MISSION, Kan. (AP) — About three-quarters of Kansas counties have turned down new shipments of the coronavirus vaccine at least once over the past month and several for four straight weeks, state date shows.

“It is kind of stalling. Some people just don’t want it,” said Stacey Hileman, a nurse with the health department in rural northwest Kansas’ Decatur County, where only about 29% of the county’s 2,900 residents have received at least one vaccine dose.

Her county is among six that have rejected allocations for all four weeks. Thirty-three other counties paused shipments from the state for one week, 26 for two weeks and 16 for three weeks. Only 24 counties, mostly the larger ones such as Shawnee, Johnson and Sedgwick, haven’t turned down any shipments.

These numbers, however, do not include doses that have been supplied by federal programs to pharmacies and other providers

In rural south-central Kansas’ Barber County, which has turned down vaccine doses from the state for two of the past four weeks, Danielle Farr said she has no plans to be vaccinated. The 32-year-old said she got COVID-19 last year, along with her 5- and 12-year-old sons and her husband, a sheriff’s deputy. They never were tested for active infections, but blood tests detected antibodies for the virus in all four of them.

“I believe in vaccines that have eradicated terrible diseases for the past 60, 70 years. I totally and fully believe in that,” said Farr, who works at an accounting firm. “Now a vaccine that was rushed in six, seven months, I’m just going to be a little bit more cautious about what I choose to put into my body.”

That kind of resistance is concerning health care officials, who insist the vaccines in use are safe, because just 37% of the state’s residents are at least partially vaccinated. The percentage is far from where the state needs to get to reach a level of herd immunity that would make it difficult for the virus to spread.

“We need to twist some arms and get some arms to be able to give some of that vaccine,” said Dr. Steve Stites, the chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, during a morning briefing Wednesday.

Marci Nielsen, a special advisor to Gov. Laura Kelly, said the state is planning to target “robust communications” at communities with lower rates to reach its goals. She noted that there was no time to spare in a written statement.

“Variants continue to be a concern and the slowing of vaccine uptake will delay the ability to reach herd immunity in Kansas, and across the nation,” she said.

But the effort is far from easy. Cheyenne County, which has about 2,800 residents and is located along the state’s western border with Colorado, also has turned down new doses for four weeks.

“You are not going to force people. We’ve got it out there. If they want it they can get on the list, and we will give it to them,” said Shawna Blanka, the spokeswoman for the 16-bed Cheyenne County Hospital, before reiterating: “It is not something you can force upon people.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617126228958.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — About three-quarters of Kansas counties have turned down new shipments of the coronavirus vaccine at least once over the past month and several for four straight weeks, state date shows.“It is kind of stalling. Some people just don’t want it,” said Stacey Hileman, a nurse with the health department in rural northwest Kansas’ Decatur County, where only about 29% of the county’s 2,900 residents have received at least one vaccine dose.Her county is among six that have rejected allocations for all four weeks. Thirty-three other counties paused shipments from the state for one week, 26 for two weeks and 16 for three weeks. Only 24 counties, mostly the larger ones such as Shawnee, Johnson and Sedgwick, haven’t turned down any shipments.These numbers, however, do not include doses that have been supplied by federal programs to pharmacies and other providersIn rural south-central Kansas’ Barber County, which has turned down vaccine doses from the state for two of the past four weeks, Danielle Farr said she has no plans to be vaccinated. The 32-year-old said she got COVID-19 last year, along with her 5- and 12-year-old sons and her husband, a sheriff’s deputy. They never were tested for active infections, but blood tests detected antibodies for the virus in all four of them.“I believe in vaccines that have eradicated terrible diseases for the past 60, 70 years. I totally and fully believe in that,” said Farr, who works at an accounting firm. “Now a vaccine that was rushed in six, seven months, I’m just going to be a little bit more cautious about what I choose to put into my body.”That kind of resistance is concerning health care officials, who insist the vaccines in use are safe, because just 37% of the state’s residents are at least partially vaccinated. The percentage is far from where the state needs to get to reach a level of herd immunity that would make it difficult for the virus to spread.“We need to twist some arms and get some arms to be able to give some of that vaccine,” said Dr. Steve Stites, the chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, during a morning briefing Wednesday.Marci Nielsen, a special advisor to Gov. Laura Kelly, said the state is planning to target “robust communications” at communities with lower rates to reach its goals. She noted that there was no time to spare in a written statement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619024571924.png" alt="Wednesday April 21, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday April 21, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>“Variants continue to be a concern and the slowing of vaccine uptake will delay the ability to reach herd immunity in Kansas, and across the nation,” she said.But the effort is far from easy. Cheyenne County, which has about 2,800 residents and is located along the state’s western border with Colorado, also has turned down new doses for four weeks.“You are not going to force people. We’ve got it out there. If they want it they can get on the list, and we will give it to them,” said Shawna Blanka, the spokeswoman for the 16-bed Cheyenne County Hospital, before reiterating: “It is not something you can force upon people.”

Most Kansas counties turn down vaccine over past month

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say a driver has died after crashing his sport utility vehicle into a retaining wall in southeast Omaha and ending up pinned underneath the vehicle. 

Police say the crash happened around 11:30 p.m. when the SUV crossed a median and hit a large wood retaining wall. 

Investigators say the vehicle overturned, pinning the driver underneath. 

Police say the driver, identified as 59-year-old Randy Rettele of Omaha, died at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say a driver has died after crashing his sport utility vehicle into a retaining wall in southeast Omaha and ending up pinned underneath the vehicle. Police say the crash happened around 11:30 p.m. when the SUV crossed a median and hit a large wood retaining wall. Investigators say the vehicle overturned, pinning the driver underneath. Police say the driver, identified as 59-year-old Randy Rettele of Omaha, died at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

Omaha driver dies after crashing into wall, being pinned under SUV

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a standoff on I-70.

Just after 4 a.m. Thursday, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office with a vehicle pursuit, according to Undersheriff Brian Hornaday.

 Geary County Sheriff’s Deputies pursued a 2010 Nissan Titan occupied by a white male westbound on Interstate 70 into Dickinson County.&nbsp; 

Stop sticks were successfully deployed during the pursuit, causing the vehicle to come to a stop near Jeep Road.

 After refusing to exit the vehicle, a stand-off ensued, causing east and westbound traffic on Interstate 70 to be shut down between the Abilene exit and the Jeep Road exit. in Dickinson County.&nbsp; 

Just before 6a.m. the suspect surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office without further incident.

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a standoff on I-70.Just after 4 a.m. Thursday, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office with a vehicle pursuit, according to Undersheriff Brian Hornaday. Geary County Sheriff’s Deputies pursued a 2010 Nissan Titan occupied by a white male westbound on Interstate 70 into Dickinson County.&nbsp; Stop sticks were successfully deployed during the pursuit, causing the vehicle to come to a stop near Jeep Road. After refusing to exit the vehicle, a stand-off ensued, causing east and westbound traffic on Interstate 70 to be shut down between the Abilene exit and the Jeep Road exit. in Dickinson County.&nbsp; Just before 6a.m. the suspect surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office without further incident.

Kan. deputies arrest suspect after standoff on I-70 

DENVER (AP) — Local prosecutors in Colorado have filed over 40 more felony charges against a man charged with killing 10 people at a Boulder supermarket last month, including for allegedly using a large capacity magazine banned by state lawmakers in response to recent mass shootings. 

The court document outlining the new charges filed Wednesday lists 19 new victims, including 11 law enforcement officers, that 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is accused of attempting to kill during the attack. 

Some victims have more than one count of attempted first-degree murder associated with them. Alissa’s defense has said he suffers from “mental illness” but hasn't offered any details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619092346487.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — Local prosecutors in Colorado have filed over 40 more felony charges against a man charged with killing 10 people at a Boulder supermarket last month, including for allegedly using a large capacity magazine banned by state lawmakers in response to recent mass shootings. The court document outlining the new charges filed Wednesday lists 19 new victims, including 11 law enforcement officers, that 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is accused of attempting to kill during the attack. Some victims have more than one count of attempted first-degree murder associated with them. Alissa’s defense has said he suffers from “mental illness” but hasn't offered any details.

