KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City police are investigating a shooting involving an off-duty officer who told investigators he shot his neighbor when his service weapon unintentionally fired.

The shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. Monday, when the officer called for help saying he had accidentally shot his neighbor, a news release from police said. Police said a preliminary investigation showed the officer was inside his home when his service weapon fired and the round entered the home of his neighbor, hitting a man in his 30s.

Police did not release the names of the victim or the officer.

The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital in stable condition. Police said the officer — a 24-year veteran assigned to the Metro Patrol Division — will be on administrative leave until the investigation into the shooting in concluded.

The department's homicide unit is conducting the investigation, police said.

KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City police are investigating a shooting involving an off-duty officer who told investigators he shot his neighbor when his service weapon unintentionally fired.The shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. Monday, when the officer called for help saying he had accidentally shot his neighbor, a news release from police said. Police said a preliminary investigation showed the officer was inside his home when his service weapon fired and the round entered the home of his neighbor, hitting a man in his 30s.Police did not release the names of the victim or the officer.The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital in stable condition. Police said the officer — a 24-year veteran assigned to the Metro Patrol Division — will be on administrative leave until the investigation into the shooting in concluded.The department's homicide unit is conducting the investigation, police said.

Kansas City police: Officer accidentally shot neighbor

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans braced for what the nation’s top doctor warned Sunday would be “the hardest and saddest week” of their lives while Britain assumed the unwelcome mantle of deadliest coronavirus hot spot in Europe after a record 24-hour jump in deaths that surpassed even hard-hit Italy’s.

Britain’s own prime minister, Boris Johnson,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/193a0cfe074685144ade169084a68255">was hospitalized</a>, 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19 in what his office described as a “precautionary step.”

Amid the dire news, there were also glimmers of hope some hard-hit areas — the number of people dying appeared to be slowing in New York City, Spain and Italy. The news was cautiously welcomed by leaders, who also noted that any gains could easily be reversed if people did not continue to adhere to strict lockdowns.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams offered a stark warning about the expected wave of virus deaths.

“This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment,” he told “Fox News Sunday.”

But President Donald Trump later suggested the hard weeks ahead could foretell the turning of a corner. “We’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel,” Trump said at an evening White House briefing.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/09763bcbed9ff417b6eb5886155db66b">New York City, the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic</a>, daily deaths dropped slightly, along with intensive care admissions and the number of patients who needed breathing tubes inserted, but New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned it was “too early to tell” the significance of those numbers.

Italy and Spain also got some encouraging news. Italy registered its lowest day-to-day increase in deaths in more than two weeks — 525, said Angelo Borrelli, the head of the national Civil Protection agency. The pace of infection also seemed to be slowing.

Even so, Borrelli warned, “This good news shouldn’t make us drop our guard.”

Confirmed infections fell in Spain, too, and new deaths declined for the third straight day, dropping to 674 — the first time daily deaths have fallen below 800 in the past week.

The outlook, however, was bleak in Britain, which reported more than 600 deaths Sunday, surpassing Italy’s increase. Italy still has, by far, the world’s highest coronavirus death toll — almost 16,000.

“I hope in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,” she said. “And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/faa93f9fde3483bb13a605fa0d400b0c">In a rare televised address</a>, Queen Elizabeth II appealed to Britons to rise the occasion, while acknowledging enormous disruptions, grief and financial difficulties.

Johnson, meanwhile, has been hospitalized, though his office said it was not an emergency and that the 55-year-old Conservative will undergo tests.

There are concerns that Johnson’s government did not take the virus seriously enough at first and that spring weather will tempt Britons and others to break social distancing rules.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the U.K. might even ban outdoor exercise if people still ’’flout the rules.″

“The vast majority of people are following the public health advice, which is absolutely critical, and staying at home,” Hancock told Sky TV. “But there are a small minority of people who are still not doing that — it’s quite unbelievable, frankly, to see that.”

As the numbers of infections rose, Saffron Cordery, the deputy head of Britain’s National Health Service Providers, said the agency needed to focus on quickly increasing ventilator capacity and getting more protective equipment for health care workers.

Italians have not been immune to lure of the good weather, either. Top Italian officials took to national television after photos were published showing huge crowds out shopping.

Health Minister Roberto Speranza told RAI state television that all the sacrifices Italians have made since the nationwide lockdown began risked being reversed.

Restrictions on movement vary from country to country, state to state, locality to locality. Swedes have been advised to practice social distancing, but schools, bars and restaurants remain open. In Germany and Britain, residents can get outdoors to exercise and walk their dogs, while in Serbia and South Africa, dog walking is not allowed.

The ACLU filed its first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/86171da74e787acf1a3c613a1c516311">lawsuit&nbsp;</a>over coronavirus restrictions, arguing in part that Puerto Rico’s curfew leaves people fearing arrest if they help elderly relatives by letting police determine who belongs in a family. A coastal community’s mayor in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/feecf34f9f49a2436246ef9451a683dc">Georgia</a>&nbsp;fears the governor’s mandate to open beaches will bring crowds to the small island with older residents and no medical facility.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ab92b02d9729f12678f667d80abda876">blessed palms for Palm Sunday&nbsp;</a>in a near-empty St. Peter’s Basilica. At a New Orleans church, Rev. Emmanuel Mulenga blessed palm fronds and put them on a back table so people could get them while also observing social distancing.

Worldwide, more than 1.2 million people have been confirmed infected and nearly 70,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, due to limited testing, different ways nations count the dead and deliberate under-reporting by some governments.

The vast majority of infected people recover from the virus, which is spread by microscopic droplets from coughs or sneezes. For most people, the virus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. But for some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause pneumonia and lead to death.

The rapid spread of the virus in the United States has prompted a chaotic scramble for medical equipment and protective gear.

An Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/090600c299a8cf07f5b44d92534856bc">review</a>&nbsp;of purchasing contracts showed that federal agencies largely waited until mid-March — more than two months after the first warnings of a potential pandemic — to begin placing bulk orders of N95 respirator masks, mechanical ventilators and other equipment needed by front-line health care workers.

By that time, hospitals in several states were treating thousands of infected patients without adequate equipment and pleading for shipments from the national stockpile. Now that stockpile is nearly drained just as the numbers of patients requiring critical care is surging.

When asked about the issue, Trump said federal officials and the military had worked “a miracle.”

Rebekah Gee, who heads the Louisiana State University’s health care services division, warned that the private and public sector have been competing with each other, leading to price increases.

Gee said one of her colleagues went on eBay to buy gowns, while equipment her department ordered from China got stalled for weeks in Hong Kong.

“Our whole country is at war with this virus,” said Gee, who once ran the state’s Department of Health. “This needs a coordinated approach, and right now that’s not happening.”

