SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a 29-year-old murder and are asking the public for help with information.

On the morning of October 29, 1994 while cleaning the ditches and tree row’s in the 5600 block of west 47th&nbsp;Street South, workers with the Kansas Gas and Electric Company came across human remains buried in a shallow grave, according to a media release from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office.

Following an examination by the Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office and a Forensic Anthropologist the manner of death was determined to be homicide.&nbsp;

Until May of 2023 the identity of the victim has remained unknown to detectives, greatly hampering the investigation.&nbsp; In late 2022 Sgt. Michael Guthrie of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office submitted and was awarded a grant for DNA testing of the victim by Othram Inc.

In May of 2023 Othram was able to utilize DNA technology to identify a relative of the victim and through further investigation an identification was made.&nbsp; Harold “James” Crawford, date of birth January 11th, 1973 was identified as the unknown victim.&nbsp; James was 21 at the time of his death and lived in an apartment complex on the east side of Wichita.&nbsp;

If you knew James or have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, you’re asked to contact the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; You can call the Cold Case Hotline at (316)660-3799, Crime Stoppers at (316)267-2111 or Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:coldcase@sedgwick.gov">coldcase@sedgwick.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701453422466.png" alt="Harold 'James' Crawford-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Harold 'James' Crawford-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a 29-year-old murder and are asking the public for help with information.On the morning of October 29, 1994 while cleaning the ditches and tree row’s in the 5600 block of west 47th&nbsp;Street South, workers with the Kansas Gas and Electric Company came across human remains buried in a shallow grave, according to a media release from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office.Following an examination by the Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office and a Forensic Anthropologist the manner of death was determined to be homicide.&nbsp;Until May of 2023 the identity of the victim has remained unknown to detectives, greatly hampering the investigation.&nbsp; In late 2022 Sgt. Michael Guthrie of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office submitted and was awarded a grant for DNA testing of the victim by Othram Inc.In May of 2023 Othram was able to utilize DNA technology to identify a relative of the victim and through further investigation an identification was made.&nbsp; Harold “James” Crawford, date of birth January 11th, 1973 was identified as the unknown victim.&nbsp; James was 21 at the time of his death and lived in an apartment complex on the east side of Wichita.&nbsp;If you knew James or have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, you’re asked to contact the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; You can call the Cold Case Hotline at (316)660-3799, Crime Stoppers at (316)267-2111 or Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:coldcase@sedgwick.gov">coldcase@sedgwick.gov</a>.

Sheriff IDs victim in 29-year-old Kansas unsolved murder

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Although a new forensics nurse program opened this spring in northwest Kansas, access to these exams for rape and incest victims is still difficult to access in rural areas of the state.

Many victims have to drive for hours to find nurses who are trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, which can significantly delay treatment and evidence collection.

New legislation went into effect in July 2022 to increase access to SANE exams.

Although hospitals, as defined in state statute, must collect a sexual assault evidence kit if it is requested by the victim, only two hospitals in northwest Kansas — Goodland and Hays — have staff who are trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, who are also known as SANEs.

Jessica Albers is a SANE from Hays who works as a statewide clinical consultant for the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.

"In terms of rape kits and SANE exams, I think there is a huge lack of access,” Albers said.&nbsp;

Victims travel across state to receive services

HaysMed's SANE program cared for 43 victims from Ellis County in 2022 and 35 in 2021. In 2022, the program cared for 106 victims from 23 Kansas counties from as far away as Barber County on the Oklahoma border and Sherman County on the Colorado border and Butler County in southeast Kansas.

“Three or four hours is a long way to drive for a sexual assault exam, especially after you have been sexually assaulted,” Jennifer Hecker, executive director of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services said. The advocacy and victims services organization is based in Hays but serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas.&nbsp;

Hays has been the most northwest program for 12 to 13 years until Goodland opened its program this spring and Great Bend opened a program in October. In southwest Kansas, there are SANE programs in Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal. The Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center Medical Mobile Unit based out of Scott City does exams for children through its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wkcac.com/medical-mobile-unit" target="_blank">Medical Mobile Unit</a>.

However, not all programs have 24-7 coverage.

As a SANE, Albers has worked with patients who traveled great distances to receive exams from a certified provider — some traveling hours one way to get an exam.

Albers said she is concerned that some health care facilities may not be aware that providing sexual assault exams is required by the law. Patients also don’t always know where to go. All sexual assault exams exams are free.

The new law has expanded where kits can be collected, including health clinics, health departments and child advocacy clinics.

“We are hopeful that language will open access among those facilities,” Albers said, “and they will be willing to provide the service to victims."

In some rural communities, health departments or clinics may be patients' only health care choice. According to the Kansas Hospital Association, 10 counties in Kansas including Bourbon, Chase, Doniphan, Elk, Gray, Linn, Osage, Wabaunsee, Wallace and Woodson have no hospital. HaysMed's SANE program cared for four victims from Wallace County in 2022.

Few hospitals in the state have SANE programs.

The advantage of a SANE performing the exam is the victim is receiving a more specialized exam, Albers said. They may take forensics photos if that is appropriate and approved by the victim. Alternative light sources can help detect fibers or dried secretions or enhance the visibility of bruises.

The SANE exam is one step in a multi-tier approach to caring for sexual crime victims and gathering evidence to hold perpetrators accountable.

“The police officer’s role is to hold the perpetrator accountable and to just get information. The nurse's job is to collect the evidence and to provide health care," Hecker said. "The advocate’s job is to be a voice for the survivor while they are going through this and to attend to their emotional safety and make sure they know what’s going to happen.

“There are already so many unknowns, and that is one of the most frightening pieces,” Hecker said. “We want to reduce those barriers about what is about to happen. We are trying to tie them back all the control that has been lost.”

SANEs are trained to work with trauma victims and try to help ease fears as they walk victims through the exam process.

“The fear of the unknown of the exam is probably stressful for the victim anyways," Albers said. "Then if you have the complication of not knowing where they can get an exam or having to travel to get to an exam or having to wait for an exam to happen it's an extra hurdle for them to get through."

Albers said if a victim has to wait for an exam she said she hoped at least that victim could be connected with an advocate. Those advocacy services are provided by organizations such as Options.

Hecker said although the law allows medical professionals who are not SANE trained to perform sexual assault exams, she was concerned providers who are not trained&nbsp;may retraumatize victims. Improperly collected evidence might not be able to be used in the prosecutions of perpetrators, she said.

“We as a community and a culture, tell survivors to go and get that exam, so their perpetrator can be held accountable,” Hecker said. “If we are telling people to do that, then we have a responsibility as a community to make sure the safety net is there so the survivors can do that.

“There is a gap between what we tell people what services are available or that they should be able to engage with and what is actually available in their communities. That is also very disheartening.”

“We are really not helping survivors in the best way possible,” she said.

Albers emphasized all parts of a SANE exam are voluntary. A victim can stop the exam at any time and refuse any portion of the exam.

“We work really hard to build a rapport with the patient and make sure we are offering them choices, supporting the choices and decisions they make and how they want to proceed through the exam," she said.

Hecker said victims don't have to go through the exam alone. They can have a family member, friend or advocate with them during the exam. They are allowed to have someone in the room with them holding their hand if they choose.

Advocates will meet with the victim as soon as possible. SANEs, advocates and law enforcement try to work together so the victim doesn't have to tell his or her story over and over.

