WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives investigating a Monday homicide&nbsp; have identified the victim as 44-year-old Lester White of Kansas City, Kansas.

Just before 6:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a reported disturbance&nbsp; in the 900 block of Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders found White in the street who had died from blunt trauma.&nbsp; Police took two suspects into custody.&nbsp; Police have not released details on the arrest of possible charges.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives investigating a Monday homicide&nbsp; have identified the victim as 44-year-old Lester White of Kansas City, Kansas.Just before 6:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a reported disturbance&nbsp; in the 900 block of Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders found White in the street who had died from blunt trauma.&nbsp; Police took two suspects into custody.&nbsp; Police have not released details on the arrest of possible charges.

Homicide: Police ID Kansas man who died of blunt trauma

CALLAWAY COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday in Callaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Dixie Chopper Lawn Mower operated by George R. Ward, 64, Portland, Missouri, was northbound along the lake edge at 10970 Oak Lane in the city of Portland.

The mower began sliding downhill, overturned into the lake and the driver was trapped underneath.

Ward was pronounced dead and was transported to Maupin Funeral Home.

CALLAWAY COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday in Callaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Dixie Chopper Lawn Mower operated by George R. Ward, 64, Portland, Missouri, was northbound along the lake edge at 10970 Oak Lane in the city of Portland.The mower began sliding downhill, overturned into the lake and the driver was trapped underneath.Ward was pronounced dead and was transported to Maupin Funeral Home.

Missouri man dies after lawnmower accident

The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYS5nb3Yvc2FmZXR5L3JlY2FsbHMtbWFya2V0LXdpdGhkcmF3YWxzLXNhZmV0eS1hbGVydHMvcHJvcGhldC1wcmVtaXVtLWJsZW5kcy1yZWNhbGxzLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy1iZWNhdXNlLXBvc3NpYmxlLWhlYWx0aC1yaXNrP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.SSOV5TPfncx2ao-N28ozUSenoupPuUj3GBVbOCn8fG4/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is recalling</a>&nbsp;Diamond Shruumz-brand products and the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNkYy5nb3YvZW52aXJvbm1lbnRhbC1oZWFsdGgtc3R1ZGllcy9vdXRicmVhay1pbnZlc3RpZ2F0aW9uLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy9pbmRleC5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSNjZGNfZ2VuZXJpY19zZWN0aW9uXzEtb3V0YnJlYWstaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi1zdW1tYXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcxMC45NzQzMTY2MSJ9.eh5D4w88u6_e_5353eh79UTAhBB0zZ6t2Gd1IrTgb7c/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating</a>&nbsp;58 reports of severe illness, including 30 hospitalizations and one potentially associated death, across multiple states from the Prophet Premium Blends, LLC of Santa Ana, CA facility. The Kansas Department of Health is investigating two possible cases associated with this outbreak.

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">Click here to</a> learn more.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the FDA is alerting consumers to not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.

"People who became ill from Diamond Shruumz-brand edibles reported a variety of severe symptoms,”&nbsp;KDHE State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer, Dr. Farah Ahmed said. “These symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal heart rates, high or low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.”

Seek immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) for advice if you have consumed a product and are having symptoms. If you consumed the products after January 1, 2024 and experienced symptoms, please fill out the KDHE confidential&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYml0Lmx5L0tESEVkaWFtb25kP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.JlCsr5Y3n_g4XgfDX9zec962aPt9hKAMCnn1t1RGz5E/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">illness report form</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720661110703.png" alt="FDA image" />
 <figcaption>FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYS5nb3Yvc2FmZXR5L3JlY2FsbHMtbWFya2V0LXdpdGhkcmF3YWxzLXNhZmV0eS1hbGVydHMvcHJvcGhldC1wcmVtaXVtLWJsZW5kcy1yZWNhbGxzLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy1iZWNhdXNlLXBvc3NpYmxlLWhlYWx0aC1yaXNrP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.SSOV5TPfncx2ao-N28ozUSenoupPuUj3GBVbOCn8fG4/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is recalling</a>&nbsp;Diamond Shruumz-brand products and the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNkYy5nb3YvZW52aXJvbm1lbnRhbC1oZWFsdGgtc3R1ZGllcy9vdXRicmVhay1pbnZlc3RpZ2F0aW9uLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy9pbmRleC5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSNjZGNfZ2VuZXJpY19zZWN0aW9uXzEtb3V0YnJlYWstaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi1zdW1tYXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcxMC45NzQzMTY2MSJ9.eh5D4w88u6_e_5353eh79UTAhBB0zZ6t2Gd1IrTgb7c/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating</a>&nbsp;58 reports of severe illness, including 30 hospitalizations and one potentially associated death, across multiple states from the Prophet Premium Blends, LLC of Santa Ana, CA facility. The Kansas Department of Health is investigating two possible cases associated with this outbreak.<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">Click here to</a> learn more.As a result of the ongoing investigation, the FDA is alerting consumers to not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720661289018.png" alt="FDA image" />
 <figcaption>FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>"People who became ill from Diamond Shruumz-brand edibles reported a variety of severe symptoms,”&nbsp;KDHE State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer, Dr. Farah Ahmed said. “These symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal heart rates, high or low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.”Seek immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) for advice if you have consumed a product and are having symptoms. If you consumed the products after January 1, 2024 and experienced symptoms, please fill out the KDHE confidential&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYml0Lmx5L0tESEVkaWFtb25kP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.JlCsr5Y3n_g4XgfDX9zec962aPt9hKAMCnn1t1RGz5E/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">illness report form</a>.

FDA Warns of illnesses, 1 death linked to Diamond Shruumz products

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent attack earlier this year.

Last month, 21-year-old Breyon Paul Townsend of Lawrence, was sentenced to 53 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for aggravated battery of a Lawrence man, according to Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.

“Each of us should be able to walk the streets of our community without fear of violence,” District Attorney Valdez said.&nbsp;

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 22, 2024, when Townsend approached a 20-year-old Lawrence man near 14th and Ohio streets. Townsend punched the man and then left the area in a vehicle. Police later identified Townsend using surveillance footage.

Judge Sally Pokorny also sentenced Townsend, who pleaded guilty in April, to 24 months of post-release supervision. The sentence will run consecutively to a felony case in Johnson County where Townsend was serving probation at the time of the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720039739626.png" alt="Townsend from an earlier arrest in Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Townsend from an earlier arrest in Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent attack earlier this year.Last month, 21-year-old Breyon Paul Townsend of Lawrence, was sentenced to 53 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for aggravated battery of a Lawrence man, according to Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.“Each of us should be able to walk the streets of our community without fear of violence,” District Attorney Valdez said.&nbsp;Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 22, 2024, when Townsend approached a 20-year-old Lawrence man near 14th and Ohio streets. Townsend punched the man and then left the area in a vehicle. Police later identified Townsend using surveillance footage.Judge Sally Pokorny also sentenced Townsend, who pleaded guilty in April, to 24 months of post-release supervision. The sentence will run consecutively to a felony case in Johnson County where Townsend was serving probation at the time of the incident.

Police: Surveillance video led to prison for violent Kan. attack

HARVEY COUNTY —One person was taken into custody after trying to flee law enforcement on a motorcycle Tuesday night, according to a media release from Harvey County.

Just before 10:30p.m., a Harvey County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the motorcycle as it traveled on Interstate 135 just south of the SE 36th Street exit south of Newton. The motorcycle did not have a license plate displayed.

