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Liriano pitches Tigers to win over Royals

DETROIT (AP) – Francisco Liriano pitched into the seventh inning in his Detroit debut and Victor Martinez drove in three runs to give the Tigers their first win of the season, 6-1 over the Kansas City Royals on a chilly Monday.

The temperature was in the mid-30s at Comerica Park for a matchup between the last two winless teams in the American League. Some fans came dressed in Michigan winter gear – the Wolverines played Villanova hours later in the NCAA men’s basketball championship game.

Liriano (1-0) allowed a run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old lefty, signed as a free agent in February, struck out three and walked two while throwing 94 pitches.

The Tigers scored four runs in the fifth, with Martinez delivering a two-run single off Jason Hammel (0-1).

Kansas City took a 1-0 lead in the third on a sacrifice fly by Drew Butera, but Detroit tied it in the bottom half on an RBI single by Miguel Cabrera.

The Tigers broke open the game in the fifth. With one out, Leonys Martin singled and Jeimer Candelario doubled. After an intentional walk to Cabrera loaded the bases, Nicholas Castellanos hit a soft line drive to left for a run-scoring single.

Then Martinez added his two-run single, and James McCann’s grounder brought Castellanos home and made it 5-1.

Martinez added a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Hammel allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings. He had the second-lowest run support among qualifying AL pitchers last season, and this game was more of the same.

Detroit lost its season opener Friday after the Tigers had the winning run taken away by a replay review against Pittsburgh. On Monday, they initially appeared to have turned a game-ending double play, but that was also overturned by a review. Detroit was nonetheless able to close out the victory without incident.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: 1B Lucas Duda left the game in the seventh with right hamstring tightness.

Tigers: OF Victor Reyes, who left Sunday night’s game against Pittsburgh with a lacerated forearm, did not play Monday.

UP NEXT

Detroit LHP Matthew Boyd (6-11, 5.27 ERA last year) takes the mound Tuesday against Royals RHP Jakob Junis (9-3, 4.30). Boyd went 4-0 with a 3.42 ERA in spring training.

Kansas officer cleared in fatal shooting of murder suspect

HARVEY COUNTY – A Kansas police officer has been cleared in a fatal officer involved shooting.

Montano-photo Harvey Co.

On Monday, the Harvey County Attorney David Yoder issued a final report clearing Newton Police Corporal Levi Minkevitch in the February 23, fatal shooting of David Montano.

Just after 12:30 a.m. that day, Newton Police and Harvey County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a shooting in the 2100 block of North Spencer in Newton.

Investigators on the scene of triple-murder, police shooting near Newton-photo courtesy KWCH

Arriving officers found three people Michael Lemons, 34; Nelton Dean Lemons, 36; and Jason Stubby, 36 had been murdered.

Officers observed a suspect David Lee Montano outside the residence. When officers attempted to apprehend him, he fled on foot.  Officers chased and when Montano showed a gun, officer Minkevitch shot and killed him, according to Yoder.

Below is the final report of the findings by the County Attorney

Final Report: Officer-Involved Shooting ofDavid Montano

This is the final report ofthe evidentiary review by the Harvey County Attorney Office involving the fatal shooting of David Montano on February 23, 2017.

In the preparation of this report, the undersigned reviewed all reports of law enforcement agencies involved in the case, noting the involvement ofnumerous law enforcement officers from the Newton Police Department, the Harvey County Sheriff Office, the North Newton Police Department, the Hesston Police Department, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). The undersigned personally reviewed the 36 written reports provided by the KBI, as well as 21 digital disks of evidence accumulated by their agency.

The undersigned is satisfied that the following facts are conclusively supported by multiple law enforcement and eyewitness accounts ofthe night in question.

At 12:32 am on February 23, 2017, Harvey County Dispatch received a 911 call from an unidentified female reporting a person or persons being shot, and that there was a manatthescenewithagun. Thefemalewastheninterruptedinhercommunicationwith Dispatch. The telephone line remained open, and the dispatcher heard background sounds of a female or females moaning and crying. The dispatcher then heard a male voice take over the phone and state to the dispatcher, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to call you.” The male then disconnected the 911 call.

Dispatch immediately notified law enforcement officers to respond to the scene of a possible active shooter, and tracked the source of the call as coming from 2111 North Spencer Road in Newton.

Local law enforcement agencies responded quickly and in force, with officers from the Newton Police Department, the Harvey County Sheriff Office, the North Newton Police Department, and the Hesston Police Department responding to the scene.

