The St. Xavier School open house for prospective families will be held on February&nbsp;17 from 5-7pm.&nbsp;The evening will include a BBQ dinner with current St. Xavier families, a question and answer session with Principal Augustine, and the opportunity to visit classrooms and interact with staff and students. All are encouraged&nbsp;to attend.

Coming up on March 2nd is the PreK and Kindergarten Roundup from 6-7.&nbsp;Families looking to enroll for the upcoming school year or wanting to explore the academic opportunities for preschoolers and kindergarteners are welcome to attend. St. Xavier School&nbsp;offers full day and half day preschool programs for 3 and 4 year olds and a kindergarten program.

Saint Xavier School open house

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the Manhattan Housing Authority in Manhattan, Kansas has been placed under HUD Monitorship after being formally declared in Substantial Default for failing to comply with the terms of its federally-mandated Recovery Agreement, according to a media release from HUD.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PA/documents/KS063-Substantial-Default-Letter.pdf">Click here</a>&nbsp;to read the full letter notifying Manhattan Housing Authority.

This action reflects Secretary Scott Turner’s commitment to staunchly enforcing accountability across the public housing system and ensuring that federal housing dollars are managed prudently and in the best interests of the American people.

“HUD is restoring accountability to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) nationwide,”&nbsp;said Deputy Secretary Andrew Hughes. “Gone are the days where mismanagement, waste, and dysfunction are acceptable. HUD will use this opportunity to restore trust with tenants of the Manhattan Housing Authority, offering the stability needed to succeed.”

HUD determined that the Manhattan Housing Authority repeatedly failed to correct identified deficiencies despite clear notice, extensive technical assistance, and multiple opportunities to achieve compliance. Based on these findings of noncompliance, HUD exercised its statutory authority to impose Monitorship and require direct federal oversight of the Housing Authority’s operations.

Feds place Manhattan Housing Authority under federal monitorship following default declaration

TOPEKA, KS —&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has launched a new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F1508%2FTravel-Health%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019c4318bcb6-f601b292-46cf-49a3-85ba-85445102d085-000000/sTGs7rrfv0GwWPFNaZ_7XHyT4TSHQETWeZBp2zIaWEY=443">Travel &amp; Health webpage</a>&nbsp;to provide healthcare and public health partners with educational and clinical resources ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM. This highly anticipated event is expected to bring increased domestic and international travel to the Kansas City metro area.

Higher travel volumes and mass gatherings increase the potential for the spread of infectious diseases, including conditions rarely seen in Kansas. Healthcare providers are encouraged to routinely “Think Travel History” when evaluating patients.

“With the World Cup approaching, early recognition starts with asking about travel,”&nbsp;KDHE Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ashley Goss said.&nbsp;“This new webpage gives providers a central resource to quickly access guidance and stay prepared for travel-related disease risks.”

The new Travel &amp; Health webpage includes:

In the upcoming weeks, new resources will continue to be added. These will include additional training webinars, a clinical support dashboard which will allow clinicians to search for outbreaks and endemic diseases by country, and a Kansas specific dashboard which will track emergency department visits and wastewater surveillance data.

KDHE launches Travel & Health webpage ahead of FIFA World Cup 

Join United Way on April 3rd as they celebrate volunteers who make a real impact in the community!

Know someone deserving of this honor? Nominations are open until March 13th and can be submitted on their website:&nbsp;

<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unitedwayjcgc.org%2Fben-kitchens-volunteer-year%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQjhaM2Z3eTB0cUNydWV0NnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5oxXoZSoNIhO5OHIXjH_Dx0warMgqEcIyXI__6zva9_gApc8ooRZCBPPyl6Q_aem_pvWjntGYyxDbppDozKR1DA&amp;h=AT1JDEAApr7zZJYtNTDv6NDThgx4VGbidgEWWS9WwpSAUarPODWFPd15a9TA1QxBnsX_Uzh-Uf7OQOthwsYaNoFyVjCGjb7w6KgKUp-afpgpRz6zbq2IWK6_KBmzfn7edNZgntGXS6_RNjhzo7Um0pM3e3LK5yMh&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT1H7uyNw2V-_k7k0rqoYR0WLDmuvojuMDuqDFHmhhWl6UPE0wX4JcwfecNI4IfXbFEJMR8nLrNEhO5uyRXdzPxPOnytVL47PbhIu1bKpVbrzICYg4vjreRg9LXpR3Kqw9COKU_XDm0Kv1vGqyU09JKfXhKNcZ8MjXWX5p0eWE1x8Fir3csVfzbKkwdMHtUgsRMUeXz9mTQI3nlG76cSiAbZ1A" target="_blank">https://www.unitedwayjcgc.org/ben-kitchens-volunteer-year</a>

