August 31
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 6:53 a.m.
Criminal Transport, El Dorado, 6:58 a.m.
Motor Vehicle Accident, 2100 block 130th Avenue, 8:45 a.m.
Found or Lost Property, 1800 block Munjor Road, 10:52 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Dodge City, 12:42 p.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 1:18 p.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 5:41 p.m.
Civil Dispute, 1500 block West 27th, 7:35 p.m.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A January trial date has been scheduled for three men accused of trying to kill a Wyandotte County sheriff’s deputy.
The Kansas City Star reports Wyandotte County Deputy Scott Wood was shot March 4 at a convenience store. The three men charged with attempted capital murder in the shooting are 18-year-old Charles D. Bowser, 24-year-old Dyron M. King, and 35-year-old Cecil D. Meggerson.
Wood was driving home from work when he stopped at the convenience store. Three robbers soon walked in. Wood was shot several times and survived.
The three men are being held on $1 million bond on charges of attempted capital murder. Their trial is scheduled to start Jan. 25.
Wichita – The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) has evaluated additional efforts to reduce flooding concerns south of Emporia following a fatal crash on July 10.
The Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Turnpike Authority reported an accident on July 10 killed a driver in flash floodwaters after sliding off a wet stretch of Interstate 35. Zachary Clark, 21, Keller, TX., died in the crash.
The KTA reported in a media release today that items evaluated were additional water monitoring systems, permanent flood warning signs and guardrail. These items are in addition to the installation of 16 additional digital message signs, changes to weather warning notices and planned culvert improvements.
During internal discussions and review, KTA also made a notable change to its drainage structure designs. Current national guidelines call for drainage structures on Interstate highways to accommodate water from a 50- year storm. However, KTA will be shifting its focus from the design of the structure to the result of that design on the roadway – which ultimately is what’s important to travelers. The new focus is to keep water off the roadway during a 100-year storm, regardless of how the structure is designed. Five of the six drainage structures to be installed in 2016 meet this goal. The remaining structure, located at MM 116, will be redesigned prior to installation.
Other determinations made by KTA are listed below and can also be found at: http://bit.ly/1EvBo9D
GUARDRAIL NEAR MM 116-118: KTA and consulting engineers reviewed the possibility of guardrail installation to protect motorists from water on or near the roadway due to flooding. Because guardrail itself can be a roadway hazard, it should only be installed when the object it is designed to protect can’t be removed, i.e. bridge pillars, permanent body of water, tree or steep slope. Therefore, guardrail will not be installed to protect against potential flooding that is already being addressed with these drainage structure improvements.
ADDITIONAL MONITORING SYSTEMS: Two water alert systems are already in place at MM 116 and 199 to notify key KTA personnel when water begins to rise at those locations. An additional stream monitor will be installed at MM 118. This monitor will be operational mid-September.
PERMANENT FLOOD WARNING SIGNS: KTA has selected the type of permanent caution signage to alert travelers to the potential for flash flooding. These will include a total of six signs, four of which will have flashing lights that are activated when the stream monitors at MM 116 and MM 118 indicate the culvert is half full. These signs will be installed by mid-September.
SALINA – Law enforcement authorities arrested two Russell residents on drug charges Monday night.
Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said a deputy pulled a 2003 Dodge Stratus over around 11 p.m. near the Interstate 135 junction with Interstate 70 after the driver kept changing lanes.
During the stop, the Sheriff’s K-9 indicated there might be drugs in the car.
A total of 5 small baggies of methamphetamine were found, along with empty baggies.
Justin Acheson, 38, and Sandra Ballentine, 38, both of Russell, were charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Acheson was also cited for traffic infractions, including driving with a suspended drivers license.
A second woman who was a passenger in the car was not arrested.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Kansas City Royals All-Star pitcher Kelvin Herrera and right fielder Alex Rios have been diagnosed with chickenpox, raising concerns that others on the AL Central-leading team may have been exposed.
Team officials said Tuesday that Herrera and Rios will likely miss a couple of weeks as the season wraps up. Both players were sent home from Tampa Bay after experiencing symptoms over the weekend.
