SALINA —Memorial Health System, in Abilene, and Salina Regional Health Center have agreed to enter into a strategic alliance in order to better serve the patients and families of their respective communities in north central Kansas.

The affiliation agreement has been formalized after more than a year of study, discussion, planning and negotiation. The Memorial Health System Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the affiliation agreement at today’s board meeting.

On Jan. 1, 2022, Salina Regional Health Center will assume responsibility for the management and operations of Memorial Health System. Ownership of the hospital will not change. However, all Memorial Health System employees will become employees of Salina Regional Health Center.

The focus of the affiliation is to increase services and care available to the people of Abilene and Dickinson County. Nothing in the agreement inhibits or eliminates a patient’s ability to choose from whom or where they receive services.

“Our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Joel Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Salina Regional Health Center. “This will allow us to align and coordinate services to better fulfill our mission along with Memorial Health System.”

“As health care continues to evolve, it is clear that we must continue to find ways to provide care more efficiently, effectively, and with coordination instead of competition,” said Harold Courtois, Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Health System. “This is vital to enable all of us to survive as providers and to improve the patient experience. We are committed to continue to provide and enhance care to those who seek our services.”

“The MHS Board of Trustees have been educating ourselves and discussing the idea of affiliation for years,” said Dr. Steven Schwarting, Memorial Health System board chair. “We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to our community and surrounding area.”

“This affiliation brings together two historically successful organizations,” Phelps said. “We look forward to working with Memorial Health System to provide more growth, stability and future opportunities.”

Salina Regional Health Center also has affiliations with Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, and Lindsborg Community Hospital.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617742149724.jpeg" alt="Memorial Health System board members&nbsp;Mildred Fink and Dr. Steve Schwarting look on as Joel Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Salina Regional Health Center, signs the affiliation agreement.&nbsp;Photo courtesy Memorial Health System" />
 <figcaption>Memorial Health System board members&nbsp;Mildred Fink and Dr. Steve Schwarting look on as Joel Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Salina Regional Health Center, signs the affiliation agreement.&nbsp;Photo courtesy Memorial Health System</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Memorial Health System, in Abilene, and Salina Regional Health Center have agreed to enter into a strategic alliance in order to better serve the patients and families of their respective communities in north central Kansas.The affiliation agreement has been formalized after more than a year of study, discussion, planning and negotiation. The Memorial Health System Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the affiliation agreement at today’s board meeting.On Jan. 1, 2022, Salina Regional Health Center will assume responsibility for the management and operations of Memorial Health System. Ownership of the hospital will not change. However, all Memorial Health System employees will become employees of Salina Regional Health Center.The focus of the affiliation is to increase services and care available to the people of Abilene and Dickinson County. Nothing in the agreement inhibits or eliminates a patient’s ability to choose from whom or where they receive services.“Our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Joel Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Salina Regional Health Center. “This will allow us to align and coordinate services to better fulfill our mission along with Memorial Health System.”“As health care continues to evolve, it is clear that we must continue to find ways to provide care more efficiently, effectively, and with coordination instead of competition,” said Harold Courtois, Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Health System. “This is vital to enable all of us to survive as providers and to improve the patient experience. We are committed to continue to provide and enhance care to those who seek our services.”“The MHS Board of Trustees have been educating ourselves and discussing the idea of affiliation for years,” said Dr. Steven Schwarting, Memorial Health System board chair. “We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to our community and surrounding area.”“This affiliation brings together two historically successful organizations,” Phelps said. “We look forward to working with Memorial Health System to provide more growth, stability and future opportunities.”Salina Regional Health Center also has affiliations with Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, and Lindsborg Community Hospital.

Abilene, Salina hospitals form alliance 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The 18-year U.S. Capitol Police veteran killed in the line of duty is being remembered as a man with a sense of humor who loved baseball and golf and was most proud of one particular title: Dad.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-nancy-pelosi-42e4c9eee490dfd6056c10ea7a1c3c1a">William “Billy” Evans</a>, 41, was killed Friday when a vehicle rammed into Evans and another officer at a barricade just 100 yards from the Capitol. The driver,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-politics-451c5c5154045d404d0db76270f78aac">Noah Green</a>, 25, came out of the car with a knife and was shot to death by police, officials said. Investigators believe Green had been delusional and increasingly having suicidal thoughts.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced Tuesday that Evans will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda on April 13, a tribute reserved for the nation’s most eminent private citizens.

The U.S. Capitol Police also released a statement from Evans family, saying: “His death has left a gaping void in our lives that will never be filled.”

Evans, a father of two, grew up in North Adams, Massachusetts, a close-knit town of about 13,000 in the northwest part of the state.

Jason LaForest knew Evans for more than 30 years. He was a close friend of Evans’ older sister, Julie, and recalled Evans as a prankster who made sure the subjects of his jokes laughed as well.

“As a young kid, Billy, of course, was the annoying little brother of one of my best friends, a title which he held on to for most of his life,” said LaForest, a North Adams city councilman. “But it was a joy to watch him grow up and become a talented athlete and a dedicated police officer, and, of course, the role in life that he loved the most, which was a dad.”

Sports, particularly baseball, was another important part of Evans’ life.

“He came from a long line of family members that loved baseball and especially the Boston Red Sox,” LaForest said. “He excelled in baseball and enjoyed playing baseball most of his life. It’s a passion that he instilled in his children.”

Evans’ father, Howard, died about seven years ago. His mother, Janice, still lives in Massachusetts.

He attended Western New England University, graduating in 2002 as a criminal justice major. He joined the Capitol Police the next year.

Robert E. Johnson, the university’s president, said in a statement that Evans was a member of the school’s baseball and bowling teams and the campus activities board. He said that Evans’ friends at the university described him as “extremely welcoming and friendly, humble, and always willing to help others.”

John Claffey, a professor of criminal justice, said that when news of Evans’ death first aired, he had the sense that he knew that smile. “I immediately said that’s a face I recognize,” Claffey said.

He recalled Evans as a student who knew what he wanted to do — a “very focused kid.”

Over the weekend, Claffey received four calls from former students who just wanted to talk to him about Evans.

“This has shaken a lot of people’s worlds,” he said. “A lot of people from Western New England, who haven’t been here in 18 years, it’s still having an impact on them.”

Members of Evans family said in the statement through the U.S. Capitol Police that the most important thing in Evans’ life was his two children, Logan and Abigail.

“His most cherished moments were those spent with them -- building with Lego, having lightsaber duels, playing board games, doing arts and crafts, and recently finishing the Harry Potter series,” the family said. “He was always so eager to show how proud he was of everything they did. Any opportunity to spend time with his children brightened both their lives and his. Their dad was their hero long before the tragic events of last week.”

The family said Evans was proud of his job and that his friendship with colleagues near the “North Barricade” of the Capitol complex was one of the best parts of his job.

“We hold them in our hearts, as we know they acutely share our grief,” the family’s statement read.

The death of Evans came nearly three months after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 rioting at the Capitol</a>&nbsp;that left five people dead, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-tanios-julian-khater-charged-capitol-riot-f28484b486155d911cab41c90a8bed8d">Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick</a>. He died a day after the insurrection.

Lawmakers issued a wave of statements offering their condolences and gratitude to Evans after the Good Friday attack. Capitol Hill aides and members of the press corps that cover Capitol Hill also weighed in, recalling him as friendly and professional.

In a joint statement released Tuesday, Schumer and Pelosi said they hoped next week’s tribute in the Capitol Rotunda would provide comfort to Evans’ family and express the nation’s gratitude to members of the U.S. Capitol Police.

“In giving his life to protect our Capitol and our Country, Officer Evans became a martyr for our democracy. On behalf of the entire Congress, we are profoundly grateful,” Schumer and Pelosi said.

