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Kansas man sentenced for Christmas Eve, hostage standoff

Mendenhall III

RENO COUNTY— A Kansas man who entered pleas in two domestic incidents, one where he held police at bay on Christmas Eve 2015 for nearly six hours was sentenced on Monday to three years in prison.

Charles Mendenhall III, 34, Hutchinson, pled guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the case from Dec. 24, of last year and aggravated burglary for the case from Jan. 10 of this year.

Judge Trish Rose sided with protecting the community when she handed down the sentence and denied a defense request for some form of probation.

Hostage standoff in Hutchinson on Christmas Eve 2015

Mendenhall had been charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal threat and two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child in the Christmas Eve incident.

In the case from Jan. 10 of 2016, he was charged with aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, interference with law enforcement, violation of a protection from abuse order, criminal restraint and battery of Hutchinson Police Officer Josh Long.

KBI issues alert for missing Kansas man

Long-courtesy photo

ANDERSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities including the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are working to get information about a missing Kansas man believed to be endangered.

On the December 17, a vehicle belonging to Devyn Long, 24, Welda, Kansas was located abandoned on Missouri Road, just North of 1500 Road, Southwest of the city of Garnett, Kansas.

If you know the whereabouts of Devyn, or have had contact with him since Saturday, December 17th, please call the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-448-6823.

Kansas woman admits recruiting, training minor for prostitution

Michaela Hekekia-photo KDOC

TOPEKA -A Kansas woman pleaded guilty Monday to the sex trafficking of a minor and could face nearly six years in prison, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Michaela Hekekia, 36, Topeka, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. In her plea, she admitted training a minor female to work as a prostitute and transporting the girl from Kansas to a motel in Joplin, Mo., to work as a prostitute.

Hekekia admitted conspiring with co-defendants to run a Topeka-based prostitution business that operated in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. At times, as many as 20 females were working as prostitutes for the organization. The leader of the organization rented houses where some of the prostitutes were allowed to live. The organization used Web sites, social media and cell phones to advertise sexual services and to keep track of prostitutes.

Hekekia admitted she started working for the organization as a prostitute and gradually took on other duties including recruiting and training sex workers and managing advertising for sex services.

Sentencing is set for March 20. The government has agreed to recommend a sentence not to exceed 70 months in federal prison.

Co-defendant Frank Boswell, 42, Topeka, Kan., is set for trial March 7. Co-defendants Rachel Flenniken, 34, Topeka, Kan., and Sean P. Hall, 47, Topeka, Kan., are awaiting sentencing. Shannon Nelson, 23, Topeka, Kan., is set for sentencing Jan. 23.

Beall commended the FBI, the Topeka Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.

Strong second half carries Tiger women past Midland

HAYS, Kan. – Tatyana Legette recorded her third double-double of the season and the Fort Hays State defense forced 26 turnovers in an 84-55 win over Midland (Neb.) Monday at Gross Coliseum. Legette led four Tigers (10-2) in double-figures with 12 points and 10 rebounds, helping FHSU to their fourth straight win.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Sarah Pimentel Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Kacey Kennett and Jill Faxon both scored 11 and Taylor Chandler added 10 points helping the Tigers overcome 2-for-22 shooting from beyond the arc. Faxon scored the first basket of the game for the Tigers and became the 18th player in Tiger history to score 1,000 in a career how with 1,010.

The Warriors (9-4) used an 11-0 run to build a six-point second quarter lead. The Tigers would score the final four points of the frame to go up four at halftime. They scored the first six points of the third quarter to push the lead to 10. It was part of a 22-4 run which saw their lead grow to 24 late in the third. They would lead by as many as 32 in the fourth.

Joelle Overkamp led Midland with 16 points, all of them coming in the first half.

Kan. woman hospitalized after crash; teen driver crossed left of center

FORD COUNTY -A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 5 p.m. on Monday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Honda CRV driven by Jared Boyk Ray, 19, Des Moines, IA., was northbound on U.S. 283 nine miles south of Dodge City.

