummings II, 39, was charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. Cummings remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on June 14.According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s federal criminal complaint, police officers were called to Cummings’s residence on Monday night, June 7, when Cummings called 911 for emergency medical assistance for his mother. Emergency personnel attempted lifesaving measures on Cummings’s mother but she was unresponsive, and pronounced dead at approximately 12:04 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8.Officers saw a loaded Heckler &amp; Koch .40-caliber handgun on the dining room table, next to a pile of cash, and an SKS-style assault rifle with a magazine leaning against the wall of a stairwell. Officers arrested Cummings, who is a convicted felon, for illegally possessing the firearms.Officers then obtained a warrant and searched the residence. In addition to the two firearms, officers also seized $618 found on the table and under the couch cushion.In one bedroom, officers found a Pioneer Arms 7.62 x 39mm AKM-47-style pistol in the closet, a baggie that contained .24 grams of a fentanyl/heroin compound, baggies that contained a total of 351.37 grams of methamphetamine, two plastic baggies that contained a total of 28.1 grams of crack cocaine, a baggie that contained marijuana, and approximately $3,512 in cash.In another bedroom, officers found a Ruger .22-caliber pistol on a shelf.&nbsp;In another bedroom, officers found a Smith and Wesson AR-15 style assault rifle in the closet and a safe that contained $175,100 in cash and a Ruger revolver that had previously been reported as stolen.

KC man charged with drug trafficking after 911 call

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman's death in Wyandotte County.

Just before 7a.m. Saturday, a patron at the Turner Boat Access&nbsp; on the Kansas River called 911 to report finding the body of a woman on the ground, according to a media release.

Kansas City police and the Wyandotte County Sheriff's deputies responded and found a black woman in her mid 60s dead of an apparent homicide, according to the sheriff's department.

Authorities have not released her identity or additional details. The Wyandotte County Sheriff's Department is in charge of the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623606833583.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Saturday photo courtesy Fox4 Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Saturday photo courtesy Fox4 Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman's death in Wyandotte County.Just before 7a.m. Saturday, a patron at the Turner Boat Access&nbsp; on the Kansas River called 911 to report finding the body of a woman on the ground, according to a media release.Kansas City police and the Wyandotte County Sheriff's deputies responded and found a black woman in her mid 60s dead of an apparent homicide, according to the sheriff's department.Authorities have not released her identity or additional details. The Wyandotte County Sheriff's Department is in charge of the investigation.

Homicide: Woman's body found near Kan. River boat ramp 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A one-time certified public accountant in south-central Missouri has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for conducting a Ponzi scheme that swindled millions of dollars from dozens of victims.

Douglas Richardson, 47, of Lebanon, was sentenced Thursday in Springfield’s federal court to 188 months and ordered to pay more than $8.8 million in restitution to his victims across the country, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri said in a news release.

There is no parole in the federal system.

A jury convicted Richardson in 2019 of six counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering. As a part of this scheme, Richardson knowingly fleeced several elderly victims out of most or all of their retirement savings, prosecutors said.

Richardson used the proceeds from the scheme to support a lavish lifestyle that included a $1 million home, regular family vacations to Disney World and expensive cars, motorhomes and motorcycles, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also presented evidence at Richardson's sentencing hearing on Thursday that Richardson continued to swindle money from people even as he awaited sentencing. That included defrauding one victim of nearly $100,000 and taking $800 from a victim’s bank account during his jury trial without the victim’s knowledge, prosecutors said

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A one-time certified public accountant in south-central Missouri has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for conducting a Ponzi scheme that swindled millions of dollars from dozens of victims.Douglas Richardson, 47, of Lebanon, was sentenced Thursday in Springfield’s federal court to 188 months and ordered to pay more than $8.8 million in restitution to his victims across the country, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri said in a news release.There is no parole in the federal system.A jury convicted Richardson in 2019 of six counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering. As a part of this scheme, Richardson knowingly fleeced several elderly victims out of most or all of their retirement savings, prosecutors said.Richardson used the proceeds from the scheme to support a lavish lifestyle that included a $1 million home, regular family vacations to Disney World and expensive cars, motorhomes and motorcycles, prosecutors said.Prosecutors also presented evidence at Richardson's sentencing hearing on Thursday that Richardson continued to swindle money from people even as he awaited sentencing. That included defrauding one victim of nearly $100,000 and taking $800 from a victim’s bank account during his jury trial without the victim’s knowledge, prosecutors said

Former CPA sentenced for Ponzi scheme

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a robbery have made an arrest.

The robbery occurred on May 2 in the 2000 Block of NW Tyler Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Shane Hilton.

On May 14th, the Topeka Police Department put out an Attempt to Identify suspects in the case and identified 36-year-old James Clelland of Topeka.

