WASHINGTON — A variant of the coronavirus first identified in Britain is now the most common strain circulating in the United States.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, says the strain, formally known as B.1.1.7, is “now the most common lineage circulating in United States.”

The strain has been shown to be more transmissible and infectious among younger Americans, which Walensky says contributed to rising case counts in recent weeks.

Walensky says new outbreaks have been tied to youth sports and day care centers. She particularly encouraged states with rising caseloads to curtail or suspend youth sport activities to slow the spread of the virus.

The U.S. leads the world with 30.8 million confirmed cases and more than 556,000 confirmed deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613699035300.png" alt="CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky " />
 <figcaption>CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — A variant of the coronavirus first identified in Britain is now the most common strain circulating in the United States.The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, says the strain, formally known as B.1.1.7, is “now the most common lineage circulating in United States.”The strain has been shown to be more transmissible and infectious among younger Americans, which Walensky says contributed to rising case counts in recent weeks.Walensky says new outbreaks have been tied to youth sports and day care centers. She particularly encouraged states with rising caseloads to curtail or suspend youth sport activities to slow the spread of the virus.The U.S. leads the world with 30.8 million confirmed cases and more than 556,000 confirmed deaths.___

UK virus variant now most common strain in United States

STAFFORD COUNTY&nbsp; —Tree piles continued to burn in the middle of the already burned areas in Stafford County, according to a social media report from the fire department.

 All fire lines are contained and fire crews are returned to their stations. The rain and snow Wednesday was extremely helpful with containment of the fire.&nbsp;

STAFFORD COUNTY—Crews from across Stafford County responded to multiple reports of grass fires Tuesday night likely due to lightning strikes, according to a social media report from the Stafford Fire Department.

One was a large fire burning in the area of K-19 and 105th Avenue.

Crews spent Tuesday night and all day Wednesday keeping the fire in check and crews remained on scene monitoring&nbsp; the fire that was actively burning but is unable to be reached due to the difficult swamp like conditions.

On Wednesday afternoon, fresh fire fighting crews arrived and the fire continues to be monitored and put out when access can be made. There is still active fire. However, fire conditions are much more mild than Tuesday night.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617833659652.png" alt="Lightning is blamed for starting the fires -Photo Stafford&nbsp; Kansas Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Lightning is blamed for starting the fires -Photo Stafford&nbsp; Kansas Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>STAFFORD COUNTY&nbsp; —Tree piles continued to burn in the middle of the already burned areas in Stafford County, according to a social media report from the fire department. All fire lines are contained and fire crews are returned to their stations. The rain and snow Wednesday was extremely helpful with containment of the fire.&nbsp;--------STAFFORD COUNTY—Crews from across Stafford County responded to multiple reports of grass fires Tuesday night likely due to lightning strikes, according to a social media report from the Stafford Fire Department.One was a large fire burning in the area of K-19 and 105th Avenue.Crews spent Tuesday night and all day Wednesday keeping the fire in check and crews remained on scene monitoring&nbsp; the fire that was actively burning but is unable to be reached due to the difficult swamp like conditions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617834071135.png" alt="Photo Stafford County Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Photo Stafford County Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday afternoon, fresh fire fighting crews arrived and the fire continues to be monitored and put out when access can be made. There is still active fire. However, fire conditions are much more mild than Tuesday night.&nbsp;

Update: Crews contain Kansas fire started by lightning 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A jury has convicted a Kansas City man of first-degree murder for killing his neighbor in 2017, one day before what would have been her 25th birthday.

A Jackson County jury found Cedric Russell, 28, guilty of killing 24-year-old Ashley Geddes, whose body was found in her Kansas City apartment by her mother. Russell also was found guilty of tampering with evidence and tampering with a motor vehicle.

Police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/367949e48f1046c2995660c7f33ecac6">have said</a>&nbsp;Russell told investigators that Geddes stopped breathing as he choked her during sex, and police investigated her killing as a sexual assault and homicide. Police said Russell took Geddes’ car, phone and jewelry, and that the missing jewelry was pawned shortly after her death.

Russell is scheduled to be sentenced June 3.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617826820434.png" alt="Russell photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Russell photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A jury has convicted a Kansas City man of first-degree murder for killing his neighbor in 2017, one day before what would have been her 25th birthday.A Jackson County jury found Cedric Russell, 28, guilty of killing 24-year-old Ashley Geddes, whose body was found in her Kansas City apartment by her mother. Russell also was found guilty of tampering with evidence and tampering with a motor vehicle.Police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/367949e48f1046c2995660c7f33ecac6">have said</a>&nbsp;Russell told investigators that Geddes stopped breathing as he choked her during sex, and police investigated her killing as a sexual assault and homicide. Police said Russell took Geddes’ car, phone and jewelry, and that the missing jewelry was pawned shortly after her death.Russell is scheduled to be sentenced June 3.

Jury: Kansas City man guilty in violent death of his neighbor

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after finding explosives in a vehicle.

Just before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, police officers recognized a white Nissan Rogue at 21st and Woodlawn in&nbsp; Wichita, according Officer Charley Davidson. The suspect vehicle had reportedly been involved in multiple drive-by shootings. 

The officers stopped the vehicle at an apartment complex in the 5400 block of East 21st Street North. They arrested the occupants of the vehicle identified as 25-year-old Eri Mendoza and 29-year-old Jessica Valdovinos.

Inside the vehicle, officers also located an improvised explosive device that looked like a grenade. The Wichita Police bomb unit responded to assist with the safe disposal of the device.

In addition, police located a firearm, a firearm magazine and methamphetamine.

Mendoza is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault, possession of methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, criminal possession of an explosive device, criminal use of an explosive device and driving with a suspended license, according to Davidson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Valdovinos is being held on charges of possession of methamphetamine, criminal use of an explosive device, and outstanding warrants.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mendoza has previous felony convictions, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617828375770.png" alt="Mendoza photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Mendoza photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after finding explosives in a vehicle.Just before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, police officers recognized a white Nissan Rogue at 21st and Woodlawn in&nbsp; Wichita, according Officer Charley Davidson. The suspect vehicle had reportedly been involved in multiple drive-by shootings. The officers stopped the vehicle at an apartment complex in the 5400 block of East 21st Street North. They arrested the occupants of the vehicle identified as 25-year-old Eri Mendoza and 29-year-old Jessica Valdovinos.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617810586624.png" alt="Valdovinos photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Valdovinos photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Inside the vehicle, officers also located an improvised explosive device that looked like a grenade. The Wichita Police bomb unit responded to assist with the safe disposal of the device.In addition, police located a firearm, a firearm magazine and methamphetamine.Mendoza is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault, possession of methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, criminal possession of an explosive device, criminal use of an explosive device and driving with a suspended license, according to Davidson.&nbsp;&nbsp;Valdovinos is being held on charges of possession of methamphetamine, criminal use of an explosive device, and outstanding warrants.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mendoza has previous felony convictions, according to Davidson.

Police find explosive device in Kansas man's car

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/07/house-and-senate-negotiators-begin-wrangling-over-kansas-k-12-budget-and-policies/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Republican
 legislators from the House and Senate remain largely divided on several
 proposed budget and policy elements of K-12 public education in the 
state.

Members of the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee and the Senate Education Committee met 
Tuesday to negotiate elements of House Bill 2119, a measure with 
wide-ranging impacts on education policy and the public school budget. 
The bill narrowly passed the House last week despite bipartisan concerns
 over several provisions.

Representatives expressed 
uneasiness around the Student Empowerment Act and asked that their 
concerns be ironed out when the two chambers met. The act would take the
 standard per-pupil aid normally given to public schools and place it 
into an education savings account for students designated as “at-risk” 
to use for private school tuition and other education-adjacent expenses.

The bill would also fully 
fund public education as requested in the governor’s budget for 2021 and
 2022. In 2023, the measure would remove a funding formula provision 
giving additional budget weighting to students in districts with a high 
number of at-risk students per square mile.

While there are some 
provisions contained in the bill yet to be heard in the Senate committee
 — including the Student Empowerment Act — there is some overlap that 
should allow for a successful negotiation, said Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a
 Louisburg Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Education panel. 
Still, Baumgardner identified certain key aspects she would like to see 
included in the final package, including the Promise Act, which would 
provide postsecondary educational scholarships for certain two-year 
associate degrees and technical education programs.

“If we’re looking at 
something that is kind of a mega education bill, then we do have to 
absolutely be looking at the Promise Act and concurrent enrollment,” 
Baumgardner said. “We have such significant funding going for high 
density at-risk and at-risk for our schools and our kids. And so, we 
really do like the guardrails that we have in our Senate Bill 173. We’ll
 want to see some of those things.”