The driver of the motorcycle, later identified as 35-year-old Joseph Irwin of Mulvane refused to stop, causing law enforcement to initiate a pursuit through the southern parts of Newton.&nbsp; The pursuit lasted about five minutes, ending with the motorcyclist losing traction and stopping near the parking lot of the Sand Creek Station Golf Course.

Deputies took Irwin into custody on requested charges of felony flee and elude, as well as other traffic misdemeanors. He is being held in the Harvey County Detention Center.

No one was injured in the incident. There was no significant damage to golf course property.

The Newton Police Department assisted with the pursuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720634748790.jpeg" alt="Irwin-Photo Harvey County" />
 <figcaption>Irwin-Photo Harvey County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —One person was taken into custody after trying to flee law enforcement on a motorcycle Tuesday night, according to a media release from Harvey County.Just before 10:30p.m., a Harvey County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the motorcycle as it traveled on Interstate 135 just south of the SE 36th Street exit south of Newton. The motorcycle did not have a license plate displayed.The driver of the motorcycle, later identified as 35-year-old Joseph Irwin of Mulvane refused to stop, causing law enforcement to initiate a pursuit through the southern parts of Newton.&nbsp; The pursuit lasted about five minutes, ending with the motorcyclist losing traction and stopping near the parking lot of the Sand Creek Station Golf Course.Deputies took Irwin into custody on requested charges of felony flee and elude, as well as other traffic misdemeanors. He is being held in the Harvey County Detention Center.No one was injured in the incident. There was no significant damage to golf course property.The Newton Police Department assisted with the pursuit.

Motorcyclist jailed after chase that ended at Kan. golf course

CEDAR COUNTY —A Kansas man drowned over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported&nbsp; 60-year-old Craig H. Olson of Shawnee, Kansas&nbsp;was swimming near a 2008 Landau Pontoon boat in the first cove west of the&nbsp;&nbsp;Stockton Dam just after 6p.m. July 6.

 Olson dove near the boat, resurfaced and then swam towards the boat. He went under again and did not resurface, according to the patrol.

A Cedar County Deputy Coroner Joe Trussel pronounced Olson dead at the scene just after 8p.m. He was to transported&nbsp; Brumback Funeral Home.&nbsp; Olson was not wearing a life jacket, according to the patrol

CEDAR COUNTY —A Kansas man drowned over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported&nbsp; 60-year-old Craig H. Olson of Shawnee, Kansas&nbsp;was swimming near a 2008 Landau Pontoon boat in the first cove west of the&nbsp;&nbsp;Stockton Dam just after 6p.m. July 6. Olson dove near the boat, resurfaced and then swam towards the boat. He went under again and did not resurface, according to the patrol.A Cedar County Deputy Coroner Joe Trussel pronounced Olson dead at the scene just after 8p.m. He was to transported&nbsp; Brumback Funeral Home.&nbsp; Olson was not wearing a life jacket, according to the patrol

Kansas man drowns in Missouri lake

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and top legislative leaders voted Tuesday to allocate $35.7 million to public higher education after the Kansas Board of Regents certified campus administrators complied with a state law forbidding employment and admissions decisions to be based on diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

The 2024 Legislature made distribution of the university operating grants contingent on affirming DEI no longer dictated faculty or staff hiring nor influenced whether a student was admitted.

Compliance with the state law by public institutions meant recalibration of personnel procedures and the publishing of information about training or orientation programs to public websites. DEI refers to policies established to support people from diverse backgrounds. A DEI framework would take into account gender, race, sexual orientation and other factors relative to people with a history of being marginalized in higher education.

“So, has each of the presidents of the universities certified that they have performed the duties that are required?” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican.

Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the state Board of Regents, said mandates were met by University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Emporia State University. He said neither Pittsburg State University nor Fort Hays State University previously ordered DEI training, but both universities planned to eventually include links to relevant material on their websites when appropriate.

The DEI law wouldn’t stop public universities or colleges from abiding by anti-discrimination statutes or undermine academic freedom of faculty or students engaged in DEI research or instruction. Campuses that violated the law by maintaining DEI pledges or oaths could face a $10,000 fine for every instance of noncompliance. The provisions weren’t applied in state law to private or parochial colleges or universities in Kansas.

The bipartisan State Finance Council likewise voted to support release of $21.8 million for need-based financial aid to public and private college and university students in Kansas.

In the past, controversy emerged when the state Board of Regents earmarked a higher percentage of money in the comprehensive grant program to students at public universities. The Legislature ordered the money divided equally between public and private institutions in the state. A hold was placed on the cash until the state Board of Regents affirmed it would follow prescribed methods of distributing the cash to students.

Adam Proffitt, the state’s budget director and secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration, also received permission from the State Finance Council to use state general fund dollars to pay $5.5 million in bond debt that otherwise wouldn’t be eliminated for seven years. He said it would require deployment of $4.7 million to deal promptly with the debt.

“Effectively, we are investing 87 cents of SGF to retire a $1 of SGF,” Proffitt said. “It doesn’t sound like much, but when you do that five million times over, you get to a pretty significant savings.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720633409164.png" alt=" Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly supported release of $35.7 million in university operating grants held up by an anti-DEA law and $21.8 million equally divided between public and private higher education institutions. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly supported release of $35.7 million in university operating grants held up by an anti-DEA law and $21.8 million equally divided between public and private higher education institutions. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and top legislative leaders voted Tuesday to allocate $35.7 million to public higher education after the Kansas Board of Regents certified campus administrators complied with a state law forbidding employment and admissions decisions to be based on diversity, equity and inclusion policies.The 2024 Legislature made distribution of the university operating grants contingent on affirming DEI no longer dictated faculty or staff hiring nor influenced whether a student was admitted.Compliance with the state law by public institutions meant recalibration of personnel procedures and the publishing of information about training or orientation programs to public websites. DEI refers to policies established to support people from diverse backgrounds. A DEI framework would take into account gender, race, sexual orientation and other factors relative to people with a history of being marginalized in higher education.“So, has each of the presidents of the universities certified that they have performed the duties that are required?” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican.Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the state Board of Regents, said mandates were met by University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Emporia State University. He said neither Pittsburg State University nor Fort Hays State University previously ordered DEI training, but both universities planned to eventually include links to relevant material on their websites when appropriate.The DEI law wouldn’t stop public universities or colleges from abiding by anti-discrimination statutes or undermine academic freedom of faculty or students engaged in DEI research or instruction. Campuses that violated the law by maintaining DEI pledges or oaths could face a $10,000 fine for every instance of noncompliance. The provisions weren’t applied in state law to private or parochial colleges or universities in Kansas.The bipartisan State Finance Council likewise voted to support release of $21.8 million for need-based financial aid to public and private college and university students in Kansas.In the past, controversy emerged when the state Board of Regents earmarked a higher percentage of money in the comprehensive grant program to students at public universities. The Legislature ordered the money divided equally between public and private institutions in the state. A hold was placed on the cash until the state Board of Regents affirmed it would follow prescribed methods of distributing the cash to students.Adam Proffitt, the state’s budget director and secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration, also received permission from the State Finance Council to use state general fund dollars to pay $5.5 million in bond debt that otherwise wouldn’t be eliminated for seven years. He said it would require deployment of $4.7 million to deal promptly with the debt.“Effectively, we are investing 87 cents of SGF to retire a $1 of SGF,” Proffitt said. “It doesn’t sound like much, but when you do that five million times over, you get to a pretty significant savings.”

Kan. legislators, governor release $35.7 million tied to public university adherence to DEI law

WASHINGTON—Three men were sentenced on July 9, 2024, after they previously pleaded guilty to felony charges related to their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to a statement from the United State's Attorney.

Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Kyle Kumer, 43, of Kansas City was sentenced to 10 months in prison,&nbsp;24 months of supervised release,&nbsp;and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alan Michael St. Onge, 36, of Brevard, North Carolina, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

William “Jessie” Stover, 46, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was sentenced to six months in prison,&nbsp;36 months of supervised release,&nbsp;and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols sentenced the three men.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, beginning at 2:42 p.m., numerous members of a mob illegally assembled on the Capitol grounds attacked members of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who were lawfully engaged in the performance of their official duties defending an entrance to the U.S. Capitol on the Lower West Terrace known as the Tunnel.

The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against police on January 6th.&nbsp; Over the course of more than two hours, the mob struck police with thrown items, sprayed police with chemical irritants, pushed against the police, and stole items from the police defending the Tunnel.&nbsp;St. Onge, Kumer, and Stover were members of the mob that relentlessly pushed against police officers in the Tunnel in an attempt to breach a police line defending then entrance to the Capitol.

Court documents say that&nbsp;St. Onge&nbsp;approached the Capitol from the east before moving to the West Front. At approximately 2:12 p.m., as officers in the East Plaza were resisting the efforts of the mob to overcome the police line, St. Onge pushed against the police barricade and the police who were trying to resist the rioters’ efforts. After the police line fell on the East Front, St. Onge made his way to the West Front of the Capitol and up the Inaugural stage before arriving at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel at about 2:55 p.m.

At 3:09 p.m., St. Onge&nbsp;made his way&nbsp;further into the Tunnel and joined in with the crowd’s concerted push against the police line. Specifically, surveillance video footage captured images of St. Onge pushing, with great effort, against other rioters in an attempt to collectively breach the police line. At approximately 3:18 p.m., the police inside the Tunnel gained momentum and successfully expelled the rioters, including St. Onge, from the area.

St. Onge&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on June 16, 2023, in Brevard, North Carolina.&nbsp;

Kyle Kumer, accompanied by his elderly mother, made his way up to the Lower West Terrace and onto the Inaugural Stage at about the same time. As the crowd began to push in unison against the police line, at 3:08 p.m., Kumer turned his body so that his back was pushing up against the rioters between him and the police and began to push against them.&nbsp;

As he pushed, Kumer called out, “Let’s go! C’mon! Let’s go!” to the rioters around them to encourage them to join the push against the police.&nbsp; At 3:11 p.m., rioters began another group push in the Tunnel against the police, and Kumer joined in again. This group push effort caused an MPD officer to be crushed between the crowd and the door.&nbsp;At 3:15 p.m., numerous rioters left the Tunnel, leaving ample&nbsp;open&nbsp;space for Kumer and his mother&nbsp;to&nbsp;also&nbsp;leave, but they remained.&nbsp;At 3:16 p.m., rioters, including Kumer, made another group push effort against the police line. By 3:18 p.m., the police inside the Tunnel succeeded in pushing&nbsp;all of&nbsp;the rioters back to the entrance. Kumer and his mother were two of the last rioters to&nbsp;be cleared&nbsp;from inside the Tunnel.&nbsp;

Kumer&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on June 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;

William Stover arrived at the Tunnel entrance at about 2:53 p.m. and joined others in the melee to push against the police line. Stover, along with the other rioters, was eventually expelled from the Tunnel entrance by police. Stover later returned with others to push against police, this time grabbing onto the side of the Tunnel entrance to leverage his weight and increase his force. Stover then reached over the heads of the other rioters and struck the helmet of a police officer.

Moments later, Stover received a U.S. Capitol Police riot shield, which he then handed to another rioter who climbed up behind him. That rioter took the shield from Stover and used it to attack police. Stover remained at the entrance to the Tunnel as the rioters fought police for more than an hour and&nbsp;was eventually pushed away after being sprayed with chemical irritants. &nbsp;

Stover&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on July 10, 2023, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.&nbsp;

This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.&nbsp;Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of North Carolina, the Western District of Missouri, and the Western District of Kentucky.

This case was investigated by the&nbsp;FBI’s Charlotte, Louisville, Kansas City, and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the&nbsp;U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 42 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,470 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 530 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706826492286.png" alt="Kyke Kumer- image from the Nov. release of Jan 6 videos from House Speaker Mike Johnson&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kyke Kumer- image from the Nov. release of Jan 6 videos from House Speaker Mike Johnson&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON—Three men were sentenced on July 9, 2024, after they previously pleaded guilty to felony charges related to their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to a statement from the United State's Attorney.Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.Kyle Kumer, 43, of Kansas City was sentenced to 10 months in prison,&nbsp;24 months of supervised release,&nbsp;and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;Alan Michael St. Onge, 36, of Brevard, North Carolina, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.William “Jessie” Stover, 46, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was sentenced to six months in prison,&nbsp;36 months of supervised release,&nbsp;and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols sentenced the three men.According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, beginning at 2:42 p.m., numerous members of a mob illegally assembled on the Capitol grounds attacked members of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who were lawfully engaged in the performance of their official duties defending an entrance to the U.S. Capitol on the Lower West Terrace known as the Tunnel.The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against police on January 6th.&nbsp; Over the course of more than two hours, the mob struck police with thrown items, sprayed police with chemical irritants, pushed against the police, and stole items from the police defending the Tunnel.&nbsp;St. Onge, Kumer, and Stover were members of the mob that relentlessly pushed against police officers in the Tunnel in an attempt to breach a police line defending then entrance to the Capitol.Court documents say that&nbsp;St. Onge&nbsp;approached the Capitol from the east before moving to the West Front. At approximately 2:12 p.m., as officers in the East Plaza were resisting the efforts of the mob to overcome the police line, St. Onge pushed against the police barricade and the police who were trying to resist the rioters’ efforts. After the police line fell on the East Front, St. Onge made his way to the West Front of the Capitol and up the Inaugural stage before arriving at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel at about 2:55 p.m.At 3:09 p.m., St. Onge&nbsp;made his way&nbsp;further into the Tunnel and joined in with the crowd’s concerted push against the police line. Specifically, surveillance video footage captured images of St. Onge pushing, with great effort, against other rioters in an attempt to collectively breach the police line. At approximately 3:18 p.m., the police inside the Tunnel gained momentum and successfully expelled the rioters, including St. Onge, from the area.St. Onge&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on June 16, 2023, in Brevard, North Carolina.&nbsp;Kyle Kumer, accompanied by his elderly mother, made his way up to the Lower West Terrace and onto the Inaugural Stage at about the same time. As the crowd began to push in unison against the police line, at 3:08 p.m., Kumer turned his body so that his back was pushing up against the rioters between him and the police and began to push against them.&nbsp;As he pushed, Kumer called out, “Let’s go! C’mon! Let’s go!” to the rioters around them to encourage them to join the push against the police.&nbsp; At 3:11 p.m., rioters began another group push in the Tunnel against the police, and Kumer joined in again. This group push effort caused an MPD officer to be crushed between the crowd and the door.&nbsp;At 3:15 p.m., numerous rioters left the Tunnel, leaving ample&nbsp;open&nbsp;space for Kumer and his mother&nbsp;to&nbsp;also&nbsp;leave, but they remained.&nbsp;At 3:16 p.m., rioters, including Kumer, made another group push effort against the police line. By 3:18 p.m., the police inside the Tunnel succeeded in pushing&nbsp;all of&nbsp;the rioters back to the entrance. Kumer and his mother were two of the last rioters to&nbsp;be cleared&nbsp;from inside the Tunnel.&nbsp;Kumer&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on June 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;William Stover arrived at the Tunnel entrance at about 2:53 p.m. and joined others in the melee to push against the police line. Stover, along with the other rioters, was eventually expelled from the Tunnel entrance by police. Stover later returned with others to push against police, this time grabbing onto the side of the Tunnel entrance to leverage his weight and increase his force. Stover then reached over the heads of the other rioters and struck the helmet of a police officer.Moments later, Stover received a U.S. Capitol Police riot shield, which he then handed to another rioter who climbed up behind him. That rioter took the shield from Stover and used it to attack police. Stover remained at the entrance to the Tunnel as the rioters fought police for more than an hour and&nbsp;was eventually pushed away after being sprayed with chemical irritants. &nbsp;Stover&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on July 10, 2023, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.&nbsp;This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.&nbsp;Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of North Carolina, the Western District of Missouri, and the Western District of Kentucky.This case was investigated by the&nbsp;FBI’s Charlotte, Louisville, Kansas City, and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the&nbsp;U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.In the 42 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,470 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 530 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Prison for KC man who took elderly mom to Capitol on Jan. 6 

BUTLER COUNTY —For the last several weeks a man has been making phone calls while representing himself as a member of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, according to Undersheriff&nbsp;Daimon Cundiff.