Although clothing is often taken as evidence, an advocate or SANE will provide fresh clothing for the victim to wear home. Advocates follow up with the victim and can offer a variety of support services as well as meet with family members if the victim requests.

The SANEs are also well connected to the other resources in the communities, including law enforcement and advocacy organizations such as Options in northwest Kansas.

Consenting to a sexual assault exam does not automatically mean the case will be reported. The exam preserves the evidence. The adult victim can choose to make a report with law enforcement at a later date or never.  Unreported kits are sent to the KBI where they are stored for 20 years untested.

According to state law, all&nbsp;reported&nbsp;sexual assault exam kits have to be submitted for testing.

In 2015, a backlog of 2,200 untested kits was discovered in evidence property rooms in Kansas. All of the untested kits were processed, and the law was changed in an attempt to prevent a future backlog, Albers said.&nbsp;

Although physical evidence from a sexual assault exam is not a guarantee of a conviction, Hecker said it helps.

“Rape kits are so important because so many victims of sexual assault are simply not believed,” she said.

She added, “The community has to do better. We have to make sure that the system accepts the report and collects the evidence, and we do something with the evidence, and we take action afterward. Rape is not he said/she said, but we like to think they are.”

The victim can receive treatment to prevent infection or any other injuries at the time of a SANE exam.

Trisha Haskell, forensic program coordinator for HaysMed, said SANE exams are not just about collecting evidence. They allow for expert assessment of all areas of the body.

"Forensic exams help to ensure the health and safety of our patients," she said. "This exam is performed by a specially trained nurse who has expertise in providing patient-centered care that includes history taking, collection of evidence and documentation. This creates an unbiased, objective opportunity to preserve evidence from a patient’s body while facilitating the healing process."

Based on history, patients are offered medication to help prevent sexually transmitted infections and HIV.&nbsp;

Working closely with a physician, the program offers testing, treatment and follow-up care, Haskell said.

Time is also important for the health of the victim, Haskel said.

"As with many medical conditions, timely treatment is always the preferred situation," she said. "Before HaysMed offered the SANE program, people in western Kansas had to travel to eastern Kansas to be treated. 

"Having the program here in Hays has improved access for many patients in the rural areas of the state.  Prompt response times are advantageous no matter what the situation is."

Although access is a barrier, so are myths, Albers said.

“There is the misconception that our exam is really invasive," Albers said, "'and we don’t want to put people through that.’ We work really hard to make sure to not make it traumatic. We don’t want to retraumatize the victim. That’s why it’s so important to build the rapport and comfort level with the patient before we start getting into the exam itself.”

Twenty-five of&nbsp; the victims cared for by HaysMed in 2022 were 17 years old or younger. Albers wanted to reassure parents that SANE exams are not invasive for children.

"They (mothers) think it’s like their pap smear. Before a girl reaches puberty, all we do is external examination. We don’t put anything in the vagina. We don’t pull put swabs from inside the vagina," she said.

SANEs are trained to work with victims of any gender. This includes gender nonconforming or transgender individuals.

Although the majority of SANE exams are performed on women and girls, five to 15 exams per year at HaysMed are performed on men or boys.

“We want everyone to know they are welcome to come for services regardless of their age, gender or identity,” Albers said. “We want to help. We want to help start them on that journey to healing and preserve that evidence so that if it can be used in the criminal justice system it can be preserved and the information is documented by us.”

The training to become SANE is long and costly. Training requires 160 to 180 hours.

You do not have to acquire your certification to practice as a SANE-trained nurse. However, a nurse must accrue 300 hours of SANE practice before he or she can test for SANE certification. As of April, Kansas had only 30 SANE-certified nurses in the state, according to Haskel.

<a href="https://www.pittstate.edu/nursing/sane-program.html">The Pittsburg State University, School of Nursing was awarded a SANE grant in 2018 and again in 2021 through the Health Resources and Services Administration. In July 2021, PSU received $1.5 million for a three-year extension, to recruit, train and retain RNs and APRNs in rural areas of Kansas for SANE training, resources and certification.</a>

"It is a really tough area to work in," Albers said. "You have to be the right kind of person, and it has to be something you want to do."

A hospital or clinic also must have the space and equipment to have a SANE program.&nbsp;

“Administration has to recognize that this is really a community benefit service that is being offered, but it isn’t a department that is going to make money for the facility,” she said.

Most programs require more than one or two SANE-trained staff members, Albers said. Most SANEs hold a full-time job in addition to being on-call for sexual assault exams.&nbsp;

The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence&nbsp;provides one-day training for medical providers who are not SANE trained.&nbsp;

The agency has offered the class for three years, but it has been hard getting health care providers to sign up to take the class, Albers said.

“I think it is extremely important to have another access point for the northwest part of the state,” Albers said. “That will give one additional access point for care and hopefully [victims will ] not have to drive three hours to Hays, instead drive 30 minutes to Goodland.”

Albers and Haskel both said multiple barriers exist to expanding SANE programs in rural areas, and it's not just a problem in Kansas.

"With most of the United States being rural, it has been identified as a challenge nationwide," Haskel said. "Collaboration and education allow for all rural areas to expand their reach and knowledge to ensure all persons seeking care after experiencing violence receive adequate care.