On Friday, Topeka Police Detectives served a Search Warrant in the 1100 block of SW High and located Clelland and took him into custody. They later booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Assault, according to Hilton.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623457601755.png" alt="James Clelland photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>James Clelland photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a robbery have made an arrest.The robbery occurred on May 2 in the 2000 Block of NW Tyler Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Shane Hilton.On May 14th, the Topeka Police Department put out an Attempt to Identify suspects in the case and identified 36-year-old James Clelland of Topeka.On Friday, Topeka Police Detectives served a Search Warrant in the 1100 block of SW High and located Clelland and took him into custody. They later booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Assault, according to Hilton.

Police track down Kan. man wanted for aggravated burglary

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/06/10/federal-telehealth-bill-heightens-conversation-about-broadband-access-in-rural-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — New
 federal legislation to make pandemic-based telehealth allowances 
permanent has researchers, broadband advocates and lawmakers talking 
about the importance of bridging the digital divide in rural Kansas.

The <a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/7/3/731ce77f-3a7c-4ad7-832b-bcf856fab8eb/6E171F608CA0F4B9DDA15D41687F8971.protecting-rural-telehealth-access-act-bill-text.pdf">Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act</a>
 championed by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), alongside Sens. Joe 
Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), is 
aimed at ensuring “rural and underserved” health care providers can 
offer telehealth services after the pandemic. Services would include 
audio-only telehealth appointments, acknowledging many rural areas lack 
reliable broadband.

Changes
 would include allowing payment-parity for audio-only health services, 
waive any restrictions to allow patients to be treated from home and 
permanently allow rural health clinics and qualified health centers to 
serve as distance sites for telehealth services.

“The
 COVID-19 pandemic reiterated the effective and efficient access to care
 telehealth provides to patients, especially those in rural 
communities,” Moran said. “Even after the pandemic ends, our health care
 system should bolster telehealth services as a reliable option to serve
 patients and help expand health care options and availability for rural
 America.”

The
 effort may provide relief for those in need of telehealth options, but 
it also acknowledges the digital divide present in rural Kansas. Through
 audio-only options, the proposed legislation is working to circumvent 
gaps in broadband Internet access, something doctors, educators and 
researchers are working to do nationwide and in Kansas

Kansas
 currently ranks 28th in the country for broadband connectivity when 
only four years ago it ranked 40th. This improvement comes after the 
establishment of a broadband expansion task force, millions in funding 
for broadband infrastructure construction grants and pandemic relief 
aid.

Gov.
 Laura Kelly also established the Office of Broadband Development to 
focus on coverage and gaps in Kansas. Funds from the federal American 
Rescue Plan will go toward broadband improvements.

At
 the Institute for Policy and Social Research at the University of 
Kansas, a team of researchers surveyed students who attend Kansas Board 
of Regents colleges and universities about access to the internet. They 
hope to address data from the Federal Communications Commission 
suggesting Kansas residents, especially rural areas, lack stable 
connections.

Now, Kansas residents can <a href="https://ipsr.ku.edu/broadband/kansas.shtml">fill out the survey online</a> and contribute to their work.

“The
 information we’ve received about uneven and inadequate internet access 
among KBOR students has been valuable, but there are still a lot of 
geographic areas of Kansas that we know very little about in terms of 
internet access and options for service provision,” said Germaine 
Halegoua, an associate professor at KU. “Policymakers still lack 
essential knowledge about internet affordability and quality in rural as
 well as urban areas. We’re hoping that our statewide survey fills in 
those gaps.”

The
 expanded survey will gather more information on slow connection areas 
and data on service availability and cost. Results will be shared with 
residents, internet service providers and state lawmakers to address 
policy or infrastructure needs.

Although the <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2134/">Legislature last month imposed restrictions</a> on the number of remote learning hours, addressing these needs could prove crucial for educators and Kansas students.&nbsp;

There
 are still up to 40 hours provided of remote learning, or more in 
certain cases if waived by the school board. With the internet becoming 
increasingly important in education, advocates nationwide are pushing 
for increased funding to bridge the digital divide.

“When
 I think about personalized learning, when I think about digital 
learning, to me it comes down to opportunities. Are we offering the 
opportunities that our kids need to thrive?” said Thomas C. Murray, director of innovation for <a href="https://futureready.org/">Future Ready Schools</a>.

