Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the northwest corner of East 30th and North Plum.

In 1949, Ray and Gene Bullard of Arkansas City built one-of-many drive-in theatres in Kansas at 400 E. 30th for Jay P. Wooten. It was named the Ayr-Vu Drive-In and Charles Embrick was the manager. The first photo shows an aerial of the facility on opening day.

The second photo shows the frontal elevation entrance off 30th street.

The third photo shows the projection screen from inside the compound.

Opening night was July 27, 1949, and the film was "The Return Of October" starring Glenn Ford. Admission was fifty cents apiece for adults. You also got to see four color cartoons!

The drive-in was equipped with new RCA sound equipment. The fourth photo was taken from atop the screen, showing all the autos gathering for the evening before sunset.

One of the early employees was Walt Benson (age 18) in 1953. His job was to cruise the Hutch streets in the advertising Jeep with a signboard showing upcoming movies. The fifth photo shows that vehicle.

He also worked the concession stand and playground. The sixth photo shows that area.

By 1972, the popularity of drive-ins waned, and the ground was worth more than the revenues. The Ayr-Vu Drive-In closed for good on July 31, 1972.

They razed the theatre and built the Farmington Plaza Center. The seventh photo shows the site today at 414 E. 30th, now owned by the Farmington Plaza L.L.C. out of Wichita.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anchorinnhutch">Anchor Inn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Anchorawayhutch/">Anchor Away</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: Ayr-Vu Drive-In - Vol. 161

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As Valentine’s Day approaches, Americans are showing their love not just to partners and family members, but to their pets — spending an estimated $2.8 billion nationwide on pet-related gifts, according to recent reports.

The trend reflects how deeply pets are woven into family life, especially for people whose animals are their primary companions. But they also warn that some popular Valentine’s gifts can pose serious health risks to dogs and cats.

“Pets are family for a lot of people, so it’s not surprising to see owners wanting to spoil them,” Dr. Erica Miller of Apple Lane Animal Hospital tells us. “New beds, sweaters, toys and pet-specific treats are generally fine. The problems come when people share human foods or leave dangerous items within reach.”

Chocolate remains one of the most common hazards for dogs, particularly dark chocolate. Sugar-free candy and gum are even more dangerous. Products containing xylitol, a common sugar substitute, can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar in dogs, leading to seizures, coma or death.

Flower arrangements also carry hidden risks, especially for cats. Lilies — a popular Valentine’s Day flower — are highly toxic to cats. Any part of the plant, including pollen, can cause acute kidney failure. Cats may be exposed simply by brushing against flowers and later licking pollen from their paws.

Veterinarians urge pet owners to keep chocolates, candy, flowers and gift wrappings securely stored and out of reach, including trash containers that pets can knock over. They recommend choosing treats specifically formulated for pets and checking with a veterinarian if there are questions about safety.

Dr. Miller says that they are also seeing a rise in overweight pets.&nbsp;

"So many are overweight and I have the talk probably at least once a day, every day, with someone with their pet being overweight, and we need to increase activity and get out their feed, less calories, less treats," says Dr. Miller.

"It's just about having an honest conversation with our clients of ways to help improve their pet's quality of life and helping reduce the risk of certain diseases going forward," Dr. Logan Druecker said. "So certainly again, now, getting some exercise with your pet. It's great bonding. It's great exercise."

As pet owners celebrate Valentine’s Day, experts say a little extra caution can help ensure the holiday ends with happy memories — and healthy pets.

Veterinarians urge caution ahead of Valentine's Day

Today, millions of Americans serve as caregivers, supporting both young children and aging loved ones, often at the same time. Yet many lack critical lifesaving training, including how to respond in a cardiac arrest emergency.

Only about one-third of U.S. adults say they feel confident and ready to act if someone goes into cardiac arrest.

More than 300,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year in the United States. Infants, older adults and those with chronic health conditions are among the most vulnerable. For children of all ages, more than 80% of these emergencies happen at home, making the home the front line of response.&nbsp;CPR&nbsp;and AED training isn’t just a medical skill — it’s a caregiving essential.

“Having the ability to respond to a cardiac emergency makes you a better, more confident caregiver,” said Shannon Wedge, Executive Director of the Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas. “Learning first aid and&nbsp;CPR&nbsp;skills may make a lifesaving difference for your child, family member, or even a stranger.”