Nominations are open for Ben Kitchens Volunteer of the Year

The Army said that Parker Access Control Point will be CLOSED Tuesday, Feb. 10, for maintenance. Parker will reopen at at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Maintenance will lead to a temporary gate closure

No burning in Geary County today due to high wind gusts and high fire danger. Please make sure all previous burns are completely out and you continue to check and recheck them today and tomorrow.Please call 911 to report any concern of active flames.

No burning in Geary County on Monday

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged drive by shooting in Riley County.

Just before 9p.m. Saturday, officers filed a report of aggravated assault that occurred near mile marker 187 of Fort Riley Blvd., according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 A 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect shot at their vehicle while driving on Fort Riley Blvd. 

Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.

RCPD investigating drive-by shooting on Fort Riley Boulevard

RILEY COUNTY —A member of the Kansas State University men's basketball staff under investigation for alleged violent crimes.

Just before 1:30a.m. Monday, 29-year-old Mark Vital was booked into the Riley County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;domestic battery; knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report. Just after 3a.m. Vital met the requirement of a $2,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

He is in his first season as a graduate student manager at K-State, according to his online bio. Vital was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and a member of Baylor’s 2021 National Championship team where K-State head coach Jerome Tang was an assistant.&nbsp; Vital is working towards a master’s in counseling and student development at K-State.

Police arrest K-State basketball grad student manager

Fort Riley has announced that IACH lab services will return to normal operations beginning Monday, Feb. 9, following the completion of pharmacy fire shutter construction. 

To ensure a safe and efficient pharmacy experience, mandatory call-in refills will remain in effect even after completion of the fire shutter project. Patients are required to request prescription refills through AudioCare or the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal to support timely processing and reduce in-person wait times.

• Walk-in blood draws for all Active Duty service members and other eligible beneficiaries

•  Appointments and walk-ins (space available) for all eligible beneficiaries

• Walk-in blood draws for Active Duty Service Members only

Patients are encouraged to plan accordingly and arrive early to ensure service within ticketing hours.

Irwin Army Community Hospital lab services

The Geary County Republican Party is hosting a Republican Party Meet &amp; Greet on Monday, February 9th, at 6:00 P.M. at The BLU Restaurant and Bar, located at 601 N. Washington, in Junction City.

The evening will feature Dr. Jeff Colyer, the 47th Governor of Kansas, surgeon, leader, and humanitarian, who is currently running for Kansas Governor. Come hear his vision, ask questions, and connect with fellow Republicans. Some of your local elected officials will also be in attendance.

The Geary County Republican Committee says, "It will be a great opportunity to network and engage with others in the community—we hope to see you there!"

Geary County Republican Party hosting Meet-and-Greet with Governor Candidate on Monday night

The Junction City boys and girls varsity basketball teams hit the road on Friday night for their first of five straight road games. The Blue Jays and Lady Jays played at Topeka Hayden High School. The two teams split the doubleheader, with Hayden winning the girls game and Junction City winning the boys game.

Girls recap - Topeka Hayden 61, Junction City 23

The Wildcats of Topeka Hayden won the opening tip and jumped out to an early five-point lead, but Junction City was battling early. The Lady Jays had back-to-back baskets to cut the lead down to one, trailing 9-8. JCHS forced back-to-back turnovers but could not convert to take the lead. Hayden quickly responded and then ended the first quarter on a 10-0 run. The Wildcats led 19-8 at the end of the first quarter and then just poured it on for the rest of the game. Topeka Hayden won the game 61-23 and improved to 13-4 on the year.

