HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the sixth short-term continuing resolution on the national budget this week, but Tracey Mann voted against it, to make a point.

"The government funding expires here today," Mann said. "On Wednesday night, there was legislation that would just kick the can down the field for a week. I voted against it out of principle. It's way past time for Congress to do its job, formalize a budget, do appropriations through regular order. That's why I opposed this week long Continuing Resolution. It's just no way to run the government."

The power of the purse is an important check on the federal bureaucracy.

"It's a key function of the legislative branch in our Constitution," Mann said. "What's going to happen is, with them extending government funding by a week. Now it expires Dec. 23, right before Christmas, which means next week, we'll fly back to D.C. and they will try to ram through a big multi-trillion dollar spending package. They have these deadlines and then they force pressure. Right now, Democrats in the House are working with Democrats in the Senate and the Biden Administration to try to jam something through. It's just going to cause more debt."

The one-week process doesn't allow for any of that oversight function to actually happen. Mann said not all CRs are created equal.

"If the process is underway and if it just isn't done yet, or if the spending levels are an appropriate amount to just extending, that's one thing. I'm not going to say that I'll never vote for a Continuing Resolution, but in this instance, to just extend by a week only to provide more pressure as we come into the holidays to jam through a larger spending package, is just not something that I could support."

Mann has voted against all six short-term budget resolutions brought to the House Floor in the 117th Congress.

NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the sixth short-term continuing resolution on the national budget this week, but Tracey Mann voted against it, to make a point."The government funding expires here today," Mann said. "On Wednesday night, there was legislation that would just kick the can down the field for a week. I voted against it out of principle. It's way past time for Congress to do its job, formalize a budget, do appropriations through regular order. That's why I opposed this week long Continuing Resolution. It's just no way to run the government."The power of the purse is an important check on the federal bureaucracy."It's a key function of the legislative branch in our Constitution," Mann said. "What's going to happen is, with them extending government funding by a week. Now it expires Dec. 23, right before Christmas, which means next week, we'll fly back to D.C. and they will try to ram through a big multi-trillion dollar spending package. They have these deadlines and then they force pressure. Right now, Democrats in the House are working with Democrats in the Senate and the Biden Administration to try to jam something through. It's just going to cause more debt."The one-week process doesn't allow for any of that oversight function to actually happen. Mann said not all CRs are created equal."If the process is underway and if it just isn't done yet, or if the spending levels are an appropriate amount to just extending, that's one thing. I'm not going to say that I'll never vote for a Continuing Resolution, but in this instance, to just extend by a week only to provide more pressure as we come into the holidays to jam through a larger spending package, is just not something that I could support."Mann has voted against all six short-term budget resolutions brought to the House Floor in the 117th Congress.

Kan. congressman's vote on CR consistent in 117th Congress

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating after an officer was shot early Friday near Kansas City International Airport.

Just before 5a.m., Kansas City police responded to report of suspicious vehicle in the long-term parking area at the airport, according to Sgt. Jacob Becchinna.

The officer identified a vehicle that matched the vehicle's description and attempted to stop the vehicle for further investigation. The driver fled and the officer pursued the vehicle to North Bern Street and Northwest Cookingham near the airport entrance where both vehicles were involved in a crash. The officer suffered minor injuries, according to Becchinna.

Additional officers responded to assist with the man and woman inside the suspect vehicle. Officers took them into custody and they were placed into airport police vehicles.

During the course of placing the subjects inside the police cars a struggle ensued between one of the subjects and one of the backup officers. During the course of that struggle the officer was shot one time and received non-life threatening injuries. The officer was transported to the hospital for treatment of the injuries.

Both suspects are in police custody. They were not injured. Police continue to process the scene for evidence.

Bern St. remained shut down Friday morning for investigation, but Cookingham remained open throughout and there was no disruption to traffic into the terminals, or any other main airport operations.

Names of the injured officers and suspects have not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671201857026.png" alt="Police on the scene of the incident at KCI-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the incident at KCI-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating after an officer was shot early Friday near Kansas City International Airport.Just before 5a.m., Kansas City police responded to report of suspicious vehicle in the long-term parking area at the airport, according to Sgt. Jacob Becchinna.The officer identified a vehicle that matched the vehicle's description and attempted to stop the vehicle for further investigation. The driver fled and the officer pursued the vehicle to North Bern Street and Northwest Cookingham near the airport entrance where both vehicles were involved in a crash. The officer suffered minor injuries, according to Becchinna.Additional officers responded to assist with the man and woman inside the suspect vehicle. Officers took them into custody and they were placed into airport police vehicles.During the course of placing the subjects inside the police cars a struggle ensued between one of the subjects and one of the backup officers. During the course of that struggle the officer was shot one time and received non-life threatening injuries. The officer was transported to the hospital for treatment of the injuries.Both suspects are in police custody. They were not injured. Police continue to process the scene for evidence.Bern St. remained shut down Friday morning for investigation, but Cookingham remained open throughout and there was no disruption to traffic into the terminals, or any other main airport operations.Names of the injured officers and suspects have not been released.

Kansas City airport police officer injured in shooting

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Starbucks workers around the U.S. are planning a three-day strike starting Friday as part of their effort to unionize the coffee chain’s stores.

More than 1,000 baristas at 100 stores are planning to walk out, according to Starbucks Workers United, the labor group organizing the effort. The strike will be the longest in the year-old unionization campaign.

The walkout include the Starbucks store at&nbsp;10201 West 75th Street in Overland Park, Kansas and&nbsp;E. 39th and Arrowhead in the Kansas City suburb of Independence, Missouri, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://sbworkersunited.org/red-cup-map">the union&nbsp;</a>website.

This is the second major strike in a month by Starbucks’ U.S. workers. On Nov. 17, workers at 110 Starbucks stores held&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-walkout-red-cup-day-386896c728bc4a66d1aa51aa002fb1ba">a one-day walkout</a>. That effort coincided with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, when the company gives reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink.

More than 264 of Starbucks’ 9,000 company-run U.S. stores have voted to unionize since late last year.

Starbucks opposes the unionization effort, saying the company functions better when it works directly with employees. But the company said last month that it respects employees’ lawful right to protest.

Tori Tambellini, a former Starbucks shift supervisor and union organizer who was fired in July, said she will be picketing in Pittsburgh this weekend. Tambellini said workers are protesting understaffed stores, poor management and what she calls Starbucks’ “scorched earth method of union busting,” including closing stores that have unionized.

Workers United noted that Starbucks recently closed the first store to unionize in Seattle, the company’s hometown. Starbucks has said the store was closed for safety reasons.

Starbucks and the union have begun contract talks in about 50 stores but no agreements have been reached.

The process has been contentious. According to the National Labor Relations Board, Workers United has filed at least 446 unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks since late last year, including that the company fired labor organizers and refused to bargain. The company, meanwhile, has filed 47 charges against the union, among them allegations that it defied bargaining rules when it recorded sessions and posted the recordings online.

