DAMASCUS —U.S. forces killed&nbsp;Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki, a senior leader and commander with the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group, Hurras al-Din,&nbsp; on Friday in a U.S. drone Strike in northwestern Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki was a Hurras al-Din Shura was responsible for overseeing terrorist operations from Syria.

“CENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of terrorists in the CENTCOM area of responsibility who threaten the United States, its allies and partners, and regional stability," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command. 

Hurras al-Din is an Al Qaeda-associated force based in Syria that shares Al Qaeda’s global aspirations to conduct attacks against U.S. and Western interests.

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces killed&nbsp;Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki, a senior leader and commander with the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group, Hurras al-Din,&nbsp; on Friday in a U.S. drone Strike in northwestern Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki was a Hurras al-Din Shura was responsible for overseeing terrorist operations from Syria.“CENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of terrorists in the CENTCOM area of responsibility who threaten the United States, its allies and partners, and regional stability," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command. Hurras al-Din is an Al Qaeda-associated force based in Syria that shares Al Qaeda’s global aspirations to conduct attacks against U.S. and Western interests.

U.S. forces use drone strike in Syria to kill senior terrorist leader 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run incident and have released a security camera image of a pickup involved.

According to Wichita Police, on August 18, a bicyclist was struck by a Nissan Frontier in the area of 47th and Water in Wichita.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. The pickup has a black, driver's side rear wheel, is missing a portion of the front air spoiler and part of the left rear wheelhouse inner fender cover. Investigators are seeking assistance in locating and identifying the involved Nissan Frontier.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724440717023.png" alt="Photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run incident and have released a security camera image of a pickup involved.According to Wichita Police, on August 18, a bicyclist was struck by a Nissan Frontier in the area of 47th and Water in Wichita.The driver of the vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. The pickup has a black, driver's side rear wheel, is missing a portion of the front air spoiler and part of the left rear wheelhouse inner fender cover. Investigators are seeking assistance in locating and identifying the involved Nissan Frontier.

Police ask for help to ID pickup involved in Kansas hit-and-run

PHOENIX —&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&nbsp;suspended campaign for president Friday and endorsed&nbsp;Donald Trump.

PHOENIX —&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&nbsp;suspended campaign for president Friday and endorsed&nbsp;Donald Trump.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobertKennedyJr</a> suspends campaign and endorses Trump: &quot;In about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler I am going to remove my name...&quot; Full video here: <a href="https://t.co/wpxrw1xNWC">https://t.co/wpxrw1xNWC</a> <a href="https://t.co/oDpnO4E4po">pic.twitter.com/oDpnO4E4po</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1827064363565592749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Why RFK Jr. suspended his bid for President, endorsed Trump

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– An abundance of flying activity&nbsp; over the Air Capital this week with the arrival of aircraft for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight Airshow at McConnell Air Force Base. Big crowds are expected to attend.

On Wednesday Doc arrived at McConnell. That B-29 Superfortress will be part of the center display for the airshow, along with two KC-135 Stratotankers and two KC-46 Pegasus tankers.

On Thursday, the Blue Angels arrived. In addition, three Army helicopters from Fort Riley arrived.&nbsp; The helicopters will be on ground display for the airshow.

On Friday, several small aircraft were scheduled to arrive from Stearman Field. The airshows aerial performers were going to conduct a practice airshow starting at noon, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at 3 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, flying activities begin at noon, and the Blue Angels will again take to the skies at 3 p.m. each day.&nbsp;The airshow runs August 24-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McConnell Air Force Base, with both admission and parking being free.&nbsp;

All attendees over the age of 18 are required to present a state- or federal government-issued photo ID for entry, such as a driver’s license or passport. Non-U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can use a passport or permanent resident alien card for entry.

Guests are allowed and encouraged to bring their own drinking water in a non-glass container, filled, to use and refill throughout the day to help prevent heat injuries.

There will be free water fill locations in the general public parking lot and on the airshow ramp for refilling personal water containers. Those locations are marked on the map, along with cooling tents, port-a-potties and first aid stations.

<a>While that parking is available, there will still be large distances of walking, given the overall size of the flightline. The airshow area itself measures 0.67 miles north to south, and will be full of parked aircraft, booths and displays.</a>

Parking will be provided off-base, in the fields owned by Cessna, north of McConnell, west of Rock Road and south of Pawnee Street. Distance from the regular parking area to the airshow entrance is approximately 0.5 miles. As such, the base has organized busses to be available at the center of the general parking area to transport people to and from there and the airshow entrance (Entry #1 on the Airshow map). These distances, combined with the typical August temperatures in Kansas and the heat-amplifying effects of concrete runways make hydration especially important for airshow attendees and staff.

Accessibility parking is available by filling out the following form online:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility" target="_blank">https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility</a>

Those who are approved for this parking will be e-mailed a parking pass, which they will have to print out. That pass will enable parking at select locations on base.

For those bringing small children, wristbands are available at the entry points to the flightline, to allow adults to write a phone number on the band and put it on the child’s wrist. Should the adults and children become separated, that phone number will facilitate a quick reunion with their adults.&nbsp; The Lost Child RV will be located near the Kids Zone and close to the Boeing Dreamlifter.&nbsp; The Dreamlifter will be the largest aircraft on the ramp, on the north end of the runway area and near the STEAM and Kid Zones. Changing stations and a dedicated nursing area will also be nearby.

A full list of items that guests are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#bring" target="_blank">allowed to bring</a>, as well as a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#nobring" target="_blank">prohibited items</a>, is available at the airshow website,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.frontiersinflight.com/" target="_blank">www.frontiersinflight.com</a>

Aerial performances begin at noon each day. The headline act, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, takes to the skies at approximately 3 p.m. each day of the airshow.

The confirmed aerial performers for the airshow are:

The Budweiser Clydesdales hitch is scheduled to make an appearance at 11:30 a.m., each day of the airshow.

The confirmed aircraft on static display are shown on the airshow map, current as of its publication date. Those aircraft on display will be:

Wichita’s military presence is more than just Air Force, with a number of Reserve and Guard units in the area from across the military branches. The largest of these locally is the Army Reserve’s 451st&nbsp;Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which is headquartered here. The 451st&nbsp;ESC has coordinated the appearance of several Army aviation and ground assets at the event, bringing a little extra steel and firepower for visitors to see. These will include:

<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/">Click here for </a>more information on the air show

