WASHINGTON — The new director of the Centers for Disease Control says officials have “scaled up” their surveillance of new <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant-cases.html">coronavirus variants in the United States.</a>

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that previously “there has not been a public health infrastructure” to track such variants. 

Also, there weren’t resources to do “mass sequencing” of the virus across the country. She noted the coronavirus aid plan pushed by the Biden Administration includes funds to improve such tracing.

However, Walensky says it was “concerning” the two South Carolina individuals who were diagnosed with the more virulent strain first identified in South Africa didn’t know each other or travel there, so the “presumption” is there’s “community spread of this strain.”

The mutated version of the virus, first identified in South Africa, was found in two cases in South Carolina. Public health officials said it’s almost certain that there are more infections that have not been identified yet. They are also concerned that this version spreads more easily and that vaccines could be less effective against it.

The two cases were discovered in adults in different regions of the state and do not appear to be connected. Neither of the people infected has traveled recently, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Thursday.

“That’s frightening,” because it means there could be more undetected cases within the state, said Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious diseases physician at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. “It’s probably more widespread.”

The arrival of the variant shows that “the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” Dr. Brannon Traxler, South Carolina’s interim public health director, said in a statement. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still limited. Every one of us must recommit to the fight by recognizing that we are all on the front lines now. We are all in this together.”

Viruses constantly mutate, and coronavirus variants are circulating around the globe, but scientists are primarily concerned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infectious-diseases-coronavirus-pandemic-12d1f000ed9601f99c1c7c08e020ba7b">the emergence of three&nbsp;</a>that researchers believe may spread more easily. Other variants first reported in the United Kingdom and Brazil were previously confirmed in the U.S.

As the variants bring a potential for greater infection risks in the U.S., pandemic-weary lawmakers in several states are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-maryland-tom-wolf-coronavirus-pandemic-7d5710f2d8aa4e659c0ec68400ad3d3c">pushing back against mask mandates</a>, business closures and other protective restrictions ordered by governors.

States including Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky and Indiana are weighing proposals to limit their governors’ abilities to impose emergency restrictions. Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Assembly had been expected to vote to repeal Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate, but lawmakers abruptly called off the vote Thursday in the face of broad criticism and out of concern it would jeopardize more than $49 million in federal aid. Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment to strip the governor of many of his emergency powers.

Governors argue that they need authority to act swiftly in a crisis, and limitations could slow critical emergency responses.

Meanwhile, Nebraska health officials said the state could be days away from lifting restrictions on indoor gatherings, citing a low percentage of COVID-19 hospitalizations. Other states seeing declining infections are also loosening&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-public-health-gretchen-whitmer-michigan-coronavirus-pandemic-f2e1f01d695d2a017db0369d675591d4">limitations on restaurants and other businesses</a>, though experts have warned the public to stay vigilant about masks and social distancing or risk further surges.

In South Carolina, the state health agency said the variant was found in one person from the state’s coastal region and another in its northeastern corner. The state gave little other information, citing privacy concerns, though Traxler said neither of the people was contagious any longer.

“Both were tested very early in the month, and my understanding is that both are doing well,” Traxler said.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, loosened most of the state’s remaining pandemic restrictions in the fall. Spokesman Brian Symmes said McMaster does not plan to order new restrictions based on the discovery of the variant.

“This is important information for South Carolinians to have,” McMaster said in a tweet, “but it isn’t a reason for panic.”

Scientists last week reported preliminary signs that some of the recent mutations may modestly curb the effectiveness of two vaccines, although they stressed that the shots still protect against the disease. There are also signs that some of the new mutations may undermine tests for the virus and reduce the effectiveness of certain treatments.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;has already sickened millions and killed roughly 430,000 people in the United States.

While the rollout of vaccines has been slow, President Joe Biden has pledged to deliver 100 million injections in his first 100 days in office — and suggested it’s possible the U.S. could reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ap-top-news-global-trade-coronavirus-pandemic-economy-72be976a6b4f93a2d3db2feac03070d1">1.5 million shots a day.</a>

While some European countries do extensive genetic testing to detect these variants, the U.S. has done little of this detective work. But scientists have been been quickly trying to do more, which has revealed the more contagious variants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported at least 315 cases of the U.K.-discovered variant in the United States. Those reports have come from at least 28 states, and health officials believe it could become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March. That variant has been reported in at least 70 countries.

Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/Coronaviruspandemic">Coronavirus pandemic</a>

The first U.S. case of the variant found in Brazil was announced earlier this week by health officials in Minnesota. It was a person who recently traveled to that South American nation. That version of the virus has popped up in more than a half-dozen countries.

The variant first found in South Africa was detected in October. Since then, it has been found in at least 30 other countries.

Some tests suggest the South African and Brazilian variants may be less susceptible to antibody drugs or antibody-rich blood from COVID-19 survivors, both of which help people fight off the virus.

Health officials also worry that if the virus changes enough, people might get COVID-19 a second time.

Biden on Monday reinstated COVID-19 travel restrictions on most non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, the U.K. and South Africa. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans avoid travel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608566572342.png" alt="Image courtesy GISAID" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — The new director of the Centers for Disease Control says officials have “scaled up” their surveillance of new <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant-cases.html">coronavirus variants in the United States.</a>CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that previously “there has not been a public health infrastructure” to track such variants. Also, there weren’t resources to do “mass sequencing” of the virus across the country. She noted the coronavirus aid plan pushed by the Biden Administration includes funds to improve such tracing.However, Walensky says it was “concerning” the two South Carolina individuals who were diagnosed with the more virulent strain first identified in South Africa didn’t know each other or travel there, so the “presumption” is there’s “community spread of this strain.”The mutated version of the virus, first identified in South Africa, was found in two cases in South Carolina. Public health officials said it’s almost certain that there are more infections that have not been identified yet. They are also concerned that this version spreads more easily and that vaccines could be less effective against it.The two cases were discovered in adults in different regions of the state and do not appear to be connected. Neither of the people infected has traveled recently, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Thursday.“That’s frightening,” because it means there could be more undetected cases within the state, said Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious diseases physician at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. “It’s probably more widespread.”The arrival of the variant shows that “the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” Dr. Brannon Traxler, South Carolina’s interim public health director, said in a statement. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still limited. Every one of us must recommit to the fight by recognizing that we are all on the front lines now. We are all in this together.”Viruses constantly mutate, and coronavirus variants are circulating around the globe, but scientists are primarily concerned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infectious-diseases-coronavirus-pandemic-12d1f000ed9601f99c1c7c08e020ba7b">the emergence of three&nbsp;</a>that researchers believe may spread more easily. Other variants first reported in the United Kingdom and Brazil were previously confirmed in the U.S.As the variants bring a potential for greater infection risks in the U.S., pandemic-weary lawmakers in several states are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-maryland-tom-wolf-coronavirus-pandemic-7d5710f2d8aa4e659c0ec68400ad3d3c">pushing back against mask mandates</a>, business closures and other protective restrictions ordered by governors.States including Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky and Indiana are weighing proposals to limit their governors’ abilities to impose emergency restrictions. Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Assembly had been expected to vote to repeal Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate, but lawmakers abruptly called off the vote Thursday in the face of broad criticism and out of concern it would jeopardize more than $49 million in federal aid. Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment to strip the governor of many of his emergency powers.Governors argue that they need authority to act swiftly in a crisis, and limitations could slow critical emergency responses.Meanwhile, Nebraska health officials said the state could be days away from lifting restrictions on indoor gatherings, citing a low percentage of COVID-19 hospitalizations. Other states seeing declining infections are also loosening&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-public-health-gretchen-whitmer-michigan-coronavirus-pandemic-f2e1f01d695d2a017db0369d675591d4">limitations on restaurants and other businesses</a>, though experts have warned the public to stay vigilant about masks and social distancing or risk further surges.In South Carolina, the state health agency said the variant was found in one person from the state’s coastal region and another in its northeastern corner. The state gave little other information, citing privacy concerns, though Traxler said neither of the people was contagious any longer.“Both were tested very early in the month, and my understanding is that both are doing well,” Traxler said.South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, loosened most of the state’s remaining pandemic restrictions in the fall. Spokesman Brian Symmes said McMaster does not plan to order new restrictions based on the discovery of the variant.“This is important information for South Carolinians to have,” McMaster said in a tweet, “but it isn’t a reason for panic.”Scientists last week reported preliminary signs that some of the recent mutations may modestly curb the effectiveness of two vaccines, although they stressed that the shots still protect against the disease. There are also signs that some of the new mutations may undermine tests for the virus and reduce the effectiveness of certain treatments.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;has already sickened millions and killed roughly 430,000 people in the United States.While the rollout of vaccines has been slow, President Joe Biden has pledged to deliver 100 million injections in his first 100 days in office — and suggested it’s possible the U.S. could reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ap-top-news-global-trade-coronavirus-pandemic-economy-72be976a6b4f93a2d3db2feac03070d1">1.5 million shots a day.</a>While some European countries do extensive genetic testing to detect these variants, the U.S. has done little of this detective work. But scientists have been been quickly trying to do more, which has revealed the more contagious variants.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported at least 315 cases of the U.K.-discovered variant in the United States. Those reports have come from at least 28 states, and health officials believe it could become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March. That variant has been reported in at least 70 countries.Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/Coronaviruspandemic">Coronavirus pandemic</a>The first U.S. case of the variant found in Brazil was announced earlier this week by health officials in Minnesota. It was a person who recently traveled to that South American nation. That version of the virus has popped up in more than a half-dozen countries.The variant first found in South Africa was detected in October. Since then, it has been found in at least 30 other countries.Some tests suggest the South African and Brazilian variants may be less susceptible to antibody drugs or antibody-rich blood from COVID-19 survivors, both of which help people fight off the virus.Health officials also worry that if the virus changes enough, people might get COVID-19 a second time.Biden on Monday reinstated COVID-19 travel restrictions on most non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, the U.K. and South Africa. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans avoid travel.

CDC struggles to track dangerous COVID-19 variants

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

With many couples choosing to cancel or postpone their nuptials in 2020 because of COVID-19, those in the events industry are hoping for a wedding boom in 2021-22.