Boulder shooting suspect charged with using large magazine

NEW YORK (AP) — Since the COVID-19 vaccines haven't been around that long, it's not yet known how long their protection lasts. 

Experts are still studying vaccinated people to determine if and when boosters might be needed. 

So far, evidence indicates shots by Pfizer and Moderna last at least six months, and likely longer. 

Another reason we might need follow-up shots is if the vaccines lose their effectiveness against variants. Follow-up shots could contain vaccines for multiple variants. 

The need for them will also depend on the success of the global vaccination push, and tamping down transmission of the virus and emerging variants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618940922609.png" alt="A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a COVID-19 vaccine record card Nov. 13, 2020, at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, D.C.. The cards were sent out as part of vaccination kits. (EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense)" />
 <figcaption>A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a COVID-19 vaccine record card Nov. 13, 2020, at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, D.C.. The cards were sent out as part of vaccination kits. (EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Since the COVID-19 vaccines haven't been around that long, it's not yet known how long their protection lasts. Experts are still studying vaccinated people to determine if and when boosters might be needed. So far, evidence indicates shots by Pfizer and Moderna last at least six months, and likely longer. Another reason we might need follow-up shots is if the vaccines lose their effectiveness against variants. Follow-up shots could contain vaccines for multiple variants. The need for them will also depend on the success of the global vaccination push, and tamping down transmission of the virus and emerging variants.

How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced new employer tax credits and other steps to encourage people reluctant to be inoculated to get the COVID-19 vaccine as his administration tries to overcome diminishing demand for the shots. The moves came as Biden celebrated reaching his latest goal of administering 200 million coronavirus doses in his first 100 days in office.

With more than 50% of adults at least partially vaccinated and roughly 28 million vaccine doses being delivered each week, demand has eclipsed supply as the constraining factor to vaccinations in much of the country.

In a White House speech on Wednesday, Biden acknowledged entering a “new phase” in the federal vaccination effort that relies on increased outreach to Americans to get their shots, both to protect them and their communities.

“Vaccines can save your own life, but they can also save your grandmother’s life, your co-worker’s life, the grocery store clerk or the delivery person helping you and your neighbors get through the crisis,” Biden said. “That’s why you should get vaccinated.”

Over the past week, the pace of inoculation in the U.S. has slowed slightly. That is partly a reflection of disruptions from the “pause” in administration of the Johnson &amp; Johnson shot for a safety review, but also of softening interest for vaccines in many places even as eligibility has been opened to all those older than 16.

As the vaccination program progresses, the administration believes it will only get more difficult to sustain the current pace of about 3 million shots per day. Roughly 130 million Americans have yet to receive one dose.

Surveys have shown that vaccine hesitancy has declined since the rollout of the shots, but administration officials believe they have to make getting vaccinated easier and more appealing, particularly for younger Americans who are less at risk from the virus and do not feel the same urgency to get a shot. That means providing incentives and encouragement to get vaccinated, as well as reducing the friction surrounding the vaccination process.

Biden announced a tax credit for small businesses to provide paid leave for those getting vaccinated or potentially needing to take time off to recover from side effects. Paid for through the $1.9 trillion virus relief package passed last month, the tax change would provide a credit of up to $511 per day, per employee for businesses with fewer than 500 workers to ensure that those workers or businesses don’t suffer a penalty by getting vaccinated.

The White House is urging larger employers, which have more resources, to provide the same benefits to their workers, and educate them about the shots and encourage them to get vaccinated.

“We’re calling on every employer, large and small, in every state, give employees the time off they need with pay to get vaccinated,” Biden said.

According to the White House, just 43% of working adults have received at least one shot.

As Biden celebrated the vaccine milestone, there is a different reality in the states.

In Iowa, nearly half of the counties are not accepting new doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the state’s allotment because demand has fallen off. In Florida, Palm Beach County plans to close mass vaccination clinics at the end of May with thousands of available vaccine slots unclaimed. In rural West Virginia, a vaccine clinic at a casino/race track parking garage is opening shots to out-of-state residents to address lagging demand. The hope is that people from Washington, D.C., make the hour’s drive to get vaccinated. In Arizona, a plan collapsed that would have opened a federally run vaccine site in Tucson; demand is slipping and county officials preferred more targeted, mobile locations.

Asked about the dip in vaccinations, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said “fluctuation is not uncommon” and that “what we want to do is continue to encourage Americans to continue to get vaccinated.”

“The pace of vaccination isn’t linear,” Becerra said, adding that “we are on a pretty good pace.”

Through its partnership with more than 40,000 retail pharmacies, the White House says more than 90% of Americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination site. The administration is encouraging state and local efforts to bring vaccines directly to people, whether through initiatives reaching the homebound or clinics at large employment sites.

Many states have also begun to open up vaccination sites to walk-in appointments, reducing reliance on often-cumbersome reservation systems.

Maximizing the number of Americans vaccinated in the coming months is critical for the White House, which is aiming to restore a semblance of normalcy around the July Fourth holiday and even more so by the beginning of the next school year.

Administration officials have been careful to avoid predicting when the country will have vaccinated enough people to reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/when-do-we-reach-herd-immunity-explained-8da12b3d4f6e33c0c6562f29f81ca52a">herd immunity</a>&nbsp;— when enough people become immune to a disease to make its spread unlikely. The U.S. is on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult by the end of May and for every American by July, but administering the shots will be another matter.

With its stockpile secure and demand dropping at home, the president spoke again of sharing excess doses with allies.

Biden said he talked with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for about 30 minutes on Wednesday. “We helped a little bit there, we’re going to try to help some more,” Biden said, referring to his decision last month to share about 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with Canada. “But there’s other countries as well that I’m confident we can help, including in Central America. But it’s in process.”

He added. “We don’t have enough to be confident to send it abroad now. But I expect we’re going to be able to do that.”

Biden set his goal of 200 million shots last month after meeting his 100 million-in-100 days goal just over a month ago. That original benchmark was announced Dec. 8, days before the U.S. had even one authorized vaccine, let alone the three that have now received emergency authorization. Still, it was generally seen within reach, if optimistic.