The Honda crossed left of center and hit a southbound 2005 Mercury Mountaineer driven by Nancy Marie Nichols, 56, Jetmore.

Nichols was transported to the hospital in Dodge City.
Ray and a passenger were not injured.

All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Obama pardons 78, shortens sentence for 153 others —3 in Kansas

Goodwin, Jr.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Three federal inmates serving time in Kansas-related drug cases are getting their sentences shortened by President Barack Obama.

Those commutations were among 153 announced Monday by the White House, along with 78 pardons. That’s the largest number of individual clemencies in a single day by any president.

Under Obama’s action Monday, Demetri Alexander’s 15-year sentence received in 2007 for the Kansas City, Kansas, man’s cocaine and gun convictions will come to an end next April. So will Franklin Goodwin Jr.’s life term related to the Leavenworth, Kansas, man’s 2009 cocaine-trafficking conviction.

Obama also ordered that the life sentence Steven Speal of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, received in 1997 is serving on a Kansas drug and weapons charges expire in December 2018.

Obama has been granting commutations at rapid-fire pace in his final months in office, but he has focused primarily on shortening sentences rather than pardons. Pardons amount to forgiveness of a crime that removes restrictions on the right to vote and lessens the conviction stigma.

Neil Eggleston, Obama’s White House counsel, says Obama has now pardoned a total of 148 people during his presidency and has shortened the sentences of 1,176 people, including 395 serving life sentences.

Study: US women increasingly use pot during pregnancy

LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. women are increasingly using pot during pregnancy, sometimes for morning sickness. That’s according to an analysis of annual U.S. government drug surveys.

Though the actual numbers are small, researchers and others say the trend raises concerns because of evidence linking the drug with low birth weights and other problems.

In 2014, almost 4 percent of pregnant women said they’d recently used marijuana. That’s up from 2.4 percent in 2002.

The study was published online Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

A separate study in the same journal found that almost 10 percent of adult marijuana users in the United States have used it at least partly for medical reasons; 20 percent of these users live in states where medical marijuana isn’t legal.

Documents detail sex allegations against Kansas police sergeant

Delgado- photo Sedgwick Co.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A former Kansas law enforcement officer is accused in court documents of using his authority to have sex with a woman in 2003 and 2004 and making a minor send him nude images.

The allegations were made in two protection orders granted last week and obtained by the Wichita Eagle.

Thomas J. Delgado, a former Valley Center police sergeant and Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputy is free on bond.

He resigned from the Valley Center job earlier this month after being booked on suspicion of official misconduct, rape, sexual battery and sexual exploitation of a child. No charges had been filed as of Monday.

Sheriff Jeff Easter says the arrest resulted from a complaint alleging that he possibly had inappropriate relationships with two Valley Center girls.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

FHSU softball signs seven for the 2018 season

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State head softball coach Adrian Pilkington announced the addition of seven new members to the 2018 squad. All eight of the early signees will be freshmen with six from Colorado, one from Arizona, and one from Kansas. The commitments include Megan Jamison, Grace Philop, Sara Breckbill, Terran Caldwell, Sydney Harsh, Jordan Flakus and Sierra Rodriguez.

Jamison is from Fort Collins, Colo., where she was a CHSAA Class 5A All-State Honorable Mention selection in 2016. During her senior season at Fossil Ridge High School, she batted .463 and had an on-base percentage of .478. As a pitcher she tallied 18 of her team’s 19 wins on the year, while striking out 118 batters.

Philop is also from Fossil Ridge High School. She has been an all-conference selection the last three years and helped the Lobos to the Class 5A state semifinals this fall. Philip is projected to play outfield at FHSU.

From Parker, Colo., Breckbill is a catcher with an electrifying arm. While at Chaparral High School, she threw out 20 of 24 potential base stealers for an outstanding .833 percent. In her four years playing for the Wolverines, she posted a .374 batting average, totaling 89 hits, while knocking in 73 runs. She was a two-time CHSAA Class 5A All-State Honorable Mention selection earning the honors both her junior and senior seasons, as well as a four-time all-conference selection.