These same agencies were already on high alert due to having experienced multiple homicides prior to this event, responding to the mass shooting at the Excel plant in Hesston Kansas on February 25, 2016, and the triple homicide occurring on Spring Lake Road west ofHesston on October 30, 2016.

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The following timeline ensued, with the primary focus on the two officers who eventually confronted David Montano:

12:33-12:37 am: Multiple law enforcement officers from the Newton Police Department, Harvey County Sheriff Office, North Newton Police Department, and Hesston Police Department arrived on scene in marked law enforcement vehicles, equipped with lights and sirens activated. This included Newton Police Department Cpls. Tony Hawpe and Levi Minkevitch. Cpl. Minkevitch was wearing the official Newton Police Department blue uniform consisting of blue short sleeve utility shirt, blue utility pants, and black boots. His shirt contained a US flag patch on the right shoulder, a Newton Police Department patch on the left shoulder, and silver in color epaulettes on both left and right collars. He was also wearing his department-issued utility belt and body armor. The body armor was worn on the outside of the utility shirt, and contained an official Newton PD silver colored police badge on the left chest and his name pin on his right chest. The lower right portion of the body armor contained a blue and black colored US flag patch, and on the back in large white letters was the word “POLICE”. Cpl. Hawpe wore similar clothing, including Newton Police Department issued tactical vest body armor, marked in the same fashion, but also having the identification “K-9” on the front and back.

Upon approaching the access road to 2111 N. Spencer Road, both Cpls Hawpe and Minkevitch observed, parked on Spencer Road near the intersection of Old Trail Road, a pickup truck which they recognized from prior law enforcement contacts as belonging to David Montano. Upon arrival on Spencer Road near the access road to the residence, law enforcement officers began a plan of approach to the residence. They expressed concerns of a concealed active shooter possibly hiding in the heavily wooded area surrounding the buildings on the property. The law enforcement officers divided into teams in order to tactically navigate the driveway to the residence.

At 12:41 am, Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch began their approach from the east and south of the residence, approaching through the trees and grassy area south of the residential buildings. They reached a blue van parked in front of the main residence as other officer teams also reached the residential area. This location consisted of multiple buildings surrounded by trees and fields. Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch observed other law enforcement officers making entry into the primary residential building, and they continued moving west on the south side ofthe residence in order to cover the buildings and clear the exterior. Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch located another car, facing north, and took cover on the west side ofthe vehicle. They remained at that location to cover the house while other officers worked the interior.

While at that location, Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch heard law enforcement radio traffic reporting there were injured victims inside the residence, along with survivors, and that the suspect was David Montano. Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch are familiar with David Montano from prior law enforcement contacts, and know him to be heavily involved in the use and distribution of controlled substances, and has been known to be violent toward law enforcement officers in the past, as well as possessing firearms.

A t 12:47 am, North Newton Deputy Chief James Bethards, who was located inside the residence, radioed that David Montano is the suspect of the shootings and that he had fled out of the rear of the residence.

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At 12:50 am, North Newton Deputy ChiefBethards radioed that witnesses reported David Montano had fled the residence approximately five or six minutes ago.

At 12:51 am, Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch receive radio reports that Montano is suspected to be armed with a double-barreled shotgun and a .38 caliber handgun.

At 12:52 am, Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch receive radio traffic advising a “code black”, meaning a deceased person, inside the residence.

At 12:55 am, Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch receive radio reports that Montano may be in possession ofnight vision goggles.

At 12:56 am, Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch heard radio traffic requesting a thermal imager.

At 12:58 am, two law enforcement officers exited the exterior ofthe northwest part of the residence. Corporal Hawpe informed them of his and Cpl. Minkevitch’s location, and the two officers then re-entered the residence. Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch decided that because they are in an unsecure location with an armed suspect in their vicinity, they should move to the north side ofthe residence to secure that locationandsearchforMontano. Theywalkednorthfromtheirlocationalongatreeline to the northwest corner ofthe residence, then walked east along the north side ofthe residence, looking for Montano. After walking approximately 50 yards to the east and checking several exterior locations on the north side ofthe residence, the officers then returned to the northwest corner ofthe residence so that they could observe and provide security for both the north and west sides ofthe residence.

At 1:02 am, as Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch neared the northwest comer of the residence, they heard the sound offootsteps rustling to the south ofthem outside the residence. Cpl. Hawpe, using the light mounted on his rifle, illuminated the area in the direction from where the sound was coming, and observed a person running westbound. Cpl. Hawpe called out “There he is!” and began to run westbound in pursuit of the suspect. Cpl. Minkevitch, who was a couple of steps behind Cpl. Hawpe, joined in pursuit. They observed a male subject wearing a white bandana wrapped around his head, shirtless, and wearing black pants, running away from them.