By the time Biden was inaugurated on Jan. 20, the U.S. had already administered 20 million shots at a rate of about 1 million per day, bringing complaints at the time that Biden’s goal was not ambitious enough. Biden quickly revised it upward to 150 million doses in his first 100 days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619027369469.png" alt="President Biden said Wednesday that roughly 130 million Americans have yet to receive one dose of vaccine -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden said Wednesday that roughly 130 million Americans have yet to receive one dose of vaccine -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced new employer tax credits and other steps to encourage people reluctant to be inoculated to get the COVID-19 vaccine as his administration tries to overcome diminishing demand for the shots. The moves came as Biden celebrated reaching his latest goal of administering 200 million coronavirus doses in his first 100 days in office.With more than 50% of adults at least partially vaccinated and roughly 28 million vaccine doses being delivered each week, demand has eclipsed supply as the constraining factor to vaccinations in much of the country.In a White House speech on Wednesday, Biden acknowledged entering a “new phase” in the federal vaccination effort that relies on increased outreach to Americans to get their shots, both to protect them and their communities.“Vaccines can save your own life, but they can also save your grandmother’s life, your co-worker’s life, the grocery store clerk or the delivery person helping you and your neighbors get through the crisis,” Biden said. “That’s why you should get vaccinated.”Over the past week, the pace of inoculation in the U.S. has slowed slightly. That is partly a reflection of disruptions from the “pause” in administration of the Johnson &amp; Johnson shot for a safety review, but also of softening interest for vaccines in many places even as eligibility has been opened to all those older than 16.As the vaccination program progresses, the administration believes it will only get more difficult to sustain the current pace of about 3 million shots per day. Roughly 130 million Americans have yet to receive one dose.Surveys have shown that vaccine hesitancy has declined since the rollout of the shots, but administration officials believe they have to make getting vaccinated easier and more appealing, particularly for younger Americans who are less at risk from the virus and do not feel the same urgency to get a shot. That means providing incentives and encouragement to get vaccinated, as well as reducing the friction surrounding the vaccination process.Biden announced a tax credit for small businesses to provide paid leave for those getting vaccinated or potentially needing to take time off to recover from side effects. Paid for through the $1.9 trillion virus relief package passed last month, the tax change would provide a credit of up to $511 per day, per employee for businesses with fewer than 500 workers to ensure that those workers or businesses don’t suffer a penalty by getting vaccinated.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618481198163.png" alt="Vaccinations at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City-photo courtesy Missouri Dept. of Health" />
 <figcaption>Vaccinations at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City-photo courtesy Missouri Dept. of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>The White House is urging larger employers, which have more resources, to provide the same benefits to their workers, and educate them about the shots and encourage them to get vaccinated.“We’re calling on every employer, large and small, in every state, give employees the time off they need with pay to get vaccinated,” Biden said.According to the White House, just 43% of working adults have received at least one shot.As Biden celebrated the vaccine milestone, there is a different reality in the states.In Iowa, nearly half of the counties are not accepting new doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the state’s allotment because demand has fallen off. In Florida, Palm Beach County plans to close mass vaccination clinics at the end of May with thousands of available vaccine slots unclaimed. In rural West Virginia, a vaccine clinic at a casino/race track parking garage is opening shots to out-of-state residents to address lagging demand. The hope is that people from Washington, D.C., make the hour’s drive to get vaccinated. In Arizona, a plan collapsed that would have opened a federally run vaccine site in Tucson; demand is slipping and county officials preferred more targeted, mobile locations.Asked about the dip in vaccinations, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said “fluctuation is not uncommon” and that “what we want to do is continue to encourage Americans to continue to get vaccinated.”“The pace of vaccination isn’t linear,” Becerra said, adding that “we are on a pretty good pace.”Through its partnership with more than 40,000 retail pharmacies, the White House says more than 90% of Americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination site. The administration is encouraging state and local efforts to bring vaccines directly to people, whether through initiatives reaching the homebound or clinics at large employment sites.Many states have also begun to open up vaccination sites to walk-in appointments, reducing reliance on often-cumbersome reservation systems.Maximizing the number of Americans vaccinated in the coming months is critical for the White House, which is aiming to restore a semblance of normalcy around the July Fourth holiday and even more so by the beginning of the next school year.Administration officials have been careful to avoid predicting when the country will have vaccinated enough people to reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/when-do-we-reach-herd-immunity-explained-8da12b3d4f6e33c0c6562f29f81ca52a">herd immunity</a>&nbsp;— when enough people become immune to a disease to make its spread unlikely. The U.S. is on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult by the end of May and for every American by July, but administering the shots will be another matter.With its stockpile secure and demand dropping at home, the president spoke again of sharing excess doses with allies.Biden said he talked with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for about 30 minutes on Wednesday. “We helped a little bit there, we’re going to try to help some more,” Biden said, referring to his decision last month to share about 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with Canada. “But there’s other countries as well that I’m confident we can help, including in Central America. But it’s in process.”He added. “We don’t have enough to be confident to send it abroad now. But I expect we’re going to be able to do that.”Biden set his goal of 200 million shots last month after meeting his 100 million-in-100 days goal just over a month ago. That original benchmark was announced Dec. 8, days before the U.S. had even one authorized vaccine, let alone the three that have now received emergency authorization. Still, it was generally seen within reach, if optimistic.By the time Biden was inaugurated on Jan. 20, the U.S. had already administered 20 million shots at a rate of about 1 million per day, bringing complaints at the time that Biden’s goal was not ambitious enough. Biden quickly revised it upward to 150 million doses in his first 100 days.—-

Biden offers new tax incentive to help spur vaccinations

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers 
that the most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;tool at IRS.gov or through the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go Mobile App</a>.

Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours 
after an e-filed return is received. In addition, Where's My 
Refund&nbsp;provides a personalized date after the return is processed and a 
refund is approved.

Now more than ever, the safest and best way to file a complete and accurate tax return and get a refund is to file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">electronically</a> and use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>. Taxpayers can visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing">IRS.gov/filing</a> for more details about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free tax preparation sites</a>. E-filing is also available through a trusted <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">tax professional</a>.

While most tax refunds are issued within 21 days, some may take longer because the return requires additional review.

There are several reasons a tax refund may take long:

The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if more information is needed to process a return.

Taxpayers claiming the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 on their tax return will not cause a delay in the processing of that 
tax return. However, it is important that taxpayers claim the correct 
amount. If a correction is needed, there may be a slight delay in 
processing the return and the IRS will send a notice explaining any 
change made. Refunds may be delayed while the IRS makes any necessary 
corrections.

Taxpayers can use Where's My Refund?&nbsp;to start checking on the status 
of their return within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an
 electronically filed return or four weeks after the taxpayer mails a 
paper return. The tool's tracker displays progress through three phases:

To use it a taxpayer must <a href="https://sa.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp">enter</a>
 their Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer 
Identification Number) , their filing status and the exact whole dollar 
amount of their refund. The IRS updates "Where's My Refund?&nbsp;once a day, 
usually overnight, so there's no need to check more frequently.

Calling IRS doesn't speed up refund timing

Calling the IRS won't expedite a tax refund. The information 
available on Where's My Refund?&nbsp;is the same information available to IRS
 telephone assistors.

Most taxpayers who want to prepare their own returns can file electronically for free with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>. Alternatively, taxpayers who qualify can get <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free tax help from trained volunteers</a> at community sites around the country.

Some people mistakenly believe they can expedite their refund by 
ordering a tax transcript, calling the IRS or calling their tax 
preparer. Ordering a tax transcript will not help a taxpayer get their 
refund faster or find out when they'll get their refund.

Taxpayers can use several options to help find a paid tax preparer. One resource is <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Choosing a Tax Professional</a>, which includes a list of consumer tips for selecting a tax professional.

The <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications</a>
 is a free searchable and sortable database. It includes the name, city,
 state and zip code of credentialed return preparers who are CPAs, 
enrolled agents or attorneys, as well as those who have completed the 
requirements for the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/annual-filing-season-program">Annual Filing Season Program</a>. A search of the database can help taxpayers verify credentials and qualifications of tax professionals.

Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and 
easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov anytime. No appointment required and
 no waiting on hold.