During National Heart Month, the American Red Cross is urging people to show your loved ones how much you care by taking a Red Cross First Aid,&nbsp;CPR&nbsp;and AED class and other lifesaving skills courses. Having the knowledge and confidence to act when seconds count can triple someone’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. Here in South Central and Southeast Kansas,&nbsp;almost 13,000&nbsp;people were trained in lifesaving skills last year.

Be Ready for the Moments that Matter with Red Cross Lifesaving Training

For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross has been a national leader in first aid education, training more than three million people per year in first aid,&nbsp;CPR&nbsp;and AED skills to help save lives in emergencies.

To ensure we are meeting the needs of today and evolving with the latest science, the Red Cross has recently enhanced its First Aid/CPR/AED training program to include updated infant&nbsp;CPR&nbsp;techniques and instruction on using epinephrine nasal spray, which is now an approved treatment for anaphylaxis. These updates ensure caregivers and bystanders are prepared to respond quickly and confidently in a range of life-threatening emergencies.

The training also equips participants with the knowledge and skills to better identify and respond to heart-related emergencies, including understanding the critical differences between cardiac arrest and heart attacks. It incorporates updated warning signs—highlighting how heart attacks can present differently in women—so symptoms are recognized earlier and lifesaving action can begin sooner. Visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cisionone-email.us.redcross.org/c/eJwszUuO6yAQheHVwAyLN-UBg0yyjQhXFbFvbDkX6M72W2719Ds6-inrwL6g5GxS0uDAzVGuuVDF4olDhRpDqjpAhEX7FI2r2ni55TgD0hwpJozhYRbARZugnTcsvO4b8Wv7r46y7dy6CoDLkiAQqvGv-jpdg9zzOsa7C3cT9i7s_fP5TI0J29n7dLansPdRXlxwL73Lg2krqvHOpbPaKP_C4w-Eu1mbgkmy5fVr4Po--xBeP6_ShOch-2jMx3UkmOcKJiobNStfLas5Ja2wVFhcoGohyO9sfwIAAP__0b1Y7A">redcross.org/takeaclass</a>&nbsp;to find a class near you.

Red Cross: Learn CPR as a caregiving skill during Heart Month

The Hutchinson Public Library will be closed Friday, Feb. 13, for staff training, library officials said.

In addition, the library will also be closed on Monday, Feb. 16 for President's Day.&nbsp;

The library will reopen for regular hours on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Library to be closed Friday, Monday

A new specialty clinic is coming to Hutchinson to support women with high-risk pregnancies.

Beginning Friday, February 13th, Ascension Via Christi and Hutchinson Regional Medical Center are launching a Maternal-Fetal Medicine clinic on the fourth floor of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

The clinic will be led by Dr. Michael Wolfe, an OB-GYN specializing in maternal-fetal medicine. Dr. Wolfe and his team will provide advanced prenatal care, including high-level ultrasounds, fetal echocardiograms, and consultations for complex pregnancies, both in person and virtually.

The clinic will care for patients with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and autoimmune disorders, as well as pregnancy-related concerns like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and multiple pregnancies.

Hospital leaders say bringing these services to Hutchinson will reduce the need for long-distance travel and improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

The clinic is now accepting referrals. Expectant parents interested in care should talk with their doctor. More information is available by calling 316-274-5990.

Ascension Via Christi, HRMC to open new fetal care clinic

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Hayden	Mariche	Perez		2/11/2026 9:36&nbsp;AM	Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction)

Phillip	Wayne	Lemen	III	2/11/2026 11:23&nbsp;AM	Probation Violation

Tabitha	Mae	Wheeler		2/11/2026 12:25&nbsp;PM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Oliver	Kelly	Smith		2/11/2026 2:55&nbsp;PM	In Transit From-To Other Agency

Kammi	Kay	Doddato		2/11/2026 3:22&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

David	Charles	Keffer		2/11/2026 5:14&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Austyn	Dakota	Novotny		2/11/2026 5:00&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Natasha	Renee	Sublett		2/11/2026 6:19&nbsp;PM	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

Cody	Robert Matthew	Martin		2/11/2026 9:20&nbsp;PM	A distrib of contr subs; Causing death,					Drugs; Arrange sale/purchase of controlled substance using a communication facility,					In Transit From-To Other Agency

Tracy	Lynn	Lamunyon		2/11/2026 10:05&nbsp;PM	Viol protection order; Abuse order

Alphinia	Aliza	Toney		2/11/2026 10:49&nbsp;PM	Viol protection order; Pre-trial order

Christopher	Allen	Rasmussen		2/11/2026 11:10&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Robert	Andrew	Sisler		2/11/2026 11:59&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Samuel	Allen	Muns	Jr	2/12/2026 1:09&nbsp;AM	Criminal Threat; with Intent to Terrorize or cause Evacuation

Daily Bookings

County commissioners approved two land-use items tied to a proposed Salt Lick Golf Resort development. The items were on the consent agenda.