In a packed committee room
 with several stakeholders, members of the Senate committee received the
 initial recommendation on the bill from Rep. Kristey Williams, an 
Augusta Republican and chairwoman of the House panel. Williams 
recommended the full contents of the House bill be placed into the 
Senate bill.

The joint negotiation 
adjourned before any counter offers or decisions were made, but 
lawmakers will again gather Wednesday to continue deliberations. A 
concern that the Student Empowerment Act and a tax credit to benefit 
private schools would be stackable is among issues the joint panel is 
set to address.

Under the tax credit 
section, the bill would reimburse organizations that grant scholarships 
for private schools up to $8,000 in tax credits per student per year. 
The proposed measure would greatly expand eligibility for the program by
 removing a provision that students must be in the 100 worst-performing 
public schools and adding students eligible for free and reduced-price 
lunch.

“What if a student is in a
 private school, taking some classes in the public school because the 
private school cannot provide them, and the teacher or district 
recommends to the parent that that student is eligible,” said Rep. 
Valdenia Winn, D-Kansas City, Kansas. “Is there any language in the bill
 that would keep that student eligible?”

The revisor’s office 
confirmed if a student were enrolled in public school part-time and they
 qualify for free or reduced-price meals or at-risk services, the 
student would be eligible for these programs.

Another clause limiting 
funding for remote learners to that of virtual school — $5,000 — rather 
than the usual finance formula for in-person instruction raised some 
eyebrows among Democrats and public education advocates. The bill would 
define a “remotely enrolled student” as a student who, during a state of
 disaster declaration, attended classes remotely for more than 240 
school term hours or more than 40 hours when no disaster has been 
declared.

Mark Tallman, of the 
Kansas Association of School Boards, said accountability for remote 
learning is understandable, but funding students as if they attend 
virtual school is not adequate. He said virtual schools are designed for
 students who seldom attend in person.

“It seems to us that this 
is reacting against concerns about this pandemic but could shut other 
flexibility for students when we’re looking at school redesign, those 
kinds of things,” Tallman said. One of the things that I think districts
 are trying to experiment with is to say, if you’ve got a child who can 
be successful … in a different environment, and if we can find ways to 
put in good accountability, why shouldn’t we be able to do that?”

A second meeting of the 
two chambers to reconcile differences between a House Bill 2397 
proposing a 2% cut across all state departments, including K-12 
education, and Senate Bill 267, which puts off allocating $570 million 
in K-12 funding until May, also took place Tuesday.

Legislators remain divided on all but one provision of school funding issues and will work to find common ground Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617820286358.png" alt="Sen. Molly Baumgardner, left and Rep. Kirstey Williams, right, brought their respective education committees together Tuesday to begin discussion of public education proposals. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Molly Baumgardner, left and Rep. Kirstey Williams, right, brought their respective education committees together Tuesday to begin discussion of public education proposals. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/07/house-and-senate-negotiators-begin-wrangling-over-kansas-k-12-budget-and-policies/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Republican
 legislators from the House and Senate remain largely divided on several
 proposed budget and policy elements of K-12 public education in the 
state.Members of the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee and the Senate Education Committee met 
Tuesday to negotiate elements of House Bill 2119, a measure with 
wide-ranging impacts on education policy and the public school budget. 
The bill narrowly passed the House last week despite bipartisan concerns
 over several provisions.Representatives expressed 
uneasiness around the Student Empowerment Act and asked that their 
concerns be ironed out when the two chambers met. The act would take the
 standard per-pupil aid normally given to public schools and place it 
into an education savings account for students designated as “at-risk” 
to use for private school tuition and other education-adjacent expenses.The bill would also fully 
fund public education as requested in the governor’s budget for 2021 and
 2022. In 2023, the measure would remove a funding formula provision 
giving additional budget weighting to students in districts with a high 
number of at-risk students per square mile.While there are some 
provisions contained in the bill yet to be heard in the Senate committee
 — including the Student Empowerment Act — there is some overlap that 
should allow for a successful negotiation, said Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a
 Louisburg Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Education panel. 
Still, Baumgardner identified certain key aspects she would like to see 
included in the final package, including the Promise Act, which would 
provide postsecondary educational scholarships for certain two-year 
associate degrees and technical education programs.“If we’re looking at 
something that is kind of a mega education bill, then we do have to 
absolutely be looking at the Promise Act and concurrent enrollment,” 
Baumgardner said. “We have such significant funding going for high 
density at-risk and at-risk for our schools and our kids. And so, we 
really do like the guardrails that we have in our Senate Bill 173. We’ll
 want to see some of those things.”In a packed committee room
 with several stakeholders, members of the Senate committee received the
 initial recommendation on the bill from Rep. Kristey Williams, an 
Augusta Republican and chairwoman of the House panel. Williams 
recommended the full contents of the House bill be placed into the 
Senate bill.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617820346165.jpeg" alt="Rep. Valdenia Winn, D-Kansas City, Kansas, asked legislative staff about a hypothetical situation for partly enrolled public school students and their eligibility for these programs. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Valdenia Winn, D-Kansas City, Kansas, asked legislative staff about a hypothetical situation for partly enrolled public school students and their eligibility for these programs. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The joint negotiation 
adjourned before any counter offers or decisions were made, but 
lawmakers will again gather Wednesday to continue deliberations. A 
concern that the Student Empowerment Act and a tax credit to benefit 
private schools would be stackable is among issues the joint panel is 
set to address.Under the tax credit 
section, the bill would reimburse organizations that grant scholarships 
for private schools up to $8,000 in tax credits per student per year. 
The proposed measure would greatly expand eligibility for the program by
 removing a provision that students must be in the 100 worst-performing 
public schools and adding students eligible for free and reduced-price 
lunch.“What if a student is in a
 private school, taking some classes in the public school because the 
private school cannot provide them, and the teacher or district 
recommends to the parent that that student is eligible,” said Rep. 
Valdenia Winn, D-Kansas City, Kansas. “Is there any language in the bill
 that would keep that student eligible?”The revisor’s office 
confirmed if a student were enrolled in public school part-time and they
 qualify for free or reduced-price meals or at-risk services, the 
student would be eligible for these programs.Another clause limiting 
funding for remote learners to that of virtual school — $5,000 — rather 
than the usual finance formula for in-person instruction raised some 
eyebrows among Democrats and public education advocates. The bill would 
define a “remotely enrolled student” as a student who, during a state of
 disaster declaration, attended classes remotely for more than 240 
school term hours or more than 40 hours when no disaster has been 
declared.Mark Tallman, of the 
Kansas Association of School Boards, said accountability for remote 
learning is understandable, but funding students as if they attend 
virtual school is not adequate. He said virtual schools are designed for
 students who seldom attend in person.“It seems to us that this 
is reacting against concerns about this pandemic but could shut other 
flexibility for students when we’re looking at school redesign, those 
kinds of things,” Tallman said. One of the things that I think districts
 are trying to experiment with is to say, if you’ve got a child who can 
be successful … in a different environment, and if we can find ways to 
put in good accountability, why shouldn’t we be able to do that?”A second meeting of the 
two chambers to reconcile differences between a House Bill 2397 
proposing a 2% cut across all state departments, including K-12 
education, and Senate Bill 267, which puts off allocating $570 million 
in K-12 funding until May, also took place Tuesday.Legislators remain divided on all but one provision of school funding issues and will work to find common ground Wednesday.

Legislative negotiators begin wrangling over Kan. K-12 budget, policies

KANSAS CITY—Officers rescued children from a wrecked vehicle after the driver pointed a gun around the inside of the car.

Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, police got called to a car crashed into a pole at 27th&nbsp;and Cleveland, according to a media release.

 When they arrived, they saw the driver pointing a gun inside the car. She was staring blankly and appeared to be impaired. 

Officers also saw two children in the back seat, later determined to be ages 6 and 9. The officers immediately retreated behind their vehicle for cover. They called for additional officers and a sergeant.

No one exited the wrecked vehicle when officers asked them to. After a short period of time, one of the officers saw that the woman was no longer holding the gun. They knew they had to get the children out of the dangerous situation, so they approached the car with ballistic shields. They were able to use these to take custody of the woman without incident. Then they safely removed the children from the vehicle.

Officers found what appeared to be PCP inside the vehicle, as well as drug paraphernalia from other types of narcotics. The children told officers their mother had used drugs earlier in the day. Police also found a pistol and 64 rounds of ammunition.

The woman is in custody for investigation of child endangerment. The children were taken into protective custody by the Division of Family Services.