This news release is part of a group of IRS tips called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>. The guide is designed to help taxpayers as they near the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-for-individuals-extended-to-may-17-treasury-irs-extend-filing-and-payment-deadline">May 17, 2021, tax filing deadline</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers 
that the most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;tool at IRS.gov or through the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go Mobile App</a>.Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours 
after an e-filed return is received. In addition, Where's My 
Refund&nbsp;provides a personalized date after the return is processed and a 
refund is approved.<h2>Go paperless</h2>Now more than ever, the safest and best way to file a complete and accurate tax return and get a refund is to file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">electronically</a> and use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>. Taxpayers can visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing">IRS.gov/filing</a> for more details about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free tax preparation sites</a>. E-filing is also available through a trusted <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">tax professional</a>.<h2>Refund timing</h2>While most tax refunds are issued within 21 days, some may take longer because the return requires additional review.<h2>There are several reasons a tax refund may take long:</h2><ul>
 <li>The return may include errors or be incomplete.</li><li>The return could be affected by identity theft or fraud.</li><li>The return includes a claim for the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.</li><li>The time between the IRS issuing the refund and the bank posting it
 to an account since many banks do not process payments on weekends or 
holidays.</li>
 </ul>The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if more information is needed to process a return.Taxpayers claiming the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 on their tax return will not cause a delay in the processing of that 
tax return. However, it is important that taxpayers claim the correct 
amount. If a correction is needed, there may be a slight delay in 
processing the return and the IRS will send a notice explaining any 
change made. Refunds may be delayed while the IRS makes any necessary 
corrections.<h2>Fast and easy refund updates</h2>Taxpayers can use Where's My Refund?&nbsp;to start checking on the status 
of their return within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an
 electronically filed return or four weeks after the taxpayer mails a 
paper return. The tool's tracker displays progress through three phases:<ol>
 <li>Return Received;</li><li>Refund Approved; and</li><li>Refund Sent.</li>
 </ol>To use it a taxpayer must <a href="https://sa.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp">enter</a>
 their Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer 
Identification Number) , their filing status and the exact whole dollar 
amount of their refund. The IRS updates "Where's My Refund?&nbsp;once a day, 
usually overnight, so there's no need to check more frequently.<h2>Calling IRS doesn't speed up refund timing</h2>Calling the IRS won't expedite a tax refund. The information 
available on Where's My Refund?&nbsp;is the same information available to IRS
 telephone assistors.Most taxpayers who want to prepare their own returns can file electronically for free with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>. Alternatively, taxpayers who qualify can get <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free tax help from trained volunteers</a> at community sites around the country.<h2>Ignore refund myths</h2>Some people mistakenly believe they can expedite their refund by 
ordering a tax transcript, calling the IRS or calling their tax 
preparer. Ordering a tax transcript will not help a taxpayer get their 
refund faster or find out when they'll get their refund.<h2>Filing options</h2>Taxpayers can use several options to help find a paid tax preparer. One resource is <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Choosing a Tax Professional</a>, which includes a list of consumer tips for selecting a tax professional.The <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications</a>
 is a free searchable and sortable database. It includes the name, city,
 state and zip code of credentialed return preparers who are CPAs, 
enrolled agents or attorneys, as well as those who have completed the 
requirements for the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/annual-filing-season-program">Annual Filing Season Program</a>. A search of the database can help taxpayers verify credentials and qualifications of tax professionals.Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and 
easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov anytime. No appointment required and
 no waiting on hold.This news release is part of a group of IRS tips called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>. The guide is designed to help taxpayers as they near the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-for-individuals-extended-to-may-17-treasury-irs-extend-filing-and-payment-deadline">May 17, 2021, tax filing deadline</a>.

IRS: Use the Where’s My Refund? tool or app to check tax refund status

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced today further details of tax credits available under the 
American Rescue Plan to help small businesses, including providing paid 
leave for employees receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

The additional details, provided in a fact sheet released today, 
spell out some basic facts about the employers eligible for the tax 
credits. It also provides information on how these employers may claim 
the credit for leave paid to employees related to COVID-19 vaccinations

Eligible employers, such as businesses and tax-exempt organizations 
with fewer than 500 employees and certain governmental employers, can 
receive a tax credit for providing paid time off for each employee 
receiving the vaccine and for any time needed to recover from the 
vaccine. For example, if an eligible employer offers employees a paid 
day off in order to get vaccinated, the employer can receive a tax 
credit equal to the wages paid to employees for that day (up to certain 
limits).

"This new information is a shot in the arm for struggling small 
employers who are working hard to keep their businesses going while also
 watching out for the health of their employees," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "Our work on this issue is part of a larger effort by the 
IRS to assist the nation recover from the pandemic."

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) allows small and midsize 
employers, and certain governmental employers, to claim refundable tax 
credits that reimburse them for the cost of providing paid sick and 
family leave to their employees due to COVID-19, including leave taken 
by employees to receive or recover from COVID-19 vaccinations. 
Self-employed individuals are eligible for similar tax credits.

The ARP tax credits are available to eligible employers that pay sick
 and family leave for leave from April 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2021.

The paid leave credits under the ARP are tax credits against the 
employer's share of the Medicare tax. The tax credits are refundable, 
which means that the employer is entitled to payment of the full amount 
of the credits if it exceeds the employer's share of the Medicare tax.

In anticipation of claiming the credits on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f941.pdf">Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return&nbsp;PDF</a>,
 eligible employers can keep the federal employment taxes that they 
otherwise would have deposited, including federal income tax withheld 
from employees, the employees' share of social security and Medicare 
taxes and the eligible employer's share of social security and Medicare 
taxes with respect to all employees up to the amount of credit for which
 they are eligible. If the eligible employer does not have enough 
federal employment taxes on deposit to cover the amount of the 
anticipated credits, the eligible employer may request an advance by 
filing Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19.

Self-employed individuals may claim comparable credits on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf">Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return&nbsp;PDF</a>.

More details are available on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employer-tax-credits-for-employee-paid-leave-due-to-covid-19">this fact sheet</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced today further details of tax credits available under the 
American Rescue Plan to help small businesses, including providing paid 
leave for employees receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.The additional details, provided in a fact sheet released today, 
spell out some basic facts about the employers eligible for the tax 
credits. It also provides information on how these employers may claim 
the credit for leave paid to employees related to COVID-19 vaccinationsEligible employers, such as businesses and tax-exempt organizations 
with fewer than 500 employees and certain governmental employers, can 
receive a tax credit for providing paid time off for each employee 
receiving the vaccine and for any time needed to recover from the 
vaccine. For example, if an eligible employer offers employees a paid 
day off in order to get vaccinated, the employer can receive a tax 
credit equal to the wages paid to employees for that day (up to certain 
limits)."This new information is a shot in the arm for struggling small 
employers who are working hard to keep their businesses going while also
 watching out for the health of their employees," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "Our work on this issue is part of a larger effort by the 
IRS to assist the nation recover from the pandemic."The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) allows small and midsize 
employers, and certain governmental employers, to claim refundable tax 
credits that reimburse them for the cost of providing paid sick and 
family leave to their employees due to COVID-19, including leave taken 
by employees to receive or recover from COVID-19 vaccinations. 
Self-employed individuals are eligible for similar tax credits.The ARP tax credits are available to eligible employers that pay sick
 and family leave for leave from April 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2021.The paid leave credits under the ARP are tax credits against the 
employer's share of the Medicare tax. The tax credits are refundable, 
which means that the employer is entitled to payment of the full amount 
of the credits if it exceeds the employer's share of the Medicare tax.In anticipation of claiming the credits on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f941.pdf">Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return&nbsp;PDF</a>,
 eligible employers can keep the federal employment taxes that they 
otherwise would have deposited, including federal income tax withheld 
from employees, the employees' share of social security and Medicare 
taxes and the eligible employer's share of social security and Medicare 
taxes with respect to all employees up to the amount of credit for which
 they are eligible. If the eligible employer does not have enough 
federal employment taxes on deposit to cover the amount of the 
anticipated credits, the eligible employer may request an advance by 
filing Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19.Self-employed individuals may claim comparable credits on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf">Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return&nbsp;PDF</a>.More details are available on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employer-tax-credits-for-employee-paid-leave-due-to-covid-19">this fact sheet</a>.

IRS: Tax credit will allow small employers to offer paid 'vaccine leave'

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/1b53774b-1add-4510-9245-aeb590b3218d">READ MORE: Where's my tax refund? Track it here.</a>

WASHINGTON — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department
 of the Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they 
are disbursing nearly two million payments in the sixth batch of 
Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.

Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 161 million payments, with a total value of more than $379
 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.

The sixth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 16, 
with an official payment date of April 21, with some people receiving 
direct payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending 
deposits. Here is additional information on this batch of payments:

Additional information is available on the first five batches of
 Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-2-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-va-beneficiaries-bring-total-to-approximately-159-million-as-payments-continue">April 9</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.

The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.

Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return

Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.

For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.

People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/those-experiencing-homelessness-can-get-economic-impact-payments-and-other-tax-benefits-permanent-address-not-required">homelessness</a>,
 the rural poor and others. Individuals who didn't get a first or second
 round Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts may be 
eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.

Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.

Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/1b53774b-1add-4510-9245-aeb590b3218d">READ MORE: Where's my tax refund? Track it here.</a>IRSWASHINGTON — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department
 of the Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they 
are disbursing nearly two million payments in the sixth batch of 
Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 161 million payments, with a total value of more than $379
 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.The sixth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 16, 
with an official payment date of April 21, with some people receiving 
direct payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending 
deposits. Here is additional information on this batch of payments:<ul>
 <li>In total, this batch includes nearly 2 million payments with a value of nearly $3.4 billion.</li><li>Nearly 700,000 payments, with a value of more than $1.3 billion, 
went to eligible individuals for whom the IRS previously did not have 
information to issue an Economic Impact Payment but who recently filed a
 tax return.&nbsp;</li><li>This batch also includes additional ongoing supplemental payments 
for people who earlier this year received payments based on their 2019 
tax returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their 
recently processed 2020 tax returns. This batch included nearly 700,000 
of these "plus-up" payments, with a value of nearly $1.2 billion.</li><li>Another 600,000 payments went to Social Security beneficiaries and 
Supplemental Security Income recipients, including those with foreign 
addresses.</li><li>Overall, this sixth batch of payments contains about 900,000 direct
 deposit payments (with a total value of $1.5 billion) and nearly 1.1 
million paper check payments (with a total value of nearly $1.8 
billion).</li>
 </ul>Additional information is available on the first five batches of
 Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-2-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-va-beneficiaries-bring-total-to-approximately-159-million-as-payments-continue">April 9</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.<h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/those-experiencing-homelessness-can-get-economic-impact-payments-and-other-tax-benefits-permanent-address-not-required">homelessness</a>,
 the rural poor and others. Individuals who didn't get a first or second
 round Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts may be 
eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

IRS: Two million more COVID stimulus checks disbursed

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) — A judge has reduced bail for a man accused of helping his son hide the body of a California college student who went missing nearly 25 years ago. 

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Craig Van Rooyen set bail at $50,000 for Ruben Flores, who has pleaded not guilty to accessory after murder in the killing of Kristin Smart. 

His son, Paul Flores, has pleaded not guilty to murder and is being held without bail. 

The judge indicated Monday that he would reduce bail for Ruben Flores from $250,000 to an amount the elder Flores could afford because of health problems and other factors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592516692814.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) — A judge has reduced bail for a man accused of helping his son hide the body of a California college student who went missing nearly 25 years ago. San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Craig Van Rooyen set bail at $50,000 for Ruben Flores, who has pleaded not guilty to accessory after murder in the killing of Kristin Smart. His son, Paul Flores, has pleaded not guilty to murder and is being held without bail. The judge indicated Monday that he would reduce bail for Ruben Flores from $250,000 to an amount the elder Flores could afford because of health problems and other factors.

Bail reduced for father of suspect in student's killing

ROELAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors have filed charges against a man in the fatal stabbing 36 years ago of another man in suburban Kansas City, Kansas.

Johnson County prosecutors announced the developments in the cold case Tuesday, charging 65-year-old Geter Rhymes with first-degree murder in the 1985 stabbing death of 29-year-old Gary Watson.

Watson’s body was found on March 13, 1985, in his apartment in Roeland Park. Police at the time said three men were seen entering Watson’s apartment about two hours before his body was discovered by a family member. Police conducted more than 200 interviews in the case.

Advances in testing allowed investigators to reanalyze evidence collected from the 1985 scene and make the arrest, Johnson County Sheriff’s crime scene investigator Kate Meyer said.

Rhymes was arrested in St. Louis, officials said. Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said Rhymes was expected to be extradited to Johnson County in the next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619015188881.png" alt="Rhymes is being held in St. Charles County" />
 <figcaption>Rhymes is being held in St. Charles County</figcaption>
 </figure>ROELAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors have filed charges against a man in the fatal stabbing 36 years ago of another man in suburban Kansas City, Kansas.Johnson County prosecutors announced the developments in the cold case Tuesday, charging 65-year-old Geter Rhymes with first-degree murder in the 1985 stabbing death of 29-year-old Gary Watson.Watson’s body was found on March 13, 1985, in his apartment in Roeland Park. Police at the time said three men were seen entering Watson’s apartment about two hours before his body was discovered by a family member. Police conducted more than 200 interviews in the case.Advances in testing allowed investigators to reanalyze evidence collected from the 1985 scene and make the arrest, Johnson County Sheriff’s crime scene investigator Kate Meyer said.Rhymes was arrested in St. Louis, officials said. Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said Rhymes was expected to be extradited to Johnson County in the next week.

Cold Case: Charges filed in 36-year-old Kan. murder

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas City man has been sentenced on federal charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and discharging a firearm on school property, according to acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard said today.

Dallas Srivisay, 21,&nbsp;of Kansas City was sentenced on April 20, 2021 to 96 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp; 

Srivisay entered a guilty plea on October 6, 2020.&nbsp; According to court records, this investigation involved an incident where Srivisay and a codefendant participated in a drug exchange with others in a Manhattan, Kansas high school parking lot. 

The intended drug deal went bad when the unknown buyer attempted to rob Srivisay’s brother and his codefendant at gunpoint. The attempted robbery ended in an exchange of gunfire between Srivisay and others when Srivisay began discharging a firearm into the would-be robber’s car.&nbsp; 

Immediately following the shootout at the high school, Srivisay and the codefendant were engaged in a high-speed police chase on I-70 where the vehicle reached speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour until the vehicle was forcibly stopped by law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619022091552.png" alt="Police on the scene of the drug deal shooting investigation in Manhattan in September of 2019-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the drug deal shooting investigation in Manhattan in September of 2019-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas City man has been sentenced on federal charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and discharging a firearm on school property, according to acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard said today.Dallas Srivisay, 21,&nbsp;of Kansas City was sentenced on April 20, 2021 to 96 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp; Srivisay entered a guilty plea on October 6, 2020.&nbsp; According to court records, this investigation involved an incident where Srivisay and a codefendant participated in a drug exchange with others in a Manhattan, Kansas high school parking lot. The intended drug deal went bad when the unknown buyer attempted to rob Srivisay’s brother and his codefendant at gunpoint. The attempted robbery ended in an exchange of gunfire between Srivisay and others when Srivisay began discharging a firearm into the would-be robber’s car.&nbsp; Immediately following the shootout at the high school, Srivisay and the codefendant were engaged in a high-speed police chase on I-70 where the vehicle reached speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour until the vehicle was forcibly stopped by law enforcement.

Man sentenced for drug deal shooting in Kan. school parking lot

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A conservative radio host in Omaha lost his job for a social media post criticized as racist that he sent minutes after the conviction of a white former Minneapolis police officer for the killing last year of a Black man. 

KFAB afternoon radio host Chris Baker posted a since-deleted tweet Tuesday evening in which he wrote “Guilty!” above an image of what appeared to be four older Black men in body paint and loincloths dancing around a pole. C. Taylor Walet III, an executive at KFAB owner iHeartRadio, said Wednesday afternoon that Baker had been fired.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A conservative radio host in Omaha is under fire for a social media post criticized as racist that he sent minutes after the conviction of a white former Minneapolis police officer for the killing last year of a Black man. 

KFAB afternoon radio host Chris Baker posted a since-deleted tweet Tuesday evening in which he wrote “Guilty!” above an image of what appeared to be four older Black men in body paint and loincloths dancing around a pole. 

A message left for Baker at KFAB's studio, which is closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was not immediately returned Wednesday. 

On Wednesday morning, the station was promoting a special program to air in Baker’s usual afternoon time slot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619032347220.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A conservative radio host in Omaha lost his job for a social media post criticized as racist that he sent minutes after the conviction of a white former Minneapolis police officer for the killing last year of a Black man. KFAB afternoon radio host Chris Baker posted a since-deleted tweet Tuesday evening in which he wrote “Guilty!” above an image of what appeared to be four older Black men in body paint and loincloths dancing around a pole. C. Taylor Walet III, an executive at KFAB owner iHeartRadio, said Wednesday afternoon that Baker had been fired.--------OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A conservative radio host in Omaha is under fire for a social media post criticized as racist that he sent minutes after the conviction of a white former Minneapolis police officer for the killing last year of a Black man. KFAB afternoon radio host Chris Baker posted a since-deleted tweet Tuesday evening in which he wrote “Guilty!” above an image of what appeared to be four older Black men in body paint and loincloths dancing around a pole. A message left for Baker at KFAB's studio, which is closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was not immediately returned Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, the station was promoting a special program to air in Baker’s usual afternoon time slot.