Louisiana and the New Orleans area have been hard hit by the virus, and Gov. John Bel Edwards has repeatedly warned of looming equipment shortages.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he hoped the pace of new infections would plateau soon, but that the virus is unlikely to be eradicated this year.

Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Fauci said the prospect of a resurgence is why the U.S. is working so hard to develop a vaccine and conducting clinical trials on treatments.

Scientists are still learning about the virus that was first detected in late December in Wuhan, China. In what is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the U.S., officials said Sunday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f47b8e4f883579712599690e1752c09">a tiger at the Bronx Zoo had tested positive</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586112457795.png" alt="U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the White House on Friday." />
 <figcaption>U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the White House on Friday.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Americans braced for what the nation’s top doctor warned Sunday would be “the hardest and saddest week” of their lives while Britain assumed the unwelcome mantle of deadliest coronavirus hot spot in Europe after a record 24-hour jump in deaths that surpassed even hard-hit Italy’s.Britain’s own prime minister, Boris Johnson,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/193a0cfe074685144ade169084a68255">was hospitalized</a>, 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19 in what his office described as a “precautionary step.”Amid the dire news, there were also glimmers of hope some hard-hit areas — the number of people dying appeared to be slowing in New York City, Spain and Italy. The news was cautiously welcomed by leaders, who also noted that any gains could easily be reversed if people did not continue to adhere to strict lockdowns.U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams offered a stark warning about the expected wave of virus deaths.“This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment,” he told “Fox News Sunday.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586169391337.png" alt="President Trump on Sunday, "We are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel." -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump on Sunday, "We are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel." -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>But President Donald Trump later suggested the hard weeks ahead could foretell the turning of a corner. “We’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel,” Trump said at an evening White House briefing.In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/09763bcbed9ff417b6eb5886155db66b">New York City, the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic</a>, daily deaths dropped slightly, along with intensive care admissions and the number of patients who needed breathing tubes inserted, but New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned it was “too early to tell” the significance of those numbers.Italy and Spain also got some encouraging news. Italy registered its lowest day-to-day increase in deaths in more than two weeks — 525, said Angelo Borrelli, the head of the national Civil Protection agency. The pace of infection also seemed to be slowing.Even so, Borrelli warned, “This good news shouldn’t make us drop our guard.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696207171.png" alt="White House" />
 <figcaption>White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Confirmed infections fell in Spain, too, and new deaths declined for the third straight day, dropping to 674 — the first time daily deaths have fallen below 800 in the past week.The outlook, however, was bleak in Britain, which reported more than 600 deaths Sunday, surpassing Italy’s increase. Italy still has, by far, the world’s highest coronavirus death toll — almost 16,000.“I hope in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,” she said. “And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.”<a href="https://apnews.com/faa93f9fde3483bb13a605fa0d400b0c">In a rare televised address</a>, Queen Elizabeth II appealed to Britons to rise the occasion, while acknowledging enormous disruptions, grief and financial difficulties.Johnson, meanwhile, has been hospitalized, though his office said it was not an emergency and that the 55-year-old Conservative will undergo tests.There are concerns that Johnson’s government did not take the virus seriously enough at first and that spring weather will tempt Britons and others to break social distancing rules.Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the U.K. might even ban outdoor exercise if people still ’’flout the rules.″“The vast majority of people are following the public health advice, which is absolutely critical, and staying at home,” Hancock told Sky TV. “But there are a small minority of people who are still not doing that — it’s quite unbelievable, frankly, to see that.”As the numbers of infections rose, Saffron Cordery, the deputy head of Britain’s National Health Service Providers, said the agency needed to focus on quickly increasing ventilator capacity and getting more protective equipment for health care workers.Italians have not been immune to lure of the good weather, either. Top Italian officials took to national television after photos were published showing huge crowds out shopping.Health Minister Roberto Speranza told RAI state television that all the sacrifices Italians have made since the nationwide lockdown began risked being reversed.Restrictions on movement vary from country to country, state to state, locality to locality. Swedes have been advised to practice social distancing, but schools, bars and restaurants remain open. In Germany and Britain, residents can get outdoors to exercise and walk their dogs, while in Serbia and South Africa, dog walking is not allowed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696236815.png" alt="White House" />
 <figcaption>White House</figcaption>
 </figure>The ACLU filed its first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/86171da74e787acf1a3c613a1c516311">lawsuit&nbsp;</a>over coronavirus restrictions, arguing in part that Puerto Rico’s curfew leaves people fearing arrest if they help elderly relatives by letting police determine who belongs in a family. A coastal community’s mayor in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/feecf34f9f49a2436246ef9451a683dc">Georgia</a>&nbsp;fears the governor’s mandate to open beaches will bring crowds to the small island with older residents and no medical facility.At the Vatican, Pope Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ab92b02d9729f12678f667d80abda876">blessed palms for Palm Sunday&nbsp;</a>in a near-empty St. Peter’s Basilica. At a New Orleans church, Rev. Emmanuel Mulenga blessed palm fronds and put them on a back table so people could get them while also observing social distancing.Worldwide, more than 1.2 million people have been confirmed infected and nearly 70,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, due to limited testing, different ways nations count the dead and deliberate under-reporting by some governments.The vast majority of infected people recover from the virus, which is spread by microscopic droplets from coughs or sneezes. For most people, the virus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. But for some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause pneumonia and lead to death.The rapid spread of the virus in the United States has prompted a chaotic scramble for medical equipment and protective gear.An Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/090600c299a8cf07f5b44d92534856bc">review</a>&nbsp;of purchasing contracts showed that federal agencies largely waited until mid-March — more than two months after the first warnings of a potential pandemic — to begin placing bulk orders of N95 respirator masks, mechanical ventilators and other equipment needed by front-line health care workers.By that time, hospitals in several states were treating thousands of infected patients without adequate equipment and pleading for shipments from the national stockpile. Now that stockpile is nearly drained just as the numbers of patients requiring critical care is surging.When asked about the issue, Trump said federal officials and the military had worked “a miracle.”Rebekah Gee, who heads the Louisiana State University’s health care services division, warned that the private and public sector have been competing with each other, leading to price increases.Gee said one of her colleagues went on eBay to buy gowns, while equipment her department ordered from China got stalled for weeks in Hong Kong.“Our whole country is at war with this virus,” said Gee, who once ran the state’s Department of Health. “This needs a coordinated approach, and right now that’s not happening.”Louisiana and the New Orleans area have been hard hit by the virus, and Gov. John Bel Edwards has repeatedly warned of looming equipment shortages.Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he hoped the pace of new infections would plateau soon, but that the virus is unlikely to be eradicated this year.Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Fauci said the prospect of a resurgence is why the U.S. is working so hard to develop a vaccine and conducting clinical trials on treatments.Scientists are still learning about the virus that was first detected in late December in Wuhan, China. In what is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the U.S., officials said Sunday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f47b8e4f883579712599690e1752c09">a tiger at the Bronx Zoo had tested positive</a>.___

Surgeon General: Americans face ‘hardest, saddest’ week of their lives

COWLEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after a standoff at the police department Sunday in Arkansas City.