So far, the labor disputes haven’t appeared to dent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-china-north-america-4be953bd7bb9c2151f2251f6abc789a1">Starbucks’ sales</a>. Starbucks said in November that its revenue rose 3% to a record $8.41 billion in the July-September period.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668703000777.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —Starbucks workers around the U.S. are planning a three-day strike starting Friday as part of their effort to unionize the coffee chain’s stores.More than 1,000 baristas at 100 stores are planning to walk out, according to Starbucks Workers United, the labor group organizing the effort. The strike will be the longest in the year-old unionization campaign.The walkout include the Starbucks store at&nbsp;10201 West 75th Street in Overland Park, Kansas and&nbsp;E. 39th and Arrowhead in the Kansas City suburb of Independence, Missouri, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://sbworkersunited.org/red-cup-map">the union&nbsp;</a>website.This is the second major strike in a month by Starbucks’ U.S. workers. On Nov. 17, workers at 110 Starbucks stores held&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-walkout-red-cup-day-386896c728bc4a66d1aa51aa002fb1ba">a one-day walkout</a>. That effort coincided with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, when the company gives reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink.More than 264 of Starbucks’ 9,000 company-run U.S. stores have voted to unionize since late last year.Starbucks opposes the unionization effort, saying the company functions better when it works directly with employees. But the company said last month that it respects employees’ lawful right to protest.Tori Tambellini, a former Starbucks shift supervisor and union organizer who was fired in July, said she will be picketing in Pittsburgh this weekend. Tambellini said workers are protesting understaffed stores, poor management and what she calls Starbucks’ “scorched earth method of union busting,” including closing stores that have unionized.Workers United noted that Starbucks recently closed the first store to unionize in Seattle, the company’s hometown. Starbucks has said the store was closed for safety reasons.Starbucks and the union have begun contract talks in about 50 stores but no agreements have been reached.The process has been contentious. According to the National Labor Relations Board, Workers United has filed at least 446 unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks since late last year, including that the company fired labor organizers and refused to bargain. The company, meanwhile, has filed 47 charges against the union, among them allegations that it defied bargaining rules when it recorded sessions and posted the recordings online.So far, the labor disputes haven’t appeared to dent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-china-north-america-4be953bd7bb9c2151f2251f6abc789a1">Starbucks’ sales</a>. Starbucks said in November that its revenue rose 3% to a record $8.41 billion in the July-September period.

Starbucks 3-day walkout includes stores in Kansas and Missouri

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from ending a Trump-era policy requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas stayed the termination until legal challenges by Texas and Missouri are settled but didn't order the policy reinstated. The impact on the program wasn't immediately clear.

“It’s a common sense policy to prevent people from entering our country illegally,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted after the ruling. “Texas wins again, for now.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.346680/gov.uscourts.txnd.346680.178.0.pdf">ruling</a>&nbsp;could prove to be a temporary setback for the Biden administration, which may appeal.

An email requesting comment from the Department of Homeland Security wasn't immediately returned.

Under President Donald Trump, about 70,000 asylum-seekers were forced to wait in Mexico for U.S. hearings under the policy introduced in January 2019. President Joe Biden — who said it “goes against everything we stand for as a nation of immigrants” — suspended the policy on his first day in office.

That sparked a long and tortured legal and administrative path.

Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee in Amarillo, ordered that the policy be reinstated in 2021. The Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-mexico-texas-missouri-1eb0b6dd1d0676e33702aec7f07e75ac">complied</a>&nbsp;with the order after agreeing to changes and additions demanded by Mexico. But it didn't enforce the policy widely and only a few thousand people were sent back to wait in Mexico.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in June that Biden had the ability to end what technically are known as Migrant Protection Protocols. But it threw back to Kacsmaryk one main issue: determining whether the administration’s action was “arbitrary and capricious” and thus violated federal law for crafting regulations.

In his 35-page ruling, the judge said it was likely an October 2021 memo that was the administration's latest effort to nail down termination of the policy did indeed appear to violate the law.

Among other things, the administration failed to consider the benefits of the policy, including reducing illegal immigration and “unmeritorious asylum claims,” the ruling said.

Trump made the policy a centerpiece of border enforcement, which critics said was inhumane for exposing migrants to extreme violence in Mexico and making access to attorneys far more difficult.

Kacsmaryk said the Biden administration memo mentioned conditions that migrants might face while in Mexico but not the hardships they face “when making the dangerous journey to the southern border” in the first place.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317716965.png" alt="The&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.346680/gov.uscourts.txnd.346680.178.0.pdf">ruling</a>&nbsp;could prove to be a temporary setback for the Biden administration, which may appeal.-photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>The&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.346680/gov.uscourts.txnd.346680.178.0.pdf">ruling</a>&nbsp;could prove to be a temporary setback for the Biden administration, which may appeal.-photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>AMARILLO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from ending a Trump-era policy requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court.U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas stayed the termination until legal challenges by Texas and Missouri are settled but didn't order the policy reinstated. The impact on the program wasn't immediately clear.“It’s a common sense policy to prevent people from entering our country illegally,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted after the ruling. “Texas wins again, for now.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.346680/gov.uscourts.txnd.346680.178.0.pdf">ruling</a>&nbsp;could prove to be a temporary setback for the Biden administration, which may appeal.An email requesting comment from the Department of Homeland Security wasn't immediately returned.Under President Donald Trump, about 70,000 asylum-seekers were forced to wait in Mexico for U.S. hearings under the policy introduced in January 2019. President Joe Biden — who said it “goes against everything we stand for as a nation of immigrants” — suspended the policy on his first day in office.That sparked a long and tortured legal and administrative path.Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee in Amarillo, ordered that the policy be reinstated in 2021. The Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-mexico-texas-missouri-1eb0b6dd1d0676e33702aec7f07e75ac">complied</a>&nbsp;with the order after agreeing to changes and additions demanded by Mexico. But it didn't enforce the policy widely and only a few thousand people were sent back to wait in Mexico.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in June that Biden had the ability to end what technically are known as Migrant Protection Protocols. But it threw back to Kacsmaryk one main issue: determining whether the administration’s action was “arbitrary and capricious” and thus violated federal law for crafting regulations.In his 35-page ruling, the judge said it was likely an October 2021 memo that was the administration's latest effort to nail down termination of the policy did indeed appear to violate the law.Among other things, the administration failed to consider the benefits of the policy, including reducing illegal immigration and “unmeritorious asylum claims,” the ruling said.Trump made the policy a centerpiece of border enforcement, which critics said was inhumane for exposing migrants to extreme violence in Mexico and making access to attorneys far more difficult.Kacsmaryk said the Biden administration memo mentioned conditions that migrants might face while in Mexico but not the hardships they face “when making the dangerous journey to the southern border” in the first place.

US judge blocks Biden bid to end 'Remain in Mexico' policy

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Tony Chrisler and his wife, Melissa, lost everything in the Four County Fire — their house, their barn, about 90 head of cattle, vehicles.

