**Photos by Junction City Fire Department

The damage estimate from a house fire Thursday at 602 Stone Ridge in Junction City has been placed in the $300,000 to $500, 000 dollar range. Fire Chief Jason Lankas noted Friday that the house is now not believed to be a total loss. It's value was listed at $1.2 million dollars.&nbsp;

The resident was identified as Sue Ann Magana.

Lankas also confirmed new information on Friday morning that the blaze began in a burn barrel on a neighbor's property and then spread through tall grass to the house that was damaged.

The fire cause has been determined to be unintentional accidental.

Assisting in battling the fire were multiple agencies including Junction City, Geary County, Fort Riley, Grandview Plaza and with a drone the Junction City Police Department.

Fire Chief Jason Lankas confirmed early Thursday evening that the fire was out. The blaze began near an outdoor shed and then spread through tall grass to the house. There were not any injuries.

The Red Cross and a State Fire Marshall's Office were called in to assist. The female resident of the house received private help.

Junction City Fire Department, Geary County Rural Fire, Fort Riley Fire, and Grandview Plaza Fire Department on Thursday worked a large house fire located just southeast of K-18 and U.S. 77 in Junction City.

As of 2:15 p.m., the fire was under control, according to Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges. Approximately 50 personnel were on scene assisting with fire suppression and overhaul operations. Firefighters expected to remain on scene for the next several hours to monitor the structure and ensure the fire is fully extinguished.

**K-18 off U.S. 77 into Junction City is currently shut down due to the fire, and to allow responding agencies to bring in water. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Several local Fire Departments worked a house fire in Junction City on Thursday

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;

Riley County Arrest Report February 13

On Sunday, December 7 Sunset Zoo welcomed a new resident when Kivuli, the black-and-white colobus monkey, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. 

Kivuli has been an excellent mother from the start, and the baby is healthy and growing steadily.At two months, the baby is starting to venture away from mom for short periods of time and munching on bits of solid food.

While born all white, his dark hair is starting to grow in as he slowly morphs into a striking, adult black-and-white colobus monkey.&nbsp;While he is meeting all his developmental milestones, this little monkey still needs a name.

Sunset Zoo is asking for the public’s help in naming our newest resident. All the options are words or names in Swahili, the most common language in Eastern and Central Africa where black-and-white colobus naturally occur. The troop’s caretakers have narrowed down the choices to three names:

Nuru (new-roo) – means “light” in Swahili, in contrast to his mother’s name, Kivuli, which means “shadow”

Kiatu (key-ah-too) – means “shoe” in Swahili, a tribute to Sunset Zoo’s recently retired director, Scott Shoemaker•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Kiongozi (key-own-go-zee) – means “leader” in Swahili, also in honor of Scott Shoemaker

<a href="https://friendsofsunsetzoo.ticketspice.com/sunsetzootinyprimatepoll?utm_source=News+Release&amp;utm_campaign=eca19327ea-Brew+at+the+Zoo+Ticket+Sales+2017_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_afbe83d3a1-eca19327ea-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]&amp;mc_cid=eca19327ea&amp;mc_eid=ae94a9aa01">Click here to cast your vote</a> and donate any amount you wish towards their favorite name.

Whichever name receives the most donations by March 1st will be the winner and the new monkey moniker.

All proceeds will go towards animal enrichment and conservation.&nbsp;In addition to voting for a baby name, you can also help support the new mother and baby by visiting the Sunset Zoo gift shop and purchasing an item off the enrichment tree.

Mother and baby are often on view in the Ballard Primate Viewing Gallery or in their outside habitat on warmer days. The troop does have access to off-view dens; if you don’t see mom and baby, check back later in the day! Sunset Zoo is open from noon to 5 PM daily.

Help Sunset Zoo name the Colobus Monkey baby

The 2026 K-State College Rodeo will be held Feb. 19-22 at the Bilbrey Family Event Center, north of the Manhattan campus.

Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rodeo is scheduled at K-State

A Kansas Department of Transportation project that will replace two bridges on K-63 is scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 16, conditions permitting. The bridges over Bartlett Creek and the Union Pacific railroad tracks are located just north of Emmett in Pottawatomie County.

New bridges will be built next to the existing structures. Traffic impacts should be minimal to none during this phase of the project, with most work taking place along the roadway’s shoulders.

Work will occur during daylight hours Monday through Friday, and Saturdays if needed.

Hawkins Construction Co., of Omaha, Nebraska, is the prime contractor on the $12.9 million project, which is anticipated to be complete in June 20.

Two K-63 bridges to be replaced in Pottawatomie County

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, on Wednesday led a committee hearing with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) to discuss proposed changes to VA’s community care program, according to a media release from the Senator's office.

In December 2025, VA issued the Community Care Network Next Generation Request for Proposals (CCN NextGen RFP), which aims to modernize the delivery of care in the community, increase competition and innovation within VA’s community care program and deliver higher quality care to veterans.