Just before 1p.m., a suspect later identified as Douglas R. Gleaves, 38, rural Cowley County entered the lobby of the police department and struck the interior door to the secured part of the police department with a long-handled ax, according to Police Chief Dan Ward.

Officers responding to the incident saw Gleaves outside with the ax, yelling at them, so they called for backup and secured an outer perimeter. Downtown was cordoned off for two blocks in each direction.

Officers attempted to talk Gleaves down for quite some time as other agencies arrived to assist, according to Ward.

At 3:14 p.m., Gleaves exited the building and was subdued using a Taser. Nobody was injured during the arrest, according to Ward.

Gleaves was treated and released at the scene by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department and then transported by police to South Central Kansas Medical Center for a mental health evaluation.

Ward said requested charges against Gleaves&nbsp; will include aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage to property and criminal threat.

South Central Kansas SWAT, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted with the standoff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586167961680.png" alt="Gleaves had 3 previous convictions for DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Gleaves had 3 previous convictions for DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after a standoff at the police department Sunday in Arkansas City.Just before 1p.m., a suspect later identified as Douglas R. Gleaves, 38, rural Cowley County entered the lobby of the police department and struck the interior door to the secured part of the police department with a long-handled ax, according to Police Chief Dan Ward.Officers responding to the incident saw Gleaves outside with the ax, yelling at them, so they called for backup and secured an outer perimeter. Downtown was cordoned off for two blocks in each direction.Officers attempted to talk Gleaves down for quite some time as other agencies arrived to assist, according to Ward.At 3:14 p.m., Gleaves exited the building and was subdued using a Taser. Nobody was injured during the arrest, according to Ward.Gleaves was treated and released at the scene by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department and then transported by police to South Central Kansas Medical Center for a mental health evaluation.Ward said requested charges against Gleaves&nbsp; will include aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage to property and criminal threat.South Central Kansas SWAT, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted with the standoff.

Man jailed after ax standoff at Kansas police department

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp;28-year-old D’Angelo L. Payne of Topeka.

Just before 11:30p.m. Saturday police responded to the area of SW 5th and SW Western in Topeka after a report of gunshots being fired and a vehicle that had crashed, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.

Police located Payne who had been shot. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.

Police located an adult male who had been shot. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Ekis did not release the victim's name or additional details early Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586089549173.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation early Sunday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation early Sunday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp;28-year-old D’Angelo L. Payne of Topeka.Just before 11:30p.m. Saturday police responded to the area of SW 5th and SW Western in Topeka after a report of gunshots being fired and a vehicle that had crashed, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.Police located Payne who had been shot. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.----------SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.Just before 11:30p.m. Saturday police responded to the area of SW 5th and SW Western in Topeka after a report of gunshots being fired and a vehicle that had crashed, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.Police located an adult male who had been shot. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Ekis did not release the victim's name or additional details early Sunday.

Update: Police ID Kan. man who died after shooting, vehicle crash

SALINE COUNTY —Authorities notified the Saline County Health Department of one additional positive COVID-19 case in a Saline County resident, according to a media release Sunday.

The patient, in this case, was a man in is 60’s. A COVID-19 test was administered and results were received by the Saline County Health Department on Sunday. They man has died, according to the release.

This additional case brings the total to 6 in Saline County.

The KDHE reported Sunday a total of 747 cases in Kansas. 

“We’re saddened to learn that we have lost one of our Saline County residents,” said Health Officer Jason Tiller. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones and those impacted by his passing.” 

The Saline County Health Department will continue to conduct contact investigations in this case as with the other active cases. This is a process where the Health Department retraces the patient’s steps and activities so that we can identify anyone who may have been potentially exposed to COVID-19.

Saline County continues to receive reports of alleged non-compliance with the Statewide Stay-at-Home order. Alleged violations can be reported through our online submission form at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.saline.org/">www.saline.org</a>. It has always been and will continue to be our intention to ensure that businesses and individuals are educated on the statewide order. Stay-at-Home simply means Stay at Home. If you are not performing essential tasks, then you need to be at home. “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

If you have a question about a business being essential or not, please visit the Governor’s website at&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/keff">https://governor.kansas.gov/keff</a>&nbsp;to see the order, list of essential functions, and frequently asked questions.

SALINE COUNTY —Authorities notified the Saline County Health Department of one additional positive COVID-19 case in a Saline County resident, according to a media release Sunday.The patient, in this case, was a man in is 60’s. A COVID-19 test was administered and results were received by the Saline County Health Department on Sunday. They man has died, according to the release.This additional case brings the total to 6 in Saline County.The KDHE reported Sunday a total of 747 cases in Kansas. “We’re saddened to learn that we have lost one of our Saline County residents,” said Health Officer Jason Tiller. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones and those impacted by his passing.” The Saline County Health Department will continue to conduct contact investigations in this case as with the other active cases. This is a process where the Health Department retraces the patient’s steps and activities so that we can identify anyone who may have been potentially exposed to COVID-19.Saline County continues to receive reports of alleged non-compliance with the Statewide Stay-at-Home order. Alleged violations can be reported through our online submission form at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.saline.org/">www.saline.org</a>. It has always been and will continue to be our intention to ensure that businesses and individuals are educated on the statewide order. Stay-at-Home simply means Stay at Home. If you are not performing essential tasks, then you need to be at home. “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”If you have a question about a business being essential or not, please visit the Governor’s website at&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/keff">https://governor.kansas.gov/keff</a>&nbsp;to see the order, list of essential functions, and frequently asked questions.

Man in his 60s dies from coronavirus in Salina

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects&nbsp;following a car stop, brief vehicle pursuit and search early Friday.

Just before&nbsp;&nbsp;2 a.m., a Sheriff’s Office deputy made contact with a 2006 Chrysler 300 near SE Blair Street and SE 25th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. 

During the investigation, the driver reentered the vehicle and drove away. The deputy chased the suspect who quickly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The driver was identified as Tyrik A. Akpabio, 27, of Topeka and had multiple felony warrants for his arrest, according to Christian.

Through the investigation, it was determined that Akpabio had connections with a residence in the 2400 block of SE Alamar Road. A search of the residence lead to the location and arrest of Akpabio for three felony warrants and multiple other charges.