Approved was a request to rezone approximately 180 acres from the R-2 Suburban Residential District to the AG Agricultural District. According to agenda materials, the rezoning is intended to eliminate the possibility of developing a high-density residential subdivision on the property associated with the Salt Lick Golf Resort.

Commissioners also approved a conditional use permit from the same applicant to allow development of a golf course resort. That proposal covers two parcels already zoned AG Agricultural District at the northeast corner of North Buhler Road and East Fourth Avenue.

In other business, commissioners received the annual report from the Reno County Department of Emergency Management. Randy Partington also presented monthly department reports to the board.

Partington announced that a county commission retreat is scheduled for Feb. 20 at the New Reno County Training Center.

The next meeting of the Reno County Board of County Commissioners is set for Feb. 25.

Commission approves resolutions for Salt Lick Golf Resort

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info 7-day forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day Outlook

$20 per hour | Daytime hours (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Meals on Wheels is seeking an organized and dependable Executive Director to oversee daily operations and ensure the efficient delivery of meals to clients throughout the community. This leadership role manages scheduling, client services, administrative functions, and financial responsibilities while supporting the organization’s mission to serve local seniors and homebound residents.

Learn more at <a href="http://hutchmow.com">hutchmow.com</a>

PRINT AND EMAIL APPLICATION BELOW TO&nbsp;<a href="http://HutchinsonMOW@gmail.com">HutchinsonMOW@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;OR MAIL TO MEALS ON WHEELS, 700 MONTEREY PLACE, HUTCHINSON, KS 67502.

Kan. Congressman invited to Oval Office signing ceremony

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/"></a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — More money could be flowing to the Kansas Water Plan under a new House bill, expanding the impact of a popular 2023 law aimed at addressing the growing water crisis.

Republicans, Democrats and proponents pointed to Kansas’ lack of funding for water projects and asked lawmakers to pass the bill Tuesday before the House Water Committee. There were no opponents.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/20/new-laws-increase-accountability-for-kansas-water-districts-set-aside-conservation-funding/">2023 law</a>&nbsp;established the Water Projects Grant Fund and the Water Technical Assistance Fund, two funds that help municipalities build and maintain water infrastructure.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2558/" target="_blank">House Bill 2558</a>&nbsp;would expand annual funding for the Kansas Water Plan from $35 million to $60 million.

The extra $25 million for the Kansas Water Plan would come from the State General Fund. Most of the increase would be earmarked to add $10 million to both the Water Projects Grant Fund and Water Technical Assistance Fund.

Made with Flourish&nbsp;•&nbsp;<a href="https://flourish.studio/visualisations/line-bar-pie-charts/?utm_source=showcase&amp;utm_campaign=visualisation/22038093" target="_blank">Create a chart</a>

Since the 2023 law,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2024/b2023_24/measures/hb2302/" target="_blank">House Bill 2302</a>, was adopted, there have been more applications for the grants than money available. Wendi Stark, legislative liaison for the League of Kansas Municipalities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_h_water_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_water_1_20260210_07_testimony.html" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;about 37% of the cities who applied received some money.

Connie Owen testified on behalf of three of the state’s big water-related agencies: the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas Water Office. She characterized her testimony as neutral, but admitted it was more “neutral positive.”

“The 2302 grants really made a difference for people and their communities all over the state,” Owen said. “All we continue to hear is, ‘Keep it coming, we need more,’ ” Owen said.

Last session,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/13/kansas-house-bill-would-add-20m-for-state-water-plan-projects/">a more modest version</a>&nbsp;of the bill made it through the House but was never heard by the Senate. Both that bill and the one in the current session were introduced by Rep. Jim Minnix, a Republican farmer from Scott City and chair of the House Water Committee.

Owen is in the&nbsp;<a href="https://westernstateswater.org/" target="_blank">Western States Water Council</a>, a group of 18 states that meets three times a year to discuss water solutions. Minnix asked Owen to share what she has heard from other states.