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724252189685.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– An abundance of flying activity&nbsp; over the Air Capital this week with the arrival of aircraft for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight Airshow at McConnell Air Force Base. Big crowds are expected to attend.On Wednesday Doc arrived at McConnell. That B-29 Superfortress will be part of the center display for the airshow, along with two KC-135 Stratotankers and two KC-46 Pegasus tankers.On Thursday, the Blue Angels arrived. In addition, three Army helicopters from Fort Riley arrived.&nbsp; The helicopters will be on ground display for the airshow.On Friday, several small aircraft were scheduled to arrive from Stearman Field. The airshows aerial performers were going to conduct a practice airshow starting at noon, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at 3 p.m.On Saturday and Sunday, flying activities begin at noon, and the Blue Angels will again take to the skies at 3 p.m. each day.&nbsp;The airshow runs August 24-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McConnell Air Force Base, with both admission and parking being free.&nbsp;All attendees over the age of 18 are required to present a state- or federal government-issued photo ID for entry, such as a driver’s license or passport. Non-U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can use a passport or permanent resident alien card for entry.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hot and humid conditions will return to portions of Kansas this weekend as heat indices ranging from 100 to 110 degrees are expected for both Saturday and Sunday. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/MAgNkjJRQx">pic.twitter.com/MAgNkjJRQx</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/1826894755642384433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Guests are allowed and encouraged to bring their own drinking water in a non-glass container, filled, to use and refill throughout the day to help prevent heat injuries.There will be free water fill locations in the general public parking lot and on the airshow ramp for refilling personal water containers. Those locations are marked on the map, along with cooling tents, port-a-potties and first aid stations.Distances<a>While that parking is available, there will still be large distances of walking, given the overall size of the flightline. The airshow area itself measures 0.67 miles north to south, and will be full of parked aircraft, booths and displays.</a>General ParkingParking will be provided off-base, in the fields owned by Cessna, north of McConnell, west of Rock Road and south of Pawnee Street. Distance from the regular parking area to the airshow entrance is approximately 0.5 miles. As such, the base has organized busses to be available at the center of the general parking area to transport people to and from there and the airshow entrance (Entry #1 on the Airshow map). These distances, combined with the typical August temperatures in Kansas and the heat-amplifying effects of concrete runways make hydration especially important for airshow attendees and staff.Accessibility ParkingAccessibility parking is available by filling out the following form online:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility" target="_blank">https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility</a>Those who are approved for this parking will be e-mailed a parking pass, which they will have to print out. That pass will enable parking at select locations on base.Lost ChildrenFor those bringing small children, wristbands are available at the entry points to the flightline, to allow adults to write a phone number on the band and put it on the child’s wrist. Should the adults and children become separated, that phone number will facilitate a quick reunion with their adults.&nbsp; The Lost Child RV will be located near the Kids Zone and close to the Boeing Dreamlifter.&nbsp; The Dreamlifter will be the largest aircraft on the ramp, on the north end of the runway area and near the STEAM and Kid Zones. Changing stations and a dedicated nursing area will also be nearby.Allowed &amp; Prohibited ItemsA full list of items that guests are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#bring" target="_blank">allowed to bring</a>, as well as a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#nobring" target="_blank">prohibited items</a>, is available at the airshow website,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.frontiersinflight.com/" target="_blank">www.frontiersinflight.com</a>Aerial Performance TimesAerial performances begin at noon each day. The headline act, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, takes to the skies at approximately 3 p.m. each day of the airshow.Aerial PerformersThe confirmed aerial performers for the airshow are:<ul>
 <li>Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets</li><li>Fat Albert (Blue Angels support C-130J Super Hercules)</li><li>F-35 Lightning Demo Team</li><li>P-51 Heritage Flight</li><li>2x A-10 Thunderbolt II Formation Demo</li><li>Tora Tora Tora</li><li>“Swamp Fox” P-51</li><li>Twin Beech 18 “Matt Younkin”</li><li>Havilland D.H. 115 “Vampire”</li><li>Bill Stien “Edge 540”</li><li>Tom Larkin “Mini Jet”</li><li>Brian Correll “Pitts II”</li><li>KC-135/KC-46 Refuel Demo</li><li>Precision Exotics “Super Cars”</li>
 </ul>ClydesdalesThe Budweiser Clydesdales hitch is scheduled to make an appearance at 11:30 a.m., each day of the airshow.Aircraft on DisplayThe confirmed aircraft on static display are shown on the airshow map, current as of its publication date. Those aircraft on display will be:<ul>
 <li>Doc B-29 Superfortress</li><li>KC-135 Stratotankers</li><li>KC-46 Pegasus</li><li>Fat Albert (C-130J Super Hercules)</li><li>A-10 Thunderbolt IIs</li><li>F-15 Eagles</li><li>F-16 Fighting Falcons</li><li>F-22 Raptors</li><li>F-35 Lightning IIs</li><li>B-1 Lancer</li><li>B-52 Stratofortress</li><li>Navy P-8 Poseidon</li><li>C-17 Globemaster III</li><li>RC-135 Rivet Joint</li><li>T-38 Talons</li><li>T-6 Texans</li><li>T-1A Jayhawk</li><li>T-41 Mescalero (Cessna 172)</li><li>T-53A Kadet II (Cirrus SR-20)</li><li>Boeing Dreamlifter</li><li>A-26 Invader “Lady Liberty”</li><li>LearJet 36A – Around the world&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-07-02/learjet-global-circumnavigation-deemed-world-record" target="_blank">record holder</a></li><li>Stearman Biplanes</li>
 </ul>Army Displays:Wichita’s military presence is more than just Air Force, with a number of Reserve and Guard units in the area from across the military branches. The largest of these locally is the Army Reserve’s 451st&nbsp;Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which is headquartered here. The 451st&nbsp;ESC has coordinated the appearance of several Army aviation and ground assets at the event, bringing a little extra steel and firepower for visitors to see. These will include:<ul>
 <li>Light Medium Tactical Vehicle</li><li>High-Mobility, Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)</li><li>Joint Light Tactical Vehicle</li><li>UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter</li><li>HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter</li><li>CH-47 Chinook helicopter</li>
 </ul><a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/">Click here for </a>more information on the air show

Big crowds, hot weather expected for McConnell Airshow this weekend

JOHNSON COUNTY —Ohio Senator and Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance made a campaign fundraising stop in Mission Hills Thursday evening.

Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall shared on social media a photo welcoming Vance to Kansas.

The campaign charged $5,000 per couple to attend the fundraiser and $10,000 per couple for photos.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724374186136.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Ohio Senator and Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance made a campaign fundraising stop in Mission Hills Thursday evening.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724427243614.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall shared on social media a photo welcoming Vance to Kansas.The campaign charged $5,000 per couple to attend the fundraiser and $10,000 per couple for photos.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trump's running mate makes campaign stop in Kansas

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal house explosion in rural Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Friday, the Clay County Sheriff's office reported they were contacted about a house that exploded in the 14400 block of Kimberly Drive.

Deputies found the house was completely destroyed, and a fire was burning. The blast could be felt and seen for many miles and blew open the doors of neighbors’ houses.

Two people lived at the home, and initially investigators did not know whether they were home at the time of the blast.

Just after noon Friday the sheriff's office reported deputies and firefighters located two bodies in the rubble of the home, believed to be the residents. 

 Deputies also located a dog that appears to have been killed by the explosion. The Missouri Search and Rescue Canines and the Excelsior Springs Fire Department, assisted in the search for victims.

Investigators have found no evidence of foul play at this point. The Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office is on scene working to determine the cause. Representatives from the Missouri Propane Safety Commission also are on scene. The house used propane, according to the sheriff's office.&nbsp;Excelsior Springs is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Kansas City.

The Medical Examiner responded to the scene officials will release names of the deceased once their identities have been confirmed and next-of-kin notification is complete.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724431776251.jpeg" alt="Image Clay Couinty Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Image Clay Couinty Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal house explosion in rural Excelsior Springs, Missouri.Just after 4:30 a.m. Friday, the Clay County Sheriff's office reported they were contacted about a house that exploded in the 14400 block of Kimberly Drive.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSheriffClayCo%2Fvideos%2F862240312124026%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="314" 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>Deputies found the house was completely destroyed, and a fire was burning. The blast could be felt and seen for many miles and blew open the doors of neighbors’ houses.Two people lived at the home, and initially investigators did not know whether they were home at the time of the blast.Just after noon Friday the sheriff's office reported deputies and firefighters located two bodies in the rubble of the home, believed to be the residents. Deputies also located a dog that appears to have been killed by the explosion. The Missouri Search and Rescue Canines and the Excelsior Springs Fire Department, assisted in the search for victims.Investigators have found no evidence of foul play at this point. The Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office is on scene working to determine the cause. Representatives from the Missouri Propane Safety Commission also are on scene. The house used propane, according to the sheriff's office.&nbsp;Excelsior Springs is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Kansas City.The Medical Examiner responded to the scene officials will release names of the deceased once their identities have been confirmed and next-of-kin notification is complete.