"Kansas as a whole does a great job of ensuring equal access for sexual assault survivors regardless of their location. It is a state statute that all medical care facilities within the state offer a sexual assault evidence collection kit to any person requesting one."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701278764783.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAlthough a new forensics nurse program opened this spring in northwest Kansas, access to these exams for rape and incest victims is still difficult to access in rural areas of the state.Many victims have to drive for hours to find nurses who are trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, which can significantly delay treatment and evidence collection.New legislation went into effect in July 2022 to increase access to SANE exams.Although hospitals, as defined in state statute, must collect a sexual assault evidence kit if it is requested by the victim, only two hospitals in northwest Kansas — Goodland and Hays — have staff who are trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, who are also known as SANEs.Jessica Albers is a SANE from Hays who works as a statewide clinical consultant for the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence."In terms of rape kits and SANE exams, I think there is a huge lack of access,” Albers said.&nbsp;<h2>Victims travel across state to receive services</h2>HaysMed's SANE program cared for 43 victims from Ellis County in 2022 and 35 in 2021. In 2022, the program cared for 106 victims from 23 Kansas counties from as far away as Barber County on the Oklahoma border and Sherman County on the Colorado border and Butler County in southeast Kansas.“Three or four hours is a long way to drive for a sexual assault exam, especially after you have been sexually assaulted,” Jennifer Hecker, executive director of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services said. The advocacy and victims services organization is based in Hays but serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas.&nbsp;Hays has been the most northwest program for 12 to 13 years until Goodland opened its program this spring and Great Bend opened a program in October. In southwest Kansas, there are SANE programs in Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal. The Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center Medical Mobile Unit based out of Scott City does exams for children through its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wkcac.com/medical-mobile-unit" target="_blank">Medical Mobile Unit</a>.However, not all programs have 24-7 coverage.As a SANE, Albers has worked with patients who traveled great distances to receive exams from a certified provider — some traveling hours one way to get an exam.Albers said she is concerned that some health care facilities may not be aware that providing sexual assault exams is required by the law. Patients also don’t always know where to go. All sexual assault exams exams are free.The new law has expanded where kits can be collected, including health clinics, health departments and child advocacy clinics.“We are hopeful that language will open access among those facilities,” Albers said, “and they will be willing to provide the service to victims."In some rural communities, health departments or clinics may be patients' only health care choice. According to the Kansas Hospital Association, 10 counties in Kansas including Bourbon, Chase, Doniphan, Elk, Gray, Linn, Osage, Wabaunsee, Wallace and Woodson have no hospital. HaysMed's SANE program cared for four victims from Wallace County in 2022.<h2>Everyone has a job</h2>Few hospitals in the state have SANE programs.The advantage of a SANE performing the exam is the victim is receiving a more specialized exam, Albers said. They may take forensics photos if that is appropriate and approved by the victim. Alternative light sources can help detect fibers or dried secretions or enhance the visibility of bruises.The SANE exam is one step in a multi-tier approach to caring for sexual crime victims and gathering evidence to hold perpetrators accountable.“The police officer’s role is to hold the perpetrator accountable and to just get information. The nurse's job is to collect the evidence and to provide health care," Hecker said. "The advocate’s job is to be a voice for the survivor while they are going through this and to attend to their emotional safety and make sure they know what’s going to happen.“There are already so many unknowns, and that is one of the most frightening pieces,” Hecker said. “We want to reduce those barriers about what is about to happen. We are trying to tie them back all the control that has been lost.”SANEs are trained to work with trauma victims and try to help ease fears as they walk victims through the exam process.“The fear of the unknown of the exam is probably stressful for the victim anyways," Albers said. "Then if you have the complication of not knowing where they can get an exam or having to travel to get to an exam or having to wait for an exam to happen it's an extra hurdle for them to get through."Albers said if a victim has to wait for an exam she said she hoped at least that victim could be connected with an advocate. Those advocacy services are provided by organizations such as Options.Hecker said although the law allows medical professionals who are not SANE trained to perform sexual assault exams, she was concerned providers who are not trained&nbsp;may retraumatize victims. Improperly collected evidence might not be able to be used in the prosecutions of perpetrators, she said.“We as a community and a culture, tell survivors to go and get that exam, so their perpetrator can be held accountable,” Hecker said. “If we are telling people to do that, then we have a responsibility as a community to make sure the safety net is there so the survivors can do that.“There is a gap between what we tell people what services are available or that they should be able to engage with and what is actually available in their communities. That is also very disheartening.”“We are really not helping survivors in the best way possible,” she said.<h2>What happens during a SANE exam?</h2>Albers emphasized all parts of a SANE exam are voluntary. A victim can stop the exam at any time and refuse any portion of the exam.“We work really hard to build a rapport with the patient and make sure we are offering them choices, supporting the choices and decisions they make and how they want to proceed through the exam," she said.Hecker said victims don't have to go through the exam alone. They can have a family member, friend or advocate with them during the exam. They are allowed to have someone in the room with them holding their hand if they choose.Advocates will meet with the victim as soon as possible. SANEs, advocates and law enforcement try to work together so the victim doesn't have to tell his or her story over and over.Although clothing is often taken as evidence, an advocate or SANE will provide fresh clothing for the victim to wear home. Advocates follow up with the victim and can offer a variety of support services as well as meet with family members if the victim requests.The SANEs are also well connected to the other resources in the communities, including law enforcement and advocacy organizations such as Options in northwest Kansas.Consenting to a sexual assault exam does not automatically mean the case will be reported. The exam preserves the evidence. The adult victim can choose to make a report with law enforcement at a later date or never. Unreported kits are sent to the KBI where they are stored for 20 years untested.<h2>Testing evidence</h2>According to state law, all&nbsp;reported&nbsp;sexual assault exam kits have to be submitted for testing.In 2015, a backlog of 2,200 untested kits was discovered in evidence property rooms in Kansas. All of the untested kits were processed, and the law was changed in an attempt to prevent a future backlog, Albers said.&nbsp;Although physical evidence from a sexual assault exam is not a guarantee of a conviction, Hecker said it helps.“Rape kits are so important because so many victims of sexual assault are simply not believed,” she said.She added, “The community has to do better. We have to make sure that the system accepts the report and collects the evidence, and we do something with the evidence, and we take action afterward. Rape is not he said/she said, but we like to think they are.”<h2>Sexual assault exams are health care</h2>The victim can receive treatment to prevent infection or any other injuries at the time of a SANE exam.Trisha Haskell, forensic program coordinator for HaysMed, said SANE exams are not just about collecting evidence. They allow for expert assessment of all areas of the body."Forensic exams help to ensure the health and safety of our patients," she said. "This exam is performed by a specially trained nurse who has expertise in providing patient-centered care that includes history taking, collection of evidence and documentation. This creates an unbiased, objective opportunity to preserve evidence from a patient’s body while facilitating the healing process."Based on history, patients are offered medication to help prevent sexually transmitted infections and HIV.&nbsp;Working closely with a physician, the program offers testing, treatment and follow-up care, Haskell said.Time is also important for the health of the victim, Haskel said."As with many medical conditions, timely treatment is always the preferred situation," she said. "Before HaysMed offered the SANE program, people in western Kansas had to travel to eastern Kansas to be treated. "Having the program here in Hays has improved access for many patients in the rural areas of the state. Prompt response times are advantageous no matter what the situation is."<h2>Overcoming misconceptions</h2>Although access is a barrier, so are myths, Albers said.“There is the misconception that our exam is really invasive," Albers said, "'and we don’t want to put people through that.’ We work really hard to make sure to not make it traumatic. We don’t want to retraumatize the victim. That’s why it’s so important to build the rapport and comfort level with the patient before we start getting into the exam itself.”Twenty-five of&nbsp; the victims cared for by HaysMed in 2022 were 17 years old or younger. Albers wanted to reassure parents that SANE exams are not invasive for children."They (mothers) think it’s like their pap smear. Before a girl reaches puberty, all we do is external examination. We don’t put anything in the vagina. We don’t pull put swabs from inside the vagina," she said.SANEs are trained to work with victims of any gender. This includes gender nonconforming or transgender individuals.Although the majority of SANE exams are performed on women and girls, five to 15 exams per year at HaysMed are performed on men or boys.“We want everyone to know they are welcome to come for services regardless of their age, gender or identity,” Albers said. “We want to help. We want to help start them on that journey to healing and preserve that evidence so that if it can be used in the criminal justice system it can be preserved and the information is documented by us.”<h2>Barriers to expanding services</h2>The training to become SANE is long and costly. Training requires 160 to 180 hours.You do not have to acquire your certification to practice as a SANE-trained nurse. However, a nurse must accrue 300 hours of SANE practice before he or she can test for SANE certification. As of April, Kansas had only 30 SANE-certified nurses in the state, according to Haskel.<a href="https://www.pittstate.edu/nursing/sane-program.html">The Pittsburg State University, School of Nursing was awarded a SANE grant in 2018 and again in 2021 through the Health Resources and Services Administration. In July 2021, PSU received $1.5 million for a three-year extension, to recruit, train and retain RNs and APRNs in rural areas of Kansas for SANE training, resources and certification.</a>"It is a really tough area to work in," Albers said. "You have to be the right kind of person, and it has to be something you want to do."A hospital or clinic also must have the space and equipment to have a SANE program.&nbsp;“Administration has to recognize that this is really a community benefit service that is being offered, but it isn’t a department that is going to make money for the facility,” she said.Most programs require more than one or two SANE-trained staff members, Albers said. Most SANEs hold a full-time job in addition to being on-call for sexual assault exams.&nbsp;Turnover is high in the field, she said.The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence&nbsp;provides one-day training for medical providers who are not SANE trained.&nbsp;The agency has offered the class for three years, but it has been hard getting health care providers to sign up to take the class, Albers said.“I think it is extremely important to have another access point for the northwest part of the state,” Albers said. “That will give one additional access point for care and hopefully [victims will ] not have to drive three hours to Hays, instead drive 30 minutes to Goodland.”<h2>Not just a Kansas problem</h2>Albers and Haskel both said multiple barriers exist to expanding SANE programs in rural areas, and it's not just a problem in Kansas."With most of the United States being rural, it has been identified as a challenge nationwide," Haskel said. "Collaboration and education allow for all rural areas to expand their reach and knowledge to ensure all persons seeking care after experiencing violence receive adequate care."Kansas as a whole does a great job of ensuring equal access for sexual assault survivors regardless of their location. It is a state statute that all medical care facilities within the state offer a sexual assault evidence collection kit to any person requesting one."