“Kansas is doing incredible things. But in terms of the comparison to what we could be doing, and the investment that other states make, it’s enormous,” Owen said. “And I’m sure that’s why you asked me that question, Mr. Chair.”

Minnix smiled in acknowledgement, and brought up the recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/04/texas-elections-2025-water/" target="_blank">Texas vote</a>&nbsp;to make a $20 billion investment in water. He said even for a state whose population and economy dwarfs those of Kansas, the investment was still significant.

“We kicked the can down the road for a lot of years, but when we have done programs we’ve been extremely efficient,” Minnix said.

“I definitely think the program is successful and worth continuing,” added Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, a Democrat from Overland Park.

While water issues sometime&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/29/kansas-house-bill-would-push-state-to-recycle-wastewater-into-tap-water/">fall along party lines</a>, the issue of the water crisis itself is rarely partisan.

Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/30/southeast-kansas-town-is-almost-out-of-water-and-signs-of-crisis-are-everywhere/">towns</a>&nbsp;are running out of water. The Ogallala Aquifer, which much of western Kansas relies on for daily life,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/28/ogallala-aquifer-drops-by-more-than-a-foot-in-parts-of-western-kansas/">dropped</a>&nbsp;by more than a foot last year. Gov. Laura Kelly has identified the crisis as&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/24/kansas-governors-legislative-priorities-in-2026-center-on-budget-water-and-children/">a top priority</a>&nbsp;for her final year in office.

Last year a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/02/kansas-water-task-force-to-gauge-current-and-future-supply-modernize-policy/">bipartisan</a>&nbsp;taskforce was created to fight the crisis. Sen Kenny Titus, a Republican from Wamego&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/15/kansas-lawmakers-outline-vision-for-finding-solutions-to-water-crisis-and-paying-for-them/">said in July</a>&nbsp;the water issue has been exacerbated in large part because of a “lack of past efforts.”

Minnix is the other taskforce co-chair. He said he typically gives the House committee a week to review bills before they’re brought back for discussion, but told the committee he wanted to discuss this one earlier than usual.

“This committee has been an extreme leader on water issues since ’23,” Minnix said. “I want you folks all to sleep on this, think about it and come back on Thursday so we can have a robust discussion on this.”

Rep. Doug Blex, a Republican farmer from Independence, said that while he will miss Thursday’s discussion, the bill has his full support. He was on the Water Committee in 2017, when the decade-long streak of governors not funding the Kansas Water Plan Fund was active.

“We have come a long way,” Blex said. “And even though we are not ranking on dollars with other states, I think we’re ranking with what we’ve got done and accomplished in many ways and the quality.”

House bill would add $25 million to annual spending on Kansas water crisis

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen who admitted his role in a deadly drive-by shooting is going to prison.

On Wednesday, Judge Christopher Magana sentenced 15-year-old Elias Cerda to&nbsp;260 months in prison and 36 months of post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November, Cerda, who was charged as an adult, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, second degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the district attorney's office.

In January 2024, police responded to reports of shots being fired in the area of 5200 E Kensington in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Around the same time, officers were dispatched to an area hospital for the report of two walk-in shooting victims later identified as 14-year-old Emoni Shears and 19-year-old Jhiquez Roberts both of Wichita. They were later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Detectives and patrol officers immediately began investigating this case and following up on leads. Police arrested Cerda, who was 14 at the time. He was booked into the Sedgwick County jail on November 27, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

Kansas boy going to prison for drive-by double murder

By SAFIYAH RIDDLE and MICHAEL LIEDTKE Associated Press

Tuesday’s release of video surveillance footage showing an armed, masked person at Nancy Guthrie’s doorstep on the night she was abducted has raised a host of questions about why it took so long to publicly release, how it was retrieved and what it means for privacy.

The process involved days of searching, the FBI said, after law enforcement initially believed the footage was lost because the camera was disconnected and Guthrie didn't have a subscription to the camera company.

The surprising emergence of the video footage has resurrected questions about digital content's long afterlife, as billions of people increasingly entwine their lives with mishmash of internet-connected devices, making it possible to retrieve snapshots from their past like old photos stored in an attic.

In the days after her apparent abduction, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos initially said that a camera attached to Nancy Guthrie's door was disconnected just before 2 a.m. on the night she disappeared. Minutes later, the camera’s software detected movement, but no footage was preserved, he said.

