TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man who ran onto the field during the Super Bowl has been charged with trespassing. Authorities say 31-year-old Yuri Andrade scampered onto the field Sunday night in the fourth quarter of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Andrade was wearing shorts and a pink leotard or swimsuit. He was eventually tackled on about the 3-yard-line by security personnel and escorted out of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. 

Hillsborough County jail records show Andrade posted $500 bail and was released early Monday. The records did not indicate if Andrade has an attorney to speak for him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612809471083.png" alt="Andrade photo&nbsp; Hillsborough Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Andrade photo&nbsp; Hillsborough Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man who ran onto the field during the Super Bowl has been charged with trespassing. Authorities say 31-year-old Yuri Andrade scampered onto the field Sunday night in the fourth quarter of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">OK, this just happened at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperBowl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuperBowl</a>. <a href="https://t.co/GrnItnHy4S">pic.twitter.com/GrnItnHy4S</a>&mdash; Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/status/1358609353285259267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Andrade was wearing shorts and a pink leotard or swimsuit. He was eventually tackled on about the 3-yard-line by security personnel and escorted out of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. Hillsborough County jail records show Andrade posted $500 bail and was released early Monday. The records did not indicate if Andrade has an attorney to speak for him.

Man charged after run on field during Super Bowl 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1398 to a total of 282,960, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4197 an increase of 96

<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 1398 to a total of 282,960, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4197 an increase of 96<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/2021/2/1612809873940.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;asking the public for assistance in locating and checking the welfare of a woman seen walking in the southeast portion of Salina.

The woman is described as in her 20-30 years in age, dark hair, wearing a dark and light long sleeve top, light colored pants and black socks, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

Investigators believe the woman may have been in some type of medical distress. Police have checked area hospitals and shelters but have not learned her identity.

Just after 8:30p.m. January 31, she was seen at the Eaglecrest Assisted Living, 1501 East Magnolia Road in Salina.

On that same date, she was also possibly in the 1600 block of Eaglecrest Avenue; 2300 block of Katie Court; area of Magnolia Road and Shalimar Drive and the 2300 block of Shalimar Drive.

Just after 8:30a.m. February 1, she was seen in the area of area of South Ohio Street/Belmont Boulevard/Wayne Avenue and possibly near the Labor Building, 2055 South Ohio Street.

From the Labor Building, investigators believe she may have proceeded west across South Ohio Street or east into the neighborhood, according to Forrester.

Police asked that citizens in the area check their personal or business surveillance systems to see whether images of the woman show up.

If anyone has any information about this person, please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210. The point of contact is Salina Investigations, Forrester noted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612803312142.jpeg" alt="The woman as seen from a Ring doorbell camera-image courtesy Salina Police" />
 <figcaption>The woman as seen from a Ring doorbell camera-image courtesy Salina Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;asking the public for assistance in locating and checking the welfare of a woman seen walking in the southeast portion of Salina.The woman is described as in her 20-30 years in age, dark hair, wearing a dark and light long sleeve top, light colored pants and black socks, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.Investigators believe the woman may have been in some type of medical distress. Police have checked area hospitals and shelters but have not learned her identity.Just after 8:30p.m. January 31, she was seen at the Eaglecrest Assisted Living, 1501 East Magnolia Road in Salina.On that same date, she was also possibly in the 1600 block of Eaglecrest Avenue; 2300 block of Katie Court; area of Magnolia Road and Shalimar Drive and the 2300 block of Shalimar Drive.Just after 8:30a.m. February 1, she was seen in the area of area of South Ohio Street/Belmont Boulevard/Wayne Avenue and possibly near the Labor Building, 2055 South Ohio Street.From the Labor Building, investigators believe she may have proceeded west across South Ohio Street or east into the neighborhood, according to Forrester.Police asked that citizens in the area check their personal or business surveillance systems to see whether images of the woman show up.If anyone has any information about this person, please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210. The point of contact is Salina Investigations, Forrester noted.

Police want to ID Kan. woman who may be in distress 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Sunday accident have identified the victim as 32-year-old Jared Browning of Wichita.

Just after 1:30 a.m., police responded to a rollover crash at Central and Zoo Boulevard, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; 

Upon arrival, officers located a 2000 GMC Yukon lying on its roof.&nbsp; Browning had been ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed Browning was driving the Yukon westbound on Central and turned to go north on Zoo Boulevard. He lost control of the Yukon. It struck a curb and overturned.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident, according to Davidson.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Sunday accident have identified the victim as 32-year-old Jared Browning of Wichita.Just after 1:30 a.m., police responded to a rollover crash at Central and Zoo Boulevard, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located a 2000 GMC Yukon lying on its roof.&nbsp; Browning had been ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed Browning was driving the Yukon westbound on Central and turned to go north on Zoo Boulevard. He lost control of the Yukon. It struck a curb and overturned.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident, according to Davidson.

Police: Speed a factor in crash that killed Kan. man

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The office of Texas Republican Congressman Ron Wright, who had battled health challenges over the past year including lung cancer treatment, has died more than two weeks after contracting COVID-19. 

He is the first sitting member of congress to die after diagnosed with the virus. A member-elect from Louisiana died in December from COVID-19.

A spokesman says the 67-year-old Wright died Sunday. His office says the congressman and his wife, Susan, had been admitted at a Dallas hospital the previous two weeks after contracting COVID-19. 