"I walked away with the shirt on my back," Tony Chrisler said.

A third-generation farmer, 52-year-old Chrisler gave up ranching, took a job working for Russell County Road and Bridge and moved into town.

The Dec. 15, 2021, fire came upon their property so quickly nothing could be saved, he said. His adult son and wife tried to move cattle when they smelled smoke, but the fire was moving too fast. Heavy smoke killed the motor on the brand-new four-wheeler his son was riding, and he had to abandon it in a ditch and make a run for it. 

"It could have been a loss," he said of his son. "We're glad everyone is still alive."

Tony and Melissa still hope to rebuild their home, which was 7 miles south of Natoma on the Ellis and Russell county line, but inflation means the insurance won't cover the cost of replacing what they had, Chrisler said.

Although the family still has several dozen head of cattle, Chrisler said he doesn't feel he can give up the security of the county job, which offers health insurance. He said he will likely never be able to go back to farming and ranching full-time.

"Farming is tough anyway," he said, "and then you take everything away that you built for 30 years. You've got to go do something."

Although some ranchers received aid for fencing and rebuilding destroyed structures, the long-term economic effects of the fire for both families and the communities is likely to be prolonged, said Clinton Laflin, livestock production Extension agent for the Midway Extension District and a Russell County rancher.

As a producer, Laflin said he is still being affected daily by last year's fire.

“I went through the fire myself, and it doesn’t seem like it's been a year ago,” he said, “because everything we’ve done in the last year has had some impact from the fire, whether that be feed, moving cattle, record keeping, costs. It’s affected everything we’ve done.”

Dr. Lauren Mack, a Plainville veterinarian, works daily with ranchers who were affected by the fires.

Although ranchers have been able to receive assistance from the government and through private donations, not all costs have been covered, she said.

Fencing costs have been high, and there has been challenges for some to access help through the various recovery programs. Inflation has also made it difficult for ranchers to afford to replace fences, buy feed, rebuild structures and replace other items destroyed in the fire, she said.

Area ranchers have not been able to re-establish their herds to pre-fire levels, she said.

“A lot of the funding that comes through that is supposed to support them didn’t necessarily cover things the way it needed to, especially with inflation," she said. “It’s not just the people who lost cattle. A lot of people lost feed, and we haven’t been able to recover that.”

“I know a couple of people have had to get jobs in town and really adjust how their families function,” Mack said.

Stacy Campbell, K-State Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Hays, said he also is seeing the financial effects of the fire in Ellis County.

“It’s very devastating for some. Even those who are able to stay in business, I would say there will be at least a minimum of a five- if not 10-year economic impact to get back to where they were,” he said.

Losses in the ag sector have far-reaching effects on all the surrounding communities and their economies, Campbell said.

“Any type of disaster like that is going to trickle down into the town. If those guys are affected, they might not be coming to town to buy as many goods or services for their family," he said.

Rancher Randy Marintzer had a section — one square mile of pasture — burned in the Four County Fire.

He's looking at his pasture, which was unable to be grazed this season and wonders what the future will hold. Despite Hays receiving a half inch of rain this week, the area is still 6 inches below average precipitation for the year.

“If it doesn’t rain or snow, it’s going to look pretty tough,” he said. ... "We are just going to have to pray and believe we are going to get some rain."

The threat of fire is still a concern for many in the Four County area.

 Prairie grasses can dry and be ready to burn within an hour of being wet, said Chip Redmond, assistant meteorologist-KSU Weather Data Library/Mesonet manager. 

The Four County Fire burned 164,000 acres in Ellis, Russell, Rooks and Osborne counties. Redmond said many variables go into the fire forecast for this fire season. The season runs from the first frost to the last frost— the time when vegetation is dormant and dry.

The Four County area had several wet years going into last winter. This meant the vegetation was thicker than normal. This year, dry conditions resulted in less growth.

"To the west of Hays, there were areas that never got green this summer," Redmond said. "We still have all the dormant grass from last year, which I don’t think is a whole lot because it's been grazed now or mowed to reduce that vegetation amount.

"It doesn’t totally lessen [the fire risk], but it gives us confidence that maybe we won’t have as aggressive fire behavior as we did last year," he said.

Weather conditions can change rapidly, and Redmond said residents should expect multiple storms in the coming months that will be accompanied by high winds.

The system that caused the 100 mph plus winds on Dec. 15, 2021, was a rare occurrence, called a sting jet, which involves stratospheric air coming to the surface. Redmond said sting jets have only been recorded over land in Kansas a few times.

“The likelihood of a high-impact day like that is very, very low,” he said of the extreme winds.

Although grasses will be less dense because of the drought, trees will show more stress, Redmond said. They will smolder and burn more efficiently and longer. Cedar trees burn quickly, especially in dry conditions, and Redmond encouraged residents to avoid planting them near structures.

Darin Myers, Ellis County Fire Department chief, the area that did not burn last year still has plenty of fuel, which is continuing to keep local fire crews on alert. 

“There is still a lot of the county left that didn’t burn very thankfully," Myers said. "When you look at the drought, we still have that fuel that is out there. What didn’t burn is dry. It’s all out there and available to still burn — cropland to regular pastures or CRP.”

After any major fire incident, the Ellis County Fire Department does a review. Myers identified several areas for improvement in fighting future wildfires.

“You think of places you can fix things if you have money, but that is not always the case,” Myers said. “Some things you can’t fix no matter how much money you throw at it."

The Four County Fire burned a significant portion of the Saline River Valley in northern Ellis and Russell counties. That area is largely unbroken prairie with few county roads. This allowed the fire to spread largely unabated. It also meant getting to the fire was difficult.

In addition, no communication towers were available to firefighters in that area. In the days fire crews were actively fighting the blaze, fire teams were constantly losing contact with each other, Myers said. 

“Until they got up on a hill, they won’t have any radio communications,” Myers said.

The county identified three areas for improvement. The Ellis County Commission immediately purchased more portable radios.

The Ellis County Commission on Tuesday approved a project to mount emergency communication equipment on an existing Midwest Energy tower in the Saline River Valley. That project will cost about $1 million and is being funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds.

However, Myers said it will still be another six to eight months before that equipment is installed, not in time for the current fire season.

The county also upgraded its computer-aided dispatch system. All fire trucks now have mobile data terminals. A CrewForce app allows fire crews and law enforcement to see where fire units have been deployed, road and bridge closures, and water sources.

Another major fire burned about 14,000 acres of grassland in the southwest portion of Ellis County on Oct. 23. That fire was also in a river valley, which made reaching the fire difficult. However, the addition of CrewForce helped the crews better direct resources, Myers said.

Area farmers were essential resources in fighting that fire. They hooked up discs and manned graders to build fire breaks along the flanks of the fire, which allowed the fire crew to fight the active front of the fire. 

