November 2014 – Page 15 – Hays Post Archive

Kansas capital murder suspect seeking to change his name

Posted on November 24, 2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man whose capital murder conviction was overturned because of ineffective counsel is seeking to change his name, which prosecutors said will have no impact on his upcoming retrial.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Phillip Delbert Cheatham Jr. has filed court documents seeking to change his name to “King Phillip Amman Reu-El,” and is scheduled for a hearing next month before a judge who will decide whether to grant the change.

Cheatham was convicted in 2005 of killing 38-year-old Annette Roberson and 42-year-old Gloria Jones in 2003.

The 41-year-old is charged with capital murder, with two alternative counts of premeditated first-degree murder in the deaths of Roberson and Jones and attempted first-degree murder of Annetta Thomas.

His trial is scheduled for early next year.

Another hunter sentenced in Graham Co. mourning dove case

Posted on November 24, 2014

WICHITA – A hunter pleaded guilty and was sentenced Monday for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act when he and seven friends met in Kansas to hunt mourning doves, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Monday.

George Morgan, 52, Gordonville, Texas, was sentenced to a year on probation in which he is not allowed to hunt, fish or trap; a $2,000 fine; and $3,000 restitution to the state of Kansas.

Seven other hunters in the same party already pleaded guilty and were sentenced. The men admitted they violated the federal law protecting migratory birds when they participated in an annual opening weekend dove hunt in Graham County, Kan., on Sept. 1-2, 2013.

Morgan pleaded guilty to one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act classifies mourning doves as migratory game birds.

Morgan’s co-defendants included Daniel R. Dinkel, 63, Hill City, Kan.; Kent A. Webber, 52, Derby, Kan.; Evan Webber, 25, Derby, Kan.; Kenneth R. Beran, 67, Derby, Kan.; Clark Law, 57, Hill City, Kan.; Tracy D. Higgins, 54, El Dorado, Kan.; and John Kobler, 62, Topeka, Kan.

Grissom commended the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Tourism and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case.

KBI surveying law enforcement agencies on sex assault kits

Posted on November 24, 2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state’s investigation bureau is trying to determine if Kansas has a backlog of untested sexual assault kits.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the kits include swabs and specimens gathered during exams of sexual assault victims.

Officials say that across the country, hundreds of thousands of the sexual assault kits remain untested.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation recently sent surveys to all Kansas law enforcement agencies to see if there is a backlog problem. KBI Director Kirk Thompson says the state agency doesn’t think there’s a backlog issue in Kansas, but wants to be sure that’s the case.

KBI hopes to begin analyzing the survey’s results starting next year.

Thompson says that 66 kits are currently awaiting testing at KBI labs.

Kansas man given 2 life sentences for murder of pregnant woman

Posted on November 24, 2014

PRATT, Kan. (AP)— A 22-year-old man was given two life sentences Monday for killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says Bryant Alan Seba of Pratt was sentenced for the shooting deaths of 22-year-old Alexandria Duran and her unborn child in July 2013.

He also was sentenced to another 22-years and six months for attempted premeditated murder in the shooting of 28-year-old Brandon Wright, who was paralyzed. Seba will not be eligible for parole for at least 50 years.

Testimony at trial indicated people in Duran’s house and Seba’s house had several racially-tinged confrontations. Witnesses said Seba fired into a crowd of people after Duran and her uncle intervened in a fight that involved Seba, who is white, and Wright, who is black.

Suspect in 5 Kansas City deaths pleads not guilty

Posted on November 24, 2014

MARGARET STAFFORD, Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A man suspected of killing five people in a Kansas City, Missouri, neighborhood has pleaded not guilty to all charges he faces, including five counts of first-degree murder.

Thirty-four-year-old Brandon Howell entered the plea in Jackson County Court on Monday morning.

Prosecutors say Howell brutally beat George and Anna Taylor on Sept. 2, then fatally shot Alice Hurst; her son, Darrel Hurst; and Susan Choucroun outside their homes before fleeing in the Taylors’ SUV.

Howell was arrested hours later when police found him walking with a loaded shotgun.

Besides the murder counts, he’s charged with four counts of armed criminal action, first-degree burglary, stealing a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of firearm.

