By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

A line of storms with high winds was predicted to move across Kansas in the final hours leading into the Fourth of July holiday Thursday. Even so, the images displayed on radar were not particularly threatening around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night at Wilson Lake. Chase resident Mackenzie Oberle and family were staying in the Wheatgrass Campground in the Hell Creek area of the lake. Just as the storm arrived, she moved from her parents' camper to a truck just a few feet away.

"It felt like the wind had come up underneath the truck and picked it up," she said. "Something loud hit what I thought was the truck, but it hit the boat. I didn't think anything of it but I looked back and I could see my parents' camper flipped over sideways so I got out and called 911."

Oberle, who has ridden out other storms from inside a camper, said nothing seemed unusual about the storm as it came in. Winds estimated at 70 miles an hour hit the area just as the rain began. Several campers from the packed campgrounds were damaged. One camper near Oberle's truck was blown across the road and completely destroyed. Fortunately, its occupants were able to walk away.

"There wasn't a rhyme or reason why some blew over and some didn't," Oberle said. "There were tiny campers that didn't blow over, and there big, heavy campers that did blow over."

Oberle's parents were able to crawl out of their camper without injury. Three people were transported by Russell County EMS to Russell Regional Hospital with injuries. Christopher Montoya, 64, of Holyrood, was found deceased in the Hell Creek Area of the park.

The storm gained strength as it approached Russell late Wednesday, prompting the National Weather Service out of Wichita to issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning shortly before 11:30 p.m. More warnings were later issued for Ellsworth and Rice counties. 

Torrential rain fell in a short period with more than an inch recorded in Great Bend, 2.06 inches reported in one location near Larned, and up to 1.90 inches reported near Little River. Most locations near Lawrence later reported more than two inches of rain. Most wind reports out of Ellsworth and Russell counties indicate gusts between 68 and 70 mph. Saline County reported the highest gust at 82 mph.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720195934565.jpeg" alt="Several campers at Lake Wilson were blown over by wind gusts shortly before midnight on July 3. Three people were transported to Russell Regional Hospital with injuries and a Holyrood man was found deceased. (photo courtesy of Mackenzie Oberle)" />
 <figcaption>Several campers at Lake Wilson were blown over by wind gusts shortly before midnight on July 3. Three people were transported to Russell Regional Hospital with injuries and a Holyrood man was found deceased. (photo courtesy of Mackenzie Oberle)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostA line of storms with high winds was predicted to move across Kansas in the final hours leading into the Fourth of July holiday Thursday. Even so, the images displayed on radar were not particularly threatening around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night at Wilson Lake. Chase resident Mackenzie Oberle and family were staying in the Wheatgrass Campground in the Hell Creek area of the lake. Just as the storm arrived, she moved from her parents' camper to a truck just a few feet away."It felt like the wind had come up underneath the truck and picked it up," she said. "Something loud hit what I thought was the truck, but it hit the boat. I didn't think anything of it but I looked back and I could see my parents' camper flipped over sideways so I got out and called 911."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720196040317.jpeg" alt="photo courtesy of Mackenzie Oberle" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy of Mackenzie Oberle</figcaption>
 </figure>Oberle, who has ridden out other storms from inside a camper, said nothing seemed unusual about the storm as it came in. Winds estimated at 70 miles an hour hit the area just as the rain began. Several campers from the packed campgrounds were damaged. One camper near Oberle's truck was blown across the road and completely destroyed. Fortunately, its occupants were able to walk away."There wasn't a rhyme or reason why some blew over and some didn't," Oberle said. "There were tiny campers that didn't blow over, and there big, heavy campers that did blow over."Oberle's parents were able to crawl out of their camper without injury. Three people were transported by Russell County EMS to Russell Regional Hospital with injuries. Christopher Montoya, 64, of Holyrood, was found deceased in the Hell Creek Area of the park.The storm gained strength as it approached Russell late Wednesday, prompting the National Weather Service out of Wichita to issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning shortly before 11:30 p.m. More warnings were later issued for Ellsworth and Rice counties. Torrential rain fell in a short period with more than an inch recorded in Great Bend, 2.06 inches reported in one location near Larned, and up to 1.90 inches reported near Little River. Most locations near Lawrence later reported more than two inches of rain. Most wind reports out of Ellsworth and Russell counties indicate gusts between 68 and 70 mph. Saline County reported the highest gust at 82 mph.

Family escapes injury despite camper overturned in storm at Wilson Lake 

KANSAS CITY —Emergency crews rescued four people who were stranded in flood waters south of Kansas City.

Just after 9 p.m. Thursday, the Cass County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the area of Purvis Road. north of 203rd Street in Pleasant Hill, according to a media release.

Four people on a UTV were trapped in floodwater. The Cass County Sheriff's Office Disaster Emergency Response Team arrived to conduct a water rescue operation. The team used a rescue boat to recover the four people.

The group had been trapped in the water approximately a half mile from the nearest access point for almost two hours. 

By 10:45 p.m., the people were rescued and reunited with family members.The Pleasant Hill Police Department, Pleasant Hill Fire Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in this effort.

KANSAS CITY —Emergency crews rescued four people who were stranded in flood waters south of Kansas City.Just after 9 p.m. Thursday, the Cass County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the area of Purvis Road. north of 203rd Street in Pleasant Hill, according to a media release.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcassmosheriff%2Fvideos%2F493613200018910%2F&show_text=false&width=476&t=1" width="476" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Four people on a UTV were trapped in floodwater. The Cass County Sheriff's Office Disaster Emergency Response Team arrived to conduct a water rescue operation. The team used a rescue boat to recover the four people.The group had been trapped in the water approximately a half mile from the nearest access point for almost two hours. By 10:45 p.m., the people were rescued and reunited with family members.The Pleasant Hill Police Department, Pleasant Hill Fire Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in this effort.

🎥Crews rescue four stranded in floodwaters south of Kansas City

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday in his first televised interview since the presidential debate defended his reelection bid and rejected calls that he should step aside amid growing anxiety among some Democrats about his mental and physical state.

The 22-minute<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/abc-news-anchor-george-stephanopoulos-exclusive-interview-biden/story?id=111695695" target="_blank">&nbsp;interview&nbsp;</a>with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos came as some lawmakers and other prominent Democrats have said Biden should suspend his campaign and let someone else become the official nominee.

But Biden said that’s unnecessary, distilling his actions during the June 27 debate as simply a “bad night.”

“It was a bad episode, no indication of any serious condition,” Biden said. “I was exhausted. I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing and it was a bad night.”

Biden refused to answer a question about what he would do if allies and friends in Congress urged him to leave the presidential campaign.

“I’m not going to answer that question. It’s not going to happen,” Biden said.

Members of Congress and Democratic governors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-reel-terrible-biden-debate-performance-he-defends-candidacy%C2%A0" target="_blank">have expressed concern</a>&nbsp;with Biden remaining the presumptive nominee ever since he struggled to answer questions and had moments where he appeared confused during the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-and-trump-trade-insults-accusations-lying-acrimonious-presidential-debate" target="_blank">first presidential debate</a>.

Biden brushed aside Virginia Sen. Mark Warner’s plans to convene Democratic senators on Monday to discuss the future of Biden’s bid, which multiple news organizations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/05/mark-warner-joe-biden-exit-race-democratic-senators/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Friday. Both chambers of Congress will return to Washington next week.