🎥Sheriff: KC area house explosion felt for miles; 2 bodies found

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who cut off his ankle monitor and skipped an August 16, sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide is back in jail.&nbsp;

Just after 9p.m. Thursday, 64-year-old Kevin Harris was arrested in Topeka and booked into the Shawnee County Jail where he awaits transfer back to Sedgwick County, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.

Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew Fennelly

While working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.

The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.

Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.

After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724420271248.png" alt="Harris is being held in Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Harris is being held in Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who cut off his ankle monitor and skipped an August 16, sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide is back in jail.&nbsp;Just after 9p.m. Thursday, 64-year-old Kevin Harris was arrested in Topeka and booked into the Shawnee County Jail where he awaits transfer back to Sedgwick County, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew FennellyWhile working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Police capture Kan. man who cut off ankle monitor, skipped sentencing 

COCHISE COUNTY, Arizona —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for a a threat to kill Donald Trump and after a manhunt took him into custody. The former President visited the border Thursday and will hold a rally there Friday.

Early Wednesday, the Cochise County, Arizona Sheriff's office issued an alert&nbsp; and asked for help searching for a 66-year-old Ronald Lee Syvud of Benson, Arizona for threats to kill a presidential candidate, according to a media release.

Late Thursday afternoon the sheriff's office reported Syvrud had been taken into custody without incident in Cochise County.&nbsp;

Syvrud also has outstanding warrants from the state of Wisconsin for DUI / Failure to Appear for DUI and from Graham County Arizona for Hit/Run and Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office also has an absconder hold for him for failing to register as a sex offender.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724366666958.png" alt="Ronald Lee Syvrud photo Cochise County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Ronald Lee Syvrud photo Cochise County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>COCHISE COUNTY, Arizona —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for a a threat to kill Donald Trump and after a manhunt took him into custody. The former President visited the border Thursday and will hold a rally there Friday.Early Wednesday, the Cochise County, Arizona Sheriff's office issued an alert&nbsp; and asked for help searching for a 66-year-old Ronald Lee Syvud of Benson, Arizona for threats to kill a presidential candidate, according to a media release.Late Thursday afternoon the sheriff's office reported Syvrud had been taken into custody without incident in Cochise County.&nbsp;Syvrud also has outstanding warrants from the state of Wisconsin for DUI / Failure to Appear for DUI and from Graham County Arizona for Hit/Run and Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office also has an absconder hold for him for failing to register as a sex offender.

Sex offender accused of threatening to kill Trump captured after manhunt 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Police investigating a fatal Kansas hit and run have arrested a 23-year-old Christopher Johnson Wichita man on felony allegations, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=751504">Sedgwick County booking records.</a>&nbsp;He remains in custody.

Just after 2a.m. Sunday, police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a motorcycle at 2400 N. Hoover in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders found 43-year-old Thomas Doyle of Wichita who was riding the bike unresponsive. Thomas was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS. 

Investigators determined Doyle was northbound on Hoover when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Johnsaon that then continued driving north.

The case facts will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724409391079.png" alt="Johnson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Police investigating a fatal Kansas hit and run have arrested a 23-year-old Christopher Johnson Wichita man on felony allegations, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=751504">Sedgwick County booking records.</a>&nbsp;He remains in custody.Just after 2a.m. Sunday, police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a motorcycle at 2400 N. Hoover in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders found 43-year-old Thomas Doyle of Wichita who was riding the bike unresponsive. Thomas was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS. Investigators determined Doyle was northbound on Hoover when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Johnsaon that then continued driving north.The case facts will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

Kansas man arrested for fatal hit-and-run that killed bicyclist

CHICAGO —&nbsp;Kamala Harris&nbsp; accepted her party’s nomination for president Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

CHICAGO —&nbsp;Kamala Harris&nbsp; accepted her party’s nomination for president Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Watch full acceptance speech from Kamala Harris here: <a href="https://t.co/nVTjnKTYrs">https://t.co/nVTjnKTYrs</a> <a href="https://t.co/xOW8CtqKci">https://t.co/xOW8CtqKci</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826840831371653621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Balloon drop at the Democratic National Convention. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/cRDurOqsGr">pic.twitter.com/cRDurOqsGr</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826823968579563550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kamala Harris: &quot;So, let get out there, let&#39;s fight for it. Let&#39;s get out there, let&#39;s vote for it. And together let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ti1hOmcIQs">pic.twitter.com/Ti1hOmcIQs</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826823909674520978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a>: &quot;On behalf of the people, On behalf of every American regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks, On behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey On behalf of Americans like the people I… <a href="https://t.co/FA69bXuNpG">pic.twitter.com/FA69bXuNpG</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826815185111101696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">P!NK (<a href="https://twitter.com/Pink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pink</a>) preforms at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DNC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/BG8mCW18MU">pic.twitter.com/BG8mCW18MU</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826800282719658314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former <a href="https://twitter.com/RepKinzinger?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepKinzinger</a> (R-IL): &quot;I want to let my fellow Republicans in on a secret, the Democrats are as patriotic as us.&quot; He adds, &quot;Donald Trump is a weak man pretending to be strong...&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/ttrnaHzhfT">pic.twitter.com/ttrnaHzhfT</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826811175801155755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Highlights from Kamala Harris night at Democratic National Convention

KANSAS CITY—A battery and charger are blamed for a fire at a Kansas City home.

Just before 3:30a.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported house fire in the 8500 block of Conran Court, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders reported smoke from the garage of a one and a half story single family home. 

Searches of the structure came back all clear. The occupants were able to escape due to the operation of working smoke detectors that alerted them to the fire. 

No injuries were reported at this incident. 

After investigation by KCFD,&nbsp; it has been determined that a faulty lithium-ION battery and charger were the cause.

KCFD stressed to never leave a lithium-ION battery or any battery on a charger unattended. If not equipped with a shut off or battery heat detection the batteries can overcharge and cause a fire.

KANSAS CITY—A battery and charger are blamed for a fire at a Kansas City home.Just before 3:30a.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported house fire in the 8500 block of Conran Court, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.First responders reported smoke from the garage of a one and a half story single family home. Searches of the structure came back all clear. The occupants were able to escape due to the operation of working smoke detectors that alerted them to the fire. No injuries were reported at this incident. After investigation by KCFD,&nbsp; it has been determined that a faulty lithium-ION battery and charger were the cause.KCFD stressed to never leave a lithium-ION battery or any battery on a charger unattended. If not equipped with a shut off or battery heat detection the batteries can overcharge and cause a fire.

Lithium-ion battery on a charger blamed for Kansas City house fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused of using online obituary postings to plan residential burglaries was convicted of all counts by a jury on Monday.

Gary Garrett, 50 of Wichita, was charged in three separate cases totaling 27 counts, including three residential burglaries, one attempted residential burglary, one business burglary and multiple counts of theft, forgery and identity theft,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Victims reported losing financial documents, guns and electronics in the residential burglaries, some of which occurred while the families were at the funeral services for their deceased family members. 

Investigators from the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office worked together on the case, and more than 40 witnesses testified during the trial. At the time of Garrett’s arrest in November of last year in the parking lot of an East Wichita Walmart store, Garrett was found to be in possession of a driver’s license belonging to one of the deceased victims. A Wichita Police burglary detective testified at trial that a download of Garrett’s phone showed online searches of obituaries that corresponded to the burglary locations across the city from July to November of 2023.