KANSAS CITY—Officers rescued children from a wrecked vehicle after the driver pointed a gun around the inside of the car.Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, police got called to a car crashed into a pole at 27th&nbsp;and Cleveland, according to a media release. When they arrived, they saw the driver pointing a gun inside the car. She was staring blankly and appeared to be impaired. Officers also saw two children in the back seat, later determined to be ages 6 and 9. The officers immediately retreated behind their vehicle for cover. They called for additional officers and a sergeant.No one exited the wrecked vehicle when officers asked them to. After a short period of time, one of the officers saw that the woman was no longer holding the gun. They knew they had to get the children out of the dangerous situation, so they approached the car with ballistic shields. They were able to use these to take custody of the woman without incident. Then they safely removed the children from the vehicle.Officers found what appeared to be PCP inside the vehicle, as well as drug paraphernalia from other types of narcotics. The children told officers their mother had used drugs earlier in the day. Police also found a pistol and 64 rounds of ammunition.The woman is in custody for investigation of child endangerment. The children were taken into protective custody by the Division of Family Services.

KC police rescue children from armed, impaired parent 

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 6a.m. Wednesday in Pottawatomie County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Toyota Camry driven Phillip Theodore Harrison, 19, St. Marys, was&nbsp; westbound on U.S 24 one mile east of Onaga Road.

The passenger side tires dropped off the roadway and the driver overcorrected. 

The Camry slid sideways into the east bound lane. A 2006 Dodge Ram driven by&nbsp;Michael Leon Weisbender , 31, struck the Camry on the passenger side.

EMS transported Harrison and Weisbender to&nbsp;&nbsp;Wamego Medical Center where Harrison was pronounced dead. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KH P.

U.S. 24 was closed between Belvue and Onaga Road while first responders worked the accident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617825199269.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal crash photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal crash photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 6a.m. Wednesday in Pottawatomie County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Toyota Camry driven Phillip Theodore Harrison, 19, St. Marys, was&nbsp; westbound on U.S 24 one mile east of Onaga Road.The passenger side tires dropped off the roadway and the driver overcorrected. The Camry slid sideways into the east bound lane. A 2006 Dodge Ram driven by&nbsp;Michael Leon Weisbender , 31, struck the Camry on the passenger side.EMS transported Harrison and Weisbender to&nbsp;&nbsp;Wamego Medical Center where Harrison was pronounced dead. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KH P.U.S. 24 was closed between Belvue and Onaga Road while first responders worked the accident.&nbsp;

Kansas teen dies after 2-vehicle crash 

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/06/senators-forge-bipartisan-deal-to-aid-kansas-businesses-impacted-by-pandemic/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A new Senate plan
 would redirect a portion of federal COVID-19 aid from the state and 
counties to small businesses impacted by public health orders during the
 pandemic.

The bipartisan compromise 
between Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican, and Sen. Tom 
Holland, a Baldwin City Democrat, emerged during a committee hearing 
Tuesday. The conceptual deal is still being drafted with hopes of 
advancing formal legislation before the Legislature adjourns at the end 
of the week.

The Steffen-Holland plan 
would be inserted into Senate Bill 149, one of several pieces of 
legislation that were crafted to punish counties for imposing shutdowns,
 social distancing or mask mandates on businesses. Other ideas have 
called for a portion of federal aid to be set aside to settle 
class-action lawsuits from businesses.

Holland said the goal of 
the new plan is to avoid placing blame on officials for restricting 
business but still “recognize your pain” and provide some tax relief. 
The plan retains proactive protections for businesses from future 
restrictions.

Under the proposal, 
businesses could apply to the Kansas Department of Revenue for up to 
$7,500 in lease and property tax refunds. The state and county where the
 businesses is located would split the bill evenly, using federal 
COVID-19 aid.

The plan limits the scope 
of who is eligible based on the size and type of business, and how long 
the business was shut down or adversely affected.

For-profit businesses with
 a majority of retail sales at a physical location could apply for a 
refund if they reported between $10,000 and $2.5 million in 2019 revenue
 and haven’t received more than $350,000 in pandemic-related funding 
already.

The senators produced a 
list of businesses who would be excluded from receiving aid because they
 “made out like bandits and they really don’t need this relief anyway,” 
Holland said. Those businesses include grocery, hardware and retail 
liquor stores, manufacturers, cable and telephone companies, utilities, 
schools, health care providers, property management, professional 
services, agriculture producers, and financial institutions.

Steffen proposed clarifying the language to ensure agriculture producers who operate a storefront would still be eligible.

“In my area, we do have 
those farmers and ranchers who do vertically integrate all right their 
on their farm, and I don’t think they should be excluded,” Steffen said.

Among other requirements 
for the program, businesses must be in good standing with the Secretary 
of State and up to date on property tax bills.

Holland, without saying names, referenced Kansas Reflector stories about fitness club magnate Rodney Steven being <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/09/tax-break-seeking-health-club-kingpin-delinquent-on-at-least-549000-in-property-tax-payments/">delinquent on $549,000 in past property tax payments</a> while exerting influence over lawmakers in <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/04/six-state-fitness-club-kingpin-aims-tax-inequity-allegations-at-kansas-nonprofits/">pursuit of a niche tax break</a>. The state shouldn’t reward people who aren’t paying their taxes, Holland said.

“People who are in good 
faith, properly registered, honestly running a business — they should 
get the relief, not somebody trying to figure out how to shake a few 
coins out at the last second,” Holland said.

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he started on the copy desk, then oversaw digital operations, was the managing editor and reported from the Statehouse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617803132730.png" alt="Sen. Tom Holland says a new bipartisan deal avoids blaming officials for imposing public health orders but recognizes the pain felt by businesses during the pandemic. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Tom Holland says a new bipartisan deal avoids blaming officials for imposing public health orders but recognizes the pain felt by businesses during the pandemic. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/06/senators-forge-bipartisan-deal-to-aid-kansas-businesses-impacted-by-pandemic/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A new Senate plan
 would redirect a portion of federal COVID-19 aid from the state and 
counties to small businesses impacted by public health orders during the
 pandemic.The bipartisan compromise 
between Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican, and Sen. Tom 
Holland, a Baldwin City Democrat, emerged during a committee hearing 
Tuesday. The conceptual deal is still being drafted with hopes of 
advancing formal legislation before the Legislature adjourns at the end 
of the week.The Steffen-Holland plan 
would be inserted into Senate Bill 149, one of several pieces of 
legislation that were crafted to punish counties for imposing shutdowns,
 social distancing or mask mandates on businesses. Other ideas have 
called for a portion of federal aid to be set aside to settle 
class-action lawsuits from businesses.Holland said the goal of 
the new plan is to avoid placing blame on officials for restricting 
business but still “recognize your pain” and provide some tax relief. 
The plan retains proactive protections for businesses from future 
restrictions.Under the proposal, 
businesses could apply to the Kansas Department of Revenue for up to 
$7,500 in lease and property tax refunds. The state and county where the
 businesses is located would split the bill evenly, using federal 
COVID-19 aid.The plan limits the scope 
of who is eligible based on the size and type of business, and how long 
the business was shut down or adversely affected.For-profit businesses with
 a majority of retail sales at a physical location could apply for a 
refund if they reported between $10,000 and $2.5 million in 2019 revenue
 and haven’t received more than $350,000 in pandemic-related funding 
already.The senators produced a 
list of businesses who would be excluded from receiving aid because they
 “made out like bandits and they really don’t need this relief anyway,” 
Holland said. Those businesses include grocery, hardware and retail 
liquor stores, manufacturers, cable and telephone companies, utilities, 
schools, health care providers, property management, professional 
services, agriculture producers, and financial institutions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617803194849.png" alt="Sen. Mark Steffen says farmers and ranchers who operate storefronts should still be eligible to receive COVID-19 relief aid through a proposed new program. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mark Steffen says farmers and ranchers who operate storefronts should still be eligible to receive COVID-19 relief aid through a proposed new program. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Steffen proposed clarifying the language to ensure agriculture producers who operate a storefront would still be eligible.“In my area, we do have 
those farmers and ranchers who do vertically integrate all right their 
on their farm, and I don’t think they should be excluded,” Steffen said.Among other requirements 
for the program, businesses must be in good standing with the Secretary 
of State and up to date on property tax bills.Holland, without saying names, referenced Kansas Reflector stories about fitness club magnate Rodney Steven being <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/09/tax-break-seeking-health-club-kingpin-delinquent-on-at-least-549000-in-property-tax-payments/">delinquent on $549,000 in past property tax payments</a> while exerting influence over lawmakers in <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/04/six-state-fitness-club-kingpin-aims-tax-inequity-allegations-at-kansas-nonprofits/">pursuit of a niche tax break</a>. The state shouldn’t reward people who aren’t paying their taxes, Holland said.“People who are in good 
faith, properly registered, honestly running a business — they should 
get the relief, not somebody trying to figure out how to shake a few 
coins out at the last second,” Holland said.Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he started on the copy desk, then oversaw digital operations, was the managing editor and reported from the Statehouse.