Deputies also arrested Dinah J. Koeppen, 57, of Topeka was arrested for obstructing apprehension or prosecution of a felony suspect.

Akpabio and Koeppen were both booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586051026220.png" alt="Koeppen-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Koeppen-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects&nbsp;following a car stop, brief vehicle pursuit and search early Friday.Just before&nbsp;&nbsp;2 a.m., a Sheriff’s Office deputy made contact with a 2006 Chrysler 300 near SE Blair Street and SE 25th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, the driver reentered the vehicle and drove away. The deputy chased the suspect who quickly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The driver was identified as Tyrik A. Akpabio, 27, of Topeka and had multiple felony warrants for his arrest, according to Christian.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586050896412.png" alt="Akpabio" />
 <figcaption>Akpabio</figcaption>
 </figure>Through the investigation, it was determined that Akpabio had connections with a residence in the 2400 block of SE Alamar Road. A search of the residence lead to the location and arrest of Akpabio for three felony warrants and multiple other charges.Deputies also arrested Dinah J. Koeppen, 57, of Topeka was arrested for obstructing apprehension or prosecution of a felony suspect.Akpabio and Koeppen were both booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Kansas woman accused of preventing arrest of a felony suspect

PERRY, Kan. (AP) — Divers have recovered the body of a Kansas trash truck driver who was reported missing on Friday. Authorities say 32-year-old Bernard Singleton, of Topeka, apparently lost control of his truck west of Perry during inclement weather Friday morning. 

The truck hit a guard rail and overturned in the river, where it sank. Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig said Deffenbaugh Industries contacted the sheriff's office Friday evening after Singleton didn't return from his route. 

Authorities used his phone to find Singleton's location. His body and truck were recovered Saturday afternoon.

PERRY, Kan. (AP) — Divers have recovered the body of a Kansas trash truck driver who was reported missing on Friday. Authorities say 32-year-old Bernard Singleton, of Topeka, apparently lost control of his truck west of Perry during inclement weather Friday morning. The truck hit a guard rail and overturned in the river, where it sank. Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig said Deffenbaugh Industries contacted the sheriff's office Friday evening after Singleton didn't return from his route. Authorities used his phone to find Singleton's location. His body and truck were recovered Saturday afternoon.

Divers recover body of trash truck driver from Kansas river

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government expects to begin making payments to millions of Americans under the new stimulus law in mid-April, but some people without direct deposit information may not get checks until mid-August or later, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press.

The document from the House Ways and Means Committee says the IRS will make about 60 million payments to Americans through direct deposit in mid-April, likely the week of April 13. The IRS has direct deposit information for these individuals from their 2018 or 2019 tax returns.

Then, starting the week of May 4, the IRS will begin issuing paper checks to individuals, the memo says. The paper checks will be issued at a rate of about 5 million per week, which means it could take up to 20 weeks to get all the checks out. That timeline would delay some checks until the week of Aug. 17.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that while he initially pledged to get payments started within three weeks of the law’s adoption, “I’m now committing to two weeks. We’re delivering on our commitments.”

The IRS, which he oversees, will ensure that “within two weeks the first money will be in people’s accounts,” Mnuchin said during a White House briefing.

“This money does people no good if it shows up in four months,” he added.

The memo from the committee’s Democratic majority says the timeline it made public Thursday was based on “extensive conversations with the IRS and the Department of Treasury.″ The timeline is subject to change, given ongoing discussions between Congress and the Trump administration.

“The Committee remains focused on ensuring all eligible Americans receive their payment as quickly as possible,″ the memo says.

The payments are part of the $2.2 trillion rescue package signed into law March 27 by President Donald Trump aimed at combating the economic ravages of the coronavirus outbreak.

Most people don’t need to do anything to get the money.

Reversing an earlier position, the government said this week that Social Security recipients who are not required to file a tax return will not need to file a very simplified tax return to receive their government stimulus check. The Treasury Department said Wednesday that the IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate the $1,200 checks to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.

The checks will be issued in reverse order of adjusted gross income, meaning that people with the lowest income will get payments first.

The committee estimates that there are 150 million to 170 million U.S. taxpayers, which leaves 90 million to 110 million taxpayers who are either filers or nonfilers but about whom the IRS wants information.

The filers will need to receive a paper check unless their direct deposit information can be updated in the IRS portal. Nonfilers may need to file the simple tax return and likely include direct deposit information if they want to receive their rebates quickly. The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to file their 2019 returns as soon as possible.

The IRS expects to create a portal in late April or early May that will allow taxpayers to find out the status of their rebate payment and update direct deposit information, the memo says.

Anyone earning up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income and who has a Social Security number will receive a $1,200 payment. That means married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment — $2,400 — if their adjusted gross income, which is what they report on their taxes, is under $150,000.

The payment steadily declines for those who make more. Those earning more than $99,000, or $198,000 for joint filers, are not eligible. The thresholds are slightly different for those who file as a head of household.

Parents will also receive $500 for each qualifying child.

The IRS did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585875071611.png" alt="President signed the virus-relief package March 27" />
 <figcaption>President signed the virus-relief package March 27</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government expects to begin making payments to millions of Americans under the new stimulus law in mid-April, but some people without direct deposit information may not get checks until mid-August or later, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press.The document from the House Ways and Means Committee says the IRS will make about 60 million payments to Americans through direct deposit in mid-April, likely the week of April 13. The IRS has direct deposit information for these individuals from their 2018 or 2019 tax returns.Then, starting the week of May 4, the IRS will begin issuing paper checks to individuals, the memo says. The paper checks will be issued at a rate of about 5 million per week, which means it could take up to 20 weeks to get all the checks out. That timeline would delay some checks until the week of Aug. 17.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585864355430.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin answered questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-White House image" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin answered questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that while he initially pledged to get payments started within three weeks of the law’s adoption, “I’m now committing to two weeks. We’re delivering on our commitments.”The IRS, which he oversees, will ensure that “within two weeks the first money will be in people’s accounts,” Mnuchin said during a White House briefing.“This money does people no good if it shows up in four months,” he added.The memo from the committee’s Democratic majority says the timeline it made public Thursday was based on “extensive conversations with the IRS and the Department of Treasury.″ The timeline is subject to change, given ongoing discussions between Congress and the Trump administration.“The Committee remains focused on ensuring all eligible Americans receive their payment as quickly as possible,″ the memo says.The payments are part of the $2.2 trillion rescue package signed into law March 27 by President Donald Trump aimed at combating the economic ravages of the coronavirus outbreak.Most people don’t need to do anything to get the money.Reversing an earlier position, the government said this week that Social Security recipients who are not required to file a tax return will not need to file a very simplified tax return to receive their government stimulus check. The Treasury Department said Wednesday that the IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate the $1,200 checks to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.The checks will be issued in reverse order of adjusted gross income, meaning that people with the lowest income will get payments first.The committee estimates that there are 150 million to 170 million U.S. taxpayers, which leaves 90 million to 110 million taxpayers who are either filers or nonfilers but about whom the IRS wants information.The filers will need to receive a paper check unless their direct deposit information can be updated in the IRS portal. Nonfilers may need to file the simple tax return and likely include direct deposit information if they want to receive their rebates quickly. The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to file their 2019 returns as soon as possible.The IRS expects to create a portal in late April or early May that will allow taxpayers to find out the status of their rebate payment and update direct deposit information, the memo says.Anyone earning up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income and who has a Social Security number will receive a $1,200 payment. That means married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment — $2,400 — if their adjusted gross income, which is what they report on their taxes, is under $150,000.The payment steadily declines for those who make more. Those earning more than $99,000, or $198,000 for joint filers, are not eligible. The thresholds are slightly different for those who file as a head of household.Parents will also receive $500 for each qualifying child.The IRS did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.___