Wright announced in January that he had tested positive for the virus. Wright represented Texas' 6th Congressional District and was first elected in 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612803694450.png" alt="Rep. Wright during a floor speech in the U.S. House of Representatives in July -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Wright during a floor speech in the U.S. House of Representatives in July -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The office of Texas Republican Congressman Ron Wright, who had battled health challenges over the past year including lung cancer treatment, has died more than two weeks after contracting COVID-19. He is the first sitting member of congress to die after diagnosed with the virus. A member-elect from Louisiana died in December from COVID-19.A spokesman says the 67-year-old Wright died Sunday. His office says the congressman and his wife, Susan, had been admitted at a Dallas hospital the previous two weeks after contracting COVID-19. Wright announced in January that he had tested positive for the virus. Wright represented Texas' 6th Congressional District and was first elected in 2018.

First member of Congress dies after battle with COVID-19

SALINE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Sunday in Saline County.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said a 2001 Volkswagen Golf driven by Nicolas Rush, 19, of Salina, was westbound in the 1800 block of East Old Highway 40.

The driver lost control on the icy road. The car traveled into the north ditch, struck a power pole and rolled onto the drivers side.

EMS transported Rush to Salina Regional Health Center. Soldan did not report seat belt usage information or have an update on the driver's condition Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612800259370.jpeg" alt="The car severed the&nbsp; power pole-&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>The car severed the&nbsp; power pole-&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Sunday in Saline County.Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said a 2001 Volkswagen Golf driven by Nicolas Rush, 19, of Salina, was westbound in the 1800 block of East Old Highway 40.The driver lost control on the icy road. The car traveled into the north ditch, struck a power pole and rolled onto the drivers side.EMS transported Rush to Salina Regional Health Center. Soldan did not report seat belt usage information or have an update on the driver's condition Monday.

Kan. man hospitalized after car severs power pole in crash

KANSAS CITY(AP) — Prosecutors have charged a 38-year-old man with fatally shooting another man and wounding a woman last week in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s office said Keaire Martin has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and several other charges in connection with Thursday’s shooting.

Officers found the victims of the shooting Thursday afternoon inside a home in the 8100 block of Lydia Avenue. Dionte Harris, 39, was found dead in the basement. The woman, who hasn’t been identified, was found upstairs with gunshot wounds to her head, chest and arm, and she was in critical condition.

Court documents say Martin told police that he went to confront the victims because they stole money from him the day before. It wasn’t immediately clear if Martin had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612735576135.png" alt="Martin photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — Prosecutors have charged a 38-year-old man with fatally shooting another man and wounding a woman last week in Kansas City, Missouri.The Jackson County Prosecutor’s office said Keaire Martin has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and several other charges in connection with Thursday’s shooting.Officers found the victims of the shooting Thursday afternoon inside a home in the 8100 block of Lydia Avenue. Dionte Harris, 39, was found dead in the basement. The woman, who hasn’t been identified, was found upstairs with gunshot wounds to her head, chest and arm, and she was in critical condition.Martin was arrested Friday.Court documents say Martin told police that he went to confront the victims because they stole money from him the day before. It wasn’t immediately clear if Martin had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.

Suspect charged in fatal shooting at KC home

When the coronavirus forced churches to close their doors and give up Sunday collections, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte turned to the federal government’s signature small business relief program for more than $8 million.

The diocese’s headquarters, churches and schools landed the help even though they had roughly $100 million of their own cash and short-term investments available last spring, financial records show. When the cash catastrophe church leaders feared didn’t materialize, those assets topped $110 million by the summer.

“I am gratified to report the overall good financial health of the diocese despite the many difficulties presented by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Bishop Peter Jugis wrote in the diocese’s audited financial report released last fall.

As the pandemic began to unfold, scores of Catholic dioceses across the U.S. received aid through the Paycheck Protection Program while sitting on well over $10 billion in cash, short-term investments or other available funds, an Associated Press investigation has found. And despite the broad economic downturn, these assets have grown in many dioceses.

Yet even with that financial safety net, the 112 dioceses that shared their financial statements, along with the churches and schools they oversee, collected at least $1.5 billion in taxpayer-backed aid. A majority of these dioceses reported enough money on hand to cover at least six months of operating expenses, even without any new income.

The financial resources of several dioceses rivaled or exceeded those available to publicly traded companies like Shake Shack and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, whose early participation in the program triggered outrage. Federal officials responded by emphasizing the money was intended for those who lacked the cushion that cash and other liquidity provide. Shake Shack and Ruth's Chris joined many corporations in returning the funds.

Overall, the nation's nearly 200 dioceses, where bishops and cardinals govern, and other Catholic institutions received at least $3 billion. That makes the Roman Catholic Church perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the paycheck program, according to AP's analysis of data the U.S. Small Business Administration released following a public-records lawsuit by news organizations. The agency for months had shared only partial information, making a more precise analysis impossible.

Already one of the largest federal aid efforts ever, the SBA reopened the Paycheck Protection Program last month with a new infusion of nearly $300 billion. In making the announcement, the agency’s administrator at the time, Jovita Carranza, hailed the program for serving “as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses.”

Church officials have said their employees were as worthy of help as workers at Main Street businesses, and that without it they would have had to slash jobs and curtail their charitable mission as demand for food pantries and social services spiked. They point out the program’s rules didn’t require them to exhaust their stores of cash and other funds before applying.

But new financial statements several dozen dioceses have posted for 2020 show that their available resources remained robust or improved during the pandemic’s hard, early months. The pattern held whether a diocese was big or small, urban or rural, East or West, North or South.

In Kentucky, funds available to the Archdiocese of Louisville, its parishes and other organizations grew from at least $153 million to at least $157 million during the fiscal year that ended in June, AP found. Those same offices and organizations received at least $17 million in paycheck money. “The Archdiocese’s operations have not been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak,” according to its financial statement.

In Illinois, the Archdiocese of Chicago had more than $1 billion in cash and investments in its headquarters and cemetery division as of May, while the faithful continued to donate “more than expected,” according to a review by the independent ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service. Chicago’s parishes, schools and ministries accumulated at least $77 million in paycheck protection funds.