Senators forge bipartisan deal to aid Kan. businesses impacted by pandemic

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

GREAT BEND — The City of Great Bend received requests for the parking of mobile food
units, or food trucks, on city property for private business functions. To accommodate
Dry Lake Brewing, the brewery opening soon on Main Street, an ordinance to
create parking for food trucks was developed and approved by the Great Bend
City Council. 

The ordinance enables the city to designate areas on city
property to allow the food trucks to park if they are sponsored by a business
in the area. 

Ryan Fairchild, co-owner of Dry Lake Brewing, says the intent is
to draw more foot traffic downtown and provide an eating option at their
brewery while they are without in-house food options. 
"We would like to have this for downtown economics," said Fairchild. "It
 is a statistical fact that if you put a food truck downtown it 
increases sales tax collected." 
The food truck parking zone for Dry Lake will be behind the brewery, taking
approximately 12 stalls on the city-owned parking lot at Lakin and Williams.

"Our
 plan is to have these food truck vendors use warmers and actually serve
 the food out of our kitchen space," said Fairchild. "They would be 
parking a vehicle, perhaps with a trailer, but it would be legally 
parked with the ordinance." 
Dry Lake plans to have food trucks available through their brewery Thursday,
Friday and Saturdays. Fairchild anticipated an open-food policy Thursday nights
where you can bring in your own food from anywhere and sit down to have a
drink. 
City Attorney Bob Suelter says the sponsoring business will have to apply for
and receive a permit to park the food trucks near their building. 
"They will have to report all sales to the State of Kansas and it will 
be required to collect all sales tax due, and that is city, county and 
state sales tax," said Suelter."

Additional mobile food unit 
parking areas could be established by the governing body if they are 
requested and accepted by the city council. 
The food truck setup allows Dry Lake to patiently find a qualified candidate
to run their kitchen in the future. Hoping to open this month, Fairchild says their proposed
hours on Thursdays would 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and
Saturdays.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617807161701.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — The City of Great Bend received requests for the parking of mobile food
units, or food trucks, on city property for private business functions. To accommodate
Dry Lake Brewing, the brewery opening soon on Main Street, an ordinance to
create parking for food trucks was developed and approved by the Great Bend
City Council. The ordinance enables the city to designate areas on city
property to allow the food trucks to park if they are sponsored by a business
in the area. Ryan Fairchild, co-owner of Dry Lake Brewing, says the intent is
to draw more foot traffic downtown and provide an eating option at their
brewery while they are without in-house food options. 
"We would like to have this for downtown economics," said Fairchild. "It
 is a statistical fact that if you put a food truck downtown it 
increases sales tax collected." 
The food truck parking zone for Dry Lake will be behind the brewery, taking
approximately 12 stalls on the city-owned parking lot at Lakin and Williams."Our
 plan is to have these food truck vendors use warmers and actually serve
 the food out of our kitchen space," said Fairchild. "They would be 
parking a vehicle, perhaps with a trailer, but it would be legally 
parked with the ordinance." 
Dry Lake plans to have food trucks available through their brewery Thursday,
Friday and Saturdays. Fairchild anticipated an open-food policy Thursday nights
where you can bring in your own food from anywhere and sit down to have a
drink. 
City Attorney Bob Suelter says the sponsoring business will have to apply for
and receive a permit to park the food trucks near their building. 
"They will have to report all sales to the State of Kansas and it will 
be required to collect all sales tax due, and that is city, county and 
state sales tax," said Suelter."Additional mobile food unit 
parking areas could be established by the governing body if they are 
requested and accepted by the city council. 
The food truck setup allows Dry Lake to patiently find a qualified candidate
to run their kitchen in the future. Hoping to open this month, Fairchild says their proposed
hours on Thursdays would 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and
Saturdays.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Great Bend brewery expands with food truck

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say Tiger Woods was speeding when he crashed an SUV in Southern California less than two months ago, leaving him seriously injured.

(Click below to watch the LA County Sheriff's press conference)&nbsp;

The golf superstar was driving 84 to 87 mph on a downhill stretch of road outside Los Angeles that had a speed limit of 45 mph, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Wednesday.

The stretch of road is known for wrecks and drivers hitting speeds so high that there is an emergency exit for runaway vehicles just beyond where Woods crashed.

Villanueva blamed the Feb. 23 crash solely on excessive speed and Woods’ loss of control behind the wheel.

Detectives did not seek search warrants for the athlete’s blood samples, which could have been screened for drugs or alcohol. Investigators, however, did search the SUV’s data recorder, known as a black box, in the days after the crash.

Woods is in Florida recovering from multiple surgeries.

Originally from the Los Angeles area, Woods had been back home in February to host his PGA tournament, the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club.

He was driving an SUV loaned to him by the tournament when he struck a raised median. The SUV crossed through two oncoming lanes and uprooted a tree.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614166677367.png" alt="The vehicle following the February 2021 rollover accident involving Tiger Woods in a suburb of Los Angeles. photos courtesy KTLA" />
 <figcaption>The vehicle following the February 2021 rollover accident involving Tiger Woods in a suburb of Los Angeles. photos courtesy KTLA</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say Tiger Woods was speeding when he crashed an SUV in Southern California less than two months ago, leaving him seriously injured.(Click below to watch the LA County Sheriff's press conference)&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment%2Fvideos%2F900067394110637%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The golf superstar was driving 84 to 87 mph on a downhill stretch of road outside Los Angeles that had a speed limit of 45 mph, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Wednesday.The stretch of road is known for wrecks and drivers hitting speeds so high that there is an emergency exit for runaway vehicles just beyond where Woods crashed.Villanueva blamed the Feb. 23 crash solely on excessive speed and Woods’ loss of control behind the wheel.Detectives did not seek search warrants for the athlete’s blood samples, which could have been screened for drugs or alcohol. Investigators, however, did search the SUV’s data recorder, known as a black box, in the days after the crash.Woods is in Florida recovering from multiple surgeries.Originally from the Los Angeles area, Woods had been back home in February to host his PGA tournament, the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614112921996.png" alt="The sheriff blamed the Feb. 23 crash solely on excessive speed and Woods’ loss of control behind the wheel -photo courtesy KTLA" />
 <figcaption>The sheriff blamed the Feb. 23 crash solely on excessive speed and Woods’ loss of control behind the wheel -photo courtesy KTLA</figcaption>
 </figure>He was driving an SUV loaned to him by the tournament when he struck a raised median. The SUV crossed through two oncoming lanes and uprooted a tree.

🎥 Tiger Woods was going 83 in 45mph zone before crash

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 540 to a total of 303,767, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4932, an increase of 5.

<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 540 to a total of 303,767, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4932, an increase of 5.<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/2021/4/1617815409873.png" alt="Wednesday April 7, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday April 7, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man arrested in connection with New Year's Day murder made his first court appearance Tuesday.

Noah Martin, 19 of Wichita, is charged with recruiting criminal street gang membership and 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 12:05 a.m. New Year's Day, officers responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of South Ida in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson..&nbsp; A citizen called and reported hearing shots and a man lying on the sidewalk.

Upon officers arriving, they located 22-year-old Gabriel Campos-Torres, who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.

Through the investigation, an additional crime scene was located at a home in the 1200 block of South Laura, where Campos-Torres was shot.&nbsp; Investigators also learned that then 18-year-old Noah Martin and a 16-year-old were involved in the shooting.&nbsp; They were located at the home on Laura and arrested.&nbsp; Officers also recovered a firearms inside of the home.

Last month, investigators developed new information that implicated Martin's sister 21-year-old Isabel Diane Leeann Martin in the murder.&nbsp; Police arrested her. She is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Noah Martin's next court appearance is set for April 22, according to the district attorney. His bond is $300,000.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a 21-year-old woman has been arrested in a Jan. 1 killing near downtown Wichita. 

Isabel Diane Leeann Martin was arrested Monday on suspicion of first-degree murder. She is the third person arrested in the death of 22-year-old Gabriel Campos-Torres. 

He was found shot early Jan. 1 and died at the scene. Martin also was arrested in an unrelated case of recruiting gang members. Police had previously arrested her brother 19-year-old Noah Martin of Wichita and a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of second-degree murder in the killing. 