Even a year later, Ellis County still doesn't have a complete picture of the full financial loss as a result of the Four County Fire and is still seeking aid in the recovery.

Myers estimated Ellis County Fire had several thousand man-hours dedicated to fighting the fire over the three days of the incident.

The incident started as a wind event, but many expenses that were incurred by the fire department were because of fire. FEMA funds will cover wind damage, but not fire. 

Officials are still working with the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, FEMA, Kansas legislators and the Kansas Congressional delegation to find further relief, Myers said.

“Here we are a year later and we still don’t have the answer,” he said.

“I’m hoping that is a once-in-a-career situation, but we’re in the same predicament we were a year ago," Myers said. "If we have another day like that, it can happen just as quickly. We’re just as dry if not dryer than last year.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671039304357.png" alt="Firefighters on the fire line of the Four County Fire in December 2021. Photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service" />
 <figcaption>Firefighters on the fire line of the Four County Fire in December 2021. Photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTony Chrisler and his wife, Melissa, lost everything in the Four County Fire — their house, their barn, about 90 head of cattle, vehicles."I walked away with the shirt on my back," Tony Chrisler said. A third-generation farmer, 52-year-old Chrisler gave up ranching, took a job working for Russell County Road and Bridge and moved into town.The Dec. 15, 2021, fire came upon their property so quickly nothing could be saved, he said. His adult son and wife tried to move cattle when they smelled smoke, but the fire was moving too fast. Heavy smoke killed the motor on the brand-new four-wheeler his son was riding, and he had to abandon it in a ditch and make a run for it. "It could have been a loss," he said of his son. "We're glad everyone is still alive." Tony and Melissa still hope to rebuild their home, which was 7 miles south of Natoma on the Ellis and Russell county line, but inflation means the insurance won't cover the cost of replacing what they had, Chrisler said. Although the family still has several dozen head of cattle, Chrisler said he doesn't feel he can give up the security of the county job, which offers health insurance. He said he will likely never be able to go back to farming and ranching full-time. "Farming is tough anyway," he said, "and then you take everything away that you built for 30 years. You've got to go do something."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671049929331.png" alt="A burned tractor shows the intensity of the heat from the Dec. 15 wildfire from a farm in Russell County. High Plains Journal photo by Payton Stoppel" />
 <figcaption>A burned tractor shows the intensity of the heat from the Dec. 15 wildfire from a farm in Russell County. High Plains Journal photo by Payton Stoppel</figcaption>
 </figure>Although some ranchers received aid for fencing and rebuilding destroyed structures, the long-term economic effects of the fire for both families and the communities is likely to be prolonged, said Clinton Laflin, livestock production Extension agent for the Midway Extension District and a Russell County rancher.As a producer, Laflin said he is still being affected daily by last year's fire.“I went through the fire myself, and it doesn’t seem like it's been a year ago,” he said, “because everything we’ve done in the last year has had some impact from the fire, whether that be feed, moving cattle, record keeping, costs. It’s affected everything we’ve done.”Dr. Lauren Mack, a Plainville veterinarian, works daily with ranchers who were affected by the fires.Although ranchers have been able to receive assistance from the government and through private donations, not all costs have been covered, she said.Fencing costs have been high, and there has been challenges for some to access help through the various recovery programs. Inflation has also made it difficult for ranchers to afford to replace fences, buy feed, rebuild structures and replace other items destroyed in the fire, she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671050018504.jpeg" alt="A semi-truck that was blown over off of Kansas Highway 18 near Paradise during the Dec. 15, 2021, wind storm was caught in a wildfire. Photo by Cristina Janney / Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A semi-truck that was blown over off of Kansas Highway 18 near Paradise during the Dec. 15, 2021, wind storm was caught in a wildfire. Photo by Cristina Janney / Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Area ranchers have not been able to re-establish their herds to pre-fire levels, she said.“A lot of the funding that comes through that is supposed to support them didn’t necessarily cover things the way it needed to, especially with inflation," she said. “It’s not just the people who lost cattle. A lot of people lost feed, and we haven’t been able to recover that.”“I know a couple of people have had to get jobs in town and really adjust how their families function,” Mack said.Stacy Campbell, K-State Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Hays, said he also is seeing the financial effects of the fire in Ellis County.“It’s very devastating for some. Even those who are able to stay in business, I would say there will be at least a minimum of a five- if not 10-year economic impact to get back to where they were,” he said.Losses in the ag sector have far-reaching effects on all the surrounding communities and their economies, Campbell said.“Any type of disaster like that is going to trickle down into the town. If those guys are affected, they might not be coming to town to buy as many goods or services for their family," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671050124057.jpeg" alt="The burned out shells of vehicles at a home in Paradise.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney / Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The burned out shells of vehicles at a home in Paradise.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney / Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Praying for rain</h2>Rancher Randy Marintzer had a section — one square mile of pasture — burned in the Four County Fire. He's looking at his pasture, which was unable to be grazed this season and wonders what the future will hold. Despite Hays receiving a half inch of rain this week, the area is still 6 inches below average precipitation for the year.“If it doesn’t rain or snow, it’s going to look pretty tough,” he said. ... "We are just going to have to pray and believe we are going to get some rain."The threat of fire is still a concern for many in the Four County area. Prairie grasses can dry and be ready to burn within an hour of being wet, said Chip Redmond, assistant meteorologist-KSU Weather Data Library/Mesonet manager. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639687509045.jpeg" alt="Burned home near Paradise after the Four County Fire on Dec. 15, 2021. Photo by Cristina Janney / Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Burned home near Paradise after the Four County Fire on Dec. 15, 2021. Photo by Cristina Janney / Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The Four County Fire burned 164,000 acres in Ellis, Russell, Rooks and Osborne counties. Redmond said many variables go into the fire forecast for this fire season. The season runs from the first frost to the last frost— the time when vegetation is dormant and dry. The Four County area had several wet years going into last winter. This meant the vegetation was thicker than normal. This year, dry conditions resulted in less growth."To the west of Hays, there were areas that never got green this summer," Redmond said. "We still have all the dormant grass from last year, which I don’t think is a whole lot because it's been grazed now or mowed to reduce that vegetation amount."It doesn’t totally lessen [the fire risk], but it gives us confidence that maybe we won’t have as aggressive fire behavior as we did last year," he said.<h2>Sting jet</h2>Weather conditions can change rapidly, and Redmond said residents should expect multiple storms in the coming months that will be accompanied by high winds.The system that caused the 100 mph plus winds on Dec. 15, 2021, was a rare occurrence, called a sting jet, which involves stratospheric air coming to the surface. Redmond said sting jets have only been recorded over land in Kansas a few times.“The likelihood of a high-impact day like that is very, very low,” he said of the extreme winds.Although grasses will be less dense because of the drought, trees will show more stress, Redmond said. They will smolder and burn more efficiently and longer. Cedar trees burn quickly, especially in dry conditions, and Redmond encouraged residents to avoid planting them near structures. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671039592280.jpeg" alt="The Four County Fire as captured from fire vehicles. Photo courtesy of Ellis County Fire " />
 <figcaption>The Four County Fire as captured from fire vehicles. Photo courtesy of Ellis County Fire </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Improving fire response</h2>Darin Myers, Ellis County Fire Department chief, the area that did not burn last year still has plenty of fuel, which is continuing to keep local fire crews on alert. “There is still a lot of the county left that didn’t burn very thankfully," Myers said. "When you look at the drought, we still have that fuel that is out there. What didn’t burn is dry. It’s all out there and available to still burn — cropland to regular pastures or CRP.”After any major fire incident, the Ellis County Fire Department does a review. Myers identified several areas for improvement in fighting future wildfires.“You think of places you can fix things if you have money, but that is not always the case,” Myers said. “Some things you can’t fix no matter how much money you throw at it."The Four County Fire burned a significant portion of the Saline River Valley in northern Ellis and Russell counties. That area is largely unbroken prairie with few county roads. This allowed the fire to spread largely unabated. It also meant getting to the fire was difficult.In addition, no communication towers were available to firefighters in that area. In the days fire crews were actively fighting the blaze, fire teams were constantly losing contact with each other, Myers said. “Until they got up on a hill, they won’t have any radio communications,” Myers said.The county identified three areas for improvement. The Ellis County Commission immediately purchased more portable radios.The Ellis County Commission on Tuesday approved a project to mount emergency communication equipment on an existing Midwest Energy tower in the Saline River Valley. That project will cost about $1 million and is being funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds.However, Myers said it will still be another six to eight months before that equipment is installed, not in time for the current fire season.The county also upgraded its computer-aided dispatch system. All fire trucks now have mobile data terminals. A CrewForce app allows fire crews and law enforcement to see where fire units have been deployed, road and bridge closures, and water sources.Another major fire burned about 14,000 acres of grassland in the southwest portion of Ellis County on Oct. 23. That fire was also in a river valley, which made reaching the fire difficult. However, the addition of CrewForce helped the crews better direct resources, Myers said.Area farmers were essential resources in fighting that fire. They hooked up discs and manned graders to build fire breaks along the flanks of the fire, which allowed the fire crew to fight the active front of the fire. <h2>Still no recovery money</h2>Even a year later, Ellis County still doesn't have a complete picture of the full financial loss as a result of the Four County Fire and is still seeking aid in the recovery.Myers estimated Ellis County Fire had several thousand man-hours dedicated to fighting the fire over the three days of the incident.The incident started as a wind event, but many expenses that were incurred by the fire department were because of fire. FEMA funds will cover wind damage, but not fire. Officials are still working with the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, FEMA, Kansas legislators and the Kansas Congressional delegation to find further relief, Myers said.“Here we are a year later and we still don’t have the answer,” he said.“I’m hoping that is a once-in-a-career situation, but we’re in the same predicament we were a year ago," Myers said. "If we have another day like that, it can happen just as quickly. We’re just as dry if not dryer than last year.”