“Mark is a good man,” Biden said, before incorrectly claiming Warner “tried to get the nomination” for president — Warner in 2006&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15234727" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;he would not make a bid. “Mark and I have a different perspective. I respect him.”

Stephanopoulos pressed Biden during the interview on whether he really has the mental and physical stamina to remain president for another four years, and whether Biden is being honest with himself about his age.

“I believe so,” Biden said. “I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I did. Look, I’m running again because I think I understand best what has to be done to take this nation to a completely new level.”

Biden repeatedly declined to commit to taking a cognitive exam, suggesting that his schedule and daily work load are evidence enough he’s up to the task of being president.

“I have a cognitive test every single day. Every day I have that test, everything I do,” Biden said. “You know, not only am I campaigning, I’m running the world.”

Biden added that there are 125 days left in the campaign and that people should watch him in the months ahead to determine if he’s suitable to be reelected to the highest position in the government.

In Wisconsin, Biden points to Trump flubs

The ABC News interview aired just hours after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2024/07/05/defiant-biden-tells-wisconsinites-im-staying-in-the-race/" target="_blank">held a rally</a>&nbsp;in Madison, Wisconsin, where he repeatedly criticized the Republican presumptive presidential nominee, Donald Trump.

This November’s presidential election, Biden said, should be about character, honesty and decency.

“Let’s focus on what really matters: We’re running against the biggest liar and the biggest threat to our democracy in American history,” Biden said. “That’s not hyperbole.”

Biden sought to shift the attention from his performance at the debate to flubs Trump has made over the years, including in a Fourth of July speech in 2019 when the former president said securing the airports was essential during the Revolutionary War.

“He said George Washington’s army won the Revolution by taking control of the airports from the British,” Biden said before crossing himself somewhat jokingly. “Talk about me misspeaking — airports from the British in 1776? It’s true, he is a stable genius.”

Trump, at the time,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-blames-teleprompter-revolutionary-war-airports-flub-n1026931" target="_blank">criticized the teleprompter</a>&nbsp;for the comment.

Biden during the rally listed off what he views as his accomplishments, including canceling some student loan debt, nominating Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, signing a same-sex marriage bill, approving gun safety policies and working with Congress on a sweeping climate change law.

“I’m not letting one, 90-minute debate wipe out three-and-a-half years of work,” Biden said.

During the next four years, Biden said, whoever holds the Oval Office will appoint at least two new justices to the Supreme Court.

Should that be Trump, a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/presidential-immunity-extends-some-official-acts-supreme-court-rules-trump-case" target="_blank">ruling from the justices&nbsp;</a>on presidential immunity could lead to a challenging time for the country, Biden said.

“For over two centuries, America’s been a free, democratic nation,” Biden said. “And I’ll be damned if in the year 2024 — just two years before our 250th anniversary as a nation — I’ll let Donald Trump take this away.”

Illinois Dem congressman says Biden should quit

Biden briefly spoke with reporters in the White House pool after the rally, saying he was determined to stay in the race and brushing aside calls from some lawmakers for him to withdraw.

When asked by a reporter about Warner suggesting Biden let another person take over as the party’s presidential candidate, Biden said Warner “is the only one considering that.”

Later in the evening, Illinois Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley said on MSNBC that Biden should step aside.

“Mr. President, your legacy is set. We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude,” Quigley&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/allinwithchris/status/1809367054845386771" target="_blank">said</a>. “The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720232308416.png" alt=" President Joe Biden sat down for an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” co-anchor and “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos in Wisconsin on the campaign trail on July 5, 2024. (Used with permission of ABC News)" />
 <figcaption> President Joe Biden sat down for an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” co-anchor and “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos in Wisconsin on the campaign trail on July 5, 2024. (Used with permission of ABC News)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday in his first televised interview since the presidential debate defended his reelection bid and rejected calls that he should step aside amid growing anxiety among some Democrats about his mental and physical state.The 22-minute<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/abc-news-anchor-george-stephanopoulos-exclusive-interview-biden/story?id=111695695" target="_blank">&nbsp;interview&nbsp;</a>with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos came as some lawmakers and other prominent Democrats have said Biden should suspend his campaign and let someone else become the official nominee.But Biden said that’s unnecessary, distilling his actions during the June 27 debate as simply a “bad night.”“It was a bad episode, no indication of any serious condition,” Biden said. “I was exhausted. I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing and it was a bad night.”Biden refused to answer a question about what he would do if allies and friends in Congress urged him to leave the presidential campaign.“I’m not going to answer that question. It’s not going to happen,” Biden said.Members of Congress and Democratic governors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-reel-terrible-biden-debate-performance-he-defends-candidacy%C2%A0" target="_blank">have expressed concern</a>&nbsp;with Biden remaining the presumptive nominee ever since he struggled to answer questions and had moments where he appeared confused during the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-and-trump-trade-insults-accusations-lying-acrimonious-presidential-debate" target="_blank">first presidential debate</a>.Biden brushed aside Virginia Sen. Mark Warner’s plans to convene Democratic senators on Monday to discuss the future of Biden’s bid, which multiple news organizations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/05/mark-warner-joe-biden-exit-race-democratic-senators/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Friday. Both chambers of Congress will return to Washington next week.“Mark is a good man,” Biden said, before incorrectly claiming Warner “tried to get the nomination” for president — Warner in 2006&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15234727" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;he would not make a bid. “Mark and I have a different perspective. I respect him.”<h2>Biden won’t commit to cognitive exam</h2>Stephanopoulos pressed Biden during the interview on whether he really has the mental and physical stamina to remain president for another four years, and whether Biden is being honest with himself about his age.“I believe so,” Biden said. “I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I did. Look, I’m running again because I think I understand best what has to be done to take this nation to a completely new level.”Biden repeatedly declined to commit to taking a cognitive exam, suggesting that his schedule and daily work load are evidence enough he’s up to the task of being president.“I have a cognitive test every single day. Every day I have that test, everything I do,” Biden said. “You know, not only am I campaigning, I’m running the world.”Biden added that there are 125 days left in the campaign and that people should watch him in the months ahead to determine if he’s suitable to be reelected to the highest position in the government.<h2>In Wisconsin, Biden points to Trump flubs</h2>The ABC News interview aired just hours after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2024/07/05/defiant-biden-tells-wisconsinites-im-staying-in-the-race/" target="_blank">held a rally</a>&nbsp;in Madison, Wisconsin, where he repeatedly criticized the Republican presumptive presidential nominee, Donald Trump.This November’s presidential election, Biden said, should be about character, honesty and decency.“Let’s focus on what really matters: We’re running against the biggest liar and the biggest threat to our democracy in American history,” Biden said. “That’s not hyperbole.”Biden sought to shift the attention from his performance at the debate to flubs Trump has made over the years, including in a Fourth of July speech in 2019 when the former president said securing the airports was essential during the Revolutionary War.“He said George Washington’s army won the Revolution by taking control of the airports from the British,” Biden said before crossing himself somewhat jokingly. “Talk about me misspeaking — airports from the British in 1776? It’s true, he is a stable genius.”Trump, at the time,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-blames-teleprompter-revolutionary-war-airports-flub-n1026931" target="_blank">criticized the teleprompter</a>&nbsp;for the comment.Biden during the rally listed off what he views as his accomplishments, including canceling some student loan debt, nominating Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, signing a same-sex marriage bill, approving gun safety policies and working with Congress on a sweeping climate change law.“I’m not letting one, 90-minute debate wipe out three-and-a-half years of work,” Biden said.During the next four years, Biden said, whoever holds the Oval Office will appoint at least two new justices to the Supreme Court.Should that be Trump, a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/presidential-immunity-extends-some-official-acts-supreme-court-rules-trump-case" target="_blank">ruling from the justices&nbsp;</a>on presidential immunity could lead to a challenging time for the country, Biden said.“For over two centuries, America’s been a free, democratic nation,” Biden said. “And I’ll be damned if in the year 2024 — just two years before our 250th anniversary as a nation — I’ll let Donald Trump take this away.”<h2>Illinois Dem congressman says Biden should quit</h2>Biden briefly spoke with reporters in the White House pool after the rally, saying he was determined to stay in the race and brushing aside calls from some lawmakers for him to withdraw.When asked by a reporter about Warner suggesting Biden let another person take over as the party’s presidential candidate, Biden said Warner “is the only one considering that.”Later in the evening, Illinois Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley said on MSNBC that Biden should step aside.“Mr. President, your legacy is set. We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude,” Quigley&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/allinwithchris/status/1809367054845386771" target="_blank">said</a>. “The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this.”

Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’

NEWTON COUNTY —A Missouri woman died after a hit-and-run incident that occurred just after 7p.m. Friday in Newton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Dodge Dakota was westbound on Douglas Fir Road one half mile south of Joplin. The vehicle struck a pedestrian identified as Sheldonna A. Wood, 60, Joplin, and then fled the scene.

Wood was pronounced dead and transported to the Newton County Coroner's office.

NEWTON COUNTY —A Missouri woman died after a hit-and-run incident that occurred just after 7p.m. Friday in Newton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Dodge Dakota was westbound on Douglas Fir Road one half mile south of Joplin. The vehicle struck a pedestrian identified as Sheldonna A. Wood, 60, Joplin, and then fled the scene.Wood was pronounced dead and transported to the Newton County Coroner's office.

Missouri woman dies from injuries after hit-and-run 

JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman involved in a deadly crash during a police chase is going to prison.

Last week, Shyanne Canady, 23, was sentenced to 10-years in prison, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In May she pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and second-degree murder, according to the District Attorney office. The incident involved a deadly crash that began as a shoplifting incident in Overland Park.

In November 2023, police responded to a reported theft in progress in the 7900 block of W. 160th Street, according to Overland Park Police.

Officers identified the suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit after the suspects refused to comply with commands to stop. The pursuit continued onto northbound Blue Valley Parkway from U.S. 69 Highway.

The driver of the suspect vehicle disregarded a red traffic signal and collided with a westbound car on Blue Valley Parkway at W. 119th Street. One of the women in the suspect's vehicle later died from injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714830968454.png" alt="Canady- photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Canady- photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman involved in a deadly crash during a police chase is going to prison.Last week, Shyanne Canady, 23, was sentenced to 10-years in prison, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In May she pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and second-degree murder, according to the District Attorney office. The incident involved a deadly crash that began as a shoplifting incident in Overland Park.In November 2023, police responded to a reported theft in progress in the 7900 block of W. 160th Street, according to Overland Park Police.Officers identified the suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit after the suspects refused to comply with commands to stop. The pursuit continued onto northbound Blue Valley Parkway from U.S. 69 Highway.The driver of the suspect vehicle disregarded a red traffic signal and collided with a westbound car on Blue Valley Parkway at W. 119th Street. One of the women in the suspect's vehicle later died from injuries.

Kan. shoplifter involved in fatal crash is going to prison

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly 4th of July shooting in Kansas City. Just before 3:00pm police responded to a shooting in the 2200 block of E. 69th Terrace, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders located a victim unresponsive on the sidewalk in front of a home.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

An investigation determined the man who died had an interaction with one or more unknown suspects that resulted in gunfire.

Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720133624393.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryle Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryle Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly 4th of July shooting in Kansas City. Just before 3:00pm police responded to a shooting in the 2200 block of E. 69th Terrace, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720133597687.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located a victim unresponsive on the sidewalk in front of a home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;An investigation determined the man who died had an interaction with one or more unknown suspects that resulted in gunfire.Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Deadly 4th of July shooting in Kansas City

COWLEY COUNTY— A Kansas man was arrested after a crash into a home just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Cowley County.

According to Arkansas City Police, a&nbsp;vehicle driven by 22-year-old Anthony Perez-Hernandez had gone through the stop sign at the intersection of North 2nd Streed and Kansas Avenue in Arkansas City and collided with the home in the 200 Block of W. Kansas Avenue.

&nbsp;Perez-Hernandez exhibited signs of alcohol impairment. Standardized field sobriety tests were administered, revealing further clues of impairment.

Police transported Perez-Hernandez to the Arkansas City Police Department for additional testing. Following the tests, he was taken to the Cowley County Jail on requested charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, lack of proof of insurance, transporting an open container and reckless driving. 

His bond was set for $750. The passenger in the vehicle, Pedro Marcos Pascual, was found in possession of an open container and was cited and released for this violation.&nbsp; There were no injuries from the crash and Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department assessed the structural integrity of the home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720187003635.png" alt="Photos Arkansas City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Arkansas City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY— A Kansas man was arrested after a crash into a home just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Cowley County.According to Arkansas City Police, a&nbsp;vehicle driven by 22-year-old Anthony Perez-Hernandez had gone through the stop sign at the intersection of North 2nd Streed and Kansas Avenue in Arkansas City and collided with the home in the 200 Block of W. Kansas Avenue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720186982642.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Perez-Hernandez exhibited signs of alcohol impairment. Standardized field sobriety tests were administered, revealing further clues of impairment.Police transported Perez-Hernandez to the Arkansas City Police Department for additional testing. Following the tests, he was taken to the Cowley County Jail on requested charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, lack of proof of insurance, transporting an open container and reckless driving. His bond was set for $750. The passenger in the vehicle, Pedro Marcos Pascual, was found in possession of an open container and was cited and released for this violation.&nbsp; There were no injuries from the crash and Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department assessed the structural integrity of the home.

Police  DUI crash into house put Kansas man in jail

The merger between the Missouri community hospital and Kansas academic health center was met with resistance by some state lawmakers

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

Despite resistance from lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri, Liberty Hospital has officially joined the University of Kansas Health System, executives announced Monday.

Leaders of the health system announced the completion of the merger Monday in a short video Monday alongside the CEO of Liberty Hospital, located in the Kansas City suburbs north of the Missouri River.

Liberty’s leadership began looking in May 2023 to partner with another health system to help the hospital meet growing demand. It announced in October that it had chosen the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

Raghu Adiga — who served as Liberty Hospital’s CEO and now is CEO of the Liberty market for KU —&nbsp;said the hospital’s board of trustees evaluated more than 30 potential partners. He said he’s “more than convinced” merging with the Kansas hospital system was the right decision.