Police spokesperson Charley Davidson said investigators developed new information that implicated Isabel Martin in the shooting.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made two arrests.

Just after 12:05 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of South Ida in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson..&nbsp; A citizen called and reported hearing shots and a man lying on the sidewalk.

Through the investigation, an additional crime scene was located at a home in the 1200 block of South Laura, where Campos-Torres was shot.&nbsp; Investigators also learned that 18-year-old Noah Martin and a 16-year-old were involved in the shooting.&nbsp; They were located at the home on Laura and arrested.&nbsp; Officers also recovered a firearms inside of the home.

Martin of Wichita is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20065752">held on a requested</a> charge of 2nd-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm.&nbsp; The 16-year-old boy is being held a requested charge of 2nd-degree murder, according to Davidson.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609538313369.png" alt="Martin photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Martin photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man arrested in connection with New Year's Day murder made his first court appearance Tuesday.Noah Martin, 19 of Wichita, is charged with recruiting criminal street gang membership and 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 12:05 a.m. New Year's Day, officers responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of South Ida in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson..&nbsp; A citizen called and reported hearing shots and a man lying on the sidewalk.Upon officers arriving, they located 22-year-old Gabriel Campos-Torres, who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.Through the investigation, an additional crime scene was located at a home in the 1200 block of South Laura, where Campos-Torres was shot.&nbsp; Investigators also learned that then 18-year-old Noah Martin and a 16-year-old were involved in the shooting.&nbsp; They were located at the home on Laura and arrested.&nbsp; Officers also recovered a firearms inside of the home.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617135091618.png" alt="Martin photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Last month, investigators developed new information that implicated Martin's sister 21-year-old Isabel Diane Leeann Martin in the murder.&nbsp; Police arrested her. She is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.Noah Martin's next court appearance is set for April 22, according to the district attorney. His bond is $300,000.---------------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a 21-year-old woman has been arrested in a Jan. 1 killing near downtown Wichita. Isabel Diane Leeann Martin was arrested Monday on suspicion of first-degree murder. She is the third person arrested in the death of 22-year-old Gabriel Campos-Torres. He was found shot early Jan. 1 and died at the scene. Martin also was arrested in an unrelated case of recruiting gang members. Police had previously arrested her brother 19-year-old Noah Martin of Wichita and a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of second-degree murder in the killing. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609538313369.png" alt="Martin photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police spokesperson Charley Davidson said investigators developed new information that implicated Isabel Martin in the shooting.&nbsp;----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made two arrests.Just after 12:05 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of South Ida in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson..&nbsp; A citizen called and reported hearing shots and a man lying on the sidewalk.Upon officers arriving, they located 22-year-old Gabriel Campos-Torres, who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.Through the investigation, an additional crime scene was located at a home in the 1200 block of South Laura, where Campos-Torres was shot.&nbsp; Investigators also learned that 18-year-old Noah Martin and a 16-year-old were involved in the shooting.&nbsp; They were located at the home on Laura and arrested.&nbsp; Officers also recovered a firearms inside of the home.Martin of Wichita is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20065752">held on a requested</a> charge of 2nd-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm.&nbsp; The 16-year-old boy is being held a requested charge of 2nd-degree murder, according to Davidson.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Kansas teen charged in New Year's Day murder

By SARAH JANE TRIBBLE <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-04-01/it-didnt-really-stick-with-me-understanding-the-rural-shrug-over-covid-and-vaccines">Kaiser Health News</a>

FORT SCOTT — At 70, Linda Findley has long been active in her small town of Fort 
Scott, Kansas, which sits more than an hour away from any major city.

Findley, whose husband <a href="https://khn.org/news/podcast-where-it-hurts-no-mercy-fort-scott-kansas-air-ambulances-emergency-care-rural-hospital-closes/" target="_blank">died in an accident</a>
 just after the local hospital closed, helps with the Elks and 
fundraising, and — like many people in this part of the country — 
doesn’t think COVID-19 is that dangerous.

“I don’t even know what I
 think about it,” Findley said recently. “I don’t know if I trust the 
testing because it’s so messed up or … I’ve had nieces and nephews, 
that’ve had it. I’ve lost good friends to it, or supposedly it’s to 
that.”

Findley said she just isn’t sure that every case reported 
as the coronavirus really is the virus: “Everything seems to be 
coronavirus. I mean, it’s just … no matter what somebody has, it’s 
coronavirus. I don’t know whether it is or isn’t.”

Fort Scott is one of <a href="https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/programs-projects/rural-health/rural-hospital-closures/" target="_blank">nearly 140 rural communities</a> that have lost a hospital in the past decade. Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December 2018.

Even
 though critically ill patients now must travel to hospitals farther 
away, Fort Scott residents haven’t seen that as a pandemic-related 
problem. Rather, not having a hospital doesn’t really come up when 
people here talk about COVID.

Dave Martin, the former city manager, is pretty sure he caught COVID at work last August.

“You
 know, when I got it, I was in good health and it did take me a while to
 recover,” Martin said. “I do remember waking up one of my bad nights 
and thinking, when I was running a temperature and not feeling very 
well. And I’m thinking, ‘Oh, wow, this could kill me.’”

But Martin
 also thought that any number of unpredictable events could end a 
person’s life. “So it didn’t really stick with me,” he said.

After
 recovering, the 62-year-old Martin went ahead with his retirement. He 
took his wife to Disney World and then they hiked Yellowstone National 
Park.

That casual attitude toward the dangers of COVID worries 
health care leaders in Fort Scott. Jason Wesco helps lead the regional 
health center that took over primary care services when the hospital 
closed. One clinic occupies part of the same building that used to be 
Mercy Hospital.

Wesco said his family is careful about wearing 
masks and not gathering in groups, and he believes they are in the 
minority in the area.

“I think most people just keep going. They 
have maybe modified a little bit. Maybe they put on a mask in public,” 
Wesco said. “I think life here has changed a lot less than it’s changed 
in D.C. And I think we’re seeing the impact of that, right?”

The pandemic hit the area hard in the fall, peaking in late December.

One in 11 people in Bourbon County, where Fort Scott is the largest community, has been infected by COVID, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/bourbon-kansas-covid-cases.html?action=click&amp;module=covid_tracking&amp;pgtype=Interactive&amp;region=TableRowLink" target="_blank">national analysis</a>.

Two
 dozen of the county’s 14,000 residents have died of COVID. And most 
people know someone who had the virus and survived — but residents just 
seem tired of talking about it.

Community volunteer Findley said she won’t get a vaccine.

“How did they come up with a vaccine that quickly? And how do they even know for sure it’s even working?” Findley wondered.

The
 three vaccines approved by federal regulators in the U.S. are being 
given out to millions, and their efficacy has been shown through massive
 clinical trials in the U.S. and globally.

But Findley’s 
skepticism is fairly common in southeastern Kansas and across rural 
America. Nationwide, a smaller share of rural residents say they will 
definitely get a COVID shot compared with their more urban counterparts.
 More than a third, 35%, of those who live outside big-city borders said
 they would probably not or definitely not get vaccinated, compared with
 about a quarter of suburban and urban residents, according to <a href="https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/vaccine-hesitancy-in-rural-america/" target="_blank">a poll</a> by KFF. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.) An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll found that <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/12/976172586/little-difference-in-vaccine-hesitancy-among-white-and-black-americans-poll-find" target="_blank">47% of Trump supporters</a> said they would not get a vaccine; <a href="https://apps.npr.org/elections20-interactive/#/states/KS/P" target="_blank">75% of Bourbon County residents</a> voted for Trump in 2020.

Factors
 such as age and occupation also play a role in attitudes toward the 
vaccines. And — as Findley and others in Fort Scott noted — rural 
Americans are more likely to think of getting a vaccine as a personal 
choice and believe the seriousness of COVID is exaggerated in the news.

Findley
 said she believes that there is a very bad virus, but also that the 
media have brainwashed people. The news has “everybody running scared,” 
she said. “I don’t know why they want to do that, but that’s what I feel
 like.”

About 50% of rural residents say the seriousness of the 
coronavirus is generally exaggerated in the news, according to the KFF 
poll. And 62% see getting the vaccine as a personal choice — rather than
 a necessary social obligation.

Wesco, executive vice president of
 the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, said he has hope more 
area residents will begin to see the vaccines as necessary.

“There’s hesitancy,” Wesco said, adding that he believes hesitancy is declining as vaccines become more abundant.

When
 residents are directly provided the opportunity to get a vaccine, they 
consider it more seriously, he said. And the more people they know who 
have gotten a vaccine, the more likely they will be to get a shot.