Cpl. Minkevitch ran to the south and Cpl. Hawpe ran at an angle to the west, to give them the greatest range to intercept the subject. Cpl. Hawpe yelled commands for the suspect to stop and show his hands. As the officers gained on the suspect, he came to a stop approximately 10 to 15 yards away from the officers. Cpls. Hawpe and Minkevitch also came to a stop and both of them illuminated the suspect with the flashlights attached to their rifles.

Cpls. Hawpe and Minkevitch recognized the suspect as David Montano, whom both personally new from prior law enforcement contact. Cpl. Hawpe gave multiple verbal commands to Montano to “Show us your hands!” They observed Montano raise his left hand but not his right hand, and both Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch saw what they recognized as a shotgun in his right hand. Both officers observed Montano swinging the shotgun with his right hand in front ofhim. Cpl. Hawpe continued to give Montano instructions to drop the gun, and called Montano by name. Cpl. Minkevitch also began instructing Montano to drop the gun.

Montano then faced Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch and began yelling something at them that they could not understand. Montano pointed his left hand at Cpl.

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Hawpe while continuing to swing the shotgun around in his right hand. Cpl. Minkevitch, observing that David Montano was making an aggressive action toward Cpl. Hawpe while armed with a shotgun at the ready, and having been made aware that Montano had apparently killed at least one person that night, fired multiple shots into Montano’s body. Montano fell to the ground, and Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch made sure Montano’s hands were visible.

Other officers arrived moments later, and they all approached Montano. They observed a pump-style shotgun, black in color with a sawed-off barrel and a pistol grip, underneath Montano’s body. They also located a large fixed bladed knife with a wooden handle on Montano’s right hip. Cpl. Hawpe had brought along a portable medical bag, and they tended to his wounds, which consisted of visible gunshot wounds to his chest and abdominal region.

Newton emergency medical crews arrived shortly thereafter and began emergency medical treatment on Montano. He was transported to the Newton Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

The fatal shooting of David Montano by Cpl. Levi Minkevitch was entirely warranted and justified under the circumstances in which he was presented during the early morning hours ofFebruary 23, 2017. Cpl. Minkevitch was aware from previous personal law enforcement contacts that David Montano was a known violent drug offender. He was provided with credible information from other law enforcement officers that Montano had killed at least one person, and was armed with possibly two firearms, including a shotgun. David Montano was personally observed by Cpl. Minkevitch attempting to flee the scene, armed with a shotgun. David Montano refused to comply with multiple commands by Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch, who repeatedly instructed Montano to drop his weapon and show his hands. Corporals Hawpe and Minkevitch were in clearly identified law enforcement uniforms and Montano also personally knew the officers from prior law enforcement contacts. David Montano posed an immediate threat to both officers, and made an aggressive move toward Cpl. Hawpe while holding a shotgun. Cpl. Minkevitch had to make a split-second decision, and was justified in the use of lethal force in order to remove an immediate and imminent threat to Cpl. Hawpe, to himself, to the safety of other law enforcement officers at the scene, and to known citizen survivors at the scene.

Unknown to Cpl. Minkevitch at the time, information learned later through investigation by KBI interviews with law enforcement and witnesses substantiate the imminent lethal threat posed by David Montano.

Three victims were shot and killed by David Montano inside the residence: Michael John Lemmons, Nelton Dean Lemons, and Jason Stubby.

Multiple surviving witnesses at the scene provided consistent and credible information that David Montano drove to that location with the specific intent of murdering those individuals.

One witness, whose name shall remain offthis report for privacy purposes, reported that she was forced to accompany Montano to the scene. She informed the KBI that while being driven against her will to 2111 N. Spencer Road, she observed Montano behaving in a very violent and angry manner. She observed him anned with a shotgun and a handgun, and with what she described as a machete-type knife. She reported that while driving to the scene Montano kept saying, “Mother Earth is thirsty, she needs

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blood.” She described Montano as being shirtless, wearing black leather pants, and that he had rubbed either paint or mud all over his torso.

Although Cpl. Minkevitch could not have known all ofthis information prior to fatally shooting Montano, this information substantiates Cpl. Minkevitch’s belief in the violent and dangerous mindset of Montano at the scene, and confirms that his actions in shooting Montano likely saved more innocent lives.

It is clear from the totality of the circumstances that the decisive actions of Corporal Levi Minkevitch were well within the scope of his lawful authority as a law enforcement officer, and were entirely warranted.

 

 

Frank Huss Jr.

