KANSAS CITY&nbsp; —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest in&nbsp;

Just before 11:30 a.m. May 23,&nbsp; sheriff's deputies served a search warrant in rural Garden City, Missouri, according to a media release from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

The warrant was granted after an investigation into the theft of a vehicle on May 5. As a result, 39-year-old Jessie Fletcher of Garden City, Missouri, was arrested.

Fletcher is now charged with 1st Degree Tampering of a Vehicle (Class D Felony) and four counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Class C Felony).She’s currently being held at the Cass County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp; Garden City is approximately 45 minutes southeast of Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747996439662.png" alt="Fletcher photo Cass County" />
 <figcaption>Fletcher photo Cass County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY&nbsp; —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest in&nbsp;Just before 11:30 a.m. May 23,&nbsp; sheriff's deputies served a search warrant in rural Garden City, Missouri, according to a media release from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.The warrant was granted after an investigation into the theft of a vehicle on May 5. As a result, 39-year-old Jessie Fletcher of Garden City, Missouri, was arrested.Fletcher is now charged with 1st Degree Tampering of a Vehicle (Class D Felony) and four counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Class C Felony).She’s currently being held at the Cass County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp; Garden City is approximately 45 minutes southeast of Kansas City.

Woman jailed for vehicle theft in rural Kansas City suburb

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Nebraska man on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before 2:30p.m. May 23, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a Subaru Forester for a traffic infraction on U.S. 75 Highway near 126th&nbsp;Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp; After the traffic stop was completed, the driver, Michael Glebavicius, 55, of Omaha, Nebraska, was arrested following a search of the vehicle. During the search, methamphetamine, marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia were located.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Glebavicius was&nbsp;booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal carrying of a weapon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747947275336.png" alt="Glebavicius" />
 <figcaption>Glebavicius</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Nebraska man on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just before 2:30p.m. May 23, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a Subaru Forester for a traffic infraction on U.S. 75 Highway near 126th&nbsp;Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; After the traffic stop was completed, the driver, Michael Glebavicius, 55, of Omaha, Nebraska, was arrested following a search of the vehicle. During the search, methamphetamine, marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia were located.&nbsp;&nbsp;Glebavicius was&nbsp;booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal carrying of a weapon.

Sheriff: Man jailed for weapons violation, transporting meth in Kansas

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

The massive tax and spending bill passed by U.S. House Republicans would likely result in 3.2 million people losing food assistance benefits, and saddle states with around $14 billion a year in costs, according to a new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Democrats have argued the bill, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">the House passed</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025145" target="_blank">215-214</a>&nbsp;early Thursday without any Democrats in support, would cut programs for the needy to fund tax breaks for high earners.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-05/Klobuchar-Craig-Letter-SNAP_5-22-25.pdf" target="_blank">CBO document, issued late Thursday,&nbsp;</a>responded to a request to the office from the top Democrats on the Senate and House Agriculture committees, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Angie Craig, both of Minnesota, and somewhat bolsters that claim. The panels oversee federal food aid programs.

“This report is truly devastating,” Craig said in a Friday statement to States Newsroom. “As a mother and someone who at times relied on food assistance as a child, these numbers are heartbreaking. It is infuriating that Republicans in Congress are willing to make our children go hungry so they can give tax breaks to the already rich.”

A provision in the bill to tighten work requirements, including by excluding single parents of children older than 6 and by raising the age of adults to whom the work requirements apply, of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, would result in 3.2 million people losing access to the program in an average month, the CBO report said.

Of those, 1.4 million would be people who currently have a state waiver from work requirements that would be disallowed under the bill and 800,000 would be adults who live with children 7 or older, the report said.

In a Friday statement, Ben Nichols, a spokesman for the House Agriculture Committee led by Pennsylvania Republican Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, said the proposed change would be more fair to the people SNAP is supposed to help and noted the program is the only state-administered entitlement program that is paid fully by the federal government.

“No one who is able-bodied and working, volunteering, or training for 20 hours a week will lose benefits,” Nichols wrote.

Republicans want to use the legislative package to extend the 2017 tax law and its cuts, increase spending on border security and defense by hundreds of billions of dollars, overhaul American energy production, restructure higher education aid and cut spending.

The cost-share changes, which would require states for the first time to pay for a portion of SNAP benefits, would also limit participation and add a massive line item to state budgets, according to the CBO.

Starting in 2028, states would be responsible for paying 5% to 25% of SNAP benefits, with a state’s share rising with its payment error rate. The federal government currently pays for all SNAP benefits.

Under the House bill, which will likely undergo substantial changes as the Senate considers it in the coming weeks, states collectively would be responsible for just less than $100 billion from 2028 to 2034, about $14 billion per year.

States would respond in a variety of ways, CBO Director Phillip Swagel wrote, including potentially dropping out of the program.

“CBO expects that some states would maintain current benefits and eligibility and others would modify benefits or eligibility or possibly leave the program altogether because of the increased costs,” he wrote.

The office took a “probabilistic approach to account for a range of possible outcomes” to determine what the effect on households would be and estimated that 1.3 million people would lose benefits because of state responses to the new cost-share.

Nichols, with the House Agriculture Committee, disputed the CBO’s estimate regarding the cost share change. The lowest state cost-share of 5% would be available for states with error rates below 6%. Every state has hit that mark at some point in the last decade, he said.

With that favorable of a cost-share, the Republican committee members did not believe states would drop out of the program, he added.

“We reject the hypothetical assumption that some states may not chip into 5 percent of a supplemental nutrition program,” Nichols wrote. “Every state is capable of paying for a portion SNAP… Federal policy should encourage states to administer the SNAP program more efficiently and effectively, and this bill does just that.”&nbsp;

CBO’s forecasters determined the impacts of the work requirements and cost-share provisions separately, meaning some people potentially losing benefits could have been counted in both categories.

The House vote Thursday sent the measure to the Senate, where the debate over SNAP benefits may fall along similar party lines.

Republicans who hold control in that chamber are planning to employ the budget reconciliation process, which allows them to skirt the Senate’s usual 60-vote requirement for legislation.

During the House Agriculture Committee’s debate over its portion of the legislation, Republicans on the panel said the work requirement and state cost-share measures were needed reforms to SNAP that would protect the program for those it was meant to serve, while limiting the costs associated with benefits to adults who were able and unwilling to work or in the country illegally.

In a Friday statement, Sara Lasure, a spokeswoman for Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman, an Arkansas Republican, also said the panel would seek reforms to the program but did not offer specifics.

“The Senate Agriculture Committee is in the process of crafting its budget reconciliation package and will work as good stewards of taxpayer dollars to make commonsense reforms to SNAP that encourage employment,” she wrote in an email.

Klobuchar, in a statement after House passage Thursday, blasted the House bill and indicated she would oppose efforts to cut SNAP benefits.