“In many ways, these procurements reflect a welcome focus on innovation, competition and accountability,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“They also signal long-overdue progress toward upholding industry standards, embracing value-based care, strengthening program integrity and addressing persistent challenges—such as the timely return of medical documentation—that have frustrated veterans, providers and policymakers alike.”

This is the first major acquisition effort to support VA’s community care program since the passage of the&nbsp;MISSION Act&nbsp;in 2018. The proposed CCN Next Gen RFP contracts would not change underlying veteran eligibility for community care.

“These contracts must do more than look good on paper,”&nbsp;continued Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Instead, they must deliver results for veterans, VA staff, community care providers and taxpayers by leading to real, measurable improvements in access, choice, outcomes and costs.”

🎥Moran leads hearing to review VA’s modernization efforts 

Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to celebrate the graduation of the 2025–2026 LEAD JC class, marking the completion of a seven-month leadership journey designed to strengthen community awareness, inspire civic engagement, and cultivate the next generation of leaders in Junction City and Geary County.

LEAD JC brings together professionals from diverse industries who share a common goal — investing in the future of the community. Throughout the program, participants gain firsthand insight into the partnerships, challenges, and opportunities that shape the region.

Over the course of the experience, the cohort explored several key areas essential to a thriving community, including:

The program concluded with a graduation ceremony at the C.L. Hoover Opera House, where participants reflected on their experiences and the strengths they bring to their organizations and the broader community.

“LEAD JC is more than a program — it is an investment in the future of Junction City,” said Kelly Cook, Membership Director of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce. “When leaders understand their community and build strong relationships, they are better equipped to create meaningful impact.”

Mandi Gaudian, Administrative Marketing Specialist for the Geary County Convention and Visitors Bureau and a member of the 2025–2026 class, shared how the program shaped her perspective.

“LEAD JC helped me better understand the importance and benefits of being an active participant in our community,” Gaudian said. “Through this experience, I gained insight into how the community functions, its history, and what it takes to support positive progress moving forward. The instructor’s thoughtful selection of materials, along with their ability to draw on the diverse backgrounds of participants to provide exceptional examples of leadership, made the experience especially impactful.”

Graduates leave the program with deeper connections, increased knowledge of regional assets, and a renewed commitment to community involvement. Many alumni go on to serve on local boards, volunteer for civic initiatives, and champion projects that enhance the vitality of Geary County and Junction City.

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce remains committed to developing leaders who will help move the community forward. Applications for the next LEAD JC class will open later this year.

For more information about LEAD JC or upcoming Chamber programs, please contact the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Local Leaders Graduate from Chamber’s LEAD JC Program

Riley County Arrest Report February 12

The City Commission reviewed conceptual options for the future reconstruction of Moro Street in Aggieville from 11th Street to N. Manhattan Ave. this week. Four refined concepts were provided within the 60-foot right-of-way between storefronts on Moro that generally feature angled parking on one side of the street, a 20-foot driving lane, and the potential for mid-block pedestrian crossings and other landscaping and pedestrian amenities.

Mayor Susan Adamcheck summarized some of the ideas from the commission including parking on the north with access to a remaining public parking lot, carry through consistency from nearby North Manhattan Avenue and 12th Street, and a desire for some amenities.

Staff anticipates returning to the City Commission with a recommended delivery approach, and a more detailed 30% design of the project with updated cost estimates for the two-block project.&nbsp;

Other points also ranged from the reduction of parking spaces in the two blocks of Moro to the need for a parking lot on the east end. There was&nbsp; also a note that Aggieville is due for a parking upgrade.&nbsp;

Manhattan City Commissioners discuss design options for Moro Street in Aggieville 

KSU Division of Communication and Marketing

MANHATTAN — Following a national search, the Office of the Provost has appointed Ashfaq Khokhar as dean of Kansas State University’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://engg.k-state.edu/">Carl R. Ice College of Engineering</a>, effective Aug. 2.“Dr. Khokhar brings exceptional leadership experience, growth-minded vision and high-quality teaching, research&nbsp;and engagement&nbsp;to K-State in the role of dean for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering,” said Jesse Perez Mendez, provost and executive vice president.&nbsp;“I look forward to working with him to advance the college and university’s strategic vision.”

As the chief academic and administrative officer for the college, and LeRoy C. and Aileen H. Paslay Chair in Engineering, Khokhar will provide leadership, strategic vision and direction for the college, and support and promote the academic mission of the university. Khokhar will work to grow the college’s excellence in teaching, research, service, extension and engagement; promote a collaborative leadership approach; and cultivate internal and external partnerships to advance the university’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/next-gen/plan/">Next-Gen K-State strategic plan</a>.