Last week, the suspect used a retired Lieutenant’s name and has also&nbsp; been using the name of a Butler County Patrol Captain. He has been successful in in getting people to send money in the form of bitcoin by using threats of arrest and has been known to be very aggressive over the phone. 

Cundiff reminded, "the Butler County Sheriff’s Office will never call you on the phone to collect money for fines, court fees, etc."

"The scammer has been able to spoof our Sheriff’s Office main line of 316-322-4254 so the call may appear to come from our office.&nbsp; We would like to alert the public to this growing scam and remind them to not give money over the phone to anyone without verification of identity."

BUTLER COUNTY —For the last several weeks a man has been making phone calls while representing himself as a member of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, according to Undersheriff&nbsp;Daimon Cundiff.Last week, the suspect used a retired Lieutenant’s name and has also&nbsp; been using the name of a Butler County Patrol Captain. He has been successful in in getting people to send money in the form of bitcoin by using threats of arrest and has been known to be very aggressive over the phone. Cundiff reminded, "the Butler County Sheriff’s Office will never call you on the phone to collect money for fines, court fees, etc.""The scammer has been able to spoof our Sheriff’s Office main line of 316-322-4254 so the call may appear to come from our office.&nbsp; We would like to alert the public to this growing scam and remind them to not give money over the phone to anyone without verification of identity."

Sheriff: Kansans sending bitcoin to scam caller

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 2400 block of College Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

At the scene, officers were summoned to a nearby residence where a man was located just outside the front of the home. EMS responded and declared the victim deceased at the scene.

An adult male subject was on scene when officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident. 

Detectives are not currently looking for any additional persons of interest. The circumstances leading up to the homicide are currently unknown.

Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 2400 block of College Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.At the scene, officers were summoned to a nearby residence where a man was located just outside the front of the home. EMS responded and declared the victim deceased at the scene.An adult male subject was on scene when officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident. Detectives are not currently looking for any additional persons of interest. The circumstances leading up to the homicide are currently unknown.Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.

Homicide: Man found dead outside front of home in Kansas City

With Kansas lawmakers hoping to lure the Chiefs and Royals, Gov. Mike Parson expects Missouri to put forward a plan to keep the teams by the end of the year

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday he doesn’t think the Kansas City Chiefs want to leave Arrowhead Stadium for Kansas, though he acknowledged he hasn’t actually talked to the team’s owners.

Speaking to reporters after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-gov-mike-parson-signs-tax-break-for-kc-nuclear-weapons-manufacturer/">bill signing in Kansas City</a>, Parson said he thought the reigning Super Bowl champion wasn’t that interested in building a new domed football stadium.

“I think they really want Arrowhead to stay,” Parson said. “I think it’s a unique arena.”

Parson’s remarks came after he spent the afternoon meeting with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and other area officials to discuss how to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/20/missouri-lawmakers-criticize-kansas-attempt-to-poach-royals-chiefs/" target="_blank">keep the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals in Missouri</a>.

Both teams have&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/17/chiefs-royals-ask-kansas-for-incentives-to-allow-teams-to-leave-missouri/" target="_blank">publicly considered the possibility of leaving for Kansas</a>&nbsp;after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium for the Royals and upgrades to Arrowhead.&nbsp;

Last month, Kansas lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/18/kansas-house-passes-incentive-bill-to-lure-kansas-city-chiefs-royals/" target="_blank">expanded a state tax incentive program</a>&nbsp;in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate.

“I’m not too worried about Kansas at this point,” Parson said.

Parson, who leaves office in January, said he expected to see Missouri put forward a plan to keep the teams by the end of the year. Missouri’s plan, he said, could be just as good for the teams —&nbsp;if not better.

First, he said, information on the teams’ plans —&nbsp;including location of stadiums, costs of the project and details of any entertainment district or other development planned around it — needs to be made public.&nbsp;

With Parson’s impending departure from office, Missouri’s next governor could be left to finalize any plan to keep the teams. Two of the three top&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/05/candidates-for-missouri-governor-split-on-offering-incentives-to-keep-chiefs-from-moving/">candidates for the GOP gubernatorial nomination say they would oppose</a>&nbsp;any incentive package for the Chiefs and Royals.&nbsp;

Asked if that affects negotiations, Parson said the state has tools at its disposal even now while the Missouri General Assembly is not in session “if we knew what the plan was.”&nbsp;

“The conversation needs to be had with the Royals —&nbsp;where are you going to put a stadium?” Parson said. “How much money do you need? What’s it going to cost for this? How are we going to pay for this? What incentives does the city have?”

Missouri House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson — who will likely become the next speaker of the House — told the Kansas City Star Monday that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289866274.html#storylink=mainstage_lead" target="_blank">he expects Jackson County residents will wind up voting again over the stadium sales tax</a>. He also told The Star, following conversations with both the Chiefs and Royals, that it was clear both teams wanted to stay in Missouri.

After Kansas lawmakers passed legislation designed to relocate the teams, Patterson told The Star he thought a second Jackson County vote would be successful.

“I think now with the Kansas option staring us, staring us right in the face, I think that changed the dynamic, and it would be a different vote next time around,” he said.

Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said in a statement after meetings with Parson that the two had a “productive conversation centered on the pride these teams bring to our community and the importance of developing a fair and sustainable plan for the future.” Before White can support a new stadium proposal, he said, “it must offer clear and significant benefits to the taxpayers of Jackson County,” something he argues the sales tax does not.

White said he’s hopeful that the state will continue to support the effort to keep the teams in Missouri even after Parson leaves office.

“Together, we can find a solution that ensures the Chiefs and Royals remain a proud part of Jackson County without compromising the financial well-being of our community,” White said.

The Royals’ Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead sit next to each other and share the parking lot of the Truman Sports Complex in east Kansas City.

The teams’ plans for the Jackson County sales tax were criticized by some, including White, as vague and incomplete.&nbsp;

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

But Kansas lawmakers saw in the failed Jackson County vote a chance to lure the teams across the state line. They claimed Missouri had “dropped the ball” and it was up to Kansas to keep the teams in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Last month, Kansas lawmakers expanded the state’s Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond to help finance up to 70% of the cost for one or both teams to move to Kansas. The expanded program could yield hundreds of millions of dollars for the stadiums.

STAR Bonds are issued to help pay the construction costs and then repaid by the sales tax collected at the project site. Normally, STAR Bonds, which are meant to help build tourist and entertainment venues, are limited to 50% of the project costs.&nbsp;

The legislation,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/21/kansas-gov-kelly-signs-bill-to-poach-kansas-city-chiefs-royals-from-missouri/" target="_blank">signed by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly last month</a>, was criticized by Missouri officials who considered it a violation of an agreement Kelly and Parson reached in 2019 to stop using economic incentives to move companies and jobs back and forth across the state line.