LaForest said Evans never considered himself to be a hero.

“He wanted to serve his country as a Capitol police officer and looked forward to seeing lawmakers and visitors who came to the Capitol every day, many of whom became friends of Billy’s in large part because of his good-natured sense of humor,” LaForest said. “And, unfortunately, Billy paid the ultimate price defending his country.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617402625752.png" alt="&nbsp;U.S. Capitol Police officer William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran who was a member of the department's first responders unit." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;U.S. Capitol Police officer William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran who was a member of the department's first responders unit.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The 18-year U.S. Capitol Police veteran killed in the line of duty is being remembered as a man with a sense of humor who loved baseball and golf and was most proud of one particular title: Dad.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-nancy-pelosi-42e4c9eee490dfd6056c10ea7a1c3c1a">William “Billy” Evans</a>, 41, was killed Friday when a vehicle rammed into Evans and another officer at a barricade just 100 yards from the Capitol. The driver,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-politics-451c5c5154045d404d0db76270f78aac">Noah Green</a>, 25, came out of the car with a knife and was shot to death by police, officials said. Investigators believe Green had been delusional and increasingly having suicidal thoughts.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced Tuesday that Evans will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda on April 13, a tribute reserved for the nation’s most eminent private citizens.The U.S. Capitol Police also released a statement from Evans family, saying: “His death has left a gaping void in our lives that will never be filled.”Evans, a father of two, grew up in North Adams, Massachusetts, a close-knit town of about 13,000 in the northwest part of the state.Jason LaForest knew Evans for more than 30 years. He was a close friend of Evans’ older sister, Julie, and recalled Evans as a prankster who made sure the subjects of his jokes laughed as well.“As a young kid, Billy, of course, was the annoying little brother of one of my best friends, a title which he held on to for most of his life,” said LaForest, a North Adams city councilman. “But it was a joy to watch him grow up and become a talented athlete and a dedicated police officer, and, of course, the role in life that he loved the most, which was a dad.”Sports, particularly baseball, was another important part of Evans’ life.“He came from a long line of family members that loved baseball and especially the Boston Red Sox,” LaForest said. “He excelled in baseball and enjoyed playing baseball most of his life. It’s a passion that he instilled in his children.”Evans’ father, Howard, died about seven years ago. His mother, Janice, still lives in Massachusetts.He attended Western New England University, graduating in 2002 as a criminal justice major. He joined the Capitol Police the next year.Robert E. Johnson, the university’s president, said in a statement that Evans was a member of the school’s baseball and bowling teams and the campus activities board. He said that Evans’ friends at the university described him as “extremely welcoming and friendly, humble, and always willing to help others.”John Claffey, a professor of criminal justice, said that when news of Evans’ death first aired, he had the sense that he knew that smile. “I immediately said that’s a face I recognize,” Claffey said.He recalled Evans as a student who knew what he wanted to do — a “very focused kid.”Over the weekend, Claffey received four calls from former students who just wanted to talk to him about Evans.“This has shaken a lot of people’s worlds,” he said. “A lot of people from Western New England, who haven’t been here in 18 years, it’s still having an impact on them.”Members of Evans family said in the statement through the U.S. Capitol Police that the most important thing in Evans’ life was his two children, Logan and Abigail.“His most cherished moments were those spent with them -- building with Lego, having lightsaber duels, playing board games, doing arts and crafts, and recently finishing the Harry Potter series,” the family said. “He was always so eager to show how proud he was of everything they did. Any opportunity to spend time with his children brightened both their lives and his. Their dad was their hero long before the tragic events of last week.”The family said Evans was proud of his job and that his friendship with colleagues near the “North Barricade” of the Capitol complex was one of the best parts of his job.“We hold them in our hearts, as we know they acutely share our grief,” the family’s statement read.The death of Evans came nearly three months after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 rioting at the Capitol</a>&nbsp;that left five people dead, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-tanios-julian-khater-charged-capitol-riot-f28484b486155d911cab41c90a8bed8d">Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick</a>. He died a day after the insurrection.Lawmakers issued a wave of statements offering their condolences and gratitude to Evans after the Good Friday attack. Capitol Hill aides and members of the press corps that cover Capitol Hill also weighed in, recalling him as friendly and professional.In a joint statement released Tuesday, Schumer and Pelosi said they hoped next week’s tribute in the Capitol Rotunda would provide comfort to Evans’ family and express the nation’s gratitude to members of the U.S. Capitol Police.“In giving his life to protect our Capitol and our Country, Officer Evans became a martyr for our democracy. On behalf of the entire Congress, we are profoundly grateful,” Schumer and Pelosi said.LaForest said Evans never considered himself to be a hero.“He wanted to serve his country as a Capitol police officer and looked forward to seeing lawmakers and visitors who came to the Capitol every day, many of whom became friends of Billy’s in large part because of his good-natured sense of humor,” LaForest said. “And, unfortunately, Billy paid the ultimate price defending his country.”

Capitol police officer to lie in honor at rotunda 

JACKSON COUNTY—Four people including two children were seriously injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Jackson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Infiniti G5 driven by Wayne A. Dunn, 83, Lyndon, was northbound on U.S. 75 at 158th Road. 

The car struck an eastbound 2003 Ford F150 driven by Rachael Louise McCoy, 29, Holton.&nbsp; She was ejected from the pickup, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

EMS transported McCoy, Dunn and two children in the pickup — a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, both from Holton — to Stormont Vail in Topeka.

The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617734931246.png" alt="Kansas Highway Patro investigating Tuesday's violent crash / photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Highway Patro investigating Tuesday's violent crash / photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Four people including two children were seriously injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Jackson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Infiniti G5 driven by Wayne A. Dunn, 83, Lyndon, was northbound on U.S. 75 at 158th Road. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617734844820.png" alt="View of the crash damage to the Infiniti G5 -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>View of the crash damage to the Infiniti G5 -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>The car struck an eastbound 2003 Ford F150 driven by Rachael Louise McCoy, 29, Holton.&nbsp; She was ejected from the pickup, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.EMS transported McCoy, Dunn and two children in the pickup — a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, both from Holton — to Stormont Vail in Topeka.The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Sheriff: 2 adults, 2 children injured in Kansas crash

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee&nbsp; announced Tuesday he will be hosting U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough in Kansas on Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9, according to a media release from the Senator's office.

Secretary McDonough and Sen. Moran will be visiting VA health care centers across Kansas, meeting with VA leaders, medical staff, veterans and discussing the implementation of the&nbsp;VA MISSION Act.

“Thousands of the men and women who served in our country’s military now call Kansas home and rely on the services provided through the exemplary VA health centers across the state,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran. “I appreciate Secretary McDonough’s willingness to meet with VA staff and veterans, who can share their frontline experiences working for the VA and receiving care and benefits through the VA. Secretary McDonough will also get to see firsthand the implementation of the&nbsp;VA MISSION Act, which is expanding health care options for veterans across the country, especially those in rural Kansas.”

Planned Visits Across Kansas include: Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Leavenworth; Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Topeka; Lieutenant General Richard Seitz Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Junction City; Newman Regional Health Center, Emporia; Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the Hunter Health Clinic, Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617731535995.png" alt="VA Secretary Denis McDonough during testimony before the House Veteran's Affairs committee in March- photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>VA Secretary Denis McDonough during testimony before the House Veteran's Affairs committee in March- photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee&nbsp; announced Tuesday he will be hosting U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough in Kansas on Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9, according to a media release from the Senator's office.Secretary McDonough and Sen. Moran will be visiting VA health care centers across Kansas, meeting with VA leaders, medical staff, veterans and discussing the implementation of the&nbsp;VA MISSION Act.“Thousands of the men and women who served in our country’s military now call Kansas home and rely on the services provided through the exemplary VA health centers across the state,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran. “I appreciate Secretary McDonough’s willingness to meet with VA staff and veterans, who can share their frontline experiences working for the VA and receiving care and benefits through the VA. Secretary McDonough will also get to see firsthand the implementation of the&nbsp;VA MISSION Act, which is expanding health care options for veterans across the country, especially those in rural Kansas.” Planned Visits Across Kansas include: Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Leavenworth; Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Topeka; Lieutenant General Richard Seitz Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Junction City; Newman Regional Health Center, Emporia; Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the Hunter Health Clinic, Wichita.