“House Republicans are pulling the rug out from under millions of families by taking away federal assistance to put food on the table,” she said. “They’re doing that even as President Trump’s tariff taxes raise food prices by more than $200 for the average family, all to fund more tax breaks for the wealthy. That’s so very wrong —and we will fight against it in the Senate.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689674819900.png" alt="Photo USDA" />
 <figcaption>Photo USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>The massive tax and spending bill passed by U.S. House Republicans would likely result in 3.2 million people losing food assistance benefits, and saddle states with around $14 billion a year in costs, according to a new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.Democrats have argued the bill, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">the House passed</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025145" target="_blank">215-214</a>&nbsp;early Thursday without any Democrats in support, would cut programs for the needy to fund tax breaks for high earners.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-05/Klobuchar-Craig-Letter-SNAP_5-22-25.pdf" target="_blank">CBO document, issued late Thursday,&nbsp;</a>responded to a request to the office from the top Democrats on the Senate and House Agriculture committees, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Angie Craig, both of Minnesota, and somewhat bolsters that claim. The panels oversee federal food aid programs.“This report is truly devastating,” Craig said in a Friday statement to States Newsroom. “As a mother and someone who at times relied on food assistance as a child, these numbers are heartbreaking. It is infuriating that Republicans in Congress are willing to make our children go hungry so they can give tax breaks to the already rich.”A provision in the bill to tighten work requirements, including by excluding single parents of children older than 6 and by raising the age of adults to whom the work requirements apply, of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, would result in 3.2 million people losing access to the program in an average month, the CBO report said.Of those, 1.4 million would be people who currently have a state waiver from work requirements that would be disallowed under the bill and 800,000 would be adults who live with children 7 or older, the report said.In a Friday statement, Ben Nichols, a spokesman for the House Agriculture Committee led by Pennsylvania Republican Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, said the proposed change would be more fair to the people SNAP is supposed to help and noted the program is the only state-administered entitlement program that is paid fully by the federal government.“No one who is able-bodied and working, volunteering, or training for 20 hours a week will lose benefits,” Nichols wrote.Republicans want to use the legislative package to extend the 2017 tax law and its cuts, increase spending on border security and defense by hundreds of billions of dollars, overhaul American energy production, restructure higher education aid and cut spending.<h2>Toll on states</h2>The cost-share changes, which would require states for the first time to pay for a portion of SNAP benefits, would also limit participation and add a massive line item to state budgets, according to the CBO.Starting in 2028, states would be responsible for paying 5% to 25% of SNAP benefits, with a state’s share rising with its payment error rate. The federal government currently pays for all SNAP benefits.Under the House bill, which will likely undergo substantial changes as the Senate considers it in the coming weeks, states collectively would be responsible for just less than $100 billion from 2028 to 2034, about $14 billion per year.States would respond in a variety of ways, CBO Director Phillip Swagel wrote, including potentially dropping out of the program.“CBO expects that some states would maintain current benefits and eligibility and others would modify benefits or eligibility or possibly leave the program altogether because of the increased costs,” he wrote.The office took a “probabilistic approach to account for a range of possible outcomes” to determine what the effect on households would be and estimated that 1.3 million people would lose benefits because of state responses to the new cost-share.Nichols, with the House Agriculture Committee, disputed the CBO’s estimate regarding the cost share change. The lowest state cost-share of 5% would be available for states with error rates below 6%. Every state has hit that mark at some point in the last decade, he said.With that favorable of a cost-share, the Republican committee members did not believe states would drop out of the program, he added.“We reject the hypothetical assumption that some states may not chip into 5 percent of a supplemental nutrition program,” Nichols wrote. “Every state is capable of paying for a portion SNAP… Federal policy should encourage states to administer the SNAP program more efficiently and effectively, and this bill does just that.”&nbsp;CBO’s forecasters determined the impacts of the work requirements and cost-share provisions separately, meaning some people potentially losing benefits could have been counted in both categories.<h2>Move to the Senate</h2>The House vote Thursday sent the measure to the Senate, where the debate over SNAP benefits may fall along similar party lines.Republicans who hold control in that chamber are planning to employ the budget reconciliation process, which allows them to skirt the Senate’s usual 60-vote requirement for legislation.During the House Agriculture Committee’s debate over its portion of the legislation, Republicans on the panel said the work requirement and state cost-share measures were needed reforms to SNAP that would protect the program for those it was meant to serve, while limiting the costs associated with benefits to adults who were able and unwilling to work or in the country illegally.In a Friday statement, Sara Lasure, a spokeswoman for Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman, an Arkansas Republican, also said the panel would seek reforms to the program but did not offer specifics.“The Senate Agriculture Committee is in the process of crafting its budget reconciliation package and will work as good stewards of taxpayer dollars to make commonsense reforms to SNAP that encourage employment,” she wrote in an email.Klobuchar, in a statement after House passage Thursday, blasted the House bill and indicated she would oppose efforts to cut SNAP benefits.“House Republicans are pulling the rug out from under millions of families by taking away federal assistance to put food on the table,” she said. “They’re doing that even as President Trump’s tariff taxes raise food prices by more than $200 for the average family, all to fund more tax breaks for the wealthy. That’s so very wrong —and we will fight against it in the Senate.”

More than 3 million would lose SNAP benefits under GOP bill, nonpartisan report says

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 30-year-old&nbsp;Levon J. Quinn, according to&nbsp;KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 4p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to Westport and Broadway on a reported accident. The call was updated to a shooting.

First responders located a Quinn in a vehicle near 43rd and Broadway unresponsive and suffering from gunshot trauma. EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary information indicates an argument took place inside of a business. The argument continued as both Quinn and an adult male suspect walked outside of the business. The argument then escalated to gunfire. 

Quinn left the area in a vehicle before coming to a stop near 43rd and Broadway. Initial responding officers located a man at Westport and Broadway that had been involved in an accident when the victim was driving out of the area and subsequently struck his vehicle.

&nbsp;This incident is being investigated as a homicide. Just before 9p.m. Friday police reported they had taken a suspect into custody.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748052749455.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 30-year-old&nbsp;Levon J. Quinn, according to&nbsp;KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 4p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to Westport and Broadway on a reported accident. The call was updated to a shooting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748052715240.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located a Quinn in a vehicle near 43rd and Broadway unresponsive and suffering from gunshot trauma. EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary information indicates an argument took place inside of a business. The argument continued as both Quinn and an adult male suspect walked outside of the business. The argument then escalated to gunfire. Quinn left the area in a vehicle before coming to a stop near 43rd and Broadway. Initial responding officers located a man at Westport and Broadway that had been involved in an accident when the victim was driving out of the area and subsequently struck his vehicle.&nbsp;This incident is being investigated as a homicide. Just before 9p.m. Friday police reported they had taken a suspect into custody.&nbsp;

Police ID KC homicide victim involved in car crash after shooting

The new complex will enable physicians and researchers to collaborate in real time on personalized treatment options and make them available to patients more quickly.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center broke ground on the future site of a new complex Friday that will bring research and patient care into one complex for the first time in KU Cancer Center’s history.

The new building realizes a long-time vision of KU Cancer Center’s leadership to bring together the entire cancer community — from physician-scientists to researchers to physicians and clinical staff — side by side in one complex.

“Today marks a pivotal moment in&nbsp;our efforts to&nbsp;address one of the greatest health challenges of our time: cancer,” said Roy Jensen, M.D., vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center. “This new center will unite researchers, clinicians&nbsp;and&nbsp;patients&nbsp;side-by-side&nbsp;in one&nbsp;facility, supporting&nbsp;the&nbsp;real-time collaborations&nbsp;that&nbsp;are&nbsp;essential for groundbreaking discoveries. We intend to create a global destination for patient care and research.”

The groundbreaking, which was followed by a celebratory event at KU Medical Center, was attended by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and a host of other dignitaries.

The new facility, which will be located on the 39th and Rainbow campus in Kansas City, will enable the whole patient experience — from nutrition and social workers to pathology and imaging, and everything in-between — to happen in one place. It also will give patients access to groundbreaking clinical trials and therapies developed on site. Physicians and researchers will be able to collaborate in real time on personalized treatment options and make them available to patients more quickly.

In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/">The University of Kansas Cancer Center</a>&nbsp;was designated as a “Comprehensive” cancer center by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.gov/">National Cancer Institute</a>&nbsp;(NCI). This is the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI and is the gold standard for cancer centers.