The
 Community Health Center, like other health centers nationwide, is 
receiving direct federal shipments of vaccines. Currently, the clinic 
has a waitlist and is giving out as many doses as it can get its hands 
on.

Sarah Jane Tribble is reporter and host of “<a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/915395193/where-it-hurts#:~:text=Where%20It%20Hurts%20Place%2Dbased,Louis%20Public%20Radio." target="_blank">Where It Hurts</a>,”
 a narrative podcast created by Kaiser Health News and St. Louis Public 
Radio about the people of Fort Scott and how their health care 
transformed after the hospital closed. “Where It Hurts” is available 
wherever you get your podcasts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617718187564.png" alt="Linda Findley' stands in her husband Robert Findley's auto body shop in Ft. Scott, KS. Robert Findley fell on the ice during a winter storm and delayed care because of the distance to a hospital led to Robert's death. Christopher Smith/For Kaiser Health News" />
 <figcaption>Linda Findley' stands in her husband Robert Findley's auto body shop in Ft. Scott, KS. Robert Findley fell on the ice during a winter storm and delayed care because of the distance to a hospital led to Robert's death. Christopher Smith/For Kaiser Health News</figcaption>
 </figure>By SARAH JANE TRIBBLE <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-04-01/it-didnt-really-stick-with-me-understanding-the-rural-shrug-over-covid-and-vaccines">Kaiser Health News</a>FORT SCOTT — At 70, Linda Findley has long been active in her small town of Fort 
Scott, Kansas, which sits more than an hour away from any major city.Findley, whose husband <a href="https://khn.org/news/podcast-where-it-hurts-no-mercy-fort-scott-kansas-air-ambulances-emergency-care-rural-hospital-closes/" target="_blank">died in an accident</a>
 just after the local hospital closed, helps with the Elks and 
fundraising, and — like many people in this part of the country — 
doesn’t think COVID-19 is that dangerous.“I don’t even know what I
 think about it,” Findley said recently. “I don’t know if I trust the 
testing because it’s so messed up or … I’ve had nieces and nephews, 
that’ve had it. I’ve lost good friends to it, or supposedly it’s to 
that.”Findley said she just isn’t sure that every case reported 
as the coronavirus really is the virus: “Everything seems to be 
coronavirus. I mean, it’s just … no matter what somebody has, it’s 
coronavirus. I don’t know whether it is or isn’t.”Fort Scott is one of <a href="https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/programs-projects/rural-health/rural-hospital-closures/" target="_blank">nearly 140 rural communities</a> that have lost a hospital in the past decade. Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December 2018.Even
 though critically ill patients now must travel to hospitals farther 
away, Fort Scott residents haven’t seen that as a pandemic-related 
problem. Rather, not having a hospital doesn’t really come up when 
people here talk about COVID.Dave Martin, the former city manager, is pretty sure he caught COVID at work last August.“You
 know, when I got it, I was in good health and it did take me a while to
 recover,” Martin said. “I do remember waking up one of my bad nights 
and thinking, when I was running a temperature and not feeling very 
well. And I’m thinking, ‘Oh, wow, this could kill me.’”But Martin
 also thought that any number of unpredictable events could end a 
person’s life. “So it didn’t really stick with me,” he said.After
 recovering, the 62-year-old Martin went ahead with his retirement. He 
took his wife to Disney World and then they hiked Yellowstone National 
Park.That casual attitude toward the dangers of COVID worries 
health care leaders in Fort Scott. Jason Wesco helps lead the regional 
health center that took over primary care services when the hospital 
closed. One clinic occupies part of the same building that used to be 
Mercy Hospital.Wesco said his family is careful about wearing 
masks and not gathering in groups, and he believes they are in the 
minority in the area.“I think most people just keep going. They 
have maybe modified a little bit. Maybe they put on a mask in public,” 
Wesco said. “I think life here has changed a lot less than it’s changed 
in D.C. And I think we’re seeing the impact of that, right?”The pandemic hit the area hard in the fall, peaking in late December.One in 11 people in Bourbon County, where Fort Scott is the largest community, has been infected by COVID, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/bourbon-kansas-covid-cases.html?action=click&amp;module=covid_tracking&amp;pgtype=Interactive&amp;region=TableRowLink" target="_blank">national analysis</a>.Two
 dozen of the county’s 14,000 residents have died of COVID. And most 
people know someone who had the virus and survived — but residents just 
seem tired of talking about it.Community volunteer Findley said she won’t get a vaccine.“How did they come up with a vaccine that quickly? And how do they even know for sure it’s even working?” Findley wondered.The
 three vaccines approved by federal regulators in the U.S. are being 
given out to millions, and their efficacy has been shown through massive
 clinical trials in the U.S. and globally.But Findley’s 
skepticism is fairly common in southeastern Kansas and across rural 
America. Nationwide, a smaller share of rural residents say they will 
definitely get a COVID shot compared with their more urban counterparts.
 More than a third, 35%, of those who live outside big-city borders said
 they would probably not or definitely not get vaccinated, compared with
 about a quarter of suburban and urban residents, according to <a href="https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/vaccine-hesitancy-in-rural-america/" target="_blank">a poll</a> by KFF. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.) An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll found that <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/12/976172586/little-difference-in-vaccine-hesitancy-among-white-and-black-americans-poll-find" target="_blank">47% of Trump supporters</a> said they would not get a vaccine; <a href="https://apps.npr.org/elections20-interactive/#/states/KS/P" target="_blank">75% of Bourbon County residents</a> voted for Trump in 2020.Factors
 such as age and occupation also play a role in attitudes toward the 
vaccines. And — as Findley and others in Fort Scott noted — rural 
Americans are more likely to think of getting a vaccine as a personal 
choice and believe the seriousness of COVID is exaggerated in the news.Findley
 said she believes that there is a very bad virus, but also that the 
media have brainwashed people. The news has “everybody running scared,” 
she said. “I don’t know why they want to do that, but that’s what I feel
 like.”About 50% of rural residents say the seriousness of the 
coronavirus is generally exaggerated in the news, according to the KFF 
poll. And 62% see getting the vaccine as a personal choice — rather than
 a necessary social obligation.Wesco, executive vice president of
 the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, said he has hope more 
area residents will begin to see the vaccines as necessary.“There’s hesitancy,” Wesco said, adding that he believes hesitancy is declining as vaccines become more abundant.When
 residents are directly provided the opportunity to get a vaccine, they 
consider it more seriously, he said. And the more people they know who 
have gotten a vaccine, the more likely they will be to get a shot.The
 Community Health Center, like other health centers nationwide, is 
receiving direct federal shipments of vaccines. Currently, the clinic 
has a waitlist and is giving out as many doses as it can get its hands 
on.Sarah Jane Tribble is reporter and host of “<a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/915395193/where-it-hurts#:~:text=Where%20It%20Hurts%20Place%2Dbased,Louis%20Public%20Radio." target="_blank">Where It Hurts</a>,”
 a narrative podcast created by Kaiser Health News and St. Louis Public 
Radio about the people of Fort Scott and how their health care 
transformed after the hospital closed. “Where It Hurts” is available 
wherever you get your podcasts.

Understanding the rural shrug over COVID and vaccines

NEW YORK (AP) — A tourist from Kansas was hit in the shoulder by a stray bullet near New York’s Times Square early Wednesday, police said.

The 44-year-old man was shot shortly after 2 a.m. near West 38th Street and Eighth Avenue, a police spokesperson said. Police do not believe he was the intended target, the spokesperson said.

The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is stable, police said.

The victim told police he attended Tuesday’s Mets-Phillies game in Philadelphia and then took a train or bus back to New York. The man was headed to his hotel when shots were fired, police said. No arrests have been made.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617803177071.png" alt="EMS transported the shooting&nbsp; victim to Bellevue Hospital -photo courtesy NYPD" />
 <figcaption>EMS transported the shooting&nbsp; victim to Bellevue Hospital -photo courtesy NYPD</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A tourist from Kansas was hit in the shoulder by a stray bullet near New York’s Times Square early Wednesday, police said.The 44-year-old man was shot shortly after 2 a.m. near West 38th Street and Eighth Avenue, a police spokesperson said. Police do not believe he was the intended target, the spokesperson said.The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is stable, police said.The victim told police he attended Tuesday’s Mets-Phillies game in Philadelphia and then took a train or bus back to New York. The man was headed to his hotel when shots were fired, police said. No arrests have been made.

Stray bullet hits Kan. tourist near NYC's Times Square

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said his office has sued four massage businesses including one in Kansas City that he contends solicit prostitution.