VA secretary will tour VA facilities in Kansas this week

BOSTON (AP) — New research suggests the protection the Moderna vaccine gives against COVID-19 lasts for at least six months.

The report Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine echoes what Pfizer said last week about its vaccine, which works in a similar way.

Both reports were based on follow-up tests in dozens of people who received the shots during studies that led to the vaccines’ use. Those studies were done before troubling new variants, or versions of the coronavirus, had emerged and started to spread.

A separate report in the medical journal adds to concern about the variants. Scientists measured antibodies that can block the virus in 50 people who had been given the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines that were developed in China. Many showed total or partial loss of effectiveness against a virus variant first detected in South Africa.

The vaccines still seemed to protect against a variant first found in the United Kingdom that is now rapidly spreading in the United States and elsewhere.

Pfizer and Moderna have said they are working to update their vaccines, or possibly design a booster shot, in case they’re needed against variants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613693226012.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — New research suggests the protection the Moderna vaccine gives against COVID-19 lasts for at least six months.The report Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine echoes what Pfizer said last week about its vaccine, which works in a similar way.Both reports were based on follow-up tests in dozens of people who received the shots during studies that led to the vaccines’ use. Those studies were done before troubling new variants, or versions of the coronavirus, had emerged and started to spread.A separate report in the medical journal adds to concern about the variants. Scientists measured antibodies that can block the virus in 50 people who had been given the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines that were developed in China. Many showed total or partial loss of effectiveness against a virus variant first detected in South Africa.The vaccines still seemed to protect against a variant first found in the United Kingdom that is now rapidly spreading in the United States and elsewhere.Pfizer and Moderna have said they are working to update their vaccines, or possibly design a booster shot, in case they’re needed against variants.___

Study: Moderna vaccine lasts at least 6 months

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as 19-year-old Quantin McIntosh, Jr., of Wichita.

Just after 11:30p.m. Monday, police were investigating a separate traffic stop at a business in the 1600 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

During the traffic stop, a 20-year-old woman in a black Dodge Avenger screamed for help and flagged down the officers.&nbsp; McIntosh was also in the Avenger and had been shot, according to Stephens.

Police contacted EMS who transported McIntosh to a nearby hospital where he died.

Police investigators learned that McIntosh was driving the Avenger with his girlfriend passenger and they stopped at a drive-through Burger King at 4220 East Harry. While in the drive-through, McIntosh got into a verbal argument with individuals in a dark colored, 4-door sedan also in the drive-through.

As both vehicles left, McIntosh followed the sedan as the disagreement continued, according to Stephens. In the area of Harry and Roosevelt Street, both vehicles stopped in the street and a suspect fired multiple shots at the Avenger striking the vehicle and McIntosh.

The girlfriend then drove the Avenger to the 1600 Block of South Oliver where she was able to contact police. 

Police continue to search for the sedan and suspects. This is 15th criminal homicide in Wichita in 2021. "We are on pace to match last year's numbers," said Stephens during a Tuesday news conference.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617716412701.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation late Monday -photo courtesy KAKE&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation late Monday -photo courtesy KAKE&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as 19-year-old Quantin McIntosh, Jr., of Wichita.Just after 11:30p.m. Monday, police were investigating a separate traffic stop at a business in the 1600 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.During the traffic stop, a 20-year-old woman in a black Dodge Avenger screamed for help and flagged down the officers.&nbsp; McIntosh was also in the Avenger and had been shot, according to Stephens.Police contacted EMS who transported McIntosh to a nearby hospital where he died.Police investigators learned that McIntosh was driving the Avenger with his girlfriend passenger and they stopped at a drive-through Burger King at 4220 East Harry. While in the drive-through, McIntosh got into a verbal argument with individuals in a dark colored, 4-door sedan also in the drive-through.As both vehicles left, McIntosh followed the sedan as the disagreement continued, according to Stephens. In the area of Harry and Roosevelt Street, both vehicles stopped in the street and a suspect fired multiple shots at the Avenger striking the vehicle and McIntosh.The girlfriend then drove the Avenger to the 1600 Block of South Oliver where she was able to contact police. Police continue to search for the sedan and suspects. This is 15th criminal homicide in Wichita in 2021. "We are on pace to match last year's numbers," said Stephens during a Tuesday news conference.

Fast food drive-through fight leads to fatal Kan. shooting

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with alleged arson.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, sheriff’s deputies responded to report of alleged arson and domestic battery at a residence in Northwest Barton County near Olmitz, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

Upon arrival deputies learned that the suspect identified as 33-year-old Dietre Stevenson 33 of rural Olmitz, had become involved in a domestic battery situation with another family member. 

At some point Stevenson allegedly brandished a handgun threatening to kill the victim. It was later determined Stevenson had poured a flammable liquid on the residence and set the occupied house on fire.

Stevenson was arrested and booked on requested charges of aggravated arson, aggravated assault and aggravated domestic battery, according to Bellendir. She’s being held on a $75,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617720836550.png" alt="Stevenson photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Stevenson photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with alleged arson.Just after 11p.m. Monday, sheriff’s deputies responded to report of alleged arson and domestic battery at a residence in Northwest Barton County near Olmitz, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.Upon arrival deputies learned that the suspect identified as 33-year-old Dietre Stevenson 33 of rural Olmitz, had become involved in a domestic battery situation with another family member. At some point Stevenson allegedly brandished a handgun threatening to kill the victim. It was later determined Stevenson had poured a flammable liquid on the residence and set the occupied house on fire.Stevenson was arrested and booked on requested charges of aggravated arson, aggravated assault and aggravated domestic battery, according to Bellendir. She’s being held on a $75,000 bond.

Sheriff: Kan. woman accused of setting house on fire

Kelly faces big challenges, but Schmidt vs. Colyer may be very loud

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/05/political-wonks-offer-early-analysis-of-off-and-running-kansas-governors-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Declarations by 
Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former Gov. Jeff Colyer in March 
about campaigning for governor against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly 
likely came too early for most voters.

They made their intentions
 known 20 months — ouch — before the general election in 2022. It was 
likely a maneuver to scare off other potential rivals, but their 
presence on the stage also marked beginning of a sustained assault on 
Kelly.

In 2018, she defeated 
Republican Kris Kobach, a staunch supporter of then-President Donald 
Trump. Kelly will leverage power of the office through election day in 
November 2022, but Republican candidates will eagerly point to her 
record as governor, including difficulties presented by the COVID-19 
pandemic and challenges of moving through an economic recovery.

“I’ve already heard some 
complaints that this governor’s race started too soon,” said Bob Beatty,
 a Washburn University political science professor. “In terms of major 
candidates, it’s the earliest campaign in Kansas history.”

Kansas will be the only 
state lost last year by President Joe Biden with a Democratic governor 
up for re-election in 2022. The state was easily carried again last year
 by Trump, who prevailed in Kansas twice by double-digit margins.

Kelly, a former state 
senator from Topeka, long ago made it clear she would seek re-election. 
The Kansas Republican Party has denounced her “abysmal performance” on 
the economy and on COVID-19 testing and vaccination, while the Kansas 
Democratic Party warned electing Schmidt or Colyer would “come with 
disastrous ramifications.”