Garrett also was convicted of using fake IDs to rent and purchase several vehicles during the same timeframe. One of the vehicles rented by Garrett had a GPS location device that placed the vehicle at the scene of several of the burglaries, according to testimony in the trial.

&nbsp;Sentencing is set for October 24, before Judge Bruce Brown, according to the district attorney's office

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724257794246.png" alt="Garrett photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Garrett photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused of using online obituary postings to plan residential burglaries was convicted of all counts by a jury on Monday.Gary Garrett, 50 of Wichita, was charged in three separate cases totaling 27 counts, including three residential burglaries, one attempted residential burglary, one business burglary and multiple counts of theft, forgery and identity theft,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Victims reported losing financial documents, guns and electronics in the residential burglaries, some of which occurred while the families were at the funeral services for their deceased family members. Investigators from the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office worked together on the case, and more than 40 witnesses testified during the trial. At the time of Garrett’s arrest in November of last year in the parking lot of an East Wichita Walmart store, Garrett was found to be in possession of a driver’s license belonging to one of the deceased victims. A Wichita Police burglary detective testified at trial that a download of Garrett’s phone showed online searches of obituaries that corresponded to the burglary locations across the city from July to November of 2023.Garrett also was convicted of using fake IDs to rent and purchase several vehicles during the same timeframe. One of the vehicles rented by Garrett had a GPS location device that placed the vehicle at the scene of several of the burglaries, according to testimony in the trial.&nbsp;Sentencing is set for October 24, before Judge Bruce Brown, according to the district attorney's office

Kan. man planned residential burglaries after reading obituaries

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating after a man's body was found in a pond in Wichita.&nbsp;

Just after 9a.m. Thursday, EMS, fire crews and police were dispatched to a report of a body in the pond at Stoney Point and Taft in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Department spokesman Andrew Ford.

First responders pulled the man the pond and he was pronounced deceased on scene. The identity of the victim is not known at this time and will be determined by the Medical Examiner's Office.&nbsp;

Police released no additional details Thursday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724343455794.png" alt="First responders on the scene Thursday morning -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene Thursday morning -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating after a man's body was found in a pond in Wichita.&nbsp;Just after 9a.m. Thursday, EMS, fire crews and police were dispatched to a report of a body in the pond at Stoney Point and Taft in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Department spokesman Andrew Ford.First responders pulled the man the pond and he was pronounced deceased on scene. The identity of the victim is not known at this time and will be determined by the Medical Examiner's Office.&nbsp;Police released no additional details Thursday afternoon.

Police: Body of man found in Kansas pond

RILEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Thursday in Riley County.

According to the Riley County Police Department, a Honda Civic was eastbound on Anderson when it struck a green Chevy Equinox that was attempting to make a left turn onto Seth Child Road causing it to rollover. 

The passenger in the Equinox was pronounced dead at Ascension &nbsp;Via Christi in Manhattan. The driver of the Equinox was air-lifted to Stormont Vail Medical Center in Topeka and the driver of the Civic was taken via ambulance to Ascension Via Christi.&nbsp;

Anderson Ave. at Seth Child Road remains closed while officers process the accident.&nbsp; Police have not released the names of those involved or additional details.

RILEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Thursday in Riley County.According to the Riley County Police Department, a Honda Civic was eastbound on Anderson when it struck a green Chevy Equinox that was attempting to make a left turn onto Seth Child Road causing it to rollover. The passenger in the Equinox was pronounced dead at Ascension &nbsp;Via Christi in Manhattan. The driver of the Equinox was air-lifted to Stormont Vail Medical Center in Topeka and the driver of the Civic was taken via ambulance to Ascension Via Christi.&nbsp;Anderson Ave. at Seth Child Road remains closed while officers process the accident.&nbsp; Police have not released the names of those involved or additional details.

One dead, 2 hospitalized after 2-vehicle Kansas crash

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating three homicides on Wednesday in Kansas City.

Just after 9a.m., police responded to&nbsp;19th and Troost after a dead body was reported, according Sheriff Daryl Forte. First responders foud a man suffering from bodily trauma. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Just after 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting&nbsp;in the 8600 block of North Boardwalk Avenue, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

The initial investigation indicates that the shooting followed a verbal dispute in the parking lot of Walmart. The victim is an adult male and a suspect was detained near the scene.

Just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting in the area of the 3300 block of E. Linwood Boulevard, according to DiMartino.

First responders found 33-year-old Michael Dehaan suffering from gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation revealed a disturbance occurred between Dehaan and other individuals at the location which led to the shooting. Police have not reported an arrest in this case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724267247754.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation near 19th and Troost-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte." />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation near 19th and Troost-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating three homicides on Wednesday in Kansas City.Just after 9a.m., police responded to&nbsp;19th and Troost after a dead body was reported, according Sheriff Daryl Forte. First responders foud a man suffering from bodily trauma. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.Just after 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting&nbsp;in the 8600 block of North Boardwalk Avenue, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724292793851.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>The initial investigation indicates that the shooting followed a verbal dispute in the parking lot of Walmart. The victim is an adult male and a suspect was detained near the scene.Just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting in the area of the 3300 block of E. Linwood Boulevard, according to DiMartino.First responders found 33-year-old Michael Dehaan suffering from gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation revealed a disturbance occurred between Dehaan and other individuals at the location which led to the shooting. Police have not reported an arrest in this case.

Three homicides reported in Kansas City on Wednesday

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Eleven Kansas young Democrats are at the Democratic National Convention filled with “energy and joy,” ready to officially nominate Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for the party’s presidential ticket, Kansas delegate Jae Moyer said.&nbsp;

The 11 are excited about “the history we’re going to make by electing Kamala Harris for president,” said Moyer, who has also written opinion columns for Kansas Reflector. Moyer said they’re seeing energy similar to that of August 2022 — when an anti-abortion amendment was on the ballot. Kansans showed up in record numbers to defeat the amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">in a landslide</a>.&nbsp;

Reed Krewson, a Kansas delegate at the DNC, notes that more young people in Kansas voted on the August 2022 anti-abortion amendment than in the 2020 general election. Harris has made reproductive freedom a key talking point in her campaign, and Krewson hopes the young people who voted for reproductive rights in 2022 but not in the 2020 general election recognize Harris’ dedication to codifying Roe v. Wade.&nbsp;

Gov. Laura Kelly, who spoke to the Kansas delegates Wednesday, has also supported abortion rights. Kelly gave her full endorsement to Harris — which Krewson sees as a contrast to the governor’s 2022 campaign running as a more independent Democrat — encouraging local-level politicians to “run with her, not against her.” Krewson believes that local Kansas Democrats can ride the coattails of the presidential election.&nbsp;

“There has been a lot of energy and joy. People have been volunteering not just for Kamala but also for state and local elections,” Moyer said. “It’s been important for us to break the Republican supermajority.”&nbsp;

Breaking the Kansas Republican supermajority in the state Legislature has been a goal of young Kansas Democrats since President Biden was the probable 2024 democratic nominee. The delegates began their candidacy to represent the state in January. Krewson said the DNC had a goal of making the delegates look like America.&nbsp;

“We wanted to make sure we met those goals, which was 1/3rd of our delegation to be young people,” Krewson said.&nbsp; “And we do have 11 young Dems in our delegation, which is historic.”