“We knew that (the comprehensive designation) wasn’t the culmination of our work,” said Douglas A. Girod, M.D., chancellor of the University of Kansas. “Rather, it was an important milestone along the way to our next goal – which was to develop the facilities necessary to bring clinical and research capabilities together in the same place to provide better patient care and facilitate the development of new treatments and cures.”

The new complex will support cellular therapy, which&nbsp;uses the body’s own cells to fight each person’s individual cancer with fewer side effects than traditional treatments. It will also house a cellular therapeutics Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory that will expedite CAR T-cell therapy, a novel treatment that uses genetically re-engineered immune cells known as T-cells to find and destroy cancer. By bringing a cellular therapeutics GMP laboratory in-house, the costs and wait time for the creation of these specialized cells will be reduced. &nbsp;KU Cancer Center is the only cancer center in the region offering all seven FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies.

The complex is funded by multiple sources, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive/ku-cancer-center-receives-100-million-gift.html">a $100 million lead gift from the Sunderland Foundation</a>, the largest ever received by the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran secured federal funding and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly supported the appropriation of state funds. Other funding came from private foundations and donors.

“All recovery from this dreaded disease starts with the power of hope.,” Moran said. “Today we celebrate hope.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748124360509.png" alt="Rendering of the new KU Cancer Center complex, to be located in Kansas City." />
 <figcaption>Rendering of the new KU Cancer Center complex, to be located in Kansas City.</figcaption>
 </figure>The new complex will enable physicians and researchers to collaborate in real time on personalized treatment options and make them available to patients more quickly.By Kristi BirchThe University of Kansas Cancer Center broke ground on the future site of a new complex Friday that will bring research and patient care into one complex for the first time in KU Cancer Center’s history.The new building realizes a long-time vision of KU Cancer Center’s leadership to bring together the entire cancer community — from physician-scientists to researchers to physicians and clinical staff — side by side in one complex.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748124412477.png" alt="KU Chancellor Douglas A Girod, M.D., and KU Cancer Center Vice Chancellor and Director Roy Jensen, M.D., participate in the groundbreaking for a new cancer center building on May 23, 2025." />
 <figcaption>KU Chancellor Douglas A Girod, M.D., and KU Cancer Center Vice Chancellor and Director Roy Jensen, M.D., participate in the groundbreaking for a new cancer center building on May 23, 2025.</figcaption>
 </figure>“Today marks a pivotal moment in&nbsp;our efforts to&nbsp;address one of the greatest health challenges of our time: cancer,” said Roy Jensen, M.D., vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center. “This new center will unite researchers, clinicians&nbsp;and&nbsp;patients&nbsp;side-by-side&nbsp;in one&nbsp;facility, supporting&nbsp;the&nbsp;real-time collaborations&nbsp;that&nbsp;are&nbsp;essential for groundbreaking discoveries. We intend to create a global destination for patient care and research.”The groundbreaking, which was followed by a celebratory event at KU Medical Center, was attended by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and a host of other dignitaries.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I joined <a href="https://twitter.com/KUMedCenter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KUMedCenter</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHospital?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KUHospital</a> yesterday to break ground on its new world-class cancer center. The cutting-edge research conducted at KU has already saved so many lives. This new building means researchers and clinicians will be able to do more — and they’ll do it faster. <a href="https://t.co/lRS0vU1tfB">pic.twitter.com/lRS0vU1tfB</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1926326101585830187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The new facility, which will be located on the 39th and Rainbow campus in Kansas City, will enable the whole patient experience — from nutrition and social workers to pathology and imaging, and everything in-between — to happen in one place. It also will give patients access to groundbreaking clinical trials and therapies developed on site. Physicians and researchers will be able to collaborate in real time on personalized treatment options and make them available to patients more quickly.In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/">The University of Kansas Cancer Center</a>&nbsp;was designated as a “Comprehensive” cancer center by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.gov/">National Cancer Institute</a>&nbsp;(NCI). This is the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI and is the gold standard for cancer centers.“We knew that (the comprehensive designation) wasn’t the culmination of our work,” said Douglas A. Girod, M.D., chancellor of the University of Kansas. “Rather, it was an important milestone along the way to our next goal – which was to develop the facilities necessary to bring clinical and research capabilities together in the same place to provide better patient care and facilitate the development of new treatments and cures.”The new complex will support cellular therapy, which&nbsp;uses the body’s own cells to fight each person’s individual cancer with fewer side effects than traditional treatments. It will also house a cellular therapeutics Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory that will expedite CAR T-cell therapy, a novel treatment that uses genetically re-engineered immune cells known as T-cells to find and destroy cancer. By bringing a cellular therapeutics GMP laboratory in-house, the costs and wait time for the creation of these specialized cells will be reduced. &nbsp;KU Cancer Center is the only cancer center in the region offering all seven FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies.The complex is funded by multiple sources, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive/ku-cancer-center-receives-100-million-gift.html">a $100 million lead gift from the Sunderland Foundation</a>, the largest ever received by the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran secured federal funding and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly supported the appropriation of state funds. Other funding came from private foundations and donors.“All recovery from this dreaded disease starts with the power of hope.,” Moran said. “Today we celebrate hope.”

KU Cancer Center breaks ground for new complex

KANSAS CITY—Officials are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City, Missouri,

Just before 5a.m. Saturday, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a reported house fire in the 500 block of Booth, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported smoke and fire showing from a single-story home. Initially it was not clear if the home was vacant or occupied. Interior operations were initiated using multiple hand lines. Crews encountered heavy fire in the basement of the structure that burned through to the first&nbsp;floor. Searches of the structure came back all clear. No injuries were reported at this incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748095088833.jpeg" alt="Photo KC&nbsp; Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC&nbsp; Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Officials are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City, Missouri,Just before 5a.m. Saturday, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a reported house fire in the 500 block of Booth, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748094979366.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Crews reported smoke and fire showing from a single-story home. Initially it was not clear if the home was vacant or occupied. Interior operations were initiated using multiple hand lines. Crews encountered heavy fire in the basement of the structure that burned through to the first&nbsp;floor. Searches of the structure came back all clear. No injuries were reported at this incident.&nbsp;

Fire burned from basement through to first floor of KC home

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — State officials have denied a federal request to disclose personal information of Kansans using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

On May 6, the Kansas Department for Children and Families received a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that demanded “unfettered access to comprehensive data from all State programs that receive federal funding.” DCF spokeswoman Erin LaRow shared a copy of that letter and other communications in response to an inquiry from Kansas Reflector.

The USDA letter specified that information to be collected for each SNAP applicant or recipient included name, Social Security number, date of birth, personal address and records to calculate the amount of SNAP benefits participants received over time. It was signed by Gina Brand, senior policy advisor for integrity at USDA’s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services division.

The requested data would cover the time period from Jan. 1, 2020, to the present, the letter said.

DCF’s SNAP data is held by a third-party database administrator, Fidelity Information Services LLC. That company notified DCF on May 9 that a formal request for Kansas SNAP records had been made from USDA and that because of federal guidance, they were required to disclose that information.

“As such, FIS intends to fully cooperate with the USDA in facilitating its request for information, as required by applicable law and the guidance,” wrote Prashant Gupta, FIS senior vice president. He then asked for DCF’s written consent.

DCF stopped the process in a letter dated May 14, sent by Carla Whiteside Hicks, the DCF director of economic and employment services.

“Please be advised that we&nbsp;do not consent&nbsp;to your providing the USDA the requested information at this time,” Whiteside Hicks told FIS. “As you know, our obligation to maintain these records in confidence is paramount and may only be disclosed to the USDA for specific program-related reasons. At this time, we are unsure as to the reason for the USDA’s request. As such, we are unable to consent to your turning the information over.”

Whiteside Hicks also said DCF will be asking the USDA to contact DCF directly in the future. She asked FIS to turn over any information that they may have already provided to the USDA and to also provide DCF with any written communications the company has received from USDA.