Why some won't receive virus stimulus checks until August

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Sunday.

<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData">Click here for additi</a>onal details.

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Sunday.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData">Click here for additi</a>onal details.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586108768239.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas; 22 deaths

NEW YORK (AP) — Despite state and local limits on public gatherings, some faith leaders have persisted in holding in-person services -- a matter of religious freedom, they say, as the nation approached its fourth Sunday battling the coronavirus pandemic.

The most high-profile clash over in-person worship – and crowd limits designed to stop the virus’ spread -- came in Florida, where Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested Monday for violating a county order by hosting a large number of congregants at his Tampa church.

Howard-Browne said after his release he would move future worship online, but the county later ended its effort to apply limits on large gatherings to religious services after a statewide order described religious gatherings as essential.

Law enforcement officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3248693c8b52f19c3a40625eb1a754ec">in Louisiana</a>&nbsp;and Maryland took separate action this week against pastors who continue to hold in-person services in the face of stay-home orders in most states.

But more than a half-dozen of those state orders provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f43faf0dbb54cbda06564fe34b100301">a degree of exemption</a>&nbsp;for religious activity, underscoring the political sensitivity of the decisions being made by states and localities. Vice President Mike Pence said this week that churches should not host groups bigger than 10 people.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would be watching Palm Sunday services broadcast from Riverside, Calif., from a laptop. “People are watching on computers and laptops,” Trump said. “It’s sad.”

Trump said he asked about endorsing the idea of people being able to gather outside for services on Easter Sunday if they practice social distancing, but recalled being told “Do we want to take a chance on doing that when we have been doing so well?” Trump earlier said that “my biggest disappointment is that churches can’t meet in a time of need.”

The application of guidance on the ground has raised questions for some faith leaders.

Pastor Alvin Gwynn Sr., of Baltimore’s Friendship Baptist Church, said that police tried to halt services at his church on Sunday even though he had limited in-person attendance to 10 people.

Gwynn said in an interview that he still plans to hold in-person Easter services, citing the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of worship and assembly. Baltimore has “been through a lot” in recent years, said Gwynn, who leads a local ministers’ group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e56d41e0113643dd9871d49133cd4e3f">that criticized</a>&nbsp;the city’s police department leadership in 2015 following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray.

“Which is safer, in the church with potential virus, or go out the door and catch a bullet?” Gwynn said.

Instructions for church gatherings in Maryland have been issued piecemeal. State guidance dated Monday described houses of worship as non-essential under a stay-home order issued by Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan that allowing them only to conduct “minimal operations.” But&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/OLC-Interpretive-Guidance-COVID19-09.pdf" target="_blank">follow-up guidance</a>&nbsp;dated Wednesday states that “in-person services” can be held with 10 or fewer people.

In Florida, attorneys at the Christian legal nonprofit representing Howard-Browne&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lc.org/newsroom/details/040220-hillsborough-county-reverses-and-recognizes-churches-as-essential" target="_blank">tabled their plans</a>&nbsp;to file a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the county order used against him after the county reversed course.

“Instead of using a scalpel to address this, they’re using a chainsaw,” said Liberty Counsel founder Mathew Staver, who added that executive orders designed to limit gatherings during the pandemic were “flying off printers and being signed by government officials with no constitutional readiness.”

On Wednesday, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-91-compressed.pdf" target="_blank">stay-home order</a>&nbsp;describing religious services as essential, followed by a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-92.pdf" target="_blank">second order</a>&nbsp;that overrides any localities’ conflicting guidelines — an edict that could impede local attempts to shut down future large worship services.

Elsewhere, Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott also described religious services as essential in his order to limit gatherings during the pandemic. In Georgia, where some of the state’s worst virus outbreaks have been linked to large religious services, GOP Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday issued a stay-home order that states no faith-based gathering can occur with more than 10 people unless they keep a six-foot distance.

While some faith leaders who continue to hold in-person services have pointed to their First Amendment rights, including Ohio’s Solid Rock megachurch, it’s not clear that their activity during the pandemic would be legally protected.

State or local governments would be “constitutionally justified” in including houses of worship in their closure orders during a public health emergency as long as those orders are “generally applicable,” said John Inazu, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis who studies the First Amendment.

But the burden shifts if a government attempts to stop a church from holding services with less than 10 people while allowing secular businesses to operate under the same conditions, Inazu added: “There, I think there’s a very plausible religious freedom claim.”

Before issuing his order, Kemp held two calls with hundreds of clergy from across Georgia, urging houses of worship to stream services online or implement other social distancing measures, like holding drive-up services where people listen from their cars.

Most religious services across the country have already moved online.

“We’re making the best of a bad situation. It’s going to be devastating in the short term,” said Todd Gaddis, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Georgia, referring to the loss of donations from in-person services. “But I’m confident there will be spiritual dividends in the long run.”

And the Trump administration’s entreaties for churches to stop meeting in person extended beyond the White House. Sam Brownback, the president’s special envoy for religious freedom, said Thursday that “religious groups should practice social distancing.”