At the time, Nanos said that there was no video available in part because Guthrie didn’t have an active subscription to the company. But unexpectedly, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Tuesday that investigators kept working for days to pull the videos from “residual data located in backend systems."

It was not immediately clear why it took so long to retrieve the video. The delay could, in part, be a law enforcement strategy, according to Joseph Giacalone, a retired New York police sergeant who managed hundreds of homicide and missing person cases.

Giacalone said the FBI likely tried to quietly identify the person on Guthrie’s porch before releasing the images.

“You’re trying to keep these things close to the vest. I think they worked this angle for a couple days,” Giacalone said.

Local and federal law enforcement didn't respond to questions clarifying what they meant by “disconnected" or who was working on recovering the data.

The footage appears to have come from a Nest camera fastened on or near Guthrie's door. Google, which has owned Nest since 2014, is among numerous companies that operates private surveillance cameras used in and around homes. Because common doorbell cameras aren’t equipped with the memory cards required for vast amounts of on-device storage, the video recorded on them is routinely transmitted to data centers scattered around the U.S. and other countries.

Google didn’t immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press about how the footage of the masked person was captured while the camera was apparently disconnected. They also didn't clarify how the footage was extracted from “backend servers” even though law enforcement said Guthrie didn't have a subscription.

However, Google's privacy policy — a document that users often blindly agree to after purchasing a device — makes it clear that videos can be captured when a device is offline.

“That means you may not see a visual indicator when your camera is sending the video footage to our servers," the policy states.

The policy also makes clear that footage can stay on cloud servers for varying amounts of time, but also gives users the right to view and delete video at their discretion.

Unless a Nest user subscribes to a service that allows for quick access to review footage recorded on a device, Google routinely purges the footage rather than retain it indefinitely, said Stacey Higginbotham, a policy fellow at Consumer Reports who specializes in cybersecurity issues.

But if law enforcement agencies such as the FBI reached out to Nest for the footage before it was overwritten, the video could still be retrieved and watched, Higginbotham said. “It’s basically like when you send an email to the trash. It’s still accessible,” depending on a provider’s retention policies.

There are ostensibly legal guardrails that are supposed to dictate how companies like Google access and share footage collected on cameras in and around people's homes.

Under many user agreements, camera companies need a warrant or consent from the camera owner to share footage with law enforcement, according to Michelle Dahl, the executive director at the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project.

But there are plenty of legal loopholes that would allow a company like Google to share data directly with law enforcement without either of those things, Dahl said.

“Our hearts are on her family and what they are going through, and we are glad for any information that can lead to her being found,” she said. At the same time, Dahl added, “We should absolutely be alarmed over the privacy implications that are at stake with this video that was recovered by the Nest camera."

Dahl said she doesn't know about Nest cameras specifically. But she said that some user agreements specify that the data collected on cameras belong to the camera company, not the private camera owner. In those cases, a company like Google can share footage with law enforcement at its own discretion, without even notifying its users.

Dahl, who litigates about privacy and surveillance, said that practice is becoming more common, making it harder for consumers to balance the security a camera provides with constitutional protections against surveillance.

“I think the public has gotten too comfortable with surveillance cameras in not only public spaces, but also their private homes, without thinking about the consequences of where that data ends up,” Dahl said. “If a camera is absolutely necessary for your security, look into options where that data is not transmitted off to a cloud.”

Associated Press writer Ed White contributed reporting.

Video into Guthrie's abduction mystery raises questions about surveillance technology

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/seung-min-kim">SEUNG MIN KIM</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ben-finley">BEN FINLEY</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mary-clare-jalonick">MARY CLARE JALONICK</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/konstantin-toropin">KONSTANTIN TOROPIN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/morgan-lee">MORGAN LEE</a>

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser earlier this week, leading the Federal Aviation Administration to suddenly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive details.

The confusing arc of events began as the FAA announced it was shutting down all flight traffic over the city on the U.S.-Mexico border for 10 days, stranding some travelers, but the closure ended up only lasting a few hours. The Trump administration said it stemmed from the FAA and Pentagon working to halt an incursion by Mexican cartel drones, which are not uncommon along the southern border.

One of the people said the laser was deployed near Fort Bliss without coordinating with the FAA, which decided then to close the airspace to ensure commercial air safety. Others familiar with the matter said the technology was used despite a meeting scheduled for later this month between the Pentagon and the FAA to discuss the issue.