LaRow said DCF is reviewing the request from USDA related to the personally identifiable data of Kansans.

“Security of Kansans’ personal information is paramount to the agency, and we are committed to maintaining confidentiality consistent with state and federal law,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748016604613.png" alt=" Kansas Department for Children and Families denied a request by the federal government for access to personal data of a food assistance program. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Department for Children and Families denied a request by the federal government for access to personal data of a food assistance program. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — State officials have denied a federal request to disclose personal information of Kansans using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.On May 6, the Kansas Department for Children and Families received a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that demanded “unfettered access to comprehensive data from all State programs that receive federal funding.” DCF spokeswoman Erin LaRow shared a copy of that letter and other communications in response to an inquiry from Kansas Reflector.The USDA letter specified that information to be collected for each SNAP applicant or recipient included name, Social Security number, date of birth, personal address and records to calculate the amount of SNAP benefits participants received over time. It was signed by Gina Brand, senior policy advisor for integrity at USDA’s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services division.The requested data would cover the time period from Jan. 1, 2020, to the present, the letter said.DCF’s SNAP data is held by a third-party database administrator, Fidelity Information Services LLC. That company notified DCF on May 9 that a formal request for Kansas SNAP records had been made from USDA and that because of federal guidance, they were required to disclose that information.“As such, FIS intends to fully cooperate with the USDA in facilitating its request for information, as required by applicable law and the guidance,” wrote Prashant Gupta, FIS senior vice president. He then asked for DCF’s written consent.DCF stopped the process in a letter dated May 14, sent by Carla Whiteside Hicks, the DCF director of economic and employment services.“Please be advised that we&nbsp;do not consent&nbsp;to your providing the USDA the requested information at this time,” Whiteside Hicks told FIS. “As you know, our obligation to maintain these records in confidence is paramount and may only be disclosed to the USDA for specific program-related reasons. At this time, we are unsure as to the reason for the USDA’s request. As such, we are unable to consent to your turning the information over.”Whiteside Hicks also said DCF will be asking the USDA to contact DCF directly in the future. She asked FIS to turn over any information that they may have already provided to the USDA and to also provide DCF with any written communications the company has received from USDA.LaRow said DCF is reviewing the request from USDA related to the personally identifiable data of Kansans.“Security of Kansans’ personal information is paramount to the agency, and we are committed to maintaining confidentiality consistent with state and federal law,” she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748016694528.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Kansas denies USDA request for personal data of residents receiving food assistance

DICKINSON COUNTY — Four people died in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Hyundai Elantra driven by Dawn Rae&nbsp;Peel, 30, Herington, was&nbsp;eastbound on Kansas 4 four miles west of Kansas 15 Highway.

The car crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2025 Chevy Traverse driven by Adam Gerhart&nbsp;Henely, 23, Salina, head-on.

Peel, and 2 passengers in the car including 71-year-old Peggy Ann Sutton of&nbsp;Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and an 8-year-old boy from Herington were pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home.&nbsp; A passenger in the SUV identified as 57-year-old Denise Renee&nbsp;Henely of Herington also died at the scene and was transported to Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home.

EMS transported an 8-year-old male passenger from the car and a 14-year-old male passenger from the SUV, both of Herington to Wesley Medical Center.

Henely and and a third passenger in the SUV were not transported for treatment. All eight were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

DICKINSON COUNTY — Four people died in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Dickinson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Hyundai Elantra driven by Dawn Rae&nbsp;Peel, 30, Herington, was&nbsp;eastbound on Kansas 4 four miles west of Kansas 15 Highway.The car crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2025 Chevy Traverse driven by Adam Gerhart&nbsp;Henely, 23, Salina, head-on.Peel, and 2 passengers in the car including 71-year-old Peggy Ann Sutton of&nbsp;Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and an 8-year-old boy from Herington were pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home.&nbsp; A passenger in the SUV identified as 57-year-old Denise Renee&nbsp;Henely of Herington also died at the scene and was transported to Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home.EMS transported an 8-year-old male passenger from the car and a 14-year-old male passenger from the SUV, both of Herington to Wesley Medical Center.Henely and and a third passenger in the SUV were not transported for treatment. All eight were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

3 adults, 8-year-old dead after head-on Kansas crash

KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man faces felony charges in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in Independence, Missouri.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2621/IPD25-28266-Afterhours-Complaint-Packet---Stump-Jadon">Jadon Stumph faces</a>, 28, is charged with&nbsp;2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

On May 13, police were dispatched to an Independence, Missouri address regarding a shooting and located the deceased victim in the driveway with two gunshot wounds.

Witnesses reported the victim was sitting in a vehicle with another witness when a black vehicle with tinted windows pulled into the driveway. Stumph exited the vehicle and walked toward the witness in the vehicle, asking where his ex-girlfriend was. The witness told him they didn’t know. Stumph began opening the door of the vehicle and the victim exited, walking around the front of the vehicle toward Stumph. A brief argument ensued, and Stumph fired at the victim.&nbsp;

The defendant has a history of several municipal domestic assault offenses. He is being held on a $250,000 cash only bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747771179858.png" alt="Stumph photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Stumph photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man faces felony charges in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in Independence, Missouri.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2621/IPD25-28266-Afterhours-Complaint-Packet---Stump-Jadon">Jadon Stumph faces</a>, 28, is charged with&nbsp;2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.On May 13, police were dispatched to an Independence, Missouri address regarding a shooting and located the deceased victim in the driveway with two gunshot wounds.Witnesses reported the victim was sitting in a vehicle with another witness when a black vehicle with tinted windows pulled into the driveway. Stumph exited the vehicle and walked toward the witness in the vehicle, asking where his ex-girlfriend was. The witness told him they didn’t know. Stumph began opening the door of the vehicle and the victim exited, walking around the front of the vehicle toward Stumph. A brief argument ensued, and Stumph fired at the victim.&nbsp;The defendant has a history of several municipal domestic assault offenses. He is being held on a $250,000 cash only bond.&nbsp;

KC man accused in fatal shooting over ex-girlfriend

COFFEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10a.m. Saturday in Coffey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Toyota Camry driven by Dallas R.&nbsp;Reeves, 20, Janesville, Wisconsin, was southbound on U.S. 75 just north of 8th Road.

The car was&nbsp;passing another vehicle. A northbound 2021 Chevy Silverado driven by Charles L&nbsp;Jarrell, 46, Leroy, Kansas, attempted to avoid a collision, slowed and steered to the northbound shoulder. 

The Camry driver also steered to the northbound shoulder and collided with the pickup.

After impact, the car spun and came to a rest in the northbound lane and shoulder. The pickup came to a rest in the north ditch.