Area businesses will come together&nbsp;for the Save the Date Wedding Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestrandhays">The Strand</a>&nbsp;Event Center. Tickets are $5. You can pre-register or buy tickets at the door.

The expo will feature 23 booths, plus goodie bags and giveaways for ticket holders. See a list of vendors below.

&nbsp;Tara Grubb, wedding coordinator with <a href="https://completewedo.com/kansas/">COMPLETE Weddings + Events Kansas</a>, provides services across the state of Kansas including in the Hays area.

Last year was slow for the industry from March through summer. However, weddings started to pick back up in the fall, Grubb said.

This year, spring bookings have still been a bit slow, but summer and fall bookings are almost back up to pre-COVID numbers, Grubb said. The company is also seeing an increase in brides wanting wedding coordinators.

One distinction among couples right now is that they are not waiting to sign with a coordinator and book their venues.

"We find that a lot of people are booking the same day we give them pricing," Grubb said. "There is more urgency."

Kayci Schumacher, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weddingconnectionsofhays.com/">Wedding Connections of Hays</a>, said she she is still seeing some hesitancy for brides to book weddings this spring, but less so for the fall and 2022.

Hays is known for its large weddings—400 to 600 guests, Schumacher said. She said she has seen couples pairing down their guest lists.

"I would definitely say people are playing it safe," she said.

Wedding Connections rents linens and other wedding accessories.&nbsp;Schumacher also operates Chestnut Street Floral.

Her company offered onsite wedding coordination, but she decided to drop that service in 2020 after 12 years in light of the pandemic.&nbsp;

"With the limited amount of employees that I have that is just an extra added exposure to the number of guests a wedding has that I was not willing to take myself or to my staff," Schumacher said.

She replaced the service with contact-free coordination, which she offers at a lower price point.

Leland Olive, owner of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/coutureformen/">Couture for Men</a> in Hays, also said his men's formal business was down during the spring in summer, but began to rebound in the fall.

Even this month, Oliver has provided clothing for more weddings than last January and said he expects the trend to continue well into 2021.

"I think it is going to be a huge year for weddings," he said.

Amelia Teter, The Strand's event coordinator, said dates in 2021 and into 2022 are already starting to fill for the venue.

"I think people are looking to schedule their wedding that they may have put off in 2020 just with the bookings we've had," Teter said.

Couples are still needing to plan their weddings with COVID in mind, Grubb said. Restrictions vary depending on what part of the state in which the wedding will be conducted. Some venues have occupancy restrictions, and wedding parties will need to abide by mask regulations where they are mandated.

Couples have addressed these challenges in a variety of ways. Some are ordering custom masks and handing out hand sanitizer as favors.&nbsp;

Teter said couples who have rented The Strand have used the balcony for people who feel less comfort with floor seating among the crowd.

Others have chosen to significantly cut their gust lists to allow for social distancing, Grubb said.

"We have also found that people have started to enjoy the look and the feel of what we are calling a micro-weddings or smaller wedding that are a little bit more intimate.&nbsp;

"They can spend their budget on things that they couldn't before because their guest list is smaller. They can put a little more detail into things because that guest list is smaller."

Some couples have chosen to move those smaller weddings to private residences, which are less restricted than public venues.

However, many Kansas brides remain hesitant to book outdoor weddings because of the state's unpredictable weather, Grubb said.

Couples have also realized not all of their friends and family members are going to be able to travel to their weddings right now, so video and streaming services are popular, Grubb said.

Some remnants of COVID will likely stay as communities and the industry moves forward, including alternatives such as served buffets and prepackaged snacks, she said.

"I hope hand sanitizer as a centerpiece goes away," Grubbs said, giggling.

There will be a fashion show at 1:30 p.m. at the Wedding Expo on Saturday.

Olive of Couture for Men said grays and navies with brown shoes are trending this year. However, he said some grooms are opting to buy suits for themselves and their groomsmen as an alternative to rented formal wear.

"We have two wedding scheduled this year that we already have the suits in," he said. "They are buying suits instead of renting — not just using the money and having nothing to show for it."

Olive urged couples to book early. He suggested making appointments for fittings at least two months prior to the wedding date.

The Hilton Garden Inn will also host a Bridal Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20. See their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2864582470426906">Facebook page</a> for more details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611762276152.jpeg" alt="A photo from the Sargent wedding in October at The Strand&nbsp; Event Center.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.turbanimages.com">Tresta Urban of Urban Images </a>" />
 <figcaption>A photo from the Sargent wedding in October at The Strand&nbsp; Event Center.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.turbanimages.com">Tresta Urban of Urban Images </a></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostWith many couples choosing to cancel or postpone their nuptials in 2020 because of COVID-19, those in the events industry are hoping for a wedding boom in 2021-22.Area businesses will come together&nbsp;for the Save the Date Wedding Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestrandhays">The Strand</a>&nbsp;Event Center. Tickets are $5. You can pre-register or buy tickets at the door.The expo will feature 23 booths, plus goodie bags and giveaways for ticket holders. See a list of vendors below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611701448759.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More weddings expected in 2021, 2022</h2>&nbsp;Tara Grubb, wedding coordinator with <a href="https://completewedo.com/kansas/">COMPLETE Weddings + Events Kansas</a>, provides services across the state of Kansas including in the Hays area.Last year was slow for the industry from March through summer. However, weddings started to pick back up in the fall, Grubb said.This year, spring bookings have still been a bit slow, but summer and fall bookings are almost back up to pre-COVID numbers, Grubb said. The company is also seeing an increase in brides wanting wedding coordinators.One distinction among couples right now is that they are not waiting to sign with a coordinator and book their venues."We find that a lot of people are booking the same day we give them pricing," Grubb said. "There is more urgency."Kayci Schumacher, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weddingconnectionsofhays.com/">Wedding Connections of Hays</a>, said she she is still seeing some hesitancy for brides to book weddings this spring, but less so for the fall and 2022.Hays is known for its large weddings—400 to 600 guests, Schumacher said. She said she has seen couples pairing down their guest lists."I would definitely say people are playing it safe," she said.Wedding Connections rents linens and other wedding accessories.&nbsp;Schumacher also operates Chestnut Street Floral.Her company offered onsite wedding coordination, but she decided to drop that service in 2020 after 12 years in light of the pandemic.&nbsp;"With the limited amount of employees that I have that is just an extra added exposure to the number of guests a wedding has that I was not willing to take myself or to my staff," Schumacher said.She replaced the service with contact-free coordination, which she offers at a lower price point.Leland Olive, owner of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/coutureformen/">Couture for Men</a> in Hays, also said his men's formal business was down during the spring in summer, but began to rebound in the fall.Even this month, Oliver has provided clothing for more weddings than last January and said he expects the trend to continue well into 2021."I think it is going to be a huge year for weddings," he said.Amelia Teter, The Strand's event coordinator, said dates in 2021 and into 2022 are already starting to fill for the venue."I think people are looking to schedule their wedding that they may have put off in 2020 just with the bookings we've had," Teter said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611762819866.jpeg" alt="Tables are set for a recent wedding reception at The Strand. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tables are set for a recent wedding reception at The Strand. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Still keep COVID in mind</h2>Couples are still needing to plan their weddings with COVID in mind, Grubb said. Restrictions vary depending on what part of the state in which the wedding will be conducted. Some venues have occupancy restrictions, and wedding parties will need to abide by mask regulations where they are mandated.Couples have addressed these challenges in a variety of ways. Some are ordering custom masks and handing out hand sanitizer as favors.&nbsp;Teter said couples who have rented The Strand have used the balcony for people who feel less comfort with floor seating among the crowd.<h2>Micro-weddings find popularity</h2>Others have chosen to significantly cut their gust lists to allow for social distancing, Grubb said."We have also found that people have started to enjoy the look and the feel of what we are calling a micro-weddings or smaller wedding that are a little bit more intimate.&nbsp;"They can spend their budget on things that they couldn't before because their guest list is smaller. They can put a little more detail into things because that guest list is smaller."Some couples have chosen to move those smaller weddings to private residences, which are less restricted than public venues.However, many Kansas brides remain hesitant to book outdoor weddings because of the state's unpredictable weather, Grubb said.Couples have also realized not all of their friends and family members are going to be able to travel to their weddings right now, so video and streaming services are popular, Grubb said.Some remnants of COVID will likely stay as communities and the industry moves forward, including alternatives such as served buffets and prepackaged snacks, she said."I hope hand sanitizer as a centerpiece goes away," Grubbs said, giggling.<h2>Men find fashion alternatives</h2>There will be a fashion show at 1:30 p.m. at the Wedding Expo on Saturday.Olive of Couture for Men said grays and navies with brown shoes are trending this year. However, he said some grooms are opting to buy suits for themselves and their groomsmen as an alternative to rented formal wear."We have two wedding scheduled this year that we already have the suits in," he said. "They are buying suits instead of renting — not just using the money and having nothing to show for it."Olive urged couples to book early. He suggested making appointments for fittings at least two months prior to the wedding date.The Hilton Garden Inn will also host a Bridal Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20. See their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2864582470426906">Facebook page</a> for more details.

2021 could be 'huge' year for weddings; expo set for Saturday

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell was fined $25,000 on Wednesday after admitting to nine campaign finance violations.

The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission fined O’Donnell for violations that included using campaign money for personal use and fraudulent reporting. He was accused of funneling money to four friends, who he falsely claimed were campaign workers, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article248803405.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

O’Donnell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-elections-e7a87d0ebe139cef775deddb53817731">resigned</a>&nbsp;from the Sedgwick County Commission in November rather than face o&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campaigns-wichita-0fe70e4768b8d9923f366d07aa0a1b4f">uster procedures&nbsp;</a>for his role in a false attack ad against Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and a subsequent cover-up during the 2019 mayoral race.

On Wednesday, O’Donnell asked that the fine be set below $10,000 because he said he is “broke” since resigning from the commission.

The ethics commission said half of the $25,000 would be forgiven if O’Donnell pays $12,500 within 90 days.