Beatty
 said it would be interesting to discover how Colyer defined himself 
after serving seven years as lieutenant governor under Gov. Sam 
Brownback followed by about one year as governor. In 2018, Colyer 
offered himself as a Republican in the mold of Ronald Reagan. It nearly 
worked, but he lost the GOP primary to Kobach by a thin margin.

“What kind of identity is he going to put out there?” Beatty said.

Colyer started by naming 
Mary Eisenhower, a granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower, to 
serve as his campaign treasurer. Colyer said she was a “great example of
 principled, successful Republican leadership” and said too many jobs 
had been lost during the Kelly administration.

While making an economic appeal to voters, Colyer declared: “It’s time to get Kansas back to work.”

Michael Smith, who teaches
 political science at Emporia State University, said a key issue for 
voters would be Colyer’s affiliation with Brownback, who resigned as 
governor four years ago to become an ambassador of religious freedom 
under Trump.

Colyer, a Johnson County 
surgeon and former state senator, also could get hurt in a GOP primary 
by claims he was unelectable in a statewide race at the top of the 
ticket, he said.

“But will that actually work?” Smith said. “I mean, the Republican base is so fired up right now. They still love Trump. And I don’t know that strategic voting arguments are gonna work very well this time.”

Schmidt has won three 
consecutive statewide campaigns for attorney general. He’s a former 
Senate majority leader and has frequently shared insights with the 
GOP-led Legislature, including issues thrust into the limelight by 
lawmakers interested in damaging Kelly’s profile. He has personally 
battled with the governor on emergency orders that included her 
unsuccessful bid to restrict large gatherings at church services early 
in the pandemic.

In his campaign 
announcement, Schmidt said he would be a “common-sense, conservative 
voice” and vowed to “fight every day for your family and our way of 
life.”

Like Colyer, Schmidt has a record of opposition to Medicaid expansion, limits on gun ownership and abortion.

Schmidt has engaged in a 
series of national legal actions as attorney general, including the 
effort to promote allegations of voter fraud some believe led to Biden’s
 victory over Trump.

“He’s gotten involved in some other lawsuits that probably have no chance,” Smith said. “He will throw red meat to the right.”

Smith said Schmidt had 
sought to toggle between “really hard” Republicans not interested in 
leaving the Trump orbit and other Republicans closer to the middle of 
the political spectrum in Kansas.

Beatty said it would be 
useful for Kelly to be straightforward with voters during the campaign 
about shortcomings at the Kansas Department of Labor, which failed for 
months to adequately deal with the flood of jobless claims. He said she 
could hang her hopes on a strong economic recovery from the pandemic, 
while reminding voters of her commitment to public education, 
transportation and restoration of basic operations of state government.

“The idea is that the economy’s booming. Everyone’s vaccinated. The pandemic is over,” Beatty said. “And, then she comes out and says, ‘It was a rough two years. Thanks for sticking with me.'”

The 2021 Legislature’s 
calculations of taxation, education and emergency management bills 
include basic political math about influencing voters when Kelly stands 
for re-election.

Does it help GOP 
candidates when the Legislature sends Kelly bills offering massive tax 
breaks, shifts of public funding to private schools and an overhaul of 
gubernatorial authority in disasters?

Would it be better for the
 GOP cause if the Legislature responded this session to public support 
for a medical marijuana law so it couldn’t be used as a campaign 
rallying cry by Kelly?

Is there a clear 
Republican advantage to pressing harder on concealed-gun legislation and
 the constitutional amendment on abortion?

If the House and Senate 
were to reverse course and approve Medicaid expansion, would 2022 voters
 reward Kelly or the Legislature?

Beatty said expansion of 
Medicaid eligibility based on the law signed by President Barack Obama 
had long allowed Republicans to object on philosophical and financial 
grounds to broadening subsidized health care. Blocking delivery of 
preventative health care to more than 120,000 Kansans also cut off about
 $5 billion in federal funding that could be used to bolster the state’s
 hospitals and clinics. Now, Congress is offering hundreds of millions 
in bonus money to Medicaid holdout states like Kansas.

However, it appears House 
and Senate leadership again decided to stay on a course that avoided 
risks of Kelly prevailing on Medicaid expansion.

“It’s not an election year …&nbsp;but it’s election season,” Beatty said. “So, this would be a victory for Laura Kelly that could ride her all the way to re-election.”

Smith said another issue 
likely to come up in the campaign centered on problems at the Department
 of Labor in processing unemployment benefits. He said other governors 
and legislators ought to share responsibility for the debacle.

“There were a number of different threads that wove together to create this crisis. One was the absolutely decrepit computers that they had there that I believe dated from the 1970s. If you need a poster child for deferred maintenance, short of a bridge falling down, here you go — years of deferred maintenance,” Smith said.

The Kelly administration 
was saddled with antiquated computer technology that minimally got the 
job down when the jobless rate hovered between 3.1% and 3.3% from 
February 2019 to March 2020. The IT system broke when coronavirus surged
 unemployment to 12.6% in April 2020. It had receded to 3.2% in 
February.

Meanwhile, scammers ripped
 off Kansas for hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic unemployment
 assistance. Other states suffered comparable losses to fraud.

“The Department of Labor could have handled it better,” Smith said. “They weren’t very transparent. And, so, mistakes were made, as they say. But this did not start during the pandemic. This was decades in the making.”