Harris advocates for policies that Krewson believes are important to young Kansans. One of those is her housing plan, which was released three days before the DNC. It would lower the costs of renting or owning a home, with the standout feature being the construction of 3 million new housing units in the next four years.&nbsp;

“It’s really refreshing to see a candidate talk about it, especially something so transformative on the 3 million housing units she’s proposing,” Krewson said. “Housing is a really difficult and hard thing for young people, and that’s a major way to generate wealth.”&nbsp;

Krewson grew up in Johnson County, home of the new&nbsp;<a href="https://na.panasonic.com/news/panasonic-energy-breaks-ground-on-ev-battery-factory-in-kansas" target="_blank">Panasonic plant</a>. Krewson said he was excited to nominate Biden because of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/09/fact-sheet-chips-and-science-act-will-lower-costs-create-jobs-strengthen-supply-chains-and-counter-china/" target="_blank">CHIPS and Science Act,</a>&nbsp;which will directly impact Johnson County with economic growth from the Panasonic plant. He hopes that Harris will continue the president’s work on the act. Krewson sees the intersection of the two as something that “will transform Johnson County for the duration of my lifetime.”&nbsp;

Krewson believes there was an incumbency bias towards Biden. He saw subjects like inflation and war in the Middle East were “unfairly tied” to Biden and “the optics were not great.”&nbsp;

He believes that younger people can relate to Harris as a candidate, seeing her as a fresh alternative to the legacy of Biden’s presidency.&nbsp;

“I’m really excited that Kamla is changing the narrative, changing the optics,” Krewson said.&nbsp;

Both sides agree that the Gen Z turnout in Kansas will be higher than it was in 2022.&nbsp;

Alex Dwyer, president of Kansas Young Republicans,&nbsp; points to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2022/midterm-results/voter-analysis?year=2022&amp;state=KS&amp;race=G" target="_blank">Fox News poll</a>&nbsp;that indicated Gen Z leaned Republican in 2022. He believes that trend will continue, and that Gen Z will vote for former President Donald Trump in Kansas.&nbsp;

Moyer wants to challenge the norm that Kansas is a red state. They believe that with the grassroots, door-to-door work the Kansas Young Democrats are doing, there’s a chance Kansas goes blue.&nbsp;

In “2020, young voters turned out at historic levels, and that tipped the scale for the election,” Moyer said. “And we’re going to see the same thing in supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Wallz this year.”&nbsp;

In her Wednesday speech to the delegates, Kelly said “there’s not a 0% chance” Kansas goes blue. Krewson points to Johnson County, where 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney won by a large margin, Trump won by a smaller margin in 2016, and Biden won by a large margin in 2021.&nbsp;

“I think that would be such a deafening win,” Krewson said. “Which I think we might need, with Donald Trump’s record of trying to steal elections, trying to create misinformation and distort election results, I think that would be the nail in the coffin for the MAGA movement.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724347560221.png" alt=" Reed Krewson, a Democratic National Convention delegate is one of 11 young Kansas delegates at the 2024 DNC. (Submitted by Reed Krewson)" />
 <figcaption> Reed Krewson, a Democratic National Convention delegate is one of 11 young Kansas delegates at the 2024 DNC. (Submitted by Reed Krewson)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Eleven Kansas young Democrats are at the Democratic National Convention filled with “energy and joy,” ready to officially nominate Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for the party’s presidential ticket, Kansas delegate Jae Moyer said.&nbsp;The 11 are excited about “the history we’re going to make by electing Kamala Harris for president,” said Moyer, who has also written opinion columns for Kansas Reflector. Moyer said they’re seeing energy similar to that of August 2022 — when an anti-abortion amendment was on the ballot. Kansans showed up in record numbers to defeat the amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">in a landslide</a>.&nbsp;Reed Krewson, a Kansas delegate at the DNC, notes that more young people in Kansas voted on the August 2022 anti-abortion amendment than in the 2020 general election. Harris has made reproductive freedom a key talking point in her campaign, and Krewson hopes the young people who voted for reproductive rights in 2022 but not in the 2020 general election recognize Harris’ dedication to codifying Roe v. Wade.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724347511920.png" alt=" Allie Utley and Jae Moyer celebrate at the Kansans for Constitutional Freedom watch party after Kansans vote to keep abortion a constitutional right on Tuesday. (Lily O’Shea Becker/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Allie Utley and Jae Moyer celebrate at the Kansans for Constitutional Freedom watch party after Kansans vote to keep abortion a constitutional right on Tuesday. (Lily O’Shea Becker/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Gov. Laura Kelly, who spoke to the Kansas delegates Wednesday, has also supported abortion rights. Kelly gave her full endorsement to Harris — which Krewson sees as a contrast to the governor’s 2022 campaign running as a more independent Democrat — encouraging local-level politicians to “run with her, not against her.” Krewson believes that local Kansas Democrats can ride the coattails of the presidential election.&nbsp;“There has been a lot of energy and joy. People have been volunteering not just for Kamala but also for state and local elections,” Moyer said. “It’s been important for us to break the Republican supermajority.”&nbsp;Breaking the Kansas Republican supermajority in the state Legislature has been a goal of young Kansas Democrats since President Biden was the probable 2024 democratic nominee. The delegates began their candidacy to represent the state in January. Krewson said the DNC had a goal of making the delegates look like America.&nbsp;“We wanted to make sure we met those goals, which was 1/3rd of our delegation to be young people,” Krewson said.&nbsp; “And we do have 11 young Dems in our delegation, which is historic.”Harris advocates for policies that Krewson believes are important to young Kansans. One of those is her housing plan, which was released three days before the DNC. It would lower the costs of renting or owning a home, with the standout feature being the construction of 3 million new housing units in the next four years.&nbsp;“It’s really refreshing to see a candidate talk about it, especially something so transformative on the 3 million housing units she’s proposing,” Krewson said. “Housing is a really difficult and hard thing for young people, and that’s a major way to generate wealth.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724347474544.png" alt=" Kansas won a competition for a $4 billion Panasonic Corp. vehicle battery manufacturing facility to be built at the old Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant at De Soto. The battery plant is expected to create 4,000 jobs and have an annual economic impact on the state of $2.5 billion. (Lily O’Shea Becker/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas won a competition for a $4 billion Panasonic Corp. vehicle battery manufacturing facility to be built at the old Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant at De Soto. The battery plant is expected to create 4,000 jobs and have an annual economic impact on the state of $2.5 billion. (Lily O’Shea Becker/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Krewson grew up in Johnson County, home of the new&nbsp;<a href="https://na.panasonic.com/news/panasonic-energy-breaks-ground-on-ev-battery-factory-in-kansas" target="_blank">Panasonic plant</a>. Krewson said he was excited to nominate Biden because of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/09/fact-sheet-chips-and-science-act-will-lower-costs-create-jobs-strengthen-supply-chains-and-counter-china/" target="_blank">CHIPS and Science Act,</a>&nbsp;which will directly impact Johnson County with economic growth from the Panasonic plant. He hopes that Harris will continue the president’s work on the act. Krewson sees the intersection of the two as something that “will transform Johnson County for the duration of my lifetime.”&nbsp;Krewson believes there was an incumbency bias towards Biden. He saw subjects like inflation and war in the Middle East were “unfairly tied” to Biden and “the optics were not great.”&nbsp;He believes that younger people can relate to Harris as a candidate, seeing her as a fresh alternative to the legacy of Biden’s presidency.&nbsp;“I’m really excited that Kamla is changing the narrative, changing the optics,” Krewson said.&nbsp;Both sides agree that the Gen Z turnout in Kansas will be higher than it was in 2022.&nbsp;Alex Dwyer, president of Kansas Young Republicans,&nbsp; points to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2022/midterm-results/voter-analysis?year=2022&amp;state=KS&amp;race=G" target="_blank">Fox News poll</a>&nbsp;that indicated Gen Z leaned Republican in 2022. He believes that trend will continue, and that Gen Z will vote for former President Donald Trump in Kansas.&nbsp;Moyer wants to challenge the norm that Kansas is a red state. They believe that with the grassroots, door-to-door work the Kansas Young Democrats are doing, there’s a chance Kansas goes blue.&nbsp;In “2020, young voters turned out at historic levels, and that tipped the scale for the election,” Moyer said. “And we’re going to see the same thing in supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Wallz this year.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724328694166.png" alt=" Kansas Gov. and DGA chairwoman Laura Kelly during a Democratic Women Governors panel with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Aug. 21, 2024, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption> Kansas Gov. and DGA chairwoman Laura Kelly during a Democratic Women Governors panel with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Aug. 21, 2024, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>In her Wednesday speech to the delegates, Kelly said “there’s not a 0% chance” Kansas goes blue. Krewson points to Johnson County, where 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney won by a large margin, Trump won by a smaller margin in 2016, and Biden won by a large margin in 2021.&nbsp;“I think that would be such a deafening win,” Krewson said. “Which I think we might need, with Donald Trump’s record of trying to steal elections, trying to create misinformation and distort election results, I think that would be the nail in the coffin for the MAGA movement.”