Access to sexual assault exams lacking in rural Kansas; HaysMed has 1 of few trained staffs in state

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal October shooting have captured a suspect who had been the subject of search over the past month.

On Wednesday, police in Kansas City, Kansas located 29-year-old&nbsp; Tremale M. Serrano.. On November police asked the&nbsp;public for help to find him for the death of 23-year-old&nbsp; Jackson E. Danner of Topeka.

October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of a home in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responders located. Danner who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701366750026.png" alt="Tremale Serrano is being held in Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Tremale Serrano is being held in Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal October shooting have captured a suspect who had been the subject of search over the past month.On Wednesday, police in Kansas City, Kansas located 29-year-old&nbsp; Tremale M. Serrano.. On November police asked the&nbsp;public for help to find him for the death of 23-year-old&nbsp; Jackson E. Danner of Topeka.October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of a home in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082583370.png" alt="Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located. Danner who was pronounced deceased at the scene.On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

Police capture 2nd Kan. man wanted for October killing 

LONDON (AP) — The OPEC oil cartel led by Saudi Arabia and allied producers including Russia made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opec-oil-prices-saudi-arabia-russia-8d70999cb8258aebc3edbfdfcae278b7">another big swipe</a>&nbsp;at propping up lagging crude prices Thursday, expanding some output cuts into next year and bringing up-and-coming oil supplier Brazil into the fold.

Lower oil prices have been a good thing for U.S. drivers, who have been able to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gas-prices-fall-demand-oil-decline-ea4138be69adca872301ce9721770aa9">fill their gas tanks for less money</a>&nbsp;in recent months. But it’s bad news for OPEC+ countries whose oil income bolsters their economies and who have faced setbacks in pushing prices higher despite initial fears that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/energy-renewables-climate-war-oil-7b0cf535f33a3b33a2bfd8a462850ff4">Israel-Hamas war could affect oil flows</a>.

The OPEC+ oil ministers came out of an online meeting with more than 2 million barrels per day in voluntary cuts through the first three months of next year and declared that Brazil would join the bloc in January, bringing one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers into an alliance that is trying to rein in global supply.

However, sweeping cutbacks from OPEC+ and individual member countries since October 2022 have not made lasting changes to oil prices because of concerns about too much crude circulating in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/global-economy-inflation-growth-interest-rates-ukraine-bc4b66c3de107f99cee057c183f04c93">weakening global economy</a>, which could weigh on the thirst for oil for travel and industry.

The market even shrugged off the new move, though it amounts to roughly 2% of global supply.

Jorge Leon, senior vice president of oil market research for Rystad Energy, called it a “bit of disappointing meeting” for OPEC+ and a “bittersweet” one for Saudi Arabia in particular because it couldn't convince the whole group to commit to production cuts.

The market also was let down, because it “was likely expecting a deal covering the first half of next year," he said.

Saudi Arabia led the deepening voluntary cuts Thursday, extending its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-oil-production-cut-opec-2d6f724e899f31e92d4bdf052921125c">reduction of 1 million barrels per day</a>&nbsp;through March. It was followed by Russia, which is cutting 500,000 barrels per day of crude and refined oil products, and then Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman with smaller amounts.

Russia wants higher oil prices to boost the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-oil-price-cap-sanctions-ukraine-war-82ecb172697336362bccf71c1506fa5a">main way it fills its war chest</a>&nbsp;against Ukraine, while the Saudis have to earn nearly $86 per barrel to meet their planned spending goals, according to the latest estimate from the International Monetary Fund.

Saudi Arabia is trying to fund an ambitious overhaul of the kingdom’s economy, reduce its dependence on oil and create jobs for a young population.

But the international benchmark Brent crude has stayed in the low- to mid-$80 range in recent weeks and fell more than 2% to $80.91 a barrel following the meeting. U.S. crude also dropped 2.5% to $75.90.

The expanded cuts were expected to keep crude prices in the same range of $80 to $85 a barrel for the first half of the year, Leon said.

Lower oil prices have allowed U.S. gas prices to fall or stay steady since Sept. 19, AAA said. Gas is averaging just below $3.25 a gallon, the motor club said, down about 7% from a month ago.

But that's still higher than when President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, when prices were averaging about $2.40 a gallon.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-1f83d45fc6e30c6864d1b02913ec60c6">High inflation has been a political challenge</a>&nbsp;for Biden going into the 2024 election, prompting him to say this week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-supply-chains-inflation-economic-council-0b45db127f4c000c56ab4dc51e7b7599">efforts to improve supply chains</a>&nbsp;and reduce price pressures are a priority.

“President Biden is focused on prices for American consumers, which have been coming down steadily,” the White House said in a statement Thursday after the OPEC+ meeting.

U.S. oil production&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-fossil-fuels-climate-change-biden-df27160fc81f28d21fbf1fc5575b77bc">has hit records</a>&nbsp;as OPEC+ has cut back, with producers outside the group expected to keep leading global growth in oil supply next year, the International Energy Agency said.

For instance, daily production in the U.S. averaged 13 million barrels a day in August, an increase of more than 1 million barrels from a year ago, according to the latest monthly figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The risk is growing that production cuts could reduce the influence of OPEC+ over oil supplies as other countries boost their output.

“The kingdom is balancing the desire to keep prices high by limiting supply with the knowledge that doing so will lead to a further drop in overall market share,” Leon said.

Bringing in Brazil, which the IEA also said has been producing record amounts of oil this year, would give the 23-member OPEC+ a leg up.

Adding Brazil's oil would bring the amount of global production controlled by OPEC+ up to 62%, similar to the share held by the organization when Russia joined in the mid-2010s, Leon said.

José Chrispiniano, press secretary for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said the invitation was under analysis.