“We share a commitment to putting patients first,” Adiga said. “We prioritize our people and believe in providing high quality care close to home. To have a strong community, we need to have strong healthcare. We believe this relationship not only strengthens Liberty Hospital, but the Liberty community and the entire Northland.”&nbsp;

Tammy Peterman, president of KU Health’s Kansas City Division, said about 35% of the health system’s patients currently come from Missouri, and KU already has clinics in the state.&nbsp;

“We knew eventually we would need a way to care for more patients in Missouri and the Northland to keep care close to home,” Peterman said. “…So today is a big milestone for us as well: our very first hospital in Missouri.”&nbsp;

Health system leaders did not take questions from journalists following the press conference. Asked about the terms of the deal, a spokeswoman for KU said in an email that the health system’s leaders are “celebrating the next couple of days” and were not available to comment.

KU and Liberty’s merger was met with disdain from some lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri. Former-Missouri Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/12/missouri-lawmakers-debate-blocking-university-of-kansas-deal-with-liberty-hospital/">legislation earlier this year to block the deal</a>, calling it “mind boggling” and saying the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/university-of-kansas-deal-with-missouri-hospital-feels-terribly-wrong-to-lawmakers/" target="_blank">idea of a Kansas health system owning a Missouri hospital felt</a>&nbsp;“terribly wrong.”&nbsp;

But supporters of the deal argued Liberty needed a larger hospital partner to be able to grow and make investments in its facilities. A Liberty board member told lawmakers this spring that if the hospital didn’t merge with KU, it could be purchased by a for-profit chain and stop offering some of its services, becoming “little bit more than a triage center.”&nbsp;

Bob Page, president and CEO of the University of Kansas Health System, said it’s “incredibly difficult in health care today to remain a completely independent hospital” like Liberty.

“They found a new path forward to ensure they could continue to deliver high quality care in the Northland for generations to come,” Page said. “By becoming part of this health system, they will be able to offer some of the most advanced treatments and expertise anywhere in the country.”

Razer’s legislation made it out of a Senate committee but never received a floor vote.&nbsp;

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also opposed the merger, writing in a letter to Senate leadership in January that the deal was illegal unless the Missouri General Assembly signed off on it. An attorney for Liberty said, however, that the deal was structured to comply with state laws.&nbsp;

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, expressed frustration about the merger in a committee meeting in November, saying struggling hospitals in Kansas could have benefitted from a partnership with KU.

And Kansas Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican, filed legislation that would have required KU get permission from the Kansas Legislature before entering a deal that involves acquiring, building, repairing or improving property outside of Kansas. The bill never got a hearing.

In the meantime, the systems were working toward a finalized deal that is expected to include investment in Liberty’s facilities.&nbsp;

Peterman said over the coming months, KU leadership will learn more about how Liberty operates and how it can be best integrated into the health system.&nbsp;

“This includes everything from inpatient and ambulatory care to supply chain and branding,” she said. “Ultimately, we want to ensure we are one health system offering a seamless and consistent patient experience.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719948777383.png" alt="The University of Kansas Health System, which has its primary location in Kansas City, Kansas, has entered a partnership Liberty Hospital in Missouri. News of the deal last fall sparked discontent among some state lawmakers. (Allison Kite/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>The University of Kansas Health System, which has its primary location in Kansas City, Kansas, has entered a partnership Liberty Hospital in Missouri. News of the deal last fall sparked discontent among some state lawmakers. (Allison Kite/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The merger between the Missouri community hospital and Kansas academic health center was met with resistance by some state lawmakers</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Despite resistance from lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri, Liberty Hospital has officially joined the University of Kansas Health System, executives announced Monday.Leaders of the health system announced the completion of the merger Monday in a short video Monday alongside the CEO of Liberty Hospital, located in the Kansas City suburbs north of the Missouri River.Liberty’s leadership began looking in May 2023 to partner with another health system to help the hospital meet growing demand. It announced in October that it had chosen the University of Kansas.&nbsp;Raghu Adiga — who served as Liberty Hospital’s CEO and now is CEO of the Liberty market for KU —&nbsp;said the hospital’s board of trustees evaluated more than 30 potential partners. He said he’s “more than convinced” merging with the Kansas hospital system was the right decision.“We share a commitment to putting patients first,” Adiga said. “We prioritize our people and believe in providing high quality care close to home. To have a strong community, we need to have strong healthcare. We believe this relationship not only strengthens Liberty Hospital, but the Liberty community and the entire Northland.”&nbsp;Tammy Peterman, president of KU Health’s Kansas City Division, said about 35% of the health system’s patients currently come from Missouri, and KU already has clinics in the state.&nbsp;“We knew eventually we would need a way to care for more patients in Missouri and the Northland to keep care close to home,” Peterman said. “…So today is a big milestone for us as well: our very first hospital in Missouri.”&nbsp;Health system leaders did not take questions from journalists following the press conference. Asked about the terms of the deal, a spokeswoman for KU said in an email that the health system’s leaders are “celebrating the next couple of days” and were not available to comment.KU and Liberty’s merger was met with disdain from some lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri. Former-Missouri Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/12/missouri-lawmakers-debate-blocking-university-of-kansas-deal-with-liberty-hospital/">legislation earlier this year to block the deal</a>, calling it “mind boggling” and saying the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/university-of-kansas-deal-with-missouri-hospital-feels-terribly-wrong-to-lawmakers/" target="_blank">idea of a Kansas health system owning a Missouri hospital felt</a>&nbsp;“terribly wrong.”&nbsp;But supporters of the deal argued Liberty needed a larger hospital partner to be able to grow and make investments in its facilities. A Liberty board member told lawmakers this spring that if the hospital didn’t merge with KU, it could be purchased by a for-profit chain and stop offering some of its services, becoming “little bit more than a triage center.”&nbsp;Bob Page, president and CEO of the University of Kansas Health System, said it’s “incredibly difficult in health care today to remain a completely independent hospital” like Liberty.“They found a new path forward to ensure they could continue to deliver high quality care in the Northland for generations to come,” Page said. “By becoming part of this health system, they will be able to offer some of the most advanced treatments and expertise anywhere in the country.”Razer’s legislation made it out of a Senate committee but never received a floor vote.&nbsp;Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also opposed the merger, writing in a letter to Senate leadership in January that the deal was illegal unless the Missouri General Assembly signed off on it. An attorney for Liberty said, however, that the deal was structured to comply with state laws.&nbsp;Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, expressed frustration about the merger in a committee meeting in November, saying struggling hospitals in Kansas could have benefitted from a partnership with KU.And Kansas Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican, filed legislation that would have required KU get permission from the Kansas Legislature before entering a deal that involves acquiring, building, repairing or improving property outside of Kansas. The bill never got a hearing.In the meantime, the systems were working toward a finalized deal that is expected to include investment in Liberty’s facilities.&nbsp;Peterman said over the coming months, KU leadership will learn more about how Liberty operates and how it can be best integrated into the health system.&nbsp;“This includes everything from inpatient and ambulatory care to supply chain and branding,” she said. “Ultimately, we want to ensure we are one health system offering a seamless and consistent patient experience.”

Liberty Hospital joins University of Kansas Health System

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person is dead following a helicopter crash on Friday in a rural area of northwest Sedgwick County.