Kansas young Democrats rally for Harris at DNC

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Kansas school district investigated an incident in which an elementary school principal invited a missionary to pass out Bibles at recess, the superintendent said in a statement Wednesday.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/08/20/kansas-school-principal-who-helped-hand-out-bibles-to-students-violated-constitution-aclu-says/">sent a letter Monday</a>&nbsp;to Katie Struebing, principal of East Elementary School in the roughly 2,000-person city of Belleville, asserting that the school violated the First Amendment.

Struebing recruited a member of the evangelical Christian organization Gideons International, Ben Dreesen, to hand out Bibles to students during their recess on May 7, according to the letter, which was penned by Monica Bennett, ACLU of Kansas legal director.

The Republic County school district conducted a “thorough investigation” this summer, the district’s superintendent, Tami Knedler, said in an emailed statement Wednesday. Knedler declined to comment on the employees involved or the details of the investigation.

“I can assure you that our district is committed to welcoming all religious viewpoints, not promoting any specific one,” Knedler said. “We continue to review our practices and policies to ensure they reflect this commitment.”

Struebing allowed Dreesen on school grounds and helped him hand out Bibles to students, which lent “credibility and authority” to Dreesen, “in effect placing a stamp of approval on his message and subjecting students to a religiously coercive atmosphere,” Bennett wrote in the letter.

Ahead of Dreesen’s visit, Struebing also informed teachers and students of the “nice man” who would be handing out Bibles. A student’s parents reported the visit to the Kansas ACLU.

In the letter, Bennett said that the school violated the First Amendment in addition to the district’s own policies against promoting religious viewpoints.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724347898235.png" alt="Photo courtesy Gideons International " />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Gideons International </figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a> TOPEKA — A Kansas school district investigated an incident in which an elementary school principal invited a missionary to pass out Bibles at recess, the superintendent said in a statement Wednesday.The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/08/20/kansas-school-principal-who-helped-hand-out-bibles-to-students-violated-constitution-aclu-says/">sent a letter Monday</a>&nbsp;to Katie Struebing, principal of East Elementary School in the roughly 2,000-person city of Belleville, asserting that the school violated the First Amendment.Struebing recruited a member of the evangelical Christian organization Gideons International, Ben Dreesen, to hand out Bibles to students during their recess on May 7, according to the letter, which was penned by Monica Bennett, ACLU of Kansas legal director.The Republic County school district conducted a “thorough investigation” this summer, the district’s superintendent, Tami Knedler, said in an emailed statement Wednesday. Knedler declined to comment on the employees involved or the details of the investigation.“I can assure you that our district is committed to welcoming all religious viewpoints, not promoting any specific one,” Knedler said. “We continue to review our practices and policies to ensure they reflect this commitment.”Struebing allowed Dreesen on school grounds and helped him hand out Bibles to students, which lent “credibility and authority” to Dreesen, “in effect placing a stamp of approval on his message and subjecting students to a religiously coercive atmosphere,” Bennett wrote in the letter.Ahead of Dreesen’s visit, Struebing also informed teachers and students of the “nice man” who would be handing out Bibles. A student’s parents reported the visit to the Kansas ACLU.In the letter, Bennett said that the school violated the First Amendment in addition to the district’s own policies against promoting religious viewpoints.

Kansas school district investigated missionary’s visit to hand out Bibles to students

The Department of Mental Health said the number of people waiting in jail to be transferred to psychiatric hospitals will continue to rise because inpatient beds are at capacity

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

The number of people languishing in Missouri jails in need of court-ordered mental health treatment currently stands at 344 — and the wait time for a hospital bed averages one year.&nbsp;

That’s up from 254 people this time last year, according to Missouri Department of Mental Health data provided to The Independent. A&nbsp;spokeswoman for the department said that because the agency’s inpatient beds are at capacity, the number of people waiting in jails for treatment will continue to rise.

Debra Walker, the department’s spokeswoman, said February was the first month the number of individuals waiting ever exceeded 300.

None of the people on the waitlist have been convicted of a crime. They were arrested, found incompetent to stand trial and ordered by the court into mental health treatment,&nbsp;designed to allow them to stand trial, a process called competency restoration that generally includes therapy and medication.&nbsp;

“We do want to increase the number of individuals who are getting competency restoration,” said Jeanette Simmons, deputy division director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Division of Behavioral Health, during a mental health commission meeting earlier this month.&nbsp;“We have a growing number of individuals who are waiting for those services.”

Missouri has faced a years-long struggle with this issue, due to increasing numbers of court referrals for competency restoration, staffing issues and limited psychiatric hospital capacity. It’s worsened over the last year.

The legislature appropriated $300 million this year for Department of Mental Health to open a new hospital in Kansas City, but it could be around five&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/12/285-missourians-waiting-in-jails-to-be-moved-to-hospitals-for-mental-health-services/">years</a>&nbsp;before construction is complete.

State officials are also working to implement the “jail-based competency restoration” program approved by the legislature this year in response to the issue.&nbsp;This year’s budget set aside $2.5 million for the jail-based competency programs to be established in jails in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Jackson County, Clay County and Greene County.

Services in jail-based competency restoration will include room and board, along with medical care for 10 slots at each jail, contracted staff from a local behavioral health organization, and psychiatric care from “mobile team practitioners.”

The department is currently training two agencies in Kansas City that will be going into county jails to provide jail-based treatment. Clay County has a “tentative go live date” for September, Simmons said.

“So we're really looking forward to that and getting that launched, because we do believe that it's going to take a multifaceted approach to target those numbers,” she said.

Simmons said the agency has mobile teams of doctors going into county jails prescribing medications “to try and get folks started on those medications that they need to stabilize their mental illness.” The department is working with community behavioral health liaisons as well as jail mental health or medical staff, she said, to get people services.

The Department of Mental Health is also working on trying to get information to the courts about outpatient restoration, for those who can be safely treated in the community and don't require hospital-level care.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/pdf-bill/tat/SB106.pdf" target="_blank">law</a>&nbsp;passed this year gives the agency the authority to treat certain arrested people on an outpatient basis.

“Sometimes I think the courts don’t really consider that as an option,” Simmons said of outpatient treatment. “It’s something very new.”