*One of the bright spots for Junction City was sophomore Laniyah Warmack. She scored in double digits, leading the team with 10 points and several steals. Laniyah Warmack was named our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. (For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Laniyah receives a $20 free meal coupon voucher to Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 N. Washington St.)

Boys recap - Junction City 76, Topeka Hayden 56

Basketball is always referred to as a game of runs. That would accurately depict the first two minutes of the boys game on Friday night. Junction City junior Khaliel Walker scored the first five points of the game. Quickly, the Wildcats responded with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 5-5. Then again, Junction City responded with another 5-0 run to jump back in front, 10-5. The Blue Jays dominated the rest of first quarter, capped off with a right-wing three-pointer by Lovell Autry as time expired. The Blue Jays led 27-11 at the end of the first quarter.

In second-quarter action, Hayden came alive. Their senior big man (and KU football commit) Connor Hanika settled in, as well as their guards, who knocked down some three-pointers late in the first half to cut the deficit to single digits. Junction City quickly responded and led by 11, 34-23 at the half.

Third-quarter action is when the Blue Jays really took control. Senior guard Lovell Autry took over and scored several shots near the basket. Guard Jaycen Lanier and Jett Thompson both added three-pointers, and junior Brody Boeckman dominated the glass with several putbacks within four feet of the rim. JCHS led 60-39 after three quarters.

In the fourth, Junction City was able to put several young players in and mostly empty their bench. The Blue Jays won the game 76-56 and improved to 9-7 on the season. Four players scored in double digits. Autry had 20, Boeckman 15, and Walker and Thompson both added 11 points.

*Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game was junior Khaliel Walker. He connected on three three-pointers and took two charges, along with playing great defense throughout the whole game. (For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Khaliel receives a $20 free meal coupon voucher to Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 N. Washington St.)

Both Junction City boys and girls teams will play at Emporia High on Tuesday.

Lady Jays fall to Topeka Hayden, Blue Jays win by 20

TOPEKA —On Monday, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach&nbsp; asked a Senate legislative committee to pass legislation to protect Kansas kids from AI chatbots. 

"We can't wait for Congress. I don’t have any confidence that they will act soon. And who knows how many children will be harmed as we wait."

🎥Kan. AG asks lawmakers to protect Kan. kids from AI chatbots

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities investigating the disappearance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;released the first surveillance images Tuesday showing a masked person on her porch the night she went missing, as law enforcement and her family intensified calls for public help more than a week into the search.

Law enforcement searching for the mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;have not identified any suspects of persons or interest, and it's unclear if she is still alive. FBI Director Kash Patel posted the images on X.

“The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems,” Patel wrote, saying the images show “an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance.”

Video released by the FBI shows the person wearing a backpack, long sleeves and pants walk up to the door and try to conceal a camera with a glove before turning around, grabbing some plants and then putting them in front of the camera.

Investigators had been hopeful that cameras at the home would turn up some evidence about how she went missing, but the doorbell camera was disconnected early Sunday. And while software data recorded movement at the home minutes later, Nancy Guthrie didn’t have an active subscription, so none of the footage could be recovered, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos had said.

The announcement comes as heartbreaking messages made by “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;and her family have shifted from hopeful to desperate as they plead with the apparent kidnappers to hand over their mother.

It's also unclear if ransom notes demanding money with deadlines that have already passed were authentic, or whether the Guthrie family has had any contact with the abductors.

Guthrie and her family have posted a series of videos over the past week, each striking a different tone. The latest message from Savannah Guthrie, in which she appeared alone, was more bleak.

“We are at an hour of desperation,” she said Monday, telling the public: “We need your help.”

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-6c7b78d17d7b647c64f71f64ecaecf8b">taken against her will</a>&nbsp;from her house just outside Tucson. She was last seen there Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day after not attending church. DNA tests showed blood on Nancy Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-nancy-adaa8af43efe04c252a52616d9037a05">doorbell camera was disconnected</a>&nbsp;in the early hours of Sunday morning, the sheriff has said.