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617655027877.png" alt="The 2022 Kansas governor's race will feature, from left, Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and former GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer. The footprint of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be a factor in Kelly's re-election campaign. (Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The 2022 Kansas governor's race will feature, from left, Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and former GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer. The footprint of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be a factor in Kelly's re-election campaign. (Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kelly faces big challenges, but Schmidt vs. Colyer may be very loud</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/05/political-wonks-offer-early-analysis-of-off-and-running-kansas-governors-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Declarations by 
Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former Gov. Jeff Colyer in March 
about campaigning for governor against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly 
likely came too early for most voters.They made their intentions
 known 20 months — ouch — before the general election in 2022. It was 
likely a maneuver to scare off other potential rivals, but their 
presence on the stage also marked beginning of a sustained assault on 
Kelly.In 2018, she defeated 
Republican Kris Kobach, a staunch supporter of then-President Donald 
Trump. Kelly will leverage power of the office through election day in 
November 2022, but Republican candidates will eagerly point to her 
record as governor, including difficulties presented by the COVID-19 
pandemic and challenges of moving through an economic recovery.“I’ve already heard some 
complaints that this governor’s race started too soon,” said Bob Beatty,
 a Washburn University political science professor. “In terms of major 
candidates, it’s the earliest campaign in Kansas history.”Kansas will be the only 
state lost last year by President Joe Biden with a Democratic governor 
up for re-election in 2022. The state was easily carried again last year
 by Trump, who prevailed in Kansas twice by double-digit margins.Kelly, a former state 
senator from Topeka, long ago made it clear she would seek re-election. 
The Kansas Republican Party has denounced her “abysmal performance” on 
the economy and on COVID-19 testing and vaccination, while the Kansas 
Democratic Party warned electing Schmidt or Colyer would “come with 
disastrous ramifications.”<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1022303635&color=%232b7fb4&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast" title="Reflector Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Reflector Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast/2021-04-05-podcast" title="Political scientists evaluate Legislature, governor&#x27;s race" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Political scientists evaluate Legislature, governor&#x27;s race</a></div></div><h2>Defining Colyer</h2>Beatty
 said it would be interesting to discover how Colyer defined himself 
after serving seven years as lieutenant governor under Gov. Sam 
Brownback followed by about one year as governor. In 2018, Colyer 
offered himself as a Republican in the mold of Ronald Reagan. It nearly 
worked, but he lost the GOP primary to Kobach by a thin margin.“What kind of identity is he going to put out there?” Beatty said.Colyer started by naming 
Mary Eisenhower, a granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower, to 
serve as his campaign treasurer. Colyer said she was a “great example of
 principled, successful Republican leadership” and said too many jobs 
had been lost during the Kelly administration.While making an economic appeal to voters, Colyer declared: “It’s time to get Kansas back to work.”Michael Smith, who teaches
 political science at Emporia State University, said a key issue for 
voters would be Colyer’s affiliation with Brownback, who resigned as 
governor four years ago to become an ambassador of religious freedom 
under Trump.Colyer, a Johnson County 
surgeon and former state senator, also could get hurt in a GOP primary 
by claims he was unelectable in a statewide race at the top of the 
ticket, he said.“But will that actually work?” Smith said. “I mean, the Republican base is so fired up right now. They still love Trump. And I don’t know that strategic voting arguments are gonna work very well this time.”<h2>Schmidt’s ‘red meat’</h2>Schmidt has won three 
consecutive statewide campaigns for attorney general. He’s a former 
Senate majority leader and has frequently shared insights with the 
GOP-led Legislature, including issues thrust into the limelight by 
lawmakers interested in damaging Kelly’s profile. He has personally 
battled with the governor on emergency orders that included her 
unsuccessful bid to restrict large gatherings at church services early 
in the pandemic.In his campaign 
announcement, Schmidt said he would be a “common-sense, conservative 
voice” and vowed to “fight every day for your family and our way of 
life.”Like Colyer, Schmidt has a record of opposition to Medicaid expansion, limits on gun ownership and abortion.Schmidt has engaged in a 
series of national legal actions as attorney general, including the 
effort to promote allegations of voter fraud some believe led to Biden’s
 victory over Trump.“He’s gotten involved in some other lawsuits that probably have no chance,” Smith said. “He will throw red meat to the right.”Smith said Schmidt had 
sought to toggle between “really hard” Republicans not interested in 
leaving the Trump orbit and other Republicans closer to the middle of 
the political spectrum in Kansas.<h2>Kelly’s challenges</h2>Beatty said it would be 
useful for Kelly to be straightforward with voters during the campaign 
about shortcomings at the Kansas Department of Labor, which failed for 
months to adequately deal with the flood of jobless claims. He said she 
could hang her hopes on a strong economic recovery from the pandemic, 
while reminding voters of her commitment to public education, 
transportation and restoration of basic operations of state government.“The idea is that the economy’s booming. Everyone’s vaccinated. The pandemic is over,” Beatty said. “And, then she comes out and says, ‘It was a rough two years. Thanks for sticking with me.'”The 2021 Legislature’s 
calculations of taxation, education and emergency management bills 
include basic political math about influencing voters when Kelly stands 
for re-election.Does it help GOP 
candidates when the Legislature sends Kelly bills offering massive tax 
breaks, shifts of public funding to private schools and an overhaul of 
gubernatorial authority in disasters?Would it be better for the
 GOP cause if the Legislature responded this session to public support 
for a medical marijuana law so it couldn’t be used as a campaign 
rallying cry by Kelly?Is there a clear 
Republican advantage to pressing harder on concealed-gun legislation and
 the constitutional amendment on abortion?If the House and Senate 
were to reverse course and approve Medicaid expansion, would 2022 voters
 reward Kelly or the Legislature?<h2>On Medicaid, labor</h2>Beatty said expansion of 
Medicaid eligibility based on the law signed by President Barack Obama 
had long allowed Republicans to object on philosophical and financial 
grounds to broadening subsidized health care. Blocking delivery of 
preventative health care to more than 120,000 Kansans also cut off about
 $5 billion in federal funding that could be used to bolster the state’s
 hospitals and clinics. Now, Congress is offering hundreds of millions 
in bonus money to Medicaid holdout states like Kansas.However, it appears House 
and Senate leadership again decided to stay on a course that avoided 
risks of Kelly prevailing on Medicaid expansion.“It’s not an election year …&nbsp;but it’s election season,” Beatty said. “So, this would be a victory for Laura Kelly that could ride her all the way to re-election.”Smith said another issue 
likely to come up in the campaign centered on problems at the Department
 of Labor in processing unemployment benefits. He said other governors 
and legislators ought to share responsibility for the debacle.“There were a number of different threads that wove together to create this crisis. One was the absolutely decrepit computers that they had there that I believe dated from the 1970s. If you need a poster child for deferred maintenance, short of a bridge falling down, here you go — years of deferred maintenance,” Smith said.The Kelly administration 
was saddled with antiquated computer technology that minimally got the 
job down when the jobless rate hovered between 3.1% and 3.3% from 
February 2019 to March 2020. The IT system broke when coronavirus surged
 unemployment to 12.6% in April 2020. It had receded to 3.2% in 
February.Meanwhile, scammers ripped
 off Kansas for hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic unemployment
 assistance. Other states suffered comparable losses to fraud.“The Department of Labor could have handled it better,” Smith said. “They weren’t very transparent. And, so, mistakes were made, as they say. But this did not start during the pandemic. This was decades in the making.”Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

Political wonks offer early analysis of off-and-running Kan. governor’s race

TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) — A&nbsp;Topeka man was charged in connection to a two-car traffic collision last week that killed an infant and injured three others, prosecutors said Monday.

Troy A. Vsetecka, 51, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child, among other charges, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release.

Investigators said Vsetecka was speeding and driving the wrong way on a Topeka street on March 30 when he collided with another vehicle at an intersection. Vsetecka attempted to flee the scene on foot but he was chased by officers and taken into custody after he tried to hide in a nearby residence, prosecutors said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617272054628.png" alt="Vsetecka photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Vsetecka photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) — A&nbsp;Topeka man was charged in connection to a two-car traffic collision last week that killed an infant and injured three others, prosecutors said Monday.Troy A. Vsetecka, 51, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child, among other charges, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617206593208.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators said Vsetecka was speeding and driving the wrong way on a Topeka street on March 30 when he collided with another vehicle at an intersection. Vsetecka attempted to flee the scene on foot but he was chased by officers and taken into custody after he tried to hide in a nearby residence, prosecutors said.

Kan. man charged in traffic crash that killed infant

RICE COUNTY —Crews continued to monitor hot spots on a large wildfire in rural Rice County overnight.

The fire was 50-60 percent contained as of 5 p.m. Monday, according to Rice County Emergency Management Director Greg Klein. The wind was expected to change direction Tuesday.

The fire started from a controlled burn that had been done Saturday on a quarter section of land northeast of Nickerson.

There were no injuries reported, according to dispatch early Tuesday.

RICE COUNTY—Crews continue to battle a large fire in rural Rice County that started Saturday.

The biggest challenge for fire crews in the wind was working to contain the north edge of the fire at approximately Avenue T between 27th and 29th, according Rice County Emergency Management Director Greg Klein.&nbsp; The fire is 50-60 percent contained, but the wind expected to shift Tuesday.&nbsp;

Klein still estimates approximately 1800 acres had burned.&nbsp; Fire crews also did a controlled burn on 360 acres early Monday in anticipation winds they are fighting Monday.

RICE COUNTY—Crews continue to battle a large fire in rural Rice County.

The fire was first reported just after 5:30p.m. on Sunday, according to Rice County Emergency Management Director Greg Klein.&nbsp; The fire started from a controlled burn that had been done Saturday on a quarter section of land northeast of Nickerson.

Approximately 1800 acres have burned as of 6:30a.m. Monday and fire crews also did a controlled burn on 360 acres overnight in anticipation winds in the weather forecast for Monday afternoon, according to Klein.