In March of 2019, jurors in federal court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a064dd2813ff4650b9302dd01f7474a3">acquitted</a>&nbsp;O’Donnell on 21 counts of wire fraud. After they deadlocked on two counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering, federal prosecutors asked the court to drop the charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603901453104.png" alt="Michael O'Donnell wiping away tears following the October censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission. At that time, he refused to apologize." />
 <figcaption>Michael O'Donnell wiping away tears following the October censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission. At that time, he refused to apologize.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell was fined $25,000 on Wednesday after admitting to nine campaign finance violations.The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission fined O’Donnell for violations that included using campaign money for personal use and fraudulent reporting. He was accused of funneling money to four friends, who he falsely claimed were campaign workers, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article248803405.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.O’Donnell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-elections-e7a87d0ebe139cef775deddb53817731">resigned</a>&nbsp;from the Sedgwick County Commission in November rather than face o&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campaigns-wichita-0fe70e4768b8d9923f366d07aa0a1b4f">uster procedures&nbsp;</a>for his role in a false attack ad against Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and a subsequent cover-up during the 2019 mayoral race.On Wednesday, O’Donnell asked that the fine be set below $10,000 because he said he is “broke” since resigning from the commission.The ethics commission said half of the $25,000 would be forgiven if O’Donnell pays $12,500 within 90 days.In March of 2019, jurors in federal court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a064dd2813ff4650b9302dd01f7474a3">acquitted</a>&nbsp;O’Donnell on 21 counts of wire fraud. After they deadlocked on two counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering, federal prosecutors asked the court to drop the charges.

Former Kan. county commissioner fined $25K for ethics violations

E. Earl Kendrick, age 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 
25, 2021, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; He was 
born on May 16, 1938, in Logan County, Kansas, the son of Albert Leroy 
and Adah Blanche Currah Kendrick.&nbsp; A lifetime resident of Scott City, 
Kansas, he was a farmer, truck driver, owned a hay business, and Author.

He was a member of the Immanuel Southern Baptist Church in Scott 
City, Kansas where he was a deacon and he was the music director for 33 
years.

On October 5, 1958, he married Marilyn Mae Spellman in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; She survives.

Survivors include his Wife - Marilyn M. Kendrick of Scott City, 
Kansas, One Son - Brett &amp; Kendra Kendrick of Scott City, Kansas, One
 Daughter - Annette &amp; Chris Shultz of Eudora, Kansas, Five 
Grandchildren - Todd &amp; Lauren Kendrick of Topeka, Kansas, Trace 
&amp; Lillie Kendrick of Wichita, Kansas, Maria Shultz of Fort Worth, 
Texas, Levi &amp; Jessica Shultz of San Antonio, Texas, Pierce Shultz of
 St. George, Kansas, and 11 Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Two Brothers - Edsel &amp; 
Ernest Kendrick, One Sister - Alberta Griffin, One Grandson - Ryan 
Shultz, and Three Cousins that were raised as family - Herbert Currah, 
Wilma Fries, Alma Fries.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 
2021, at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas with Pastor
 Chris Shultz presiding.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas

Memorials in Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Immanuel Southern 
Baptist Church or the Park Lane Nursing Home in care of Price and Sons 
Funeral Home; PO Box 553; Scott City, Kansas, 67871.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, and 
10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in 
Scott City, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611712730507.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>E. Earl Kendrick, age 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 
25, 2021, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; He was 
born on May 16, 1938, in Logan County, Kansas, the son of Albert Leroy 
and Adah Blanche Currah Kendrick.&nbsp; A lifetime resident of Scott City, 
Kansas, he was a farmer, truck driver, owned a hay business, and Author.He was a member of the Immanuel Southern Baptist Church in Scott 
City, Kansas where he was a deacon and he was the music director for 33 
years.On October 5, 1958, he married Marilyn Mae Spellman in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; She survives.Survivors include his Wife - Marilyn M. Kendrick of Scott City, 
Kansas, One Son - Brett &amp; Kendra Kendrick of Scott City, Kansas, One
 Daughter - Annette &amp; Chris Shultz of Eudora, Kansas, Five 
Grandchildren - Todd &amp; Lauren Kendrick of Topeka, Kansas, Trace 
&amp; Lillie Kendrick of Wichita, Kansas, Maria Shultz of Fort Worth, 
Texas, Levi &amp; Jessica Shultz of San Antonio, Texas, Pierce Shultz of
 St. George, Kansas, and 11 Great Grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his Parents, Two Brothers - Edsel &amp; 
Ernest Kendrick, One Sister - Alberta Griffin, One Grandson - Ryan 
Shultz, and Three Cousins that were raised as family - Herbert Currah, 
Wilma Fries, Alma Fries.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 
2021, at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas with Pastor
 Chris Shultz presiding.Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, KansasMemorials in Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Immanuel Southern 
Baptist Church or the Park Lane Nursing Home in care of Price and Sons 
Funeral Home; PO Box 553; Scott City, Kansas, 67871.Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, and 
10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in 
Scott City, Kansas.

E. Earl Kendrick

RENO COUNTY&nbsp;— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.

&nbsp;Timothy Peters, 56, Hutchinson, went to a residence at 20 E. 15th Street where he is accused of breaking down a door and confronting a man and woman, according to a media release.

One of the victims identified as Demetrius Burgess got into a physical altercation with Peters. The fight spilled out into the front yard when Peters pulled a knife and stabbed Burgess in the stomach, according to the police.

EMS transported Burgess to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment. Police arrested Peters on requested charges of&nbsp;aggravated battery and criminal damage to property. He is being held on a bond of $10,000.

Peters had been on community corrections since October 2019 following four or more DUI convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611683427022.png" alt="Peters has several previous convictions for DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Peters has several previous convictions for DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY&nbsp;— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.&nbsp;Timothy Peters, 56, Hutchinson, went to a residence at 20 E. 15th Street where he is accused of breaking down a door and confronting a man and woman, according to a media release.One of the victims identified as Demetrius Burgess got into a physical altercation with Peters. The fight spilled out into the front yard when Peters pulled a knife and stabbed Burgess in the stomach, according to the police.EMS transported Burgess to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment. Police arrested Peters on requested charges of&nbsp;aggravated battery and criminal damage to property. He is being held on a bond of $10,000.Peters had been on community corrections since October 2019 following four or more DUI convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas man back in jail after alleged stabbing

Janida Jones Murphree, age 90, died at 3:57 am on Sunday, October 25, in
 her daughter’s home in Middlebury, Vt. She died peacefully, surrounded 
by family, love, and prayer, after a long decline from Alzheimer’s. Janida
 was born August 6, 1930 to Robert Ezekiel and Ima Gaye Jones of Duncan,
 Okla. Her mother’s family were early pioneers in Stephens County, 
“crossing the Red River from Texas with their cattle” (as her mother put
 it) when Oklahoma was still Indian Territory and Stephens County part 
of the Chickasaw Nation. When Janida was born her father owned and ran 
the Jones Brothers Dairy, which he was later forced to sell during the 
Great Depression; he then picked up a paint brush and traveled the 
country taking every job he could find, while Ima lived at and ran a 
National Youth Administration program for young women. With both 
parents working, Janida and older sister Julia Ann lived much of the 
Depression with their grandparents, Sid and Ida Jones. Among Janida’s 
fondest lifelong memories were driving cows with “Papa Sid” from the 
family’s land south of Duncan to the clear water and green grass of 
“Weed Holler” and riding her cow pony Skipper. Janida attended 
public school in Duncan, but graduated from Horace Mann High School in 
Ada in 1948. Her first year of college she attended Baylor University in
 Waco, Texas, where she met future husband Bobby Warren Murphree (born 
in Muleshoe, Texas, but whose family moved to California in the 1940s). 
She spent two years at the University of Oklahoma, and, following Bob, 
finished her undergraduate studies at Long Beach State College (now Long
 Beach State University), with a BA in elementary education and minor in
 physical education in July 1952. On December 22, 1951, Janida 
and Bobby were married in Duncan’s First Baptist Church, where Janida 
grew up and where her parents were life-long members. Janida and Bobby 
lived most of their married life in and around Berkeley, Calif., where 
Bobby prepared for a career in the ministry, obtaining both a bachelor’s
 in divinity and master’s in theology degrees from Golden Gate Baptist 
Theological Seminary and a master’s in history from the University of 
California, Berkeley. Their five children — Robert, Sidney, Meigan, 
Gaen, and Jacob — were all born in the Berkeley/Oakland area between 
1952 and 1961. Tragedy struck July 2, 1961, when Bobby drowned in
 the Berkeley YMCA pool, and Janida brought her family of five — the 
youngest five months, the oldest eight years — back to Duncan, where she
 had the support of family. A year after Bobby’s death, she began taking
 classes at Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha (now University of 
Science and Arts of Oklahoma). At OCW she discovered her life’s work: 
working with children as a speech language pathologist in public 
schools. In 1965, soon after receiving her SPL certificate from 
OCW, Janida landed her first job and moved her family to Medicine Lodge,
 Kan. In 1967 they moved again, this time to Hays, Kan., where Janida 
furthered her expertise and education with a master's in speech language
 pathology from the then–Fort Hays State College. From 1968 to 1972, she
 ran one of western Kansas’s first public school–based programs for 
hearing-impaired children out of a classroom at Hays' Lincoln Elementary
 School invitingly filled with toys, games and colorful teaching 
materials. She taught with love, hugs, and patience — and a belief that 
every child should have a voice. Over her 30-year-plus career, 
Janida worked at schools in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. She loved 
her work and took pride in supporting her family as a single mom, while 
helping kids access speech and language so they could live happier 
lives. She was truly a kid whisperer. After her retirement, 
Janida lived for a time in Norman, Okla., then relocated to Colorado 
Springs, Colo., which she loved for its proximity to the Rocky 
Mountains. In Colorado Springs, she owned and managed two apartment 
buildings and later took up oil painting, taking classes and painting 
hundreds of pictures of flowers, trees, birds, frogs, barns, fields and 
pastures — and of course, her beloved long-horn cows. Janida's daughter 
Meigan, who had died in 1998 of a heroin overdose, was known to many in 
the Springs area as a poet and rock 'n' roll musician. Janida provided a
 second home, a place of loving acceptance, to many of her late 
daughter's friends. In 2000, she bought a little house near Sondermann 
Park, where she loved to walk in nature. Janida’s children 
remember her gratefully for her grit and determination in the face of 
hardship; for teaching them the value of work; for instilling a love of 
music, books, and learning; for taking them camping in beautiful places 
like Rocky Mountain National Park and the Grand Tetons; for letting them
 use their own minds and gain independence; and for always letting them 
know how much she loved them. Janida is survived by sons Robert, 
of Norman, Okla.; Sidney, of Louisville, Ky.; and Jacob, of Omaha, Neb.;
 by daughter Gaen, of Middlebury, Vt.; by grandchildren Matthew, Colin, 
and John Murphree; Ian, Luke, and Jessica Murphree; and Meigan and Chloe
 Clark; and by step-great-grand-daughter Leia Beth Johnson. She is also 
survived by nieces Stephanie Sidney, of Gardner, Mass., and Sabrina 
Sanders, of Lompoc, Calif. Janida’s daughter Meigan, then of Lawton, 
Okla., died in 1998. Her niece Sharon Gayle Short Athey died in 2002. 
Her sister Julee Short (Julia Ann Jones), of Norman, Okla., died in 
2010.