3rd generation Kan. rancher gives up ag; financial effects of fire may last years

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.

Just before 8:30p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wednesday,&nbsp; police responded to the 4300 block of SW 15th Street in Topeka after reports of gunshots, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks.

Moments later, police received the report of a shooting in the 4400 block of SW 34th Street where officers found a woman with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital.&nbsp;

As a result of the investigation, police arrested 20-year-old Alize Joy Lay of Topeka on a requested charge of Aggravated Assault. She posted bond and is no longer in custody, according to online booking records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671191474474.png" alt="Lay-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Lay-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.Just before 8:30p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wednesday,&nbsp; police responded to the 4300 block of SW 15th Street in Topeka after reports of gunshots, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671112083003.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Moments later, police received the report of a shooting in the 4400 block of SW 34th Street where officers found a woman with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital.&nbsp;As a result of the investigation, police arrested 20-year-old Alize Joy Lay of Topeka on a requested charge of Aggravated Assault. She posted bond and is no longer in custody, according to online booking records.

Kan. woman accused of shooting that sent woman to the hospital

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military and provide nearly $858 billion for national defense passed the Senate on Thursday and now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

The bill provides for about $45 billion more for defense programs than Biden requested and roughly 10% more than last year’s bill as lawmakers look to account for inflation and boost the nation’s military competitiveness with China and Russia. It includes a 4.6% pay raise for servicemembers and the Defense Department’s civilian workforce.

The Senate passed the defense policy bill by a vote of 83-11. The measure also received broad bipartisan support in the House last week.

To win GOP support for the 4,408-page bill, Democrats agreed to Republican demands to scrap the requirement for service members to get a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill directs Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to rescind his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-4cf7451267919302de4a7b591508e80c">August 2021 memorandum</a>&nbsp;imposing the mandate.

Before approving the measure, the Senate voted down a couple of efforts to amend it, including a proposal from Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to speed the permitting process for energy projects. The effort had drawn fierce opposition from some environmental advocacy groups who worried it would accelerate fossil fuel projects such as gas pipelines and limit the public’s input on such projects.

Manchin, who chairs the Senate Energy Committee, secured a commitment from Biden and Democratic leaders last summer to support the permitting package in return&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-manchin-budget-agreement-7b0ee6e3e0b70357288fd69f44473b9b">for his support</a>&nbsp;of a landmark law to curb climate change.

Machin’s legislation sets deadlines for completion of National Environmental Policy Act reviews for major energy and natural resource projects. It would require courts to consider litigation involving energy project permits on an expedited basis. It also directs federal agencies to permit the completion of a natural gas pipeline in his home state and Virginia “without further administrative or judicial delay or impediment.”

“We’re on the verge of doing something unbelievable, but let me tell you, most of it will be for naught. Because without permitting reform, the United States of America is more litigious than any nation on earth,” Manchin told colleagues.

Biden voiced his support for Manchin’s legislation a few hours before Thursday’s vote. He said far too many projects face delays and described Manchin’s amendment “as a way to cut Americans’ energy bills, promote U.S. energy security, and boost our ability to get energy projects built and connected to the grid.“

Not only did some environmental advocacy groups bash Manchin’s proposal, but so did many Republicans. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said it didn’t go far enough, calling it “reform in name only.”

The amendment fell short of the 60 votes needed for passage, 47-47.

An amendment from Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also went down to defeat. It would have allowed for the reinstatement of those service members discharged for failing to obey an order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and compensate them for any pay and benefits lost as a result of the separation.

“People serving our military are the finest among us. Over 8,000 were terminated because they refused to get this experimental vaccine, and so I’m urging all of my colleagues to support Senator Cruz’s and my amendment,” Johnson said.

But opponents worried about the precedent of rewarding members of the military who disobeyed an order. Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said orders are not suggestions, they are commands.

“What message do we send if we pass this bill? It is a very dangerous one,” Reed said. “What we’re telling soldiers is, ‘if you disagree, don’t follow the order, and then just lobby Congress, and they’ll come along and they’ll restore your rank, or restore your benefits, or restore everything.’”