Roads in the area are open as fire crews continue monitoring a lot of hot spots and a half a mile of fire was still burning.&nbsp; Possibly one outbuilding but no other structures have burned and Klein reported no injuries.

Fire crews from Sterling, Alden Chase, Geneseo, Windom, Little River, Marquette, Hutchinson, Nickerson, So. Hutch and Tanker 95 from the Kansas Forest Service are among those assisting.

McPherson County sheriff's deputies were assisting with traffic control on the county line at Plum and Buckskin Road.

Buckskin or Ave V west towards Sterling was closed temporarily while fire crews worked.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617618963492.png" alt="Fire on Sunday evening in Rice County -photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service" />
 <figcaption>Fire on Sunday evening in Rice County -photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service</figcaption>
 </figure>RICE COUNTY —Crews continued to monitor hot spots on a large wildfire in rural Rice County overnight.The fire was 50-60 percent contained as of 5 p.m. Monday, according to Rice County Emergency Management Director Greg Klein. The wind was expected to change direction Tuesday.Just over 1800 acres have burned.The fire started from a controlled burn that had been done Saturday on a quarter section of land northeast of Nickerson.There were no injuries reported, according to dispatch early Tuesday.-------RICE COUNTY—Crews continue to battle a large fire in rural Rice County that started Saturday.The biggest challenge for fire crews in the wind was working to contain the north edge of the fire at approximately Avenue T between 27th and 29th, according Rice County Emergency Management Director Greg Klein.&nbsp; The fire is 50-60 percent contained, but the wind expected to shift Tuesday.&nbsp;The fire started from a controlled burn that had been done Saturday on a quarter section of land northeast of Nickerson.Klein still estimates approximately 1800 acres had burned.&nbsp; Fire crews also did a controlled burn on 360 acres early Monday in anticipation winds they are fighting Monday.There are no injuries reported.------RICE COUNTY—Crews continue to battle a large fire in rural Rice County.The fire was first reported just after 5:30p.m. on Sunday, according to Rice County Emergency Management Director Greg Klein.&nbsp; The fire started from a controlled burn that had been done Saturday on a quarter section of land northeast of Nickerson.Approximately 1800 acres have burned as of 6:30a.m. Monday and fire crews also did a controlled burn on 360 acres overnight in anticipation winds in the weather forecast for Monday afternoon, according to Klein.Roads in the area are open as fire crews continue monitoring a lot of hot spots and a half a mile of fire was still burning.&nbsp; Possibly one outbuilding but no other structures have burned and Klein reported no injuries.Fire crews from Sterling, Alden Chase, Geneseo, Windom, Little River, Marquette, Hutchinson, Nickerson, So. Hutch and Tanker 95 from the Kansas Forest Service are among those assisting.McPherson County sheriff's deputies were assisting with traffic control on the county line at Plum and Buckskin Road.Buckskin or Ave V west towards Sterling was closed temporarily while fire crews worked.

Update: Crews continue to fight grass fire in Rice County

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two men on numerous charges after a traffic stop.

Just before 3a.m. March 28, police conducted a&nbsp;traffic stop at involving a vehicle they observed driving down the wrong side of the road in the 900 block of South A Street in Arkansas City, according to&nbsp; Arkansas City Police in a media release issued April 5.

The vehicle’s tag was found to have an expired registration with a current registration sticker on it. Police later determined the sticker and tag were not the same.

The driver&nbsp;Robert Theophilus Lolar, 44, Winfield was found to have a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in Arkansas City Municipal Court. He was taken into custody without incident.

His passenger, Albert Lolar, 64, of Arkansas City, was found to be a suspect in an unrelated case being investigated by the Winfield Police Department. At Winfield’s request, he was placed under arrest on suspicion of battery-domestic violence and criminal damage property and transported to the county jail.

The vehicle was searched, and police found items suspected to be illegal substances and items associated with drug sales in the vehicle, which was later impounded and towed away from the scene

Robert Lolar was booked on suspicion of one felony count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and no drug tax stamp, as well as one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence, driving with a suspended driver’s license (third offense), expired or illegal registration, no proof of insurance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He also was cited for failure to appear in Arkansas City Municipal Court and transporting an open container of alcohol.

The vehicle was searched, and police found items suspected to be illegal substances and items associated with drug sales in the vehicle, which was later impounded and towed away from the scene.&nbsp; Both men have posted bail and are no longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617651616595.png" alt="Robert Lolar" />
 <figcaption>Robert Lolar</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two men on numerous charges after a traffic stop.Just before 3a.m. March 28, police conducted a&nbsp;traffic stop at involving a vehicle they observed driving down the wrong side of the road in the 900 block of South A Street in Arkansas City, according to&nbsp; Arkansas City Police in a media release issued April 5.The vehicle’s tag was found to have an expired registration with a current registration sticker on it. Police later determined the sticker and tag were not the same.The driver&nbsp;Robert Theophilus Lolar, 44, Winfield was found to have a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in Arkansas City Municipal Court. He was taken into custody without incident.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617651661331.png" alt="Albert Lolar" />
 <figcaption>Albert Lolar</figcaption>
 </figure>His passenger, Albert Lolar, 64, of Arkansas City, was found to be a suspect in an unrelated case being investigated by the Winfield Police Department. At Winfield’s request, he was placed under arrest on suspicion of battery-domestic violence and criminal damage property and transported to the county jail.The vehicle was searched, and police found items suspected to be illegal substances and items associated with drug sales in the vehicle, which was later impounded and towed away from the sceneRobert Lolar was booked on suspicion of one felony count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and no drug tax stamp, as well as one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence, driving with a suspended driver’s license (third offense), expired or illegal registration, no proof of insurance and possession of drug paraphernalia.He also was cited for failure to appear in Arkansas City Municipal Court and transporting an open container of alcohol.The vehicle was searched, and police found items suspected to be illegal substances and items associated with drug sales in the vehicle, which was later impounded and towed away from the scene.&nbsp; Both men have posted bail and are no longer in custody.

2 men jailed after found driving down wrong side of Kan. road

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man accused of attempted murder after allegedly driving a vehicle with his mother as a passenger into a lake has been declared mentally incompetent.

A Douglas County District Court judge ruled Wednesday that Jeremy S. Williams, 22, should receive treatment at Larned State Hospital, according to court records.

He was charged with second-degree attempted murder after a caller reported seeing a car drive into Lone Star Lake on Feb. 25, prosecutors said.

The caller helped Williams’ mother out of the car after she appeared unable to remove herself because of a broken leg, Douglas County Sheriff’s officials said. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and cold exposure.

Williams’ case will remain pending while he receives treatment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614442117521.png" alt="Williams photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man accused of attempted murder after allegedly driving a vehicle with his mother as a passenger into a lake has been declared mentally incompetent.A Douglas County District Court judge ruled Wednesday that Jeremy S. Williams, 22, should receive treatment at Larned State Hospital, according to court records.He was charged with second-degree attempted murder after a caller reported seeing a car drive into Lone Star Lake on Feb. 25, prosecutors said.The caller helped Williams’ mother out of the car after she appeared unable to remove herself because of a broken leg, Douglas County Sheriff’s officials said. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and cold exposure.Williams’ case will remain pending while he receives treatment.

Judge: Kan. man who tried to drive mom to her death incompetent

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for his actions during a disturbance on Easter Sunday.

Just after 6:30 a.m., police responded to a domestic disturbance with a weapon call at an apartment in the 3000 block of West Douglas in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21 -year-old woman at the apartment.&nbsp; As officers entered the apartment, they heard a gunshot from a bedroom.&nbsp; Officers began giving verbal instructions to the individuals inside the room.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Scott Bryant, 21, of Derby exited the room armed with a handgun and complied with instructions given to him.&nbsp; Officers arrested him without further incident and recovered the handgun.