"Since 2017, Khokhar has served as the Palmer Department Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University. During his tenure, he oversaw an increase in the department’s research expenditures from $13.2 million in 2016 to $19 million in 2024 and more than $20 million new research projects funded in 2024; the development and launch of several new undergraduate and graduate degree programs; and he spearheaded the development of a five-year strategic plan, among many other accomplishments.&nbsp;

 Ashfaq Khokhar named dean of K-State’s Carl R. Ice College of Engineering

Pawnee Mental Health has announced the promotion of Nate Bellamy to Director of Operations. Bellamy brings extensive experience in facilities leadership, safety oversight, and operational management to his new role.

Bellamy specializes in facilities and operations leadership across health care, industrial and government environments. His background includes regulatory compliance, project and risk management, ensuring organizations meet safety, building and security standards while effectively managing facility-related risks. He also has a strong record in project and process improvement management, leading capital projects, optimizing workflows, and driving cost-effective performance.

Before joining Pawnee Mental Health, Bellamy served in several leadership and operational roles, including assistant director of a summer camp, Loss Prevention contract manager, maintenance manager, small-business owner and as a security contractor. These roles strengthened his expertise in systems improvement, team leadership,&nbsp;and operational efficiency.

In his new role, Bellamy will oversee facilities operations, safety processes and organizational infrastructure. He will work closely with agency leadership to support daily operations, enhance system reliability and help maintain a safe, efficient environment for staff and clients.

Pawnee Mental Health Announces Promotion of Nate Bellamy to Director of Operations

DENVER (AP) — Four people are dead after a small plane crashed Friday into mountainous terrain near the Colorado ski resort community of Steamboat Springs, authorities said.

An Epic E1000, a six-seat turboprop plane, crashed around 12:20 a.m. with four people on board, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Four people died at the scene, Routt County coroner Mitch Locke said.

The plane crashed into mountainous terrain in unknown circumstances, according to preliminary information, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board both said they are investigating the crash.

4 dead in small plane crash near Colorado ski resort

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heraskevych-helmet-ukraine-olympics-skeleton-9f304e1ff834ddab33af2f4e003f04a8">skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych</a>&nbsp;lost an appeal of his disqualification from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Milan Cortina Olympics</a>&nbsp;on Friday, yet already knew there was no pathway for him to compete in the race.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport denied the appeal, agreeing with the International Olympic Committee and the sliding sport's federation that Heraskevych's plan to wear a helmet showing the faces of more than 20 Ukrainian coaches and athletes killed since Russia invaded their country four years ago would be in violation of Olympic rules.

CAS, in a brief statement, said the sole arbitrator who heard the case had no choice but to side with IOC policy about what athletes at an Olympics can say on a field of play — and that the “memory helmet” Heraskevych brought to the Milan Cortina Games would not align with the rules athletes have to follow.

The arbitrator, CAS said, “found these limitations reasonable and proportionate, considering the other opportunities for athletes to raise awareness in mixed zones, in press conferences, on social networks, or in Mr. Heraskevych’s case, wearing the helmet during four training runs.”

CAS added that the arbitrator “wished to state that she is fully sympathetic to Mr. Heraskevych’s commemoration and to his attempt to raise awareness for the grief and devastation suffered by the Ukrainian people, and Ukrainian athletes because of the war.

Ukrainian star disqualified from Olympics over helmet honoring war dead

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military on Thursday reported two major incidents that occurred in recent days tied to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-warships-troops-venezuela-caribbean-f0cea0fbfcd991066b2489460f685001" target="_blank">massive buildup of forces in the Caribbean Sea</a>&nbsp;— a Marine who died after falling overboard and a collision between two Navy ships that left two sailors with minor injuries.

A report was made Saturday that Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, had fallen from the USS Iwo Jima amphibious assault ship, the Marine Corps said in a press release. The military used five Navy ships, 10 aircraft and an Air Force Reaper drone in “an extensive, around-the-clock 72-hour search and rescue operation,” the release said, but he was declared dead Tuesday.

It appears to be the first publicly announced death of a service member during the U.S. military operation in the region. The Trump administration built up the largest military presence in the region in generations before carrying out a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-military-death-toll-venezuela-20cef307b035c386f390df846b6056b7" target="_blank">deadly strikes on alleged drug boats</a>&nbsp;since September, seizing sanctioned oil tankers and conducting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2" target="_blank">surprise raid last month that captured Venezuela’s then-president</a>, Nicolás Maduro.

Also Thursday, U.S. Southern Command announced that the destroyer USS Truxtun and the supply ship USNS Supply collided as the warship was getting a new load of supplies. The maneuver typically has the vessels sailing parallel, usually within hundreds of feet, while fuel and supplies are transferred across the gap via hoses and cables.

The collision occurred when the supply ship was refueling the cruiser USS Gettysburg on one side and the Truxtun approached from the other side, according to a U.S. official familiar with the collision, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a mishap that is under investigation.