The amendment failed, with 40 senators supporting it and 54 opposing it.

The defense bill sets policy and provides a roadmap for future investments. Lawmakers will have to follow up with spending bills to bring many provisions to reality. It’s one of the final bills Congress is expected to approve before adjourning, so lawmakers were eager to attach their top priorities to it.

The directive to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-lloyd-austin-united-states-government-and-politics-ef76a0da58520cacbbfce003d66ed183">rescind the</a>&nbsp;vaccine mandate for service members proved to be among the most controversial provisions, but Democrats agreed to it to allow the bill to advance.

As of early this month, about 99% of the active-duty troops in the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps had been vaccinated, and 98% of the Army. Service members who are not vaccinated are not allowed to deploy, particularly sailors or Marines on ships. There may be a few exceptions to that, based on religious or other exemptions and the duties of the service member.

The vaccination numbers for the Guard and Reserve are lower, but generally all are more than 90%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629972789785.png" alt="The Senate passed the defense policy bill by a vote of 83-11. The measure also received broad bipartisan support in the House last week. photo courtesy U.S. Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>The Senate passed the defense policy bill by a vote of 83-11. The measure also received broad bipartisan support in the House last week. photo courtesy U.S. Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military and provide nearly $858 billion for national defense passed the Senate on Thursday and now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.The bill provides for about $45 billion more for defense programs than Biden requested and roughly 10% more than last year’s bill as lawmakers look to account for inflation and boost the nation’s military competitiveness with China and Russia. It includes a 4.6% pay raise for servicemembers and the Defense Department’s civilian workforce.The Senate passed the defense policy bill by a vote of 83-11. The measure also received broad bipartisan support in the House last week.To win GOP support for the 4,408-page bill, Democrats agreed to Republican demands to scrap the requirement for service members to get a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill directs Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to rescind his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-4cf7451267919302de4a7b591508e80c">August 2021 memorandum</a>&nbsp;imposing the mandate.Before approving the measure, the Senate voted down a couple of efforts to amend it, including a proposal from Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to speed the permitting process for energy projects. The effort had drawn fierce opposition from some environmental advocacy groups who worried it would accelerate fossil fuel projects such as gas pipelines and limit the public’s input on such projects.Manchin, who chairs the Senate Energy Committee, secured a commitment from Biden and Democratic leaders last summer to support the permitting package in return&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-manchin-budget-agreement-7b0ee6e3e0b70357288fd69f44473b9b">for his support</a>&nbsp;of a landmark law to curb climate change.Machin’s legislation sets deadlines for completion of National Environmental Policy Act reviews for major energy and natural resource projects. It would require courts to consider litigation involving energy project permits on an expedited basis. It also directs federal agencies to permit the completion of a natural gas pipeline in his home state and Virginia “without further administrative or judicial delay or impediment.”“We’re on the verge of doing something unbelievable, but let me tell you, most of it will be for naught. Because without permitting reform, the United States of America is more litigious than any nation on earth,” Manchin told colleagues.Biden voiced his support for Manchin’s legislation a few hours before Thursday’s vote. He said far too many projects face delays and described Manchin’s amendment “as a way to cut Americans’ energy bills, promote U.S. energy security, and boost our ability to get energy projects built and connected to the grid.“Not only did some environmental advocacy groups bash Manchin’s proposal, but so did many Republicans. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said it didn’t go far enough, calling it “reform in name only.”The amendment fell short of the 60 votes needed for passage, 47-47.An amendment from Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also went down to defeat. It would have allowed for the reinstatement of those service members discharged for failing to obey an order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and compensate them for any pay and benefits lost as a result of the separation.“People serving our military are the finest among us. Over 8,000 were terminated because they refused to get this experimental vaccine, and so I’m urging all of my colleagues to support Senator Cruz’s and my amendment,” Johnson said.But opponents worried about the precedent of rewarding members of the military who disobeyed an order. Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said orders are not suggestions, they are commands.“What message do we send if we pass this bill? It is a very dangerous one,” Reed said. “What we’re telling soldiers is, ‘if you disagree, don’t follow the order, and then just lobby Congress, and they’ll come along and they’ll restore your rank, or restore your benefits, or restore everything.’”The amendment failed, with 40 senators supporting it and 54 opposing it.The defense bill sets policy and provides a roadmap for future investments. Lawmakers will have to follow up with spending bills to bring many provisions to reality. It’s one of the final bills Congress is expected to approve before adjourning, so lawmakers were eager to attach their top priorities to it.The directive to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-lloyd-austin-united-states-government-and-politics-ef76a0da58520cacbbfce003d66ed183">rescind the</a>&nbsp;vaccine mandate for service members proved to be among the most controversial provisions, but Democrats agreed to it to allow the bill to advance.As of early this month, about 99% of the active-duty troops in the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps had been vaccinated, and 98% of the Army. Service members who are not vaccinated are not allowed to deploy, particularly sailors or Marines on ships. There may be a few exceptions to that, based on religious or other exemptions and the duties of the service member.The vaccination numbers for the Guard and Reserve are lower, but generally all are more than 90%.____

Bill to rescind COVID vaxx mandate for troops passes Senate

MORRIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating individuals allegedly disposing of baby calves and goats off of the Elm Creek Bridge on S 1400 Road just south of Helmick Road, approximately 7 miles southeast of Council Grove, according to a media release from the Morris County Sheriff.

The crime of unlawful disposal,&nbsp;per K.S.A. 47-1219, includes "anyone who put any dead animals, carcasses of such animals or domestic fowl, or any part thereof, into any well, spring, brook, branch, river, creek, pond, road, street, alley, lane other than the person's own private driveway, lot not owned or leased by such person, field not owned or leased by such person, meadow not owned or leased by such person or commonly-owned or public property shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not exceeding $500."

The sheriff’s office is requesting the public’s help with information on individuals involved in the alleged crime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671138999650.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>MORRIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating individuals allegedly disposing of baby calves and goats off of the Elm Creek Bridge on S 1400 Road just south of Helmick Road, approximately 7 miles southeast of Council Grove, according to a media release from the Morris County Sheriff.The crime of unlawful disposal,&nbsp;per K.S.A. 47-1219, includes "anyone who put any dead animals, carcasses of such animals or domestic fowl, or any part thereof, into any well, spring, brook, branch, river, creek, pond, road, street, alley, lane other than the person's own private driveway, lot not owned or leased by such person, field not owned or leased by such person, meadow not owned or leased by such person or commonly-owned or public property shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not exceeding $500."The sheriff’s office is requesting the public’s help with information on individuals involved in the alleged crime.

Sheriff: Dead goats, calves thrown off Kansas bridge

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes.

Police conducted an investigation in December 2014 that related to a child victim under he age of 14. During that investigation, 40-year-old Austin Kau was taken into custody in Buchanan County Missouri on an unrelated Missouri case.