In other states, including some bordering Missouri, lawsuits have been filed over similar wait times, alleging they violate individuals’ rights to due process and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A federal lawsuit filed last year in Oklahoma&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomawatch.org/2023/03/01/oklahomans-languish-in-jail-awaiting-mental-health-care-federal-lawsuit-claims/" target="_blank">alleged</a>&nbsp;jails are holding patients for three months to one year. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/documents/news-documents/2024/june/Joint%20Motion.pdf" target="_blank">proposed settlement</a>&nbsp;set a benchmark of a 60 day maximum wait and ultimately a goal of 21 days, but it has faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-a-political-fight-is-delaying-timely-mental-health-treatment-in-oklahomas-jails" target="_blank">opposition</a>&nbsp;from the governor.

A lawsuit filed in Kansas in 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclukansas.org/en/press-releases/aclu-kansas-sues-over-unconstitutionally-long-wait-times-competency-evaluations-and" target="_blank">alleged</a>&nbsp;that individuals are detained for longer waiting for a psychiatric bed than they would be if they had been convicted. Many of the charges are for low-level crimes, national&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/12/when-mental-illness-becomes-jail-sentence/603154/" target="_blank">investigations</a>&nbsp;have found.

County sheriffs and jail administrators in Missouri have raised the alarm about challenges caring for individuals who are being detained pretrial. And state officials have acknowledged the long waits contribute to mental deterioration.

The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association recently published an issue of their&nbsp;<a href="https://mosheriffs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Misssouri-Jails-Magazine-0624.pdf" target="_blank">‘Missouri Jails’ magazine</a>&nbsp;focused on managing mental health challenges in county jails, which shared several examples of local issues, including that one county spent $30,000 to provide around-the-clock guarding over a suspect for two months, because the secure medical centers didn’t have any openings.

Some county sheriffs are looking to build or expand jails to combat the issue, according to the magazine, including by increasing the number of solitary cells to keep those with mental health diagnoses out of the general population. Others have contracted with private health provider&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/07/30/oklahoma-jail-turn-key-health-deaths" target="_blank">Turn Key Health</a>&nbsp;Clinics to provide increased mental health care while people are awaiting transfer.&nbsp;

“As mental health professionals and legislators struggle to find solutions to the crisis,” magazine contributor Michael Feeback wrote, “sheriffs and other agencies are looking for answers on their own.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724349973891.png" alt=" Missouri's Department of Mental Health building in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri's Department of Mental Health building in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Department of Mental Health said the number of people waiting in jail to be transferred to psychiatric hospitals will continue to rise because inpatient beds are at capacity</h2>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>The number of people languishing in Missouri jails in need of court-ordered mental health treatment currently stands at 344 — and the wait time for a hospital bed averages one year.&nbsp;That’s up from 254 people this time last year, according to Missouri Department of Mental Health data provided to The Independent. A&nbsp;spokeswoman for the department said that because the agency’s inpatient beds are at capacity, the number of people waiting in jails for treatment will continue to rise.Debra Walker, the department’s spokeswoman, said February was the first month the number of individuals waiting ever exceeded 300.None of the people on the waitlist have been convicted of a crime. They were arrested, found incompetent to stand trial and ordered by the court into mental health treatment,&nbsp;designed to allow them to stand trial, a process called competency restoration that generally includes therapy and medication.&nbsp;“We do want to increase the number of individuals who are getting competency restoration,” said Jeanette Simmons, deputy division director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Division of Behavioral Health, during a mental health commission meeting earlier this month.&nbsp;“We have a growing number of individuals who are waiting for those services.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724349935850.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Missouri has faced a years-long struggle with this issue, due to increasing numbers of court referrals for competency restoration, staffing issues and limited psychiatric hospital capacity. It’s worsened over the last year.The legislature appropriated $300 million this year for Department of Mental Health to open a new hospital in Kansas City, but it could be around five&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/12/285-missourians-waiting-in-jails-to-be-moved-to-hospitals-for-mental-health-services/">years</a>&nbsp;before construction is complete.State officials are also working to implement the “jail-based competency restoration” program approved by the legislature this year in response to the issue.&nbsp;This year’s budget set aside $2.5 million for the jail-based competency programs to be established in jails in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Jackson County, Clay County and Greene County.Services in jail-based competency restoration will include room and board, along with medical care for 10 slots at each jail, contracted staff from a local behavioral health organization, and psychiatric care from “mobile team practitioners.”The department is currently training two agencies in Kansas City that will be going into county jails to provide jail-based treatment. Clay County has a “tentative go live date” for September, Simmons said.“So we're really looking forward to that and getting that launched, because we do believe that it's going to take a multifaceted approach to target those numbers,” she said.Simmons said the agency has mobile teams of doctors going into county jails prescribing medications “to try and get folks started on those medications that they need to stabilize their mental illness.” The department is working with community behavioral health liaisons as well as jail mental health or medical staff, she said, to get people services.The Department of Mental Health is also working on trying to get information to the courts about outpatient restoration, for those who can be safely treated in the community and don't require hospital-level care.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/pdf-bill/tat/SB106.pdf" target="_blank">law</a>&nbsp;passed this year gives the agency the authority to treat certain arrested people on an outpatient basis.“Sometimes I think the courts don’t really consider that as an option,” Simmons said of outpatient treatment. “It’s something very new.”In other states, including some bordering Missouri, lawsuits have been filed over similar wait times, alleging they violate individuals’ rights to due process and the Americans with Disabilities Act.A federal lawsuit filed last year in Oklahoma&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomawatch.org/2023/03/01/oklahomans-languish-in-jail-awaiting-mental-health-care-federal-lawsuit-claims/" target="_blank">alleged</a>&nbsp;jails are holding patients for three months to one year. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/documents/news-documents/2024/june/Joint%20Motion.pdf" target="_blank">proposed settlement</a>&nbsp;set a benchmark of a 60 day maximum wait and ultimately a goal of 21 days, but it has faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-a-political-fight-is-delaying-timely-mental-health-treatment-in-oklahomas-jails" target="_blank">opposition</a>&nbsp;from the governor.A lawsuit filed in Kansas in 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclukansas.org/en/press-releases/aclu-kansas-sues-over-unconstitutionally-long-wait-times-competency-evaluations-and" target="_blank">alleged</a>&nbsp;that individuals are detained for longer waiting for a psychiatric bed than they would be if they had been convicted. Many of the charges are for low-level crimes, national&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/12/when-mental-illness-becomes-jail-sentence/603154/" target="_blank">investigations</a>&nbsp;have found.County sheriffs and jail administrators in Missouri have raised the alarm about challenges caring for individuals who are being detained pretrial. And state officials have acknowledged the long waits contribute to mental deterioration.The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association recently published an issue of their&nbsp;<a href="https://mosheriffs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Misssouri-Jails-Magazine-0624.pdf" target="_blank">‘Missouri Jails’ magazine</a>&nbsp;focused on managing mental health challenges in county jails, which shared several examples of local issues, including that one county spent $30,000 to provide around-the-clock guarding over a suspect for two months, because the secure medical centers didn’t have any openings.Some county sheriffs are looking to build or expand jails to combat the issue, according to the magazine, including by increasing the number of solitary cells to keep those with mental health diagnoses out of the general population. Others have contracted with private health provider&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/07/30/oklahoma-jail-turn-key-health-deaths" target="_blank">Turn Key Health</a>&nbsp;Clinics to provide increased mental health care while people are awaiting transfer.&nbsp;“As mental health professionals and legislators struggle to find solutions to the crisis,” magazine contributor Michael Feeback wrote, “sheriffs and other agencies are looking for answers on their own.”&nbsp;

Missourians average 1 year in jail waiting for court-ordered mental health treatment

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal weekend accident involving a bicyclist have identified the victim as 44-year-old&nbsp;Shaunta Rodgers, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

Just before 1a.m. Sunday, a Honda Civic was northbound on Van Brunt Boulevard and stopped at the red traffic control signal at Truman Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. 