Southern Command said two personnel reported minor injuries and that both were in stable condition. The two ships now are sailing safely, the military statement said.

The USS Truxtun left its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, on Feb. 3. The destroyer had to return to port for several days to conduct “an emergent equipment repair” and it ultimately set sail for the Caribbean on Feb. 6, according to a Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operational details.

In the Caribbean, the naval presence alone stands at 12 ships, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/navy-aircraft-carriers-military-strategy-eda233a4dd0055695fa6d92ccc7c0d05" target="_blank">the world’s largest aircraft carrier</a>, the USS Gerald R. Ford, as well as the Iwo Jima and two other amphibious assault ships, which are carrying thousands of Marines.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the collision, which is rare for warships. The Navy's most recent collision occurred in February 2025 when the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/truman-aircraft-carrier-collision-merchant-vessel-50e039f339c4658d246a08ca496a21d9" target="_blank">collided with a merchant vessel</a>&nbsp;just outside the Suez Canal near Port Said, Egypt. That resulted in minor damage to the Truman but no injuries.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/navy-investigations-mishaps-houthis-takeaways-8fd391e23315f93842e4f2a4756a3dc0" target="_blank">An investigation released in December revealed</a>&nbsp;that as the aircraft carrier was running behind schedule, the officer navigating the ship drove it at an unsafely high speed.

Marine becomes first American to die in drug boat targeting operation

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key measure of inflation fell to nearly a five-year low last month as apartment rental price growth slowed and gas prices fell, offering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-trump-federal-reserve-ed245660d83628e9ff3df1988bdf6d00">some relief</a>&nbsp;to Americans grappling with the sharp cost increases of the past five years.

Inflation dropped to 2.4% in January compared with a year earlier, down from 2.7% in December and not too far from the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Core prices, which exclude the volatile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aldi-trump-tariff-inflation-amazon-a84ce4d5938a15c3c6d7349c7e89f01b">food</a>&nbsp;and energy categories, rose just 2.5% in January from a year ago, down from 2.6% the previous month and the smallest increase since March 2021.

Friday’s report suggests inflation is cooling, but the cost of food, gas, and apartment rents have soared after the pandemic, with consumer prices still about 25% higher than they were five years ago. The increase in such a broad range of costs has kept&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cost-of-living-affordability-message-republicans-22511695fd763ccdb6461f7d65fc7a06">“affordability,”</a>&nbsp;a topic that helped shape the most recent U.S. presidential election, front and center as a dominant political issue.

And on a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% in January from December, while core prices rose 0.3%. Core inflation was held down by a sharp drop in the price of used cars, which fell 1.8% just in January from December.

“Inflation continues to decelerate and is not threatening to move back up, and that will enable more rate cuts by the Fed,” said Luke Tilley, chief economist at Wilmington Trust.

There were signs in the report that retailers are passing on more of the costs of President Donald Trump's tariffs to consumers for goods such as furniture, appliances, and clothes. But those increases were offset by falling prices elsewhere. In other areas, Trump has delayed, scrapped, or provided exemptions to his duties.

Furniture prices jumped 0.7% in January from the previous month and are up 4% from a year ago. Appliances rose 1.3% in January though are only slightly more expensive than a year earlier. Clothing price rose 0.3% in January from December and have increased 1.7% in the past year.

Some services prices also rose: Airline fares soared 6.5% just in January, after a 3.8% jump in November, though they rose only 2.2% from a year earlier. Music streaming subscriptions increased 4.5% in January and are 7.8% higher than a year ago.

Yet those increases were largely offset by price declines, or much slower price growth, in other areas, including many that make up a greater share of Americans' spending.

The cost of used cars, for example, plunged 1.8% in January, the biggest decline in two years. Gas prices fell 3.2% last month, the third drop in the past four months, and are down 7.5% from a year earlier. Grocery prices rose just 0.2% in January, after a big 0.6% rise in December, and are up 2.1% from a year ago. Hotel prices ticked down 0.1% in January and have fallen 2% from last year.

Rental prices and the cost of owning a home, which make up a third of the inflation index, both rose just 0.2% in December, while rents increased only 2.8% from a year earlier. That is much lower than during the pandemic: Rents rose by more than 8% in 2022.

The tariffs have increased some costs and many economists forecast companies will pass through more of those increases to consumers in the coming months. A&nbsp;<a href="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2026/02/who-is-paying-for-the-2025-u-s-tariffs/">study released Thursday</a>&nbsp;by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that U.S. companies and consumers are paying nearly 90% of the tariffs' costs, echoing similar findings in studies by Harvard and other economists.

Yet the increases haven't been as broad-based as many economists feared.

Tilley said that the higher tariffs have pulled some consumer spending away from other services, which has forced companies to keep those prices a bit lower as a result.

