Kansas
Lawmaker and Topeka woman who fought for Good Samaritan Law in Kansas proud to see it finally take effect
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Until Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 419 in May, Kansas was one of two states without Good Samaritan Laws, which overlook drug possession charges for those who call for help during life-threatening situations.
This changes starting July 1, thanks to the efforts of various lawmakers and advocates.
Since her daughter Kaylee Burger passed away from an accidental overdose in August, Amber Saale-burger has worked tirelessly to ensure no other family feels that pain, through advocacy and by passing out Narcan and fentanyl strips, but she knew more had to be done and felt Kansas needed to implement laws recognizing the value of a life despite drug-related struggles.
” There’s this big stigma, you know, ‘You’re a junkie, you’re an addict. You’re not worth saving,’ but absolutely they are,” Saale-burger said. “ They’re somebody’s mom, or sister, or brother. “
Losing four family members in the past two years to fentanyl, this crisis became personal for Saale-burger. She believes her loved ones would still be here today had someone not been too scared to dial 911 immediately.
“My sister-in-law was 36 and her three kids are missing their mom because she’s not here because they were afraid to call,” Saale-burger explained. “My 16-year-old son-in-law: the same situation. He took a Percocet, he thought and he didn’t wake up. “
She reached out to Kansas State Representative Pat Proctor, knowing he already had one foot in the door trying to get new legislation passed. Seeing the uptick of deaths at home in Leavenworth, he was fully on board.
“This fentanyl epidemic has just hit us like a tsunami,” Proctor said. “These drugs are put into pills that look like Oxycontin or look like Percocet or look a hundred other drugs.”
Saale-burger and Proctor were among several to give testimony in favor of the bill.
Proctor emphasizes a government official’s responsibility for the well-being of their citizens and says you can’t save someone’s life that’s already dead.
“When somebody’s in the middle of an overdose incident,” Proctor said. “You know, none of that philosophical stuff matters. We need to get them help immediately revive them and then we can concentrate on getting them help for their addiction.”
Both encourage future bystanders in that situation to take action without fear.
“If this saves just one life it’ll all have been worth it,” Proctor said.
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Linn County, Kansas, man died in a single-vehicle crash early Thursday morning.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says just after midnight Thursday, a 41-year-old Centerville, Kansas, man was driving south on Mills Road about 6.5 miles southwest of La Cygne when he lost control of a 2012 Hyundai Elantra.
The vehicle left the roadway and struck an embankment, causing the Hyundai to overturn before coming to rest on its top.
The driver and sole occupant of the car, Edward Schultz, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A new mural under the Kansas Avenue Memorial Bridge will be unveiled Thursday afternoon in North Topeka.
A ceremony celebrating the mural will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 2 under the bridge near Veterans Park, 131 N.E. Laurent St.
The finished mural, titled “Reflections of North Topeka,” is the culmination of a project that brought together artists, students, volunteers, local leaders and community members to create a lasting tribute to the history and spirit of North Topeka.
“Over the past several months, the bridge has been transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery that tells the story of our community,” organizers said in a news release. “From the area’s Indigenous roots and the Kaw Nation to the development of Eugene, the growth of North Topeka, and the revitalization of today’s NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, the mural celebrates the people, places, and events that shaped our community.
“What makes this mural truly special is the community behind it. More than 90 volunteers helped paint this project, proving that when people come together with a shared vision, incredible things can happen.”
The celebration will include:
- The official unveiling of the completed mural
- A brief program with remarks from the mural team
- A ceremonial ribbon cutting
- An opportunity to meet the artists and learn about the stories behind the artwork
- Complimentary refreshments
Led by Project Manager and NOTO Arts Administrator Staci Schnacker, lead artist Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, and supporting artists DeAna Morrison, Jordan E. Brooks, and Pradeep K. Bangalore, “this mural is more than public art,” organizers said — “it’s a celebration of the people, places, and history that make North Topeka unique.
This project was supported in part through the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsConnect Topeka, the City of Topeka, Shawnee County Parks + Recreation, and many other community partners, businesses, artists, and volunteers.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
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