Neither the Chiefs nor the Royals were available to comment

<h2>With Kansas lawmakers hoping to lure the Chiefs and Royals, Gov. Mike Parson expects Missouri to put forward a plan to keep the teams by the end of the year</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday he doesn’t think the Kansas City Chiefs want to leave Arrowhead Stadium for Kansas, though he acknowledged he hasn’t actually talked to the team’s owners.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, we met with Mayor Lucas, Jackson County Executive White, and Clay County leaders to discuss our commitment to keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. We look forward to continued coordination with our local partners to formulate a plan for Missouri’s teams. <a href="https://t.co/F0hoHGxj8J">pic.twitter.com/F0hoHGxj8J</a>&mdash; Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovParsonMO/status/1810477996953804862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Speaking to reporters after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-gov-mike-parson-signs-tax-break-for-kc-nuclear-weapons-manufacturer/">bill signing in Kansas City</a>, Parson said he thought the reigning Super Bowl champion wasn’t that interested in building a new domed football stadium.“I think they really want Arrowhead to stay,” Parson said. “I think it’s a unique arena.”Parson’s remarks came after he spent the afternoon meeting with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and other area officials to discuss how to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/20/missouri-lawmakers-criticize-kansas-attempt-to-poach-royals-chiefs/" target="_blank">keep the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals in Missouri</a>.Both teams have&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/17/chiefs-royals-ask-kansas-for-incentives-to-allow-teams-to-leave-missouri/" target="_blank">publicly considered the possibility of leaving for Kansas</a>&nbsp;after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium for the Royals and upgrades to Arrowhead.&nbsp;Last month, Kansas lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/18/kansas-house-passes-incentive-bill-to-lure-kansas-city-chiefs-royals/" target="_blank">expanded a state tax incentive program</a>&nbsp;in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate.“I’m not too worried about Kansas at this point,” Parson said.Parson, who leaves office in January, said he expected to see Missouri put forward a plan to keep the teams by the end of the year. Missouri’s plan, he said, could be just as good for the teams —&nbsp;if not better.First, he said, information on the teams’ plans —&nbsp;including location of stadiums, costs of the project and details of any entertainment district or other development planned around it — needs to be made public.&nbsp;With Parson’s impending departure from office, Missouri’s next governor could be left to finalize any plan to keep the teams. Two of the three top&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/05/candidates-for-missouri-governor-split-on-offering-incentives-to-keep-chiefs-from-moving/">candidates for the GOP gubernatorial nomination say they would oppose</a>&nbsp;any incentive package for the Chiefs and Royals.&nbsp;Asked if that affects negotiations, Parson said the state has tools at its disposal even now while the Missouri General Assembly is not in session “if we knew what the plan was.”&nbsp;“The conversation needs to be had with the Royals —&nbsp;where are you going to put a stadium?” Parson said. “How much money do you need? What’s it going to cost for this? How are we going to pay for this? What incentives does the city have?”Missouri House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson — who will likely become the next speaker of the House — told the Kansas City Star Monday that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289866274.html#storylink=mainstage_lead" target="_blank">he expects Jackson County residents will wind up voting again over the stadium sales tax</a>. He also told The Star, following conversations with both the Chiefs and Royals, that it was clear both teams wanted to stay in Missouri.After Kansas lawmakers passed legislation designed to relocate the teams, Patterson told The Star he thought a second Jackson County vote would be successful.“I think now with the Kansas option staring us, staring us right in the face, I think that changed the dynamic, and it would be a different vote next time around,” he said.Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said in a statement after meetings with Parson that the two had a “productive conversation centered on the pride these teams bring to our community and the importance of developing a fair and sustainable plan for the future.” Before White can support a new stadium proposal, he said, “it must offer clear and significant benefits to the taxpayers of Jackson County,” something he argues the sales tax does not.White said he’s hopeful that the state will continue to support the effort to keep the teams in Missouri even after Parson leaves office.“Together, we can find a solution that ensures the Chiefs and Royals remain a proud part of Jackson County without compromising the financial well-being of our community,” White said.The Royals’ Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead sit next to each other and share the parking lot of the Truman Sports Complex in east Kansas City.The teams’ plans for the Jackson County sales tax were criticized by some, including White, as vague and incomplete.&nbsp;GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOXSUBSCRIBEBut Kansas lawmakers saw in the failed Jackson County vote a chance to lure the teams across the state line. They claimed Missouri had “dropped the ball” and it was up to Kansas to keep the teams in the Kansas City metropolitan area.Last month, Kansas lawmakers expanded the state’s Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond to help finance up to 70% of the cost for one or both teams to move to Kansas. The expanded program could yield hundreds of millions of dollars for the stadiums.STAR Bonds are issued to help pay the construction costs and then repaid by the sales tax collected at the project site. Normally, STAR Bonds, which are meant to help build tourist and entertainment venues, are limited to 50% of the project costs.&nbsp;The legislation,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/21/kansas-gov-kelly-signs-bill-to-poach-kansas-city-chiefs-royals-from-missouri/" target="_blank">signed by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly last month</a>, was criticized by Missouri officials who considered it a violation of an agreement Kelly and Parson reached in 2019 to stop using economic incentives to move companies and jobs back and forth across the state line.Neither the Chiefs nor the Royals were available to comment

Mo. governor on Kansas City Chiefs: ‘I’m not too worried about Kansas at this point’

KANSAS CITY —During the Independence holiday weekend, three officers helped save a woman's life, the Kansas City Police Department reported Tuesday.

For 30 minutes, they talked with a woman who was threatening to jump from a downtown building. The officers listened to her, relating with her until she agreed to let them help her to safety. 

The KCPD recognized the officers, "well done, Sergeant Stephanie Chandler, Officer Joseph Wright and Officer Hayden Miller."&nbsp; If you or someone you know is in crisis or emotional distress, there is help. You can call or text 988.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720562990636.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —During the Independence holiday weekend, three officers helped save a woman's life, the Kansas City Police Department reported Tuesday.For 30 minutes, they talked with a woman who was threatening to jump from a downtown building. The officers listened to her, relating with her until she agreed to let them help her to safety. The KCPD recognized the officers, "well done, Sergeant Stephanie Chandler, Officer Joseph Wright and Officer Hayden Miller."&nbsp; If you or someone you know is in crisis or emotional distress, there is help. You can call or text 988.&nbsp;

KCPD officers save woman threatening to jump from building

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said NATO “is more powerful than ever” in remarks Tuesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the alliance and reaffirm allied support for Ukraine one day after Russian missile strikes on a children’s hospital&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/07/08/nx-s1-5033075/russia-ukraine-war-missile-strike-childrens-hospital-kyiv" target="_blank">killed</a>&nbsp;dozens in Kyiv.

Biden spoke at the annual North American Treaty Organization’s summit happening this week in Washington, D.C., where the 12 original member nations signed the Washington Treaty in 1949.

Heads of state fanned out across Washington, visiting lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday afternoon. Ukraine is not one of the 32 NATO member nations, but the country is in discussions to join and the alliance has sided with Ukraine in its war with Russia.

“It’s a pleasure to host you all in this milestone year, to look back with pride on all we’ve achieved and look ahead to our shared future with strength and resolve,” Biden said during the opening ceremony.