Up the interstate from Charlotte in North Carolina, the Raleigh Diocese collected at least $11 million in aid. Yet during the fiscal year that ended in June, overall offerings were down just 5% and the assets available to the diocese, its parishes and schools increased by about $21 million to more than $170 million, AP found. In another measure of fiscal health, the diocese didn’t make an emergency draw on its $10 million line of credit.

Catholic leaders in dioceses including Charlotte, Chicago, Louisville and Raleigh said their parishes and schools, like many other businesses and nonprofits, suffered financially when they closed to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Some dioceses reported that their hardest-hit churches saw income drop by 40% or more before donations began to rebound months later, and schools took hits when fundraisers were canceled and families had trouble paying tuition. As revenues fell, dioceses said, wage cuts and a few dozen layoffs were necessary in some offices.

Catholic researchers at Georgetown University who surveyed the nation’s bishops last summer found such measures weren’t frequent. In comparison, a survey by the investment bank Goldman Sachs found 42% of small business owners had cut staff or salaries, and that 33% had spent their personal savings to stay open.

Church leaders have questioned why AP focused on their faith following a story last July, when New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote that reporters “invented a story when none existed and sought to bash the Church.”

By using a special exemption that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dab8261c68c93f24c0bfc1876518b3f6">church lobbied to include</a>&nbsp;in the paycheck program, Catholic entities amassed at least $3 billion — roughly the same as the combined total of recipients from the other faiths that rounded out the top five, AP found. Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Jewish faith-based recipients also totaled at least $3 billion. Catholics account for about 20% of the U.S. religious population, while members of those four faiths represent about 25%, according to the Pew Research Center.

Catholic institutions also received many times more than other major nonprofits with charitable missions and national reach, such as the United Way, Goodwill Industries and Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America. Overall, Catholic recipients got roughly twice as much as 40 of the largest, most well-known charities in America combined, AP found.

The complete picture is certainly even more lopsided. So many Catholic entities received help that reporters could not identify them all, even after spending hundreds of hours hand-checking tens of thousands of records in federal data.

The Vatican referred questions about the paycheck program to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which said it does not speak on behalf of dioceses.

Presented with AP’s findings, bishops conference spokeswoman Chieko Noguchi responded with a broad statement that the Paycheck Protection Program was “designed to protect the jobs of Americans from all walks of life, regardless of whether they work for for-profit or nonprofit employers, faith-based or secular.”

The AP’s assessment of church finances is among the most comprehensive to date. It draws largely from audited financial statements posted online by the central offices of 112 of the country’s nearly 200 dioceses.

The church isn’t required to share its financials. As a result, the analysis doesn’t include cash, short-term assets and lines of credit held by some of the largest dioceses, including those serving New York City and other major metropolitan areas.

The analysis focused on available assets because federal officials cited those metrics when clarifying eligibility for the paycheck program. Therefore, the $10 billion AP identified doesn’t count important financial pillars of the U.S. church. Among those are its thousands of real estate properties and most of the funds that parishes and schools hold. Also excluded is the money — estimated at $9.5 billion in a 2019 study by the Delaware-based wealth management firm Wilmington Trust — held by charitable foundations created to help dioceses oversee donations.

In addition, dioceses can rely on a well-funded support system that includes help from wealthier dioceses, the bishops conference and other Catholic organizations. Canon law, the legal code the Vatican uses to govern the global church, notes that richer dioceses may assist poorer ones, and the AP found instances where they did.

In their financial statements, the 112 dioceses acknowledged having at least $4.5 billion in liquid or otherwise available assets. To reach its $10 billion total, AP also included funding that dioceses had opted to designate for special projects instead of general expenses; excess cash that parishes and their affiliates deposit with their diocese’s savings and loan; and lines of credit dioceses typically have with outside banks.

Some church officials said AP was misreading their financial books and therefore overstating available assets. They insisted that money their bishop or his advisers had set aside for special projects couldn’t be repurposed during an emergency, although financial statements posted by multiple dioceses stated the opposite.

For its analysis, AP consulted experts in church finance and church law. One was the Rev. James Connell, an accountant for 15 years before joining the priesthood and becoming an administrator in the Milwaukee Archdiocese. Connell, also a canon lawyer who is now retired from his position with the archdiocese, said AP’s findings convinced him that Catholic entities did not need government aid — especially when thousands of small businesses were permanently closing.

“Was it want or need?” Connell asked. “Need must be present, not simply the want. Justice and love of neighbor must include the common good.”

Connell was not alone among the faithful concerned by the church’s pursuit of taxpayer money. Parishioners in several cities have questioned church leaders who received government money for Catholic schools they then closed.

Elsewhere, a pastor in a Western state told AP that he refused to apply even after diocesan officials repeatedly pressed him. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of his diocese’s policy against talking to reporters and concerns about possible retaliation.

The pastor had been saving, much like leaders of other parishes. When the pandemic hit, he used that money, trimmed expenses and told his diocese’s central finance office that he had no plans to seek the aid. Administrators followed up several times, the pastor said, with one high-ranking official questioning why he was “leaving free money on the table.”

The pastor said he felt a “sound moral conviction” that the money was meant more for shops and restaurants that, without it, might close forever.

As the weeks passed last spring, the pastor said his church managed just fine. Parishioners were so happy with new online Masses and his other outreach initiatives, he said, they boosted their contributions beyond 2019 levels.

“We didn’t need it,” the pastor said, “and intentionally wanted to leave the money for those small business owners who did.”

Months after the pandemic first walloped the economy, the 112 dioceses that release financial statements began sharing updates. Among the 47 dioceses that have thus far, the pandemic’s impact was far from crippling.