Brownback, a Catholic, said that he’s skipped Mass for “several weeks, and it’s the longest period I’ve gone without going to Mass. And I think people should be doing this to stop the spread of the virus.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586052372246.png" alt="Former Kansas governor Sam Brownback, President Trump’s special envoy for religious freedom, said Thursday that “religious groups should practice social distancing.” -photo courtesy U.S. State Department" />
 <figcaption>Former Kansas governor Sam Brownback, President Trump’s special envoy for religious freedom, said Thursday that “religious groups should practice social distancing.” -photo courtesy U.S. State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Despite state and local limits on public gatherings, some faith leaders have persisted in holding in-person services -- a matter of religious freedom, they say, as the nation approached its fourth Sunday battling the coronavirus pandemic.The most high-profile clash over in-person worship – and crowd limits designed to stop the virus’ spread -- came in Florida, where Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested Monday for violating a county order by hosting a large number of congregants at his Tampa church.Howard-Browne said after his release he would move future worship online, but the county later ended its effort to apply limits on large gatherings to religious services after a statewide order described religious gatherings as essential.Law enforcement officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3248693c8b52f19c3a40625eb1a754ec">in Louisiana</a>&nbsp;and Maryland took separate action this week against pastors who continue to hold in-person services in the face of stay-home orders in most states.But more than a half-dozen of those state orders provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f43faf0dbb54cbda06564fe34b100301">a degree of exemption</a>&nbsp;for religious activity, underscoring the political sensitivity of the decisions being made by states and localities. Vice President Mike Pence said this week that churches should not host groups bigger than 10 people.President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would be watching Palm Sunday services broadcast from Riverside, Calif., from a laptop. “People are watching on computers and laptops,” Trump said. “It’s sad.”Trump said he asked about endorsing the idea of people being able to gather outside for services on Easter Sunday if they practice social distancing, but recalled being told “Do we want to take a chance on doing that when we have been doing so well?” Trump earlier said that “my biggest disappointment is that churches can’t meet in a time of need.”The application of guidance on the ground has raised questions for some faith leaders.Pastor Alvin Gwynn Sr., of Baltimore’s Friendship Baptist Church, said that police tried to halt services at his church on Sunday even though he had limited in-person attendance to 10 people.Gwynn said in an interview that he still plans to hold in-person Easter services, citing the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of worship and assembly. Baltimore has “been through a lot” in recent years, said Gwynn, who leads a local ministers’ group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e56d41e0113643dd9871d49133cd4e3f">that criticized</a>&nbsp;the city’s police department leadership in 2015 following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray.“Which is safer, in the church with potential virus, or go out the door and catch a bullet?” Gwynn said.Instructions for church gatherings in Maryland have been issued piecemeal. State guidance dated Monday described houses of worship as non-essential under a stay-home order issued by Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan that allowing them only to conduct “minimal operations.” But&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/OLC-Interpretive-Guidance-COVID19-09.pdf" target="_blank">follow-up guidance</a>&nbsp;dated Wednesday states that “in-person services” can be held with 10 or fewer people.In Florida, attorneys at the Christian legal nonprofit representing Howard-Browne&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lc.org/newsroom/details/040220-hillsborough-county-reverses-and-recognizes-churches-as-essential" target="_blank">tabled their plans</a>&nbsp;to file a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the county order used against him after the county reversed course.“Instead of using a scalpel to address this, they’re using a chainsaw,” said Liberty Counsel founder Mathew Staver, who added that executive orders designed to limit gatherings during the pandemic were “flying off printers and being signed by government officials with no constitutional readiness.”On Wednesday, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-91-compressed.pdf" target="_blank">stay-home order</a>&nbsp;describing religious services as essential, followed by a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-92.pdf" target="_blank">second order</a>&nbsp;that overrides any localities’ conflicting guidelines — an edict that could impede local attempts to shut down future large worship services.Elsewhere, Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott also described religious services as essential in his order to limit gatherings during the pandemic. In Georgia, where some of the state’s worst virus outbreaks have been linked to large religious services, GOP Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday issued a stay-home order that states no faith-based gathering can occur with more than 10 people unless they keep a six-foot distance.While some faith leaders who continue to hold in-person services have pointed to their First Amendment rights, including Ohio’s Solid Rock megachurch, it’s not clear that their activity during the pandemic would be legally protected.State or local governments would be “constitutionally justified” in including houses of worship in their closure orders during a public health emergency as long as those orders are “generally applicable,” said John Inazu, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis who studies the First Amendment.But the burden shifts if a government attempts to stop a church from holding services with less than 10 people while allowing secular businesses to operate under the same conditions, Inazu added: “There, I think there’s a very plausible religious freedom claim.”Before issuing his order, Kemp held two calls with hundreds of clergy from across Georgia, urging houses of worship to stream services online or implement other social distancing measures, like holding drive-up services where people listen from their cars.Most religious services across the country have already moved online.“We’re making the best of a bad situation. It’s going to be devastating in the short term,” said Todd Gaddis, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Georgia, referring to the loss of donations from in-person services. “But I’m confident there will be spiritual dividends in the long run.”And the Trump administration’s entreaties for churches to stop meeting in person extended beyond the White House. Sam Brownback, the president’s special envoy for religious freedom, said Thursday that “religious groups should practice social distancing.”Brownback, a Catholic, said that he’s skipped Mass for “several weeks, and it’s the longest period I’ve gone without going to Mass. And I think people should be doing this to stop the spread of the virus.”—-

New coronavirus limits bring new religious freedom tension


TOPEKA&nbsp; – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister have announced a state-federal partnership to investigate and prosecute scammers attempting to prey on Kansans
during the COVID-19 outbreak.


The two offices agree coordinating information and manpower will allow the agencies to more quickly verify allegations and prosecute those who are profiteering off the crisis.


“This partnership will allow our two agencies to bring the maximum state and federal resources to bear to stop scams, frauds and price gouging during this state of emergency,” Schmidt said. “I appreciate Steve’s
strong leadership in the U.S. attorney’s office and look forward to working closely with his team to protect Kansans in the face of this crisis.”


The attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division will work directly with two prosecutors in the U.S. attorney’s office designated for handling COVID-19-related matters.


“Nationally, we have seen everything from people offering for sale respiratory masks they were not going to deliver to people seeking donations for non-existent COVID-19 charities,” McAllister said. “We are not
going to stand by while that happens in Kansas.”

Anyone with information about COVID-19-related scams or price gouging should file a complaint with the attorney general’s office online on a form specifically designed for coronavirus issues, available along with
other resources about the state’s response to the outbreak, at <a href="http://www.ag.ks.gov/" target="_blank">www.ag.ks.gov</a>. Kansans may also call the
attorney general’s consumer protection hotline at (800) 432-2310 to request a paper complaint form be sent by mail.