While the restrictions were short-lived in the city of nearly 700,000 people, it is unusual for an entire airport to shut down even for a short time. Stranded travelers with luggage lined up at airline ticket counters and car rental desks before the order was lifted.

Normal flights resumed after seven arrivals and seven departures were canceled. Some medical evacuation flights also had to be rerouted.

Jorge Rueda, 20, and Yamilexi Meza, 21, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, had their morning flight to Portland, Oregon, canceled, so they were losing part of their Valentine’s Day weekend trip.

Rueda said he was glad that “10 days turned into two hours.” They were booked on an evening flight out of El Paso.

The investigation into last year’s midair collision near Washington, D.C., between an airliner and Army helicopter that killed 67 people highlighted how the FAA and Pentagon were not always working well together.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the FAA and the Army did not share safety data with each other about the alarming number of close calls around Reagan National Airport and failed to address the risks.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a former Army helicopter pilot who serves on committees focused on aviation and the armed services, said the issue Wednesday was the latest example of “the lack of coordination that’s endemic in this Trump administration.”

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he would request a briefing from the FAA on the incident.

Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat whose district includes El Paso, said neither her office nor local officials received any advance notice of the closure. After it was lifted, she said “the information coming from the federal government does not add up.”

“I believe the FAA owes the community and the country an explanation as to why this happened so suddenly and abruptly and was lifted so suddenly and abruptly,” Escobar said at a news conference.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier that the airspace was closed as the Defense Department and the FAA halted an incursion by Mexican cartel drones and “the threat has been neutralized.”

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security, FAA and Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Trump administration official insisted the agencies were in lockstep to protect national security and pointed to Duffy’s statement. The Pentagon said it had nothing to add to its statement that largely mirrored Duffy’s.

Pentagon let CBP use anti-drone laser before FAA closed El Paso airspace

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man injured in a fatal fight on July 4, will return to court on Thursday.

&nbsp;Eduardo Diaz-Yobal, 33, will face a preliminary hearing in Judge Christopher Magana's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick District Attorney's office. Diaz-Yobal is charged with first-degree murder in&nbsp;the death of 33-year-old Cesar Gonzalez.

Early on July 4, police responded to a report of an assault in the 3000 block of North Fairview in Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police. A caller reported witnessing a man attacking another man. The victim was later identified as Gonzalez of Wichita.&nbsp;

Before officers arrived, the suspect fled the scene. Officers found Gonzalez unresponsive in the parking lot. Sedgwick County EMS transported him to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased at 1:54 a.m.

Officers located the suspect identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=254855">&nbsp;Diaz-Yobal, 33, of Wichita,</a>&nbsp;in the 300 block of W. 29th Street and took him into custody without incident.

Diaz-Yobal had injuries consistent with the altercation and was admitted to an area hospital for treatment, released and then booked into the Sedgwick County Jail where he is being on bond of over&nbsp;&nbsp;$1,500,000.00, according to online jail records.

Preliminary Hearing for Kan. man in deadly 4th of July fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans rushed to approve legislation on Wednesday that would impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements ahead of the midterm elections, a long shot Trump administration priority that faces sharp blowback in the Senate.

The bill, called the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-save-act-citizenship-voting-elections-a37c139461d11eb5f82086680b67ffe7">Safeguard American Voter Eligibility</a>, or SAVE America Act, would require Americans to prove they are citizens when they register to vote, mostly through a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate. It would also require a valid photo identification before voters can cast ballots, which some states already demand. It was approved on a mostly party-line vote, 218-213. GOP members of the Kansas delegation voted with the majority.

Republicans said the legislation is needed to prevent voter fraud, but Democrats warn it will disenfranchise millions of Americans by making it harder to vote. Federal law already requires that voters in national elections be U.S. citizens, but there’s no requirement to provide documentary proof. Experts said voter fraud is extremely rare, and very few noncitizens ever slip through the cracks. Fewer than one in 10 Americans don’t have paperwork proving they are citizens.

“Some of my colleagues will call this voter suppression or Jim Crow 2.0,” said Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., presenting the package at a committee hearing.

But he said “those allegations are false,” and he argued the bill is needed to enforce existing laws, particularly those that bar immigrants who are not citizens from voting. “The current law is not strong enough,” he said.