Schmitt said he is suing A Little Massage in Laclede County, Blue Lotus Asian Massage in Cole County, Shangri-La Massage in Jackson County and Ella’s Asian Massage in Clay County.

His office is seeking injunctions to close the locations, which Schmitt said violate public nuisance laws. He contends the businesses advertise on websites that solicit prostitution and two of them have reviews on message boards that describe sex acts provided at the businesses.

The attorney general said landlords at the businesses either did not respond to contacts from his office or were uncooperative.

The lawsuits are part of Schmitt’s Hope Initiative, which he launched in October, to crack down on illicit massage parlors in Missouri.

“With these filings, we’re sending a clear message to (human) traffickers: you are not welcome in the state of Missouri and you will not be able to hide with impunity any longer – we are coming for you,” he said

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617790473101.png" alt="The lawsuits are part of Schmitt’s Hope Initiative, which he launched in October, to crack down on illicit massage parlors-Google image" />
 <figcaption>The lawsuits are part of Schmitt’s Hope Initiative, which he launched in October, to crack down on illicit massage parlors-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said his office has sued four massage businesses including one in Kansas City that he contends solicit prostitution.Schmitt said he is suing A Little Massage in Laclede County, Blue Lotus Asian Massage in Cole County, Shangri-La Massage in Jackson County and Ella’s Asian Massage in Clay County.His office is seeking injunctions to close the locations, which Schmitt said violate public nuisance laws. He contends the businesses advertise on websites that solicit prostitution and two of them have reviews on message boards that describe sex acts provided at the businesses.The attorney general said landlords at the businesses either did not respond to contacts from his office or were uncooperative.The lawsuits are part of Schmitt’s Hope Initiative, which he launched in October, to crack down on illicit massage parlors in Missouri.“With these filings, we’re sending a clear message to (human) traffickers: you are not welcome in the state of Missouri and you will not be able to hide with impunity any longer – we are coming for you,” he said

Attorney General sues massage business in Kansas City

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that he's bumping up his deadline by two weeks for states to make all adults in the U.S. eligible for coronavirus vaccines. But even as he expressed optimism about the pace of vaccinations, he warned Americans that the nation is not yet out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4956269/president-urges-complacency-vaccinations-increase-amid-spread-variants">Click here to watch </a>a replay of the President's comments

“Let me be deadly earnest with you: We aren’t at the finish line. We still have a lot of work to do. We’re still in a life and death race against this virus," Biden said in remarks at the White House.

The president warned that “ new variants of the virus are spreading and they’re moving quickly. Cases are going back up, hospitalizations are no longer declining.” He added that ”the pandemic remains dangerous," and encouraged Americans to continue to wash their hands, socially distance and wear masks.

Biden added that while his administration is on schedule to meet his new goal of distributing 200 million doses of the vaccine during his first 100 days, it will still take time for enough Americans to get vaccinated to slow the spread of the virus.

But he expressed hope that his Tuesday announcement, that every adult will be eligible by April 19 to sign up and get in a virtual line to be vaccinated, will help expand access and distribution of the vaccine. Some states already had begun moving up their deadlines from the original May 1 goal.

“No more confusing rules. No more confusing restrictions," Biden said.

Biden made the announcement after visiting a COVID-19 vaccination site at Immanuel Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. During his visit, he thanked everyone for administering the shots and for showing up to receive them.

“That’s the way to beat this,” Biden said. “Get the vaccination when you can.”

The president also said no one should fear mutations of the coronavirus that are showing up in the U.S. after being discovered in other countries. He acknowledged that the new strains are more virulent and more dangerous, but said “the vaccines work on all of them.”

Biden also announced that 150 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been shot into arms since his inauguration on Jan. 20. That puts the president well on track to meet his new goal of 200 million shots administered by his 100th day in office on April 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617743374589.png" alt="President Biden delivered remarks on the state of vaccinations Tuesday afternoon -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden delivered remarks on the state of vaccinations Tuesday afternoon -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that he's bumping up his deadline by two weeks for states to make all adults in the U.S. eligible for coronavirus vaccines. But even as he expressed optimism about the pace of vaccinations, he warned Americans that the nation is not yet out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4956269/president-urges-complacency-vaccinations-increase-amid-spread-variants">Click here to watch </a>a replay of the President's comments“Let me be deadly earnest with you: We aren’t at the finish line. We still have a lot of work to do. We’re still in a life and death race against this virus," Biden said in remarks at the White House.The president warned that “ new variants of the virus are spreading and they’re moving quickly. Cases are going back up, hospitalizations are no longer declining.” He added that ”the pandemic remains dangerous," and encouraged Americans to continue to wash their hands, socially distance and wear masks.Biden added that while his administration is on schedule to meet his new goal of distributing 200 million doses of the vaccine during his first 100 days, it will still take time for enough Americans to get vaccinated to slow the spread of the virus.But he expressed hope that his Tuesday announcement, that every adult will be eligible by April 19 to sign up and get in a virtual line to be vaccinated, will help expand access and distribution of the vaccine. Some states already had begun moving up their deadlines from the original May 1 goal.“No more confusing rules. No more confusing restrictions," Biden said.Biden made the announcement after visiting a COVID-19 vaccination site at Immanuel Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. During his visit, he thanked everyone for administering the shots and for showing up to receive them.“That’s the way to beat this,” Biden said. “Get the vaccination when you can.”The president also said no one should fear mutations of the coronavirus that are showing up in the U.S. after being discovered in other countries. He acknowledged that the new strains are more virulent and more dangerous, but said “the vaccines work on all of them.”Biden also announced that 150 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been shot into arms since his inauguration on Jan. 20. That puts the president well on track to meet his new goal of 200 million shots administered by his 100th day in office on April 30.“Let me be deadly earnest with you: We aren’t at the finish line. We still have a lot of work to do. We’re still in a life and death race against this virus," Biden said in remarks at the White House.The president warned that “ new variants of the virus are spreading and they’re moving quickly. Cases are going back up, hospitalizations are no longer declining.” He added that ”the pandemic remains dangerous," and encouraged Americans to continue to wash their hands, socially distance and wear masks.Biden added that while his administration is on schedule to meet his new goal of distributing 200 million doses of the vaccine during his first 100 days, it will still take time for enough Americans to get vaccinated to slow the spread of the virus.But he expressed hope that his Tuesday announcement, that every adult will be eligible by April 19 to sign up and get in a virtual line to be vaccinated, will help expand access and distribution of the vaccine. Some states already had begun moving up their deadlines from the original May 1 goal.“No more confusing rules. No more confusing restrictions," Biden said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617791932041.png" alt="President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?josephbiden">Biden&nbsp;</a>visited a vaccination site at Virginia Theological Seminary Tuesday 0mage courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?josephbiden">Biden&nbsp;</a>visited a vaccination site at Virginia Theological Seminary Tuesday 0mage courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Biden made the announcement after visiting a COVID-19 vaccination site at Immanuel Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. During his visit, he thanked everyone for administering the shots and for showing up to receive them.“That’s the way to beat this,” Biden said. “Get the vaccination when you can.”The president also said no one should fear mutations of the coronavirus that are showing up in the U.S. after being discovered in other countries. He acknowledged that the new strains are more virulent and more dangerous, but said “the vaccines work on all of them.”Biden also announced that 150 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been shot into arms since his inauguration on Jan. 20. That puts the president well on track to meet his new goal of 200 million shots administered by his 100th day in office on April 30.

🎥 Pres. Biden: We’re still in life and death race against virus

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man following an incident in Shawnee County.

Just after 6:30 p.m. Monday, a K9 unit approached a man later identified as 49-year-old Shawn K. Morris of Topeka who was standing by a silver Chrysler 300 at a residence near SW 15th Street and SW Washburn Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. 

The deputy recognized the vehicle and the man and knew the man had multiple active warrants for his arrest. 

The deputy placed Morris into custody. During the investigation, deputies found illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia and multiple items stolen, according to the Topeka Police Department.

Morris was arrested on three City of Topeka bench warrants and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, according to Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617754021532.png" alt="Morris has previous convictions for burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, an aggravated weapons violation and for drugs, according Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Morris has previous convictions for burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, an aggravated weapons violation and for drugs, according Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man following an incident in Shawnee County.Just after 6:30 p.m. Monday, a K9 unit approached a man later identified as 49-year-old Shawn K. Morris of Topeka who was standing by a silver Chrysler 300 at a residence near SW 15th Street and SW Washburn Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The deputy recognized the vehicle and the man and knew the man had multiple active warrants for his arrest. The deputy placed Morris into custody. During the investigation, deputies found illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia and multiple items stolen, according to the Topeka Police Department.Morris was arrested on three City of Topeka bench warrants and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, according to Christian.