The 47 dioceses that have posted financials for the fiscal year that ended in June had a median 6% increase in the amount of cash, short-term investments and other funds that they and their affiliates could use for unanticipated or general expenses, AP found. In all, 38 dioceses grew those resources, while nine reported declines.

Finances in Raleigh and 10 other dioceses that took government assistance were stable enough that they did not have to dip into millions they had available through outside lines of credit.

“This crisis has tested us,” Russell Elmayan, Raleigh’s chief financial officer, told the diocese’s magazine website in July, “but we are hopeful that the business acumen of our staff and lay counselors, together with the strategic financial reserves built over time, will help our parishes and schools continue to weather this unprecedented event.” Raleigh officials did not answer direct questions from AP.

The 47 dioceses acknowledged a smaller amount of readily available assets than AP counted, though by their own accounting that grew as well.

The improving financial outlook is due primarily to parishioners who found ways to continue donating and U.S. stock markets that were rebounding to new highs. But when the markets were first plunging, officials in several dioceses said, they had to stretch available assets because few experts were forecasting a rapid recovery.

In Louisville, Charlotte and other dioceses, church leaders said they offered loans or grants to needy parishes and schools, or offset the monthly charges they assess their parishes. In Raleigh, for example, the headquarters used $3 million it had set aside for liability insurance and also tapped its internal deposit and loan fund.

Church officials added that the pandemic’s full toll will probably be seen in a year or two, because some key sources of revenue are calculated based on income that parishes and schools generate.

“We believe that we will not know all of the long-term negative impacts on parish, school and archdiocesan finances for some time,” Louisville Archdiocese spokeswoman Cecelia Price wrote in response to questions.

At the nine dioceses that recorded declines in liquid or other short-term assets, the drops typically were less than 10%, and not always clearly tied to the pandemic.

The financial wherewithal of some larger dioceses is underscored by the fact that, like publicly traded companies, they can raise capital by selling bonds to investors.

One was Chicago, where analysts with the Moody’s ratings agency calculated that the $1 billion in cash and investments held by the archdiocese headquarters and cemeteries division could cover about 631 days of operating expenses.

Church officials in Chicago asserted that those dollars were needed to cover substantial expenses while parishioner donations slumped. Without paycheck support, “parishes and schools would have been forced to cut many jobs, as the archdiocese, given its liabilities, could not have closed such a funding gap,” spokeswoman Paula Waters wrote.

Moody’s noted in its May report that while giving was down, federal aid had compensated for that and helped leave the archdiocese “well positioned to weather this revenue loss over the next several months.” Among the reasons for the optimism: “a unique credit strength” that under church law allows the archbishop to tax parish revenue virtually at will.

In a separate Moody’s report on New Orleans, which filed for bankruptcy in May while facing multiple clergy abuse lawsuits, the ratings agency wrote in July that the archdiocese did so while having “significant financial reserves, with spendable cash and investments of over $160 million.”

Moody’s said the archdiocese’s “very good” liquid assets would let it operate 336 days without additional income. Those assets prompted clergy abuse victims to ask a federal judge to dismiss the bankruptcy filing, arguing the archdiocese’s primary reason for seeking the legal protection was to minimize payouts to them.

The archdiocese, along with its parishes and schools, collected more than $26 million in paycheck money. New Orleans Archdiocesan officials didn’t respond to written questions.

Without special treatment, the Catholic Church would not have received nearly so much under the Paycheck Protection Program.

After Congress let nonprofits and religious organizations participate in the first place, Catholic officials lobbied the Trump Administration for a second break. Religious organizations were freed from the so-called affiliation rule that typically disqualifies applicants with more than 500 workers.

Without that break, many dioceses would have missed out because — between their head offices, parishes, schools and other affiliates — their employee count would exceed the limit.

Among those lobbying, federal records show, was the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Parishes, schools and ministries there collected at least $80 million in paycheck aid, at a time when the headquarters reported $658 million in available funds heading into the fiscal year when the coronavirus arrived.

Catholic officials in the U.S. needed the special exception for at least two reasons.

Church law says dioceses, parishes and schools are affiliated, something the Los Angeles Archdiocese acknowledged “proved to be an obstacle” to receiving funds because its parishes operate “under the authority of the diocesan bishop.” Dioceses, parishes, schools and other Catholic entities also routinely assert to the Internal Revenue Service that they are affiliated so they can maintain their federal income tax exemption.

While some Catholic officials insisted their affiliates are separate and financially independent, AP found many instances of borrowing and spending among them when dioceses were faced with prior cash crunches. In Philadelphia, for example, the archdiocese received at least $18 million from three affiliates, including a seminary, to fund a compensation program for clergy sex abuse survivors, according to 2019 financial statements.

Cardinals and bishops have broad authority over parishes and the pastors who run them. Church law requires parishes to submit annual financial reports and bishops may require parishes to deposit surplus money with internal banks administered by the diocese.

“The parishioners cannot hire or fire the pastor; that is for the bishop to do,” said Connell, the priest, former accountant and canon lawyer. “Each parish functions as a wholly owned subsidiary or division of a larger corporation, the diocese.”

Bishops acknowledged a concerted effort to tap paycheck funds in a survey by Catholic researchers at Georgetown University. When asked what they had done to address the pandemic’s financial fallout, 95% said their central offices helped parishes apply for paycheck and other aid — the leading response. That topped encouraging parishioners to donate electronically.

After Congress approved the paycheck program, three high-ranking officials in New Hampshire’s Manchester Diocese sent an urgent memo to parishes, schools and affiliated organizations urging them to refrain from layoffs or furloughs until completing their applications. “We are all in this together,” the memo read, adding that diocesan officials were working expeditiously to provide “step by step instructions.”

Paycheck Protection Program funds came through low-interest bank loans, worth up to $10 million each, that the federal government would forgive so long as recipients used the money to cover about two months of wages and operating expenses.