The GOP’s sudden push to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midterms-voting-laws-photo-id-citizenship-republicans-feecb51a6efa41cf32d18fe4b15c08ce">change voting rules</a>&nbsp;at the start of the midterm election season is raising red flags, particularly because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump&nbsp;</a>has suggested he wants to nationalize U.S. elections, which, under the Constitution, are designed to be run by individual states.

The Trump administration recently seized&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-georgia-elections-fulton-county-2020-ballots-9dfecd778c09134e9aa0bba2848718f5">ballots in Georgia</a>&nbsp;from the 2020 election, which the president insists he won despite his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden. The Department of Justice is demanding voter rolls from states, including Michigan, where a federal judge this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-judges-dismisses-lawsuit-michigan-voter-rolls-b18568bec27026c97e41885b80d15fe9">dismissed the department’s lawsuit</a>&nbsp;seeking the voter files. Secretaries of state have raised concerns that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-homeland-security-voters-noncitizens-9ad3293b2f188b8a5b0bc166a61c225c">voters’ personal data</a>&nbsp;may be shared with Homeland Security to verify citizenship and could result in people being unlawfully purged from the rolls.

“Let me be clear what this is about: It’s about Republicans trying to rig the next election,” said Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, during a hearing ahead of the floor vote. “Republicans are pushing the Save America Act because they want fewer Americans to vote. It’s that simple.”

The legislation is actually a do-over of a similar bill the House approved last year, which also sought to clamp down on fraudulent voting, particularly among noncitizens. It won the support of four House Democrats, but stalled in the Republican-led Senate. Only one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, voted for the revised bill.

This version toughens some of the requirements further, while creating a process for those whose names may have changed, particularly during marriage, to provide the paperwork necessary and further attest to their identity.

It also requires states to share their voter information with the Department of Homeland Security, as a way to verify the citizenship of the names on the voter rolls. That has drawn pushback from elections officials as potentially intrusive on people’s privacy.

The new rules in the bill would take effect immediately, if the bill is passed by both chambers of Congress and signed into law.

But with primary elections getting underway next month, critics said the sudden shift would be difficult for state election officials to implement and potentially confuse voters.

Voting experts have warned that more than 20 million U.S. citizens of voting age do not have proof of their citizenship readily available. Almost half of Americans do not have a U.S. passport.

“Election Day is fast approaching,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. “Imposing new federal requirements now, when states are deep into their preparations, would negatively impact election integrity by forcing election officials to scramble to adhere to new policies likely without the necessary resources.”

In the Senate, where Republicans also have majority control, there does not appear to be enough support to push the bill past the chamber’s filibuster rules, which largely require 60 votes to advance legislation.

That frustration has led some Republicans, led by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, to push for a process that would skip the 60-vote threshold in this case, and allow the bill to be debated through a so-called standing filibuster — a process that would open the door to potentially endless debate.

Lee made the case to GOP senators at a closed-door lunch this week, and some said afterward they are mulling the concept.

“I think most people’s minds are open,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., “My mind’s certainly open.”

But Murkowski of Alaska said she is flat out against the legislation.

“Not only does the U.S. Constitution clearly provide states the authority to regulate the ‘times, places, and manner’ of holding federal elections, but one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington, D.C., seldom work in places like Alaska,” she said.

Karen Brinson Bell of Advance Elections, a nonpartisan consulting firm, said the bill adds numerous requirements for state and local election officials with no additional funding.

“Election officials have a simple request of Congress — that you help share their burdens not add to them,” she said.

This story has been corrected to fix a statistic. Fewer than one in 10 Americans do not have paperwork proving they are citizens; an earlier version incorrectly said fewer than one in 10 have valid passports.

Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.

Kan. lawmakers help House pass proof-of-citizenship requirement for voters

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a double homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victims as 26-year-old&nbsp;Brittnee McMillon and and 28-year-old&nbsp;Jerrell Westmoreland.

At 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of E. Armour Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri, on a sound of shots call, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.

Multiple callers reported the sound of gunfire from behind an apartment building there. On arrival officers were directed to a parking lot in the back of an apartment building where they located a vehicle with shooting victims McMillon and Westmoreland unresponsive inside.&nbsp;

Officers called for EMS who declared both victims deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Homicide detectives responded to the scene to conduct their investigation along with crime scene investigators processed the scene for available evidence.&nbsp; Police have not released details on possible suspects.

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