The Royals have reached out to players, coaches and their families to determine whether anyone else has had chickenpox or may be at risk.
The disease is highly contagious, spread through the air via coughing or sneezing and sometimes by touching. It causes a blister-like rash, fever and tiredness. It can be serious for people with weakened immune systems.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas collected $30 million less in taxes than anticipated in August, but officials said larger-than-expected income tax refunds were largely the reason.
The state Department of Revenue reported Tuesday that tax collections were about $418 million last month, compared with the official projection of $448 million. The shortfall was 6.8 percent.
Budget director Shawn Sullivan noted during a news conference that the shortfall was offset by budget adjustments he announced last month. When those adjustments are considered, the state’s total revenue shortfall was roughly $6 million.
Department of Revenue officials said the state paid out $22 million more than expected in income tax refunds.
The figure included nearly $14 million to a company receiving a corporate income tax credit for investing in its Kansas facilities. Officials declined to name it.
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Royals activated All-Star outfielder Alex Gordon from the disabled list and welcomed new outfielder Jonny Gomes in a series of moves before Tuesday night’s game against Detroit.
The Royals also recalled infielders Christian Colon and Cheslor Cuthbert along with catcher Francisco Pena from Triple-A Omaha, and outfielder Terrance Gore from Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Right-hander Miguel Almonte and left-hander Scott Alexander also joined the club from Omaha.
Gordon has been out since July 8, when he crumpled to the warning track while chasing down a fly ball in a game against Tampa Bay. He had spent eight games rehabbing in Omaha.
Gomes was acquired late Monday in a trade with Atlanta.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An upcoming trial for a Topeka man accused of kidnapping and raping an 8-year-old child has been delayed.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Jeremy James Lindsey faces several charges, including rape, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary stemming from the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of the child in September 2014 in southeast Topeka.
His trial was scheduled to start Monday, but was delayed when Lindsey sought to fire his attorney, who also had filed a request to withdraw from the case.
His new attorney is Don Hoffman. A new jury trial date will be scheduled Thursday.
A co-defendant, 24-year-old Michelle Harris, is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated endangering of a child. Harris will next be in court Sept. 9 for a pre-trial hearing.
Julia (Judy) Marie Dean Applebee, born July 21, 1921, died August 28, 2015, at the age of 94, in WaKeeney. She was born on the family farm near Esbon to Frank and Minnie (Peroutek) Zadina.
She married Gerald Miller Dean of Glen Elder in 1942. To this union, a son, Gary and a daughter, Marie Sue Jenkins were born. Their marriage lasted until Gerald passed away in 1974. In 1992, she married Gail L. Applebee and moved to Beloit. He passed away in 2007. Judy was a 30 year employee of the Hill City USDA/ASC office, retiring in 1984.
Judy loved dancing, as do most full blooded Bohemians. She was a graduate of Esbon High School and had to be boarded in Esbon during those four years in order to attend school. She had to work for her room and board. In 1952, Gerald moved the family to Hill City, as he was hired to play baseball for Irv Hardman’s Town Team. She attended all HC games and learned to love the game and was an avid Royals Fan.
Judy was an excellent bowler, as she and her Hill City buddies were very successful, and they had participated in many Las Vegas National Tournaments. After retirement, she took up golf, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Her talent got her three hole-in-ones throughout her years of golfing. She and Gail played until their eyesight deteriorated to the point that they could no longer follow the flight of the ball.
Among, Judy’s talents, she was an excellent quilter. Her beautiful quilts are, and always will be, cherished by her children, grandchildren, and family members.
Judy is survived by her son, Gary; daughter, Marie Sue; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Judy was preceded in death by husbands, Gerald and Gail; sisters, Emma, Edna (Fred) Annis, and Elizabeth (Hurley) Leland; brothers, Bud (Marge) Zadina, and Lloyd (Arlena) Zadina; daughter-in-law, Jean C. Dean; and son-in-law Eric Jenkins.
Graveside services will take place at a later date in Glen Elder Cemetery, Glen Elder. Cremation was chosen.