After an initial $659 billion last spring, Congress added another $284 billion in December. With the renewal came new requirements intended to ensure that funds go to businesses that lost money due to the pandemic. Lawmakers also downsized the headcount for applicants to 300 or fewer employees.

In other federal small business loan programs, government help is treated as a last resort.

Applicants must show they couldn’t get credit elsewhere. And those with enough available funds must pay more of their own way to reduce taxpayer subsidies.

Congress didn’t include these tests in the Paycheck Protection Program. To speed approvals, lenders weren’t required to do their usual screening and instead relied on applicants’ self-certifications of need.

The looser standards helped create a run on the first $349 billion in paycheck funding. Small business owners complained that they were shut out, yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6c5942eec36cc43b25ad5df5afebcfbd">dozens of companies</a>&nbsp;healthy enough to be traded on stock exchanges scored quick approval.

As blowback built in April, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned at a news briefing that there would be “severe consequences” for applicants who improperly tapped the program.

“We want to make sure this money is available to small businesses that need it, people who have invested their entire life savings,” Mnuchin said. Program guidelines evolved to stress that participants with access to significant cash probably could not get the assistance “in good faith.”

Mnuchin’s Treasury Department said it would audit loans exceeding $2 million, although federal officials have not said whether they would hold religious organizations and other nonprofits to the same standard of need as businesses.

The headquarters and major departments for more than 40 dioceses received more than $2 million. Every diocese that responded to questions said it would seek to have the government cover the loans, rather than repay the funds.

One diocese receiving a loan over $2 million was Boston. According to the archdiocese’s website, its central ministries office received about $3 million, while its parishes and schools collected about $32 million more.

The archdiocese — along with its parishes, schools and cemeteries — had roughly $200 million in available funds in June 2019, according to its audited financial report. When that fiscal year ended several months into the pandemic, available funds had increased to roughly $233 million.

Nevertheless, spokesman Terrence Donilon cited “ongoing economic pressure” in saying the archdiocese will seek forgiveness for last year’s loans and will apply for additional, new funds during the current round.

Beyond its growing available funds, the archdiocese and its affiliates benefit from other sources of funding. The archdiocese’s “Inspiring Hope” campaign, announced in January, has raised at least $150 million.

And one of its supporting charities — the Catholic Schools Foundation, where Cardinal Sean O’Malley is board chairman — counted more than $33 million in cash and other funds that could be “used for general operations” as of the beginning of the 2020 fiscal year, according to its financial statement.

Despite these resources, the archdiocese closed a half-dozen schools in May and June, often citing revenue losses due to the pandemic. Paycheck protection data show four of those schools collectively were approved for more than $700,000.

The shuttered schools included St. Francis of Assisi in Braintree, a middle-class enclave 10 miles south of Boston, which received $210,000. Parents said they felt blindsided by the closure, announced in June as classes ended.

“It’s like a punch to the gut because that was such a home for so many people for so long,” said Kate Nedelman Herbst, the mother of two children who attended the elementary school.

Along with more than 2,000 other school supporters, Herbst signed a written protest to O’Malley that noted the archdiocese’s robust finances. After O’Malley didn’t reply, parents appealed to the Vatican, this time underscoring the collection of Paycheck Protection Program money.

“It is very hard to reconcile the large sums of money raised by the archdiocese in recent years with this wholesale destruction of the church’s educational infrastructure,” parents wrote.

In December, the Vatican turned down their request to overrule O’Malley. Spokesman Donilon said the decision to close the school “is not being reconsidered.”

Today, the three children of Michael Waterman and his wife, Jeanine, are learning at home. And they still can’t understand why the archdiocese didn’t shift money to help save a school beloved by the faithful.

“What angers us,” Michael Waterman said, “is that we feel like, given the amount of money that the Catholic Church has, they absolutely could have remained open.”

Sitting on billions, Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer aid

KANSAS CITY (AP)— Friends have established a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">GoFundMe</a> page to raise funds to pay the medical expenses for 5-year-old Ariel.

She was critically injured in a multi-vehicle crash late Thursday&nbsp; near the Kansas City Chief's&nbsp; training complex adjacent to Arrowhead Stadium. The team confirmed in a statement Friday that Britt Reid, the son of Coach Andy Reid was involved in the accident.

Andy Reid said Sunday night that his “heart bleeds” for those injured in the crash involving his son. Ariel remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The crash occurred&nbsp; two days before the Chiefs were due to leave for the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. A vehicle had run out of gas on a highway entrance ramp and another vehicle had parked nearby to assist when the younger Reid’s pickup truck struck the left front of the first car before hitting the rear of the second car.

The two children, ages 5 and 4, were in the second car and taken to the hospital.&nbsp; The <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">GoFundMe </a>account set up for Ariel and her family had already raised more than $275,000 by the time the Chiefs had lost 31-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the championship game.

“My heart goes out to all those that were involved in the accident, in particular the little girl who is fighting for her life,” Andy Reid said. “I can’t comment any more than what I am here, so the questions that you have, I’m going to have to turn those down at this time. But just from a human standpoint, man, my heart bleeds for everyone involved in that.”

The 35-year-old Britt Reid, who coaches outside linebackers, did not travel to the Super Bowl.

The younger Reid told police he had “two or three drinks” and had a prescription for Adderall when the accident occurred, according to a search warrant filed late Thursday night. A police spokeswoman said an investigation into whether Reid was impaired before the accident could take several days to complete.

“I mean, it was a tragic situation all the way around,” said Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had one of the worst games of his NFL career in the Super Bowl. “You’re just praying for everyone that was involved.”

Britt Reid has been in legal trouble several times.