Biden’s 15-minute address came after a dozen days of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-us-house-member-calls-biden-withdraw-amid-debate-fallout" target="_blank">near</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congressional-dems-urge-more-robust-biden-campaign-trail-few-openly-revolt" target="_blank">constant</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/united-their-objections-trump-congressional-dems-largely-close-ranks-behind-biden" target="_blank">focus</a>&nbsp;on his health and mental acuity after he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/golf-abortion-jan-6-and-felonies-biden-and-trumps-memorable-debate-moments" target="_blank">flubbed</a>&nbsp;his June 27 presidential debate performance against former President Donald Trump, whose criticism of NATO is well documented.

Biden spoke forcefully about the alliance’s history from the stage in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where world leaders and hundreds of dignitaries from NATO’s 32 member nations gathered, joined by other partner nations.

“Together we rebuilt Europe from the ruins of war, held high the torch of liberty during long decades of the Cold War. When former adversaries became fellow democracies, we welcomed them into the alliance,” Biden said.

“When war broke out in the Balkans, we intervened to restore peace and stop ethnic cleansing,” Bidden added. “When the United States was attacked on September 11, our NATO allies, all of you, stood with us, invoking Article Five for the first time in NATO history, treating an attack on us as an attack on all of us. A breathtaking display of friendship that the American people will never, ever, ever forget.”

Biden used the remarks to announce a joint package of air defense systems for Ukraine in conjunction with Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and Italy. The package is expected to include donations of advanced missile launching systems known as Patriot batteries as well as other equipment, according to a joint statement issued by the White House shortly after Biden’s speech.

Biden described Russian President Vladimir Putin as NATO’s primary antagonist.

He praised the alliance for moving “swiftly” after Putin further invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and said “the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country.” Putin previously annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula by force in 2014.

“Before this war, Putin thought NATO was going to break. Today, NATO is stronger than it’s ever been in its history,” Biden declared.

Biden concluded the ceremony by honoring NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said NATO “is more powerful than ever” in remarks Tuesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the alliance and reaffirm allied support for Ukraine one day after Russian missile strikes on a children’s hospital&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/07/08/nx-s1-5033075/russia-ukraine-war-missile-strike-childrens-hospital-kyiv" target="_blank">killed</a>&nbsp;dozens in Kyiv.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden: &quot;Today, NATO is stronger than it&#39;s ever been in its history.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/EhgUZP5x1V">pic.twitter.com/EhgUZP5x1V</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1810803125348958208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden spoke at the annual North American Treaty Organization’s summit happening this week in Washington, D.C., where the 12 original member nations signed the Washington Treaty in 1949.Heads of state fanned out across Washington, visiting lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday afternoon. Ukraine is not one of the 32 NATO member nations, but the country is in discussions to join and the alliance has sided with Ukraine in its war with Russia.“It’s a pleasure to host you all in this milestone year, to look back with pride on all we’ve achieved and look ahead to our shared future with strength and resolve,” Biden said during the opening ceremony.Biden’s 15-minute address came after a dozen days of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-us-house-member-calls-biden-withdraw-amid-debate-fallout" target="_blank">near</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congressional-dems-urge-more-robust-biden-campaign-trail-few-openly-revolt" target="_blank">constant</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/united-their-objections-trump-congressional-dems-largely-close-ranks-behind-biden" target="_blank">focus</a>&nbsp;on his health and mental acuity after he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/golf-abortion-jan-6-and-felonies-biden-and-trumps-memorable-debate-moments" target="_blank">flubbed</a>&nbsp;his June 27 presidential debate performance against former President Donald Trump, whose criticism of NATO is well documented.Biden spoke forcefully about the alliance’s history from the stage in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where world leaders and hundreds of dignitaries from NATO’s 32 member nations gathered, joined by other partner nations.“Together we rebuilt Europe from the ruins of war, held high the torch of liberty during long decades of the Cold War. When former adversaries became fellow democracies, we welcomed them into the alliance,” Biden said.“When war broke out in the Balkans, we intervened to restore peace and stop ethnic cleansing,” Bidden added. “When the United States was attacked on September 11, our NATO allies, all of you, stood with us, invoking Article Five for the first time in NATO history, treating an attack on us as an attack on all of us. A breathtaking display of friendship that the American people will never, ever, ever forget.”<h2>Military aid</h2>Biden used the remarks to announce a joint package of air defense systems for Ukraine in conjunction with Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and Italy. The package is expected to include donations of advanced missile launching systems known as Patriot batteries as well as other equipment, according to a joint statement issued by the White House shortly after Biden’s speech.Biden described Russian President Vladimir Putin as NATO’s primary antagonist.He praised the alliance for moving “swiftly” after Putin further invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and said “the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country.” Putin previously annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula by force in 2014.“Before this war, Putin thought NATO was going to break. Today, NATO is stronger than it’s ever been in its history,” Biden declared.Biden concluded the ceremony by honoring NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.

🎥Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine 

MONITEAU COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8p.m. Tuesday in Moniteau County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Michael S. Burke, 66, Janesville, Wisconsin, was northbound on U.S. 50 at Route E.

The vehicle traveled off of Route E into the path of a westbound 2014 Ford F150 driven by Heather M. Beauchamp, 34, Tipton. The pickup struck the van.&nbsp; Burke was pronounce dead at the scene and was transported to Windmill Ridge Funeral Home.&nbsp; MU Air transported Beauchamp to University Hospital. Burke was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

MONITEAU COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8p.m. Tuesday in Moniteau County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Michael S. Burke, 66, Janesville, Wisconsin, was northbound on U.S. 50 at Route E.The vehicle traveled off of Route E into the path of a westbound 2014 Ford F150 driven by Heather M. Beauchamp, 34, Tipton. The pickup struck the van.&nbsp; Burke was pronounce dead at the scene and was transported to Windmill Ridge Funeral Home.&nbsp; MU Air transported Beauchamp to University Hospital. Burke was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Man dies after van, pickup crash on Missouri highway

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a deadly hit-and run accident made her first court appearance in the case on Monday.

Peyton Allart, 19, Wichita, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash, transporting an open container of alcohol and purchase or consumption of alcohol by a minor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The crash killed 28-year-old Jaz Brooks from Wichita.

Just after 3a.m. June 23, police responded to a vehicule collision at the intersection of Central and Mclean in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders discovered a dark-colored Saturn involved in the incident. The passenger, identified as Brooks, was found trapped inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Saturn received an evaluation by EMS for non-lifethreatening injuries at the scene.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a black Ford F-150 had collided with the Saturn on its passenger side and fled prior to law enforcement's arrival. Officers successfully located the suspect identified as Allart and the vehicle several hours later.&nbsp; &nbsp;

She is scheduled to return to court on July 24 and is free after meeting the requirements for bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719242864860.png" alt="Allart photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Allart photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a deadly hit-and run accident made her first court appearance in the case on Monday.Peyton Allart, 19, Wichita, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash, transporting an open container of alcohol and purchase or consumption of alcohol by a minor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The crash killed 28-year-old Jaz Brooks from Wichita.Just after 3a.m. June 23, police responded to a vehicule collision at the intersection of Central and Mclean in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders discovered a dark-colored Saturn involved in the incident. The passenger, identified as Brooks, was found trapped inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Saturn received an evaluation by EMS for non-lifethreatening injuries at the scene.Preliminary investigations revealed that a black Ford F-150 had collided with the Saturn on its passenger side and fled prior to law enforcement's arrival. Officers successfully located the suspect identified as Allart and the vehicle several hours later.&nbsp; &nbsp;She is scheduled to return to court on July 24 and is free after meeting the requirements for bond.