Just after 8 a.m. first responders were dispatched to the crash in the 5700 block of North 255th Street West, according to a supervisor with Sedgwick County Sheriff's office 911.&nbsp; EMS did not transport anyone else for treatment, according to the supervisor.

The FAA and NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720198452791.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KAKE" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KAKE</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person is dead following a helicopter crash on Friday in a rural area of northwest Sedgwick County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720189143245.png" alt="Location of the crash near the community of Andale- Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location of the crash near the community of Andale- Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 8 a.m. first responders were dispatched to the crash in the 5700 block of North 255th Street West, according to a supervisor with Sedgwick County Sheriff's office 911.&nbsp; EMS did not transport anyone else for treatment, according to the supervisor.The FAA and NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

One dead in rural Kansas helicopter crash

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11p.m. Thursday in Johnson County.&nbsp;

 A pedestrian identified as 36-year-old Joshua Willet was walking eastbound on the sidewalk on W 95th Street east of Hadley Street, according to Officer John Lacy.

At a private drive, the Willet entered the roadway edge and was struck by a passing vehicle. The driver of vehicle left the scene of the crash. EMS transported Willet to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of vehicle later contacted Overland Park Police and is cooperating with the investigation. 

 At this time the crash is under investigation by the Traffic Safety Unit. Anyone with information regarding this incident please call 913-890-1437.Prepared by: J. Lacy #653Police Public Information Officer

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11p.m. Thursday in Johnson County.&nbsp; A pedestrian identified as 36-year-old Joshua Willet was walking eastbound on the sidewalk on W 95th Street east of Hadley Street, according to Officer John Lacy.At a private drive, the Willet entered the roadway edge and was struck by a passing vehicle. The driver of vehicle left the scene of the crash. EMS transported Willet to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.The driver of vehicle later contacted Overland Park Police and is cooperating with the investigation. At this time the crash is under investigation by the Traffic Safety Unit. Anyone with information regarding this incident please call 913-890-1437.Prepared by: J. Lacy #653Police Public Information Officer

Driver in deadly Kansas pedestrian crash contacts police

KANSAS CITY—Due to flash floods from heavy rain, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a total of 11 water rescues throughout the city late Wednesday and early Independence Day morning, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. The most significant rescue occurred at&nbsp; Blue Parkway and Hardesty.

At 4:30 a.m. Thursday, crews responded to the area of Hardesty and MLK Boulevard.&nbsp; A homeless camp located next to a tributary to the Blue River was overcome by fast rising water. 

A total of three victims were swept into the water. KCFD Rescue Swimmers and the drone operator were able to locate and remove two of the three.

The third victim was reported to have exited the water with his dog on the opposite side of the water. Due to rising water and its speed KCFD suspended operations. 

While working the Hardesty call a second water rescue call came in at Cleaver and Oak in Brush Creek. A homeless camp there was also overcome by rising water and one individual was swept into the creek. Crews entered the water at that location and were able to rescue that individual from under the bridge.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720174906983.png" alt="Victim pulled from the water -image from video provided by Kansas City Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Victim pulled from the water -image from video provided by Kansas City Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Due to flash floods from heavy rain, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a total of 11 water rescues throughout the city late Wednesday and early Independence Day morning, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. The most significant rescue occurred at&nbsp; Blue Parkway and Hardesty.At 4:30 a.m. Thursday, crews responded to the area of Hardesty and MLK Boulevard.&nbsp; A homeless camp located next to a tributary to the Blue River was overcome by fast rising water. A total of three victims were swept into the water. KCFD Rescue Swimmers and the drone operator were able to locate and remove two of the three.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720174879634.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The third victim was reported to have exited the water with his dog on the opposite side of the water. Due to rising water and its speed KCFD suspended operations. While working the Hardesty call a second water rescue call came in at Cleaver and Oak in Brush Creek. A homeless camp there was also overcome by rising water and one individual was swept into the creek. Crews entered the water at that location and were able to rescue that individual from under the bridge.

KC fire crews made 11 water rescues during flash flooding 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and asking the public for help to solve the crime.

Just after 3a.m. June 17, police responded to Scooter’s Coffee, 1409 NW Topeka Boulevard in response to a reported burglary. It was reported that cash was also stolen from the business. 

TPD investigators are asking for the community’s help in solving this crime. 

If you have any information related to this incident, please contact investigators at telltpd@topeka.org or report anonymously to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShawneeCountyCrimeStoppers?__cft__[0]=AZVyOCMglbyyqyTUlL_0T0jwWgRg0JsNlv9PJIg6eR50szgwhJWKt673AvsgWghPASgJVOSW-GNAfJsIqsfQL7rtB9TD3cvRivsxEBcMlEZA_FWoXS8js0Z34hMq47KuWzcRXV_DVS0U8Ji00v0SJl1h46hF8gzE9igtuNzHEUVgOJFw_nOrEKE8JkcAYH6Pzmui_fgyAy924SBPvYFFBeom&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Shawnee County Crime Stoppers</a> at 785-234-0007 or online at <a href="http://www.p3tips.com/128?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3QK9Sl0Iq0CIlzBGajCTthzy8Q2vjYwTP78RIGS-EEMCbG5dI7pNBF_kY_aem_TyKo8dtft8c5LM9guPXKqA" target="_blank">www.p3tips.com/128</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720176175234.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and asking the public for help to solve the crime.Just after 3a.m. June 17, police responded to Scooter’s Coffee, 1409 NW Topeka Boulevard in response to a reported burglary. It was reported that cash was also stolen from the business. TPD investigators are asking for the community’s help in solving this crime. If you have any information related to this incident, please contact investigators at telltpd@topeka.org or report anonymously to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShawneeCountyCrimeStoppers?__cft__[0]=AZVyOCMglbyyqyTUlL_0T0jwWgRg0JsNlv9PJIg6eR50szgwhJWKt673AvsgWghPASgJVOSW-GNAfJsIqsfQL7rtB9TD3cvRivsxEBcMlEZA_FWoXS8js0Z34hMq47KuWzcRXV_DVS0U8Ji00v0SJl1h46hF8gzE9igtuNzHEUVgOJFw_nOrEKE8JkcAYH6Pzmui_fgyAy924SBPvYFFBeom&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Shawnee County Crime Stoppers</a> at 785-234-0007 or online at <a href="http://www.p3tips.com/128?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3QK9Sl0Iq0CIlzBGajCTthzy8Q2vjYwTP78RIGS-EEMCbG5dI7pNBF_kY_aem_TyKo8dtft8c5LM9guPXKqA" target="_blank">www.p3tips.com/128</a>.

Police ask for public's help to solve burglary at Scooter’s Coffee 

JERUSALEM—U.S. Forces continue to face terrorist obstacles in the Red Sea.&nbsp;

Since the end of June, U.S. forces have&nbsp;successfully destroyed five Iranian-backed Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea and three radar site in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, according to statements from U.S. Central Command.

Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon launched over 200 rockets on Thursday at several military bases in Israel in retaliation for a strike that killed one of its senior commanders.&nbsp; The attack was among the largest by the terror group against Israel in weeks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703990687604.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM—U.S. Forces continue to face terrorist obstacles in the Red Sea.&nbsp;Since the end of June, U.S. forces have&nbsp;successfully destroyed five Iranian-backed Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea and three radar site in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, according to statements from U.S. Central Command.Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon launched over 200 rockets on Thursday at several military bases in Israel in retaliation for a strike that killed one of its senior commanders.&nbsp; The attack was among the largest by the terror group against Israel in weeks.