A 19-year-old woman and 20-year-old woman also exited the bedroom.

The investigation revealed the four individuals are all known to each other, and the 19 and 20-year-old women got into an argument with Bryant.&nbsp; He fired the handgun during the disturbance and after the officers arrived.&nbsp; No one was injured in this incident.&nbsp; The gun was reported stolen.

The case will be presented to the City of Wichita prosecutors.

Bryant is being held on requested charges of possession of stolen property and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617622838213.png" alt="Bryant-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bryant-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for his actions during a disturbance on Easter Sunday.Just after 6:30 a.m., police responded to a domestic disturbance with a weapon call at an apartment in the 3000 block of West Douglas in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21 -year-old woman at the apartment.&nbsp; As officers entered the apartment, they heard a gunshot from a bedroom.&nbsp; Officers began giving verbal instructions to the individuals inside the room.&nbsp; &nbsp;Scott Bryant, 21, of Derby exited the room armed with a handgun and complied with instructions given to him.&nbsp; Officers arrested him without further incident and recovered the handgun.A 19-year-old woman and 20-year-old woman also exited the bedroom.The investigation revealed the four individuals are all known to each other, and the 19 and 20-year-old women got into an argument with Bryant.&nbsp; He fired the handgun during the disturbance and after the officers arrived.&nbsp; No one was injured in this incident.&nbsp; The gun was reported stolen.The case will be presented to the City of Wichita prosecutors.Bryant is being held on requested charges of possession of stolen property and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to Davidson.

Kan. man fired stolen handgun during Easter Sunday dispute

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The death of a Kansas man whose body was found in a creek in La Cygne, Kan., in 2004 was a homicide, according to a new report by a federal forensic examiner.

As part of a continuing federal investigation of Alonzo Brooks’ death, his body was exhumed and transported to Dover Air Force Base for examination by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. The examiner’s report concludes that the cause of death was homicide.

“We knew that Alonzo Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “This new examination by a team of the world’s best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo Brooks was killed. 

We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice.”

“The FBI’s commitment to justice remains at the forefront of each and every investigation,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan.

“Our reach is broad, and the strength of our investigative tools are exceptional. We remain dedicated to uncovering the truth surrounding the murder of Alonzo Brooks and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”

The new autopsy focuses on injuries to parts of Brooks’ body that the examiner concluded are inconsistent with normal patterns of decomposition.

Details of the examination are being withheld for investigative purposes.

In 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the FBI reopened the investigation of Brooks’ death, which had been dormant for years. As part of the new investigation, the FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Brooks’ death.

In the initial investigation, a coroner in Linn County said he was unable to determine a cause of death and witnesses’ interviews failed to produce any arrests. The new investigation is focused on determining whether Brooks, an

African-American who was 23 years old when he died, was the victim of a racially motivated killing. Brooks was last seen alive in April 2004 during a party at a house on the outskirts of La Cygne. He was one of only three African-American men at the party, which 100 or more people attended.

Brooks, who lived in Gardner, Kan., rode to the party with friends. They left before him and he wound up with no ride home.

When Brooks failed to come home the next day, his family and friends contacted the Linn County Sheriff’s Department.

According to reports at the time, the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies searched areas around the farmhouse, including parts of nearby Middle Creek, but did not find Alonzo.

After Alonzo had been missing for almost a month, a group of his family and friends organized a search. They began on the road near the 

farmhouse and walked the two branches of Middle Creek. In just under an hour, they found Alonzo’s body, partially on top of a pile of brush and branches in the creek.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591908849400.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The death of a Kansas man whose body was found in a creek in La Cygne, Kan., in 2004 was a homicide, according to a new report by a federal forensic examiner.As part of a continuing federal investigation of Alonzo Brooks’ death, his body was exhumed and transported to Dover Air Force Base for examination by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. The examiner’s report concludes that the cause of death was homicide.“We knew that Alonzo Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “This new examination by a team of the world’s best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo Brooks was killed. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice.”“The FBI’s commitment to justice remains at the forefront of each and every investigation,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan.“Our reach is broad, and the strength of our investigative tools are exceptional. We remain dedicated to uncovering the truth surrounding the murder of Alonzo Brooks and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”The new autopsy focuses on injuries to parts of Brooks’ body that the examiner concluded are inconsistent with normal patterns of decomposition.Details of the examination are being withheld for investigative purposes.In 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the FBI reopened the investigation of Brooks’ death, which had been dormant for years. As part of the new investigation, the FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Brooks’ death.In the initial investigation, a coroner in Linn County said he was unable to determine a cause of death and witnesses’ interviews failed to produce any arrests. The new investigation is focused on determining whether Brooks, anAfrican-American who was 23 years old when he died, was the victim of a racially motivated killing. Brooks was last seen alive in April 2004 during a party at a house on the outskirts of La Cygne. He was one of only three African-American men at the party, which 100 or more people attended.Brooks, who lived in Gardner, Kan., rode to the party with friends. They left before him and he wound up with no ride home.When Brooks failed to come home the next day, his family and friends contacted the Linn County Sheriff’s Department.According to reports at the time, the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies searched areas around the farmhouse, including parts of nearby Middle Creek, but did not find Alonzo.After Alonzo had been missing for almost a month, a group of his family and friends organized a search. They began on the road near the farmhouse and walked the two branches of Middle Creek. In just under an hour, they found Alonzo’s body, partially on top of a pile of brush and branches in the creek.

FBI confirms 2004 death of Kan. man was a homicide

WASHINGTON − As people across the country file their 2020 tax returns, some are claiming the 2020 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a>.
 The IRS is mailing letters to some taxpayers who claimed the 2020 
credit and may be getting a different amount than they expected.

It's important to remember that the first and second Economic Impact 
Payments (EIP) were advance payments of the 2020 credit. Most eligible 
people already received the first and second payments and shouldn't or 
don't need to include this information on their 2020 tax return.

People who didn't receive a first or second EIP or received less than
 the full amounts may be eligible for the 2020 RRC. They must file a 
2020 tax return to claim the credit, even if they don't usually file a 
tax return.

When the IRS processes a 2020 tax return claiming the credit, the IRS
 determines the eligibility and amount of the taxpayer's credit based on
 the 2020 tax return information and the amounts of any EIP previously 
issued. If a taxpayer is eligible, it will be reduced by the amount of 
any EIPs already issued to them.

If there's a mistake with the credit amount on Line 30 of the 1040 or
 1040-SR, the IRS will calculate the correct amount, make the correction
 and continue processing the return. If a correction is needed, there 
may be a slight delay in processing the return and the IRS will send the
 taxpayer a letter or notice explaining any change.

Taxpayers who receive a notice saying the IRS changed the amount of 
their 2020 credit should read the notice. Then they should review their 
2020 tax return, the requirements and the worksheet in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR instructions.</a>

Here are some common reasons the IRS corrected the credit:

IRS.gov has a special section - <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2020-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-g-correcting-issues-after-the-2020-tax-return-is-filed">Correcting Recovery Rebate Credit issues after the 2020 tax return is filed</a>
 – that provides additional information to explain what errors may have 
occurred. Taxpayers who disagree with the IRS calculation should review 
their letter as well as the questions and answers for what information 
they should have available when contacting the IRS.

The Internal Revenue Service urges people who have not yet filed 
their 2020 tax return to properly determine their eligibility for the 
2020 before they file their 2020 tax returns. To calculate any credit 
due, start with the amount of any EIPs received. Use the RRC Worksheet 
or tax preparation software. Taxpayers who didn't save or didn't receive
 an IRS letter or notice can securely access their individual tax 
information with an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">IRS online account</a>.