Reeves was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Jones Funeral Home. EMS transported&nbsp;Jarrell and a 6-ear-old passenger from the pickup to the Coffey County Hospital.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

COFFEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10a.m. Saturday in Coffey County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Toyota Camry driven by Dallas R.&nbsp;Reeves, 20, Janesville, Wisconsin, was southbound on U.S. 75 just north of 8th Road.The car was&nbsp;passing another vehicle. A northbound 2021 Chevy Silverado driven by Charles L&nbsp;Jarrell, 46, Leroy, Kansas, attempted to avoid a collision, slowed and steered to the northbound shoulder. The Camry driver also steered to the northbound shoulder and collided with the pickup.After impact, the car spun and came to a rest in the northbound lane and shoulder. The pickup came to a rest in the north ditch.Reeves was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Jones Funeral Home. EMS transported&nbsp;Jarrell and a 6-ear-old passenger from the pickup to the Coffey County Hospital.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. man and 6-year-old injured in fatal car, pickup crash

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748101992053.png" alt="After his address, President Trump was given a photo of the class of 2025 -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>After his address, President Trump was given a photo of the class of 2025 -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Addresses the Army Academy’s Class of 2025 <a href="https://t.co/fmzvdGxCUx">https://t.co/fmzvdGxCUx</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1926277258576085165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2025</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/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> at West Point: &quot;You could have done anything you wanted... Instead of stock options... you chose honor and you chose sacrifice. Instead of business suits and dress shoes, you chose muddy boots and fatigues... You&#39;re amazing people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/SRi05anFw4">pic.twitter.com/SRi05anFw4</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1926317215545999653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2025</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/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;As you receive your commissions as Second Lieutenants, each of you continues down the same hallowed path walked by the titans and legends of U.S. Military lore.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/IHjEOq4L9I">pic.twitter.com/IHjEOq4L9I</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1926284957627867494?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2025</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/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> at West Point: Every cadet on the field before me should savor this morning — because this is a day you will never forget. In a few moments, you will become graduates of the most ELITE and storied military academy in human history. <a href="https://t.co/hTkMgBnJkF">pic.twitter.com/hTkMgBnJkF</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1926283717745488061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">💯 Trump: &quot;The job of the US Armed Forces is NOT to host drag shows.&quot; The Military&#39;s job is to DOMINATE any foe and ANNIHILATE any threat.&quot; &quot;You are respected more than any army anywhere in the world!&quot;<a href="https://t.co/l4pdbVnCFo">pic.twitter.com/l4pdbVnCFo</a>&mdash; Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) <a href="https://twitter.com/GuntherEagleman/status/1926303082138292392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump has fun with West Point cadets at commencement

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Drivers will see an increased law enforcement presence on Kansas roads during the national Click It or Ticket campaign which runs from May 18 to June 1.

Earlier this monthg, Master Trooper C. Rials, K-164, responded to a call of a crash on eastbound Interstate 70 near the Lecompton exit on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasTurnpike?__cft__[0]=AZXJ0zDyRX0ZWEJXI3qtG4wBSb-RfWxHDnEobWWd26KBt8EXY0B2GCvo8nHyXyNNmyKDy0SJiMqy2pdAt0M5E2aNJYW3Ue7zxXMjrGtK1cHXWLen3na-M46QwITVz5ZRUzIF3w_bDtgkbUwvPiW41zjbvag596l402LrcUd8rVaFE3uc-1HWvDQJgukM3NY3cuA5duTTMuCurx8HCNPvZB0B&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Turnpike Authority</a>, according to a social media report from KHP Troop B.

The driver was wearing a seatbelt and did not have major injuries. 

"Every multi-lane highway has traffic in many lanes. It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings and to know where other cars are on the road."

"When making lane changes, check your blind spots for other traffic before starting any movements to sure the lane is clear."

"These good habits could prevent a crash, and save your life or the life of someone else on the road. "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747390473268.png" alt="Photos KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photos KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Drivers will see an increased law enforcement presence on Kansas roads during the national Click It or Ticket campaign which runs from May 18 to June 1.Earlier this monthg, Master Trooper C. Rials, K-164, responded to a call of a crash on eastbound Interstate 70 near the Lecompton exit on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasTurnpike?__cft__[0]=AZXJ0zDyRX0ZWEJXI3qtG4wBSb-RfWxHDnEobWWd26KBt8EXY0B2GCvo8nHyXyNNmyKDy0SJiMqy2pdAt0M5E2aNJYW3Ue7zxXMjrGtK1cHXWLen3na-M46QwITVz5ZRUzIF3w_bDtgkbUwvPiW41zjbvag596l402LrcUd8rVaFE3uc-1HWvDQJgukM3NY3cuA5duTTMuCurx8HCNPvZB0B&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Turnpike Authority</a>, according to a social media report from KHP Troop B.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747390450653.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The driver was wearing a seatbelt and did not have major injuries. "Every multi-lane highway has traffic in many lanes. It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings and to know where other cars are on the road.""When making lane changes, check your blind spots for other traffic before starting any movements to sure the lane is clear.""These good habits could prevent a crash, and save your life or the life of someone else on the road. "

KHP: Once again seat belts saved a life

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

Just after 4p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to Westport and Broadway on a reported accident. The call was updated to a shooting,&nbsp; according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

First responders located a shooting victim in a vehicle near 43rd and Broadway unresponsive and suffering from gunshot trauma. EMS responded and transported the victim to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary information indicates an argument took place inside of a business. The argument continued as both the adult male victim and an adult male suspect walked outside of the business. The argument then escalated to gunfire. 

The victim left the area in a vehicle before coming to a stop near 43rd and Broadway. Initial responding officers located a man at Westport and Broadway that had been involved in an accident when the victim was driving out of the area and subsequently struck his vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748052749455.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 4p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to Westport and Broadway on a reported accident. The call was updated to a shooting,&nbsp; according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748052715240.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located a shooting victim in a vehicle near 43rd and Broadway unresponsive and suffering from gunshot trauma. EMS responded and transported the victim to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary information indicates an argument took place inside of a business. The argument continued as both the adult male victim and an adult male suspect walked outside of the business. The argument then escalated to gunfire. The victim left the area in a vehicle before coming to a stop near 43rd and Broadway. Initial responding officers located a man at Westport and Broadway that had been involved in an accident when the victim was driving out of the area and subsequently struck his vehicle.&nbsp;This incident is being investigated as a homicide. Just before 9p.m. Friday police reported they had taken a suspect into custody.&nbsp;

KCPD: Homicide victim involved in crash driving from shooting

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple sex allegations.

Just after 1 p.m. Thursday, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested 22-year-old Quo-Jon Paul Tye, of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Tye was arrested on a five count Jackson County District Court warrant. The warrant was issued in reference to a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigation. The alleged crimes were reported to the Sheriff’s Office in November of 2024. 

The warrant consists of three counts of rape and two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a minor. Tye was booked into and remains in the Jackson County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748010128802.png" alt="Tye-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Tye-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple sex allegations.Just after 1 p.m. Thursday, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested 22-year-old Quo-Jon Paul Tye, of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Tye was arrested on a five count Jackson County District Court warrant. The warrant was issued in reference to a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigation. The alleged crimes were reported to the Sheriff’s Office in November of 2024. The warrant consists of three counts of rape and two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a minor. Tye was booked into and remains in the Jackson County Jail.

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of child sex crimes

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man was sentenced to seven years in prison for an ice cream shop burglary that occurred last year, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="mailto:Media%20Contact:%20%20%20Jazzlyn%20Johnson%20%20Director%20of%20Communications%20%20%20Jackson%20County%20Prosecutor%E2%80%99s%20Office%20%20%20415%20E%2012th%20Street%20%20Kansas%20City,%20MO%20-%2064106%20%20(816)%20929-1289%20%20%20jazzlyn.johnson@jacksongov.org%20%20%20https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com">John Heckman</a>, 78,&nbsp;received a seven-year prison sentence after pleading guilty yesterday to 2nd Degree Burglary and a concurrent four-year sentence for 1st Degree Property Damage.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2623/Heckman-John-PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched on October 13, 2024, to Betty Rae’s Ice Cream on a burglary. Officers observed a broken glass door, and the reporting party said a black safe with nearly $2,000 in cash was taken.&nbsp;

Surveillance footage of the incident showed an older male, later identified as Heckman, throw a rock into the window and enter the business. He walked to the back of the store where the safe is located and carries it out of the business.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The reporting party said the glass door was $1,700 to fix and the safe was $2,000 to replace.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police, joined by Kansas City, Kan. officers, located the Heckman in a Kansas City, Kan., residence. Detectives said he told them he spent the money on dope and the casinos.