KFIX Rock News: High-Def Audio Version Of George Harrison’s “The Apple Years” Box Set Out Today

Posted on November 24, 2014November 23, 2014

Back in September, a box set titled The Apple Years 1968-75 featuring remastered versions of George Harrison’s first six solo albums was issued on CD and as a standard digital download.

Now, a high-definition digital version of the compilation is set to be released this Monday, November 24.

The revamped collection has been mastered in 96-kHz/24-bit digital resolution from the album’s original master tapes, and will be available for purchase from all major high-def audio sellers.

The Apple Years 1968-75 includes 1968’s Wonderwall Music, 1969’s Electronic Sound, 1970’s All Things Must Pass, 1973’s Living in the Material World, 1974’s Dark Horse and 1975’s Extra Texture (Read All About It).

Each album includes bonus rare or previously unreleased tracks. Harrison’s son, Dhani, oversaw the compilation project.

“Like” KFIX on Facebook.

Kansas woman arrested, accused of forgery, theft

Posted on November 24, 2014November 24, 2014

SALINA- A Salina woman was arrested on Saturday after police say she stole checks from an 80-year-old woman in October.

Police reported Karis Ratcliff took the checks while working as a dietary aide at Presbyterian Manor, 2601 East Crawford.

Ratcliff deposited the checks worth $2800 dollars into her bank account.

A family member of the victim contacted authorities.

Family offers reward for information in case of missing Colby teen

Posted on November 24, 2014

COLBY — The family of a Colby teen missing since Nov. 3 has offered a reward for information.

Andrew Shubert, 16, was last seen at his home in Colby on Nov. 3.

Chief Ron Alexander of the Colby Police Department said Monday the family if offering $500 for information that leads to his return. The department is working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help spread the word about the disappearance.

Shubert is 6 foot, 1 inch and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information as to Shubert’s whereabouts is asked to contact the CPD at (785) 460-4460, or National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) THE LOST.

FHSU’s Lehman named MIAA women’s basketball Player of the Week

Posted on November 24, 2014

MIAA

Fort Hays State’s Kate Lehman has been named the MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week for the season’s second week.

Lehman averaged a double-double in points (28.0) and rebounds (11.0) for the week in just 41 total minutes of game action (20.5 minutes per game). She scored 30 points in FHSU’s 120-39 win over McPherson, a game in which FHSU set a school record for points in a single game. Lehman followed up the performance with her first double-double (and just missing a triple-double) of the season, pulling down 14 rebounds to go with 26 points, in addition to eight blocks.

Lehman had at least 20 points in the first half of both games. She shot an impressive 81.5 percent from the field (22-of-27). She is now just four blocks away from overtaking the 6th spot on the NCAA career blocks list with 388 for her career. She climbed to 7th on the FHSU career scoring list (now has 1,451 points for her career). Lehman is now 4th on FHSUs career rebounding list with 812 rebounds.

The 6-4 senior center is a native of Newton, Kan. where she competed at Newton High School.

FHSU seeks lowest room-and-board increase among Regents universities

Posted on November 24, 2014November 24, 2014

TOPEKA (AP) — State universities in Kansas are seeking to hike their room and board rates for the upcoming school year.

The Kansas Board of Regents is expected to approve the increases in December. There was a first reading of the proposals last week.

At the University of Kansas, a typical rate for a residence hall double-room and a middle-of-the-road meal plan, called the “Crimson Flex,” would increase an average of 2.9 percent, for a total of $9,324. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that costs could vary depending on the type of room and meal plan.

Other universities in the Regents system are proposing similar increases, ranging from 2.7 percent at Fort Hays State University to an average 5 percent increase at Emporia State University.

Kansas college nearly meets first enrollment goal

Posted on November 24, 2014

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas University officials say they have nearly met a first-semester target of international students enrolled through a recruitment program.

Earlier this year, the university and company Shorelight Education formally announced a partnership for the International Academic Accelerator Program, which is aimed at increasing the school’s international enrollment to help diversify the student body.

A university official says about 7 percent of undergrads are from other countries. Overall, about 9 percent of the school’s students are international.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports officials had a goal of recruiting 60 students for its first semester in the program and ended up with 57 this fall.

For about a $45,000 flat fee, the program provides about a year’s worth of room, board, tuition and activities for participating international students.