Janida's ashes will be interred next to her husband's later in 2021 at the municipal cemetery in Duncan, Okla.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611683072596.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Janida Jones Murphree, age 90, died at 3:57 am on Sunday, October 25, in
 her daughter’s home in Middlebury, Vt. She died peacefully, surrounded 
by family, love, and prayer, after a long decline from Alzheimer’s. Janida
 was born August 6, 1930 to Robert Ezekiel and Ima Gaye Jones of Duncan,
 Okla. Her mother’s family were early pioneers in Stephens County, 
“crossing the Red River from Texas with their cattle” (as her mother put
 it) when Oklahoma was still Indian Territory and Stephens County part 
of the Chickasaw Nation. When Janida was born her father owned and ran 
the Jones Brothers Dairy, which he was later forced to sell during the 
Great Depression; he then picked up a paint brush and traveled the 
country taking every job he could find, while Ima lived at and ran a 
National Youth Administration program for young women. With both 
parents working, Janida and older sister Julia Ann lived much of the 
Depression with their grandparents, Sid and Ida Jones. Among Janida’s 
fondest lifelong memories were driving cows with “Papa Sid” from the 
family’s land south of Duncan to the clear water and green grass of 
“Weed Holler” and riding her cow pony Skipper. Janida attended 
public school in Duncan, but graduated from Horace Mann High School in 
Ada in 1948. Her first year of college she attended Baylor University in
 Waco, Texas, where she met future husband Bobby Warren Murphree (born 
in Muleshoe, Texas, but whose family moved to California in the 1940s). 
She spent two years at the University of Oklahoma, and, following Bob, 
finished her undergraduate studies at Long Beach State College (now Long
 Beach State University), with a BA in elementary education and minor in
 physical education in July 1952. On December 22, 1951, Janida 
and Bobby were married in Duncan’s First Baptist Church, where Janida 
grew up and where her parents were life-long members. Janida and Bobby 
lived most of their married life in and around Berkeley, Calif., where 
Bobby prepared for a career in the ministry, obtaining both a bachelor’s
 in divinity and master’s in theology degrees from Golden Gate Baptist 
Theological Seminary and a master’s in history from the University of 
California, Berkeley. Their five children — Robert, Sidney, Meigan, 
Gaen, and Jacob — were all born in the Berkeley/Oakland area between 
1952 and 1961. Tragedy struck July 2, 1961, when Bobby drowned in
 the Berkeley YMCA pool, and Janida brought her family of five — the 
youngest five months, the oldest eight years — back to Duncan, where she
 had the support of family. A year after Bobby’s death, she began taking
 classes at Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha (now University of 
Science and Arts of Oklahoma). At OCW she discovered her life’s work: 
working with children as a speech language pathologist in public 
schools. In 1965, soon after receiving her SPL certificate from 
OCW, Janida landed her first job and moved her family to Medicine Lodge,
 Kan. In 1967 they moved again, this time to Hays, Kan., where Janida 
furthered her expertise and education with a master's in speech language
 pathology from the then–Fort Hays State College. From 1968 to 1972, she
 ran one of western Kansas’s first public school–based programs for 
hearing-impaired children out of a classroom at Hays' Lincoln Elementary
 School invitingly filled with toys, games and colorful teaching 
materials. She taught with love, hugs, and patience — and a belief that 
every child should have a voice. Over her 30-year-plus career, 
Janida worked at schools in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. She loved 
her work and took pride in supporting her family as a single mom, while 
helping kids access speech and language so they could live happier 
lives. She was truly a kid whisperer. After her retirement, 
Janida lived for a time in Norman, Okla., then relocated to Colorado 
Springs, Colo., which she loved for its proximity to the Rocky 
Mountains. In Colorado Springs, she owned and managed two apartment 
buildings and later took up oil painting, taking classes and painting 
hundreds of pictures of flowers, trees, birds, frogs, barns, fields and 
pastures — and of course, her beloved long-horn cows. Janida's daughter 
Meigan, who had died in 1998 of a heroin overdose, was known to many in 
the Springs area as a poet and rock 'n' roll musician. Janida provided a
 second home, a place of loving acceptance, to many of her late 
daughter's friends. In 2000, she bought a little house near Sondermann 
Park, where she loved to walk in nature. Janida’s children 
remember her gratefully for her grit and determination in the face of 
hardship; for teaching them the value of work; for instilling a love of 
music, books, and learning; for taking them camping in beautiful places 
like Rocky Mountain National Park and the Grand Tetons; for letting them
 use their own minds and gain independence; and for always letting them 
know how much she loved them. Janida is survived by sons Robert, 
of Norman, Okla.; Sidney, of Louisville, Ky.; and Jacob, of Omaha, Neb.;
 by daughter Gaen, of Middlebury, Vt.; by grandchildren Matthew, Colin, 
and John Murphree; Ian, Luke, and Jessica Murphree; and Meigan and Chloe
 Clark; and by step-great-grand-daughter Leia Beth Johnson. She is also 
survived by nieces Stephanie Sidney, of Gardner, Mass., and Sabrina 
Sanders, of Lompoc, Calif. Janida’s daughter Meigan, then of Lawton, 
Okla., died in 1998. Her niece Sharon Gayle Short Athey died in 2002. 
Her sister Julee Short (Julia Ann Jones), of Norman, Okla., died in 
2010.Janida's ashes will be interred next to her husband's later in 2021 at the municipal cemetery in Duncan, Okla.

Janida Jones Murphree

KANSAS CITY (AP) — R&amp;B artist Trey Songz was jailed Sunday night after he scuffled with police officers during his arrest for not following coronavirus protocols and other rules at the AFC championship game in Kansas City, police said Monday.

Songz, 36, whose name is Tremaine Aldon Neverson, was released Monday while an investigation continues, Jackson County Sheriff’s spokesman LeVanden Darks said. No charges have been filed.

Songz’s representative, Sydney Margetson, declined to comment Monday.

Songz is a three-time Grammy-nominated singer. He earned his third No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&amp;B Albums chart with “Back Home” last year. His other two chart-topping albums are “Trigga” and “Tremaine The Album.” He has also appeared in films including “Texas Chainshaw 3D,” “Baggage Claim” and he starred in “Blood Brother” in 2018.

In October, Songz&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-zMKTh4bA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again" target="_blank">posted</a>&nbsp;on Instagram that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was taking the disease very seriously and urged his fans to do the same.

Kansas City police said in a statement that fans at the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills complained about a man who was not following COVID-19-related protocols and other code of conduct rules for fans, which include not being disruptive, intoxicated, or using obscene language.

The statement did not identify the man as Songz and did not say exactly which rules he was breaking.

Police said the man refused to follow orders from private security guards at Arrowhead Stadium and was asked to leave. When he refused, officers from the Kansas City police and Jackson County sheriff’s office were called and he was told he would be arrested if he didn’t comply, police said.

He punched one officer and put him in a headlock, police said.

TMZ released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tmz.com/2021/01/24/trey-songz-chiefs-game-fight-police-officer-arrest/" target="_blank">a video</a>&nbsp;Monday that showed Songz was not wearing a mask and struggled with several officers before he was led away in handcuffs.

The video does not show how the confrontation began. Some fans can be heard yelling at officers to leave him alone.

The video shows at least one officer without a mask and others with masks not completely covering their mouth and nose.

Kansas City police told The Associated Press that officers working Chiefs games “comply with all mask mandates.”

“He clearly had his mask on prior to being assaulted and placed in a headlock,” KCPD spokeswoman Donna Drake said in an email.

Law enforcement officials said several agencies work NFL games, making it difficult to know how many other fans might have been ejected or arrested Sunday.

Earlier this month, Songz was set to perform at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-sylvester-turner-coronavirus-pandemic-bow-wow-us-news-83d3da44fe3f904924ce955699e5bd92">a concert in Houston</a>&nbsp;but police shut it down after seeing hundreds of people lining up to enter the venue, which was supposed to be operating at 50% capacity.

In 2017, Songz&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c6ea528012e94fd38a9d8ed217744580">was charged</a>&nbsp;with felony assault and assaulting a police officer after he became upset when he was told to end a performance in Detroit. Authorities said microphones and speakers were thrown from the stage during the concert.