“We don’t think consumers are in a place to take on price increases across the board, so you’re not seeing those price increses,” he said. Hiring was particularly weak last year, slowing wage growth, and many Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-economy-spending-inflation-conference-board-f36b997dc46ac9c3577d05db52166846">remain gloomy</a>&nbsp;about the economy.

Some economists note that the rental figures were distorted by October's six-week government shutdown, which interrupted the Labor Department's gathering of the data. The government plugged in estimated figures for October which economists say have artificially lowered some of the housing costs.

Companies are still grappling with the higher costs from Trump's duties, though some have benefited from tariffs being delayed or scrapped.

Arin Schultz, chief growth officer at Naturepedic, which makes organic mattresses in Cleveland, breathed a sigh of relief when Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kitchen-cabinets-furniture-tariffs-a89ea5c044af3c2ac8ffcb481e0150ef">postponed import duties</a>&nbsp;on upholstered furniture until 2027. They would have substantially pushed up the cost of the headboards the company imports.

Schultz welcomed the decision to lower tariffs on imports from India to 18%, from 50%. Naturepedic sources a lot of the cotton fabrics and bedding that it sells from India. When that reduction kicks in, he said, the company could even cut some prices.

Still, Naturepedic's costs jumped because of duties on imports from Vietnam and Malaysia, where it sources its organic latex, which can't be grown in the United States. Naturepedic makes its mattresses in the United States at a factory in Cleveland and employs about 200 workers.

“We're paying more now for that,” he said, and the company raised its prices about 7% last year as a result. "Tariffs are awful. We are less profitable now as a company because of tariffs.”

If inflation gets closer to the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, it could allow the central bank to cut its key short-term interest rate further this year, as Trump has repeatedly demanded. High borrowing costs for things like mortgages and auto loans have also contributed to a perception that many big-ticket items remain out of reach for many Americans.

Inflation surged to 9.1% in 2022 as consumer spending soared as supply chains snarled after the pandemic. It began to fall in 2023 but leveled off around 3% in mid-2024 and remained elevated last year.

At the same time, measures of wage growth have declined as hiring has cratered. With companies reluctant to add jobs, workers don't have as much leverage to demand raises.

Good news for consumers: Inflation measure falls to five-year low 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—An Oklahoma truck driver accused of intentionally backing over and killing a Georgia man in the parking lot of a Wichita truck stop will return to court Friday.

Travis Briscoe, 46, is scheduled to attend a preliminary hearing in Judge Sean Hatfield's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He is charged with 2nd degree murder for the death of 57-year-old Abdelmuttalib Mohammed.

On August 13, police responded to the Love's Travel Stop in the 1500 block of East 21st Street North for an injury crash, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. They found 57-year-old Abdelmuttalib Mohammed of Georgia, under a truck. Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services pronounced him dead at 5:32 p.m.

Investigators with the Wichita Police Department determined Mohammed had been in a verbal altercation with Briscoe. The two men did not know each other, according to Gupilan. During the altercation, Briscoe began backing into a parking stall with his semitractor-trailer striking&nbsp; Mohammed.

Briscoe remains jailed on a $150,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Driver who backed over, killed man at Kan. truck stop is due back in court

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Out of an abundance of caution School Resource Officers initiated a lockout – allowing no one to exit or enter – four Lawrence Public Schools Thursday afternoon, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.

Officers were investigating a potential threat. Police were called to 19th and Massachusetts because someone said a man was acting strangely and might have a gun. Another person heard the same man say there was going to be a mass-shooting at Lawrence High School.

Patrol officers immediately began searching for the man.  The School Resource Officers quickly worked to secure LHS and three nearby schools – Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Cordley Elementary School, and Schwegler Elementary School.

The lockout began shortly after 1pm.  Patrol officers continued their search for the man and found him in the 900 block of Vermont.  He was extremely combative.  Officers were forced to restrain the man to get him into a van, then transported him to the Douglas County Correctional Facility.

He faces several potential charges including possession of drug paraphernalia. He was not in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest.  

The schools were able to open back up for a regular dismissal.

4 Kan. schools locked out while police investigate potential threat

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A new crew rocketed toward the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-space-station-spacex-retire-plunge-3076b8f67488a699240b23bc7f27fc8d">International Space Station</a>&nbsp;on Friday to replace the astronauts who returned to Earth early in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-astronauts-space-crew-spacex-medical-california-13d6c5246a1afec200a811e6cfc049bf">NASA's first medical evacuation</a>.

SpaceX launched the replacements as soon as possible at NASA’s request, sending the U.S., French and Russian astronauts on an expected eight- to nine-month mission stretching until fall. The four should arrive at the orbiting lab Saturday, filling the vacancies left by their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-space-astronauts-crew-medical-spacex-d89651fb83a8eb32d8619052424a5cb8">evacuated colleagues</a>&nbsp;last month and bringing the space station back to full staff.