He was arrested in January 2007 in Pennsylvania a road-rage incident in which he pointed a gun at another driver, and he was sentenced to up to 23 months in jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to charges of carrying an unlicensed firearm, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of an instrument of crime.

Seven months later, Reid was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to up to six months in jail.

Reid appeared to get his life on track, beginning his coaching career as an intern for his father with the Eagles in 2009. He spent the next two years as a graduate assistant at Temple, his alma mater, before joining the staff in Kansas City.

After two seasons as a defensive quality control coach, Reid was promoted to assistant defensive line coach. He then spent three seasons as the defensive line coach before shifting to outside linebackers for the past two seasons.

His father refused to say the traffic accident near Arrowhead Stadium last week had anything to do with the outcome of the Super Bowl, though Mahomes acknowledged the entire situation left the team a bit deflated.

“It’s hard to put it into words,” Mahomes said. “Guys were still ready to go. It’s still a very tragic situation and you want to keep that in the back of your mind, and you give prayers to the family involved. I don’t want to say it affected us on the field. They beat us. There’s no excuse on that. But you’re definitely praying for those families.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612784011749.png" alt="Ariel-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Ariel-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)— Friends have established a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">GoFundMe</a> page to raise funds to pay the medical expenses for 5-year-old Ariel. She was critically injured in a multi-vehicle crash late Thursday&nbsp; near the Kansas City Chief's&nbsp; training complex adjacent to Arrowhead Stadium. The team confirmed in a statement Friday that Britt Reid, the son of Coach Andy Reid was involved in the accident.Andy Reid said Sunday night that his “heart bleeds” for those injured in the crash involving his son. Ariel remains hospitalized in critical condition.The crash occurred&nbsp; two days before the Chiefs were due to leave for the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. A vehicle had run out of gas on a highway entrance ramp and another vehicle had parked nearby to assist when the younger Reid’s pickup truck struck the left front of the first car before hitting the rear of the second car.The two children, ages 5 and 4, were in the second car and taken to the hospital.&nbsp; The <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">GoFundMe </a>account set up for Ariel and her family had already raised more than $275,000 by the time the Chiefs had lost 31-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the championship game.“My heart goes out to all those that were involved in the accident, in particular the little girl who is fighting for her life,” Andy Reid said. “I can’t comment any more than what I am here, so the questions that you have, I’m going to have to turn those down at this time. But just from a human standpoint, man, my heart bleeds for everyone involved in that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612570726901.png" alt="Britt Reid photo courtesy KC Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Britt Reid photo courtesy KC Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>The 35-year-old Britt Reid, who coaches outside linebackers, did not travel to the Super Bowl.The younger Reid told police he had “two or three drinks” and had a prescription for Adderall when the accident occurred, according to a search warrant filed late Thursday night. A police spokeswoman said an investigation into whether Reid was impaired before the accident could take several days to complete.“I mean, it was a tragic situation all the way around,” said Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had one of the worst games of his NFL career in the Super Bowl. “You’re just praying for everyone that was involved.”Britt Reid has been in legal trouble several times.He was arrested in January 2007 in Pennsylvania a road-rage incident in which he pointed a gun at another driver, and he was sentenced to up to 23 months in jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to charges of carrying an unlicensed firearm, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of an instrument of crime.Seven months later, Reid was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to up to six months in jail.Reid appeared to get his life on track, beginning his coaching career as an intern for his father with the Eagles in 2009. He spent the next two years as a graduate assistant at Temple, his alma mater, before joining the staff in Kansas City.After two seasons as a defensive quality control coach, Reid was promoted to assistant defensive line coach. He then spent three seasons as the defensive line coach before shifting to outside linebackers for the past two seasons.His father refused to say the traffic accident near Arrowhead Stadium last week had anything to do with the outcome of the Super Bowl, though Mahomes acknowledged the entire situation left the team a bit deflated.“It’s hard to put it into words,” Mahomes said. “Guys were still ready to go. It’s still a very tragic situation and you want to keep that in the back of your mind, and you give prayers to the family involved. I don’t want to say it affected us on the field. They beat us. There’s no excuse on that. But you’re definitely praying for those families.”

GoFundMe established for girl in crash involving Chiefs' coach Reid

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating three juveniles for multiple charges, including attempted 1st degree murder and aggravated robbery.

Just before 9p.m. February 4, 2021, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received notification of an armed robbery that just occurred, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Detectives and deputies responded to investigate. Throughout the investigation, it was determined that shortly before the 911 phone call, the 17-year-old victim arrived at a local business near SE 29the Street and SE Croco Road to sell a $900 backpack. 

Multiple individuals arrived in a white passenger vehicle, brandished a firearm and demanded the backpack. 

The victim retreated in his vehicle and left southbound on SE Croco Road. The suspect vehicle followed at a high rate of speed. When the victim turned eastbound on SE 61st Street, the suspect(s) fired approximately ten gunshots striking the victim’s vehicle multiple times. The victim returned home, uninjured, and called 911, according to Christian.

Deputies located the suspect vehicle at a residence in the 3900 block of SE 34th Street with two individuals inside. Deputies took a passenger into custody without incident. The driver fled on foot and was located a short time later near a church in the 4000 block of SE 37th Street.

Upon further investigation, three additional suspects were identified. All suspects were transported to the Law Enforcement Center for furthering questioning. Deputies seized narcotics and multiple firearms.

Deputies booked the&nbsp; 17-year-old driver into jail on requested charges of attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal carrying of a weapon and interference with law enforcement. A 16-year-old was booked into jail on requested charges of attempted aggravated robbery, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal use of a weapon and conspiracy. Another 16-year-old passenger was booked into jail on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. 