LONDON (AP) — The OPEC oil cartel led by Saudi Arabia and allied producers including Russia made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opec-oil-prices-saudi-arabia-russia-8d70999cb8258aebc3edbfdfcae278b7">another big swipe</a>&nbsp;at propping up lagging crude prices Thursday, expanding some output cuts into next year and bringing up-and-coming oil supplier Brazil into the fold.Lower oil prices have been a good thing for U.S. drivers, who have been able to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gas-prices-fall-demand-oil-decline-ea4138be69adca872301ce9721770aa9">fill their gas tanks for less money</a>&nbsp;in recent months. But it’s bad news for OPEC+ countries whose oil income bolsters their economies and who have faced setbacks in pushing prices higher despite initial fears that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/energy-renewables-climate-war-oil-7b0cf535f33a3b33a2bfd8a462850ff4">Israel-Hamas war could affect oil flows</a>.The OPEC+ oil ministers came out of an online meeting with more than 2 million barrels per day in voluntary cuts through the first three months of next year and declared that Brazil would join the bloc in January, bringing one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers into an alliance that is trying to rein in global supply.However, sweeping cutbacks from OPEC+ and individual member countries since October 2022 have not made lasting changes to oil prices because of concerns about too much crude circulating in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/global-economy-inflation-growth-interest-rates-ukraine-bc4b66c3de107f99cee057c183f04c93">weakening global economy</a>, which could weigh on the thirst for oil for travel and industry.The market even shrugged off the new move, though it amounts to roughly 2% of global supply.Jorge Leon, senior vice president of oil market research for Rystad Energy, called it a “bit of disappointing meeting” for OPEC+ and a “bittersweet” one for Saudi Arabia in particular because it couldn't convince the whole group to commit to production cuts.The market also was let down, because it “was likely expecting a deal covering the first half of next year," he said.Saudi Arabia led the deepening voluntary cuts Thursday, extending its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-oil-production-cut-opec-2d6f724e899f31e92d4bdf052921125c">reduction of 1 million barrels per day</a>&nbsp;through March. It was followed by Russia, which is cutting 500,000 barrels per day of crude and refined oil products, and then Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman with smaller amounts.Russia wants higher oil prices to boost the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-oil-price-cap-sanctions-ukraine-war-82ecb172697336362bccf71c1506fa5a">main way it fills its war chest</a>&nbsp;against Ukraine, while the Saudis have to earn nearly $86 per barrel to meet their planned spending goals, according to the latest estimate from the International Monetary Fund.Saudi Arabia is trying to fund an ambitious overhaul of the kingdom’s economy, reduce its dependence on oil and create jobs for a young population.But the international benchmark Brent crude has stayed in the low- to mid-$80 range in recent weeks and fell more than 2% to $80.91 a barrel following the meeting. U.S. crude also dropped 2.5% to $75.90.The expanded cuts were expected to keep crude prices in the same range of $80 to $85 a barrel for the first half of the year, Leon said.Lower oil prices have allowed U.S. gas prices to fall or stay steady since Sept. 19, AAA said. Gas is averaging just below $3.25 a gallon, the motor club said, down about 7% from a month ago.But that's still higher than when President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, when prices were averaging about $2.40 a gallon.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-1f83d45fc6e30c6864d1b02913ec60c6">High inflation has been a political challenge</a>&nbsp;for Biden going into the 2024 election, prompting him to say this week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-supply-chains-inflation-economic-council-0b45db127f4c000c56ab4dc51e7b7599">efforts to improve supply chains</a>&nbsp;and reduce price pressures are a priority.“President Biden is focused on prices for American consumers, which have been coming down steadily,” the White House said in a statement Thursday after the OPEC+ meeting.U.S. oil production&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-fossil-fuels-climate-change-biden-df27160fc81f28d21fbf1fc5575b77bc">has hit records</a>&nbsp;as OPEC+ has cut back, with producers outside the group expected to keep leading global growth in oil supply next year, the International Energy Agency said.For instance, daily production in the U.S. averaged 13 million barrels a day in August, an increase of more than 1 million barrels from a year ago, according to the latest monthly figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.The risk is growing that production cuts could reduce the influence of OPEC+ over oil supplies as other countries boost their output.“The kingdom is balancing the desire to keep prices high by limiting supply with the knowledge that doing so will lead to a further drop in overall market share,” Leon said.Bringing in Brazil, which the IEA also said has been producing record amounts of oil this year, would give the 23-member OPEC+ a leg up.Adding Brazil's oil would bring the amount of global production controlled by OPEC+ up to 62%, similar to the share held by the organization when Russia joined in the mid-2010s, Leon said.José Chrispiniano, press secretary for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said the invitation was under analysis.----------------

Good news for drivers: Saudi Arabia extends cut in oil production

Timeline may slip as local, state technology networks brought online

By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert said Tuesday the information system used by more than 100 district courts in Kansas crippled in an early October cyberattack could be restored by the end of December.

The judicial branch disclosed the disruption in 104 of 105 counties — Johnson County operates on an independent network — following the Oct. 12 incident. Subsequently, Supreme Court justices said the system depended on to electronically file documents and to process court cases was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/21/kansas-court-officials-confirm-details-of-evil-criminal-international-cyberattack/">undermined by sophisticated international criminals</a>. The judicial branch didn’t release an update of what information was stolen or whether perpetrators sought a ransom.

The state set up secure computer access last week at the Judicial Center in Topeka to provide the public appointment-only opportunities to&nbsp; search district court case information. A separate service center was established to address needs of district courts until the Kansas eCourt case management system was operational.

Luckert said the timeline outlined in the recovery plan was subject to change.

“To help us prepare our recovery timeline, we sought input from cybersecurity incident recovery experts,” she said. “While we believe our estimate is realistic, we must be prepared for fluctuations as we move forward with our plan.”

Johnson County processes cases on a standalone case management system, but the populous county has been scheduled to join the Kansas eCourt system in 2024.

The judicial branch plans to relaunch Kansas eCourt and the Kansas Courts eFiling system for district courts before turning on the District Court Public Access Portal providing the general public access to case information. The online portal would typically be used to process electronic payment of fines, fees and other costs.

The efiling and case management systems used by the Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals would be brought back online after securing operations of district court systems, officials said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662999292005.png" alt="Chief Justice Marla Luckert says information systems compromised in an October cyberattack would start to be restored in December. photo Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Chief Justice Marla Luckert says information systems compromised in an October cyberattack would start to be restored in December. photo Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Timeline may slip as local, state technology networks brought online</h2>By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert said Tuesday the information system used by more than 100 district courts in Kansas crippled in an early October cyberattack could be restored by the end of December.The judicial branch disclosed the disruption in 104 of 105 counties — Johnson County operates on an independent network — following the Oct. 12 incident. Subsequently, Supreme Court justices said the system depended on to electronically file documents and to process court cases was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/21/kansas-court-officials-confirm-details-of-evil-criminal-international-cyberattack/">undermined by sophisticated international criminals</a>. The judicial branch didn’t release an update of what information was stolen or whether perpetrators sought a ransom.The state set up secure computer access last week at the Judicial Center in Topeka to provide the public appointment-only opportunities to&nbsp; search district court case information. A separate service center was established to address needs of district courts until the Kansas eCourt case management system was operational.Luckert said the timeline outlined in the recovery plan was subject to change.“To help us prepare our recovery timeline, we sought input from cybersecurity incident recovery experts,” she said. “While we believe our estimate is realistic, we must be prepared for fluctuations as we move forward with our plan.”Johnson County processes cases on a standalone case management system, but the populous county has been scheduled to join the Kansas eCourt system in 2024.The judicial branch plans to relaunch Kansas eCourt and the Kansas Courts eFiling system for district courts before turning on the District Court Public Access Portal providing the general public access to case information. The online portal would typically be used to process electronic payment of fines, fees and other costs.The efiling and case management systems used by the Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals would be brought back online after securing operations of district court systems, officials said.

Kan. judiciary plans restoration in Dec. of IT systems hit by cyberattack

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting continue asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.

Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082021069.png" alt="Tremale Serrano" />
 <figcaption>Tremale Serrano</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting continue asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082583370.png" alt="Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

Wanted Kan. suspect in October killing still hiding from police

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The latest swap of Hamas militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel took place Tuesday evening as part of an ongoing cease-fire agreement between the warring sides.

Ten Israeli hostages — nine women and a 17-year-old girl — as well as two Thais were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were back in Israeli territory, the military said. About an hour later, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel and Hamas have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-28-2023-a909a0a0c9c76ce80d1ff3e94bbe2ec4">agreed to extend their cease-fire</a>&nbsp;until Wednesday, raising the prospect of further exchanges and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war. Since last Friday, Hamas has released 81 hostages, mostly Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 180 Palestinian prisoner.

An extended case-fire would also allow more aid into Gaza, which has been battered by weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">Israeli siege and bombardment</a>&nbsp;and a ground offensive that has driven three out of every four people in Gaza from their homes. The territory is home to 2.3 million people.

But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending the group's 16-year rule over Gaza. That would likely mean&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">expanding a ground offensive</a>&nbsp;from devastated northern Gaza into the south.

Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.

The cease-fire has allowed residents who remained in Gaza City and other parts of the north to venture out to survey the destruction and try to locate and bury relatives.

In northern Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, which Israel bombarded heavily for weeks and which troops surrounded in heavy fighting with militants, “you come across whole city blocks that have been demolished, just a pancake of concrete layered as buildings have collapsed,” said Thomas White, the Gaza director for the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees.

The agency delivered six trucks of aid to the camp, including supplies for a medical center. Footage of White’s visit showed streets lined with destroyed buildings, cars, and piles of rubble.

<a href="https://sheltercluster.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/public/docs/SC-PC%20Joint%20advocacy%20note_241123-1.pdf?VersionId=kPEn3lsQx.2lA5.f5YXzNV3vuWmntrxi">A U.N.-led aid consortium</a>&nbsp;estimates that, across Gaza, over 234,000 homes have been damaged and 46,000 completely destroyed, amounting to around 60% of the territory’s housing stock. In the north, the destruction “severely compromises the ability to meet basic requirements to sustain life,” it said.

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack.

At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive. Israel says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence.

Authorities were able to reopen the dialysis department at Gaza City’s Shifa hospital after medical teams brought a small generator. Around 20 patients there had gone two or three weeks without dialysis, Dr. Mutasim Salah told Al-Jazeera TV from the hospital.

Two weeks ago, Israeli forces seized the hospital, which Israel had contended was used as a major base by Hamas, an accusation that the group and hospital staff deny.

Israel’s bombardment and ground offensive have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">displaced more than 1.8 million people</a>, nearly 80% of Gaza’s population, with most having sought refuge in the south, according to the U.N. Hundreds of thousands of people have packed into U.N.-run schools and other facilities, with many forced to sleep on the streets outside because of overcrowding.

Though, rain and cold winds sweeping across Gaza have made conditions even more miserable.

On Tuesday, Hanan Tayeh returned to her destroyed home in the central town of Johor al-Deek, scouring for any belongings in the wreckage.

“I came to get anything for my daughters. Winter has come, and I have nothing for them to wear,” she said. “It is cold, we are homeless.”

The cease-fire has allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">increased aid of 160 to 200 trucks a day into Gaza</a>, bringing desperately needed food, water and medicine, as well as fuel for homes, hospitals and water treatment plants. Still, it is less than half what Gaza was importing before the fighting, even as humanitarian needs have soared.

Juliette Toma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said people come to shelters asking for heavy clothes, mattresses and blankets, and that some are sleeping in damaged vehicles.

“The needs are overwhelming,” she told The Associated Press. “They lost everything, and they need everything.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701204582165.png" alt="Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)" />
 <figcaption>Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)</figcaption>
 </figure>DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The latest swap of Hamas militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel took place Tuesday evening as part of an ongoing cease-fire agreement between the warring sides.Ten Israeli hostages — nine women and a 17-year-old girl — as well as two Thais were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were back in Israeli territory, the military said. About an hour later, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners.Israel and Hamas have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-28-2023-a909a0a0c9c76ce80d1ff3e94bbe2ec4">agreed to extend their cease-fire</a>&nbsp;until Wednesday, raising the prospect of further exchanges and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war. Since last Friday, Hamas has released 81 hostages, mostly Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 180 Palestinian prisoner.An extended case-fire would also allow more aid into Gaza, which has been battered by weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">Israeli siege and bombardment</a>&nbsp;and a ground offensive that has driven three out of every four people in Gaza from their homes. The territory is home to 2.3 million people.But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending the group's 16-year rule over Gaza. That would likely mean&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">expanding a ground offensive</a>&nbsp;from devastated northern Gaza into the south.Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.NORTHERN GAZA IN RUINSThe cease-fire has allowed residents who remained in Gaza City and other parts of the north to venture out to survey the destruction and try to locate and bury relatives.In northern Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, which Israel bombarded heavily for weeks and which troops surrounded in heavy fighting with militants, “you come across whole city blocks that have been demolished, just a pancake of concrete layered as buildings have collapsed,” said Thomas White, the Gaza director for the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees.The agency delivered six trucks of aid to the camp, including supplies for a medical center. Footage of White’s visit showed streets lined with destroyed buildings, cars, and piles of rubble.<a href="https://sheltercluster.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/public/docs/SC-PC%20Joint%20advocacy%20note_241123-1.pdf?VersionId=kPEn3lsQx.2lA5.f5YXzNV3vuWmntrxi">A U.N.-led aid consortium</a>&nbsp;estimates that, across Gaza, over 234,000 homes have been damaged and 46,000 completely destroyed, amounting to around 60% of the territory’s housing stock. In the north, the destruction “severely compromises the ability to meet basic requirements to sustain life,” it said.More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack.At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive. Israel says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence.Authorities were able to reopen the dialysis department at Gaza City’s Shifa hospital after medical teams brought a small generator. Around 20 patients there had gone two or three weeks without dialysis, Dr. Mutasim Salah told Al-Jazeera TV from the hospital.Two weeks ago, Israeli forces seized the hospital, which Israel had contended was used as a major base by Hamas, an accusation that the group and hospital staff deny.FEARS FOR THE SOUTHIsrael’s bombardment and ground offensive have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">displaced more than 1.8 million people</a>, nearly 80% of Gaza’s population, with most having sought refuge in the south, according to the U.N. Hundreds of thousands of people have packed into U.N.-run schools and other facilities, with many forced to sleep on the streets outside because of overcrowding.Though, rain and cold winds sweeping across Gaza have made conditions even more miserable.On Tuesday, Hanan Tayeh returned to her destroyed home in the central town of Johor al-Deek, scouring for any belongings in the wreckage.“I came to get anything for my daughters. Winter has come, and I have nothing for them to wear,” she said. “It is cold, we are homeless.”The cease-fire has allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">increased aid of 160 to 200 trucks a day into Gaza</a>, bringing desperately needed food, water and medicine, as well as fuel for homes, hospitals and water treatment plants. Still, it is less than half what Gaza was importing before the fighting, even as humanitarian needs have soared.Juliette Toma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said people come to shelters asking for heavy clothes, mattresses and blankets, and that some are sleeping in damaged vehicles.“The needs are overwhelming,” she told The Associated Press. “They lost everything, and they need everything.”___

5th hostage release: 9 women, teenager and no Americans 

SEDGWICK COUNTY - A man arrested in Mexico for the murder of two people in January 2020 at the Hotel at WaterWalk in Wichita was scheduled for sentencing Tuesday. For the second consecutive week, the hearing was continued, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

In October, 37-year-old Kyle Young plead guilty to the murder of&nbsp;27-year-old George Kirksey and 22-year-old Alicia Roman, according to the district attorney's office.