Kan. teen accused in fatal hit-and-run makes court appearance

KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium wants your help to name the new giraffe calf. Last week the zoo announced a&nbsp;female Masai giraffe was born to mom Makali on June 30.

The calf weighed in at 125 pounds and already stands 5 feet 6 inches tall.&nbsp;

The animal care specialists have narrowed the name options down to five for the growing girl. The deadline to vote is 4pm on Friday, July 12, and you may vote only once.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascityzoo.org/form/name-the-baby-giraffe/">Click here to view the name </a>options and cast your vote.

It will be a while before this adorable girl makes her public debut, but the zoo will keep fans updated on the Zoo’s social media pages.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720043510469.png" alt="Photo KC Zoo and Aquarium&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC Zoo and Aquarium&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium wants your help to name the new giraffe calf. Last week the zoo announced a&nbsp;female Masai giraffe was born to mom Makali on June 30.The calf weighed in at 125 pounds and already stands 5 feet 6 inches tall.&nbsp;The animal care specialists have narrowed the name options down to five for the growing girl. The deadline to vote is 4pm on Friday, July 12, and you may vote only once.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascityzoo.org/form/name-the-baby-giraffe/">Click here to view the name </a>options and cast your vote.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Makali’s calf has been officially introduced to the other giraffe gals, and we can confirm these four are <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SquadGoals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SquadGoals</a>. If you haven’t voted on a name for the calf yet, be sure to visit <a href="https://t.co/fZLflY9jNK">https://t.co/fZLflY9jNK</a>! 📸 Katie M. <a href="https://t.co/hVoHu86AOM">pic.twitter.com/hVoHu86AOM</a>&mdash; Kansas City Zoo &amp; Aquarium (@KansasCityZoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasCityZoo/status/1810779640471929171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It will be a while before this adorable girl makes her public debut, but the zoo will keep fans updated on the Zoo’s social media pages.

Vote: Kansas City Zoo wants you to name the baby giraffe

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 9:30p.m. July 7,&nbsp;a police officer in the city of Hoyt conducted a traffic stop on 2000 Ford Econoline van for various traffic infractions, near the intersection of 1st&nbsp;Street and Eastern Ave. in the city of Hoyt, according to Police Chief Dan Wentling.

The driver of the van, David Eugene Savard, 36, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, felony interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Identity Theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, driving while suspended, transporting an open container, illegal registration, and no proof of insurance.

A passenger in the van, Julieanna Dean Corbett, 23, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.

Another passenger in the van, Nathan Paul Leonard, 24, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for transporting an open container. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrests.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720433678524.png" alt="Savard photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Savard photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 9:30p.m. July 7,&nbsp;a police officer in the city of Hoyt conducted a traffic stop on 2000 Ford Econoline van for various traffic infractions, near the intersection of 1st&nbsp;Street and Eastern Ave. in the city of Hoyt, according to Police Chief Dan Wentling.The driver of the van, David Eugene Savard, 36, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, felony interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Identity Theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, driving while suspended, transporting an open container, illegal registration, and no proof of insurance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720433718697.png" alt="Corbett photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Corbett photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A passenger in the van, Julieanna Dean Corbett, 23, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720433781363.png" alt="Leonard-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Leonard-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Another passenger in the van, Nathan Paul Leonard, 24, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for transporting an open container. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrests.

3 jailed in Kansas for drinking and driving, transporting drugs

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack that sent two children to a hospital.

Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a domestic violence incident at a home near the intersection of 38th and Indiana in Kansas City, according to KCPD.

First responders heard what sounded like an argument coming from inside the house. Officers entered the house and found two children including a boy under the age of 10 with a laceration and a girl under the age of 15 with a stab wound.&nbsp; EMS transported them to a local hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police took a man at the home into custody for questioning.

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack that sent two children to a hospital.Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a domestic violence incident at a home near the intersection of 38th and Indiana in Kansas City, according to KCPD.First responders heard what sounded like an argument coming from inside the house. Officers entered the house and found two children including a boy under the age of 10 with a laceration and a girl under the age of 15 with a stab wound.&nbsp; EMS transported them to a local hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police took a man at the home into custody for questioning.

2 children hospitalized after knife attack at Kansas City home

Departures at HeadQuarters tied to staff rebellion, alleged misuse of grants

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — The interim executive director and the board of directors at the suicide prevention organization HeadQuarters Kansas resigned amid an uprising by employees and volunteers, allegations grant money was misappropriated and anxiety about potential loss of state and county funding.

Headquarters Kansas, which is based in Lawrence, operates the 988 suicide crisis call center for all 105 counties in the state. It is affiliated with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

The departure Monday of Ruby Johnson, interim executive director; Michelle Fales, chair of the board of directors; and the recent resignation of five other board members was the culmination of months of management turmoil.

“We created new structures of accountability in our relationships with funders, partners and each other,” said Johnson, who agreed in April to assume the role of interim executive director and step down from the board of directors. “The agency faces new challenges, but it falls to others to address them. I am moving on with pride in the work done, secure in having navigated challenges with integrity and with love for those who exemplify the mission of building resilience and preventing suicide.”

Johnson replaced interim director Becky Price, who held the top job from February to April. Price was hired after the sudden departure in January of Steve Devore, who had been president and CEO of the organization since 2019.

In a memorandum to HeadQuarters Kansas staff, Fales said she tendered her resignation Monday after enduring months of “lies and threats” from individuals more interested in provoking controversy than achieving results. She assumed the role of board chair in November and initiated a survey of employees, board members and community partners in conjunction with the overdue employee evaluation of Devore’s work.

“These surveys opened up a can of worms, including the misuse of grant funds,” Fales said. “Management giving bonuses that were not permitted under the grant. Buying family golf memberships with grant funds. Buying over $5,000 in items for a ‘therapy’ dog.”

She asserted three administrative employees at HeadQuarters Kansas were responsible for oversight of an estimated $206,000 in expenditures from 2021 to 2023 that may not have complied with grant guidelines. The spending was embedded in budget documents in ways that made it difficult for the board to track, she said.

In 2022, Fales said, she had asked for clarity about bonuses given certain employees and was allegedly misled by Devore.

Fales said the board of directors eventually decided to seek the resignation or termination of two staff members, which included Devore.

Fales also complained that Andrew Brown, deputy secretary of programs at the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, had been advising dissident staff and advocating for her to resign from the board. Prior to working at KDADS, Brown was executive director of HeadQuarters Kansas.

“The board has been slandered, threatened, intimidated, harassed while continuing to work in the best interest of keeping the organization solvent and clean up the messes made by prior management,” Fales said. “It has become abundantly clear that while most of the individuals working at HeadQuarters Kansas Inc. might be in the mental health arena, they have no desire to talk constructively with anyone that differs from their own opinions.”

The defection of Fales, Johnson and the other board members meant an attorney would likely be appointed to coordinate appointment of a new board of directors.

In April, 75 to 100 current and former employees and volunteers at HeadQuarters Kansas publicly demanded wholesale management change. In a letter to leaders of the organization Friday, the employee coalition vowed to initiate the equivalent of a strike if Fales and Johnson didn’t resign Monday.

The letter said HeadQuarters Kansas was in peril of losing state and county aid and the “unjust termination of our colleagues who voiced their concern or disapproval has changed our workplace culture from one of cooperation to one of fear and distrust.” There has been concern controversy at HeadQuarters Kansas could lead to loss of state funding for the 988 hotline, undermine appropriations from Douglas County and eventually force closure of the agency.