Authorities say Nancy Guthrie needs daily medication because she is said to have high blood pressure and heart issues, including a pacemaker.

Investigators were in her neighborhood several times over the past few days and plan to keep working Tuesday as they expand the search and follow up on new leads, the sheriff’s department said.

Three days after the search began, Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings sent their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-88e8731270d05e6e667730d2ed8633d3">first public appeal</a>&nbsp;to the kidnappers, telling them “we want to hear from you and we are ready to listen.”

In the recorded video, Guthrie said her family was aware of media reports about a ransom letter, but they first wanted proof their mother was alive. "Please reach out to us,” they said.

Law enforcement officials declined to say whether the letters sent to several media outlets were credible but said all tips were being investigated seriously.

The next day, Savannah Guthrie’s brother&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-2765f354b498e6146b955162c3b71d4f">again told the kidnappers</a>&nbsp;to reach out "so we can move forward.”

“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” Camron Guthrie said.

Then over the past weekend the family&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-92dff046a91f2c5c0093f17cd3b7ad42">posted another video</a>&nbsp;— one that was more cryptic and generated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/search-nancy-guthrie-social-media-posts-e176abcc670af3844416946fb3bb5619">even more speculation</a>&nbsp;about Nancy Guthrie's fate.

“We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her,” said Savannah Guthrie, flanked by her siblings. “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

Up to that point, the family's first three videos addressed the kidnappers directly.

But just ahead of Monday's deadline spelled out in a purported note, Savannah Guthrie urged people nationwide to be on the lookout “no matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, if you hear anything.”

Her turn to the public comes as much of the nation is closely following the dramatic twists and turns involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/today-savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-2c0512333cfaa6cdb01a82d1992160b2">the longtime anchor</a>&nbsp;of NBC’s morning show.

The FBI this week began posting digital billboards in major cities from Texas to California.

Connor Hagan, a spokesperson for the FBI, said Monday that the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-ransom-deadline-arizona-3977f842fd3d1fd66952d1d763944b9d">wasn’t aware of ongoing communication</a>&nbsp;between Guthrie’s family and the suspected kidnappers. Authorities also had not identified any suspects or persons of interest, he said.

“Someone has that one piece of information that can help us bring Nancy home,” he said.

🎥FBI: Video from Guthrie home shows masked person

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.

Just after 8p.m. Feb. 7, a Sheriffs Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford pickup truck on U.S. Highway 75 near 126th Road for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; Deputies arrested the passenger, 61-year-old Daniel Lorann Hysten, of Topeka on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The driver, Frank Newton, of Topeka, was arrested on an outstanding City of Topeka warrant.

Pickup passenger caught with meth during Kan. traffic stop

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Lindsey Vonn’s father said Monday that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lindsey-vonn">American superstar</a>&nbsp;will no longer race if he has any influence over her decision and that she will not return to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Winter Olympics</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/lindsey-vonn-downhill-winter-olympics-milan-cortina-updates">breaking her leg</a>&nbsp;in the downhill over the weekend.

“She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career,” Alan Kildow said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”

Kildow and the rest of Vonn’s family — a brother and two sisters, too — have been with Vonn while she is being treated at a hospital in Treviso following her fall and helicopter evacuation from the course in Cortina on Sunday.

The hospital late Sunday released a statement saying Vonn had undergone surgery on her left leg and the U.S. Ski Team said she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-vonn-milan-cortina-olympics-90b10c0a145053f3bbfb573c4024653a">was in stable condition.</a>&nbsp;There have not been other updates since.

Kildow declined to comment on details of Vonn’s injuries, but he did address how she was doing emotionally.

“She’s a very strong individual,” Kildow said. “She knows physical pain and she understands the circumstances that she finds herself in. And she’s able to handle it. Better than I expected. She’s a very, very strong person. And so I think she’s handling it real well.”

Kildow — a former ski racer himself who taught his daughter to race — said he slept in his daughter’s hospital room overnight.

“She has somebody with her — or multiple people with her — at all times,” Kildow said. “We’ll have people here as long as she’s here.”