Heckman's criminal record includes multiple prior convictions for burglary and stealing across the Kansas City metro.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729717963316.png" alt="Heckman from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Heckman from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man was sentenced to seven years in prison for an ice cream shop burglary that occurred last year, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="mailto:Media%20Contact:%20%20%20Jazzlyn%20Johnson%20%20Director%20of%20Communications%20%20%20Jackson%20County%20Prosecutor%E2%80%99s%20Office%20%20%20415%20E%2012th%20Street%20%20Kansas%20City,%20MO%20-%2064106%20%20(816)%20929-1289%20%20%20jazzlyn.johnson@jacksongov.org%20%20%20https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com">John Heckman</a>, 78,&nbsp;received a seven-year prison sentence after pleading guilty yesterday to 2nd Degree Burglary and a concurrent four-year sentence for 1st Degree Property Damage.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2623/Heckman-John-PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched on October 13, 2024, to Betty Rae’s Ice Cream on a burglary. Officers observed a broken glass door, and the reporting party said a black safe with nearly $2,000 in cash was taken.&nbsp;Surveillance footage of the incident showed an older male, later identified as Heckman, throw a rock into the window and enter the business. He walked to the back of the store where the safe is located and carries it out of the business.&nbsp;&nbsp;The reporting party said the glass door was $1,700 to fix and the safe was $2,000 to replace.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police, joined by Kansas City, Kan. officers, located the Heckman in a Kansas City, Kan., residence. Detectives said he told them he spent the money on dope and the casinos.Heckman's criminal record includes multiple prior convictions for burglary and stealing across the Kansas City metro.

Suspect arrested in Kan. for ice cream shop burglary is going to prison

TOPEKA —&nbsp;A federal judge cleared the way Thursday for CoreCivic to reopen its Leavenworth prison as an immigration detention center, saying he lacks jurisdiction to hear the case.

The city has not yet decided whether it will appeal the decision to the Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver.&nbsp;

“We need to confer with our attorneys,” said Scott Peterson, Leavenworth city manager. “We will probably discuss it with the city commission sometime next week.”

Peterson said he didn’t know whether further court action could occur before June 1, when CoreCivic officials had indicated they may begin receiving detainees.

“We may have further negotiations with CoreCivic themselves about this,” Peterson said.&nbsp;

U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse dismissed the case, saying the city failed to establish subject-matter jurisdiction. During a Tuesday hearing, Crouse repeatedly questioned whether he had any basis to act, saying the city had not adequately outlined that issue.

Crouse, appointed to the bench in 2020 by President Donald Trump, highlighted two pending motions before him, including Leavenworth’s request for an injunction that would have stopped CoreCivic from reopening until it could be determined whether the company had to go through the city’s development process. CoreCivic had asked for a dismissal of the case.

Joseph Hatley, attorney for Leavenworth,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/20/federal-judge-questions-leavenworths-attempt-to-block-corecivic-immigration-detention-center/">said in court Tuesday</a>&nbsp;that CoreCivic had agreed not to take detainees until June 1 while the case was decided.

After the hearing, Hatley said in an interview there were concerns that if detainees were housed in the prison before the legal disputes were resolved, the federal government could refuse to move the detainees regardless of the outcome of the case.

“The City asserts that Core Civic should be enjoined from operating its detention facility without the proper permit,” Crouse wrote in his ruling Thursday. “But it has not pled facts to establish that subject-matter jurisdiction exists in federal court to consider that claim. Accordingly, this action is dismissed, and the parties’ motions are denied as moot.”

CoreCivic spokesman Ryan Gustin said the company was pleased with the decision.&nbsp;

“We remain focused on ensuring the Midwest Regional Reception Center is prepared to meet the needs of our federal partner,” he said.

Gustin did not answer questions about whether CoreCivic intended to begin housing ICE detainees in June.&nbsp;

Activists who have spoken out against reopening the facility are hopeful the city will appeal.&nbsp;

“We hope the city will explore all of its options as the concerns of the lawsuit since its filing in February — CoreCivic’s disregard for the city’s governance and its rush to fill the facility without accountability — have only grown more urgent,” Esmie Tseng, spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said in an email.

Tseng also said the judge’s decision held hope with regard to whether CoreCivic would have to follow Leavenworth development codes requiring the company to apply for a special use permit.&nbsp;

“It’s also worth noting that in the dismissal, the court agreed that when CoreCivic ceased operation for 12 months, it lost its non-conforming status and that its initial application for the special use permit appeared to be a recognition of this fact,” she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

CoreCivic was grandfathered into the city’s development codes when it was open and operating as the Leavenworth Detention Facility from 1992 to 2021. The codes were passed in 2012.&nbsp;

City officials, as laid out in the lawsuit, have told CoreCivic it must apply for a special use permit.

CoreCivic’s reopening of the Leavenworth facility, which closed in 2021 at the end of its federal contract and under numerous accusations of inhuman treatment at the facility, is part of the company’s plan to reopen nine idle facilities.

In its May earnings report, CoreCivic announced total revenue of $488.6 million, with net income of $25.1 million.

“2025 is off to a strong start for CoreCivic. First quarter occupancy in CoreCivic facilities reached 77% of available capacity, an increase from 75.2% in the first quarter of last year,” said CEO Damon T. Hininger in a press release. “Based on cost management and increased bed utilization, particularly from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), we exceeded our internal expectations for the first quarter. Additionally, we have begun to re-activate three previously idle facilities under multiple agreements with ICE.”

In Security and Exchange Commission filings, CoreCivic said it had nine idle facilities, including the Leavenworth facility, renamed the Midwest Regional Reception Center.

“CoreCivic anticipates additional contracting activity as 2025 progresses,” Hininger said. “In addition to the facilities we are currently activating, we are making preparatory investments in many of our other idle facilities so that they will be available quickly, as our partners’ needs require and as their budgets allow.”

CoreCivic SEC filings and a press release said they signed a letter of agreement with ICE at the beginning of March to reopen the Leavenworth facility, which would house 1,033 detainees. As a result, ICE paid CoreCivic $5 million with a maximum of $22.6 million set over a six-month period to cover start-up expenses while the two hash out a long-term contract.&nbsp;

In its quarterly report, filed May 8 with the SEC, CoreCivic noted that Leavenworth filed a lawsuit.