In the early morning of January 2, 2020, police responded to a shooting call at the Hotel at WaterWalk in the 700 block of South Main, in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

Upon arrival, officers located the bodies of Kirksey and Roman with multiple gunshot wounds, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

The investigation revealed that Kirksey and Roman were inside of the hotel room when a suspect identified as&nbsp; Young entered the room and fired multiple shots, striking them and then fleeing on foot.

Investigators learned of Young's involvement and six months later located him in Mexico and made an arrest, according to Wheeler.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593795027094.png" alt="Young-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Young-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY - A man arrested in Mexico for the murder of two people in January 2020 at the Hotel at WaterWalk in Wichita was scheduled for sentencing Tuesday. For the second consecutive week, the hearing was continued, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.In October, 37-year-old Kyle Young plead guilty to the murder of&nbsp;27-year-old George Kirksey and 22-year-old Alicia Roman, according to the district attorney's office.In the early morning of January 2, 2020, police responded to a shooting call at the Hotel at WaterWalk in the 700 block of South Main, in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.Upon arrival, officers located the bodies of Kirksey and Roman with multiple gunshot wounds, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.The investigation revealed that Kirksey and Roman were inside of the hotel room when a suspect identified as&nbsp; Young entered the room and fired multiple shots, striking them and then fleeing on foot.Investigators learned of Young's involvement and six months later located him in Mexico and made an arrest, according to Wheeler.--------

Sentencing delayed for Kan. double-murder suspect captured in Mexico

Julius Robert “Jule” Scheck, 94, passed away November 23, 2023, at home in Great Bend, Kan. &nbsp;He was born October 27, 1929, in Walker, Kan. to Andrew and Barbara (Vonfeldt) Scheck. &nbsp;

Jule married Gretchen (Bradfield) Watkins July 19, 1975, in Great Bend. &nbsp;Gretchen passed away Feb. 24, 2021.

Jule was in the trucking business for 44 years, working for Felton Truckline in Russell, coming to Great Bend in 1956, as manager for Knaus Terminal, and then employed by Consolidated Freightline by Grave Trucking. &nbsp;He worked for ANR Truckline and Coast Pipeline as senior driver until his retirement in 1990. &nbsp;He was the Union Steward for International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Knights of Columbus Council #862, and Eagles Lodge #646.

Survivors include three daughters, Diana Ellis, Debra Hollins, and Donna Frederick (Terry), all of Overland Park, Kan.; three stepsons, Kerry Watkins (Jan) of Great Bend, Kevin Watkins (Pam) of Independence, KS; &nbsp;and Kemper Watkins (Melissa) of Livingston, Texas; stepdaughter, Shannon Bolding of Great Bend; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three step grandchildren, and three stepgreat-randchildren.&nbsp;

He was preceded in death by six brothers, Andrew Scheck, Richard Scheck, Ray Scheck, John Scheck, infant Joseph Scheck, and Severeign Scheck; and four sisters, Amelia Lange, Helen Woodward, Regina Miller, and Mary Ann Elliott.

A vigil with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Bryant Funeral Home. &nbsp;Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. &nbsp;Inurnment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. &nbsp;

Memorials may be given to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of&nbsp;Julius Robert Scheck, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/julius-scheck/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>Julius Robert Scheck, Great Bend</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701095386832.jpeg" alt="Julius Robert Scheck" />
 <figcaption>Julius Robert Scheck</figcaption>
 </figure>October 27, 1929 - November 23, 2023Julius Robert “Jule” Scheck, 94, passed away November 23, 2023, at home in Great Bend, Kan. &nbsp;He was born October 27, 1929, in Walker, Kan. to Andrew and Barbara (Vonfeldt) Scheck. &nbsp;Jule married Gretchen (Bradfield) Watkins July 19, 1975, in Great Bend. &nbsp;Gretchen passed away Feb. 24, 2021.Jule was in the trucking business for 44 years, working for Felton Truckline in Russell, coming to Great Bend in 1956, as manager for Knaus Terminal, and then employed by Consolidated Freightline by Grave Trucking. &nbsp;He worked for ANR Truckline and Coast Pipeline as senior driver until his retirement in 1990. &nbsp;He was the Union Steward for International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Knights of Columbus Council #862, and Eagles Lodge #646.Survivors include three daughters, Diana Ellis, Debra Hollins, and Donna Frederick (Terry), all of Overland Park, Kan.; three stepsons, Kerry Watkins (Jan) of Great Bend, Kevin Watkins (Pam) of Independence, KS; &nbsp;and Kemper Watkins (Melissa) of Livingston, Texas; stepdaughter, Shannon Bolding of Great Bend; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three step grandchildren, and three stepgreat-randchildren.&nbsp;He was preceded in death by six brothers, Andrew Scheck, Richard Scheck, Ray Scheck, John Scheck, infant Joseph Scheck, and Severeign Scheck; and four sisters, Amelia Lange, Helen Woodward, Regina Miller, and Mary Ann Elliott.A vigil with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Bryant Funeral Home. &nbsp;Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. &nbsp;Inurnment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. &nbsp;Memorials may be given to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of&nbsp;Julius Robert Scheck, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/julius-scheck/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

Julius Robert Scheck

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Triple Eight Equine in Hays has introduced a water treadmill to enhance the well-being of horses.

The Hays business, 1380 Toulon Ave., includes a 120-by-80-foot indoor riding arena, a horse hotel and a wash bay.

The AquaPacer Plus by Husdon Aquatic Systems is the latest equipment to be introduced by the Equine Center.

Co-owner Brian Lang said the water treadmill is uncommon as there's a limited amount of them available in the nation, let alone in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"This is a unique machine so now people don't have to go to Oklahoma, Texas or Kentucky for that type of rehab. They can do it in Kansas," he said.

Center Manager Shelly Macumber has dedicated her entire life to working with horses and has certification in massage and rehabilitation therapy.

Macumber said the machine could benefit the well-being of horses in a variety of ways such as muscle building and helping them stay fit, especially in chilly winter months.

"When we're conditioning them, we don't just use the treadmill," she said. "We also do corrective exercising, massage and a bunch of different therapies that we combine together for a package depending on the horse."

The treadmill's water levels can be adjusted to better accommodate horses. A lower water level increases difficulty, requiring the horse to step out, while a higher water level can alleviate any injuries by reducing the weight on their legs.

The AquaPacer Plus can assist horses in ways that they typically wouldn't experience during usual runs.

"By adjusting the different heights of the water, you're working different areas of the body and different muscles that don't necessarily get worked when riding, depending on what it is that the rider does with them," Macumber said.

Additional benefits the AquaPacer can bring to horses are improved balance and restoring muscle in the back for older horses.&nbsp;

There are various reasons why horses may get injured. Macumber recommends that riders reduce this risk by consulting with a trainer or their veterinarian.

Triple Eight Equine began offering riding lessons last October for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders in one-on-one sessions.