Caldwell is from Grandview High School in Aurora, Colo. In her four years playing for the Wolves she has posted a batting average of .355, an on-base percentage of .401, and 77 hits while scoring 70 runs. This past season Caldwell hit .450, had an on-base percentage of .506, and scored 31 runs on 36 hits in her senior season. For her efforts she was granted CHSAA Class 5A All-State Honorable Mention honors.

Harsh will join the Tigers from Arvada, Colo., where she was an outfielder for Ralston Valley High School.  She had an outstanding defensive senior season in the field without committing an error all season. She is a two-time all-conference selection.

Flakus is from Eudora, Kan, where she attends Eudora High School. Flakus has been a three-time all-conference selection for the Cardinals and was selected to the KSHSAA Class 4A All-State First Team as an infielder in 2016.

From Phoenix, Ariz., Rodriguez played her club ball for the Lil’ Saints and the Hot Shotz, two of the top amateur programs in the state of Arizona. Rodriguez is projected to be a pitcher for the Tigers will chip in with her bat as well.

FHSU Sports Information

Sie Doe, Jr. Earns All-America First-Team honors from the Associated Press

Sie Doe, Jr. added a third All-America First Team honor to his collection as the Associated Press named its Little All-America Team for the 2016 season. The team combines the top players from NCAA Divisions II and III and the NAIA.

Doe has already been tabbed as an All-America First Team selection by the AFCA and D2CCA. He was named D2CCA Super Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year and MIAA Defensive Player of the Year as well. He is just the third FHSU player in history to earn First Team honors from the AP, joining linebacker Brock Long from last year and quarterback Shawn Behr from 1995. Doe, however, is the first FHSU player in history to receive All-America First Team honors from at least three organizations in the same season.

Doe had 15 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 81 tackles for the season. He tied for second nationally in forced fumbles with five for the season. The 15 sacks for Doe set a new single-season school record, while he tied the FHSU career record of 21.5 also held by Trevell Smittick (1997-99). Over two years at FHSU, Doe amassed 151 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, and eight forced fumbles. He was an All-MIAA selection both years.

FHSU Sports Information

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback — Justin Dvorak, senior, 6-0, 200, Colorado School of Mines

Running backs — Marty Carter, sophomore, 6-0, 202, Grand Valley State; Trevor Heitland, senior, 5-11, 196, Coe.

Linemen — Jordan Morgan, senior, 6-4, 320, Kutztown; Zach Voytek, senior, 6-5, 300, New Haven (Conn.); Nate Theaker, senior, 6-6, 300, Wayne State; Peter Bateman, senior, 6-6, 285, Minnesota Duluth; Brooks Jenkins, senior, 6-4, 285, Mount Union.

Receivers — Garry Brown, senior, 6-1, 200, California (Pa.); Matt Heller, senior, 6-0, 195, Augustana; Koree Reed, junior, 6-1, 185, Hartwick.

All-purpose player — Keelan Cole, senior, 6-2, 175, Kentucky Wesleyan.

Kicker — Matt Davis, senior, 6-1, 190, North Carolina Pembroke.

DEFENSE

Linemen — John Flood, senior, 6-3, 243, Wisconsin-Whitewater; Lucky Baar, senior, 6-2, 250, McKendree; Sie Doe, Jr., senior, 6-1, 230, Fort Hays State; Collin Bevins, senior, 6-6, 285, Northwest Missouri State.

Linebackers — Carter Hanson, junior, 5-10, 190, St. John’s (Minn.); Osband Thompson, junior, 6-0, 194, Tuskegee; Tyke Kozeal, senior, 6-0, 240, Nebraska-Kearney.