Complaints can also be submitted to the U.S. attorney’s office by email at <a href="mailto:USAKS.Covid.Fraud@usdoj.gov" target="_blank">USAKS.Covid.Fraud@usdoj.gov</a>
or by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at (866) 720-5721.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585854832578.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OFFICE OF KANSAS AG
TOPEKA&nbsp; – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister have announced a state-federal partnership to investigate and prosecute scammers attempting to prey on Kansans
during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The two offices agree coordinating information and manpower will allow the agencies to more quickly verify allegations and prosecute those who are profiteering off the crisis.
“This partnership will allow our two agencies to bring the maximum state and federal resources to bear to stop scams, frauds and price gouging during this state of emergency,” Schmidt said. “I appreciate Steve’s
strong leadership in the U.S. attorney’s office and look forward to working closely with his team to protect Kansans in the face of this crisis.”
The attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division will work directly with two prosecutors in the U.S. attorney’s office designated for handling COVID-19-related matters.
“Nationally, we have seen everything from people offering for sale respiratory masks they were not going to deliver to people seeking donations for non-existent COVID-19 charities,” McAllister said. “We are not
going to stand by while that happens in Kansas.”
Anyone with information about COVID-19-related scams or price gouging should file a complaint with the attorney general’s office online on a form specifically designed for coronavirus issues, available along with
other resources about the state’s response to the outbreak, at <a href="http://www.ag.ks.gov/" target="_blank">www.ag.ks.gov</a>. Kansans may also call the
attorney general’s consumer protection hotline at (800) 432-2310 to request a paper complaint form be sent by mail.
Complaints can also be submitted to the U.S. attorney’s office by email at <a href="mailto:USAKS.Covid.Fraud@usdoj.gov" target="_blank">USAKS.Covid.Fraud@usdoj.gov</a>
or by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at (866) 720-5721.&nbsp;

Kansas AG, US Attorney partner to combat COVID-19 fraud

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Saturday that a modified operational schedule has been implemented at the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) after a fourth staff member, and the first resident,&nbsp; tested positive for COVID-19 virus. This schedule began with the 2 to 10 p.m. shift on Saturday April 4, 2020.&nbsp;

According to a media release from the KDOC, the staff member is a male over the age of 20 and the resident is a male over age 50. In order to protect the identity of each, no other information will be released.

As with the cases on March 31, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. Additional steps taken today include:

“The additional steps today illustrate our continued effort to follow all guidelines issued by public health officials,” Zmuda said. “We appreciate the continued support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Laura Kelly, as we conduct our work in these challenging times.”

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Saturday that a modified operational schedule has been implemented at the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) after a fourth staff member, and the first resident,&nbsp; tested positive for COVID-19 virus. This schedule began with the 2 to 10 p.m. shift on Saturday April 4, 2020.&nbsp;According to a media release from the KDOC, the staff member is a male over the age of 20 and the resident is a male over age 50. In order to protect the identity of each, no other information will be released.As with the cases on March 31, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. Additional steps taken today include:<ol>
 <li>Reduced movement of residents so that they will remain in their units, but are not locked down in cells&nbsp;</li><li>Necessary movement to recreation or jobs will occur primarily in groups, or cohorts, from the same unit</li><li>Staffing has been modified due to increased absences</li>
 </ol>“The additional steps today illustrate our continued effort to follow all guidelines issued by public health officials,” Zmuda said. “We appreciate the continued support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Laura Kelly, as we conduct our work in these challenging times.”

Kansas prison modifies operation due to new coronavirus cases

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after an early morning traffic stop.

Just after 1 a.m. Friday, a Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a 2003 Dodge Neon near SE Burton Street and SE 34th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The vehicle had two occupants inside. Deputies arrested Gregory S. Raby, 29, of Topeka for driving while license suspended, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-16 requiring individuals to remain in their residence.

Colby R. Allen (34) of Topeka was arrested for violation of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-16 requiring individuals to remain in their residence.

Both were both booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586049002165.png" alt="Raby photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Raby photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after an early morning traffic stop.Just after 1 a.m. Friday, a Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a 2003 Dodge Neon near SE Burton Street and SE 34th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The vehicle had two occupants inside. Deputies arrested Gregory S. Raby, 29, of Topeka for driving while license suspended, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-16 requiring individuals to remain in their residence.Colby R. Allen (34) of Topeka was arrested for violation of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-16 requiring individuals to remain in their residence.Both were both booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections

Sheriff: Kan. man jailed on drug charge, violation of stay-at-home order 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A cluster of COVID-19 cases has been found at a rehabilitation center in Kansas City, Kansas, where 17 residents and two staff members have tested positive for the virus.

Six of those 17 residents at the Riverbend Post Acute Care Center have been hospitalized, said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. The facility has 135 residents.

Riverbend executive director Cory Schulte told&nbsp;The Kansas City Star&nbsp;that patients who remain at the facility are receiving care from its clinical team.

Kansas health officials on Saturday reported 21 coronavirus deaths as the number of confirmed cases in the state increased to 698, up 78 from a day earlier.

The greatest number of cases are in the Kansas City area, with 185 cases in Johnson County and 149 in Wyandotte County. But the outbreak continues to spread across Kansas with 49 of the state’s 105 counties now having a confirmed case.

Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.

Kansas officials said they have received some medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile. Starting this weekend, the Kansas National Guard and Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol are distributing masks, face shields, surgical gowns and gloves to all 105 counties, based on each county’s population. The supplies are being coordinated through county emergency managers who are distributing them.

Wichita State University also announced it has decided to move this summer’s classes to an online or remote format. Provost Rick Muma said in a letter to students and faculty that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution.

“As our lives, both on campus and off, continue to be disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, our priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our entire campus community. While we had hoped to be able to return to some sense of normal by the summer months, the situation remains uncertain,” he wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586045672182.png" alt="Image courtesy Riverbend Post Acute Care Center" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Riverbend Post Acute Care Center</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A cluster of COVID-19 cases has been found at a rehabilitation center in Kansas City, Kansas, where 17 residents and two staff members have tested positive for the virus.Six of those 17 residents at the Riverbend Post Acute Care Center have been hospitalized, said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. The facility has 135 residents.Riverbend executive director Cory Schulte told&nbsp;The Kansas City Star&nbsp;that patients who remain at the facility are receiving care from its clinical team.Kansas health officials on Saturday reported 21 coronavirus deaths as the number of confirmed cases in the state increased to 698, up 78 from a day earlier.The greatest number of cases are in the Kansas City area, with 185 cases in Johnson County and 149 in Wyandotte County. But the outbreak continues to spread across Kansas with 49 of the state’s 105 counties now having a confirmed case.Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.Kansas officials said they have received some medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile. Starting this weekend, the Kansas National Guard and Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol are distributing masks, face shields, surgical gowns and gloves to all 105 counties, based on each county’s population. The supplies are being coordinated through county emergency managers who are distributing them.Wichita State University also announced it has decided to move this summer’s classes to an online or remote format. Provost Rick Muma said in a letter to students and faculty that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution.“As our lives, both on campus and off, continue to be disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, our priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our entire campus community. While we had hoped to be able to return to some sense of normal by the summer months, the situation remains uncertain,” he wrote.