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating three juveniles for multiple charges, including attempted 1st degree murder and aggravated robbery.Just before 9p.m. February 4, 2021, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received notification of an armed robbery that just occurred, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Detectives and deputies responded to investigate. Throughout the investigation, it was determined that shortly before the 911 phone call, the 17-year-old victim arrived at a local business near SE 29the Street and SE Croco Road to sell a $900 backpack. Multiple individuals arrived in a white passenger vehicle, brandished a firearm and demanded the backpack. The victim retreated in his vehicle and left southbound on SE Croco Road. The suspect vehicle followed at a high rate of speed. When the victim turned eastbound on SE 61st Street, the suspect(s) fired approximately ten gunshots striking the victim’s vehicle multiple times. The victim returned home, uninjured, and called 911, according to Christian.Deputies located the suspect vehicle at a residence in the 3900 block of SE 34th Street with two individuals inside. Deputies took a passenger into custody without incident. The driver fled on foot and was located a short time later near a church in the 4000 block of SE 37th Street.Upon further investigation, three additional suspects were identified. All suspects were transported to the Law Enforcement Center for furthering questioning. Deputies seized narcotics and multiple firearms.Deputies booked the&nbsp; 17-year-old driver into jail on requested charges of attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal carrying of a weapon and interference with law enforcement. A 16-year-old was booked into jail on requested charges of attempted aggravated robbery, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal use of a weapon and conspiracy. Another 16-year-old passenger was booked into jail on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated robbery and aggravated assault.

Sheriff: 3 Kan. teens jailed after shots fired at robbery victim

JEWELL COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a 6-month old scam and have prosecuted one suspect.

On May 15, 2020, the Jewell County Sheriff's Office learned of of alleged scam in which three Nebraska men went to an elderly man's home in Randall, Kansas and convinced him to pay more than $18,000 for lightning protection services, according to a social media report from Jewell County Sheriff.

&nbsp;Investigators determined that 57-year-old Arthur Snook of Grand Island, Neb., was one of the men involved in the incident and he was taken into custody without incident.

On February 5, Snook pleaded no contest to two counts of felony conspiracy to commit mistreatment of a dependent adult and two counts of felony conspiracy to commit theft by deception, according to the sheriff's department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612783527459.png" alt="Arthur Snook, 57, Grand Island, Nebraska, has been in custody and accused of crimes in several Kansas county jails.- photo&nbsp; Republic Co." />
 <figcaption>Arthur Snook, 57, Grand Island, Nebraska, has been in custody and accused of crimes in several Kansas county jails.- photo&nbsp; Republic Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JEWELL COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a 6-month old scam and have prosecuted one suspect.On May 15, 2020, the Jewell County Sheriff's Office learned of of alleged scam in which three Nebraska men went to an elderly man's home in Randall, Kansas and convinced him to pay more than $18,000 for lightning protection services, according to a social media report from Jewell County Sheriff.&nbsp;Investigators determined that 57-year-old Arthur Snook of Grand Island, Neb., was one of the men involved in the incident and he was taken into custody without incident.On February 5, Snook pleaded no contest to two counts of felony conspiracy to commit mistreatment of a dependent adult and two counts of felony conspiracy to commit theft by deception, according to the sheriff's department.

Suspect admits to scam involving elderly Kansas man

Manhattan— Three people were escaped injury in a house fire Sunday in Manhattan.

Just before 7p.m., fire crews were dispatched to 2030 College Heights Road in Manhattan for a report of a possible structure fire, according to Deputy Chief Ryan Almes.

Upon arrival, crews found a one-story home with smoke showing from the attic. The fire was contained within 20 minutes.&nbsp;&nbsp; The building is a one-story residential structure that was occupied by an adult and two children at the time of the fire.&nbsp; The occupants were displaced from the home The fire cause is accidental due to an electrical malfunction, according to Almes.

Loss is estimated at $10,000 to contents and $20,000 to the structure.&nbsp;&nbsp;No injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612754972943.png" alt="Sunday evening fire photo courtesy Manhattan Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Sunday evening fire photo courtesy Manhattan Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>Manhattan— Three people were escaped injury in a house fire Sunday in Manhattan.Just before 7p.m., fire crews were dispatched to 2030 College Heights Road in Manhattan for a report of a possible structure fire, according to Deputy Chief Ryan Almes.Upon arrival, crews found a one-story home with smoke showing from the attic. The fire was contained within 20 minutes.&nbsp;&nbsp; The building is a one-story residential structure that was occupied by an adult and two children at the time of the fire.&nbsp; The occupants were displaced from the home The fire cause is accidental due to an electrical malfunction, according to Almes.Loss is estimated at $10,000 to contents and $20,000 to the structure.&nbsp;&nbsp;No injuries were reported.

Electrical malfunction caused Kansas house fire

HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who fatally shot his father while he was in bed has been sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison. 

Fifty-year-old Derrick Bohnenkemper, of Holton, was sentenced Friday in the death of his 73-year-old father, Gaylen Bohnenkemper at the family's home in 2018. He was also sentenced to three years of post-relief supervision and must register as a violent offender. 

Authorities say Derrick Bohnenkemper's mother called 911 and was able to escape from the home. Bohnenkemper barricaded himself inside the house for about five hours, and fired at officers before he was arrested. He pleaded no contest in December to second-degree murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612625220741.png" alt="Derrick Bohnenkemper photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Derrick Bohnenkemper photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who fatally shot his father while he was in bed has been sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison. Fifty-year-old Derrick Bohnenkemper, of Holton, was sentenced Friday in the death of his 73-year-old father, Gaylen Bohnenkemper at the family's home in 2018. He was also sentenced to three years of post-relief supervision and must register as a violent offender. Authorities say Derrick Bohnenkemper's mother called 911 and was able to escape from the home. Bohnenkemper barricaded himself inside the house for about five hours, and fired at officers before he was arrested. He pleaded no contest in December to second-degree murder.