“It turns out Friday the 13th is a very lucky day,” SpaceX Launch Control radioed once the astronauts reached orbit. “That was quite a ride,” replied the crew's commander, Jessica Meir.

NASA had to put spacewalks on hold and deferred other duties while awaiting the arrival of Americans Meir and Jack Hathaway, France’s Sophie Adenot and Russia’s Andrei Fedyaev. They'll join three other astronauts — one American and two Russians — who kept the space station running the past month.

Satisfied with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-astronauts-medical-evacuation-crew-11-d501e91736371525e81d13794d5e9f01">medical procedures</a>&nbsp;already in place, NASA ordered no extra checkups for the crew ahead of liftoff and no new diagnostic equipment was packed. An ultrasound machine already up there for research went into overdrive Jan. 7 when used on the ailing crew member. NASA has not revealed the ill astronaut’s identity or health issue. All four returning astronauts went straight to the hospital after splashing down in the Pacific near San Diego.

It was the first time in 65 years of human spaceflight that NASA cut short a mission for medical reasons.

With missions becoming longer, NASA is constantly looking at upgrades to the space station’s medical gear, said deputy program manager Dina Contella. “But there are a lot of things that are just not practical and so that’s when you need to bring astronauts home from space,” she said earlier this week.

In preparation for moon and Mars trips where health care will be even more challenging, the new arrivals will test a filter designed to turn drinking water into emergency IV fluid, try out an ultrasound system that relies on artificial intelligence and augmented reality instead of experts on the ground, and perform ultrasound scans on their jugular veins in a blood clot study.

They also will demonstrate their moon-landing skills in a simulated test drawing extra attention because of the impending launch of four astronauts to the moon on Artemis II, humanity's first lunar voyage in more than half a century.

Adenot is only the second French woman to launch to space. She was 14 when Claudie Haignere flew to Russia’s space station Mir in 1996, inspiring her to become an astronaut. Haignere cheered her on from the Florida launch site, wishing her “Bon vol," French for “Have a good flight," and “Ad astra," Latin for “To the stars.”

Hathaway, like Adenot, is new to space, while Meir and Fedyaev are making their second station trip. On her first mission in 2019, Meir took part in the first all-female spacewalk. The other half of that spacewalk, Christina Koch, is among the four Artemis II astronauts waiting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-artemis-astronauts-moon-540260c90a45e0de4cb28f3e481777ff">to fly around the moon</a>&nbsp;as early as March. A ship-to-ship radio linkup is planned between the two crews.

Meir wasn’t sure astronauts would return to the moon during her career. “Now we’re right here on the precipice of the Artemis II mission,” she said ahead of liftoff. “The fact that they will be in space at the same time as us … it’s so cool to be an astronaut now, it’s so exciting.”

SpaceX launched the latest crew from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Elon Musk’s company is preparing its neighboring Kennedy Space Center launch pad for the supersized Starships, which NASA needs to land astronauts on the moon.

NASA’s new administrator Jared Isaacman said following Friday's liftoff that testing continues at the Artemis pad, where the Space Launch System moon rocket awaits liftoff. A practice fueling last week unleashed hydrogen fuel leaks. Two seals have since been replaced and a mini fueling conducted.

Isaacman stressed that no launch date will be set until additional fueling tests — potentially a series of them — are completed. The earliest that Artemis II could launch is March 3, he noted.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

🎥New astronauts launch to Space Station after medical evacuation

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

Just after 5:30p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to 20th and Monroe on a sound of shots call in the area. 911 received multiple additional calls of sound of shots and eventually one call reporting a shooting victim down in a wooded area of a series of vacant lots in the 2000 block of Monroe.

On arrival officers made their way into the vacant lots and located a male shooting victim unresponsive there. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over aid. They eventually declared the victim deceased here at the scene.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Preliminary indication indicates the shooting occurred on 20th street between Askew and Monroe and the victim then ran to the south where he was located.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or possible suspect details.

KCPD: Victim ran from shooting and died in a vacant lot

By JOSH FUNK &nbsp;AP Transportation Writer

Key senators including Jerry Moran from Kansas and the families of the 67 dead in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">airliner collision with an Army helicopter</a>&nbsp;near the nation's capital are convinced that advanced aircraft locator systems recommended by experts for nearly two decades would have prevented last year's tragedy. But it remains unclear if Congress will pass a bill requiring every plane and helicopter to use them around every busy airport.

The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing Thursday to highlight why the National Transportation Safety Board has been recommending since 2008 that all aircraft be equipped with one system that can broadcast their locations and another one to receive data about the location of other aircraft. Only the system that broadcasts location is currently required. The hearing will review all 50 of the NTSB's recommendations to prevent another midair collision like that of Jan. 29, 2025.

Everyone aboard the helicopter and the American Airlines jet flying from Wichita, Kansas, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">28 members of the figure skating community</a>, died when the aircraft collided and plummeted into the icy Potomac River.