Update: Omaha radio host fired for tweet criticized as racist

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police say it was a sheriff's deputy from neighboring Washington County who fired a gun during an arrest in Omaha earlier this week. 

Police say in a news release that two Washington County deputies and an Omaha officer on Monday sought to stop a woman who was wanted on Washington County theft and drug warrants. 

Police say that when the truck the woman was a passenger in fled, one of the deputies fired at the truck's tires. 

No one was injured, and the woman and driver of the truck were arrested following a short chase.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police say it was a sheriff's deputy from neighboring Washington County who fired a gun during an arrest in Omaha earlier this week. Police say in a news release that two Washington County deputies and an Omaha officer on Monday sought to stop a woman who was wanted on Washington County theft and drug warrants. Police say that when the truck the woman was a passenger in fled, one of the deputies fired at the truck's tires. No one was injured, and the woman and driver of the truck were arrested following a short chase.

Omaha police: It was Washington County deputy who fired gun

SEWARD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.

Just before 1a.m. Sunday, police and firefighters responded to report of a fire at National Beef, 1501 East 8th Street in Liberal, according to a media release.

Fire crews were able to quickly control the fire. After a review of surveillance video, investigators observed an 18-year-old man in the area prior to the 911 call. Investigators determined he intentionally started the fire.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Officers located and arrested the teen and booked him into the Seward County Jail on a requested charge of aggravated arson, according to the release.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

SEWARD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.Just before 1a.m. Sunday, police and firefighters responded to report of a fire at National Beef, 1501 East 8th Street in Liberal, according to a media release.Fire crews were able to quickly control the fire. After a review of surveillance video, investigators observed an 18-year-old man in the area prior to the 911 call. Investigators determined he intentionally started the fire.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officers located and arrested the teen and booked him into the Seward County Jail on a requested charge of aggravated arson, according to the release.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Police: Teen accused of starting fire in SW Kansas

ARMA, Kan. (AP) — A&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;man pleaded no contest Tuesday to second-degree murder and attempted murder in the stabbing death of his wife and the injuring of her grandmother.

Jeremy Delmarco, 34. of Arma, had been charged with killing 37-year-old Brandy Delmarco and injuring Dorma Lemaster, 84, at a home in Arma on Feb. 4, 2019.

The pleas were accepted by Crawford County District Judge M. Jennifer Brunetti. Sentencing was set for June 30, the Kansas Attorney General’s office said in a news release.

In 2019, Lemaster called police to report that Jeremy Delmarco was assaulting her granddaughter. When deputies arrived they found the two victims seriously injured. Brandy Delmarco died later at a hospital.

Jeremy Delmarco was arrested after struggling with a deputy despite being shot several times with a stun gun.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618963710073.png" alt="Delmarco photo Crawford Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Delmarco photo Crawford Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>ARMA, Kan. (AP) — A&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;man pleaded no contest Tuesday to second-degree murder and attempted murder in the stabbing death of his wife and the injuring of her grandmother.Jeremy Delmarco, 34. of Arma, had been charged with killing 37-year-old Brandy Delmarco and injuring Dorma Lemaster, 84, at a home in Arma on Feb. 4, 2019.The pleas were accepted by Crawford County District Judge M. Jennifer Brunetti. Sentencing was set for June 30, the Kansas Attorney General’s office said in a news release.In 2019, Lemaster called police to report that Jeremy Delmarco was assaulting her granddaughter. When deputies arrived they found the two victims seriously injured. Brandy Delmarco died later at a hospital.Jeremy Delmarco was arrested after struggling with a deputy despite being shot several times with a stun gun.

Kansas man enters plea in stabbing death of his wife

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism. But he declared that “it’s not enough.”

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4959612/president-biden-chauvin-verdict">Click here to watch</a> President Biden's comments

Biden spoke Tuesday from the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-live-updates-04-20-2021-955a78df9a7a51835ad63afb8ce9b5c1">hours after the verdict&nbsp;</a>alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, with the pair saying the country’s work is far from finished with the verdict.

“We can’t stop here,” Biden declared.

Biden and Harris called on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under Chauvin’s knee last May. Beyond that, the president said, the entire country must confront hatred to “change hearts and minds as well as laws and policies.”

“‘I can’t breathe.’ Those were George Floyd’s last words,” Biden said. “We can’t let those words die with him. We have to keep hearing those words. We must not turn away. We can’t turn away.”

Harris, the first Black woman to serve as vice president, said racism was keeping the country from fulfilling its founding promise of “liberty and justice for all.”

“It is not just a Black America problem or a people of color problem. it is a problem for every American,” she said. “It is holding our nation back from reaching our full potential.”

“A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice,” she said.

Biden addressed the nation after telephoning Floyd’s family following the verdict, telling them, “We’re all so relieved.” He added later that he sought to comfort Floyd’s young daughter Gianna, telling her, “Daddy did change the world.”

After about 10 hours of deliberations over two days, the jury convicted Chauvin of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-charges-716fa235ecf6212f0ee4993110d959df">two counts of murder and one of manslaughte</a>&nbsp;r.

The verdict — and the aftermath — will be a continuing test for Biden. He has pledged to help combat racism in policing, helping African Americans who supported him in large numbers in last year’s election in the wake of protests that swept the nation after Floyd’s death and restarted a national conversation about race. But he also has long projected himself as an ally of police, who are struggling with criticism about long-used tactics and training methods and difficulties in recruitment.

Earlier Tuesday, Biden broke his administration’s silence on the trial, which has set the nation on edge for weeks, saying he was praying for “the right verdict.”

Speaking from the Oval Office while the jury was deliberating in Minneapolis, Biden said, “I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict. I think it’s overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered now.”

The president had repeatedly denounced Floyd’s death but had previously stopped short of weighing in on Chauvin’s trial, with White House officials saying it would be improper to speak out during active judicial proceedings. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki repeatedly refused to explain Biden’s comments, doing nothing to dispel the impression that he thought Chauvin should be found guilty.

The White House had been privately weighing how to handle the verdict, dispatching specially trained community facilitators from the Justice Department in anticipation of potential protests, officials said. With word that a verdict had been reached Tuesday afternoon, Biden postponed planned remarks at the White House on his infrastructure package.

On Monday, Judge Peter Cahill, who presided over the trial, admonished public officials about speaking out while the trial was ongoing.

“I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that’s disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function,” he said shortly after sending the jury to begin deliberations.

Defense attorneys often cite remarks made by public officials as a reason to appeal a verdict, in part because they could poison the jury against the defendant.

Cahill delivered his rebuke after rejecting a defense request for a mistrial based in part on comments from California Rep. Maxine Waters, who said “we’ve got to get more confrontational” if Chauvin isn’t convicted of murder. He conceded to Chauvin’s attorneys that Waters’ comments could potentially be grounds for an appeal.

On Monday, Cahill ordered that jurors be sequestered in an undisclosed hotel during their deliberations and instructed them to avoid all news about the case.

Despite Cahill’s remarks, Brock Hunter, a criminal defense attorney and past president of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said he considered a successful appeal over remarks like Waters’ and Biden’s extremely unlikely.

“It’s inevitable that public officials are going to comment on a case and its impacts on communities,” he said. “Unless there is direct evidence that statements by a public official directly impacted a juror or jurors, I don’t think this even gets off the ground.”

On Capitol Hill, Republicans as well as Democrats said they were relived at the verdict and predicted it could give momentum to policing reform legislation that has been proposed in both the House and Senate.

“I think the verdict just reinforces that our justice system continues to become more just,” said Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican senator. “This is a monumental day in many ways, in my opinion.”

The Congressional Black Caucus watched the verdict together in the Capitol, and members hugged and fist pumped after the verdict was read.