Kan. man fatally shot his father while he was sleeping

CHEROKEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after noon Sunday in Cherokee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge Nitro driven by Pamela L. White, 54, Columbus, was westbound on NW Bethlehem Road six miles west of Kansas 7.

The vehicle&nbsp; went airborne while crossing railroad tracks traveled off the road to the south and struck a tree.

White was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. She was not wearing a seat belt according to the KHP.

CHEROKEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after noon Sunday in Cherokee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge Nitro driven by Pamela L. White, 54, Columbus, was westbound on NW Bethlehem Road six miles west of Kansas 7.The vehicle&nbsp; went airborne while crossing railroad tracks traveled off the road to the south and struck a tree.White was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. She was not wearing a seat belt according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after violent SUV crash

KANSAS CITY—A business owner has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to commit arson against a rival business as well as a residence, and for illegally possessing a firearm, according to the United State's Attorney.

William “Bill” Joseph Reneau, 44, of Overland Park, Kansas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Tuesday, Feb. 2, to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Reneau to pay $167,085 in restitution to his victims.

On Aug. 5, 2020, Reneau pleaded guilty to one count of arson and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Reneau was the owner of Gold Rush Exchange, with locations on 40 Highway and 24 Highway in Independence.

Reneau admitted that he hired others to destroy an Independence residence and a business, Bobby Jackson’s Trading, a gold-buying business operated by a former employee of Reneau’s at 302 E. 23rd Street in Independence. Reneau hired others to damage Bobby Jackson’s Trading in July and August of 2017, then to burn the business as well as a residence owned by his wife’s ex-husband in August 2018.

Reneau also admitted that he kept a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun underneath a computer at The Gold Rush Exchange. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Reneau has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, and for aiding and abetting money laundering.

Reneau paid co-defendant Randell Eugene Yeager Jr., 47, of Independence, Missouri, $800 to damage the Bobby Jackson’s Trading building. On July 17, 2017, Yeager drove a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee into the front of the business, backing into the building and colliding with the front door and the front business windows. The stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee was located later by the Independence Police Department, unoccupied and still running with evidence from the damaged building still attached to the vehicle. The damage was approximately $10,000.

On Aug. 4, 2017, Yeager set fire to Bobby Jackson’s Trading. During the investigation, investigators located what appeared to be containers that were used to bring gasoline to the business and set the fire near the front doors and windows. The fire caused approximately $5,000 dollars in damage to the exterior and interior of the business. Reneau paid Yeager $800 for setting the fire.

Yeager was sentenced on June 1, 2020, to five years and three months in federal prison without parole.

Reneau also paid $500 to another co-defendant to have an Independence residence, which was unoccupied, burned down on Aug. 13, 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612453184519.png" alt="Reneau-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Reneau-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A business owner has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to commit arson against a rival business as well as a residence, and for illegally possessing a firearm, according to the United State's Attorney.William “Bill” Joseph Reneau, 44, of Overland Park, Kansas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Tuesday, Feb. 2, to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Reneau to pay $167,085 in restitution to his victims.On Aug. 5, 2020, Reneau pleaded guilty to one count of arson and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Reneau was the owner of Gold Rush Exchange, with locations on 40 Highway and 24 Highway in Independence.Reneau admitted that he hired others to destroy an Independence residence and a business, Bobby Jackson’s Trading, a gold-buying business operated by a former employee of Reneau’s at 302 E. 23rd Street in Independence. Reneau hired others to damage Bobby Jackson’s Trading in July and August of 2017, then to burn the business as well as a residence owned by his wife’s ex-husband in August 2018.Reneau also admitted that he kept a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun underneath a computer at The Gold Rush Exchange. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Reneau has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, and for aiding and abetting money laundering.Reneau paid co-defendant Randell Eugene Yeager Jr., 47, of Independence, Missouri, $800 to damage the Bobby Jackson’s Trading building. On July 17, 2017, Yeager drove a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee into the front of the business, backing into the building and colliding with the front door and the front business windows. The stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee was located later by the Independence Police Department, unoccupied and still running with evidence from the damaged building still attached to the vehicle. The damage was approximately $10,000.On Aug. 4, 2017, Yeager set fire to Bobby Jackson’s Trading. During the investigation, investigators located what appeared to be containers that were used to bring gasoline to the business and set the fire near the front doors and windows. The fire caused approximately $5,000 dollars in damage to the exterior and interior of the business. Reneau paid Yeager $800 for setting the fire.Yeager was sentenced on June 1, 2020, to five years and three months in federal prison without parole.Reneau also paid $500 to another co-defendant to have an Independence residence, which was unoccupied, burned down on Aug. 13, 2018.

Kan. man admits hiring man to burn down rival's business

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Three men avoided prison for hunting deer in areas of Fort Riley where explosives are discharged during training exercises, but they will each pay several thousand dollars in penalties. 

The men will also be banned from hunting for three years while they are on probation. The federal case involving several illegal hunts in 2018 and 2019 ended last week after the third man pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal trespassing charges as part of a deal with prosecutors. 

As part of their guilty pleas, the men admitted crawling under a high-wire fence that was clearly marked “off-limits” to gain access to the an area of the military base used for live-fire training.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Three men avoided prison for hunting deer in areas of Fort Riley where explosives are discharged during training exercises, but they will each pay several thousand dollars in penalties. The men will also be banned from hunting for three years while they are on probation. The federal case involving several illegal hunts in 2018 and 2019 ended last week after the third man pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal trespassing charges as part of a deal with prosecutors. As part of their guilty pleas, the men admitted crawling under a high-wire fence that was clearly marked “off-limits” to gain access to the an area of the military base used for live-fire training.