The Senate already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-dc-collision-helicopter-cruz-cantwell-22542aec3d8e797cc769c101cd909275">unanimously approved the bill</a>&nbsp;that would require all aircraft flying around busy airports to have both kinds of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems installed. However, leaders of the key House committees seem to want to craft their own comprehensive bill addressing all the NTSB recommendations instead of immediately passing what's known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midair-collision-ntsb-washington-dc-army-helicopter-40f94a495e2e60b9adc5b9a49cce6437">the ROTOR act</a>. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-crash-night-faa-helicopter-286319ac01bee91e4992c95e7946063e">ADS-B Out systems</a>&nbsp;continually broadcast an aircraft's location and speed and have been required since 2020. But ADS-B In systems that can receive those signals and create a display showing pilots were all air traffic is located around them are not standard.

Commerce Committee Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz said he's concerned that some people are talking about possibly adding loopholes to the bill that would exempt regional airlines and private jets from the mandate. The Texas Republican said that would undermine the effort, and doesn't make sense given that the plane involved in this collision was flown by a regional airline.

“Flying can only be safe when everyone follows the same standards,” Cruz said. He said that he hopes the House will vote on the bill in the next two weeks to send it to the president's desk.

But Rep. Sam Graves, who leads the House Transportation Committee, said Thursday that he doesn't plan to consider the Senate bill.

“I haven’t looked a whole lot at the ROTOR Act. We’re going to do our own bill,” Graves said.

If the American Airlines jet and the helicopter had also been equipped with one of the ADS-B In systems that can receive location data, the NTSB and the victims’ families and key lawmakers say, the pilots may have been able to avoid the collision because they would have received nearly a minute of advanced warning.

The receiving systems would have provided more warning along with an indication of where the other aircraft was. But for that to work the helicopter’s ADS-B Out system that’s supposed to broadcast its location would have to be turned on and working correctly, which wasn’t the case on the night of the crash.

These locator systems are one of the measures that might have been able to overcome all the systemic problems and mistakes the NTSB identified in the disaster. That’s why this requirement was endorsed by NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy — the only witness called to the hearing — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and all of the Senate. This is the 18th time the NTSB has recommended the technology.

“This seems like a no-brainer, right? Especially when this is not a new thing that they’re proposing,” said Amy Hunter, whose cousin Peter Livingston died on the flight with his wife and two young daughters.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth said the FAA also failed to act on warnings from its own controllers after a strikingly similar near miss in 2013 about the risks that helicopters pose around DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport), and an alarming number of near misses chronicled in the agency’s own data.

“FAA’s failure in the face of blaring alarm bells, screaming out that it was a matter of when — not if — one of the near misses at DCA would become a deadly tragedy is, unfortunately, emblematic of a chronic crisis that’s plagued FAA for years,” Duckworth said.

Afterward, the FAA made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-dc-plane-crash-faa-helicopters-07ea495a557b8a2767d0eca4277e8be1">several changes</a>&nbsp;including prohibiting helicopters from flying along the route where the crash happened whenever a plane is landing on DCA's secondary runway and requiring all aircraft to use their ADS-B Out systems to broadcast their locations.

The crash anniversary and NTSB hearing on the causes of the crash have made recent weeks challenging for victims’ families. And now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-naumov-73e9845c7adf5e99216966b22bfae7c8">the Olympics</a>&nbsp;are reminding Hunter and others that their loved ones — like young Everly and Alydia Livingston — will never have a chance to realize their dreams of competing for a gold medal.

The biggest stumbling block is cost. Upgrading some airline jets might cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, placing an expensive burden on some — especially regional airlines with tighter profit margins like the one that flew the jet that collided with the Army helicopter. Some also worry whether general aviation pilots could afford the upgrades. These systems haven't even been designed and certified for some airline jets — particularly the CRJ models that were involved in this crash.

But some airlines have already begun to add the technology to their planes, partly because in addition to the safety benefits, the systems can help increase the number of planes that can fly into an airport by spacing them more precisely. American Airlines leads the industry, having added the technology to its Airbus A321s over the past several years, equipping more than 300 of its roughly 1,000 planes to date. Homendy said American officials told her the retrofits cost less than $50,000 per plane.

Any plane more than a decade old likely doesn’t have either of these systems installed. Most newer planes have at least an ADS-B Out system that broadcasts their location.

But roughly three quarters of the pilots of business jets and smaller single-engine Cessnas and Bonanzas use portable devices that only cost $400 dollars that can tap into this location data and display the information about nearby aircraft on an iPad. So it doesn't appear the legislation would create a significant expense for them. Homendy held up one of the small receivers during her testimony to demonstrate how easy it is for pilots to get ADS-B In warnings.