U.S. forces continue to battle terrorist threats in the Red Sea

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a deadly Kansas City shooting have identified the victim as 23-year-old Tykeedra&nbsp;Henderson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 1a.m. Wednesday police were dispatched to a shooting at a gas station parking lot at 31st and Bell in Kansas City, according to Becchina.

First responders located Henderson unresponsive inside a vehicle in the parking lot.&nbsp; Officers summoned EMS to the scene who declared the her deceased. 

Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was in a vehicle in the north side of the parking lot when shots were fired by unknown suspects, from outside her vehicle into it, striking her. Henderson's vehicle then rolled to a stop on the south side of the parking lot where officers found it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720176895680.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a deadly Kansas City shooting have identified the victim as 23-year-old Tykeedra&nbsp;Henderson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 1a.m. Wednesday police were dispatched to a shooting at a gas station parking lot at 31st and Bell in Kansas City, according to Becchina.First responders located Henderson unresponsive inside a vehicle in the parking lot.&nbsp; Officers summoned EMS to the scene who declared the her deceased. Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was in a vehicle in the north side of the parking lot when shots were fired by unknown suspects, from outside her vehicle into it, striking her. Henderson's vehicle then rolled to a stop on the south side of the parking lot where officers found it.

Homicide: Woman shot in vehicle in KC gas station parking lot

District Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced Thomas Gatewood, 52 of Wichita, to life with parole eligibility after 843 months.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;A man with a previous abuse conviction is going back to prison for the rest of his life.

On Wednesday,&nbsp;District Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced Thomas Gatewood, 52,&nbsp; Wichita, to life with parole eligibility after over 70-years for the violent beating death of his 8-year-old daughter.

In March,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=740792">Gatewood</a>&nbsp;plead no contest to first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated battery, abuse of a child, rape, criminal sodomy, aggravated endangering of a child aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated intimidation of a witness, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On May 8, of 2023 police&nbsp;were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of N. Oliver in Wichita after report of an&nbsp;unresponsive 8-year-old girl, according to Officer&nbsp; Kris Gupilan. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene.

&nbsp;A warrant was issued for Gatewood's arrest for the murder of his 8-year-old daughter

Wichita Police Officers utilized FLOCK technology and Thomas was quickly located and taken into custody within hours of the warrant being issued.&nbsp;

The Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit and Homicide detectives investigated the incident and presented a case to the District Attorney’s office. Prosecutors say Gatewood had repeatedly beaten and even stomped on the 8-year-old and an autopsy revealed that her heart had ruptured. Another child in the house was also abused.

Court documents show he was previously charged with child abuse in Oklahoma in 2009.&nbsp;

Gatewood was scheduled to face a trial in the case March 11.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687976261144.png" alt="Gatewood-photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Gatewood-photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>District Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced Thomas Gatewood, 52 of Wichita, to life with parole eligibility after 843 months.&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;A man with a previous abuse conviction is going back to prison for the rest of his life.On Wednesday,&nbsp;District Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced Thomas Gatewood, 52,&nbsp; Wichita, to life with parole eligibility after over 70-years for the violent beating death of his 8-year-old daughter.In March,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=740792">Gatewood</a>&nbsp;plead no contest to first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated battery, abuse of a child, rape, criminal sodomy, aggravated endangering of a child aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated intimidation of a witness, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On May 8, of 2023 police&nbsp;were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of N. Oliver in Wichita after report of an&nbsp;unresponsive 8-year-old girl, according to Officer&nbsp; Kris Gupilan. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;A warrant was issued for Gatewood's arrest for the murder of his 8-year-old daughterWichita Police Officers utilized FLOCK technology and Thomas was quickly located and taken into custody within hours of the warrant being issued.&nbsp;The Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit and Homicide detectives investigated the incident and presented a case to the District Attorney’s office. Prosecutors say Gatewood had repeatedly beaten and even stomped on the 8-year-old and an autopsy revealed that her heart had ruptured. Another child in the house was also abused.Court documents show he was previously charged with child abuse in Oklahoma in 2009.&nbsp;Gatewood was scheduled to face a trial in the case March 11.&nbsp;-The AP contributed to this report.

Kan. man sentenced for beating death of 8-year-old daughter

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations after

On July 3, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 2100 Block SW 10th Avenue related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, Amanda Bishop, 42; Justin Ray 19, and Earon Cooper, 51&nbsp;&nbsp;were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Amanda Bishop is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent,&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravate Child Endangerment, Possession of a Depressant, Drug Tax Stamp violation and Contributing to Child Misconduct

Justin Ray is in custody on requested charges of Possession of Certain Stimulants, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Contributing to Child Misconduct, Distribution of Certain Stimulants and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent.

Earon Cooper was jailed on an Arrest Warrant

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720036602723.png" alt="Ray photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Ray photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations afterOn July 3, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 2100 Block SW 10th Avenue related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.As a result, Amanda Bishop, 42; Justin Ray 19, and Earon Cooper, 51&nbsp;&nbsp;were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720036554752.png" alt="Bishop-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Bishop-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Amanda Bishop is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent,&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravate Child Endangerment, Possession of a Depressant, Drug Tax Stamp violation and Contributing to Child MisconductJustin Ray is in custody on requested charges of Possession of Certain Stimulants, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Contributing to Child Misconduct, Distribution of Certain Stimulants and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720036900027.png" alt="Cooper photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Cooper photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Earon Cooper was jailed on an Arrest Warrant

Police found drugs, children at Kansas woman's home

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/nadahassanein/">NADA HASSANEIN</a>

Dairy workers are in rural areas, often with little access to transportation and no sick leave

Public health officials are concerned about bird flu, which so far has been detected in three dairy farmworkers — two in Michigan and one in Texas — as well as in cattle in a dozen states.

The farmworkers’ symptoms were mild, and researchers have not found that the H5N1 virus, also known as bird flu, can spread from person to person. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is little risk to the general public. However, flu viruses evolve, and H5N1 could mutate and gain the ability to infect people more easily.

“The reason public health authorities are and should be on high alert is because this is a potential high-consequence pathogen,” said Meghan Davis, an epidemiologist and microbiologist at Johns Hopkins University.

That’s why state officials are so focused on testing and surveillance of dairy workers. But they are encountering significant challenges.

H5N1 is deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out entire flocks in a matter of days, the U.S. Department of Agriculture&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock" target="_blank">says</a>. As a result, the poultry industry has responded vigorously to the threat, culling entire flocks when they detect even one infected bird. But H5N1 is milder in cows, and the response on dairy farms has been less aggressive.

The CDC and USDA have advised dairy farms to monitor for the virus in cattle and humans, but testing remains voluntary, except for herds moving across state lines.

In addition, dairy farms are often in remote rural areas, and workers have little access to transportation and no sick leave. As a result, it’s difficult for them to travel to health care providers for testing and treatment. Many dairy workers, who are mostly immigrants, speak Indigenous languages like Nahuatl or K’iche, according to the National Center for Farmworker Health, a nonprofit that offers support and training for centers that focus on the health of farmworkers.

Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, emphasized that the current bird flu strain isn’t a pandemic threat to humans. That’s why, he said, this is the perfect time to get the right testing and surveillance measures in place.

“If you can’t get it right with something that’s as forgiving as this virus has been, in terms of its inefficiency in infecting humans, it really doesn’t bode well for when the stakes are higher,” Adalja said.

So far, cases of the virus have been documented among domestic livestock in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock" target="_blank">according to the USDA</a>. Last week, federal officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/06/27/usda-begin-accepting-applications-expanded-emergency-livestock" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;grants to farms to offset the cost of milk loss from sick cows. Four states — Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas — are&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/25/four-states-to-begin-voluntary-testing-for-bird-flu-in-dairy-farm-milk-tanks/" target="_blank">launching</a>&nbsp;voluntary pilot programs to test for the virus in dairy farms’ bulk milk tanks.

In Michigan, where the virus has been detected in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-virus-type-h5n1-us-dairy-cattle#:~:text=Avian%20influenza%20virus%20type%20A%20(H5N1)%20has%20been%20confirmed%20in,Carolina%2C%20Ohio%2C%20and%20Wyoming." target="_blank">25 herds</a>, Tim Boring, director of the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said efforts are focused on trying to help farmers recoup losses and agree to testing. Last month, the agency announced it would use a combination of federal and state money to give as much as $28,000 to up to 20 affected farms.

The state also launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-06282024.html#:~:text=CDC%20Update,animals%20in%20the%20United%20States." target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;to find out if there are antibodies in people exposed to sick cows, aiming to determine if there have been any asymptomatic infections.

Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said the state is working with community health clinics and local health departments to reach farmworkers.

“They not only know the farms in their counties, but they also know many of the farmworker organizations,” she said.

Dairy farmworkers, who are often immigrants, can’t afford to miss a day of work, and can be reluctant to reach out to request testing or say they feel sick, advocates say.

“This is a population of people that is just vastly underserviced when it comes to both outreach and trust established with state and federal agencies,” said Elizabeth Strater, strategic campaigns director at United Farm Workers, a labor union. “This is a group of workers that are some of the poorest workers in the United States.”

Immigrants make up 51% of daily labor at dairy farms, and farms that employ immigrants produce 79% of the nation’s milk supply, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nmpf.org/issues/labor-rural-policy/labor-and-immigration-reform-efforts/#:~:text=Immigrant%20labor%20accounts%20for%2051,of%20the%20U.S.%20milk%20supply." target="_blank">National Milk Producers Federation.</a>

Amy Liebman of the Migrant Clinicians Network, an education and outreach group of experts in migrant health, said testing should be administered on the farms rather than in clinics.

“Dairies are in rural areas, very isolated geographically. You’re not going to get all these workers in one place to be able to do any kind of surveying or testing. It is a matter of really trying to go to where the workers are,” she said.

But it hasn’t been easy getting farm owners to agree to that. The Texas state health department told Stateline it has offered on-site testing to farmers, but as of mid-June, it had tested only about 20 symptomatic dairy workers who volunteered for testing. It also has given personal protective equipment to “interested dairies” and posted a notice online offering to deliver the equipment.

Coordination among state or local agricultural and health departments is key to tracking viral spread. A lack of coordination and monitoring can be contributing to underreporting cases.

“I think it is definitely more widespread than is currently reported,” said Shira Doron, chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine. “The barriers between the agencies are really hampering our efforts right now.”

The CDC has offered a $75&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/bird-flu-cow-test-farmers-incentive-us-government-rcna151645" target="_blank">payment</a>&nbsp;to any farmworker who agrees to be tested and provide blood and nasal swab samples to the agency. But Doris Garcia-Ruiz, who directs farmworker outreach at Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, said that won’t make up for days of lost income.

“If they take the time off to go to their doctor’s office, they don’t have sick leave, so they’re not going to get paid,” she said.

The CDC’s latest figures show that at least 53&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fflu%2Favianflu%2Fh5-monitoring.html" target="_blank">people</a>&nbsp;have been tested in the cattle outbreak, with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/06/03/michigan-cow-herds-infected-bird-flu/73955332007/" target="_blank">majority</a>&nbsp;of those in Michigan. Strater says that’s not enough.

“That’s abysmal,” she said. “Our method of testing is so passive. They’re relying on workers reporting to medical clinics; these are workers that are not going to be taking themselves for medical treatment unless they’re experiencing something life-threatening.”

Getting workers to use personal protective equipment also is a challenge. The CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html" target="_blank">recommends</a>&nbsp;that workers wear respirators, waterproof aprons and coveralls, unvented safety goggles or a face shield, and rubber boots with sealed seams that can be sanitized. It also advises that workers follow a specific sequence of steps to remove the PPE at the end of a shift to avoid contamination.

“Dairy work is very wet, very hands-on,” said Christine Sauvé, who leads community engagement at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. “While some industries are very familiar with PPE … the full recommendation from CDC is new and different. And so that really needs the full promotion from the employer, and then also from the state agencies.”

Sauvé worries that Michigan is prioritizing farmers’ losses, rather than farmworkers’ health, in its response. While the risk to the public is low, she and other experts say the population of farmworkers shouldn’t be forgotten.

Bethany Alcauter of the National Center for Farmworker Health described bird flu threat as “kind of a ticking time bomb.”

