HUTCHINSON— A student at Hutchinson Community College was arrested Tuesday after allegedly making a threat against the college.

Police say Cody Turner, 19, New Cambria, Kansas, was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal threat.

HCC Security reported that an unknown individual had posted a threat to commit violence on campus but no specifics were given relating to date or time.

Police worked with HCC Security and the school’s IT department, to develop a potential suspect who was Turner.

Turner was brought to the Law enforcement Center for questioning and arrested.

Police could not be specific about how college security was informed about the threat, only to say that there was no specific target at the school, and that it didn’t appear Turner had the means in his possession to carry out such a threat.

HOISINGTON- Law enforcement officials in Barton County continue to investigate the fatal fire in Hoisington.

Police Chief Kenton Doze met with officials from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday. “We are still interviewing and although we have an idea of what caused the fire, we still have some follow up and work to do.” Doze said.

Fire crews responded to the fire in the residence at 522 East 5th and discovered the body of Leroy Schartz, 62. He was the lone occupant of the home.

Doze said he hopes to have the investigation wrapped up by the end of the week.

TOPEKA -The Kansas State Treasurer has issued a warning of a new phone scam.

On their facebook page Tuesday, the state treasurer’s office said they had been notified of suspicious phone calls in Kansas using the number for the Unclaimed Property Division on caller ID to make it appear that the state or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is calling to request taxes.

The automated phone calls claim to be part of the IRS and state that individuals still owe taxes. The recording then directs callers to select a preferred payment plan.

Please be vigilant against these phone and email scams that use the IRS or Kansas state agencies as a lure and avoid responding.

Kansans who receive suspicious phone calls claiming to be from the IRS can call and report them to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.

“If you ever question the validity of any correspondence or phone calls related to the State Treasurer’s Office, please don’t hesitate to contact our office for verification. We take great pride in the integrity of our program and work hard to ensure safeguards are in place to protect personal information and unclaimed property belonging to Kansans.” said Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes

WASHINGTON (AP) — Frustrated that cars recalled for serious safety defects aren’t getting fixed quickly enough, the nation’s auto safety chief is hosting a gathering of automakers Tuesday to search for solutions.

In some recalls for problems as serious as air bags that can spew shrapnel into drivers or fuel tanks that can rupture in a rear-end crash, completion rates are below 15 percent, six months or more after the recalls were announced.

These recalls involve millions of vehicles, challenging automakers to find both replacement parts and the cars’ owners. Regulators at times have fined automakers for dragging their feet. Meanwhile, concerned car owners wait for repairs and worry about the safety of their cars.

So, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief Mark Rosekind is asking auto companies and safety advocates for solutions.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state’s auditing agency says that the cost of civilly committing sexual predators for treatment in Kansas will double during the next 10 years.

The Legislative Division of Post-Audit presented a report Tuesday that estimates the program’s cost will increase from $13.9 million in 2014 to between $26 million and $34 million in 2025.

In Kansas, offenders deemed sexual predators are committed to a Larned State Hospital after they serve their criminal penalties.

The number of patients in the program has grown to 258 and just three have been released since the program was launched in 1994, while 27 have died during their confinement.

The report also found deficiencies in the way patients are assessed. The agency running the program says many of the report’s recommendations have already been implemented.

—————-

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state’s auditing agency is set to present a report on the cost and effectiveness of Kansas’ program to involuntarily commit sexual predators to treatment.

The Legislative Division of Post-Audit will present its findings Tuesday into the program that civilly commits some sex offenders to a Larned State Hospital after they serve their criminal penalties. The report will compare it to similar programs in other states, and look into ways to reduce the rise in its population and cost.

The number of patients in the program has grown to 258, most of whom are confined to Larned State Hospital. Since the program was launched in 1994, only three patients have been fully released while 27 have died during their confinement.

Critics say the program unconstitutionally prolongs offenders’ sentences.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Ride-hailing company Uber has signed Gov. Sam Brownback’s former campaign manager and several high-profile lobbyists to represent it in a fray over efforts to regulate the industry.

The Kansas Secretary of State’s Office says Mark Dugan, who managed Brownback’s successful re-election campaign, registered as a lobbyist for Uber on Monday. The Wichita Eagle reports that the move came after Brownback on April 20 vetoed a bill that would have increased regulations on companies like Uber. Bill backers are vowing to attempt to override the veto during the wrap-up session that begins Wednesday.

The governor’s office said Dugan played no role in the decision to veto the bill. Uber didn’t immediately return a message that The Associated Press left through its website.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A whistleblower lawsuit alleges the City of Leavenworth defrauded the federal government in claiming reimbursements for water pipe and bridge repairs that were actually damaged prior to the 2011 flood.

The lawsuit unsealed Monday in U.S. District Court in Kansas also alleges the city’s water treatment plant illegally dumped waste directly into a creek behind the plant that runs into the Missouri River. It also alleges truckloads of solid sewer waste were dumped on top of the ground behind the facility.

The city of Leavenworth declined to comment on the allegations.

Former assistant plant supervisor Michele Coffman also claims in her suit that the city retaliated against her after she raised concerns over the practices.

The Justice Department has declined to intervene at this time, but is monitoring the lawsuit.