“The room was filled with emotion and gratitude,” said Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson. “Black lives mattered to this jury. And I’m very gratified at the verdict, very happy at the swiftness of the verdict. ... It’s a vindication of justice in America.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the Black Caucus shortly afterward at a news conference outside, where she said she had spoken to Floyd’s family just before the verdict. She said she called “to say to them, ‘Thank you, God bless you, for your grace and your dignity, for the model that you are appealing for justice in the most dignified way.’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619000270759.png" alt="President Biden spoke after telephoning&nbsp; George Floyd’s family, telling them, “We’re all so relieved.” -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden spoke after telephoning&nbsp; George Floyd’s family, telling them, “We’re all so relieved.” -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism. But he declared that “it’s not enough.”<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4959612/president-biden-chauvin-verdict">Click here to watch</a> President Biden's commentsBiden spoke Tuesday from the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-live-updates-04-20-2021-955a78df9a7a51835ad63afb8ce9b5c1">hours after the verdict&nbsp;</a>alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, with the pair saying the country’s work is far from finished with the verdict.“We can’t stop here,” Biden declared.Biden and Harris called on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under Chauvin’s knee last May. Beyond that, the president said, the entire country must confront hatred to “change hearts and minds as well as laws and policies.”“‘I can’t breathe.’ Those were George Floyd’s last words,” Biden said. “We can’t let those words die with him. We have to keep hearing those words. We must not turn away. We can’t turn away.”Harris, the first Black woman to serve as vice president, said racism was keeping the country from fulfilling its founding promise of “liberty and justice for all.”“It is not just a Black America problem or a people of color problem. it is a problem for every American,” she said. “It is holding our nation back from reaching our full potential.”“A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice,” she said.Biden addressed the nation after telephoning Floyd’s family following the verdict, telling them, “We’re all so relieved.” He added later that he sought to comfort Floyd’s young daughter Gianna, telling her, “Daddy did change the world.”After about 10 hours of deliberations over two days, the jury convicted Chauvin of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-charges-716fa235ecf6212f0ee4993110d959df">two counts of murder and one of manslaughte</a>&nbsp;r.The verdict — and the aftermath — will be a continuing test for Biden. He has pledged to help combat racism in policing, helping African Americans who supported him in large numbers in last year’s election in the wake of protests that swept the nation after Floyd’s death and restarted a national conversation about race. But he also has long projected himself as an ally of police, who are struggling with criticism about long-used tactics and training methods and difficulties in recruitment.Earlier Tuesday, Biden broke his administration’s silence on the trial, which has set the nation on edge for weeks, saying he was praying for “the right verdict.”Speaking from the Oval Office while the jury was deliberating in Minneapolis, Biden said, “I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict. I think it’s overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered now.”The president had repeatedly denounced Floyd’s death but had previously stopped short of weighing in on Chauvin’s trial, with White House officials saying it would be improper to speak out during active judicial proceedings. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki repeatedly refused to explain Biden’s comments, doing nothing to dispel the impression that he thought Chauvin should be found guilty.The White House had been privately weighing how to handle the verdict, dispatching specially trained community facilitators from the Justice Department in anticipation of potential protests, officials said. With word that a verdict had been reached Tuesday afternoon, Biden postponed planned remarks at the White House on his infrastructure package.On Monday, Judge Peter Cahill, who presided over the trial, admonished public officials about speaking out while the trial was ongoing.“I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that’s disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function,” he said shortly after sending the jury to begin deliberations.Defense attorneys often cite remarks made by public officials as a reason to appeal a verdict, in part because they could poison the jury against the defendant.Cahill delivered his rebuke after rejecting a defense request for a mistrial based in part on comments from California Rep. Maxine Waters, who said “we’ve got to get more confrontational” if Chauvin isn’t convicted of murder. He conceded to Chauvin’s attorneys that Waters’ comments could potentially be grounds for an appeal.On Monday, Cahill ordered that jurors be sequestered in an undisclosed hotel during their deliberations and instructed them to avoid all news about the case.Despite Cahill’s remarks, Brock Hunter, a criminal defense attorney and past president of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said he considered a successful appeal over remarks like Waters’ and Biden’s extremely unlikely.“It’s inevitable that public officials are going to comment on a case and its impacts on communities,” he said. “Unless there is direct evidence that statements by a public official directly impacted a juror or jurors, I don’t think this even gets off the ground.”On Capitol Hill, Republicans as well as Democrats said they were relived at the verdict and predicted it could give momentum to policing reform legislation that has been proposed in both the House and Senate.“I think the verdict just reinforces that our justice system continues to become more just,” said Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican senator. “This is a monumental day in many ways, in my opinion.”The Congressional Black Caucus watched the verdict together in the Capitol, and members hugged and fist pumped after the verdict was read.“The room was filled with emotion and gratitude,” said Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson. “Black lives mattered to this jury. And I’m very gratified at the verdict, very happy at the swiftness of the verdict. ... It’s a vindication of justice in America.”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the Black Caucus shortly afterward at a news conference outside, where she said she had spoken to Floyd’s family just before the verdict. She said she called “to say to them, ‘Thank you, God bless you, for your grace and your dignity, for the model that you are appealing for justice in the most dignified way.’”___

🎥  Biden calls on Congress to act swiftly on police reforms

News Release US Attorney's Office-District of Colorado

DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Bruce Holder, age 55, of Grand Junction, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Counterfeit Substances, Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death, Distribution of Fentanyl, and Distribution of a Counterfeit Substance after an 11-day jury trial in Denver, Colorado.

Facts presented at trial established that Holder worked in conjunction with multiple co-conspirators, including his wife, children, and other members of his family, to distribute pills which appeared to be 30mg Oxycodone pills but in fact were counterfeit and spiked with fentanyl.&nbsp; Between 2017 and 2018, Holder imported tens of thousands of these pills from Mexico into Western Colorado where he and his co-conspirators distributed them for a substantial profit.&nbsp;

In December 2017, a young man in Carbondale died after using one of the pills. &nbsp;Evidence presented at trial established that this man would not have died but for the fentanyl present in the counterfeit pills distributed by Holder.&nbsp; Despite knowing of this death, and hearing of other concerns, Holder and his co-conspirators continued to import and distribute these counterfeit pills.&nbsp; This continued even after Holder’s arrest in August 2018.&nbsp; Evidence at trial also showed that, following his arrest, Holder discussed with co-conspirators plans to destroy evidence and the possible murder of a cooperating witness.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Most people know that fentanyl is incredibly dangerous. Many people don’t know that it can be disguised to look like other, much less powerful opioids,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch.&nbsp; “Bruce Holder profited from that ignorance, while one of his customers paid for it with his life.&nbsp; Holder now faces an appropriately long prison sentence for his callous drug distribution.”

“DEA is very happy with this verdict, Holder is someone who has shown a disregard for human life that you don’t often come across,” said Deanne Reuter Special Agent in Charge of DEA Denver Field Division. &nbsp;“Getting to a guilty verdict is something that could only be done with the hard work of our agents and task force officers who investigated this case and the prosecutors who presented it.”