Songz pleaded guilty in August 2017 to two counts of disturbing the peace and was sentenced to 18 months of probation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611674513397.png" alt="Songz whose real name is Tremaine Aldon Neverson-photo Jackson Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Songz whose real name is Tremaine Aldon Neverson-photo Jackson Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — R&amp;B artist Trey Songz was jailed Sunday night after he scuffled with police officers during his arrest for not following coronavirus protocols and other rules at the AFC championship game in Kansas City, police said Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Surveillance video from the incident, including the three previous times security was called. The suspect punches the officer at about 4:44 in the video. <a href="https://t.co/npZncOfX4V">https://t.co/npZncOfX4V</a>&mdash; kcpolice (@kcpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1353834743159279617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Songz, 36, whose name is Tremaine Aldon Neverson, was released Monday while an investigation continues, Jackson County Sheriff’s spokesman LeVanden Darks said. No charges have been filed.Songz’s representative, Sydney Margetson, declined to comment Monday.Songz is a three-time Grammy-nominated singer. He earned his third No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&amp;B Albums chart with “Back Home” last year. His other two chart-topping albums are “Trigga” and “Tremaine The Album.” He has also appeared in films including “Texas Chainshaw 3D,” “Baggage Claim” and he starred in “Blood Brother” in 2018.In October, Songz&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-zMKTh4bA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again" target="_blank">posted</a>&nbsp;on Instagram that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was taking the disease very seriously and urged his fans to do the same.Kansas City police said in a statement that fans at the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills complained about a man who was not following COVID-19-related protocols and other code of conduct rules for fans, which include not being disruptive, intoxicated, or using obscene language.The statement did not identify the man as Songz and did not say exactly which rules he was breaking.Police said the man refused to follow orders from private security guards at Arrowhead Stadium and was asked to leave. When he refused, officers from the Kansas City police and Jackson County sheriff’s office were called and he was told he would be arrested if he didn’t comply, police said.He punched one officer and put him in a headlock, police said.TMZ released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tmz.com/2021/01/24/trey-songz-chiefs-game-fight-police-officer-arrest/" target="_blank">a video</a>&nbsp;Monday that showed Songz was not wearing a mask and struggled with several officers before he was led away in handcuffs.The video does not show how the confrontation began. Some fans can be heard yelling at officers to leave him alone.The video shows at least one officer without a mask and others with masks not completely covering their mouth and nose.Kansas City police told The Associated Press that officers working Chiefs games “comply with all mask mandates.”“He clearly had his mask on prior to being assaulted and placed in a headlock,” KCPD spokeswoman Donna Drake said in an email.Law enforcement officials said several agencies work NFL games, making it difficult to know how many other fans might have been ejected or arrested Sunday.Earlier this month, Songz was set to perform at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-sylvester-turner-coronavirus-pandemic-bow-wow-us-news-83d3da44fe3f904924ce955699e5bd92">a concert in Houston</a>&nbsp;but police shut it down after seeing hundreds of people lining up to enter the venue, which was supposed to be operating at 50% capacity.In 2017, Songz&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c6ea528012e94fd38a9d8ed217744580">was charged</a>&nbsp;with felony assault and assaulting a police officer after he became upset when he was told to end a performance in Detroit. Authorities said microphones and speakers were thrown from the stage during the concert.Songz pleaded guilty in August 2017 to two counts of disturbing the peace and was sentenced to 18 months of probation.

🎥R&B artist arrested at Chiefs title game after scuffle with police

Herbert Wesley McReynolds, 92, passed from this life to the next on 
January 19, 2021, at Hays Medical Center. &nbsp;He was born on a farm near 
Natoma, Kansas, the son of J. J. and Goldie McReynolds. &nbsp;He graduated 
from Covert Rural High School in 1946 and married Olive Mae Ross on 
October 15, 1950. &nbsp;He was a farmer, sheep rancher, woodworker, and 
collector who lived in Osborne County until June of 2019&nbsp;when he and 
Olive moved to Hays to be near their children.

Herbert is survived by his wife of 70 years, of the home, 3 
daughters, and 1 son:&nbsp;Rhonda (Reg) Westerman, Karen (Dave) Wasinger, 
Kala (Pat) Manley, and Jeff (Jill) McReynolds, all of Hays. He is also 
survived by 5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 1 brother, Don 
(Doris) of Chanute. &nbsp;He was preceded in death by his parents, his 
sister, Verna Elliot, his brother Kenneth, and one great-grandchild.

In lieu of lowers, the family requests memorials to Hospice or the Osborne United Methodist Church, in care of the Clark-Gashaw Mortuary.

Click <a href="https://www.clarkgashawfh.com/obituary/Herbert-McReynolds">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611680156302.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Herbert Wesley McReynolds, 92, passed from this life to the next on 
January 19, 2021, at Hays Medical Center. &nbsp;He was born on a farm near 
Natoma, Kansas, the son of J. J. and Goldie McReynolds. &nbsp;He graduated 
from Covert Rural High School in 1946 and married Olive Mae Ross on 
October 15, 1950. &nbsp;He was a farmer, sheep rancher, woodworker, and 
collector who lived in Osborne County until June of 2019&nbsp;when he and 
Olive moved to Hays to be near their children.Herbert is survived by his wife of 70 years, of the home, 3 
daughters, and 1 son:&nbsp;Rhonda (Reg) Westerman, Karen (Dave) Wasinger, 
Kala (Pat) Manley, and Jeff (Jill) McReynolds, all of Hays. He is also 
survived by 5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 1 brother, Don 
(Doris) of Chanute. &nbsp;He was preceded in death by his parents, his 
sister, Verna Elliot, his brother Kenneth, and one great-grandchild.In lieu of lowers, the family requests memorials to Hospice or the Osborne United Methodist Church, in care of the Clark-Gashaw Mortuary.Click <a href="https://www.clarkgashawfh.com/obituary/Herbert-McReynolds">HERE</a> for service details.

Herbert Wesley McReynolds

M. June Wick, 90, died on Friday, January 22, 2021, in Arvada, Colorado. 
 She was born on February 25, 1930, in Lane County the daughter of Joseph
 Earl &amp; Jennie Pearl (Torson) McGowan. She married Howard D. Wick 
on October 17, 1948, at Dighton. He died on October 29, 2017. 
June graduated from Dighton High School in 1948. She was a lifelong 
Dighton resident. She assisted her husband in the operating of Wick 
Grain, handling grain, feed and fertilizer. She was a member of First 
Christian Church of Dighton and Country Quilters. 
She is survived by her Son- Daniel R. &amp; Darnel Wick of Dighton, 
Daughter- Jendee Wick of Arvada, Colorado, 5 Grandchildren and 9 
Great-Grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her Husband, Parents, 2
 Brothers- and 2 Sisters 
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday at First Christian Church 
with Pastor Steve Payne officiating. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial
 Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church in care of
 Boomhower Funeral Home. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Friday 
at Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at 
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611606928528.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>M. June Wick, 90, died on Friday, January 22, 2021, in Arvada, Colorado. 
 She was born on February 25, 1930, in Lane County the daughter of Joseph
 Earl &amp; Jennie Pearl (Torson) McGowan. She married Howard D. Wick 
on October 17, 1948, at Dighton. He died on October 29, 2017. 
June graduated from Dighton High School in 1948. She was a lifelong 
Dighton resident. She assisted her husband in the operating of Wick 
Grain, handling grain, feed and fertilizer. She was a member of First 
Christian Church of Dighton and Country Quilters. 
She is survived by her Son- Daniel R. &amp; Darnel Wick of Dighton, 
Daughter- Jendee Wick of Arvada, Colorado, 5 Grandchildren and 9 
Great-Grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her Husband, Parents, 2
 Brothers- and 2 Sisters 
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday at First Christian Church 
with Pastor Steve Payne officiating. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial
 Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church in care of
 Boomhower Funeral Home. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Friday 
at Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at 
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com&nbsp;

M. June Wick

Alice Ann (White) Denk, 82, formerly of Hill City Kansas passed away 
peacefully in Lindsborg, Kansas, January 18, 2021. Born Alice Ann White 
July 27, 1938, in Studley, Kansas to Elsie and Robert White. She was the
 ninth child of ten children. She graduated from Hoxie High School in 
1955. 
 	She was the loving wife of Alvin Frances Denk. The couple was 
married October 10, 1959. Alvin passed away March 11, 2007. Alice and 
Alvin were the proud parents of two sons: John and James. The family 
lived in Hill City and operated A and A Gambles there and were invested 
in the community. 
 	Alice was a woman of faith, family and service. She wore many 
occupational hats in her life: bookkeeper, secretary, EMT, and nurses’ 
aide, but her life-long love of art was always part of her identity. 
Sharing her talents in service and love for her family, friends, and 
community was Alice’s core. She contributed by establishing parks, 
planting trees, and gifting holiday art and decorations to the Hill City
 Park. She was instrumental in establishing the Emergency Medical 
Service (EMS) of Graham County. She was also a devoted member of the 
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and served many funeral dinners as a 
leader of the Altar Society. 
 	Family meant everything to Alice. She cherished her moments with 
her grandchildren and looked forward to every visit. She and Alvin 
visited both their children and grandchildren regularly, and she 
cherished their visits, admitting that she even hated cleaning her 
windows that were covered in little handprints. She stayed close with 
them throughout her long and well-lived life. 
 	Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; her parents, bob
 and Elsie White; brothers Fred, Ted and Bob; sisters: Rosa Doris Brock,
 Kay Rueschhoff, Frances Keith, and Dorothy Taylor. 
 	She is survived by her sons and their wives: John and Laurie Denk, 
of Lindsborg, Jim and Janet Denk, of Matthews, North Carolina; 
grandchildren: Connor Denk (Kathrine Berry), and great grandson Liam 
Denk of Lindsborg, Claire Denk of Mishawaka, Indiana, David Denk of Las 
Vegas, Nevada, and Alison (Ali) Denk of Charlotte, North Carolina; 
sisters: Ramona Ball and Elizabeth Legere. 
 	We will miss Alice but know she is feeding her beloved birds and loving us all.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611513288972.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Alice Ann (White) Denk, 82, formerly of Hill City Kansas passed away 
peacefully in Lindsborg, Kansas, January 18, 2021. Born Alice Ann White 
July 27, 1938, in Studley, Kansas to Elsie and Robert White. She was the
 ninth child of ten children. She graduated from Hoxie High School in 
1955. 
 	She was the loving wife of Alvin Frances Denk. The couple was 
married October 10, 1959. Alvin passed away March 11, 2007. Alice and 
Alvin were the proud parents of two sons: John and James. The family 
lived in Hill City and operated A and A Gambles there and were invested 
in the community. 
 	Alice was a woman of faith, family and service. She wore many 
occupational hats in her life: bookkeeper, secretary, EMT, and nurses’ 
aide, but her life-long love of art was always part of her identity. 
Sharing her talents in service and love for her family, friends, and 
community was Alice’s core. She contributed by establishing parks, 
planting trees, and gifting holiday art and decorations to the Hill City
 Park. She was instrumental in establishing the Emergency Medical 
Service (EMS) of Graham County. She was also a devoted member of the 
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and served many funeral dinners as a 
leader of the Altar Society. 
 	Family meant everything to Alice. She cherished her moments with 
her grandchildren and looked forward to every visit. She and Alvin 
visited both their children and grandchildren regularly, and she 
cherished their visits, admitting that she even hated cleaning her 
windows that were covered in little handprints. She stayed close with 
them throughout her long and well-lived life. 
 	Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; her parents, bob
 and Elsie White; brothers Fred, Ted and Bob; sisters: Rosa Doris Brock,
 Kay Rueschhoff, Frances Keith, and Dorothy Taylor. 
 	She is survived by her sons and their wives: John and Laurie Denk, 
of Lindsborg, Jim and Janet Denk, of Matthews, North Carolina; 
grandchildren: Connor Denk (Kathrine Berry), and great grandson Liam 
Denk of Lindsborg, Claire Denk of Mishawaka, Indiana, David Denk of Las 
Vegas, Nevada, and Alison (Ali) Denk of Charlotte, North Carolina; 
sisters: Ramona Ball and Elizabeth Legere. 
 	We will miss Alice but know she is feeding her beloved birds and loving us all.&nbsp;

Alice Ann (White) Denk

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One winning ticket was sold in Michigan for the $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot, making it the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-7c3e9ed1096d6adac44327a470710800">third-largest lottery prize</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history.