 Since that time he had remained in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections until being released this week to the custody of the Atchison County Jail, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;

Kau is being held on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with aggravated criminal sodomy that was filed in February 2015.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671120713601.png" alt="Kau-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Kau-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes.Police conducted an investigation in December 2014 that related to a child victim under he age of 14. During that investigation, 40-year-old Austin Kau was taken into custody in Buchanan County Missouri on an unrelated Missouri case. Since that time he had remained in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections until being released this week to the custody of the Atchison County Jail, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;Kau is being held on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with aggravated criminal sodomy that was filed in February 2015.

Missouri inmate faces sex crime charges in Kansas

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a violent traffic stop.

Just after 9a.m. Dec. 14,&nbsp; a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop&nbsp;near 134th and U.S. 75 Highway on a 2007 Kia Amanti for alleged license tag violations, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The passenger 59-year-old Thomas William Mangum of Topeka, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement. Both  remain in the Jackson County Jail, according to Morse.

Deputies also arrested&nbsp; the driver identified as 34-year-old Shawna Jailyn Rogers of Topeka on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671111928719.png" alt="Mangum-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Mangum-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a violent traffic stop.Just after 9a.m. Dec. 14,&nbsp; a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop&nbsp;near 134th and U.S. 75 Highway on a 2007 Kia Amanti for alleged license tag violations, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671111745456.png" alt="Rogers photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Rogers photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The passenger 59-year-old Thomas William Mangum of Topeka, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement. Both remain in the Jackson County Jail, according to Morse.Deputies also arrested&nbsp; the driver identified as 34-year-old Shawna Jailyn Rogers of Topeka on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended.

Two jailed on drug allegations after violent Kan. traffic stop

Russell County USD 407 is seeking applicants for treasurer. &nbsp;

Must have Associate of Science in accounting or finance; 5 years of financial management, supervises accounting operations, accounts payable and budget. &nbsp;

For more information or to apply, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usd407.org/">www.usd407.org</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671029274787.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Russell County USD 407 is seeking applicants for treasurer. &nbsp;Must have Associate of Science in accounting or finance; 5 years of financial management, supervises accounting operations, accounts payable and budget. &nbsp;For more information or to apply, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usd407.org/">www.usd407.org</a>

🎥White House winter COVID-19 plan includes more free tests

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 12:30a.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2007 Nissan Altima driven by&nbsp; Sade Shane Parker, 29, Kansas City, Kansas, was westbound Metropolitan Avenue at the intersection of South 32nd Street.

The driver lost control of the car when it struck a slope in the roadway, vaulted, traveled off the road to the left and struck a rock wall at a private residence.

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

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 12:30a.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2007 Nissan Altima driven by&nbsp; Sade Shane Parker, 29, Kansas City, Kansas, was westbound Metropolitan Avenue at the intersection of South 32nd Street.The driver lost control of the car when it struck a slope in the roadway, vaulted, traveled off the road to the left and struck a rock wall at a private residence.Parker was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after car strikes rock wall at private home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search for a suspect wanted in connection with a rural Kansas murder is over. Just after 3:30p.m. Thursday police arrested&nbsp;31-year-old Saul Chavez Valenciana following a standoff&nbsp; in the 1600 block of S. Parkwood in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

On Dec. 2, police reported they were investigating after a dead body was found in rural Sumner County, believed to be connected to an ongoing investigation in Wichita.

On November 29, police were contacted by a 69-year-old man who reported 41-year-old Brent Boone, of Wichita, missing under unusual circumstances, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

Boone was last seen on November 24, 2022, at 9:30 pm at his residence in the 1300 block of N. Pershing in Wichita before leaving in a vehicle with two individuals – identified as Valenciana and 19- year-old Tehya Turner, both of Wichita.

It is believed that an altercation occurred inside the car, during which Boone was killed.

On Wednesday, November 30, follow-up investigation led officers to a crime scene in the 9300 block of S. Pattie in Haysville, where they began processing evidence. Police located the vehicle on December 1, near 21st and Ridge, abandoned, according to Ditch.

Further investigation led officers to a rural area Southwest of Clearwater, one mile west of N Clearwater Road and 140th Ave N, where a body was located. Investigators with WPD and members of the Sumner County Sheriff's Office are working to confirm the body's identity, but at this time, it is believed to be Boone.

Police took Turner into custody Dec. 2 and she is being held on a $1 million dollar bond charged with first degree murder, burglary and possession of marijuana, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670023341610.png" alt="-Valenciana-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>-Valenciana-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search for a suspect wanted in connection with a rural Kansas murder is over. Just after 3:30p.m. Thursday police arrested&nbsp;31-year-old Saul Chavez Valenciana following a standoff&nbsp; in the 1600 block of S. Parkwood in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.On Dec. 2, police reported they were investigating after a dead body was found in rural Sumner County, believed to be connected to an ongoing investigation in Wichita.On November 29, police were contacted by a 69-year-old man who reported 41-year-old Brent Boone, of Wichita, missing under unusual circumstances, according to Officer Chad Ditch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670173983028.png" alt="-Turner-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>-Turner-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Boone was last seen on November 24, 2022, at 9:30 pm at his residence in the 1300 block of N. Pershing in Wichita before leaving in a vehicle with two individuals – identified as Valenciana and 19- year-old Tehya Turner, both of Wichita.It is believed that an altercation occurred inside the car, during which Boone was killed.On Wednesday, November 30, follow-up investigation led officers to a crime scene in the 9300 block of S. Pattie in Haysville, where they began processing evidence. Police located the vehicle on December 1, near 21st and Ridge, abandoned, according to Ditch.Further investigation led officers to a rural area Southwest of Clearwater, one mile west of N Clearwater Road and 140th Ave N, where a body was located. Investigators with WPD and members of the Sumner County Sheriff's Office are working to confirm the body's identity, but at this time, it is believed to be Boone.Police took Turner into custody Dec. 2 and she is being held on a $1 million dollar bond charged with first degree murder, burglary and possession of marijuana, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Police capture suspect wanted for rural Kansas murder 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 25-year veteran was chosen Thursday to lead the Kansas City police department, which is embroiled in internal and external controversies.

The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners chose Stacey Graves, the current acting deputy chief, making her the first woman to become the permanent police chief in the department's nearly 150-year history. Two other women have served as interim chiefs.

Graves takes over a department under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-discrimination-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-7a3d4c84f6e3ba8bb97b5c49e5287408">federal investigation</a>&nbsp;for possible racial discrimination in its hiring practices. And the board of commissioners announced this week that it will hire an outside investigator to examine a former city attorney's whistleblower complaint that the department hid criminal case evidence and denied public records requests.

That comes after years of complaints from civil rights groups about officer misconduct and the department's often secretive handling of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-missouri-2b9c7ba78d664bb1d4d7a953e47f9530">excessive force complaints</a>, leading to a strained relationship with the public in a city where about 28% of its 508,000 residents are Black.