United States District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello presided over the trial and will impose a sentence at a later date.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the FBI, ATF, HSI, USMS, Western Colorado Drug Task Force, Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team (“TRIDENT”), Carbondale PD, Fruita PD, Grand Junction PD, and Mesa County SO.&nbsp; Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy Chaffin and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jaime Pena handled the prosecution of the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618966055742.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release US Attorney's Office-District of ColoradoDENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Bruce Holder, age 55, of Grand Junction, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Counterfeit Substances, Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death, Distribution of Fentanyl, and Distribution of a Counterfeit Substance after an 11-day jury trial in Denver, Colorado.Facts presented at trial established that Holder worked in conjunction with multiple co-conspirators, including his wife, children, and other members of his family, to distribute pills which appeared to be 30mg Oxycodone pills but in fact were counterfeit and spiked with fentanyl.&nbsp; Between 2017 and 2018, Holder imported tens of thousands of these pills from Mexico into Western Colorado where he and his co-conspirators distributed them for a substantial profit.&nbsp;In December 2017, a young man in Carbondale died after using one of the pills. &nbsp;Evidence presented at trial established that this man would not have died but for the fentanyl present in the counterfeit pills distributed by Holder.&nbsp; Despite knowing of this death, and hearing of other concerns, Holder and his co-conspirators continued to import and distribute these counterfeit pills.&nbsp; This continued even after Holder’s arrest in August 2018.&nbsp; Evidence at trial also showed that, following his arrest, Holder discussed with co-conspirators plans to destroy evidence and the possible murder of a cooperating witness.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Most people know that fentanyl is incredibly dangerous. Many people don’t know that it can be disguised to look like other, much less powerful opioids,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch.&nbsp; “Bruce Holder profited from that ignorance, while one of his customers paid for it with his life.&nbsp; Holder now faces an appropriately long prison sentence for his callous drug distribution.”“DEA is very happy with this verdict, Holder is someone who has shown a disregard for human life that you don’t often come across,” said Deanne Reuter Special Agent in Charge of DEA Denver Field Division. &nbsp;“Getting to a guilty verdict is something that could only be done with the hard work of our agents and task force officers who investigated this case and the prosecutors who presented it.”United States District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello presided over the trial and will impose a sentence at a later date.The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the FBI, ATF, HSI, USMS, Western Colorado Drug Task Force, Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team (“TRIDENT”), Carbondale PD, Fruita PD, Grand Junction PD, and Mesa County SO.&nbsp; Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy Chaffin and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jaime Pena handled the prosecution of the case.

Colorado man convicted of selling Fentanyl that killed man

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?510906-1/jury-reaches-verdict-derek-chauvin-trial">Click here </a>to watch a replay of the jury verdict&nbsp;

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618953264612.png" alt="Ex-officer Derek Chauvin is handcuffed moments after the judge read the guilty verdict-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Ex-officer Derek Chauvin is handcuffed moments after the judge read the guilty verdict-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?510906-1/jury-reaches-verdict-derek-chauvin-trial">Click here </a>to watch a replay of the jury verdict&nbsp;MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.Chauvin, 45, could be sent to prison for decades.The jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.His face was obscured by a COVID-19 mask, and little reaction could be seen beyond his eyes darting around the courtroom.His bail was immediately revoked and he was led away with his hands cuffed behind his back.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618954035360.png" alt="A court officer leads Chauvin from the courtroom- photo courtesy CSPAN " />
 <figcaption>A court officer leads Chauvin from the courtroom- photo courtesy CSPAN </figcaption>
 </figure>The verdict was read in a courthouse ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire and patrolled by National Guard troops, in a city on edge against another round of unrest — not just because of the Chauvin case but because of the deadly police shooting of a young Black man, Daunte Wright, in a Minneapolis suburb April 11.The jurors identities were kept secret and will not be released until the judge decides it is safe to do so.Three other former Minneapolis officers charged with aiding and abetting murder in Floyd’s death will stand trial in August.Floyd, 46, died May 25 after being arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill for a pack of cigarettes at a corner market. He panicked, pleaded that he was claustrophobic and struggled with police when they tried to put him in a squad car. They put him on the ground instead.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618952880785.png" alt="Derek Chauvin listens to the guilty verdicts in court Tuesday afternoon - photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Derek Chauvin listens to the guilty verdicts in court Tuesday afternoon - photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The centerpiece of the case was the excruciating bystander video of Floyd gasping repeatedly, “I can’t breathe” and onlookers yelling at Chauvin to stop as the officer pressed his knee on or close to Floyd’s neck for what authorities say was 9 1/2 minutes. Floyd slowly went silent and limp.Prosecutors played the footage at the earliest opportunity, during opening statements, with Jerry Blackwell telling the jury: “Believe your eyes.” And it was shown over and over, analyzed one frame at a time by witnesses on both sides.In the wake of Floyd’s death, demonstrations and scattered violence broke out in Minneapolis, around the country and beyond. The furor also led to the removal of Confederate statues and other offensive symbols such as Aunt Jemima.In the months that followed, numerous states and cities restricted the use of force by police, revamped disciplinary systems or subjected police departments to closer oversight.The “Blue Wall of Silence” that often protects police accused of wrongdoing crumbled after Floyd’s death: The Minneapolis police chief quickly called it “murder” and fired all four officers, and the city reached a staggering $27 million settlement with Floyd’s family as jury selection was underway.Police-procedure experts and law enforcement veterans inside and outside the Minneapolis department, including the chief, testified for the prosecution that Chauvin used excessive force and went against his training.Medical experts for the prosecution said Floyd died of asphyxia, or lack of oxygen, because his breathing was constricted by the way he was held down on his stomach, his hands cuffed behind him, a knee on his neck and his face jammed against the ground.Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson called a police use-of-force expert and a forensic pathologist to help make the case that Chauvin acted reasonably against a struggling suspect and that Floyd died because of an underlying heart condition and his illegal drug use.Floyd had high blood pressure, an enlarged heart and narrowed arteries, and fentanyl and methamphetamine were found in his system.Under the law, police have certain leeway to use force and are judged according to whether their actions were “reasonable” under the circumstances.The defense also tried to make the case that Chauvin and the other officers were hindered in their duties by what they perceived as a growing, hostile crowd.Chauvin did not testify, and all that the jury or the public ever heard by way of an explanation from him came from a police body-camera video after an ambulance had taken the 6-foot-4, 223-pound Floyd away. Chauvin told a bystander: “We gotta control this guy ’cause he’s a sizable guy … and it looks like he’s probably on something.”The prosecution’s case also included tearful testimony from onlookers who said the police kept them back when they protested what was happening. Eighteen-year-old Darnella Frazier, who shot the crucial video, said Chauvin just gave the bystanders a “cold” and “heartless” stare.She and others said they felt a sense of helplessness and lingering guilt from witnessing Floyd’s slow-motion death.“It’s been nights I stayed up, apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more, and not physically interacting and not saving his life,” Frazier testified, while the 19-year-old cashier at the neighborhood market, Christopher Martin, lamented that “this could have been avoided” if only he had rejected the suspect $20 bill.To make Floyd more than a crime statistic in the eyes of the jury, the prosecution called to the stand his girlfriend, who told the story of how they met and how they struggled with addiction to opioids, and his younger brother Philonise. He recalled how Floyd helped teach him to catch a football and made “the best banana mayonnaise sandwiches.”---------MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The jury reached a verdict Tuesday at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, the Black man who was pinned to the pavement with a knee on his neck in a case that set off a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.The verdict, arrived at after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days, was to be read late in the afternoon in a city on edge against the possibility of more unrest like that that erupted last spring.The courthouse was ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire, and thousands of National Guard troops and law enforcement officers were brought in ahead of the verdict. Some businesses boarded up with plywood.Floyd died last May after Chauvin, a 45-year-old now-fired white officer, pinned his knee on or close to the 46-year-old Black man’s neck for about 9 1/2 minutes as Floyd gasped that he couldn’t breathe and onlookers yelled at Chauvin to get off.The jury, made up of six white people and six Black or multiracial people, weighed charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, with convictions on some, none or all of the charges possible. The most serious charge carries up to 40 years in prison.The city has been on edge in recent days — not just over the Chauvin case but over the deadly police shooting of a 20-year-old Black man, Daunte Wright, in the nearby Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center on April 11.Earlier in the day Tuesday, President Joe Biden weighed in by saying he believes the case is “overwhelming.”He said that he had spoken to Floyd’s family on Monday and “can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they’re feeling.”“They’re a good family and they’re calling for peace and tranquility no matter what that verdict is,” Biden said. “I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict. I think it’s overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered now.”The president has repeatedly denounced Floyd’s death but previously stopped short of commenting on the trial itself.Other politicians and ordinary citizens also offered their opinion as the jury was deliberating.“It shouldn’t be really even questioned whether there will be an acquittal or a verdict that doesn’t meet the scale of the crime that was committed,” Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, said in Brooklyn Center. The congresswoman said the Chauvin case looks open-and-shut.Guilty verdicts could mark a turning point in the fight for racial equality, she said.“We are holding on to one another for support. Hopefully this verdict will come soon and the community will start the process of healing,” Omar said.___