Frank Huss Jr. passed away Friday, March 30, 2018, at the Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, at the age of 84. He was born August 1, 1933, in Rawlins County, Kansas, to Frank Huss Sr. and Pauline Kogl.

Frank was born and raised on the family homestead located 10 miles northwest of Herndon in Rawlins County. He attended two country schools near his home, Bolte and Walsh.

On June 10, 1958, Frank married Norma Jean Marintzer at St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in Herndon. They made their home on the Huss Family farm all their married life and were blessed with six children.

Faith, family and farming were very important to Frank. He was a member of St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church all his life and had served on the parish council. Frank was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a hardworking man who enjoyed farming and working with his cattle. They also had dairy cattle which meant milking two times a day and first started out milking by hand until later installing a milking machine with a tank for storage. Until getting a farm of his own, Frank worked for several area farmers in addition to working at area sale barns. Frank took an interest in the Herndon Community and served as a school board member for USD 317 for 10 years and participated in a Pinochle Club for many years. In addition, Frank enjoyed a good rodeo and barbeque.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Norma Jean; four sons, Jeff Huss (Deb) of Culbertson, NE, Bob Huss (Linda) of Herndon, Daryl Huss of Herndon, and Kent Huss (Elizabeth) of Hays; two daughters, Arnetta Huss of Herndon and Brenda Peterson (Greg) of Atwood; two sisters, Marolyn Hoffman of Gretna, NE, and Carolyn Warner (Don) of Omaha, NE; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Alfred and Eleanora (Barenberg) Marintzer; one brother, Melvin Huss; two sisters, Ann Tietgen Jensen and Helen Frick; and a step grandson, Kim Kathka.

Suggested Memorials: St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church, Chemo/Infusion Lab-Community Hospital or Good Samaritan Home Health.

Click HERE for service details.

Wanda Mae Farr

Wanda Mae Farr, 54, passed away March 29, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas, surrounded by her family. She was born November 30, 1963, to Claude and Ina Marie (Scott) Pierce and was raised in Oberlin. Wanda attended Oberlin Elementary School and Decatur Community High School, later earning her General Education Diploma, which she was very proud of.

For the past 10 years, Wanda and husband Stann Hartzog made their home in Jennings and farmed in the Jennings area. She enjoyed driving her combine, baling, calving time and all aspects of farming and the rural way of life. In addition, Wanda had worked as a bartender, something she enjoyed very much. Spending time with family was important to her, especially with her five grandchildren. She liked to watch football and was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan. Wanda was a gentle and kind soul and her presence will be greatly missed.

Survivors include Stann Hartzog of Jennings; two sons, Matthew Farr (Tiffanie) of Gothenburg, NE, and Wiley Farr of Cozad, NE; mother, Ina Marie Goodnight of Oberlin; brother, Mitchell Pickett (Rhonda) of Hayes Center, NE; half-brother, Randy Pierce (Sue); two sisters, Rhonda Barth (Mick) of Oberlin and Valerie Faris of Oberlin; three half-sisters, Beck Pierce, Cindy Ware and Jenifer Pierce; five beloved grandchildren: Brittani, Kylie, Carsen, Justice and Kadence; nephews and nieces, other relatives and many friends.

Wanda was preceded in death by her father and a son, Eric Boyde Farr.

Click HERE for service details.

Jana’s Campaign announces new executive director

Cebula
Jana’s Campaign has announced Kim Cebula as its new executive director.

Most recently, Cebula was a senior coordinator with the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Area Health Education Center, located in Hays. She is also the former vice president of resource development with the United Way of Greater Topeka and the coordinator of Safe At Home and Special Programs with Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh.

“Kim brings a vast array of experiences and talents that will enhance Jana’s Campaign,” said Kelley Parker, Jana’s Campaign board president.

“I am honored to serve as the executive director for Jana’s Campaign,” Cebula said. “This organization is doing life-saving work by providing education on violence prevention issues. I am excited and look forward to working with the board and staff to continue the growth and success of the organization.”

Jana’s Campaign is a Hays-based national education and violence prevention organization with the single mission of reducing gender and relationship violence. Created after the death of Hays resident, Jana Mackey in 2008, Jana’s Campaign delivers educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

Kansas deputies investigate fatal dirt bike accident

SEDGWICK COUNTY —  A Kansas man died in a weekend dirt bike accident in Sedgwick County.

Just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to an accident at 3271 E. 71st Street South in Wichita, according to Sheriff’s Lt. Timothy Myers.

When deputies arrived, they found a man identified as Brian C. Shuss, 32, Wichita, unresponsive and receiving medical assistance from EMS.

Investigators determined that Shuss and his friend had been taking turns riding a Honda dirt bike.