The light turned green and the Honda entered the intersection. A westbound BMW 535XI was traveling&nbsp; very high rate of speed. The BMW ran the red light and struck the Honda.

 The driver of the BMW lost control after the initial impact with the Honda. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the left and struck a wooden utility pole, shearing it out of the ground.

 A pedestrian was walking in the bicycle lane, on the south side of Truman Road. The BMW struck the pedestrian as it was flipping.&nbsp; The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the BMW ran from the scene, westbound on Truman Road. 

The driver of the Honda was not injured. The intersection lost power and Evergy responded to repair.&nbsp; Police have not reported the name of the victim or additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal weekend accident involving a bicyclist have identified the victim as 44-year-old&nbsp;Shaunta Rodgers, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.Just before 1a.m. Sunday, a Honda Civic was northbound on Van Brunt Boulevard and stopped at the red traffic control signal at Truman Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The light turned green and the Honda entered the intersection. A westbound BMW 535XI was traveling&nbsp; very high rate of speed. The BMW ran the red light and struck the Honda. The driver of the BMW lost control after the initial impact with the Honda. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the left and struck a wooden utility pole, shearing it out of the ground. A pedestrian was walking in the bicycle lane, on the south side of Truman Road. The BMW struck the pedestrian as it was flipping.&nbsp; The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the BMW ran from the scene, westbound on Truman Road. The driver of the Honda was not injured. The intersection lost power and Evergy responded to repair.&nbsp; Police have not reported the name of the victim or additional details.

KCPD IDs pedestrian killed when struck after car flipped in violent crash

DOUGLAS COUNTY –Investigators have determined the cause of fire on Monday at the&nbsp;at Brandon Woods senior living residence in Lawrence.

The origin of the fire was determined to be on the 3rd floor balcony deck and the fire extended into the attic of the structure. The cause of the fire was accidental due to improper discarding of smoking material, according to a media release from Lawrence Po.ice.

Forty-eight residential units have been reported as damaged. Approximately 8,200 square feet of roofs have been reported as damaged.&nbsp; Two of the unites are reported to have heavy damage by fire, smoke, and water. Five units have moderate damage by fire, smoke, and water and Five units have minimal damage by smoke and water

Just after noon Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to the fire at the senior living residence, 1501 Inverness Drive in Lawrence.

Multiple reports of heavy smoke and fire with flames were reported by residents and bystanders.

First responders arrived to find occupants being evacuated by facility staff and Lawrence Kansas Police Department.&nbsp;There was a large amount of dense smoke coming from the structure.

Fire was found in the attic and crews performed venting efforts upon arrival. Additional resources such as department chief officers, the mobile integrated health (MIH) team, and the logistics technician responded to the incident to assist with moving residents to designated safety spaces.

The fire was declared under control at 2:20 p.m. LDCFM crews will continue to perform fire watch on the building overnight.

Lawrence Douglas County Fire and Medical coordinated with the Lawrence Transit Department and LKPD to transport approximately 85 residents to Bella Sera Condominiums. The residents were connected to resources with the Red Cross and Douglas County Emergency Management to identify alternative housing options.

One LKPD officer was transported for smoke inhalation. No other injuries have been reported.

Resources through mutual aid were provided from Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Olathe Fire Department, Overland Park Fire Department, and Johnson County MED-ACT. These resources assisted with additional coverage for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County during this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724105638159.png" alt="Photos Lawrence Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos Lawrence Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY –Investigators have determined the cause of fire on Monday at the&nbsp;at Brandon Woods senior living residence in Lawrence.The origin of the fire was determined to be on the 3rd floor balcony deck and the fire extended into the attic of the structure. The cause of the fire was accidental due to improper discarding of smoking material, according to a media release from Lawrence Po.ice.Forty-eight residential units have been reported as damaged. Approximately 8,200 square feet of roofs have been reported as damaged.&nbsp; Two of the unites are reported to have heavy damage by fire, smoke, and water. Five units have moderate damage by fire, smoke, and water and Five units have minimal damage by smoke and waterJust after noon Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to the fire at the senior living residence, 1501 Inverness Drive in Lawrence.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLawrenceKansasPolice%2Fvideos%2F1676278606560133%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="314" 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>Multiple reports of heavy smoke and fire with flames were reported by residents and bystanders.First responders arrived to find occupants being evacuated by facility staff and Lawrence Kansas Police Department.&nbsp;There was a large amount of dense smoke coming from the structure.Fire was found in the attic and crews performed venting efforts upon arrival. Additional resources such as department chief officers, the mobile integrated health (MIH) team, and the logistics technician responded to the incident to assist with moving residents to designated safety spaces.The fire was declared under control at 2:20 p.m. LDCFM crews will continue to perform fire watch on the building overnight.Lawrence Douglas County Fire and Medical coordinated with the Lawrence Transit Department and LKPD to transport approximately 85 residents to Bella Sera Condominiums. The residents were connected to resources with the Red Cross and Douglas County Emergency Management to identify alternative housing options.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724105670101.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>One LKPD officer was transported for smoke inhalation. No other injuries have been reported.Resources through mutual aid were provided from Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Olathe Fire Department, Overland Park Fire Department, and Johnson County MED-ACT. These resources assisted with additional coverage for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County during this incident.

Investigators determine cause of fire at Kan. senior living residence

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities investigating two suspects new allegations after a victim in the case died.

On Wednesday police reported 37-year-old&nbsp;Kyle E. Higgins of Topeka had died.

Just after 4 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a reported aggravated robbery of a vehicle near SW 29th and Macvicar Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

It was reported that the vehicle was stolen by individuals who are known to the vehicle owner and a child was inside. The child was quickly located in the 3200 block of SW Central Park and was taken into police custody.

A short time later, officers located the stolen vehicle near SE 35th and Indiana in Topeka and initiated a traffic stop. The driver fled and initiated a short pursuit, which ended when the vehicle struck a pole near SE 29th and Minnesota where two suspects ran from the crash. Officers then located and took them into custody. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 8:30 a.m., police received the report of an unresponsive man, later identified as Higgins, in the 2200 block of SE 29th Street.&nbsp; He was transported to a local hospital where he died. Police investigators believe the two incidents are related.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724243340231.png" alt="Pattmon-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Pattmon-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities investigating two suspects new allegations after a victim in the case died.On Wednesday police reported 37-year-old&nbsp;Kyle E. Higgins of Topeka had died.Just after 4 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a reported aggravated robbery of a vehicle near SW 29th and Macvicar Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.It was reported that the vehicle was stolen by individuals who are known to the vehicle owner and a child was inside. The child was quickly located in the 3200 block of SW Central Park and was taken into police custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724243427663.png" alt="Boatwright -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Boatwright -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A short time later, officers located the stolen vehicle near SE 35th and Indiana in Topeka and initiated a traffic stop. The driver fled and initiated a short pursuit, which ended when the vehicle struck a pole near SE 29th and Minnesota where two suspects ran from the crash. Officers then located and took them into custody. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.Around 8:30 a.m., police received the report of an unresponsive man, later identified as Higgins, in the 2200 block of SE 29th Street.&nbsp; He was transported to a local hospital where he died. Police investigators believe the two incidents are related.As a result of the investigation, Lorenzo A. Pattmon III, 21, and Rammelo H. Boatwright, 24, both of Topeka, were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department. Both are now are being held on updated requested&nbsp; charges that include murder, of Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Child Endangerment.The incident is the city’s 13th homicide investigation of 2024.&nbsp;