Sheriff's K9 helps arrest wanted Kansas felon 

COWLEY COUNTY — The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department responded to four separate fires in the past three days, with multiple buildings and at least one vehicle declared as losses, according to a media release.

In the first incident, ACFD was dispatched at 12:10 p.m. Sunday to 7196 252nd Road for a report of a grass fire. Crews found approximately 10 acres of grass on fire and, due to high winds, a metal outbuilding and two trailers also were ignited. One southbound lane of U.S. 77 was shut down temporarily due to the smoky conditions. Crews were able to get the fire under control within 30 minutes.

The monetary loss of the structure, contents and both trailers was estimated at $9,000. The fire was determined to have been caused by an ember from a previously controlled fire the night before. The Winfield Fire-EMS Department assisted ACFD and Udall Fire Department responded, but disregarded.

In the second incident, ACFD was dispatched at 6:30 a.m. Monday to the 2000 block of 282nd Road in Arkansas City for a report of a vehicle fire. Crews found an abandoned Saturn-type passenger car that was fully involved. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

In the third incident, ACFD was dispatched at 10:12 p.m. Monday to the area of 252nd and 111th roads, northeast of Arkansas City, for a fire investigation. Crews arrived on scene to find an abandoned house on fire and burned almost to the ground. The structure was allowed to continue to burn. The cause of fire remains unknown. Once ACFD arrived on scene and assessed the situation, responding crews from the Udall and Winfield fire departments were asked to disregard the call.

In the fourth and final incident, ACFD was dispatched at 9 a.m. Tuesday to 1227 South L St. in Sleeth Addition for a report of a house fire. Crews found heavy fire and smoke conditions when they arrived. No one was inside at the home at the time, but two dogs perished in the fire. It took crews almost an hour and a half to bring the structure fire under control. A monetary loss of the structure and its contents is estimated at $20,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Both the Winfield Fire-EMS Department and the Udall Fire Department assisted ACFD in bringing the fire under control.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617752786654.png" alt="Photo Arkansas City Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Arkansas City Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY — The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department responded to four separate fires in the past three days, with multiple buildings and at least one vehicle declared as losses, according to a media release.In the first incident, ACFD was dispatched at 12:10 p.m. Sunday to 7196 252nd Road for a report of a grass fire. Crews found approximately 10 acres of grass on fire and, due to high winds, a metal outbuilding and two trailers also were ignited. One southbound lane of U.S. 77 was shut down temporarily due to the smoky conditions. Crews were able to get the fire under control within 30 minutes.The monetary loss of the structure, contents and both trailers was estimated at $9,000. The fire was determined to have been caused by an ember from a previously controlled fire the night before. The Winfield Fire-EMS Department assisted ACFD and Udall Fire Department responded, but disregarded.In the second incident, ACFD was dispatched at 6:30 a.m. Monday to the 2000 block of 282nd Road in Arkansas City for a report of a vehicle fire. Crews found an abandoned Saturn-type passenger car that was fully involved. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and the cause of the fire is under investigation.In the third incident, ACFD was dispatched at 10:12 p.m. Monday to the area of 252nd and 111th roads, northeast of Arkansas City, for a fire investigation. Crews arrived on scene to find an abandoned house on fire and burned almost to the ground. The structure was allowed to continue to burn. The cause of fire remains unknown. Once ACFD arrived on scene and assessed the situation, responding crews from the Udall and Winfield fire departments were asked to disregard the call.In the fourth and final incident, ACFD was dispatched at 9 a.m. Tuesday to 1227 South L St. in Sleeth Addition for a report of a house fire. Crews found heavy fire and smoke conditions when they arrived. No one was inside at the home at the time, but two dogs perished in the fire. It took crews almost an hour and a half to bring the structure fire under control. A monetary loss of the structure and its contents is estimated at $20,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Both the Winfield Fire-EMS Department and the Udall Fire Department assisted ACFD in bringing the fire under control.

Four fires since Sunday in Kansas community

<a href="https://jcpost.com/posts/9a74477c-8260-46c5-b5f7-70a803b2e21b">RELATED: Check the status of your stimulus payment.</a>

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/036636b7-73f2-49de-9694-a4779096f505">RELATED: Portion of unemployment compensation tax-exempt</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://jcpost.com/posts/9a74477c-8260-46c5-b5f7-70a803b2e21b">RELATED: Check the status of your stimulus payment.</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/036636b7-73f2-49de-9694-a4779096f505">RELATED: Portion of unemployment compensation tax-exempt</a>IRSWASHINGTON — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department
 of the Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they 
are disbursing more than 25 million payments in the fourth batch of 
Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.Today’s announcement brings the total disbursed so far to more than 
156 million payments, with a total value of approximately $372 billion, 
since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.&nbsp;The fourth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 2, 
with an official payment date of April 7, with some people receiving 
direct payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending 
deposits. Here is additional information on this batch of payments:<ul>
 <li>In total, this batch includes more than 25 million payments, with a total value of more than $36 billion.</li><li>The largest block of these payments went to Social Security 
beneficiaries who didn’t file a 2020 or 2019 tax return and didn’t use 
the Non-Filers tool last year. More than 19 million payments, with a 
total value of more than $26 billion, went to these beneficiaries, which
 include Social Security retirement, survivor or disability (SSDI) 
beneficiaries.</li><li>More than 3 million payments, with a total value of nearly $5 billion, went to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries.</li><li>Nearly 85,000 payments, with a total value of more than $119 million, went to Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries.</li><li>This batch includes additional ongoing supplemental payments for 
people who earlier in March received payments based on their 2019 tax 
returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their 
recently processed 2020 tax returns. This batch included more than 1 
million of these “plus-up” payments, with a total value of more than $2 
billion.</li><li>More than 1 million payments, with a total value of nearly $3 
billion, went to people for whom the IRS previously did not have 
information to issue a payment but who recently filed a tax return and 
qualified for an Economic Impact Payment.&nbsp; Payments to this group -- and
 the “plus-up” payments noted above -- will continue on a weekly basis 
going forward as the IRS continues processing tax returns from 2020 and 
2019.</li><li>Overall, this fourth batch of payments contains nearly 24 million 
direct deposit payments (with a total value of over $33 billion) and 
more than 1 million paper check payments (with a total value of nearly 
$3 billion).</li>
 </ul>Additional&nbsp; information is available on the first three batches 
of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a>, and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.No action is needed by most people to obtain this round of Economic Impact Payments. People can check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov on to see if the their payment has been scheduled.<h2>Payments to non-filer VA beneficiaries will be disbursed on April 14</h2>The IRS continues to review data received from Veterans Affairs (VA),
 which covers veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation 
and Pension (C&amp;P) benefit payments who don’t normally file a tax 
return.If no additional issues arise, the IRS expects to begin processing 
these VA payment files at the end of this week. Because the majority of 
these payments will be disbursed electronically, they would be received 
on the official payment date of April 14. The IRS projects VA 
beneficiary payment information would be available in the Get My Payment
 tool this weekend, April 10-11.<h2>Payments continue to be made rapidly and effectively</h2>The IRS and Treasury are disbursing Economic Impact Payments 
authorized by the American Rescue Plan quickly and successfully, while 
improving on previous rounds of payments.<ul>
 <li>Within two weeks of the American Rescue Plan becoming law, the 
IRS and Treasury had started disbursing 127 million payments, including 
107 million completed direct deposits. At a similar point during the 
first round of Economic Impact Payments authorized a year ago, the first
 payments had yet to be completed.</li><li>Payments to Social Security and other federal beneficiaries are 
being issued faster than they were during the first round of payments a 
year ago.</li><li>Approximately 85% of the current round of payments have been made 
by direct deposit, up from 74% in the first round of payments and 77% in
 the second round.&nbsp; This helps to expedite payments for millions of 
American families.&nbsp;</li><li>Direct deposits are also more likely to be successfully delivered 
than mailed payments, and the return rate of direct deposits is also 
lower than in previous rounds of payments.</li><li>Over 3.1 million Direct Express cardholders have received payment 
electronically, more than a half-million more than in previous rounds.&nbsp; 
Making most of these payments to Direct Express cards enables 
cardholders, many of whom are unbanked, to receive their Economic Impact
 Payment the same way they typically receive their federal benefits.</li>
 </ul><h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>Some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020 tax return, 
even if they don't usually file, to provide information the IRS needs to
 send payments for a qualified dependent. Eligible individuals in this 
group should file a 2020 tax return to be considered for an additional 
payment for their qualified dependent as quickly as possible.People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they’ll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.