Kildow and the rest of Vonn’s family watched the crash from the finish area with all of the other spectators.

“First, the shock and the horror of the whole thing, seeing a crash like that,” Kildow said of what he felt watching the scene unfold. “It can be dramatic and traumatic. You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.

“You can go into a shock an emotional psychological shock,” he added. “Because it’s difficult to just accept what’s happened. But she’s well cared for. … And the USOC and the U.S. Ski team have a very, very top-notch doctor with her and she is being very well cared for here in Italy.”

Vonn raced the downhill despite tearing the ACL in her left knee nine days earlier in another crash.

“What happened to her had nothing to do with the ACL issue on her left leg. Nothing,” Kildow said. “She had demonstrated that she was able to function at a very high level with the two downhill training runs. … And she had been cleared by high level physicians to ski.”

Kildow said the crash was less a result of Vonn’s knee injury than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-vonn-crash-olympics-cortina-219737db2d60c6c2d917b95048b2c0e7">the way she pushed the limits of her racing line</a>&nbsp;to the point where she clipped a gate early in her run and got knocked out of control.

“There are times sometimes in any race, but especially in downhill, where you have to take a little speed off,” he said. “You can give yourself a little bit more leeway on the line so you don’t put yourself in a questionable position.”

Vonn, who holds the record of 12 World Cup victories in Cortina, returned to the circuit last season after nearly six years of retirement and after a partial titanium replacement surgery in her right knee. She won two downhills and finished on the podium in seven of the eight World Cup races that she finished this season — and came fourth in the other one.

“She won 84 World Cup races. And not many people do that,” Kildow said, referring to Vonn’s victory total, which place her second on the all-time women’s list behind teammate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mikaela-shiffrin">Mikaela Shiffrin’s</a>&nbsp;record 108 wins.

“And there’s a hell of a lot of the difference between a speed race, a downhill especially, and a slalom,” Kildow added.

Vonn will not return to the Olympics to cheer on teammates or for anything else, Kildow said.

“No, she’s not that in kind of situation,” he said. “She will be going home at an appropriate point in time.”

What Lindsey Vonn’s father wants her to do after her Olympic crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. military forces boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking the ship from the Caribbean Sea as part of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-trump-military-operation-85041a1ec03bafe839b785a95169d694">oil quarantine meant to squeeze Venezuela</a>, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday.

Venezuela had faced U.S. sanctions on its oil and relied on a shadow fleet of falsely flagged tankers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-trump-sanctions-maduro-a2ef5b45b48365861e0a724d8c27dce3">smuggle crude into global supply chains</a>. Following the U.S. raid to apprehend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">then-President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in early January, several tankers fled the Venezuelan coast, including the ship that was boarded in the Indian Ocean overnight.

Hegseth vowed to eventually capture all those ships, telling a group of shipyard workers in Maine on Monday that “the only guidance I gave to my military commanders is none of those are getting away.”

“I don’t care if we got to go around the globe to get them; we’re going to get them,” he added.

Later Monday, the U.S. military said it had carried out another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-military-death-toll-venezuela-20cef307b035c386f390df846b6056b7">deadly strike on a vessel</a>&nbsp;accused of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Southern Command said the strike killed two people, while one person survived. Southern Command said it had notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate its search and rescue system for the survivor. A video linked to the post shows a boat moving through the water before exploding in flames.

Monday’s attack raises the death toll from the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats to 130 people.

The Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-tanker-us-military-trump-086d42db3d56f0e952014f97fa30faaf">seized seven tankers</a>&nbsp;as part of its broader efforts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">to take control</a>&nbsp;of the South American country’s oil. Unlike those previous actions, the Aquila II has not been formally seized and placed under U.S. control, a defense official said.

Instead, the ship is being held while its ultimate fate is decided by the U.S., according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing decision-making.

The Aquila II is a Panamanian-flagged tanker under U.S. sanctions related to the shipment of illicit Russian oil. Owned by a company with a listed address in Hong Kong, ship tracking data shows it has spent much of the last year with its radio transponder turned off, a practice known as “running dark” commonly employed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-middle-east-iran-shipping-44d5cdc52e589c44a7bb0fc5be59d156">smugglers to hide their location</a>.