The winning numbers drawn Friday are: 4, 26, 42, 50, 60 and a Mega Ball of 24. The winning ticket was purchased at a Kroger store in Novi, Michigan — a city about 8 miles (13 kilometers) northwest of Detroit — according to the Michigan Lottery website.

The Mega Millions top prize had been growing since Sept. 15, when a winning ticket was sold in Wisconsin. The lottery’s next estimated jackpot is $20 million.

Friday night’s drawing comes two days after a ticket sold in Maryland matched all six numbers drawn and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-731-million-d968eb177fa0c89547ccff73d0997abe">won a $731.1 million Powerball</a>&nbsp;jackpot.

Only two lottery prizes in the U.S. have been larger than Friday’s jackpot. Three tickets for a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot were sold in January 2016, and one winning ticket sold for a $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot in October 2018.

The jackpot figures refer to amounts if a winner opts for an annuity, paid in 30 annual installments. Most winners choose a cash prize, which for the Mega Millions jackpot is $739.6 million.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are incredibly steep at one in 302.5 million.

The game is played in 45 states including Kansas and Missouri as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611410040393.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One winning ticket was sold in Michigan for the $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot, making it the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-7c3e9ed1096d6adac44327a470710800">third-largest lottery prize</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history.The winning numbers drawn Friday are: 4, 26, 42, 50, 60 and a Mega Ball of 24. The winning ticket was purchased at a Kroger store in Novi, Michigan — a city about 8 miles (13 kilometers) northwest of Detroit — according to the Michigan Lottery website.The Mega Millions top prize had been growing since Sept. 15, when a winning ticket was sold in Wisconsin. The lottery’s next estimated jackpot is $20 million.Friday night’s drawing comes two days after a ticket sold in Maryland matched all six numbers drawn and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-731-million-d968eb177fa0c89547ccff73d0997abe">won a $731.1 million Powerball</a>&nbsp;jackpot.Only two lottery prizes in the U.S. have been larger than Friday’s jackpot. Three tickets for a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot were sold in January 2016, and one winning ticket sold for a $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot in October 2018.The jackpot figures refer to amounts if a winner opts for an annuity, paid in 30 annual installments. Most winners choose a cash prize, which for the Mega Millions jackpot is $739.6 million.The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are incredibly steep at one in 302.5 million.The game is played in 45 states including Kansas and Missouri as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

1 winner of Mega Millions $1B prize; 3rd largest ever in US

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-20/kansas-pharmacies-hire-and-train-more-workers-to-help-rollout-covid-19-vaccines-faster">Kansas News Service</a>

Hundreds, potentially thousands, of pharmacy workers could inject vaccines into the arms of Kansans in the coming months.

New
 rules, at least for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, now let an 
additional class of workers vaccinate more people faster.

Pharmacists could already give shots. But in Kansas, the pharmacy technicians that work alongside them couldn’t.

That changed <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/10/21/trump-administration-takes-action-further-expand-access-vaccines-covid-19-tests.html" target="_blank">in the fall</a>
 with new federal regulations that let technicians give vaccinations. A 
few states already allowed that before the pandemic, but many 
pharmacists across the country saw the expanding role of techs as a 
threat to their jobs.

As supplies of coronavirus vaccine increase,
 Kansas counts on pharmacies to help get it to the broader public. For 
now, the state remains in <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/157/Availability" target="_blank">Phase One</a>
 of distribution, focused on health care workers and nursing home 
residents. Drug stores still don’t know when they will receive vaccine 
stock.

Pharmacy techs help manage inventory, fill pill bottles, unpack orders, schedule appointments.

Their
 role has come to involve more training and more tasks over the years. 
In 2017, a few dozen technicians in Idaho became the first in the 
country to start giving vaccines. Within half a year they gave <a href="https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/supplements/2019/march2019/an-update-on-technicians-as-immunizers" target="_blank">1,000 shots</a>.

By the time the pandemic hit, <a href="https://www.pharmacist.com/article/pharmacy-technicians-gear-immunize#:~:text=States%20that%20currently%20permit%20pharmacy,Island%2C%20Utah%2C%20and%20Nevada." target="_blank">a handful of states</a> had followed Idaho’s path. The goal was to free up pharmacists from some of their most routine tasks.

Pharmacists
 in the retail world are notoriously busy. They struggle to find time 
for the kind of conversations with patients that can tease out important
 health issues before they escalate. In the worst cases, an 
investigation by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/health/pharmacists-medication-errors.html" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> found, excessive workloads can lead to prescription-filling errors.

By
 contrast, pharmacists with more time have more conversations with 
patients. That’s when they could learn that a medication has one of 
their customers feeling dizzy, and that another one hasn’t gotten his 
pneumonia shot yet.

“If you look at your average pharmacist” in 
retail, Washington State University pharmacotherapy professor Kimberly 
McKeirnan said, “they’re using such a small portion of the education 
that they have.”

McKeirnan developed <a href="https://pharmacy.wsu.edu/pharmacy-technician-immunization-training/" target="_blank">the training</a> for the first technicians in Idaho to give immunizations. That led later to a <a href="https://www.pharmacist.com/pharmacy-based-immunization-administration-pharmacy-technicians-0" target="_blank">nationally recognized certification</a> program.

The idea has stoked controversy. In recent years, the increasing ranks of newly minted pharmacists compared to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm#:~:text=in%20May%202019.-,Job%20Outlook,percent%20from%202019%20to%202029." target="_blank">shrinking</a> job opportunities for them alarmed many in the field.

<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NSIGxMrdQeojIQtKusz29uyfQr9MhctQamcsiyhHFqc/edit" target="_blank">They warned</a>
 of the toll it would take on career and salary prospects for people who
 spent years in graduate school incurring hefty student debts.

Some
 pharmacists worried that simultaneously expanding the role of 
technicians could take the pressure off retailers to hire more 
pharmacists, whose salaries can cost more than three times as much. 
Others embraced the help of technicians with extra training as valuable 
support.

McKeirnan notes that technicians must work alongside 
pharmacists, who remain the clinical experts. For pharmacists, she sees a
 chance to get the time they need to work with customers at length. For 
technicians, she sees a door to growth and higher pay.

“They kind 
of hit a pay ceiling often at some point,” she said. “And then, maybe 
with the exception of just general cost of living adjustments, there’s 
not room to advance.”

In Kansas, the average <a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/gsipub/index.asp?docid=795" target="_blank">technician’s pay</a> comes out to about $34,000 a year.

It
 remains unclear, though, whether pharmacies in Kansas and elsewhere 
will raise the pay for technicians who complete training to give shots 
or do other new tasks.

CVS Health, for example, hasn’t committed 
to raising the pay of its technicians who join the massive immunization 
effort. That company says nearly 10,000 of its technicians have started 
or completed the training.

That includes more than 50 pharmacy techs for CVS in Kansas, where the chain operates about as many stores.

In Lawrence, technician Shawn Yang jumped at the chance to help administer the shots that could help stop this pandemic.

“It was an easy decision,” said Yang, who has worked for CVS for six years. “I definitely wanted to get vaccine-certified.”

The store where he works already gets loads of phone calls from people wondering how and when they can get immunized.

Yang
 sees a chance to help in a way that was previously closed to him. He is
 working through an American Pharmacists Association program that trains
 techs to give shots with pharmacist supervision.

Nate Burrell, a 
CVS pharmacist who oversees the pharmacy teams at 18 stores in Kansas 
and Missouri, wants at least two workers with the extra training at each
 of those sites.

“We know that they’re going to really be a huge asset,” Burrell said.

Drug stores have been on <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-22/coronavirus-vaccines-are-coming-to-nursing-homes-soon-but-family-visits-likely-remain-months-away" target="_blank">a hiring spree</a>
 for months, snapping up more pharmacists, nurses and technicians as 
coronavirus testing rolled out, flu season arrived and clinical trials 
on COVID-19 vaccines progressed.

Extra hands proved even more 
important when the federal government turned to pharmacies — primarily 
Walgreens and CVS — to send vaccination teams into <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-22/coronavirus-vaccines-are-coming-to-nursing-homes-soon-but-family-visits-likely-remain-months-away" target="_blank">nursing homes</a>, an effort that started last month (and that some say has <a href="https://khn.org/news/article/cvs-and-walgreens-under-fire-for-slow-pace-of-vaccination-in-nursing-homes/" target="_blank">moved too slowly</a>).

In October, CVS alone said it needed an extra 10,000 pharmacy technicians nationwide. That hiring continues.

Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611179732999.png" alt="New federal rules aim to help pharmacies give the COVID-19 vaccine to more people faster. Carlos Moreno / KCUR" />
 <figcaption>New federal rules aim to help pharmacies give the COVID-19 vaccine to more people faster. Carlos Moreno / KCUR</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-20/kansas-pharmacies-hire-and-train-more-workers-to-help-rollout-covid-19-vaccines-faster">Kansas News Service</a>Hundreds, potentially thousands, of pharmacy workers could inject vaccines into the arms of Kansans in the coming months.New
 rules, at least for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, now let an 
additional class of workers vaccinate more people faster.Pharmacists could already give shots. But in Kansas, the pharmacy technicians that work alongside them couldn’t.That changed <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/10/21/trump-administration-takes-action-further-expand-access-vaccines-covid-19-tests.html" target="_blank">in the fall</a>
 with new federal regulations that let technicians give vaccinations. A 
few states already allowed that before the pandemic, but many 
pharmacists across the country saw the expanding role of techs as a 
threat to their jobs.As supplies of coronavirus vaccine increase,
 Kansas counts on pharmacies to help get it to the broader public. For 
now, the state remains in <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/157/Availability" target="_blank">Phase One</a>
 of distribution, focused on health care workers and nursing home 
residents. Drug stores still don’t know when they will receive vaccine 
stock.<h2>Expanding role for techs</h2>Pharmacy techs help manage inventory, fill pill bottles, unpack orders, schedule appointments.Their
 role has come to involve more training and more tasks over the years. 
In 2017, a few dozen technicians in Idaho became the first in the 
country to start giving vaccines. Within half a year they gave <a href="https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/supplements/2019/march2019/an-update-on-technicians-as-immunizers" target="_blank">1,000 shots</a>.By the time the pandemic hit, <a href="https://www.pharmacist.com/article/pharmacy-technicians-gear-immunize#:~:text=States%20that%20currently%20permit%20pharmacy,Island%2C%20Utah%2C%20and%20Nevada." target="_blank">a handful of states</a> had followed Idaho’s path. The goal was to free up pharmacists from some of their most routine tasks.Pharmacists
 in the retail world are notoriously busy. They struggle to find time 
for the kind of conversations with patients that can tease out important
 health issues before they escalate. In the worst cases, an 
investigation by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/health/pharmacists-medication-errors.html" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> found, excessive workloads can lead to prescription-filling errors.By
 contrast, pharmacists with more time have more conversations with 
patients. That’s when they could learn that a medication has one of 
their customers feeling dizzy, and that another one hasn’t gotten his 
pneumonia shot yet.“If you look at your average pharmacist” in 
retail, Washington State University pharmacotherapy professor Kimberly 
McKeirnan said, “they’re using such a small portion of the education 
that they have.”McKeirnan developed <a href="https://pharmacy.wsu.edu/pharmacy-technician-immunization-training/" target="_blank">the training</a> for the first technicians in Idaho to give immunizations. That led later to a <a href="https://www.pharmacist.com/pharmacy-based-immunization-administration-pharmacy-technicians-0" target="_blank">nationally recognized certification</a> program.<h2>Job market changes</h2>The idea has stoked controversy. In recent years, the increasing ranks of newly minted pharmacists compared to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm#:~:text=in%20May%202019.-,Job%20Outlook,percent%20from%202019%20to%202029." target="_blank">shrinking</a> job opportunities for them alarmed many in the field.<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NSIGxMrdQeojIQtKusz29uyfQr9MhctQamcsiyhHFqc/edit" target="_blank">They warned</a>
 of the toll it would take on career and salary prospects for people who
 spent years in graduate school incurring hefty student debts.Some
 pharmacists worried that simultaneously expanding the role of 
technicians could take the pressure off retailers to hire more 
pharmacists, whose salaries can cost more than three times as much. 
Others embraced the help of technicians with extra training as valuable 
support.McKeirnan notes that technicians must work alongside 
pharmacists, who remain the clinical experts. For pharmacists, she sees a
 chance to get the time they need to work with customers at length. For 
technicians, she sees a door to growth and higher pay.“They kind 
of hit a pay ceiling often at some point,” she said. “And then, maybe 
with the exception of just general cost of living adjustments, there’s 
not room to advance.”In Kansas, the average <a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/gsipub/index.asp?docid=795" target="_blank">technician’s pay</a> comes out to about $34,000 a year.It
 remains unclear, though, whether pharmacies in Kansas and elsewhere 
will raise the pay for technicians who complete training to give shots 
or do other new tasks.CVS Health, for example, hasn’t committed 
to raising the pay of its technicians who join the massive immunization 
effort. That company says nearly 10,000 of its technicians have started 
or completed the training.<h2>Preparing for the rollout</h2>That includes more than 50 pharmacy techs for CVS in Kansas, where the chain operates about as many stores.In Lawrence, technician Shawn Yang jumped at the chance to help administer the shots that could help stop this pandemic.“It was an easy decision,” said Yang, who has worked for CVS for six years. “I definitely wanted to get vaccine-certified.”The store where he works already gets loads of phone calls from people wondering how and when they can get immunized.Yang
 sees a chance to help in a way that was previously closed to him. He is
 working through an American Pharmacists Association program that trains
 techs to give shots with pharmacist supervision.Nate Burrell, a 
CVS pharmacist who oversees the pharmacy teams at 18 stores in Kansas 
and Missouri, wants at least two workers with the extra training at each
 of those sites.“We know that they’re going to really be a huge asset,” Burrell said.Drug stores have been on <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-22/coronavirus-vaccines-are-coming-to-nursing-homes-soon-but-family-visits-likely-remain-months-away" target="_blank">a hiring spree</a>
 for months, snapping up more pharmacists, nurses and technicians as 
coronavirus testing rolled out, flu season arrived and clinical trials 
on COVID-19 vaccines progressed.Extra hands proved even more 
important when the federal government turned to pharmacies — primarily 
Walgreens and CVS — to send vaccination teams into <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-22/coronavirus-vaccines-are-coming-to-nursing-homes-soon-but-family-visits-likely-remain-months-away" target="_blank">nursing homes</a>, an effort that started last month (and that some say has <a href="https://khn.org/news/article/cvs-and-walgreens-under-fire-for-slow-pace-of-vaccination-in-nursing-homes/" target="_blank">moved too slowly</a>).In October, CVS alone said it needed an extra 10,000 pharmacy technicians nationwide. That hiring continues.Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

Kan. pharmacies hire, train more workers to speed vaccine rollout

The Fort Hays State University Foundation announced Friday the selection of Jason Ball as its new chief financial officer. Ball has served as director of development for the university's fundraising arm since 2018 and looks forward to taking his role with the FHSU Foundation to the next level.

Ball earned both his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his master of business administration degree from Fort Hays State University and was a member of the Tiger men’s basketball team from 2008-2013.

Current CFO Francine Hestermann plans to retire in October 2021 following a successful tenure of more than two decades. Ball will work, learn and train alongside Hestermann with the title of CFO-Elect for a number of months before taking on the official title of CFO in October.

“I am honored and grateful to serve in this role alongside our FHSU Foundation accounting and finance team,” Ball said. “The strength and expertise of this team can be attributed to the success that Francine has had over the past 23 years. I look forward to helping ensure that future generations of Tigers and the university benefit from the incredible philanthropy that exists within the Fort Hays State community.”

The FHSU Foundation has seen a great amount of growth and change throughout Hestermann’s tenure as chief financial officer. Net assets for the FHSU Foundation have grown from $21 million to more than $127 million to date, and its staff has grown from seven employees to 21.

“I’m pleased that Jason Ball has been selected to fill the role of chief financial officer, and I look forward to working closely with him&nbsp;for several months before retiring and closing out this incredible chapter of my life,” Hestermann said.

Ball is a third generation Tiger and is thankful for the great impact that FHSU has had on his life. He is excited to give back in this new role and to enable future generations to enjoy the same great opportunities that he had.

“On behalf of the staff, the search committee and the Board of Trustees, I want to welcome Jason Ball to his new role – and thank Francine for her tireless commitment to excellence,”&nbsp;said Jason Williby, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation.&nbsp;“Francine’s longevity as the CFO has been key to our success over the last 23 years. While Francine and Jason will work side by side until October, today’s announcement marks a passing of the torch. I am excited for the impact that philanthropy will have on the future of FHSU and our students.”

Currently in the capstone year of its&nbsp;Journey&nbsp;campaign – with a goal of raising $100 million by Homecoming 2021 – the FHSU Foundation continues to be humbled by the generosity of its Fort Hays State alumni and donors. Ball will be responsible for&nbsp;providing leadership and vision for all financial operations, financial management services and reporting for both internal and external constituencies. In addition, he will be accountable for administration of the endowment, financial analysis and the implementation of financial policies and all accounting practices.