Backs — Baylor Mullins, senior, 5-9, 190, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Philbert Martial, senior, 5-10, 166, North Alabama; Matt McKoy, senior, 6-2, 212, Saginaw Valley State; Drew Hebel, sophomore, 5-11, 172, Black Hills State;

Punter — Aaron LaDeaux, senior, 6-2, 193, Minot State.
SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback — Kyle Zimmerman, senior, Northwest Missouri State.

Running backs — Austin Ekeler, senior, Western State; Chazz Middlebrook, sophomore, MacMurray.

Linemen — Stephen Evans, senior, North Alabama; Antoni Green, senior, Sioux Falls; Peter Gibson, senior, Wheaton; Alex Cappa, junior, Humboldt State; Jared Machorro, junior, Texas A&M Commerce.

Receivers — Xavier Ayers, senior, Western New Mexico; Damon Gibson, junior, Minnesota State (Moorhead); Jesse Zubik, junior, Washington & Jefferson;

All-purpose player — TJ Brown, senior, Sterling.

Kicker — Will Gingery, senior, Wittenberg.

DEFENSE

Linemen — Teidrick Smith, senior, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Whitney Richardson, junior, Lane; Dylan Donahue, senior, West Georgia; Marcus Martin, junior, Slippery Rock.

Linebackers — Matt Barnes, senior, Monmouth (Ill.); Alden Mann, senior, Wayland Baptist; Cody Burtscher, senior, Tarelton, State.

Backs — Joshua Simmons, junior, Limestone; Michael Alada, senior, St. Thomas (Minn.); Jared Chester, junior, LIU-Post; Raheem Wilson, senior, Southeastern Oklahoma.
THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE

Quarterback — Sam Riddle, senior, Linfield.

Running backs — Michael Anderson, senior, West Virginia Wesleyan; Dayton Winn, senior, Hendrix.

Linemen — Chase Sherman, senior, Northwest Missouri State; Lavonte Hights, junior, Shepherd; Aaron Cox, senior, Grand Valley State; Jake Daugherty, junior, Ferris State; Trevor Meyer, senior, Thomas More (Ky.).

Receivers — Brody Oliver, junior, Colorado School of Mines; Shawn Self, senior, Lock Haven; Dan Arnold, senior, Wisconsin-Platteville.

All-purpose player — Marcel Newson, senior, Mississippi College.

Kicker — Cole Antley, sophomore, Ouachita Baptist.

DEFENSE

Linemen — Victor Hudson, senior, Edinboro; Zach Sieler, sophomore, Ferris State; Sydeney Omameh, senior, Grand Valley State; Ray Edwards, senior, Wingate.

Linebackers — A.J. LiCata, junior, Alfred; Reese Dziedzic, senior, Wisconsin-Oshkosh; Eddrick Harris, senior, North Alabama.

Backs — Jay Watkins, junior, Indiana (Pa.); Jovon Dawson, senior, John Carroll; Kevin Berg, senior, Northwest Missouri State; Tavierre Thomas, junior, Ferris State.

Kansas man jailed for alleged DUI after running from accident

BARTON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Barton County are investigating a suspect who fled the scene of an accident.

Just after 10:30 Sunday, Barton County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 300 block of E. Barton County Road. to investigate a car, deer accident.

A 1997 Dodge pickup truck by Kevin L. Schartz of Ellinwood had struck a deer.

As the officers were arriving at the scene a second vehicle struck the rear of the Schartz’s vehicle.

A 2015 Dodge Dart driven by Jason Cavender, 40, Great Bend exited the vehicle and ran from the scene south into a stubble field, leaving a passenger trapped in the vehicle.

The passenger was identified as Aspen Linenberger, 25, Great Bend.

The ambient temperature at the time of the accident was 4°F.

Sheriff’s officers immediately began searching the area for Cavender.

Just after 11:40 p.m. deputies located him hiding in a shed at 12 Southeast 35 Avenue.

Both Linenberger and Cavender received minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Cavender was transported to the Barton County Jail and booked on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Failed to Report Injury Accident, Driving While Suspended and Criminal Trespass. Cavender is being held in the Barton County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bond.

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