K-State’s Lockett tabbed Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week

Posted on November 24, 2014

Kansas State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the seventh time in his career, including the second this season, Kansas State senior wide receiver Tyler Lockett has been named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in the return game at West Virginia, the conference office announced Monday.

Lockett, who was also the league’s special teams player of the week following the UTEP game, garnered the fifth designation for the Wildcats this season. In addition to Lockett’s two nods, Jake Waters earned the offensive honor following the Iowa State game, while Dakorey Johnson and Dante Barnett were the defensive players of the week after the Auburn and Texas games, respectively.

In addition, the honor was the Wildcats’ Big 12-leading 29^th weekly conference honor since the beginning of 2011.

A product of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lockett totaled 321 all-purpose yards, thanks to a pair of punt returns for 66 yards – including a 43-yard touchdown – three kickoff returns for 59 yards and 196 receiving yards on 10 catches. The nation’s leader with a 20.5-yard punt return average, Lockett’s touchdown return was his second of the year to rank second nationally and tied for third in school history.

Lockett now has 328 total punt return yards this season and 414 for his career to rank 10th in school history in both categories. Additionally, Lockett has 1,669 all-purpose yards this season to rank ninth in K-State history.

Lockett’s 196 receiving yards put him over the 1,000-yard mark for the second-straight season, becoming just the second Wildcat ever to accomplish the feat. He improved his school career receiving yardage record to 3,269 and his school record for career 100-yard games to 14. With 213 career receptions, he is now four away from tying his father, Kevin, for the most in school history, while he is two touchdowns shy of tying that K-State career record as well.

No. 11 Kansas State hosts KU in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Saturday in a 3 p.m., contest at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

New casino coming to Southeast Kansas

Posted on November 24, 2014

CHEROKEE COUNTRY, Kan. — Representatives of Castle Rock Casino Resort today announced in a media release plans to build a premiere, Las Vegas-style casino resort in Cherokee County, Kan. Located less than one mile north of I-44 directly on US400, the casino will be in the prime location for a casino in Southeast Kansas. It is designed to attract people from Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma – especially from the nearby population centers of Joplin and Springfield, Mo.

Plans were unveiled at the Monday morning meeting of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. The Las Vegas-based Friedmutter Group will put its years of experience into the casino architecture and master plan. Its client roster includes such well-known names as the Cosmopolitan, Caesars, Station Casinos, MGM Resorts, Ritz Carlton and Hard Rock Casinos. Cherokee County-based Crossland Construction will build the project and work with the architects to ensure Southeast Kansas has the finest casino in Kansas. The global firm WhiteSand Gaming serves as the lead consultant. It makes its headquarters in Las Vegas and maintains an office in Atlantic City. American Casino and Entertainment Company, which owns and manages four casinos in Las Vegas and Nevada, will manage the casino. Project partners include a group of Kansas business people.

The Castle Rock Casino Resort derives its name from the much-loved, must-see Kansas Wonder in Western Kansas. The name is appropriate, developers say, as the casino resort will be an awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping attraction. One that makes a significant, positive impact to the region and state.

“Our initial studies reveal that this casino will generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for Southeast Kansas, while creating hundreds of new jobs,” says WhiteSand president and CEO Saverio “Sal” R. Scheri. “As a direct competitor to Oklahoma casinos, Castle Rock Casino is perfectly placed to maximize the potential of a gaming facility in this region. From exquisite dining to exciting entertainment and a modern hotel, Castle Rock will be one of the top casinos in the Midwest. With a planned total investment in excess of $130 million, more than twice the minimum required, the proposed development is larger in scope than other announced casinos in the area.”

Castle Rock Casino Resort will be an ultimate entertainment and dining destination. The casino will feature a full-service hotel, several restaurants including a first-class steakhouse; hip lounges and bars, including a high-energy sports bar. The complex will also include substantial meeting space capable of hosting anything from small, intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences. A unique future feature includes a 5,000- to 6,000-seat entertainment arena that will be the home of a professional hockey franchise as well as hosting headline concerts and other large events.

Provided the state stays on schedule, plans call for a gamily facility manager to be selected by May 19, 2015 and for the casino resort design to be completed by July 1, 2015 with construction immediately following. Castle Rock Casino Resort’s goal is to open within 12 months – by June 1, 2016.