Tim Lilley, a pilot himself, said having both these locator systems would have saved the life of his son Sam, who was copilot of the airliner, and everyone else who died. He said small plane owners have an affordable option, but even the expensive upgrades to large planes would be worth it.

“If those recommendations had been fully realized, this accident wouldn’t have happened,” Lilley said. “I don’t know what value we put on the human life, but 67 lives would still be here today.”

AP writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report from Washington D.C.

 🎥Moran questions NTSB Chair on findings from DCA crash investigation

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement investigating a school threat in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call regarding an online social media threat involving Eisenhower Middle School, 3305 SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.. No other schools are involved in this incident.

On Wednesday, Topeka Police working jointly with the FBI to determine the credibility of the online threat arrested a 16-year-old boy on requested charges of criminal threat and criminal use of weapons.

16-year-old accused of online threat against Kan. middle school

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Jizzle James scored 24 points, Baba Miller had a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Cincinnati rolled past Kansas State 91-62 on Wednesday night.

Miller also recorded six assists and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GoBearcatsMBB/status/2021790579873460443">four blocked shots</a>. He has 11 double-doubles this season and is one of three players nationally with the stat line of at least 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game.

James buried 6 of 8 3-pointers and Jalen Celestine, who scored 18 points, made 4 of 6 3s. The Bearcats hit on 16 of 28 3-pointers.

Sencire Harris scored 12 points, and Day Day Thomas added 10 for Cincinnati (13-12, 5-7 Big 12).

Needing 31 points to reach 2,000 for his career, K-State’s P.J. Haggerty scored 24. With seven more points, he will join Gonzaga’s Graham Ike, Indiana’s Tucker DeVries and Oklahoma’s Nijel Pack as the only active Division I players with 2,000 points.

Celestine, Miller and James all hit two 3-pointers as Cincinnati opened the game with 6 of 8 3s, building a 30-11 lead in the first eight minutes. The Bearcats led 53-31 at halftime after shooting 57% from the floor and making 9 of 14 3-pointers.

A 10-0 run helped Cincinnati stretch the lead to 28 points early in the second half, and the margin peaked at 32 when Jordi Rodriguez hit a 3 with about 3 minutes remaining.

The Bearcats won on the road for the first time this season after being 0-6 in true road games.

The Wildcats (10-14, 1-10) have lost five straight.

Kansas State: The Wildcats hit the road to play No. 3 Houston on Saturday.

🏀 James and Miller lead the way as Cincinnati dumps Kansas State 

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Coming off successful performance in the Panini Senior Bowl, Kansas State offensive lineman&nbsp;Sam Hecht&nbsp;and safety&nbsp;VJ Payne&nbsp;have earned invitations to the 2026 NFL Combine, the National Football League announced Wednesday.

Hecht and Payne were two of 319 total prospects invited to this year’s event, which will take place February 23 through March 2, at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is the fourth-straight season K-State has sent multiple players to the NFL Combine and the sixth-straight year at least one Wildcat has been showcased in the annual event.

A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Hecht was a two-time All-Big 12 honoree who picked up first-team accolades as a senior. He started each of the final 25 games at center and played in 42 career contests. As a senior, Hecht anchored an offensive line that saw the Wildcats rank 10th&nbsp;in the nation in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.08). The offensive line also paved the way for a school-record 472 rushing yards at Utah, breaking a school record that stood for 71 years.

Payne, a product of Gainesville, Georgia, played in 52 career games to rank 11th in school history, while he started 42 total games with a streak of 41 starts to close out his career. A two-time All-Big 12 pick, he had 207 career tackles with 10.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 14 passes defended – including four interceptions – four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

   K-State’s Hecht, Payne Invited to NFL Combine

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Flory Bidunga had a double-double and No. 9 Kansas defeated top-ranked and previously unbeaten Arizona 82-78 on Monday night.

Arizona (23-1, 10-1 Big 12) entered Allen Fieldhouse with the second-longest winning streak in Division I men’s basketball. The loss ended a 23-game run for the Wildcats, second to Miami (Ohio), which has won 24 straight.

Kansas (19-5, 9-2) played without freshman guard Darryn Peterson,&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Fkansas-darryn-peterson-out-5966d6858bfe475b09471c82a6d58759&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csportsdesk%40ap.org%7C8b6e0747c4cc41a69f6b08de685bd103%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C639062940723389660%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=kPMhkI4JnYgnGY6SmAjT2F3C3gAORicDYmpc3CZ4Rkw%3D&amp;reserved=0">who was a late scratch</a>&nbsp;with flu-like symptoms. Peterson has missed 11 games with a combination of hamstring, calf and ankle issues.

Arizona held a three-point lead at halftime and led by as many as 11 before Kansas took its first lead of the game at the 9:32 mark in the second half.

Bidunga put the Jayhawks ahead with a layup, which capped a personal seven-point run. He finished with 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting and added 10 rebounds.

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