“CoreCivic plans to vigorously defend this matter on the basis that the (special use permit) is not applicable under existing statute,” the filing said. “CoreCivic has agreed with the City of Leavenworth to not accept detainees prior to June 1, 2025 while this matter is deliberated. The Company can provide no assurance that it will obtain a favorable ruling in this matter or that ICE and the Company will ultimately enter into a long-term contract for the utilization of the Company’s Midwest Regional Reception Center.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748014998232.png" alt=" Members of Kansas Interfaith action protest the reopening of the Leavenworth CoreCivic prison outside a Tuesday hearing at the U.S. District Court in Topeka. The case was dismissed on Thursday. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Members of Kansas Interfaith action protest the reopening of the Leavenworth CoreCivic prison outside a Tuesday hearing at the U.S. District Court in Topeka. The case was dismissed on Thursday. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA —&nbsp;A federal judge cleared the way Thursday for CoreCivic to reopen its Leavenworth prison as an immigration detention center, saying he lacks jurisdiction to hear the case.The city has not yet decided whether it will appeal the decision to the Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver.&nbsp;“We need to confer with our attorneys,” said Scott Peterson, Leavenworth city manager. “We will probably discuss it with the city commission sometime next week.”Peterson said he didn’t know whether further court action could occur before June 1, when CoreCivic officials had indicated they may begin receiving detainees.“We may have further negotiations with CoreCivic themselves about this,” Peterson said.&nbsp;U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse dismissed the case, saying the city failed to establish subject-matter jurisdiction. During a Tuesday hearing, Crouse repeatedly questioned whether he had any basis to act, saying the city had not adequately outlined that issue.Crouse, appointed to the bench in 2020 by President Donald Trump, highlighted two pending motions before him, including Leavenworth’s request for an injunction that would have stopped CoreCivic from reopening until it could be determined whether the company had to go through the city’s development process. CoreCivic had asked for a dismissal of the case.Joseph Hatley, attorney for Leavenworth,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/20/federal-judge-questions-leavenworths-attempt-to-block-corecivic-immigration-detention-center/">said in court Tuesday</a>&nbsp;that CoreCivic had agreed not to take detainees until June 1 while the case was decided.After the hearing, Hatley said in an interview there were concerns that if detainees were housed in the prison before the legal disputes were resolved, the federal government could refuse to move the detainees regardless of the outcome of the case.“The City asserts that Core Civic should be enjoined from operating its detention facility without the proper permit,” Crouse wrote in his ruling Thursday. “But it has not pled facts to establish that subject-matter jurisdiction exists in federal court to consider that claim. Accordingly, this action is dismissed, and the parties’ motions are denied as moot.”CoreCivic spokesman Ryan Gustin said the company was pleased with the decision.&nbsp;“We remain focused on ensuring the Midwest Regional Reception Center is prepared to meet the needs of our federal partner,” he said.Gustin did not answer questions about whether CoreCivic intended to begin housing ICE detainees in June.&nbsp;<h2>Move forward</h2>Activists who have spoken out against reopening the facility are hopeful the city will appeal.&nbsp;“We hope the city will explore all of its options as the concerns of the lawsuit since its filing in February — CoreCivic’s disregard for the city’s governance and its rush to fill the facility without accountability — have only grown more urgent,” Esmie Tseng, spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said in an email.Tseng also said the judge’s decision held hope with regard to whether CoreCivic would have to follow Leavenworth development codes requiring the company to apply for a special use permit.&nbsp;“It’s also worth noting that in the dismissal, the court agreed that when CoreCivic ceased operation for 12 months, it lost its non-conforming status and that its initial application for the special use permit appeared to be a recognition of this fact,” she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;CoreCivic was grandfathered into the city’s development codes when it was open and operating as the Leavenworth Detention Facility from 1992 to 2021. The codes were passed in 2012.&nbsp;City officials, as laid out in the lawsuit, have told CoreCivic it must apply for a special use permit.<h2>‘Great start’</h2>CoreCivic’s reopening of the Leavenworth facility, which closed in 2021 at the end of its federal contract and under numerous accusations of inhuman treatment at the facility, is part of the company’s plan to reopen nine idle facilities.In its May earnings report, CoreCivic announced total revenue of $488.6 million, with net income of $25.1 million.“2025 is off to a strong start for CoreCivic. First quarter occupancy in CoreCivic facilities reached 77% of available capacity, an increase from 75.2% in the first quarter of last year,” said CEO Damon T. Hininger in a press release. “Based on cost management and increased bed utilization, particularly from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), we exceeded our internal expectations for the first quarter. Additionally, we have begun to re-activate three previously idle facilities under multiple agreements with ICE.”In Security and Exchange Commission filings, CoreCivic said it had nine idle facilities, including the Leavenworth facility, renamed the Midwest Regional Reception Center.“CoreCivic anticipates additional contracting activity as 2025 progresses,” Hininger said. “In addition to the facilities we are currently activating, we are making preparatory investments in many of our other idle facilities so that they will be available quickly, as our partners’ needs require and as their budgets allow.”<h2>Leavenworth contract</h2>CoreCivic SEC filings and a press release said they signed a letter of agreement with ICE at the beginning of March to reopen the Leavenworth facility, which would house 1,033 detainees. As a result, ICE paid CoreCivic $5 million with a maximum of $22.6 million set over a six-month period to cover start-up expenses while the two hash out a long-term contract.&nbsp;In its quarterly report, filed May 8 with the SEC, CoreCivic noted that Leavenworth filed a lawsuit.“CoreCivic plans to vigorously defend this matter on the basis that the (special use permit) is not applicable under existing statute,” the filing said. “CoreCivic has agreed with the City of Leavenworth to not accept detainees prior to June 1, 2025 while this matter is deliberated. The Company can provide no assurance that it will obtain a favorable ruling in this matter or that ICE and the Company will ultimately enter into a long-term contract for the utilization of the Company’s Midwest Regional Reception Center.”

Judge sides with CoreCivic in dispute over reopening Kansas prison for detained immigrants

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged violent sex crimes.

Just before 7:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery, kidnapping, blackmail and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp; A 34-year-old woman was listed as a victim.

Just after 11p.m. Thursday police arrested 33-year-old Henrry Mendrano Tellez of Manhattan in the 1000 block of Westloop Place. 

Mendrano Tellez is being held on a $500,000 bond on requested charges of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery, kidnapping, blackmail and aggravated endangering a child.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged violent sex crimes.Just before 7:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery, kidnapping, blackmail and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp; A 34-year-old woman was listed as a victim.Just after 11p.m. Thursday police arrested 33-year-old Henrry Mendrano Tellez of Manhattan in the 1000 block of Westloop Place. Mendrano Tellez is being held on a $500,000 bond on requested charges of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery, kidnapping, blackmail and aggravated endangering a child.

RCPD: Kansas man accused of rape, endangering a child

TOPEKA, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday morning in Topeka, Kansas.

On Thursday, May 22, at around 11:54 p.m., the TPD was dispatched to investigate a domestic disturbance. Officers went to the residence at 1500 SW 24 St. to make contact with a man identified as Dustin C. Kuney, 33, of Topeka, according to a media release.

Officers attempted to communicate with Kuney, who was alone in the residence, and at 12:54 a.m., Kuney fired shots from the doorway of the residence. Three TPD officers returned fire in response. The gunfire ended and Kuney surrendered to officers at the scene. No law enforcement officers or citizens were injured in this incident.

Kuney was arrested on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, and was booked into Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Topeka.

Just after 11:45p.m Thursday, police responded to investigate a call for of a domestic disturbance at a home in the 1500 block of SW 24th Street in Topeka, according to police spokesman Daniel Garrett.

Just before 1a.m. Friday, police attempted to make contact with the suspect. Officers announced their presence, and the individual reportedly began shooting from the home. The officers then discharged their weapons in response. The suspect, an adult male, then surrendered to officers at the scene, and was taken into custody. The suspect was not injured, and a firearm was found at the scene.&nbsp;

TPD requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to investigate the incident.&nbsp; Per policy, the involved Topeka officers have been placed on administrative leave.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747995528776.png" alt="Police near the scene of the officer-involved shooting -photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police near the scene of the officer-involved shooting -photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday morning in Topeka, Kansas.On Thursday, May 22, at around 11:54 p.m., the TPD was dispatched to investigate a domestic disturbance. Officers went to the residence at 1500 SW 24 St. to make contact with a man identified as Dustin C. Kuney, 33, of Topeka, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748016178787.png" alt="Kuney photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kuney photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers attempted to communicate with Kuney, who was alone in the residence, and at 12:54 a.m., Kuney fired shots from the doorway of the residence. Three TPD officers returned fire in response. The gunfire ended and Kuney surrendered to officers at the scene. No law enforcement officers or citizens were injured in this incident.Kuney was arrested on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, and was booked into Shawnee County Department of Corrections.---------SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Topeka.Just after 11:45p.m Thursday, police responded to investigate a call for of a domestic disturbance at a home in the 1500 block of SW 24th Street in Topeka, according to police spokesman Daniel Garrett.Just before 1a.m. Friday, police attempted to make contact with the suspect. Officers announced their presence, and the individual reportedly began shooting from the home. The officers then discharged their weapons in response. The suspect, an adult male, then surrendered to officers at the scene, and was taken into custody. The suspect was not injured, and a firearm was found at the scene.&nbsp;TPD requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to investigate the incident.&nbsp; Per policy, the involved Topeka officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Police ID man jailed after gunfight with officers at Kansas home

TOPEKA —President Donald Trump&nbsp;has granted&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;request for a federal disaster declaration for the state due to damages caused by severe winter storm, straight-line winds, flooding, and wildfires during the period of March 14-19, 2025. Multiple counties sustained damage to utility infrastructure, roads, bridges, and some government-owned buildings.