“Maybe it hasn’t fully gone off yet. But if we don’t manage it well, it could,” Alcauter said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720094399287.png" alt=" Farmworkers milk dairy cows at the Welcome Stock Farms in January 2022 in Schuylerville, N.Y. Public health officials are concerned about bird flu, which so far has been detected in three farmworkers as well as in cattle in a dozen states. (Hans Pennink/The Associated Press)" />
 <figcaption> Farmworkers milk dairy cows at the Welcome Stock Farms in January 2022 in Schuylerville, N.Y. Public health officials are concerned about bird flu, which so far has been detected in three farmworkers as well as in cattle in a dozen states. (Hans Pennink/The Associated Press)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/nadahassanein/">NADA HASSANEIN</a><h2>Dairy workers are in rural areas, often with little access to transportation and no sick leave</h2>Public health officials are concerned about bird flu, which so far has been detected in three dairy farmworkers — two in Michigan and one in Texas — as well as in cattle in a dozen states.The farmworkers’ symptoms were mild, and researchers have not found that the H5N1 virus, also known as bird flu, can spread from person to person. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is little risk to the general public. However, flu viruses evolve, and H5N1 could mutate and gain the ability to infect people more easily.“The reason public health authorities are and should be on high alert is because this is a potential high-consequence pathogen,” said Meghan Davis, an epidemiologist and microbiologist at Johns Hopkins University.That’s why state officials are so focused on testing and surveillance of dairy workers. But they are encountering significant challenges.H5N1 is deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out entire flocks in a matter of days, the U.S. Department of Agriculture&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock" target="_blank">says</a>. As a result, the poultry industry has responded vigorously to the threat, culling entire flocks when they detect even one infected bird. But H5N1 is milder in cows, and the response on dairy farms has been less aggressive.The CDC and USDA have advised dairy farms to monitor for the virus in cattle and humans, but testing remains voluntary, except for herds moving across state lines.In addition, dairy farms are often in remote rural areas, and workers have little access to transportation and no sick leave. As a result, it’s difficult for them to travel to health care providers for testing and treatment. Many dairy workers, who are mostly immigrants, speak Indigenous languages like Nahuatl or K’iche, according to the National Center for Farmworker Health, a nonprofit that offers support and training for centers that focus on the health of farmworkers.Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, emphasized that the current bird flu strain isn’t a pandemic threat to humans. That’s why, he said, this is the perfect time to get the right testing and surveillance measures in place.“If you can’t get it right with something that’s as forgiving as this virus has been, in terms of its inefficiency in infecting humans, it really doesn’t bode well for when the stakes are higher,” Adalja said.So far, cases of the virus have been documented among domestic livestock in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock" target="_blank">according to the USDA</a>. Last week, federal officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/06/27/usda-begin-accepting-applications-expanded-emergency-livestock" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;grants to farms to offset the cost of milk loss from sick cows. Four states — Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas — are&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/25/four-states-to-begin-voluntary-testing-for-bird-flu-in-dairy-farm-milk-tanks/" target="_blank">launching</a>&nbsp;voluntary pilot programs to test for the virus in dairy farms’ bulk milk tanks.In Michigan, where the virus has been detected in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-virus-type-h5n1-us-dairy-cattle#:~:text=Avian%20influenza%20virus%20type%20A%20(H5N1)%20has%20been%20confirmed%20in,Carolina%2C%20Ohio%2C%20and%20Wyoming." target="_blank">25 herds</a>, Tim Boring, director of the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said efforts are focused on trying to help farmers recoup losses and agree to testing. Last month, the agency announced it would use a combination of federal and state money to give as much as $28,000 to up to 20 affected farms.The state also launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-06282024.html#:~:text=CDC%20Update,animals%20in%20the%20United%20States." target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;to find out if there are antibodies in people exposed to sick cows, aiming to determine if there have been any asymptomatic infections.Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said the state is working with community health clinics and local health departments to reach farmworkers.“They not only know the farms in their counties, but they also know many of the farmworker organizations,” she said.Dairy farmworkers, who are often immigrants, can’t afford to miss a day of work, and can be reluctant to reach out to request testing or say they feel sick, advocates say.“This is a population of people that is just vastly underserviced when it comes to both outreach and trust established with state and federal agencies,” said Elizabeth Strater, strategic campaigns director at United Farm Workers, a labor union. “This is a group of workers that are some of the poorest workers in the United States.”Immigrants make up 51% of daily labor at dairy farms, and farms that employ immigrants produce 79% of the nation’s milk supply, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nmpf.org/issues/labor-rural-policy/labor-and-immigration-reform-efforts/#:~:text=Immigrant%20labor%20accounts%20for%2051,of%20the%20U.S.%20milk%20supply." target="_blank">National Milk Producers Federation.</a>Amy Liebman of the Migrant Clinicians Network, an education and outreach group of experts in migrant health, said testing should be administered on the farms rather than in clinics.“Dairies are in rural areas, very isolated geographically. You’re not going to get all these workers in one place to be able to do any kind of surveying or testing. It is a matter of really trying to go to where the workers are,” she said.But it hasn’t been easy getting farm owners to agree to that. The Texas state health department told Stateline it has offered on-site testing to farmers, but as of mid-June, it had tested only about 20 symptomatic dairy workers who volunteered for testing. It also has given personal protective equipment to “interested dairies” and posted a notice online offering to deliver the equipment.Coordination among state or local agricultural and health departments is key to tracking viral spread. A lack of coordination and monitoring can be contributing to underreporting cases.“I think it is definitely more widespread than is currently reported,” said Shira Doron, chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine. “The barriers between the agencies are really hampering our efforts right now.”The CDC has offered a $75&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/bird-flu-cow-test-farmers-incentive-us-government-rcna151645" target="_blank">payment</a>&nbsp;to any farmworker who agrees to be tested and provide blood and nasal swab samples to the agency. But Doris Garcia-Ruiz, who directs farmworker outreach at Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, said that won’t make up for days of lost income.“If they take the time off to go to their doctor’s office, they don’t have sick leave, so they’re not going to get paid,” she said.The CDC’s latest figures show that at least 53&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fflu%2Favianflu%2Fh5-monitoring.html" target="_blank">people</a>&nbsp;have been tested in the cattle outbreak, with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/06/03/michigan-cow-herds-infected-bird-flu/73955332007/" target="_blank">majority</a>&nbsp;of those in Michigan. Strater says that’s not enough.“That’s abysmal,” she said. “Our method of testing is so passive. They’re relying on workers reporting to medical clinics; these are workers that are not going to be taking themselves for medical treatment unless they’re experiencing something life-threatening.”Getting workers to use personal protective equipment also is a challenge. The CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html" target="_blank">recommends</a>&nbsp;that workers wear respirators, waterproof aprons and coveralls, unvented safety goggles or a face shield, and rubber boots with sealed seams that can be sanitized. It also advises that workers follow a specific sequence of steps to remove the PPE at the end of a shift to avoid contamination.“Dairy work is very wet, very hands-on,” said Christine Sauvé, who leads community engagement at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. “While some industries are very familiar with PPE … the full recommendation from CDC is new and different. And so that really needs the full promotion from the employer, and then also from the state agencies.”Sauvé worries that Michigan is prioritizing farmers’ losses, rather than farmworkers’ health, in its response. While the risk to the public is low, she and other experts say the population of farmworkers shouldn’t be forgotten.Bethany Alcauter of the National Center for Farmworker Health described bird flu threat as “kind of a ticking time bomb.”“Maybe it hasn’t fully gone off yet. But if we don’t manage it well, it could,” Alcauter said.

As bird flu spreads on dairy farms, an ‘abysmal’ few workers are tested

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another deadly shooting in Kansas City have identified the victim as 28-year-old Christopher Henderson.

just after 6am Wednesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment in the 1400 block of NW. 80th Terrace, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

First responders were directed inside an apartment where they located Henderson unresponsive. Officers rendered aid EMS transported Henderson to the hospital where he was declared deceased.

Officers detained an adult male subject of interest a short distance away for further investigation.

The investigation indicates that an interaction took place inside the apartment between Henderson and the suspect that led to shots being fired and Henders being struck. 

Detectives are not searching for any additional subjects of interest at this time, and there there is not believed to be any ongoing threat to the residents in the area. 

Detectives are working along side the Clay County Prosecutors office to provide investigative findings for them to make a determination of any applicable charges.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another deadly shooting in Kansas City have identified the victim as 28-year-old Christopher Henderson.just after 6am Wednesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment in the 1400 block of NW. 80th Terrace, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.First responders were directed inside an apartment where they located Henderson unresponsive. Officers rendered aid EMS transported Henderson to the hospital where he was declared deceased.Officers detained an adult male subject of interest a short distance away for further investigation.The investigation indicates that an interaction took place inside the apartment between Henderson and the suspect that led to shots being fired and Henders being struck. Detectives are not searching for any additional subjects of interest at this time, and there there is not believed to be any ongoing threat to the residents in the area. Detectives are working along side the Clay County Prosecutors office to provide investigative findings for them to make a determination of any applicable charges.&nbsp;