Hope Blankenship, vice president of operations at HeadQuarters Kansas, assumed the duties of executive director. Blankenship told the&nbsp;<a href="https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/04/07/headquarters-kansas-in-crisis/" target="_blank">Lawrence Times</a>&nbsp;there had been no interruption in the organization’s call, text and chat services.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was implemented in Kansas during July 2022. In preparation for the launch, Kansas integrated HeadQuarters Kansas, COMCARE of Sedgwick County and Johnson County Crisis Line into the 988 network.&nbsp;The three centers operate with state funding and oversight from KDADS and the 988 Coordinating Council. In terms of the Lawrence facility, KDADS allocated $3.7 million to the agency during the 2023 fiscal year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720539289959.png" alt=" The entire board of directors and the executive director resigned from the Lawrence-based HeadQuarters Kansas, which operates the 988 suicide crisis call center for all 105 counties. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The entire board of directors and the executive director resigned from the Lawrence-based HeadQuarters Kansas, which operates the 988 suicide crisis call center for all 105 counties. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Departures at HeadQuarters tied to staff rebellion, alleged misuse of grants</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>LAWRENCE — The interim executive director and the board of directors at the suicide prevention organization HeadQuarters Kansas resigned amid an uprising by employees and volunteers, allegations grant money was misappropriated and anxiety about potential loss of state and county funding.Headquarters Kansas, which is based in Lawrence, operates the 988 suicide crisis call center for all 105 counties in the state. It is affiliated with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.The departure Monday of Ruby Johnson, interim executive director; Michelle Fales, chair of the board of directors; and the recent resignation of five other board members was the culmination of months of management turmoil.“We created new structures of accountability in our relationships with funders, partners and each other,” said Johnson, who agreed in April to assume the role of interim executive director and step down from the board of directors. “The agency faces new challenges, but it falls to others to address them. I am moving on with pride in the work done, secure in having navigated challenges with integrity and with love for those who exemplify the mission of building resilience and preventing suicide.”Johnson replaced interim director Becky Price, who held the top job from February to April. Price was hired after the sudden departure in January of Steve Devore, who had been president and CEO of the organization since 2019.In a memorandum to HeadQuarters Kansas staff, Fales said she tendered her resignation Monday after enduring months of “lies and threats” from individuals more interested in provoking controversy than achieving results. She assumed the role of board chair in November and initiated a survey of employees, board members and community partners in conjunction with the overdue employee evaluation of Devore’s work.“These surveys opened up a can of worms, including the misuse of grant funds,” Fales said. “Management giving bonuses that were not permitted under the grant. Buying family golf memberships with grant funds. Buying over $5,000 in items for a ‘therapy’ dog.”She asserted three administrative employees at HeadQuarters Kansas were responsible for oversight of an estimated $206,000 in expenditures from 2021 to 2023 that may not have complied with grant guidelines. The spending was embedded in budget documents in ways that made it difficult for the board to track, she said.In 2022, Fales said, she had asked for clarity about bonuses given certain employees and was allegedly misled by Devore.Fales said the board of directors eventually decided to seek the resignation or termination of two staff members, which included Devore.Fales also complained that Andrew Brown, deputy secretary of programs at the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, had been advising dissident staff and advocating for her to resign from the board. Prior to working at KDADS, Brown was executive director of HeadQuarters Kansas.“The board has been slandered, threatened, intimidated, harassed while continuing to work in the best interest of keeping the organization solvent and clean up the messes made by prior management,” Fales said. “It has become abundantly clear that while most of the individuals working at HeadQuarters Kansas Inc. might be in the mental health arena, they have no desire to talk constructively with anyone that differs from their own opinions.”The defection of Fales, Johnson and the other board members meant an attorney would likely be appointed to coordinate appointment of a new board of directors.In April, 75 to 100 current and former employees and volunteers at HeadQuarters Kansas publicly demanded wholesale management change. In a letter to leaders of the organization Friday, the employee coalition vowed to initiate the equivalent of a strike if Fales and Johnson didn’t resign Monday.The letter said HeadQuarters Kansas was in peril of losing state and county aid and the “unjust termination of our colleagues who voiced their concern or disapproval has changed our workplace culture from one of cooperation to one of fear and distrust.” There has been concern controversy at HeadQuarters Kansas could lead to loss of state funding for the 988 hotline, undermine appropriations from Douglas County and eventually force closure of the agency.Hope Blankenship, vice president of operations at HeadQuarters Kansas, assumed the duties of executive director. Blankenship told the&nbsp;<a href="https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/04/07/headquarters-kansas-in-crisis/" target="_blank">Lawrence Times</a>&nbsp;there had been no interruption in the organization’s call, text and chat services.The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was implemented in Kansas during July 2022. In preparation for the launch, Kansas integrated HeadQuarters Kansas, COMCARE of Sedgwick County and Johnson County Crisis Line into the 988 network.&nbsp;The three centers operate with state funding and oversight from KDADS and the 988 Coordinating Council. In terms of the Lawrence facility, KDADS allocated $3.7 million to the agency during the 2023 fiscal year.

Kan. suicide prevention nonprofit’s executive director, entire board of directors resign

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. - Joseph S. Bonsall, 76, of Hendersonville, Tennessee passed on to Glory on July 9, 2024, from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, according to a media release.

He leaves behind his precious wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall.

As a 50-year member of the American music group The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and inducted into the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame.

Joseph is also the author of 11 books including his latest, a memoir entitled I See Myself, which releases in November. Joe loved to sing. He loved to read. He loved to write. He loved to play banjo. He loved working on the farm. And he loved the Philadelphia Phillies. But Jesus and his family always came first—and we will see him again on the Promised Day.

At the request of Joe, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to <a href="https://www.als.org/support" target="_blank">The ALS Association</a> or to the <a href="https://www.vumc.org/neurology/vanderbilt-als-research-center" target="_blank">Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720544130790.png" alt="Bonsall, lower right, was 50-year member of the The Oak Ridge Boys" />
 <figcaption>Bonsall, lower right, was 50-year member of the The Oak Ridge Boys</figcaption>
 </figure>HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. - Joseph S. Bonsall, 76, of Hendersonville, Tennessee passed on to Glory on July 9, 2024, from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, according to a media release.He leaves behind his precious wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall.As a 50-year member of the American music group The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and inducted into the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame.Joseph is also the author of 11 books including his latest, a memoir entitled I See Myself, which releases in November. Joe loved to sing. He loved to read. He loved to write. He loved to play banjo. He loved working on the farm. And he loved the Philadelphia Phillies. But Jesus and his family always came first—and we will see him again on the Promised Day.At the request of Joe, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to <a href="https://www.als.org/support" target="_blank">The ALS Association</a> or to the <a href="https://www.vumc.org/neurology/vanderbilt-als-research-center" target="_blank">Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center</a>.The family is requesting privacy.

Joe Bonsall, Oak Ridge Boys singer, dies from ALS complications

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A teen driver was injured in an accident early Tuesday in Douglas County.

Just after 1:30a.m. a westbound driver on U.S. 56 Highway located a woman walking eastbound four miles east of the Osage County Line or in the 400 Block of N 300 Road, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's office.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A teen driver was injured in an accident early Tuesday in Douglas County.Just after 1:30a.m. a westbound driver on U.S. 56 Highway located a woman walking eastbound four miles east of the Osage County Line or in the 400 Block of N 300 Road, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's office.Deputies determined the 18-year-old was the driver in a rollover crash that occurred earlier.&nbsp; Deputies located the driver's 2003 Dodge Caravan about 200 yards from the highway.EMS transported the teen to Stormont Vail in Topeka for treatment of injuries not believed to be life-threatening.&nbsp; The Lawrence Humane Society took the teen's dog while she was taken for hospitalization.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no additional details.