Coronavirus cluster found at Kansas rehabilitation center

COWLEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a fatal shooting and are asking the public for help to locate the suspect.

The victim in the shooting&nbsp; identified as Jonathan Martinez, 28, Arkansas City,&nbsp; died from the gunshot wound he sustained after being transported by air ambulance Friday afternoon to a Wichita hospital.

The investigation has identified the shooting suspect as Christopher Robert Henry, 37, of Wichita, according Police Chief Dan Ward.

“We believe Henry is no longer in our community and is likely in the Wichita area,” said Ward. 

“A warrant for Hentry's arrest has been obtained and we are working with the Wichita Police department to locate him. Henry should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Henry and Martinez knew each other, and Ward said this was not a random shooting or “road rage.”

The Arkansas City Police Department was able to identify Henry quickly due to the teamwork and assistance of the public and several other law enforcement agencies, including the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Wichita Police Department. He has a previous conviction for aggravated battery in Lyon County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Anyone with information on Henry’s whereabouts should immediately contact police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586041806433.png" alt="Henry- photo Arkansas City Police" />
 <figcaption>Henry- photo Arkansas City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a fatal shooting and are asking the public for help to locate the suspect.The victim in the shooting&nbsp; identified as Jonathan Martinez, 28, Arkansas City,&nbsp; died from the gunshot wound he sustained after being transported by air ambulance Friday afternoon to a Wichita hospital.The investigation has identified the shooting suspect as Christopher Robert Henry, 37, of Wichita, according Police Chief Dan Ward.“We believe Henry is no longer in our community and is likely in the Wichita area,” said Ward. “A warrant for Hentry's arrest has been obtained and we are working with the Wichita Police department to locate him. Henry should be considered armed and dangerous.”Henry and Martinez knew each other, and Ward said this was not a random shooting or “road rage.”The Arkansas City Police Department was able to identify Henry quickly due to the teamwork and assistance of the public and several other law enforcement agencies, including the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Wichita Police Department. He has a previous conviction for aggravated battery in Lyon County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Anyone with information on Henry’s whereabouts should immediately contact police.

Police ask for help to locate wanted Kan. felon for fatal shooting

WASHINGTON — The White House is stepping up precautions to protect the president and vice president from contracting the new coronavirus.

Starting Friday, anyone who is expected to be in “close proximity” to either President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will be given a quick COVID-19 test “to evaluate for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers status to limit inadvertent transmission.”

That’s according to White House spokesman Judd Deere.

All visitors to the White House complex already have their temperatures taken when entering the building and if they will be in close proximity to either Trump or Pence.

Trump took the new COVID-19 test on Thursday and the White House doctor said results were back in 15 minutes. He tested negative.

A first look at recent U.S. death certificate data confirms that most of the initial American coronavirus deaths were people age 65 and older. But it also notes that about 1 in 5 were middle-aged.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the data online Friday. It reflects 1,150 U.S. coronavirus deaths that occurred through the last week of March. That tally is several hundreds deaths lower than other totals reported for the same period, because it relies on death certificate information which can come in weeks after other kinds of reports.

The new data says 56% of deaths were people 75 and older, and another 23% were people in their late 60s and early 70s. But another 17% were ages 45 to 64, and 3% were 35 to 44. The statistics were smaller for younger adults. One child died

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585949419593.png" alt="President Trump and Vice President Pence during Friday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and Vice President Pence during Friday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — The White House is stepping up precautions to protect the president and vice president from contracting the new coronavirus.Starting Friday, anyone who is expected to be in “close proximity” to either President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will be given a quick COVID-19 test “to evaluate for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers status to limit inadvertent transmission.”That’s according to White House spokesman Judd Deere.All visitors to the White House complex already have their temperatures taken when entering the building and if they will be in close proximity to either Trump or Pence.Trump took the new COVID-19 test on Thursday and the White House doctor said results were back in 15 minutes. He tested negative.___A first look at recent U.S. death certificate data confirms that most of the initial American coronavirus deaths were people age 65 and older. But it also notes that about 1 in 5 were middle-aged.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the data online Friday. It reflects 1,150 U.S. coronavirus deaths that occurred through the last week of March. That tally is several hundreds deaths lower than other totals reported for the same period, because it relies on death certificate information which can come in weeks after other kinds of reports.The new data says 56% of deaths were people 75 and older, and another 23% were people in their late 60s and early 70s. But another 17% were ages 45 to 64, and 3% were 35 to 44. The statistics were smaller for younger adults. One child died

US stepping up protection of Trump, Pence

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">CDC</a> now recommends wearing cloth face masks in public places.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

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 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tPx1yqvJgf4"></iframe>
 <figcaption>U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams demonstrates how to make low-tech face masks using what you have at home.</figcaption>
 </figure>CDCWASHINGTON, D.C. - The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">CDC</a> now recommends wearing cloth face masks in public places.<h2>Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others</h2><ol>
 <li>You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.</li><li>Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.</li><li>Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.</li><li>The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.</li><li>Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.</li><li>Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.</li>
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🎥 CDC: How to make a face mask in 45 seconds

WICHITA, KAN. (AP) —&nbsp;Searchers looking for a 20-month-old girl who had been swept away in an accident along the Little Walnut River found her remains Saturday.

A search team found the child's body about 3,700 feet downriver from the area where the vehicle entered the Little Walnut River near Leon,&nbsp;Kansas.

Detectives with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office took the body to the Regional Forensic Science Center in Wichita for an autopsy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586027543729.png" alt="Crews on the river last month search for the body of the toddler -photo <a href="https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Butler-County-crews-work-to-rescue-adult-child-after-vehicle-goes-into-pond-568721911.html">courtesy KWCH</a>" />
 <figcaption>Crews on the river last month search for the body of the toddler -photo <a href="https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Butler-County-crews-work-to-rescue-adult-child-after-vehicle-goes-into-pond-568721911.html">courtesy KWCH</a></figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. (AP) —&nbsp;Searchers looking for a 20-month-old girl who had been swept away in an accident along the Little Walnut River found her remains Saturday.A search team found the child's body about 3,700 feet downriver from the area where the vehicle entered the Little Walnut River near Leon,&nbsp;Kansas.Detectives with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office took the body to the Regional Forensic Science Center in Wichita for an autopsy.

Kansas searchers find body of child swept away in accident

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest report on coronavirus in Kansas Saturday.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData"> Click here </a>for additional details.

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest report on coronavirus in Kansas Saturday.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData"> Click here </a>for additional details.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586020138546.png" alt="" />
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