Judy’s wonderful and successful journey and mission on this earth, which was not without its trials and tribulations, has now ended.
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Reports from school districts from Salina to Ellis have prompted schools in the area to issue alerts to students to be on the lookout for malicious activity and possible abduction attempts.
Ellis High School sent out a notice following an incident that occurred Friday.
“One of our middle school football players was approached and followed by a person in a gold van on their way to football practice. It was reported that the van had VEV Oil on the side and that the driver was an older gentleman with a beard and mohawk,” said Corey Burton, principal at Ellis High School, in a notice to students and parents in Ellis.
Reports have been filed with the Ellis Police Department, he said.
“Students and parents are reminded to always report suspicious activities as soon as possible to the Ellis Police Department and the USD 388. We would also like to encourage students to ride one of the district buses transporting students from EJH to the football field and Washington Grade School for practice,” Burton said.
A similar report occurred Friday in Russell, along with recent incidents in Salina and Holyrood, but it is unclear if those reports are related.
“We don’t know if these are connected,” said Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates, noting there have been differences in the reports from the other areas, including the vehicle description and the number of people involved.
The suspect’s description from Ellis apparently matches the description in a recent attempted abduction in Salina. Click HERE for that story from Salina Post.
While the incident is under investigation, Yates urges caution.
“We know nothing about them,” he said.
If something suspicious occurs he advises to keeping a safe distance and “please don’t wait to call law enforcement.”
For the time being, the Ellis police will have extra officers in the school area, Yates said.
Great Bend Post
GREAT BEND -Sign vandalism continues to be a problem in Barton County. During his county services report to Commissioners on Monday, Administrator Richard Boeckman informed the board that 12 road signs had recently been vandalized South and East of Claflin resulting in almost $1,800 damage.
When asked by Commissioner Homer Krukenberg if his office is having any luck tracking down the vandals, Sheriff Brian Bellendir said it is difficult to do. “It can be long time before someone or the county crews notice a sign is down and some of it is not vandalism but oil field and farm activity,” said Bellendir. “It’s sporadic and all over the county, it’s difficult to get enforcement on it.”
Last year 268 signs were vandalized at a cost of $40,000. The budget for replacing signs was only $30,000. A new stop sign costs $150.
Some of the damaged signs are recycled or donated, while signs with graffiti on them can be refurbished at half the cost of a new sign.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Even though it’s 100 degrees outside now, it’s time to get ready for the winter heating season, according to the Hays Fire Department.
“It’s a little early, but now is a good time to get the jump on getting your furnace checked and serviced by a qualified technician,” said Firefighter Keith Mermis.
Mermis also urges residents to have their water heaters checked.
“It may prevent a carbon monoxide leak, a fire or a furnace or water heater malfunction.
“Also, chimneys and vents should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year by a qualified chimney cleaning contractor,” Mermis added.
HFD also recommends testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every month and changing the batteries every six months.
“We usually suggest changing the batteries when the time changes–Daylight Saving Time in the fall and in the spring,” Mermis said.
“Once again, the Hays Fire Department is offering free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for low-income residents or those on fixed incomes. Just contact the fire department or me, and we’ll be glad to come out and put those in. We’ll also come to the homes of people with limited mobility to install alarms and to change alarm batteries, and do a general checkup on your house if you need it,” said Mermis.
For more information, contact Mermis at the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330 or email [email protected].
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – Kansas State sophomore Jesse Ertz has won a four-way competition to start at quarterback Saturday in the season opener against South Dakota.
Ertz beat out junior Joe Hubener and freshman Alex Delton, who were listed as co-backups on the depth chart released Tuesday. Junior college transfer Jonathan Banks was also in the mix but chose to redshirt rather than sit deeper on the chart.
Ertz was the third-string quarterback behind Jake Waters and Hubener a year ago, and has never attempted a college pass. He appeared in four games a year ago, running seven times for 46 yards in the Wildcats’ option-style offense.
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder pointed to consistency as one of the reasons Ertz won the job.