Anyone with income of $72,000 or less can file their Federal tax return electronically for free through the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a>&nbsp;program. The fastest way to get a tax refund which will include your 2020 RRC is to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file electronically</a> and have it <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposited</a>
 into their financial account. Bank accounts, many prepaid debit cards 
and several mobile apps can be used for direct deposit when a routing 
and account number are provided. If using a prepaid debit card, check 
with the financial institution to ensure the card can be used and to 
obtain the routing number and account number, which may be different 
from the card number.

For more information, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-information-letters-about-economic-impact-payments-and-the-recovery-rebate-credit">IRS information letters about Economic Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit</a> or visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">IRS.gov/rrc</a>&nbsp;and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-frequently-asked-questions">frequently asked questions</a> by topic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON − As people across the country file their 2020 tax returns, some are claiming the 2020 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a>.
 The IRS is mailing letters to some taxpayers who claimed the 2020 
credit and may be getting a different amount than they expected.It's important to remember that the first and second Economic Impact 
Payments (EIP) were advance payments of the 2020 credit. Most eligible 
people already received the first and second payments and shouldn't or 
don't need to include this information on their 2020 tax return.People who didn't receive a first or second EIP or received less than
 the full amounts may be eligible for the 2020 RRC. They must file a 
2020 tax return to claim the credit, even if they don't usually file a 
tax return.When the IRS processes a 2020 tax return claiming the credit, the IRS
 determines the eligibility and amount of the taxpayer's credit based on
 the 2020 tax return information and the amounts of any EIP previously 
issued. If a taxpayer is eligible, it will be reduced by the amount of 
any EIPs already issued to them.If there's a mistake with the credit amount on Line 30 of the 1040 or
 1040-SR, the IRS will calculate the correct amount, make the correction
 and continue processing the return. If a correction is needed, there 
may be a slight delay in processing the return and the IRS will send the
 taxpayer a letter or notice explaining any change.Taxpayers who receive a notice saying the IRS changed the amount of 
their 2020 credit should read the notice. Then they should review their 
2020 tax return, the requirements and the worksheet in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR instructions.</a>Here are some common reasons the IRS corrected the credit:<ul>
 <li>The individual was claimed as a dependent on another person's 2020 tax return.</li><li>The individual did not provide a Social Security number valid for employment.</li><li>The qualifying child was age 17 or older on January&nbsp;1, 2020.</li><li>Math errors relating to calculating adjusted gross income and any EIPs already received.</li>
 </ul>IRS.gov has a special section - <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2020-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-g-correcting-issues-after-the-2020-tax-return-is-filed">Correcting Recovery Rebate Credit issues after the 2020 tax return is filed</a>
 – that provides additional information to explain what errors may have 
occurred. Taxpayers who disagree with the IRS calculation should review 
their letter as well as the questions and answers for what information 
they should have available when contacting the IRS.The Internal Revenue Service urges people who have not yet filed 
their 2020 tax return to properly determine their eligibility for the 
2020 before they file their 2020 tax returns. To calculate any credit 
due, start with the amount of any EIPs received. Use the RRC Worksheet 
or tax preparation software. Taxpayers who didn't save or didn't receive
 an IRS letter or notice can securely access their individual tax 
information with an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">IRS online account</a>.Anyone with income of $72,000 or less can file their Federal tax return electronically for free through the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a>&nbsp;program. The fastest way to get a tax refund which will include your 2020 RRC is to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file electronically</a> and have it <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposited</a>
 into their financial account. Bank accounts, many prepaid debit cards 
and several mobile apps can be used for direct deposit when a routing 
and account number are provided. If using a prepaid debit card, check 
with the financial institution to ensure the card can be used and to 
obtain the routing number and account number, which may be different 
from the card number.For more information, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-information-letters-about-economic-impact-payments-and-the-recovery-rebate-credit">IRS information letters about Economic Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit</a> or visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">IRS.gov/rrc</a>&nbsp;and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-frequently-asked-questions">frequently asked questions</a> by topic.<ul>
 <li><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">Topic A: Claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-b-eligibility">Topic B: Eligibility</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-c-claiming-the-credit">Topic C: Claiming the Credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2020-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-d-calculating-the-credit">Topic D: Calculating the Credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-e-receiving-the-credit">Topic E: Receiving the Credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2020-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-f-finding-the-first-and-second-economic-impact-payment-amounts-to-calculate-the-2020-recovery-rebate-credit">Topic F: Finding the First and Second Economic Impact Payment Amounts to Calculate the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2020-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-g-correcting-issues-after-the-2020-tax-return-is-filed">Topic G: Correcting issues after the 2020 tax return is filed</a></li>
 </ul>

IRS letters explain 2020 Recovery Rebate Credits

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday that she has no plans to have Kansas issue vaccine passports, which are designed to help inoculated residents travel, shop and dine out more freely.

The Democratic governor also signed into law a largely symbolic&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb63_enrolled.pdf" target="_blank">measure</a>&nbsp;approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature to require public schools to offer full-time, in-person classes to all students for the rest of the current semester.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-covid-19-pandemic-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-a85f3c32c044912b834aac7e0e1356a0">Almost all</a>&nbsp;of the state’s 286 local school districts already have most students attending in-person classes, according to the State Department of Education.

Vaccine passports verifying people’s immunizations status have become a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-new-york-data-privacy-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-f1c7623849d5458bcda3aed67f4c3d90">political flashpoint</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. as they’ve come into use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-can-unvaccinated-return-to-work-dilemma-coronavrius-7e18cdee3a66018c36a6c61d5bc8a4c1">in Israel&nbsp;</a>and under development in Europe. Some Republicans in the U.S. see them as heavy-handed government intrusion.

Kelly said she’s concentrating on making sure people get tested for and vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I have no interest in vaccine passports,” she told reporters. “We will not be issuing those under my authority.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday that she has no plans to have Kansas issue vaccine passports, which are designed to help inoculated residents travel, shop and dine out more freely.The Democratic governor also signed into law a largely symbolic&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb63_enrolled.pdf" target="_blank">measure</a>&nbsp;approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature to require public schools to offer full-time, in-person classes to all students for the rest of the current semester.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-covid-19-pandemic-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-a85f3c32c044912b834aac7e0e1356a0">Almost all</a>&nbsp;of the state’s 286 local school districts already have most students attending in-person classes, according to the State Department of Education.Vaccine passports verifying people’s immunizations status have become a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-new-york-data-privacy-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-f1c7623849d5458bcda3aed67f4c3d90">political flashpoint</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. as they’ve come into use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-can-unvaccinated-return-to-work-dilemma-coronavrius-7e18cdee3a66018c36a6c61d5bc8a4c1">in Israel&nbsp;</a>and under development in Europe. Some Republicans in the U.S. see them as heavy-handed government intrusion.Kelly said she’s concentrating on making sure people get tested for and vaccinated against COVID-19.“I have no interest in vaccine passports,” she told reporters. “We will not be issuing those under my authority.”New COVID-19 cases have declined sharply in Kansas in recent months. State health department data showed an average of just 195 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday, the lowest rolling seven-day average since late June 2020.Kansas added only 354 cases since Friday to its pandemic total, making it 303,227. A review of death certificates also prompted the health department to subtract five deaths from the pandemic total since Friday, dropping it to 4,927.The measure requiring schools to reopen was pushed by Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. He and other GOP lawmakers said remote classes hurt many children both academically and emotionally. Republicans are still criticizing Kelly for ordering all K-12 buildings closed from mid-March 2020 until the end of that spring’s semester.But Kelly said Monday that with schools open, “It’s sort of a moot point.”____