It was one of at least 16 tankers that fled the Venezuelan coast last month, according to Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, who said his organization used satellite imagery and surface-level photos to document the ship’s movements. According to data transmitted from the ship Monday, it is not currently laden with a cargo of crude oil.

The Pentagon’s post on X said the military “conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction” on the ship.

“The Aquila II was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean,” the Pentagon said. “It ran, and we followed.”

A Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations, would not say what forces were used in the operation but confirmed the destroyers USS Pinckney and USS John Finn as well as the mobile base ship USS Miguel Keith were operating in the Indian Ocean.

In videos the Pentagon posted to social media, uniformed forces can be seen boarding a Navy helicopter that takes off from a ship that matches the profile of the Miguel Keith. Video and photos of the tanker shot from inside a helicopter also show a Navy destroyer sailing alongside the ship.

Since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">U.S. ouster of Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid on Jan. 3, the Trump administration has set out to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-trump-oil-sales-rubio-maduro-rodriguez-61ad64e8a983db7faaa80beb71ba1aa4">control the production</a>, refining and global distribution of Venezuela’s petroleum products. Officials in President Donald Trump’s Republican administration have made it clear they see seizing the tankers as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">way to generate cash</a>&nbsp;as they seek to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry and restore its economy.

Trump also has been trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cuba-economy-oil-crisis-us-6b2b44a4818616bbc542b7b63159a47b">restrict the flow of oil to Cuba</a>, which faces strict economic sanctions by the U.S. and relies heavily on oil shipments from allies like Mexico, Russia and Venezuela.

Since the Venezuela operation, Trump has said that no more Venezuelan oil will go to Cuba and that the Cuban government is ready to fall. Trump also recently signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-cuba-tariffs-trump-mexico-30f1d74a766fee23001684a5bb8079d9">executive order that would impose a tariff</a>&nbsp;on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, primarily pressuring Mexico because it has acted as an oil lifeline for Cuba.

🎥US military boards sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after pursuit

DOUGLAS COUNTY – Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) investigators and Lawrence Police Department (LKPD) detectives have arrested a suspect in connection with multiple aggravated arsons and burglaries that occurred between December 2025 and February 2026, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.

The suspect was taken into custody on February 7, following a joint investigation by investigators and police detectives. The investigators have identified the crimes took place at three separate apartment complexes involving four vacant dwelling units and two laundry rooms. Damage estimates are not available at this time.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the suspect.

Police arrest suspect in multiple Kan. arson and burglaries

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mayasmith/">Maya Smith</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Parents, first responders and educators are urging lawmakers to require schools to stock naloxone and provide fentanyl prevention education to prevent overdoses and deaths.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2489/" target="_blank">House Bill 2489</a>&nbsp;would combine education and resources with the goal of preventing youth fentanyl-related deaths. Schools would be required to maintain a stock supply of naloxone, as well as being responsible for storage, adequate quantity and administering as needed.

The bill would allow school personnel to administer naloxone on a “voluntary basis” outside of the scope of employment.

Josh Magaha, a Kansas City firefighter, said he has given 15,000 children and adults overdose prevention education across eastern Kansas since 2018. Magaha’s first presentation was in Basehor. Five days later, someone overdosed on the school’s campus.

“Every single school I’ve presented in has had an overdose. Every single school I’ve presented in has Narcan now,” Magaha said. “I see it first hand. The fact that the deaths are going down is being blanketed because we have so much Narcan in the community.”

Narcan is a brand name for naloxone as a nasal spray.

Education on fentanyl abuse prevention would be for grades 9-12 and can be provided alongside other drug prevention programs. The State Board of Education would be responsible for creating guidance to ensure the curriculum is age appropriate.

Tim Graham, of the Kansas National Education Association, said he worried the language in the bill regarding staff and personnel was broad, and should be changed since those handling the naloxone would be nonmedical professionals.

“The bill requires nonmedical employees and volunteers who’d be asked to administer naloxone outside of their employment,” Graham said. “This raises practical concerns about expectations placed on staff who are not trained as medical professionals.”