Shuss was taking his turn riding the dirt bike, and when he had been gone for approximately 20 minutes his friend went searching for him. When the friend found Shuss, he called 911.  Brian C. Shuss was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Myers.

The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Kansas tax collections far ahead of 2017

TOPEKA—Total tax receipts so far this fiscal year total $4.8 billion, which is $673.61 million or 16.32 percent above last year at this time and $314.83 million above estimates for the year, according to a media release with the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Income tax collections for the fiscal year are $603.95 million above last year and $325.73 million above current expectations.

“Total tax receipts remain strong and position the state well to meet fiscal year end consensus revenue estimates,” said Secretary Sam Williams. “The growth in receipts is primarily a function of state and federal tax policy changes. We won’t be able to distinguish any real economic growth until after the April 17th filing deadline.”

March tax receipts came in $60.91 million over last March and $39.47 million above current expectations. Individual income tax collections in March were $77.88 million above last year. Sales tax receipts are up for the year by $38.36 million over last year.

KHP: Driver hospitalized after semi overturns in Gove Co.

GOVE COUNTY – One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Monday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Volo semi driven by Roger Gene Ramsey, 61, Littleton, Co., was traveling in the 2900 Block County Road 18 four miles East of Oakley

The vehicle left roadway to the right. As the driver tried to correct, the truck overturned into west ditch.

Ramsey was transported to the Logan County Hospital. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Visitor restrictions lifted at HaysMed

Effective today, visitor restrictions are no longer in effect at HaysMed. The hospital has been limiting visitors since Feb. 7 for the protection of patients and staff.

Flu and respiratory cases are on the decline and are now at a typical level for this time of year. As a result, the restrictions are no longer necessary.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while these temporary restrictions were in place,” said Kim Koerner, Infection Prevention Officer/Associate Health Nurse. “While it was a sacrifice for both patients and hospital staff, we believe these efforts helped to reduce transmission of respiratory illnesses during a period of heightened flu activity.”

Police investigate 14-year-old Kan. boy for alleged sex crime

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen for an alleged sex crime.

On Saturday, police filed a report for aggravated criminal sodomy in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity Report.

Officers listed a 14-year-old girl as the victim and a 14-year-old boy known to her as the suspect.

Due to the nature of the crime, police released no additional details.

New Wildlife Biologist position to open in Oberlin

KDWPT

The Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation Awards Conservation Grants

OAKLEY – The Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation (NWKCF) has announced it will award Norton County Community Foundation’s Secure Sebelius Lake fund with a $25,000 grant and Pheasants Forever with a $10,000 grant to help fund a wildlife biologist position in Oberlin.

“The grant requests made by these organizations directly fulfill our mission to support habitat and wildlife conservation in northwest Kansas, and the board was unanimous in their support of grant funding,” said Jim Millensifer, Ringneck Classic Board president.

An agreement between the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and the Almena Irrigation District ensures approximately ten feet of water is retained in Sebelius Lake. However, that agreement will soon expire and needs renewed. Sebelius Lake – west of Norton – is important to the area’s economy because of the visitors it attracts for camping, boating, fishing and hunting. To renew the agreement, KDWPT committed to 50 percent of the necessary funding, and the Secure Sebelius Lake Committee was formed to raise the other half.

“The Secure Sebelius Lake team is excited about this grant opportunity and we are proud to have great partners in the Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation,” Tara Vance, executive director of the Norton County Community Foundation and Secure Sebelius Lake Committee member said. “This project is important to the vitality and health of our entire region, both for economic and wildlife purposes. We appreciate the support from a group that continues to support and give back to northwest Kansas in both of these areas.”

Pheasants Forever’s farm bill biologist program places wildlife biologists in local Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency offices to assist landowners in enrolling in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill conservation programs. Biologists also provide technical advice and assist those landowners after programs have been implemented.

“Pheasants Forever greatly appreciates the strong partnership and shared vision that we have with the Kansas Ringneck Classic,” said Jordan Martincich, director of development for Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever. “Our collaboration has led to many successes for northwest Kansas wildlife habitat, northwest Kansas kids, and northwest Kansas communities. The future is bright for Kansas wildlife habitat conservation and the Kansas upland hunting heritage, thanks to the Kansas Ringneck Classic.”

The Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic is committed to contributing to northwest Kansas, community youth, habitat improvement and wildlife conservation. For more information about the classic and the NWKCF, visit www.kansasringneckclassic.com. To learn more about the Secure Sebelius Fund, contact Vance at (785) 874-5106. For information about Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever in Kansas, visit www.kansaspfqf.org.

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