The department also faces a shortage of officers at a time when Kansas City has a high rate of violent crime and homicides.

Graves replaces Joseph Mabin, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-police-kansas-city-missouri-7491694fde16266905a51496c470cc5e">appointed interim police</a>&nbsp;chief when the embattled former chief, Rick Smith, left the department amid controversy in April 2021.

Graves said during a news conference that one of her first steps as chief will be to build bridges so the department, city leaders and community members can work together to make Kansas City safe.

She also promised the department will be “an open book” while dealing with the U.S. Department of Justice investigation and other issues.

“I will be that front-facing communicator that this city wants and needs,” Graves said. “If there's something that we're doing wrong, the motto is ‘mess up, ’fess up and move on.' And the ‘move on’ isn't forget about it. It's learn from it and move forward in a better way.”

Pastor Darron Edwards, one of several community activists who has criticized the department, said Thursday that Graves was the right choice to “hit the ground running” and address the community's concerns.

“I believe she will be a communicator and a collaborator, which this city hasn't seen from the police department in the last five years,” Edwards said. “The board, which I have criticized in the past, got this right.”

Graves joined the Kansas City police force in 1997 as a civilian in the records department. She had since held several positions including patrol officer, detective, internal affairs, spokeswoman and division commander.

Graves was the only Kansas City officer among the three finalists for the job. Mayor Quinton Lucas said Thursday that was not a deciding factor in choosing Graves.

He said the board focused on the candidates' plans for making the city safer, a long-term vision to address violent crime, and ensuring any changes will have support from officers and community members.

Graves has a track record of working with community organizations, fellow officers, prosecutors and others, Lucas said.

“She's somebody's who's going to do the work to make sure that past any personalities and any politics, we're trying to get things done,” Lucas said. “And I think in connection with the DOJ investigation, any lawsuits, anything that comes up, you'll see this department be as open as it can.”

Edwards said he hoped Graves would meet with consenting and dissenting voices to work on making the city safer in every zip code, ridding the department of “bad apples,” and changing the department's culture, starting with her choices for four deputy chief positions.

“She has a big challenge,” Edwards said. “But I believe many people at the executive level are ready to help her move the department forward and away from (Smith's) legacy.”

Tension also exists because Kansas City is the largest city in the U.S. that is controlled by a board of police commissioners, with is comprised of the mayor and four members appointed by the governor.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 25-year veteran was chosen Thursday to lead the Kansas City police department, which is embroiled in internal and external controversies.<div> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Stacey Graves is KCPD’s new Chief of Police, sworn in this morning before a large crowd at police headquarters. Graves began as a records clerk in 1997 and became the first woman at KCPD to be named permanent Chief of Police. In attendance at today’s announcement… 1/2 <a href="https://t.co/P9UNuxLmWv">pic.twitter.com/P9UNuxLmWv</a>&mdash; kcpolice (@kcpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1603496278398230542?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Concluding a nationwide search that encompassed the majority of 2022, the Board of Police Commissioners today appointed KCPD Acting Deputy Chief Stacey Graves as the new Chief of Police. Graves will be sworn in later today. 1/5 <a href="https://t.co/VYSpvo6EVM">pic.twitter.com/VYSpvo6EVM</a>&mdash; kcpolice (@kcpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1603427035715616774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners chose Stacey Graves, the current acting deputy chief, making her the first woman to become the permanent police chief in the department's nearly 150-year history. Two other women have served as interim chiefs.Graves takes over a department under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-discrimination-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-7a3d4c84f6e3ba8bb97b5c49e5287408">federal investigation</a>&nbsp;for possible racial discrimination in its hiring practices. And the board of commissioners announced this week that it will hire an outside investigator to examine a former city attorney's whistleblower complaint that the department hid criminal case evidence and denied public records requests.That comes after years of complaints from civil rights groups about officer misconduct and the department's often secretive handling of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-missouri-2b9c7ba78d664bb1d4d7a953e47f9530">excessive force complaints</a>, leading to a strained relationship with the public in a city where about 28% of its 508,000 residents are Black.The department also faces a shortage of officers at a time when Kansas City has a high rate of violent crime and homicides.Graves replaces Joseph Mabin, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-police-kansas-city-missouri-7491694fde16266905a51496c470cc5e">appointed interim police</a>&nbsp;chief when the embattled former chief, Rick Smith, left the department amid controversy in April 2021.Graves said during a news conference that one of her first steps as chief will be to build bridges so the department, city leaders and community members can work together to make Kansas City safe.She also promised the department will be “an open book” while dealing with the U.S. Department of Justice investigation and other issues.“I will be that front-facing communicator that this city wants and needs,” Graves said. “If there's something that we're doing wrong, the motto is ‘mess up, ’fess up and move on.' And the ‘move on’ isn't forget about it. It's learn from it and move forward in a better way.”Pastor Darron Edwards, one of several community activists who has criticized the department, said Thursday that Graves was the right choice to “hit the ground running” and address the community's concerns.“I believe she will be a communicator and a collaborator, which this city hasn't seen from the police department in the last five years,” Edwards said. “The board, which I have criticized in the past, got this right.”Graves joined the Kansas City police force in 1997 as a civilian in the records department. She had since held several positions including patrol officer, detective, internal affairs, spokeswoman and division commander.Graves was the only Kansas City officer among the three finalists for the job. Mayor Quinton Lucas said Thursday that was not a deciding factor in choosing Graves.He said the board focused on the candidates' plans for making the city safer, a long-term vision to address violent crime, and ensuring any changes will have support from officers and community members.Graves has a track record of working with community organizations, fellow officers, prosecutors and others, Lucas said.“She's somebody's who's going to do the work to make sure that past any personalities and any politics, we're trying to get things done,” Lucas said. “And I think in connection with the DOJ investigation, any lawsuits, anything that comes up, you'll see this department be as open as it can.”Edwards said he hoped Graves would meet with consenting and dissenting voices to work on making the city safer in every zip code, ridding the department of “bad apples,” and changing the department's culture, starting with her choices for four deputy chief positions.“She has a big challenge,” Edwards said. “But I believe many people at the executive level are ready to help her move the department forward and away from (Smith's) legacy.”Tension also exists because Kansas City is the largest city in the U.S. that is controlled by a board of police commissioners, with is comprised of the mayor and four members appointed by the governor.In November, Missouri voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-race-and-ethnicity-legislature-reform-029d30c14cef9f500ed98f82d3569552">approved a constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;pushed by GOP lawmakers that gave the Legislature more authority over funding of the city's department. The amendment accompanied a law passed during the last session that requires Kansas City to increase the amount of general revenue it spends on the police department from 20% to 25%.Lucas and a community activist have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-lawsuits-legislature-kansas-city-0c2820c1421022dec9038d49d9ab4433">sued over the arrangement</a>, which has been in place since the 1930s, claiming it is steeped in racism and represents “taxation without representation.”