RENO COUNTY — For the second time this week, police in Hutchinson are investigating the robbery of a Dillon’s Store.

Just after 3p.m. on Friday, Reno County 911 reported a robbery at the East 4th Avenue Dillon’s in Hutchinson.

Police say that a man wearing a mask walked into the store and demanded money.

Officers say this robbery and the one at the Dillon’s on North Main in Hutchinson on Monday morning may be connected.

On Friday, some parents were called by local schools and asked if they wanted their children to walk home or be picked up because of the robbery.

During Monday’s robbery, a man, also wearing a Halloween mask, walked in and demanded money before attempting to flee on a bicycle. No arrests have been made in that case.

DOUGLAS COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities in Douglas County are investigating a home-invasion robbery.

Two of three suspects, 20-year-old Antonio A. Esparza and 21-year-old Joshua H. Fairbanks are currently in custody, according to a media release.

Just before 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, officers with the Lawrence Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Ash Street in reference to a home invasion robbery that just occurred.

Officers learned that three suspects entered the residence, each armed with a firearm and demanded money from occupants.

A physical struggle ensued between the victims and the suspects.

During the struggle, one of the suspects was injured. All three suspects fled the scene before officers arrived.

Through the course of the investigation, Lawrence Police Detectives were able to identify two of the suspects as Esparza and Fairbanks.

Detectives are seeking the third suspect. Lawrence Police request that anyone who may have information related to this incident to please contact the Lawrence Police Department at 785-832-7509 or the Douglas County Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline 785-843-TIPS (8477).

WASHINGTON (AP) — People are pledging lots of green to restore a pair of famous red slippers.

On Monday, the Smithsonian launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $300,000 to preserve its pair of the ruby slippers that whisked Dorothy back to Kansas at the end of “The Wizard of Oz.” By Friday morning, the campaign had already raised $239,000. More than 4,390 people had backed the project.  See more here.

The slippers have been one of the most beloved items at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for more than 30 years. They were crafted almost 80 years ago by the MGM Studios prop department. Like most movie props, they weren’t built to last.

The Smithsonian wants to use the money toward a technologically advanced display case that will preserve them for future generations.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has dismissed an attempted rape charge against a truck driver who was sentenced to death in 2004 for killing and decapitating a Wichita housekeeper.

The court ruled on Friday that 54-year-old Douglas Belt should not have been convicted of attempted rape because prosecutors used the same act to get a capital murder conviction.

Belt died in prison of natural causes in April. The court ruled on his appeal anyway because it had the potential to exonerate him on one or more convictions.

Belt was convicted of the 2002 slaying of 42-year-old Lucille Gallegos, whose headless body was found in an empty apartment at a Wichita complex where she worked.

Investigators called the killing one of most gruesome crimes in the city’s history.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY – A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. on Friday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 2004 Chevy Cavalier driven by Cantinia Marie Cannon, 19, Cherryvale, was northbound on highway 169 approaching a set of railroad tracks five miles south of Cherryvale.

The Chevy rear-ended a Hazmat tanker stopped at the railroad tracks as required by law.

Cannon was transported to Cherryvale Regional Medical Center. The tanker driver from Oklahoma was not injured.

Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

HUTCHINSON – Attendance numbers for the 2016 Kansas State Fair were released Friday, and
they’re good.

Despite rainy weather that dampened several days of the 10-day fair, gate attendance reached 359,808. That’s the third highest in the fair’s 104-year history, according to a media release.

“The weather on the first Friday was less than desirable, but attendance was high over both weekends,” said general manager Susan Sankey. “Even the potential of rain can keep people away. We work to communicate the many alternate indoor venues and activities available before fairgoers make a change in plans.”

2015 was a record-breaking year for fair attendance with numbers at 369,322, beating the previous record set in 1995 at 361,647. Those years celebrated near-perfect weather throughout.

The Fair welcomed new schools and students with an increased focus on education components. “It was fun to watch the children’s excitement bloom as they experienced their first fair,” said Sankey. The increase in 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors and the birth of multiple sets of twin calves also helped entice the crowds.

Sankey accepted the position as general manager in November 2015, allowing ten months to learn the ropes and plan Kansas’ largest event. “The Kansas State Fair has a hard working board, staff and many volunteers who plan well in advance,” she said. “We started planning for next year’s fair before this year’s had ended. This approach matched with the outstanding support of our partners, sponsors, exhibitors and participants keeps the fair successful year after year.”

Mark your calendars for the 2017 Kansas State Fair, September 8-17 in Hutchinson.

RICE COUNTY – Investigators in Rice County have not determined the exact cause of a Wednesday morning house fire in Lyons.

Just after 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, a passerby noticed smoke coming from the residence at 416 South Douglas and called 911, according to Fire Chief Brad Reid.

“We discovered fire coming from the floor of the living room, backed the crew out and attacked from rear of the home,” he said.

The fire originated from a crawl space under the living room and may have been due to an electrical issue, according to Reid.

“The owners had recently done a lot of remodeling,” he said.

The Kansas Fire Marshal’s office assisted with the investigation.

The fire caused approximately $60K dollars in damage. There were no injuries.

MCPHERSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in McPherson County are investigating bank burglary and asking for help to identify a suspect.

Just after 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, McPherson Sheriff Deputies responded to the Roxbury Bank, 102 S. Main, in reference a burglar alarm.

Surveillance photos taken from the bank show the suspect inside the bank as well as the suspect vehicle involved in this case.

Anyone with information on who committed this or any other crime is asked to contact McPherson County Crime Stoppers online or by phone at 1-800-241-8118 or 620-241-1122. You can also text a tip by texting MPCS and then your tip to

274637 (CRIMES). Standard rates may apply. You maybe eligible for a cash reward for information leading to the solving of a crime.