Between 2020 and 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/24650/638947359763000000" target="_blank">48 children died</a>&nbsp;because of fentanyl, according to the Kansas State Child Death Review Board, with 74% of child drug-related deaths caused by fentanyl.

Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican, testified in favor of the bill, saying roughly 30 to 50 people overdose per year in Leavenworth. Proctor, who has served in the House since 2021, said roughly a dozen of those are overdose deaths.

“I didn’t understand the scope of this problem when I came here. This is happening to our kids and in our schools, too,” Proctor said. “The problem isn’t getting worse, but it ain’t getting better.”

Amber Saale-Burger testified to the committee about losing her daughter and grandson’s father to pills laced with fentanyl. She said the concept of stocking naloxone is the same as automated external defibrillators or fire extinguishers in schools.

“Naloxone needs to be as readily available as possible,” she said. “We keep fire extinguishers in the house not because we plan to start a fire, but because if it happens we can put it out. Naloxone should be treated no different.”

Saale-Burger said prevention education can save lives and break the cycle for drug-endangered children.

“The only way to make this problem go away is to talk to our kids about it,” Saale said. “Kids don’t know until it’s too late.”

Bill would require schools to stock naloxone, provide fentanyl education

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —After a two-day search, law enforcement captured a stolen vehicle suspect.

Just before 10 p.m. Sunday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a caller who observed a pickup truck that had been reported stolen out of St. Mary’s, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The caller observed the vehicle in western Jackson County.&nbsp; Jackson County Deputies located the vehicle near N. Road on 158th&nbsp;Road.&nbsp; A pursuit ensued eastbound.&nbsp; The vehicle turned into a driveway of a residence located at 15505 158th&nbsp;Road and crashed through a fence.&nbsp; The vehicle caught fire, deputies and fire crews extinguished the fire as the driver escaped into a thickly wooded area. Deputies and troopers searched the area with K-9s and drones and were not able to locate the suspect.

Just after 10 a.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen who reported finding a man wearing a brown Carhartt Jacket with blue jeans in his chicken house. Sheriff’s Office personnel quickly came on scene.&nbsp; Deputies, State Troopers and K.B.I. agents assisted with the search including K-9s, drones and aircraft.&nbsp; As of 2 p.m. today, the subject has not been located.

The Sheriff’s Office identified William Joseph Goetz, 43, of Saint George. Goetz as the suspect and reported he believed that Goetz was without a phone and would access buildings or vehicles to stay warm at night.&nbsp; Deputies continued to canvass the area.

Late Monday afternoon, the suspect allegedly stole a 2005 Ford F-250 pickup truck from a residence on U. Road.&nbsp; The suspect headed south on U. Road and only after 1/8th of a mile rolled the truck and fled again on foot.&nbsp; Law enforcement continued pursuing the suspect southeast to a lake located east of U. Road on 150th.&nbsp; Law enforcement finally apprehended Goetz who was hiding in another pickup truck.&nbsp; Goetz will be booked into the Jackson County Jail for numerous requested charges.

Kansas stolen vehicle suspect captured after 2-day search

HAMILTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a violent incident in southwest Kansas.

Just before 9:30p.m. Sunday, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office received a report of an aggravated battery and assault in progress involving a machete and a firearm in the area of Grant Street, according to a media release.

Deputies located a man inside a small camper who was holding another individual hostage. After issuing verbal commands, deputies deployed a Taser, and the subject was safely taken into custody without further incident.

Deputies also located an additional victim at the scene who sustained a cut to the shoulder consistent with a machete-related injury. The suspect was identified as Jose Alfredo Miranda Dubon, who was taken into custody and transported to the Hamilton County Jail. The sheriff's office did not release details on possible charges.

Man jailed after machete attack in southwest Kansas

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of house fire in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 3p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported house fire in the 300 block of Benton Blvd., according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, crews reported smoke showing from a 2-story house. An offensive fire attack was initiated and 2 hose lines advanced into the structure.&nbsp;

Searches throughout were performed and reported all clear. The fire was brought under controlat 3:19 p.m.. No injuries have been reported from this incident.