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/06/10/federal-telehealth-bill-heightens-conversation-about-broadband-access-in-rural-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — New
 federal legislation to make pandemic-based telehealth allowances 
permanent has researchers, broadband advocates and lawmakers talking 
about the importance of bridging the digital divide in rural Kansas.The <a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/7/3/731ce77f-3a7c-4ad7-832b-bcf856fab8eb/6E171F608CA0F4B9DDA15D41687F8971.protecting-rural-telehealth-access-act-bill-text.pdf">Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act</a>
 championed by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), alongside Sens. Joe 
Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), is 
aimed at ensuring “rural and underserved” health care providers can 
offer telehealth services after the pandemic. Services would include 
audio-only telehealth appointments, acknowledging many rural areas lack 
reliable broadband.Changes
 would include allowing payment-parity for audio-only health services, 
waive any restrictions to allow patients to be treated from home and 
permanently allow rural health clinics and qualified health centers to 
serve as distance sites for telehealth services.“The
 COVID-19 pandemic reiterated the effective and efficient access to care
 telehealth provides to patients, especially those in rural 
communities,” Moran said. “Even after the pandemic ends, our health care
 system should bolster telehealth services as a reliable option to serve
 patients and help expand health care options and availability for rural
 America.”The
 effort may provide relief for those in need of telehealth options, but 
it also acknowledges the digital divide present in rural Kansas. Through
 audio-only options, the proposed legislation is working to circumvent 
gaps in broadband Internet access, something doctors, educators and 
researchers are working to do nationwide and in KansasKansas
 currently ranks 28th in the country for broadband connectivity when 
only four years ago it ranked 40th. This improvement comes after the 
establishment of a broadband expansion task force, millions in funding 
for broadband infrastructure construction grants and pandemic relief 
aid.Gov.
 Laura Kelly also established the Office of Broadband Development to 
focus on coverage and gaps in Kansas. Funds from the federal American 
Rescue Plan will go toward broadband improvements.At
 the Institute for Policy and Social Research at the University of 
Kansas, a team of researchers surveyed students who attend Kansas Board 
of Regents colleges and universities about access to the internet. They 
hope to address data from the Federal Communications Commission 
suggesting Kansas residents, especially rural areas, lack stable 
connections.Now, Kansas residents can <a href="https://ipsr.ku.edu/broadband/kansas.shtml">fill out the survey online</a> and contribute to their work.“The
 information we’ve received about uneven and inadequate internet access 
among KBOR students has been valuable, but there are still a lot of 
geographic areas of Kansas that we know very little about in terms of 
internet access and options for service provision,” said Germaine 
Halegoua, an associate professor at KU. “Policymakers still lack 
essential knowledge about internet affordability and quality in rural as
 well as urban areas. We’re hoping that our statewide survey fills in 
those gaps.”The
 expanded survey will gather more information on slow connection areas 
and data on service availability and cost. Results will be shared with 
residents, internet service providers and state lawmakers to address 
policy or infrastructure needs.Although the <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2134/">Legislature last month imposed restrictions</a> on the number of remote learning hours, addressing these needs could prove crucial for educators and Kansas students.&nbsp;There
 are still up to 40 hours provided of remote learning, or more in 
certain cases if waived by the school board. With the internet becoming 
increasingly important in education, advocates nationwide are pushing 
for increased funding to bridge the digital divide.“When
 I think about personalized learning, when I think about digital 
learning, to me it comes down to opportunities. Are we offering the 
opportunities that our kids need to thrive?” said Thomas C. Murray, director of innovation for <a href="https://futureready.org/">Future Ready Schools</a>.

Telehealth bill heightens conversation about broadband access in rural Kan.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas Attorney General Vern Miller, who gained notoriety for several law enforcement stunts during nearly 50 years in law enforcement, has died.

Miller died Friday at his home in Mesa, Arizona. He was 92.

His son, Marty Miller, attributed the death to old age but said his father had several cardiac issues over the years.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623593989379.png" alt="Vern Miller -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Vern Miller -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas Attorney General Vern Miller, who gained notoriety for several law enforcement stunts during nearly 50 years in law enforcement, has died.Miller died Friday at his home in Mesa, Arizona. He was 92.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Vern Miller’s four years of service as Kansas Attorney General left an indelible mark on the office. …&mdash; Kansas AG&#39;s Office (@KSAGOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSAGOffice/status/1403520653999980545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>His son, Marty Miller, attributed the death to old age but said his father had several cardiac issues over the years.During his law enforcement career, spent mostly in Sedgwick County, Miller would hide in undercover officer’s cars and jump out to grab suspects. He also raided illegal gambling operations across the state and enforced the state’s then-ban on public drinking by stopping alcohol-serving passenger trains in their tracks and seizing booze on planes crossing into Kansas.Miller was elected Kansas Attorney General in 1970, despite having never tried a case in court. He was so popular he won all 105 Kansas counties when he ran for re-election in 1972.He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1974, losing to Robert Frederick Bennett. He then opened a private law practice in Wichita, and served as Sedgwick County district attorney from 1976 to 1980.