To learn more about the FHSU Foundation, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0Kpl6aRGqIctSqa6Magmpvb7gPZPr_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Be27hN4v0Inuf4CVxGwC0gEXxgQbzDswoG8gnCAPVOaQhGKk8CQNleGLbSGg-2FgybfLlpY2tDDivIGJeVycNerprsdhU5eBTwp1ppZMcAX6AxySpNpJwMmw3EwnkLCjp1DvjsccTsMOf7Vlc3SPEU26cU3I1-2FhJb4MgS2OCSMO25RLjewpRKH0wlJgqDU1ETut1-2FQRLTM-2FkNcYKKF4DaGz0dI1oG3DUop7IBx31ifPtKofA032pn-2ByADiIWENvb6pgnsvSN35b2c69Z-2FGTRj8PGQ-3D-3D">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or contact its offices at 785-628-5620 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611353061841.jpeg" alt="Jason Ball" />
 <figcaption>Jason Ball</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsThe Fort Hays State University Foundation announced Friday the selection of Jason Ball as its new chief financial officer. Ball has served as director of development for the university's fundraising arm since 2018 and looks forward to taking his role with the FHSU Foundation to the next level.Ball earned both his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his master of business administration degree from Fort Hays State University and was a member of the Tiger men’s basketball team from 2008-2013.Current CFO Francine Hestermann plans to retire in October 2021 following a successful tenure of more than two decades. Ball will work, learn and train alongside Hestermann with the title of CFO-Elect for a number of months before taking on the official title of CFO in October.“I am honored and grateful to serve in this role alongside our FHSU Foundation accounting and finance team,” Ball said. “The strength and expertise of this team can be attributed to the success that Francine has had over the past 23 years. I look forward to helping ensure that future generations of Tigers and the university benefit from the incredible philanthropy that exists within the Fort Hays State community.”The FHSU Foundation has seen a great amount of growth and change throughout Hestermann’s tenure as chief financial officer. Net assets for the FHSU Foundation have grown from $21 million to more than $127 million to date, and its staff has grown from seven employees to 21.“I’m pleased that Jason Ball has been selected to fill the role of chief financial officer, and I look forward to working closely with him&nbsp;for several months before retiring and closing out this incredible chapter of my life,” Hestermann said.Ball is a third generation Tiger and is thankful for the great impact that FHSU has had on his life. He is excited to give back in this new role and to enable future generations to enjoy the same great opportunities that he had.“On behalf of the staff, the search committee and the Board of Trustees, I want to welcome Jason Ball to his new role – and thank Francine for her tireless commitment to excellence,”&nbsp;said Jason Williby, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation.&nbsp;“Francine’s longevity as the CFO has been key to our success over the last 23 years. While Francine and Jason will work side by side until October, today’s announcement marks a passing of the torch. I am excited for the impact that philanthropy will have on the future of FHSU and our students.”Currently in the capstone year of its&nbsp;Journey&nbsp;campaign – with a goal of raising $100 million by Homecoming 2021 – the FHSU Foundation continues to be humbled by the generosity of its Fort Hays State alumni and donors. Ball will be responsible for&nbsp;providing leadership and vision for all financial operations, financial management services and reporting for both internal and external constituencies. In addition, he will be accountable for administration of the endowment, financial analysis and the implementation of financial policies and all accounting practices.To learn more about the FHSU Foundation, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0Kpl6aRGqIctSqa6Magmpvb7gPZPr_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Be27hN4v0Inuf4CVxGwC0gEXxgQbzDswoG8gnCAPVOaQhGKk8CQNleGLbSGg-2FgybfLlpY2tDDivIGJeVycNerprsdhU5eBTwp1ppZMcAX6AxySpNpJwMmw3EwnkLCjp1DvjsccTsMOf7Vlc3SPEU26cU3I1-2FhJb4MgS2OCSMO25RLjewpRKH0wlJgqDU1ETut1-2FQRLTM-2FkNcYKKF4DaGz0dI1oG3DUop7IBx31ifPtKofA032pn-2ByADiIWENvb6pgnsvSN35b2c69Z-2FGTRj8PGQ-3D-3D">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or contact its offices at 785-628-5620 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

Ball named new Fort Hays State Foundation CFO

Due to high sales, officials in the states participating in the Mega Millions Lotto game have increased the estimated jackpot amount for the Friday drawing to $1 billion or $739.6 million with the cash option selected.

The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $20 million and continues to grow each drawing until it is won. There have been 36 consecutive Mega Millions drawings since September 18 without a jackpot winner. This run has grown the estimated jackpot for the Friday drawing to the second largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.

The largest Mega Millions jackpot on record occurred in October 2018 when one ticket was sold in South Carolina for a $1.537 billion jackpot.

Mega Millions jackpot winners have two options for collecting their payment: 30 annuity payments or one cash payment at present value. The annuity option provides annual payments that increase each year. The present cash value is less than the advertised jackpot, which is based on the 29-year annuity option. Winning Mega Millions numbers are announced every Tuesday and Friday at 10:00 p.m. Central Time and posted at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=vO6EBHxkBWuJBNyAXsok8lanxZTLSIUtoqiCqDUXCtE5cxf-2BQZLCrDZWRG-2BD-2BdnZj241_f5CCQS0N95iO0XGkG5jjbwFPcyVdNsE7ynqorsRVxhOi2A2KVJqJgpwSdOopdwB9t4D9LWTP99krvREf42zUykodJoYUQSV-2F1k4Z8ao-2FaDJph9ZkfVXZjxwvtNcdHNFGDuEzQVY-2FvW5rpj9XqVioV01zwRPkI2Z56of03D03DXp10GW7bOY4Ca6qP8d5C-2BfAekKNK60B0Qw-2BJ1d2rDT3oD9naSksFNlwZBrMDbJmvEh2cgbiSBMcilV65lxXhADwqCv4jp2W5ychopTx2l5BO3T9xv9HOk11MtvkWvpm9yjh29pN4V8I3hv3rnBaIA1wFth1ri8sF6aOyNEaemHNBnZvuMZekZ1r6GhXhfJSbdjXKOQ0qRW9yKUxyw5B0b68lVtvb0OtVsiMEAab5m3G5UFweyqVoX7karm5E3spbW8-3D" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611335960997.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Due to high sales, officials in the states participating in the Mega Millions Lotto game have increased the estimated jackpot amount for the Friday drawing to $1 billion or $739.6 million with the cash option selected.The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $20 million and continues to grow each drawing until it is won. There have been 36 consecutive Mega Millions drawings since September 18 without a jackpot winner. This run has grown the estimated jackpot for the Friday drawing to the second largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.The largest Mega Millions jackpot on record occurred in October 2018 when one ticket was sold in South Carolina for a $1.537 billion jackpot.Mega Millions jackpot winners have two options for collecting their payment: 30 annuity payments or one cash payment at present value. The annuity option provides annual payments that increase each year. The present cash value is less than the advertised jackpot, which is based on the 29-year annuity option. Winning Mega Millions numbers are announced every Tuesday and Friday at 10:00 p.m. Central Time and posted at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=vO6EBHxkBWuJBNyAXsok8lanxZTLSIUtoqiCqDUXCtE5cxf-2BQZLCrDZWRG-2BD-2BdnZj241_f5CCQS0N95iO0XGkG5jjbwFPcyVdNsE7ynqorsRVxhOi2A2KVJqJgpwSdOopdwB9t4D9LWTP99krvREf42zUykodJoYUQSV-2F1k4Z8ao-2FaDJph9ZkfVXZjxwvtNcdHNFGDuEzQVY-2FvW5rpj9XqVioV01zwRPkI2Z56of03D03DXp10GW7bOY4Ca6qP8d5C-2BfAekKNK60B0Qw-2BJ1d2rDT3oD9naSksFNlwZBrMDbJmvEh2cgbiSBMcilV65lxXhADwqCv4jp2W5ychopTx2l5BO3T9xv9HOk11MtvkWvpm9yjh29pN4V8I3hv3rnBaIA1wFth1ri8sF6aOyNEaemHNBnZvuMZekZ1r6GhXhfJSbdjXKOQ0qRW9yKUxyw5B0b68lVtvb0OtVsiMEAab5m3G5UFweyqVoX7karm5E3spbW8-3D" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>.

Mega Millions jackpot for tonight's drawing at $1 billion

KANSAS CITY (AP) — New restrictions caused a sharp drop in the number of women who had abortions at Missouri's only provider last year but the clinic has not stopped performing the procedure, Planned Parenthood said.

Officials with Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region were rejecting an assertion by Operation Rescue, an anti-abortion Christian organization, that Missouri has become the first state to no longer provide abortions.

No surgical abortions were performed at the clinic in December, with only seven in November, Planned Parenthood said, compared with nine and five during those months in 2019.

The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services said 39 surgical abortions occurred in Missouri from Jan. 1 through Nov. 15, 2020. In 2019, the total number was 1,362.

Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a Planned Parenthood chief medical officer, said the number of abortions performed at the St. Louis clinic has dropped since a clinic opened 18 miles (28 kilometers) away in Fairview Heights, Illinois, in October 2019. Patients at that clinic can avoid Missouri’s 72-hour mandatory waiting period, which requires two appointments three days apart to receive an abortion.

“For some people, the additional 18 miles from our St. Louis facility to the Illinois facility is a manageable distance, especially when you reflect on the number of barriers that we can eliminate in accessing care in Illinois versus in Missouri,” McNicholas said. “However, it’s not an option for everybody.”

Patients also are limiting the number of appointments and travel because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, she said.

More patients are also seeking medication abortions, which the St. Louis facility has not provided in more than two years because of Missouri’s requirement that patients wanting that procedure must undergo a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f8e84f913ea69f9b424d59dc47d5ab2">pelvic exam</a>. The mandatory pelvic exam is at odds with guidelines set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — New restrictions caused a sharp drop in the number of women who had abortions at Missouri's only provider last year but the clinic has not stopped performing the procedure, Planned Parenthood said.Officials with Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region were rejecting an assertion by Operation Rescue, an anti-abortion Christian organization, that Missouri has become the first state to no longer provide abortions.No surgical abortions were performed at the clinic in December, with only seven in November, Planned Parenthood said, compared with nine and five during those months in 2019.The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services said 39 surgical abortions occurred in Missouri from Jan. 1 through Nov. 15, 2020. In 2019, the total number was 1,362.Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a Planned Parenthood chief medical officer, said the number of abortions performed at the St. Louis clinic has dropped since a clinic opened 18 miles (28 kilometers) away in Fairview Heights, Illinois, in October 2019. Patients at that clinic can avoid Missouri’s 72-hour mandatory waiting period, which requires two appointments three days apart to receive an abortion.“For some people, the additional 18 miles from our St. Louis facility to the Illinois facility is a manageable distance, especially when you reflect on the number of barriers that we can eliminate in accessing care in Illinois versus in Missouri,” McNicholas said. “However, it’s not an option for everybody.”Patients also are limiting the number of appointments and travel because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, she said.More patients are also seeking medication abortions, which the St. Louis facility has not provided in more than two years because of Missouri’s requirement that patients wanting that procedure must undergo a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f8e84f913ea69f9b424d59dc47d5ab2">pelvic exam</a>. The mandatory pelvic exam is at odds with guidelines set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.The clinic's website tells people wanting to schedule an abortion they can visit the Illinois clinic to receive an abortion in one visit but that the procedure is still offered in St. Louis.It is not the first time that Operation Rescue has claimed the St. Louis facility is no longer providing abortions. In March, the organization said on its website that someone pretending to be a patient called the clinic and was not allowed to book an appointment there.At the time, few surgical abortions were being provided in St. Louis because the clinic was fighting the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ refusal to renew its license. A state administrative commission&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9f1a51759fb33d229170c73986ccb252">later ruled</a>&nbsp;the health department wrongfully denied the renewal.Currently, Planned Parenthood is fighting a law passed in May 2019 to ban abortion after eight weeks gestation. A district court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/down-syndrome-health-abortion-us-supreme-court-st-louis-c846b5b33db75b2f81a9163d40e5ca80">ruling&nbsp;</a>that prevents the law from being enforced is currently before the 8th U.S. Court of Appeals.