Macumber suggests riders can start riding lessons at the equine center from the age of 7 and older. Horses are available for an extra fee of $5 for those without their own.

"It's been really fun to have different ages and different riding skills out here," Macumber said.&nbsp;

Beginner and intermediate lessons teach essential horsemanship skills, including effective communication and mastering various gaits, along with basics in gymkhana, barrels and poles.

Advanced lessons focus on advanced maneuvers, including flying lead changes, lateral movement and competitive preparation techniques.

Lang said Triple Eight Equine places a strong emphasis on involving young people and guiding them through the essentials of horse riding.

"When you look at the young kids that are involved with horses, it does take work to teach them. We focus on that quite a bit," Land said.

Macumber said parents frequently become interested in horse riding, despite initially bringing their kids to lessons.

"The horse community is like family, and all the family is involved," she said. "The parents are there, and sometimes they get to ride, and you get grandparents out supporting. It's a really good family event."

Children frequently engage in therapeutic sessions by grooming, bathing and gaining knowledge about horses, rather than riding them.

Counselors have reached out to Triple Eight Equine to arrange plans for therapeutic riding in the facility's indoor arena.

"We have a couple of people in the community who are working on getting that started so we can bring in anybody from the community," Macumber said.

In the works is a horse hotel with 24 stalls. Bunk rooms, a bathroom, a shower, a kitchen and laundry appliances will also be available to anyone traveling through the area with their horse.

"It's hard to find a place to stay with your horse," Macumber said.

Two conference rooms are available for rent with Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, presentation capabilities, and HDMI cables. Room capacities are 21 and 24.&nbsp;

Macumber encourages veterinarians to reach out to Triple Eight Equine to collaborate on horse rehabilitation efforts.

"At any time, if a veterinarian from anywhere is interested in coming and visiting the facility, they can contact us," she said.

For more information on Triple Eight Equine Center and the services they provide, click <a href="https://www.triple8equinecenter.com/copy-of-services">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700691779849.jpeg" alt="AquaPacer Plus Treadmill at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Photo by Tony Guerrero/HaysPost" />
 <figcaption>AquaPacer Plus Treadmill at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Photo by Tony Guerrero/HaysPost</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostTriple Eight Equine in Hays has introduced a water treadmill to enhance the well-being of horses.The Hays business, 1380 Toulon Ave., includes a 120-by-80-foot indoor riding arena, a horse hotel and a wash bay.The AquaPacer Plus by Husdon Aquatic Systems is the latest equipment to be introduced by the Equine Center.Co-owner Brian Lang said the water treadmill is uncommon as there's a limited amount of them available in the nation, let alone in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;"This is a unique machine so now people don't have to go to Oklahoma, Texas or Kentucky for that type of rehab. They can do it in Kansas," he said.Center Manager Shelly Macumber has dedicated her entire life to working with horses and has certification in massage and rehabilitation therapy.Macumber said the machine could benefit the well-being of horses in a variety of ways such as muscle building and helping them stay fit, especially in chilly winter months."When we're conditioning them, we don't just use the treadmill," she said. "We also do corrective exercising, massage and a bunch of different therapies that we combine together for a package depending on the horse."The treadmill's water levels can be adjusted to better accommodate horses. A lower water level increases difficulty, requiring the horse to step out, while a higher water level can alleviate any injuries by reducing the weight on their legs.The AquaPacer Plus can assist horses in ways that they typically wouldn't experience during usual runs."By adjusting the different heights of the water, you're working different areas of the body and different muscles that don't necessarily get worked when riding, depending on what it is that the rider does with them," Macumber said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700691880729.jpeg" alt="The AquaPacer Plus by Hudson Aquatic Systems at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Photo By Tony Guerrero/HaysPost" />
 <figcaption>The AquaPacer Plus by Hudson Aquatic Systems at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Photo By Tony Guerrero/HaysPost</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700692007675.jpeg" alt="Inside the AquaPacer Plus treadmill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/HaysPost" />
 <figcaption>Inside the AquaPacer Plus treadmill. Photo By Tony Guerrero/HaysPost</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700692075853.jpeg" alt="A horse inside the Aqua Pacer at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Courtesy Photo." />
 <figcaption>A horse inside the Aqua Pacer at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Courtesy Photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700692309870.jpeg" alt="A horse inside the Aqua Pacer with water at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Courtesy Photo." />
 <figcaption>A horse inside the Aqua Pacer with water at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Courtesy Photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>Additional benefits the AquaPacer can bring to horses are improved balance and restoring muscle in the back for older horses.&nbsp;There are various reasons why horses may get injured. Macumber recommends that riders reduce this risk by consulting with a trainer or their veterinarian.Triple Eight Equine began offering riding lessons last October for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders in one-on-one sessions.Macumber suggests riders can start riding lessons at the equine center from the age of 7 and older. Horses are available for an extra fee of $5 for those without their own."It's been really fun to have different ages and different riding skills out here," Macumber said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700692371704.jpeg" alt="Rider on a horse in the indoor arena. Courtesy Photo." />
 <figcaption>Rider on a horse in the indoor arena. Courtesy Photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>Beginner and intermediate lessons teach essential horsemanship skills, including effective communication and mastering various gaits, along with basics in gymkhana, barrels and poles.Advanced lessons focus on advanced maneuvers, including flying lead changes, lateral movement and competitive preparation techniques.Lang said Triple Eight Equine places a strong emphasis on involving young people and guiding them through the essentials of horse riding."When you look at the young kids that are involved with horses, it does take work to teach them. We focus on that quite a bit," Land said.Macumber said parents frequently become interested in horse riding, despite initially bringing their kids to lessons."The horse community is like family, and all the family is involved," she said. "The parents are there, and sometimes they get to ride, and you get grandparents out supporting. It's a really good family event."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700692516973.jpeg" alt="The indoor arena at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Photo By Tony Guerrero/HaysPost" />
 <figcaption>The indoor arena at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Photo By Tony Guerrero/HaysPost</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700692606860.jpeg" alt="A lounge that overlooks the indoor arena at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post." />
 <figcaption>A lounge that overlooks the indoor arena at the Triple Eight Equine Center. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post.</figcaption>
 </figure>Children frequently engage in therapeutic sessions by grooming, bathing and gaining knowledge about horses, rather than riding them.Counselors have reached out to Triple Eight Equine to arrange plans for therapeutic riding in the facility's indoor arena."We have a couple of people in the community who are working on getting that started so we can bring in anybody from the community," Macumber said.In the works is a horse hotel with 24 stalls. Bunk rooms, a bathroom, a shower, a kitchen and laundry appliances will also be available to anyone traveling through the area with their horse."It's hard to find a place to stay with your horse," Macumber said.Two conference rooms are available for rent with Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, presentation capabilities, and HDMI cables. Room capacities are 21 and 24.&nbsp;Macumber encourages veterinarians to reach out to Triple Eight Equine to collaborate on horse rehabilitation efforts."At any time, if a veterinarian from anywhere is interested in coming and visiting the facility, they can contact us," she said.For more information on Triple Eight Equine Center and the services they provide, click <a href="https://www.triple8equinecenter.com/copy-of-services">here</a>.You can also follow Triple Eight Equine on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/triple8equinecenter/">Facebook</a>&nbsp;for updates and future events. Learn more about lessons by calling 785-639-5876 or emailing&nbsp;triple8equinecenter@gmail.com.