Crews battle fire at 2-story Kansas City home

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.

Arizona closed within one point with 34 seconds left in the game, but senior guard Melvin Council Jr. shot 3 of 4 from the line in the final minute and 10 of 11 in the game to help seal the victory for Kansas. He finished with 23 points. Tre White also added a pair of late free throws.

Four Kansas players scored double digits. Bryson Tiller finished with 18 points and Jamari McDowell added 10.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries led Arizona with 25 points. Motiejus Krivas scored 14 and Ivan Kharchenkov 13.

🏀 No Peterson, no problem; KU knocks off No. 1 Arizona

Junction City girls wrestling placed 3rd at league competition this past week. The team finished with a 2–2 record in duals.

Junction City defeated Topeka High 84–0 and beat Emporia 57–21. The girls lost to Washburn Rural 45–33 and lost to Manhattan 56–22.

The girls wrestled hard and had many placers in the tournament.

The girls will travel to regionals this week to attempt to qualify for the KSHSAA State tournament. There will be Sixteen wrestlers in the brackets and must place top 8 to qualify for the State tournament.

Junction City Girls Wrestlers Place 3rd at League Tournament

RILEY COUNTY —A member of the Kansas State University men's basketball staff is under investigation for alleged violent crimes.

Just before 1:30a.m. Monday, 29-year-old Mark Vital was booked into the Riley County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;domestic battery; knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report. 

On Monday afternoon, K-State Athletics released a statement on the arrest.

"We are aware of Mark Vital's arrest on Sunday night. He has been removed from all team responsibilities until the judicial process runs its course."

Just after 3a.m. Monday, Vital met the requirement of a $2,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

K-State statement on arrest of basketball staffer

The Junction City Boys wrestling team finished 3rd at the Centennial League Championship on Saturday at Washburn&nbsp;Rural High School.&nbsp;

 Cody Owens placed 1st at 165lbs and finished&nbsp;the regular season with a record of &nbsp;(25-11).&nbsp; Centennial&nbsp;runners up &nbsp;were Jayden Melton 126 lbs (32-6) and Chris Coy 215 lbs (24-5). Taking home 3rd place for JCHS were Colden Blockcolsky 120 lbs (29-6) , Kayun Herring 138 lbs (20-10) and Christian Simmers 190lbs (32-5).&nbsp;

Next up is the KSHSAA Boys Regional Championship at Wichita North High School on February 21.

Blue Jays finish third at Centennial League

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The “Dark Side” defense carried Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks to a Lombardi Trophy.

Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, Byron Murphy and the rest of Mike Macdonald’s ferocious unit pummeled Drake Maye, and the Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl.

“We never waver, man. We believe in each other. We love each other, and now we’re world champions," Macdonald said.

Darnold&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2020686171668709673">threw a touchdown pass</a>&nbsp;to AJ Barner, Kenneth Walker III ran for 135 yards and Jason Myers set a Super Bowl record by making all five of his field-goal tries.

“To do this with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said. “So proud of our guys, our defense. I mean, I can’t say enough great things about our defense, our special teams.”

Walker became the first running back to win the Super Bowl MVP award since Hall of Famer Terrell Davis did it with Denver 28 years ago.

Uchenna Nwosu punctuated a punishing defensive performance by&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2020693977473908778">snagging Maye’s pass in the air</a>&nbsp;after Witherspoon hit his arm and running it back 45 yards for a pick-6.

"We went through a lot, but we believed," Witherspoon said. "All of you all doubters out there who said all that other stuff, you all don’t know what’s going on in this building. We’re one of one over here.”

Seattle won its first Super Bowl a dozen years ago behind its “Legion of Boom” defense, then was denied a repeat when New England's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7rPIg7ZNQ8">Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson</a>&nbsp;at the goal line. The Seahawks hadn't been back to the Super Bowl since.

Darnold become the first quarterback in the 2018 NFL draft class to win a Super Bowl, ahead of Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson.

Labeled a bust, dumped by two teams and considered expendable by two others, Darnold proved his doubters wrong while helping the Seahawks go 17-3.

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