“I am grateful that this request for federal assistance has been approved,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;said. “These federal funds will go a long way in supporting the restoration work by those in counties impacted by the storms.”

The declaration allows state and local levels of government, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations that provide vital and essential services, such as rural electric cooperatives, to apply for Public Assistance funds for emergency and permanent work for the repair or replacement of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

Counties named in the declaration are Barton, Chautauqua, Edwards, Elk, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Gray, Greeley, Hodgeman, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Rice, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Wallace, and Woodson Counties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748009830400.png" alt="KHP dash cam video of the dust storm on I-70 during the storm in March" />
 <figcaption>KHP dash cam video of the dust storm on I-70 during the storm in March</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —President Donald Trump&nbsp;has granted&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;request for a federal disaster declaration for the state due to damages caused by severe winter storm, straight-line winds, flooding, and wildfires during the period of March 14-19, 2025. Multiple counties sustained damage to utility infrastructure, roads, bridges, and some government-owned buildings.“I am grateful that this request for federal assistance has been approved,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;said. “These federal funds will go a long way in supporting the restoration work by those in counties impacted by the storms.”The declaration allows state and local levels of government, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations that provide vital and essential services, such as rural electric cooperatives, to apply for Public Assistance funds for emergency and permanent work for the repair or replacement of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.Counties named in the declaration are Barton, Chautauqua, Edwards, Elk, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Gray, Greeley, Hodgeman, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Rice, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Wallace, and Woodson Counties.

President OKs federal disaster declaration for March storms in Kansas

KANSAS CITY—Friends have created an online fundraiser to assist the family of a 4-year-old who drowned last Friday.

Just after 4p.m. May 16, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call of a missing 4-year old boy in the rural Kansas City suburb of Belton, according to a media release. For several hours, dozens of first responders searched the area of 187th Street and Y Highway.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/fub8d-support-rjs-family-in-their-time-of-loss">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the online fundraiser

Members of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, along with several other agencies searched nearby waterways, roads and wooded areas.&nbsp; Search crews used drones, boats and a Kansas City Police Department helicopter. 

Just before 10:30 p.m., first responders recovered the body of&nbsp;Raymond O'Keefe Jr., in a nearby pond.

According to the fundraiser, "RJ brought light and love into every moment of his short life. Whether it was through his infectious giggles, boundless curiosity, or the way he hugged with his whole heart, he made an unforgettable impact on everyone who had the blessing of knowing him."

"As we face the unimaginable pain of this loss, we are also faced with unexpected and overwhelming funeral and burial expenses. We are humbly asking for help togive RJ the peaceful and beautiful goodbye he deserves."

"Every donation—no matter the size—will go directly toward covering the costs of the service, burial, and any additional support for the family during this incredibly difficult time.

The Cass County sheriff appreciated the vigilance of community members who were concerned during the search and thanked the many agencies who also assisted: The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Belton Fire Department, Belton Police Department, Belton Emergency Management, South Metro Fire Protection District, Kansas City Police Department, Taking It To The Streets, Western Cass Fire Protection District, Dolan West Dolan Fire Protection District, West Peculiar Fire Protection, District Lee’s Summit Fire Department, Lee’s Summit Underwater Search and Rescue and the Overland Park Fire Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747996583391.png" alt="First responders at the scene -photo Cass Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene -photo Cass Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Friends have created an online fundraiser to assist the family of a 4-year-old who drowned last Friday.Just after 4p.m. May 16, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call of a missing 4-year old boy in the rural Kansas City suburb of Belton, according to a media release. For several hours, dozens of first responders searched the area of 187th Street and Y Highway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747996667753.png" alt="R.J. O'Keefe photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>R.J. O'Keefe photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/fub8d-support-rjs-family-in-their-time-of-loss">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the online fundraiserMembers of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, along with several other agencies searched nearby waterways, roads and wooded areas.&nbsp; Search crews used drones, boats and a Kansas City Police Department helicopter. Just before 10:30 p.m., first responders recovered the body of&nbsp;Raymond O'Keefe Jr., in a nearby pond.According to the fundraiser, "RJ brought light and love into every moment of his short life. Whether it was through his infectious giggles, boundless curiosity, or the way he hugged with his whole heart, he made an unforgettable impact on everyone who had the blessing of knowing him.""As we face the unimaginable pain of this loss, we are also faced with unexpected and overwhelming funeral and burial expenses. We are humbly asking for help togive RJ the peaceful and beautiful goodbye he deserves.""Every donation—no matter the size—will go directly toward covering the costs of the service, burial, and any additional support for the family during this incredibly difficult time.The Cass County sheriff appreciated the vigilance of community members who were concerned during the search and thanked the many agencies who also assisted: The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Belton Fire Department, Belton Police Department, Belton Emergency Management, South Metro Fire Protection District, Kansas City Police Department, Taking It To The Streets, Western Cass Fire Protection District, Dolan West Dolan Fire Protection District, West Peculiar Fire Protection, District Lee’s Summit Fire Department, Lee’s Summit Underwater Search and Rescue and the Overland Park Fire Department.

Friends assisting family after 4-year-old drowns in KC area pond

&nbsp;A controversial report released&nbsp; Thursday on American health and wellness from Health and Human Services Secretary&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WH-The-MAHA-Report-Assessment.pdf">Click here to read the full</a> report

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748002472470.png" alt="President Trump looks on as RFK, Jr. shares details during the MAHA report press conference Thursday-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump looks on as RFK, Jr. shares details during the MAHA report press conference Thursday-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;A controversial report released&nbsp; Thursday on American health and wellness from Health and Human Services Secretary&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WH-The-MAHA-Report-Assessment.pdf">Click here to read the full</a> report<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🎥LIVE NOW: MAHA Commission Event<a href="https://t.co/grqwvw5rHx">https://t.co/grqwvw5rHx</a>&mdash; HHS.gov (@HHSGov) <a href="https://twitter.com/HHSGov/status/1925643966659150060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It was a privilege to join President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> at the White House, representing our farmers and ranchers. America’s farmers are the original conservationists and champions of Making America Healthy Again. None of this would be possible without their dedication to taking… <a href="https://t.co/AdWRkZzZMn">pic.twitter.com/AdWRkZzZMn</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1925660292987420816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The MAHA Report ➡️ Poor Diet <a href="https://t.co/xYpxpeHP17">pic.twitter.com/xYpxpeHP17</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1925655978810159427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The MAHA Report ➡️ Environmental Chemical Exposure <a href="https://t.co/SN8S76QsSA">pic.twitter.com/SN8S76QsSA</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1925656335460270145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The MAHA Report ➡️ Environmental Chemical Exposure <a href="https://t.co/SN8S76QsSA">pic.twitter.com/SN8S76QsSA</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1925656335460270145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The MAHA Report ➡️ The Path Forward <a href="https://t.co/qeUvIm6L57">pic.twitter.com/qeUvIm6L57</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1925658277771083911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>